A different kind of whale (Worm/FGO-based Gamer) Chapter 15

2-4 [Infested Salvage]

January 16th

“I need advice on how to deal with some Servants.” Outis cut right to the chase as he set down the oldest poisoneur’s Card on the coffee table between him, Elizabeth and Moriarty. The sheer irony of aiming that question at these two didn’t escape him.

“I’d say the ship has already sailed, given curry Jeanne and baron de Rais.” Elizabeth commented dryly, keeping up her sulky pout for pity points and dramatics. Mostly dramstics, given she let Parian go without a fight and only a chaste kiss on the cheek once the cape asked for leave to go back to her workshop out in the city.

“We both know that Bluebeard is one of the few unquestionably unwanted additions to pretty much any heroically adjacent roster, Milady. If I could hear your reasoning for converting Madam Lakshmibai into resources, Master?” Moriarty shook his head, gently chiding Elizabeth.

“The biggest thing was that she is a flight risk through no fault of her own, even poor Chiyome is less doomed than her. We just couldn’t afford the way Lady Luck has it out for her when we are in a precarious enough situation as-is, given how we are up against a clairvoyant only a few steps removed from Merlin just for starters.” Outis sighed, he wasn’t all that happy about sending that girl back to the Throne after she had answered the call, but, “The second is opportunity cost. The system heavily encourages investing deeply into a small team of Servants. From the limited manifestation slots to the bond benefits to Ascension. I have to be picky or else we will be steamrolled the moment the big threats come knocking because I spread our growth too thin.”

[Elizabeth Bathory Bond 5 gained]

“A reasoning dictated fully by logic and rationality. Much as it galls me to admit, accounting for such an unaccountable, some would say superstitious, variable in your planning is already wiser than I ever managed in life.” Moriarty sighed, politely ignoring Elizabeth doing her best to self combust to their side with a quiet, keen whine and radiantly red face. Outis spared no such mercy and directed a small, earnest smile her way.

He would back the little idol that could to the hilt. He may have initially summoned her for access to the castle and for her veterancy in the Moon Wars, but the dragoness had grown on him.

Moriarty simply huffed, rolled his eyes and continued undaunted. “Considering your argument as well as Da’at’s… previous most recent announcement, I assume you wish to know what should be done with Empress Semiramis and that advice will simply then apply to any others you have doubts about?”

“Yes. Raikou, I am more or less resigned to burn solely to acquire Mystery Slayer, even with Da’at sealing her Madness it would be a disaster waiting to happen with Katsumi on the team and her most valuable skill is locked behind the third stage of Ascension. The Empress is a completely different beast, every single part of her kit would be a massive asset.” Outis explained, slumping slightly, “However, even if we figure Servants with useful abilities but liable to sabotage team cohesion or just backstab us outright should just be used for Installs without ever being manifested, Semiramis has to be manifested to truly shine. With materials we could gather right now she would be able to spy on all of Brockton Bay effortlessly, but that requires her tending to the doves.”

It needn’t be said what Moriarty could do with that wealth of data alone, nevermind what else the doves could be used for given Semiramis’ focuses on toxins and monsters.

“Well, I can certainly say that with this kind of reasoning, you wouldn’t need to fear a potentially fatal grudge from her from the start.” Moriarty chuckled before sighing again. “The Empress is, unfortunately, a woman as complex as she is passionate. She may look down upon people for it, but she understands pursuit of passions well and greatly mislikes abandoning one’s duties, even the unspoken ones. Unfortunately, I have only second and third hand accounts of her conduct as a team player, but from what I’ve heard, she can work with even conflicting personalities towards a common goal. A bit more aggressively misogynistic than Madam Nightingale, unfortunately, and with an ego befitting a highly successful demigod-empress.”

The Master of Cards was silent for a few seconds, grey eyes hard as he thought. “...We focus on growth. Bring you and Miss Nightingale to the first stage of Ascension, up the parameters and skills of my cards, and consolidate our stronghold by unlocking Elizabeth’s second Noble Phantasm. Then we summon Miss Avalon, she will take the castle further and be able to see right through the Empress once we welcome her in with the materials for her first Ascension ready to go.”

“Fwahahaha! Truly, an answer worthy of a successful politician, Master. Well then, I suppose I’ll ring my second most favourite person in the city to negotiate choice locations of the Empire’s storehouses so Madam Nightingale is less likely to unshackle her Madness through sheer stubbornness,” With that, the man bowed and left Outis with a quietly jittery Elizabeth, who went shock still as the door clicked shut.

For all that she had the lowest possible speed for a Servant, the Countess all but teleported to his lap between eyeblinks, smashing her lips against his as she straddled him. Credit where it was due, Outis wasted no time leaning into the kiss, hands clamping onto the dragoness’ cheeks and physically pushing her closer.

_______________________________________________________________

Elizabeth’s sleeping face scrunched up in pain, something crawling into her dreams and clawing up from the darkest recesses of the dungeons down below. Warm fingers on her scalp and a firm arm squeezing her closer to the bare body underneath her dispelled the nightmare, with only the rattle of the chains echoing through the dark, empty dungeons.

_______________________________________________________________

“You… errrr, you sure you wanna come, nurse lady?” Katsumi asked as the night fell, Orange Saber Installed on her… without its helmet. The card tried to put it on automatically, but the parahuman’s horns just pierced through the metal and proved irritating enough Da’at walked her through dematerialisation. Instead, the asian cape opted for the black facemask reaching over her nose and sporting a snarling ogre maw. 

“I’ll know what we’re looking for the best, saving valuable time otherwise wasted on identifying the supplies we need.” Nightingale explained as she packed her saddlebags with… equipment.

“Gotcha. Just surprised a healer is eager to be in the thick of it.” The oni commented.

“While I’m opposed to causing harm, I am more dedicated to saving lives. And the Empire’s ideology means preventive measures are an optimal course of action.” Nightingale said firmly as she tugged her uniform ruler straight.

“Miss Nightingale here is known as the Nurse of Steel for a reason. She’s on par with Red Berserker, easy.” Yellow Rider replied. This Class was rather required to cart away all of their loot. Especially after spending the afternoon with Violet Caster putting together a magic wagon for Nearl to pull. “And that’s before she gets a good warmup. Hit a Promethean Province sometime tomorrow to get the rust knocked off before the licensing exam, Miss?”

They would need five Bronze Monuments, sixty Embers of Experience and a big ol pile of Quantum Pieces. Doable in a day if they worked a few shifts, especially if Moriarty and Liz were up for joining the party.

“It would be appreciated. I am more worried about medical procedures and tools than my anatomical knowhow being inadequate, so not needing to divide my focus would be of great help.” The woman admitted with a grateful nod.

“We’ll figure out the exact schedule later, but it’ll be nice to cut completely loose.” Outis said with a bob of her head, “Everyone ready to go?”

“Yeah, let’s get this show on the road, I could use some extra strong stress relief.” Victoria saluted from her spot a little bit in the air, hovering above Outis, Nightingale and Katsumi.

[I’d advise looking for a way to bump Miss Kuze’s bond a level higher after this operation, at the very least]

[If she is going to be regular at these operations, being a proper part of the party would only benefit her.]

[Especially if she ends up biting off more than she can chew.]

Honestly, just chucking her into the Berserker Province should be enough. Girl wanted to run on the knife’s edge but without getting slashed to ribbons. Also, damn, they really needed a different name for Command Seals. Almost as bad as Servants calling her Master.

[The name is inaccurate anyway, considering these don’t allow for commanding anyway.]

[For now.]

Oh, shush, even that wasn’t really a command. She couldn’t make them do anything they didn’t want to.

_______________________________________________________________

“That’s a hospital.” Katsumi noted dumbly as she stared at the building looming in front of her. As much as she didn’t want to believe it, the place was pretty deep into Downtown.

“Yeaaaah, there’s a reason Ames doesn’t work out of anywhere but Brocton General.” Glory Girl shook her head. “Still, I’ve gotta agree. Even if the place is an Empire op, just hitting it out of blue is a liiiitle bit complicated, PR wise.”

“Do not worry. Knowing James, he already has his ducks in a row. Just focus on disabling the gangsters and grabbing what I tell you to.” The Head Nurse countered, gaze never leaving the building. It was honestly impressive just how much the woman could communicate with just a look.

“The man makes Accord’s plans look like a preteen’s idea of a clever story draft, just follow Miss Nightingale’s lead and we’ll be fine.” Indigo Assassin said with a shake of her head. “You can just hang back in case some eighty-eight capes show up, you haven’t worked with the Professor’s schemes before so I understand the reservations.”

“Nah, I’m in. Just… let’s make sure we don’t wreck the place? Even if it is an active front, it’s still bad optics.” Glory Girl waved her hands.

“I’m loaded with paralysis talismans and Violet Caster can repair cracked stone and shattered glass in seconds. Just avoid electronics and we’re fine.” Today’s loadout was Yellow Rider, Indigo Assassin and Violet Caster. She had said offhandedly that normally she would pack Red Berserker or Orange Saber, but this team didn’t exactly need more musclepower, did it?

[“I would suggest triggering the alarm by going in obviously through one of the emptier areas. Either the parking or just backdoors.”] Moriarty offered Outis through their bond. [“If no one shows up to stop you, I’ll direct you to where you can find something to cover your operation in a veneer of legitimate hero action.”]

“Aight, we just got our marching orders from the big man.” Outis chimed up after sending a mental thumbs up back, “Let’s go through the parking lot, that’ll trigger the alarm and give us an open place to fight without much collateral if they come out in force. If they don’t have the stones to do anything about us strolling right in, Prof will point us in the right direction.”

“Switch off from stealth, then. You’re kinda our only real identifying feature.” Glory Girl nodded, cracking her knuckles. Katsumi grinned underneath her mask, palming her bat. Honestly, the whole Orange Saber thing didn’t really make her feel notably different, but an extra power was an extra power.

“May as well remind them that the floppy hat always wins.” Outis chuckled as indigo swirled to violet. She pushed the brim of the aforementioned symbol of victory up with her wand, throwing them a wink through her mask.

Further discussion, as they approached one of the entrances from the parking lot, had to be put on hold on account of a pair of hospital beds gracefully flying out of the third floor windows and straight at them.

“Alright, so Rune is around!” Glory Girl shouted as she dove out of the way of one of the levitating projectiles. Katsumi was ready to do the same for the other one, if not for Nightingale just grabbing the damn thing one handed. The nurse just planted her feet to the ground and wrestled against the unseen force directing the bed. A quick look around showed that the other bed kept doing sweeps around, mostly keeping Glory Girl off balance.

“So what’s the plan?” Katsumi asked Nightingale as she leapt to help with… whatever the hell the apparently Brute-rated woman was planning.

“Once our enemy decides they are not getting this back, we can acquisition it.” The red eyed woman stated as if that was the most obviously natural response to a telekinetic throwing beds at you. Maybe it was. Katsumi shrugged and grabbed the still struggling bed from the opposite side and pushed down on it.

“GG, get ready to catch the other bed, I’m about to remind Rune she isn’t the only ranged cape here.” Violet Caster called, weaving her wand in a short pattern before flicking a bolt of pure white light into the broken window. Sounded like a flashbang to Katsumi. Made sense, didn’t want to wreck the stuff they were here to loot.

“Gotcha!” Katsumi didn’t really get to see all of it, but the thud of the bed falling to the ground told her Glory Girl, at the very least, got her part down flawlessly. A moment later, both of the beds stilled, at the same time as the sound of clapping came from the entrance.

“What a show, what a show! Four ladies, all scrambling to get into beds just for lil’ old me~. Flattered, truly.” The mocking tone made Katsumi look up. She had to stifle a groan. “Unfortunately, only half of you are of an acceptable breeding for me to even consider.”

Even with limited light from the street behind them, Alabaster’s marble-white skin made the man stand out in the dark. The pain-in-the-ass regenerator of the Empire, just like Katsumi, didn’t really bother with proper costume, for pretty much the same reason too, she guessed. Or maybe he just really liked the attention.

“Now, if you would be so kind as to vacate the premises? We wouldn’t want to disturb poor, recovering patients.” Without really waiting for an answer, the man pulled a gun from its underarm holster and pointed it at Outis. “It would be a real shame if I had to mar your pretty faces after all.”

It was a very good thing Violet Caster’s mask covered her whole face, because Katsumi could feel her smile right now and it was the furthest thing from heroic. “Just to make sure, you have resurrective immortality, yes?”

Oh, that was a very nasty question to ask.

For his part, Alabaster just pulled the trigger in lieu of answering. There was a bang and a scream… if in the wrong order. 

Shrapnel and stray bullets pinged off of a shimmering barrier, a glowing talisman peeking out from the edge of Violet Caster’s trench coat. Pasty Pete, meanwhile, was down a hand and up a whole lot of holes, the red hot pile of scrap by his feet at fault. Outis casually dusted rice paper ash off her right hand, the left a blur as she flicked goddamn lightning bolts at him.

Alabaster spasmed around as the electricity arced over him, multiple times, blood and gore staining the ground around him and his flawless skin a charr- aaaaand here he was, as if nothing happened.

“That was very rude, young la-” Before he could finish, Glory Girl flew from the side and punched him. To her, and Katsumi’s surprise, the All White not only caught the fist, but held his ground with only the barest slide. “Really, just because a man doesn’t feel it, you think it’s fine to interrupt when he’s talking?”

“Yes. By the way, 大地吞噬你.” Violet Caster chirped, the black talisman that had been sliding across the ground below everyone’s notice due to the ballistic blonde glowing together with the concrete underneath Alabaster.

Glory Girl, bless her heart, reacted nigh-instantly by grabbing Alabaster’s arm with her other hand and twisting mid-air to slam the man onto the ground, to an indignant yelp. At which point dozens of stony hands fell on him like vipers and dragged him down until only his face peeked out of the concrete by a few inches.

“I hope nobody minds there being a fat hunk of basalt under there now, the concrete only went down so far so I had to improvise.” Violet Caster remarked, casual as a summer breeze.

“Just a sec.” Glory Girl held up her hand and tore a piece of her cape, before shoving it into Alabaster’s mouth. “There, much better. There will be some grumbling about having to replace the spot when Rune springs him out, but we should be good. Buuuut, we should also hurry, because Alabaster isn’t a super-strength kind of guy, so Othala is also on the premises and at this point, bets are off who we’re facing.”

[“Miss Nightingale, about how long would you say your Noble Phantasm can last in your current state?”] Outis asked telepathically.

[“...twenty seconds. Possibly a few seconds longer, but I cannot be sure. Still, in a fight, even twenty seconds is a long time.”] The Nurse of Steel replied.

[“We can work with that. If it comes to it, I have three Seals ready to go for either backup or giving you extra uses, even if I’d prefer not to show that trump card unless I absolutely must.”] Honestly, that NP was the only reason Outis was remotely willing to head into the hospital with that much parahuman presence in it. Rune and Othala clearly weren’t about to step out and manfight them.

[“I am no longer under constant Madness Enhancement, Commander. I can prioritise things, if we must.”] Nightingale answered warmly.

“Alright, look alive team! You know our wincon so let’s get to it!” Violet Caster said to the team, only a second or two having passed since Glory Girl spoke up. Her nod, though, was directed to the Head Nurse and nobody else. 

Right. They didn’t need to beat up all the capes here, just loot as much as they could, advance whatever schemes old man Adler had in the process and leg it.

“Soooo… feels stupid to ask now, but what, exactly, are we looking for?” Glory asked as she followed them into the hospital proper.

“Quality medical supplies, select medication and equipment. Nothing vital, which means specialist medication.” Nightingale explained. “Even if this place caters mostly to the members of the Empire, it should still be a proper medical facility, if only to keep up appearances.”

“Only my second collab with you guys and I’m already threading the thin line of criminal life.” Glory commented dryly as she shook her head. “If it wasn’t Empire, I’d be probably freaking out a little bit more.”

“If it was ABB, we wouldn’t even be here.” Outis said with a shake of her head, “Don’t get me wrong, if some new cape Lóng picks up starts rampaging through the Boardwalk, their teeth are going to clatter like chiclets, but the big man runs a tight ship and knows how to keep it clean. I’m not about to make a fuss about some weed and brothels, nazis firebombing businesses every other day meanwhile…”

“Believe me, Epo, I have managed to pick up a thing or two about how ABB operates.” Glory snarked. Katsumi, too, had to keep herself from rolling her eyes. Boss loved to exposit about the most random shit.

“Hey, I don’t get to do villain monologues, lemme do the next best thing.” The wannabe witch whined without any heat as they crossed the doors into the hospital. Then it was back to serious business.

_______________________________________________________________

cory6574 @c99834l

gunshots and explosions heard at brockton medical center in downtown

Emily15 @emilysv

That was that new violet cape from a recent concert, alongside Collateral Damage, Ogre Maid and… some kind of historical reenactor.

Emily15 @emilysv

[shaky, poor visibility and quality vid of Nightingale wrestling flying bed into submission]  Definitely a Brute, tho.

Nr1ClockFan @memetosisofficial

Hey, isn’t that Alabaster? What’s he doing in a hospital?

MikeySmiley @mike14567

Well, we’ve definitely got nazi infestation at BMC.

Emily15 @emilysv

[shaky, poor quality vid of Rune getting out of hospital and tearing Alabaster free. Both get back into hospital]

Emily15 @emilysv

Something tells me the Empire doesn’t want those four inside thinking emoji

MonsieurM @doylist

Indeed, makes a person wonder.

PaleChampion @goodoldfashionedvalues

Empire always respected hospital grounds, even Alabaster went out to face those four outside when he is at disadvantage

PaleChampion @goodoldfashionedvalues

But God forbid we fault Asians and reckless capes.

Emily15 @emilysv

poor quality vid of a gust of fire blasting out of the window Hey, so hate to agree with almost definitely white supremacist, but the Empire doesn’t have pyrokinetics, do they?

Nr1ClockFan @memetosisofficial

Technically. I think Othala can give you pyrokinesis for a hot minute.

MonsieurM @doylist

So much for respecting the sanctity of hospitals, hmmm?

PaleChampion @goodoldfashionedvalues

Or it could be that colour-coded rogue from Bathory’s concert.

PaleChampion @goodoldfashionedvalues

Magic stuff should be within Myrddin-like’s wheelhouse.

Emily15 @emilysv

She controls earth and water. This is real life, not The Last Firebender.

Emily15 @emilysv

Street capes don’t get that kind of bullshit.

Emily15 @emilysv

Speaking of [vid of Glory Girl powerbombing alabaster]

Emily15 @emilysv

I might be slightly gay now.

MikeySmiley @mike14567

Maybe be careful, @emilysv? Cape hunting is risky. Especially with nazis involved.

Emily15 @emilysv

I will be fine, I’m keeping my distance and am hid-

MikeySmiley @mike14567

Well, fuck.

[...]

Emily15 @emilysv

Definitely gay now.

Nr1ClockFan @memetosisofficial

What happened?

Emily15 @emilysv

Okay, new cape? The ‘reenactor’? Brute?

Emily15 @emilysv

Trump. ‘No hurty field’ on demand.

Emily15 @emilysv

Tits like watermelons, but soft like pillows.

Emily15 @emilysv

And those muscles. Woman definitely works out.

Emily15 @emilysv

Shouted something about Nightingale before springing the no hurty field.

Emily15 @emilysv

Yes please, miss nurse.

MonsieurM @doylist

I think we are losing thread.

Nr1ClockFan @memetosisofficial

Sorry, man, but this is now an unofficial Nightingale Debut thread.

Nr1ClockFan @memetosisofficial

I don’t make the rules.

cory6574 @c99834l

love how in her gay panic, @emilysv forgot to tell us what actually happened to her

cory6574 @c99834l

truly, only focusing on what is actually important

BlackKnightLady @shadowstalkerofficial

*pic of massive, glowing, pale-blue nurse towering over the cityscape with a sword raised* Hey, hey? What the actual fuck? To borrow from Clockdork, this is fucking bullshit.

Emily15 @emilysv

hbgklfhbkjhadf

_______________________________________________________________

“I think you are going to have a quick fandom, Miss Nightingale.” Victoria snarked once they were back home. She was currently checking out her twitter feed while Katsumi and Outis were helping the nurse to set up their well-gotten gains. “Definitely the star of tonight’s show.”

To accentuate her point, she showed the woman the part of the thread where the girl she had rescued was having an intense, intensely thirsty gay awakening. The pink haired woman took a quick glance before grimacing slightly.

“Of course. This is just embarrassing.”

“Not a fan of nurse fet–”

“No.” Nightingale replied with almost a growl, impressively enough when her face locked into a complete lack of emotion.

“Miss Nightingale has dealt with entirely too many nurses who think the night shift includes sexual relief duties.” Outis sighed, shaking his head as he stocked a locking cabinet with pill bottles. “To the point she often ran full night shifts solo just to keep it from happening.”

“In the interest of not spoiling the mood, let us dispense with the topic while we are still on the lesser evils of nurses.” The woman in question stated as she took deep, slow breaths. “Thank you, at least, for being able to focus on the work, Miss Kuze.”

Katsumi just shrugged from where she had set the last of the things they brought. “My previous boss was a big fan of using fetish to boost sales. Got me soured on maids well enough.”

“Speaking of improving the mood, Liz whipped the staff into making one hell of a celebratory feast.” Outis said, as though they hadn’t all seen the hickeys on his neck. It was definitely to celebrate a successful mission, yep. Don’t mind the new term of address.

_______________________________________________________________

January 17th

“Whoa, freaky.” Katsumi muttered, staring at the entrance to the Promethean Paradigm Province of Rage, a glowing, red emblem with a snarling oni mask in the centre, rippling over the wall next to the back alley access of Homerun. “And you say without the boss present, these can’t even be seen? Also, real fuckin’ original, by the way.”

[As it turns out, basing the system on collective popular consciousness throws out a lot of casual racism and stereotypes.]

[Fascinating implications.]

“But hey, it has its perks!” Orange Saber said as she hefted up a little wooden box full of fried beans. It wasn’t the most conventional way to rank up a Skill, but a quest was a quest and she was sure Raikou would appreciate Outis’ first act after stealing her power being adding insult to injury to some oni. And, y’know, spending an entire day murdering the things.

[Ah, chemical warfare against enemies we don’t count as people.]

[Tale old as humanity.]

[I am sure Miss Raikou would approve.]

“Does that actually work?” Katsumi asked, eyeing the box with mock-wariness. Sure, she wasn’t actually an oni, but you never knew with fucking Trumps.

“You’re fine.” Outis said out loud, at the same time that on telepathy she added, [“Unless you get the Oni-Kind Demon Skill on your Card, anyways. Which, hey, Mana Burst, Monstrous Strength, Natural Demon, Intimidating Charisma and some lifesteal tossed on top for good measure.”]

“Enough lollygagging.” Nightingale commanded as she grabbed both of them by the scruffs of their necks and shoved them into the glowing sigil at the wall.

Katsumi instinctively closed her eyes, so she got startled by the warm (relative to New England in January) wind blowing in her face. Not too hard, but noticeably. Opening her eyes she was greeted by the sight of… forested mountainside? There was a small settlement visible in the distance, down slope, mostly by the rising smoke.

“Da’at?”

[Primary hypothesis places the location of this instance somewhere in Japan.]

[Considering Homerun’s theme, it is likely to be Kyushu.]

Katsumi looked around in silence, something in her chest tightening at the sight. 

“I know a lot of folks who would pay a fortune for this sight.”

“Ancient Japan Kyushu, look at those buildings.” Outis grunted as she lifted her visor, orange eyes squinting at the village, “I’d bet a ticket on this being Heian era. Hope you’re ready to square up with oni at their worst, because that’s too much smoke for some cooking fires or even a festival.”

“Well, we are two short for that particular gang war reenactment, if I have my folklore right.” Katsumi sighed as she hefted her bat. 

“Alas, Vicky decided that Amy was moping and needed some sisterly bonding. And the poor girl is still trying to get a handle on Violet Caster, period. The other Cards give you muscle memory and some knowhow, that one is basically a whole-ass Tinker/Thinker power.” Orange Saber explained as she flicked her visor back down and tucked the little bean box on her belt, her hands filled with sword and shield a moment later, “Alright, you already know the rules. Go for the throat, these things are just dumb projections and will not stop until they’re dust and loot.”

For projections, the oni present in the… instance sure acted exactly like the stories said they did. The grey-skinned, slightly hunched humanoids swung maces and axes around, roaring rambunctiously, drinking and eating meat roasted over the burning buildings. Just like some crazy, real-life murder gang or cult would.

Then, Nightingale reached into her bag and tossed something into the nearest group. 

And then it exploded and Katsumi jumped because who resorts to grenades as the immediate first option?!

Also, the corpses did disappear, but only after showcasing what happened to a human (errrr… humanoid?) body when a grenade goes off at its feet. Katsumi shuddered. So, whatever was responsible for these projections really liked their realism.

“Removing them one by one would be too tedious.” The crazy nurse stated as she drew her gun and shot the nearest three oni which were charging at them. “Unfortunately, I have only a limited amount of explosives. My abilities do not cover their spontaneous creation after all.”

“Maybe save them for a stickier situation than a bunch of up-jumped hooligans?” Katsumi offered while she blocked an overhead axe strike with her bat before sliding it from under the axehead and swinging at the oni. There was a crunch as reinforced wood met its skull and she winced. Maybe she would have thought differently if the place also created… victims of the raid, but that would be…

“It’ll be a hot minute until our explosives expert can come over, but I’m sure the good Professor will be all too happy to point us at some eighty-eight weapon depots.” Outis chuckled, passing over a stack of rice paper thick as a thumb, pulled from that engraved metal deck she carried around. “Until then, you can supplement with these. A whole lot less flexible than if a Caster were using them, but an explosion is an explosion.”

“I will still use them sparingly. You should use the opportunity to get used to lethal force.” Nightingale accepted her explosive package before nodding at Katsumi. “We will be clearing as many as possible for a few hours at least, but I don’t know how Instances differ from Singularities in this regard.”

“The hell is singularity?” Katsumi shouted as she picked an axe with her free hand and swung at another oni. “‘cause I doubt we’re thinking the same thing!” The weapon, used with a Brute's strength, cleaved through the thing’s club and dug into its side. The force broke its handle so she had to actually jump back to escape an enraged oni’s swipe. Deceptively long reach.

Outis chopped off the offending arm without a second thought, before finding herself busy blocking another oni’s club with her shield.

“Technical term for these kinds of pocket dimensions my previous contractors used.” The nurse replied as she put Katsumi’s opponent out of misery with another bullet. Probably out of misery, it didn’t seem to be inconvenienced by the wound. “Make sure the force is lethal, head trauma is still the most reliable.”

“Amen.” Outis grunted as she shield bashed an oni’s skull concave, breaking off its horn in the process. “Take this as a chance to learn how to modulate the mana boost, too.”

“Y’know, for a nurse, you’re pretty comfortable with ending lives.” At least here. Given how seriously she treated her infirmary back at the castle, Katsumi somehow doubted she was one of those angels. “Look, you try to figure out this shit when everything not bat shaped breaks on you anyway.”

“Which is why we fed your bat into the Card, yes. Remind me to use Violet Caster to make it a bit better besides.” Outis chuckled as she dismissed her shield to instead ram a gauntleted fistful of beans down a roaring oni’s throat. Alongside most of its teeth. Going by the gurgling howl it managed before falling over dead with steam rising from the corpse before it vanished, it seemed soybeans would be on the menu for this Province. “How do you feel about a club made of cursed bones? Hmm, maybe a bit too unruly. Weeping iron, I think, your power would get around its issues. It may even accept a goedendag if we need to stake a bitch something sweet!”

“I have no idea what any of those are but I’d like to remind you…” Katsumi grunted as she took a club on the arm, barely feeling it. She returned the favour by uppercutting the offending oni with her full strength. Still didn’t help the reflexive wince at hearing the bones snap. “That it’s my power deciding baseball bats should be indestructible, not me!”

Any further casual combat dialogue was interrupted by a bestial howl as a massive, thick oni built like brick shithouse took to the field. Literally black skinned, with white hair and beard, an actually somewhat well kept, long, drill-like horn raising from its skull. It also wielded an actual kanabo, easily the same ten feet long the ogre was tall. The big guy was also surrounded by a whole bunch of, comparatively, comically smaller ones.

“Well, ain’t he a big one.” Katsumi whispered, feeling just a little inadequate in comparison.

“Hey!” Outis hollered fearlessly, bouncing the wooden box full of beans in her hand. The same hand that was trailing dark orange smoke from the seams in its armour, “THINK FAST, CHUCKLENUTS!”

Her throwing form was atrocious, but damn if Brute strength didn’t make up for it as the little carpentry project flew like an arrow at the big bastard. The massive thing was actually fast on the intake as well, and apparently used to the ‘soybean bomb’ tactics because instead of smashing its massive club into it, it catched the box in its hand, crushing it in its grip. It growled as its skin visibly boiled and steamed.

Then Nightingale threw two grenades at the group of oni, casting transmute oni to hamburger on all the hangers on.

“And this is why I prefer tried and true methods over mystical options.” The apparently explosion happy nurse declared. Katsumi hoped she and Oni Lee wouldn’t meet because so far, the chances were high they would vibe.

No time to ponder the cape shipping as the big guy charged at them, kanabo raised overhead while it lowered its head to point its horn at them.

[“Nurse, up front! We take the flanks!”] Rang out from the boss at thoughtspeed, the tiny girl already moving to follow suit.

And just in time, because the black muscle mountain brough its club down, shattering the ground underneath and causing a small tremor. Katsumi grit her teeth as she tiptoed to rebalance. By the time she was back on track, Nightingale already took advantage of the rampaging giant’s bulk to use its weapon as a platform and hung by its horn as she unloaded the rest of her bullets into one of its eyes.

The oni roared in pain but still reached for the nurse with its free hand. Katsumi jumped forward, swinging her bat with full force at the limb. It connected, pushing it down, but this time, there was no crack, just the ogre grunting as it straightened. Still, nurse took the opportunity to jump off of it.

The oni staggered when, in the explosion of dark orange, bosswoman’s sword dug into its ankle. Deep cut, but not straight through. The oni swung its club in a wild arc. Still, the air pressure billowed her hair. It did leave the black guy exposed for another swing, and Katsumi decided to check if ‘hit it between legs’ strategy still worked.

Going by the guttural whine and bowled legs, she was going to guess it did. It also distracted the ogre enough for Nightingale to throw it to the ground and wrap her arms around the thing’s neck. They both struggled for a moment before Head Nurse managed a forceful, sharp motion which snapped its neck, stilling the oni.

“Okay, that was intense.” Katsumi admitted, eyeing the disappearing oni’s vaporising weapon with naked jealousy. Once both were gone, she raised her gaze to look at her party. “So… what now?”

Nightingale just gave her a thin smile. “The same thing that always happens when the grind ends. More grinding.”

Okay, there was some kind of inside joke here she was not getting.