Disclaimer: I don't own the Legend of Mana or any other game series. If I did, I'd release Legend of Mana on the PS4, the eventual PS5, and every other Sony system.
Chapter 8: There's Always Something
Day 4: Jinn Day: 4:32 AM
Hyssop calmly left his humble abode near the edge of the glade and took one of his black Chocobos from the stables. The bird crouched down, allowing Hyssop to climb aboard its back and take ahold of the majestic mount's reins. The cloaked Chobin Hood disappeared into the darkness of the woods, none wise to his departure.
Under the watch of the crescent moon, Hyssop's grey cloak rustled with every bound the bird took. He forwent his tribe's traditional garb and donned a set of well-crafted leather armor and a bone mask obscured by his hood. The dark mantle and bleached vizard granted Hyssop the guise of death, increasing his intimidation.
His arrival to Duma Desert was not a pleasurable one.
A frenzied squall lashed out against Hyssop like an angry viper and kicked up clouds of sand in its turbulent tantrum through the rolling, yellow dunes. The tiny granular attackers scattered and spread ahead of him, creating a dense fog. Hyssop ushered his mount onwards until they happened upon an outcrop where they took shelter and waited for the sandstorm to die down.
The pair huddled down and Hyssop pressed his back against the wall of their rocky haven. His hidden fur protected him against the stone's cold touch and he checked his equipment one last time with what remaining visibility he had. "The bounty hunter was correct."
A few days prior, a grizzled man, radiating confidence, believed it a swell idea to seek the bounty placed on one of their own. His arrogance blinded him, leading to the bounty hunter severely underestimating the difficulty of the task and found himself at the tribe's mercy. In exchange for his life, the man spoke of a recent attack on the White Forest.
The Ascensionists, a notorious group of Ixal, amassed 50 of their number and launched an assault for the purpose of obtaining Dior Wood. While their actions were nothing new, what piqued Hyssop's interest, and that of the others, was the wood's known properties.
Dior Wood was one of the rarest and most sought after crafting materials in the world. The prized resource was also infamous in just how arduous it was to procure. The 40 cooled corpses serving as monster chow in the White Forest testified to that fact. The only other locations where the wood could be acquired were Gato Grottoes, where the nuns lived, and one place long lost to time.
The bounty hunter informed them that the remaining members of the failed onslaught were last spotted moving towards Duma Desert.
Weighing the costs, Hyssop chose to take care of the matter alone. He felt it sound considering the struggles his people were already facing without adding another burdensome load. Hyssop did, however, alert a handpicked group of his friends to his imminent undertaking and had them on standby, lying in wait to collect the wood when he was done.
The wind died down with the arrival of the sun. The burning sphere peaked over the horizon, announced by a steadily climbing heat that scared away the night's remaining chill. The cloudy sky was cast in mesmerizing shades of yellow, purple, and blue whilst the sands changed into a lovely pink hue.
Hyssop, fully aware the storm was unnatural, climbed back onto the bird. The Chocobo stood up and shook its feathers free of sand. He stroked the avian's plumage gently, the bird leaning into his touch, and rode amongst the seemingly endless hills, passing many skeletons that were unearthed along the way.
All of the skeletal remains outshone Hyssop in the height department, not much of an achievement given his species, and were just as much victims of the sun as Hyssop's mask. The skeletons varied in structure from reptilian to bull-like with pointed horns. The latter's skulls were reminiscent of those seen in Old Western movies. All that was missing was a tumbleweed.
Hyssop lifted his mask just enough for his whiskers to sense vibrations in the air and his ears picked up faint chanting a short distance away. They trekked to the top of the next dune and Hyssop surveyed the area.
Down at the bottom of the hill, the 10 remaining Ixal chanted fervently in a circular formation.
Five stone pillars lined the circumference of the circle and each was carved with intricate runes depicting Ixal dancing around a massive, feathered woman. To every monolith, two chanters sat at the base with their backs faced towards it. The believers all had their hands spreads out, palms facing the sky to beckon their true leader. All of them bowed their heads in reverence. They closed their eyes tightly, desperately wishing yet too unworthy to behold the overwhelming beauty and magnificence they aimed to unleash.
A sizeable, three-ringed sigil composed of blue mana floated a foot off the ground between them. Glyphs dotted each ring and pulsed with a malicious energy. Hyssop was wholly unfamiliar with the symbols and couldn't decipher them, but common sense dictated exactly what was happening.
The Ixal were a bird-like race who were lithe in stature and in possession of curved horns and toothed beaks. Feathers grew from their arms near the elbow, but lacked any wings. The Ixal made up for this by being exceptionally tall. When comparing to other races, Hyssop would come up to an Ixal's knee while Sean would reach their hips.
Hyssop took out his bow and nocked a special arrow, taking a moment to eye the pile of wood resting under the sigil. Fiery red mana coalesced around the arrow's head, producing a gentle warmth. Rather than target a chanter, Hyssop aimed the projectile at the nearest obelisk. He knew a ritual when he saw one and didn't want to kill one of the Ascensionists, in case the intended death acted as a sacrifice and the final key to completing their plan.
Hyssop let the arrow fly and it exploded on impact, shattering the column to pieces. One of the Ixal was crushed under the heavy stone and his buddy was showered with rubble.
The sigil dissipated in wisps and situational awareness sank into the Ascensionists, who grabbed their double-headed axes and war hammers in preparation for battle. Foolishly, none of them were armed with long-range weapons. The followers were forced to abandon most of their equipment behind in favor of pleasing their goddess.
The summoners also left themselves vulnerable since the pillars were their only available cover.
Hyssop didn't wait his turn and his Chocobo raced down the dune, nocking three arrows on the way. One summoner concentrated mana into the sand and called upon the power of the earth to dispose of the interloper. The mighty bird leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the massive, erupting hand that would've surely crushed them and dragged them into the forgotten depths.
The hand followed the pair relentlessly till Hyssop fired. All three arrows were knocked to the ground by another chanter, his axe raised and ready to fight unlike half of their number who started to flee.
These projectiles were special like the first one and transformed the sand into freezing, glacier blue ice.
The cold touch of death spread far enough to leave the pillars frosted and crept up the legs of those who were foolish enough to stay, near instantly covering their bodies and leaving them immobilized as macabre sculptures. Their faces were twisted in surprise and anger, eyes widened and narrowed at how such a small creature could defeat them.
The stragglers raced up the dune with an obelisk to their backs to block Hyssop's shots. The Chobin Hood simply altered his arrows' trajectory and pierced through two of their skulls, arrows entering the back and exiting out the front between their eyes.
The other two crested the hilltop and escaped his line of fire.
Hyssop's whiskers twitched at a sudden displacement of air, however, and his ears made out the sound of growling and agonized screams.
He scanned the area for anymore enemies and, with the coast clear, rode down to the summoning circle. Hyssop nocked regular arrows and shattered each of the Ixal into ice crystals which melted under the sun's scorching heat.
Hyssop shot another arrow into the sky which exploded into a cloud of purple smoke, signaling his tribesmen to assist him in moving the wood somewhere safe.
His eyes lingered for a few seconds on the spot where the two chanters escaped, but he didn't dwell on it too much and waited for his friends to arrive. His main concern was his real leader and if she obtained the required Altena Alloy to rid themselves of their "problem."
Nil's POV
"Nothing like the sight of blood to get the day started," Nil said, smirking faintly. He returned Voice of Our Teeth to his back and took a seat on his Desert Wolf, the loyal beast's muzzle stained red with its freshest kill.
The Desert Wolf's bite was strong enough to tear a Chobin Hood in two, the speed to outrun a Chocobo, and the cleverness of a fox. In fact, Thrill of the Hunt had fox in his genealogy. It could be seen in the shape of his muzzle and the dark whiskers growing from his face.
Common amongst the species was the sand-colored fur, giving them a similar appearance to fennec foxes.
Nil himself was a young man in his late 20s to early 30s with lightly tanned skin. In spite of his lifestyle, Nil didn't wear much in the way of clothes. All he wore was an open red vest, a pair of grey pants overlaid by a piece of blue fabric attached to his muted yellow belt, leather archer vambraces, and a headdress adorned with a multitude of red feathers. They spilled over the back of his head like rain washing away the blood on a battlefield.
White metal plating sparsely covered his brown shoes, vambraces, and shoulders and the same material was sewn into his vest and blue fabric, offering minimal protection. The headdress, constructed of white, red, and black-colored steel, hid a head of black hair which went well with his stormy grey eyes.
Under each eye, a straight line tattoo crawled down to his upper check with a small circle at the ends. A trimmed black moustache and anchor goatee complemented his appearance.
A piece of red cloth hung loosely from around his neck.
Nil gave their recent kills a brief glance, one with his throat torn out and the other, an arrow through the eye. The three optics were transfixed in dread from when Thrill burst from the sand. Nil was disappointed he didn't get more of a fight, but one should only enjoy the kill as much as the challenge.
He took in the distant carnage like one would the grass on the ground or leaves on a tree. It was a familiar sight, one he's seen a million times. Still, Nil held an appreciation for the craft and admired the effectiveness of Hyssop's kills like one would a painting in a fine art gallery.
"It's a shame you lot couldn't put up more of a fight." Cool as a cucumber, Nil steered Thrill onwards away from the area. "But it is what it is."
Nil reached into his pocket and pulled out a crystal. Blue and white energies swirled around each other inside in a hypnotic dance. He gave it a closer examination and heard a faint voice trying to give him orders, promising power and rewards beyond his wildest dreams.
Nil looted it from his own kill, thinking it might be worth something. The dead Ixal protected it like a mother would her precious child. He returned it to his pocket, not in the least bit interested in any offers, and kept going.
He idly scratched Thrill behind the ear as they moved on. "Still, this gift should lead to more fun down the road." Nil's blood sang in anticipation of future kills and he relished the feeling. It was comforting—like being home.
Day 5: Dryad Day
Duelle POV
While Sean was busy taking in the atmosphere, Duelle left to do some shopping.
Their earlier conversation and the information he found in the World History book got the onion thinking, "What if he's right?" Duelle didn't fully believe in the threats that Sean purported to exist, but he believed that Sean believed in them. And, if they turned out to be true, then it wouldn't hurt to be more prepared for them.
That's why he was headed towards his friend's shop for a long overdue visit.
With his head in the clouds, Duelle didn't notice Koroku running his way. The Shiba Inu darted past him into an alleyway with the chain of sausage links still in his mouth. The speed at which Koroku ran caused the onion to spin in a circle when the dog bumped into him.
Duelle stopped himself and paused to get reoriented when he heard heavy footfalls approaching. The onion dove out of the way to avoid being crushed by the butcher's weight.
"Watch where you're going, pipsqueak!" The man shouted at him. He looked around and couldn't spot Koroku anywhere. The butcher fumed and stomped back to his shop, cursing under his breath all the while.
Duelle picked himself up and brushed the dirt off his clothes. He sent a scowl at the departing man's back. "Jeez, what a jerk."
The onion warrior resumed his walk until he found himself at a blacksmith's shop.
The shop was a two-story tall wooden building with a red-tile roof. Over the front entrance, there was a portico, with the same red tiles, supported by wooden posts. Attached to the portico, a black, metal sign reading "Wyld Arms" hung by some chains.
On the right side of the building, there was an open area where passerby could stop and see the blacksmith at work. However, the public couldn't gain access since the entrance to the forge was inside the shop itself. A few anvils were spaced apart and tools of the trades, hammers and tongs being prime examples, either hung on the walls or relaxed on workbenches.
Duelle entered "Wyld Arms" with the jingling of a bell announcing his presence.
The air was heavy with the scent of sawed wood blended with oranges. All of the displays and countertop shined in cleanliness, not a speck of dust to be found anywhere. The floors were swept and the ceiling fans offered minimal comfort as Duelle perused the shelves, racks, and displays of polished battle equipment. There were enough armaments on sale to supply a small army.
Duelle was examining a buckler when someone stomped down the stairs.
"Duelle! I haven't seen you in some time." The seeq stated with a friendly grin. She proceeded to pick the onion warrior up and hugged his face into her ample chest. To an outside observer, it looked like she was hugging a teddy bear.
Wylda was a young woman of 28 years with blue skin over most of her body except her stomach, chest, and around her muzzle where it was more of a tan color. Aside from the grey horn on top of her head, Wylda was only an inch or two taller than Sean. From her bottom lip, two small white tusks poked out.
She had purple eyes along with a pair of long ears and possessed no hair. Wylda was slightly chubby in the stomach, but not unhealthily so, and held a great figure. Her arms and legs were muscular from all of her blacksmithing and workouts. Behind her, Wylda's tail swished from side-to-side with her movements and there was a red tuft of fur at the end of it.
She wore a brown blacksmith's apron over a white shirt which by this point was covered in black stains from working with the coal forge. To protect her hands, Wylda wore a thick pair of brown gloves and wore special black shoes on her 'feet.'
"It's nice to see you, too." Came Duelle's muffled reply. Wylda usually did this whenever he dropped by and has long since gotten used to it. "Now, can you let me go? It's hard to breath with your breasts in my face."
Wylda removed the onion's face from her bosom, but still held him in her hands and Duelle took a deep breath of that sweet, sweet air.
"Are you okay?"
Duelle nodded. "Yeah. My life flashed before my eyes, but I'll be fine."
"What have you been up to?" Wylda asked. She set Duelle down on the citrus-scented counter. "Last time you were here, you mentioned trouble with some Bangaa."
"Eh, it's been taken care of, more or less." Duelle did a so-so hand gesture, not really wanting to get into it right now. "How about yourself?"
"The same as always though business has picked up lately." Wylda replied. She grabbed a nearby hand towel and wiped the soot stains off her face. "So, is this just a friendly visit or did you finally want upgrade from toothpick?" Wylda pointed at Duelle's spear, clearly not the least bit impressed by the weapon.
"Hey, it may be small, but it's how you use it that counts," Duelle joked. However, his thoughts drifted back to why he was there in the first place. Not to mention the recent surge in monster attacks which correlated with Wylda's increase in sales. "But yeah, I'd like you to improve this."
Duelle handed his weapon to Wylda who took it and heavily scrutinized it.
The spear was well taken care of with no rolls or scratches on the blade. Duelle regularly performed maintenance on his weapon and kept it clean of dirt, blood, and other substances.
"Wouldn't you rather replace toothpick with something better?" Wylda gently waved the spear around. "I can give you good deal." She pointed at the spear rack with the tip of his own and gave him a hopeful look. "Get you a buckler, too."
Wylda didn't pity Duelle for his short stature, but knew that it would hinder him physically in contrast to other warriors out there. With all the monsters roaming about, the onion could easily become a quick snack and she wanted him better protected.
Duelle shook his head. "I can't give it up. Gungnir's been with me for years and has seen me through more trouble than I can count." Despite the spear's appearance, with its flimsy-looking, stick-like shaft, the weapon was very tough. At times, Duelle swore he could feel energy coursing through it just waiting to be unleashed. "I'll take you up on the buckler since you're offering."
Wylda sighed. "Very well. I'll improve this for you." She liked Duelle and prayed that his sentimentality didn't get him killed one day.
The onion warrior smiled at her and jokingly responded, "You sure it's not too much for you."
Wylda snorted. "Please. Tiny spear is child's play compared to my regular work." She stepped away from the counter, making sure to set Duelle back onto the floor as she did, and opened the door to the forge. "I'll turn this thing into a proper weapon in no time." Wylda grinned at him over her shoulder.
"I don't doubt it," Duelle replied. He went back to looking at the bucklers since he was too short to properly use a shield. Wylda entered the forge and started hammering away.
Biggs POV
"Man," Biggs complained quietly. "Why'd I have to be the one to get saddled with this?"
In his hands, there was a stack of fliers and wanted posters ready for the notification board.
The Major originally planned to catch some z's since he and the others were up all the previous night, but Biggs knew in the back of his mind that someone from the precinct would eventually come knocking and nag him to get his job done.
Rather than having to deal with that, Biggs sucked up his irritation and exhaustion and trudged back to the station after Wedge and Emily began their search for Juan. The Major overheard another officer mention that Inspector Boyd would begin the interrogations soon, but he couldn't give a crap.
Biggs wasn't allowed to question witnesses or suspects anymore, not after his temper created a few past incidents. Personally, he didn't think he did anything wrong. Sure, Biggs might've roughed the suspects up a bit, but if the case was solved, what was the harm.
"Buncha pansies," he muttered on his way through town.
Biggs was well-known amongst the populace for his anger and he was given a wide berth. The townspeople didn't regard the Major with fear. Rather, their emotions ranged from feelings of gratitude to weariness with the expectancy that any little thing would set the man off.
The Major arrived at the notice board with little interruption and tacked on a couple wanted posters with the addition of requests for assistance. Menial tasks regularly flooded the board and it was all due to a stupid prank pulled off by barmy brats.
The first wanted poster depicted a wily-looking vixen with luscious red fur and a mischievous smile. The sly fox wore a gold necklace and a white, low-cut gypsy dress.
WANTED
DEAD or ALIVE
"Bandit King" Scarlet
L 50,000
The second poster portrayed a female Chobin Hood in a forest green tunic and grey hood. Her expression was calm and her brilliant citrine eyes regarded the viewer with a tranquil air.
WANTED
DEAD or ALIVE
"Jeweled Sniper" Schierke
L 30,000
Biggs started tidying up the notice board to give himself enough room to place everything when he heard a voice that could ruin anyone's day.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Major Biggs. Hard at work, I see."
Biggs quietly exhaled and kept to his task, not bothering to turn around. "What'd you want, Magissa?"
"Now, now, is that anyway for an officer to greet a lady?"
"If I was actually speakin' to one, but you're nothin' but a bitch."
"Ohohoho…" Magissa laughed with her hand raised to her mouth. "Such biting words. No wonder no one wants to be around you except that toady of yours. Tell me, where is he now?"
"Hey, Wedge is a good friend." Biggs knew he wasn't going to get anymore work done and turned to face her. "Far better than that dingbat screwball you've been draggin' around."
Their conversation didn't go unnoticed with all the residents and travelers milling about. Some stopped to discreetly eavesdrop, an occurrence Biggs was accustomed to and Magissa savored if it meant embarrassing the officer.
"Forza is 'more' of a man than you'll ever be." Magissa smirked mockingly. "He knows how to pleasure a woman."
Biggs caught the double meaning and smirked right back. "Funny, I must've missed it over all times you screamed 'Oh, God!' when I was plowin' ya." The Major distinctly remembered his neighbors complaining at him for being too loud. "Now, how's about you get lost. I'm too tired to deal with your shit today."
Many of their growing audience smirked and others snickered quietly. Gengen soon joined the onlookers when he viewed the gathering from the liquor store window and knew trouble was coming. His nose wrinkled since the rose smell was closer this time.
"For your information, I came looking for work."
"Doing what? Kidnapping again," Biggs replied knowingly.
"No." A muscular man shadowed Biggs and tore the flyers from his grip. "We here for hunting jobs. Too much for puny weakling to handle."
"You better hand those over, Forza."
"Or what?" The strong man challenged. Forza gave Biggs a shit-eating grin and waved the papers tauntingly. "You going to find adventurer to get them for you? Everyone know police can do nothing without having their hands held."
"I can take you into custody for interfering with police business and provoking an officer." Biggs stated calmly. On the inside, he was itching for a fight. The Major would love nothing more than to knock the grin off Forza's face, along with a few teeth.
"Hahaha!" Forza threw his head back and laughed. "What I have to fear from broken man to pathetic to hold onto woman."
"She's nothin' but fool's gold." Biggs scowled at the memory. He reached out his right hand and gestured for the flyers' return. "Fork over those papers before things turn ugly."
"I tell you what." Forza raised the stack above Biggs. "Maybe you get them back if you jump high enough."
The Major had no intention of tarnishing his reputation in front of so many people.
"I'm telling ya one last time, nimrod. You don't want to do this."
Unbeknownst to Forza, Biggs was armed and ready for a fight. He even loaded one of his gauntlet's chambers with something special for guys like him.
Forza shook his head. "If tiny man doesn't want to play along, then I guess there's—huh?"
"Yoink!"
The strong man stared at his empty hand in open bewilderment, puzzled by the papers' sudden disappearance. Forza quickly gathered his bearings and spotted them in Sean's hands. The younger man casually flipped through the flyers, far more concerned with acquiring the Esuna spell than Forza's schoolyard nonsense.
'Observe'
Name: Forza
Race: Human
Title: Juggernaut
Age: 37
Level: Lvl 25 Next Level: 54,388/275,200
HP: 2500/2500
TP: 6375/6375
MP: 250/250
STR: 180
VIT: 100
DEX: 75
INT: 10
WIS: 10
SPI: 1
LUK: 1
Synchro Effect: [Out of My Way Lvl 1]
Effect: When fighting alone, all of Forza's stats receive a 25% increase.
Stat Points: 125
Perk Points: 50
Description: A big game hunter, Forza travels around with his wife Magissa in search of things that will net a large bounty.
Forza was a tank of a man whose only article of clothing was a simple pair of brown jeans. Sean wondered if the man was a monster, not aware of how close he was with that assessment. It was no surprise really given the man's discolored skin, tan mixed with shades of light brown and yellow mingling in his flesh.
A jade gemstone was embedded in the center of Forza's chest above the sternum, framed by a veiny, gold inlay akin to a rotting infection. The man was bald except for a tiny strand of hair at whose end was tied a purple ball. It was joined by two others on each of his shoulders.
"This one doesn't sound that hard." Sean thought, glancing over the Daily Quests.
"Give those back, puny." Forza reached for them, pure white eyes narrowed balefully. Sean simply sidestepped his swipe and shoved the flyers into his inventory. He wasn't in the least bit intimidated even though Forza was two feet taller.
"Huh, would you look at that. They're gone," Sean deadpanned in complete monotone. He's run into his fair share of douchebags and bullies throughout his life. Sean has long passed the point where he's tired of them.
"Forza may have to hurt little man if he doesn't bring them back." The bigger man grinned savagely.
Not one to be pushed around, Sean looked him right in the eye, unamused. "Go ahead and try, jackass." He momentarily pondered summoning Remora, but quickly cut off that train of thought. "The townspeople will probably freak out if I do that. Make 'em think there's a monster attack."
For thinking things through, you have gained +2 INT and +2 WIS.
INT: 35 → 37
WIS: 35 → 37
Given the market's wide area, Sean planned to execute hit-and-run tactics and knock Forza down in a fight of attrition if the man actually attacked him.
Biggs stepped in his way when Forza advanced on Sean. "Knock it off! If you start fighting, I will place you under arrest."
"Take care of this trash, honey!" Magissa called with a cruel smile, marring her natural beauty. "They're no challenge for you."
Forza shot her a grin that was more lascivious than anything. "Right away, my sweet." He turned his head back to Sean and Biggs. "Try not to lose too quickly. I've had no decent fight for good while."
Name: Magissa
Race: Human
Title: Bounty Hunter
Age: 26
Level: Lvl 13 Next Level: 18,322/36,500
HP: 500/500
TP: 1300/1300
MP: 375/375
STR: 22
VIT: 20
DEX: 30
INT: 15
WIS: 10
SPI: 10
LUK: 20
Synchro Effect: [Dominatrix Lvl 1]
Effect: Physical damage inflicted on an enemy increases by 25% when fighting with a whip.
Stat Points: 65
Perk Points: 26
Description: Bigg's ex-wife, she travels around with her husband Forza in search of riches and big game.
Magissa was a beautiful, teal-eyed woman with green hair pushed back with a white headband. Her attire consisted of a blue, strapless bodysuit that fully accentuated her curves. Fur lining ran across the top of the bodysuit above her breasts. Two black vertical lines traveled down from her chest to her inner thighs and a light purple belt looped around her waist. A golden bracelet wrapped around her right wrist and a pair of green boots decorated with yellow stripes completed her look.
A bow and quiver rested on her back. The long-range weapon didn't want for company. Its companions were a short sword hooked to her belt on the left side and a long, green whip on the other. Magissa's hand slowly reached for her bow, ready to assist her loving husband.
Her wrist was grabbed by a gloved hand and Magissa glared at whoever had the audacity to touch her.
Gengen gazed back flatly. "It not good idea to draw weapon in town."
"Oh, if it isn't the mutt." Magissa sneered. "Isn't there a toilet bowl you should be drinking out of somewhere?"
The other canids in the crowd bristled at her racial slurs. The stereotypes she used mainly applied to Kobolds (Dog-Type), but were used against similar species such as the Lupin and Gnolls. A member of the latter race curiously stood out amongst them. She snorted at Magissa's words, not miffed in the least.
Race: Gnolls
Description: The gnolls are a hyena-like race known for their aggression and ferocity in battle. They commonly run as a pack and each one is led by an alpha. Both male and female alike stand in an average range of 6 to 7 ft. though some can grow taller.
They are regarded by many as primitive due to their tendency to live out in the wilderness as opposed to civilized dwellings like towns and cities. Gnolls love the thrill of the hunt and are capable of healthy interactions with other races. Just be prepared to test your might. Strength is valued highly by the gnolls.
Observe Lvl 13 → Lvl 14
"Why Gengen drink from toilet?" The kobold asked. "Leona has apple juice back at bar." His tail wagged, picturing the delicious drink.
Magissa sighed. "I forgot I was talking to an idiot," she muttered. Gengen caught it, but didn't say anything. She tried pulling her wrist free only to meet failure at his superior strength. "Get your stinking paws off me!"
"Me took a shower this morning." Gengen noticed Soiree hovering near Forza and smiled at what was coming. "Fight over now anyway."
Everyone watched Forza take a single, ill-intentioned step before being shrouded by a cloud of light green gas. Sean sent an Aero at the cloud to protect himself just as he and Biggs stepped back to avoid it. He assumed the pall to be poisonous since the color green was normally associated with toxic properties in video games.
Aero Lvl 7 → Lvl 8
Sean's spell successfully dispersed the cloud and everybody got a good look at Forza.
Where once a towering behemoth stood, there now sat a tiny green bullfrog with wet skin and little bumps spread all across his back. Forza blinked and let out a croak, not really doing much else.
"Forza!" Magissa shouted. Gengen let her go and she stormed over to confront Soiree. "What did you do to him!?"
"Pretty sure she just turned him into a frog," Sean said.
Magissa glowered at him. "Undo the spell. Now!" She yelled at Soiree.
"I can't, kupo! I don't know the Esuna spell." The moogle replied. "You can go get a Maiden's Kiss though."
"Good luck with that." Biggs didn't know about Maiden's Kiss. "She hasn't been a maiden for 13 years."
Magissa bit her tongue and reluctantly picked up her husband. She grimaced at his slippery skin and strode off angrily, but not without sending them one last glare. The townspeople stepped aside to let her pass and went on with their daily business.
New Reputations!
Gengen: (Neutral: 150/499)
Magissa: (Unfriendly: -630/-1999)
Forza: (Unfriendly: -700/-1999)
"Can I have those flyers back now?" Biggs asked.
Sean blinked. "Oh, right." He pulled the stack of papers out of his inventory and quickly flipped through them. Sean pulled out three and handed the rest over. "I'm gonna take these ones."
"Fine by me." Biggs completed the rest of his task and stepped back to make sure the board was nice and ordered. Nodding at a job well done, the knackered officer walked back to his house without another word.
Sean didn't pay attention to his departure, being too excited about getting the Esuna spell to care. He sincerely hoped one of the quests he just grabbed would fulfill the requirements for the Bring Home the Bacon quest.
Daily Quest!
Fix the Shed
The local farmers' tool shed was damaged in a monster attack and they have requested help in fixing it.
Reward: 20 Exp, Increased Reputation with Norwich
Failure: Nothing
Daily Quest!
Water the Garden
An elderly woman needs help tending to her vegetables. Why don't you help her out?
Reward: 20 Exp, Increased Reputation with Norwich
Failure: Nothing
Daily Quest!
Fetch the Package
Pelican accidently left a shipment of potions at the tailor's. Retrieve the package and deliver it to the item shop.
Reward: 20 Exp, Increased Reputation with Norwich
Failure: Nothing
Daily Quests
In video games, main quests and side quests can normally be completed only once. Daily Quests, on the other hand, refresh each day and can be taken multiple times. Don't expect the exact same quests to appear every day. The people you encounter are not mindless NPCs and have lives of their own.
Current Limit: 10 Quests per day (per town or settlement)
"I hope Li'l Cactus doesn't write about these." Sean didn't think they'd be that interesting.
He turned to Soiree. "Do you know a good spot where I can summon Remora? I don't want to scare the town."
"Sure. The fields outside of town should work fine, kupo!"
"What about you, Gengen?" Sean asked the kobold. "You want to tag along?"
"Me don't know. I should probably get back to Leona."
"I think she was trying to get rid of you." The proprietress seemed awfully ready to provide Gengen's help.
"Come on, Gengen. You spend too much time in that bar, kupo!" Soiree offered him a gentle smile and gave him a pat on the head. "The sunlight will do you some good."
Gengen's tail stood up at the petting. "It's getting close to lunch. Me need something yummy."
"We can stop and grab a bite to eat afterwards," Sean replied. He figured treating them to a nice meal would increase his reputation and potentially gain more recipes. "Should probably start observing my meals."
"Then let's go!" Gengen said excitedly. The kobold ran ahead with his fist raised in the air.
"Sure is lively, isn't he."
"Gengen's always been that way, kupo! That's why he's adored back home."
"Does he have a huge family there?" Sean asked. The pair walked behind the enthused canine, enjoying the warmth of the sunny day.
Soiree shook her head. "His family doesn't live in Kobold Village, kupo! But he has his own fan club."
"That's pretty cool." Sean pondered how that happened since Suikoden 2 didn't go into much detail for most of its characters. "It was funny what you did to Forza, by the way." He made sure to keep a close eye on his mini map for any signs of the tool shed.
"It was just a simple [Frog] spell." Soiree replied nonchalantly. "I learned that from my uncle years ago."
"How long does the effect last?"
"He'll be back to normal in a few hours, kupo!" She sighed and rubbed her head, pom-pom bobbing in tune with her wings. "If only they would stop causing trouble every time they came to town."
"I'm guessing that woman was Biggs' ex." Sean stated. He already knew she was from his Observe ability, but he needed to play the part of the oblivious newcomer.
"I don't know them well enough to say for sure, kupo! It certainly seems that way, though."
Their conversation lulled for a few minutes until Sean asked, "Do you know anymore spells?" Perhaps if he built up a good enough rapport, she might impart additional knowledge on him.
"Only a few, kupo! And they're mostly status spells. I was never the mage of the family." Soiree became more animated. "What really interested me was finding things."
"You mean like archaeology?" Sean smelled the stench of manure and dirt wafting from the fields, showing they were close.
Soiree shook her head. "No, more like treasure hunting. It's always been fun discovering old items and I use them to keep my shop stocked, kupo! I even go to the Junkyard sometimes."
"Isn't that dangerous?" Sean asked concerned. The toys in the Junkyard hated people and many wouldn't hesitate to attack. "Or maybe their hatred only applies to humans."
Soiree appreciated his worry. "Normally yes, kupo! But they mistake me for a toy due to my appearance."
Sean smiled. "That's kind of funny."
Their talk died down once they reached the fields and reunited with Gengen.
The sprawling farmlands were divided into rectangular fields, each growing one of a wide array of fruits and vegetables. Chief among the produce were tomatoes, followed by potatoes, corn, pumpkins, watermelon, and many other gifts of the earth one wouldn't imagine seeing planted so close to each other. Dirt trails ran between the fields and many farmers were presently at work ambling up and down them to tend to their crops. A rail fence separated the farmland from the rest of town.
The farmers weren't alone or unprotected.
Lightly armored men and woman patrolled the grounds armed with bows, swords, and bladed spears. They stayed alert for any monster attacks and spaced themselves out far enough to respond if one happened. Sean couldn't count them all, but he supposed there were 30 of them.
Sean was glad that they were there to protect the town's livelihood, but even more so due to his boss sense tingling. More often than not, bosses in video games, typically RPGs, would appear when the player arrived in either a wide open area or the biggest room in a dungeon. He's played enough games to know when trouble is approaching.
"And not that I want it to happen, but what's to stop a Level 100 monster from attacking and killing everyone? Is there someone in town above that level?"
Sean's train of thought got sidetracked when a small building sprang up on his map.
"Excuse me, but I need to take care of something real quick." Sean ran off with a grin on his face, eager to obtain one of the best spells ever.
Soiree and Gengen stood there befuddled, watching Sean sprint to the tool shed like there was a million Lucre in there.
"He sure is excited." The kobold stated.
The tool shed had a gaping hole in the roof. A monster tried to break into the shed and eat a farmer who hid in there during a previous attack.
Sean raised his hand and cast [Repair] on the roof. There were no wooden boards around to fix the hole. Instead, the opening just closed itself up as if time was rewound. Sean briefly contemplated the spell's implications, but was distracted again when the Esuna spell book materialized in his inventory.
"Finally!"
Quest Completed!
Bring Home the Bacon
Being new here, you've found yourself with very little of the local currency and sadly your debit card won't help. Find a job or other method of bringing in cash to support yourself and keep your household running.
Reward: 50 Exp, A Steady Source of Income, Esuna Skill Book
EXP: 8,153/47,000 → 8,203/47,000
Sean took both it and the Mana Manipulation spell books out of his inventory and absorbed the combined information.
Esuna (Active) Lvl 1 [0%] Cost: 20 MP
Also known as Heal, Remedy, and Clear, Esuna is one of the most common White Magic spells and one of the most powerful. This spell cures status effects and, with the exception of KO [Knocked Out], can become powerful enough to remove any or all of them at higher levels.
Lvl 1: The user can heal the [Poisoned] status effect.
"Sweet."
Mana Manipulation (Active/Passive) Lvl 1 [0%] Cost: Varies
Throwing fireballs and shooting lightning can be fun, but without the proper control and understanding, the user won't advance far beyond that. This skill allows the gamer to create mana constructs and shape their magic in ways they never thought possible. The cost of the spell depends on the difficulty of what the user is trying to do.
It is recommended that beginners and first year students start small to avoid magical accidents.
And if that wasn't good enough, Sean was gifted a new passive skill.
Arcane Mastery (Passive) Lvl 1 [0%]
Often associated with magic, the term "Arcane" refers to that which is secret or mysterious in nature and understood by very few. This skill cannot be trained directly. Only through studying and properly practicing spells can the user level this ability and uncover the secrets of the arcane and the mysteries of magic.
Passively increases SPI by 5%
Passive increases WIS by 5%
Passively increases INT by 5%
Decreases Spell Cost by 1%
"Holy fuck, this is gonna be awesome."
"What's going to be awesome, kupo!?" Soiree asked, flying over to see if Sean was okay. It was a weird sight to see a grown man staring out into nothing and talking to himself. "And what happened to those books?"
"I absorbed them," Sean responded. He didn't see imparting that little tidbit to be dangerous. "I can now cast the Esuna spell."
"You didn't master them already did you?" Soiree didn't let her jealousy show.
"Oh, no." Sean shook his head. "I still have to train them. I simply know how to cast them."
One more notification appeared.
Daily Quest Completed!
Fix the Shed
Reward: 20 Exp, Increased Reputation with Norwich
EXP: 8,203/47,000 → 8,223/47,000
New Reputation!
Town of Norwich (Neutral: 20/499)
"That's nice, too."
"Say, how many people are familiar with conjuration?" Sean reached into his pocket and pulled out the Bomb Summon Sphere. "Because I don't want to cause a panic." Being shot at wasn't his ideal Friday afternoon.
"Most people aren't familiar with it, kupo!" Soiree said. "But sticking to the grass shouldn't cause any trouble."
"All right, then. Are you two ready?"
Gengen and Soiree nodded.
Sean called on Remora and the piranha-like fish appeared out of thin air. The fish swam around him aimlessly, their mouths ever-open and waiting for their first command. Gengen placed his hand on his short sword and Soiree materialized a war hammer. Sean raised his hands to pacify the duo.
"Calm down. They aren't going to attack. Watch." Sean waved his hand in front of one of them and the remora didn't react in the least.
Seeing the absence of hostility, they put their weapons away and moved closer. Gengen's muzzle scrunched up and he sneezed.
"Grrr…Gengen hate fishy smell."
Soiree eyed Remora inquisitively. "What do they do?"
"They mainly help me in battle. I'll show you." He faced his summon. "Hey, you lot. I want all of you to prepare the Water spell." The piranha did exactly as he ordered and gathered mana in their mouths, converting it to the proper form and ready to cast.
"Do you mean to fight your other summon?"
"No, I summoned Remora for extra safety in case things get out of hand." Sean held up the Bomb Summon Sphere and activated the orb.
For exercising proper safety caution, you have gained +3 INT and +3 WIS.
INT: 37 → 40
WIS: 37 → 40
Fire blazed uncontrollably beneath the surface of the sphere and grew so hot that Sean had to drop it when the orb burnt his hand. The rising heat instantly torched the grass around it into a smoky, dead grey. The intensity became too much for the sphere to contain and it shattered with a loud crackling noise accompanied by a heat wave.
Four streams of fire jumped from the orb right as it shattered and danced around Sean in a rotating pillar of green and the primary colors. The experience was akin to a faerie ritual where small children were spirited away. Gengen and Soiree backed off to safety, leaving Sean to contemplate his life.
"Shit! I should've thought this through more."
Sean was just about to use the Pause game mechanic and reload an earlier save when the spinning inferno stopped and the heat rapidly lessened.
He pulled off his shirt and used it to rub the sweat from his brow, exposing his growing muscles to the world. Sean wasn't ripped by any means, but he was getting there. If asked, Sean would prefer the build of a rock climber to a bodybuilder.
The four streams of fire separated and changed into four fireballs. Each of them was the size of a beach ball and laughed maniacally, hugging themselves in levity with short, stubby arms. The flames formed glowing spikes on the back of their bodies and the creatures eyed their new summoner with creepy yellow and black sclera eyes and grinning mouths of sharp teeth.
"Fuck. That was a trip." Sean put his sweaty shirt away and leveled a glare at the giggling Bombs. "Yeah, real hilarious."
They just laughed more at his reaction and Sean wondered how funny they'd find it to be doused in cold water. He wasn't going to do that, of course, since he needed them and didn't want to piss them off. Sean knew why they were the bane of many gamers.
He then noticed with dread that the others had their weapons out once more and Gengen looked ready to attack one of the Bombs.
"Stop!" Sean held out his hand. His panicked expression stopped them from committing suicide. "You do not want to attack these guys." Sean stressed his words with dire importance. "If you do, they will blow up. They're called Bombs for a reason."
New Summon Gained! Pact Formed!
Bomb [Fire] Cost: 100 MP Cooldown: 30 Minutes (Upon Defeat or Detonation)
Link: Lvl 1 Next Level: 0/50 AP
Standing: 0/1000
HP: 4,000/4,000 (1,000 HP Each)
TP: 0/0
MP: 1,000/1,000 (250 MP Each)
STR: 20
VIT: 40
DEX: 20
INT: 10
WIS: 10
SPI: 30
LUK: 2
Overdrive: [KaBOOM!]—KaBOOM! is an ability where one or all of the Bombs rapidly expand and detonate, consuming enemies in a fiery blast that they will not walk away from unscathed. DMG Formula: (SPI + (SPI * 300%)) x 1 to 4
Summon Effect: + 50 Fire Affinity (Passive)
Summon Effect: Grants the user +1 STR every time the summon or user levels up
Description: Bombs are living explosives, prone to destroying themselves along with their enemies with their powerful "Self-Destruct." Bombs take the rage built up by being attacked and transform it into energy. This, in turn, makes them grow, sometimes to incredible sizes.
"Help! Monster attack!" A stampede of farmers fled past them toward town.
Sean snorted. "Were we actually under attack, I'd be a charcoal briquette right now." "Come to think of it, summoning the Bombs did nothing to my HP."
He felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Gengen thinks they meant that." The kobold pointed in the direction the farmers ran from.
Sean shielded his eyes when he looked towards the sky and saw a contingent of insectoid and aerial beasts soaring straight for them, the main force a fair ways off. One monster split off and dove for the nearest person. The guards tried to knock the creature out of the air, but it was simply too fast.
In his panicked state, the farmer didn't see the one-eyed terror gaining on him and a lightning bolt struck the beast right before it killed him, causing the farmer to trip and the airborne monstrosity to hit the ground with a loud crack.
Thunder Lvl 5 → Lvl 6
-160 HP
SPI: 55 → 56
For good aim, you have gained +2 DEX
DEX: 70 → 72
Sean blew his index and middle fingers like a gun and crossed the 20 yards to where the man lie in shock. He grabbed the farmer roughly by the arm and pulled him up, slapping the guy on the back to get moving. The dude took the hint and dashed away, leaving Sean alone with the monster.
Floating Eye Lvl 14
HP: 140/300
TP: 0/0
MP: 125/125
STR: 5
VIT: 12
DEX: 40
INT: 5
WIS: 30
SPI: 5
LUK: 1
Description: The weakest member of the Ahriman-family, floating eyes possess little to no combat ability and normally travel in groups as a result. Watch out for their Stare ability, known to inflict [Confuse] or [Sleep] on rare occasions.
Observe Lvl 14 → Lvl 15
Lvl 15: The user can now see what equipment and items the target is carrying or wearing.
The name "Floating Eye" was pretty self-descriptive. The monster was merely a hovering blood red eye with a grey body, a pair of bat-like wings, two short legs and a long tail.
Electricity coursed through its body, causing the beast to spasm as it futilely attempted to flap its wings. A charred stench wafted from where the lightning left a vein-like scar on the monster's skin. Sean finished it off with another thunder and watched its body disappear.
+2,387 EXP
EXP: 8,223/47,000 → 10,610/47,000
Remora: 223/310 → 233/310 AP
Bomb: 0/50 → 20/50 AP
A new crafting item, 50 Lucre, and a bottle of what appeared to be dirty dishwater took the corpse's place.
Lucre: 2800 → 2850 L
[Common][Crafting Item] Crimson Eyeball
This rather macabre item can be used to enhance the Shade-elemental alignment of a piece of equipment.
[Uncommon][Item] Echo Screen
A light grey potion that removes the [Silence] status effect from the user.
"Ew." Sean grimaced at the eye, clearly hesitant to pick it up. The ocular organ was soaked in aqueous humor. He slowly reached for the eye and practically threw it into his inventory upon contact. Some of the fluid stuck to his fingers like glue and Sean rubbed his hand into the grass as hard as he could before rinsing it off with a Water spell.
Water Lvl 5 → Lvl 6
"Why'd you take the eye?" Gengen asked, clearly confused.
"It's a crafting material," Sean answered succinctly. "…video games are weird."
"They're still coming, kupo!"
"Oh, right." Sean scratched his head. "Can't help feel I'm forgetting something." Sean watched the guards send more arrows at the horrendous flight and snapped his fingers. He created a party invite and two windows popped up before them.
Sean Rent has sent you a party invite.
Would you like to join "Accept this if you want to live?"
Confirm [Y]/Refuse [N]
"What are these things?" The kobold poked the floating window. "Gengen confused."
"Please hit 'yes'. I don't have time to explain this. Just be secure in the fact that this will make the fight a lot easier."
Gengen, the proud Kobold that he is, promptly pushed the [Y] button. If it meant keeping the town safe, then he would gladly leap into the unknown and do the best that he could. Soiree only paused for a moment, taking the time to consider what this stranger was cooking. He had good intentions, but she knew there was more to this eccentric man.
"I'll do it, but if something fishy happens, you'll be in so much trouble."
Soiree accepted the invite and the screens went away.
"Next, say 'stats'." Sean looked through his peripheral and saw a few more floating eyes swoop down ahead of the main force. "Remora! Thunder! Open fire!"
The piranha widened their mouths and fired an electrical barrage at the monsters, blasting one away that landed on and nearly bit the head off a person. Remora finished them off in seconds. The guards were all still alive albeit shaken.
+7161 EXP
EXP: 10,610/47,000 → 17,771/47,000
Remora: 233/310 → 263/310 AP
Bomb: Level Up!
Bomb [Fire] Cost: 100 MP Cooldown: 30 Minutes
Link: Lvl 2 Next Level: 30/80 AP
Standing: 0/1000
HP: 4,000/4,000 (1,000 HP Each) → 5000/5000 (1,250 HP Each)
TP: 0/0
MP: 1,000/1,000 (250 MP Each) → 2000/2000 (500 MP Each)
STR: 20 → 30
VIT: 40 → 50
DEX: 20 → 30
INT: 10 → 20
WIS: 10 → 20
SPI: 30 → 50
LUK: 2 → 4
Sean's STR: 60 → 61
"Don't worry. I've got them covered," Sean said, getting the two back on track. They almost ran off to assist the protectors till Remora saved them. "We don't have much longer."
The sentinels regrouped into one troop to mount a more effective defense. They shot suspicious glances at Remora and the sentries' postures displayed wariness without any signs of aggression.
Sean's eyes skimmed the stat pages, already knowing where he would allocate the points. "Do either of you know a spell to ease pain?" He asked. Sean remembered vividly the agony Biggs and Wedge suffered through the last time he did this and he didn't desire a repeat of past events. "Because otherwise this is going to hurt and it's not my intention to cause pain to anyone unless they deserve it."
"I know the [Soothe] spell, kupo!" Soiree answered. "It's supposed to relax the body and erase all aches and discomfort."
Sean exhaled in relief. "That's good. Can you multicast?" Soiree nodded. "Then I suggest casting it right away." He laughed humorlessly. "Seriously, I can't stress how bad it'll feel if you don't."
"You two ready?"
Gengen nodded and Soiree hovered in place, ready to cast.
"All right. Here we go." Sean said as Soiree used the [Soothe] spell on herself and the kobold.
Name: Gengen
Race: Kobold (Dog-Type)
Title: "Captain"
Age: 17
Level: Lvl 12 Next Level: 12,245/29,000
HP: 700/700 → 1075/1075
TP: 1875/1875 → 3000/3000
MP: 175/175
STR: 33 → 60
VIT: 28 → 43
DEX: 42 → 60
INT: 7
WIS: 8
SPI: 7
LUK: 5
Synchro Effect: [Might of the Kobolds Lvl 1]
Effect: When fighting in a group, Gengen's stats increase by 5% for each person. His stats increase by 10% for each Kobold in that group including himself.
Stat Points: 60 → 0
Perk Points: 24
Description: He is a proud Kobold who dreams of one day becoming a great warrior and a police chief.
Name: Soiree
Race: Moogle
Title: Store Owner
Age: 23
Level: Lvl 31 Next Level: 25,383/377,000
HP: 1375/1375 → 2500/2500
TP: 4750/4750 → 6500/6500
MP: 1250/1250 → 1875/1875
STR: 82 → 120
VIT: 55 → 100
DEX: 108 → 140
INT: 50 → 75
WIS: 45 → 50
SPI: 39 → 50
LUK: 11 → 15
Synchro Effect: [Healing Plus Lvl 2]
Effect: Increases the effectiveness of all healing magic by 60% when within 40 ft. of a party member.
Stat Points: 155 → 0
Perk Points: 62
Description: The owner of the Kupo junk shop. She wasn't the one to pick the name, but still loves her store. She just wishes she would get more customers, something the store is sorely lacking.
With the spell taking effect, what would have normally been an excruciating experience turned into a dull sensation of pins and needles. It was akin to waking up after falling asleep on your arm. The feeling wasn't terrible by any means, mainly just annoying.
Gengen shook like a wet dog to rid himself of the unpleasant feeling and Soiree landed softly on the ground to wait it out.
"I'm glad you two are okay," Sean said. "Biggs almost punched me the other morning when I did this and…" Sean blinked. "Wow. A lot of shit sure has happened in five days."
"Amazing!" Gengen shouted, tail wagging nonstop. "Me feel like whole new kobold! Thank you, stranger!"
"My name's Sean. How are you feeling, Soiree?"
Soiree cheerfully spun into the air. "Much better, kupo! I feel like I can take on the world."
"That's great because the flock's almost here and I'm going to aggro the whole group." He spoke with a straight face.
"Aggro?"
"He means he'll draw their attention, kupo!" Soiree raised her eyebrow at Sean. "I can tell we've gotten stronger, but are you sure you can handle this? There has to be 100 of them."
Sean shrugged. "I don't have much choice on the matter. Remora!" He addressed the fish. "I want you eight to go up there and attack the flight with thunder spells. Try to spread out your fire so they all head down here. We can't afford for any of them to reach town." The piranha flew off and he turned to his newest summon. "I want you four to wait here until the flock enters my firing range. Then go nuts. This'll be a frenzy." Sean grinned at the Bombs which they returned.
The young man inhaled and let it go right as Remora attacked the main force and retreated, getting the flock to give pursuit.
"And a bitch," he finished quietly.
Quest Alert!
Flight of Fancy
A flock of monsters has suddenly appeared with its sight set on Norwich. Dispatch the hate-filled fiends before they carry out their aerial assault on the town.
Success: 50,000 Exp, 7000 Lucre, Increased Reputation, Bravery Spell Book, Candlelight Spell Book
Failure: Potential Death(s), Decreased Reputation with Norwich
Bonus: ?
Success: ?, ?
Failure: ?, ?
Elsewhere…
"Spencer, report!" Boyd barked. "What in blue blazes is going on here!?"
The resident healer darted past the Inspector right as he exited his office. Boyd became too distracted by the rapid footsteps racing up and down the hallway to focus on his work. Officer Spencer, a newer recruit, followed hot on her heels and narrowly avoided running into the Inspector when Boyd blocked his path.
Spencer saluted the Inspector. "I apologize, sir, but there's a medical emergency down in the holding cells and I needed to get help as soon as possible."
"What kind of medical emergency, officer?" He puffed on his pipe. Inspector Boyd strode behind the medical examiner, the rookie walking step-by-step alongside him. "Did a fight break out amongst them? Were there any external wounds?"
Spencer shook his head. "No, sir. All I can tell is that one of them has fallen ill. I didn't wait around to see the symptoms, but their leader was insistent I bring help."
The severity of the situation was worse than the officer realized.
Several Chobin Hoods lie prone on the floor, suffering under a terrible affliction caused by an unknown toxin. The most common symptoms were high fevers and the chills, puffy red eyes and unfocused vision, and excessive drowsiness. A small percentage's breathing ran ragged, coughing hard enough to get sore throats and even expelling minute traces of blood.
The healer darted to and fro, tending to her patients to the extent her training allowed her. The budding mage was part of a work-study program from the Academy of Magic. Her inexperience kept her from identifying which poison was used on the tribesmen and how to cure it. In the end, the blonde-haired Kyantol could only ease their pain with the [Soothe] spell.
"This is terrible," Inspector Boyd commented. "How did this happen so quickly?"
"I'm sorry to say I don't know, sir."
At the back of the cell, the biggest Chobin Hood stood stoically, none of the symptoms having manifested themselves in his person. Past exposure to poisons left him with a strengthened immune system and powerful antibodies.
The only two others unaffected by the toxin were the muzzled brothers, both slumped against the wall next to each other, sporting black eyes. They'd been warned about their behavior and snickering at the pain of their fellow tribesmen was crossing the line.
"Two days left till the Fifth Night. Not much time left, you three."
Author's Notes: Here's Chapter 9. I really wanted to get this chapter up earlier, but I had some trouble and I've been trying to keep track of all my ideas. The next chapter might be a stat sheet to help me remember all of Sean's and everyone else's skills and stats. I wanted to give a heads up.
While writing this story, I've also used the Suikoden 2 Walkthrough in the Let's Play Archives by Nephrite and the video game walkthroughs of Suikoden 2 and 3 by Master of Conquest on YouTube. They served as references for when I wrote certain characters since some of these games I haven't played in years.
Aside from Legend of Mana, there are currently characters present or mentioned in the story from 8 other video games. My two main worries while writing this chapter were my descriptions and repetition. In later chapters, I'll most likely forget some things and repeat lines of dialogue. And I don't want to be too specific in my descriptions. Certain characters just have many elements to their appearance.
I thank you readers for all of the faves, follows, reads, and reviews. I really appreciate it and I'm glad that people enjoy this story. Please leave a review.