NIGHT

Daybreak meant one thing -- Combat. NIGHT had been itching to pull out her sword ever since her quest began, but stopping to fight would've delayed her from her mission. The heat radiating from inside the cave was more than enough to cook her alive if she'd stayed there long enough. It would be on her to decide her method of attack then.

She'd need to cull some Hell Hounds before her mark would spawn. One at a time was her best bet for safety, which was one of her gravest concerns going into this match.

From the entrance, she watched one pace about, idly standing by. When it was looking away, she jumped on it, activating Cyclone to shred it to pieces immediately. A success -- a flurry of light sprung upwards, along with a loud howl, the dying moan of one of the beasts. No signs of her mark just yet. Time to keep going.

Quote

ID: 130950 | BD: 8 (4, +4) | CD: 8
<<Cyclone>> vs Hell Hound.
9 * 4 = 36 DMG
Hell Hound #1 has been defeated!

Hell Hound #1 | HP: -6/30 | DMG: 50 | CRIT: 75/100

NIGHT | HP: 360/360 | EN: 32/36 (-4) | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 35

An uneventful day's trek, aside from getting past some fire elementals that had formed what seemed to be a conga line down one of the crags she'd passed. At the crossing past a spire, the player headed straight south till she reached her destination, <Inferno Cavern>.

NIGHT was certain the journey was already a test in itself. To go into battle this exhausted might be a death sentence, so she took yet another break near the entrance of the cave.

Quote

To: Bistro

ive reached it, thanks for the silence
there's a lot more charring than i expected to see, like no magma but more fire. like permanent charcoal made from burnt trees and stuff
ill head in first thing in the morning

Almost immediately was a reply.

Quote

To: NIGHT

Monsters don't seem to roam around the entrance. You'll be alright camping out there. Good luck.

With that, NIGHT muted her inbox once more, laying back in her sleeping bag and waiting for rest to catch up to her.

Two messages.

Quote

To: NIGHT

Sorry. Just wanted to make sure. I was only told it would take two days and three nights. I'll try not to pester you with messages any more. Let me know when you're at the cavern entrance.

Quote

To: NIGHT

Also, I couldn't get in contact with my sister anyway. ;/ Don't ask me about her level either, I'm not so confident about it myself. But she won't be going after you. Stay safe.

... Okay, good. At least now she could focus on the journey ahead. Picking up Nyanko from the cavern floor, she put him into her waist bag safely once more, before heading out. The lava river was just a little ways off, and she could see the spiked demonic turtles crawling out of the liquid from their swim. Must be waking hours for them too, she guessed, turning the other direction, beginning to take her first steps of the day.

Quote

To: Bistro

jesus chill im more than fine just taking a walk
two days and three nights arent even up yet remember? ill be even faster assuming you dont talk to me tomorrow, takin a break
dont send your sister -- what level is she even anyway?

Radio silence. That was her cue to get some shut eye, frankly. Turning off the notifications until she woke, she settled down into a sleeping bag and began to sleep.

5am. When did she sleep again last night? She could feel Nyanko's sleepy snoring on her eyes. NIGHT grumbled, wanting to move. Not because she had to, but more so because she couldn't sleep anymore. In as small a voice as she could muster, she mentioned, "Nyanko, we should make a move."

Nothing. NIGHT prodded the kitten gently, earning her a gentle surprised meep from the creature. A stretch, a yawn, and a bit of movement before the player took it as her cue to finally get up.

One night to rest. At the tail's end, NIGHT found a cavern to hide in -- one devoid of any deathly creatures. At the bottom of her screen, the mail icon was practically jumping out of its circular slot. Sighing, the player found herself sitting by a rock, pulling out her inventory for some food of nourishment before looking over the messages she'd been sitting on for the day.

Quote

To: NIGHT

It's fine! Information brokers like me trade around notes about the world anyway. Things like these about myself aren't exactly worth much. :)

You haven't told me much about the floor yet, by the way. How's everything going?

Quote

To: NIGHT

You still there?

Quote

To: NIGHT

You haven't died, right? Not like I've seen anyone die before. I'll send my sister over in a bit to check on you.

NIGHT really wanted to admire Bistro for her care and concern, but this just felt a little too much for her tastes. Rolling her eyes, she offered some kibble over to Nyanko, feeding him generously for the night ahead of them.

Quote

To: NIGHT

I have my sources. ;)

Also, I may be able to wander around town, but not the outskirts. I'm not combat oriented.

Quote

To: Bistro

should brokers like you be giving out so much information about yourself? what about the competition lmao

Another alert. Bistro must've been enjoying her free time chatting with her. Sighing, NIGHT pressed on, ignoring the red bauble by her interface. If her informant had time to talk, she must have time to wait too.

Up the cliff face to avoid traversing along the lava river. That was what the directions had mentioned, and as much as the player wanted to avoid the winding roads and to take the quicker, direct path... Magma and fire weren't exactly opponents she could take out easily. From her current position, it would take a trek for the rest of the day to clamber down the crag, along its tail and then to the ground floor.

Quote

To: NIGHT

If you're asking if I've gone adventuring before, not really? My sister does most of the work there. She tells me stories, but they're often incredibly exaggerated. I'd have more luck getting more reliable details from a stranger than her.

You draw, right? Send me some sketches some time!

That's kind of terrifying. NIGHT had a workshop, yes, but since not many visitors stopped by, she wondered how her agent had managed to get this information on her so easily. Wait, should info brokers be this casual and lenient with what they were saying anyway? It was all so difficult to tell. Maybe Bistro wasn't exactly following the shady, keep-in-the-dark practices as other info brokers did.

Sighing, she took a moment to respond, looking over the cliff as her backdrop.

Quote

To: Bistro

why're you so persistent on this again? i mean fine if you want info i guess but why not try visiting the floors yourself
also who told you i could draw?

Quote

To: NIGHT

What's there to do in the day?

Quote

To: Bistro

have u never been outside b4 or

NIGHT was about to enter a chasm -- thankfully, there weren't any fire hazards around, but there were still spouts of heat that came from underground. Trying to get her timing down right, she began running past them, barely managing to stop in between them when they began hissing.

She was also incredibly lucky that Bistro had managed to find something at length to talk about. For a few minutes, she had the time she needed to focus. Right after passing the spouts was a dead end, save for a minor crack in the wall. NIGHT exhaled, before leaning up against it, shuffling into the darkness, hoping that she would return to the light in shape.

When all fell silent, the notification alert came up again. Gods, that was terrifying. Mumbling a curse, NIGHT crawled out towards the light, deciding to shrug off the mail for the moment.

In the morning, the player stopped to look for some materials. Maybe they'd make a great, explosive lunch for her, she imagined, jokingly. After a short moment of not finding anything, another notification came, and NIGHT gave up on her search to check on her mail.

Quote

To: NIGHT

How was your NIGHT? :)

Might as well humor her, the player figured, standing up from her squat and beginning to form a reply.

Quote

To: Bistro

only im allowed to make that joke
it was ok, theres not a lot happening, just a bunch of rocks and heat and lava
were there any escort services like with a wagon or something

Quote

To: NIGHT

I wish that were true. But if you found anything like that, go ahead and tell me all about it! :)

Quote

To: Bistro

pass
dont you have a dayjob

Quote

To: NIGHT

Business is slow. Might as well bother someone during the day.

NIGHT grumbled a little, before moving onwards. A peep from Nyanko to check if she was alright, and she was. "Thanks, Nyanko."

Quote

ID: 130908 | LD: 14 | Material Search failed.

The kitten ended up sticking his head underneath the flap by the bag's side. Cute little Nyanko.

"Watch out for anything of interest from there, alright?" she instructed him, decidedly taking some time to admire the scenery and recall the directions she'd followed as best she could. One adorable meep and she was back in her own head, only returning at the sight and sound of danger.

The hours passed by relatively uneventfully. Before NIGHT knew it, dawn had begun to break, assuming she had the freedom to look over the horizon. With the tall crags and smoke, it was genuinely difficult to tell what was happening with time, if not the world.

Three quarters of the journey left. NIGHT could only hope she'd be able to stand the sheer boredom of having to walk the whole way there.

"Nyanko," she pleaded, picking the kitten up and smooshing her nose to his face. "We've talked about this, haven't we?"

"Mew!" The kitten seemed happy in doing his part, his tiny front paws now squishing against NIGHT's lips, to which the player felt obligated to stay quiet. She continued walking, though, as she lowered Nyanko's forehead to her lips, kissing the cat softly. "Okay," she replied, with an exhale of defeat. "I'm sorry. But you really should try not to do it again, okay?"

Nyanko said nothing, but looked around to observe the bubbling lava in the cavities nearby. The only comfort the player could give to him were gentle pats on his back, as he tensed and shrunk back into her hand further. "Yeah, it's a little dangerous on this floor, really," she added, solemn, before carrying him over to his bag space. "It's safer if you stay here," NIGHT promised, buckling the flap of the bag loosely.

Since she had left at midnight, she wondered how much longer it would take before she'd see the sunrise. The night wasn't showing any signs of slowing down -- neither would she, the woman figured.

In the distance she could see a few large goats, with soot-black spiral horns pointed upwards. NIGHT wasn't in the pleasant mood for picking a fight, and decided to take a detour instead, making sure to stay out of her enemies' view.

Nyanko peeked his little head out, along with two tinsy paws, gripping the edge of the container he was sat in. With a squeak, he attracted everyone's attention to him -- and his owner. If the goats hadn't been so eager to leave, NIGHT might not have gotten away unscathed, sprinting forward when their eyes began to track her movements.

Thankfully, both parties managed to part ways unharmed, though the player found herself disheartened by her kitten's calls.

After a few minutes of walking, she got a notification -- a message. NIGHT continued treading onwards, making sure with a glance that the ground before her was even, before reading the mail's contents.

Quote

To: NIGHT

How's Floor 9?

The information broker she was in contact with seemed to be a lot more of the active sort. It had barely been an hour before she'd sent her a message to check up on her progress already. Jeez, didn't she have anything else to do?

Quote

To: Bistro

i'm fine chill
hmu again l8r

She sent the message off, eyes back to the road ahead of-- Already?

Quote

To: NIGHT

Okay. Let me know when you get to the entrance of the cavern.

Quote

To: Bistro

wait why do you need to know that

Quote

To: NIGHT

To make sure you're safe?

Quote

To: Bistro

im safe when i kill that boss tho??

Quote

To: NIGHT

Just let me know when you get there. Thanks.

Quote

To: Bistro

k

NIGHT sighed, closing her inbox, before setting her eyes back on the road ahead of her. Were all info brokers like that? Perhaps it was part of the human condition to end up worrying about your colleagues or peers. Or customers. Adventurers and active players did seem like they would have to fare pretty well to count as returning customers. She wasn't entirely a huge fan of the system, but she couldn't deny that it was keeping players alive.

Vulcan Village. That was their starting point. Two days and three nights -- glad the player was already one of them -- to get to the cavern where her mark resided. They were headed south. No time like the present.

On such a treacherous, lava-laden floor, NIGHT had no reason to guess that her target would be unlike its habitat. It would mean fiery attacks, sure, but her informant hadn't mentioned a word about infliction that would damage her over time. And her broker this time seemed trustworthy enough. The player was sure she'd be able to handle it.

Under the dark sky, she was surprised to see stars out, what with the smog and volcanic ash supposedly cluttering up the airspace of the castle floor. After one look, though, she returned her gaze back to the ground beneath her feet. Best not to wonder at the stars when death could prominently be right by her footing.

She took a glance at a lava pool nearby, as she thought about it. Terrifying way to go out.

This information came from a different source. Fleur would've never let her pick up the fight against this field boss right after the events of the player having defeated the Sand Shark. Unfortunately for her, NIGHT was incredibly close to her goal, and it was an achievement she couldn't make light of.

No stupid plans this time, she imagined, looking over her new equipment in the mirror. If I die to this one, which NIGHT was holding on fast to the hope that she wouldn't, at least I fall in white. That's... uh, something, right? I mean, I guess I'll be charred and everything...

Nyanko peeked his head out to see his owner donning a striking white armour piece, heaving a terrible sigh. The kitten mewed, curious, as the woman gave him a glance before smiling. With one hand, she brought the familiar close to her, smothering him with affection. "One more journey," she whispered to him. "It won't be my last, I hope."

Floor 9 was home to an extreme heat, and yet NIGHT felt more at home here than the desert on the fifth. She could only hope that her kitten could bear with the heat once more, as she tucked him into a small leather bag by her waist, a tentative test for the familiar to see if he would stay put.

He would. The player herself would have one quick meal, before they were off.

Quote

> NIGHT consumes Curry. (+2 ACC, +1 EVA)

The man's stare was intimidating, to say the least, as though NIGHT herself was being judged to be worthy of the shop's wares. When the shopkeep finally began crafting did she sigh internally, having tried to keep a straight face in front of him.

False exteriors gave way to a kindness, though, when he'd opened up a trade window to pass her back the payment she'd sent over. The woman was taken aback by this, but acknowledged it either way. "I-I mean, if you're sure," she stammered out, with a swift and deep bow in return. "Thank you very much!"

Quote

+ Threads of Dexterity

Even from the outside, she could tell how good the meal was going to be from the smell. As the chef came out of his -- shop? Truck? Randal handed her a small portable box with the curry neatly set inside it. Plated in an absolutely plain but homely design, she took the box, storing it in her inventory before it started to lose heat being on the outside.

"I'll be back if I can help it," she mentioned, with a quick bow. "Thank you very much for your help though. And once again, let me know if I can help you out in any way."

With that, she took her leave.

Quote

+ Curry

Perhaps she didn't need to leave the store at all, rather stick around it for a little more than a handful of minutes.

When she returned a few hours later, the equipment had already been made, laid out together on the counter. The woman couldn't help but feel satisfied when she spotted them, and went over to pick up the pieces.

Exactly as she had envisioned, in perfect condition. Storing them in her inventory for a later date, she thanked the shopkeeper with a bow -- Macradon, was it? She'll have to keep that in mind, NIGHT figured, as she made her way out the shop, onwards to another location.

Quote

+ Confiteor, Studded Spiked Pauldron

A check-in from Yukiro, an advisory call from Nora, and an interrupted request from Lonzo.

"Here! Take this one!"

Who? Oh--

Miraculously, NIGHT caught a glimpse of a glint in the darkness, and ran over to catch the jewel. It landed in her hands from its tumble mid-air, and the large diamond-shaped item was then kept into her inventory. She'd have a good look at that later.

Another violent thud shaking the ground. Her party members must've been hard at work already, best not to keep them waiting. Slinging her sword to the side, she rushed up towards it with a bright glow of her sword, slicing through what she could only hope to be its back with her blade.

When she skid to a halt, its health bar on its interface seemed to lower. "Just a little bit more," she informed, "It's in the orange right now."

And for good measure, NIGHT took a defensive stance once again.

@Yukiro

Quote

ID: 129943 | BD: 6 (5, +2, -1) | CD: 6
> Recovery was activated. (+2 EN)
<<Straight>> vs Cave Guardian.
4 * 2 = 8 DMG

Cave Guardian | HP: 9/20 (-8) | DMG: 50/5 | Hate: NIGHT (1), Nora (1), Yukiro (0), Lonzo (0)

NIGHT | HP: 189/140 | EN: 12/14 (+1, +2, -2) | DMG: 4 | MIT: 17 | ACC: 2 | RECOVERY: 2 | THORNS: 1

"A weekend, huh," NIGHT repeated, lost in thought. Maybe the cutting words she advised a friend the other day had more truth to them than she realized. More ammo to her argument, she figured, but it was easy to forget to take a break sometimes. She continued listening to her conversation partner.

"I don't think you were too bad in the fight," she added, giving Oscar a kind smile. "You took out the wolves it was hanging out with, and to me that was more than enough. Plus, we've all got our bad days too." The player smirked, recalling. "With what little the warg seemed to be doing, it probably had a worse time than us."

At the news of Oscar's shop, NIGHT's eyes widened in delight. "Oh, shoot," she quipped in a whisper. "More reason for me to pay a visit then. Hope you won't mind if I request something extra fancy," she replied, grinning. "Though I'll try and stick in line with the street food theme theme you've got."

As the two arrived in town, the woman continued making small talk, curious, "So, you heading back to relax after this, I bet?"

@Oscar

Randal's... uh, cart, was a little bit away from the rest of the stores on Floor 1, but it was worth the journey alone to pay her friend a visit. She'd considered going to Oscar's, saving the idea for the future when was in the mood for hot dogs.

The house wasn't a very convincing cart. NIGHT hoped a little that his food would be a little more so. She'd tried it once, to some amount of fanfare, but what mattered at the moment for her was that it was quick, potent and edible. Dropping a small sheet of paper by the window, she leaned against the wall, waiting for his response.

@Randal

NIGHT was familiar with the first floor, but she hadn't been to all its nooks and crannies before. The red blaze of the sign had caught her eye and she headed inside. She'd put her faith in the equipment the shop was offering, if the goods were as well crafted as the owner had guaranteed.

So here were her (seemingly) tough requests. Scrawling out a set of instructions, she set the request slip to the side, writing instrument holding the paper steady. A quick, wordless wave, and she was off, counting down the seconds until her item would be completed.

@Macradon

Bahr? Like the guy who fell in the forest the other day? NIGHT wore a look of permanent confusion, while Nyanko looked onwards, curious and even a little excited. She'd known the shop was her neighbour, but never really looked into it too much. Shrugging, she entered the store, and was immediately welcomed by the homely atmosphere of the interior. If she wasn't so accustomed to her own workshop, she might've asked to rent a space somewhere in here.

Instead, she had written down a set of instructions -- a request of sorts -- and had the sheet of paper set down by the counter.

@Bahr

Thread Summary

Quote

[Total]
+ 4SP
+ 400col
+ Sand Armor Potion (1)

When the two settled in for the night in the comfort of the Evening Star, NIGHT muttered over to her kitten, not expecting responses from him. "Nyanko," she asked, blinking slowly at him from her own bed. "You must've been pretty scared, huh? Soaring through the air like I did, holding onto my coat for your dear life."

"... But it's not the first time, is it? We've done this before, but... it's always scary, I guess. Looking death straight in the face. Don't you think so too?"

The kitten gave a quiet shrill, curling up beside his owner for warmth and comfort. "Yeah," NIGHT continued, starting to feel the day take its toll on her. "Maybe I should get used to it. It's just difficult... snapping back to reality immediately."

She pet the kitten gently down its back, with a breath of relief. "Thanks for putting up with my sour mood, Nyanko. You must've been so hungry."

A small chirp, and NIGHT smiled at that. "You're a brave kitten, Nyanko. I hope you know that."

He did. As he sank into slumber, a smile creeped on his little face. NIGHT quickly followed, the two dreaming of better days to come.