Working With Phantoms

An Unfortunate Encounter

June 4th

Madran's group arrived back in the Metaverse, with Philemon assembling them all in the latest Safe Room.

"Ok. Today, we are to explore the outer section and possibly inner section for the treasure."

"It can't possibly be this easy, right?"

"I would like it that way, but there's definitely a catch. Everyone, be on guard, and whenever Fwoosh tells us to hide, we must vanish."

The group nodded and headed out, arriving in the third floor's outer section. It was surprisingly well-lit, with uniform recess lights on the ceiling. Madran then began to scan.

"Ok, so, there's no entry into the inner part until we arrive at a mid-floor kinda far from here. Well, let's get moving!"

Madran began to guide the group through the outer circle, which was a set of box-like halls with cognitions of workers running about. There were also cognitions of higher-up workers, who bossed the lower ones around constantly.

"Goodness, this place is weird. They don't even seem to notice us."

"This is tío's ideal world, after all. He loves control..."

Rosana sighed and attempted to poke one of the cognitions. This caused it to freeze in place. Then, it vanished and the higher-up cognitions began to panic.

"However, his rule can easily crumble. Let's move."

Madran, slightly impressed by Rosana's prose, guided the group along until two shadows appeared. Madran then snuck around and jumped it, which began a battle.

"Ok, everyone, get ready!"

Madran rejoined with the team and watched as the shadow turned into two Qingus and three new shadows. The new ones were large, humanoid creatures that appeared to be made entirely out of paper, with a samurai-like appearance to the arrangement of it.

"Ok, these creatures are Shikigamis! Shikigami is weak to Agi and Garu, reflects Zio and Kouha, and resists guns. Well, don't mind if I do!"

Madran hit all of the shadows with an Agidyne, which knocked all of them over. Then, after an All-Out Attack, only two Shikigamis remained, with Suga killing them with a well-placed Magarudyne.

"Ok, nice job, everyone!"

"Ah, yes, I have good news."

"What is it, Nightingale?"

"I have gained the skill of Masukukaja, and I'm sure that we all know what it does."

"Uh...?"

"Oh, right, forgive me, Excite. Masukukaja raises our accuracy and speed for a short amount of time."

"Oh, ok. Gotcha."

The group advanced onwards, with them passing by several large rooms that all had workers in them. Then, Madran arrived at a door.

"Ok, we need to go through here. Um, there're definitely going to be a few shadows there, so are we ready?"

Madran looked amongst her group, and they all were nodding and checking their weapons.

"Ok, well, let's head in!"

Madran led the group into the door, where she saw that a shadow who was wearing a blue suit with a slightly lighter mask was there.

"Ah, so you've arrived. I was informed of you."

"Well, I bet you know what we want."

"Why, yes. In fact, I even heard of you... eight almost defeating Mistress Harlot and Madame Hariti before they managed to escape."