Part 6: Episode 6: The Underling Strikes Back

Episode 6: The Underling Strikes Back

Oh, hi there! Last time on Neptunia we made a new friend in Lastation. Now, on Neptunia…

The Guild wanted us to deal with some monsters that had invaded a beach resort, so Uni and I met up with IF and Compa there.



Oh. You weren’t doing quests alone.
Hmph. I guess that makes sense, since you look like a frail twig.
What the goodness… Don’t say that, even though I’m not all that strong yet…
Okay, okay, stop it. It’s a pain in my rear if you get all depressed, so start smiling.
If you go with a group of people, of course the quests are easy. Let’s get this over with.
Ugh, that sorority brat pack is here? That was fast. If they keep clinging to me like maggots, I can’t do my job.
I’ll kill ‘em all while they’re here. Why the hell not?

We were having a lot of fun for a while too, before that jerk showed up.

Video- “Uni’s Secret”

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This did go by really quick. You’re very skilled, Uni.
You, too. Better than I expected, anyway. Don’t get the wrong idea-you’re still far weaker than me.
What? I don’t think that’s true.
Teeheehee. It seems like they’re already good friends.
No kidding. I don’t think she’s smiled like that ever since we rescued her.
I’m getting jealous, Iffy. I’ve known Ge-Ge way longer than this girl.
Don’t turn into a green-eyed monster over that bratty little kid.
Jeez, again. Why do you stupid princesses make everything into a feel-good daytime family movie?
Huh?
Aaagh!
IF? Compa?
Heh. And the chaperons are out of the picture. Time to take care of the little kiddies!
Who is this uncouth hag?
This is Underling. She’s one of ASIC’s lowest-ranking peons, isn’t that right?
Shut your food hole! Stop calling me that!
ASIC? So she works with Arfoire’s minions. Stay back, Nepgear. I’ll handle this loon myself.
No can do. I’m fighting, too. She hurt my precious friends again. I’ll never forgive that.
Hah! Don’t try to act cool, little girl. I let my guard slip last time, but I’ll be different now. You’re a pusho-huh?
Haaah!

Before we both found out the truth.





Boss Battle: Underling
We’re up against Underling again, though this time things are much easier. She’s still about the same strength she was last time, but we’re higher level and now it’s two on one. Just like last time we’re permanently in HDD even if we run out of SP for this fight. Just kick the hell out of her, you probably won’t even need to heal.

I thought that we’d gotten really lucky, finding Lastation’s CPU Candidate, but… that’s not how things turned out.



…Nepgear, you…
Uni…you’re Lastation’s CPU Candidate! I’m so glad. We’ve been looking for you!
Tch!
You’ll fight with us, right? We’ve got to save your sister and protect Gamindustri together.
Don’t touch me, traitor!
Huh? Traitor?
Why? Why are you here? Why were you saved while my sister was left behind!?
That…that’s because…
She refused to take me along three years ago.
If she just let me go, maybe I could’ve saved her. If I went instead of you…
I’m…I’m so sorry. I admit that I failed three years ago, but it’s not too late to save your-
Shut up! Don’t ever, ever, ever talk to me again. We aren’t friends. Period!
Wait, Uni!
Ouch. That stupid Underling clubbed us from behind like a baboon. That pisses me off.
How horrible. We’re both going to have big bumps on our noggins. Wait… Where did Uni go?
Uni…

Even worse, we still had no idea where to look for the mascot character.
Hey Ge-Ge, still working hard?



We’ve asked so many people. Hasn’t anyone heard anything about it?
I guess we’ve got no choice. We’ll have to visit the Oracle.
Oracle? Oh yes, that’s right. Every nation has an Oracle like Histoire is for Planeptune.
If you knew this, why didn’t you bring it up earlier, Iffy? Do you get a kick out of being withholding?
I said we don’t have any other choice. Her reputation isn’t that great. The Oracle of Lastation, I mean.

Yeah, I’m just getting to where we talked with the Oracle.

Video- “Jinguji Kei”

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Thank you for letting us in.

She was really weird, she asked me to give her money for something she called a pondsy scheme. But I don’t really like the water, so why would I want to pay her for a pond?
Um, I don’t think…no, nevermind.



I heard you had something to discuss with me directly. Compa and IF, you two are from Planeptune, correct?
Oh? You’ve heard of us? How embarrassing…
Don’t be misled. Information is the nature of my profession. I’ve monitored your movements since your arrival.
Your reputation precedes you.
We’re looking for Lastation’s mascot character. Do you know where it is?
It isn’t like I am unaware, however… At this point, what is the value of my information?
…What do you mean?
Unless I receive something of equal value in return, there can be no transaction, no exchange. Business 101.
I spent all my money on medical textbooks, though…
Don’t worry. Monetary exchange is not my intent. Instead, I ask you to perform some manual labor.
Get to the point.
This nation is currently in the middle of developing a new device capable of doing everything. We require components.

Then she tried to sell me some kind of weird computer money so I told her I had to go to the bathroom and then snuck out of the Basilicom.
I think we got really lucky with Histoire, I’m not sure what Miss Kei’s deal was.



You need those!? Both are incredibly rare materials.
Are they really?
They’re so valuable that shops refuse to stock them because they’d get robbed. I don’t know where to find them.
This is an impossible request!
If that is your response, I can’t force you to do as I ask. Forget my proposal. I miscalculated the information’s value.
Tch. What a haggler.
I understand. We will look for them. Once we bring them, you’ll tell us what you know about the mascot, right?
There is one more thing. I want you to tell me what happened in the graveyard. Both three years ago…and recently.
You even know about that, Jeangootchie!?
Jinguji. I lack details, but I surmise you were there recently, seeing as how Miss Nepgear is standing before me.
You’ve known about Nepgear this whole time, I see.
Is Noire all right? Why is only Nepgear with you?
Noire is still with my sister. They-
Hold it, Gear. Business 101, right? The basic principle of business is give and take.
It’s poor ethics for you to try and pry information from us for free.
My apologies. Then I would like to formally request you to collect the aforementioned items.
Once that has been taken care of, I promise we’ll exchange information.
Of course. Thank you very much.
Heavens, did I err in my diplomacy? It seems I lost a bit of my composure.
Noire…you are fine, right?

We didn’t have much choice but to try and find the Treasure Gem and Hematite for her, though.



Yes, you were extremely cool.
The Treasure Gem and Hematite, right? Do either of you have any idea where we should start looking?
If we knew, there wouldn’t be an issue. I’ve heard that some monsters collect rare gems and whatnot, so maybe…
We beat up everything in sight and see if they drop any?
That’s a crude way to put it, but it’s our best option for now.

I do wish Uni hadn’t run off, but I can’t blame her for being mad at me I guess.



I know that, I really do. My sister left me behind because my abilities were inadequate.
Even if I went with her, I would’ve been more of a burden than an asset.
That’s why I’m trying really hard to grow stronger, so I…
What should I do if I run into Nepgear again? Apologize? I don’t know if I can stomach the thought of groveling, but…

Anyway, Next Time on Hyperdimension Neptunia Mark Two: Justice! Oh my goodness, are we about to make a new friend?