章 20: The Lady in Black, Part Five
{Zenith}
Clearing that dungeon hadn't been worth it at all in terms of EXP.
EXP: 155/240
But, hopefully, it would be worth it in terms of the equipment Julia would give her.
That said, she did doubt Julia had anything better than the weapon she'd just bought.
Morning Glory
{Rare}
{Requirements: None}
{Description: Old greatsword used by a divine knight. While its special effects have long since faded, its edge has not dulled.}
Val: 12500 WST
[My tokens took a pretty big hit, but whatever. If this thing is as good as its price suggests, I actually deal damage now.]
As Zenith and Julia made their way back to the police station, they were met with a few excited faces.
As they approached, several members of the group turned their attention toward them, expressions of curiosity and anticipation on their faces.
"Hey, Julia!" called out one of the group members, a young man with a determined look in his eyes. "We got 100 AP from your dungeon!"
The news spread quickly among the group, eliciting murmurs of approval and satisfaction. Some exchanged congratulatory nods, while others offered words of praise to Julia and Zenith.
Julia's lips curved into a pleased smile as she acknowledged the group's gratitude.
[Well,] Zenith thought, [at least they aren't ungrateful.]
"Thanks, everyone!" Julia replied, her voice ringing out above the din of the station. "But, it'll be on you to clear the next ones. Keep that in mind, alright?"
Zenith remained silent, her expression impassive as she took in the scene.
While she may not have been one for words, her contribution to the successful dungeon run was evident in the appreciative glances and nods she received from the group members.
[Hope they don't get used to this. If Julia doesn't give me anything worthwhile, this is the last they'll see of me.]
With the excitement of their accomplishment still lingering in the air, Zenith and Julia continued on their way.
"Looks like we're on track," Julia remarked, a note of satisfaction in her voice. "Four more of these and the whole station doesn't have to worry about AP for the day. That's kinda nice, isn't it?"
Zenith merely shrugged.
"Anyway, about that reward, follow me!"
Julia led Zenith to a corner of the station where a small cache of weapons was kept.
Rifling through an assortment of blades, Julia eventually pulled out a greatsword and presented it to Zenith with a flourish.
"Here you go," Julia said, her tone eager. "I think you'll find this one to your liking."
Zenith accepted the weapon, inspecting it with a critical eye.
Zweihander
{Common}
{Requirements: None}
{Description: Regular greatsword. Its edge should be enough to get the job done, at least 1% of the time.}
Val: 1000 WST
"..." Zenith looked up at Julia.
"Uhm... Do you like it?"
"No."
"WAIT!"
With a sigh, against her better judgment, Zenith stopped and turned.
"I-I mean, you can still sell it, right? A-And, I have plenty more just like it, so you can just use them for tokens!"
"Hm..."
That was true. Though, Zenith wasn't particularly struggling for tokens, if she went along with this it basically meant she'd never have to worry about them.
Unless something popped up in the Shop that was very expensive that she'd actually want, but she had no way of knowing whether that would ever happen or not.
"So," Julia called out, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Will you come back tomorrow?"
Zenith paused for a moment, her back still turned to Julia, before finally responding.
"No promises," she said, her voice carrying a note of finality.
---
{Asuka}
Asuka wandered through the mall, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors.
Despite the busy atmosphere around her, her thoughts were consumed by the weight of her responsibilities as a Player.
Dylan and his group had formed a new guild.
The High Rollers.
Them making a guild was certainly not a problem in itself. No, the problem was the announcement that immediately followed that.
Dylan, the guild's leader, announced that a specific handful of people would be tackling dungeons every day for the benefit of everyone else.
And, Asuka was on that list.
She sighed, leaning over a railing on the of the higher floors.
[I'm so fucked.]
Lost in her thoughts, Asuka paused, gazing out at the sea of shoppers moving about the mall.
The one advantage, the one silver lining in having been reduced to Dylan's plaything since the Unity Trials began was that she hadn't had to fight much. But, now, that advantage was finally going away.
As she sulked, suddenly, the sound of voices caught her attention, drawing her focus downward.
Two figures stood below, engaged in conversation, their voices carrying up to where Asuka stood.
She strained to listen.
"...Did you hear about that woman in black armor?" one of them remarked, their tone hushed but tinged with urgency.
"Yeah, I heard about her," the other replied, their voice tinged with disbelief. "Do you believe that shit? Some random lady wiping out hundreds of goblins in the middle of the road. Sounds insane, honestly."
A sense of awe washed over Asuka as she listened, her pulse quickening with anticipation.
Could it be?
Unable to contain her excitement, Asuka leaned in closer, straining to catch every word of their conversation.
"A friend of mine saw her himself," the first one elaborated. "She's got these glowing green eyes, so you literally can't miss her," the first person continued, their voice filled with wonder. "And, yeah, apparently she just spends all her time running around, killing shit."
Asuka's breath caught in her throat at the brief description.
It was one detail, one solitary characteristic, but it was one that had been burned into her mind from the moment she saw it.
Asuka's mind buzzed with the possibilities, her thoughts racing.
If Zenith was indeed alive, then... Maybe, just maybe, there was still some hope that Asuka could reconnect with her.
But, how?
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