Akmonides

(Version 1)

▶ "Curiosity is a treasure. Don't ever lose it."

(Version 2)

▶ "Do you prefer an even trade? Or do you like taking a gamble?"

(First interaction)

Annoyed Youth: I think you're just trying to ruin our family's reputation! I always thought of you as a good brother, but turns out I was wrong! You can't judge a person just by their face!

Gloomy Teen: ...I've already told you. My brother could never do such a thing. Besides, if we're being honest, your suspicion is far greater than ours, isn't it?

Annoyed Youth: What—? How dare you slander me like that? Are you looking for a fight?

Gloomy Teen: You were the one who provoked me first, and now you have the nerve to lose your temper...

As the tension between the two keeps building, you watch closely, not wanting to miss the exciting moment when the fight kicks off.

Akmonides: Haha... Friend, you seem quite intrigued. Would you like to know what exactly they're arguing about?

Akmonides: It only takes 50 Balance Coins. I'll explain everything, including the background, clearly to you.

Alright...

(Submit Credit ×50)

Akmonides: Haha, straightforward! I knew you were someone easy to get along with!

Forget it. I'm not that curious.

Akmonides: *Sigh* Alright, alright, consider it a gesture of friendship. I'll give you this information for free...

Akmonides: Here, that young man who looks like he might explode at any moment — his friend runs a general store. Their main business is supplying expedition teams with provisions when they head out of the city.

Akmonides: As for that gloomy guy who looks like he hasn't slept in three days, he belongs to a fairly well-known local expedition team. He's actually the younger brother of the team's leader.

Akmonides: A while ago, their squad went out to explore a new area. By sheer bad luck, they ran into the black tide, and the casualties were severe. After barely managing to escape with their lives, they tried to gather themselves and head back to the city, only to find that there was an issue with their supplies.

Akmonides: The backup food was all near expiry and about to spoil, and the medical kits were put together from leftover scraps — clearly, there was an inside job.

Akmonides: These two guys, in order to investigate, came to the bath to gather information. They found out that "the captain of that expedition made some secret deal with the old shopkeeper some time ago" — and that's when the argument started~

Gloomy Teen: ...I'll say it one last time. Stop causing trouble. Use your wooden little brain and think carefully about what you actually came here to do.

Annoyed Youth: Am I being unreasonable? Clearly, it's you who's guilty and trying to change the subject! Nice try!

Akmonides: Look at that. These two have grown up together, years of friendship, and yet when something like this happens, it's just like a chimera biting another chimera — just as messy as a mouthful of fur, haha~

Ah, that message wasn't from you, was it...

Akmonides: Ah, I just love smart people like you! You think they're a bit noisy too, don't you?

Are you really not a Masked Fool?

Akmonides: The Masked... Fool? What's that? Sounds intriguing — could you tell me about it in detail later?

Akmonides: I say, you two — don't you think that's enough? Everyone's staring at you now. Are you sure you want to keep this show going on?

Annoyed Youth: Huh? Weren't you the one who told us —

Akmonides: Are you questioning the information I provided?

Gloomy Teen: ...That's not what he means. It's just that your "making a secret deal" comment is a bit too vague...

Akmonides: Exactly! Which is why you'll have to figure out the rest yourselves. Or do you expect me to break it all down and explain every detail? That would cost you extra, you know.

Annoyed Youth: You...!

Akmonides: *Sigh* Fine, fine. Since you've worked so hard entertaining everyone here, I'll throw in a freebie — take a good look at the medical expenses for the expedition team over the past few months. If you're lucky, you might catch a big rock rat.

Annoyed Youth: What? Uncle Libius would never...

Gloomy Teen: I see. Thank you. Let's go, Ifris. We'll talk later if you need.

Akmonides: Thank you for your visit, and we look forward to seeing you again next time~

Akmonides: Alright, the noisy ones are gone now. We can have a good chat, can't we, my outlander friend~

Akmonides: Thalassopolis, right? I haven't heard of that name before. So, there's a city like that in Amphoreus?

Akmonides: I've seen a great many outsiders and know plenty of things, but judging from your novel appearance and unusual behavior, and...

Akmonides: Haha, come and talk to me about your home, friend. I'm very interested.

(Subsequent interactions)

Akmonides: Hey — friend, what a delightful coincidence it is to meet you! You wanna chat? I'll be here anytime! And for free too!

Seek information.

Akmonides: Hah. Wanna have some fun? Then you found the right person. Don't worry — I run an honest business. My intel is always clearly priced, and I'd never scam a friend~

(Opens shop)

Talk to him.

Akmonides: Oh, you're finally willing to talk with me about this? I've been waiting for so long that Phagousa is about to wake up.

Akmonides: Okay, so talk to me. What is your home like? And what did you encounter on your road here?

Talk about your "home."

You "modified" your experiences about waking up first in the Herta Space Station and then joining the Express to the gawking man.

Akmonides: It's hard to imagine that... This Herta, kin to Cerces, possess such power, is capable of building such a large and intricate tower. And to use that as a display of her rare treasures too... I fear this feat is more than comparable to Thalesus's efforts.

Akmonides: Your "Nameless" exploration team... Do they also explore the world on the back of a giant beast? How romantic.

Akmonides: I knew you were interesting, friend. From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew we had a special bond.

Talk about your travels.

You "slightly polished" your trailblazing expedition experiences with your companions and told them to the exuberant man.

Akmonides: ...

Akmonides: How strange. I have never heard of any of these cities you've been to.

Akmonides: Haha, don't be nervous, friend. I don't mean anything. Just feeling a bit emotional.

Akmonides: Look... Though I have a little bit of skill, a little bit more capability than most people here, hearing your story makes me think that my life here is too dull!

Akmonides: I really want to adventure about like you. Want to see what waits beyond the heights of Oronyx, and where the end of the Thanatos' River of Souls lies...

Akmonides: ...Thalassopolis, right?

Akmonides: Is your exploration team still short-handed? How about you bring me with you on the way back? I really want to see that rabbit-like kin of Janus that you mentioned.

You remind me of someone familiar.

With certain strange emotions, you briefly explained your relationship with a certain Mr. Cold Feet. Of course, you gave them the localized Amphoreus version.

Akmonides: Haha, then maybe we are long-lost brothers that share a single parent.

Akmonides: Though, that follower of Zagreus you talk of does sound interesting. And that tavern in the city of... Penacony, was it?

Akmonides: You haven't been there either, right? How about next time we both find a way to get in and take a look?

That's enough chit-chat for now.

Akmonides: Leaving already? But we haven't talked enough yet...

I'm busy, so I'll be heading off.

Akmonides: I'll miss you, friend — so, so much. You'll come back and see me, right?

"Fallen Twilight City" Okhema

Akmonides: Oh! Fancy meeting you here. Destiny truly binds us, my friend~

Why are you here...

Akmonides: Trust me, my friend, this spot offers the best view in all of Okhema — whether witnessing a deity's final act or observing mortal theatrics.

Akmonides: Behold — humanity's last sanctuary now shelters none. Even Zagreus would applaud this magnificent spectacle, don't you think?

Akmonides: Though I'm no drama critic — hard to say if this is tragedy, comedy, or farce...

Any plans after this?

Akmonides: Ah... Truth be told, as a self-proclaimed follower of Zagreus, I'm forever led by my insatiable curiosity.

Akmonides: I've imagined Okhema's fall and Amphoreus' doom countless times. Yet now that it's here... I find myself oddly... underwhelmed.

Akmonides: Though should your "expedition team" seek new members... I'd gladly volunteer~

What do you know of the Era Nova?

Akmonides: The Era Nova? Let's say even the Chrysos Heirs who preach about it can't properly explain what it truly means.

Akmonides: "Absolute perfection", "Eternal bliss"... Empty concepts like shoddy dromas plushies — comforting only the desperate.

Akmonides: Curious? Certainly. But I'm more intrigued by your Sky Titan conquests... How does one build such an enormous palace in the sky? Does that mean that the sky and earth are not separated?

I'll take my leave now.

Akmonides: Ah, how fleeting sweet moments are... Till fate reunites us, friend!

Dagra: Hmm... This idea might be worth exploring.

Soctires: Indeed... Such fascinating and compatible souls are rare to find...

Palaten the Scholar: Sir, please! You have to think this through!

Akmonides: Hello there, my friend! What a pleasant surprise seeing you here! Even Zagreus must be smiling on our continued acquaintance! Something interesting is happening right now. Why not stick around for the show? It'll only cost you 50 Balance Coins~

Still working your sneaky angles, I see...

Akmonides: Oh come now, I was just joking! I'm just happy to see you again.

You're charging me for standing here? Nice try!

Akmonides: Haha, I was just joking! I'm just happy to see you again.

Palaten the Scholar: See, sir? This person can't be trusted. He's making fools of us — not you, of course, hero — I'm talking about this blue-haired con artist!

Akmonides: Now that's unfair! I'm just saying that when you combine the old man's wisdom with the young fellow's boldness and resources, you get a winning combination. You two could move mountains together!

Soctires: I'm just a simple old fellow thirsty for knowledge, but you make a good point. I do want to do my part for this new world taking shape.

Akmonides: Right, right. And besides... when one of you is brave enough to steal supplies for refugees, while the other dares to take offerings from temples... doesn't that sounds like two birds of a feather?

Palaten the Scholar: That's a wild accusation—

Dagra: Exactly! Finally someone who actually understand the laws I uphold. For this, Mr. Soctires and I shall be friends for the ages — literally!

Akmonides: As for you, mister, with your limited credentials, I think you're best suited as the assistant to these distinguished gentlemen.

Palaten the Scholar: ...You've given me a job without my consent, huh? Just exactly who do you think you're patronizing right now?

Akmonides: Patronizing? What? Is being an assistant beneath you? Besides, shouldn't a good disciple want to follow their master's footsteps and continue their noble work?

Palaten the Scholar: Y-You... unbelievable...

You Zagreus disciple, zealous as they come.

I'll write you a Tavern recommendation letter right now...

Akmonides: I appreciate the kind words, friend! With the apocalypse behind us, I'm on the lookout for fresh amusements...

Akmonides: Speaking of which, when will your "expedition team" be accepting new recruits? I'd be very interested in signing up.