Shadow Walker

After a little searching, I found what might have been the coral Ensetsu spoke about in the back corner of a cave (K-8 on the map). As soon as I reached out to grab it, I was attacked by three Korroloka Leeches! With quick reflexes, I called out one of my CrabFamiliars and had it attack one of the leeches. After the Crab had engaged, I had it attack the other two leeches. While the slimy little leeches where distracted, I cast slow, paralyze, and dia spells on the strongest looking leech. As soon as the spells took effect, I unrelentingly attacked the third parasite with my axe.

My Crab was easily defeating the first leech and in a matter of moments, I'd defeated the one that I was fighting. I had my Crab attack the last remaining leech and did the same myself. It took no time at all for us together to defeat the spell-disabled bloodsucker.

I wiped the sweat from my brow and gave my Crab a small victory pat on the shell. I reached again for the object I'd found and sure enough, it was an oddly shaped piece of coral. I tucked it safely away in my Gobby bag and set out immediately for Norg.

In Norg, I met with Ryoma who was happy to give me a sealed dagger in trade for the strange coral. I hoped that this was the blade Ensetsu spoke about. Without delay, I got back to Bastok and met with Ensetsu again to present to him the dagger he'd wanted back so badly. He was very grateful for my effort and I learned that the gatana was his dear, departed wife's. She'd been a ninja with the Tenshodo and this blade had been with her at all times. When she married Ensetsu and settled down to a quiet life in Bastok, she sheathed and sealed it and never opened it again. In a moment that almost brought a tear to my eye, Ensetsu presented the dagger to his youngest daughter, Kaede. It was a very touching scene.

As payment for my effort, Ensetsu presented me with some of his wife's scrolls. I read the scrolls (which seemed innocuous at first) and realized they were Tenshodo teachings on how to become a Ninja! With this knowledge, I'll be able to start training as a Ninja (not that I really want to right now - I enjoy life as a Beastmaster). Helping people out can be profitable in more ways than just feeling good about yourself.

I thanked Ensetsu and headed back to San d'Oria to relax in my Mog House for a while.