Soon, the time for the assault came. The hunters boarded the boats waiting for them, then slowly but steadily crept toward the island.
It was only a passage over the water, but the boats in use weren’t that big either, fitting ten passengers each. The gondola-like wooden vessels were crewed by 4 [Rowers] each, who moved in sync, dragging enormous oars back and forth. Fayette found herself following the rhythmic motion with her head, back and forth, back and forth.
She imagined a broom going back and forth in place of the oar, sweeping away any nastiness lurking in the waters. Is that how a [Water Maid] works? I’ve got water magic now, so maybe I could become one of those…
She looked at the bucket laying on the ground in front of her, lid on, and imagined the slime within wobbling about like the waves. Water magic… how does it fit in with [Maid Martial Arts]? Though now might not be the time. Or maybe…
She quickly checked that no [Mages] were near her, but of course there weren’t, their lot was mostly in the head boat, the largest of them all. Even the one nominally in charge of their group was there, preparing a spell of his own. I guess none of them would notice if I did just a bit.
Idly, she channeled just a hint of mana, nudging the waves in the water just a bit. It was easier on her than creating water out of nothing, but not that much more useful in the end. Then she felt a prod at her side, and her concentration broke, along with the magic.
“Fay, put your mask on already,” said Mireille, nudging her with a shoulder.
Fayette grumbled, coming out of her focus. “Hey! I was just about to have a revelation or something!”
“You really don’t have time for that, we’re almost there. Stick to what you know.”
Fayette turned away from the oars, looking at the approaching island. It wasn’t that far away now, and she could make out the tall warehouses and smaller office buildings by the docks, but not the ships being built. They would be on the other side, facing the wider ocean.
Funny that. Even though they’re all airships these days. Guess history matters.
The shipyard area was set to the Western end of the island, blocked off from the rest by a sturdy wall, which probably made it ideal for an initial forward base. Probably why they chose this place. Three larger buildings and a dozen smaller ones were dotted around the place, and Fayette focused on one of the bigger ones—her assigned zone.
She could also see the shambling figures by the shore better now. It was a mixed group, and Fayette began identifying the different types she had heard of based on what she saw.
Corpse-like, slow-types—the standard zombies from all the stories. People who got the disease, but died from it before the magic modified them that much, so the rest of it went to keeping them up and moving.
A few of them looked livelier, less pale in the face, more alive, and more monstrous. Gangly, long limbs, hunched gaits, and bulging muscles which spoke of inhuman strength. Ghouls. Technically more alive than the others, but reduced to mindless beasts. Letting the magic focus on strengthening instead of reanimation.
Fayette looked down at the mask in her hands, a long and grim beak-like artifact, with a gleaming green gemstone inlaid at the end of the beak. With her new magical senses, she could feel it emanating a subtle aura around it, a field to keep off plague nastiness.
Olivia said that these aren’t completely effective, but it sure does feel better to have some magic equipment to use for once. She fastened it on and grimaced at the new weight she felt on her head. Fayette gave her head a quick shake to make sure it was firmly on and found it well in place. Still—will take a bit to get used to.
She turned to the others. “Did I put it on right?”
Olivia looked up from her work, then got up and stepped closer to Fayette, examining her mask. “Looks good to me.” She said, satisfied, then sat back down next to Marie, who was helping her do a last-minute check-up of her [Doctor] equipment.
They would be splitting up for the first bit, Olivia and Marie staying behind to hold the fort while Fayette and Mireille would move out with the others. Mireille had given her spider pet to Marie for safekeeping, as she didn’t think the little critter was quite grown enough for a tough job like this.
Fayette watched Marie look over the healing potions, feeling conflicted. It felt odd to… separate like this. Especially after all the dangers they had faced. But Marie and Olivia would be quite safe with all the hunters and the [Mage] who would be staying behind, while it was Fayette who would be going to hunt the monsters.
She felt at her right hand, dragging a finger over the boon marker that was lain there. Marie had put it on just before they had boarded, and the spark of magic there felt electric. But Marie herself looked grim and worried, an effect only enhanced by the spider on her shoulder and the creepy mask on her face.
“Hey—Marie.” Fayette said.
The [Lady] jolted her head up, eyes brightening a bit. “Yes?”
Fayette used [Disarming Smile]. “Don’t look so worried.”
“Stop using that skill, you’re really bad at covering it up,” Marie said, but her lip was curled up just a bit, so Fayette thought it was worth it.
I guess the skill does work on her too.
Fayette shrugged. “I’ve had more experience than most in fighting while keeping myself clean, so making sure I don’t let anything nasty touch me will be much easier than for others.”
“Just be careful, you can sometimes be a tad careless,” Marie said, turning back to the potion.
Fayette nodded, then saw that they were almost at the island. More of the basic zombie types were gathering on the shore, and she could now make out their rotting faces. Nasty stuff, the dead should stay dead—not come out to mess things up. At least the weak types aren’t too smart.
She stood up, stretched her shoulders, and picked up her bucket and broom. “You ready Mireille?”
The [Seamstress] was still sitting, opposite her, and didn’t make a move to get up. She shook her head. “I’m resting for just a bit. They won’t need us for the start.”
“Really?” Fayette asked, quirking an eyebrow and looking at the coast. “We’re almost there, and that’s quite the welcome committee.”
“Just watch, look at the main boat,” Mireille answered, pointing at the boat the [Mages] were on, along with many of the ranged hunters.
Fayette eyed the vessel and saw Cadeau’s figure poised at the front, a hand held up. Their boat quite a bit bigger than hers, mainly by width. Two other [Mages] stood by his sides, and a dozen hunters were holding bows at the ready.
Fayette whistled. A ranged volley to start things off, huh?
Then the man swung his hand down, launching a gleaming orb at the shoreline. It flew in a short arc, about as fast as Fayette could throw a ball, and landed among the gathered zombies. They rushed at it, piling up.
Then it exploded.
A gleaming fireball erupted, and monsters burst into blood, leaving behind glowing monster cores, but many of the zombies were only flung back, quickly getting right back up. Burnt, but not beaten. Until the rest of the barrage followed.
Countless skill-boosted arrows followed, along with smaller fireballs from the other [Mages]. Monsters were pierced, blasted, and sliced into pieces until only a wide pool of black-tinted crimson blood was left on the pier.
Fayette felt just a bit of envy at the display. If only I had fire magic like that…
But still, she turned back to the others. “Isn’t this too easy? Why do they even need us?”
Olivia snorted and got up, all her supplies sorted back inside her bag. “Those are the easiest types—the dumb ones. The smarter ones are still out there, hidden. Lurking and waiting. Easy to bash a [Mage’s] head in, they say.”
Fayette turned to the shore, which was only fifty feet away now, and squinted her eyes. At first, she saw nothing, but then… One on the roof of the warehouse, crawling on its stomach. Something peeking out of a window, then pulling back to cover. Two figures scuttling in a shaded nook, rushing inside a building.
How many are monster, how many human, and how many of those are [Infected]?
All the other hunters on her barge were now getting up too, walking closer to the edge, ready to hop off. Fayette nodded at Mireille, and together they stepped right behind the Salted Knives, in position to be the second ones off the boat. Marie and Olivia got in right after, but Mousetrap was between them.
And then the boats thudded ashore, and everyone was rushing out, and Fayette jumped to the waiting pier. It was chaos for a few seconds, people getting their footing and gathering into groups, but then Cadeau was roaring out orders, voice enhanced by magic.
“Ranged Squad with me! Spotters, find the targets! Gate squad, secure the wall and fortify it!”
Fayette moved, Mireille at her side, broom held up. More monsters were appearing, attracted by the noise and commotion. Zombies were rushing out of the buildings or lurking out from behind corners, but those ones got shot down fast.
Hunters were running forward, shields and swords held up, barrier skills glowing, and some faster monsters made it to them. Fighting erupted, forming a frontline that ran through the central clearing. Cadeau was still yelling.
“Ghouls coming in! Shielding squad, hold them back! Establish the landing zone! And the rest of you—clear those buildings before any sneak behind!”
Fayette turned back one last time and saw that Olivia and Marie were already busy at work, hauling boxes out of the landing boats and dragging them onto land. Marie looked her way too, and stopped in place for a moment, staring.
Fayette winked at her, then turned and started walking, then jogging forward. “Mireille, you remember our building?”
The [Seamstress] was already jogging right behind her and scanned the area ahead quickly. “Looks like Edmond is already set up by the door.”
The thick-set man had run ahead already, surprisingly fast for his frame, and was waiting by a two-story brick house with windows shattered and doors torn off. His job would be to make sure nothing snuck out while Fayette and Mireille cleared the building.
There was fighting all over now, and the first of the hunters had already fallen. But Fayette was only focused forward, on her target, and on her skills. Trying to visualize what was about to happen.
Fighting in narrow corridors and advancing into rooms full of hiding places. Dangerous enemies that one had to keep from touching you. Potential deceit from those they were supposed to rescue.
Fayette shifted her broom in her hand, searching for just the right angle. How should I do this? Spice won’t work on zombies, and I haven’t fought much without that for a while… a capstone won’t help much, and neither will [Sweep Dust].
Basically, it was just her [Maid Martial Arts] and [Cutlery Control] she could rely on here. And maybe a hint of water magic…
And her slime. It was happily sloshing around in the bucket as if it could anticipate the carnage to come. Or maybe it can sense that it has already begun?
She reached the building, nodded at Edmond, then stepped through the door, ready for some proper practice.
—
The building was dark, lit only by the scant light from a clouded sky. Many corridors led further in, but they stood ominous—not revealing a hint of anyone inside. But Fayette knew there were people and monsters there. Apparently, a [Mage] had done a divination of sorts.
Not that accurate, but it was something. Some humans. Some monsters.
Looking at the long, eerie corridors felt familiar. Not like the manor or the cave, because she wasn’t alone. A friend had her back. “Mireille, you remember the crypts in Palogne?”
The [Seamstress] stepped next to her. “Of course I do.”
“Same formation?” Fayette asked. She pointed her broom forward. “Block off corridors with your stuff, then clear them one-by-one. I move in the front, then you guard my back.”
“…I’ll trust your instincts on this one. Which way should we start?”
“Bottom up? Cellar first, end on the second floor?”
Mireille nodded. “Should be fine.”
First, they headed to a short side passage arriving at a creaky staircase leading down to the basement. It was a simple formation: Fayette in the front, advancing with a broom in one hand and a slime-filled bucket in the other.
With her [Maidsense] she could feel the general layout of the place even in the dark, but only within her general field of view. Mireille brought the rear some distance away, laying down wires behind them and holding up a dim lantern for herself.
Fayette sensed the stairs come to an end by a door and slowed her steps, watchful. With a quick [Eavesdrop], she heard hushed voices come from within, and stepping closer, saw claw marks on the door’s sturdy wood. But it had not been broken open.
So some people managed to barricade themselves down here… I wonder how long they’ve been down there? How fast did things really go bad here? They said in town that the outbreak was very sudden—first a sickness, then sudden chaos following. But it only stayed on this island, even if it was so widespread here… How does that even happen?
She had no line of sight, so couldn’t get a sense of the classes the people within had, but it probably wasn’t worth the trouble. If they’ve stayed put this long, they can wait a bit longer. Too much of a hassle to deal with them now.
Fayette turned around and began walking back up, meeting up with Mireille who had stopped in place.
“Trouble?” The [Seamstress] asked, voice a whisper.
Fayette shook her head. “Some survivors. Seemed to be doing alright—no point getting them out yet before we clear the rest.”
Mireille nodded and began unwinding the razor-wire-trapped hallway she had set up behind. It seemed to go rather fast for her now, only taking half a second for each bit she had set up. Much faster than it had been back in Palogne’s catacombs. Fayette felt some relief at that. Guess she’s gotten a decent bit stronger too. Hope she’s not taking her slower advance poorly.
It didn’t take them long to get back to the first floor, and then they continued forward in the same pattern, past hastily-abandoned rooms where paperwork still laid in place as if left behind only for a moment.
The first few rooms and corridors they checked revealed nothing, but that only made what followed more ominous. The few paintings hanging by the walls seemed to stare into Fayette as she crept forward, taking care to not let the wooden flooring creak. Cold wind blew into the corridors through broken windows, bringing a scent of death.
Then they arrived at another intersection, with a staircase to the left leading upstairs, and a passage to the right leading further inside. But sensed it ahead, right beyond the corner to the right—enemies. She didn’t need a skill for it, the smell, quiet groans, and sounds of shuffling steps were hint enough. Looking back, she signaled Mireille to take care, then readied herself.
In a smooth motion, Fayette stepped past the corner and readied her bucket for a throw. She took in her targets in an instant. Three zombies, the normal slow types, were grouped together by an open door. Rotted faces turned to her.
She aimed and thrust her bucket forward, and a cleaning-slime flew at the frontmost of the zombies, splattering all over it. Flesh started sizzling with a noxious scent.
And the others roared, then started rushing her. Fayette nodded calmly. One… mostly down.
She heard Mireille begin fighting something by the stairway behind her, and moved her broom to a two handed grip. Then she ran right at the two remaining zombies, readying for an overhead strike. They shambled at her; claw-like fingertips reduced to bone swiping at her face. She ducked the strike and swung at the foremost one’s head, putting all her strength in the blow.
The creature made no attempt at blocking, and her broom crunched down on its head.
And it went splat, dissolving into blood like monsters always did. And Fayette’s eyes widened because the blood still had the monster’s momentum. Shit—it’s going to get all over me!
The other zombie was only a few steps behind, but a mass of diseased blood was now splattering right at her.
Fayette kept her hit moving down, bringing her broom to the floor, then pushed herself back with it, flying backward. She stumbled down onto her back—but the blood just missed her, splashing right by her feet.
The zombie didn’t. It jumped at her prone form and Fayette brought her broom up to keep it off, managing to push it just an arm’s length away. Filthy legs pressed against her dress, weakening her [Maid Armour]. Filthier arms reached for her.
Fayette saw that her beak-like mask was right by the zombie’s face, then she headbutted, no, pecked the zombie in the face, and it stumbled just a bit. Then, summoning all her strength, she kicked it off and sprung herself back, getting to her feet just as the monster reached for a new swipe.
It was slow, weakened by decaying muscle. She was not. Her broom’s metal-end smashed into its face.
Fayette took a step back as it too dissolved into murky blood, leaving a green-tinted monster core behind. Fayette took in some deep breaths, thanking the mask she was breathing through. That thing got way too close to my skin! I’ll have to take more care with the blood splashes…
She looked forward and saw that the slime was sitting in a sizzling pool of blood, eagerly devouring it, like a dog lapping at the water. At least you are good at handling this stuff. There were sounds of fighting still coming from behind too, but Mireille wasn’t yelling anything, so she was probably fine.
Which was good, because right at that moment, two more figures crept into view from a further doorway, attracted by the sound. Fayette narrowed her eyes, and readied her broom again, sending a mental signal for the slime to lie in wait and hide. Because these two foes looked tougher.
They were growling instead of groaning and didn’t look dead. No—they looked twisted. Human forms as a base, but eyes glazed over in red, black veins spreading all over their bodies, and muscles bulging in unnatural ways. They looked at her for only a moment, then pounced.
Like bulls trapped in human flesh, they were on her in an instant, and she had to take steps back as their powerful fists hit her broom, sending shocks through her bones and core. But she had commanded the slime to hide for a reason, and it was now behind them, waiting.
Go.
Fayette commanded it back and was rewarded with a roar of rage as the backmost ghoul fell to the ground, its left foot suddenly dissolving in the slime.
The other one was distracted for a moment, and Fayette took the chance. Like hammering an anvil, she struck it fiercely, and the hand it brought up to block crumpled against her broom’s metal end. Her next swing hit a leg, toppling it to a knee, and her third swing finally reached its head, cracking the skull to bits.
Unleashing a new tide of blood.
But this time Fayette was ready—she tapped into her new reservoir, activating her water magic. Sure, it was costly to generate new water, but adjusting the flow of a blood spray? Much easier.
She stepped forward, and the blood parted for her, like a curtain rolling back, and she reached the second ghoul, which was getting back up. Fayette didn’t let it. One more smack of her broom and it too dissolved.
But Fayette wasn’t done. She was feeling it, a flow, like she was on the cusp of learning something. And her [Eavesdrop] had picked up more groans from ahead. So she left her slime there to recover from the magic she was using up, and ran forward to a doorway at the end of the hall, stepping through.
Instantly, her [Maidsense] picked up a different sort of presence. There were three normal zombies in the room, slowly turning her way, but there was also a fourth presence. Human.
Fayette turned her head, and locked eyes with a dull-eyed young man, who was packing gear from an open cupboard into a backpack in a mad hurry. The zombies in the room weren’t reacting to him at all, and his pale face was filled with sweltering pustules of disease. And his presence just felt so wrong, almost more so than the monsters—[Infected].
The man grimaced, face shifting oddly, and began lifting up his hand. The zombies in the room began to shift.
And Fayette’s thrown knife lodged into his throat, guided by [Cutlery Control]. He fell down, clutching at his throat, choking on blood. Fayette turned to the zombies and returned to a two-hand grip. One down.
Then she moved like in a dance, because the normal zombie types were just so slow. Two quick steps forward, broom down, and one head smashed. A tide of blood, but she tapped her magic, and it parted before her, and she stepped right through.
Two more steps and the next foe was quick enough to reach for her with long arms. Thrusting it forward like a spear, she wove her broom through the attack, hitting the monster’s face and pushing it back. The hands went to the sides, and the zombie staggered back against the wall.
One step forward, an overhead smash to the head, and another bloody splatter. She didn’t need to part this one, it only painted the wall, then for the last zombie—
Fayette took a single step back and spun around a half-circle, bringing her broom with her in the motion, hitting the last zombie on its left shoulder. It crunched under her blow, stopping a coming attack, and she stepped forward another step, bringing her broom away and back, and hit it right in the neck with the broom’s other end.
Crunch, splatter, and the last one was down.
Finally, Fayette stopped in place, took a deep breath, feeling the energy still roiling in her veins, then snapped her head back to the [Infected]. He was motionless—dead. She still quickly smashed his legs with her broom, just in case the magical disease tried to reanimate him.
[Efficient, quick, elegant! Don’t forget the blood too!]
[Level up: You have reached Maid level 22! Congratulations!]
[2 Skill points gained!]
[Progress towards next level: 0%]
Nice.
Only then did she finally let herself calm, looking around the blood-soaked room. Wincing at the stench, she began to hurry back, stopping when she saw a [Seamstress] staring at her from the doorway.
Mireille looked at all the blood, then quirked an eyebrow at Fayette. “You sure… were efficient.”
Fayette relaxed the tension in her shoulders. “You handled your part fine?”
“Just two—weren’t normal sorts. Seemed to be trying to sneak behind us,” Mireille said.
Fayette eyed the pools of blood in the room, noting that the monster core within. She remembered that the ones the ghouls had left seemed different in coloring. “Do you think those cores would be safe to take if I have the slime cleanse them thoroughly first?”
“Hmm… maybe we’ll leave them for now, and ask Olivia later? Being careful doesn’t hurt. Did you manage to stay clean?”
Fayette nodded. “Just barely, I was a bit too careless for a moment, but managed pretty fine after.”
“Let’s still check with Olivia after. Should we do this side-by-side then, for the rest?” Mireille asked, turning to her.
Fayette thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Might as well. With how much noise we made and how little room there is left, I doubt we’ll find many more monsters.”
“You ready?” Mireille asked, stepping back from the doorway.
“Give me a moment,” Fayette said. She stepped out of the room too, noting that her slime seemed to be feeling groggy. Seems I used up my allotment of magic. I really need to get a better bond for that.
She instructed it to get back in the bucket, then thought about her new skill points. I could use them right now… but I don’t think there’s an urgent need. Might be better to think on it later.
Fayette tabled the thought, picked up her slime-filled bucket, then nodded at Mireille. Time to move out.
—
And as she had expected, the rest of the building didn’t have any more lurking monsters: they had all been attracted to their initial fight. There was one more pocket of civilians hiding out in the kitchen’s pantry, behind a boarded-up door, but after freeing them, Fayette could only grimace at their sickly visages.
After instructing them to wait a moment, she and Mireille did another sweep of the building, then checked outside. Things seemed to be mostly in control, with the perimeter established by the fighters far ahead and the wall blocking off the docks secure, though there were still sounds of sporadic fighting.
Edmond had apparently caught two zombies trying to sneak out of the house, and Fayette gave him an approving nod. Seems to live up to his name.
Then, looking back at the landing zone, they saw that Olivia was already busy at work, processing groups of civilians as they were led to her by pairs of hunters. Everyone was keeping a wide berth from the yet-to-be-cleared, wary of disease.
Some of the people brightened after speaking to the [Doctor], heading off to a zone marked off near the boats with chalk. Others had their faces fall, then were directed to a building that had been secured to the side, where some specialists were already ready, wearing heavy protective gear.
Hunters kept a wide berth from the second lot. People carrying the disease.
Sharing an uneasy look, Fayette and Mireille headed back into the house and began guiding the hiding groups of survivors out, one by one.
—
It was as they were guiding their last group of rescuees back, that Fayette saw an odd face in the line of people waiting for judgment. Martin, silver-haired [Rogue], was first in line, nursing a nasty-looking bruise on his neck, and waiting for Olivia’s words.
The [Doctor] gave him a long, calculating look, spoke some words, then pointed at the building on the left. Infected.
Fayette blinked in surprise. He got hit with the disease? Even with that mask on? She had already made sure with Olivia that she and Mireille were safe, at least so far, but it felt odd to see someone she knew hit with the disease.
Though, it hadn’t been a bloodless fight. There had been casualties among the hunters too, though not too many. Cadeau and the other [Mages] seemed to have gotten off with the least wear and were organizing matters by the shore.
With the area secured, more boats were coming in, carrying more personnel, equipment and rations. The group that had been cleared of disease were waiting by the boats, shifting about anxiously, eyes on the opposite shore. Their faces shone with hope.
And Fayette spotted Marie near them, watching. The [Maid] gave the group of rescuees they were escorting a quick look, then turned to Mireille.
“Mir, can you handle watching over this last lot?” Fayette asked quietly.
“Hm? Sure—you didn’t sense anything odd about them, right?”
Fayette shook her head. “Nope, seemed to be normal classes.”
Mireille followed Fayette’s gaze to Marie, then gave her friend a nudge with her elbow. “Go then.”
Nodding thanks, Fayette jogged off, past the line of people awaiting Olivia’s judgment. She wove through a few people carrying crates into the newly-cleared buildings and arrived by Marie’s side. The [Lady] turned to give her a quick smile, then went back to watching the crowd.
“Doing alright?” She asked.
Fayette nodded, lifting up her hand, a mark still on it. “Wasn’t too bad—didn’t even have to use your boon.”
Marie looked at the mark for a moment, then let out a breath. “I’m glad.”
“What are you watching here?”
Marie nudged her head forward, pointing at a trio of people a bit off from the other waiting civilians. “I’m watching those three.”
Fayette squinted her eyes, finding only three rather normal-looking people, ragged and gaunt as they were by the circumstance. However, casting out her [Maidsense]… they felt like nothing.
“What’s up with them, they don’t have—?”
“[Infected],” Marie said quietly. “Lucky ones. Managed to get cured of the disease thanks to the skills they got, and they surrendered, not making trouble. Agreed to let their classes go after I made some subtle inquiries to some of the officials, and they were questioned.”
Fayette stared, not sure what she was feeling. “…but they still took those classes, right? Why are they free like that?”
“They hadn’t really leveled, a [Priest] already came to check. They’ll have to go through a confessional, but they might be pardoned.”
She saw Fayette still staring and continued in a careful voice. “Why so curious? Did you encounter any?”
Fayette nodded. “Found one—had to kill him.”
Marie sighed. “A shame he attacked you then. A waste…”
Fayette paused, thinking back. Had that man really been attacking her? She couldn’t really remember the moment that well… What did he even look like? Was he trying to attack—? He did lift his arm and the zombies were doing something… no, his class just felt so wrong… and there was no time.
It had to be the right move.
Marie had already turned back to watch the trio, but Fayette found herself feeling strange. Guilty? No, not really, but something about it all just felt off. Like a lot of things had felt recently.
Fayette sighed, then stood up and began walking away, back to Mireille. Why does this have to feel so… complicated. It’s supposed to be simple. Just… remove the problem.
Lost in thought as she was, she almost missed the commotion. Until there was shouting. Pulled back to the moment, Fayette looked to the side and saw that it was Olivia of all people who was shouting. At people who were… She focused on her [Maidsense].
Similar to Olivia, but… different? She squinted her eyes and took in their other equipment. Plague masks, but much more elaborate than the ones they had. And big bags with distinctive symbols on them, and long jackets protecting all their skin, none bare. Other [Doctors]. Did they come here after all?
Then the argument ended, fast as it had begun, and the newcomers took Olivia’s place in processing the people. But Olivia wasn’t marching away in defeat, no—she was marching toward the building housing the infected.
With her [Eavesdrop], Fayette caught the [Doctor’s] parting remark, muttered under her breath.
“—damned, too cowardly to even try, I’ll do it. At least… give it an attempt.”
And she also heard what the other [Doctors] were saying. “—bloody fool, at her level… one can only hope they manage to fight it off, mitigate risks, and help them recover after. Honestly—”
“—pointless risk—”
And so, a [Gutter Doctor] marched off, fuming. To attempt something thought impossible for people her level.
Soon, the time for the assault came. The hunters boarded the boats waiting for them, then slowly but steadily crept toward the island.
It was only a passage over the water, but the boats in use weren’t that big either, fitting ten passengers each. The gondola-like wooden vessels were crewed by 4 [Rowers] each, who moved in sync, dragging enormous oars back and forth. Fayette found herself following the rhythmic motion with her head, back and forth, back and forth.
She imagined a broom going back and forth in place of the oar, sweeping away any nastiness lurking in the waters. Is that how a [Water Maid] works? I’ve got water magic now, so maybe I could become one of those…
She looked at the bucket laying on the ground in front of her, lid on, and imagined the slime within wobbling about like the waves. Water magic… how does it fit in with [Maid Martial Arts]? Though now might not be the time. Or maybe…
She quickly checked that no [Mages] were near her, but of course there weren’t, their lot was mostly in the head boat, the largest of them all. Even the one nominally in charge of their group was there, preparing a spell of his own. I guess none of them would notice if I did just a bit.
Idly, she channeled just a hint of mana, nudging the waves in the water just a bit. It was easier on her than creating water out of nothing, but not that much more useful in the end. Then she felt a prod at her side, and her concentration broke, along with the magic.
“Fay, put your mask on already,” said Mireille, nudging her with a shoulder.
Fayette grumbled, coming out of her focus. “Hey! I was just about to have a revelation or something!”
“You really don’t have time for that, we’re almost there. Stick to what you know.”
Fayette turned away from the oars, looking at the approaching island. It wasn’t that far away now, and she could make out the tall warehouses and smaller office buildings by the docks, but not the ships being built. They would be on the other side, facing the wider ocean.
Funny that. Even though they’re all airships these days. Guess history matters.
The shipyard area was set to the Western end of the island, blocked off from the rest by a sturdy wall, which probably made it ideal for an initial forward base. Probably why they chose this place. Three larger buildings and a dozen smaller ones were dotted around the place, and Fayette focused on one of the bigger ones—her assigned zone.
She could also see the shambling figures by the shore better now. It was a mixed group, and Fayette began identifying the different types she had heard of based on what she saw.
Corpse-like, slow-types—the standard zombies from all the stories. People who got the disease, but died from it before the magic modified them that much, so the rest of it went to keeping them up and moving.
A few of them looked livelier, less pale in the face, more alive, and more monstrous. Gangly, long limbs, hunched gaits, and bulging muscles which spoke of inhuman strength. Ghouls. Technically more alive than the others, but reduced to mindless beasts. Letting the magic focus on strengthening instead of reanimation.
Fayette looked down at the mask in her hands, a long and grim beak-like artifact, with a gleaming green gemstone inlaid at the end of the beak. With her new magical senses, she could feel it emanating a subtle aura around it, a field to keep off plague nastiness.
Olivia said that these aren’t completely effective, but it sure does feel better to have some magic equipment to use for once. She fastened it on and grimaced at the new weight she felt on her head. Fayette gave her head a quick shake to make sure it was firmly on and found it well in place. Still—will take a bit to get used to.
She turned to the others. “Did I put it on right?”
Olivia looked up from her work, then got up and stepped closer to Fayette, examining her mask. “Looks good to me.” She said, satisfied, then sat back down next to Marie, who was helping her do a last-minute check-up of her [Doctor] equipment.
They would be splitting up for the first bit, Olivia and Marie staying behind to hold the fort while Fayette and Mireille would move out with the others. Mireille had given her spider pet to Marie for safekeeping, as she didn’t think the little critter was quite grown enough for a tough job like this.
Fayette watched Marie look over the healing potions, feeling conflicted. It felt odd to… separate like this. Especially after all the dangers they had faced. But Marie and Olivia would be quite safe with all the hunters and the [Mage] who would be staying behind, while it was Fayette who would be going to hunt the monsters.
She felt at her right hand, dragging a finger over the boon marker that was lain there. Marie had put it on just before they had boarded, and the spark of magic there felt electric. But Marie herself looked grim and worried, an effect only enhanced by the spider on her shoulder and the creepy mask on her face.
“Hey—Marie.” Fayette said.
The [Lady] jolted her head up, eyes brightening a bit. “Yes?”
Fayette used [Disarming Smile]. “Don’t look so worried.”
“Stop using that skill, you’re really bad at covering it up,” Marie said, but her lip was curled up just a bit, so Fayette thought it was worth it.
I guess the skill does work on her too.
Fayette shrugged. “I’ve had more experience than most in fighting while keeping myself clean, so making sure I don’t let anything nasty touch me will be much easier than for others.”
“Just be careful, you can sometimes be a tad careless,” Marie said, turning back to the potion.
Fayette nodded, then saw that they were almost at the island. More of the basic zombie types were gathering on the shore, and she could now make out their rotting faces. Nasty stuff, the dead should stay dead—not come out to mess things up. At least the weak types aren’t too smart.
She stood up, stretched her shoulders, and picked up her bucket and broom. “You ready Mireille?”
The [Seamstress] was still sitting, opposite her, and didn’t make a move to get up. She shook her head. “I’m resting for just a bit. They won’t need us for the start.”
“Really?” Fayette asked, quirking an eyebrow and looking at the coast. “We’re almost there, and that’s quite the welcome committee.”
“Just watch, look at the main boat,” Mireille answered, pointing at the boat the [Mages] were on, along with many of the ranged hunters.
Fayette eyed the vessel and saw Cadeau’s figure poised at the front, a hand held up. Their boat quite a bit bigger than hers, mainly by width. Two other [Mages] stood by his sides, and a dozen hunters were holding bows at the ready.
Fayette whistled. A ranged volley to start things off, huh?
Then the man swung his hand down, launching a gleaming orb at the shoreline. It flew in a short arc, about as fast as Fayette could throw a ball, and landed among the gathered zombies. They rushed at it, piling up.
Then it exploded.
A gleaming fireball erupted, and monsters burst into blood, leaving behind glowing monster cores, but many of the zombies were only flung back, quickly getting right back up. Burnt, but not beaten. Until the rest of the barrage followed.
Countless skill-boosted arrows followed, along with smaller fireballs from the other [Mages]. Monsters were pierced, blasted, and sliced into pieces until only a wide pool of black-tinted crimson blood was left on the pier.
Fayette felt just a bit of envy at the display. If only I had fire magic like that…
But still, she turned back to the others. “Isn’t this too easy? Why do they even need us?”
Olivia snorted and got up, all her supplies sorted back inside her bag. “Those are the easiest types—the dumb ones. The smarter ones are still out there, hidden. Lurking and waiting. Easy to bash a [Mage’s] head in, they say.”
Fayette turned to the shore, which was only fifty feet away now, and squinted her eyes. At first, she saw nothing, but then… One on the roof of the warehouse, crawling on its stomach. Something peeking out of a window, then pulling back to cover. Two figures scuttling in a shaded nook, rushing inside a building.
How many are monster, how many human, and how many of those are [Infected]?
All the other hunters on her barge were now getting up too, walking closer to the edge, ready to hop off. Fayette nodded at Mireille, and together they stepped right behind the Salted Knives, in position to be the second ones off the boat. Marie and Olivia got in right after, but Mousetrap was between them.
And then the boats thudded ashore, and everyone was rushing out, and Fayette jumped to the waiting pier. It was chaos for a few seconds, people getting their footing and gathering into groups, but then Cadeau was roaring out orders, voice enhanced by magic.
“Ranged Squad with me! Spotters, find the targets! Gate squad, secure the wall and fortify it!”
Fayette moved, Mireille at her side, broom held up. More monsters were appearing, attracted by the noise and commotion. Zombies were rushing out of the buildings or lurking out from behind corners, but those ones got shot down fast.
Hunters were running forward, shields and swords held up, barrier skills glowing, and some faster monsters made it to them. Fighting erupted, forming a frontline that ran through the central clearing. Cadeau was still yelling.
“Ghouls coming in! Shielding squad, hold them back! Establish the landing zone! And the rest of you—clear those buildings before any sneak behind!”
Fayette turned back one last time and saw that Olivia and Marie were already busy at work, hauling boxes out of the landing boats and dragging them onto land. Marie looked her way too, and stopped in place for a moment, staring.
Fayette winked at her, then turned and started walking, then jogging forward. “Mireille, you remember our building?”
The [Seamstress] was already jogging right behind her and scanned the area ahead quickly. “Looks like Edmond is already set up by the door.”
The thick-set man had run ahead already, surprisingly fast for his frame, and was waiting by a two-story brick house with windows shattered and doors torn off. His job would be to make sure nothing snuck out while Fayette and Mireille cleared the building.
There was fighting all over now, and the first of the hunters had already fallen. But Fayette was only focused forward, on her target, and on her skills. Trying to visualize what was about to happen.
Fighting in narrow corridors and advancing into rooms full of hiding places. Dangerous enemies that one had to keep from touching you. Potential deceit from those they were supposed to rescue.
Fayette shifted her broom in her hand, searching for just the right angle. How should I do this? Spice won’t work on zombies, and I haven’t fought much without that for a while… a capstone won’t help much, and neither will [Sweep Dust].
Basically, it was just her [Maid Martial Arts] and [Cutlery Control] she could rely on here. And maybe a hint of water magic…
And her slime. It was happily sloshing around in the bucket as if it could anticipate the carnage to come. Or maybe it can sense that it has already begun?
She reached the building, nodded at Edmond, then stepped through the door, ready for some proper practice.
—
The building was dark, lit only by the scant light from a clouded sky. Many corridors led further in, but they stood ominous—not revealing a hint of anyone inside. But Fayette knew there were people and monsters there. Apparently, a [Mage] had done a divination of sorts.
Not that accurate, but it was something. Some humans. Some monsters.
Looking at the long, eerie corridors felt familiar. Not like the manor or the cave, because she wasn’t alone. A friend had her back. “Mireille, you remember the crypts in Palogne?”
The [Seamstress] stepped next to her. “Of course I do.”
“Same formation?” Fayette asked. She pointed her broom forward. “Block off corridors with your stuff, then clear them one-by-one. I move in the front, then you guard my back.”
“…I’ll trust your instincts on this one. Which way should we start?”
“Bottom up? Cellar first, end on the second floor?”
Mireille nodded. “Should be fine.”
First, they headed to a short side passage arriving at a creaky staircase leading down to the basement. It was a simple formation: Fayette in the front, advancing with a broom in one hand and a slime-filled bucket in the other.
With her [Maidsense] she could feel the general layout of the place even in the dark, but only within her general field of view. Mireille brought the rear some distance away, laying down wires behind them and holding up a dim lantern for herself.
Fayette sensed the stairs come to an end by a door and slowed her steps, watchful. With a quick [Eavesdrop], she heard hushed voices come from within, and stepping closer, saw claw marks on the door’s sturdy wood. But it had not been broken open.
So some people managed to barricade themselves down here… I wonder how long they’ve been down there? How fast did things really go bad here? They said in town that the outbreak was very sudden—first a sickness, then sudden chaos following. But it only stayed on this island, even if it was so widespread here… How does that even happen?
She had no line of sight, so couldn’t get a sense of the classes the people within had, but it probably wasn’t worth the trouble. If they’ve stayed put this long, they can wait a bit longer. Too much of a hassle to deal with them now.
Fayette turned around and began walking back up, meeting up with Mireille who had stopped in place.
“Trouble?” The [Seamstress] asked, voice a whisper.
Fayette shook her head. “Some survivors. Seemed to be doing alright—no point getting them out yet before we clear the rest.”
Mireille nodded and began unwinding the razor-wire-trapped hallway she had set up behind. It seemed to go rather fast for her now, only taking half a second for each bit she had set up. Much faster than it had been back in Palogne’s catacombs. Fayette felt some relief at that. Guess she’s gotten a decent bit stronger too. Hope she’s not taking her slower advance poorly.
It didn’t take them long to get back to the first floor, and then they continued forward in the same pattern, past hastily-abandoned rooms where paperwork still laid in place as if left behind only for a moment.
The first few rooms and corridors they checked revealed nothing, but that only made what followed more ominous. The few paintings hanging by the walls seemed to stare into Fayette as she crept forward, taking care to not let the wooden flooring creak. Cold wind blew into the corridors through broken windows, bringing a scent of death.
Then they arrived at another intersection, with a staircase to the left leading upstairs, and a passage to the right leading further inside. But sensed it ahead, right beyond the corner to the right—enemies. She didn’t need a skill for it, the smell, quiet groans, and sounds of shuffling steps were hint enough. Looking back, she signaled Mireille to take care, then readied herself.
In a smooth motion, Fayette stepped past the corner and readied her bucket for a throw. She took in her targets in an instant. Three zombies, the normal slow types, were grouped together by an open door. Rotted faces turned to her.
She aimed and thrust her bucket forward, and a cleaning-slime flew at the frontmost of the zombies, splattering all over it. Flesh started sizzling with a noxious scent.
And the others roared, then started rushing her. Fayette nodded calmly. One… mostly down.
She heard Mireille begin fighting something by the stairway behind her, and moved her broom to a two handed grip. Then she ran right at the two remaining zombies, readying for an overhead strike. They shambled at her; claw-like fingertips reduced to bone swiping at her face. She ducked the strike and swung at the foremost one’s head, putting all her strength in the blow.
The creature made no attempt at blocking, and her broom crunched down on its head.
And it went splat, dissolving into blood like monsters always did. And Fayette’s eyes widened because the blood still had the monster’s momentum. Shit—it’s going to get all over me!
The other zombie was only a few steps behind, but a mass of diseased blood was now splattering right at her.
Fayette kept her hit moving down, bringing her broom to the floor, then pushed herself back with it, flying backward. She stumbled down onto her back—but the blood just missed her, splashing right by her feet.
The zombie didn’t. It jumped at her prone form and Fayette brought her broom up to keep it off, managing to push it just an arm’s length away. Filthy legs pressed against her dress, weakening her [Maid Armour]. Filthier arms reached for her.
Fayette saw that her beak-like mask was right by the zombie’s face, then she headbutted, no, pecked the zombie in the face, and it stumbled just a bit. Then, summoning all her strength, she kicked it off and sprung herself back, getting to her feet just as the monster reached for a new swipe.
It was slow, weakened by decaying muscle. She was not. Her broom’s metal-end smashed into its face.
Fayette took a step back as it too dissolved into murky blood, leaving a green-tinted monster core behind. Fayette took in some deep breaths, thanking the mask she was breathing through. That thing got way too close to my skin! I’ll have to take more care with the blood splashes…
She looked forward and saw that the slime was sitting in a sizzling pool of blood, eagerly devouring it, like a dog lapping at the water. At least you are good at handling this stuff. There were sounds of fighting still coming from behind too, but Mireille wasn’t yelling anything, so she was probably fine.
Which was good, because right at that moment, two more figures crept into view from a further doorway, attracted by the sound. Fayette narrowed her eyes, and readied her broom again, sending a mental signal for the slime to lie in wait and hide. Because these two foes looked tougher.
They were growling instead of groaning and didn’t look dead. No—they looked twisted. Human forms as a base, but eyes glazed over in red, black veins spreading all over their bodies, and muscles bulging in unnatural ways. They looked at her for only a moment, then pounced.
Like bulls trapped in human flesh, they were on her in an instant, and she had to take steps back as their powerful fists hit her broom, sending shocks through her bones and core. But she had commanded the slime to hide for a reason, and it was now behind them, waiting.
Go.
Fayette commanded it back and was rewarded with a roar of rage as the backmost ghoul fell to the ground, its left foot suddenly dissolving in the slime.
The other one was distracted for a moment, and Fayette took the chance. Like hammering an anvil, she struck it fiercely, and the hand it brought up to block crumpled against her broom’s metal end. Her next swing hit a leg, toppling it to a knee, and her third swing finally reached its head, cracking the skull to bits.
Unleashing a new tide of blood.
But this time Fayette was ready—she tapped into her new reservoir, activating her water magic. Sure, it was costly to generate new water, but adjusting the flow of a blood spray? Much easier.
She stepped forward, and the blood parted for her, like a curtain rolling back, and she reached the second ghoul, which was getting back up. Fayette didn’t let it. One more smack of her broom and it too dissolved.
But Fayette wasn’t done. She was feeling it, a flow, like she was on the cusp of learning something. And her [Eavesdrop] had picked up more groans from ahead. So she left her slime there to recover from the magic she was using up, and ran forward to a doorway at the end of the hall, stepping through.
Instantly, her [Maidsense] picked up a different sort of presence. There were three normal zombies in the room, slowly turning her way, but there was also a fourth presence. Human.
Fayette turned her head, and locked eyes with a dull-eyed young man, who was packing gear from an open cupboard into a backpack in a mad hurry. The zombies in the room weren’t reacting to him at all, and his pale face was filled with sweltering pustules of disease. And his presence just felt so wrong, almost more so than the monsters—[Infected].
The man grimaced, face shifting oddly, and began lifting up his hand. The zombies in the room began to shift.
And Fayette’s thrown knife lodged into his throat, guided by [Cutlery Control]. He fell down, clutching at his throat, choking on blood. Fayette turned to the zombies and returned to a two-hand grip. One down.
Then she moved like in a dance, because the normal zombie types were just so slow. Two quick steps forward, broom down, and one head smashed. A tide of blood, but she tapped her magic, and it parted before her, and she stepped right through.
Two more steps and the next foe was quick enough to reach for her with long arms. Thrusting it forward like a spear, she wove her broom through the attack, hitting the monster’s face and pushing it back. The hands went to the sides, and the zombie staggered back against the wall.
One step forward, an overhead smash to the head, and another bloody splatter. She didn’t need to part this one, it only painted the wall, then for the last zombie—
Fayette took a single step back and spun around a half-circle, bringing her broom with her in the motion, hitting the last zombie on its left shoulder. It crunched under her blow, stopping a coming attack, and she stepped forward another step, bringing her broom away and back, and hit it right in the neck with the broom’s other end.
Crunch, splatter, and the last one was down.
Finally, Fayette stopped in place, took a deep breath, feeling the energy still roiling in her veins, then snapped her head back to the [Infected]. He was motionless—dead. She still quickly smashed his legs with her broom, just in case the magical disease tried to reanimate him.
[Efficient, quick, elegant! Don’t forget the blood too!]
[Level up: You have reached Maid level 22! Congratulations!]
[2 Skill points gained!]
[Progress towards next level: 0%]
Nice.
Only then did she finally let herself calm, looking around the blood-soaked room. Wincing at the stench, she began to hurry back, stopping when she saw a [Seamstress] staring at her from the doorway.
Mireille looked at all the blood, then quirked an eyebrow at Fayette. “You sure… were efficient.”
Fayette relaxed the tension in her shoulders. “You handled your part fine?”
“Just two—weren’t normal sorts. Seemed to be trying to sneak behind us,” Mireille said.
Fayette eyed the pools of blood in the room, noting that the monster core within. She remembered that the ones the ghouls had left seemed different in coloring. “Do you think those cores would be safe to take if I have the slime cleanse them thoroughly first?”
“Hmm… maybe we’ll leave them for now, and ask Olivia later? Being careful doesn’t hurt. Did you manage to stay clean?”
Fayette nodded. “Just barely, I was a bit too careless for a moment, but managed pretty fine after.”
“Let’s still check with Olivia after. Should we do this side-by-side then, for the rest?” Mireille asked, turning to her.
Fayette thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Might as well. With how much noise we made and how little room there is left, I doubt we’ll find many more monsters.”
“You ready?” Mireille asked, stepping back from the doorway.
“Give me a moment,” Fayette said. She stepped out of the room too, noting that her slime seemed to be feeling groggy. Seems I used up my allotment of magic. I really need to get a better bond for that.
She instructed it to get back in the bucket, then thought about her new skill points. I could use them right now… but I don’t think there’s an urgent need. Might be better to think on it later.
Fayette tabled the thought, picked up her slime-filled bucket, then nodded at Mireille. Time to move out.
—
And as she had expected, the rest of the building didn’t have any more lurking monsters: they had all been attracted to their initial fight. There was one more pocket of civilians hiding out in the kitchen’s pantry, behind a boarded-up door, but after freeing them, Fayette could only grimace at their sickly visages.
After instructing them to wait a moment, she and Mireille did another sweep of the building, then checked outside. Things seemed to be mostly in control, with the perimeter established by the fighters far ahead and the wall blocking off the docks secure, though there were still sounds of sporadic fighting.
Edmond had apparently caught two zombies trying to sneak out of the house, and Fayette gave him an approving nod. Seems to live up to his name.
Then, looking back at the landing zone, they saw that Olivia was already busy at work, processing groups of civilians as they were led to her by pairs of hunters. Everyone was keeping a wide berth from the yet-to-be-cleared, wary of disease.
Some of the people brightened after speaking to the [Doctor], heading off to a zone marked off near the boats with chalk. Others had their faces fall, then were directed to a building that had been secured to the side, where some specialists were already ready, wearing heavy protective gear.
Hunters kept a wide berth from the second lot. People carrying the disease.
Sharing an uneasy look, Fayette and Mireille headed back into the house and began guiding the hiding groups of survivors out, one by one.
—
It was as they were guiding their last group of rescuees back, that Fayette saw an odd face in the line of people waiting for judgment. Martin, silver-haired [Rogue], was first in line, nursing a nasty-looking bruise on his neck, and waiting for Olivia’s words.
The [Doctor] gave him a long, calculating look, spoke some words, then pointed at the building on the left. Infected.
Fayette blinked in surprise. He got hit with the disease? Even with that mask on? She had already made sure with Olivia that she and Mireille were safe, at least so far, but it felt odd to see someone she knew hit with the disease.
Though, it hadn’t been a bloodless fight. There had been casualties among the hunters too, though not too many. Cadeau and the other [Mages] seemed to have gotten off with the least wear and were organizing matters by the shore.
With the area secured, more boats were coming in, carrying more personnel, equipment and rations. The group that had been cleared of disease were waiting by the boats, shifting about anxiously, eyes on the opposite shore. Their faces shone with hope.
And Fayette spotted Marie near them, watching. The [Maid] gave the group of rescuees they were escorting a quick look, then turned to Mireille.
“Mir, can you handle watching over this last lot?” Fayette asked quietly.
“Hm? Sure—you didn’t sense anything odd about them, right?”
Fayette shook her head. “Nope, seemed to be normal classes.”
Mireille followed Fayette’s gaze to Marie, then gave her friend a nudge with her elbow. “Go then.”
Nodding thanks, Fayette jogged off, past the line of people awaiting Olivia’s judgment. She wove through a few people carrying crates into the newly-cleared buildings and arrived by Marie’s side. The [Lady] turned to give her a quick smile, then went back to watching the crowd.
“Doing alright?” She asked.
Fayette nodded, lifting up her hand, a mark still on it. “Wasn’t too bad—didn’t even have to use your boon.”
Marie looked at the mark for a moment, then let out a breath. “I’m glad.”
“What are you watching here?”
Marie nudged her head forward, pointing at a trio of people a bit off from the other waiting civilians. “I’m watching those three.”
Fayette squinted her eyes, finding only three rather normal-looking people, ragged and gaunt as they were by the circumstance. However, casting out her [Maidsense]… they felt like nothing.
“What’s up with them, they don’t have—?”
“[Infected],” Marie said quietly. “Lucky ones. Managed to get cured of the disease thanks to the skills they got, and they surrendered, not making trouble. Agreed to let their classes go after I made some subtle inquiries to some of the officials, and they were questioned.”
Fayette stared, not sure what she was feeling. “…but they still took those classes, right? Why are they free like that?”
“They hadn’t really leveled, a [Priest] already came to check. They’ll have to go through a confessional, but they might be pardoned.”
She saw Fayette still staring and continued in a careful voice. “Why so curious? Did you encounter any?”
Fayette nodded. “Found one—had to kill him.”
Marie sighed. “A shame he attacked you then. A waste…”
Fayette paused, thinking back. Had that man really been attacking her? She couldn’t really remember the moment that well… What did he even look like? Was he trying to attack—? He did lift his arm and the zombies were doing something… no, his class just felt so wrong… and there was no time.
It had to be the right move.
Marie had already turned back to watch the trio, but Fayette found herself feeling strange. Guilty? No, not really, but something about it all just felt off. Like a lot of things had felt recently.
Fayette sighed, then stood up and began walking away, back to Mireille. Why does this have to feel so… complicated. It’s supposed to be simple. Just… remove the problem.
Lost in thought as she was, she almost missed the commotion. Until there was shouting. Pulled back to the moment, Fayette looked to the side and saw that it was Olivia of all people who was shouting. At people who were… She focused on her [Maidsense].
Similar to Olivia, but… different? She squinted her eyes and took in their other equipment. Plague masks, but much more elaborate than the ones they had. And big bags with distinctive symbols on them, and long jackets protecting all their skin, none bare. Other [Doctors]. Did they come here after all?
Then the argument ended, fast as it had begun, and the newcomers took Olivia’s place in processing the people. But Olivia wasn’t marching away in defeat, no—she was marching toward the building housing the infected.
With her [Eavesdrop], Fayette caught the [Doctor’s] parting remark, muttered under her breath.
“—damned, too cowardly to even try, I’ll do it. At least… give it an attempt.”
And she also heard what the other [Doctors] were saying. “—bloody fool, at her level… one can only hope they manage to fight it off, mitigate risks, and help them recover after. Honestly—”
“—pointless risk—”
And so, a [Gutter Doctor] marched off, fuming. To attempt something thought impossible for people her level.
