Wulfrin

Arriving super early, maybe two to three in the morning, made for just as rough a trek as going during the mid day. The desert was cold, and not a pleasant cold either. Floor Five's environment settings were quite possibly the worst Wulfrin had faced out of the Twenty-Eight floors available to him. Determination served as his fire as he crossed through Fortaleza towards its western gate. Several guards still clocked his every move. "Really even this early?" Wulfrin said to himself as he traveled the city streets. "Usually you don't get this much stink form NPC guards unless you have an Or

As his meal made its way to his table, Wulfrin opened his map. He figured it was better to go in at least somewhat prepared. He focused his attention to the key features on the map to the west of Fortazela. What he had going for him was the floor was finite. One could easily search a floor in 1-2 days in game. Who knew how long that was in the real world, the days had kind of blurred together, so it was hard to tell. There were a few key features, a handfull of mountains near the edge, an oasis, and a single well of on its own. "Wait," Wulfrin said focusing on the well. "Apollo used to st

"Alright," Wulfrin said to himself. "This floor is based on Arabia, so that puts a few things into options. The Greeks believed that a phoenix could be located in Arabia. Wouldn't that be a coincidence, considering your own coat of arms for your shop." Wulfrin dug into his repertoire of ancient Greek myths. There was a phoenix that made an appearance in a fragment of the Percepts of Chiron by Hesiod, but that was simply a description of their lifespan from the centaur to the young hero, Achilles. More likely he would have to go deeper. The Egyptian's maybe? Those myths were never his inte

Wulfrin wandered the bazaar. He had no clue where to begin. As far as he could tell, there were no passive wildlife on the floor. Wulfrin debated heading to another floor to search, but he figured a pass through the crowds may provide at least a starting point. He weaved in and out of the crowded shops, listening to every bit of gossip he could grab from the various NPCs going about their daily lives. Nothing was turning up despite his best efforts, he was turning up short. A small cafe was set up in one of the adobe buildings. The heat was rough, so a quick pit stop was made. "Did you se

Wulfrin found himself back in the sandy, Arabian Desert themed area of Floor 5. The floor was as desolate as ever. It's only major attraction being the lively bazaar of Fortaleza, acting as one of the few safe places of respite on the floor. The sandy wastes wasn't his first choice to return to, as his last trip consisted of a boss fight and getting jumped by the local rich asshole Abdullah. He and Freyd were ambushed shortly after their fight with Terra Firma had ended during what Freyd dubbed, The Shark Bait Training Program. Freyd had taken on the visage of one of the fallen guards and root

DATE: [3/23/24] RANK 5 BLACKSMITH | [EXP: 233/319] | Daily Crafting Attempts: 6 CRAFTING BUFFS: Ambition Tool +1 EXP per craft Crafting Tier 2 [Heavy Armor]s: ID: 220599 | CD: 12 | Success | Perfect ID: 220600 | CD: 6 | Salvage | LD 12 | Material Saved ID: 220601 | CD: 12 | Success | Perfect ID: 220602 | CD: 11 | Success | Rare ID: 220603 | CD: 8 | Success | Uncommon ID: 220604 | CD: 12 | Success | Perfect RESULT: +40 XP (8+2+8+5+3+8+6) | [EXP: 301/319] -5 materials | sent to banker New Items: Uncommon T2 Heavy Armor [220603] Rare T2 Heavy Armor [220

"Did you check the area where the last boarlet fell?" Wulfirn said. "Some times they drop an additional item." This was a partial lie. Wulfrin knew how the quest worked. It relied on a choice of the player undertaking the quest. When the third Boarlet falls an additional item drops, a small vial of a redish colored liquid. If the player just pockets it, nothing of note happens. If the player examines the item, well let's just say its an eventful experience. "I do suggest you take your time," Wulfrin said. "Sometimes the random items dropped can be dangerous if handled improperly. Al

As Nari's strike landed true, Wulfrin noticed a drop in The Avatar of Avarice's defenses. He angled the flat of his blade to strike the creature. With a resounding TWACK, the boss was left staggering once more, the crimson light of his Tech art fading. The boss would now be stunned for a second go round, leaving an opening for his mentors to finish the job. The boss's Hp had already fallen a significant amount, well over half with only one onslaught from the party. "Another opening created!" Wulfrin shouted over the chaos. "Give 'em hell!" Wulfrin leapt back from his position at the

DATE: [3/22/24] RANK 5 BLACKSMITH | [EXP: 233/319] | Daily Crafting Attempts: 6 CRAFTING BUFFS: Ambition Tool +1 EXP per craft Crafting Tier 2 [Straight Sword]s: ID: 220511 | CD: 7 | Success | Uncommon ID: 220512 | CD: 12 | Success | Perfect ID: 220513 | CD: 3 | Salvage | LD 20 | Materials Saved ID: 220514 | CD: 9 | Success | Uncommon ID: 220515 | CD: 10 | Success | Rare ID: 220516 | CD: 2 | Fail | Materials Lost RESULT: +28 XP (3+8+2+3+5+1+6) | [EXP: 261/319] -5 materials | sent to banker New Items: Uncommon T2 Straight Sword [220511] [220514] Rare

"By the look of your strike," Wulfrin commented "You way over killed that boarlet. I'm pretty sure I saw the Blight effect of that sword take hold briefly. The reason it's in that special scabbard is that the blade is actually capable of dealing additional necrotic damage. Essentially it withers the target's HP away for a couple of seconds and lowers their mitigation, meaning they absorb less of your subsequent attacks during the same time. It's a unique enhancement, so you won't be finding anything better for now. Tanks specialize in dealing damage when they are hit and inflicting Damage Over

"Told ya," Wulfrin chuckled as he placed a hand on Ciela's shoulder. "He's a grouchy old guy. Just don't let it get to you. I think he is designed that way to get people riled up. Come on we're going back out into the fields." Wulfrin led the duo out to the fields of Floor One not too far outside of Tolbana. He drew his sword and gestured for Ciela to do the same. "Alright," Wulfrin said as he set up. "We can't exactly spar with each other without a proper duel, unless you want an Orange Cursor, so mimicry will have to do. Your fighting style is going to differ significantly from min

"Hey don't fret," Wulfrin reassured the new player. "You've come a long way in these last few hours. This next one is all you though, time to get some combat practice in." Wulfrin gestured for Ciela to follow. Wulfrin guided the duo towards Lyle's shop. The musty air was filled with heat and soot from the old man's constant pounding. Lyle didn't even acknowledge their arrival, a stark contrast to how Wulfrin ran his own smithy on Floor 22. As always, his demeanor was short and not at all pleasant. It was the exact opposite of the interaction with Zackariah. Tealeaf's shop was filled with

"If you don't mind," Wulfrin said with budding curiosity at the mention of mysterious screenshots as the due regrouped with the others. "I'd like a copy of those screenshots. We can worry about them later though they aren't important now. I do agree with Kylissa though, don't delete them just yet." The familiar scent of Zackariah's many brews filled the air. As usual Zackariah addressed the new players with interest. Wulfrin did notice an oddity however. Zackariah seemed to have some recognition of Miryu, though that should be impossible as she had only left the Black Iron Palace a few mi

DATE: [3/21/24] RANK 5 BLACKSMITH | [EXP: 208/319] | Daily Crafting Attempts: 6 CRAFTING BUFFS: Ambition Tool +1 EXP per craft Crafting Tier 4 [Light Armor]s: ID: 220473 | CD: 12 | Success | Perfect ID: 220474 | CD: 6 | Salvage | LD 10 | Material Lost ID: 220475 | CD: 1 | Fail | Materials Lost ID: 220476 | CD: 5 | Salvage | LD 17 | Material Saved ID: 220477 | CD: 7 | Success | Uncommon ID: 220478 | CD: 7 | Success | Uncommon RESULT: +25 XP (8+2+1+2+3+3+6) | [EXP: 233/319] -5 materials | sent to banker New Items: Uncommon T4 Light Armor [220477] [220478

"The Col is really only helpful for crystals," Wulfrin said. "I'll be honest, I'll be better off when I have a reliable party to go dungeon diving with. I hear that's where the good money is. Right now I'm fine, I'm just saving up for a house, so I'm being a bit stingy with Col." Wulfrin saw that his partner was ready to leave so he withdrew his line and stored it away. He only briefly glanced at the info screen before him that detailed the additional items he found in a chest. Another productive day was completed meaning he could recuperate a few of the materials he had spent the last fe

"I assume you can find them in chests," Wulfrin said with a shrug. "But no you can't find them with your foraging skill. I meant you can use the col you find to buy them. Unlike me who gets strapped for cash on the regular. Honestly I should probably sell all my unidentified items that aren't Tier 4. I'm trying to get a head start on my end game gear. My side projects at the shop have all been crafting my Tier 3 and Tier 4 gear. Now that I have the blanks for them, I can focus on building a stock for people to just walk up and buy." Wulfrin withdrew his line from the lake and sighed. Noth

"Honestly," Wulfrin sighed. "That's how it is. At least with the gathering professions, your chances of finding materials goes up significantly. If I remember correctly once you finish this quest, you can start finding extra Col when foraging, so that can help over come some of the costs of living. Could also help you collect more Teleportation Crystals. I need to restock myself." Wulfrin cast his line back into the calm lake. The bobber lazily moving to the oscillation of the small waves created by the light breeze. "Take however long you want," He said with a smile. "I'll fish unti

Wulfrin waited outside the map maker's shop for his female companions to wrap up. He finally decided to process what he had experienced on the way here. Miryu seeing odd apparitions could easily be explained by the malfunctioning Nerve-Gear, but what about the tremors. In his numerous trips down to Floor One, he hadn't witnessed any tremors, nor had he seen any monsters outside the usual mobs in the fields. He was keeping quiet for now, as the group had other things to focus on. Unless the trouble came knocking down their door, Wulfrin was going to keep his mind on helping out the girls first.

DATE: [3/20/24] RANK 5 BLACKSMITH | [EXP: 161/319] | Daily Crafting Attempts: 6 CRAFTING BUFFS: Ambition Tool +1 EXP per craft Crafting Tier 4 [Straight Sword]s: ID: 220460 | CD: 5 | Salvage | LD 13 | Material Saved ID: 220461 | CD: 2 | fail | Materials Lost ID: 220462 | CD: 10 | Success | Rare ID: 220463 | CD: 6 | Salvage | LD 14 | Material Saved ID: 220464 | CD: 7 | Success | Uncommon ID: 220465 | CD: 5 | Salvage | LD 2 | Material Lost RESULT: +21 XP (2+1+5+2+3+2+6) | [EXP: 208/319] -4 materials | sent to banker New Items: Uncommon T4 Straight Sword

"I actually just unlocked the ability to do so," Wulfrin said collecting the extra materials. "It will take me moment to craft the pieces since I don't have any blanks." Wulfrin went to his furnace and threw a handful of what looked like fish and bits of monsters into it. He didn't even seem to care, partly due to the crafting materials being universal in SAO made it easy. After a few minutes Wulfrin was flattening various pieces of metal into various shapes of shields. Eventually he lay two of them together and they merged into one. He put the finishing touches on them before returning t

"Fair enough," Wulfrin shrugged and focused his attention back on the last Warg. He charged the Warg at full force. His blade tearing through the beast's hide with ferocity. Wulfrin put way more into the hit than he usually did, mostly out of the need for revenge. He returned his blade back to its scabbard. As the warg shattered into fractal polygons, Wulfrin returned to his companion's side. "As I was saying, congratulations on the shard. You found that thing much quicker than I did. We still have a bit more time, you want to look for some more materials or do you want to head back?" He pulle

Wulfrin went on the offensive against the Wargs again. He completed his Horizontal Square Sword Art and turned at the sound of his companion. "I got one finally!!!" She had yelled excitedly. "Great I'm happy for you! You finished quicker than I d-" His congratulations was cut short by jaws sinking into his left arm. Wulfrin winced in pain. There wasn't much damage that made it through to his armor to his precious HP. This was the first bit of damage he had actually suffered in the game. There wasn't much pain to speak of, more just a tingling sensation in his arm. The pain absorber w

"I build weapons and armor out of fish," Wulfrin replied as he approached the wargs. "Yes, I catch fish. It doesn't matter though as crafting materials are universal." Wulfrin leapt into action. His plan of attack was the same as the Wolves back near Tolbana, stun then hit again. Wulfrin knew he couldn't one shot them, but this plan basically leads to the same outcome. Essentially, for slightly less energy drain he could take out both Wargs at once without them getting a chance to strike. His blade arched through the air with the same red glow it had during the fight with the wolves, sett

As if on cue, Wulfrin's line went taught. Finally a catch. Even better there were additional, items besides the fish, indicating a critical. "Just did," Wulfrin grinned. "Couple of of Unidentified Armors. They could be shields also, but they are Tier 2 so you can't use them yet." Wulfrin couldn't help but laugh hardily at the names Ciela was spouting off. It wasn't a mocking laugh, but one of genuine amusement. "Fondante's Inferno is my favorite," Wulfrin said trying desperately to compose himself. "Really though, any of those would be fantastic names for a bakery." Wulfrin's serious

"The crystal can teleport you to any of the cities," Wulfrin explained. "That includes the open floors. Basically you can go anywhere from floor one to floor twenty-eight from any location. Though I would advise against just using them to travel. Instead save them for when you need them, as they are quite pricey." Wulfrin recalled his line and recast it. This place was supposed to be a gold mine for items, according to Freyd. It just appeared to Wulfrin that he was not casting in the correct way. "I can't guarantee the stay away plan will work.", He said with a sigh. "If we get jumped, I'