Lunarescent Rim

Listen

Youth Looking Like a Pilot: I've told you, I can't activate this aurumaton alone. My consciousness can't withstand the impact of the aurumaton talisman... You'll have to find another tester for me.

Girl Looking Like a Craftsman: I know, I know. I even asked Madam Qingzu at the Seat of Divine Foresight if there were any volunteers from the Cloud Knights or pilots willing to participate in the test, but no one responded.

Youth Looking Like a Pilot: ...

Girl Looking Like a Craftsman: Besides, you have no parents, no siblings with whom you share blood ties, and you don't even have a long-term cohabiting lover. It's not easy to find someone who can resonate with you.

Youth Looking Like a Pilot: ... Why do you think I have no lover?

Girl Looking Like a Craftsman: What did you say?

Youth Looking Like a Pilot: Ugh, nothing.

What are you two talking about?

Here comes a high resonator.

Youth Looking Like a Pilot: And you are?

Girl Looking Like a Craftsman: I'm Sensen, and this is Leili. Are you the aurumaton tester that Madam Qingzu sent over?

Aurumaton?

Sensen: I brought an old aurumaton model designated Pingrong Type-C. Master said that in ancient times, the aurumatons on the Xianzhou were allowed to act on their own.

Sensen: However, for some reason, they eventually turned against humans and went on a killing spree. So our ancestors put talismans on all the aurumatons in the ensuing years, making them dull, clumsy, and constantly twitching.

Sensen: My thesis topic is to restore the intelligence of the aurumatons. Not to lift the ban on them, of course, but to try and connect human consciousness with aurumatons. The more in sync their minds are, the more precise the aurumatons' movements will be, just like a couple of sweethearts, haha.

Leili: This won't work! Every time I connect to that thing, it felt like I was put inside a steel coffin, and I can perceive stimuli far beyond my usual limits. I think my brain will melt into a pot of gruel within minutes.

Don't you already have a tester here?

Sensen: You saw it, didn't you? Once Leili connects to it, it doesn't take long for him to cry and scream and give up control.

Sensen: So I was trying to look for someone more resilient to share the burden. With two people, it should work... I think

Wouldn't it be like having two left feet?

Leili:That's why testers need to have experience living with me, So that both of us have an understanding and can work together

Feels like a hot-blooded teenage story.

Kinda disgusting.

Leili: Haha haha, I think so too.

Sensen: Don't worry, as long as you both resonate well, you will feel like you're the same person.

Sensen: Since there's no other tester applicants, we don't have any other choice. It's all up to you.

(Returns to start of 2nd dialogue)

Why don't you try?

Leili: Me? I tried. I lasted even shorter than him. Also, the second I connected, Leili complained about how his heart can't take it. So after a few tries, I gave up on that idea.

Sensen: If the three of us connect at the same time, it would be even more difficult to make the aurumaton move.

Sensen: Since there's no other tester applicants, we don't have any other choice. It's all up to you.

(Returns to start of 2nd dialogue)

Well then, chop-chop, let me in!

Start Sync

Sensen attaches some talismans to the joints of both your and Leili's limbs, and the talismans glow with shimmering patterns and pulse at the same frequency.

Sensen: This technique hereby, have i named Hearts Aligned. With talismans bestowed by the heavens, thy spirits and soul are combined. Spirits of gold and metal, shall now obey thy commands!

Sensen: Did it work? Let's see...

Sensen: Synchronization rate 40%.

Sensen: Synchronization rate 79.9%. Still in control so far!

Sensen: Do you want to continue testing?

To move ahead is to gain. To run away is to lose.

Mustn't run away... mustn't run away...

Sensen: Test start.

Sensen: Now, try moving something

Maybe I should just give up.

Sensen: Yikes, still not working?

(Exits dialogue)

(If either of first two options was selected)

Extend right arm.

Extend both arms

Sensen: Wow! Do it again, I wanna test something.

Extend right arm

Extend both arms

Sensen: Uh-huh. Now do something slightly more complicated.

Arms on hip

Cross both arms.

Facepalm with one hand

Sensen: How do you two feel?

A little nauseated. I think I'm gonna hurl...

Leili: I feel the same way.

Are you sure you're not just emulating me?

Leili: Aren't you the one emulating me?

My body moved on its own...

Leili: Is that so? I can control you? I just thought of a movement, and it moved...

(All options lead to the following)

Leili: Wait, I suddenly have memories that aren't mine...

Leili: That lady with pink hair, the older gent with glasses, the silent black haired young man, and the classy lady with red hair... Are these your memories?

They are indeed my memories

Sensen: This is just a side effect of synchronization. Keep it up!

Th—Those are not my memories...

Sensen: I saw you in the memory. They are totally your memory.

What else did you see?

Leili: Wait, I suddenly have memories that aren't mine... I saw that y—y—you used to control an aurumaton as large as a mountain!

Leili: A beast charging toward you... A man dripping with golden blood... H—he looked at you... Who is he? Who is he!?

(All options lead to the following)

You are sure that Leili realized that you have obtained some newfound knowledge. He keeps making faces at you, hoping to make you understand and zip it.

I saw your memories, too.

Leili: Uh, um... That's not my memory!

You like Sensen!

Leili: ...

Sensen: I know that. It's not a secret.

You train your body a lot.

Leili: That's right!

Sensen: What is this nonsense.

(You read the room and keep quiet)

(All options lead to the following)

Sensen: Great! Your synchronization rate is close to 87%! Next I will connect this Hearts Aligned talisman to the aurumaton.

Beeeep!

You hear the beautiful scenes of electromagnetic waves surging, you see the scorching pain of flesh and blood, and you smell the ruthless coldness of metallic shells. You are bound by invisible talismans, every commandment pierces your heart, roaring for you to bow down and obey.

The temporary black-out passes and your vision begins to recover. The sound of calling for help is getting clearer.

Sensen: The aurumaton — the aurumaton went out of control! Somebody help Leili!

(Enter battle against Aurumaton Gatekeeper ×1)

(After battle)

Sensen: Thank you. I have to send Leili to the apothecary now.

Sensen: I didn't think connecting to aurumatons was so dangerous. Master Gongshu had warned me many times, but I didn't heed his warning. I'm starting to regret it...

Maybe heed his warning next time...

Maybe find some work at a factory. You're not cut out for research...

Sensen: Thank you. Maybe I should change my research topic.

Sensen: It's my fault for being too hasty.

Sensen: No matter what, I want to thank you. This is the reward you deserve. I should take Leili to the apothecary now.

Leili: Thank you, we shall meet again.

(Obtain Adventure Log ×2, Artifex's Gyreheart ×2, Artifex's Cogwheel ×2, Ambergris of Abundance ×4, and Credit ×167)

Sensen: No worries. Let me see if you and Leili are compatible. Please step over here.

(Exits dialogue, moves to 2nd part of dialogue upon interaction)

You've got the wrong person. I'm just passing by.

(Exits dialogue)

(This spells trouble. Better sneak out.)

(Exits dialogue)