Update 10: 1st True? Dragon Wyvern



[So, how did you make these metal hands, anyway?]
Click-click, turn-turn, bang-bang, wheeeeeeeeen.
What?
[Oh, hi, Elly!]
[What is Katya doing?]
[Miming out how she made her metal hands.]
[She might not be able to hear the sound effects, but it helps me act it out.]
[Yes, interesting.] ...I still have yet to see what those gauntlets do that your fists couldn't.
Well, I can pretty safely cover these things in fire or ice. It's probably not a good idea to do that to your hands!
What practical purpose do these...improvised elemental martial arts provide over simply using standard Alchemist Formulas?
Well, I'm a better brawler than I am spellcaster, for one.
[Elly, are you getting jealous of Katya?]
[N-No. Absolutely--] Augh, I did it again...
[Still adorable!]
[If I may interrupt.] Katya, I need to check your hands.
Wh-- O-okay, why?
Just making sure your gauntlets aren't causing averse long-term effects...
But--
[Aw. Oh well. Elly, wanna get some grub while the Byeahs are out?]
... [Yes, that'd be nice.]


Byeahs! Gather Formation!
Byeah.






Byeah?
Between that and the piercing cry that cuts through the forest's silence, it seems a large bird is menacing you. You have no way of knowing the reason behind its hostility, but it doesn't seem ready to attack immediately. Deciding that it is not worth provoking the bird further, you leave this place for the time being.
Byeaaaaaaaaaaa_{aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh.}

The roots reach to the ceiling as if to receive something, but they do so in vain. As you puzzle over this, you suddenly hear familiar voices approach behind you.


Byeah.
The warrior woman Ren hails you, her constant companion Tlachtga standing silently by her side. The ronin and hexer seem pleased with your progress thus far.
We have a favor to ask of such accomplished explorers. Usually, the waters of a healing spring can be found here. Lately, though, the water has stopped, creating a great nuisance for adventurers.
Ren punctuates her bitter explanation with a quick point to the ceiling.
A monster blocking the spring in the floor above is to blame. It is tiresome and vexing. Warriors of Tenebris... Will you go to the spring, and free it from that vile monster? We could make short work of it ourselves, but we have other matters to attend to. If you mean to further explore the Labyrinth, to do this would be in your best interests.
Byes.
With this, Ren and her wordless companion turn to leave.
Luck be with you, warriors. Gain victory over the monster, and bring honor to your guild.
With those final words, the two adventurers leave this place. You can go to the water source at B7F and attempt to defeat the monster, or proceed with your investigation.


Beyond this door is the Wyvern's nest. Take pains not to confront it... It is a beast to be reckoned with. I will continue to ensure that no one else enters. Go at your task with care, Tenebris Guild.
Bno.
With that, the soldier stands to one side, opening the way to you. If you are ready to proceed, you need only open the door and enter the dread Wyvern's nest.



















Water flows between the trees here, and there are standing pools of water. Merely by standing here, you begin to feel lighter.
Hey, why don't we take a quick--
...Something's here.





Giant enemy--
Don't.
This monster must be the cause of the spring's blockage... Its large, sharp claws and hard shell make it seem a harder adversary than any you've faced. You vow to stand your ground and defeat the thing to restore this spring to its natural state!


I could certainly go for some well-prepared crab tonight...
Alright, show'a hands, who wants to help me carry this ugly customer back?
...Why would you eat a crab? That'd be like eating a seagull or--



[Later, Elly! Crab attack!]

...Evidently, this crab's developed an exterior made out of metal...


One can never be too prepared.


If you continue with that joke, you're not gonna like what happens.
I didn't even say anything!


Feh.



[...Afon, where did you get a tuba? Why did you get a tuba? Where were you keeping that tuba?!]
[Don't need to hear things to know this thing is loud.]





...




Blech.
[I know it tastes terrible, but it does enhance your combat ability.]





Oh, we're gonna eat great tonight.







With that, the pools of water below you audibly begin to drain somewhere. The crab's demise seems to have unblocked their flow to the lower regions. Your task complete, you decide to return to your main goal of exploring the Labyrinth.








[Big deal, it's just a dragon.]


[Okay, never mind.]


You consider how best to find the egg here without disturbing the Wyvern... That's when you recall the memo given to you at Radha Hall and take it out. On it are a number of marks where the Wyvern's egg might possibly be. The egg must be at one of them... But to find it, you must first step into the clearing in order to approach the spots marked on the map.


[So, uh, anyone got any strats for getting around the giant, upset dragon?]
[Keep running blindly until we get somewhere?]
... [Well, I did bring a surplus of first aid supplies.]







Okay, checking this--
...
[Gonna guess that pile of sticks isn't an egg.]

...Hey, I got something!
You feel something large and round at your fingertips... This must be the dragon egg you seek!


[Pretty big egg.]
[Pretty big? It's at least the size of my torso...]









Though it may not be much, I have a reward for your valiant efforts.








He is Lord Visil, Chieftain of the Radha and leader of Etria. The Chieftain wishes to speak with promising adventurers like yourselves about the forest. Wait one moment, please.


I protect Etria and promote exploration of the forest. I wanted to personally thank you for your successful forays into the Labyrinth.
[You're welcome!]
Now, as I'm sure you'll be exploring the place further... I have a point of advice to impart to you. The road leading further into the Labyrinth is hidden near the Wyvern. So said adventurers in ancient times, who went deeper into the Labyrinth than we now do. Lately, only a few explorers dare go below the 8th floor... I have high hopes that you'll be the ones to reopen the way to the lower floors. Now then, if you'll excuse me... I look forward to speaking with you another day.


We're all very devoted to him, and we work with him to further develop this town. The Chieftain only has time to meet with the very bravest explorers, you know. It's a sign that you've become exemplary adventurers. Keep up the good work.



However... I do feel a little sorry for the Wyvern. I wonder if the people at the Radha plan on hatching the egg.
...That's a good question, what did they want with that thing?
Dragon eggs go for a lot on certain circuits, y'know. I'm sure the Radha could always use a bit'a padding for its coffers.









Shining...Stinger...Crusher!


...So, anyone got ideas for gettin' usable materials out of the flaming bird corpse there?



[Stabbing it with a long spear seems good enough!]













Owww...
...! Af--


...on...

Bury me...gauntlets down, so I can...punch the devil...


Been in tons'a gunfights... And it's a stupid plant...that gets me...


Physician...heal thyself...





...Agh, my...head...
Oh, hey, dad.
...Dad? What? I don't have any children! Who are you, and what is this--
Yeah, I know, it's confusing, but see, here's the deal. You're dead.
I had inferred that from my final moments, yes.
Now, as you can probably guess, going by the fact that I referred to you as "dad," I'm from the future. Like, 23 or so years in the future.
...You might not know much about me, but: I am not romantically interested in women. That rules out reproduction, full-stop.
Yeah, yeah, how I came to be is a long story. Don't have time right now. See, the fact that you died...doesn't really gel with how history went. And now, well, everything's done for.
Is there perhaps a way to turn this back?
Correctamundo. I went through this a bunch when I was exploring.
...So my...daughter? Is going to be an explorer as well. Hrm.
So, uh, if you don't mind, I'm just gonna...fix things. So none of that happened.
Fine by me.
Alright, lemme get st-- Oh, right, one thing, in case this doesn't happen again: So, uh, if you and dad both are ever taking a walk in the forest, and you see a newborn baby with a little orange hair asleep in a small basket, remember to pick her up. We'll end up back here in this time-screwup-thing if you leave her alone.
...Noted.






And behind door number two...


HORRIBLE GIANT SCORPIONS AAAAAAGH!
Retreat!










Nice job. Let's see you do this well with your other quests, too!







Decided to take the request, have you? Thank goodness. Shilleka from Shilleka's Goods made this request. She asked for your guild specifically, so take care of her! Go talk with her at her shop.
Decided to take the request, have you? Good, I've been hoping someone would. This is from another adventurer like you. He's quite skilled, and has even been to the Wyvern's lair down on the 2nd Stratum. But he encountered a bird monster he'd never seen before near the Wyvern's lair and ran away in a hurry. In his panic, he dropped an important item that he didn't notice missing until later. Apparently...it's a coin that he uses to make decisions when he's not sure what to do. He says he dropped it near the Wyvern's lair, but he doesn't have the courage to go back and look for it. He's relied on it as a lucky charm, and without it, he says, he doesn't have the will to go on adventuring. I know it'll be tough, but please look for this man's coin. Still... Be careful. That bit about "a monster he'd never seen" is all a bit disconcerting.
Decided to take the request, have you? Good, I've been hoping someone would. This job comes from Jackson, the chef. He's looking for help from somebody who can use fire. He wants you to get Carminite from a bird called the Firebird. I've heard rumors that you can't even get that item unless you use fire somehow. Why don't you try everything you can?
Decided to take the request, have you? Good, I've been hoping someone would. Ian down at the general store wants everything you can mine from the 2nd Stratum. If you've been keeping a good map, you should already know where all the places to mine are by now, right? Good luck!


Ah, y'took t'job?!
Mhm.
T'ank goodness! T'at makes it easier on me, since we know each ot'er pretty well now. So, about t'quest. I wanna go on anot'er adventure wit'cha. I heard about t'healing spring in t'2nd Stratum and got interested.
"Interested?"
Yeah, a little. I can't give you t'details of m'plan, because it's a trade secret. So, t'ere y'have it. Guide me to t'healing spring on t'2nd Stratum.


Well, we're going back in soon after this, so... Sure.
Hooray! T'anks so much! We can go whenever y'ready. I wanna go to t'healing spring in t'2nd Stratum. Y'know where t'at is, right?



So dark and muggy... It must be hard t'get t'rough here.
It helps to have lighter, thinner clothing.
But I'm already dressed pretty light. Not much point in wearin' any less, is t'ere? ...Hey! Was t'at supposed t'be a joke about m'clothes?
Wh-- N-no! I... I swear, it wasn't--
Hmph... Let's go already...
B-But...
[Is that redness heat, or embarrassment?]
[Both...]


Is t'ere anyt'in' I should be worried about up ahead?
_{Okay, not going to screw this one up.} The way you're dressed might--
Huh? Sure, I'm not exactly dressed for a trip t'rough t'Labyrint', but... Wait, are y'worried I'm not protected enough?
I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE-- O-oh. Yes, your clothes are quite inadequate as far as protection goes--not just from monsters, but from pests such as mosquitoes.
Yeah, I guess it is. Sorry I t'ought y'were makin' fun o' me. But if I was wearin' equipment like you lot were, I couldn't even move! T'at's why I need tough folks like you t'show me around. Make sure y'take care o'me until we finish t'quest, okay? Now t'en, is t'ere anyt'in' else I need t'worry about?
Not that you'll be in here long enough to have to worry about.
Okay. Let's get going to t'at healing spring, t'en!


Yep.
All y'gotta do is lead me to t'spring and t'quest is done. I'm countin' on you!


Is t'is t'spring...?
It sure is.
I see. Let's have a taste, t'en...
Shilleka scoops up a handful of water and slowly sips it.
Wow... T'is is really good! It cools me right down! T'is really is t'mystic water t'ey told me about! She pulls out a canteen and begins to fill it from the spring.
What're ya gonna do with that?
I'm gonna take it home and study it. I was t'inkin' t'at maybe I could make a new medicine t'at'd help t'explorers in town. All I can do is sell items, so I've gotta be sure I have t'best stuff I can offer.
But you've already got the best stuff.
C'mon! I'm tryin' t'be serious here, and y'keep pokin' fun at me like t'at.
But I'm not!
But really, it's people like you who keep m'business afloat, and make m'work fun. So t'anks for t'at! Ahaha, t'at's a bit embarrassing t'admit... But hey, we've done what we came for, so let's get back!









So, how'd it go? Was she as demanding as always? You're smiling, so things must have gone well enough. All right, here's your reward.







I was just havin' a look at t'water from t' healing fountain, and I made a new potion from it! It can't heal you all t'way like t'fountain does, but I'm sure it'll come in handy all t'same! Here's a sample.






You suddenly recall the quest you accepted at the pub... An adventurer had lost a lucky coin when he was attacked by a monstrous bird. Could that bird you heard just now be the same monster? If you wish to complete the quest, you should try searching to the east.








Careless!



Ew, I've got owl gunk on me.



HOT HOT HOT IT BURNS OWWWWWW!
Do you know how much it's gonna cost to get this dress de-ashed, you dumb bird...?!



Ditm itdamn dammit!
Oh, right, she can't really sign or signal like this.

...Why do I have this Grimoire Stone equipped, again?





Hey, thanks, doc.
Oh, you're welcome. _{...It's nice to be thanked for it, once in a while.}





No more...heat...


Not your time.


Elly...


...You...


JERK!


Never liked birds, and that didn't do anything to sway me.



It's a coin. You pick it up.











This coin must be very important to him. I think he'll be very relieved to have it back. I'll make sure it gets back to the client.






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