Author's Headnote: Now to get to the Palace. You must be curious to what Neo's Palace is like? Well, I have a feeling that it's gonna be interesting for you.
And yes, I hate Cinder too.
Remnant's Very Own Detective: First Infiltration: Neo's Palace
Goro Akechi:
Health: 100%
Spirit/Aura: 100%
Personas:
Robin Hood
Loki
Weapons: None
"Semblance": Call of Chaos
Lien: 530
Social Links:
Fool (Unknown): Rank 0
Magician (Unknown): Rank 0
High Priestess (Unknown): Rank 0
Emperess (Unknown): Rank 0
Emperor (Unknown): Rank 0
Hierophant (Unknown): Rank 0
Lovers (Unknown): Rank 0
Chariot (Unknown): Rank 0
Justice (Unknown): Rank 0
Hermit (Unknown): Rank 0
Wheel of Fortune (Unknown): Rank 0
Strength (Unknown): Rank 0
Hanged Man (Unknown): Rank 0
Death (Unknown): Rank 0
Temperance (Unknown): Rank 0
Devil (Unknown): Rank 0
Tower (Unknown): Rank 0
Star (Unknown): Rank 0
Moon (Unknown): Rank 0
Sun (Unknown): Rank 0
Judgement (Unknown): Rank 0
Trickster (Rival): Rank 9 (He defeated me in the last fight. Weakened, I was surrounded by a cognitive version of myself and the local security of the palace, I sacrificed myself so they could escape. I'd rather die than have Shido win.)
End of Main Character status report
Current Objectives:
Find a way for Mementos to open
Learn more about Neopolitan
Unknown Location, Time does not exist here, Unknown Sub-location
Akechi for some reason wound up in a strange, red room. He was standing in the room. As mentioned, it was red and carpeted. The walls looked like either wallpaper or paint, but the designs on them are rather elegant. The walls are covered in various paintings, and each of them are paintings of various biomes and landscapes. There is obviously a door behind him, but for some reason he can't move. A luxurious, red chair with a floor lamp adjacent to it is in front of Akechi.
A red butterfly manifested in the room and appeared beside the chair, suddenly the butterfly vanished and a man in a white suit, with blonde hair and blue eyes appeared. He looks like an American actor at first glance. And beside him is a teenage girl, bearing black hair and a single purple eye, with an eyepatch covering her left eye. She is wearing a white dress with flats.
"Forgive the intrusion, I had just finished setting up the furnishing." the man stated.
"The only furnishing here is the chair and that lamp." Akechi stated.
"The chair and lamp are the only furnishing needed. Anything else would add clutter."
"Clutter?"
"Yes. I need to make this place roomy for you, my champion after all."
"You are Astaphaios, correct?"
"Yes, that is me." Astaphaios re-introduced himself.
"Who is your friend over there?" Akechi asked, referring to the girl.
"That would be Airasor. An unfortunate girl whose very heart and soul was badly damaged, I took pity on her and recovered her. She is in the process of healing."
"What happened to her?"
"I do not know."
"Aren't gods supposed to be all-knowing?"
"You'd be surprised. Some gods are total idiots."
"Seems like you had an encounter with some idiot gods."
"Yes, but let's get back on topic. we were talking about Airasor."
"Right. does Airasor know about what happened?"
"Unfortunately, she had lost her memories..."
"So... why doesn't she speak?"
"She's just a bit shy, she doesn't seem to trust anyone other than me right now."
"I see... why bring me here?"
"You aren't here physically. I have brought you here through your dreams. But that wasn't the answer you're looking for. You have the power to summon multiple personas, do you not?"
"Correct."
"And you have met someone who had a larger variety of them, no?"
"That is correct, he was my rival."
"I see. This room, the Scarlet Chamber I have dubbed it. This place will help you gather the same means of harnessing the full potential of your power."
"You aren't using this as a means of control, are you?"
"Don't be concerned, the next time you enter here will be of your own free will. But now, you will wake up."
Then everything faded to black.
Tuesday, August 8, 2175 - Wednesday, August 9, 2175
Mid-Quality Hotel in Vale, August 9, Morning, Hotel Room
Akechi had gotten up. He had a lucid dream, a message from Astaphaios. He should consider rationing his money as he can only afford two more nights at the Hotel. He'll need to find some more Lien, and quick. Akechi checked his scroll for any news... hmm... some celebrity news and other things.
Four Time Champion Pyrrha Nikos to Attend Beacon Academy in Vale. Mistral in Shock!
Psychotic Faunas attacks innocent bystanders. No motive found.
Vytal Tournament to Take Place in Vale
White Fang Attacks SDC Supply Train, Civilian Casualties
So... the White Fang are resorting to terrorism now? Not that surprising, given their violent history.
However, it seems today is the day Akechi finds the palace. But first, he eats the leftovers from last night. He had some seafood last night, he's eating it cold because he's not that picky. Most of the catering options are pretty western. Considering this place resembles some sort of mix of New York and London, it would make sense. After eating, he launches the metanav.
"Welcome to the Metanav, where would you like to go?" The Metanav stated.
"Search." Akechi said.
"Please enter Candidate."
"Neopolitan."
"Candidate Found."
The only clues on her is that she's a psycho and a villain, and she's proud of it. Perhaps something hinting of something villainy. Guess he should start with guessing the distortion, so he would need something that clearly sounds like somewhere a Psycho Villain would reside.
"Tower."
"Not Found."
"Laboratory?"
"Not Found."
"Cave."
"Not Found."
"Castle."
"Not Found."
"Space Station."
"Not Found.
"Dungeon."
"Not Found."
"Volcano?"
"Not Found."
Clearly, he needed to be specific... if it's just a Volcano, then it would just be a plain old volcano. So... perhaps he would have to specify... unfortunately, he hopes it isn't what he thinks it is.
Akechi sighed... "Volcano Lair?"
"Distortion Found."
Volcano Lair? That's the distortion? She sees herself as some sort of Comic Book Villain? Or perhaps the sidekick to a Comic Book Villain... either way, all that's needed is to find is the location. Given his research on Roman Torchwick last night, he would live in a high-life style... so the first thing that would come to mind is...
"Penthouse."
"Not Found."
Well, go figure. It's obvious they won't do their scheming from a residential complex. No doubt they have a hideout somewhere... somewhere inconspicuous, and that would have a large amount of space. The first thing that comes to mind is a warehouse. Being that there's plenty of them, and nobody would bat an eye when it comes to them.
"Warehouse."
"Location Found."
"Save, do not Navigate."
"Location Saved: Neopolitan's Volcano Lair of Passion."
That was some lucky guessing. Now to leave the hotel and get to the warehouses. He would go there on foot to save some money. He's not gonna be a masochist and have to sleep outside because he can't afford a place to rest. He may not like 'living' in a hotel, but it's the best he can do for now.
Objective Complete: Learn More about Neopolitan
New Objective: Investigate Neopolitan's Palace
City of Vale, August 9, Afternoon, Industrial District
Vale's industrial district is home to the various factories and storage units in Vale. In addition to some poor-standard apartment complexes, likely inhabited by the less well-off parts of society than most of Vale. The factories do not seem to produce any fumes, likely because everything is powered by dust. As for the storage units, he can obviously tell the difference between the one's still in use and the ones that are not.
However, one of them stood out. It was a singular, lone warehouse with nothing besides it. It may seem like the obvious spot for a villainous hideout. But Akechi had to look further, he snuck around to see if anyone was guarding anything in there.
The interior of the warehouse? Well, he can't exactly get inside there. But he did peep in and took some photos with his scroll. There's some dust, from various shipping grounds. Ranging from SDC to others. That is most likely stolen. There are guards hired from 'the club' as well. He then sees a pink and brown-haired girl, wearing a white and black outfit. Then another figure walked in, a man with a white trenchcoat and a black suit, with ginger hair and a bowler hat. That is presumably Roman Torchwick. So he had his scroll record the audio as evidence.
"Neo, I need you to keep watch of the warehouse." Roman said.
So, the brown and pink haired girl is actually Neopolitan. No doubt for sure, this warehouse is the palace. Akechi continued to listen in the conversation.
Neopolitan looked confused.
"Look, we got hired to do this big gig on Sunday. And roughly around I'll go ask Junior to get some more of those mooks of his to help with this robbery. We're robbing one not from Downtown, but the more well-guarded commercial district: 'From Dust till Dawn'. The Robbery is roughly around nighttime. So plans were made in the event of a huntsman or huntress."
Neopolitan looked a bit disappointed.
"Sorry, but this robbery is one we can't exactly afford to spill blood over. Your bladework is impressive, I give you that. But the client specifically requested you don't show up."
Neopolitan looked at Roman like a sad puppy.
"So, I would recommend you stay put and put any trespassers to 'sleep'. Make sure you go for the head. The Organs can sell for a lot on the black market."
Neopolitan's frown turned into a grin.
"That's my girl, now if you excuse me. I'm off to talk with the client."
A Heist on Sunday? That's just before the school year starts in this world. Akechi stops recording and cuts out any parts that aren't important. The police would love to get their hands on these photos and that recording. Fortunately, Neopolitan hasn't spotted him. So, he went back around just outside of the warehouse... where no doubt he can figure it's safe to enter the palace from.
New Objective: Turn over evidence to the Vale Police Force
He looks around. Makes sure no one is around. He can easily drag people into the Metaverse by accident if people are nearby. If anything, that's how the phantom thieves became a thing, because roughly around every single member except the one Cosmic Horror in the form of a cat wound up in the Metaverse by total accident. And they managed to catch on to him because he overheard the aforementioned Cosmic Horror talking about pancakes. And because of that, he personally gets sickened by pancakes.
No one to his left, no one to his right, no one behind him, and no one in front of him. Perfect. He opened up the metanav.
"Welcome to the Metanav, where would you like to go?"
"Neopolitan's Palace."
"Now traveling to: Volcano Lair of Passion. Please be patient."
Once again, he feels the distortion of reality taking place. He prepares to face on whatever is in the twisted heart of that silent psychopath.
Neo's Palace, August 9, Afternoon, Palace Entrance
"You have now arrived at: Volcano Lair of Passion"
Neo's Palace:
Security Level: 40%
Shadow Identified: False
Akechi has appeared in his 'dark huntsman' outfit. From the looks of it, he is definitely at the right place. Whilst most of Vale looks unchanged. However, the moment he's near the warehouse, the scenery nearby goes from the typical urban jungle to a literal jungle with a Volcano and a metal door near it. The Volcano is roughly large, because it's well... a volcano. The Volcano has an elevator, most likely leading downward to the entrance of the palace itself. Normally one would go through the front. However, going through the front entrance is something one should never do unless there's literally no option.
Akechi began to look around for any side entrances. The best way to infiltrate a palace is by a side entrance, one never goes through the front. Going in through the front is only asking to be caught by the shadows guarding the palace. Given it's a Volcano, no doubt the side entrance won't be in the Volcano itself. So, he looks around for any obscure infrastructure. Akechi spots a couple of shacks around the Volcano. He opens one of the shacks to see a ladder leading downward. Of course, this was likely left behind during a hypothetical construction of the Volcano Lair. Akechi climbs the ladder to descend into the palace.
So far, no drawbacks. He just hopes he can find a weapon and a gun in the palace he can use. Anything found in the metaverse can be materialized in the real world. Sometimes in the form shown, other times it's not. Model guns in the real world show up as real guns. He used this to his advantage to fabricate laser guns and an energy sword, both part of his arsenal.
Neo's Palace, August 9, Afternoon, Underground Walkway A
Akechi descended from the lair, and from it. He sees a bleak, steal walkway. And from his vision, there is a wider room ahead. He begins to walk around in the walkway to the wider room. There aren't any guards here, which is surprising to him. The wider room is made of the steel material from the earlier corridor. There are some support beams in the room. There is also a single, unlocked treasure chest in the room. Akechi walks toward the chest and opens in. The contents of the treasure chest is naught but a single beam sword. Unlike the ones in Earth's metaverse, this one looks like it's actually the real deal, and not a realistic model. Akechi turns it on, and a red beam of light appears. He begins to swing the sword around. From the materials and contents, chances are this blade is likely made from crude materials, but it'll do for now.
Now with a weapon at hand, given that any weapon is better than no weapon at all. No matter how crude the weapon is. He can finally fight at a better capability, no doubt it's functions will retain in the real world, as well.
Weapon Acquired: Crude Beam Sword
Akechi left the room and found another similar looking room. Though, this one has two carpets on opposite ends of the room, adjacent to the doors. There is also a single guard, a shadow. The shadow is wearing an orange costume with an oversized collar and a cartoony mask. From the looks of it, these are likely based off of typical comic book henchmen or mooks. The mook is also wielding some sort of sword/gun hybrid.
Akechi begins to hide near one of the columns in the current room and listens to what the shadow might say.
"Did I hear someone come through the door? Nah, can't be. No one is down here but me." the shadow said.
The shadow began heading toward the door where Akechi had came from. He continued to listen in.
"Can't believe I got stuck in this position. That's what I get for talking lip about the Boss' Mistress." the shadow said to themselves.
Mistress? No doubt the Mistress would be 'Neopolian'. Specifically, the Mistress of the 'boss'. He hypothesizes the 'Boss' is a cognition of Roman Torchwick. Though, no doubt he won't get any more information on this sole shadow, who is nothing more than a mere mook. So, what does he do? He sneaks up behind the shadow and stabs the shadow with his sword and grabs onto the mask.
"No need to hide yourself." Akechi said maniacally.
He rips off the mask, revealing two shadows. Both of them are beguiling girls. Shadows who appear in the form of small, winged girls. These shadows are no doubt ludicrously weak. He won't even need to use his full power on them. Akechi smirks as he rips his mask off.
"Loki! Eiha!" Akechi shouted.
A persona manifested. It was black and white, and demon-like. It was standing on a sword as it casted Eiha. He won't need to use his full power on these weaklings. The curse attack strikes down one of the beguiling girls, in the time, he uses his laser sword to finish the dead, slicing the shadow in two. The other shadow attacks Akechi but it doesn't even hurt him. He laughs and summons Loki to cast Eiagon instead of Eiha, which completely incinerates the shadow in darkness. He just laughs at the thought that the two shadows thought they had any chance against him. He even held back on one of them, even then it was destroyed in two hits.
"This will be too easy." Akechi retorted.
From there he opened the door and proceeded to the next area.
Neo's Palace, August 9, Afternoon, Underground Walkway B
This room looks more elaborate than the last one. As the designs are more elaborate. The walls are painted orange, with a symbol of a pumpkin on one of the walls (the symbol being black). Another treasure chest, though this one appears to be locked. He could wait until he gets his hands on a lockpick... or he could just break it open with his... oh ya, no laser gun.
He could just use his energy sword... he just has to be very... very careful... okay... he's cutting the lock, slowly... carefully. Trying not to damage the opening mechanism... aaaaand... it's off. The lock is off, and now he can open the chest. The contents of the chest is... one lockpick. That's it? All that work for a single lockpick? That's got to be some cruel joke. No matter, he may as well take the lockpick to open another locked chest, so he doesn't risk welding it shut.
Regardless, he has a palace to explore, so he can find another chest he can use the lockpick on. Hopefully he can get his hands on a gun soon.
Meanwhile
City of Vale, August 9, Afternoon, Industrial District
The industrial district: it may not be the greatest place to lay low, but she has nowhere to hide after what happened yesterday. She doesn't have much cash on her either, so she has to rely on stealing to get by. She hates it, but the best she can do is hope for her application for Beacon comes by. She's registering as a 'human', whilst hiding her faunas trait. Maybe now, she can have a second chance to do something right.
What is her name? Well, she already knows her name. But she wears a black and white outfit, most of it consists of tights. But she should stay somewhere safe. Those warehouses look nice. And when she had gotten to the warehouses, she saw a man with brown hair wearing worn out clothes speaking in tongues to his scroll, but then everything started to feel weird...
Unknown Location, August 9, Afternoon, Unknown Sublocation
What in the? Where did the guy go? And why does Vale suddenly have a Jungle? And what's with the Volcano? She looked behind her and everything looked normal, but when she looked back. Boom! Jungle and Volcano. What is this place? Well, she sees an elevator, may as well enter it and find out what exactly is with the sudden wilding in Vale.
She heads downward the elevator, waiting by her time. The elevator in question was black with windows showing the surrounding area, the glass the windows have are rather tough it seems. There is also an orange icon depicting a pumpkin with a face on the elevator floor. The elevator is going down, likely leading underground. She's going to have to figure out what exactly is going on, one way or another.
Apon entering, she sees a well-designed entrance to what seems like an evil lair. Like the elevator, it has black and orange designs, with banners depicting the previously mentioned logo. And from the looks of it, there are two floors visible, with the second floor having a series of doors. Just who exactly owns this? Likely some rich supervillain. She decides to explore the place.
"Where exactly am I?" she asks out loud.
The more she explores, the less she makes sense of the place. Since when can all of this exist under Vale? And how did no one even notice? Surely the police would... actually, nevermind. Vale's police are rather infamous for being incompetent. She's rather impressed by the design. She continues to look around and explores the place quite a while. Eventually, she tips over a piece of decoration in the room and an alarm rang out.
"INTRUDER!" A voice yelled out.
Suddenly She was surrounded by figures wearing orange costumes and masks. She tries to use her semblance to escape... but... for some reason she can't. Why isn't her semblance working? Did her aura stop working or something?
"Come on, aura."
She checks her scroll, only for it to not work. Well, great she's doomed. May as well take as much out as she can. Some of the figures then transformed into other shapes. The shapes are quite various in range. She draws out her weapon in gun form to attack the figures. However, the damage done on them is seemingly minimal. Eventually, she ran out of ammunition. So, what does she do? Well, she runs and finds a place to hide.
Back to the Main Character
Neo's Palace, August 9, Afternoon, Trophy Room
Akechi had snuck past the main entrance through the underground walkway and found a safe room. Though, he's not there. He's in what might be a particularly interesting room. It's a room. While most of the room is black and orange, this one is pink and white. The room has an assortment of weapon racks, all of which bare a single weapon on them. Each of the weapons on display are unique to one another. Akechi notices a sign, so he decides to read it.
This here is dedicated to the room of the Huntsmen whose lives were ended by Mistress Neopolitan. Each of the weapons on display belonged to those who opposed Dr. Roman von Torchwick. Let this be a reminder to those who oppose his will, and the will of his Mistress.
So... this room depicts the weapons of the various huntsmen killed by Neopolitan? Needless to say, they're all rather fancy looking. Some of them look simple designed, whilst others looked high-tech. The variation is quite wide. He could count that she killed ninety-nine huntsmen. And all under the name of Roman Torchwick. This room basically says that she takes pride in killing huntsmen. Given that huntsmen are basically trained to kill what would be considered monsters or demons... killing one would be no easy feat, killing ninety-nine would mean he should remain vigilant.
None of the weapons here is something he should really take; people would ask questions about where exactly he'd get these weapons. So, it's best to leave the weapons where they are. But the room does paint quite the light on her. He would about to leave... but then...
Alarms went off? What could have possibly happened that would. No, he made sure no one was around when he traversed to the Metaverse. Some idiot is gonna get themselves killed because of him. Not that it matters, anyway. Regardless, he should head into the safe room he saw earlier. Akechi left the trophy room, and then heads to the safe room to wait out the sudden security sweep.
Neo's Palace, August 9, Afternoon, Entrance Hall
A two-storied entrance hall. The second floor (Which Akechi is on), has metal flooring with a black carpet, along with metal railings. The first floor is covered in carpet, the carpet in question is an alteration between black and orange. Guess Neopolitan thinks Halloween colors suit Torchwick. Either way, it's quite displeasing to his eyes. He sees shadows sweeping the area for an intruder. Did he trip an alarm by accident? In any rate, he should lay low in the safe room below. He gets on the railing and makes a quick drop. The safe room is on the first floor.
It's not in front of him, of course. It's nearby where he came in through the Underground Walkway in the palace. So. What does he do? Normally he'd be up for a fight, but he doesn't want to face the security of the entire palace at once, especially by himself. That would mean he has to hide until he gets to the safe room. A series of shadows are heading toward Akechi's direction. So, what does he do? He causes half of them to go berserk and attack the non-berserk half. He uses this to walk past unnoticed.
The shadows are too busy fighting each other to notice Akechi walking by. Now that he's dealt with security, he can slip to the safe room and wait for security to mellow down.
Neo's Palace, August 9, Afternoon, The safe room
The safe room is an orange room with a black table and chairs. But the distortion area shows a room in the warehouse. This is likely somewhere Neopolitan hardly goes to. Being that a safe room is a place where the cognition is weak, meaning it's most likely where the influence of the palace ruler is the weakest. Because of this, cognitions and shadows cannot manifest in this place, essentially making it well... a safe room to hide in and think things through.
However, he didn't expect someone else being there. From the looks of it, a girl, wearing a bow on her head and wearing a black and white outfit. She looks scared for her life.
"Are you with them?" the girl asked.
"Relax, this is all a dream." Akechi lied. Figured she can sleep this off and forget everything she saw.
"A dream? Well, it feels very real."
"It's a lucid dream."
"Okay, seems fair. And how would you know this?"
"Oh, I'm just a self-aware cognition of your imagination."
"And if this is my dream, why can't I change anything?"
"Because it's one of those dreams you have no control over."
"Great."
"We'll have to stay put for a while."
"Why?"
"If we come out while there's a sweep, the guards are going to gang up on us."
"So? If this is a dream? I would wake up when I die."
"If you die in this dream, you die for real."
"What did I get myself into?"
"Trouble. And a lot of it. As much as I'd like to fight, I would not want you to get hurt. So, I'll be getting you out of here." Akechi said. As much as he's fine with her dying, he doesn't want to cause unnecessary chaos.
"I just have so many questions."
"And they won't matter any time soon. Just wait."
A couple minutes passed. He believes the coast is clear. Akechi opened the door. The security is on high alert, but it should be safe to get out for now.
"Alright. Now stay close to me and don't draw attention." Akechi said.
"Right." the girl said.
The two of them snuck out of the safe route, and re-routed back to the side entrance Akechi came in.
Neo's Palace, August 9, Afternoon, Underground Walkway A
The two of them made it back to where Akechi arrived... however, it seems the two of them were expected to show up.
A man, wearing a black pair of formal pants with a pair of orange boots. Along with an orange suit jacket with a black shirt, the suit jacket bearing that all too familiar pumpkin icon on the left side of the torso. The jacket sleeves are rolled up, showing off the wrists. There are also gloves being worn. One is orange, the other black. To top it all off, his hair is orange with bangs covering one eye, and a monocle on the other. He is holding a cane with one of his hands. His eyes are blue, indicating he's a mere cognition, and not the ruler of the palace.
And then there's the smaller woman. She is wearing a short, pink skirt with a shirt that seemingly connects to it, but the belly is slightly poking out. White leggings and pink boots are also seen. She also bears a white jacket with one of the sleeves rolled up. Her gloves are both white. Her hair is pink and brown, with pigtails. The girl is also carrying a bladed parasol. She also bears a white eye-mask with pink stripes. The eyes can be seen from the eyemask though. The eyes are glowing yellow, indicating that she's a shadow, and in this case: the palace's ruler. This is no doubt Shadow Neopolitan.
And if the girl is shadow Neopolitan, then that would make the cognition her depiction of Roman Torchwick.
"Supervillains?" the real girl with the bow asked.
"Yes, we're super alright." The cognitive Roman Torchwick said. "And you two are going to be super dead for trespassing in our lair."
"Lair? This is the first time I've seen a Volcano in Vale."
"Then you must be stupid to somehow set foot in here."
"Not my fault your stupid lair showed up out of nowhere."
"How rude! Do you hear this Neo? She is ridiculing us. Showing up out of nowhere. Don't you know how much effort you pulled to get us here?" The Cognitive Torchwick said, looking offended.
Shadow Neopolitan doesn't look too happy either.
"Look, I get it. You want to be a supervillain. Now if you just let me leave, I'll get out of your hair." the girl said. Trying to negotiate with the cognition and shadow.
That was her first mistake. If a shadow has enough strength and distortion to form a palace, they cannot be negotiated with. There is no reasoning with them. They see any and all intruders as threats to their perfect world and must be snuffed out. Even if they don't outright admit it. Though at glance there are some exceptions... but their security would say otherwise.
"Are you seriously asking us to let you go? I see, you're afraid of us." the Cognitive Torchwick said. "But I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer."
"What? Why!?" the girl asked.
"Simple. If we let you get away, you're just gonna come back prepared. And we can't exactly have that, can we?"
"So, you're just gonna take me prisoner?"
"No. Neo, would you kindly be a dear?" The Cognitive Torchwick asked.
Shadow Neo snapped her fingers, and a large shadow manifested behind Akechi and the girl. Shadow Neo and Cognitive Torchwick then vanished. The shadow turned into a giant version of a bringer of misfortune. A large, paper-like shadow. Great. These things are certainly annoying. Why? Because physical attacks are useless against it, in addition to Curse and Bless attacks. Thankfully, he has a workaround for shadows like this.
"Loki! Megidolaon!" Akechi shouted, ripping off his mask.
The persona then manifested, and a large almighty attack manifested and caused a powerful explosion within the direction of the shadow, causing severe damage to the shadow. It seems this thing is tougher than the normal ones.
The shadow then went to attack the girl with an array of paper projectiles. Thankfully, she was able to dodge the attack. However, it would seem that the girl is unable to attack it. So, all she can do is twiddle her thumbs until the thing is dead.
He has Loki cast Megidolaon again. The attack has the same impact, but this time it was enough to actually kill the shadow. Now that the shadow is gone. Akechi escorted the girl out of the palace and back to the entrance, to where he had used the metanav to leave the metaverse.
City of Vale, August 9, Afternoon, Industrial District
"You have now returned to the real world, thank you for your hard work."
Akechi's attire had reverted to his real world one. And as he predicted, the beam sword not only looks real, but actually functions. Though, he's still missing a gun.
Objective Complete: Investigate Neopolitan's Palace
New Objective: Continue to investigate Neopolitan's Palace
The girl had returned, which means no doubt the girl is real and not a cognition. Especially considering she was found in a safe room. She doesn't seem to recognize him. That's good. The girl had looked at him with the weirdest look.
"What are you looking at me for?" Akechi asked, acting like he never saw her before.
"Oh sorry, you just remind me of some crazy dream I just had." the girl said.
"Speaking of, you were asleep whilst standing."
"Why didn't you wake me up?"
"I wouldn't want to risk anything."
"Oh. Well... thanks for watching me sleep... I guess."
"Do you have anywhere to be?"
"No, actually. I just applied to Beacon, and I really don't have anywhere to stay. So, I'm trying to find a place to crash."
"Can't really help you there, I'm living by hotel night. I'm just lucky I got a hold of some more money."
In that palace, he acquired 560 Lien. Combined with his current amount. That should add up to 1090. Hopefully his trips to the metaverse doesn't inflate the economy in the long run.
"Well, take care." the girl said, leaving.
Now that she's gone. Akechi can turn over the evidence Roman Torchwick has to the police. He uses his scroll to find the closest route to the police station.
City of Vale, August 9, Evening, Police Station
Vale's police station. Not much to say other than the white and plain interior and evidently incompetent work force.
However, being an unlicensed detective, he would need some incentive to officially be employed as a private investigator. This was his plan from the start. He did the detective charade once, he can do so again. Though, he would still need to be licensed.
Akechi walked up at the reception, to be greeted by a seemingly rude cop.
"Get lost, ya bum." the receptionist cop said.
"Do not worry, I'm here to apply for your sanction to be a private investigator." Akechi pitched.
"Done."
"Very well, I will-wait what?"
"I said done. Law enforcement has little to no requirements since huntsmen like to do Vigilante work on their free time, so us cops are mostly just rejects neither the academies nor the military would take. We also can't accept anyone with a criminal record, of course."
"You're just going to give me licensed approval to arrest someone just like that?"
"Well, we're going to need to do a background check first. That's a requirement."
"Very well."
"Full name."
"Given name first or last?"
"First."
"Goro Akechi."
The receptionist is looking at their computer, and some beeps were heard.
"No birth certificate, no paper trail whatsoever, and you registered your scroll only like two days ago."
"You can find my information there."
"Well, it doesn't look like you have a criminal record. So, I'll just do some typing aaand done."
Akechi's scroll buzzed and when he opened it, a notification showed he is now a licensed detective.
"You won't get paid, and I would suggest only coming here when you have a perp to lock up. Other than that, welcome to the ever long crusade against crime." the receptionist said.
"Great..." Akechi said, with a sarcastic cheer.
Now that that's out of the way. He may as well show the police the evidence too.
"Another thing, I'd like to show you some evidence." Akechi said.
"Go on..." the receptionist said.
Akechi took out his scroll and showed them the pictures he took.
"And an audio recording it looks like. Let me just..."
The receptionist plugged something in the scroll and copied the files from Akechi's scroll onto the police database. The receptionist then listened to the audio file.
"From what you gathered, Torchwick is operating in the industrial district, and planning to rob 'from dust till dawn' on Sunday night. Can't really do anything unless it's in the act, but we'll have forces dispatched at the dust shop as soon as we spot the guy." the receptionist said.
"Hopefully you'll be able to catch him." Akechi stated.
"'Hopefully', Neopolitan doesn't show up. She would turn that robbery into a slaughter."
"You seem more competent than most of the police I've seen."
"That's because I was the only one who actually attended a huntsman academy. I got kicked out in my second year after an arrow pierced my knee. Can't really run anymore. But at the very least I can walk."
"So, you work a desk job to try and help?"
"Yep. That's the jist of it. Too bad my co-workers are idiots."
"Well, I'll be back once I have more evidence or caught someone." Akechi said, leaving. That was surprisingly easier than he thought. Guess vigilantism is more publicly accepted in this world than even on earth. The Phantom Thieves would have no doubt thrived in this world. However, he believes that despite the vigilantism, he can manage to take down Roman Torchwick, even if he doesn't have a palace. With a mix of detective work, some metaverse stunts, and a hint of acting, he can pull his way his way back to where he left off on earth.
Objective Complete: Turn over evidence to the Vale Police Force
Author's Footnote: First some explanations
I could have used the Velvet Room, but Akechi's in agreement with Astaphaios here, so he gets an alternate version of it instead. Don't worry about Airasor, she's not gonna be some wooden puppet.
I'm still on the fence on Akechi actually having others accompanying him. Whether or not this may be the case is up to my whim.
Why a Volcano Lair? Well, I'd figured Neo would see herself as some sort of Supervillain.
I don't intend to be fully faithful to what the gameplay would have the abilities be of Loki and Robinhood, if you can't tell.
The Events of Volume 1 are starting soon, and even now the events are being altered. Like a butterfly flapping its wings creating a tornado. You may have some questions, feel free to ask as you wait for the next chapter.