Character Quest:Bathym:VN:1

Arena

Yaaaahooo!!!

To all the fans of the underground fighting arena,
a single demon lets out a high-pitched roar.

Bathym-chan is a fever on stage! Today is another day I’ll be charming everyone.

Contrary to Bathym’s light tone of speech,
he releases a relentless whirlwind of kicks and tail-based attacks.

His opponent, himself, and spectators
Everything is entranced by the continuing dance, and then...

Nnn-----! It’s time to end this with splendor, elegance, and brilliance!

After attacking every direction,
Bathym slips under the enemies chest, and launches him up.

His opponent, thrown into the air,
stiffens his body, and takes a defensive stance.

---hmph.

This was the effect of the glint of madness deep in Bathym’s eye,
eating away at his opponents body and heart.

The difference between the winner and loser was made abundantly clear.

Well, from how match has been going so far, It looks like winning is what will excite the fans today. ...You ready to go?

Hathaninim Hagadolim!!

Cheers raise throughout the stadium.
Only one remained standing in the ring.

The mysterious presence in Bathyms tail,
revolves around Bathym in a circle, surrounding him in a black aura.

Then, Bathym faces towards the audience,
and strikes a winning pose.

Ba-th-ym! Ba-th-ym!

At the same time, the ground almost seems to shake with the cries of the fans,
almost as if they’re giving Bathym their souls.

Bathym! Battthhhyymmm!

In his right ear, he hears a shrill voice of encouragement ringing in his ear.
He knows who it belongs to without even needing to see the person with his eyes.

That voice was the same as the person who, until a few months prior,
was the woman who Bathym called “master.”

She was an arrogant woman who, at first, thought of Bathym as nothing more than a new accessory.

Bathym briefly exchanges a glance with that woman.
It was just some fanservice with no special feelings put in.

But with just that, the woman nearly breaks her back.
She kneels, streaming tears and shaking her entire body with delight.

And now, on the opposite side of the stadium,
Bathym gives a wink to a man offering passionate cheers.

This man, who Bathym also used to call master, was a hard to please man.
But even he nearly passes out from joy.

There is a feeling that he’s making them give up their souls.
But there’s also a happiness that he made them want to give their souls.

It was the proof of existence he needed to stay linked with this world.
His entire body bathed in the countless cheers .

This living food was Bathym’s greatest joy.
The thing he cherished most as a demon.

Waiting Room

Yaaaaay! It’s my lovely Master! Did you see my beautiful performance?

Entering the waiting room, [player] sees Bathym’s entire face beaming with smiles.

Eh, I went too far? You mean my opponent from earlier? It’s fiiine, I made sure to hold back after all.

When I think about how [player]-chan is watching me, for so--me reason the tension in me just rises.

More importantly, it's question time!

Pointing a single finger up, Bathym grins like he’s playing a prank.

There’s one difference between the me of today and the me of yesterday. Can you guess what it is?

---

3 options
You changed shampoo?	You look a bit fatter...	That fabulous strap on your hip!
Oh, not quite! But you’re on the right track! See, it’s not that, it’s over here! Don’t you notice something about my tail area?	Geh! Wuh, seriously!? My nice body!? Hey, I’m not falling for that. I pay the utmost attention to my physical fitness.	Aha, and it’s nice and elastic too! It’s my charm point after all! Hey, what do you think you’re rubbing there! Do it more gently! Softly!

---

Now for the answer! Take a close look at my prized tail-chan!

You should be able to tell at this point. Come on, get closer to tail-chan.

You move your face closer to Bathym’s tail, which almost seems alive.

A pleasant scent comes drifting and tickles your nose.

I tried changing the fragrance. How is it? Is it good? Or is it not not good?

This is my original blend. The theme is “A Spring that’s deeper and brighter than pure black!”

---

3 options
Smells nice.	Uh...	Marvelous!
Oh, really really!? That’s great. I’ve got confidence in my creation!	So it doesn’t quite match? But I quite like this smell.	Eh, ah, [player]-chan...? You’re melting! Your eyes are melting!?

---

I’ve also got this fragrance. It’s name is “The Drifting Clouds of Hell.”

But I’m no quite sure about this one. I don’t think I like this smell.

Hmmm. [player]-chan. Do you have free time today?

How about we go on a date?

Hey, wait a minute Bathym! If you’ve got time, then do another match.

Eeeh. I’ve hit my quota for the day, right? I even did my stylish finish.

We’ve got more customers than usual today! I’d like to pile up the money while there’s time, seriously.

Nope. A quota is a quota. Finishing just right is my role.

I’ve got important business to do today. Even a favor from Andvari-chan wont phase me.

Hey, wait! Listen to what Im saying

Sorry for the wait! Lets get going, [player]-chan.

---

3 options
Lets date!	You're done with work?	In that outfit!?
Yep, a date date! First shopping, and then dinner!	I’ve made enough fight money for the day. If I keep pushing myself, I’ll just lose out.	Uh, of course? These are my battle clothes after all!

---

Going on a walk and then shopping is fine every once in a while, right?

There’s a fragrance shop I like going to.

I buy the ingredients, and make it myself. If I like it, I use it.

Mixing plants together is my specialty. I know medicinal plants, aromas, and herbs like the back of my hand!

If you ever need them, [player]-chan, I’ll be sure to lend you my plants.

City

Hmmmmm. This fragrance isn’t bad...

It’s like, it brings out a gentle longing for me and the sharpness of my tail or something?

But it also lacks a certain radiance this way. Well, that can be fixed with the right arrangement.

He-y, little lady over there! I’d like to buy everything from this spot, to this spot!

---

3 options
Everything?	That’s quite a price tag...!	Splendid and fabulous!
Yep, everything. Eh, what are you so surprised about!?	Hm, yeah. It’s expensive, huh. But if I don’t buy ingredients of this quality, it would be quite the insult to my tail, right?	In order to make delicate combinations, I have to go all out. Battles and beauty work the same way in that regard.

---

But hey, don’t worry about it. I’ll make sure to leave enough for dinner.

I just got my fight money, so I’m a rich man right now.

Coins are made to be spent.

Keep spending, and keep getting prettier. Because when I shine, everyone is happy.

It’s important not to save up. After all, I can’t bring them with me to Hell.

Hel’s verdict depends on your coins? That’s a lie. Whatever you have gets stolen, and that’s that.

Pheeew! I’m satisfied! I bought so much, after all!

I almost didn’t have enough, but now, tomorrow a brand new Bathym will charm everyone.

Look forward to it, y’know! It’ll be a fantastic performance!

Eh? If I want to look fancy, I should wear clothes?

You don’t get it! You don’t get it at all! The clothes I’ve got on right now are already marvelous!

In the first place, why on earth would I want to cover up my prized parts?

I’m fine this way. Couldn’t be happier. Being able to move my body and my tail easily is the best.

The most beautiful figure is never someone just standing or sitting, you know.

If I only cared about appearance, everyone would get sick of me in 3 days. But that’s not true for what’s inside.

It’s about hitting, refining, and shining, isn’t it? It’s the same as my favorite jewel.

I polish it, and the inside is exposed. That light alone charms my soul.

That’s why I’m being a living being. I’m fascinated by this thing called a “soul.”

I challenge other beautiful lives head-on. All to prove how beautiful I myself am.

---And, it looks like the perfect opportunity has come along.

Turning his eyes to a back alley, Bathym stands up his tail, and does a victory pose.

Almost as if that was a signal,
Several enemies suddenly start gathering from the alley.

You know, Ikebukuro is quite dangerous. It reminds me of home.

But man, whenever you have coins, a lot of interesting things happen.

The shopping is enriching, the food is delicious, your connections expand. There’s no end to the guys who have a lust for taking.

It really is fun! It’s like the more coins you have, the easier life is?

But you know, because dumpy guys like this exist, they just help to make me shine even brighter by comparison!

In any case, here goes my guerilla performance! It’s time to clean up this mess! Hyuu-!

(Battle)

Another one of Bathym’s beautiful kicks sends the last enemy flying.

There we go. Thanks for the hard work. I look forward to our next encounter.

Pheeew. I feel refreshed. How was it, [player]-chan.

As my Master, I’d like to hear your honest opinion.

---

3 options
You were beautiful!	It was okay.	You were scary.
Thanks, [player]-chan. I’m happy, really.	Oh dear, you’re strict. But I guess being an honest critic is important too...! Maybe I didn’t use my tail enough? I’ll do better next time.	Eh, you were scared!? Seriously? But I'm not scary at all---? Well, fear is an important emotion. I’ll leave it at that. Yep yep.

---

Oh, it’s already this late. Now, dinner dinner. There’s a restaurant that makes some great herb dishes.

Look forward to it, [player]–chan. I’m starving--.

Dinner

How is it, Master-chan? It’s good, right?

Hm, what’s wrong? You’re staring at me pretty hard there.

---

2 options
I want to know more about you.	Just what are you after?
Whoa there, you can say some pretty nice things, Master-chan! Go ahead. Ask anything at all. In that case, should I start saying embarrassing things about me? So that you can learn even more about me, y’see.	I’m not after anything at all. It’s like the guild said before, I have no ulterior motives! You don’t believe me? I see. I guess not! In that case, should I tell you even more? About the d-e-e-p-est parts of me.

---

---

3 options
Where did you come from?	Are you a demon?	And just what is a demon?

---

Hm, I see. Where do I even start.

---Hm, I guess I’ll start with where I came from before coming here to Tokyo.

The world I come from is a place called “Gehena.”

The residents there used to be worshiped, but I guess now there’s more people who call them “demons.”

Oh yeah, Gehena has an open Gate connected to another world...a world called “Eden” or something.

There are some natives who have lived in Gehena for a long time, but most of the residents are people who were chased out by some other world.

To make it short, there was a power struggle, and the guys who lost went there as a place of refugee? So it’s kind of like a Hell?

Because of that, from the perspective of other worlds, Gehena is looked down on.

That “looked down on” part is pretty important...for us “demons,” it’s a matter of life and death.

Master-chan, when we first met at Ikebukuro, we talked about the “world” and “proof of existence.”

A “world” isn’t just about the land alone. It’s about the connection of souls of the people with that land.

If there’s a plot of land, and you’re on it all alone, it doesn’t mean anything.

After all, there’d be nobody around who’s even aware I exist. You see, “a world is only born when souls are intertwined.”

Humans aren’t so different, right? Nobody can live completely alone.

Now, back to the topic. As I said before, we “demons” were originally beings who were worshiped.

We used that as food, and intertwined souls.

It didn’t matter if it was through adoration, or admiration, or even fear. No matter what, your soul had to be “looked up to.”

Through their feelings of adoration, or things like that, we are given proof of our existence.

But when we became losers, or viewed as “demons,” we stopped being worshiped. It’s a problem.

So, what to do? What would a human do? Master-chan.

The answer is, leave and gather what you need. I guess you could say we got jobs away from home?

So, that’s the story. That’s why we “demons” came here.

We need to gather as many feelings of “adoration” or “fear” as we can from worthy souls.

As for me, when I have a great match, and a huge crowd becomes ecstatic...

It’s the most amazing feeling ever. No other pleasure in this world can compare.

It feels incredible.

Sorry sorry, that story was probably hard to understand. But, be honest for a bit...you got excited, right?

Even like this, I’m still a Duke, y’know? And I’m pretty smart, y’know?

Do you see me differently now? Then, how about you give your body and soul to me?

Now then. Did you have fun? On our date, I mean.

---

3 options
It was fun!	Passable.	If this a date, the *real* fun is still ahead.
That’s great. That means escorting you paid off.	That’s cold, master-chan. Your servant is trying his best. If you want me to face you, you could stand to be swayed a little bit, yknow?	Oh my, that was a surprise attack. I thought you were just an innocent baby, but I see you’ve got another side too. Yes yes, I get it. You look pretty delicious. Maybe I should take you on your word, and eat you up--?

---

But you know, if I knew the atmosphere was going to be this good, I should’ve rode my partner here.

---

3 options
Partner?	Your car?	Ride on!
Right. My partner from way back in the day.	Well, it’s for riding, but it’s not a car. In human years, I’d be a minor?	I didn’t expect you to have the heart of a rider! How fun!

---

He’s a gentle horse, so he should be fine.

---

3 options
Uma!? (Japanese for horse)	Horse!? (in katakana)	White Rider Bathym!?
Is it that surprising!? Are horses that rare for transport here!? At my home, horses aren’t just for the road, they also fly, and cross over water. Yknow, a horse.		It's not white.

---

Guess what about my horse. It’s an extremely rare blue horse!

This takes me back... When I was young, I’d ride him around all day.

I’ll let you ride him later, so look forward to i! It’s a promise to my favorite person!

Anyway---the night is just beginning, but its time for the children to go home.

---

3 options
Yeah, I’d better head home.	My boss is gonna kill me!	You’ve got good morals for a demon.

---

I’m kidding, that doesn’t fit a demon like me! The main dish is just beginning, ok?

Ikebukuro nights are a blast. Now, close your eyes for me.

---

3 options
?	Close your eyes.	–or pretend to, but slightly peek.

---

Good boy, master-chan. You feel something soft on your face.

And then, a misty fragrance tingles your nose.

It’s a present from Super Star Bathym! It’s a flavor for someone who’s climbed the stairs of adulthood a bit.

It’s my invitation to Ikebukuro’s night life. It’s made special for [player]-chan, okay...?

---

2 options
What was that for, dummy!	Do you tell everyone their special that way?
	Eh, you don’t believe me? I guess you can’t help it because Im a demon?

---

I’m serious serious, completely serious! I can feel there’s something special about [player]-chan.

There’s something mysterious about your soul, like you’re carrying more than one. It’s like I can feel its twinkle, and a certain weight to it?

No, even more than that...

Bathym slowly creeps closer to [player]'s face, staring straight into his eyes.

You’re a lot like that person...?

That precious person who had his position at the top of “Eden” stolen, and drifted down to Gehena...?

Bathym continues to look into [player]'s eyes.

---

2 options
Bathym...?	You’re too close!
	...Huh?

---

.Ah, no no, it’s nothing! I’m sorry, [player]-chan.

Phew, that was too close. My master is just way too charming.

I got lost in thought without realizing it. Oh man, getting all serious like that totally isn’t in my character!

Let’s get back on track! Sorry, [player]-chan. Later, I’ll---

Use my own charms... To melt you down to the bone, so be prepared!

Well, if I don’t... It’s like you’ll be the one to charm me?

A demon getting charmed! That would be a great disaster to my character!

If that happened, I wouldn’t be able to face anyone! I especially can’t let ‘Rank 12’ know about that.

That reminds me, did that guy hand over his rank to his son? I’ll have to ask Pai-chan and Bal-chan about that.

I’ll prepare a new fragrance. One made just for [player]-chan.

Eh, you want to know why I’ll change the fragrance?

You don’t get it? You’re going to make me say it?

It’s so I can go on another date with [player]-chan, of course. Kuaa, how embarrassing!

Good night... Let’s have fun together again.

--- End