Supply core, part deux

Our investigation of the floor continued and while certainly found a few more treasure chests(none of them trapped) none of them contained any returnwoods within.

We did however had our pick of Seirogans, all manners of status ailment cures(such as anti-freeze) and a lot of other consumables.

It made no matter for Sanakia how many items we poured in, the Sexy-Knight happily filled her chest turned container while I was of a considerable more a sour mood.

It’s past four in the morning now. Time was melting away at an alarming pace. And neither did we succeed in finding any returnwoods nor gained even the shadow of a clue in regards to Sylphid’s and Lucky’s whereabouts.

Were did these two intellectually impaired Ignoramuses run off to?

“Should we head a floor deeper, my Lady?”, Sanakia suggested.

Nothing to be done but to venture further.

B3F of the Supply core was more of the same. A large warehouse. With the exception that we found no consumables here. Instead, the shelves were filled top to bottom with various parts and gadgets. Most of them seemed to belong to automatons of sorts, but there were even weaponry, in particular firearms displayed. I can not say I am particularly well versed with such a device.

Magic handgun Model: Freak (+5 STR -5 ACC +1EVA) (Perimeters reduced by 50% due to no skill in gunmanship)

“A cowardly weapon”, Sanakia scoffed. “A true knight fights with blade in hand.”

While I was pondering if equipping that gun was worth the considerable stat debuff, Sanakia excitedly pointed towards a shelf that was stacked to the brim with numerous white collars.

“My Lady, look!”

There was a plaque in front:

SAVAGE COLLARS

KEEP YOUR SAVAGE COLLARED ALL THE TIME!

NO ACCESS TO RESTRICTED AREAS WITHOUT COLLAR

SAVAGES WITHOUT COLLAR WILL BE MODIFIED!

Good grief.

You would be under the assumption a magic society like the Holy magic sect would opt for a more magic oriented approach when it comes to means of control.

“If you wear one of these, maybe we can access the other sections, my Lady!”

The eager Sexy-Knight grabbed one of the collars and shoved it towards me.

...PRAY TELL, WHY DO I HAVE TO WEAR THIS?

“Because...”

But this time I got the better of Sanakia. Before she could even put the suggestion in I ordered her to put one of the collars on herself.

She did. The moment it clasped around the Sexy-Knight’s slender neck it commenced beeping and after three beeps portrayed the letters “GALMON: CUSTOM MODIFICATION” on the small screen at the front of the collar.

“How are you feeling?”, I inquired.

“Like normal?”, Sanakia responded. “I feel a bit ashamed wearing something like this”, she blushed rather cutely.

…

“Try taking it off.”

She did

Without issue.

Huh…

How annoyingly unproblematic.

I had Sanakia put the collar back on and we tried the teleporter. Sure enough, simply by wearing this more floors were now open to us. Or rather Sanakia. I myself was still restricted.

I made my displeasure known with a deep sigh.

I even attempted to bring a collar and use the teleporter like that, to no avail. It had to be attached around your neck to function.

I deduced that these gadgets essentially serve as identification devices and pass codes for what the Holy Magic sect deemed “Savages”.

To debase myself to such a degree by my own design, how shameful. I have gained a small understanding of Hebi-san’s mentality.

Regardless, I will not let something like this stand between myself and victory. Given everything I had to endure in this blasted labyrinth, a collar was hardly a matter to get worked up about.

Resigning myself, I fastened one of the collars around my neck.

For a spell it made the same beeping noise as Sanakia’s but then it quickly descended into a shriller tone.

That sounded suspiciously like an error message.

“W-what is happening?”, I inquired.

“I do not know my Lady! But there are many letters flashing on your collar!”

Pardon my language but screw this.

I attempted to take the collar off again, but found it locked. No matter, I used **** to tear it off.

Bzzzt!

“Argh!”

THE FUCKING COLLAR JUST SHOCKED ME!

And then a voice emitted from the collar.

WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED REMOVAL IS NOT PERMITTED. INITIATE PUNISHMENT PROTOCOL.

Before I even knew what was happening I found myself on all fours. I attempted to regain my footing and while I could accomplish that task, my center of balance was in complete flux. Before long I fell back on my hands and feet.

“My Lady!”, Sanakia gasped. “What is wrong?”

I do not know!

I wanted to say.

But what I uttered instead was.

“Wan! Wan!”

No matter how hard I tried, I was only capable of making Doggie noises.

PUNISHMENT: DOGGIE MODE: DURATION 24 HOURS

…

WHY MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

“My Lady! This is so shameful and undignified! We will fix this immediately! Have no fear!”

Sanakia said, while petting me with a happy smile on her face.

I could do nothing but growl in response. Even my hands did not work properly. I could not curl my fingers, they were basically turned into paws for all sense of purposes.

For someone as intelligent as me to be reduce to a lowly beast! This was the height of indignity!

“So umm…” Sanakia mused, while continuing her pets. “Does that mean I am your owner now? If I give you a command will you obey it?”

What labyrinth of twisted logic did your empty goldfish bowl of a brain traverse to arrive at this conclusion?

Sanakia cleared her throat. “Beg!”

Nothing happened. Whatever else this accursed collar may **** me to do. It did not seem to be infused with an obedience spell.

BZZT!

I let out a yelp!

This fucking collar shocked me again!

“My Lady!”, Sanakia gasped once more. “-A-Are you alright?”

Y-Yeah. It was certainly painful but these shocks were punitive in nature. They did not seem to injure me.

“umm...give paw?”

No! I will not suffer this….

BZZZT!

“Roll over.”

Argh!

BZZZT!

“I have figured it out, my Lady”, The Sexy-Knight spoke proudly. “Whenever you disobey me, you get shocked!”

My, what a brilliant conclusion!

Sanakia blinked a few times.

…

…

…

“O-of course, I won’t **** this privilege! H-Have no fear, my Lady!”

That took you a worryingly long time to say.

“Alright, I believe it is time we move on”, the Sexy-Knight decided, lifting up our fully loaded treasure chest. “Follow me, Lady!”

I AM NOT A DOGGIE!

BZZT!

Argghhhh!!!!