Freyd

Nodding politely in accepting Nari's thanks, Freyd would normally have dismissed it and thought it completely unnecessary. Fighting in crazy circumstances and aiding players in need was just 'what he did'. But, in this case, he would play along for the always better reason of helping a friend save face. She'd made a bad call and fortune had intervened in their favour. Wulfrin was alive. So far as he was concerned, the matter was settled and done. What remained was an opportunity. "It's not Earth-shattering or anything, but the Cave of Wonders does grant a notable bonus to loot and

"Well, we do have to head back to Fortaleza at some point, but it doesn't have to be right away. I guess that depends on what you have in mind? I routine patrol this floor with Persi. There are less notable sand sharks and other beasts around to be fought, not to mention bandits, carnivorous cacti and a whole slew of different scorpions. Can't say that I favour any one floor over the rest, you know? I just go wherever the action happens to be." Stuffing his hands into a pair of concealed pockets in his hoodie-like top, Freyd strode casually as they chatted, seeming neither rushed nor ove

"I'll be fine," Freyd replied, not even bothering to look at the injury. It wasn't clear whether he wasn't feeling it, or somehow simply managed to fight through whatever pain seeped through the suppressor algorithms. "But I need to borrow this for a second." Snapping his fingers, he summoned Kyoto's shadow to his side, pairing it with his own and directing them both to flank the sand shark from opposite direction. The beast was virtually blind and shadows made no sound, but all it took was contrast between light and dark for it to recognize a threat or meal. Thrashing violently as the tw

Sparing a moment to share a thumbs up for his ally was all it took. He'd taken his eyes off the ball, and it rose up and bit him, literally. Terra Firma burst forth from the sands, doing what no one ever wants to see from any shark, and flew through the air to chomp down on Freyd's shoulder. "GAH! Get off!" The thing's sheer weight toppled the Whisper head over heels backwards and flat onto his back. Instinct drove him. Before he could even think, Freyd reeled back and drove his forehead straight into the beasts midnight eye, his sword art miraculously triggering in the proce

The dark, brooding fellow - notably not Freyd for once - was muttering to himself by the lift's gate, not having bothered to spare Katoka so much as a glance. "Eh... Ryland: Kat. Kat, this is Ryland. He's the skyport's harbourmaster and resident nanny. Everything that takes place here is on his watch." "Right," the gruff former sailor interrupted. "Which means that every time our supposed security forces cut a deal with another band of pirates, it comes out of my paycheck, and the higher ups take it out of my hide! I've had it! Calas and her goons keep taking bribes to look the

Thread Closing: Freyd receives: 21,287 EXP (Word Count [11087/10*16*1] + 20% Mega-Slime Farm & highest contributor bonus) 71,393 col (2 page [800] + Loot [67400] + 15% P5 Reward [3193]) 24 Materials (Loot [24]) +1 Demonic Shard Random Dungeon Map 218897 T4 Perfect Consumable 218895a T4 Perfect Consumable 218895b T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 218895c T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 218895d T4 Perfect Consumable 218914a T4 Perfect Consumable 218914b T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 218914c T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 218914d T4 Perfect Weapon 218921a T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 21

Hugging Freyd had always been like hugging a tree. It didn't hug back. Unexpectedly, though, Kat actually felt the tender press of a hand upon her back in the moment where she gave the spoopy shadow man his compressive greeting. There was also an uncharacteristic ease in his eyes, which so often looked like they were permanently set in predatory-sarcasm mode. Not today. "Actually, Elora and I have been spending quite a bit of time together. I think I'd told you we were thinking of moving in together, right?" He honestly couldn't recall with certainty, but if he'd told anyone it wa

Watching his companion and foe alike, Freyd darted around the natural desert arena like a veteran, dodging and weaving around the angry mobile maw that was Terra Firma. He'd fought this beast many times - enough to learn to respect the thing's remarkable agility. Heavily armored and fast, there were few mobs in the game that could match it without being considered field bosses or higher tier quest mobs. Randomly changing directions, as easily as a shadow might, Freyd's movements were erratic and unpredictable, and served to good advantage. As quick as the sand shark was, it tended to charg

Wulfrin and Morningstar were acting precisely according to the plan, and each to his strength. While the first couldn't dish out the raw numbers, the system didn't care whether you could crush stone with your bare hands or barely flick a flea: a stun was a stun. Tall, bright and greedy had just learned that painful and humbling lesson. Star was also just really good at breaking things that deserved breaking, and this thing was overqualified as a candidate. Nari looked pissed. The question was whether that anger was directed against the boss or herself. Freyd's money was on both. There w

It had taken quite a bit of time and effort, but Witherwind Rest's final touches were nearly complete. For weeks, Freyd had been shirking his other duties because some secluded part of him told him that this was important. He and Elora were finally moving in together. His better half, by far, she had already gone off to gather all the seeds and herbs for her gardens and pharmacy. 'If she ever actually steps foot in it,' he thought, laughing. She talked a big game, but he'd never seen her actually devote much energy toward her alleged profession. Still, she had insisted on having it, and

Racing across the battlefield to join a second fray, Freyd felt suddenly sluggish about halfway along. His legs felt laden down, as if someone had instantly poured lead into his pockets - and he had a LOT of pockets. Staggering through the next few steps, but eventually recovering, he spotted Nari ahead. The purple-haired knightess was holding her own, as he expected. Spreading themselves out as they had just made it impossible for her to properly pull and hold all of the riders' attention as a tank normally would. From their time in the last raid, he knew that Nari could certainly hold h

It had virtually become routine for Freyd to visit Fortaleza's sweltering heat in recent weeks. In truth, he did it so that Persi could visit her family's den in the desert. His tiny shadow mongoose familiar was a surprisingly familial creature, though you would never have guessed it by her arrogant attitude. Actually, that wasn't quite accurate. She was only arrogant and pretentious towards him. Everyone else got nuzzles and cuddles. Freyd was convinced that she was just trying to scam anyone she could into parting with their snacks. Being made of void and shadow apparently meant an un

Don't hold back, huh? Alright. A rueful grin spread across the Whisper's face while watching Mina do whatever lewd thing she was doing on the mob's back. Winding up like a trebuchet, he felt the power building around the seals containing the dark energies swirling about his clenched fists. When the troll raised its club again, for what would surely be its final time, he unleashed. A forward lunge, tumble and roll brought him just beneath its bony chin, too close for it to strike in its few remaining seconds. Coming out of the roll, Freyd sprung and bounced off the thing's shoulder, r

House Name: Witherwind Rest Location: Floor 2, In a small valley nestled in the cliffs on the outskirts of the plateau that marks the High Fields of Crossing (Safe Zone) Plot Size: Estate (15 room slots, 4 storey max, 3 yard slots) Thread where Freyd and Elora found the location together: https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/39318-pp-f01-a-place-to-call-home/?tab=comments#comment-676434 Yard(s): Yard 1: The Piling System (Storage Shed, upgraded to Extended Workshop) [Freyd] Yard 2: Big Puddle (Fishing Pond, upgraded to Ornate Fishing Pond) [Freyd] Yard 3: Memorial Yard (Slim

Could he do it? Was it actually even possible for him to let down his guard, even for a single moment? If there were people with whom ever he'd consider it, two of them were sitting with him now. Akame was an issue. He didn't know or trust the man in the slightest, and the fellow seemed quite keen to keep it that way. The best he managed was to actually show that he was considering it. That, alone, was a monumental achievement. Turning to gaze at Montjoy as Mina spoke her theories... or questions. It was a nice trick, and one he often used himself. Twice he half-turned, tempted to red

"Real is what we make it, Nari, and I share your sentiment. It's been a pleasure to get to know you too. These aren't subjects that everyone cares to discuss. It might be safe to say that you have to have seen a certain side of Fate to be open to it." Dropping off the rune was surprisingly underwhelming. While Treants treasure their traditions, they don't tend to stand for much in the way of ceremony. Ned merely nodded, confirming that they'd brought the right object, instructing them to return it to Queen Haelia with his blessing. He would know that the task was done by the bloomin

Rushing past Nari even as she spoke her warning, Freyd needed to keep up his pace and momentum to maximize their odds of success. He also didn't want anyone dwelling on the dangers any longer than necessary. People didn't often do well left to their own thoughts while under stress, and this world placed a heavy enough burden on its occupants as it was. Broad and brilliantly glowing with a warm, golden hue, the cave's central chamber promised a vast treasure hoard - which it was sorely lacking. Instead of ornate artwork, glistening gems and scintillating jewelry, all laid over a sprawli

Katoka muttered some quip about poop that made him look under his boots, wondering whether he'd stepped in something. "Really?! Even on digital beaches? Have people no sh....OWWWW!" Something pointy had just tried to spear whatever Katoka must have seen, but hit his leg instead. The pain was expected more than real, recording a notable drop in his health, but suddenly not that much worse than he'd suffered on multiple occasions. He just hadn't been expecting it, still being in a bit of a daze from yet another fishing venture gone horribly, horribly wrong. Freyd winced as the g

"Yeah," Freyd replied, weaving around the thing's jerky movements as it regained elements of control over itself. "All bark, no bite, I guess." The mob opened its many mouths as if to protest, giving him the perfect opportunity to kick it in the teeth several times over. By the time he was done, there was nothing left of the last Utterance, its polygons dissolving into nothingness "We should be near the exit, barring whatever other parts of Malediction will try to stop us next. My money is on 'Malediction's nose hairs'... also.. eww." Grimacing as he spoke, Freyd winced and stuck out his

Blissful silence. The chaos of battle drowned in the muffled pounding in his head and Freyd tried, unsuccessfully, to inhale the beach. Using that particular trick always took its toll, but was worth it when it connected. Fortunately, it had. Crackling air, dulled by an overwhelming urge to sleep, bandied itself in the clouds overhead. Except those clouds were a storm, and that storm was trying to kill them. "Oh... right. Still fighting," he mumbled groggily, lifting his face off the floor and leaving an imprint whose details he failed to notice. Katoka was doing her thing, and wel

Freyd wandered the expansive halls in silent musing, wondering whether this place somehow existed outside of time. There was no true connection to it, and everything else beyond. It was as if one could exist here and simultaneously elsewhere, but such were the vagaries of a digital existence. Who was to say that anything was as they perceived it. The entire existence was an illusion, at its core. Approaching the same terminal as before, he renewed his previous order, having already consumed its predecessor. It had served its purpose well, as would this one when the moment came. Th

"What do you mean," Freyd cried out in response to Katoka's query. "Water conducts electricity, right? Stab the fucking thing with lightning." To her credit, she did try. Fortune just wasn't smiling much in that moment. Maybe it had sand in its eyes? He knew his companion would rebound, possibly literally, given the opportunity. "Okay," he huffed, still shuffling about clumsily trying to find his own bearings with a storm literally bearing down upon him. "So we go with plan B? Maximum effort!" Launching himself high into the air in a manner taught to him long ago by the inestimable

Freyd genuinely smiled as Nari struggled to explain her reaction. Not because she was embarrassed, but because it was so very human to feel the need to conjoin the bond of emotions over such a moment. Grace dictated a courteous silence and acceptance. Mirth smiled in his eyes alone, revealing weary laugh lines few rarely realized were there, most especially himself. They walked in the void again for a time, Freyd serving as guide once more and placing his companion's hand upon his shoulder, this time without reservation or hesitation. They were just emerging from the underground when Nari

Groaning against the inside of his own cowl, Freyd pondered Morningstar's words before grudgingly having to admit that he was behaving badly. The thought of Elora glaring at him for being such a poor sport would inevitably haunt him, even if she never actually learned of the incident. The very fact that she'd expect better was enough to set him straight. "Alright, alright," he muttered with a sigh. "Yes, I have the tracking skill. What was that fellow's name again? Alvin? Albion? No... Alvion. Got it." The man's image would forever be etched in his memory as an armored chipmunk w

Freyd's eyes widened to swallow saucers at Nari's outburst while he mentally struggled to decipher what had set her off. Cowl swiveling to and fro, seeking some sort of external stimulus she might have noticed that he hadn't, it wasn't until he realized that she was basically tossing the guard's head his way that he finally clued in. "You're... squeamish?! YOU?" A heartfelt guffaw bellowed out, completely inappropriate to the solemnity of the context - the mourning guard having just sacrificed itself for the sake of its woods. "Huh. Wouldn't have figured that," he finally added, his