Story

All of the stories in Punishing: Gray Raven, for your reading pleasure. Will contain all the stories that can be found in the archive in-game, together with all affection stories.

To the One and Only You

A Secluded Conference Room

Babylonia

Babylonia, a secluded conference room.

It's ten minutes past the scheduled time. Everyone should be here by now, so let's begin.

Thrown together at a single table are the Gray Raven members, the Cerberus captain, a musician from WGAA, a taciturn maid, and a devil-tailed mechanoid girl... It sounds like the start of a bad joke, making the scene feel utterly bizarre.

Let me summarize the situation. A few days ago, the system automatically posted a birthday notification for the Gray Raven Commandant, visible only to the Commandant's contacts.

At that very moment, everyone who replied to the post, myself included, received a meeting alert. It seems we are all being asked to collaborate on planning a suitable celebration.

Considering how busy Gray Raven has been with missions lately, the birthday should be a chance for proper rest. I could prepare a specialized recuperation plan.

Oh, come on, it's a birthday, not a medical check-up! Relaxing can mean having fun, you know? I should take the Chosen One to a secret spot, somewhere no one would ever find us.

An undisclosed location? I must voice my strong opposition to that idea. The Commandant's safety is paramount.

Across from her, the red-haired Construct leans on one arm, chuckling softly as she drums her fingers on the table.

Why is this even a debate? The Commandant isn't going anywhere. I've already got plans—

Just finalized.

The projection device at the end of the table suddenly hums and lights up on its own. The dragon-winged knight from the Church of Machina shows up in the image, frowning in displeasure.

Let's settle this with a duel. I'm not going to lose.

A beautiful piece of theatre doesn't require such intense conflict... I believe a day of peaceful, quiet happiness is a precious gift in itself for the Commandant.

(Am I even supposed to be hearing this...?)

Familiar voices come through your earpiece, arguing about something, slowly waking you from a light afternoon nap.

You check your terminal. Turns out you got pulled into an online meeting. They're still busy debating over you, and no one's noticed you're already here.

(Should I be saying something right now?)

Meetings really do all fall into the same pattern... A small blessing the Commandant isn't here to witness this.

...(Better not.)

Everyone, please listen to me.

Liv seems to have made up her mind, drawing everyone's attention to herself.

If we can't agree on a single plan, perhaps we could each prepare our own gift or activity, and present all the options to the Commandant? Let the Commandant choose.

After all, the star of that day is the Commandant.

Everyone at the table falls silent for a moment, then starts nodding in agreement.

Why do I suddenly feel kind of relieved?(Sigh in relief)

Ooh, I like that! Let's turn our plans into blind boxes and put them in a gacha machine! "A thrilling surprise in every pull!" Humans are totally into that these days, right?

The little devil girl perks right up, waving her hand to open a few holographic screens and quickly building a cube model.

The WGAA has dabbled in blind box projects. The key is in the presentation...

Hm? Did the signal just cut off?

Just as unexpectedly as it appeared, the meeting room feed cuts out. You try to reconnect, but it's gone without a trace, as if it never existed.

Could that be part of the design too...?Now it's really making me curious.

Lunch break is ending. With a burning curiosity to see how the situation will develop, you head back to work.

Commandant's Lounge, Babylonia

Several Days Later

Several days later, Commandant's lounge, Babylonia.

The morning light feels soft and clear. Your schedule is completely empty. After being busy for so long, it feels strange to suddenly have a quiet day like this.

When you open the door, there's a familiar-looking metal cube box sitting there. Printed on it in neat letters are the words: "To Gray Raven Commandant: Please place your hand on the marked area for 3 seconds."

There's a little handwritten note stuck underneath: "If you don't do it, it'll jump up and bite you!"

(Try to find what might be the mouth on the box)Alright, alright, I'll do it.

You bring the box inside and place your hand on it like the instructions say. The box gives a soft hum, then a voice message starts to play. It's clearly been stitched together from different clips.

You opened it that easily? Where's your vigilance?

Looks like I'll have to keep a much closer watch on you from now on. Let's be clear: consider yourself held hostage by this recording. No moving until it's finished.

You've told me about the rewards. What about the punishments?(Instinctively flex your wrists)

To celebrate the day the universe was graced with you, Chosen One, I—ugh, fine, we—built this blind box machine.

Invitations, plans, keepsakes, clues... all are sealed within individual boxes, each a small mystery crafted for you.

The true magic lies in that moment when you open it with your own hands.

Each item inside is unique. Yet, they all share one common thread.

We just hope you enjoy today, and every moment that comes after.

A rustling static sound rises, followed by soft laughter drifting from somewhere far away.

Such conventional offerings from the others. They're squandering this precious, once-a-year chance. If you desire an experience that truly quickens the pulse... come find me. A delight, or a delicious fright?

The cube suddenly opens up, its metal pieces unfolding, flipping, and folding again like a flower blooming, revealing its precious core.

There are eight small boxes, each different, and one sparkling message: "Happy Birthday!"

Now then, which one should you open first?

Chapter Next >