Background: 暗転
Background: 池袋地下格闘場通路
Music:
Ikebukuro Guild Hall
One day, at the underground battle arena of the Ikebukuro Berserkers.
 Oh, hey, Player's here! Alright, Now I've got all the personnel I needed! |
Andvari boisterously greeted the new arrival the moment they stepped in, arms spread wide in a welcoming gesture.
Behind him were an assortment of his fellow Berserkers: Bathym, Pollux and Nomad.
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| Huh....? | What's all this about? | It's the half-naked party...! | ||||||
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 Hey, look what the dog dragged in. Andvari roped you into this too huh? |
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Andvari:(angry face) |
 Anyway! Don't listen to him and just rely on us, Player! |
| 3 options | ||||||||
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| Leave it to me！ | You still haven't told me what you called me out here for. | Of course, there's the matter of my compensation fee... | ||||||
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 Well, that's Andvari for you. Anyway, don't you think you owe them a proper explanation now? |
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Are we going someplace dangerous? You're leading this expedition, so you don't want there to be any misunderstandings, right? |
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Andvari:(frown face) |
Background: 暗転
Music:
Background: 池袋地下格闘場通路
 Well, to cut a long story short, we're dealing with an overworld shift. |
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dunno if you heard about the incident a few days ago, when the underground passages beneath the guild our boss Claude built-- |
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...overlapped with dungeons from some other world. |
- reference to Nomad's character quest
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Well, stuff like that ain't uncommon here in Tokyo. Something similar happened before in the underground shopping area in Shinjuku, and in this case-- |
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-strange, snowy mountains have appeared in Minato-ku. |
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Well, skipping to the relevant part, those mountains contain dungeons that are supposed to be loaded with treasure! |
 It's a real gold rush situation! The longer we dawdle around the more booty other people are gonna find and depreciate the market value! |
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That's why I had to put this party together on such short notice! The early bird's gettin' this worm! |
 So the short version is, you need us to escort you? No sweat. |
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Worth noting, our destination is an unexplored dungeon. There's no telling what we might end up having to face! |
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I still have to find my brother. Who knows, maybe he was summoned along with this place. |
 Even if he's not though, maybe we'll run into a formidable new opponent! I'm getting hyped up already! |
 Oops, my bad, boss. What's with that face? |
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.....If we add more members to the expedition that means we have to split the payload even more, but then again maybe that means the curse will split targets evenly too... *mutter mutter* |
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You say something, Boss Andvari? |
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Eh? Wha? Wasn't listening. Did you say somethin'? |
 (I don't think they realize they're not on the same page here. But it's funny, so I'm not gonna say a word!) |
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Anyway, with your support, I have high hopes for this little endeavor! |
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Ah, this here's the contract. Just sign here on the dotted line, yes yes, you'll have to cover your own transportation costs out of pocket, but that's trivial compared to the bonus we'll make, for real! |
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| I'll do my best! | I have a bad feeling about this. | |||||||
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| 1 option | ||||||||
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| Is anyone else coming along? | ||||||||
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Ah, I did put some feelers out, but, I hit a few snags... |
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Macan has no interest in money, Garmr, Kengo and Taurus were busy with schoolwork... |
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Snow and Claude would be more trouble than they're worth, Moritaka absolutely refused to ever work with me and Horkeu Kamui is off in the mountains or something... |
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But hey, that's their loss! The rising stars of the Berserkers are all we need! Now let's make a huge profit! |
Background: 暗転
Music:
Background: 池袋地下通路
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Pollux:(cheerful face) |
 サンシャインに繋がる地下通路から、 枝分かれするように洞くつが伸びてやがんな。 |
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あっちの方、清掃工場とかなんかだっけ？ うっひぃ～、ゴミだらけは勘弁ちゃんよ。 |
Before the cave entrance, as the group chattered among themselves--
Andvari whispered something to the ring gleaming brilliantly on his left ring finger.
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役割は――。 権能は――。 |
At his words, golden light began to spin around the ring.
| You're using your sacred artifact……？ |
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| アンタ神器持ってたの？！ |
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シーーーーーーーーッ……！ 見てたのかよおいっ、目ざといヤツだな……。 |
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ん。 |
As he said so, Andvari furiously thrust his hand at Player.
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I'm charging an admission fee. Peeking like that is an infringement of my publicity rights! Now, pay up! For real! |
Background: 暗転
Music:
Background: 池袋地下通路行き止まり
Gradually, the party made their way into the dungeon. The trip proceeded smoothly and peacefully, with no notable dangers.
This was thanks to Pollux, and his sacred artifact
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Wherever this light shines, disaster and misfortune will be warded away. ......Pretty handy, right Player? |
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| Thanks a bunch, Pollux! | It's a tight squeeze, fitting everyone in here... | |||||||
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Guided by Pollux's light, the exploration party searched the dungeon relatively uneventfully, occasionally finding interesting objects to submit for Andvari's appraisal.
But eventually, the group hit a dead end.
At the end of the hallway, a lone chest was tantalizingly placed.
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There! This one! This one's gonna be a big score, I can feel it! |
 We haven't found any magic items that suit me this entire time. Hnn, maybe this will be my lucky break? |
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All I care about is coins. The office is long overdue for renovations. |
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This is the last spot left to check, right? So no need to keep this ward up. |
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You idiot! It's too early for that! Wait til we're clear of the-- |
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Good job, artifact. Aaaand, off you go! |
SFX:
Ignoring Andvari's warning, Pollux unexpectedly dropped the ward of his sacred artifact.
Music:
SFX:
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Slime: Bloopbloop！ |
With the protection of Pollux's sacred treasure gone, several slimes began to appear from the inky darkness of the dungeon.
--in the path of the only exit.
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Aaaaah,damnit！What did I tell you, dumbass! Now our escape route is blocked! |
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Agghh, finally. I've been itching for a fight, my body's been screaming for some action since we started! |
 It's fine, Boss Andvari. I can take a bunch of small fry like this all by myself! |
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Eat thiiis! |
SFX:
Pollux intercepted the approaching slime, ready to blindside it with a punch.
Or, so it seemed.
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Huh...?! |
Pollux's fist made a squelching sound as it impacted, burying his arm in the slime's gooey body.
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Whaaaaaa--!! |
Bloop.
Pollux was sucked in by his arm, swallowed completely by the slime.
| ……………。 |
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 ............ |
 ............ |
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............ |
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You meathead! You think you can just punch slime?! |
 My my, that's no good...! What should we do now? |
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--I'll burn them to cinders. |
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And destroy the treasure too? Don't be so hasty! |
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We have to deal with them carefully too, huh. Well, good luck with that, Andvari! |
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Sheesh... I'm not like you battle junkies, I'm just a regular old dwarf. For real. |
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They're coming this way! |
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Green Slime: Bloop bloop----!! |
[BATTLE]
Background: 暗転
Music:
Background: 池袋地下通路行き止まり
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Slime: Gloooooop！ |
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Haaaaaa!! |
SFX:
Swinging a massive battleaxe nearly the size of his own body, Andvari cleaves his way through several slimes at once.
However, it is clear the blade has little effect on their amorphous, gooey bodies other than temporarily stalling their movement.
Nonetheless, you all have little choice but to stay on the offensive, or be overwhelmed by the slimes.
There seemed to be no end to the horde, and no escape in sight as more and more poured in.
At best, suffocation inside the slimes, or in the worst case, dissolving within the monsters.
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Damnit! Nothing is working! Damn that idiot...! |
 You can be mad later, Andvari! This situation's getting worse and worse! |
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......This is getting out of hand. The situation won't turn around at this rate, so just let me burn them already. |
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No! We still haven't secured the treasure! |
As he spoke, Andvari hurried back to the treasure chest at the hallway's end.
Hastily, he threw open the lid and looked inside, and--
--the earth shook beneath everyone's feet.
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Ah, this treasure, this could be worth...! |
Andvari's face suddenly turned pale as, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar golden gleam. His sacred artifact twinkled brilliantly on his finger.
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Run for it! Something's wrong, for real!! |
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What's going on?! Andvari, what on earth...! |
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An earthquake?! Now of all times?! |
SFX:
| The dungeon is... collapsing?! |
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Ah. |
In the chaose of the quake, a huge brick was becoming dislodged above Andvari's head.
Even someone as sturdy as the dwarf would surely die if it fell on him.
SFX:
The moment the realization hit, Player's feet were moving on their own--
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Andvari:( face) |
Background: 暗転
--running desperately on the unstable ground, and--
SFX:
--their sword began to glow.
SFX:
.....
..........
..................
How much time has passed?
As Player gradually returned to consciousness, they could hear someone talking to themselves through the heavy fog clouding their mind.
Music:
Background: 池袋地下通路崩壊
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あーっ、たくっ……。 まさか最後であんなお宝に出会うなんてな……。 |
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予想外の出費はかさんじまったが、 ま、コイツを売り払えば……ヘヘヘッ！ |
| Treasure? |
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GYAAH! Jeez, don't startle me like that! If you're awake then say so! |
 The rest of the guys are safe. We managed to avoid being buried alive, but the entrance collapsed. Tryin' that way out's no good. |
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Those three went lookin' for another way out. I had to stay behind and watch you. |
 Ah, don't get up. I was specifically told not to let you move in your condition. I'll catch hell. |
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Here, Bathym gave me some medicinal herb crap for ya. He knows his stuff, you should be good as new soon. |
| So everybody is safe? Are the slimes gone? |
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| Are you gonna charge me a treatment fee? |
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| So, it's just the two of us, alone. |
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Nn... yeah, everything should be fine now. |
Andvari shook his head, a grim expression on his face.
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We managed to get the "reward" and avoid the "retribution" this time, so the danger should have passed. Ah... it's all that dumbass Pollux's fault... |
| You're the only one to blame! |
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| IT'S. YOUR. FAULT! |
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……………。 |
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Aaah fine! It's because of my sacred artifact! Happy?! |
Andvari lifted his hand to show the artifact on his left ring finger, glistening even in the dim light of the dungeon.
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It's a secret, so don't go spreading this around, okay? |
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This little gold ring is my sacred artifact. |
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It's a special little thing. See, the ring itself doesn't have any kind of offensive power. |
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Its effect is very simple. It attracts wealth to its owner. |
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In exchange, the ring curses its owner, and surrounding parties, with misfortune equivalent to the riches gained. |
| It curses you? |
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I called it "Retribution" earlier for a reason. The curse is more dangerous proportionally to the loot it "Rewards." |
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That's why I needed to bring Pollux and his sacred artifact along. |
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St. Elmo's Fire. A light that wards away evil and misfortune. |
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Of course, avoiding the retribution part doesn't mean it goes away |
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The "retribution" only counts when it's received properly. In other words, you have to pay your dues one way or another even if you delay it. |
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That said, the power of the "retribution" also spreads evenly among the number of people around. I invited Bathym and Nomad to dilute the effects, but nobody else wanted to come along... |
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あのバカ拳闘士が勝手に権能を切っちまいやがって スライムが出てきてあのザマだ！ |
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そして最後の大岩は……コイツが原因だ。 あの宝箱から入手したんだがな。 |
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そう言ってアンドヴァリは、 どこからかひとつのアクセサリーを取り出した。 |
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このお宝は見た目は普通だが、 ものすごい価値があるモンだ |
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これを呼び寄せたのは、間違いなく俺の「神器」。 俺が入手した瞬間、代償の「呪い」が発動。 |
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丁度皆から離れちまったから、 「呪い」が分散せず、俺一人に発動しちまった。 |
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このアクセは、俺の命より価値があるって 指輪は判断したんだな。 |
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ま、何にせよこいつを売り払えばコイン大量ゲット！ いやぁ、恩に着るぜPlayer！ |
| そんなにお金が大事？ |
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| 死ぬところだったんだよ！？ | |
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| ドワーフは強欲。 | ||||||
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何、わかりきったこと言うんだよ。 当り前じゃねぇか。 |
Background: 池袋地下通路崩壊
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コインに執着する理由？ |
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ま、理由としてはいろいろあるが、 ドワーフ族の本能っつーの？ |
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俺様もこの世界に召喚された時は、 前後左右、何もわからなかったからなぁ。 |
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だから、いろいろと調べたぜ。 幸い、文献には困らねぇ世界だったからな。 |
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世界が変われば常識は変わる。 国っつーもんはそーゆーもんだ。 |
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その国を作るのは、経済、流通、物資、文化。 そして根底にあるもんは何だと思う。 |
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コインだよコインッ！ コインは天下の回り物ってな！ |
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強欲だとか、遠巻きに言うヤツらはいるけどな。 言わせときゃあいいのよ、あんなの。 |
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ソイツらが、俺に何かをしてくれるか？ 財を失えば、コインを恵んでくれるってのか？ |
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バカ言ってんじゃねぇよ！ ガチで！ 俺を助けるのは、俺が集めた財だけだ！ |
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憶えときな。コインは裏切らねぇんだ。 これは世界が変わっても共通だ。ガチでな。 |
| 寂しくない？ |
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Music:
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……お前さんは、アイツに似てるな。 おせっかいなとことか、ホントそっくりだ。 |
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アイツって誰かって？ 勇者様だよ、勇者様。 |
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……そんな目で見んじゃねえよ。 俺らの世界じゃ、魔王っつーのがいてな。 |
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この東京にゃ、魔王らしくない魔王や、 悪魔らしくない悪魔もいっから、ピンと来ねぇか。 |
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ま、要は世界を破滅させるのが目的の魔王。 悪と言っても差支えのないヤツらだ。 |
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俺のいたドワーフの国も脅威に晒されていてな。 何度も魔王軍の侵攻があったんだよな、ガチで。 |
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その時に現れたのが、「勇者様」御一向ってな。 |
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ほっっっっっんと、お人好しの野郎でな。 いやーっ、とことん利用させてもらったぜ！ ガチで！ |
| ……………。 |
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……………。 |
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お前にそんな顔されちまうと、 なーんか調子狂っちまうな。ガチで。 |
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ほら、お前にだけ特別報酬だ。 あと俺様の「神器」の口止め料な。 |
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アンドヴァリは自ら装備している指輪の一つを外し、 Playerに放り投げた。 |
| 指輪？ |
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俺手製の指輪だ。 ただの普通の指輪だけどよ。 |
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ホントなら魔力を込めるとかしてえが、 魔法とかは管轄外なんでな。ガチで。 |
| 魔法使えないの？ |
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| 腹にもよらず器用だね。 | |
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| さっきから「ガチで」って何？ | |
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生憎、ドワーフは魔法がつかえねぇんだよ。 こればっかりは、生まれついた種族の問題だな。 |
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エルフとの混血だったら、もしかしたら…… 魔法を使うハーフドワーフがいる可能性はあるけどよ。 |
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ま、そんな物好きはエルフはそうそういねぇわな。 |
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コインの価値もわからねぇエルフ族が、 ドワーフ族と契りを結ぶなんざ、あるわけがねえ。 |
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もしそんな混血なんぞいたら、 腹踊りでも何でもしてやるよ、ガチでな！ |
Background: 暗転
Background: 池袋地下通路崩壊
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さってと――行くとすっか。 そろそろ、出口も見つかっただろうしな。 |
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サボってる思われちまうのもなんだし。 立てるだろ？ ホラ。 |
| あ、ありがとう。 |
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| 二人きりだといいドワーフ？ |
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