Man, I was really happy getting the notification that Soulcreek had gotten an update. It is definitely worth the read, 10/10
*Spoilers*
I replayed the whole VN to get back into the characters and it was worth it.
After the first two days of the story the Blackzones had this vague weird vibe to them but I couldn't imagine them. Now during the third day, we have seen them and they are downright terrifying. Constant psychological terror, exiles, ruins and danger everywhere. I esp liked the detail with the dawnsugar (?) cooking and selling to nomads. That's some nice world building.
The relationship between the protagonist and Loken has become increasingly complex and beautiful to watch. "You are small" has been used in so many contexts now but I think it will find a biological context during the indulgence :D
Loken is opening up bit by bit and cute in his protectiveness <3 Poor him was overwhelmed when Orion was in the Troupe... I felt a little bad for Orion, when he said something like the protagonist being his replacement, but I guess Orion might not care that much maybe? Still hoping for them to talk things out before (!) the indulgence. Oh man, are the protagonist and Loken really gonna sit and watch the whole orgy thing with Orion or are they gonna disappear quickly? :D
Loken trying to shield the protagonist from the indulgence because he is "modest" is incredibly cute.
I love how Byte and Loken have become a bit more familiar after a lot of distrust and overprotectiveness. But Loken learned to understand what Byte even was and realized his helpfulness. It's just hard for them to even communicate. Theoretically Byte could take over the body (which is a little scary) and talk directly. Maybe they are gonna do that at some point? Also, it is kinda scary that Byte can take over without the protagonists consent...
I like everything exchange with Byte, the way he pops up is hilarious at times.
We got some answers, but are still missing a lot. The protagonist was in some lab tube thing in the beginning and Loken breaking it caused the two satellite stations / server rooms to start. Is it like a security reaction or is the protagonist "supposed" to download the data at the two stations?
Is the protagonist humanities fallback attempt to reboot civilization with "The old Knowledge" on those servers?
Apparently there is an algorithm on there, but why does it need so much data? Is it an ai maybe? Byte definitely seemed to "recognize" the tech, so the data could be another ai for all we know.
Btw, is the protagonist a robot?? Or a bit of a cyborg? With a human mind though hopefully? :D The not-breathing part is definitely weird. I would try to find out if I had any anomalies in his body.
We still don't know what the demons really are though. Are they even real? They are described as robots definetly, but with some "magic" horror to them xD Very scary soundeffects btw during the scene with the demon!
Are the demons rogue ai that destroyed humanity? They don't seem to like the protagonist sneaking around. Where did the infliction virus come from or how developed it?
But what are the Blackzones in the first place and what causes the psychological influence? The demons themselves or is something at soulcreek causing it?
Man, I'm hyped for the next chapter and let me know what you think of my theories.
Thanks for creating this gem!
Consider Patreon maybe?