GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE story · Brief Encounters
Seedy Club
9 scenes, 852 lines
1. The Mysterious Stairs
55 lines*Jingle*
Oh, welcome, Commander!
Welcome!
Can I order something?
Then...
Eh? Is that true?
Yeah! Yuni will go get some.
Yes, please.
Yuni runs out to get ingredients.
I think that's impressive.
... I'd help her out.
Impressive, right?
But I think it'd be more impressive if a powerful leader were to lend a hand to children in need.
... I'd help her out.
Hehe, thank you so much.
I head to the place where I saw Yuni disappear.
The door opens.
Behind the door, it's the stairs to the basement.
The light is dark, I can't see clearly the walls and ceiling downstairs.
I walk down to check.
The sound of rustling is coming from downstairs.
Eh... this one?
Maybe not. Commander is new here, maybe something softer.
Hehe, I'm so considerate.
... I feel a sense of foreboding.
*Click* The light of the basement turns on.
...
In the red light, there's a lot of weird equipment hanging on the wall.
All kinds of handcuffs, whips, and leather accessories.
... Is this the...
...
No.
I need to get out of this place.
Ah, you have seen them.
!!
There's an emergency. I've got to go.
Someone's grabbing me.
... Yuni grabs me by my arm from behind.
Hehe, I'm afraid not. You have to help me first.
Hehe, let me help you too.
Worry not, Commander.
We are professionals.
*Bang*
The door of the basement closes tight.
2. The Taste of Adults
91 lines*Jingle*
Do we have to go here?
Yes! Judging by its appearance, I can tell that this shop is for adults only.
I will be their new loyal customer!
...
What do you sell here? Why is it so dark?
We sell anything that a customer could imagine.
Clothes, equipment, drinks, perfumes...
What's Soline here for?
Well... I don't have anything specific in mind.
But, I want to be your loyal customer. So how about we start with some drinks?
Give her the black menu.
Give her the white menu.
Give her the white menu.
Thanks.
Soline opens the menu and reads.
Huh...
I can't imagine the taste just by reading from the menu.
What do you recommend, Commander?
Take the menu from Soline and read.
Shuddering Icy Lemonade, Painful Cappuccino...
It's hard to imagine how they'll taste, but they all seem rather foreboding.
What do the names mean?
How do the drinks taste?
Hehe, that's the purpose of the drink.
With just a little sip, you will experience that feeling a hundred times more.
What Yuni likes the most is the Thrilling Cherry Juice.
Drink it up, and your finger will feel...
That's enough. No need to continue.
This is super bitter
because we focus on the effect more that the taste.
Hehe... By the way, what Yuni likes the most is the Thrilling Cherry Juice.
Drink it up, and your finger will feel...
That's enough. You don't have to continue.
Although I don't hate the bitter taste,
do you have something sweeter than this?
Ah! Remember the other menu?
Oh my, that menu is...
Soline fetches the black menu.
Gee, aren't they all supposed to be good?
Well, I will have...
Yuni's Private Sweet Special.
This looks nice!
...!
Eh... no need for that, just do it how you normally do it.
Ah, Yuni is excited.
Okay, I will just do it as usual.
Yuni takes out a whip from beneath the bar counter.
It's the most important ingredient.
Yuni's special should be tasted in the basement.
... It's for mixing drinks, right?
Let's go down there together.
W-wait!
If this continues, Soline will be taken to the basement.
I have to stop Yuni.
I suddenly get a stomach ache...
I suddenly feel dizzy...
I wink to Soline while clutching my stomach.
I wink to Soline while covering my mouth.
Commander?
I feel really sick.
Yuni is left behind, looking a bit sad. Escorted by Soline, we leave the Club in a rush.
3. A New Beverage, A New World
127 lines*Clink*
A suspicious club.
Are you sure you're in the right place?
Hey.
We sure did.
Okay, just wanted to make sure.
Is this where I'll be working?
That may be a little difficult. It's pitch black in here!
I won't be able to tell my hand from a hole in the ground.
Everyone goes down into the basement together.
Squeak-
If you're interested, would you like to play with Yuni later?
Sure! But I've got to get my work done first.
I had a look at your purchase order.
I'm not entirely sure what it's supposed to be used for...
But it's certainly a very intriguing chair!
Heck, I'm not even sure if it even is a chair.
Anyway, I'll get started.
Centi gets to work using the materials she brought with her.
*Jiiing*
That will be a fine choice for my next toy.
Yes. Very good.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I always love the sound of hammer strikes.
It's a different sound compared to Liter.
Centi must be really strong.
Yes. I want to play with Centi.
Sure, anything is fine!
...!
All right, coming right up.
I'll go with you.
Mihara and Yuni head upstairs.
Wouldn't water be better?
I'll go out and buy some.
Curiosity killed the cat, you know.
What's the problem?
This place is so interesting. There are all sorts of things I haven't seen before.
I'm curious about everything here, beverages included!
You may end up regretting that...
Why are you talking like that?
While trying to talk sense into Centi, Mihara comes down with three different colored beverages.
The Commander doesn't drink,
so we just brought enough for the three of us.
Which one do you want to drink?
Any of them is fine.
The Commander seems to know more than me about this kind of thing. I'll have the Commander choose for me.
...
Yellow.
Red.
It's called Lusty Lemonade.
*Jiiing*
What's wrong?
There's this tingling sensation in my fingertips!
It feels like my sense of touch has been enhanced. I can almost feel the vibrations of everything around me.
Have I... ascended to another realm?
Bottom's up!
*Gulp gulp*
Wow, this is delicious!
What is this?
It's called Sultry Strawberry.
Sultry Strawberry!
Just the name alone is enough to get you excited!
Anyway, now that I'm hydrated, gotta get back to work.
Jiiiiiing-
What's wrong?
I feel really... excited!
Feels like I'm out of breath, and it's like everything is razor focused!
Is this what they call the throes of passion?
This is the first time I've ever felt this way. Can't stop now!
Centi finishes the job with insane speed.
...!
I think Centi is too tired to play right now.
No need to thank me. Just doing my job!
I should be the one thanking you for that drink. It feels like I've gained an entirely new realm of senses...
If I ever have another big project or a lengthy business trip, would I be able to buy some from you?
Of course! You're always welcome here.
And we must play next time.
4. The Golden Voice
85 lines*Jingle*
... Here?
Yes. I know I heard a voice that could only belong to someone with true talent.
You're not off on one of your whacky adventures again, are you?
You're telling me there's someone here who could be the next opera star?
Yes. I was passing by this club yesterday night and I heard it.
A voice capable of hitting the highest of notes.
Are you sure you've got the right place?
Wait a minute...
Haha.
I think that might have been me.
I was enjoying myself yesterday and I may have gotten carried away with my singing.
!!
Pretty sure I'm the one you're looking for.
Hmph...
Aria slowly closed her eyes, then reopened them.
... I see.
It's definitely similar to the voice I heard yesterday night.
So you're the singer I was searching for.
No kidding!
Feels nice to get some recognition for my singing.
But...I was just singing an ordinary song last night.
Saying I'm a top talent may be taking it a bit far.
Understand what?
The whip hanging on the wall. The leather belt around your waist. The menu is full of innuendos.
From what I've seen so far, I can only come to one conclusion.
For you, singing is about pain.
What is it then?
Pain and pleasure.
Balancing that razor-thin line between pleasure and pain.
Crossing the line over and over...nothing is more thrilling.
It's enough to make me burst out in song.
!!
Really? If you're curious, I could give you a little taste...
No thanks.
Sorry, but S&M isn't my thing.
!!
So you did know what Mihara was talking about.
Even when you knew what I was getting at, you still told me I had potential.
You're not as callous as people say. You're a real sweetheart.
I wasn't blowing smoke up your posterior.
Regardless of your initial reasons for singing, it's true that you have potential.
!!
You have a nice singing voice.
You may want to consider dipping your toes into opera.
That's all I wanted to tell you.
Hehe, you may not think so, but I still say you're really sweet.
Don't you think so, Commander?
Absolutely.
Erm...
What is that?
I'm not sure I entirely understand, but
I only came here today to tell you that.
Now that I've said what I came to say, I'll be on my way.
Hey, don't run off! We've got a good crowd tonight.
Both of you, stay for a drink.
It's on the house.
Something stiff.
Get me something nonalcoholic as well.
Coming right up.
Chill music plays inside the club,
and the glasses sitting atop the bar rattle softly.
Meanwhile, the quiet hum of Mihara's singing can be heard throughout.
5. Working the Pole
104 lines*Ring*
Noir?
*Boing*
Ow! That hurt...
I-it's okay, I couldn't see either because it's so dark.
Actually...
... what are you doing here, Soda?
Oh, me?
The club owner had me come in to clean.
Apparently they're putting on a really cool show later tonight.
Once I'm done cleaning, I can stay and get a free show, hehe.
People said it was a cool show?
No way!
You're tonight's headliner?
Sweet mamma jamma! This is gonna be so cool!
In that case, there's no time to be dilly-dallying.
Now that I know you're gonna be the one on stage,
I've gotta get back to cleaning!
Soda, wait.
Yes?
You didn't get those cleaning tools from here by any chance, did you?
Soda is holding onto a long aluminum pole on which a mop head has been affixed.
Oh, this?
There weren't any cleaning tools around when I arrived,
but then I saw this sturdy-looking pole stuck in the middle of the stage.
So I attached a mop head to one end and got to cleaning.
I made it all by myself. Pretty resourceful, aren't I?
...
Noir, do you think that's...
Yes.
It's the pole I use for dancing.
It was specially made to handle a Nikke's weight, so it must weigh an awful lot.
It's incredible that you can use it as a mop!
Comments on Soda's strength aside, don't we need to put the pole back in its rightful place?
Yeah?
I'm sorry, but I use that for my pole dancing.
If it's okay with you, could we put it back where you found it?
*Crash*
In her hurry to put the pole back, Soda trips over it and tumbles to the ground.
As Soda fell, the unwieldy pole managed to hit just about everything in the immediate area, causing untold amounts of damage.
Don't worry, I'll help.
Right. I'll help too.
All three of us begin to clean frenetically.
Soon after.
Yuni and I already cleaned up the first floor and the main hall,
but we never get around to the basement.
That's why I asked for help.
Good job, Soda.
It's all thanks to you two!
If you're free, you can watch the show before you leave.
After watching Noir's show, our motley crew of impromptu cleaners parts ways.
6. Silent Club
86 lines*Ring*
It is.
*Inhale*
Pheeeww...
Now that I've installed BOOM just about everywhere in the Outpost,
and we're finally here! The last location where I haven't installed it.
Even the air here feels different.
I won't let a single screen out of my grasp.
*Creak*
Yeah, seems abandoned.
Hmm...
Your expression tells me you have a lot of stories to tell about this place.
I won't press, though.
...
Wait, that's...
Dang, it's pitch black in here.
*Shake*
*Crack*
Huh...?
Soda?
Master?
Elegg?
Phew... what a relief.
I was told that there was no one here, so when I started hearing voices, I was startled.
What are you doing here?
Someone sent me here to clean up this place.
Who?
It was an anonymous request that came to the Maid Cafe, so I don't really know.
I see.
There are all sorts of strange things down here.
Whips, latex, restraints...
Looks to me like someone was tortured in here.
T-tortured?!
Yes.
That, or someone had some rather unique preferences.
This entire place has a fascinating layout.
The first floor is a standard pub,
while the basement feels like a storage space of some kind, like a warehouse.
In fact...
This would be perfect for turning into an arcade!
An arcade?
Yeah.
We can place all the arcade cabinets down here in the basement,
and offer delicious refreshments up on the first floor.
What do you think, Mr. Commander?
Elegg fixes me with a puppy dog look of such intensity that I feel slightly uncomfortable.
No.
Aw, c'mon!
Don't you think you're being a just bit too harsh?
Fine.
I guess I'll just have to do it myself.
That's fine, but you still can't do it here.
Uh...
Is it okay if we just leave all the stuff here?
They're pretty large, and would be difficult to dispose of. Plus everything's already neatly stored away.
Considering how much of a mess the rest of this place is,
the fact that these items are relatively clean tells me someone must get a lot out of them.
It doesn't seem like they need all that much rearranging, so I suppose we can just leave them as is.
I'm nearly done installing BOOM as well.
There are still some unused screens hiding here and there, so it may take me a minute.
Give me a second.
Sure.
...
Once Elegg finishes installing BOOM, we leave the club.
I'm not sure when I will be back,
but I think it will be a good idea to leave these items alone for the time being.
7. Maid vs Bunny Girl
106 lines*Ring*
Wow, it's cleaner inside than I thought it'd be.
※▣▣I once read a manga where▣※a side character died□□soon after they said something□※※similar.□▣
What the...?! Don't jinx me!
How did they die?
▣▣□※They got caught in a booby trap□someone set and then...※※▣KABOOM!
*Gasp*
Should I check for traps?
Even though I'm a maid now, I should still be able to scan a smaller space like this.
It's okay.
I tidy up this place fairly regularly to keep it maintained.
No wonder it's so clean, even though no one's using it.
As for why you're so fastidious about keeping a place like this clean... I won't pry.
... Much appreciated.
※▣□□If that's the case, then we shouldn't▣□have to worry▣▣about doing a deep▣▣※clean.
▣※□A quick sweep□here and※there should do the trick.※□※
Let's look around and make sure everything's in order first.
We take a final look around the room we're in, which is exceptionally chilly, and then head deeper inside.
*Click*
This seems like a waiting room or something similar.
Sin opens one of the cabinets to reveal various costumes.
□▣▣□I'm surprised there are▣※※still things like▣ this lying around.
Something to do with rabbits?
It's a bunny girl outfit.
They actually wore this stuff? It's only tiny scraps of fabric.
Er... yeah.
That's a bit rich coming from you.
... Never mind.
※※□□I'm sure※they had all sorts of different▣▣outfits here.□▣
Did you visit this place when it was still in operation, Master Captain?
Yeah, I did.
How was it?
Hmm?
▣※□□These things※were meant▣※to entertain,
so I can▣※□only assume it was an enjoyable※□experience.□
I suppose it was.
But—
Huh?
Sin alternates pointing between the bunny girl outfits and the maid uniforms.
※□▣So which one do you□▣like more?▣▣
What a silly question.
Of course Master Captain prefers maids.
Not a day goes by where he doesn't talk about how great maids are.
!
Hold on a minute...
Were all those compliments you gave about maids a lie?
Maid... Bunny girl...
...
Tell them I like bunny girls.
Tell them that maids are obviously superior.
*Swoosh*
...
The mere act of looking at these bunny girl outfits has made things awkward.
It might be best to go with a little white lie.
Er... Maids are the best, of course!
Maids are the best, of course!
They're devoted to their customers, and there's a huge amount of variety between them.
And...
□□※Hehe, it's okay,▣※Master. I was□just messing with you.□▣
※▣※Still, it's nice to□hear you heap such▣※praise on maids.□
I knew I was right! Master Captain finds maids irresistible.
Uh... yeah, right.
Bunny girl... maid...?
□▣※So what exactly▣※do these bunny girls do▣here?□
Probably similar things to what we do.
Serving customers, dancing, a bit of singing.
If you ask me, they're practically the same as maids.
▣□□※I suppose you've※※got a point.□
※▣They're basically▣identical to maids, just□▣with different outfits.□※
Er, that's not quite tru...
I mean... yeah, maybe.
Anchor?
Bunny girl maid?
You seemed rather vexed, and so I got to thinking.
And I came up with an answer: Bunny girl maids!
Is such a thing even possible?
You can't randomly mix two things together and call it an improvement.
※▣□But what□about pirate▣□maids?※
That works because pirates are the ultimate embodiment of adventure, and therefore blend perfectly into any setting!
▣※□Don't forget※▣about swimsuit maids.▣
Well, th-that's...
※※□▣Plus, aren't I a maid as※□▣well?
...
Master, what do you think about bunny girl maids?
Well...
That□□※could work too.▣
...
Only after we spend a significant amount of time debating the relationship between maids and bunny girls are we finally able to start cleaning.
8. Dangerous Prankster
82 lines*Ring*
I look around.
There is no one.
I heard someone's been coming and going here often, so I came to check it out.
Yeah, as expected, there's no way anyone would be here,
especially when this place has been abandoned for a while now...
*Poke*
Gaaah!
*Crashhh*
Whoops! Are you okay?
Here, let me help you up.
I lift my head and see...
What are you doing here?
Forget about that, Captain. ♥
*Poke*
Hey! What the...?!
Hehe, looks like this is your weak spot.
All I did was give a little poke,
and you came tumbling down like a house of cards. ♥
Anyway, I'm sorry if I surprised you!
Here, take my hand and let me help you up. ★
I grab Sora's hand, and she helps me up.
This is supposed to be an abandoned building,
but people have reported seeing someone coming and going.
Huh? What did you say?
Hmm? Oh, nothing. ★
Anyway, what are you doing here, Sora?
Oh, I was just passing by.
I got curious and came inside,
and ended up running into you. ♥
But I never imagined this place was abandoned, teehee.
Hey!
Where are you going?
Since I'm here, I might as well take a quick look inside.
Sora firmly links her arm with mine.
Uh... is that really necessary?♥
You said yourself that this place is abandoned, right?★
There's probably nothing here.
Oooh, I've got an idea! ★
How about we go on a little date, just the two of us?
Captain, you're so popular that
it's not often I get to have you all to myself, hehe. ★
... Okay, but let me have a quick look around first.
Hyah! ♥
*Poke poke*
Gaaah!
*Crashhh*
Sora climbs on top of me as I collapse to the ground once more.
With a devilish smile, she twirls her index finger in the air as if to show off.
Ready to surrender? Or are you going to keep resisting?
... Okay. I surrender.
Hehe, all right. Shall we go then?♥
You didn't think I'd give up that easy, did you?
...?!
The moment Sora lets her guard down, I dash behind her and head into the building.
So this is what you were trying to keep from me.
... Hehe. ★ Looks like you outsmarted me this time, Captain.
In the corner of the club, I spot a pile of things awkwardly sticking out from behind a curtain.
Is that the truth?
You did that a few moments ago.
Oh, come now!
That was just a little white lie. ♥
I just don't want you getting dragged into this mess for no good reason. ♥
Hehe, you know what I mean, right?
...
...☆
Okay, fine. I'll pretend I didn't see anything.
Just make sure it's gone by the end of the day and don't use this place again for whatever it is you're doing.
Oh my gosh, really?
You're the best, Captain! ♥
I'll clean everything up and never touch this place again, pinky promise! ★
Thank you so, so much! ♥
Just like she promised, Sora clears the place out in a single day.
9. Special Training for Phantom Thieves
116 lines*Ding*
Are you sure we're at the right place?
Can I take a look?
Of course.
*Rustle*
Delta unfolds a note in the shape of a paper airplane.
Thiss is spacal traning.
Do not bee too carless, for the Fantum Thifs of Justiss must stay ever-aviigilant.
Can yu reely oovercum thiss trile?
I shell be wotchin.
...
Judging by the handwriting, this appears to have been sent by Phantom.
As for the content... it is impossible to decipher.
It says you're supposed to have some kind of special training here.
Special... training?
It's really dark in here. Let's turn on the light first.
*Click*
I press the switch, but nothing happens.
?
*Creeeak*
*Guuuush*
Water suddenly pours down from above, triggered by a device connected to the switch.
Dang... it's cold.
... Training appears to have commenced.
As we press deeper into the club,
all manner of traps fashioned from the basement's tools spring upon us.
*Whizz!*
*Boom!*
*Crash!*
*Huff... huff...*
*Swish*
Commander, another one's coming!
G-got it!
*Dash!*
When faced with each trap,
Delta moves with ninja-like swiftness...
*Slap!*
Ow! That hurts...!
I, however, can't keep up.
Yeah, tell me about it...
Thanks—
*Slip*
Before I can even finish my sentence,
I step on something that scattered beneath my feet and is sent flying into the air.
!!!
Commander!
*Dash!*
Delta catches me in mid-air and places me safely on the ground.
Are you all right?
Yeah, thanks...
*Clap, clap*
Is that clapping?
*Clap, clap, clap, clap*
Phantom emerges from the darkness.
... Don't make your entrance like a villain.
For a phantom thief, not even the slightest mistake is permissible.
Not only did you succeed in infiltrating past countless traps, but you even protected your comrades.
My, my, I simply cannot hold back my praise.
The result of this special training...
may well be considered a success.
Hehe. Thanks to you, I was treated to quite the spectacle.
May you continue to hone yourself ever further.
Should you do so, perhaps one day you shall join our ranks as a full-fledged member.
*Flutter*
*Step, step*
*Click*
Hmm...?
*Swish!*
Ah... aaahhh!
*Dangle, dangle*
Pardon...? What are you trying to say?
"For a phantom thief, not even the slightest mistake is permissible."
Did you not say that yourself?
Y-yes, I suppose so.
And yet, you have just made a mistake.
!!
That's true.
Wh-what exactly do you mean by that...?
As I see it, even you are in need of special training.
At this rate, you will surely be captured.
Sure thing.
I will now brief you on the special ninja training.
D-don't come any closer...!
I am the leader, you know!
I told you not to come closer!
Ugh... Aaaah!
Later, a special training session for Phantom kicks off in the basement.
Only after the three of us are completely battered and bruised do we finally leave the club.