Mission 117 (
Summary[]
Yor tries to calm Hemlock down
Surprised by Hemlock's sudden attacks, Yor pleads with him to stop, promising not to get in his way. However, her pleas fall on deaf ears as she continues to dodge his blade and the stampede from the upset elk. Hemlock accuses Yor of being a toxic insect disrupting Garden's natural order, citing that even Gympie has been influenced by her current lifestyle. He then says that things like cover identities and true selves do not belong in Garden as their role is merely to be tools for the Shopkeeper. After being admonished for associating with civilians, Yor attempts to counter Hemlock's oncoming attack and tells him to calm down. However, her attack is easily intercepted, so she retreats with the conclusion that she cannot stop Hemlock without holding herself back.
Hemlock cuts Yor's neck
Hemlock throws his sword up in the air, catches it with the curved handle of his cane, and proceeds to cut Yor's neck with the extended reach. As he declares that Yor has lost her title as "Thorn Princess," Hemlock thinks about how he once held admiration for Yor's abilities as an assassin, which was lost after she joined the Forger family, whom he believes have dulled her edge. Believing that Yor has made a mockery of her talents by abandoning her pride as an assassin to play house, he lets out his anger on her as he declares himself the superior combatant. Hemlock overwhelms Yor with a flurry of attacks and tells her that she must love isolation instead, which he believes has made him the strongest.
Hemlock threatens Yor's family
Hemlock, having abandoned all ideals of human connection, was utterly alone. He explains to Yor how he has willingly chosen to isolate himself from others, even at Garden, to the point that he even left his hair to grow unchecked after cutting ties with his barbershop. While Hemlock tries to impress upon Yor his devotion to isolation, the now calmed elk leaves the scene to get water. As Yor continues to evade Hemlock's attacks, she plans to deal with his sword, though it will be a difficult challenge for her. Disappointed with Yor's apparent inability to fight back, Hemlock believes his point has been proven and declares that he will kill Yor's family to allow her to grow stronger.
Yor defeats Hemlock
As Hemlock prepares to leave to propose his plan to the Shopkeeper, Yor stops him in his tracks with a powerful thrust of her weapon. Hemlock happily prepares to battle Yor but is surprised by her sudden speed and ferocity. She keeps Hemlock on the defensive and destroys a large rock, sending the debris toward him. As Hemlock cuts down the chunks, Yor kicks a piece at his head. He is stunned by the hit but quickly throws a knife at her as he falls. Yor catches the blade with her mouth and spits it back at Hemlock, who kicks it away and lunges at Yor with his sword, declaring his victory. To his surprise, Yor quickly catches his sword with the pommel of her stiletto, after which she breaks it and thrusts her weapon at him. Hemlock imagines himself fatally wounded but sees that Yor stopped just before piercing him.
Yor drags Hemlock
As Yor tells Hemlock to never target her family again, the defeated assassin drops to his knees, shocked at losing to the "Make-Out Merry-Maker." Hemlock recalls all the times he spent alone to become the strongest, which amounted to nothing with his loss. Keekee then appears with a note from Matthew reporting that he found the poachers' base. Yor tries to hurry Hemlock, but he is lost in his thoughts and does not hear her. Unable to bring Hemlock back to a state of awareness, Yor drags him along as they hurry to meet with Matthew.
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