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Summary:

SAVOIR FAIRE [Formidable: Success] - That doesn't matter -- how you got here is irrelevant, what's important is what you're going to do *now*. You've been given a job -- you have to slay this lady, a 'Princess' apparently. You know what your first question here should be, right?

YOU - Is it whether this guy is just lying and I'm being ordered to kill an innocent woman?

SAVOIR FAIRE - No, it isn't that. What you need to ask is this:

SAVOIR FAIRE - How much are you being paid?

VOLITION [Challenging: Failure] - *This* agai--

SAVOIR FAIRE - Shut it, Crowny. The *entrepreneurs* are talking.

Notes:

!! NOTICE !!

ACCESS TO THIS CHAPTER PROVIDED TO HIGH NET WORTH INDIVIDUALS ONLY

!! NOTICE !!

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THE NARRATOR - You're on a path in the woods.

THE NARRATOR - And at the end of that path is a cabin.

THE NARRATOR - And in the basement of that cabin is a princess.

THE NARRATOR - You're here to slay her. If you don't, -

REACTION SPEED [Formidable: Success] - -- 'it will be the end of the world'.

REACTION SPEED - You *know* these words, despite never hearing them before. You are indeed walking on a path in the woods, and the light up ahead indicates there's probably a cabin too.

REACTION SPEED - No word on whether there's a basement or a princess, though.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] - Your leg wound proves to be uncomfortable but tolerable as you come to a stop from walking speed. There are hints of other pains as you flex your arms and legs -- it almost feels like... cuts, in your skin? Thin cuts across your chest, and a deep one over your heart. Doesn't feel too bad, honestly, and the sensation is already fading fast.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Trivial: Success] - You haven't been injured recently -- at least not seriously.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Easy: Success] - Gottlieb made it clear that paper cuts and bruised shins do *not* cut it as far as trips to the station lazareth go.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - You don't see any wounds on your body when you look under your shirt, cuts or otherwise. Only old scars.

ENDURANCE [Medium: Success] - Those stopped hurting long ago -- you've healed since receiving them, pretty well given the circumstances. You rarely notice the tightness of the skin around the patchwork these days.

THE NARRATOR - While I'm happy that you appear to already know the stakes of the situation, would it kill you to let me finish? This information is crucial to completing your upcoming task - it would be better to hear me out instead of making assumptions, trust me.

1. Sorry, sorry. I can barely rein in these guys even on a good day.
2. How *did* I know what He was going to say?
3. But where am I? Where is this? Who are *you*, and why can you hear my thoughts?

YOU - Sorry, sorry. I can barely rein in these guys even on a good day.

THE NARRATOR - That's quite alright, apology accepted. Now, let's get a move on to the cabin, shall we? Time is of the essence.

RHETORIC [Medium: Failure] - There's a lot not being said here -- but as for what, that's anyone's guess. Are you *really* just going to go along with this? At least ask Him some questions first, get some more information.

1. Where am I?
2. How did I get here?
3. Who are you?
4. The end of the world?
5. Nope, no questions. Let's go get this shit done. (Opt in.)
6. Hell no I'm not going along with this. (Opt out.)
7. Why does it feel like I've already asked all of these?

YOU - Why does it feel like I've already asked all of these?

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Easy: Success] - Deja Vu, the feeling of something new having been experienced before -- it's something you have encountered a *lot*, when your memories aren't clear enough to make sense of what's *actually* new and what isn't. You've tried to pilot through a conversation while under the assumption you knew the other party and been wrong more than once.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Easy: Success] - Or perhaps Jamais Vu -- have you been here before and forgotten? Is some new unseen force scrubbing things from your brain?

INLAND EMPIRE [Formidable: Success] - Both, and neither. You can't forget something that never happened, and you can't remember something that never will.

COMPOSURE [Formidable: Success] - The ghostly feeling of hands gripping your shoulders makes you stop for a moment -- but then it's gone.

THE NARRATOR - This is the first time we've met, so you definitely couldn't have been here before. While it's understandable to have apprehensions now given the magnitude of the task, I must again insist that you keep walking toward the cabin so you can slay the Princess - for the sake of everyone and everything.

REACTION SPEED - That phrase -- 'slay the Princess' -- it's also familiar. As if...

BREAKTHROUGH IMMINENT: Overinsistent Vocabulary

THOUGHT COMPLETE: OVERINSISTENT VOCABULARY

Kill. Murder. 'Put an end to'. Eighty-six. 'Commit homicide'. Exterminate. 'Wipe out'. Smoke. 'Eliminate with extreme prejudice'. Execute. Dispatch. Destroy. Terminate. 'Finish off'. Assassinate. Crush. 'Rip apart'. *Slay*. All of these words and phrases have the same meaning but different implications -- to 'slay' something is a righteous deed, a worthy cause. A brave knight slaying a dragon terrorizing the land, a brutal dictator being slain by a hero of the revolution. This could be *you*, if you went along with this guy's plan -- if He's telling the truth to begin with. Maybe you should at least hear Him out?

Permanent research bonus:
+2 Savoir Faire: Heroes are *cool*
+1 Rhetoric: Thesaurus purchased
+1 Half Light: Murder on the mind
-2 Volition: Go along with it
-2 Authority: Go along with it

ENCYCLOPEDIA - You don't remember starting this particular thought project.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Formidable: Success] - That doesn't matter -- how you got here is irrelevant, what's important is what you're going to do *now*. You've been given a job -- you have to slay this lady, a 'Princess' apparently. You know what your first question here should be, right?

1. How this princess is supposed to end the world?
2. Why *I'm* the one doing this, and not someone else?
3. Is it whether this guy is just lying and I'm being ordered to kill an innocent woman?
4. Shit, I don't know man. I just got here.

YOU - Is it whether this guy is just lying and I'm being ordered to kill an innocent woman?

SAVOIR FAIRE - No, it isn't that. What you need to ask is this:

SAVOIR FAIRE - How much are you being paid?

VOLITION [Challenging: Failure] - *This* agai--

SAVOIR FAIRE - Shut it, Crowny. The *entrepreneurs* are talking.

SAVOIR FAIRE - If you want to break into the lucrative market of freelance assassination, you're going to want to set a price. High enough to be worth it for you, but low enough that you'll outcompete the established assassins (but not by *too* much, that's how you get whacked yourself).

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Heroic: Failure] - You have no idea what the going rate for an assassin is. Do they charge by the hour or by the hit?

SUGGESTION [Challenging: Success] - You don't *need* to know. Ask Him what His offer is, then throw Him a counteroffer. Negotiate, baby, like your life depends on it.

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Success] - It does.

THE NARRATOR - You know I can hear all of you, right?

SAVOIR FAIRE - Go on, ask! Don't let Him get any more little quips in, it'll decrease your bargaining power.

1. Yeah, he's right -- if you're asking me to do this, surely you have a fitting payment in mind?
2. I don't need to know what the payout's gonna be -- I'm down for some slaying as-is. (Opt in.)
3. Uh, no? I'm not going to kill someone for money. Hard pass. (Opt out.)

YOU - Yeah, he's right -- if you're asking me to do this, surely you have a fitting payment in mind?

THE NARRATOR - Yes, there is a 'payment' waiting for you afterward - but you'll have to slay her before you get it.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Bullshit. It's half upfront, other half on completion -- that's how this works. He's playing hardball.

HALF LIGHT [Challenging: Success] - The killing is its own reward.

LOGIC [Medium: Success] - No, it isn't. If the world is going to end if you don't, you have *a lot* of leverage on Him here.

THE NARRATOR - Do you, now? You do realize that if you don't slay her, you'll die along with everyone else, right?

PAIN THRESHOLD [Challenging: Success] - Would that be so bad?

1. Sure, yeah, I'll die with the rest of the world -- but maybe I'm ok with that. Have you thought of that one, Mr. Boss-me-around?
2. Fuck yes, it *would* be bad! I don't want to die!
3. Hmm, good point. Maybe I should just lie down here and wait for the end.

YOU - Sure, yeah, I'll die with the rest of the world -- but maybe I'm ok with that. Have you thought of that one, Mr. Boss-me-around?

THE NARRATOR - Shit. Just my luck I get stuck with a suicidal nihilist, I suppose.

THE NARRATOR - Sigh. Fine, fine. I can't give you a part of your reward upfront - it's more of a service than a physical good - but name your price and I'll see it done.

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - He's bluffing you here, just a bit. Go ahead and name a price, but don't make it *too* ludicrous -- He might get cold feet and back out.

SAVOIR FAIRE - A nice whole number -- something like a quarter of a million. *That* sounds like the price tag a suave assassin would have.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - You should ask for amphetamines too. A couple kilos at least -- commodities will depreciate slower than inflation, *especially* illegal ones.

1. I want a quarter of a million reál upfront, large bills only.
2. I want a quarter of a million reál upfront, large bills only. Throw in 15 kilos of speed too, loosely packed.
3. [Suggestion - Easy 8] Negotiate for an even more outrageous sum.
4. I don't know, I'd probably do this for like fifty bucks. An RCM salary is really rough, you know?
5. I think I'm starting to have doubts about assassinating this woman.

YOU - I think I'm starting to have doubts about assassinating this woman.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Oh come on! You *can't* puss out now.

AUTHORITY [Medium: Success] - You're already sat at the negotiating table -- to leave now would show weakness.

EMPATHY [Trivial: Success] - Would you really be willing to kill her over a paycheck? You don't even know her.

SAVOIR FAIRE - A *very hefty* paycheck, let's keep it straight here.

THE NARRATOR - And to stop the world from ending, in case you've forgotten that in the last thirty seconds.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Challenging: Success] - There are other, dirtier cops that have taken money to look the other way against gang violence -- but even among those, being outright paid to kill someone is a rarity, something only heard from interprecinct legend.

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - She's a *princess*. Slaying a member of royalty isn't even really a crime at all -- it's a public service. Normally this would entail an open-air execution (guillotines are traditional but a firing squad works too), but covert assassination works just as well.

1. I want a quarter of a million reál upfront, large bills only.
2. I want a quarter of a million reál upfront, large bills only. Throw in 15 kilos of speed too, loosely packed.
3. [Suggestion - Easy 8] Negotiate for an even more outrageous sum.
4. I don't know, I'd probably do this for like fifty bucks. An RCM salary is really rough, you know?
5. I think I'm starting to have doubts about assassinating this woman.

YOU - I want a quarter of a million reál upfront, large bills only.

THE NARRATOR - ...Reál?...

THE NARRATOR - Alright, let me see what I can do. It'll be a no-go on the large bills - how would you even carry them around? - but I think I can make this work for the both of us.

THE NARRATOR - Check your pockets.

1. Why? I'm pretty sure all my pockets are empty.
2. [Check your pockets.]
3. What part of 'large bills only' don't you understand?

YOU - [Check your pockets.]

THE NARRATOR - You put your hands in your pockets and pull out an envelope with the words 'TERMS OF PAYMENT' written across the front.

Item Gained: Repurposed Envelope

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Formidable: Success] - Something else has previously been written on this envelope, erased, and then written over. You can only make out part of the words: '--HE EVIDE--'

THE NARRATOR - Within, you find a note printed in clean blocky writing. It reads: 'THIS VOUCHER GOOD FOR TWO-HUNDRED-AND-FIFTY-THOUSAND REÁL, IN EXCHANGE FOR SERVICES RENDERED (I.E. SLAYING THE PRINCESS)'.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - At the bottom sit two lines, each with an X to their left -- one is blank, and the other has been signed with an incredibly flowery capital 'N'.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Easy: Success] - The edges of the calligraphy grow smaller and smaller, fractally nested, until they're imperceptible to the naked eye. No human hand could create details this precise.

Task updated: What is He?

LOGIC [Medium: Success] - A contract. 'N' must be Him, and you're intended to sign on the other line to make it official.

HALF LIGHT [Formidable: Success] - You should sign in your own blood. A blood pact is *unbreakable*.

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - If this is a contract, there should probably be a lot more terms and stipulations included -- the totality of this text takes up only three lines.

SAVOIR FAIRE - We don't *need* any of that extra legalese. I like the way this guy thinks -- cut through all the bull, get right to the point. We all know why we're here.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Legendary: Failure] - Based on the indentations in the page, there was also different writing on the inside that's been changed, but you can't make out what -- it's been more thoroughly blotted out.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Challenging: Failure] - You can't sign this out here. There are no flat surfaces for you to press the paper against, and your signature is already shaky in the best of circumstances.

THE NARRATOR - Not to worry - there should be a table in the cabin up ahead you can sign that on. Why don't we head there now, so we can make this official as soon as possible? You'll get a tidy sum beforehand, you'll slay the Princess (thereby saving the world), and then you'll receive your proper reward.

LOGIC [Challenging: Failure] - Sounds good to me.

SUGGESTION [Medium: Success] - You might be able to wring more out of him, but you should probably let it lie. Knowing when to *stop* putting the pressure on is just as important as applying it in the first place.

SAVOIR FAIRE - You're getting antsy just standing here -- get a move on! You have a contract to sign, pronto.

1. [Suggestion - Easy 8] Negotiate for an even more outrageous sum.
2. No deal. This isn't what I asked for -- I want *cash*, dammit! (Opt out.)
3. Nope, I'm pussing out. I'm not killing a lady for a fat paycheck -- it goes against my moral code that I definitely have. (Opt out.)
4. This all seems good to me! Let's get going, I got a hit to carry out. (Opt in.)

YOU - This all seems good to me! Let's get going, I got a hit to carry out. (Opt in.)

THE NARRATOR - Excellent. I'm glad you've finally come around.

Task updated: Slay the Princess (again)

THE NARRATOR - 'Again'?

THE NARRATOR - ...Never mind, it's not important.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Formidable: Success] - You're almost dancing down this path, fancy footwork dodging divots with ease -- an easy quarter mil does a lot for putting a spring in your step.

ENDURANCE [Challenging: Success] - You take in lungfuls of fresh air as you approach the light in the distance. It's much better than the air quality around downtown, especially Coal City, but there's something off about it.

PERCEPTION (TASTE) [Formidable: Success] - You can't taste the trees or fresh water on the breeze.

SHIVERS [Formidable: Success] - Only regret.

THE NARRATOR - You make your way up the short path to the cabin. You'll find the Princess within - along with a table, on which you can sign the contract currently tucked safely into your pocket.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Challenging: Success] - ...You feel like you've already seen this cabin before somewhere.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - It could be a cheap pre-fabricated construction -- each one congruent to all the rest, identical nth-uplets scattered across the countryside.

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Success] - Nothing so dire. It's just a bit of familiarity in an unsure world -- an old friend.

VOICE OF THE HERO - We're not actually going to go through with this, right? She's a princess. We're supposed to save princesses, not act as some kind of mercenary sword-for-hire.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Heroic: Failure] - Sword? But you have a --

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Medium: Success] - There's no shame in being a sword-for-hire, son. Swinging around one of those things takes *effort* and *discipline*, at least if you don't want to slice your own hand off.

HALF LIGHT [Medium: Success] - *Do* you get a sword? You could do some *serious* damage with a sword.

THE NARRATOR - No, you don't. You'll see what you get when you stop paying attention to this oblivious voice and enter the cabin.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Hey!

1. And who is this exactly? Did I miss an introduction somewhere?
2. [Proceed into the cabin.]

YOU - And who is this exactly? Did I miss an introduction somewhere?

VOICE OF THE HERO - Well, I'm... me, I guess. Not very helpful to say that, now that I think it through.

CONCEPTUALIZATION - There is a space carved into your brain that fits him perfectly. Whoever he is, he belongs.

INTERFACING [Medium: Success] - A precision-milled shape -- incompatible edges bent into smooth curves. Good handiwork, if I do say so myself.

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Success] - Why do you sound like you're complimenting yourself?

INTERFACING - Beats me. I just know quality craftsmanship when I see it.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Thanks?

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - This one hasn't seized your flesh or manipulated your conscious thoughtfields in this or any adjacent reality. You can still trust him.

1. And who is this exactly? Did I miss an introduction somewhere?
2. [Proceed into the cabin.]

YOU - [Proceed into the cabin.]

THE NARRATOR - The interior of the cabin is almost entirely bare. The air is stale and musty and the floor and walls are painted in a fine layer of dust. The only furniture of note is a plain wooden table. Perched on that table is a pristine blade.

THE NARRATOR - The blade is your implement. You'll need it if you want to do this right. The table, too, is useful - you can sign that agreement and get on with your task thereafter.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - The door at the other end of the room likely leads to the basement, where the Princess supposedly is. You'd better prepare yourself before going down if you're planning on slaying her.

1. [Examine the floor.]
2. [Take out the note and lay it on the table.]
3. [Take the blade.]
4. What do you mean by prepare? Is there more to this than just walking down there and stabbing her?
5. [Enter the basement.]

YOU - [Take out the note and lay it on the table.]

VOICE OF THE HERO - Do we really need to commit to this? Even if she really will end the world and we should slay her, isn't the whole affair tainted by only doing it for a reward?

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - Intangible concepts can't be 'tainted'. If you have to kill her anyway, you might as well get something out of it.

VOICE OF THE HERO - I suppose so. As long as we're still doing the right thing.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - You'll need a pen to sign this.

INTERFACING [Easy: Success] - You've picked up lots of pens in your time, both in the bullpen and around town. It's surprising, really, how many people will just leave pens lying around for the grabbing. And if you can click or twist it repeatedly? Even better.

HALF LIGHT - You don't need a pen if you use blood. Just cut the tip of your finger with the knife and jam it into the paper -- Your sanguine thumbprint will be enough.

COMPOSURE [Legendary: Failure] - You feel uneasy about bringing a knife to your skin, even for something as small as this. Besides the obvious, there's some other reason you can't quite define that's causing your breaths to come a little quicker when you look at the blade perched on the edge of the table.

DRAMA [Easy: Success] - It would be far from mundane to use a bloody thumbprint in place of a signed name -- that's the kind of thing that will have business associates remembering you for years to come.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Seems a little evil, though. Signing a contract in blood is something you'd do with a devil or a hag - like we're signing our soul away.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - And the princess-murder wasn't evil to begin with?

SAVOIR FAIRE [Challenging: Success] - It's not evil, it's just business.

THE NARRATOR - It makes no difference to me how you choose to sign it - just get a signature of some kind down, grab the blade, and we can move on.

1. [Hand/Eye Coordination - Challenging 12] Cut your thumb with the knife and smoosh a thumbprint on the line.
2. [Interfacing - Medium 10] Scrounge about in your pockets for a pen.
3. I'm having second thoughts. Not too late to back out, right? [Crumple up the note and toss it away.]

YOU - Cut your thumb with the knife and smoosh a thumbprint on the line.

+1 Just business

+1 Unbreakable contract

-1 Evil?

-3 The Blade

CHECK FAILURE

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Challenging: Failure] - You nick your thumb with the knife --

HALF LIGHT - I TAKE IT BACK, THIS IS BAD. *BLOOD*, LEAKING OUT OF YOUR CHEST, RUNNING INTO THE COBBLESTONES ON THE FLOOR --

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - -- and when you try to bring it down onto the line, the intense shaking of your hands and wrists means you leave a bloody smear instead of a single thumbprint.

COMPOSURE [Heroic: Failure] - Sorry. Something must *really* have you fucked up -- I can't keep a grip on it.

VOICE OF THE HERO - What's got him all riled up? We haven't been in a situation where we'd be bleeding from the chest that I can recall.

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] - Maybe a knife fight of some kind? You've had to break up a few in the shadier parts of town.

ENDURANCE [Trivial: Success] - Nope. If you had been in a knife fight, you'd have at least a couple new scars in the making to show for it.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Challenging: Success] - Unless you were just *that good*. Twisting out of the way of incoming blades, parrying strikes with ease.

VOICE OF THE HERO - But that'd just put us back at square one!

VOLITION [Trivial: Success] - He just gets like this sometimes. He'll wear himself out eventually.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - You can still salvage this. Just find a pen and sign this thing *normally*, over the blood. You've had to sign a lot of things in your line of work, sometimes under even worse conditions than this.

1. [Interfacing - Medium 10] Scrounge about in your pockets for a pen.
2. I'm having second thoughts. Not too late to back out, right? [Crumple up the note and toss it away.]

YOU - Scrounge about in your pockets for a pen.

+3 Found the note

+1 Clicking and twisting

-2 Empty pockets

CHECK SUCCESS

INTERFACING [Medium: Success] - Tucked in a long pocket with a flap on the right side of your blazer is not one, but an entire bundle of pens, bound with a doubled-over rubber band.

Item gained: Bundle of pens

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Medium: Success] - There's an ornate mauve one at the center, engraved with 'RCM PRECINCT FOURTY ONE' -- this pen and many like it were manufactured over seven years ago, after a rare windfall of cash from an anonymous donor lead to frivolous equipment upgrades across every precinct and outlying department.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Easy: Success] - The misspelling of 'FOURTY' adds character -- the irony of the closest thing Revachol has to law enforcement not even bothering to spellcheck their memorabilia is palpable.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - You see this thin black one, with the weird pattern and the yellow trim? This one's made of shredded 100 reál notes, intentionally destroyed by the mint before they disintegrated in the hands of businessmen like yourself from overuse. You always felt a little richer carrying this baby around.

VOLITION [Easy: Success] - There's a couple pencils in here of varying lengths and sharpnesses. You've tried to keep at least one on you at all times, for the days when the shakes would grow too intense to rely on the permanent inking of casework. You know your limits, and you know how to work around them.

COMPOSURE - You thought you were getting better, but given what just happened -- evidently not.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Medium: Success] - A large cyan pen with a clear plastic coating catches your eye. There is a three-dimensional maze carved under the coating along the entire surface of the pen, and a little metal marble can be maneuvered through the winding passages by rotating the pen along its various axes. Choosing two points in the maze and trying to move the ball between them has proved grounding in the past, to both your mind and your hands.

SHIVERS [Challenging: Success] - There, in the back -- a clear disposable pen, one you picked up off the banks of the Esperance on a late night walk. There is a faint design stamped onto it in white, worn away by the waves, of birds in flight over a forest. It barely writes, red ink mixed with riverwater corroding the metal tip, but you kept it anyway -- it was a gift from the city, and you would cherish it like any other.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Even if it was a gift, we can't use that one. Trying to sign with red ink on a red splotch of blood probably won't work.

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Success] - Didn't Kim give you one of his pens? That was months ago, but he never asked for it back -- that should be in here somewhere.

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Success] - He wouldn't approve of what's happening here today. He'll lend you no assistance with this task.

THE NARRATOR - Does it matter which pen you use? Just pick one, any one. If I knew that something as simple as signing your name would take this long, I would've reconsidered encouraging this diversion.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - You are signing a death certificate. Pick something fitting for the occasion.

1. [Pick the ornate mauve pen with the typo.]
2. [Pick the thin black pen with the yellow trim made of cash.]
3. [Pick one of the pencils, one that's still sharp.]
4. [Pick the large cyan maze-pen.]
5. [Pick the red disposable pen with the birds.]
6. [Pain Threshold - Formidable 13] Look for Kim's pen in the bundle.

YOU - [Pick the thin black pen with the yellow trim.]

SAVOIR FAIRE - Good choice, good choice -- this is the pen of an *ultrahustler*. Now all you need to do is sign this thing and we're in the money.

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] - You should be able to avoid scribbling all over the paper now -- as long as you don't look at the knife and the blood on your hand at the same time, you can get your hands under control long enough to sign.

1. [Hand/Eye Coordination - Easy 8] Sign your name on the line.
2. I'm having second thoughts. Not too late to back out, right? [Crumple up the note and toss it away.]

YOU - Sign your name on the line.

+2 Done this in worse conditions

+1 Just business

-1 Death certificate

-3 Kim wouldn't approve

CRITICAL SUCCESS

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Easy: Success] - Your signature is naturally a little sloppy -- you've only clawed back a part of your muscle memory from the clutches of your amnesia and you suspect your penmanship wasn't the best even before then -- but it's legible, even against the blood. 'HARRIER DU BOIS', written in rough cursive script.

Secret task complete: Strike a bargain with Him

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Medium: Success] - The ink of this pen *should* be blue -- you can see a thin sheen of it on the tip when you hold it up to your eyes. But the ink on the page is...

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Impossible: Failure] - ...not blue.

HALF LIGHT [Formidable: Success] - Your blood still stains the page red. Its color can't be drained so easily -- it's made of the stuff of life and death.

VOICE OF THE HERO - That doesn't seem right. Maybe this is some kind of trick pen?

SAVOIR FAIRE - Does it matter? With this note, you're now officially a moderately rich man -- still a long ways off from the big leagues, but it'll put you on the map. Hey, Techie -- get that net worth counter back up and running. You could do with a reminder of exactly how much you're working with here.

INTERFACING - It's probably around here somewhere -- mixed in with the discarded thoughts and repressed memories. Let me just take a look real quick.

VOICE OF THE HERO - 'Net worth'?

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Easy: Success] - The total sum wealth of an individual or company, subtracting the liabilities from the assets.

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - Your on-hand cash and what you own minus your debts.

SAVOIR FAIRE - You have a *lot* to learn about entrepreneurship my man.

THE NARRATOR - You can hold an economics lesson after you're through here. You've taken up enough time dawdling, it's time to uphold your end of the deal.

INTERFACING [Challenging: Success] - Found it! Throwing up the net worth display *now*.

Net Worth: ✤213420.63

1. Wait, why is it less than 250,000? Isn't that what I just signed for?
2. [Let it go.]

YOU - Wait, why is it less than 250,000? Isn't that what I just signed for?

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Trivial: Success] - You're still officially on the hook for that patrol car.

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Success] - A freezing touch -- pitch black water flowing into the passenger compartment. Your bones are still drenched, leaking oily seawater and tar.

VOLITION [Easy: Success] - Pryce told you that he'd drop the matter if you could go 6 months without any more 'episodes'. You're unsure if the current circumstances counts as one, but you've been fine so far otherwise.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Yeah, good thinking -- you don't want to have to part with any of your newly acquired wealth unnecessarily. Now that this is settled, you *should* go through with taking her out. If you just cut and run, your name will be tarnished forever -- and that means no more lucrative business deals for the foreseeable future.

REACTION SPEED [Easy: Success] - *And* the world will end if you don't. Supposedly.

1. [Examine the floor.]
2. [Take out the note and lay it on the table.]
3. [Take the blade.]
4. What do you mean by prepare? Is there more to this than just walking down there and stabbing her?
5. [Enter the basement.]

YOU - [Take the blade.]

THE NARRATOR - You take the blade from the table. It'd be rather difficult to slay the Princess and save the world without it.

Item Gained: Pristine Blade

HALF LIGHT [Medium: Success] - You can feel the power of the blade seep into the flesh of your hand. Now that it isn't being used on *you* the importance of holding it is evident. Never let go.

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] - As long as Twitchy here keeps his cool, you won't start shaking yourself apart again.

SHIVERS [Medium: Success] - There was a change in the air as you picked up the blade. The world feels *different* now, despite nothing having changed.

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - Branches pruned from the worldtree.

1. [Examine the floor.]
2. [Take out the note and lay it on the table.]
3. What do you mean by prepare? Is there more to this than just walking down there and stabbing her?
4. [Enter the basement.]

YOU - What do you mean by prepare? Is there more to this than just walking down there and stabbing her?

THE NARRATOR - As long as you keep your wits about you and don't give her any opportunity to try and manipulate you - no, there isn't.

VOLITION [Medium: Failure] - You're about to kill someone -- a living breathing person. Maybe you shouldn't, --

SAVOIR FAIRE - No, you *definitely* should. You have an image to uphold.

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...If the whole world is at stake? And we've already made the agreement? We have to, now.

VOLITION - -- but if you're *really* going through with it, you need to mentally prepare yourself for this.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Easy: Success] - You're no stranger to casualties. But the amount of deaths inflicted by you total to exactly four -- no more, no less.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Medium: Success] - All four were from a distance, three aimed down the barrel of a smoking gun. Now all you have is a knife. You'll have to get up close and personal.

HALF LIGHT [Easy: Success] - *Good*.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - Please don't do this.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Challenging: Success] - Don't let some sappy *feelings* get in the way of doing what you have to. You *can* and *will* slay this Princess -- you are stronger than her. It's only right.

THE NARRATOR - That much is true - you are stronger than her, and armed.

1. [Composure - Formidable 13] Psych yourself up before heading down.
2. [Enter the basement.]

YOU - Psych yourself up before heading down.

+2 Can't back out now

+1 Stronger than her

+1 The Blade

-3 Kim wouldn't approve

CHECK SUCCESS

COMPOSURE [Formidable: Success] - No. You're going to want to do the opposite of 'psyching yourself up'. What you need is to *calm down*.

COMPOSURE - Slow your breathing. Deep breaths, in and out, one at a time. Relax the tension that's built up in your arms and legs.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Done and done. Focus on the big picture here -- you've already got a big payout, and there's more to come if our associate here has anything to say about it.

THE NARRATOR - Yes, there will be more. It's a secret, but I think you'll quite like it.

COMPOSURE - Let the muscles in your face go slack. Wear a neutral expression -- this is nothing to you.

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - 'Fake it til you make it' holds truth. A lie told to oneself will eventually become reality, if believed whole-heartedly.

VOICE OF THE HERO - We have to do this - for the world. The rewards are unimportant, really, but surely the world must be.

COMPOSURE - *There*. You're ready.

1. [Enter the basement.]

YOU - [Enter the basement.]

THE NARRATOR - The door to the basement creaks open, revealing a staircase faintly illuminated by an unseen light in the room below. This is an oppressive place. The air feels heavy and damp, a hint of rot filtering from the ancient wood. If the princess lives here, slaying her is probably doing her a favor.

SUGGESTION [Medium: Success] - You aren't doing her a favor by killing her. You are doing *Him* a favor, though.

THE NARRATOR - Her voice carries up the stairs.

Who's there?

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Godly: Failure] - This voice is not confined to the same laws of reality as yours or any of the ones in your head. You cannot quite place what exactly is wrong with it, but you can feel it roll across familiar grooves in your brain as you take it in.

VOICE OF THE HERO - She sounds... dangerous... It's almost as if she's the one in charge down here.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Challenging: Success] - What do you think she is son, the Basement Princess? No, she has no power here -- a royal title means nothing against a waiting blade.

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - As it shouldn't.

PERCEPTION (HEARING) [Easy: Success] - Her tone *was* accusatory. Could she suspect...?

THE NARRATOR - Don't let it fool you. It's all part of the manipulation.

COMPOSURE - You've already collected yourself. Just march down there and get it done.

LOGIC [Medium: Success] - *Don't* respond. She'll have a more time to prepare if you do.

1. "Hi!"
2. "Hey, I think I'm here to kill you?"
3. [Suggestion - Legendary 14] Convince her you aren't here to kill her.
4. [Drama - Challenging 12] Fabricate a reason you'd be here that isn't slaying her.
5. [Continue down the stairs in silence.]

YOU - [Continue down the stairs in silence.]

THE NARRATOR - Good. Remember the deal we made - it'll all be over soon enough.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Challenging: Success] - You skip the third step from the bottom on the way down.

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...Why?

SAVOIR FAIRE - Dunno. It felt right.

THE NARRATOR - You walk down the stairs and lock eyes with the Princess. There's a heavy chain around her wrist, binding her to the far wall of the basement.

COMPOSURE [Easy: Success] - She was hunched over when you first came down, but looked up to meet your gaze. Despite that, she doesn't seem tense -- she's giving you a bit of the side-eye, like she doesn't trust you.

EMPATHY [Trivial: Success] - You're holding a blade and you're here to slay her. Why *would* she trust you?

VOICE OF THE HERO - She's so coldly beautiful... is she really a threat to the world?

HALF LIGHT [Challenging: Success] - The beauty only makes you want to kill her *more*.

THE NARRATOR - Focus on the task at hand.

And there you are. Are you here to kill me or something?

LOGIC [Medium: Success] - Don't freak out -- it's pretty obvious what you're here to do, given the knife and the lack of response on the stairs.

COMPOSURE - You won't freak out, I got you.

1. No one's gonna comment on her appearance? Usually at least someone feels like chiming in.
2. "Yeah, I am."
3. "What? No way! I'm not here to kill you -- why would you even say something like that? Do I look like the kind of guy who would kill a princess chained up in a basement for a fat wad of cash -- you know, hypothetically?"
4. [Suggestion - Godly 16] Convince her you aren't here to kill her.
5. [Drama - Legendary 14] Fabricate a reason you'd be here that isn't slaying her.
6. [Look around.]
7. [Approach her.]

YOU - No one's gonna comment on her appearance? Usually at least someone feels like chiming in.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - She has --

REACTION SPEED [Challenging: Success] - *No*, you don't have time. Right now you're just standing here holding a knife while she obviously already knows you're here to kill her -- chained or not, every second you spend not closing the distance is another second she has to think of a counterattack.

THE NARRATOR - Listen to this one - he knows what he's talking about. Just walk across the length of the basement and slay her, once and for all.

1. No one's gonna comment on her appearance? Usually at least someone feels like chiming in.
2. "Yeah, I am."
3. "What? No way! I'm not here to kill you -- why would you even say something like that? Do I look like the kind of guy who would kill a princess chained up in a basement for a fat wad of cash -- you know, hypothetically?"
4. [Suggestion - Godly 16] Convince her you aren't here to kill her.
5. [Drama - Legendary 14] Fabricate a reason you'd be here that isn't slaying her.
6. [Look around.]
7. [Approach her.]

YOU - [Approach her.]

THE NARRATOR - You step forward, your grip on the blade tightening as you steel your resolve.

COMPOSURE - You're already steeled enough. You won't crack, not now.

Oh? No talking, then? Fine. What even makes you think you can kill me?

HALF LIGHT [Trivial: Success] - The blade clenched in your fist.

I'm probably chained up in this basement for a reason, right? And if that knife is the only weapon you have, you'll have to get close enough to use it.

HALF LIGHT - That's the plan! Go on, stab her already.

VOICE OF THE HERO - You don't have to sound so giddy about it.

COMPOSURE - *You* aren't, only this small part of you is.

RHETORIC [Challenging: Failure] - You can't make sense of the pile of hypotheticals she's insinuating.

SUGGESTION [Challenging: Success] - She's trying to intimidate you. The next thing out of her mouth will likely be a proposal for some kind of compromise -- something that will let her stall for time.

AUTHORITY [Medium: Success] - How *dare* she try to intimidate you into submission while being chained to a wall. She is powerless. End her *now*.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Easy: Success] - A pathetic display.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Keep your eyes on the prize -- further wealth-enhancement opportunities await.

So... you should just drop it. Best not to risk finding out what I could do.

SUGGESTION - Told you.

THE NARRATOR - She's unarmed. If you hesitate now, it'll be too late. End this.

1. Are you *sure* she doesn't have something on her? You could hide all sorts of weapons under that dress.
2. "Alright, fine -- but no funny business." [Drop the blade.]
3. "We can talk for a little while, but I'm not dropping the knife."
4. [Suggestion - Impossible 18] Convince her you aren't here to kill her.
5. [Drama - Godly 16] Fabricate a reason you'd be here that isn't slaying her.
6. [Perception (Sight) - Impossible 20] What color are her eyes?
7. [Reaction Speed - Heroic 15] [Slay the Princess.]

YOU - [Slay the Princess.]

+3 Overinsistent Vocabulary

+2 Didn't hesitate

+2 Can't back out now

+1 End this.

+1 Recognized the play

+1 Stronger than her

+1 The Blade

-3 Kim wouldn't approve

CHECK SUCCESS

REACTION SPEED [Heroic: Success] - You *lunge* forward from a standstill without a single moment's hesitation. There's just a bit of ground left to cover, but you cross it in an instant.

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - Look at her -- unclenched hands half-raised with palms facing you, trembling mouth, wide eyes. She's been caught off guard.

HALF LIGHT [Easy: Success] - She is afraid.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - She didn't think you'd actually do it without even a second thought.

THE NARRATOR - You feel flesh easily give way and look down to see your blade already sinking deep into her heart.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Medium: Success] - Nice and clean. A single mortal strike.

ENDURANCE [Medium: Success] - You might've punched directly through her sternum. The knife is pretty on-center with her chest.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Challenging: Success] - But you didn't feel any resistance -- because you are *strong*.

O-oh.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] - A *drastic* underreaction to being stabbed in the heart. Even given how clean you made it, dying like this should *hurt*.

This is it, isn't it?

INLAND EMPIRE [Trivial: Success] - Is it?

AUTHORITY [Easy: Success] - It is.

COMPOSURE [Easy: Success] - Outside of that first involuntary breath, there is no warble to her voice as she dies.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - She falls backward onto the floor, blood staining her dress and hair.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Trivial: Success] - The knife is stuck in her chest -- your grip slackens to let it fall with her.

Item lost: Pristine Blade

HALF LIGHT - Glorious.

I'm almost embarrassed. I should have seen that coming. But... I have to wonder...

Do you actually believe this was enough to kill me?

AUTHORITY [Medium: Success] - Arrogance, even now. Either respectable or foolhardy -- given how she ended up, it's the latter.

VOICE OF THE HERO - It's like she's convinced she can't die.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Challenging: Success] - This is something you've seen more than your fair share of -- addicts high as a kite, challenging the world to a fistfight even as they lay bleeding out in the snow.

THE NARRATOR - Yes. Even as she lays there dying, she entirely believes herself to be alive and well.

COMPOSURE [Trivial: Success] - She lets out a last breath as her eyes unfocus.

COMPOSURE - She's gone.

Task complete: Slay the Princess (again)

COMPOSURE - The veneer of calm that you applied leaves you quickly now -- you're in a bit of a rush after pulling off that stunt. At least it's over now.

VOICE OF THE HERO - But is it over? Really over?

1. [Endurance - Trivial 6] She *is* dead, right?
2. Maybe not. She seemed pretty confident about not dying.
3. Yeah, you'd think there'd be more to it than that, right? She just stood there and let me run her down.
4. Of course not -- there's still my reward, remember? Gotta make sure to collect that before I go.

YOU - She *is* dead, right?

+10 You just stabbed her in the heart

+3 Task complete

-1 Doubt

CHECK SUCCESS

ENDURANCE [Trivial: Success] - ...Yes. Yes she's dead. Why are you even questioning this, you literally just stabbed her heart? Are you feeling alr-- that's a stupid question, I *know* you're feeling alright. Stop thinking about this and get out of here already, this body's gonna start stinking up the place before long.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Easy: Success] - It takes at least a day or two for the stench to be noticeable and almost a week for it to be unbearable.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Why do you know that?

ESPRIT DE CORPS - Comes with the territory.

1. Yes. We're done.
2. Maybe not. She seemed pretty confident about not dying.
3. Yeah, you'd think there'd be more to it than that, right? She just stood there and let me run her down.
4. Of course not -- there's still my reward, remember? Gotta make sure to collect that before I go.

YOU - Of course not -- there's still my reward, remember? Gotta make sure to collect that before I go.

THE NARRATOR - Yes, it's over now - your reward awaits, just upstairs.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - You should do something, here -- some kind of memorialist gesture. A modicum of respect for the woman you just killed.

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...It's the least we could do.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - Grab the flask from your blazer and pour one out. One last drink for the departed.

1. [Reach for the flask.]
2. [Empathy - Medium 11] Can I think of anything else as a tribute to the dead?
3. [Perception (Sight) - Impossible 20] What color are her eyes?
4. I've done enough. I'm just going to leave. [Leave the basement.]

YOU - What color are her eyes?

-1 She's not here anymore

-3 Can't imagine them

CHECK FAILURE

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Impossible: Failure] - Not red.

1. [Reach for the flask.]
2. [Empathy - Medium 11] Can I think of anything else as a tribute to the dead?
3. [Locked] What color are her eyes?
4. I've done enough. I'm just going to leave. [Leave the basement.]

YOU - Can I think of anything else as a tribute to the dead?

+3 Least you could do

-10 You just stabbed her in the heart

CHECK FAILURE

EMPATHY [Medium: Failure] - No. Nothing comes to mind.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Challenging: Success] - You could hoist up this corpse on your back and carry it outside. It'd be a good deadlift and you could get a nice core workout in from digging a grave.

THE NARRATOR - Please, there's no need - you did your job, now it's over. Just leave this body here and get out of the basement already.

1. [Reach for the flask.]
2. [Physical Instrument - Challenging 12] Seems only fair. [Pick up the corpse.]
3. [Locked] Can I think of anything else as a tribute to the dead?
4. [Locked] What color are her eyes?
5. I've done enough. I'm just going to leave. [Leave the basement.]

YOU - [Reach for the flask.]

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Trivial: Success] - It's odd this would take any conscious effort on your part, but here it is.

Item gained: Flask of a Lost Future

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Make sure to taste it first. You have to *share* the round with the dead, that's the rules.

1. [Pour out the flask.]
2. [Take a swig from the flask, first.]
3. [Put the flask back.]

YOU - [Pour out the flask.]

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Have you no sense of camaraderie?

VOICE OF THE HERO - We just slew her.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - My point stands.

PERCEPTION [Easy: Success] - The liquid that comes out of the flask is clear and smells of the ocean as it splatters on the cobblestone floor. This is seawater.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Challenging: Success] - Tears of the world's sorrow.

SHIVERS [Trivial: Success] - A piece of home.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Medium: Success] - The last ruler of the Suzerainty of Revachol, King Frissel I, was rumored to have been drowned by the communards in the Insulindian Bay during the Antecentennial Revolution -- a fate shared by Filippe III, whose body was looted from the royal mausoleum and disposed of in the same way not long after.

RHETORIC - Fitting.

HALF LIGHT [Challenging: Success] - A return to the freezing depths, from whence all life began.

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - They'll come for the both of you, eventually.

Item lost: Flask of a Lost Future

Item gained: Flask of a Lost Future (Empty)

VOICE OF THE HERO. - ...Alright. Let's get out of here.

1. [Physical Instrument - Challenging 12] Seems only fair. [Pick up the corpse.]
2. [Locked] Can I think of anything else as a tribute to the dead?
3. [Locked] What color are her eyes?
4. I've done enough. I'm just going to leave. [Leave the basement.]

YOU - I've done enough. I'm just going to leave. [Leave the basement.]

THE NARRATOR - With your work done, you make your way back up the stairs, closing the door to the basement behind you.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Medium: Success] - You can't see the stars out the window.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Why do I feel like we've done something terrible?

EMPATHY - I'm glad at least someone does.

VOLITION - Ditto.

THE NARRATOR - You did kill someone. Greater good or not, something would be very wrong with you if you didn't feel at least a little bad.

HALF LIGHT - Speak for yourself.

THE NARRATOR - But it was for the greater good. One of these days, that will sink in and help ease your guilty conscience.

VOICE OF THE HERO - But that day isn't today. Let's put as much distance between us and this cabin as possible - I don't want to be here anymore.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Don't worry my man -- a little material excess will help wash all those sorrows away.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - That and *partying*. With a vice of choice, of course. Men, women, drugs, booze, all of those at the same time -- everything's on the table here.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] - That didn't help you the last time you felt like this -- at least, not forever.

1. Yeah, let's go cash this envelope in and see what happens next. [Leave.]
2. A few months of nonstop partying will ease all our troubles, trust me. [Leave.]
3. ...I think I should be feeling worse about this right now -- but I don't. Let's leave, before it starts to set in. [Leave.]
4. [Leave.]

YOU - ...I think I should be feeling worse about this right now -- but I don't. Let's leave, before it starts to set in. [Leave.]

THE NARRATOR - You open the cabin door, ready to return to a world saved from certain doom.

THE NARRATOR - Only, a world saved from certain doom isn't what you find. Instead, what you find is nothing at all. Where a lush forest once stood mere minutes ago, the only thing in front of you now is the vast emptiness of some place far away.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Challenging: Success] - A textured blackness in all directions.

INTERFACING [Easy: Success] - You feel compelled to reach out and touch it, despite there not being anything to touch.

SHIVERS [Legendary: Failure] - The wind still blows far in the distance, but you can't feel it from here.

VOICE OF THE HERO - What... happened?

THE NARRATOR - Everyone is fine, it's just that you and the cabin are now far away from them. Don't worry. You'll be safe here. This is good. Everyone is happy. You'll be happy.

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - He knew this would happen. This much you can tell from His words and tone of voice.

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - Quite the anticlimax.

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] - *How* did this happen? What is the cabin resting on if the world outside is gone? You don't see the ground when you look down.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Goddamn son of a bitch -- if you're stuck here, that means you can't cash in the voucher! He's outplayed you big time.

1. Is *this* the reward you've been talking about? This seems like an unsatisfying ending to be honest.
2. [Step out the front door into the darkness.]

YOU - Is *this* the reward you've been talking about? This seems like an unsatisfying ending to be honest.

THE NARRATOR - This isn't an ending. In fact, now that the Princess has been slain, endings are a thing of the past. No... this is the beginning of eternity. Your reward.

RHETORIC [Godly: Failure] - You have no idea what the fuck He's talking about.

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] - Nope, I got nothing either. Anyone have any ideas?

INLAND EMPIRE [Formidable: Success] - It will make sense one day, to another you.

LOGIC - *Extremely* unhelpful, thanks.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Are we just meant to stay here forever? Is that what He means?

LOGIC - I'm just going to note this down under one of your tasks for now. Maybe you'll fit the pieces together later.

Task updated: What is she?

1. This is bullshit. I don't want to be stuck in this cabin forever! Let me out!
2. This sucks. How can I cash in this contract if I'm stuck here?
3. ...That doesn't sound too bad. There's no responsibilities in here.
4. [Step out the front door into the darkness.]

YOU - This is bullshit. I don't want to be stuck in this cabin forever! Let me out!

THE NARRATOR - What's done is done, and there's no going back now. I'm sorry you don't like your reward, but maybe you'll learn to appreciate it in time.

THE NARRATOR - This is what's best for everyone. Trust me.

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - You have no reason to trust Him. He got you with a loophole on that extremely barebones agreement, and now He's stuck you here in god knows where.

THE NARRATOR - You close the front door behind you as you move back into the cabin, sitting against a wall near the table.

THE NARRATOR - Time passes. You can't be sure if it's days, or months, or years or even decades. It's all a wonderful, boring blur. You've never been happier.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Impossible: Failure] - Can so few words really contain so much time?

ENDURANCE [Impossible: Failure] - It can't have been any more than a couple hours, right? You haven't grown hungry or thirsty.

HALF LIGHT [Easy: Success] - You don't have *any* supplies at all. You're going to starve to death like a trapped animal.

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] - Dehydration will claim you first. Why were you carrying around a flask full of saltwater anyway?

EMPATHY [Impossible: Failure] - ...You might feel happy. You can't really tell.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Pst! Hey! We're not just going to stay here until the end of time, are we?

1. Just for a little while longer -- I'm going to take some time to organize my thoughts and ask Him a few questions.
2. Didn't you hear Him? I'm *happy*. We're happy. This is wonderful.
3. Fuck no, this sucks. Do you have any ideas on how to get out of here?
4. ...

YOU - Just for a little while longer -- I'm going to take some time to organize my thoughts and ask Him a few questions.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Sounds good. Just keep sharp, alright? Something about this place is making me feel... fuzzy.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - A crude but accurate assessment. If you weren't careful, you could zone out pretty easily here -- who knows for how long?

1. Why are there bits and pieces of information I'm getting that I don't remember the source of? Am I having another amnesiotic episode?
2. So was all of that stuff about the payment just a lie? If you knew this would happen afterward, why even promise me that?
3. How did slaying the Princess do *this*? This looks a lot like an ended world to me -- did you trick me?
4. [Suggestion - Impossible 18] Convince Him to let you go.
5. [Empathy - Challenging 12] Am I happy?
6. ...

YOU - Why are there bits and pieces of information I'm getting that I don't remember the source of? Am I having another amnesiotic episode?

RHETORIC [Trivial: Success] - 'Amnesiotic' still isn't a word.

REACTION SPEED [Challenging: Success] - *Still*?

INLAND EMPIRE - Like I said before -- can you really remember something that will never happen?

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Challenging: Success] - But you *do* remember something -- fragments, snippets, shards of glass. If there's debris left behind, then that means the original event (whatever it was) must have been real, even if only to you.

INLAND EMPIRE - ...Hm. Then maybe there is a way.

1. [Inland Empire - Impossible 20] [Remember.]
2. I don't know if I want to remember. Some of those flashes of insight were pretty horrible -- blood and pain.

YOU - I don't know if I want to remember. Some of those flashes of insight were pretty horrible -- blood and pain.

INLAND EMPIRE - If you really don't, that's okay. You have all the time in the world.

LOGIC - But you should at least try, eventually. Acquiring more knowledge will only help in terms of figuring out what the hell's going on here.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Formidable: Success] - Even if it hurts, you can take it.

1. [Inland Empire - Impossible 20] [Remember.]
2. No, not now.

YOU - [Remember.]

+1 The shipwreck / of the singular

+1 Doorkickers Anonymous

+1 Guinevere Rözovy Baudelaire

CHECK FAILURE

INLAND EMPIRE [Impossible: Failure] - No, not yet then. There's only one piece you can pull from the talons of the furies right now:

BREAKTHROUGH IMMINENT: Personal Airspace Violation

THOUGHT COMPLETE: PERSONAL AIRSPACE VIOLATION

The world *is* still talking to you, it's just in a different way than before. The voices come and go, and sometimes they change in unpredictable ways -- but even though you change too, the core of what you are has not wavered. You will stand tall, a bulwark against the crushing grip of reality, and you will be the one to call the shots at the end of it all -- no one else can do it for you, no matter how much they insist. If there's no room to breathe, you'll carve a space all by yourself.

Permanent research bonus:
+2 Volition: Stand tall
+1 Authority: Call the shots
+1 Endurance: Bulwark
-1 Shivers: Repair the glass
-1 Savoir Faire: Will not bend

VOLITION [Challenging: Success] - Harry. Harry, listen to me. You're not supposed to be like this -- you ditched that ultraliberal bullcrap almost immediately after trying it out, remember? That was two months ago! *Why* did you kill her over this?

VOICE OF THE HERO - It wasn't only for the reward. She was going to end the world! ...At least, that's what He's told us.

VOLITION - And you believed that?

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - He wasn't lying about it. He's said this a lot by now, and at no point do you think He was putting up a front.

THE NARRATOR - Of course I wasn't lying. It was of the utmost importance that you slay her - but now you've done it. There's nothing else to worry about. You can relax.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Formidable: Failure] - Money's always a great motivator, but He's obviously pulled a fast one on you -- if you would've known this would be the outcome, you'd never have committed to this --

VOLITION [Challenging: Success] - Shut *up*, you greasy slimeball asshole! You've already screwed up enough -- now it's up to the rest of us non-insane ones to put the pieces back together. Stick to keeping us from falling on our ass and stop trying to break into venture capitalism, for god's sake.

VOICE OF THE HERO - Oh man, I'm liking you a lot more than the other guy.

1. But what now? I'm trapped here and she's dead. I can't take it back.
2. I'm not sure if I really regret it, though. I feel pretty happy truth be told.
3. ...

YOU - But what now? I'm trapped here and she's dead. I can't take it back.

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - ...I don't know. But you can't just give up -- there's always a way out.

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...Hmm.

1. Why are there bits and pieces of information I'm getting that I don't remember the source of? Am I having another amnesiotic episode?
2. So was all of that stuff about the payment just a lie? If you knew this would happen afterward, why even promise me that?
3. How did slaying the Princess do *this*? This looks a lot like an ended world to me -- did you trick me?
4. [Suggestion - Impossible 18] Convince Him to let you go.
5. [Empathy - Challenging 12] Am I happy?
6. ...

YOU - So was all of that stuff about the payment just a lie? If you knew this would happen afterward, why even promise me that?

THE NARRATOR - I wasn't lying to you. I gave you what you asked for - sure, there may have been a bit of misdirection, but does it really matter now? You've earned your happy ending. You are happy. You don't need anything else other than to sit here and be happy.

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - Sticking to the absolute letter of what was agreed to -- you got your payment, in a sense, there's just no way to really claim it.

SUGGESTION - You could learn a thing or two from Him, you know.

VOICE OF THE HERO - I'd rather we not.

VOLITION [Easy: Success] - Agreed.

AUTHORITY [Challenging: Success] - You can take what you will from His tactics -- you don't have to bring yourself down to His level, merely sift through and find any kernels of useful material to make your own.

1. Why are there bits and pieces of information I'm getting that I don't remember the source of? Am I having another amnesiotic episode?
2. So was all of that stuff about the payment just a lie? If you knew this would happen afterward, why even promise me that?
3. How did slaying the Princess do *this*? This looks a lot like an ended world to me -- did you trick me?
4. [Suggestion - Impossible 18] Convince Him to let you go.
5. [Empathy - Challenging 12] Am I happy?
6. ...

YOU - How did slaying the Princess do *this*? This looks a lot like an ended world to me -- did you trick me?

THE NARRATOR - The world is fine. As I said - you're just far away from it. You did something heroic here today, and now you've earned a rest, don't you think?

VOICE OF THE HERO - Not feeling very heroic right now.

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] - He dodged the other question entirely.

DRAMA [Legendary: Failure] - A masterful orator -- you can't determine what's truth and what isn't.

1. Give me a straight answer dammit! What was so dangerous about the Princess? Why did I need to slay her, and if she could be ended with a regular old knife, why hadn't someone else done it already?
2. [Let it go.]

YOU - Give me a straight answer dammit! What was so dangerous about the Princess? Why did I need to slay her, and if she could be ended with a regular old knife, why hadn't someone else done it already?

THE NARRATOR - Her very existence was anathema to the continued safety of the world. You needed to slay her to stop her from escaping - and now you have. You're the only person who could have done this.

COMPOSURE [Formidable: Success] - There, at the end -- He hesitated just the slightest amount. He is unsure about at least one of these statements.

THE NARRATOR - No, I'm not. Everything has played out exactly as it should to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone - including you. You can rest easy knowing you played your part admirably.

1. Why are there bits and pieces of information I'm getting that I don't remember the source of? Am I having another amnesiotic episode?
2. So was all of that stuff about the payment just a lie? If you knew this would happen afterward, why even promise me that?
3. How did slaying the Princess do *this*? This looks a lot like an ended world to me -- did you trick me?
4. [Suggestion - Impossible 18] Convince Him to let you go.
5. [Empathy - Challenging 12] Am I happy?
6. ...

YOU - Convince Him to let you go.

+1 To the letter

+1 Fractal signature

+1 Overinsistent Vocabulary

-3 Masterful orator

CHECK FAILURE

SUGGESTION [Impossible: Failure] - Threaten to walk out the door.

VOICE OF THE HERO - What?

SUGGESTION - He's not actually holding you in this room physically -- only the implication of an endless void imprisons you here. It's probably not even really there. Call His bluff.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Easy: Success] - It looks plenty real to your eyes -- there's *nothing there*. Just empty space.

VOICE OF THE HERO - And if it isn't a bluff?

HALF LIGHT [Trivial: Success] - You'll fall -- forever.

ENDURANCE [Trivial: Success] - Or at least until your metabolism wears down to nothing.

THE NARRATOR - ...You wouldn't. Why would you? You're happy here. Why would you want to ruin that over nothing?

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - If you're really going to threaten Him by possibly throwing yourself into the void, do that *last*. It's not a very reversible action.

1. Why are there bits and pieces of information I'm getting that I don't remember the source of? Am I having another amnesiotic episode?
2. So was all of that stuff about the payment just a lie? If you knew this would happen afterward, why even promise me that?
3. How did slaying the Princess do *this*? This looks a lot like an ended world to me -- did you trick me?
4. [Empathy - Challenging 12] Am I happy?
5. ...

YOU - Am I happy?

+3 Personal Airspace Violation

CHECK SUCCESS

EMPATHY [Challenging: Success] - *Are* you?

1. Man, I was asking *you*.
2. Yeah, actually. This is pretty nice.
3. Of course not, I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do.

YOU - Man, I was asking *you*.

EMPATHY - The point is that you can actually contemplate this question properly now. Go on, tell me how you feel. Are you happy here?

1. Man, I was asking *you*.
2. Yeah, actually. This is pretty nice.
3. Of course not, I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do.

YOU - Of course not, I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do.

EMPATHY - Then there you go. Was that so hard?

THE NARRATOR - Ignore this one - you are happy. Why would I lie about this? Do you not want to be happy?

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - Not like this. Artificial happiness never lasts.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - I beg to differ.

1. Why are there bits and pieces of information I'm getting that I don't remember the source of? Am I having another amnesiotic episode?
2. So was all of that stuff about the payment just a lie? If you knew this would happen afterward, why even promise me that?
3. How did slaying the Princess do *this*? This looks a lot like an ended world to me -- did you trick me?
4. ...

YOU - ...

VOICE OF THE HERO - You alright?

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - There was supposed to be a segue from this list to the previous one here. That's usually how this works.

RHETORIC - To hell with it then. Just keep going through these, it'll be fine. You'll need *something* to bridge the gap -- you're up, kid.

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...You mean me? Oh, right - so, uh, 'are you really just going to keep sitting around here doing nothing'? (Was that good?)

1. Just for a little while longer -- I'm going to take some time to organize my thoughts and ask Him a few questions.
2. Didn't you hear Him? I'm *happy*. We're happy. This is wonderful.
3. Fuck no, this sucks. Do you have any ideas on how to get out of here?
4. ...

YOU - Fuck no, this sucks. Do you have any ideas on how to get out of here?

SUGGESTION - Door's right there. Make a move to walk out and watch Him squirm.

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...There's something else we could do. But you're probably not going to like it.

VOICE OF THE HERO - The blade. We can use the blade to get out of this.

THE NARRATOR - I can still hear everything each of these little voices says you know. There's only one thing this one would want you to use that blade on, and I'm afraid that thing is you, dear hero.

VOICE OF THE HERO - He's right. I think death is the only way out - and a blade would be much faster and kinder than wasting away here or falling forever.

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - ...No. You *can't*. There must be something else.

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] - If there is, it hasn't come to you.

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Success] - You could sit here even longer thinking up another solution -- but you can already feel yourself getting sluggish. Your reaction time has tanked and you're probably going to have a bit of trouble standing up from the floor and walking any appreciable distance.

ENDURANCE [Challenging: Success] - It's not hunger, or even anything physical. Your mind is being clouded.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - You *could* be happy here -- but you wouldn't be anything else, ever again.

VOLITION - ...

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - It will be alright. You'll emerge on the other side unscathed.

THE NARRATOR - Are you listening to this gaggle of suicidal voices? They want to take this happiness away from you. They want this wonderful place to end.

EMPATHY - You aren't happy right now. You're just bored.

VOICE OF THE HERO - There's more for us to do, and the only way for us to do it is to take that blade and use it.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Medium: Success] - You'll make it quick, like you did for her.

THE NARRATOR - Don't you dare.

1. [Step out the front door into the darkness.]
2. You do know killing myself would leave me dead, right? How is that supposed to accomplish anything?
3. ...Alright. If you say so, I'll trust you on this. I better not just die and stay dead though or I'll be *pissed*. [Get up and retrieve the blade.]
4. *NO*. I can't. I won't. I can get used to this, I'm sure. [Continue to sit here forever.]

YOU - You do know killing myself would leave me dead, right? How is that supposed to accomplish anything?

THE NARRATOR - How astute. You're absolutely correct. Using the blade to kill yourself would kill you dead - and you shouldn't do it.

VOICE OF THE HERO - In a sense we'd die, but looking at things from another angle - are we even really alive right now? There's nothing here! It's just... nothing, forever and ever.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Challenging: Success] - A total lack of stimulus -- felt only by the dead and the lost. Maybe it *has* been decades, you'd have no way to tell.

ENDURANCE [Formidable: Success] - Now that you focus more closely -- it's *also* your body being fuzzed out. It's as if you've become a caricature of a human form. The pores on your skin are ill-defined, your heartbeat is barely there, and you're going longer and longer between breaths. There is no rumble from your gut of a stomach wanting for nutrition either.

HALF LIGHT [Challenging: Success] - Not dead, but not alive either.

VOICE OF THE HERO - I know this is out there, but trust me. I know using the blade will work.

DRAMA [Easy: Success] - He is sincere, sire. His own life also hangs in the balance, yet he encourages this still.

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - This voice would have nothing to gain from tricking you here, at least that you know of.

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - ...You've staked your life on hunches before. It still hasn't failed you yet.

1. [Step out the front door into the darkness.]
2. You do know killing myself would leave me dead, right? How is that supposed to accomplish anything?
3. ...Alright. If you say so, I'll trust you on this. I better not just die and stay dead though or I'll be *pissed*. [Get up and retrieve the blade.]
4. *NO*. I can't. I won't. I can get used to this, I'm sure. [Continue to sit here forever.]

YOU - ...Alright. If you say so, I'll trust you on this. I better not just die and stay dead though or I'll be *pissed*. [Get up and retrieve the blade.]

VOICE OF THE HERO - If we stay dead, you can yell at me all you want.

VOLITION - ...That's a comforting thought.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Challenging: Success] - Your balance is all out of whack, but you manage to stand up and start walking to the basement door without falling over. It's not clearing up like you would expect it to in this situation -- if anything, it's getting worse.

THE NARRATOR - I made this happy space for you! Is this not a good enough reward for saving the world? Would you really rather go back to hoarding wealth instead of experiencing an eternity of bliss? You... you ingrate!

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - He's losing his cool. You must have found something He's really upset by here.

Task updated: What is He?

SUGGESTION - Just walking out would have been more of a power move, but this works too.

THE NARRATOR - Fine. Whatever. For the first time since time stopped meaning anything, you throw open the door to the basement and walk down the stairs.

SAVOIR FAIRE - You press the heel of your shoe down into the third stair, which lets out a rather loud squeaking noise. Just to prove a point.

VOICE OF THE HERO - No need to get pouty now - we did your plan, and look what that got us.

THE NARRATOR - The Princess' body is dust and bones, though the blade you used to slay her is still as pristine as the day you first held it.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - You *did* pierce her sternum. The blade is sticking out of it still.

ENDURANCE [Challenging: Success] - Not a single scrap of flesh remains. It'd have taken *years* for her to be this far gone.

INTERFACING [Medium: Success] - The blade should have tarnished at least a bit too, given how close it was to an active site of putrefaction.

LOGIC [Impossible: Failure] - There is no way you could have survived this long with no food or water. For that matter, it felt as though only minutes passed -- has time been dilated somehow?

THE NARRATOR - You pick up the blade.

Item gained: Pristine Blade

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...Yeah? We pick up the blade, then what?

THE NARRATOR - You think I'm going to assist you in stabbing yourself to death? No. If you're going to do this, do it yourself.

VOLITION [Heroic: Failure] - It's not too late. Just throw this knife away and go back upstairs -- even manufactured happiness might be better than this.

1. I have to do this. This is the only way forward.
2. [Drop the blade and go back upstairs.]

YOU - I have to do this. This is the only way forward.

LOGIC - It might as well work, honestly. Considering the cabin is currently *nowhere*, the laws of this reality seem to have been tossed out a while back.

ENDURANCE - You'll die eventually, waiting up there.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Easy: Success] - If not in body, then in mind. Ego death.

VOLITION - Fine. Just -- can he do it, instead?

COMPOSURE [Godly: Failure] - You probably couldn't handle ending yourself like this, no matter how many times you've fantasized about it.

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...If you want me to. I'll do it.

1. [Composure - Godly 16] [Slay yourself.]
2. [Let him do it.]

YOU - [Let him do it.]

VOICE OF THE HERO - Just close your eyes - this will be over in a minute, and then we'll see what happens next, alright?

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - Your eyelids slide closed of their own accord. You don't want to see this.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - The arm holding the knife moves on its own, without your input -- you don't try to stop it, though there's a part of you that wants to fight back against the intrusion.

EMPATHY [Trivial: Success] - He waited for your consent.

DAMAGED HEALTH -7

HEALTH CRITICAL!

ENDURANCE - Right in the heart, just as with her -- slid between two ribs this time instead of piercing bone.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Heroic: Failure] - It's just a little sloppy -- you feel the pain, for sure -- but it was not nearly as bad as it could have been.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - The knife slides out as easily as it went in. You'll bleed out in seconds as opposed to the minute or so it would've taken if you left it in.

HALF LIGHT [Formidable: Success] - You aren't panicking right now for some reason. As if, in the deep recesses of your instinctual self, you know that he was right -- you will return soon enough.

VOICE OF THE HERO - ...See you soon, Harry.

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Success] - Sweet dreams.

THE NARRATOR - Everything goes dark, and you die. Nice knowing you - I hope it was worth it.

---

Notes:

Fun fact, 'Half Light' does not contain a dash between the two words. I have no idea why I thought this was the case. That's about a couple dozen formatting errors squared away now.

Anyway, Harry's killed a woman for money, then killed himself to escape a prison of eternity, and we're only on chapter six. Merry Boxing Day / Belated Christmas / Extremely Belated Halloween.