The Day Before

[ex_citrinitas659]

The Day Before: An end to the ordinary.

Shibuya 901

[Mid-August...

The summer of your second year of high school is almost over. People visiting Tokyo have begun traveling back home. It feels as if there are fewer people about in Shibuya...

Your cousin Naoya, with whom you'd been living until a few years ago, suddenly called for you to meet him outside 901...]

Atsuro: Hey, MC! Over here!

[A boy carrying a laptop computer runs up to you.]

Atsuro: Yo, how's it going? Real nice of Naoya to make us meet him outside on a hot day like this, isn't it? So, how's your summer been? We usually meet at school, so it feels like it's been forever. Is everything good?
MC: > Yeah.
Atsuro: Ah, that's the MC I know! Young guys like us need to be full of energy! Still, I couldn't think of anything to do, so I spent all day on my laptop. Haha! This is great timing, though, man. I just ran into this problem with my coding. It has me completely stumped, so I was about to ask Naoya if he could help.
Yuzu: Oh, there you are! I've been looking for you guys!
Atsuro: Hey, here comes Yoohoo!
Yuzu: Don't call me “Yoohoo!” My name is Yuzu! Sheesh, will you stop calling me that stupid nickname!? Even boys at school call me “Yoohoo,” and it's all your fault!
Atsuro: Hehe, it's not that bad, is it? It's a friendly nickname! And it's not just our class. Some of the teachers actually think your name is “Yoohoo.”
Yuzu: That's because people like you keep calling me that!
Atsuro: Haha, it's working!
MC: > Where's Naoya?
Yuzu: Huh...? Oh, that's right! I ran into Naoya a moment ago, and he asked me to give these to Atsuro and you. He said that something's come up and he won't be able to make it.
Atsuro: Aww, what's up with that? Naoya stood us up! Wait, what did he want you to give us?
Yuzu: Here, take them. They were a pain to carry around in my bag, too.

[Yuzu opens her bag...]

MC: > Naoya gave you these?
Yuzu: Yup! Aren't these those Communication Player things? I've seen commercials for them before. They're like, “Play with people around the world!”
Atsuro: Oh, you know about them, Yoohoo? That's exactly what these are. The name “Communication Player” is a real mouthful, so people just call them COMPs. They have email and a web browser, so they're more like cellphones than game systems.
Yuzu: Huh...is that so? Naoya said, “You'll all need these. So don't let go of them.”
Atsuro: Eh? “You'll all need”...? Well, there are three of them. ...Still, why would we need these? I mean, I've got a COMP back at my own-- Huh?

[Atsuro opens one of the COMPs and stares at it in wonder...]

Atsuro: What the...? I've never seen this menu. Did he homebrew this?
Yuzu: What...? Do you mean he made this himself? Is that even possible?
Atsuro: Huh? Don't you know, Yoohoo? Naoya's famous among us programmers. He's a genius! Something like this would be no problem for him.
Yuzu: Huh...I had no idea. Is he really that good?
Atsuro: Hmm. I can't open this folder. Looks like it's protected...
Yuzu: Protected...? You mean, it's set so other people can't mess with it? We can't look inside, then.
MC: > Atsuro can crack it.
Atsuro: Heh heh, that's right! Good thing I brought my laptop along...

[Atsuro connects the COMP to his laptop and begins typing furiously...]

Yuzu: ...Huh!? H-Hey, Atsuro! What're you doing!?
Atsuro: Heh heh! What does it look like? I'm gonna hack this folder wide open.
Yuzu: You're hacking it...? Hey, Naoya's gonna be angry if you do that!
MC: > It's not a big deal.
Yuzu: Huuuuh? Are you sure about this?
Atsuro: You don't get it, Yoohoo! Naoya's my teacher. If he took the time to call me up and give it to me... That means he wants me to break his protection scheme! It's like a friendly greeting!
Yuzu: That doesn't make any sense! Why can't he say “hello” like a normal person?
Atsuro: Let's take a look here... What's his encryption scheme this time? ...heh heh heh! ♪ Isn't this intense!?
Yuzu: No! Only someone like you would find this exciting, Atsuro!
Atsuro: Hrrrrmmmm... Ah, there we go! You can at least check your mail for now. Here, these are yours.

[Atsuro gave you a COMP!]

From: The Observer
Subject: Laplace Mail

Good morning.
Here is today's NEWS.

1) At around 16:00, a man will be killed in a Shibuya-ku Aoyama apartment. The wounds on the corpse are consistent with an attack by a large carnivorous beast.
2) A large explosion will occur in Minato-ku Aoyama at 19:00. The cause is unknown.
3) At 21:00, a blackout will affect the entire Tokyo metropolitan area.

Have a nice day.

Yuzu: At around 16:00 in Shibuya-ku Aoyama, a man...will be killed!? He'll be attacked by some carnivorous beast... …!? What kind of news is this? That's so creepy...
MC: > Yeah, that is creepy.
Yuzu: I know, right!? The way it's written so offhandedly makes it creepier...
Atsuro: It also said there'll be a blackout in Tokyo today... What is this? It says it's today's news... But none of this has happened today. Why would Naoya put a lock on this...? Ooh, maybe it's code for something! Aoyama, Aoyama... Hmm... Naoya's place is near there, but is that important?
Yuzu: That's enough! This is way too creepy! I bet Naoya knew you would tinker with the COMPs and played a trick on us.
Atsuro: I don't know... He's amazingly smart, so I think he must have meant for this to happen. Hmm... I can't figure it out from just this. I'll try the rest of these files, too. I'm going to find somewhere I can think. Go kill some time. Oh, you can take the COMPs! Some of their functions still work, so you might as well try them out. See ya later, okay?

[Atsuro leaves the area to take a closer look at the COMP...]

Yuzu: I bet it's all just a prank. Atsuro always acts like such a kid with stuff like this! Um... What should we do, MC? Why don't we wander around until Atsuro's done?

[You and Yuzu leave the 901...]

Yuzu: Well... What should we do? We can go kill some time in Shibuya, or go somewhere else. I'm okay either way, MC!

Shinjuku, Kannagi-cho: 16:00

[Shinjuku, Kannagi-cho...

As usual, Japan's largest shopping district is bustling.]

Yuzu: Wow... What should we do? Wanna go watch a movie, or do some karaoke? Hmm... Atsuro might call us, so we should go somewhere with cellphone reception...

[You notice a suspicious group wearing bizarre outfits standing in the road.

A man who appears to be the leader is making a speech from a podium...]

Odd Man: ...And lo, the smiting from God against the Tower of Babel returns!
Yuzu: Oh man... What's with that bunch of weirdos?
Odd Man: Now, along with our Shomonkai, let us bring the world together. With the power of the Internet, the world will be as one once more...
Yuzu: The “power of the internet,” huh? Gimme a break... Are you interested in this, MC?
MC: > Sure.
Yuzu: Huh... I didn't think you would be. Oh! Uh, sorry, I didn't mean that in a bad way. Well, even I think it's great how the Internet lets you connect with the world. But all this stuff about god and bringing the world together...I don't know. Ugh! Why are we even talking about this? Let's go somewhere else, MC!
Odd Man: Tonight and for the next three days, fellow members who believe in the power of the Internet will gather in Tokyo. All are welcome to take part. Believe in His Majesty and prepare for the Ordeal. That is when we shall...

[The speech continues...]

Shibuya, Miyashita Park: 16:00

Atsuro: Hey, don't be so impatient. Even with my skills, I can't finish my analysis that fast!
Yuzu: You're not as good as you claim to be, then?
Atsuro: Don't be ridiculous! Naoya wrote this encryption program. A normal man couldn't solve this in a week, but I'll have it done in a matter of hours!
Yuzu: All right, all right. You're Naoya's best apprentice, we get it.
Atsuro: That's exactly right, Yoohoo!
Yuzu: Don't call me Yoohoo!
Atsuro: Heh heh heh!
Yuzu: Let's go, MC! He can stare at that screen until his eyeballs explode!
Atsuro: Hmph...Anyway, I'll be a bit longer, so go find something to do!

Omotesando: 16:30

Yuzu: The stores around here are really fashionable. They're all, like, so mature, y'know? I used to go to Harajuku all the time, but I always wanted to fit in at Omotesando. Hey, do you think I stick out like a sore thumb here?
MC: > No, you fit right in.
Yuzu: No way, really!? Aww, thanks! Don't you think that Harajuku and Omotesando have different images? Omotesando feels more like Aoyama's style than Harajuku's... Speaking of Aoyama... Hey, MC... What time is it right now?
MC: > It's 16:30.
Yuzu: 16:30, ugh...I was just thinking about that email in the COMP... You know, the one about someone being attacked by a “carnivorous beast...” It said the attack happened in the Aoyama area, right? It's around the right time, too...

[At that moment, several police cars zoom down the street, sirens wailing.]

Yuzu: Those plice cars... They're heading towards Aoyama... Ah... Ahaha! There's no way that it could be true, right? …... Hey...Naoya's apartment is in Aoyama, right? Shouldn't we...go check it out?
MC: > Let's go, then.
Yuzu: Y-Yeah. I'm a little scared... But, he should be okay. Let's go!

Aoyama, residental: 17:00

[It seems that the police were going to the building Naoya lives in, after all...

The scene is roped off by the police, and a crowd of onlookers has gathered. Someone else who has just arrived approaches you.]

Yuzu: Naoya...!?
Naoya: ...I'm surprised to see you, Hiro. What are you doing here?
MC: > ...I'm glad you're safe.
Naoya: Safe? ...Oh, you mean the incident in the building.
Yuzu: Of course that's what we mean! What's going on, anyway!? That weird email you made us read made us all jumpy!
Naoya: I see... You're right... Sorry about that. I didn't mean to frighten you. The person who was eaten was a student, like yourselves. He lived next door to me...
Yuzu: He was eaten...? No way! Is what that email said really true!? But, we got the email before the incident happened, so... MC, what does this all mean!?
MC: > The email was a warning.
Naoya: ...I see. You're saying that I sent the email, then I carried out the murder... That does seem like a logical explanation. But, no, that's not what happened. I understand why the two of you came here, Hiro. But, our meeting here is an accident. We shouldn't be talking like this. Hurry and find Atsuro immediately. It's going to begin soon...
Yuzu: Begin...!? What are you talking about?

[Naoya looks away, and he seems to have no intention of answering any more questions.]

Naoya: …There isn't much time left. Listen carefully to me, both of you. Do not turn away from what is about to happen now. Do not be afraid to stand up against it. That is when the door of truth will open... Overcome your fate.
Yuzu: Oh...! W-Wait a second!

[Naoya walks away...]

Yuzu: ...He's gone. Something...didn't seem right with him huh? I wonder what's wrong.

[Just then, your cellphone rings The caller ID says “Atsuro”...]

MC: > Answer the phone.
Atsuro: Yo! I figured out how to crack the encryption on those COMPs! I need yours so I can unlock them. Meet me in front of the Electric Museum in Shibuya!
Yuzu: Um... Why don't we meet up with Atsuro? I'm all confused from everything that's happened so suddenly... Maybe Atsuro's figured something out on his end!

Shibuya, Electric Museum: 17:30

[The Electric Museum is north of Shibuya along the Yamanote line, east of Miyashita Park.]

Atsuro: Yo, what took you guys so long? How far away did you go when you were killing time?
MC: > We went to Naoya's place.
Atsuro: Huh!? You guys went to see Naoya?
Yuzu: Oh, yeah. Well...

[Yuzu tells Atsuro about what happened in Aoyama. She also mentioned how what happened matched the email you received, and what Naoya said.]

Atsuro: Wait, what? Are you saying that the email actually came true? Hmm... Anyway, if you ran into Naoya, why didn't you call me? I had some stuff to ask him.
Yuzu: Sorry. So much was going on that we kind of forgot you.
Atsuro: Oh, well. That's okay. Bringing it up now isn't gonna change anything. So, what's going on? Is what was written in that email actually coming true...? C'mon... There's no way an email can predict the future. Are you sure you didn't just fall for one of Naoya's pranks?
MC: > Would he really do that?
Atsuro: When you put it that way... Well, Naoya's human, too. He must have a sense of humor.
Yuzu: But someone really did get killed! The police were there! I can't believe they'd be part of his joke!
Atsuro: Hmm... If Naoya was telling the truth, that email wasn't a warning, right? Unless someone really did predict the future, it's probably just a coincidence.
MC: > There's more in the email.
Atsuro: What do you mean? Oh yeah, it mentioned an explosion and a blackout, too. If it really was predicting the future... It would be odd if those don't happen. Still, they seem pretty unlikely.
Yuzu: What...? But...
Atsuro: Who cares, anyway? Once I crack these COMPs and look inside, it'll all make sense.
Yuzu: Hrmm... I'm still not convinced, but tell us what you've figured out for now. You did figure something out, right, Atsuro?
Atsuro: Yeah, well... I was completely fooled. I think Naoya knew I'd try to get inside one myself. It seems these three COMPs are always monitoring each other, so I can't crack one alone. See, the COMPs are constantly transmitting certain signals to each other. Without that input, several parameters are set in such a way that makes it impossible--
Yuzu: Argh, my head... Enough with the explanation, just hurry up and do it!
Atsuro: Man, you never change... Anyway, I'm gonna unlock the systems, okay? Turn your COMPs on, you guys!

[While waiting for Atsuro to finish, you look up and see someone who looks like Naoya. Although Shibuya is a popular area, the street is empty and he seems to stand out. His handsome face is expressionless, but gives off a cold feeling...]

Atsuro: Okay, done! I'm restarting the COMPs!

[The COMPs start up. Then...]

Decryption confirmed.
Booting program.

[Text flashes by.]

...Condition green.
DEMON SUMMONING PROGRAM ready to boot.
Booting DEMON SUMMONING PROGRAM.

[More programming language races by as the demon summoning program starts up. Finally, at the end of the brackets and things...]

Peaceful days are over. Let's survive.

Atsuro: Wh-Whoa! Monsters came out of the COMPs...!?
Yuzu: Aaaah! Wh-What is this!?
Pixie: Ahhh! I thought I was going to suffocate in there...! So this is the human world? Hmm. Then these humans must be the ones who summoned me. We will fight, then! If I win, I will have my freedom! Let's go!

[The fight begins.]

Pixie: Hehehe! Get ready! I'm not gonna let you guys go! You have to die so I can go free! Hehehe!

[The pixie attacks Yuzu.]

Yuzu: Aaahh! Don't come any closer!

[After a round...]

Yuzu: ...Helllp! ...MC! ...Atsuro!
Atsuro: Yuzu! Damn it... We're coming!
Pixie: W-Wow! You're pretty tough... For a human, anyway!
Kabuso: Gyarrrr! Humans are tasty demon food!

[The kabuso attacks Atsuro.]

Atsuro: Whoa! What are you!?

[After a round...]

Kabuso: Gyaaaarh! Who do the human's attacks hurt!? Nobody said anything about this...
Atsuro: Wh-What the!? That should've hurt me more than it did!
Kabuso: This is weird. Humans are supposed to be soft and chewy! Not hard!
Kobald: FIGHT ME, HUMANS. ME...WIN!
Atsuro: Be careful, MC! You've got to get them before they get you! You have to fight!

[After a round...]

Kobald: GRARR! YOU STRONG! THIS...FUN! FIGHT SOME MORE!
Atsuro: Th-The attack worked! Our attacks work on these guys! ...! Is it because of the COMPs!?

[The battle continues. Eventually, MC strikes the final blow, defeating the kobald.]

Kobald:GRAA... GRAAAGH... ME LOST... IF ME DEFEATED BY ONE WHO SUMMONS ME, BECOME MASTER. THIS CALLED CONTRACT. ...ONLY HEARD OF THEM... ME KOBALD, DEMON OF WAR. TO MEET YOU, NICE!

[The monster disappears, mumbling incoherently...]

Atsuro: ...Yes! We can win, you guys! We can't die here!

[Atsuro finishes off the kabuso.]

Kabuso: Gyahh! I'm surprised I could actually be defeated! Gahh... I've heard that if I lose, I become your servant. Oh well... I'm the monster, Kabuso. Pleased to meet you...

[The monster disappears, mumbling incoherently...

Yuzu defeats the pixie.]

Pixie: ...Ugh! I can't believe I lost...to a human! But I'll abide by the contract. I HAVE to lend you my powers. I'm the fairy, Pixie. Don't you DARE waste me!

[The monster disappears, mumbling incoherently...

With the final demon defeated, the battle is over.

The Death Clocks form over the party's heads, with a glowing number 1.]

Yuzu: I...I'm still alive... We're all still alive! Aaaaah, that was so scary! What's going on? What was that!? Atsuro, what did you do!?
Atsuro: I don't know, either! I just undid the encryption! The program activated itself!
Yuzu: Then...The COMP is what made this happen just now? That doesn't make any sense! That's just impossible! Let's go to the police! We can't hold onto something this dangerous!
MC: > We should check them out.
Yuzu: Check them out!? What more is there to see!?
Atsuro: Calm down, Yoohoo. I think MC's right.
Yuzu: Huh!? What are you saying!? What'll we do if demons come out of these things again!?
Atsuro: Will you settle down a little!? I know why you're freaking out! I was there too, you know? But even after what just happened, is it right to throw everything out immediately? We don't even know if that's the safest thing to do at this point.
MC: > Naoya said to keep them.
Yuzu: Ugh... He did say that we would need them...
Atsuro: I'm going to take a deeper look into these COMPs, okay?
Yuzu: Y-Yeah, okay. But if something comes out, we're making a run for it! I had it with this!

[Atsuro connects the COMP to his laptop and begins examining the files...]

Atsuro: Ah... I get it. So that's why...
Yuzu: What, did you figure something out?
Atsuro: Yeah. First, this process is named the Demon Summoning Program.
Yuzu: Demon!? You mean, like...from books and myths and all that stuff!?
Atsuro: How should I know? I can't wrap my head around how a computer can summon them...
MC: > Rituals can summon them.
Atsuro: Rituals... You mean like in fantasy manga? I suppose it's possible to convert the spells and procedures to programs, but... ...Anyway, the other function I found in this COMP is named the “Harmonizer.”
MC: > What does that mean?
Atsuro: To “harmonize” means to match, or adjust. It's similar to the summoning program, and I have no idea what principles are behind it. But it seems to match some wavelength so that our attacks work on demons... And, likewise, it attunes their attacks to lessen the damage we take from them.
Yuzu: *sigh* I'm totally lost... I don't get any of this! What is Naoya trying to do!? Summoning demons, protecting us from them... What does he want us to do!?
MC: > Maybe we fight demons?
Yuzu: But why!? Are we supposed to bring about world peace or something?
Atsuro: Huh...? Wait a sec... That's it!
Yuzu: What? Don't tell me it's really for world peace...
Atsuro: No, it's not that. Do you guys remember that email?
Yuzu: The one with those predictions? Y-Yeah...
Atsuro: I thought about how the COMP's functions would work in conjunction with it... Take this, for example... The death in Aoyama was blamed on an animal attack, right?
Yuzu: Huh...? Yeah...
Atsuro: What if it wasn't an animal...but a demon, like the ones that appeared earlier?
Yuzu: …! Wh-What are you saying!? If you're trying to scare us, knock it off!
Atsuro: I'm not trying to scare you. I want to sore this thing out. Okay, to start out... If the email delivered to our COMPs really did predict that... Then we would have known when and where the attack was due to occur before it happened. So. If we wanted to, we could've been there at that moment. In addition, the COMPs are modified to summon demons and fight against them. So, what conclusions can we draw from this?
MC: > We could prevent them?
Atsuro: Yeah... That's what I think, too.
Yuzu: Huh...!?
Atsuro: There's been a lot of weird stuff in the city recently. The Internet's full of rumors. There have always been strange things happening, but there have been a lot of them lately. What if they were all ignored by the public...but they were actually caused by demons? And what if we can use these COMPs to fight those demons?
Yuzu: …! Then...are you saying these COMPs were made to fight the demons who were doing all this!?
Atsuro: Yeah... That is, if demons are really the cause of these things.
Yuzu: I'm so not doing that! Why don't we just give these back to Naoya or somebody else?
MC: > You don't believe Naoya?
Yuzu: No, that's not what I mean, but...
Atsuro: Naoya's really good at planning things in advance. I don't know why he chose us to have these, but there must be a good reason behind it. I mean, I don't want to have to fight monsters like that again, either... But... If we get attacked by demons like the other victims, I can't give this COMP up... Without them, we're just normal people. We don't stand a chance against demons!
Yuzu: If...If you're right, Atsuro, and this weird stuff is being caused by demons... And even If these COMPs were made to fight those demons... Then, why us!? The police should be the ones dealing with this stuff!
Atsuro: We can give them to the police, but if we do, we'll never get them back. That said, do you think we can really protect ourselves without them, Yoohoo?
Yuzu: I'm sick of all this... Why is this happening...? …? What's wrong, MC? Why are you staring above my head? Is something there?
MC: > There's a number there.

[You explained that ever since the battle, you have seen numbers above people's heads.

Most people walking by have a 7, but the three of you have a 1.]

Yuzu: A number over our heads? What are you talking about?
Atsuro: I don't see anything, but you look serious... What's going on? Man... Is that because of the COMP, too? We know so little about all this... I feel like my head's about to blow up!
Yuzu: Hey, why don't we go back to Naoya's place, after all? All this about the COMP, the email, and everything else... We really need him to tell us.
MC: > I agree.
Atsuro: Yeah...I need to talk to Naoya, too. Let's go to Aoyama, MC!

Aoyama, residental: 18:00

[It seems the police are still investigating. The police barriers are still up...]

Atsuro: Man... We'll never get near Naoya's room like this...
Yuzu: Hey! Over there!

[Yuzu points towards a mailbox filled with newspapers.]

Atsuro: Hmm... Isn't that Naoya's mailbox?
MC: > Looks like he's been gone.
Atsuro: Hmm... That's what it looks like. You guys were lucky that you ran into him today, huh?

[Suddenly, all three of your COMPs' email alerts go off...]

MC: > Read the new email

From: NAOYA
Subject: Congratulations

It seems you've used the COMP. Well done. I figured that the general confusion would be dying own by now.

I gave you three the COMPs because you will need the powers of the demons. If you want to survive, you'll have to learn how to use them.

I don't have much time right now. Head to Aoyama Cemetary. You'll meet a person who will affect your future activities there.


From: DS Admin
Subject: READ ME

Congratulations! You have earned the qualifications to become a demon tamer.

You can now summon a demon at any time as an ally and command it.

Please note that “contracting” with the demons only occurs during the initial booting of this program. Defeating demons summoned via other COMPs does not apply, either.

Also, a tutorial function has been added to assist you in battle. Please make use of it

Have a safe and pleasant experience in your new life as a demon tamer.

Yuzu: What... Who's writing these? Can he hear what we're saying or something? This is crazy!
Atsuro: Haha... Naoya's insight is his greatest strength. He's a genius when it comes to knowing what people are going to do next. Anyway... Did you guys read the other email?
MC: > “Demon tamer,” huh?
Atsuro: Yeah, I wanted to point that out. Remember what those demons said during the battle? Bout submitting to us, contracts, lending their power... Sound familiar?
Yuzu: Wait a sec! Gah...I can't keep up with all this! It's all so unreal...! Um, so, basically... The demons we fought can now be summoned from the COMPs? And they'll be our allies?
Atsuro: Yeah, but I can't say for sure until we actually try it out... After we got that email, something called “Teams” got added to the COMP menu. Maybe this is why Naoya entrusted us with these COMPs.
Yuzu: Geez! If that's what he wanted all along, he could have just told us!
Atsuro: Haha, yeah, I think so too. Sometimes he's so smart I can't understand him... In any case, the email from Naoya... It said to go to Aoyama Cemetery, right? It mentioned someone “who will influence our actions,” but...who could that be?
Yuzu: Sounds like someone we're destined to meet... Do you think it'll be human?
Atsuro: Who knows...? Considering all that's happened, anyone would be supsicious...
MC: > It did say “person”...
Atsuro: Yeah, you're right. It does say “person” after all. This is Naoya. He would have said “monster” or “someone” if he meant otherwise.
Yuzu: ...Fine. I'd rather ask Naoya about this than sit around feeling scared and stupid! Well...I guess I've got no choice! If you two are going, I'm coming too! Let's go!

Atsuro: I didn't want to say anything because Yuzu was getting all emotional... But, I found something in the COMPs' functions. Let me explain it to you. The function called Skill Set looks like it'll let us us powers like magic spells, too. If we have to fight demons again, it'll help if we set our COMPs to let us use them. It looks like there's a skill set for each of us right now. That's a total of four skills. It looks like you choose the Team Setup option to distribute points to us.

Aoyama, Aoyama Cemetery: 19:00

Atsuro: Here we are... So, who would be at a place like this?
Yuzu: Don't tell me it's a ghost... I feel like there's something out there... All those graves!
Atsuro: Hang on a second... Aoyama Cemetery... That rings a bell...
MC: > The email!
Yuzu: Huh...!?

[Suddenly, the camera cuts to a view of the city. There's an explosion off in the distance.]

Yuzu: Eeeeeeeek!

[Back to the cemetery.]

Yuzu: W-Was that an explosion!? It sounded like it came from the other side of this forest!
Atsuro: An explosion in Aoyama Cemetery around 19:00... It's just like what the email said!
Yuzu: Look! Something's coming...!

[A wendigo enters the scene. He looks back at the entrance he just came through.]

Wendigo: Tch... That woman! I never knew humans could have such power!

[A Shomonkai believer enters from the right. Over his head is a 0.]

Believer: Wendigo! Wait...!
Wendigo: Gwahaha! Fools! You're nothing like that woman! Do you really think you puny things can stop me!?

[The wendigo knocks down the believer in one swift blow.]

Believer: Ugh...Lady Amane...I'm so sorry...

[The 0 fades and the believer dies.]

Yuzu: Aaaaaaah!

[The wendigo turns his attention towards the party.]

Wendigo: Hmm? You humans are pests! Kill one, and another takes its place! I'll kill you all!

[The wendigo advances. From the same entrance he came from emerges Amane, though the game's being coy (like it usually was with everyone else) and just refers to her as 'Priestess.' But, really, her name was already mentioned by the believer and it's not like she's not on the box...]

Amane: I've found you, Wendigo. I won't let you get away this time.
Wendigo: Grah...! So the wench thinks she can catch up to me!

[The camera heads back to the actual playable characters.]

Atsuro: Hey! You guys need to run away! It's dangerous here!
Yuzu: Forget them, Atsuro! We need to run before we die too!

[Demons had, in the meantime, surrounded the cemetery, making escape impossible.]

Atsuro: Wh-What the!? How many demons are there!?

[The battle starts.]

Atsuro: Argh! I am SO gonna get you!
Amane: Hey, you guys! It's too dangerous here! Run!
Atsuro: Yeah right! That's not really an option right now!
Amane: (Those are COMPs... Why do they have them...?)
Atsuro: H-Hey! Say something!
Amane: ...I guess I have no choice. I'll cooperate with you. But Wendigo is far too powerful a foe for you right now. ...Leave him to me! I will follow your orders. Direct me as you please.

[Amane The Priestess joined your party!]

The COMP has activated the Harmonizer for battle mode. Functions will be limited.

Atsuro: Hey! The COMP's saying something! ...This must be the tutorial that email mentioned!
Yuzu: They showed up when we were fighting too! I guess some functions won't be usable...
Atsuro: Hey, MC! Are there any functions you can't use on your COMP anymore!?
MC: The floating numbers vanished.
Atsuro: …...!? It must be those numbers they talked about at the Electric Museum! I'm confused! ...Oh wait! It looks like there's more to the tutorial!

Each demon race has special skills called Race Skills.

There are two kinds:

• Automatic Activation Skills
  
• Command Activation Skills

Use the Race Skills to gain the upper hand in battle. You can view the Race Skill's effect with the HELP menu.

Atsuro: So I've gotta use these demons' skills, eh? Well, whatever it takes to survive!
Yuzu: I...guess we have no choice. I'm glad we have demons on our side and all, but still...

[...the battle finally actually properly starts.]

A team consists of three units: You, the summoner, and two contracted demons.

Be cautious of the following:

• The leader is in the middle.
  
• If the leader is defeated, the whole team is destroyed.
  
• So long as the minions live, the leader takes less damage.
  
• If you defeat a leader first, the EXP and Macca of the remaining monsters is halved.

It is to your advantage to kill the minions flanking their leader.

[After some fighting...]

Have you noticed when the words EXTRA TURN appear? Those with EXTRA TURN displayed are at an advantage and will receive more turns.

This is how EXTRA TURN works.

• Higher speed grants higher chances of getting EXTRA TURN.
  
• The attacking side gets them more often than the defenders.

Your actions during battle may also give you an EXTRA TURN or cancel your opponent's:

• Exploit a foe's weakness.
  
• Land a critical attack.

Use these tactics to increase your chances of setting or chancelling a foe's EXTRA TURN.

A miss, or an attack that is resisted, absorbed, or reflected may aid your foe. To make foes' EXTRA TURN disappear and take it for yourself...

Strike their elemental weaknesses or land a critical attack!

[After a round.]

It seems that defeating demons summoned by others does not enter them into a contract...

Amane: Wendigo... Go back from whence you came!
Atsuro: Am I seeing things, or is she holding a...COMP?

[Amane defeats the wendigo in one blow.]

Wendigo: Ghhh...Humans...! I've learned your smells! This is far from over!

[The wendigo retreats.]

Amane: I can't just let him go! I can catch him if I go now. Please excuse me.

[Amane follows.

A pixie uses bind.]

You have been Bound. Movement is reduced to 1. It will last for one turn. "Devil Speed" will cancel it.

[After yet more fighting.]

On your allies' turns, you can open the system menu by pressing START. Here, you can check the turn order, or use other convenient functions.

[And the battle is won. After the battle...]

Atsuro: *gasp* We made it through, somehow... I'm still shaking...
Yuzu: Th-There's nothing we can do about it... What we just went through... A... A person was killed... ...... Hey, the animal that attacked that person in the apartment... It was a demon, wasn't it?
MC: > Probably.
Yuzu: Yeah, that's what I thought...
Atsuro: Demons, huh...? Looks like we're prepared for the worst... In any case, I never thought the Shomonkai would be fighting against demons... They were using COMPs, too, and the demons didn't really scare them. That explosion must've been caused when they were fighting earlier. They knew about the demons way before we got our COMPs!
Yuzu: That means... The demons have been around for a long time, right...? What are the Shomonkai...?
MC: > Superheroes?
Atsuro: I kind of doubt that. But still, we don't know anything here... Anyway... There's no doubt that the Shomonkai girl had amazing powers. That big demon, Wendigo, seemed to be afraid of her, too... Could she be the person mentioned in that email from Naoya?
MC: > She might be the one.
Yuzu: I wonder, too. She seemed really strong, and I got this feeling from her...
Atsuro: The emails, the demons, and now the Shomonkai... Damn it! Too much to think about! All we can do now is pray that nothing more happens today...

[Everything goes dark.]

Atsuro: What the--? The streelights went out!
Yuzu: What's going on!?
MC: > The email came true.
Atsuro: The email...? O-Oh, yeah! That's it!
Yuzu: What's wrong, Atsuro?
Atsuro: ...MC's right. It's a blackout! Remember what was in that first email? It said there'd be a blackout! Is this for real...? We don't know if it's city-wide, but so far it's all coming true...
Yuzu: No way! I can't use my phone!
Atsuro: Huh...? Why not? How can you not have reception in a place like this?
Yuzu: Is this because of the blackout?
Atsuro: But the phone centers have their own backup power, right? This doesn't make sense!
Yuzu: I don't know! I just can't use my phone!
Atsuro: *sigh* I hope it's only temporary...I'm really tired.
Yuzu: It's pitch-black...I never thought Tokyo would be so dark at night... Hey, what are we going to do now...?
Atsuro: Wait...! Someone's coming!

[Amane returns.]

Amane: So you are all safe. It's just as I thought... You're demon tamers, as well.
Atsuro: ...! Aren't you that girl from a little while ago...!?
Amane: I am Amane Kuzuryu, maiden of the Shomonkai. It's nice to meet you...
Atsuro: R-Right. I'm Atsuro Kihara, and she's Yuzu Tanikawa.
Yuzu: It's a pleasure. Oh, and you are...? [I suspect this was supposed to be said by Amane.]
MC: > I'm Hiro Protagonist.
Amane: Kihara, Tanikawa, and...Protagonist. I shall remember your names. The Wendigo seems to have released his minions into this cemetery. I have set a simple barrier around this place tonight. It's best if you stayed here.
Yuzu: M-Minions? You mean, demons!? You said we should stay, but...this is a cemetery!
Amane: It's better than dying. Wait here until dawn, then head for the station. Now, I must go.

[Amane leaves.]

Atsuro: Hey! W-Wait! ...Damn, what's going on!?
Yuzu: She said to stay here until the sun came up... Wh-What should we do...?
MC: > Let's follow her advice.
Atsuro: We don't have a choice. If she's right, then it's too dangerous to go anywhere now...
Yuzu: B-But... This is a graveyard... Are we going to be okay?
MC: > We'll be fine.
Yuzu: Y-Yeah... I don't think I can go far anyway... My legs are like jelly...
Atsuro: We don't have a choice. Let's take turns keeping a lookout... Ugh...I've never wanted it to be morning so hard in my life!

From: AT-LOW
Subject: Testing.

Hey, it's Atsuro.

I was messing with my COMP and saw that the email app's still working, even in the blackout. If you know someone's COMP address you can send mail directly to them. Plus, it looks like two COMPs will automatically learn each other's addresses when they get close to each other. It takes a while, though. I'm going to teach Yuzu how to use this function.

Too much stuff happened today. I'm so tired. I just want it to be morning...

MC: > "I'm tired, too."

From: NAOYA
Subject: Laplace Mail

I'm sure you've noticed the Laplace Mail by now.

Hiro, everything in the world has causes and effects.

If some intelligence could record and analyze every event simultaneously, the future would no longer be a mystery to us.

Ultimately, nothing created by man can ever be truly perfect, but you can use these messages to guide your actions from now on.