Dungeon Breaker - 20 - Shaking Things Up
1Previously, in Dungeon Breaker:
Aspiring monster tamer Alec and his childhood friend Tina have traveled to the capital to visit Tina's older sister Karen, an accomplished monster tamer. The city has its share of interesting characters, including Claíomh, a frighteningly intense young woman who runs a weapons shop, and Leen, a cheerful young woman with wings—that she insists aren't real—who runs an item shop. But while they're here, Karen's patron, the "forgotten princess" Celsia, has suggested they go training in some ruins in the area that Karen has been investigating.
Along the way, Duke Bastarche, an enemy of Celsia's, has been causing trouble, along with his advisor Jade and underlings Gail and Sorsha. Furthermore, after some confusing events deep in the ruins, Tina's ears are now pointy, like those of a mysterious woman who keeps helping them in the ruins, and Alec can learn skills from her, like he does with his monsters.
Twintail appears in a few more scenes at the mansion, first getting annoyed when Tina insists on braiding her hair whether she likes it or not, then slipping in next to Alec and acting affectionate—though she insists her hair's just doing that on its own—while he's trying to study, only to storm out in a snit when he fails to pick up on her mixed signals.
Alec happens to have Devilin with him when visiting Leen's shop, and it turns out they know each other, though Leen initially tries to deny it. Finally, though, she admits she's one of them, who ran away after being constantly teased about her white wings. They have a touching reunion, up until Devilin brings up a special skill Leen has and badgers her into trying to have Alec learn it, by the usual method. Leen eventually gives in, since she does like Alec, but no skill is learned, presumably because they don't have a pact, and she's not interested in forming one, mostly because of Devilin.
Back in the ruins, a dragon is the guardian of the third layer. Celsia is surprised that they still exist, and doesn't argue when asked to stand back. After a hard-fought battle, Alec's party emerges triumphant and finds a third, red sealing stone.
Unfortunately, that's when Duke Bastarche shows up with a sizable force that includes Gail and Jade. Karen immediately recognizes Jade as a Wizzar. The duke taunts Celsia for not even knowing that the stones seal the cursed arts of the Wizzar here, and he intends to claim them for himself.
Karen calls her monsters to hold them off while the others escape, and the duke sends Jade in pursuit. Celsia and Alec flee deeper into the ruins, but they lose Tina somewhere along the way, and Jade soon catches up to them. He's after the sealing stones, and though Alec tries to hold him off so Celsia can escape, Jade's sorcery is well beyond what he can handle.
As Jade, however reluctantly, prepares to finish him off, the mystery woman appears again standing between them with her arms out and staring Jade down. He's shocked to see what he calls a divine beast protecting Alec, and wonders if he may have Wizzar blood in his veins. Regardless, Jade respects her wishes and leaves without further harming Alec, though he tells her he expects her cooperation when the godlike awakens.
Alec wakes with his head in her lap again. She tells him to get more rest and kisses him as he attempts to rise. However, once he takes stock of the situation, he remembers that Celsia needs help, and rushes after her, leaving the mystery woman behind and looking a bit dissatisfied.
I'm also taking notes to keep a running log of events and characters, though note that there may be spoilers if you haven't watched the most recent video: http://kwhazit.infinityfreeapp.com/trans/breaker/dngBrkr1.html