Ikebukuro Guild
When you think of a komainu, you think shrine guardian, and when you think guardian, Garmr-dono--!
At Moritaka's proposal, they headed for the Ikebukuro Guild first.
| 2 options
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| Huh? Garmr's not around.
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Normally he's the guard dog here.
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What? There's no dog here!
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Uhm... he said he would be on guard duty today too at the canine beastman assembly though--
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However, it's rare for Garmr-dono to leave his position like this.
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A guardian leaving his post like this, I'm deducting komainu points!
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Komainu... points? Agyou-dono, what are those?
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Points that represent the virtue of an honorable komainu! Komainu points!
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S-s-such a thing! What kind of standards are--
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Just my intuition, of course!
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| 2 options
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| How capricious.
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What a tough judge.
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Tough? Like a komainu? Either way, it has to be cool!
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???: If you're looking for Garmr, he went inside to get something to eat.
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Hi there, Happy New Year. What? No return greeting?
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Oh, Nomad-dono! It has been a while! I wish you a Happy New Year as well!
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| 3 options
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| I'm counting on you this year too.
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Please give me a New Year's gift!
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Changing jobs to door guard?
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Yes, well, I'm counting on you a little too.
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What am I doing here? Guarding. Garmr asked me to cover for him.
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That's the first thing you say to me?! I won't! If I had that kinda money I'd pay my office rent!
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At any rate, today's a special day. The crowds are huge, and people are going in and out constantly.
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Do you understand what could happen if his post was abandoned for even a minute?
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Garmr rushed over here without even eating first, so I'm here in his place.
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The New Year's Competition. Usually, we host indiscriminate, no-holds-barred fights, but--
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Today's bouts feature special rulesets, like boxing or fencing.
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Hoh, fencing, swordsmanship styles from other worlds? I'm a little interested.
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By the way, it seems the winner will recieve a New Year's Gift. I don't know if it's money, though.
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Hoh! A New Years Gift? Martial Arts competition? How interesting!
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Ah, who's this kid? An unfamiliar face.
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My name is Agyou, an honorable komainu! Nice to meet you, old-timer!
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Old--?! W, well, it doesn't matter... why are you here?
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We wished to have an audience with Garmr-dono for a particular reason.
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Hoh? Well, he'll be back soon. Do you have time to wait? It's cold out here you know.
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Since you're here, why don't you watch a match or two inside? You might even run into Garmr while you wait.
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| 1 option
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| It's okay for Agyou to come in?
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He doesn't look suspicious. Besides, you're not the type that would bring a dangerous person around here.
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I'll speak with Snow about it right now. If something happens, just say my name and there'll be no problem.
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I can enter? All right, I'm looking forward to seeing the inside!
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We're really grateful. Well then, allow us to take up your offer.
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Alright, hurry up and let's go! Player, Moritaka!
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Ah, Agyou-dono! You're too impatient! Slow down!
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Berserker's Arena
The Ikebukuro Underground Arena was filled with raucous, enthusiastic cheering.
The usual, unrestricted battles raged even more fiercely than usual, restricted by newfound rules.
The strong fell to their knees in the face of the rules, and the weak managed victory through them.
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Watching the strong restricted by these shackles called rules is also entertaining once in a while.
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If there's someone suffering because of the rules, there is also someone saved because of them.
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Claude:(smile face)
In whose hands will the prize fall...? An unpredictable challenge is worth appreciating as well.
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That enthusiasm even roused the ruler of the arena.
Claude's eyes calmly scanned the front row of the audience seats, their eyes were alight with joy.
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Snow. You're not a ranked battler, but-- I allow you to show yourself in this battle performance, as a special occasion.
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To see that brave figure with my own eyes, I will observe from here. Now, make your emporer -- truly excited!
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My, my... Young Master's whims are quite troublesome.
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Oh, excuse -- I was too disinterested in fencing and carelessly won just like that.
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The burden of rules push the strongest to new heights, and agitate the fighting spirit of those aiming for the top.
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Ikutoshi:(adult joy face)
Whew! I though it would be tough without kicks, but the boxing ruleset is quite fun too.
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Ikutoshi:(adult surprise face)
My, my... some people are starting to get mad and ignore the rules, and get disqualified.
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Ikutoshi:(adult neutral face)
--But, if there're rules, I feel like I might even be able to beat Macan.
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Using the selected weapons, attacking select parts only--
A battle in which the fight is decided by who takes the point first. Anyone could be the victor.
--therefore, everyone went all out.
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Agyou:(surprise face)
A...Amazing~... What's this?!
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It seems the fighters are... even more enthusiastic than usual.
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Battles with set rules are quite rare here in Ikebukuro.
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If I meet a swordsman, my blood as a samurai would burn.
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Hey, um... About that Garmr guy. He protects a frightening place like this?
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The guardian of this place where such strong people fight...?
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He's not a bloodthirsty bad guy is he?
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???: Eh, mochi and caramel here. I also have commemorative photos and souvenirs!
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T-that merchant-like voice--!!
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Oh, oh, oh! You came too! Are you here to participate in the competition?
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Oh, it's you. How about a souvenir? I got lucky bags too! For real!
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Ngh...! Andvari-dono, why are you here...?!
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Why...? For business of course. Business!
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| 1 option
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| Have you seen Garmr?
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That's no good, Player-dono! I'm afraid this charlatan would demand a great deal of money for such a simple question!
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Andvari:(annoyed face)
As always you'te totally on guard. Can't we let bygones be bygones and be friends already? For real.
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The humiliations I suffered at your hands...! Just remembering makes me wet my pillow with tears of frustration!
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Agyou:(surprised face)
W-w-what? Is he a bad guy?
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Hey, hey, hey, calm down a little. You're even putting the new one on edge.
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Andvari:(thinking face)
It may be true. I usually do guiding fees and mediate fees, of course I also take consumption taxes and finder's fees...
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But this time is a special, limited offer. I can show you for free! For real!
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Wha, as if we would toy with a natural disaster... I-it's dangerous to trust this man, Player-dono!
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Instead of free, at least say it will be inexpensive or--
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Andvari:(annoyed face)
...So distrustful. There, the one you were looking for is right there, you know.
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In the direction Andvari pointed was--
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Garmr... mochi, stretchy! Can't bite it! Stuck in throat!
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There was a dog beastman struggling against his stretching mochi, writhing in agony. Garmr.
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Ga--Garmr-donooo! Calm down! Please eat it slowlyyyy!!
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| 1 option
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| Garmr is fighting the mochi?!
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Eh?! Him?! That's Garmr?!
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Garmr:(surprised face)
Ngh...nngh...ngh? This voice... *sniff sniff*... this smell...
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H-he's looking this way! Isn't he glaring at us? Hey, he's glaring!
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You, stranger! Mgh...! Really, passed entrance check?
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Weakling, can't enter, here! Garmr, guard dog, so, testing!
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Eh? --Eeeeh?!? W-wait a sec, I... hiiee!
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Don't come here! Stay away! Scary! Scaaaary! Uwaaaaah!
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Escaping, no use! Ngh...! Garmr, fast! Definitely catch!
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Uwah! No, no, Grandpaaa! Wait, Player, do something!
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| 2 options
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| Garmr, sit!
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He's a friend!
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Uh? Friend? Whose? He can pass?
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Ga--Garmr-donooo! First, the mochi! Eat the mochi.
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Leaving that in your throat could be a catastrophe...!
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Ngh...! Nnngh....! *Munch much*... *gulp* ... Garmr, eat mochi!
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Yaay, Masteeeeer! Pet me! Pet me!
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--Huh? Master? When you get here?
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| 1 option
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| Happy New Year, Garmr.
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Yeah! Master! Happy New Year!
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Ehm... what Snow tell me again...? I'm counting on you this year too! I said it!
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- hic* Uuu...! I was scared, I was scared Player!
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Are you going to buy some too? Andvari's specially made nori-wrapped fried mochi that even attracted Garmr!
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1 for 100 coins, or if you buy 2 I'll throw one more in for free! If you buy both together, the price is only 300 coins!
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Hohoh, how economical! Well then, I'd like one for me, Player-dono and Agyou-dono--
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| 2 options
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| They look delicious!
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That's just the normal price of three!
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They were made by Snow after all. They're delicious! Now, buy them, buy them!
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Huh? It's the normal price of three pieces...you noticed huh? Then, I'll give you a bigger one!
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Andvari:(annoyed face)
Tch... you noticed huh? Then, I'll give you a bigger one!
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Grr, you keep deceiving people using their weak spots as always--!
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I didn't say the bundle was a discounted price even once, you know? It was you who misunderstood.
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| 2 options
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| What a bold assertion.
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Andvari will do the same with energy juice.
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It's about getting motivated, in a big event like this. As a merchant, I can't let this opportunity slip by!
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We're full to capacity right now, I just have to earn, earn and earn.
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Merchant Andvari will earn coins at full power this year too, for real!
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I-I have a feeling I will be deceived by Andvari-dono this year too...!
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| 1 option
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| Aren't you going to participate in the competition, Garmr?
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Bark...! Rules, annoying! Garmr, no like! Complicated things, no like!
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Garmr, ate food, come back soon! Because, guard dog! Ehehe, Master, will praise me!
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--W-what? Even though he was so savage just a second ago?
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Isn't he a serious and cool guardian...? That's a solid 30 komainu points!
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Komainu points! All right! ...what is, komainu points?
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Garmr, want, guard points! How many, how many?!
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| 2 options
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| Let's leave that conversation for later.
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I'll give you 100 points.
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Yaay, thank you, Master! Garmr, 100 poooints!!
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Uu...! W-what? Are you gonna chase me again?! I was unexpectedly tired before, but now--
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| 2 options
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| Agyou is a friend.
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He got a proper authorization.
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That is indeed true, he got authorization to enter from Nomad-dono.
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Okay! Then, good! Master's friend, is Garmr's friend!
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Sorry for chasing before, Agyou! Friend! Garmr friend too!
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Eh, ah, it's not like I... you're quite good, as a komainu.
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Yaay! By the way, what is komainu?
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Someone who protects places for rituals... err, to explain it so Garmr-dono could understand, let's say its something like a guard dog.
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...Guard dog? You, Garmr's, rival?
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Agyou:(angry face)
--hiie?
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Garmr, won't hand over, best guard dog title! Cusith, Agyou, Garmr'r, rivals!!
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Remember, Garmr!! Awoooooo!!
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| 2 options
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| By the way, best guard dog Garmr?
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Don't you have to get back to your post?
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Ah! Nomad! Forgot! Garmr, guard dog! Have to return!
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Master, what you do? Go together?
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We came to see Garmr-dono in the first place, we wanted to come with you.
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Yaay! Master, together! Let's go! Let's go!
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Garmr, best guard dog! Show, something good, to Master!
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Outside Berserker's Guild
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Oh, you came back. It seems you found Garmr.
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Nomad! Thanks! Garmr, full stomach! Came back to guard door!
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This, reward! It was delicious!
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Y-yes, thank you.... Why mochi?
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| 3 options
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| Andvari was...
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A lot of stuff happened...
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Let's eat it together.
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...Oh, Andvari. Say no more, I get the circumstances more or less.
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Well, it's still New Years-ish after all. I will gladly take it, Garmr.
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--Oh, already. Garmr's gonna show his guard dog skills.
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Agyou:(surprised face)
Eh--?
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Bark--! You, stranger! Here, only strong people can pass!
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Shark Pirate:
W...what's with you---?! Hey, don't bark! Noisy mutt--wait, he's strong?!
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Shark Pirate:
Damn it! In that case--Let's beat this dog!
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Garmr:(4 star icon face)
Garmr, guard dog! Protect here! Absolutely not pass! Grrrrrrr!!
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Shark Pirate:
Gyaaaaaaaaaaa!!
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When it comes to work he gets really serious, honestly. Totally different from his usual doggy persona.
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Garmr continued evaluating the various visitors coming for the New Years Martial Arts Competition one by one.
Some were rejected, some allowed to pass. Garmr's concentration in the middle of work was terrific.
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As Nomad-dono said. Garmr is truly loyal to his duties.
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--So, Agyou-dono. How was Garmr's evaluation as a komainu partner?
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Agyou:(surprised face)
--Eh? Y-yes...!
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Leaving aside whether he's smart or not, I think he's cool for doing his work seriously.
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Because... Uhm... t-this big bro is doing his work properly here...!
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I can't force someone like that! It's important they be free to make decisions!
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Agyou briefly looked at Player with wistful eyes.
However, he averted his gaze quickly, nibbling at his mochi to distract himself.
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Garmr, beat, the guys that wanted in! Agyou! Watching? Watching?
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Y-yes! It was really cool! Definitely a new high score on komainu points!
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Yaaay! Komainu points again! Don't get it, but, Garmr, got praised!
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Garmr, do his best! Garmr, best guard dog!
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Agyou-dono...? What did you say just now--
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N-nothing at all! Now, let's go!
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After saying that, Agyou quickly left the Ikebukuro Guild. However, that back looked small, and somehow lonely. His fluffy tail drooped, looking depressed.
Trusting his friends, Garmr, the guard dog who protects the entrance of the Ikebukuro Guild. That form, made the young komainu think about something--
