Intoxicating Connections

Oh, back already? Good job, everyone!

Too good, if you ask me! Dinner's not ready yet, so you'll just have to line up and wait! All employees must wash hands!

Could we at least sit?

In that case, I will prepare the meat I hunted earlier. Call me once the food is ready.

Where'd ya find the time to go huntin'? You were supposed to check on the hole to the Darkrealm.

The hole was just fine 'n' dandy, if ya don't count them awful critters what tried to kill us.

What?! You mean you guys got into a fight? Are you okay?

Hahaha! We're just fine. The three of us did all the work, and this guy just kinda stood around.

If they ain't buyin', I ain't sellin'. Simple as that.

Well, I'm just glad you're all okay.

Ungh...

My appendix! My duodenum! And all other organs! It burns! Ohh, the humanity! Take me outta the game, Coach!

Hm? Oh, Wryz... Is dinner ready?

Not yet. Did somethin' happen?

Why do you ask?

You're not yourself today. You don't seem very...enthusiastic.

Am I ever?

I mean, no?! But this time's different!

It's almost like you're bored or somethin'.

You might be right... As they say, "A snot nose without a mirror knows not his own visage."

You're gonna hafta be clearer than that.

There are some things a person won't notice about themselves.

Hunting is the very thing that binds Wryz and I together.

Leaving the island and hunting alongside one another again finally made me realize it...

, I already have a reason to hunt. I hunt to make your dream a reality, and maybe that's enough.

(Wryz's dream came true the moment she defeated the Wyrmking.)

Perhaps I need to redefine what hunting means to me now.

Don't go drawin' conclusions all by yourself. You're always goin' off about complicated stuff, but...life's not all about huntin', y'know? Isn't there anything else ya like? Got any hobbies? Interests?

...Nothing comes to mind. I have never lived in pursuit of pleasure. Please allow me some time for me to think of an answer to your question.

Yeaaah, it's not really the kind of thing you "think" of.

Even so, I must.

The organization loses a beloved member, but time slows for no one. Wryz feels every grain of sand that falls in the hourglass...

Now then, I think that's enough for today. Why don't we save the rest for tomorrow?

Aww, but we were just gettin' to the good part! Couldn't ya just do a li'l more?

Haha. Well, if you insist. Perhaps another verse or two...

Seriously? How long're you gonna keep badgerin' this poor lady?

I'm not a badger! You should come listen too! We're just gettin' the part where you fight back against the mean ol' dragon!

I'll pass. I mean, I'm happy 'n' all that she made a song about me, but... It's kinda embarrassing to listen to my story every single day.

Then how about the prelude? It's mostly about your dear friend Flaudia.

I've heard that one so many times, I know all the words. I'm surprised you don't get...

What's up?

That's it, Cerius! I know what you're interested in!

You do?

Yeah! You love spicy food! You eat it literally every day!

I suppose...I do.

Then why don't you track down the best hot sauce out there? A hunter can hunt more than just prey.

Hunt down...hot sauce...

Doesn't it sound like fun?

What kinda flavor do ya like, Cerius?

Guess knowing that'd narrow things down.

Hmm... I suppose I'm not too particular. It could be sweet or sour, fruity or fermented.

But it must be worthy of the hunt, so I'd like it to be exceptionally spicy, so much so that I can't think straight or remember eating it.

Uh, you sure that's a good idea?

That is why I eat spicy food in the first place.

Well, I've never seen you lose your memory or anything like that with just normal spicy food, so...

Then I suggest making it yourself. It's quite fun to craft something with one's ideals in mind.

But where would he even start?

I have an idea.

You do?

Of course! As a medic, I know all about herbs, and spices!

There's actually a super-spicy sauce called the "dragonslayer" back in my hometown.

Whoaaa, people name condiments after us too?

Well here's a spicy, face-melting dance for you!

Whoaaa... Why's the room spinnin'...?

The dragonslayer isn't just any ordinary sauce. Supposedly it's so good, even the gods love it. That's why it's so hard to make.

Well, it'd be no fun if you could just buy it from your local merchant. So? How do you make it?

Well... That's a good question.

A good question...with no answer, huh? You made it seem like you were the expert in this sauce.

Nca, quit playing games with Cerial's heart! Before you tear him apart!

I'm not playing games! It's a legendary sauce! You're not going to find the recipe in any old texts!

Then we can start by researching the sauce itself.

Are you sure about this? You have almost nothing to go on.

That is no different than what we've done before. And finding traces of one's prey is part of the hunt.

I think Nca here's holdin' out on us. C'mon, open up! Tell us whatcha know or else! I ain't jokin' 'round, see?

Stop that! You're scaring me! I promise I'd tell you if I knew anything at all!

C'mon, there's gotta be something. Think, Sazanca.

Let me see...

Teeen... Niiine... Eiiight...

A countdown? To what?! Please don't rush me!

Okay, okay! How's this?! It's a formal Eastern outfit that can be worn when cooking ceremonial dishes. It's a sauce made for the gods, so you need to make sure you're dressed properly.

I've never seen anything like it. Would you mind if I put it on?

Go right ahead! Let me know if you need any help.

So you're trying to find the recipe for this "dragonslayer" sauce... Any idea where to start?

I think I'll ask the guy who told me about Wyrmrest. He prides himself on bein' well-informed about everything, so he might be able to point us in the right direction.

My apologies on the wait.

Is this correct?

I think so!

It really suits ya.

Yeah, you wear it well, Cerius.

It isn't easy to move around in, but I'll get used to it in time. Now then, you were saying something about our heading?

Yeah, let's head to the tavern in Acteul. You-know-who might know somethin' about the dragonslayer.

I see... Yes, I suppose he might.

You didn't have to come with me, you know.

Don't be silly. It doesn't hurt to have a little help on the hunt, does it?

Yeah. It was my idea anyway, so makin' the trip's no big deal.

Utpalaka and Melpiphia said they'd look after Wyrmrest too, so we don't have to worry about that.

That is reassuring, indeed. Let's head inside.

YOU!

It's been a while, hasn't it? How have you been?

Never worse, that's how!

Do you need some medicine?

Appreciate it, but... Hmph, whaddaya want? Can't imagine ya just stopped by for a warm meal.

You're right, but that's to be expected with you. We're lookin' for info about a hot sauce called "dragonslayer." Heard of it?

Course I have! But I ain't spillin' no beans for free!

Well, we need the info, so...how much is it gonna cost?

I ain't want yer money. I want a rematch, y'hear? Do you know how humiliatin' it was losin' that eatin' contest to you?! I've been practicin' every day to make my stomach strong as steel!

That sounds like torture...

Shuddup! We doin' this or not?!

But of course. I have been practicing as well.

Why do you do this to yourselves...

C'mon! Let's do this!

Aaand he's down for the count! C'mon, you coulda been a contender!

Uhh... What're you doing here?

Quenching my thirst, duh! The name's Piphia. Melpiphia. I'll have mine shaken, not stirred.

You can still shake juice, just like this!

Doesn't that make you dizzy?

Quit yer yappin', kid... Ungh, my mouth is on fire...

Have some water.

Whew... I've had enough of that. Those wings were too hot to handle.

Would you like another round, just to be sure?

Hah! You tryin' to kill me? You won, fair and square.

Then tell us what you know about the dragonslayer.

Right. So if I remember correctly, it's made by fermentin' an Eastern pepper called "hito obore," but...

You need a special enzyme to do that. And that enzyme can only be found in the fur of a surberus.

That sounds pretty simple. So all we gotta do is get those ingredients and...

Wait, wait, wait. It ain't that simple! Ya can't just go mixin' 'em all together like a big ol' stew. You gotta play music under the light of the full moon if ya want it to become the dragonslayer.

Huh? Why would ya need music?

To help ferment the sauce, of course! Somethin' that good can't be made overnight. But the gods ain't patient neither. That's why ya gotta get things movin' along with some music!

Ya don't say... Didn't realize it was a whole thing. But at least we got ourselves a bard, so the music's covered.

Yeah... But what about the ingredients?

They shouldn't be too hard to procure. What is this "surberus" creature, though? I've never heard of it before.

Well, from what I know... It's a large, three-headed dog. But now it's kinda sorta...extinct.

Then how're we supposed to get that enzyme?!

We'll hafta find ourselves a substitute.

Indeed. If we can find a similar organism in a similar habitat, we may be able to procure the enzyme.

Yeah... I guess that could work...

What's the matter? Thought we'd let extinction stop us? We don't give up, even when our backs're against the wall.

Precisely. And we just so happen to be in luck. For we have already seen a large, three-headed dog before.

Oh yeah! In the Darkrealm!

Which is exactly where we will go next.

Well, if it ain't my favorite customers. What can I do ya for today?

Uhh... What're you doing here?

Why the suspicious look, friend? It ain't so unusual for me to be here in the Darkrealm, now is it?

I mean, I guess not...

By the way, we're looking for something that could lure out a three-headed dog. Know of anything?

A three-headed doggy dog, ya say? Tell yer good pal Kuchinawa all 'bout it.

We would hate to kill a beast that did not attack us for our own purposes. So we plan to lure one out with some type of food it likes, then grab ourselves a tuft of its fur.

Well, I'd say you came to the right man. I've got just the doohickey for ya...

You can't seriously think any of this guy's "doohickeys" or "doodads" are actually gonna help.

You might be right...

There's no need to spoil the fun, friend. Least lemme tell you 'bout this miracle product...

Sorry, but we're too busy for your sales pitch.

A Nopaew... They may just be the right ones for the job.

But how're we gonna ask them?

I dunno. We can't understand each other.

Please don't say we have to ask Kuchinawa...

I'd really rather not...

Poh poh popoew?

Poh paew?

Poh. Po-paew.

You can speak their language?!

Only a little. Lately, there has been an influx of Nopaew visitors to the base, so I've been studying. I'm glad I was able to get my message across.

You're really something, Cerius. I run into the Nopaew pretty often and I still can't understand a word they say.

Perhaps I can thank my hunter training for that. I am always keeping an ear out for the sounds of birds and beasts. Even if their words sound similar, the slight differences can vastly change the meaning of what they say. Like "popo-paew" and "pohpo-paew," for example...

Hah...

Is something the matter?

Sorry, I just thought it was funny to hear you say that with such a straight face.

I did not intend it to make you laugh...

Like I said, I'm sorry.

Poh! Paew!

Poh poh?

Poh! Poh!

Something wrong? They seem kinda frantic.

It appears there was no need to lure one out.

Well, of course not. This sorta thing happens every day 'round these parts.

Whatever the case, we can't let it destroy their home!

But we can't fight it here.

Then we drive it out.

Sazanca! You still got that Fan-Tastic thingamajig? Use it to get that dog outta here!

Why do I have to do it?! That thing is dangerous!

There's no time to lose! It'll keep destroyin' the settlement if we don't!

I'll be right behind you, Sazanca!

You better be!

Then let us wait for it on the other side.

Get along, little doggy!

Alright! After it!

Now's our chance!

Not yet! We need to weaken it a little more!

We got this!

I think we can get that fur now.

Ahh! But we didn't get the fur yet!

Cerius!

How reckless can one be?!

Wryz!

What do we do?! She's falling!

Couldn't ya have said somethin' before summonin' me outta the blue like that?

Sorry, I was fallin' off a cliff. Didn't have time to give ya a heads-up.

Oh, thank goodness! You're okay!

Yup. And I got the fur too.

Good grief... Did you really just risk your life for some hot sauce?

I'm always riskin' my life. It's no big deal.

I dunno if that counts as an answer...

Even if I do somethin' like that, I know you guys got my back. So it's all good, right?

Yeah! We're here to help whenever ya need us!

You're going to be the death of me...

Enough of that. I got the enzyme thing, so what do we do now?

Uhh... We play it some music and let it ferment peppers under the full moon?

Right. There should be a place where we can see the moon further in.

So all we need now is some music to make it ferment, right?

But who's gonna do that? We didn't bring the bard.

Then allow me to sing in her stead. Ahem! Is this the reaaal liiife...

I could do it. I know how to play an instrument.

Since when?

Very recently. Considering this quest we're on is purely personal, I wanted to do everything myself.

Must be nice bein' so smart. Study just a li'l and ya can master anything.

Think it's done yet?

Maybe give it a little more time, Wryz...

The music's nice, but just waitin' around's startin' to get boring.

Sounds like ya might be interested in havin' a little fun, if ya don't mind my sayin'. And I got just the ticket!

Yeah? That's pretty thoughtful of ya.

Good luck with that, Utpalaka. I wouldn't touch anything that snake sells me with a ten-foot pole.

Why don't we make something to eat in the meantime?

Is it ready?

I think so.

What? Just gonna leave it there?

No, I will give it a try.

So? Hot enough for ya?

It is delicious, but...I fear it's no different than a normal hot sauce.

But we worked so hard on it!

Yes, but...

I daresay I am having a good time.

Guys, guess what?! Cerius said he's having a good time!

Well, I'll be! Ain't that a hoot?!

It must be my new dance! Can't stop the beat...

I think it was the hot sauce...

Ah, I see now why even the hottest hot sauce will never be enough.

Because nothing can compare to the warmth I feel inside.