Chaplets Control

Astro: “Agh! Why do I always draw the short end of the straw? Dante, I hope you’re alright. I’m trying to get there. How come when I need a specific chaplet I never have it? I don’t have time to get back to Carmen's Dungeon. It’s too far and I don’t know what will happen if I go back through that desert now that the teleporter is broken. I just have to ask around.”

A group of men murmured nearby.

???: “I heard the Ruler of Welnir is planning to launch a full scale attack on some of the surrounding cities including here.”

???: “I heard the same thing. But what does he want with this place? There is nothing here. Felopsten is all about gambling and partying.”

???: “I don’t know, but we have to make a choice whether we want to stay or not. A lot of people are talking about leaving. Maybe we should.”

Astro thought about what the men had said. ‘The Ruler of Welnir? Why is he coming up from the south? Did someone provoke him? The Association is only a few miles away. Is that what they are after? Screw that. I have to find another Yellow Egress Chaplet.’

Astro entered the nearby adventurers guild. To no surprise, most of the adventurers were consumed by lust. Cat-like humans were half naked and surrounded the men. The lady at the front desk introduced herself.

“Hello. Welcome to Felopsten’s guild. How can we help you?”

“I need to hire a guide.”

“Not a problem sir. May we see your card?” Astro pulled out a Glory coin. The woman opened her eyes wide. “Follow me please sir.”

Astro followed the woman to the back where a woman with long light blue hair and purple eyes greeted him. Astro called out immediately without thought. “S-Silvia?” The woman looked confused and shooed the other girl away. “Ah. Sorry. Y-You just look a lot like someone I knew,” he quickly said. In a very mundane and calm voice, the girl responded. “No, I’m Claudia. Silvia, huh? She must’ve meant a lot to you I assume whoever she is.”

“Yes, she…she did.”

Astro looked the most vulnerable he had ever had. Tears formed in his eyes as he wiped them away.

Claudia: “Well, I am sorry as well. I know what that’s like. Let’s turn the subject shall we? I’d rather not discuss the past for both our sakes.”

Astro: “Yes, I agree. Why was I brought back here?”

Claudia: “Glory coins aren’t very popular in the modern era of swordsmanship. You must know this?”

Astro: “And what of it?”

Claudia: “Nothing really. It just means you have no problem revealing that you are from the infamous 7 Eyed Snakes group, correct?”

Astro: “Not many people usually question me on that. They usually don’t say anything because they know the consequences.”

Claudia: “And will there be consequences?”

Astro: “That depends on if you can help me or not. All I’m asking for is a guide.”

The woman pondered for a moment before speaking again.

Claudia: “A guide? You need a guide Mr. Snake?”

Astro: “Not really a fan of that nickname.”

Claudia: “No? Well I like it.”

Astro: “You’re messing with the wrong person, lady.”

Claudia: “Maybe I am, but maybe I’m messing with the right person.”

Astro: “What do you mean by that? I don’t have a lot of time.”

The woman sighed.

Claudia: “So impatient…Oh well, I can’t help that. Believe it or not I have a lot of power around this city. Even though it isn’t the most respectful town, it is still a big money maker connected to a lot of other places. I’d imagine you’d know of The City of Thieves.”

Astro: “That place is gone. You’re pushing your authority now.”

Claudia: “Hold on, hold on. I never said I didn’t know it was destroyed. Just recently too. I just said that I had connections to it. Well, it was a great town until it got wiped off the map. A lot of my workers came from that city and made a living pleasing others.”

Astro: “Get to the point.”

Claudia: “Okay, okay. You need a guide, correct? Well, you’re too dangerous to have one of my guides, so…I am going to take you up on that offer.”

Astro: “What? No. I’ll pass.”

Claudia: “Do you have another option? Seems like you’re in a hurry. Plus, I’m a lot stronger than I look.”

The woman licked her lips with pleasure.

Astro: “You bastard. Won’t even abide by guild rules. I gave you a Glory coin and you pull this crap.”

Claudia: “Keep your stupid coin all you want. You can have it back in fact. I just want to experience what you do. I love to learn.”

Astro: “You’re going to leave your city? Your people? Just to follow me and learn? Yeah okay, what’s the catch here?”

“Nothing really,” she responded. Astro thought about the situation he was in. ‘I don’t really have a choice. What does she really want? Maybe she isn’t hiding anything, but she is certainly not normal by any means.’

Astro: “Fine. Some rules though traveling with me.”

Claudia: “Of course.”

Astro: “You remain in front the entire time. Second rule is you will help fight in dangerous situations or leave immediately. Don’t get in my way either option you choose. Last rule is you get me to where I need to go.”

Claudia: “And where would that be?”

Astro: “I needed a guide to find a Yellow Egress Chaplet. I need to get to Deceased Paradise. I have people waiting for me.”

The woman smiled aggressively and laughed. “Deceased Paradise? Oh, this is going to be fun.”

Astro: “No, none of this will be fun. You’re here to help. I’ll even pay you afterwards whatever you want, but I need to get there. Have you been there before?”

Claudia: “No. I haven’t. But, I know where to find the chaplet you’re looking for.”

Astro: “We’re screwed anyways. I had hoped you had seen his castle. Who knows where we are going to end up.”

Claudia: “It shouldn’t be a problem. We are both very capable people.”

Astro: “So, where are we supposed to go for this chaplet?”

Claudia walked over to a remote and flipped a button green. A high pitched voice called out from the remote almost screaming. “Warning! Warning! Head to the Underground soon for your next match.”

“What is that?” Astro asked. “It’s where we’ll get what we need. Follow me,” she responded. “Be prepared to do your best.”