Azure: Gunner

The Quarantine Zone, popularly shortened to ‘QZ’, refers to a region surrounding the former heart of Los Angeles. It stretches roughly fifty miles east-west, and approximately twenty-five miles to the south, but to the north its domain is cut short by the Griffin Range and its eastern foothills. The reason for the quarantine is of course the unnatural prevalence of undead within the region centered around the old downtown, coupled with the extremely high mana density there.

While the Remnant lies at the heart of the Quarantine Zone, none can say for sure whether it is a cause or effect of the area – or simply happens to co-locate. The majority of the undead naturally remain within the Zone, subsisting on its plentiful mana, and major outbreaks are rare. When they do occur, however, they can be devastating, as chronicled in histories of the Undying War.

- Rufus Veres, Level 29 Prolix Historian, Oddities of the System

We left the town immediately after lunch. Apparently, it was called Escarpment, and their Tutorial had been weeks ago with no candidates for the DG. We left through the only gate, to the south, and then after a short walk turned east, following another road. Mason had me leave the Squad, then invite all of the recruits to join my Squad, now that there were seven of us.

My mind churned as we walked. I was still having trouble believing that Mason was the legendary Black Razor. Or, not exactly trouble believing that the tall, intimidating Delver was the Black Razor. It was more that I had been traveling with him all this time and not known it.

I think it’s better that I didn’t know… If I had known from the beginning, I would have been even more intimidated by him than I already am! No wonder the orcs are so respectful around him, like half of his body is ‘marked by mana’.

At least now that we had our own Squad I could chat freely with the other recruits without worrying about the senior Delvers listening to everything we said. I took advantage of it immediately to ask something I’d been wondering about since we met the orcs.

<H’ruk, can you tell me why you and your sister want to join the Delver’s Guild?>

I asked H’ruk since I’d noticed that G’hala seemed to defer to him most of the time.

<Of course, Azure. Clan Ironhide has lived in the area northeast of Fort Alpha for several generations, hunting, farming, and protecting ourselves from the dangers of the world. It was only recently that we learned that human law forbids any outside of the Delver’s Guild from entering and closing dungeons. The Clan believed that human laws were for humans, and so we continued to do what was necessary for our people.>

At this point, G’hala took up the story.

<Your Guildmaster found out that we were raiding dungeons throughout our Clan lands and nearby territories and was angered. He sent the Black Razor to put a halt to our activities. The Black Razor, being an honorable warrior, came to us openly and declared a challenge. If our mightiest champion could defeat him, then the Guild would take no further action against us within our lands. If instead he was triumphant, the Ironhide Clan would accept the sovereignty of the Delver’s Guild over all dungeons.>

<He beat our father easily, in front of the assembled Clan. Never before had mighty Korgath been defeated in single combat, yet instead of claiming his life as forfeit, the Black Razor offered him a deal.> H’ruk resumed speaking. I couldn’t detect any trace of anger or bitterness that Mason had beaten his dad, maybe even humiliating him in front of his people. Instead, there was only respect and awe in his voice.

<He told us that we could become members of the Delver’s Guild, and earn the right to protect our lands against unstable dungeons without conflict with human law. Korgath agreed and pledged that his own children would be the first of Clan Ironhide to join with the Delver’s Guild. So, we are here to begin our training.>

I pondered their story as we continued east, along the southern foothills of the tip of the Eastern Range. I found myself liking the twin orcs more easily than I would have ever expected. I did, however, have to hide a flinch once in a while when one of them smiled and revealed a mouthful of fangs. I’d somewhat gotten used to Mason’s unusually sharp teeth, but the orcs’ were on another level entirely.

The heat of the afternoon wasn’t as intense as some, but I was still sweating. As I drank from my canteen, I wondered how the orcs could stand wearing furs in this weather, so I finally gave in and asked.

<Orcs are most comfortable in hot climates. This weather is quite pleasant for us,> H’ruk responded, <but when it gets cold, we must be cautious.>

I was jealous. I’d rather bundle up a bit than suffer in the sun, but I would hate to have to fill up my Inventory with a bunch of warm clothes and leave less room for loot.

The orcs were both treating me as the unquestioned leader of our group of recruits. How much of it was due to the Black Razor’s endorsement, my eye, or the fact that I’d led a group into a dungeon I wasn’t sure, but it felt good regardless. Alex was also fitting in, but for some reason Alyssa seemed like she was going to be trouble. She was nothing like Elin, I just got the impression from some of the things she said that she was used to getting her own way.

We kept up the pace through the afternoon, the orcs’ long legs letting them move at an easy stroll while the rest of us had to work to match Mason’s quick march. Hassan kept up his usual scouting role, while the adult orcs stuck close to Mason, eager to talk with the Black Razor. The rest of us stayed a ways behind them, with Vale bringing up the rear as – with Vale and Block bringing up the rear as usual. Mason stopped us with a good amount of daylight left, telling us that we were getting close to the Academy and we’d easily reach it tomorrow.

“Let’s get in a couple last training sessions before we arrive,” he told us. “Wouldn’t want the Black Razor’s rookies overshadowed by anyone else’s, after all,” he finished with a smile.

I was sent to work with Hassan and Alex, though I quickly became frustrated as Hassan was giving most of his attention to the other Archer. It’s not Alex’s fault, it’s Hassan being Hassan… but it’s annoying for sure.

I was working on a speed-loading drill when one of the older orcs approached. I was pretty sure she was the twins’ mother, but I’d forgotten her name already. Identify.