02x03 - Accelerating Meetings, Surging Desire, and the Start of Various Threads

[bunniefuu]

It is the present day.

Fully-immersive games, in which
the users wear VR headsets

to play as fully-realized
denizens of a fictional world...

are dominating the gaming world.

The pinnacle of these VR games,
boasting over 30 million players worldwide,

is known as a god-tier game.

Its name...

is Shangri-La Frontier!

F...

Found... you...

What the...

Emul-chan!

Emul-chan!

Accelerating Meetings, Surging Desire, and the Start of Various Threads

We're doomed! She's got the crazy eyes!

Book it, you guys!

You assholes...

You sold me out!

You'd do the same to us.

Damn it!

Sunraku-san, it's hopeless!

No, wait...

These people...

In other words, the one they're after...

Ain't me!

Fling

Got you!

Sunraku-san! How could you betray me?!

I'm doomed!

Please, stop!

It's nothing personal, Emul.

Sometimes, sacrifices are inevitable.

They're like zombies
swarming over fresh meat.

You need Emul-chan to stop a raging Animalia.

Hey. You're the one who called her—

That was a very abrupt invitation, Pencilgon.

Heya, Momo-chan.

Psyger-0?

I've been wanting to talk to
you for ages, Sunraku-kun.

I am the leader of the clan
Schwarz Vulf, Psyger-100.

This is Psyger-0.

Um... hey.

Bow

Hey.

Bow

Hizutome-kun...

It's only been a few days
since I last saw him,

but he seems even cooler
and stronger than before!

Totally Imagined

She's even more intense
than last time I met her.

Minimizing your assets as usual, I see.

H-Hey, shut up!

You don't have to point it out every time!

They know each other IRL?

Anyway, are you sure about this?

I spoke to him, as you asked, but...

Well, well!

I wasn't expecting you
to contact me personally.

I got these old bones
here as fast as I could!

Hey, you're from that lore clan.

The Professor.

Thank you for the
recommendation, Sunraku-kun.

Hey, Pencilgon. What are you...

Let's not just stand around and talk.

I've got a room at the Serpent's
Apple's Crystal City branch.

We can talk there.

The Serpent's Apple

Schwarz Vulf Leader
Psyger-100

Psyger-0

SF-Zoo Leader
Animalia

The Library Leader
The Professor

Oikatzo

Sunraku

Wolfgang Leader
Arthur Pencilgon

Okay, I see where this is going.

You get all the questions
to me over with at once.

Pain in my a*s...

I wish I could be anywhere but here.

You're the only one who can clear up the
questions that Schwarz Vulf and SF-Zoo have.

Have them stalking you everywhere
is more of a pain, isn't it?

Yeah, fine.

Well, shall we begin?

Everybody we need is here in this room,

so let's use our time productively.

Then let's get right down to brass tacks.

We of Schwarz Vulf seek information on the
unique monster, Lycagon the Nightslayer.

In exchange,

we're willing to offer a way
to remove Lycagon's Mark.

For real?!

The method itself is relatively well known.

But it would be much easier to let us aid
you than for you to start from square one.

I can get rid of the marks?

It's been a help in some ways,
but I'd love to equip whatever I want!

Schwarz Vulf's eventual goal
is the dispatch of Lycagon.

But I'm ashamed to admit,

we haven't ever managed
to actually fight a unique monster.

We've lucked into encountering
Lycagon a few times,

but we were always taken out before
we could learn any useful information.

Okay. How much do I admit to?

Bonus Unique Scenario
Vorpal Epic
Items Needed
Receiver Delta
Positioner Delta
Transmitter Delta

The bonus unique scenario I've
kept all to myself, Vorpal Epic...

Rabituza...

No way am I talking about Vysache in
the palace, the rabbits, or Aramiys.

The day Animalia's g*ng
finds out about that...

Say goodbye to my chill SLF life!

Don't wanna be here.

I've gotta watch out for these two, too.

They already know about Bilac and Aramiys.

Pencilgon in particular...

What now?

Entranced by my beauty?

Yeah, right.

If I spill the smallest fragment of info,

she'll be on it like a police dog.

For now, I'll keep my talk
to Wethermon and Lycagon.

I'll use that as a cover to
hide info about Rabituza!

I don't think you can beat unique
monsters just by fighting them.

Let's take Wethermon the
Tombguard as an example.

In order to fight him, we had to
accept the bonus unique scenario.

Unique Scenario EX
From the Living World, With Love
Begin now?

Yeah.

Unique monsters are at the
center of bonus scenarios.

Lycagon the Nightslayer is
a random encounter, so...

Random Encounter = A chance meeting
while moving around the game field

Even if you can fight it,

it's possible you won't be able to beat it

unless you trigger the right scenario flag.

The flag may be found in the new continent
added in the recent major update.

Well, it's not impossible,

but I think it's more likely
the flags you find there

will be for the two unique
monsters as yet undiscovered.

Regarding the new continent...

I hope my wife isn't making too much
trouble for you, Psyger-100-kun.

Oh, Massive Dynamite-san?

She's been the most excited for it.

I see.

She seemed to really be looking
forward to the new continent.

Honestly, quite embarrassing at our age...

His wife?

Just how do these two know each other?

I really respect her inquisitive soul.

Well, as for information we
have on the unique monsters,

Seven Colossi

the Seven Colossi, already discovered...

First, Lycagon the Nightslayer.

A randomly encountered black wolf.

Lycagon the Nightslayer

We actually have reports that it's female.

Then, Ctarnidd of the Abyss.

Ctarnidd of the Abyss

An octopus-like unique monster
that appears in the oceans.

No player has actually seen it.

Information about it comes
only from stupefied NPCs.

What is that thing?!

Then, Siegwurm the Sky Ruler.

Siegwurm the Sky Ruler

A randomly encountered golden dragon.

Like Lycagon, since it appears
as a random encounter,

many people have witnessed it,

but because it flies,
it's difficult to reach.

It can be fought in the
Magnanimous Sanctuary area,

and it seeks out a hero
that can challenge it.

Orchestra the Doom Echo.

Orchestra the Doom Echo

It was discovered in a book by a player

who made it into the royal
library of the Ainverth Kingdom,

which rules over this continent.

It's said to manipulate tidal
waves, be clad in fire,

and bring down lightning,

but only its name is known for sure.

Those plus Wethermon the Tombguard,
whom you defeated, makes five.

Sneak...

You think you can just run out on us, huh?

You don't even need me here!

Lemme go, damn it!

The Library has done what research we can,

but the truth is, all the solid
information we have is already online.

Then let me offer you...

Ta-da!

Tome of Truth: The Tombguard!

Top Secret

It's packed with great
exclusive info on Wethermon!

Wh-What?!

It's a super-duper rare item that I'd never
part with under normal circumstances,

but for the Professor of the Library,
who knows just how valuable it is...

I might be willing to part with it in
exchange for a sign of good faith, you know?

Sign of Good Faith = Cash

Sold! I'll pay you as much as you wish!

Yeah, right.

I believe the market price
would be something like this?

The thing's basically junk
after you read it a few times.

What?!

She's just trying to extort
him for all he's worth.

I think it's quite fair,
given the book's value...

As you can see,
we're starved for information.

And, Sunraku-kun...

You're the only one with information
on Lycagon the Nightslayer.

I don't know all that much.

I don't care.

Even learning more about her action
patterns would be invaluable.

Okay. In that case...

She doesn't telegraph her
physical attacks much,

and though they come faster than those of
a normal boss, you can still parry 'em.

Her forepaws come in three ways:
diagonal, horizontal, and vertical.

No delay between them, of course,

but there's plenty of safe zones
you can squat in.

I'll explain in detail about that later,

but it's her bite attack
that's the most annoying.

I didn't get a lot of them,
but it's got the corrode attribute.

It's possible that all
her physical attacks do.

Point is, one hit will tear off your limbs.

Then there's an area attack where her
shadow strikes out like a spear—

W-Wait a minute.

I was under the impression that
you'd only fought Lycagon once.

You were able to analyze all
that on your first encounter

against Lycagon the Nightslayer?

Oh, he's a real freak!

Yeah, a total freak!

Knock it off, you guys!

You're the one who runs
around naked in a bird mask!

Oh? Oh?

We're in denial about our
own freakishness, are we?

A f-freak? Hizutome-kun is...

What's wrong with you guys?!

When I heard he was hanging
around with Pencilgon,

I wondered what he might be like...

You're the one who— look, it's not true!

I know you claim it's because of the curse,

I see.

but sometimes a man doth protest too much...

You guys strip down, too!
See what it feels like!

Sunraku-kun, eh?

Oh, so you really like it, huh?

I think you're really going
to shake up this game.

Forgive the interruption. Please continue.

I'd appreciate it if you
could write it down, too.

Fine.

Look, it basically just feels
like fighting a big wolf.

But there's a lot of stuff
I really don't get either.

Things you don't get?

The last move Lycagon hit me with...

What'd it do to me?

What'd it hit me with?

I don't think I messed up in
a way that would get me hit.

And I was pretty sure I was
outside her attack range.

I thought maybe it was a locked-in,
unavoidable attack,

but I don't think that's it.

The game's not programmed

to have monsters just appear in
front of you out of nowhere, right?

No, it doesn't work that way.

Yeah, sounds right.

It'd be one thing in a trash game,

but a game with this much
care in the worldbuilding

wouldn't have a unique appear
in such a random way.

Which means...

It's some kind of ability of hers?

I'm still lacking major info on Lycagon.

If I could fight her again, I could
probably figure something out, but...

I see.

Interesting.

That should cover what she wanted to hear.

Now I won't have to talk about Rabituza.

By the way...

Sunraku, Pencilgon, Oikatzo.

Your team name is Wolfgang, isn't it?

What do you think? Would you be willing
to work with Schwarz Vulf to—

Schwarz Vulf-san.

You guys mind discussing that later?

That's not part of the
initial question, right?

I suppose not.

And there's someone I'd need
to discuss it with first.

It's my turn next.

We of the SF-Zoo have only one question...

It's about the Vorpal Bunnies' kingdom...

Rabituza!

To maintain the honor of SF-Zoo,
we want to hear all you have to say,

Sunraku-san!

Damn it! I knew you'd do
this to me, Animalia...

She wants to know about my
Rabituza-related unique scenario!

Yes. What I want to know is...

How to get a free pass to Rabituza,
the land of the rabbits!

Huh?

A free pass?

Yes.

It's well known that the way

to get to Rabituza is through the
unique scenario, "Tour of Rabituza."

But once you beat the scenario boss,
the Ravenous Python, that's attacking Rabituza,

you're forcibly driven out of
their town, never to return again!

Nevertheless...

Sunraku-san, not only did you take this
talking Vorpal Bunny outside of Rabituza,

you seem able to come and go as you please!

If you can tell us how you do that,

we'll do absolutely anything you ask!

I thought she'd want the unlock
conditions for the unique scenario

where I befriended Emul...

But I might be able to work this one out.

Um...

I can't tell her about how I unlocked
Invitation from Rabituza, but...

Emul could probably explain
it better than I could.

I'd appreciate if you
could give her back to me.

If I must.

Hey.

Hey, come back to us!

It's no use.

She's out like a light.

All-you-can-eat special Rabituza parfaits...

And I'll pick up the tab.

Special Rabituza parfaits?!

Wh-Where are they?

And Sunraku-san's going to pay for them all?!

Okay, she's back.

Oh? My recent memory is a blank...

Cutie-pie!

The only thing I can remember

is Sunraku-san saying he'd buy
me a special Rabituza parfait

and that spellbook I've
been wanting so greatly!

Quit adding stuff!

Anyway, Emul. Got a question for you.

What is it?

It's about Rabituza.

You know how you guys sometimes
send invites to players...

er, to pioneers, to take care of pythons?

Indeed I do!

Which means the place isn't
off-limits to humans, right?

Well... I don't believe so!

So is there a way to invite them
back to Rabituza after they leave?

Goodness...

That would be a matter for the Rabituzan
government, so I could hardly say!

But my big brother, Aydward,
is a very forward-thinking person,

and he may be able to grant it!

Another new rabbit, huh?

He's my eldest brother!

He's the reigning King of Rabituza!

King?

Yes, indeed!

So Vash isn't the head of Rabituza?

Did he retire and turn
things over to his son?

Can we go talk to him now?

O-Of course!

I'll go and ask him promptly,
thoroughly, carefully, and politely!

Thanks a bunch!

E-Emul—

She really left in a hurry.

Like a frightened rabbit.

I wanted to give her one last huggle...

So can we table that question
until Emul gets back?

I suppose we must.

You leave me no choice.

Pay to Arthur Pencilgon

We are agreed.

Okay! Transaction complete!

Hurry! I must read it at once! Hurry!

Here you are. Tome of Truth: The Tombguard.

How much did you extort him for?



That's obscene!

Though that's only 20% of my debt.

Now... mind if I raise a question?

It's directed to Schwarz Vulf...

The Library...

SF-Zoo...

And to our Wolfgang.

I want to form a clan alliance.