PNC Story/Netherblade Gleam Nodes

This is a transcript of event nodes in combat stages of the Netherblade Gleam event in Project Neural Cloud.

Stage 1

Node

Choice

The "Omega07" research team that was responsible for developing optical camouflage put together a Doll for temporary use as a test platform. Said Doll was assigned the interim codename of OpsTec. OpsTec was not an actual product model, and even its body was bashed together from assorted parts. After taking part in the Project Neural Cloud screening examinations, the researchers found that part of its structure resembled the famous assassin-type Doll Gaul. In addition, its systems would automatically delete all mission-related data upon completing an assignment.

The OpsTec did not retain many memories of the past.

Node

Choice

According to reliable sources, the OpsTec largely adhered to its function of "serving as a field trial testbed for optical camouflage" while also deviating significantly from it. The OpsTec was, for the most part, the secret brainchild of the "Omega07" test group, being that its funding and parts origin were all not recorded in Svarog HI's internal databases A year after its creation, the OpsTec was sent to many locations around the globe in the name of "field trials", where it would collect empirical data as a mercenary-cum-assassin.

The OpsTec was a veteran warrior and a skilled killer.

Node

Choice

"We managed to contact a close friend of Colonel Hassan, who is currently missing, and obtained a great deal of information about the OpsTec unit, AKA "Penumbra". "Colonel Hassan was a very military-minded man and he considered the OpsTec to be his trump card. Just about all the assassinations in the country originated from him, and they were carried out by the assassin team containing Penumbra. Meanwhile, Omega07 considered the Colonel to be a collaborative partner and promised to deliver a smart force consisting of many drone units and advanced Dolls. These advanced combat Dolls used the OpsTec as a blueprint.

Colonel Hassan was Penumbra's previous employer.

Node

Choice

"Here's something interesting: there are actually records of the OpsTec encountering the famous Gaul during an op. Both of them made contact when assigned to eliminate the same target and engaged each other after completing their mission. However, I don't know who won that encounter. In all likelihood, they would be the only ones... Ah, that's right, their mission logs should have been deleted long ago."

Were OpsTec and Gaul enemies? Or were they close rivals?

Node

Choice

"Hassan did not trust anyone, and even though Penumbra was just a killer robot carrying out missions, he sensed a threat to himself there. When not on missions, Penumbra was pretty much under house arrest. This only ended when Hassan fell. Interestingly enough, the fact that he spent all his time in confinement when not on missions left Penumbra ignorant of everything else, as could be seen by how hard it was to get him to warm up a pizza pie using a microwave."

Long periods of isolation from normal life left OpsTec unable to function normally in society.

Node

Choice

"OpsTec... Penumbra was sent to hunt down a former confidante of Colonel Hassan's who betrayed him. The target hired an armed group called "Janus" to protect himself, and the leader of the group, Yuma Kozlov, was Gaul's target." [Video Timestamp 00:24:15: An Mi-35 helicopter belonging to "Janus" and carrying the fleeing Kozlov was shot down by Gaul with a large-caliber sniper rifle.] [Video Timestamp 01:01:17: OpsTec swiftly eliminated all human troopers and Cyclops Dolls in the underground parking lot, then took out the objective hiding within his vehicle.] [Video Timestamp 03:25:33: After escaping encirclement, a wounded Gaul fled through the parking lot and encountered OpsTec, whereupon the two engaged in battle. Neither party was willing to yield.] [VIDEO ENDS]

"I don't know who won. But since they're both alive, perhaps we will learn the answer someday."

Node

Choice

"Honestly, this is the first time I've seen someone who couldn't even use a vending machine or an oven... It feels like he's completely detached from modern society..." -Undine, working part-time at the 24-hour convenience store Oasis Mart, on Penumbra. "After coming to the Oasis, the place that Penumbra visited most was the Oasis Mart 24-hour convenience store that had been recently built in the Oasis. According to him, "you can find everything in the world here without any difficulty", even dispensing with the need to cook himself or interact with others in the cafeteria. However, he always ran into problems when heating up food with the microwave or using the self-service printer to print things.

Even though he can barely survive unaided, Penumbra is doing quite well in the Oasis.

Node	Choice
Whenever Penumbra enters or leaves the dorm blocks, he usually does so by climbing up and down the walls. He has also been spotted walking along power lines, streetlights, and rooftops, which has resulted in several dozen reports to security. However, since he didn't end up causing any damage or disturbances, such strange incidents gradually became the norm in the Oasis.	"It'll take some time to get him used to a normal life, and he'll need to be guided at appropriate moments."

Node	Choice
"Product Code: OpsTec" "Body Code: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ " "Product Serial Number: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ " "Product Activation Date: 2054.02.27." "Product Name: Penumbra." "Neural Activation Percent: ??% (Neural cloud has been encrypted and examination is not supported)" "OpsTec, CALL NAME: Penumbra... Verification complete." Entered Project Neural Cloud.	"Welcome to the Oasis, Penumbra. May you find the future that belongs to you."

Other stages

Node	Choice
The head maid is beginning her lessons. What should Penumbra do in order to become a suitable bodyguard for the Professor?	Take care of the Professor's food, drink, and lodgings.
	Monitor the Professor's safety at all times.

Node	Choice
"If my past is a blank, then what about my future?" Penumbra looks at the sun setting into the horizon and smiles. His future...	...Will be decided by himself.

Node	Choice
On his first visit to the Oasis, an assassin who can't adapt to a normal daily life needs a new job. After consulting his past experiences, you recommend that he...	Be a security guard at a bank.
	Work at a maid cafe.
	Go to a restaurant to be a chef.

Node	Choice
Due to Penumbra accidentally blowing up the kitchen, there is no way to prepare cooked food for now... Having just finished your work and being ravenously hungry, which of the dishes before you will you try?"	The tomato and eggplant stir fry that Penumbra made.
	A lump of charred black... something.
	I'd rather starve!

Node	Choice
According to the "Oasis Safety Regulations", climbing, jumping over fences, wall-running, walking on ceilings and so on are strictly forbidden. Simo encounters Penumbra skulking around on the roof of the HQ building at night, in grave violation of all of these rules. He decides to...	"Sorry, but please come with me." Bring him back for harsh punishment.
	"Is that Penumbra? Par for the course, then." Let him go.

Node	Choice
Uranus has just bought a batch of pale ale in a brand new flavor, and he invites Penumbra to try some with him. Unfortunately, Penumbra has a hard time saying no to people and he is at a loss for how to refuse. Perhaps it would be better to rephrase it like this...	"Sorry, I don't drink."
	"I prefer the original flavor."

Node	Choice
"There's been a Doll in the black cape hanging around the Professor recently." "Yeah, he looks all mysterious and stuff and he's got a real mean face." Who could this black-clad Doll that never leaves the Professor's side be?	A spirit haunting them.
	An assassin.
	The Professor's disciple.

Node	Choice
Choco's Chocolaterie has released a new product, a dark chocolate with a strong taste. Everyone who passed by the Chocolaterie took back a sample except for Penumbra. The reason for that is...	He's afraid of biting his hand while eating the chocolate.
	He doesn't like sweet stuff.

Node	Choice
Jiangyu tells a joke in the lounge. Everyone laughs, except for Penumbra the assassin. Jiangyu starts worrying that her joke wasn't actually funny after all.	He doesn't know how to laugh.
	He's mad.
	He's asleep.