Futuristic (Info) Summary + Updates

[White Masquerade]

UPDATES
In an effort to keep the RP organized, streamlined, and easy to keep track, an "updates" section will be added. What's the point of it? Glad you ask. It is to have one place where everyone can see a running history of what's been done in the RP (not in the story), but on the technical side. Meaning updates to skills, the ending/beginning of arcs, or any other important changes I make to the RP. I will list the date and whether it's been completed so you'll always be in the know. Any questions? Like usual, ask me in the OOC.

Update List
4/2/20: Last Call (Complete)

• Waiting until April 8th to begin moving story forward in RP. Active right now is last call to players who were here in the past, but are no longer able to participate after I was on extended hiatus.

 

[White Masquerade]

Part II: Double Dutch
Theme Song:


Credits:
Sam Luff & Studio Yaraki of Patreon

Lyrics:
Is there anything that you believe in?
Don’t care if all the shadows keep on disappearing
Remember all the time we spent together at the start
Feel all the memories inside release the light within your heart

Our dreams, hopes, numbers that make up our lives
I’m not just gonna let this end if you avert your eyes
Once I know, that given time, we can get there,
Can we just talk like all the others and their dull affairs?

So naive, we talked ‘bout what could lie ahead
We’ll make a future where we stand at the top
But I can see it in the distance on the path that we tread
I wanna spread my wings and fly ‘cause I just can’t stop!

So just stay the same
And don’t let it change
Keep treasuring that feeling so deep down inside you
Don’t let your dreams remain a hope that can’t be seen
It’s time now to make them come true!

And as I clench my heart
I feel it’s torn and scarred
I know together we’ll go anywhere now
Because we don’t need something like a miracle
It’s time that we grasp what is ours
With these hands!


Waiting in the foyer of a decrepit library near the perimeter of the city square, a woman stood, Maquella Smith, or as better known to others...the leader of the floor's highest guild: Blackberry Preserves. A hand on her chin, eyes flit to the wall in a corner of the room seeing if anyone walked across the pitiable excuse for a door. What a mess. The ground rumbled again and she could hear more screams swinging from the nearby avenues and beyond. What were those tree-like monsters walking around and snatching rolls of people off into the night? Where did they come from? Who was directing them? And then a better question...why? Sucking her teeth, Maquella grew visibly at ends knowing people did not heed the warnings posted about what was going on on this floor. Hell, it probably even attracted the dummies. Causing more problems than what they had begun. This last update...as soon as they came back to the world the oddities began. A few weird buildings here and there. Addition of functions they'd never heard of before...even the inclusion of something called the + class?

Looking down at her own stats of Trojan+ highlighted in Code Academy, it all just seemed too strange. Monsters were suddenly attacking her floor, attacking her city, and what was once a few random encounters turned into all-out war. Least that's what it seemed. Week after week the frequency of anomalies increased until she herself could no longer ignore it. Monsters were always prominent around the walls and lurking in the blacklands of Floor 10, but this was another whole level. It was all programming, all harmless programming, but the people were tired of being pushed and now they had to push back. Her eyes back now to watching the door, Maquella awaited those first to walk in. Who, one might ask? Simple. The ones she called for help. The ones she called for help to hit these savages where it hurt: Codebreakers from all around the world. But there was one specific group most of all: Edge La and the Pwnies of Floor 1.

Active Quests

Zone A: Brighter Days (650 Krt)
(Secure the city of Solaris)

​

The Summary

Zone A

Solaris

Walking into the decrepit library where BlackBerry Preserves awaited, Valkyrie of the guild Pwnies introduced herself as a student whose class was destroyed by the monsters invading Solaris. Leaving BlackBerry confused because she said she never met Edge La the leader of Pwnies in her life, it is revealed that Edge La has been missing ever since the World Update and that a Codebreaker named K was temporarily in charge. Disappointed at the news, Blackberry was also miffed by Valkyrie’s flippant attitude and how she didn’t seem to take the current state of Solaris seriously. It made the guildmaster think maybe the Pwnies guild lost its excellence with the disappearance of Edge La. Interrupting her thoughts, the next man to walk in was Dullahan of Pwnies, an Edge Lord, and greeting both women, he gives off a polite, but vacant stare.

Then walked in a guildless Codebreaker, Prince Antonelli, former member of a prestigious boy band named AXEL (now AXE). Keeping mum and opting to listen to interactions instead, he watches on while flipping through a dusty book as others continue still, to pour into the library. Kicking open the door of the library, VR’s greatest detective Joker, strode in with his pet Maxwell in tow and took a seat. Informing those there that he was an OS Phantom, he proceeded to ask about the job BlackBerry needed done. Another detective, Se7en from Floor 34, slipped in right after Joker and joking with the man, offers BlackBerry his own card and services. Finally, the woman of the hour, K (the temporary head of Pwnies) enters the library, giving BlackBerry her apologies. Formally introducing herself, K accepts BlackBerry’s quest on behalf of all Pwnies members saying that they are at her disposal.

Entering the library at this time were 6 more, but civilians, escorted by a Codebreaker named Sonata. After avoiding monsters and making her own way into the building, she introduces herself to those gathered with a bow. Another member of Pwnies then enters, Trouble who has a split personality only she can see, Red. The number of those coming to the aid of BlackBerry began to dwindle and one of the last was Stein, a novelist and member of Pwnies from the start. Royal then appeared, a member of Pwnies, and a few minutes later so did Canon - an OS Phantom guided by an even stranger pet of his. A native of Solaris, Viera too joins up at the library following a quick hunt of monsters infesting the city. Meanwhile, outside, a mysterious figure drops from the sky and appears in front of the library (the purple Codebreaker!) and is seemingly the last one to arrive at the meeting called by BlackBerry Preserves. When it finally begins, Blackberry explains that since the world update, Solaris and Floor 10 have been in chaos. The usually peaceful monsters in the surrounding zones, have now started invading the city, destroying it. After weeks of watching their movement, Blackberry found that they're gathering around 3 locations: the underground subway station, the highway leading out of the city, and a warehouse that was once used to build motorcycles. Two late-comers JinX and Celeste make it to the library and after being informed by Blackberry of the situation, head off themselves to clean up the streets of Solaris too.

• Valkyrie, Genki, Se7en, Royal choose to go to the subway station.
• Prince Antonelli, Dullahan, Nightblossom Sonata choose to go to the highway.
• Stein, Trouble, Joker, Canon choose to go to the industrial complex.

At the the highway, Prince and company arrive after learning from Blackberry that among others who have coded the weird monsters seen throughout the virtual world, the father of it all was a Dr. Rahatan. Also revealed a group called MEPHISTO being a major player in animal creation too, their attention is pulled towards what they find on the highway. Off in the distance, they could make out 3 figures: 2 harvesters and a short looking creature locked in intense debate. However, the figures are too far to be heard so the group must find a way of getting closer to hear what they're saying. Prince Antonelli realizes that either he or Dullahan would be bad choices in trying to eavesdrop on the conversation. With this in mind, he suggests to Nightblossom Sonata that she be the one to move forward- though only if she likes. Though afraid of what might happen, Nightblossom nonetheless moves forward and tries to sneak into a range that'd let her hear, but fails to do so silently. Realizing this, she waves hello to the trio; desperately hoping her innocence would be disarming enough for them to talk. Dullahan though, had other plans in mind. Keeping behind Sonata, yet a good distance away, he preempted the trio, attacking the little dwarf covered in metal.

In the subway, Valkyrie continues musing on how to activate her unique codebreaking powers. After initially exploring the depths of the subway, she finds nothing, but soon runs into a trio of Harvesters. Avoiding them as she tries to figure out how her powers work, Valkyrie is forced to face one as it veers towards an innocent bystander. Surprise! The pressure allows her to discover codebreaking powers of steam and she proceeds to destroy the Harvester in the process. Once this is done, she turns back to the innocent bystander only to find that they are indeed just a pile of rubble. How this happened is inexplicable, but at the same time, she sees a silhouette in the distance and hears music playing from a violin shortly after. Telling it to stop, she is interrupted by a brief earthquake and loses sight of it. This is when she runs into another person, a Codebreaker named Genki who has another Harvester fresh on his heels. This is when Royal, another Pwnies member, shows up and takes care of the harvester, but brings along his own as well.

Valkyrie proceeds to question Genki on what he was doing down there, though readies herself for another Harvester fight with Royal by her side. She acknowledges a fourth person is there in the dark (Se7en) but isn't sure who. Despite this, they all prepare to battle with a trio of Harvesters now surrounding them. Yet it is the stealthy Se7en who moves first, bursting out of the darkness to attack a harvester from behind in surprise.

On the industrial complex's ground, Joker, Trouble and Stein find that there are eerily no monsters at all. The ripped and mangled husks of Harvesters could be found in piles littered on the ground, but not a one moved. The only other person they could find was a young girl standing in front of the door to the industrial complex. Barely acknowledging their presence, the girl named Blueberry Preserves points at the door says it is closed. With the smell of something charred in the air, she pushes on the door but struggles to open it. Stein hesitates to open the door as the complex grounds appeared unusually clear, but despite the smell of something burning in his nose, he decides it was their best opportunity to discover something worthy enough to report back to their handler, Blackberry Preserves. He puts his hands on the door and proceeds to push it open right alongside the little girl.

-

Testing

-

Stuff

 

[White Masquerade]

World Lore

CodeBreakers. A roleplay centered around the leap of society from the grounds of Earth to the worlds online, much will be discovered throughout this story set in the web -- but for those wanting to know the circumstance surrounding the Age, this is for you. Only touching lightly upon the deep and hidden currents that drive this new virtual life; it will, nonetheless, tell all you need to know of what's to come...and what has come to be.


The State Of Humans Today

Living on the planet Earth in times with technology similar to our own, an environmental misstep, the depletion of the Ozone Layer, has caused life outside to become extinct. With humanity now stuck, forced to live out their lives in the safety of their homes, unfiltered solar rays have destroyed what zest these lands used to have. Massive deserts, dwindling oxygen, low crop production, sea level rise -- each one these fierce disasters that forced together the brightest minds of Earth. A large group of scientists, in a combined mission by the world's nations united in the face of destruction, researched diligently the issue and proposed a solution. It was clear human activity had to cease, immediately, at least long enough for the Ozone repair itself. They would of course need to aid the process by commissioning a plan to create Ozone's molecule, 03, but the bigger question remained, how exactly would they go about putting life on hold?

The answer was the internet. A creation billions were already hooked to, it would serve as the perfect place to shift the brunt of the world's population. With startling and recent discoveries in the world of Virtual Reality, a result from the push of developers in the gaming sector, scientists saw it as the answer to their "waiting" problem. Why not make make a virtual reality for people to live in? To direct their time, attention, and energy? Push the technology one step further? Make it so real people would experience the same sensations, the same phenomena as life in a visceral way? And upon this principle a grand network was constructed; one that would link the consciousness of every person to the internet...and virtual world at large. A small visor worn around the head, it reads, connects, and uploads a person's self into a vast web of worlds created by the scientists. Set to mimic reality in its entirety, the rule was to keep the living of life equal within and without. The same jobs outside, would require the same actions and functions as those inside. This would keep the human race from forgetting, keep from forgetting the skills necessary to survive once back in the ozone-repaired world. So kids go to school. Adults go to work. Sports are watched. Money is earned and made. With only a few exceptions, all things as they were on the outside are so, in. This is the new Digital Age.


The Human Experience

In this new Digital Age, most of life takes place in the experience of the Virtual World, but outside, there are still a few things that occur in real life. Cleaning, eating, toiletry, and sometimes sleeping are among some of the activities unable to be rendered by the world online. Easily able to log out from the system to handle these things, humans spend their days living dual lives. With basic physical needs being met during their time outside, mental, psychological, and all others are fulfilled by their souls online. But what about love? Intimacy with another and what it could eventually lead to? Pregnancy? Guidelines for this are extremely clear and those breaking them not only risk being hunted for negligence, but also risk the future health of their budding child.

During the first 6 years of a baby's life, they are not allowed to connect to the virtual world. This period of growth is a critical moment in their development and they are required to receive real interaction, real conversation, and real affection from parents IRL. Only upon turning the age of 6 may a child be connected, and from there, allowed to enroll in the various schools and academies dotting the virtual sphere.

In regards to food, food is made and constructed indoors using the advanced field of Hydroponics. With no need for soil, crops are grown to feed the men, women, children locked in their homes. Product Centers, upon receiving money streamed from a buyer's online account for purchase, write up an order and send it to the nearest Distribution Bank for a door-stop delivery. It goes without saying, product distribution is a highly dangerous job -- one of the few remaining real-world professions kept out of necessity. Having to traverse harsh conditions, crumbling terrain, and on occasion delicate frames of time, distribution working is currently one of the highest-paying positions an ordinary person can have.


Maintenance Of The Real World

Another position necessary to have outside the realm of virtual reality is emergency construction, where people are sent out to service major structures in need of urgent care. From downed power-lines to severed cable wires, these are the men and women who make sure at least the core of the outside world will be ready to accept humans once ready to come out of virtual reality. If there are any structural failures threatening to interrupt the VR experience, they are those at the ready to fix them.


Identification

Linked into the virtual world through a small array worn around the head, a person's thoughts are read upon taking the first jump...and then periodically every log-in after. Converting information like memories, important numbers, names, and genetic structure, the data is integrated into the system to produce a life-like interaction with the world for the person entering in. While personal information such as name, age, and state of health is invisible to the world at large, it can easily be opened and looked at by those in government helping run the system with the right credentials and jurisdiction. As it scans its details directly from the mind of a person, it is impossible to walk as someone you are not. Those causing trouble in virtual reality can be tracked by governments assigned to oversee that city, region, or floor.

For those with disabilities, the virtual world is a mixed bag. If a disability is in a person's genetic code, it would transfer over online. If it came while living, such as having a hand accidentally chopped off, the hand would still appear in virtual Reality. A person's body is projected how their genetic code says it is written. While a disability can be easily repaired in the Virtual World, it unfortunately does nothing to deal with ailments IRL. The virtual does not directly affect the physical.


Cities & The Virtual World

A mish-mash of familiar places occurring around the world and some parts completely new, cities in the virtual world occupy a large number of regions, and holding those regions, floors. With 100 being the highest programmed so far, these levels hold all the people of the world, some even having unique climates and weather to their section of the virtual sphere. Yet, however diverse, however different each city might be from one another, they all share one common rule. Absolutely no murder. Very early on in the history of virtual reality it was discovered that murder did not lead to death, but an intense pain, and being kicked back to the city on the floor where you were from. While already something heavily frowned upon, it was outlawed once uncovered that those who were killed, lost a piece of their progress to the one that took their life. In effect, they were being stolen from. Money. Memories. Belongings. It was the new form of virtual larceny.

While not initially the case, murders have been starting to crop up where the perpetrator is found to possess above average strength. In rare cases, odd abilities that shouldn't have been possible within the system. As these growing number of supermen/superwomen became rampant, too much for ordinary citizens to handle, it was about the time the first CodeBreakers started to appear. Citizens from all walks of life showing the same capabilities as murderers, they rose up to stem the tide of those wanting to take the lives of others. Eventually mastering their new-found skills and taking that ability to exceptional levels, it was not long before CodeBreakers became the standard force for maintaining law and order. However, one does not simply choose to become a CodeBreaker. Strong but few and far between, it would not be unusual to see one or two patrolling whole regions or a small group of five keeping eyes on entire floors. For this reason, life outside the cities is not secure. With most CodeBreakers busy watching the towns that litter their floors, there is not enough manpower to spread to zones outside.


Code Breakers

Anomalies turned security of the virtual world, CodeBreakers are humans that have the ability to manipulate the hidden threads of data around them. While murderers get stronger by taking the lives and neurological code of others, CodeBreakers grow in ways more natural. Taught about themselves and the ways they work by an author-less guide named "Code Academy", a Code Breaker's level and experience grows with each challenge they overcome. No one can choose to become a Code Breaker and it's been observed that the ability can manifest at different ages in a person's life. CodeBreakers IRL that have volunteered to be studied have yielded many interesting discoveries, but nothing relating to their origin...or why exactly they can tinker with code. So in the meantime, they are left to do as they wish -- most CodeBreakers being hired to protect against murderers in virtual society. And for those that choose to become murderers themselves, their IRL addresses are tracked and within hours, their rights to internet access are revoked. Basically a death sentence for life relying on the virtual, this consequence alone keeps most CodeBreakers in line.

Guilds, organizations, teams, solo, pairs, independent and friends, CodeBreakers can either be friendly or difficult to know. Disconnected and certainly not standing as a whole, some can even be found shunning help to keep all glory and fame of their exploits to themselves. Nevertheless. However fractured the CodeBreaking group might be, as the number of murders in zones outside cities increase, they are once more called in as detectives to find out what's going on. Disfigured areas, murderers untraceable, and tales of monsters not existing in reality, whether they want to or not, CodeBreakers are about to embark on a journey that just might unravel their whole world.


Logging Out

It's easy. A simple willing of oneself out of the virtual world is usually enough for the mental array to pick up and sever the connection. However, it's important to note that where a person logs out is immediately saved as a checkpoint. Upon logging back in, their body remains motionless for several seconds as the system re-synchronizes them to the checkpoint. Upon completion, they will be free to move as they wish.

 

[White Masquerade]

Part I: Mea CulpaTheme Song:None.

Bringing in all Codebreakers she could draw out and possibly find, Edge La, leader of the newly formed Pwnies guild, welcomes them to her home in Territory 9. Inviting them to join up with her and form the first official Codebreaking organization within the 100 floors, she makes a presentation where she introduces them to the Code Academy app, and what Codebreaking is as a whole. Enlightening them on the finer details of what it means to be in a guild and Codebreaker, she locks them in by transferring 200 Kirito to each of their bank accounts. As icing on the cake to show she's willing to work with and make them rich, offers an extra 50 Kirito to the one who makes the best presentation of themselves. While some are swayed by the money, others are swayed by the prospect of adventure, and a few simply happy to learn more about being a Codebreaker. So with individual reasons fresh in mind, the introductions begin.

One by one the Codebreakers gathered share their name and a bit of who they are. While quirky, dramatic, and biting presentations all appear, one stands out to Edge La in particular. Yung Icarus, a newly-minted Deviant Artist is chosen from the group. He making known his desire to be the strongest and vowing one day to beat Edge La herself earns the guildmaster's respect. Looking forward to it, she gives him the 50 Kirito and with introductions now out of the way, moves to tell the guild how quests will work. Highlighting the 5 listed in detail, she tells each member to choose which one they'll participate in.

Active Quests

Territory 2: Catching Spiders
(Find and locate Supidahman)

Territory 5: Business Official
(Seeing what the government wants from Edge La)

Territory 6: Drawing Fire
(An invitation and first contact with the infamous PK Fire)

Territory 9: Ace High
(Betting money at the Arrow Head Casino)

​

The Beginning

• Territory 1
• Personality
• Territory 3
• Territory 3
• Territory 4
• Territory 5
• Territory 6
• Territory 7
• Territory 9
• Death's Corner

• Coca-Cola Guild Building
  
  
  Spoiler: Building Bridges Quest

  Building Bridges Quest - Cobolt, Axis Mundus
  
  Sending off a small message to Black Gold opening the door to cordial ties, Cobolt in beginning the quest he chose, arrives on the grounds of the Coca-Cola Guild building in Territory 1. Though much to the consternation of Cobolt, looking to the left, one of the last people he wanted to interact with was right by his side: the guild's other Edge Lord - Axis Mundus. This is when they both receive a chime from Edge La. Confirming that the appointment between them and Coca-Cola's guild leader Schweinsteiger was set, she drops last minute prep before they trot on. Assigning Cobolt as leader of the quest since he seems to be more reliable than Axis Mundus in these type of things, she also talks briefly of unnamed Codebreaker that might be joining them. With all that said, she cuts off communication and leaves them to go through with it. Axis is the first one who speaks cautioning Cobolt to in fact, not question his ability, and as Cobolt more or less agrees he's not there to babysit anyway, the two move into the Coca-Cola building to get the job done.
  
  Meeting a young girl named Betha at the front desk of Coca-Cola, the two are treated to quite the odd display. Betha informing another co-worker that they were here to see Schweinsteiger, the building erupts into a series of people gathering together at the front and yelling Schweinsteiger's name with gusto. At the blush of Betha, it turns out that when anyone is there to see Schweinsteiger by appointment, the office gets a 5 minute break to whatever they wish. Scratching her head, she directs Axis and Cobolt to an elevator at the back of the building they can take to the 6th floor. Upon reaching, all they'd need to do is make a left and head to room 65 where he would be waiting. They soon make it there and after a few light knocks, announce their presence, then make their way inside. Schweinsteiger is waiting. Greeting them serious but warm, he offers them seats and cuts right to the chase. Curious as to why Edge La suddenly gathered a bunch of Codebreakers then reached out to him, he asks Cobolt and Axis what their guild-master has in mind. Despite being aware the extra-judicial ways of Edge La, he is still open to hearing the woman out. Axis introduces himself and leaves the explanations to Cobolt. What a drag - at least that's what Cobolt thinks. Unsure of what exactly Edge La wanted from the deal, Cobolt bullshits his way through the talks. only sticking to general ideas and vague terms to hopefully get some kind of point across. By some miracle it works! Schweinsteiger is receptive to the bullshit and adds important points into it himself. Welcoming the idea of a guild coalition, he offers Coca-Cola's sole Breaker to their guild, Terrorsita. However, there is a small point of discussion. Schweinsteiger is familiar with Edge La's unlawful ways of getting things done and asks Cobolt whether she'd be open to following the rules. If yes, he'd be happy to officially join Coca-Cola with the guild. If not, at best, he'd be able to loan them Terrorsita but nothing more. Cobolt thinks this over, but an answer does not come immediately to mind. He smiles at Schweinsteiger and asks if he and Axis could be excused from the room to discuss. Once Cobolt and Axis are outside, Cobolt asks the man what was his opinion about all this. Thinking on it, Axis feels that though Edge La is a free spirit who seems to do whatever she wants - she is also an adult. And being an adult, even she wouldn't be able to deny that having Coca-Cola fully involved only makes them stronger. If this decision was wrong, Axis assures Cobolt that he would take full blame. So turning to the man, Axis waits for the reply.
  
  Cobolt mulls it over. He has his reservations but ultimately agrees. Edge La told them to build an alliance with Coca-Cola, so that's what they were going to do. Back into Schweinsteiger's office they walked and Cobolt, relaying the decision they had come upon, tells the man they agree to having a full, open partnership. Sticking out a hand he wishes to seal the deal, and states he is ready to head back to tell Edge La of the news. If there was nothing else, then it came to be a business well done. Schweinsteiger shakes Cobolt's hand, but there is something else he did want to bring up. Mentioning correspondence they got from a citizen from sources regarding a Supidahman, he gives it to Pwnies, hoping they'd be able to do something with it instead. Coca-Cola, a public company with a reputation, did not want to get involved in anything shady and Supidahman was as shady as they came. A modern-day myth, it is claimed he has a hand in every thing that goes on; from illegal neurochemicals to allegedly the actions of Little City's most infamous, PKFire. Mozzying over to Pwnies' job request guild board, Schweinsteiger puts up a mission via Code Academy labeled "Catching Spiders". Giving Cobolt and Axis Mundus a small Kirito contribution as a sign of good will, he hopes they accept it in kind and mentions he looks forward to working with their guild officially once the paperwork was signed.
• Dega Square
  
  Catching Spiders Quest - ???
  
  Nothing yet.
  
  Harrods
  
  
  Spoiler: The Killing Award Quest

  The Killing Award Quest - K
  
  Staring down Gay Lord, his crew, and a crowd full of shoppers shooting the scene with their phones out, K had a choice to make. Fuck it. Mya wasn't likely to get away herself and she'd already thrown caution to the wind blowing a hole in the roof of Harrod's. Taking a breath, she links with her Satellite and begins to find a better position where it could attack Gay Lord head on. If a fight was what he wanted - then a fight was what he would get. Moving into position to find her satellite a better way to strike, Gay Lord goes after K only to be stopped by Mya. She accuses him of being a murderer and he does the same. Neither accepts the claim but it is apparent there is something to it. Turning from Mya, Gay Lord once again tries to pursue K and this is when Mya moves to attack. However, Gay Lord is much stronger and with blow severs her head, killing her dead. The crowd is initially stunned but Gay Lord passes it off as all just part of his act. Finally free to pursue K, he tries again but is approached by a mysterious man in a trench-coat. It is Joker's assistant Maxwell who was left behind to watch over K and Mya. Clashing with Maxwell, Gay Lord is hurt and realizes there is more to the man than meets the eye. Cautiously he moves toward the man and lands a direct hit with his axe to the gasmask on its face. Cracking apart, a ghastly beast is revealed with arms shining and long. The companion monster to Joker an OS Phantom, Maxwell roars deep and loud causing the crowd to scatter and run. Gay Lord relishes in this, the novelty of it all and with renewed strength attacks Maxwell head on. The attack does not work and Maxwell charges right back with a long attack of his own. The hit scores and finally ready with her secret maneuver, Katsura launches a pinpoint beam from her satellite in the skies above. Already privy to the trick, Gay Lord dodges and narrowly evades the laser as it strikes down. Smiling, he taunts the woman, telling her that she'll have to try harder if she wants to win.
  
  After being alerted to Mya's death while speaking to Rhyme in Territory 9, the guild-master Edge La uses instant travel to appear inside the battlefield at Harrods. Quickly finding out it was Gay Lord who killed Mya, she immediately takes his life; though not before warning him to never lay a hand on what's hers again. With Gay Lord dispatched and away, Edge thanks Maxwell and Katsura for their services to this mission. With a nod, she propose they head back home to the Pwnies Guild Hall in Territory 9.
  
  
  Spoiler: Loving Leah Quest: Part 2

  Loving Leah Quest (Part 2) - K, Ace
  
  A long black car arrives. Carrying the group of Joker, Seraphina, K, and Mya, the surprising fact here was that it belonged to Joker - rather, Joker's enigmatic partner. Pulling up in front of the Pwnie's headquarters, Joker's strange partner (donning a gasmask) would climb out and hop into the trunk of the car just as easily as he got out. The ride was generally uneventful, but now that they all stood in front of Harrods, it was likely that soon, that sense of mute calm would change. Ace pulls up in his car (which promptly breaks down) and after an embarrassing show of calling a tow truck to pick it up, joins the rest of the group ready to have some fun. In back of the party is K, carefully taking up a position next to Joker's side. Introducing herself, formally, she looks to go about at least establishing some ties. Ahead, Seraphina gravitates towards Mya and takes the lead in entertaining the child. Taking the group inside Harrods, she flips to Mya asking what the girl would like to do first. In a strange twist of fate - Mya replies she'd like to go to Victoria's Secret and try on lingerie with K and Seraphina. Right around the age of puberty, Mya has become increasingly fascinated about the ways of "older women" and this just might be the best chance to see what it's all about!
  
  So fulfilling the request, the troupe makes way there and upon arriving at the store, Joker posts up at a spot outside the door. Pulling out a cigar, he opts to hang outside, letting the women go inside and have their fun. Calling over a store attendant, K apologetically admits to Mya she didn't have much experience with this lingerie stuff so could not help. So this is how the morning goes on. Trying on many pieces of lingerie with Serpahina, then later a store attendant, Mya bids goodbye as Seraphina leaves to attend other personal business. Mya remains behind checking out some final articles before eventually making her way to the cash register and purchasing her fill. Making way to the Ace, Joker, and K, Mya receives a text. After reading she tells the trio she has to go and quickly moves off down the floor until she is out of sight. Simultaneously, they hear a chime on the Code Academy apps. It is Edge La the guildmaster, asking if everything went alright. Responding yes that Mya was okay and got everything she wanted from Harrods, Joker moves to go back to his car letting Ace and K know that his business here was done. Bidding him farewell, K decides to stick around and shadow follow Mya for a bit. Curious to see who the girl got the text from, the Satellizer asks Edge La whether she had any idea who it might be. The guildmaster has no idea but moves to find out. In the meantime Edge La tells Katsura to keep an eye on Mya and that's what she does. Shadowing the girl, Katsura is surprised to see the teen meet a much older man and they hold hands while walking into a restaurant together.
  
  Inside after a lunch, the two talk with Mya suddenly taunting him and in a short few moments, humiliating him after he expresses concern over whether she is 18 or not. Icy, she walks out on him after drenching him in coffee and doesn't look back. It takes the man a minute to register what happened, but after hearing laughter from the other patrons and letting it stew, he clenches his teeth and becomes upset. Set on giving Mya a lesson for being so crass and rude, he storms out the restaurant hot on her heels. K is right by hiding behind a menu to conceal her face. Quite confused and starting to get irritated at the whole situation, she follows the man as he goes after Mya - loosened suit jacket, shoes off, hair down and all! The chase goes on across the floor as Mya soon realizes the man is after her. Making her way into an elevator, the door is stopped just before it closes by another occupant who mistakenly thinks the man chasing her is late for some appointment. As the man reaches the elevator, he slams Mya into a wall and pushes out the other rider. With Katsura getting there just as the elevator closes, she's left with two choices as her satellite blings a notification in her app. Use it to destroy the elevator and jump in from the top, or head to the first floor and wait for the elevator to get there. Going with the first, Katsura decides it's time to put a foot down. Calling an orbital strike from the sky, it sheers the doors off the elevator as it descends. Jumping into the shaft, Katsura lands on top of the elevator and unlatches the overhead hatch. Dropping in, she lands squarely on Mya's attacker. Stunned by Katsura's arrival, Mya is visibly upset and makes no attempt to hide it. Reaching the 1st floor, Mya looks into the crowd of people that have gathered because of Katsura's satellite attack. Eyes settling on one person in particular, Mya tells Katsura that they need to leave. However, no sooner had she begun to move did the one she kept her eyes on make his way forward too. A man called Gay Lord, he was a prominent actor featured in many movies of the Little City area. Seeing that Katsura was a Codebreaker, he sees it as an opportunity to get prime footage of these fabled virtual warriors. Pulling out his bloody axe, he directs his assistants to film while he moves to take her on.
  
  Driving off from the parking garage, Joker wonders exactly where he is to next. Deciding a short while later, Joker drives off into the streets heading for Territory 3
• Hibiscus & 53rd Way
• 
  
  
  Spoiler: The Pickup Quest

  The Pickup Quest - Gimbal
  Spoiler: The Pickup Quest

  Deciding it would be good to help the person unable to make it their meeting, Gimbal arrives fresh in the Hibiscus Residential area of Territory 3. Getting contacted by Edge La, Gimbal is given further details regarding the quest. Telling him it was someone new trying to get a handle on their powers, she cuts contact and wishes him good luck, leaving the rest in his hands. While quite miffed Edge La seemed to have known his real name, Issac nonetheless shook it off and continued his mission - walking to the Dong residence's door and giving the place a hearty little ring. Inside contemplating exactly how to meet this month's bills, it takes Janet Dong a bit to open the door but when she does, she beams upon realizing who's there: a Codebreaker! Issac is practically dragged inside and seated in the living room while Janet prepares tea. Once done, Janet takes up a spot next to Issac and asks him to tell her about Codebreakers. It's something her son Tannen has been talking about all the time, so she wants to know everything about it too!
  
  Surprised at first, then obliging, Gimbal does let the woman and goes through the basics of what it is that makes a Codebreaker, a Codebreaker. As he asks about her son, Janet replies it's her that's interested in Pwnies and what they're about. Sinking back into her mind, Janet has an epiphany that shakes her to the core: this Codebreaking business was real. Seeing it as a way out of the poverty-stricken life she's led, Janet shakily reaches into a living room couch and pulls out a long knife left to her by her convicted husband. Telling Gimbal she would do anything to become a Codebreaker, she attacks him in hopes the experience would trigger a full unlock of the power. Though as expected from a Codebreaker, Deviant Artist at that, the man easily accepts the blow, disarming the woman and pushing her hard into a far-off wall. Nose smashed and shirt drenched in blood, Janet falls to the floor, now realizing just how powerful a Codebreaker really is. Trying to get back up, she collapses again as her body deteriorates into stream-lets of slow-moving lights. Utterly destroyed, albeit unintentionally by the combat ability of Gimbal, she wonders what's going on and with eyes closed, dies shortly after.
  
  However, beginning to ring, a little far off from the center of the Dongs' living room, is a phone attached to the wall. Looking at it, Gimbal contemplates what to do next. Deciding to answer, he sends a message to JinX about a memory received from Janet and also sends one to Edge La, asking what to do if a client is accidentally killed. The message is received and the woman calls back. Thinking it to be a joke, Edge La goes on to explain that person would probably have to take it up with IWA. Though it's rare for them to go after a Codebreaker because of an accident. Moving on, she advises Gimbal of who it is exactly that wrote the letter to join the guild - Tannen Dong. She tells him that if he's not home, the best place to check would be the Waverly Belmont Elementary School in Territory 7. He's participating in a spelling bee that should be on around now.
  
  City Hall
  
  
  Spoiler: Money For The Month Quest

  Money For The Month Quest - JinX, Royal, Rhyme, Joker
  Spoiler: Money For The Month Quest

  Heading off to complete one of the easiest missions first, JinX arrives at City Hall with two others, Royal and Rhyme. Speaking with the receptionist, she is told to chill in the waiting area while the mayor's informed of their arrival. Doing so, she takes note that all of the employees are male, but mind moves on to other things. Bringing up the messaging interface of Code Academy, JinX types out letters of friendliness to Ace, Yung Icarus, Gimbal, and Black Gold. Hitting send, she looks to Royal and Rhyme wanting to add them to her own friends list. Royal is the first to do so after noting the peculiarities of JinX and her...effect on the all-male makeup of workers around them. Realizing that he has seen Rhyme somewhere before, he places the location, yet opts to keep it to himself as he takes a seat and too waits for the appearance of the mayor. Rhyme does catch the glimpse of Royal, but makes no visible note of it either. Instead, after watching JinX's antics for a time, he resigns himself to sitting and finally answering the person who's party request he ignored: Lahz Cho. Stating that he didn't feel competent enough to be a partner to her, he leaves open the possibility of pairing together in the future once he's got more knowledge under his belt. Hitting the send button, he joins into JinX's party and turns to watch as the mayor trundles his way down to them all.
  
  Pulling up in front of the crew, the mayor Bic McMurdo immediately questions whether it was Royal or Rhyme who owns JinX. Laughing and breaking into a long lecture about how women would be better off staying home and letting the men work, he motions for them to follow him to his office. On the way there he continues debasing women, going so far as to say they should be held in a home where men can come in and choose them as they please. Laughing it off again, they reach his office where Mr. McMurdo's ready to get down to business. The only issue is...JinX is told to remain outside. Feigning crushing disappointment, JinX cries fake tears in front of Mr. McMurdo, lamenting not being able to deal directly in the completion of the task. "Sobbing" over the hurtful words of the mayor, JinX accepts his decision and bids a temporary farewell to Royal and Rhyme, though not before telling them to alert her if any trouble comes up while they're inside. Nodding to JinX with a hidden internal interest, Royal verbally agrees to enter in the room without their partner and looks at Rhyme to follow suit. The librarian too, agreeing internally not to rock the boat, heads inside with a, "yes boss - no problem."
  
  So inside the room they go where Mr. McMurdo verifies their identities through a third party organization called the IWA. After the check goes through, Edge La calls in through Royal and Rhyme's apps to complete the second verification. Having a short exchange with Mr. McMurdo, she verifies that Royal and Rhyme do indeed work for her. With that done, Edge La bids them all farewell, leaving the three men in the room alone. With the transfer of money into Edge La's account complete and no further business to discuss, Mr. McMurdo moves to talk about something a little more...personal. In a low voice, he informs Royal and Rhyme that he wants to "have" JinX. He is lusting after her feminine charm and wants them to help him molest her. Offering to pay them each 1,000 Kirito for help with the job, Mr. McMurdo sits back with hands clasped and awaits what they decide. Simply getting up, Royal declines the offer and heads for the door to the office beckoning Rhyme head out along. Upset but able to keep his calm, Rhyme also refuses the mayor's offer and walks out of the office bidding a cordial but strained goodbye.
  
  Outside in the reception area, JinX replies messages to Yung Icarus, Black Gold, Ace, and Gimbal. When finished, she muses over how she could get Mr. McMurdo to like her. Moving over to the reception desk, she questions the man behind it, asking whether he was as anti-woman as his boss and whether she was indeed a distraction. In a few minutes Royal joins her with his business of dealing with Mr. McMurdo concluded. Receiving notification of a new quest opening up (Death in territory 9) Royal sends Edge La a message asking the details. When finished, he turns to JinX. Smiling he leans in and warns that the mayor had quite the thing for her. Rhyme is also behind, but occupied in his rage, sends a message to Edge La questioning how she left them in the dark about McMurdo's nature and if she planned to do anything about (as he reveals) the man's plan to potentially molest JinX.
  
  Parked outside and stalking in, is Joker, fresh from his care-taking mission of Mya in Territory 2.
• Nothing yet.
• Iwa Building (HQ)
  
  Business Official Quest - Mya Leah, Yung Icarus
  
  Entering the parking garage of the Iwa Building's premises, Yung Icarus and Mya make way to one of the many doors lining the oddly-shaped building. Yet, when they arrive, a voice calls out from just beyond the door. Asking whether they would like to know the "truth", two handles appear on the door - one red and one blue. The voice says red leads to the truth and blue leads back home. It then falls silent after asking them to pick. Icarus, clearly perturbed by the words this voice chose to use, grabs the red handle and motions Mya inside. Bang! And she walks smack into wall. Confused, the girl is told by the voice only IWA members are allowed inside. Still, it understands they want to know more and moves to tell them - but is interrupted by an announcement that seemed to span the whole world. It comes from the skies and warns citizens they will have 15 minutes to log off before an update to virtual reality is installed. This shocks Mya, as she's never heard of an update to the world before. Nevertheless there;s nothing much she can do except to oblige and promptly log off.
• Little City Regional
  
  Drawing Fire Quest - K, Royal, Dez, Rhyme
  
  K and Royal are on their way to the airport to go about starting a meeting between the guild Pwnies and the most dangerous criminals around, the infamous PK Fire. However, desperately searching for answers on a man called Basalte, Dez shows up before them, hoping they'd be able to shed some light on where to find him. K soon shows up and though surprised to see him signed to the quest, nonetheless sends a message to him to meet up with her. It is then Royal arrives at the airport and finally finding her, takes a place with K. Dez receives the message and tries to find his way to K as well. It is not long before the three are all together and formed in a circle at the center terminal of the airport. As they stand there together, they are bumped by a few port-goers in the midst of Little City Regional's bustling crowds. Then a curious thing is apparent. Passengers begin to walk by them giving second-looks; one of them even lodges a foot and kicks Dez in the back. It s revealed that signs saying "Kick Me", have been planted on their backs. Looking around, there are two suspicious people who immediately walk away in separate directions after. The first, a young girl sipping on a cup of pea-colored juice, and the second, a young man holding a backpack with a bandanna across his face.
  
  Deciding to make this his next quest, Rhyme soon shows up at the airport, aware that K is the one leading this mission. Finding her stationed next to Royal and Dez he makes his way over, quickly noticing the "Kick Me" signs on their back. Peeling them off, he shows the trio what was on them. Katsura nearly laughs and puts her right back on. Moving to the mission, she gets into operating mode. Assigning Royal with Rhyme while she pair with Dez, Katsura advises they split up. One group to go after the girl, the other to go after the boy. Setting on the bandanna man, Royal heads with Rhyme after him, leaving Dez and Katsura to focus on the girl. Sitting on a bench far away, a man watches on live feed the Codebreakers from the Pwnies split into groups and go on their way. Stopping a moment on Dez, he recollects seeing his face before, but can't quite remember where. Hm. Oh well. It would come to him later. For now, he would keep a close eye on the 4 that entered the port. Rising from his chair, the man smoothed the creases from his suit and melted into the crowd.
  
  The boy winds his way through the crowds, pushing people from his path left and right. Once reaching a certain distance, he turns around and introduces himself as Kid Brahhh to the dual of Royal and Rhyme. Informing them they've pissed some people off, Kid Brah orders them to quit being Codebreakers and go back home. At this Rhyme balks, instead asking Kid Brah what he was doing there at the airport. Yet quick to keep bad feelings aside, Royal quickly interjects, advising a proper talk could not be held if they were not calm. Reluctantly, Kid Brah takes this from the man and reins in his composure. Telling them what he said before, this time he makes it clear: either they quit the Pwnies or work for PKFire. There was no other option. The two sides stare at each other and from behind, another person enters the picture. Presenting himself as Basalte, he is also a member of PKFire, yet brandishes a more polished vibe than the uncouth Kid Brah. Basalte wants to know a little about the Codebreakers from Pwnies, and asks they introduce themselves.
  
  K and Dez follow the girl as she weaves through the crowd, eventually coming to a stop right along with her as she stops under the sign of Gate K. Turning around, she introduces herself to both Pwnies, specifically focusing on K for the majority of the time. How could she not? The PKFire recognized the office lady from the incident at Harrods this morning playing on the news. Telling K that she likely ruined Gay Lord's career, the PKFire offers her a deal. The organization IWA was probably looking for Gay Lord's location in real life. However, PKFire was blocking it from them. If K and Dez quit Pwnies, she would give them Gay Lord's location in exchange. K mulls this over and gives it some serious thought. Wavering a moment between the two, staying and going, she ultimately decides that staying in the guild is the one that feels right. So turning to the girl from PKFire, K declines, saying the guild would likely fall apart and die without her around - she would not leave. This impresses the girl named Lil Pumpernickel, as K's righteousness attracts her like moth to a flame. Deciding to help K out by giving her Gay Lord's real life address, Pumpernickel says to give it to IWA so they can arrest him in real life. Attention back on the Satellizer, Pumpernickel reveals she is one as well. She feels she and K would make a great team and again tries to get the Pwnie to join PKFire. However, to Dez, Lil Pumpernickel doesn't take such an optimistic view. Telling the boy it'd be better if he quit Pwnies and continued a regular life, she suggests that he'd be safer and much better off. No. Speaking up, K once again denies Pumpernickel's request to join PKFire. In fact, she wanted Pumpernickel to leave the airport - and to leave right now.
  
  Pendeji Plains
  
  
  Spoiler: Another Codebreaker Quest: Part 3

  Another Codebreaker Quest (Part 3) - Anubis, Black Gold, Yung Icarus, Stein, Trouble
  
  Kesi, relaxing in the plains makes her way, albeit at a pace adagio, to the outskirts of Little City. Once in range she has a brief run-in with one of the many creatures that line the world outside the cities: a Shambler. With unintended aid from another creature native to the plains, a wastehound, Kesi is able to escape and continue on toward the city. It is then in her inbox she simultaneously receives two messages, both coming from senders unknown. Unfazed and dimly curious, she opens them both. The first, is a message from the leader of Pwnies herself: Edge La. Welcoming Kesi to Little City, she tells the girl if she's looking to cause trouble - to think again. A small attache of Pwnies members are on their way to Kimura and are going to ask Kesi to join the guild. Cautioning the girl it'd be best to say yes, Edge La signs off with love. The second message however, is a little more mysterious. Just a jumble of 10101010s, it says nothing more. Reading the first message from Edge La in mild irritation, Kesi's demeanor changes upon focusing to the second. Typing out her own mysterious reply to the message, she hits send and laughs. It looked like this was going to be fun. Stretching out over a rock, she turns up some audio and lets the music flow. Unbeknownst to her however, is the approach of a trained Anubis Hound sent by someone whose taken a special interest in Kesi. Directed to test her abilities, it sneaks up on her and attacks. Though Kesi is tuned to the lunge. Intercepting the hound in pitch perfect form, the girl flings the animal aside and stares it down. In another moment the two engage in rough combat over the span of several long minutes. With no one quite getting the upper hand, it comes to decisive stalemate with the hound on top of Anubis as she uses her strength to keep its jaws from getting firm bite.
  
  And out of the portal leading to the outside zone of the Pendeji Plains, comes finally the group of Codebreakers sent from the guild Pwnies to retrieve Anubis: Yung Icarus, Black Gold, Trouble, and Stein. The Anubis hound on top of Kesi is distracted by the newcomers and and she uses the chance to rip her arm away from its mouth. Now free and increasing distance, she stares it down along with the rest of the newly arrived Codebreakers. Swiftly, a party is set up and all those present receive an invite. Well then. That was it; the only thing left to do was move forward and go. Trouble is the first to move as she puts hands on a long steel pipe she carried from Gili's Automotive. Charging towards the hound, it tries to set a well-timed jump, but while in the air, Trouble's weapon strikes it with a bone-rattling crack! Unaware of her status as a Codebreaker possessing more strength than the average man, the hound is quickly put on the defensive. Following up, the heavy-hitter of the group, Yung Icarus, activates the ability of his own. Launching jagged devices into the air, they rain down in rapid burst skewering and easily killing the injured hound. Tearing her eyes away from the scene, Anubis warns that they should probably leave now before more creatures show up to surround them. However, when walking to the car, Anubis is followed by a wastehound she met earlier on the journey. Soon coming to realize it thought her to be its master, Anubis acquiesces, sending a message to Edge La that she would join the guild - but only, if pets were allowed. Anubis' warning is taken to heart and they file into the car as a few notifications pop up. They all had leveled and Edge La contacted them to give congratulations. Recruiting Anubis was an important piece checked off of their list. Advising it was alright to come back home, she tells them to avoid the Castle in the Northern Exit. Signing off, she lets them know there are other missions available and encourages them to take on what they're interested in. The quest members update their characters and skill levels. Whether they spend it deep in thought or interacting with someone else, the Codebreakers here take time to enjoy the break and unwind in their own special ways.
  
  After a time, on the ride back to Little City proper, Lahz would see a new mission listed called Drawing Fire. It spoke of how the infamous PK Fire guild wanted to meet with the members of Pwnies to...discuss some things. If not, they would launch an attack against the city's regional airport. Lahz is perturbed by this and motions to the others in the car how horrible that was. However, before she has a chance to say more, a large white board catches her eye. Near the entrance to town, stands a young man with sign begging to be driven to Little City General Hospital in Territory 4. It says he is hurt and urgent care is needed right away. Listed near the bottom of the sign is a number large enough to make hearts jump. He was willing to pay 500 Kirito. The reward was substantial and no doubt some in the car would be interested, but the question was who would be the first to verbalize what everyone was probably already thinking? Not Stein. Calling the situation likely a trap, he inches ahead in his seat and tells Icarus to keep driving forward. They'd be better off going to the airport to meet with PKFire. They could report this supposedly injured man to Edge La and have another group of Codebreakers come help him out. It smelled fishy; he wasn't about to suggest they stop and get involved. Trouble, pulling her hat low down over her face agrees. Clearly visibly shaken by something but voice otherwise calm, she affirms that they should head to the airport instead. Anubis at least throws a bone to the man they pass outside. Sending him a message, it contains a link to an automated transportation service provided by her family's connections. So pulling away with Icarus hitting the gas, they leave the young man behind. Bringing up his messaging menu, Icarus replies to an old message from JinX then formulates a new one for Edge La. Reminiscent on the 500 Kiritos they ignored, he tells her point-blank to pay him more. In a stroke of pure humor, Edge La acquiesces: letting him know she has doubled the reward for every current quest.
  
  Lahz just getting off a call with Edge La herself informs those in the van that the guild-master has set up quest called "Case In Point." It's centered around the man they passed by on the road. Even if it was a trap she still wanted to know who set it up and why. Furthermore, Lahz reveals that Edge La did not feel they were ready to meet PK Fire in the Drawing Fire quest, but would not stop them if they wanted to go. Lahz decides that she does not want to go. Lahz wants to head back to the Guild Hall to pursue another quest. Though before she does, she sends a message to Trouble asking the girl if they could take on a quest together. How could she not? There were lines of worry etched into Trouble's face and that was something Lahz could not ignore.
  
  Little City North Exit
  
  
  Spoiler: Case In Point Quest

  Case In Point Quest - Black Gold, Joker, JinX
  
  On the road in Joker's near limousine, they are chauffeured by Joker's pet Daemon Maxwell shrouded in disguise. Sharing words throughout the trip, they would tense as they neared the spot Black Gold last saw the stranger who asked for help. Looking out the window, JinX spots what looks to be the man with the sign and the car stops so they can get out and take a look. Lahz is the first one out and sprints towards the man, quickly kneeling beside him as he lays on the ground. Informing him that she was back with help and asking whether he was injured, Lahz is met by a confused face...and then a hard laugh. Calling her dumb, the man is beside himself, shocked that she actually came back to help. Berating her for being such a fool, it reaches a level that sends Lahz over the edge. Activating her Codebreaking power she falls into a deep rage, promising to kill him. However, realizing what's about to happen, the man begs for life, revealing he was hired by PKFire to conduct the trick. He vows to tell them everything, but Lahz is too far gone to care - she wanted him dead and she wanted dead now JinX shoots out of the vehicle parked a safe distance away. Reaching a hand over to Lahz, she places it on her shoulder cautioning the woman to relax. At least wait until the man explained himself before deciding to kill. Joker too would appear beside JinX, directing his partner Maxwell to keep the man under guard. However, not for his protection - in case he tried to run. If he did, Maxwell would follow the order to strike him dead. This did not sit well with Joe Cool, the man with the sign. These Codebreakers paid little attention to his life - as long as they got what they wanted, he would be left high and dry. No! So yelling out, Joe Cool demanded they follow his terms. Joker and JinX would protect while he logged out. Then and only then, after he was safe from Lahz, would he send them a message detailing what PKFire had him do.
  
  This is unacceptable to Lahz and in a storm of energy she makes this known. However, for the time being, JinX and Joker have calmed her down. She sinks to the ground waiting for the decisions that would frame what happens next. After a moment of thought, JinX decides to believe in Joe Cool and let him go. Understanding where her decision will probably lead, the Trojan readies a weapon in anticipation for what's next. Joe Cool logs off and Lahz has a fit. Screaming in rage, she reveals problems deep down in her psyche, but is able to keep control and not attack the duo of Joker and JinX. Yet, not was alright. Walking away from the pair, Lahz says she will be taking a break from Pwnies to sort her problems out. Just then, the message from Joe Cool comes revealing some startling news. He tricked Joker & JinX and will be telling them nothing about what PKFire had him do. Joker is shaken by this and quietly works on his end to trak Joe Cool down. Searching through the details of his log-off, Joker is able to find Joe Cool's IP and uncovers his real life name: Abdullah Abdulahi. Getting back into the car Maxwell pulls back around, Joker contemplates where to go next. JinX at least has an idea of where she will be: Casino Arrowhead in Territory 9. Sending a message to Edge La on the results of the quest, they ride off back into town.
  
  
  Spoiler: Another Codebreaker Quest: Part 2

  Another Codebreaker Quest - Black Gold, Yung Icarus, Stein, Trouble
  
  Driving through the terrain of the Little City North Exit, the four in the car - Black Gold, Yung Icarus, Trouble, Stein - try to break the ice and get their joining together at least a bit warm. Lahz opening up about how her powers manifested and when - to indulge Stein's curiosity of Codebreakers as a whole - the woman asks Trouble and Yung Icarus how it is that it went for them. While sharing a bit about his own experience, Trouble follows after the words of Stein, relaying a bit about what it was like for her growing up.
  
  Stein takes in the responses and ruminates on them. How and why they became Codebreakers (or were they since they were born?) is a mystery he'd like to solve and lets them know that this is his ultimate goal. The talking and opening up was good for the group as they all got to know each other a little better, but soon it'd come to a stop as they neared the end of their run.
• Waverly Belmont Elementary School
  
  
  Spoiler: The First Test Quest

  The First Test - Dez, Gimbal
  
  Dez shows up on the grounds of the Waverly Belmont Elementary School just like the quest said. Sent there by Edge La and told to contact her once he arrives, he does just that. Edge La receives the call and briefs Dez on what he's supposed to do. Showing him a picture of Tannen from 1 year ago, she smiles and soon after, cuts connection with him saying her job there is done. Lo and behold, Tannen Dong is right here standing behind Dez, mouth agape as he watched it all. Pegging Dez as a Codebreaker, the boy asks what kind and whether he might be one himself. He's been exhibiting some signs of doing weird things...that must mean he's one too right? For now the answer would not be found as a red car pulls up beside them both. The window comes down a crack and a female voice beckons Tannen into her vehicle. It claims to be an old friend of Janet sent to pick him up at his mother's behest. Apologizing to Dez, Tannen proceeds to get into the car but is stopped by a newly appeared Gimbal. Gimbal sends a message to Dez saying the person in the car is not who they claim to be. Approaching the vehicle Gimbal taps on the window and asks who is inside to reveal themselves. After a long pause the door clicks and a woman comes out: Terrorsita McVonqich of the guild Coca-Cola. After berating Gimbal and further calling Pwnies a second-class guild, Terrorsita tells Tannen Gimbal killed his mom. The boy does not believe this as the woman already lied before when she was in the car - he felt this was another one. He instead goes on the offensive with his words, making fun of her guild when she offered to invite him. With Terrorsita, this did not go over well. Activating her Codebreaking special ability, the woman challenges Gimbal and Dez to a fight, saying whomever wins gets to have Tannen.
  
  Dez gulps in fear, but despite it, hunkers down and sticks around; he is not going to run. Steeling himself and asking Gimbal if he was ready too, they prepare to strike the Coca Cola guildmember head on. Gimbal makes a move, but not before he fesses up to Tannen about him indeed killing the boys mother. He has already sent a confession to the IWA and awaits for them to take him in. Turning back to Terrorsita he launches at her with Jenkins, his trusty stick. With one throw of her mighty sword, Terrorsita kills Gimbal in one shot. She moves on to Dez and as her weapon streaks back down from the sky towards him, tells the Breaker never to make an error of judgment like that again - he should of ran. Dez is then killed and sent to Death's Corner along with Gimbal. All alone, Tannen is approached by the woman who bends over him and politely affirms that he is indeed going to join the Coca Cola Guild.
• Gili's Automotive
  
  
  Spoiler: Another Codebreaker Quest: Part 1

  Another Codebreaker Quest - Black Gold, Yung Icarus, Stein, Trouble
  
  Choosing to take on the mission with the highest reward, Lahz Cho shows up at Gili's Automotive. Receiving the message from JinX, she replies apologizing for how she acted at the meeting earlier. And sending that away, Lahz turns her attention to one she still loathed: Katsura Kanetsugu. At the break of their guild meeting Edge La called to them both saying she'd double their reward if they worked together on a quest. Lahz ultimately accepted and there she stood with Katsura - but didn't like it. Cautioning the woman to not show any disrespect they are then contacted by Edge La who wants to make sure that Katsura and Lahz indeed play nice. Katsura however, had different ideas. Seeing interaction was already going to be a hell-hole, she opted to just leave and say goodbye - the bullshit she'd put up with...at this point time time, it just wasn't worth it. So moving off, Katsura goes back to the Guild Hall to take on another quest.
  
  Also choosing to attempt this quest, Yung Icarus shows up on the scene, answering the PM he received from JinX before moving to the door of the shop and giving it a light knock. And watching it all from close by is the silent theorist of the guild Pwnies: Stein. Even from the start of the meeting, to his branching and doing of quest now, the man continues highlighting notes of those he meets in his area and the events that surround them both. That is when Edge La, checking on the state of Lahz after the departure of Katsura, gets a glimpse into her psyche. The moment gone as quickly as it came, the scene shifts as there is sudden activity from inside Gili's Automotive. The door holding vehicles on the side of the shop rolls up while a set of keys flies and smashes into Yung Icarus' face. Immediately following are the sound of footsteps as someone runs away from the shop, taunting the Codebreakers in the process, and Trouble appearing from the rear parking lot drawn by the commotion and trying to stifle a laugh. Lahz moves to follow the one fleeing but Edge La chimes in saying notifications her car repair was complete were just received. So directing the trio, she tells them to use the car to drive to the Little North Exit of Territory 6. The name of the Codebreaker she ultimately wanted to be picked up was Kesi Kimura. The girl was a known troublemaker, but Edge La felt that with vigilance, her Codebreakers would successfully be able to get the job done. With warning of what may come ahead and info of the target tucked beneath their belts, Black Gold, Yung Icarus, Trouble and Stein drive off to the Little City North Exit in Territory 6.
  
  Casino Arrowhead
  
  Ace High Quest - JinX, Joker
  
  Pulling up in his long black roadster, JinX and Joker arrive at the Arrowhead Casino.
  
  Pwnies (Guild Hall)
  
  Free Lounge - Anubis, Trouble, Cobolt, Axis Mundus, Stein, Terrorsita, Edge La
  
  Fresh from her stint at Harrods in Territory 2, Katsura is looking worse for wear. The events of the day were starting to get to her. She knew she was a Codebreaker but shit. It was turning out to be much more than what she bargained for. So making her way to the lounge bar, Katsura would pour herself a drink and try to process it all. She is soon joined by Royal who pulls up a spot next to her. While waiting for a response to his message from Edge La (Who the person they were trying to recruit from Death's Corner was), he decides not to comfort the woman, but simply give her company instead. While on her way back to the Pwnies Guild Home, Edge La goes over the status of her guild-members and current quests. She acknowledges the successes of some groups, but frowns at the failures and delays taking place in others. It is then she receives a call from Lahz Cho in Territory 6. Lahz informs her of a man who needed help on the side of a road they passed. The consensus was it was a trap and to that Edge La agreed. Regardless, the guild-master thought it better to check out the trap and figure why it was set-up. So typing a new quest, she labels it "Case In Point". Lahz bids Assera goodbye, and the guild-master goes back to contemplating what she could do to help the guild's competence grow. She decides to hold a mass training session for interested members back at the guild hall and labels the quest, "Lessons From Mother". Instead of just introducing more training, she feels hierarchical changes are needed as well. To that end K is contacted by Edge La. The elder tells K that now is the time for the guild to be solid and strong. Now is not the time to be lackadaisical or having second-thoughts about Codebreaking jobs. This is about protecting the lives of people and for that, they needed to be strong. This is when Edge La asks K to be Jr. Master of the guild. Edge La ends the contact to give K time to think about it. She then opens her messaging app to reply to a message she received from Royal regarding the Death Mission. --> It was the A.I. Black Hat they were supposed to be recruiting indeed.
  
  After a deep breath, K absorbs what Edge La says. Pulling herself out of the gutter in a lackluster attempt to get back to work, K turns to Royal and asks if he wants to head on the Drawing Fire quest with her. Remembering she saw Rhyme stalking around the Guild Hall as well, she sends him a message asking if he'd be interested in coming along for it too. After a few more drinks, K decides its time to go, and receiving no answer yet to her calls for help, decides to head to the airport in Territory 6 to start the Drawing Fire mission on her own. Content with finishing off his drink, Royal is ready and decides to head off too.In another room of the guild home, Rhyme has finally had enough time to mull over what Edge La said to him prior. Squeezing his eyes shut, he would resolve to continue on as a Pwnie and chooses a quest to go on next. Singling out the "Drawing Fire Quest" in Territory 6 as better place to start than any, he uses a CDR skill to get there instantly.
  
  After the "Lessons From Mother Quest", Anubis is found in the bar drinking. She had her fill and retrieved her Anubis Hound from the front of the Hall by the leash. Taking a walk around the building, Anubis would send a message to Edge La, saying that she'd be at the Hall when Edge La returned. The master wanted to know Anubis, so Anubis was going to let her try. A broken computer and one admittance message of guilt later, Anubis found her way once more to the front of Pwnies Guild Hall where Trouble, back from Death's Corner, now appeared. As the two speak they build rapport and make their way back a short distance to the Pwnies' guild bar. Seconds earlier, Cobolt and Axis Mundus would be entering the guild Hall after their "Building Bridges Quest". Surprised at the amount of people milling about, they'd enter the bar to find more inside. Cobolt heads to the refrigerator and pulling out a coke, spies a Anubis sitting by. With a greet and a wave, he smiles introducing himself. WELL MET! The three: Trouble, Cobolt, and Anubis hit it off. Yet walking through the door to the Pwnies' Guild Hall is Terrorsita McVonqich of Coca-Cola, or better knows as the user Blues Clues. Sent by the leader of Coca-Cola, Schweinsteiger, she was instructed to help out Pwnies while he figured what to do with Tannen Dong. Now in the Pwnies' bar, she lifts up a brow, being put off by their apparent slacking and laziness. Clearing her throat, Blues Clues informs their guilds are soon be one and she is there to help with quests, more specifically, the search for Supidahman in Territory 2. Cobolt is the first to respond and advises they were just celebrating missions well done. He was actually right about to form a group to take on that exact quest. Turning to Axis, Trouble, and Anubis, he asks who'd be up for coming along.
  
  Edge La is back from her stint in Death's Corner and quickly catches up on the messages she received while gone. Getting up to date with the information, she hustles back to the Guild Hall, through the doors, and up the stairs to her room. It is revealed PKFire is the one who messed with Black Hat down in Death's Corner and Edge La's goal is to undo the damage they did. However, there was still the issue of who to give that item to, the piece of equipment from the end of the training session. While Joker did impress her with his plan, Icarus was the one who killed her. They were both deserving in her eyes. So she came up with a compromise. She'd sent the item to Icarus but ask that he PVP'd Joker with it on the line. Then, that would decide who it truly belonged to - at least her mind. Informing the two of what she wanted done, Edge La subsequently went to work on the beginnings a program that would hopefully cut PKFire's hand from Death's Corner.
  
  As it does across all of virtual reality, a notice chimes directing all to log off as there will soon be an update to the world. Laying back on her bed, this surprises Edge La, but also seemed to be news she expects. Saving what she could of her program to fix Black Hat in Death's Corner, The Edge Lord waits a few more minutes before logging off herself.
  
  
  After the "Lessons From Mother Quest", Black Gold, JinX, Joker, and Yung Icarus are all outside by the pool taking in the aftermath. Clearly Black Gold is not happy with Yung Icarus' behavior and makes it known. Neither was she with the words of Anubis as she departed to the bar. In fact, Black Gold was quite mad at everything. At least until approached by a bright-eyed JinX. The pinkette asked the blonde if she could expound upon what it was like at Duchamp's School of Art & Design because she thought of transferring there. On top of it, seeing as Lahz was out with a group to the Pendeji Plains, JinX was also curious as to the events that led up to the posting of the quest "Case In Point". Taken aback by the curiosity and openness JinX portrayed, Black Gold was impressed by the young Codebreaker. With a light smile she would explain that she didn't think the mission was a trap at all, but that the man they found out in the Plains was indeed in trouble. She was hesitant in making her opinion known before, but now she could take it no longer - she wanted to go back and help him. Walking forward, Black Gold would ask whether JinX wanted to accompany her and if Joker would be coming along too. JinX had no reason to refuse, though she didn't know about Joker. However, she had the sneaking suspicion she wouldn't be able to stop him even if she tried...he had a car. And to Lahz...riding in a car was definitely better than paying for a taxi, so JinX, Joker, and Black Gold would use his car to head to The Little City North Exit in Territory 6.
  
  Popping out from behind a bush on the guild grounds is Mya Leah, who had watched the battle between Edge La and the others go down. Deathly afraid of the woman yelling at her for what she did earlier at Harrods, Mya looks to do something to get back into Edge La's good graces. The plan is to complete a quest she wants down: 'Business Official'. However, she thinks she'll need help, and feels Yung Icarus is the perfect one to provide it. He killed Edge La after all. How could he not be strong enough to take on anything? So approaching him, she asks whether he'd like to accompany her to Territory 5 for the quest. If not, she'd try asking Anubis, or maybe that guy standing nearby, Stein. Mya's interruption is just enough to knock Icarus from a funk that almost leads him to logging out. Taken from situations tormenting him in real life, the boy turns to Mya and seems back to life - at least for the temporary moment. Looking over the 'Business Official' quest she suggested, he heads for the car parked out front and motions for the girl to follow. It is a success; Icarus will take it on. So Mya and Icarus both leave to Territory 5.
  
  
  Spoiler: Lessons From Mother Quest

  Lessons From Mother Quest - Edge La, JinX, Joker, Yung Icarus, Anubis, Black Gold, Trouble
  
  Reviving from Death's Corner, JinX and Joker appear in front of the Pwnies Guild Hall. After grabbing their bearings they decide their next course of plan. They still had to convince Edge La to die so she could meet Black Hat. She was holding a training for the guild right about now so that's where JinX would be headed. She'd already sent a message beforehand to Edge asking if they could speak and the only thing to do now was wait for the reply. She takes a glance at Joker and begins to walk inside the Guild Hall while he follows. She is aware there was some tension between them while in Death's Corner and suggests they get it out now. Slipping onto a sofa inside the Common Room of the Guild Hall, JinX waits for either Joker to begin talking or other members planning to take this quest, to show. Joker does with no one else around, revealing that he's developed a fascination for the Trojan. There is no maliciousness towards JinX. She's just the most captivating mystery he's ever laid his eyes on, and he wants to solve it. So to that end he would go whatever mile it took. As he begins asking questions, JinX answers, and it devolves into a game of cat and mouse where it's all about finding the meaning hidden beneath the context. However, this game is abruptly cut short as Edge La finally returns from Harrods in Territory 2. After a momentary pause to savor the feeling of being home, she turns to JinX and Joker, explaining what her "Lessons From Mother" mission entails. Basically it'd be a 1 on everyone battle: where Edge La would construct PVP between her and every other Breaker in the guild. Briefly speaking about the rare item reward, she walks out onto the pool deck and waits for more members to arrive.
  
  The first to show up from the outside is Yung Icarus, the Deviant Artist, who strolls in and whose interest is piqued by the small gathering going on. Fresh from the car he parked outside in return from picking her up with Lahz, Trouble, and Stein, Anubis enters the Guild Hall and the conversation too. Announcing she has finally made it "home" she asks Edge La what the training is. (Oh! Let's not forget Anubis has a dog too! Where is it? She has has tied it up in front of the guild home with a chain!). Looking over Anubis, JinX assumes the mission to retrieve the foreign Codebreaker was a success. Updating Anubis on what was about to go down, JinX parties everyone up and readies herself to take on Edge La as well. Letting Edge La decide who she wanted to take out first probably wasn’t a good idea, so fixing her hair into a ponytail, she decides to make the first move. Stepping forward and throwing a punch at Edge La, the battle begins!
  
  Duly caught off guard after having been lost in random musings over everyone who had become involved, Edge La quickly recovers and replies to JinX with a savage blow that literally takes her head off. Black Gold just coming from completing the quest that brought Anubis home, walks in on the scene eyes wide in shock. Casually passing off JinX's maimed body, the guild-master underscores that this is a match to the death between her, all those of the guild, and she will proceed as so. Turning attention to Joker, Edge La tells him to call out his Daemon to fight her. To make it more interesting, if he did, she'd offer him her dual Kata-Katanas. While Joker mulls this over, Anubis moves. Telling Lahz keep on the sidelines for now, she jots ahead standing before Edge La, putting on her bravest face and begins to taunting the guild-master with profane words from her lips. For Anubis, Edge La expresses disdain, threatening to to murder kill the Breaker violently for the lack of respect. She does however commend the girl for using the strategy of pushing the enemies' buttons; it was a good tool to draw an opponent from attacking someone pivotal to the party. A good pull too as Edge La didn't realize JinX's counterattack went off. Switching the results of their match, Edge La receives the damage the Trojan should taken - the sword she threw returning and piercing her own chest. JinX backs off and taking place behind Icarus, turns and listens as Joker finally speaks. He says that the deal offered was a sham - there was no way an OS Phantom like him could use the weapon. Instead, he goes about thing another way. With JinX's counter taking its toll he instructs Black Gold, Anubis, and Yung Icarus to use a skill called Short-Circuit. A sure-fire shot, if they all did it together, it might be enough to take the guild-woman down. Launching the Short Circuit of his own, Joker finishes, expecting them all to do the same.
  
  Yet even the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. From the blue as her imaginary friend R.E.D leads her around the guild Hall in taunts, Trouble finds herself on a course towards Edge La herself. Mistakenly imagining the woman to be R.E.D. in a cruel trick, Trouble attacks and is met with a swift death. The guild-master realizes what may have caused Trouble to act so recklessly, and promises the girl to fix her psychosis as Trouble eventually dies and gets sent to Death's Corner. Re-engaging her mind, Edge La moves to congratulate the rest of those still on the deck for a job well done. All they had to do was use Short Circuit and Edge La would be gone. However, head snapping sideways, the guild-master feels a strong presence warping her way. It is Yung Icarus, instead of using Short Circuit, trying to finish her off himself. Much to the chagrin of Lahz Cho, Icarus continues his advance and takes the guild-master up into the sky. In the air, as Icarus prepares to 1-shot her with Perfection, Edge La receives a message from Dez and the Arrowhead Casino in Territory 9. Quickly she tells Dez, who is at the airport in Territory 6, that he should sit tight and wait for Katsura. To the Casino, she sends a thank you message. Opening the job board, she puts up the mission Ace High, which informs members the Arrowhead is having Cocktail Day: an event they'd have the opportunity to make lots of money within its velvet walls. Send, and with that done, Edge La finally turns to Icarus just as he's done. Activating her ultimate skill, MAXIMUM Edge Ex, it fails to proc and she ultimately falls to the Deviant's blade. Was the lesson perfect, no she didn't think, but for now, that would be good enough. Finally disappearing into streams of raw data, she is sent over to Death's Corner.
  
  Icarus touches back down and is met with Black Gold, JinX, and Joker. Trotting off to get herself a drink and relax a bit, Anubis is absent when the DA reaches the ground. With a relieved sigh, JinX checks over her stats and adjusts points for leveling accordingly. Once sharing a small word with Joker, she heads over to Lahz and begins to inquire about a few things: the University of Duchamp and what she thought about the "Case In Point Quest".
  Spoiler: Death Quest: Part 1

  Death Quest - Umbra, Joker, JinX, Royal
  
  After a long nap following the dispersal of the other guild members to quests of their own, Umbra wakes up still in the Guild Hall, a little bored. Opening up her Code Academy app to check something interesting she could possibly go on, her eyes falls on one of the newest jobs to open up: Death. Curious as to what it could entail, Umbra makes her way to Edge La's office and barges in, expressing her desire to take this mission on. Getting looked at it takes a moment for Edge to recall who Umbra was. Yet once doing so, she receives a message from Joker parked outside City Hall, asking about the mission 'Death'. And again, she receives another message from Royal at City Hall asking the same thing; which meant that the 'Money For The Month Quest' was done. Transferring the reward money into JinX, Royal, and Rhyme's bank accounts, she receives another message this time from Rhyme, not only inquiring about the mission 'Death', but asking why she didn't inform them of Mr. McMurdo's nature before. ignoring the message for now, Edge la decides to connect JinX, Royal, Rhyme, and Joker to her and Umbra by audio so she could explain the 'Death' mission to them all at once. She tells them the mission would be of utmost importance to the guild; success would be great, while failure would be a crushing blow. Anyone who wanted to participate would have to give control of systems over to her as the quest involved doing something illegal. If not careful, they could be caught and banned from virtual by an organization called the IWA. Speaking of the IWA..
  
  Putting up another quest named 'Business Official', she tells them that the IWA in fact contacted her earlier that day. They would not say what they wanted, so she is looking for people to go over there and find out what. If it happened to be out of their league, then she would over go there to handle it herself. In close, Edge La let everyone go on their way while telling Rhyme to come see her back at the guild hall before he did anything. Checking carefully through his settings, Joker is the first to give control to Edge La. After replying to a message received from Gimbal elsewhere in Territory 3, JinX is the second to sign on to the Death Quest, giving her system's control to Edge La. Just happy to be leaving the mayor's office in City Hall, Royal mulls over possibly getting into another mess. Thinking he'd at least do well to keep the other Codebreakers signing onto this mission from f*cking up, he decides to give Edge La control of his system too. Umbra the purple-haired Trojan Horse is last to give control to the guildmaster. With that done, Edge La puts the plan into motion. Uploading a special program to their systems, she waits for the all clear. The transfer finishes and she executes. Little did the Codebreakers know, the program she uploaded would cause their deaths. So in a twinkle of multi-colored bits and blood, JinX, Joker, Royal, and Umbra die. All four wake up in eerie silence at Death's Corner.
  
  After handling the Money For The Month quest in Territory 2, Rhyme is summoned to the Guild Hall by Edge La. Arriving off a bus, he waits outside the Guild Building while she wraps up taking care of those volunteering for the Death quest. Fresh from her completion of killing JinX, Joker, Royal, and Umbra, Edge La greets Rhyme as he waits outside. However, the guildmaster is distracted. Only moments before departing to see Rhyme, did she speak to Katsura in Territory 2 to say that Mya was indeed a murderer - not a Codebreaker. She puts up a new quest, marking 'Loving Leah' done and replacing it with 'The Killing Award' in Territory 2. Turning to Rhyme, she asks the man if he'd still like to sit down and speak with her one-on-one, or if he'd like to go out and complete a mission...together. Blindsided by the question, Rhyme admits he does not fully understand how Edge La's mind works. But. If there was a real answer, a real method to the madness, then he wanted to know. To understand where Edge La was coming from, he was willing to see the world through her eyes. Turning to face him, Edge La does just that. Telling him that being a Codebeaker is not a choice but a duty - a duty to protect and serve those around them, she goes on to say her goal is to unite the Codebreakers of each floor to destroy PK Fire and murderers once and for all. However this would be interrupted as Edge La states she has somewhere to be. Receiving notification that Mya was dead, she bids farewell to Rhyme and Edge La moves to Harrods in Territory 2.
  Spoiler: Loving Leah Quest: Part 1

  Loving Leah Quest - Joker, Seraphina, K, Ace
  
  Joker, an OS Phantom and hard-boiled detective, takes a look around the guild home as the other members disperse from their first ever meeting. Split over going for the Another Codebreaker quest and Loving Leah, the man ultimately falls to the soft side of his heart and goes to greet Mya Leah. Taking off his hat, he'd ask the young child where she wanted to go first. Seraphina, a friend of Edge La's is there too and introduces herself to Mya, accepting Assera's recommendation to take this quest. And growing the party is Katsura, fresh from leaving Lahz back at Gili's Automotive. And with her Ace joins, being the 4th introduce himself and add to the crew. With Ace's addition Joker immediately takes a disliking to the boy, but Mya Leah's next move would wipe it all away - at least for now. Crying because of the care she senses from the four Codebreakers around her, Mya revels in the feeling of her being cared for and attended to for once. Tear streaming down her face, she reveals that she wants to play with all of them, get to know all of them, be friends with all of them...and wants to do so at the mega-store Harrods in Territory 2. So with that, Joker, Seraphina, K, Ace and Mya set off to Harrods in Territory 2 to have their fun.
• Death's Corner
  
  
  Spoiler: Death Quest: Part 3

  Death Quest (Part 3) - Edge La
  
  Landing in Death's Corner after the events of the Lessons From Mother Quest, Trouble finds herself depressed over the mess her alter-ego R.E.D has caused. Will weak and mind clouded, Trouble falls easily to R.E.D's subtle manipulation, agreeing to believe that the imaginary friend is good for her - that R.E.D is in essence, all she has. The whole time, Black Hat is watching from nearby. Curious about Trouble and R.E.D, but not quite curious enough to intervene, the A.I. finally does a long pops up showing Edge La herself has died. Black Hat confronts Trouble and her imaginary friend, informing them their guild leader Edge La seemed to be soon joining them as well. Sure enough, out in the mist where the light does not reach a body makes it way towards them. With the final step out of the dark, it is indeed Pwnies' strongest Edge Lord. Calling out the Edge Lord on a confusing history Black Hat has read through, the A.I. figures there's only one explanation for the state of the woman's baffling profile. She must be an admin to the world. The A.I. asks whether she is, but Edge seems to have better things to do. Edge La turns to Trouble and R.E.D, studying them for a bit. After a time she realizes R.E.D. may be the one who's been giving Trouble problems in her mind. Testing the theory, Edge La orders Black Hat to kill Trouble but leave R.E.D. After initially refusing, Black Hat kills Trouble, sending her back to the Guild Hall in Territory 9 after Edge La promises to tell her everything she wanted to know. So with Trouble now out of Death's Corner and R.E.D. still behind, Edge La reveals to Black Hat that it is correct, she indeed is an admin. Seeing the fun is up, Trouble's imaginary friend R.E.D. acquiesces to Edge La's request. After all, what good would be done getting on the guild leader's bad side? R.E.D. would make Trouble the best employee she's ever seen. Whether that was snide or not wouldn't be known as R.E.D makes herself disappear - returning back to Trouble in the world outside.
  
  With Trouble and R.E.D now gone, Black Hat and Edge La are left alone. Once again the Edge Lord tells the A.I. she is a little more savvy than the average player, but takes back the comment that she is an admin of the world. From beta-tester to flat-out being curious, Edge La gives Black Hat a plethora of reasons for explaining how she is and who she was. This does not satisfy A.I. but Edge La quickly redirects the subject, pointing out that Black Hat very different from the others that roamed Death's Corner. In the fact that she was intelligent. After a bit more goading, Edge La gets the A.I. to open up about her circumstances - the unidentified, outside installation and all. This peaks the curiosity of Edge La, who wonders if Black Hat was always that way. The A.I. responds that she is not sure and prompts Edge La to offer her help. Confused, the A.I. asks again if the woman is an admin, to which she denies. However, as they continue to speak, Edge La casually mentions a code that seems to put Black Hat in a trance. Awaiting Commands, the A.I. would speak in a voice not her own. The woman commands the A.I. to read through a list of the updates installed and listens as they're spoken out loud one by one. Time passes and the list sounds like it's coming to an end, but guild-master still has not found what she's looking for. Though at the very last entry, there is a name, rather, a set of numbers labeling under who it was done. With the information in hand, Edge La ends the control of Black Hat, announcing that now she must leave. This does not go over well with the A.I. who wonders what exactly the guild-master did. That question would remain unanswered as the guild-master actives an Edge-Lord only skill, White Suicide, which allows her to resurrect herself from death. This means Black Hat is unable to carry out her duties as master of Death's Corner, leaving Edge La to disappear in a blow of dust. Yet, before completely melting away, Edge La promises to return with a fix for Black Hat, not only regarding the latest patch, but her intelligence too. And with that, Edge La leaves Death's Corner, finding herself revived before the guild Hall in Territory 9.
  
  
  Spoiler: Death Quest: Part 2

  Death Quest (Part 2) - JinX, Joker, Royal, Umbra, Mya Leah, Gimbal, Dez
  
  Joker is first to re-spawn in the dark desolate abode. Seeing nobody else around, he leans up against a brick wall and waits for his fellow guild-mates to appear. Waking up from his own brief sleep, Royal pushes up off the ground and takes a leisurely stroll around his new settings. Seeing Joker standing against a wall, he introduces himself while moving to take up a position there as well. Re-spawning nearby is the third of the group, JinX. Not quite ecstatic about the the situation, she nonetheless makes her presence known and waits for what's next. Soon Umbra appears and joins with the group, but looking around they notice something weird; they have a fifth. Standing with them is a person they do not know. This new stranger with pupil-less eyes turns and inquires what they are doing there.
  
  After her own death at Harrod's in Territory 2, Mya wakes up in Death's Corner. Feeding her curiosity she explores but is cornered by an eerie presence that doesn't move from out the dark. Carefully walking back into the lighted areas of Death's Corner, Mya is left alone. Once the presence moves off, she continues exploring the zone, eventually spying Joker, JinX, Royal, Umbra, and the mysterious fifth one standing by their side. As she watches, JinX the Trojan gives a little information to the newcomer while curiously asking questions of her own. Joker takes another approach. He decides to tell this new person (Black Hat) the truth about why he was here. Or at least half of it. Cutting the talk he asks if he could be directed to the exit. There was some unfinished business he had to take care of. Yet unbeknownst to Black Hat, Joker would be typing a message regarding Mya to Royal in his pocket. He if fairly certain the girl is a murderer and tells the man she's nearby, and to watch himself. The message is received and after giving Black Hat his own playful answer, Royal signs Joker that the words got through. Turning to look in Mya's general direction for now, Royal believes the best thing to do, is to play it cool. It would not go over so well as in the process would let his playful demeanor slip. Already irritated over having to come investigate their mysterious circumstance of death, Black Hat removes Royal from Death's Corner and sends him back to the Pwnies Guild Hall in Territory 9. Turning on JinX, Black Hat reveals she knew that they were lying about not knowing anything. She considers removing JinX from Death's Corner too, but gives her one more chance to be honest. Joker told her what she believes to be the truth to which she asks JinX to elaborate on; mainly who sent them there and why. If JinX tries to lie again, JinX would removed. With that out of the way, Black finally reveals to them who she is. She is an Autonomous Intelligence created by the world develops to process those that have died. Not updated in some time, Black Hat reveals a program was installed onto her by an unknown party the last she received new software. The details of it she is not able to see as it has locked her out of viewing permissions. So all Black Hat does now is her ordinary duty: take money and items from the deceased to distribute to those who killed them. This is when Black Hat, commands JinX to begin to talk. After the details of she and Joker's employer are discussed, the woman gives the two a way out of Death's corner. hey are to eat small white pills floating in front of them. Once doing so, they would be resurrected back in the virtual world.
  
  Joker watches on and the gears of his mind turn. While intrigued in whether JinX would tell the truth about who sent them, his thoughts linger a bit on how Black Hat happened to became who she is. Collecting money from the deceased to give to their killers? That was crazy. Many questions swirled around in that head of his, but for now he would keep his lips sealed. JinX considers lying again for a small moment, but ultimately decides to tell the truth. She tells Black Hat of Edge La and their mission to recruit someone important...they just didn't know who. Explaining it was also Edge La's program that forced them to commit suicide JinX bemoans the fact that Black Hat is basically chained to Deaths Corner. She and Joker were looking for someone; somebody their guildmaster wanted to recruit to Pwnies. Black Hat wanted to know more about their mission and of the one who sent them. Couldn't they help each other out? With a curtsy and step away, JinX retreats by Joker and asks if he failed his mission to watch over Mya. The man gets the underlying hostility, though brushes it off for now and answers honestly: he did complete the mission and left someone else to follow up. Turning his sights back to Black Hat, he would watch on as the A.I. mulled things over and gave a response. Honestly, there wasn't much they could offer her, save for one thing: Edge La. Black Hat wanted to meet with Edge La. Revealing their guild leader had a high number of deaths, Black Hat is unsure Edge La would come of her own accord, so asks JinX and Joker to convince the Edge Lord to visit Death's Corner. In exchange for the deed she offers them one of two benefits. Death's Corner taxes each person that passes and increases the payment each time they come. Black Hat would be willing to waive any and all future increases for Pwnies Guild members. Or. Whenever leaving Death's Corner, Black Hat would resurrect them at any location of their choosing. The A.I. tells the pair to make a choice and then leave, but not before threatening repercussions if they forget to make good on the deal. With that understood, JinX chooses to...have all increases waived for members of her guild. With a few more words to Black Hat and giving of salutation to depart, JinX skips using the white pill given to escape Death's Corner. Instead, she walks off into the darkness searching for one of the horrors that walk it to kill her instead. With a brief message to Edge La in update of how their quest gone, JinX stalks into the twilight on her own. Treading through the dark, she suddenly feels something wrap around her hand. It's Joker - following her after leaving Black Hat himself.
  
  Waking up from death at the hands of Terrorsita McVonqich, Gimbal and Dez find themselves in the dark of Death's Corner. Gimbal acknowledging that they're currently in the world's afterlife, he takes up position on a wall and tells Dez that it may take a while for Death to come. He is right. Black Hat is on her way, but first has to deal with Mya Leah, Gay Lord, and Umbra - all of whom she kills. It is only after she finishes tailing Joker and JinX (who she ends up killing too) that she finally makes her way towards them. As per protocol, Black Hat ends up killing Gimbal too; taking chunks of kirito and items from him in the process. So as Gimbal's body returns to the state of living, Dez is the only other Pwnie remaining in Death's Corner. And it looks like Black Hat has a surprise. Walking up to Dez, she produces a phone. She reveals it once belonged to his deceased brother and he left it as a present - one final memorabilia. But...what's viewed on the cell leaves Dez even more confused. A video plays as he opens the device and shows the very moment his brother turned into a malicious PKing Codebreaker. Why did he want Dez to see this? It left the boy with even more questions than when the video began. Black finally speaks and giving a grin she tells Dez that his brother Caleb being a murderer isn't so bad. In fact, he could teach Dez a thing or two about doing what he wants and ignoring what other people think. Yet with that, Dez's stay in Death's Corner is over. Black Hat kills him and he is resurrected affront the Pwnies Guild Hall in Territory 9.

Territoy 1

Territoy 2

Territoy 3

Territoy 4

Territoy 5

Territoy 6

Territoy 7

Territoy 9

Death's Corner

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