Chapter Text
Golden Lair Floor 1, Sentinel Village
All right. Is everyone prepared?
Yes. So long as the Medium is here, I’ll do what I must to help.
Not a part of this guild, but also might as well watch how this plays out.
…
Also, the walking carpet is still stalking me.
Where’s Autumn and Hope?
Hi.
H-Hello.
You two were together?
I was grabbing a smoke and bumped into her.
How fortuitous! Ah, and there’s Kibagami!
*Kibagami sits back where the group had shared a meal before. He is preparing to set out into the lower strata.*
Hello, Chief Kibagami! We are here to offer you our aid in taking on this Boiling Lizard!
I appreciate your offer, but I cannot bring you along. The monsters below are extremely dangerous. Even my Bushi must be cautious around those beasts. So I cannot leave this task to you.
What!? But we needto fight that thing! It’s urgent! Besides, wouldn’t it be better if you guys had all the help you could get?
You were willing to risk your lives alongside complete strangers? You are explorers… Do you court death so?
*Kat hesitates for a moment, but then steps forward.*
B-Being an explorer means not fearing death for even an instant!
*Autumn narrows her eyes at Kat's clear bravado.*
*He pauses, considering.*
Very well.
Yes!!!
But…
B-But!?
Before I allow you to come, I will need you to fight me!
…Really?
*Kat’s eyes are glittering.*
I wanna do it. Please let us do it. He looks so strong and cool!
You must prove to me you are strong enough! I will fight with all my strength– I expect no less from you!
I suppose it only make sense that he’d wish to ensure we will be a boon on the battlefield, as opposed to a hindrance. Who will stand with me?
I’ll–
Let me in! This’ll be fun!
…
…I'll sit this one out, actually.
You all have fun with him.
Hm, well. Young Ula, would you mind joining us for this bout? It would be best if we had our full squad of five after all.
As I said, while the Medium is aiding your cause, I am duty-bound to remain by your side.
Let’s see what these Sentinels can do.
He’s really big…
Do not show fear, young Hope! Hoist your sword with pride in your heart!
B-But I use a mace!
Very well! I, Kibagami, leader of the Bushi whose fangs are katana and club, accept your challenge!
*Wazuki ushers Autumn and Ryan away from the soon-to-be battlefield.*
Yeah, yeah. I’m moving. …Red, can I have one of those smokes?
Do you smoke often?
I mean… no. Never actually had one before.
Then no.
Stingy.
Okay, everyone! Keep behind me and I’ll–
Knockout Blow!
Huh!?
*Kibagami bashes Hope over the head with his mace!*
AGH–Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
*Hope falls face-first into the ground, asleep.*
Pfff! AHAHAHA! Fucking great job, Princess!*Ryan nearly doubles-over laughing.*
Wait, that was one of Autumn’s moves!
He’s a Medic? How odd.
Look out!
Ice Slash!
*Kat is knocked aside with an icy katana!*
Fire Strike!
*Quinton is knocked aside next by a flaming mace!*
Oh dear… Those certainly aren’t Medic moves.
Victor, be careful! I think this guy knows how tosubclass!
Sub-what now?
GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
*Kibagami lets out a ferocious roar as he faces Victor!*
Ah, I seem to be in a bit of a pickle.
Chain Circle!
*Magical chains suddenly wrap around Kibagami’s body, holding him in place.*
Thank you, young Ula!
Glacier Rune!
*A torrent of ice hits Kibagami forcing him to his knees!*
Haha, not bad…!
He can still talk after a hit like that!?
A headcount, if you would! Who is still with us!?
I-I can still fight!
As can I…
Zzzzzzzzzzz…
See, she is like a princess! A real Sleeping Beauty!
That sounds vaguely like your calling her beautiful.
Just let me enjoy this.
The peanut gallery will quiet themselves and allow the rest of us to concentrate, thank you!
Okay, all together! Let’s finish him!
Blood Surge.
Blood wha–
GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
*Kibagami’s entire body erupts into flames!*
Holy shit.
HOLY SHIT!
I WANNA LEARN TO DO THAT!
F-Focus!
Zzzzzzzzz…
Someone, wake Hope up!
R-Right!
Wait! He’s about to–
Shockwave!
NO, Ula get back!
*Quinton pushes Ula away!*
Q-Quinton!?
Oh dear…!
*With a swing of his Katana, the air itself erupts into a series of slashes!*
*Quinton, Kat, and Victor get caught up in the destruction and are knocked to the ground, bloodied.*
There is no shame if this is the extent of your resolve. But if that is so, then I cannot allow you to pass.
He’s so… strong… there’s no way…
*Ula looks up to Kibagami and her eyes start to water.*
I-If only I’d…… I-I’m sorry… I let everyone down again… I… I wish I’d……
………………………
*Victor slowly pushes her body up.*
D-Don’t count these old bones out just yet…!
*Kat rises to her feet as well…*
I’m not… done either…
Y-You all…
…
All this… pain is… nothing… compared to… what she’s had to endure…
I won’t… be the only one… left behind… Not after… Not after Dad……
…
*Sigh*Of course. Why did I think it’d be anything else?
…You are brave, but–
Sand Throw!
GAH!
*Kibagami stumbles back as Quinton tosses dust and sand into his eye!*
KAT!
I’m on it!!!
*Kat staggers to her feet and rushes forward!*
Glacier Rune!
Freezing Link!!!
*Wave after wave of ice collides with Kibagami as Kat slashes up after each hit!*
*Kibagami staggers backwards…*
…
*He takes a deep breath as the flames roll off his body, only to lift his club up again.*
H-He can still fight…?
N-No…
What power…!
Move! Quickly!
You were impressive, but this still wasn’t enough to–
*KONG!*
…
*Kibagami falls forwards and lands unconscious.*
*Behind where he once stood, Hope stands with her mace raised after clocking Kibagami in the back of the head.*
H-Hope!
S-Sorry for being late… h-hehe…
