☽ Page Eight

[ages_like_wine]

This last week was...quite likely the most ridiculous example of omnipotent magic I've ever encountered. Changing our memories, changing the setting, and changing how we perceive the world without us being entirely aware of the fact these changes had occurred are amazing examples of incredible power; yet, it was used...for something so ridiculous.

Comments

[darkmastern]

Yeah! That's exactly right! If you check the status screen, you can see exactly how many more experience points you'll need to get to the next level! You may even learn a new special attack!!

As for the bills, I'm not completely sure. Usually they require mana to pass them, but it seems that this world has changed it to sacrificing EXP. I don't know what they do either, but it would be interesting to find out!

[ages_like_wine]

The physics of this world seem like a joke, but she doesn't seem to be lying...

Requiring mana? Really? That's strange; in my world, mana is used to give summoners and other magic-users the fuel they need for spellcasting. I've never heard of it being used as a sort of...currency before.

[kyoko_needle]

"I was looking at that list of bills my lady, and I saw one that us delinquents must have, find true love! Sir Hero has found it, and he is not a Delinquent. As the best delinquent, you must find true love. I will help pay for the EXP My lady."

[darkmastern]

True love is something that every delinquent wishes for!

But it seems like no one knows how much EXP we'll need... It's probably pretty expensive, I mean, it only makes sense that it would be, true love is more powerful than even overlord Baal!!

[papercranelover]

Maybe if we pool all our EXP together we can make you find true love!

[kyoko_needle]

I promise once I even get EXP, to use it to help you find true love, my lady.

[holyhomunculus]

...I am not sure how it works, either...

...but the assembly probably recognized that I already found true love, it doesn't list a cost there...but how do they know, and how would they help...?

[She shivers. Demons helping is not a good thought - not even when Raspberyl is involved]

[ages_like_wine]

I think that bill might be like that for everyone. I can't imagine even an all-powerful demon being able to find true love for someone.

[holyhomunculus]

You are right... but why do they even offer this, and then give us this 'XP', which they then make us pay them?

...I do not understand...

I think I need to hug you now.

[ages_like_wine]

Oh, Amoretta. You know you don't need to warn me if you want a hug. If you feel the urge, go right ahead: like this.

[She gently embraces Amoretta and lays her head under the taller girl's chin.]

[fasterthan_u]

Experience points? Grinding? Sounds way too slow.

Where the hell IS this place anyway?

[ages_like_wine]

Strange, I haven't seen a creature like this before.

This is the Netherworld.

[fasterthan_u]

Netherworld, huh. What goes on in a place like this? Is this some sort of underworld?

I see lots of ugly creatures and a few confused people like myself. This better not be an Eggman plot, but I heard the name Baal

[ages_like_wine]

You could consider it an underworld of sorts. There seems to be a human world and a heaven world, so this would be the third world.

And, uh, yes, there are quite a few strange creatures here, some of which are dangerous. He's sort of strange-looking himself.

[velvetassistant]

Ooh, to think, such an abstract concept can be simplified to a mere number~? Some cultures have always exerted great effort to categorize the workings of the universe within mathematics! Utilitarian ethics, for instance~ If a trolley is running out of control down the tracks and five people are going to be run over, but you can save those five people by flipping a switch and sending the train down another track where six people are, should you not flip the switch~?

Ethics reduced to numbers~ Compassion reduced to the cold calculating logic of the minds of ambitious men~

[ages_like_wine]

I'm not sure if this is a matter of ethics, but I think you have brought up a point I hadn't given much of any thought to. The universe is governed by laws and mathematics, so perhaps this is the source of Baal's power.

However, how this theory relates to this 'EXP' we have...earned or been given, I'm not sure.

[velvetassistant]

It just popped into my head when you said it was a numerical representative of one's accomplishments and skills.

Do you think it would be prudent to record it upon our resumes?

[ages_like_wine]

I think it would be prudent to record what we have talked about but...perhaps not for a resume.