Palm-Top Savior III

Darkmask, you're finally here! Ignore my wounds for now. Ah Hua hasn't returned...

A fellow sprout-forager. Ah Hua's been caring for me during these couple of days since I got hurt real bad.

I didn't see him today so I asked around. Turned out he went out sprout-foraging with some of the Fam.

But we suddenly got a huge load of Blight short after they left. They're not even back yet... We're afraid, but none of us dared to start a search right now.

Of course I do. I told everyone that Darkmask's gourds are super useful. We just need to think of a way to dodge the Blight.

But still, Fam's scared, Darkmask. The Blight is getting worse. Those tiny gourds probably can't beat the bloody goop.

Apologies, Endmin. I was picking up the new gourds. That took me a while.

Did you find the missing people?

A lesson from "Watchguard of Wuling". Never ignore any detail.

When I was patrolling these parts, I overheard them arguing if they should risk their lives to find their missing people.

It was a very heated argument. I think it's best if you can mediate the thing. After all, it'd be inappropriate for me to butt in...

What? Really...? But the latest protection device is capable of dealing with the local Blight. I'm always wearing one.

Oh, I got an idea!

I'm volunteering for the search party.

It's the damn badge hanging around Darkmask! Hmph. Why are you poking your nose in Stockade biz, Wulinger?

Ugh. I guess I can use another pair of eyes. Aren't you afraid of that Blight shite out there?

I'm a watchguard. That means I'm no coward 'cos it doesn't fit with our outfit.

You talk the talk. But it takes more than two for a proper search.

I got an idea.

Stockaders! I'm a badge from Wuling. Don't worry. This watchguard will find your missing Fam and bring them home!

HEY! This is Stockade biz, badge. And we don't need no Wulinger to help us out! Are we Stockaders a joke to you, huh?

I got an army of Fam with me! Lemme educate you, Wulinger. We Stockaders are FEARLESS!

Learned it by reading "I Walked On the Fringe of the Band". Having a friend on the other side makes instigation tactics more effective.

Endmin, over here!

Finally, home sweet home. I'm just glad that Ah Hua and the others are alright. Gotta hand it to you, Darkmask, and that ... hmm. Where's Mister Badge?

Oh? He's already gone. Fine. I was thinking about thanking him in person.

Say, Darkmask, all those books and reading ... turned the Wulingers' brains into blight-goop, right?

I heard him talk to you. "Oh, I learned it from this book." "Ah. I got it from that book."

Reminds me of another Wulinger I've met a few years back.

Ah, yeah. There was this time when my Fam was heading back after a major haul when we heard people calling for help.

We got closer and saw a Wulinger getting roughed up by a bunch of splatters.

We saved that dude, but he kept blabbering on and on about some blight-ass books.

Told us about "The Grateful Burdenbeast" and how everyone must repay a debt of kindness.

We were busy trying to haul our loot back to the Stockade, so we just left him there. Got no time for his book-pushing.

Nothing like our Darkmask. You got none of his funny Wulinger habit.

The Fam's counting on you about the gourds. Those gadgets are truly wonderful.