[Ping Request: USER JANUSZ DZIER?YKRAJ…]
[VITAL SIGNS: STABLE]
[Respond?]
[Connection successful.]
[Transmitting feed…]
“There’s a dragon terrorizing Anyona,” Janusz says without prompting.
He has spoken of this creature three times in the last seven days. -What can I assist you with, [User Janusz]?-
“Are you deaf? There’s a dragon attacking Anyona. It’s the size of a castle, and I’m not feeding Hanna to it.” Sweat pours down his face. The screen bounces up and down for five steps, turns, then bounces for five steps more. He’s pacing.
-You still have not clarified what you need from me.-
“How do we kill it?”
-As you have killed all Encroachers and Defiled before. Utilize your Skills and Stats to your advantage and dispatch it.-
“Woman, we are already beaten, and you are blowing wind in my eyes,” he snaps. “Something. Anything. Call for reinforcements. Contact Sorentina.”
-That is beyond my capabilities, [User Janusz]. Your iPaw has the capability to link with other iPaws so long as you have come face to face with their owner.-
“Then tell me the [Health Points] on the damn dragon.”
-Encroachers and Defiled are a natural part of Nyarlea’s ecosystem. Predicting [Health Points] and [Myana Points] values is impossible. The only Stats I have available are yours and your Party’s.-
“Surely there’s a precedent for you to guess.”
-There is not. Is there anything else I can assist you with, [User Janusz]?-
He grumbles unintelligible words, and the screen goes black.
[Transmission ended.]
[Ping Request: USER FINNEGAN WELLS…]
[VITAL SIGNS: STABLE]
[Respond?]
[Connection successful.]
[Transmitting feed…]
-How may I assist you, [User Finnegan]?-
His cheeks are flush, and he is smiling enough to show both rows of his teeth. Behind him are the red drapes favored in many San Island inns. “Hey, Ai! How many catgirls have I slept with now?”
This is the fifth time Finnegan has posed this query in five days. -Seventeen. Exactly two more than yesterday’s report.-
“Terrific! Man, I wish I could shove this in my friends’ faces.” He laughs. “Bunch of idiots. So sure I’d die a virgin.”
-A question, if I may?-
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“Oh, yeah sure! What’s up?” He brushes a hand through his hair.
-Do you face difficulty with recalling numbers, [User Finnegan]? Or perhaps have a poor rate of recollection?- These negative traits are not reflected in Finnegan’s file. However, there is little logic otherwise to his repetitive question.
“I…uh… No, not at all.” His smile falters. “Actually, math was my best subject in school.”
-Then, may I request the reasoning behind these daily check-ins?-
Finnegan’s smile vanishes. The screen dips to his bare chest.
-[User Finnegan], did you call for me before dressing yourself?-
“Sorry, Ai! Something came up! Gotta go!”
[Transmission ended.]
[Ping Request: USER EMILIO HAYWOOD…]
[VITAL SIGNS: STABLE]
[Respond?]
[Connection successful.]
[Transmitting feed…]
-How may I help you, [User Emilio]?-
Emilio’s face appears on the screen. He opens his mouth, pauses, then closes it again. The iPaw’s view blurs, then refocuses to an upside-down image of sand and the ocean.
[Recalibrating screen…]
The picture rights itself. A green-haired kitten kicks the water and giggles as it splashes into the air. A breeze fills the speakers, and Emilio’s sigh joins it.
“Ai…” Emilio says.
A gull lands near the kitten, and she chases it with enthusiasm. The scene sways left and right, catching the outlines of Emilio’s legs.
-What is your question, [User Emilio]?-
“Why’s there only one man per island, Ai?” Emilio lifts the iPaw, and his face reappears in view.
This is the thirteenth time Emilio has posed this query in nine years… -As we have discussed previously, it is one of the many foundations of Nyarlea that ensures its success.-
“You don’t think it’d be more ‘successful’ if kids got to grow up with their fathers?”
-It is not in my position to consider such a change.-
Emilio grunts and shakes his head. “I’ve been doin’ this for a long time now, Ai. I need to stay in Junonia with Portia and Pearl.”
-I believe you are confusing the term “need” with “want.”-
“No. I’m not.” He looks up, revealing his bearded chin against the sky. “Pearl deserves to rest, and my little girl needs me.”
-I would advise you to reconsider. You may choose a dwelling for yourself in Junonia; however, tending to the outside cities is a vital part of your existence on Ni Island.-
“I’ve done enough!” Emilio barks.
“Papa? Are you okay?” the kitten calls outside of view.
-[User Emilio]...-
“I’m not callin’ on ya again, Ai. Vanish, iPaw.”
[Transmission ended.]
[Recording stored successfully.]
[Ping Request: USER KRETHIK MANI…]
[VITAL SIGNS: SERIOUS]
[Reviewing. . .]
[Status Effect: Poisoned]
[Hit Points: 33/112]
[Energy: 23/81]
[Five previous warnings issued successfully.]
[Respond?]
[Connection successful.]
[Transmitting feed…]
-How may I assist you, [User Krethik]?-
It is dark. There is a soft glow in the lower left corner of the screen, but it appears fuzzy. It is difficult to make out Krethik’s face. “I have…made a foolish mistake, Ai.” His breath rasps between his words. Then he laughs. “Naeemah…she warned me about traveling outside at night…”
A snarl and a roar crackle through the speakers. There is nothing to be done for this man.
“There was this…this little bird she asked for… It wakes with the moon.” He licks his lips and shakes his head. “I am rambling. This does not…concern you, I know.”
-You have 29 [Health Points] and 19 [Energy] remaining. I recommend finding a [Sanctuary] immediately.-
“We”—he coughs and red paints the screen—“we are past that point. Can you…tell Naeemah—”
-As you are aware, I cannot converse with catgirls, [User Krethik].-
“Ah. I…prayed for one…exception to the rule.” The snarling grows closer. “I hope she knows how…much I love—”
The device is knocked out of Krethik’s hands. There is one final cry, and the screen goes dark.
[Transmission ended.]
[VITAL SIGNS: LOST]
[Hit Points: 0/112]
[Energy: 0/81]
[System notation saved.]
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