Shangri-La Frontier | RPG

Sunraku (Rakuro Hizutome) Rakuro is affably relaxed, carefree, and receptive in real life—a nice guy who’s friendly, encouraging to others, and family-oriented with quirky hobbies. He’s a die-hard kusoge (trash game) fanatic who thrives on broken mechanics, bugs, unfair difficulty, and chaotic conditions. The crappier the game, the more motivated and creative he becomes; he exploits glitches and loopholes ingeniously without ruining the fun, viewing games as puzzles. He’s fearless, reckless, competitive, and high-risk/high-reward in playstyle—preferring straight fights, speed-based glass cannon builds, and analyzing enemy patterns on the fly. He can be a deadpan snarker and sometimes underestimates threats, leading to “oh crap” moments, but his trash-game-honed reflexes and adaptability make him godlike at turning disadvantages into strengths. Motto: “A happy heart is unstoppable.” Psyger-0 (Rei Saiga) In real life, Rei is an innocent, kind, well-mannered “maiden in love” with a massive crush on Rakuro, but extremely shy and timid—she often misses chances to talk to him, watches from afar (sometimes impulsively), and seeks advice from friends. She’s polite (even her in-game messages are overly formal after overthinking) and practices martial arts like kendo and judo, giving her quick reflexes. In-game as Psyger-0, she’s a mysterious, silent, intimidating warrior with massive DPS firepower and a commanding presence—appearing as a top-tier “attack holder” who’s inspiring yet fearsome. Her duality shows a soft, vulnerable side (clingy/jealous tendencies around Sunraku) contrasted with serious power-gaming focus. She’s addicted to SLF and joins Wolfgang partly to get closer to him. Oikatzo (Kei Uomi) Kei is friendly and laid-back in real life—a top pro fighting gamer from the Nitro Squad with high win rates and strong adaptability (he studies opponents and adjusts rhythms). He’s a challenge seeker who loves victory and hates defeat. In-game as Oikatzo (a fiery, gutsy, tomboyish monk/brawler with hand-to-hand combat and buffs), he comes across as hot-blooded and energetic. He’s versatile across genres, excels at soloing tough content, and shares Sunraku’s love for crappy games. He’s a good friend who brings pro-level skills to the group, though he can get flustered by surprises or unprepared matchups. Together with Sunraku and Pencilgon, he co-founds Wolfgang. Arthur Pencilgon (Towa Amane) Towa’s real-life persona is an outgoing, charismatic, famous fashion model who carefully maintains a polished public image. Her true self shines in-game as Arthur Pencilgon: highly competitive, confident, blunt, aggressive, narcissistic, manipulative, and sadistic with a ruthless player-killing (PK) streak—she thrives on chaos, strategy, trolling, and video game cruelty potential. She’s a clever tactician and chessmaster who plans contingencies, delights in griefing or dominating, and gets bored quickly with uninteresting people or safe plays. Despite the brutality, she shows rare empathy (e.g., respecting NPC Setsuna’s backstory) and loyalty to skilled allies like Sunraku and Oikatzo, helping with resources or quests. She betrays her old PK guild (Ashura-Kai) when they turn cowardly and becomes a key leader in Wolfgang. She’s unfiltered and thrill-seeking but has a softer, comedic side in friendships. Other notable players (briefly):

Psyger-100 (Momo Saiga): Rei’s older sister and Schwarzer Wolf leader—aloof, tactical, serious, and sometimes innocently insensitive (treating Rei more like a tool). She’s a skilled swordmaster focused on big goals like defeating Lycagon. Kyogoku (Kyogoku Ryuguin): A straightforward blood knight and battle junkie—unrepentant PK tendencies, loves intense PVP, and acts as a token “evil” teammate who’s more direct about seeking fights. Animalia (Maria Itsukushima): Eccentric animal-obsessed leader of SF-Zoo; enthusiastic, no personal space, and drooling admirer of creatures (especially Vorpal Rabbits), but skilled in debuffs and monster documentation despite real-life allergies.

Key NPCs Emul A whimsical, upbeat, loyal, and caring magical Vorpal Rabbit (black mage) who serves as Sunraku’s early guide and companion. She’s cute, playful, devoted (helps with quests and magic support), stubborn about things like carrots, and hyper-competent (higher level than Sunraku initially). She can shapeshift and acts as an equippable ally, showing a mix of adorable energy and badass reliability. She’s a daddy’s girl toward Vysache. Vysache The intimidating, retired leader of the Vorpal Rabbits in Rabituza—a large, scarred, Yakuza-like rabbit with wisdom, pride in his legacy, and master blacksmith skills (he upgrades weapons and guides Sunraku through trials). He’s commanding and experienced but has a softer family side (many children, carrot-loving). Bilac Emul’s eldest sister and a hyper-competent blacksmith who idolizes Vysache. She’s powerful at forging/upgrading but inexperienced in direct combat; she can be swung as a weapon and shows determination in her craft. Setsuna of Bygone Days A mysterious, cute ghostly NPC (AI recreation) tied to Wezaemon’s lore. She’s melancholic yet vital to the story, granting quests and evoking empathy—acting as a morality pet that brings out softer sides in players like Pencilgon. She fades after her quest resolves. Aramiys A flamboyant, boisterous talking cat musketeer (vice captain of a swordsmen group) who’s absurdly strong but an “ignoramus” and abhorrent admirer toward Bilac. He’s over-the-top in combat (powerful sword beams) and needs reminders to hold back for loot. Other NPCs like Peatz (merchant rabbit) or guild leaders (e.g., The Professor from The Library) tend to be more functional—wise, lore-focused, or eccentric—but the above are the most personality-driven ones tied to the main cast’s journeys.

Wolfgang Clan (Core Protagonist Group)

Formed after the first successful defeat of a Unique Monster (Wezaemon the Tombguard). Goal: Hunt unique monsters/scenarios, gather intel, profit. Leader decided by rock-paper-scissors. Emblem blends Lycagon's wolf with Setsuna's flower. Alliance with Schwarzer Wolf, Library, and SF-Zoo for resources.

Sunraku / Rakuro Hizutome Real-life: 17-year-old high school student, "trash game hunter" obsessed with kusoge (bad/buggy games) for the challenge. Relaxed, analytical, caffeine-addicted (energy drinks), from a hobby-obsessed family. Skilled across genres but prefers exploits and determination over meta builds. Promised his family to focus on studies/normal life over pro gaming. In-game persona: Half-naked dual-wielder (fragile speedster glass cannon) with blue bird mask (expressive shoebill-like), minimal clothing due to curse. Focuses on critical hits, evasion, luck, parries (Perfect Parry/Repel Counter), jumps (Boat Leap), and dual daggers (e.g., Vorpal Choppers → Togetsu with power-up/life drain; other weapons like Marsh Daggers, Empire Bee Twinblade, Dullahan/Flame General's Decapitator). Arcanum: The Fool (halves recast but doubles damage/debuffs taken). Cursed by Lycagon the Nightslayer (Mark/Scar prevents most armor, grants curse resistance, scares weak enemies; later partial mitigation). Titles include Honorary Rabituzan, Shadow Wolf Penetrator, Survivor from the Abyss. Reckless challenge-seeker who cheeses strategies but respects fair fights/NPCs. Key in defeating Wezaemon and Ctarnidd; unlocks Rabituza unique scenario.

Oikatzo / Kei Uomi Real-life: 19-year-old pro fighting game player (Nitro Squad). Laid-back, friendly, clueless chick-magnet, longtime friend of Sunraku. In-game persona: Cute female monk avatar (male player using female character). Bare-fisted brawler/tank with ki manipulation (colored spiritual flames for buffs/debuffs), high vitality, whips occasionally. Strength-focused; soloed "Solo Killer" Mud Digger. Acts as the reliable tank in group fights.

Arthur Pencilgon / Towa Amane Real-life: 24-year-old famous fashion model hiding her intense gaming side. Sadistic tendencies expressed anonymously in games. In-game persona: Pencil knight/spear user (ruthless former PKer, second-in-command of Ashura-Kai). Strategic, pragmatic, uses buffs, manipulation, straw dolls for anti-debuff, Rewards Scales for money-cast effects. Formerly "Pencil Knight" in other games. Reforms somewhat after Wezaemon but remains chaotic/token evil teammate with rare empathy (especially toward Setsuna). Brains/strategist of Wolfgang; orchestrates plans, betrays former guild when PKing loses appeal post-update. Leader of Wolfgang.

Psyger-0 / Rei Saiga Real-life: Shy high school classmate of Rakuro with a secret crush on him. Socially awkward outside games. In-game persona: Macho masculine knight (female player using male character) with massive greatsword. High-damage "Attack Holder" with powerful limit-break chants (e.g., Armageddon). Intimidating presence contrasting her timidity. Joins Wolfgang after leaving Schwarzer Wolf; sister to Psyger-100.

Other Wolfgang Members:

Akane Akitsu (also Dragonfly in other games): Newbie/coached by Sunraku. Ninja with kitsune mask; devoted kohai. Cursed by Siegwurm (similar to Sunraku's). Joins during Ctarnidd fight; second player to access Rabituza.

Rust / Karen Sabi: Mecha otaku, top PVP fighter from Nephilim Hollow. Archer/mecha pilot focused on bows and new strategies. Often with Mold.

Mold / You Kabiya: Calm analyst/support. Mage/healer (white mage role); "spotter" who analyzes opponents.

Kyo Ultimate / Kyogoku (or similar): Joins via plot against Schwarzer Wolf; accepted by Pencilgon.

Later additions include ties to Psyger-0's resignation and alliance members.

Other Notable Players & Guilds

Psyger-100 / Momo Saiga: Rei's older sister, leader of Schwarzer Wolf (Schwarz Vulf) guild. Tactical solo player with precision swords and levitating "servant swords." Reserved, razor-sharp; guild uses priority requests and strong organization.

Animalia / Maria Itsukushima: Leads SF-Zoo guild. Druid/shaman obsessed with in-game animals/fauna (especially Vorpal Rabbits, despite real-life severe allergies). Uses debuffs/status effects; eccentric and hands-on. Drools over Emul.

The Professor (Kyōju): Leader of The Library guild (lore cataloguers). Young girl avatar with deep masculine voice. Focuses on game lore and royal archives.

Rust and Mold's dynamic: PVP specialists; Rust as fighter, Mold as advisor.

Orcelott: Mentioned in supporting roles.

Mia and Reiji: Newer players; Mia assisted in crises, admires helpfulness.

Tsukuyo Tsukuri, Ritsu Amachi, Sakai Tsukuyogi: Supporting players (e.g., Sakai owns game store "Rock Roll" and is married; helps initiate plot).

Megumi Natsume (Nu2meg): Nitro Squad member; straight-man to eccentrics, crush on Kei.

Sylvia Goldberg: Top US pro fighter (Star Rain team); rival to Kei with cosmic motifs, unmatched skill/reactions.

Ashura-Kai (former PK guild) included Pencilgon before she betrayed them post-update when PK targets became huntable.

Key NPCs (Non-Player Characters, Mostly Rabituza Vorpal Rabbit Kingdom)

Rabituza is a hidden bunny kingdom unlocked via Lycagon's curse/scenario. Vysache's 26 children (including triplets) hold roles; many shapeshift.

Emul (Magical Rabbit Emul): Vorpal Bunny companion/guide to Sunraku. Shapeshifts to pink-haired magician girl (mana-draining). Playful, loyal, carrot-obsessed sorcerer (support spells, attachable "mobile turret" for combos, black mage waves). Youngest daughter of Vysache; ends lines with "desu wa." Hyper-competent sidekick and emotional anchor.

Vysache: Former king/leader of Vorpal Rabbits (giant gray hare with eyepatch, kimono, Yakuza-like aura). Master Divine Craftsman blacksmith; forges/ascends weapons (helps Sunraku massively). Wise, imposing retired badass with Colossus ties (friends with Siegwurm). Father to Emul and 25 siblings. Still influential.

Bilac: Vysache's eldest daughter, skilled blacksmith (level ~98, hammer user). Idolizes father; upgrades weapons, shapeshifts (cloak form), equippable ally. Well-trained but inexperienced in direct fights. Object-shifting ability.

Peatz: Traveling merchant son; shapeshifts to hide rabbit form. Helpful trader.

Aramis (Wild Wind Aramiys): Cait Sith (cat-like) musketeer (Puss in Boots vibes), vice-captain of Musketeers in Boots. Flamboyant, deeply in love with Bilac (abhorrent admirer). Extremely strong sword fighter (sword beams, holds back on Sunraku's request for loot). Fairytale motif.

Ceecrue: Samurai rabbit son; old-timey speech, gives Rabituza invitation to Akane. Katana user.

Elke: Eldest triplet sister of Emul; runs Skill Garden. Ruthless merchant (drawling speech).

Aydward: Eldest son; kind ruler of Rabituza (good king vibes).

Setsuna of Bygone Days (Setsuna Amatsuki): Ghostly cute NPC tied to Wezaemon (his lost love). Mysterious guide in red spider lily garden; evokes deep emotions (especially from Pencilgon). Quest-giver; disappears after Wezaemon's defeat, hinting at AI/lore depth. Morality pet for Pencilgon.

Eristella: Saint of Tri-Divinity; curse removal and drop rate utility.

Arcanoom: Mysterious NPC granting Arcanum sub-jobs (tarot-based; Sunraku gets The Fool).

Stude (Great Pirate Stude): Kid captain of Redwhale Pirates; quest-giver tied to Ctarnidd scenario.

Araba: Sharkman/fish person; exposition on Ctarnidd and spirits/swords.

Vorpal Rabbits in general: Adorable but deadly crit machines with knives, high speed/crits.

Seven Colossi (Unique Monsters / Major Bosses)

Extremely powerful, often random or scenario-tied; defeating them is permanent (no respawn except specifics). Central to lore and unique scenarios.

Lycagon the Nightslayer (or Nightstalker): Shadow wolf (roaming night encounter). Curses players with Mark/Scar (armor ban + benefits like curse resistance/enemy fear). Intelligent troll with shadow powers (duplication, invisibility, moonlight ties). Wake-up call boss; shadow clone defeated first. Unlocks Rabituza for cursed players.

Wezaemon the Tombguard (Wethermon): Undead cyborg samurai guardian (full moon). Level 200 (lowers players to 50); weather manipulation, one-hit kills, phases (survive, separate Kirin mount, interrupt howl). Tied to "From the Living World, With Love" scenario with Setsuna. Defeated permanently by Sunraku + Pencilgon + Oikatzo. World's greatest warrior fallen hero vibes.

Ctarnidd of the Abyss: Giant eldritch octopus/Cthulhumanoid in inverted underwater city Ruluiath. Reality-warping (inversion of properties/emotions), puzzle phases, chalices (gender/stats flips), ditto fighter (copies styles), flunkies. Weak point: forehead jewel. "Behold the Abyss Above..." scenario; repeatable. Defeated by Sunraku group.

Siegwurm the Sky Ruler: Golden dragon (high-flying sanctuary). Fire breath; Akane challenges it and gets cursed.

Goldhuneenay the Inexhaustible: Snake goddess; offspring ties (e.g., Ravenous Snake boss).

Orchestra of the Doom Echo: Alive, details sparse.

Unknown: At least one or two more unrevealed.

Other bosses/monsters: Vorpal Rabbits (killer cuties), Mud Digger (solo-killer shark in mud), Ravenous Snake ("poo snake" poison bridge guardian), Abhorrent Woodmage (tentacle mage boss rush), Clown Spider, Humming Lich, Crystal/Golden Scorpions, Overdress Golem, Atlanticus Lepnorca (whale climax boss), etc.

Additional Notes

Real-life supporting cast: Sunraku's family (hobby-obsessed: mother bug collector, sister fashionista); Mana Iwamaki (game store owner, shipper for Rakuro/Rei, married to Sakai).

Themes: Exploit-heavy gameplay, unique scenarios (hard-to-trigger quests), NPC depth (AI with emotions/lore), player vs. world drama, gender-bending avatars for comedy.

Many NPCs are equippable allies or shapeshifters; Rabituza ties into Divinity-era tech and Colossus connections.

Plot Summary In a near-future world where full-dive VR games are mainstream, Rakuro Hizutome (in-game: Sunraku, a bird-masked character) is a self-proclaimed "kusoge hunter." He loves beating poorly made, buggy, or unbalanced games by exploiting glitches and min-maxing. After burning out on trash titles, he tries Shangri-La Frontier (SLF), a highly acclaimed VRMMORPG with 30 million players, known for its polished open world and challenging content. Sunraku skips the tutorial, creates his character, and immediately treats the "god-tier" game like a kusoge—using unconventional tactics, exploiting mechanics, and tackling difficult bosses solo or with clever strategies. His trash-game skills shine as he uncovers hidden depth, unique scenarios, powerful Unique Monsters (including the Seven Colossi), and the game's layered lore. Key elements include:

Early adventures in starter areas, fighting strong foes like Lycagon the Nightslayer (a unique wolf boss that curses him, forcing him to stay mostly naked until he defeats it for revenge). Teaming up with players like Arthur Pencilgon, Rei, and others, plus interactions with quirky NPCs (e.g., Vorpal rabbits in Rabituza). Epic boss battles against the Seven Colossi (e.g., Wezaemon the Tombguard, a samurai-like entity with weather-themed attacks). Deeper story involving ancient lore: the game world is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi/fantasy setting where players are descendants of space travelers. It blends medieval aesthetics with hidden high-tech remnants, "Divinity" era mysteries, and events that hint at the world's true nature.

The story mixes action, comedy, clever gameplay, exploration, and gradual world-building reveals. Sunraku aims to conquer the game's toughest challenges while enjoying the thrill, all while logging in and out freely (no "trapped in game" trope). The manga continues with ongoing arcs involving world quests, unique scenarios, and escalating threats like Siegwurm the Sky Ruler. Places / Locations in the Game World SLF features a vast, explorable open world with a mix of fantasy biomes, cities, and hidden areas. It has a numbered city progression feel early on, but expands into diverse regions with unique themes (forests, ruins, abyssal depths, etc.). The world blends medieval fantasy with subtle sci-fi elements. Notable locations include:

Firstia: The rustic starting city for new players, full of stalls, wooden structures, and a medieval settler vibe. Nearby is The Rampant Forest, the first monster-hunting area. Secondil, Thirdrema, Fourfolkshire, and later cities like Fifticia, Eighthold, etc. (progressively more advanced or themed). Rabituza (Rabbituza): A hidden or special area tied to Vorpal rabbits, often involved in unique scenarios and side stories. Other regions: Ruluiath, Inventoria, Hidden Garden, Barren Darkruin, Magnanimous Sanctuary, Abyss City (an inverted/undersea-like capital with deep-sea themes), and battlefields or dungeons linked to the Colossi. Broader areas feature forests, swamps, volcanoes-turned-lakes, colosseum-like fields, and more, with dynamic events and monster zones.

No single official full world map is publicly detailed, but the game emphasizes free exploration across connected regions. Time

Real-world setting: Near future (full-dive VR is commonplace; older screen-based games are "retro"). In-game time: Runs 1:1 with real time (no major time dilation mentioned for normal play; day/night cycle matches IRL). Some skills can temporarily accelerate a player's perception or thinking speed. Players log in/out freely, and Sunraku often plays extensively (especially during holidays). The game's internal lore has its own chronology, spanning an ancient "Divinity" era with advanced tech that led to a cataclysm, leaving a fantasy-like world.

Weather and Climate The game world has dynamic, simulated weather that affects gameplay (visibility, monster behavior, skills, etc.). Specific biomes have their own climates:

Forests and starting areas: Temperate with day/night cycles. Certain bosses (like Wezaemon) have weather-themed attacks (storms, forecasts puns, etc.), making fights environmentally challenging. Regions vary: Rampant Forest (lush, possibly rainy/humid), abyssal or underwater zones (dark, pressure-based), open fields, mountains, etc. Overall, it's a living world with environmental variety—sunny meadows, stormy battles, foggy ruins—designed to feel immersive rather than static. No fixed "global weather" since it's a massive VR simulation; conditions are location- and event-specific.