Part 23: Episode 23: Return of Underling

Episode 23: Return of Underling

Goodness, is it time to do this again? Last time we didn’t do much of anything. Now, on Neptune…

Feinne’s Notes:
Some funny enemies in this place, armed with ASCII characters.





Does ASIC even have anyone but Underling working for them? I see her more often than my relatives.



Dammit, I should’ve realized most heroes are born in places like this. I’m in charge, but my peons suck!
You again? This pattern’s getting to be like a Saturday morning cartoon.
Grr, I know that familiar, vaguely bored voice. It’s you morons again! Crap, you really don’t quit, do you!?
Miss Underling, did you get a promotion? Congratulations!
What? Oh, that’s no good. If she got promoted, we can’t call her Underling anymore.
Maybe the most novel choice is to still call her Underling, even after promotion.
I guess her underlings can’t just call her Underling, right? They’d have to say Manager Underling, Director Underling…
Grrr, these moe blobs will just keep faring out of their mouths forever! Don’t mock me! C’mon out, monster!
Yep, Saturday morning cartoon villain. This is such a nuisance.

She had a dragon this time, though. That’s moving up in the world a bit.

Video- “Ryo-O”

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Boss Battle: Ryu-O
So, we’re fighting a big scary dragon. This works a lot like the one we beat to get the Treasure Gem or a Killachine, really. He’s a big scary guy and we want to jam Nepgear right in his face. He’s got a lot of health, so you want to use your biggest and best skills on him to drag him down relatively quickly. In that vein, you should watch this video to see Cave’s ‘Black Label’ skill and the mighty Inafune Brand.

Dragon not very impressive, Gust has seen better.



W-Well, I think I saw her run away while we were fighting…
I guess she used the bonus stats from her promotion to increase her escape speed.
That should secure the peace on this island for the time being. We should let Falcom know.

Still, it was a dragon. Even if it was really, really weak.



I doubt they’ll come back unless something, I dunno, original happens.
In that case, thank you. You’ve helped me a whole lot.
We just did what anyone would do.
What’s your plan now, Miss Falcom?
Let’s see… I’d like to have another epic adventure, but I guess that can wait for a while.
I’m sure there are some remnants of ASIC’s forces still hanging around, so I’ll clear them out first.
Okay, good luck. We’ll stop ASIC as soon as we can.
Thanks. I’ll never forget this. If I can ever be of help, please ask me anytime.

We barely even got back to the Basilicom before stuff started going wrong again.

Video- “Fresh Problems”

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Ah, welcome back. I assume you are tired from your extended travels.
This is Planeptune’s Basilicom, huh? The others are nice, but this one feels the most heroic of all.
I wonder how many people would come to a concert here.
Don’t gawk, kids. It proves you’re just bumpkins.
As requested, we gained the support of Gamindustri’s mascot characters.
Indeed. Allow me to condense their combined powers into a new piece of Sharicite.
When that’s done…
Correct. We will most assuredly rescue the captive CPUs.
It’s finally gonna happen!
We get to rescue the real CPUs!? I can’t wait!
My songs…the CPUs will hear them!
One small step away from world peace.
We won’t screw up this time. I promise!

I mean first there’s you freaking out, then that phone call.



(I hope we succeed. Last time, we were helpless. And not just me, but all four of the CPUs together failed.)
(I think I’ve become stronger since then, but even so…)
Wait a moment, please.
What’s wrong, Ge-Ge?
We’re burning with passionate flames! Don’t you dare be the wet blanket of empirical evidence!
What I mean is, shouldn’t we ask the other CPU Candidates to come with us? I bet Uni, Rom, and Ram want to help.
That was in the initial draft of my plan, however…
They declined us time and time again. I think it’s a waste to ask anymore.
That’s true, but…
Oops, sorry. Hello, it’s me. Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite little Guild secretary. What’s up?
Huh? Wait, does that mean… Yeah. Uh-huh. I understand. You be careful, as well.
What was that, Iffy? You look even more serious than usual.
ASIC activity’s grown violent in Lowee. Just in the last few days, they estimate 90 percent of all shares were taken.
Did you say 90 percent of all shares? An inconceivable figure. What could have transpired there?
Nobody knows for sure, but it was a sudden incident.
Are Rom and Ram okay?
I don’t know that, either.
While I have little proof for this claim, a loss of 90 percent may manifest serious physical harm to a CPU.
No way…
This concerns me. If such a substantial shift can occur in another nation, it may affect our own operation.
It will take about three days to prepare the Sharicite. In the meantime, please investigate what happened in Lowee.
Of course. Even if you didn’t ask, we would. I’m worried about them…

I-I didn’t freak out! Oh, Falcom decided to join us about then.



Oh, it’s you. How’s the journey?
It’s going just fine, but it’ll take a while until we can truly call Gamindustri a peaceful place.
I understand. It seems you’re going through some tough times.
If you wouldn’t mind, perhaps I could join up with you? I’m not sure how much of a help I’d be, though.
Goodness, are you sure?
Yeah. Things on this island are more or less settled. I figured it’s high time I reciprocated your kindness. So, may I?
Of course you’re welcome to join us! It’ll be a pleasure to have you.
Excellent. The pleasure’s all mine.

Feinne’s Notes:
So now Falcom joins.



Falcom is sort of interesting, she’s tough and hits hard but she isn’t very mobile. If she had more health she could probably pretty viably take hits like Nepgear does, but as it is she’s mainly just good for slugging it out while not being in terribly large danger if something decides to attack her. She’s got a good variety of skills, but you might want to give her some equipment that makes her more mobile if you want to use her. Oh, and she comes with a couple of costumes just like Cave.





Next Time on Hyperdimension Neptunia, Mark 2: Underling’s Boss? Oh goodness, are things getting serious?