🍁Nine Ancient Obelisks

"It's about time I paid the Temple of Knowledge a visit," thought Erika and headed to the library (without spending time).

—That's a wise decision. Where did that giant live, in Riska, wasn't it? Better to go straight there — either we'll fall, or maybe we'll find an ally, that's how I see it. And what do you think? ..But before we set out, let me do one foolish thing.

with these words, he tries to upgrade his boots, praying for another +1 to movement speed

+22

Records

Days:

02.04.1001.
Early in the morning I nearly kicked the bucket by the stove — the feast was nothing special, but I managed to pull it off. Just in time for 🤺90🤺 arrival. We chatted about this and that, discussed paintings, philosophy, and life beliefs. Also learned about 161 — ←V the governess.
With such a mood, I set out for ↓IVA7 again, but there misfortune in the form of missing📰5📰 crept up. No desire to talk to the faceless statues, so we turned back empty-handed toward ↓IVA9 . Had a pleasant conversation, declined another portion of savings, but for a good cause, it's not a sin for once.
I was going to pry a theory out of 😺37😺, but again we ran into an ambush of 65 at ↓IVA12 . This time I decided not to let things slide, so we headed straight to ↓IVA1 . There we ran into the usual 💂26💂 . On the plus side: it turned out that 65 and 22 are the same person! On the minus side: a funny episode in my head turned into unexpected negativity. Left a bitter aftertaste, to put it mildly , but what's done is done.
So with nothing, we turned from ↓IVA3 toward ↓IVI .

03.04.1001.
Briefly discussed plans; decided to move our modest detachment out on a gamble. First we only checked ↓IVI4 — even held hands with 38 ! Can't say it added confidence, but fine, any experience counts for something.
Spent the rest of my funds at ↓IVI8 , now I should find some work... Nothing else interesting remains, except we talked with the guide 163 at ↓IVI11 . Seems like it even turned out useful for our main mission about ~4-12 !
On the way to ↓IVH we learned about the saddest situation from 164 , but that didn't undermine our confidence. We hadn't taken a single step from ↓IVH8 when the circus performers 🧟‍♂️165-170🧟‍♂️ surrounded us. Quite a show it was: I nearly tore my belly laughing. 🤺90🤺 even caught the hiccups from them; now we have to ply him with mineral water.
With adventures, we finally met 16 from ↓IVH1 . Briefed him on the bad situation, but the sunlight on the horizon hasn't completely dimmed yet. Seems another terminator 171 and 115 started a romance, so intense that her ex 114 rushed to file for divorce papers. And now we just need to hold out until their family disputes are over.
They introduced us to 172 — a former E servant from ↓IVH2. They entrusted our trio with cleaning up their place before the lovers return. Well, I can see that 16 is in bad shape already; I wouldn't be surprised if besides us he has no janitors left on staff — they all became circus performers. She also told us about 173 and 174 : supposedly, if we're unlucky, those two will count as a whole circus for us. Well, we'll live and see.

Decipherings

Characters:


23) upd: Changed her name to "Selena Alsephir" and emotionally burned out on everything. Believes there's no place for her anywhere except beside Tann. Recommended: forget her feelings and send her to therapy.
90) upd: Man of stone, man of nods, man of wisdom, and if unlucky — man of zombie.
_____
161) Ootori Yamato. Mikoto of Toyokawa. The bitterest enemy of Mikoto Asahina due to "similarity of personalities". Funny how life works sometimes.
162) Lydia. Also the daughter of Delez. Also a bandit-robber. Lost her mind while serving Nanaya. Since she "satisfies" everyone, she has no complaints or problems with the law. No comment.
163) Servant of Zhusyiksidzire. A bit lonely, a bit out of this world, reminds Erika of someone.
164) The Dread Hand. No zombie will bite through this one. A man of many talents. Serves as garrison, checkpoint, document processor, quarantine officer, and border guard all at once.
165) 🧟‍♂️Zombie-1.🧟‍♂️ As vicious as my late grandmother. Nearly tore off my arm with an epic bite from his golden tooth. 
166) 🧟‍♂️Zombie-2.🧟‍♂️ Exploded like an overripe watermelon. 13 reams scattered out of his skull.
167) 🧟‍♂️Zombie-3.🧟‍♂️ Nearly bit through my throat. Barely pulled a photo out of his drooling paws.
168) 🧟‍♂️Zombie-4.🧟‍♂️ My first official combat casualty. Reminded me of Genza somehow. Picked up a pack of cigarettes in honor of our good friendship.
169) 🧟‍♂️Zombie-5.🧟‍♂️ Karmically evaporated from Shiki's strike, leaving behind only a lucky token.
170) 🧟‍♂️Zombie-6.🧟‍♂️ Caused a lot of problems by infecting Shiki. Spent all the savings from his wallet at the local casino.
171) Sir Kir. A one-man army, single-handedly holding back the onslaught of Ruzaniel zombies, which impressed Sariosa. Now together with her they hunt Aristokrius. Help from various losers isn't needed by those two given their high level...
172) Fira. A former priestess who lost faith in the goddess of luck. Seems like a decent girl. Can heal, improve, and shoot accurately. She should become our companion in the operation to cleanse Ruzaniel.
173) The Giant. Former captain of the guard in Saria. Lives in "Riska". If he's become a zombie, things will be very bad.
174) Zenobia. Another priestess of luck. Agile, fast, in short — problematic. For some reason I suspect we'll have to permanently "put her to rest".
175) The girl from the photo. Next to Fira. Should ask who she is...


Geographical locations:

↓VIE) *Saria. The giant commanded the guard there.
↑XXII) Farellia. A country from Nidzhikonia after which the eponymous shop is named.
↑XXIII) Karnia. A country from Nidzhikonia after which the eponymous shop is named.
←X) Aomori. The westernmost country of the modern world.
↑XXVI) Lupercalia. The easternmost country of the modern world.