A special edition debuts! [text]

[bulletnews]

BUNBUNMARU NEWSPOST, SPECIAL EDITION / 1st special of XXXX

Shoreline Stability Still Holding

The project undertaken last month to reclaim the beaches around Keystone Station from Fissure corruption appears to have been - and still be - a success, despite the editor's initial misgivings about the technology used. Naturally, the current readership at the time of publication will already know this; what follows is largely for the benefit of anyone reading this after it has been archived.

Prior to the completion of the project, simply looking into the ocean could cause the weaker-willed to begin walking to their own deaths by drowning, although no casualties were ever confirmed or even sighted. While this was likely the most obvious and dangerous hazard of the corruption, others existed, including vicious sand-dwelling predators and unseen forces that attempted to grab and drag the unwary over the edge of the cliffs to the north, which is still relatively dangerous on account of being slick and due to its proximity to another corrupted area.

Perhaps most relieving is that the seagulls on the beach no longer attempt to steal everything in sight and are content to only try for light snacks.

Murderous Mystery Machine???

Sometime last month, observers noted a strange disk-like entity moving autonomously and clearly brandishing a knife.

Despite its small size, its apparent durability and skill at the use of weapons should not be underestimated. Please exercise caution if you see it, although no sightings have been recorded or reported for several weeks.

Cultural Notes: Dueling with Spell Cards

One of the more common methods of conflict resolution in Gensokyo is a kind of magical duel using "cards".

There are several reasons for this, although chiefly it allows for battles to be conducted in a way that allows even weaker combatants a chance to win. In addition, it allows youkai to fight and defeat the Hakurei shrine maiden without killing her, which is important as Gensokyo cannot continue to exist without her.

In such a duel, combatants agree to the following terms:

- That attacks for use in these duels are named and written and become Spell Cards.
- That the power of a Spell Card is in its meaning, rather than its force.
- A number of Spell Cards to be used by each combatant.
- That Spell Cards will be declared when used.
- That the first combatant to have all of their Spell Cards beaten is defeated.
- That the defeated combatant that will admit defeat even if they have strength remaining.
- That any human combatants will not be killed as a result of being struck by their opponent's Spell Cards or as part of the terms of the duel as a whole.

Despite the name, a Spell Card does not need to be a magical attack, nor does it need to be conducted by its user's own power. Several high-profile duelists use special equipment such as magic reactors, sealing needles, and talismans, and other duelists use ordinary items such as umbrellas and sweet potatoes in their Spell Cards.

(If you wish to make a submission to the Cultural Notes column, please contact the editor.)

Editor's Note: Why the Special Editions exist

Given that already this many people from multiple realities have been drawn into this one, it seems wise to have records of what we've done here. As such, while it may no longer be distributed on paper, the Bunbunmaru News will continue.