<Nocturnal Harmonia>

[Bloodedge]

"Probably not," Yugi said to the chairwoman. Whether she truly wanted to question that last matter or not, he didn't intend to answer. That seal had grown enough to reach the left side of Yugi's face. With that, there was an even greater desire to fight something. He couldn't wait for that mist to dissipate, or for the army to finally make it through. Miko was also getting prepared, albeit for different reasons. After setting up the others with the armor they had available, she brought up the spell that had seen the most use in this quest. Yugi was having flashbacks to their very first quest in that tutorial dungeon... and flashbacks to an old series forgotten by most casual Aeons fans. "Did you switch one Iced Shell for another?" he questioned. "If you want to use it, use it. I'm getting back on skull-fucking duty!"

Ren didn't receive any real negative backlash for his molestation, so it didn't stop with much haste at all. Hands that were on Kaguya's hips aimed to rub against her rear in the moment of parting, as she spoke of 'wants' waiting for a while. It didn't seem like a total shutdown, though it could have been one regardless. Perhaps time would tell? Well, now wasn't the time to worry about that. "Hai. Well... remember, high for general purposes and speed, low for defense and sneakiness. You should be alright with that as a start. Beyond that... just find your own comfort. As an Assassin-type, you should be able to use Stealth like breathing. Just try to feel it: being sneakier than the sneakiest you can be," he said as those hands finally glided away from Kaguya's backside, trailing from palm out to fingertips. Ren's remaining dagger would be in his hand again afterwards. It seemed auto-equip was indeed possible in a way. "It's not the auto-equip I meant, but it can work just the same. Arigatou," he said to Miko. Ren also wanted to know how they would be approaching this fight as a group. Yugi, already prepared to take an offensive, spun a materialized chokuto around in his right hand. "I've seen those pockets. I'll burn through to clear a path and bottleneck the Assassins. You two handle them while they're looking for my openings," he said to their duo of Assassin-types. "Don't be worried about stabbing me if you're not sure one is on me," he added. With that, Yugi reserved his final statement for Miko. "Fuck 'em up," was all he said to her, giving no firm instruction whatsoever. "We good with that?"

[Apollymi]

Makima would let her curiosity fall. It was obvious she was about to see a different sort of group dynamic, and she wondered if much like their previous endeavors, if that group would be showing how good they could be after interacting. Beyond that point, Miko was once again wondering about her use of Megiddo, and it was compared to a lesser known ability called 'Iced Shell' from a series known as 'Saint Seiya'. Many of their more recent jokes came from that series and Miko pouted lightly, "Hmph♪~ I'm not Kilik..." Miko said scoffing a little. She wasn't suicidal or anything just a bit free use with her extra big magical abilities. And since she'd already learned that her voice had some potential issues with those of lower ranks she wouldn't just abuse it in group situations. In the same way she'd likely stop abusing Megiddo when she got a different kind of problem. Just the same she began softly chanting. Those water lenses forming in the sky and the light collecting. She might as well do a bit of damage to by the end. "Hai hai, go cure your sennin-itis♪~" Miko said encouraging the lad.

At the same time, Ren wasn't receiving anything resembling negativity from Kaguya, though she did find herself absently touching that ring of hers with her thumb inside of her palm. She was already doing naughty things, encouraged by her friend. Should this count as part of her 'Free-spirited moment' instead of as something completely separate? She didn't know but she didn't hate it. "Oya? That's strange but I kind of get it... I appreciate the advice~" Kaguya mentioned playfully. Meanwhile the thanks sent Miko's way would receive a playful salute. "Hai hai, I also gave you a bit of infantry armor. It isn't much and I'll probably end up switching it when I get something better for you, but it'll help you resist physical damage at least," Miko asserted. In a fight as a group, it would seem the plan was for Yugi to make himself a distraction, and for the two Assassin's to work on taking out the assassins that were going for him. They didn't have to think about his safety, Kaguya tossed that dagger back and forth between her hands, seemingly half amused while concentrating on going a bit silent, calm... still, enough to disappear from sight. And just like that Miko lost track of Kaguya. "Hai♥~ I'll see what I can do~" Kaguya said lightly as she waited for the proper opening to approach. The misty circle was almost gone and everyone was preparing. A singular statement was spared for MIko and she grinned. "AYE♪!~" Miko chirped as she allowed Ruler's Hand to control her two catalysts while she kept an eye on everyone else and began aiming Megiddo indirectly, she'd aim for clearance around the group picking off archers and the like to make sure only the things on the ground needed to be dealt with.

[Bloodedge]

"Not Kilik, still spamming," Yugi teased. He didn't truly have an issue with how frequently Miko sought to use her Skills, but he was still going to find some amusement at her expense. When Yugi was told to cure his 'Sennin-itis' as it were, Ren seemed a bit lost. "What's that?" he wondered. "A crashout condition that only has one cure," Yugi answered simply. As for the cure itself, he shared that information only as the horde was beginning to break through properly. "Therapeutic ass-whooping!" he shouted.

The risque exchange between Ren and Kaguya had come to an end, though not without him realizing she was suddenly focusing on that engagement ring. There was some potential fun to be had there, he thought... but that was a thought for later. For now, the Shadow Concubines had been given their directives. Yugi began the assault by charging forward. Lightning stemmed from his left hand as well as the sword in his right. Something of a mad flurry took him through a long series of knights, through which he cleared a large enough area to give the other two mobile fighters plenty of room. A spin here, a slash there, a stab here and... an electric face-palm to the floor there? Yugi was only becoming more ruthless in his approach as that seal grew across his body, but the enemies were falling more quickly than before. All the while, Ren joined Kaguya in using the Stealth Skill. While ensuring he didn't step into the path of any lasers, he kept within six meters of Yugi at all times. That path being cleared was opening quite a few of those dead zones over time, surely goading the enemy assassins into slipping out into more open space as knights collapsed the area. One might find one of the assassins soon becoming visible, falling deceased to the floor in its brown-cloaked form. A Stealth Skill Rune would even fall from that one, alongside a pair of twin daggers and another bag of 10,000 Gold. From Stealth, Ren had one additional bit of advice to share. "One more thing that might help. If it makes sense... there's the bloodlust right before an attack goes through. Only the best assassins can mask it completely. These are around my level. Still flawed."

[Apollymi]

Makima observed, she saw a pair capable of pulling others up to their level. Of helping people gain more power. Of keeping morale high even in the midst of despair and terrible odds. She was bemused, if Japan wasn't already the strongest Hunter Nation, it definitely would be with this pair used to their fullest potential. Meanwhile, Miko was not Kilik but according to Yugi she was still spamming. "Wait until I start getting my build right... you'll rue♪!~" Miko chirped, even knowing full well the lad would only be excited by the sort of thing she had planned however long it took to work out the details. Upon being told to handle his Senninitis, a bit of confusion appeared in Ren. Well all references weren't expected to be understood... only the major ones. Kaguya for her part in this chuckled just a little. "I don't understand half of what they say when they're talking to each other, which is crazy because I'm a words person~" she said playfully.

Still, while everything was settled, Kaguya finally got an opening. Yugi 'crashedout' and she like Ren began following in his wake. She'd stay within a certain distance, and get a feel for the bodies around. By the time Ren was taking his first opponent, she was also dodging falling light beams which were shooting incinerating shots at armored beings while she moved around them. At the same time, Yugi was going crazy, watching him move was something of a master-class in badassery, of this Kaguya was certain. Those openings were being created and soon enough Ren had taken down one of the Assassin's. Miko's Ruler's Hand would be scooping up a Skill Rune for Stealth and all the other loot that dropped. While Kaguya was hearing something interesting. Bloodlust was something which could be measured and sensed... "Sou ka, that does help, arigatou♥!~" she mused her voice carrying only for him her presence silent as she was soon stabbing an assassin through it's neck from its right side with her dagger in her left hand. It soon fell visible. Another rune and a set of gloves, and cowl falling from it. She'd never fought something with the need to kill it before, but that didn't stop her from being able to do it. How did she manage it? Likely by imagining it being someone she'd definitely kill with the opportunity to do so, still... if Bloodlust was how one got caught, Kaguya felt she could easily keep her own hidden. There were a very limited number of people she wanted dead of her own accord, so any killing she did now wouldn't involve her own feelings.

[Bloodedge]

Whenever Miko finished her build, Yugi would rue. What an interesting choice of words Miko was making after a recent exchange of theirs. To get back at her, Yugi had but a single word ─ a bit of wordplay, even. "... Roux," he said simply. If he could merely get her thinking about food, he'd win the argument that never even happen. Alas, the fun and games would be brought to an abrupt end once more. Mages among their enemies hadn't been doing much, apart from clearly bringing more 'threats' into the equation. Mages were worth more than that, though. Both Ren and Kaguya were starting to kill the Assassins by utilizing the same technique. The Mages, named within the System as 'Hollow Magicians' would be putting an end to that.

Swirling dark mana coalesced overhead, forming a massive eye that would open and dispel the active use of Stealth from both Hunters. The System notified its Players of Detection being used, removing any ability to conceal oneself from those undergoing this quest. "Bitch," Yugi grumbled. He stopped then, leaving himself open within a clearing. More knights were closing in, and archers were aiming their bows. A small group of mages was even collectively forming a fireball overhead, but... Yugi had been angered by this job-change quest giving itself yet another handicap. If they couldn't sneak around, they'd have to utilize the bloodlust trick Ren was just speaking about. He didn't like that at all. "You wanna make us rely on bloodlust? Alright. One minute," he decided. With that, Yugi utilized the Skill: Bloodlust. Sharingan enhanced an existing multi-target cast, freezing every enemy in fear with a 20-meter radius. In addition to being literally scared stiff, their power was cut in half ─ something that affected even the size of the Magicians' fireball. That seal's flame pattern now covered about 70% of Yugi's body. "Kill them. I'll take the mages."

[Apollymi]

Miko knew the lad wouldn't actually rue her build. In fact, he was the odd type, probably looking forward to its exact execution. Before that though was a correction of a word, or rather another word with a similar sound which meant something very different and food related. "Waah♪~ Don't just throw food into this♪!~" Miko sang in outrage. But playful outrage wasn't all that could exist. A few moments of sneaking done by the Assassin pair they'd both managed to drop a couple of assassins but not before something rage inspiring happened.

Apparently the mages within this domain could clear away the use of Stealth. "Goddamnit, Brainface..." Miko chided. It was stupid that they had to deal with a mass of incoming creatures and they couldn't even sneak their attackers what was the point. Apparently, Bloodlust. A group of mages were preparing a fireball and everyone. "You two are visible until the mages go down," Miko mentioned to the pair of Assassins at the same time she was targeting all of the present archers to avoid any arrows raining down on them. "Megiddo," Miko stated. Choosing to rain down lasers on the balconies and upon those who were lining up shots. The full intention of bringing them down. At the same time, upon finding out that she was exposed Kaguya changed her stance tossing around that knife in her hands as she paused to look at Yugi. "Oh goddamn what's a girl gotta do to get a look like that♥!~" she flirted earnestly. "Kill something if you're going to flirt that hard!" Miko chimed in... with exposure Kaguya supposed it was only fair. ANd with everything within Yugi's radius stopped from moving at least for a moment, she'd shift forward making use of her speed to launch into a flurry of attacks. She'd slash at knights and infantry with precision, and stab them with way more effectiveness.

[Bloodedge]

Yugi's wordplay did precisely what he wanted it to, but there was always something annoying paired with good moments when the System got involved. Their assassins couldn't be effective at hiding, all because those stupid Hollow Magicians had to come equipped with detection spells. It would have been fine if they could simply sense the group's Assassin-types, but making them fully exposed was an annoyance. Yugi's outrage at that matter had him using widespread Bloodlust. A new silver lining appeared then in the form of Kaguya's reaction, which even the System took note of.

〔SYSTEM NOTICE — SPECIAL BOND INTERACTION DETECTED〕

Bond Route: Shinomiya Kaguya
Special Interaction Discovered.

Yugi’s Bloodlust skill has triggered an anomalous response in Shinomiya Kaguya.

Effect Unlocked: Bloodlust Ecstasy

When Yugi activates Bloodlust, Kaguya receives the following benefits instead of the standard fear debuff:

• +25% Attack Speed
• +20% Critical Hit Chance
• +15% All Stats for 60 seconds (while within 30 meters of Yugi)
• Significant increase in arousal and pleasure sensitivity

System Remark:
The vessel’s aura of dominance has awakened something primal within the target.
What should bring fear instead brings ecstasy.
The bond grows stronger through her desire.

"... Oh? You nasty bitch~" Yugi said to no one in particular, though he was clearly talking about Kaguya based on her recent statement. He even had an answer for her question, but he'd first dart toward Kaguya's location, intending to stop her onslaught for a moment. Yugi grabbed the black-haired girl by the chin, drawing dangerously close to stare into her eyes with that same murderous gaze. "How does a day of enslavement sound for a trade? At onsen," he suggested, eyes glowing with the activation of Bloodlust directly on the lass. In the meantime, Ren was circling around the pair to fend off enemies who drew closer. "Uh? Why is this a good idea? Isn't that for enemies?" he asked, clearly missing some important context here.