Here and now, you’re about to get off your shift. Working two jobs, with one being as random in terms of workdays as being a mercenary is, you’ve found yourself pulling strange hours- sometimes completing a job and immediately going to the library to check out books for people. The latter’s a lot more slow-paced than the former, at least, and your ‘boss’ (a ten-year old vampire girl named Delilah; long stoy) never argued the issue- she’d in fact fretted at seeing you come in once with bags under your eyes and had tea made for you. Darling.

But, you’d had no such issues as of late. After completing a job in which you had to slaughter strange insects in a strange, futuristic world full of tech you’d never seen before (but proved to be VERY effective, you really had to look into directed energy weapons), you’d taken a couple of days off. Just the other day, your senior, Miranda- a girl you could call surly on her better days, but undeniably professional and respectful to those who acquired her services- had come back, sighing from a long job; something about playing teacher over a smut poem.

...You hadn’t asked too many questions.

Right now, though, you’re free for the day. So far, the plan is to get some weapons training in, maybe get yourself a couple of sweets at the bakery as a reward for a good session.

The Outgoer training clinic (Outgoers being what they called interdimensional travelers like yourself- save for certain specific individuals…) was a large building; seven stories tall, extremely spacious, and had a ton of areas for almost all sorts of practice- from simple basic hand to hand dojos to simulated situations for those with...higher levels of power to be able to practice their craft.

You, today, were here to focus on your-

>Firearms- A bullet saved is just another chance to escape an emergency.
>Swordplay- Your skills always need to be sharper than the sword you use.
>Magic Prowess- If all else fails, the power within can always see you through.

>>742220
>Firearms- A bullet saved is just another chance to escape an emergency.
Work on our weaknesses.

>>742220
>Firearms- A bullet saved is just another chance to escape an emergency.

>>742220
>>Firearms- A bullet saved is just another chance to escape an emergency.

File: vulcan gun.jpg (669 KB, 1800x951)

669 KB JPG

>>742220
>>>Firearms- A bullet saved is just another chance to escape an emergency.
Train for the Big Guns!

>>742220
>Firearms- A bullet saved is just another chance to escape an emergency.

>>742220
>Firearms- A bullet saved is just another chance to escape an emergency.
JACK
OF
ALL
TRADES
not really, but you get what mean.

Oh dear I wonder which option might win

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>742258
Better roll dice, quick!

>>742264
...Wow.

Okay then.

PEW PEW it is.

Writing.

>>742258
I don't know could it be!
>>742220
>Firearms- A bullet saved is just another chance to escape an emergency.

>>742220

Firearms. Was always good to keep your eyes sharp and your trigger finger steady. Some of your old friends hadn’t liked using guns, despite living in the modern day- guess there was just a lot of tradition drilled into their heads. You, personally, were...rather a fan of guns. The clinic had plenty of firing ranges for you to work with, and an almost impossible amount of guns to practice with- generous of them since it meant you didn’t have to expend your own valuable ammunition on practicing. Your Outgoer license gave you special access to the area, and access to the heavier weaponry if you really felt like it.

It’s a quick effort to swipe in, and before long you’re standing down one of the wider ranges, and...well, a lot of weapons laid out in front of you. Pistols, submachine guns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, rocket launcher- oh, hey, speak of the devil, there’s a couple of those directed energy weapons, looks like- when did they pick those up? Ah well. Not complaining.

They’ll be a nice end to the session, you suppose, as you pick up a pistol and take aim.

Roll- yes, roll. This thread's special. 1d5, Best of 3.

Rolled 3 (1d5)

>>742311
Shoot from the hip...

---

Izumi, Warrior of True Good - with Guns!
We're going to destroy all Evil that stands in our way!

Dude in hoody? Suspicious! Kaboosh!
Guy in suit? White-collar crime boss! Boom!
Little girl eating sweets? Cute, no violence necessary.

Rolled 2 (1d5)

>>742311

Rolled 5 (1d5)

>>742311
We should use these in the tactical shooting course as well as on the range.

>>742332
WELL ALRIGHT!

Brief delay, sorry about that.

Writing!

>>742332
>We should use these in the tactical shooting course as well as on the range.
supporting

>>742311
Gunfire rings out through the range as you get into the zone- pick up, fire, pick up, fire. Pistols pop, submachine guns hum, and assault rifles smoke as you knock down target after target, your hands a blur one moment as you switch weapons, then stone still the next as you aim. Firearms were little different than hand to hand weapons in some ways- you needed to have the utmost respect for them. In a way, guns were even more delicate to handle than even a well-sharpened sword.

But respect was something you had in spades, and they returned that respect with impeccable marks along the targets, bullet rarely straying from their intended destination- even the RPG and rocket launcher prove amiable to your whims, explosions going off in the far distance right on top of primed targets. The energy weapons handle like a dream- one a slick, chrome rifle-looking object that fires out large bursts of some type of energy that burns through at least three targets with one shot, and a smaller one that feels like a sniper rifle that fits in your palm- with a lot of noise.

It’s exhilarating in a way your compatriots at SES don’t really get- the excitement of watching a well-judged, well-aimed, well-timed shot hit. After about an hour of enjoying the thrill of shooting, you find yourself out of weaponry, and low on ammo in them.

Then you hear clapping. Turning around, you find that you apparently had a bit of an audience. A dozen or so soldiers, and a couple of (presumably) magical girls give you claps and thumbs up. You can’t help but blush a bit, but it’s clear that your firearm mastery was on display for all to see.

“Well, lookit you!” One of the girls says. She’s got what looks to be a very stylish dress on, a lot of white with blue trim, split down the middle. You can see she’s got a holster, with what look to be a six-shooter in it. “Gotta say, you were really slinging those things. Don’t see a lot of girls fancy guns like you.”

“Oh, well, thanks…” You’re not sure what to say to her. “I enjoy guns, yes. I try to come here as often as I can, but lately it’s been a bit harder…”

“Yeah? Huh. I come here a ton, can’t say I recall your face.” She shrugs. “Eh, maybe it’s just bad timing on our parts. Anyway, I was looking at you and wonderin’ if maybe you wanted to have a little shootout with me and a couple of my girls? We need a fourth for a two-on-two training session in the MOUT course.”

Huh. You did that a few times before. Basically a simulated city- or part of one, anyway- with faux weapons. They were guaranteed to be pretty much identical to the real things, just without the deadly bullets. Still stings, though, and if you got hit, you'd feel it tomorrow.

>Sure, why not?
>No thanks, I have other plans.
>Other

>>742474
>>Sure, why not?

>Sure, why not?

>>742474
>>Sure, why not?

Nothing wrong with being friendly.

>>742474
>Sure, why not?

>>742474
>Sure, why not?
No reason not to be neighborly.

>>742474
>>>Sure, why not?
Magic paintball. Fun and tactics.

>>742474
>Sure, why not?

>a smaller one that feels like a sniper rifle that fits in your palm- with a lot of noise.
Noisy Cricket?

Izumi is the responsible weapons nut?

Let's do this thing.

Writing.

>>742512
you saw nothing.

>>742519
She is now.
The pastebins only mention sword stuff.

>>742519
>>742534

Ah, yeah, sorry. No, she uses a bit of everything. It's kinda implied in her skillsheet, but I never updated her bio.

Wonder if Izumi has doubts about teaching a girl, that, for all she knows, uses the knowledge to condemn dimensions.

Wonder if she has doubts about teaching Miranda.

>>742474
>Sure, why not?
Oh wow. Ahe's strong.

>>742555
>doubts about teaching a girl
She will imbue her Goodness and Righteousness into them!

>>742565
>See, what you do is, you go for cover, shoot the guy over the hood, not through the window, try to be a better person and then run to cover on the other side of the street.
>What?
>What?

>>742474
“Sure, why not?” you decide. “It’ll be fun.”

“Awesome! Follow me, I’ll introduce you to the others.” Soon, you’re brought before the entrance to the MOUT course- a large door, and you can see two other girls standing in front of it- one is a redhead in what seems to be stylized medieval armor, plastic looking, and colored red and white- it kinda reminds you of a wedding dress. She has what appears to be an assault rifle in hand. The other is a shorter, stout girl with glasses, blue hair, in full military fatigues, and she’s toting what looks to be a grenade launcher, revolver-type.

She grins as she sees you walking up. “Heeeey, you found a fourth, Carly?”

The girl at your side nods. “She was putting on a show earlier at the range, figured she’d be a good candidate.”

“Nice,” the redhead agrees. “Well, how about you and her against us two. Sound good?”

You both nod. “Sure,” Carly says. “Shame I can’t use Judge…” she looks to her revolver. “C’mon, uh…”

“Izumi,” you supply.

“Right! Let’s get a weapon and then we’ll get going.” She’s already looking over the loaner revolvers for MOUT useage.

>Pistol
>Assault Rifle
>Submachine Gun
>Sniper Rifle
>Rocket Launcher
>Grenade Launcher

>>742555
Izumi didn't teach Miranda. Miranda was the first of the three, and they've shared a couple of techniques, but that's it- if that's what you meant, sorry.

>>742557
She IS a magical girl.

>>742555
>Wonder if Izumi has doubts about teaching a girl, that, for all she knows, uses the knowledge to condemn dimensions.
Izumi hasn't taught Miranda.
It's the other way around.

>>742609
>Assault Rifle

>>742609
>Assault Rifle with Under-barrel Grenade Launcher
If that's an option.

>>742609
>>742627

>Assault Rifle with Under-barrel Grenade Launcher

I like this option too

>>742609
>Rocket Launcher

>>742609
>Izumi didn't teach Miranda. Miranda was the first of the three, and they've shared a couple of techniques, but that's it- if that's what you meant, sorry.
I did, yeah. Sort of 'Is it morally defensible to be of use towards people who will use what you give them to help evil people?'

>>742609
>>Submachine Gun

>>742609
>>Submachine Gun

>>742609
>>742627
>>>Submachine Gun
>+Under-barrel Grenade Launcher
Kaboom! Ratatatata!

>>742634
She tries not to think of it too much.

>>742609
>Assault Rifle with Under-barrel Grenade Launcher

Best of both worlds. Sorta.

Writing!

>>742609

Thinking about it, you might be capable of taking cues from both sides. You find an assault rifle easily enough, but now you just need a...hmm...where could one- ah! You find the grenade launcher under-attachment and some ammo for it.

The shorter girl eyes what you’re doing with a wry grin. “Oho- tryin’ to beat us at our own game?” The bluenette says. “Well, that’s gonna be a tall order!”

The redhead nods. “We’ll see how skilled you are,” she says. “Don’t expect things to be as easy as the range was.” After you’ve gotten all the sensory equipment on- just in case someone didn’t feel it- they move to the other end of ‘town’ to get ready, while you and Carly head to the deployment zone on your end.

“You set?” She asks. You nod.

Then a siren goes off, and combat begins. You both begin moving out into the city- it's not exactly the full of highrises and such- in fact it more resembles a small town or village than anything particularly elaborate, but that doesn't mean it's not plenty full of hiding places and ambush spots.

"How're your airtime?" Carly asks.

"Good enough." you affirm, already looking at the rooftops.

"You go high, I stay low?" she asks. "You'd have better line of sight with those grenades from above."

>”We should both stay low, watch each other’s backs.”
>”Sounds like a plan. I'll keep you in visual range, you keep me in visual range.”

>>742627
The only real option

>>742739
>”We should both stay low, watch each other’s backs.”
Catching a single target from multiple directions can end a gunfight quickly. We need to stick together so they can't separate us.


Note that underslung grenade launchers are not typically carried loaded, so they don't significantly increase the weight of the weapon. However, this means that they require time to be spent loading prior to each time they're fired.

This is mitigated by the fact that Izumi can directly conjure ammunition within her weapon at will.

>>742739
Both low, let's not get fucked by a sharpshooter

>>742739
>>>”Sounds like a plan. I'll keep you in visual range, you keep me in visual range.”
We don't want them to surprise us with an explosion and take us both out.

>>742739
>>”Sounds like a plan. I'll keep you in visual range, you keep me in visual range.”

>>742739
>”We should both stay low, watch each other’s backs.”
Going high just paints us as a target against the sky.

>>742765
Changing to staying mouse-low and being sneaky-sneaky.

>>742739
>”We should both stay low, watch each other’s backs.”
Turning this into a 2v1 could end very badly in a hurry.

Staying low it is. Writing.

>>742792
Let's hope, they won't see us till it's too late! :)

>>742739
>The shorter girl eyes what you’re doing with a wry grin. “Oho- tryin’ to beat us at our own game?” The bluenette says. “Well, that’s gonna be a tall order!”
>The redhead nods. “We’ll see how skilled you are,” she says. “Don’t expect things to be as easy as the range was.” After you’ve gotten all the sensory equipment on- just in case someone didn’t feel it- they move to the other end of ‘town’ to get ready, while you and Carly head to the deployment zone on your end.
Bit hard to tell who's who.

>>742835

You eye the rooftops for a bit longer, but you shake your head. “No, better to stay low and watch each other’s backs. Don’t want this devolving into a 2 on 1 situation or getting downed thanks to sharpshooting.”

She nods. “Fair enough. Let’s move.”

You two are careful to move slowly, but thoroughly. It kind of reminds you of your recent job, if a bit more bright and well lit, and more places to hide. Those tunnels hadn’t been great for taking cover…

As you both sweep the area, she keeps herself crouched, and you have to admit, she’s taking this seriously. Suddenly, a flash of red approximately two houses down. You quickly back up against a nearby wall, and she does the same next to you, keeping an eye down the alleyway you’re in.

>Action!

>If you're a long timer on my quest, for THIS, Combat will be a bit...different.

>If you've gone on some other quests, it might be familiar...

>This will be a turn-based system. In battle, you take control of the available party as a whole. You give commands to members of the party, then roll 1d100 for each action to determine it's success or failure. These rolls can be also affected by various modifiers, depending on what said modifiers are. At the moment, Izumi has Firearms Mastery which grants her +20 to any roll involving firearms. Carly has Take That Back! which grants her +10 to attacks made on opponents that have attacked her the last round of combat.

>So select an action for:

>Izumi
>Carly

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>742858Izumi enter house to lay suppressive fire.

Carly finds better cover.

>>742858
>Izumi
"Fire in the hole!" shoot grenade towards enemy and give covering fire for Carly.
>Carly
Use Izumi's cover fire to advance, get some shots off if we see a target.

>>742858
>Izumi
>Carly
Just leave. We want to find a defensible position and have them come to us, not charge headlong into an unknown environment.

Ideally (assuming we can't just pick them off without them noticing us) we'd engage them at relatively close quarters, where Carly's revolvers will operate the best - though we don't want to fight anywhere actually cramped where the bluenette's grenade launcher will fuck us over.

Perhaps a small raised roofing that we can take potshots from to lure them in before engaging will do?

>>742858
>Carly: Head into where the exploding thingy could have come from. Not where the explosion was.
>Izumi: Check out vantage points.

>>742880
>exploding thingy
>flash of red
It's a laser dot for targetting, no?

>>742878
>Just leave. We want to find a defensible position and have them come to us, not charge headlong into an unknown environment.
I think we should try to ambush the ambushers. They expect us to come for either the explosion or for where it came from. That means that they're going to be in a vantage point that's watching the vantage point that's a vantage point for the explosion.

>>742858
>Izumi
Lob a grenade right where we think the Redhead is now.

>Carly
Move up to get a shot at Red and keep an eye out for Blue.

>>742885
Ah, got it wrong. Thought they made an explosion to draw us out.

>>742901
>I would assume the flash of red WAS the explosion.
Or the flash of red was the Redhead's hair.

>>742907
You replied just after I realized my mistake.

The point about not charging in recklessly stands, though.

Well I'm clearly off my writing game this morning. It was not a flash of light, it was a flash color moving.

Apologies for the confusion. I'm hating myself right now.

Off to a rollicking start this session.

>>742924
Eh, these things happen. Don't beat yourself up about it.

At any rate, calling for

>Izumi lays cover fire via grenade
>Carly proceeds with caution upwards.

[b]Roll 2d100, best of three per character.[/b]

Rolled 32, 34 = 66 (2d100)

>>742954

Rolled 76, 45 = 121 (2d100)

>>742954

Rolled 97, 76 = 173 (2d100)

>>742954

Rolled 48, 84 = 132 (2d100)

>>742954

Rolled 6, 77 = 83 (2d100)

>>742954
Pew pew pew!

>>742976
haha, yeah, I think that'll do it!

>>742954

“One in the pipe,” you announce as you get a false grenade in. One breath- and you lean out and fire- the color was on your right, across the street, and you make your best guess, trying to get it in the alley behind the building.

The grenade sails up and over the corner lip of the short building, and you hear a short swear before a bright red flash goes off- a facsimile of the grenade exploding, along with a groaning sound. “I’M DOWN!” you hear the redhed yell. She’s out of the game. That was quick.

Carly’s eyes widen. “Wow. I didn’t think you’d get her. I’m going up.” She quickly moves to the other end of the street, and you both do a quick scan. Nothing. She presses against the wall- and suddenly the blue hair darts out from behind a wall- same side as you- and fires off two grenades, one at both of you.

“YOU’LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE!” The blunette yells gleefully. Carly quickly darts behind cover, and the grenade impacts near the wall, flashing a bright blue. It fortunately doesn’t hit, her, however. You move deeper into the alleyway, and prepare to strike back.

>Action!

>Izumi
>Carly

The grenadier girl is frenzied. She will have two actions per turn until the end of combat.

>>743090
Izumi: charge.
Carly: charge.

>>743090
>Izumi: move to flank
>Carly: return fire

>>743090
>She will have two actions per turn until the end of combat.

well fuck, that's no good

>Izumi: Pin her down with burst fire
>Carly: Close in to flank

>>743090
>Izumi
>Carly
Shoot from cover, keep together (but not too close because explosions).
We see her, she sees us, not much tactics involved now, right?!

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Alright, flipping to see who attempts cover fire.

Izumi covers, Carly flanks.

Writing.

>>743185
Oh, whoop.

Rolls, please. Sorry, still getting used to this.

Rolled 61, 91 = 152 (2d100)

>>743192

Rolled 27, 9 = 36 (2d100)

>>743192
Headshot!

Rolled 73, 17 = 90 (2d100)

>>743192
Flashburns

>>743192
And that gives us
Izumi, cover fire: 73
Carly, flanking: 91
Not bad at all.

“Move in!” you yell at Carly, and lean out to spray cover fire- she’s already back into cover, and you’re going to make sure she stays there. The bullets fly and pepper the alleyway, and you can’t see any motion from her- or her at all.

Meanwhile, Carly moves in closer during the hail, and you can see she moves to the back of the building, pistol primed. Suddenly, you see a grenade fire off- and land near you- and then you hear a shot just as a grenade lands at your feet- Carly quickly yells. “HA! GOT YOU!” right before the grenade goes off and bathes the general area in blue light.

"HOLY CRAP WHERE DID YOU-" the bluenette starts, but she soon sputters down into a mess.

Pfthaha. You’d won, and rather quickly, at that. “That was too easy,” Carly says. She just gets a groan as a response. “So you two split up, huh?”

“Yeeaah…” the bluenette responds. “Alex said it’d be better since we’d probably be able to pincer you.”

“Clearly, that backfired,” the redhead, Alexis, says, now getting up that the exercise is over. “We should try that again, Tabitha. Carly?”

Carly shrugs. “Hey, I’m down-”

And then you hear a beeping sound. Hm? Oh, that was your phone. You quickly answer. “Hello?”

Helloooooooo there!” Ah. Well then.

>>743307
SSSSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLL

It's time for Izumi to save the day!

>>743307
It’s Mr. Salavalda. Your, uh...boss, for mercenary issues. He handles the scouting, the contract making, all those logistics. He’s also some sort of mercurial eldritch deity, but you try to not think on that too much. Actually a rather pleasant individual, in your opinion. You and Miranda just called him Sal.

“Yes sir?” you ask.

“Sweetheart, terrrrribly sorry to interrupt your practice, but I was quite wondering if I could have an itsy-bitsy discussion with you rather soonish? I’m afraid it can’t much wait…”

Before you can say anything, you suddenly feel the familiar tingle of teleportation- and before you know it you’re in your apartment, small thing as it is, and Sal- the strange, liquid metal, bipedal lizard thing with sunglasses- is standing in front of you, posing like a rock star. “Bam! Glad to see you, doll. Fantastic timing, really!”

Sal was...eccentric. Even for members of his race- the strange eldritch traders known only as the Deal-Makers. They didn’t all look like Sal- he just chose that look for...well...you actually don’t know.

He saunters over to your table and drapes himself over it- he’s like six or seven feet tall, which means he’s basically covering the whole thing. “My dear, you have befooooore you the opportunity of a lif- hm.” He pauses. “Weeelllll, mmaybe not a lifetime, but a very very long time.” He twists his upper body over without moving his lower body, and lifts himself up on his elbows. “I’ll get right to the pooooooint. I’ve been scouting, hm? Looking over possible new talent. And I think I’ve spotted me a potential rising starrrrrrrrrr. And I do believe I’d like to give her a little testy-test.” He wiggles his fingers around as if that gives the details.

Oh. Well, that was interesting. Most ‘employees’ came to be by circumstance; scouting was done fairly commonly, but it was rare for any Deal-Maker to actually go through the trouble of trying to vet or them. “That is...impressive, but what would I have to do with that?” you have to ask.

“Weeeeeeelllll, I need you to do me a…” he twists his head around again, twice. “Favooooooooor.”

cont.

>>743388
Ah. Oh. Wow. The Deal-Makers literally traded in favors and bargains- to be owed something from a Deal-Maker when you WEREN’T one was a very, very, very big thing. It was basically an agreement that they’d pull just about any strings, say whatever was needed, in order to square the debt. You wanted a bigger apartment? Here’s your keys, you move in tomorrow. A top-class restaurant meal with no one to disturb you? Place’ll be closed in the next twenty minutes, excepting you. And so on.

Eldritch beings took their debts very seriously. That Sal was willing to offer one… “What do you need me to do?”

“Faaaaaaaantastic!” you can SEE his body jiggling. “I simply need you to do what you do bestest, and keep an eye on this little lass as she runs a bit of a gauntlet I made. Of course you can’t just do it all for her, but think of yourself more like a....guardian aaaaaaaangel. That’s up your alley, mhm?”

He slithers off the table. “I’ll be...contacting her verrrrrrry shortly. Any questions?”

>How long will this take?
>What if she gets in serious trouble?
>Are you just going to pluck her up if she passes?
>Other

>>743401
>What if she gets in serious trouble?

>>743401
> Other
Nope! Now get writing!

>>743401
>>What if she gets in serious trouble?
>>Are you just going to pluck her up if she passes?

>>743401
>What if she gets in serious trouble?
Probably the most directly relevant to us, considering our role.

>>743401
>Other
Is she being scouted by others? How should I deal with competition?

>>743401
>>What if she gets in serious trouble?

>>743401
>>What if she gets in serious trouble?

>>743401
Binged this quest today. It's pretty fantastic. As a rule, I dislike side story stuff, but I'll make an exception for this one.

>What if she gets in serious trouble?

What if things go FUBAR?

Writing.

>>743401

It all mostly makes sense, but you can’t help but voice a concern. “What if she gets in serious trouble?” you ask.

“Aaaaaaaah, if it looks like things are about to go rather messily, then I would have to say for you to simply call my name.” Sal says. “Thaaaaat will be my sign to come in and put a rather abrupt stop to things. I wouldn’t worry very much, though- she’s not getting reeeeeaaalllly hurt. It’s a complicated little thiiiiiing. But at the same time, her being on the verge of death, I think, miiiiight be a good indicator that she might need more time in the over, so to speak.” Oh...well, that was good, if confusing.

“Now, if you’ll excuuuuuuse me, I just need you to stay right-” and he pokes you on the forehead. “-there!”

And suddenly your world goes white for several seconds- and then it slowly starts fading in- And Sal’s talking to a young girl who looks like she’s about to crumple in place, surrounded by white nothing. Sal, by the way he’s gesturing, either doesn’t realize, doesn’t care, or thinks he can break that fear streak by being overly nice. Honestly, all three are possible.

“So that’s iiiiiit, sweetheart. Nothing to worry about, just a little test to see how slick you are with that maaaaaagic. Oooh!” He does jazzhands, glitter coming out of them. You just realized that he’s actually different looking now- he looks like a normal human, with a slick, silver tuxedo, silver shoes, silver hair down to the small of his back, and even a top hat. “And to help you out, I’ve brought you a friend!” He snaps his fingers- and suddenly you drop to the ground in the whitespace. You’d been here for a while...did she not see you? “This heeeeere’s Izumi. Very powerful, verrrrrry capable. She’ll be helping you around this little maze o’ mine, as well as helping you fend off any...troubles you encounter. Of course, she doooooes have her limits.”

“Uh, w-w-wait, t-troubles?” the shy girl asks. “What...kinds of troubles?” Geez, she’s sweating.

“Ohhhh, you know, beasts and monsters and the sort. I think the big thing in your woooorld is demons?” He shruhgs. “Stuff like thaaaat. But hey, if you’re as amazing as I think you are, you won’t have a siiiiingle problem. And heeeey, I promise.” He leans in close. “If you reaaaally have troubles, you’ll be sent home. But, I’d say you want to pull this off, because if you dooooooo...well, there might be a little somethin-somethin’ in it for you later. Maybe something that could help that struggle of youuuuurs back home at that school, hmm?”

cont.

File: Hoshi03.png (308 KB, 800x1200)

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>>743634
She pauses, and lowers her head in thought for a few moments. “...You...are you positive it can help? No tricks?”

“Quiiiiiite certain, just need to finish the maze. And it’s nooooot an unfair test, I can assure you of that. No long-term potential profit in tricks.”

She takes a couple more seconds...but then she nods. “Alright. I’ll...I’ll try it.”

“EEEEEEXCELLENT!” he shouts, causing you both to flinch. He straightens back up and turns to you- of course he still has the sunglasses. “Izumi, dear, I’d like you to meet the staaaaar of this little show- Hoshiiiiii Sanada!" More jazzhands and glitter rains down.

She waves meekly. "H-hi. A, uh...a pleasure to meet you."

"Ah...hello." You are entirely unsure how to feel about this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaqYhLlVfgM Song.

Fuckin magic jazz hands lol

>>743649
Start talking to her in Japanese, since we both have Japanese names?

>>743649

“Noooow, then,” Sal continues. “Like I said, allll you need to do is get out the maze. Of coooourse you’ll run into a couple of fights here and there- that’s what dear Izumi is there to help with. Now, Iiiii’m not really one for tiiiiime limits-” You can’t help but feel he’s lying there. “So I won’t judge you on thaaaat. This is allll about the magic! And finding your way out, of cooourse. Navigational skills are veeeery important.” Other than thaaaat, well…” He pats you on the back, and suddenly you feel a strange lock on your heart. “Izumi heeeere will do whatever you ask of her, so long as it’s nothing too silly. Prioritiiiiiies!” Oh, WHAT. “But I wouldn’t abuse thaaaaat. May not be too wiiiiiise if you want her help regularly.”

What is he TALKING about?

“That’s all, dears! Shine bright, little staaaaar!” And he snaps his fingers- and shatters into little glass pieces.

Then the white does, and you’re both somehow in some sort of purple...maze. You’re right in the center of a four-way cross, which means you have a direction to pick…

>North
>South
>East
>West

And roll 1d10 for progress made.

Izumi is GEISED (no, not geassed). Once per combat situation she can be ordered to do something by Hoshi, and Izumi will not need a roll that turn. It can only be a single action, and no action will carry over to other turns; as an example, Ordering Izumi to ‘Protect Me’ means Izumi will do her damndest to defend Hoshi at all costs against one attack or attack sequence. An Order from Hoshi takes Izumi’s turn. Too many Orders in sequential combat situations will exhaust Izumi, and Izumi will be unavailable to perform any major actions for the next battle.

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>743772
>West
West is best!

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>743772
>>North

I sense no danger here

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>743772
>North
Towards Ursa Minor, or where it should be!

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>south

I REALLY need to remember to ask for direction, THEN roll.

*sigh* But, North it is for now! Writing!

>>743388
>Before you can say anything, you suddenly feel the familiar tingle of teleportation- and before you know it you’re in your apartment, small thing as it is, and Sal- the strange, liquid metal, bipedal lizard thing with sunglasses- is standing in front of you, posing like a rock star. “Bam! Glad to see you, doll. Fantastic timing, really!”
I wonder if Sal's an instinctive caster. Just thought 'I need Izumi here- oh here she is!'

>>743772

“Well...let’s just go north?” You suggest. Hoshi nods and you both begin walking. Much to your surprise, there’s a few twists and turns, but it’s still one direction for now. Huh. You hope you’re not running into a dead end already. Hoshi just seems to be kinda shaky, and she’s looking around as if she’s constantly expecting something to pop out through the walls or something- nothing was certainly getting over them. The walls were impossibly high- no way even you’d be able to jump over.

“Don’t worry about Sal,” you say, and she looks at you curiously. “He’s really not nearly as scary as all that. He’s just...eccentric.” Also ridiculously powerful, but eh. She just nods, turning away, and keeps walking. You’re fairly certain that she’s just trying to keep it together. You tap your sword (yes, you keep it on you at all times) against a wall- sturdy stuff. You’d likely just be messing up the edge if you swung at this. Can’t say you’re surprised.

Still, there don’t seem to be any creatures up ahead immediately. Seems like you picked a good direction to go in. Maybe you could use this time to talk to her, calm her down a bit.

>Try getting her to talk about herself.
>Try getting her to talk about where she comes from.
>Maybe get her to focus on you.
>Maybe she just needs to settle down mentally. Say nothing.
>Other

>>743879
Ask how she met sal

>>743879
>>Try getting her to talk about herself.
The girl is bothered, let's try to make her feel better.

>>743879
>>Try getting her to talk about herself.

>>743879
>Try getting her to talk about herself.
So, what are her powers, abilities, specials.

>>743879
>Try getting her to talk about herself.

What happened to her in her school is likely to be traumatic. She's here to 'help her with her struggle there'.

Whoop, writing.

>>743879
This >>743909
We can work with her better if we know what she can do. Also tell her what we can do.

>>743909
>>744006
Those are indeed more adequate, considering the situation.

>>743879

Hm. Well, maybe you can just conversate with her. Maybe getting to know her better will take her mind off of things. “Hey,” she jumps a bit, and you already want to apologize. “So...forgive me if I’m a bit blunt, but...what exactly can you do? I understand that you’re supposed have a knack for magic?”

She brightens up a little, and nods. “W-well...it’s more like I have an aptitude for it, really. I’m not...I’m not all that great at it yet, but it comes easily to me…”

“Oh? Any kind in particular?” If she was a natural at it, that might explain part of why Sal could be scouting her. Although her personality didn’t quite seem to fit the bill...but, Sal was Sal. You had no clue how he thought and didn’t want to learn, really.

“J-just about anything, apparently. I...I can learn the basics really fast, and I can do a lot of elemental magic…and some other things...” She doesn’t quite seem sure how to explain, but that works well enough for you.

“Oh, neat. I’m more of a swordswoman and gun user- I’m guessing you noticed?” You had a sword and a pistol on you- your usuals. The assault rifle hadn’t made the trek, sadly. “That said, I can do a fair few things with mana, myself. Projection, healing, improvement of self. You’ll probably see it happen sooner than later…” Ugh, way to remind her.

She’s silent for a few moments, but she tries to smile. “T-that sounds nice. It sounds like you can do a lot...how much experience do you have?”

“Uh...a good few years.” You’re not sure if you should tell her your ACTUAL age estimate. “I’ve done a lot, so I’ve had to learn fast.”

“Ah...yeah...I kind of have to learn fast, too.” She doesn’t elaborate, but she seems more...stable, at least, if not cheered.

Before you can say anything else, however, you hear a growling noise from around the next turn. You draw your sword out, and Hoshi steels herself as best she can, hearing it. Fortunately, these hallways are rather wide- they’re actually about as wide as a street. You don’t dare move.

Soon, the growling gets louder, and more numerous...and around the corner, what looks like 3 black, gross wolves, eyes red, covered in shadow and fur flaking off. There’s one larger one in the lead, and two small ones a bit behind it. “Alright, then, Hoshi. Let’s see what you can do.”

>Select an action!

>Hoshi
>Izumi

>>744154
>Hoshi: Pick off the smaller two with fire
>Izumi: Stab at the larger wolf

>>744154
>>Hoshi
Conjure up a wall of ice in front of the wolves.

>Izumi
If Hoshi's wall fails, slash at the wolves, aiming at their legs to slow them down.

>>744181
This also works.

>>744154
>Hoshi
Fireball. Wolves hate fire, shadows hate light.
>Izumi
Fucking shoot the wolfies already!

>>744154
>>Hoshi: lets see what she's got with a classic hit em with a fireball!
>>Izumi: Start shooting at the larger wolf lets see what Hoshi comes up with before closing the distance.

Then calling for Fireball and popping off a few shots.

2d100, please.

Rolled 37, 58 = 95 (2d100)

>>744277
Awooo!

Rolled 17, 51 = 68 (2d100)

>>744277

Rolled 86, 57 = 143 (2d100)

>>744277

Rolled 41, 5 = 46 (2d100)

>>744277

>>744314
Well, at least the little witch did good. Little did she know that she was going to be dropped in the maze with a bumbling companion!

>>744327
Izumi's got a modifier. She should be passable.

>>744277

Hoshi takes a deep breath, and holds her hands out. “Ignis!” Before your eyes, a conflagration happens, coalescing into a LARGE fireball in an instant, and screams out towards the group.

The large one in the center tries to dart out of the way, but its size works against it, and it takes the full brunt of the blast, becoming engulfed in the heat and quickly sizzling away to nothing. The other two aren't effected, however, due to its massive bulk.

Realizing this, the other two wolves charge even as their leader smokes away to nothing, growling fiercely. You, quickly raise your gun your gun to shoot, but the smaller ones have a lot more real estate to work with- your first shot connects flush with one of them, causing it to stumble and fall, but it’s not quite dead yet. Your second grazes the wolf lunging for Hoshi, who has the sense to try and back out of its range- the shot still does enough damage to throw it off course, allowing Hoshi to get to the side closest to you.

The wolf quickly gets to its feet, and barks twice as its eyes begin glowing a deep red.

>Give an action!

>Hoshi
>Izumi

>>744387
Izumi: Shoot the wolf.
Hoshi: Cower.

>>744387
>Hoshi: Freeze the lead wolf solid.
>Izumi: Slash them to pieces.

>>744400
Backing this

>>744387
Hoshi:Ice blast go!
Izumi: Rip and Tear its sword time

>>744387
>Izumi
Suplex the supers saiyan wolf onto the one with a hole in it.
>Hoshi
Applaud, maybe some sparkles.

Hey handler, just finished the last thread. It was great. Cheers.

Calling it.

Hoshi: Ice Sculpting
Izumi: Ice Carving

2d100 time!

Rolled 15, 36 = 51 (2d100)

>>744483

Rolled 88, 52 = 140 (2d100)

>>744483
And we will make beautiful art together.

Rolled 96, 1 = 97 (2d100)

>>744483
Alright!

>>744501
Is that alright? Not sure what this means. Crit success and a crit fail maybe?

I'm really glad we're not doing crits override.

>>744507
It means REJOICE.

>>744514
Well that's a relief!

Post will be delayed a bit.

But yeah I mean wow so far.

>>744483
Hoshi again stretches out her hand, and with a wordless cry, she emits a thick cone of frost from her fingertips that freezes the wolf solid right as he begins to move. A sweep of her hand renders the other one in a similar state- it’s barely just getting back to it’s feet.

Well, you might as well take advantage of that generous opening; you charge in towards the first beast, and with a strong cry, you bring your blade down on its neck. Strangely enough, your sword, for some moments, appears to get stuck halfway down.

You really hope she can’t see you blushing, as you force it all the way through, eventually cleaving the head off entirely- the two parts smoke and melt into nothingness as they fall. The struggling wolf is given the same treatment- his beheading is much easier, fortunately.

“Well…” you wipe off your blade with one of the wipes you keep with you. “I’d say that went very well.” You turn to Hoshi, who’s watching you with curiosity. “I can see why Sal’s interested in you. You’re quite powerful, despite what you might say.”

She turns beet red. “Oh! Uh, I...no, that- that was probably a fluke…besides, you kept them from attacking me...”

You raise an eyebrow good-naturedly. “Twice would be a fluke? I’m not so sure…”

“Ahahaha…” she laughs unsurely. “Well, uh...should we move on?”

You gesture ahead of you. “You first. If this keeps up I’ll wonder who’ll be protecting whom…”

Still red, she steps ahead of you, and you both leave the fight behind.

A few more minutes later, you’re already starting to wonder what the point of this is- before you come to T-section, there’s only left and right here. To your left, you think you can hear the sound of running water in the distance. To the right, on the other hand, you hear a strong wind blowing- even feel the vestiges of it coming through here. Strange...you thought this would just be a plain maze.

Hoshi looks between them both, unsure herself.

>Left
>Right
>Leave it up to Hoshi.

>>744869
>Left
Water level? Water level.

>>744869
>>Leave it up to Hoshi.

She'll need to learn how to handle being in charge

>>744869
>>Leave it up to Hoshi.

>>744869
>Leave it up to Hoshi.

>>744869
>Leave it up to Hoshi.
Well what are you best at manipulating, water or air?

No, you may have given her the initial idea for a direction to head, but this is her trial. She’s going to need to make a majority of these decision. So you stay quiet and leave it up to her- she looks at you briefly, and you just shrug, showing you have no particular preference. She gets a mildly perturbed look on her face, but she looks down both paths...and she eventually picks left.

You look at her in a silent question, which she understands. “I-If there’s water, there might be other life there...I’d rather not go somewhere that’s windy and maybe cold or empty…”

You nod. That made enough sense. As you follow her, you turn a corner- and you can already start to see vines growing around the walls. Hm. Seems like you might be going into a forest or jungle area?

>Roll 1d10 for progress.

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>745033
Dice you say?

>>745052
...yup.

I did.

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>745033
Well, >>745052 here already rolled max, but I'll give it a shot.

>>745059
>>745052
Pffthahahahaha

>>745059
Oh boy oh boy!

...okay, yeah, sure lemme write.

>>745081
Time for a Dungeon Bypass?

>>745081
You both continue on your way, and as you guessed, the environment starts to get a lot less sterile, and a lot more organic. The pathway doesn’t open up much more, but the featureless purple walls become bricks, and more organic things like leaves and small bushes start to spring up. Before you know it, you feel less like you’re in a maze and more like a...maybe not a dungeon, but at the very least some sort of castle area.

Then, the pathway DOES open up, and you see the source of the water- it seems to be a waterfall of some sort, coming down from far, far above, in a large, circular area that reminds you of a grove. At least, the trees and other foliage neatly covering the walls convince you of that a bit, even if you’re still technically in a walled-in area.

“Oh, wow…” Hoshi seems to be enraptured, at least. “I didn’t think there would be anything like this…”

“Me neither,” you admit. “I wonder what up ahead looks like.”

“Well...I was thinking...well, maybe, if you don’t mind...since we’ve done a lot of walking in a little while, maybe we could take a break here?” she suggests. “I, uh, it looks safe, and there’s only two places anything can enter from…and we’ve been doing well so far...”

>If you want, sure. Up to you.
>I don’t think that’s the best idea. We’ve barely started, really.
>If you need a break from walking, I suppose here’s a good spot.
>Other

>>745234
this is the moment we realize we can scale the maze's walls and walk on top of them.

>>745256
>>If you want, sure. Up to you.

>>745256
>If you want, sure. Up to you.
>Ask her a bit about what she did to catch Sal's eye.
>Tell her a little about our own past if she asks

>>745256
>I don’t think that’s the best idea. We’ve barely started, really.
I know Sal said there is no time limit and he just wanted to test your magic but ... this is your opportunity to show off your fantastic work ethic. If he had really meant that anyway he would have just had you blow up some targets.

>>745256
>Other
"If you want a break, sure. Let's secure the area first."
Is the water coming down and making a pond? Where's the water going?

>>745314
Yeah, sorry, there's a pond in there the waterfall is flowing into. It's about a third the size of the room.

>>745323
Then check the pond for water/aquatic monsters.

Izumi's been around for long enough to be wary of places like this.

Seems like we might taking a bit of a moment.

Writing.

>>745371

“...Alright, I suppose we can relax for a bit.” Although you honestly still feel fresh as a daisy, you have to remind yourself that magical or not, not everyone has your kind of stamina. Still, considering the situation, you don’t want to leave anything to chance. “Gimme a second, though.”

She looks at you curiously as you carefully poke and prod the few trees and bushes in the grove. Nothing…alright, fine. Can’t hear anything coming out of the hall ahead...okay. Now for the water...you stick your sword in instead of looking directlyin it, fishing out for any creatures or anything that might be motion sensitive...nothing, though. You risk a visual check, and you can see that it seems to be clear down to the bottom. It’s safe- at least for now. You turn back to her. “All clear.”

She smiles slightly and takes a seat on the now grass floor. “Thank you...I honestly didn’t think to check all that….sorry.”

You shake your head. “It’s fine. Most wouldn’t.”

“No, but I...I should, really. I need to keep these things in mind better when I’m out on missions…” Whoa now, what was that?

“Missions? What do you mean by that?” you ask. Her eyes widen as she makes the expression of someone who’s not sure what to say next.

“Uhh...I...it’s nothing you need to worry about if you don’t know. I just...it’s nothing…” Hmm...she doesn’t want to talk about it, it seems. But you can’t help but wonder what she meant by that.

“So, you learned those spells by yourself, or did someone teach you? Did you go to a school for it?” You’d been to a few realms where they had mage schools- heck, Miranda had been to one recently herself. You found they tended to be rather nice places to visit. Very organized, structured. Maybe she had one of those?

“Oh, I, uh, I teach myself...mostly.” She admits. “The school I go to...sort of helps, but…” she seems like she doesn’t want to inadvertently insult them, but she wants to tell the truth.

“Yeah? What are they? Any good?” you keep on.

“They’re, uhh…” she pauses, as if she has to actually think about the name of the school- you have to imagine it’s not great if she has to mull on it. “The Dakugeto Institute of Higher Education. It’s...kinda private.”

“Makes sense, I suppose.” you shrug. “But if you’re doing what you are just with self-study, they should be lucky to have you.”

cont.

>>745548
Her face is beet red, and she looks like she wants to hide behind something. Nothing for that, though. “T-thank you…”

Geez, she’s so timid it kinda makes you want to laugh at the adorableness of it all. But, no, that’d be impolite. “Really, Hoshi, you should be more-”

*splash*

You both immediately jump up and back away from the pond, sword out and spells ready.

Soon, you the water ripples, splashes, and slithering up from the pond, giving a loud hiss, is a giant snake creature- its eyes are green and beady, and its body undulates with viscous fluid. It’s at least three times as tall as you are, probably more.

Hoshi looks like she’s about to faint, but she breathes deeply and steels herself. If you even try to run, chances are this thing can chase you down easily.

>Select an action!

>Hoshi
>Izumi

>>745552
>Hoshi
Ice cone. Try to freeze parts of the snake in place to limit its mobility.

>Izumi
Be prepared with our sword to ward off flanking blows from the head or tail.

>>745552
>>Hoshi
>Freeze!
>>Izumi
>Guard Hoshi from any more possible ambushes.

>>745552
>Hoshi: Electric magic would be handy here.
>Izumi: Suppressing fire. Try and keep it in the water so Hoshi can fry it fry it.

>>745552
>Hoshi
Ice bolt? I wanna do some earth magic at some point. Wait, can she do plant manipulation stuff, nature magic?
>Izumi
Throw stones at it.
"Bad tentacle, bad!"

>>745552
Oh, switching to >>745594 if we can do INFINITE POWA!

>>745552
>Hoshi
Freeze the water so it gets stuck.
>Izumi
Shoot it in the eyes, try to keep it off-balance.

Calling for:

>Hoshi: Freeze attempt.
>Izumi: Defensive efforts.

2d100, please.

Rolled 17, 72 = 89 (2d100)

>>745677

Rolled 5, 12 = 17 (2d100)

>>745677

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>745677

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>745677
>>745703
My bad, going to roll the second one now if that's alright.

Rolled 39, 44 = 83 (2d100)

>>745677

ITT: Izumi gets eaten by a slime snek.

>>745677
Izumi’s shivers, and you know it’s not from cold. Then the beast locks eyes with her- and she nearly freezes. Her hands shake as she tries to conjure up something, but as soon as she begins to move her hands, the beast hisses and lunges.

Fortunately, so do you.

It’s a hard impact to it’s side, sword first. Unfortunately, the thing’s body is more muscle than you’d hoped. You can feel the snake bend a bit, and you hear a scream from Hoshi as you manage to essentially shove the beast away from chomping on Hoshi. Your blade pierces, but it’s not as deep as you’d like. It’s enough, though, to make the beast hiss in frustration, at least.

Sparing a quick glance to Hoshi reveals that she had dived out of the way, but she’s holding her head and getting back up. That's good at least, she doesn't seem too scuffed up.

As for you, the beast wriggles its head around, and you’re forced to dislodge yourself quickly before it slams its body into the nearby wall. You manage to flip off quickly enough and quickly lift Hoshi back to her feet as the creature turns around and hisses again, a small trickle of blue ichor running down it’s slimy side being the only thing that tells of its injury.

>Choose another action!

>Hoshi
>Izumi

(Reminder: Izumi has a movelist: http://pastebin.com/Tidzvf5N and is also geised to follow Hoshi’s orders as skillfully as possible, negating the need for a roll.)

>>745768
>Hoshi
Geis Izumi!
>Izumi
Spirit Slash!

>>745778
A geis from Hoshi takes Izumi's turn. You cannot give her an action, because her action is whatever Hoshi tells her to do.

>>745789
Ok, my bad. Changing my vote to
>Hoshi
Throw some lightning!
>Izumi
Spirit Slash!

>>745768
>Izumi
Rajomon to protect Hoshi
>Hoshi
Try for an ice cone spell to immobilize or slow down the snake again.

>>745768
Yeah ill support >>745809
I am looking forward to when we use our Demon's REEE attack.

Trying to keep at a distance, then.

>Hoshi: Lightning bolt
>Izumi: Spirit Slash

Rollem 2d100s, folks.

Rolled 2, 85 = 87 (2d100)

>>745887

Rolled 17, 75 = 92 (2d100)

>>745887

Rolled 66, 80 = 146 (2d100)

>>745887

Rolled 26, 24 = 50 (2d100)

>>745887

Hm. Okay. Writing.

>>745887
Hoshi takes another breath and tries to focus, muttering something under her breath. This time, the creature tries to split the difference between you both, swinging around to strike with his tail.

The sudden shock given to him courtesy of Hoshi’s lightning bolt stops that in it’s tracks, and it lets out another raspy hiss, this one very clearly of pain. "Aha! I-I got it!"

"Nice one!" You quickly follow up, focusing your mana, letting it flow outward to the tip of your sword- you’ve done this so many times it’s second nature to you, now. "And now it's my turn!"

With a yell, you give a strong swing, and for a second your blade splits the air itself as your Spirit Slash flashes out towards the beast, the yellow crescent of energy slinging through the air and nearly slicing the creature in two- the only reason it doesn’t is due to a last second convulsion from Hoshi’s spell. What it gets instead is a deep cut along it’s back, blue blood spilling out of it.

It’s not done yet, though, the creature writhing in pain- suddenly it opens its mouth, and spits nasty globs of some sort of mucus at you- you quickly grab Hoshi out of the way of one such projectile. "T-thanks...I think it's nearly dead."

"Yeah. Kinda surprised it's still fighting..." You admit. You need to finish that thing off before it tries that again.

>Select an Action!

>Hoshi
>Izumi

>>745965
>>Hoshi: Keep going with the lightning.
>>Izumi: Shoot it till it dies.

Okay, I'll be stopping here for tonight, and resuming tomorrow.

>>745965
>Hoshi
Switch to ice to immobilize it.
>Izumi
Switch to the gun and use Mana Infusion to make the bullets penetrate and then explode.

>>745977
See you later boss.

>>745977
Goodnight Boss.

>>745965
>>745975
+1


I wonder if elemental magic includes summoning elemental creatures.

Will be trying to start again in about a half hour. You can still suggest actions if you like.

Izumi: Spectral Shield Bash

>>745965
backing >>745982

>>745965
>>745982
supporting this

Calling for:

Hoshi: Make it cold.
Izumi: Make it rain.

2d100s, best of three, go!

Rolled 17, 43 = 60 (2d100)

>>746863

>>742179
whos this slut

Rolled 99, 31 = 130 (2d100)

>>746863

>>746887
one of the usual mc's co-workers. or did you mean the character art?

Rolled 33, 33 = 66 (2d100)

>>746863
Crits incoming.

>>746887
Izumi Yayoi, a side character who's Miranda's friend and co-worker, and has made some appearances in the quest before.

>>746893
You almost called it, but I like those numbers of yours, too.

>>746892
nevermind, I found the source
>deviant art
>original char
how disappointing

>>746901
I just got it off Google, mang.

Anyway, writing.

“A-alright…” Hoshi takes a breath...and you see blue light flash in her eyes as she extends her hands again. “Maybe I can...Here!”


A thick, nearly beam-like blast shoots forth from her hands, and strikes the snake square in the chest. Before it can even wriggle, it’s torso is frozen, and in a second, all that’s left of it is it’s head- it barely gets off any other hiss before that’s frozen, as well.


You look towards her, not even hiding her smirk. “See? Wouldn’t call that a fluke.” You already start charging your mana, and you can see your pistol glow, as Hoshi looks at it curiously. “Once is chance. Twice is coincidence. Three times?” You aim- square for the bloated thing’s open maw. “That’s a pattern.”


You fire, and the mana infused bullet hits its mark- the ice is thick, but you see it drill right into the gullet. Strange, though...it was supposed to-


*BANG* The snake’s head suddenly explodes into icy chunks, and Hoshi gives a slight jump. Ah. Delayed. Might not have set the mana up right for that one. Shouldn’t be talking while doing that. Well, it looked cool anyway.


Still, the fight’s over- and all you have to show for it is a couple of tears on Hoshi’s clothes. She seems fine, herself. “We should probably get going.” Hoshi nods, and the two of you are on your way forward.


Before much further marching in the grassy maze, you get to yet another cross-section, however. The north path seems the same as what you’ve been traveling through, but the left one seems to be getting more...wooden, you think, as you squint. Yeah, definitely looking like there’s more bark, both on the walls and the ground. The right path is more flowery than grassy, and is littered with what seems to be...cherries?


“I...are you sure you don’t want to pick this time?” Hoshi asks. “I don’t...I don’t think any of them look too bad, actually.”


>Right
>Left
>North
>Let her pick anyway.

>>746940

>Right

>>746940
>North

>>746940
>Let her pick anyway.
We have faith that she will do admirably regardless of whichever way we go.

>>746940
>North

North it is.

The usual 1d10 for progress.

>>746940
>Let her pick anyway

This is her quest goddamn. We're just along for the ride.

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>746999

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>746999

>>747006
Huh. I seem to have a thing with 3's today.

Going to play the lottery while next post gets written up.

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>746999

Hey, notaten.

Writing.

>>747021
Ask Hoshi how's her mana reserve.
That kind of magic use tends to bear a heavy cost.

>>746999
“Well, don’t fix what isn’t broken?” you shrug, pointing north.


She nods. “That makes sense.” You head off, the continued grass and foliage reminding you of more of a hedge maze than anything else, now. You can’t help but wonder just how many biomes is in this maze. Or how long Sal’s been planning this, for that matter.


There’s some more time of travel- really, Sal called this a maze, but you’re thinking it’s slightly not as maze-ish as he made it first come across. It’s really more like a series of pathways. Hearing a sigh come from her, you check- and you notice that she’s sweating a bit. Her steps are the same, but...hm. “You alright?” you ask. She seemed okay earlier- but that might’ve just be the adrenaline still in her system. Not to mention the mana expenditure- maybe that was why she’d asked for a rest earlier- that giant fireball hadn’t had to have done her any favors. Maybe this was part of Sal’s whole test. Traveling was a large part of your jobs, not just assaulting things. For the less physically inclined- or those that couldn’t amplify their physical ability- they still needed to find ways to get around, but that wasn’t always possible. Actually…


“You know, you should pace yourself a bit more with that magic,” you say out loud.


She looks to you in surprise. “Hm? What do you mean?”


“Well, just because you’re really skilled with magic doesn’t always mean you have a very large mana pool,” you explain. “And you were tossing out some real big spells. You’re in a cold sweat-” she seems surprised at this, feeling her own forehead, “-and mana depletion can be a serious thing. Doesn’t always feel the same as physical exhaustion, but it can mess you up all the same.”


“O-oh! I...I never thought of that much…” she lowers her head. “That...oh dear.”


You shrug. “Well, it’s not something people LIKE to think about. You can sometimes FEEL physically capable, but next time you try to cast a spell, it’s just...foosh, nothing, and you kinda feel this rumbling in your body, like a car trying to start but can’t.” You shake your head. “Not a fun feeling.”


cont.

>>747126
Soon, you both are surprised as the path widens, and widens...and you’re suddenly practically in a grassy field. However, there’s a deep ravine in the center, and looking into it reveals a shallow river that terminates at either end of the far, far walls. There’s a drawbridge on the other side, and it seems to lead to the exit, but it’s pulled up, blocking the wall. The entire far wall, in fact, looks like the entrance to a castle, and is the only way forward. High overhead, a single crow caws, circling. There’s also a few trees lining your path, as well as large rocks scattered about. You also notice what appears to be a waist high, rectangular stone- with what appears to be a large keyhole in it.


Hoshi looks confused. “What...what is this doing here?”


You shrug. “Some sort of obstacle, I presume. I take it you can’t jump over the ravine?”


She looks at you strangely. “Y-you can?” At your simple nod, her eyes boggle. “Ah, uh, oh...well, uh...I don’t, no, I don’t think I can. Any ideas for how to get across?”

>Maybe I can check down in the river. I'm pretty confident I can get up and down there fine.
>I wonder if the crow has something to do with it...
>Well, I think I can move these rocks...check under them?
>Do you have any?
>Other

>>747136
>>I wonder if the crow has something to do with it...

>>747136
>>Do you have any?

This is her test, not ours. We're here if she needs us, but we won't always be.

>>747136
>>I wonder if the crow has something to do with it...
We talking to crows now.

>>747136
>Do you have any?
Izuma can still offer her quips of what she observes, but it's up to Hoshi to decide.

>>747136
>Do you have any?

>>747136
>Other
>Try to pick the lock.

>>747136
>>I wonder if the crow has something to do with it...
Estimate the size of the crow, it might be our enemy here

This can be used. Writing.

>>747204
“Do you?” you ask back. She seems to consistently forget that this is her trial. She's pretty adorable, but you're not going to step through absolutely everything for her. “I'm wondering about the crow up there, but this is up to you.”

Fortunately, she doesn't seem to take any offense, simply looking up at the sky and thinking. She seems to squint up at the bird for a bit, before shaking her head, and walking over to the ravine. “Um, can you please check the bottom, in the river? I think-”

You're already jumping off before she even finishes the second sentence. All of a sudden, there was a strange, gripping sensation that you absolutely had to check every nook and cranny on the bottom. You barely even hear Hoshi’s sudden yell as you land smoothly into the river with a splash. Nothing hurts. Good. Better for you to search.

For the next few minutes, you feel more driven to accomplish this task than almost anything you've ever felt before. Every ounce of the riverbed is combed over, you even using your sword at times to sweep things out of the way, if not your bare hands.

Finally, you can come to the conclusion that there is absolutely no key on the riverbed. Your clothes are soaked, and you're rather muddy, but it doesn't matter to you. With a few high jumps, you quickly make your way back up the ravine, and next to Hoshi, who looks at you with eyes wide and mouth agape. “There is no key,” you say, voice perfectly level. You're not quite sure what drove you to be so thorough…

She blushes, and it seems like she's not sure where to look. “I...it’s...thank you…we can try maybe the rocks? The crow doesn't seem big enough to be carrying anything in his talons…”

You're about to speak, when suddenly, a hole is blown open on one side of the drawbridge, and a VERY LARGE knight, with a VERY LARGE cannon pokes out. Well, lovely. Now you've got this to deal with, and you need to find that key.

>Select an action!

> Hoshi
> Izumi

>>747346
>Hoshi
>Look for the key. Try the crow.
>Izumi
>Draw the knight's fire away from Hoshi by peppering him with shots.

>>747346
> Hoshi
>Look for the key. Try the crow.
> Izumi
> shoot the knight

>>747346
>Hoshi
Check the rock, just in case the key is inexplicably there.
Failing that, having regained enough mana, use water to fill the keyhole, freeze it and then use it as a makeshift key.

>Izumi
Rajomon DIRECTLY in front of the cannon's barrel.

>Hoshi: Gatherer
>Izumi: Hunter

2d100s for the old school methods.

Rolled 76, 76 = 152 (2d100)

>>747427

>>747346
>Hoshi
Take cover behind the rocks.
>Izumi
Tag the crow and fire some homing bullets at it.

Rolled 69, 88 = 157 (2d100)

>>747427

Hm. Next time I'll extended the voting period maybe.

Rolled 67, 97 = 164 (2d100)

>>747427
I came in time!

>>747438
I don't know about anyone else, but I can't vote much on weekdays. Now that I'm home that's different of course.

>>747346
Immediately you realize that the priority is to keep his attention off of Hoshi’s efforts. Before he can even begin to take aim at her, you whip out your pistol, and fire almost from the hip.


The shot tags his hand, and recoils at such an angle that it impacts his head on the rebound as well. A groan comes out of him as the impact sends him reeling. Hopefully, he’ll be out of it for a few moments.


As for Hoshi, she seems to be trying anyway to see what can be done with the crow, considering it’s the only other major feature in this place at the moment. It seems to be ignoring her, however, simply flying in a single small circle over and over again, caring about very little.


Hoshi’s trying to do something to get it down, however- or rather she’s about to. She takes a large breath and you can anticipate another spell- probably electricity or something- but she soon stops...and then stares again.


You quickly check on the knight- he’s still toppled over, groaning. But then you look at the crow as well- and just as it hits you, Hoshi’s running towards the area under it- one single, flat topped rock. She quickly searches around it- but she doesn’t appear to find anything. “I think it’s around here!” She actually manages to heave the rock slightly- and her eyes light up. “I found it!”


And that’s when the wall on the OTHER side of the drawbridge explodes, and a similar knight steps out- at least twice as tall as you, with a large warhammer and crossbow. He takes several slooow steps outwards as he readies himself.


>Choose an action!


>Hoshi
>Izumi

>>747579
Izumi - bait the two knights into shooting each other with their giant weapons.

Hoshi - use the key, time to get out of here.

>>747579
>>747598
supporting

>>747598
seconding

>>747579
>Izumi
Try blowing his crossbow up with a mana infused bullet (they are on the other side of the ravine right?)
>Hoshi
If the knights are close enough to the edge of the ravine can we cause the ground below then to drop then into it via earth magic?