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(Ever since the 7th update I stopped reading this one! I'm glad to see it return, and I hope to read it again sometime soon.)

I want to start off by saying that there might be certain spoilers written in this... maybe?? I don't know if the story changed at the time of me writing this, but anywayss...

I've always associated the "Pakka" drug to one in a tv show called "Black lightning", in there, a drug called "Green light" converts people into artificial metahumans and gives them sort of super powers, In the sense that Pakka seemed to give Phileo some kind of super senses and amplified strength?? and it being like a lethal mutagenic drug of sorts. I've always thought of it as very cool. I simply wanted to put this similarity in here as I procced to download this VN again haha!

I really loved how this VN is. 

I specially loved the way Greyson(Grey) is. When I look into a VN the first thing that attracts me are the characters, specifically our protagonist and the world building. This one is very interesting to me because it focuses in both a compelling, mystery story and romance.

The first minutes of me playing it felt really immersive I must say, I just simply like to really ground me with our MC. It's a shame it seems that maybe it got cancelled? It hadn't been any activity nor progres in here since 2023... Though, I don't have Twitter to confirm this, it's a shame if it does end up being cancelled. 

-~This is a comment of appreciation to this wonderful story~-

At the time of me writing this, The 11th update was released already.

I want to start off by saying that I've been following the development of this VN some point between the second and third public update in here, I can't re-call exactly, so lets say somewhere along those times. And, it's been such a long journey since then. I am really delighted to have stumbled across something like this.  <.3.>

First, I want to wish Alpha0 and every member, artist and writer working under this VN a pleasant day and night. And I want to continue by sharing many words with you all in this comment. 

"Devil's Gambit", from my point of view and opinion, is genuinely one of the most wonderful mostly-linear experiences I've encountered. The narration can surely trap me into this world, the way the story moves from perspective to perspective is greatly done too. This VN proposes a sound story and it's not afraid at all to dwell on it. The atmosphere around the narration of the story being dark and this feeling of medieval-quiet is the type I enjoy seeing more in any work of fiction, as well as the way research and medicine are described in the story. That was one of the deciding factors that led me to follow along this creation. 

One of our main Characters, Hector the badger, is someone I can relate to. He is nice in a way that's not over the top, is a Healer and a good man over all. besides, love to see more chubby badgers around in media. Need any other reason for him to be my absolute favorite? nope. ^.^ <3

-~Now, the following part of this comment may have mentions from slight to HUGE spoilers from the main storyline of this VN being brought, proceed with caution~-

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I also wanted to talk(And gush), about the lore,

GEZZ, I am a sucker for good world-building in any media as most of us are. It plays such a huge part whenever I find a story compelling, the way it has been implemented is wonderful, Love the names of the Lions as well. Love how mysterious and mystical Rannai can feel at times, the way the culture of the wolves that live there shines through as well. I am specially interested in the lore of how those magical crystals work when healers use them and the training one must acquire to even be a healer. AND BY GODS, love the way they aren't using the sole word "magic" for every occasion to refer to their form of energy. The story and use of "runes" being tied to the eye of the valley and the "dark" god there are also very interesting. I actually need to learn more about the "Layers"  and other dark gods... PLEASEE 😭💕

Now, I want to take a moment to rant about the latest updates... WHAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?!?!?!??!... ಥ_ಥ(My actual reaction to that) 

The way Caddy(Cadgan) and Rian are is so interesting to me, especially when we learn that apparently Cadgan wasn't even in "love" with Hector at the very beginning. It was Rian("Ranzkai") that was. We know that Cadgan came to "love" and somewhat care for Hector as well so that's interesting because Cadgan cannot feel emotion per se because he passed that burden to Rian as the latest update(11th) explained. The way the story plays out really took me down. I feel for the wolf too much, Cadgan's been through a lot and dealing with Rian definitely caused more problems... Maybe even trauma at the beginning of their dynamic. Although I do have some more questions that maybe where already answered but... I SEEK CLARIFICATIONNN. When Rian spoke to Hector about the past, the whole deal with Ancient Rannai inside the valley, was he being completely truthful? or maybe hiding or making up some details along the way?... We also learn that apparently, Rian is a Shaman not a Demon? maybe both at the same time yes? that caused a bit of confusion to me... But I think Rian is both as well as Cadgan too.

Passing now through other matters..

Hector's dynamic with the two is so lovely... OH MY GOD 😭😭Hector fits so well with both, Cadgan and Rian perfectly. Their wholesome scenes burn my heart. I CANNOT be just Team Cadgan or Team Rian. When Rian, back then known as (Ranzkai) and Hector had their first seggsual night at those ruins/temple and the morning came and they where both laying down on the bed in the inn, cuddling... AWWWAHHH😭 specially when Rian hugged Hector so warmly... Loved that. Cadgan also does not stays behind in the wholesomeness,  the scene where Hector and him are talking alone somewhere around cadgan's birthday I think, was very needed for them to be able to forgive themselves. And, when they both finally kissed under that moon, it was so tender and lovely, it made me question if Hector will  really prefer to be with just one of them... specially now that he knows they are both the same(Sort off).

And, finally, about the future and ending of this VN...

I am really curious and excited about what awaits Cadgan, Rian and Hector next. Those three alongside this whole story are my hyperfixations as of late. If you could not tell by now... I am also cooking up some interesting theories and predictions as well. Especially as we are nearing the closing act... I'm going to put some of them down, shortly described as I had already typed A LOT by now... so here they go: 

• "The fall": Cadgan alongside Rian will sort off maybe sacrifice? themselves to protect what they hold dear that being Hector's memory... and Rannai on the final show down if there is any of course. It could be maybe that they give away all sense of reason and limitation to seal or destroy that dark god again in a sort of "last stand". In addition, Hector will NOT come out of this unharmed... AND I HATE THAT 😭😭, maybe he will?, or... Maybe he will get hurt very badly and this causes that he cannot make a run for it as he is being ultimately killed off, this being the water droplet that will fall and break Cadgan's and Rian's mind at the end. short: (Death to Hector)

• "We are here at last": The three of them, Hector, Cadgan and Rian will somehow be the only ones left at the end of all of this. Maybe Hector and the duo stay at the fallen Rannai and live there for ever and ever. Maybe sad. Maybe reluctantly... (This was the happiest one I came out with.) Short: (Death to all, except the main three)

• "One of us": As it says, One of them, Maybe Rian, or maybe Cadgan will sacrifice their spirit or their existence so that the other can save everybody or defeat the dark god once and for all. And of course... Stay and  live with Hector. Short: (Death to either Cadgan or Rian)

• "It was all domed to repeat": (This one might be the most far edged one, and maybe too much if I'm being honest...) At the end, there's this grand reveal that all was in sort of a loop. That there will always exist a new dark god of the valley. That being Cadgan or Rian, Or maybe they fuse together completely and they are forced to watch as they become a new god. And, to extend even more ground, maybe even Hector could be reborn... for the sake of this, Hear MEEE,  there was this little detail at the end of Rian's and Hector first passionate night that may or may not be solely cosmetic or just put there as symbolism of some kind... At the very end, when all is done and they are still on those ruins/temple laying down, as Hector falls to slumber, we see that Rian's "seed" drips onto the ground, as it makes contact with the brick and the earth beneath them, we can see an actual plant bloom as it grows the longer we click as we travel to the next morning the next scene. Thus giving me the idea that maybe, That seed. speaking literally and metaphorically will cause Hector to be a "host" or maybe convert into an avatar like Silvareth. Short: (The one that awaits)

And finally, 

• "... Once I was": (This one is more bittersweet)Everything  starts with the defeat of that Dark god, yes, but also Cadgan and Rian leaving, maybe because they where trapped somewhere, or at the end they had to combine some forbidden knowledge and not sacrifice per se, but mostly give all they have with the intention to return but something happens and they cannot come back. And it all ends with Hector writing in his Journal leaving Rannai at the end. Short: (Hector alone)

And soo... this was all. If you stayed and read through my entire thing, you are pretty badass. Peace out-❤️

This will be a bit of a long comment !💆‍♀️👌

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This VN is genuinely great, I highly recommend giving it a try. I've been following the development since day one, I believe. And it's such a fun read, I love the way they just openly break the fourth wall. The fact that once the author or even the literal plot gets brought into the conversation, they all just agree and move on... like immediately.

And the fact that I feel so included in the culture that's being showed is great. Loving it. 💕

Sending the author, Neo Neon a wonderful day. (❁´◡`❁)

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(... Now, Below this, There will be spoilers and some bits of the story getting mentioned here and there, as of now, I will take into account only the shown story. Which is the entirety of the very first update as of me typing this right now.)😍

Oh Joshua, I feel for him. That moment with his father made me feel so much. I just hope we can somehow get out of that situation...😭

Now, in another more 'theorizing' mood, I am inclined to believe that the guys that were shown/introduced through a beautiful image, Those being, Kyle, Ethan and Richard, will maybe be Joshua's love interests?/maybe... 

I am also still very unsure if the VN will end up following a more dark path, or maybe a more cheerful adventure... 

In another mood... I'd be great if Joshua fights his father and wins... Maybe... idk if its my need of bloodshed talking.🙀

Also, in a more unrelated note, loved the little 'trivia' momento. This VN has such enormous potential to be... tragic, lighthearted, romantic, happy, sad, eventful and much much more. 

Genuinely delighted to have discovered it in such early development.

⭐🌟✨🌟⭐

Gran comentario de apreciación por esta historia🙌. 

La verdad es que llevo siguiendo "Pocket Rain Files", desde hace ya bastante tiempo y déjenme decirles que esta es una historia bastante entretenida y perfecta (Para mi eso es). Combinando vida normal, drama, romance complejo y acción. Me hace reír en momentos y puede ser bastante intensa. Lo cual me encanta╰(*°▽°*)╯...

  ... La historia, a principios, puede sonar bastante trillada como en otras NV(Novelas Visuales), de este tipo. Pero mientras mas te vas pegando a la historia mas te das cuenta que es mas que eso, cuando descubrí esta novela sentí como un respiro de alivio abandonaba mis labios por algo que no necesariamente siga las líneas base de muchas otras. Y ese es el caso, Te atrapa y quieres mas. Definitivamente un proyecto que merece terminar como se debe, 

Mando al creador muchos abrazos por crear esta maravilla.

(Ahora, mas abajo habrán algunos "spoilers" de la trama, tanto como un poco de discusión de teorías que tengo hasta el momento, como de lo demás, si no has jugado porfa saltate mi comentario y a que esperas?... Dicho eso...)

(... Quería empezar por decir que, Pobre de mi Emekaito querido. 🥲, Definitivamente merece un descanso de todo lo que le a pasado y de los secretos que le siguen guardando. Quiero aclarar que todo lo que ponga de aquí hasta abajo toma en cuenta desde el inicio de la historia hasta este ultimo build que salió públicamente, el cual es la version 3.34.0 al momento que comparto esto con ustedes...)

Iniciando esto...😼

Emeka es un personaje en extremo interesante para mi, porque muchas veces me siento como el 😭, sobre todo por como piensa, y sus ansiedades...

... Estoy enojado con la madre de Emeka...🤬, pero ya veremos que pasa con ella...- Bueno no es tanto furia pero si es algo así, supongo puedo empatizar con ella, ojo, hasta cierto punto. Mayormente por sus razones, cuidar a su hijo sola ya que tiene aparentes enemigos en todas partes... los pedazos que nos son revelados de su historia y demás. Es una mujer de carácter y decision como se nos es descrita, pero, definitivamente odie como no parece importar la situación, siempre trata a su hijo como un chico demasiado indefenso, especialmente cuando ella va al hospital y se muda con el en las primeras semanas, aunque viéndola ahora, debería darle el beneficio de la duda o algo 😒. Quizás ya se nos sea revelado todo para entonces...

Aunque, supongo que podemos apreciar el hecho de que, cuando estamos terminando con los chicos antes de ser secuestrados y llevados a la mansion, Ella nos revela detallitos sobre nuestro padre, aunque es poco, me gusto el hecho de que consolara a Emeka. (Me encanto aun mas el hecho de que el no la perdonara tan fácilmente.)

... Volviendo al chico de morado, es claro que el fue creado en una especie de... como laboratorio, O al menos, fue como una clase de experimento. Las únicas pruebas tan contundentes que tenemos son meramente considerando los flashes de su no tan claro pasado en la aldea de su niñez, No tengo dudas de eso. Tengo bastantes teorías sobre posibles revelaciones en un futuro sobre el. Una de mis mas trabajadas es que, por los detalles que nos an dado hasta ahora, y intuición personal😨, La familia de Emeka, pudiendo ser ambos lados de ella o uno, tienen al menos un poco de sangre noble. (De esto me baso-... y en la creencia de que, son descendientes del rey Guepardo que se menciona en los libros que Emeka lee en la mansion). Y que por alguna u otra razon, ellos fueron excomulgados de su poder politico hace mucho tiempo. Tambien me gustaría añadir aquí que, WOW, cuando le dan esos ataques de pánico, y su ansiedad le empieza hablar me ponen los pelos de punta...-En general, cuando hay momentos en los que Emeka siente terror, el ambiente sombrío o incluso en momentos tensos-, esas cosas son las que mas me atraen. Me encanta el terror que provocan. 

... Ahora, Hablando de los acontecimientos principales, AMO, el hecho de que la trama ya no se rija por días. Le da un toque único ya por esa simple razon jeje...

Bueno, Gracias por leer mis teorías y claro, elogios a esta Novela Visual. 

Levtai-Howl, ten un lindo día😘.