Hi! It's me! To anyone who has read this far: way to go you! So far I have a lack of reviews for this story… but I'm hoping to get some soon! So here is is: the fifth installment of Maple Story!
Ininja felt a sharp pain in his side. He pried his eyes open. He was lying face down on a paved staircase in Kerning City. He flipped himself over onto his back. His eyes blurred into focus. Hvonru helped him up.
"You get used to scroll travel after a while," Hvonru said "I didn't want to have to use those, they were my last two. I suppose I'll just have to get some new ones!"
"I can't breath." Ininja gasped.
"That would be the pollution, you get used to that too."
Ininja studied his surroundings, mostly tall, brick buildings. A sign flickered that said Fusion Bar Jazz. Maplers and non-Maplers passed by. A particularly large crowd was gathered around three sewage holes and a woman holding a staff, most of them were yelling word Ininja couldn't make out. His breathing began to return to him.
"I'm here, now what?"
"You said you were going to be a thief right?" Ininja nodded "Then you need to see Dark Lord. His hide out is actually in the Fusion Bar Jazz. Go to the restroom; a sign will say they are out of order though. The toilet is actually a ladder to the basement; Dark Lord is there. I doubt that's his real name."
"Thanks, how do you know that?"
"I've met a lot of people. While you are in there I'll see about getting you some proper cloths!"
"Wow, thanks!"
Hvonru walked away; Ininja cautiously stepped into the Fusion Bar Jazz, a foul stench welcomed him. He descended down the staircase. The room consisted of the counter, some tattered stool in front, a few tables, and a wall behind the counter with bottles on it. All of these were blue. No one was in the building, or so it seemed. Ininja entered the room labeled rest room.
There was only one, filthy, toilet. Ininja gagged. He peered down the bowl to find a rope was attached to its side. The rope lowered down to another floor. Ininja held his breath and began climbing down the rope. When he got below the toilet he jumped to the ground and exhaled.
A raised platform lay in front of him, but no one was in sight. He stepped onto the platform. "Hello? Anyone around?" he called. There was no answer. He couldn't shake the feeling someone was watching him.
"You'll never become a thief if you can't even see me!" a voice called. Startled, Ininja looked toward the ceiling where the voice came from. A man was standing upside down on the ceiling! Much like Peregrine, the man was dressed in all black except for a red scarf. "Are you that surprised to see me on the ceiling? You really aren't cut out to be a thief!"
"Are you Dark Lord?" Ininja stammered.
"That would be me!" Dark Lord jumped down. "I take it you're here to become a thief?" Ininja nodded. "Then you have a lot of work to do. First things first," Dark lord reached over to a desk and pulled out a box, "you'll need a weapon." The box contained a large glove and a short dagger. "The garnier, the glove, allows you to throw stars from afar. That is the path of an assassin. The triangular zamadar is for head to head combat, this is the path of a bandit. Once you choose you can not turn back, so pick wisely!"
Ininja hesitated. He picked up the zamadar. "You are sure of this decision?" Ininja nodded. "Then welcome to the minority" Dark Lord grinned"
"What do you mean?" Ininja asked.
"There's a ratio of about 1:5 of bandits to assassins." Dark Lord said. Before Ininja could ask why Dark Lord answered, "They're all cowards who are too lazy to get up and fight head to head! I admire you for being original," Dark Lord clasped his hand on Ininja's shoulder; Ininja shrank back. "I too am a bandit, I will show you the way of us" Ininja began to question the level of Dark Lord's sanity.
Dark Lord whipped out a short dagger and said, "Come at me! I want to test your skills!" Ininja hesitated, but lunged at Dark Lord. He, unexpectedly, was considerably faster than when he fought that orange mushroom in the L- Forest. He went too fast which threw him off balance, and Dark Lord struck Ininja in the chest with his fist. Ininja smashed his face on the ground. "You need to work on control" Dark Lord said much calmer than before. "On that note, I leave you on your own. Continue training and improving your skill and such. I recommend learning Double Stab first." Ininja got to his feet. "Train on like slimes or something. Just don't die"
Ininja grasped back onto the rope and pulled himself up. Dark Lord called out as Ininja reached the upper floor, "Use your speed to your advantage. I see much potential in you."
Ininja held back saying "And I see almost none in you! Thanks for nothing!" But he left the bar quietly.
The outside light filled Ininja's eyes as he stepped out. The familiar scent of oil filled his nostrils, but he was used to that by now. He felt fresh and renewed. Much stronger than when he had first entered the bar.
I better find Hvonru first. Ininja thought and headed to his right.