Sword Art Online: Infinity Edition [IC] [T] [Best Rookie 4Q '12]

[Red's Hawt Chibi Pelippers]

KRISSU

"Spider monster? I don't like spiders," Krissu said, frowning to hide that she was actually a bit nervous hearing about the Crystal Weaver.

Elise shrugged and pulled the shield off her back holding it in front of her. “Anyway, you ready? No time like the present.” She smiled at Krissu and gestured towards the cave. “Just stay close, I don’t want you dying on me.”

"Pfft, I'm not planning to die and things usually don't dare to not go as I've planned." That wasn't true, of course. As recently as earlier today, she had had a bit of misfortune or miscalculation in that lake. But Elise didn't need to know that. Yet.

Elise took a few steps forward, her feet crossing the threshold of the cave. Her feet made a soft echoing noise as she stepped in, her senses ready for whatever the cave would throw at them. Krissu shook her head to get her long, red hair out of her face as she followed the other girl. The cave was really badly lit up. They should have thought of that. Still, it wasn't as dark as a natural cave would be; this was a game after all and it would be no fun if you couldn't at all see where you were going. Luckily, Krissu wasn't a badly prepared alchemist, even if she wasn't the most complete one. She opened her inventory just a few meters into the cave, taking out a strangely glittering potion. When shaken, it lit up the darkness like a white torch. Really useful! The downside was that she had to shake it every other minute, or else it would rapidly lose light at those points.

After they had been walking in silence for a few minutes, something was heard further down into the cave, straight ahead seemingly. It sounded like some people were speaking. That didn't attract Krissu; quite the opposite.

"Sounds like people down there. Human voices. Don't you think?" she gestured to Elise, into the thicker darkness in front of them. "Normally it could be fun to meet up with some other players. But we're not here to find people now. We're looking for plants. So let's go... in here?"

Just ahead of them, to the left, was a path leading off from the main cave. Krissu thought the ground there was sloping downwards ever so slightly. Perhaps leading down to more moist ground, perfect for the Dustskin? She looked at Elise.


((It's the same cave as the others are in :D But we choose a different path now. I was thinking we can run into some enemies that are more quiet and careful than those players and therefore couldn't be heard at a distance. ))

[Leaf Storm]

Leilani Estefania Juarez Garcia
Floor 1 - Starter City, Floor 5 - Mount Lost
Level: 6

Leila [Solo-Player]
Level: 6
Health: 100%

Finally back at her loft in Starter City…Leila healed herself, when earlier she was poisoned, and her health was diminishing. It was a matter of time where it was a good time to change to her clothing…her armor clothing.

So, there she was. Coming out of her loft with her armor look…including her red cape where she never wears the hood, and her knee high boots, She took out her teleportation crystal and held it up high. For a few moments, nothing really happened. She wasn’t sure where to go next. Get poisoned once again at Blues Village? Revisit Dysthaven and relive the memories of her brother getting slaughtered and not know whether he survived? Leila finally reached to the point where it was now time for her to visit the level of all levels, Mount Lost.

Ollie said he’d be there, or rather…the majority of the players would be there. Leila hoped that’s true…and she hoped to beat the boss in that floor all by herself, though others would never agree to her views.

“Teleport. Mount Lost.” Leila said to her crystal. Her body glowed white and zapped, indicating the teleportation, she hoped surprises aren’t in the way.

A few moments later, she zapped next to a pterodactyl-like statue nearby a small village. Leila looked up and glanced at it, then turned all around her. It was a lot of people in this floor. A lot enough to be different parties. Roars of monsters were heard everywhere, louder than back at Blues Village. Taking a few steps forward and managing her pace, hopefully a monster wouldn’t spawn around her…more else, around the people around her.

While the time is right, she decided to send a quick message to Ollie, as he said he’d be at the same floor as her as well. Pulling up a COMPOSE window in front of her, she wrote on the field her words.

To: Ollie
From: Leila
Subject: Floor 5

I’m at floor 5, where are you? I’m at the statue with the pterodactyl.

Leila never felt so…dependent of others, she never was in real life.

She walked a few more steps and spotted a lone warrior with dark brown hair and two very different colored eyes. Leila became shy in inquiring information about the floor. She quickly assumed everyone here in this floor would know. As she waited for a minute for Ollie to respond to her message, she decided to head towards the bench and took a seat next to the warrior. Sighing, and starts to preoccupy.

[Claire*]

Elise Vivian Molyneux

Elise flashed a quick smile in the poorly lit cave as Krissu pulled out a potion and shook it violently. She wasn’t quite sure what the other girl was planning to do with it, but it quickly dawned on her as the potion radiated light like a torch. Elise had to admit, Alchemists had a few more uses than she had given them credit for. This girl was getting pretty helpful to have around. It would be interesting to see how she was in a fight, but so far, Elise didn’t mind her presence like most party members she had in the past.

They continued on in silence for a few minutes, Elise could hardly see anything outside the light from Krissu’s potion. Was that the potion’s sole purpose? Or did it have other benefits? Elise decided to ask Krissu about it later if she had a chance. A noise straight ahead perked her ears and attention, something faint, but unmistakable, voices. “Crap,” Elise said under her breath, hopefully low enough so Krissu hadn’t heard her displeasure at running into others. The last thing she wanted was to make a bigger party. Outside of bosses, big parties always got messy and dramatic. People always wanting to go do something different, people fighting over drops, people of different levels and abilities. Usually, it was a big headache.

"Sounds like people down there. Human voices. Don't you think?" Krissu gestured to Elise, into the thicker darkness in front of them. "Normally it could be fun to meet up with some other players. But we're not here to find people now. We're looking for plants.”

Elise was happy to hear her say that, not so much the “normally it could be fun” part, but the part about staying focused and finding plants was one she jumped at.

“So let's go... in here?" Kissu looked at Elise. Just ahead of them, to the left, was a path leading off from the main cave. It looked about as good as any option that had presented itself so far, definitely better than running into the group ahead of them.

“I agree, the others might slow us down anyway. Looks like as good a path as any, I say let’s do it.” They took the path away from the others, Elise had no idea where this was taking them. Usually taking the way off the beaten path was encouraged in MMOs and RPGs, but it was a little more disconcerting when the stakes were considerably higher. “Just, uh, keep shaking that little juju bottle of yours.” She turned to Krissu and started walking down the path backwards so she could face her. Elise wasn’t exactly the best conversationalist, but she did try to speak with others occasionally. She was at a loss for words right now however.

The path was a lot longer than expected, a few minutes passed and still no deviations or larger inner chamber presented itself. Again a noise caught her attention and Elise spun right around to face it. Diving for cover behind a jutting rock from the cave’s wall, it looked like a spawn of Goblin Miners had made a sort of makeshift camp in the middle of the hall. No matter what, if they wanted to keep going, they would have to get past them. The last time Elise had tried to sneak past Goblins, it didn’t end to well. She shuddered at the recollection. No, they would have to fight these. After a quick tally, it looked to be about five of them, all huddled around a central location doing who knows what in the dark.

Elise leaned over and whispered softly into Krissu’s right ear. “Ok, we have to fight these guys,” she said bluntly, her face suddenly taking on a more serious look than she had shown in front of Krissu before. “If anything happens, teleport, don’t wait. I’ll most likely be right behind you, ok?” Without a further word, she spontaneously leapt from behind the rock and rushed toward the Goblins. Before, when it was just herself, five would have been far too many to handle, with Krissu, if she was any good, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Her speed skill carried her towards the Goblins at a breakneck pace, her legs moving ferociously underneath her. It hadn’t been too long ago, that such a notion was but a dream. She smiled at the thought as she distanced herself from the illumination of Krissu’s potion and shared the same faint light as the Goblins. Unsheathing her sword, she held her shield in front of her and activated a sword skill as she lunged into the air towards the lead Goblin. [Shield Bash] Her shield came down with a sickening thud on its head and slashed with her sword across its belly. The enemy’s health bar dropped to about a quarter of its full status as the others turned to face their new assailant and join the fight.

[CarefulWetPaint]

Dante FareFyre, Floor 5

The clouds continued to roll through the sky of the fifth floor as Dante awaited Sona’s reply. Ah what a marvellous day, he thought to himself as he pressed his back hard against the back of the bent and lent over more. Crunch, crack, crunch were the noises his back made as he lent back as far as possible. Oh I love how they even added the sound effects of cracking your back into this game. Beep Beep. Hearing the noise Dante blindly swiped his hand in the air, hitting the Open Message button.
New Message!
From: Sona
Subject: Miss you <3

She added a heart to the subject, how cute of you Sona, thought Dante as he began reading the rest of the message.

Oh Dante! I’m on my way. I’ll see you soon handsome. Sooo excited to see you! X <3

A smile crept onto his face as he closed the message and sat back up. She should only take a few minutes to get here now that she’s replied to my message. Looking towards the portal in hope Sona would teleport to him straight away he saw a girl about his age who was wearing a red cape and knee high boots which contrasted her snow white skin, slowly spin around in a circle. She looks a little nervous, must be her first time on this floor. Once again leaning back in the bench he began to watch the clouds roll past again.

It’s been a few minutes now, wonder if she’s here yet, Dante thought as he lent forward and looked towards the portal again, only to see the same white skinned girl standing only a few steps away from where she originally was, looking at him. He gave her a gentle smile and returned to his reclined position. Oh Sona, why are you taking so long? Hearing approaching footsteps he sat back up, only to see the same white skin girl walk towards him and take the empty spot next to him on the bench and sigh.

“Hello my fair lady.” Greeted Dante turning towards the girl, meeting her eyes as she turned towards him. With another gentle smile he locked their eye contact as she began to open her mouth.

[Leaf Storm]

Leilani Estefania Juarez Garcia & Dante FareFyre
Floor 5 - Mount Lost | Level: 6/17

No response from Ollie just yet. Leila was starting to get a bit preoccupied. What if Ollie got beaten by one of the fast-spawning monsters out there? So many conclusions to jump forward to for Leila, but it was just too soon. Ollie couldn’t have jumped too far, or have started the Dragon Scarce guild already. Leila hadn’t accepted the offer yet and finally, she is willing to do so.

The player sitting next to her greeted, smiling directly. Leila turned to him and immediately locked her aqua blue eyes onto the man’s heterochromatic eyes. One blue and one green. It was like watching a forest in one and an ocean in another, a peaceful lake forest. She started to slowly lift her expressionless smile up high, forming a slightly U-shape.

“Hello.” She replied as her smile slowly grew bigger. Their eye contact broke as she turned diagonally away from Dante.

As their eyes locked, a small smiled formed on the face of the player who had just sat next to Dante.

She has very pretty eyes, I like that, Dante thought as he continued the conversation. “It’s your first time on this floor isn’t it?” She continued to look away as she replied, informing him that her friend was already supposed to be here and that she was now waiting for him. The female player turned back to Dante half way through her explanation.

Leila turned diagonally, glancing at the bush behind the bench real quick. “It is, a friend of mine is supposed to be here.” Ollie’s message hadn’t arrived yet, as her preoccupation was starting to wane. “I sent him a message just now, and I’m just waiting.”

“Oh! Haha, guess both of us are just…waiting!” Leila’s face was slowly but steadily turning red, but she was trying not to show it off. The man’s handsomeness was hard to contain. His gentle smile continued, seemingly drawing the girl in; her snow white skin now beginning to turn a light red. Aww, how cute!

Leila was mainly interested in learning what the floor is like, and as the man started a conversation with her, it was perfect timing for her to ask. “How is the floor? Encountered any monsters?”

With interest in her voice, the girl asked Dante what the floor was like and if he had encountered many monsters. “Actually, I am a front line clearer myself, I've already explored about 3/5 of the dungeon myself.” This peaked the girls interest as she asked if he had done it alone or with a guild.

“3/4’s of the dungeon? By yourself or with a guild?” she asked, showing interest.

“Oh by myself.” Dante replied modestly, unconsciously allowing the gentle and soothing tone in this voice to continue. “I only came back to town because my inventory is already full from the high respawn rate of the monsters here.”

“Well, I came here to train by myself. I’ve done my fair share of being part of a guild. I work better alone.” She chuckled at being a solo player herself, automatically assuming that the man is also a solo player as well.

The female player then explained that she had came to the fifth floor to train and that she was a more a solo player than guild player, much like Dante. A more tender tone became present in Dante's voice as his charisma took control of his actions.

Leila felt that the man was trying to scoop her and make her his, but…his cuteness…she can’t deny the fact that he was the most adorable man she had ever seen. As he leaned closer towards her, she didn’t push him back…instead she went with the flow. She finally blushed, her cheeks turning red, redder than her blush makeup.

“Oh an independent woman, I find that very interesting.” He told the girl as he unconsciously leaned in a little closer to her; locking their eye contact once again, “ I'd be surprised if a beautiful young lady like you hadn't been part of a guild.” He said, allowing reassuring kindness to show through his facial expression. As the girl blushed Dante looked towards the portal to see Sona standing there, readying a throwing knife.

“I’m surprised a strong man like you isn’t part of a group. I mean, you look like a leader.” She said.

Dante slowly leant closer to the girl breaking their eye contact and moved his arm around the lady’s back to behind her head, the gentle move easily able to be mistaken as an advance on her. The knife came towards the lady's head at tremendous speed from a very displeased looking Sona, which Dante easily caught between his fingers as he whispered in the girl's ear. “I am very sorry love, I must be leaving now. It was wonderful talking to such a lovely lady like yourself, stay safe while you train. Perhaps we'll see each other again.”

“Oh, I guess it’s nice meeting you too…” Leila whispered back, “Shall we meet….again?”

Extremely flustered now the girl replied, as Dante began to stand up. She asked as Dante began to walk towards the portal where a very vexed Sona was waiting. After a taking few steps Dante began waving goodbye to the girl without replying to her, holding the throwing knife in the hand he waved with. The wave was also aimed as a greeting to Sona as he smiled happily towards her while he approached her. Two birds with one stone.

Leila was frozen, she wouldn’t dare to move, at all. Her right fingers twitched a bit to release a bit of energy. She didn't realize what just happened. What the hell just happened now? It felt like a magical prince came to her life...a perfect prince. Watching him leave with his friend, Leila crumbled to the floor…landing on her knees to the ground. If the man hadn’t noticed, she would have already been killed, and dead in real life. She looked up to find that he had already disappeared, & her heart beating with fear. Then she turned both sides to find more guilds heading out to the dungeons, as the man had said earlier, and gets up off the ground, and goes back to sit on the bench. Ollie still hasn’t responded yet. She doesn’t want to imagine how bad the dungeons are, being a level 6 still, she would have to start from the easiest to the hardest…but she still needed his help.

“Dante.” a very angry looking Sona said as she rose her hand. Oh yay, she's really angry.

“Good afternoon my most beautiful Sona.” Dante smiled at Sona cheekily as he spoke. Dante caught Sona's hand as she brought it down at his face and pulled her in closely, smiling as sweetly as possible.

“Who was that girl Dante, you know I don't like seeing you with other girls when you're suppose to be with me.” Rage was building in her eyes as she tried to pull away from Dante to attempt to slap him again. Refusing to let her have the chance Dante, pulled her in closer and hugged her while whispering into her ear.

“I have no idea, I didn't catch her name Sona, I only just met her then. I know, and I am truly sorry she just came over and started talking to me. I didn't mean to upset you.” He stood back slightly and brought his free hand up and caressed her cheek. “I wouldn't purposely upset you, would I beautiful?” He spoke sincerely, looking deeply into her eyes while softly caressing her cheek.

“I know, I'm sorry. I overreacted.. Shall we go?” Sona replied as she grabbed his right arm with both hands and gently rested her head on his shoulder. “You're mine now till tomorrow morning, you can only have eyes for me until then.” She stated happily, leaning into his arm a little tighter.

“Yes, I know Sona, Lets go.” Dante replied as they began to walk into town.

[ShinyDiamond]

Kamui Ozora - Level 4
Floor 1: Starter City

"So lonely..." Looking up at the ceiling from his bedside, Kamui Ozora wonders what is going on back in his home, his real home, where his mom, dad, & sister are worrying about him. By now, mom was probably making a fresh back of chocolate-chip cookies, his sister finding ways to get me out without harming me, dad working at his job, concerned about my safety. I sure wish there was a way I could contact them. Too bad the creators were dumb enough to disclude a landline.

Kamui kept looking at the ceiling. Staying here won't do squat, but it's who he is. He's in a game & that's the way it'll stay, unless Kamui reaches the 100th floor. But...does he have the strength? Everyone gets one chance, & if they lose it, that's it. Great economy they have here. He might as well take a walk. Taking his backpack with potions & crystals, Kamui left the Inn & took a stroll around Starter City.

The bosses were taken care off, but Kamui was too afraid of moving on. It's like, if things got more complicated along the way, would you wanna turn back? Yeah, I didn't think so. What's the point of everything knowing you're gonna have to live the rest of your life in a video game? This is pointless. Kamui should just die & get it over with. But...where would that leave his family back in the real world? He can't just leave them behind. He's just too afraid...of death.

For now, taking a stroll was the only thing to do for now. People here were strange, & that comes from Kamui himself. Would anyone really need potions & crystals? They wouldn't accept a weakling like Kamui. Just kidding! Right?

[Red's Hawt Chibi Pelippers]

KRISSU

They had been walking on the new path for a few minutes, Krissu's vial the only source of light available. All of a sudden, Elise dove down behind a cliff, right when Krissu thought she saw some other light in front of them. "Whaat?" she hissed. Peeking out behind the jutting rock made her understand Elise's action though.

It looked like a spawn of Goblin Miners had made a sort of makeshift camp in the middle of the hall. Aha. There were at least five or six of them. Krissu wasn't sure of their level, but since Elise and herself weren't exactly low leveled, they might have a chance against them. Then again, why fight when you can use your perfectly sound Stealth skill and...

“Ok, we have to fight these guys,” Elise suddenly whispered into Krissu's ear. “If anything happens, teleport, don’t wait. I’ll most likely be right behind you, ok?”

"What? No, we can easily sneak past them!" Krissu hissed back, but Elise had already recklessly leaped from behind the rock and was rushing towards the goblins. Krissu facepalmed from irritation and followed, putting the vial of light away. But in her own way. She felt her Stealth skill activate like a fleeting shudder all over her body and kept to the shadows rather than running into the shining from the goblin campfire.

Elise lounged towards the closest goblin, shield held high. Valkyrie was the word that came to Krissu's mind. A strong, fighting woman with no fear. As the other woman's shield ruthlessly crushed the goblin beneath her shield, effectively lowering its health bar to a yellow state. The rest of the goblin miners turned around, leaving whatever strange things they were doing near the campfire and got ready to attack the intruder... hang on, what was that?

As Elise took on the opponents, Krissu ran forth to a cliff closer to the campfire but still covered in shadows and protected by her Stealth skill. Her trained eye had spotted small piles of herbs there, half chopped up and put in a crude bowl. Were they making soup? She almost snickered, but guessed that it only made the game more interesting to add such a realistic thing as monsters preparing dinner. Now, the question was if they did eat Dustskin Velvet or if it was too bitter for their taste...

But Elise was probably right. They couldn't just sneak up to the herbs and begin rummaging around without first disposing of the enemies. She would have to fight and help her party member now. Stepping out from the shadows, another shudder told Krissu that she wasn't hidden by her Stealth anymore. She drew her broadsword from its sheath on her back and a goblin miner who had been growling at the fighting Elise now spun around to face her instead. Krissu might not be the most well versed fighter. But she could hold her own. She could.

The goblin rushed forward, a mining pick raised. Krissu approximated its trajectory as it was swung and met the attack with her sword. If this had been real life, her arms would probably have broken from the impact, but her Aincrad body could withstand it. She pushed back the goblin, making him stumble, and loaded up a sword art. [Lance of Will] came towards the goblin but wasn't accurate enough - it missed and Krissu found herself struck by the miner's pick in her leg. She groaned as she stepped back from her enemy, but luckily pain wasn't felt as much here as in the real world. With a [Crude Swing] she now took the goblin by surprise and cut its arm off. The miner's pick dropped and the frustrated monster threw itself at Krissu in a wild rage. But Krissu blocked it with her large sword and pushed the goblin back again, before she impaled it with a better aimed [Lance of Will] and saw it explode in a thousand pieces of glimmering data.

Krissu panted and looked down at the minor wound on her leg. It oozed slightly of red data. She then looked up at Elise to see how she fared. Hopefully better than this little alchemist.

[SwiftSign]

"Th-this is it!" pointed the scout, his red and silver dagger pointed at the huge, stone door. His party was small, an elite few from their guild, and after many hours they had finally made it to the centre of the dungeon.

His teammate opened up his item menu, scrolling through his long list of items - he soon found the crystal he was looking for.

Portal Crystal: Activating this crystal allows players to travel directly to your location.
[Use][Trade]

The Knights of Blood kept a good supply of high level crystals, rumour has it that they had several beaters studying the art of Alchemy for the guilds use. The crystal shone as the user activated it, a bright light filling the dreary hall of the dungeon and forming a ring of light. All around Aincrad a message flew across the evening sky.

Floor 5's Dungeon has been located!

The automated system read the announcement in a booming voice, players from every floor looking up in awe, readying their equipment and quickly checking their potion supply. All it took to join the front lines was a single teleport crystal.

One by one players joined the initial scouting team, both individuals from their guild, from neighbouring guilds and the odd solo player or two. Everyone was keen to progress the game and take out the next boss. The stone hallway slowly filled up, dozens of players and several parties gearing up and ready to go.

A Knights of Blood general stood forward, in front of the great, carved door.

"The beaters have informed me of what lies beyond this door!" He cried, cheers in the audience rallying behind him, "We're going to need speed and strength to overcome this beast. Do not make yourself a liability, you may not get a chance to redeem yourself."

General Leon had already taken part in two dungeon clearings before, and with several beaters falling under his guild's wing they had the advantage of information - at least until level 10. A well established fighter and front man, Leon was the perfect candidate to lead the players in to battle.

With one forceful push the door swung open, a dimly lit chamber awaited the troops.

~*-*~

Priority Mission: Defeat the boss! **Once you enter you may not leave**

Current Dungeon: 5
Recruiting Guilds: Black Cats, Knights of Blood, Fuurinkazan [Joining a Guild requires lv 10]

~*-*~

Karack the Bone-Crusher

Location: Floor 5
Strengths: Powerful attacks, thick skin.
Weaknesses: Slow moving.

Description: Karack is a powerful, ogre-like monster found in the depths of the dungeon. Standing at 20ft tall, this boss is a large target to hit, however it's thick skin means it will take more than a few cuts to bring it down. Being relatively slow moving, and apelike in posture, is it's main disadvantage - however one clean hit could prove fatal for a low level character, so best be cautious.

Punches from this monster may just about be blockable by higher-level, greataxe or greatsword users, however dodging is always the safest option. If the ogre charges for a full on body slam, there is no chance to stop its advances.

Like many large, lumbering creatures the weakpoint is the head. Living in the dark for so long, the ogre has very sensitive eyes - using the dungeons torches, found along the walls, could prove useful in distracting or disorientating the boss. Once distracted, for high damage, being able to swipe at the head region is the best bet in taking Karack down - the only problem is getting up there...

Dungeon reference: (Imagine some torches and no exit.)



How to take part:

Spoiler:

1. See/hear the message played across all worlds.
2. Teleport or stumble across the dungeon waiting hall, where players are gathering.
3. Note General Leon's speech.
4. Enter the boss fight - join in!

Please be respectful of other roleplayers, mention other players attacking but make sure not to GM players into doing something not mentioned in their posts - you can use NPCs for that.

In a weeks time (Next Friday/Saturday) a 'winner' will be chosen and the next few floors will unlock!

[Claire*]

Elise Vivian Molyneux

Level 11

Elise shuddered upon the impact of the Goblin’s pickaxe coming down with ferocious force on her shield. Her virtual muscles strained under the collision, her brain a whole other world away coordinating their actions and reactions. Elise couldn’t help but smile. Here she was, in an almost pitch black cave, nothing but fluorescent crystals in the ceiling and the Goblin’s fire to guide her, a horde of enemies ready to ruthlessly cut her down where she stood and end this life; yet, she couldn’t help but smile. This was living, not laying on a bed being attended to by your doting mother who asked you if you were okay every ten minutes. Her sword, her shield and her legs. This was all that Elise had right now and it was all that she needed.

She spied Krissu materialize from the shadows, her stealth skill dissipating. Elise had a hard time spying her through her own preoccupation with the enemy, but Krissu seemed to be holding her own. She couldn’t help but be jealous of her stealth skill at this time, if she had a decent enough one herself, they probably could have avoided this fight altogether. Yet, here they were. Krissu dispatched one foe as the fragments of data illuminated the cave for a split second. Elise turned to her own and with a quick vertical slash, drained the health bar of the enemy she had initially hit with her shield. Another burst of data, another split second of white light that cast ghastly shadows of those in the cave.

Her distraction from checking on Krissu cost her, another Goblin lunged from behind and raked her with its weapon across the small of her back. Elise turned, one leg tucked up against her bottom, almost like the pirouette of a ballerina, and deflected the pickaxe before it could do more damage while also bringing up her shield beneath its chin causing the Goblin to stumble back into one of its own. Two down, one dispatched each by Krissu and Elise respectively, three to go. She readied another sword art, one of her mid range abilities she had recently picked up. [Guardian’s Wish] Her shield glowed a faint pale blue, her legs propelled her forward, sword held out in front of her to pierce. It almost resembled that of an ancient knight on horseback with a shield and lance, minus the horse of course.

She made contact with the Goblin on the far left; her shield throwing it straight up in the air and its body crashing into the ceiling of the cave, shaking loose debris before falling to the ground in an eruption of data. Three down. The other Goblins took advantage of her preoccupation with their now fallen comrade, they lunged and struck her simultaneously on the slightly weaker armor of her shoulders. Elise quickly cast a glance at her health bar to discover it was now about half way drained. She took in the whereabouts of Krissu and with a kick that took more effort than she hoped, pushed one of the Goblins stumbling in her direction. Hopefully if they split these up it would be over much quicker.

“Heads up Krissu! Got an ugly one headed your way!” Elise shouted to her as she turned to face down her final opponent. A vaincre sans péril, on triomphe sans gloire.

[Khawill]

Fester and Rose

"Dear god Rose did you hear that! They've discovered another boss, indeed we must take part." Fester yelled, voice echoing down the caves.

"Are you sure I am strong enough, I don't want to die..." Rose was quiet nervous, even if everyone in the cave went, she wouldn't feel safe. "May e we should stay and see what's behind this door."

"Nonsence! I missed the last few andIll be damned if I miss this one!" He turned and started running toward the entrance, "I'll go with or without you! There is something to kill, and it isn't behind that door." Rose tried hard to catch up.

"But Fester you don't know the way out..." She yelled. SE saw him begin to glow and eventually disappear. "He used a teleportation crystal!?" She became angry, and then scared. She pulled out her own and sighed, "I hope I don't die from this." Her heart was racing as she was ported to the floor's teleporters area. She sawFester standing there terrified.

"I seem to have forgotten this devil of nature..." He was petrified, "Please tell me there is another way."

Rose sighed, although this meant she wouldn't have to do the boss, it also meant they were stuck there. "Hey if I went you." She said kindly, and soothingly, "and faced my fear, then surely you can face your own."

Fester shook his head, "You are but a program, and thus you have no emotion but the one bestowed upon you by your maker!" He stayed still.

Rose sighed, "Fine I'll go kill that boss myself, since that was what I was programmed to do." She walked to the teleporters and took a deep breath. Before she could pick floor 5 she saw a blur and a quick teleportation. She laughed and teleported to the floor. She saw Fester standing on the other side, in a heroic pose. "So you decided to come huh?"

"No NPC will kill my target!" He boasted, "I am the hero here!" Rose saw a crowd gathering near a cave.

"Fester is that the place there?" He nodded and they walked forward.

Rose heard a man speaking, though they came at mid sentence, "to overcome this beast. Do not make yourself a liability, you may not get a chance to redeem yourself."

"Tell me Rose." Fester said seriously, "Do you think you are ready for this? You have not been a liability to me yet, though I would hate for you to be one now."

Rose nodded, "I think I am."

This would be Fester's second boss, he knew the dangers of them, "I will not be able to carry you, the most I can do is warn you. From the moment we enter to the moment it is over, you have to be able to work on your own. Do you understand?" Fester didn't know if the Npc could handle it, and failing his first quest would be an insult to him.

Rose took out her greatsword, it was level 8 but she trusted her own skill, "I understand, now let's go I'm getting very bored out here."

They stood and behold as the doors open, Rose looked up at Fester who starred focused at what lied inside. She had never seen him so focused to kill something before, and it put fear in her heart. Fester asked one more question that shook her up even more, "You're not an Npc are you." He never even looked at her. "I can't explain why, but somehow you are a real person." He began walking toward the door, "I promise not to let you die." Rose felt guilty and safe, hopefully he could keep that promise.

The Boss Battle
All the players had begun battling, Fester readied his weapon. "Rose you see that large brute over there?" Rose nodded, how could she not, "Well hitting it anywhere but the face is useless, I've payed games with blokes like him before. I have no wish to endanger you or myself by going head on. So her is the plan." They circled around the room, carefully to avoid the massive swings of the giant. "The name of the game is support, we need to help these AIs get the head."

"What about getting the final loot? We only get that if we get the last hit, even if an AI gets it." Rose said, she didn't want to come here for nothing.

"Which do you want, your life or petty armor pieces. All we need is the thrill of the kill, the experience, and most importantly to get you your first boss kill." Fester said, they continued dodging and running. "If you are lucky maybe you can get the last hit. If I get it, then yo may have the item."

Rose nodded, "So what is the detailed plan. how are we going to help?"

"What do we know about the beasts." Fester asked, he was trying to decide how to help.

"Well he lives in this cave... He has a huge head and he is tall." She thought carefully, trying to think of less obvious things. "Since he is so big, and slow, then maybe his back is the safest area to be at! He can not turn around fast enough and we could just slash at him all day!" Rose had thought she found the loophole to this boss, his weakness.

"How simplistic, though good thinking. You fail to remember that this is a game, surely he has some sort of stomp or ground slam to prevent that strategy." Rose had not thought of that, she felt embarrassed. "Though a distance behind him would be relatively safe, so let's stay there instead of constantly running about." They sprinted behind the hulking beast and Fester continued, "Now look at the cave he inhabits, you see how dark it is?"

"Yea and there are torches so we can see."

"Now since this is a game, think. Why would there be torches, rather than a hole in the roof or fire braziers?" Rose couldn't answer. "You ever been in a dark room for hours and gone into sunlight? You know how much it hurts?"

"Yeah, but how does that relate..."

Fester interrupted "Well it is because your eyes are sensitive to the light due to darkness. So let's assume this monster lives in this dark cave, would it not be sensitive to light? If so then the torches must be here as an assistance method." Rose looked at Fester in awe, he had figured all of that out just by looking at some torches. "Granted, I have no idea if I'm correct, I suppose if I'm wrong then we may die here."

Rose grabbed a torch off the wall, "Then you must be right, because we are not oing to die here." She didn't look at him and as soon as she got the torch she ran in front of the monster. "Hey! You big ape, look at this." She waved the torch in front of it. Fester watched and noticed something he didn't take into account, the monster wasn't weak to light, it was distracted by it. The beast was now targeting Rose.

"Rose stop! Your attracting it's attention!" He yelled. He took a torch of the wall and also ran near the boss, just within range of his eyesight. Fester waved his torch, "Hey look over here! I have some light for you." Fester dodged a punch. "Come on look at me, I am not even slightly hurt." Rose joined in, both were trying to distract the monster from the other. Fester yelled at the others in the room, "Someone go for the head!"

[Leaf Storm]

Leilani Estefania Juarez Garcia
Floor 5 - Mount Lost | Level: 6

Still shaking…her heart continued to pound. Leila continued to stare at the boy, Dante, whom she still doesn’t know the name yet… and his girl, walking ahead and away from the crowded area. She felt ill from the heart, not feeling the way she feels before: downhearted. She never had a guy like Dante come over her like that, and her mind will never be filled with the same thoughts and memories again.

Finally, she stood up. She brushed dirt off her knees for kneeling on the floor. It’s been a long time now and Ollie still hasn’t responded. It’s too much already. Leila opened her messages, she still finds her message she sent on her folder. Where could Ollie be? Leila could have sworn that Ollie told her that he’d be here. He even told her at the Buffalo dinner meeting.

Leila [Solo-Player]
Level: 6
Health: 100%

“Am I ready to fight to find him?” She questioned herself. There were no excuses whatsoever. Many of the players are heading in to defeat the boss, in which, according to Dante, there should be one, and the dungeons have been unlocked already. Even though, she is very close to leveling up.

With one hand holding one of the daggers, Leila started to walk, following a guild heading towards the mountain. A wooden bridge, being walked on a lot, leaded towards the next mountain. She immediately turned to around, hearing a cry from the sky. Oh no, really? She thought, taking out her right-sided dagger. Before stepping up on the wooden bridge, a dangerous white bird flew above her. Cawing at her, and swoosh right back towards her. Leila locked her eyes at the hideous white bird, and takes out her left-handed dagger.

“Speed, UP!” Leila called, dashing away from the bridge as she tries to dodge the near-fatal blow from the bird. The bird was quick enough for her, faster than the previous monsters she had beaten in previous floors. This was it for Leila, as the hardest monsters were right here at this floor.

I can do this. If I can beat the monsters from previous floors, I can beat this one. Just gotta…

Leila screamed as she jumped to throw a slice at the white bird, with the bird squealing with pain, using both daggers to double the kill, and slashing them out of the body. The bird cried as it fell under the bridge, and was deleted on sight…in bits and bytes.

The bird was a level higher than Leila, which earned her more skill points….causing her to level-up finally.

Level up!
Leila [Solo-Player]
Level: 7

Congratulations!

Two more of those birds, and she’ll be up at Level 8. She looked up at the almost-gray sky, with the virtual wind blowing her hair and red bow back. Leila sighed, as she starts to walk on the wooden bridge, heading towards the dungeon.

[Red's Hawt Chibi Pelippers]

KRISSU

As expected, Elise was definitely holding her own. Krissu took a moment to breathe as she watched the fighter dispatch of another goblin.

“Heads up Krissu! Got an ugly one headed your way!”

The sudden shout made Krissu jump, and then a goblin came running at her, swinging its mining pick. Krissu's instinctive reaction in Aincrad was never to jump away. She was not a speed player. Instead, she usually brought her broadsword up to block an incoming attack. But now there was no time. In the nick of time, she bent backwards and the mining pick just barely missed her face. She fell down backwards on the cave floor with a thud. The cave's ceiling was a number of meters above her, glimmering from the mildly fluorescent crystals that hung here and there, and in the light from the now forgotten campfire. It was quite beautiful. Krissu guessed that if she would die here and now, it would be a rather nice sight to have on her eyes.

But she wouldn't die. Not to some silly goblins. Not to anything! Her whole existence here was to prove something - to prove that she could become great at something of her own choosing. That she could go her own way, without someone to tell her what to do.

The goblin shrieked and made a move with the mining pick that was eerily similar to Krissu's [Swing Down]. Krissu felt her own weapon in her hand. She couldn't easily lift it with one hand - she wasn't meant to be able to. But she didn't want to follow the rules of others. She would make her own rules in this game. That was what meant something.

As in slow motion, she pulled up the sword with only her right hand. At the same time, the mining pick was traveling down through the air, heading straight for her chest. There was no time. There was no space. There was only the sword in Krissu's hand and the glimmering ceiling above. And the guillotine that came closer and closer to her living, breathing body for every nanosecond. Then, realization hit her - it was too late.

The mining pick pierced her chest and made pieces of red data flow out into the air. Krissu gasped, the goblin laughed. It didn't really hurt - pain luckily wasn't realistically implemented in SAO. But the knowledge of this being perhaps a fatal wound, that knowledge hurt. She watched her health bar rapidly decreasing in the top left periphery of her sight. Decreasing... Wasn't she at level 9? Shouldn't she be able to handle goblins like this? Why was something wrong? How...

Red. So close to death, here as well as in the real world. The goblin kept laughing as he thrust the weapon deeper into her body, letting more red light out. Her life essence.

"Eli... Help!" she breathed.

((OOC: planned for Raikiri to post after this, so you know, Claire~))

[Raikiri]

Reinhard Ossur (Level 14)- Floor 4

The dark, twisted caverns of the dungeon were becoming something of an annoyance to Reinhard as he navigated the various pathways with his map barely being serviceable at the moment. In a very poor rookie mistake, he took a wrong turn in a vain attempt to explore a different area of the dungeon. Despite all the time spent on floor 4, Reinhard never fully explored the dungeon, finding the design troublesome and cliche. Too annoyed to turn around, Reinhard kept going straight, hoping to bump into someone or something. Light would help too. Any light really. An exit would be divine, but Reinhard rid himself of such notions as hope and fortune. The only way he would find someone at this point if there were stupid enough to wander in the less traversed sections of the cave off the main entrance. What was the term for people like that? Hipsters?

Regardless, Reinhard kept walking, occasionally checking his map for any possible ideas of where to go, not that if it offered much help. "Great, I'm officially lost," Reinhard said with a sigh as slid down against the wall before plopping down to the ground. Going through his inventory, Reinhard took the opportunity to heal with one of the several potions he had brought with him (he never entered a dungeon without some healing items) and eat some of the rations he brought with him. Because of his low cooking skill, the meal was lackluster in taste, but it did its job. Eating in the dark was humbling though. In hindsight, a torch would of been a worthwhile investment. After eating, Reinhard decided a rest would be welcome, though it was hard to get comfortable in the solemn dark embrace of the caves. A sigh of depression left his lungs as his mind wandered. Being trapped in a video game was a struggle to accept, but he admittedly enjoyed the idea in the beginning. It was an excuse to leave his pitiful existence in the real world and start anew, but he found himself in the same state. Alone. Always alone. His eyelids grew heavy and Reinhard was drifting into a dream world…

"-elp!"

Reinhard was stirred away by the sound echoing through the halls. Using his listening skill like earlier, Reinhard found the source. It was deja vu all over again. The sounds of battle weren't too far, making it something of an oddity that he didn't notice it earlier. Using his speed skill, Reinhard followed the sounds of battle and cackles of goblins and closed in to the fight, bearing witness to a goblin driving a pickaxe into a girl's chest, laughing as he did it.

But then the laughter ended.

With a singular slash of his sword, Reinhard used his Called Shot sword art that targeted a single point and aimed for a critical hit, and lobbed off the head of the goblin as it disappeared in a flash of light, pickaxe and all. Reinhard, seeing the other girl in the group was holding her own without much difficulty, knelt down to the other and pulled out another one of his health potions (leaving him with only one left) and shoved the potion in her mouth, forcing her to drink it.

"There. You won't be dying today. You can thank me later."

[CarefulWetPaint]

Dante Farefyre, Floor 5, Level 17

Sona was still clinging to Dante's arm as they walked into town, the sun slowly beginning to set.
“Shall we get to business then?” Sona asked Dante leaning into his arm and tightening her grip a little bit.
Smiling Dante replied to Sona, softly touching her right hand. “Yes beautiful, lets grab a seat and we'll discuss it.” They found a free bench in the middle of the towns square and began conversing on their business.

“So you want me to find you the best places to sell all of the stuff you got today and you want me to find you the best blacksmith?” Sona said looking deeply into Dante's heterochromatic eyes.
“Yes my lady, you are the best informant in the game aren't you?” A cheeky smile started to show on Dante's face.
Standing up Sona grabbed Dante's hand and wrapped her fingers between his. Smiling, she pulled him up. “Of course I am Dante, shall we go so I can get my payment quicker.” She winked as she said “payment”. Dante softly chuckled at this.
“Don't worry beautiful, I want to get this done as quick as possible so we can get to the payment as well. It'll be the same as always?”
“Yes it will, you'll be mine from when we are done to the next morning.”
“And my usual 10% of all my profits tip for you.” Dante said this as he looked deeply into Sona's dark blue eyes, which had white streaks like lightning bolts flickering through them.
“You really don't need to do that Dante.” Sona said as she blushed, though her stare didn’t wain.
“But I want to truly reimburse you for your work, and spending time with me isn't fair enough at all.” Breaking their eye contact, Sona now turned and began walking towards a merchant.

The door closed with a clank as the couple walked out of the blacksmith in which had provided Dante with his new sword, a very well made high end sword for Dante's level. The two both looked very happy as they turned to each other a few steps from the door.
“Here's the first part of your payment beautiful.” After sending over the 6.3k payment, Sona began clinging to his arm again.
“And now for the rest.” Sona replied with a large smile on her face. She lightly smacked his behind as they started walking back towards the centre of town.

The couple continued chatting together like a normal couple, with some flirting added in every now and then as they made their way to a restaurant that she had recommended. During dinner the flirting escalated slightly, creating a slightly more romantic atmosphere between the two.
“It's fairly late now, shall we go back to a nice room now Dante?” Sona asked after finishing her dessert. Agreeing Dante paid the cheque for their dinner and the pair left.
“Lead the way my love.” Dante said chivalrously as he held open the door to the restaurant, allowing Sona to walk out first. Wrapping her hand is his, she directed Dante to a nice inn.
“This will be fine handsome.” She suggestively said as she moved in closer to his body.

After getting the best room available, Dante and Sona retired to it to continue their night together. Slowly getting out of bed in the morning, careful not the wake Sona, Dante dressed himself before hearing a loud voice outside. This could be it. Slowly opening the curtain not to let to much light in Dante looked to the sky to see the message he had been waiting for. “Floor 5's Dungeon Boss has been located!” Yes, this is it! Excitement flooded into Dante's body as he quietly closed the curtain again. He walked towards a slumbering Sona after leaving a message cube on the bed side counter and leaned in closely to her face. “I've got to go now gorgeous.” He said sweetly, kissing her on the forehead after he had finished the sentence. After quietly leaving the room with the sleeping Sona inside he activated his teleport crystal, appearing in front of the dungeon where everyone had began gathering.

[Claire*]

Elise Vivian Molyneux

Level 12

Yellow, it was always such a bombastic color. So loud and in your face. Elise was never fond of yellow. She hated it even more in this game, the only color she hated more was red. Yellow was a bad omen of the things to come, the way your life was quantified in ones and zeros of the sadistic creator. She often wondered if the creator now knew how God felt. He was the puppeteer of a great theater, pulling strings and making people abide by his rules and bidding. In essence, he is a God. A creator of worlds and the virtual bodies they now possessed. As she turned to face her final opponent, Elise wondered if the creator of this world was watching this particular fight, if he even payed attention to individual players. Did he even feel the slightest bit invested in the people trapped here? All she knew, was that she was in the yellow.

Krissu’s voice broke Elise’s battle focus and now long abstract thoughts. She couldn’t quite make out what Krissu had said, the only thing that made it through were the words “Help!”

Elise turned to find her companion. She had to help her, she had promised to keep her safe. Did she kill the Goblin already and stumble on to something worse? It shouldn’t have given her too much of a hassle. It took her a split second to see that the Goblin was in fact very much alive and at this rate, more so than Krissu was going to be. Elise flashed her vision to see Krissu’s health bar in her peripheral. She had moved far past the bad omen stage and right into the be prepared to meet the creator phase.

Again Elise’s diversion of attention led to the other Goblin having a choice opportunity. Another blow of the pickaxe chipped away at her own health. She had to help Krissu, she just wasn’t sure how. The unthinkable happened. A shadow emerged from their shared passageway, the one that just Krissu and her had been sharing for all this time. A shadow much larger than either of them could have made. This shadow was a salvation. With one quick stroke, the Goblin’s head had been removed and it’s body dissipated in a burst of light. Whoever it was, they didn’t mean them any harm at least.

Elise didn’t see what happened after that, she turned her attention back to her own assailant and drove her sword through it with satisfactory vigor. It too erupted in shards of data.

Congratulations!
Level up!
11->12

Elise didn’t care about her increase in level. She ran over to where Krissu had fallen, the shadow revealing itself to be a man. His form was stocky, broad shoulders and a build that dwarfed her in comparison. He was kneeling next to Krissu and had shoved a potion into her mouth. He had done what she couldn’t. This was all her fault, she had kicked that Goblin towards Krissu, she had promised to tag along and make sure she was safe. She hardly even knew the girl, but she had almost cost Krissu her life.

Elise wore an impenetrable facade, her face steely and not letting on to the turmoil that was bubbling beneath the surface. It was odd, she was thankful for the newcomer and his saving Krissu, but she was also the slightest bit upset for him doing her job. Her look at the man was probably more of a glare than she had intended, her look of appraisal was often intense and hard to read.

“Uh...thanks,” Elise said to man as she sat down on her knees next to Krissu, her attention going back to the other girl. “Krissu, you ok?”

[CarefulWetPaint]

Dante Farefyre, Floor 5 - Boss Battle, Level 17.

The entrance to the boss room was now buzzing with players who came to defeat the boss and continue their dream to get back to the real world. Everyone in the cave also held the hopes of all the players who didn't participate in the clearing and instead supplied the players who were clearer’s. After a minute of waiting he saw Leon, a general of the Knights of Blood whom Dante had between two boss's with already. I wonder if he'll be leading the Knights in this battle, Dante thought as the two looked and acknowledge each other with a nod.

"The beaters have informed me of what lies beyond this door!" Everyone was becoming rowdy as Leon spoke. It's probably going to be slightly different then what we faced in the beta test, "We're going to need speed and strength to overcome this beast. Do not make yourself a liability, you may not get a chance to redeem yourself." Dante had already made his way to the front of the door, players who recognised him moving out of his way as he walked there. “Dante, you took a while to get here, that's rare.” A familiar voice said.
“Hello Leon. I know, I had some business to attend too.” Replied Dante, turning to see Leon standing there looking relieved. “Don't worry, I wouldn't miss a boss battle Leon.”
“That's good to hear. Let's begin this.” Leon stated as he pushed open the door to reveal the dimly lit chamber.

“What the hell is that massive thing!” A worried player said as the guilds all began to form up around the massive boss that was slowly beginning to stand up in the middle of the room. Dante walked up to the front line, standing alone between the Black Cats and Knights of Blood. The room had become filled with voices of scared players and guild leaders barking orders at their subordinates before a harsh sounding roar drowned the players out.
“ATTACK!” Ordered Leon as the Knights began attacking the massive boss, Karack the Bone-Crusher was its name. Following the Knights the other guilds also began their battle with the beast with solo players who had partied up with other solo players also joining in. Dante had also joined the battle, slicing down Karack's forearm after dodging a slow but strong punch, to do only a little damage.

That was a lot less damage than I expected, this is different to the Beta test, his defence is much higher. Dante dropped back to the back to rethink his strategy as the guilds continue attacking Karack's arms and leg's, the boss' health dropping much slower than expected. I need to get to his head, being this tall it's probably his weak point since it's hard to reach. Dante thought this as a player flew past him after barely being able to block a punch from Karack. More players were now beginning to get thrown about as panic was starting to set in from Karack's higher than expected defence. The guild leader's were struggling to get their subordinates back in formation as Karack continued too swat away attackers, his health now nearing the end of it's first bar.
He's still slow though, I'm surprise so many people are still getting hit.. wait what are those two doing?

Dante was astonished too see a person run in front of Karack, holding a torch. Does she realise it's attracted to light.. I guess not. Another player also had a torch and was now waving it furiously, taking the attention away from the first player. The second player seemed to be having a little easier of time as he dodge a punch. This'll work. Dante activated his speed skill and sprinted between the two player's waving the torches, leaving behind a slight dust trail. Getting between Karack's legs Dante jumped horizontally landing with both his feet together on it's left leg. Activating [Armor Pierce] as he pushed off using his speed skill again he plunged his blade into Karack's right leg, doing recognisable damage. [Crescent Slash], the purple trail left behind by Dante's blade marked out the shape of a crescent moon as he pulled his blade through to Karack's groin. Dante pulled his blade out while Karack dropped to his right knee letting out a groan of pain. The guilds had now regained their composure seeing Karack on his knee and began another all out attack, Karack's health now dropping slightly quicker than before as more attack's were hitting their marks.

Now at the boss' back Dante finally saw his opportunity,I can climb that.Activating his speed again Dante jumped and began running up Karack's back. 5 Strikes broke into the back of Karack's neck as Dante activated [Blade Hammer]. Below other player's were still attacking Karack, more organised now that the boss was still on it's knee. Dante brought down his blade with as much force as possible, using all his strength and activating [Vorpal Strike], hitting the back of Karack's neck again, right on it's spin now. A loud bellow was released from Karack, it's rage now building as wild strikes were beginning to be throw by it.

[Khawill]

Fester and Rose
The room was chaotic, as soon as players had noticed that Fester and Rose were distracting the monster, they caught on to the weak point. "Rose, we need to start attacking."

"What happened to distracting and helping?" Ross eased confused.

"Look, that beast is under no circumstance distracted by us now. What we need to do is whither it's health down with these computers." He wielded his sword, "When he swings I'll jump on his arm and onto his shoulder, then we will substitute and you get him with your sword." Rose nodded, but no sooner did her head move than did Fester activate his speed skill. Rose prepared her sword. God help me.

The monster lifted his arm to swing at another player, the monster was beginning to enrage. Fester timed his jump and was able to jump off the monster's forearm. He substituted Rose in. "Take this you big ape." One two three, four rapid swings at the monster's head.

"Rose jump down! Take cover!" Rose looked down at Fester and jumped off the monster landing behind him. A small amount of fall damage prompted her to take a potion. "Good show doll, though you hardly did a thing," Rose sighed, more insulting compliments, "Furthermore your sword is terrible and you do no sword skills." He stopped for a moment to check his inventory.

"Fester this isn't the time to be checking your stats..."

"I'm looking for a sword, let's see, here we are! I found this off a random mob,was going to sell it but..." He opened trade with Rose and they traded weapons, "I suppose I can sell other stuff. Now let's repeat my strategy, all of these chaps will certainly distract from us."

"What if it doesn't?"

"Well lets hope it does."

[machomuu]

Daniel Williamson / Level 10
Floor 4: Dysthaven

After Fester left, something...unexpected happened. The two others who were with Daniel started to shine, and then, from them came lights that levitated in the air. It was rather similar to what previously happened to Daniel, only instead of the Golem Ore levitating, it was light. The symbol on the wall reacted, lighting up in a similar fashion as before. However, this time something different happened. The symbol continued to shine, even after Ranzatsu and Jet's lights began to fade. Daniel's breath became faster, and his pupils dilated as the symbol, as well as the door, started to crack. Daniel's normal reaction would have been to grab the two and get outta there, but he was paralyzed. It was not magic that held him, nor was it fear; it was excitement. While his face showed incredible fear, he was excited beyond belief; he could not wait to find out what was behind the door.

The door began to crumble and Daniel was conflicted. Should he relish in his curiosity or save the others? It may sound like there was a clear cut answer, but this was the type of phenomenon that Daniel had always hoped for. Regardless, it was too late. The door had completely crumbled and there was nothing standing between the group and the mystery that laid ahead. Daniel held his breathe, the excitement and fear was mounting, yet all he did was stare into the dust cloud that floated up from the door's remains. However, what came from the door first was not a person nor was it a monster; it was a sound. Someone was clapping inside, the type of slow clap that one would hear in movies.

"You all did well to get here, congratulations," said a deep-voiced male from within the room. "There lay one more trial ahead of you." Once the smoke cleared, there could be seen a man sitting on a wooden stool in a large blue room colored with lustrous crystals. Next to the man was a somewhat large ellipse, probably an egg. "You all came this far, so you deserve a reward, correct? You did defeat the guardian after all, it must not have been an easy feat at your strength."

Daniel was still reluctant to enter the room, however pleasant the man may have been. It was likely a trap, and yet, it felt more like there was no reason for him to worry. He was oddly calm, but paradoxically cautious. At this, the man simply laughed. "Fine then, if you all won't come in then I'll have to take you by force." The man snapped his fingers and the entrance to the room expanded and closed behind the three, assuring that they had no way out. "Now that you're here, I have something important to tell you." The man stood up from the stool he was sitting on and knocked it to the ground, reducing its durability to zero. "I'm dying. I'm dying and I need someone to take care of my daughter, Tara." Daniel lowered his guard and untightened his expression at hearing this, ready to listen to what the man had to say.

"If she's anything like her mother, she'll be feisty, but she'll be dependent and shy. Years back, I took refuge in a cave, this very cave, to study genetics in solitude. Not long after I met the love of my life, and we conceived thereafter. Unfortunately, something...something went wrong." The man paused for a moment, and then he coughed rather violently. "Wyrm blood. Specifically that of El Diablo, the strongest of the Demenio Dragon Species. I studied it, and I tried to see if a human could gain various properties of a wyrm. It would be amazing if we could harbor the ability to contain various elements, gain immense strength, or even fly!" His once vibrant, animated demeanor quickly filled with melancholy. "I tried it on myself. My wife, Petra, decided that she would not allow me to take on such a dangerous operation alone, so I tested it on her as well..." He looked away, his eyes starting to water. "It was unbelievable...we were able to run faster, think more efficiently...at one point, we were even able to grow and retract wings on a whim." He then looked to the egg. "When Petra laid this egg, it could fit in my palm. We were, of course, surprised that an egg was laid by a human." He made an even longer pause for a moment, biting his lip and closing his eyes. "Then, one morning, I tried to wake Petra...only to find that the genes tore her apart. I felt like my life was over, like half of me had been killed...if I had only noticed sooner..." Streams of blood started to pour from the man's lip. Tears started to roll down from his eyes uncontrollably. He put his hand over his eyes to hide his tears, though he could not hide his hiccups and sniffles. It was truly a pathetic sight for such an elaborate man, and even he knew this. "I remained here, knowing that the same fate would befall me, so I conjured a Golem Del Diablo to find someone...anyone strong enough and compassionate enough to care for my daughter. I don't want her to grow up not having known the love of a mother or a father..." Again, he paused, more as if to think than as if to cry. "That is why I am entrusting my sweet Tara to the three Sons of Seraph, the Golem Slayers. You three will take care of my daughter in my absence, and in doing such a favor you will gain glorious treasure as well as my eternal gratitude." His face then gained a stark and terrifying expression, gazing upon the three with anxiety, grief, and anger. "But...there is one final test."

The man started to shake uncontrollably. He put his hand on his biceps on each side, gripping them as hard as he possibly could. Something seemed to be...protruding from his back. Whatever it was started growing and growing until his clothes could no longer stand it and burst. A large pair of wyrm wings were now connected to him. Then, in a similar fashion, his legs started to grow, taking him from being 5'11 to about 8'0. They became large, brown, and scaled, with large black fangs on the feet. His arms and torso did the same. His hair seemed to be flowing bacl into his skull and his face became larger. His teeth grew to a terrifying size and sharpness, and he grew two large horns on his head. Once the transformation was done, he was no longer human; he was a Demenio. Daniel was filled the sadness from the tale he just heard, even if it was just an NPC. At the same time, he was filled with anger, incredible anger, the events from his first encounter with a wyrm flashing through his mind, and he gripped his sword harder and harder. He looked to Ranzatsu, and he looked to Jet, and then he looked to the unborn Tara. As cliche as it sounded to him, he needed to protect them all, and he needed to end the man's suffering.

[Leaf Storm]

Leilani Estefania Juarez Garcia
Floor 5 - Mount Lost | Level: 7

Winds of the outside started to whistle stronger, blowing through Leila. Standing there as she continued to glance at the next mountain down, from the wooden bridge right in front of her. She waited for more of the white hideous birds that came toward her, which served her main purpose of leveling up to where she was now. Another caw was heard from above, but it flew over Leila rather than dive towards her. She pointed her left sharp dagger at the bird as it continued to fly away. Then she took the dagger down, but she didn’t place it back at her side pocket.

“This way!” cried a voice from behind the trees, then other voices were followed. Leila stared at the forest clearing, as the voices came near. She then placed one dagger away in her pocket, as she started to take her first step on the bridge.

“AHHHHHH!”

Leila heard a roar rather than a caw this time. One player from the coming voices in the forest ran out with fear. Wearing a white vest & armor and light teal pants, and boots. He also sported a Greatsword. He quickly eyed Leila, immediately assuming she was part of someone’s guild. He hesitated to come up to her.

“You gotta help us!” The player muttered, “A goblin is attacking my party!

“Inside the forest?” Leila asked, pulling her second dagger out.

“Yes! Ahhh!” The player screamed as he hides behind the wooden bridge’s wall. For Leila, that wasn’t what a warrior supposed to be when it comes to facing monsters. She rolled her eyes at the man, and opened her menu.

She decided to activate a few of her modes in order to help out. Quickly, she swiftly switched through…

Leila [Solo-Player]
Health – 92%
Level – 7

Daggers – 2
[Use] [Do Not Use]

Speed – Skill
[Activate] [Ignore]

Then, she eyed a skill she hadn’t seen before. It was Speed Sword. She may have obtained that skill after leveling up. She realized that now.

Speed Sword
[Use] [Do Not Use]

Hmm… Immediately, she pressed [Use], at the window. Suddenly, both her daggers grew three inches. Her daggers depicted as swords, but they’re still classified as daggers in the game.

A loud roar was heard once again, and Leila’s speed skill was activated, and so was her new attack power for her daggers. Leila dashed inside the forest, leaving the coward player behind. Passing by every tree, bush, leaf, where she stepped on foot in the past while heading to the wooden bridge, following the roar and the screams of the player’s group. After a minute of sprinting through the forest, she found the group of players in the middle of the forest, with a giant green goblin thrashing two players at the time holding the two players and throwing them towards the ground. As Leila’s speed skill sprinted her towards the goblin, she took out her two daggers and points them at the goblin. It was a big WOOSH to the players being thrashed, all wearing the same uniform as the young player left behind. There were at least 5, and all of them stood back from the goblin and from Leila, just for safety. Three of them took out their swords, prepared to fight back.

Leila then gave the goblin another blow, with one eye on it, and another on the health meter…slowly dropping towards the halfway mark. She then quickly glanced at the other players, willing to fight. “You guys advance to the dungeon, I’ll take care of this!”

“We will!” one of the players said as he puts away his sword. “Our leader ran away from us anyways!”

Uh… Leila twitched a bit, becoming distracted from the comment. Suddenly the goblin slaps her using his large arm, sending Leila far away from it. She squealed during the fallback, and slammed her body to the ground. Her health deteriorated, 1/3 of what it was before.

After the players had moved on, Leila got up and reactivated her speed skill to return to the goblin. Holding her two daggers again, she sprinted back towards the goblin. But it turned out that one of the guild players had stayed. A brown-haired, pale-skinned teenage boy Leila immediately recognized, but instead of him seeing his casual clothing, he was in the white and light-teal armor.

“Ollie?”

The player turned around, it was indeed Ollie with his sword. But it became distracting for him. The goblin didn’t take any chance in thrashing him. He grabbed him, squeezing his fragile body, and slamming him to the hard-solid ground. Leila gasped at what she just saw. Her anger rose, as she had her eyes locked at the goblin. With her speed skill, she sprinted towards it, avoiding what would be a deadly thrash from the goblin. She used both daggers to slash both its legs, creating two lines of bits and bytes seen. Its health level was finally falling, to the point that one more blow would finish it.

“Hang in there, Ollie!” Leila cried, quickly glancing at the injured player. Her health wasn’t sounding too well either, down at 34%. A thrash from the goblin would kill her for sure. “Another blow like that and we’re done for!”

The goblin kept his eye on Leila, starting to run towards it. Her two daggers were already out, and pointed towards it. Even though she is weak already, she still managed to sprint again. As she cuts through the goblin’s legs once again, creating a much larger opening, the goblin roared…falling down to the ground. Leila dashed away from the goblin, as it dissolved itself, exploding with bits and bytes flying around.

Leila sighed with huge relief. The huge goblin was finally defeated, and not even a guild couldn’t defeat it. She turned around to the other side of the clearing. Something was missing…or rather, someone. There was no sign of Ollie anywhere.

“Ollie?” Leila called out. “Ollie, did you leave?”

No sound was made anywhere, but it immediately hit her. He passed. Not knowing thereafter, as she concentrated on killing the goblin. The forest was quiet once again, and her health was very low. Leila fell down to her knees, dropping both of her daggers on the ground. Then, several windows popped up, many of them were related to the battle.

Level up!

Leila [Solo-Player]
Health – 17%
Level – 8

Congratulations!

Item Found!
Blue Bracelet
[Pick up] [Leave]

“Ollie’s bracelet…” Leila said to herself, she pressed [Pick up], and hugged it right after, knowing that she had lost a true friend in the game. Then, she placed her hand on the virtual ground, where Ollie stood, preparing to fight the goblin. Tears strolled down her eyes, falling on her upper knees and onto one of her daggers…feeling despair towards her one and only friend. She reached to the point that she will never forgive herself.

[Garet]

Jet Stryker / Level 13 - Floor 4/Dysthaven

Moments after his question, the katana-man and the girl left to go take part in the boss fight, from what they said. "We probably should--" Jet started, then stopped. A light had just come off him; looking around revealed that one had come from the martial artist as well. The symbol on the door was lit up as well, even after the two lights disappeared. When the symbol and the door began cracking and crumbling, Jet backed up a step, pulling his daggers out. This hadn't begun until after the katana-man and girl had left...with the symbol, it seemed like this was happening because the three of them had defeated the Golem.

Not sure it's a good thing. Jet backed up another step, now slightly behind Daniel as the door finished crumbling. Yet, it was in his nature to explore. This was something new to him, and Jet felt an urge to stick around. Not to mention that the door was just a pile of rubble and dust now. What came out of the door was...clapping. Jet watched as the smoke and dust cleared to reveal the room inside, with a man on a stool and - was that an egg? Nothing was immediately attacking them, so Jet slowly sheathed one dagger and pulled off his sunglasses, hazel eyes darting around to look at the room. Just the man, the stool, the egg, and the deep blue room with crystals. Still, if there's one more trial--

Then the man snapped his fingers, and the room expanded before closing behind Jet, Daniel, and the martial artist. Jet turned quickly to look at where the entrance had been, but there was no visible door. We're trapped. Teleport crystals probably won't work, either. He turned back as the man stood and began telling his story.

Jet sheathed his second dagger, leaning back against the wall with left fingers tapping and right hand holding his sunglasses. He was just sixteen, so he felt a bit uncomfortable at a few parts. The rest, though...wyrm blood, and what it could do for a person...it sounded exciting. Jet found himself wondering if PCs could do it, even though this was an NPC talking. Then he got to the part about what happened to his wife... Okay, scratch that idea. Then the three of them were called the Sons of Seraph, the Golem Slayers, and that they would take care of this man's daughter. Jet pushed off the wall abruptly, eyes wide. "Wait, you expect us to--"

He stopped short as the man began changing. Thoughts whirled through his head about what they could do, if he had to do anything before they started fighting... Bringing up his message screen, Jet hurriedly tapped out a reply to Kaiser.

To: Kaiser
Subject: Hang on a while...
You're gonna have to wait a while, Kaiser. I...I have something to attend to real quick. If I stay alive. You won't be able to come. See ya later.

It was a weird time to be sending a message, but Kaiser would be better off helping with the boss on Floor 5. After sending the message, Jet pushed his sunglasses back on his face as the Demenio stood before them, drawing his daggers back out. "Prob'ly obvious," Jet started, eyes searching the Demenio for details, "but this guy is stronger than the Golem, isn't he? Ideas?"

[PinkSapphire]

Natsumi Aido - floor 1 (starter city) - level 12

Natsumi opened the door of her house to walk to the market were the NCP'ers sold food, she still couldn't believe what had happened. Being able to live in this game was everything she had been dreaming of the last few days before the log out button magically dissapeared, then why wasn't she happy?

Natsumi bought lots of fruits and walked back home with her filled basket, walking like a real lady without noticing herself.

She opened the door of her house. In the kitchen was a table and thats were she places the fruit basket as a flashback took place in her brain.

-Flasback-

Natsumi smashed another monster and killed it in an instant, Daisuko glancing at her and nodding. "and again, An amazing win." he commented with his handsome voice. Natsumi only smiled as she stood forward the next monster. Daisuko turned his back to her and took care of the swine behind him.

"gah… i'm so hungry…" Natsumi's tummy gave a loud dying whale voice after some time. "i'm guessing my sister finished dinner, so i'll be logging out." Natsumi told Daisuke. "okay, see ya later." Daisuki gave her a warm smile and saw her opening the menu.

menu:
-Settings
-Language
-

"…where's the log out button…?" Natsumi asked but Daisuko was too busy. She checked it again, and again, and again, untill several minutes had passed.

"Come with me!" Natsumi grabbed Daisuko's hand and ran off while dragging him along. "hey! I had almost finished it!" Daisuko nagged along the way, but Natsumi didn't listen. "something is terribly wrong… and we're not gonna fight monsters, 'till i know what." Natsumi said while running back to starter city.

-Flasback end-

Natsumi found herself eating grapes as she came back with her brain, she hadn't said a word to anyone today, not even to herself. She decided to get some fresh air outside so far it's fresh in a virtual world.

As she walked around town she saw some players still freaking out about the situation, some were even crying. It's no wonder they are, they've probely lost a friend for good. Natsumi's face turned sad just thinking about the death.

[drunk ¬_¬]

Jose Aldo Blanco
Floor 1 - Starter City | Lv 7

A chill made its way across Pepe's back, as a cold bead of sweat ran down his temple.

"Floor 5's dungeon has been located?" a dumbfounded man asked, not really expecting a response, but more for the sake of just repeating what he'd just heard. The man was an ingredient salesman in Starter City, although judging by his wares, prices and the lack of customers in his shop; one could make the assumption that he was not very good one at that.

Pepe gulped. Hard.

He couldn't believe these people were actually sticking their head into the guillotine here. I mean, it was obvious that the soldiers in the front lines were dying… by the bushel, judging by the latest stats. But there they were, fighting for their freedom… damn that was dumb. In all honesty, it's nigh impossible that the boss would go down without taking at least half a dozen players with him, so you could say everyone there was playing a really messed up version of Russian Roullette.

But to each his own…

"Tamer." Pepe repeated to the dumbfounded salesman. "I need to find a Tamer."

"A-ah-I don't know any…" the man responded, taken a bit aback by the sudden question. "B-b-but I do have many g-great ingredients if you're interested." He added going back to his salesman persona.

Pepe frowned. "Thanks, but no thanks." And he turned around and made his way to the door.

"Are you sure?" he heard the salesman ask one more time, but he only waved and walked out.

After several more minutes of walking, Pepe came across a fountain, and decided to go ahead and sit on a bench while he chewed on some bread. Quique had warned him that unlike Alchemists and Smiths, no one really has much use for a Tamer's ability. "Since you need to be a Tamer yourself to control a familiar, they can't really go around selling them," he'd said. Pepe hated when he was proven wrong.

Regardless, he'd gone looking for Tamers in Celedona, Blue Village, and now even Starter City. If Tamers liked keeping to the wild, then that's where he would meet them.

And with that, Pepe wrapped his loaf of bread back into a piece of cloth, and made his way to the Starter Town portal, which would take him straight to Blue Village.

[SwiftSign]

Fester took a deep breath, "Rose are you ready?" as fearful as she looked, a simple nod gave his answer. The boss's health bar withered away as players made their assault. The monster began swing much to fast to do the same thing they did before, and Fester was thinking hard about how to get some of their hits in. He looked around, "Rose I need you to be ready, there is little room for error."

"What is your plan? Run up and attack?" She joked, assuming he wouldn't be that crazy.

"Yea why not, I'll take a chance. If I die I'll just respawn anyways." He had no humor to his tone, dead serious. The monster continued on attacking the players. Fester watched as it neared a wall, he activated his spread skill and ran toward the wall. He jumped up as he neared it and pushed off of it with his legs. He then quickly turned in the air to grab on the monstrosity's shoulders. He scrambled up the monster's back and substituted for Rose.

Rose lifted her sword, "Sword Skill Vertical Slash!" She swung downward with her sword glowing. She made contact with the mob's skull, landing the final blow. The creature began to dissolve in code, right under her feet. She fell to the ground below, taking more falling damage. Fester ran up to her, pride on his face, "It seems you did get the last hit after all! We should celebrate in the starting city with a grand feast!" Rose was relieved it was over, and the rewards and experience she received was more than satisfying. She especially felt glad to see Fester, though she really didn't know why. Maybe she was having feelings for him.

"Yea, a feast." She said, taking another health potion. She was astonished to realize that the ones she had so many of she had out leveled, much to her surprise, "Thanks for helping me." There was something on her mind, "But now that you know I am a player, are you still going to help me?"

"Well what is the point of a two player game if neither player helps each other? That would be quiet silly if you ask me." He smiled, "Anyways, your are no longer a hindrance to my progress! And you will be able to carry my stuff when my inventory fills, and you can eat all of the food I cook so none goes to waste!" Fester may not of had the same feeling for Rose as she did for him, but he did care for her and that is all Rose knew she needed right now.

As the bosses limp body faded away from the dungeon floor, players rejoiced. An eerie light filled the dank and dark room, a giant, round portal forming on the far side of the room.

A quick shot of light flew at the victorious Rose, adding a new item to her inventory.

Silverlight [One-handed Sword] - A thin sword made of a highly reflective metal, at the right angle it can dazzle the foe, leaving them vulnerable to attack.

<<Time Skip: 2 Weeks Later>>

The guilds and warriors of Aincrad have pushed even further in to the floors, clearing floor 6 and 7 with ease - however, with so many players crammed in to less than a dozen floors, resources are starting to run low.

Those that specialise in Cooking, Forgery and Alchemy have become in high demand - but even they need ingredients for their recipes.

~*-*~

Priority Missions:

1. Gather resources or goods for the markets on floor 8.
2. Assist the front-liners in the Floor 8 Dungeon.

Current Dungeon: 8
Recruiting Guilds: Black Cats, Knights of Blood, Fuurinkazan [Joining a Guild requires lv 10]

~*-*~

New Floors:
(Monster details and specific areas up to players, as long as they coincide with the general description)

Spoiler:

6. Circleshore A floor of relatively tranquility, the floor is comprised mainly of a huge, plentiful, fishing lake, bordered by a sandy beach. Most of the monsters on this floor are coast dwelling and not very aggressive - the safe zone on this floor is relatively small, just a small courtyard around the portal area. Floor 6's Dungeon was found in a small coastal cave, and was cleared by only a small group. [Recommended level: 10-15]
Monster List: Spiral Crabs [Glorious Shell], Stony Fish [Weak Poison], Cave Bat [Small Fangs].
7. Kansas With the portal situated outside a huge farm house, with stables and paddocks as well, many rural players arrive in Kansas mistaking it for home - however, lurking in the crops are some vicious monsters who won't let their prey get away. Floor 7's Dungeon was cleared by The Knights of Blood, no other players found the dungeon, even after clearing. [Recommended level: 13-20]
Monster List: Corn Crow [Bird Meat], Fanged Chameleon [Glowing Powder], Rapid Hound [Tuft of Mangy Fur].
8. Dovren Situated on the edge of a steep cliff, Dovren is the heart of trade in the first dozen floors. With an extensive marketplace and plenty of vendors to buy and sell goods to it's the perfect stop off for a budding entrepreneur. Most of the areas around the safe-town are regulated by members of guilds - who make sure that the monster populations stay far away from the town and the path to the dungeon - which is set in the cliffside below the town. The path along the cliff's edge is narrow, but thanks to the guilds there is little interference from monsters. [Recommended level: 16-21]
Monster List: Blind Beetle [Hard Shell], Black Rat [Dirty Fur], Spore-Beast [Mild Poison] (Causes poison).

[Khawill]

Fester and Rose (After the Fight)
"Aww, a one handed sword!" Rose kicked at the dirt, "I wanted a two handed sword." She held the sword out for Fester, "I can't use this, and I sorta owe you."

Fester looked down at the sword, his eyes widened, "It is so shiny! Look at it Rose!" He took the sword excitedly, He turned the sword about admiring it. "Lets get out of here, I hardly know what all this guild fuss is about, you think it is some kind of event?" They walked out as various people were chatting about guilds and progress. "In either event, I'd like to take a break!"

"You want to take a break? I thought you were a tireless monster slayer!" Rose said sarcastically.

Fester laughed cheerfully, "You really think that? Well I am only human, and we can let the NPCs clear the next few floors for sure." They entered the portal, "Back to floor one!"

Two weeks later
Fester and Rose sat around a cooking fire, they had helped on floor 7, though the extent was only a few levels. Fester had achieved level 16, while Rose managed a 15. "I must say you are leveling much faster than I am." Fester said confusedly.

"I actually do the quests, you only do the ones that share credit." Rose explained.

"Look, my job is not to pick flowers for some doctor! I am a slayer of monsters!" He took a bit of his [Spiced bird Meat], "These new monsters taste delicious!"

"Hey Fester who is that?" A boy wearing a red cape with golden eyes walked by. "Why do you think he has golden eyes? And that scar on his arm?"

"I really can't say, though why not greet him? He doesn't look busy."

[AlexOzzyCake]

Rapp - Floor 8

As the final slice of the bone dagger penetrated the Blind Beetle's firm body, the monster exploded into a thousand shards of shining blue light before vanishing into thin air and leaving behind a Hard Shell. "Another one bits the dust! That makes fifteen Hard Shells, I reckon I can turn these something useful. I heard if you grind them down and smelt the power together with some Veral ore you can make some pretty high quality material, but the problem is getting that ore..." He took a glowing crystal from his pocket and crushed it in his hand. "Teleport; Dovern City!"

"You know you don't have to shout that every time you teleport, right? It's embarrassing adventuring with you sometimes." Rapp looked over at his grinning companion Rayle as she continued to taunt him.

"Yeah, well, nyah!" Just as he stuck his tongue out to mock her, Rayle grabbed it with two fingers and pinched down, giggling.

"You're so predictable." She rolled her eyes before turning her back and slowly walking away. "Give me a shout when you next need your butt saving, a level 14 like you still has a way to go before he can look after himself properly Rapp!"

As he began muttering under his breath, Rapp made his way back to the bustling market place. So the ore is in a secret chamber of the 6th floor dungeon that only very few people know about, guarded by some very over-powered enemies... I'm going to need some help if I want to get my hands on that Veral ore, but who can I trust? Rayle has no need to help me here and I'm not up for spending another day getting mocked, but there's no one else I trust... I guess I'll have to enlist help from a new source then. He glanced around noticing a large notice board in the middle of town where many adventurers had previously posted requests for assistance or work. There was a small cost for posting these notices, but money wasn't important to Rapp as long as he could get his ore and thus he began dictating his notice to the NPC responsible for the board.

Skilled forger looking for high-level escort.
Brief: I need ore.
Location: Sixth Floor Dungeon; undisclosed area.
Requirements: Ability to not die when hit really hard; must not be irritating.
Reward: Money or rare equipment, take your pick.
Contact Rapp to apply.

"It helps if you're a bit more specific than that, but okay, I'll post the notice for you." Rapp smiled and made his way back to the floor's dungeon. If he was going to get this ore he'd need to be strong himself to survive and there's no end to what you can make with hacked up chunks of dead monsters, so it was time for a grinding spree. "Time to test out all this weaponry I've been making!"