The last time we saw this was in the dungeon, but before that in the first book, she literally seemed fearless.

I’m not saying this is bad, but that the first volume didn’t do her character justice if this is how she approaches things. Like in the first book she was so fueled by rage and bitterness and spite. She ran through a Lich to make a delivery, when in reality she doesn’t really care about delivering things, and more so does delivieries just to run in general. I’m not saying that either kinds of Ryoka are bad, but that these feel like two different Ryokas… Like she woke up the Blood Fields for godsakes and her reaction way less than this.

Does she fear death or dying?

Like she always felt literally fearless, so this plus the dungeon feels weird when shes seen more brutual situations.

Also unrelated but why didn’t she tell the Runner’s guild that Persua got her friends killed, she literally made that deduction in that end of volume chapter.

It’s a bit funny that the Gnoll army kills people surrendering, while also avoiding killing runners? But even then why interview Ryoka when they shot everyone else down immediately. They came fresh from the adrenaline of war and decided to have caution because it could be a runner?

Also it’s so weird. Everytime before this people ALWAYS had a truth stone, but they didn’t this time… I guess putting away your belongings make sense, but it still is an invaluable tool and can have a big effect in war. Like verifying the authenticity of someone surrendering, or spys ETC. With the way every time someone needed to verify the truth prior, and them always having a truth stone or lie detect, its so out of place that they don’t have one this time. Its just too convenient.

She didn’t. Flower coins is a classical fey trick.

One thing I like is that it isn’t “becomes stronger than literally every other master”

He’s stronger in his own specific way, there are simple things he struggles with

Death. The Drake had been killed, yes, but now the gristly details had emerged. I assume you meant grisly details?

You are an amaz9ng storyteller!