Cease the Suffering - Etrian Odyssey II (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 10

AN: Thanks again to Irish_Moon_Dreamer for commenting!

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Chapter 10:

Restocking the bandage supply, Lynus listened absentmindedly as Angie chatted about the guilds and the members she knew. It was a slow day, surprisingly, so Lynus was making use of his time getting to know his new work place and reacquainting himself with equipment and stock.

“Everyone is talking about the Guardians,” Angie prattled on, a slight swoon in her voice.

“I’ve heard them, too,” Lynus murmured. Everyone he had encountered today had, indeed, mentioned The Guardians at some point. All of whom seemed to be either in awe or impressed.

The Guardians? That was the name of the Guild that Shen was a part of, wasn’t it? No surprise, really, that a Ronin of his calibre would be in a popular guild.

“The Guardians are super popular and talented guild,” Angie went on to explain. “Really strong!”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah!” Angie practically squealed, clasping her hands together in front of her. “I heard they’ve spent three days in the Labyrinth. Really impressive!”

Lynus laughed as he carefully folded away an arm sling. “A fan, huh?”

“Lynus, could you do me a favour?”

At the sound of Dr Stiles’ voice, Lynus immediately turned around and gave him his full attention. “Sure.”

“Could you take this request to the Stickleback Bar for me?” Dr Stiles asked him as he approached, holding a folded piece of paper in his hand. “I’d do it myself, but I have a few reckless adventurers to scold and lecture.”

Dr Stile abruptly glanced over his shoulder, his brow furrowed and his lips pulled into a tight frown. Lynus peered in the direction he was glaring it, sighting three rather haggard looking explorers. Two gunners and one Landsknecht. The trio quickly realised that they were being glared at by the head doctor and grimaced, the blue haired Landsknecht looking as if he wanted to hide someone.

“Ok,” Lynus chuckled, drawing Dr Stiles’ attention back toward him. “I’ll go do it now.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it,” Dr Stiles said as a warm smile reappeared on his lips, offering the piece of paper for Lynus to take. “I’ll make sure you get a bonus for this.”

“Thanks very much!”

As he moved to leave, he grabbed his medical bag and slung it over his shoulder out of habit. He didn’t feel completely comfortable without the reassuring weight of his bag. For if there was some reason he wasn’t able to heal someone with his hands, he was assured that he had medicine that could do the job just as well.

Stepping outside into the midmorning sun, Lynus came to an abrupt realisation. He didn’t know where the Stickleback Bar was. But he could simply ask for directions, right? Newcomers were common place here.

The first store he came across was one called Sitoth Trading. It appeared to be a weapons store. A good a place as any.

Pushing the door open, Lynus found it unexpectedly empty. You’d think a store that made weapons and other items for the labyrinth would be overflowing with people. Maybe it was closed or something? But there was no sign on the door.

“Um, excuse me-?” Lynus timidly called out.

“Wah!”

Lynus jumped, grasping at the strap of his bag in surprise by the sudden scream of horror and fright. It came from someone from the back of the store. And from what he could deduce, it sounded like a young woman.