[attr="class","andyfont"]


[attr="class","andyreescroll"]

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Andy was shocked to see a portal appear out of thin air near them. He had been so engrossed in talking with the girl that he hadn't noticed it until Mikael pointed it out. Like they said it likely had something to do with the mission they just accepted. After everything that's happened so far, it's not too unbelievable that more teleporters would appear.

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His attention was split between a few places as Mikael questioned how they would finish the mission and Jeanne-Marie pulled him by the hand to collect his items. Suddenly the other man plunged his head into the portal. “Mikael be careful! You don't know where that goes! Don't go sticking your head in weird places!” Although he had to admit it was rather cute when he pulled his head back and it had a light dusting of snow on top.

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“Thank you, Jeanne. I appreciate your quickness.” After checking out the items he gained from Jeanne's capsule machine he moved over to the portal to check it out. The experience with the girl's shop was interesting and he wanted to ask her a few questions, but that was better saved for another time. “Yes sorry for the hold up. Let's get going and get us some ice cream!” He raised his fist in the air and walked into the portal to where ever they may end up.

[break]
Andy Larsen

Savage Chef[break]
Level: 1[break][break]

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[attr="class","andyreescroll"]

---

Andy didn't have to do much more as Hikari swiftly and viciously made sure the man he attacked wouldn't be walking out of there on his own two feet. He'd already incapacitated the man so he wasn't sure why she'd continue attacking them except to intimidate the other. If that was her intention she exceeded expectations.

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The person with the sword wound in their shoulder quickly scrambled to their feet. They dropped everything they'd gathered to pick up their friend from the ground and hobble their way out the door. All they could muster for words were shaky apologies and promises to not do it again as Hikari's second sword unsheathed itself. Andy would have to make sure not to ever get on her bad side.

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Shouting could be heard from the front of the store as the familiar sound of a bell rang through the building. Andy turned towards Hikari as he sheathed his Dagger and the knife he summoned disappeared from existence. “Well that was easier than expected. You did a good job.” He wasn't sure if complimenting her was exactly the right thing to do as she seemed to be enjoying the process of slashing up their enemies. There were other things to worry about though.

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“Let's find that coffee so we can get home.” Thankfully without the scavengers to worry about the search went relatively smoothly. It took some time to find the correct aisle, but eventually, a suitable bag was found. Unopened and dry. “Time to get paid. You seem pretty good at all this. Let me know if you want to team up again. I don't often turn down a payday.”

[break]
Andy Larsen

Savage Chef[break]
Level: 12[break][break]

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[attr="class","andyreescroll"]

---

Andy was surprised at the woman's change in demeanor. He hadn't expected Hikari to start smiling while talking about attacking others. It seems like he underestimated her. He nodded after she explained her plan and followed her at a distance until he got to a good spot to hide.

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Once again she proved to be much more than Andy first expected as she quickly swapped personas to a damsel in distress. At this point, he could tell she was anything but some strangers may be fooled. Keeping the light to her back was a smart move and showed she had some experience with this sort of thing. Well, maybe not this exactly, but hunting or something similar perhaps. She was even hiding her swords so she didn't raise suspicion. However, something was off. He could have sworn he heard more than just two of them.

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While Hikari put out the bait Andy took a container of gumbo from his inventory and popped the lid as quietly as he could. Luckily the scavengers were too distracted by her pleas to notice the muffled pop. As he took a few gulps of the system-made food he could feel his skin get slightly thicker. It wasn't the result he hoped for, but he'd make do. This also seemed like the perfect chance to try his new ability. He could feel the warmth from his meal spread throughout his body. It was invigorating.

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It was only a few seconds before the scavengers passed by Andy and Hikari gave the signal to attack. It wasn't a very subtle signal as a sword slashed through one of them. It was as good a sign as any. He grabbed one of the Jagged Red Hot Daggers in his left hand and his right summoned a large skinning knife that he'd become quite adept at using. It was time to turn the tables on their would-be assailants.

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With a flash of red from his eyes and his blade, Andy leaped forward towards the shocked pair. In an instant, he was on them with his skinning knife buried deep in the glowing red target on the side of the uninjured ambusher and the Dagger in the center of their chest. After pulling them out he gave a swift kick to the wound in their side to send them tumbling to the ground. They likely weren't getting up any time soon.

[break]
Andy Larsen

Savage Chef[break]
Level: 12[break][break]

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[attr="class","andyreescroll"]

---

Andy lead the way through a safe path towards the entrance of the building and the bell rang again. Once inside he took one of his daggers from his side to provide a source of light to search with. He chose the aisle next to Hikari's to search as he didn't want to stray too far. If something appeared and they were split up it could be disastrous. Likewise, he didn't find what they were looking for, but there was still more of the store to search.

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As he was heading towards the next aisle the sound of something falling on the ground caused him to jump. Andy stashed his dagger away before crouching close to the ground and ducking behind the nearest shelf. He hadn't seen anything from the front of the store, but there were plenty of blind spots because of the aisles. He checked around the corner to make sure nothing was there before skulking his way toward the source of the noise. Hopefully, Hikari continued to listen to his earlier advice and allowed him to survey the area.

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Upon getting closer to the source he could hear somebody whispering angrily at another person. Before long they were arguing back and more voices joined in. Andy quickly peaked to get a look at the group and grit his teeth as he noticed they were armed. He made his way back to Hikari without getting spotted as the group was busy assigning blame for blowing the ambush.

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Andy whispered to try to hide their location from the others. He didn't know if they knew where they were, but he wanted to try his best to make sure they didn't. “Bad news. There's another group here and they don't sound friendly. They were trying to ambush us, but someone ruined that plan. Do you want to head somewhere else or take our chances here?”

[break]
Andy Larsen

Savage Chef[break]
Level: 12[break][break]

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[attr="class","andyreescroll"]

---

Seeing Hikari have to jolt herself back to life after dazing away for a moment didn't give Andy much confidence in her combat ability. At least she was somewhat intimidating with all those swords floating around. Maybe she'd be able to scare off some of the gangsters roaming around. You'd have to be either pretty stupid or pretty desperate to try to fight someone wielding giant floating swords.

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Despite Hikari trying to reassure him he was still concerned about her. She seemed calm and collected for the moment, but her stroking her sword caused a certain unease in Andy. “I suppose so. Who would have guessed that our everyday life would change so abruptly? For some people, this could be seen as an improvement.” At least that was the case for him. He'd grown rather anxious in the old world with the end of his list quickly approaching. With all the new creatures appearing he had much more room to breathe going forward.

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It didn't take long for Hikari to point out a small shop tucked away behind some crumbling buildings. She had good eyes at least. It didn't look like the safest place to check out, but they didn't have many better options. Then again it was somewhat out of the way so it may be safe. Well, there's only one way to find out. He picked up the pace as he began towards the building. “Good job. I'll take point and try to scope out the place first. Stay back for a moment.” It was better if he did it he thought. He was likely faster and had some armor to protect himself in case something happened.

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Andy clicked his heels together like he was the lead in The Wizard Of Oz and dashed towards the entrance. Once he got closer he slowed down the pace to make sure he didn't step anywhere he shouldn't. Who knew what was lying around these streets before things went to hell and things could be even worse now? He walked through the door and a bell went off to alert the workers that a customer arrived. Or that would be its purpose if any of them remained. He briefly glanced around the front of the small store to see if he could spot anyone. After confirming there was nobody he could see from the entrance he returned to Hikari. “Looks clear. Let's see if we can find something useful.”

[break]
Andy Larsen

Savage Chef[break]
Level: 12[break][break]