The Quest Ends, the Hurricane Calls
Two days after his arcade showdown with Bushikazzo in Buildifight, Pepper logged back into Shangri-La Frontier for the first time in six days. Stretching dramatically on his in-game bed, he stood up with a grin.
"Alright! Time to dive back into Shafra after nearly a week!"
First on the list: head from Rabbitz to Thirdrema, visit the Enhance Trading Company's Market Street Branch, and pick up the necklace made from the Swamp Digger's Pure Fang as an apology gift for Pencilgon. He could probably check on the Throwing Orb sales too. But before all that, he needed to find Aitoil.
"Aitoil! You there? Where you at?" he shouted, cupping his ear.
No response. Aitoil, ever the wandering rabbit, was likely off sipping sake somewhere, drifting wherever the wind took her. Fine, I'll just assume that's her deal, Pepper thought.
"So, what now? Explore Rabbitz a bit?" he mused.
He could visit T-Bull or Bilac, but new areas called to him. Deciding to wait for Aitoil, Pepper began wandering Rabbitz's halls.
"Man, Rabbitz is huge," Pepper marveled, strolling through the corridors. "The wood grain on the walls, the texture of the sliding doors—the Shafra devs poured their hearts into every detail."
Feeling the tactile sensations of the game's world, he took in the surroundings. "This area's all tatami mats… oh, crap, forgot to take off my shoes."
He considered unequipping his Severing Blade Leather Pants but realized it'd make his outfit even weirder. Shrugging, he clasped his hands in apology and stepped onto the tatami.
"Yo, Pepper, what's up?" a voice called.
In a corner of the tatami area, a yellowish-brown-furred Vorpal Bunny named Peetz had spread a cloth, displaying various trinkets like a street vendor.
"Hey, first time meeting," Pepper said. "Mind if I ask your name?"
"I'm Peetz," the bunny replied. "Heard from the boss you're the guy Aitoil-neechan's looking after—the one who sliced the Night Emperor's eye."
"Uh, yeah, that's me…" Pepper admitted, wincing.
As expected, his feat of defying the Nightslayer Lycaon—carving his mark into its eye despite certain defeat—had spread across Rabbitz and the Vorpal Bunnies. The weight of that moment hit him anew.
"Heard you're a Backpakker, yeah?" Peetz said, shifting to business. "Got any good stuff to trade?"
Backpakkers often dealt in transactions, and Peetz, a vendor-like bunny, likely saw Pepper as a potential trade partner.
"Hmm, sorry, nothing to sell right now," Pepper said. "If I get something good, can we trade?"
"Aw, that's a shame. Depends on the goods, but sure, I'm game."
"Thanks, I'll hit you up later."
Impressed by Peetz's setup in Rabbitz, Pepper expected quality items. Bidding the bunny farewell, he turned to resume his exploration when—
"Pepper-han, finally back, eh?" a voice chirped.
"Gah!?" Pepper jumped, startled.
Aitoil appeared through a window behind Peetz.
"Whoa, Aitoil-neechan," Peetz said. "Weren't you off wandering a few days ago? When'd you get back?"
"I heard Pepper-han's voice echo like a mountain spirit," Aitoil said. "The boss tasked me with lookin' after him, so I ain't so soft as to shirk that duty."
Her half-closed eyes cracked open slightly, sending a shiver down Pepper's spine. He suddenly understood why manga, anime, and games always made squinting, gentle characters terrifying when their eyes opened.
"So, Pepper-han, where to today?" Aitoil asked.
"Uh, to the Enhance Trading Company's Market Street Branch in Thirdrema to pick up a gift for a friend. After that, no plans yet. Can you open a gate?"
"Got it. Let's roll."
Aitoil conjured a door in Rabbitz's wall, and the two stepped through to the scenery beyond.
Thirdrema, Market Street, Back Alley
Emerging from Aitoil's portal near the Enhance Trading Company's Market Street Branch, Pepper tucked her under his Traveler's Cloak, checked for passersby, and slipped into the shop.
"P-Pepper-sama! W-Welcome!" a clerk stammered, trembling at the sight of Lycaon's curse.
Another clerk darted to the back. Moments later, the woman who'd suggested crafting the Swamp Digger's Pure Fang into a necklace emerged, holding a small box.
"Pepper-sama, thank you for coming," she said. "Here's the necklace crafted from the Swamp Digger's Pure Fang. Please, take a look."
"Thanks, let me see," Pepper replied.
Opening the box, he found a real-world-style chain necklace with a magatama-shaped Pure Fang gleaming like a pearl. He checked its stats:
Pure Fang Necklace
Crafted from the rare Swamp Digger's Pure Fang, this necklace symbolizes purity and integrity, highly popular among women as a protective charm.
The deeper the wearer's sins and crimes, the more its pure white hue darkens with blood and black, exposing their misdeeds to the light.
For players with low Karma, grants a 3% boost to their highest stat.
For players with high Karma, imposes a 3% penalty to their highest stat.
(Oh nooo! I totally screwed up! Pepper thought, panicking. Giving this to a player-killer like Pencilgon? Who knows what she'll do to me! This is the worst possible gift!)
"T-Thank you… I'll, uh, treasure it…" he mumbled, sweat beading as he stashed the necklace deep in his inventory, feigning calm.
The woman bowed deeply. "Pepper-sama, we cannot thank you enough for your aid to our company."
"…Huh?" Pepper blinked.
Sensing the gravity, she continued, "Thanks to you, pioneers using our services have shared their gratitude: 'We finally beat the Swamp Digger and moved forward.' Your Throwing Orbs helped them overcome countless challenges. Truly, thank you."
A quest completion screen appeared. With a mix of anxiety and anticipation, Pepper checked it, tears welling up in his heart.
Enhance Trading Company has developed new tools.
Earned significant trust from Enhance Trading Company.
Cleared Special Quest: [The Roaring Plan in the Marshlands]
Gained Title: [Pioneer of Throwing Tools]
Gained Title: [Enhance Trading Company's Favored]
New technology has spread across the Frontier.
Consumable Item: [Throwing Orb] now available at Enhance Trading Company and select tool shops in the Frontier.
Item Category: [Throwing Orb] unlocked.
Accept Special Quest: [Embody the Hurricane, Wreathe the Storm]?
YES / NO
(Yup, I knew it… I totally saw this coming, Pepper thought, groaning. Phased unlock quests always go like this… Every move I make carries so much weight. I just wanna cry…)
One battle ended, another began. Pepper's pioneer journey found no peace, swept up in a whirlwind of chaos and momentum.
The world hadn't yet moved forward.
Yet, the hopes of its people stacked and grew, destined to become a force to shift the world…
The Next Quest Begins
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