Taletelling...
Taletelling...
581 quotes (581 spoken, 0 mentions)
“Do you have another request?”
“…Sorry. I have more deliveries to make.”
“Um…thanks. Bye.”
“Here, all in good order.”
“I’m new.”
“City Runner at your service.”
“One or two. They missed.”
“The—tall grass over there? Only three miles?”
“I’m on a priority delivery! For Magnolia Reinhart!”
“Sorry, I wouldn’t know the exact spot. Just over there. They probably ran off. Listen—I’m a City Runner. I’ve got to go.”
“No…I don’t know, two dozen? And a big one, a Hob?”
“Mm. Your seal?”
“Goblins. A few miles outside the city. A group jumped me.”
“Nice try.”
“Whew. So that was my first ambush.”
“Or Persua, that sallow bitch, tipped them off. Nah, nevermind. Even she doesn’t talk to Goblins.”
“That’s so stupid!”
“Thanks.”
“Yep.”
“Yeah. Goblins. I ran into a small tribe outside of Celum in the tall grass. A Hob, some Goblins. One had a bow. They jumped me, but I got out of it. The Watch knows, but put up a notice.”
“Hi.”
“Got it.”
“Pass.”
“There were a few Goblins on the road.”
“Sure.”
“What’s the reward for this one?”
“Mhm.”
“They were lying in the grass. Leapt up and almost stabbed me. I outran them. I don’t know where they went.”
“I wasn’t interested.”
“See ya.”
“I run everywhere without shoes.”
“I’m just slower with shoes, that’s all.”
“Eh. They weren’t that fast.”
“He was taller than me, so yeah. Had a sword, shield…decent armor.”
“Three seals. I got it to her.”
“Hmm. It says the price is ‘to be agreed upon.’ But they’re offering twenty gold just to visit…”
“Why not?”
“Confirmed?”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
“I’ll pass.”
“I’m not good at running in groups. Or with that much weight.”
“It’s urgent.”
“Yeah, and you always deliver to Magnolia together. This isn’t about—getting to hobnob with her. She needs it fast? I’m ready.”
“Good for you.”
“I can just deliver the package if you have the seal—”
“No. Other runners brought it most of the way.”
“Oh, really?”
“I’m off.”
“Seal?”
“Delivery for Magnolia.”
“I’ve got to go. More deliveries.”
“I’m sorry, but I really should go. I’m very busy.”
“Mm.”
“I…that’s great. How did you know?”
“Huh. Ice cream.”
“Uh, how much did this cost?”
“Toriska’s not even a City Runner yet.”
“He can try.”
“Is it called something else around here?”
“Fun.”
“Yeah.”
“…No?”
“Mhm.”
“Aah. I mean…I could talk about one thing.”
“Better. I know how to make it.”
“The Horns? They made it?”
“No. But I do know a lot about it. Ice cream, that is.”
“Yup. Emergency Run, right?”
“Uh, it’s common in my home country.”
“Thanks.”
“Yep.”
“That’ll take too long. You want an opening? I’ll give you one. I’ve got more deliveries to make.”
“Fifteen healing potions, five mana potions. All unbroken. Delivery to Horns of Hammerad. Your seal?”
“I’m a Runner. I’ve got a delivery for the leader of the Horns of Hammerad. That you?”
“Yeah. I was just thinking about the ice cream.”
“Give me the request.”
“Delivery.”
“No problem.”
“They’re still fighting. The Lich is still around. Not sure about the other undead. Looked like they were mostly dead. Undead.”
“Later.”
“I’ll do it.”
“Where to?”
“There aren’t any other City Runners around?”
“Good run.”
“Here’s the Seal from the Horns of Hammerad.”
“Can you?”
“So can I.”
“How the—”
“Really? It’s that fascinating to you? Um, Lady Magnolia?”
“Uh—sugar.”
“Doesn’t all this rot?”
“Mm.”
“You have a lot of homes, then, Lady Reinhart?”
“Oh, just a few things. A pot, uh, something to stir with, and—”
“Nowhere in the south?”
“What are those?”
“Is she going to run there?”
“We need to freeze this. Or rather, we need to freeze it slowly while stirring.”
“…Crap.”
“I might not be able to make this after all. I forgot something.”
“One stalk is fine.”
“We need some salt too. A pinch of it. And vanilla.”
“Now we need to heat the milk, salt, and sugar together in a pot. Got a big one?”
“You, uh—like sugar a lot, don’t you?”
“What the—?”
“You annoying—”
“Damn it.”
“I—”
“Get away.”
“Thanks.”
“Is…I heard she’s the hero of some kind of war.”
“No secret.”
“I just like running barefoot. I hate shoes.”
“I’ve never had any.”
“I’m not big on law enforcement.”
“Nope. I’m not—acquainted with half-Elves that much. It’s just a hobby. It’s good for your feet. Sort of.”
“…No. I’m fine, thanks.”
“Yep.”
“Right. No Magnolia deliveries for a while.”
“All the time.”
“Woog.”
“I don’t want any ice cream, thanks. The other Runners—I’m not that chummy with them. They can eat cake. And it was just ice cream. I don’t feel right about taking the gold.”
“I bought it in the market. Didn’t cost much.”
“I’m fine, Garia.”
“Guess.”
“Not your fault.”
“Couldn’t help. The bone’s too badly broken.”
“…Yes.”
“History.”
“Not really.”
“Good for him.”
“…Ryoka Griffin. City Runner, I guess.”
“The history of the cities.”
“You can read?”
“I already read ‘em.”
“Not like I have anything else to do.”
“You.”
“Some sell for silver. Either way, it’s fine.”
“Let go, Garia.”
“Fine. Go ahead.”
“Looks like you already are. Glad you made it. What—what do you want? Sit down already; you’re blocking my light.”
“Just doing my job.”
“Got run over by a cart.”
“She lied.”
“You don’t like Runners?”
“Bone’s shattered. Splinters are in the flesh.”
“Sleep. I’m tired.”
“I’ve got it.”
“No.”
“I don’t need help.”
“Piss. Off.”
“Get out.”
“Ah. That. Well—I’m sort of laid up. You came all this way because you were curious?”
“Y-yeah. But she’s been absolved. Investigated, I mean.”
“Someone pushed or tripped me.”
“Well. They’ve done their investigation, and that’s that.”
“You…what are you talking about?”
“Thank you.”
“Why are you…?”
“What about the law? The…Watch? Having some random vigilante doesn’t sound like the system’s working.”
“No. There’s no chance. Not unless I find some kind of super-healer. Is there one…?”
“You—you just know someone who has that kind of power? Really? And she’ll just pop over to heal me?”
“I—you’d do that? Why?”
“No. I’ll take the healing—but not tell you—tell you everything. I’ll tell you a bit, okay? But nothing more.”
“How about where I came from? And—twenty questions.”
“Sure. Ask me any twenty questions and I’ll answer them. How—how about that?”
“Wh-what are you talking about?”
“No. Not that.”
“Information.”
“Another way?”
“Then heal me and don’t threaten me.”
“She doesn’t. It doesn’t matter. She can’t help. Neither can you.”
“Belfast. Beruit. Phnom Penh. All flesh is grass.”
“Got a few thousand gold coins?”
“Wh—what are you—”
“I don’t trust anyone. Not with some things. They’ll…they’ll let you down.”
“No? What do you mean?”
“I won’t be bullied into telling you anything.”
“I know. But—”
“According to the guild, I fell down.”
“I got bored and played tag with a cart.”
“Not according to the Guild. The [Guildmaster] himself personally told me what a tragic accident this was. Completely my fault.”
“Pull the bandages loose there—aah…”
“It’s…”
“What do you think splintered bone means?”
“A bit.”
“No. I couldn’t get out of the way. Mostly because my feet were webbed down.”
“I didn’t expect you to remember me.”
“N-no.”
“I’m just a Runner who knows how to make ice cream. Did you want to make more?”
“Well—take it or leave it.”
“I—I don’t know what—”
“You’re not going to heal me?”
“She offered me a deal. I might have to take it. And damn my soul. Why am I responsible? I’m not. It’s not my…”
“No.”
“Tell me.”
“How so?”
“What—”
“So this Necromancer is still alive?”
“I get that.”
“Good. Thanks for everything.”
“—So. About this mage.”
“I’ll remember this.”
“Let me guess. He was kicked out because they found he was practicing necromancy, right?”
“How was the trip?”
“Razorbeaks?”
“Goblins.”
“We near Liscor?”
“Thank you.”
“My name is Ryoka Griffin. I am in your debt. Whatever I can do—if ever you need me, just ask.”
“Honor.”
“I am truly grateful. And I’m sorry for my rudeness earlier. I owe you a debt I can’t repay. But I know the Horns of Hammerad now, and I know what defines you.”
“Thank you. Thank you, thank you. Thank you.”
“So this operation. What—”
“Is he competent?”
“…Guess I’m tired.”
“Thank you. I really mean it.”
“Give me the potion. What’s the hold up? Come on—”
“Infection? What? Healing potions accelerate infections?”
“I’ll be fine. Just pour it on—fast.”
“S-sorry.”
“No, I’ve just got skill. You should see me do parkour or tricking.”
“I’m great. Better than great.”
“Do it. I’ll be fine. This—this is payback, isn’t it?”
“I’m fine.”
“I can’t feel anything. But it looks good. Go ahead.”
“Yes—argh! Fuck you! I’ll kill you! You motherf—”
“It’s a type of running. Or—I guess you could call it a type of martial arts.”
“None.”
“I’m going to run back.”
“Wanna bet?”
“I’ve gotta run. Sorry but—”
“Um, thanks anyways, though. But if you need to rest—I know you were up all night.”
“I don’t want to get in your way. I can probably find my way back on my own if you want to stay—”
“I couldn’t care less whether or not you lot like me. All I’m here to do is deliver stuff and get paid. I don’t want Magnolia’s stupid requests. If you lot want to earn favor with her, deal with it and leave me out of it. You should want me to not work with her. You think I’m trying to be her special, personal Runner?”
“I’ll survive. And I’ll complete the request even if it’s dangerous—not just for money. Apparently, that’s all Runners think about.”
“Are you going to try and stop me too? Hi, Persua. I’d love for you to try.”
“This one. I’ll take the request for the High Passes.”
“If I do it your way, I probably would live long enough to retire. And maybe I’d even earn a lot of money, who knows? And if I kiss your ass long enough, maybe you’d even like me. If I were like the rest of you, I’d never take this request.”
“They’re pissed off because I told them what I thought of their little cult?”
““I’m going to be gone for at least a day, and the other Runners are probably going to trash my room while I’m gone.””
“In some ways, no. But in some ways, yeah. I’m not doing it either way.”
“Pack mentality. And Fals thinks he knows everything. Are we dogs or gods?”
““That’s enough.””
“…I know. But I won’t answer to them.”
““Thanks. Really.””
““Now. Fals and the other Runners will probably try to stop me if I don’t. I know Persua will.””
““I don’t need an escort. I just need supplies. Healing potions—food—I’d buy it myself, but I don’t have any money. I’ll pay you back—double what I’m borrowing.””
““Are you sure? I can buy some—””
““I’m taking a delivery request. The reward is for eighty gold coins.””
““No.””
““Here.””
““What?””
““Take care of this. It’s very fragile.””
““No blacksmith or craftsman in the world could fix this. Trust me.””
““It’s not.””
““I owe you a great debt.””
““Not just a spell.””
““Sostrom.””
““Sorry, I never got your name. Or maybe I forgot. What is it?””
“What’re you talking about? This one is open. I’m free. Put me down.”
“That’s what I thought. I’m doing the request.”
“Unless you want to do it? I’ll follow you out to make sure you get it done.”
“I don’t like being pressured. By anyone.”
“You want to talk about Runners and preach about playing nice and sticking together? Fine. But leave me out of your little party.”
“I don’t lie. And I hate liars. When you make a promise, you keep it. When you speak, you look someone in the eye and mean every word. When I say I’ll do something, I mean it. If you want to do deliveries to Magnolia, take the damn requests. I don’t care about your politics.”
“Too bad I’m not a coward.”
“So until then, you’re all going to keep taking the requests.”
“Right. And you all get paid so everyone’s happy?”
“Why?”
“Oh?”
“Hot peppers? Cabbages? She could get that in any market.”
“So until she gets one, I won’t get any other jobs, is that it? And I’m supposed to ask her to let other Runners take her requests, right?”
“So? Just do the deliveries yourself. She’ll take them if I don’t deliver anything.”
“And you’re telling me that there are no requests? Except of course for Magnolia.”
“Thanks…uh, Stenei, right?”
“No. Put me down for…”
“Yeah, I’m sure. Forget about it. I’ll try another Guild.”
“Oh really? Then stop taking all the delivery requests.”
“You done?”
“I’m a barefoot runner. If I cared about what people thought, I wouldn’t run at all. Runners run. We deliver stuff. It’s a job, not a calling.”
“But if you get in my way, I’ll kick your face in.”
“Oh really?”
“Why not? There’s nothing else for me to do.”
“I don’t want a delivery for Magnolia Reinhart. Anything else for me not from her? No? Okay, I guess it’s regular deliveries, then.”
“Pass.”
“Wh—really?”
“Um—contracts. Any big ones for City Runners? Or me specifically?”
“So we work together and drag everyone down who doesn’t agree with us, is that it?”
“Garia, put me down—Garia!”
“No, Liscor.”
“Hey. I’m back.”
“Hey. Got a request for me?”
“It’s been four days.”
““A device. I’ll explain it if I get back.””
““If Persua’s anything like the other girls I’ve known, that’s one of the first things she’ll do. Good thing I don’t have any shoes so she can’t fill them with thumbtacks.””
“You’re probably right.”
“You think I’m lying?”
““It’s broken. Just treat it carefully—don’t put anything heavy on it and don’t drop it.””
“Nice speech. But you’re full of shit.”
“Nevermind that. I’ll just take this one to Remendia and—”
““I’ll get my stuff.””
“Something like that. Anyways, I just got back. Any interesting running requests around?”
“I heard it on the way here. What, is it a problem? Us runners have to stick together, so if Persua needs some guidance—I’m sure I can give her tips.”
““Not just a spell. Someday, you’ll have to teach me it. If I can do magic, it would be just to cast that. And now—those assholes aren’t going to know what hit them.””
“I may have. Persua’s a Street Runner now? Oh, that’s terrible. What happened? Did she get her just desserts? Or did someone realize she’s nowhere near a City Runner’s level?”
“It’s a long story. I had help from some adventurers, not the Healer of Tenbault. They fixed me up.”
“Shit.”
“A goat?”
“Bring it.”
“What?”
“Delivery.”
“Thanks for the encouragement.”
“I stopped myself from leveling. You can’t see my class because I don’t have one.”
“I was born in Oakland, California.”
“I don’t like being controlled. And I think—yeah, I think that classes and levels are a way for the world or some system to control people. I want no part of it. And—it feels like cheating.”
“I took the request for the money, but also because I wanted to challenge myself. There are no other requests in the Runner’s Guild I could have taken, either. I am being blocked from other deliveries by fellow Runners, and this is the only request I could take.”
“For the reward. Eighty gold pieces.”
“America.”
“Yeah, more than other people.”
“Big talk for someone who doesn’t know where America is. Or Oakland or California.”
“I know what a rhetorical question is.”
“Dunno.”
“Would I really be that much of an idiot that I’d lie about knowing what a rhetorical question is?”
“Yes.”
“…Yes.”
“I know of a Ryoka Griffin, yes.”
“Ryoka Griffin—Ryoka doesn’t have a permanent place of residence. She moves around a lot, and she doesn’t stay in one city or inn for very long if she can help it.”
“I don’t pay attention to world news. You probably know more about what’s going on than I do.”
“Yeah, but they have arrows. How am I supposed to dodge those?”
“Crystal.”
“Was the mana poisoning bad? If so—thank you, I guess.”
“Why can’t you just send the package or whatever it is with magic or something? Is it too heavy to transport? Because if it is—”
“Ah. If this guy—Az’kerash is surrounded by the dead, how am I supposed to get to him without being killed?”
“…No. I can’t outrun spells either, and I’ve seen undead mages. I won’t survive more than a few seconds if I run into a Lich by myself.”
“I barely survived getting here. I probably won’t a second time. And if finding this [Necromancer] is as dangerous as it sounds—”
“Celum. But hey, I can run back. The potion you gave me—”
“Ryoka Griffin.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I think I’m doing pretty good on my own. I’m in good shape, I’m smart enough, and I’m faster than Runners with Skills—”
“…Yes.”
“What—what is this?”
“Less than a hundred miles. Not too far, yeah.”
“Who is this guy?”
“Nice to know you care. I guess I should just see myself out then?”
“I know. Anyways, it’s both our faults for not double-checking.”
“If this Skill is so good, why doesn’t everyone become a [Farm Worker] for a while before becoming an adventurer? That seems like the smartest move.”
“W-whoa.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll do it to your face. I’m busy, Persua. Go somewhere else.”
“Oh, how chivalrous. Too bad he couldn’t say that to Persua. And I’m not sleeping with him either way.”
“The Runner’s Guild requests are a mix between fast deliveries, safe deliveries, and heavy deliveries, right?”
“Do you always do the heaviest deliveries possible?”
“Hm.”
“Not a Skill. It’s something you learn, not a class or anything. I learned it when I was a kid. You could learn it too.”
“Those spices you carried here. All the way from Wales. They were heavy. I saw the size of your pack. Must have been sixty, eight pounds of weight. And you jogged the entire way here?”
“Don’t remind me.”
“…Something like that. And it’s odd. I could have sworn she gave me healing potions too.”
“Damn elfish mage bastard.”
“Nothing. Anyways, I didn’t get out unscathed. I got torn up on the way in, and I needed serious healing or I would have died.”
“Damnit.”
“How was I supposed to know I was supposed to touch those damn fireflies to speak with her? I thought I was being hexed or something.”
“I get it. I’m not mad at her. Anyways, I survived. It all worked out.”
“Were you?”
“Gargoyles, birds with teeth, killer goats, and wolf packs. You’d love it there.”
“Confidential.”
“Yep.”
“Maybe.”
“By stepping on anyone who gets out of line? Good method. He didn’t stop Persua and her cronies from attacking me—and he’s not going to do it again by the sounds of it.”
“I’m not going to ruin my dinner listening to forced apologies and have him try to find out what I’m delivering. You know that’s what he was here to do.”
“You can clear out. I’m talking to Garia.”
“There is something you can do.”
“He’s annoying. I hate charmers, and he’s not even that charming to begin with. Whose side is he on, anyways?”
“Yeah, sorry, I just called you a bitch.”
“It’s your choice. But with a punch like that, it would be a shame not to learn how to hit the right way. I’ll teach you next time we meet, how about that?”
“Never mind. I appreciate the help. But I’ve got bigger fish to fry.”
“I’ll sleep here for the night. Then I might go and head on down. If you want to learn how to fight properly, visit me there.”
“At least Persua got taught a lesson, although I missed my chance to break her arm. I’ll have to do it next time I see her.”
“Worse than getting an adventurer to beat the crap out of me? I think I’ll take my chances.”
“Why?”
“So strong? What’s the problem?”
“People are bastards no matter what world you’re in. Look, forget about it. That class helped you out if you’re that strong without needing any training, right?”
“And that’s rare?”
“I’m not light. Well, I am in shape, but so are you. What’s wrong with being that strong? Anyways, a [Farm Worker] doesn’t sound like that bad a job—class. Why do you care?”
“No. Explain it to me.”
“You’re fine.”
“He wasn’t that great. And martial arts don’t work on monsters. Believe me, I figured that out the hard way.”
“No. You took him down. With one punch.”
“It’s a way to fight unarmed. You learn how to kick, punch, throw, etcetera properly.”
“Eh. I should have knocked him out in the first few moments. He was tougher than I thought. Got me a few times.”
“What’s wrong? It was a great punch. Your form was terrible, but being strong’s not a problem.”
“Oh, it’s just martial arts. A bit of Muay Thai and other styles.”
“Really? That would be amusing to watch.”
“Who says I need backup?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Or what?”
“Not even with her. I’ll deal with Persua now that I know what she’s like.”
“Or what?”
“Oh, she’s like a dog. A female one. And you know what? I’m tired of her shit. If she tries anything again, I’ll put her down.”
“You lot gonna piss off or do I have to make you leave?”
“I don’t know who you are, but you’re in my face. Go away, and take Persua and her crew with you.”
“Good for him, but I don’t need help.”
“Find another table. But if I were you, I’d get out.”
“Ah.”
“Come to that, where is Ceria? I haven’t seen her. I’d have assumed she’d be right here along with Gerial and Calruz.”
“Hm. Impressive.”
“She’s annoying, stupid, craven, and she doesn’t know how to run. I still owe her a broken leg. If she thinks she can try something else—”
“Oh.”
“If they’re so interested, they can come over and talk or they can bugger off.”
“But for the Skill—”
“Don’t sell yourself short. That last punch was serious business. I hit that guy several times and he didn’t fall down, but you went right through his chainmail shirt. You’re far stronger than both me and that adventurer. That last punch you threw was harder than my kick.”
“Saw a lot of monsters. Nasty ones.”
“I mean, I’ve got stuff to do. Look, you said Ceria’s in Esthelm, right? Where’s that?”
“Good for them.”
““[Light].””
““I saw it.””
““Wow.””
““I’m okay. I am. I saw it.””
““They run the Mage’s Guilds, right?””
““Will it hurt?””
““How long have you been staying here?””
““Perish the thought.””
““It’s just something that really interests me. And defending myself is part of it, but I just want to learn about magic. It was not…widely practiced where I come from.””
““‘Not all Humans?’ Does that mean that other races have greater or lesser potential to become mages? How about your kind?””
“Aren’t your…people vegetarian?”
“It was a request. I got it done—half-done. I just need to finish my delivery, and it’ll be over.”
“Is—is leveling necessary to learn magic? Couldn’t I learn magic without gaining a…a class?”
“Who’d you hear that from?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“I barely got out alive. It was sheer luck that I got away.”
“Who’s the aunt? Do I know her?”
“Confidential.”
“Big. Stone. They spit rocks and try to eat you.”
“And I suppose you are?”
“No. And I don’t believe in that either. I just wanted to know if I could study by myself or if I had to—to wait until I leveled to learn more spells.”
“The what?”
“They were pretty bad. They ate up the Goblins that ambushed me and then got torn to shreds by the Gargoyles and goats.”
“I’d like to talk some more about magic and look around the Adventurer’s Guild if that’s okay.”
“Oh, of course. Sorry.”
“Yeah. I guess. They had sharp teeth. And they scream.”
“Sorry, what?”
“Who’s he?”
“Oh. Levels.”
“Why, I’d love to have a sparring match. Tell me, have you ever heard the word MMA?”
“No one special.”
“I ran into a bunch of Goblins, some wolves, some goats, and then some gargoyles. I just kept running, and then I got to my destination.”
“Not necessarily.”
“Well, a sparring match. I was the one who wanted to turn it into a fight.”
“I—just want to push her face in a bit, don’t you? She’s a bit too beautiful and perfect.”
“So I’m told.”
“I get it. She’s a great person. A popular girl. Someone everyone likes.”
“I guess. Maybe. Shame we won’t ever find out the truth. Alright, I’m ready.”
“You don’t stretch before a fight?”
“You can leave your armor on. The gauntlets too.”
“Yup.”
“Warming up.”
“She wants to test me, too. She’s working for Magnolia.”
“Hrm.”
“Shame. One more advantage for me, then.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. She just—reminds me of people I don’t like. And she looks too nice for an adventurer. I don’t like nice people. They’re always hiding something. It’s always a mask, right? Like Fals.”
“It won’t be me that gets hurt.”
“Where I come from, yeah.”
“Yeah. I practice Mixed Martial Arts. Muay Thai.”
“Trust me.”
“It would have been better if I’d kept her down.”
“I’m going to get serious now.”
“Those were throws. Special moves to take down an opponent. Haven’t you ever seen someone tossing an opponent to the ground before?”
“It’s fine. You’re not wearing a helmet anyways.”
“Oops.”
“What about Calruz, then?”
“Yeah. And I got to hit her.”
“What’s the level difference between a Silver-ranked adventurer and a Gold-rank?”
“It helps.”
“Seems accurate to me.”
“Why? Any Runner can deliver healing potions.”
“I don’t use weapons. And I’m not interested.”
“Mm?”
“You sound like a bunch of Runners when you say it like that.”
“I’m not a team player.”
“Guy named Fals. He says the same things as you do. Runners have to band together in order to survive. Sacrifice the good of the individual for the group. ‘Work together or die.’”
“You don’t think I can defend myself? You saw me fight.”
“Really. That’s what you think?”
“I’m dead serious. Fight me. Unless you’re afraid you’ll lose?”
“Great.”
“Size isn’t everything.”
“Oh really? Let’s see what you say in a few minutes.”
“Besides, I wanted to challenge him from the start. See how far I can go.”
“What is it?”
“I guess I’ve just got to dodge, then.”
“I’m not done. Let Calruz go. I’ll take him on.”
“I survived.”
“No. Let’s keep going.”
“I don’t need an axe to do my job. And I don’t need you to tell me what to do. Back off. I’ll take on Calruz without you lot getting in the way.”
“I can still fight.”
“I don’t need levels to fight.”
“Not one.”
“Really? Arrogance? All I see are people too afraid to do anything until they level up. People who have to hide in a group to cover how pitiful they are.”
“Calruz! Fight me! Come back here, you coward! Are you afraid?”
“Bring it.”
“I didn’t think you were a coward, Calruz.”
“I’ll take you on.”
“I’ll take you on one by one or all at once. Come on. Fight me.”
“It’s not about levels. Your stupid little system doesn’t interest me. I don’t believe in needing levels or classes. It’s all stupid, and it makes you cowards. Silver-rank? Gold-rank? You just use those words because you don’t have the guts to fight.”
“Really? Then let’s make it a serious fight.”
“Nothing much. See that person? The one in the silver armor? She challenged me to a fight.”
“I’m taking her seriously, believe me. But I want to see what fighting someone in armor is like. And besides…you’ve never seen me fight, have you?”
“With armor though, right? Not exactly barehanded. You try punching out someone in plate armor. I bet those [Bandits] could have taken her on without the armor. I can—even if she’s got it on.”
“You heard what he said about females.”
“I don’t think so. Not yet, anyways. She challenged me to a ‘friendly’ match. I accepted. Why?”
“She looks way too attractive, that’s all.”
“Look, I’m going to do it. You want to let me focus or go away and shut up?”
“I don’t need Skills to fight.”
“Right. Your turn. Bring it on.”
“I survived the High Passes without a single level. I did it because I wasn’t afraid and needed half a dozen people in armor to hold my hand. And if you lot had any guts, you wouldn’t sit around whining about how a bunch of unexplored ruins are too dangerous.”
“Hey.”
“I understand. You don't want me to go in there?”
“I refuse.”
“I want to go home. I want…to go home. I don’t want this.”
“Goodbye, Persua. I don’t think either of us are getting out of this.”
“Really? Then good luck.”
“Then let’s die here. Come on, Persua!”
“You want me, Persua? Let’s end this once and for all!”
“The Lich. The High Passes. I didn't care if I died.”
“W-what the fuck is going on?”
“I've got something to do. I'm sorry.”
“No. No! I will not—I will not make the same mistake again. I’m going back—and nothing will stop me.”
“Persua.”
“Let me try.”
“Ow. What the—”
“I'd like that.”
“I have to go. I—”
“I have to go.”
“I'm a piece of shit. You—you really wouldn't get it. I can't fit in and be friendly. I don't enjoy it. I can't be a good person back to Ga—to the H—to people. So it's better if they don't try. I don't belong. So—can't you just leave me be? Just let me run and not bother me?”
“So? Are you going to say that I should go back and try? That I—I should keep making the attempt? That I owe it to my friends not to let them down?”
“I'll live. I've survived worse.”
“You're old.”
“Why does someone climb a mountain? I like challenges.”
“Who—are you? Just a [Merchant]?”
“Then—why are you so interested in me? Can't you leave me alone?”
“I don't want handouts. I don't want to owe a favor.”
“No one's waiting for me. Not my f—no family, and no friends. Okay? So leave me alone. I'll go run in, level up—isn't that how you're supposed to do it?”
“…How old are you?”
“I'll survive. I've run the High Passes already.”
“It's no one's business. Just let me do what I want. Even if I die—why do you care?”
“I'm—Ryoka. From around Celum.”
“I have a delivery. My destination is around the Bloodfields. Going through seemed easy.”
“Let go of me. Now.”
“You wouldn't know anything about my problems! I'm tired of people coming into my life and offering advice or trying—trying to 'help'. I'm not like the rest of you, do you understand? I just want to be left alone. You won't enjoy my company, and I won't repay generosity. Got it?”
“Maybe I don't want any help!”
“What now?”
“I heard you. Thanks for the warning. Don't go in, right?”
“We’re quits, Persua. If you make it out, that is. I never had the guts to kill you. I’m…sorry it went down this way. I’m going back. I have to try again.”
“Let go of—”
“I think I might just do that.”
“Ryoka Griffin. City Runner around the Celum region. On delivery. I’m not taking requests or mail.”
“Stop it!”
“Oh hell. I’m…”
“Your sword—”
“I…I could let him die. He’d let me die. But I want to be better. To my friends. To—everyone. I don’t know how. I’m only good at running. I want to do something good.”
“I just—I ran.”
“I have to go back. I have to say—I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s dangerous. A…‘death zone’?”
“Huh? What? What?”
“Huh?”
“Thanks. I'll think about what you said. And I'll stay away from the Bloodfields.”
“Let’s all die. Good riddance. You want me, Persua? Come and get me!”
“I run there. But I’m working. So…”
“Persua…? Then Claudeil and Toriska didn’t…”
“I know.”
“The Bloodfields? I know it’s the Bloodfields. It’s…”
“I’ve got business here. Or past here. Thanks for the warning. See ya.”
“None of your business! Get lost!”
“I should stay and thank you—”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know.”
““No. Nonono. It wasn’t her, was it?””
““No. Did she do this? Did—””
““Ceria? Calruz?””
““Get away from them. Get—””
““…Hello?””