Vueko

"Vueko"

- "The Golden City, home to creatures greater than man." It wasn't something we couldn't handle. It was a trap for vapid humans, made out of useless gold.

Vueko, whose full name is Vueroeruko, was a captive woman who was chained by her neck in a deep pit of sludge beneath The Village of Ilblu before Riko set her free.

Appearance
Vueko, due to her long imprisonment, has very long hair that seems to have taken a slightly slimy consistency. After being freed, Riko gave her a vast amount of clothing bought from Ilblu's market to hide her identity.

After being affected by the the curse of the 6th layer and taking on characteristics of a cursed Narehate, her appearance has deformed animalistic characteristics and she loses the ability to speak in full coherent sentences though her mind is still intact.

Personality
Vueko has a rather meek and shy behavior. Her banishment only heightened these traits of her personality; going as far as getting flustered at the mere sight of Reg.

Early Life
Vueko, an orphan, who was raised by Juroimoh, a cruel man who physically and verbally abused her continually. He had illusions of grandeur, believing he was "playing the leading part" and that he had been "entrusted" with the Golden City, which he constantly boasted to Vueko.

One day while fishing at sea, Juroimoh and a few fishermen spotted a smoldering, wrecked ship. All that remained of the crew were their mutilated corpses and a single man, barely alive, cowering in the stateroom. This man babbled wildly about a monstrous, man-eating hole and a Golden City at the bottom. Before succumbing to his injuries, the injured sailor gave Juroimoh the Star Compass that points at the location of the Abyss.

Ganja Arc
As she grew older, Vueko inherited the compass, and trained to be a Delver, so that she could flee her life and find the city herself. As an adult she joined the Ganja suicide corps, led by Wazukyan, whose goal was the same as hers. Despite her lack of self-confidence, she eventually became one of the Ganja's Three Sages. They followed the compass, reached the Abyss, and started their descent. When, they met a native girl, Irumyuui, who had been abandoned by her tribe as offering to the Abyss. The Ganja decided to take her with them and acted as their guide.

During Ganja's advance to the 6th layer they met some Interference Units and learned of the curse. Accepting that they wouldn't be able to return to the surface, Ganja set up a permanent camp on the 6th layer. During their time in the camp, Vueko and Irumyuui grew very close to each other and Vueko developed a mother-like bond with her.

Despite having developed a stable home, food, and water supply, many of members of the Ganja and Irumyuui suddenly fell gravely ill. Belaf deduced that their water, the only water they had, was the cause. Upon further investigation, Belaf discovered the water to be an organism with the appearance and viscosity of water, and it would transform its hosts into misshapen blocks of stone.

As the group anxiously sought a cure and new water, a team that had been scavenging returned with an egg shaped Relic. Wazukyan asked the Interference Units if they understood its powers and they believed is was the Cradle of Desire, which could fulfill the holder's deepest wish. However the minds of adults are too "messy or complex" for it and it would most likely work for a child, due to them having less complex thoughts. Vueko requested it to be given to Irumyuui in hope to save, and after Wazukyan had agreed, Vueko placed the egg on Irumyuui's chest. When Irumyuui finally awoke the egg had fused with her body, becoming a sphere on her chest, but the pain was gone and she continued to transform.

Due to her wish, Irumyuui kept giving birth to Neritantan- like offspring, but they died soon after birth due to being born without organs for ingestion. This caused Irumyuui great grief and Vueko comforted her. Later on, Vueko fell ill as well and was not able to comfort Irumyuui anymore. During the time of her illness Wazukyan fed her something she described to taste delicious with a scent of fat. Upon awaking, Vueko was healed. Seemingly, she has a bad feeling about what Wazukyan gave her to eat and upon questioning him he revealed the others had been healed as well, saying "That kid saved us all."

The food Wazukyan had fed Vueko, Belaf and other Ganja members, who gotten infected by the "Pseudowater", was broth made from Irumyuui’s children and to his surprise it not only gave nourishment to the infected, but also alleviated the symptoms of their infection.

Vueko, flustered and worried, was asked by Wazukyan if she wanted to see Irumyuui. Upon arrival Vueko was horrified to see that Irumyuui had transformed even more, barely even recognizable but still able to recognize Vueko.

Irumyuui had given birth to another child and was caressing it, but Wazukyan took it from her in order to butcher it. Irumyuui pleadingly cried out because she didn’t want to give up her child and seeing this, Vueko requested to let Irumyuui at least stay with her child until it had died. Wazukyan, apologetically, declined that request, due to having discovered the meat works better the fresher it is and killed Irumyuui’s child with a knife. Shaken by that sight, Vueko apologized to Irumyuui in tears and contemplated her own weakness of being unable to help her. Irumyuui comforted her by giving her a hug and telling her she is fine as long Vueko stayed with her and Vueko quietly sobbed unsure of what kind of hell will awaited them.

The following days, Irumyuui’s children continued to be used as nourishment for the Ganja members. Belaf, who had tried to rather starve than eating them, was seen being so weak that Vueko had to force feed him. While he still pleaded to her to stop, Vueko thought to herself that this must be what hell is like.

Then one day, Vueko, while being with Irumyuui, discovered the Cradle of Desire in a scar that had opened up in Irumyuui’s chest and was perplexed since she was sure it had broken. Wazukyan arrived at the scene and told Vueko he had the Interference Units search for another one, because Irumyuui had been growing weaker and he feared she might not survive much longer without a second Cradle to fulfill her another wish. Suddenly, Irumyuui started getting restless and began moving. Vueko tried asking her what’s wrong, but got no response and Wazukyan, ominously, told her that it was almost "time to see Irumyuui’s true wish being fulfilled".

Irumyuui continued moving and Wazukyan instructed the other members to stay close to Irumyuui and follow her, while he carried Belaf. Suddenly Irumyuui stopped moving and started consuming flying predators with tentacles growing out of her. Belaf still pained by guilt requested to also be eaten by her and offered himself up to Irumyuui. A giant hole opened up in Irumyuui, allowing Belaf to walk right inside her. As Belaf’s flesh was consumed he was simultaneously reconstructed and transformed into a Narehate. The other Ganja members, struck by the "beauty" of Belaf’s new form, concluded that they would be forgiven for eating Irumyuui’s children if they offer themselves up to her in the same way and Wazukyan proclaimed that this is the home they had been looking for.

Only Vueko hesitated. Wazukyan noticed that and asked her what was wrong. Vueko told him she doesn’t think this is what Irumyuui truly wished for and upon being asked by Wazukyan what she intends to do, she proceeded moving backwards to fall down a near cliff. As she jumped off she told Wazukyan she won’t let anybody else have Irumyuui's last wish. Wazukyan manages to grab on to her leg before she falls off, but Vueko hit her head on the stonewall and passed out, but before doing so noticed that Wazukyan had also used a Cradle of Desire on himself.

When she woke up she found herself bound and in the dark pit Riko would later find her in. Wazukyan, now also turned into a Narehate, told her she is currently inside what used to be Irumyuui’s head as it’s the closest point Vueko could be to her. Vueko asked Wazukyan why he used a Cradle on himself, even though the Units warned them that adults would suffer from using one, and Wazukyan told her he did it in order to give the others faith in Irumyuui. He also told her, while being in the dark pit, she will be able to feel Irumyuui’s emotions and can watch over her from now on and leaves her.

In the darkness Vueko is left in, she is able to receive signals from various places. Vueko also received signals from the now mindless Irumyuui and is able to tell because Irumyuui still had the second Cradle her last true final wish is granted: The birth of her last child, Faputa, who one day will take revenge for all her dead brethren.

As Vueko senses Faputa’s birth she was relieved that Irumyuui didn’t forgive them after all and it can be seen, as the Interference Units quickly approach Faputa, she destroys them quickly before fleeing. Vueko still in the darkness started to sense the signals of Irumyuui’s dead children, named them and stayed in the darkness until Riko found her.

Ilblu Arc
Riko discovers Vueko in the dark pit while she is searching for Nanachi and Reg. Riko was surprised to find someone being bound in such a cave and asks Vueko who she is and why she is imprisoned. Vueko timidly introduces herself to Riko and tells her that she was banished because she opposed the founding of Ilblu.

But as she watched the village develop her opinion changed; she didn't believe it to be so bad anymore because everyone was a narehate. She hopes to be freed one day, but thinks Riko probably won't free a potential dangerous person she just met. However, Riko sets her free without hesitation, believing her to pose no danger.

Afterwards, both of them climb out of the small pit and Riko disguises Vueko with various items to make sure she isn't recognized in the village. After they get back Vueko points Riko to Belafu's house, thinking Nanachi must be there. She remains outside because she is afraid of Belaf recognizing her.

After Riko gets back, Vueko asks what happened inside to make Riko so dejected. The scene is interrupted by a Fuzosheppu attacking the village. While the village is under attack by it, Vueko watches Juroimoh fight the Fuzosheppu and is disappointed that he loses. After the battle, Vueko accidentally makes a relieved comment that makes Moogie suspicious and asks Vueko who she is. Vueko thinks she can't keep it a secret any longer and begins to tell her backstory.

After Vueko has finished telling her story all of the listeners look truly surprised. Vueko tells them that Faputa has inherited the three Cradles from Irumyuui, and thus Irumyuui lost the power to maintain the village, but is kept alive by the new value brought in by visitors of the village. Faputa is trying to free her mother, Irumyuui, which would mean the destruction of the village. She also tells them it is not easy to leave the village after having entered it once. Riko asks her if it’s possible to convince Faputa from abandoning her wish to destroy the village, but Vueko tells her she most likely wouldn’t listen. Riko also ask what Vueko is going to do now, and Vueko responds that all she wants to do for now is not forget Irumyuui.

After Reg returns with parts of Faputa, the village itself reacts to them. Reg panics and contemplates to bring the parts to Belaf right away, but is stopped by Vueko because she assumes seeing them could drive Belaf insane. When Vueko asks Reg how he acquired the parts, Reg tells her Faputa gave them to him so that he would fulfill his promise.

Wazukyan, who had eavesdropped the conversation, concludes Reg must have been "The Prince" and is surprised Reg managed to secure parts of "The Princess". He also casually greets Vueko, expresses his joy of her finally being able to leave her pit, and asks her if she already told them about "The Princess". Vueko reluctantly confirms she has, but notes she told the story from her point of view.

After the conversation between Wazukyan, Riko and the villagers, Juroimoh shows up and starts attacking. Wazukyan quickly grabs Vueko and moves to a higher position to avoid Juroimoh. Reg manages to draw Juroimoh's attention and a fight erupts between them, which leads to Juroimoh transforming into a even more monstrous form with/ from the dark gooey liquid masses. While observing, Vueko asks Wazukyan why Juroimoh has the same name as her adoptive father who used to abuse her. Wazukyan explains that Irumyuui created Juroimoh from the signals she received from Vueko and Juroimoh is the very will of the village itself.

Both Wazukyan and Vueko observe Reg's battle against Juroimoh. While Wazukyan is excited, like watching a sport competition, Vueko shouts at Reg that the Ilblu Balancing won't work on Juroimoh.

Shortly after Reg fired his incinerator, Faputa arrives. Faputa tells the onlooking villagers she will not forgive their sins and the time for their "extermination" has come.

As Vueko and Wazukyan witness the battle and destruction, iron rain of the 6th layer starts to fall. This leads to Wazukyan using his own body to shield Vueko and himself from it.

When Faputa turns to attack Riko, Vueko, scared for Riko's safety tells Wazukyan to let her go, but he informs her she would just get killed if she were to try to help.

After Belaf's death, Vueko is saddened by what happened to Belaf but Wazukyan is relieved as Belaf has shared his feelings with Faputa, and thus Faputa most likely wouldn't kill Vueko now; though he assumes he would be in real trouble now. Wazukyan apologizes to Vueko before wrapping her in the rest of his body and leaping down with her.

At some point after Wazukyan had leaped down with Vueko, she started travelling upwards in the village. While she is doing so, Vueko is reminiscing about her past with Ganja, how she encountered Riko, and how Riko has accomplished so much while she wasn't able to decide for herself.

Lost in her thoughts, she is suddenly brought back out of them as the curse of the 6th layer affecting her starting from one of her legs due to the boundary having vanished enough. As she starts losing her humanity, she is suddenly saved by Pakkoyan and thrown back down outside the reach of the curse. This leads to Pakkoyan vanishing due to her being outside the boundary of the village.

Nanachi quickly approaches Vueko, takes her back to the others, and the group plans to make their way back to Faputa, having sent Reg ahead beforehand already.

When Faputa notices the rest of the group after they had made their way back and approaches them, upon seeing Vueko in her transformed state, Faputa seems sorrowful and expresses she will direct her attention to Vueko later.

As the village starts to crumble and fade away after Faputa starts the progress of dismantling the village, Vueko, who is among the onlookers reminisces about how she never was able to forgive herself for eating Irumyuui's children and her not having been able to perish with Irumyuui, as well as having come to release that Irumyuui wanted more than just that. In her inner monologue, Vueko thanks Irumyuui for having treated her as human, that she has come to acceptance with the sin she has to carry for seeing off Irumyuui first, and how it is her very own warm darkness.

After the village had been completely destroyed, as Faputa slowly wakes up again she takes notice of Vueko.

Vueko tries to verbally communicate with Faputa, but Faputa tells her that there is no need for Vueko to try to speak as she can hear them anyway. Faputa tells Vueko that she did not know of her existence until Belaf showed her his memories via his scent. Faputa tells Vueko that she wants to learn more about the mother she never got to know. As Faputa questions if she really resembles her mother that much, Vueko clarifies that while not in personality, her smoothness and warmth are similar. Faputa also tells Vueko that she thought she had inherited everything from her mother, however, the memories of Vueko's existance were nowhere to be found within her. This leads Faputa to assume that Irumyuui cared about Vueko so deeply that she didn't want to part with any part of Vueko, to the point of not even letting Faputa have her memories.

Vueko's thoughts drift to old hearsay of trash turning to Gold, her final thought on this is how ironic it is that she recalls this now. As her consciousness begins to grow weaker, Vueko addresses Faputa as Irumyuui, and tells her how happy she was to have encountered Irumyuui and the change she had due to meeting her. Afterwards, she passes away which saddens Faputa much to her confusion due to Vueko belonging to her mother and not her.

Specific Knowledge
As a former Sage of Ganja, Vueko possesses knowledge about the history of Ilblu's creation, and the 6th layer.