"Hmmm...those guys look tough," says Steve. "Salome's not kidding around. Stone cold crazy, but still...not kidding around."
"I know of a good place where we can go for training, boss," Ryuunosuke interjects.
"All right, Ryu...lead the way."
Ryuunosuke concentrates extra-hard and wills into being a dungeon of his own personal creation. They get about 16 floors into it before Steve is satisfied enough to proceed with the operation.
Random Dungeon Summary:
L3: The group overpowers a few stragglers and swipes a CX-1 Hellpha from them. Until previously, the Hellpha was a UFO. Now it's just an...FO?"Dood! That's awesome!"
Morrigan looks around frantically. "Who said that?"
"I did, dood!"
Morrigan looks behind her and sees a Prinny, waving a dagger in the air triumphantly.
"Oh, hello there, little Prinny person," she says. "I don't recall seeing you around here before. You're not a spy for Salome, are you?"
"No way, dood! I don't even know who Salome is! Someone named Steve told me I could hang out here, dood."
"Oh...if you're one of Steve's friends, then...welcome to the team, uh...'dude'."
The Prinny sticks out one of his fins. "Call me Charlie, dood!"
"Okay, Charliedude! Nice to meet'cha!"
Charlie sighs. "Never mind..."
L6: The team encounters a new type of enemy...a Lesser Demon. Aside from its large axe, it poses little threat to the heroes, as it is too far away to attack.
L7: A congested area full of warrior-type enemies. The group tries to clear them all out as quickly and delicately as possible without damaging the Tome.
L10: Boss floor. This one is weaker than most, so the team simply defeats it, steals an extra Diver and Gency Tonic and proceeds.
Stage 9-1: Salome's Intention
Salome's first brigade consists of a boss Rogue, flanked by four Priests and two Mesmerizers riding Dark Gear XXs, which resemble an infernal skull of some sort.
"Netherworld technology is such a wonderful thing, don't you think?" says Bob.
Steve runs in and Tornado slashes the group of Priests, hoping to draw the attention of the Dark Gears to him. It doesn't quite work, as they go for the camps instead. However, this brings them close enough to have the entire crew of the hut wallop him.
Stage 9-2: Salome the Temptress
Salome has a bunch of Raider Huts set up in a remote corner of her Netherworld, fortified by groups of Professors, priestesses and and eye creatures. The the eye creatures stationed out front don't put up much of a fight. The other henchmen that emerge from their fortifications aren't nearly as passive. Steve comes down with a nasty case of poison trying to fight them off, but Tessa comes to his rescue with an Omega Laser. Meredith and Ryuunosuke get on the beatdown bandwagon and finish the last of the Priestess off before they can cause any more damage.
Pram reappears, realizing that she's been tricked. She sees Trenia watching the chaos down on Salome's netherworld, and Trenia says that it's "that woman's last chance".
New Map Effects
- Stalking Shadow: Summons a group of armed Shadows.
