>>3909829
> Leave the mines
Hi! It's been a while. How was your week?

>>3909928
>Leave mines.
Week was busy. I needed a break from this. I didn't think you would show so updates will come from my phone as I am out for the rest of the evening.


You decide to cut your losses and leave the mines. You have a sizable stash of gems and metal on you. When you get back to the entrance it is very late in the evening, but you don't feel tired, instead, you feel hungry. You remember where your bed is, but, there won't be much point sleeping in it. You hear a voice from speakers set along the main path.

"FOR 12 HOURS, ALL JEWELS AND SKILLS WILL BE DEACTIVATED. THE SHOP IS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS."

Shop? I guess this is where you buy food from. Wait. Your gems can probably be sold there!

>Roll 3d100 best of ONE for an encounter.

>>3909948
*Stored Skills. Sorry.

Rolled 81, 69, 49 = 199 (3d100)

>>3909948
Take it easy! We're doing this for fun, it's not a job. I just wish it wasn't this cold and rainy...

>>3909957
It is also cold where I am. No rain yet.
>81 dear god you are boned.

You see a rather large building in the distance. A structure about as half as large as Dershwa Palace. You see a good thousand people, most overweight, moving as small groups together, holding things like cheap doors and other materials as makeshift shields.

"YOU! Hey you! Nice gems you got there! Fancy handing them over? If not? Well..."

You see a mark like the one you have from the pride floor. It has a number 5 on it. It shows an emblem made from a tree, tornado and Lightning Bolt.

You see electricity sparkle in his fingers. Even if you can't die. Paralysis is still a problem. You can feel your own mark glowing in response.

Player Choice
>Write-in

>>3909979
> Fly away!

>>3909983
No updates until 19:00 tomorrow. Things are getting too busy.

>>3910118
See you tomorrow!

>>3910120
>Fly.
Please roll a 3d100 best of ONE
DC 90.

Yeah. So. It turns out I can't run today. More time issues. I also need to check whether I can start at 14:00 or 15:00 tomorrow. Will be checking in later. I apologise for the convenience.

Rolled 98, 91, 37 = 226 (3d100)

>>3911916
Unfortunately, I won't be here tomorrow. Maybe someone will join?

>>3911916
Quest can begin at 15:00 today GMT.

>>3911927
>98
Well I never.

You activate your Skill, and manage to dodge out of the way, eventually hitting the barrier between the clouds and the sky. You see a Lightning Bolt shoot very close to you, and you are in a position where it would be difficult to hit you. You manage to hear his voice down from the ground.

"Fucking really?! Oh man, fuck this shit, have your stinking gems!"

You see him use his mark to generate a whirlwind, which scoops him away, to the supermarket, leaving you free to float back down and complete your shopping.

You have a talk with one of the maybe 3 staff, who all seem to hate their jobs as the large, scared residents of the floor huddle around them, apparently for safety. That man with the mark is not the only one, and apparently there is someone with a 6 ranked mark.

You could spend all your gems for 2 weeks worth of food, but you also could use them for feeding your Skill...

Player Choice, how much would you like to spend, gems values are put in arbitrary units. You have 5000 units of gems, but the more you spend the less your Skill can be fed. Without food you will have to endure untold suffering
>Write-in, 400 units a week.

>>3913716
*400 units a day. Sorry

>>3913734
Quest can begin again at 14:00 GMT tomorrow.

>>3913716
> Spend 1200 units, eat once every three days, I mean, you're a damn superhuman.
Also, did your jewels (of which Life should honestly just stop your reliance on external food sources) stop working again?

>>3914772
>"FOR 12 HOURS, ALL JEWELS AND (Stored) SKILLS WILL BE DEACTIVATED. THE SHOP IS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS."

Yes. Your Jewels, including your Green Jade, are still deactivated.

>>3915835
Quest can now start 15:00 GMT. I apologise for the delay.

>>3916048
>1200 units

You buy provisions for three days. You know you can supply yourself in the day, but during the night, you don't sleep, so food will be a necessity for someone with your metabolism.

As you make your way out of the supermarket, having to push past people who are willing to come this late to the market. You hear something, not from a voice-over, but from a person, using some Skill to boost his voice.

"EVERYONE! THE CURLY BLOND GUY WITH A WING MARK HAS GEMS! CLOSE TO 4 DIAMONDS! HE CAN FLY, THAT'S ABOUT IT!"

Shit.

>Roll 3d100+10 for another encounter. Best of ONE

Rolled 98, 9, 45 = 152 (3d100)

>>3916085
Of course everyone in Hell is a douche. It's Hell.

>>3916086
They're also lazy and just want to do nothing.
>98+10= 108, wow! You're rolling really well, keep it up!

You are almost immediately beset by a woman with the mark of a circle, in gold, on her hand. You can see that the circle is made of hands grasping each other. Despite most of the people here being overweight, she is incredibly thin, like the rest of her body was sucked out of her. You see the number 5 the mark.

"Well now, little angel, let's pluck those wings off shall we? Or do you want to give me those gems, and I can protect you from all the other layabouts who want a piece of the pie?

Player Choice
>Write-in

>>3916089
> Chuck half of your gems to the lady "I'm sure we can get to mutually favorable agreement, lady."
I probably won't be much around today either. Yesterday was my grandmother's birthday and today there are relatives coming over. I'll try to show up as often as possible though.

>>3916129
Ah ok. I guess I'll boot up Subnatica then whilst you have fun with the family.

You chuck half of the stuff to her.

"I'm sure we can come to a mutually favourable agreement, lady."

"Heh. Well, I want it all. Now, or you'll see your head stuck in the tarmac!" You see her mark glow, as nearby trees and one unfortunate person begin to...fuse together, some of them only fuse physically, the human victim becoming permanently attached to the ground beneath him, you hear his screams for help. You also see the trees and plant matter fuse to make one, weird plant, like it holds all the best characteristics of them. You can't really imagine how the poor man's going to do anything much now.

>Roll 3d100 for persuasion best of ONE.

Rolled 50, 80, 43 = 173 (3d100)

>>3916132
Is Hell built for a Charisma build?
Anyway, one feature length movie for the whole family, here I am. Coco was surprisingly good.

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>3916368
Never watched it myself. 3D always looks off to me.

>80

"I can give you about three fifths more, deal?"

"Deal! You can have the scrap of the guys I knock down!"

>You are left with 760 units

"Now then. We still need to deal with anyone else! Where'd you get the gems?!"

You keep quiet, you can see more moving lights of skills in the distance.

Rolling 1d100 for an encounter. If above 50 you can get more units.

>>3916389
>No scrap. What a shame

You see as several Skill users, launching all manner of ranged attacks, come closer. You fly high into the sky, and manage to dive-bomb some of the weaker ones with Skills of the level 2 and 3 ranges. You see as others are slowly merged with the surroundings. They don't die, but they just sit there, in pain.

"What's going to happen to them now?"

"They'll be reset to a bed in the morning. Bye-bye you cheapskate! I'll find your stash someday!"

She uses her Skill to do something really novel to you. She joins her position with a space somewhere else, teleporting her away. You look to the horizon and see dawn approaching. That was fast. You can tell the night is shorter than the day.

"JEWELS AND STORED SKILLS ARE NOW REACTIVATED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO WORK, OR, IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED, THE JOB CENTRE LOCATED IN THE TOWN CENTRE. THE SUPERMARKET IS NOW CLOSED."

Huh. What do now? Is there really going to be someone at the mines?

Player Choice, where to go next
>Mines
>Library
>Town-Centre
>Mystery Box (If choosing this please roll a 3d100 best of one please)
>Write-in

Rolled 2, 30, 12 = 44 (3d100)

>>3916393
>Mystery Box
My gacha-addicted self could not resist.

>>3916416
>30
>Please gamble responsibly

With your Jewels in hand for the next 12 hours, you forgo work, I mean, it's like 6 in the morning, you have some time. You go for a nice walk. You don't find much, apart from a park with a statue of a pig with a plaque on it that reads "Only the lazy are unsatisfied.". Why a pig was chosen is beyond you, but you have found nothing interesting, and it is getting later into the day. You notice that most people just sit around, doing nothing apart from talking to each other and complaining. Who maintains this park then? You might have to run a few tests.

You get to work, to find a makeshift door with a slot for your ID card. You clock in, and are soon met with a demon. He looks imposing, and must be 8 feet tall.

"Do you want to make it out of this floor?! Well look no further! All you have to show me is that you are willing to put in the hard work! If you are not diligent, you will not like the other floors. Understood?"

"Yes. What information have you got for me?"

"Optimal routes! Now go!"

You head in, with a paper map, your Jewels, and a pick you are given. If you had a way to make your own pick, you could, but you have no Element regarding solid matter, at least, you don't think so.

>Roll 3d100+10 best of ONE for haul, rolls above 90 will increase the risk of cave collapse.

Rolled 7, 44, 51 = 102 (3d100)

>>3916433
We could make an ice pick or an hard light pick or a drill made of compressed air.

>>3916444
>TRIPS OF DEATH
>Counter increases to 2/5
>As you are in hell, there is no immediate action.

>51

You gather up your tools, and don't find all that much. Maybe 2500 units in all. You don't hear any rumbling either. You put down your pick, and start to use your Jewels, making a shape out of Wind. You are out of practice, but you still manage to do it. You can control your Heavenly Energy. It mines a lot faster too.

>Roll 3d100+20 Best of ONE for mining again.

I need some sleep. Thanks for playing! The quest is likely to begin again at 17:30 GMT tomorrow.

Rolled 87, 85, 24 + 20 = 216 (3d100 + 20)

>>3916449

>>3916775
>107
>You are one step closer to mine collapse.
>You have a total of 9000 units.

You start to hear rumbling throughout the branch you are in. For how powerful this technique is, it isn't doing many favours to the surrounding rocks, there's dust in the air, and whilst you can redirect it away from your mouth and lungs, but your vision continues to get worse, however, by the time you stop with that vein. You have a wide variety and volume of ores and uncut gems. You activate your Light Element to make your sight better, but you can't really do much about the rumbling.

You don't know what time it is either. When you were alive, it was simple, you could sense the changes in the heat and such. Now? You never get tired, and down here there is no light to guide you, and it is always cold. What joy. You had to demonstrate your hard work, and with your haul, you stand a good chance of doing that, but, you might want a bit more so you can keep more gems for food and your Skill. At least you're doing something, you can't imagine being like those on the surface. You guess this is why Jiang wanted a holiday, or something like it. You never really stop working, and now she thinks you're dead. So much for a nice time at the beach! When you get out of here you swear you are going to make Mars, or wherever the entrance to Hell is pay in blood!

You wonder how Zhang and Jessica are doing with the tests. How long have you been down here? What is happening there?

This is no time for thoughts like that! You have things to do!

Player Choice
>Mine more in the same route
>Head back now for the day
>Try a different route (Roll a 1d100)
>Write-in

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>3917702
>Try a different route (Roll a 1d100)
Sorry, had to step out this afternoon.

>>3917750
>70, not bad
>Roll capped at 90 for next mining

>Roll 3d100 best of ONE for mining.

Next update maybe closer to 19:00, I need something to eat, and duck dauphinoise takes a little longer to cook.

Rolled 73, 31, 29 = 133 (3d100)

>>3917763

>>3917790
>73
>No change to cave structure

You try a new route, one of them suggested by the demon, it turns out he wasn't bullshitting you after all! You find about 3650 units of stuff, making your total 12650 units. You don't hear any reaction from the rocks, and no speakers either. Things are going fine.

Player Choice
>Mine more in the same route
>Head back now for the day
>Try a different route (Roll a 1d100)
>Write-in

>>3917809
>Mine more in the same route

>>3917904
>Roll 3d100 best of ONE please.

>>3917912
Or not. Quest can start 15:00 GMT on Wednesday 13th. I have a test for tomorrow, so I would prefer to focus on that. Thanks for playing!

Rolled 23, 36, 66 = 125 (3d100)

>>3917912

>>3917970
>66

You find about 3300 units all together. You are getting a bit bored of this. You now have 15900 units gained from mining. You could turn back now, or you could keep going here. You don't hear any rumbling from this section. All is good.

Player Choice
>Mine more in the same route
>Head back now for the day
>Try a different route (Roll a 1d100)
>Write-in

>>3920418
> Think up a way to hide and secure your fortune

>>3920425
>Hide the gems.

You don't exactly want to give any of this away. After all. You learnt very early in life not to play the game, and to never capitulate from your endeavours. With that said, you have developed new techniques to secure your success. As much as the Saint Element pushes you to be a good person, you have to think for yourself every once in a while, so you developed a Spatial technique to mimic the action of a Spatial Ring. You make a pocket, and notice that a lot of the things you normally keep in there: resources and other materials for survival. are still there. You put your personal stash of 760 units in, and debate on how much you want to steal for yourself before most of the remains are taken from you.

Player Choice
>How many units would you like to keep? Out of 15900

>>3920426
>10000

>>3920439
>Keeping 10000 units
>You have 15900

Player Choice
>Mine more in the same route
>Head back now for the day
>Try a different route (Roll a 1d100)
>Write-in

>>3920441
*5900
Dammit. Still tired from test, at least I did well.

>>3920441
>Head back

>>3920451
You head back with the much smaller piece of loot you earned.

"Alright! Let's see what you got. We'll be taking 90% of your day's earnings, so-"

He looks at the pile.

"You know, for someone who supposedly lacks laziness. This looks like you didn't do any work!"

He gives you a few chunks of metal, amounting to 590 gems.

"Well, that's your share."

"Can I leave this floor now?"

"No! You fail! Utterly! Even resorting to t- taking too many breaks! You should know better! Off with you! It is almost nightfall!"

He disappears into thin air with the rest of your loot. You hear a buzz from a nearby speaker as you get to the gate.

"FOR 12 HOURS, ALL JEWELS AND STORED SKILLS WILL BE DEACTIVATED. THE SHOP IS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS."

You store the rest of your gems, leaving you with a grand total of 11350 gems, and after tonight, food for 2 days. You could try and hide it out for tonight somewhere, or attempt to mine in the caves without your Jewels or stats, and try and use your Skill to help in some way,


>Roll 3d100 best of ONE

Player Choice
>Mine during the night. -20 to encounter roll but you will use 2 days worth of food overnight instead of one.
>Shop, Normal encounter roll
>Go hunting for gems, +20 to encounter roll, but be aware, you are not able to fight that well with your Skill
>Write-in, would you like to feed your charm or do something else with your gems

>>3920467
> Feed your charm with 10000 gems.

>>3920509
I gotta go. Be back for 14:00 GMT tomorrow.

>>3920509
>Feed
You take out a good 10000 units when in the clear, and you see your Skill number increase to five.

"Congratulations! Welcome Grand Acolyte! You now have a choice of two side abilities at your convenience, choose now!"

Player Choice
>Burst, drastically increase speed for a few moments, however, you will not be able to fly for a good few minutes afterwards. +10 to an evasion roll once used
>Air Drill, spin wildly in the air when in contact with an opponent to deal some damage, which depends on your Skill level. Your Skill will cancel immediately after this has been used. No bonus to roll, but will deal damage if used and hit successfully.

Also still need that 3d100 roll please.

>>3922164
>Burst, drastically increase speed for a few moments, however, you will not be able to fly for a good few minutes afterwards. +10 to an evasion roll once used
Sorry for being late, I was eating. Well, I still am, but then I looked at the clock. Multitasking!

Rolled 100, 48, 56 = 204 (3d100)

>>3922164

>>3922196
>Nat 100, oh dear
>Burst selected, I guess you are going to need it now.

You choose burst, but don't try it out now, because you see a young man slowly walking toward you. You see a mark with a 6 on it, glowing gold, as the symbol for infinity pulses on his hand.

"I can tell you have something I want. I do not wish to cause too much harm, so please, hand it over. Trust me, anything you can think of doing to escape will not work."

Player Choice
>Write-in

>>3922214
> Take them Gems, buddy. Be careful though: it's already the second time I get robbed!

>>3922244
"Take them Gems, buddy. Be careful though: it's already the second time I get robbed!"

You open your Spatial pocket, and remove all of your gems. You now have no units. You see him pick them up one by one, and walk away. No words. I mean, you aren't in any pain, but you are now dirt poor.

You end up very hungry, something you haven't felt in a long while, so you have to eat a day's supplies. This night is already going well.

Player Choice, as you have no real loot, you can explore for the rest of the night, or just hide it out. The other establishments are closed, but you can still peak in a few if you want.
>Write-in for what to do for the rest of the night.

I need to go now. Quest can begin again at 16:30 GMT tomorrow. Thanks for playing, not sure why you were eating at 4 in the afternoon but you do you.

>>3922249
> Explore the town
Yeah, I know it's weird. We always eat late because of weird work schedules and having to take care of my grandma that sometimes has to eat differently from us or has other ailments. So we ended up with this weird routine were we eat at 15:00 or 16:00 for lunch and at 22:00 for dinner.

>>3922268
Quest is delayed til 14:00 GMT tomorrow. No more updates after this one. Slight miscalculation on my part. My apologies.

>Explore the city
>Roll 3d100 best of ONE please.

Rolled 63, 67, 68 = 198 (3d100)

>>3924032
It's fine. Turned out I had stuff to do and I ran super late anyway.

>>3924046
Quest could be on hold for another hour or so. Need to get a new phone.

>68

You let your body wander, ignoring the conflict around you and just having a good look around. You eventually find yourself looking at a building called "The Administrations Centre". What could this possibly be? You try and look for a nearby window, and see that someone was especially lazy and either forgot to close it or didn't care as it is half open.

You see a marble floor, and two ways deeper into the building. There is a reception, but it is unmanned, or, in this case unwomanned? You will find out later. You try to have a good look, but are having some trouble. It's dark inside, obviously abandoned, so some of the signage is not very clear, you could use Light to your advantage, but that would risk drawing people in, like any sort of police that you haven't seen yet.

>Roll 3d100 for perception best of ONE
>+20 if using Light, but natural rolls above 80 will incur an encounter roll.
>Light: Y/N

Rolled 57, 48, 86 = 191 (3d100)

>>3926214
>N

>>3926219
>86

You see the names of the two pathways. One is signposted "Records" the other is signposted "Customer Dealings". You see about 3 security cameras. Apparently, there is in fact someone here, as you see some uneaten food.

Player Choice
>Move on and wait out the night
>Try and find a way into the building
>Write-in

>>3926270
> Try to use the Light Element to become invisible and sneak into the building.
If all else fails, perhaps there's a cardboard box somewhere.

>>3926286
>As you are aware of three cameras. DC is lowered by a lot.

>Roll 3d100 for success, DC 65, The place is locked, so that's where most of the challenge goes towards, actually finding an entrance you can use.

Rolled 61, 29, 70 = 160 (3d100)

>>3926294
If the locks are use normal keys, couldn't we just make some using the locks as mold with ice?

>>3926312
>Hell
>Normal locks
Huehuehuehuehue

>70, this could get interesting

You spend approximately 3 minutes trying the front entrance whilst invisible, it doesn't work. You can see that the "lock" is a living, pulsing organ. There is no keyhole, there is only something resembling a beating heart. You try and crush it, but you are only met with failure. So, you use the least fit part of your body, your brain, to think of a better way. You eventually just try and climb through the opening in the window, which works surprisingly. You now have a choice to make. You think you have about 2 hours before sunrise, when the staff member's Jewels appear again, to explore.

Player Choice
>Records
>Customer Dealings
>Write-in

I need to go to work. Thanks for playing. The quest can start again 19:45 this evening.

>>3926325
>Records
I wonder if we can learn more about Hell here.

>>3926357

You think to explore the records of this place. It takes a little while, but you eventually make it to the room, where a lone man sleeps in the corner. You take a look at how it's ordered, and see that it's done by date, then by type of document. The majority of the things in here are employment records, however. You realise that this place doesn't seem to end. 30 years, 50 years, 200 years. You keep checking files from in the past, and there is no end in sight!

Wait, if this goes back into the past. You could check if some of Dershwa's people are here! You see that some of the boxes are marked "HEAVEN" DON'T TOUCH!" and are locked. You see that they all have the same key shape, but once you find that key....maybe you could find out your own lineage?

You thought you could learn a bit more about Hell in general, you don't know why you were taken here before your death, you don't know how long you have lived here, you don't know what state your body is! You keep looking and looking, but there's nothing! You can feel yourself becoming desperate as you rush through the place, looking for anything useful. The only thing you find is that the only people allowed to work here have to be Heavenly King or above, and be bound by the Darkness Element taken from the Queen herself.

You look back to the guard, a whole 3 Jewels stronger than you...

>Roll 3d100 middle of ONE to see what state he is in. Higher the number the more awake

Rolled 1, 58, 80 = 139 (3d100)

>>3926588

>>3926688
>1

Uhhh. Crit Failure...so I guess he double dies? Meh. Still bad

You see that he isn't moving or breathing. You get closer, and see he is closer to comatose than anything.

You take a look at the time, and see it is almost time for your job to begin.

Player Choice
>Write-in

Sorry for delay. Internet was fucky for a bit there. I need to stop now. Quest can probably start again from 14:30 GMT, but that might change. I'll update the time when I find out I need to. Thank's for playing!

>>3926732
> You look for the office of the highest ranking executive

>>3926934
>You look for the office of the highest ranking executive

You think finding something a little more...private would be a good idea-

"THE STORE IS NOW CLOSED. JEWELS AND STORED SKILLS ARE NOW ACTIVE. HAVE A GREAT DAY."

Huh, that's a bit new. Whatever, time to get to work. Mining and getting off this floor can wait a little longer. You spend a good amount of time going deeper into the building, and eventually make your way to Customer Dealings. On your way you see that the guard has disappeared. You know that he was dead, or something like that.

Wait, how did you use your Elements whilst at night? Weren't your Jewels supposed to be deactivated? Doesn't matter. Focus on the objective.

You find a door labelled: Executive Manager. This should do! You can see it is locked with a beating heart, like the one outdoors. You don't know how they open.

You hear something in the halls behind you.

"Drat! The guard forgot to close this damn window! When I find him he'll be losing all his money! YOU HEAR ME YOU LAZY FUCK!"

You need to hide, perhaps in this room, or somewhere else? You are still invisible after all, maybe he won't detect you.

>Roll 3d100 DC 95 for success in a domain struggle. Best of ONE

Rolled 50, 82, 51 = 183 (3d100)

>>3928407
Do we still get a +10 for domain struggle?
Also
> Time to hide in a closet like the most shameful of cheaters

>>3928413
>Yes you do
>82+10=92
Failure!

You can feel a pressure on your body as he walks closer. You find something to hide in though, a closet. You get in as quietly as you can, using the Wind to cancel the sound. You can feel something off though. You feel another domain, one stronger than yours. It quietly crushes your own. You keep quiet however, and whilst you feel a massive pain in your wrists, he doesn't see you. He walks into the Executive Manager's office.

With the moment of peace, you try and summon your Jewels, but you feel nothing, well, not nothing. You need some time for the massive hole in your domain to heal. Possibly a day or so?

>Jewels are now inactive for the day and night for just this 24 hour period.

You are hidden, but as time goes on, more people will arrive. You need to get out of here or keep pressing on. Something more productive than this. You hear talking from inside the room.

"What was that?! Someone managed to bend our domain last night? Do we have a lead?"

A few seconds pass.

"An original Fa? Why is a Shai here? Aren't they like, protected? No, not as much as they were used to? Then find a way to deal with it, if it can bleed it can die, so to say. Just repair the domain for now. I-trust you can complete this. If not then I am sure you understand the consequences. Yes yes I got your gift, now fuck off and do your job!"

Player Choice, it is currently the day time, the longer you stay here the higher rolls will get for stealth, starting at 30, 40, eg.
>Write-in

>>3928418
> ... Wait until lunch break?
Alternatively, we may 1) Pretend we come from Narnia as we bust out of the closet or 2) remember the basics of CQC.

>>3928439
>Update later. Potential fire risk for one of my neighbours

>>3928444
Someone's there, keeping it under control. Sorry about the delay.

>Wait until lunch break. Upon failure attempt to fight your way out.

>Roll a 3d100 best of ONE for stealth DC 60

Rolled 35, 23, 96 = 154 (3d100)

>>3928449

>>3928469
>96
Success!

You keep hiding as more and more demons walk past. No-one opens the closet, and you hear a bell for lunch, People don't leave their rooms, favouring to eat in their offices to save time. You hear some murmur about the lazy staff in the food places not ever cooking anything. Typical!

Player Choice
>Write-in

>>3928487
> Well, it seems acting is the only option that remains. Burst from the closet, faking having just woke up, and tell the tragic story of a bypasser being kidnapped, used as a decoy to kill the guard, then had his jewels damaged for the fun of the true thief and ended up being knocked out. Be as pitiful as possible while exaggerating the evilness of the thief. Tell a little truth with many lies.

>>3928502
I uh, we'll get to that if anybody sees you alright?

>Roll 3d100 best of ONE to escape without being seen. Failure will result in a +10 persuasion roll with this story. Also, forgot to check your previous rolls. The +10 to domain rolls is not a thing due to >>3926688. DC 65 because fewer people are in the hallways due to it being lunch time.

Rolled 26, 69, 3 = 98 (3d100)

>>3928507

>>3928510
>69, nice

You use your experience and luck to slowly escape the building, using debris or other material to take out the cameras in your way. When you get out, is it the early afternoon. Looks like if you try to go to work you will get there too late. Might as well skip for the day and do something else? You are in the clear now, but you could train, or something. In any case. Tonight you could buy some food, and you don't have any gems. It's either eat your last bit of supply tonight and rely on your haul tomorrow at work, or starve throughout the night.

Player Choice
>Write-in, still no Jewels

>>3928517
> Starving for a day isn't too bad, when you know you should be able to eat tomorrow. In the meanwhile, you work on your physical attributes, especially Flexibility and Agility -- you have a feeling you'll need to be quick on your feet if you want to get back home.

>>3928532
>Train FLX and AGI.

>Not much equipment needed for these.
>Roll 3d100 best of ONE for gains.

Rolled 96, 17, 21 = 134 (3d100)

>>3928543
Cue training montage.

Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>3928592
>96
>No boosting
>AGI and FLX increased by 4 each

Surprisingly, you can still train, and you do so for the next few hours. It's refreshing to do something a bit more productive at least.

"FOR 12 HOURS, ALL JEWELS AND STORED SKILLS WILL BE DEACTIVATED. THE SHOP IS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS."

Player Choice, you have food for tonight, but that's it.
>Write-in

Also

>Roll 3d100 best of ONE for an encounter, your Choice will effect the bonus/malus to this roll per my own evaluation of it.

Rolling 1d100 for stuff. DC 95

>>3928612
I need to eat, be back in about 30 mins

Rolled 100, 13, 87 = 200 (3d100)

>>3928612
> You don't eat. You decide to explore the town some more.

>>3928702
>Nat 100
>Domain rolls are now +10

You start to follow a force of will, something you can detect once all the noise from your own domain was shut off. You follow it until you reach this places Library. When you head inside, you see a horrifying bug like demon, slobbering and squelching all over some papers, before it shuffles them away. It begins speaking in shudders, the clicking of his mouth getting in the way,

"Ah, welcome. Have you come to return a book? Well follow the signs, or, is there anything else you would like to ask me. I would be happy to oblige, I do not wish to anger someone of the Saint Element this early in my life!"

He starts to chuckle to himself, more clicking ensues.

"How much do you know?"

"Everything about this floor, or at least. Everything since it was created. You get three questions, no more. Someone of your...stock cannot handle more than that I'm afraid."

He is disgusting to look at, but you suppose that having more information wouldn't be a bad idea, you get a seat and sit across from him at the front desk.

Player Choice
>Write-in for three questions to ask the Librarian, anything you want, he knows everything about this floor and some more.

>>3928763
> Are there books about Heaven?
> Are there books that describe the history and early days of Hell? Or do you know something about the matter?
> Are there books about the Saint Element?

>>3928807
"Are there books about Heaven?"

"Yes, certainly! I pride myself on this collection. I also think you pass the requirements to see 2 of them, if you want to have a quick look at them, do ask."

"Are there books that describe the history and early days of Hell, or can you tell me something about that?"

"I have those books, but you can't read them yet, I can certainly answer a few questions, although, there are some more pertinent ones to ask. I can tell you were brought here by curse, not by death, so I am inclined to tell you a few things."

"Are there books about the Saint Element?"

"With the books about Heaven. 4 isles down, a bit of a trek, but for someone like you, surely worth it."

Player Choice
>Write-in, what would you like to do next?

>>3928845
> Ask about how Hell came to be.

>>3928871
"I think I'll oblige on your information of Hell's beginnings".

"Certainly. To put this in some perspective. What is your current understanding of the Dao?"

"The balance of this universe, and it's force of control. It has no sway or side. It merely binds the truth to our world to give things form."

"Hell is the place where people burn off their karma and accept their position in the universe. This is why during the night Jewels are deactivated. When the universe came to be, not sure how honestly. The Dao oversaw the souls of every being. These souls were not the same, they were not balanced. What more, for most people. The Dao has no influence on them until they die. Only some bloodlines birthed from horrid experiments by a Heavenly God produced any connection to the Dao through birth. The Dao sought to make a balance. Those who were different should be treated differently. Those who were similar receive similar treatment. Hell was made for those who furnished the Dao like an expensive trophy. They were homogeneous with the Dao, but different. So they built karma of a certain type. Which in your eyes would be 'bad'. When they die, the Dao now has control over their souls, and they will always end up here. This is not a different dimension, or planet. It is merely an existence by necessity. Over time, more people arrived here, so more demons must live here. However, you know that with cultivation people can grow to match even the Dao. In time, one demon did so, and made things more compartmentalised, easy. Less balanced. It works, a lot better than the old system."

"How so?"

"We are not the Dao, therefore we can carry biases and hate and love. Differences. So we can treat people with respect or punishment to our own desires, which actually match the desires of the sufferers and sinners who live here."

"What did the Dao do different?"

"It punished based on logic and data, inconsiderately. If two people had commit rape, and one did it under the influence of a drug, both would have been treated the same. Eternal damnation in Hell. Under our new leader, the drugged one would be treated less harshly, as he had less control over himself. I personally think it is better. Some would disagree, but, it is these differences, which the Dao lacks, that makes Hell what it is today."

"So Hell started out as a balancing act for the Dao to exert its will, but turned into a biased punishment system run by unbalanced beings?"

"Basically."

"Under the Dao's will, what makes something bad?"

"I'm afraid you can't know that yet. Your understanding of the Dao is too immature. I can give you a clue: the Dao is a balance, it responds to changes in that balance, people are changes to that balance."

"R-right."

"Now then, you look mighty hungry! Eat up before you starve. One more thing. No more questions. You cannot handle any more. If you want a book, come in daylight."

>You have no more food

Player Choice
>Write-in, you are still in the Library

>>3928924
> You decide to sleep your hunger off.

>>3929062
"I'm going to sleep for the rest of the night, or, well, rest as best I can."

"Mr Shai, please feel welcome to stay the night. Consider it a debt, a favour if you will on your part."

You sit down, and close your eyes. You can't fall asleep here, so you meditate for a bit, grasping at your Heavenly Energy to fuel your thoughts.

You don't hear an alarm, instead, the bug Librarian wakes you up.

"Good morning. I suggest you go to work. That ID card tells me you work at the mines. Good choice, but the person in charge is fussy. Hates theft. Work hard!"

Player Choice
>Write-in, what would you like to do next?

I need some sleep. Thanks for playing! The quest can probably start again at around 17:30 GMT tomorrow.

>>3929088
> Time to work!

>>3929088
18:30 now. Timetable changed.

>>3930189
When you get to work. The manager of the place, Chris you think it was? Tells you something damming.

"Terrible news I'm afraid. The bossman I report to says our domain had a few holes in it. So I can't really allow you to mine too much today. Only until lunch. 2 sessions. Got it?"

"Yes."

You can still feel your own shatted domain, which means no Jewels for you.

"Don't worry young man. With this you can keep half of your haul! Don't want someone dedicated enough to show up on the second day to end up like...well, I'm sure you know. Now get going!"

You pick up your pick, and the map, and set off.

>Roll 3d100 best of ONE for haul.

Update slightly later than expected. Train was 30 mins late so updating from my phone.

Rolled 19, 93, 51 = 163 (3d100)

>>3930536
I spent all day out, so I couldn't get here sooner. Sorry if I wasted your time.

>>3930644
I wasn't doing anything anyway.
>93
>You have 4650 units

You hit a good bit of luck as you find all sorts of things. Gems, even things that look like Jewels, metal. However, you also encounter something really odd.

Player Choice
>You find a key made of white jade
>You find a ticket, coloured red
>You find a green crystal, similar to the one you used to make the Nature Seed grow.
>You find a mirror, something seems special about it
>You find a dual faced watch.

>>3930654
>You find a mirror, something seems special about it
Does it have a bird inside?

>>3930666
>Trips of Satan!
>I'm afraid I can't let you do that.

You try and pick up the mirror, and immediately toss it away, the glass shattering against the cave walls.

"What the fuck was that?!"

You saw an absolutely horrifying creature, something born from an organised chaos with the intent to corrupt and kill. You don't even want to think about something like that again.

W-well, you guess you could mine to pass the time, you are keeping half of this even if you don't st-hide any.

>+1/5 for ???

>Roll 3d100 for mining best of ONE

>>3930668
I need to get some sleep. My day tomorrow is 6am-6pm. I will be able to run from 19:00 GMT and not much earlier as I will be dog tired.

Rolled 20, 49, 62 = 131 (3d100)

>>3930668

>>3930935
>62
You find about 3000 units. Bringing your total to 7650.

Player Choice
>How much would you like to hide?

>>3931989
> Hide 3k
And once again I'm late.
I'm really bad at this thing called "looking at the damn clock". Sorry.

>>3932119
Yeah yeah. At least tomorrow I can start at a reasonable time. 14:30 GMT.

>3000

You hide about half of your haul. You were told to head back and you think you know why. That mirror was all sorts of wrong, it didn't belong. Good thing you smashed it really. So you make your way back to the manager

"Hm? What's this? Now this is more like it! Take half and be on your way!"

"Can I get out of this floor?"

"Not yet! You have yet to impress me."

>You have 5325 units

"You have the afternoon off! I hope you spend it working hard."

Player Choice, you have 6 hours until the shop opens, two actions.
>Write-in for both actions please.

Depending on how fast I get a reply, this could be the last update for today. I did not sleep at all last night so I have been awake about 35 hours straight. So I need to go to bed. Thank you for turning up at least. Btw the finalisation of the next quest, once this one ends, is nearly complete!

>>3932139
>Eat
> Go read up about Heaven

>>3932809
>Eat, go read up about Heaven.

You want to eat something, but, you have no food, and no Jewels to make any sort of faux food, and the shop it closed. Well, you could always distract yourself with some reading.

You find your way back to the Library, with the same big like creature at the helm.

"Welcome back. Have you decided on a book?"

"How many do you have about Heaven?"

"Two, as I said yesterday. Follow me."

He leads you to the back of the Library, it isn't exactly dusty, but it is apparent that few people walk over here, as the carpet isn't as scuffed.

You see one very thick book bound in white and orange, called "Structure of Heaven and its associated Functions" and another thinner book bound in white with black text called "Implications of the Saint Element for Heaven and Earth, covering the domain of Heaven on Earth". Both are mouthfuls, and look closer to academic texts than Library ones.

"I said you could see two, well, you can read one at a time. Sensitive knowledge and all. Pick now or forever hold your peace."

He leaves you alone, going back to some paperwork, his spiny legs and appendages delicately gripping pen and paper. No computer in sight. You are the only one here, but it looks like other people do visit at times. Probably wasting time with the fiction section.

Player Choice, pick one only
>Structure of Heaven and its associated Functions
>Implications of the Saint Element for Heaven, Earth and their respective domains

>>3933312
>Implications of the Saint Element for Heaven, Earth and their respective domains
Damn, hadn't noticed we were forced to eat. Which is weird, because a normal person can go three days without eating and we're WAY past superhuman.

>>3933327
It's Hell, you are meant to suffer. Combine this with the fact you are not a normal person anyway, increased muscle mass and all. I think it counts enough. I mean, you aren't exactly forced to eat per say, but...it doesn't end well if you try.

>Implications of the Saint Element for Heaven, Earth and their respective domains

>Roll 3d100 best of ONE to see how far you get until the shop opens.

>>3933332
Stealing this quint, can't have you asking all those QM questions this early.

Rolled 23, 11, 69 = 103 (3d100)

>>3933332

>>3933350
>69, nice

You manage to get through more than a quarter of the book, even with how dense it is. It gets fuzzy, covering things like history and actual Skills, but ventures into psychology and other disciplines you haven't studied.

You can gather a few main points from the stuff you have read though. There are three aspects to the Saint Element, with the first two having more applicability on Earth than they do Heaven. Firstly is the principle of the seven virtues. A Saint is a religious man, and, in theory, a good man. So someone with the Saint Element during the Shi Stage will be good, and will try their best to do right in the world, even if they feel horrible and painful, it is their sacrifice to pay for all that power. As they grow older and more powerful however, they learn of Heaven, and the rule of God. So when they grow into the Zun Stage, a Saint Element user will grow harsh, cold, less caring. They see themselves an an embodiment of God's will, and the will of Heaven. So they will do much more to solidify their own achievements. Lastly, as they progress into the Zong stage, where you are now. They try their best to reconcile their good nature and their drive to stand above as Heaven's sword. Experienced users will start to lose focus of Earth itself as they grow closer to Heaven, and will normally grow detached from their worldly desires and affections.

This information puts you in some turmoil, as you can see yourself in the first two, you started off a lot more forgiving, but learnt that being nice to yourself and not prioritising others gets you what you want. You do not see yourself in the third aspect, but, if you do begin to grow like that, you are not sure you want to keep going. Your attachment to Jiang, your new family, your unborn children. You are supposedly at the stage where you care less about them, and you don't want that.

You keep reading, searching for answers, and you get to a section relating to the Saint Element's domain. It says that it will naturally interfere with the Earth, turning it into Heaven if left alone and destroying the Earth, so normal policy is twofold: Either ask the user to join Heaven as an emissary of the Dao, turning them into an Angel whereby they keep their memories, but lose their power, or if the user is seen as too prideful and ambitious, shove them into Hell and hope they don't come out. If they do, attempt to relieve them of the Saint Element prematurely by killing the user and giving them a permanent place in Heaven. Heavenly Kings normally force their way in, but no Saint user has made it this far, so a plan to deal with them has not been developed.

You are not sure how to process all of this information.

"Old man! Is this book up to date?"

"Yes! Is it a nice book?"

"No, I hate it."

"Meh, your choice."

"FOR 12 HOURS, ALL JEWELS AND STORED SKILLS WILL BE DEACTIVATED. THE SHOP IS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS."

Shit, well then.

Player Choice
>Go to the Store
>Write-in

>>3933373
>Go to the Store
Man, should we just enter seclusion until we're Heavenly Gods? I really don't want to be memory-wiped or become Heaven's bell boy.

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>3933391
There is no escape. There is always a price to pay, the grass beneath your feet, the wind in your hair, the sound of the beating heart of the Earth. It will all fade away as you grow to become a divine being. It happened to Tsushiri, partially to Long, and will happen to you. Zhong is an exception, for many reasons, but if he ever attains Heavenly Judge, he will begin to lose his love for the earthly plane.

>Roll 3d100+10 for an encounter roll best of ONE

Rolling 1d100 DC 65 for stuff

Rolled 15, 5, 68 = 88 (3d100)

>>3933396
Yeah, but if I am going to become a divine being, I'd much rather be my own divine being. We could steal Hell from it's current owner and bring about the apocalypse in a war against Heaven if and when shit will hit the fan, though. Just a thought.

>>3933424
>The Dao will remember that
>78

You need to buy some food, you don't have any gems after all. Instead as you reach the building, more and more people covering themselves for protection, you hear something in the background.

"Hey! Loser! I'm here for your stock! Hand it over!"

You see a rather wide man with a purple mark shaped like an oval with the number 4 on it. You see him open a portal, one which leads from his body to your own. You can see him trying to reach out to your neck, possibly to grab it, but you dodge out the way.

"Tch, no fair man. I just want some food alright? You gave that nature-weather chick some grubs, what, am I not cute enough for ya?!"

Player Choice
>Write-in for what to do next.

>>3933432
> How many jewels does he have?

>>3933449
None, all Jewels are deactivated overnight, remember?

>>3933459
Yeah, but how many would he have if it didn't? The jewels are deactivated, but we still have our bodies. I have to know his level to know if we can slug him across the face and steal his stuff.

>>3933479
I mean you can't see or detect them. They are deactivated, so, not out.

>>3933496
> Slug him across the face, hard. Use Burst to catch him off-guard.

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>3933498
>Roll 3d100+5 best of ONE for success. DC my roll. +5 due to use of Burst to evade whilst attacking

Rolling 1d100 for our portaler.

You walk up to him, and you see his face, bulging, light up in glee. "This will all be over in a bit" you can see him think. Well, time to change all of that.

Rolled 54, 15, 50 = 119 (3d100)

>>3933503

>>3933504
>59
Success!

You punch him as hard as you can. You never learnt any proper martial arts, relying on your strength, but you have a lot of experience. You activate Burst, sending you flying away so he can't detect you. You see your mark stop glowing, signifying the end of your ability for a few minutes. You look back on your target, and find he has been knocked out. That won't last for long...

Player Choice
>Loot him now and risk him waking up whilst it happens
>Go to the store, he can't find you as easily in there and you need some food.
>Write-in


Btw a small fact-check on your 3 days statement for food. It is incorrect, thanks to my degree knowledge. You can survive 3 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water. Doesn't matter, you're in Hell.

>>3933513
> Keep slugging him while you steal everything off of him.

>>3933525
Gotta go eat tea, be back in a bit.

>>3933532
>Steal, hit him whilst he's down.

>Roll 3d100+5 best of ONE to prevent him waking up, DC 78

>>3933541
I gotta go now. Quest can restart at 14:00 GMT tomorrow. Thanks for playing!

Rolled 29, 55, 48 = 132 (3d100)

>>3933541
I'm not complaining, but how come punching an unconscious man in the face needs such an high DC?

>>3933583
Repetition mainly. 'Cause every few seconds he's going to try and grab your neck. When you are busy pilfering someone you can lose track, you become irrtable especially for you as you are going against your nature. You are lacking some energy because of the hunger. That's what the +8 is for. 70 as knocking someone out is a little harder than you would think without training on it, you haven't received any martial training. I know from experience. Also, with three rolls the chance you roll higher than 50 increases, so most DCs are put above that, and you mostly meet them.

>>3933583
>55
Failure!

You start to repeatedly punch him, trying to get him to stay down. You find about 6000 units on him and walk off. You don't know if you were doing it correctly, but you trust that-

"B-bastard! I'll kill you!"

For people so lazy, they seem almost determined to not be when it comes to killing. No wonder they're in Hell. You check your mark, and it doesn't glow. This could be bad. You see him get up, his mark glowing, a little dimmer than last time mind you. You are an entire level above him, maybe you could just escape here and now.

Player Choice
>Write-in

>>3934821
Looks like quest is on hold until Saturday. Can start 15:00 GMT.

>>3934821
> Run! Run like the wind!

>>3937805
Sorry for this being late. You never realise how slowly some people eat until you have a bunch of them in one room. Was sorta expecting to find you hadn't replied.

>Run
>Roll 3d100 best of ONE DCs 30 and 70, one to briefly escape, the second to activate Burst again in a pinch, your will pushing the ability to greater heights.

Rolled 7, 92, 62 = 161 (3d100)

>>3937860
It was an hectic week for both of us. My little brother is leaving the country for work, and I've been helping with my grandmother. It's chaos.

Rolled 55, 53, 61 = 169 (3d100)

>>3937865
Ah, so his CV was successful. What country is he going to be working in? I wish you the best of luck, my own father and auntie have had a battle with my grandmother just trying to set her assets in order. It looks like she is probably going to be gone early next year.

>92 dear lord this man.

You have to run away or else you are dead. You see a portal appear close to your head, shining purple, you can't even see through it. However, you focus all your might on your Skill, you need to run. This is the only thing it's good for!

You feel its power awaken and surge through you! You Burst away, flying towards the supermarket, and as soon as you hit the ground, skin flying off you, you run and hide further into the store. If he's anything like the others, he should just give up now right? Lazy and all...

Until you see a purple ring appear in the air, near to the ceiling of the shop, the aisle will hide you for now, but you need to buy something soon, your body is hurting something fierce, you are getting hungry. How the fuck are you supposed to get out of this fucking place anyway!

OK, maybe he's not as lazy as the others! You see some people around you, shielding themselves with bits and pieces. Do they group up in the day or something? A whatever. Maybe another Skill user will see him and take his bravado as a form of declaring war. Who knows. You need to do something fast. Your Skill mark is off again now, and it might take another miracle to activate it again. Dear god you feel hungry.

You see him hastily taking a bite out of a loaf of bread....wait, do these Skills need more food or something? Doesn't matter for you during the day, your Jewels will sustain you, but the night?

Player Choice
>Write-in

Rolling 3d100, first for ???, second for our portaller, third for another Skill user. Dcs 80, 85 and 30 respectively.

>>3937871
> Buy enough food for four days
> Buy a knife or such for self-defense
He's going to Malta for four months. To be honest, I'm a bit envious -- you can be a waiter pretty much anywhere, but an accountant, as I was trained for? I'd have to study a whole new set of laws.

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>3937879
Ah, the privileges of being English, my father is an accountant, and has worked abroad a lot in his time. Luckily, almost everyone based their laws and monetary policy on ours, so there isn't much to learn. The only things that change dramatically are tax rates, inheritance laws, and housing.

>Buy food, 4 days
>Buy knife

You see another Skill user jump up towards him, and you see a knife sink into his flesh. You don't see him after that, only his clothes remain, and his money, which someone else takes.

You decide to explore this place, and find that they really do sell everything! Books of all kinds, stuff which you could probably see at the Library sure, but it's nice they're here. Electronics, Jewel related stuff. Weapons. If this place were antagonistic, everyone here would end up like that guy. You look at buying a knife. You also dedicate 1600 units for 4 days of food, leaving you with 1400 units to spend on a knife. You prepared beforehand by taking out your gems, but you can't hide your stuff overnight thanks to having no Jewels.

You find some cheap sets, metal, sturdy, could work on a normal person and someone without a Jewel, which are still mighty expensive to you, almost half your disposable income!. You also find some others that use Heavenly Energy, but they will be useless overnight, you also find a really good knife, but it would cost all your money. Maybe they have something compatible with Skills? You take a look around, and see a section called "Weapon Gachapon!" 1000 units a go, with the chance to get something special...

Player Choice
>Cheap knife 600 units
>Medium quality knife 1400 units
>Mystery box 1000 units (Roll a 1d100 if choosing this)

Rolling 1d100 for STUFF DC 60

>>3937895
Alright. I need to go back to work. Quest can start again at 19:45 pm GMT. Thanks for playing!

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>3937895
>Mystery box 1000 units (Roll a 1d100 if choosing this)
Unfortunately, my gacha addiction does not allow me to pick anything else.

>>3937940
You open the container with bated breath, after all, you think that you have some weird luck, both extremes of good and bad, so this might be brilliant!

You see a short sword pop out, coloured faintly in blue. There is also a piece of paper on the floor. You pick it up and read.

"Item number: 33, congratulations customer! This is the Ice Blade. Freeze your enemies! Defend your precious body!-
Warning: Does not work 100% of the time, this is not a defect. Any customers who attempt to sue will be met with only legal fees."

Huh, could be useful. You pocket it, and buy your food. This should keep twice as long thanks to your spatial pocket, but for now? You need to get out of here...

Player Choice
>Wanderlust (Roll 1d100)
>Find someplace safe (Roll 3d100-20)
>Try out your new weapon (Roll 3d100+10)
>Write-in

>DC MET, WANDERLUST ROLL HAS A SPECIAL EVENT FOR A DC OF 60

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>3938103
>Wanderlust
I'm feelin' lucky~

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>3938119
>Well then, looks like meeting Zhong will have to wait a little longer.
You dash out, feeling a lot safer to use your Burst, eventually finding your way to...a makeshift shelter? It doesn't look maintained, many things, like cleaning and mechanical functions are not done. You see people inside, nit doing much about it, just eating. You sit with them, and eat your food. Staving off the hunger for another night.

"Hey, I've got a question. What happens to people when they get killed here?"

"Some folks say they end up in a different Hell entirely. Some of them even come back with powers they can use overnight. It's terrifying."

"Like what?"

"Well, there's this one guy who's like god or something. All of them claim they got it from the Grand Apprentice or something."

Oh, so, they aren't really lazy, some of them are prideful! What joy!

You wait out the night, until the all-clear sign goes, and you feel your Jewels and Heavenly Energy again.

Player Choice, you have 400 units, and a knife
>Wanderlust (Roll 1d100 DC 50)
>Go to work
>Write-in

Rolling 1d100 DC 50 for STUFF

>>3938138
>Go to work

>>3938187
>>Go to work

You end up arriving to work on time today.

"Alright. The domain's up and running, but other f-other places have been experiencing some problems, so keep on the lookout. Alright?"

"Sure, what do I need to do to impress you?"

"Do good and honest hard work! Give 'em...Heaven!"

>Roll 3d100 best of ONE for haul

I need some sleep, Quest can start again at 14:00 GMT tomorrow. Thanks for playing and goodnight!

Rolled 30, 43, 66 = 139 (3d100)

>>3938194

>>3939613
>66

You collect close to 3000 units, and nothing seems out of the ordinary. You try experimenting with your Jewels again, and find them to be in full working order. Consolidated Equipment, Stored Skills, almost back to full power. The Ice Blade doesn't freeze any of the rocks around here, so it must only work on living tissue, you are beginning to regret gambling for this, Demon Hammer would probably go broke here though, he tried to teach you how to "Gamble the correct way" and how to win at some card games, but with your studies, and your nature, you never learnt much. You wonder if his plan to get Miller to like him again is working...

Player Choice
>Mine here
>Find a different cave system
>Go back
>Write-in

>>3939666
>Mine here, Wind Drill

>>3939672
>Here, Wind Drill

>Roll 3d100+20 best of ONE please.

Rolled 58, 65, 15 + 20 = 158 (3d100 + 20)

>>3939675

Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>3939676
>85

You find about 4250 units, leaving you at 7250, and this strain still seems like it is stable.

Player Choice
>Mine here (Roll 3d100 best of ONE)
>Find a different cave system (Roll 1d100)
>Go back
>Write-in

Rolling 1d100 DC 50 for STUFF

>>3939678
>Go back and head to the library

>>3939685
Alrighty then.

>How much would you like to hide?

>>3939690
>1k

>>3939708
You hide 1000units, and head back.

"Hah, I see you're finishing early today! How much did you get?"

After he takes his share, you are handed 625 back.

"Did that impress you?"

"No! Not at all. Keep working hard."

You leave with a total of 1625 units, and go back to the Library, everything is as it was, which is nice.

Player Choice
>Write-in

>>3939717
> Read up about Heaven. Know thyself and thy enemy and you shall win one thousand battles.

>>3939730

Player Choice
>Structure of Heaven and its associated Functions
>Implications of the Saint Element for Heaven, Earth and their respective domains (Roughly 1/4 completed already)

>>3939741
>Structure of Heaven and its associated Functions

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>3939778
Sorry about this being late, I fell asleep because I woke up too early this morning. No roll necessary this time.

You read about Hell's counterpart, Heaven. It is structured very differently than Hell. Hell has floors, and a wide variety of treatments. Heaven has one method of treatment, and no floors. It is described as paradise. You can eat, but will not grow fat or hungry. You can rest, without the need to sleep. You can indulge in your vices. However, the price to obtain this paradise is high: Show your devotion to the Dao, and comply with it. For most people, they do not even understand what the Dao is, let alone how to follow it, so few people make it to Heaven through this way. Instead, many of the inhabitants are sinners, but were strong enough in life that they could bend the rules to their favour and go to Heaven.

There is no leader of Heaven, instead, there is an army of angels. They keep Heaven stocked and the paradise it was meant to be, however, they can only act through vague messages from the Dao, and have little self awareness. There are different levels of angel, which can be aligned with a number of Jewels and therefore their strength and responsibility.

Firstly, there are the human looking ones, all comparatively 10 Heavenly Jewels strong, they are able to carry out the will of the Dao on Earth, and are the main force of Heaven to keep it running. Their minds are almost indistinguishable from normal humans, but they have pale wings, a halo, and lack irises. Next there are the enforcers, all 12 Jewels in strength, whose job it is to prevent the use of Jewels to mess with the domain of heaven, they take the shapes of animals like tigers and dragons, and have no human presence in their minds. Finally there come judgement, 13 Jeweled angels who take the form of a burning halo etched with the rules of the universe. They process information and deliver orders to the other two groups of angels so they can do their jobs well.

It is to be noted that some people, once entering Heaven, s
do not like it. Life gave them a family, who are now dead, and becoming strong enough to forcefully enter Heaven made them detached from the world as the Dao is. Work must be undertaken by Human Angels to ensure these people are happy even without people who gave their life meaning.

You put down the book, having read most of it. You aren't sure you like the idea of Heaven, a paradise for those who kept to the balance, but people can just waltz in anyway, and there are angels specifically to keep these people in line?

You look at the time, you can do something else before the night sets in.

Player Choice
>Write-in

Rolling 1d100 for STUFF DC 50

>>3939867
>Read Implications of the Saint Element for Heaven, Earth and their respective domains

>>3939934
>Roll 3d100 best of ONE for progress

Rolled 22, 48, 43 = 113 (3d100)

>>3939938

>>3939957
>48, another quarter

You move on, and read about Heaven's interactions with Earth, now that you know it is done primarily by angels, this should be interesting.

Heaven has no contact with Earth, apart from the Saint Element manifesting in rare occasions in monsters and humans, Hell is the only one with an incentive to interfere. The Saint Element was recorded on the Moon in one case, but this text doesn't go any further with that, instead focusing on how religion works with Heaven and the afterlife.

Believing in a religion has no impact on ones eligibility to enter Heaven, as long as the Dao is held and someone does not meet the requirements to go to Hell, they will enter Heaven. If you kill, you will go to Hell if you steal, or practice dishonest tactics, you will go to Hell, if you ignore finding a balance to your power and the Earth's power, you will go to Hell.

You think back to the hundreds of people you have killed to get this far. That was in self defence, it was a necessity, yet you are supposedly condemned to Hell for it? You keep reading.

Angels rarely make deals and other interactions with people considered likely to enter Heaven through the natural way. These manifestations can be anything, but the most common is a form of blessing, the most notable of which is the blessing of ????.

Wait, you try and read that again, again and again. That one word disappears and jumbles again and again. You can't read it! Fine, you're probably not ready or something. You read about how the Saint Element acts upon the Earth, as a literal representation of Heaven. Apparently, the Earth will show some resistance to the change, and will increase the chance of an Evil Element beast being created, thereby restoring the balance. This has untold consequences for the planet, as others can perish in this fine balancing act.

You are about to get to a part specifically focusing on how Resurrect impacts the journey to the afterlife, and how it isn't liked as it is a relatively easy way to revive someone, then you hear the alarm. You feel your Jewels fade, and night sets in.

Player Choice
>Wanderlust (Roll 1d100 best of ONE)
>Go to the Shop (Roll 3d100+20 best of ONE)
>Hide overnight (No encounters, but no special events either)
>Write-in

>>3939996
Another quad? For me?

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>3939996
>Wanderlust

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>3940092
>38
Not really great is it.

You find yourself at an abandoned cafe, there are no staff, it is closed. You break open the door and sit down. Your head is practically bursting, and you need a break.

You eat your food from the shop in silence as you see people running in the streets from some Skill users. Not like you can help. You wit until the morning comes.

Player Choice
>Go to work
>Anything else (Write-in)

Rolling 1d100 DC 50 for STUFF

>>3940106
I have to stop now, Quest can continue at 18:30 GMT Tuesday. Thanks for playing!
>78
Hehehe

>>3940106
>Go to work

>>3940208
>Go to work, but first.

You get out of there, body and Jewels restored, and attempt to make it back to work, however, you see something in the sky, a red swirling portal, brimming with Evil Element energy. You swear you see something fall out of it, but whatever it is you want nothing to so with it. The storm disappears, and you keep going.

When you make it there, the manager hands you a note, not speaking to you.

It reads as follows "For the unlawful theft of company resources and breaking the contract of employment, you are hence terminated from certain privileges of the company, namely, your 10% take of the day's revenue. You will instead be paid 400 units a day or less depending on how much you earn. You will be searched when you enter and leave the cave system. All company managers are equipped to deal with the Spatial Element."

"Have you read it?"

"Yes sir."

"Then I hope you understand why I'm asking you to hand over 1625 units. If you perform well over the next few days, I may reinstall your privileges, but for now? Hand it over. I won't take that fancy sword of yours, you might need it, but no longer. 400 units, a day."

You feel something reach into your Spatial pocket, and take out the uncut gems and unprocessed ores.

>You have no money!

"Now mine, or leave. Your choice. I trusted you, for days now, but you continued to betray that trust, no wonder you ended up in that level first, Saint."

Player Choice
>Write-in

>>3941036
Sorry, timing was all off. 14:00 today also works, but updates will be more intermittent.

>>3941036
> You're kinda pissed at being treated like a kid that stole cookies, so you make a big-ass Wind Drill, because you frankly had enough of this place.
Sorry I didn't show up yesterday, I thought you wouldn't either and only saw the last update this morning.

>>3942100
Yeah, updates are also going to be intermittent today, essay to do.

>Make Wind Drill, big enough one to do ???

>Roll 3d100+10 best of ONE for Domain battle DC 95

Rolled 73, 78, 53 = 204 (3d100)

>>3942228
> GIGA. DRILL. BREAKER!
In other news, today I witnessed the peak of "dumb". I'm still laughing.

>>3942243
Do tell, this stuff on the relation between lipid breakdown and insulin resistance is great and all, but this sounds much more academic.

>88
Failure!

You funnel all your energy into your Wind Element, making a huge storm swirl and twist around your hand, and begin to tare down the ground beneath you. However. you don't get very far. Some odd property you have not had much direct experience with prevents anything but surface damage from proliferating across in small chunks of wood and stone flying about.

"Leave it is then. You are hence fired from the mining profession."

You feel something begin to push you, then you see a fist fly towards you, with little Heavenly Energy, you go flying, using your Skill to gain control in mid air. You fly back down to street level. You look for your ID card, but it is broken in two, completely useless.

Great, no job, no money, what now?

Player Choice
>Write-in
>Wonderlust (Roll 1d100 please, DC 50 for stuff)
>Job Centre

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>3942249
>Wonderlust
I swear, when we become head honcho of Hell that guy will be the first we'll fire.
Anyway, you know my brother had to leave for Malta, right? It was this morning. So, first, he gets on the road for the airport, then has to turn back 'cause he forgot the boarding pass. Then, after he got to the airport, guess what? The kid ends up calling us, saying he forgot his wallet! With his proof of identity! Man, the schadenfreude. Thankfully they rebooked his flight for Saturday, but I hadn't laughed at someone like that in a long while.

>>3942262
"So, why are you late to work by almost a week?"

"I forgot my wallet."

"Well, with this bereavement money, you can buy a new one."

"Bereavement for what?"

"Your termination. Buh-bye!"

>69, oh no

You decide to wander a bit, not really sure where you're supposed to go. Until you see something in the distance. Demon Hammer, sitting in a cafe, struggling to sit in the seat properly, talking to some guy.

"So, at first I'm like: Well if he's in Hell so what? I'm like...the person of Hell. Ya'know?"

"Sure, sir."

"But-but, guess what?! That supposed genius Jessica thought I wasn't ready! 6 months later and here I am! Screw you, you psychotic bitch! I'll find him myself! No need for your machines or whatever."

"Sure, sir."

"You get me! Anyway, see a youngish man with curly blond hair and blue eyes, pretty thin, but like, not so thin legs...I think? It's been awhile. Jiang's about to be due...not sure how everything's going to go down without the lad. You want to hear a story about that?"

"No, sir. Money?"

"Fuck off." He gets up, the chair creaking. If you don't talk to him now...

Huh. 6 months? You can feel your heart stop a bit. What should you even do now? Is he stuck here? Can you get out this way?

Player Choice
>Write-in for what to say to him

>>3942284
> You say hi. You also ask if he's dead. That wouldn't be good. You ask how's your family. You ask if he wants to join in your newfound epic quest to conquer Hell to assure you don't get turned into a mindless angel-drone of the Dao.
Yeah, but they seem cool with that. It's one of those exchange programs, so they're paying for a bunch if things too, flight included. I also don't think he was gonna work right away, so that's a saving grace. Still stupidly dumb and sadly hilarious, though.

>>3942284
> Also, Page 10

>>3942329
Ah. Give me a minute. New thread tomorrow, probably around 18:00 GMT?


>>3942312
You walk up to him.

"Hi."

"What? AH! You! You;re supposed to be dead! AH! AH!"

This'll be fun.

"How's the family, both of ours? Are you dead?"

"Fu-. I mean, a bit shit. Sally's fine but I don'y know if you want to come back to the world of the living with how Jiang is. Not dead, as a plus point, I came here by choice!"

"Well, I can delay it a little longer. I have a plan."

"S-sure."

"We need to conquer Hell."

"Haha. This place really has made you crazy."

"Do you want to be a mindless drone? A slave to the Dao? That's what Heaven is."

"I mean, doesn't sound so bad to me. Just drifting, forever. Lazy forever! Sounds like paradise. I mean if you get strong enough you can tell it to , fuck off anyway, no need to take over Hell. I mean, its not like Heaven has much control anyway."

"Tch, Have it your way."

"Well, in any case. If you want to get stronger, we have to go back the normal way."

"Pardon?"

"Portal, one on Mars. We have a base there now looking for you."

"Why?"

"Jiang is in a critical condition. Something about her body rejecting something from your body. Only started happening a few months ago, after you...got swallowed up by something."

"Dammit!"

"I mean, do your crusade all you want, but, it's your choice."

Player Choice
>Write-in. If nothing before pg 10 after, then next thread.

>>3942348
It isn't working. Saving this content to Word and making a paste later instead.

>>3942348
>You sigh. Guess your crusade to avoid becoming a mindless drone of an uncaring pseudo-divinity will have to wait. That's one good hobby for the future, you guess. You ask DH to guide you out of this literal Hellhole.

New Thread is up!
>>3943479
>>3943479
>>3943479