Part 17: Mastema's Request

Prayer



Really quick before we move on, Horkos' room in the basement was the last area there. We've already mapped all of that floor out, which is not something we'll get to say overly often about Carina.

...You'll see.



Anyway, progress is made much easier by teleporting to the entrance of Carina so we'll take this chance to stop by Irving and see what he has to sell.



Boy isn't that convenient! Not only is this required for what is arguably the relative best sidequest reward, it's also just a damn good piece of armor in general. Bit of a shame about that Fire weakness in a place where we know there are Infernos and all, but beyond that it seems pretty solid.

...Making the Ice Vest requires Forma from a demon we didn't see last update, so I'll point out what that one is when we get there. Aside from that, it needs just the 1 DF Carite and 2 Enigma Clay (Kanbari).



I told ya you could just casually buy Beads now. And they're REALLY cheap too! Plus super easy to make (2 Miracle Core and 2 Recovery Core), and yet this fact has surprisingly little to do with how Insanely Easy this game is. Reflect abuse also has little to do with it; that just makes it Zero Effort Don't Even Have To Look easy

...No, I'm never going to buy the Muscle or Mental Drinks. Both need 1 Miracle Core but the Mental Drink also needs a Calm Core.



Oh, and Carina is where we get the other 2 basic elemental attacking stones. Still better for a Magical Demonica MC than us.



The Blaster isn't a bad Gun by any means. Mostly because Heat Shot inflicts Fear which is arguably one of the best ailments in your hands. I'm mainly going to get it just to have it for if I ever need it though. It's not like it's that hard to make. It's just 1 AT Carite, 1 Brute Boards (Momunofu) and 1 Snake Snout (Nozuchi).



Plasma Knife is a boring weapon that falls into the category we've seen a lot: deals a single bigger number and does absolutely nothing else. Yawn. It's even one of the hardest things to make in early Carina by sheer virtue of requiring 2 AT Carite. It also needs 1 Beast Seal (Inugami) and 1 Drake Stripes (Zhu Tun She).

Anyway, for actual progress we need to go see a man about his offer to help.

Law Theme



I knew Horkos to be a glutton, but this ability to absorb energy is new and worrisome.
Left as is, he could become a significant evil that threatens the Lord's world.
We must stop him... We must not disappoint... our Lord...



I have ways of vanquishing evil spirits, but for them to work on its mechanized body...
Shall we try an experiment, Tadano?
I will create a divine artifact abhorrent to Horkos with the power the Lord has given me...
A crystal charged with energy.



I can think of no other way to carry out the task.
I shall need your help to make the crystal...
Are you willing?
Yes.

We could say no, but that's stupid and we have to agree to progress anyway. Not like there's any other way to deal with Horkos.

I thought you'd say that.
To make the crystal abhorrent to Horkos, I need two demons.





With these two, I should be able to obtain the holy artifact that defeated the swine king.
I will wait here. Return when you have gathered both demons...

A Squandered Nation



Well, this is easy. We just need a Wilder and a Megami, so of course we're going to grab Jueyuan and Hathor. Jueyan we'll just buy out of the compendium.



...Turns out I somehow didn't have a Hathor before now. I just skipped right to Fortuna apparently. Oh well; Sandman and Angel aren't that expensive anyway and this might very well be cheaper than buying a Hathor if I had one anyway.

Okay, we're done with this main mission now. Yes, really.

Law Theme



It... It's been less than half a minute. I'm sure he has been, but it's not going to have been that much unless his storage power is exponential.

Did you bring the demons I asked?
Yes.

> You handed over Hathor.
> You handed over Jueyuan.

Then I shall take them both.



But... Hmm?



You are... Zelenin, the woman I met in the cell, correct?
You are much livelier than the last time I saw you.
You're worried about me. Why...?
But yes, I've recovered very well after my rescue. Thank you.
Of course, it's only thanks to my comrades that I can take these few cautious steps out of the ship...
Do you not use demons, as Tadano does?



I have the Demon Summoning Program, but only for show.
Hmm... I see. Perhaps it has to do with your unique spiritual sense...
...Ahh, Tadano. Allow us to proceed with the ceremony.



However... Sons of man may not see thei fire; it brings great calamity.
Tadano... and you as well, Zelenin...
Close your eyes when I tell you to, and do not open them again until I give the word.
...It sounds a bit scary, but I understand.
Now then... Please close your eyes.



...It is done.
You may now open your eyes.







The Shibboleth...? I've never heard of that before.

I don't believe you, Zelenin. I'unno, I just get that impression for some reason.

Yes, the Shibboleth... You pronounce it well, Zelenin.
I shall leave this in your care, Tadano. Here, take it.
Now it is your turn to display your power... the power of human technology.
I look forward to it.
And... Zelenin.
...Is there something you want from me?
A gift for you. I believe he will provide excellent protection...



This is... an angel?
Perhaps you do not trust demons enough to fight alongside them, but what about my kind?



Yes... I think I can use this.



> Power became Zelenin's ally.

Thank you for accepting my gift. May the Lord protect you.



Until then...



We'll make it home, won't we, Hitonari?
And we'll wipe out all the demons...
I'd best get back to my duties. There's more I need to investigate.

Malevolence and Benevolence



About the Shibboleth that Mastema made... I don't think we can just use it as is.

Yes. Mastema already said as much. Repeatedly.

But Irving at the lab might be able to make something from it.
Why don't you go see him?
That's really all I came to say. Well, back to my post.

Zelenin's just gonna hang out in the room that Mastema was in. Sure, okay. En route back to the Red Sprite, we'll deal with something that we ignored before.

An Honor Befitting That Name



So, Carina has 4 Enemy Search demons! One of them is Kanbari so he doesn't count. He is very common though; 33% chance of appearing (18% chance solo; 15% with a Momunofu) and the fourth... is very, very rare (...as in only has a 2% chance of spawning). We'll deal with that one separately whenever it turns up.

Tam Lin has a 32% chance of appearing and always appears solo. He's the weakest Genma here and is kind of cleverly designed, because he primarily uses Charm Strike right? He CAN also use Heat Wave. His third skill is Charmdi which sounds weird because he's always solo but he's immune to Charm. He's also got a 300% Paralysis modifier which is kind of painful. He also resists Phys and Gun.

....But none of this even matters.



Because he's weak to Curse. Oh well, at least he tried.



Kuda is just as common as Kanbari (33%) with the exact same breakdown. 18% solo and 15% with a Karasu Tengu.

Kuda is really boring as an enemy demon. He's immune to Elec and weak to Wind. Neutral to all ailments and his only skills of note are Mazionga and Tetraja. Yawn.



Oh and enemy Kuda has Strainoma. It inflicts Strain. It does nothing else. That's it.

Usable Kuda does not have Strainoma but he CAN use his passive skill. It's a special one called Preparedness which does nothing for enemy demons. It increases Co-Op damage. Also his source has Ziodyne which is cool.

His Forma is the UMA Muzzle. We need 3 of these for the Ice Vest, and 2 per Mazio Stone.

Prayer



A demon with a plasma shield... Sounds like one tough varmint!
Attackin' a plasma shield with a sword is like tryin' to cut up the sunlight.



'Bout the only thing I can think of that'd make a scratch in a plasma shield...
Well, ya can probably guess what I'm gettin' at. Ya gotta fight plasma with plasma.
But anyhoo... Lemme take a crack at that doohickey you got from the angel!



> Irving started working...

Hmmm... I ain't sure how to feel 'bout this.



Well, comes a time in every fella's life whne he's gotta put up or shut up. Go git 'em!



Horkos Buster is kind of a cool name, I'm not gonna lie.



And, of course, just for the sake of completion we can make Magaru Stones with Genma Spears too. How exciting.

A Squandered Nation



Since we're off back to the basement now, let's pay a visit to our adorable little friend here.

Please, hee-ho! Let me hee-have it, ho!
Yes.
Thanks, hee-ho!
Now I just need to make a few alterations, and...



Burn! Frost Ace





Yesssssssssss!

I must beat the burden of avenging my family or letting demons live... hee-ho.
That's a dark hee-ro's destiny, ho!



Oh yeah, ho...
I might be the dark hee-ro of this chaotic world, but...
I'd be willing to hee-help you out in a pinch, ho.
Call me using a special fusion, hee-ho!



I'm looking forward to seeing you again, hee-ho.

> Frost Ace ran off at tremendous speed.

A Squandered Nation



So long, dark hee-ro of a chaotic world...

....So what's this about a cannon?



Yeah, so the Frost Cannon is sort of ridiculous. It just casually gives you the MC's equivalent to Bufudyne, Garudyne and... Mazionga all at once. Also it's way, WAY stronger than any gun we're getting for the foreseeable future, and even if it wasn't it'd be worth using for that elemental spread alone!

In the Master's Name



So, anyway, how 'bout that Horkos?

THIS IRON SHIP WAS GOOD! IT WAS FILLED WITH HUMANS!
IF I GET TO EARTH, I CAN EAT MORE! I CAN EAT HUMANS UNTIL I'M FULL!
I'LL EAT YOU ALL. TO EARTH! TO EARTH! TO EARTH!
BUOOOOOOONO!



......! Hey there, Tadano.
Whatcha got there?



HMM? MORE TASTY HUMANS ARE HERE...
Heheheh...!



...Only 3-stars?

He'll feed you plenty of his specialty dish...
Chef Tadano! Why don't you serve our guest the main course?





BUOOOOOOOOOOONO! BUOOOOOOOOOOONO!
I'M... LOSING...
MY APPETITE...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!



Bingo!
Eat to your heart's content, fat boy, and fall into a food coma!

Silence



Human technology is impressive indeed.

Who said that!?

Law Theme



...So you're the traveling preacher, huh?
Quite a greeting.
I don't believe we've met. What is your name?
......
Yours first.
Hahaha...



...Does that satisfy you?
...I'm Jimenez.
It's a pleasure to meet you, Jimenez.
I think you and I can get along splendidly.



...Asshole.
So, Tadano.
It seems you have brought Horkos to heel with our Lord's protection.
Now shoot Horkos once again to fill this land with the Holy Spirit.



Our own weapons should be enough to take Horkos now.
Hah! Hahaha...



...Show me, Jimenez!
You sure run your mouth a lot, you shady seraph...
......
Open wide, fat boy!

> Jimenez ran towards Horkos.



BUONO! BUONO!
I WON'T LET HUMANS TAKE THIS USEFUL BODY AWAY!
No way! ...Urgh!





...It seems Horkos took the opporunity we gave him to escape.
Are you all right, Jimenez? Here, take my hand.
Keep your hand to yourself, man! I'll get up on my own...
......



We have driven it into a corner with the Horkos Buster.
So long as humans follow the word of the Lord, nothing is beyond their grasp!
...Please, do your best.



May the Lord's protection be with you...

Silence

> Mastema left.



I knew...
I knew we had to use the Horkos Buster!



If only... I was stronger...
Tch...! Let's go after Horkos!

Malevolence and Benevolence





Horkos has appeared here! Hurry to the floor above!
I'm transmitting the location to your automap!



Please hurry to those coordinates!
He sure moves quick... Let's hustle, Tadano!

A Squandered Nation



Sure thing, but first let's make an Incubus for no real reason. He doesn't have any great skills, his source's best skill is Acid Breath (-2 Defence is pretty darn nice...) and his resistances are "eh" at best.



But he's all that we were missing from a Really Good Special Fusion that lets us get a dark hee-vil... in 7 levels.

Let's just head right on back upstairs. Nothing else to do in the interim.

In the Master's Name



> But it isn't sucking in as much as it was...



NOT YOU AGAIN!



I have the situation under control!
Quickly, Hitonari, fire the Horkos Buster...!
Tch...!
I WON'T LET YOU! I WON'T LET YOU!
Ugh...!
Whoa...!



...Just you wait, you tub of lard.
If you want more, oh, we'll give you more!
Listen, Tadano. I'll act as a decoy...
When he's not looking, blast him!
Zelenin! Cover me!
It's too dangerous!



With my own power!
Here goes...!

> Jimenez approached Horkos.



There is something... unexpectedly nice about this. I dunno, Jimenez and Zelenin might not exactly be the most interesting or compelling or multi-faceted characters in the series (Devil Survivor 2 is thataway) but there's just enough there to make this scene work and not feel hamfistedly arbitrary and trite. I guess?

> Horkos is distracted!
> You fired the Horkos Buster.

BUOOOOOONO!
BUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONO!



BUONO! BUONO!





...And Jimenez echoes my sentiments exactly. God dammit Horkos!

Hm...? Look at this... I think Horkos dropped it.
He was definitely weakening. The Horkos Buster really works, yes?
......



While this is very nice, it's not exactly an earthshatteringly useful thing.



Same with this. This is an item that's appeared throughout the series with varying names but it always does the same thing. If Hitonari gets his by an Expel or Curse spell and would die, he's fine and this gets consumed instead. It's very situational but it's automatic so you never have to worry about it.



Gonna go give this to Irving though. It'll be useful in some way. Pattern recognition is kicking in big time.

A rare forma, eh? Talk about casting pearls before swine... geez.
Let's hurry, Hitonari. We should challenge Horkos while our luck holds!

Malevolence and Benevolence



Hmm... He might have gone somewhere we can't get to.
Luckily for us that we happen to have a rare forma here... (sic)
Maybe we'll get something useful if we take it to the lab.

Let's find out. Once again, nothing else we CAN do right now...



Awright! The Demonica's gonna take one step further toward manhood with this baby!

> Irving started working...

> ......

Yep, just like I thought. Another win for the supply team!
Yer Unlock function's been upgraded. Take it.



Now we can open doors keyed to Unlock B. I'm sure there'll be plenty of these in Antlia, Bootes AND Carina... whew boy, okay let's see where this particular rabbithole leads.