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File 159154521236.png - (26.58KB , 600x400 , C0FAD95A-9FD3-4337-B9B2-6BF6EF4B0629.png )
969126 No. 969126 ID: e7703b

https://questden.org/wiki/I_Am
—-

The guild test was simple, as all I did was provide answers from examples in the books reviewed yesterday. It was late morning when the result was released to me.

The guild lady, Cynthia, attaches a small tag to my id bracelet, it flashing brown before fading out.

“And with this, you’re registered as a rank F adventurer.
You are entitled to most of the F related missions on the board, and allowed to buy and sell materials to the guild. For now, you’ll be put under observation until it’s proven than you can be reliable enough to be on your own, or else we’ll provide you with alternatives, such as joining in a party, or shadowing a more experienced member.
The colors go from brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet, according to your rank. There are a variety of criteria for someone to rank up, including peer reviews and achievements. You could also always refuse to rank up, whatever the reasons, but doing so would limit what you can do or benefits you can get. There are many reasons to do so, and the rank within a guild hold little relation to how powerful a person is, so please, don’t think you’re strong just because the person next to you have a lower rank.” She sighs, “There are a few people who have a sense of enjoyment grouping with lower ranking people, only to feel dismay as their party ranks up above them, or even worse, obstruct their achievements. That’s why we have strict guidelines and rules on how people conduct themselves.”
She reaches up to rub my head.
“Any questions?”
136 posts omitted. Last 100 shown. Expand all images
>>
No. 973684 ID: b1b4f3

>>973681
>sweet but not filling, would need a lot to sustain
Well... most of your mana usage is coming from how much mass you already have, isn't it? What if you lost some weight? Also, let's not forget you can hunt small animals to eat their mana. How much would that compensate?

Go see who it is. Try not to kill them unless they try to kill you first.
I thought it would be harder to find mana crystals... wouldn't some people have mana sense and have scoured all the easy spots? Oh well, not complaining.
>>
No. 973685 ID: e19a40

> Walk away
The chances of receiving help from others around here are slim. Whoever is approaching is either indifferent or threatening.
Avoid contact and go dig somewhere else.
>>
No. 973686 ID: e4abe1

>>973681
see who it is
>>
No. 973687 ID: e7c7d3

See who it is. Maybe ask if they have an idea of the worth of the crystals you've mined so far.
>>
No. 973740 ID: 864e49

>>973681
>Dab Hard
Who isss iiit?
>>
No. 973746 ID: c8edab

See who it is. Also, try to ask them about the kinds of minerals down here.
>>
No. 973779 ID: ba56e6

>>973681
See who it is.
>>
No. 973950 ID: bf0653

Are you feeling hungry, Emils?
>>
No. 974208 ID: fde50b
File 159694187596.png - (36.75KB , 400x600 , 15451A14-A30F-4BA4-B69D-14F5A2446D4E.png )
974208

I continue to try to sort in more chunks of ore into my bucket as the sounds comes closer.
Two rabbolds walks into view, I recognize the smaller one as Nick Saleos, accompanied by a taller girl, both in blue helmets. She’s holding a lantern while Nick is holding a set of pickaxes and buckets.
“Ah! ...You!” He points to me in shock and slight horror, almost dropping his cargo.
“Oh.” The girl “You know her?”
“No!, I mean, yes.” He nervously stammers, eyeing the passage behind me.
The girl meanwhile eyes my bucket, and whistles though a gap in her teeth, “wow, you sure hit the mother load. Say, are you in any group? How about joining us?”
“Us?” I ask.
“No, don-“
“Hush, Nick.” She waves him off, “Yeah, a bunch of us kids are here together, and we pool up what we got and divvie up the loot in the end of the day.”
“But-“
“Not now. Anyway, we’re fair and stuff, and more hands means more loot. What say ya?”
>>
No. 974209 ID: e7848c

>>974208
You are actually just leaving. Tell them where you got your stuff and promptly exit
>>
No. 974211 ID: b1b4f3

>>974208
This isn't a good deal for you. Ask what they can give you other than valuables, since you can find those much easier than they can. Perhaps they would be willing to exchange ore for mana crystals? You are more interested in the mana crystals than the ore.

...also try to talk to Nick in private. Ask how he's doing. Did any thugs come after him?
>>
No. 974212 ID: f133dc

Who's nick?

Is that the guy we murdered some random criminal protecting?

He's strapped for cash so helping him make some cash couldn't hurt, but there's no doubt helping them would cut into what you are going to get.
>>
No. 974213 ID: e19a40

"Still alive Nick? I see you found a way to make money that doesn't involve stealing."

Child miners? This is the tip of something.
Accept the unfavorable cooperation offer in exchange for a future favor.
Ask about her and this group.
>>
No. 974225 ID: c8edab

This is a good deal for us so I'd accept. We can learn a lot from these kids.
How they work, what to look for, what else is in these mines. Also, general questions, such as why each of them is working here and what do their parents do. And Nick, it would be good to know what he's up to.
>>
No. 974226 ID: 53560f

At present I have little reason to join you as I appear to be doing well enough on my own, however I do have time to spare, so I suppose I will join you for now.
You appear underfed, do miners not earn enough to feed themselves?
Also hello Nick.
>>
No. 974227 ID: f133dc

Blithely ask Nick if he's still in trouble with those dangerous looking folks.

But yes, sometimes getting to know people is worth losing a little a bit of money so we'll take the poor deal.
>>
No. 974228 ID: 0fae41

Well, if it isn't the one who got away. Decline. You work best when you're not being watched.
>>
No. 974233 ID: 2b7d20

Alright, but only because I'm good buddies with Nick and I owe him a favor.
>>
No. 974234 ID: 6e6f32

Begin to accept only to get interrupted by your own thoughts as you realize you can make candy you can actually taste by using mana crystal as sugar.
>>
No. 974248 ID: 0cb682

"I'll help you. I keep all the mana crystals, you keep the ore."

Become a god to these kids.
>>
No. 974253 ID: ba56e6

>>974248
>>974233
This.

Playfully wink in Nick's direction to get him flustered and give her entirely the wrong idea.
>>
No. 974265 ID: 977456

Nick appears to be fearful. Our own fear-responses could be made more credible. Accept and attempt to reciprocate Nick's fearfulness.
>>
No. 974313 ID: bf0653

>>974253
Let's not, we look like his dead sister, who we also killed, so just no.
>>
No. 974536 ID: fde50b
File 159749088674.png - (67.20KB , 600x400 , 61B2E766-C303-4C3A-B431-E3965FA43DA5.png )
974536

“What I’m interested is in mana crystals.” I say, holding up a chunk of mana crystal from my bucket.
Her eyes widen, “Woah, that’s a huge one.” She reaches for it, but I put it back.
“Right.” She scratches the back of her head. “Tell ya what, if you join us, we could offer you an exchange on what you got there.” She points to my bucket.
“This isn’t a good idea.” Nick tries to pipe up, but he got shot down.
“Nick shut up. You don’t order me around.”
“Ah right, my name is Chako.” She holds out her hand.
“I am Emils.” I say, returning the handshake.
She grips my hand and twirls me under her shoulder.
“Great, it’s a deal, glad to have you on board!” She grins as she wildly shakes my hand.
She pulls the bucket free from my hand and hands it to Nick, who grimaces as he holds on to it.
“Let me show you to the others!”
>>
No. 974538 ID: e7c7d3

Remind her that you haven't actually agreed to anything, and that you won't be ignored like she's doing with Nick.
>>
No. 974539 ID: adb916

That handshake was of meeting, not deal acceptance. Take that bucket back.
>>
No. 974541 ID: 38719a

Pick them up and tell them that we would need to work out the terms to make sure that this relationship is MUTUALLY beneficial before we actually agree to anything.
>>
No. 974542 ID: e19a40

The more she speak the more this seem like a scam. For now, don't question anything, just go with the flow.

"I'm begging to see what is making you so nervous about meeting me here, Nick."
>>
No. 974543 ID: ba56e6

>>974536
Even if it is a scam, you can just take the mana crystals they have and leave if they attempt to subvert the deal. They don't have the power to stop you.

Ask Nick how he's been. Is he still having trouble?
>>
No. 974547 ID: 094652

Ask Nick if he wants that make-out you owe him now or next week, because the offer expires once you graduate to mob boss.
>>
No. 974553 ID: b1b4f3

>>974536
It doesn't matter if this is a scam. It's literally impossible for them to force you to do anything.
Ask Nick how he's been.
>>
No. 974554 ID: 0fae41

Reclaim bucket. These crystals are outside of any deal you have yet to settle upon.
>>
No. 974555 ID: a9af05

>>974536
"Remove your arm from me before I remove it from your shoulder."

Gotta show Chako that you won't let yourself be pushed around.
>>
No. 974557 ID: c8edab

It doesn't matter even if they take this bucket, because you could easily fill another one and all of theirs without a problem. This really isn't a problem for us.

Just trust them and go with the flow for now. Act "friendly" as you always do. Ask Nick what happened to him since the last time you two saw each other. Also, promise him that while you're here, you will help him.
>>
No. 974562 ID: 6e6f32

You don't fear me. Strange.
Take me to the rest, then.
>>
No. 974568 ID: bf0653

Let's talk with Nick, it's been a while since we last saw him.
>>
No. 974571 ID: fd5772

>>974536
reclaim that bucket
>>
No. 974572 ID: e96198

Reclaim our stuff. Simply state that you're keeping what you've found before they came along. However anything you find now while cooperating you're willing to part with for an equal exchange.
>>
No. 974617 ID: 7d5b55

>>974572
if we state our stance beforehand they can't fault us for our actions later if they try to use us.
>>974571
>>974554
>>974539
yes
>>974568
say hi and start a conversation (maybe we can find out why people are constantly afraid of us)
>>974543
>>974555
if we are trying to blend in and doing anything to them may blow our cover.
>>974557
we may be constantly pestered afterward blocking us from further mining if we let them have control over our mining and mining too much, too good may blow our cover.
>>
No. 974620 ID: 4286b4

>>974617
>blocking us from further mining
How could they stop us from mining? It's not like we can't mine and talk to them at the same time. Also, I doubt we're coming back to this mine after our mission is done.

>if we let them have control over our mining
You mean, let them have control over the distribution of minerals. As they stated, they offer equal exchange. But even if it's not equal, we can easily mine so much (for all of them) that they wouldn't be able to carry it. Shouldn't we help these kids out a little bit?

>our cover
We already demonstrated to Nick that we're strong and that we can melt metal with our hands, so showing him that we're able to deal with inanimate rocks in an efficient manner wouldn't be anything particularly revealing.
>>
No. 974630 ID: e19a40

>>974620
We showed Nick that we are a powerful autistic sociopath. He must be afraid we will start killing people once they commit a crime.
>>
No. 974651 ID: f133dc

Emils is already building a bit of a reputation as a rabbold demigod, I think we should let the rather obvious exploitation slide and help fill many buckets just to help out and win a little goodwill from some random people.

I feel like once bureaucrats and aristocrats become aware of and get their hands on Emils that having any support from normal folks is going to be useful.
>>
No. 974669 ID: 6c9030

>>974536
Reclaim your stuff.
"I have not agreed to anything. In truth, I do not believe you have anything I would want, and I do not like your dismissive treatment of my friend.
Nick, has this one been bothering you?"
>>
No. 974748 ID: 9c48ac

>>974669
This. Gaining a reputation for being helpful is one thing, but we don't want to get walked over. Also, you can't always help everyone, and I'd rather we help the underdog than the bully.
>>
No. 974751 ID: e19a40

>>974748
Nick already refused our help. We shouldn't take risks for his sake.
>>
No. 974801 ID: 0cb682

Take bucket back, ask what proposed deal is.

Your bargaining position is you want mana crystals, you can find stuff in the earth. Make it 100% clear you don't need them, and they have to offer up a lot in return.
>>
No. 974868 ID: fde50b
File 159807767066.png - (63.23KB , 400x600 , 1013679E-C52F-480F-B3EF-40B363E58BAE.png )
974868

I pull free from Chako, “I did not agree to anything.” I say as I walk to back to Nick, holding my hand out to him.
He quickly hands me my bucket, looking scared.

“So, you know each other?” Chako asks.
“Yes. He tried to steal something from me a while ago.”
“Oh ho.” Chako smiles.
“My offer still stands.” I look at Chako, “are they part of the issue?”
“No!” Nick exclaims, “L-look, I’m sorry” Nick says as he steps back from me. “This isn’t something you need to but into. I’ll handle my issues on my own.”
“Now this is getting interesting.” Chako grins, “Sounds like a story here. Would you like to share?”
She steps besides Nick, “See, Nick here seems like a nice kid. But he’s just too focused on making money. It’s hard to trust someone who doesn’t share why.”
“Please, don’t get involved with her.” He says, “She’s dangerous.”

“Pfft.” Chako dismisses Nick, “Whatever. Follow us if you want to.” She says to me, “It’ll be good for you.”
Chako leaves for the nearby resting point, with Nick following behind her.
>>
No. 974869 ID: b1b4f3

>>974868
So they're not mistreating Nick, this is just how he's making money. I wonder how much money he needs? You can ask him if you can get a private word with him.

Also, follow them. See how their operation is going and if you can benefit from the arrangement as you thought, without being pressured into it.
>>
No. 974870 ID: e4abe1

>>974869
this
>>
No. 974879 ID: 0fae41

Go deposit your crystals somewhere for safekeeping before you do anything else.
>>
No. 974881 ID: e7c7d3

Follow. They probably have multiple stashes of mana crystals. Surely they won't notice if one goes missing. Keep out of Nick's business.

Ask Chako what she's doing here if not to make money?
>>
No. 974883 ID: fa2754

>>974868
We'll follow at our own pace. Which would be at a distance. There's no harm in tossing them a bit of ore and building up some rapport. But nothing more than that.
>>
No. 974884 ID: bf0653

Let's see if we can help Nick and the others get a big haul, it's not much of a bother for us and it'll help Nick a little bit.
>>
No. 974885 ID: b1b4f3

>>974884
Yeah, I agree, so long as they keep to the deal.
>>
No. 974886 ID: ba56e6

>>974884
Agreed.
>>
No. 974887 ID: e19a40

Cooperate with her. Ignore Nick's problems.
>>
No. 974911 ID: 977456

Ask how valuable Chako is. It would be good to have an evaluation of her abilities if she is going to be available.
>>
No. 974924 ID: 0cb682

Offer them a sample of your services. Ask what they can give to you.
>>
No. 974927 ID: d2da5a

Doesn't hurt to make friends, so long as we're keeping crystals I don't see why we wouldn't help.

"Sorry Nick, you're stuck with me for today."
>>
No. 974932 ID: 6c9030

>>974885
That's reasonable. We keep the mana crystals, she can take the ore.
If she tries to break the deal, then we can break one of her arms like a twig and say the new terms are that she can keep whatever ore she can manage to carry out on her own, and we're keeping the mana crystals and whatever she can't carry.
>>
No. 975162 ID: 4286b4

While following Chako, ask Nick how working with her benefits him. Also, tell him that you're here for a guild mission so it's not like you're getting particularly involved or anything.
>>
No. 975306 ID: fde50b
File 159878699551.png - (60.23KB , 600x400 , FC750AA4-BBE8-4784-A969-6083F8EB9341.png )
975306

“You sure you don’t wanna join? There’s a bunch of us so you don’t have to be too concerned over money.” Chako suggests.
“I will reserve my judgement for later.” I respond, walking behind her. Nick stands as far away from me as possible, making talking to him privately difficult.
“So what do you do here?” I ask her, “other than mining.”
“Eh.” She scratches her head, “I mostly keep an eye on people. I ain’t got the strength to be a miner, but I can navigate these tunnels like the back of my hand.” Chako says as she lifts the back of her right hand into view. I can see small scar marks on her hand, less rougher than the other scars on her body. “I mostly help the others carry news across the tunnels, and Nick here is shadowing me as a porter so he don’t get lost again. Even with the markers, it gets disorienting where to go sometimes.”

We enter a rest area with a sleeping man inside. Nick walks to a corner and sets down the stuff he’s carrying while Chako puts down her lamp and hard hat aside before walking to the sleeping man.

“Uncle.” She nudges him awake.
The man stirs awake, “Ah. Chako, you’re back. How are things?”
“Tunnels 3f and 4c are closed down. The kids are in 3h and 4a, so there probably won’t be much on their end. Albert went to 5d to try his luck, and Eliza to 4b.”
The man frowns at the news of “Albert,” sighing. “That boy would probably miss lunch again. Please do remind him. And tell Eliza to focus more on the others. She needs to keep the others in line.”
He then spots me.
“Oh, hello.” The scruffy man smiles, “I’m Allan, a boss of sorts to these kids. Who might you be?”
“I’m Emils.” I grab an ore chunk from my bucket. “I heard I can exchange these for mana crystals.”
The man grabs the cube from my hand, and inspects it. “Azurite. Copper to exact. Rich in mana too. It’s a common ore here, but mostly from the lower regions. With cuts like these, it doesn’t seemed mined. Where did you get it?”
“From 1g.” Chako says, “Found her digging it out of the walls there.”
Allen scratches his beard. “Huh. Wess said the tunnels were clear...”
He shrugs. “Well, something this size could certainly be worth trading for, but you’d have to wait for the rest to come back. We need to wait for the others to come back to see what they got if you want to exchange with them for anything.” He hands me back the ore.
“In the meanwhile, what do you need crystals for? A word of warning, it’s better to declare if you’re carrying out any goods from the mines than it is to smuggle stuff out of here. Less legal troubles that way.”
>>
No. 975310 ID: 4c882c

>>975306
Mined it with the basic amount of magic I know.
but it's also draining, which is why I need a steady supply of mana crystals.
>>
No. 975313 ID: b5d7a5

Thank you for your discretion.
I need them for bait. It's been a while since I killed something with my own two hands.
>>
No. 975327 ID: 8fab7a

>What do you want crystals for?
1 - Tap your blue helmet. You've taken on a mana crystal collection task. You want it fulfilled properly.

2 - You have an avid interest in magic, mana and things related to both. You want your own mana crystal collection. Enough to experiment with, maybe even start to stockpile for later use. For example, could one, with enough processed crystals, enable safe expeditions into mana-dead zones? Could they be used to distract Mana Beasts from attacking people in a pinch? ((or actually, trade with them)) Would it be useful to keep a reserve in case more Towers other than the Drac Kingdom's fail?

While they're processing that, ask Allen - with animated engagement - if there are different types of mana crystals. Do more 'transportable' high-density crystals exist? Has he ever seen mana crystals somehow different from the 'normal'? ((i.e. artificial mana crystals vs 'real' mana crystals)) Does he know how mana crystals are typically refined? Are there any long-term effects to removing mana crystals from an area that he's noticed?

>Wot next
Lean into how unusual it was that you mined something from a supposedly tapped section (and ignore comments or questions on the weirdness of how you mined it) and propose a deal. You have a trick that might help point Allen's kids at an untapped vein or two, assuming it's better than whatever this 'Willis' was doing. So, if you find them any, you get a reasonable cut from the daily profit of these areas until tapped. You will want those credits turned around to buy the mana crystals recovered straight from the mining company, and have them reserve for you to pick up or sent to town.

This way everyone can contribute and profit, and you get a potentially ongoing supply of what you want without having to visit the mine every day. Your only requirement is that they not tell anyone what the trick is - because only you can do it and you don't want every miner or manager trying to get you to quit being an adventurer and start being a surveyor. You have bigger dreams.

You're Emils, by the way.

(sketch an introductory bow)

Ward of Sir Victor. Foundling. Adventurer. Magical girl. 'Dangerous.'

Glance at Nick at that last one, and then shrug.

"According to some. I prefer 'Talented'."
>>
No. 975329 ID: 0cb682

I'm a magical girl who is interested in magical things. I mine the same way I fight. I have several talents which aid me in magic and want to learn more.
>>
No. 975331 ID: 8fab7a

>>975327
Gah missed that she’d already introduced herself.
>>
No. 975332 ID: ba56e6

>>975310
This.
>>
No. 975335 ID: e7c7d3

>>975327
Yeah, our quest is to gather crystals. Seems like it'd be more expedient to trade for more with ores we don't need.

Ask if they have much trouble with people smuggling things out.
>>
No. 975337 ID: e7848c

>>975306
Learning, mostly.
>>
No. 975346 ID: b1b4f3

>>975306
Tell them you use mana crystals as fuel, and you need a lot of fuel. Let them assume you mean you have magical devices at home.
Is there a fee for keeping materials rather than handing them over to the foreman? If so you're going to have to keep some ore to sell to the foreman in order to make up for the fee.

Ask them what kind of exchange rate they'll give you, and also where they'd like you to help mine. Maybe you can help Albert, since he'll be having trouble?
>>
No. 975655 ID: 6aa114

Tell them that you're here for a guild mission. Hmm, are we waiting here then? I suppose we have some time to ask questions then. For instance:
A) How they work, tips on efficient mining?
B) Dangers of mining, how often do injuries occur?
C) What to look for, mineral types?
D) What else is in these mines, only ore/crystals?
E) What's up with Albert? And who's Eliza?
F) What do these tunnel numbers mean?
G) What is the highest tunnel number and how to get there?
H) Can you reach a special place called "Hell" through these tunnels?
I) Do they know of any other guild missions that can/had to be accomplished in these mines? (if so, we could pre-emptively bring back stuff for those missions as well)
>>
No. 975675 ID: 735fa3

Hmm, he just told us we aren't allowed to take mana crystals and will be expected to turn them in.

We can smuggle some of them out since Emils can absorb them into her body, but they'll be expecting some mana crystlas if you are pulling out big buckets of ore from the wall and making lots of money.

Really, it strikes me that since they thought that area was tapped and a short while cutting ore out of the wall filled the bucket, Emils will probably be better of going somewhere in the wilderness, finding a cave, and doing the same thing.

But we are trying to get guild promoted here so it only makes sense to change our mind, work with these kids, and impress the hell out of everyone here. Not just for the general reputation boost, but also because the point of this is to get merits with the guild.
>>
No. 975757 ID: fde50b
File 159939819475.png - (29.17KB , 600x400 , FD3FF2B6-B105-4BF8-B838-1DBACF5C09A3.png )
975757

“I am in need for large amounts of mana for energy.” I state, pulling out a cube of mana crystals, polishing off the stone fused into it. “I have a deep interest in mana and am looking for all kinds, as well as ways to use them. Plus, I’m here to do the collection mission.” I tap my helmet.
Albert scratches his chin, “Well, we only low quality crystals thus far. Maybe there’ll be richer yields lower down, but we haven’t hit any yet.”
“Do you know how to tell the difference?”
“Oh yeah.” He grabs a lamp, unscrewing the cover and sliding out a mass of dark blue refined crystals shards and dust pressed into the shape of a cylinder. Dark, near black dust falls off as he shakes it.

“This here is a low quality crystal battery. How much power in it is determined by how bright it is, and by running a bit of your own mana though it. It should be a slight feedback depending on how strong it is.”
He hands me the crystal to test and I try pushing some of my mana though it.
I can feel the energy in the battery, not quite full but still capable of running. I can inject my own mana into it to refill it, or drain it, but Albert pulls the battery away, sliding it back into the lamp.

“How do you number the tunnels? And how do you know each other?”
Albert smiles, setting down the lantern. “Well, we start off with the main hubs, lettered. Clockwise from the entrance, each tunnel is numbered with 1 leading back.
As for us, I knew Chako’s dad. He was a miner too, but he passed s long time ago. Been taking care of his family since. The other kids are orphans from the war a few years ago. No one to take care of them, so the new owner of the mines looked into providing an offer to the guild to sponsor an orphanage in exchange for labor. When Foreman Jason was put in charge, he set about improving the place so it’s a lot safer for everyone, including putting me in charge of the kids. I invited Chako to help, since I’m growing old and she can keep up with them.”
Chako is with Nick, preparing a few bags to haul.

“So,” I say focusing on Albert. “What if I can provide you with a way to detect where to mine? I can point you where to dig for ores and in exchange, I would like to be paid in mana crystals.
Albert scratches the back of his head. “Unfortunately, I can’t decide for that. If you really need mana crystals, you’d have to ask Jason or the owner. They have final say in here. Besides, not only are you a kid, you’re also from the guild. You will need to discuss such offers with the guild since this mine is owned tangentially by the kingdom.”
He shrugs, “Politics.”
Leaning forwards, whispering, “However, we can’t really stop you if you work with the orphanage instead. It’s outside our business who they bring in to help, and is part of the guilds.”
“I see.”

“Anyways,” he sits upright and winks at me, “if you’re interested in mana crystals, I suggest looking for Malcos in Warren street, crafting district. He’s the best crystal refiner I know. As for enchanters,” he scratches his chin, “I don’t know. Most of them fled when the old king was in rule. He had some weird project he wanted done and got rid of people who didn’t live up to his expectations. Bad news all around.”
Leaning back, he sighs, “Lots of people tried to leave but many more had nowhere to go. Real glad things are better now.”
“Anyway, if you’d like to keep those crystals, I’d suggest getting more ores. Jason would probably let you do a proper exchange with our stores, but it would be cheaper to get it on your own. Do an exchange with ores you mined with crystals you mined. You’re not the first one around to do so, and you won’t be the last.”
>>
No. 975764 ID: e961a7

>>975757
Inquire as to whether there’s any way to tell different forms of ore apart through differences in density; You don’t know the differences between them yourself, but it seems likely that the limiting factor is knowledge here, and not a lack of ability.
>>
No. 975765 ID: 0fae41

An orphanage?! It's like Christmas morning.
Eat all the ores to learn them by taste. Perhaps you'll be able to produce them in liquid form, like iron. Then to 4b!
>>
No. 975768 ID: bf0653

Let's mine some ores then.
>>
No. 975769 ID: b1b4f3

>>975757
Looks like D is real deep. Why don't we go down there and see what Albert is up to. Grab some ore out of the walls when nobody's around, take some liquid samples.
>>
No. 975810 ID: ba56e6

>>975769
Got to go [D]eep.
>>
No. 975888 ID: bf0653

Can we join the kids?
We can show them where to mine with our mana sense.
>>
No. 975889 ID: 094652

Find a dark hole, then slime yourself and crawl into the cracks, feeding on the mana until you have the strength to pull a large chunk out.

Pretend it fell out naturally.
>>
No. 975906 ID: 4286b4

Eat all the orphans!

>>975888
This.
>>
No. 975929 ID: 8fab7a

>>975888
Sounds like the done-est deal.
>>
No. 976050 ID: 0cb682

Ask for an example of what they want most and you'll look for it.
>>
No. 976813 ID: f2320a

>>975764
Support
>>
No. 979523 ID: fde50b
File 160365619416.png - (45.53KB , 600x400 , 656A0C8B-4E9A-4030-AEE0-E53071C7E8C3.png )
979523

Making my way deeper, I’ve decided not to rely too much on a bunch of children. If they are unable to take care of themselves then they can’t be of much use to me. I can privately smuggle out higher quantities of mana on my own, for my own use without having it noticed by others.
Seeking deeper depths does sound like a good idea however, as I feel a stronger source mana deeper.

Following Chakos directions, it takes me to a place where I can feel the ground shaking and I can already feel a strong source of mana already... and it’s moving. Fast.
>>
No. 979524 ID: fde50b
File 160365622649.png - (54.38KB , 600x400 , E43C44E3-B415-451E-A096-BC6B0B9D1558.png )
979524

I enter the deeper cavern to find a mana beast fused to a beast. It reminds me of the corpse in Strixs lab.

[INTRUDER/IDENTIFY/NEUTRALIZE]

Well that’s interesting.

[SCAN/IDENTIFY/DETECT]

I can see a few bodies in front of the beast, and more bodies scattering deeper into the mine.
>>
No. 979525 ID: 0fae41

If you're quick, maybe you can absorb those bodies before the creature does.
>>
No. 979528 ID: 8fab7a

Step 1: Say hi. You are Emils. Ask it to identify itself back, and ask what it's doing here.

Step 2: If it determines you to be hostile and attacks, determine whether anything you can do can harm or subsume it by testing out various abilities on it. Do not exceed max outputs of the current shape.

Step 3: Failing having an ability to easily harm it without sacrificing your current form, pick up one of the shapes if they're not dead, and run away with it.

Alternatively, see if you can take cores from any of the dead people in front of the Mana Beast and run away.
>>
No. 979531 ID: e7848c

>>979524
Hi Gaping Dragon. Be ready to step back into the tunnel where it won't be able to reach you should it choose to attack
>>
No. 979534 ID: b1b4f3

>>979524
Uh, I'm having a hard time making out the scale, how big is it compared to you?
Ask it whose territory this is.
>>
No. 979553 ID: 1bf5fd

Time for a boss fight!
Are any of the bodies in the cave still alive?
>>
No. 979568 ID: 6e6f32

Greetings.
My primary designation is [Primordial Slime], with secondary designations Emils and The Hybrid.
Current long-term directives are study natives and expand capabilities.
Current short-term directive is collect mana-crystal.

What is your designation? What are your directives?
>>
No. 979615 ID: ba56e6

>>979524
Identify self and association to LUST core.
>>
No. 979618 ID: 094652

>>979528
Yeah this
>>
No. 979676 ID: 83ff48

[WARNING!] [Large/Aggressive/Intruder detected approaching along your previous course.] [Advise immediate reorientation towards rearward-facing.]
[Absorb] when its back is turned.

Normally I would be against absorbing first and asking questions later, but this poor fellow seems to be warped and confused by mad science. I am not convinced that there is a peaceful solution without extensive surgery.

>I'm having a hard time making out the scale
I think that we are in the top-left corner of the image, and that the little grey splats around its feet are corpses. Which would make its eyes about as tall as a full-grown adult.
>>
No. 979877 ID: f2320a

>>979534
You see that tiny opening with the cone with a spere that is us
>>
No. 979880 ID: a9af05

>>979524
You know what? This seems like something that one of the miners should've warned us about. So I'm guessing that they don't know about this and they don't know how dangerously close to it they are.
>>
No. 979944 ID: 57bd40

>>979524
[AUTHORIZED/LUST CORE/NEUTRAL]
[QUERY: IDENTIFY/FUNCTION/TASK]
>>
No. 979963 ID: 0cb682

Say hello and identify yourself. If it gets uppity, walk away and tell someone about it.
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