Open Eastern Brisshal Higanbana Fights a Rat

[Higanbana]

Landing gracefully down into the Eastern Brissahl forest for the first time, Higanbana, kunoichi of the Kirakage Clan did a quick happy dance.

"I've done it. I have entered the game and seized my destiny. Sugoi. Herein begins the tale of Higanbana and the Kirakage, the greatest shinobi clan to ever grace the world of Terrasphere. Yet, the Kirakage is spoken of only in whispers, a rumored clan that fights in the shadows, for a kunoichi works in the darkness. A shadow amongst shadows..."

It was obvious Higanbana was happy and having fun now that she had finally entered the game she had been trying to get into for months.

"This body is new to me, strong, yet supple. Sugoi, just as a kunoichi should be I will use it to its full extent. Push it to its kunoichi limits. Then, all the enemies of the Kirakage will whisper, 'yabai' when they see me coming. No, they won't even have a chance to whisper 'yabai' because they won't see me coming. This is because I am a kunoichi. Dattebelieve it."

As Higanbana attempted hopping and moving around, she suddenly realized she wasn't alone.

"My kunoichi senses are tingling."

These senses were her eyes. A large rat had begun to approach the woman viciously.

"I see, so this is the first enemy of the Kirakage in this world. A loathsome rodent that must be eliminated. My first target..."

Higanbana looked down at her attire, which she thought looked rather cool, but unfortunately was missing some things of great importance.

"I have no weapons. Yabai."

 

[Lune]

Minding her own business after a successful bounty hunt, Moonsong walked through the plains of Eastern Brisshal with a pouch of gold coins. Maybe she'll hitch a wagon to Dunnstads, log out and call it a day. Or at least before she heard someone landing in the forest just nearby.

"A new player?"

She heard stories of players posing as sort of 'tutorial NPC' to newly entered newbies. Maybe she could try her hand on that? The forest is a bit dangerous to fresh adventurers after all. "Not usually a thing I'd do, but I'm feeling generous today." Moonsong stepped into the forest to see what the newcomer looked like.

A few distances in and she could already see the silhouette of the starcalled. Moonsong cleared her throat, ready to walk on the newbie before stopping in her tracks upon hearing the new player talking to herself in lingos she don't understand. Kira—what? Should I leave this one alone, maybe?

Too late. One big rat was already alerted to the presence of the kunoichi. Uh, oh. Moonsong quickly jumped in and threw the pouch of coins to the rat, bonking its head and causing it to jump back growling. "Be on guard, this rat might not look like a threat, but it can easily kill those who are ill-equipped." Moonsong glanced at the kunoichi, who proclaimed that she doesn't have a weapon. "Magic? Kung-fu? Anything good you picked at the character creation?"

Wait, we can turn this into a "tutorial boss" scenario. It might be able to serve as a good prologue for the new girl.

She let out a tune, conjuring two knives which she sent flying towards @Higanbana. "Use those for now while you find out! Catch!" Hoping that the girl could at least defend herself while trying to find out things. Creating a sword for herself, Moonsong shouted "I'll go for the left, you go to the right!" In fact, she would intentionally miss every strike just to distract the rat, like those scripted useless NPCs that deal absolutely no damage to bosses.

 

[Himawari]

"Breathe Himawari... the shadows are your ally..."

Himawari was currently one with the shadows, she had not yet had the chance to meet up with her nakama (friend) and fighting partner Hi-chan ( @Higanbana ) , even so Himawari had detected a great disturbance in the kami, which, in plain speak, meant that she had identified loud noises coming from over there --->

"I see, my first ninja battle, Hi-chan you are far too advanced! Foreseeing that I would arrive second due to the time needed to get the exact tone correct for my crimson manslayer hair. A perfect set up, our teamwork is already impeccable and blessed by the kami, victory is banzai des."

...

"Hhmph!"

Breathing out like that, Himawari's eyes widened as her senses improved at a rate of absolutely not at all. She began her tactical analysis...

I see, @Moonsong is a foreign princess incognito, she is the lord we must protect, sensing this, Himawari wisely moved to defend her from the rat-oni, she is awaiting my entrance so we can perform the twin fangs shadowjutsu we often discussed when we self-inserted ourselves into sword art online during our mental training while on break at work.

I understand... I understand impeccably!

Himawari leapt from a nearby bush.

"Shadow Art! Shinobi no Shadow!"

Flying upward then down like a swooping hawk, Himawari swung out her arm as she began her descent... a beautiful stroke that would surely end the encounter only...

"Shito. I have no weapon..."

Bam.

Himawari flew, back the way she came, as the rodent of unusual size sent her flying into the trunk of a nearby rather sturdy tree. Himawari's life flashed before her eyes... it was a life solely contained in the memory of the moments composed entirely of 5 minutes ago...

"Gacku~ I guess I'm just going to have to surpass my limits..."

 

[Yarrow]

After much excitement to begin, Yarrow finally materializes into Terrasphere! After a quick once over of himself to see that his character was indeed made to his liking, he took in his first breath.

Nature

Just as the advertisement promised! The smells of the surrounding area was beautiful and starkly different from his usual surroundings. He looked around to make sure he was alone before getting down on his knees and scooping grass and dirt into his hands.

"It really does FEEL real! I feel like I could learn so much from being here."

Yarrow set the dirt back down and collected himself, still barely containing his excitement. As he was about to set out, he heard a voice off in the distance.

Another player perhaps? Maybe they're fighting something, I do want to learn how this all works, so maybe I should hop in and figure things out as I go. Yes, that's exactly what I'll do!

Invigorated to learn, Yarrow recklessly sprints to the scene! As he gets closer, he begins to pick up the figures. Some sort of Dire rodent creature standing off against 2 figures that flank it from both sides. Yarrow was about to charge up the middle when suddenly, a third figure LEAPS from the bushes.

Oh goodness! That looks so cool and well coordinated, these players must be-

He watched @Himawari make a strike with her weapon...which she didn't have... and watch her have the same realization because instead of what looked like an incredible killing blow, ended with the rat sending her flying into the tree next to him.

"WOAH! Are you okay?!"

The rat, now seeing a singled out target, charges past the other 2 figures towards battered ninja.

Aww shit; I should do something! I don't know what to do! Uh..uh..uh.. JUST DO SOMETHING, IT'S JUST A GAME

Yarrow JUMPS forward and puts his on the ground

"Uh. Magic vines! GO!"

He closes his eyes and attempts to will the vines forward to attack! And as he opens his eyes back up...

NOTHING HAPPENED

as the rat now charges him.

"Aww shit........."

 

[Higanbana]

Reaching out to catch the knives, Higanbana missed.

"Yabai."

Reaching down, the kunoichi picked both of the weapons up and readied herself.

"You have the thanks of the Kirakage Clan... Red Haired Woman..."

Higanbana realized shortly thereafter that she hadn't caught the woman's name, though that was probably fine as they were in a life or death situation at the moment.

"Himawari, wonderful job hiding in the shadows. Your prowess in the shinobi arts never fails to astonish. Now watch as I decimate this rat with my shuriken throwing ability!"

Throwing one of the knives, Higanbana missed by a mile. Embarrassed, Higanbana began to whistle awkwardly.

"This is no ordinary rat. Did you see it utilized the Shadow Step Jutsu? We may all be dead. No, the Kirakage never backs down."

Suddenly another person joined the fray and apparently attempted and failed to summon vines.

"I see and now an insane person who believes they can summon vines has come. Excuse me, sir. Plants cannot hear for they have no ears, still, that was a wonderful distraction now watch as I, Higanbana, assassinate this rat once and for all."

Throwing her second knife, Higanbana hit the target though with the side of the blade which in turn did as much damage as throwing a rock at the rat.

"Excellent. I've done it."

Higanbana yelled to the red-haired woman once more.

"Red Hair, I've run out of knives! Please make more or fetch me the one I threw so I can throw it once again!"

@Yarrow @Himawari @Moonsong

 

[Lune]

As they kept their distance and attacked, another ninja girl @Himawari leapt out of nowhere high above, before getting headbutted into the nearby tree trunk. Who the fuck are the Kirakage clan, why are they appearing one by one, and why do they never have weapons? No worries, one well-placed knife should put the rodent down... If it didn't somehow fly miles away from it. Shadow step jutsu my ass.

"Wait for it to charge! It should be easier to hit it in the head!" She gave a hint. The rat indeed is currently doing a charge toward the red-haired ninja.

Another person suddenly joined the 'co-op tutorial bossfight' out of nowhere, standing between the injured kunoichi and the rat, trying to summon vines to entangle the giant rat to no avail. He's probably also just spawned here.

@Higanbana's second throw was only a minor inconvenience, but it did stop the charge towards @Yarrow, possibly making the rat even more agitated now. Clicking his tongue, Moonsong went from a tutorial NPC to a shopkeeper by creating a bunch of arcane weapons flying toward the other three. Swords, knives, clubs, shurikens, you name it. There's so much of it that it might pile on each of them.

"Red ninja, Blue ninja, grab those!"

With weapons, the two ninjas should be more reliable. "Plant guy! Focus on the grass and vines already on the ground! It should be easier to control them rather than to create new ones!"

With bloodshot eyes, the rat screeches. It's up to the three newbies to take down this formidable foe. The strongest tutorial boss there is.

 

[Himawari]

"I am alright wandering monk, you needn't fear, the rat oni merely struck an after image... of the heart... KAGH~?!"

Reassuring @Yarrow before suddenly and dramatically coughing up blood. Himawari none the less rose. Then, she dramatically wiped her mouth on her sleeve.

"We of the Kirakage would be honored to fight alongside a man of virtue such as yourself."

I had thought it a powerful genjtusu of a spiritual man, for surely, for a moment, the wandering monk's face looked like a massive Y...

***

Himawari turned back toward the battlefield.

"Well shot, my blood-sworn ally, @Higanbana. You have damaged it showing that even the dark yomi can bleed. Even if its shadow arts exceeds mine own, we of the Kamikage must not back down. We shall protect @Moonsong no Kaguyahime with our lives. This is the way. This is the iron code."

Himawari nodded at Moonsong.

"So the face is the weakpoint, I see, my thanks Hime, were you perhaps trained by the kunoichi of your household in strategy and self-defense? Excellent, I shall adhere to your strategy, for we shinobi are the weapons in the dark. On that note, @Higanbana , I believe in this strategy you are the red ninja, for your passion outshines us all. That then, by shinobi logic, only leaves me as the cool quietly passionate blue ninja with an eye for detail."

Rolling three times on the ground like a darksouls game, Himawari equipped various weapons. Mainly swords.

"My friends, I am prepared to unleash as many 'actually me' shadow clones as necessary, fear not my blood, for it is only a real illusion! I shall take the van! Hoh~!"

Suddenly, Himawari was a blur of white streaks, as she rended the air with slash after slash from the swords she wielded in either hand---

Left hand- horizontal low cut,
Right hand- vertical slice,
Left hand- diagonal chop,
Right hand- thrust,
Left hand- thrust,
Right hand- twirl into overhead slam,
Left hand- continue twirl into rising cut,
Both hands- cross slash,
Both hands- thrust,
Both hands- spinning slash: three rotations,
Both hands- dual downward slam

---It was perhaps the most beautiful sequence of sword strokes you had ever seen, and Himawari had missed every single one.

 

[Yarrow]

Yarrow closed his eyes agin, this time out of fear for the oncoming strike of the charging rat. He thought he overheard something about shadow stepping and plants not having ears, but was too focused on his cowering in place action to process it. Instead of painful knockback, the rat let out an agitated scream. Yarrow daringly opened his eyes again to see a knife sticking out the side.

YOU GOT IT!

The rat angrily gazed back upon @Higanbana

Mad!... You got it mad!

Yarrow began taking a few more paces back as @Moonsong began spewing weapons like the world's most dangerous fire hydrant. Yarrow instinctively tried to dodge the sharp incoming object before realizing that she was making a pile to select from.

That probably would have been more productive if all those found their way into the rat... OH OF COURSE. This has to be the NPC that helps teach us the basics. Which makes perfect sense since she's now giving us tips! Just focus on the plants around me.... yeah... I think I can do that.

Before Yarrow begins to scan around him, @Himawari (who he momentarily forgot was there) reassures him of her wellbeing, stating that rat just hit an image....of the heart? Clearly he must have missed something but is glad for the reassurance..... right before @Himawari doubles over and coughs out her blood.

OH MY GOODNESS! OH...UH...

He watches @Himawari rise and march forward towards the rat while referring to him as a man of virtue.

Okay.....uh... Thank you?

I should do something about that (the blood). I don't know how to do something about that. Let's just... put a pin in that and come back to it later.

As Yarrow listens to the red haired ninja speak:
Yomi?
Well of course it bleeds... it's a rat... right?
Shadow Arts?
Who are these two...

I think she's just referring to your hair col....

Too late; the red haired, quietly passionate blue ninja SPRINGS forward unleashing some of the fastest swings Yarrow had ever seen. Swing after swing, each one carrying her momentum closer and closer to the beast, until finally, she comes down with a hard SLAM with both swords onto the ground, where her combo seemed to have ended... inches from actually hitting the beast.

I'm... not sure what she's was going for.... but it looked really cool! OkOkOk, my turn. Just focus on what's around me...grass....trees...tree roots! Thats it! I'll use the roots!

Yarrow ran to a tree closer to the rat, placed his hand on it and focused. He envisioned the tree, it's trunk, the roots beneath, and the miles and miles of interconnected tips that connect everything in the forest to each other. He imagined the roots tearing up and wrapping around the rats entire body, holding it in place, and he concentrated on this image, as though he was asking permission from the forest to do this very thing. He can FEEL himself starting to guide the roots, burrowing up from the ground. There's the rat! He WILLED the roots to their target and is certain that he's got it!

Yarrow lets go of the tree, panting as though he just ran a marathon. He excitedly looked up and saw the rat, very much NOT encased in roots, but instead, momentarily interrupted as the smallest little root ends wrapped around its back left ankle. The rat luged forward and immediately broke free.

Come (Breath) On (Breath) That took (Breath) all of my (Breath) concentration Yarrow falls to one knee

Fuck.

 

[Higanbana]

"You, Treetalker."

Higanbana looked to @Yarrow .

"Your Bulbasaur no Jutsu... I didn't think such a thing was possible in this world. Perhaps I have been too short-sighted. At first I simply thought you were insane believing you can talk to plants. Now I know you are not insane. The plans are, for actually listening to anyone. Either way, you have given me an idea."

Shouting to, @Himawari, Higanbana clapped loudly

"Excellent feint. The beauty of your strikes belies the ferocity of getting hit by them. I'm sure if any of those strikes would have met their mark, the rest of us would have been bored to death not being able to try our own attacks. Your thoughtfulness is sugoi.

Now then, I suppose I should get to work.

"It's time for me to end this. Face your demise by the Kirakage, rat."

Though she honestly had no idea what she was doing, what Higanbana did know was that when it came to ninjutsu, hand seals were a thing.

If ninjutsu is real in this world, then hand seals must be the key.

Though Higanbana, who had just entered this world, literally know next to nothing about the world's physics, species, history, or really much of anything she was very knowledgeable on anime tropes thanks to being a self-proclaimed "Otaku". Furthermore, her knowledge of ninjutsu (from an anime standpoint) was immense and she had memorized the hand seals of several ninjutsu from a host of different ninja anime. In the old world, this knowledge would have labeled her as cringe. In this world, however, her knowledge of hand seals would come to mark her as a true kunoichi, and also cringe.

Making the traditional stance of a shinobi where they stand very straight with their legs together, Higanbana quickly began performing hand seals. Suddenly, the woman would vanish in a puff of dark smoke only to reappear next to the weapons. Taking a club, she hand sealed again and once again vanished, this time over the head of the rat.

"Ah, I see. This rat is disgusting and moving so near to it was a mistake. If it touches me or bites me, I will surely die from disgust."

Higanbana was not a fan of rodents or bugs. Taking the club, she threw in downwards towards the rat where it would make contact with the creature's back. It reeled in pain, about the same amount of pain as if someone had thrown a large rock at it.

Holding her arms backward, red lines of hardened blood shot out of Higanbana's fingertips wrapping around a branch of a tree. Pulling herself backward, the kunoichi backflipped into the tree landing perfectly.

"I see..."

Higanbana called out to the others.

"It all makes sense now! This entire world is insane. If you believe you can do something, like talk to plants or have blood filament shoot from your fingertips, it's possible as long as you think you can do it. Sugoi."

@Moonsong @Himawari @Yarrow

 

[Lune]

Kaguyahime? Household? It seems that she was mistaken for a princess of some sort. The fact that she is wearing a crown does not help the misunderstanding. But there's no time for explanations.

If anyone's going to end up dead from this encounter, it would absolutely be Moonsong, as she's currently dying from the second-hand embarrassment of @Himawari lightning-fast attacks. It did, however, look very cool and might pass as a ritualistic dance of a crazy ninja cult. "Careful!" She shouted at her. Luckily, @Yarrow finally got his power under control and momentarily managed to snag the back leg of the rodent. If only it didn't last like, a second.

@Higanbana disappeared with a cloud of smoke in successions before throwing a club into the back of the giant rat, successfully stunning it. She's actually pretty fast? Maybe if she encouraged their shenanigans further, the others might also magically turn competent. As the blue-haired ninja retreated with blood strings, Moonsong acted surprised while calling out. "You... possessed the legendary blood ninjutsu! Is this the power of the legendary Kirakage clan?"

She felt the need to cut her own tongue after acting that out. But this is a necessary sacrifice. The girl added more fuel to the fire.

Looking at the red-haired ninja, Moonsong shouted while posing as if she were praying. "As the Princess of the Moon, I will bless you with power. Show us your ultimate ninjutsu!" Her lifespan is quickly decreasing in proportion to every cringe she spouted. Now, onto the last and the probably most sane member of the three. He's already down to his knees, probably overexerting his power. But a last push might be something he needed.

"You're using too much of your own power! Feel the nature! The trees! Redirect their power as yours." She shouted an actual tip. "Now, everyone. Attack at once! Time to vanquish this vile beast!"

 

[Himawari]

Himawari nodded @Moonsong .

"Such resolve... to reveal your true identity out in the open, to your enemy no less...! I see now that I have been lacking, for truly this is a battle that we have staked our pride on."

Himawari felt her power rapidly expanding from the moon princess's bestowal. Yes, it was the moonsong at work. This was, however, probably in her head. Probably. Taking a deep breath, she glanced over at @Higanbana .

"Kind words my ally in shadows, but I fear the Kami may yet wish us to demonstrate how much we have grown not as individuals, but as a people. Aye, this battle will not be settled by my swords but I will see that there may yet be a coming dawn of shadows for the next of us. In short! I shall give you and the nature monk an opening! We must not fail Moonprincess Tsukiyomi no Kaguyahime!"

Reverse gripping the loaned weapons Himawari dashed at the rat once more, as she picked up speed and closed in she spun and by spinning picked up more and more speed, she was rapidly becoming a blur of shadow arts even. She was a bae of blades, a baeblade if you will, of twinkling shadow and stars.

"In the name of the moon(princess) I shall punish you! Eight Phases Shadow Meditation! HEAR MY MOON SONG!"

Himawari collided with the rat as it made an awful noise. No, it wasn't a screech of pain, nor was it a roar of a ferocious attack. Nay, it was a far worse sound than that, what the party heard, was the horrendous sound effect of a Dark Souls parry: pwung~h~

Himawari staggered, "Nani?! Nay foolish Oni, twas a ruse!"

Himawari's after image faded as the rat's tail swiped through shadowy smoke.

Like a swooping hawk, Himawari was above it bringing both swords down in an X cross slash.

pwung~h~ The rat flipped parrying with its tail sending Himawari reeling back into the air but... "Twas a ruse!"

In a poof of smoke, Himawari was behind the rat and unleashed a flurry as the rat's tail blurred in turn.

pwung~h~ "a ruse!"pwung~h~ "a ruse!" pwung~h~ "a ruse!" pwung~h~ "a ruse!" pwung~h~ "a ruse!"

Seven strikes, seven strikes parried, seven decoys of smoke in the end.

Himawari appeared and was now low, at level with the rat, a new moon, an eighth and final phase to the attack. It was another cross slash aimed at the rat's face.

pwung~h~

The rat caught both blades in its mouth as Himawari braced to hold it in place.

"Now Holyman! (@Yarrow ) Complete your exorcism with the aid of the princess!"

Himawari's eyes met with Higanbana's, no words were needed, she trusted her second shadow would know what needed to be done.

 

[Yarrow]

Momentarily exhausted, Yarrow stayed on the ground as @Higanbana exclaimed in surprise that his powers worked at all. Even though he barely did anything, he was glad that he was able to do anything at all. He also couldn't help bit chuckle a little at the phrase "Bulbasaur No Jutsu". It may be the funniest Naurto power he's ever heard. She then began making hand signs, and Yarrow watched in interest as to what goofiness would come from this Kunoichi next. To Yarrow's surprise, she disappeared. Yarrow rubbed his eyes thinking he had just lost sight of her, only to see her suddenly by the pile of weapons

She's actually quite fast. No wait. She's doing the hand signs. She's gone! Is she teleporting!?

Yarrow finally caught sight again of @Higanbana over top the Dire Rat, riding it like a wild horse before bringing her club down for what looked like some massive damage! Before Yarrow could be any more speechless, @Higanbana stuck her hands back and allowed some red substance to flow out of them before slingshotting back. It looked sinewy.... is that....blood? Oh goodness. Yarrow had to put his hand over his mouth to keep himself from puking, which probably would have been a very bad experience for his IRL self. He wasn't sure what he would expect from his first sight of blood magic, but it was VERY disturbing. Even still, her display of powers left him amazed.

It seemed to also have an affect on the helpful NPC as she started to talk to them in this same manner.

Is the NPC.....Broken?

For a moment there, Yarrow forgot where he was and what game he was playing. Then @Moonsong addressed him. Yarrow thought that is what he was doing, but perhaps instead of forcing, or even guiding the plants, perhaps he needed to simply "trust" the plants instead, and make his request more of a full on conversation with them. As he pondered this, he watched @Himawari begin to make her move. He still has trouble following half the jargon that they use, but watched as she began to swiftly move towards the rat. Once again, she released a flurry of blows. Once again, none of them landed, but this was more to do with a very surprisingly impressive display from the Tutorial Boss Rat deflecting each and every one of them. As it caught her blades in its mouth, @Himawari shouted at Yarrow to.... "Complete the Exorcism"?

Yarrow did not know how to perform an exorcism, but the notion was clear enough. Looking around once more, Yarrow saw the branch of a tree hanging low above the rat. He placed his hand on the tree once more to make a connection. Yarrow began to feel and see everything in the vicinity, but he focused on a few select branches overhead. This time, he didn't try to command, nor did he even attempt to exert himself to fully guide the plants either. Instead, he simply made his desire known, and then... he let go.

Yarrow disconnected with the tree just in time to see it begin to deflect forward. With the rat distracted by @Himawari's blades, it paid no heed to the hanging branches and vines lowering closer and closer until it was too late. Vines began to curl around the rat's belly, lifting it skyward as the branches began moving underneath the creature to help hold ot aloft. The rat struggled, snapping some of the foliage in the process, but the trees, by their own will, continued to send more until the rat was borderline encased in greenery. Now suspended about 6 feet in the air, the rat continues to struggle and knaw in its attempts to break free.

HOLY CRAP! I JUST DID THAT! INCREDIBLE!

(ahem) Thank you trees.

I think this will hold for a moment! Let's take this thing out!!!

 

[Higanbana]

"My Kekkai Genkai is mine and mine alone, but you are correct it is part of the many weapons, dare I say arsenal of the Kirakage."

Speaking quickly, Higanbana noticed that Yarrow's vines had fully encapsulated the rat. Now was the time for action if there ever was one.

"Excellent work, Treetalker. You have done the impossible. You asked for the trees to bind the rat and they have done so. I have no idea how you speak to these plants but you have my apologies. At first, I thought you were simply insane."

Looking up, Higanbana watched as the rat struggled to free itself from the vine prison.

I know what I must do.

Making a few quick hand signs once again, Higanbana teleported into the air above the rat.

"You have my apologies rat, for now, you must pay the penalty for blindly attacking two members of the Kirakage. Know your demise and weep, if rats can weep that is."

Bringing her leg up, Higanbana brought it down hard on the ball of vines knocking the entangled rat to the ground.

"There, it is done. The first battle of the Kirakage ends in victory with assistance from the Moon Princess and Treetalker."

Higanbana pumped her fist in victory.

@Yarrow @Moonsong @Himawari

 

[Lune]

And so, with the combined power of friendship, Moonsong saw something she had never seen before; a group of crackhead pulling off a coordinated, perfectly executed combination attack. Holding it in place, hanging it up in the air before bonking it back down with style.

"That's it!"

One more blunder and she would've finished the rodent herself with a cleaver. Oh well.

To be honest, one newbie is enough to defeat the rat on their own. But she felt that she shouldn't break the sad news to them. "You all defeated the rat together! Great job!" Moonsong gave small applause and a strong thumbs up to the three of them like a proud mama, trying really hard not to sound sarcastic.

"I noticed all three of you are new to this world. Who are you guys?" She asked a question generic NPC would ask at the beginning of a game when asking your name.

Then she looked at the two Kirakage ninjas. Never she had thought that she would find some fun in playing along with whatever they came up with. But hey, as long as they're having fun. She put on a serious face before talking to @Higanbana and @Himawari in a dramatic manner.

"So, what brings the two kunoichis of the Kirakage here?" She turned to @Yarrow who's currently behind her, making a shushing motion, mouthing the word quietly 'No, I'm not an NPC and obviously not a princess. Play along.' before quickly facing back to the two.

"Ah, is that so? As for me, I'm actually here for business." She winked "A moon business."