Tricks and Wits

(Talk to Asaba Harumasa, optional)

Asaba Harumasa: Didn't expect to be trapped in a virtual world... When we wake up, will the world outside have changed beyond recognition?

Ask about something

Asaba Harumasa: Everything we've just tried has been pretty telling.

Asaba Harumasa: We can't even log out via safe mode even with your help... Tsk!

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Our current situation should be within your bounds of expectations, Asaba.

Asaba Harumasa: Yeah. Besides you, Tsukishiro, who managed to secure your virtual data permissions when you enabled safe mode earlier, the Chief, Soukaku, and I might all lose control and start attacking you at any moment.

Asaba Harumasa: So, are you sure you want to be speaking to me while standing so close?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: You're fine, Asaba.

Asaba Harumasa: Aha... Are you saying that I'm weak and that you could take care of me any time you want?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: That's not what I meant. It's just a purely objective analysis: The closer you are, the less efficient your bow and arrows become.

Asaba Harumasa: Good point. But even so, don't get any closer than we are now, okay?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: I wasn't planning to.

(Exits dialogue)

View data status

Asaba Harumasa: Data status? Oh, are you talking about the marking ring that the HIA added for me? Let me think... how do I activate it again...?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: I see. You can turn it off, now.

(Return to dialogue options)

(Talk to Hoshimi Miyabi, optional)

Hoshimi Miyabi: Fortunately, my swordsmanship is still effective in this virtual world, and it barely drains any stamina.

Ask about something

Hoshimi Miyabi: I was just wondering...

Hoshimi Miyabi: I wonder what our bodies look like out there in the real world right now.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Probably just in a state of unconsciousness?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Our enemy threatened to "trap us here forever, until our brains shut down"...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: If we believe them, then we don't have much time left.

Hoshimi Miyabi: I don't like my brain shutting down. Let's try to defeat the enemy quickly and find a way out.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Of course. I am always relying on your might, Chief, alongside everyone else. Now, there's finally something I can do for everyone.

Hoshimi Miyabi: I just thought of something else — Yanagi, you successfully enabled safe mode, didn't you?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Correct. What about it, Miyabi?

Hoshimi Miyabi: Your virtual data cannot be meddled with. In a worst-case scenario, you will have a better chance than us of making it back to reality.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Please don't say such things...

Hoshimi Miyabi: Why? I will wait for you. I trust you'll come back for us, no matter how dangerous it might get.

Hoshimi Miyabi: No matter how much time passes in the virtual world, Hoshimi Miyabi will fight until the very end, waiting for your return.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...*sob*...

Hoshimi Miyabi: Why do you look as though you're about to start crying?

(Exits dialogue)

View data status

Hoshimi Miyabi: Hmm, I'm not very good at activating that special marking ring. Yanagi, could you teach me the technique again?

Tsukishiro Yanagi I see. You can turn it off, now.

(Return to dialogue options)

(Talk to Soukaku, optional)

Soukaku: Even though we're stuck here with nothing to eat, I'm not hungry at all! That's a good thing, right, Nagi?

Ask about something

Soukaku: My stomach doesn't feel hungry at all. What a strange feeling...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: The good kind of strange, or the bad kind?

Soukaku: I'm... not sure.

Soukaku: The feeling of not being hungry... It's different to feeling full. My heart is empty, but I don't feel the need to fill it all up. It's awful...

Soukaku: I'm... I'm never full. The one who never gets full... that's meant to be me.

Soukaku: To keep on surviving... I've had to eat many precious treasures. Everything I ever loved... I turned into my own flesh and blood.

Soukaku: If... If I don't even want to eat anymore... then I don't know where all those precious treasures... where they've gone...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...

You gently cradle Soukaku's small frame in your arms.

Soukaku: ...N—Nagi!

Soukaku: I'm sorry to worry you, Nagi! Haha... I don't want to be seen so down in the dumps...!

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Don't worry, Soukaku. We'll be out of here soon.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: And once we get out of here, we can go and get kebabs together.

Soukaku: Yay! Kebabs are delicious! I'll fight to the death for my kebabs then, heheh!

(Exits dialogue)

View data status

Soukaku: Do you want to see that shiny round ring? Okay, I'll call it out right away!

Tsukishiro Yanagi I see. You can turn it off, now.

(Return to dialogue options)

(Interact with the VR Machine)

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Proceed with the VR test now?

Yes.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: The goal is to restart the test stage and eliminate the remaining test monsters...

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Everyone, are you ready?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: If you're all ready, then everybody say that... key phrase together.

Asaba Harumasa: Uuuuurrrgh...

Asaba Harumasa: "To protect the city... I... Asaba Harumasa... will become... light..."

Soukaku: "To protect the city! I, Soukaku, will... become light!"

Tsukishiro Yanagi: "To protect the city, I, Tsukishiro Yanagi, will become light."

Hoshimi Miyabi: "To protect the city I, Hoshimi Miyabi... will become light."

Wait a minute.

(Enter battle)

Soukaku: Eh? Why did we change places?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: ...It seems the enemy has access permissions to allow them to change the stage environment.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: There's a test target, right up ahead!

(After the first wave)

Asaba Harumasa: Huh? Still bouncing around? Did I miss?

Hoshimi Miyabi: ...No, the feel of the strike is fine.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: The enemy is tampering with monster data in the background!

(After the second wave)

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Everyone, watch out! These monsters are cheating!

(After the third wave)

Tsukishiro Yanagi: We're at a disadvantage in a drawn-out battle, let's go after the target first!

(After taking the elevator)

Soukaku: Nagi! I see it! Hey! Stop right there!

Asaba Harumasa: Taking down cheating enemies... I impress even myself~

Hoshimi Miyabi: Yes, I'm enjoying the fight, too.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Avoiding the fight like this. It must be one of the missing test monsters!

The first fish to slip through the net

(After the sixth wave)

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 The first fish to slip through the net

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Video Summary: The hardest mask to wear is instinct

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Tsukishiro Yanagi: Found you!

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Hmph... This old trick?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Chief Miyabi! Now!!

Tsukishiro Yanagi: There's no hiding instinct.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: You know how to leave this virtual space. Talk!

???: Hahaha... You're... never leaving...!

Tsukishiro Yanagi: What?

Soukaku: We're back in the HIA room again!

Asaba Harumasa: Phew~ I'm exhausted~

Soukaku: Nagi! You did it!

Asaba Harumasa: That's the Deputy Chief for you!

Hoshimi Miyabi: Well done.