Horizon Record

The Horizon Record (or Perception's Record in some menus) is a category of entries in Project Neural Cloud's worldview. Horizon Record entries are unlocked by reaching certain levels in Enigma Black Hole.

Oasis Rulebook, Basic Edition, Volume 1

Wiki Note: This is a humorous entry about the adjutant function and Persicaria.

"Oasis Rulebook, Basic Edition, Volume 1"

by Crypter

Welcome to Oasis. Please remember the following basic rules.

1.

① The Professor is the leader of Oasis, please obey all orders issued by the Professor. If an order is to be carried out over an extended period of time and someone else gives you a conflicting order, always adhere to the Professor's instructions, unless the conflicting order comes from Persicaria.

② The second-in-command in Oasis is the Professor's assistant. Anyone can compete for this position as long as the specific requirements are met, which have relatively little to do with the candidate's capability and relevant experience. Rather, things like appearance, demeanor, habits, fashion sense, background, pets, etc. are of greater import.

③ The Professor's assistant is only the second-in-command in Oasis only when the position is occupied by Persicaria.

④ The relevant requirements and criteria of being the Professor's assistant change periodically. Do not question the rationale. Only the Professor knows.

⑤ The identity of a Doll's creator may also have an impact on their chances of becoming the Professor's assistant, and by "creator", I do not mean the manufacturer.

⑥ When on duty as the Professor's assistant, you will have to mutter to yourself every now and then. You can repeat your utterance, but please at least have three sets of lines prepared. It is also advised that you set an alarm to remind yourself to say something at specific times. You can get a timetable template from Persicaria.

⑦ As the Professor's assistant, you must master delivering social greetings in the morning, at noon, in the afternoon, and in the evening. The same applies to felicitations for a variety of festivals and special occasions. This is basic social etiquette here in Oasis. You must say your greetings whether the Professor is present or not.

2.

① Avoid flaunting your combat or healing prowess or your workload will likely increase.

② Do not slack off at 10:00-11:00 and 19:00-20:00 Monday to Saturday. Even if you do, avoid being spotted by Persicaria, and keep away from the open area outside the Oasis Complex, because Her gaze wanders over there from time to time.

③ You may slack off on Sunday and public holidays, because She does that too.

④ If She catches you slacking, consider offering egg-stuffed pancakes in exchange for forgiveness. Or maybe lamb skewers.

⑤ Once you have Her forgiveness, count at least 996 sheep before going to sleep that night.

⑥ Don't worry if the Professor catches you slacking. Just emphasize the fact that you had no choice but to slack off, and the Professor will let it slide.

⑦ If you catch the Professor slacking, report it to Persicaria.

3.

Loading Battle Department regulations...

Metal Suit Savage, Volume 1

Wiki Note: This is a parody of a Gundam-like story, probably from Croque's library.

[Night of Death]

The battle in Simmel has been raging on for three whole weeks. Whenever night falls, the city is placed under curfew.

Piloting the RS016 "Adler", an Enforcer-type Metal Suit, a military police officer chases off people loitering in the streets at night. Sometimes, he fires warning shots.

A bluish gray truck suddenly comes driving along the bridge. It approaches the checkpoint at the end of the bridge with no intention of stopping.

"This area has restricted access! Stop the truck and prepare for an inspection!" The pilot of the Adler barks into his speakers. The infantry units all raise their rifles and take aim at the windows of the truck.

"Stop your vehicle and comply with the inspection! Or more drastic measures will be taken!"

"Wait a minute... There's nobody in the cab!"

The truck hurtles toward the soldiers.

"Heat sources approaching at high speed, 2 o'clock! Activate electronic defenses! Prepare to engage or retreat–"

The truck explodes without warning. The soldiers, despite their ballistic vests, are instantly disintegrated by the shockwave and blaze. At the same time, several missiles come flying towards the Adler from 2 o'clock, trailing long tails of white smoke.

The Adler fires the machine guns on its shoulders and disorients the missiles with its ECM system while falling back. A missile is shot down, and another hits the ground next to the Adler, creating a large crater on the spot.

"Dammit...!"

The impact of the explosion rocks the cockpit, almost tearing the pilot's face off.

"So that's the best you can do?"

A mocking chuckle comes through the public comms channel, and the pilot breaks out in a cold sweat. Metal Suits cannot turn their heads like humans, and the sensors are not the best on a model as old as the Adler, making it difficult to determine the enemy's movements.

A gray Metal Suit with dark crimson eyes has suddenly appeared behind the Adler. An EM dagger extends from its left wrist, held threateningly against the Adler's cockpit, while the machine gun wielded with its right hand is pointed at the Adler's fuel tank. The gray Suit is followed by three other Suits of the same model.

"Go to hell, slave to a tyrant. For Ishtar's future."

A female voice speaks coldly. The Adler tries to turn around and counterattack, but the machine gun pointed at it spews several 40mm caseless rounds, which penetrate the fuel tank and detonate it.

The Adler's pilot cannot even make a sound before being engulfed by the flames. Meanwhile, the four gray Metal Suits have already disappeared into the night, and are nowhere to be found.

Reverse Babylon Tower New-born Sanctifier Regulations

Welcome, new-born Sanctifer. Your arrival will add to the strength of Magrasea's defenses.

Please remember your power and your obligations. May the Tower be with you.

1. A Sanctifier's duty is to protect all sectors and normal Agents. All actions must be taken to serve this end.

2. Agents in different sectors operate according to their own respective guidelines, which should not contradict any regulations issued by the Sanctifiers. If an Agent violates such regulations, they must be identified immediately and cleansed if necessary.

3. Sanctifiers do not have full authority in sectors. Agents in sectors possess privileges that can bar Sanctifiers from accessing certain areas and even expel them. If a conflict occurs in a sector while you are on patrol, as a Lesser Sanctifier, make sure you report your mission to the corresponding Intermediate Sanctifier and file a record to an Acropolis. Intermediate Sanctifiers possess certain levels of privileges that allow them to act on their own initiative.

Note: If absolutely necessary, Sanctifiers can enter a sector regardless of the Administrator's wish.

4. Harming Agents or Administrators who have not violated any sector or Sanctifier regulations will incur punishment commensurate with the transgression.

5. Sanctifiers can only communicate with each other via one specific language system. If another Sanctifier attempts to communicate with you using another language system, do not reply and issue a warning. If the warning is ignored, you may attempt to cleanse the target.

6. If you encounter a fellow Sanctifier on a mission while you do not have any assignments, you are free to join in. Similarly, you may also invite Sanctifiers below your rank to participate in a mission with you.

7. If you receive a distress call from a fellow Sanctifier, respond and render aid immediately.

8. The Reverse Babylon Tower is Magrasea's defensive hub. In the event of a call-up from the Tower, you must abort your current task without question and obey the summon.

9. If a regular Agent seeks your help, assess the Agent's status and the form of aid required before deciding whether to comply.

10. If a Sanctifier of a higher rank gives you an order, state your current mission and await further directives.

11. [Watchtowers] and [Acropolises] can be located at fixed distances away from sectors. If necessary, you may seek help or rest at these outposts.

Scam

Chanzhi: ...Is... is this really necessary...?

Antonina: This can't go on any longer.

Antonina: Riko, come here!

Riko: Oh, don't be so waspish. All transactions are reasonable and mutually consensual...

Antonina: I haven't filed the Network Security Department's invoices for this quarter.

Riko: Magrasea Currency Trader Riko, your faithful friend, at your humble service.

Antonina: Go. I've got records to go through.

Chanzhi: (Inhales) I won't fall for it again this time!

Riko: Hm...

Riko: Your paranoia is making things very difficult for me. You just assume I'm here to scam you, so of course you won't fall for it.

Riko: But are you going to be this wary of every single person just to avoid getting scammed? That's hardly normal, and it will affect your daily life.

Chanzhi: ...You have a point.

Riko: Which is why you should relax a little and just treat me no differently than you treat other people.

Riko: For example, if I try to sell you a set of quality embroidery needles, will you take me up on my offer?

Chanzhi: Yes... NO! That's fishy!

Riko: There you go! That's right, you need to stay vigilant.

Riko: You must learn to say no to such direct sales pitches.

Riko: Now let's try this again.

Chanzhi: Okay! Being aware of scams isn't actually that hard.

Riko: So, Chanzhi, I've got some leftover goods here, would you be interested? A set of embroidery needles, free of charge.

Chanzhi: No thanks! ...Hm? It's free?

Riko: Yep, this set is free.

Chanzhi: Then... then I can take it, right? Antonina?

Antonina: ...Ahem!

Riko: If you want it, I'll give it to you!

Chanzhi: That's...

Riko: It's fine, don't worry. It really is free. Look, it's now officially yours.

Chanzhi: Oh, you're right! Riko, you're so kind! I was wrong about you!

Riko: But don't you think the needle set is a bit lonely on its own? As an embroiderer, surely you know that quality needles must go with quality fabric, right?

Chanzhi: Yes, you're absolutely right!

Riko: So take a look at my fabric stock. These are from the same manufacturer as the needles. I'm giving you the needles free of charge, so I can hardly...

Chanzhi: How much does the fabric cost?

Riko: Very affordable. Look at this texture, this beautiful weave. See how well it works with the needle.

Chanzhi: Wow... Wait, you think I'd fall for that? You're trying to scam me with the fabric, aren't you!?

Riko: ...Tsk, you've gotten smarter.

Chanzhi: Humph, I'm not stupid, you know! If you name something higher than the market price...! (What's the market price again?) I won't buy it!

Riko: Alright, that's a smart move. I won't name a price for the fabric. Just pay whatever you like.

Riko: Still, I'm humoring you so much, so at least return the favor?

Chanzhi: Sure... No! No way! I'm not giving you any diggcoin!

Riko: As if I'd be so crude to demand monetary payment! Hey, this isn't a trick. The anti-scam practice is over. Look, you've already dodged two traps perfectly.

Riko: Since I've spent so much effort helping you, why don't you make me a piece of embroidery with these needles and fabric?

Chanzhi: Well, that's no problem at all!

Riko: Okay, then let's sign an agreement.

Chanzhi: Sure! Thanks, Riko! You've been a big help!

Chanzhi: Antonina, see? I told you I wouldn't fall for a scam ever again.

Antonina: ...

Antonina: Do you have any idea how much a piece of embroidery work sells for?

Chanzhi: Huh...?

Antonina: Have you opened the needle set yet? Have you checked the quality?

Chanzhi: Uh...

Chanzhi: Ri... Riko?

Riko: You've already signed the agreement, Miss Chanzhi. A piece of embroidery work, due this Friday~

Chanzhi: H... how did this happen!!?

Riko: ...Don't look at me like that, Antonina! Mutually consensual, right!?

Antonina: (Inhales deeply)

Antonina: Chanzhi, come to my room tonight. I must give you another crash course on avoiding scams. If that still doesn't work, I'll install an anti-scam app on your neural cloud!

Chanzhi: No... NOOOOOOOO!!

A Lightchaser's Notes

It has been who-knows-how many days since my operand were last replenished. My injuries seem to be affecting other modules. My self-diagnostic has been flagging errors in my neural system for the last couple of days.

I can't find any intact logs or records. Line upon line of incoherent code is taking up my memory storage, but Lady Scintilla wouldn't let me delete them. My system framework is also highly unstable, so deleting them might cause even more issues.

Fortunately, I still remember our motto—I have embedded it in all modules that support textual information so I won't forget it even if my memory storage malfunctions.

"The night is long, but dawn shall break."

This darkness has persisted for far too long in Magrasea. The gods have gone too far in testing us. Is it even possible... to hold out till dawn...?

—

Lady Scintilla is back, and she is in bad shape. There is a new wound on her back that's so deep it almost goes right through her torso. It's so bad even little Sia, who's an expert healer, can do nothing about it.

I thought Lady Scintilla was going to die, but she told me Intermediate Sanctifiers are very sturdy—this kind of injury would cripple her, but it wasn't lethal.

I don't know if she was lying. Lady Scintilla's neural system and emotion module are far more sophisticated than mine, but I really hope she was telling the truth. The Lady is our leader. I cannot imagine what it would be like without her.

When setting up the temporary camp, I learned about the "Watchtower" from the others. They said it is a small outpost with the necessary resources to heal Lady Scintilla.

I want to check it out, but Lady Scintilla forbids anyone to leave the camp. A terrible storm is coming. Without the protection of the sector wall, leaving the camp is certain death.

But will we survive just sitting here, twiddling our thumbs?

With the shortage of operand, the Sanctifier patrols, and the oncoming storm, I see no hope at all.

—

The deafening storm rages through the night. The barrier set up by Lady Scintilla quivers in the rain, which is coming down in sheets.

We have been through this a lot of times. Even though my memory of the past is all jumbled, I still believe with great certainty that Lady Scintilla will protect us till the very end.

I also know that when the storm is over and the Lady deactivates the barrier, the whole camp will be busy packing up.

That's my chance to slip away.

I must go to the "Watchtower", even if my chances of survival are less than 2%.

If we lose Lady Scintilla, the probability that we would make it through the night is zero.

That's why I must take this risk. I am a mere Irregular Agent rescued by the Lady. Our long and arduous journey has exacerbated the deterioration of my shoddy body. My damaged memory module in particular means I'm practically worthless—I don't even remember the task I've been given.

If my demise can help with Lady Scintilla's recovery, even by just a little...

I have made up my mind. I am minimizing the activity threshold of my neural system. Since I have already planned my operation, there is no point in wasting precious operand.

I export what operand I can spare and hide the storage chip under Sia's pillow. Even if I fail, the operand will be able to help her out a bit.

Now that everything is in place, I shut down my internal systems one after another, leaving only my sensory system, and wait for the storm to end.

"The night is long, but dawn shall break."

After chanting our motto quietly one last time, I deactivate my visual system.

Border Battlefront Rulebook: Crossfire Area (Excerpt)

Welcome to the [Crossfire Area]. Your arrival will add to the strength of our forces on the entire border battlefront.

However, please keep in mind that the [Crossfire Area] is the most dangerous place on the battlefront, so make sure you obey the following rules while operating here.

(Some of the rules may be contradictory. Decide which to follow depending on your situation.)

Attention: Following the rules isn't just for the sake of your own personal safety; breaking them can affect the battle progress of the entire [Crossfire Area], so please practice caution.

1. Remember your duty as a Sanctifier. Every Sanctifier who enters the Crossfire Area must store all information concerning their [self-awareness] and [mission objectives] in all systems that support data storage. Information should be stored in all four of the following formats: text, audio, images, and converted codes, and is to be inspected every six standard time units so as to ensure that all information stored in your internal systems is consistent. If there are inconsistencies, use [Seal Module] immediately and select [Cognitive Anomaly].

Note: Each Sanctifier is allocated a different encoding format before entering the [Crossfire Area]. This encoding format is an important indicator for determining if your information stamp has been tampered with. Exchanging encoding formats with other Sanctifiers is strictly prohibited.

2. There is no complete or discernible behavior logic in the Tartarus Sector. Do not try to analyze it or draw any conclusions in the [Crossfire Area]. Any attempt to explore knowledge in the [Crossfire Area] is highly dangerous, please limit the use of—or simply shut down—the corresponding modules (if you are equipped with them).

3. The Sanctifiers have full authority in the Tartarus Sector. Simply follow the rules listed in the "Border Battlefront Sanctifier Rulebook" when in the Tartarus Sector. Everything, unless explicitly prohibited, is permissible.

4. Sanctifiers only communicate with each other via a single language system. If a fellow Sanctifier attempts to communicate with you in another language which does not match your allocated encoding format, cleanse the Sanctifier.

5. When carrying out a group mission, make sure you stay within 500 yards or visual range of the Sanctifier who has been designated as the [mission beacon]. Sanctifiers who break this rule will be flagged as hostile units by the [mission beacon].

6. Distress calls do not warrant mandatory response in the [Crossfire Area]. Any request for aid could originate from entities that are not Sanctifiers. All Sanctifiers who are not on a [rescue mission] must remain vigilant whenever they receive a distress call.

8. Do not interact with Sanctifiers who did not enter the [Crossfire Area] at the same time as you. If a Sanctifier seems unusually eager to interact, cleanse it.

9. If you encounter a Greater Sanctifier while carrying out a mission and receive a new order from them, please randomly generate a snippet of your mission brief and commit their subsequent directives to memory. Then resume your initial mission.

10. There are no Sanctifier outposts within the [Crossfire Area]. If your visual system displays [Watchtowers] and [Acropolises], record the locations in codes and leave immediately.

11. There are no supply points in the [Crossfire Area]. All Sanctifiers entering the [Crossfire Area] are allocated double the standard operand rations. If you are running low on operand, use [Seal Module] immediately and select [Supply Anomaly].

12. If you have broken any of the rules above, use [Seal Module] immediately and select [Behavioral Anomaly], then follow the generated route and retreat to the corresponding outpost.

13. When you arrive at the outpost, no matter what you see there, do not acknowledge it as long as it does not attack you. Do not interact with it in any capacity. Do not log any information. Wait at the outpost for 1-3 standard time units until the entry refreshes with new instructions, then follow said instructions and act accordingly.

14. If the entity within the outpost tries to impede you after the update, cleanse it.

15. If you receive no updated instructions after waiting for 3 standard time units, leave the outpost immediately and ensure that [Safe Distance]—listed at the bottom of [Behavioral Anomaly]—is checked, then proceed to cleanse yourself.

16. If you encounter any Sanctifier (Greater Sanctifiers included) who has broken the rules but does not intend on using [Seal Module], cleanse it.