>>780811
“Well, now. Didn’t suspect you folks to come in here. Woulda thought yer employer might’ve given ya summadat fancy tech he’s got goin’ on. Rich man ain’t willin’ to pony up his own stuff?” Geez, definitely some hostility here.

“Oh, now, don’t be like that, please?” Lorelei says with a soft voice. “We’re just here to take a looksee and purchase some wares. We’re not REALLY with him, honest~ we’re just here to clear out some o’ those pesky monsters n’ maybe a few hoodlums. That ain’t so bad, is it?”

“Might be dependin’ on who ya are,” he responds cooly. “I ain’t got much love fer this place these days, to be square, but I ain’t all that keen on letting a big suit like that take over the whole danged frontier, neither.”

“Oh, I’m certain he isn’t plannin’ to do so much,” Lorelei assures. “He’s jus’ a man looking to connect the frontier together a touch more. If’n ya don’t like it here, you’d be quite the beneficiary to his rail services, wouldn’t ya?”

He snorts...but nods. “True ‘nough. S’why I ain’t shooed ya out yet.” He thinks about it with a groaning noises, but sighs. “Fine, fine. Take a gander. I got shotguns, rifles, n’ sidearms, an’ a number of stones fer ‘em. Prices ain’t negotiable, though.”

And so you take a looksee, along with Lorelei. Fortunately, there’s cards at the bottom that tell you what the stones do. You have 1,600 bills, so…

>Pistol: 150 bills per gun. Holds six shots at a time. Quickest rate of fire.
>Shotgun: 200 bills per gun. Holds two shots at a time. Uses up stones faster for more power.
>Rifle: 300 bills per gun. Single shot. Stone fire goes a long distance.

>Pepper Stone: 10 bills. Fire ammo. 50 charges.
>Water Stone: 10 bills. Water ammo. 50 charges.
>Shock Stone: 30 bills. Eletric ammo. 30 charges.

...Hm. Okay, not too much, but…

>Buy
>Don’t Buy
>Ask Lorelei
>Other

>>780816
>ask if the guns only accept the stones as ammo, or if he has regular bullets. And what effects the stones have.

>>780872
yeah... Gotta know how the guns work first...
wonder if we can channel miranda's magic blasts through one...

>>780816
Let's get Lorelei a Rifle and Miranda 2 pistols, then 100 bills worth of Pepper stones, 100 bills of water stones, and 30 of shock stones.

and only then ask how the guns work

>>780816
>Buy
I think the Rifle with Stone shot is worth it, or the shotguns. They would add to our flexibility. The pistols can easily be replaced by low-powered mana blasts though.

>>780816
“Hmm…” you’re uncertain for a while. “We’re not from around here.” you note.

“I can tell,” the shopkeep snarks. “You folks are from further out. Guessin’ they don’t quite make ‘em like they do here, right?” You nod. “Well, it’s all the same. Pick a stone, give ‘er a little juice right under ‘ere-” and here he brings up a small area where the grip is; it seems like some kind of grey strip. You’re guessing that’s where to feed your mana in “-and fire. Stone’ll take your mana jus’ like anythin’ else. We ain’t like them pansies further south- these things got kick, so watch yerselves. Don’t need but a little to fire off.”

“Do you have any regular bullets?” you ask. Those could be handier in some respects, really.

To your vague surprise, he shakes his head. “Had ‘em, don’t got ‘em anymore. Most folks use the stones since they’re jus’ as good n’ do more, and they were jus’ sitting there takin’ up inventory. Gave ‘em to the smithy, n’ he melted ‘em down.”

“Awww.” Lorelei pouts. “Ah well. So, what do ya figure we’re getting?” Lorelei asks. Hm...you're not entirely certain, still.

>Final Suggestions

>>780973
A Rifle and a shotfun.
Pepper Stone(3) (150 charges)
Water Stone (1) (50 charges)
Shock Stone (2) (60 Charges)

Total: $600

Very open to changing the vote

>>780973
I'm down with this >>780982

>>780982
Sounds good to me.

>>780982
Supporting this

That's alright. Writing, but who gets what? Miranda gets the rifle, Lorelei gets the shotgun?

>>781044
Works for me.
Miranda already has top-tier hand-to-hand skills anyways.

>>781044
Yeah.

Hopefully we will get another rifle at some point as well, especially if we are going to be fighting other people. For free, if you know what I mean.

>>780973
“I’ll take a rifle and a shotgun, then,” you decide. “Grace, you take the shotgun.”

“Pfthaha! And here I thought you were gonna set up to get pistols,” she comments as you hand over the money. “I was thinking the rifle would be for me, buuuut I can work with this!”

“Why didn’t you say anything about what you wanted?” you ask. Didn’t make sense if she had a preference.

She shrugs. “I’m not helpless! Besides, I could use the practice. Haven’t had to use a shotty in a while! They can be fun!” She spins it military style easily before giving off a faux salute. “I’ll be juuuust fine with this, thank you very much.” Well...if she wasn’t gonna complain about it, then that’s her issue.

“What about the ammo?” the shopkeep asks. “You ain’t havin’ any fun without somethin’ ta actually shoot.” You end up getting three Pepper Stones, one Water Stone, and two Shock Stones. “Interestin’ setup,” the man muses. “Lil’ bit o’ everythin’. Most folks just stick ta one weapon n’ one type o’ stone.”

“We prefer to be flexible,” Lorelei says. She quickly fits in one of the Pepper Stones in the small loading chamber. You leave yours unloaded for now- you’ll pick one later, when it’s time.

“That so?” the man asks. “Well, howsabout you flex yourself on outta here? Longer you stay in here, more people are gonna start wonderin’ about ya.” Not that they probably weren’t ALREADY wondering about you, really. Nonetheless, you take his advice and head on out with your new weaponry. It’s relatively light, at least, and easy to cart around. Of course, you get stares with your new weapons, but noticeably less than before- guess that now with a weapon they think you’re less helpless. Ha.

“So, anythin’ you’re doing next?” Lorelei asks. “If not, think we should see if we can’t get us a room to stay down the way an’ some basic supplies.” She points to near the edge of the town, and you can make out a two story building with the simple word ‘Hotel’ next to it.

>Sounds fine. We can spare the time- let's get supplies first.
>You do that, I’m going to look around more. (Go where?)
>Shouldn’t we be waiting for them? It’s not that long until sunset…
>Other

>>781135
>Sounds fine. We can spare the time- let's get supplies first.

>>781135
>>Sounds fine. We can spare the time- let's get supplies first.
I think we don't need to do any set up for these guys.

...mabout to pass out. Tomorrow I pray I can run. Night.

>>781189
Goodnight Boss.

Hope you feel better tomorrow.

Also remember to link to new threads, I was waiting in 10 forever until I rando checked the catalog and found 11

>>781135
>>Sounds fine. We can spare the time- let's get supplies first.

>>781135
>Sounds fine. We can spare the time- let's get supplies first.
So wait, how do we prove that we've taken out our targets?
Science and tech here doesn't seem advanced enough for things like teeth or eyeballs. Scalps or fingers? Bringing along the entire corpse will be a pain.

>>781135
>>Shouldn’t we be waiting for them? It’s not that long until sunset…
Remember, we have to stop them from talking to the townsfolk. If anything, we should be heading them off.

>>781271
Uh...
Hadler did link the thread though.

>>781135

Well, you should be fine, on the whole. At least, you hope so. You’re not sure what these Red Eagles have in store, but chances are you can handle them without too much trouble, so long as you get the drop on them somehow. Still, supplies are important. “Alright. I suppose we can spare the time to do a bit more shopping, first.”

Lorelei nods in approval. “Yup yup. I dunno about you, but while I appreciate sleepin’ under the stars as much as the next girl, I’d rather have at least a little something over my head while I do it.” The general store’s got a few more shelves and some gear in the back- you can see canteens, bedrolls, tents, flint and tinder...and there’s a younger girl in charge of it all, it seems, reading a piece of paper. Not quite as young looking as you, though. With a petticoat and blouse, and fair, golden hair, she doesn’t seem like the sort who’d be running a store like this. Although judging by her bored expression, it seems like she realizes it, too.

“Howdy.” the greeting is surprisingly bland and lifeless as she puts the paper down. “If you need something for your travels, you can find it here. We sell just about anything.” She motions her arm back towards the racks of goods with a still air that’d impress rocks. “Feel free to take a looksee.”

It doesn’t take long for you to pick out the essentials- flint and tinder, bedrolls, tents, some jerky and general rations, as well as a rough map. The lot of it comes out to 50 Bills. Pretty cheap.

cont.

>>781860
>Current funds: 950 Bills.

“Off travelin’, then?” The girl asks as you finish the transaction. You noticed her get slightly less bored when she saw what you were getting.

“Yes m’am!” Lorelei confirms. “We just got a bit o’ business in this town an’ then we’re off to wherever we might roam.” Kind of false, there, but...

“That so?” Oh, NOW she’s got a small smile on her face. “Well, if’n your of a mind, maybe you could help me out with a bit o’ courier duty?” Ohhhhh boy. And of course Lorelei has this sparkle in her eyes. She leans on the counter, which the girl takes as an indication to keep going. “I’ve kin in Greenwater that I’ve been meanin’ to get a couple of things to. That’s south o’ here, a lil’ ways past Saint Augustine. Sweet lil’ place, too. Nothin’ too much, just a parcel of things. I’d been meaning to get it to the riders, but they ain’t really much for comin’ up here as often as I’d like...” she sighs, and shakes her head. “You get this to Besse Wilcox in Greenwater, you’ll get yerselves some nice cash thanks for it, ya get me? She’ll just gimme what she owes me ta you, and we’ll call that nice. Howsabout it?”

You barely have to spare a glance to Lorelei to see that she’s eager to go for it- and to be fair it IS a pretty simple job, and spending money was always nice....that said, it could be distracting, or possibly dangerous, despite what she calls it.

>I suppose we’ll take it for you.
>Sorry, we’ve got other things to worry about.
>Grace, you look like you want to go...
>Other

>>781870
>>I suppose we’ll take it for you.

>>781870
>Grace, you look like you want to go...
not sure about this... are we headed south? I don't remember...

File: TheFrontier.png (8 KB, 800x600)

8 KB PNG

I KNEW I FORGOT SOMETHING.

Maps are still shit.

>>781895
which town are we in right now? I can't find it in this thread... was it Corson?

>>781914
Credo.

>>781916
and where was our destination with our client? did we have one... fuck I think I need to take a nap, my head colds killing me.

>>781870
>I suppose we’ll take it for you

>>781922
This was all in the last thread: >>760264

You technically have free roam to go wherever, but he suggested/prefers you go to Corson.


...There's stuff like hills and valleys and passes and the sort, and I really need to update the map eventually. Corson's a clear shot, however.

>>781870
>Grace, you look like you want to go...
Sure, we can take over if ever we're passing by - but seeing as we're already in a paying job, we can't rightfully make it our first order of business.

If you've a mind to get it there quickly, we're liable not to be the best choice of couriers. Elsewise, long as it doesn't make problems for our main job, we'll do our best to get it there in one piece.

>>781870

You turn slightly toward your partner. It's easy to judge what she's thinking as soon as you take in her state. “Grace, you’re lookin’ like you really want this…” you note. Indeed, she’s just about vibrating.

“Aw, c’mon! It’s super easy!” She says. “We could get it there in a jiffy, no problem!”

Hm...well, couldn’t hurt too much, depending. You turn back to the girl. “How quick do you need it there? We’re in the middle of somethin’, but if you don’t mind waiting for very long...”

She shrugs. “Honestly, so long as ya don’t bust it or anythin’, I’m fine with jus’ knowin’ it’ll get there eventually, rather than just sitting here and knowing for certain it’s goin’ nowhere.”

Makes sense enough to you. “Then we’ll see to doin’ our best at gettin’ it there.” Lorelei lets out a small squeal, and the lady hands the package over in a large leather satchel. You can hear some paper crinkling- likely some kind of packaging- and yeah, when you look in, it’s a box shape, all wrapped up in papers.

“Thanks a heap. You tell Bessie this is from her sis, Holly, and that it’s a long time comin’. She’ll know what it is.” With that, you both head out.

And with that, you’re off to the hotel for now. It’s not at all a hard thing to get a room, and it seems that a single night’s stay is surprisingly cheap- a mere twenty-five bills. Wonder why he gave you so much, then? Even a multiple day stay wouldn’t cost that much out of your budget...then again, maybe he was assuming it’d add up and you’d be staying for quite some time? That’s when a thought enters your head. Perhaps Cain didn’t quite understand the services he’d purchased? That money might make sense for someone who had to travel great distances, needed regular supplies, and would be staying in hotels several nights. Hm…

Well, either way, you don’t need to nap right this second. You stow the parcel in your room, and head back outside. Might be best to see toward what these Red Eagles are- the sun’s getting a bit lower, so they’re likely going to be in soon if they’re in at all.

>Wait near the outskirts of the city, and handle it outside city limits.
>Wait inside the city for them to show themselves first.
>Other

>>781946
>>Wait near the outskirts of the city, and handle it outside city limits.

>>781946
>>Wait near the outskirts of the city, and handle it outside city limits.

>>781946
>>Wait near the outskirts of the city, and handle it outside city limits.

>>781946
>Wait near the outskirts of the city, and handle it outside city limits.

>>781946
>Wait near the outskirts of the city, and handle it outside city limits.

>>781946
“Let’s get to the outside of the city. One way or another they’ll be coming in soon, and we should be there to meet them before they can start doing anything subversive.” You had the feeling that Cain may not have been entirely accurate with his description of the Red Eagles considering his orders, honestly. Still, you had a job to do, and that part hadn’t been misrepresented, as far as you can tell.

Lorelei agrees. “Right, then. They’ll probably come from the front end- around where we came in from.” You had to agree- behind you seemed to be mostly caves and hill areas- presumingly mining took place around there. “I haaaate walking, buuut…” Fortunately, the walk isn’t that bad- you can kinda see the city in the distance when you hear hoofbeats coming from the south. Before very long, they see you, as well, judging by how they angle towards you. As they get closer, you can make out the fact that they’re indeed four of them.

They’re all on horses, and they all have similar clothing on- and you can see that they really took the ‘Red’ part seriously. Red, torn sleeved dusters, red hats, red pants, red boots. As they slow to a stop in front of you, you can see that they’re all men, but their faces are hard to see under their hats, barring the leader.

The leader, you can see has a strange blade on his back as well. He actually looks just out of his young adult years, with a hint of golden stubble and short cut hair with his smokey eyes. Clean face, though, no scars or anything of the like. He’s got this smile like he’s in charge and knows it. “Well, howdy there!” His voice is loud, solid, and with a solid tenor. “I’m guessin’ you folks are a bit of the welcome wagon?” You don’t respond in time to prevent him from continuing. “I’m Jacob, leader of the Red Eagles! An’ I understand there’s a few problems here what need sortin’ out, so we’re here ta sort ‘em!”

“You heard of a fella called Cain?” The one on his right asks. He seems slightly older, and more tanned with longer brown hair. He’s got a couple of scars, and you can see a pistol by his side- one that he’s already got his hand halfway on. Interesting. He has one but not the leader? “We’re lookin’ for him and his.”

> “Mind if I ask why?” Vaguely curious what Cain's actually doing.
> "Might be us." Would provoke them, most likely, but might provide more details about the man.
> Let Lorelei talk, see if she gets anything out of them.
> Shoot them, no fanfare.
> Other

Ah, I need to get going, like I mentioned on Twitter. I'll be back, though.

>>782037
>Other
"Thanks for the horses, but you brought two too many."
Then shoot them.

>>782037
>> "Might be us." Would provoke them, most likely, but might provide more details about the man.

>>782037
>> “Mind if I ask why?” Vaguely curious what Cain's actually doing.

>>782037
> “Mind if I ask why?” Vaguely curious what Cain's actually doing.
>Let Lorelei talk, see if she gets anything out of them.

It doesn't matter if they are the dark knights this town needs, we have a job. I want to know what they have to say though.

>>782037
>> “Mind if I ask why?” Vaguely curious what Cain's actually doing.
>>Other
Then have Lorelei flirt like fuck with sword guy. Gotta throw them off.

>>782037
>> Shoot them, no fanfare.
>> "Might be us." Would provoke them, most likely, but might provide more details about the man.

because that's just funny

>>782084
This.

>>782037
> Shoot them, no fanfare.
>"Might be us." Would provoke them, most likely, but might provide more details about the man.

>>782167
Thirding this.

Back. Seems like asking why wins by one. Writing!

>>782037
Well, they didn’t need to know who you were immediately. It might be interesting to get another outside opinion on your employer, if only to know what to expect going forward. “Mind if I ask why? You seem rather...focused about it.”

Lorelei nods, apparently catching on. “Oh, quite! And y’know what, me and my friend here were jus’ passin’ through and we’d heard talk about a man…” She puts her hand to her head as if she’s thinking. “I suppose it might well be him, if you’re trying to catch up. You fellas friends?” The way she sashays over to the leader seems to put them a bit on edge, but they don’t draw weapons yet, thank goodness.

The one on the leader’s left snorts, his eyes narrowing. He’s shorter, bulkier, and easily has the biggest hat. He only wears a vest under his duster, actually- he’s got a ton of muscle otherwise. Not to mention, you can see a bullwhip with a stone in it- Pepper, by the looks of it. “Not hardly. He’s been causin’ no end of trouble with his mechanical monsters and workers tryin’ ta put everyone under his heel by hook or crook. He’s been working the coastline, and now he’s come here. And we aim ta stop it!”

Lorelei gives a twinkling smile. “Well, now, ain’t that brave of you boys! Man like that sounds like he’s pretty powerful. And ya think you can take him and his down somehow?”

The leader nods, smiling, as the scarred man keeps a close eye on her. “Yes m’am, that’s what we’re hoping.”

The one in the back- notably younger, possibly more than the leader, with short bushy brown hair and a young face, nods. “He’s been lying, scamming, and cheating folks for as long as he’s drawn breath! Took my ma and pa for a ride, and now they’re practically slaves to the man! Either they keep workin’, or he might...” He pauses, and shakes his head. “Heck, I barely got away myself. Sworn I’d free my folks.”

“And we will, Jeremiah.” The leader turns back to you. “We’ve been keeping pace with him for some time now, tryin’ to warn folks and take back towns he’s put under ‘im. Our major goal is that we aim to bring him to justice once and for all!”

“My, my, I daresay you boys might deserve something for all that trouble!” And there’s the flash of a look at you- she swings her hips, and pats the leader’s horse, and for a split second all eyes are on her.

>That’s your cue. Take your rifle and blast ‘em.
>Point them towards the town- then turn around and surprise them.
>Other

>>783090
>That’s your cue. Take your rifle and blast ‘em.
leader first if possible.

>>783090
>That’s your cue. Take your rifle and blast ‘em.

>>783090
>>That’s your cue. Take your rifle and blast ‘em.

>>783090
>That’s your cue. Take your rifle and blast ‘em.
Teehee. You can't stand in the way of progress fellas.

> "I've never been the biggest fan of firearms. It just feels so...impersonal."

> "Says the girl that's practically a walking nuke at full power."

> "Like I said, impersonal. Anyone with enough training can use a rifle. But they can't blow up a bunker with sheer spite and frustration."

> "...So you DON'T want the machine gun?"

> "I never said THAT, don't put words in my mouth. Gimme."

>Izumi and Miranda on the latter's stance on firearms.

>>783090
>>That’s your cue. Take your rifle and blast ‘em.

RULES OF NATURE(in the west?)

>>783158
Well, if they're gonna volunteer for target practice, it would be rude to decline.

>>783090
>That’s your cue. Take your rifle and blast ‘em.
Be careful not to hit their horses.
Why walk when we can ride?

>>783090
>That’s your cue. Take your rifle and blast ‘em.
it's high noon somewhere in this world

>>783090
And a split-second’s all you need. In an eyeblink, you’ve unholstered the rifle and level it square at the leader, as you can see his eyebrows raise in shock in almost slow-motion. You were never all that good at witty one-liners in the heat of the moment, though. You occasionally had your flashes of brilliance, but...whatever. You pull the trigger just as you see the scarred man round on you, trying to level his own weapon. Lorelei’s quick hands stop that, though, grabbing and yanking his arm down so that the only thing he hits is his own steed.

Your gunshot rings out as well, the Pepper Stone causing a burning bullet to explode the man’s right side as the sudden shots cause the horses to panic and run before you can get any other shots off. “JACOB!” You hear the boy called Jeremiah call out as his leader falls over, and he’s carried away by his own horse. The shorter man simply yells and swears- and his back is torn open by more Pepper Shot as Lorelei fires her shotgun one-handed. You soon see why- the other hand is still holding onto the scarred man- now in a heap on the ground next to his disabled horse- the shot had impacted the leg of the creature, causing it to collapse.

Jeremiah looks on with horror as his other compatriot falls off his horse, and he’s suddenly spurred to go faster, veering off with his steed and beating a fast path south back where he came from...not that he’d get anywhere. You level your rifle…

And a loud *crack* rings out, and you see blood spray as he goes limp and falls, smoking and burning slightly.

“Woohoo!” Lorelei cheers as the scarred man groans- she casually has her boot on his neck. “THAT went crazy smooth!” She frowns at the horses fleeing, however. “But now I kinda want a horse…”

“We can still wrangle them, I suppose,” you figure. “We’d need to get that parcel from out the hotel first, though. Gotta deliver that.”

You hear rustling, and give a glance down towards the man. He’s spitting, and looks up at you with a hateful glare. “Damn you both...knew I shouldn’ta taken my eyes off ya…”

“Yeah, probably not the best move,” Lorelei agrees. “But, hey, thanks for the neat pistol!” She casually yanks it out of his hands- it’s a nice looking steel piece, with rose engravings on the side of it, as well as a name: ‘Molly’. “Wooow, this thing’s real fancy!” Lorelei coos.

The man struggles harder as he feels the gun leave his hand. “Damn you, you give that back you bi-” He’s quickly silenced by his head breaking apart as Lorelei fires a round into his skull at close range from his pistol. Huh. No element. Means he had some regular ammo. Neat.

“Doesn’t seem half bad,” you agree.

>Let’s just take our leave now. Get the parcel, and we’ll see about wrangling those horses. Hopefully they don’t run too far...
>Welp, let’s get back into town. If they heard that, they got the message. Tomorrow, we’re off.
>Other

>>783257
>Let’s just take our leave now. Get the parcel, and we’ll see about wrangling those horses. Hopefully they don’t run too far...

>>783257
>Let’s just take our leave now. Get the parcel, and we’ll see about wrangling those horses. Hopefully they don’t run too far...

>>783257
>Let’s just take our leave now. Get the parcel, and we’ll see about wrangling those horses. Hopefully they don’t run too far...
>Other
Make sure to loot these guys of loose cash, guns, ammo, and any interesting maps and keys.

>>783257
>Let’s just take our leave now. Get the parcel, and we’ll see about wrangling those horses. Hopefully they don’t run too far...

went way better than expected

>>783257
>>Let’s just take our leave now. Get the parcel, and we’ll see about wrangling those horses. Hopefully they don’t run too far...

>>783257
>Let’s just take our leave now. Get the parcel, and we’ll see about wrangling those horses. Hopefully they don’t run too far...
Couldn't Miranda get them around faster than a horse anyway?

>>783287
this world doesn't have that kind of magic, I don't think.

>>783299
she has her physical boost which still works for super jumps etc I think, but mana regens really slowly here so best to not use it if we can help it

Get while the gettin' is good.

Writing.

>>783257
“Well, seeing as that was simpler than I thought it’d be, I’d say we could get a move on today,” you figure. “We get the parcel from the hotel, and maybe try and wrangle those horses, if they haven’t gone too far out of the way.” Hopefully, if you were quick, you could make it to Carson not too long after nightfall- and Lorelei’s already sifting through the dead man’s clothes. Right, you nearly forgot about that.

You quickly jaunt out to both the shorter man and his young friend. The short man doesn’t have anything interesting on him aside from his whip- you realize up close, that it’s actually a metal whip, simply painted brown. There’s some sort of cable that runs through the center of it, and splits the thing into segments, allowing for incredible distance, or one powerful, yet short range whip. The kid doesn’t have anything on him but a diary. As for the scarred man...as you get back, you see Lorelei’s pilfered a map, canteen, some extra ammunition...basics. He also had a pack on him on the side of his horse. It’s got some food rations in it.

Money, however, is something they have- all totaled they have two hundred bills on them.

>You now have 1,150 Bills.

Suddenly, the horse belonging to the scarred man gives out a neigh- which suddenly makes you realize that it’s still alive- just its leg is broken. It lies on its side pitifully as it tries in vain to right itself. That’s right, you COULD probably heal it, if you wanted to burn the mana. Chances are if you did this and still got the other three, you could sell two for good money. It’d be a hassle, though, not to mention the mana cost.

>Heal the horse
>Don’t heal the horse

>>783364
about how much mana would it cost us?

>>783378
750, same as normal.

>>783364
>Heal the horse
I think having a backup means of transportation and a pack animal for our loot is worth the mana cost.

>>783364
>Don’t heal the horse
Put it out of its misery.

>>783364
>Heal the horse
we can use it to wrangle the others and if we can't, it can carry us both to the next town.

>>783364
>don't heal the horse

fuck that jazz, we might have to heal Lorelei.

5 more minutes, then I'll flip for it.

>>783364
>Don’t heal the horse

No patience for horse patients, then.

Writing!

>>783364

It takes a second to think about it, but ultimately you shake your head. You need to preserve as much mana as possible, and while the price might be nice, it’s not worth the hassle to cart it around and find a buyer, most likely. You quickly stomp on the horse’s neck with as much force as you can bring, breaking it and killing it instantly. Lorelei pouts. “Awwwwwww. Here I was hoping we’d have horses…”

“We will,” you say. “There’s still three running around- go round up two, at least. Can’t be far off.” You can still kinda see one trotting in the distance, in fact. “I’ll go get the parcel.”

Lorelei does too, and she salutes quickly. “Sure thing!”

It’s fortunately not a great task to get back into the city, horse or no, and quickly head to the inn to retrieve your package. The inn matron looks at you with a curious (and possibly suspicious) eye, but says nothing as you head back out of town. You did have some interesting stuff, but you’re not looking to stay here for much longer, lest people start to wonder. At least Lorelei’s worked her magic and managed to get the horses under control by the time you get back. “Had to put a little pep in my step to catch ‘em before you got back, but these sweeties are pretty docile.” She pats the one she’s already riding- it’s cream colored. “Aren’t you, Sugarfoot?”

“Sugarfoot?” You ask, cocking an eyebrow. “You’re already giving them names?” She just shrugs, grinning. Still, you take a look at the dark brown one she’d gotten. Dunno if you’re gonna name it yet, but it does look like it’ll serve you well. You look at the sky- the sun’s only just about to touch the horizon. “Alright. Let’s hope Corson’s not that far away. Boss wanted us to go there, so we’re going there.”

“Sounds good to me! Let’s ride!” And with a click of your heels, you’re both off from Credo.

cont.

>>783546
As you both race through the frontier, you’re finding yourself curious about the interesting beasts that are around- you can see some animals you could peg as very thickly furred coyotes, rather LARGE scorpions, and other such creatures. You don’t think that these things were what Cain wanted you to tackle, though- from the way he made it sound, they were giant things, or at least horrible in temperament. As the sun finishes dipping over the horizon and evening finalizes turning to night, however, Lorelei looks over at you. “Hey- we should bed down for now!” You have to agree, and before much longer you both manage to find a rock outcropping you can tent up next to- providing yourselves a back wall. It doesn’t take much to set up the tent and fireplace, at least.

“Hey, Miranda?” Lorelei looks at you as she rolls out her sleeping bag. “I. uh...I got a question. You don’t have to answer, but…”

“Go ahead.” She used your real name. Probably should chastise her for that.

“I was just wondering...you ever regret doin’ what you do?” She asks. “I know it’s a heavy thing to sleep on, but I’ve just been...y’know, wondering.”

You’re not sure what she’s talking about. That, or you don’t want to be. “...doing what I do?”

She shrugs lightly. “Y’know...contracts. This whole merc thing. Busting skulls for cash.” She points up, and you immediately know what she means. “Like, would you rather be doing something else right now and this is just what you’re good at, or...what?” She actually doesn’t look any despondent, just curious. Then again, Lorelei has an amazing poker face, so you’ve learned.

> Part of me enjoys it, if I'm being honest with myself. Just part, though.
>Can’t say either way. I mostly look at it as a job I happen to be good at.
>...Maybe. Not like it matters, but sometimes it can get a bit much.
>At this point, it’s really all I know. Have to survive some way.
>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?
>Don’t answer.

>>783557
>At this point, it’s really all I know. Have to survive some way.
>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?

>>783557
>At this point, it’s really all I know. Have to survive some way.

>>783557
> Part of me enjoys it, if I'm being honest with myself. Just part, though.
>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?
we wouldn't be doing this for almost a century if we didn't enjoy it at least a little bit.

>>783557
>>At this point, it’s really all I know. Have to survive some way.

Going to pause here, resume tomorrow.

>>783557
>> Part of me enjoys it, if I'm being honest with myself. Just part, though.
>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?

>>783557
>> Part of me enjoys it, if I'm being honest with myself. Just part, though. Have to survive some way.
>>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?

>>783599
Take care boss.

>>783557
>Can’t say either way. I mostly look at it as a job I happen to be good at.
>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?

>>783599
Goodnight Boss

>>783557
>>At this point, it’s really all I know. Have to survive some way.
>>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?

>>783557
>Part of me enjoys it, if I'm being honest with myself. Just part, though.
>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?

>>783557
>At this point, it’s really all I know. Have to survive some way.
>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?

>>783557
>>At this point, it’s really all I know. Have to survive some way.
but
>> Part of me enjoys it, if I'm being honest with myself. Just part, though.

>At this point, it’s really all I know. Have to survive some way.
>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?

>>783557
> Part of me enjoys it, if I'm being honest with myself. Just part, though.
>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?
Wanna do part-time like Izumi?

>>783557
>>At this point, it’s really all I know. Have to survive some way.

>>783557
>At this point, it's really all I know. Have to survive some way.
>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?
This seems like the most considerate answer.

>>783557
>>At this point, it’s really all I know. Have to survive some way.
>>Why? Are you having regrets yourself?

>>783557
Honestly, it’s not something you think about any more. When you first showed up here, yeah, you were confused, belligerent, and more than a bit despondent. But you’ve gotten past that, absolutely. For certain, entirely.

Mostly.

“If...I have to be honest, at this point it’s mostly all I know,” you admit, looking up at the stars. “I guess I used to really enjoy it once upon a time, and at times there’s still fun in it…” You can think of several jobs you wouldn’t mind doing again, honestly. “But for the most part I just know I’m good at it, so I do it.” You look at her from your sleeping bag, she’s still got that vaguely curious expression, not even twitching. “Why ask? Having second thoughts, yourself? Any regrets?”

She shakes her head. “I dunno if I’d call it regrets. More like, like…’what happened?’” You’re about to say something when she interrupts you to continue. “Not literally what happened, I know THAT too well, but just… I know it’s been a while, but I feel like I was going to turn left somewhere in life and then out of nowhere I’ve been forced to turned right, and I still don’t know what’s happening sometimes, so...best to enjoy the scenery while I can?” She sighs and lowers her head with a wry grin. “Nevermind, I’m rambling. Proves how old I am. Forty years old- sounds about right to be wondering what could’ve been.”

“I’m over ninety, and I have a cat now that I need to check back up on when I get home,” you quip. “I think I’ve got you beaten in that department.” You really hope Sal understood he needed to cat-sit. You THINK you reminded him...

Lorelei chuckles. “Pft, nah. Cats are for all ages. You’re fine.”

There’s a companionable silence after that- you can hear the distant howl of some creature, but otherwise the plains are quiet.

>So...how’d you end up in the Intersection, anyway?
>Just go to sleep.
>Other

>>784442
>>So...how’d you end up in the Intersection, anyway?
How do we not already know this?

>>784442
>So, how'd you end up in the Intersection, anyway?
Time for backstory?

>>784442
>Other
She's young, has she met any boys or girls her age at the Intersection?

>>784442
>>So...how’d you end up in the Intersection, anyway?

>>784451
You've got a general idea, but she doesn't know the nitty gritty. That was the intention of the question.

>>783257
Lorelei is merciless.

>no one liner
Next time we'll get it right...

>>784442
A question flits into your head- one you realize you hadn’t really thought about ever when maybe you could’ve. “Say, Lorelei?” You ask to the figure preparing to go to sleep. “Just how did you end up in the Intersection anyway?” You kind of feel strange for not knowing- sure you have the basic idea, but...

Lorelei stills, and at first you thought you’d hit a nerve. Then she turns to you fully, an eyebrow raised in...curiosity? “Wait, didn’t I tell you this already?”

Oh. Uh...crap, you actually don’t remember. “I...don’t think you did.”

“I think I’m pretty certain I did.” Lorelei counters. “Like, pretty super certain. You don’t remember? Me liking singing, part of the old team, we beat bad guys with awesome dance moves and cool musical numbers?” Wait, what? That...that doesn’t sound like anything you remember. And you’re pretty sure you’d have remembered something like that.

She can see the look on your face, and she frowns in exasperation. “Ugh, I coulda sworn I...great, now I’m wondering if I was dreaming or not.”

“Maybe? Can’t say I remember anything like that. Still, what happened with THAT to make you come here?” You prop yourself up on your elbow now- idly flipping back through your memory to see if anything like that comes up.

In the meantime, Lorelei starts talking. “Well, okay, I’ll keep it short this time, maybe it’ll stick better. So there was this guy, right? Real loser of a musician, horrible stuff, but he was also kinda a crazy man. And he wanted to rewrite history because something about feeling unappreciated. Managed to come across some kinda ‘song of time’- don’t ask me, I never found out the details- and started going back through history. Well, me and the squad I was a part of chased him down thanks to temporal residue or...something, I dunno." She shrugs. "I'm no good with that stuff."

"Anyway. Bad news, we’re a bit too late. He starts changing history. Suddenly he's Beethoven, Bach, all of the big names rolled into one. It was HORRIBLE." She shudders.

We smash him up, but butterfly effect, and all. Someone needs to reset the clock somehow. Well, I had the best singing voice at the time, so...yeah.” she shrugs. “I sang everything back into existence just like it was, only I made sure the song of time never existed. I...THOUGHT I’d just go back without any memories of the whole thing, but...found out the universe doesn’t quiiiite work like that. Next thing I know, I’m in some weird place with bright light. I was still singing when Sal found me, and pulled me out of wherever I was. Figured since my old life was done, I’d try something new.” She sighs in exhaustion havin explained. “NOW do you remember?”

“Uhhhh…yeah, no, sorry.” You really are.

She just snorts in amusement. “Well, it’s fine. Just let’s hope that’s the LAST time I have to tell that story, GRANDMA. Night” And she makes a big show of plopping down and falling asleep.

Probably best you do, too.

cont.

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>>784567
>"Anyway. Bad news, we’re a bit too late. He starts changing history. Suddenly he's Beethoven, Bach, all of the big names rolled into one. It was HORRIBLE." She shudders.
Wow, hubris much?

>>784567
You end up waking up first, to the sun’s glare, despite your tent covering. You end up kicking Lorelei awake, and after some grumbling and quick meal of rations, you’re both on your way again to Corson. It’s fortunately only about an hour further out- you probably could’ve made it by early nightfall on foot, but preserving mana was the name of the game here.

Corson is clearly bigger than Credo- it’s got many of the same areas- saloon (which is also an inn, here), general store, blacksmith, gunsmith- but you can also see what’s clearly a town hall, a doctor’s office, and a schoolhouse with some children playing about. Several of the residents give you a cautious look, but others give you and Lorelei a friendly smile and howdy. On the whole they seem to be a lot more amiable than Credo- likely because they don’t know your affiliation.

Before you can dismount, however, you’re stopped by a large man with a badge, and two smaller associates with similar garb as you pass by a building. “Howdy there. Name’s Sheriff Tanner, Ah’m the law in these parts. You folks just’ passing through or you here for a spell?”

“We’re lookin’ to get some work done, sir!” Lorelei quickly interjects. “Fightin’ work, that is.”

“Hmmm…” the sheriff puts his hand to his chin in thought. “Well, if’n yer looking for that kinda work, I s’pect we might have somethin’ fer ya, if you’re so inclined. Inn’s down thataway-” he points it out further down. “-so once yer settled in, you can either check the bulletin board near town hall, or else come back ta me and I’ll set ya up with somethin’. Elseways it’s always good ta ask around.”

“Thank ya kindly!” Lorelei says. “We’ll keep it in mind.” He nods, and leaves you on your way.

As you proceed to dismount once at the inn, you head in to check the price. It costs fifty bills for the both of you for a night's stay. At the moment, you’re set to wondering what to do first.

>You have 1,150 Bills.

>Ask around the town.
>Go back to the sheriff for a job.
>Check out the town hall bulletin board.
>Get drink and meal, hang around the saloon/inn.
>Other

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>>784633
>>Get drink and meal, hang around the saloon/inn. Just chill.

>>784633
>>Check out the town hall bulletin board.
>>Give Lorelei 150 bills and send her to the saloon
The amount of drinking money is adjustable depending on what the prices were in the last town while taking in to account that last town didn't like us.

>>784633
>Check out the town hall bulletin board.

>>784633
>>Check out the town hall bulletin board.

Let's see what's plaguing the town, then.

Writing!

>>784633
“Come on. Might as well check out the bulletin board and see just what we’re expected to kill while we’re here.” Lorelei stretches, nods, and follows you.

The town hall is an old wooden thing, but it seems to still be well-kept. There’s a slightly older man in a rocking chair napping nearby- he’s rather dusty and on the whole looks like he’s been out rolling in dirt all day. Honestly, that’s probably pretty close to whatever the truth is. The bulletin board itself, however, is less well kept, with the papers sticking to the wood old and shriveled. There’s a few jobs out there, but the biggest one you can see is:

Help needed to defend ranch! Need a steady hand and solid nerve to help ward off beast attacks at dusk. Good pay. Talk to Wayne of Sundown Ranch if interested.

Sounds like that might well be part of what Cain wanted you here for. Should look into it ASAP, you figure. Aside from that, however, there’s a few other jobs listed that you could take a look at. The doctor is hunting for some ‘oil extract’ from a ‘Crag Viper’. There’s a man who’s seeking something stolen from him- a black rifle with ‘Mathilda’ inscribed on the side. It was stolen yesterday. There’s also someone who’s asking someone to go to the lake to the south to fetch water. They warn that there are beasts prowling, however.

“Oooh, I’m seeing some nice cash here…” Lorelei says in a low voice. True, you could split up for now, if you cared to. As long as you were both there by dusk, she could likely do whatever she cared to.

>Later. We’ll both go see this Wayne guy, first.
>Fine, we’ll split up. (Who to what?)
>Other

>>784713
>>Fine, we’ll split up. (Who to what?)
>Us to water
>Lorelei to get the oil extract

>>784713
>Fine, we’ll split up.
Lorelei gets the water, Miranda sees the Doc about Crag Vipers.

>>784713
>>Fine, we’ll split up. (Who to what?)
I guess Miranda's going Viper hunting, and Lorelei's looking for a gun.

>>784713
>Fine, we’ll split up. (Who to what?)
>>784720
Seconding.

>>784713
Hm. This vote I think could have been made better. I think I'll go with >>784720, though, since it was seconded directly. In that case, we're off to draw water

>>784713
Hmmm...you might be able to get a couple of things done, or at least started, now that you’re thinking about it. It’s still morning; if you manage your time right, you might be able to pick up some extra cash and still have time to see Wayne about his own problems. No, yeah, the more you think about it, the more it makes sense. “Alright, then, Grace. How does you handling the Crag Viper issue and myself dealing with the water run sound? I think we could do those before evening falls if we start now.”

“Ooh, good thinkin’! So we’ll meet back here later?” You nod. “Alrighty, then! I’ll be off!” Geez, she was pretty quick about that one. But, eh, that’s not a bad thing. You decide to do similar- apparently the contact works at the inn at most hours, so you decide to head back there. A lot of back and forth, you can’t help but feel. Still, you find that the poster is the innkeep- as opposed to the bartender, who’s another girl.

She’s an older lady, but she’s still easily got some life left in her by the quick ways she moves, the sharpness of her eyes. She looks you up and down, and smiles. “You here for a reason, then?”

You nod. “About the water request.”

She nods in gratitude. “Glad to hear it. We'll be in sore need of the stuff sooner than later. Jus’ need you to get to the lake, fill up a couple barrels. I’d do it myself with some others, but those damn beasts’ been killin’ too many good men. Can’t risk it myself anymore.” She smiles apologetically, but you simply shrug, which she takes in good faith. “I’ve wagon and horse for ya specifically, so be careful not to get it broken, y’hear?”

Hm. Depending on the barrels, you could probably do this in half the time if you just went under your own speed and power.

>Much appreciated. (Go slowly, conserve mana)
>That won’t be necessary. (Go faster, expend a small portion of mana).
>Other

>>784808
>Much appreciated. (Go slowly, conserve mana)

>>784808
>>Much appreciated. (Go slowly, conserve mana)

>>784808
>>Much appreciated. (Go slowly, conserve mana)

Aaand I'll be away for a bit. Honestly, mostly for food.

Y'all best get ready.

>>784808
>>That won’t be necessary. (Go faster, expend a small portion of mana).
I think we will come across a mana source sooner or later, there might be a reason for large dangerous creatures to exist out here in a very low mana world.
It's not a mana wastes out there, but I think there is something like that going on. Generations of exposure to mana rocks could have changed creatures into the huge monsters.

>>783257
Just catching up now and got to this post. Miranda is no angel but Lorelei is a real psychopath. Nice.

And back. Seems like the choice is to go nice n' slow.

>>784866
It's all good fun!

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>>784808
“Much appreciated.” You should be able to put this to good use- it might not save you time, but it’ll save you energy, in more ways than one. Better suited for whatever’s going to happen at dusk, that way.

The lady nods. “Like I said, just keep it all in one piece. Now then, lemme show you to them. Not much, but it’s my way of tryin’ to help the town.”

There’s not much to say about the wagon- aside from the fact that it’s covered, it’s a pretty basic piece of equipment, as is the horse. The barrels are already loaded in the back- there’s only the two of them, but they’re large ones. Wonder how they’ll get by with so little? Meh, well, not your place to wonder. You set off with little fanfare.

The sun is hot, and the empty lands are dull as you trek across the plains. You can see a few plateaus nearby, as well as some smaller, lumpy hills, but on the whole it’s a rather boring state of affairs…

You end up having to go around a plateau, doing your best to keep in the shade of it- what little there is. That’s when you hear a strange chirping noise, and your instincts flair up. A quick glance to the sky shows that there aren’t many birds…

Suddenly, a loud roar, sounding like a foghorn going off echoes through the plains- and a ton of strange, four-legged creatures sudden dart from around the corner of the plateau- long legged and graceful, reminding you of gazelle, but with stumpier faces and darker fur colors. They blow past you to a one, and you quickly trigger your danger scent.

And this one smells kinda rotten.

Suddenly, you get a glimpse of something four-legged, but rather large stomping away from you. It’s large, and has at least two of the other animals in its vicious looking teeth. It looks like a lizard, but with something like membranous wings attached to its forearms. It hasn’t noticed you, but you’re pretty sure that’s a good thing right now.

>Backtrack, get some distance away from that thing. You’ll maybe just follow the river...
>Carefully move behind it and take a slightly more distant route. You’ve got a job to do, and another to get back to.
>It looks like it might be one of those threats to the towns. Wonder if you could take it out without too much trouble...
>Other

>>784951
>Other
>Follow the rotten one.

>>784951
>It looks like it might be one of those threats to the towns. Wonder if you could take it out without too much trouble...
>Other: we should park the wagon and horse away so that it won't be damaged.

>>784951
>It looks like it might be one of those threats to the towns. Wonder if you could take it out without too much trouble...
>Other: park the wagon and horse away so that it won't be damaged.

>>784951
>Other
>Scare it off.
Megaphone is still relatively cheap, and B-rank Intimidation might hopefully let us roar terrifyingly enough to have it turn back?

>>784951
Supporting >>784959

Look like we're going monster hunting, then!

Shame we don't have any steaks...or traps.

>>785008
hope we have earplugs as an armor skill, ugh tigrex is one of my least favorite monsters to fight, cool design but I just never bother getting good at him.

>>784951
Hm. Judging by the size of it, it’s probably one of those beasts that’s been plaguing the trade routes. Might even be the one that’s been killing the other lady’s usual escorts. You might be able to garner some extra cash by taking it out...but it smells like it’ll be a tough customer. Certainly not impossible, but considering that you’re going to need to watch your mana while watching out for that thing, you’ll have to be careful. Still, risk doesn’t outweigh the reward in your head. You turn back slightly to find a place to keep the wagon parked in the shade.

You’ve got a beast to hunt.

Fortunately, it seems like the thing is preoccupied with its food, as it lumbers in another direction, towards what seems to be a plateau with an outcropping. Likely its nest. You might could sneak attack it if you were patient enough- but that’s assuming that it’d fall asleep. Or you could attack it from a distance with your magic, despite the mana expenditure. Running or jumping up to it directly likely wouldn’t be the best idea- oh, wait. It just dropped everything and now it’s eating proper, its back turned to you. Well, that simplifies things a bit.

>Try and attack from close range.
>Attack from long range via magic.
>Other.

Also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48K7bj7UJx8

For atmosphere.

>>785080
>Other
Set up light traps and plink at it with our rifle. Kite it into our traps while shooting at its vulnerable points: open mouth and eyes.

>>785089
I forgot about the rifle just that quick. Obvious its option would be

>Attack from long range via your rifle.

>>785089
I'll back this.

>>785080
>Try and attack from close range.
As it's distracted. We might even be able to get onto its back, or land a blow on its head.

Be sure to find defensible positions to fall back to, perhaps a rock outcropping where its size will hinder it, before engaging.

>>785089
Alrighty, how many traps? Or will you leave it to me? Each one is 1000 mana

>>785152
er...2, no more...

>>785177
Just wanted to make sure so there wasn't a bunch of mana blown, that's all.

>>785152
Just 1. We really need to bring along a bag of tricks next time. I'm surprised Miranda has survived so long without one.

>>785080
Alright. You’re going to have to dip into the reserves for this, but ideally it’ll be worth it. First thing’s first- a bit of concentration, and you set up a light trap behind it. Hopefully you can startle him into hitting it as soon as you get his attention, which would ideally give you time enough to really light him up, maybe drop another. Hopefully, you can draw him well enough to make him hit both of them.

>You have 8999 Mana remaining.

Alright, then...that’s that. You don’t want to use too much. As you bring your shotgun to bear, you gentle begin moving around towards his face. You’re certain you can hit his eyes, but the problem with that is simply a matter of aim. He’ll be able to see you just as you can see him, so you’ll have to make your shot count…

Your footsteps make a slight crunching sound on the frontier ground, and you already think that’s too loud.

So does the beast. It pops its head up in curiosity, and that’s when you pull the trigger.

You see a bloodspray, and hear a blood curling screech, nothing like a foghorn this time- this was just primal pain. He doesn’t stumble, however, which is unfortunate. He does look over at you with rage in his remaining eye, however. You immediately start moving, full tilt- and the beast follows, surprisingly fast. He’s already charging towards you, and following your movements leads him right over the rear trap- sending a massive burst of light up, and causing him to screech in more pain. It doesn’t visibly affect him, however, and another shot connects the side of its neck- it roars, but there’s nothing but a small trickle of blood. Surprised the pepper shot didn’t burst into flames like normal, but that may just be its biology...bah, whatever. You quickly drop another light drop to his side- hopefully he'll stumble a bit.

He doesn't.

Rather, he suddenly tenses up and lunges for you, and you have to move FAST to dart out of the way. It follows up with a claw swipe behind it you need to dodge- it wasn’t even looking at you. Thing’s smarter than you might’ve given credit for. You keep your rifle leveled at it as you take a quick glance around- there’s mostly the giant outcropping it was headed towards, and a few relatively small areas dotted around, large boulders or small rock formations. One in particular looks like a two-by-four with a hole in it, another looks about house height and shape, with a very long room.And of course farther back is the large plateau with the horses.

>Keep hitting it from long range.
>This’ll take a while. See if you can’t close in and deal heavy damage.
>Run for one of the formations.
>Other

>>785241
Actual Spoilers:Yeah, she has, and there's a reason for that which doesn't entirely involve her.

I'm gonna wrap up for today because I'm falling asleep at the keyboard. Frankly, I'm just glad we got to a fight.

>>785312
>>Keep hitting it from long range.

>Whatever wins
>Stop using magic on it, it's resistant.

>>785312
>Keep hitting it from long range.
We didn't bring either of our swords; a real mistake.

>>785312
>Keep hitting it from long range.

And I'm here. Mind a sound off as I start writing?

>>789253
Present!

>>789253
Oy.

Oh, also, you DID bring the Flamebringer. I double-checked. Just haven't used it yet.

>>785312
Damnit, this one’s gonna be a battle of attrition. You keep firing at it- two more shots impact (44 shots left), and again you can see light blood flow, but that doesn’t slow it down as it lunges for you again, and you’re forced to dive for cover. It overshoots you, and nearly crashes into the rock, but manages to stop, mostly, only smacking the wall with his side relatively lightly. That’s still enough to cause some debris to fall, however, causing a dust up; you fire another shot into the cloud to take advantage, and you hear it land.

There’s another immense roar, and the beast begins charging at you once more- this time rapidly running instead of attempting to leap. You take another quick jump out of the way, but you can feel the split air pass as he just barely misses a swipe at you. A few hops back to get distance, but it doesn’t last as he keeps on you, preventing you from firing as you move to dodge once again. Seems he’s learned you’re an actual force to be reckoned with. But it’s not backing down at all.


>Pepper Stone Charges (ammo) left: 43
>Mana remaining: 8999


>Try to bait it into overcommitting to an attack, and get it to either crash into something or trip up.
>Feign weakness and strike when it gets close. It's bound to expose something.
>See what something with a bit more mana to it does…blast it!
>Other

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnDzBXIC4xc

>Damnit, you stupid, STUPID rock snake thing, will you DIE already?!

>*GRAWHISSSS*

>AH! MY SCARF! I..am SO gonna make new boots outta you- WHOA!

> *CRASH* *RWAARRGGGGGGHH*

> ...what the...ohhhhhh, so you REALLY don't like light, huh? Yeah, okay...well, then.

> SAY CHEESE!

>>789462
>Try to bait it into overcommitting to an attack, and get it to either crash into something or trip up.
No sense in overexposing ourself just yet. See if we can't force it into making a mistake with minimal risk before doing anything rash.

>>789462
>Try to bait it into overcommitting to an attack, and get it to either crash into something or trip up.

>>789462
> bait it into overcommitting to run into a thing
And slice its flank when we dodge too, see how it looks our lightsaber.

Yeah, we really should've had a steak or two. Writing!

Writing!

Alright, let’s try something a bit different. There’s no way that just wasting your ammo on it like this will end well...but you do need to do something about this so that you’re not wasting too much time on this fight. If it had actually hit the wall earlier...well, no time to worry about that. You dodge yet another strike and move to the side, near the house sized rock. You have to put an extra burst into your step, though, in order to keep away from the thing long enough for him to build up enough of a head of steam- the mana drain is low, but it’s still there.

It does the trick, though, and as soon as you land you grip the Flamebringer. You’ll have to time this just right, and quickly, since the knife-toothed lizard thing now has to jump forward to close the gap, it’s beady little eyes focused entirely on you.

When it’s about ten feet away, you hop back, kicking off the stone, and shoot yourself forward underneath the creature’s belly, unsheathing your sword and letting it drag on the creature’s torso as it slams heavy into the rock. You’re bloodied a bit now from the spray, and you can see why as the creature falls at an angle- there’s a red line of blood from chest to tail, and he’s starting to bleed heavily even as he thrashes due to his self-made headache.

You think you can finish this now, actually, if you're quick about it…

>Gut stab- split it open even further.
>Sword to the eye.
>You might be able to crush its skull if you smack it hard enough…
>Other

>>789915
>Sword to the eye

Fuck off, lizard dude.

>>789915
>>Sword to the eye.
We HAVE to take a stupid head trophy.

>>789915
>Sword to the eye.
Either that or suplex.
Maybe we can take its head to town and ask them if anyone forgot to tie up their pupper last night.

>>789915
The eyes hav- no, no.

All the eye puns I can think of are too cheesy. Writing.

>>790044
Damn it, OP, the lame jokes you make before writing are the main reason why I read this!

>>789915
You lunge forward before it can get its bearings- it’s sprawled and trying to right itself, but you’re not going to let that happen.

With one strong leap you get above the flailing body- and fall down right on its jawline, planting your sword in its OTHER eye. The beast yowls like a demon, but you shove the blade in harder, twisting it even. Blood spurts forth, coating you in a thin briefly, and you can feel the beast trying to swing at you with its claws to scrape you off. You can feel some impacts, but they find little purchase, and they get weaker by the second.

After a few minutes of struggle, at last, the beast lays dead. You’re a touch winded, and covered in blood and likely a strong smelling target for anything that comes nearby, but hopefully it’ll wash off in the river. You’re about to leave it alone- but then you think. With this thing dead, you’ll probably get at least something nice if you present a part of it to the town. But what to bring? You mulched its eyes… a tooth or something might work…

Eh, fuck it, you’ll bring the whole head. Would be more impressive looking anyway.

It takes only one good swing to chop off without having to worry about it biting back, and you able to use your full strength. It’s not too much of a trek back to the wagon, which fortunately is still there at all. Casually tossing the beast head in the back of the wagon, you continue on to the river.

...Ugh, the wagon’s gonna smell before not too long. Just great.

You do make it to the river without further issue, fortunately, and you wash off as best you can without soaking your clothes entirely. You still smell of blood, and there’s still some streaks here and there, but it’ll have to do. Now, filling the barrels. You just dunk them in the river and that’s that. You’re careful not to let any bloody water end up in the barrels, however- aside from that, it’s honestly ridiculously easy. You suspect someone without your strength would’ve had a tougher time of it, though.

As you load up the second barrel, however, you feel like you’re being watched. You quickly turn to the right down the river to see a flash of something brown hiding behind a rock. You’re not sure what it is. A quick sniff reveals it smells like honey. Hm. Wonder what the deal is.

>Ignore it. You’re already a bit behind on your timetable...
>Might as well investigate just to see. Get a closer look.
>Call out to them. See if they respond.
>Other.

>>790353
>>Call out to them. See if they respond

>>790353
>>Call out to them. See if they respond.
Honeybadger, I love you!

>>790353
>Call out to them. See if they respond.

>>790353
Hello hello hello. Operator?

Writing.

Finally caught up to this, loving this quest so far

>>790353
>Might as well investigate just to see. Get a closer look.

>>790353
>Call out to them, see if the respond

>>790353
Well, if they’re just gonna stand there and be all weird… “Hey! You gonna come out or what? I’m not gonna hurt you.” Well, not unless you got a reason from them.

They don’t answer, but you do see them peek out slightly- it’s some short, thin-haired...thing in a heat cloak. You’re honestly not sure if they’re a human or what, but you can see they have a spear- well maintained at a glance, nothing rickety. They look at you for all of three seconds, and when you lean back to double check the wagon, it flinches and hides again.

Hm. Was he really gonna cower like that forever? “Hey, if you got something to say about this, come out and say it.” If he was just gonna…ah, there it is. Now that you get a better look at it it’s...sorta human. Shorter than most, even shorter than you, and squat. It’s got oversized feet and hands, and has some sort of bone helmet on. No to mention strangely spotted all across its skin, reminding you of a leopard, and you can see its teeth- bared and growling as if it was a threat. Not that it gets any closer from its rock, but it waves its spear at you and chatters. Not anything verbal, just a strange chittering noise as if it were an animal.

Weird little thing. It sniffs the air, and you can see it glance at the wagon. It then turns its eyes back on you and starts jabbing again, taking a step or two closer as if it wants you to leave. Wonder what it wants...does it smell the beast head? Why would it want that?

>Ignore it.
>Try to say something to it.
>Other

>>790511
Thanks!

>>790617
>>Try to say something to it.

call him a bitch
nah JK

Ask it about the beast head.

>>790617
>Try to say something to it.
"What, you want the lizard head?"
Wait, why isn't our usual translation magic working?
I thought we had it on at all times as a passive ability from our long exposure to the Intersection.

>>790663
>Not anything verbal, just a strange chittering noise as if it were an animal.
It's just making noises. is what I was trying to get across with that line. A bird chirp is still just a bird chirp, for example. If your translation magic weren't functioning, I'd say so.

>>790617
> Say something to it
You want the head?

>>790617
If it wants the beast head, let's see if we can convince him to let us use it as proof for the town first. Failing that, we could ask him if his friend can skin the lizard thing for us before we hand it over.

>>790617
You look back and forth between the wagon and the humanoid. It pauses as it seems to sense you trying to decide on something. “What, you want what’s in there?” you ask, pointing to the wagon. It seems to take that as some kind of answer, and darts for the wagon. You’re partially inclined to stop it, but it stops short before actually diving in, simply looking at the open back of it where he has a clear view of the skull. “Impossible!” you hear it say. Finally, some actual speech. He turns to you. “You slayed the desert horror?! This is your work!?” You nod.

To your surprise, he makes a loud, LOUD shriek. “NO! No no no no no! That was to be my test! I was supposed to track it, draw its blood, prove my worth as an elite warrior with my kin! You have RUINED my ascension!” Coming of age denied, huh? “I must slay a mighty beast in order to prove myself! I demand recompense!” The way he's shouting and carrying on is frustrating-

-and now he's breaking out into some kind of dance. Lovely. You're not sure what it might take to shut him up, but maybe you could just leave or something. Warrior or not, he's no threat to you, you're certain of that much.

The dance isn't even good or intimidating or anything. It's just a lot of stomping, shouting and pelvic thrusts. Ugh.

...Maybe it's not even a dance. Really, it's more a temper tantrum.

>...you can have it after I’m done with it, I guess.
>Tough luck, junior. I’m busy.
>Recompense? How?
>Other

>>790784
>Tough luck, junior. I’m busy.
We don't have the time or the patience for this shit.

>>790784
>Tough luck, junior. I’m busy.

>>790784
>>Recompense? How?
While to a certain extent we should be as professional as possible, scrappy goblin sidekicks are never a bad thing. We might be able to get a lead on some other monsters while we're at it.

>>790784
>Tough luck, junior. I’m busy.
>Other
"If you can't even find another beast of such deadliness on your own, then maybe you weren't ready for the trials after all."

>>790784
> you can have it when I'm done with it, I guess

>>790784
>>Tough luck, junior. I’m busy.

>>790784
>Other
Drop kick.

As a wise man once said:

Sometimes, you help out those you can. But sometimes it's just not worth puttin' up with that shit.

Writing.

>>790784
Ugh. No. Nope. Nuh-uh. Nah. You’ve already spent more time than you really wanted on that fight, you don’t need some weirdo tribal...thing...around you. At least not without getting paid for it. “Sorry, junior, but I’m busy, and this thing should get me a nice pay bonus.” You start walking back towards the front. “Tough luck. Maybe try and find somethin-”

“EERAAAAAGH!” With a strange battle cry he suddenly charges at you, spear bared. It’s horribly telegraphed, and compared to the fight you just had, he’s horribly slow. You simply lean out of the way with a casual jerk and swing your leg forward, easily tripping him and causing him to faceplant onto the dirt. His spear remains clutched in his hands, and he pops up, swinging it around- you catch it partways down the shaft with a bored stare.

“You-you! Let go of-” You flex your arm.

*Snap* The spear cracks in two, and the little guy shrieks in sudden surprise as he’s left holding the blunt end. You’re still holding the point bit, which you simply toss to the ground a bit aways from him. As he scrambles to get it, you simply get on your horse and begin the ride back. Behind you, you can hear the little guy yelling.

“I’LL GET YOU FOR THIS, STRANGE WARRIOR! JUST YOU WAIT! YOU WILL RUE THIS DAY!” If you had a mote for every time you’d heard THAT line…

Fortunately, the ride back is less than eventful- fortunate, seeing as the sun’s almost setting already. You’re not going to have a lot of time to do much of anything, actually. As you pull back into town, you can see some of the folks watch you curiously. And as you stop in front of the inn, you can see one or two people look in your wagon, the busybodies. One of them, a middle aged man with stubble and a cigarette, drops his in surprise when he sees your cargo. “Well, I’ll be dipped…”

You simply acknowledge him with a nod and head inside to inform the innkeeper of your delivery. She’s rather appreciative of it, and you end up with an additional 200 Bills. “I trust it weren’t too much of a problem out there, was it?” she asks.

She nearly faints when you lead her out and show her the creature head. “By the stars...you mean to tell me you up and KILLED that Hellsnipe?”

“Is that what it’s called?” you ask.

“Certainly, and fer good reason,” you hear another voice call out- it’s the sheriff. He looks into your wagon as well with awe. “Well, ain’t that somethin’. How in the world did you manage somethin’ like that?”

“Wasn’t THAT hard.” you insist. Everyone just goggles. As you’d hoped, there WAS a bounty on that monster- and a solid one, too. A cool thousand Bills finds its way into your local wallet after the sheriff pays. Hm. Monster hunting’s that lucrative here, huh? And Cain wants you to eliminate several of these things? Including another one tonight? Wonder if he’s aware of that fact…


>You now have 2,350 Bills.


>Head straight to the Ranch. It’s almost dusk.
>Check the doctor's for Lorelei. Hopefully she’s back by now.
>Other

>>791003
>Check the doctor's for Lorelei. Hopefully she’s back by now.

>>791003
>Check the doctor's for Lorelei. Hopefully she’s back by now.
We should ask someone about the humanoid but not human primitive he is going to be our nemesis. Know your enemy and all that.

>>791003
>Check the doctor's for Lorelei. Hopefully she’s back by now.

At the very least, this doctor's name is not 'Feelgood'.

Writing.

>>791003
>Check the doctor's for Lorelei. Hopefully she’s back by now.
And see about getting info on primitive

>>791003
Hm. Well, before you start anything, you need to at least find your partner. Ideally, she’d have been done by now. You’ll ask around the town if you can’t find her, but the first place you check is the doctor’s office. He’s a thin, spritely fellow, who actually seems rather young. His hair is pretty wicked, too- done up in high spikes. You’re kinda curious as to how he got it like that. Hair gel maybe.

He’s sitting in a high chair looking at something in a bottle. “Ahh, hello! I’m Dr. Wilbur Florence, pleasure to meet you!” He extends a bony hand, which you shake- his grip is fairly firm, at least.

You decide to get to the crux of the matter. “I’m looking for a friend of mine- goes by Grace. She said she’d be helping you-”

“Ah! With the Crag Viper, yes!” He quickly turns back around to whatever he was looking at. “She completed my request superbly. Got a fair amount of venom from her- really, I was surprised she’d managed so much. I had a device ready for her to try and lure the thing so she wouldn’t put herself in harm’s way, but...apparently she didn’t use it! Ha! But, rest assured, she’s out and about, and perfectly fine, if a bit tired.” He chuckles.

“Did she say where she was going?” you ask. Florence shakes his head.

“Terribly sorry, but I am hoping to have her back soon. If what I’m working on succeeds, this will be a medical revolution!” Hm. Right. You bid him a quick good day, and head back out. If she was back, that likely meant that she was already at the ranch- and the sun was setting. Great. You quickly get atop your horse after jogging back to the inn, and head off towards the ranch- it’s slightly out of town, further east.

When you get there, you can see the ranch is a large place, the ranch house easily sticking up against the darkening landscape. To it’s left is a large barn. In front of it, there’s a long, large field, and out in that field you can see two figures. One is a younger man with farmer’s overalls on, a light build, bushy brown hair, and what seems to be a pistol in his hands. The other…

“Grace!” you quickly shout, dismounting as you run out into the field.

“Glory?” Lorelei asks back when she realizes who spoke. “Where’ve you been? I thought you’d have been back long before me!”

“Things happened. I-” before you can say much else, you hear a sudden loud howling noise. Deep, and it seems to echo heavily.

Lorelei sighs. “Awwww, crap. It’s here already.” She primes her shotgun, as does the man after giving you a look.

“Three second explanation, Grace!” you say, aiming your rifle.

“Big fuzzy thing stealing livestock, might have help. Need to keep barn safe.” is what she gets out.

You hear the growling soon after. Well, that explanation will have to do.

>Keep closer to the barn in case anything gets past Lorelei and the farmer.
>Stay out here with them for maximum firepower.
> Go out further and try and be bait.
>Other

All for tonight, this is! Return tomorrow, I will.

>>791235
>Keep closer to the barn in case anything gets past Lorelei and the farmer.

>>791235
>Keep closer to the barn in case anything gets past Lorelei and the farmer.
Use Zone Alarm around the Barn so that something doesn't get around us.

>>791235
>Keep closer to the barn in case anything gets past Lorelei and the farmer.
Try not to be a filthy kill stealer!

>>791235
>Keep closer to the barn in case anything gets past Lorelei and the farmer.

>>791235
>>Keep closer to the barn in case anything gets past Lorelei and the farmer.

>>791235
>Keep closer to the barn in case anything gets past Lorelei and the farmer.

>>790784
It is a shakalaka?

>>791235
You keep your eyes peeled and your trigger finger ready as you begin moving backwards. “I’m going to keep closer to the barn. If anything gets past you both, I’ll handle it!” You can see them both nod as the growling gets louder. Alright, then...now you just have to-

And then you hear movement from out of the shadows- and a large, person sized...thing that reminds you all too much of a giant, short-furred dog with an elongated neck and VERY large, pointed fangs leaps out at you. There’s no time for further thought- you fire a shot at it which connects flush, spraying dark red blood out of the gaping hole in its neck as it collapses. Great. You highly doubt this was it, though, judging from the growling noises still about. “YEAH, IT’S GOT FRIENDS!’ you yell. Immediately after, you can see at least six similar animals charge from over a nearby hill. Lorelei raises her shotgun and fires, and one of their number has their head blown into meat chunks; the man with the pistol fires several times into the crowd, but the remaining beasts have realized the situation and are splitting up- you think he hit one of them, though.

>(Pepper Stone charges: 42)

Lorelei fires again- not a direct hit, but the buckshot causes one to stumble as it attempts to circle around her, and she blows the back half off of it with a followup shot. The man’s trying to conserve ammo, but that means he’s only taking a couple of shots at a time- but at least they’re keeping away from him directly for now. You take aim one one of the two coming around for you. Fortunately, if this was all, then-

Suddenly another howl. And then there’s a pack of at least a DOZEN that come careening down the hill...great. How many of these things will there be? And the damn leader of them is hiding out of sight...these things are smarter than you thought if they’re doing these kinds of tactics.

>Clear out the first wave, and try to find the leader before it gets too busy around here.
>Weather the storm, and hope that it comes to you before ammo gets scarce.
>Other


>>797562
Inspired by, but not quite.

>>798578
>Weather the storm, and hope that it comes to you before ammo gets scarce.
>Other: Go for disabling shots. Shoot off legs, destroy kneecaps. Attempt to demoralize the enemy, if they're smart.
If they're intelligent, and they have a pack mentality, then brutalizing their pack will force the leader to come out.
Make sure to cause as much pain as possible, and don't let any die a quick or clean death.
We need to infuriate the pack leader to make them come out and be easier to kill.

Alrighty, then. Writing.

>>798578

Alright, then. If they’re intelligent suckers, then you’ll need to treat them as something a bit more than just random hounds. If they’re smart enough to use tactics, you’ll have to use some tactics of your own.

The hound you aim for gets a shot to the legs, blowing one off. A crack to its dome from the butt of your gun keeps it down and bleeding. Another one gets a shot to the side- you see Lorelei’s still more going for body shots- although her gun kind of makes killing damage inescapable, it seems like, as two more shots means two more beasts fall. The farmer himself even manages to down one, but pretty soon they’re starting to be overrun with hounds- Lorelei takes out her stolen pistol and starts dual wielding, and you can hear her shouting at the farmer to stay close.

You’re still going for disabling shots- another shot to the hip means that one’s going to bleed out. The farmer gets another shot off- but to your worry, you see one of the hounds close in and clamps his jaws over the farmers’ side as he’s tackled to the ground. Lorelei’s quick to plant a bullet in it, but the damage has been done, and now she’s trying to keep him covered as he writhes on the ground- you’re not sure if it’s just pain or something else, but it clearly hurts. Lorelei quickly kills two more with pistol shots to the head, and kicks another one away. “Glory! Problems!”

And then you hear another howl, and five more appear on the horizon...and then a large, LARGE one appears as well. While the physical features are mostly the same, this one’s eyes are large, bulging, and a long, drooling tongue hangs down from its creepy maw. It gives off a loud, sharp bark, but it doesn’t move as its subordinates charge forward.

“KILL THE BIG GUY!” Lorelei yells as she fends off the hounds with a combination of kicks, shots, and you can see a spark of magic fly from her fingertips suddenly as she drops the shotgun. “I CAN HOLD ‘EM!” So she says. She’s good, but...you’re not entirely certain if she can handle a mass attack like this by herself. You haven’t seen her in action THAT much…


>Trust Lorelei to handle it, and charge the leader.
>No risks. Cut through the group and relieve Lorelei.
>Time to get real. Start blasting- that’ll handle them real quick, regardless of size.
>Other

>>798964
>Trust Lorelei to handle it, and charge the leader.
If she thinks she can handle it, let her do her thing.

>>798964
>Trust Lorelei to handle it, and charge the leader.
We can't operate together and not be able to trust each other.

>>798964
>Time to get real
We can afford more ammo later, let's just make all the shots we have now count.

>>798964
>>Time to get real. Start blasting- that’ll handle them real quick, regardless of size.

>>798964
>Trust Lorelei to handle it, and charge the leader.

>>798964
>>Trust Lorelei to handle it, and charge the leader.
>>Time to get real. Start blasting- that’ll handle them real quick, regardless of size.

Lorelei, boom bang, boom bang bang; do your thing.

Writing!

>>798964
You breathe out, nod to her, and charge towards the leader. You don’t know what she’s capable of- but that’s just reason to trust her. If she says she can handle it, you’ll believe her, for better or worse. You can hear impacts and now magic going off behind you as you run straight for the giant beast. Hopefully, they’re smart enough to realize that with their leader slain, they wouldn’t stand much more of a chance. Hopefully, you can do it quicker than slower. Didn’t want the farmer to bleed out.

The big thing simply stares at you with bulging eyes, blinking once as you approach it. You fire at it once, a shot straight for one of its bulbous eyes- and it connects, the blood spurting out of it as the eye practically pops.

It merely shakes its head in mild irritation, as just like the earlier giant monster, there seems to be a light smoking, which ceases quickly. Just great. Suddenly, it opens its mouth, its long tongue suddenly whipping forward like a snake strike and forcing you to dodge…? As you reorient yourself, you hear a sizzling sound- and look back to see the patch of ground where you just were, now smoking.

Great...some kind of acid? You’ll have to be wary on approach.

>You’re going to have to be very careful, so whittle it down with gunshots. It might be slow, but easier to dodge anything it throws at you.
>Go in hard, start slicing with the Flamebringer. If you’re careful enough, you won’t get stung with acid.
>What did the five fingers say to the face? ‘Magi-blasts.’ Costly, but might be worth it.
>Other

>>799185
>Go in hard, start slicing with the Flamebringer. If you’re careful enough, you won’t get stung with acid.

>>799185
>>You’re going to have to be very careful, so whittle it down with gunshots. It might be slow, but easier to dodge anything it throws at you.
>Slow and steady wins the race.

>>799185
>What did the five fingers say to the face? ‘Magi-blasts.’ Costly, but might be worth it.
Though surely Magi-wave would be more suited to this situation?

Regardless, Lorelei's already resorting to magic, so time is of the essence, lest we make her expend too much.

>>799185
>>You’re going to have to be very careful, so whittle it down with gunshots. It might be slow, but easier to dodge anything it throws at you.

>>799235
>>799247
>wanting to go slow
Guys, the farmer is bleeding out right now.
You know, the guy that's supposed to pay us for this sidejob?
If he dies, we don't get paid, and we can't keep him from dying if we spend too much time on this boss monster.

>>799257
I hope then that we can speed up next actions when the enemy has been slowed

>>799257
Lorelei is on it.

Sticking with shots, then.

>>799185
>Go in hard, start slicing with the Flamebringer

>>799282
>Lorelei is on it.
Not exactly, what with her putting all of her attention and magic on not getting swarmed, and so doesn't have any spare bandwidth for keeping our client alive.

>>799185
Considering the acid that it can fit most likely. It's probably best to keep your distance. Hopefully you can find some weak spots that'll help you bring this thing down before too long. It swipes it's tongue at you again,and you're forced to dodge it as some spittle flies above you. You'd really rather not risk seeing how bad that stuff’ll burn, but you fire another shot into its jaw; it shudders, but again seems relatively fine.

Before you can do much else, the strange hound suddenly charges you directly, leaping towards you in a few long strides- you quickly dart to the side before it can lay a (very sharp clawed) paw on you. You end up dodging a few more times, before managing to move behind it. You raise your rifle to get another shot- and get batted away as a rear paw connects with your raised rifle, forcing you to roll on the ground briefly and right yourself- you quickly put some energy back into your legs as you leap backwards as he turns and tries to pin you, getting clear out of his range. Ugh. Fighting with limited mana was frustrating. You snap off another shot that impacts his leg- it sinks in, and to your relief you can see it flinch slightly, for once.

>(36 Pepper Shots Remaining)

A quick glance to the left reveals Lorelei still holding them off well, but you see why- she’s largely using magic now herself. You can see flashes of mana go off as she fires her firework sparks every which direction as she moves with quickened grace. You can see the farmer still writhing on the ground- he’s desperately trying to help, as you see him raise his gun. At least three more creatures are dead, but that still leaves a bunch of them trying to maul her all at once- you can tell she’s trying to restrain herself as well despite putting more mana into her moves.

And the way the thing turns its head and growls, it seems like it notices as well. It turns back to you and growls, trying to back up on you. Its tongue is out, waving like a snake trying to strike. You can see it limp on the one leg- it's got to be slowed down a bit now.


>Follow her lead and switch to magic to blow it away.
>Try to cripple its legs further with gunshots, or sword.
>You’ll chop off that tongue if it tries anything. Keep its attention on you.
>Get ahead of it and finish the small ones so you can face down the big guy together.
>Other

>>799759
>You’ll chop off that tongue if it tries anything. Keep its attention on you.

Time to take Ol' Yeller behind the shed!

>>799759
>>Follow her lead and switch to magic to blow it away.

switch back to the rifle for the small ones if needed

>>799759
>Follow her lead and switch to magic to blow it away.
Let's not take our time with this.

>>799759
>Follow her lead and switch to magic to blow it away.
We should have picked up a revolver or shotgun that we could use in one hand, and the Flamebringer in the other.

>>799759
>>You’ll chop off that tongue if it tries anything. Keep its attention on you.

Magic is as magic does. Writing.

>>799886
Is it possible to store mana between universes?
Like, we bring along a mana condenser and some mana crystals, and we charge them up in a high-mana universe we do a job in, and then use them to recharge when we next fight in a low-mana universe.

>>799932
Now it is.

Break for dinner, actually, sorry. Will be back.

>>799961
Another tool to put into Miranda's Magic Murder Bag.

Night-Vision/IR Goggles, grenade sampler pack, nanite medkit, electronic lockpick, thermoptic camouflage, plasma pistol with energy cells, batteries, mana condenser, mana crystals, Yatamutchy X-3 Counter-Sniper Rifle or Stigma Rifle (outlawed in over 60% of its home universe), and advanced augmented reality scanner HUD.

>>799759
Alright, it seems like you're going to have to have to break out the big guns for this. You stretch your hand out and let your energy flow. A trio of blasts quickly shoot forth and impact the beast’s side. It shudders a bit from the sheer force, but remains on its feet. It's tongue lashes out in an attempt to strike you in the face; you quickly leap over it and launch another small volley square in its face, causing it to reel back as it tries to shake off the impact.

Another blast goes across the distance to impact one of the smaller beasts, where it punches a large hole into its side. You don’t have much time to see all that else, though, as your larger quarry pounces at you, finally enraged properly. You duck and dodge several times, leading it around in a circle as Lorelei does battle with the remaining beasts.

After some moments of this, you get the idea that the beast is getting frustrated- it tries to howl again, but a blast to the throat shuts it up quickly, ending up with a strange gurgling hacking noise from it. It starts to open its maw, and whips its tongue around and around, forcing you to dodge the lashings, and the acidic saliva it whirls about, but you’re at least- wait, that felt like wet- OW, FUCK.

A drip gets on you and immediately you feel a stinging before you flare your mana to evaporate it...although honestly, you didn’t even know that would work. Still, the beast seems to recognize it did damage to you, as it raises its mouth, and-

Gets a face full of sparkles, all exploding like fireworks in its mouth. You turn back as Lorelei runs up, waving as the beast starts reeling backwards, trying to backpedal away. It looks out of its healthy eye, and gives a small growl. Then it turns away from you, trying to limp off as fast as it can.

“Ha!” Lorelei crows. “That’s right, run off! You got nothin’ on us!” She turns back to you. “C’mon, let’s get the guy healed up. He’s losing color bad.”


>Follow it, finish it. Lorelei can get him to a doctor.
>Let it go, you have wounded to tend to.
>Other

I have to admit, some stuff I just never thought of in regards to world-building, so sometimes I end up going 'oh hey, that anon actually has a pretty good idea- yoink.'

>>800499
>Other
Tell Lorelei to chase it down and finish it off. Throw her our Flamebringer. Miranda needs to go to the client and keep him from dying by using some healing magic.

>>800499
>Other
>Lorelei can go after it to finish it off, while you heal the farmer
Best put the thing down now so it can't come back when we're gone.

"Lorelei. Sic' em."

"Oh boy!"

Writing.

>>800499
“Grace!” She looks to you, then sudden jumps when you quickly hand her the Flamebringer. “Take that thing out for me. And I want that back.”

She laughs. “Roger that! COME HERE, YOU!” With a gleeful shout she leaps towards the beast attempting to skulk away, and as you turn back to tend to the man, you hear a squealing howl as she makes impact. Hopefully she won’t make too much of a mess, provided she manages to kill it quickly.

It’s a quick run over to the man- who’s rather bloodied. You can see that he’s had more than just his arm bitten- his chest is torn up a bit as well, and you can see various cuts and bruises from what you can assume are hound attempts on his life. Just as Lorelei said, he’s visibly losing color. That said, he is at least still breathing, if unconscious. You put your hands close, and concentrate. The energy flows, you can feel it match with his- what little there is, at least- and the healing begins.

You can barely hear something calmly walk up next to you as you continue the healing process- it’s been a few minutes now, but you can tell it’s Lorelei. There’s a bloody smell, though, but that’s easily disregarded. Just a bit longer...and there. It won’t bring back his energy, but he’s in no danger of dying anymore. You get up, wiping the sweat off your face, before turning to- yup. Lorelei. She’s...yeah, she’s pretty bloody. In one hand she’s got...one of its paws. And the other still has your sword in hand...and stuck on it is a large portion of the thing’s tongue. You can see there’s still some sizzling drool dripping from it.

Lorelei just smiles and holds up both items. “Y’think the people in town might be willing to buy these?”

You just sigh. “Probably.”

---------

You wind up staying in the man’s farmhouse overnight- he’s placed in what’s apparently his room upstairs, while you both stay downstairs. It’s...rustic, but beats camping. While Lorelei initially has the bright idea to raid his stuff for you, you dissuade her of that notion, and force her to wash off- there’s fortunately a pump behind the house.

Fortunately, he does wake up in the morning. You’ve already gotten yourself cleaned and eaten your breakfasts. As he stumbles down, mumbling something, he pauses as he suddenly sees you staring at him, and Lorelei still sleeping in a chair. He can’t really do anything but rub his eyes. “So...that weren’t a dream.”

“No.” you respond.

He looks at both you and Lorelei. “Then...that slaverin’ beast?”

You look back at Lorelei- she’s still got that tongue somewhere- wrapped it up, with the paw. “Dead.”

He stares, then takes a deep breath. “And here I thought I was just dreamin…well, suppose I owe you thanks.”

You shrug. “Money's fine.”

You and Lorelei end up walking out of that house with 700 extra Bills. Wonder why no one's made a real career of this yet.

>Current Mana: 8450
>Pepper Shots: 36
>Bills: 3,050

"So..." Grace says. "What next?"

>We're off for ____.
>Wonder where Cain is...
>Other

>>801008
>Other
Get another set of pepper stones, check for any last minute problems to solve in Corson, and then head towards Saint Augustine on our way to Greenwater to deliver this package we've got.

>>801053
Oh, and ask around what that non-human thing was that was swearing vengeance on us.

I wish Lorelei had gotten the head; we could have sold it to the tavern so that they could get it stuffed and mounted on their wall.

>>801053
Seconding.

Righto. One last looksee around. Writing.

>>801008
“Just some last checks,” you say. “Then we’re headed to deliver that parcel.” Lorelei simply salutes, and follows you, still holding those wrapped up pieces.

You end up buying another two Pepper Stones just in case- you both had started using them a bit more liberally, and while you still have a fair amount of shots left, it’s never a bad thing to be certain.

>Bills left: 3,030.
>Current Spare Ammo:
> 3 Pepper Stones
> 1 Water Stone
> 2 Shock Stones

Now, with your new ammo, you’re set. You end up asking around the town if there’s any more major issues that need to be taken care of, but after your astounding showing the other day, it seems like that and the ranch’s plight was the major issue- apparently that was indeed one of the monsters that had been plaguing the town’s trade routes for some time now. Although thinking back to it, that does remind you…

“Oh, you’re askin’ about the natives!” the sheriff finally figures out. You’d inquired as to what was going on with the strange thing you’d met the other day. “Call themselves the Wulu. Not exactly the friendliest of folks, them. Regular tribal bandits they are sometimes. Love to trade and get stuff, but they’re always harrassin’ folks even when the answer’s no.” He snorts. “Best you stay away from ‘em. They got a vengeful streak, those sorts, and they’re all over the frontier.” Well, at least you knew that little guy would probably be trying to indeed get you back sooner or later. It’d probably be amusing to watch him try, anyway.

With that, you’ve got little else to worry about here. Anything else, would be discovered on the trail. You both get your horses- Lorelei keeps her spoils on her, seems like she’s bound and determined to find a market for them. As long as they don’t slow you down, you suppose. Because Saint Augustine is a bit of a trip on horseback. According to the townsfolk, it’d be at least two days, maybe three depending on how hard or soft you rode.

“Alrighty! So, Saint Augustine’s one of the bigger towns out here,” Lorelei notes. “I’ll bet we’re gonna see some cool stuff out there!”

“Maybe so,” you muse. “Let’s get going.”

A click of heels and a shout, and you’re off. Next stop, Saint Augustine, then Greenwater.

>What the...what happened to them?

>Cain, m'boy! It's ALWAYS Cain! That greedy devil and his posse stopped by to put the squeeeeeeze on us! Was cartin' along two new faces, too, both womenfolk. Real blood in their eyes, though, ain't no polite ladies they were. No offense, miss.

>None taken. And...and they did this?

>Right you are, missy. Leastways I'd bet my hat on it. O'course that rat Cain saught to quiet my tongue, oh, the THREATS he made! But, but I ain't no quitter. He can talk ALL HE LIKES, BUT I AIN'T GONNA-

>Whoa, whoa, we get it! So Cain's got some new guns...and they took out the Red Eagles just like that? Yikes...

>...Hm. Sounds like we might have ourselves a real problem, brother...

>Perhaps so, sis. Perhaps so...

Done for now, will continue tomorrow in a new thread.

>>801487
I'm going to enjoy shooting these two wannabe heroes in the face.

Or the back of the head, whichever is faster and easier.

It might be a good idea to test the use of those other stones (water and shock). There could be an elemental strong/weak against relation depending on the target and the type of ammo.

New thread.
>>>803162