>>40954151
>[ ] Ask Yui what she was up to
>[ ] Receive props from Dwight

>>40954151

>[ ] Ask Yui what she was up to

>[ ] Introduce your ‘daughter’

>>40954151
>>[ ] Introduce your ‘daughter’

Okay, so Claire is one of them, so is our neighbor teacher, and so is Yui.

But let's just take a moment to appreciate how apparently Saif can speak cat.

>>40954151
>[ ] Ask Yui what she was up to
>[ ] Receive props from Dwight

>writing

“So what were you and Boss out doing?” You ask.
“Getting prints” Yui says. “AN is less than 2 weeks away and I am nowhere near ready, so he’s been lending a hand”

“Ah, I see” You say. “Ol’ Saif’s hands not good enough, eh?”
“Don’t you worry, I’ll be needing those soon” She says.
“I figured” You say.

You and Yui sit down at the counter, where you find Kyla muching away at an ice cream sundae.

“I’m sure by now you’ve all met my… daughter” You say.
“I did” Yui says. “How did you manage that?”
“I didn’t. You can blame our wonderfully organised child-care programs for this one” You say.

“Are you gonna keep her?” Yui asks.
“Probably not, no” You ask. “I think a better question now is: where did the ice cream come from?”

“Your dad made this” Kyla says. “I like him”
“And what a hard sell you are” You say, ruffling her hair. “Where is Boss anyway?”
“In the back” Safi says. “Apparently someone thinks they saw a rat, so he’s gone to flush it out”

“Maybe you could bring your kitty to work tomorrow” Yui says.
“Are you kidding?” You ask. “Moriarty couldn’t take on a rat. He can barely take on his scratching post”
“Then you should probably go help him” Safi says. “It is your fault for not cleaning up back there”

>[ ] It is not

>[ ] Fine

>[ ] Other

>>40954596
>>[ ] Fine

>>40954596
>[ ] It is not
but I should go help him since he'll find a way to blame me.

>>40954596
>[ ] Fine

>writing

“I disagree with you there, but I’m not allowed to point fingers since Dwight bought me lunch” You say. “So I’m going to go help out anyway”

“Have fun” Safi says.
“Oh I will” You say, turning to Dwight. “How fast do you think Safi will be out of here if I catch the rat and bring it out?”
“Faster than you can chase after her with it, I hope” Dwight replies.

“Fast enough to go back to your house and scatter roach food everywhere” Safi says.
“Joke’s on you, Moriarty would have that stuff cleaned up long before any roaches got a whiff of it” You say.
“I’ll also steal your cat” She says.
“You can try. He’s still got his claws” You say.
“I’ll wear gloves” Safi says.
“He’s craftier than you give him credit for” You reply, heading off to the back of the café.

The back of the café looks nothing like the front. While the front has a cozy, mood-lit look; the back looks like a damn factory.

Here is where all of the ovens and storage cupboards are. The coffee beans get roasted back here, and all the snacks and stuff get made back here as well.

“Aloha” You say.

Boss’s head pops up from under one of the tables.

“Ah, Saif” He says with his thick Russian accent. “Good timing, you can help me catch little asshole”
“Alright, where do you need me?” You ask.
“Right there is good” He says.

You try to peer around the table to see what he’s doing, when a grey blur darts out from under an oven…

>Challenge roll!
>Target is 25

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>40955093

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>40955174
I'll count this, even though it wasn't linked.

>Success!
>25 in 2
>writing

You dart down and scoop the little blur off the ground, coming back up and holding it at arm’s length.

“Got him” You say.
“Ahh, nice work” He says. “Give here”

You hand the struggling rat to Boss, and he puts it in a cage on the floor.

“So, you have daughter now?” He asks.
“Yes, technically” You say. “I don’t think she’ll be staying too long, but for now…”

Boss laughs. “Relax, Safi explained the situation” He says. “Child care system is mess. Is why I decided to keep you two”
“Thanks… I guess” You say. “Any tips?”
“Don’t spoil her” He says. “Make sure angry is not how you deal with her. If you are always angry, then she will not care if you get mad”
“I meant more so for the temporary situation” You say.

He puts a hand on your shoulder. “Be cool” He says. “You two are closer in age to siblings. If you ever need help, you know where I’ll be”
“Thanks” You say.
“Now take this” He says, handing you something. “I need to dispose of this, and you need to play prank on Safi”

Boss takes the caged rat and heads towards the back door. You look at what’s in your hand…

A fake rat.

>[ ] Do it

>[ ] Maybe it’s not a good idea…

>>40955402
>[ ] Do it!
>[ ] Do it!
>[ ] Do it!

>>40955402
>[ ] Do it

>>40955402
>DO.IT!

>>40955402
>[ ] Do it
We'll at least get to see how each character reacts.

>>40955402
>[ ] Do it
the boss said so

>>40955402
>>[ ] Maybe it’s not a good idea…
>Do it anyway

>writing

You hide the fake rat behind your back as you walk back into the front.

“How’d it go?” Dwight asks.
“We got it” You say.

Safi looks up, and her expression sours. “Hey Saif, whatcha hidin’?”
“Ohhh… nothing” You say, smiling evilly.
“Because if I weren’t mistaken I’d say you brought out the raAAAAAAAAAAT!!!” Safi shrieks as you whip the fake rat out from behind you and toss it onto her head.

She falls backwards out of her chair and lands on the ground, flat on her back. Yui takes a few steps back, and Dwight cracks up.

You then walk over and collect the ‘rat’. “Fake rat” You say, helping Safi back up and making sure she didn’t hurt herself. “Sorry, couldn’t resist”
“Whe-where the hell did you get a fake rat?!?” Safi asks.
“Boss gave it to me” You say. “Now we’re even”

Safi whacks you on the head. “NOW we’re even” She says.

“Oh shit!” Yui says.
“What?” You ask.
“It’s this late already? I’ve gotta go!” She says.

You check your watch. It’s 9:55.

“It isn't that late” You say.
“It is when you have an essay on journalism to finish” Yui says.
“An essay that’s not due ‘til Thursday” You say.
“Don’t procrastinate” She says.

>[ ] You should head out too

>[ ] Stick around for a while

>>40955841
>[ ] You should head out too
Unless we were supposed to do something with Yui.

>>40955841
>[ ] Stick around for a while
Not too long though, what`s bedtime for a 10..I mean 14 year old.

>>40955841
>[ ] You should head out too

>writing

“We should get going too then” You say.
“Already?” Kyla asks.
“Yes” You say. “It’s way past your bedtime”
“I do not have a bedtime” Kyla says.

“You do now” You say. “Come on”
Kyla pouts and steps out of her chair.

“Looks like you’re taking this whole ‘father’ thing seriously” Yui says.
“Of course I am” You say. “When have I ever not taken something seriously?”

Safi clears her throat to draw your attention, then points at the fake rat in your hand.
“That… doesn’t count” You say. “Boss’s orders”
“Sure” She says. “I’ll see you tomorrow in class then?”
“I’ll be ready” You say. “I mean there. I’ll be there”

Safi smiles devilishly and waves you off, turning to Dwight. “Well, looks like it’s just you and me”

You, Kyla and Yui head out.
“Any plans for the night?” Yui asks.
“Dunno” You say. “I was gonna put the little one down, and then maybe play something, or watch something”
“I am not little” Kyla says.
“Keep telling yourself that” You say. Her and Yui are both about the same height, which is still about a head shorter than you.

“Well, I’ll see you later then” Yui says. Her home is in the opposite direction of yours.
“See you” You say.
“Bye” Kyla says.

You and Kyla start walking back to your place.

“So what ARE you planning on doing tonight?” Kyla asks.

>[ ] Arena

>[ ] Exactly what I said

>[ ] Dunno yet

>>40956279
>[ ] Dunno yet

>>40956279
>[ ] Arena
Let's gather xp.

>>40956279
That magic teacher guy you talked about?

>>40956279
>[ ] Arena
Monster hunter!

>writing

“I was thinking I’d hit the Arena” You say.
“Already?” She asks.
“You did say that the only way to make friends would be to go in and see who’s willing to work with me” You say.
“I did” She says. “Alright then, I’ll give you the rundown on how going in works”
“There’s a process to it?” You ask.

Kyla nods. “Not out here, though. I’ll tell you when we get back” She says.
“That’s fair” You say.

You spend the rest of the 20 minute walk home from the café in relatively tense silence.

You have to admit, the idea of going into the Arena has got you jittery. Rightfully so, considering how it went down last time.
Kyla seems tense as well.

When you finally reach your apartment, you usher her in and lock the door.

“Lay it on me” You say.

>[1/2]

Kyla walk over to the table and grabs your phone.

“Alright” She says. “So about 10 minutes before the Arena opens at midnight, you’ll start getting notices on this about who’ll be going in. The first one will always be the Arena’s owner”
“So I assume that I have to choose whether or not I’m going in during those 10 minutes as well?” You ask.

Kyla nods. “Once the first one comes in, you’ll get this screen” She holds your phone out to you.

On the screen is what looks like a call accept/decline screen, with the words “Will you be entering tonight?” at the top.

“Hit the green one if you are, and the red one if you aren’t. It will always ask if you are sure” She says.
“And what about a Sunday night when I haven’t gone in all week?” You ask.
“Then your notice will go out shortly after the owner’s” She says.
“Got it” You say. “How do I actually go into the Arena?”

“At 11:59, you’ll disappear from the real world. To you, you’ll still be wherever you were, but your location will change into an entrance” She says. “After a minute, a door will open nearby. That’s your entrance”

“What happens if I don’t go through it?” You ask.
“You get pulled through, forcefully” She says. “Sometimes it isn't too inconvenient, but it can end with you landing in the Arena in a bad position. And you don’t need MORE disadvantages”
“Gotcha” You say.

>It is currently 10:30. You have 1 hour and 30 minutes to prepare.

>What preparations will you make?

>[cont.]

Choose any number that don’t contradict.

>[ ] Get ahead of real-time
>[ ] Get behind real-time

>[ ] Find a suitable weapon (Suggestions welcome)

>[ ] Get some practice in

>[ ] Get focused

>[ ] Other

>>40956885
So, too late for those magic lessons?

>Have a light snack
>Bring a small pouch of bandaids and bandages.
>Stop by a hardware store for some chain and nails

>>40956924
>[ ] Get behind real-time
then
>[ ] Find a suitable weapon (Still up for that whip?)
>[ ] Get some practice in (with the weapon)

>>40956924
Get behind, find a chain, practice with chain.

>writing

“Alright then” You say. “I guess I’ll start getting ready”
“Already?” She asks. “You still have more than an hour”
“I’m a little nervous, okay?” You ask. “After last time, I think I’ve got a good reason to be”

Kyla puts a hand on your shoulder. “You’ll be fine” She says.
“It’s one thing to say that, it’s another to actually help me out” You say.
“Help with what?” She asks.
“I’m going to mess with my timing a bit. I need you to go into the closet in your bedroom and find me a chain.” You say. “I know there’s one in there somewhere”

“Alright” She says.

Kyla goes into her room, and you take a seat on the couch. Moriarty is against the left arm, so you sit on the right.

Looking at your watch, you count the ticks. 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1… you get to 10:1 before you stop slowing down and hold yourself. It gets harder once you get past 3:1, but you really have nothing else to focus on.

You stay in this state for 30 seconds and then release it, quickly accelerating back to real-time. You’re now 5 minutes behind, which will make fast-time much easier.

With that out of the way, you head into the kitchen and make yourself and Kyla both a sandwhich. You definitely need something before going in there, and Kyla will probably complain if she doesn’t get one.

Then you head into the bedroom, and find Kyla rummaging through your closet.

“Just how much junk do you have in here?” She asks.
“A lot of it is Yui’s old stuff that she didn’t take with her, but some of it is my old stuff that I didn’t want to throw away” You say.

“Can I do it?” She asks.
“Not without my permission” You say.
“Darn…” She says.

>[1/2]

“Here” You say, handing Kyla the ham sandwich you made her.
“Thanks” She says, accepting your offer.

You spend a few more minutes helping Kyla find you a chain, before it finally turns up.

You examine the length of it, looking for damage that might cause some unfortunate accidents.

“What’s that for?” She asks.
“I’ve been thinking about what sort of weapons might work well for my abilities” You say.
“And that’s the best you got?” She asks.
“Pretty much” You say. “Feedback on me is minimal in fast-time, it can wrap opponents for easy grappling, and in a pinch I can wrap it around my fist”

“I guess that would be the best you got, considering the lack of access to enchantments” She says.
“Still no help in that area?” You ask.
“Nope” She says. “You want a teacher, you’re going to have to find one on your own”
“Dang” You say.

You take the chain and leave Kyla to pack everything back into the closet. Then you go into your main room and push your couch against the wall to make some space.

You spend the next hour or so practicing with the chain: the best angles to swing it, how to quickly wrap it around your fist, and most importantly: how not to hit yourself with it by accident.

Once you’re at least marginally satisfied with your progress, you take a look at your watch: 11:49… 11:50

Your phone buzzes.

[Arena]>The Smith will be entering the Arena
[Arena]>The Traitor will be entering the Arena

Your own option comes up.
You swallow…

>[ ] Hit it now

>[ ] See who else joins first

>>40957536
>[ ] See who else joins first

>>40957536
>[ ] See who else joins first
If the scholar joins, we go. If not, don't.

>[ ] See who else joins first

>writing

You decide to wait and see. The scholar is the one you want to meet with. If they join, you’ll join…

[Arena]>The Creator will be entering the Arena
[Arena]>The Butcher will be entering the Arena

Okay, so there’s team psycho-dress. Not looking good so far…

[Arena]>The Glutton will be entering the Arena
[Arena]>The Builder will be entering the Arena
[Arena]>The Witch will be entering the Arena

Fuck… still no sign of the scholar…

You wonder if maybe they’re doing the same thing you are: waiting for you to join because they want to meet you…

There’s only one way to find out.

>[ ] Hit it now

>[ ] Tomorrow night

>>40957770
Hit it

>>40957770
>[ ] Hit it now

>>40957770
>[ ] Hit it now

>>40957770
>[ ] Hit it now
Procrastination is for essays, not for when our goddess needs us!

>>40957770
>[ ] Hit it now

>writing

You hit the green button.

A new message displays: Are you certain you wish to enter the Arena?

You hit yes.

[Arena]>The Guardian will be entering the Arena

And there it is. You’re locked in now, Saif. Keep your hands and feet inside the ride and hopefully they will remain attached to your body.

Suddenly, you feel yourself being hugged from behind.

“Kyla?” You ask.
“You can do it” She says. “Don’t doubt yourself”
“Little easier said than done” You say. “After last ti-“
“Last time you were unprepared, and completely oblivious to what was happening” She says. “You’re ready now. I believe in you”

“Thanks” You say.

[Arena]>The Scholar will be entering the Arena

Well would you look at that? You were right… probably.

Kyla lets go and walk around in front of you, putting her hands on your cheeks. “Now, you’re going to go out there and you’re going to give 100%. And in 15 minutes or however long The Smith’s arena stays open, you’re going to come back here. Okay?” She says.
“Yeah…” You say.
“That didn’t sound very positive!” She says, pinching your cheeks.
“Yes! Yes I’ll come back!” You say.

Kyla smiles and pats your cheeks. “Good” She says. “Now, buck up. You’ve got work to do!”

>Focus roll!
>3 dice, added up
>No target. Depending on how high the roll is, you will get a bonus or handicap for all rolls in the Arena

>Roll now, I’ll post the chart in a second

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>40958166

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>40958166

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>40958166

Focus rolls will be performed before Saif enters the Arena. They will decide the state of Saif’s mind as he enters.

Bonuses and handicaps are added to ALL rolls. Effectively making a -2 into a -6.

>3-9: Saif is troubled. -2 to all rolls
>10-19: Saif is distracted. -1 to all rolls
>20-29: Saif is normal. No bonus
>30-39: Saif is focused. +1 to all rolls
>40-49: Saif is in tune. +2 to all rolls
>50-59: Saif is in the zone. +3 to all rolls
>60: Saif is zen. +4 to all rolls

>29 in 3

>Saif is Normal. No bonus, no handicap

>writing

>>40958229
i apologize for my dishonor
i will now commit sudoku

“Alright” You say. “I can do this”
“Then prove it” Kyla says. “Sho-“

And then she’s gone.

You’re standing in your apartment like you were a second ago, only you’re alone now. No Kyla, no Moriarty, and everything is cast in the red light of the moon, which you can see out your window.

You take a deep breath. “I can do this” You say.

In a minute, the front door of your apartment opens, and you walk over to it. You hesitate in the threshold.

“I can definitely do this” You say. “At least, I can’t damn well turn back now”

You step through.

>[1/2]

You’re surrounded by torches, as far as the eye can see. The floor below you is made up of 1 metre wide, square metal grates in a grid pattern. Every other square of the grid is solid and has a standing torch on it.

Above you, the ceiling is made up of similar metal grating. Both above the ceiling and below the floor there is a dark liquid that looks like oil…

Of course it’s oil, this is The Smith’s arena. The Bellows do nothing but blow fire.

Around you shining doorways open, and through them the other champions emerge…

You don’t recognize most of them, except for Stonehands. Each of them readies for the oncoming fight…

>[ ] Back off, try to get a good look at them

>[ ] Engage Stonehands, take it from there

>[ ] Back off, try and spot The Scholar

>[ ] Other

>>40958472
>[ ] Back off, try to get a good look at them
While keeping an eye out for the scholar

>>40958472
>[ ] Back off, try and spot The Scholar

>>40958472
>[ ] Engage Stonehands, take it from there

>writing

You take a step back and enter fast time to get a good look at the other combatants…

The first one to catch your eye is well… the most eye catching of them. One of the champions is wearing a bright pink get-up that looks like it came straight out of a magical girl show. With a pink frilly skirt, long pink-and-white striped socks, little shoes with wings on them, long white gloves, a sleeveless white shirt and a corset-looking thing. Their mask looks like a cross between a heart and a flame, and in their hand they have a little star wand.

Another person is a big looking champion with what looks like a heavy metal bucket with eye-holes for a mask. Their clothes look heavy, and probably fire-proof considering the fact that they’re carrying The Smith’s Bellow. The only other recognizable thing on them is a flak-jacket.

The Creator definitely has tits. So that settles that.

She’s also coming right for you… That ends your examination of the other fighters then…

Dang, you didn't even manage to see the Scholar...

>Challenge roll!
>Target is 30

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>40958888

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>40958888

>>40958888

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>40958888

welp we're fucked

>Roll failed!
>18 in 3
>No bonuses

>writing

>>40958972
>2▶
>welp we're fucked

titty monster is just comming to say hello anon, the test was to hold spaghetti i'm sure

>>40959099
It explains much more than it should...

You return to real-time and prepare to defend yourself against your oncoming foe.

*tok tok tok TOK TOK TOK*

The sound of feet on the metal grating, coming from behind you… You turn to one side, ready to block Stonehand’s giant punch as well as whatever this person is going to do in slowtime.

They bring a cleaver to bear, and you block it with your right arm which has the chain wrapped around it… And your arm comes right off.

Right, the butcher’s cleaver. Kyla said that its edge only really has to touch you to sever a limb completely…

You grit your teeth and catch your severed arm. The chain is still wrapped around it, and it is therefore not useless.

You duck under Stonehand’s follow-up, coming back up with a back-handed slap from your severed hand. Stonehand backs off, and The Butcher moves into the gap.

You twist the chain and swing it across their legs, catching one of them in the process and pulling on it, forcing their feet out from under them. As The Butcher falls Stonehand jumps over them, ready to crush your face. But they turn and guard at the last second.

Right as something hits their stone arm and explodes, sending you flying back, sans your severed arm and your chain.

>[1/2]

You roll and regain your feet, leaving a long trail of blood behind you on the grated floor. You look over and see one of the Champions you don’t recognize holding… a grenade launcher?

You stop for a moment to observe the fight. The one in the pink outfit appears to be pulling fire from the torches and the Smith’s Bellow and shooting it at the other group, which consists of what you assume are The Glutton, The Builder and The Witch. In addition to the Bellow, The Smith seems to be able to control the oil that sits above and below the Arena.

Stonehand and the Butcher have turned their attention to the one with the grenade launcher.

>[ ] Return the favour and go help them out

>[ ] Deal with this bleeding first

>[ ] Other

>>40959335
>[ ] Deal with this bleeding first

>>40959335
>[ ] Deal with this bleeding first

>>40959335
>[ ] Return the favour and go help them out

>writing

You enter fast time, step over to a torch, and stick your stump in. It hurts like hell, but it beats dying to blood loss.

In fast time, the fire seems to move in slow motion. Each lick takes its sweet time making its way over your stump. The heat takes a few seconds to register, but the wound gets burned fast in your quickened state.

Once you think the job is done, you pull your arm away and re-enter realtime. Your right arm is shaking, and next to useless. But you aren’t dead.

Yet…

You turn your attention towards where The Butcher and Stonehand are attacking the person who could only be The Scholar, and you start running.

>Challenge roll!

>Target is still 30

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>40959638

>>40959638

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>40959638

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>40959638
I'm not sure how I feel about this dice system

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>40959638
crit 20

>>40959708
We doing good!

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>40959638

>Challenge success!
>35 in 3
>writing

>>40959708
It's a work in progress. I'll probably be tweaking it in the future.

>>40959772
Why not first 3 roll a 100dice and just average it

You speed time back up and beat it to where the fighting is.

On your way over, you grab your severed arm. The chain is still attached, and it’s wrapped tight. You don’t have the extra hand to unwrap it, so you’ll have to make do with its fleshy handle…

You come to a screeching halt before you reach The Butcher, swinging your arm(s) and lashing their back with the chain.

The Butcher yelps in pain, and Stonehand turns to face you.

“Ahhhh you came back” She says. “I was so hoping to see you again”

Stonehand uses The Butcher’s keeled over form as a stepping stone and attacks you. You step to the side and her hand goes straight through the metal grating and gets stuck.

And she can’t pull it out…

>[ ] Wrap the chain around her neck

>[ ] Use this time to handle The Butcher

>[ ] Other

>>40959954
>[ ] Use this time to handle The Butcher

Remember guys, we still have the one up from our mask.

>>40959954
>[ ] Use this time to handle The Butcher

>>40959954
>[ ] Use this time to handle The Butcher

>>40959954
>>[ ] Use this time to handle The Butcher

>writing

You pat Stonehands on the shoulder and dart past her to The Butcher, who is currently engaging The Scholar.

The Scholar appears to be wielding… a sword? That’s a bit of a jump from the grenade launcher they had a minute ago.

Nonetheless, you swing your chain to wrap it around the arm they have their Cleaver in and pull.

The Scholar takes this chance and slashes at The Butcher’s midsection, but The Butcher’s not having it. They catch the sword with one hand, and you can see a faint green glow coming from it.

You pull the chain again, wrapping it around your left hand so you can close the distance while keeping control over The Butcher’s Butchering arm.

And then the floor gives way, sending the three of you into the oil along with several torches.

The surface catches fire, but you sink below. You sink, because you can’t swim.

But you still have the Butcher’s arm in your chain.

>[ ] Keep hold, see if they’ll take you up

>[ ] Drag them down

>[ ] Let them go

>>40960310
>[ ] Drag them down

>>40960310
>Keep hold, see if they’ll take you up
Scholar is a potential ally here, don't want to risk killing her/him/it.

>>40960407
If we go up then we'll all be burned to death at the surface though right?

>>40960310
>[ ] Keep hold, see if they’ll take you up

>>40960310
>>[ ] Keep hold, see if they’ll take you up

Now that we've gotten a semi-good look, what does the Butcher look like?

>>40960439
Well we are pretty safe because we still have our revive to use up tonight.

>>40960485
Right but I don't think the scholar shares our ability

>>40960439
Remember this: Saif has the Fool's Shield; he can resurrect with a 10-15 minute cooldown.

>writing

>>40960310
>Choke the Butcher, give the Scholar time to get to safety.

>>40960518
I know. The scholar can't do that though.

Oh well, too late to debate about it now.

>>40960539
This isn't a bad plan; is it too late to support this?

>>40960564
Butcher is holding the scholar's sword, he/she might not be able to get away.

>>40960555
It seems like realistically we were all fucked the moment we fell into a pool of burning oil

>>40960598
Scholar can do a lot of things with that book; they could have pulled out a jetpack, for all we know.

They could of swapped it out.

Strangely, you can’t see The Scholar down here. The Butcher looks down at you. You can see their mask even through the thick oil that burns your eyes. It looks the same as Stonehand’s mask.

Your hope here is that they’ll bring you back up. You sure as hell can’t do it yourself.

They smile, or the mask smiles, and then The Butcher takes their Cleaver out of their entangled hand, and cuts it off.

Their entire body glows green, and they swim up to the surface; leaving you to drown.

Well fuck you too then.

You let out all the air in your lungs, squeeze your eyes shut, and let the oil flow into your lungs. It’s painful. You try to take several breathes, only to have the oil let out and replaced with more oil.

You laugh as your arm and legs begin to tingle and lose feeling. And you laugh even harder as it spreads.

It isn't until after you lose consciousness that the mask shatters, and you reappear-

>[ ] At a safe distance, to get yourself together

>[ ] In the fray

>>40960790
>[ ] In the fray

Life or death baby!

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107 KB JPG

>>40960790
>>[ ] In the fray

Take advantage of the confusion.

>>40960790
>[ ] In the fray
The scholar wasn't here? I was confused when all of the options said "them". I thought it meant that we would drag both of them down

>>40960850
Them can be a gender-neutral term.

I know an agender individual who prefers to go by 'they', 'them', and so on.

>writing

>>40960925
It can also be used to mean more than one person. Which I why I was confused.
Also I find it hilarious that some people care so much about their preferred pronouns

Your vision leaves you, and returns to the surface. It’s almost complete chaos up there. The entire oil pool beneath the Arena is on fire, causing licks of flame to emerge from the floor.

The Scholar seems to have made it out of the drop unfazed. Stonehand is still stuck, the area she is in having been spared from the collapse.

The Butcher emerges from the flames and the oil seems to drip off of them… her, you see now, completely. It all just flows off of her, leaving no trace of oil or flame.

Off to the side, the other two groups are still fighting, with the exception of one. Pinky and Flamethrower are fighting The Builder and The Glutton, while the third sits in the back… painting?

Of course. Stonehand didn’t cause the collapse, The Witch did.

And they seem to be working on another piece…

>[ ] Fight The Butcher

>[ ] Fight The Witch

>[ ] Other

>>40961083
>>[ ] Fight The Witch
Momma said knock you OUT.

>>40961083
>[ ] Fight The Witch

>>40961083
>[ ] Fight The Butcher
Revenge served cold.

>>40961083
>[ ] Fight The Butcher

I'm a bit lost, the Butcher's cleaver can only cut flesh and absolutely nothing else, right?

And they hit the arm with the chain wrapped around it?

So they didn't hit the chain at all, stopping the cleaver?

I am confuse.

>>40961198
The cleaver touched his skin despite the chain, severing the arm.

>writing

>>40961218
Well that's shitty.

Am I the only one who thinks the description for the cleaver was vague?

It "parts flesh". I though that meant it never met any resistance when cutting, not that it just "lolnope"s whatever it touches.

Ah, whatever, I'll figure it out.

>>40961218
We're working with a tie, eh?

Well, let's see what comes about; we could always wrap the chain around the cleaver and whip it at Miss Witch Bitch.

I'm going to be very depressed if it turns out any of these champions are our friends; the Witch seems like a prime candidate to be Yui, considering the artist thing...

>>40961336
I already told you, Claire, Yui, the teacher next door, all champions.

You reappear above The Witch, landing on their head chain-wrapped-fist first.

The Witch goes down but before you can follow up, The Builder swipes the air where your head used to be with his hammer.

You jump back, feeling the heat of the fire below you with every step. The Builder follows up with a few more swings, but you find yourself fascinated by their mask.

Whoever it is, they have a fucking computer on their head.

As the Builder continues their assault, you turn the tables and put them on their back foot. You lash out with the chain, once, twice, again and again, using fast-time to lessen the time between strikes.

They step back onto one of the solid platforms with a torch on it, and a dark figure takes form behind them. The shadow holds The Builder in place for your next strike, which wraps the chain right around his neck.

You pull on it, hoping to choke him out, but he frees a hand and hits the chain with the Hammer, causing all the links to come undone. Your weapon clatters to the ground in pieces, made completely useless.

“Shit” You say out loud.

…

And then you’re back in your room. You breathe heavily, still on the adrenaline rush from all that fighting.

Holy fuck your feet hurt.

>[ ] Take a seat

>[ ] Look for Kyla

>>40961366
>[ ] Take a seat

Lets calm ourself down first.

>>40961366
>>[ ] Take a seat

>>40961366
>>[ ] Take a seat
on Kyla

>writing

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468 KB GIF

>>40961441
You know, Kyla isn't calling Saif a pervert.

Here's lookin' at you, ya freak!

>>40961366
>[ ] Take a seat
Fall to your bed and jokingly laugh because that just happen and the adrenaline.

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26 KB PNG

>>40961534

You flop down at the edge of the couch, lean back and try to catch your breath. That was insane. Absolutely insane.

Not only are you in way over your head, you also happen to be way out of your league. You didn’t get to look at The Witch’s, The Builder’s or The Glutton’s abilities, but it looks like The Traitor and The Smith built their arena well…

You pull out your phone and look at the Champion’s page. Under their names are two new bits of info: their affinities. You guess they got put up there since you saw what they could do.

You scroll down to The Butcher, and theirs is there too.

Finally having caught your breath, you look around for Kyla. She’s curled up on the other side of the couch with Moriarty. You didn’t even notice her.

You go over to try and wake her, when something catches your eye. You wipe her cheek, and your fingers come away wet. Was she… crying?

>[ ] Wake her

>[ ] Bring her to her bed

>App Info updated

>>40961626
>[ ] Bring her to her bed
Let her rest.

>writing

You grab Moriarty and put him elsewhere on the couch. The fuzzball wakes up and whines in disapproval.

You then check over Kyla’s room, making sure the bed has sheets, etc. Before going back to pick her up.

She’s even lighter than she looks. You wonder if that’s somehow related to how her body was made…

You walk up to the bed and gently set her down.

“Mmmm-mmmm…” She mumbles something, and opens her eyes. “You came back” She says, smiling weakly.
“You doubted me?” You ask.
“Not for a second” She says.

“Thanks… again” You say. “Sleep tight, Kyla”
“No… Thank you” She says. “and sleep well. You’ll need your rest”

You smile back at her and tuck her in, before heading back out of the room to your couch.

A lot of people question why you still sleep out here. It’s partially because sleeping in Yui’s old room feels weird, and partially because you find the couch comfier than the bed. But that might just be your preference.

You walk around turning off all the lights before sitting down and examine your legs. They look fine. No horrific burns like you were expecting. Satisfied that you won’t lose them, you grab a pillow from the coffee table, put it under you head, and lay down.

You watch Moriarty go into Kyla’s room to sleep. At the doorway, he turns to you and meows.
“Go on, fuzzbal. I’ll be fine” You say.
“Mew” Mori replies.

You roll over onto your back and close your eyes.

Maybe tomorrow you should enroll in swimming lessons…

>End of Night Two

That's all for tonight!

It took longer to get through the second day than I thought it would, but here we are.

Chances are the next thread will be Friday or sometime this weekend.

I'll be here for a few minutes to take questions/suggestions

>>40961986
So when is Saif's ability to speak feline going to come into play and save his life?

>>40961986
Anymore champions get bumped off?

Great thread, by the way!

>>40962017
Saif doesn't speak cat. He and Moriarty have an understanding.

Moriarty does things that are cute, and Saif continues to feed him.

>>40962024
Other than Saif? No.

Luckily, Saif got better.