Part 26: In Which Will Sees Death

“You can’t cross it on foot without Kruks.”

“Wait, who said we need to cross the desert?”

“How will I get a Kruk?”

“You live in a town with a casino. I’m sure you can figure something out.”



“You can help him figure it out.”



“I made my father very happy before. I think he will slowly recover.”



“A full moon… I think I need to check on some things.”



“Glad to see you’re more with it. And… uh.. sorry about that.”



“I’ll let you know how that works out for her.”



“I guess? I mean…”

“Are you sure you want to risk your young life playing Russian Glass?! This isn’t just a game. You could lose your life.”

“Okay, now you’re just messing with me. Trying to scare the kid away. Yes, I want to play!”



“He’s a seasoned veteran. I’ve never seen a man so lucky.”

“Now you’ve seen two. I’m pretty lucky myself.”

“Well. Ask him the rules.”




“If you say so. I mean, all I see are five glasses so it looks like a drinking contest.”



“That’s good, since it wasn’t so lucky for the Kruk. So how do we play this game?”

“One of these glasses has poison in it. We take turns drinking, and the last man standing wins.”

“WHAT!?”

Russian Glass Theme




“Are you out of your mind? There could have been poison in that!”

“Yes, but I am very lucky. See? Now, drink little man!”

“I… I…”



“Oh Gaia, I think I’m dying.”

“Very funny, but it is a fast poison. You would already be dead. That’s just pure alcohol. In fact, I will have some more!”



“I’m really not liking these odds. But…”



“There! We’ve both drank two glasses. Game’s over.”




“…one glass left.”

“I don’t even care about the money. We can work something out, but that’s got to be poison.”



“I’ve… I’ve got to get out of here.”



“Wait, does that mean that you’re his…”

“My husband said that once he found a job we would be OK, but I was surprised at what he did.”

“Not as surprised as I was. I mean, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even know the rules before he started drinking.”

“This is my husband’s will. It says here ‘To My Opponent.’ Please read it.”

“I really, really don’t want to do this.”



“Even if I perish, don’t mourn for me. Even if Russian Glass doesn’t cost me my life, it’s my fate to pass away soon. Six months ago, when I found out I was dying, I decided to amass as much money as possible. I wanted to leave it to my wife, and the child I’ll never see. I made my fortune in spite of the unhappiness I have caused others. If I lose, I want to leave part of my estate to you.”



“Six months? How many times… I mean, listen, I’m grateful for the Kruks. Now I just have to explain them to everyone else.”



“It looks like you weren’t really being given an either-or choice there. I’m still really sorry”




Before we go explain things, it’s a good time to turn in Jewels. Dark Power is an upgrade to Freedan’s Dark Friar, so I’ll show it off next dungeon. After this, it’s pretty much nothing except for the final secret Jeweler Gem is hiding and that can’t be accessed until the beginning of the final dungeon.



“Maybe… maybe I’ll just tell them I stole them? That might actually be better.”



“Why such a sad face? Maybe I shouldn’t ask what the reason is.”

“I just watched a man commit suicide right in front of me by drinking poison after he’d spent six months risking his life gambling to support his wife and child since he was already dying.”

“….”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…holy SHIT, dude.”

“Yeah.”

“Lance and Lilly want to stay here. You should ask them why.”

“I think I’d much rather talk about that.”



“You shouldn’t be sorry, that’s actually really great of you.”

“And so… I feel a little awkward. I wanted to spend time with Lilly. Of course, I don’t feel good about it. I wanted to go on with everyone. I’ve enjoyed the journey. I hope you’re successful.”

“I’ve decided to stay in this town too.”

“I’m happy for you. Just don’t go chasing Sand Fangers again, because this time I won’t be around to bail you out.”



“I don’t think you ever forget that feeling.”

“Neil, you’re my age. You’ve never known that feeling, because you’ve always been up to your elbows in your latest invention.”



“You said your family runs a company there, right Neil?”

“Yes. I’m sure they’ll help if we go there.”



“On… those Kruks.”




And indeed, if you leave for Euro (minus two people) then we’re actually on Kruks until we reach our destination. The fact that we only won four Kruk’s probably should have been a sign, now that I think about it.

Next time: Corporate Town