Chako continued moving through the path for a while, trying to read the map in her hands out... She never really learned how to read maps, but this one was simple enough, so she shouldn't be too far from the course... Hopefully.
She ended up going through an alley to avoid the loud people and the excessive food smells, hoping it would safely lead to the shrine that she needed to arrive at.
What's that stall? Chako got a bit curious and approached it as someone beckoned her over... Someone that didn't shout, luckily enough.
... That sounds like a scam. Chako thought after hearing the words of the person in front of her... Until she remembered that magic actually exists in Arcia! So... Fortune telling doesn't need to be a scam, right?
Chako decided to accept the offer and sat down, "It really is free, right? Because I really don't have much money on me, so I can't pay for anything.
"And uhn... Looking for something? I need to deliver some stuff to the Shrine Kamui Koi, so there is that..." She thought for a little longer if there was anything she actually wanted a Fortune Teller's help for.
... Truth be told, there wasn't much she actually wanted to consult a fortune teller on, she kinda wanted to see where her own future was going to lead by herself.
"And I guess... What kind of songs do you see me playing!?" She doubted anyone would guess that she actually plays classical music in the harp, so Chako figured this would be an easy way to figure out if this person was a scammer or not... And well, if she could get some tips on what songs were going to be popular in Falderen's future, that would be a nice plus!
For Jade, it was a busy but pleasant journey. The Sun Claws, being a spiritually inclined people, naturally took to her and treated her with a kind of paternal reverence. As if she was a sacred and precious child of the village. To them she was a foreign–(outer path) Kamuy. Not one of the great ones which were offered a quieter form of auspicious reverence, but the kind of everyday helpful spirit that brings peace and joy to the day-to-day life.
Also, she was just way too cute. The stalls and shoppers couldn't help but offer her things as she fluttered by, especially because she was so small. The offerings being small only increased their generosity. Jade was quite the little celebrity.
Jade would eventually find her way to the Izakaya, which was managed by none other than Karin Izakaya. Hence her last name. It was easy to pick her out because just like her letter she looked pale with sickly fear as she swept the front pathway of the sizable traditional Japanese style hotspring inn.
It was also easy to pick her out because she was the only person on the premises.
Every so often the sweeping would stop as Karin dropped the broom with a body-wracking shiver. Her hands would then DIVE into the pocket of her apron to remove a bundle of salt which she would then slap onto her head, clap her hands together and fervently start praying in a mumble as she rubbed her hands together like some kind of demon.
Then, with an exhausted sigh, she’d start sweeping again until she’d need to stop again, holding one hand over her aching stomach (from stress) and the other over her mouth to prevent her from losing her meager breakfast.
Slowly looking up with the sound of a creeeeeaaaaaaaking old hinge, Karin saw Jade and was fast upon her with dainty high-speed shuffly steps in a haunting scramble.
“You! Yes you! Little foreign Kamuy! Please I beg of you, you must exorcise my inn! PLEASSSSSSE *SOB* *SOB* You are Jade are you not? *whimper*"
She said with tears in the corners of her eyes as she held on to the hem of Jade’s tiny dress with her thumb and pointer fingers, to beg for salvation.
Chief Crossroads, placing the heel of his palm to his forehead, almost as if to force the thoughts back in, sighed. Then he rang a little bell. And of course, there was a yell some halls away.
MAID 1: “DID YOU NEED SOMETHING CHIEF?"
CHIEF CROSSROADS: “BRING MORE TEA PLEASE!”
MAID 2: “WHAAAAAT I CAN’T HEA—”
CHIEF CROSSROADS: “WE NEED MORE TEA! TEA! T-E-A!”
MAID 3: “OH! GOT IT CHIEF! WHY DIDN’T YOU JUST SAY SO!”
MAID 4: “HELLO? WAS SOMEONE CALLING ME?”
CHIEF CROSSROADS: “...”
At the same time, Emma put down her cup, straw and all, and was looking at the place where Jade had just made her exit.
Huh. Well that just happened. Hmmm…
It isn't like you to be at a loss for words, is there an issue?
Not exacttttttlllly~ it’s just~ well~
Spit it out woman, what is the problem?
Let me explain this in a way that’ll make you go ‘oh.’ May I?
*hurricane-level sigh* Just make it quick, would you?
Then let’s get right to it. Dear Chief, what would you say to this:
At the conclusion of a great battle against a monster, one that was terrorizing your village, you deign in your great wisdom to honor the champion with a boon to celebrate the prosperity they have brought to the village.
Okay, seems normal enough, now where is the issue?
*Holding up a finger she continues* --So heading to the place of the great battle you find--to your and everyone’s surprise--that the great champion is nowhere to be found. Nay, his sword is merely there of its own accord. To illustrate this for our little scenario, maybe it flutters about, so it’s moving around all on its own.
*Honestly annoyed that he's getting interested* --Right, so where's the warrior, the champion of the village?
One of your attendants you sent on the search for the warrior returns right at the moment to tell you that he has found the champion—asleep at his home and none the wiser.
Oh.
Right? So what is the reward, and who gets it?
Chief Crossroads was now looking where Emma had been. The place where Jade made her departure.
With respect to Jade, love the girl, super hard worker and sweet as a button to boot. Great head on her shoulders too. You know, Jade is great! Jade is also listed as an asset. So. She… is a sword. At least in the world of soulless paperwork.
Emma made a complicated expression and ruffled the back of her hair.
Which brings up another point. Though it’s a pain, one of the things the Adventurer's Guild has started to offer in the recent months is something we call final expenses. It’s an account and agreement where we will help cover the costs in case of misfortune or death on a mission. It was started after headquarters started to receive a SUBSTANTIAL negative reputation from… well… the risks of the job. —It’s no secret that we’re always hiring.
And so, by sharing some of the burden of risk, the Adventurer’s Guild has more incentive to properly align the person with the job. Because the Guild is also making an investment in the job’s completion. It hasn’t been rolled out everywhere yet, but this system’s part of the reason my position exists.
And yet, it’s not the Adventurer's Guild’s role to insure property. That risk and consideration is part of the system that makes up an Adventurer's rank, which qualifies said adventurers for quests and roles.
But since Jade is an asset, we suddenly find ourselves in a ‘floating sword situation’.
… So, what will you do?
Hard to say. Probably nothing. This is something Jade agreed to on her own, for an adventurer's account that’s not really hers. As Dynamax’s asset and with Dynamax as the account owner, he has the rights to the reward. As much as I hate the idea of charity it is what it is.
Have you ever considered ending your thoughts one sentence early? It’d be a lot easier to agree with you.
Emma turned to Dynamax
Making a long story short, as your advisor I’m kinda sorta obliged to tell you that whatever Jade does is your responsibility.
Her success is your success, which also makes it my success, which is super peachy dandy.
---But, her loss is solely yours. In the event of damage or loss of your property, The Guild House cannot and will not intervene, assume liability, or culpability of the asset. Such events will be treated as a personal expense.
As long as you’re fine with that, there’s no issue. Well even if you aren’t fine with it, it’s what's in the contract. Just the way these things go.
Chief Crossroads remained quiet as the tea arrived. He directed the servant carrying it with a gesture to the guest table.
Perfect timing, my throat was getting super dry with all that heavy stuff.
I’d enshrine the sword.
Chief Crossroads finally said.
I like that, it sounds like a noble and happy ending. Now, if only The Adventurer’s Guild honored integrity instead of cold hard cash.
In all honesty, after months sticking with Max and his shenanigans. With the exception of the times he mysteriously disappeared in his sleep, Jade has missed feeling peace. She was actually being treated well for once, no, not only well, but very well. Her mere presence was being appreciated, and that even brought forth a Jade that was long forgotten before she was crystalized, years ago.
"Ah my my, thank you very much~" The little fairy chirped, holding a berry that was as big as her head. Her wings fluttered, with pixie dust making the fruits of the stall shine healthily with her Nature Magic.
The same scene repeated a handful of times, boosting Jade's confidence, until she finally reached the destination.
It was... Sure a sight. Jade's confidence almost faded right there, but then, she was spotted and the woman rapidly approached her, and—
Little foreign Kamuy? Was she deserving of such an honourable title?!
She almost giggled bashfully, but the sobbing and whimpering made her immediately try to comfort the troubled Sun Claw. She wiggled out of the thumb hold, gently wiping the tears of the poor soul.
"Greetings darling, yes, I am Jade. It was you who called me, hm? Karin Izakaya?"The little fairy floated to the Caenis' hand, speaking with a soothing voice while patting her index. "I am here now, but... Exorcise an inn? Tell me, what is happening?"
She already had the gist by the letter's contents, but an elaboration would be useful to help her out. The letter had mentioned a talking well, but maybe it was much more than that. After all, an inn was a whole thing compared to a simple well.
Max was still getting his own things ready, with a pout so big on his lips that he almost looked like an anteater. He casted a few annoyed glares at the door. He couldn't believe what had happened, that was so humiliating!
His monkey ear, however, almost doubled the size and twitched as he listened the Emma-girl talking about Jade.
An asset. EXACTLY! She was just an asset, so why her name was on the letter? This only made Max's face flare even more, his blood heating up as he cursed internally. That was, until the conversation developed into insurances, and life risks.
Shifting uncomfortable on his seat, Max continued to shove potions into his backpack (and some food too, because why not), until Emma's words were directed to him. "Hah?! Her success isn't my success. Her loss isn't mine either. She can deal with all that on her own." He responded sharply, averting his gaze. "Besides, she won't get damaged. I won't lose her either."
Irritated, he clicked his tongue. "She is mine. My loot. No one else's, she won't just disappear. So annoying." He hissed. "She is just an useful summon. She is probably waiting for me by the end of the street anyway..." Max huffed, closing his backpack and hopping out of his seat to move to the exit.
"I'mma take down some Night Bite, Lunar Teeth-something ninja wolves that are bothering you guys. Get some reward ready if there is any." He handwaved, moving out of that annoying conversation. Asset this, asset that, charity? Max needed no charity. If this mission was Jade's, she had to complete it all by herself.
Finally outside, Max looked around for a moment.
She actually left?
He scrunched his nose. She probably was by the corner of the street. Max crossed the street, trying to spot her.
The two did an initial clash as there was a thunderous boom shaking the battle dimension they found themselves in, tiles of imaginarium flying everywhere before flashing briefly, stopping, and reversing back into place in seconds. It was truly an eternal battlefield fit for the fiercest of warriors.
The clash sent the men backwards an equal distance and into their starting position. It was then that the elder of the two men spoke.
“LIZYOMA! I am impressed. Perhaps you do have the spirit to GET EVEN.”
Jimshuri grinned.
“FOR IN THE BATTLE OF ‘INTITAL CLASH BEFORE THE REAL BATTLE’ IN THIS BATTLE OF THE GREAT BATTLE WE YET WAGE, I FIND IT HARD TO SAY WHO CAME OUT ON TOP!”
There were afterimages as Jimshuri seemed to blur through the kata of four distinct fighting styles.
“SHOW ME YOUR MOVES! LIZYOMA!”
Jim closed the distance in nearly an instant, his right arm flashing a chop at Herculean’s left arm to unbalance him before following up with a snaking point thrust to the Herculean’s left leg.
…But Herculean wasn’t jarred in the bit. Through his mind and warrior instinct, he devised his next move in a flash as his body moved to meet the incoming force with fierce counterattacks.
Plu Sez~!
I forgot the old battle rules, so these are the new ones~!
Every round Jim will make 1 additional total attack targeting Herculean’s limbs based on random rolls. [Currently 2].
Herculean will defend and counterattack automatically.
The outcome of the clash will be decided by comparing the outermost numbers of the rows.
The difference will be subtracted from the contestant’s HP.
After a clash, those numbers are gone.
Every round Herculean will receive 3 1d3s to add to his defenses. This dice number will grow by 1 each round.
What do this this round:
Roll this in the roll channel:
?r 3d3
Then, divvy up the rolled amount however you please to Herculean’s limb numbers.
The goal is to win clashes and plan for future rounds. The plot will progress regardless of the outcome. Go! Fight! Win!
