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(Note: This chapter is long than usual, please enjoy it!)
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-[Starlight Recoil Clan Building (Dorm Room - Hoshigari)]-
The sun never really set in Exo-Arcana Online—its world pulsed with magic and life twenty-four-seven, and today was no different.
Within the sleek, futuristic walls of the Starlight Recoil Clan's Clan Building, activity buzzed like a perfectly tuned machine. Makidon was off out in the Blacksmithing District, hammering out plans (and literal steel) for her new battleaxe and the rest of her Black Steel Gear. Yukinox remained on the second floor's Resource & Exploration Room, surrounded by holo-screens and catalogs of rare materials for crafting a custom Mecha Core. Sushi Slice was multitasking at her screen, juggling clan administration duties while sketching out blueprints for the perfect Odachi sword.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit, tech-stylized dorm room outfitted with glowing panels, sound-reactive lighting, and a floating smart mirror—Hoshigari examined his reflection.
"Hmmnn... I should probably get some proper lightweight armor. Or maybe new clothes?" he muttered.
"Well yes, something in black would suit you well," Noctatsu replied, lazily perched on the bed frame, cleaning his ninjato with one hand while chucking dead flies into his mouth from a popcorn-like bucket with the other.
"Maybe a black turtleneck?" Hoshigari tilted his head, squinting at his avatar's profile.
"Indeed. Perhaps paired with a dark brown leather coat. Rugged, mysterious, deadly. A true rogue aesthetic." Noctatsu clicked his tongue, flicked the ninjato back into its sheath, and crunched another insect.
"Yomotsuhana's tailor shops are probably overpriced and way too fashion-focused. Let's head back to Gloamhaven's Twilight Tradepost instead," Hoshigari decided, opening his inventory screen.
"What about your identity? Your face has been seen now. You're well known now, sir." Noctatsu raised a brow, scarf fluttering slightly as he stood.
"Oh, right… wait—hold up. I think I have something for that..." Hoshigari scrolled through his inventory menu, then smirked. "Ah-ha! Lucky drop from one of those Reanimated Bozo quests!"
-[Inventory Menu (!)]-
[Fox Holo-Mask of Unrecognition (Rare)]
"Boom. This baby'll make me unrecognizable." He flipped the shimmering, sleek dark blue holo-mask into the air and caught it with a grin.
"I see. Then while we're out, I'll remain stored in your inventory." Noctatsu hopped onto Hoshigari's shoulder, striking a mock salute.
"Let's hit the lobby," Hoshigari said, attaching the mask to his belt.
"Aye aye, captain," Noctatsu replied, adjusting his scarf as they stepped into the hallway.
Passing through the sleek common area, they spotted Sushi Slice multitasking in the kitchen, sandwich ingredients flying in all directions.
"Heya, Sushi!" Hoshigari waved.
"Hi Hoshi-san! I'm in a rush! Clan banners, logos, badges—so much to do! See you!" she called as she zipped toward the upper stairs with a plate in hand.
"See ya, Sushi!" he chuckled.
The pair rode the elevator down to the main lobby. There, Elodie sat on a metal bench, casually flipping through her phone while chewing gum.
She looked up. "Oh hey, Hoshi. Heading somewhere?"
"Yeah, shopping for clothes. Maybe testing new weapons. Mind opening a Torii Gate to Gloamhaven?"
"Sure thing," she said, hopping up.
Together, they approached the personalized Torii Gate—built with dark wood, mystic inscriptions, and shimmering arcane wards.
Elodie placed her palm against its frame. Magic pulsed from her fingers as the gate activated, swirling with deep purples and glowing blues, opening a rift back to Gloamhaven's alley near Twilight Tradepost.
Hoshigari unequipped his Spotter Goggles and replaced them with the Fox Holo-Mask.
[Face Equipment (Swapped) - Fox Holo-Mask of Unrecognition]
[+5 Bonus SP Added to Defense]
[+10 Bonus SP Added to Arcana]
[Bonus SP Added, Distributed & Changed!]
Perception: 135 (+5 {-20})
Defense: 50 (+24)
Arcana: 33 (+25)
Noctatsu looked him over and spoke dryly, "It looks uhh... great on you... sir..."
Elodie chuckled awkwardly while scratching her head. "Yeah… definitely not weird at all."
Hoshigari facepalmed. "Look, I know what it looks like. Just… work with me here."
"What if they recognize your clothing?" Elodie asked, popping another gum piece in her mouth.
"...Damn. Good point. How am I not more prepared for this?"
She handed him a small glowing item. "Here. Spare Cloak of Concealing. Keep it."
[NPC Elodie handed over Cloak of Concealing {Trinket} (Uncommon)]
"Thanks a bunch, Elodie!" Hoshigari said, spinning the cloak onto his shoulders and drawing the hood.
[Cloak of Concealing Added to Trinket Slot 2]
His figure now covered in a jet-black cloak, Hoshigari gave Noctatsu a nod. The ninja frog smirked and dematerialized back into the inventory with a ripple of digital light.
Elodie gave him a thumbs up. "Looking slick now. Let's go."
Together, they stepped through the Torii Gate, vanishing into the rift that led to the glowing bazaar of Gloamhaven (Twilight Tradepost).
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-[Gloamhaven's Twilight Tradepost]-
The swirl of the Torii Gate dimmed behind them as it shimmered shut, its final flicker swallowed by the ambient neon of Gloamhaven's bustling trade quarter. Lamps glowed like lanterns from a digital age, casting soft purples and icy blues across the cobbled pavement.
"So... these Torii Gates are in every town?" Hoshigari asked, adjusting the sleek Fox Holo-Mask of Unrecognition strapped across his face. His voice was muffled but curious, his cloak rustling lightly behind him.
Elodie, walking a pace beside him, tilted her head with a small grin. "Yes indeed. But only Oni—or more specifically, us Yomotsuhana Oni—can activate them. It's a bloodline thing."
"Hella cool," Hoshigari muttered, marveling at the gate one last time before turning back to the bustling street ahead.
They emerged from the alley into the vibrant chaos of Gloamhaven's Twilight Tradepost. Players roamed freely—some flaunting shimmering armor, others in eccentric fashion. No one gave Hoshigari a second glance.
He smirked under the mask. "Guess this cloak and mask do work, huh?"
"Indeed! You're unrecognizable. Alright, you lead. I'll follow," Elodie said, clasping her hands behind her back with a light hop.
Pulling up his Digi-Map, Hoshigari found his target. "Let's see... ah! Noxstitch & Co. Just a couple steps from here."
[Credits: 1,997,614,740]
Navigating the crowd with ease, they soon arrived at a minimalist store with smooth obsidian walls and glowing thread patterns etched across the windows. Inside, Noxstitch & Co. felt like a mix between high fashion and a secret agent outfitter.
Hoshigari made a beeline for a rack. "Here's that black turtleneck sweater. Cheap as Noct said."
[Purchased Black Turtleneck Sweater - 20 Creds]
He stroked his chin theatrically. "Now for pants... maybe glasses... a chain, perhaps? Gotta look the part."
[Purchased Silver Star Chain Necklace - 15 Creds]
[Purchased Dark Red Pants - 10 Creds]
[Purchased Silver-Framed Circular Glasses - 5 Creds]
Moments later, Hoshigari stood before a mirror, striking over-the-top poses like a mock runway model. "Yup, the fit goes hard. Hella clean!"
Elodie chuckled, thumbing through a rack of pastel frilly outfits. "Sir, how about formalwear? You'll need it for clan parties and events."
"Hmm... good point." He scanned the store again.
A mannequin caught his eye: a white dress shirt paired with a black vest, slim black formal pants, and crisp white shoes.
He squinted at the price tag. "Damn. That's steep for newbie players... good thing I'm not a newbie." He chuckled under his breath. "I mean... I do have a billion creds."
[Purchased White Dress Shirt - 150 Creds]
[Purchased Black Formal Vest - 300 Creds]
[Purchased Black Formal Pants - 150 Creds]
[Purchased White Formal Shoes - 250 Creds]
Total Price Paid: 900 Creds
[Credits: 1,997,613,840]
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The door of Noxstitch & Co. swung shut behind them.
"And that's that for the clothes. Useful money spent!" Hoshigari declared, adjusting the newly-bought cloak around his shoulders with a satisfied grin.
Elodie, walking beside him with her own cloak swaying with each step, gave a nod of approval. "Yes, the clothes you bought looked great on you. Very stylish, and definitely cheaper than Yomotsuhana's prices. Is there any other place you'd like to check out while we're here?"
Hoshigari opened up his Digi-Map, mumbling to himself as he zoomed in on nearby districts. "Hmm… trinkets come in real handy. Might wanna stock up. Let's see… Ah, there. Whimwhittle's Trinketry—it's not too far."
Without another word, they started heading through the cobbled streets of Gloamhaven. The shops bustled with players and NPCs alike, vendors shouting out special discounts, and the sound of clanging armor mixing with the faint melodic hum of background music from nearby street performers.
As they walked, Hoshigari took note of something subtle yet strange—the mist that once blanketed their feet in the streets of Gloamhaven was gone. Completely.
He kept that thought tucked away.
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-[Whimwhittle's Trinketry]-
The entrance bell jingled with a soft ring as they entered the quaint little store. It had a cozy, wooden interior, with shelves packed with sparkling, strange, and enchanted trinkets. It almost resembled Byte Sanctum back in Yomotsuhana—but here, everything felt older, more antique, and warmly nostalgic.
A gentleman's voice echoed from behind the counter.
"Hello, Fateforgers! Welcome to my humble little trinket shop!" said the shopkeeper, a spry, gnome-like man with a curled mustache and glimmering monocle. "I am the owner, Whimwhittle. Please, browse freely and let curiosity guide you!"
Elodie brushed a few strands of white hair from her face as she examined the displays. "These prices are much cheaper than what's sold in Yomotsuhana. Of course, back home, our trinkets are rarer, more powerful… but they do come with the burden of steep pricing."
"Good to know! Might take a detour there someday," Hoshigari replied cheerfully. He dove into the displays, browsing shelf after shelf until his fingers landed on exactly what he was looking for.
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[Buster Feather Charm {Trinket} (Rare)]
(Effect: Increases overall damage dealt by 15% when in mid-air or airborne)
Price: 450 Creds
[Purchased]
"Great for mid-air battles"
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[Short Focus Crystal Earring {Trinket} (Rare)]
(Effect: Reduces cooldowns of all abilities by 5%.)
Price: 300 Creds
[Purchased]
"This'll be great for shortening the cooldown time of my skills"
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[Wrath Dragon's Tooth Charm {Trinket} (Epic)]
(Effect: Boosts physical attack power by 20% when under 30% health.)
Price: 1,800 Creds
[Purchased]
"This is especially especially great and helpful when I need to go in my Pistol Whip Stance"
Total Price Paid: 2,550
[Credits: 1,997,611,290]
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"Good to go, sir Hoshi?" Elodie asked as she popped a gum candy into her mouth and blew a light bubble.
"Yup! We're all set. Let's dip!"
They waved goodbye to the cheerful shopkeeper. "Come again, friends! May your journey be blessed with beautiful baubles!"
Back on the street, Hoshigari immediately flicked open his inventory menu and slotted in his newly purchased gear.
[Buster Feather Charm {Trinket} (Rare) Added to Trinket Slot 3]
The charm is shown to be hanging from Hoshigari's belt
[Short Focus Crystal Earring {Trinket} (Rare) Added to Trinket Slot 4]
The Crystal Earring is shown to be hanging from Hoshigari's right ear
[Wrath Dragon's Tooth Charm {Trinket} (Epic) Added to Trinket Slot 5]
The charm is shown to be hanging from Hoshigari's belt
Stretching with a satisfied yawn, Hoshigari raised his arms toward the sky.
That's when Elodie narrowed her eyes. "Hey… Hoshi. Is it just me, or has the fog that used to cover all of Gloamhaven completely disappeared?"
"Nope. Not just you. I noticed it earlier. Something's off. I wanna check out the Veilkeep Hall—see if anything's changed."
"If you say so," Elodie said, blowing another bubble that popped with a casual snap.
Together, they headed off with quickened steps as they strolled their way back to the Veilkeep Hall...
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-[Gloamhaven's Veilkeep Hall]-
The heavy twin doors of Veilkeep Hall open with an echoing groan as Hoshigari and Elodie stepped through the polished archway. Inside, the warm interior glowed under the charm-lights suspended mid-air. At the reception desk, Addie was furiously typing away on her holo-keypad, her attention buried in her workflow.
"Hello, Addie?" Hoshigari waved casually, trying to get her attention.
The moment Addie turned around and glimpsed the fox-themed holographic mask, her eyes widened. Recognition struck instantly. Her voice rose in a sudden burst of excitement.
"OH! IT'S YOU! FATEFORGER HO—"
SHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
In a comedic flash, Hoshigari dashed forward and slapped his hand over her mouth, eyes wide. "I'M TRYING TO KEEP MY IDENTITY A SECRET!"
Addie blinked, nodded frantically. Once he removed his hand, she leaned back, composing herself with a sheepish chuckle.
"Ahem. Sorry. It's just... after you and your friends defeated one of the Apex Paragons, a couple days passed and—suddenly—the eerie fog that covered all of Gloamhaven dispersed! We can finally hold night festivals again! Everyone's talking about it. So, thank you!"
Hoshigari paused for a moment, eyes lifting as realization hit him as he thought. "Ohhhh... so WE did that, huh?..."
Addie continued, beaming. "And as promised, the first people who figured out how to disperse the mist would be handsomely rewarded! The Hall Manager already gave me the go-ahead to give you your share of the prize. So here you go!"
With a dramatic snap of her fingers, a full-screen holographic interface sprang up in front of Hoshigari, raining golden light and digital confetti.
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-[Rewards for dispersing the Gloamhaven fog - Event Accomplished]-
[Gained - +35,000 XP]
[Level 34 >>> Level 40 (LEVEL UP!)]
[Ranger Level 30 >>> Ranger Level 30 (Current Max - Reach Level 99 to Rise)]
[Fixer Level 25 >>> Fixer Level 30 (Current Max - Reach Level 99 to Rise)]
"Woah! Both my Class & Sub-Class Levels are at their current Max! Huh... I have to reach Level 99 to... Rise? Eh... Alright then..."
[Gained - 1,000,000 Creds]
[Credits: 1,998,611,290]
[Gained - +80 SP]
[Gained - 100 Energy Cells]
[Gained - 50 Crimson Energy Cells]
[Gained - 100 Refined Wood]
[Gained - 100 Refined Stone]
[Gained - 200 Copper]
[Gained - 100 Refined Bronze]
[Gained - 100 Refined Steel]
[Gained - 50 White Steel]
[Gained - 50 Black Steel]
[Gained - 100 Refined Iron]
[Gained - 100 Refined Gold]
[Gained - 50 Refined Platinum]
[Gained - 30 Refined Diamond]
[Gained - 10 Upgrade Orbs]
[Unlocked Titles!]
[Gained - "Hero of Gloamhaven" {Title}] (Dispersed and cleared the fog of Gloamhaven. Special Effect: Permanent price discount of purchaseable items in Gloamhaven & the Twilight Tradepost)
[Gained - "Unique Boss Slayer" {Title}] (Defeated an Apex Paragon)
[Gained - "The One Who Put The Restless Ghost Knight To Sleep" {Title}] (Defeated Vhalzakyr, The Restless Revenant)
[Gained - "Unique Equipment Holder" {Title}] (Gained a Unique Rarity Equipment)
[Gained - "Ranger Extraordinaire" {Title}] (Reached Class-Level 30 with Ranger)
[Gained - "Up To Class" {Title}] (Reached Class Level 30)
[Gained - "Fixer Extraordinaire" {Title}] (Reached Class-Level 30 with Fixer)
[Gained - "Up To The Sub-Class" {Title}] (Reached Sub-Class Level 30)
[Gained - "Credit Millionaire" {Title}] (Gained a million Credits)
[Gained - "Credit Billionaire" {Title}] (Gained a billion Credits)
[Gained - "Starlight Recoil Clan's Member" {Title}] (Become a member of a clan)
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"WOAH... TOO MUCH REWARDS AND INFORMATION SHOVED INTO MY FACE! GODDAMN! I appreciate it, BUT DAMN!" Hoshigari flailed as he swiped the holographic screen away. "Anyways, I'd like to take on any available Super Boss quest, please."
Addie nodded excitedly. "Ah, sure thing, hero fateforge—"
"Please don't call me that," Hoshigari cut in with a groan.
She continued anyway. "—We have a quest available right now. Super Boss Extermination - Rudra-King Bee."
"Alright, I'll take it. Thanks!" Hoshigari grinned as he pressed the glowing 'ACCEPT' button.
Elodie tilted her head with a curious blink. "We're going straight into a Super Boss now, huh?"
"Yep," Hoshigari replied, flipping both arms out as twin golden submachine guns shimmered into his hands—Solstice & Equinox, his twin golden Mac 11s. He gave them a confident twirl before holstering them smoothly.
[Left Handed & Right Handed Weapon (Swapped) - Solstice & Equinox]
He cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulder with a cocky grin. "Time to give these babies their debut."
"Understood," Elodie said with a nod, her greatsword slung across her back, a smirk tugging at her lips.
The two stepped out of the Veilkeep Hall, golden light casting dramatic silhouettes as the doors slowly shut behind them. Their next destination: the domain of the Super Boss—Rudra-King Bee...
...
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-[Honey Stretched Woods]-
The name said it all.
A golden forest coated in shimmering viscous sweetness—where tall trees stood with their trunks lacquered in honey, and sticky strands stretched from leaf to leaf like a natural web spun by bees. Even the ground pulsed with an amber sheen, the very soil slathered in syrupy mire.
"Yeeeuuuck, it's a honey-splurged forest..." Hoshigari grimaced, ducking beneath a long strand of honey stretched between two trees like a gooey tripwire.
"Uhh... I think I stepped on the honey..." Elodie muttered in disgust. She tugged her foot upward only for a stringy trail of honey to snap between her slipper and the earth. "Ugh, it's stuck on my slipper! Eww!"
"Oh! There's a clearing up ahead! Let's move! But seriously, watch where you're steppin'!" Hoshigari called out, zigzagging forward as he avoided puddles and strands of the sticky golden goo.
"Eww! Ugh! Coming!" Elodie called out, trying to rub off the honey clinging to her sole with every step.
They broke through the tree line and into a clearing.
Silence.
Nothing but a wide circle of soft, untouched grass rimmed by honey-coated trees.
"Where is that damn bee boss?" Hoshigari muttered, eyes darting side to side, finger twitching near the trigger of his holstered Mac 11s.
"I can't see the Super Boss either..." Elodie murmured, pulling down her hood and scanning the area. Her silver-white hair glinted in the muted forest light.
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A shadow stretched beneath them—growing larger.
Closer.
WHOOOOM!
"MOVE!" Hoshigari roared.
He dove forward in a slick dolphin dive. Elodie jumped away at the same time.
BOOOOM!
A colossal crash shook the ground. The earth quaked as the massive Rudra-King Bee—a terrifying fusion of genetic monstrosity and cybernetic engineering—slammed its towering drill-like stinger into the spot where they had just been.
Its wings hummed with a bassline of death.
Hoshigari twisted mid-roll and immediately unleashed a volley of black-and-white bullets from Solstice & Equinox. The storm of rounds peppered the bee's armored plating, sparking against the metal and denting its sleek body.
Elodie spun, and removed her cloak as it dematerialized in mid-air.
She spat out her gum and yelled, "YAH!"
FWOOOSH—CLANG!
With a mighty battle cry, her greatsword carved a devastating diagonal arc through the bee's cybernetic side, the force so strong it blasted the creature backward. It screeched in static and pain as it flipped over Hoshigari and slammed into the earth.
CRASSSH!
Hoshigari rose to his feet with a flourish, leaping forward and twisting to face the beast. "Noctatsu! Let's go!"
Noctatsu quickly re-materialized out from his inventory—and was now perched perfectly on Hoshigari's shoulder.
"Aye aye, Captain!"
The poisonous ninja frog unsheathed his shimmering ninjatō and was ready.
Hoshigari chambered fresh mags into Solstice & Equinox with a loud CLACK-CLACK!, standing beside Elodie as the Rudra-King Bee recovered.
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BATTLE START! SUPER BOSS - RUDRA-KING BEE
The massive bee hovered back into the air, its wings like chainsaws, its body covered in hexagonal plating. Its stinger revved like a drill, and its arms—one a massive scissor pincer blade, the other a high-output blaster—clicked and charged.
"So... it's a cyborg bee, eh? That explains the drill-stinger," Hoshigari smirked.
Elodie analyzed aloud, "Its arms are cybernetic. The right one's a modified scissor-blade. Left is definitely a blaster."
"Well, that just makes things more interesting. And more fun!" Hoshigari said, flexing his fingers and adjusting his gloves.
"Huh? Fun?" Elodie mumbled, side-eyeing him.
"Alright, listen—Elodie, you rush the flying bastard head-on with Noct!"
"Eh?" she blinked, surprised.
"Trust me. Noct'll help you with the opening. I've got the follow-up ready." He gave her a confident grin and a thumbs-up.
Elodie's lips quirked in spite of herself. Something about that grin was infectious.
"Alright then!"
Noctatsu hopped onto her shoulder with a ninja's grace. The two locked eyes for a moment.
"Let's go!"
"Right!"
With that, Elodie dashed forward, kicking up grass as she charged forward with Noctatsu on her shoulder.
The Rudra-King Bee shrieked a mechanical wail as it lifted higher—ready to engage the intruders who dared challenge it in its sticky domain...
The humid air thickened with buzzing tension as the Rudra-King Bee lunged forward, drill stinger roaring like a war engine. Its massive, cybernetic body zipped ahead with frightening acceleration, gleaming under glints of dripping honeylight.
"INCOMING!" Hoshigari shouted.
With a fierce yell, Elodie met the charging monstrosity head-on. She gripped her greatsword, swinging it in a crushing overhead arc. Steel clashed with steel as the blade met the spinning drill, the sheer force cracking the honey-slicked earth beneath them. Sparks flew.
Elodie gritted her teeth, struggling against the relentless rotation of the drill stinger. The pressure pushed her backward—until—
THUM-THUM-THUM!
The blaster on the Rudra-King Bee's left arm lowered, targeting Elodie point-blank. Three needle-like stinger rounds shot out.
"Noctatsu, now!" Hoshigari barked.
"Triple Aqua Shuriken!" the ninja frog called, spinning and tossing glowing shurikens from midair. They sliced through the oncoming stinger rounds mid-flight, creating a splash of azure mist.
"Tongue Whip!"
Noctatsu lashed out his long tongue, wrapping it tightly around the bee's thick neck actuator. With a war cry, he launched himself forward like a slingshot. But the RKBee's right arm snapped up, scissor pincer blades opening wide to sever the tongue.
CLANG!
"Not today! Fixer Skill: Circuit Lasso!"
Hoshigari's right palm emitted a glowing electric line—crackling like lightning—as it coiled around the scissor pincer just in time. The mechanism froze, grinding under the strain.
Noctatsu closed in and slashed across the bee's face, sparks spraying. With deft motion, he whipped around its back, coating his ninjato in his glistening purple poisonous saliva.
"Here comes the sting, ugly!"
SHUNK!
He plunged the blade deep into the RKBee's nape. The creature roared as toxins seeped into its systems, causing its movements to slightly falter.
Elodie seized the chance. With an explosive push, she knocked the drill stinger upward and followed through with a rising slash that sent it skidding backward.
BLAM-BLAM-BLAM!
The RKBee retaliated with a volley of stinger rounds from its blaster. Elodie batted three away with mid-air slashes, then darted sideways, weaving through the barrage like a leaf in the wind.
"Keep it busy, I've got its beehind!" Hoshigari called, already dashing in.
He opened fire with Solstice and Equinox, spraying black and white tracer rounds into the cyborg's exposed rear plating. The damage readings on his HUD spiked.
The RKBee whirled around in fury. Its scissor blade shot forward with blinding speed.
Hoshigari slid under, bending backwards to avoid the snap, narrowly avoiding the decapitation. Still sliding, he aimed up.
"Equinox Skill: Moonlit Lull!"
A soft pulse of jet black fired straight into the bee's face. The effect was instant. The RKBee's movements faltered, its systems lagging, and it began to spin in wild confusion.
"It's dazed! WATCH OUT!" he yelled.
The RKBee thrashed. Its drill stinger thrust erratically. Its pincer blades snapped like deranged jaws. Its blaster unloaded a storm of stingers in random directions.
Noctatsu clung to its back, legs splayed out like suction cups. "Whoa! I'm gonna hurl!"
Elodie flipped backward, greatsword spinning to deflect the stray stinger rounds coming at her.
Hoshigari ducked under a pincer swipe, dodged a spinning drill lunge, then switched to pistol whip mode.
CLACK! CLACK!
He parried two incoming stingers with pistol whips, then flipped backward twice and reloaded both guns mid-air.
Then the RKBee let out a shrill, mechanical SCREECH.
Its body exploded with crimson-orange energy, a pulsating aura of Rage.
"It's going RAGE MODE!" Hoshigari warned.
A shockwave burst outward like a volcanic eruption, launching Noctatsu off its back.
"NOCT!"
Elodie leapt and caught him mid-air, twisting as they landed in a three-point crouch. The earth trembled beneath them.
The Rudra-King Bee's Rage Aura burned around it, crackling with power. Honey sizzled off its limbs, and its stinger drill now rotated with chaotic velocity.
"Tch… That aura… It's like a miniature storm," Hoshigari muttered, standing tall.
He cocked both Mac-11s, a grin crawling across his face.
"Well then... let's give a damn good show."
The Rudra-King Bee hovered menacingly, drill stinger spinning, cybernetic arms whirring with anticipation. Its rage mode had officially kicked in, and the surrounding Honey Stretched Woods trembled with tension.
"It's gettin' pissy!~" Hoshigari commented with a devilish grin, flipping Solstice & Equinox back into shooting stance.
The mechanical monstrosity spun rapidly in mid-air, releasing a streaking spray of golden honey from the barrel beneath its drill. The sticky substance webbed out like molten spider silk, carpeting everything it touched. Elodie dodged with a nimble sidestep, but Hoshigari wasn't so lucky—his boot landed right into a puddle of honey.
[Slowed (10 seconds)]
"Tch—sticky trap... Damn, don't step on the honey! Slows you down!" he called out.
"Understood!" Elodie and Noctatsu replied in unison, becoming hyper-aware of their footing.
The RKBee descended and surged toward Hoshigari. He dived into a shoulder roll just in time, narrowly avoiding a brutal impalement as the bee slammed through a tree trunk. Without missing a beat, Hoshigari twisted his body and opened fire with both pistols, peppering the RKBee's path with black and white bullets. Sparks flew.
It vanished into the woods, only to erupt back into the clearing from another direction—this time targeting Elodie and Noctatsu. "Heads up!" Noctatsu shouted.
Elodie spun around and met the charge with a powerful sidelong slash, her greatsword carving a clean line across the bee's armor. It shrieked and veered off, crashing through more trees.
Again and again, the RKBee repeated this attack pattern—rushing in from different angles like a high-speed predator. Three passes for each party member, each time narrowly dodged, each time met with retaliatory strikes. It was relentless, a whirlwind of motion and malice.
Then it stopped.
The Rudra-King Bee hovered dead center of the clearing. This was the eye of the storm.
"Showtime," Hoshigari muttered.
He charged. Solstice & Equinox roared to life, raining hell on the RKBee's body. The boss locked onto him, and in return fired a volley of overheated stinger rounds.
In a flash, Hoshigari flipped Solstice into a Pistol Whip stance. He deflected one round, then another, while Equinox laid down suppressing fire. Bullets clashed mid-air with deadly precision.
As he neared the RKBee, it launched its drill forward. Hoshigari double-jumped, sailing high above the lethal thrust. But the danger wasn't over.
WHOOSH!
The cybernetic scissor-pincer arm lunged up toward him. Just before it could snap him—
"Solstice & Equinox Skill: Eclipse Step!"
He blinked upward mid-air, phasing out of harm's way. Then—
"Solstice Skill: Sunlit Flash!"
A radiant burst fired from Solstice, slamming into the RKBee's eyes. It shrieked, blinded.
"Now!!" Hoshigari roared.
He floated mid-air, crossing his dual pistols and pointing both of it's barrels towards each other, channeling immense energy.
"Solstice & Equinox Skill: Totality Cannon!"
A swirling sphere of light and darkness began to form, merging and expanding like a singularity. Meanwhile, Elodie did her thing right behind the RKBee.
"Noctatsu! On my blade!"
"Roger that!"
Noctatsu leapt from her shoulder to the edge of her greatsword. With a grunt, she launched him high into the sky like a projectile. Then, Elodie used her Greatsword Warrior Skill: Heavy Dash as she reached close behind the RKBee as she activated her ultimate:
"Myth Spirit: Tarasque!"
A monstrous spectral beast manifested behind her—lion's head, 6 legs, turtle shell, serpent tail and massive claws. It roared with seismic fury.
Elodie unleashed:
"Tarasque, Cataclysm Cleave!"
A devastating, flame-edged arc erupted from her greatsword, crashing diagonally across the RKBee's back. Metal and circuitry flew. Two wings were severed.
Noctatsu screamed downward from the sky, venom-bladed ninjato poised.
"Full Launch: Venom Bladed Severance!"
With perfect precision, he sliced clean through the nape—decapitating the Rudra-King Bee.
The boss's body jolted and convulsed—
BOOM!!!
An explosion of fury, flame, and honey rocketed outward.
[Health: 90/150]
Hoshigari was thrown back, rolling across the ground with smoking clothes.
Elodie slammed down onto her butt with a thud.
Noctatsu? Sent flying like a cartoon frog missile until—SPLAT—his face smacked directly into a honey puddle.
Silence.
Then—
"HAH! WE GOT THAT DAMN CYBOR-BEE!" Hoshigari whooped, thrusting a fist into the air.
He stood, brushing off honey and dirt. Elodie trudged back toward him, rubbing her aching rear.
Noctatsu peeled his face off the sticky ground. "...I guess the honey does taste good," he muttered, trying to shake the goo off.
"You earned that taste-test, Noct," Hoshigari chuckled.
Together, the trio stood over the smoldering remains of their cybernetic cyborg foe. Victorious.
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-[Super Boss Extermination - Rudra-King Bee - Quest Completed]-
[Gained - +2,500 XP]
[Gained - +500 XP Bonus (Extermination in Rage Mode)]
[Level 40 >>> Level 41]
[Gained - 2,000 Creds]
[Credits: 1,998,613,290]
[Gained - +35 SP]
[Gained - 30 Vials of Honey {Material}]
[Gained - 15 Bee Meat {Material}]
[Gained - 10 Mechanical Scraps {Material}]
[Gained - Drill Stinger {Super Boss Drop Material}]
[Gained - 20 Stinger Rounds]
[Gained - Stingvoker Hand-Held Cannon (Rare)]
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Well, it's hella certain that these two golden babies feel great to hold down their triggers!" Hoshigari grinned, spinning Solstice & Equinox in stylish circles before locking them into their holsters with practiced ease. A notification pinged in his HUD, flashing his current health.
[Health: 90/150]
"Get a bit closer," he called to Elodie and Noctatsu, gesturing them over. "I'll patch us all up."
They stepped in, and Hoshigari extended his hand, activating his Fixer Skill.
"Fixer Skill: Patch Up Circuit "
A radiant green circuit pattern glowed and stretched across the ground and spread like circuitry veins through the ground to the other two. Their wounds rapidly healed, shimmering particles sealing cuts and revitalizing energy.
[Health: 150/150] [Elodie HP: 235/235] [Noctatsu HP: 110/110]
Just then, Elodie's in-game phone vibrated with a new notification. Her eyes scanned the message and narrowed. "My father has requested the clan's assistance. We need to head back to Yomotsuhana."
"Alrighty then!" Hoshigari replied, already stretching his limbs like he was ready to start another boss rush. He began to turn toward the path back to Gloamhaven—until Elodie raised a brow.
"You do realize you can just use the clan key, right?"
"Oh... right," Hoshigari chuckled sheepishly, reaching into his inventory.
[Used Starlight Recoil Clan's Building Clan Key]
Noctatsu bounded back up to Hoshigari's shoulder with a cheeky hop, and Elodie lightly placed a hand on his back. A vortex of amethyst light burst beneath them, swirling upwards into a dome of glimmering energy. In a flash, they vanished.
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-[Hidden Oni Kingdom of Yomotsuhana (Starlight Recoil Clan Building)]-
A surge of violet light spiraled through the ornate teleportation pad in the center of the clan lobby as the trio rematerialized with a crackle of ethereal static. Elaborate architecture of ivory stone, accented by glowing neon glyphs and majestic oni statues, greeted them.
Elodie immediately removed her cloak and moved to the announcement board beside the receptionist counter, as Hoshigari removed his Cloak of Concealing and unequipped his Fox Holo-Mask of Unrecognition and reequipped his Spotter Goggles.
[Face Equipment (Swapped) - Spotter Goggles]
[+20 Bonus SP Added to Perception]
[Bonus SP Added, Distributed & Changed!]
Perception: 135 (+25)
Defense: 50 (+19 {-5})
Arcana: 33 (+15 {-10})
Her fingers glided over the interface as she composed a directive message.
[Clan Alert: All founding members, report to Onibashira Palace. The Lord has summoned you for urgent assistance.]
A soft chime echoed throughout the clan building as members received the call to action. Within moments, the lobby buzzed with movement.
From the elevator, Yukinox stepped out in her sleek armor, her armored boots clinking with soft metal notes. Beside her, Sushi Slice adjusted her katana sheathes and walked in quiet sync, her flowing hair swaying with grace.
Hoshigari nodded and exited the building with Yukinox and Sushi Slice following behind him, Elodie trailing behind him. A brief nod passed between them.
Without a word, Yukinox snapped her fingers.
[Mount Summoned: Aqua Fang Wolf]
A burst of glacial mist spiraled into the street, and her majestic wolf entirely made out of water mount materialized—muscular, sleek, and shimmering like ice in moonlight. She mounted it swiftly, and Sushi Slice gracefully seated herself behind.
Not missing a beat, Hoshigari twirled his fingers and snapped.
[Mount Summoned: Nebula Stride Ichiban Grav-Motorcycle]
A swirl of starlight exploded into the road, unveiling the sleek, futuristic grav-motorcycle with glowing violet, red, and yellow rims and twin boosters that pulsed like beating hearts.
He vaulted onto the seat, and Elodie climbed behind, wrapping her arms around his sides. Hoshigari revved the engine once—
VRRRRRMMMMMMMMMMM!!
—before shooting a grin over his shoulder. "Hang on tight!"
The two rides sped off, leaving shimmering trails behind as they dashed and rocketed toward the Onibashira Palace.
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