AThousandCurses

Iris Ascendis

A veil of darkness swept through the auditorium. Chunji instinctively jumped back as the mannequin in front of him had suddenly disappeared into the mass of shadow. With his opponent now gone, Chunji tried to observe his surroundings once more. All he could see was the darkness and its appendages. It was clear to him that the one responsible for the shadowplay was the girl above him, though that didn't matter at the moment. From what he could make out, Gulliver was experiencing a breakdown to his psyche. Perhaps it was a contribution of stress and mana deficiency. Regardless, the other students were handling the situation, so he didn't pay it too much mind.

From what he could see, the auditorium's decorations had be more or less been destroyed by the fights. Splinters of wood, debris of stone, and shattered glass was all that remained. It was to be expected. The Knight's reckless charge made sure that at least the center row of the auditorum was completely destroyed. Dusting himself off, Chunji went off to search and sit down at any chairs that remained partially unscathed from the fight. That was after all their objective. Defeating Gulliver was optional.

Though despite that, Chunji didn't let down his guard. With Gulliver in the process of being subjudgated by the Knight the mannequins spread through the academy would fall limp. Students would storm into the auditorium and there were not enough chairs for them all, so a fight was bound to happen. Regardless, a respite from the fighting was much needed in currently. Retrieving his medical kit, Chunji began to treat his wounds.

Aside from the accumulating exhaustion, the wounds were rather moderate at the worst. If anything stepping on the wood chips on the floor was probably the most severe injury. Quickly disinfecting and bandaging that, the only fight that happened with him in the auditorium was the chef mannequin and even then he managed to avoid the worst of it. The owl boy, the shadow witch, the knight, and the marskwoman did their part for most part. And he did his.

Chunji took a deep breath and relaxed. The calm after the storm.

Iris Ascendis

Something pricked his mind, but Chunji didn't pay it any mind. The Knight had pulled out the replica of Gulliver from the Foreteller and all things broke loose. The light and darkness seemed to wage war on each other has a flash of light and a curtain of darkness kept contesting the area. It was disorientating with lights and shadow, but Chunji adapted to the situation. With everything said and done, his role seemed to be over for the time being. That was until a faint crush of wood crashed right beside him.

Another mannequin, but this was seemed much more powerful than the rest. Immediately, Chunji responded to it by blocking its kick with his blade. That was all he could do as the mannequin was a lot more agile, it's movements were a lot more odd. The constant fights, healing, and ethos usage were wearing down on the foreign student. However, with all things, this wouldn't be enough to stop him. With his eyes on the mannequin, his ethos peered inside the mannequin.

It had the same structure of the average mannequin, perhaps its core was slightly bigger, but that wasn't the purpose. Chunji studied the mannequin's movements. There was a pattern to every fighting style and this was no different. Unlike a human, a mannequin couldn't make observations on its opponent, only react to their actions. That was when Chunji made his move. He swung his blade at the mannequin but it only blocked it. He swung it again and it was blocked. Again and it was blocked.

Dodging the bull punches and striking in a state of repetition. Each strike hit the exact same place on the mannequin. His eyes told him that with every blow the wood began to weaken under the force of steel. Chunji raised his blade and the mannequin raised to block it. This time it was different. After all, Chunji put the full weight of his strength behind this strike. In one movement, Chunji shifted his stance. Ducking under the mannequin's next blow, he swung at the mannequin's weakened limb. Now behind the mannequin Chunji, without giving the mannequin a chance, swung his sword into its core. This was the end.

Iris Ascendis

So that was the core of the Foreteller. An exact replica of the summoner within the machination. The shortblade wouldn't be enough to pierce the thick metal to reach it. If he wanted to finish off the automaton, then he'd need everyone to strip off the armor plating before attempting to strike it. Though that was unnecessary as he didn't need to deliver the final blow. If anything his usefulness in dealing with automaton was made clear with his phantom blade being ineffective against the clockwork.

There were two options left. He could summon the Serpent Spirit. As he was a descendent of the Serpent Spirit, he was capable of summoning the spirit that was closest to the Dragon. Though every time he did, so always felt wrong. Chunji couldn't place it, but every time he performed the summoning something felt missing. Although the Serpent Spirit heeded his call, an unknown part of him screamed out. He didn't know why, but it felt wrong. Though that didn't matter now. Even if did summon the Serpent Spirit, it'd drain him of the rest of his essence and he'd have to work to control the spirit so it didn't run rampant.

Looking to assess the situation, the knight seemed to deal significant damage to the Foreteller, it started to regenerate itself with parts of the mannequins to restore itself. In the corner of his eye, he recognized a female destroying mannequins with ease. In the other corner, a boy with animalistic features was helping his friend. Chunji couldn't tell what was going on over there as he focus was drawn eleswhere. As another mannequin went down by his blade, cleared his throat.

That left Chunji was left one option. There were rare times that Chunji ever rose his voice, so he wasn't use to speaking loudly before. However, what came next boomed over the sounds of warfare. "Upon closer inspection, the Foreteller has its summoner, Gulliver Bronstel, inside the center of its being. Reasons are unknown. Suggestion, destroy the center of the Foreteller and attack the summoner that rests in its 'core.'" With that Chunji started to leave from his hiding place. There was no doubt that the attention would be placed on to him after revealing that vital information.

Stabbing through another mannequin, he grabbed it and used as a shield himself from another mannequin's attack. Then that mannequin was quickly as fell as it strike, arm stuck in its wooden peer's body. He needed to keep moving or else, the full attention of Gulliver would slam into him.

Iris Ascendis

Chunji watched the knight and soon after the markswoman entered the auditorium after she had gave him a strategy to go by. That's all he did at that minute, watch the two enter by themselves. Soon after more people had come in from the other side. As a mere bystander, Chunji watched it all unfold. The theatrics from the now known Gulliver Bronsteel to the onslaught of mannequins that came to confront them. It didn't seem like he needed to interfere until a giant clock giant appeared in the center in a beam of light.

The Foreteller, as it was called, seemed a little bit more troublesome to deal than the rest. It was an Ethos summon just like the martial artist from before. If Chunji would had to make a guess, the ethos summon had a speciality. Just like the martial artist's ethos summon that could dash to allies and repel enemy attacks, it must be the same case here. "Foreteller..." A being that is able to scry into the future. Similar to that of a shaman or oracle.

He pondered about its meaning as the mannequins came up to attack him. As more animate as they were, it didn't take long Chunji to pierce their cores with his sword. The few that attacked him crumbled to the ground. "What is inside also reflects the outside," Chunji muttered to himself. It was a quote that his father often recited to him. To know your opponent's character, you can understand what action they'll take. Chunji didn't get it.

"透过现象看本质." Activating the his Ethos a second time, Chunji peered into the Foreteller. He wasn't familiar with machines espescially ethos summons. Ducking behind cover as sharpnel passed by over his head, analyzed the foreteller. Biting his thumb, his mouth filled with droplets of blood. "蛇血呕吐幻象." Drawing out his hand from his mouth emerged a dagger. With a flick of his wrist, he threw it at the clock work giant's shoulder.

It was one of the basic curses, Chunji had been taught when he was younger. A phantom blade that'd strike through armor and sink into flesh. The spell's attack was mostly a mental one. It betrayed the mind's senses and cause the body to feel pain as if it were a real dagger. Would be effective on the Foreteller? Chunji didn't know, but he was willing to try anything.

Iris Ascendis

With the knight accepting his offer of partnership, Chunji didn't waste any time walking over and climbing onto her back. By the time he wrapped his arms around her clavicle, the knight had offered another girl a ride as well. Given the rifle she was holding, that girl was the one making all the gunfire. If Chunji was displeased with this arrangement, then it was hard to tell since he didn't seem care about either. "Head down the right walkway to reach the town square, then take a left. Upon reaching the first door, we've reached out destination." As it was his newly made partner's choice, Chunji felt that his input was not necessary in the matter.

"Additionally they're over a hundred mannequins and a singular male that seems to be parroting off words and gestures in the auditorium. Evidence suggests he may be the one controlling the mannequins." An impressive feat considering how many puppets the boy controlled. Even if they varied by quality and automated, it was no doubt that it required massive amounts of skill to do so. Even so, that did not deter from Chunji from progressing.

There were many ways to proceed with this situation. Chunji didn't care as long as they got into the auditorium, but the way there could be made more easier with the right steps. "Suggestion. We can help students along the way, so they'll be able to deal with the mannequin problem for us. Or, we could head straight there and deal with ourselves." The knight's firepower seemed be trustworthy enough. Judging by how she smited the elf, from what he assumed, and trampled down the mannequins like a tornado through a town, they might be able to do it by themselves.

The girl could also additionally hide herself and try to snipe the golemancer from afar while they distracted him. Her aim was immpecable in a situation like this. Though this had the general risk of the person tanking the bullets to face like that martial artist from before. Though it may still disrupt his focus with manually controlling the puppets.

Forming a few hand symbols, he placed his palm onto the knight. "梦的循环抚慰羊群," Immediately when he casted the spell, Chunji realized the spell had an unattended effect. Chunji felt his energy slightly drained away as it disappeared into the spell. A frown appeared on his lips as it did so. He recited the incantation correctly, but it had a different outcome. How frustrating, further study was required. The unattended benefit of this however was that not only was Iraleth's strength replenished, she was also strengthened as well.

Iris Ascendis

So, that was what the working of the mannequins were like. Chunji took note of this as he withdrew his sword from a now immobile wood doll and looked over towards the mage. Well, the former mage. After it had been hit by a bullet and beaten down by the charge of the winged knight, it crumbled down onto the ground. It struggled to get up, as if it were human, the stone that operated the mannequins appearing within to cast one last spell. The wishes wouldn't be granted as it fell back down lifeless, the magic that sustained the movement of the mannequins cracking and ceasing to exist.

Chunji eye's lingered on the broken doll, before turning towards the pathways. They were all swarming the entrances similarly to what happened at the bridge, but now they were relatively doing in a 'peaceful' way. Peaceful as in chaotically trying to push each other to get through the entrances. How inconvenient. Chunji took a glance around and shifted to the building. His ethos enabled to observe all parts of an object. The sections of a building were no different from a skeleton and a bone. Chunji used his ethos to identify which room was the auditorium and which path was the quickest.

From what he understood what an auditorium was, it was mostly a big space with chairs lined up for many personnel to sit down on. There was also a stage at the end of the room.

Upon locating the area that fit the description and memorizing the path, Chunji deactivated his ethos. Now all he needed to do was get there. The problem being was how. Before he was disabling people left and right since it was chaotic, but now everyone seemed to form a truce amongst each other and head into the auditorium. Though the answer was right in front of him.

Walking up to Iraleth, he extended his hand out to the taller knight. "Fly me to the auditorium. I know the general layout of the building and I will restore your strength." The words sounded commanding, but the tone behind them lacked any emotion behind it. A mixture of monotone and disinterest could be heard in his words. As he waited for Iraleth's response, Chunji tried to formulate the correct incantation for his spell. Sheep was the correct spirit for the incantation, if he believed. It was a spirit of gentleness and calm and a symbol of rejuvenation from rest. He would use that spirit as the basis of his next spell if Iraleth came to accept.

@Psyker Landshark@Sifr

Expedition to Isekai

Shun relaxed as Sasuke convulsions started to cease. Letting go of Sasuke, Shun got back up and stretched her arms and legs. "Not even close," She said. One problem had came and one problem had been solved. The energy, the thrill of the situation permeated her body. Asahi had started healing Yuki as well, so that meant he was going to wake up soon. All they needed to do was watch out for monsters and-

"Eh?" Ayana's voice reached Shun's ears. What was she saying? Confusion came in to replace the enthusiasm inside her as she looked at her blank faced friend. "Ayana?" Was all Shun could whisper. The girl's rambling continued and her words intensifying at every syllable. Shun didn't know what to do about this. Everything seemed to slowly click into her as she fully turned to face Ayana.

She kept on going on something a rock and how they were all blind to the things that she saw? Concern started to grow, but as much as Shun wanted to stop Ayana from spilling out those words, she couldn't. What should she do? It was clear even to Shun that this was an abnormal event. Watching as Ayana balled herself, Shun moved up.

She had to do something. Even though she couldn't offer much, Shun would at least try to offer the same comfort Ayana had before. Though she even unsure herself if her words can reach through whatever Ayana was going through. "Ayana," Shun said as she headed towards Ayana. Gulping down the hesitation that she didn't know she had, Shun tried to comfort Ayana.

"I don't know, what's going on with you, but please tell us, Ayana." Shun didn't know if she was doing the right thing. Shun had half considered knocking out Ayana, but would that even be the correct move. Unknowingly even to herself, Shun too grabbed a rock from the ground. Maybe an a subconscious attempt to calm herself down, but it didn't change the fact that Shun was now armed.

Iris Ascendis

To Rio, Chunji merely moved away from the elf once he had Rio's confirmation. No words were given to exchange with those that came Rio. All Chunji did was turn around and dash towards the enflamed entrance by the time Rio started talking. As Rio had said before only thirty-minutes remained before the deadline. Chunji was going to be the one to miss it. While the fires seemed intimidating to most of the crowd, Chunji had no such fears found within him.

"透过现象看本质!" His pupils started to dilate and shift. Now, Chunji was seeing into a different world. The flickers of the fire that danced were mesmerizing. It was hard to determine where would they move and where would burn. In the world Chunji was seeing, Chunji focused on the flames. Find an opening and exploit it. At the first flicker of an opening, Chunji threw himself through the gap. His clothes were singed and his unprotected foot grazed the flames. Just barely making at the end, Chunji found himself rolling on the ground to put out the flames, sword still in hand. He looked up.

His eyes shifted targets.

Iraleth would soon find mannequins that attempted to prevent her from getting to mage disarmed in the literal sense. Chunji weaved by through the wooden mannequins and cut down those who tried to obstruct him. His eyes were now focused on the internal workings of the wooden automatons. While his opponents were humanoid, they lacked the blood and bone of one. His knowledge in magic was also lacking, but he was aware that even cutting their head might not disable them.

So, he looked into them with his ethos. If there was a core that controlled the puppets, he would have stabbed through eacn and one of them. Regardless, these puppets had the ability to move which meant he could still cut through the joints. A flash of iron cut through as Chunji made his way to kill the puppet mage in the back.

@Psyker Landshark @Sifr

Iris Ascendis

Going wait on my response since Chunji is going to enter in a new scene soon. I'll let Psyker and Sifr post first.

Iris Ascendis

Poor Chloe. Who would do this?

Edit: Might have messed up. Oh well, let's see whether it is instanteous or not.