It was barbaric.
It was hypocritical.
It was evil.
The books I'd read in Wistram painted goblins as little more than monsters. Vermin that refused to be wiped out, and that could grow into a nation-shattering power if given the chance.
Velan the Kind was the last Goblin King, and was held up as proof of their nature. Give a goblin the opportunity, and they'll attack you.
I wondered if there was some genetic component? Something that resulted in species-wide psychosis?
I wished Riley was here.
Anyways. I shook my head. That might be the mile-high view, but right here, right now? The only evil I saw was in Delna.
If, IF what the books said were true, and not just revisionist history, then their might, MIGHT be a compelling argument for genocide. Or rather, quarantine. This?
I looked at the creature that was even smaller than Riley had been when I'd first met her.
This wasn't preventing a threat. This was sick people getting pleasure from the suffering of another. No. It was worse. It was getting pleasure from inflicting suffering!
*Anger negated by Gamer's Mind.
Right. I needed to take a step back. First things first. There was a missing child that still needed to be found. He was innocent in... whatever this was.
I un-Inventoried a dozen drones and mentally commanded them to start sweeping the mine. They faded from sight and began searching faster and more effectively than I could as Jubei. They'd find Hoat, and I could keep an eye on him with them. If he was in danger, I could teleport and save him.
Now, on to the less pressing issue.
It was clear that the goblins were attacking Delna because they wanted to save one of their own. That was why they'd tried making a distraction and sneaking in. They wanted a hostage exchange, not a ransom.
Was the [Mayor] in on this?
If I was to believe Raemon's timeline, and the goblins had started to attack after Borert attacked them... that would mean that the corpse in front of me had been brought back in that raid.
I had no idea how the goblins knew that. It was probably magic. The question was, did they know she was dead?
I let out a sigh.
It wouldn't be enough, but I could at least return her body to them. I Observed the corpse, and then began Crafting a Homunculus double. It wouldn't be as perfect as what Riley could make, but it should fool any casual inspection.
While I fed animal parts into the swirling mass of pixels, I Inventoried the goblin and considered my options.
1. I could do nothing.
That didn't sit well with me. It was true that I had no stake in this, but I'd decided that I wouldn't turn my head when I saw something. There might be too much in the world for me to fix, and imposing my moral judgment on others might make me a hypocrite too... but that's part of being a superhero.
Besides, the answer to 'What would Dragon do?' certainly wasn't 'Nothing'.
2. I could investigate, find out who... had done that to her, and then kill them.
That was easier said than done. If Instant Dungeon was working, it might be a possibility. As it was, I wasn't going to delay finding Sibby for that long. Sure, I was delaying it already by walking, but it was giving me a good 'eyes on the ground' perspective.
Dragon would also object to the killing, but I couldn't offer a better solution. It wasn't about punishment, it was about ensuring the same, or similar, things didn't happen in the future. As I had no capacity to restrict the perpetrators on my own, death was the simplest and most straight-forward solution.
I let out another sigh. Dragon would be disappointed.
3. I could lay out a trap.
Yes... yes... That... held promise. A debilitating virus could be tailored to cripple, not kill, everyone that came inside and...
No. That wouldn't work.
First, Riley wasn't here. I couldn't Craft viruses - they were too small. The only stuff I had from her was the death-state powder. Besides, even if I did have an appropriate virus, other people might wander in.
It was unlikely, but you couldn't just leave stuff like that lying around where anyone could get into it.
Although...
Yes. That would work. It many ways, it was worse, but I could leave behind a gift that would slowly poison people that came into this room. Just, a different type of 'poison'. They'd have to spend time here, but given the table and chairs, that wouldn't be an issue. In fact, it was a benefit.
An innocent person that discovered this room would quickly leave. Only the guilty would stay for the hours of exposure that would be necessary.
The drones I'd sent out came upon Darius - who'd already had found Hoat and was escorting him outside. Good. The kid had obviously been crying, but didn't look hurt. The tears were probably from the news of his father being kidnapped.
How did that happen anyways?
I mentally shrugged, and had one of my invisible drones continue to follow them as they made their way out of the mine. The others I directed towards the [Mayor]'s house. Part of the benefit of [Don the Mask] was being able to move about and do things without it being obvious that I was Pixel.
That said, there was no harm in providing 'Jubei' with some information. Most of my Perks, including Ears of Babel, didn't work while the mask was on. That meant the drones wouldn't be able to provide me with up-to-date information, but they also wouldn't need to.
I was sure Jubei would be able to find his way to where my bag of holding was being kept and retrieve all the stuff I couldn't put in my Inventory.
My persona was weaker than I was. Jubei didn't have my strength, speed, or resilience. He also didn't have any of my powers - except for Gamer's Mind and the various Skills that it granted - which was all of them except for the Resistances. Using anything else shattered the illusion/reality that had been wrapped around me. Except, possibly, Sibby, but I didn't consider her to only be a part of my powers in the first place. Jubei could even sense the connection I had with her.
I wondered what the logic was behind the interaction and limits the Mask imposed. Was it a contradiction? Jubei couldn't teleport, therefore if I teleported I was no longer Jubei? Or was it something else?
I wasn't exactly sure what my [Skill] did on a magical level. It worked, and that was that. Then again, it wasn't like I understood how Optimize or the other Shards did what they did either.
[Don the Mask] came easily to me. In a way, it felt like my Acting skill. It was the most natural thing in the world to speak and react as the person I'd become would've. I also obtained separate powers as Jubei - which, if I'm honest, made pretending to be him a lot of fun.
Like... a mini-game of sorts.
Of course, there were limits. Jubei was only a [Wanderer] 4, and a [Ninja 10]. I was pretty sure the [Wanderer] level was my actual one. Jubei had leveled up from 3 to 4 in it, and I'd retained that when I'd removed the mask.
No such luck with [Ninja]. It had started at 10, but didn't seem capable of progressing beyond that. That was fair. It irked me to lose out on experience, but it was fair.
Or, I might not have been doing sufficiently 'Ninja-esque' things.
Or, the exp was going towards [Superhero], but wasn't enough to advance.
Or, there was something else going on that I would have no way to discern. Like Optimize implementing a rule, or taking the experience, or who knew what else?
I also wanted to try a different alter ego, but it had taken time to visualize Jubei enough for him to become an option. I also wasn't sure I could have a second alternate form without losing the first. That would be something to experiment with later. I also wanted to test just what classes I could assume, and at what level. I suspected they would be limited somehow by the nature of, and my level in, [Superhero].
Maybe.
I knew that I could've made Jubei as a [Rogue 10], [Thief 10], [Warrior 10], or [Swordsman 10]. The conceptualization of the mask had failed when I'd tried for [Elite Shinobi 10] or [Swordmaster 10]. Heck, it couldn't even make an [Elite Shinobi 1], [Swordmaster 1], or a [Ninja 11]. Nor could I include [Avatar], [Artificer], or [Gamer] levels along with [Wanderer]. Still, I didn't want to infer anything with so few data points. There was every possibility that there was some other [Classes] out there that I could add to a mask, but not at level 10.
In any event, my drones had found the [Mayor]'s hidden safe. I dispersed them to find my main target.
I'd also finished Crafting my Homunculus. I left it in the cell. It was brain dead, and its biological functions would shut down quickly enough with my next addition that I started Crafting.
I wasn't an expert on radiation. I had blueprints that utilized and emitted all sorts. It wasn't a common Tinker specialty, but I had still managed to acquire a wide assortment of devices to choose from. Fortunately, I knew more about the effects of radiation on the human body than most.
Riley had taught me a lot - even if her choices in bedtime stories weren't normal.
It didn't take long, which was good as Darius had gotten Hoat to safety. He then turned back around and started yelling for Jubei.
I placed the trap I'd made on the ground, exited the room, and locked the door behind me. I then moved deeper into the mine. Not too deep, but I needed to get past the first bend so that it would look like I'd explored more. The light from my stone should illuminate the hallway that I was down, so Darius wouldn't stumble into the now trapped room.
At the same time, I directed all of my drones to break off from the target, and search the surrounding area for goblins. That was most important right now. I wouldn't be able to communicate with them as Jubei, but all I would need would be a moment alone to drop my mask to know where to go.
I also armed the trap, which would leave no remains once it finally used up all its MP. It should take a least several hours of exposure to become lethal. I then started Crafting a final toy. It wouldn't be much, but it could help Jubei out. I stopped once I'd gotten out of the direct line of sight that Darius would soon have. The small, yellow cube sat in my left hand as I raised the right to my face...
*Gamer's Body disabled.
...Jubei breathed out and winced. His ribs were still sore from when the [Thug] had punched him. He rubbed his jaw - that was sore too.
Eh. He shrugged, and slipped the yellow cube into his gi. He then transferred the lightstone from his right hand to his left, so that he held both it and his sword together. It was a little awkward, but it would let him draw his blade quicker.
Something seemed off...
Oh! Right.
Jubei quickly wrapped [Ninja Wire] around his wrist and hilt.
There. All done. Just in time too, as he heard Darius calling for him.
Jubei turned around and walked back to the curve in the tunnel. He could see another light coming from around the bend.
"Jubei!" Darius yelled. "I found Hoat. Are you okay?"
Jubei nodded as the two drew closer together. "Good. I was thinking about exploring some of the walled-off tunnels, but I'm glad I didn't have to."
Darius nodded. "Yes, those are all dangerous - in one way or another. Thankfully Hoat has a better head on his shoulders than I'd feared. He was checking the main shafts, but had already gotten lost." He turned around. "Let's hurry before the little idiot decides that he really SHOULD explore the mine again."
Jubei smirked.
Borert drummed his fingers on his desk. Wood was a luxury that most of the filth in Delna would never be able to afford. As [Mayor] though, it was his right.
He was nervous. His dangersense had gone off right after the stranger left. A few minutes ago... it had stopped, but now it was back again. There was nothing overt about it - just the sensation that something was wrong.
"Boss!" One of his goons - Jaim perhaps? - burst through the door to his office. "We have trouble!"
"What?!" Borert stood up. "Is the stranger attacking?"
"What?" Jaim shook his head. "No. It's the goblins, they took one of the [Miners] hostage."
"The goblins are past the wall?"
"No." Jaim shook his head again. "They threw a rock to get the attention of the [Guards], and taunted them or something!"
Borert let out a deep breath and rolled his eyes. "Don't barge in here for something insignificant like that." He plopped back into his chair. "If they aren't even attacking, then it doesn't matter." He should really report the incident to the Empire, but who knew how that would play out.
"But, Boss." Jaim swallowed. "The whole town is out there, and they're getting riled up."
"Pft." Borert snorted. "So what. Like I care if they're upset about the goblins being goblins. The lot of them have been surly since I tried to eliminate the threat." It was a blemish on the good name of the Empire of the Sands that ANY goblins existed within its borders. "Ungrateful curs."
"There's other talk too."
"Oh?" Borert leaned forward. "And how would you know that? Huh? Aren't the lot of you supposed to be here? Guarding me?"
"I was outside, and I heard the shouting." Jaim scowled. "You don't pay us enough to fight a mob, or a [Swordsman] or whatever that traveler is!"
"I PAY you exactly what you are WORTH!" Borert narrowed his eyes. "Now, get back out there and keep an eye open for the real threat! I don't want to hear a single word more about goblins!"
Jaim mumbled something.
"What was that?"
"I said: yes, Boss."
Borert watched as the Hemp trudged out of the room. It was impossible to get good help when all the Stringfolk in the area were of lesser cloth.
Jaimot closed the door behind him, and tried not to slam it. He wouldn't get rich by upsetting the [Mayor]. On the other hand, he also wasn't getting that rich by working for the [Mayor]. He stepped outside and nodded at his partner, before resuming his vigil.
Sure, he got to put everyone else in their place. The [Mayor] would've made an okay Face in a bigger city - at least as far as letting his men have fun. All the money Jaimot made? It came from the town, and Delna didn't have deep pockets.
It was getting harder and harder to shake people down.
"Ug." There was a noise to his left. Jaimot's dangersense flared. Something from above!
He tried to duck, but his throat caught on something!
His eyes went wide as he was lifted off the ground. His hands grasped at the thin metal noose that had been somehow placed around his neck! His legs kicked futilely in the air.
His partner!
Jaimot turned to see Fridan in the same position as him!
Suddenly pain shot through is body and his muscles spasmed!
He tried to shout, but his throat was both constricted by the wire and whatever was happening to him!
A moment later, everything faded to black.
Jubei took his thumb off of the tazer's trigger. He then slowly lowered the two bodies to the ground. It had taken some effort to lift both of them, but he'd managed.
The [Ninja Wire] around their necks disintegrated.
There was a shout from inside the house.
Jubei smiled. It was a simple [Skill], but versatile. Case in point, more spooled from his hand as he snapped it downwards. The wire caught on the lower part of the doorframe before he sent a twist through it. The wire responded better than physics should've allowed, and wrapped around a knot in the wood on the other side.
Jubei pulled it tight, and then sent another twist through it to tie it off. The wire connecting him to his trap vanished, and all that was left was a nearly invisible line across the entryway into the [Mayor]'s house.
Simple, but versatile.
It would've been better if he'd been able to take the two lookouts out without anyone else noticing, but unlike Raemon's house - this one had windows. Someone on the inside must've noticed a flailing arm or leg. That meant they'd be running out of the house soon.
Then they'd fall, and Jubei would be able to incapacitate a few more.
The door swung inside, and a woman rushed out. She tripped, but then somehow did a forward flip and landed on her feet.
Jubei scowled. It had to be a [Skill]. He wasn't used to empowered henchmen. They weren't very common on Earth Bet. Here? Everyone had abilities of one sort or another.
The next [Thug] wasn't as lucky, or just didn't have a good counter. He fell in a tumble, as did the two behind him.
"[Sword Art: Iaijutsu Wave]!"
Jubei cut to the side of the center of mass and instead struck the legs of his prone opponents. He couldn't use that [Skill] again until tomorrow, so he threw his sheath at the woman as he dropped down and landed on the people he'd just de-legged. It struck her squarely in the forehead and she toppled backwards.
The top man's scream was cut short as Jubei's wooden sandals drove into his spine. The [Ninja] then dashed into the house. He needed to use the element of surprise to whittle down some more henchmen. By his count, Borert had an even dozen minions.
Two lookouts tazed, three without legs, and one knocked out via sheath: left six remaining.
All of them were up and ready. Not a single one of them was frozen in fear or indecision. Stupid [Skills].
Jubei slid forward - keeping both feet on the floor, his first strike was a stab, but his target miraculously twisted at the last moment. His [Skill] must've been only good for a single dodge, as Jubei's downward slice got his leg.
Five left - all in a group by the couch. Jubei jumped on top of the furniture and swung at them with an exaggerated horizontal swipe. Three dodged. One got a sword-strike to the temple, but instead of dying, he staggered back.
Jubei had struck him with the flat of his blade. These people might not be the nicest in the world, but that didn't mean he had to kill them. The attack had been meant to force them to waste their dodging [Skills].
Four left.
Jubei flipped off the back of the couch and kicked it in mid-air.
Hmmm.
It didn't slide as far and as fast as he'd wanted. Instead of crashing into two of the remaining [Thugs] and pinning them against the wall, it only managed to make them double over as it struck them.
Jubei didn't hesitate, and sprung off the ground as soon as he touched it. His target gave a short yell as her eyes widened. She slashed at his face with her dagger while glancing at his right thigh.
Jubei ducked under the feint while also pivoting to move away from the real strike. She swung, he countered, and her right arm fell to the ground a second before she followed as he cut through her legs.
Three left.
Jubei cut down the next underling as he turned to run, and then began circling the last two.
Two left.
They'd extracted themselves from the furniture, and moved to flank him. One of their arms moved faster than thought, while the other exhaled a green mist.
Unfortunately for them, Jubei had plenty of experience in avoiding similar attacks. While he wasn't as fast as he would've liked, he still retained his skill with a blade. The woman with the shortsword was executing a beautiful lunge, but he doubted she'd be able to adjust it. Her weight was perfectly balanced so that she could spring to either side if necessary, but her eyes were solely focused on him.
Jubei strung [Ninja Wire] between his hands as he leapt into the air again - away from the cloud of what he assumed was poison, and over the thrusting blade. His wire wrapped around the woman's arm and he pulled it up. Her momentum caused her legs to fly out from underneath her, and she landed squarely on her back.
But, she'd avoided the attack of her 'ally'.
Jubei casually swiped at her legs and arm as he faced the last henchman.
One left.
He raised his hands up. "Look, take what you want. I don't-"
Jubei lunged and his blade flashed as it traced a pattern around the man.
He fell, but he got to keep most of his limbs. Jubei had only targeted his hands and feet.
"There." Jubei nodded to himself. "None left." He looked at the only door in the room, and gingerly began to pick his way towards it. All of the [Thugs] were immobilized, but the loss of their limbs didn't seem to cause them enough distress to make them insensitive. Rather, the conscious ones were pulling themselves out of his way while also trying to grab their severed body parts.
Jubei smirk-
Something pierced his arm!
He whirled around to see the woman who'd avoided his trip wire. He'd struck her with his sheath, but apparently not hard enough to knock her out. She'd thrown a dagger from his blind spot, and it had sunk deep into his bicep.
He felt the arm go numb as he pulled the weapon out.
Poison.
Well, venom.
Jubei's first instinct was to teleport behind his attacker and incapacitate her. Dropping his mask would make the poison a non-issue. However, that felt like losing. Like using a cheat code.
Also, it would make 'Jubei' even more suspicious. In the worst case, it might even associate him with Pixel.
Not that such a thing was inherently bad. In fact, it was probably inevitable. Still, things would be simpler the longer he flew under the radar.
Jubei took a step to the side.
Otherwise... he could cut off his arm. That would be a simple solution, but with unknown risks. He could only guess what it would do to his mask, and he didn't know if he was actually strong enough to accomplish such a thing anyways. It would also draw a lot of attention to Jubei and felt like losing in a different way.
He crouched down and put his back to the couch. One of the de-legged [Thugs] grabbed for him. Jubei recognized him as the one that had sucker-punched him in the stomach.
He kicked the man in the head.
Now, he only had a few seconds to act! [Ninja Wire] spooled in his left hand before he stuck his right arm through the hoops. Jubei grabbed part of it with his teeth and clenched tightly as he pulled on the other end.
The pain...
He quickly tied his make-shift tourniquet off. There. His right arm might be basically useless right now, but it would help hold the venom at bay. Some would've gotten to the rest of his body, but most of it would now be trapped in his arm.
That, of course, wasn't good for the limb. Depending on what the woman had used... Well, a lot of bad things could happen. Those could be fixed after the fight once he had some privacy.
Jubei heard the floor creak, and he spun to the side while standing up and throwing his sword.
It hit with a wet thunk.
His foe looked down at the skill-made steel that was now protruding from her stomach. Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed.
Shit. He'd been trying not to kill anyone! That was why part of him was glad to face off against so many Stringfolk.
Jubei took a step before leaning on the couch. He felt light-headed. Whatever the venom was, it worked quickly. He took a deep breath before cutting the [Ninja Wire] that connected him with his sword. He'd expected to miss and use his retrieval trick again.
Now? It was better left where it was to block the bleeding. Instead, he bent down and grabbed one of the [Thug]'s knives.
No one objected.
He then marched to the only door in the house. The door that the [Mayor] was hiding behind. The door to the room that had the hidden safe with his belongings.
Jubei kicked it off its hinges.
Borert stood there with a pale face and a crossbow. He locked eyes with the man, but saw his arm swing the weapon to point at his chest. The man's hand tensed.
Jubei was already swinging his newly acquired weapon. A crossbow was significantly slower than a bullet, so he needed to time things differently. The goal was the same. He couldn't cut it out of the air - not without moving FASTER than his target. Instead, he would deflect it with his blade.
The crossbow twanged as it unleashed its projectile, and Jubei parried it.
Borert looked shocked.
"You! I! I can-"
Jubei punched him before cutting off both of his arms at the elbow. He paused and then cut off both of his feet too. He then dropped the knife, hefted Borert over his shoulder, and tossed him into the previous room.
There.
If his [Thugs] wanted their own revenge, they could take it. If the townsfolk did also, they could bloody their own hands.
Or, they might talk things out. It wouldn't be his problem anymore. Jubei reached down and grunted as he picked up the door and pushed it back into its frame. Not the best barrier, but it should stop anyone from witnessing what he was about to do.
Jubei reached up...
*Gamer's Body enabled.
...and I took my mask off again.
The [Ninja Wire] had vanished along with everything else...
Oops. That meant that Jubei's sword was gone too, and that the woman was probably bleeding out. I quickly un-Inventoried two potions onto the table. I then turned to the corner that housed Borert's hidden safe.
I Inventoried the rug, the floor panel, and the lid of the safe. There were bags of coins and documents inside of it along with... the bag of holding Seraphel had given me. Time was of the essence, so I didn't have any to spare for doing a thorough accounting of what my bag held. A quick glance showed me that everything was still there:
Rice balls, mana potions, jugs of sake, and scrying orbs.
There were still a substantial amount of glass vials filled with different colored liquids. Some might be missing, but even if they were - I still had plenty. There were also two glass spheres. One of them had been burnt out from my experimentation, and probably wasn't worth anything. The other looked fine.
I set the bag next to the Shard-created healing potions, and then replaced the lid, panel, and rug by un-Inventorying them. I then put my foot on the cloth rug, and shifted it slightly to give the impression that Jubei had done his safe cracking with a [Skill] or something.
There. I didn't think there was anything else left to do, so I put my mask back on...
*Gamer's Body disabled.
...Jubei winced. His arm hurt. With the [Ninja Wire] tourniquet gone, the poison was racing through his system again.
No. Not poison. Venom.
Regardless, he had the solution at hand. He picked up one of the bottles, and swallowed the red, blocky liquid inside.
It was creamy, slimy, and gritty all at the same time. The flavor was sour, rancid, bitter, and yet somehow sickeningly sweet! Jubei gagged.
*Disgust negated by Gamer's Mind.
The aftertaste wasn't pleasant, but that was what medicines were like. So... Jubei shrugged. He guessed that was first hand 'proof' that his potions didn't taste good. He'd known that in the abstract, but experiencing it for himself was a novel event.
He shook his head and spit. The 'flavors' just weren't going away! Plus, somehow, he was smelling things from his mouth that he had never smelt before.
At least the pain in his arm was ebbing.
He tossed his sword in the corner. It would vanish soon enough. He then slipped his bag into his gi, let his right arm hang by his side, and picked up the potion with his left.
Jubei pulled the door open, and it promptly fell to the ground. Almost a dozen pairs of eyes locked onto him as he trudged out of the [Mayor]'s office. No one took any action or spoke. Most of them looked away.
Jubei stopped as he came to the woman he'd impaled. Her rough face was pale, and a puddle of blood surrounded her. All the Stringfolk were bleeding, but not as much as any other race would've if they'd had their limbs amputated. It seemed that internal wounds didn't gain the same benefit from their magical physiology.
"Here." He popped the rubber stopper from the potion, and handed it to her. "Drink this."
"What..." Her glazed eyes focused on him and she swallowed. "What is it?"
"A healing potion. It will stop the bleeding and save your life." And do much more if needed. Jubei wondered if Stringfolk could regrow limbs with it. That was a thought for another time.
"Heh." She chuckled and raised her bloody hand to grab the offered vial. "Looks strange, but I ain't got nuthin' ta lose anyways."
Her arm gave out, and the potion nearly slipped through her fingers, but Jubei caught her hand and gently brought the bottle to her lips.
She swallowed, choked, and then gagged, but she got it down.
"Burn my stitches! That is the most vile potion I've ever-" She took a deep breath and her eyes widened. "It's gone." She whispered. "The pain is gone!" She brought her hands to her chest and rubbed them over the now smooth skin. (Well, rough skin, she was a hemp after all, but it was blemish free.) "What in the name of Elucina was that?!"
"Just a healing potion." Jubei stood up and lowered his straw hat before walking out the door - and over the Stringfolk that were still lying there. He made sure to have his right arm dangle at his side to sell the idea that he was still injured.
And to hopefully distract anyone that wondered about where his sword had gone.
Eh, even if they noticed, they'd assume it was a [Skill]. Jubei needed to remember that superpowers weren't as memorable in this world.
Outside, most of the town were still gathered in front of the gate. The mob was discussing Raemon's kidnapping, and hadn't given the [Mayor], or what was going on at his house, any attention. That was fine with Jubei, he only had two more things to do before he left Delna and continued on his journey.
...Maybe three.