It was dark… You couldn’t see anything. You couldn’t hear anything. You don’t know where you are and you don’t remember what happened. Why are you here, you wondered to yourself. But… does that really matter right now, you wondered to yourself again. You feel really tired, you feel like your whole body was made of lead, you don’t want to anything anymore, you just want to close your eyes, stay still and forget everything in the world. Yes, it’s probably better this way…

Why are you crying?

Suddenly, you heard a voice reaching out to you. It was a very small voice yet feels very gentle and full of warmth.

Why are you crying?

You heard the voice calling you again, and like a ray of light, the voice chased away the darkness surrounded you.

(Continued next post)

>>41734950
You tried to open your eyes and saw a small girl with red hair sitting in front of you.

Why are you crying? She asked you again. Did you get hurt somewhere? She proceeded to check your body. Hey, this is not okay! She said. I think your feet got problem! She said.

Ah, you remembered now. You were playing around the open field by the river near your village, and you tripped and hurt yourself. You think you sprained your ankle or something and couldn’t move so you just lied down on the grass of field and cried yourself to sleep to forget the pain. But that’s strange…

Maybe… this will do. The girl muttered to herself. She then took out some kind of herb from the bag she was holding, putted in her mouth and chewed. Doesn’t seem like she like the taste of the herb though as she made this really weird face as she chew. After a minute or so, she spat out the herb and applied it onto your sprained ankle. You thought it would hurts very much when she does that, but strangely, you didn’t feel any pain at all. Finally, she took out her handkerchief and wrapped it around your ankle.

All right, that should be enough. She muttered to herself. She then turned her back to you. Come on, get on and I’ll piggy back you back to the village. She told you. Even if you wanted to decline, your ankle would have some objected, so you did as told anyway. You didn’t think such a small girl like her could carry you, but, with some difficulties, she managed to do so somehow.

On the way home, you asked the girl what the girl was doing by the river. I was collecting herbs to cure my mother’s illness back at home. She said. Oh… She muttered to herself. You never did catch my name, right? She said.

My name’s Scarlett. What’s yours?

…

(Continued next post)

>>41734964
You opened your eyes and got back to reality. You took a really quick look around and found yourself lying on a bed of a room that looks like that of a hospital. You yourself are dressed in a light robe that resembled a hospital gown too.

You found Scarlett was sitting in a chair next to your bed, arm folded. She has her eyes closed and was leaning onto the wall, so she must have been sleeping.

There were some windows in the room, the curtains prevented you to look outside. But, judging from the amount of light that got in, you could guess that it was early morning.

“Good morning.” Someone called out to you. You turned to the direction of the voice and saw a man with dark purple-ish short hair, dressed in a white robe, kinda what a priest would dress, you imagine. “How are you feeling?” He asked you.
>Fine, I guess.
>I feel horrible.
>Who are you? And where am I?

Jesus Christ on a crackerjack barrel, use quotation marks OP. For the sake of your readership, and your future writing.

>>41734986
>>Fine, I guess.

>>41735000
That was supposed to be a flashback and the voice was in your head so I didn't use quotation marks. If you found it to be annoying then I won't do it next time. Sorry.

>>41734986
>Who are you? And where am I?

>>41735044
You had a reason, so it's a forgivable sin, but if you were writing a flashback then

>On the way home, you asked the girl what the girl was doing by the river.
is a correct framing of dialogue seen in the past, where

> I was collecting herbs to cure my mother’s illness back at home. She said. Oh… She muttered to herself. You never did catch my name, right? She said.
is not. A way to rewrite that in proper framing would be
>She told you she was collecting herbs for her mother back home, to cure her illness. She went on to tell you her name, Scarlett.

>>41735210
Okay, point taken. Thanks for the advice, anon.

>>41734986
>Fine, I guess.
>Who are you? And where am I?

Hey QM. Ready to try again?
Hopefully it doesn't become too crowded again.

File: Jamin 3.jpg (10 KB, 224x224)

10 KB JPG

You’re feeling a little light-headed, but other than that, you’re feeling fine. No pain at all on either your ankle or your chest or anywhere on your body. Though you’re little worried about who this man in front of you is, and where you currently are. As last you remembered, you were marching with the army to escape to somewhere safe after the encampment got attacked.

“My name is Jamin.” The man introduced himself. “You passed out from exhaustion and blood loss. But don’t worry, I’ve healed you so you should be fine now.” The man, Jamin, then walked over to a nearby desk that’s filled lots and lots of things that you couldn’t quite make out. He reached for a small cup and a kettle. He poured some water into the cup and then handed to you. “Here, have some drink. Should make you feel better.”

You took the cup and gulped down everything in one go. You feel slightly more refreshed now. You then asked Jamin where you were since he didn’t answer that question yet.

“The healing facility of the citadel of Ugra.” Jamin said simply.

Ugra, the name doesn’t really ring any bell to you unfortunately, you’ve never been too interested in names of places and geography. Heck, that’s why you appreciated your village being nameless after all. Though you could take a quick guess that this citadel of Ugra was some place near the encampment you were previously in.
>How long was I asleep.
>So, are you a doctor or something?
>How’s my friend over here? She also got injured not long ago too.

>>41735471
>How’s my friend over here? She also got injured not long ago too.
>How long was I asleep.

>>41735471

Seconding >>41735520.

>>41735520
this.

>>41735520
>>41735572
>>41735610
“Hm?” Jamin tilted his head to the side, like he didn’t quite understand your question. “If your friend over there was injured, then I don’t think it’s something serious enough for you to worry about. She was even healthy enough to carry you here by herself after all.”

That’s strange… Good news to hear but still a bit strange… You remembered Scarlett got a lance pierced through her shoulder and there were a lot blood. That’s definitely not some not-serious-enough-injury. Guess the vulnerary she used was surprisingly effective then.

You then asked how long you were asleep.

“Since you got here, a whole day.” Jamin said. “I don’t know how long it took you to get here though, so you could have slept a whole lot longer.”

Well, that was embarrassing to hear. Scarlett also got injured but she still managed not to pass out, and even carry you here and yet you passed out for a whole day. If this continue the next time you step out on the battlefield, then it could spell some serious troubles.
>So, are you a doctor or something?
>Can I go outside?

>>41735774
>So, are you a doctor or something?

>>41735774
>>So, are you a doctor or something?

“Not just a doctor, a healer.” Jamin said.

What’s the differences, you questioned.

“Well, for starters… A doctor uses medical means to treat their patient’s injuries, while a healer uses magic staves to do so.” He picked up a small staff under the pile of… things on the desk and showed you. “This is a Heal staff. If you injured yourself somewhere, I’ll just need to concentrate my mind on that injury of yours and it will be healed in no time. A lot faster than using medical means.” He then putted the staff back to where it once belongs. “Though I was also trained being a doctor too, so I can use my knowledge and medical means to treat patients if there’s no healing staff lying around.”

That’s pretty impressive, you thought. Your village only has normal doctors so you didn’t know about this healer thing before.

“Now that you’re awake.” Jamin said. “Why not go out and take some fresh air? It could do you some good.” He then threw you your old clothes back. You questioned where he kept the clothes, but refrained from asking.

You got off the bed and changed into your old clothes and prepared to head outside.

“Oh…” Jamin called out to you. “If you’re hungry and want something to fill your stomach, try something light, like soups or rice porridges. Would be bad for your body if you suddenly get too much food in your stomach after sleeping a whole day.”

Better remember Jamin’s advice to heart, you thought to yourself.

Now where should you go?
>The armory
>The item shop
>The barracks
>The mess tent.

>>41736168
>The armory
Then
>The item shop
Need to get our gear, Since i suppose we're adventurers now?

>>41736168
Same as >>41736253, but try to go to the barracks if we can't afford anything at the shop.

>>41736168
>The armory
>The item shop

File: Jake.gif (8 KB, 113x109)

8 KB GIF

>>41736253
>>41736386
>>41736615
>The armory
Before you left, you looked back at Scarlett, still sleeping peacefully on the chair, unaware that you’ve awoken. It’d be rude to disturb her from her beauty sleep so let’s leave her be, you thought.

Since this is a citadel, it must have some pretty impressive armory. So the first thing you decided to visit is the armory. And to the armory you headed.

A short while later, you arrived at the armory and was greeted with a wide array of weapons on display. There are lances, swords and axes made from different kind of materials, from bronze to iron to even glass. You questioned how can a weapon made out of glass can be functional, but hey, at least it looks and sounds cool. You definitely wouldn’t want to carry a glass weapon out onto the battlefield though. Gods know what would happen if it were to break into million pieces the moment you so much poke it at an enemy.

“Welcome to the armory!” A familiar voice rang out from deep within the armory, must from the one running the armory.

You walked further in to greet and talk to whoever it is. And much to your surprise, it was Jake standing at the counter.

“Oh hey, Travis!” He gave you a warm greeting.
>Give him a warm greeting too.
>Ask why he’s here.
>Ask about his injury.

>>41736625
>Ask about his injury.

>>41736625
>Give him a warm greeting too.
>Ask about his injury.

>>41736625
>>Give him a warm greeting too.
I mean, come on. Why shouldn't we?

>>41736638
>>41736670
>>41736742
You gave him a warm greeting too, it’s the natural thing to do.

“Ah, the joy of being greeted back after greeting someone else. Isn’t that just the best?” Jake smiled. “You wouldn’t believe how few people actually bother to greet me when they step into this armory and see me. All they do is get straight to business and order the weapons they want and walk out as fast as they possibly can, paying me no mind at all. I’m a real person too, not just some shop decoration, you know?”

You’d love to hear Jake continue with his ranting, really you do, but that’s not what you’re here for so you quickly tried to change the subject and asked him about his injury instead.

“Oh, my injury? I’m totally fine now, thanks for asking.” He raised his arms showed off his muscles to further convince you. “Though for all my years of being a mercenary, I’ve never been actually step onto the battlefield and got injured like that. That was a really scary experience…”

Well, yeah… Anyone would be scared if they got seriously injured on a battlefield. Though the fact that Jake has been a mercenary for many years and still has never been in a real battle comes as a surprise for you.

“So I’ve decided to stop being a mercenary…” Jake continued. “And get back to being an arm dealer! My girlfriend’s merchant network reaches over all corners of the continent so I just need to say a word and this armory is now mine.”

So… he just becomes the owner of this armory literally today? That’s good to hear.
>Ask him what’s in store.
>Remind him that you saved his life and demand some weapons.
>Remind him that you saved his life and demand some money.

>>41736998
>Ask him what’s in store
>Ask him if we get a discount for saving his life
Let's not be assholes now yeah?

>>41736998
>Ask him what’s in store.
I'm pretty sure the whole "You saved my life" thing will come up naturally. We will probably get *something*.

>>41736998
>Ask him what’s in store.

>>41737057
>>41737086
>>41737110
Jake gave you a list of weapons for you to take a quick look.

Bronze Lance – 450G
Iron Lance – 600G
Bronze Bow – 400G
Iron Bow – 750G
Bronze Sword – 350G
Iron Sword – 500G
Bronze Axe – 400G
Iron Axe – 600G
Glass Lance – 600G
Glass Bow – 600G
Glass Sword – 600G
Glass Axe – 600G

These… actually aren’t that expensive. You thought it would have cost more considering how Jake charged you 100G for just a meal. But no matter how little these weapons may cost, you can’t really afford them right now since you don’t even have a penny in your pocket at the moment.
>Can’t you give me some “discount”?
>I’m just taking a look around. I’ll be back when I need something.

Searching weapons price took longer than I expected. Sorry.

>>41737375
>I’m just taking a look around. I’ll be back when I need something.

>>41737375
>I’m just taking a look around. I’ll be back when I need something.

>>41737375
I'm going to be honest. Glass weapons tempt me.
I mean, Silver weapon damage for E weapon ranks? Best weapon to ruin early bosses.
But, I'm going to have to agree with the rest.
>I’m just taking a look around. I’ll be back when I need something.

>>41737399
>>41737443
>>41737536
>I’m just taking a look around. I’ll be back when I need something.
“Hm…” Jake frowned. “Well, if you don’t want anything then I won’t force you. Be sure to come again though. Oh, wait…” Jake got down under the counter, looks like he was looking for something. A few seconds later, he got up and held something out to you. “Here, for you.”

You took that thing from Jake and look at it. It was some kind of… talisman, you think?

“That’s a talisman.” Jakes said. “It can ward off curses and magical stuffs. Consider it as a gift for saving my life. I can’t give you free weapons or discounts since it goes against my girlfriend’s rules of business, so this is the least I can do for you.”

Because giving out free items is totally not giving out free weapons, you assumed? You’re not one into superstition much, but hey free stuff is always welcoming, and if you can’t find anything of use to it, you can go over to the item shop and get yourself some free cash.

[Received a Talisman – Increase its user’s Magic by 2 when used.]

“Though to be honest…” Jake continued. “I was kinda expecting you to remind me how you saved my life and demand some free stuff, but guess I misjudged you, eh?”

Just what kind of person Jake think you are? You shuddered.

Now where should you go next?
>The item shop.
>The barracks.
>The mess tent.

>>41737742
>The item shop.

>>41737742
>The mess tent

>>41737742
>The item shop.
Vulnerary buying time. Hopefully.

File: Anna.png (178 KB, 366x477)

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>>41737839
>>41737899
>The item shop.
Since you’ve already checked out the armory, might as well go check out the item shop, you thought. So to the item shop you headed.

A short while later, you arrived at the item shop, and like the armory, you were greeted with a wide array of… things that you’re not sure you can call ‘usable items’.

“Welcome to the item shop!” You heard a voice coming out from under one of the piles of things. There, a red-headed girl rose up and quickly ran over to you. “Greetings, dear customer!” She greeted you while trying to make cute pose with a finer resting on her lips. “How may help you today?” She asked. “Here at this item shop of the citadel of Ugra, we have a wide variety of items that can satisfy your every needs. From this invaluable vulnerary that can treat any wounds you may have, to this healing staff that is at least a hundred times more effective than a vulnerary if you know someone who can use it, to these all-purpose keys that can unlock any kind of doors in the land. Or if you don’t want to open doors, then how about opening chests? No problem since I also carry with me these magnificent keys that can defeat any kind of chest locks! Or perhaps you’d be interested in…”
>Um…
>Silently walk away as fast as you can.

>>41738170
>Um…

>>41738170
>>Um…

>>41738170
>Um…

>>41738279
>>41738307
>>41738334
>Um…

“Oh, my apology for going on and on like that. Where’s my manner, silly me.” The girl knocked herself on the head and blinked at you. “My name is Anna, the owner of this item shop.” Then she went back to the pose with her finger resting on her lower lip. “How may I help you?”

Anna… You think you heard that name somewhere before. Then you remembered that Jake said that he has a girlfriend named Anna who is a merchant. This girl must be that Anna, you thought.
>Ask her if she’s Jake’s girlfriend.
>Ask what all these items lying around are for.
>Ask if she’s willing to buy the talisman you have.

>>41738441
What the hell, I just realized that I've had my trip off for a while. Silly me.

>>41738441
>Ask her if she’s Jake’s girlfriend.
>Ask what all these items lying around are for.

>>41738441
>Ask what all these items lying around are for.
>Ask her if she’s Jake’s girlfriend.
I would be more surprised if she wasn't. I mean, yeah, there are lots of Anna's running around, but it makes more sense for him to work near his girlfriend.
But QM here has the final say. Maybe I'm wrong.

>>41738513
>>41738603
“No, Jake’s girlfriend is another Anna, not me, and she’s currently doing business down south.” Anna said. “I’m her younger sister and in charge of business up north here.”

Okay… It’s not that uncommon for sister to share the same name so you can live with that.

“My sister has a lot more impressive item list than what I have here though…” Anna continued. “As much as I hate that fact, it’s still a fact.” She sighed.

You nervously glanced over the piles of random items lying around. Can’t that be hard having more impressive items than these, you thought.

“Oh, are you interest in those things lying over there? Those are random items that customers sold to me. If you’re interested then I’ll gladly sell you some of those for a very agreeable price.” She said. “One of the rules in my family business is to always satisfy the customer’s needs after all!”

You appreciated the thought, but you really don’t see any uses out of those things. Though what she just said means that she gladly buy things and anything that you have for sell to her. Perhaps you should show her the talisman you got from Jake?
>Show her the talisman.
>Don’t show her the talisman.

>>41738728
>Don’t show her the talisman.

>>41738784
It was a gift after all, would be rude to just up and sell the talisman off, so you decided to hang on to it instead. You told Anna that it was your first time here so you were just going around to see things and don’t have any intention to buy anything. Well, at least not yet. Anna looked somewhat disappointed hearing you say so, but she quickly went back to the cheerful self she had earlier.

You took a quick tour around the shop for a while and then decided to go somewhere else.
>The mess tent.
>The barracks.

>>41738728
Damn, so I was wrong. Ah well.
>Don’t show her the talisman.
We might need it later. Unless we see a different stat booster in her inventory. I might change my tune then.

>>41738945
Aaaand that is what I get for not updating the thread before posting.
>The mess tent.
We haven't eaten all day. Time for food!

>>41739011
No problem, anon. I updated early because it was short so it's kinda my fault anyway.

>>41739036
Nah, no prob, QM. It happens.
Plus, more updates are always good.

>>41739011
After all that running around, you’re starting to feel the hunger seeping slowly into you. Maybe it’s time to hit the mess tent to see if you can grab something to fill your stomach.

A short while later, you arrived at the mess tent. You had a talk with the cook there but still no food. Apparently, everyone must gather at the mess tent at certain times of the day if they want free meal, any times other than that, you have to pay to get anything.

Well, that sucks… But that makes sense you supposed. If anyone can freely grab the food, then the supplies would run dry quick and the army can’t fight, and nobody would want that.

Still with an empty stomach, you sighed and started walking out of the mess tent, feeling dejected.

“Excuse me…” Then, someone called out to you from behind. You turned and saw a small girl, wait no, that didn’t come out right. You saw a young girl that is around the same age as you, probably one or two years younger at most, but she has a rather… humbled height. Though that’s not the only thing that piqued your interest… She has light blue hair.

“Um… Excuse me?” The girl called for your attention once again. “Are you perhaps… broke?” She asked. “I can share some of my money with you to buy a meal if that’s the case.”

>Accept her proposal
>Refuse her.
>Ask her if she wants anything in return.

>>41739364
>Politely Refuse.

>>41739364
>Accept her proposal.
It worked out well last time. And can always pay her back.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>41739453
>>41739477

File: Ciel.jpg (9 KB, 224x224)

9 KB JPG

>>41739453
>Politely Refuse.
You appreciated her kindness, but the thought of asking food from a girl hurts your pride as a man a little, so you politely refused her.

“Are you sure about that? Don’t be shy because I’m a stranger to you.” The girl said. “The goddess has a teaching that everybody in this land is brothers and sisters. Open your heart to others and others will surely open their hearts back to you.”

You stood your ground and refused her again.

“Is that so?” The girl looked somewhat disappointed. “But, if you don’t mind. How about having a chat with me over breakfast instead?”

Well, just having a chat shouldn’t prove too much trouble so you accepted the proposal this time. The two of you then walked over to a wooden table. You noticed that the blue-haired girl specifically chose the table that has another girl sitting in. The other girl has shoulder-length brown hair and looks to be around your age. She has a notebook and a pencil in hands, seems like she was drawing something.

The blue-haired girl sat down and silently gave one set of meal to the brown-haired girl. The brown-haired girl putted down the book and pencil and took the meal, smiling. You figured they must have been friends.

“So…” The blue-haired girl spoke up. “My name is Ciel. Nice to meet you.” She introduced herself. You quickly followed and introduced yourself too. Then you…
>Ask about her hair.
>Ask about the brown-haired girl
>Ask them why they are here.

>>41739883
>>Ask about the brown-haired girl
>>Ask them why they are here.

File: Iris.jpg (13 KB, 224x224)

13 KB JPG

>>41739924
Ciel reached out for the notebook and pencil and started writing something on it and then gave it to the brown-haired girl. The brown-haired girl took the notebook, looked at it for a second, then looked at you, then she wrote something onto the notebook and then showed it to you.

I’m Iris, that’s what written on the notebook.

Iris took back the notebook and continued writing something on it and then showed it to you again.

I’m deaf and mute. I may be a pain to deal with, but please to meet you.

You paused for a little to think about that fact, but then quickly took the notebook and pencil and introduced yourself, not forgetting to tell her it was a pleasure to meet her too.

You then asked Ciel why the two of them are here, since Reynard said that there shouldn’t be any female in army that is full of dudes.

“Well…” Ciel pondered for a second, wrote your question to the notebook and passed it over to Iris and then said. “It was a long story, but our house in the mountain near here got attacked by the Eiz army just the other day. A man named Reynard led a small army to drive the enemy back and saved us. Since I used to be a cleric and can helping healing injured people, and my friend Iris can fight, we thought we should lend our strength to help driving away the darkness that threaten the peace of Asier. Reynard gladly accepted and led us here.”
>Reynard just accepted you two so easily just like that?
>You used to be a cleric? Tell me more about you.
>Iris can fight? Tell me more about her.

>>41740320
>You used to be a cleric? Tell me more about you.
>Iris can fight? Tell me more about her.
Not surprised about Rey just accepting them. I mean, he obviously likes us, and we practically committed treason.

“Yes, I used to train as a cleric in a small town in Cahn… Oh wait… That part of the continent should in Southern Asier now…” Ciel said. That should explain the light blue color of her hair, since to your knowledge, citizens of Asier all have their hair in dark color. “Then when I had my coming of age ceremony at the age of 14, I decided to give up position in the church to travel around in hope of spreading the teaching of goddess to every corner of the continent. It has been 5 years since then…”

… Something doesn’t sound quite right here. She had her coming of age ceremony at 14, and then 5 years have passed since then, meaning she’s 19 now. That’s 2 years older than you. Holy goddess, and yet you thought she was supposed to be 2 years younger than you earlier.

“My travel was met with varying responses. When I first started, the villages I visited usually greet with open arms and listened carefully to the teaching I told them and acted accordingly. But, as I travelled further north, the teachings I preached were met with unfavorable responses, I even got rocks threw at me one time…”

That was harsh… Who knew the racism was that strong up north.

“And then just last month, I got lost in a mountain and met Iris. Moved by how such a young girl with disabilities could survive all by herself in the wilderness just like that, I decided to settled down and look after her. Then just the other day, we met sir Reynard like I just told you.”

That’s a really interesting story. You’re impressed that such a small girl like her could bare such hardships. You can now somewhat understand why Reynard agreed to let her come with him. Then about Iris…

(Continued next post)

>>41740940
Iris putted her right elbow onto the table with the palm of the hand opened towards you, indicating that she’s challenging you to a test of strength. Sure, why not, you thought to yourself and took her hands.

Iris raised her left with three fingers opened, then she closed one finger. You quickly understood that she’s counting to the moment the challenge actually begins. When her left palm fully closed, you summoned all of your strength to take down Iris, but, much to your dismay, the back of your right hand already made contact with the table. The challenge didn’t even last a second, Iris defeated you before you even know what happened. Only when the pain you got from the impact started to get into your brain that you realized you have lost.

Iris then took the notebook and showed it to you. “I’m strong, freakishly strong.” written on the notebook.

Yeah, you can kind of see that now... Ouch...

It must be getting late over there, so I'm putting a stop to this session. Tomorrow we will visit the barracks and then start support building after that.

Thank you for participating, everyone. Wish you guys an awesome weekend.

Oh, and it's still just afternoon where I am so I'll be sticking around in case anyone have something to ask or want to talk about.

>>41741005
>>41741068
Hey, thanks for running, QM.
Sorry you practically ran this for only me at the end. I'm slightly disappointed by the turnout. I'm hoping that more people try this quest eventually.

>>41741181
Well, I don't mind just running for one player alone as long as the both of us enjoyed the quest. At least it wasn't the result of Quest prime time like last time. Seriously, I got really nervous last week with all the quests running at once.

And I'm thinking about doing some one-shot side stories to gather attention in the future, maybe that could help gather some players to this quest.

And thanks again for participating, anon.