by Nikita Thorn
Seiki had found a chance to tell his friends about his discovery of how Kentaro’s Red Headband Master Pattern skill had been from one of the missing poems, and they discussed it further. Eventually, they speculated that one of the missing poems would also lead to an Insignia, and that they needed to keep a look out for them, which meant dabbling in the Black Market.
“And so, in a way, having ties with the East City Bandits will give us access, which is why Seiki’s premonition of going with the Bandits to invade the Rogami is our perfect opportunity,” Mairin had concluded, as if it had been Seiki’s plan all along.
Seiki himself was much less sure, and he found himself getting more nervous as the time drew near. With the Society invasion fresh on his mind, and with the unexpected invitation telling him he was more involved than he thought, he was worried he was trying to bite off more than he could chew.
The unexpected events in the past two days had given him many more combat options than before, but, as he stood in the shadows of the territory wall, waiting for it to happen, he somehow managed to feel less certain than he had been at the start of the Festival.
“At least, we know for sure no one’s home, right?” Mairin muttered from somewhere in the darkness behind him.
Seiki peered through the group of a dozen or so East City Bandits, six ryoushi, five ninja, two houshi, all in moderate gear and all clustering around Level 15. With zero experience with invasions, he would not have been concerned, but now that he had seen what a clan could have in place for territory defense, he realized the group was severely under-leveled for such an undertaking.
“Hey, don’t worry,” said one of the Bandits, whose voice Seiki did not recognize. “Leave it to Gin.”
At the front gate, two people emerged from within the clan territory. They were too far away for Seiki to make out their label, but, based on the looks of their gear, one was a mid-level samurai and one a ninja. The two men exchanged a few words with Gin, and they all laughed.
It was clear they were aware of what was going on, as the ninja turned toward the rest of the group in the shadows of the wall and shouted. “All yours! Enjoy!”
“Of course, it’s an inside job,” said Ippei, sounding a little amused.
Seiki and his friends had suspected as much. Gin had guaranteed it would be a walk in the park, and that the only real obstacle would be the ghost samurai guardian, the Yureimusha.
Yamura let out a snort. “I guess some people didn’t take the max level thing very well and wanted to bring him down a notch?”
“It’s a fallout from the White Crane Hall,” said one of the Bandits. This voice was familiar, and Seiki turned around to confirm that it was Makino of the East City Bandits [Level 15], one of Seiki’s team members from when they last took on the replica Yureimusha back in the Bandits’ own clan hall. “You’ve heard of the siege, right?”
Seiki had not expected the topic to be brought up. “The siege? Oh, uh, yeah, that was… a long time ago.”
“I’ve heard good things about it,” said Ippei innocently.
Yamura grinned. “Right?”
The Bandits failed to catch on to their meaning, and Makino continued. “Yeah, word is Zengoro was away and didn’t okay the siege, so there was internal drama afterward. Some of the Rogami members weren’t happy with how Zengoro handled things, and a few of them left to join Taiyora’s new clan out in the Wilderness.”
“Taiyora… oh, right.” Seiki recalled the man as the high-level samurai who used to accompany Rieko.
Makino chuckled. “And some of them decided to wait until the right time to leave a… parting gift.”
The gift, of course, was an invitation extended to Gin. Soon after the two Rogami clan members disappeared down the opposite end of the alley, Gin turned around to wave at the group, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. “We’re all set.”
Like most clans who held one of the eight Wilderness Territories out the East Gate, the Rogami also had one territory within Shinshioka to facilitate recruitment events and faster travel between their main territory and the capital city. Usukumo Mansion was located right on the edge between South City and West City, in a quieter part of the latter.
“Welcome to the Rogami’s city apartment.” Gin laughed as he beckoned them through the front gate.
You have now entered the Usukumo Mansion [Property of the Rogami Clan] as an invading party. Enemy NPCs will attack you on sight.
“Shouldn’t it at least warn you about dying and being trapped in the clan’s Spirit Shrine?” muttered someone called Yuriko of the East City Bandits [Level 16].
“No one’s gonna die,” said Gin. “This is going to be quick and easy.”
After the incident at the Society, Seiki had familiarized himself a bit more with how clan invasions worked. There were two ways someone could take over a territory from another clan. The proper way involved a formal challenge, where the defending clan would have at least seven days to prepare if they chose not to accept the challenge right away. The informal and more popular way was somehow tricking someone into extending an invitation. The invading party had no access to a clan ability bar in this case, but, most of the time, the element of surprise was a much more powerful weapon.
Seiki supposed there was also a third way, which was to have someone disable all the clan defense NPCs and invite the invaders into a territory while no one was present, as the East City Bandits were doing right now.
There were, indeed, no NPC defenders to be seen. The territory appeared as empty as promised. Gin seemed to be in a casual mood as he led them down the middle of the main path.
The Usukumo Mansion consisted of four main buildings and six courtyards. The main hall stood two stories taller than the rest and was at the center back of the area, nestled between two small decorative pine gardens.
“It’s kinda too easy right now.” Yamura glanced warily at the deserted territory. “Why won’t you leave a few people to guard the place?”
“Would you miss a once-in-a-lifetime nine-course meal with dancing geishas?” said Chika. “Plus a personal box with one guaranteed upgrade?”
Yamura considered it. “I suppose not.”
Seiki knew the Rogami had nothing to fear. No one would try to invade one of the most prominent clans without expecting serious consequences, not to mention that it would be nearly impossible to do so. Getting into the territory was the easy part. Locating the Territory Deed, claiming it, then holding the territory for twenty-four hours afterward was much more difficult, considering the former owners had that much time to freely re-enter the clan territory and try to claim it back before ownership was officially transferred.
But then again it was not as if the Bandits had any intention to claim the territory.
“What do you actually get out of this?” Mairin asked, not for the first time.
The Bandits’ leader smiled. “Like I said, we need to send a message. Show them who owns the underworld turf.”
Seiki knew it was a lie. There was no way one harmless invasion could convince the Rogami Clan to pay their so-called monthly protection fee, which the Bandits claimed everyone else was paying, including the Shinshioka Scientific Society.
“I’m not convinced,” said Mairin.
Gin shrugged. “Or maybe we’re just here to make you ladies and gentlemen rich. Pardon me, I mean, lady. Although, I must say I was hoping you would be generous with your loot distribution rights.”
“Yeah,” Chika chimed in. “Help a sister out.”
“I’ve told you no,” said Seiki. “No one’s taking anything.”
Because of their prior agreement on loot distribution rights, a special kind of group had been set up, called a ‘Formal Party’, which gave only Seiki the ability to loot anything from within the territory. Other people could still unpick locks and open clan storage chests, but any attempt to loot would be the same as trying to take a unique weapon from a completely Sealed e
xhibition room, and the item would simply return to its original location within a few seconds. Having only played with his friends, Seiki had never used this particular feature before and had no idea how it worked, but Ippei had helped make sure all the rules and settings were in place.
If the East City Bandits had a problem with that, no one had said anything so far.
Ippei let out a silent breath as he eyed the Bandits, and Gin met his gaze with an amused shrug. “Or maybe we’re just sight-seeing, you know. It’s a fine night for such a bonding activity.” He used his pipe to point to their right. “Look, that’s their storage building over there, and then… that’s an unknown building, and to the left there’s also another large unknown building.”
Chika let out an exaggerated scoff. “Horrible tour, unhelpful guide. I want a refund.”
“Hey, it’s my first time in here, too.” Gin affected a wounded look as he drew another puff from his smoking device. “But worry not. Those are just side attractions, which we don’t care about. For our main attraction today, I happen to be very well-researched.” He pointed to their destination, the three-storied main building in front of them. “The ground floor is full of annoying Enchanted Panels, but the rest should be fine. Like the Society, they seem to frontload their defense, which, if you ask me, is a bad strategy, right, mister ronin?”
Gin cast a glance toward Seiki, his eyebrow slightly raised.
“I wouldn’t know,” said Seiki. It was not exactly a lie, considering how the question had been phrased.
A shadow of a smirk crept up on Gin’s lips. “No?”
There was that look in his eyes that suggested he was fully aware of the Society invasion, but at this point Seiki would not be surprised if the whole City knew. After all, the end of the invasion had been rather public, not to mention the fact that the Society had been quick to capitalize on it. There was already an announcement for a reenactment of the mysterious event in dance form, choreographed and performed by Ibumi of the Court Minstrels. Tickets went for twenty gold each, and were allegedly already sold out.
With a casual shrug, Gin turned his attention back to his guided tour. “The second floor is where our friend Yureimusha is, and the third is where all the goodies are, which I’m hoping you’ll have a change of heart and fairly share.”
“I won’t,” said Seiki seriously. “Like I told you.”
Seiki had felt it his responsibility to make his intent very clear beforehand, and Gin did not seem that bothered, which was all the more evidence that the Bandits were after something else, but it was impossible to get a straight answer out of any of them.
Gin pretended to wince. “Ouch. Won’t you think of the poor little bandits, running around cold and hungry? Anyway, pardon the distraction. Here we are, our main attraction, right ahead.”
The command hall was perhaps a little smaller than the central structure of White Crane Hall, but was still an impressive size, considering this was not even the clan’s main territory. The entrance was fitted with sturdy-looking wooden sliding doors, curiously left wide open.
Two large polished stone steps led up to the entrance, and beyond the doorway was an empty hall with a large generic painted panel near the back to hide the stairway leading up to the second level. The flooring was wood, and there were a few bamboo chairs set against both walls, separated by tables holding identical ceramic vases. Two shoji doors, one on each side, led to unmarked side rooms.
“They didn’t bother to decorate,” said Mairin. “This place looks like it came stock like this.”
“All their funding went into more practical stuff,” said Gin.
The man stopped on the top step of the stairs. The room looked innocent enough, but something in the Bandit’s tone prompted Seiki to inspect the wall panels.
Magnolia Wood Panel
[Enchantment Slot]: Hinofu Wall Seal [Rank 3 Reinforcement]. Inflicts 65-625 fire damage to enemies in the vicinity, repeating every 3 seconds.
[Enchantment Slot]: Sandoku Wall Seal [Rank 4 Reinforcement]. Inflicts a stacking awanemuri poison effect every 6-10 seconds, a stacking genkizu poison effect every 2-8 seconds, and a stacking busu poison effect every 1-5 seconds to enemies, each stack lasting 10 seconds.
[Enchantment Slot]: Yabushin Wall Seal [Rank 2 Reinforcement]. Enemy healing is reduced by 30% and has a 8% chance to instead inflict damage equal to the amount it would have healed.
“What the hell is this?” cried Yamura. “It’s a freakin’ death trap!”
Seiki studied the descriptions. Even with only three Slots for Enchantment Seals, the Rogami Clan had chosen to go full offensive on their defenses.
The group shifted uncomfortably and the Bandits murmured among themselves. Seiki only recognized busu poison, which the Shadow Manor assassins had made their favorite option when they were trying to stab him in the back. The other two he had never heard of, and one of the ninja among the Bandits muttered something about it causing hallucinations.
Mairin frowned. “So what’s the strategy here?”
“Just run,” said Gin. “The effects should end right there before the painted panel. So we should be fine once we get to the stairs.”
Seiki looked at the man. The idea of taking three kinds of poison plus unknown random damage did not seem like the smartest way to start an invasion, which turned out to be a sentiment shared by the rest of the group.
“Okay, how good is your intel again?” said Chika doubtfully. “Are you sure there aren’t nastier enchanted panels behind that painted back panel?”
“I guess we’ll see pretty soon.” Gin chuckled as he glanced at his group. “Uh, okay… Uchirou, mad dash to the stairs to test it?”
Uchirou of the East City Bandits [Level 13] was a well-built man apparently in his thirties, a ninja, based on his lack of a bow, who did not seem at all amused. “No way in hell I’m doing that.”
Gin frowned. “You, then, Ruri?”
“Yeah, right,” came an annoyed reply.
Chika smiled. “How about you first, boss?”
“Come on, someone?” Gin shook his head in disappointment. “Seriously, I really don’t know why I pay your salaries.”
“You don’t,” said someone else.
Gin blinked, then grimaced. “Damn. No wonder.”
Seiki found Mairin looking at him from amid the group, an incredulous look on her face. Ippei appeared undecided whether he should be horrified or amused, while Yamura openly stared at Gin.
“Dude,” said the ryoushi.
The Bandits’ leader gave a shrug. “Well, seems like I’ve got to do everything myself.”
He produced a bottle of Guarded Swiftness Potion. Before Seiki had time to inspect its properties, the man drained it in one go and sprinted across the floor with surprising speed, his footsteps drumming on the wood floor as his figure blurred.
If the Enchanted Panels fired, there were no visible effects.
“All right. No more traps after this,” Gin’s voice called from the staircase. “Should be enough for you lowbies not to die. Just in case, Yuriko, heal people who are about to die, all right?”
“I’m a ryoushi not a healer!” yelled Yuriko of the East City Bandits [Level 15].
“No, don’t heal! It could backfire,” Chika cried. “Just drink your potions and go.”
Gin laughed heartily, and Seiki had a feeling the man was having as much fun riling his clan members as he was his guests.
Seiki took another look at the enchanted wall panels. Busu poison ticked the fastest, and was therefore unavoidable, but it was the standard ninja slowing potion and hardly lethal. The other two poisons he did not recognize, but as long as they cleared the first floor within a few seconds, the chance of getting them was also quite slim.
The braver of the Bandits had already run through the room. Seiki grabbed more energy than he needed and let loose a Slide, bursting across the hallway. He felt a flash of heat on his skin from the fire dam
age, but it took no more than a tenth of his health. Two poisons applied, but nothing his Blood Rush could not clear, and a second later he ended up crammed on the stairs with the rest of the Bandits who had made it. Following closely behind were his friends, who were already of decent levels, and none suffered any severe damage.
“Oh, that was easy,” said Yamura.
Seiki was also a little surprised by the lack of a challenge. That said, if they had to fight Rogami members on top of the poisons and periodical damage, the whole condition would make this just like what Yamura had called it: a death trap.
Gin smiled as he slowly moved up the steps to make room for his clan members. “Wasn’t bad, was it?”
“If you’re Level 18,” muttered someone from the group.
The Bandits were of lower levels and had fared slightly worse. One of the Level 12 ninja had a close brush with death as he happened to have drawn the maximum amount of fire damage and poison at the same time. The group’s two houshi, however, quickly refilled his health and Cleansed the poison.
Seiki was sure there were better ways to tackle the ground floor, and the Bandits were muttering complaints about bad strategies by their leader. One of them jokingly mentioned something about a vote to overthrow Gin, as they made their way up the stairs. Seven members raised their hands.
With some more potions, plus Marin’s Spirit Mend, the group was fully topped off again by the time they reached the second floor.
“Level two!” announced Chika triumphantly.
The second floor was a tatami area that stretched all the way across the whole width of the building. The stairs ended there, and Gin pointed toward the back panels on the opposite side. “Stairs to the top floor are hidden behind those.”
Seiki was starting to recognize the standard design: stairwells on different sides of the building to force invading enemies to go through more obstacles on each floor.
In the Rogami’s case, the obstacle was in plain sight. In the middle of the tatami floor hovered a specter of a swordsman. Slightly transparent, it exuded a grayish aura that seemed to distort the air around it. The ghost samurai was fully clad in black, its weapon, a nodachi nearly five feet long, strapped on its hip.