Look for an expert.

This isn't just a regular collar. If it were, Niki probably would have broken it at least a little bit by now. We need to find someone who knows a lot about magic.

You and Niki start walking the streets. Stores are closed, and the area is vacant. Everybody in the town is either in the stands watching the fights, or crowding the area around it. It's strangely unsettling--eerie and quiet, like a ghost town. Unfortunately for you two, that means you may not find anyone you're seeking until the Golden Sword has concluded.

Besides the flustered arousal, Niki is at least mostly geared for battle. She has armour, and still wields the basic club as well as the wooden lid acting as a shield. It's not fantastic, but it'll hopefully do.

I wish I could have seen what Umi and Crusher can do. I might have to fight one of them eventually. Honestly, I don't even really know what Tom, Hedi, or Bek can do. There's also Falcon, who I haven't seen either. The only person I've seen is--

"Well hello there." It's a chilling voice, and one you've heard before. The man who stands before you has a ghostly visage--pale, dressed in black with a hood over his long dark hair. He has blades hanging from his belt, and tall black leather boots.

"It's the edgy guy," you mutter. "He was watching your fight with us."

"I'm called The Edge," he says. "Do you know why they call me that?"

"Because you shop at Hot Topic?"

He turns his head to the side. "It's a long, dark story. One of sadness. Betrayal. You'll never understand. Are you prepared to hear it all? You better sit down and grab something to eat, because this is going to take awhile."

"No!" Niki shoves him to the side and continues to walk. "Someone's gotta be around here somewhere."

"... Huh? Hey! Come back here and listen to my backstory!"

You step awkwardly past the man to follow Niki. It isn't long though before she stops, and turns her attention to the alley nearby. You hear something as well. Then, you see something--a figure moving between the buildings. Slowly, you pull your blade from its scabbard, and it immediately lights up with a shimmering magic glow.

"His weapon detects danger," The Edge mutters from back down the street.

Not quite what it's detecting, buddy. I'm standing right next to Niki. She's basically a battery for me right now.

Stepping out of the alley is the pale purple slime girl Jelly. She peers around cautiously, and then comes running towards you with a smile on her face. Though she lacks the erotic details of a naked woman ever since Niki scolded her before, she still looks unclothed, and her gelatinous body jiggles in distracting ways as she makes her way over to wrap her arms around your body for a squishy squeeze.

"I was... looking for you," she says softly.

"Why did you run off?" you ask. "I know you were left in a pack, but you can't do that. Slimes aren't normal to see. The guards might attack you on the spot."

She suddenly looks afraid. "I'm sorry."

Niki comes over quickly. "Jelly! You eat clothes, right? Can you eat this collar for me?"

The slime tilts her head. She reaches up to touch the binding around Niki's neck. After a moment, she pulls her hand away with a frown. "Sorry. It's magic."

"Damn." Niki hangs her head dejectedly. "Well, no problem. Where have you been anyway? Get into any trouble?"

She doesn't seem sure how to answer that. "I tasted magic. I found a girl just now."

"A girl?" you ask.

Jelly nods. "The girl that was with Niki. She was tired."

"Wait a minute," Niki interjects. "You ran into Zakira? She must have been healed and hurried back to town, but why? That must have been pretty recently. I definitely left the ring first."

"What was she doing?" you ask.

"We played a little, and now she's even more tired..." Jelly mutters. "In a house back there."

P-Played a little? "Take us there," you say. "Sorry, Niki. It doesn't look like we're getting that collar off yet."

Niki clenches her fist. "I don't care anymore. If you found Zakira, you might have found her hideout. Let's go there now!"