ZzzZzZ…Bob…Zzzz…She got fired…zzz…manZZZZZ…
"Hey! Wake up!"
Zzcouaes. "Huh?" I rub my eyes to see Alice standing next to me.
"About time you woke up. Now make me some breakfast."...she really only cares about food, huh?
"Have you ever thought about cooking your own meals?" I say while stretching.
"I don't waste my time when I have a cook back home."
"So what you're saying is that you are shit at cooking." I give a sly smile.
"If you have the energy to make remarks, then you can make an omelet." She leaves the tent. My body feels sore from last night. But it's the good kind that makes you want to keep going. I put on my clothes and head out to make breakfast for the both of us. Need all the nutrients for my temple to improve. Although, Alice has been leering at me for a while. "You didn't do a morning prayer."
"What do you mean?"
"Usually, you humans tend to thank that wench for everything."
"Oh. Well in my country, we are thankful for her giving us life. But that's as far as we go. I mean, it's not like you thank your parents for everything you do, right?" While I'm not the religious type, that tune might change in my current situation. Unless I glitched through reality and this is one of the levels in the Backrooms.
"Finally. Someone with some common sense." With that, we eat peacefully. Speaking of Ilias, I wonder if she caught on that Luka is still back home. Considering the change of events, she might be a little pet peeved that her nephew isn't going along with her plan. I'm surprised she hasn't appeared in my dream…although, I do recall a blonde woman kinda similar to her getting fired. I shake my head. Must be thinking too much.
After our hearty meal, we pack everything for the trip. And by we, I mean me while Alice watches from a distance with impatience. Once I'm done, I approach her. "We should be able to arrive in Iliasburgh before sundown if there's no roadblock along the way. Then you can try their famous Ama ama-dango."
She salivates at the thought. "Yes! I've always wanted to try one ever since I read it in the traveling guide." Ah. The five hundred year old guide. I'm surprised I even knew the name of the dish. I guess being here resurfaced my memories of the games. We trot on the dirt road to our destination.
Hm? An unusual plant is poking out on the ground. I know it's a Mandragora. And no surprise, Alice disappeared thinking Ima pull her out. Which I won't. Not only because her paralysis might end me, but even if I overcame that, I won't gain any fighting experience from it. So I keep moving.
"That was a smart move." Alice says, appearing from her hiding place.
"Yeah. No point in putting myself in unnecessary danger that I can't learn from."
"Hmm. You seem to be educated about the monster. That's surprising." Just because I love fighting, doesn't mean I have the wit. We keep traveling. I've noticed that she has been quiet the whole time. Does that mean she doesn't trust me to be vulnerable? Honestly, I would rather keep it that way. I do not need any regrets when I finally go back home.
"Hey. Last night you mentioned you had to live for someone. Who is it?"
"...It's my father. He has lung cancer."
"Cancer? Why does he have crabs in his lungs?"
I guess they have a different terminology for it. "Not like that. It's because he smoked a lot. Which caused his lungs to be damaged. He quit eventually, but it was too late. It's not terminal yet, but obviously it cost a shit ton of money for the treatment. So I decided to train to become a boxer so I can win the championship and get the money." I know I'm taking this situation lightly, but I need to say my reason out loud.
"I see. I'm sorry to hear that. But wouldn't he be worried you're this far from home?"
I sigh. "Yeah. But I need to become the best. That's why I'm traveling to improve my strength. But enough about me. What about you? How are your parents?"
She looks away for a moment. "The only thing I will say is I don't know much about my father, but he had to be a strong man if he was with my mom." Ah yes. That damn Fateburn trial thing where you have to fuck them consecutively three day straight. And I mean no breaks bro. Thankfully that will never happen with me. I made my reason clear. Or else I will demolish my way through. And it won't be with my dick.
We finally arrive at Iliasburgh. The sun is ready to rest on the horizon. However, there's something up ahead that will truly put my skills to the test. "Hm? Something is off. The guards should be posted at the front." I say feigning ignorance. "You should stay behind. I don't think the civilians will take kindly to you. Being racists and all."
"Who do you take me for?" She magically transforms into a human version of herself. Which still screams an obvious monster in disguise. But people here apparently have an average IQ as my fridge. Or maybe they just don't care.
"Guess that settles it." We move inside the city. And we, I mean me again. Because my opponent is right here somewhere in the plaza. I rush towards the place and hide behind a tree to witness the emerald dragon herself. Granberia.
She's currently tearing the guard's ass with her giant broadsword. She doesn't kill them. Doing so would do nothing but satisfy the sadistic. There are other guards knocked out nearby. Three soldiers are left standing.
"Damn you!" One of them runs up to her.
"Weak." She engulfs her sword in flames. Only by showing a fragment of her power, the guards cower in fear and run with their tails between their legs. "A wise choice. From this day forward, don't ever call yourselves heroes." She puts her weapon away. "Is that it!? You're going to sit there and let a monster take over!?" Her response is her echo on the empty streets.
"Un momento!" I let out my native language. It sounds more intimidating that way. She faces me as I step out in the open. Her intense glare causes my blood to fire up. Oh man. I'm getting excited again!
"Another one steps up. Hm?" She notices the Angel Halo. "What is that sword?"
"The one that will be clashing against yours." I say. My body is shaking from the thrill. Calm down, Ariel. She's on a different level. You need to focus.
Granberia scoffs as she unsheates her sword. "Heroes are always so cocky and reckless. Prepare yourself!" She ignites her sword just like my heart. This will be legendary!
Yakuza 0 - Pledge of Demon
Four Heavenly Knight
Granberia
We circle around each other, waiting for me to make the first move. I will oblige! I charge at her to downward slice. She disappears in a blink of an eye. I place the sword behind me to block her attack. Ungh! Despite not going all out, she is still strong and I have to use my full strength to stop her. Still, she is surprised by my prediction. They always go for the back. I push myself back to break her guard and swing my left arm to backhand her. AGH! She blocks it with her right arm, hitting her hardened scales. "OOOF!!" She kicks me away, but I quickly regain balance. I blink and she's already at my face going for a forward slice! I block it and try my best to hold the attack. She puts more force and my arms shake as I'm barely holding on! I redirect her attack to make her hit the ground to my right side. I take advantage of this window and punch her face with all my might. She stands her ground, but I back away before she retaliates with an upward strike.
Damn it. I expected this to be tough, but I'm already running out of breath. If I don't use Demon Decapitation, I'll be fucked. It's now or never! I jump as high as I can and imagine slicing her neck.
"What! That technique!" Bingo. I bring down the hammer! But she dodges. Who could've seen that coming?
"Why do you know a monster technique?" She asks.
"Hm?"
"Your swordplay is unorthodox and you're clearly still an amateur. There's no way you thought that up by yourself. I want to know where you learned it from. Who taught it to you?"
"Why do you care?" Gotta play this out. Plus, I need to regain my stamina.
"...I think I know who it is. And I want to fight them instead." There's that smirk. The thought of fighting a strong opponent is truly the lifeblood of a warrior. "Are they your master or something?"
"Sorry. I don't kiss and tell."
"Is that so?" AUGH! She strikes me with her sword on my chest. Although it was a blunt hit, it still hurts like hell! Ugh. My body is at its limits. "If you won't tell me, th-!"
"Is that truly all you got to show for?" Alice finally decides to show up.
"Y-You!" Granberia gets on her one knee for her lord.
"Granberia, what are you doing? Who ordered you for such a thing?" Alice asks.
"I decided by myself. To get rid of those ann-"
"Go away, you annoyance." The scene is playing like it's supposed to. Maybe it won't be too bad. Still crazy seeing it presently.
"B-But…!"
"If you take over, how else am I going to eat the Ama ama-dango?"
"But you can have all the treats you want onc-"
"I've already said three times for you to go away. Is this how you show your loyalty?" Alice says coldly. I can tell this is a blow to Granberia's pride.
"...As you wish." She shoots a glare at me, before teleporting away. That's new. She didn't do that to Luka before. Regardless, we did it!
New Heat Action: Essence of Backhand
A skill unleashed when Ariel blocks with the sword from his rear. He shoves himself backwards and twists his body to deliver a backhand to the jaw of his opponent.
New Heat Action: Essence of Redirection
A skill unleashed when both him and the opponent have their blades locked. When the opponent is putting weight, he redirects the attacks, creating an opening and punches their face.
I can feel my skills improving. And this is why you learn more from failure than if you win. It is a good teacher that sadly some don't take its lessons. But now that everything is over and adrenaline is going away, I will proceed to collapse on the ground. "Ow!" Landing on my head wasn't such a good idea. I can barely sit up. My body is screaming in pain. "Gotta say Alice, you looked pretty awesome when you actually did something."
"What's that supposed to mean!?" HAHAHA! Her annoyed face is pretty cute. The townspeople step out of their hiding places. They surround us.
"Are you the ones that drove away that monster? That's so awesome!"
"Woah! Where did you get those cool clothes!?" They must be talking about my Jojo t-shirt and jeans. Not to mention my black Converse. After a little praising, they all leave for their daily lives. You know? This hero business ain't bad at all.
"Hey you. Citizen A." Alice calls out a random guy.
"Citizen A? I have a name. It's Servantes."
"I don't care. Do you know where Sutherland Inn is located?"
"...It's right down the street. An old building, you can't miss it."
"Eeek! I can't wait to try it!" She looks down on me. "Stop fooling around and let's go." Geez. Thank you for worrying about me. With a lot of effort, I get up and we head towards the inn.
We are at the old building like in the game. I look at the rates in the lobby and it's two million gold. I don't even have any money under my name. "Hey Alice, you carrying four million on ya?"
She is surprised. "Four million!? Ugh. I should've let Granberia take over."
A hero shoves past me. "Excuse me." He was one of the people who got knocked out. "Hey lady, I'm a hero so I would like the Hero's rate."
"Are you dumbass? What kind of hero gets their ass handed by a monster in a single hit like that?" Oof. She's really ramming the truth up said ass.
"B-But I am baptized…"
"I don't give a shit! Now get hell out of here!" The man leaves in shame. Tough break on the guy. She turns to us, with her demeanor changing. "Oh my goodness! It's the people who saved our city! How can I help you?"
"Well, we were planning on staying here, but the prices are a little heavier than our pockets." I say.
"Don't worry. I'll give you our special Hero's rate."
"Are you sure? I'm not baptized."
She laughs. "A hero is determined by their actions. Unlike those vagabonds who think they can waltz in cause they bathe in water." Amen to that! "It'll be two gold coins."
"Thank you so much. Alice, you're going to have to cover for me." She rolls her eyes and gives her the money.
We head into our fancy and I quickly take a nice hot bath! Aaah~! That feels so good. I dry myself and step out to see Alice voring the Ama ama-dango. "This tastes so good!" She says, wagging her tail happily. If she wasn't such a hardass, I would say this is endearing. My clothes are neatly folded on the bed. That was a fast clean. I guess cause these clothes are lighter and easier to wash. I put on my briefs and crash on the bed.
"I can finally sleep comfortably." I yawn.
Alice turns into her human form and calls for room service. The lady from the lobby enters. "I hope you both enjoyed our famous treats?"
"It was delicious! I would like to have more." Alice is such a Demandy Sandy.
"I wish I could, but I'm all out of honey to make them. We get our supply from Happiness Village nearby. I heard they have no men, which could explain the shortage. Maybe you two can take a look. I'm sure someone as strong as you can handle it." She says that, while checking me out.
"Heh. Sounds like a good challenge that needs to be tackled. Consider it done." I can't wait to face the Harpy Queen.
She nods and leaves the room. Alice turns back to her normal form. "I'm hungry."
"What are you talking about? You eat a shit to-" then it hits me. I know what that means with the way she's looking at me. I quickly rush towards the door, but she grabs my legs with her tail and drags me towards her! "No no no no no no no!" She fully wraps me, save for my groin. "Wait wait wait wait!" She licks her lips. "WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT!!"