I have no idea what this site is but here you go.
*: Wow, I don't know how I managed to miss that, they're kind of a big deal. I suppose I shouldn't have looked for them separately. Thanks!Okay, so we're in Yoyogi Park. Or... what's left of it.
Well, there's no point in dwelling on this. Let's see if we can find survivors nearby.
*: We take the northern path out of the park, but don't make it very far.I see some things haven't changed much.
: I haven't eaten anything in days! Come on, please!
>Will you give the man some money?
: Yeah, man, sure. Here, have 200 yen.
: Don't waste your money! He's probably just a bottom-feeder too lazy to get a job, and will just spend it on booze and drugs!
: Dang, Tetsuo, it was already hard enough for midgets before the nuclear apocalypse! Did Ozuno make you read Ayn Rand?
>Francois handed some money out to the man.
: ...What the hell is this shit? Give me some Makka, you cheap bastard!
: Makka? What are you talking about?
: You cheapass son of a bitch! I hope you get turned into one of Ozawa's Shinjuku slaves!
: Ozawa's... slaves?
: What, you don't know about Shinjuku? Go north of here, then head west.
*: The game actually displays your money and slowly reduces it, thousand per thousand, right down to zero.: Wha... ba... huh?
: Get the hell out of here, you jerk!
:
Someone has had the time to institute a new currency. Just how long have we been gone?
*: From now on, the money symbol is the Makka symbol.
This is the last thing I clearly remember from when I played the first time. In fact the very first of many obvious gameplay glitches I encountered from this point on was that I actually got to keep all my money. Of course, it was harmless, but soon afterwards stats and spells got scrambled and some plot flags failed to turn on or something, and I got so annoyed trying to make sense of it all that I stopped playing. (Meaning, of course, that this is where this LP becomes legitimately blind.)
That said, it's a good sign for this run. BSnes has fixed all the graphical glitches so far, and the money glitch is absent.
I have to confess: I went on a shopping spree before going to see Thorman the second time because I knew I was gonna lose all my cash before long. I also kept the extra San-setsukon enemies dropped instead of selling them right away. I did lose all the cash I made in the Kongokai though, which amounts to about 15000 yen. I probably would have lost more had I been uninformed (because I mostly asked demons for magnetite instead of money)... but it still hurts. I have Bucca-Boo, Worm and Rusalka summoned already, but if I didn't, I couldn't afford to summon them. Ozuno resurrected Tetsuo and Kaneda, but Apsaras, Hakutaku and Ame-no-Uzume are still dead, and I can't afford to have them raised yet.
Aaaaanyway. We keep going out of the park, when...>Francois heard a woman's scream.
: Where are you? Guys, let's go, quick!
: Hey, Francois, are you all right?
: ...didn't you hear the scream just now?
: What? A scream? I didn't hear anything...
>A woman's voice echoed within the recesses of Francois's mind....
: I... never mind. Let's get out of here.
Could it have been Kei? Did she make it after all?
Either way I have nothing to go on, but that beggar mentioned Ozawa. Let's find out what we can first. North and west, huh?
Ouch.
Lv27 Datenshi Berith
Berith is a Great Duke of Hell (apparently we've graduated from Marquis), commanding 26 legions of demons. He knows much about the past, present, and future, and can turn any metal into gold. He's also enamored of the sound of his own voice; reportedly, he once possessed a nun and proceeded to recite the name of all the demons possessing her with him, and when he was done he was so disappointed that he had nothing else he wanted to say that he started naming the saints who would be most helpful in banishing each and every one of them. He's a very good physical fighter with a decent Agirao, Plinpa, and the Critical skill. He's also immune to fire.Well, so much for ridding the world of demons, huh. Great job, Thor.
This is what's left of Shinjuku. Not a pretty sight.
: Huh, that it is.
>A single Mesian's image fills the screen of the Auroravision viewer.
: ...Have faith in God!
: Wow. God's got some balls having his people say that sort of thing not one mile from a GIANT NUCLEAR CRATER.
: Heaven on Earth in the form of the Thousand Year Kingdom awaits you! Only those who have not forgotten their love for God will be allowed to go there!
: Oh please, spare me from this bullshit! I see that intolerant proselytizing is still alive and well. This is a waste of time. Come on, let's get out of here.
: Wait, maybe we can get some good information out of this. Lord knows we could use some help in getting our bearings here anyway. Let's hear what they have to say.
: As much as it pains to me admit it, you're right, Kaneda.
: ...Our job is to live faithful lives in dedication to God and do his will. We have seen the global devastation that the world has suffered since the great war 30 years ago.
*record scratch*
: THIRTY YEARS?!
: What th... Did you hear that...!? Thirty years!?...
: Nope, I heard it all right! Is this really 30 years in the future? Did we spend that much time in the Kongokai!?
: The destruction 30 years ago was a test for humanity, sent by God himself. Through the efforts of those that show that they can withstand the trial, yet still not lose their faith in God, the world is truly giving us an omen of its being rebuilt! Belief in God is of the utmost importance, faith is everything...
>The sermon continues.
God.
Damn.
Let's go to Shinjuku, see if we can't hear real people talking for a change.
*: Shinjuku's ground floor got a real post-ap makeover. On the plus side it has extremely rocking new music. I should make another intermission post soon, there's a lot you gotta hear.
The ground-level area at the eastern entrance has a new corridor and location. We meet a Dryad on the way, which causes me some relief as it seems the game is no longer actively trying to rape me. For now.: Uh. Hello? What's going on here?
: OK, here's the deal. "Item Exchange" is a one-for-one deal. You give me one gem, I give you one item. [He give you the list of items.] ...and that's it for Item Exchanging. "Seirei Exchange" is a three-for-one deal. You give me three gems, and depending on which gems you give me, I give you a different Seirei in return. [He gives you the list of Seirei.]
: So. You're a slaver.
: Pretty much. Cool beans, huh?
*: And that's the real use of gems. Three gems seems expensive for one Seirei, but some of them are kind of a pain in the ass to fuse, and doing so requires at least two empty demon slots. Of course, some of the items you can trade for are rare and powerful as well; for example, you can get a Soma in exchange for a Pearl.
I don't get anything right away though. We go downstairs.*: Huh! Looks like this area wasn't that affected by the nukes. It's even still automapped.: Well, I would hope so, after THIRTY YEARS.
: Our holy land, the Cathedral, is on the verge of being completed. It shall serve as the throne of God himself when he descends to Earth from the heavens! Once the Cathedral is complete, the Thousand Year Kingdom governed by God will become reality at long last!
: So Ozawa's really in charge now. Man, this feels like a Back to the Future situation. On the plus side, he's an old fart by now. And he probably isn't married to my mother.
: But is the trade-off worth it?
: That's an interesting conundrWHAT THE HELL ARE YOU CRAZY OF COURSE IT'S NOT WORTH IT
: He's the new Gotou, then.
: He defers to them, and in exchange, they cannot enter Shinjuku or attack it. It's like a classic service for protection exchange.
: So that's what they call rackets these days.
Master Ozawa directly appointed me to this position himself. As long as I'm still here, Shinjuku will remain a safe place to live!
: Oh, I don't doubt it. Say, where are your deputies? You know, Indian, Telephone Worker and Biker.
: ...
: Or did they join the Ozawa Navy?
Hell, if that wimp is all the protection Shinjuku has, I bet even I could take over.
: With the kind of wares you got, maybe it's both.
: ...
: I kid, I kid. Now, what's your biggest weapon?
*: Guns! At last I can start packing some heat!
This is the first time I come across a gun shop, but apparently, the mysterious stuff the Antiques merchant in Kichijoji deals in is actually firearms, not drugs. That said, I have never figured out how to get him to sell me anything.
This guy sells a M16 Rifle (43/5, hits 2-8 times, male only) for 7000, a SPAS12 (55/8, hits 2-4 times) for 10000, plus Poison and Nerve Bullets. I have only 781 macca right now, but I'm gonna unload my ancient crap on him.
...San-setsukon are worth 1000 instead of 10000 as I expected, and the currently-useless Rosary (I'm no longer Lawful) I bought for 15000 sells for 380. Ha! Looks like I'm not beating the system after all. I can't even afford the cheapest gun at 7000. Nerve Bullets are only 350 though, so I grab some for Kaneda, Tetsuo and I (in advance).: Actually, to tell the truth... some of them really WERE dug up. So yeah.
*: I can afford some of the stuff here, which is around the same grade as the equipment Kei had when she joined up. I kind of want to save up for the M16, but the Berith fight outside showed me that I could really use the defense upgrade if I want to continue tanking in the frontline. I get Jet Boots (4 defense, 9 evade, +1 Speed), Cyber Arms (5/2, +2 Strength), a Thunder Guard (14/3, I hope it protects from Zio), and a Fritz Helm (6/0). Kaneda gets my hand-me-downs because he still has Kichijoji equipment.: Why don't we get cool new future stuff too? I know you've got some money left over.
: I hate to agree with Kaneda, but he's got a point.
: Hmm, you're right, guys, that's a little unfair. Let's discuss this. But first, it's a little chilly in here, and I'm still bleeding from our last battle. Give me a moment to quickly heal my wounds and then conjure up elemental forces to create some flames out of thin air.
: ...
: ...
: Uh... Err...
: OH WAIT. I CAN'T.
: Please enjoy your new equipment with our blessings, Francois.
: Thank you. That's very kind of you.
*: Heyyyy, I haven't shown you the old drugstore, have I? It didn't really have anything I wanted to buy, just some crappy HP recovery items. The junk store is the post-apocalyptic equivalent though, with items that cure Poison, Paralysis, and Stone. I'm probably gonna buy some of those sooner or later.: But I can't... I'm afraid of what will happen to me if the private police catch me trying to leave town...
: I doubt they're all that interested in women, if that's your worry.
*: I just realized there really aren't any demons down here. Except for mine. That hasn't been the case for any place since the invasion started. Aaaaand my demons have been eating up magnetite for nothing. I return them to the computer, but with a heavy heart; they'll cost me between 400 and 700 makka each to get back.: Power is everything! In order to conquer and overcome in this harsh new world, it is of the utmost necessity! But God does not have that kind of power! The only one with both that kind of power and the courage to use it fairly is Lord Lucifer!
*: We find the old Shinjuku terminal. It's in good working order and allows me to save, but I don't have any teleport destinations.
I check out the basement where the Resistance used to hang out before Yuriko found them out.: Or did Ozawa send you here?
: Uhhh... yeah... yeah! He, uh, he thinks he might have lost his wallet here and sent me to look for it.
: Well, I don't care if you are! You're still not passing! The only one I'll let by is Ozawa himself!
*: Wendigo, huh? I bet it's weak to fire, and Tetsuo just learned Agirao...
Okay, yeah, first round, Tetsuo deals 277 damage. Ha!Lv28 Jaki Wendigo
The Wendigo is a Native-American monster, specifically from Algonquian tribes. It's a malevolent humanoid creature associated with winter and famine, and whose most common attribute is antropophagy. In fact, it's sometimes said to be the form that humans take when they turn to cannibalism. They are giant creatures who grow in proportion to the size of their meals and are therefore never satisfied. They're tough bruisers with arguably lacking stats for their level, though they know Bufula and Maha-Bufula.And in the spot where the Resistance HQ was...: Ozawa arrests those who refuse to obey him, then tampers with their minds to brainwash them. I'm Psychodiver, and I'm the tool to which he achieves that end. When he learned of my psychic power, he more or less made me his slave. Day after day, he forces me to enter the minds of people and twist them to do his will. When I'm not doing that, I'm sitting here, caged up like an animal. But I can't say no, or else the demons Ozawa's all buddy-buddy with will kill me. Ah... God, I can't take this any more......!
: What a scumbag. I wonder if something made him snap, or if he was always like this. Maybe someone stole his scooter. Did you...?
: Don't look at me!
: Heheh, sorry to subject you to the whining, kid. I complain, but it's better than being dead.
: ...arguably.
: ...Hmm, Francois?
: What? Do you know me?
: Your aura sticks out like a sore thumb, kid! Talk about your abnormal vibes!
: Hey, I haven't looked at my porn stash in thirty...
:
: ...years... uh... You know, forget I said anything.
: I'm sure you're just dying to know what the hell is going on, so I'll clue you in. Your spirit is inseparably tied with that of another... your "destined partner" so to speak. And that partner is in some deep, deep trouble right now.
: Kei!
: You better go save her as soon as you can. If she gets any worse, your prognosis is not good either.
That voice I heard at Yoyogi Park, it really was Kei's! So she's still alive, somewhere!
...and thirty years older.
Aw, who the hell cares about that! I always wanted to chase a woman across time!
*: Really?Well, no. But it's a cool thing to say!
*: Next time: we finish exploring Shinjuku and see if we can find out where Ozawa's holed up by (how else?) hitting the bars. Also, the booze of 2022 Tokyo: does it glow SCI-FI BLUE, or FALLOUT GREEN? Stay tuned!