Scene 116

Zash

Are these all fans of yours, Lara? Jeez, you really are popular.

Lara

Are you trying to piss me off?

Stina

What a huge crowd, just to get one look at you... No wonder you had a stalker problem.

Musoh

Say, Lara—speaking of stalkers...

Lara

Yeah?

Musoh

Back when we found you, you said, "This time, you'd better actually save me." Were you with someone else before we came along?

Lara

I was!

Lara

I ran into that cave to get away from those awful stalkers. But I quickly found myself surrounded by impossibly strong enemies. That's when he showed up!

Musoh

And who was this mystery man?

Lara

No clue! All I know is he was way too strong for such a wimpy-looking guy.

Zash

And you're so pissed off because...?

Lara

He swooped down, killed every last beast... then disappeared without even saying a single word to me. I mean, does he not know who I am?!

Zash

Seriously?

Stina

He sounds incredibly skilled...

Lara

Tch, that pompous purple punk! White-haired weasel!

Wait, purple...? With white hair?

Lara

Yes. He was wearing purple and he had white hair.

And.. he was really strong, right...?

Was that player named Cal by any chance?

Lara

I didn't even have time to get his name. Seriously, he just went "poof," gone in a flash!

Musoh

Who's this Cal guy?

One of the strongest players to take part in the beta.

Stina

I've heard of him! During the beta, some players got so obsessed with him that they started mimicking that hand gesture he always makes.

Stina

Um... What was it again?

Something like this, right?

Stina

Ah, that's exactly it!

Musoh

Hm... You know him, then?

Yes. We're friends—

Oh, right! That means I can try messaging him!

Lara

That really isn't necessary.

Hm... No response. And I don't see him on the map anywhere. Could he be in a dungeon? If we had his help, this quest'd be a lot easier.

Zash

I don't doubt it. Man, that last dungeon was no joke. And I don't see things getting easier for us any time soon...

Lara

If anyone's going to protect me from here on out, they'll need to be at least as strong as he is.

Lara

And I'll probably need protection on the 3rd Floor when I head for Dessel. I'm planning on performing there soon.

Musoh

The 3rd Floor? Huh, I thought the raid party was still working on fighting through the 2nd?

Lara

They are. But my tour manager found a guide book with info from the beta. It says that Dessel has a breathtaking concert stage—and I plan to put it to use.

Zash

Hang on... Does that mean we're in for an escort mission until we get you to the 3rd Floor?

Lara

Hey, you saw what I have to deal with out there. What if another group of weirdos comes after me? Besides, even if you say no, I'll follow you all anyway.

Zash

Listen, we're kinda in the middle of a super-important quest... The last thing we need is to babysit you.

Lara

Mind not treating me like I'm completely useless? I just wanna find that white-haired guy, and I think you do, too.