for shoka

[dzelkva]

Comments

[dzelkva]

Nope. Not unless there are people I've reached out to that you dislike!

[ The AI has jokes! ]

[threatmewted]

You never know.

...Actually, does Hien know?

[dzelkva]

I haven't told him anything.

[threatmewted]

...Huh. [Not that she disapproves because fuck that guy, but:] There a reason why you're keeping it from him?

[dzelkva]

No, not really. He's always been nice to me, but I've wondered if I should keep him from getting more involved than he already is.

[threatmewted]

[Citation needed.]

So you're going around asking players who already got themselves involved? Is that it?

[dzelkva]

[ He thinks about that. ]

I guess I have, at least unintentionally.

[ Things have just happened to work out that way. ]

I've asked people that I think I can count on.

[threatmewted]

Gee, I'm flattered? I think?

[Even if she now has some Concerns on Zelkova's idea of people who can be counted on, if he really thinks she of all people should ne on the list.]

[dzelkva]

Feel free to be flattered!

[ It's all merely a result of his own assessments and the judgement that he is starting to slowly develop as he continues to learn.

With a grin, Zelkova pulls out that prism again. ]

So, will you take this?

[threatmewted]

What is it?

[Reaching for it, though.]

[dzelkva]

[ The moment she reaches for it, the prism enters her inventory with the brief pop-up of Key Item Received: Strange Core R.

Once that text disappears, Shoka's avatar immediately absorbs it, though she feels no ill effects from it. ]

It's a core. I hope we won't have to use it, but if we ever do... I'll show you how when the time comes.

[threatmewted]

[?!!

ZELKOVA PLEASE EXPLAIN?!!]

Hold up. Did that thing just attach itself to my avatar?!

[dzelkva]

I'd say that it became part of you more than attached itself to you.

[ He smiles, completely and totally unconcerned. ]

Don't worry, nothing bad will happen.

[threatmewted]

[Wow that just makes her even more worried.]

If nothing bad's going to happen, then explain!

[dzelkva]

If I find that we're all in imminent danger, I'll ask you to use it. Keeping it in your avatar is the easiest way for you to call upon it when it's needed.

[ ... ]

But I hope I never have to use it and it sits there for the rest of the time you play this game.

[threatmewted]

In case we're all in imminent danger?

Just what kind of situation are you expecting here?

[dzelkva]

That's the problem here. I don't know what to expect. Things that I never predicted keep happening.

[ Which would understandably stress out any AI, wouldn't it? ]

[threatmewted]

Then just indulge me for a sec. Let's say everything does go to shit.

What would happen if I had to use the core?

[dzelkva]

[ Zelkova looks at her for a long, long moment as if he's contemplating something serious. It seems like he's made up his mind before long, however. ]

You would perform a Data Drain. I can show you how to use it right now, if you want.

[threatmewted]

Please? I'd like to at least kind of know what I'm doing. If I need to do anything in the first place, anyway.

[But at this point she's kind of assuming,,,]

[dzelkva]

[ Hey, at least she'll be emotionally prepared, right...? ]

Alright. I'll show you. But there are a few things you need to remember first.

[ Zelkova holds up his hand, and a green bracelet appears around it. ]

Don't use this on the other players, especially if they do not have a Core. Doing so will kill them. Only use it on monsters.

[threatmewted]

Got it. So it's only good for combat?

[dzelkva]

It would be super dangerous out of combat, yes.

[threatmewted]

Then how exactly is it supposed to help us if everything goes to shit? Are you expecting more overpowered monsters or something?

[dzelkva]

It's a real possibility.