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[8:30 am, 20-May-2129 (FRIDAY)]

When you entered Class 5-3 in the main Classroom Block of Akumachi-Kirijo Academy, you expected a normal homeroom. Walk into classroom, sit down, say hello to Kanade, listen to Takauji’s rambles about foreign action movies and maybe keep an eye out for Wittelsbach if her frail voice penetrated your hearing. Listen to Veleis-sensei’s teachings and catch up on homework on the side. An average thirty minutes at the start of a new school day for an average student, even for one who spent his weekday afternoons rummaging around an otherworldly wasteland.

Fate rolls the dice of the universe and shakes its head at the results. When Veleis-sensei strides into the room, her mechanical joints clanking, your peaceful homeroom is yanked from your hands and hurled out the nearest window.

“Attention, everyone. I have an announcement to make.” With little emotion, Veleis-sensei gestures towards the door. “We have three new students with us.”

"What...?"

"That was quick."

"Didn't we have a transfer student yesterday?"

"God, how short is your memory..."

At first, you don’t care. Oh joy, you think, three new guys in the class. What a surprise. It’s strange how frequent transfers have been recently, but you once blasted a tank to death so whatever. You’ll likely not interact with these newcomers much, only talking to them whenever group work comes up. On that note, you hated group work in your old school. Most of your classmates had been idiots.

You now notice that the newcomers are all members of the opposite sex. Okay, that’s a little more interesting. Not that it makes any difference in how you’ll treat them. Living in a woman-dominated household has taught you the values of gender equality. Any imbecile who believes that men are superior to women deserves to fight your mother in a duel.

Then your jaw drops as you realize who these three girls actually are.

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“Ladies, please introduce yourselves.” Veleis-sensei commands. They walk in front of the whiteboard and proceed to do just that.

“Hi, I’m Celeste Tachibana!” a cheerful, orange-haired girl declares and waves her hand. “I’m from America, but I was born in Japan. Nice to meet you!”

“…Fumika Shibuya.” The long-haired, gloomy-faced girl next to Celeste says, speaking in a ragged voice usually reserved for otaku who haven’t slept in a week.

“My name is Kanami Ishimura. Some of you may know me as Takauji’s fiancée. Thank you for taking care of him all this time.” The snow white haired girl bows, then gazes at a certain spiky-haired boy sitting next to you. You can practically see sparkles of passion forming around her head. A frightened gurgle rises out of Takauji’s throat and he tries to shrink back in his seat. “I hope we all get along.”

Silence reigns across the classroom.

A single, blaring thought is stampeding across your mind in nail-tipped boots, knocking over furniture and tripping a million alarms. From the incredulous looks on the faces of some of your other classmates, particularly the girls, you aren’t alone in this.

What the hell is going on?

“Hold on a minute!” Kanade shouts, rising from her seat and pointing an accusing finger at the albino archer girl on display. Kanami retaliates by fixating a stony glare towards the class president. It could’ve made a basilisk proud. “What is she doing here?”

“Is there a problem, Shiba?” Veleis-sensei inquires, in the flat, irritated tone office workers use when they run out of coffee in the morning.

“Yes—no—that’s… I mean!” Kanade takes a deep breath, her cheeks puffing up like a swelling marshmallow. Half the class snickers. “Sensei, isn’t it unusual to have this many students transfer into our class in such a short period of time?”

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“Normally I would agree with you, but apparently these three girls were supposed to be in our class the entire time.”

“Say what?”

“According to the databases, Celeste Tachibana, Fumika Shibuya and Kanami Ishimura have been a part of Class 5-3 ever since we created the initial class listings all the way back in February. Whereas Toyoharu Takahasi, Naizen Nagata and Kazunori Noro were actually supposed to be in Class 5-2. All the backups reflect this. We decided to rectify this mistake as quickly as possible. The three boys have all be transferred to their original classes.”

“A mistake was made and nobody noticed for at least two months?” Kanade repeats, flabbergasted. You imagine she’s resisting the urge to grip violently at the air, as if squeezing two imaginary watermelons. “Not any of the teachers when organizing the classes, not the principal when checking everything, not even the IT Department overseeing the academy system? It sounds so fishy!”

You eyeball your classmates. The class president is indignant, but your fellow males seem be of a different opinion. Three troublesome boys replaced with three cute girls of differing archetypes? All of which are technically single? Even a drug-addled street thug binging on several bottles of cheap beer could tells what the boys of Class 5-3 are thinking.

“It was a complete improvement!”

Veleis-sensei shrugs and decides to wrap up the conversation with Kanade. “What’s done is done. This oversight was rather embarrassing, which is why we are taking measures to ensure a blunder of this level never occurs again. Now class president, sit down so we can continue.”

The agitated inflection in Veleis-sensei’s last few words makes it clear that enough is enough. Kanade obeys, but not without much grumbling under her breath and having a good sulk in her chair.

>>44991473
Curse of being in the protagonist's high school class

>>44991512
Okay, so this is probably Fumika's doing, to get the whole party in the same class. I'm not sure why she'd bring Kanami, though. Maybe just because she knows Celeste's friends with her and didn't want to break them up. Or she's being a troll and thought it would be funny to put Kanade and Kanami in the same homeroom. Either way, shows a bit more social awareness than she had previously demonstrated. Good for her.

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“Ahem. Thank you. Since we’re received a sudden influx of new students, I’ll be changing the seat layouts.” Veleis-sensei says, now swiping something on her tablet. “Gather up your belongings, children, and I’ll load up the allocation program.”

What follows is a ruckus that only over thirty adolescents thrust into an unfamiliar situation could create. The program finishes its calculations within seconds and displays the results on the whiteboard. Veleis-sensei claps her hands and the class springs to life. Feet shuffle against the hard enamel floor, books slide into bags with audible clunks and chairs squeal as they are carelessly scraped across the ground. It’s loud, but not as loud as the chatter emitting from your classmates’ mouths. Boys and girls are gossiping back and forth, whispering about the three new girls and questioning their respective skill levels. It’s standard fare.

After a few complaints, all of which are silenced by a wave of the android teacher’s hand, the seat arrangements are finalized. You have shifted from back of the room towards the middle. Your friends (and Aria) are close by. Specifically, the order from left to right is: Celeste, Akikazu, You, Aria and finally Fumika. For reference, Celeste has the seat next to the window and you are in the dead center of the classroom.

This location probably has significance, but you can’t think of any.

The moment you plonk your bottom down on the hard, plastic chair, Akikazu reaches out with his arm and yanks you by the collar.

“Takashi, what the hell did you do?” he hisses, nostrils flaring.

“Why are you accusing me?” You retort.

“Because you’re the only one who could have made this happen.”

“I didn’t do anything!” You shove him and he lurches back.

“Bullshit. Who else could—” His brash voice fades as someone taps him on the shoulder. He swings his head around, right into Celeste’s sheepish but satisfied smile.

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“Ah, sorry.” She grins. Judging by Akikazu’s unamused expression, she isn’t feeling as apologetic as she should be. “This is actually my fault.”

“What? How?”

“Well…”

Before Celeste could open her mouth and no doubt aggravate Akikazu even further, your phones vibrate at once. You take it out, making sure to hide it away from Veleis-sensei’s robotic, prying eyes.

<Azure Scholar> Last night, Celeste and I had a conversation about AETHER. I let slip that I was currently working on a few computer security projects, one of which was to bypass this academy’s security system and gain access to their network.
<Azure Scholar> Celeste was initially shocked, but then became opportunistic and asked me if I could do a favour for me.
<Azure Scholar> What it was should be obvious.
<Akagi21> and you did this in a single fucking night
<Azure Scholar> I was actually working on the task for a few weeks. Last night I discovered a method that allowed to me penetrate the academy’s defenses and gain access. It was so easy I was somewhat disappointed, but the results are more important.
<Azure Scholar> Mind, the only reason I did as Celeste said is because I needed to test something that wouldn’t set off a million alarm bells at once.
<THE_FIRST> Why did you want to bypass the academy security in the first place?
<THE_FIRST> Actually don’t tell me
<THE_FIRST> I’m not sure I want to know
<Azure Scholar> Suit yourself.

You look up from your phone at Akikazu’s scowling features. You groan and fold your arms. “Okay, I admit this is unexpected. But why is this a bad thing, Akikazu? I mean, all of my friends are in one class. Shouldn’t I be celebrating right now?”

“You stole the words from my mouth, Takashi-kun!” Celeste winks and giggles. “Lighten up, Akikazu. You should be happy. It’s going to be fun, with all of us together.”

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Akikazu grits his teeth and jabs a thumb in at the row of desks in front of you. “Both of you, look!” he growls.

You look and raise and eyebrow. In Akumachi-Kirijo Academy for the Supernaturally Talented, a male student is usually happy to be sandwiched between two girls at seat allocation time. Usually because this increases the chances of getting to know either of them better, which in turn may lead to dates and eventually make out sessions behind the student council’s back. Likewise, unless caught in a love triangle, the girls would get along well enough, sometimes united by their hatred of the boy between them.

This is not the case for the three individuals you are watching right now.

“I didn’t expect our seats would be so close to each other, Kanami. Let’s have a productive year together.” Kanade Shiba, the president of Class 5-3, says.

“Likewise, class president Kanade Shiba.” Kanami Ishimura, natural albino and self-declared wife of Takauji Koyoura, replies.

At first glance, the two girls seem like friends, with their well-manned expressions and pleasant smiles.
However, their words are layered with so much venom not even a thousand Amrita spells would be able to cleanse it all. In the middle of the frostbitten battlefield lies Takauji, who is clutching his head in his hands and looking as if all his final exams had come at once.

You’d pat him on the back, but that would be like dipping your hand into a trough of flesh-eating worms. Painful, poisonous and likely to give you nightmares for weeks.

“Um, wow.” Celeste blinks and frowns a little. “Takashi-kun, I feel sorry for your friend.”

“Me too.” Then something curious strikes you, like a bolt of lightning slammed into the earth by the mighty god Zeus. “Hey, Akikazu. You were pissed off at that, right?”

>>44991595
And it's times like this that remind me that Celeste's character art is taken from a universe where everyone is a sadist.

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“No shit, Sherlock.” Akikazu snarls.

You press on with the confidence of a man about to make a tremendous, devastating point. “So, are you saying you’re concerned for Takauji’s well-being?”

The reaction is instant. Whatever swear Akikazu was about to hurl at you, it dies in a flash. His cheeks turn crimson and he splutters. It is an act reminiscent of what heroines in shoujo manga do when confronted with their love interest. “Shut up!” he barks, then breaks eye contact.

You’re not one to apply anime stereotypes to real life individuals, but you’re starting to think that Celeste’s theory of Akikazu being a tsundere might be right on the money. It would certainly explain why the student council president appeared fond of him, despite him spewing enough vitriol at her to fill up a dozen swear jars.

This time, it’s your turn to be tapped on the shoulder. Aria’s wide eyes bore into your brain, as she struggles with her tongue and spits the words out.

“What.” She points to the chaos in front and gapes. “What is this?”

>“Welcome to Class 5-3, Wittelsbach. Enjoy your stay.”
>“There is a god, Aria, and he hates us.”
>“It’s Celeste’s fault.”
>“This is the best day of my life.”
>Custom option.

>>44991659
>Custom option.
"This is my life hitting what I hope is a state of 'maximum anime'. God help us all if it goes any further."

>>44991659
>“Welcome to Class 5-3, Wittelsbach. Enjoy your stay.”

>>44991659
>“Welcome to Class 5-3, Wittelsbach. Enjoy your stay.”
Introduce her to the rest of our friends.

>>44991659
>>“Welcome to Class 5-3, Wittelsbach. Enjoy your stay.”

>>44991659
>“Welcome to Class 5-3, Wittelsbach. Enjoy your stay.”

>>44991659
>>“Welcome to Class 5-3, Wittelsbach. Enjoy your stay.”

>>44991659
>“Welcome to Class 5-3, Wittelsbach. Enjoy your stay.”
>“It’s Celeste’s fault.”

>>44991659
>“Welcome to Class 5-3, Wittelsbach. Enjoy your stay.”

Wow I think this was my longest opening post yet.

Writing now...

>>44991659
>>“Welcome to Class 5-3, Wittelsbach. Enjoy your stay.”
>>“It’s Celeste’s fault.”
Whether that be good or bad I cannot say.
Also we still have bikini armor? If so why not get Celeste or Fumika to wear it then wear thier clothes over it? Same protection less embarrassment.

>>44992014
No, man, we're saving that armor for when Takashi has a high enough Willpower to wear it. He has amazing thighs, he needs to stop being embarrassed of them.

In seriousness, though, I think it just doesn't fit comfortably under other clothing. It's got some armor plating, not much but some, and as a result it wouldn't fit as well as an actual bikini would.

>>44991993
Don't worry we love long posts

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>>44992014
>Also we still have bikini armor?
Yes.

>>44992014
One day we'll have high enough Charisma to convince one of the girls to wear it.

>>44992154
We have assertive charisma now yes? That was what was necessary for getting Celeste to wear it.

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>>44992154
Charisma best stat.

I am so happy I requested this.

Godammit Fumika is an absolute madwoman and Aki is an absolute tsundere

>>44992240
Is he gay for Touma?

>>44992328
Who isn't?

>>44992221
Indeed as of thread #18 this was an option
>[LOCKED] It has high defenses. This armor could literally save your life. (Assertive CHARISMA required)

We can do it now.

>>44992481
I'd still rather not

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>>44992481

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>>44992481
We must wait for a good opportunity, a moment of comedy, and sheer desperation to get Celeste to put it on without us being burned alive.

>>44992554
Nah nah nah
We wait until another duel and have to wager something for if we win.

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“Welcome to Class 5-3, Wittelsbach. Enjoy your stay.” You state, placing a hand on her shoulder. A pair of sunglasses on top your nose and this could be something out of a terrible school comedy.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m Takashi Wakui.” You point to the left, where Akikazu and Celeste are having a heated debate about the consequences of her actions. “These are my friends, Akikazu Osaragi and Celeste Tachibana. To your left is Fumika Shibuya.”

“Hello there!” Celeste smiles, waving again.

“…hey.” Akikazu growls.

Fumika ignores Aria outright, opting to read something on her phone.

Poor Aria looks bewildered, as if she is a wolf thrown into the middle of a herd of carnivorous sheep. Her eyes dart across the row of seats. No satisfactory conclusion is reached.

“I don’t understand.” She admits.

“You don’t have to, except this is sort of Celeste’s fault. Not that I blame her or anything.” You give what you hope is a reassuring grin, which utterly fails to placate Aria’s confusion. “We’re going to be spending the rest of the year next to each other, so let’s get along. Unless Celeste does something silly again and makes Veleis-sensei switch up the seats again. Hopefully not.”

Aria tilts her head. “Okay?” she asks.

Before you can respond, Veleis-sensei snaps her fingers, drawing the attention of the class. Her pursed lips and narrowed eyes made it quite clear she didn’t have time for any more interruptions. Oh well, guess you’ll have to put this conversation on hold for the moment. You’ll have plenty of time to catch up with her later.

>>44992554
Agreed. We can't just up and say "Celeste, wear the sexy armor", even if we could convince her to do it now. We need the right timing so it's sufficiently amusing.

>>44992554
It's actually pretty simple in light of her almost getting killed by the mech. Fumika is a scanner and uses a gun, where as Ceelste need to get close to use her rapier. It won't fit Takashi and it riding up could distract him fatally, where as trying to get Aki to wear it WOULD get us killed. Takashi just wants his first real friend safe and this lessens the risk considerably.

Ok I forget, can someone remind me why Kanami and Kanade are so hostile towards each other?

>>44992591
We'll wager that the loser has to wear it.

>>44992612
They are competing for Takauji's love.

>>44992612
They're both super into Takauji, though Kanade is too tsundere to acknowledge it.

>>44992612
They are after the same guy

>>44992610
>trying to get Aki to wear it WOULD get us killed
Is this supposed to be a challenge?

>>44992610
We could also point out that while the armor plates on the thighs and upper arm would prohibit anything with long sleeves, she should still be able to wear a vest and a skirt or shorts. It doesn't have to be something super-revealing.

>>44992666
No it's us pitching it to Celeste.

>>44992675
that too.

>>44992593
>To your left is Fumika Shibuya.”
Fumika is to right of her Thorn.
> Specifically, the order from left to right is: Celeste, Akikazu, You, Aria and finally Fumika.

>>44992675
What's the point of the bikini armour if you're going to wear stuff over it.?

>>44992698
She obviously hacked the seating arrangements again in the period between the two statements. Goddamn hackers.

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[4:00 pm, 20-May-2129 (FRIDAY)]

School has concluded for the day. You are free to do whatever you wish. Your friends have all gone elsewhere. Fumika, in particular, left the moment the bell rang, presumably to hide in a deserted location. The mysterious AETHER notification lurks at the back of your mind, reminding you of the vast emptiness of the Blackened Void. Perhaps you should explore it? You have four members now, one of which has a gun.

Then again, you do have club commitments…


>Study in the school library (Increases INTELLIGENCE)
>Go to the gym (Increases WILLPOWER, trains self)
>Go to drama club (Justice S-Link)
>Go to martial arts club (Lovers S-Link)
>Duel randoms at the Battlegrounds (Gain C. EXP, prestige and WILLPOWER)
>Wander around the school (Random Encounter)
>Call the team to the Blackened Void (Exploration)
>Return home (Skips to night)
>Custom option.

>UNDERSTANDING: 48 points (Rank 2: Average)
Why are you so hard to increase?

>>44992698
>Poor Aria looks bewildered [...] Her eyes dart across the row of seats. No satisfactory conclusion is reached.

>“I don’t understand.” She admits.
Clearly the reason for this.

>>44992791
>Call the team to the Blackened Void (Exploration)

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>>44992791
>Call the team to the Blackened Void (Exploration)

>>44992675
It could have one of those 'must be revealing to work' clauses. Because magic.

>>44992791
>>Call the team to the Blackened Void (Exploration)
That is something we must do.

>>44992791
>Go to drama club (Justice S-Link)
We should do Void exploration tomorrow, make a whole day of it.

>>44992791
>Call the team to the Blackened Void (Exploration)

>>44992791
>Call the team to the Blackened Void (Exploration)

>>44992791
>Wander around the school (Random Encounter)

>>44992791
>Call the team to the Blackened Void

>>44992791
>>Call the team to the Blackened Void (Exploration)

>>44992791
>Call the team to the Blackened Void (Exploration)

>>44992791
>>Call the team to the Blackened Void (Exploration)

>>44992791
>Blackened Void
>Forlorn Abyss
Not-Amala-Labyrinth ahoy

Or can we do something and then go to the Abyss later?

>>44992917
The Abyss is going to be a big event. I figure we should do that on a Saturday or Sunday, so we can leave early and hopefully get back soon enough that nee-san doesn't worry. For today I think it would be best to go after one of the sidequests that opened up in Zones 1 and 3.

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>>44992513

>>44992973
Maid clothes > Bikini armor

>>44992984
How about a Maid Outfit that has Bikini Armor as a major component?


Twilight Thorn please.

>>44992984
Personally, I always liked the Featherman costumes in 4, those were my favorite alt-outfits. I hope our party gets to be a sentai team at some point.

Butler Takashi when?

>>44992791
>>Duel randoms at the Battlegrounds (Gain C. EXP, prestige and WILLPOWER)

>>44992984
I sense someone who has already volunteered to put on maid costumes for money.

Reminder to upgrade MAGIC one level because it's necessary for augmentation.

>>44993051
Nah, we shouldn't do that until we get to MAGIC POTENTIAL D-. Which we should get tonight, we're only 1 C.EXP away from the level-up. Then we'll be able to use Persona Augmentation reliably, hide our swapping Personas mid-fight, and generally dominate people due to our ridiculous range of spells and resistances.

>>44993074
I'm not cute enough for that.

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>>44993104
I think you are cute, even if you have bad fashion opinions..

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<THE_FIRST> Get ready everyone
<THE_FIRST> We’re going to the Blackened Void
<chocolat_orange> okay! be with you soon!
<Akagi21> About damn time
<Azure Scholar> I will proceed to the safehouse myself. Let us meet up there.

You board the train with your fellow Players (except Fumika) and head towards the alleyway door in Moon’s East. The sounds of the city fade away and are replaced with the disquieting nothingness of the Forgotten City.

Before you enter the safehouse, there’s something else you need to do.

>>Takashi: Enter the Velvet Room.

“Welcome back, kid.” The monochrome boy leers at you with his twisted grin. “Let’s not waste any time, shall we?”

He summons tarot cards. Three float in the air in front of you. You inspect them closely. They are all of the Hermit Arcana…

NAME: Forneus
RANK: D-
STATS: STR E, MAG E+, END D-, AGL D-, LCK C, DEV D
AFFINITIES: Resists Ice and Earth, Nulls Dark, Weak to Electricity
SKILLS: Bufula, Skewer, Rakunda, Tarukaja
-Origin: Israel. One of the 72 demons of the Goetia. He was one of the Thrones who fell from grace. He appears as a silver sea monster, but can take the form of a human as well. He grants knowledge of various arts and sciences to hims summoner. He can also change the hatred of one's enemies to something like friendship.
-Bulky Persona with ice, buffing and physical skills.
-Slightly improves swimming when wielded.

NAME: Naga
RANK: D-
STATS: STR D-, MAG E, END E+, AGL D-, LCK C, DEV C+
AFFINITIES: Resists Electricity and Ice, Weak to Fire
SKILLS: Mazio, Double Fangs, Provoke, Rakukaja, Poison Skewer
-Half-snake, half-human, they are divine beings in Hindu lore. Worshipped as bringers of fertility. They live in the bottoms of lakes and seas, and enjoy singing and dancing when they are not fighting.
-Agile and physically oriented Persona with electrical and ailment skills.
-Attacks twice per ‘turn’.
-Provoke enrages a foe, lowering their defense, increasing their offence and decaying their sanity.

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NAME: Lamia
RANK: D-
STATS: STR E, MAG D-, END E-, AGL D-, LCK C-, DEV D
AFFINITIES: Resists Electricity and Earth, Nulls Darkness and Fire, Weak to Wind
SKILLS: Poison Mist, Agilao, Soul Break, Dream Haze
-A serpentine woman of Greek myth, she was the queen of Libya. It has a beautiful woman's torso, and the tail of a snake. It feeds on the blood of young men.
-Magically oriented Persona specializing in ailments.
-Soul Break causes exhaustion, gradually draining mana. Dream Haze causes sleep, which need not be used for offensive purposes.

Your current Hermit Persona is Koppa Tengu. If you choose another Persona, it will no longer receive the power of the Hermit bond.

If you decided to stick with Koppa Tengu, then…

What would exactly happen?

You don’t know.

[Input your command]
>Forneus
>Naga
>Lamia
>Stick with Koppa Tengu
>Decide later…

>>44993147
Fuck off twins you won't trick us out of something with A DEV again.

>>44993173
>Stick with Koppa Tengu

>>44993173
>>Lamia

>>44993173
>>Stick with Koppa Tengu

>>44993173
>Stick with Koppa Tengu

Personally wondering if this partial god could be restored to former glory.

>>44993173
>Lamia

>>44993173
>>Stick with Koppa Tengu

>>44993173
>>Decide later…
He's our only wind persona

>>44993173
>Stick with Koppa Tengu

>Lamia

>>44993173
>Lamia

>>44993173
>Stick with Koppa Tengu
I refuse to be tricked.

>>44993173
>Stick with Koppa Tengu
Lamia's resistances are tempting, but I think that the A-rank Development Potential will be better in the long run. That's why the squatters are offering us a second Hermit Persona after only one Social Link rank-up. They realized they gave us something too good and are trying to backpedal.

>Lamia

>>44993173
>Stick with Koppa Tengu

>>44993192
>>44993236
>>44993289
>>44993292
NAME: Koppa Tengu
RANK: D-
STATS: STR E, MAG D-, END E, AGL D-, LCK B+, DEV A-
AFFINITIES: Nulls Wind, Weak to Electricity
SKILLS: Garu, Magaru, Sukukaja, Shibaboo, Tarukaja
-A type of tengu. Their spiritual power is weaker than other tengu, so they are much smaller. They are said to be the reincarnations of long-lived wolves.
-Agile Persona with access to wind spells. Sukujaka raises agility/evasion while Shibaboo binds enemies
Koppa levels much better than anything they offer and he's our only Garu caster which combos insanely well with Celste's Sati.

>>44993173
>Stick with Koppa Tengu
The squatters sure do like snakes tonight, huh?

>>44993173
>Stick with Koppa Tengu

>>44993173
>>Lamia

>>44993360
They are busy playing Xcom.

>>44993173
>Stick with Koppa Tengu
Dev too strong

Tengu is the only persona we can use publicly, right?

>>44993456
Only Ippon-Datara.

>>44993456
We can use any hermit persona's for Persona Augmentation but Koppa is the best developed one. It has better stats and combos insanely well with Fire users like Sati or our own Ippon Datara.

>>44993456
We can use any of our Persona publicly so long as we're Chi Casting them instead of manifesting them. Koppa Tengu is better to use with Chi Casting, though, since his Arcana is the same as our "official" one and will reduce suspicion if anyone's scanning (though detailed scans would still determine that something was wrong). That said, though, so would any of these new Hermits.

>>44993456
Ippon-Datara is Takashi's "canon" Persona, so he's the only one people can see publically.

>>44993496
>We can use any hermit persona's for Persona Augmentation
False we can use any as long as we are careful and the only one we can summon is Ippon-Datara

We don't need to worry much, Thorn has said that he will state if we are in risk of being scanned.

File: Koppa Tengu.png (761 KB, 793x618)

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You glare at the Velvet Twins. “I reject these Personas.”

“Oh?” The girl smirks. “For what reason, guest?”

“I think Koppa Tengu has potential.” You say, refusing to avert your gaze. The act of looking at their shimmering, grey forms sends shivers down your spine, but you refuse to give them a reason to feel any more sadistic pleasure. “Something tells me if I take any of these Personas, I’ll be doing myself a disservice.”

“It’s your choice. Or perhaps it is a funeral?” The boy snaps his fingers and the cards fall back into his deck. “Well, in any case, you’ll likely never see these Personas again. It is quite a shame. The Hermit is your original Arcana. As a result, its Personas will receive more power than the other types.”

“That girl Fumika Shibuya is an interesting one.” The girl takes a sip of tea and rests the cup on a saucer. “She has shunned others all her life, yet seems attracted to the guest. Is it because of their mutual fates, or is it merely a coincidence?”

You ignore her ramblings. You’d rather not spend any longer in this space than you are forced to. “Later.” You grunt. You spin on your heel and walk out the door.

"Until we meet again..."

On the way towards the safehouse, down a barren, gravel-covered trail, you summon Koppa Tengu’s card and inspect it. On the back is the image of the Hermit tarot, a single yellow eye below an iron lantern. The front has the Persona in question, a masked figure with two dark wings.

You decide to take a closer look.

>Something seems off about Koppa Tengu…

Or maybe it’s just your imagination…?

[Input your command]
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands
>Explore Pyre Ruin Valley
>Explore Area 019
>Explore the Forgotten City
>Attempt Act 1 of the Forlorn Abyss
>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door
>Return home for now

>>44993811
>Attempt Act 1 of the Forlorn Abyss

>>44993811
>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door
Well, we might as well while we're here.

>>44993811
>>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44993811
>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door
Shouldn't take too long.

>>44993811
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44993811
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands
I wanna go for Celeste's companion.

>>44993811
>>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44993811
>>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44993811
>>Attempt Act 1 of the Forlorn Abyss
>>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door

>>44993811
>>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door

>>44993811
>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door
>Attempt Act 1 of the Forlorn Abyss

>>44993811
>>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands
Companion! Abyss has the lowest priority

>>44993811
>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44993811
>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door

>>44993811
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44993811
>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door
>Attempt Act 1 of the Forlorn Abyss

>>44993811
>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door
Lets see if assumptions were right about Tanaka

>>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands
I think we should 100% explore the olders area's, starting with easiest. Im not inclined to go to area 019 and see acrid again

File: 1444246571935.png (178 KB, 350x342)

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>>44993811
>The Hermit is your original Arcana. As a result, its Personas will receive more power than the other types.”

We should have picked hanged man back then.

>>44993811
>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44993811
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44994140
I told you.

File: junk_store.jpg (93 KB, 500x333)

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>>Takashi: Open the last vendor door.

>An Iron Key was consumed.

The chains covering the door fall to the ground and wither away into dust. You push the door open. The familiar light that apparently guides souls between alternate dimensions consumes you, filling your vision
with a pure white. You shut your eyes and wait for the rush to cease.

When everything halts, you find yourself in a small shop.

The room is claustrophobic, smelling of incense and old leather. A single fluorescent light flickers incessantly, bathing the shop in shadows and light. Shelves and boxes line a single path towards the counter, each one stacked with knick-knacks of varying size and description. You turn around and see a wooden door surrounded by oil paintings on both sides. This is odd, partly because wooden doors have long since been rendered obsolete and partly because it’s been barred from the inside.

“Um, hello? Anybody there?” You ask, more meekly than you would've liked.

No-one responds. You take a few steps forward and nearly trip over a china vase positioned halfway in the middle of the path. After giving it a dirty look, you take a few more tentative steps towards the back.

Someone is sitting on a rocking chair, reading a paperback book. Upon hearing your footsteps, the...man...woman...person closes it and looks up. Said person has long black hair shaped into a bowl cut and is wearing a trenchcoat two sizes too big. What’s striking (and creepy) is the eyes, which are more like two empty voids than anything else. You try and not to stare at them, because you feel like they might vacuum you up if you looked for long enough. The person smiles at you, as if to say ‘Can I help you?’

“Uh, hi.” You begin, raising a finger. “I was just wondering about the purpose of this shop—”

Oh boy.

File: 1450854490689.png (201 KB, 331x378)

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>>44994306

>>44994505
2spooky4me

>>44994505
THANK YOU SPOOKY OUGI

File: 1450960728933.gif (963 KB, 500x281)

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>>44994306
Worst girl slayer approaches.

File: quinn.jpg (325 KB, 509x723)

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Then the vendor opens a mouth. You flinch, your features instinctively settling into a look of disgust. There is a jagged line where the lower part of the tongue should be, as if it is a piece of paper torn in a half by a rowdy child. A nasty scar runs across the spot where the flesh has healed. The organ looks more like a piece of beef sawed in half than anything else.

The vendor points to a plastic sign on top of the counter.

MY NAME IS QUINN.

…so it says.

You stare at it, then back towards Quinn.

“So…what do you do here?” You ask, gulping.

Quinn’s smile widens, then 'communicates'.

>Quinn runs the junk store. Its gimmick is that items will be randomized every time you shop. Get them while they’re hot!
>Quinn also can buy items off the team. Prices are fair and reasonable…maybe.

“Um, I see.” You say, edging back towards the door with your face frozen into a painful grin. “I…forgot my money in my…uh…locker. I’ll go and get it now.”

Quinn says nothing.

"So...see you later."

You quickly leave, forcing the bar off the door as you go. The whole time, Quinn stares at your retreating figure.

Watching, observing, judging...

Quinn smiles again.

>Shop: http://pastebin.com/5pbMFCy0
>You should choose what you want you buy.
>On that note, choose the four auxiliary Personas you want Takashi to carry. (http://pastebin.com/SMvsFDjS)

>>44994616
>Burnt Idol (20000 Macca): A human-shaped doll, colored charcoal. Seems to emit a faint warmth. The mere act of holding it fills a man with dread. Can be used as a gift for the morbid, only...

Ya'll think this got something to do with Celeste's companion?

>>44994616
Buy the gold key.

>>44994616
>Olive Branch (25000 Macca): A branch from an olive tree, naturally grown and cultivated. Gives a calming sensation when held. Can be eaten to cause teeth damage, only...
Burnt Idol (20000 Macca): A human-shaped doll, colored charcoal. Seems to emit a faint warmth. The mere act of holding it fills a man with dread. Can be used as a gift for the morbid, only...
>sell bikini armor
I feel the Olive Branch will be useful against the mosnter in Fumika's area.
Obariyon. Tengu, Jack Frost, Valkyrie

How much money do we actually have?

>>44994306
>>44994542
>>44994546
>>44994554
>>44994616
I bet the secondaries aren't as scared as the people who watch monogatari.

>>44994616
>Olive Branch (25000 Macca): A branch from an olive tree, naturally grown and cultivated. Gives a calming sensation when held. Can be eaten to cause teeth damage, only...
Buy it

How much money do we have anyway?

File: 1441721255135.png (196 KB, 500x281)

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>>44994732
>>sell bikini armor

>>44994616
>Burnt Idol (20000 Macca): A human-shaped doll, colored charcoal. Seems to emit a faint warmth. The mere act of holding it fills a man with dread. Can be used as a gift for the morbid, only...

>Olive Branch (25000 Macca): A branch from an olive tree, naturally grown and cultivated. Gives a calming sensation when held. Can be eaten to cause teeth damage, only...

>>44994749
A little over 100,000. One of the pastebins in the OP has the amount.

>>44994796
Ah ok thanks

>>44994616
>Buy nothing, save the money for getting augged.

File: demon shrug.jpg (51 KB, 554x439)

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>>44994750
The Monogatari people have so far done nothing but be vendors.

>>44994616
Buy

>Burnt Idol (20000 Macca)

>>44994616
What could the golden key possibly unlock to be worth so much?

>>44994863
And the MC.

And I doubt Ougi in any form is incapable of engineering the death of core characters.

>>44994783
We finally found someone willing to buy that ugly piece of shit.
>>44994896
Another key

>>44994917
We have the Charisma to get Celeste to wear it now, and frankly she NEEDS the better armor.

>>44994616
>Buy Olive branch

>>44994951
We have the charisma to suggest it, we don't know if she'll do it.

>>44994616
>Burnt Idol (20000 Macca): A human-shaped doll, colored charcoal. Seems to emit a faint warmth. The mere act of holding it fills a man with dread. Can be used as a gift for the morbid, only...
>Olive Branch (25000 Macca): A branch from an olive tree, naturally grown and cultivated. Gives a calming sensation when held. Can be eaten to cause teeth damage, only...
Story Important. Must Buy.

You decide to buy the Burnt Idol (20000 Macca) and the Olive Branch (25000 Macca). This will cost 45000 Macca, leaving you with 64250 Macca.

The Personas you choose to take are Obariyon, Koppa Tengu, Jack Frost and Valkyrie.

Is this correct?
>Yes
>No

>>44995042
>Yes

>>44995042
>>No

>>44995042
>>Yes

>>44995042
>>Yes

>>44995042
Yes.

>>44995042
>yes

>>44994917
Armor is always a good investment and it is beautiful.

I got baited didn't I?

>>44995042
>>Yes

>>44995096
Nope, bikini armor is shit.

>>44995042
I'd rather go with Archangel than Valkyrie, personally.

>>44994863
>The Monogatari people have so far done nothing but be vendors.
You missed two.

>>44995042
>Yes
Works for me

>>44995124
It's really more of a lingerie and garter set. I'd actually be more comfortable with it being a bikini, slightly less fetish-y.

>>44994863
Maybe we're a vendor but we just don't know it yet.

So, Forlorn Abyss?

>>44995192
We're going to be a cameo Easter egg in the sequel, selling end-game items.

>>44995212
Abyss is the least important thing to do.

>>44995042
sell bikini armor

I think the bikini armor is ugly. If you want revealing combat outfits, you can do so, so much better. Some of them even look practical.

>>44995223
But the other areas aren't vital either, we're doing this because shit's about to get hard and we want EXP and maybe loot from the optional dungeon.

>>44995223
Yeah isn't that place like the Satan dungeons in Nocturne. Id like to save that for later.

File: 5d741954f74d385900f31e370(...).png (507 KB, 1500x1125)

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>>44995192
Maybe Takashi will be vending himself.

>>44995221
>implying we're not going to go back in time in a mission to save someone and meet our past self from 11 years ago, who happens to be selling cookies

I'm hesitant to do the Abyss until we're absolutely sure we will not get savaged. Besides, I want to see the companions. Preferably the Hazebound Woodlands one because I'm a terrible terrible Celestefag and am cancer, but either one works for me.

>>44995212
Companions, then 1 round of Forlorn Abyss, then each of the quests. Quests give Build XP right?

>>44995272
But then you end up doing it at the very end, and that's boring as fuck.

>>44995346
Well, the quests are probably to find the companions, they were with the Pyre Valley Ruins' quest. So we might not have to do that. They do hive Build XP, though.

>>44995365
Also, the reward for the Abyss is information. Information is important, we should ideally get it as soon as possible. Doesn't have to be right now, but soon.

>>44995365
I'd rather not do something that might kill us when we are 1 exp away from a level up.

>>44995397
only two of the quests are companions. We definitely shouldn't do them ALL before trying out Abyss.

>>44995365
There's also nothing to gain from the place if we don't go there as a supplement to regular plot. Why grind for EXP without also making progress in a dungeon?

>>44995415
I could have sworn we only received two quests. Let me check the notice again.

>>44995439
Yeah, the other quests were just the generic exploration quest notices, no specific goal.

File: forgotten_city3.jpg (122 KB, 1024x542)

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You lug your goods back to the safehouse, where everyone else is. Celeste is inspecting a new rapier, Akikazu is tapping his foot against the ground impatiently and Fumika is reading something on her laptop.

“Did you touch up this area, Takashi-kun?” Celeste asks.

You sit down on the biggest couch in the living room. “Yeah. Expanded some rooms and added a storage room. Any complaints?”

“No, I’m happy with it.”

Fumika shuts her laptop and faces you. “What now, leader?” She says, her voice flat. “I’m hoping you called us all here for a good reason.”

You consider your options. Notifications were posted for The Hazebound Woodlands and the Area 019, hinting of potential treasures or allies. Knight Laurence burns in the heat of Pyre Ruin Valley, his shield reclaimed. He might have something to do or something to say. The Forgotten City lies outside, the least explored Sector of them all. Its crumbling skyscrapers and desolate roads seem to stretch until eternity. but not least, Forlorn Abyss lurks in the darkness, divided into seven Acts and home of the mysterious Overseer. You get the impression your team is strong enough to conquer the first one. But it is the lowest priority mission you have right now…

[Input your command]
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands
>Explore Pyre Ruin Valley
>Explore Area 019
>Explore the Forgotten City
>Attempt Act 1 of the Forlorn Abyss
>Custom option.

I'm pretty sure there's also the extra boss the velvet room attendants asked us to kill.

>>44995471
>>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44995471
>Attempt Act 1 of the Forlorn Abyss

>>44995471
>Attempt Act 1 of the Forlorn Abyss

>>44995471
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44995471
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44995471
>>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44995471
>Explore the Forgotten City
It's a shame that Takashi's sector is the least accounted for.

>>44995471
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands
Let's see if we can get another Companion. Use the Companion Quests to grind a bit more XP and pick up a pair of new trump cards, then hit the Abyss.

>>44995471
>>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44995471
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>44995471
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands
For the companion and maybe to kill that thing the velvet room attendants asked us to.

>>44995471
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44995471
>Explore Area 019
I know that beefy motherfucker be scary, but summoning takes time. Let's get the companion of the one who doesn't need to dodge and block.

>>44995471
>Explore The Hazebound Woodlands

>>44995534
That thing literally wiped our party in seconds from
across the map.

>>44995186
>garter
But that is wrong.

I hope you're seriously giving us some down time to actually explore AETHER now and this is not just a few days before the next person gets dropped in.

>>44995471
>Talk to Celeste about wearing the Low cut armor

>>44995471
>>Explore the Forgotten City

>>44995589
I'm not sure if the Acrid is Fumika's companion or not. I sure as hell hope not, that thing's fucking terrifying.

What does DEV. actually do?

>>44995665
Nothing, it's just a way for Thorn to trick us.

>>44995665
It presumably influences how much they can increase in power. Possibly also affects the degree to which leveling and Social Link bonuses upgrade them.

>>44995665
Makes it easier to level up and power up. A high dev. creature gets more powers and uses exp better than a low dev creature. it the Ability to grow stat.

>>44995709
>>44995724
>>44995729
So, like, social links and level ups, which, other than C. level ups, are the only means to increase stats of a persona, are improved in potency by DEV.?

>>44995799
Pretty much a high dev persona levels up better and faster than a low dev one.

>>44995799
If so, why increase our Ippon's DEV. considering I don't remember us ever actually leveling up as is typical for persona by means other than C. level ups, and unless it boosts those as well by increasing EXP. gain or stat gain from level up, then its useless for us.

>>44995878
Ippon-Datara can level up the usual way, he's the exception. It's actually his stats that we're leveling with C. EXP, and they just influence everything else since he's our core Persona. Raising his DEV means we get better bonuses when we level up his other stats.

>>44995936
Yeah, Ippon's nature is special in of itself. Still, I wonder what S class development would do to him. Would he learn more impressive moves with less C,EXP?

>>44996191
He'll level faster/better.

>>44996191
Gotta get dat fukken S+ DEV

>>44996191
Well, S-rank stats don't unlock until we've spent a total of 68 C. EXP throughout all stats, so it's going to be a while before we know.

>>44996221
Does that mean grand total accumulated exp.? If so, we could maybe do that next level up.

File: hazebound_woodlands1.jpg (39 KB, 900x507)

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“I think we should go to The Hazebound Woodlands.” You say. “We’ve a received a notification for that, yeah? There could be something there.”

“Okay!” Celeste nods and grins. “That’s my Sector. Let’s go!”

So you and the rest of your fellow Players gather your belongings and head for the Hollow Express. The train bumps as it grinds along the rusted rails down the tunnel. You sit down on a patchy cotton seat, bits of fluff sticking out the sides, and contemplate. The Hazebound Woodlands had been the first Sector you explored, other than the Forgotten City which was more of a hub area than anything. It was home to elves with rotting skin and stinking flesh. You still didn’t understand what was up with them. Weren’t elves supposed to be cute and adorable? For artists to draw high-rated pictures on the Internet, half of which was fetish porn? Why are the ones in AETHER like zombies?

This is all according to anime you’ve watched, mind you. You haven’t read any classical literature about elves. They could be absolute dicks in those; you don’t know.

“THANK YOU FOR fooorrrrrr RIDING WITH THE H…HOLLLLOW EXPRESS.” Static explodes from the intercom system. “WE WISH YOU A SAFE DESTINATION…!”

The team emerges from the underground station and steps into the foggy air. A white haze covers the trees. No bird chirp, no flowers bloom. Shadows fade in and out of the omnipresent haze. The only source of warmth comes from the bonfire in the corner, wedged between two rocks.

“Charming place.” Fumika comments, staring into the gloom. “I sense Shadows nearby. Shall we be off?”

You slip on your knuckledusters and grin, the thrill of battle rushing through your veins.

“Yeah!”

Celeste takes out her rapier, Akikazu heaves up his slegehammer and Fumika checks her laser pistol.

The four of you charge into the darkness...

>Roll 3d20 (Status, Macca, Loot)
>Best out of three.

Rolled 1, 2, 20 = 23 (3d20)

>>44996386
LETS GOOO

Rolled 8, 5, 16 = 29 (3d20)

>>44996386
glad we can't critfail loot

>>44996406
ANON. ANON.

Rolled 20, 20, 10 = 50 (3d20)

>>44996386

Rolled 15, 12, 8 = 35 (3d20)

>>44996386

Rolled 7, 1, 10 = 18 (3d20)

>>44996386

Rolled 9, 6, 5 = 20 (3d20)

>>44996386
>>44996406
WHY

Rolled 15, 10, 3 = 28 (3d20)

>>44996386

>>44996406
>>44996406
Wooo

>>44996406
>>44996410
>>44996414
8, 20 ,20

We got pretty badly messed up by nice gains.

File: [ahegao intensifies].gif (1.17 MB, 738x761)

1.17 MB GIF

>>44996406
>>44996414
>double nat 20s

>>44996414
>>44996406
Well we're rich but also dead.

File: hell yeah motherfucker.jpg (164 KB, 451x453)

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>>44996414

>>44996406
>>44996414
SAVED

>>44996406
>>44996410
>>44996414
The dice are laughing at us. Okay, crit fails and crit successes cancel, so that leaves us with (8,20,20). So we took a beating, but we're not done for the day yet, and we got some AWESOME drops.

>>44996414
so the 1 is cancled by the 20, Shame our luck can't stop crit fails because that would have been 20,20,20.

Thorn could we spend C.EXP to stop that one?

I fucking want my 20, 20, 20

>>44996484
Nah.

>>44996459
You know she's gotta be hype for all the extra Macca.

>>44996484
Naw, status low just means we need to wait around and heal up for a bit.

>>44996484
Upgrade LUK and nat 1s wont override.

File: 1446826535278.gif (1.37 MB, 720x480)

1.37 MB GIF

>>44996406
>>44996414
OH MY FUCKING GOD

>>44996529
Didn't we already do that?

>>44996529
Luck is important, but Augmentation's more important.

>>44996517
We need to raise Fumika's SL as fast as possible. The sooner she gets Healing Wave the better.

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>>44995186
>Thinking bikinis arn't fetishy as fuck.

>>44996563
Wait, did we? Did we!?

>>44996602
I believe so.

>>44996563
>>44996602
We upgraded Luck enough that nat 1's no longer count for Loot rolls. They still count for Status.

>>44996636
Shit.

>>44996529
>>44996563
>>44996602
We did but it only effects Macca i think

>>44995799
It increases the rate we learn new skills and abilities.

>>44993811
>>[IRON KEY] Open the last vendor door
Wait, is this the one with the TV icon or did we already do that one?

So, what's going on with the Tengu?

File: blood2.jpg (342 KB, 1280x720)

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Mayas, Basalts, Relics, Knights and Cupids burst free from the darkness and assault your team with fire, ice, swords and arrows. You switch back and forth between Personas and punch with all your might. Celeste dashes, her trainers kicking up dirt, and slices with steel and flame. Akikazu roars, summons Ubelluris and pounds Shadows into the dirt. Fumika hides behind a tree and relays information through Moros, occasionally firing off a round or two from her pistol.

“Watch it!” You hear someone shout.

You turn around just in time to see a Knight Shadow charge towards you. Your brain desperately screams at you to get out of the way. You do, managing to escape the piercing tip of its lance. However, the horse smashes straight into your gut, sending your body flying into a tree. Pain spreads down your back and up your front. It feels like a million volts surging through your nerves. A wave of blood spurts out of your mouth.

“Are you alright?” Celeste is instantly by your side, pressing against your chest with glowing green palms. In the corner of your eye, you see the knight being consumed by fire. You wince, skin scrunching up around your nose, and try to respond as Dia works its (literal) magic.

“Yeah.” You groan. “That was a Red Mob, wasn’t it?”

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“It was.” Fumika says, stepping out from her hiding space. She looks calm, but there is a slight edge to her voice that might be displeasure. You recall Red Mobs being a term used for Shadows who glowed blood-red before taking form. They were rare, but always much more powerful than the average Shadow cluster. Shizuka often complained about they spawned so often on rainy days. “The fog around this Sector appears to be interfering with Moros’s Spotting abilities. We should exercise greater caution for the future.”

“Good thing the bonfire is nearby.” Akikazu remarks, lifting his sledgehammer up out of the ground where a Maya had once been. “Come on, what’s the hold up?”

“Give me a minute!” Celeste calls, this time healing your back. You squeeze your eyes shut again, then stand up on wobbly knees.

“Thanks.” You say. Celeste smiles, relieved.

“It was nothing.”

>Gained 7.50 C. EXP
>26.00 / 19.50 C. EXP reached. LEVEL UP acquired!
>Obtained 40000 Macca
>Obtained an Olive Branch!
>Obtained a Silver Key!
>A Basic Medkit was consumed.

You may LEVEL UP and acquire one of these bonuses. Because there is 33% overflow in the C. EXP, you will also learn a new skill.

>Increase STRENGTH to D-.
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>Increase ENDURANCE to D.
>Increase AGILITY to D-.
>Increases LUCK to B-.
>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.
>Upgrade Savate perk to Savate III.
>Leave it for now.

>>44997228
>>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.

>>44997228
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
Time to augment.

>>44997228
>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.
YOU CANT FUCKING STOP ME

>>44997228
>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.

>>44997228
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>Upgrade Savate perk to Savate III.

>>44997228
>These attributes are measured using a letter system. From highest to lowest: S+, S, A, B, C, D, E. Positive and negative modifiers (e.g. A+, B-) also apply, except for the S+ rank.
Have you forgotten that there isn't S-?
>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.
or
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.

>>44997228
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.

>>44997228
>>Increases LUCK to B-.

>>44997228
>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-
I... I want to max this out.

>>44997228
>>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.

>>44997228
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.

>>44997228
>>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.

>>44997228
>>Obtained 40000 Macca
Me Gusta.
>Increase ENDURANCE to D

>>44997228
>>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.

>>44997228
>>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.

>>44997228
Yo, can we get a straight answer on what exactly DEV. does?

>>44997228
>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.
IT's Time!

>>44997228
>Leave it for now.
SAVE IT, SAVE IT

>>44997228
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
I know getting DEV to S would be nice, but this is something we need now.

>>44997311
No, that just means there isn't an S-+.

>>44997228
>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.

>>44997386
I think you mean S+-

>>44997228
>Upgrade Savate perk to Savate III.
This is basically free right?

>>44997228
I... kind of want to go potential. Bringing it to -S now will allow us to reap the benefits to come later on. It will only get harder for S ranks as time goes on.

>>44997228
>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.

>>44997375
We can't get it to S yet, but we can get it to S-.

>>44997228
>>Upgrade Savate perk to Savate III.
Might as well since it's for free

>>44997426
>This is basically free right?
No it isn't.

>>44997349
No really, what does it DO?

>>44997228
>Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-

Why would you choose anything else?

>>44997228
>you will also learn a new skill
What are our options for this?

Is Phasing one of them?

Huh. It seems like I let you guys have the DEV increase to S- earlier than I should have. This is a blunder on my part, so to make up for it I'll say you'll need 150 C. EXP for Ippon-Datara's next DEV increase.

Writing now...

>>44997473
Yeah, but what's the opportunity cost? Nothing? It's something we get alongside the Stats, so I assume we don't lose anything in taking it.

>>44997485
Anything but eye lasers
holy fuck

>>44997512
bahahaha, worth it

Looks like we're going for more DEV POTENTIAL. I hop we get enough C. EXP from the quests to get another level up, though. I was looking forward to being able to start properly training Persona Augmentation, because then we could cheat at duels and now that I phrase it like that it sounds kind of scummy but it would still be nice.

>>44997512
You cant stave off the inevitable.

>>44997512
Total?

Ippon-Datara is a true late boomer

>>44997512
..did we just break the game slightly? Because I think we did.
>>44997530
We can still do persona augmenting, just not with ippon. Tengu and those who meet the requirement we can.

We need to get Ippon to learn some new moves, take advantage of the DEV.

Now Ippon is at S- he's going to start learning skills and abilities like mad now, right?

>>44997580
Yeah, but getting Ippon-Datara to D- MAG POTENTIAL would have unlocked it for all Personas. Would have increased our arsenal a lot.

>>44997598
Of course not

You lost the moment you thought of gains as something to be minmaxed

Besides which, if you wanted skills/abilities, you should have voted for more overflow

>Development Potential (DEV): Rate at which the person grows. Affects the rate at which new skills and abilities are learned.
>person
Does that mean it helps with non-persona things?

>>44997660
It implies so.

>>44997660
Could. Would explain how we seem to grow hella fast compared to other people aside from MCness. Now we just pushed it into low S class.

>>44997483
At the very least, it means we learn skills and abilities faster.

If we're being extremely optimistic, it means increased EXP/C. EXP gain, increased stat gain on Lv. up, increased social stat growth, and other shit.

The truth is, it's probably just skills and abilities, MGI. would probably have been better since it's not like we're not going to sit down and learn new skills ever.

>>44997660
If it affects stat gains we just got scary.

>>44997815
It's time to get HUGE

>>44997815
Probably not, but read the character sheets section on abilities. That's where we just got scary.

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90 KB JPG

Best waifu

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186 KB PNG

>>44997932
But anon, you can't love a persona!

>>44998024
Narcissism is the most sincere form of flattery.

>>44997867
Time to start actually practicing martial arts then.

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>>Takashi: Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S-.

>Ippon-Datara’s DEV has increased to S-! Learned Phys Boost!
>LEVEL UP completed. Total C. EXP has dropped to 0.00

“Takashi, don't a few your Personas resist physical?”

“I was using Ippon-Datara. He doesn’t have that property.”

You’ve arrived at the first bonfire of the Hazebound Woodlands, inside the ruins of a wooden hut. The team is seated around a series of makeshift benches, which in this case means pieces of wood that are the only things protecting your arse from the dirt ground.

“Up ahead is the place where I rescued Celeste.” You say, recounting the tale of how you snuck around the patrolling elves and broke Celeste free of her chains. Man, it feels like a long time ago and yet only yesterday. You had been a lot weaker back then. Alone, too. How simple things had seemed back then, when you were following a distress signal leading to your neighbor. Now she is your best friend and there is no guidance from the game at hand.

“I can imagine.” Fumika says, staring into the dancing bonfire flames.

Celeste stands up and takes a look ahead. “The trail seems to split off here, everyone. Left is where the elves chained me up, but I don’t know where the right path takes us.”

“It leads down, sort of.” Akikazu grunts.

“Whatever the notification is about, we haven’t triggered it yet.” Fumika mutters. “What now, Takashi?”

>Head down the left path.
>Head down the right path.
>Turn back for now.
>Custom option.

>>44998086
>>Head down the right path.

>>44998086
>Head down the left path.

>>44997867
Guys, what other abilities should we start learning now that we've S- Dev.?

>>44998086
>>Head down the right path.

>>44998086
>Head down the right path.
Time for ~*adventure*~

>Phys Boost
Noice

>>44998086
>>Head down the right path.

>>44998086
>>Head down the right path.

>>44998086
>Head down the right path.
What could possibly go wrong~

>>44998086
>>Head down the right path.