Yuri (before battle)

Hey! That's enough of that. Our guest will be here any moment.

Vergilius said, poking his head out the window.

<Guest? Who?>

I have determined that we will need a guide as this is our first trip to a dungeon.

Excuse me... Are you the people from Limbus Company?

Someone approaches us with apparent hesitation.

You sure look like it...

The bus had just about finished its meal and was crunching down on the last bits of bone.

Yuri watched it indifferently before introducing herself.

I'm Yuri, a former employee of the previous L Corp. I look forward to working with you.

<"Previous" L Corp.? You mean...>

Has to be Lobotomy Corporation.

Correct. We will move on to explore the former branch facilities of Lobotomy Corporation - that is, the fallen L Corp.

I wouldn't have taken this job if I were you, even if somebody specifically requested me.

I doubt the end of your employment here left any pleasant memories, it being a fallen Wing and all.

What're you on about? Fallen Wing or not, a huge payday'll turn any brutal work into a charming memory.

Hrm, I heard those facilities are still crawling with monsters even now...

Not "monsters" - Abnormalities. Regardless, what you said is true. But it is also a home to more important things than those entities.

In the deepest zones of these branch facilities are plantlike growths that have only recently begun to form: the essence of L Corp.'s technology.

Dante, if you remember what I said a few days back, I offered you the chance to eventually engrave your Aspect.

Once this "essence" - the Golden Boughs - is retrieved, it'll be easy as pie.

Hearing the word "Aspect" still makes my head ache.

What exactly was "I" trying to do?

There's no need to rouse your brain trying to remember what you can't. It'll all come back in due time.

I returned a slow nod to Faust's placid advice.

Alright, for now, I should focus on what my present self is able to process.

<And if it's Lobotomy Corp we're scouring... we might come across some Enkephalin, too.>

Oh, does that mean we won't have to... feed more people to our vehicle?

We could also grab some E.G.O if we're lucky, so that's three rats with one stone.

E.G.O? That's another unknown term that makes me tilt my head...

But in any case, it seemed rather rude to keep talking to each other when we had a guest on board.

... And apparently, I wasn't the only one who thought so.

So, Miss Yuri, what've you been up to after L Corp.?

Gregor flashed what looked like his best attempt at a kind smile at our new passenger, hoping to strike up a conversation.

The corners of his eyes twitched from forcing a facial expression he obviously wasn't used to, but I pretended not to notice.

It appears to me that thou art an honorable Fixer! It is said that all Fixers exude the noble scent of heroes!

As Yuri gave a slight nod, I heard Ishmael release a deep sigh.

I don't know who gave you that idea, but Fixers are anything but noble or heroic. The only scent you'll smell is the miserable stink of wage slaves.

... It couldn't have been easy to find another job so soon. Good that you're holding up.

For now... I'm just a contract worker.

Aha. That explains why you decided to come crawling back here.

Did they promise you a team leader position or something in exchange for a major find in what's left of your previous workplace?

... My contracts might get extended if I return with results.

R-right. Strong performance becomes a life-or-death matter if you're aiming for a permanent spot.

*sigh* And what a pointless life that is.

(Hey, what's with all the sarcasm? Something grinding your gears?)

... I dunno, every single thing I'm hearing right now is getting on my nerves.

Seemingly unaffected by the abrasive attitude, Yuri quietly took an empty seat.

Glancing between the two of them, Gregor returned to his seat as well, scratching his head.

<I... I don't think I'll ever get used to being around these people.>

You'll want to fit in fast if you want to make your job easier, Dante.

... Charon, time to go. Our guest has taken her seat.

Mephi's tum revived. Charon's raring to drive.