The Witch Climbed from the Ditch (Open-Medium-Karakura)

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Name: The Witch Climbed from the Ditch
Participants: Anyone
Location: Karakura
Difficulty Level: Medium
Setting: NDE

Plotline: “Love, what a cursed thing. A source of pain that plagues those that cling to life. What the weak serve as a source of strength and the ignorant view as the absolute aspect of life. These lucky fools will no longer be safe, the shackles from my love will no longer contain me. My goal was never stopped, only delayed and now it’s time to start once again. First though I need to regain my strength, time to use the ignorant.”

A Rogue Shinigami bound beneath the earth of Karakura several centuries ago has been released as the kido that encaged her has grown old. Her release puts everyone of Karakura in danger as she seeks to absolute the life force of the average humans until she regains her true strength. What is her goal though and will she actually manage to regain the strength to achieve it? It’s up to the spiritual individuals of Karakura and any others that happen to be in the area to stop her.

Estimated Enemy Strength: 8-3
Estimated Time Until Completion: 4
Starts: 10/5/2021 - 10:00
Special Conditions: Unique item/techniques may be awarded to individuals that showcase diligence, effort and positivity.

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

One step after another a sensation that felt more than just foreign now, an action that hadn’t been undertaken in a length of time beyond that of a typical human. The meager amount of movement that this corpse made seemed to be childish, almost like a literal infant learning to place one foot in front of the other. Wobbling while attempting to keep their center of balance in mind. A horrible state to be left in with only one course of action available to mend what had been stripped from her.

The figure that struggled to move from the hole she’d found herself in wasn’t one that many would gaze upon fondly, dark and decrypted, an old woman with sickly grey hair that stretches down past her feet. Tattered ruined black fabric that drapes over the skeleton-like body that may as well be wearing a set of loose fitting skin. A woman that anyone and everyone would assume to be dead already continued forward reaching a set of steps and beginning to climb.

Everything was different, nothing the same, not her body, power or mine, not even this area which had been nothing beyond a simple forest last time she’d been on the surface. This was something she didn’t know yet was simple as she walked through the door of the basement, her spiritual body not limited by the physical obstruction. She couldn’t feel him right now, good, the only thing good. If he woke too soon in her state she’d simply die again.

Noise, voices, humans?

Walking through the house with no knowledge of the surroundings or layout like an elderly victim of memory failure. Taking several minutes to find the young man that sat on a couch watching his television while he eats. All things about him beyond his location are unavailable to her due to her sight. The eyes that she had been blessed with while awake had now awoken grey and void. A normal human would fickle out over the next few moments as his life energy was drunk from him into the woman.

A simple hand on his shoulder was enough to pull everything she needed rejuvenating her decrepit body, turning back the clock of time on her body by what one would say perhaps five years. Still her body, looks and movements were that of a woman beyond the age of a century. A single human wasn’t enough nowhere near it would take at least an afternoon. Now though it would go much faster than walking like she had been as her first soldier rises from the couch.

The young man’s body breaking apart similar to deadwood. His flesh and skin turning dark grey with heavy deep cracks across while his head broke inwards like the entrance of a hollowed log. The only section of his head left was his mouth which connected around and up like a crescent to his ears. Everything else though gone with his white teeth now resembling that of some creepy pirate. The deep cracks and empty section of the head begin to glow sickly green.

“Bring me young ones.”

The moment the soldier ignited green his signal of reiatsu would be visible. Would someone sense him though or see him as he begins to invade homes and buildings? If someone could sense him they wouldn’t be able to tell his origins as he didn’t feel like anything else. If they saw him would they step up to the plate or pretend to see nothing? How righteous were the spiritual citizens and could they be enough to prevent this return.

[Wynne Kuchiki]

Sitting on top of a random building she had chosen, Wynne glanced up at the wispy clouds floating in the tranquil blue sky. Today she was out patrolling, on the lookout for anything strange occurring in Karakura Town. So far nothing odd had happened, which was a good thing in her opinion. The more boring her patrol was, the better. She was still relatively weak, even though she had been growing in strength day by day, and she was alone. Sure she could handle the stray hollow here and there, but she’d prefer if nothing appeared at all. Sadly it seemed life had different plans for her.

Closing her eyes and casting her senses out, Wynne tried to understand what she was currently feeling. Her skill at sensing reiatsu was just barely below average, but it got the job done. Especially considering the power levels of the hollows she normally faced. And it was with this skill that she felt something odd. A spike of reiatsu. It could be anything, which was why she was here in the first place. To investigate anything strange and then report back once the situation was resolved. So with this new goal in mind, Wynne picked herself up from her sitting position and faced the direction she felt the spike from. It was time to see what was going on over there.

Leaping from building to building, Wynne attempted to narrow down the location of the source of reiatsu. Since she wasn’t that skilled in sensing reiatsu, she only knew the general area. Which meant she would have to use her eyes and ears for the rest. Not that challenging of a task, but not an easy one either. Especially in a more urban area such as this. If she didn’t see anything from up above, she’d have to peek inside various buildings until she found what she was looking for. A tedious task, but a necessary one nonetheless. The question was, what would she find once she reached her goal.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats & Skills}

Strength: 38 - 33%= 25
Speed: 25
Spiritual Pressure: 50
Reiatsu Strength: 50 + 50% = 75
Instinct: 38 - 33% = 25
Senses: 25
Energy sensory: 29 + 50% = 44
Healing Expertise: 25 - 66% = 17
Light Aura: 100
Dark Aura: 0
Total SP: 280

Mental Incantation: 1
Charisma/Leadership: 1
Stealth: 1

[Shawn Rabuburēdo]

Strolling along the dark night road, lit up only by the sparse road lights littered here and there. Shawn was taking his time tonight, deciding it would be the best time to relax while he was out patrolling this part of Karakura. Although not completely used to the modern world, he is used to it significantly more, one of the things he has grown accustomed to and even grown to appreciate are street lights and similar contraptions.



It was quiet, some might even say too quiet. The crickets have gone silent and even the late nighter's have gone to sleep. Not even the sounds of a crying child could be heard, something was definitely off and Shawn was trying to figure it out. Sure enough moments later he see's Wynne running by, figuring she might have an idea about what's up he calls for her attention, doing so in the middle of a mostly lit up street. "Hey Wynne! Do you sense anything out of the ordinary? Something feels off to me but I can't figure out what."

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats and Tech's}

SPOILER: Click to show

{Shunpo}Technique Name: Shunpo (Flash Steps)







Class: 7







Technique Type: Kidō







Technique Element: None







Technique Description and Effects:







A movement technique that allows the user to move faster than the eye can follow. The focal point that determines the basis of this technique is speed. As speed is the main point of the technique, the method is best characterized by how fast one can get from Point A to Point B in the least amount of steps. Training and skill are what determines how fast a user of Shunpo can move. Those of little skill in the technique or those who haven't used it for an extended amount of time would obviously be out of practice, causing those individuals to be considerably slower. This requires the use of more steps to move the same distance and become tired more easily in a shorter amount of time. A single step magnifies speed for that step by ten times. Shunpo uses fifty Reiatsu per step. This one is automatically learned in the academy. All Shinigami know this when created. This technique does not take up a technique slot.







How to use technique:







Focus of Reishi around the feet area and launch off into a single blurring step. It is not unlike teleportation in appearance, but it is simply extremely fast movement. It is often used to gain an edge in a single moment of combat or to dodge incoming attacks.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Bakudo #4: Hainawa (Crawling Rope)}Technique Name: [Bakudo #4: Hainawa (Crawling Rope)]







Class: [7]







Technique Type: Kido







Technique Element: [None]







Technique Description and Effects:







A rope fashioned from the caster's reishi is launched from their hand at the opponent. Upon impact, this then entangles the opponent and ties them up.







How to use technique:







This technique requires aiming with the hand, not unlike any basic Hado spell.







Incantation and Effect:







Incantation causes the robe to elongate and gag even more of the target's body when used, and also ups the Kido strength by 10%. (I.E. A reiatsu strength of 100 would be counted as 110 instead.) Incantation unknown.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Hado #4: Byakurai (Pale Lightning)}Technique Name: Hado #4: Byakurai (Pale Lightning)







Class: 7







Technique Type: Kido







Technique Element: Thunder







Technique Description and Effects: The user fires a concentrated, powerful lightning bolt from their finger that pierces a target.







How to use technique: Speak the spell and point hand at the target.







Incantation and Effect: "Arise god of thunder! Awake mother of storms! Unleash the lighting on the sinners!" When the incantation is spoken, the Reiatsu Strength used to determine the power of Byakurai is increased by 10%. (i.e. 100 Reiatsu Strength is treated as 110.)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Hado #11: Tsuzuri Raiden (Bound Lightning)}Technique Name: Hado #11: Tsuzuri Raiden (Bound Lightning)







Class: 7







Technique Type: Kido







Technique Element: Thunder







Technique Description and Effects: Electric current flows through any object the user touches and is able to lead electricity, damaging any target that is in contact with the object the current runs through. This lasts for one post, but by paying the cost of the spell a second time, the duration is increased to two posts.







How to use technique: Speak the spell and touch an object, channeling electricity through it.







Incantation and Effect: Incantation unknown. When the incantation is spoken, the number of active posts this is used for is doubled. (With maximum cost, this can be up to four posts.)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Advanced Air Arsenal: Air strings}Technique Name: Advanced Air Arsenal: Air strings







Class:8-1







Technique Type: Reishi Technique







Usable By: Any







Technique Element: None







Technique Description and Effects (Explain appearance, powers, and effect): This technique is much more refined and eloquent than the other methods of Advanced Air Arsenal. This technique, rather than generating large structures, instead focuses on the production of condensed and fortified strings of reishi. Wether it's to help wire a trap, to manipulate a far-off object, or just to tie someone up, these threads are very useful.



At class 8, these threads are well...threads. They are considered to have an offensive durability of 25 and anyone with the physical strength to lift themselves off the ground can generally break these strings without any effort. There is nothing particularly special about these strings, other than that the fact that they have such a thin reishi composition and structure that they have literally zero reiatsu signature and can only be sensed physically through sight.







At class 7, these strings gain some utility. The strings can be manipulated by the user and have an offensive durability of 100, increasing by 100 for each class beyond this one (a maximum of 700 durability at class 1).







At class 5, these strings are more than just tools. In addition to being able to be used for a variety of common jobs, these threads actually have the spiritual durability to cut into materials they are braced against. However, due to their thinness, the cutting power of the thread is inferior to it's actual durability, boasting a mere cutting power of 275 at class 5, increasing by 75 per class ( 350 at class 4, 425 at class 3, 500 at class 2, 575 at class 1).







Finally, at class 2, these strings are pretty high-quality. Not only improving in durability and cutting power, but also holding the power to be spiritually conductive, allowing the user to channel other techniques through the strings as though they were an extension of the user's body.







Technique Drawbacks Reiatsu cost. Additionally, these strings can only last up to 5 posts, increasing to 10 posts at proficcient, and 15 posts at mastered.







Made By:Nola Vilde







Reserved? (Yes/No): No

SPOILER: Click to show

{Advanced Air Ground}Technique Name: Advanced Air Ground







Class: 7







Technique Type: Spiritual Technique







Technique Description and Effects:







This is a technique designed especially for breakdancing and parkour, utilizing a more advanced version of air ground. While in a terrain where air ground exists, the user can create more complex surfaces like air walls, air ceilings, air ledges and even an air push. This allows the user to perform handstands and windmills on air as if it were normal ground or even stand upside-down on air as if gravity were reversed. The air push makes the air ground very elastic so that the user can jump higher. It allows for slight movement even when restrained by a Bakudō.







For a cost of twenty-five Reiatsu, the user will be able to momentarily cast an "air ground" on areas such as in Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, allowing the user to "double jump" or cast Shunpo in mid-air. If this technique is mastered, the user will be able to create air grounds that last for as long as a single post. This can be used in creative ways to improve acrobatics and visual impressiveness.







Drawback: No drawback.







Created By: Shiki Kanzaki







Reserved: No

STATS

Strength - 100 Points (-50%=50)

Speed - 100 Points (-50%=50)

Spiritual Pressure - 50 Points

Reiatsu Strength - 115 Points

Light Aura - 100 Points

Dark Aura - 0 Points

Instinct - 100 Points (-50%=50)

Senses - 75 Points (-50%=37.5)

Energy Sensory - 0 Points (-50%=0)

Healing Expertise - 0 Points


(Type: SSv1)

Rank 1


SKILLS

Analyzing: 1

Calm Mind: 1

Learning: 1

Strength of Will: 1

Battle Focus: 1

Martial Arts- Kyusho Jitsu: 1

Battle Analysis: 1

Mental Incantation: 1

Weapon- Jian Sword: 1

[Akio Naito]

Akio had found a quiet place to perch, basking in the ambient reishi he had grown so fascinated with as he did on so many nights. The closed store he'd chosen to lean against on that night in particular wasn't on a direct vein of the reimyaku, but did sit in a pool of relatively dense stagnating reishi that he could use for a substitute. He reached out a hand, and idly considered prying a small piece of the spiritual haze to free for personal use. ""Heavenly serpent..." But the counterfeit quincy cut himself off just as quickly as he had begun. "...Not asking for more than what I have."

He silently thanked the sudden flare of reiatsu as it pushed him off the rails of that particular train of thought. He pushed himself away from the wall and began wandering. His weak spiritual senses couldn't make out the direction from so far away, so he wandered out into the cool night air, trying to navigate towards the source of the pressure. Keeping himself restrained to a casual walking pace, he hoped to find his way without giving away his own position to whatever that source would turn out to be.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Status Page}\\Grade//
Class - [7]
Rank - [1] "No title."

\\Stats//
Strength - [40]
Speed - [50]
Spirit Pressure - [40]
Reiatsu - [40]
Light Aura - [50]
Dark Aura - [50]
Instinct - [50]
Senses - [50]
Energy Sense - [25]
Healing - [0]

\\Skills//
[Calm Mind] {1}
[Focused Eye] {1}
[Crafting] {1}
[Memory] {1}
[Learning] {1}
[Weapon: {Bow}] {1}
[Imitation] {1}
[Stealth] {1}
[Appraisal] {1}
[Analyzing] {1}

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Moving from one place to another would take quite a few minutes and in that time the victims of the building that this decrypted would have found herself in multiplied. It wasn’t any fault to the Shinigami, the chances of no further victims was next to zero considering the strange headless minion wasted no time. Once he had been ordered to bring her young ones it had rushed out from the apartment, not even recognizing the obstacle that was the door instead charging right through it. The crushed wood splintered as the minion forced its way through and then continued out to one of the nearby apartments replicating what had just been done on the opposite side of a different door.

The Shinigami once she got near where she could sense the strange reiatsu would be able to tell something wasn’t just wrong, but that people were being attacked. No massive explosion or spike in reiatsu from whatever she was sensing. A much simpler thing happened that gave her that little bit of information. Several middle aged humans rushed from the apartment screaming in horror at what had been happening inside. Screaming about people being dragged off by something demonic. It’d be clear exactly what building she’d need to investigate, but would she be enough by herself?

Thankfully though she wasn’t the only one in the area. At the moment two other individuals knew of the spiritual worlds although some would probably argue whether or not they were a part of it themselves. All of them were essentially at the beginning of whatever potential they possessed, so would they be enough to stop this ancient evil from gathering her might once again? None of them were in any danger so far, but all of them were getting closer. Although they didn’t know it so far the longer it took them to bring down whatever they were sensing the real threat grew stronger.

[Wynne Kuchiki]

As she traveled, Wynne soon ran into Shawn, another fellow shinigami which she had trained with previously. Had he noticed the strange spike of reiatsu as well? The answer was no, as she soon found out once the two were within hearing distance of each other. Shawn had a gut feeling that something was off, but that was about it. Not as concrete as what she felt, but still useful all the same.

“Yes. There was a strange spike of reiatsu somewhere in this direction. I’m going there to investigate and see what the cause of it is.” Pointing out the area that she was headed, Wynne continued her travel with Shawn in tow. It was nice not having to travel alone now, and with a fellow shinigami, she was sure they’d be able to handle what was in store for them. At least that was what she was hoping for. The future was uncertain after all.

The cause of disturbance was quickly noticed as several people began to run away from a nearby apartment in horror. Changing her direction slightly and increasing her speed, Wynne sprinted towards the apartment. From what she could hear, something demonic was dragging people away. A hollow perhaps? But if so, why were normal people able to notice it? She was sure that the majority of people in that crowd weren’t spiritually aware. If it was a hollow, it should’ve been invisible to them. Was it something else then?

Staring at the entrance to the apartment, Wynne turned towards Shawn. “Be on your guard. Our opponent might still be in there, hard to say though. From what I could tell, our opponent is either a hollow with a strange ability or something else entirely. Not too sure since I don’t have much to go on. You want to go in first while I cover our flank?” The two of them were ranged combatants, but Shawn was a little stronger physically than Wynne was. A mere breeze could knock her over while Shawn could withstand it somewhat. Normally it’d be better to not get close at all, but if they were going into the building, they wouldn’t really have a choice. Unfortunate but necessary.

[Shawn Rabuburēdo]

As Shawn listened to Wynne, all of his suspicions seem to be correct. In fact she even knew the general area of where the problem might be coming form, it was even close to where they were now. Looking over to where she pointed, he could tell trouble was brewing, for lights began flickering on in multiple houses while they stood there, the problem is they still weren't sure which house. Then sure enough as they continued moving, people began to rush from different houses yelling that some sort of demon was attacking.



This got Shawn upset, if whatever was causing problems really was a denizen of Hell, he would ensure the thing returned back to where it bellonged. The problem, however, was that it might not be something from Hell, after all people were seeing it and most people, even in this town, couldn't see spirits. That beg's the question, what is behind this ominous feeling then? Will they be able to stop it from hurting to many people? With all of that weighing on his mind the notice a certain house, a house that looks as if something walked through the door to get into the house without opening the door.



Rushing over to this house Shawn nodded as Wynne suggested he be the first to enter, I've seen enough death to not want to see a comrade die within reach of me, with that thought firm in his mind he takes his place in front of Wynne. Slowly inching his way in, Shawn keeps his attention on high alert, after all they don't know who or what is causing problems in this area. It was times like these where Shawn wished he would be strong enough to waltz into a place like this by himself, as not to have a chance of other Shinigami getting hurt. "Stay close then, we shouldn't stray to far from on another", with those quick words of advice he goes further into the house.

[Akio Naito]

Akio took his time wandering the streets in hopes of finding the source of the reiatsu from earlier, for several reasons. Foremost of which was how his already deficit spiritual senses were more tuned to the background noise of ambient reishi flow through the air than tracking any reiatsu using entities, so he had little ability to reliably navigate towards the pulse that had grabbed his attention. The second most important reason was that he needed to avoid drawing attention while he searcehed. And so the fake quincy took various wrong turns along the way, stopped several times to check for any signs of spiritual activity he may have missed on the way there, and still wasn't sure if the direction he'd chosen was the right one.

Eventually, through dull persistence and brute chance, the streets aligned such that he got a glimpse of two shinigami with vibrant hair in the distance. Too far away to make out what they were saying, but still close enough to recognize the distinctive black uniforms he associated with the violent gods. As prior experience with their kind came to mind, he quietly assumed that one of the pair was the source of the reiatsu he'd been looking for. Past experience also told him the black-clothed spirits were far too dangerous to approach, but still worth observing from a safe distance.

He put a half-hearted resolve into his wandering, still trying not to avoid being seen by the shinigami even as he casually maneuvered himself towards a better spot to watch them from. The fake quincy started a yawn, but quickly forced his mouth shut with such force that his teeth clacked together. Whatever those two were up to, it was important to stay quiet while he watched. Unfortunately, the moment he'd found a spot to perch was also when the taller of the two went indoors. "So much for the show." He muttered, still waiting to see what the other would do.

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

The starting line had been reached and now Shawn made the first step across that line into the apartment building that by all appearances had been attacked by something spiritual. Wynne following close behind him would give them quite a bit of vision inside even though they’d both notice right away that this building had narrow corridors with the doors of each apartment only slightly pushed in from the walls of the corridor.

They’d be inside for about a minute doing whatever they could, afterwards though they’d heard the sounds of screaming from several floors up. The apartment building was only six floors which meant despite the distance they were all that far from whoever was screaming in terror. Were they going to rush up the stairs of the building which could be found in the back of the first floor behind a door that led to a stairwell? Would they attempt to use the elevator? Could they reach them in a faster way and what was happening up there? All questions for the Shinigami yet what would the Quincy do outside who was looking for a show?

[Wynne Kuchiki]

Following Shawn into the apartment, Wynne surveyed their surroundings. Narrow corridors that held closed doors that hid the contents within. Not something she particularly liked. Easy to get ambushed and harder to make distance with such an environment. Plus destroying the building to make room wasn’t really an option either. Couldn’t make their appearance here too obvious or they’d have to do more cleanup towards the end. People tended to remember buildings that randomly exploded in certain areas. Although most of the inhabitants fled, so this strategy was technically still an option.

It didn’t take much longer as they looked around before more screaming occurred, several floors up. Tilting her heads upwards, Wynne stared at the ceiling as she debated the quickest way upwards. The screaming was loud, but not loud enough to be right above them. Judging from the sound, she’d say the owner of the voice was several floors up, perhaps even the top most floor. A decent bit away. Up ahead was an elevator, but taking such a thing was a deathtrap in her opinion. It would be faster, assuming it worked, but easy to get ambushed in. Being trapped in a small metal box with an approaching enemy they knew nothing about wasn’t something she wanted to deal with.

“I’d skip the elevator if I were you Shawn. If we take the stairs, it would take a bit longer, but if we take two steps at a time we should still make good time. Easy to get ambushed in the elevator which is why I want to avoid it. Your thoughts?” Although she didn’t like the elevator, if Shawn chose to go inside one to get up quickly, Wynne would go with him. No matter what path he chose to take, she would follow. Splitting up wasn’t the right move in her opinion, so she was ready to follow him whenever he made a decision. Two bodies were better than one and they still didn't know what type of monster they were facing.

[Shawn Rabuburēdo]

Shawn slowly inched forward through the narrow hallway, keeping a close eye on each and every door they came near. Up ahead he could see some kind of strange door to the right, it was reflecting the light from the dimly lit passage way. Unsure of what it was he then spotted a door all the way to the back that seemed to have the picture of stairs on it, Well, I guess we may have to go up if nothing out of the ordinary happens down here.


It's as if Shawn triggered a jinx, for as that simple thought went through his mind a scream echoed from above, reverberating through the floors and finally reaching their ears. That sounded like it was a good couple floors up, looks like I'll be taking those stairs after all. Moving ever so slowly forward he gets a quick suggestion from Wynne, something about skipping the Elie-Vator or something because they might be more likely to be ambushed in it, what that was Shawn didn't really care right now.



With his mind already set on taking the stairs, Shawn as quietly as he can, moves to the door that holds the staircase behind them. Putting an ear against the door he would wait a minute to see if he hears anything rustling on the other side. If the way seems clear, Shawn will carefully open the door and peer inside, seeing nothing he would fully open the door and inch up the staircase until he reaches the floor he believed they scream originated from. Listening as he moves upward to each door that leads to a hallway, this way he can pinpoint and ensure he finds the correct floor.



Once Shawn finds the right floor he would again listen to the door to make sure nothing is to close by, after which he would slowly open the door to peer down the hallway. If he see's nothing he would motion for Wynne to stay close and begin walking into and down the passage way. Keeping his senses on high alert he would begin scanning the doors to see if he notices any out of the ordinary. If nothing seems to strange he would rescan them to see if any evidence of a break in had occurred, something like a door slightly a jar or a door handle lying on the ground.

[Akio Naito]

Indoor settings usually meant no chance to watch any battles that may occur from outside the immediate blast radius, but that night's event seemed less likely to turn violent, and thus relatively safe... At least so long as the spirits Akio had chosen to stalk for the night didn't collapse the whole building on a whim. Still, he didn't have much of a choice if he wanted to find out whatever it was that the pair of shinigami were up to. He waited for a minute, then two more, and after confirming he was still interested in the night's events, finally entered the apartment complex.

The counterfeit quincy retrieved his phone from a pocket, and kept his attention fixed towards its dim glow while opening the front door with his free hand. Idly checking the time and weather as he stepped into the entry area, as he had done so many times before. It was one of many ways of deliberately ignoring spirit-beings he'd used in the presence of hollows and shinigami for the past several years, back before the recent nights where the gods and the dead so rudely refused to continue playing along. Even with the basic safety precaution of avoiding attention, he was still unnerved by having them so close, pacing over to a wall and leaning against it to avoid exposing his back while he set a silent notification for fifteen minutes, which had at the time seemed a justifiable amount to linger. "That late a-"

He flinched as a scream that pierced through the ceiling, and rushed through setting that alarm, already glancing up as he awkwardly put the phone away. Initially he assumed he'd been so focused on setting up his alibi for watching shinigami he was pretending not to be able to see that he missed them going upstairs to cause it, but that the souls in black were instead taking off towards whatever screamed changed his understanding of the situation. "Another?" He loped over to the elevator, gently pressing the button to summon it. Following the shinigami's exact route in the halls held too high of a risk of being caught, even if from relatively distant, better to reach the top, then search downwards to find the floor they'd run off to. "Flow takes the path of least resistance, it should be easier to catch them from the other side."

SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}I feel the need to apologize here. I had been so excited about low level adventures being open that I did not factor in that Akio is exactly the wrong person for working with shinigami. Mainly because he defaults to thinking they're hostile. Things should clear up once an actual enemy becomes clear.

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

The two shinigami now in the apartment set off once they heard the sound of the scream taking the staircase, one with the knowledge of an elevator and its weaknesses while the other seemingly didn’t have any knowledge of the technology. It didn’t matter though as they both took off towards the stairwell although not allowing themselves to be dictated by the situation. Shawn kept his wits about him to make sure they weren’t placing themselves in danger when entering and exiting the stairwell. Something that he’d be thankful for, as he heard the sound of something heavy outside the door.

There was no glass on the door of the stairwell that would allow either Shinigami to gaze into the hallway, but from the noise that they had just heard it was obvious something was in the hallway. They’d have to make a choice when to enter as right now the individual was passing the door. On the other side in the hallway one of the Husks had captured another apartment resident, bashing her head against the wall knocking her unconscious while cracking her skull. Now dragging her through the hall by her hair the Husk continues onward towards its master.

As for the third spiritual individual that had entered into the apartment complex he chose to enter the elevator. Keeping himself hidden from the Shinigami while continuing to investigate what was going on alone. A choice of wisdom or foolishness? Only time would reveal that answer. Getting into the elevator would be easy. Getting to the top floor would only take about thirty seconds, but by choosing the elevator this man made a small amount of noise on all the floors. Noise enough that the Husks were alerted to something new although what they couldn’t quite tell yet. Thus he’d reach his floor and see nothing as the doors opened or in the hallway, but it wouldn’t be long before that could change and he’d have to make a choice.

[Wynne Kuchiki]

The two shinigami traversed the stairway carefully, both on the lookout for any sudden appearances of anything sinister and strange. Who knew what type of monster lurked in the shadows? Thankfully nothing leapt at them quite yet, so for the time being the two were left unharmed. As they left the stairwell, the sound of something heavy moving about was soon able to be heard outside the door. The cause of the scream perhaps? Sadly they weren’t able to see through the wall, but if the two were to make rational decisions, then more than likely their culprit was on the other side of the door. And it would need to be dealt with.

Whispering to Shawn beside her, Wynne readied herself. “I’m ready when you are.” If Shawn chose to go in, she’d be ready to support him, with a Kido at the ready. While she might not be the strongest, a Byakurai to the face would stop anyone for a moment. Plus that would give Shawn enough time to follow up with his own attack. Assuming her attack even landed. She still wasn’t sure what she was dealing with yet, so she was still assuming in hypotheticals. But until they actually entered the room, that was what she had to do. Better to overprepare than underprepare.