Seeing that Saeko was preparing another powerful strike with her weapon, the shambling corpse-creature howled with fury and pounced at her, attempting to overwhelm her. But her strike was true, and with one powerful stroke, Saeko cleaved clean through the ghoul's neck, decapitating it. For a moment, the headless body of the monster continued to flail around mindlessly, only to collapse in a heap moments after the now-lifeless head struck the ground. After laying on the ground by Saeko for a few moments, however, the disconnected head and body of the ghoul simply dissolved into thin air, like evaporating mist.<br/><br/>At that same moment, Saeko suddenly saw plain white text appear in the corner of her vision, flashing in order to grab her attention. It read "Desert Ghoul was defeated; Earned 20 Experience; Received 2 Silver Florins, 5 Copper Florins". Florins were the currency in this game world, and came in Gold, Silver, and Copper; a hundred Copper Florins made a Silver Florin, and a hundred Silver Florins made a Gold Florin. All players started with 25 Silver Florins in addition to their starting gear. The Desert Ghouls might be a good source of starting experience, but they were not much of a cash-cow, dropping little in the way of Florins and absolutely nothing in the way of equipment.<br/><br/>Out past the enormous pillar of stone which Saeko had fought beside, the desert continued on, the Tower of the Damned and the ruined city surrounding it still far in the distance. But much closer, though still far enough that Saeko would barely be able to make them out, was a small group of humanoid figures, clustered together and flailing about wildly. It was impossible to make out any details, or hear anything of what was going on over there, but it appeared as if some sort of small battle was taking place!<br/><br/><hr/><br/>*Saeko Amakusa Attacks*<br/>Roll = 24; Hit<br/><br/>*Desert Ghoul Evades*<br/>Roll = 24; Fail<br/><br/>*Desert Ghoul Takes 13 Damage*<br/>Remaining HP = 0/18; Desert Ghoul was defeated!<br/><br/>Earned 20 Experience<br/>Loot = 2 Silver Florins, 5 Copper Florins