The House of Spiders: The Middle Apprentice - Ishmael
*sigh* C'mon, Mama! I thought I asked you to knock before barging into my room! I mean, it's not like I hate you coming in or anything, just... I was just flipping through some <i>Fixers Monthly</i> pages. ... Wanna come read with me and see who our next kill's gonna be, if you're not busy?
| HP | 92.0 + (3.05*lvl) |
| DEF |
| Trigger | Dialogue |
|---|---|
| Identity Acquisition | *sigh* C'mon, Mama! I thought I asked you to knock before barging into my room! I mean, it's not like I hate you coming in or anything, just... I was just flipping through some <i>Fixers Monthly</i> pages. ... Wanna come read with me and see who our next kill's gonna be, if you're not busy? |
| Morning Greeting | Bruh, this show was rad as hell. I binged the whole season overnight. I think I'm gonna crash in a bit 'til... *yawn* mama gets home. Gee, 24-episode marathon really takes a lot outta ya. |
| Afternoon Greeting | Go out to eat? Eugh, no thankee. I've got all the food I need in my room. Got nachos, cup noodles... Oh, and bop-tarts, every flavor. Just ignore the trash pile—shove it aside and take a seat. |
| Evening Greeting | Mama's gotta carry out the Vengeances solo unlike the other bigger Brothers and Sisters, so she always gets home late. What do I do when I'm alone...? Well, same stuff as always. Watch a Fixer livestream, read some comic books, and... if I see some cool tech, well... Guess I'll try to replicate it? |
| Chatter #1 | Oh yeah, Fixers are peak radical. Duking it out with a badass Fixer, beating the crap outta each other 'till I pop their head off—nothing tops that, right? There's a buncha other stuff ya gotta consider too, like their fighting styles or gear. Like, are they with an Association, the Wings, or running a private Office? Also gotta consider which Workshop they're partnered with, whether they rely on techy stuff or pure physical grind, and wheth—oh c'mon, don't dip halfway through! You asked, didn'tcha? |
| Chatter #2 | Aw man... I've been tryna sell it to everyone, but apparently they're all too busy to read it. One of 'em's training all day, one of 'em's got "places to be," one of 'em's busy with "art,"... Hah, how come no one's interested in peak fiction? Hey, what about you? What? "Verily, the concept of Fixers of Justice is a self-contradictory logical fallacy"? Bro, who gives a shit if it doesn't make sense? It's a comic book! |
| Chatter #3 | Strongest Fixer in the City? You mean, excluding the Red Mist's god-tier era? Maaaybe the Indigo Elder, I'd say... Oh, but not Siegfried. Real talk, Athos or the Jade Qilin, sure, but does Siegfried even belong in this convo? Hmm... Siegfried, huh. The clips make him look kinda OP, but... I'm not sold that he's actually in that league. |
| Post-Uptie Chat 1 | My Brothers and Sisters in The Middle are super chill with me... until they check the Book, and their vibes do a total 180. Like there's some invisible wall between them and me. It's probably 'cuz I'm not one of their Sisters yet, even though I'm mama's daughter, so... yeah. Whatever. I'm good. Mama's all I need. Besides, I'll belong in The Middle with them someday. |
| Post-Uptie Chat 2 | Duels are cool, sure, but full-on brawls are so much more peak. Like, just look at the Fixer Associations—I mean, come on, Liu farms way more aura than Cinq ever could, no contest. Someday, once I've mastered everything mama teaches me... Maybe I'll get to jump the Liu Association with my Brothers and Sisters in the Middle fam! |
| Uptying | Nahh, he folded way too quick. Was tryna see every single move he'd flexed about in interviews and video streams—dude looked exactly like that protagonist from <i>City Fighter 3</i> and all... Ugh, I really should've gotten an autograph before I kicked his ass into the afterlife. |
| Idle | Leaping across rooftops of the City~ To protect its peace and safety~ |
| Deployment | Yep, saw this coming a mile away. Was chilling in wait mode for this. |
| Stage Entry | Five... Four... Threetwoone! Here I go! |
| Viewed in Battle | Didya see that move just now? That detail, man, that was just insane... Is this the way to move? Or—nah, like <i>this</i>? |
| Commencing Attack | This is gonna be so dope! |
| Enemy Stagger | Teehee. You malding, bro? Whatchagonna do about it? |
| Staggered | Argh! |
| Enemy Killed | Hah! In your dreams, dumbass~ |
| Death | Ma... ma... |
| Check Passed | Hey, I'm my mama's daughter. 'Course I can handle this. |
| Check Failed | This totally worked in the comic books... Why's it not working? |
| Victory Cry | Ugh... you guys are so lame. I was tryna get home before mama finished work, and now I'm late 'cuz you sad losers kept running away. Looks like I'll only get to watch as far as that Dieci Fixers special episode today in that interview series... |
| Extra Conditions Fulfilled | Hello, Mister and Miss Fixerinos, don't feel too bad about getting folded. It's not that you guys were weak or unprepared, I'm just that rad, mmkay? Phew... Well, that takes care of the last of the "Up-and-Coming Fixer Offices" featured in <i>Fixers Monthly</i>. |
| Defeat Wail | Huh...? Huhhh...!? But mama said... this strat should work for all enemy types... Why...? |
The Middle Never Forgets, Y'know?
Turn End: Inflict <<((RetaliationBook))Vengeance Mark>> to the enemy that dealt the most Skill damage to an ally this turn
Every time this unit is hit by an enemy, gain 2 <<((ResentmentIshmael))The Middle - Grudge>> (2 times per turn)
When an other The Middle-faction ally is hit by an enemy, gain 1 <<((ResentmentIshmael))The Middle - Grudge>> (once per turn per Identity)
Gain 1 <<((ReinforcedTattooIshmael))The Middle Styled Augmentation Tattoos>> every time this unit consumes 5 <<((ResentmentIshmael))The Middle - Grudge>> (2 times per turn)
Combat Start: If this unit does not have <<((HeatingWireIshmael))Thermal Blades>>, and at 3+ Envy Reson., gain 2 <<((HeatingWireIshmael))Thermal Blades>> next turn
Combat Start: If this unit has <<((HeatingWireIshmael))Thermal Blades>>, gain (Envy Reson. / 3) <<((HeatingWireIshmael))Thermal Blades>> at Turn End (max 2)
Hey, Are Ya Into Fixers, Too?
VIOLET x 3
Clash Power +1 for #1 Deployed Identity's Base Attack Skills (once per turn)
If the Dashboard has Envy A-Reson., #1 Deployed Identity deals +10% damage with Base Skills
Totally Badass Ass-kicking
3 - 9
[On Use] Heal 5 SP
-
+3
|
[On Hit] Inflict 1 <<((Laceration))Bleed>>
-
+3
Totally Badass Ass-kicking
3 - 9
If target has 6+ (<<((Combustion))Burn>> + <<((Laceration))Bleed>>), Coin Power +1
[On Use] Heal 5 SP
[On Use] Heal 5 SP
-
+3
|
[On Hit] Inflict
-
+3
|
Totally Badass Ass-kicking
3 - 11
If target has 6+ (<<((Combustion))Burn>> + <<((Laceration))Bleed>>), Coin Power +1
[On Use] Heal 5 SP
[On Use] Heal 5 SP
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Inflict
-
+4
|
Totally Badass Ass-kicking
3 - 11
If target has 6+ (<<((Combustion))Burn>> + <<((Laceration))Bleed>>), Coin Power +1
[On Use] Heal 5 SP
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Inflict 2 <<((Laceration))Bleed>>
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Deal 5 Blunt bonus damage
Crossing Dervish
3 - 15
[Combat Start] This Skill gains Offense Level by (highest Reson./2) (max 3; rounded down)
[On Use] Gain +5 <<((Aggro))Aggro>> to this Slot next turn
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Inflict 1 <<((Laceration))Bleed>>
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Inflict +1 <<((Laceration))Bleed>> Count
-
+4
|
Crossing Dervish
3 - 15
If target has 6+ (<<((Combustion))Burn>> + <<((Laceration))Bleed>>), Coin Power +1
[Combat Start] This Skill gains Offense Level by (highest Reson. / 2) (max 3; rounded down)
[On Use] Gain +5 <<((Aggro))Aggro>> to this Slot next turn
[On Use] If this unit has <<((HeatingWireIshmael))Thermal Blades>>, On Hit with 1st and 2nd Coins, inflict <<((Combustion))Burn>> by the base amount of <<((Laceration))Bleed>> the Skill inflicts
[Combat Start] This Skill gains Offense Level by (highest Reson. / 2) (max 3; rounded down)
[On Use] Gain +5 <<((Aggro))Aggro>> to this Slot next turn
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Inflict
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Inflict +1 <<((Laceration))Bleed>> Count
-
+4
|
Crossing Dervish
3 - 15
If target has 6+ (<<((Combustion))Burn>> + <<((Laceration))Bleed>>), Coin Power +1
[Combat Start] This Skill gains Offense Level by (highest Reson. / 2) (max 3; rounded down)
[On Use] Gain +5 <<((Aggro))Aggro>> to this Slot next turn
[On Use] If this unit has <<((HeatingWireIshmael))Thermal Blades>>, On Hit with 1st and 2nd Coins, inflict <<((Combustion))Burn>> by the base amount of <<((Laceration))Bleed>> the Skill inflicts
[Combat Start] This Skill gains Offense Level by (highest Reson. / 2) (max 3; rounded down)
[On Use] Gain +5 <<((Aggro))Aggro>> to this Slot next turn
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Inflict
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Inflict +1 <<((Laceration))Bleed>> Count
-
+4
|
Crossing Dervish
3 - 15
If target has 6+ (<<((Combustion))Burn>> + <<((Laceration))Bleed>>), Coin Power +1
[Combat Start] This Skill gains Offense Level by (highest Reson. / 2) (max 3; rounded down)
- If there was an A-Reson. in the Reson. chain, double the amount of Offense Level gained from the above effect
[On Use] Gain +5 <<((Aggro))Aggro>> to this Slot next turn
[On Use] If this unit has <<((HeatingWireIshmael))Thermal Blades>>, On Hit with 1st and 2nd Coins, inflict <<((Combustion))Burn>> by the base amount of <<((Laceration))Bleed>> the Skill inflicts
[On Use] Gain +5 <<((Aggro))Aggro>> to this Slot next turn
[On Use] If this unit has <<((HeatingWireIshmael))Thermal Blades>>, On Hit with 1st and 2nd Coins, inflict <<((Combustion))Burn>> by the base amount of <<((Laceration))Bleed>> the Skill inflicts
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Inflict 2 <<((Laceration))Bleed>>
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Inflict +1 <<((Laceration))Bleed>> Count
-
+4
|
[On Hit] Deal 5 Blunt bonus damage
Violet~ Breaking Slam
4 - 16
If target has 6+ (<<((Combustion))Burn>> + <<((Laceration))Bleed>>), Coin Power +1
[Combat Start] This Skill gains Offense Level by (highest Reson. / 2) (max 3; rounded down)
[On Use] If this unit has <<((HeatingWireIshmael))Thermal Blades>>, On Hit with 1st, 2nd, and 4th Coins, inflict <<((Combustion))Burn>> by the base amount of <<((Laceration))Bleed>> this Skill inflicts
[On Use] At 5+ <<((ResentmentIshmael))The Middle - Grudge>>, Final Power +1
[Attack End] Consume all <<((ResentmentIshmael))The Middle - Grudge>> on self
-
+3
|
[On Hit] Inflict 1 <<((Laceration))Bleed>>
-
+3
|
[On Hit] Inflict +1 <<((Laceration))Bleed>> Count
-
+3
-
+3
|
[On Hit] Deal (Envy Reson. x 5)% of this Coin's final damage as Slash bonus damage (max 30%)
[On Hit] Inflict 1 <<((Laceration))Bleed>>
Violet~ Breaking Slam
4 - 16
If target has 6+ (<<((Combustion))Burn>> + <<((Laceration))Bleed>>), Coin Power +1
[Combat Start] This Skill gains Offense Level by (highest Reson. / 2) (max 3; rounded down)
- If there was an A-Reson. in the Reson. chain, double the amount of Offense Level gained from the above effect
[On Use] If this unit has <<((HeatingWireIshmael))Thermal Blades>>, On Hit with 1st, 2nd, and 4th Coins, inflict <<((Combustion))Burn>> by the base amount of <<((Laceration))Bleed>> this Skill inflicts
[On Use] Final Power +1 for every 5 <<((ResentmentIshmael))The Middle - Grudge>> on self (max 3)
[Attack End] Consume all <<((ResentmentIshmael))The Middle - Grudge>> on self
[Attack End] If this Skill was activated as a Counter Skill, gain 1 <<((HitDamageUp))Blunt DMG Up>> next turn (once per turn)
[On Use] If this unit has <<((HeatingWireIshmael))Thermal Blades>>, On Hit with 1st, 2nd, and 4th Coins, inflict <<((Combustion))Burn>> by the base amount of <<((Laceration))Bleed>> this Skill inflicts
[On Use]
[Attack End] Consume all <<((ResentmentIshmael))The Middle - Grudge>> on self
-
+3
|
[On Hit] Inflict
-
+3
|
[On Hit] Inflict +
-
+3
-
+3
|
[On Hit] Deal (Envy Reson. x 5)% of this Coin's final damage as Slash bonus damage (max 30%)
[On Hit] Inflict 1 <<((Laceration))Bleed>>
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
You're working late tonight? Why?
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
There's this tricky Vengeance they're having some trouble avenging.
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
So, as a Great Sister, I decided to avenge it in their stead.
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
Is there something you need my help with? I thought you've already finished your homework for the week, Kiddo.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
I mean, it's... Staying home all day can get a bit boring, y'know...?
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
Play some videogames, read some comic books, and I'll be home before you even know it.
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
Mama's gotta do her homework, too.
The Nursefathers of the House of Spiders.
It is true that they had been made to step back from the front lines of their respective Finger's businesses—that they no longer played a vital part in the day-to-day conflicts of the Backstreets.
Yet from any practical point of view, letting them idle away their time would have been an outright waste for the Fingers.
Just because they were now regarded as "has-beens" does not suddenly invalidate the battle-proven competence that naturally came with years of experience.
Which is why, although the Nursefathers were not freed from this proverbial "hell," the Fingers still continued to assign them various tasks that lay beyond the scope of their duties in the House of Spiders.
The missions, also known as "homeworks," "assignments," or "Labors," as called by the inhabitants of the House of Spiders, have been a constant since the emergence of the organization.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
It's just that— I get the vibes that they're always swamping you with work, Mama.
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
Ha ha... Mama's workload is smack dab in the middle, Kiddo.
Of course, the workload of said homework varies by Finger.
One of them, under the command of the Capo dei Capi, had been sent to fight in the front lines of war, while another was always absent due to the Prescripts...
Other Nursefathers would write replies to messages requesting their input on research and gallery management, while some simply did not receive any homework for relatively long stretches of time.
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
But I can get something on my way home if you'd like, Kiddo.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Forreal?
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Then can you get me Issue 35 and 36 of <i>Fixer Insights<i>?
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
Ha ha, of course.
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
Kiddo, you can go out and play if you're bored. I'll let the other Nursefathers know.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Alright.
Silence descends upon the great empty House as soon as the child's mother leaves, her absence leaving a substantial void behind.
The child, who could not for her life grow accustomed to the quiet, turned on the TV, played her favorite video games, and flipped through the pages of her treasured comic books.
Perhaps it was because she had already gone through them all, or perhaps she had simply grown tired of them, but...
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Bruh, this is mad boring...
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Maybe I do need some fresh air...
... all the games, comic books, and the Fixer videos that would normally have captured the child's attention...
... failed to give her even the slightest bit of enjoyment today.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
... Welp, mama <i>did</i> say that I can go out and play today.
The child turned the TV off with a dissatisfied pout before raking her eyes through the pages of her Book. Her hands searched for her weapon, and once her grip found the blade, she smoothly jumped to her feet.
She then rushed out of her room as though the sheer size of it had become an oppressive weight she could no longer bear alone.
Hmm? That chain...
The Vengeances listed in the Book are shared among the members of The Middle, so sometimes, the child would encounter the so-called "Brothers" and "Sisters" of the Finger.
For better or worse, most members of The Middle were completely unaware of who the child was or the organization she belonged to,
but the Chain of Loyalty around her arms told them that she was, perhaps, one of them.
Haven't seen you around before... You a newbie?
This ain't the kind of Vengeance you can cross out without backup... Why'd they send a new Sister out here all on her own?
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Uh, um... I... uh...
By the time you'd become a Big Brother or a Sister of The Middle, however, there were certain things that you could pick up without meaning to.
They may come in the form of a warning written in fine print in the corner of the page, or rumors regarding a Great Sister who had forsworn the absolute loyalty to which every member of The Middle is expected to adhere.
Wait a minute. You... Are you Great Sister Outis's daughter?
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Oh! You know my mama?
... Yeah, I know <i>of</i> her.
But first, let's hear who you're here for. What Vengeance are you here to avenge?
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Sol Office. Not only are they behind on protection fees, but they also killed The Middle Sibling who went there to collect, so...
Tsk. Guess we share the same target.
Man, I thought I asked Sis to make sure that our targets won't overlap.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Um... Do you think... I can join you?
Well, it's true you're part of The Middle, but you're not exactly family, so...
It was just as the Big Brother said. The child was, indeed, part of The Middle, but she wasn't a full member of the Syndicate.
She was wearing the Chains of Loyalty, but was not granted the Vengeance Tattoos the Brothers and Sisters shared—which meant she had no choice but to use The Middle <i>Styled</i> Augmentation Tattoos.
On top of that, she never received a title. She was Sister to no one in The Middle.
In any serious discussion of the child's affiliation, it would be more accurate to say she belonged to the House of Spiders rather than The Middle.
…….
Still, the Big Brother needed to ensure the survival of his younger Siblings and carry out the Vengeance.
And for that purpose, there were clear benefits to having someone of her strength join the fight.
The Middle's Big Brother decided to make an exception just for today.
We'll let you come with us... until we take care of this Vengeance.
But under one condition: you will not talk to, let alone discuss the matters of your organization with, my younger Siblings.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
... Okay.
Here comes the Fixers... Right on time.
Don't even bother checking the Book for their punishment, boys and girls. They killed one of us, and that's a crime that deserves nothing but the complete and total obliteration of their being. Get 'em!
On it, Big Bro!
With the child on their side, it wasn't long before the battle ended in The Middle's decisive victory.
Each flourish of the child's blade cut cleanly through the mayhem of the brawl, quickly turning the tide of the battle...
... and the child's intimate knowledge of the Fixers' techniques made quick work of their Office Rep., ending the battle with one of her blades slashing through the enemy leader's jugular.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Hah, we totally owned them. Let's face it! I totally carried the team—
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Uh... guys...?
Well, that's a job well done. Let's head back.
But the Siblings do not utter a word of acknowledgement for the child, whose placement among them was quite awkward.
Led by their Big Brother, The Middle crew hurried away, turning their backs on the child without giving her so much as a chance to bid them farewell.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
And they're gone...
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Aw, man... I should've asked for an autograph before killing 'em.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Mama's not gonna be back for a few more hours... Hmm, what else is there to do?
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
I mean, it's not like there's anyone to hang with even if I go home... but there's literally nothing to do out here either.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Eh, screw it. Guess I'll head home...
A few hours after arriving home...
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
Princess, what are you doing out here on the couch?
The child leaped up from the sofa at the sound of her Nursefather's distinctive footsteps.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Mama!
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
I hope you've been behaving yourself while I was gone, Kiddo. Here you go—the Fixer magazine you wanted.
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
Woohoo—eh?
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
<i>Fixers Monthly</i>...?
오티스 : The Middle Nursefather
Heh. Got the whole damn shelf for you on my way home. There should be some comic books in there, too.
These magazines and comic books weren't exactly the kind that the child wanted.
Some of them were even quite far from her tastes, but...
이스마엘 : The Middle Apprentice
You're the best mom ever, mama!
... the child nonetheless smiled happily,
because Mama had purchased them just for her sake. That's what she believed, anyway.