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Good drinks, a friend, and the bright lights of a city’s nightlife revving up. Nothing like it. “Alriiiight, let’s have ourselves a good time!” you cheer as Izumi walks out of the nearby bar. You’d been looking around and about for decent landmarks and in general getting a feel for Ryomeki City, but no reason to not enjoy it, right? At least...that’s what you’d planned for.

You couldn’t help but notice that for such a city, there’s a surprising lack of people wandering the streets. Instead, people seem like they’re trying to hurry home; even with a vigliante out and about, you’d have figured that most people would relish the moonlight in a place like this. There’s some iron-willed folks, mind; some partiers for certain and people who seem to have less concern than others. So, there’s still some folks willing to take advantage; and you’re one of them. “I said I was gonna be out, and that’s what I’m doin’!” was what you’d said to Miranda, and you intend to fulfill that decree.

Welcome back to Magical Girl For Hire!

Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Magical%20Girl%20For%20Hire%20Quest
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The city mostly seems like most other cities minus that weird damn grody feeling that’s all over; not much in the way of major landmarks, though. You’d decided on a pretty big restaurant around the eastern area of downtown for one, the high school for another, a pretty swank high-rise for a third, and a movie theater for a last for now. They’re all near the city’s major areas, though...although that reminds you. “Hey, wanna check out the other place we could’ve been staying?”

“Hm...we’d have to be careful, but I don’t see why not,” Izumi decides. “Let’s go.”

(cont.)
>>
>>3897255
Let’s see...now where do you have to go to get to it again…? “Pretty sure it was in this direction…” you mutter as you check your FutureSight- sooo handy! It looks like a smartphone; makes sense, you guess. Ah, yeah. “Yup, this way! It’s a few blocks away; we might be able to cut through this street, though...”

It’s about two minutes of walking down the small, desolate street, really more of an alleyway, before you hear...something. You’re careful to not hitch, or flinch; but you’ve long developed a sense for when something or someone’s got their eye on you. Izumi sighs, scratching her hand on her hip in a very specific manner; you might not have teamed with her very often before, but even you can recognize it’s her sword drawing stance. She doesn’t have her usual on her, but you don’t doubt she’s ready to fight if she needs to. You’re more of a butterfly knife girl at the moment, yourself…

When the shadows start moving ahead of you, however, coalescing into something resembling a pack of younger humanoids, with small antennae, bulbous yellow eyes and sharp teeth, you can’t help a smirk. “Cute.” You’re cuter, though. “Now why are you gettin’ all angry at lil’ old us?”

“Mindless fodder,” Izumi grumbles. “If we’re going to fight, we should make this quick.”

>Pop a few Fireworks; that’ll scatter ‘em real quick!
>You don’t wanna make a scene; keep it to magical melee!
>Meh, you got no time for this. Get back to somewhere a bit more public.
>Other
>>
>>3897256
>You don’t wanna make a scene; keep it to magical melee!
>>
>>3897256
>Meh, you got no time for this. Get back to somewhere a bit more public.
Lets keep for ourselves a little bit longer. who knows, this might be a test to see if we have powers or not.
>>
>>3897256
>Meh, you got no time for this. Get back to somewhere a bit more public.
>Other : Stick around for a while off screen to see if anything funny will happen.

We forgot to brief Lorelei and Izumi on our Seither Crystals, oh well. Need to check out Gartoum too.
>>
>>3897256
>>Pop a few Fireworks; that’ll scatter ‘em real quick!
>>
>>3897256
>You don’t wanna make a scene; keep it to magical melee!
>>
>>3897256
>You don’t wanna make a scene; keep it to magical melee!
>>
>>3897256
>You don’t wanna make a scene; keep it to magical melee!

Time to shank some fucker in a dark alley
>>
>>3897256
>>Meh, you got no time for this. Get back to somewhere a bit more public.
We are being watched.
>>
>>3897256
>Meh, you got no time for this. Get back to somewhere a bit more public.
>>
We punchin.

Writing.
>>
>>3897289
Isn't it a tie?
>>
>>3897289
I'll support the magical melee then for tiebreaker.
>>
Ah, sorry. Thank you, though- my internet borked and I didn't see the post in time. Writing, still.
>>
>>3897315
I wonder if we can track them anywhere if we let one "escape".
>>
>>3897256
“Yeah, yeah,” you say as you crack your knuckles. If you work this right, it’ll be over in no time- these lil’ shadow things don’t look like they’re all that big a deal. You’re not stupid; you might not be able to sense them like Izumi, but considering her relative calmness at the situation, you doubt they’re something to be too worried about.

Although as the first one leaps at you and you shift out of the way to smash it with a large, orange fist, you have to give props for them being quick little assholes.

Izumi rushes forward after that, with her hands alight, and the second one gets two palms to the skull before dissipating. The third leaps at her, but you’re already there; a quick snatch and squeeze pulps the poor thing (well, not that poor) before it dissipates.

That leaves two more; bigger, and more defined, you think...but clearly smarter, as they seem to hesitate…

Izumi doesn’t, though, quickly moving to the leftmost one. To its credit, it manages to dodge the first strike; though perhaps by luck more than anything else, as Izumi simply pivots, a knifehand chop from the second hand bisecting it and dissipating it.

The last one clearly looks...well, not nervous, but the way it takes a step back makes you figure it’s at least got to feel fear.

>Easy enough. Smash the thing and be done with it; no use in blowing your cover day one.
>Wonder if it’s got a master...let it go and see if anything comes of it. Risky, but possibly rewarding.
>Other

(Off for the night, sorry.)
>>
>>3897385
>Easy enough. Smash the thing and be done with it; no use in blowing your cover day one.
>>
>>3897385
>Easy enough. Smash the thing and be done with it; no use in blowing your cover day one.
>>
>>3897385
>Easy enough. Smash the thing and be done with it; no use in blowing your cover day one.
>>
>>3897385
>Wonder if it’s got a master...let it go and see if anything comes of it. Risky, but possibly rewarding.

Better than having them investigate what happened to their minions and figuring out there's an unknown power moving around.
>>
>>3897442
I mean. Why did we even fight them in the first place then instead of letting the locals deal with them?
>>
>>3897385
>Easy enough. Smash the thing and be done with it; no use in blowing your cover day one.
>>
>>3897453
a considerable number of votes were against fighting them. It's not like those voters just left
>>
>>3897577
Yeah why the fuck did we fight them? The dampeners are useless now.
>>
>>3897616
I dunno but I think this will backfire us so bad.
>>
>>3897616
>>3897750
The dampeners will still be useful when we strike from the shadows. But we did tip our hand, and I very much don't like it.
>>
You know, it might be possible for Miranda to pretend to be an MG of Despair, with her own shadow lord and intimidating get up. Could help with hiding our affiliation with the Organization in case the people of interest notice her.
>>
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>>3897820
Unless we tell anyone that we're affiliated with the organization, no one will know.

>>3897616
because anons are idiots(like pic related), or one rigged the votes.
>>
>>3897820
Impossible unless we know what kind of aura we exhude. We still don't know if we are hope or despair infused energy.
>>
>>3897941
wasn't said that we were our own kind of magic, independent from anything this universe has to offer?
>>
>>3897944
It's because in most world's, it is treated as Mana which was the universal name for a magical energy. In armored core world we have the very pure seither raw energy that even our employees would want to tie us down. This would be the first time we encountered a unique type of energy where it is divided by two. I mean for example (I don't know if Corruptor do this type of thing)
1. If hope has fire magic then despair would have black fire
2. For water it would be any acidic or toxic water
3. For wind it would be poison
4.for earth it would be some kind of black quicksand

This is just the example but it's fun to theorize while waiting so...take it as you will.
>>
>>3897385
>>Easy enough. Smash the thing and be done with it; no use in blowing your cover day one.
>>
Around 8 out of 10 currently, and unless something unexpected happens...

Well, our contract is indeed to hunt them down and kill them.
However, if we get too involved in things, Izumi might not wish to carry out the job.
Now, our options are clear. Either, if we are 'lucky' enough to not get too involved, we can just do our job and be done with it. If we do get involved, then we'll just carry on, a job is a job.

Though... Unsure if this came up before, but there IS a certain other option.
Yellow king is pretty loaded, owns alot of shit...
What were our rates for taking up a new contract? 30%, plus interrest? So if he can cough up say... 100 Lotes, that oughta get em off their skin.
It's certainly an option, which may or may not come up. It all depends on what they offer, if they are willing to offer it, and, of course, us taking them up on their offer.

We'll see, won't we? Though I belive Izumi will be the factor to make or break the deal.

Question on the side, are there any artifacts or valuables that exist in this world? I can only think of hope essence, and even then I'm not entirely sure.
>>
>>3897385
>Easy enough. Smash the thing and be done with it; no use in blowing your cover day one.

>>3897577
I wanted to sleep and thought you guys could handle it.

>>3897616
>>3897816
Just make sure there are no witnesses. All they will know is something else came into the city.

>>3897820
We can go with ambitious, new, and mysterious lord to take the heat from Izumi and Lori. Do not say anything to the targets that could poke holes into our cover.
>>
>>3897820
We don't have our intimidating clothes though. They're back at the Intersection.
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>>3897992
>However, if we get too involved in things, Izumi might not wish to carry out the job.
If she wasn't willing to do the job, she wouldn't have taken it. She may have more morals, but she's not a greenhorn; she knew what she was getting into. And pulling down a lost soul can be considered a mercy.

>Yellow king is pretty loaded, owns alot of shit...
That is technically an option. But it requires him to be aware of us, our nature as mercs, and to be willing to offer obscene amounts of cash. Remember local currency to Lotes scales; it might be cheaper for him to nuke us than try to buy us off.

>Question on the side, are there any artifacts or valuables that exist in this world?
If we have a reason to infiltrate King's property, we can take a poke around. I'm sure a kingpin like him has an exotic collection somewhere.
>>
>>3897992
Too cheap. Breaking contracts requires for a new offer to have double the original contract's value. Add in 30% and interest would raise the price to 160 motes of value. And this is Miranda she takes contracts seriously by breaking a contract it will add a failure to her record. So Miranda has to be convinced and offered a lot of motes to break a contract willingly.
>>
>>3897992
If 35 lotes almost bankrupted a megacorp, i doubt that okada has the cash for 100.

Also, izumi took the job and asked us to come with her because she know what has to be done. she won't try to stop us unless we get too bloodthirsty. If we want to make her feel better about it or give her a righterous rage, we can always free rei from her torment.

>>3897968
True, but our magic is independent of those and it has been proven time and time again that it wont transform itself to be like the magic in the universe we're working on.

>>3897992
>Question on the side, are there any artifacts or valuables that exist in this world? I can only think of hope essence, and even then I'm not entirely sure.
Not that i know of, but hope essenses arent that valuable. Only a very small amoubt of the population knows about them, and that drives its price down hard.
>>
>>3897816
That's why I wanted to at least benefit from this fight.

That being said, there's an argument for cutting our losses now.
>>
>>3898006
> And pulling down a lost soul can be considered a mercy.
The thing with that is: Despite being 'shadows' (Of their former selves?), they are not all that lost. Certainly, some bad traits are developed, but honestly, the shadow people were, to an extend, better than what they started as. Example therefor: Yellow King, as he became corrupt from within, and hollowed out, a shadow taking his place. He's honestly a pretty okay guy, even comic relief at times. While they did start out as rampaging, murdering, and basically completly fucked up girls, they, to an extend, got better, in a sense.
That is, of course, just as far as thread 8. Might change my mind later.
>>
>>3898006
>Yellow king is pretty loaded, owns alot of shit...

That also makes him a good target for looting. Looting anyone except the contract holder is acceptable (so long as it doesn't violate the collateral damage rider).

That's straight up Lorelei's jam.
>>
>>3898048
Except corruptor literally states that unless you are a magical girl(and even with them that's iffy, see mary-marie-mari issue), turning into a shadow consunes and destroys your soul. The original person is long gone, with only a few fragments of its personality remaining.
>>
>>3898059
That is true, and you might have a point, if that were what I was talking about. I merely wished to raise the point that shadows, these ones, are not merely just creatures. In the case of our targets of interrest, they are very much so sentient, and try to keep collateral to a minimum. In the case of Junko even going out of her way to prevent people from becoming shadows.
In the end, keeping up the investigation will show us soon enough what we are dealing with, considering the timeskip and all.
>>
>>3898070
>even going out of her way to prevent people from becoming shadows.
One right doesnt excuses her from what she did to rei, marie(y, i? I dont remember who was the original), the traitor, the random thugs that were bullying the living battery and whatever other bullshit she did and has done to the city.
>>
>>3898080
It could be argued that Rei and Mari were victims of her just returning from the dead, and being out for revenge, which is by far not an excuse, merely a mention.
Thugs were beat up by Marie on her command, after... well... outright telling the corrution sponge they would do unspeakable things to her and her sisters... after having drugged her... after alot more abuse prior to this... Mind, beaten up and all limbs broken, but alive.

As for the traitor and the city? Well I haven't finished yet, as I already said, however, most was done at the very start, or was collateral,
which was already attempted to be kept at a minimum.

Though let's see how our investigations fare.
>>
last thread isn't archived
>>
>>3898110
Think we should add the MG revenge quest tags?
>>
>>3898070
META.
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>>3898052
>>Yellow king is pretty loaded, owns alot of shit...
I wasn't kidding about nuking us being cheaper than buying us out. Lotes are bonkers expensive, especially in a near-contemporary setting like this. He's rich, but only a local power from what we've seen. I doubt he's got that kind of cash.

>>3898115
Can't hurt.
>>
>>3898197
Yes, Meta information, but not for the sake of action. My argument is that, depending on our investigations, things might turn out differently than anticipated.
Just a consideration, not an attempt to utilize this knowledge in character.

>>3898198

Perhaps I didn't quite get the scale of the extend of his reach. Not sure. He's quite resourceful non the less. It will be the cheaper option, but in regards to availability, that's another one.
>>
>>3898006
>If we have a reason to infiltrate King's property, we can take a poke around. I'm sure a kingpin like him has an exotic collection somewhere.
AFAIK this is not permitted, unless we're hired specifically to steal something, the only way to take someone's stuff is to ice them and claim it as loot. It might be to avoid grievances with courier outgoers, we're taking their jobs!
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>>3898304
I don't think that's right. We can't just go ham and take whatever we want from whoever we want, but as long as it's part of working towards a primary or secondary job objective, I don't see why we couldn't snag some items of interest.
>>
>>3898304
Im betting that lorelei will do exactly that. Specially because they will give us money for killing okada.
>>
>>3898304
We had the option of looting the Casino in the Mob world, despite it not being necessary.

We extorted a bunch of spiders on that one world too.
>>
>>3898345
We can't kill Okada or half of the country GDP will collapse
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>>3898361
The min collat rider only covers structures, it's fine.

Speaking of, new item on the shopping list: weaponry that doesn't damage structures, such as guns and grenades and WMDs and such.
>>
>>3898361
And thats our problem because?.... regardless, the economy will be fine. amazon wont stop existing if you kill jeff bezos.

>>3898364
>WMDs
>grenades
>that don't cause mass destruction
Anon....
I can accept the grenades, because they can be frags(but they will still fuck up the room they detonate in), but Weapons of Mass Destruction? Come on, its in the fucking name.
Either way, we can set our magiblasts in a low output mode and that's it. Or we can develop more abilities that deal little collateral damage.
>>
>>3898376
I was mostly joking on the WMDs. But if we can get ahold of bio or chem or radiation weapons, or some futuretech like nanos they would work well for minimising collateral.
>>
Also someone archive the previous thread.
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>>3898376
Neutronbombs. Kills people, leaves buildings standing.
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>>3898361
Why, exactly? Will all his assets suddenly vanish into thin air? Because I sure hope so.

But seriously, someone or someones will replace him.
>>
>>3898395
A neutron bomb its still a low yield nuke that just so happens to release the neutron burst instead of absorbing it.

>>3898390
The nanobot idea could work, specially because we have experimental combat nanites back in the HQ.
>>
>>3898406
But you're really willing to engage in a grey goo scenario instead?
>>
>>3898361
Probably because if someone like him dies, incompetent and greedy CEO would take over laying off thousands of workers.
>>
>>3898406
>A neutron bomb its still a low yield nuke
Maybe airburst it then? ...probably still too much damage.

>The nanobot idea could work
They are likely to also be the most expensive. The safeties on nanos would have to be pretty sophisticated to avoid mutating into grey goo machines, especially under the influence of various magics.
Chemical and radiation weapons would be the safest, but radiation would have to be very potent to work in a useful timeframe. A dirty bomb might be useful for area denial. Bio-weapons have a limited risk of running rampant, but would likely have to be tailored to a target species.

>we have experimental combat nanites back in the HQ.
We do?
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>>3898442
Are you willing to kill a whole city?

>>3898447
Depending on the kind of nuclear weapon used, an airburst could make it more effective.

>Bio-weapons have a limited risk of running rampant
Thats not exactly true; although they aren't capable of making a grey goo scenario, they can and probably will get out of control because biology loves to reproduce in random amd interesting ways. If you don't believe me, just look at the CRISPR mosquitos that supposedly were sterile. Not only they found a way to reproduce again, but they became immune to the CRISPR technique that sterilized them.

>We do?
Yes we do. It was one of the arm weapons we got from the minibot facility. We havenvt been able to do everything with it because the universe hates the intersection.
>>
>>3898458
>We killed the whole city
>No building harmed

I say we didn't destroy any structure so that's still included in minimum collateral rider.
>>
>>3898376
>abilities that deap little collateral damage
Maybe we could work on our Flux Wave, like adding a third wave that would overload people's brains and fry out magical items?
>>
>>3898458
. . . .Neutron bombs don't have that large of an explosive yield.

In the 1970s the had Neutron bombs with 1kt explosive yields. That's approx. 1/15th Little Boy's explosion.

So, 50 years ago IRL they weren't city destroyers. Pretty sure make believe future magical Intersection will have something better. Pretty sure contemporary made up Magical Girl World would too.

Meanwhile shit like nano/bio weapons are way more riskier, especially with the cleanup of dangerous tech afterwards so that people don't replicate it.
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>>3898491
Wouldn't kill the whole city anyways.

>>3898492
I wonder how Flux Wave affects the big dick / Cuck energy dynamic in this world. Could we like, convert despair cucks to positive chads with it? Or Mana harmonization?
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>>3898458
>experimental nanobots
They aren't for combat, they are used to instantly repair bots and other tech. It was mentioned in the previous intermission - they could be used to repair our aircraft.
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>>3898500
I think despair cucks and positive Chads are on the same spectrum.
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>>3898502
Then we tell the bots the our target is in dire need of repair - its chock full of fleshy bits!
>>
This is also a low profile rider. So no WMD, no nanoplagues, and no raiding mansions in broad daylight.
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>>3898527
Well yeah. we don't even have access to anything like that at the moment. This was more about theoretical options for future purchases.
>>
Writing shortly. Also squish.
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>>3898527
You thought we were serious?

Because the real plan is to put bleach in the cities spaghetti supply.

THE PERFECT CRIME.

Right aftwr we finish subtly wiping out monsters of unknown affiliation or ability out for purposes unknown for no reason.
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>>3898539
Man, at least Miranda didn't take Lorelei with her on that job. She would hawk about it for cycles.
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>>3898551
Like she isn't gonna rag on us for starting a random fight with mooks for no reason?

Seriously. Can't take Miranda and Izumi anywhere nice.
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>>3898562
Anon. we were attacked in a dark alley and defended ourselves. We're fine.
>>
Come on guys, this is Izumi quest. Please be nice to her.
>>
>>3898567
>Meh, you got no time for this. Get back to somewhere a bit more public.

This was an option.

We weren't attacked, and even if we were we are more than skilled enough to get away.

We saw them in an alley and went into idiot autopilot.
>>
>>3897385
>>3897402
>>3897420
>>3897422
>>3897464
Another grab snags it in its hesitation to act before it can move away, and you squish it much like you did the others unceremoniously. “And that’s the end of that,” you casually announce.

“For now…” Izumi mutters as she scans around the area, head smoothly but quickly turning to check in the vicinity. “I can’t help but wonder if that was mere happenstance or if they were sent or what…”

You nod. “Yeah, makes sense. We might wanna circle back in case anyone’s tracking us, try to lose ‘em.”

“I can’t sense anyone at the moment,” she says. “Still, likely a good idea. We’ll circle around, double back, see what happens.”

“Right, take the lead!” you offer. She nods and does so, the two of you walking quickly and moving past your original location. You’re gonna have to make sure that no one’s trying to get up to anything oddball, so while the both of you are walking, you’re keeping an eye out, while practicing a preferred pastime of yours… “Sky is clear tonight.” Hope she gets that one…

“Well, I said so earlier. Always a chance of rain, though.” Oooh, she got it! You’d always loved thieves’ cant, and you know both you and Miranda both use it. Izumi was usually much more straightforward, so you weren’t expecting her to be quite so quick to catch on.

“Well, I’m good at staying dry,” you respond. Yeah, if there were more shadowthings around, it wouldn’t be too tough to deal with them, you figure. Before long, you’re passing a bar that you hadn’t been to yet; seems relatively nice, not a hole in the wall. Mentally, you mark it as somewhere to check out later as you pass three younger men, locals, casually hanging out on the sidewalk nearby; college-age, you figure. Not bad looking, either, to be honest.

You’re already prepping your lines when you pass them- there was no mistaking how they eyeballed the two of you; though Izumi was clearly their focus. Now, if they did as you expected…

“Hey, hey!” Bingo. “What’re two young ladies like you doin’ out alone late like this?” The both of you turn around to see the likely leader of them; at least a head taller than you and with a head of glossy, dyed hair. He’s got a roguish- or at least what he likely THINKS is roguish- smile and hands in his jacket pockets. “You know, rumor has it there’s some dangerous folk on the street these days.”

“Yeah,” his cohort on his left speaks up. This one’s got a bulky yellow hoodie, and seems a bit rounder, but not incredibly so. “Pretty scary. Have ya heard?”

Well, well, how to approach THIS? The possibilities…Izumi just frowns and sighs lightly- you get the feeling she’ll go along with whatever just to get them out of your hair, considering she doesn’t say anything immediately.

> Play with them.
> Ignore them.
> Punk them.
> Other
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>>3898638
> Play with them.
>>
>>3898638
> Ignore them.
Be pro for once Lori. And let's keep Izumi on high spirit.
>>
>>3898638
> Play with them.

Flirt and get them to take us somewhere that we can get them drunk and ply them for information, then proceed to drink them under the table.

Magical liver powers engage!
>>
>>3898653
Nah, let's get some minions and start establishing a network. Punks like this are great for running errands and such. They should also know who we can and can't mess with locally.
>>
>>3898638
>> Ignore them.
Want to play with them, but we're too close to whatever happened in the alley, and I dunno how well Izumi would hold up trying to stay cool under flirting like that.
>>
>>3898638
>> Ignore them.
>>
>>3898638
>> Play with them.
I’m hoping “play” means “string them along, then squeeze them for info before knocking them unconscious and stripping them down for extra dosh”.
>>
Tie. 5 more minutes for tiebreak, as usual.
>>
>>3898638
>Play with them
Let's play hooky just for once.vMaybe someone would save us.
>>
>>3898693
What if they turn out to be genuinely warning us and just happen to look rough because they're from a bad part ot town?

Maybe did some petty crime, but are trying to get their life on track while struggling with alcohol addiction and the weight of their past?
>>
Alrighty, we're gonna mess with them a bit.
>>
>>3898725
Also they only did it because they have an ailing sister who is bedridden while their parents are dead because of the same disease as the Lil sis has?

Not all rough looking guys are bad guys.
>>
>>3898785
Some are also just kinda dumb and never think of being anything more of what people expect them to be.

They might just be poor young punks.
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>>3898785
I'm digging this narrative, are these the heart of gold banchou of japanese streetlore?
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>>3898638
>>3898651
>>3898656
>>3898693
>>3898704
You can’t help but grin slightly- which you quickly shift to a wide-eyed, surprised ‘nervous grin’ look. “R-really? You’re joking, right? I heard this place was safe…” Old as you might get, you can’t ever NOT enjoy taking silly boys like this for a ride.

Occasionally literally, but usually not.

Regardless, he grins, shaking his head. “Nah. Dangerous sorts around here. Some killer goin’ around and pretendin’ they’re doing anything good. So long as you keep your nose clean and stay in public places, you’re fine, but it’s kinda a risk to be out once the sun goes down, y’know?”

“Then, what are you all doing out here?” Izumi asks, not unkindly.

“Welll...” he scratches his head. “Truth be told, we were gonna go see a movie, but they’re out of tickets, so we decided to just get some drinks instead. We were thinkin’ about heading in just about now, but…” Oh wow, the hair slick back. Cheesy. “It’d be great if we had some company, maybe go do some karaoke?”

“Awww, that’s sweet.” He laughs, and Izumi affects a small smile. Who knows what she’s thinking, but...yeah, you’re mostly just gonna milk these guys.

Again, not literally. Though occasionally. Izumi’s the next one to speak, however. “I guess we can spare some time…”

The three beam- although the two behind the leader seem surprised, like they didn’t expect you to agree. Confidence washing off of them in waves now, they start to crowd around the two of you- you’re surprised they’re not saying anything about your being a foreigner, but maybe they just think they’re mixed blood? Izumi is popular with the other two, while the leader seems to indeed have eyes for you. Guess his rebel-ness makes him want the exotic…

They do indeed lead you towards a karaoke bar, and as they step in, you and Izumi share a glance. Right, then, let’s see if you can’t get something good out of them…

>Roll 3d100, best of three.
>>
Rolled 3, 58, 34 = 95 (3d100)

>>3898876
>>
Rolled 98, 43, 51 = 192 (3d100)

>>3898876
>>
Rolled 74, 12, 95 = 181 (3d100)

>>3898876
>>
Rolled 14, 19, 9 = 42 (3d100)

>>3898876
>>
>>3898878
>>3898880
Oh goddamnit not only did I accidentally roll twice the second one was way better.

That's just . . .

Meh.
>>
>>3898880
>>3898878
Anon...
>>
>>3898878
>>3898880

Yeeeeeah, sorry dude, but...just the first counts.
>>
Not disastrously bad, we will get something out of them at least.
>>
>>3898888
>>3898883
SIR I AM WELL AWARE. I accidentally closed down my browser at the same time as I posted and didn't see my post when I reopened it and refreshed.

So irked.
>>
Rolled 60, 25, 19 = 104 (3d100)

>>3898876
>>
>>3898893
We can also make a social link with them, they might be useful later both for a cover as well as for finding out information later.
>>
>>3898876
>maybe go do some karaoke?”
oh japan.

Occasionally literally, but usually not.
Again, not literally. Though occasionally.
Thanks for those mental images.


>>3898895
I have definitely done the same before.
>>
>>3898899
You're giving them waaay too much credit anon, they're just random college kids. If anything we can get some info out of their drunken arses and then ditch them.
>>
>>3898903
It's a city full of despair energy, but they're not only acting out with their rebellious appearance but they're energetic enough to be attempting a rogueish attitude.

Also I can recognize a plot hook when it smacks me in the face.
>>
>>3898903
Also where does the college kid thing come from? It's Japan, in a magically semi-dystopic city. Young adults dressed like that aren't going to school.
>>
Oh no, please don't tell me this plot is from 177013.
>>
>>3898876
>>3898878
>>3898881
>>3898882
The kids aren’t horrible once you get to know them; although they seem to have a fatalistic attitude towards life, it seems. The way they see it, if they’re going to get killed, then they’re going to go out living life as they want, apparently. You can respect that, if nothing else. They’re far from the smoothest operators you’ve ever dealt with- but that makes them perfect for plying with a few sweet words and looks. Izumi decides to play the part of the ‘cool beauty’, you figure, with how she’s quiet and a bit standoffish...although that might just be her in general. You never really took her for a flirt...although now you can’t help but wonder how she and her boyfriend are doing. Maybe you’ll ask later!

The leader is a bit too into himself, and it takes a few songs before he starts answering questions; but eventually he starts talking, while the third guy, silent before now, is clearly shy and doesn’t exactly know the basics of human interaction; the end result being him not being able to shut up about anything asked him. The second guy is trying mightily to get Izumi to notice him; considering that all his attention is on making her notice him, she doesn’t get much out of him beyond some general statements and dismissals. Ultimately, though:

You learn that things have been like this for some time now; people reporting missing individuals only to find them either murdered or not at all later. From businesspeople to random vagrants, it seems like no one is safe.

There’s been rumors that a young girl was seen before a couple of them; oddly enough, however, no one has a consistent image of them in their heads, and they’ve yet to be caught on video, meaning that it’s all heresay, technically, since there’s no known recording. Curious in itself. Not even security cameras or traffic cams? Hm.

When you compliment them on their knowledge, that's when they say something interesting. "Yeah, I mean...I guess I know a few people here and there. Me and the guys learn about a lot in the city. We're pretty tight-knit!"

VERY interesting.

>You can ask up to three questions- provided they're things the kids could reasonably know or find out.
>>
>>3898996
> Any locations that are creepier than normal, or where they feel more uncomfortable.

Maybe they know something that the scanning people missed because they were too focused on cold data and missed spots that were just creepy. Places where things may be hiding from normal detection methods but still register as "off" to people actually going there.

> Any new businesses that seem to be doing unusually well lately or is always hiring

This place is a despair pit, success is suspicious.

> Where we can find something a little more . . . Risky, a little exciting, maybe kinda dangerous

UNDERGROUND FIGHTING ARENA! There's at least one psycho magical girl beating people up openly, there's gotta be some underground stuff going on.
>>
Gonna leave off here, give people time to think.

Run continues tomorrow!
>>
>>3899020
Thanks for running, boss.
>>
>>3899020
Have a good Halloween Eve!
>>
>>3898996
> Curious in itself. Not even security cameras or traffic cams? Hm.

Didn't the Organization say they had control of those? Maybe they could look into that on their end. Is someone covering for the Despair Beasts?
>>
>>3899020
Happy leave the gourd out and spook some infants day.
>>
>>3899082
It's Okada, but that's pretty meta
>>
Is meta going to become the new meme word?
>>
>>3899162
Some anons read the source material and made plans even though there isn't prior knowledge of the group. Hence the metagaming.
>>
>>3899166
Sure, but making plans for when we have the relevant information isn't metagaming. Metagaming would be making the girls go straight for okada or junko, or outright capturing the mom to use her as bait; basically having miranda use OOC information, and that hasn't happened ever. The anons have been very consistent on that aspect from day one.
>>
>>3899167
Actually yeah, that's straight up metagaming when you make plans based on knowledge the characters don't have.

>>3899160
Thanks for spoiling it, asshole.
>>
>>3899480
Enacting the plans without the required IC knowledge is metagaming but not making said plans. Otherwise everything would be metagaming(and up to some point it is, but that's a different matter that might be important or not depending on how far up the stick is in somebody's ass).
>>
>>3899490
Oh, so you think I still want to bother investigating if someone in the Organization is working for the other side? Because I've just been told they aren't.
>>
>>3899496
If you aren't capable of having some suspension of disbelief, no. And that person is wrong; not only we're making all our theories based on outdated information, but Okada didn't know about the organization until junko told him, yet you believed him without asking for a source. that's on you.
>>
>>3899512
I haven't read the source material, but apparently people here have. Your response to people spoiling it is to tell me to go spoil it for myself? What's wrong with you.

Why didn't you just say he didn't know that at the beginning either, instead of arguing that meta information somehow isn't spoiling things.
>>
>>3899524
>Your response to people spoiling it is to tell me to go spoil it for myself?
because that's how crossovers work and if you are an adult, you are capable of not giving a fuck about the people talking about the other quests. This is the third crossover quest and this is the first time someone is bitching about metagaming. Hell, you're complaining about metagaming when the other quest died almost half a year ago; the other two were ongoing and nobody screamed "muh metagame". Some of us even go interested in the other quests because of said talks
>>
>>3899533
>>3899524
Cmon both of you, the accusation of metagaming was tenuous at best anyway.
>>
>>3899524
>>3899533
I mean, the spoiler function exists.

And while I do also talk about Meta knowledge, I usually keep it to a minimum, if it's sensitive content, I use spoilers.

Regardless of this, if people are willing to listen, I can safely say...
Thinks don't seem to add up entirely.
That is a good thing, due to a severe case of Timeskip, I have several questions. These questions can only be answered if we investigate.
One of these questions is what happened to Arc, or other agents. Whatever happened to those who were never found?

>>3898577
I support this anon, since having Izumi be the one to make the calls will make this mission VERY interresting. Mostly because it throws the question "What is a demon" at our favourit demon hunter.


Concluding, I think it's not bad to have meta knowledge, and share it, for as long as you don't try and base your actions off of them. Arguments, yes, you can freely discuss things as you want. But applying your knowledge to sway the votes in a certain direction, without having any backing to your decision? Not that good.
>>
>>3899590
Well I think we should get the Organization to figure out who's controlling the cameras then, since they said they had control of all that stuff.
>>
>>3899599
And after having been asked about it, also stated that they weren't compromised either. Seems someone didn't check their systems in a while then. Or were wrong. Only question is if deliberatly or just plain stupidity.
Nothing too suspect as of yet, but it does raise an eyebrow.
>>
>>3899590
>Concluding, I think it's not bad to have meta knowledge, and share it,
Na man, keep that outta here. Half of this job is investigative work. If we were supposed to just go kill the fallen MG, someone in-world would have discovered enough to point us at her before we got the job.
If anons can't help themselves, at least do us the favor of keeping meta stuff in spoiler tags.
>>
>>3899599
They should take a look, but I assume their 'control' means someone else (like the police) own the cameras and the client has piggyback access. Depending on their level of access, they might be able to access logs and the like.
>>
>>3899656
I agree with that, spoiler tags exist for a reason.

Regardless, for wanting to crush the Organisation, Junko and Co did a pretty shit job the last 5 years.
>>
>>3899656
> Half of this job is investigative work.
And we're speculating based on outdated information that we can't use anyways because the characters don't know about it IC I don't see any problem there.

>>3899665
You can't kill someone who doesn't want to be seen.
>>
>>3899671
>>3899665
Speaking of which, any other suggestions for questions to ask?
>>
>>3899760
> "Yeah, I mean...I guess I know a few people here and there. Me and the guys learn about a lot in the city. We're pretty tight-knit!"

We could ask something about our targets of interrest maybe. Perhaps the mansion, and what they know about it, from hearsay maybe. Overall, I'm not sure what else they might know, but overall, maybe just some questions about the city itself? Like... about the time before things were under this blanket of demotivational energy.
>>
>>3899760
Not really. Anything too specific like what >>3899787 proposes wont yield many results, i mean, do you, common, random person know anything about your local rich people?

>Like... about the time before things were under this blanket of demotivational energy
This might be better, but i don't know what kind of relevant infornation we'll get from that.
>>
>>3899913
Yeah, I'm just spitballing really. These are just some punks, they probably don't know alot, but we might get lucky. Just need a good way to ask.
We could ask questions about Yuu, since she's a MMA fighter, they might know something.
Or weird rumors, honestly. My idea was asking about the mansion, since that in Revenge Quest there was always rumors about it.
>>
>>3899945
>We could ask questions about Yuu, since she's a MMA fighter, they might know something.
Hmm, i think we'll have more luck with that question. Yuu is a rebel and so are these dude. Some of them might fancy her.

>My idea was asking about the mansion, since that in Revenge Quest there was always rumors about it
We could try to make a surveillance perimeter around it, after all, that place was ground zero for a magical girl fight and okada kept quiet. At the very least that should give us more insight regarding what he's doing or hiding.
>>
>>3898996
That guy >>3899008
>>
So, strange things and the past? Writing.
>>
A little note too but Junko/Mari has a gun that fires blizzard type magic. It was from a previous owner Yuuki who is a dual wielding pistols which could be combined into shotgun. If we ever face Mari/Junko they may use it as an emergency weapon/surprise weapon.
>>
Leaning in a bit, you mentally rifle through some possible asks. You need something that he might’ve heard here or there, and not too pointed. But what would be the best thing to ask? Quick review; city is despair-filled, many people downhearted or otherwise negative in personality. Notably had a mansion that was the site of a big fight that was covered up. A lot of strange disappearances and murders since. Overall kinda gives off a real big ‘horror’ vibe, if you had to say anything about it.

Wait…! That’s it! “Sooo…” you lead in, batting your eyelashes. “Seriously, thanks so much for helping us out of the night back there. We WERE getting a lil’ scared…” not really, but whatever. “I can’t imagine there’s anywhere spookier than an empty road at night, can you?”

He scoffs a bit at that. “Nah, there’s some weird places around here. Don’t wanna go into the slums, ever.”

“Ugh, the big mansion on the north end of town, either,” the second guy, who’d just gotten back from singing (rather poorly) chimes in. “With as rich a guy as Yoshinobu Okada living there, you’d think it’d be less freaky, but there’s always rumors going around. They say someone was killed there, even.”

“I heard that there’s a basement, and a cult used to hold meetings there,” Izumi’s unwanted paramour speaks up.

“There’s an old apartment building that’s gonna be torn down soon on the west side, too,” your guy mentions. “Some really nasty things happened there a few years ago, some families died. No one wanted to take the place over, so now they’re destroying it. Some of the braver kids from class like to go and sneak inside to take pictures.”

That seems to catch Izumi’s attention. “Does anything happen to them? That seems risky!”

He just laughs it off, though. “Naw. Some of them say they hear a ghost telling them to ‘geeeettt oouuuuttt!’ he laughs, “But that’s just their imagination or they’re liars. Nothin’s ever happened to anyone; probably because they always run away!” More laughter, although yours is a bit muted as you consider the new info.

“Awww…” you pretend to sympathize. “Well, at least you guys are doing alright? You were hanging out at that bar a while ago…”

“Aw, nothin’ much,” he dismisses, but you continue.

“Well, it’s good you’re still going out! If there aren’t as many people going out, it’d be bad for a lot of businesses. They should treat us really well tonight, shouldn’t they?”

“You’re not wrong,” the second guy admits. “Doesn’t really seem like a lot of places are doing too hot. It’s enough for some, but other places are close to closing down and nothin’s coming up to replace ‘em. Kinda sucks.”

(cont.)
>>
>>3900399
“Yeah, the old music store I used to go to is shutting down in a week,” the third guy grumbles. “I dunno where I’m gonna get classic stuff now…”

“Well, is there ANYWHERE that’s doing okay?” you ask incredulously.

“Oh, yeah,” he confirms. “But nothin’ new right now. Think people are just too afraid to try anything new right now.” Hm...nothing? Well, that makes sense.

“Well, hope things change. I could use something new! I wouldn’t mind some excitement, y’know?” you wink at him.

Fortunately, he grins. “Nah, I understand. But...too risky, y’know?”

“Well, you’re girls, so…” he trails off, and both you and Izumi look square at him, causing him to squirm momentarily. “...I mean, I heard stuff at school. Some girls got some kinda occult club thing goin’ on. Real secret, no clue where they go. A buncha girls vanish every Friday afternoon for a while, though.”

Well, that’s some info to digest…

The rest of the ‘outing’ doesn’t last for much longer than that; they seem to try to convince you both to go to a love hotel, but you’re rather quick to dismiss that possibility; instead you let them escort you to the nearest train station before they head back themselves.

“What do you think?” you ask Izumi once you both are sure you’re alone; it’s quiet tonight, and no one’s nearby.

“Very concerning,” is her immediate response. “We need to find a way to infiltrate that school they mentioned- or at least identify a schoolgirl and track her. Unauthorized and unsupervised club activities are worrisome.” Thoughtfully, she turns to you. “What do you think? Out of everything they mentioned, what stuck out to you the MOST?”

> “Gotta agree; weird private girls’ nights out? Definitely suspect.”
> “That mansion seems like a fun stake out time! I mean, not really, but...”
> “The apartment complex is soundin' simple, but suspect. Might as well take a peek.”
> Other
>>
>>3900401
> “Gotta agree; weird private girls’ nights out? Definitely suspect.”
> “The apartment complex is soundin' simple, but suspect. Might as well take a peek.”
>>
>>3900401
>> “Gotta agree; weird private girls’ nights out? Definitely suspect.”
We could send Miranda to the apartment, but I do think it is a bad idea.
>>
All I got for tonight, sorry. I'm exhausted and need to turn in early.
>>
>>3900401
>> “The apartment complex is soundin' simple, but suspect. Might as well take a peek.”
>>
>>3900401
> “Gotta agree; weird private girls’ nights out? Definitely suspect.”
> “The apartment complex is soundin' simple, but suspect. Might as well take a peek.”
>>
>>3900404
>>3900411
>what stuck out to you the MOST?”
implies singular.
>>
>>3900401
>Lori should go to the apartment complex while Izumi should try to infiltrate the school. Miranda will stand by and move out in case of reinforcement.

I think that apartment complex is the one Junko first moved in on the first thread. That's in the slums.
>>
>>3900426
The girls already said(and agreed) that splitting up is a bad idea, we should stick to that.

>>3900401
> “Gotta agree; weird private girls’ nights out? Definitely suspect.”
> “That mansion seems like a fun stake out time! I mean, not really, but...”
>>
>>3900401

> “Gotta agree; weird private girls’ nights out? Definitely suspect.”
> “That mansion seems like a fun stake out time! I mean, not really, but...”
> “The apartment complex is soundin' simple, but suspect. Might as well take a peek.”

What a coincidence, we have three people.

Lori has the tourist angle, and has made contact with the TV mom. We can probs get her a cover identity made up to get closer to the mansion, they must have industry parties - charity events and such. Make her a rich dilettente "investor" who can hook TV mom up with a tour season doing foreign booze maybe?

Izumi can get into the school as the girls gym teacher, also makes a possible in-road to coaching women's MMA.

Randa gets to go check out the abandoned building because she is not good with subterfuge but is GREAT at capture and subdue. She can kill any targets or kidnap any witnesses if things are going down.
>>
>>3900401
>“Gotta agree; weird private girls’ nights out? Definitely suspect.”
>>
>>3900430
Splitting up is a great idea. Miranda and Lori can act as overwatch during Izumi tracking the schoolgirls during school hours, and with Izumi for Lori during Bar hours.

And Miranda can look into the apartment complex.

It's way easier to investigate separately so that it doesn't seem like these three people are all looking into places together, but that they're unconnected events.
>>
>>3900430
Also, if something goes wrong they only make one person as investigating instead of all three people.
>>
>>3900477
>>3900476
We're already got told IC that splitting is risky.
>>3895490
>“The question is, how do we go about using this information, and what’s the best lead?” Izumi considers over the phone. “I don’t know about you, but splitting us up all apiece strikes me as risky. I think it might be best to go about focusing on one or two leads…but as for the best way to go about that…”
>>
>>3900472
>>3900476
see
>>3900417
take the hint anons.
>>
>>3900480
That's why I said we would have the other two on overwatch.
>>
>>3900483
>>3900480
It would take some time to get an identity for Lorelei set up also, as well as getting her in a position to be invited to the mansion.

We get Izumi into school to try and narrow down the issue with the club while that's getting set up.

And Miranda can stake out the apartment with Gartoum.
>>
Just a thought but this is the first time I saw the thread title changed. Naturally when crossover quest like this happens like in articifier or Starborn. But here it didn't change. Probably because the premise of revenge was already done?
>>
>>3900656
Yeah. In addition, it's not really a real crossover, since it's just MGH in charge of things.
>>
>>3900656
Its only a crossover in a technical sense that we're invading another QM's universe.
>>
>>3900670
>>3900757
Understandable. But yeah, I can't help but see the girls being worse on the day Junko killed Sachiko. I don't really know what kind of things they have done in 5 years but holy shit they turned into worse.

Do we encounter Arc in this city? What about Rei? Yuu's parents? Last I heard, Kanna is the only one in the group that is uncorrupted. I should say we should look for her and see if she is being influenced very badly and see if we could snap her out of it.
>>
>>3900833
> I don't really know what kind of things they have done in 5 years but holy shit they turned into worse.
I don't think we have a clear date for when this is happening, but probably the epilogue isn't canon.

> I should say we should look for her and see if she is being influenced very badly and see if we could snap her out of it.
That was the idea, but with rei.
>>
>>3900401
> “Gotta agree; weird private girls’ nights out? Definitely suspect.”
Everyone knows school girls don't have any afterschool extracurricular activities
>>
>>3900960
Yes there is Anon.......do you want to join?
>>
>>3900988
Do I have to make a contract?/人 人\
>>
>>3901299
well that copypaste could have gone better
>>
Okay, think today's good. Run will resume in about an hour. Maybe less.
>>
>>3900401
You shrug, you can’t say you can see anything other than the obvious. “Gotta agree; weird girls’ nights out? Definitely suspect. How much you wanna bet no one knows where they go?”

“Or more likely there’s some kind of alibi in place. We’ll need to figure out how to track them.” It’s hard to think about, considering that there’s already someone out there that could throw a wrench into things, not to mention seeing if they’re monitored on the way… “We should see if anything else’s been found out once we get back.”

You find yourself agreeing once again, and the ride back is silent as you both consider your options.

“Welcome back,” Miranda says as you both slip in- while there might not be any cameras in the vicinity, you don’t want to risk anything by being slow. “Debrief me?”

You do so, and Miranda frowns, closing her eyes in recollection as she takes in the information. Izumi’s first to speak after you, though. “Ultimately, I think it’s better to track the girls, see what might be happening. If they’re being manipulated by this malevolent force, we need to snap them out of it.”

“Fair enough,” Miranda says, sighing. She’s always been such a sourpuss, even if her heart’s in the right place. You’ve long gotten used to it, though- she’s one of those people that shows her love in actions better than words. “Any ideas for how to do it, though? I mean, we could do the old ‘new student’ trick, but I don’t know how well it would go off. We’d need to find a way to track them, regardless. I’m willing to bet there’s a Pied Piper effect going on here, myself.” She sighs. “Never been one for stealth, though, so all I can come up with besides that is ‘ear to the ground, pinpoint someone people know is heading off at night, tail them, hope for the best.’ If anyone else has better ideas, go for it.” She lays back on her cot, hands behind her head as she considers the situation. She’s gotta be crazy bored right now…

> “Sometimes, the obvious answer’s the best one. We’ll do a bit of skulkin’ near around campus, try to find anyone we can put a tail on. See if we can’t learn anything in advance.”
> “Nah, don’t even need the middle-man. Just follow the gaggle of girls out that day goin’ in a weird direction and there you go!”
> “Hmmm...maybe we COULD do a ‘New Student’ play...with a twist. Either of you know what a Kansas City Shuffle is?”
>Other
>>
>>3903192
> “Hmmm...maybe we COULD do a ‘New Student’ play...with a twist. Either of you know what a Kansas City Shuffle is?”
By far our least problematic choice.
Just one of us though, we don't qant to show our full deck.
>>
>>3903192
> “Hmmm...maybe we COULD do a ‘New Student’ play...with a twist. Either of you know what a Kansas City Shuffle is?”

Lorelei can possess people right?
>>
>>3903192
>> “Hmmm...maybe we COULD do a ‘New Student’ play...with a twist. Either of you know what a Kansas City Shuffle is?”
>>
Gettin' tricky with it.

Writing.
>>
>>3903192
>>3903200
>>3903205
>>3903208
You rack your brain for a bit, considering the situation...trying to follow them outright is risky; getting caught, regardless of if there’s something there or not; and if there is, you’d suspect they’d realize someone was spying quickly. No, you need a way that makes sure you’re expected, but not considered a threat…

And that’s when it hits you. “Hmmm...maybe we COULD do a ‘New Student’ play...with a twist.” You give a grin to the both of them. “Either of you know what a Kansas City Shuffle is?”

“The con game, you mean?” Izumi asks. Wow, you kinda wasn’t expecting her to pipe up, but then again, experience… “You make someone think they’ve figured out they caught you trying a trick, but in reality the trick isn’t the trick they think it is, correct?”

“Bingo,” you announce. “Chances are, IF this has anything to do with the schoolgirls going off in secret, then whoever’s orchestrating this will think one of two things with a new kid. One, that they’re JUST a new kid and they have a new recruit. Two, that they’re worth keeping an eye on in case something funny’s going on. Point is, doesn’t matter which it is. They let us do our thing, we find them out, I pass on the info to you guys, we move forward. They try to confront whoever the frontgirl is, they just out themselves FASTER. And even if it’s got absolutely nothing to do with the situation, then it’s an in and a source of gossip.”

“Hmm…” Izumi considers it for a moment, thinking about it. “Well...I still have concerns over the risk, but I suppose it comes with the job. And being so close would allow us to protect them better, at least...so then? I guess I’ll be going undercover, so to speak?”

“Aaaaactually,” you raise a finger. “I could see any of us happening.”

Both Izumi and Miranda look at you incredulously at that- Miranda in particular. “Uhhh...I appreciate you not noticing in particular..,” she says slowly, “but I have a particularly...unique...look around these parts. I’m not sure anyone would buy me showing up in a Japanese classroom like that. Not to mention if anyone in there IS magic, then I’m gonna be kinda obvious.”

“They would if you said you were here on an immersion program. Betcha our clients could fix something up,” you respond. It wasn’t impossible, for sure. You got the sense that this Organization had some serious reach. “Besides, like I said, if anyone's suspicious? Still works! ‘Course, you don’t HAVETA. You’d stand out, sure, but I think that could work in our favor, depending on how things fly and how paranoid they are. Still, I could go in under the same excuse, or Izumi could just get some papers set up about how she’s a transfer. That’d be easiest, honestly, but they also might just ignore her ‘cause she’s so normal.” Oh, wait, was that an insult? “No offense!”

“None taken.” Phew! “At any rate…if you want to know what I think of that, well…if one of us is going, then I think it should be...”

>Izumi
>Lorelei
>Miranda
>>
>>3903278
>Izumi
No questions, she can do this. Also this is an Izumi quest.
>>
>>3903278
>Izumi
I want to vote for Miranda for laughs buuuut
>>
>>3903278
>Izumi
>>
>>3903278
>Izumi
>>
>>3903286
>ID is cakes weapon of mass destruction
Confirm cakes are weakness for our enemies
>>
>>3903332
Maybe the force of Despair has been luring in initiates with premium baking goods?
>>
>>3903278
>Miranda
>>
Pretty one-sided. Writing.
>>
>>3903339
>Premium baking goods
>Rei is a baker
>Baker
OH NO WE MUST SAVE THE CHILDREN!!
>>
>>3903278
>>3903284
>>3903286
>>3903300
>>3903310

“...myself,” she responds, and thought you sigh (you’d really wanted to do some foriegn schoolgirl cliches), you have to agree that she’s the most logical and least troublesome choice. She simply needed a place to ‘stay’ and an alibi; and you suspect both wouldn’t be hard to get for at least a temporary basis. “I’ll be able to blend in, as was inferred, but I think if I needed to stand out enough to gain their attention.”

“Fair enough,” you say as you lean back. “So us two are gonna keep a long range eye on ya, then?”

She nods, and you turn to Miranda, who’s already pulling up information. “Alright...so, according to this, your newest educational institution will be...Okina Kibo High School. Ha, cute. Gonna want to send in a request for that; I get the feeling it’ll take a couple days at least to get everything settled. We’ll be able to get some work done in the meantime. For now, though, we should probably hit the hay. The Bishop’s event is in two days, right? I suggest we keep low until then. Can’t think we’d want any more shadow fights...”

“Right. Best to be careful,” Izumi agrees. Blah, boring. “Will you be nearby, Lorelei?” Honestly, you hadn’t really thought on it, so all she gets out of you is a shrug and a ‘maybe’, before you all bed down. Hopefully, seeing and grilling Bishop will help with figuring out part of this mystery…

>Stick with Lorelei (will be present at the event).
>Switch to Izumi.
>Switch to Miranda.
>>
>>3903447
>Switch to Izumi.
It's her mission after all
>>
>>3903447
>Izumi
Izumi quest. Also in all Handler quest, Izumi has the least screentime of all three.
>>
>>3903447
>Switch to Izumi.
How long has it been since the last Izumi POV?
>>
>>3903447
>Switch to Izumi.
While they're laying low, they better stalk the conspiracy theory forums, shitpost on 2ch and search the dark web. Maybe we can get something out of it.
>>
>>3903474
Let's go look for /x/ in 2ch and shit post a lot
>>
>>3903447
>>Switch to Izumi.
Time to shine Izumi.
>>
>>3903447
>>3903456
>>3903462
>>3903465
>>3903474
>>3903500

The sun doesn’t look right. Stepping out, that’s the first thing you notice. Everything’s got a film of grey on it, you swear. Although it’s doubtful that anyone not magically inclined can notice... as you check the location. Looking down at the address on your smartphone, you’re quick to confirm it- it’s the right mall. Now, you just need to find the location itself. Apparently it’s just ‘near the food court’ or something...

Fortunately, it’s not that hard to find; there’s signs along the way that easily guide you. That, honestly, and you can hear her from here; seems like her voice carries. “...and that’s what it’s all about! Fear! It’s fear that they want from you, and it’s fear that they have of you!” Oh? Is that her? “They’ll just try to tear you apart, shred you up just to satiate it! You can’t stand for it!”

When you reach the area; a large court area right before the food court as said you’re kind of surprised. You weren’t expecting such a turnout, but you anticipate at least a hundred individuals there, many with supportive signs and hanging onto her every word. Admittedly, she’s not talking like you expected someone to talk about these topics, although it’s not entirely unwarranted. “You need...to shred them first!” Cheers and claps go up, as you finally get a look at this woman.

The first thing you notice is that she’s got blondish hair, which is surprising in itself; then again, the name...eh, whatever. The next obvious thing is her face...or rather, what little you can see of it. Why? Because it’s largely covered in a black, butterfly shaped mask, leaving only her piercing violet eyes properly exposed to the crowd; she’s got a feverish look in them, and she paces the small stage that’s been set up, to a backdrop of pictures and posters of herself in various places, signs that say things like ‘The dragon is you, don’t be afraid!’ and ‘Power! Use it to stop your aggressors!’ It’s...it’s certainly not someone like you expected; perhaps weaker of body but strong in spirit, no. She reminds you of a hawk, or perhaps a beast; caged and roaring, waiting to get out. Even the young lady on the side of the stage seems nervous; black haired, with glasses and a nice pantsuit. It’s clear she’s there for security; that might be the Kanna Rikudo girl.

(cont.)
>>
>>3903596
Then, as she turns, Marie makes eye contact briefly with you during her speech, and she freezes- for just a second. It’s enough to quicken your heart, send that all too familiar rush of battle running through your mind...but in the next, she’s recovered, continuing her spiel about her ‘aggressive measures’ should anyone try to kidnap you or your loved ones, how to spot them, how to deal with them ‘in a preventative manner.’ “Would a tiger simply stand by and watch as their cubs are approached dangerously? NO! They lash out with their claws and strike down anything that threatens them! And so should you!” While understandable to a degree, the nonchalance of how she explains it all- not to mention the brutality- sends a shiver down your spine, but more than that.

Her posture. Her language. Considering how she got this way is...utterly sad. But! Perhaps there’s yet room for doubt. You’ll just have to wait. Wait through all this rhetoric and hope for the best…

>Roll 2d20, best of three.
>>
Rolled 7, 18 = 25 (2d20)

>>3903598
They know.
>>
Rolled 19, 20 = 39 (2d20)

>>3903598
>>
Rolled 17, 10 = 27 (2d20)

>>3903598
>>
>>3903610
fucking flawless anon. Izumi is competent.
>>
>>3903610
Bless you man
>>
>>3903610
Know no fear, Paladin.
>>
Writing. Izumi is every bit as professional as Miranda. She's just nicer about it.
>>
>>3903647
Oh god maybe Marie would kidnap Izumi and make her a dress up doll?
>>
>>3903655
Puh lease, Izumi is every bit as dangerous as Miranda, kidnapping her is a surefire death sentence.
>>
>>3903598
>>3903610
Not that this is the first time you’ve come across a ranting or raving individual on the stage; far, FAR from it. But it’s still worrisome, especially when it’s someone like this who should’ve had a long, happy life without any such fears. It just...disquiets your soul that someone could be driven to this level of disdain.

Still, aside from that initial interaction, you don’t see her look back at you again; her speech, which to be frank just skirts outright calls for violence, ends after fifteen more minutes, and after a ‘thank you’ and a bow, she quickly walks off the stage, carefully watched by mall security- only to be stopped in her tracks by the girl in shades. And for a second- just a second. You can see her.

Her eyes practically flash, and as she turns around you’re honestly wondering if you might have to intervene as you can detect the tensing of her muscles, the work of her mouth as though she’s about to assault her own employee. But the girl in question simply tilts her glasses down briefly, and it’s almost like someone managed to slap some sense into the woman, who shakes her head and gives a long-suffering smile as the crowd tries to reach her to talk to her. But they’re all...too rushed, too manic.

You slip through the crowds, carefully, the jostling and quick movements hardly affecting you as you maneuver your way through the throng; she’s apparently having to go through a few small public thank-yous before she leaves; likely out of politeness. If what you saw in her eyes is any indication, she may not be the biggest fan of propriety, which is an honest shame. Still, before long, you’re at the forefront of everyone, still calm, still composed, and so when your eyes meet again, Marie looks at you askance, and the girl seems to shift in front of her in a slightly protective manner, though the quick glare she gives makes you wonder. And yet, you just smile. There’s a moment where it seems like both sides are waiting for the other to make the first move; where it’s you two focusing on each other to the exclusion of all else, background noise be damned...

>Tell her you will help her...if only emotionally. She needs it...
>Ask her why is she so angry and fierce? Is it really what she wants?
>Let her know that getting blind anger won’t fix anything.
>Other

(Done for tonight. Will run tomorrow.)
>>
>>3903710
>Ask her why is she so angry and fierce? Is it really what she wants?
Man Junko half ass reasons is biting her back.
>>
>>3903710
>Ask her why is she so angry and fierce? Is it really what she wants?
>>
By thd way, what's Miranda's alibi in case people find out that she's a MG? A spook who's investigating and recruiting Despair magic users?
>>
>>3903710
>Ask her why is she so angry and fierce? Is it really what she wants?
>>3903761
That, or a rich and bored westerner who's fascinated with the city's weirdness.
>>
>>3903761
Or we could be a disgruntled MG who is looking for revenge. And she is now searching for allies.
>>
>>3903710
>>Ask her why is she so angry and fierce? Is it really what she wants?
>>3903761
An MG that wants the thrill of the fight in an overrun city.
>>
>>3903797
Not looking for revenge. We're looking for a way to retur to our original universe, because the BBEG was afraid of us and expelled us from it.
The best lies are always the ones that you don't have to lie.
>>
>>3904649
That's practically the same. Because when we return to our "world" we would kill the BBEG who thrown us out from this world in the first place. But then again this is just an alibi so....
>>
Okay, think I fixed my internet problem! Writing shortly!
>>
>>3903710
>>3903725
>>3903738
>>3903780
>>3904016
You doubt she can hear you, but the way she focuses makes you believe she understands regardless, as you ask the question burning at the forefront of your mind. “Why are you so angry?” Her face widens almost imperceptibly- as you thought, she can understand your lips, regardless of lack of sound. “Is this really what you want?”

There’s a brief moment of shock...before her lips stretch into a small, toothy grin. That feeling of tension hits you again, like there’s about to be a fight, and almost by instinct your throw your sense open to gauge her threat.

And what you sense worries you. She doesn’t smell as nice as you expected. No, no, she smells like...like rotten food. Like something that’s been out in the sun too long; it might’ve once been delicious, wholesome even, but now it’s just something that’ll...that’ll hurt you.

It all happens in a second, and in that time she just nods once, smile still on her face, and prompted quickly by the girl, walks away as a number of fans start to converge on you, asking questions that you can’t make out- did they think you know her or something? It’s not long before you manage to convince them to leave you be and that you were just a random fan, at least, and you’re out of the crowd not long after her, despite the persistence of some of the remaining fans.

You jog out of the mall, frowning as you consider the situation. Great. Now what are you going to do? If nothing else, you’ve identified her scent…

Wait. You have, and...you think she’s still around. Not too far away, either; and not moving...hm.

>You need to follow her. That kind of scent isn’t good, and you won’t get intel like this easily.
>You need to contact Miranda and Lorelei. This will require planning, not rash action.
>You need to approach her; she seemed to express interest in you. Caution is necessary, though.
>Other
>>
>>3905066
>You need to contact Miranda and Lorelei. This will require planning, not rash action.

They definitely know now. Let's not walk right into their traps. Judging by the smell, they can put up a fight.
>>
>>3905066
>You need to approach her; she seemed to express interest in you. Caution is necessary, though.
>Call Miranda only and Lorelei on standby

Let's try to talk. And if it's goes to shit try to lose them.
>>
>>3905066
>>You need to approach her; she seemed to express interest in you. Caution is necessary, though.
>>
>>3905066
>You need to approach her; she seemed to express interest in you. Caution is necessary, though.
>>
>>3905066
>>You need to contact Miranda and Lorelei. This will require planning, not rash action.
>>
>>3905066
>You need to approach her; she seemed to express interest in you. Caution is necessary, though.
>Call Miranda only and Lorelei on standby
Fuck, if there is a time to go loud might as well be now.
>>
>>3905066
>You need to approach her; she seemed to express interest in you. Caution is necessary, though.
>Call Miranda only and Lorelei on standby
You guys sure they won't do something to the bystanders once things get hot? Mind control them to block Izumi since she can't cut them down? I think starting shit on this site isn't wise.
>>
Seems like we're going to see what's going on there.

Writing.
>>
Hopefully we'll just exchange harsh words and disagreements, otherwise we have to make sure she attacks Izumi first and as much as possible Izumi should use less mana or force.
>>
>>3905066

You doubt that she’s waiting around for no reason- it’s all but a back alley situation; with the only difference being she’s waiting in the employee section of the parking lot, not an actual back alley. She’s likely expecting you; which means that if you don’t want her to get suspicious or angry, then the best thing would be to play along for now.

But if nothing else…you quickly dial up a certain person on your phone. “Yo?” Miranda says casually.

“Hey, so...I’ll be late coming by,” you say idly. Lorelei’s penchant for hidden language might have been odd, but it certainly had its uses. “I think it’s going to take me a bit longer to do my assignment than I thought.” If what she’d told you about how to word things was correct, then hopefully Miranda would know some of it, too…

“Oh? Need me to come over?” she asks. Sounds about right.

“No, but I’ll need your help to look over things.” Egh, you’re not sure if that’s as clear as you’d hoped…

“No problem; I’ll stay by the phone just to be safe, okay? If you need help, we can make it a study group.” Huh. Maybe Miranda knows more about this than you thought. “Let me know when you’re done. Talk to you later.” With that, you both end the call. Hopefully, she’s not just going to sit by the phone- you’d hope she’ll make sure to contact Lorelei and let her know the situation.

With that, you pocket the phone, take a breath, and head back towards the employee lot.

To your surprise (or maybe not, all things considered,) there’s no limo back there; but there IS a fairly nice four door sedan. The guard girl and Marie are there, leaning on the car itself as Marie talks to her a bit, gesturing quickly, but restrainedly. Well...it’s a bit improper, but in this case, it couldn’t hurt too much to get a bit of advance information…

“...she might be worthwhile, that’s all,” Marie’s voice comes in low and eager, a far cry from what she showed on stage. “She could TELL how hungry I was, I know it! All it’s going to take is a little check and we’ll have a new sister if she’s got any potential!”

“And if not?” the guard girl says quickly.

Marie shrugs. “We’ll find a use for her. We can always use someone with that kind of spirit.” Oh dear. This just keeps sounding worse for them…

“Hush up, she’s coming,” the girl says as she motions over Marie’s shoulder; the taller girl looks back with a toothy smile as she locks eyes with you- still with that mask on. Neither of you say anything as you walk up, and soon you’re face to face with her, her guard looking on carefully.

“So...you could tell that there’s something else there, couldn’t you?” Marie says cooly, her face never losing that smile. “I wonder if we might be similar in some ways…”

(cont.)
>>
>>3905187
“How?” you ask gently.

She chuckles at that. “Well, if you really want to know...how about you come with me?” She extends her hand. “One way or another, I promise you that you’ll find out everything you want to know. What do you think?”

Clearly some kind of trap; if not out of suspicion, then trying to induct you into whatever she was talking about earlier. You’re far less doubtful that Marie Okada- Yellow Bishop- is a player in whatever games are causing this city’s issues.

>Response?
>>
>>3905190
>“...she might be worthwhile, that’s all,” Marie’s voice comes in low and eager, a far cry from what she showed on stage. “She could TELL how hungry I was, I know it! All it’s going to take is a little check and we’ll have a new sister if she’s got any potential!”

>“And if not?” the guard girl says quickly.

>Marie shrugs. “We’ll find a use for her. We can always use someone with that kind of spirit.” Oh dear. This just keeps sounding worse for them…

Yeaaaah, if that's not a signal to fly then I don't know what is. I'll leave the planning to you guys.
>>
>>3905190
She'll either immediately go for a mindjack or try to talk us into her schemes, giving us the chance to infiltrate their inner circles.
I'll vote for playing along for now, provide that we somehow can ping Miranda and Lorelei without them noticing.
>>
>>3905190
She's extending her hands right?
>Don't shake her hand and nod.
>Okay, but I want to know where we would be going (hopefully Miranda hears it via phone)
>If she refused to give a location, refuse
>If she gives a location, accept but say that "you need to make it fast." Reason that we are a new student and we're just familiarizing the area and just stumbled on their rally.

Izumi Quest goooooooooo!!
>>
>>3905190
Play along. If anything we will be away from civilians when the fight breaks out.
>>
>>3905190
>>3905211
I'll support this. Izumi is going to look suspicious if she just accepted the offer right away. She should play as a confused school girl looking for a purpose or something.
>>
>>3905190
I switch from this >>3905213
To support these two >>3905211 and >>3905218
>>
>>3905218
Right? And with this, when she goes to school, she already has "stood out" enough for them to invite her to occult club.
>>
>>3905190
Supporting >>3905211
>>
>>3905190
>>3905211
Support
>>
>>3905190
this>>3905211
>>
O-okay...

Writing!
>>
>>3905190
>>3905211
>>3905218
>>3905224
>>3905233
>>3905237
>>3905238
“Uhh…” this kind of situation is...concerning. Always is. Not everyone reacts the same way to the same response, so you need to be prepared, ideally, and hope for the best. And for this girl...well, you need to STALL, you think. Especially considering her little ‘test’, no doubt. “I’m, uh...I would!” you nod in confirmation, though you make sure to not take her hand just yet- not retracting your hand, but not leaning towards it either; either way would send the wrong message. “I just...where are we going?”

“To a friend’s place,” she responds as she motions with her hand again. “Not far, just a bit uptown, but I hate paparazzi, so I don’t want to say where exactly just yet. Don’t worry; if you need to get home, I won’t keep you long. I’ll even have Kanna here drive you.”

“Wait, what?!” Kanna says in surprise as she looks towards her boss.

Still. That doesn’t say much… “Well, I’m just worried; I’m only going to be transferring soon, and I’m still trying to learn my way around and all…I kinda just stumbled on your rally, so...”

“All the more reason!” she says quickly; though you notice a small twitch in her hand, which is still extended, and she takes a step closer as she says it. The girl behind her starts to move a hand towards her shoulder, but seems to think better of it, hesitating.

You’d better answer quick just to be safe about it.

>Agree
>Disagree
>>
>>3905279
Why is everyone scared of choosing of these two choices? But fuck it!

>Accept
>Other
>Don't shake hands

I don't want to be corrupted man.
>>
>>3905279
>Agree
>>
>>3905279
>Disagree
Don't shake hands with people who smell like a dumpster, guys, regardless of their power level.
>>
>>3905279
>Agree
>Don't shake hands
>>
>>3905279
>Agree
>Don't shake her smelly hand
>>
>>3905279
>Agree
>Other
Tap out a bit to phone Miranda, if they ask say it's for our parents.
>>
>>3905310
No parents, she's boarding alone. Remember Miranda is 16 years old physically.
>>
Alright, I'm gonna need a roll from you all.

>Roll 1d20+-2, best of three.

(It's -2, but I'm trying to make it easier on people because of that stupid way to input. I hope this works.
>>
Rolled 7, 8 - 2 = 13 (2d20 - 2)

>>3905326
>>
Rolled 3 - 2 (1d20 - 2)

>>3905326
>>
Rolled 18 - 2 (1d20 - 2)

>>3905326
Aww fuck it's d1. Rerolling.
>>
Rolled 13 - 2 (1d20 - 2)

>>3905326
>>
Rolled 15 - 2 (1d20 - 2)

>>3905326
>>
>>3905336
>>3905344
>>3905345
Thank me later guys. Good thing I threw out my bad rng.
>>
>>3905336
Imagine getting unnatural 1
>>
16. Not bad.

Seems her willpower holds. For now.

Writing.
>>
>>3905354
Seems we have to lend Izumi our clip after this encounter.
>>
>>3905358
We're definitely briefing the team on the clip and the Seither crystals after this. We're holding it back for far too long, should have been done like right at the start.
>>
>>3905365
Yeah, I think we'll need an HQ meeting after this mission. There's enough motes to buy Hangar, see the new bot, introduce Gartoum (it's been almost a year IRL), talk with Prima and Jago about magic tutor and android bodies and get all the HQ rewards that piled up.
>>
Did we resist a possible mind breaking power?
>>
>>3905377
We did, and thanks to that we now know that our targets have mind powers - really crucial.
>>
>>3905358
that won't be fixed by a clip.

>>3905370
good luck with that.
>>
>>3905380
But we didn't shake her hands since there was a vote not to shake.
>>
>>3905380
They know we resisted, time to go loud.
>>
>>3905279
“Alright,” you say as you duck past her, looking at the car. “We just get in here, right?” Glancing in the window’s reflection, you can see her eyes contract and her hand shakes briefly- and for a moment you see SOMETHING in the distorted reflection coalesce in her hand. You think you’d messed up for a moment, but Kanna quickly puts her hand on Marie’s shoulder and whispers into her ear; whatever she says, it calms her down enough for it to dissipate quickly.

“...yes.” she says with a slight grind to her voice- you’d just barely gotten away with that snub, seems like. You’ll have to be careful how you interact with her from here on if you don’t want her to lose it…

The ride is...tense, to say the least. Kanna is driving, and Marie is in the back next to you. From what you can tell, she seems eager, or at least impatient, judging by how her head is constantly looking everywhere. Kanna seems to have pushed up her own glasses, although you can’t see much more than that about her. “Sorry about her insistence,” the girl suddenly speaks up, startling both you and Marie. “But we think it’ll be good for you! Just trust us for now, won’t you?”

“She’s right,” Marie says, her demeanor shifting as she crosses her legs. “This’ll be great, don’t worry!” Their words don’t really reassure you, though…

There’s a small tunnel the car passes through, plunging the car into near total darkness. An involuntary shudder runs through you as only the car’s high beams provide any real illumination for a precious few seconds. You swear you heard movement and felt...something... but the tunnel ends and you can just see Marie settling back into a perfectly calm position.

You don’t know why she’s so insistent on touching you, but it can’t be good.

(Cont.)
>>
>>3905429
However, you find yourself in what’s clearly a very upscale area, and yet it seems more sparse. The houses have proper yards, and you get the feeling these are suburbs of a sort. Eventually, you find yourself pulling into the driveway of a house; traditional Japanese, it seems. It’s got a rather high fence in the backyard, too. You’re not sure what’s going on, but you’re going to have to tread lightly.

As you park, you resolve to memorize the place, and as much of the directions as possible. There weren’t many turns, at least, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to remember…

“We’re here,” Kanna says simply as she gets out. Marie, too, and you get out on the opposite side. The three of you walk up, not to the door, but to the gate separating off the backyard. Kanna easily unlocks it, and they both gesture you inside. “After you.”

You eye them both carefully, but you step in anyway. There’s way too many alarm bells going off in your head right now, and even you can’t argue against the idea of fighting your way out of whatever situation this is…

The door is locked, and you turn back swiftly at the sound. The two of them look at you oddly...and then giggle. “Oh, don’t worry. We’re not going to hurt you. But we do have a question.” And here Marie grins. “Tell me, do you know about magic?"

> Deny your head off. "W-what? Magic? I thought that was just myth, why?"
> They're likely suspicious...you may have to play pretend a bit. "A little, I guess...but how'd you know?"
> If you want to get in good with them, maybe you can play to their hopes... "Wait, how'd you figure out I was magical? A-are you?!"
>Other

(done for the night.)
>>
>>3905433
>They're likely suspicious...you may have to play pretend a bit. "A little, I guess...but how'd you know?"
>Other
>I mean magics like illusion or magic tricks and sleight of hands right?
>>
>>3905433
>Other
>Definitely! I know a few tricks myself, like pulling an ace out of a random deck and making water disappear.
>>
>>3905433
>> They're likely suspicious...you may have to play pretend a bit. "A little, I guess...but how'd you know?"
>>
>>3905433
>> They're likely suspicious...you may have to play pretend a bit. "A little, I guess...but how'd you know?"

>>3905442
>>3905439
Guys they know we are more aware of the city's nature. Dodging too much will raise too much suspicion.
>>
>>3905433
> They're likely suspicious...you may have to play pretend a bit. "A little, I guess...but how'd you know?"
>>
>>3905446
no they don't. they are betting on it, though.
>>
>>3905446
But this would be a good chance to get some energy hope and despair exposition. Then we can report it to Miranda and Lori so we can refine and use it reflexively. Also the energy replenished is not showing. Probably because of despair coating the city but if we can find something about energy explanation in this world, we can make some good idea when we dish out and how powerful our attacks is. You don't really want to nebula buster when you are a despair type energy to a despair type target right? It could either heal or just absorb them.
>>
>>3905497
but our magic doesn't work like that. it doesn't transform itself into something that fits the universe. the oposite can happen, where we benefit from the ambient mana, but given that despair and hope energy are the same; hope energy its only the refined output of a shitload of despair energy it shouldn't matter.
>>
>>3905433
>They're likely suspicious...you may have to play pretend a bit. "A little, I guess...but how'd you know?"
>>
Frankly I'm just wondering how we're going to get out of this without a fight. Marie seems like she's spoiling for one. Was she this bloodthirsty before?
>>
>>3905690
She is now. I dunno what she was like before, but spending 5+ years in this city while being less than mentally stable originally was and is always a bad idea.
>>
>>3905690
Marie has control problems. That's why she is with Junko everytime. She doesn't have any hope left in her body not unlike Junko. If it's all according to Corruptor's lore that shadows are always acting based on their instinct. So Marie is kinda similar to a crack addict but magically. It's also a fusion of her yandere self (shadow) and her former self which is not that great in the first place. Probably 5 years later that she isn't acting as Marie but Bloody Mary.
>>
>>3905503
It's the other way around despair is the unfiltered filth that is mucking the pure energy and if refined and repelled would be made into hope energy. Although the amount would be so little to none due to the corruptive nature thus finding a hope essence is very very rare.

Food for thought: what would be the odds of finding a hope essence than winning the lottery in this world?
>>
>>3905753
eh, i think we said the same thing.
Hmm, narratively speaking, the odds are high. IC... well, that's another matter. Although Yuu's bag is better than the hope essence; we would finally have a place to deposit all our crap and get something useful in return.
>>
>>3905699
>>3905698
I dont think that the 5 years have passed, otherwise our high school pseudo-costume wouldn't have worked.
>>
A thought occured to me...

Pretty unrelated mind you, just in regards to being summoned for a job.
Think any of our girls pulled a 'I was winning' on the client? The classic being busy with something else and then being forced into the job? Seems like a Lorelei thing to do, but really, justna stupid thought.
>>
>>3905850
Can you explain it clearly to a retarded autistic man like me with low reading comprehension?
>>
>>3905855
I believe >>3905850 was describing a scenario like this:

someone summons an outgoer, like through a magic ritual.
outgoer teleports in
outgoer says something like "hey, I'm a magical creature bound to respond to summons, and this time that forced me to let my sworn enemy get away. you have to pay extra, or I'm going back!"


I could see outgoers doing that, when the client is desperate, but they'd need to know how summoning an outgoer has been explained to the client.
>>
>>3905690
>>3905698
If that's the case, I wonder how bad the others have gotten...
>>
>>3905690
Marie was always like this. Remember that she used to go out without telling junko for the sole purpose of killing. Then junko talked with her and she "stopped", but it seems like she really hasn't.
>>
>>3905866
Sobered up a little, and I was talking about a scenario where the outgoer pretends they were busy with something else.
The classic one is always "Winning at gambeling", where they got a full house, and are then suprised to find themselves in the job, and not at the tournament they ran.
Just minor stuff.
>>
Writing resumes shortly.
>>
>>3906437
Handler I think that Corruptor internet curse was passed on to you since you started this quest. I'm starting to think that this quest is cursed with internet issues.
>>
>>3906548
The curse seeks a new host. All is lost, we must purge Handler in fire. Only in ashes will he rise again.
>>
>>3905433
>>3905439
>>3905443
>>3905446
>>3905456
>>3905562
They're likely suspicious...you may have to play pretend a bit. "A little, I guess...but how'd you know?"

“Don’t you know?” Marie says toothily. “Magic calls to magic. There’s ways of telling. Plus, I’ve just got a feeling…” You’re not sure what to say to that… “Anyway, I wanted to maybe ask if you’d thought about just how much of your daily life is influenced by the stuff?”

“...more than I think?” You hedge.

“Ha! Yeah, a lot more. I don’t think you’re going to understand completely without me showing you, though…” And with that, she raises her hands; drawing one back like an archer… and a black, inky arrow coalesces around her hand; you can’t help but twitch your arm to the side; damnit, your sword is still in your ‘backpack’, but you can at least make a substitute...

If she notices, she doesn’t say so immediately; although from how Kanna twitched herself, she certainly did. “See this? This is magic. Real magic. It’s this that runs the world, one way or another. Take right now for example. This could probably kill you-” Doubtful. “-but I’m not, ‘cause I want you with me. With us. There’s a lot of people out there who’d just shoot you because they’re scared. Paranoid that whatever bits of power they got might get taken. But we know better. This kinda magic is better off in hands that are strong, but steady.” She lowers the arrow only slightly. “We have a network; and if you want, you can learn from the most powerful magical girl in the city- provided you say yes, of course.”

“And if I refuse?” you ask before you can even think about it.

To your surprise, she shrugs. “Well, we’ll have to keep an eye on you, of course. It’d be fun for me, but we wouldn’t kill you just because you said no. Only if you got in our way.” You mentally groan. Really should’ve seen this coming- of course they wouldn’t just let you walk without a plan B of some sort.

There’s a moment of quiet, before Kanna speaks up again. “I don’t think this is a good idea,” she says without elaboration.

(cont.)
>>
>>3906559

“Nah, it’s a great idea! I mean, she’s not REALLY going to try and fight her way out, is she?” Hm? There’s an odd look on her face… “I mean, sure, I might be impressed if she did, and maybe I’d let her go no strings attached if she put up a good enough fight, but does she really have the moxy? Can’t say I’m sure...” Ah. Of course.

Even Kanna just shakes her head at her. “I worry about you sometimes…”

You don’t like this at all. 2 on 1 in an enclosed area- and it IS 2 on 1, regardless of Kanna's bystander position. Worst comes to worst...well...you might be able to solve one of the problems here and now, distressing it may be. But you’re also concerned; with the other people of interest, and whoever else this network is made of...it’s still early. Do you want to risk putting them on high alert now- presuming you’re fortunate enough to even pull it off?

As much as you don’t want to, though, you can already feel yourself sliding slowly into your draw stance.

>Any words?
>>
>>3906548
>>3906556
Speak of the devil.
>>3906564
They're letting us go scot-free? More reasonable than I thought, unless they've managed to bug us without being noticed.

Give a hesitant "I'll think about it.". DO NOT immediately go back to our hideout, find some ways to detect scry/scouting spells first, they did say they'll keep an eye on us.
>>
>>3906564
That guy >>3906571
We have to stay in a separate hotel. We won't be able to help with the investigation now.
>>
>>3906564
>Give a hesitant "I'll think about it.". DO NOT immediately go back to our hideout, find some ways to detect scry/scouting spells first, they did say they'll keep an eye on us.
>>
>>3906564
>C-can I at least think about it? It's very sudden to be offered something that I don't know about. It would be fine also if you don't spy me though. It's very creepy. How about....

Anons how many days should we give Marie her answer? We can use this to bait the leader.
>>
>>3906576
Let's pretend to call our "parents" about our boarding house where we can go there and sleep for one night.
>>
>>3906580
i wanna say either tomorrow or the day after, of course, after getting rid of whatever bug they placed us.
>>
>>3906580
>>3906586
Tomorrow, and let them keep the bug. So they won't think we are experienced when dealing with magic.
>>
"I'll think about it. Give me a day or so?"

If so, okay then. Writing. Surprised me.
>>
>>3906612
Are your players being too competent a blessing or a curse?
>>
>>3906620
Paranoid
>>
>>3906624
I take that as a compliment.
>>
>>3906620
We take everything as a threat. If you want those motes you have to put in the work.
>>
>>3906564
>>3906571
>>3906576
>>3906578
>>3906580
>>3906586
>>3906603
You really DON’T want to fight here, though, and concerned though you might be...hm. Well, maybe you can use this to your advantage, actually. There WAS talk about getting you involved, and this might’ve just sped things up considerably.

Smoothing your moment out into, ironically enough, a jittery backstep to make you seem more frightened than you are, you affect your voice. “Uuh, c-can I think about it? For- for maybe a day or so?”

For a second, it seems like Marie is disappointed, but she lights up as the implication seems to hit home (and thus missed Kanna’s relieved expression). “Sure, sure! No problem! But we’re STILL gonna keep an eye on you, just in case...” She chuckles, and gestures to Kanna. “Go ahead and take her home, Kanna. I’ll stay here for now and get another ride.”

“Are you sure?” she asks. Getting a nod in return, the girl simply sighs, and beckons you to follow her, which you do.

You can sense Marie’s eyes following you until you’re out of sight. You’re not sure HOW they’re going to keep an eye on you, but you need to at the least report back to the girls somehow...you can't sense anything besides Kanna's power after a quick check.

Kanna speaks up just as you’re taking out your phone, however. “You’re new around here, right? Where am I dropping you off at, again? Are you in a hotel or somewhere else?” her voice is noticeably rougher than it was in Marie’s presence; not wild, but she’s clearly not enjoying being your chauffeur.

Well, it’s obvious you shouldn’t just say the docks, but where else…? You recall there’s a few hotels you could go to...maybe one of them will have to do. Or you might just get her to drop you back off near the mall; she doesn’t seem like she’d argue it much right now. There was a hotel near the eastern end of the city you recall checking out; it’d make sense for someone new. You’ll have to discreetly contact your friends, too. In the meantime, though…

>Try to talk to Kanna. (About what?)
>Keep silent and consider your options. (Skip to dropoff.)
>>
>>3906644
>Try to talk to Kanna
>Are you also one of them? With black magic type?

Fishing for more info.
>>
>>3906644
>Try to talk to Kanna.
>Are you also one of them? With black magic type?
>Why is everyone so aggressive?
>>
>>3906644
>Try to talk to Kanna
>Am I really worth to be noticed?
>>
>>3906644
>Try to talk to Kanna
>"are you a magic user too?"
>"is Marie always like that? What happened to her to make her so passionate about power? Is she always angry?"
>"What did Marie mean about some Network of magic users?"
Also she should drop us off on a hotel and better watch our backs for surveillance.
>>
"So, are you one of them, too? Just less violent?"

Writing.
>>
>>3906644
>>3906648
>>3906649
>>3906653
>>3906655
“So,” you venture as you hit a red light; she doesn’t really flinch, but her idle glance in the rearview indicates she’s at least paying attention. “Are you a magical girl, too?”

“Mhm,” she says easily. “Pretty strong, too. Kinda my thing.”

“Then...are you as, er…” How to put it politely…?

“Aggressive?” she finishes for you, thank goodness. “No, that’s just Marie. She’s been like that for a while, honestly. Don’t worry, though, she’s got enough restraint to not actually kill anyone we’re trying to recruit.” Hm. Then what about people they’re NOT trying to recruit? That doesn’t sound good… “We just take care of ourselves, and she’s particular about it. We keep the city safe and under control, thanks to our leader, and we get some nice perks out of it, too.”

You’re not sure you’d call it ‘safe’, but you can’t exactly say that right now… “Then this network she was talking about earlier…”

“Oh, yeah. Most girls with magical potential get looked at sooner or later. Some we invite, some we keep on a shorter leash, but we try to learn about as many as possible. Hard to just find them, so we have to work hard to make sure we have enough outreach.” Hmmm. So it’s not everyone, but they have their ear to the ground. Still, it sounds like they don’t have a way to immediately identify a magical girl outright, which is good. “Our leader has a lot of influence, so they can get us a lot of neat stuff with a few words. It’s kind of like a yakuza, only we don’t trade drugs or anything and the only people we go after deserve it. In fact, we more or less ran all the actual Yakuza out of town. Pretty cool, no?” No. No, it’s not. From what you know and have seen, they’re just yakuza by a different name…

The ride continues, as you give her the name of the hotel you had considered before. “Right, right. Not too far off now.” Yeah, you can see it in the distance, thank goodness.

The rest of the ride is quiet, and she drives up right to the drop-off area, only speaking up as you get out. “Hey, don’t take too long on deciding, okay? Trust me, you want to be part of this. And don’t try anything stupid, okay? Remember, we’re watching. Talk to you tomorrow, alright?”

“Right…” you say lightly as she drives off.

...great. You need to call someone.

(cont.)
>>
>>3906718
“Hello?” Miranda.

Alright, how to phrase this… “Hey, so, remember how we were talking about my transfer? They’ve handled my place to stay, right?”

“It’s in the works,” you hear. “How was your day?”

Easy opening. “Oh, it was fine. I met Marie Okada today.” There’s a pause.

“Yeah? What was she like?” Oh, if only you could say.

“Passionate. She’s about as expected. We talked enough that it felt like I was playing chess.” There. Clear, but not blatant either.

“Ah.” If Miranda is frustrated, it’s hard to tell over the phone. “Well, did you feel like you got any pieces off her? Bishop, Rook, Knight, Queen even?” Hm. You’re not sure what that might infer…ah, wait.

“Well, I certainly didn’t win. And no, maybe a few pawns at best.” As much as you might’ve wanted to. “But we’re meeting tomorrow to talk more. I’m still at the hotel on the east side...” as you give the name and address, you’re REALLY hoping she understand all this.

“Ah. Good luck with that, then. I know how hard it is moving to a new place alone. I won’t keep you much longer. I’ll check on your transfer status, too. Later.” Hm. You end it, and you hope that she gathered enough to realize the situation.

As you head inside to get a room, you wonder just how they’ll be keeping an eye on you. You sigh. You’ve been in stickier situations than this, but you’re still going to have to play cautious now. Lorelei and Miranda will have to take care of the major investigation spots now...

Before long, you’re sitting in a warm bathtub, and you’re forced to consider just how to move from here, with shadowy eyes no doubt watching your every move.

>Roll 1d100, best of 3.

>Change viewpoint? No/Miranda/Lorelei


(Also done for tonight.)
>>
Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>3906722
>Change viewpoint? No
>>
Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>3906722
>Miranda
>>
Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>3906722
>Stay with Izumi
>>
Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>3906722
>Change viewpoint?
>No
>>
Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>3906722
>Change viewpoint? No
Izumi Quest goooooooooo!
>>
Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>3906722
>No
>>
>>3906722
>Izumi time
>>
>>3906731
If I rolled too early Izumi was probably kidnapped.

>>3906729
DIO wtf are you doing here?
>>
>>3906737
No, that's clearly his alternate universe counterpart, Diamond is Opaque.
>>
Well, there goes the idea of solving this via sniper round from a 1/2 mile out.
>>
>>3906916
I'd argue it was never an option, but we still have enough firepower for this sort of stuff. That or any alternative options.
>>
>>3906929
Then how'd you see it going down?
>>
>>3906722
>No, stay with Izumi
"...-Bathtub- ... -shadowy eyes no doubt watching your every move."
>blow up the peepers!
>>
>>3907422
Taking something out of context can be pretty fun.

>>3907169
Honestly, I don't know, because I don't know all of the circumstances yet. However, I was lead to belive to have an isolated encounter after another, working our way up the ladder, so to speak. Doesn't mean killing, mind.
>>
>>3907422
Reminder that Marie is an avid supporter of /u/ therefore she is gay and probably watching Izumi in bath and enjoying every second of it.
>>
>>3907449
In my case, Junko is busy looking for an easy way out to solve problems but at the same time, innocent are collateral damage. Couple it with her minions who is out of control just because "friends" that it turned out this way.

She failed to leash them and also as a leader. She isn't really a leader type to begin with. She won a war with her selfish reasons and self justifies herself in the right.
>>
>>3907582
So basically from what I managed to understand from what I read, Junko managed to essentially catch her targets off guard, and she moved fast enough that they couldn't really respond to the combo of Unknown Target + Single Mindedly Pissed Off.

Now that she's forced into doing a bit more in the way of logistics, though, her 'fuck everyone else' attitude might be backfiring? Not sure if that's accurate or what.
>>
>>3907452
Aaah yes, because no Madoka-expy universe is completed without at least one psychotic lesbian.
>>
>>3907618
Her grand plan is to kill the organization. According to the notes she recovered. The Yakuza in the area and the organization kidnap girls to be experimented. Like Seryuu said, the city is a hotbed for magical girls. Hence Junko prevents anyone to be kidnapped. If Kanna said they drove out all Yakuza then it all lines up. Without girls for them to be forcibly recruit and experimented on, they would send our SES trio to take out the ringleader and resume operation kidnapping little girls. The kidnapping part is already mentioned in the quest. I think it's on thread 5 or 6 where Junko blacked out due to low despair energy.
>>
>>3907650
Also disclaimer that it was supposed to be the plot for season 2 but I think it's kinda out of reach now.
>>
>>3906722
Izumi should just text Miranda about the details of the encounter and maybe write to her in code/cipher just for extra security.
>>
>>3907798
Surely they could have picked an alien language or two right? They can use it and also there's futuresight. Abuse the technology the trio using right now.
>>
>>3907809
I mean... there's something suspicious itself about a highschooler speaking in wingdings.
>>
>>3907798
The phone call was done entirely in ambiguous anti-spying doublespeak anon, on both of their ends. Suffice to say, Miranda got whatever Izumi was delivering. They've definitely done this before.
Unless they detected a different accent from Miranda, even then it's only a very minor slip at most.

>>3907809
A MG, who just showed up one day in the hot zone, sending texts to her alien allies can raise some massive alarms.
>>
>>3907798
Did you guys forget about the Murmur Stones?
>>
>>3907816
>My alien ally is a cat who I contracted to and gave me magic.
>>
>>3907809
>Surely they could have picked an alien language or two right?
doubtful. everyone in the intersection speaks "common" and when someone new arrives, their speech automatically gets translated.
>>
>>3906722
>>3906724
>>3906725
>>3906728
Waking up without your friends nearby is more dispiriting than you’d thought...although maybe that’s also the field effect that’s still over the city. With being under surveillance like this, you’re going to have to be particularly careful with investigating now. You suspect you’ll be left somewhat in the dark to what Lorelei and Miranda are doing, as well...well, nothing for it. Checking your phone, you see a single message: ‘Transfer cleared. You start Monday next week.’ Well, good to know. But you have to think...there was a target on Monday, too; the first Yellow Knight, Yuu Mistukoshi. Obviously you can’t risk going there yourself now...or could you? No, probably not. That’d just put more heat on you; you know Yuu is a magical girl, and likely part of this network. It’d have to be Miranda or Lorelei doing that...while you play to the situation on the inside, most likely.

As you wash and get dressed, you find yourself noticing a small note under the door. Doesn’t seem like the usual papers, for certain. Unfolding it, you’re unsurprised at the contents. An address and a message:

‘4:00 PM. We’ll be waiting on your decision.’ Hm. Wonder if it’ll just be those two or more. You don’t want to risk any kind of major initiation; goodness knows if they brainwash girls or what. You’re going to have to figure out a diplomatic way out, somehow... Either way, that still leaves you with a vast majority of the day...not that you can do a ton with it. Although, considering that you’re going to be attending there shortly, perhaps you could hang around the school a bit, see if anything sticks out early.

>Head to the school and scout the place out. Harmless looking enough and gives you a bit of advance knowledge.
>Might as well walk the streets, see what happens in the meantime. You’ve got enough money to spare for now.
>Meditate; you're going to need the inner focus for later today. (Timeskip.)
>Other
>>
>>3908048
>Meditate; you're going to need the inner focus for later today. (Timeskip.)

I wanna know what kind of power Izumi has. Last time I know is she is a weapons expert and martial artist. But I think I'm wrong.
>>
>>3908071
Also I was thinking of going to the school but I would leave it to "transfer student" cliche where someone would show us. I don't want us to stand out so we can get as much information as possible.
>>
>>3908048
>Head to the school and scout the place out. Harmless looking enough and gives you a bit of advance knowledge.
>>
>>3908071
https://pastebin.com/Tidzvf5N

TLDR:
>normal magiblasts/magiwaves.
>melee combat skills comparable to Miranda.
>weapon replication/reinforcement, similar to UBW.
>"Finishers" including:

Rajomon:
A high magical barrier that can defend against all but the most destructive techniques. Developed independently from Miranda.

Extreme Tension:
She can focus her mana inwardly and use it to heavily enhance her physical speed to an incredible degree, capable of outrunning a bullet train. This takes a heavy toll on her mana, however, and she can 'burn out' if she attempts to maintain it too long. Generally, she can last for roughly 8 seconds.

Demon's Roar:
A mana-infused, hypersonic shout that can debilitate opponents, tear up concrete, and cause physical injury with enough charge. Izumi is proficient enough in this technique that at full strength, she can literally shout back certain high speed projectiles and shout apart certain techniques or energy constructs.

And various other side goodies.

>>3908048
>Head to the school and scout the place out. Harmless looking enough and gives you a bit of advance knowledge.
>>
>>3908048
>Might as well walk the streets, see what happens in the meantime. You’ve got enough money to spare for now.
>>Other: try to contact Miranda using the Murmur Stones
>>
>>3908048
>>Meditate; you're going to need the inner focus for later today. (Timeskip.)
>>
>>3908048
Support >>3908104
>>
>>3908102
Switching my vote to >>3908104
>>
>>3908104
>>3908111
>>3908112
Ah, if we're walking, then I'll need a 1d20 for events.
>>
Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>3908146
olé
>>
>>3908048
Gonna go with >>3908104
>>
Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>3908146
>>
Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>3908146
>>
Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>3908158
das it mane!
>>
File: 1403708308833.jpg (27 KB, 314x246)
27 KB
27 KB JPG
>>3908158
spicy anon
>>
>>3908158
...

*siiiiigh*

Okay hold on lemme flip through some things.

Writing. Sorta.
>>
>>3908158
Damn.... Izumi is so fucking lucky.
>>
>>3908174
you can always use narrative dice
>>
>>3908174
What did we potentially skip?
>>3908181
ssssh don't spoil it we're having fun
>>
>>3908184
narrative dice are more fun.
>>
>>3908187
>Izumi walks down the street
>Saw a stand
>It's lottery
>Shrugged with nothing to lose, she bought one.
>*Scratch scratch*
>Congratulations, you won 1 billion yen
>Izumi: ...........
>>
>>3908196
that isn't a narrative dice. that's a normal crit.
>>
>>3908102
>>3908104
>>3908111
>>3908112
Well, if nothing else, you can wander the streets for now...although ‘wander’ is a bit strong; you’re mostly looking out for faces that might be in a school uniform or the like and searching for possible points of interest. Best to have as much understanding of the operational area as possible.

If there’s anything following you as you walk out, you can’t detect it, by scent or otherwise. Part of you wonders if they were bluffing...although if they were, it probably wouldn’t be a great idea to test the fact. An idea about using your murmur stones pops in your head, but again, the idea of being watched isn’t a fun one. Although, thinking about it, you might want to test it regardless; the magical despair might be cause for concern…

Putting it to the back of your mind for now, you walk the streets, looking for any place of particular interest. Restaurants, of course, clothing stores; nothing in particular stands out that you haven’t noticed before, save one decently sized statue of a large phoenix. There’s no plaque or anything, so it might just be decorative.

Before long, however, you realize that you should probably pick up some provisions, now that you have the chance. It’s a bit of a shame to admit, but your current digs are a bit more amenable to cooking, even if it’s just microwaveables.

Let’s see...some quick bread, maybe some gyoza, some small fruit snacks, instant dinners, grapes, ah, and for drinks, a few bottles of- hm? Someone bumped into you...

“Oh, sorry!” The young lady smiles and bows lightly in apology. “I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings…”

“It’s fine…” you wave off absent-mindedly. That face was...incredibly familiar. The short hair, the gem-like eyes… “Neither of us were paying attention…”

...the maid dress. “Er, actually, if you could help get that ramune off the shelf for me? I’d really appreciate it; I’m just not tall enough…”

“Sure.” Might as well take the opportunity to focus a bit. Because if your memory serves (and it does), then in front of you is Mako Hirayama, codename Yellow Rook.

You weren’t expecting THIS, of all things, but considering this is an opportunity you doubt you can let pass…

>What do you even say to her?
>>
>>3908217
Oh oh ok, this IS lucky, and workable.

>Comment on her maid dress and work your way up from there.
>>
>>3908223
>>3908217
Honestly with this wording it looks like we're trying to hook up with her or something.
Voting for this I suppose.
>>
>>3908223
Supporting.
>>
>>3908217
That one >>3908223
>>
>>3908217
Oh god we were really watched. This isn't Izumi roll but how Marie surveillance us. She knows every move we made. And they sent the rook onto us.
>>
Writing. We aren't fashion critics, though.
>>
>>3908217
>>3908223
>>3908226
>>3908235
>>3908236
“Huh...I don’t see people in maid dresses very often,” you venture. “You wear it well, though.”

“O-oh, do you think so?” She seems to take the compliment well enough to blush at it. “I-I thought it was nice, but Mr.- my master, he said he was worried people might think oddly of me.”

“Well, I think it’s fine,” you say kindly. You noticed the verbal backspace, but you decide better than to bring attention to it right this second. “Anything else you might need to get from a high shelf?”

“Aha, no, but you’re very kind for offering!” She bows in gratitude. “Ah, but I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Mako Hirayama. Pleased to meet you.”

You blink- and realize that the name ‘April’ wouldn’t fly well to a local, but… “Chiharu,” you give. “Chiharu Hayashi.”

“Oh, that’s a wonderful name!” she gushes. “Very pretty.” It’s around now that you can’t help but notice a strange...pressure? No, more like...like something exuding from her. It feels...a lot like what you felt getting into the city, but with less of the depressing feelings...ah, she’s still waiting for a response.

“So’s yours,” you reply quickly, but politely; you need to keep the conversation focused on her. “I’m new around here; I’ll be attending school starting next week. Do you know much about it?”

“Oh! Yes, I used to go there as well. You’ll be very happy there! The teachers are very understanding, and the student body...well, they’re just great this year!” She seems almost too happy in this situation, honestly...part of you is wondering if she’s faking it. “Have you made any friends yet?”

“Not yet,” you state easily. “I’m confident I can eventually, though.”

“Of course!” she agrees. “You’ll do fine, I’m sure.” Right, but now you need to get a bit more pointed, you think...

>Ask about the school. If they’re great this year, were they not always?
>Ask more about her employer; they sound caring, if she’s willing to talk about them.
>Ask about the city; you might be able to get away with asking she thinks about the vigilante.
>Other
>>
>>3908289
>Ask about the city; you might be able to get away with asking she thinks about the vigilante.
>>
>>3908289
>Ask about the school. If they’re great this year, were they not always?
>Ask more about her employer; they sound caring, if she’s willing to talk about them.
>Ask about the city; you might be able to get away with asking she thinks about the vigilante.

All of them because fuck it.
>>
>>3908289
>Ask about the city; you might be able to get away with asking she thinks about the vigilante.
>>
>>3908289
>>Ask about the city; you might be able to get away with asking she thinks about the vigilante.
>>
>>3908289
>>Ask more about her employer; they sound caring, if she’s willing to talk about them.
>>Ask about the city; you might be able to get away with asking she thinks about the vigilante.
>>
Agh, I need to get to bed, sorry. Night!
>>
>>3908305
Good night.
>>
>>3908305
Night, boss. See you around!
>>
>>3908305
Night, boss. Thanks for running!
>>
Next oppertunity we get, we need to ensure that Lorelei is gay and does crimes, minor ones at least, so the vigilante tries some shit with our girl. I read something about making them disappear, do there's that thought.
With Izumi on the watchlist it's kind of hard to go unnoticed there.

... Lastly, and this is a really long shot, any media representation of magical girls around? Anime or TV-shows, or even the... Well... More artistically liberal forms of media. See how accurate those are, or might give us a clue on how things work.
And while I am aware of a certain manga that was made, it's still a valid idea, so no meta shenannigans.
She got nothing better to do right now.
>>
>>3908447
Oh dear, I hope that manga that was commissioned is......kept in Marie bookshelf or god forbids every teenage girls would have one in their bookshelf. Also Marie told that there's an MG show but that's it. Corruptor didn't specify if it's an old one or currently airing.
>>
>>3908453
Enlighten it for us - the ones who didn't read deep into MGR. Is it... raunchy by nature?
>>
>>3908463
only happened once, and i'm pretty sure that the pastebin has been deleted.
>>
>>3908463
There was plans of corrupting Rei using comissioned pr0n, made by professional artists, and then corrupted. She fell before that, its fate... unknown? Maybe?
Regardless of this, in the epilogues it is stated, quote: "In her off times, she writes questionable literature in some site where she gathered a lot of followers." So... yeah. She's bad. Was bad before her corruption too. Had alot of BL in her private library.


However
>>
>>3908768
No however, just forgot to to delete that part.

Though I'm hoping for the manga to be released, it's an artistic representation of what Junko did to Mari. Also in questionable content version. Which might give insight into the whole thing.
>>
>>3908768
nah it's probably her followers are MILF/Single mom's not teenagers[/spoilers]
>>
>>3908463
It wasn't raunchy but QM tried his best though.
https://pastebin.com/WmmYiQnL
>>
>>3908768
She wasn't that bad really. She only have like 2-3 books of them and read it like some kind of guilty pleasure. In fact she hides it like some kind of boy who is afraid that someone might found out about things. It only jumpstart her degeneracy when we start to corrupt he whole room and books in despair and with Rei increasingly desire to do something and amplified, her brakes destroyed and became what she is today.

tl;dr Junko is the one at fault.
>>
Wait, are we still going to try to help/save her if opportunity presents? From what people have said, she seems to not be a fan of Junko despite the corruption?
>>
>>3908975
definitely. It wouldn't be an izumi mission if there weren't someone to save.
>>
>>3908975
Too early to say. We didn't hear anything on her side and most of them are speculation. Anons just wanted to alpha strike her and be done with it.
>>
>>3908975
I'd like to think that we're scouting employees instead. Who is the most useful that we can possibly snatch?
>>
>>3909037
I would say either Junko or Rei
>>
>>3909037
Rei as a research assistant or a cook.
>>
>>3909044
>>3909055
So we have an absolutely mental powerhouse who will need extensive re-education whether or not she has gone more sane/insane over the years, or a slightly less (but still) mental pervert who can start right away and can aid our mad scientist.

I can take either to be honest.
>>
>>3909081
the thing with rei is that she's trapped inside her body and somebody else is driving. So rei might be insane, but probably won't be a pervert.
>>
Back, but posts will be sporadic because I am not okay.

BUSTAH WOLF
>>
>>3909144
YOU OKAY?
>>
>>3909144
Did you die again?
>>
>>3909252
Nah, he's probably playing another round of SSB.
>>
>>3908289
>>3908293
>>3908294
>>3908297
>>3908296
>>3908298
It’s clear she doesn’t have all day to talk with you; might as well make it pertinent without being too obvious. “I’ve been looking around the city, but if you have any suggestions for things like safe places to go or eat, or that sort of thing, I’d appreciate it!”

“Oh? Well, there’s a great all you can eat place not that far away; perhaps I can get you the address. There’s also a really nice ice cream store that’s just down the block, actually! I’m not sure what you mean by safe, though; I guess they pass health inspections, though…”

Ha. Well, while that’s good to know… “No, no, I mean, there’s a vigilante out there, right? I wouldn’t want to get caught up in that. I mean, it sounds scary, don’t you think?”

“Oh.” She freezes up a little at this, which is curious enough, honestly. “Well...I think...it might not be...the best way to go about things?” Hm. She’s trying to avoid speaking too strongly- surprising, or it would be if you didn’t know what you do about her. Maybe not trying to badmouth her employer’s decisions? “I think everyone has thought about being a superhero at least once and how they’d solve a lot of problems that don’t seem solvable by normal means. Maybe she just decided to do it themselves?”

‘She’, huh? Well, that’s interesting. She doesn’t seem to have noticed her slip, at least, so you need to make sure she doesn’t. “Well, I guess you could look at it that way, but it’s still scary!”

“True...but if all they go after is criminals, then so long as you don’t commit a crime, you should be okay, right? Um, I’m sorry, but I should get going; I still have some shopping to do, so maybe I’ll see you around?”

“Sure, maybe!” you offer cheerfully, which brings a smile back to her face before she walks off. You’ve still got some shopping to do, but...geez. Two of the chessboard in two days. And speaking off, you’ve still got a meeting with ‘Yellow Bishop’ later…

Might as well finish your pickups…

(cont.)
>>
>>3909285
When you step out of the hotel later that day, you can’t help but feel tension in the air. The trip over isn’t too long; you’re a couple minutes early when you arrive.

The place isn’t where you met Marie before; instead it seems like it’s an old movie theater...but it’s boarded up, so how are you-

“You’re the new girl, huh?” You’d noticed the frizzy, grinning, brown-haired young girl nearby, but you weren’t sure. “Looks match.”

“I suppose,” you grant. You don’t recognize her….

“Cool. Follow me.” Without further discussion she starts walking down the alleyway, and you’re quick to catch up. “So, boss girl ain’t here, doin’ other shit. So it’s just a couple of us today.” She opens up a door near the side; it’s soundless practically. “After you.”

You’re quick to take measure of the situation; counting the girl nearby, there’s only four presences inside; the one you recognize as Marie being far and away the strongest, and the other three slightly stinky, but that’s about it.

You enter, and the light quickly switches on; Marie still has her butterfly mask on, although in far simpler clothing- just a jean jacket, red tank top and jeans. “Alright. I’ll cut to the chase. You know we’ve got a lot of pull. We can help you, keep you safe. Get you some REALLY nice benefits. At the very least, we’re always going to have an eye on you for your own good, like it or not. So… what’s your decision on joining our little group here?”

Well…

>Response?
>>
>>3909288
Let's drill them more about these "benefits". And no touching any of them.
>>
>>3909288
basically this. >>3909295
>>
>>3909288
Supporting >>3909295
>>
>>3909288
>>3909295
>>
That >>3909295
Try to be meek and intimidated. A weak person will be underestimated.
>>
Writing!
>>
>>3909295
Remember, no touching. It's very lewd.
>>
>>3909288
>>3909295
>>3909310
>>3909325
>>3909326
>>3909329
You still need to play the ‘out of her depth’ meek and innocent sort. “Uuhhh...w-what kind of, um, benefits? Like a-a membership card or something?”

Marie actually laughs. “Ha! That’s a way of putting it. It’s more of a thing where people who know who you’re with know that you should be treated special- I mean think about it- we do all this work for a public that hardly knows any of it that isn’t in comic books. It’s just something to help us out in our day to day. Some places will let you eat cheaper, or maybe certain clothing stores you’ll get a discount; things like that. If you’re late for school, then we’ll take care of it so it doesn’t show up on your record, either.”

“And in exchange?” you ask.

She shrugs. “You help when we ask for it. Now and in the future. We’ve got some big plans happening in the future. We’d very much like as many girls as possible to help with it when the time comes.”

“It’s honestly pretty handy…” one long haired girl says in a tired voice; she’s standing a bit off to the left. She’s got a gothic kinda look going on, complete with one eye covered with hair. “I can be as lazy as I want most days…”

“Plenty of fun too, if you’re the kind that likes kickin’ ass!” the shaggy haired girl says from before, behind you. “You can beat the crap outta assholes if you really wanna and we make sure you don’t get punished for it!”

“Plus, you don’t feel like you’re alone, y’know?” A third speaks up on your right; a bowl cut, very mousey looking, with an oversized hoodie. “I-it’s kinda nice, being able to stop feeling like it’s just...just you in the dark.”

Anyway, we don’t have all evening, I’m afraid,” Marie says, and you can detect a hint of impatience in her voice now- well, more than a hint, as she holds out her hand again. “So, you want to be one of us, or do you not want the responsibility? This really is more of a courtesy than anything else, since like I said, we’re going to be monitoring you anyway, so…”

Ugh. Great. You’ve put it off as long as possible, but now...you’ve got to take some kind of action. You have your weapons, sword included, with you; you made certain to bring your backpack. You’d much rather not resort to violence on these poor people, but if they get a sense for how strong you really are, then everything goes to pot. And obviously you can’t just say yes. You’re already in a bad position; how do you keep it from getting worse, though…?

>Politely refuse. Hopefully they’ll let you go. It’s going to be tough to act with an eye on your back, but you’ll have to muscle through…
>Refuse; and perhaps you can at least impress to these kids that this is little more than a violent gang; hardships or not, do they really want that kind of stain on their souls?
>Other
>>
>>3909454
>Refuse; and perhaps you can at least impress to these kids that this is little more than a violent gang; hardships or not, do they really want that kind of stain on their souls?
Let's end this conversation how Izumi would want it to end. Admittedly, this will probably end in a fight, but we might as well start really grilling these twerps.
>>
>>3909454
>Other
>B-but with what you said, you're more than a Yakuza who beats anyone whether they did something or not. A-and it's not heroic to say I can be lazy or punch and beat their asses without knowing that they did something bad even if it's small. A-also you're scaring me the more you told me. I feel like I'm entering a delinquent gang than heroes of Justice.
>Ready your Katana if things goes south
>>
>>3909468
I'll also add this one too.
>>
>>3909473
I'll vote for this, let's make them admit that they're nothing more than just a MG gang.
>>
>>3909454
>>3909473
>>
>>3909454
>B-but with what you said, you're more than a Yakuza who beats anyone whether they did something or not. A-and it's not heroic to say I can be lazy or punch and beat their asses without knowing that they did something bad even if it's small. A-also you're scaring me the more you told me. I feel like I'm entering a delinquent gang than heroes of Justice.
>>
>>3909454
This >>3909473
>>
Now wait just a second there...

Writing.
>>
>>3909517
The suspense
>>
>>3909454
>>3909468
>>3909473
>>3909488
This is just...foul. You don’t know why they’re behaving like this, but it’s wholly unwarranted, no matter the situation! This is just...well. You have to at least try to have them understanding. Which is why you put as much heart behind your words as possible when you speak up. “B-but with what you said, you're no more than a Yakuza who beats people up, whether they did something or not!”

“Hey!” Marie says, her teeth grinding as the others seem surprised at the outburst. “I just said; we don’t attack anyone unless they deserve it!”

“And why is it up to you to decide what’s ‘deserved’ or not?! I-it's not heroic to say ‘I can be lazy’, or ‘I can punch and beat their asses over minor things!’ Honestly, you're scaring me the more you tell me. I feel more like I'm entering a delinquent gang than actual heroes!” You have to at least let them know what you think about it, but...whether they understand that or not is up to them.

“Heroes?” she snorts. “We’re not heroes. That’s...that’s just wide-eyed fantasy stuff. We’re guardians. We protect what’s ours!”

“Yeah, that whole ‘fighting for kindness and sparkly bubbly happy feelings’ junk is just a load of crap,” frizz-hair says. “In reality, you gotta do what you have to to take care of yourself.”

“It’s not like they’d be all that thankful anyway…” One-eye says morosely. “They’d just start taking it for granted.”

“No one really cares like that…” the hoodie girl adds. “It’s just...about if your useful or not.”

“So frankly, I dunno if you’d be a great fit after all,” Marie says with a grunt. “You need to get a reality check, first, so tell you what. I need to see just what you’re made of regardless; there’s a reason we’re in an old theater where there’s nothing around. Got plenty of room to ourselves. Suzuki!”

In response, the fuzzy haired girl from behind nods. “Gotcha. I’ll knock some sense into her.” Oh no…

Suddenly, the girl stretches her arms, and channels what looks like two tonfa sticks made of pure shadow, flowing from her hand. Gripping them securely, she moves into a fighting stance. “Hope you’re ready, newbie!”

>Draw your sword- if you need to defend yourself, then...
>Channel a sword; you don’t need them knowing you have the real thing.

and, of course,

>Action!

(Last for tonight, too.)
>>
>>3909613
>"That's something you should ask yourselves, actually."
It looks like they're going nonlethal for now, so can we channel something akin to a kendo training sword? Something blunt-ish, but still sturdy, and we could still use our sword skills with it.
>>
>>3909620
Or we use the blunt edge. Classic Samurai technique.
>>
>>3909613
Why should we fight? If anything Izumi can just run and none of them can catch up.

Actually, we can run and lure them into a trap to capture Marie. Call Miranda/Lorelei on the way?
>>
>>3909613
>Conjure a white bamboo shinai
>Cast Rajomon
>Defeat them with your sword skills

A pure student who practice the way of the sword. CHIHARU HAYASHI!!
>>
>>3909613
>stick to a simple katana construct and melee
>lightly dodge their attacks
I do not want them to know how much power we have, so Izumi should try acting like a scared animal defending herself.
honestly we could just use high tension to injure Marie first then the others but I'm sure Marie and her bodyguard have shields in place.
>>
I'm not objecting a fight, but what can we get out of it if we're just "sparring"? I have no doubts Izumi can sweep all 4 of them at her full power but there are risks. We should just run and call the others to set up an ambush.
>>
>>3909635
What I have in mind is to give Marie a hint that we have untapped potential and possible that we would meet Junko. My plan is to aggressively take down the girls unconscious and make an excuse that you only do this because of self defense.
>>
>>3909627
>>3909635
I thought about choosing running away but there is a possibility there is a barrier put up or they have trapping powers but we don't know.
Maybe we can try to defend ourselves then get close to the doors to see if it's magically locked or there is something to trap us, then we just try to blow up the wall to get away. pull out a grenade or use mana blasts your choice
>>
>>3909631
I second this.

Also, we shoul dmake it look like we're struggeling to dodge or block attacks. Just barely, from the looks of things.
>>
>>3909635
If we're already being watched by Marie's friends, we should probably keep Miranda and Lorelei's presence on the down low, so they don't have Yellow King's people shadowing them either.
>>
>>3909641
Forgot to add something.
We don't neccicarly have to act scared, just look inexperienced, or very jittery.
>>
>>3909639
>>3909643
Now that I remember, it's still week 1 so it's too early for power plays like capturing one of the pieces on this chessboard. There is also the possibility of Miranda and Lorelei making plays off screen, but we're in a blackout at the moment so we don't know that.
>>
>>3909648
That's why we should try to beat 4 girls unconscious with a bamboo shinai. Then we run to the exit and to our hotel. Marie would report to Junko and Junko will visit our meek hero.
>>
>>3909613
Him >>3909631
>>
>>3909630
>>3909620
>>3909631

Supporting these
>>
>>3909620
>>3909631
Supporting. Let's go with a simple bamboo shinai, with Kendo. The basic of basics.
No fancy palm tricks or Rashomon barriers please, keep it low.
>>
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>>3909613
This >>3909631. Bonus points if we can verbally humiliate marie, especially if we can say something like pic related. And it has the advantage that "the vigilante" will try to pay us a visit later on.
>>
>>3909819
Like run back to our hotel? We could wait for the vigilante, or another MG to try and capture us. We can try to get them to chase us into the sewers to break their monitoring. Then capture them, and leave a cryptic call for Miranda to pick up the prisoner. Because I do not think prisoners would talk to Izumi, so a more direct method from Miranda would work out better.
>>
>>3909909
The underground parking lot should be a better fit. the hotel has cameras and a basic surveillance system, which would blow our cover.
>>
>>3909613
Supporting >>3909620
>>
I've just remembered that Izumi has white colored mana.
>pure white mana vs corrupt black mana
This mission really is for Izumi.
>>
>>3910581
>but chiharu, this world sucks! Why do you fight.
>it doesn't change what's right. If there is nothing but what we make in this world... then let us make good.
>>
>>3910581
Welcome to paladin spanktown time
>>3909613
>Channel a sword; you don’t need them knowing you have the real thing.
>lowball the fight and use superior technique to school this girl who thought nun-chucks were a valid weapon
>>
>>3910596
>Chiharu-san, I was once in your shoes. But that world changes when someone betrayed me.
>Junko-san, don't let one people judge the whole mankind. Please see some other people who also want to live the peaceful way as you do too.

At the corner, Yuu is biting her shirt and exhudes enviable energy that made other shadows cower in fear.
>>
>>3910675
And Raye is furiously scribbling in her notebook
>>
>>3910910
And so Junko and Chiharu hug each other. The group cheers from the sidelines. Junko's mother shed a tear. So is Okada and Mako. It was warm and cozy. Everyone is filled with fluffy feelings.

>Miranda: So what is our job here again?
>Lori: Beats me, I wish I was there though.


Are we /u/ now?
>>
>>3910934
Raye and Yuu were always /u/boats, although raye was more of a pervert and Yuu was mostly junkosexual
>>
>>3911130
It's more likely Marie is turbo /u/ and Raye is a filthy fujo. Yuu is junkosexual for sure. At least Kanna just ships everything as long as it's sweet.

No wait Kanna has brother complex that means she probably lewded his brother.
>>
>>3911169
probably is not the right word. she fucking did, and probably fucked him as well. against his will, of course.
>>
Run resumes shortly.
>>
>>3913045
Handler, can you do a pretzel motion? How about a 360?
>>
>>3913062
Yes, actually. 360s aren't a problem, especially if I can buffer them. The Pretzel was tricky for a while, but I can do it pretty reliably and fairly quickly.

The only commands I've neeeeever been able to do are Summon Suffering/Criminal Symphony for Ivy in SC. But to be fair, it's been a hot minute since I've tried.
>>
>>3913071
Respect mate, and yeah Ivy's motions are another level of bull.
>>
>>3913071
My hand almost gave up when I'm using Geese Howard. I can't help but keep using this character.
>>
>>3909613
You don’t need to let them know the weapons you have; if they think you’ve just got constructing ability and maybe a couple other small things, then so much the better for you. Your own mana, the silver-white glow more comforting than it’s been in a while, comes to you, coalesces gently around your hand, warming you from your core to your fingertips to your toes. It’s good to remember what you do this for. To keep that feeling in the hearts of innocents and the downtrodden...and those that need help that even they themselves don’t realize.

For them, wanton pain and violence won’t help. They need understanding and care. They need to realize that the world, harrowing and rough though it may be, always can have something, if only from person to person, that’s good and positive. They need hope.

It is with thought in mind that your weapon of choice. Sturdy, bright, and both simple and with great meaning. The bamboo shinai is something that requests respect, but carries its most important duty in its very essence- it is a teaching tool, something that assists in understanding, not something intrinsically made for violence.

Unfortunately, it seems like your opponent isn’t impressed. “So that’s your skill, huh? Well, sucks for you that this isn’t practice!” And with that she lunges.

She’s holding the right tonfa too low and too forward. Won’t be able to swing as hard as possible. Not to mention, the only possibly followup if it’s deflected would be-

The right one comes up, as you expected, and your shinai is already meeting it, the sparking and volatile collision barely happening as you quickly shift to her right; the following swing is neatly deflected nearly off her own tonfa as you pivot the mana sword, black and white sparks of mana erupting as you shift the sword upwards, twisting and drawing it against her chest in a single smooth motion.

The heat from your light may burn a bit, but it won’t injure harshly; all she gets for her trouble as she falls back is a tattered shirt that, well…

...at least she has reason to be proud of her ‘assets’, you think. Not that she seems to register it as she struggles back up, amidst the shocked and surprised faces of all gathered. “Wha-what the…”

“Please, I would prefer not to fight like this,” you plead. “Is there no way I can leave in peace?”

(cont.)
>>
>>3913083
reading this while I have weight of the world blaring in the background was surprisingly motivating
>>
>>3913093
Wait a minute...
are you inside the bathroom shitting yourself like you carry the world like atlas?
>>
>>3913083
“Now...now hold on just a- just a minute!” Suzuki says harshly, with heaving breaths as she lifts herself up and preps herself again. “Don’t go thinking you’re all- haahh- all high an’ mighty over a lucky hit! Screw you!” You can’t help but squint in a bit of confusion. You hadn’t hit her that hard by any means- that was a testing blow by all accounts, and she’s looking like you’d just spent a solid five minutes beating her up. Her shirt actually has small blackened tips, not just the tears you’d expected. Even her tonfas are cracked and busted up at the points you’d impacted them, which she has to remake…

“What...was that really Hope Energy?” the hoodie girl says in surprise. “When I used it, I…it wasn’t like that...”

Marie opens her mouth once, then closes it, suddenly frowning deeply. “Change of plans! Miyabi, Honoka! Tie her up!”

“Uhhhh…” the tired goth girl seems to be hesitant, and hoodie girl seems uncertain of what to do, practically hopping left to right in uncertainty. “I can try, I guess…” she mutters as she raises a hand, and slim tendrils of darkness seep out from her shadow and dart towards you.

>Whether you can fight them off or not, you need space; run and see if you can ring the girls via Murmur Stone- you don’t need them to go loud, but they need a sitrep and soon.
>It is your duty, here and now, to show these girls just how they’ve been deceived, and how there are yet warriors willing to fight for justice and peace fairly.
>Other
>>
>>3913101
>Whether you can fight them off or not, you need space; run and see if you can ring the girls via Murmur Stone- you don’t need them to go loud, but they need a sitrep and soon.

Haha no, let's skedaddle. But not too fast so they can catch up and we can lure them into a trap.
Looks like we're making a big play early after all.
>>
>>3913101
>It is your duty, here and now, to show these girls just how they’ve been deceived, and how there are yet warriors willing to fight for justice and peace fairly.
Seems the most Izumi choice.
>>
>>3913097
I'm waiting.
Naw, since FFXIV launched a Neir raid I've been sporadically playing the remix of the song, I don't even play FFXIV, I just like the song.
>>
>>3913101
>>Whether you can fight them off or not, you need space; run and see if you can ring the girls via Murmur Stone- you don’t need them to go loud, but they need a sitrep and soon.

Damn, I hope we did not mess up Lori's plans.
>>
>>3913101
>Whether you can fight them off or not, you need space; run and see if you can ring the girls via Murmur Stone- you don’t need them to go loud, but they need a sitrep and soon.
>Other
Taunt/Lecture them as you go.
>>
>>3913101
>It is your duty, here and now, to show these girls just how they’ve been deceived, and how there are yet warriors willing to fight for justice and peace fairly.
>>
>>3913101
This is stupid when we don't know their capabilities, and I realize it's stupid but it's a very Izumi kind of stupid and also they're right there, so just win 4head. Maybe it'd be different if they seemed strong, but they do not.
>It is your duty, here and now, to show these girls just how they’ve been deceived, and how there are yet warriors willing to fight for justice and peace fairly.
>>
>>3913101
I switch from >>3913114
To support >>3913124
We are Izumi, not Miranda at the moment.
>>
>>3913101
>Whether you can fight them off or not, you need space; run and see if you can lure one of them to a secluded area for a trap.
>>
>>3913101
>It is your duty, here and now, to show these girls just how they’ve been deceived, and how there are yet warriors willing to fight for justice and peace fairly.

Izumi would this.
>>
>>3913101
>It is your duty, here and now, to show these girls just how they’ve been deceived, and how there are yet warriors willing to fight for justice and peace fairly.
>>
We are not ones to turn our hand away from those that need it. Whether it be a stern hand or a gentle one.

Writing.
>>
Considering the circumstances a "glancing blow" made Suzuka like that means if they tried to bind Izumi, it would be useless because it would melt like cheese. I say we got this in the bag. Marie on the other hand would be problematic because she probably called for back up as we speak.
>>
>>3913157
Besides, we're only required to put down the leader, nothing says we can't redeem a couple of MGs!
>>
>>3913160
Let's hope Miranda/Lorelei is nearby then. We did give Miranda a tip.
>>
>>3913157
>Be Izumi
>Her hope energy is so strong that even her smile can cure depression
>Smiles on national T.V.
>BREAKING NEWS: DESPAIR ENERGY IS ON ALL TIME LOW
>>
>>3913165
Imagine living for almost a century and is still being a lawful good warrior.
that's a fucking strong hope energy right there. If living in a ultra capitalist utopia and mercenary life won't make her jaded, I highly doubtful this world will easily corrupt Izumi.
>>
>>3913165
She is the paladin. If anyone can bring a smile to the people, it's her.
>>
>>3913180
She won't be corrupted. It would take years of intense psychological torture and mind brake while speaking degrading words that is opposite of what she fights for and her own convictions.
>>
>>3913200
Or a concentrated effort by 10 keyboard warriors picking options they think will lead to her downfall. Spoilered for butdontdothat
>>
>>3913204
Handler would do something about that first before that happens
>>
>>3913101
>>3913110
>>3913122
>>3913124
>>3913130
>>3913144
>>3913145

You’re not going to retreat here. Not now, not when they’re so misled. There’s still good in the world here, and you need to show them that when push comes to shove…

You blade swings even as you move to avoid the tendrils- and the blade cuts clean through them, the dark whips dissipating almost immediately; it reminds you of the shadow creatures that you and Lorelei got rid of the other day. You don’t have much time to ruminate on that, however, as you find yourself assaulted by three balls of shadow energy as well; they’re crackling and large, but they’re approaching dangerously. Hopefully…

You mentally sigh with relief a bit as the large spheres are erased by your calculated sword swings, quickly pivoting during the last one and bringing your sword up to meet the shadow tonfas again; there’s a slow burbling as your blade eats through the weapon, forcing her to retreat, now with a growing look of concern on her face. “Uhhhh…Miyabi?”

The one-eyed girl shakes her head. “There’s no way you’re not used to fighting…we might be in trouble...”

Honoka, her hands finally visible and looking stressed, grits her teeth. “But...but Ms. Marie said…”

“Hey, I’m right here!” Marie says, although she notably doesn’t seem to start anything, instead being, if you’re observing right, a bit further away from you than before… “Look, just get ahold of her, alright! You’ll understand in a few minutes!”

“More empty promises?” you can’t help but remark as you remain on the defense. You start speaking without taking your eyes off your opponents. “Suzuki, Miyabi, Honoka, you all must realize that while there’s ills in the world, there ARE good people- people that care about your wellbeing! People who will listen to your troubles freely. People that you can befriend, should you only have the courage to speak a few words! If nothing else, believe that I would! I WILL! There is more in life than being pawns! If you believe yourself to be mere pieces on a chessboard...you will fall like chess pieces in due time. You deserve better than that. All of you!”

There’s a bit of silence at your words; heated, heartful, and honest.

“...you’re kidding me.” Marie scoffs, her face angrier than you’ve ever seen. “You really think that a pretty speech is going to change reality? In case you forgot, reality doesn’t work like that. Reality is pain. Reality is betrayal. She draws her hand back, and just like yesterday, a dark arrow forms as she aims it towards your heart. “Reality HURTS, Chiharu!”

>Reaction?
>>
>>3913245
>“It does, often without a care or knowledge that it’s done so. So why should we help it hurt others in the first place?”
>>
>>3913245
>>3913251
Oh, yeah, sorry, forgot that it was an action scene. Can we do that slo-mo bullet time thing to dodge the arrow and close with Marie?
>>
>>3913245
>“It does, often without a care or knowledge that it’s done so. So why should we help it hurt others in the first place?”
>"If you truly believe that reality is bleak, then do you desire change? Do you want to make it better, BE better?"
>Activate High Tension the moment things go too far.
>>
>>3913245
>Activate Extreme Tension and incapacitate Marie right here and right now
>>
>>3913245
>Deflect the arrow.
"That is correct. Reality crushes you every single day. But I can still stand tall for the few hopes I still hold onto."
>>
>>3913245
I don't think we want to tip our hand too hard and show a new ability to the magical girl mafia, what if they have someone who can read the past or something. Na, let's just parry all the arrows she feels like shooting at us while letting her come back to reality, whoops there goes gravity.
>"Reality is what we choose to make of it, if you see reality as only pain and betrayal that is all it will contain."
>Inb4 the other girls restrain Marie for us.
>I am against using Tension.
>>
Seems like it's largely talking back.

Also going to need a roll, then. 3d20, best of three.
>>
>>3913245
I hate to meta but here it goes.
>Why are you afraid? afraid to change? to be a better person? Reality is harsh but because you rejected it. You don't seek for it. You're alone in the dark. Please...let me be your light. Seek the light Marie-san.
>>
Rolled 12, 3, 7 = 22 (3d20)

>>3913272
>>
Rolled 7, 18, 19 = 44 (3d20)

>>3913272
Oh, boy.
>>
>>3913245
>Deflect or slice the arrows, no need to tip our hand too much.
Leave the high tension and high powered techniques for Junko
>>
Rolled 11, 1, 7 = 19 (3d20)

>>3913272
>>
Rolled 11, 14, 5 = 30 (3d20)

>>3913272
>>
>>3913278
so, 12, 18, 19
Someone is still hesitant
but we've largely won over our crowd
>>
>>3913281
Not bad, not as explosive as our usual dice but that'll do yes.
Fittingly, that 12 is the first roll. Marie is having doubts now. Izumi is too good at Paladining.
>>
Writing. Last one for the night because I'm oddly exhausted.
>>
>>3913283
Also, you just made me think how much more ridiculous this quest would've been if exploding dice were a thing.
>>
>UNYIELDING LOYALTY - Mari and Junko established a connection that something cannot be broken. You can telepathically talk to each other regardless of distance.

Junko is coming
>>
>>3913287
Marie said Junko was busy, hopefully she can't just drop whatever she's doing because Marie is having a little trouble
>>
>>3913310
BOY that'd be a BETRAYAL wouldn't it?
>>
>>3913245

The arrow flies- but the issue with bows and such, you’ve found, is that one must aim right where one wants to hit, and if you’re faster than that…

The arrow, although fast, dissipates as it impacts against your shinai, almost like it was being absorbed into it. “It does, often without a care or knowledge that it’s done so.” Your words bring another pause to the situation as they’re taken in. “But for it to know such, for things to change...that takes effort and will. If you truly believe that the world is so bleak, then tell me. Do you desire change? Do you want to make it better?” you fix Marie with a hard, challenging stare. “Do you want BE better than them?"

Marie spits. “Please spare me. Reality is what it is, and there’s no-”

"Reality is what we choose to MAKE of it, Marie Okada!” you shout. This is no way a girl with such ability should be acting. “If you see reality as only pain and betrayal, then yes, that’s all it will contain! But if you are willing to act in good faith- if you’re willing to prove to others that yes, there is good in people, and yes, it can be brought out! Then though the journey may be slow, it will still be a journey worth undertaking, don’t you think? Suzuki!" The girl flinches as you address her, hands up in a guarding position. “Imagine. Just one person to life in peace, with thanks in their heart to you. Would you not feel proud of that?”

She twitches, and you can see her eyes dart away in thought, before turning back to you. “Would have to have it happen first to tell you!”

“And yet deep down, you don’t wish just such a scenario?” She doesn’t answer, but can’t meet your eyes. “Miyabi! Just one person that would say thank you- that would hold you in their hearts forever for changing their life for the better. Is that not a thought that resonates within you?”

She pauses, actually, and you can see her consider the question, even with Suzuki’s protests. “I mean...sure, yeah. I...I don’t think it can happen though, can it?”

“It can. It will.” you say with iron conviction. “Honoka! Just one person who values you for nothing but yourself. Someone that truly enjoys you merely for being there. Is that not a warming thought?”

“...y-yeah…” she admits, pulling her hoodie down over her eyes. “...but no one cares! No one would-”

“I would.” you say strongly. She does seem like she’d be a nice girl if she weren’t caught up in this… “And I am quite certain that someone out there, someone in this very city would feel so grateful, so fortunate for you to be there with them. It’s merely a matter of finding them!”

(cont.)
>>
>>3913355
“Okay, ENOUGH!” Marie yells as she ‘nocks’ another arrow and fires- this one is sidestepped- although you still have to deflect it as it curves in midair, much to your surprise. She can direct them? “Stop trying to poach my allies from me! And stop filling their head with nonsense! They all go back, all the world’s going to do is hurt them!”

“So why should we help it hurt others in the first place?” you ask pointedly. “Will it truly make your situation any better? You hide out in squalor because if word got out of your misdeeds somehow, you will face retribution,” you point out. “But there IS hope. Hope for happiness for each and every single one of you in here! I can sense it in you all...it’s merely a matter of finding it! And...” you dismiss your sword- risky though it might be, it’s nothing compared to what you want them to understand. “...I’m willing to help you find it. Let me. Please.”

“Geeez, yap it up, huh..” you hear Suzuki mutter. However, the other two seem almost...tearful. Their posture is loose, and you’re sure they’re about to say something, before-

“Forget it!” Marie suddenly pipes up. “Girls, we’re leaving. NOW.”

What?

“Huh?” all three of them say immediately, turning back to her.

“Boss wants us. NOW, I said!” she yells, before glaring at you. “You better believe we’re not just going to let this go, but we’ve got bigger issues right now!” With that, she snaps her fingers, and as though a fog had lifted from their heads, they quickly retreat towards their leader- although you notice that Miyabi and Honoka are less than enthused looking. With little warning, however, she lifts her hand; a puddle of shadow opens up, and six large, humanoid shadow creatures spring out of it as the quartet retreats. “Have fun with my friends there for a bit! Shades, strike!”

You barely have enough time to draw a proper mana-shaped katana as they lunge.

The battle itself is short, merely a few minutes as the ‘shades’ proved to be a bit more intelligent than the small shadows you fought the other night; at least they knew when to retreat, advance, and in general stop you from one-shotting them immediately. Still, it took long enough to where even with your scenting, you had no idea what direction they’d went. Ugh. Well. One obvious thing to do, now…

Miranda’s slightly aggravated voice comes from the phone. “You called? Good.”

(cont.) (again)
>>
>>3913359
The way she says that makes you think the opposite. “Quick update- I’m clearly becoming someone of note. Had a bit of a physical discussion with my new friends. I’ve a little time to myself, though now since they had to run off…how are you?”

“Situation’s getting unstable,” she mentions. She trusts you when you said you have time to yourself- and that means she can speak freely like you’d inferred. “April managed to score tickets to the next Tigress fight, which is nice. So we’ll be attending.” Ohhh, interesting. “However, we’ve discovered something more interesting, and concerning.” she says with some concern in her voice.

“And that would be?” you press.

“We have a third party interfering. Just got wind that Yoshinobu Okada just survived an assassination attempt.” Your heart skips a beat.

Drat it all, that...that complicates things.

(done for tonight!)
>>
>>3913363
Good night Handler.
>>
Oh right, if Miranda is going to pose as one of them despair MGs then we could finally use that enchanted katar, since most of her abilities don't look like shadow magic. She could summon Gartoum as well.
>>3913363
Thanks for running.
>>
>>3913363
Yessss, plant the seeds of doubt into their minds. Bring them into the light. Just one more push.

Like how you incorporated our lines, have a good sleep.
>>
Let's contact our hirers for some info about this third party.

Some theories :
- Disgruntled MGs looking for payback.
- Disgruntled MGs IN the cartel looking for payback.
- Completely new and unrelated third party.
- Our spooks hired additional help, without telling us about it.
I'm leaning on this "vigilante" having a falling out with the cartel.
>>
>>3913616
I would assume that the third party are former Natalya allies considering that she was a mercenary and wanted to take her down. It's also plausible if someone from cartel also wanted to bring Okada down. Yakuza could also be involved if there's an MG in their fold.

Also I remember something at the end of the thread. It's small but it's also possible.
>Magical Girl Revenge #10

Arc interrogation

”What is your employers’ role in all of this? I obviously can't trust the sources, but I've heard some very damning things about your employer within the last few hours. Constant memory wipes, child sacrifice, Yakuza connections, more child sacrifice, and just all around nastiness that I am very much against.”

"I don't really know. I'm just accepting orders you know."

”What about the other groups? Okada was looking out for other magic users. Who are they really?”

"Rivals......"

"There is more than one?"

"Yes, although some of are branch of ours, some of them are different agency or organization. This whole world? Is just their arena. All for whatever they want to aim for."

That's probably what Junko is fighting now. She unknowingly kicked a hornet nest and she is the target. Several of them in fact. So we aren't the one who are hired but in fact several are already in the city. If we aren't fast enough we don't get paid.
>>
>>3913644
> So we aren't the one who are hired but in fact several are already in the city. If we aren't fast enough we don't get paid
The contract said to get rid of the despair influence. It never said that it had to by by our hand.
>>
>>3913644
That explains the 3 weeks deadline. I bet in 3 weeks they will send something big enough/flood the city with so many mercs and henchmen that everything goes FUBAR and completing the job becomes nearly impossible.
>>
>>3913652
Then the organization wouldn't hire us in the first place if that's the case. They wanted the shadow queen. Dead or Alive. But mostly dead. But for what ends? I don't know.
>>
>>3913657
>They wanted the shadow queen. Dead or Alive. But mostly dead.
It never was specified that it had to be our doing, though, but i get your point.
>But for what ends? I don't know.
To be honest, that really doesn't concern us. For all we know, they will use the shadow queen's corpse to take over the the world, and we won't do jack shit.
>>
>>3913652
If that is true then there is a peaceful solution for this job - we need to Junko and friends to leave the city. She should be the source of the city's Despair. Some excuses:
- She and her friends will be dead or worse in 2 weeks if she's still here by that time.
- Her operations are actively harming the citizen's spiritual health.
- Some more of Izumi paladintown speech goes here.

For the finisher, we'll have to present a solution to prevent the kidnapping/exploiting of girls when they leave. That requires knowledge that we don't have yet IC.
The bad news: Junko and friends will be on the run, possibly forever. They can still fight the orgs on the way.

>>3913657
They probably will want to experiment on her once they find out she's the source. They will want her alive then, she's one of a kind.
>>
>>3913659
i worded that wrong, sorry. the contract never said that we had to specifically do the killing; as long a we collect proof of her capture and/or death, we will get paid.
>>
>>3913661
We can ask Junko to give us a "trophy" for a proof then.

.... Does the Mana Dampener work with her? It SHOULD, and if it does it will hide her mana and her influence bubble so she can hide better.
Are anons paladin enough to sacrifice a powerful artifact to achieve the good end? Stay tuned! We can ask her some wealth to cover up the cost of the dampener.
>>
>>3913664
that is not only a breach of contract, but it goes against what izumi, miranda and loreli are. Miranda is a capital C closer, she wouldn't betray her contractor like that(or give out items for that matter, that's also a hard nono for obvious reasons). Izumi is a morally good person who understands that the death of one person will mean that the rest of the city that can contain up to millions of souls can be safe again, and that's without taking in consideration all the magical girls who will be again on the right track. And lorelei really needs the money, no matter how small the payout is.

So no, the shadow queen will die because its the right thing to do and because they don't have the money to buy us out.
>>
>>3913667
Hmmm, you're right on giving out Intersection items to locals.

Damn this is getting bleak.
>>
>>3913670
and you know, letting junko live will make an already bad situation way worse.
>>
>>3913671
Not necessarily anon, if she's actively trying to unfuck the crazy the whole planet has, faking her death isn't necessarily the worst idea in the world. Ultimately I legit want one of our characters to at least meet junko and see where on the crazy scale she is before we start a fuck massive fight DESU, because if she's not completely full on bugfuck crazy it might make izumi flip her shit later on if she finds out they weren't that bad all along, I mean hell she thinks all retirement missions only remove the insane shit MG's still, even though we know miranda has had to do differently.
>>
>Summary: Our organization requests information on enemy territory fallen to Despair. Origin is believed to be a specific individual once to be under contract with us as a Magical Girl, but said unit has irrevocably fallen to darkness and has sought to conquer the city, and potentially more. While initially it was hoped the situation could be contained using internal assets, the target has proven more capable than anticipated, and has eliminated all direct resistance thus far. We thus have decided to turn to external specialists to investigate the area, locate the individual, and assassinate them so as to bring the target area back under control without bringing undue suspicion onto the organization.
there is no peaceful option. The trio has to see if Junko is the one causing the despair shit on the city and kill her and maybe bring the corpse to the client as evidence. Also those Mana dampeners are rare and giving intersection items to locals is a huge outgoer faux pas. I'm not giving them up without a fight.

If you want a continuation or season 2 of Magical girl revenge, maybe have Yuu be the protagonist, when we kill Junko, her anger and grief is a good motivation for revenge. Marie can be a protagonist as well but I want to kill her so she and Junko are together in their stupid /u/-boat heaven.
>>
>>3913681
There is anon. Don't let anger blind you. Seek the answers and let the truth set it free. Until then don't cloud your judgement and seek blood for you will brought despair to their loved ones.
>>
>>3913695
our job is to kill junko because she decided to be a little shit and take over what isn't hers. there is no anger there, its DUTY.
>>
>>3913698
We also have our duty as a friend anon. Izumi came to us, and we'll help her to her end. You bet if there is a peaceful option we're taking it. We need to meet face-to-face with Junko at least once, and sure if she's too far gone, we're ending her. But if not? Another fun puzzle for us to solve.
>>
>>3913710
>You bet if there is a peaceful option we're taking it.
nope. Izumi came to us because she knows that we are capable of doing what must be done. we can't let her down like that.
>>
>>3913717
And we're very much capable of doing so, after we've verified Junko's condition. One way we can let her down is we kill Junko before knowing whether or not there's another way.
Don't worry anon, there's a very high chance you'll get your murderboner satisfied because the majority of us are lazy and don't want to do extra work to get the golden ending.
>>
>>3913723
I don't what you mean there. The golden ending is killing junko because she's an asshole and an egocentrical cunt, nothing more, nothing less.
>>
>>3914186
That’s Miranda’s golden ending. Izumi’s is her talking down Junko and possibly reuniting her with her mom.
>>
>>3914186
Did Junko killed your parents anon? Why so mad? Also you didn't hear her side. What if she has something to say?
>>
Can you guys stop with meta speculations? We're supposed to investigate, and it's really hard to invest into this job with you constantly spoiling things. Can't you keep it to yourselves?
>>
>>3914676
It's not meta though. The archives is there for you to see. It's just hints and possible scenarios waiting to happen.
>>
Writing will resume shortly.
>>
>>3914724
Evening, boss. Doing alright?
>>
>>3914702
I don't want to see meta stuff. I was looking forward to have a "wait she does not breath!?" It would have been a great surprise.
>>
>>3914702
Reading the source material was never a requirement for crossovers, I'm not gonna read the archives for another quest.
>>
>>3914731
Mostly. Getting a run in before I'm off elsewhere for the night.
>>
>>3914819
Fighting games related again?
>>
>>3914819
>>3914834
On a related note, who's your main?
>>
>>3914834
No, just an event.

>>3914848
I switch between Inkling and Rosalina.
>>
>>3914848
I'm more traditional, so I mostly stick Kens and Ryus.
>>
>>3914852
Lucina main here
>>
>>3914852
I prefer Link.

>>3914860
CPU level 8 Lucina just kept kicking my ass. I had to add platforms to even have a chance of beating her.
>>
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>>3914852
>>3914859
>>3914860
>>3914876
>when you ask a question off the cuff out of curiosity, but haven't actually played the game since the first one
>then everyone else just comes in about how much fun it is, and you realize how much fun you're missing out on
>>
>>3914906
Smash has a muddy rep, but it's a fun party game that also has a big competitive scene. I like it mostly because Sakurai is a good creator.
>>
>>3914906
It is a very fun game. And I still don't understand tech, parry, or blocks.
>>
>>3913363
“What do you know?” You ask, all business.

“Not much, but April’s trying to rectify that now. Only reason we got wind was because there was police called to the scene; April overheard something on police radio going on around her neck of the woods and trailed them. No suspects yet. Situation’s still updating.” Crap. If someone was trying to kill Okada, then that could be… “Not great for us if he croaks without us getting any information from him.”

“Any ideas?” you ask. It’d be risky business from here on it, but if you can help with the situation in any way…

“We’ll let you know once April reports back,” is the response. “In the meantime, you might want to make yourself scarce around town for now.”

Gah. You loathe not being able to act on injustice. “Alright- maybe I can…”

“Hold on a second. Speak of the devil,” Miranda interrupts. “...patching her in.”

“Yo!” Lorelei’s voice calls; still chipper. “Got the news?”

“I did. What have you discovered?” you ask.

“Boys in blue are calling it a car bombing attempt at first blush,” she explains. “Lotta wreckage, lotta smoke, one poor S.O.B fuckin’ mulched.” Ugh. Cowardly, and horrifying. “Looks like it was the driver; not surprised there. In way too many pieces for a positive ID, but I’ll keep an ear out in case they were relevant. Got eyes on Yellow King; they asked him about the event tomorrow, and he’s saying he still wants to go through with it, so points for bravery, I guess. Anything else you want me to try to learn, or just do my best myself?”

>Any questions in particular you want to see if Lorelei can answer? (Up to three)
>Just do what you do best.
>Other
>>
>>3914946
> Try to see if magic is involved.
> Asks the police on their leads and suspects.
> Try to see if you can approach Yellow King for more answers. Be careful not to overstep yourself.
>>
>>3914946
>Did you see any "chess pieces" on the scene?
>Any individual besides Yoshinobu Okada after the attempted assassination?
>Any casualties? Signs of combat?
>>
>>3914946
>Where did it happen, what was Okada doing there?
>What was the source of the explosion? Was it magical or not?
>Is anyone notable snooping around the scene?
>>
>>3914946
>Try to see if magic is involved. (She'd probably already check that but y'know, just incase)
>Just do what you do best.
>>
>>3914946
> Any magic involved?
> Anyone notable?
> The location?
>>
I compiled our needs a bit. Will this do?

> Try to see if magic is involved. That includes signs of MGs/magical anomalities near the scenes, when it happened and at the moment.
> Search for extra/hidden casualties, and how they died.
> Carefully approach Yellow King for more info.
>>
>>3914973
I feel like we're going to unintentionally offend Lori
>>
>>3914974
Supporting.
>>
>>3914974
Let's go with this.
>>
>>3914974
This works.
>>
Got it. Let's see what's what...

Writing!
>>
>>3914946
>>3914974
>>3914988
>>3915011
“Any way to tell if magic is involved?” you ask.

“Working on it,” she responds. “I want to say yes, personally, but got no proof either way yet. Gonna use the FS to see if there’s any trace residue.”

“Alright, I’m guessing the police have the area cordoned off?” you follow up.

“In the process of it. Likely searching for clues. Why do you ask?” she responds.

“Just worried there might be other casualties. Could you check around for me?” Hopefully, there wouldn’t be any, but you never knew with situations like this…

“Yeah, sure. Anything else?” she continues.

“Yes, but it’s a bit...risky,” you hesitate. You’d be surprised if she hadn’t had the idea herself, but-

“Want me to try and get closer to the big guy himself?” Lorelei suddenly interrupts. Your silence is enough for her to consider it as confirmation. “Yeah, that’s gonna be a bit tougher, I think. Buuut, might be doable. They want him to stick around and answer some questions. Might be my chance, there.”

“Alright. Obviously, don’t take too many chances, though…” you warn her.

“Agreed,” Miranda suddenly pipes in. “Last thing we want is you blowing your cover. If they get testy, just leave.”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it, relax. Give me a bit…” Here’s hoping. You end up simply walking; you’re pretty sure returning to that old hotel is a bad idea; so you need to find a new one while Lorelei works…

>Roll 2d20, best of three.
>>
Rolled 6, 20 = 26 (2d20)

>>3915104
Bless ye Lori. Our cat burglar and info scout.
>>
Rolled 19, 12 = 31 (2d20)

>>3915104
>>
Rolled 9, 11 = 20 (2d20)

>>3915104
Go Lori.
>>
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>19,20
Smooth operator.
>>
>>3915127
Hey, look, 20!
>>
Slick.

Writing!
>>
>>3915114
>>3915125
>19, 20

Truly a job for Izumi. Hope leads the way.
>>
>>3915237
Oops it's Lori not Izumi.
>>
>>3915104
>>3915114
>>3915125
>>3915127
It’s about a half-hour before you’re in another hotel; this one a bit pricer and closer to the center of the city, but you’ve still got enough money for a few days; and you’re sure The Organization can transfer some extra if needs must.

Soon after you’re settled in again, however, your phone rings. “Hello?”

“Hey! Got some hot n’ juicy news for ya! Got March in on this, too.” Lorelei says with some clear enthusiasm. “So, first off; yeah, scans are telling me that there was some magic involved. Kinda reminded me of me, if I’m being honest; but char marks, lack of charring, and some residuals thanks to the scan tell me that the ‘bomb’ was explosive light magic.” Hm? Light magic used like that, then? Worrisome. “On the plus side, no extra bodies. Although if someone got kidnapped, then that’s not exactly good. Still, don’t think anyone did, just can’t rule it out. Anyway, last thing? I did manage to get a short ‘interview’ with Okada. Also, FYI, I figured out how to dye my hair now, so that’s neat!”

“Oh, hey, go you,” Miranda says with a bit of enthusiasm. “How long before full glamour?”

“Dunno, but I’m sure as heck gonna work on it now!” she says eagerly. “Anyway, so I didn’t manage to get much, since the cops wanted me outta there when they came back, buuuuut, I DID manage to find out two big things: one, he’s GOTTA be connected.”

...what? “Wait, how do you mean connected?”

“I mean he’s totally dismissing the issue with the vigilante and the missing kids,” she says quickly and quietly. “Not in a ‘it’s not my problem’ way, either. He said, quote, ‘I can promise you it’s hardly as big an issue as it seems.’ No way he’s not clued in, and likely from what you said about his niece, then…”

“And the second thing?” you press. There’s a lot coming at you at once, but you’ll all have time to make sense of it later.

“Well…” she starts.

>(Pick ONLY ONE to elaborate upon)

> “He let slip something interesting about his security detail…”
> “He’s likely got ulterior motives that involves the mayorship.”
> “He’s not what he seems like- not as a person, I mean.”
>>
>>3915283
> “He let slip something interesting about his security detail…”
We can already assume he has ulterior motives with the info we have. It's either this or the "not human" bit.
>>
>>3915283
> “He’s not what he seems like- not as a person, I mean.”
>>
>>3915283
> “He’s likely got ulterior motives that involves the mayorship.”
>>
>>3915283
> “He let slip something interesting about his security detail…”
>>
>>3915283
>> “He’s not what he seems like- not as a person, I mean.”
>>
>>3915283
>"He let slip something interesting about his security detail…”
>>
>>3915283
>> “He let slip something interesting about his security detail…”
Go Lori!
>>
Interesting fact about his security...

Writing!
>>
>>3915283
>>3915299
>>3915305
>>3915316
>>3915329
“He let slip something interesting about his security detail- here and back at his place, I’m pretty sure,” she mentions. “Apparently, most of his security on the road is plainclothes, not overt officers. Mentioned ‘those girls’ as well, though I don’t think I was supposed to hear. Not positive if it’s relevant, but I’m wondering if the issue is related to ours. Anyway, they’re pulling double duty now, so there’s going to be heavy security at the event, buuuut...apparently they’ve been run ragged due to this campaign, and other reasons I couldn’t wheedle out of him. Long hours and little rest, is my guess.”

“So despite all the attention and extra bodies, there may be lapses,” Miranda opines. “That seems risky.”

“Yeah, someone out for his blood? I’m already imagining the ways someone could axe this guy at the big event tomorrow. Still, he might know that- there’s someone out there he’s calling in that ‘he’d rather not trouble’, so chances are whoever it is, it’s a bit of a wild card to play for whatever reason. He’s not confident ‘they’ll come through’. That’s all I got, though. I saw Marie Okada show up, too. Had two girls in tow. They seemed to know each other.”

“Hmmm…” you have to mull on this. “Yes, I had a bit of a conflict with them earlier, recall. So that’s why they left…”

“You’re the leader here,” Miranda says suddenly. “This change anything?”

> “No, we need to keep ourselves open and prepared for any possibility. Lorelei, can you go alone?”
> “Yes- it seems myself and Lorelei will be providing extra security ourselves. I can’t abide the risk.”
> Other

(Last for tonight, need to get going.)
>>
>>3915445
> “Yes- it seems myself and Lorelei will be providing extra security ourselves. I can’t abide the risk.”
>>
>>3915445
>> “Yes- it seems myself and Lorelei will be providing extra security ourselves. I can’t abide the risk.”
>>
>>3915445
>> “Yes- it seems myself and Lorelei will be providing extra security ourselves. I can’t abide the risk.”
Izumi would protect the civilians. Maybe we might be able to mark the MGs we will be fighting.
>>
>>3915445
> “Yes- it seems myself and Lorelei will be providing extra security ourselves. I can’t abide the risk.”
>>
>>3915445
> “Yes- it seems myself and Lorelei will be providing extra security ourselves. I can’t abide the risk.”
>If somebody else takes over the city and kills the shadow queen, we don't get paid AND the city gets wrecked.
>>
What should we do when Marie and co notice Izumi is fighting alongside them to defend the event? More chance to Wololo?
>>
>>3915576
For a given value of covert sure. Alternatively we could use this as a chance for Lori/Zumi to take out some of the Queen's lieutenants like that Marie girl unless we can convince them to stand down. Hopefully not all of them are absolutely loyal.
>>
>>3915845
Honestly, I just want to switch back to Miranda come Fight Day for Yuu just because that'd be a fun as hell matchup, and Miranda wouldn't waste energy on trying for redemption.
>>
>>3915576
more chance for "you know too much" IMO
>>
>>3915939
We've just come off a job where Miranda punches stuff, it's Zumi's turn now. Think it will come to a final showdown though, will be more fun if the Queen is strong enough to require all 3
>>
"Sir!" My superior doesn't look like how you'd expect. A middle age man with white beard and a slightly wrinkled face. If anything, his face is rather manly at his age, even though he is in his 50's. As I drop my hand, he offers me a seat and begins speaking.

"Good job on your previous assignment, but I’m afraid there’s no time for rest. I have a new assignment for you to undertake immediately." He clicks a remote that drops down a screen. It shows several pictures which are...familiar to me.

"There have been attacks on the city you were previously assigned to,” he explains. Your new mission is to look for the perpetrators and relay the information to the agents-in-field."

That’s a surprise. "Agents-in-field? I thought we pulled out everyone?"

"We have...recently acquired assets that are already looking into matters. For now, you are going to support the girls there. Not to worry; I believe they are very capable." What?

Why would he risk sending more? "Permission to speak, sir! ...How so? How capable, I mean."

He shows a meter in his hand and tosses it over to me. It’s one of the gauges used for estimating the amount of magical power one can potentially use.

But with this one… "Sir, it's broken."

He nods. "That's how capable they are."

Ah. "...I understand."

A nod; seems that’s all I’m getting."Good, you'll be leaving today. Pack your bags and get going to the usual pick up point. And also, no gift packages. If Reese is going to pester you to buy something, ignore her.”

Well, she’ll be disappointed. "Yes, sir!"

A quick salute and I walk out of the room. My thoughts are probably relaying through her. Hopefully.....

"No, I must not think about those things!" I have to be careful, and diligent. If I don’t...

Well, with all my equipment already in my bag, it’s time to get going. Back where I started.

I can’t help a sigh. "Here we go again...."
>>
>>3917189
So... Are we running tonight, or is this just extra content?
>>
>>3917190
Probably extra I mean it's Corruptor. Also hi QM. Are you ready for your girls to die?
>>
>>3917190
Probably running, QM switch as usual.
>>
>>3917189
So the spooks got us some more help then. Good.
Dw Corruptor, we'll find a peaceful solution. Izumi is leading after all.
>>
>>3917200
But there's only one person who was assigned on that place. And her skills are OP as fuck. Too bad she was beaten by QM fiat and shitty narrative.
>>
>>3917204
Was she one of the adversaries Junko had fought back then? How is she alive?
>>
>>3917209
>Thread 9

>ARC SKILLS
>EYES OF TRUE SIGHT: Arc eyes will never see deceit or illusions. She can see traps easily.
>HOLY DISPEL: Dispels everything
>HOLY HEAL (PASSIVE): Automatically regenerates yourself when out of combat.
>ULTIMATE JUDGEMENT (Ultimate skill): Binding an opponent and pass judgement to the sinner. (Must be hit with Thunder spear
>Summon spear: Summon your spear
>SPEAR SKILLS
>Heavens Divide: Split your spear into two dual weilding it. It can also be thrown.
>Sonic Thrust: Thrust like a speed of sound
>Thunder Spear - Melee: Infuse your spear with lightning shocking the opponent when hit. Gives a Holy seal (Prerequisite for Ultimate Judgement)
>Thunder Spear - Range: Infuse your spear with lightning and throw it to the opponent binding them with electric shock and disable them. Gives a Holy Seal (Prerequisite for Ultimate Judgement)
>HOLY SEAL (Status Effect): 1st Seal - Takes away Magical ability (making any magical casted very weak) 2nd Seal - Takes away Physical ability (making any physical skills very weak) 3rd and final Seal - All skill and actions sealed and also binded whenever hits. Cannot be dispelled.


Spoiler for spoilering the spoilered spoiler.
>>
>>3917213
I think we found our would be assassin then.
>>
>>3917218
The question is, would handler make her a relevant character? She is OP in all aspects. Considering anons luck with Nat 20's she could singlehandedly finish the mission alone. And yet here she is as a support not an active combat.
>>
>>3917227
Also she is our key for alpha strike if needed. I mean with her dispels I mean holy shit Judgement sounds like OHKO skill.
>>
Sorry, I just really wasn't feeling up for a run today. Tomorrow, though.
>>
>>3917286
No problem, boss, people need their “me time” every once in a while.
>>
>>3917286
Have a good rest QM!
>>
>>3917227
NAP.
At least last in the epilogues.
Or at least what I interpreted out of them.
>>
>>3917197
No comment. But if you ask me No

>>3917200
Thanks anon.
>>
>>3915445
>>3915460
>>3915469
>>3915472
>>3915475
>>3915476
To you, the answer’s obvious. “Yes- it seems myself and Lorelei will be providing extra security ourselves. I can’t abide the risk.”

“That’s DEFINITELY not gonna send mixed messages,” Lorelei teases. “But yeah, sure, whatever. I’ll be there, and if I’m lucky, I’ll be inside so I can give you some play by play. Showtime’s at 2:00 PM, so I’ll be sure to be there early.”

“Understood,” you agree. “I’ll be providing outer security, then and patrol the scene as discreetly as possible.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Miranda agrees. “Won’t lie, I’m getting a bit bored up here, but I’ll have something to do soon enough. Still combing through the net to dig up anything I can, but there’s nothing big that leaps out at me so far. Will let you know if I find anything, though.”

“Excellent. Until tomorrow, then.” Some quick farewells, and you hang up. You have to make sure to be on your game tomorrow, though...and maybe stick to sleeping lightly, tonight. Perhaps some centering...

>Roll 1d100+10
>>
Rolled 98 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>3918514
>>
Rolled 53 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>3918514
>Roll 1d100+10
>First roll's 108

I mean, I'm not gonna beat that, but I'll try...
>>
>>3918516
looks like we're off to a great start
>>
Rolled 88 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>3918514
And we still haven't got into our school yet. What's a day.
>>
...Well then. S'all good.

Writing.
>>
>>3918516
What the fuck with all these rolls?
>>
>>3918554
Our girls are very very competent.
>>
>>3918535
At this point, we can finish this in 1 and a half week if we keep this up. Two if we're going to tie some loose ends.
>>
File: arisu hand on face.png (950 KB, 703x758)
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950 KB PNG
>>3918573
You sure are trying to make us fail here
>>
>>3918514
>>3918516
>>3918521
>>3918535
There’s no disturbance in your sleep, fortunately; rather, you’re woken up by another phone call bright and early in the...oh, it’s like 10 AM. Oh dear. “Hello?”

“Helloooo?” Hm? Lorelei? “You up?”

“Just getting so. Something abnormal?” you ask as you stretch a bit.

“Got some news for ya. You free?” Hm. Good question. You’re not sure, but a quick check reveals no notes, and no ransacked hotel room, so maybe.

Still, you’d rather not take too much risk. “I’ll be busy in a bit, I’m sure. You can speak freely, though. Anything interesting?”

“Kinda. Got wind that we’re gonna have a visitor soon. They’re gonna be doin’ their own thing, but they were apparently here some years ago when everything STARTED going to pot. Gotta say hi in person, though- dead drops are too risky.” Yeah, you can understand that, what with the whole ‘shadow’ element. Callsign is ‘Arc’. Supposed to be pretty good.”

“Ah. Well, always nice to have allies. ETA?”

“Two hours,” is the response. The idea is that with Okada busy with the event preparations, we’ll likely have some time to say hi without much interference so long as we keep it out of the way. We’re going to be meeting near the airport incognito.”

“Sounds reasonable,” you decide. Considering your situation…

> “It may be best if I remain here, however. We’ll meet up later.”
> “It should be safe enough to leave for a brief period of time.”
> “Can you change the meeting location to somewhere closer?”
> Other
>>
>>3918608
Of course not. In fact ever since we came here, dice is giving us nothing but high rolls. This world must be fucked up beyond reasonable that the dice gods are helping us to remove such malevolence in that particular world...or city.
>>
>>3918619
>“It should be safe enough to leave for a brief period of time.”
>>
>>3918619
>“It should be safe enough to leave for a brief period of time.”
Let's meet new friends.
>>
>>3918619
>> “It should be safe enough to leave for a brief period of time.”
Can't wait to spar with the new guy.
>>
>>3918619
> “It should be safe enough to leave for a brief period of time.”
>>
>>3918619
>> “It should be safe enough to leave for a brief period of time.”
I hope we don't blow the spooks cover.
>>
>>3918619
>“It should be safe enough to leave for a brief period of time.”
>>
>>3918619
>>3918622
>>3918625
>>3918630
>>3918643
>>3918706
>>3918714
Unfortunately… “It would still be risky for me to come, however...”

“Risky, but probably useful,” Lorelei admits. Well...you DO have some time, you suppose...you’ll just have to be careful.

“Hmm...Alright. I suppose overall it SHOULD be safe enough for me to leave for a brief period of time,” you concede. “Alright, so how am I getting there?” you ask.

“No problem. Give us your address.” Afterwards, some time passes before you’re quickly and quietly picked up two blocks from where your hotel was, and with your friends, you’re whisked away to meet this mysterious ‘Arc’.

“So, any more details about her?” you ask as the three of you ride. Lorelei saw fit to get you all disguises; wigs and hoods and other fun things. Hopefully, you won’t need them for very long.

“She’s powerful,” Miranda notes. “And her task is to keep us up-to-date as best she can on new developments should she discover anything. I don’t know what kind of contacts she has, but I’m hoping they’re good ones.”

Lorelei nods. “What’s more? They want us to...well, ‘use discretion’ in regards to her.”

“Why?” you find yourself asking.

Lorelei shrugs. “Didn’t say. I’m wondering though if they think she might go rogue or something, though. Wouldn’t be the first time I heard that concern.”

“Well, let’s not bring that up in front of her,” Miranda opines.

Before long, you’re dropped off near an airport, sure enough. Specifically, in the lobby of a motel close to the city limits. “She’s waiting for us in there. Room 366.”

It’s not long before you find yourself knocking on the door. “Who is it?” a light, yet direct voice sounds.

“Candygram!” Lorelei snarks. You hear footsteps, and a pause before she opens the door. It’s a blonde haired young thing with an overcoat and a beanie hat. “Ah.” She gives you all a quick once over. “My contacts, then?”

“That we are,” you say, taking the lead. “April, March, and May,” you say, pointing you all out. “I understand time is limited?”

“Yes. I’m here to assist you in any way I can with intelligence. So, we can trade information. You can tell me about current events, and I’ll answer any questions you might have about prior events- although I should warn I obviously don’t know everything.”

>Any questions? (Up to three)
>>
>>3918739
>Information about Shadow Queen. Her identity if she has one.
>Her allies their powers and weakness if there's one
>All known location that possibly they have a base from.
>>
>>3918739
Supporting >>3918762
>>
>>3918762
That one.
>>
>>3918739
I can go with this.
>>3918762
>>
>>3918762
Surely the org has asked her these things before... Right?
That said it sounds like 1 question just elaborated twice.
How about we add,
>"What are your skills, and how would you like to help us?"
>>
>>3918913
Well we need all info we can get. We can slip a question about herself by saying "introduce yourself".
>>
>>3918913
>>3918914
Since we're working with her (and her working with us) a proper introduction and power briefing between sides should be obvious, don't need to waste a question slot on that.
>>
>>3918936
Yeah what he said.
>>
>>3918936
Lori mentioned she might have gone rogue, I don't think the girls will be so forward without prompting
>>
Nor do I think they should be
>>
>>3919527
There are things that shouldn't say even if the person you are talking about is in front of you. If you say something like that, she would start being defensive and would wall us off. Izumi kindness should be excersiced and used in this kind of situation. Approach her as a friend not as some crude girl who look like she's fishing for a gossip.
>>
>>3919527
If Yellow King's previous encounter has anything to indicate, she has already started doing questionable plays without informing the main players - us. Once we learn about her power IC we can begin to suspect her more.
>>
>>3919740
I don't think the yellow king assassination attempt was Arc.
>>
>>3919779
Arc was sent because of a third party involvement. The spooks probably wanted us to focus on the shadow queen while they will deal with the third party.
>>
>>3918739
>>3918762
>>3918774
>>3918780
>>3918861
The three of you look at each other, but it’s Miranda who starts things off. “Alright, well, getting the potentially easy solution out of the way. What do you know about the Shadow Queen? Wouldn’t happen to be able to tell us who she is, would you?”

Arc just shrugs. “I’d tell you if I could. All I can say for certain is that she’s strong and she’s constantly on the move. And that she treats her allies like family. Easiest way to piss her off is really mess with them. Aside from that...sorry.”

Miranda shrugs. “Worth a shot. We’ll keep it in mind.”

“It’s fine. Next question?” she asks, looking to Lorelei.

Lorelei, however, waves her in your direction, a pensive expression on her face. “Still thinkin’. Ask May.”

“Ah.” Well, if she insists. “Perhaps if not the Queen herself, then her allies. Perhaps their abilities and weaknesses? We’re aware of Marie Okada being one of the cabal, and likely her erstwhile uncle as well.”

She looks to mull it over for a bit, considering the question. “Well...Marie Okada has powers pertaining to shadow; how much do you know already?”

“Shadow arrows that she can direct, summoning shadow demons; I suspect some type of shaping skill,” you respond.

“Sort of,” Arc answers. “I know she’s all about range. More of a sniper than anything. Really good eyesight, but isn’t a fan of getting up close and personal in a fight unless it’s necessary.”

“Oh? Could’ve fooled me,” you admit. “She seemed rather eager for combat. I’d have thought her a specialist.”

She shakes her head. “Nope. Last I recall her, she liked tagging people with arrows from a distance. She can even call down a storm of the things, old-school arrow bombardment style.”

Hm. Well, being able to strike from a distance is good, but...there ARE downsides, obviously, like what she just said. Good to know an obvious gap in her ability, even though you suspect she knows just as well. “Anything else?”

“No,” she admits. “She was more of an additional factor to be wary of than a real force multiplier.”

“Right. Any other individuals we should know about?” you press. “Perhaps her bodyguard?”

“Kanna?” she asks. “I’m pretty sure her thing is just monstrous strength. She didn’t fight much back then- at least, not when I was observing. I think she’s got a club she can summon, but that’s all I know of her.” She pauses to think a bit more. “Let’s see...ah. Yuu; I believe you call her the Yellow Knight?” You all nod. “Right, well, I can confirm she’s involved. And you might expect this, but she’s also very strong. Proud of her martial skill, and she can enhance it to further degrees, even. Her and anyone else she wants. Aside from her physical augmentation ability, though, she’s good at detecting things; she’s got some kind of danger sense, I believe, that goes off whenever something or someone with killing intent aimed at her is near.”

“Interesting,” Miranda mutters. Lorelei still says nothing.

(cont.)
>>
>>3919969
“Can even detect when someone’s fibbing. I remember seeing that in a place I didn’t want to,” she shivers a bit. “If you’re going to investigate her, mind what you say.”

“What about her bases?” Lorelei suddenly pipes up. “Past and present places she may have operated out of? You’ve gotta know that, right?”

There’s a pause. “...she’s actually pretty slippery, so sorry. I DO know of one place; there’s an apartment complex in the slums that I once traced Marie, Yuu, and Kanna to, but things got out of hand before I could confirm it, and I was recalled. I’ll give you the address.”

“Awesome,” Lorelei says with a small smile. “Thanks a ton, really; we appreciate the help.”

“I’m just glad we’re not leaving this issue open; it’s been so long, I’d started wondering.” she admits. “And while I may not be the biggest fan of outsider interference, I won’t be unwelcoming to your help. Now, as for your half of the exchange?”

“Right. So, here’s what we’ve been up to…” you start.

After you relay the generalities of what you’ve been up to, with Lorelei and Miranda interjecting when necessary, Arc stands up with conviction in her eyes. “Alright, then. I’ll go look around, and then I’m going to try and get eyes trained on Okada’s place. It seems like aside from the banquet event, that’d be the place to strike. You three keep an eye on the event itself and make absolutely sure nothing happens to Okada. If anything did, it’d be catastrophic.”

“Maybe not tha