synflux | ( closed ) here we are now, entertain us

[ Jinwoo's shadow soldiers might listen to him without any issues but their affinity for Lapis is... interesting, to say the least. At the same time, maybe he understands it, more or less—her presence really is soothing. Not to mention it's a huge relief that he doesn't have to hide their existence.

Even if people from numerous different worlds were asked to join LILITH's cause, Jinwoo still would rather avoid being called a monster. ]

Yeah, something like that. I'm glad you don't have to worry about them, though.

[ On the other hand, there's no guarantee that Lapis' world is peaceful. Jinwoo realizes that he'd like to hear more about it. ]

I'm really good at annoying my little sister, but I'll try to behave.

[ He offers both Sylvia and Cassie an awkward smile. Maybe he'd try to pet Louis too, but Jinwoo's hunch is telling him that the hellhound wouldn't appreciate that. ]

Ten years... [ That's quite a while. ] What were you up to back in your world?

[ While Lapis has always had a strong affinity for spirits and the undead, it's a relief that his soldiers are so relaxed around her. Hopefully it also gives Jinwoo one less thing to worry about, knowing his soldiers are able to be out and relaxed around someone.

Though she does start to wonder what his world must be like, if he needs summons like this and there's things like 'dungeons'. And considering his focus on getting stronger... It doesn't sound like a peaceful place.

But Lapis will let herself flop onto the ground by one of the trees, casting her eyes upwards for a moment - admiring the view, before her focus turns back to him. Hearing that he's an older brother does make her smile softly, glad to learn a little more about him. ]

Ah, I'm the opposite. I'm the younger sister, though my sister tried not to tease me too much. So I'm sure you can do the same.

[ At least Sylvia returns his smile, while both Cassie and Louis just... squint at him. They may be a little protective of their mistress.

And that question gets a blink, Lapis falling silent as she tries to think of the best way to describe it. She had nothing to hide, but how to word it in a way that doesn't sound unhinged... ]

Hmm... I was mostly dealing with more, ah, volatile spirits and demons. That's why I have these summons, to help me.

[ Sometimes she needed the help when something was trying to chew off her face. ]

What about you?

Maybe I'll tease you instead.

[ The worst line he could ever say? Right here. That's on him for using his one smooth line for this month. Immediately after saying it, Jinwoo can tell he's being Observed. Maybe rightfully so, to be honest. ]

Are there other people like you?

[ If she needs summons... well, it can mean anything—Jinwoo has his shadow soldiers but there are plenty of hunters out there. ]

I'm an E-rank hunter... it's the lowest rank. [ It might be too early to introduce the system without sounding like a maniac, though. ] In my world, gates pop up randomly all over the world and there are dungeons inside. If a dungeon isn't cleared within 7 days, the monsters can leave through the gate and cause chaos and destruction in the human world.

[ Since he hasn't talked for so long for a while, Jinwoo rests his hand on the nape of his neck and rubs it, a little flustered. ]

You gotta tell me how your world is like now.

[ ...

Lapis' brows slowly rise in response to that - this man sure does just say things huh. ]

Really? [ Said as flatly as possible, before she follows up with; ] Maybe I won't mind it so much if it's from you.

[ Time to speedrun making Jinwoo regret saying something. ]

There's a couple others like me. But one of them I've asked not to work with me anymore, it's too dangerous for her, and her older brother is... someone I don't get along with.

[ To put it mildly. It was only for the younger sisters sake that she hasn't done anything in retaliation for the grief that guy has given her, so she sticks to avoiding him.

But she perks up that little bit more as Jinwoo tells her more about himself and his world, even though her expression does become a little more tinged with concern. It sounds so dangerous, but she supposes it makes sense to bring people used to monstrous threats. ]

So I'm assuming there's more hunters like you to keep things safe... Though are you really the lowest rank? You certainly don't seem weak at all to me.

[ Especially not with what she can sense from him. But then she blinks again as he asks about her world, and she pauses for a moment - trying to think. ]

I guess... Maybe a little similar to yours? There's no gates or anything like that, but my role is helping to stop supernatural threats from hurting normal people. I tend to go after ghosts and demons, usually the vicious kinds priests can't deal with, though my grandmother has sent me in the direction of a cult that's trying to revive 'something'. That's what I was doing before I came here.

[ Speedrun successful because he didn't expect this kind of answer when he really should have seen it coming. ]

A couple... [ That sounds rather concerning, even if it's the pot calling the kettle black—Jinwoo is often fantasizing about just clearing dungeons alone, after all. ] What was the strongest spirit you've encountered?

[ Of course he asks about that. To be fair, as much as Jinwoo would like to ask about the girl Lapis has refused to work with and her brother, it might make him seem too nosy. ]

Yeah, there are governmental organizations that oversee the hunters and the gates and all that. There are a lot of procedures and laws regarding the dungeons. It's impossible to go alone, for example.

[ He... conveniently omits being the lowest rank part. His hunch is telling him that Lapis won't let him off the hook, but he can stall for time. ]

Maybe the cult thing can be solved while you're here. [ Reviving 'something' as well as everything Lapis has told him is duly noted. ] I hope I keep leveling up normally back home.

The strongest... [ Lapis trails off as she considers this. Technically, the spirit that first killed her would count - especially since she never properly got rid of it - but that's not something she's willing to talk about yet. ]

I guess... It was something I encountered in a hospital, a couple of years ago. Someone was trying to bring back their dead daughter but he messed up the ritual. What he brought back was something else entirely... It was a mess.

[ To put it lightly. Her words trail off for a moment, before she focuses back on Jinwoo; head tilting as she files this information away. That makes sense, if these gates tend to be widespread... ]

That sounds like the safest way to do it. You said these gates appear randomly... So does that even mean in cities?

[ Though she also notices he doesn't say anything about him being a lower rank, and she frowns just a little. He might be able to stall for time, but she's not forgetting this. ]

Maybe, but my grandmother said it was a... family issue. At most maybe I can learn some things here that might help. [ Will the knowledge be sent back to the her, back home, if she ever leaves? Who knows, but being here could help. ]

Leveling up... So you're able to get to higher ranks?

Their dead daughter...

[ Jinwoo repeats her words quietly and casts his eyes down for a moment. While he doesn't voice this thought, it's impossible to ignore that he's sympathizing with the man to an extent, even if his efforts were all for naught and put people in danger.

His thoughts drift to his mother. Maybe by now, she's already awake...

Jinwoo shakes his head. ]

Yeah, they pop up everywhere. Sometimes even in the middle of a road. It's really troublesome for normal people.

[ It's dangerous as well, but there's no need to emphasize that and worry her. ]

Do you want to find out what that was about? [ The family issue, he means. ] If you're stuck here, you might never know.

[ The opposite might be true too considering how advanced LILITH's technology is. ]

That's... you get assigned a rank once and there's no way to get a higher rank normally.

[ There's always reawakening, but one step at a time. ]

[ Lapis doesn't say anything more beyond that - it was a distressing situation, and the man was too far gone to even be allowed to pass on peacefully. The thing he summoned dug its claws in too deep, and there was nothing she could do beyond ending his suffering. At the very least, his daughter will be completely unaware of what had been done... ]

In the middle of the road? [ There's a pause, her brows furrowing all the more. ] So if that isn't cleared in 7 days, those monsters could get out...

[ In such a public place too, innocent people would be a risk. It may not be her world and she may never go there, but she can't help but be concerned. How is something like that even happening... ]

... I am a little curious, but I'm worried about what my grandmother meant. [ A cult trying to revive something is not something she wants listed under 'family issues'. ] But even if I never find out, I'll do my best to get stronger so I can deal with it... whenever I go back.

[ Who knows how that will work, but she's not one to sit idle either.

And his answer get another look, silence lingering for a moment or two. ]

... You're contradicting yourself. [ Sorry Jinwoo, but she is absolutely going to call you out. ] You said you level up, and there's no way you're weak either.

[ So it must be something that isn't normal. ]

Yeah, things can get ugly.

[ Lapis has connected the dots so easily that he doesn't think she even needs his confirmation. ]

Is she your only family? Your grandmother.

[ It took him a while to even ask this question since his gut feeling is telling him that it might be a difficult topic;even if he cherishes his family, there are different families out there. He knows what it is like to lose a parent, but he doesn't want to assume too many things just yet.]

We'll get plenty of chances to get stronger, I hope. [ Should he tell Lapis about the nanobots... he desperately wants the nanobots. ]

Busted... [ Jinwoo rubs the nape of his neck, embarrassed. ] I'll tell you one day, okay? About the leveling up thing. I don't even understand it myself.

[ That question makes her hesitate, if only because her family isn't the most... cheery topic. And Lapis has never liked thinking about her parents. ]

No, but she's the one who raised me most of my life. [ That should be enough, right? It's more than she's told most people and even saying that much feels a little depressing, honestly. ]

I've heard there's like... augmentations we can get too? [ You can tell her about the nanobots Jinwoo, she will understand why you want them so bad.

And there's a quiet huff at his admittance, but she's glad he was honest with her. Even if he isn't telling her the whole story, she won't pry beyond what he's willing to tell her. ]

Okay, tell me whenever you're ready. Your secret is safe with me, I promise. [ There's a rumble from the hellhound as he walks closer to his mistress, flopping to lay next to her; her hand automatically reaching to brush fingers through the fur. ]

And they'll keep it a secret too, of course.

[ Jinwoo notices that change in the atmosphere and leaves the family matters at that. Honestly, he can't shake off the feeling that he might have rushed things a little here. ]

I've seen that you can get injected with nanobots that would make you stronger physically and boost your endurance. I've tried to ask around how tough the previous kaiju fight was and it didn't seem like a walk in the park, so...

[ His eyes linger on Lapis for a while as he's pondering something. ]

You can buff my soldiers, but do you have any means of healing yourself?

[ Jinwoo just nods when Lapis reassures him—if he didn't feel like he can trust her, he wouldn't say anything in the first place. ]

[ Lapis is glad Jinwoo doesn't ask further, if only because she doesn't want the mood to dip. Maybe one day she'll tell him a little more, but it's not something she wants to dredge up right now - not when they're supposed to be relaxing and enjoying the blossoms.

And she nods along when he mentions the nanobots - it would make sense he would be interested in that, especially since he seems so focused on getting stronger. ]

That could be something to look into, then, if the kaiju are that strong. [ Then there's a blink, when he asks her that. Healing...? ]

Healing myself? [ There's a huff from the hellhound, a scoff that makes it clear that has never been a thing. Lapis throws a frown at her summon, deeply wounded he would out her like that, before she shakes her head. ]

I... No, I can't die so it's never been a problem.

[ Except she still suffers from minor issues like blood loss and collapsing from exhaustion. ]

[ Jinwoo knows what that scoff means almost immediately and after shifting his gaze to Louis for a moment, he looks directly into Lapis' eyes as he raises his hand and...

Pinches her cheek. ]

So this didn't hurt, huh? Because you can't die.

[ He's challenging this logic, Lapis!! ]

[ There's a blink as Jinwoo looks at her, watching as he raises his hand before -

- Squeaking and making a whining aaaah noise as her cheek is pinched. Louis, meanwhile, makes a sound that sounds suspiciously like a laugh. ]

It... It does hurt. [ Whiiiine. How dare her logic be questioned! ]

But I can ignore the pain!

[ Louis is Jinwoo's favorite now after he hears that laugh-like noise. ]

You can? [ If cheeks are not enough, he's going to pinch her nose, albeit lightly. ] So I can ignore pain too, right?

[ And Louis' approval of Jinwoo is only increasing. Lapis will be both glad Louis likes another person, but also upset about this betrayal later.

For now there's more whining as her nose is pinched. ]

Huh - No, absolutely not. [ ... Ugh. She knows where he's going with this. ]

... I-I've never had healing abilities anyway, so I just learned to ignore it. It's usually just me and my summons.

So... you can and I cannot. Interesting.

[ He's surprised that there's no counterattack. Or maybe even a little disappointed. ]

I can relate, but we need to get healing skills.

[ Jinwoo can heal his injuries passively, but it takes a while. Having some sort of an active healing skill would be much better. ]

[ A counterattack is no good when he's expecting it - ]

You have to take care of yourself. [ Lapis is very aware she's not heeding her own words, but caring for others came above herself. It doesn't matter if Jinwoo may be physically stronger than her. ]

But you're right, especially if what we're fighting against is pretty tough. Getting badly hurt in the middle of a fight wouldn't end well.

[ At least now she's in agreement, so all is well. And she lets the peace linger, before she reaches a hand for his face -

- To pinch a cheek and tug in retaliation. Very mature. ]

At least we don't have to do any fighting now.

[ While Jinwoo tries his best not to sound too disappointed, he used to spend a lot of time in the dungeons killing magic beasts, so it feels strange to be able to take a breather now.

When she notices Lapis shift her hand, he knows what's coming. It's tempting to simply pull away to dodge it, but in the end, Jinwoo does nothing and gets pinched. ]

You should use this attack on a kaiju sometime.

Hmm... I wonder if you're actually disappointed about that, though.

[ Based on what Lapis has learned of him so far, it does seem like Jinwoo would prefer if things were a little more hectic. Though it's not as if she's not a little restless as well - this much downtime is strange.

... And the fact he seems to be sitting there and letting himself get pinched is a little annoying. She's going to reach over to try to pinch the other cheek now. ]

If kaiju are really that big, I'm not sure it would be that effective. [ Tug, tug on both cheeks. ] Maybe on the smaller monsters though.

Honestly... it's disappointing.

[ Maybe it's pointless to hide it in the first place. Despite having his cheek pinched still, Jinwoo heaves a sigh as he looks up at the cherry blossom petals twirling in the air due to a gust of wind. ]

If LILITH didn't make sure that we remain in our respective worlds, I'd be furious. [ He didn't really understand how would that work at first, but a staff member explained it and even showed him the footage of what he was up to back home. It made the decision whether to help LILITH's cause or not much easier too. ]

I thought that we'd be fighting every day for some reason. [ Turns out that he was wrong. ] I hope it's not a calm before the storm.

[ He might want more opportunities to battle strong opponents, but not if it meant putting civilians in danger. ]

I'm sure there are opponents weak to pinching damage out there. You're going to show them their place.

[ While she's glad Jinwoo admits it, she's maybe a little annoyed at how he's just... talking as if she isn't pinching his cheek.

But that fades as she hums in agreement; she had been furious when she arrived, outraged to be taken from her home when something so dangerous was looming on the horizon. It was only after being shown the footage did she finally calm down and agree to help, though part of her couldn't bear to abandon the innocent people here either. ]

Maybe that's for the best, not everyone here seems ready for that. [ Lapis could probably do it, but it's probably best that people aren't getting exhausted and hurt everyday. ]

Considering it's been a couple of months since the last kaiju, we should be prepared just in case.

[ And then his words prompt another sigh, as she gives another tug on his cheek. ]

I would feel better if a certain someone would at least react a little more to pinching damage. [ ... Maybe he's ticklish. Is he ticklish? She'll jab a finger in his side to test that. ]

You're right. We'll see what happens.

[ The fact that most of the Outsiders have some kind of powers doesn't mean they're used to fighting monsters on a daily basis. Still, Jinwoo can't help feeling restless—if monsters appeared, he could beat them and it would be one step closer to finishing their mission here. ]

Ouch. [ When he's asked to react to pinching damage, he does just that... but it's al little stiff. At least the tickling attack is more effective and forces him to let out a brief laugh. ] Hey, looking for my weak points already?

If you get restless, maybe I can spar with you in one of my other forms sometime.

[ Lapis knows she isn't as physically stronger as him, but she should be able to put up a good fight in her possessed state. At the very least, it should help give him something to focus on.

And his "Ouch" gets a huff, her hand finally releasing his cheek. ]

That's just as bad as that dramatic gasp you tried to do before. [ Though that reaction to the tickling attack... Lapis observes him for a moment, hands hovering in the air as she considers.

Then her hands poke at his sides again, very much intending to abuse this new knowledge. ]

Of course. Isn't it best to find the weak points and then go for them as soon as possible?

[ He meant to ask about the other forms but the tickling attack is distracting AND effective. Jinwoo tries not to laugh too much and for the most part, he succeeds, but there's a wide smile on his lips. ]

So it's fine if I start looking for your weak points now?

[ Is he planning a counterattack? Definitely. ]

( closed ) here we are now, entertain us

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