Part 5: Update V - One more time

Update V - One more time

Music: None


Last time, we had a vote.



And the winner, by a large margin, was Caster!





Now, let's take a step back.

Sound: School bell ringing


My headache worsens day by day, until it finally buzzes in my head like an alarm. That day. In potent numbness, I wake up twice as fast as normal.



I may wind up back in bed if I let go and faint- For some time, I have been embracing a rush of useless information. The normal stuff you'd see at a school, like the hustle and bustle of my classmates by the entrance. It hasn't changed. It hasn't changed. —When I push the thought, my field of vision fizzles. Today/Again today, there's a crowd of students milling in front of the school gate, and more are being directed that way. As to what's going on— There's a boy in a black uniform in front of the school gate. He's my friend/as I recall. He's Issei Ryuudo/as I recall. I remember this from the first time. When Issei notices me looking at him, he pushes through the crowd.

Well at least our new protagonist is a bit quicker on the draw than the last one (who will now be referred to as Newshound for what little time he has left).



They're already at the 'everyone else is monochrome' phase of this!

Hmm? Why do you look so surprised? We announced at last week's assembly that this month the student council would strictly enforce school rules.

If this sounds familiar, that's because we heard the exact same thing with Newshound at the very beginning.

He runs through his spiel, as if this was the first time he'd ever disclosed the information. I already know this. I know it. I already know what happens. It's happened more than once.



First, let me check your student ID. I shouldn't need to remind you, but it should be on you at all times.

My log-in ID is being checked. It's so obvious now. I answer clearly to the question that usually makes me go dizzy.



We'll be going with a female student.



Named Hakuno Kishinami.



Nicknamed Hime, to go with her haircut.



No more fakeouts, this is who we'll be playing as from here until the credits.



There she is now!

I feel nauseous, and I know it has nothing to do with what I ate for breakfast this morning. I feel nauseous because of the world around me. It's repeating itself over and over, and that's making me sick—

Now for the uniform inspection. ...Collar, check! Pant hems, check! And your socks...check!



Hakuno just books it past Issei.

I want him to get out of my way. I want this repetition to stop. I push him aside and go forward. I'm not nice about it, either.



But he doesn't even notice.

Your nails are evenly cut, and your haircut is sensible. Indeed, quite remarkable. You're a model Tsukumihara Academy student.

He keeps on talking loudly, even though he's facing no one. I have a headache. I'm shivering. I know one thing for sure. This is wrong. This is not the school I know! It can't be! I have to go. I have to hurry and wake up. Or else it will be too late. But, who am I— awakening for—



Music: Duel - Prelude to Confrontation


Hello static my old friend...

Uneasiness. Futility. Emptiness. I want someone to explain to me the true nature behind all of these feelings. There must be a key somewhere. Something that will have the answers to all of my questions.



The NPCs in this room are unchanged, although the guy who told Newshound about the club has vanished.



The writers also forgot to change the description on Newshound's desk.



In the rest of the school, everyone else has vanished.



Even little Alice.



Going to 1F plays a quick cutscene. We get a repeat of Leo walking towards the door.



But this time, a monochrome Newshound follows.

The moment I step foot on the first floor, my feelings of unease intensify. There is a student wearing a red Uniform...Leo, the new transfer student. The instant I lay eyes on him, I immediately feel intimidated and humiliated. There is also someone trailing behind him. It looks like...one of my classmates... The more I think, the more I realize that Leo isn't the only anomaly I've come across while on campus. There are other things that seem...off...as well. It's becoming clearer now. There are people who shouldn't exist. Students that mysteriously vanish. The fabric of reality is coming unraveled.



_{Don't turn away now.} What defines the world you know? Don't turn away now. There is a reason why you're here. Come. Do not allow yourself to close your eyes to the truth.



We don't even get the option to try and leave.



As Hakuno is a fair bit sharper than Newshound, and refuses to go near the instant death gate.



So all we can do is retrace our steps for the first time.





If that is the case, this world is in some ways more real than the real world it represents. How about you guys? What are your thoughts on this?

"You guys." Of course Leo knew Hakuno was here all along.

You guys? For a moment, it feels as if he is including me in his comment. However, Leo begins speaking to my classmate, seemingly oblivious to my presence.

Greetings. I believe this is the first time we've had an actual conversation.

Leo gives me a smile with no hostility. However, I have the suspicion that there is something malicious behind his smile.

Attending school wasn't half-bad. I've never had the opportunity to go to one before now. In that respect, this has been quite an interesting experience. ...However, the time for fun has come to an end. I did not come here to play at being a student. No matter how enjoyable the detour, eventually one must return to their appointed path. And for me, the time to do so has arrived...

With those final words, Leo turns his back on me.



No, that's not quite right. I don't think farewell would be accurate in this situation. For reasons I cannot explain, I have the distinct feeling that we will see each other again. So I guess I should use the more congenial, "See you later". Well, it's time for me to move on. I wish you the best of luck.



Leo walks through the wall. Again.

Leo said as much, even going so far as to look in my direction... For some inexplicable reason, I'm not surprised that Leo knew I was spying on him. I am trying to get things straightened out in my mind when Leo suddenly...disappears.

Hey, fun fact, if you looked closely back when Leo was introduced:



You can see both Hakunos (female Hakuno in front, male Hakuno near the door) sitting next to Newshound. Leo wasn't paying attention to him at all. Poor kid never stood a chance.



The kid himself walks to his inevitable death.

The student who is following him also disappears after touching the same spot on the wall. At the same moment he vanishes, my vision distorts and the shock threatens to overwhelm me. What is going on here...? I wonder if this place is the source of my unease...



Much like before, we have to follow.





I don't want to know.

I rub my eyes, willing the strange things I have seen to go away. I feel like the truth that waits ahead will be more unforgiving than I could possibly imagine. I'd rather live my life not knowing any terrible truths. I'm willing to forgo knowledge so that I can keep living a normal, average life.

Interestingly, Hakuno gets a different speech for this. But that still leaves us stuck here, so...

I want to know.

The atmosphere changes. There's a doorway, an entrance, where the concrete wall used to be. It's not something of this world. There's no doubt this door leads to someplace unfathomable. I bid farewell to the false world, and take my first step toward the truth.

Music: Stops


Farewell, static, for the final time.



Another effigy is already waiting for us.

An entrance to another world- Beyond this door, the previous statement perfectly describes the view before me. Walking behind me is my strange, silent attendant. It is to be my sword and shield for what lies ahead... A disembodied voice suddenly confirms my thoughts. Although I have yet to learn anything, I need to do something besides stand here. At the very least, there might be some clues to this bizarre experience up ahead. —I have no choice but to head into the darkness with only this strange doll as protection.



Like Newshound, we push on.

Music: Deathly Silent


Unlike Newshound, we have a longer trip to our destination.



A long path.



With a flash, things start to appear.



Like these cubes.



And those pellets.



And finally, a glowing hallway.

Get used to these, we'll be seeing a lot of them.



A bit further, and we reach the end of this hallway.

Music: Stops


But we're not there yet.

No longer a typical school campus, the floors and walls, the air, even the aura are slightly off. It wouldn't surprise me to see a monster pop out from the shadows. It's very much like a dungeon here.



With a shocking suddenness, a voice begins speaking. It sounds like it's coming from the empty sky above.

If you are looking for answers, you must reach the goal. Now, please step forward.

Music: Fourth Chimeric Lunar Sea - First Floor


We're at the bottom of a vast ocean. Swords cover the seabed, the bones of a great beast fill the water.



Up ahead is a floating cube.



That's right, kids, we got a ~tutorial dungeon~! It only took close to 2 hours of gameplay and 5 updates!

Inside of it is a farewell present of sorts for those about to face the coming trial. Touch it to open it.



Inside the Folder is an Ether Shard, which heals for 200 HP.



Next to the cube is a sphere. God help us when the triangles show up.



But you won't actually fight as you are too fragile. The effigy given to you will fight in your stead. If your effigy is ever destroyed in battle, you will no longer be shielded from harm. To put it bluntly, you will die. So be very careful in battle. But there's no need to be afraid...for now. Just do what I say and you'll be perfectly safe for the time being. First off, why don't I explain a little bit about battles? First of all, there are three basic commands that you can issue in battle: ATTACK, GUARD, and BREAK. Each turn in battle is composed of six actions, and you'll need to tell your effigy what your strategy is to be.



The enemy before you should be quite easy to defeat as it will only perform "BREAK". "BREAK", which is focused solely on power, shouldn't be much of a problem against "ATTACK". Now, use the "ATTACK" command to destroy the program.







Fine, I will.

The other one just repeats the explanation.

Music: Battle - First Chimeric Lunar Sea


Agreeing instantly starts a fight.



The reason for the thread title, Extra's combat is just Rock-Paper-Scissors. Guard beats Attack beats Break beats Guard. I'll go further into why this is so bad once we have an actual fight.



Hitting Square brings up the skill menu, which is divided into Skills, Code Casts, and Items. Skills are moves used by your partner, and take the place of a standard attack for that action, but our effigy has none. Code Casts and Items are both used by us personally, but we have no Code Casts and only the one Ether Shard. Each round gives you one Master action, which can be used at any point and goes before that set of attacks.



The turn indicator will let you know how a clash will resolve. You know, in case you can't keep track of the arrows on the bottom left for whatever reason.



Being a tutorial, this is an effortless win.



Win a clash, do some damage.



Winning three clashes in a row...



Lets you use an Extra Attack for some free damage. You can use two Extra Attacks every round, provided you win all six clashes.



The Watcher doesn't last long. Maybe possess a girl in red next time, jackass.

Music: Fourth Chimeric Lunar Sea - First Floor


One thing to know is that in each turn, you'll have to plan a series of six moves that will defeat your foe. ...The goal is still far ahead. If you must bask in the afterglow of your victory, do so while moving forward.





Seriously, this place has a ton of bones.

It also has another sphere at the top of this ramp.



Do not be alarmed, that enemy isn't strong enough to harm you. It is programmed to only use "ATTACK". While "ATTACK" is a potent action, using "GUARD” will allow you to defend and then counterattack. ”GUARD” can be used to reduce the damage caused by an enemy attack, but I trust you know this.



...Now that you know how this battle will unfold, use the appropriate command to defeat the enemy program.



This is a repeat of the last fight with a different flavor.



Guarding attacks inflicts a bit of chip damage. It isn't a major factor, granted, but it is something to keep in mind.



Crits also exist, which deal an extra 50-100% more damage or so.



As you may have already noticed, performing three successful actions in a row result in a "CHAIN". By performing multiple CHAIN attacks, you can perform a devastating follow-up attack on your opponent.

Shut up, voice, I already went over that.



While doing multiple CHAIN attacks in the heat of battle may be difficult, the results make it worth the effort. Now, please proceed.



We now have a bunch of ribcages, as well as a massive skull.



And, you guessed it, another orb.

This program will only use "GUARD" and do nothing in battle but defend against harm. But no matter how stout one's defense may be, it will be for naught against the "BREAK" command.



Remember, always use the appropriate command for any given situation.



Yawn.





Someone as intuitive and observant as you must have already noticed this, each of the three attacks balances each other out, creating a situation where no attack is dominant.



What I just covered is the absolute basics of battle and the minimum info you'll need to know. Once you master the basics, all that's left is to test yourself in battle and gain valuable experience. Now, please proceed.



A closer look at the skull.



We have one last orb before we can leave the tutorial zone.

There are also some nautiluses ammonites floating around. Even this far down, there's still some life.



Like you, your enemies will choose their actions based on the situation and general observation. Their actions will be very difficult for you to predict at first. As you face the same enemy multiple times, you will be able to read their tendencies and patterns accurately.


Being able to guess your opponent's moves with only a limited amount of info is the key to victory!

...Although considering your lack of fighting experience, I may be expecting far too much from you. But anyway, please try your best.



The Pylon Soul here is our first encounter with an unknown command. Enemies in Extra aren't random, and will have a list of possible turns depending on their type. With the moves shown, I'm guessing the two missing commands are Guard and Break, for a 1-1-2-2-1-1 pattern. Makes sense, right?



Wrong.



Get fucked.



This is why Extra's combat got slammed so hard. Everything is either solved for you, or utter RNG where failing hits hard. Just look at my health, one tie and one loss cost me 1/3 of my HP!

This is the entire framework of the game, hours upon hours of Rock-Paper-Scissors where you know most of the moves.

As an aside, Guarding is the safest option on unknown moves, as a tie with Attack or Break has a chance to deal damage to both sides, while a Guard tie will never deal damage. As your own HP is the most important number, being able to have a 2/3 chance of taking no damage is a lifesaver.

...unless the enemy throws a string of Breaks, in which case they break you in half! Riveting fucking gameplay, no?



Anyways, the Pylon Soul is close enough to death that those three unknowns don't matter.





There's a lot of ammonites floating around.



Plus this giant orb to the right.



Newshound is almost certainly dead by now, huh?

Next time: A plea, a mark, and a Servant.