Part 20: Visions of Power

After that abrupt ending, there's actually one thing still left to do. As with most MegaTen games, there's an ultimate boss waiting for us.



We were technically able to get to them last update, as the only requirement is to step on the tile directly in front of the door before the final boss. No need to beat the game first.

BGM: Sewer



Once you've done that, you need to head back down to the second floor of the Yarai sewers. Last time there was a homeless man blocking the way...



HOMELESS MAN: Yo, it's Kyouji Kuzunoha. But, it's really Naoto Shibata. Anyway, it's gotten pretty noisy down here for some reason. Right now it seems you can't get past this chain mesh. Sounds like there's some crazy shit going down in there. Wait a sec, lemme see if I can do something.
HOMELESS MAN: Yep, there we go, got it. Try heading in now.



Thank you, my man. In we go.

DUNGEON 21 - ASTRAL WORLD
New demons:
Ixtab Thanatos Chernobog Guedhe
Rahu Vasuki Pales Nergal
Mot Chi You



Even as this crazy sight pops up, the sewer theme continues to play. Is this what happens when radioactive waste builds up in the pipes? Could this be lurking beneath any major city's streets?



One of the best parts of this dungeon is that for the first (and last) time, warps are actually marked on the ground. Aah, how much trouble this would have saved me in other dungeons...

There's some new demons in here. What's interesting is their levels, all of which rest between 20 and 50. They're all Dark, which means the only way to have gotten them when I was at those levels was fusion.



First are Ixtab and Thanatos. Thanatos is interesting in that he only ever appeared again as a boss in Persona 1 and as a main Persona in Persona 3. The only other time this design appeared was in Card Summoner.



Next is Chernobog and Guedhe. Chernobog's design, which draws from his design in the first two Shin Megami Tensei games, was only ever used in this game. Guedhe's design was used in future games, but his color changed to red and brown and his sprite lost the creepy glowing eyes (a real shame, if you ask me).



There's also literal dickhead god Rahu. This guy was actually censored in the PSP version to have his facial appendage changed to a less phallic shape.



Last is Vasuki, whose sprite is the tallest in the game.



I make it all the way around to the other side, so let's see what's awaiting me inside.

BGM: Sanzu River



DEMON ON THE RIGHT: So you have made it. The soul who is borrowing the body of Kyouji Kuzunoha, Naoto Shibata. I am Hokuto Seikun. I rule all who live beneath the seventh star.
DEMON ON THE LEFT: I am Nanto Seikun. I watch over all of humans' troubles.
: Demons are gathering past here. They are some of the strongest you will ever encounter.
: If despite this you would still like to proceed then we shall not stop you from going.

Oh, that was easy.

: However, before you proceed forward we shall see whether or not we approve of your strength.

So you are going to stop me. Did you guys talk to each other before I came in here? 'Cause I'm getting some mixed messages.

: If you can defeat us before the moon passes through one full cycle, then we will accept you.
: Now then, how will you respond, Devil Summoner?


>Will you battle them?
>YES
NO

: Let us begin, fluctuating soul of Naoto Shibata.

VS Deity Nanto Seikun and Fury Hokuto Seikun

No vid because I very much doubt you guys want to see more "Die Hard + Provocation + Hassou Tobi" combos.

As they said, you have to beat them before the moon passes through a full cycle, which translates to sixteen turns. If you don't beat them in time, you'll be booted back to the beginning of the dungeon.

Though they are technically this game's "ultimate bosses," these two are no more difficult than any other boss in this game. The fact that you can get to them before battling the final boss may have something to do with it.



Each of them possess an exclusive move. Nanto Seikun has Brighten 6 Stars, which recovers some HP 6 times, while Hokuto Seikun has Shooting 7 Stars, which randomly hits somebody for some non-lethal Death damage 7 times.

Nanto Seikun is the defense while Hokuto Seikun is the offense. Other than Brighten 6 Stars, Nanto Seikun can also dispel buffs and debuffs. Hokuto Seikun has both Death and Expel insta-kill spells in his arsenal, as well as a multi-target Electric attack. Both can use their regular attack to hit a few times per turn. Both of them have average strength, so the only real thing to worry about is Hokuto Seikun's insta-kill spells. There's no armor in this game that protects against Death (while both protag and Rei have a natural immunity to Expel), so the best strategy is to simply use either an item or spell that blocks Death. With that out of the way, they really aren't much of a problem.



: That was superb. With that skill, you should be able to proceed even further in.
: You may pass. Go in earnest and in good health.



Past them is the last area of the game. Not only is it a COMP-free zone, it also has a higher than average encounter rate and the strongest demons found in a dungeon. But the EXP is good and there's some nice treasure lying around.

At this point there's really no need for either of these things unless you came here before fighting the final boss or you're planning on refighting the final boss. This part of the dungeon makes a bit more sense in the PSP version, as there are four more bosses to beat who really earn the title of "ultimate boss." Either way, let's check out the new demons here.



Nergal and Mot can both be dangerous due to their ability to insta-kill with Mudoon, and Nergal also uses the Expel skill Hamaon.



Pales is also part of the Mudoon Crew. His appearance in Soul Hackers has him taking on a lighter color.



At level 83, Chi You is the highest level demon found in the dungeon. He doesn't appear that often, but gives out some damn good EXP.

And that's basically all there is to this dungeon. Now to just leave through this shortcut-



: Would you like to leave this place? Naoto Shibata.

Ack! What are you guys, my parents? I can leave all by myself, thank you very much.

: Well then, farewell.

So that's all of the game. All the dungeons and all the bosses, complete! To finish off, here's one last look at my stats.



Naoto Shibata AKA Magnum
Strength: 40 Intelligence: 6 Magic: 5 Vitality: 22
Agility: 24 Luck: 8



Rei Reiho
Strength: 5 Intelligence: 8 Magic: 36 Vitality: 30
Agility: 18 Luck: 8
Mastered all of Amaterasu's skills

Thank you for reading, and I hope you stick around for the Extra Updates!