Chapter Text
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Retrieving Save File Information...
vvvv Play the Music vvvv
Anstock, South Gate
It's a horrible day, and you're a beautiful little hunter.
Under your folksy brown hat is your signature golden hair. You might look like a ray of sunshine if it weren't for your perpetual serious, hard to read face. Almost as if you are a main character of a videogame that seldom emotes or something crazy like that. The Doctor and everyone in town has gotten over it by now, though, judging by how much you have helped them you must be pretty good-natured. Your clothes are a mish-mash of tanned leather stitched and bolted together with copper buttons. A handkerchief and a few beaded necklaces peak out from under your brown jacket. You're wearing some rough faded jeans and heavy boots fit for wilderness travel. You keep a battery of weapons at your back and on your hip at all times. Despite your profession as a [Monster Hunter] being a bit terrifying to the average 'pardner, you sleep soundly. You do not fear death, you just fear unfinished business. On a lighter note, you really enjoy coffee, the first signs of spring, and when you are not focusing hardcore on the job, you surprise people by how formal and polite you can be. Even if you weren't so helpful or likeable though, they'd still have to be nice to you. It's good ta be da main character.
A boy in heavy metal armor approaches you.
"What? I’m the Save recap character? You’ve got to be kidding me."
Sigh.
"Oh, fine."
"We’re having a festival tomorrow, so everyone’s busy getting everything done. Why don’t you talk around town? I’m not going to babysit you."
You make your way up main street, but barely walk 10 feet when you notice the General Store to your right. The old woman that runs it is making eye contact at you! What could she possibly want? Oh boy.
"Excuse me..."
The cranky old woman shuffles out to greet you and pushes you into the store.
The General Store
Kurapika
Miss Loberry
Miss Loberry
Sorry about the… warm welcome on your first day. You can have a 10% discount on your next purchase. We got loads of [BEANS] in stock, too, if you want any of that. Just.. Don’t stick around too long. I got other customers.
Thanks... I suppose.
You have no idea why [BEANS] sounded special. A man busying himself with moving large bags of inventory sets his parcel down.
Shachmono Tocino
Don’t take it too hard. She was mean to me when she took me in after the caravan incident.
Wait.. She’s still mean to me.
The Caravan incident?
The Shelfhand paws the side of his cheek.
Yeah, I suppose you wouldn't remember. You arrived in late October. Back in July a big caravan of travelers became stranded on the road nearby. Seems to happen a lot. So this town has been begrudgingly stuffed to the gills with wayward travelers like me. Here, you can refer to the chart if you want.
He hands you a piece of paper.
"The ones with blue squares are stuck for the winter and not originally from here. Most of them from this year's Caravan."
Click to view in full.
This map has been added to your Quest Notes.
"Thanks," you say, as you leave the General Store.
Upon leaving, the big burly guy next door catches your eye. He's just.. Staring. He's wearing a smock covered in dried blood. Over his head is the sign for the Butcher Shop.
Jones The Butcher, Undertaker & etc
"Meat?"
"...Not right now." You say.
"Meat."
"Oh, fine."
You pay for some jerky to satisfy the Butcher & etc.
"Meat :)"
Your friendship with Jones has increased.
You run to get away from there as fast as possible, heading past the Doctor's house. He's actually standing outside. He nods, understanding you're maybe on an errand of some type. Quests and all.
The Doctor's House
Kurapika
Leorio
Please eat more than just beans and meat.
Wh-.. What gave you this low opinion of my diet?
Sorry, that’s what pretty much everyone eats around here. Habit.
I see..
An apple a day keeps the doctor away... As they say.
Should I be afraid of you coming close to me?
N..No. But please put more in your diet than just beans and meat.
An ordinary apple. They call it the red delicious, but it tastes like shit. +5 Wisdom.
You walk away bewilderedly, holding the apple. What am I supposed to do, eat it?
The Blacksmith's shop is right next door, and the familiar shopkeep stops hammering at a piece of metal, drags the gloves off his hands and calls out to you.
The Blacksmith
Kurapika
Zepile
Oh it’s you!
You seen Gon anywhere?
No.
Oh. Always seems to disappear when you’re around..
Anyway, have 'er a look around. See if you like anything.
Oh, I could use some more rounds I suppose. You got any with 10% silver shot?
Just made a bunch, figured you were coming by.
Thanks.
Mito enters, followed by Zushi.
Oh hey Mitty! What brings you by?
💋Smooch💋
Mito
Zushi said he wanted to hang by the shop. Go have him help you.
Zepile
Oh, not again.. I’ve got customers!
Mito looks at you
Mito
Haha. Not for long. Careful, he likes that one. He’ll talk your ear off if you stick around.
...
Zepile
Zushi, go fetch the hunter’s set of silver rounds.. They’re wrapped on the table in the back.
The boy bounds off.
Hey uhh... Since I'm giving you such a good price. While you're at it, can you deliver these horseshoes up to the farm? Mito will yell at me if I send Zushi outside of town.
Walking on your toenails is pretty metal. Even moreso when you put these on.
Find Gon.
! Deliver horseshoes to the farm north of town.
You leave through the north gate and head to Battera's farm. It's atleast 4 acres out. It is surrounded by amber field and pasture where the rammets and some equids are grazing. You come up to the farmer's house and knock on the door.
Battera's farm
“Get off my farm unless you intend to work on it.”
His wife comes to see what's the matter.
“The stableboy is in the barn. If you got business it's with him.”
Behind the old couple emerges a girl. It's the one that fended off The Big One on the night Pekuba was killed.
“I'll take him there, don't worry about it.”
“By the way, I heard about the last wolf. Nice shootin', Tex.”
You both have an unexpected, boisterous chat about wolves and other animals as she takes you to the barn. It's a large wood structure, kind of dark inside, but full of animals. You can hear the whinnies of large horselike creatures and the thick smell precedes them.
"Here he is," She says.
The stablehand in question was a rough looking young man, one who looked spoiling for a fight but worked too hard to have the time. He is busy cleaning out animal stalls. Despite his aggressive looks, you see him lean in to pat a horsebeast's head, whispering something to it.
"Hey, Knuckle!"
The Stablehand
Kurapika
Knuckle
What? What is it youze guys want? I'm busy.
Huh... You don't seem like the type to be a stablehand.
Oh, smart guy huh? ....I used to rustle them, actually, but Battera sheltered me from the law and gave me a job instead. Bully hard work, though.
He sounds prickly, but a little proud of it too.
Here's the horseshoes from the Blacksmith.
Delivered the horseshoes.
Ohhh why didn't you say so! Some new shoes for you, Abby.
He presents the shoes to the beast behind him, who sniffs and mouths them with its black teeth.
We're going to break those puppies in later today.
Alright, good luck.
Oy Oy.. You're heading back to town, right? Can you take those sheafs of wheat to the Miller's?
He points to a few bundles of grain.
Can't wait to taste what Linne's making tomorrow.. But she's been baking almost faster than we can keep up. I haven't had the time to get it processed into flour yet.
Sheafs of Wheat x10. +2 charisma when you put one of the little ones in your mouth and talk to other country bumpkins.
! Process the wheat at the Mill.
"...It's amazing how a whole barrow full of grain just fits in your pocket like that.." Knuckle gawks, before shaking his head and going back to cleaning the stalls.
Is everyone going to start giving me errands now? I'm the got-dang Hunter here. Not some errand boy!
You enter town again. The Miller's house is on the northernmost road just off of main street. Let's do it.
The Miller House
Kurapika
Barry
Welcome to the mill. If you’ve got grain to process.. Oh. I thought you were a customer.
You're nearly correct. I've got some raw grain for you to process. For Linne I guess.
Handed the wheat to the Millers.
Fumi
Ah, we usually send Linssen to deliver the flour when our hands are full... But he's busy watching Nicole now. You're so kind. Why don't you sit with them while we get this processed? It'll only take a little while.
There's a tugging at your pant leg, you look down.
Nicole
I wish my friends were here to play with. Mill work is dumb.
Big brother Linssen always says he’s too busy to play. But one time he gave me a muffin from Linne’s for my birthday.
Linssen
You see the man in question sitting down, making sure Nicole doesn't play too rough. Time is going to pass by slowly if you talk to Nicole... You ask him about his employment instead.
I used to be a bodyguard for the Caravan. But one thing came to another. The Millers took me in. There’s not a lot to do around here but it’s a kind of security. Feel almost like a big brother to little Nicole.
Barry
Here you go old boy, the flour..
Some flour. It smells like paint.
! Take the flour to Linne.
You lug the sack of flour out the door. The Bakery is just down the street, across from the creepy meat stall. You walk down the street and hold the bag next to the side of your head so the butcher doesn't holler at you. You make it to the Baker's and safely step inside.
The Bakery
Kurapika
Linne
Good day, ma'am.
Linne
Oy oy oy oy.. Who's this lass.. Oh a customer!!.. My dear, can I interest you in some cheesecake? Some pumpkin pie maybe? Some sweet rolls fresh from the oven.. Oh you look so thin.. Need to get some meat on those bones...
Oops, I dropped the dough on the floor again. Muna, be a dear...
Muna
Yes, Linne.
Don't worry, we wouldn't sell you any from that batch.
Umm, so here's the flour...;;
You hand over the bag.
! Delivered the flour.
Oh great!!! We were almost out. We've been baking up a storm for tomorrow's party at the Saloon. Going to be lots of sweet breads and pies to go around. Can't all just be meat and beans.
These'll be going over there later today when we're finished baking! If you're still around by then with nothing to do maybe you could...
Kurapika
Just kidding. I can handle that well enough.
Here, take some sweet rolls from an earlier batch for your trouble. I promise - it didn't land on the floor.
Hey, that's a sharp outfit, by the way. Photographer like myself notices things like that.
Sweet Rolls x5. Linne's special recipe.
You exit the bakery with the sweet sticky buns in hand, eating one and licking your thumbs. Hey, it's pretty good...
Now what was I supposed to do again? All these miscellaneous errands just bottomed out.
Find Gon.
Oh yeah. Find Gon. To be honest, you don't know where to start. Maybe Killua knows. He always seems to be out and about, hanging out with the boy when you weren't looking. 'Course, you don't know where Killua is, either. And generally the best place to start looking for gossip if not people was, in fact, the Saloon.
The Saloon
Kurapika
Menchi
Well howdy there partner! What can I get for you, Whiskey, Brandy, Gin, Rum? A soiled dove? We only have one, so no choices there.
You’re interested this early in the day? LeRoute! Oh LeRoute…
Hold on, I think there has been a misunderstanding.
LeRoute
Helloooo~
Are you this "dove" Menchi was talking about?
I am, but I’d much rather rob you blind at cards. More bang for my buck, or buck for my bang. However it goes.
Tonpa
I'll have a go at 'ya, LeRoute. *hic*.
Menchi
Tonpa! I thought I cut you off an hour ago!
Menchi kicks Tonpa out of the bar.
It's no use, Tonpa magically re-enters and sits back down.
There's still the pianist and Tobacconist quietly sitting at the corner of the room, minding their own business. You try to make conversation.
You approach the pianist.
Well.. You look too well dressed for these parts.
Knov
And you somehow look too dressed down, cowboy.
Kurapika
You want to go!?!
Knov
Do I want to leave? Yes. Do I want to fight you? Not unless it’s over a game of cards. I’m tired of playing with LeRoute. She always makes it weird.
LeRoute
Hey, you fellas want to play Strip Poker?
Knov
See what I mean...?
LeRoute turns to you and winks..
LeRoute
This town will have a man whore yet. Just you wait.
Knov
Menchi, do you need any help at the bar? ;;
You turn your attention to a large shady man with a pipe sitting in the corner.
Morel
Don't look at me, I just sell weed and weed accessories.
He takes a puff of his pipe.
...Nice.
If interested, you know where to find me.
Hey, Hey you. The drunk sidles up to you.
Tonpa
Would you spot a brother another pint of ale? *hic*
Take it easy, pal. It's only morning.
*hic*
Menchi
TONPA!!!!!!!
Well, there's no sign of Killua here. Might as well try next door at the Inn..
The Inn
Kurapika
Seaquant
Seaquant
Welcome back to the Inn.. Well, not much of one anyhow. I didn’t expect this place to turn into a barracks..
Hey Seaquant. How's business doing?
Well there’s no money now that summer’s over. You can stay for free, but you have to do chores like get the logs and repair the outside and all that. Go make yourself useful.
The cabin's doing fine for me.
Pff. I used to be a Hunter too, you know. And that place is a deathtrap. But suit yourself.
If you ask me, a Hunter worth their salt would be helping volunteer on the werewolf hunts.
Seaquant
They took my leg. No offense to Zepile, but this wood one just isn’t as fast. You can go be werewolf bait. I'm fine here.
The hunters descend from the second floor steps.
Ryu
Heyyy it's Tall Grass! Nice to see a new face joining the ranks.
To be fair, you’re the one joining my ranks.
...haha!
Shishito
Don't underestimate us, Hunter. Ryu and I were the Caravan guards. We've seen it all.
I think I know the end of the story. The Caravan got jumped, now you're here.
We were jumped many times. That’s how we picked up Knuckle and Katz. How’s that for neutralizing the enemy? Got them to work with us, the skeevy little bastards. But nothing compares to an ambush from those clan folks. No offense. Well, more like a compliment.
Katz
You approach the youngest member present who hasn't spoken up yet.
And what's your story? Shishito tells me you attacked the Caravan.
‘Attack’ is kind of a generous term. I’m trying to earn my keep now. I like these guardsmen brigand types better.
I see. Stay out of the forests, kid.
Don’t have to tell me twice.
Stay out of the forests, kid.
Hey.
There's no sign of Killua so you leave.
And now Killua
Killua nearly bumps into you on the way into the Inn.
"Oh, it's you! What are you doing wasting time around here. Have you found Gon yet?"
"No." You present one of the sweet rolls to Killua. He looks surprised, but pops it in his mouth and starts munching with gusto.
"Have you even been looking?" He's accusing inbetween bites.
"... Well,"
"It's your last open quest! And it's been all morning!" He swallows angrily. "I guess if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself. Here, give it here......"
You switch places. Now Killua is the Main Character.
It's a horrible day, and you're a beautiful little Mercenary.
Your white hair is flattened under your metallic helmet. The rest of your armor is of a strong and ornate grade of metal too, and underneath is a shirt of chainmail. A cloth tunic over top representing your family's crest is draped across in front. You never go anywhere without your sword. You have trouble sleeping at night which gives you frequent fits of irritability. You don't want to admit it but you've started appreciating this Hunter who's been cutting in on your turf. He honestly sucks, you think, a bit too haughty and egotistical for his own good. But it's refreshing to no longer be the residential expert in town. You're a teenager mercenary in training, after all, not some godforsaken miracle worker... Not that he is good enough for the title either, of course. But it's better than the role being bestowed to YOU. Anyway, where was I?
"Gon! GOOON!" you yell.
"Fat lot of luck that will do." The Hunter scoffs.
You side-eye him impatiently. "GOOOOOOOOOON!!~~"
The nearby bushes rustle.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Killua
Gon
Killua? Is that you?
Of course it's me.
Gon
KILLUAAAA!!!~~~
Found Gon.
