Week 1 (10)
Week 1 (10)
"So, what's this supposed to be?"
I chug down some cold water and wipe my mouth.
Staring at me with a look of utter disbelief is Valerie McBain, who looks way more put-together than yesterday after a good night's sleep.
"A new comrade."
When I say it straight-up without any sugarcoating, Valerie snorts derisively.
She's got that "you've gotta be kidding me" vibe.
But hey, facts are facts—what can you do?
"Um, h-hey... give it back, my medicine..."
Oblivious to all this, the bundle of trouble is still wriggling around, desperately hunting for her meds.
For the record, we haven't untied her yet, but now that I look closer, she really does seem like she's on the verge of tears.
Just as a twinge of pity starts to creep in, Valerie lets out a massive sigh and draws a dagger from her holster.
"Hold on, even so, a knife is..."
"What do you take me for? I'm just gonna cut her loose."
With that, Valerie strides right up to the mysterious woman and raises the blade high.
I wonder if it's safe to untie her now, but whatever—with Valerie and Ray here, at least we've got minimum security.
A moment later, once the bindings are fully sliced away, the woman charges straight at me like she'd been waiting for this.
Of course, Valerie blocks her immediately.
"Hngh, hngh... stick it in me. The medicine, stick it in me...!"
"Hang on, hang on, calm down. I'll do it, okay?"
The way she's panting wildly in desperation is, honestly, kinda erotic.
I swallow hard without thinking and pull a small syringe from my pocket.
No surprise, her eyes lock onto it instantly.
"Alright, hold still..."
Like magic, she goes all docile, sticking out her tongue with a "beee—" and her emerald eyes trembling in rapture.
Trying not to tense up too much, I uncap the needle.
Pop, a crisp sound rings out as the needle is revealed.
And, a moment later.
—The woman shudders violently after getting the full dose.
I'm on high alert watching her sketchy reaction from every angle when, moments later, she lifts her head.
Those eyes calmly meet mine.
The moment I feel a sense of wrongness in that gaze, she speaks.
"Thanks. I calmed down thanks to you."
The trembling from before vanishes like a lie, replaced by a clear, composed voice.
Looking a bit fatigued, she lets out a sigh.
Now that I notice, there are deep dark circles under her eyes.
"Uh... well, glad to hear it, then..."
As I fumble my words in confusion, she explains further.
"That stuff I just took? It's not some drug like you're thinking—it's a Nerve Sedative I mixed myself."
"Huh?"
"Without it, I can't stay sane. Sorry for the trouble."
Radiating a decadent allure as she says this, she seems like a completely different person from moments ago.
"Ah, n-no, don't mention it."
I reflexively reply, and she gives a wry smile like she gets it, extending her hand.
"Oh, right—we haven't even introduced ourselves properly. Callie... Callie Spencer, formerly of the Aurantius Guild."
"Ah, just call me Master."
I take her hand, hesitating a bit before answering.
It's not like I don't have a name, but that's from my old life in Korea.
I haven't settled on one for this world yet.
After all, I've spent all my time rolling around the floor denying reality.
So, "Master" feels like the right call.
Just like in the game.
...That said, what does "formerly" mean?
"Valerie-ssi, do you know her?"
"Huh? No, why would I?"
I figured since she's from Aurantius too, maybe, but apparently not.
Reading my gaze, she snaps back curtly.
"I get what you're thinking, but we're not exactly tied to the guild. That's more for the bureaucrats. For mercs, it's basically just a certification mark saying 'qualified mercenary here,' plus some backup for emergencies. We don't really feel any loyalty or whatever."
"Ah."
News to me.
Tombstone isn't the type to spoon-feed story; outside of piecing together in-game fragments, there's no way to know the lore.
While I'm nodding along to Valerie's explanation, Callie casually plops down on a barracks chair and chimes in.
"And that's why I said 'formerly'? I've lost my mercenary qualifications now."
For someone in that situation, she's weirdly nonchalant as she continues.
"You'll figure it out, but I didn't exactly come here by choice... more like I was imprisoned."
"This isn't really a prison, though... You could leave if you wanted."
Not that I'm planning to let her go easy, but still. Callie smirks at my words.
"I've got stuff I have to do here. Even if I ran, there's nothing else waiting for me anyway."
"Uh... I see."
Her expression looks so wistfully distant.
The mood gets kinda solemn for no reason, but business is business.
I clear my throat a couple times and get to it.
"Alright, then—as Master, I'll treat you as an employed mercenary, Callie-ssi. That cool?"
"Yeah, of course. Looking forward to working with you."
Her straightforward agreement gives me a little thrill.
She was half-suicidal when we met, but turns out she's totally normal.
Just keep jabbing her with that Nerve Sedative regularly, and this'll be way smoother than first impressions suggested.
I'm feeling smug about it internally when she suddenly goes "Ah," flashing an awkward smile like she remembered something, and whispers,
"Um... about the meds. I don't have ingredients to mix more right now, so that was the last one."
"Ah."
Of course it wouldn't be that easy.
"So, how do you get those ingredients?"
"Hmm, normally from the black market..."
"Wait, so it really is druggy stuff?"
Black market? Sounds like a shady source peddling nothing but suspicious crap.
Whatever, the real issue is we're stuck in this backwater territory—no way to get there.
"This is bad... Ahaha."
Callie lets out an awkward laugh.
Guess she doesn't have a plan either.
All that touching moments from before? Poof, gone.
"Still, I've heard the rumors around here. There's a Labyrinth underground, right?"
"Yeah, that's the deal. Exploring it's our goal."
She asks without hesitation, so I answer the same.
She hums thoughtfully, then says,
"In places shrouded in mystery, plants infused with mana grow. We might find substitutes there. My meds don't need super rare stuff."
"I've been wondering since earlier—so, Callie-ssi, are you a pharmacist? Or a doctor?"
Her disastrous first impression didn't scream that, but if she's brewing her own drugs, she's gotta be in the field.
At my guess, Callie flashes a meaningful smile.
"Doctor? Well, some called me that once. But let's say I'm a bit more lethal than that."
Whoa, what a badass line.
Too bad for me, though—I was hoping for a healer.
For party stability, sustainable healing is key... but oh well.
Filling a merc slot via event? That's a win already.
No telling when her meds run out, but for her sake too, we gotta launch the second expedition ASAP...
Aurantius Guild Exile, Callie Spencer has joined. *
*
[Aurantius Guild Exile, Callie Spencer]
"A capable pharmacist and lethal poisoner, Callie Spencer was born into a pitiful fate where half her mind is gripped by madness. Unbowed by her wretched birth, she poured all her talents into pursuing Forbidden Knowledge. And this is the result. The deadly poisons she creates can snatch enemies' breath or rally allies' spirits. Yet even she struggles to stay sane without her self-made drugs. If you pity her, perhaps offer a small kindness and free her forever from that accursed madness."
Equipment:
[Oleander Staff]: Rear rank placement, Speed Dice 3, Power Dice 1
[Shabby Robe]: Life Tokens 16, Evasion Dice 1
Skills:
[Forbidden Knowledge]: (Passive) Clears 1 debuff when applying weakening effects.
[Biological Experiment]: (Mid-row attack) On use, judgment (5+)—Success: Poison 5 (3 turns), Cruelty 1
[Plague Pit]: (AoE attack) On use, judgment (8+)—Success: Poison 2 (2 turns), Decay (2 turns), Cruelty 1
[Sterilization]: (Ally buff) Heal 2, reduce all keywords on target by 3 turns
[Nerve Stimulant]: (Ally buff) Desire +1d10, target acts immediately ignoring current round
Quirk:
[Innate Madness]: If 'Nerve Sedative' effect active: +1 Evasion Die and Luck 2. If inactive: -1 Evasion Die and max Desire -10
*
"Hey, you."
In the mercenaries' barracks after Master left, Valerie approaches Callie, who'd been watching the exchange with a bored expression.
Callie turns, her eyes still hollow, and Valerie sizes her up head to toe before speaking.
"What'd you do?"
Valerie growls low, her rough merc edge on full display.
Her hazy demeanor from before flips to outright hostility, leaving Callie a bit flustered as she replies.
"What do you mean? Like I said, this medicine is..."
"Not that. How'd you get exiled from the guild?"
Valerie cuts her off coldly, staring daggers into Callie's green eyes.
"I've got enough mileage in this game to not fall for shitty disguises. What are you, anyway?"
A chill silence descends.
No emotion left on Callie's face.
Meeting Valerie's crude glare head-on, she retorts.
"None of your business."
"Yeah, sure, none of my business. Like how you might snap one day and slit my throat while I'm sleeping—totally minor."
Valerie sneers, but Callie stares back calmly, unfazed.
"Not curious about your sob story. Point is, can I trust you with my back in a fight? Got it?"
"Enough. Blind suspicion isn't cool."
Ray, who'd been listening quietly, steps in.
"Won't ask what crime landed you here. Just don't get any funny ideas while you're around."
"I promise. No harm to you guys or Master."
Callie nods readily at Ray's warning.
Satisfied, Ray glances calmly at Valerie, who scoffs like she's conceding and shrugs.
"Should've said that from the start."
Callie's face twists oddly.
As if it was just a warning, Valerie slips back to her giggly vibe and says to Ray,
"Oh yeah, did he say when the next expedition is?"
"Nope, nothing like that."
At Ray's reply, Valerie drags out a "Hmmm," then adds,
"Doc needs her meds soon, so it'll be quick, right?"
"Something like that. Rest up till then."
"Forget it, body's already good. Mind's another story, though."
"...Mind?"
Callie, listening to the two, murmurs softly.
"Yeah, mind. Speaking of, you do know what this place is, right?"
Valerie's tone drips with smugness, and Callie tilts her head, sounding unsure.
"I know it's a Labyrinth..."
"Not just any Labyrinth. This place... man, it's a killer."
She starts to explain, then gives up, lightly raising both hands.
"You'll find out soon enough—brace yourself."
"Soon? Wait, does it have to do with those hooker outfits?"
"...You. Come here a sec."
Week 1, end. -
Ray's Desire resolved by 1d10=2. Current Desire: 61/100. *
Valerie's Desire resolved by 1d10=8. Current Desire: 52/100. *