1 A Start to a New Adventure
[
Ding! Implantation Successful!
Commencing Spiritual Extraction… 30%… 69%…98%
Ding! Spiritual Extraction Successful! Host has entered the 'Data Stream'!
Ding! You have begun 'Vessel Creation'! Lifting Spiritual Blind… 23%…58%…89%…100%
]
'Huh…? Where…? No, what…? Huh…?' A disembodied figure stared at a luminous window before them, the surroundings seemed to be a mixture of blends and twirls that could never be comprehended…
[
Vessel Creation - Race:
Human
Elf
Halfling
Dwarf
Chienthrope (Dog-Kin)
Felenthrope (Cat-Kin)
Vulpinthrope (Fox-Kin)
…
..
.
Imp
Incubus
Succubus
Siren
Vampire
Skeleton
Zombie
…
..
.
Slime
Dragon
Orc
Ogre
Goblin
Mimic
Changeling
…
..
.
{Page 1 / 23582}
]
'So… many… choices…' The figure couldn't help but think as it scanned through the choices provided, until eventually something seemed to 'click'. Finding the choice that resonated with their disembodied self, a holographic genderless figure appeared before them…
[
Scanning… Gender Manifested.
]
The screen appeared for a brief instant before blinking away as the holographic figure grew two humble mounds on its chest, a slit forming between its legs whilst the proportions of its body shifted. It grew shorter by a few 'units', its arms grew faintly thinner as its shoulders narrowed. The thighs were thickened while the holographic figure's calf's grew meatier…
[
Vessel Creation - Bodily Manipulation:
Skin: {Expand}
Hair: {Expand}
Head: {Expand}
Neck: {Expand}
Shoulders: {Expand}
Chest: {Expand}
Arms: {Expand}
Back: {Expand}
Stomach: {Expand}
Waist: {Expand}
Gluteal: {Expand}
Legs: {Expand}
Genitalia: {Expand}
Feet: {Expand}
Traits: {Expand}
]
Once again the disembodied figure was drowned in choices, as a screen capable of molding every aspect of the holographic figure laid out before them. The disembodied figure couldn't help themselves, as they sat down and began to play with the screen.
There was a moment that the holographic figure's head grew so big that it fell over, another time its hair grew so long that the weight could no longer be dragged. A moment that the figure became nothing but a head laid atop a pair of legs, another time it became a literal walking vulva…
Despite time not existing in the 'Data Stream', the disembodied figure was there for a long time manipulating the holographic body before them until they were content with their creation…
[
Name: {Unavailable}
Physical Vessel: {Expand}
Race: Humelf (A/N: A perfected Half-Elf -Human/Elf-)
Starting Traits -
• Positive: Soft Skin (5P), Clothed (5P), Pliant Flesh (10P), Greater Athleticism (35P), Dextrous (20P), Adaptive (15P), Feline Ears (10P), Feline Tail (5P), Fast Learner (20P), Magically Gifted (105P), Survivor (25P)
• Negative: Insensitive (5P), Enslaved (135P), Infertile (120P)
]
The disembodied figure looked over their creation one final time, a swelling sensation of content filling their being as another screen appeared…
[
Finalize Vessel Creation? Y/N
Ding! Vessel Creation Finalized! Implantation of Spiritual Manifestation Commencing… 23%… 57%…74%… 100%
Mind/Spirit/Body Safety Protocols Commencing… Complete
Transmigration Commencing… 44%…89%…100%
]
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Ugh…" A groan sounded as a young girl shook, the cold weight around her next linked to a chain that stretched out of her vision. The creaking of wooden wheels, and the soft protesting neighs and whines of horses filled her ears, as the dirty unwashed scent of her surroundings filled her nose.
She didn't know why, who, or where she was… All she could remember was an endless depth, filled with darkness and bone chilling coldness, and incomprehensible space that forced her mind into an unnatural state of calm.
"Oho, you're finally awake… I was beginning to think that hit to your head killed you," A voice soft and melodic, carried an air of sadness as it gently called out the young girl, who like many others in the large carriage found themselves shackled and locked in cages.
A pair of cerulean orbs drifted to the origin of the voice, and the young girl found a young woman with two dull brown orbs; one marked with a swollen bruised ring, a crooked nose, and a bloodied lip. The woman forced a comforting smile, "You shouldn't have ran… They burnt my village to the ground for doing what you had, then they beat me for days… Only when they found you did they stop."
The young girl stared at the young woman blankly, her cerulean orbs unblinkingly for many moments before a hoarse voice slipped through the young girl's lips, "Who… am I?"
The young woman's face devolved into one of intense worry as she looked at the young girl, as her cerulean orbs widened a sea of panic, loss, and confusion washing through the young girl's eyes as she looked down to her dainty hands. Her kimono stained with the blood of her relatives stained the white fabric a dark red, while the flowery ornaments in her dark silver hair were broken and muddled with dirt, barely hanging on by a singular hairpin.
As they passed under the trees, and a ray of golden radiance showed down from the brilliant sun above, that dark silver hair showed the length of its black gradient momentarily memorizing the young woman as pity filled her eyes.
"Child, do you not remember your name…?"
The young woman's voice brought focus back to the young girl's eyes, as they absently drifted to find a pair of brown orbs… The young girl stared for a long while before shaking her head, and the young woman sighed, "Would you like me to give you one…? One that you can use until you can remember your own?"
As the young girl nodded, the young woman gave a soft smile, "Very well, then I shall give you mine. Sayuri Shizuka… Now, rest child, you need it much more than I."
Upon receiving a name, Sayuri felt an indescribable warmth invade the very depth of her being, one that pulled a dark cloth over her eyes and pulled her into a state of unconsciousness, as a vaguely familiar window appeared in her darkening vision…
[Status Updated! Name Bestowed!]
As for the former Sayuri, an indescribable weakness assaulted her body, one that she instantly knew would claim her life… As a terrible coldness invaded the depths of her being, and what little warmth remained in her body slowly seeped away, she found her eyes locked onto the unconscious form of the young child she had just named… She couldn't help the sad smile that came to her face, nor the withering thoughts that cycled through her mind…
Perhaps she had just cursed the child to a terrible life…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Sayuri awoke to find the young woman missing from her cage, the other woman in the carriage remained quiet huddled in a corner of their cages.
A minority of the women had fox-like ears and tails, a few had small horns sprouting from their scalps, while the majority were normal humans. Many were without any fabric on their bodies; that were ridden with bruises, with only cold metallic collars. The only thing Sayuri found that all the women had in common was the inordinate beauty each of them had… Yet, they were all much older than Sayuri thought she was herself…
It was odd, Sayuri felt as if none of this was real… Yet, here it was before her eyes, the cold weight around her neck made it reality, which only left her to question… Why were they here, chained and stripped of their belongings, like they were slaves—
A moment of realization hit Sayuri hard enough to startle her, as the youth momentarily trembled as the realization set in… As she remembered the vaguely familiar window that had appeared in her vision before she succumbed to whatever had plagued her…
'Status'
[
Name: Sayuri Shizuka
Titles - {None}
Physical Vessel: {Expand}
Race: Humelf (Kitsune)
Class: {Unavailable}
Stats - {Unavailable}
Traits -
• Positive: Soft Skin, Pliant Flesh, Greater Athleticism, Dextrous, Adaptive, Feline Ears, Feline Tail, Fast Learner, Magically Gifted, Survivor
• Negative: Insensitive, Enslaved, Infertile
]
Sayuri stared at the inordinately bland looking, incomprehensible window, for a moment she was terrified that others could see it, and she didn't know why…
The depths of her mind calmed after her eyes darted around, trying to see if anyone else could see the mystical window floating in her vision, and found that none had shown a reaction.
Sayuri fell back against the cage as she processed what she was seeing, 'something' told her that it was the most wonderful thing to experience in her situation. However, because of that silent voice, Sayuri was cautious of the mystical window floating before her vision.
Though something felt incredibly wrong… Such a thought was quickly buried.
The carriage violently shook, throwing Sayuri against the bars screams sounded out as the other women went through much the same, blood began to leak from those who hadn't managed to catch themselves, while some swiftly went limb against the metal.
A warmth streamed down Sayuri's face, and her hand rose to touch it. As she pulled back her fingers dyed a warm scarlet, Sayuri's tail went rigid as the pain engulfed her mind. A soft meowing whine rose from her throat as the young girl clutched her head, the throbbing pain only sending pulses through her hands as a low ringing sounded in her ears.
Slowly Sayuri settled herself in the corner of the cage once more, ignoring the quiet yet furious protests of her stomach, and the dryness of her throat…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
It wasn't until the sun began to set that the carriage came to a slow stop, the voices outside were terribly muffled and engaged in a conversation the youth didn't bother listening to, Sayuri could hear the crackling of a fire as wet wood was set to flame, the rolling boil of water soon followed by gentle splashes.
It hadn't taken long for a scent to find Sayuri's nose, and she, like every other woman in the carriage, felt their hunger intensify. The scent of the food they couldn't see, nor eat was a torturous temptation, it made Sayuri realize how hungry she had truly been.
The sound of a wooden latch brought Sayuri's eyes to the back of the carriage, as the door opened to reveal a silhouette backdropped by a large fire, "Oi, wake up! It's time to eat."
His voice was deep and grating as he shouted, as he moved through the carriage he dropped a bundle of linen in front of each cage. He didn't linger for long, nor did the man attempt to strike a conversation with any of the caged women.
Sayuri wasted no time snatching the bundle of linen that fell in front of her cage, its scent while bland promised to quell the hungry that had been assaulting. The linen was unraveled by her nimble dainty fingers, revealing a half-loaf of hard bread and a handful of dried strips of meat. All of it was quickly shoveled into the young girl's mouth with reckless abandon, as the hunger clouded her mind.
Though the youth was not alone in her actions… the woman who had been starved for who-knows-how long was like a pack of ravenous beasts as they devoured every crumb they found.
Roughly swallowing the last strip of dried meat, Sayuri slowly returned to her corner, softly running her fingers through the fur of her fluffy tail as it laid in her lap as she sat on her knees how her mother—
Sayuri stiffened, vague images filling her mind of a faceless family, they flashed between happy, loving moments and bloody scream filled slaughter… Wisps of flame filled those images burning what little she remembered of 'her family' into small intuitive habits and lessons.
The dried blood smeared across her face gained a hint of wetness and streamed down her cheek, dripping off her jaw onto her white blood stained kimono… Sayuri was crying, and she didn't completely understand why…
She 'knew' it was because her family had been killed, her village burnt to the ground, and she had been captured… but why was she crying? Was there a point in shedding tears over something she could hardly remember, or was she crying because she could hardly remember…?
Such thoughts filled Sayuri's mind, as she absently got lost in her preening…
Days passed, and flowed into weeks as Sayuri was ushered into a new cage. One she shared with a number of other women, many who had a darkness in their dull empty eyes. None of them spoke a word, and have seemingly accepted their enslavement, much like Sayuri who merely sat on her knees in the far corner of the cage, and brushed her tail with crescent eyes and a flat expression.
The thick smell of salt in the air brought no small amount of displeasure to the young girl, while the rough swaying of the boat made it incredibly difficult to remain in the proper posture as she had been taught.
Sayuri watched with narrowed eyes as a number of the women huddled together, searching for warmth among those who hadn't lost the light in their eyes. They occasionally sent glances to the young lonesome girl, yet Sayuri never spoke, and only moved when the bland food was delivered. The young girl sipped what water they were provided gingerly, and her once ravenous eating habits became increasingly refined as a hint of grace filled her every movement…
It grew to a point that a few of the women were convinced the young girl was the child of a shrine maiden, or the daughter of a minor lord… Yet, none had approached the youth, who seemed forever lost in grooming her trail.
The phases of the moon passed, and eventually its whole glory bore down on a large ship as it floated into the docks. Where two large carriages awaited the ship's unwilling passengers, numerous woman of varying races were bound together with long stretches of chains and shackles as they were forcibly led to the carriages.
None tried to resist, as many have seen the consequences of such actions, though some tried to beg, plead, or offer their bodies for freedom, yet their pleas were ignored if not laughed at…
Apparently they were all headed to a large city, where they would fill brothels…
Sayuri quietly found a corner in her cage, and continued to groom her tail, its soft fur flowing through her nimble fingers granting an unnatural calm to her mind. She knew better than to give her captors any difficulty.
The woman she didn't learn the name of during their time together in the ship were split into different carriages, leaving Sayuri among those she couldn't recognize… Not that it truly mattered to the young girl, as she continued to brush the fur of her incredibly fluffy tail, a loud majority of her mind wished for a bath to scrub away all the salt, blood, and filth on her skin.
Closing her eyes, Sayuri fell into a light sleep, her figure never swaying, remaining unmoving as her posture refused to falter…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
The day has finally came…
The day the metallic, cold weight around her neck would be removed. There was a certain happiness in the depth of Sayuri's being that relished in the thought of freedom, no matter how minuscule it may be, her tail gently swaying behind her drawing alluring arcs that were far too mature for a 'woman' of her stature.
Her head was slightly lowered, her eyes focused on the stomach of the caramel skinned woman inspecting each of the women that were brought before their potential owner… There was a certain presence surrounding the caramel skinned woman, one that instilled an unnatural charm upon Sayuri… A charm that was oddly divine.
The divine woman picked out many women as she walked down the line, and she lingered in front of Sayuri for a brief moment before gesturing towards the distance much like she did for the other she had picked.
Like the others, Sayuri was grabbed and pulled into a separate room filled with steam, her clothes were pulled from her body and thrown to the side, as a square of cloth and a bar of soap was tossed to the young girl, and she received a single command, "Clean yourself."
Sayuri didn't hesitate, and immediately kneeled down next to a bucket of hot water, she couldn't stop the small smile of relief from appearing on her face as she washed the filth from her skin. As she transitioned to cleaning her hair, a frown came to the youth's face as the dirt and blood never stopped dripping from her hair, and she made her displeasure known as she feared for the state of uncleanliness her tail had succumbed to…
As Sayuri began to groom her tail, her eyes began to drift to the other woman cleaning themselves in the room, however her attention quickly returned to the state of her tail as loose fur was shed, and the blood and dirt was washed away…
A certain lightness washed over Sayuri's mind as a window appeared in her vision—
[Status Updated! Positive Trait Gained! (Feline Grace)]
Sayuri blinked away at the window, as she returned to grooming her tail, making sure that it was as fluffy and soft as it had all the right to be, the youth wouldn't accept anything less than the best for her tail…
The youth's ears twitched as a door on the opposite side of the room opened, revealing a promiscuously dressed young man. He moved with purpose, every step filled with a certain arrogance that Sayuri failed to place, as the man moved towards the door that Sayuri and the other women had entered, and stood guard by the door as the caramel skinned woman entered.
One by one, she silently moved to the women's backs, applying a drop of blood before writing in an unfamiliar language. The blood seeped into the woman's skin, and 'something' told Sayuri that it was similar to the window that occasionally appears within her vision… A Status.
"Lady Ishtar," Another figure entered the room, one that nearly caused Sayuri to cringe in disgust, the huge frog-like woman's voice forced the young girl's ears to flatten as her tail curled up in her lap.
Lady Ishtar turned, a hand shifting her purple hair from her face, "Phryne…? I thought you were supposed to be in the dungeon?"
The huge frog-like woman lowered her head, "Goddess Freya has arrived with Ott—"
Ishtar screamed with rage, and Sayuri pressed her hands against her ears as she closed her eyes, trying to muffle the enraged curses of the woman as Ishtar stormed off Phryne following her footsteps closely. While the young man who stood guard at the door hurriedly followed along like a lost puppy…
Sayuri stared at the door, and 'something' compelled her to run, to never look back, or she would forever lose this chance. The young girl hurriedly climbed to her feet and scraped together her dirtied, stained clothes before breaking out into a sprint, nearly crashing into the door as numerous gazes fell onto her back.
The shuffling of nearly thirty women filled Sayuri's ears as she threw the door open, and ran down the long hallway. As the hallway opened up into a large empty courtyard, where the carriages had brought them previously, the youth wasted no time running to the gate.
As she struggled to open the large heavy doors, the woman who followed along in her escape attempt caught up, and after a long moment of struggle managed to get the gate to open. Immediately, they sprinted out into the sprawling streets, blending in easily among the numerous scantily clad women…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Sayuri weaved through the sometimes sparse, sometimes thick crowd, the outer fabric of her kimono draped over her shoulder, while the rest was clutched against her chest. She kept her head low, and allowed her tail to keep her balanced as her ears kept a focus on the sounds around her, listening for any heavy, hastened footsteps that may be following her.
The young girl's every step was powerful, allowing her to move at a speed uncanny among children, as she drove the balls of her feet and her toes into the stone pathway, charging through the crowd with little thought of the shouts, curses, and screams of those she had either bumped into, ran into, or knocked down.
Ahead she saw freedom… True freedom, not just the removal of her chains.
Sayuri charged towards that freedom, her bare feet bled from the rough stone they impacted, the wind caressed her skin as it carried scents of perfume, sweat, and sexual musk—
The youth nearly stiffened as more vaguely familiar images and sensations washed through her mind, but they were quickly dismissed as she continued to run, she didn't know how long she had been running nor how much longer she would need to run…
However, in the distance she could see a stark change in buildings, the color of the lights, the relative emptiness of the street ahead, and somehow Sayuri managed to sprint faster…
A fox in the night, its footfalls unable to be heard, leaving no tracks, only those who saw it could point its path.
A fox seeking freedom, finally found it.
The fox grasped that freedom, and took it as far as its legs could allow…
Before that fox collapsed.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
A fox awoke with a gasp, the metal collar around its neck bringing a sharp chill to its mind, as vague familiar images and sensations swam around its paradoxically young, yet matured mind.
Sayuri found herself in a dark alley, her kimono draped over her shoulders, while her obi and juban among other miscellaneous pieces of cloth were clutched against her chest hidden under her tail which was tucked between her legs.
She heaved a long sigh of relief, as a small smile came to her face, a silent mutter left her lips, "I escaped…"
A wave of relief she didn't even think possible washed through her body, as a window appeared in her vision—
[Status Updated! Negative Traits Changed! (Enslaved - Runaway Slave)]
Sayuri spent a long while staring at that window before blinking it away and slowly adorning her clothes, no matter how dirty they may be, it was better than running around nude…
Though, instead of tying her obi around her waist, she allowed her kimono to loosely hang off her shoulders, using her obi to hit the metallic collar around her neck. Once she was satisfied with her state of dress, Sayuri stepped out of the alley and into the street only to freeze as she stared up at a tall imposing tower that pierced the sky.
An indescribable voice whispered in the depths of her mind—
'Welcome to Orario, the Home of the Dungeon'
While Sayuri was memorized by the imposing tower, casting its long shadow over her small frame, many vague images, information, and sensations clouded her mind. Lost in thought, Sayuri lingered at the entrance to the alley for a long while, only breaking from her thoughts as the sun bore down on her from overhead. The heat caused sweat to build up on her skin, as a slight dizziness assaulted her mind, forcing her to lick her lips to keep them from sticking to her teeth, Sayuri stepped out into the street.
A new beginning to her life, not one as a slave, but one as Sayuri Shizuka…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
[2 Months Later]
Sayuri kneeled next to a stall, her tail resting in her lap as she slowly ran her fingers through its soft fur. The pillows she kneeled on was one of the many things the stall next to her sold, and she was hired to simply do as was doing currently.
The man who owned the stall was kind enough to help the young fox, not only had he given her a place to sleep, meals to eat, and a method to earn some Valis; no matter how little the amount, he had also helped her remove the collar that blind her neck. With the collar gone, Sayuri was no longer a runaway slave, and it reflected on her status.
No longer were her clothes stained with the blood of her family, nor was her fur matted with filth. Sayuri was as free as she could possibly be, and it showed in her face as her eyes were narrowed into crescents and a small smile adorned her flawless face.
"Hm, Sayuri, do you need a moment to stretch your legs?"
The young girl shifted her gaze towards the elderly man who brought Sayuri her freedom, and she lightly shook her head, "Thank you, Allen, but I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You've been on your knees the whole day, even with that pillow I can't imagine it's comfortable," Allen stepped away from his stall, offering Sayuri a small wooden box, "Here, take your break and eat something. I'd feel terrible if your legs ended up hurting for my sake."
"Mhm," Sayuri gave a light hum as she accepted the box, carefully opening it she found a small pair of chopsticks neatly placed among a light meal, "Itadakimasu…"
Allen couldn't help but sigh as he looked down at the youth girl, slowly eating her meal with the grace of a noblewoman. The small square of cloth that he added to the meal was constantly used to wipe her mouth after every bite… Her back remained as straight as a board, and her eyes remained lowered as she enjoyed her meal, he couldn't help but worry for the young girl on the cusp of becoming a teen.
He didn't know if he could truly care for her as she deserved, he had no experience with children, but he swore to do his best for the young child knelt beside his stall.
If not for young Sayuri, he probably wouldn't have made as much Valis as he had. In the past two months he had sold more than he had for the whole of the year before, not that he truly needed the Valis from seeking what products he had.
Allen had saved plenty during his time as an adventurer, and the stall was simply a hobby to pass the time as he awaited his death. His gaze drifted towards the Babel Tower, and he wished to the very depths of his being that the young child would never need to enter its depths…
"Old man, let me get a few of those meals."
Allen's attention shifted away from his thoughts as his gaze settled on the young wolf-eared man standing before him, a polite smile found its way onto Allen's wrinkled face, "Ho, you boys finally decided to make your way down to the 20th floor? I'll warn you, it's best to get some antidotes and keep your meals in a tough leather bag. A single stinger would kill you as fast as it'll poison a meal."
"Aye, I hear you. Thanks old man, when I make it back I'll make sure you and the little lass here are treated to a meal."
Allen chuckled as Sayuri gently bowed, careful not to spill her meal as she softly spoke, "I wish for your safe travels… May you have bountiful blessings, Mister."
"Hah, thank you, Miss Shizuka," the wolf-eared man gave a light bow in return, lightly chuckling as he made his way to the tower. His body felt lighter than ever after the young girl's sincere blessings.
Allen eyed Sayuri for a moment as she returned to her meal, the number of adventurers that return solely to receive blessings from the young child made up the majority of his customer base, and he couldn't help but feel as if he was taking advantage of the youth.
She always looked a little weak after wishing for their safe travels and bestowing upon them bountiful blessings, perhaps it was a burden of the past…
Allen turned his gaze back to his stall as a young man approached, wanting a bouquet of flowers and a thin pillow, much like the one Sayuri knelt on, "That'll be 4,800V."
The young man opened up a pouch at his waist as Sayuri slowly rose to her feet, she placed the small wooden box on a shelf under the stall before patting the wrinkles from her kimono, her fluffy tail swayed gently behind her as she lightly bowed to the young man, "I wish you luck in your romantic endeavors."
The young man flushed as he mimicked her movements, "T-thank you, you too—" He caught what he said a moment too late, as Allen gave a boisterous chuckle.
"Have a great day," Allen's voice pulled the man from his embarrassment, before he turned to Sayuri, "Have you—"
His words were cut off as an explosion sounded in the distance, a cloud of dust flowed into the sky as Allen went pale, he hurriedly grabbed Sayuri and ran the opposite direction as he cursed under his breath, "Fucking Evilus… when will they ever stop…"
Sayuri slipped from his grasp and maneuvered onto his back, her thin arms loosely wrapping around his neck as Allen ran through the streets. It hadn't taken long for them to arrive before a modest home, and Sayuri climbed down as Allen looked over his shoulder, "Go inside, and don't come out. I'm going to pack up the stall—"
His words were cut short once again as Sayuri slightly bowed, "I wish you endless luck in your endeavors."
A toothy smile made its way into Allen's face as he ruffled Sayuri's hair despite her evident displeasure, "Thank you, my little fox, now head inside. I'll be back before you can count to one hundred."
As he darted off, Sayuri's cerulean orbs followed his back until he disappeared into the crowd and dust, before pivoting in her feet and entering the house, her tail gingerly swaying behind to the tune of her own music.
A number of presences and pressures of varying magnitude clashed throughout the city, causing the ground to quake and the walls to tremble, shaking any loose dust from the walls and ceiling. The clashes of steel, and the cries of flesh filled her ears alongside the destruction of Oriaro. A sea of dust settled over the city, while Sayuri found a warm spot on the floor and sat on her heels, gently running her fingers through her tail as she watched the door…
'89…90…91…92…' A frown slowly made its way onto her face, while worry swam in her eyes, '94…95…96..97..98..99…'
She paused, hoping that if she didn't finish counting, her worst thoughts won't become reality… Sayuri sat there, staring at the door, hoping it would open and Allen would come running in…
Her hand still rested upon her tail, as she silently waited, violently dismissing any thought, any notion that Allen wouldn't return.
Even as the numerous presences retreated, and the various pressures weighing down on the city faded, Sayuri waited for the door to open. As darkness began to claim the skies, and the moon rose casting its pure soft light, the door had yet to open.
Sayuri's head fell, her dark silver hair framing, and veiling her face as she sat there, she squeezed her eyes closed hoping it all was a dream, but it was for naught. This was reality, and the young fox knew it, however a child could hope and dream… but that doesn't mean those hopes won't be crushed, and those dreams shattered…
Sayuri rocked forward, allowing her feet to find purchase under her, as she smoothly rose to her feet. Placing her hands into her sleeves in front of her body, the young fox continued to wait for a few moments longer before heading to the door with light reluctant steps.
As she opened the door to the devastated city, a plume of dust and debris flowed into her face; filled with the scent of blood and death, causing her nose to scrunched up as she stepped out into the city. Slowly making her way towards Allen's stall…
Her ears twitched as distant, and close cries for help, groans, screams, and moans of pain filled them, but none were of the familiar voice she wished to hear. As she drew closer to the stall, she found the place where it once was covered with debris from the large building that once stood behind it. Blood leaked out from the broken stones, and shattered wood…
Sayuri stood there staring at the destruction, like a solemn sentry, with all the grace her traits forced upon her… She 'knew' the blood had come from Allen, the scent was far too similar not to be, but part of her refused to believe it.
She screamed in her mind, yet her expression was the epitome of solemn and calm, not a tear was shed for the man, but she wished she had been able to fall to the ground, to scream and cry for his death… but she doubted she'd even be able to mourn him properly, because she was insensitive to death…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
[2 Weeks Later]
Sayuri stared at the stack of papers that had been delivered a few days prior, stating that she had inherited all of Allen's assets…
She wanted to cry for the old man whose body she couldn't even bury, it had been reduced to a pile of unrecognizable flesh and split in two from whatever attack he had taken alongside the toppling of the building. He had given her so much, taught her much more… Allen had freed Sayuri…
Even when he has left the world of the living, Allen has given her everything he had…
A long breath left Sayuri; her hair growing a shade darker, as sadness leaked into her eyes a tear pooled in her eyes, and a single self deprecating laugh broke through.
She choked that laugh away, as her head fell into her palms, with her elbows on her knees Sayuri stared at the floor, her mind slowly emptying. Once everything faded away; carefully deposited into the depths of her mind, her blue eyes rose locking onto the stack of papers before she rose to her feet with her tail giving a huff of a flick Sayuri passed the paper and made her way to the door, stopping long enough to adorn her kimono, and footwear—
Sayuri heard a knock, with a light tilt of her head she reached out and opened the solid wood door to greet… A young woman, who swiftly showed a bright smile and opened her mouth, "Oh?! Are your—you living alone?"
Sayuri's eyes briefly fell out of focus before the young fox righted herself, and with a kind and sincere tone her tail lightly flicked behind her, "May I ask why you are here?"
The young woman chuckled, "I want to buy this house, it's close to the main road and the tower, and it's still stand—"
"No," Sayuri replied flatly, "I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor," stepping past the woman, Sayuri closed the door before locking it and sending the woman a kind nod.
Leaving the woman on the doorstep, Sayuri stepped out into the street and began walking, allowing her feet to carry her wherever they pleased.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
[????????????????????????]
Sayuri wandered aimlessly through the quiet streets of Oriaro, it was a side of the city she had never seen. It was solemn, allowing Sayuri some measure of comfort, knowing that she could still feel the same.
The further she walked, the worse the destruction became, instead of seeing the occasional building being collapsed while the majority just had broken roofs and walls, it had become dozens of houses flattened in many groups through the streets. The ground was occasionally charred, some spots of unnatural mud, deep gashes through stone…
It was a battlefield of proportions Sayuri couldn't fathom, she couldn't understand how people could cause this much damage without—
An itch surfaced from the depths of Sayuri's mind, and the thought disappeared from her mind as she took in a deep breath, looking up at the sky as she released it…
"Why… am I here?"
[Status Updated! Title Gained! (Hero)]
Sayuri shook her head, she didn't want to be a hero, all Sayuri wanted was freedom to do as she pleased, she blinked away the notice only for another to appear—
[Status Updated! Title Refused (Hero)]
They brought a small smile to the young fox's face, as a soft whisper slipped from her lips, "Thank you…"
After a moment to collect herself, Sayuri continued on her walk through the destruction, destined to find its heart.
As such, nearly two hours later, a young kitsune walked into a large clearing of crumbled buildings. Her steps came to a halt, as she too it all in, this was the cause of Allen's death…
Whatever feud, goal, or just slaughter brought this destruction, brought with it Allen's death… It wasn't the monsters that caused this… They hadn't claimed Allen's life…
"Evilus…"
Those words didn't sound like they had come from her, it wasn't the soft, well spoken sincerity that she had grown used to hearing in her sensitive ears, there was an apathetic emptiness in those words that sent a chill down her spine as her hand rose to her lips, shocked—scared that it had come from her mouth.
Looking back at the destruction, [Feline Grace] took hold of her body and it stilled—
A young fox simply trying to understand, but has seen—experienced things that could never be understood—comprehended, could never be understood…
A breath slipped from Sayuri's lips, as her eyes snapped back into focus, with a light bow soft sincere words left her lips, "I wish the heroes of this battle bountiful blessings…"
[Status Updated! Mana Awakened! Find a Familia to unlock Stats! Class Unlocked! (Priestess)
'Status'
[
Name: Sayuri Shizuka
Titles - {None}
Physical Vessel: {Expand}
Race: Kitsune (Humelf)
Class: Priestess
Familia - Level: 0
Stats -
• Strength: I-0
• Endurance: I-0
• Dexterity: I-0
• Agility: I-0
• Magic: I-0
Skills -
• None
Magic -
• Magic Bestowal
Traits -
• Positive: Soft Skin, Pliant Flesh, Greater Athleticism, Dextrous, Adaptive, Feline Ears, Feline Tail, Fast Learner, Magically Gifted, Survivor, Feline Grace, Feline Beauty
• Negative: Insensitive, Infertile, Former Slave
]
Sayuri stared at her status for a long while; seemingly blankly staring off into the distance, as she weighed her option of joining a familia and growing stronger…
Did she seek strength…? Sayuri didn't even know, she hadn't put much thought into it, but now that she saw the devastation one could commit. Sayuri found it hard to say no to strength, if— if strength like this could grant her the freedom she wishes—Hidden within her sleeves, Sayuri's interlocked hands tightened—
Then she'll claim enough strength to be free. A level of strength that not even the window in her eyes could gauge— A strength that allowed Sayuri to go, do, and act as she pleased… A level that not even the traits could affect her, a level where that strength was no longer needed… A world terrified of her every—
Sayuri shivered as she reeled back that line of thought, subconsciously knowing that she had gone too far. What point was there in gaining freedom, if it robbed all others of their freedom…?
A sigh slipped from her lips as her head fell, her dark silver hair framing her face, "This is why I didn't want to be a Hero… I can barely understand what I want, let alone what others need…"
It was naught but a whisper that faded in the wind, but it helped Sayuri collect her thoughts. Pivoting on her heel, the young kitsune slowly made her way back to her house, eventually deciding that she didn't need strength as she was already free…
She was no longer a slave, and she would not become one to her own 'childish' desires.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Sayuri deftly cut a potato into cubes as she waited for a pot of water to boil, while also keeping an eye on a thick gravy-like broth making sure to occasionally stir it so as to not let it burn. A slab of meat was laid out to rest on a counter nearby, after a few days marinating in a bath of various herbs and spices.
With naught but a loose juban draped around her body, Sayuri danced around the kitchen, her hair tied up in a tight bun—
She set down the knife as a series of knocks sounded at the door, quickly making her way to the entryway, Sayuri slight opened the door making sure to place her foot in its path to stop it from being pushed open as she stared at the young elf who had stumbled upon her doorway, "Miss…? Is there something I could help you with?"
"I've come by to deliver the assessment of Allen Witter's estate, everything has already been handled and the Valis in his accounts have been transferred," The elf pulled a small stack of papers from a folder tucked under her arm, "Have a wonderful rest of your evening."
Sayuri watched the elf leave, before the sound of a rolling boil found her ears, quickly closing the door, the young kitsune swiftly made her way back to the kitchen and dumped the cubed potato into the pot of boiling water with a pinch of salt.
Shifting her attention to thick broth, she pulled it off the heat, before placing a pan on the burner and wetted it with a little butter and olive oil. Turning the heat down slightly, she stirred the potatoes before moving over to the slab of meat.
With her knife in hand, Sayuri began to cut finger wide slices of meat from the slab, setting them aside on a piece of parchment to wait for the pan to heat up. By the time she had finished cutting the meat, the pan was ready so she began to lay the cuts of meat into the pan while occasionally checking the pot of potatoes.
After some time, Sayuri moved to fetch the vegetables she had steamed in preparation and a number of small wooden boxes. Setting them aside, she drained the pot of water and mashed the potatoes slowly, mixing in milk, salt, and butter to better suit her taste before finishing it off with a pinch of shredded cheese.
Deciding the cuts of meat had enough time to rest, Sayuri began to cut them into thin strips, before placing a divider into the first wooden box, loading half of it with mashed potatoes and gravy, while the other half with strips of meat and steamed vegetables.
After tightly securing the lid and tying some utensils to the top, Sayuri wrapped the whole back in a cheap linen made from dungeon fiber, and finished it with a tight ribbon.
"Warmth, Preservation, Protection," Sayuri chanted as she placed her hand atop the wooden box, a few pale yellow, white, and blue geometric shapes overlapped the space between her palm, and the box before silently fading.
Setting the wooden box aside, Sayuri began with the next box repeating the process over again. Tomorrow she will be reopening the Allen's stall, as the permits have been transferred into her name. Though much sooner than she had expected, it only meant that she'd need to work harder to make sure that it's reopening would face no issues.
Sadly, that meant Sayuri wouldn't be able to extensively groom her tail to make sure it was at its maximum fluffiness and softness; such sacrifices were inconsequential when compared to continuing Allen's work.
As darkness began to fill the sky, Sayuri looked over the three different piles of wooden boxes, each pile containing a different meal.
One filled with mashed potatoes, thinly sliced meat, and steamed vegetables. One filled with a hearty amount of fish, rice, and steamed vegetables, and the last filled with a larger amount of meat wrapped in bread with fried potato sticks as a side for those that prefer a calorie heavy, relatively unhealthy meal.
Each box had a [Warmth Bestowal] to keep the meals at their optimal temperature; something that was based on her own preferences, as her magic was based off of her intent rather than the structure of the chant. A [Preservation Bestowal] that keep food safe and edible for extended period of time; according to the intent instilled into the magic, and a [Protection Bestowal] that would keep the food safe from any harm; within a reasonable level, that shall befall it before it had the chance to be properly consumed.
Content with her work, Sayuri made her way over to her woven mat and sat in her heels, her tail laying down in her lap as she grabbed her brush that she had laid on a low table before grooming her tail until she grew too tired to stay up any longer…
Sayuri awoke at first light, and quickly made her way to the bath while mentally figuring out which outfit she would wear for the day. From the chill in the air, she knew that she'd have to wear something— As Sayuri sank into the water she shook her head, not finding any reason to spend the time to wear more layers when there was a chance that her magic would keep her warm.
If she could keep meals at the perfect temperature for eating, why couldn't she keep herself at a comfortable temperature…? It seemed reasonable enough, and it wasn't like Sayuri was worried about running out of Mana, she had managed to bestow three different types of magic on 150 boxes of food the night before. If that hadn't drained Sayuri enough to bring her to 'Mind Down' why would keeping herself warm bring her to such a state?
After thoroughly cleaning herself and getting dressed, Sayuri closed her eyes and softly chanted, "Warmth."
She could feel her mana condensing against her skin, as a pale yellow glow, and a surreal warmth washed through her body. With a small smile adorning her lips, Sayuri began loading the numerous boxed meals into a cart before making her way down the road. Eventually coming to a stop before an empty plot of land, the same place that Allen's stall once stood.
Setting down a thin pillow, Sayuri got down into seiza next to the cart with her hands neatly laid in her lap, as she patiently waited for her first customer.
With the sun not yet showing its radiance over the city's walls, Sayuri didn't expect a customer so soon, so she opened a meal box she had made for herself, "Itadakimasu…"
Slowly, Sayuri began to each, using a square of cloth to clean her mouth after every bite so as to not dirty herself unnecessarily. Her eyes narrowed into crescents as she enjoyed her meal, a silent tune playing in her head, as her tail swayed to the sound of her own music. As she drew closer to finishing her meal, a group of people at the end of the road caught her eye.
They were dressed heavily in a mixture of metal and leather, their hands resting on their various weapons as they made their way down the street. 'Cutely' shoveling the last of her meal into her mouth, Sayuri forced it down with a sip from her canteen and reverted to the best posture she could manage, a faint smile adorning her face as the group drew closer.
"Welcome, how may—" Sayuri greeted them with a soft, kind tone that slipped from her rosy lips like a low purr, only to be interrupted, "Oi! What's a child like you doing out here?! Pack up your shite and—" The brash man was interrupted by a hand entering his vision, the aged man who seemed to be the leader of the group looked down at Sayuri as she sported a frown, her fanged canines peeking through her lips as her tail flicked with the empty promise of violence.
Sayuri spoke in a forced tone towards the young man who interrupted her, however it turned soft and sweet as her eyes drifted to his acquaintances, "Again… Welcome to my humble stall, how may I help you?"
"Little Fox, I heard about Al—"
"Then you know better than to speak of the dead," Sayuri coldly interrupted, before her tone turned soft and sweet once more, "Would you like a meal? There are plenty, and they'll stay warm for some time. Only 3,850V for a meal. Apologies, but due to 'certain conditions' I have been unable to procure the various other merchandise this stall normally sells." She finished with a light, non-subservient bow before raising her gaze to the group once more as the aged leader's eyes drifted between his companions, a sigh slipped from his lips as he pulled out two large gold plated Valis, and a handful of smaller coins.
Sayuri accepted the Valis with both hands, quickly counting out 23,100V before smiling, "Very well, Six meals. You may choose them from any pile— I do hope members of the Ganesha Familia wouldn't try to take advantage of a young girl…" Her eyes narrowed as her words turned sharp, when paired with her kind smile, it was hard to place the young fox's true thoughts. To some, it almost sounded like a dare…
Sayuri continued as she deftly rose to her feet, pointing to each pile, "This one is a mixture of fish, rice, and steamed vegetables… This one is mostly various cuts of meat with some cheese, wrapped in bread… While this one has thin cuts of meat, steamed vegetables, alongside mashed potatoes and gravy…" She finished with a smile, while the old man was the first to step forward grabbing a meal of fish and rice, the rest followed suit and grabbed their respective meals. As they were about to walk away, Sayuri slightly bowed once more, "I wish for your safe travels… May you all have bountiful blessings, and an unadventurous day."
The aged man gave a chuckle, "Thank you," while a Wolf-kin that had remained silent returned her bow alongside a silent Elf.
As they left, Sayuri recounted the Valis before slipping it coin after coin into a slot carved into the cart, that collected all the coins in a large box at the tongue of the cart.
The day began to grow lively as the sun peeked over Oriaro's walls, people streamed into the streets starting their day whether it be in the depths of the dungeon, behind a desk at the Guild or in one of the many shops filling the large dungeon city.
Many people who either recognized her, or were drawn by the line at her cart purchased the Little Fox's Meals, and by the time midday had come there were only a few meal-ready boxes left. Just as she was about to sell the last of them to a small adventuring party, the line fractured, splitting off as a large imposing figure walked up to the cart.
The Boaz stared down at the young Kitsune, his gaze briefly washing over the adventurers that were about to—
"Uh, Mister. You've cut the line, I understand that you may be High Leveled, but that doesn't give you the ability to act as you please when at my cart. This group of adventurers," Sayuri gestured to the small party who were shaking in their boots, "Was about to buy the last of my meals, now if you would step to the side and allow—"
"Nono!" A figure from the aforementioned party stepped back, her hand raised in surrender, "I-I wasn't that hungry…"
Sayuri frowned deeply, her cerulean orbs drifting to the Boaz, "Sir, I will have to ask you to leave if you continue scaring my customers, there is no need to swell your presence with your Status. Now," Sayuri turned her gaze to the party of adventurers, "Would you like to buy a meal, or have you decided to forfeit your chance?"
"I—We will— We must head to the dungeon," the young woman spoke as she pulled her party members away, and they quickly left the area. Leaving Sayuri to stare at the Boaz with a frown.
As the line of people dispersed, leaving only the Boaz and Kitsune near the cart, an intense staring match ensued for a long moment only to be broken by the fox, "Mister, if you are not going to buy a meal, then please leave. You're still scaring away all my potential customers."
The Boaz looked around before his gaze settled on the three meal boxes left in the cart, reaching into a sack at his waist he pulled out a large gold plated Valis, gently placing it on the cart before grabbing two meals and walking away.
Sayuri neither stopped him to give him change, nor did she bestow upon him any blessings as she slipped the coin into the slot and with all her customers scattered, Sayuri began to wheel her cart away.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
[8 Hours Later]
Sitting atop a Green Dragon's corpse, under a gem-like treasure tree, Ottar stared at the linen wrapped box in his hand. A faint warmth radiated from the seemingly frail box that had somehow survived his violent descent into the dungeon. He pulled loose the ribbon, and peeled back the cheap dungeon cloth revealing a box made from thin mundane wood. Something he could easily shatter between his fingers accidentally, yet despite the rough handling of the box during his descent, it remained whole…
As he lifted the lid, a soft pop sounded out as a thick scent filled his nose; a mixture of oil and meat, it filled his mouth with a wetness as he pulled the lid away revealing two large rounds of bread with meat, cheese, and some sort of sauce lathered in the middle, alongside a side of fried potato sticks.
As he reached for a potato stick, he felt the heat against his skin and his eyes widened, they felt as if they had just come out of the oil a few moments prior, not as if they had sat in a box for hours…
He brought it to his lips, and with a satisfying crunch, Ottar swiftly devoured his meal…
It was hard to get a decent meal in the dungeon after all, and Ottar had grown used to dehydrated nutrient bars…
Never again would he return to those bland things…
Grabbing a few Jewel Drops from the treasure tree, he placed them into the box, figuring that whatever had protected it on his way down would do the same during his return. Before butchering the Green Dragon…
Ottar was wrong, the box hadn't protected the Jewel Drops as he had assumed.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Sayuri sat outside a branch building of the Goibniu Familia, waiting for the delivery that she had placed with Allen's old business partner a few days prior. It hadn't taken long for an aged man to step out of the building, wheeling Sayuri's cart with an obscenely large stack of linen wrapped empty meal boxes. Having already paid she gave the man a light bow, and bountiful blessings which he received with a wide smile, "Come now, there is no need. The apprentices will always need something to fill their time when they complete their duties, this not only puts Valis in their pockets but also trains their patience. It's not easy to form a box as thin, and well made as these. Much less weave dungeon fibers…"
Sayuri gave a light nod, "Thank you once more Gregory, without your help I wouldn't be able to continue what was left to me."
Gregory, the old smith shook his head, with an aged smile, "You would've found a way, that much I know. Now I must excuse myself, I have much to do, and many apprentices to look after."
Sayuri took the cart as he returned to the large building, and wheeled it back to her home. Passing by a young blonde elf who staggered through the street with a limp, her hand clutched around a wooden sword, and Sayuri stopped grabbing her midday meal that she had yet to eat, she moved towards the elf and forced it into the woman's hands before returning to her cart.
Sayuri was returning home anyways, and would need to cook a new batch of meals. She could eat then, but an injured adventurer would struggle to find enough Valis for a meal if they, like many others, are terrible with the management of their money. Perhaps, Sayuri saw her past enslaved self in the woman's shadowed eyes, perhaps Sayuri simply wanted different food for her next meal…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
[3 Weeks Later]
The past few weeks have kept Sayuri busy, the number of adventurers finding her cart at the start of the day had grown exponentially, and Sayuri never had enough meals prepared for everyone that arrived. Let alone the fact that she had to double her orders for both food and meal boxes which stressed her income, forcing her to temporarily pull money from the account that Allen had left her.
Though the return from selling an increased amount of merchandise negated the loss from increasing production, it was beginning to eat into the time Sayuri had set aside to groom her tail… Which had become noticeably less fluffy, bringing Sayuri no small amount of displeasure, though she didn't allow her feelings to seep into her work… Food was supposed to be prepared with love and care after all.
Smiling as she met the large boaz waiting for her to set up her cart, like every day since their first meeting he provided a large gold plated Valis and took two meals before leaving. As he walked away, Sayuri slightly bowed and offered a blessing before laying down her thin pillow and falling into seiza to wait for the rest of her customers to arrive.
It was a day like any other, Sayuri arrived an hour after first light, set up her cart before the empty plot of land, and quietly enjoyed breaking her fast while gazing at the colors of the sky, watching as the stars faded from view as the golden radiance of the sun washed across the sky, beating back the darkness and bringing a brilliant blue to take its place.
Her first customers were the members of the Ganesha Familia on patrol, they normally chose the lighter meals, and seemed to enjoy receiving her blessings.
Next to come were the more veteran adventurers who rose early each day to make sure that they made it to the lower floors before it was too late to spend the Valis they earned by shedding blood, tears, and sweat. It was also the time of day that she sold the majority of her meals, with people who lived nearby swinging by to buy enough meals for their whole party to eat throughout the day. Most normally bought 12 meals, enough for four people to eat throughout the day, and that was enough to reduce the amount of merchandise Sayuri had to a third of what she started with…
Luckily, a few of the adventurers had the mind to return the boxes and linen, instead of hoarding or trashing them, allowing Sayuri to save some Valis on restocking.
Sayuri hummed in thought as she looked up at the young adventurer who was debating which meal to pick, softly she spoke, "Would you go through the effort to bring the boxes back if I return a hundred Valis for each one?"
It was about half of what she spent having each box made, the Adventurer slipped away from his thoughts, as he gave a noncommittal, "Sure," before finally deciding he wanted the Fish, Vegetables, and Rice.
Finally the midday rush came, and the last of Sayuri's meals disappeared from her cart. Deciding to linger around long enough to finish her midday meal, Sayuri moved the cart to inform any potential customers that she had sold out and pulled a medium sized wooden box out from its slot under the cart, with a soft, "Itadakimasu," she took her chopsticks and opened the box open with a gentle pop.
Watching the street fill with people from all stations as she slowly ate her meal consisting of tempura, soba, and a few rolls of sushi with a healthy side of steamed vegetables. It was among the best meals she put in the effort to make, and one of the many that she refused to sell. Simply because it would either be too time consuming, or expensive to make it into meals on a scale large enough to add it to her menu. Let alone the fact that the meal was nearly twice the size of the ones she normally sold, as her stomach seemed to be a deep pit where food seemed to disappear…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Ottar held a meal box in his hand, silently studying its dungeon grass linen, trying to make sense of the small sturdy box. It could somehow withstand the mandibles of a Killer Ant, and keep the food within hot and fresh. What had stumped him however, was the fact that these properties disappeared the moment it was opened.
It was a curious thing that Ottar enjoyed trying to figure out while resting in the dungeon, the one he currently held in his hand was one from a few days prior. The heat that normally radiates off of it had grown weak enough that he could barely feel it against his skin. Pulling out another meal box; one that he bought today, he could feel the obvious difference.
With a light shake of his head, Ottar opened the box from a few days prior, finding that while the food wasn't hot, it was still warm though the bread had gotten slightly soggy, and the potato sticks weren't as crunchy as he liked. That didn't mean the meal was bad by any means, Ottar still thoroughly enjoyed the food, it just could have been better. Not that he blamed the Little Fox, as he could have ate it the day he bought it instead of experimenting with his food…
A small cat-kin who angrily chomped down on a dehydrated Adventurer Bar, looked at Ottar as the Boaz finished his meal, and opened another, considerably fresher box. One that caused the cat-kin to drool as he stared at the succulent seared fish—
Though it was painfully evident Ottar wouldn't share.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
[2 Months Later]
Sayuri returned home with her cart briefly to gather the profits for the week, before loading the heavy sacks into her cart. It was once again the end of the week, and time for Sayuri to make a deposit and pay taxes on everything she had sold.
She wheeled her cart to the Guild's branch office that took care of matters that revolved around business, instead of the Main Office that took care of handling Adventurers.
As she wheeled her cart up the door, Sayuri was lucky enough to catch a Guild Employee on their break, who was kind enough to help the young fox bring her earnings into the building, and watch her cart while she was inside.
She stood at the counter, as a female employee flashed her a bright smile, obviously recognizing the young kitsune, "Ah, Miss Shizuka, welcome to the Guild. I assume you're here to make your weekly deposit?"
Sayuri gave a polite nod, as she gestured towards the large sacks laid upon the counter, "It's the same amount as always, though feel free to check. I don't wish to bring you any problems."
The employee giggled as she pulled the sacks across the counter, "No, no it's fine. 8,085,000 Valis… That sum hasn't changed for a few weeks now. You've been making quite the waves, I heard from some of my friends that are Adventure Advisors that your meals are quite the rave amongst veterans. Some even going as far as saying that they won't enter the dungeon without a meal and blessing from you."
Sayuri gave a light bow, "I am merely trying my best."
The employee giggled once more, "Oh, I am sure you are, for a young woman such as yourself. You're making quite the living on your own, I dare say you're a role model to some of the women out there… Now, how about we sort out your taxes, and finish your deposit… As always, 2,425,500 would be paid to the Guild— Ah! Would you like to extend your permit once more? You still have three years before you need to do so."
Sayuri shook her head, "Perhaps at a later date, I've still yet to restock on produce."
"Ah, okay… Then that leaves 5.6 million Valis to deposit into your account. Do you wish to deposit it all?"
Sayuri gave a nod, as the young woman dumped the sacks out into a large funnel, before handing them back to the young kitsune, with a bright smile, "Then I'll see you next week. Have a wonderful day."
"Thank you, May your day remain unadventurous."
"Ufufu, thank you."
Sayuri gave the woman a light bow before retreating out of the building, finding her cart exactly as she left it, giving her thanks to the young man who watched over alongside some kind blessings, Sayuri wheeled her cart away. Heading towards the markets to restock on produce, before it grew too late into the day.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
{
Monthly Expenses -
Empty Meal Boxes: ~1.6 Million Valis
Produce: ~12.6 Million Valis
Monthly Earnings -
Meal Boxes: 32.3 Million Valis
Monthly Profit -
~ 18.1 Million Valis
}
Sayuri stared at the breakdown of her monthly expenses, gross income, and profits. She had long realized how ridiculous her income has become since Allen's passing, since she had taken over the business. Its profit had soared to nearly ten times what it used to produce monthly, her bank account grew tremendously and while it was only a scratch of what Allen had left her from his lifetime of delving into the dungeon, it warmed her heart to see the numbers grow.
It couldn't compare to what a party of adventurers could earn in a month, but they had to split their profits among themselves. Sayuri had to do no such thing, and with the vast majority if not all of her customers being Adventurers, she couldn't see a day that her income would drop as long as she continued to do as she has been for the past three months.
'Status'
[
Name: Sayuri Shizuka
Titles - Little Fox
Physical Vessel: {Expand}
Race: Kitsune (Humelf)
Class: Priestess
Familia - Level: 0
Stats -
• Strength: I-0
• Endurance: I-0
• Dexterity: I-0
• Agility: I-0
• Magic: I-0
Skills -
• None
Magic -
• Magic Bestowal
Traits -
• Positive: Soft Skin, Pliant Flesh, Greater Athleticism, Dextrous, Adaptive, Feline Ears, Feline Tail, Fast Learner, Magically Gifted, Survivor, Feline Grace, Feline Beauty
• Negative: Insensitive, Infertile, Former Slave
]
She had even gained a Title, thanks to everyone calling her cart 'Little Fox Meals', and despite it not showing on her Status. Sayuri's control over her magic had grown, something she was infinitely proud of herself for, she didn't need the status nor a Divine Blessing.
Sayuri was content selling meals out of her cart. She couldn't help the warm smile that came to her face as her gaze rose to the ceiling while her Status was dismissed, feeling oddly emotional as a dampness rolled down her cheek.
Closing her eyes, she imagined Allen's old wrinkled face, dedicating that singular tear to his image…
(A/N: Welp, welcome to chapter one. If you've enjoyed the story so far, thank you. If you haven't, and have reasonable insight into why feel free to comment. However, if you simply want to trash a singular chapter that is over 10,000 words long, and you made it all the way here without dropping. I implore you to reevaluate your opinion, unless the only reason you've read this far into the chapter was to forget your incredibly boring life, and lack of 'good' reading material. Whatever 'good' may mean to you…
Anyways, have an Info Dump.
Currency - A single 'Little Fox Meal' would cost $12.8 in American Currency.
• Valis = 1
• Large Valis = 10
• Small Gold Plated Valis = 1000
• Large Gold Plated Valis = 10000
• Small Adamantite Plated Valis = 100,000
• Large Adamantite Plated Valis = 1,000,000
Familia- A 'Family' under a god connected through Falna
Falna- A system of magic that is used in the process of bestowing a 'Status' upon mortals
Status- The accumulation of 'Excelia' (Exp, Xp, Experience) this 'Exceila' is further divided
•Strength (Str)- Physical Strength/Carrying Weight
•Endurance (End)- Constitution/Stamina/Health
•Dexterity (Dex)- Balance/Coordination/Reflexes/Flexibility
•Agility (Agi)- Speed of Movement/Actions (This is affected by strength and endurance with more Str more explosive/top speed with End it is capable of holding that explosive speed gained from STR for longer amounts of time)
•Magic (Mag)- (This is more difficult to explain due to how much it incorporates Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma… However, that's a lot… So all of that's just gonna be reduced to…) Reaction Speed/Perception/Insight/Magic Capacity/Magic Density/Magic Control/Thought Speed
Exceila- The fuel for the blessing of the gods, Gathered by slaying monsters/ High Risk-High Reward
Ranks- 0-99 I, 100-199 H, 200-299 G, 300-399 F, 400-499 E, 500-599 D, 600-699 C, 700-799 B, 800-899 A, 900-999 S, 1000-1199 SS, 1200-1500+ SSS
Commonly Used Dungeon Equipment Crafting Metals:
Dungeon Iron: An ore normally harvested from the walls of the dungeon's first few levels, the most basic material used in all starter equipment forged in Oriaro.
Elunium: A dull oily soft metal, known for its malleability and overly superior mana conductivity. Commonly melded with Oridecon to increase the crystal-like metals' poor mana conductivity. Also commonly used in the processing of 'Magic Items'.
Oridecon: A pure crystal-like metal, known for its hardness and ability to retain an edge even in the most devastating tests. Can easily be melded with other materials for varying effects, poorly conducts mana.
Emperium: A poor man's Adamantite, with an absolute zero mana conductivity, and a hardness only a small handful of points behind the renown metal. Most commonly used for prisons and bindings. Is known to stunt 'Mind' manipulation, and can seal Magic Stat when forged in a particular manner. Sometimes used to help train 'Mind' manipulation and manifestation.
Orichalcum: A metal known for a balance between hardness, malleability, and mana conductivity. While far from the best in any of the aspects, it is a well rounded metal.
Adamantite: A metal renown for its hardness and terribly poor mana conductivity. Even when melded with Elunium, its mana conductivity can only be minutely raised. The only known metal who's mana conductivity can not be improved.
Mithril: A metal who's mana conductivity falls only behind Elunium, unlike the oily and soft metal. Mithril retains a hardness similar but not equal to Oridecon.
Hardness Scale:
Elunium - Dungeon Iron - Mithril - Orichalcum - Oridecon - Emperium - Adamantite
Mana Conductivity Scale:
Emperium - Adamantite - Dungeon Iron - Oridecon - Orichalcum - Mithril - Elunium
Steel forged from Dungeon Iron sits somewhere in the middle of both scales depending on the skill level of who forged it. Let's also not forget the fact that dungeon drops are among the most commonly used materials for forging dungeon equipment, nor the fact that drops are never used to forge equipment without at least one of the above metals. Also, can't forget to include the absolutely insane amount of crafting materials that can be harvested, such as various types of wood, stone, and crystals that can either be better or worse than all of the metals listed above, but all materials have their own benefits and detriments.
Terminology:
Mind Down: The lost of consciousness due to over use of Mana or 'Mind'
Status Thief: A concoction made through alchemy, Reveals status numbers, Skills/Developmental Skills/Magic are still hidden to the mortal eye.
Pass Parade: The act of passing off a 'Train' of monsters onto an unsuspecting Adventurer/Party, most commonly done as an act of self-preservation.
Monster Party: An action of the dungeon, causes an increase in spawn rate and diversity.
Dungeon Assimilation: The act of the dungeon devouring corpses left behind, or returning unharvested monster corpses to its walls.
Low Class Adventurer: Level 1 Adventurer
High Class Adventurer: An Adventurer Above Level 1
Third Class Adventurer: Level 2
Second Class Adventurer: Level 3-4
First Class Adventurer: Level 5 and Above
