>>3342968
“So, why is it you were given such an inconvenient order?”

Yulia sighs, taking a seat by the fire. “Orders are orders. Not my place to speculate.”

“Do so anyway,” you prompt her.

“The one I serve probably knows things I don't,” Yulia guesses, “or at least suspects things. Whether those suspicions are founded or not is irrelevant.”

“Doesn't sound like you have much respect for your master beyond the most basic requirements,” you muse. “And Saria definitely showed no indication that she was 'loyal' to anyone, or was under any orders but her own. She never made mention of speaking with other awakened beings either.”

“She was always a loner,” Yulia admits, “and while most former single-digits are forced to take a knee to someone eventually most of them aren't exactly on what you would call a short chain.”

“Why are you here?” you press her. “If you're not on a 'short chain' and you're not supposed to fight me why come here at all?”

“I'm the 'Silver General',” she sighs. “I have my own orders to that end.”

“And what were your orders here?” you press. “Are you responsible for the way those yōma were organizing themselves?”

“I have no idea what you're talking about.”

“Using forward scouts and flanking maneuvers?” you roll your eyes. “Small-unit tactics? Probing attacks and pincer moves? Those aren't things yōma do on their own, even when clustered in a nest.”

Yulia frowns, but nods along. “I'll answer your question, but only if you answer one of mine first... in the first place, can you even prove to me that you defeated Saria?”

>Demonstrate the “Earthbreaker” technique. That should say everything that needs to be said.
>Let her take a close look at your sword fittings, explain their significance to her.
>Just beat her to the punch and explain that you partially awakened against Saria.
>Tell her that Saria was trying to get you to awaken, don't tell her that she sort of succeeded.
>Other?

>>3342976
>Just beat her to the punch and explain that you partially awakened against Saria.

>>3342976
>>Just beat her to the punch and explain that you partially awakened against Saria.

>>3342976
>let her take a close look

>>3342976
>Demonstrate the “Earthbreaker” technique. That should say everything that needs to be said.

>>3342976
>>Demonstrate the “Earthbreaker” technique. That should say everything that needs to be said.

>>3343080
Aye.
Better be very certain the noobs are out of earshot before we start talking hushhush things.

>>3342976
>Demonstrate the “Earthbreaker” technique. That should say everything that needs to be said.

>>3342976
>>Demonstrate the “Earthbreaker” technique. That should say everything that needs to be said.

>>3342976
>Let her take a close look at your sword fittings, explain their significance to her.
As much as I dislike letting her get closer, I get the feeling someone else could be watching us......

Wouldn't want them to steal our cool 'Noel TiberiusTM" moves.

>Demonstrate the “Earthbreaker” technique. That should say everything that needs to be said.

Excellent Quest. One of my favorites on this site.

>>3342976
>Let her take a look at your sword fittings.

We need to play our cards close to our chest. Whoever/Whatever is behind this is probably trying to figure out what Noel knows/ can do.

We'll have more room to maneuver while they are still guessing.

>>3342976
>>Let her take a close look at your sword fittings, explain their significance to her.

>>3343189
besides Vanessa?

>>3343316
I'm guessing its Abyssal One politics

>>3343316
That crazy current number one, or maybe Sabela

>>3343399
Worried about the org's number one psycho.

>>3342976
Beat her to the punch.
>grab her and kiss.
>throw her to the ground.
>"im awoken bitch, i think we both know who is to blame for it".

>>3342976
>>Demonstrate the “Earthbreaker” technique. That should say everything that needs to be said.

>>3342976
>Demonstrate the “Earthbreaker” technique. That should say everything that needs to be said.

>>3342976
>Let her take a close look at your sword fittings, explain their significance to her.

File: 75435437564.gif (1.1 MB, 245x245)

1.1 MB GIF

>>3343797

>>3342976
>Let her take a close look at your sword fittings, explain their significance to her.

>>3342976
>Let her take a close look at your sword fittings, explain their significance to her.

>>3342976
>Demonstrate the Earthbreaker technique.

>>3342968
>Demonstrate the “Earthbreaker” technique. That should say everything that needs to be said.

>>3342976
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 8, 8, 7 = 23 (3d10)

>>3345295

Rolled 3, 6, 9 = 18 (3d10)

>>3345295

Rolled 1, 6, 4 = 11 (3d10)

>>3345295
>>3345296
Well done

Rolled 8, 7, 1 = 16 (3d10)

>>3345295

Rolled 3, 1, 1, 6 = 11 (4d10)

>>3342976
You draw your sword, and with a brief burst of yōki you build up and release inhuman power in your arms that lashes your sword forward at the very limits of your ability to control it. The impact that follows is literally earth-shattering in its power... not as powerful as Saria's for sure, but still undeniably the Earthbreaker technique.

“She broke the guard of my sword,” you recount, staring Yulia in the eyes as you lift your sword and hold it higher for her to see. “The last memento of Emma, my first friend, who survived the procedure and training with me only to be killed by an awakened being in front of me. The broken end of Saria's sword helped to repair that memento.”

“And the rounded pommel?” Yulia asks, turning her head slightly. “Where did that come from?”

“Olivia.”

“So it is true,” Yulia muses quietly. “Olivia has died as well. I'd heard rumors of course.”

“So what, you just collect trophies from more powerful warriors than you after they die? That's a rather macabre hobby.”

“They are all people who taught me, who helped me grow... as friends, or as enemies,” you explain, returning your blade to its holster. “I want to take a little bit of them with me. In that sense, they're still helping me fight even after their own battles have ended.”

“It's a way to honor their memories that they would appreciate.”

Yulia laughs harshly in the flickering light. “That's a great joke! As if Saria would hold such sentiments!”

“Clearly you never met the woman Saria once was,” you counter, glaring at her angrily. “As was my pleasure to do. I have to wonder if I'd find the 'old you' to be as compelling.”

“There really is no 'old me' to speak of,” Yulia shrugs. “I awakened the first time I used my technique... it took the Organization nearly two years to figure it out.”

“What I still don't get though,” she muses, “is how a double-digit warrior could stand up to Saria for any amount of time... unless...”
>QM ROLL

>>3345367
Even after being WOKE for 2 years, she still couldn't figure out Noel.

>>3345367
“She was trying to force you to awaken?” Yulia guesses.

You almost breathe an immediate sigh of relief... good that you didn't, it might have given you away.

>That gave me enough of an edge to hold out until Olivia arrived.
>I 'awakened' her old personality first. She died with her sanity, with friends at hand.
>She didn't succeed. What does that tell you about my abilities?
>Other?

>>3345367
Oh shit!

>>3345373
>I 'awakened' her old personality first. She died with her sanity, with friends at hand.

>>3345373
>I 'awakened' her old personality first. She died with her sanity, with friends at hand.

>>3345373
>>I 'awakened' her old personality first. She died with her sanity, with friends at hand.

>>3345373
>>I 'awakened' her old personality first. She died with her sanity, with friends at hand.

>>3345373
>>I 'awakened' her old personality first. She died with her sanity, with friends at hand.

>>3345373
>>I 'awakened' her old personality first. She died with her sanity, with friends at hand.

>>3345373
>I 'awakened' her old personality first. She died with her sanity, with friends at hand.

>>3345373
>I 'awakened' her old personality first. She died with her sanity, with friends at hand.

>>3345373
>"She didn't succeed. What does that tell you about my abilities? "

>>3345373
>>I 'awakened' her old personality first. She died with her sanity, with friends at hand.

>>3345373
>I 'awakened' her old personality first. She died with her sanity, with friends at hand.

>>3345373
“She was the one who ended up awakening first,” you shrug.

Yulia narrows her eyes at you. “You do realize she was already awakened, right? Double-awakening isn't a real thing.”

“That's not what I meant,” you counter. “What I mean is that I awakened the warrior she once was. It took six days, but once she regained her sanity she lost the will to force my awakening.”

“So you weakened her,” Yulia snorts. “How pathetic.”

“In her final hours she learned that her closest friend did not abandon her,” you press, glaring sternly at the awakened being. “Olivia was with me when Saria finally passed, peacefully, with her human mind still for that moment intact, with friends at her side. And I'm proud of my small role in that.”

“So either way, we've established how Saria died,” Yulia presses onward, leaving any further arguments about Saria's state of mind at the moment of her death behind. “To finally answer your own question yes, I am the one responsible for the way those yōma were organized and deployed. So thank you for that.”

“No need to be sarcastic,” you roll your eyes.

“Truly, I'm grateful,” she insists in response. “I hate to admit it, but my training was clearly ineffective in achieving the results my 'boss' was hoping for. So I now have something to report.”

“You were training yōma?” you ask, completely nonplussed at the mental imagery. “Why would that even be a sensible plan?”

“Because there's a war going on right under your nose, little Claymore,” Yulia sneers, “and none of you have the wits to see it! Sooner or later you'll all be forced to either pick a side like I was, or die. And every smartass comment out of you makes me hope that you pick a different side so I'll get to kill you with my own two hands.”

A war... does she mean a conflict between the three Abyssal Ones? You already knew that your mother and the others don't get along by her own admission, so it wouldn't surprise you in the slightest to hear that they'd fought in the past and intended to do so again. But would there really be a cause to scrape together such pathetic yōma and deploy them as foot soldiers in a war between such titans?

Maybe she means a conflict with the Organization? Or is it something else entirely?

>What were you planning to use these yōma for, assuming the idea had actually worked?
>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.
>Why did the Abyssal One you follow order you not to fight against me?
>Other?

>>3348720
>>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.

>>3348720
>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.

>>3348720
>>Why did the Abyssal One you follow order you not to fight against me?

>>3348720
>>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.

>>3348720
>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.

>>3348720
>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.

>>3348720
>>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.

>>3348720
>>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.

>>3348720
>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.

>>3348720
>Why did the Abyssal One you follow order you not to fight against me?
This would be more postive because I doubt she would tell us directly.

It could be Sabela, or it could be someone who has a forced truce with Sabela, this indirectly putting us under her protection.

>>3348720
>Why did the Abyssal One you follow order you not to fight against me?

>>3348720
>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.

>>3348720
>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.
>Why did the Abyssal One you follow order you not to fight against me?

>>3348720

>Which Abyssal One were you and Saria forced to pledge loyalty to? She never said.

>>3348720
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 8, 7, 4 = 19 (3d10)

>>3350398

Rolled 6, 1, 6 = 13 (3d10)

>>3350398

Rolled 3, 2, 7 = 12 (3d10)

>>3350398

>>3350398
“And which Abyssal One were you and Saria obliged to bow to?” you ask, narrowing your gaze. “Saria never mentioned that detail, and you have seemed incredibly cagey about it, but the fact is that if she specifically told you to avoid fighting me she must be at least aware enough of me to have formed an opinion.”

“That makes her identity relevant information.”

Yulia frowns at you, making a little noise of playful disapproval. “Hmmm... tell you what, number seven. If you can correctly guess which of the three Abyssal Ones commands my loyalty, I'll tell you that you got it right. If you can't, then I get to ask a question of my own. You answer that question, you get another chance to guess.”

“And if I refuse to answer?” you ask.

Yulia shrugs. “Then so do I.”

You give it some thought. The three Abyssal Ones are Sabela, Salem, and Constanzia, with Salem's sister Ella and Constanzia's sister Rafaela having also awakened. Your mother does not strike you as the type to gather followers unwillingly, and claims to view you and your fellow warriors in a compassionate light. So would that compassion extend to awakened beings? And would such compassion be reason enough for Yulia to hate her? Then again, Yulia's implications may also be that her mistress doesn't tend to think about things as carefully as you know Sabela must. So she's not a very good fit.

Constanzia and Rafaela are still together, as Sabela has informed you, meaning that any distinction between the two in terms of who is 'in charge' is likely irrelevant. You know very little about them or what plans they may have, and so its difficult to say whether or not they could be the ones Yulia looks down on so strongly.

Then there's Salem. You know little about her other than that she was once partnered with Ella, and that they had a falling-out over who was the stronger of the two and deserved the title of number One. Salem however does hold the title, she has nothing left to prove in that regard. Ella on the other hand... Ella might in fact have been the one responsible for Olivia's death, and that makes her the only one you've actually seen any sort of aggression from.

It also makes sense that Yulia would be upset working for a self-proclaimed 'Abyssal One' who was actually never ranked number One. Trying to amass a largely-useless army of yōma also makes sense for someone who's trying hard to prove her relevance in the power dynamic between awakened beings.

>I guess Constanzia and Rafaela. They've probably got the widest presence in terms of subordinates due to the fact that there's two of them working together.
>My guess is Salem. She likely started impressing awakened beings once she realized that she can no longer count on her sister's power for help.
>I'm not convinced it's not Ella, and you've been messing with me. She's the one who's got the most to prove, and I know I'd be unhappy to work for her.
>Other?

>>3350485
>Ella

>>3350485
>>I'm not convinced it's not Ella, and you've been messing with me. She's the one who's got the most to prove, and I know I'd be unhappy to work for her.

>>3350485
>Ella

>>3350485
>I'm not convinced it's not Ella, and you've been messing with me. She's the one who's got the most to prove, and I know I'd be unhappy to work for her.

>>3350485
>Ella

>>3350485
>>I'm not convinced it's not Ella, and you've been messing with me. She's the one who's got the most to prove, and I know I'd be unhappy to work for her.

>>3350485
>My guess is Salem. She likely started impressing awakened beings once she realized that she can no longer count on her sister's power for help.

>>3350485
You immediately act on your hunch.

“I'm not unconvinced that it's not actually Ella,” you muse, watching carefully for any telltale signs that you've hit the mark. And sure enough, her eybrow twitches ever so slightly. “It would make sense that she would be in a hurry to show her sister up, and that you wouldn't be thrilled about serving under a number Two.”

“Oh?” she pretends to rally herself, the momentary surprise easily suppressed... albeit too late. “Are you sure you wouldn't rather guess Sabela?”

You snort. “I'm going to go with Ella.”

“Final answer?”

“You don't even need to say it,” you frown. “You're even worse of a liar than I am. Totally unconvincing.”

Yulia's shoulders droop and she drops the pretense. “Fine, I'll admit Ella made me her bitch a few years back. I only wish I could be working for Sabela.”

“What's so special about working for Sabela?” you ask, feigning curiosity. It's not much of a stretch, you're actually somewhat interested to hear what another awakened being thinks of your birth mother.

“She's like us,” Yulia explains, “in that she awakened, of course. A complete monster. But I've heard she's the easiest of the three 'true' Abyssal Ones to get along with. One who has maintained her reason, if not a shred of sanity.”

“For us awakened beings where such mundane things as 'sanity' become rare, those qualities become mesmerizing. Even a little intimidating... because unlike those of us driven by survival, or cruelty, or other things like that? When she acts, she does so with purpose and clarity.”
>1/2

>>3353496
“Including when she kills,” you hazard a guess.

Yulia nods grimly. “Precisely. I see you can grasp the implications... which is the greater monster? The one who simply follows its instincts, or the one who chooses their actions?”

“So you admire her as much as you fear her,” you decide. It's a completely ridiculous situation, and it's hard to hide your feelings on the matter. “Then why not seek her out?”

“If you know her name, I'm willing to guess you know of her peculiar sentiments towards un-awakened warriors,” Yulia mutters, not incorrect in her assumptions of course. “She does not typically extend that courtesy towards her fellow awakened beings.”

“So she has no followers?” you ask.

Yulia shakes her head. “More like none of us are quite sure what criteria she uses when determining which awakened beings to kill and which to spare as subordinates. Survival is my main goal, so taking a risk like approaching the Grim Lady of the Steppe is unthinkable.”

>And so you choose not to attack me because doing so will get you killed by Ella. But what purpose does Ella have in issuing such an order?
>I have no further questions, and I doubt either of us is in much of a mood to answer any. Will you please withdraw?
>I have one question: you have your survival instinct. Can you speculate as to the motives of the Abyssal Ones?
>Other?

>>3353504
>And so you choose not to attack me because doing so will get you killed by Ella. But what purpose does Ella have in issuing such an order?
>Kindly fuck off.

>>3353504
>And so you choose not to attack me because doing so will get you killed by Ella. But what purpose does Ella have in issuing such an order?

>>3353504
>And so you choose not to attack me because doing so will get you killed by Ella. But what purpose does Ella have in issuing such an order?

>>3353504
>And so you choose not to attack me because doing so will get you killed by Ella. But what purpose does Ella have in issuing such an order?

>>3353504
>>And so you choose not to attack me because doing so will get you killed by Ella. But what purpose does Ella have in issuing such an order?

>>3353504
>>And so you choose not to attack me because doing so will get you killed by Ella. But what purpose does Ella have in issuing such an order?

>>3353504
>>And so you choose not to attack me because doing so will get you killed by Ella. But what purpose does Ella have in issuing such an order?

A thought occurs, Sabela drinks wine like a human, She awakened after fighting and killing another Abyssal one, She treats warriors with kid gloves when the others purposefully torture them into awakening...

I honestly think the derangement that happens so often with Awakened beings missed her. Due to a combination of why she awoke, and her youki manipulation powers. This in turn would mean she's mostly sane, only eating people because she has too to survive, and ostensibly keep up appearances so the others do not unite against her. She could very well be pulling an Aizen equivalent.

>>3354027
We could just not be seeing the delusions. She could be the absolute worst but we haven't triggered her shit show yet.

>>3354027
A sane Awakened would just suicide.

>>3354058
It's possible, but generally even then there's a hint of instability from them. We got none of that.


>>3354079
Unless they felt like there was something else they HAD to do. Isley as a prime example.

>>3354058
>>3354083
Shes our mother so she probably restrains herself and puts on her best behavior. Plus she was royalty. Remember our first meeting with her, she had a powerful lackey yoma bring wine to her, AND she tried to pay for it. Course the yoma fucked up and Sabela made him never appear in this quest again.

>>3354527
She is not royalty, she fucked our dad who was royalty. She's only a "queen" due to the fact she got impregnated by the king, they never married and she never had a claim to the throne.

>>3354548
We don't know her history before that she could have been nobility, I an't about to tell her she isn't nobility. Her delusion may very well be that she's rightful QUEEN which may not have been something she gave two shits about before.

>>3354569
Given the small amount f people that are nobles? I doubt it, and if her delusion was she's a queen? We'd have seen her being far more imperious than she was.

>>3353504
>>And so you choose not to attack me because doing so will get you killed by Ella. But what purpose does Ella have in issuing such an order?

>>3354548
>>3354569
You also have to keep in mind that Sabela's romance with Tiberius was an affair that both people took seriously. It wasn't a simple one night stand. if you recall Laura's recount on her last dinner with Sabela, there was some teasing at Sabela since it was implied she took the time to delay her arrival to write a love letter to the King.
Romance is serious business when you have a couple writing love letters to each other.

>>3354079
Depends. If they found out what The Organization is really up to, for example, I could see even a sane mind justify their continued existence for a number of reasons in such a case.

Anyway, the awakening process has been shown to have some interesting interactions with the minds of those awakened. It varies widely, but the short version is "awakening is a hell of a drug."

It absolutely does something to the pleasure center of the brain, that's completely canon, but it doesn't stop there. The behavior of an awakened seems to largely resemble someone going through a psychedelic "heightened" state of mind: a state where things all seem more "real" and everything before that was just an illusion. This does not pair well with their newfound hunger for human organs and other instincts.

The most interesting behavior I noticed is that, like a cancer cell, there is evidence that awakened beings are still able to function in at least a facsimile of a more normal/healthy state as long as they are surrounded by "good" examples e.g. healthy cells and some sort of accepting human-like social structure, respectively.

Truly fascinating entities!

>>3357198
>Truly fascinating entities!
Now I can't help but imagine Steve Irwin doing a episode on Awakened ones.

"Crikey, that's Sabela, one of the most dangerous awakened ones! One wrong move and she'll eat me alive. Let's go poke her with a stick."

>>3357759
>"... you do realize I can hear you, right?"

>>3353504
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 4, 9, 6 = 19 (3d10)

>>3358093

Rolled 2, 2, 7 = 11 (3d10)

>>3358093

Rolled 6, 1, 10 = 17 (3d10)

>>3358093

Rolled 9, 2, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>3358093

>>3358093
“And so you chose not to attack because of what Ella might do if you ignore her order,” you backtrack, getting back to the point. “But why would she give you such an order in the first place?”

“I have no idea,” Yulia admits. “Sometimes she just makes decisions like that. But she specifically told me that if I spotted a single-digit claymore with an emblem like yours calling herself Noel I wasn't to attack.”

“Beyond that I don't even have grounds to speculate.”

“Does Ella ever have communications with the other Abyssal Ones?” you press, suddenly realizing one possible explanation. “I wouldn't expect she hears from her sister at all. But what of the others?”

“I hear that Salem and Sabela are on speaking terms, but only just,” Yulia muses, apparently having forgotten that she previously had wanted to press you for questions. Certainly seems like you've got her in a mood to talk. “And for some weird reason Rafaela keeps sending Ella letters. Like being former number two fighters supporting their sisters makes them some kind of natural pen pals.”

So they even send each other mail from time to time? Even in what could be considered a tacit war being waged across the whole known world, the monstrous beings at the top still manage to keep at least a pretext of cordiality. You're not sure if that makes them seem more human or even less. Yulia's own words repeat in your head, about how those who commit monstrous acts with knowledge of their own monstrosity are somehow worse than the simple-minded yōma.

Worse, it's not enough to confirm whether or not your mother has been threatening the other Abyssal Ones over you.

“So it's possible that she could have heard my name from literally anyone,” you grumble. “I wonder just how many awakened beings have been paying such uncomfortable attention to my career?”

“I've definitely heard of what happened in Anren,” Yulia shrugs. “So there's something of a buzz among those of us whose intellects still allow us to listen for such details.”

“How?” you demand. “Certainly not from one of my fellow warriors?”

“No, from the humans at first,” Yulia admits, finally standing and stretching her back. “So I take it all with a grain of salt. Not like any of those weaklings were actually there to see it.”

“I'm tired of all these questions,” she declares. “I'm going now. Next time we meet it may not be so pleasant, so please don't expect anything unreasonable of me.”

“Wouldn't dare,” you counter. “But if you ever decide you wish to be buried as a human, all you need to do is ask.”

“As if,” Yulia chuckles. And just like that she's gone from your sight, in a moment of movement that takes you completely by surprise. Had you been using your yōki... maybe.
>1/2

>>3358140
“What was that?” Nessa demands anxiously when you finally return to the cave where they've been sheltering. “It was like nothing else I've ever felt before... like I was being smothered where I stood.”

“My knees won't stop shaking,” Alexandra admits, her gaze cast at the floor.

“It wasn't that bad,” Jenna tries to play it off. But Vanessa isn't having any of her lies.

“I've never seen a warrior sweat like you were,” she frowns. “It's okay to admit you were just as scared as the rest of us Jenna. There's no shame in it.”

Jenna's eyes fall to the floor as well. “Damn...”

“We're lucky she just wanted to talk,” you sigh, sitting near the entrance to the cave with an apple you snagged from the caravaners on your way past. “I'm not sure how I would fare in a fair fight against her. But instead she was simply interested in my opinions on how the yōma fared in their first organized battle.”

“And you just told her what she wanted to know?” Alexandra asks, shocked.

>Nothing disgusts me more than a pointless sacrifice of lives. Even our own lives are precious, and should never be wasted.
>In exchange, I learned what their objectives here were. The Organization can use those details to improve their mission planning.
>It was a chance to learn about our most dangerous enemies: the former first-ranked warriors known as Abyssal Ones.
>Other?

>>3358176
>In exchange, I learned what their objectives here were. The Organization can use those details to improve their mission planning.
>It was a chance to learn about our most dangerous enemies: the former first-ranked warriors known as Abyssal Ones.

>>3358176
>In exchange, I learned what their objectives here were. The Organization can use those details to improve their mission planning.
>>It was a chance to learn about our most dangerous enemies: the former first-ranked warriors known as Abyssal Ones.

>>3358176
>>Nothing disgusts me more than a pointless sacrifice of lives. Even our own lives are precious, and should never be wasted.

>>3358176
>It was a chance to learn about our most dangerous enemies: the former first-ranked warriors known as Abyssal Ones.

>>3358176
>>In exchange, I learned what their objectives here were. The Organization can use those details to improve their mission planning.
>>It was a chance to learn about our most dangerous enemies: the former first-ranked warriors known as Abyssal Ones

>>3358176
>>It was a chance to learn about our most dangerous enemies: the former first-ranked warriors known as Abyssal Ones.

>>3358176
>In exchange, I learned what their objectives here were. The Organization can use those details to improve their mission planning.
>It was a chance to learn about our most dangerous enemies: the former first-ranked warriors known as Abyssal Ones.

>>3358176
>>Nothing disgusts me more than a pointless sacrifice of lives. Even our own lives are precious, and should never be wasted.

>>3358176
>In exchange, I learned what their objectives here were. The Organization can use those details to improve their mission planning.

>>3357773
>"Whuh oh, I think she spotted me. Danger, danger, danger! This Sheila seems a mite cranky right now, I better leave her be. What a little beauty though, awesome!"

>>3358176
>>In exchange, I learned what their objectives here were. The Organization can use those details to improve their mission planning.

>>3358176
>Nothing disgusts me more than a pointless sacrifice of lives. Even our own lives are precious, and should never be wasted.
Seems the most in character, and her job was explicitly to watch out for the trainees.

>>3358726
You know, the part of this that gets me is how close to believable it is. The guy pretty much wrangled things made of teeth and hate for a living.

I mean it'd seem stupid(er) if he wasn't so upbeat and educational about it.

>>3358726
>"As if I would allow you to leave so easily, without even asking how it is that a human even knows my name. Depending on your explanation, I may have to have you stay for dinner..."

>>3358176
>Nothing disgusts me more than a pointless sacrifice of lives. Even our own lives are precious, and should never be wasted.
>other: if we fail to protect humanity, or what's left of our own humanity, we're nothing better than monsters if all we cared about was killing yomas and awakened beings.

>>3359931
>Crikey! I may be in a spot of bother here. Oh you've really gone and done it this time, Steve-o! This little beauty seems to have taken a peculiar interest in me.

Now, it's very important for my continued health that I not do anything like panic. Awakened are much faster than humans and this Sheila'd have my head off quick as can be if the mood takes her, so it don't do no good to try and run. 'You're alroight, mate!'

You do not want to do anything that might encourage an awakened to think that you are a potential feed. It'd put a real damper on my day to have my intestines pulled out and eaten. Just going to try and make the best of things and get a better look, 'You're alroight, mate, you're alroight!' See, that look right there she's giving me lets me know that I don't want to get any closer than this. Such a marvel, though!

Now, many awakened are fond of tearing the limbs of their prey right out of the sockets using their absurd strength before they have a feed; reminds me of home. Let's just hope she isn't hungry roight now.

Absolutely wild stuff!

File: 1466686616633.jpg (76 KB, 750x432)

76 KB JPG

>>3360135

> today I learned . . .

File: 1ci2png6h_GREATNESS.png (218 KB, 399x400)

218 KB PNG

>>3360135

>>3360149
>Poking a giant spider with that face...
why whould you do that

>>3360135
>"I haven't been this confused in decades. Are you unwell? Have you hit your head or something?"
>"Also, I resent the implication that I would conduct myself in so barbarous a manner as to eat my food raw. Were I hungry, I might have killed you painlessly and cooked your lungs and liver with some oats and spices like haggis, or braise and roast your ribs like a cow's. That sort of thing. Was it down with a nice syrah."

>>3350485
“You should never be in a rush to throw your lives away,” you sigh, “and fighting her? That's exactly what that would have been. Instead I had to content myself with gathering information from her... and on that front I think I got better than I gave.”

“Yeah?” Alexandra asks. “How so?”

“I got some information on our greatest foes,” you inform them, shuffling across the cave floor to get a little closer to them. You're satisfied that there's no one within earshot but you still lower your voice, mindful of how far it might carry if you're not careful. “About the Abyssal Ones.”

“Abyssal... ones?” Jenna repeats, not understanding what that's supposed to be.

You nod sternly. “Of all our many warriors over the years, only three who were given the number One ranking went on to awaken. Those three are what we call the Abyssal Ones... though we rarely speak of them. Their names are Salem, Constanzia, and Sabela... there are two more ranked number Two who awakened with Salem and Constanzia: their sisters Rafaela and Ella.”

“How strong are they?” Vanessa asks quietly. “What rank was the one outside? Was she one of these... monsters?”

You shake your head. “Five.”

“Only number five?” Jenna gasps.

“Only?” you raise an eyebrow. “In any event, were any two of those three to decide to work together the entire might of the Organization would mean nothing before them.”

“Then why haven't they done so?” Alex asks you with a frown. “Could it be... their own egos?”

“In some cases yes,” you agree, “that was the impression I got. However it's also true that they are currently in something of a stalemate. No one is free to act against the others... though one ambitious awakened being among their numbers is trying to change that it seems.”

“Who?” Alex presses.

“Ella,” you announce. “The number Two who awakened with the Abyssal One Salem. It was on her orders that those yōma were assembled and trained for battle.”
>1/2

>>3360674
“Trained for battle?” Alexa repeats your words, seeming to grapple with the implication. “By that you mean organized engagements, and not simply mindless slaughtering?”

You nod. “Group tactics, flanking, those sorts of things are apparently within the limits of their abilities.”

“But why would they need that?” Vanessa asks.

Jenna responds before even you can. “To be infantry. Isn't that right, number Seven?”

“The real question is how they intend to deploy such units,” you sigh. “And against whom. Unfortunately, the awakened being who spoke with me just now takes a very dim view of Ella's abilities to reason. So she could not answer a question like that with any certainty.”

“Ella's target may be the other awakened beings, or it may be the Organization. Both are possible.”

>No more questions. Get some rest... I'll take watch, so don't worry.
>I want to check your wounds, and your uniforms need to be washed.
>If the three of you want to ask any more questions I will answer them.
>Other?

>>3360730
>I want to check your wounds, and your uniforms need to be washed.
>If the three of you want to ask any more questions I will answer them.

>>3360730
>I want to check your wounds, and your uniforms need to be washed.
>If the three of you want to ask any more questions I will answer them.

Team Mom modo go.

>>3360730
>>I want to check your wounds, and your uniforms need to be washed.
>Other
>Before we go any further, I want you to know that this information is not something that the organization would necessarily be happy about you knowing. That knowledge might put you in danger. Are you willing to know more?

>>3360730
>I want to check your wounds, and your uniforms need to be washed.
>If the three of you want to ask any more questions I will answer them.

>>3360730
>Any more questions? If not go to bed.

>>3360744
>>3360730
Supporting

>>3360730
supporting this: >>3360744

>>3360730
>Supporting >>3360744

>>3360730
>No more questions. Get some rest... I'll take watch, so don't worry.
>I want to check your wounds, and your uniforms need to be washed.
>If the three of you want to ask any more questions I will answer them.

>>3360744
>>3360730
In with this

>>3360730
>No more questions. Get some rest... I'll take watch, so don't worry.

>>3360195
Confused Sabela made me smile.

>>3360182
Unquenchable curiosity and childlike glee coupled with a desire to explore, appreciate and share the wonders of the natural world that borders on eccentric.

>>3360730
“The three of you reek of blood,” you sigh, removing your armor one piece at a time. “I'll fetch a few things so that you can wash yourselves and your uniforms.”

You quickly leave to gather a cauldron, a stiff-bristled brush, and some twine before returning to the little shelter where your trainees are waiting. A small wooden basin set aside on the floor will serve the purpose, and you filled the cauldron with water on the way back. It starts heating quickly over the small fire while you run the twine between the hilt of your sword and Alexandra's.

By the time you turn your attention back to your trainees, they've begun to peel off their uniforms. The sight of their fresh stigma greets you... a grim reminder that regardless of how 'normal' they seem by your own standards they've gone through the same dehumanizing surgeries and indoctrination that you and your close friends have. They're no longer human.

“Come here, Nessa,” you order, noticing something you don't like.

Bare from the waist up, Vanessa follows your order. “Yes? What is it?”

“Hold still,” you order, inspecting the site of one of her injuries.

“That was a nasty...”

She doesn't finish the thought, instead crying out in pain as you rip the wound open.

“Sorry,” you apologize quietly, holding up the reason for your brutal treatment. “You healed a little too quickly, and a bit of your uniform got trapped inside your skin. Even with our altered physiology there's a risk it will fester.”

“Got it,” Vanessa replies in a pained grunt.

“You'll be fine,” you assure her. “Jenna?”

“Yeah?” Jenna asks cautiously.

You look over her wounds, and see that most of them are fairly shallow and seem to be healing nicely by offensive standards. Your fingertips gently probe a slightly deeper wound that crosses her stigma, eliciting a brief hiss of pain.

“This should close nicely, but keep an eye on it,” you suggest. “Any wound near your stigma should be carefully monitored for improvement.”

“I understand,” Jenna nods in response.

Alexandra presents herself without prompting, arm covering herself modestly and eyes averted. She has a deep wound on her shoulder that hasn't quite healed yet, but it should be easily within her ability to make a full recovery.

“You're fine,” you nod. “Just be sure to keep it clean.”
>1/2

>>3362875
The hot water sloshes into the basin, and your trainees take turns rinsing and scrubbing their uniforms. You lean up against the wall and wait quietly at first.

“If you have any questions feel free to ask now,” you offer quietly. “But be warned, the Organization often takes a dim view on inquisitiveness in its warriors. There are some topics on which it is best not to press.”

“Why aren't you washing up too?” Jenna asks immediately.

You shrug. “My upbringing left me kind of sensitive about such things. I'll wash up while you're resting.”

“How would you suggest we train from here?” Vanessa asks you.

That's a good question... having seen their individual abilities you have some idea of what they're capable of. But you also don't want to set them off on a tangent that will leave them overly focused on something that may not help them survive long enough to perfect those abilities. It reminds you of something your father used to say, that you should always be careful when dispensing advice.

>Try to give them each individualized suggestions for what might suit them.
>Suggest basic skills they should ALL master before focusing on complicated things.
>Offer them some lessons you've learned on missions. Knowledge is power.
>Other?

File: knowing-is-half-the-battle.jpg (93 KB, 1366x768)

93 KB JPG

>>3362884
>Offer them some lessons you've learned on missions. Knowledge is power.

>>3362884
>Offer them some lessons you've learned on missions. Knowledge is power.
>other: let them know of the coming challenges up ahead in their careers. War is coming among humans. They've got guns now. They'll be seeing humans get more and more involved with yoma. One gun may seem inconsequential, but having enough of them in sheer volume is lethal even to claymores. And Noel knows how big of a problem they will be since she got shot before."

>>3362884
>Basic skills

>>3362884
>cover the basics and things that will come in handy once they go on missions

>>3362884
>>Suggest basic skills they should ALL master before focusing on complicated things.

>>3362884
>Suggest basic skills they should ALL master before focusing on complicated things.

>>3362884
>Suggest basic skills they should ALL master before focusing on complicated things.
>Offer them some lessons you've learned on missions. Knowledge is power.

>>3362884
>>Suggest basic skills they should ALL master before focusing on complicated things.

>>3362884
>Suggest basic skills they should ALL master before focusing on complicated things.

They can help each other train this way. Also, a strong foundation and all that

>>3362884
>>Offer them some lessons you've learned on missions. Knowledge is power.

>>3362884
>>Suggest basic skills they should ALL master before focusing on complicated things.
The fundamentals are the building blocks from which unique strategies and skills are born.

>>3362884
>Offer them some lessons you've learned on missions. Knowledge is power.

>>3362884
>Suggest basic skills they should ALL master before focusing on complicated things.

>>3362884
>Suggest basic skills they should ALL master before focusing on complicated things.

>>3362884
>Suggest basic skills they should ALL master before focusing on complicated things.

>>3362884
>Suggest basic skills they should ALL master before focusing on complicated things.

>>3362884
As the three trainees work to scrub their uniforms, you carefully consider your response. If the last few days are any indication whatever you say they're going to take to heart, and so this is a massive opportunity to help set them on a path that will help them survive. If that happened, nothing would make you happier.

You can feel your expression softening. “Get the basics down first, those will help you survive. Fancier techniques can come later.”

“What basics are you talking about?” Jenna presses, squeezing out her shirt into the basin.

“The things that give warriors an advantage,” you explain. “Our ability to sense yōma, and our discipline, are first among those things. Consider things carefully, plan carefully, and don't let hatred or anger towards the yōma goad you into doing something foolish.”

“As for your combat training, drawing yōki safely is the most important thing,” you conclude. “Don't be afraid to use that power, but you have to gradually learn your own limits through experience. Respect those boundaries that you set for yourself.”

“And how will we find those boundaries?” Alexandra asks. “How do you know you're pushing too far?”

“Honestly,” you chuckle, “it feels a bit like you've strained a muscle.”

“Really?”

You nod. “Really. The second you get that sensation from drawing your yōki back off.”

“And so that's how you can tell you're in the process of awakening? Becoming one of those monsters?”

Vanessa doesn't sound like she's convinced, but you can only shrug. “I've also heard it described as being like sexual pleasure, but never having had that I can't say how true it is. But for me there was a sort of pull, a vague sense of intoxication that gets harder to resist the further you go. Between the two of those sensations you know about as much about how to tell where your limits are as I do.”

You carefully hang the trainees' clothing so that it blocks the view from the entrance of the cave, giving them a little more of a sense of privacy.

A thought strikes you. “I'll be back in a second.”

A few minutes later you return with blankets, tossing one to each trainee and hanging a spare on the line to further isolate your little retreat. “Anyone else have questions for me?”

“I have one,” Jenna admits. “How'd you learn to use a sword?”

“I read a fencing manual,” you admit to chuckles all around. “No, seriously! When you know how normal people do it efficiently it gives you a good point for expanding your abilities.”
>1/2

>>3364843
“Now, time for you all to rest,” you order. “I'll be washing my own uniform, and after that I'll be resting as well.”

“Not setting a watch?” Vanessa asks cautiously.

You shake your head. “No point. Do you sense anything?”

She shakes her head as well. “No.”

“This area is likely going to be safe for a while,” you sigh, “since Yulia seems to have gathered up all the yōma around here for her little army. Which we slaughtered.”

“Alright,” Vanessa sighs, leaning up against the wall. “If you say.”

You quickly and quietly remove your own top and quickly wash some of the blood off it before hanging it from the line. The light blanket goes around your shoulders like a poncho, barely enough to keep you warm if you were cold but adequate for hiding the state of your stigma.

Then you settle in, leaning against the wall and closing your eyes for a few hours.

But eventually you hear something familiar... the sounds of a girl having a nightmare. You're familiar with that sound, having heard it from Emma and from other trainees who didn't survive. Your eyes open to find that Alexandra is shifting uncomfortably against the wall she's leaned up on, clearly in some amount of distress.

>Comfort
>Wake her
>Do nothing

>>3364865
>>Comfort

>>3364865
>>Comfort

>>3364865
>>Comfort

>>3364865
>Comfort

>>3364865
>Comfort

>>3364865
>Whisper distressing things in her ear as she sleeps.

>>3364865
>>Do nothing

>>3364865
>>Comfort
This is only the first step on our path to becoming the motherly God Queen of our brethren.

>>3364865
>Comfort

>>3364865
>>Comfort

>>3364865
>Wake her

>>3364865
>Molest

>>3364865
>>Comfort
shoo shoo

>>3364865
>Comfort

Rolled 6, 5, 8 = 19 (3d10)

>>3365110
>QM rolling

>>3365187
You quietly move closer to Alexandra, sitting next to her and raising your left knee before pulling her in closer. You carefully tuck her head in against your chest, and hold her close... like a mother might comfort a frightened child, you realize.

At first she squirms a little, her elbow bumping repeatedly into the spot where your stigma would normally be. Just as you're beginning to wonder if this is going to work, the young trainee's movements begin to slow. Not long after that she quiets down entirely, falling into a peaceful sleep. You're not totally sure why, but your own eyes slide shut after what feels like just a few minutes like that, your own body having finally relaxed as well.

“Hey, wake up.”

The early morning light comes with a gentle prodding, and your eyes open to see that Alexandra and the other trainees have already awoken.

“You must have been tired from the fight,” she muses. “So we let you sleep a little.”

“I hadn't intended to sleep at all,” you admit, getting up and walking away. You're careful to throw off your blanked at throw on your top without showing anything to the trainees that might prompt any uncomfortable questions. “But thanks for your consideration.”

“No, thank you,” Alexandra insists quietly. “I know what you did for me... in my cell, I was the only one who...”

You can tell she's having trouble forcing herself to say it, so you shake your head. “You don't have to say anything else.”

“But from here on the three of you are gonna have to rely on each other,” you declare. “Think you can do that for me?”

“Of course,” Jenna replies firmly.

“If we don't, who else will?” Vanessa asks, placing a reassuring hand on Alexandra's shoulder. “We have to rely on each other.”

You lead the trio out of the cave once they've dressed... you get the feeling that if any of the trainees coming through the Organization these days are going to be okay, it's these three.
>1/2

>>3365236
The rest of the trip is thoroughly uneventful, and you reach the next major town by the early afternoon. When the caravan finally pulls into the square you find yourselves beset on all sides by what seem like desperate people.

“Easy, easy!” a man shouts over the noise. “There's enough for everyone, so just stay calm!”

A familiar bearded face stands out, elevated above the crowd as its owner stands atop a nearby cart.

“Lawrence!” you shout. “Lawrence Calvetius how the hell are you doing!?”

The crowd parts around Alysheba as you ride closer, and the man gets a look at you. “Noel!?”

“What's all this commotion about?” you ask as he eyes your trainees in confusion.

“You're the ones who helped get this convoy through?” Lawrence asks, beaming down at the younger warriors. “You all have my thanks, and everyone else's here!”

“Why?” you press.

“You don't know what they were carrying?” Lawrence stares at you in shock. “What you were protecting from bandits and yōma?”

“If I did I wouldn't be asking,” you point out. “So tell me.”

“Antibiotics, from the east,” he tells you, gesturing for a nearby merchant to bring over a small wooden box. Inside are glass vials full of a yellowish liquid... a medicine intended to kill off infectious agents. “There was a bad outbreak of scarlet fever here, dozens of the local kids are deathly ill. This shipment's gonna save lives, Noel.”

Alexandra and Vanessa laugh nervously, exchanging surprised glances. Jenna just scratches her head.

“I don't get it, but I'm glad people are happy.”

>Catch up with Lawrence a little, maybe see what he knows about the yōma nest.
>You can tell your handler is already here, it's just a matter of finding him.
>Settle in with the trainees, make that asswipe of a handler come to you.
>Other?

>>3365254
>Find our handler

>>3365254
>>Settle in with the trainees, make that asswipe of a handler come to you.

>>3365254
>Settle in with the trainees, make that asswipe of a handler come to you.

>>3365254
>Catch up with Lawrence a little, maybe see what he knows about the yōma nest.
Our handler is immune to this sickness?

>>3365254
>>Catch up with Lawrence a little, maybe see what he knows about the yōma nest.

>>3365254
>>Settle in with the trainees, make that asswipe of a handler come to you.
good girls

>>3365254
>>Catch up with Lawrence a little, maybe see what he knows about the yōma nest.

>>3365254
>Catch up with Lawrence a little, maybe see what he knows about the yōma nest.

>>3365254
>Catch up with Lawrence a little, maybe see what he knows about the yōma nest.
Teach the trainees how to socialize with civvies. Keep them grounded (and idolizing Noel.)

>>3365519
Idolizing Noel is in fact the proper response.

>>3365254
>>3365519
This, pretty much.

>>3365254
take the trainees with you as you go and catch up with Lawrence, it will be good practice for them to learn diplomacy and Public Relations.

>>3365254
>>Catch up with Lawrence a little, maybe see what he knows about the yōma nest.
>If your handler shows while I am gone come get me girls. Consider it a standing order from a ranked Claymore.

>>3365519
support

>>3365254
>Catch up with Lawrence a little, maybe see what he knows about the yōma nest.

>>3365254
You adjourn to a nearby pub, where you order four tiny ales and cluster around a single table.

“So how have things been since our paths last crossed?” you ask Lawrence.

“Not bad,” he shrugs. “I got called in to represent the guild on the receiving end of this caravan, to take custody of the medicine. I had no idea they wouldn't even tell you what you were all risking your lives to protect.”

“It's a mystery to me,” you shake your head. “Maybe they had orders to keep quiet about it?”

“Maybe,” Lawrence admits. “How many yōma you say there were?”

“I didn't,” you observe, “but together we killed forty-seven.”

Lawrence lets out a low whistle. “That's a hell of a day's work. I've never even heard of that many yōma in one place.”

“So Montelena being a yōma nest would come as a surprise to you?” you press.

Lawrence nods fervently. “I swear, none of us had any idea that's where the yōma were coming from, otherwise we'd have reported it. A whole damn village...”

“It's not unprecedented,” you admit. “Though the last time I had to deal with an entire village like that it was caused by a single yōma controlling multiple 'hosts', not a collection of individual yōma.”

“So, who're your friends here?”

You're about to introduce them, when you hear a voice interrupt. “Those would be three trainee warriors. Their names are none of your concern.”

“Nice speaking with you Lawrence,” you sigh. “But it sounds like our own business has caught up with us.”

Lawrence rises, taking his own beer with him. “I'm sure fate will see fit to have our paths cross again some day.”

“Looking forward to it,” you nod, before turning your attention back to the newcomer. “Aleksei.”

“Noel,” the handler nods, smiling warmly. “How was the mission?”

You gesture for Jenna to drop a sack onto the table with a heavy thud.

Aleksei frowns, staring at it. “What's this?”

>A gift. Open it.
>Open it, make it a point to show him the contents.
>Slice the bag open, make sure they spill all over him.
>Other?

>>3367860
>>A gift. Open it.
If he does not
>Open it, make it a point to show him the contents.

>>3367860
>>>A gift. Open it.
>If he does not
>>Open it, make it a point to show him the contents.

>>3367860
>>A gift. Open it.

>>3367860
>>A gift. Open it.

>>3367860
>>A gift. Open it.

>>3367875
>>3367881
>>3367885
>>3367886
>>3367898
the hivemind is back at it again

>>3367860
>"A simple mission you said. Just three yoma you said. Well then, lets count how many Yoma ears we collected in this 'simple mission'."
>Open the gift bag and count with him the number of Yoma ears.
>Take on a tone like you're chiding a petulant child and chastising him in a manner by going through each thing that went wrong.

>>3367860
>A gift. Open it.

>>3367860
>A gift. Open it.
>Open it, make it a point to show him the contents.

>>3367860
>A gift. Open it.
>Open it, make it a point to show him the contents.

>>3367860
>Open it, make it a point to show him the contents.

>>3367860
>A gift. Open it.

>>3367860
>>A gift. Open it.
if he doesn't:
>Slice the bag open, make sure they spill all over him.

File: go ahead.jpg (105 KB, 1000x1000)

105 KB JPG

>>3367860
>A gift. Open it.

>>3367860
“It's a gift,” you tell him calmly, your narrowing eyes the only hint at the anger boiling right below the surface. “It would be rude not to open a gift from a lady.”

Either Aleksei is remarkably confident or it just doesn't register that you're upset with him. Regardless of the reasons for it, he takes the bag from you without asking questions about it. But when he opens it at the top, his expression of curiosity morphs into one of disgust as he slowly recoils.

“What is this, number seven?” he demands, pushing the bag away.

“Forty-six yōma ears in a sack,” you inform him bluntly. “Your briefing was off by an entire order of magnitude, you know. Not only that? There was an awakened being there, a former single-digit.”

“And you sent me into that disaster with three trainees. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Aleksei takes a deep breath. “In any mission there will of course be complications...”

“Spare me,” you sigh, completely disappointed in his response. “If you're not even going to offer me an excuse don't bother answering at all. Let's just move on with the debriefing.”

“Okay...” Aleksei replies, obviously disconcerted with your obvious rebuke. Even your trainees were taken off guard, and they knew you were angry at him. “So you say there were forty-six yōma?”

“Forty-seven,” you correct him, “including the scout I killed on the first day. Forty-eight if you include the awakened being.”

“And you killed this awakened being?”

You shake your head. “She gave her name as Yulia, the 'Silver General'. I managed to avoid being drawn into a conflict.”

“Cowardice...” Aleksei begins, until you interrupt him again.

“Had nothing to do with it,” you snap. “I prioritized my mission and saved the lives of the trainees who were with me, it's as simple as that.

“Kill the yōma so the caravans will be safe, and evaluate the trainees. Was that not my mission description?”

Aleksei nods. “It was, but...”

“But what?” you press. “I get bitched at for exceeding my orders all the time, and now that I chose to follow the orders exactly I'm getting bitched at anyway? If there's some way to make the Organization happy I'd love to hear about it, but from where I stand I say you complain too much for someone who's not actually out wading through yōma blood.”
>1/2

>>3369657
You spare a moment to address your trainees. “You'll notice that I'm being confrontational with your handler here. I advise you keep that sort of behavior to a minimum... I can only sort of get away with it because I'm a single-digit, but even for me there's a line to cross.”

“And unless I'm wrong I'm getting pretty close to it?”

Aleksei sighs. “Just tell me how you felt about the trainees.”

>They handled themselves fine. A few months or a year of training and they'll be adequate warriors.
>Not all warriors get the chance to learn caution. In that sense these three are ahead of the curve.
>They're absolutely not ready. But with some practice and refinement they could be great.
>Other?

>>3369661
>>They handled themselves fine. A few months or a year of training and they'll be adequate warriors.

>>3369661
>They handled themselves fine. A few months or a year of training and they'll be adequate warriors.

>>3369661
>>They handled themselves fine. A few months or a year of training and they'll be adequate warriors.

>>3369661
>>Not all warriors get the chance to learn caution. In that sense these three are ahead of the curve.

>>3369661
>Not all warriors get the chance to learn caution. In that sense these three are ahead of the curve.

>>3369661
>>Not all warriors get the chance to learn caution. In that sense these three are ahead of the curve.

>>3369661
>Not all warriors get the chance to learn caution. In that sense these three are ahead of the curve.
>other: "Put those three together in a group unit and they be able to handle most situations. These three ducklings held their ground against an army of 46 yoma while protecting the caravan. They're full-on warriors in my book."

>>3369661
>They handled themselves fine. A few months or a year of training and they'll be adequate warriors.
>Not all warriors get the chance to learn caution. In that sense these three are ahead of the curve.

>>3369661
>>3369696
I can get behind this

>>3369661
>They're absolutely not ready. But with some practice and refinement they could be great.

They had some good points, but were honestly pretty green. They'd have a fair chance of survival if put into service immediately, but they still have no clue how to even begin properly harnessing their yoki, basically a Claymore's ace in the hole and essential to figuring out their ranking.

>>3369661
>They need to figure out how to draw out, manipulate, synchronize thier youki and how to read thier goes youki. Other than that they are fine.

>>3369661
“Many warriors don't survive long enough to learn the value of caution,” you summarize your thoughts. “These little ducklings now have that advantage. They each have things they need to work on, but once they've completed their training I would be happy to work with them again.”

Aleksei nods. “And to these... 'ducklings'... your assessment of our number seven?”

“Us?” Jenna asks with a frown. “Really?”

“You,” Aleksei reiterates.

“We'd be dead were it not for her,” Alexandra insists quietly. “I know that for certain.”

“You did everything I asked of you,” you counter.

“And more than you had any right to expect,” Jenna shakes her head. “You know Alex is right. We were in completely over our heads... we were struggling even following your orders, and you wiped out what was it? Thirty yōma on your own?”

“I've never met anyone who could be so brutally violent and so gentle,” Vanessa declares, “separated by just a few minutes.”

After a few moments of silence, Aleksei gets up and grabs the bag from off the table. “I'm going to dispose of these. You three trainees are to meet me outside, I'll allow you to say your personal goodbyes before we depart for the coast.”

“Number seven, your own handler will be along shortly to collect you,” he adds before leaving the room.

The trainees stand as well, and you draw your sword to hold it out in front of you.

“Let me teach you how warriors make a promise,” you grin, watching them mirror your gesture.

“Survive,” you say simply. “That's an order from your senior, you'd better not disobey.”

Your reward is a chorus of agreement.
>1/2

>>3371650
The trainees are gone, and Lawrence has been seeing to the business of dispensing the much-needed medicine, leaving you by yourself for an hour. Finally, Tomas finds you still in the pub and sipping at an ale: provided free of charge after the bartender learned of your role in escorting the caravan.

“So how was it?” Tomas inquires, taking a seat opposite from you.

“You're no longer the sloppiest handler in the Organization,” you grumble, setting aside your glass. “This new kid you brought in for this mission missed forty-three yōma and an awakened being in his briefing.”

“Really?” Tomas asks, acting as though he's taken aback by the news. Wait... acting?

'That's disconcerting.”

>You're... ACTUALLY surprised right now, aren't you?
>Well, I handled it either way. What's the next mission?
>Any news from the Organization I should know about?
>Other?

>>3371680
>you're actually surprised

>>3371680
>You're... ACTUALLY surprised right now, aren't you?

>>3371680
>>You're... ACTUALLY surprised right now, aren't you?

>>3371680
>You're... ACTUALLY surprised right now, aren't you?

>>3371680
>You're... ACTUALLY surprised right now, aren't you?

>>3371680
The silver General can manipulate yoma can she perhaps manipulate the senses of the handlers?

>>3371680
>>You're... ACTUALLY surprised right now, aren't you?

>>3371680
Hmm. The Organization doesn’t seem that fond of Noel. She’s a rogue element and is building a power bloc. She’s unwilling to throw people’s lives away. Perhaps they were hoping that the extra responsibility of three trainees would lead to her dying to protect them.

>>3371680
>>Well, I handled it either way. What's the next mission?

>>3371680
>>You're... ACTUALLY surprised right now, aren't you?

>>3371680
>You're... ACTUALLY surprised right now, aren't you?

>>3371680
“... is that actual surprise I hear from you?” you ask, narrowing your eyes in suspicion.

“It is,” Tomas sighs dramatically. “Though I hate to admit it. As you well know the Organization's briefings are not always perfectly accurate. The general understanding is that depending on the mission, a margin of error between one and five yōma is acceptable.”

“As much as I tease when you get it wrong I understand that much,” you admit. “But forty-four plus an awakened being? If one to five is 'margin of error', what would you call that?”

“Evidence of some catastrophic failure at some point in the process,” Tomas replies, scratching idly behind his ear. “Of the sort which calls for an internal review. I assure you, the Organization will do its best to locate the point of failure.”

“You did good work, number seven.”

“That may be the first time you've ever praised me,” you observe warily. “I mean, without there being some snide tone to it. Are you just feeling especially generous today?”

“Perhaps,” he allows the possibility. “Or perhaps you simply remind me of someone. It's unimportant either way.”

You 'remind him of someone'? Could he mean...

“I have the details of your next mission,” he informs you. “A team mission of an extremely dangerous nature.”

“And that would be?” you ask.

“Are you familiar with the Abyssal Ones?” he presses.

After a pause, you nod. “I know their names.”

“That makes this simpler,” Tomas sighs. “For this mission, your target is Constanzia.”

Your target is an Abyssal One? How insane is the Organization that they think this can end well, and what the hell sort of team do they think can actually stand a chance of achieving that goal? Or do they intend for you to succeed at all?

>I'm sorry, I can't have heard that right. I thought you said our target was Constanzia.
>Why now? What makes the Organization think this is a good idea?
>What sort of team do they have in mind? How many swords, and what ranks?
>This isn't a mission I'm expected to survive, and we both know it Tomas.

>>3372426
>>This isn't a mission I'm expected to survive, and we both know it Tomas.
no need for bullshit

>>3372426
>Given the Organization outright said targeting an Abyssal one was folly when they called me to them, why am I getting sent on a blatant suicide mission Tomas?

>>3372426
>I'm sorry, I can't have heard that right. I thought you said our target was Constanzia.
>This isn't a mission I'm expected to survive, and we both know it Tomas.

>>3372426
>Why now? What makes the Organization think this is a good idea?

>>3372426
>I'm sorry, I can't have heard that right. I thought you said our target was Constanzia.
>This isn't a mission I'm expected to survive, and we both know it Tomas.

>>3372426
>>I'm sorry, I can't have heard that right. I thought you said our target was Constanzia.
>>Why now? What makes the Organization think this is a good idea?

>>3372426
>Why now? What makes the Organization think this is a good idea?
>Didn't they themselves say targeting an Abyssal One is insane?

>>3372426
>This isn't a mission I'm expected to survive, and we both know it Tomas. And we both know the last time this was attempted, it was a disaster that produced the Grim Lady of the Steppes nearly 18 years ago. What makes them think this attempt would change?

>>3372426
>3d10, best of four

>>3372426
>Why now? What makes the Organization think this is a good idea?
>What sort of team do they have in mind? How many swords, and what ranks?
Between last mission and this, it sure seems like someone wants us dead.

Rolled 7, 5, 7 = 19 (3d10)

>>3372547

Rolled 3, 1, 7 = 11 (3d10)

>>3372547

Rolled 2, 8, 8 = 18 (3d10)

>>3372547

>>3372547

Rolled 7, 1, 4 = 12 (3d10)

>>3372547

>>3372426

Who the hell is our team?

>>3372426
>>This isn't a mission I'm expected to survive, and we both know it Tomas.

Rolled 5, 8, 6 = 19 (3d10)

>>3372547

>>3372547
“I feel like I might have misheard you, Tomas,” you muse. “Because it sounded an awful lot like the Organization just ordered me to slit my own throat and I know that can't be right.”

“Normally I would agree with your assessment,” Tomas shakes his head, “but we have it on good authority that the target is moving alone, without her sister or her usual entourage. So the Organization intends to strike with four single-digit warriors, including yourself and the new number Two whose skills are also supposedly geared towards fighting awakened beings.”

“So while this will doubtless be a difficult mission that will produce some casualties, my estimation is that it has a greater than fifty percent chance of success,” he concludes.

“How much greater?” you press him, your tone grim.

“Not as much as I would like,” he admits. “You do realize that when I say I have a certain fondness for you, Noel Tiberius di Hazaran, that I'm not lying or toying with you, right?”

“I suspect that's the case,” you nod.

“And you know why that is?” he continues.

You nod again. “I suspect that I do.”

“Then you should also know that if any of the warriors being selected for this mission will come out the other side alive, I expect it to be you.”

You can't help but chuckle. “No chance of wiggling out of this one, is there?”

Tomas shakes his head. “I'm afraid not. You may also find that some of the people on your team are ones you're fond of... once you see them all you'll understand what I mean. You would want to be fighting by their side anyway.”

“You've gotten to know me over the years,” you sigh.

“It's been my pleasure, number seven.”

“Good luck.”

>>3372946
They're trying to purge our friends.

>>3372954
Well fuck them. We'll survive and make sure all our friends survive.

>>3372962
We're going to kill a sibling to an abyssal one who's going to take umbrage if our friends/we do survive and have a murder boner for us.

It's a 'legitimate' target. but the org is setting up noel and her friends for death/to be marked for death.

>>3372970
Then we'll kill the sibling too.

>>3373004
You get a murder and you get a murder, everyone gets a murder!

If the last rolls were low, would the team have consisted of the rookies?

>>3373034
Maybe that crazy bitch who's sword we caught.

>>3373067
That crazy bitch would be really useful right now actually. We could use her as a meatshield.

>>3373069
She'd awaken during the fight and come after noel.

>>3372946
Noel is becoming more like the Miria of this continent by the day.

An abyssal one. Yea, fuck that. They could throw all their claymores and then some and still be slaughtered. They know this.

Even if they did have a chance, an awakened on that level could simply rampage until they feel threatened (good luck with that) then flee and nobody sane could keep up. Maybe if multiple single digit claymores awakened she'd be at risk, assuming the newly awakened have any interest in coordinating an attack.

This is suicidal data gathering at best and deliberately provoking Sabela at worst. Time to fucking feign our death and peace out asap.

And for anyone wondering: yes, abyssal ones are really that bad.

>>3376498
Why they’re named abyssal though ? Is it because they “descend deep” in madness ?

>>3377770
It sounds cool, and its probably a translation thing.

Last post lol

HAH Got'em

>>3378400
fuck off.

>>3378457
Drat. So close.

>>3378469
reported for spamming.