Mini-Update #5
Man, it's been a while since my last update. Ah well, better six months late than not at all, right? Right...?
(Pleasedon'thateme)
Where we last left off, we were right at the end of B3F (literally "at the end"; I just need to press 'A' from where I'm standing to get to the next floor). Now, I know I titled this a "Mini-Update", but I'm gonna press a tiny bit further in the Labyrinth before warping out.
[B4F — Bladed ordeal in the muck]
Report: Another staircase, another floor. Let's-
Ere: I'm starting to have doubts about this "floor" business. All of these "floors" look exactly the same.
Barring, y'know, the giant lizards on the second floor, the giant hippos on the third floor and the mud tiles on both. But I digress.
Gabe: They do look quite similar to one another, but I wouldn't say they look the same.
Ere: Each time we walk down the staircase it's like we're on the same floor we just came from. It's really starting to get to me.
Report: So, you're perfectly fine with finding staircases in a natural environment?
Ere: Don't get me started on that. How can all of you be so lax about this?
I don't really want to write a "conversational" response to this, and here's why: Axel's done this sort of thing several times before, so he's used to it. Being the main protagonist of the comic, Report's pretty damn adaptable, so he's already gotten used to things too. Ranko lives on a planet where such things are taken for granted and never questioned, so she has no idea how these could be disconcerting to non-locals. I'm not sure what Gabe's excuse is, but it's probably that, as Axel's brother, he's been in situations like these before as well.
Axel: Because it beats digging to get to the next floor.
Ere: Whatever. Let's go. [storms off]
Report: ...Why are there staircases in the Labyrinth, anyway?
Axel: It's BDL.
Report: Ah.
I'll explain BDL later. In the meantime, let's do what I came here to get done. Three steps forward and...
>As you steadily progress through the Labyrinth, a young man appears before you.
Ere: Gah! You...you're that guy...!
>His piercing gaze relaxes into a smile. He speaks slowly, as if choosing his words carefully.
That Guy: We met on the second floor, no? Glad to see you safe here. You're one of the luckier guilds.
Gabe: I think you mean "skilled".
That Guy: No, I mean lucky. I saw your fights against the Raging Tyrants.
Report: Regardless, our skills are what got us here.
Break and Charge and Lights Out and Hanging and Healing and Kikouken and Healing and Line Heal and Heavy Shot and Healing and Volt Barrage and Attack Order and Guard Order and Healing. Oh yes, and Healing.
That Guy: No, it's by merit of pure dumb luck that you guys survived three floors.
>The young man then shifts his gaze deeper into the forest.
That Guy: Lucky though you are to survive thus far...Trespassing further into the Labyrinth is forbidden.
Report: Why?
That Guy: Why what?
Report: Why is going further into the Labyrinth forbidden?
That Guy: Uh...
Time passes
That Guy: It's simply much too dangerous.
>He seems unlikely to bend in his stance, though you may attempt to appeal to his reason. Speak to him?
>>Yes
>You ask him why those who are here to explore the Labyrinth are barred from doing so.
That Guy: This is far enough for those with idle curiosity. Only those with higher callings may go further.
"That Guy" shoots a somewhat sneering glance at Axel
That Guy: Time was, I'd let you pass merely on the grounds that the infamous Azel is here, but his skills have since dulled, as has the respect he garners.
>The young man runs a speculative gaze over you before continuing.
That Guy: If you strive for greater than to see the Labyrinth's sights...Then return to the Senatus and petition them for a letter of marque. If you wish, that is.
Report: Fine, then that's just what we'll do.
>The young man nods curtly and takes up his firm stance blocking your way. It seems your best option at the moment is to return to Armoroad and speak with the Senatus.
That Guy: I'm not moving from this very spot until you return with the letter. If at all...
Alright, this is what we needed to do right now. "That Guy" won't let us past him (and therefore explore B4F) without undertaking a certain mission from the Senatus, and in order to get that mission to show up we have to do this first, so...
[Back at the Plaza...]
As always, right off to the shop...
>Sell
- 1 Hippo Tusk (225 en)
- 1 Bloody Blade (44 en)
- 1 Green Feather (28 en)
- 5 Pseudopods (125 en)
- 1 Steel Shell (21 en)
- 2 Elastic Tongues (32 en)
- 2 Pungent Ivys (28 en)
- 5 Poison Hyphae (65 en)
- 2 Poisonous Tails (18 en)
- 3 Frog Cheeks (21 en)
- 3 Slimy Legs (12 en)
Total: 619 en
Unlocked Items:
- Small Sword: Rapier, ATK +34, 2 Free slots
- Caetra: Heavy Shield, DEF +17
Nobody in the party uses a shield, and Gabe's currently fine with his Panzerstecher, so I don't buy either of these.
Alright, that was kind of long for a "Mini"-Update, but it got the job done. Before we run off to the Senatus, there are a bunch of things to do that I have been putting off for a while. Until next time.
