Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Shape of Thunder / Story
You follow Alpha into a secluded monk's chamber. It's neat and orderly inside, though a thin layer of dust shows it hasn't been lived in for quite a while.
As soon as you're out of the wind and snow, your body warms up considerably, and your mind finally starts working properly again.
To start off our partnership, you give Alpha a vague explanation that you're here on monastery business. You figure an Ascendant probably has no desire to claim such a harsh place.
Alpha blows the dust off and leans casually against the wall, looking quite satisfied with her new appearance.
I have some ties to this monastery. There's a troublesome Corrupted in the main hall that can apparently mess with M.I.N.D.
The people here sealed off all the main roads before they left.
The hall's doors are tightly shut, debris is scattered everywhere, and there's nobody in sight. So that's what's causing the trouble.
The monastery is so expansive. It might take some extra effort to find a path to the main hall.
Tsk, my clothes got ruined.
Alpha looks annoyed, gently pressing her forehead.
...
She makes no denial. Her tone stays casual, like she's just chatting about the weather.
If I didn't run into you, I'd be barging right in and grabbing what I need.
I don't doubt... you have what it takes.
Alpha deliberately steps closer, as if she wants to intimidate you. She keeps her gaze on you for so long that you start feeling uneasy.
She runs her left hand through her hair at her right temple, then returns it to her blade. She doesn't protest, so you take it as a yes. You treasure every bit of trust you're building together.
I just slashed through a few pesky pieces of scrap metal on my way here. Whatever they do after that is none of my business.
Alpha bluntly ends the discussion, refusing to elaborate. Still, from her few carefully chosen words, you can piece together the core of the matter.
They might be tied to the former abbot of this monastery. I'm not certain about the details, but they're after that blade as well.
Heh, they're overestimating themselves.
Just an odd old man—don't worry about him.
Those people aren't exactly friendly, so keep that in mind.
It seems she came here to take away that blade.
You still want to ask more questions, but Alpha suddenly pushes you back with the hilt of her blade.
All right, you deal with the human side of things. I'll handle our nonhuman guest.
Before you know it, Alpha is gone, leaving you by yourself at the entrance to the chamber, trading uneasy glances with a handful of refugees.
Hmm, where's Boss? I just saw her come in here...
You're... with Boss?!
Hey, you're the one Boss took on her motorcycle!
Man, I'm so jealous! That motorcycle looks amazing. We only tried to sneak a closer look, but Boss nearly killed us with one glare. And you actually got to sit on it!
Whoa, no wonder you're with Boss!
These two refugees haven't seen a friendly face in ages, so they chatter nonstop, overflowing with excitement as they introduce themselves.
I'm Toure! And this is "Iron Skull". Since you're with Boss, that makes you our buddy now!
We're looking to thank Boss!
You instinctively want to give a denial, but you decide it's better to keep quiet and gather some information first.
Of course not! The monastery was hit by the Corrupted before, and they had all the monks leave. This place is deserted now.
Oh, you mean the Yama Clan?
They're from Wuming, and they're definitely trouble. They must've been pushed out of Wuming, or they wouldn't come to a hole like this.
They're practically begging for a beating. They keep insisting the sword belongs to their boss, calling it theirs. Don't be fooled by the monk getup—they're putting on a show.
Didn't you see them? They've seized the side hall with blades and spears, itching for a fight. If Iron Skull doesn't stay sharp, we're finished...
Oh well, that's quite a story to tell!
They say this monastery's abbot was a supreme martial arts master. Before leaving, he hid an incredibly sharp blade behind the giant Buddha in the main hall—it slices through the Corrupted like vegetables!
If you don't believe me, go take a look. The back mountain is covered with Corrupted remains!
But if that blade is really so sharp, why didn't the old man deal with the monster in the main hall himself?
Sigh, I figure he was just too old for that.
We were hoping to grab that priceless treasure ourselves, maybe trade it for something valuable...
Ha, but you know what? I'd rather keep my life.
I mean, come on. We're only human—how are we supposed to stand up to machines that don't feel pain and don't fear death?
Yeah, you're right. Going head-to-head with those people doesn't solve anything, and we can't really win anyway.
So Boss sent you to help us, right? She really takes good care of us! We're counting on you—we trust anyone Boss trusts!
Sigh...
You may have gone with the flow at first, but now it's turning into a real hassle...
