Arcarchiving...
Arcarchiving...
Chapter 1.33 R
Ryoka Griffin struggles with the agony of her shattered leg in Celum. Magnolia Reinhart offers top-tier healing in exchange for Earth's secrets, but Ryoka refuses to introduce dangerous technology to the world. Left without traditional options, Ceria Springwalker approaches Ryoka with a taboo alternative: necromancy.
Ryoka Griffin suffered in immense agony at The Rat's Tail inn, relying on expensive magical bandages and potions to save her shattered leg from amputation. Meanwhile, at the Celum Runner's Guild, Garia Strongheart angrily confronted Fals over Ryoka's condition. Fals promised to help, revealing that Guildmaster Eterell was actively covering up the severity of Ryoka's accident to protect the guild's reputation.
Ryoka's true healing options were bleak. She desperately needed either the legendary Healer of Tenbault, an immensely rare Tier 6 Restoration spell, or an ancient Potion of Regeneration. Without access to these distant or impossibly expensive remedies, she faced a lengthy, crippling recovery or full amputation.
Magnolia Reinhart arrived at the inn with her maid, Ressa, to personally investigate the injured Runner. Magnolia deduced that Ryoka held valuable secrets and offered to secure top-tier healing in exchange for absolute candor about her origins. However, Ryoka adamantly refused to trade her knowledge of Earth's weaponry—such as gunpowder, napalm, and nuclear technology—fearing she would unleash devastating wars and dictators upon this world. Unwilling to accept partial truths or limited candor, Magnolia ended the negotiation and departed.
Left with dwindling options, Ryoka was later visited by Ceria Springwalker. The half-Elf mage offered a shocking, taboo alternative to traditional healing methods, asking Ryoka how she felt about utilizing necromancy to repair her leg.
Garia Strongheart angrily confronts Fals at the Runner's Guild regarding Ryoka's severe injuries and the Guildmaster's cover-up.
A wealthy and cheerful Human noblewoman known for her eccentric taste in the color pink.
aka Lady Magnolia Reinhart, Lady Magnolia +11
A sturdy, friendly Runner who carries massive loads and persistently tries to befriend Ryoka.
aka Garia, Miss Garia +2
A guild in Liscor, likely for couriers or messengers.
aka Street Runners, The Guild +6
Magnolia Reinhart and her maid Ressa visit The Rat's Tail inn to personally interrogate the injured Ryoka.
Magnolia offers to heal Ryoka in exchange for complete candor, but Ryoka refuses to share Earth's dangerous technological secrets, prompting Magnolia to leave.
With Ryoka out of traditional healing options, Ceria Springwalker visits and suggests using necromancy to fix her leg.
A popular, passive-aggressive senior Runner who attempts to dictate which jobs newcomers can take.
aka Fleetfoot Fals
A structured system of categorizing magical spells by difficulty and power.
A Street Runner who acts as one of Persua's sidekicks.
A City Runner and crony of Persua.
A receptionist at the Celum Runner's Guild.
aka female receptionist
Lady Magnolia Reinhart's stern, spectacle-wearing Head Maid.
aka the [Maid] with the spectacles, head maid +4
An independent city-state located near the High Passes.
An inn in Celum where Ryoka is currently residing.
A large geographical region, possibly a continent.
aka the north, the south +2
A distant city renowned for being the home of an incredibly powerful Healer.
Erin Solstice's home world, which has different cultures, technologies, and games than the world she is currently in.
aka world I came from, home
A large, competent Silver-rank adventuring party led by Calruz.
aka The Horns, Silver-rank team +6
A medical class requested by the guards to save Klbkch.
aka [Healer], [Healers]
A system class for female nobility.
aka [Lady], Ladies
A system class for female household servants.
aka [Maids], [Maid] +1
A general class for any individual who practices magic.
aka [Mage], [Mages] +3
An extremely rare Tier 6 healing spell capable of mending crushed bone.
A magical discipline focused on death, the dead, and related energies.
A sapient species possessing Elven traits.
aka Half-Elf, half-Elves
A technological smartphone device brought from Earth.
aka piece of plastic and metal, device +2
“…How do you feel about necromancy?”
“Oh, I wonder where you come from, Miss Griffin, I truly do. The Watch? Who oversees the Watch? Who holds my peers to account? Who should but stop an army, an invading force? Sometimes, Miss Griffin, we make such choices and do what we must.”
“Merely a forecast, Miss Griffin. Consider me a [Weather Mage] of sorts—albeit for people.”
“Not quite. I believe Guildmaster Eterell was a good City Runner in his time. He rose through the ranks, and his current job and class in one of the more central Runner’s Guilds has made him fairly wealthy. Too wealthy, and perhaps too comfortable. Which is why, tomorrow, he will step down from his position. Perhaps, in his advancing years, he will find work starting as a Street Runner. Or some other job. I believe that would be for the best.”
“Yup. Nothing too special; I did a few trips to Lindol and back, but that’s it. How about you? Taking a late-night request?”
“Belfast. Beruit. Phnom Penh. All flesh is grass.”
“But we—we’re Runners. We don’t quit! Everyone who makes it past a year is a real Runner, Garia. We’re the people who keep the cities—no, the entire world connected. Without us, nothing would get done on time. So if people call us money-grubbers, well, let them. We’ve got our own honor, and we deserve every coin we get, am I right?”
“Then heal me and don’t threaten me.”
“Fals? I know you’re one of our best Runners, but why aren’t there any older Runners than you? You’re only twenty-two—”
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