Sorun

The situation of the battle was finally turning for the better, save for one issue: Sorun was still airborne. Sorun could hear the sound of a monster's faltering roar, followed by the sound of an entity shattering. Then the winds died down and the sand fell to the ground, along with Sorun, who tumbled along the loose sand, rolling on his side with no control until there was finally enough friction to stop his movement. Thankfully, for whatever reason, despite the tingling all over, he had no damage. The first thing he did was raise his axe. "Nothing's broken!" He called out. "And

Those were his final words? A puzzle? Did this have to do with the four items? No, it couldn't have. And whatever that doppelganger was, it's dead now. Sorun knew that a ripple was harmless, but a tidal wave was devastating. A spark might spook someone, but it's hardly anything...a lightning bolt, however, had immense power and was five times hotter than the sun's surface. ...So what did that creature mean by what he said there? Sorun walked over to the pond, and saw his reflection within it. He was glad to see himself, rather than a monster like the Gemini. The waters of the pond we

Sorun wasn't sure how else to respond, other than how his blood was now boiling over this doppelganger's incessant mockery and string-pulling. He locked axes with The Gemini, and attempted to apply enough force to knock him down. This failed, but the effort was definitely there. Both combatants disengaged from their lock. After a short clashing and deflecting of each others' weapons, Sorun attempted to use his axe to pull at The Gemini's, in an attempt to disarm his opponent. Instead, Sorun got tugged at back, and he ended up getting flung a fair distance. While he still had his weapon, he was

Sorun didn't know how to answer this question. This guy had been watching his every move? Um, stalker much? "What...?" Sorun blinked. "Look, not everyone can become a legend by facing the worst things imaginable on day one." He shot back. "I gotta start small, stick to my weight class, however it can be phrased, whatever. I gotta work my way up from the bottom, but those boars just don't seem to be enough for me." The figure chuckled. "Is that so?" He asked. "Heh..." The figure gripped his cloak and tossed it aside with enough force to yeet a person.

The figure would lead on, Sorun would follow behind. When he reached the safe zone limit, he began to rethink his confidence in this moment. Viper was standing guard, but she stopped Sorun for a quick moment. "If you're serious about becoming a warrior of your potential, go to Senimoh. The men there can help you get sorted out." She suggested. Sorun's map updated, but for now he had someone to follow. He nodded. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." It felt like a while, just walking on an on, and it's like the environment was slowly shifting or transitioning into som

The two amazons present seemed content to know that Sorun had no intention of keeping the items to himself. The figure nodded. "I see...I see what you did there...Alright fine, I'll allow it. Now, come with me, your capabilities should be properly tested, as you've done enough to catch my interest." He decided. Peony wasn't sure about this. "Traveler, I don't think you should-" Kiera held her arm out to signal Peony to stop. Sorun would begin to follow the figure. He waved goodbye to the two amazons, Peony would reluctantly wave back, and her expression would show tha

The three would find a pedestal, and Sorun would place the items upon it. The three waited, then as Sorun looked to Peony, about to ask a question, he was poked from behind. "Boo." Spoke a male voice. Sorun turned suddenly to see a figure cloaked head to toe in black, with a cowl, to boot. "Looking for trouble isn't exactly the smartest thing to do, you know..." The figure said with a smirk, shaking his head with crossed arms as he did so. Kiera held her arm out to stop Peony from doing or saying anything. "I have everything you asked for right here." Sorun stated. "Oh, those things? Yeah, I d

"Just curious...this traveler that Peony holds in high regard, did he have to put up with Zeta or anyone similar?" Sorun asked. Kiera shook her head. "Lucky for the boy, they never met." She answered. Sorun nodded. "Is there a problem with him, though? Do you distrust him?" He asked. "No, I don't distrust him, he helped out those among our people in their time of need, Peony herself included...twice." Kiera explained. "Are you worried if he might leave an impression on her you might dislike?" Sorun wondered, starting to become a bit concerned. "No, but I do worry for a different reason." Kiera

Kiera would bring Sorun over to a spot near the forbidden district's entrance. She would say to the two guards positioned, "Watch this one for me, new matters have arisen and he's gotten himself knee-deep into it." She commanded. The guards would let Kiera through and proceed to keep their eyes on Sorun as he just waited there, again. He let his mind drift off for a short while as to avoid boredom, but at least he managed to snap himself back to reality when he heard voices. Sorun looked to see Kiera and one other come out, and they would both approach Sorun. The newcomer to the scenario would

Sorun mentally braced himself as Kiera approached him. She wasn't that much taller than Viper, but she had an air of both strength and authority, so she must have been high on the ladder. "Tell me, what's going on that has you ask so many odd questions?" She questioned. "Rumors of a strange figure. Ended up getting involved in it after a search. What I'm dealing with now is all in this note." Sorun answered, as he pulled the note out of his inventory. Kiera took the note and examined it. "..." She didn't look very pleased. "I can't guarantee your safety if yo

Sorun was nearly dazed as he struggled to get back on his feet. "He's got potential, he just lacks training and experience." Viper commented. Peony looked to Sorun, concerned for his well-being in this moment. Sorun had now gotten up, though he was having a hard time maintaining his footing. Had this been a real fight, he'd have been dead in seconds. "He certainly had the right idea in that fight." Spoke another voice. Peony and Viper looked to see the newcomer to the situation emerge from the bushes she was hiding within. "Kiera?" Peony looked slightly shocked. "What are you

"Nobody special." Sorun answered, based on his level. "Yet." He thought. "I've been helping him out with a few things. He's already gotten into something, but he doesn't seem to be very strong." Peony added. "Adventurers tend to be pretty talented, so I think he's just starting out." She remarked. "Talented? I think I'll be the judge of that." Viper commented. "Over here." She said, gesturing for Sorun to approach. Well, there's only one way this could end...a beatdown. At least he might be able to walk out of this alive, right? Just a little humiliation from a strong, athletic a

Sorun watched, as Peony wasn't done yet. As Viper was getting back up with impressive speed, Peony was quickly applying some kind of substance to her weapon while stepping back. When Viper dashed in, Peony threw the empty container, which was easily deflected. Turns out, this was the intention, as it left Viper open for the split-second window of time that Peony spent immediately getting another attack in. While this hit was successful, Viper was able to strike back pretty easily. Viper's spear and Peony's polearm were practically dancing as they kept deflecting each others' attacks for the ne

It began with a standoff. The two combatants slowly circled their cleared area as they waited to see who would strike first. Sorun watched, looking for anything he could. Honestly, it was easier to pay attention to people's movements in combat when he wasn't a participant filled with adrenaline. Soon, Peony advanced. Viper deflected her advance with impressive speed, and attempted a counterattack. Peony dodged just in time, it was quite the near miss. Sorun theorized that Viper kept her position because she was used to her enemies attacking first. If Viper really did speci

Sorun followed Peony once again, over to a considerably fit NPC that must have been Viper, given how Peony stopped and then approached her. "Viper," Peony began. "Peony? What are you here for?" Viper asked as she was taking a look at her own weapon. "I am here to challenge you for a Tiger Fang." Peony said, standing firm. Viper chuckled. "Wait...wait, you?" Peony nodded. Viper must have been in disbelief. "Out of all people who could challenge me, I never expected it to be you." She remarked. "But if you really want a beating that b

Peony and Sorun walked as the situation was explained. "So, I do believe what you'll be needing is either a Tiger Fang or a Leopard Fang. Hunting one is an option, the other would be to challenge Viper for it. Viper's an expert hunter who specializes in hunting carnivores and she mixes her own poisons. She takes the fangs of every predator she kills as spoils of battle, and she's got quite the impressive collection. She's willing to give up a fang to whoever can best her in a friendly duel." She explained. "The problem, however..." She began as she stopped. She then looked at Sorun as if analy

Sorun handed Sylvia the note. She didn't look very amused. "I've seen what happens when an adventurer is seen with a cloaked figure a few times. They disappear for a while, then they may come back...though there have been several instances where only the adventurer returns." She noted. "Are you sure you want to get involved with...whatever it is they do? Who knows what it could be, You're better off playing it safe...but if you're insistent on it...I suppose I could loan you a dagger...you'll have to return it, or pay back in some form. Understand?" Sorun nodded. "I understand." Sylvia

Sylvia looked at Sorun skeptically. "Now that she's off doing a quick errand, we can get this sorted out properly without her protesting my reluctance to help you. Hold still." Sylvia began to seemingly frisk Sorun, and move the cloth on his arms, as if checking for something. "To start, I need to know you're not one of them." She noted. Sorun blinked, confused. "Who?" Sorun asked. "The Kabulos." She revealed. "Ever since one traveler caused problems for one of our hunting parties, a group of individuals from Senimoh thought they should abandon culture and tradition to follow hi

Soon, Peony came out of the district, and Sorun got up to meet back up with her. Peony handed Sorun what was unmistakably a Cherry Blossom. "There, that should help. Up next is a dagger, correct? I think I can convince our only blacksmith to give you one." She noted. Thus Sorun would follow Peony once again. Peony explained how resources such as iron were a rare commodity, as the thick expanse of the jungle made it difficult to find ore, not to mention that the chunks of ore found in the swamps and bogs of the jungle are far too close to Senimoh, the village opposite of Krycim...quit

Soon, Peony came to a stop and turned to look at Sorun. "I'm going to have to ask you to wait here. Earlier this year, this district used to just be open as the rest of the city to travelers, but now men are forbidden from entering it unless it is springtime, regardless of whether they are travelers or not." She revealed. Sorun nodded his head. "I understand. I'll wait here." Peony would pass the two guards with no problem, and the two guards would look to Sorun, as if waiting to see if he'd try anything stupid. Thankfully for them, he knew better, and just sat down a fair dis

Sorun would hand the note to Peony, and she would read it. "...You've gotten yourself into quite the pitcher..." She remarked as she read. She looked to Sorun. "I think I know where we can find the blossom you're looking for." She noted. Sorun's eyes lit up with hope. "Really? That's great, where should we go?" He asked. "A traveler came by and gifted us with a sapling, not too long after, it started blooming with countless pink blossoms. Follow me if you want to know more." Peony answered. As Sorun followed the NPC, she would explain how the sapling seemed

Sorun made his way back to the central plaza and found a note. He didn't know who it was for, but investigating it might help reveal the answer to that. He opened up the note to read it. Sorun's eyes widened as he not only realized the note was for him, but also learned that who he was looking for had become aware of his actions...and had devised a little fetching task to keep Sorun busy for whatever reason. The Flower should be the easy part. This was a jungle floor, how could there not be one around? Apparently not. The only pink flowers he saw were

Cloaked figures normally hide in taverns, right? Maybe he should start there! An hour and a half of looking around and waiting around in tavern-looking and inn-looking structures, he realized he might be looking in the wrong places, due to the fact that there were no cloaked figures to be found anywhere within them. Even waiting for one to show up seemed to fail. So he considered looking around in the darker corners, behind structures, and possible "alleyways". Half an hour later, he'd realize this was the wrong train of thought to be following as he came up empty

Well, now that Sorun was here, he might as well begin his investigation. He would start by wandering the town and looking for anything suspicious. Nearly an hour passed, no dice. So he then considered asking a few NPCs and see if they knew anything. He got nothing but weird looks from the ones he asked...save for one. "Every once in a while, Travelers are seen with a cloaked figure. No one seems to know who or what the figure is, but one thing is certain...strange things happen when the cloaked one is seen in town, I wouldn't recommend looking for them, whoever they may be

Sorun had heard about this floor through the word other players, and that a strange entity was said to be found within the main settlement. He intended to investigate safely within the confines of the safe zone, as going beyond the borders would be a huge mistake at his level...without a carry, that is. Regardless, he was now in the floor's main settlement of Krycim. The first thing he noticed, and did not expect, was that the settlement's residents happened to be all-female. It took some fair amount of time for him to process the visual information his mind was receiving, but t