Chapter Text
DAZZLING LIGHTS— White. You are blinded by the light. It pierces through. You close your eyes strongly, yet the light still remains behind your eyelids.
- Why is it all so bright?!
- Agh! I hate it! Close the curtains!
YOU: Agh! I hate it! Close the curtains!
DAZZLING LIGHTS— Your eyes adjust as the pain recedes. From seeing, smelling, hearing, and being nothing, you now see, smell, hear and become something.
Going from nothing to something is too much for you. You nearly fall, and only then, do you realize you are standing. You now notice the noise around you, a lively street.
WRATH (Trivial: Success)— Don't fall. You're in public, don't draw attention.
LIGHTS: After three painful pulses, your eyes adjust. You look around, even as your eyes sting.
LIVELY STREETS— You are standing outside in the middle of a town square, behind you: a water fountain. It is daytime, and no one seems to mind your presence.
GLUTTONY (Easy: Success)— Around fire-time, I finished shopping. Bought everything Mary told me to buy, as well as some chorry and grapp for Millie. On the way back, in front of the fountain, I saw a boy with black hair and weird clothing, I wonder if they're from Vollachia? He doesn't look familiar.
GREED (Trivial: Success)— Few people give you strange looks as they pass by. You know that you're standing out due to your startled expression, weird clothes, and black hair. But you're not sure why you know this.
ENVY (Trivial: Success)— I know you're confused, but before you have a mental break down, there's an unoccupied bench right next to you, you should sit down for now.
It's a wooden park bench, it looks clean and comfortable.
SLOTH (Trivial: Success)— Yeah, you should sit down first. You can't deal with the full weight of... whatever this is standing on your feet. If you're going to freak out, at least do it seated, like a normal person.
- (Look around.) Where am I? (Medium)
- (Look at myself.) Who am I? (Formidable)
- (Sit on the bench.) "Okay voice in my head..."
- (Hit yourself in the head. Keep hitting it until it remembers everything again.) (Impossible)
YOU: 3. (Sit on the bench.) "Okay voice in my head..."
You do as the voice says, and take a seat. You let go of the breath you didn't even know you were holding in, as you feel slightly more at ease.
ENVY: Good, you're now just a guy sitting on a bench, thinking about life. Don't worry about the crowd. And good job not bashing your head against the pavement, despite how tempted you were. You are capable of enduring this, at least you know that much.
You are going to be okay.
MORALE RESTORED: +1 (2/4)
*TOOLTIP: Morale is one of your two health pools. Morale affects your mental state. Try not to let it drop to 0.*
- (Look around.) Where am I? (Medium)
- (Look at myself.) Who am I? (Formidable)
- What are these voices in my head?
- (Pat myself down.) What am I wearing? What am I holding?
- (Yell loudly) "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"
YOU: 1. (Look around) Where am I? (Medium)
GREED (Medium: Success)— You look around, and attempt to recognize the world you inhabit. The colors, the sounds, the clothing the people wear, the architecture, all of this is not entirely new to you.
You are in the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica's Royal Capital. Specifically in the main street of the Commercial District.
- How come you know things I don't?
- What else is around here?
- Why are there people with animal ears and tails walking around?
- Good to know. (return to previous existential crisis questions)
YOU: 1. How come you know things I don't?
GREED (Impossible: Failure)— I don't know everything, I only know what I know.
WRATH (Easy: Success)— The Pendant is merely deflecting. He truly doesn't know more, unlike the character he's referencing.
YOU— 2. What else is here?
GREED (Easy: Success)— There's a guard station nearby, the crime rate around here is relatively low. You're likely safe if you're not a criminal. Stores of note would be:
-A particular fruit stall run by a merchant with a connection to an important knightly house.
-A clothing store that brings its clothes from Priestella, a good mix of Lugunica and Kararagi fashion is available for purchase.
- How come you know things I don't?
- What's out there? (Greed: Challenging. +1 You're in Lugunica. +1 You're sitting down.)
- Why are there people with animal ears and tails walking around?
- Good to know. (return to previous existential crisis questions)
YOU— 2. What's out there? (Greed: Challenging. +1 You're in Lugunica. +1 You're sitting down.)
CHECK: SUCCESS (Challenging: 12 vs 12=8+2+1+1)
GREED— The Lugunica Capital is a large circular city, it's divided into five layers. From top to bottom: Royal Palace, Nobles' District, Commercial District, Commoners' District, and the Slums.
- We are in the third layer, the Commercial District, home to a variety of shops, both for the commoner and the noble. We are in the eastern section of the city, where most food items are sold.
- North West, the Nobles' District. It contains the main mansions of the low nobles, and the secondary residences of high nobles, it's well guarded by knights, a very safe place, or dangerous, depending on who you are.
- South West, the commoners' district. It's where more than half of the city's population resides.
- Further South, the Slums. The only place of note there is the loot house where stolen goods are sold, although "Officially" it's a tavern if a knight ever visits it. Aside from that, there are several brothels and taverns.
ENVY: Thanks for the hard work, Pendant-san!
TASK COMPLETED— "Figure out where you are."
MORALE RESTORED: +1 (3/4).
- How come you know things I don't?
- What's out there? (Greed: Challenging. +1 You're in Lugunica. +1 You're sitting down.)
- Why are there people with animal ears and tails walking around?
- Good to know. (return to previous existential crisis questions)
YOU: 3. Why are there people with animal ears and tails walking around?
LUST: Because this world is beautiful! All colors and shades of hair and eye colors! Fluffy animal ears and tails! Tall girls! Short girls! Girls with scales, horns, and fangs! The possibilities are endless!
GREED (Medium: Success)— Lugunica Capital has a good number of demi-human residents, almost all of them are in the third layer or below. There are very few demi-humans in the Nobles District. The street you're in right now has the highest concentration of demi-humans, due to the few demi-only bars being nearby.
- Huh, I know a lot about Lugunica huh? I wonder if I'm from here.
YOU— "Huh, I know a lot about Lugunica huh? I wonder if I'm from here."
THOUGHT GAINED— "Lugunica Capital"
PROBLEM— That castle looming over us, those back alleys, that demi-human-only tavern, the slums, and even inside the royal palace, you feel like you've been to all these places before. But why?
Research time: 30 Minutes.
Research: -1 GREED: Busy drawing a mental map.
*TOOL TIP: You can research thoughts that occur to you to internalize them, this may lead to new discoveries. You can research 3 thoughts at the same time. There are Special Thoughts that do not take up a slot to research, some are automatically internalized.*
THOUGHTS: Research> "Lugunica Capital"> Confirm?> Yes.
- How come you know things I don't?
- What's out there? (Greed: Challenging. +1 Know you're in Lugunica. +1 You're sitting down.)
- Why are there people with animal ears and tails walking around?
- Good to know. (return to previous existential crisis questions)
YOU: 4. Good to know (return to previous existential crisis questions)
- (Look around.) Where am I? (Medium)
- (Look at myself.) Who am I? (Formidable)
- What are these voices in my head? (Challenging. +1 Heard the voices plenty)
- (Pat myself down.) What am I wearing? What am I holding?
- (Yell loudly) "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"
YOU: 2. Who am I? (Formidable)
ENVY (Formidable: Failure 13 vs 10=9+1)— You are who you decide to be... Is all you have for now. You just gained awareness minutes ago, give yourself some time. Hopefully either your memories from the past will resurface, or with time you will forge a new identity for yourself. For now, it's okay to stay undefined.
PRIDE (Formidable: Success 13 vs 13=12+1)— You are the Protagonist of this Isekai Fantasy World! From here on you will meet the beautiful white-haired elf girl who summoned you and you will go on a grand adventure! Summoning bonuses and cheat abilities await!
LUST (Formidable: Failure 13 vs 8)— That's what I'm saying! It's weird not to be excited about being summoned to another world! Just think about all the possibilities, all the friends you will meet in your adventures, and all the heroines waiting for you to romance!
THOUGHT GAINED— "Isekai Protagonist."
PROBLEM: You suddenly find yourself in a new world. Roughly medieval-level technology, carriages, horses, demi-humans, castles, swords, and magic. Everything so far points to one simple truth: You are in another world. But are you the Protagonist? The answer is probably YES.
Research time— Until Death.
Research— +1 PRIDE: You are special. +1 LUST: You will be loved.
THOUGHTS— Research> "Isekai Protagonist"> Confirm?> Yes.
WRATH (Formidable: Failure 13 vs 6=5+1)— You are a man in deep trouble. You don't know anyone, not even yourself. You don't remember anything, and don't know what these voices are. You are incredibly vulnerable right now, an easy target to manipulate. Trust nobody. Secure your safety first.
GREED (Formidable: Failure 13 vs 5=3+2-1): You are an amnesiac. Hopefully, it's just a temporary loss of episodic memories, so far you seem to retain some of your semantic memory. It remains to be seen how much of your implicit memories you retain, it should become clear with time.
SPECIAL THOUGHT GAINED— "Amnesiac."
PROBLEM: Who are you?
RESEARCH: GLUTTONY +2
RESEARCH TIME: Until you remember your name, or decide on a new name.
SPECIAL THOUGHT RESEARCHING.
*TOOL TIP— Special Thoughts do not take up a research slot, and are automatically researched on occurrence.*
NEW TASK— "Remember who you used to be."
GLUTTONY (Formidable: Failure 13 vs 8)— "I looked into his origins, and I found little to nothing. I apologize." I told the client shamefully, I couldn't see their face but I knew from their smell that they were disappointed, they sighed and said: "Tell me what little you did find out."
GLUTTONY (Medium: Success)— I told the client the scraps of information I had of him. The oldest sightings of □□ □□□ was in the Lugunica Capital Commercial District on the 19th of Tammuz. No records of entering the city, or staying in any inn. The next day he had left for the western regions in a carriage bearing the golden hawk symbol.
"Thank you for your hard work." the client said, and handed me the promised payment of 5 holy coins. "Am I really allowed to take this? I found no useful information this time." I said something unlike me.
"Don't worry, there's barely anything known about that man, any information is appreciated. My Employer wouldn't forgive me if I didn't pay you. In Kararagi we believe all labor should be compensated." the client said those words, and left.
Having received 10 holy coins in total, I sat there in disbelief. I may have gotten myself involved in something too big for me. I should leave the capital and live somewhere remote for the next few years—until the interesting times end.
SLOTH (Formidable: Success 13 vs 13=11+2)— Maybe... Maybe you are the result of your former self's decisions. Maybe he wished to forget everything...
Maybe, you don't need to remember him. Maybe he wishes to remain forgotten.
PRIDE— That's pathetic. But it's true that you are a new person from today onwards. You don't need to disappear so this previous loser can return. Today is your birthday.
- "Happy birthday to me!" (Finish Thought)
- This is all too much... (Finish Thought)
YOU— "Happy birthday to me!" (Finish Thought)
NEW TASK— "Decide who you want to be."
- (Look around.) Where am I? (Medium)
- (Look at myself.) Who am I? (Formidable)
- What are these voices in my head? (Challenging. +1 Heard the voices plenty)
- (Pat myself down.) What am I wearing? What am I holding?
- (Yell excitedly) "ISEKAI FANTASY HERE I COME!"
YOU— 3. What are these voices in my head?
GREED (Challenging: Success 12 vs 12=10+2+1-1)— These voices seem to be parts of your mind. You know on some level that this state of mind is not normal, at least for other people. You're not sure if your mind has always been like this, whether or not the amnesia is linked to this state of mind is not clear.
- I guess I'm just freaking out because of the amnesia, of course people have voices in their heads, how else would you think?
- There's no way this is normal, whatever took away my memories must've shattered my mind!
- Hmmm, as a cool-guy, I will refrain from making any judgement or forming an opinion on this matter.
- Actually, there should be even more voices in my head! Just 7 is too few!
- Eh, it's all just in my mind anyway, I shouldn't think so hard about it.
YOU— 1. I guess I'm just freaking out because of the amnesia, of course people have voices in their heads, how else would you think?
GREED (Trivial: Success)— Some people actually hear no voice in their head, and only think in abstract concepts. Although it's hard to imagine for someone with more than one voice in their head.
WRATH (Challenging: Success 12 vs 12=11+1)— You can't rule out the possibility that these voices aren't yours... Maybe your mind has been tampered with by someone. Nobody knows the truth. Don't trust the voices. Doubt them: the voices that reaffirm your beliefs, the voices that chime in and whisper words of comfort, and even the voice that tells you to doubt them, remember that they're not always truthful.
- Why shouldn't I believe my own thoughts?
- No, you're lying. My thoughts would never lie to me. So you must be the only one that is not my own thought.
YOU— 2. No, you're lying. My thoughts would never lie to me. So you must be the only one that is not my own thought.
WRATH— That's not the point, you fool. They lie. All of them do. All of you do. Everyone lies. You lie to yourself too. And yes, you are right to doubt this voice as well.
Doubt the doubt that doubts the doubt with doubt.
LUST (Challenging: Success 12 vs 13=11+1+1)— Brother, I don't know what these two are yapping about, there are more important matters at hand! Even in this short period of time, you saw three cute girls pass by, the cutest one was a beast girl with rabbit ears, white and blue hair in two long braids, adorable. You just let her pass by without even calling out to her. What a waste.
You should get up from this bench, stop talking to yourself, and start talking to other people, especially cute girls. Find your heroine(s)!
- (Look around.) Where am I? (Medium)
- (Look at myself.) Who am I? (Formidable)
- What are these voices in my head?
- (Pat myself down.) What am I wearing? What am I holding?
- (Yell loudly) "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"
YOU— 4. What am I wearing? What am I holding?
INVENTORY— You take a proper look at yourself, and examine everything you own.
CLOTHING—
Tracksuits of Comfort (Unwashed): Black, White, and Orange in color, with an "N" letter on its chest. When you bought it, how long you've been wearing it, you have no idea. But you feel comfortable in it. There's no need to present yourself as anything more than what you are. And what you are is an Unwashed creature of Sloth.
+2 SLOTH
+1 ENVY
SLOTH— Sigh... this won't do, this won't do at all, you should wash these when you get the chance...
NEW TASK— "Wash your clothes, and yourself."
Well-Worn Black Sneakers: It's the most shoe of all time. You don't feel anything wearing it. It's probably time for you to buy new shoes, but you'll keep pushing it off, and the shoes will keep enduring.
+0 Nothing
ITEMS—
Cellphone— An old Garakei Flip Phone. An outdated piece of technology, but in this world, it can be considered a Unique Metea. This item is proof you own something not of this world.
+2 GREED
Empty Wallet— Technically, there was one notched ten-yen coin. But that can be counted as nothing, there's no use for it. Carrying an Empty Wallet gives you a sense of urgency, you need to fatten up this thing, for many reasons.
+1 PRIDE
+1 WRATH
WRATH (Trivial: Success)— A coin is never useless. Even if it's nearly worthless as currency, you can still use it to make decisions when you're not sure.
ENVY— You can also perform a magic trick with it, or fiddle with it.
Snacks— A cup of instant ramen, pork bone, and soy sauce flavor. And a bag of corn soup flavor chips.
GREED— You should investigate the cellphone, it's a treasure trove of information on who you used to be. If you're lucky, you may find personal information there.
- Open the Cellphone.
- Open the chips and start snacking.
- That's enough. (Return to previous questions.)
YOU— 1. Open the Cellphone.
CELLPHONE— Flipping the phone with a familiar motion, it snaps open with a satisfying sound and feel. Its small screen with limited resolution greets you.
The wallpaper is a starry night sky, probably one of the default pictures.
The battery is on its last two bars, it likely won't last for too long. But an old phone's battery lasts much longer than newer smartphones', so you should be fine.
TIME— It's currently 15:22
- Check the Address Book.
- Check the Call History.
- Check the Text Messages.
- Check the Calendar.
- Check the Photos.
- Shut down the phone.
YOU— 1. Check the Phonebook.
CELLPHONE: Wrangling the physical buttons, you open the Address Book. In it, there are only two entries. "Mother" and "Father". In the favorites section, there's "Mother", the "Father" is not included in the favorites.
SLOTH (Easy: Success)— It was just a joke Dad. I'm sorry.
ENVY (Medium: Success)— In the kitchen sink, unwashed cup with brown stains of cocoa.
- Check the Address Book.
- Check the Call History.
- Check the Text Messages.
- Check the Calendar.
- Check the Photos.
- Shut down the phone.
YOU— 2. Check the Call History.
CELLPHONE— Checking the call history, you only see entries up to three months ago, and it's all incoming calls from "Mother" and "Father", despite the near-daily incoming calls, there are only three outgoing calls, 2 for "Mother" and 1 for "Father".
This phone was likely bought recently, despite how old it is, or the owner periodically deletes their call history. Either way, the owner of this phone wasn't on calls with this phone much.
LUST (Easy: Success)— Did I not have any friends?... No, this phone must be a spare! Only used to talk to my parents. My "main" smartphone must've had many contacts in it, especially girls.
ENVY— That's what cheaters do.
- Check the Address Book.
- Check the Call History.
- Check the Text Messages.
- Check the Calendar.
- Check the Photos.
- Shut down the phone.
YOU: 3. Check the Text Messages.
CELLPHONE— Checking the messages, you find nothing.
Judging from the call history, the "Mother" and "Father" preferred directly calling than typing out a text.
SLOTH (Trivial: Success)— From deep within you, a feeling of guilt resurfaces. These are unforgiven crimes, you may never receive proper punishment for them. You know the only people who can forgive your sins are far far away.
- I'm sorry... I'm sorry...
YOU— 1. I'm sorry... I'm sorry...
ENVY— Calling, calling, calling, still calling. The call doesn't connect. Once again, her phone doesn't reach him. She lets out the breath she was holding, and returns to chopping the vegetables. After she's done, she will surely try calling again. Just as she does: every hour, every day, ever since.
- Check the address book.
- Check the Call History.
- Check the Text Messages.
- Check the Calendar.
- Check the Photos.
- Shut down the phone.
YOU— 4. Check the Calendar.
CELLPHONE— Opening the calendar, you find the current date. It was XX/XX/201X, and other than that, there's no useful information here. There was nothing scheduled in the future or in the past, this feature was never used by the owner of this phone.
- Check the address book.
- Check the Call History.
- Check the Text Messages.
- Check the Calendar.
- Check the Photos.
- Shut down the phone.
YOU: 5. Check the Photos.
CELLPHONE— Opening the Photos, you find pictures of the night sky and street cats. Some were taken during sunset, but most were taken at night.
LUST (Trivial: Success)— You were always out during nights huh? Does that mean you lead a night-life?
SLOTH (Easy: Success)— It just might mean you used to sleep during the day and went on walks during the night. The photos are just randomly taken.
GREED (Easy: Success)— Japan is a safe country after all, and you lived in a safe neighborhood, so you liked walking during the night.
THOUGHT GAINED: "Japan."
PROBLEM: The Cellphone, the language inside it, hiragana, katakana, kanji, you had no issue reading them. References such as "Isekai" and "Anime" all come naturally to you. All of this comes from this "Japan", and what is it exactly? You should recall everything you know about "Japan". One way or another, it's important to you.
RESEARCH TIME: ?? hours.
RESEARCH: -2 Greed: Mind Occupied
GREED: Japan... It's important we remember this. But there doesn't seem to be an urgent need for it. I'll focus on it when you're safe and secure.
TASK UPDATED: "Remember who you used to be."
-Remember what "Japan" is.
- Check the address book.
- Check the Call History.
- Check the Text Messages.
- Check the Calendar.
- Check the Photos.
- Shut down the phone.
YOU: 6. Shut down the phone.
CELLPHONE— You shut down the phone to preserve its battery, and put it back into your right pocket.
ENVY— Now, you've done all you can at this point in time about our identity. What should you do now? The possibilities are endless! Your story starts from here! From ze—
WRATH— Secure shelter, food, and water.
ENVY— ...Well yeah, but putting it that way sounds like we're in some dire situation or something. There's no need to be such a downer, I'm sure things will work out.
SLOTH— Umm Crown-san, I know you're trying to stay positive, but you're aware that we are in a dire situation right? Worrying about survival needs seems appropriate.
PRIDE— No you're not in any danger. You're the protagonist. Any moment now an Excalibur or two will drop into your hands. Don't needlessly worry, it will only make you look lame.
LUST— You should take a stroll, the weather is perfect, enjoy the tourist experience. Make friends, borrow some money from your new friends, it'll all be good.
- Explore the city.
- Think of a way to make money. (Formidable)