He Who Intoxicates
An event quest that started on February 16, 2022 and lasted for two weeks.
This introduced Mada as part of a Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne commemoration event. Mada is a slow, Vile class ailment demon that arrived when Vile demons were known to synergize well in PvP. Besides bulk, his main gimmick was to dish out fire attacks with charm ailments, including an interesting panel-based buff to have a chance of inflicting charm on demons that strike him with physical attacks.
Prologue
> Kabukicho, Shinjuku.
> Tokyo's colorfully illuminated red-light district.
Suited Man: That's what I'm shaying! I'm shick of doin' this shit every day!!
Casually Dressed Man: Okay, you've had enough. You're starting to slur your words...
Suited Man: It's all work, work, work! No time for me to play!
Suited Man: I haven't drunk like this in forever! C'mon, live a little!
Suited Man: I've been dealin' with so much bullshit every damn day! Now's my time to have fun!
Casually Dressed Man: Every place is closed now! It's time to go home!
Suited Man: No! Fuck that... Uh oh...
Casually Dressed Man: See, I told you not to drink so much. You had to know this would happen.
> ...
Casually Dressed Woman 1: No, I missed the last train... But I was having so much fun drinking with a cool-looking guy.
Causally Dressed Woman 2: There's no way for us to get home now...
Suited Man 2: How about we find a place to relax until morning?
Suited Man 2: Somewhere the three of us can just forget about everything that's bothering us, you know...?
Casually Dressed Woman 1: Someone's feeling lucky...!
Casually Dressed Woman 2: Let's go, let's go ♥
> ...
Middle Aged Man: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please, just wait a little longer...!
Tattooed Man: You serious?! You blew all that money I lent you gambling!
Middle Aged Man: I... I know... But... I'll pay you back triple! No, five times...!
Middle Aged Man: Five times! I promise! So please, I beg you...!
> ...
Policeman: Hm? What the...? An earthquake...?
Policeman: ...!?!
Policeman: T-This feels like a big one! Whoa...!
??? (Mada): *Sigh* Where am I...?
??? (Mada): What happened to me...?
> Somewhere in the dragon stream...
Demon (Norn): ...!
Demon (Norn): The fates of all these humans are becoming warped. What exactly is going on...?
Demon (Norn): Something powerful is interfering with my fated purpose.
Demon (Norn): As if these humans are being drawn into a whirlpool of madness.
Demon (Norn): This cannot be allowed to pass... I must find what is causing this...
Part 1
Megakin (over the phone): Yo, Megakin here.
Megakin (over the phone): How's the scoutin' mission in Shinjuku goin', y'all?
Jeng Yun: To put it simply, this isn't normal...
Gakuto: But it's sort of hard to put it into words too.
> ...
Suited Man: *Laugh* I feel great...!
Suited Man: More! More booze! I don't care if it's still the middle of the day!
Suited Man: *Laugh* Uh oh...!
Suited Man (off screen): *Barf* *Cough*
Suited Man (off screen): *Pant* Dammit, that's a waste...
Suited Man (off screen): Whatever, I can just open up a new one and start over... ♪
> ...
Policeman: ...
Tattooed Man: That bitch... Where'd she go...?
Policeman: Not yet. Not until it gets closer...
Suited Woman: *Mumble* 200... I've bought 200 already...!
Suited Woman: There's no way I won't win anything. I mean, that other time my friend bought just one, and she got the third-best payout. I have to win something...!
Suited Woman: I want to feel that rush from winning again... Now then...
Tattooed Man: There she is!! Hey, you...!!
> A flash of light...
Tattooed Man: Huh?! What the...?!
Policeman: Yeah! We got him! This feels amazing...!
Policeman: Using a decoy to trap them was a great idea! That makes three today!
> ...
Megakin (over the phone): Yo, what the hell's goin' on? Did they all go crazy or somethin'...?
Rika (over the phone): Could a demon be at work here?
Megakin (over the phone): Not sure, but it's really startin' to look like it.
Rika (over the phone): It could also be just some kind of mass hysteria...
Shiang Sun (over the phone): Or it could be the other way around.
Shiang Sun (over the phone): A demon may've caused these people to become hysterical.
Shiang Sun (over the phone): It could be that no one's looked at it from that angle yet.
Seiran: Everything feels off too... The air even feels toxic... What is this...?
Seiran: It's almost like something's swallowing Shinjuku whole.
Seiran: I'm sure this means demons will also start appearing more.
Megakin (over the phone): Aight, then we gotta start investigatin' what we can ASAP.
Megakin (over the phone): Yo, once the rest of us are ready, we'll all head over.
Megakin (over the phone): Watch out for demons, but really watch out for people, aight?
Part 2
Seiran: That energy's getting stronger, and we're running into more demons... This way...
Jeng Yun: Wait, you two! Stop!!
Jeng Yun: Look...
Demon (Mada): ...!
> Deep within the madness, a demon wallows about...
> The air around it warps and shimmers.
Megakin: Seiran! Jeng Yun! Meat Balloon!
Megakin: Yo, sorry to keep y'all waitin'. What's the situation?
Gakuto: I think we found the demon that's been causing all of this.
Vince: What, that thing? Never seen it before...
Seiran: The energy that's engulfed this place is all emanating from that demon.
Seiran: It seems strong enough to make everything around it bend and warp.
Honey: Honey doesn't feel so good...
Ririn: Yeah, I think my head's starting to spin...
Gakuto: All the people around it are being affected, and that probably includes us too.
Gakuto: We need to deal with it right now.
Megakin: Yup...
Megakin: Liberators, y'all ready?! Let's roll out!
Part 3
Seiran: There!
Demon (Mada): ...!!
Seiran: What is this thing?! Nothing's working...!
Seiran: It's like we're fighting against a mirage...
Demon (Mada): ...
Ririn: Gotcha!
Demon (Mada): ...!!
Ririn: No, you're right! That didn't work either!
Shiori: *Groan*
Gakuto: Shionyan?! Are you okay?
Shiori: Ugh... I can't think straight, and my legs feel like jelly...
Vince: Hey, boss! Honey's out too!
Jeng Yun: Shiang Sun and Rika aren't doing so well either.
CHOICE: Keep fighting.
Megakin: Negative, we gotta retreat and regroup for now.
CHOICE: We should retreat.
Megakin: Yeah, copy that. We're gettin' out of here, y'all.
END OF CHOICE
Megakin: I'll stay on it! Anyone still on their feet, help out who you can!
Megakin: We gotta get out of Shinjuku!
Demon (Norn): The Liberators... They hold the key to what will ultimately come to pass.
Demon (Norn): So be it. I must also fulfill my purpose as the goddess of fate...
Part 4
> In a park...
Gakuto: How's everyone doing?
Rika: I think I feel a little better now...
Honey: Me too!
Shiori: Same. Whatever was clouding my judgement is completely gone now...
Megakin: So that demon's aura or whatever was causin' all that?
Seiran: That means all the people in Shinjuku are under its influence as well...
Seiran: It's not like we're any different from regular people...
???: You have fought against so many demons already...
???: Your experiences have granted you some manner of resistance to their powers.
???: Which is why I am entrusting the outcome of this matter to you.
Megakin: Who's there?!
> A blinding light, and then...
Norn: I am Norn. The goddess of fate...
Vince: Shit, another one?!
Norn: No, I am not here to fight you.
Norn: I am simply here to relay a message.
Shiang Sun: A message?
Norn: This world is on the verge of destruction...
Norn: The demon that has appeared in Shinjuku carries such powers.
Everyone: ...?!
Vince: Hang on, you're being serious?
Vince: But I guess it did sort of feel that way too.
Vince: Nothing we did worked on it either...
Vince: At the same time, it didn't look like the kind of thing that wants to end the world.
Norn: What you just faced was nothing more than a mirage.
Norn: What you must face is several thousand times stronger. Possibly more...
Norn: In your current state, you will not be able to find this demon.
Shiori: Then what do you suggest...?
Shiori: Just give up? It's hard to think that you came here just to tell us that...
Jeng Yun: We're the ones that have to decide what happens.
Jeng Yun: But what can we do...?
Norn: I am here to tell you how to drive this demon towards its own demise.
Ririn: Wait, so you're really on our side?
Vince: I dunno. You really believe what she's saying...?
Honey: I disagree, Vince.
Honey: I think she's telling the truth.
Vince: ...
Vince: Fine. What do we do, exactly?
Norn: "Two demons with a petulance for seducing and devouring men."
Norn: "A goddess of luck, beauty and wealth" and "a god of fertility, wine and drunkenness..."
Norn: These demons have been fated to guide you towards the demon in question.
Norn: Ikebukuro, Akihabara and Kudanshita. These are the places that you must search.
Norn: Once you have found them all, return to me.
Norn: Only then shall I speak more about this vile creature that plagues you.
Norn: You are running out of time.
Norn: You must go, now.
> Norn vanishes...
Vince: I don't like this and I really don't like her...
Megakin: Yo, I think Honey's right, but I get where you're comin' from, Vince.
Megakin: Norn could actually be behind everythin' here.
Megakin: But for now, we're out of ideas.
Megakin: We oughta hold off on jumping to conclusions until we know more.
Vince: Yeah, got it. I guess we should just stick to what we can actually do for now.
Vince: Let's go wrangle up some demons.
Part 5
Megakin: Aight, we listened to Norn and came to Ikebukuro to look for some demons...
Ririn: But how are we supposed to find them with the hints she gave us?
Jeng Yun: Yes, we don't have much to go on...
Casually Dressed Woman: Oh... Hi there, big guy. Look at those muscles... ♥
Jeng Yun: Is she talking about me?
Gakuto: No, me! Right...? Wait, you mean him?!
Jeng Yun: Yes, I train quite a bit! How can I help you?
Woman in Schoolgirl Outfit: You look so yum... Nice, yeah, nice...!
Casually Dressed Woman: Wanna come and play with me?
Honey: Is this what Jeng Yun was talking about when he said girls "hit on him"...?
Honey: I've never seen anything like this before!
Ririn: No, stop teaching Honey all these dirty things...!
Jeng Yun: I appreciate your invitation very much...!
Jeng Yun: Unfortunately, there's something we need to do right now...
Woman in Schoolgirl Uniform: Can't you just have your friends there do that for you...?
Woman in Schoolgirl Uniform: C'mon, you know you want to!
Woman in Schoolgirl Uniform: I'll do anything you ask! I mean it, anything...!
Casually Dressed Woman: I'd like to see what that body of yours can do in bed...!
Jeng Yun: See my body? In that case...!
Jeng Yun: We don't have to go anywhere. I can just show you right here!
Jeng Yun: Allow me to take this off...!
Megakin: Whoa, Jeng Yun! Too far! Too far!
Casually Dressed Woman: Oh... Ohh... Such a young and magnificent body full of libido...!
Woman in Schoolgirl Uniform: No, my heart's pounding... I can't take it anymore...!
Casually Dressed Woman: Me neither... We've waited long enough!
> A flash, and then...
Demon (Lilim): *Pant*
Ririn: What?! They're demons?!
Demon (Succubus): Now, come satisfy us...!
Part 6
Demon (Lilim): Oww, that hurt!!
Demon (Succubus): Just when we found a yummy-looking guy after getting out of Shinjuku and away from that thing...
Demon (Succubus): You just had to be demon users! Talk about having bad luck...!
Megakin: Yo, hold up! Did you just say Shinjuku?
Honey: Do you two know a lot about Shinjuku?
Demon (Succubus): Us? Sure, Shinjuku's sort of like our hunting ground...
Demon (Lilim): Yeah, but that weird demon showed up and all our prey started acting really weird...
Seiran: Would you mind telling us a little more about that?
Seiran: We're investigating what's going on there right now.
Demon (Lilim): I don't really mind. What do you think, Succubus...?
Succubus: I don't mind either. I'm Succubus and this is Lilim.
Lilim: We usually look for men in Shinjuku to feed on their sexual desires.
Megakin: Sexual desires, eh...?
Lilim: It's not like we kill them or anything. We just shorten their lives a little bit ♥
Gakuto: Yeah, I think we figured as much...
Lilim: But then this weird demon showed up all the sudden.
Lilim: That weird aura or whatever he emits...
Lilim: It makes all the humans around it act really weird, you know?
Succubus: It's as if they're being driven only by their baser desires...
Succubus: Like they've become so drunk that they've lost all their minds.
Lilim: Yeah! It's really easy pickings right now because of that!
Lilim: But the libidos of all the guys that are like this are, you know...?
Lilim: They're terrible! They suck so much!
Succubus: That's why we left Shinjuku to find men that are in better shape...
Megakin: And luck would have it, you run into some Dx2, huh?
Succubus: Exactly. But that's all we really know about what's going on.
Shiang Sun: We've learned about as much as you have then...
Seiran: Going back to Shinjuku without a plan would be suicide...
Lilim: Really? I feel like anyone with some pent up desires should go right now.
Lilim: Guys, girls, everyone! It's like mating season, you know ♥
Succubus: Hehe. Any human that goes now will have their desires sated, no...?
Gakuto: Seductresses to the core...
Rika: Everyone, there's something I'd like to point out...
Rika: "Demons with a petulance for seducing and devouring men," has to be these two, right?
CHOICE: Yeah!
CHOICE: You're right!
> Both choices lead to the same conclusion.
END OF CHOICE
Megakin: If that's true... Yo, ladies...!
Megakin: We're tryin' to do something about that demon in Shinjuku.
Megakin: Y'all mind helpin' us out a little?
Lilim: Sure, why not? If you really are gonna do something about it...
Succubus: Yeah, losing our hunting ground would put us in a bit of a bind...
Succubus: We'll help if you really think you can get rid of that thing.
Lilim: But we're really only good at going after guys, you know?
Megakin: No problem! Well, I think...
Lilim: In that case ♥
Succubus: Yes, shall we ♥
Jeng Yun: Oh, hello...!
> Lilim and Succubus latch onto Jeng Yun's arms.
Lilim: This is nice.
Succubus: Mmm, such a wonderful body. It's overflowing with vigor...
Gakuto: One in each arm... I'm getting jealous...
Seiran: It's sort of amazing how demons like him so much.
Shiori: But they seem content, so why not just leave them be?
Shiori: I doubt they'll decide to just up and leave now.
Shiori: So let's find the next one.
Part 7
Vince: Alright, we got two left to find. Any ideas...?
Seiran: I think I know who the wine god is.
Shiang Sun: You do?
Seiran: But I have no idea if he's still in Akihabara.
Seiran: Who knows if he'll even be willing to help us.
Gakuto: Seiran, do you mean...?
Seiran: Yes, I believe Norn was referring to Dionysus...
Dionysus: Halt!! Who dares to speak my name?!
Gakuto: Huh?! What the?!
Seiran: Well, would you look at that! Right where I left you!
Dionysus: Ah, it is you...!
Dionysus: The demon users who foiled my missionary work!
> NOTE: This is a reference to the Dionysus event, where Seiran neutralized Dionysus as he was hypnotizing people in a festival with his funny wine.
Dionysus: I would say that your time has finally come...!
Dionysus: However, a certain other god of intoxication has become a thorn in my side...
Dionysus: I am not one to pick and choose who my followers are...
Dionysus: But if you are here to worship me, then you will be welcome!
Dionysus: Now, rejoice! Revel in drink! Submit and behold my power!
Part 8
Dionysus: *Strike*
Vince: It starts by not shutting up...
Vince: Then it decides to attack us?! The hell's going on with this guy?!
Dionysus: Not only is that vile creature in Shinjuku sloshing its drink around everywhere...
Dionysus: My own powers are no longer reaching any of you humans because of it...!
Dionysus: Not only that, demon users decide to appear in my midst?
Rika: Wait, the vile creature in Shinjuku?!
Rika: Do you know something about the demon that's appeared there?!
Dionysus: Yes, a little...
Dionysus: We are both gods of intoxication. I know of his existence.
Shiang Sun: A god of intoxication...?
Dionysus: A powerful one at that.
Dionysus: It is able to corrupt humans by intoxicating them and making them perform immoral acts.
Dionysus: Those who breathe in his air will undoubtedly fall under his influence...
Dionysus: On the surface they appear to be drunk...
Dionysus: But unlike myself, it is fundamentally evil and sinister.
Dionysus: It seems to even be able to suppress my own powers.
Dionysus: I am in quite the conundrum...
Seiran: I see... Um, Dionysus?
Seiran: Would you mind hearing our suggestion in that case?
> ...
Dionysus: Yes, so Norn has called upon you to do this...
Dionysus: I understand. I will aid you.
Ririn: Really?! Just like that?!
Dionysus: Ridding this place of that vile creature will be of great service to me.
Dionysus: As it stands, we are seeking the same goal.
Dionysus: And if we simply let it be, this world will surely be met with its doom.
Dionysus: I cannot let that pass for my worshippers' sake.
Seiran: Hehe. Then it's settled! Let's go find the last demon!
Part 9
Ririn: Hey! You guys...!
Ririn: Isn't that demon the "goddess of luck, beauty and wealth"...?
Demon (Lakshmi): ...
Ririn: It's totally her! She's way prettier than any of the demons we've seen so far!
Lilim: Oh? What about me?
Succubus: Hey, I'm definitely the best at getting guys here!
Ririn: No, you two are perfect just the way you are ♥
Ririn: Anyways, let's go talk to her!
Ririn: Be right back!
Vince: Well, there she goes...
Shiori: Are you sure we're gonna be okay with her doing the talking?
Rika: I have a bad feeling about this...
Vince: Yo, cut her some slack. She ain't new to this or anythin'...
Shiori: You're gonna eat those words. Just watch.
> ...
Ririn: Hi there, beautiful demon lady!
Ririn: Do you happen to be the goddess of luck, beauty and wealth?
Demon (Lakshmi): Oh, you can see me?
Lakshmi: Yes, I am she. My name is Lakshmi.
Ririn: Yes, I knew it! I mean, you're just so pretty!
Lakshmi: I appreciate that, but I am hardly in the best of moods right now.
Lakshmi: If that is all you have to say, leave me.
Ririn: Not in a good mood? Then how about this...?
Ririn: What if you talked to me about what's bothering you? Come on, you can tell me...!
Lakshmi: As if you can do anything about it!
Lakshmi: I've been hearing all these wishes hoping for luck and good fortune...
Lakshmi: But they all have to do with gambling!
Lakshmi: These humans are placing frivolous bets on so many things.
Lakshmi: They believe that things will go their way as long as they pray. I simply cannot stand it...!
Lakshmi: All these voices...! I wish they would just stop!
Ririn: Oh... I kinda hate to do this to you, but I sort of have a wish too...
Lakshmi: A wish...?
Lakshmi: All these pathetic wishes...
Lakshmi: I am at wit's end thanks to you humans and your demands.
Lakshmi: Yet you still dare ask me such a thing...?
Ririn: Uh oh, this is bad... Probably pressed the wrong button...
Ririn: I just wanted to start by hearing what was bothering you and...
Lakshmi: And you can show me what you are capable of next!
Lakshmi: I suspect you are no different from the others!
Lakshmi: Wishing for good fortune and wealth out of pure greed!
> Lakshmi begins attacking!
Ririn: Whoa, wait! Hold on! You're seriously doing this?!
Shiori: See?! What did I tell you?!
Part 10
Lakshmi: *Wince*
CHOICE: How's that?!
CHOICE: Still feel like fighting?
> Both choices lead to the same conclusion.
END OF CHOICE
Lakshmi: Enough. I understand now.
Ririn: So does that mean...?
Lakshmi: You have some manner of power.
Lakshmi: You were also a suitable punching bag. I feel much better now.
Lakshmi: I shall hear what you have to say. Now, speak...!
> ...
Lakshmi: I see... I too felt a strange presence appear in Shinjuku.
Seiran: You know about that vile thing too?
Lakshmi: I do. Not well, but I do know of it.
Lakshmi: That explains why these humans are in such a state. It has returned...
Lakshmi: Or is it that these humans' madness brought it back...?
Ririn: What do you mean by that, Lady Lakshmi?!
Lakshmi: L-Lady...?
Rika: Please, don't mind her.
Rika: What did you mean by madness bringing Mada back?
Lakshmi: I meant that no single human has the power to revive such a being on their own...
Lakshmi: But this Norn, was it? We are to see her now?
Lakshmi: I will explain more later. I wish to speak with her first.
Megakin: Yo, does that mean...?!
CHOICE: You'll come with us?
CHOICE: You'll help us?
> Both choices lead to the same conclusion.
END OF CHOICE
Lakshmi: Yes, for now.
Lakshmi: It seems that I will not be rid of these voices unless I do...
Lakshmi: And Mada will devour this world whole if we leave him be.
Megakin: ?!
Lakshmi: I too do not wish to see that pass.
Megakin: Yo, wait up!
Megakin: What did you mean by this world being devoured...?!
Part 11
???: Right on time...
Norn: Liberators, you have returned. Fate has made it so.
Vince: Yeah, we found those demons you were talking about too.
Vince: We all good now?
Norn: Yes, well done indeed.
Norn: Are you not satisfied?
Vince: Huh?
Norn: You initially doubted me but decided to follow through anyway. Has your opinion of me changed?
Vince: Lady, we did what you asked. It's your time to talk now.
Norn: Then I shall. Mada, the demon that appeared in Shinjuku...
Norn: Oh, before that...
Norn: We appear to have visitors. You must deal with them first...
Vince: ...?!
> Demons suddenly attack!
Part 12
Jeng Yun: Where did they come from...?
Norn: This place is close enough to Shinjuku.
Norn: As Mada's power grows, so does its reach.
Norn: More humans will fall under its influence and barbarism will become the law of this land.
Norn: The Dragon Stream will also begin to feel these effects.
Norn: If this is allowed to persist, all of Tokyo...
Norn: And this entire world will ultimately fall to Mada.
Norn: Humans will only know evil and send this world towards its doom.
Lakshmi: Is that so? I happen to believe otherwise...
Norn: Oh, do you know...?
Lakshmi: Mada will devour this world whole before it destroys itself.
Lakshmi: Is that not what will happen?
Norn: ...
Megakin: Lakshmi already told us that on the way over here.
Megakin: Yo, all about how Mada's this giant monster that can eat worlds in one bite.
Megakin: How are we supposed to fight somethin' like that?
Megakin: Yo, what does it even want to do? What do YOU want to do?
Norn: I am of the same mind as the demons you have gathered here.
Norn: I wish to be rid of this vile creature just as they do.
Norn: We have much to discuss.
Norn: Not even I can defeat it on my own. We must work together.
Part 13
Seiran: Wait, are you saying that you're not strong enough?
Norn: I am the goddess of fate. I cannot defy what I know is meant to be.
Norn: Nor can any god for that matter.
Norn: But that does not mean I am all powerful by any means.
Norn: Mada in its current state no longer falls entirely within my purview.
Norn: I alone cannot control what will happen anymore.
Norn: It has accrued just that much power.
Ririn: M-Mada's really that strong...?
Lakshmi: Even Indra fell before it. Do not underestimate its power.
Lakshmi: Luckily, before it could reach its full strength, it was divided into four vices.
Lakshmi: Adultery, gambling, drunken violence and hunting.
Lakshmi: Mada is the physical manifestation of these.
Norn: It is then able to drive those under its influence towards these vices...
Norn: You seem to refer to it as intoxication.
Norn: Being in such a state invariably drives those under the influence towards these acts of evil.
Jeng Yun: And that's why all those people in Shinjuku started acting like that after Mada appeared...?
Norn: Indeed. As more fall under its influence, the more powerful it grows.
Ririn: Wait, what? W-Why?
Norn: Mada embodies these four vices. As the world becomes saturated in them, its power will continue to grow.
Norn: Humans intoxicated by Mada, those who fall prey to these vices, they will become new sources of its strength.
Norn: Just as worshippers help bolster a god's power, vices serve to empower Mada.
Shiang Sun: So people drunk on Mada's energy are driven towards committing these acts...
Shiang Sun: And as they do these things, Mada becomes stronger and its aura more so?
Shiang Sun: That means this is an infinite loop of death!
Dionysus: And is it not already in a runaway state...?
Norn: That may very well be. It has already grown quite strong on these humans' energy.
Dionysus: Not only are these humans drunk of its power, it may very well have also become too drunk on its own power.
Dionysus: Does it now know shame? Is it not a god of drink?
Lilim: No, I think I kinda get what's going on.
Lilim: We sometimes run into guys that are more trouble than they look, you know?
Lilim: The ones that can turn the tables on us because they have a little too much pent up...
Norn: Mada does not appear to have any single goal in mind. It's simply letting its energy engulf everything.
Megakin: Yo, it doesn't know what it's doin'...?
Gakuto: So it's just as drunk as everyone else is...
Ririn: Like one of those huge guys that just go berserk when they have a little too much...
Ririn: It's kind of insane if you think about it too...
Norn: I am glad that you understand. Now, we must go.
Norn: We must stop Mada.
Part 14
Megakin: Yo, all these stray demons... And it reeks even worse than before...!
Megakin: Try not to breathe it in too much, y'all!
Norn: ...
> Norn stares at the people you find collapsed on the street...
Gakuto: Hate to say it, but it's too late for them...
Gakuto: There's no way we can call the police or any EMTs for help right now either...
Gakuto: I don't want to think about what would happen if any cops fell victim to Mada.
Norn: Yes, I understand...
Norn: Your constabulary would likely use its power to hunt down others.
Norn: However, that one was not fated to perish on this day.
Norn: No laws, no order...
Norn: We cannot let this persist. That creature is distorting the fate of all these humans.
Norn: As the goddess of fate, I cannot allow this to pass.
Ririn: I knew it! She's beautiful and kind!
Ririn: A goddess that comes to the rescue just as humanity needs it... This is good...
Norn: Save humanity?
Norn: No, that is not what I aim to do.
Ririn: Huh?
Ririn: But it totally sounded like you are...
Norn: Humans are weak creatures. That is why I control their fate.
Norn: When they are to come into this world, how long they are to live, what happens and when it all ends...
Norn: This is my purpose and it extends to the entire world.
Norn: I create order based on fate. I alone bear this burden.
Ririn: Huh? Hold on...
Vince: You're the one that does all that?
Norn: A clock only functions because of the gears within it.
Norn: Some work to move the hour hand while others move the second hand.
Norn: But all must work together to fulfill the function of a clock.
Norn: Only when each of these pieces come together can a clock tell time.
Norn: This time refers to "truth" and this world is no different, so to speak.
Norn: If the fate of these humans is not balanced properly, this world will cease to function.
Norn: Mada is the very thing that is causing this disruption.
Norn: As the goddess of fate, as the overseer of order, I cannot allow this to persist.
Norn: We must be rid of this vile creature at once.
Norn: Do you understand now...?
Ririn: Y-You're right... You're not kind or nice at all...
Vince: *Snicker* But that's easier for me to wrap my head around.
Vince: Something felt weird about her helping us for no good reason!
Vince: Alright, I can get behind what she's saying.
Vince: Let's kick this thing's ass and set things straight for the both of us!
Part 15
> The intoxicating air can be felt all throughout Shinjuku.
> Your surroundings appear warped and shimmer in a way...
Rika: T-The air feels so distorted...
Shiang Sun: My head feels like it's spinning. This is awful...
Honey: Whoa, everything's so spinny and whirly...!
Dionysus: This must be Mada's doing.
Dionysus: It is causing everything around it to warp and distort.
Megakin: Like we're lookin' at optical illusions.
Vince: We're never gonna find Mada at this rate. Not in a million years.
Norn: The real Mada. It is at the center of Shinjuku.
Norn: However, we will not be able to reach it by ordinary means.
Shiori: Even if we did somehow find it...
Shiori: There's no way we'd be able to defeat it. Not even if we all fight it together.
Shiori: We have to find a way to weaken it first.
Lakshmi: Weaken it... We may be able to do that by suppressing the vices it represents, no?
Lakshmi: Would that not work?
Norn: You are correct. Mada lay within Shinjuku's Kabukicho district...
Norn: But I also sense its presence spread out in four other directions.
Norn: "Demons with a petulance for seducing and devouring men," you must go east.
Norn: "The goddess of luck, beauty and wealth," you shall go west.
Norn: "The god of fertility, wine and drunkenness," you will go north.
Norn: Lastly, "the goddess of fate," I shall go south.
Norn: Fate is telling us to go to these areas.
Megakin: Yo, let's split up and deal with these things then.
Megakin: After that, we'll meet back where we started and get rid of Mada once and for all!
Megakin: Aight, now to break up into different teams...
> ...
Megakin: Liberators, let's roll out! See y'all later!
Part 16
> Northern Shinjuku...
> Countless people appear to be completely inebriated...
Megakin: Yo, this is bad... Smells like it too...
Dionysus: This is not Mada's doing. This is simply the smell of drink...
Dionysus: The air is saturated with the scent of alcohol...
Dionysus: Some are bound to die if they continue to indulge themselves like this.
Jeng Yun: We can't let that happen! We have to free them somehow...!
Megakin: Then we gotta hurry, Jeng Yun. We gotta find Mada's... Yo, look over there!
> ...
Mada: *Roar*
> Mada's avatar wallows around as if it were actually drunk...
Megakin: Aight, in order to get rid of Mada's avatar, we gotta do somethin' about all these folk drinkin', right?
Dionysus: Yes, I see. That appears to be why I was sent here...
Dionysus: So be it. I am the god of vertility, wine and drunkenness.
Dionysus: I shall show them the true meaning of inebriation!
> ...
Man in Casual Clothes: More... I need more booze! Someone, bring me more to drink!!
Man in Casual Clothes: Huh...?
> The man hurredly scans his surroundings and finds a liquor store!
Man in Casual Clothes: There we go... Come to pappa...!
> The man uses a sidewalk sign to break through the window!
Man in Casual Clothes: Yeah! Let's keep this party going...!
???: If it is drink you seek, why not try a sip of this?
Man in Casual Clothes: Hey, wine! Nice!
> The man drinks the entire glass Dionysus just gave him!
Man in Casual Clothes: Hey, whoa...! What is this stuff...?
Man in Casual Clothes: Yeah, I feel good...! Maybe a little too good...!
Dionysus: That is how you should feel. Is this not more satisfactory?
Dionysus: By drowning yourself in that filth, you caused yourself to forget who you are.
Dionysus: Now, drink! Let us all drink and revel in true intoxication!
> Dionysus' influence begins to spread to others!
Woman in Dress: I feel cozy. This is nice... I might just fall asleep like this...
Suited Woman: It's like all the things that were bothering me don't matter anymore...
Megakin: Yo, it's really workin'...!
Megakin: Jeng Yun, now's our chance!
Jeng Yun: Yes! Let's go, Megakin!
Mada: ...!
Part 17
Mada: *Groan*
> Mada's avatar is defeated!
> Everything around it begins to return to normal...
Megakin: Yeah, we did it!
Megakin: Dionysus, we... Huh?
Dionysus: I said drink! Drink and submit to it!
Dionysus: Let reality and your imagination become one!
Dionysus: We are only just getting started!
Dionysus: *Chuckle* Speak my name! Worship me!
> Dionysus calls to those who seem to be in a state of ecstasy...
Megakin: Yo, didn't we just undo what he's tryin' to do now...?
Megakin: I guess we should just call the other Branches and have them help get those folks outta here.
Megakin: It's a lot better, but you can still taste it in the air...
Jeng Yun: Yes, we can ask Dionysus to stop after that.
Jeng Yun: Unfortunately, we do have something more urgent to attend to first...
Megakin: Yeah, you're right. He did sorta save us there...
Megakin: He probably deserves a little reward.
Part 18
> Easter Shinjuku...
> Ririn, Rika and Shiori observe their surroundings as they hide...
Mada: ...
Shiori: Finding Mada's avatar was easy, but we have to deal with these first...
> ...
Suited Man: Girls... Where'd all the girls go...?
Tattooed Man: Goddammit! I can't shake this urge! I need a piece of ass right now...!
Ririn: They've gone psycho...
Ririn: I don't even want to think about what they'd do to us...
Shiori: We could use a Decoherence Field to pretty much become invisible...
Shiori: But we can't really fight with all these people around Mada's avatar.
Rika: They are quite a problem...
Lilim: Hm? You need someone to do something about those guys?
Ririn: That would be great but... Wait, you will?!
Ririn: I thought you two left Shinjuku to get away from guys like that...
Lilim: Hey, don't make us sound like wimps!
Lilim: We just wanted some guys that were "fresher", you know?
Succubus: Just sit back and watch...
> Lilim and Succubus waltz into the middle of the crowd...
Tattooed Man: Huh? What is it? It smells good...!
Lilim: Hi there, big boy ♥
Succubus: You look pretty wound up. How about we help you relax a little?
> Several minutes later...
Ririn: Oh, god...! Right here...?
Rika: They're very... Skilled...
Tattooed Man: Lilim, baby ♥
Suited Man: Succubus, I need you. Only you... ♥
> Then men around them begin collapsing one by one...
> The air feels like it's starting to return to normal...
Shiori: Ugh... They're all making that dumb face after finishing...
Succubus: Don't worry, they're still alive.
Succubus: We just sucked a bit of their desires away and gave them a moment of happiness.
Lilim: Yeah, if we go too far, they'll actually die...
Rika: A-Anyway, now's our chance!
Rika: We should be able to do something about Mada's avatar now!
Rika: Let's go!
Part 19
Mada: *Groan*
> Mada's avatar is defeated!
> Everything around it begins to return to normal...
Ririn: Yeah, we did it!
Rika: We should be able to find the true Mada now.
Rika: Thank you very much, Lilim, Succubus...
Lilim: Hey, don't pass out on me now! I haven't gotten my fill yet!
Tattooed Man: *Groan*
Succubus: Being a little drunk is no excuse...!
Lilim: Do they dream when they're passed out like this? Could be worth testing, you know...?
Rika: Uh, we need to go and deal with Mada so...
Lilim: No, I don't wanna! We're just getting to the good part!
Succubus: We've helped you plenty already.
Succubus: And we deserve a little reward for that, don't you think?
Shiori: Just don't kill them, okay?
Ririn: S-Shionyan, what are you saying?! You don't know these people!
Shiori: Who cares? They'll all be bowing before me anyways.
Ririn: That's hardly a good answer!
Rika: We need to hurry.
Rika: They promised not to kill them, so let's just leave them for now.
Ririn: Ugh... Where's somebody normal when you need them?!
Part 20
> Western Shinjuku...
Shiang Sun: There...! Mada's avatar!
Mada: ...
Seiran: It doesn't seem like it's in the attacking mood.
Seiran: I think it's just trying to intoxicate as many people as it can for now.
Shiang Sun: But that's also how it's gaining more power.
Shiang Sun: We need to get all these people to come to their senses.
Shiang Sun: But how...?
Middle Aged Man: Alright, I'm betting this watch!
Suited Man: Then I'll bet whatever's in this wallet!
Middle Aged Man: *Snicker* Time to do or die!
Suited Man: I've never felt more alive! I'm counting on you, Lady Luck!
> You see small group sof people all engrossed in gambling.
> You sense the insanity just by looking at their eyes...
Shiang Sun: So... We have to do something about them...?
CHOICE: There's no way...
Shiang Sun: Yeah...
CHOICE: How?
Seiran: We have to think of something...
END OF CHOICE
Lakshmi: Oh, that is rather simple. Just shake them up a little.
Shiang Sun: Shake them up...? You mean go gamble with them?!
Shiang Sun: N-No, I can't! I've never done anything like this before!
Lakshmi: Just go. You have me helping you, do you not?
Lakshmi: Now, off with you...
Shiang Sun: B-but...
> ...
Tattooed Man: Four of a kind! Beat that!
Shiang Sun: S-Sorry...
Shiang Sun: I have a royal flush. I believe I win.
Tattooed Man: Nooo! I lost again?!
Tattooed Man: That's seven in a row...! You're cheating! You have to be!
Plainclothes Man: H-He isn't... I've been watching the whole time...
Seiran: That's my tile!
Elderly Man: Again?! How...?!
Seiran: I'm so sorry, that completely my Nine Gates ♪
Elderly Man: Nine Gates?!
Suited Woman: Doesn't getting that mean you've used up all your luck in this life and are doomed to die...?!
Hooded Man: After winning with Thirteen Orphan too...
> ...
(Player Name): ...
> You place a few dice into a cup and throw them.
Plainclothes Man: A-Another triple...!
Man with Dark Sunglasses: You won again...?! What the hell's going on here...?!
> ...
Middle Aged Man: ...
Suited Woman: ...
Shiang Sun: Well... I...
> Everyone that was gambling slowly starts returning to their senses.
> The air feels like it's starting to return to normal...
Lakshmi: That should do it. Now, shall we?
Shiang Sun: Huh? Oh, right...! Mada's avatar!
Seiran: But I've never won at mahjohg like that before...!
Seiran: I guess we can use the rest of our luck to deal with Mada...!
Part 21
Mada: *Groan*
> Mada's shadow is defeated!
Seiran: There we go!
> Everything around it begins to return to normal...
Tattooed Man: Huh? What the...? What was I just...?
Man with Dark Sunglasses: My head feels weird... I was playing some kind of game and...
Man with Dark Sunglasses: Oh, I lost really bad or something too...
Shiang Sun: It looks like they're returning to normal.
Shiang Sun: It's hard to believe that actually worked too...
Lakshmi: Of course it did.
Lakshmi: They learned that they cannot win no matter how much they try.
Seiran: Yes, I see.
Lakshmi: Humans have a tendency to inflate even the smallest percentages into unrealistic odds.
Lakshmi: And when they are rewarded for doing so, they reach a state of ecstasy.
Lakshmi: That is what we are dealing with.
Lakshmi: That is why it is so easy for you humans to become so enthralled in such nonsense.
Lakshmi: Luck can change based on the whims of us goddesses.
Lakshmi: It is both foolish and intriguing how humans can throw themselves at something so intangible.
Shiang Sun: Anyways, we should hurry.
Lakshmi: I shall excuse myself here.
Lakshmi: The voices from before have finally begun to calm down.
CHOICE: You were a huge help!
CHOICE: Thank you very much!
> Both choices lead to the same conclusion.
END OF CHOICE
Seiran: Now, let's get going!
Lakshmi: ...
Lakshmi: Fighting in a battle with such an uncertain outcome...
Lakshmi: An outcome that luck has no sway over...
Lakshmi: It is somewhat sad and frustrating...
Part 22
> Southern Shinjuku...
Hooded Man: *Pant*
Woman in a Schoolgirl Uniform: *Mumble*
> Something strange fills the air as people wander around holding weapons.
> Some people even lay collapsed on the street...
Gakuto: ...
Vince: You seeing this?
Gakuto: Yeah, people brandishing weapons like it's nothing.
Gakuto: You'd never see this in Japan under normal circumstances.
Gakuto: The ones on the ground were probably "hunted down"...
Norn: To think that order would collapse in such a manner...
Honey: Mada's avatar... it's over there...!
> ...
Mada: ...
Vince: But what do we do about these people...?
Norn: I prefer not to do this, but there is a way...
> Norn begins glowing with light!
Hooded Man: What the...?!
Woman in a Schoolgirl Uniform: Stop...! Don't...!! Nooooo!!
> Everyone drops their weapons at the same time as their bloodlust fades...
> They no longer feel the need to fight...
Honey: W-What just happened...?!
Gakuto: Yeah, what was that?
Norn: I simply showed them what would happen if they proceeded down this path.
Gakuto: But how does that lead to what just happened...?
Gakuto: You just made them all freak out.
Norn: Fate does not look kindly upon those who live a life of murder and death.
Norn: We must make them see the light and return to their true paths.
Vince: Alright, whatever. We get it.
Norn: Mada's avatar should also be vulnerable now.
Norn: Let us go.
Part 23
Mada: *Roar*
> Mada's avatar is defeated!
> Everything around it begins to return to normal...
Honey: We did it! All that's left is the real Mada!
Hooded Man: Huh? What happened...? What was I just doing...?
Suited Man: *Groan*
Hooded Man: H-Hey, you okay...? Someone call an ambulance...!
Casually Dressed Woman: Oww... That really hurts...
Gakuto: The drunk ones are finally back to their senses too.
Vince: It's like the most normal-looking guys are the ones that go nuts when they drink, you know...?
Vince: Anyways, let's go kick this thing's ass!
Norn: Yes, you must proceed and find Mada's true self.
Vince: Wait, what about you?
Norn: I must unravel the twisted fates of these humans.
Norn: I may be able to save those that still draw breath.
Vince: Hold up, you're allowed to do that?
Vince: Doesn't that mean you're playing favorites and stuff?
Norn: I am simply returning everything to the way it was.
Norn: For example, that man...
Suited Man: *Pant*
Norn: He was fated to die tomorrow.
Norn: Fear not, I will not harm him in any way in the interim.
Honey: Oh, does that mean...?
Honey: You'll help them now, but won't save them from their fate?
Honey: What's the point of that? They're just gonna die anyways, right?
Norn: No, I must do this. That is the nature of fate.
Gakuto: ...
Honey: Honey really doesn't get it...
Vince: Forget her, Honey. We're going...
Honey: Huh? Oh... Vince, wait!
Norn: The fate of this world that was defiled by that vile creature...
Norn: Only they can defeat it and undo its treachery...
Norn: Liberators, I wish you luck in battle...
Part 24
> Central Shinjuku...
Shiang Sun: I was ready to see something big...
Megakin: But maybe not this big...
Vince: This thing's huge!
Mada: *Humming*...♪ ...♪
> The now gigantic Mada hums as it lumbers around aimlessly.
Shiori: Being right under it isn't helping either. It reeks...!
Vince: Yeah, we gotta get rid of this thing quick...
Vince: Hey, two-buck chuck! Over here!
Mada: What? Oh, it is you...
> The air begins to sizzle and spark for some reason...!
Ririn: Whoa...! What's going on...?!
Megakin: Yo, why the hell are you doin' all this...?!
Mada: Why? Hmm...
> Mada scratches its head as it tries to think...
Mada: I was born to defeat Indra in battle, then...
Mada: Oh, yes. He ran before anything actually happened.
Mada: Then he had be torn to pieces!
Gakuto: H-How far back do you plan on going...?!
Mada: Then, when I awoke, I was revived and brought here...
Rika: When you woke up...?
Mada: I do not know why I was revived.
Mada: All I know is that my body is overflowing with power.
Mada: It kept growing and growing and growing.
Mada: I have never felt so good!
Seiran: You sound like a run-of-the-mill drunk, more than anything else...
Mada: But I would like to unleash this power just once.
Mada: Allow me to show you since you are here!
Mada: Did you know that I can swallow this world and the universe in one gulp?
Mada: You shall bear witness to this power...!
Mada: Behold...!
> Mada begins gathering an incomprehensible amount of energy!
Vince: Guys, get ready! We gotta stop that thing!
Part 25
Ririn: Holy crap...! How strong is this thing...?!
Shiang Sun: It's too big...!
Shiang Sun: And its aura feels as powerful as ever...!
Honey: No, Honey doesn't feel so good...!
Mada: *Laugh* Struggle all you want!
Mada: But you have fought well considering you are mere humans!
> Mada releases an intoxicating blast!
Rika: *Cough* *Hack*
Gakuto: It's distorting everything around us again...!
> Mada releases a second blast!
Shiori: Ugh... My head... I can't think straight...
Seiran: My mind is going blank...!
Jeng Yun: We have to do something...!
Vince: Hold on...! Here comes another one!
> Mada releases a third blast!
(Player Name): ...!!
Part 26
Ririn: Huh? Wait, nothing happened...?
Succubus: Just when we thought all those guys were back to normal...
Lilim: Yeah, why's that gross smell back all the sudden?!
Rika: Succubus?! Lilim?!
Shiori: You protected us?
Lilim: You were the ones that asked us to help you in the first place, right?
Succubus: But all we can do is protect you from its aura.
Ririn: Hey, you're right... I feel completely fine!
Lilim: The others are probably on their way too...
Ririn: Huh...?
> ...
Megakin: Hey! What's up, Dionysus...?
Dionysus: My wine has such a delicate aroma.
Dionysus: That vile creature's stench overpowers and ruins it.
Dionysus: It must learn what it means to be a true god of drunkenness!
Dionysus: Mada must be stopped at once!
> ...
Seiran: Lakshmi!
CHOICE: You came back!
CHOICE: Thank you!
> Both choices lead to the same conclusion.
END OF CHOICE
Lakshmi: I felt like it is all.
Lakshmi: I was concerned about you going into battle without wishing for any luck first.
Lakshmi: I shall accompany you for just a little while longer.
> ...
Vince: So... How's this for fate...?
Norn: You speak too soon. We still have much work to do.
Norn: There is only one option left for us if we are to bring order back to this madness.
Vince: We're way ahead of you there.
Honey: This feels so much better! Let's kick that thing's butt already!
Norn: Mada, I can see it now...
Norn: I finally see how to influence your fate...
Norn: Now, Liberators, you must go!
Norn: Be rid of this vile creature once and for all...!
Part 27
Megakin: This is it, y'all...! On my mark!
Seiran: 3...
Rika: 2...
Vince: 1...!
CHOICE: Go!
CHOICE: Now!
> Both choices lead to the same conclusion.
END OF CHOICE
Mada: ...!!!
> The Liberators' demons attack Mada all at once!
Mada: Huh...!?!
Norn: ...!! Ah, I see...
Mada: What...? How...? Nooo...!!
> Mada disappears...
Epilogue
Ririn: *Sigh* So it's finally over...?
Gakuto: A lot of people probably didn't make it either and there wasn't much we could do about it...
Seiran: At the very least, we managed to avoid the worst of what could've happened.
Seiran: In that regard, I suppose we can call it a success.
Megakin: But how'd something like that just show up out of the blue?
Norn: I would like to speak to you regarding that.
Norn: I have some questions to ask of you as well...
Seiran: Please, you have the floor...
Norn: With regards to Mada's revival, I must be honest, I have no idea why it was able to return as it did...
Norn: It had grown so powerful that not even I could foresee or do anything about it...
Norn: But just as Mada was about to fall to you, it was at its weakest...
Norn: I could see its fate. I could see now and why it came back...
Norn: This must not be allowed to occur again. Not ever...
Seiran: So why was Mada able to come back...?
Norn: Mada was able to appear in this age for one reason...
Norn: Your world is overflowing with the four vices that haunt you humans.
Lakshmi: Yes, those...
Shiang Sun: Huh? Does that mean you knew too, Lakshmi?
Lakshmi: No, but I was able to guess as much when Mada being revived was mentioned.
Lakshmi: Either Mada was revived by someone for some evil purpose, or this world is overflowing with the very vices it represents.
Norn: Mada was created by a powerful sage, but it was divided into four parts before it could accomplish its goal.
Norn: Those were the avatars you fought, but this much you already know...
Shiang Sun: Ah, so Mada is the manifestation of these four vices...
Shiang Sun: And our world is overflowing with them...
Shiang Sun: Which is what allowed Mada to appear without warning...!
Norn: That will suffice.
Honey: So if we don't want that thing to ever come back again, everyone just has to stop doing those things?
Honey: Like drinking and gambling and stuff?
Succubus: That's not possible.
Succubus: Pleasure is derived from these so called "vices".
Lilim: Yeah, there's no way you can just get rid of them.
Dionysus: Indeed. Inhibiting such pleasure would be just as evil.
Dionysus: Believe it or not, there is some semblance of order within the chaos...
Gakuto: Okay, we get it, but can you just be quiet for a minute...?
Shiori: And it wouldn't work anyway.
Shiori: Humans are prone to seeking out forbidden fruits.
Shiori: Restrictions only make us want something even more.
Shiori: We want to live, not just survive on bare necessities.
Rika: I don't know much about drinking or gambling...
Rika: But hunting... The urge to kill should be suppressed, no?
Vince: Says you? You're the one that carries a gun around...!
Vince: You play airsoft and want to work with or around guns, right?
Vince: Hunting is right up your alley!
Rika: N-No, wait! I treat airsoft as a strategic sport...!
Vince: Right, a sport. A sport with rules to make it safe.
Vince: Because really, you're all just trying to kill each other...
Rika: But... No... You're hopeless...!
Vince: But I'm fine with all that.
Vince: I'd rather have you get your fill of excitement there instead of actually shooting someone.
Jeng Yun: Yes, I agree.
Jeng Yun: We are creatures of habit, comfort and desire.
Jeng Yun: We have means of controlling these things as well.
Jeng Yun: That is what I believe separates us from wild animals.
Jeng Yun: By only acting on our carnal desires, it turns into a vice, does it not?
Lakshmi: Who knows? I for one cannot give you an answer...
Lilim: Right... How would a demon know the answer to that if we don't ourselves...?
Shiang Sun: Yes, you're right... That is a bit of an oxymoron...
Lilim: Then why don't you guys just decide what it means to be human?
Lilim: Demons generally don't care one way or the other what you humans do and stuff.
Succubus: Anyways, are we done here? We have things to do.
Lilim: Yeah, I'm starving. Time to go find us some yummy-looking guys!
> Succubus and Lilim leave...
Dionysus: I must tend to my flock as well... Excuse me...
> Dionysus leaves...
Lakshmi: I must leave too. Take care.
> Lakshmi leaves...
Norn: And I have told you what you need to know...
Norn: Humans brought Mada's calamity upon themselves.
Norn: I simply wished to impart that knowledge upon you all.
Megakin: Yo, we heard you loud and clear. Thanks for your help.
Norn: This will happen again if humans decide to revert back to acting like wild animals...
Norn: However, if that is fate...
Norn: I, as the goddess of fate, will be watching over you...
Norn: Goodbye...
> Norn vanishes...
> In Mada's wake, Shinjuku is yet to return to its usual busy self, but the neon lights of its red-light district still glow bright.