S1E6 - Despite concealing as I'm feeling
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Panacea
Full recovery from absolutely anything
"After Merciful Goddess was done building this world, she took a brief moment of respite - and in her dreams, she saw all the endless suffering and horror that will befall her new creation in the future. So deep was her sorrow over the fate awaiting her beloved children, that she could not hold back her tears upon awakening. Droplets filled with most compassion possessed the capacity to alleviate all the pain in the world, and are preserved throughout the ages as priceless treasures. The rest of them formed the World Ocean that whispers words of comfort with its endless tidal waves"
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Behold - my Ultra-Glorious Super-Exclusive Mega-VIP Can-I-See-Your-Invitation-Please Obligatory-Dress-Code Extra-Special Hero's Personal Ultimate Dungeon! Ta-da!! Well, actually, we will have to go through this boring, dark, long fucking corridor and reach the main part first - and then you can behold away all you want. This kind of entrance might not seem very grandiose, but let's not forget the importance of building up a suspense to the craft of proper showmanship. Also, this walkway has a little bit more going on for it beside boring the living shit out of me - but we can worry about that later
Anyway, we're finally through, so - what do you think after taking a proper look? To me, it looks like the insides of a giant well - or an empty tower - with its walls being riddled with countless archways, doors, windows, balconies, galleries, all while stretching to the infinity towards both directions. Up - trying to reach uncertain source of a pale light illuminating the place, and down - diving into what seems like a bottomless pit of darkness. Pretty nifty optical illusion - I can't say for sure how far upwards this whole thing goes, but I do know for the fact that this glorified dry water well does, indeed, have a bottom. Sort of. And that sort of exactly where we're going right now through this wide set of stairs spiraling around the inner walls of this structure. Watch your steps, they decided to save on the railings
Regardless, I like what they've done with the place overall - monochrome esthetics, muffled sounds, silver-shaded walls that resemble in color the outside part of the dungeon anomalies, glittering dust floating through the air, cold vague light seamlessly transforming into warm definitive darkness. It all really emphasizes the strength of character, the mysterious dignity and the boundless stoicism of both this place and, most of all, its rightful owner - which is me. So, good job, unknown creators of this fancy private club - you know me well!
If you look to your right, you will see doors, doors, doors, doors, and then even more doors. You better hold back your complains about seeming redundancy, because this design choice has a surprising twist to it - some of those doors actually do open. I know, what a shocker! And after they open, they lead to some interesting places with some interesting stuff - can it get any better than that? Plus, non-decorative doors usually have a distinct look to them, so they a pretty easy to find - like this one, for exa... Hm. Hmmmmmm?
...
There was a door here. It's... gone? I mean, I didn't discover this dungeon during every single run, but during the ones that I did, this door was always here. Hmmm. The only difference - beside the obvious one - that comes to mind is that I usually arrive here much later and... Wait, is that it? The door doesn't appear until I grab that shiny stick and get recognized as proper Hero, really? Interesting. Oh well, nothing behind it that we can't just as well grab sometime later, so let's get on with the tour
If you look to your left you... won't actually see our destination below, but I can assure you - it's there. Don't worry, even though our descent might seem infinite, we can't exactly get lost - there's only one way, so we are certain to reach to where we're going. Eventually. Veeeeeery eventually
So, let's take this opportunity to learn more about this mysterious locale we are currently exploring. This dungeon is.. how do I say it? You know how all dungeons are very-very weird? Well, this one is very-very weird compared to the rest of them - that should, theoretically, make it normal, but I don't think it's really an appropriate word to describe what's going on here. First things first - I'm the only one who can enter this anomaly. Nobody else can pass through the fog wall, despite there being no shortage of attempts to try and do so. The Guild and Librarians are going to bang their heads against this problem with enviable persistency, but all they will get as a result is an agreement that if I want to cash in what I've found here, I'll sell it only to the Guild. I'm legally obligated to do it anyway, but that won't stop them from reminding me about our "exclusive contract" at every single fucking opportunity
Most of the stuff I get from this place I don't sell anyway - it's surprisingly useful, including consumables. Especially consumables, actually - with my shitty stats, I need every single possible boost available, so I usually end up using it myself, provided I don't share it with my teammates, which I opt to do more often than I should. What can I say - I'm selfless, compassionate and kind fuck, as every Hero is supposed to be. Hmph!
And there's not a lot of Power Gems to sell, reason (probably) being that, as far as I know, this dungeon doesn't reach Hell. I don't know if it's not deep enough to do so, or it doesn't want to, like, conform with the crowd and trying to, like, do its own thing, man. Maybe the reason is something else entirely, but those precious crystals don't occur here in a natural way like in any other regular dungeon, and the ones that do appear are usually super expensive and stashed away in some corner, like a proper treasure, guarded by something - or someone
Which brings us to the next point - inhabitants. I don't know by what means all those beasts manage to sneak their way into "normal" dungeon, but whatever it is, it doesn't seem to work in this one - so my personal diving palace isn't exactly crawling with hungry animals trying to reach the lowest floor while attacking everything on sight at the same time. Works for me, since I can't bring my whole team with me here, and fighting my way through the proper dungeon on my own, well... You saw my fight against Flailing Mantis, right - imagine me battling against five of those dipshits at the same time, which is a regular occurrence in the normal circumstances. It's not like I get that much stronger after I level up a bunch and get that stupid sword - well, I do a little bit, but... I don't wanna talk about it. Happy thoughts, come
So, instead of usual dungeon zoo, the denizens of my private playground provide an entertainment of a different kind - there's a shit ton of extinct legendary creatures all over the place, so insanely strong that we wouldn't probably stand a chance against them even with the whole crew combined. Luckily, not all of them attack on sight, presenting some sort of a quiz, a game, or a survey that you have to clear in order to pass through, instead. Those who do attack also require some form of gimmick in order to bypass them or put them out of commission. Plus there are secret doors, riddle rooms, trapped passages, code sequences, cryptic passwords, confusing situations - the whole entertainment experience. To solve most of it, you either required to bring something along with you from the real world - or to get some vague hint from some obscure source on the surface
Yes, it does require running across Kaladerra, exploring some long-forgotten ruins, and defeating some strong enemies - but it's usually worth all that effort. This dungeon is a treasure trove - artifacts that are impossible to find, consumables that are impossible to recreate, weird things that are impossible to identify. For example, have you ever heard of Panacea?
Legendary elixir that's supposedly made from the tears of Goddes herself, it is rumored to have the ability to cure absolutely fucking everything. Curse, disease, injury, broken heart, social anxiety, mid-life crisis, unwarranted self-importance - as long as you're alive, it will instantly recover you to full health, no problem. So rare, it's considered to be no more than a myth nowadays, but since I've used it on several occasions, I can vouch for both its existence and efficiency. Really good shit
Several of them are actually in this dungeon, and I hope to very soon grab the one that's easiest to get. You see, I have a small pebble on a road to my happy Heroic Retirement - this blob of intrusive memories is giving me a headache. Literally. Don't worry, it's nothing major - but you can't expect me to fully enjoy my easy-going vacation while simultaneously trying to deal with this never-ending head-fucking-splitting noise in my brain. So, I decided that it would probably be a good idea to pop some magic pills first, just to clear my mind and make it ready to focus on the most important task - working out the details of my Hero Retirement Uninterrupted Plan
Initially, I thought it was going to take a while before I could enter this dungeon, but unexpected generosity of that sly fox gave me the access to all the ingredients required for me to cook some delicious "getting into an endgame location super early" stew. Hey, good job, old hag - being "alright" is still just a pipe dream for you at this point, but if you keep being useful like that, then who knows
Meanwhile, we've completed our descent in a pretty anti-climactic fashion - partly because there's nothing much to look at here. The stairs just abruptly end, giving us the opportunity to explore all the wonders this big empty round hall without a ceiling has to offer - which are not many, but there are some. For starters, while the walls follow the same door extravaganza philosophy as the rest of the building, the floor decided to go full organic and cover itself with countless densely packed tree roots - they come from a big hole in the middle and spread across the entire floor, forming a mostly even surface. Shut up, I didn't lie - it is actually a bottom floor, this wooden vagina doesn't actually go anywhere. Well, it kind of does, but only if you take it out for dinner and buy it a present first - all that, just to be totally disappointed anyway. Instead, let's focus on another distinct feature of this area, the one that manages to combine a visual appeal with being properly useful
Giant statue of a naked woman sitting on a floor by the wall directly opposite of the stairs we just came down from. With her arms and head resting on her knees, this stone lady gives off quite a melancholic feeling - but this pose provides us with an easier way to get closer to her left boob. For strictly scientific purposes, of course. Roots near her left thigh rise up a little, so we can use them to climb onto the leg an then, if we stand oh her stomach and look up, we can see that her left nipple, hanging directly above our heads close enough to reach with our hands, is actually a dial. I spare you the details on all the complex math that was required to figure out the four-digit sequence, so let's get to rotating this thing at once
1-2-3-4
I feel like I should make some comment about obvious security concerns - along with the lack of creativity - this choice of password represents, but I'd rather refrain. First of all, I'm pretty sure it suppose to be a date in some obscure ancient calendar - and second, we need to get the fuck away from this bloody thing, because it will start to move any second now. What is with this dungeon and moving statues anyway?
*rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *spreeeeeeeead* *seductive smile*
Now that she sits leaning back and revealing her face, you can notice a curious illusion that changes the way this woman looks every time you get your eyes off of her - cycling through recognizable features of all kaladerrian sentient races, and then adding some not-so familiar ones. Sometimes she's a siren, sometimes - a bunny, other times she appears to be an ork, an elf, an ant, or a human - the rest of her body follows suit and changes shape as well, making it a great way to prevent the design of your living room from going stale, provided it's big enough to fit this huge thing. But shifting racial identity of this lady aside, let's focus on the most important part - it is, of course, located between her legs, that are now spread widely in a quite alluring pose. Again, scientific purposes, what else
You see, her cave of wonders is hidden behind a locked door - probably trying to present some on the nose commentary about general dynamics of inter-sexual relationships, no doubt. My guts tell me that I should consider myself very lucky, because the key this particular door requires isn't metaphorical one - it's an actual physical key which I also happen to have already
>> Trusty key (weird shape makes it untrustworthy) <<
This one, in case you've forgotten. Now, open the door, go through a tunnel and enter into a luxurious lounge garnished with red. Ignore the creep behind a bar counter on the left, proceed towards a red leather sofa on the right, and to the exotic potted plant behind it next. What we're looking for is inside this pot
『Welcome to the Palace of *snort* Love, brother - a welcoming place of respite to all the valiant *snort* knights on their quest to find true beauty!! *snoooort* Can I interest you in some *snort* tasty beverages, to keep your throat from getting dry while you *snort* share with me some exciting tales of your *snort* romantic conquest?』
『...』
『Care to *snort* partake some of the numerous other entertainments our *snort* esteemed establishment has to offer?』
『...』
『Maybe I can *snort* interest you in some secret rumors that can provide you with the hints leading to your *snort* new adventure?』
『...』
『...』
『...』
『...You're being petty *snort* rude now, brother. I don't think that's a proper way for a Knight of True *snort* Beauty to behave, considering...』
『Will you shut the fuck up and give me one Panacea to go, creep!』
『I'm afraid this *snort* item isn't on the menu, brother』
『I figured this place was a fucking dump! Never mind then, I just remembered that I brought one with me just in case - here it is!』
『...You *snort* know that's mine, right, brother?』
『Says who? I just found it, so it rightfully belongs to me now! Mwahahaha, behold - my super legendary loot!! Feeling jealous, you stupid creep?』
『*snooort* What gives you the idea that you can rummage through other people's stuff and then claim it as your own?!』
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
『The fact that this other people's stuff you speak of is located right in the middle of a fucking dungeon gives me that idea. Now, I prefer to enjoy my drinks in a good company of some peace and quiet, so keep it down for me, will you?』
『Outrageous!! Simply *snort* outrageous!! Palace of *snort* Love will not tolerate such barbaric acts within its *snort* sacred walls!!』
『Yeah, what are you gonna do, then? Not invite me back?』
『...I didn't invite you here in the first place *snort*』
『Cheers to your generous hospitality, creep!』
Come on, celestial mommy - I trust your tears to do your alleged baby son a solid! Bottoms up!
*glug* *glug* *glug* *burp*
Now, the effect should be almost instantaneous in most cases, but I never tried using it to deal with something like this before, so...
...
...
...
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!! That. Is. Nice.
And quiet. It was only two days, but I've already forgotten what not having a noisy mind feels like. Very, very, very good, apparently. Now, this leather couch looks extremely comfy for some reason, so I hope you will excuse me - I'm going to laze around for a bit and enjoy my head being fixed
『Well, just *snort* make yourself at home, why don't you, brother!』
『I think I will. Thanks for offering, brother』
『...』
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No, wait
Is it really a good time for this? The world is ending, what am I doing running around dungeons and gathering strange things? I... I need to do something, quick! Quick!! But what do I do? I'm not strong enough, and I know now that I will never be. Not to the point to make any difference. I should tell someone! I should tell everyone, right now! Will they believe me? They should, they must! And after that we can... we can...
No, wait
Even together, we have no chance! Too strong, too many! The Demon King... I remember fighting... what was she saying?... Why does Rindo know about this?... And the power, so much power! Enough to get drunk, but what a terrible price...
No, wait
The girls, the girls! I should warn them, I should convince them! Please, listen to me at least once! We shouldn't split, you shouldn't go, I will not make it in time! Stop being so stubborn! Why would I need all this strength if I can't even... I don't want this, not like this!
No, wait
The rest of you! Stop this selfish nonsense! How can you do it now, of all times! The fate of the world is hanging on a balance and you all just.. just.. how can you even... what is wrong with you?!
No, wait
The moon! The moon! It's going to fall! And then the angels... we are supposed to be on the same side! We should just blast it out of the sky before it happens! I will go and talk to scientists, they can find a way to do that!
No, wait
The stars! There are so many stars! How can we blast every single one of them? Maybe we build some sort of shield instead! Cover the whole planet! But why is the Tree even... was she calling them? What do you mean, "back"? Are those... us?
No, wait
North pole, north pole! It's erupting! Fire, fire, fire is everywhere! Dragons, I didn't know there were so many left! Should we hunt them down now? But what about her, what can we do? Those wings, they cover the sky...
No, wait
The whole ocean is frozen! The Spring... what is that thing? Is it a flower? It's so quiet, but the song never ends! Is there a way to drain the ocean? What about the creatures...
No, wait
The swarm, it's endless! It consumes everything! Corrosion and rust, everywhere! They look like... elves, who did this to them? It's coming from the Island, how hard it is to wipe it completely? We can move the elves somewhere and...
No, wait
What sort of creature is this? Stop talking with so many different voices! Stop being in all places at the same time! How can we find it, it's everywhere and... nowhere? Does it even exist...
No, wait
This Floodgate is too big, they are coming in too fast! Who are they? The next... what do you mean? No, it's our world, not yours! We failed? Failed at what? Stop pretending to know us, you are nothing like...
No, wait
The planet is... unfolding! What? How? So it's true, in the beginning, it was... I should tell everyone that... that...
No, wait
What's the point in knowing that? All they want is to live their lives! Who wouldn't? They don't need any of this, I just have to do my best to protect them. All of them. So many of them... There are so, so many of them...
And they all are going to die...
...
They're all gonna die!! Do you understand?! Every single one of them!! Everyone!!
THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE!!!
THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE 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DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE THEY ARE ALL GONNA DIE
...
They are all going to die
And it's my fault
I... what am I?
Why am I the way that I am?
What use does the world have for such a pathetic hero?
They have nobody else to rely on, so why did I fail so miserably?
Nobody else can even hope to do something about all of this, so why couldn't I?
There's nobody left to put the blame, so why am I still alive?
I should join all those I've failed to save
I can't do anything anyway
I can't even die properly
I can't...
...
My head...
It hurts...
Please, stop...
...
...
...
『GHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!』
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...I mean, fucking legendary drugs, am I right?
I was tripping my bollocks off, mate, what even is this? Mother, by the looks of it, I think your tears went pretty fucking sour! And who's the fucking twat that forgot to slap a sticker with an expiration date on the bloody thing anyway? Criminal, absolutely fucking criminal! I was looking to have my head fixed, not to do some silly self-reflection session on a shitty couch in a middle of a sex dungeon like a stupid cunt! Refund, mate, I need a refund
『*s-snort* You shouldn't suddenly scream like that, brother! I know a lot of *snort* ladies say they prefer a man to be in touch with his emotions, but let me tell you this - it's all just a *snort* trick to make you act like a little bitch so that they can *snort* make fun of you later』
『Your advice is duly noted, you absolute fucking bellend. Now, if you don't mind』
『Hey, he's gone... What was all of this *snort* about, anyway?』
Let's storm out of this place and go sit on the edge of this root-producing hole for a while. Every Hero needs some solitude to properly contemplate his (extremely rare) failures from time to time. It's our special Heroic thing, don't try too hard if it seems difficult to relate
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>> Spark of Promise <<
Well, that was exciting, if anything
>> Spark of Promise <<
I can try another one, but they all probably went sour as well. Just a gut feeling - another special Hero thing, you know
>> Spark of Promise <<
Good new, I'm not tripping and being fucking hysterical anymore
>> Spark of Promise <<
Not so good news - the headache is back alright. With the vengeance
>> Spark of Promise <<
This whole plan was pretty silly, which is not very surprising - I was the one who came up with it
>> Spark of Promise <<
Irrational side of magical drug seeking behavior really came into a full view in this one, huh?
>> Spark of Promise <<
...
>> Spark of Promise <<
...Can I just sit here quietly and stare into this hole until the world ends, I wonder?
>> Spark of Promise <<
...
>> Spark of Promise <<
Nah, I'm not going to do it. I mean, physically, I probably could, if I wanted to - but I will not want to in a minute. Another annoying trait of Heroic occupation - we can't even get depressed like normal people. There's this never-ending swirling up our asses that we all share, and it forces us to spring back on our feet and run straight into action again - ignoring all our failures and all the obstacles in our path. Fuck!
>> Spark of Promise <<
You see, I'm already thinking that this unexpected hiccup with a wonder drug can be considered as me taking shit from someone. I'm not sure who that someone might be, but a shit of unknown origin smells just as bad, in my opinion
>> ST-counter is worried that it's personal hygiene is being threatened
We can have that, little buddy! Wait a bit, I'm going to come up with some plan B right away! Panaceas-shmanaceas - who gives a fuck? I'm in a dungeon full of some really crazy shit, my brilliant wit can easily piece together a workaround from all this junk!
>> FG-counter is rooting for you
Woah, Heroic Determination MAX!! Come on, I need some proper spark of inspiration!!
>> Spark of Promise <<
...
>> Spark of Promise <<
...
>> Spark of Promise <<
OK, I think I got this! First order of business - we jump into this hole right here
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