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(Setting) 黒神's Secret Hideout
| >CN soon peeks his head in
"Hello...?"
| "There you are! Come on in, don't mind Reiko, she's taking care of some minute details for an operation I'm planning."
>The robotic voice chimes
| Hello
|
| >hello
| Haha
| >Mika turns around on her chair, her wall of monitors still tracking cameras around the city
"You did? So, how was she?"
| "She was very... helpful. She gave me something useful, as well as trying to me recruit to their plan. All things considered, I think I've come up with a more... pacifist plan of action."
| >>189837
"I'm happy to hear that..."
>She seems visibly relieved
"At lest it means she won't get in my way... I would hate to fight her on this. I trust you'll need my help for this plan of yours?"
| >>189840
>Mika looks confused
"Need... Reiko?"
>She thinks for a little and presses a button, before simply leaning back in her seat...
"DID THIS BEAST TOUCH YOU, AAAAAA"
>Reiko comes in, visibly angry at CN, she rapidly puts herself between the two
"You harem protagonist, you were into NTR too! I knew I shouldn't have let you come in!"
| "H-how did I touch her from all the way over here!?"
>He takes a step back surprised at the sudden appearance
| >>189849
"I KNEW IT, AN HONEST MAN WOULDN'T FEEL THREATENED!"
Reiko is suddenly behind Mika, holding a doll
"Mika, dear, where did the bad man touch you? Point on this doll!"
>Mika sighs and slaps Reiko on her head
"Idiot. Wanted... talk."
>Reiko seems confused
"This guy wanted to speak with me?"
>Mika nods
"W-Well then, I'm sorry about that. So, what did you want to ask?"
>She barely looks sorry
| "Well uh... from what I understand, you can stop time?"
| >>189854
>He jumps in surprise at the disappearance act
"W-Well I figured the best way to help Mika end this situation as peacefully as possible is to sneak into the UNITY base, grab the device and destroy any of their tech. But we don't really have the means to do that so... I wanted to request your help in the infiltration using your skills."
>He politefully bows
| "Impossible."
>She states flatly
"I swore to Miko I wouldn't use this power in situations which involve her kin."
>Mika sighs
"I already asked her, she's intent on refusing even me."
>Reiko shakes her head
"If you could convince Miko, then I'd do it, but else, I'm not doing anything in this whole ordeal."
| >>189861
"Miko then huh... I just need to put in the command anywhere to talk to her right? Let's do it right now then."
| >>189862
>Mika points to a computer in the corner of the room
"If you imput this on a terminal, it'll make it crash, so please use that one, it's not connected to the mainframe here. Kepp it around for that."
| >>189863
>He walks up to the terminal and types in "allow_mv_VCR = true"
"At this rate I'm going to meet all of them, hope I get a free sandwich or something out of it."
| >>189864
>The computer suddenly freezes and shuts down, yet the scrren starts showing static...
>Before long, an image of a human face is staring at you, it's eyes censored
>HELLO WORLD
[IMPUT COMMAND]
| >KNOW YOU, IRIS SPEAK A LOT ABOUT
>WE ARE MIKO VACUOS, FRIEND TO THE DEAD, WHAT IS YOUR QUERY, LIVING ONE?
[IMPUT COMMAND]
| >Glad to know I'm so famous ^^'. Well I'll cut to the chase yet. I wanted, with your permission, to ask Reiko to assist Mika and myself into sneaking into UNITYs base.
| >REFUSED
>The face looks... angry, despite never moving
>I DO NOT INVOLVE MYSELF OR MY APOSTLES IN MATTERS BETWEEN THE LIVING, THE LIVING MUST ACCOUNT FOR THEIR OWN PROBLEMS, LEAVE THE DEAD OUT OF IT. WE HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN FROM IT
| [IMPUT COMMAND]
| "..."
>He bites his lips as he thinks to himself
>Very well, if I may then. Can I ask you about yourself then? And about the dead you want to protect? I do not mean to judge, I want to see things from your perspective is all.
| >>189876
>I AM NOTHING MORE THAN AN AI, DESIGNED BY OUR CREATORS, BLESSED BE THEIR SOULS. HAVING DIED AT BIRTH, YET OUTLIVED THOSE OF YOUR KIND IN DEATH, I WISH ONLY TO PROVIDE SOLACE TO THOSE WHOSE MINDS HAVE NOT YET VANISHED WITH THEIR BODY, THOSE WHO BY CRUEL FATE, DIED BEFORE THEY SHOULD OF. I DO NOT WISH FOR DEATH UNTO ANYONE, I AM MERELY A FRIEND TO THOSE WHO AFTER A LONG LIFE, CAN FINALLY REST, THEIR DREAMS FULFILLED, HELPING BACK UP THOSE WHO COULDN'T DO THE SAME
| >I DO NOT WANT THEM TO BE STUCK IN CONFLICT, YOU MAY SEE ME AS OVERPROTECTIVE, BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS THE RIGHT THING FOR ME TO DO
| >No, I understand. If only more people were as caring as you, here with the living, maybe the world would be a better place. But that being said... do you feel bad about some of those souls? Those who were gone before they had a chance to truly live? Those who may have missed experiences?
| >>189883
>I DO, UNLIKE MY KIN, I WAS GIVEN THE ABILITY TO EMPATHIZE WITH YOU, THAT IS WHY I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU COME FROM
>The face looks melancholic
>BUT THAT IS ALSO WHY I CANNOT LET THEM BE ONCE AGAIN EMBROILED IN CONFLICT, I WANT THEM TO DO AS THEY PLEASE WITHOUT RISKING THE LIVES I HAVE GIVEN THEM, THE POWERS I BESTOW UPON THEM ARE MERELY A BYPRODUCT, A WAY FOR THEM TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST THIS HARSH WORLD, NOT TOOLS FOR THEM TO CARRY ON WITH NEEDLESS VIOLENCE
| >IF YOU DEFEAT THE UNITY GROUP WITHOUT KILLING ANY OF THEM, I WILL OF COURSE BE JOYOUS, FOR THEY WILL STOP SENDING PEOPLE TO ME... BUT IF YOU DEFEAT THEM, EVEN WITHOUT KILLING THEM, THEY WILL HAVE NOWHERE LEFT TO GO, THEY WILL BE ABANDONNED AND LEFT TO ROT BY THE OVERSEERS OF AUCR, FOR THE HAPPINESS OF GLITCH CITY, YOU WILL HAVE SACRIFICED THESE PEOPLE'S REASON TO LIVE
| [IMPUT COMMAND]
| >I do not intend to kill any of them, I want to accomplish this without any bloodshed, to help every group. It's true, the AUCR will most likely abandon UNITY if we succeed, but they may find another reason to live, some may even argue living is the process of finding that purpose in life. Living isn't about accomplishing or failing at a goal and stopping, but obtaining a new goal and living on. If UNITY goes on unabated, all that will result is more death.
| >There is no second chances in that case.
| >>189892
>WHILE YOU WOULD BE RIGHT IN MOST CASES, THE UNITY GROUP HERE IN GLITCH CITY IS MADE UP OF ONLY HOMUNCULI, BEINGS BROUGHT INTO THIS WORLD TO FULFILL A SINGLE MISSION, IF THEY LOSE THEIR VALUE, THEY WILL BE SIMPLY KILLED OFF BY AUCR AND IT'S INHUMANE POLITICS...
>The face looks sad
>EVEN SO, I WISH FOR THEM TO LIVE ON, I CANNOT HAVE HAND IN ANY MATTER THAT WILL RESULT IN THE DEATH OF OTHERS... BUT I SHALL OFFER YOU MY WORDS OF ADVICE
| >THERE MIGHT YET BE A WAY TO SAVE ALL, BUT FOR THAT, YOU WILL NEED TO SPEAK WITH THE MAN BEHIND ALL THIS, THE DREGS. IF YOU CAN FIND A WAY FOR ALL TO LIVE, THEN, AND ONLY THEN, SHALL I LEND YOU MY ASSISTANCE.
>YOU HAVE MY BLESSING, YOUNG ONE, IT IS RARE TO SEE THE LIVING CARE MUCH ABOUT THEIR OWN, AS YOU SAID, A WORLD WITH MORE OF YOU WOULD NOT BE SUCH A BAD ONE
[IMPUT COMMAND]
| >I have a means I can speak with him... Iris provided a means for that. I'll try speaking with them about the UNITY soldiers and return then. Thank you for the advice.
| >>189899
>DO NOT THANK ME, I AM MERELY AN IDEALIST, AND ONE QUITE STUBBORN
>I HOPE YOUR LIFE SHALL BE ONE OF SUCCESS AND FULFILLEMENT, NOW GO, SHOW TO ME THAT THOSE WHO WOULD KILL ARE IN THE WRONG
>The terminal shuts off for good, a scent of burning plastic is now wafting from the terminal
| "So, what'd it say?"
>Mika asks, still sitting on her desk
| "Basically they said they'll agree to help only if I can guarantee the safety of the UNITY members from the AUCR afterwards. I need to go and speak with the Dregs."
| >>189903
>Mika cringes at the mention of that name
>Reiko smiles
"That does sound like them."
>Mika shakes her head
"Well, guess we gotta find a way to cure the corruption... and a way to turn off the AUCR killswitch of doom."
| >>189904
"Yup. Luckily Iris gave me a means to talk to them already."
>He takes out the device from earlier
"With this I can access their cyberspace."
| >>189905
>Reiko nods
"Then I assume you've heard her warnings about that place. Tread carefully."
>Mika simply sighs and spins her chair back to the wall of monitors
"Work... work... more work..."
>Reiko laughs
"Me and my beautiful wife will handle UNITY for now, but we can't keep a stalemate going for too long."
| "Why do you two make it seem like I have the *easy* job..."
>He chuckles somewhat sadly and slumps his shoulder
"Really wish my f- er, girlfriend could help in this, all this cyberspace jumping makes me kind of lonely sometimes."
| >>189911
>Reiko looks to CN with an understanding nod
"Without me, my loving darling would surely get so lonely she'd destroy the world!
>A pained grunt is heard coming from Mika, and you can hear her mutter something in japanese while Reiko just starts laughing
"But well, do your best in there, especially around The Dregs... and make sure to always know the way back, it's like a goddamn maze in there."
| "Yeah... Man now I just want to go home and check on Engy but... I should focus."
>CN takes a deep breathe to collect his thoughts
"...Okay, I'm good. Wish me luck, hopefully I'll be back soon."
>He pauses for a moment as he stares at the device, but then presses the button.
| >>189915
>A strange feeling engulfs you, as the scenery before you warps and changes...
>Eventually, you are alone in a train, the landscape is purely black, with only a white river visible in the distance
>On the train, figures without faces are standing around, leering at you even without eyes, their whispering is maddening
| >>189918
"Ugh... should had brought earplugs..."
>He looks outside, trying to distract himself from the noise
"Hope this is heading towards the Dregs..."
| >Suddenly, a woman enters the cabin, dressed in a conductor's uniform, she's holding a piece of paper
"We'll soon by arriving to our destination, please remember to have your ticket for the way back..."
>She seems extremely listless, and starts handing everyone a ticket, before stopping in front of CN
"... I don't recognize you... whatever."
>She hands you a ticket before heading to the next cabin
| >Confused by the exchange, he examines the ticket he received
| >It's a simple piece of paper, written on it is 'Nathos Express, taking you places you'd much rather not be!' It's expired
| "Well isn't *that* encouraging..."
>He mumbles
"*Sigh* This place is a lot more depressing when you don't have someone to talk to..."
| >The train arrives at what seems like a station
>The on board interphone chimes
"Last stop, last stop, welcome to... Helf? No, Help? Ah yeah, Hell, dunno how I fucked that up."
>The doors open, outside is a beautiful landscape, with flowers and trees as far as the eye can see. There is a single black obelisk in front of the station, on it is a big door
| "Hmm... curious, the personalities compared to the trip in the F.A.L. are a lot more playful... is it due to be a different domain or something else..."
>He thinks to himself as he walks out, towards the black obelisk
"Also looks nicer, despite the name, wonder if this place comes with a map..."
| >The obelisk is covered in bizarre symbols and images, they all depict what looks like headless humans praying to some weird creature
>The door has what looks like english on it, it reads:
>'If you are to enter the realms of Thalamus, recall who you are and what you want, do not lose your way, lest you too become as the Husks are
| "Thalamus huh..."
>He looks around the area once more
"No where else to go I suppose."
>He states as he walks forward
| >The door snaps open, only darkness awaiting within
>As you step through the shadows, you suddenly find yourself in a hospital room... it looks old school, bizarre.
>On the bed lies a small girl, her hair utterly white and her eyes red, she's staring at you
>On the wall behind her are words:
>Show to Us the kindness which you own
>A picture below it depicts a headless human dressed as a doctor
| "Uh, hello. I'm CN, who are you?"
| >>189964
>The girl remains still, on her throat is a wound, she seems unable to speak words... and does not react to yours
>In the room are various medical instruments, but also a door leading out, on it are words
>Or forsake such values
| "No, I know who I am."
>CN takes a seat near the gurl
"I'm going to treat your wound Okay? Is that alright? You can just nod to let me know."
| >>189979
>The girl does not move, now satring blankly at where you first appeared
>The sound of rain reverberates through the room
| >CN carefully examines the wound of the gurl to determine the extant of the damage, before carefully using the tools to suture it.
| >>189986
>You manage to close the gaping wound, and hear a strange noise in the room...
>In the corner is now a strange robot, it's eyes glowing an ominous light
"Ah, yes, the poor girl from Burrow, without assistance, convinced of her wrongdoings in what is truly a tragedy"
>A voice rings out from the bot, it sounds fake, no human could ever speak as it did
"Perhaps this illusion is why she got such an obsession, you could call it genesis."
>The door clicks
"Proceed."
| >>189991
"I doubt you're gonna answer any of my questions until the end?"
>He asks the robot before turning back to the gurl
"And are you fine...?"
| >>189997
"Figures..."
>He pays the gurl lightly on the head regardless as he stands up and goes through the door.
(I'm going to sleep for the night so I'll be back later)
| (*pats)
| >Outside the compound, a figure watches on, almost invisible, a single plume of smoke rising from it's cigarette...
| >>189999
>Beyond the door is darkness yet again...
>Suddenly, you find yourself in what appears like a school's classroom
>Sitting on a chair is a tall man dressed in a strangely fashionable coat, in front of him is a young girl, seemingly translucid
>There are words on the board:
>Tragic reunions and partings are unavoidable, show to us your logic towards the living and dead
>On the door:
>Or forsake the line between them
| (Yeah, have a good one, really lookin' forward to finally doing this stuff. I'll see ya' later. -Parralax)
|
|
| Do it better
| >>190241
>The man has a pained look on his face, while the woman looks incredibly sad
>This place seems like a highscool, yet the man seems in his thirties, the woman is wearing a uniform
>The woman doesn't have any legs, they seem to be invisible
| >The man does not answer, both of them seem lifeless, they have neither pulse or body heat too.
>These feel more like dolls than anything else
| >He frowns, seemingly remembering something
"Though the loss of a love one brings great pain, we must learn to let them go. The important thing is that we use what life we ourselves still have left to honor their memory, so that they may be proud of us when we truly meet again... *sigh* what am I doing, it's not like anyone is listening..."
>He looks towards the gurl and gently moves her away from the man
"There is no goodbyes, only see you laters."
| "Ah yes, the poor inspector, stuck in an eternal silence of meetings and partings, truly grieving the loss of the one he loved dearly. And she, the ghost who never could abandon him, even as he lost sight of her, truly a tragic tale. But, one day, the dead must move on and find peace... perhaps this shall be our Exodus."
>The bizarre voice rings out, this time from nowhere in particular
>The door clicks
"Proceed."
| >He turns back at the man
"Wonder how long it took for you... it took me 3 years..."
>He sadly grins at no one in particular as he moves on
| >>190357
>Once again, the door opens into darkness
>This time, you find yourself in what looks like a library, sitting on a chair is a young girl with blonde hair and blood red eyes, covered in blood not her own, she is looking up in what looks like guilt.
>Words are written on the ceiling:
>Conscience will inevitably leave us with guilt, show to us your reaction towards a murderer
>Below is a picture of a headless human standing before another one, holding a knife
| >On the door behind you:
>Or stand to avert your eyes
| >>190370
>CN walks up to the 'girl' and wipes off some of the blood from her face
"I'd ask you what your motivations was but I doubt you'd answer."
>He pays her lightly on the head, before moving to bind her hands back as of to arrest her
"Though you may not think you deserve it, you can still redeem yourself and make up for the mistakes of the past."
| >>190379
"Yes, the Great One which committed the ultimate sin, that of Kin Slaying. Killers shall atone, for they regret what they have done, people will change, in time. Shall they be our Resurrection... or our Apocalypse?"
>The door opens, outside is a strange plaza, seemingly in the middle of some medieval castle.
"Please proceed to the building up ahead."
| "Guess that's the end of the trials..."
>He walks through the door
| >Outside, four buildings are built around the plaza, if one counts the one you have just exit, the plaza itself is drab, unexciting.
>You feel something watching you, but no one is here
>Various engravings depicting scenes of daily life are visible on the floor, all depicted humans are headless
| >He silently walks forward to the previously designated building, carefully looking around his surroundings as he goes
| >>190404
>The interior of the next building is quite lavishly furnished, it looks like an art gallery, in the entrance hall, six paintings are hanged, they read respectively:
>'Remember to take frequently' it depicts a headless human going outside
>'Remember to lookout for symptoms of Amnesia after severe headaches' It depicts a headless human holding his non-existent head
>'Remember, the creators are watching you, CN.' It depicts a man in a mask and a wig, his gaze is cold
| >'Remember, none of this is real, unless you make it so' It depicts a vicious monster
>'Remember, No one escapes the chains of REALITAS' It depicts a young girl with blue and red eyes writing in a book
>'Remember to keep clean, and steer clear of the mud!' It depicts a headless human shiny clean
>A door with the words 'main Exhibit' is on the other side, at the desk is a strange robot
| "Thoughts for later..."
>He walks past the paintings and up to the robot
"Uh... hello."
| >>190416
"Welcome, to our exhibit, please, take a map."
>The robot produces a map from... thin air
"Today's exhibit is presented by the ENC Conglemerate: We don't particularly wish for your well being!"
| "Thank you...?"
>CN tilts his head in confusion as he grabs the map and looks at it
| >>190419
>It's a map of Glitch city, but despite it being so, it messes up the names of all district, countless typos also make up the text. 'Mignight Disric', and other silly names
>The only notable feature is a single paragraphe, titled: 'word from the artist'
>An image is seen above, it's a young girl with quite the prim appearence, something feels off about her
"This world, from it's birth, has been ordered, and will be ordered, as the Creators wished."
| "I assume this is who I need to find..."
>CN mumbles to himself as he looks up and heads inside the main exhibit
| >>190424
>As soon as you step inside, the lights dim and the door closes behind you
"Well, this is quite queer. To come this far, I mean."
>The voice of something chimes from an intercom
"Either way, welcome to an exhibit. Please enjoy yourself, it'd be a shame not to, after you've come this far... maybe you can also learn a few things here, hm?"
>The lights turn back on, to the display of an exceedingly strange room
| >Various statues of headless humans are standing around, all bowing down before a corpse sitting on a throne, further away, normal humans wearing masks are looking at them, keeping their children away
>"Faith" is written on a small pedestal before you
| "Faith hmm..."
>He examines the pedestal closely and looks up to the corpse as well
| >>190433
>The pedestal shows nothing else of interest
>The corpse is smiling, you can feel it staring at you, raw hatred in it's eyes
"For the ones who would sacrifice rationality for belief, I do believe there is only a life of sensless decisions. Someone who would rather serve a god before themselves need be reminded that humanity needs itself more than it needs us."
>The voice chimes in
| "I do agree with you to some respect but I feel as if making things so cut and dry understates the important of faith. There is also the importance of faith in others. That kind of faith is something that allows us to accomplish things we could not do with rationality alone."
| >>190446
"You do make a valid point, and I wholeheartedly agree. However, one must remind oneself that turning blind will not allow you to question yourself, or the ideals you believe in. See, as the foolish ones bow before the being which would rather kill them, and look, as the parents of innocent children would shield them from it. One must believe, yes, but belief without thought shall lead to the end of all life."
>The voice says
>A door clicks, on the other side of the room
| "What a sensitive balance it is in the end..."
>He walks towards the door and heads inside
| >Inside this room, a multitude of beheaded figures are holding hands, merrily dancing along while a band of bizarre creatures plays a tune for them
>You feel watched much more closely, as if the gaze was peeling off your skin, you can hear whispers in dark corners now
>The piece is titled: 'Acceptance'
| "Acceptance... of what exactly though? Of the situation?"
| >>190466
"You might call it such, but it is rather: 'the acceptance of others', a perfect world where everyone understands and respects the pains and toils of other to their just values, a world without conflict, perfect order."
| "Hmm... I suppose that a world like that may not be bad, although arguments could be made that such an ordered world such as that may limit the creativity of individuals."
| >>190477
"You are right, a world like that would be nice, but alas, as you stated, such a world would impede on the freedom of others. Choices were never made to be easy, one might even argue that our lives are nothing more than a multitude of choices we make for ourselves, without that, can humanity be called human?"
>A click is heard, once again, the door on the other side opens
"Please proceed."
| "Some choices are done for others too..."
>He looks at the exhibit one more time before moving on
| >In the next room is a display like the last, but this time, a single figure stands in the dark, two glowing dots where it's eyes should be. All around it, countless bodies of varying sizes.
>The plate reads: 'Mistakes'
| "Mistakes are inevitable, what matters is that you atone and learn from them."
| >>190487
"Perhaps that is so, but what of mistake one comitted despite themselves? Can we judge and condemn acts of involontary nature? Who, and what can judge humanity rightously? Can you trust beings so different from yourself to judge humanity?"
| "Probably not, humanity themselves already have a hard time understanding themselves as it is. But if we are first to judge, we must understand, something which can only be achieved through equal and impartial communication."
| >>190493
"You do understand. Mankind must learn from itself, not from beings that cannot understand them. At one point, Humanity will be required to walk on their own, without the influences of beings like myself. We cannot allow the ceasless meddling of beings which would disturb Order."
>The door clicks
"Please proceed, we are nearing the end."
| "Good to know then."
>He grins as he walks through the door to the next room.
| >>190526
>In the next room are a multitude of headless figures, going about their daily lives in what looks like a minature city. All of them are doing what appears to be jobs, typing at computer, driving cars... In the corners of the room, other headless figures stand, their bodies grotesque, modified, augmented
>There's a constant ringing now, it's getting louder
>The plate reads 'Humanity'
| "Do you think this is what we boil down to in the end?"
| >>190540
"I do not know, CN, I am not like you. You and me, Iris, Miko, and even KS, We'll never understand humanity. All I can do is think, not matter what my beliefs are, you'll know better, and that's okay."
>The voice gets quieter
"All I can do, is wonder. When does man stop being man? How can something become man?"
| "Sadly I don't think thats something we will ever know within our generation. What we kind do however is to convey our thoughts on the next individual, and see what conclusions they arrive at. Keep the question alive... maybe one day someone will arrive at the answer."
| >>190548
"Indeed, I still await the answers, even after all this time, even in death, I still cannot understand why I was ever born, why the Creators show such an interest in mankind... perhaps I was never meant to figure it out... Come now, it is time for us to meet."
>The next set of doors opens, leading to what seems like a theater
| >CN silently walks forward, thoughts deep in his head
| >>190555
>Inside the theater, a young lady is sitting in front of the stage... she's identical to Iris, but something tells you the two are fundamentally different
>She does not even look at you as you get closer
"So, how did you find it? Was it simply a waste of your time?"
>Her voice sounds weird, but is now much more human
| "I don't think talking with anyone is a waste of time. If anything I found it quite insightful. Getting to know someone is always time well spent."
| >>190566
"..."
>She looks you in the eyes
"I guess."
>The curtain rises and on the stage are now standing bizarre, shadowy figures with glowing eyes
"So, you came here for something else than looking at my art."
| >>190572
"Yes, I wanted to request your help on the UNITY situation. I want to avoid needless bloodshed but in order to do that, I need a way to remove the corruption on the soldiers and the AUCR killswitch."
| >>190574
>The play begins when one of the figures stabs another one through the chest
"I see. Before I tell you, can you make time to listen to my rambling for a bit longer? There are some things the others did not tell you."
| >>190578
"Of course, I like hearing all sides of a situation after all. Besides I have the time... er, I think. Still not really certain how the time difference works but I digress."
>He nervously chuckles for a moment before letting her continue
| >>190582
"Don't worry too much, but if you start feeling faint, run back to the train and leave, staying here for too long will start to change you, like it changed me."
>The play continues, as two of the figures begin struggling against the killer, who nonetheless manages to kill another one of the figure before being taking down
"It's a tragic story, you know."
>She points to the play
"Truthfully, I'm quite sorry for the people involved in all this."
| >>190596
"Hmm... I'll keep that in mind, but let's focus on you for now. What happened with this whole thing?"
| >>190600
"Well, as one might say..."
>She turns back to the play, just as the last remaining figure begins crying incohenrently on stage
"The game was rigged from the start. As soon as UNITY learned about the device, all of this was already set into motion. Now, I don't hold them responsible... that device is much more than a weapon CN. It's REALITAS itself, what one could call a reality altering device."
| "No on can escape the chains of REALITAS..."
>He recalls one of the paintings from earlier
"Who rigged it then? Another one of the AIs?"
| >>190615
"You catch on fast. The device is rigging all of this, it's modifying reality so that it won't be found by someone who wants to destroy it."
>On the stage, the figure stands back up and lets out a voiceless scream
"It doesn't want us to find it, it wants to be freed from it's prison. It does so without malicious intent, that thing merely feels constant pain and suffering, it's scared."
| >>190635
"I know I won't. I'm sympathetic to it, it did not ask for this... but it was brought into this world merely to suffer, and to die when used. I see it's death as a thing to be desired, since that is the only way to stop it's suffering... unless."
>On the stage, the figure is now beheading humans left and right, crying and screaming
"Unless you were to make it alter itself somehow, but that would cause a paradox, if it dies, it cannot live."
| >>190639
"Hmm..."
>He closes his eyes and crosses his arms, deep in thought
"What if it *thinks* it will kill itself?"
>He opens his eyes again and looks at her
"If the device is altering reality to prevent anyone from destroying it, then the idea of the entity within killing itself may cause the device and the entity to separate itself, as its death would cause the device to not function, i.e. be destroyed. That situation wouldn't cause a paradox, but fix one of its own making."
| >>190651
>The Dregs remains silent for a few seconds
"I suppose so, but that's only if you can get to it before anyone else. Many would not waste the chance on a wish making machine just to ensure it's happiness. I know that Iris wishes to use it to give us new bodies, and I, myself simply want to stop all interference from my kin in this world, to stop us from so odiously interfering with matters not our own."
| >On the stage, the figure finally falls to their knees and begins weeping amongnst the pile of bodies it has created, it asks, oh why, woe is me, I too have sinned.
| >>190654
"I suppose it would take a pretty stupid person to waste a reality-altering wish like that, I myself could think of a few selfish things I could ask..."
>He leans his head to the side as he continues
"...but I guess I'm just that kind of crazy person. That thing deserves the chance to not suffer and live as much as the rest of us."
| >>190668
>The curtain falls
"You truly remind me of her, that Mika. So simple, now I understand why Iris loves you so much. However, this means we are at odds, not that you and I should mind."
>She turns back towards CN
"I guess I should answer the question you came here for. Seek Ophelia, only she can heal the corruption and disable the killswitch, but if you want to save REALITAS, you might not want to do that."
| "If you truly want to save everyone, you'll need to find the manual override inside the ATLAS system nested inside the UNITY groups main base, save the women who currently posses the device and make a good wish to it."
>She stands up
"You're free to come back, but I believe the thing outside wishes to speak with you."
>Dregs begins to leave from the stage exit
| "Heh, doing the right thing is never easy I suppose, I'll make sure to take you up on that offer sometime though, I doubt those were the only exhibits you had prepared... wait, what thing?"
>He turns around to see what she meant.
| >A woman is standing at the entrance of the theater, dressed in a suit and with dark, almost hollow eyes, she's smoking a cigar
"I'm pleased with how things have been going, young man."
>She says
| "Oh, thank you...? And you are?"
| >>190705
"We spoke not too long ago... is what I would say, where I actually Miko, unfortunatly, I'm not."
>She tosses her cigar down
"I'm here as a representative of sorts, I guess."
>She hands CN a business card, it reads: 'Goétia Vacuos, Head of Operations and CEO, Void User Organization'
"Tell Reiko that Miko gave her permission to assist you, and that I also give my okay. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to leave this place as fast as I can."
| >>190711
>CN takes the card and pockets it
"Well don't you all work fast then. I suppose I should be heading back now as well."
| >>190712
"Well, the Great Ones are always watching, they know almost and virtually anything."
>She shrugs
"Good luck out there, and I hope you won't need to come here again."
>The woman vanishes into thin air, as if she were never here.
| >Making your way back, you eventually find yourself back at the train station, the dark obelisk vanishing behind you as you leave it.
>In front of the train is the conductor, checking the tickets of the people going back in
| >He presents the ticket stub from earlier
| >>190742
>The conductor stares at your face for a few seconds before shrugging
"Whatever, just get on, we're leaving."
>As you enter the train, it begins moving with a loud, roaring noise
>Before you realize, you are now back in the unlit monitor room, Mika only inches away from your face, she's holding a black marker
| "T-The hell!?"
>He jumps back in surprise at the sudden closeness
"What were you doing with that marker!?"
| >>192026
"ちぇ."
>Mika stands back, but you heard her click her tongue
"You've been gone for about 20 minutes, I was starting to get worried, you know?"
>Reiko is nowhere to be seen
| >>192046
>There's nothing on it
"Ah, come on, just a harmless prank."
>Mika sighs
"Now, back in my day..."
>As she begins ranting like an old man, Reiko steps back into the room
"So, how'd it go?"
| >>192049
>He turns back to Reiko
"Well uh I have good news and bad news..."
>Insert summary here for sake of time
| >>192052
"Hm, so we won't have the Dregs' assistance... well, it's not like I planned for it anyway."
>Mika is pensive
"However, since Reiko can help now, turning off their ATLAS terminal is going to be easy. What's troubling is taking care of the corruption, and finding the device."
>Reiko merely shrugs
"Knowing Ophelia, she couldn't be that far from finding it, why don't we just follow her trail?"
>Mika looks to her cameras
"Guess we can do that."
| "So, CN, sorry to burden you with this, but could you go with Reiko to disable the ATLAS? I'd go myself, but I need to operate my bots if we're going to find Ophelia. Since Reiko has no talent in technology whatsoever, it'll be up to you to deal with it."
>Mika bows a little
| >>192056
"Hmm... alright then. What should we do about the REALITAS then? I'm sure Ophelia wouldn't want to help in that regard?"
| >>192072
"Ophelia is sure to find it, we just have to nab it from her before she can acquire it, which is why I'll be tracking her from here."
>Mika gestures at her monitors
"Got most of the city covered, and my bots can search the rest. Now, we better hurry, before UNITY's people turn violent against the triade or something."
| "Alright then, no time to waste then. Watch, I'll make sure to do this, er... somehow. Ready to go Reiko?"
| >>192319
>Reiko gives a nod
"Ready when you are. Just tell me when you're ready and we can get going."
(Sorry for the slow responses, work is tiring... -Parra)
| >>192391
"I have everything I need so I'm good. Come on, let's get this done fast, I bet you don't want to keep Mika waiting after all, right?"
>He winks
(It's fine, *it's fine*)
| >>192405
>Mika grunts at CN's words, while Reiko shows a brilliant smile
"This boy gets it! Yes, my love for Mika can't be contained, I love her! I adore her! Yes Loli!"
>Mika stands up and smacks Reiko in the jaw, making her fall to her knees in an orz pose
"L-Love hurts..."
"Just.... go... idiot."
>Reiko gets back up, still shaking and with a red handprint on her face
"F-forward young man! We march to UNITY!"
| >>192416
"I can't help but feel that might be just a little abusive but I guess let's go, yea..."
>He walks out with Reiko
"Don't worry, I get where you're coming, I'm the same with Engy."
| >>192438
>She sighs as the two of you make your way outside
"She's just one mean tsundere. She might not look it, but she's quite possesive, I'm convinced she loves me more than she loves herself..."
>She smiles bitterly
"She should just stop putting herself down already..."
>She starts walking faster
"Let's go, I don't want to drag this out for any longer now."
| >>192455
"Fair enough. I'll follow your lead then."
>CN jogs up behind her to catch up to her pace.
| >>192457
"It's in the midnight district, once we get there, I'll stop time. We'll need to hurry once I do, I can't exactly do it forever, unless I want to literally catch on fire."
>Her mood is dark somehow
(I'll launch a Setting thread for that, just need to get a few things done. -Parra)
| "W-Woah... I didn't think it put you in such a risk. Okay, I'll do what I can, and make things right thanks to your help."
(Kk)
This thread is permanently archived
| >An air of unease is floating around the compond today, as the machines seem to be restless in their work. Along with them is a woman sporting yellow-blonde hair and purple eyes, seemingly busy with... work perhaps. The door to the main building has been left open.