Asuka stood in one of the mall's cafeterias.
She was reading a few old gaming magazines. Asuka had never been a gamer herself, which meant that she'd been awfully oblivious of what the Unity Trials had been trying to emulate when they first began.
Now, however, she was educating herself, reading up on old strategies and gameplay elements.
As a Priestess, her job was to save people. And, Asuka wanted to do that to the best of her ability.
Even if she hated most people in this guild.
"Ah, there you are, Asuka," Haruka chimed, striding confidently through the room with an air of authority that grated on Asuka's nerves, her tone laced with teasing amusement as she approached. "Ready for your little dungeon run?"
Asuka forced a polite smile, though inwardly she cringed at the condescending tone.
"Of course. Just waiting for the details."
Haruka chuckled, clearly relishing her role as the bearer of bad news.
"You'll be leading a team of three others. Not once, of course," she added, "twice, maybe three times today? We need those Activity Points, after all."
Asuka knew what she meant, of course.
This was basically her way of asking, "are you ready to die?"
To which, Asuka responded:
"Understood. I'll do my best."
Haruka's grin widened at Asuka's response.
"Oh, I have no doubt. After all, you wouldn't want Dylan to be disappointed in his little toy now, would you?"
Asuka's forced smile tightened at the mention of Dylan, her grip on composure faltering for a moment before she masked it with a neutral expression.
"Why would he be? I've always done well, haven't I?"
"Of course, dear, of course," Haruka purred, her tone saccharine sweet as she leaned in closer. "But, I can't help but wonder, for how long?"
"What?"
"I mean, sure, you're useful now, but who's to say Dylan won't tire of you eventually? Players come and go, after all. Hell, who's to say that isn't why he volunteered you himself for today's expeditions?"
Asuka's jaw clenched imperceptibly, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
"His reasoning changes nothing. My loyalty lies with the guild. I'm just gonna do what I have to do, as per usual."
Haruka chuckled, the sound grating on Asuka's nerves like sandpaper.
"That's admirable. Just remember, dear Asuka, that in this game of guilds and power, pawns are often the first to fall."
Asuka held Haruka's gaze steadily, her resolve hardening despite the unease simmering beneath the surface.
"I know my place, Haruka."
[I hope you know yours,] Asuka added in her thoughts.
"Good."
With a final, knowing smirk, Haruka sauntered away, leaving Asuka to gather her resolve and steel herself for the challenges that lay ahead.
---
Asuka and her party found themselves in Dungeon 1 of the 4 they'd be taking on today.
The group was composed of Asuka, Iris, and two random boys she hadn't spoken to before. Asuka was meant to lead them, which meant that her focus was split between keeping everyone healed and watching for any ambushes from the spiritual monsters that lurked in the shadows.
Still, she did her best. After all, it was her job to make sure everyone was nice and safe.
"Keep your eyes peeled, everyone! We should be nearing the Boss room in a bit. Stay confident, but vigilant, and we'll be through this in no time."
Soon, they arrived at it.
It was a group boss, a boss fight that consisted of fighting against multiple enemies.
Spectral wraiths, glowing white and violet, charged at them.
Level 12
MP: 50/50
Level 12
MP: 75/75
Level 12
MP: 60/60
Level 12
MP: 40/40
Taking a deep breath, Asuka glanced at the spells she had.
Blessing - 10 MP
{A simple, easy-to-land, targeted healing. It is as easy as it is ineffective, however. Still, for various scrapes and bruises, this will get the job done}
Window - 10 MP:
{Conjure a weak barrier}
Turn Undead - 25 MP
{Sear and frighten an undead foe. Obviously, this ability is completely ineffective against regular enemies}
Iris, always the bold one, took point as soon as they saw them, her dual blades slicing through the misty forms with precision.
Her strikes were fluid and deadly. She was only level 6, and yet to Asuka's eyes, she looked downright graceful.
Apparently, Iris used to be a dancer of some sort (she never really specified what type). To Asuka, it honestly showed.
The two boys, Kyo and Ren, levels 7 and 8 respectively, flanked Iris. One unleashed a few electric projectiles, crackling through the air to disrupt and weaken their spectral foes, while the other took the role of the tank, keeping the opponents focus on him.
As often as she could, but making sure to let her mana regenerate in between casts, she used {Blessing} and {Window}, trying to keep everyone healthy.
Her shield spells in particular were crucial, especially when one of those wraiths flew up to Iris and nearly ripped her neck out with its teeth.
[No!]
Asuka was quick to react, conjuring a shimmering barrier that intercepted the creature's bite. The barrier broke instantly, though.
"Thank you!" Iris called out with a smile. She looked very calm, even in all this chaos.
"Watch your flank!" Asuka's voice cut through the chaos, her eyes scanning the shifting mist for any signs of new threats.
"I've got it!" Iris's confident reply was tinged with a hint of strain as she avoided another incoming strike, her blades a blur of motion as she danced away from danger.
The battle raged on, the air crackling with magic and the clash of steel against mist.
MP: 35/100
[Mana's getting lower. Keep taking your breathers,] she reminded herself. [Spell, regenerate, spell, rinse, and repeat.]
Asuka maintained her focus the whole time, channeling healing energies to bolster her allies' stamina and mend their wounds as they fought on.
The battle intensified. Iris was slipping up more often, and the boys were beginning to tire.
[Now,] Asuka took a deep breath, [now is when I need to be at my best. They need me more than ever.]
Her healing spells worked overtime to counter the party's injuries. The strain was palpable, Asuka's arms were crying for a break and the over-use of her mana was sending a sharp, stinging sensation into her heart. Still, she remained steadfast, her resolve unwavering in the face of adversity.
With a final, coordinated assault, the party took down the final wraith.
It let out a haunting wail as its form dissipated into motes of spectral light, signifying their victory.
EXP Gained: 30
EXP: 55/60
WST Gained: 250
WST: 500
[Hey, I'm about to level up! Nice.]
Panting slightly from exertion, Asuka surveyed the aftermath, her eyes meeting Iris's with a silent acknowledgment of their success.
Iris gave her a thumbs-up.
"We did it," Iris grinned, wiping sweat from her brow as she sheathed her blades.
"Great work, everyone," Asuka praised, a small smile of relief tugging at her lips. The tension of battle slowly ebbed away.
At least, it did for Asuka and Iris.
However, the look of bloodlust hadn't faded from the boys' faces.
[Uh...] Asuka raised a brow. [Is everything-]
Asuka's heart skipped a beat as suddenly, Kyo sent a lightning spell that crackled through the air, aimed straight at her.
Before she could react, Iris's swift action propelled her out of harm's way, narrowly avoiding the deadly bolt.
"Watch out!" Iris's voice was urgent, her eyes wide with alarm as she shoved Asuka to safety.
Asuka hit the ground.
Wide-eyed, she just stared at Kyo.
[... What?]
The sudden attack left Asuka reeling, her mind racing to comprehend the betrayal unfolding before her.
Before she could fully process what had happened, Ren charged forward with his sword raised high, his expression twisted with malice.
Reacting on instinct, Iris intercepted Ren's attack, her swift movements deflecting the blade just inches from Asuka's vulnerable form. With a fierce kick, she sent Ren stumbling back, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and disbelief.
"What's gotten into you?" Iris demanded, her eyes flashing with righteous indignation.
But Kyo's response was chilling, his gaze cold and unyielding as he leveled his staff at Asuka and Iris.
"Stop talking," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "You two will be dead soon enough."
Asuka's mind raced.
Had this been orchestrated by someone, or did Kyo and Ren figure Iris and Asuka would be easy sources of experience?
Iris stood at her side, her stance defiant as she faced down their former allies.
With a steely resolve, she met Kyo's gaze head-on, her voice firm and unwavering despite the chaos unfolding around them.
"Like I'm gonna let that happen!" Iris raised her swords.
Asuka prepared herself as well, her own staff aimed forward.
Suddenly, they had a second fight on their hands.
As the tension crackled in the air, Iris and Asuka braced themselves for the coming battle.
Without hesitation, Kyo conjured a barrage of fiery projectiles, hurling them toward Iris and Asuka.
Reacting swiftly, Iris dodged away and charged at him.
Ren intercepted her, however, with thunderous steps, his massive sword raised high as he aimed a powerful strike at Iris.
With excellent reflexes, Iris sidestepped his attack, countering with a flurry of swift slashes aimed at his exposed flank.
Ren's armor absorbed most of the damage, but Iris's relentless assault forced him to stagger backward, grunting in frustration.
Meanwhile, Kyo continued his magical onslaught, weaving spells of lightning and ice in rapid succession.
Asuka focused her efforts on shielding herself and Iris from the incoming magical assaults., however, her mana was still somewhat low from the fight against the boss.
MP: 20/100
[I can't keep this up!]
Iris darted around Ren, her dual blades a blur as she unleashed a combination of strikes designed to exploit weaknesses in his armor, the gaps where his skin was visible, at his armpits, his collarbone, and his waist.
Ren's defensive stance held firm, but Iris's relentless assault kept him on the defensive, preventing him from mounting a coordinated offense alongside Kyo.
[We just need to pressure them more,] Asuka realized. [They're probably just as tired as we are. But, unlike Iris, they don't have a healer.]
Given how Iris took a moment to glance back at Asuka, Asuka guessed she was thinking along the same lines.
Seeing an opening, Kyo attempted to cast a powerful enchantment to bind Asuka and Iris in place with a {Root} spell.
"Iris, watch out!"
Iris moved well before Asuka even spoke, though.
She kept going, trying as hard as she could to get past Ren's defenses.
Asuka checked her mana.
MP: 40/100
[Okay!]
"Now, push back!" Asuka called out.
Instantly, with a clear immense amount of trust in Asuka's instructions, Iris redoubled her efforts. One of Kyo's flames reached her, but Asuka healed the injury away immediately.
Kyo, realizing the tide of battle turning against them, unleashed a final desperate onslaught of magical attacks, channeling all of his remaining mana in a frenzied attempt to overwhelm them.
But, something happened.
Exhaustion kicked in and made Ren misstep.
He went for one attack that was just a little too slow, an overhead slash, and Iris responded by running her blades across his neck.
"REN!" Kyo yelled out as his ally hit the ground.
Asuka stared down at his body, slightly shaken by the sight of a human she'd helped kill, even if it was necessary.
{Player Kill Bonus}
EXP Gained: 30
EXP: 85/60
Level Up!
WST Gained: 250
WST: 750
Kyo's hands trembled.
Iris went to attack him next.
The boy didn't even put up a real effort to defend himself. Perhaps he'd been frozen by the loss of his friend.
EXP Gained: 30
EXP: 115/60
Level Up!
WST Gained: 250
WST: 1000
Breathing heavily, Asuka and Iris both hit the ground.
"W-We did it," Iris remarked, smiling. "We actually sur... Agh..."
Iris coughed up blood.
"I-Iris!?"
"That healing spell of yours is trash," Iris laughed, more blood spilling out from her lips. "Sorry, but I just felt like I had to say i..."
Iris passed out, then, rendered unconscious mid-sentence.
And, it was only because of that pathetic healing spell Asuka had that she survived.