S2E9: A Deadlier Type of Substance / Pretension / Just Deserts
4096 Words
The town of Sant-Diegol.
Even as the town gradually returns to its peaceful glory days due to the purging of the dancespores, something unsettling is still brewing, and the townspeople are blissfully unaware of it.
Specifically, a newer, more deadlier type of dancespores is being developed clandestinely.
This nefarious development is not possible without the help of a secret man.
He is, in fact, the leader of a group of bandits called Shabou Sharraf, who pretend to be the Unity Power Coalition's bodyguards.
His name is Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud.
There is an abandoned house that is situated at one end of Cokewood Road.
When the dancespores were purged from the town, the Unity Power Coalition immediately repurposed it as their party headquarters.
But little do the party's officials know that something sinister is brewing within their domain.
Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud established a super-secret lab within the HQ to produce the enhanced dancespores, and his minions make sure that no one else outside his immediate circle knows of his vile trickery.
***
[Second Group's Perspective]
We are all back at Jaxton School, carrying with us the item needed to unseal the main entrance of the Theresentien House of Politics – and also added Robinson the sage to our retinue.
But something is not right.
And Rosalind can feel it, too.
“Portocarrero, if you are sensing anything unusual that may help us detect anything unsavory, please let me know.”
“Sir, I have detected one such thing, sir.”
“Alright, you may proceed.”
“I can feel it... something is brewing back in Sant-Diegol. Some shady individual is manufacturing a more potent version of the dancespores. That individual... undoubtedly is connected to The Movement, but currently works under one of the two political parties.”
Robinson corroborates Rosalind's statement.
“Yes, I've come across that news, too. Pundits on message boards talk about this all the time; and of course, they have to rely on anonymous sources to avoid reprisal.”
I conclude, “Well then, let us not delay ourselves. Onward to Sant-Diegol!”
My trusted subordinates all salute me snappily.
“Sir, yes, sir!”
We are eventually back in Sant-Diegol, and it is teeming with activity once more, now that people can go out and enjoy what this town has to offer without the threat dangling over their heads.
But this is no time for us to celebrate.
We immediately spot the headquarters of the Unity Power Coalition, headlined by the banner saying “Corey Fiedel Glorio Mitsumaruyama for Kingly Prime President”.
Two guards, who are holding semi-automatic rifles, greet us at the entrance.
“So, you are all from the Ishi-shiro, huh,” one guard comments.
“Please state your business here,” the other one follows.
Now here comes the rub.
If the two guards are minions of whoever is behind the enhanced dancespores, we must not make a scene. Diplomacy is a must in this situation.
Otherwise, we can conduct our business with them as normal.
Fortunately, Rosalind has this unusual ability of detecting something anomalous, which is fairly similar to the ability used by Princess CJ via her mystical ring.
She non-verbally tells me that the guards are just normal guards, so that lessens our burden.
I then answer the guards.
“We have been receiving reports that a deadly biological weapon is being developed within your HQ.”
The guards exclaim, “What?! The dancespores?!”
“Without a doubt.”
“If you can take care of them, then please be our guest!”
The guards then open the door, leading us to the HQ's lobby.
A high-ranking party official, Ildefonso Henrey Ryson, greets us all.
“Good morning, officers of the Ishi-shiro! How can we help you?”
“Simple. One of your heads of security is currently busy developing a deadlier version of the dancespores.”
“W-WHAT?! You mean those same spores that turned our candidate into a monster? If you can identify him and kick him out, literally speaking, then we're in your debt!”
“Very well. We will conduct this operation as cleanly as possible.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
We all calmly walk past Sir Ryson as we search every room in the HQ for anything suspicious.
And indeed, in a room on the second floor, we come across something that reeks of such suspicion.
The door's sign simply says “Bio-technologists for Corey”.
No sooner do we all kick the door...
...and before us stands a bearded man in a lab coat, carrying the same rifle as the guards in the entrance, who is surrounded by hooded men also carrying the same rifles.
The bearded man just states, as he is still hard at work tinkering with test tubes and other paraphernalia needed to develop the spores...
“Ah, so those Ishi-shiro dimwits actually got a brain and decided to crash my party.”
He then rises from his seat and faces us.
“But no matter. Your friends are enjoying their sweet, sweet time in the happy fun land that is the Theresentien House of Politics. And soon... you will all join them. MY MINIONS, AFTER THEM!”
The hooded men all open fire, but we easily dodge the bullets.
We then take our time to counter their moves and knock them out cold using our trademark weapons.
In just five minutes, all but two of the hooded men are unconscious, which makes the leader blurt out the following...
“You fools! Now prepare to face the wrath of Shabou Sharraf, and especially that of me... Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud!”
***
[Boss Battle: Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud & Shabou Sharraf Gangster x2]
Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud: The leader of the bandit group named Shabou Sharraf. With his expertise in intoxicating organic substances, he plans to unleash a more potent variety of the dancespores.
Shabou Sharraf Gangster: A rifle-wielding minion of Shabou Sharraf. Always high.
Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud
Level 33 | HP: 4100 | MP: 9999
Shabou Sharraf Gangster
Level 33 | HP: 543 | MP: 214
Party: Edilbert, Angelino, Rosalind, Jamieson, Priscilla, Aisha
Edilbert chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud.
Angelino chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud.
Rosalind chooses to attack Shabou Sharraf Gangster A.
Jamieson chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Lock-on Target, on himself.
Priscilla chooses to perform her Innate Skill, Quote, Unquote.
Aisha chooses to attack Shabou Sharraf Gangster A.
Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud attacks Edilbert, dealing him 466 damage.
Shabou Sharraf Gangster A attacks Edilbert, dealing him 105 damage.
Shabou Sharraf Gangster B attacks Angelino, dealing him 104 damage.
Edilbert performs his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud, dealing him 3 hits for a total of 680 damage.
Angelino performs his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud, dealing it 668 damage.
Rosalind attacks Shabou Sharraf Gangster A, dealing him 322 damage. A critical hit!
Jamieson performs his Innate Skill, Lock-on Target, on himself.
Jamieson's accuracy rate increased.
Priscilla performs her Innate Skill, Quote, Unquote.
“As Florence Nightingale once said, 'Angels fight because they are faced with bitterness.'”
The quote restores all allies' health to maximum.
Aisha attacks Shabou Sharraf Gangster A, dealing him 151 damage.
Edilbert chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud.
Angelino chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud.
Rosalind chooses to attack Shabou Sharraf Gangster A.
Jamieson chooses to attack Shabou Sharraf Gangster B.
Priscilla chooses to perform her Innate Skill, Quote, Unquote.
Aisha chooses to attack Shabou Sharraf Gangster B.
Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud attacks Angelino, dealing him 464 damage.
Shabou Sharraf Gangster A attacks Angelino, dealing him 103 damage.
Shabou Sharraf Gangster B attacks Edilbert, dealing him 102 damage.
Edilbert performs his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud, dealing him 3 hits for a total of 608 damage.
Angelino performs his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud, dealing it 686 damage.
Rosalind attacks Shabou Sharraf Gangster A, dealing it 329 damage. A critical hit!
Shabou Sharraf Gangster A is knocked out.
Jamieson attacks Shabou Sharraf Gangster B, dealing him 352 damage. A critical hit!
Priscilla performs her Innate Skill, Quote, Unquote.
“As Sigmund Freud once said, 'The final target of all living things is death.'”
The quote attacks Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud, dealing it 502 damage.
Aisha attacks Shabou Sharraf Gangster B, dealing him 234 damage.
Shabou Sharraf Gangster B is knocked out.
Edilbert chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud.
Angelino chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud.
Rosalind chooses to attack Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud.
Jamieson chooses to attack Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud.
Priscilla chooses to perform her Innate Skill, Quote, Unquote.
Aisha chooses to attack Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud.
“Prepare to meet your pathetic maker!”
Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud performs Cancellation Blast on all targets.
All targets suffer an average of 243 damage.
Edilbert performs his Innate Skill, Legionnaire's Charge, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud, dealing him 3 hits for a total of 652 damage.
Angelino performs his Innate Skill, Angelino Rush, on Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud, dealing it 646 damage.
Niyyehboratt al-Pilantoud is knocked out.
The counter-terrorists win! That's us.
5329 EXP and 4322 Double Pesos acquired.
Baby Armalite acquired.
Edilbert leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
Angelino leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
Rosalind leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
Jamieson leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
Priscilla leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
Aisha leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
***
“You. Are. FINISHED!”
With those words, I deal the finishing blow on the Shabou Sharraf leader, which sends him flying towards the window, breaking it, and leading to his deadly fall – but not until he detonates himself as a last resort.
Now that a much bigger threat is nipped in the bud, we have to do some clean-up work.
And what is this? There are some notes left on the floor.
Better pick them up as potential pieces of evidence.
[You got More Notes of Ingredients.]
As we make our way out of the Unity Power Coalition HQ, Sir Ryson thanks us all with handshakes, before bequeathing us with one request.
“Please... do something about the dancespores that spoiled the televised debate! You know the people are aching to choose the leader they most deserve, and nothing should stand in their way!”
“We will.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you once more!”
Valmonte and company, we will all save you!
***
[First Group's Perspective]
Ugh... now where are we?
One thing's for sure... our hands and feet are bound to individual beds, like we're some kind of detainees in a mental institution; and we're surrounded by various medieval devices such as iron maidens, racks, thumb screws, and breaking wheels.
This sure ain't a fun place to be.
And I'm sure The Movement is behind all this!
Now how can we all break free in the first place?
We're definitely not princesses waiting to be rescued by knights in shining armor!
We need to do something, and fast!
Oh. There are some laser devices on this room's ceiling.
If only there's a way to move them via telekinesis so that the lasers will burn off the shackles that bind us all...
The bed I'm lying in is situated next to the bed where CJ lies, so I immediately ask her...
“Hey! Does your ring have... you know... telekinesis powers?”
Christian, who is next to CJ, answers on her behalf, “Yes, indeed. I once bore witness to its power that once saved my life.”
I react appropriately, “Alright! Now go manipulate those lasers and burn those shackles!”
CJ herself, in a faint voice, replies with a “Yes”.
She starts to channel her ring's powers and directs those powers to the laser devices.
Indeed, with telekinesis, she focuses the lasers' aims at the shackles, burning them slowly but surely, until all 24 of them are no more.
Alright! We're all free!
But we can't celebrate just yet.
From what we can see through the windows, it seems this is a place where politicians gather to determine policies... while sometimes getting into fistfights.
But with monsters proliferating the main hall of whatever this place is, the situation here seems a lot worse than several legislative fistfights in Taiwan, Turkey, or the Ukraine combined.
Alright, we can spot some air vents we can all sneak into!
This way, we can navigate this monster-infested place without being bothered by frequent random encounters.
From the network of air vents, we can sense what lies within this building besides the main hall – two storage rooms at the northwest and northeast ends, hallways on the southwest and southeast ends, a central chamber where the presumed leader holds office and has a robotic opening and closing mechanism that is voluntarily activated before and after a session, and an ancient transportation device that is best left untouched for now.
Via the network of vents, we are able to crawl our way towards the main hall, which is filled with monsters and people who are caught in the crossfire.
And in the central chamber, we can spot someone suspicious.
I say “suspicious” because of his evil, demented laugh that creepily resonates with the roars of the monsters and the cries of the helpless.
He is wearing a uniform that belongs to the... Ishi-shiro?!
Of course, Christian has every right to call out that fishy guy.
“Lieutenant Senior Grade Antoninus Treillane! What are you doing here?!”
He just faces us all, knowing that a fellow officer is pointing his finger at him.
“Ah! Those are the same exact words your Supreme Loser belted out when he busted my cover. But no matter. What I did to him and his motley crew of fellow losers will be done to you puny civilians who couldn't even wield weapons right!”
He then snaps his finger; and out of the seats here in the main hall, around 220 Ishi-shiro conscripts emerge, their automatic rifles all aimed at us.
“Now don't do anything funny,” Lt. Treillane taunts us, “if you don't want to become pin cushions, or more appropriately... bullet cushions! AHAHAHAHA!!!”
His more demented laugh definitely makes Christian's blood boil.
“I know all of your vile schemes ever since that televised speech days ago, which you declared in the papers as a 'valuable ad'. But we sane people know that ad and yourself are anything but. You're just a stooge of The Movement, plain and simple!”
“Aww... how extremely heartwarming your speech is... so idiotic and dumb! AHAHAHAHA!!!”
We just wait for the inevitable, and...
***
[Second Group's Perspective]
We are now at the lobby, the main entrance of the Theresentien House of Politics.
Robinson easily took care of the seal binding the main gate beforehand with the Scroll of Secure Sealing.
Just now, we can hear the massive clacking of guns from the north – the session hall.
It can only mean one thing – that rogue officer, Treillane, is planning something brutal, using the soldiers loyal to him as his accessories.
To prevent that from happening, we quickly kick the door leading to the hall.
And I am proven to be right.
“Oh ho ho! Another wave of party-crashing dimwits! But to be honest, Porcarelli, you had the balls to survive another day. BUT NOT THIS DAY! AHAHAHAHA!!!”
We can spot 220 Ishi-shiro soldiers who turned rogue alongside him, all aiming their rifles at not just us...
...but also Valmonte and company!
13 vs. 221 – good odds for any soldier!
The next five minutes turn into a shower of bullets.
But in the midst of the shower, we also keep in mind the innocents that are caught in the crossfire; so the sensible thing to do is to use the monsters as cannon fodder while we all quickly dispatch the stragglers and protect the innocents.
And the two notorious-looking monsters – who are really the two candidates, Shimokawa and Mitsumaruyama – must be diverted towards areas with little resistance.
In just five minutes and one second, all 220 rogue soldiers and approximately 100 monsters are made unconscious, with only us 13, the two mutated candidates, around 50 innocents, and Treillane himself all still standing.
Due to the turnout, the leader of the rogue soldiers lets out a temper tantrum like an immature child.
“How dare you spoil my wonderful plans for Shurilesia?! No matter... I WILL TAKE YOU ALL DOWN MYSELF!”
***
[First Group's Perspective]
Good thing Edilbert and his crew are here to save our skin.
And I recognize the sage who's tagging along with them.
He's Robinson Rutherford.
Hey, man! Nostalgia can come later!
I suggest to Edilbert, “Hey, can my group take on that big cheese himself?”
He just smiles as he accepts my proposal, “Sure, go ahead! We are originally here to rescue you and secure this entire hall, and let the televised debates continue without the threat of the dancespores – but it seems there is a slight change of plans. You have bested me, anyway; so I trust you to best him!”
“Alright!”
We six all charge towards the rogue officer himself, who still emanates his cackling laugh as he prepares himself for the upcoming battle.
***
[Boss Battle: Antoninus Treillane]
A high-ranked officer of the Ishi-shiro, who has sinister plans he keeps close to his heart.
Level 26 | HP: 5999 | MP: 599
Party: Benoit, Christian, Gershwin, Nolan, Jurina, CJ
Benoit chooses to use a Blink Stone on all allies.
Christian chooses to use a Resistance Stone on all allies.
Gershwin chooses to use a Sharp Stone on all allies.
Nolan chooses to use a Barrier Stone on all allies.
Jurina chooses to cast her Innate Skill spell, Kidlatwa, on Antoninus Treillane.
CJ chooses to summon Tarabusaw as her Innate Skill on all targets.
“Feel the full force of the Magudaro Revolution!”
Antoninus Treillane performs Rocket Launcher of Misery on all targets.
All targets suffer an average of 243 damage.
Benoit uses a Blink Stone on all allies.
All allies' speed and evasion increased.
Christian uses a Resistance Stone on all allies.
All allies' magic and magic defense increased.
Gershwin uses a Sharp Stone on all allies.
All allies' attack increased.
Jurina casts her Innate Skill spell, Kidlatwa, on Antoninus Treillane, dealing him 1772 damage.
Nolan uses a Barrier Stone on all allies.
All allies' physical defense increased.
CJ summons Tarabusaw.
“O scion of the earth, tremble with the rumblings of justice! Underground Voice!”
Her Innate Skill deals an average of 780 damage on all targets.
Benoit chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Chuk Chak Tienes, on Antoninus Treillane.
Christian chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Darkside Earth, on Antoninus Treillane.
Gershwin chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Mariah Interference, on Antoninus Treillane.
Nolan chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Diamond Light, on Antoninus Treillane.
Jurina chooses to defend.
CJ chooses to perform her Innate Skill, Pray and Wish, on all allies.
“You are like that midget, all completely useless!”
Antoninus Treillane performs Rebellious Grudge on Christian, dealing him 420 damage.
Benoit performs his Innate Skill, Chuk Chak Tienes, on Antoninus Treillane, dealing him 3 hits for a total of 893 damage.
Antoninus Treillane's PDEF is decreased.
Christian performs his Innate Skill, Darkside Earth, on Antoninus Treillane, dealing him 0 damage.
Christian loses 0 HP.
Gershwin performs his Innate Skill, Mariah Interference, on Antoninus Treillane, dealing him 993 damage.
Nolan performs his Innate Skill, Diamond Light, on Antoninus Treillane, dealing him 784 damage.
CJ performs her Innate Skill, Pray and Wish, on all allies, with an average of 777 HP restored.
Benoit chooses to defend.
Christian chooses to defend.
Gershwin chooses to defend.
Nolan chooses to defend.
Jurina chooses to cast her Innate Skill spell, Yelowa, on Antoninus Treillane.
CJ chooses to defend.
“Time for your viscera to see the light of day!”
Antoninus Treillane performs Walong-Demonyo Rune on all targets.
“Walong-Demonyo Rune!”
All targets suffer an average of 520 damage.
Jurina casts her Innate Skill spell, Kidlatwa, on Antoninus Treillane, dealing him 1076 damage.
Antoninus Treillane is knocked out.
The counter-terrorists win! That's us.
6699 EXP and 5566 Double Pesos acquired.
Ishi-shiro Officer's Uniform acquired.
Benoit leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
Christian leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
Gershwin leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
Nolan leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
Jurina leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
CJ leveled up, from Level 32 to Level 33!
***
Lieutenant Senior Grade Antoninus Treillane just collapses on the ground, his planned hostile takeover abruptly ended.
Seconds later, our thirteen individual weapons glow, and they perform the expected effect of expelling the dancespores from the entire building, eradicating the monsters and reverting two notorious ones into two middle-aged suited humans – who are most likely the politicians gunning for the highest position in this land.
The dust has finally settled.
Moments later, other Ishi-shiro soldiers who were commanded by Edilbert himself arrive at the scene and perform some clean-up work, namely arresting the now-disgraced Lt. Treillane and his minions, resuscitating unconscious innocents, and nursing the two candidates to consciousness.
Suddenly, the head honcho himself receives a call.
Once he ends it a minute later, he tells the rest of us...
“According to a reconnaissance team I've dispatched, the invisible barrier surrounding Maryam Quintana's Castle is now gone. Most likely, Treillane's defeat caused the deactivation. Now then, if we are all ready, we will raid the castle post-haste.”
The rest of us raise our fists in agreement.
“Yeah!”
Now that the crisis surrounding this building, which I've just learned to have the official name of the Theresentien House of Politics, is over, I can now recall the memories I have with another classmate joining our adventurer ranks.
***
Robinson Rutherford. Age: 17.
He's known in our class as the exemplary pet lover, even though Dillington High forbids bringing of pets inside the school premises.
To legally get around that restriction, he just invites us all to Westlake Park on weekends, where he brings his beloved pets – a Shiba Inu dog named Gorou and a calico cat named Diona.
We all just frolic alongside the two – even though it's known that cats and dogs are antagonistic to each other.
One time, I attended one of his usual weekend pet shows.
Gorou and Diona are getting along very well despite their statuses as dog and cat.
It seems he trained them well.
He then told me something out of the blue.
“You know what, Benoit, if you plan on getting a pet someday, heed my words of advice.”
“OK, I'm all ears.”
“It's inevitable that we humans get to outlive our pets. This may be heartbreaking to some; but all the same, we must give them the same proper care and attention as long as they live, for they will carry on those memories no matter where they go.”
“Yeah, like raising a child, right?”
“Right. Our children will someday outlive us, and their future children will outlive them. It's harsh, alright; but that's just nature at work. What's important is that we, human or animal, leave behind evidence that we once lived. After all, to be forgotten is worse than death.”
I understand his words.
Being a pet owner somehow gave him a unique view of mortality and immortality.
***
And regarding the mystery about the contents of the dancespores themselves, Edilbert happily fills in the long-hanging gap – by giving me further notes.
CONTENTS OF THE SPORUS INFINITUS BAILENSIS DANCE-INDUCING AIRBORNE SPORES
Methamphetamine hydrochloride
Toadstool spores
Cannaweed extract
Methyl alcohol
Genetically-modified mongo beans
Ionized water
Barbiturates
Diffusing agents
“Herdplague” virus DNA
So there's the missing piece. It's no surprise that The Movement is settling for bio-terrorism on a grand scale.
But wait, there's more!
CONTENTS OF THE ENHANCED SPORUS INFINITUS BAILENSIS DANCE-INDUCING AIRBORNE SPORES (CODENAME: STRIDER V. M.)
Methamphetamine hydrochloride
Toadstool spores
Cannaweed extract
Methyl alcohol
Genetically-modified mongo beans
Ionized water
Barbiturates
Diffusing agents
“Herdplague” virus DNA
Coping-type opium
Loqaqola seeds
Myam soybeans
- Writer
