You are OTTO GRIGGS, and after installing a random game in your Steam Library, Fantasy Quest 7: Rebirth, you were summoned to another world. Only, instead of a fantastical adventure full of whimsy and joy, you’ve spent the last few days trudging underground through abandoned tunnels and malicious factories. You’re starting to think this was all one big scam.Or you would if you didn’t suddenly gain the power to toy with REALITY itself. An ability that’s saved both your ass and the asses of the new comrades. Particularly one SAKI NISHIMURA, another Earthling who was summoned alongside you (though without the magic powers). But let’s not forget KNIGHT COMMANDER SEVENTEEN, the over seven-foot android who summoned you and foisted the quest of reconquering FACTORY XI-187 upon you– seeing as it’s been mass-producing demonic soldiers and weapons for quite some time now. Along the way, the three of you encountered one LADY LUVETTEL, who, after a little trolling on your part, joined your party after becoming quite OBSESSED with you. It’s a whole thing…Anyway! You figured out pretty quickly that your REALITY MAGIC might not have come from your own abilities, or lack thereof, seeing as the VOID ENTITY, who lives inside your chest, has been complaining nonstop about your “theft” every time you go to sleep. But anything of the sort totally wasn’t willful on your part– None of this was! Especially not joining the army of the BLACKIRON PACT. Seventeen kind of forced that one, but if you had your way, you’d still be back home on Earth. But things never seem to go your way. Like, no way you’d currently be standing in XI-187 if they did. Regardless, while a crusader army rampages about– vanguarded by REN MINATO, the isekai hero who slew the DEMON LORD before your summoning– you’re interrogating a necromancer named BROTHER CALLUM as he whines and whimpers about “Human Rights” or other such nonsense. …Did you mention you’re trying to recruit him?
>>6460299>Archive:https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Fantasy%20Quest%207>World Primer:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PhbFnN8LxUaPSmDfMrcSDR8V6AcwFcxHX0X8YH8BYHE/edit?usp=sharing>Rentryhttps://rentry.co/FQ7_Rentry_Sheet
>>6460303The gay-looking twink cowers before you. Though you suppose you shouldn't throw stones inside a glass house. “Y-you want me to what??”“Join up, gng. Don't you want to, like– idk, save your master or something? Can't do that by sitting here and waiting for the monsters to get you.”Callum makes a noise halfway between a moan and a snivel and mutters something along the lines of, “But they already have–”“What was that?” Seventeen growls.“I- uh, nothing!” “Good, now then, about our cooperation; normally, the Blackiron Pact has terms and conditions about military cooperation, requiring at least 50 pages in triplicate. But given my rank as Knight Commander, I can temporarily bypass these restrictions and welcome you into my squad until the mission is complete.” Seventeen smiles, “Do not worry, the legalese should only take you a day to decipher, and paperwork half that– excluding the after-action report, of course.”“That– but I–” Brother Callum stammers as his zombies look more confused than previously. One even pulls off her ear to clean it before putting it back on. “I did not agree to anything yet!” He tries to assert himself before his eyes go wide. You can practically see the lightbulb appear above him, but that might just be the large mouth drooling from the ceiling above him letting loose its uvula. “Your S-seventeen… All the Hells…”“Correct.” Seventeen affirms.“K-knight Commander S-seventeen!” Callum points as his undead get increasingly agitated. “You’re Knight Commander Seventeen!” “We heard you the first time.” Sami groans as Luvettel’s split tongue licks her lips, eyeing the zombies worryingly. “Y-you were kicked out of the Great Hero’s P-party! You’re that Seventeen.” The Brother backs into his skeletal golem… That gently tries to reassure him by stroking his back. “T-that’s why you’re working with a D-d-demon!”“Okay, listen–” you try to cut in.“Y-you’re just trying to trick me! Is that it?! Get me to lower my guard so you can–” You cast [Mend]-[Cloth]-[to]-[Chain] again and make him fall on his ass. The room chitters with a mocking laugh as he flails about helplessly. His zombies try to attack, but Luvettel says some words under her breath, and they all go still.
>>6460305“Are you done?” Seventeen asks, and Saki restrains herself from kicking the frantic man.The skeletal hulk seems to weigh its options and settles on kneeling down to gently rock its master and coo (click) its joints to try and calm him down. Smart– you could always just vaporize it if you wanted to. “If we wanted you dead, you'd already be. So calm the fuck down, okay??” You stress so Seventeen doesn't end up saying something Callum would regret.”MMMMFFPHHHMMMM! MMMMHHH!” Oh right. You [Dispel] the binds and allow him to collect himself. It takes a bit. “He isn't as eloquent as I, but his statement isn't wrong.” Seventeen says as her massive chassis looms over the man trembling on the ground.“I- I don't have much of a choice in the matter, do I?” “Unless you would rather die here after a corrupted warform decides to cross your path, then no. You do not.” “M-my masters will hear of this, you know that!?” Any attempt at sounding threatening is immediately nullified by the fact that Brother Callum is– well, kind of like (You) but somehow more pathetic. “They’re advanced undead, aren't they?” Luvettel asks rhetorically, he literally said that a few minutes ago. “Those aren't the type to usually care about novice necromancers under them. I know from experience!” She smiles toothily, though that sentence irks you. She must have been in Callum’s position once.“T-that’s…” Brother Callum trails off. “Fine, have it your way. Just give me a minute to sort my things.”You let out a sigh of relief. That went a lot worse than you expected! But at least now you have a new party member and another assortment of undead to keep the bad guys away from you. Hopefully they last longer than Luvettel’s minions (save Bong), who she just threw into the metaphorical meat grinder for fun. Get it? Because they didn't have meat? God, you’re so funny.BA-DUM Your eyes go wide as you clutch your chest– a sharp pain radiates from it, like you've just been stabbed in the heart. You look down. No wound. But that doesn't stop the pain from dropping you to your knees. “Otto!” Saki screams as multiple hands try, in vain, to keep you up. Blue encompasses your vision as Luvettel puts herself between you and the ground, saying things you can't hear. You can't hear much of anything except that incessant ringing inside your head.BA-DUM A vision of the Demon Lieutenant, the man who almost did you in for good, flashes before your eyes as blood flies from your mouth. You must be coughing–BA-DUM “Otto! Otto, stay with me!” A voice shouts.BA-DUM “H-his mana, w-what’s happening to it?! He looks like he’s going to explode.”BA-DUM “What. Did. You. DO!?”"M-me?! I-i didn't do anything!"BA-DUM The last thing you see is Luvettel’s worried face transform into a feral snarl as she turns to the robed man– looking like… well, a very angry demon. Hehe– *cough* *cough*
>>6460306BA-DUM And then your vision goes black as the pain disappears... You must be–“Dead?” Your back cracks at the speed you turn around, and lo and behold, just who's there. Her.https://youtu.be/uyevPuVDdhg?si=qcy1GOXJXk6DpYdJThe void entity in all her transparent glory looks up at you as she… squats on a gaming chair? Where the hell did she get that? Confused, you look around the endless dimension of midnight and see– not a lot, really. With the pain gone, and your newfound disorientation, you almost forget to be mad that she, well… did something to you! That totally wasn't cool. Like what the hell, man?! “Don't call me that.” The void entity grumbles.“Yeah, whatever, dude.” You cut her off. “But like what the fuck is your problem? What the fuck was that?!” You wave your arms behind you like a wounded bird, trying to gesture to where you just came from. Which you guess was the conscious world. “What did you even do to me?!”“Ugh, do you need me to explain everything for you? Obviously, I took a little bit of control and whispered [̶S̶t̶o̶p̶]̶-[̶T̶i̶m̶e̶].”“You what?” You didn’t notice anything… wait a minute–“No, you can't cast them. Didn’t you see the strikethrough? I absolutely forbid you from learning them. Nuh-uh!”“You can do that?!” “Are you stupid? You’re stupid. Of course I can. It's MY power. Thief. It’s just like how I can limit the keywords you already know if you continue to piss me off.”Does she mean your runes–“Keywords! It’s called Keyword Magic, and it’s mine. Runes sound stupid– you sound stupid.” You flip her a double bird only for her to raise two fingers– [̶C̶o̶n̶t̶r̶o̶l̶]̶-̶[̶P̶e̶r̶v̶e̶r̶t̶]̶-̶[̶A̶r̶m̶]̶-̶[̶D̶o̶w̶n̶]– and bring them down, forcing your arms to your side. Your eye twitches. “Not so fun, right?” You can’t see her raising her eyebrow, but you know she does. “It’s pathetic that you’re the one using this now– Only I have the JUSTICE needed to use it properly.”“Yeah, does that include giving me a heart attack!? What the fuck is wrong with you!?” You’re dealing with a child here, an actual child. This is an absolute worst-case scenario. Why couldn’t you have gotten your powers from something normal? Like a bored God, or a magical coincidence?“I’m going to ignore that– it shouldn’t even be your power. But I had to do Something to get your attention. It’s been getting harder since you keep trying to ignore me.” She turns away from you. “It’s not exactly like there’s a lot to do up here. Has anyone ever mentioned how empty your mind is?” Prick.She turns back. “You know I can hear everything, right?”“Alright, yeah. Let’s hurry this up." The last place you want to be is here. "You got like a reason for me being here? Right? Don’t know if you heard, but I’m doing some pretty important stuff right now.”
>>6460309“Trust me, I wouldn’t be speaking to you so directly if I didn’t have to.” She sighs, “But at this rate you’re going to get both of us killed. Something big is coming in, say,” she bounces her head around lackadaisically, “I don’t know~~ As soon as I resume time? That sound right? Yeah, that sounds right.”“Huh, what? The fuck do you mean–”She holds up an outlined hand. “Yeah, I’m the one speaking, buddy. I’m just here to help you See nothing more, nothing less.” You want to turn on your heels and stomp away, but just like Callum, you know you’re helpless in this position. “Fine, get it over with.”The entity smiles; it is not a pleasant one. “Good, then I shall.” And she disappears from her chair. You turn around frantically, as you hear giggling from all around you– then two hands push you into the chair, and claws dig into your face. Scariest of all are the two witch-nailed thumbs that position themselves right in front of your eyeballs. You’re helpless to push them away– “aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA” You scream before the pain is gone and you’re lying on the floor. The woman, sitting on her chair, looms above you, smug as a cat.“See? That should help you. Smile.” She says.You blink a few times as the blurriness goes away. Nothing really changes, but you can see quite clearly that the void entity is Healthy and Full of Energy– What?>Otto’s Sight Has Been Upgraded[Spoiler]Otto can now better analyze the people around him. Not to the level of the VE sensing emotions, but he can now instantly know someone's physical condition. Bolded text in brackets is their [Status], which is split between Health and Energy. Health has four stages: Healthy, Damaged, Critical, and Dead. Characters wearing armor get the extra stage of [Armored] above [Healthy]. Energy is numeric and drops when someone exerts themselves. Ex. Casting magic/Fighting hard. At 0 energy, a character becomes exhausted and passes out for a short period of time (usually until the end of combat). Otto, however, constantly regenerates energy by drawing from the world around him and cannot pass out.[/spoiler]Check everyone’s Status here: https://rentry.co/FQ7_Rentry_Sheet“Feel better?” The void entity asks. “That’s all I wanted to do, really. Remember, if you die, I die. So Don't C:” You stare until she makes a ‘shoo’ing motion with her hands. “You can leave now, tata! Bye-bye!”You don’t even bother to flip her off– you might not get another chance for a while to talk to this cretin, so before you can even think, you shout the first thing that comes to your mind, “Wait–>–you know gaming chairs are a scam, right?”>–what’s your name? Your real one? Can you remember?” >–are you secretly the saintess reborn?>–go fuck yourself!”>[Write-in]
>>6460306Mi amore... Luvie is even Luvlier than before. How the Hell do you keep doing it?! Also welcome back QM we love to see it>>6460310>>–you know gaming chairs are a scam, right?”>>–what’s your name? Your real one? Can you remember?”I mean I guess if I have to pick one I'll go with the name, but c'mon, those chairs suck
>>6460309>[Stop] [Time]Oh shit. My Saintess theory deepens, though it may not be so straightforward. Maybe we should learn how to use regular magic later, just so we can get a better handle on how to counter it.>>6460312I'll support this. Glad to have you back StrangeQM!
>>6460312As long as the [Write-in] option is there, or unless otherwise notified, it's safe to assume there are no limits to what can be voted on. >>6460498Thanks! It's good to be back. Writing!
>>6460643“You know gaming chairs are a total scam, right?!” You shout, desperate to learn even the most basic information about the entity– Oh, oh no. You got those thoughts confused.“...What?” The void entity asks, confused.Oh, well. In for a penny, in for a pound. “They’re literally just race car seats, y’know? Like they’re not designed to be comfortable– sure, they look kinda cool, but they’re not designed for comfort or for sitting in for a long period of time. Hell! A ton of them don’t even have padding, or they’re just leather with no mesh, so they’re not breathable at all. Like, I guess if you want to speedrun swamp-ass, then go for it, but if you’re actually going to sit down for a long time, then they’re just not the play. And they’re going for like hundreds of bucks, too! It’s a complete and total scam. There’s no reason to buy these things!”“What the fuck are you talking about?”“Like, if you really want a good chair, just go to a box store. Hell, even fucking Walmart will do, and just pick up an office chair. Those ones are actually designed to be sat on for multiple hours. It’ll only cost like 40 bucks, too, and it’ll be wayyyy better quality than a fucking gaming chair that can cost you half a month's rent! Just make sure they're breathable, though that’s the biggest thing to look out for–”“Otto!” The entity all but screams, “What are you–? I didn’t buy this!”‘That’s even worse! Like, if you have the option to make any chair in the world, why would you make this type?! You didn’t think to make, like, a couch? Or a cushioned chair? A throne even?? Hell, even a lawn chair would be more comfortable–”“I-i just remembered that I used to own one okay?! Jesus, what the fuck is your problem?” She stressed, more caught off guard than you’ve ever seen her before. “I just– I thought it would be nice, okay? Happy? Don’t get on my fucking case, okay? You sound like my fucking dad! Fuck OFF!”“You remember your dad?” That, um, might be good information to know.Her eyes widen, and then vanish completely. “No, I didn’t say that. Why are you still here? I told you to go! If you don’t leave now, I’m going to make it so you can’t use any keyword with the letter ‘E ’ so get out of here!”“Wait, please!” You shout, again. “That’s huge, right? You’re remembering stuff? Right? Can you tell me something, like your name at least?”“Why the hell would you think I’d tell you, even if that was true?” “Oh, come on. Don’t try to tell me you don’t get mad every time I refer to you as an ‘entity’ in my head.” The void entity hesitates for a long time. Long enough that you think you have to force things. Void Entity. Void Entity. Void Entity. Void Entity. Void Entity. Void Entity. Void Entity. Void Entity–“Alright, I get it! Samantha, it’s Samantha. And don’t fucking call me Sam! Now get out! Now!”
>>6460657And like that, your eyes open and your face to tail with Luvettel lunging at a terrified cultist. Without a second to lose, you yank the demon back by her wings and fall to the ground in a mess of limbs– the impact knocking the last of the blood from your mouth. Thankfully, the pain in your chest is now gone, but you can still feel the gaze of the void– of Samantha.“Eek–” Luvettel exclaims as Callum hides behind his golem. “S-so forward…” She blushes as you try your best to peel her off.“Otto!” Saki exclaims as she helps you up, “What the hell happened? Are you OK?”You open your mouth to reply, but stop as a tightness in your chest causes your senses to dull– except for your hearing that is. Ratatatatatatatatata– You hear it from somewhere far away, like the sound of an engine. But that shouldn’t be surprising. You’re in a factory after all, so why is the v– is Samantha drawing your attention to it? Ratatatatatatatatata– it continues as voices call out your name. It’s getting closer(?) At least it sounds louder. Ratatatatatatatatata– And then you hear a distant popping noise, and the wall explodes–*~BOOM~*You and Luvettel are thrown against the far wall as half of the office ceases to exist in a fiery blaze. Smoke obscures the perpetrator, but there isn’t enough to obscure your view of your comrades. They’re fine, thankful. Your new sight shows no differences, other than maybe being a bit disoriented. And then you hear a few more pops and see giant missiles emerging from the smoke.OH FUCK!>Cast a [Barrier] immediately!>Cast [Vaproize]-[Metal] on the missiles!>Cast [Move]-[Wind] to try and send them away!>Cast [Transmute]-[Explostion]-[to]-[Mana] to render the missiles useless!>[Write-in]!
>>6460658>Cast [Vaproize]-[Metal] on the missiles!If it works, it works!
>>6460658>>6460947+1 this! ZAP, MOTHAFUCKA
>>6460658>>6461072Wait actually no... these might be made of some weird material or something that we don't end up vaporizing. >CAST [MOVE] [WIND]
>>6461073Oh shit, you're 100% right. This is a demonic warform factory- for all we know, they're made of bones.>>6460658I'm switching from >>6460947 to support anon's plan here >>6461073.
>>6461073>>6461097Writing!
>>6461309Your eyes widen as a high-pitched whine escapes your lips. Luckily, no one can hear it over the sounds of the FUCKING MISSILES HEADING STRAIGHT FOR YOU!!! Faster than you’ve ever moved your arms before– they fly in front of you as you focus everything you can to [Move]-[Wind] and push them as far from you as possible! Realistically, just the force of the wind shouldn’t be able to push a rocket-propelled projectile far… but you didn’t agree to try out a fantasy game for realism. Only suckers and turbo autists do that! And you’re high-functioning, thank you very much!With a swipe of your arms to the side, the missiles fly to the corner of the room, away from you and most of your companions. Sure, the deafening *BOOM* blasts your ears more than a metal concert, but at least you’re still standing… And everything else is too– well, not exactly standing, but they're not hurt. Probably going to take them a little bit of time to reorient themselves, so that leaves just you– then a flying arm, severed at the elbow, knocks the wind out of you. Okay, maybe Callum lost a few zombies, but that’s not important right now! Ratatatatatatatatata–Because something is clearing up the smoke, that noise- it has to be a propeller, no? Such a rhythmic thumping of the air can’t be anything else… And you’re soon proven correct as the smoke clears on the side of the factory and a brisk chill hits your face. The missiles must have blown a hole all the way outside… Outside? How long has it been? How high up in the mountains even are you? “D-DRAGON!!!” Callum's voice shouts from behind you as the man tries to scramble away from the blasted opening. Your head whips back, and you see it too. Though to your modern eyes, that’s no dragon. That’s a fucking Attack Helicopter! You’re going to FUCKING KILL whoever sold this game as a Fantasy Quest (7)But not before this gunship is dealt with, as its[Gatling Gun]s begin to charge and more [Explosive] missiles are detached from it– you realize you’re the only one still standing to deal with this… Maybe you’re the only one who can, even if the other weren’t still picking themselves off the ground… Everything is up to you now.>Callum lost 5 zombies>You allies will be able to fight starting next update>Otto’s spell cost 1 Mana, which will be recharged by the next update[/bue]>Cast [Explosive]-[Explosion] to blow the missiles up right next to the helicopter>Cast [Dissolve]-[Metal]-[Bone]-[Flesh] to try and hit this thing where it hurts, whatever it’s made of!>Cast [Control]-[Gatling Gun] to get this thing to shoot itself!
>>6461346I fucked up the formatting fml, but also there's still the option to >[Write-in]
>>6461346>Cast [Explosive]-[Explosion] to blow the missiles up right next to the helicopterKABOOOOOMM
Just a heads up, not going to be able to update today.
>>6461346>Cast [Explosive]-[Explosion] to blow the missiles up right next to the helicopterThe path of least resistance.>>6461847It's cool mayne.
>>6461889>>6461460Writing!
>>6462110As soon as the missiles detect themselves from the helicopter– *KABOOOOOMM*– they explode, and you're more than ready to brace for the ensuing shockwave. Through the smoke, you hear the ‘copter make a noise somewhere between a whine and a siren through the chopping of the propellers, and no second explosion lets you know it's still flying. And so too does the thousand bullets of hot lead that burst into the office. Immediately, you erect a [Barrier] to guard yourself (and Luvettel, who seems to be putting more effort into reaching for your hand than actually picking herself up), as Seventeen guards Saki with her large frame. Callum is smothered under a pile of rotting bodies who throw themselves at him as meat shields.>Seventeen's and Callum's health decreases by 1>Callum lost 3 zombiesBy the time you’ve helped Luvettel up and hold her small hand in yours, the smoke parts just enough to reveal the grisly sight of the wounded gunship and the inner workings of the wall (bleh). The explosion has torn the shark-face decal on the sides of the vessel apart, revealing a disproportionately large mouth filled with wicked teeth. Great gobs of blood fall down the mountain almost as if a horrid mimicry of the snow that falls beside it. The teeth chitter a horrid laugh as the Gatling guns, knocked off-kilter, rev up another volley. But this time you’re prepared.“Everyone, firing positions!” You shout as you block the next barrage with a [Barrier] covering the crater of a wall. The ensuing barrage threatens to break your spell, but you [Expel] enough [Mana] to keep it steady. Though when the gunfire stops and you drop the spell, you’re forced to catch your breath as Saki, Seventeen, and Luvettel return fire. The beast behind the armor reels in pain as its exposed flesh is filled with as many holes as it wanted to leave in you. Using its full mobility, the helicopter tilts back and puts distance between the office and itself, getting harder to hit with each yard between you and it. And without the helicopter obstructing your view, you get a look outside the factory– or as far of a look as the snowstorm will let you– flashes of fire and distance thunder from the colored encampment below reveals that the main crusader army must be under assault by the warforms, and while the encampment is a distant spec on your vision up here the gunship could reach it in an instant… the Gatling gun charges again and your mind is more resolute than every. You need to kill this thing here and now, before it can reach the crusaders.>Use the organic insulation between the walls to cast [Control]-[Flesh]-[Vine], and hold this thing where everyone can shoot it!>Cast [Explosive]-[Bone] on Bong and have Luvettel fly him into the helicopter's torn-open mouth.>Cast [Infect]-[Decay]-[Rot]-[Deconstruct] to try and get this thing to fall apart on its own.>[Write-in]
>>6462112Rentry Status Update: https://rentry.co/FQ7_Rentry_Sheet
>>6462112>Use the organic insulation between the walls to cast [Control]-[Flesh]-[Vine], and hold this thing where everyone can shoot it!STICK AROUND! Hahaha we like to keep it light and fun around here
>>6462112>Use the organic insulation between the walls to cast [Control]-[Flesh]-[Vine], and hold this thing where everyone can shoot it!Just caught up. Very entertaining read. Ren and his pack of giggling whores should go hang themselves.
>>6462140Agreed. We stan Luvie in this household
>>6462141Out of all the women in the world Otto ends up with a retarded crazy girl from the one race that even the Pact, a country that considers racism blasphemy, can't tolerate. Love it.
>>6462140It's a pleasure to have you anon, especially as a new member of the Cult of Luvettel.>>6462196I'm honestly not sure if this says more about Otto or Luvie... #ManicDemonGirlFTWUpdate will come when I get home from work, so in about 9 hours-ish.
>>6462121>>6462140Writing!
>>6462560The instant the gunship looks to be leaving OA (Otto’s Airspace), you throw your arms out in front of you, and a dozen tentacles fly from the wall along with them. To others, it probably looks like you’re controlling the flesh vines by moving your arms, hands, and fingers, and well, you are. Specifically, you’re casting [Control]-[Flesh]-[Vine], but they can't see that. They can only see your movements and the vines following them– it’s so hard to put into words how you’re doing it. But you can try. It feels like you just grew a bunch of new limbs and can control them as freely as any other parts of your body (namely your hands) only move as a reaction to moving the vines. Only the flesh vines aren't actually a part of your body, and you feel no pain when the helicopter tilts its propeller and chop, chop, chops a few of them. But that tilt is all you need to grab the creature(?) by its hull and landing gear and pull it back towards the bullet-torn office.“Keep firing! Aim for the squishy bits while I hold it down!” You shout as you use two vines to battle the gunship for its guns- they're hard to completely pull off, but at least you can angle the [Gatling gun]s away from the living.>Brother Callum lost 2 zombies“Yeah, thanks. I was thinking of shootin' the metal instead.” Saki rolls her eyes, slightly messing with the accuracy of her fire.“What squishy bit?” Luvettel asks as she hip-fires the entire broadside of the chopper– somehow missing its guns entirely. Well, at least she discredits Saki’s snark. “Fuckin’” Saki mutters as she grabs Luvie’s gun as soon as it starts *click*ing, “Just throw grenades in its mouth!”“Okay! :D” Luvie follows through on the order immediately. Though she blinks when the copter-monster eats it through the tear in its cheek and nothing happens. “Nothing happened.” She says, pouting.“You have to pull out the pin first,” Seventeen helps.“Okay :>” She does, then holds it up for Seventeen to check. “Like this?” Seventeen, who's busy trying to knock off the gatling guns with her hand cannon, doesn't immediately notice Luvettel holding a primed grenade right next to her. Probably because the demon's too short. With each passing second, you sweat more and more, but keeping the helicopter in place and your friends unswiss-cheeseified by the guns is taking all of your concentration. Luckily, Saki is here to play the role of the party's straight man. “JUST THROW THE DAMN THING!!!” She shrieks, calmly.
>>6462621“U-waa? Why are you being so loud? ;-;” Luvettel pouts and lobs the grenade– and, due to it being cooked rather thoroughly, blows up immediately upon making contact with the helicopter's rancid tongue! You all breathe a sigh of relief– partly because the helicopter explodes into a million pieces, but mostly because you all didn't just get teamkilled. Luvettel hugs you tightly, as her 'victory prize,' but you barely even register it. A near-death-experience frantic laugh bubbles out of your mouth. You have no idea how you keep doing it. A few feet away, Saki frets over Seventeen, who's leaking enough oil and steam to leave a puddle and to melt the snow around her, respectively. And while you can't see far because of the snowstorm, the view of the mountains through the hole in the wall is beautiful... You hope this isn't the last time you'll get to see such a sight.“D-dragon-! W-we have to move NOW!” the necromancer screams as he finally pushes the last of the zombie corpses off of him. Only to stare dumbfounded at the four of you staring back– You hope you look cool with the scenic background behind you. “W-what?” Callum mutters as he stares at you all, wide-eye. “Where did it..? H-how did you-?” “Elite gamer skillz, newb.” You say just to totally, irreparably ruin the moment. You can hear both Seventeen and Saki groan, but at least Luvie nods along like you just said something cool. That's why she's the best. “Y-you–” Callum starts to continue, but the Bit is done, so Seventeen cuts him off.“We have to move, quickly.” She says, to no disagreement. “The Widow is most certainly hunting for us now. We must have become too much of an annoyance while she focuses on Minato. Lucky for us then, a new path presents itself.” She gestures to the new hole in the wall.“You want to go outside?” Saki asks.“We can.” Seventeen affirms, “The factory may or may not have more dragons to deploy, but the snowstorm can help our approach. After firsthand experience, I'm certain now the corrupted warforms do not have the capabilities included during my forging, including multiple forms of sight. They likely just use their eyes.” She doesn't? “Will it be faster?” You ask, already knowing this decision will somehow be yours. “Probably.” Seventeen answers.“That's it?” Saki questions.“I have insufficient data to perform a full analysis on each route.”“Yeah, that's what I mean! Stuff that's more roboty–”“That’s racist.”Saki reels back. “That’s-! C'mon! It’s true!” She cries.You put a hand on the flailing girl's shoulder; you comprehend this situation completely. You've been in it before. “She’s fucking with you,” you help, deathly serious. You’re roughly shoved off– Luvettel then takes the offending arm that wasn't focused on her and clutches it in a death grip. Good thing you're wearing armor; those claws look like they could hurt.“Oh, buzz off! I know that-! I was just… um–”
>>6462622“Apologies, I am getting slightly ‘lightheaded,’ as organic species are prone to saying.” Seventeen says, and you reason it’s probably because of the nonstop beatings Seventeen has gotten trying to protect both you and Saki. You're kindreds in 'getting your arms ripped off,' for God's sake! You get it... F-fuck, just thinking about that battle makes your skin crawl. You were so scared. Fucking Demon Lieutenant. Blue-skinned prick– wait.“Otto, where should we go?! I smell a lot of undeath around! I want to go find it!” Luvettel chirps as she clings to you, eyes looking up. You're really starting to notice how disheveled she looks. How disheveled you all look... Man, that first shower when you get back is gonna hit.When you lock back in, you see Seventeen and Saki looking at you expectantly. They're getting reliant without paying you. “Wait!” Callum calls out, “W-we’re leaving? Just like that? Not even taking time to prepare?”“By taking time to prepare, we increase the likelihood of mission failure by 69%.”“Yeah, we can ‘take time’ when we’re dead."The necromancer turns towards you in misery, paying no mind to Luvettel licking the blood off your armor… “Are you all insane?”“You’re literally a necromancer, bud. The fuck you complaining about?” You deadpan, using the full force of 21st-century morality behind you.“Uuugh,” He moans as Bong shuffles behind you and whistles.>Ask Luvettel about the undeath she smells. Callum's not that smelly, is he?>Ask Seventeen more about how she thinks you should proceed.>Go outside and try to get the drop on the caretaker.>Go further into the facility to take the heart head on.>[Write-in]
>>6462623>Ask Luvettel about the undeath she smells. Callum's not that smelly, is he?>Go outside and try to get the drop on the caretaker.Any edge is a good one, if you ask me. >>6462380She gets better with every picture....
>>6462623>Go outside and try to get the drop on the caretaker.Luvie is probably just smelling Callum's asshole boss.
>>6462623>Go outside and try to get the drop on the caretaker.We have got to, got to, GOT TO get a move on. Every minute we delay is one more minute for that hackneyed harem protag to cut his way through the factory.
>>6462628>>6462704>>6462742Writing!
>>6462942“Alright, let's take a trip outside. I could use the fresh air. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time we galavanted through the mountains while being shot at.” You say, to the agreement of most everyone.“Uhm,” Callum shakily raises his hand. “It would be my first.”“Really?” Saki asks, “Not on the way here? Not once?” “I was chased around a lot before I met you, too!” Luvettel helpfully adds.“We mostly fought in the steppe out east. A-and for whatever reason the caretaker didn't go on the offensive on our way here. A-and um, this was, erm– our last stop on our way out of demonic territory. We're going home after this, so please, let us be careful.” He stresses the last part, even though his tone implies he's worried you'll cut him down at any moment. Maybe you laid it on a little too thick– look, it's been a long quest, alright?“Then there’s a first time for everything. Does anyone need help climbing up?” Seventeen says.“Nah, I got it.” You reply as the runes for [Construct]-[Metal]-[Staircase] fly through your fingers and a path upward appears before you. Callum makes a noise like he's about to comment, but it quickly dies. Instead, he just sighs and climbs into the ribcage of his skeletal golem. Your thoughts are soon flooded with questions about whether that counts as being called a mecha or not. By the time you snap out of it, you're already marching through the snow on top of the facility. And if your guess is correct, the caretaker's lair is pretty close by. But, like, it looks like a giant boss arena peeking out of the mountain. With his new bone-mech, Callum can actually take point with Seventeen. Saki stays close behind, paranoically looking everywhere through the scope on her rifle. Naturally, having to account for Luvettel's short legs, you fall behind a bit. You're not too worried, not like you were just a few days ago about everything, because you've already put a [Barrier] around both of you. So, hand in hand, you press onward! It, um... feels kinda weird. She's looking at you so intensely, and her dopey smile only helps show her sharp teeth. She's not saying anything either– just kind of staring. It's making you kind of nervous, but maybe that's a good thing. There's no one shooting at you, yet, and you haven't really had a chance to 'get away' from it all for a bit. Luvettel seems like a nice enough girl, Hell– you made out with her! Maybe it's a good idea to get to know her better before one of you gets ground into mince meat. You'll start with a softball to get the conversation flowing. "Can you still 'smell undeath' around here? And that's kind of like a necromancy spell thing, right?""No, silly! I use my nose, duh! ^_^ And the smell has mostly gone away :/ But maybe it's just the wind? Hey, can we kill Callum?”
>>6462995“Yeah, definet– wait, what? Why?!” you ask with a strangled gasp. You immediately check, and thank god, he's too far out to hear you.“Because his soul makes for good material to work with.” She states matter-of-factly.God, you’re going to regret asking this. “And that means what exactly? Please remember, darling, I'm still new to this whole magic thing.”“Mmhm, we'll fix that eventually! But it's pretty obvious he's being raised so that he can met-meta-metamor. uh..." "metamorphize." "Metamorphine into a powerful undead. Most of the scars on his body aren't from combat; they’re textbook rituals to torture a soul! I had a lot put on me once before I metamorphized into the master race. But I can't remember that anymore.” She says, delusionally chipper. She's not like, just going to snap, right? Please don't.“That's horrid,” you say, "and a lot to unpack." You don't think this is the time to even try. "So you're saying he's being used as a vessel to create a whole other being? And he's gotta die to do it?"She nods. “And I can definitely complete it. So can we kill him?” It's probably not a good idea to shut Luvettel down directly. "But why? He can be of use alive, right? Like, look at him, he's even bravely going out in front.""He's useless alive. He sucks and will be of better use to us dead." That's... mean."Even without equipment?" You hazard out.But, again, she nods. "I mostly use magic instinctively. Mistr– Sitri called it amateurish, which definitely means it's good! I've raised a lot of dead all by myself! Sitri even had me manage the corpse-spikes!""The corpse-spikes?""They're really cool! You impale someone on this large pike that goes into the sky; you can even fit multiple! A-and then the spike has an enchantment to not let the soul leave the body of those touching it. So when you walk past, you can both see the bodies decaying but physically feel the mana of rotting souls nearby! T-the Demon Lord said it was a great art piece!""I-i'm sure it was!" You stutter, but she nods happily."Normally, undead having souls gets in the way. Poor necromancers have even gotten killed by their slaves, hehehe. Cutting holes so the soul can leave is more beneficial when making servants– making skeletons even more so. But you can do some fun stuff with the soul too! It's needed to create a bunch of undead, like wights, dreadknights, and liches!"“Okay, I get that, but why does this mean we should murder Callum?” “Because he's useless to us right now! And with a few spells I can fix that! And then we can have a powerful undead under our control! Maybe we can even take over his masters.” “We don't even know if they’re still alive, though.” Even if she was probably sniffing them out earlier.“They aren't.” “Can you smell that– oh wait.” Luvettel’s teasing smile makes you flush in embarrassment– it's not often she gets a one up on you. “Okay, seriously though–”
>>6462997“I'z surrendah! I’z Surrendah– aaaaAAAAA–” *SPLAT* Your boot crushes the skull of the troll for what must be the fifteenth time. All to the cheer of the combined forces of the Holy Dominion and Empire. A rare sight if it were not for the Demonic Incursion and the ensuing Treaty of Universal Survival that keeps the mortals from doing the hard part for the Demon Lord and destroying each other. It does this by ceasing all warfare between mortal kingdoms and nations, among other boring treaty stuff. It takes only a moment for the troll's face to regenerate and for you to repeat the process of crushing its wicked skull. When the thing's blubbery head is reduced to a fine paste, and all you can see of it is its blacksteel armor, you can pretend you’re destroying Seventeen’s skull over and over again… ‘Is this too much?’ you think, but by the time you can actually ponder the thought, the troll has regenerated again and– *SPLAT*“Lord Minato, I understand your anger, but do you not find this display a tad excessive?” Chrysame, your priest, objects to a chorus of boos from the surrounding soldiers. You should beat them up for doing that, but you can feel Elspeth's glare as if to say, 'don't make a diplomatic incident, you knumbskull.'However, before you can give her an answer, the current leader of the Imperial Troops in the facility steps out of the crowd and bows. An elven magistrate by the name Tes’tral, whose otherwise beautiful face is marred with scars. Maybe it's because he's not wearing armor like an idiot– substituting it for purple silk robes. “Sister Priestess of whatever God it is you worship. I seek only to remind you that this here specimen is nothing more than a simple orcoid, barely more conscious than a beast. And one that was directly responsible for the death of my predecessor, Magistrate Tar’vil. I believe the Great Hero has every right to enact vengeance on this wicked foe!” He says, a smile on his angular face.Chrysame looks troubled but doesn’t comment further. Elspeth’s “political training,” which she drilled into all of you out in the wilderness, has done wonders while you’ve been attached to the crusader army.“Yeah! Kill him again!” Vesper shouts, rallying both Dominion and Imperial soldiers alike and bringing the mood back up– see? The training has been very effective. So as the troll's head reforms once more, you–
>>6462998“Agzaad.” A voice mutters in Dwarven behind you, and the troll’s body erupts in flame. A brief scream of utter torment follows, but soon the beast stills for the final time. But you pay it no mind; you’ve more pressing matters. The centurion’s somehow still clinging to life– you should have taken more care to make sure he was down for the count. But who can blame you for thinking cutting his arms off was enough? As you kneel down to where he lies, you notice a glimmer of light as a rune disappears from his helmet. It’s no matter; you do away with it, and the dwarf's ugly face is before you– you wince as he spits a gob of blood right into your eye. You wipe it off and stare with a frown. He opens his mouth to speak, but your hand on his throat, tightening quickly, puts an end to that. Yeah, sure, Elspeth would usually say some 'Chrysame heal him!' speech like: ‘ooooh~, he has oh soooo~ valuable information blah blah blah~ ooooh~ we need to hear him out ooooo~,’ but she’s just as silent as the anticipating crowd around you. Soldiers from all over the continent await more bloodsport. And, c’mon. Why should you have to handle this disrespect? You literally saved the world. Why shouldn’t you be able to cut loose a little?>Pop the dwarf's head right off>Hear out his final words>[Write-in]
>>6462999>Hear out his final wordsIt was Tes'tral who killed Tar'vil, wasn't it? Typical elf.
>>6462997>We’re not killing him. No way, no how.>[Write-in]I completely forgot to add the vote for Otto's section of the update last night, apologies
>>6462999>Pop the dwarf's head right off, then punt it into the raftersWe don't listen to no-fucking-body, or our name isn't Ren Minato! Rest in peace, Pact soldiers. We should have known this betrayal would come to pass.>>6463064>We’re not killing him. No way, no how.Luvie, we've got to have some restraint.
>>6463064>>6463211+1 this. Sometimes the best things come later, Luvie, jeez louise
>>6463064>We’re not killing him. No way, no how.We're obviously not murdering the poor haggard twink. Yet.
>>6463507>>6463226>>6463211>>6463061Writing!
>>6463612Whatever the dwarf was going to say is rendered irrelevant as you squeeze your hand into a fist, popping his stout head off his neck and into the air. But that’s not all; you still have to put on a show for the spectators. So as the head falls to the ground, you grab it by the beard– spin it around a few times like a ball on a chain- and throw it right into an awaiting maw in the rafters. There’s thunderous applause and rambunctious cheer at the display, even if you can see most of your girls roll their eyes or palm their faces at the display. What’s that matter, though? They’ll still let you into their beds tonight.“Good show, jolly good show, Great Hero!” Tes’tral commends, before using the hype you generated to start a cheer of his own. “Death to the Blackiron Pact!” He calls, the words echoed by both soldiers of the Empire and Dominion. “Death to the Blackiron Pact!”“DEATH TO THE BLACKIRON PACT!””DEATH TO THE BLACKIRON PACT!”The soldiers scream and shout, and you find the smile on your face hard to wipe away. Years ago, when you were naive and first met Seventeen, you were awed by the Pact's ideals, before learning their inherent hypocrisy. This world cannot be judged by the morals of your previous one; this is one where a being's nature can far outweigh any semblance of nurture. Just look at the Demons, or Hells, even the dwarves! They’re no bastion of peace and tranquility between races; they’re more racist than even the elves! They just got so many bullshit laws and restrictions to prevent themselves from acting on their malice– And Seventeen was more than willing to bend or break those rules when it suited her, and list them as justification for her atrocities. Pfft, ‘we have to hear the Demon General out! This isn’t the right way~!’ Pure garbage.“How’s everything looking outside?” You ask Elspeth, getting your party’s minds back on track, except for Vesper, of course. She’s leading the cheer.The princess puts a hand to her ear and quickly gets back to you. “The Pact’s warforms put up good resistance, but no one can handle the combined might of the two most powerful nations on the continent. The leaders of the Empire thank you for your assistance, and the one from the Dominion wishes to invite you to dinner once you’ve conquered the factory.”“Mark it for later. I got some other plans for tonight.” You wink before brandishing your sword. “But we got a caretaker to take care of first!” Your companions giggle at your totally witty and cool play on words. You’re so awesome. “Let’s beat these losers to the Heart!” You say before selecting everyone in your party and–“H-huh?! Wait-!” Chysame cries, but it’s too late; you’ve all already [Blink]ed out of the room. Any complaints fall on your deaf ears, because you’re Ren Motherfucking Minato. The Great Hero and savior of the world– and you can do whatever you fucking want.
>>6463656“For the last time: No. We’re not going to just kill him; we can’t.”“Buuut why nooooot~!” Luvettel whines for the fifth time.“We can’t just do whatever we want, Luvie. That’s not how the world works.”“But whyyyyy! You haven’t told me why!” She pouts. “I want to kill him, and we have the power too, so why shouldn’t we?! It’ll even help us in combat!”This is getting kinda harder than you expected. Shouldn’t it be obvious that you can’t just do whatever you want? There are like morals and shit you gotta follow; everyone does. But how exactly are you supposed to explain that to a literal demon? One who was tortured so badly that her very soul got tainted by it? Can you, a guy who's only ever won online arguments by being a total goalpost-moving, strawmanning, dickweed, even convince her of the sanctity of life? Or maybe of something else? Should you even try? You might get better results by just distracting her until a warform comes knocking and you’re back to fighting.>Try and convince Luvettel it’s immoral to kill people, even with a “valid” reason.>Try to convince Luvettel of the sanctity of life.>Try to distract Luvettel using classic Gen Z nonsense.>Just say your words are final and instead look out for approaching warforms.>[Write-in]
>>6463657Oh brother. I knew we'd have to have 'The Talk' eventually...>[WRITE-IN]: "Luvie, if you died right now, what would happen? I mean DEAD dead. Could you be as helpful as you've been if you were gone? As adorable? Okay, now think about ME: would you be able to really, truly, honestly enjoy me if I was dead? Would I be able to call you cute, adorable, amazing, spectacular, and so on if I was a walking corpse? Hmmmmm?This guy still has uses if he's alive, Luvie. Maybe not now, but eventually. Word gets around. More uses than if we killed him and raised his corpse. That's why we don't just kill everyone--it's not weak... it's SMART. See?>Tap your temples for good measure.
>>6463657Supporting >>6463661Flattery is very effective against her.
>>6463661I'll throw in for this.
>>6463661>>6463707>>6463741WritenWas going to draw Otto doing the meme pose, you know the one, but got sidetracked drawing Luvie and Otto, um, noncanonly and ran out of time.
>>6464275“Luvettel, what would happen if you died?” You ask as you two continue trudging through the snow.“H-huh?”“Like DIED died? So dead there was no hope of coming back?”“Otto…” She breathes out hoarsely, flushing purple.“I mean, you clearly couldn’t be as adorable as you are now, right?” You say while ruffling her hair. “There’s no way you could be as helpful, as cute, as magical–”“Otto, you wish to KILL me??” Her breathing has turned labored; her smile deepens– wait, her smile? “B-but we’ve only just met each other~” She blushes. “S-so forward… A-and I don’t even have the right materials for the ritual– but! I-i can get them as soon as we’re out of here. I promise! Then we can both get more power!” She pushes further and further into you, which isn't what you expected or really wanted. Fuckfuckfuck–“What if I died.” You say icily, “What would you do if I died?” She looks up at you, her ditzy malaise broken. “Could you truly, honestly enjoy me if I was dead? Would I be able to call you cute, adorable, amazing, spectacular, and so much more if I was a walking corpse? Hmmm?”“W-well, no! B-but I-I’d never raise you as something– something so p-puny! I’d bring you back as a wight– or maybe a vampire! M-maybe even a lich! W-we’d still be able to stay together. Forever.”“That’s…” You’re pretty sure Luvettel has a very different interpretation of life and death than you do, but still. You’re right, you have to be. “But what if you couldn’t? What if I vaporized right here and now? That’d suck, right?”“That…” She slowly nods. “Yeah, it would.”“Well, there’s a lot of people who would feel the same way you’re feeling right now if Callum were to die. And besides, he has plenty of uses alive. Once word gets around that we helped him, we can reap way better rewards than if we just killed and raised him.” You tap your temple for emphasis. “That’s why we shouldn’t just kill everyone we meet– it’s not weakness, or anything; it’s SMART!”“So what?” Luvettel says, almost snippy. Did she not like your tone?“Well, when people are known for helping others, that helps them make friends in higher places–” You begin, but Luvettel shakes her head.“Other people don’t matter, Otto. Thinking about others only makes you weak. Everyone obeys when you’re strong enough, so their words don’t matter. Nuh-uh! The only thing that matters is what I feel–” Her eyes open wide as she realizes she forgot something. “A-and what you feel about me, of course! That’s all that matters in this world.” She states narcissistically, sure of herself.
>>6464276And just when you’re about to hit her with the hydrogen bomb that is ‘but I’d think less of you if you killed him.’ You’re cut off by a FUCKSHIT from Saki far up front. The two of you race over, hand in hand, only to see the party surrounded by four warforms–surprisingly normal–looking ones as far as cyberzombies go. The only worrying thing is how put together they are. They move athletically, and their skinless body parts seem hard and muscular. And by the discordant sound they make to each other, which to you sounds too accented to fully make out, they’re capable of speech. Even Seventeen looks cautious, though that's probably just because her frame is so damaged. Fuck, you can debate the ethics of murder later, you got to move! You'll be so pissed off if something bad happens when you're so close to the Boss Room!>Try to listen closely to the warform language to try and better [Control] them>Cast [Vaporize]-[Corpse] on the corrupt warforms>[Transmute]-[Leystone]-[to]-[Dryad Root] and throw it to Seventeen, this should be no problem for her once she’s feeling better>[Write-in]
>>6464276This is what Otto gets for pitying a demon. You can NOT fix her, bro.>>6464277>[Write-in]We're still outside, right? And we can move [Barrier]s however we want? So fling the elites off the side of the mountain.
>>6464277>>6464297+1 this
>>6464297A very simple, straightforward solution. If they don't turn out to have some badass jetboosters this should be decently effective. I will support this.
>>6464297>Picrel>>6464297>>6464346>>6464488Writing!
>>6464663You've never been one to overcomplicate things… well, that's not exactly true– but you wish it was! So instead of using some complex series of runes, you’re going to just use a simple one! And one you’re already pretty proficient at. Maybe it's because you were a tank main in Overwatch– or maybe it's just that shields have so many uses and you've used them a ton– but you’re pretty sure you can now swing that [Barrier] rune around like it's nothing. And when you add a [Move] to it? Like [Move]-[Barrier]? Well, hehe, Let's just say things might start getting wild– and for the demonic-looking warforms, that's exactly what happens.One moment they’re snarling, blood and ichor spewing from their mouths as they salivate over the thought of tearing Saki, Seventeen, and Callum, to shreds. The next, their entire bodies are hit by an invisible wall, trying to knock them off the factory and to a brutal death on the jagged rocks below. Maybe their bodies would become waypoints for future prospective hikers like the guys who failed to climb Everest– but that might take some time, seeing as these guys are pretty, annoyingly, agile. While their sharp claws and brute strength aren't enough to break you [Barriers], they are enough to make you have to put your entire focus on them. Unluckily, they also prevent the party from getting a clear shot at the warforms– Fuck, you want to scream at them to stop firing (they're hurting the fucking barrier protecting them!), but you can't let your mind slip focus for even a second! And they're too far, and the wind is too loud. FUCK! Dammitdammit, you almost got them– they're almost to the ledge!SCREEEEEAAAAAACH– Oh, fuck!A combined burst of static from the warforms, complete with a rumbling under your feet as the panels of the floor/ceiling move in clear hostility. They tilt and rotate at alien angles, trying to knock you into gaping maws between the metal panels. Each filled with thousands of serrated teeth. Your savior comes in the form of a tiny blue demon, who grabs you by the armor and flies a few feet into the air using all the strength she can muster. It's actually a surprising amount.“I-I got you, m-my love!” She shouts despite clear struggle. At least you can take solace in the fact she wants you alive, at least.“T-thanks!” You thank as the mouths below gnash and gnaw at your feet.
>>6464736But such a lapse in concentration comes with consequences– With your moving barrier down there's now both good and bad news. You’re the kinda guy who likes to hear the bad first, to lower expectations, so you'll describe that here: The warforms, undamaged, are quickly able to regain their balance and press their attack again– the good news is that without your barrier, the gunfire of Saki and Seventeen, who, judging by the dark blue energy transferring from Callum to them, are getting some supernatural assistance, can now reach the demonic warforms. And while most of it only does superficial damage, a few well-placed shots by Seventeen and her hard-hitting hand cannon knock one of the warforms into a free fall off the factory and off the mountain. It's a long drop, so you’re probably never seeing that guy ever again. Though did you mention that there's worse news? Ah, right, it's here: The three remaining warforms race directly towards you– their entire attention on dealing with their greatest threat– All while Luvettel tries desperately to keep you from falling into awaiting jaws and other toothy orifices that beckon hungrily. And each desperate [Barrier] you send out to stop them is leaped over like a hurdle at a track meet– Fuck, they’re right in front of you-! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA–>Spam [Barriers] like a madman possessed.>Make a [Staircase] underneath so you can escape, like you’re playing Minecraft Hunger Games>[Dissolve]-[Metal]-[Corpse]-whatever fucking else you can think of! Just kill them!>[Write-in]Rentry Status Update (Otto and Luvettel Lost Energy): https://rentry.co/FQ7_Rentry_Sheet
>>6464737Okay, hear me out:>[EXPEL] [PURE] [MARIJUANA]Get these jerks stoned as shit and see if they can keep up with the hopscotch!
>>6464742Expel it like a spray or gas, mind.
>>6464737>[Write-in]Put up a [Barrier] around us as they make to lunge at us and hope they fall into the toothy pit beneath us.>>6464742We should do this to Ren.
>>6464742>>6464938I'm combining these two because I REALLY want to write about Otto hotboxing himself. Writing!
>>6465058Based.
>>6465058
>>6465058Lmao, blaze it.
>>6465058As razor-filled jaws close in fast, your measly life flashes before your eyes– there are such pleasant memories, such as being a menace to your older siblings, to your friends, everyone who pissed you off online, and, of course, most pleasant of all is when you smoked some dank Dope. There's that time you did it on the pier, the abandoned hospital, the balcony, when your parents weren't home, when your parents were home, in the school bathroom, right before that final exam, right after that final exam, during your shift at the comic store, at the graveyard, in the Commons– Jesus, you've smoked a shit ton, haven't you? You, uh… haven't been wasting your life, right? Nah, no way. Why shouldn't you focus on stuff that's fun? It's not like there was anything important in your life– You widen as you realize, wait, yeah, there is. There is, and it's Right. FuckingInFrontOfYou– aaaaaAaAAAAaaaAaaaAAAAAAA– You raise your hands in front of yourself in panic and shout the first keywords that come to mind– and due to your sudden trip down memory lane, they would be: [Expel]-[Pure]-[Marijuana], making you release a cloud of [Smoke] in front of you. Kind of like a squid in fear– before your more rational mind tells you to put a [Barrier] around yourself and Luvettel as well. It’s only a few seconds of coughing later to realize that you totally just HOTBOXED YOURSELF!Ever since you came of (legal) age, and totally definitely not before, you've seldom had a day sober. Every twelve hours you'd at least take a hit of your pen– but now? After a week-long T-Break where the only thing you smoked was Strangeleaf, which is like totally #SomeOtherShit, and you mean that in a good way. A really good way. Surrounded by smoke, you feel your entire body relax; aches and pains go away as you breathe in as much of the pot cloud as you can. And when you open a small hole in the [Barrier] to blow the cloud out with [Wind], you see that–Pfft– it looks like those warforms are a buncha suckers! They've clearly never been high before. Haha, chemical warfare, BABY! One stumbles as it tries to lunge at you– hitting the [Barrier], they fall straight into an awaiting maw below. The noise it makes is horrible, and the sight is disgusting and going to cause a bad trip. Moving on! Another hazards to a stop right before the sea of combing ceilings and spends a great deal of time simply observing its hand, its peers, and finally you.
>>6465154“What have I become?” It questions in a moment of clarity as its three eyes stare at its reflection on its metal shell. The voice, gravely and hard to make out, said in the tone of a man who just realizes he wasted the prime of his life playing WoW Classic. He promptly jumps off the roof, and you can't say you blame him. Or, at least that's what you think happened. Every time you move your head, there's a bit of input lag now, and you're getting kinda sweaty. But it's probably nothing.The last warform, though, still looks like it's going to eat your face. His tolerance must be higher than the rest. Good thing you got this [Barrier keeping you from him and the toothy maws. Jeez, those things look foul. Good thing you're falling right towards them– Ow! Your inebriated state must have made you lose concentration. At least your bony ass hits metal– but that really hurts! Your weight slams the floor panel back into place, tearing flesh and pulling teeth as it does so. You have to hold on tight as the mouths gnash and roil, but surprisingly many of them simply settle back into place. They must be too toked to care about making you their dinner.Buuuuuut You should probably move before they start getting the munchies. You turn around to see if Luvettel's okay, and she is… for the most part. She's standing opposite the warform but looks at you in much the same way. Hungrily. Cracks of red in her black sclera, matching the blood on her jagged teeth... That may or may not be a good thing, depending on your perspective. But she's fine enough, so you turn your attention back to the warform and pick yourself up. You do a few little hops on the bouncy panel to squish it back into place, and you are #GoodToGo!Seems that due to your great experience with the substance, you’re able to function better than anyone else hit by your [Pure]-[Marijuana]-[Smoke]-[Blast]! Though, with how your brain feels like it's thumping against your skull– and how you can feel the mucus in your sinus’ moving behind your face, you know you’re on the verge of GREENING OUT; maybe you should have used more caution with the keyword "Pure." While the [Cloud] was certainly some #GoodShit, you miiiiight have just smoked pure 100% THC, which is a little outside your capabilities; even as a serial stoner. You're the do a joint after work kinda guy, not a wake-and-bake 5g kinda guy. But never mind, that doesn't matter now! You got just one enemy left; it's time to deliver the ultimate coup d'état! >Conjure a [Sword] and propel yourself towards the confused warform, using all your new battle skillz>[Vaporize], [Vaporize], [VAPORIZE]!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!>Cast [Infect]-[Flesh]-[Metal]-[Decay]-[Rot] and watch as the warform withers away before you!>[Write-in]Please note: Otto’s current judgment may be a bit altered.
>>6465156>Conjure a [Sword] and propel yourself towards the confused warform, using all your new battle skillzOtto's fucked up on that Numenorean CHIM Special Deluxe Dark Fantasy zaza. Sent him straight to Elysium.
>>6465156>Conjure a [Sword] and propel yourself towards the confused warform, using all your new battle skillzExcaliblunt
Sorry, no update today because Fortune's Weave was released and I've been playing it all day. Picrel is what the first hour felt like, and I can only hope to match that energy in this quest.
>>6465628always with the excuses, this guy
>>6465632Please know that it took all of my self-restraint to pull myself from that game. >>6465539>>6465541Writing!
>>6465993The jagged, breathing floor below you makes excellent material for a [Sword], you splay your gauntlet on the ground and bring it up holding a [Saber]. One with a grip of [Skin], a hilt and spine of [Metal], and a [Flesh]y blade connected with [Sinew] to the [Bone] that intertwines through the [Meat] and forms a sharp [Edge]. It's complete with [Serrated]-[Spike]s comprised of [Teeth]. It is a beautiful weapon fit for any vampire to wield. Perhaps, one day you'll be able to use your talents to make the greatest Halloween costumes across the land. But for now you'll just have to focus on being a WARRIOR!!!You bounce a few times on the remaining cloning, paying no mind to how the room below has transformed into a horrific pulsating mass of melted bodies and other squicky things. And use the slight moment it gives you like a string to LEAP toward your metallic foes and smite your foul enemyyyyyy– oh fuck! –aaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAA!Your foe, despite being disoriented, is still an elite warform. And when it sees a rather ditzy-looking fellow jumping at it, it is able to grab you by your sword arm and use your moment to throw you over its head and– *SLAM* you into the ground behind him, thankfully free of awaiting mouths. Still though, with only some snow to cushion the blow that… “Owwwwwww.” You groan. Your stoned mind forces you to immediately focus on the pain, which makes it totally so, so much worse. It's not like you cushioned your armor either, you armorsmith amateur. >Otto Griggs took 1 damageOnce the stars, little duckies, and UFOs depart from around your head, you realize you might be #TurboScrewed. The warform looms over you, and black-red saliva(?) drip-dribbles onto your face. But just as it raises its clawed foot to squish your head like a balloon- a blue and black shape launches itself into its back side. Nails rend metal and talons tear flesh as Luvettel tackles the warform to the ground. Her wings and tail fray in an erratic display of ecstasy as she consumes the still-living warform, uncaring for the wires or metal that pollutes her meal. Not to be stood up, you remember that you’re holding a rather sharp object and *StabStabStab* the warform as it tries to swipe at the Lady eating its heart. Up and down, and up and down, you bring the saber until the warform is reduced into a pile of mush. One that is quite easy to shove into the hungry mouths behind Luvettel and the one on her. Seems she is quite the messy eater, and shows no sign of visible discomfort regarding the material she’s ingesting… she should probably see a doctor, but for now you'll just chalk it up to demonic metabolism. “Want some?” She asks, holding up a pile of gore, and you have to respectfully decline. Too much metal for your taste.
>>6465994“You guys alright!?” Saki yells as she races over, “I tried to shoot ’em more, but Seventeen stopped me, sayin' you'd get hit!” She then comes to an immediate stop as she sees Luvettel devouring the corpse. “Umm, eto–” “Thank you. For not shooting me.” You say, and you rise to your feet. Soon you’re accompanied by both Seventeen and Callum, riding his humongous skeleton as well. And after a bit of forceful convincing by the large warform to ‘get a move on,’ Luvettel is torn from the cadaver, and you’re brought to the end of the roof. In the nick of time, too– more and more of the paneling is losing distinct form and turning into roiling flesh. ”The–” you have to stop to breathe (read: cough), “the hell’s going on? Who were those guys? While in the facility, hungry?”“Why the hell do you stink so much?” Saki asks, but you ignore her. Once someone smokes for long enough, the stench of marijuana becomes quite pleasant. “Because he blasted himself with a psychoactive substance, I suggest creating more Dryad Root to fix that.” Seventeen says, “Those things, however, are likely what passes for an ‘Elite’ warform in this facility. This factory's version of myself. As for the loss of shape and composure? I calculate three likely scenarios: 1. The caretaker is reacting to our presence; 2. The caretaker is being hurt and/or losing control; 3. She is attempting to use her entire body as a weapon against the crusader army. Note that these are not mutually exclusive.” You see Luvettel stare down Callum like a cat looking at a bird. Even though the necromancer dwarfs the demon in his skeletal mech, he still shivers and takes a few steps back. And when she lunges, he doesn't even raise an arm to defend himself, merely flails back in panic. Luckily for him, he was the target.The roof ends in a cliffside that rises into the clouds above, though various cyclopean outcroppings protrude from the rock– seemingly comprising a gigantic reverse conical structure. And Luvettel presses her whole face to it and sniffs rapidly, “Hehehehehe… it's here, it's here!” she whispers, tweaking. “Indeed, the caretaker should be just behind this wall. Otto, I leave it to you to forge an entrance or to prepare in some other way before doing so.” Seventeen instructs. >[Transmute]-[Leystone]-[to]-[Dryad Root] to heal someone, but who will you use it on? (You gave 2 Leystones left)>Ask Luvettel about what she's smelling inside.>Ask Callum what information he can give about his master.>Beg Seventeen for any more information she can give on the caretaker. She hasn’t given much so far.>Ask Saki if she’s ready for the final fight.>Use your runes? [How?]>[Write-in]Rentry Update: https://rentry.co/FQ7_Rentry_Sheet
>>6465997>>[Transmute]-[Leystone]-[to]-[Dryad Root] to heal someone, but who will you use it on? (You gave 2 Leystones left)>Seventeen and SakiAnd>Use your runes? [How?]>Conjure up some fresh [ABSORB] + [BARRIER] on our BONE ARMORAnd>Ask Callum what information he can give about his master.>Beg Seventeen for any more information she can give on the caretaker. She hasn’t given much so far. (Frame it like you really, REALLY want to complete the mission!)
>>6466005+1Though can Sev even use the dryad root?
>>6466005>>6466019Good point--if not then I think we can heal Callum or ourselves.
>>6466019>>6466140Don't worry, I'm not so mean as to list something I wrote as a game mechanic not working. Sev's got a mouth and this is magic stuff- remove all semblance of common sense from your mind!
>>6466170my immersion is ruined. Now you need to draw more Luvie to make it up to me
>>6466172>Picrel>>6466005>>6466019Writing!
>>6466361You press your hand to the wall and close your eyes. You feel a rhythmic thumping, one that almost matches your breath, and whether through your own intuition or through that of the passenger inside, you can feel the wailing torment just a few feet beyond. You’re filled with emotions not your own, and none of them nice– agony, despair, misery, and all other types of synonyms. Tears well at the corner of your eyes, and before these emotions consume you, you let go.“A few things,” you say with haggard breath, “I got a few things I want first.” You eye Luvettel pressing her whole face to the wall next to you, then turn to Callum. “Your master, what’s he like?”Callum takes an unconscious step back, obviously not expecting to be made the center of attention. “I-I have a few– a few on this trip at least. Master Zekhya the Lich, Master Athel the Wight, and Master Wulfguad the Vampire. They are all pillars of the Commonwealth in their own right- each having devoted centuries of service to the Isle. Athel has the capability of controlling thousands of undead and has served as both a Minister of War and Agriculture throughout the years. Fatuously, the crusaders limited the number able to serve in their ranks due to ‘ethical concerns.’ Hogwash, I say. Similarly, Wulfguad is a board member of a large trading company, representing the Isle to the more 'mortal' realms. And Master Zekhya is an ancient being, said to have ascended to lichdom in the last age, and played a part in the raising of the Commonwealth from the ground to serve as a safe haven for practitioners of all types of magic.” Callum says, much wordier than any previous comment he has made since. It almost sounds as if he was reading from a textbook– you wonder how many times his masters drilled this information into his head. “Luvettel, do you have anything to say to that?” You ask, wondering if you can get the other necromancer to back the information up. Even if Callum has no reason to lie.“Hmm? Yes? Undead goooood~,” She mutters, but behind her, Bong gives you a thumbs up, which you guess is going to have to be good enough.“Think we'll run into them in there?” Saki asks.“I-I don't know. I hope so, b-but this place is terrifying.” More so than a floating island of undead? “T-though I can assure you that if any of them are still amongst the mortals, it will most certainly be Master Zekhya. He has seen far worse, even if he oft refuses to speak of such.” Good info, you think. You’re about to ask for more about this Master Zekhya, but the ground is getting more unstable with every second, and for that reason you should probably hurry things along instead. “Good to know, thanks.” You say, “Now Sev, what about you?”“What about me?”“Do you have anything you can tell us about the caretaker?” She has been taciturn about this since Fort Estelle. But if you’re going to get anything out of her, it’s going to be now.
>>6466404“You shall see soon enough. All you need to remember is to aim for the heart and head, and she will die like the rest.” She affirms, her body language clearly suggesting she wants to get a move on.“Oh, come on!” You say, your less-than-sober state making your real thoughts slip out a bit more than intended through your mouth. “There has to be some sort of juicy info, right? Weakness? Shared history? Forbidden romance? Anything we can use to complete the mission? We’re–” You gesture to everyone, “Not exactly going to get a second chance.”“My databanks contain no knowledge of her corrupted state, and what I do know about her previous one will likely be superficial at best. We are wasting time here. All that is required is that we kill her like we killed everything before.”Fine, time to use your secret weapon.“Come on, Please?!” You say with puppy-dog eyes and battered lashes. “What are you doing? You look foolish.”“Please?!”“Otto, we are wasting valuable time.”“Please?!”“Otto, I am ordering you to make a path.”“Please?!”“Otto–”“It’s going to be quicker if you just cave.” Saki says, her helmet masking her giggle.“Yeah, would you do it for a scooby-snack?”“A what?”You throw Saki a freshly [Transmute]d [Dryad Root], which she wastes no time in eating. Regardless of the healing effects, that thing is fucking good. And you dangle the second in front of Seventeen– implying you’ll give it to her if she answers your question. She snatches it far faster than you can react. It actually startles you a bit.“Withholding equipment from comrades is a punishable offense, Otto.” Oh, come on, she could at least play along a little bit! You look back at the now-collapsing ceiling and realize this may not be the time. Oops. “Seriously,” you try, “Any advantage could help me kill her. I’m serious.”Her body whirls as she finishes the root, and she makes a big show of sighing. “Fine, but you will only receive a brief summary–”>Saki and Seventeen are fully healed!!“The caretaker of Factory XI-187, now colloquially known as the ‘Widow,’ Was created many centuries before me during the War between Heaven and Earth. It was a terrible time when weapons unlike any seen in the modern era were deployed en masse as figures that could only be called ’Divine’ wrestled for control of this plane. Back then, I was nothing more than a berserker unit, and much of my time was spent in a total rage, limiting my mental faculties– I am not lying when I say my memory is hazy. But the Widow, I believe she was known as Nyx at the time, was a standard caretaker of a standard facility. The only remarkable thing about her was the fact she managed to fall in love with a mortal. A concept once thought incapable of warforms.”“Then he died,” Saki concludes for her.
>>6466405“Of course,” Seventeen affirms, “It is where the name comes from. Though the rest of the story is standard as well. The war must have ended, seeing as the world still exists today, and Factory XI-187 entered a state of dormancy. Likely in the long years since then, and now, with the caretaker as the only being in an ‘awake’ sense and without her lover, she went crazy or at least became susceptible to the Demon Lord’s corruption. I believe putting her out of her misery is the only acceptable course of action now, which is why we are here and why we should not waste time. Do you have any more irrelevant questions?”“Ye–” You’re cut off.“No, I do not have any reason to lie about this. I am not.” Seventeen says, completely and totally, and utterly, and sincerely honest.“Wait, I have a question!” Saki says, making Seventeen have to restrain herself from hitting the wall herself.“Yes, Saki?”“Why does she have a name like Nyx and you’re Seventeen? I thought all warforms were named after numbers.”“That’s racist–”‘Fuck. Off!”You can see the smile Seventeen tries to suppress. You can! “I took the name Seventeen after my awakening in honor of Factory XI-17, my factory of birth. I needed a name to sign the documents the Blackiron Pact brought, and I couldn't think of another. And other questions?” She asks in a tone that implies the next person to raise their hand is going to get their head punched off. “No, I just gotta–” You put your hand to your chest and interweave [Absorb] and [Barrier] Runes across your armor.>Otto Griggs restored 1 heath and 2 energy!“Alright, I’m–>good to go.”>I still need to do something.” [Write-in]Rentry update: https://rentry.co/FQ7_Rentry_Sheet
>>6466407>good to go.”I kind of wish I'd thought about this earlier so we could have tried testing it out on one or two of the elites but the corruption of Nyx and her constructs is at least partially if not completely magical in nature, yeah? I wonder if we could find some way to cleanse them. [Dispel][Corrupt]? [Soul][Purification]? [Divine][Purification]? IDK
>>6466407>>6466566+1. Can always try mid-battle!
