[PP-F1] The Assassin's Blade (Hikoru) (Complete)

[Blood 0]

It was a perfect, dim-lit night - a setting perfect for a warrior of the darkness to venture around at night with absolutely no purpose. Despite my continued insistence to not waste any time in this game, I had decided to take the night off in order to rest up a bit. Also, I decided that the night would be a good time to think over my build. While completing the second quest of the beginner quests, I realized that despite my perfect adeptness at seeing in complete darkness in real life had not translated to the game. As a result, I realized that night vision would have to be a skill that I need to invest in order to continue my brilliant habit of nocturnal life. Leaning against a building in the dark alleyway that was free of players, leaving me to my quietness, I finally decided that gatherer, night vision, weapon, and sneak and hide would be the series of skills that I try to obtain next. It sounds easy, but it would prove to be quite the grind to achieve that. What can I do though? I want to make a name for myself. I want to be an assassin, a cold-killer able to achieve anything and break past any barriers that stand in my way.

After finishing my consideration for my build, I felt a sudden urge to exit the safe zone and grind a bit more so I can progress as fast as I can in this game. I immediately turned the corner to see a figure hiding away as soon as I turned. The figure was a silhouette, and I could barely spot the figure despite the help of the dim street light. All I could tell was the figure had blonde hair and the shape of it convinced me that it was entirely human. Of course, as a natural killer, my instincts was to chase him down, and upon catching up to him, ask why he was spying on me, as he was definitely doing something of the sorts. Perhaps father was once again after me and this was one of his henchmen? That can't be right. I escaped his cellar a while ago and there was no way that he would think I'm stupid enough to hide on the first floor from him. I certainly hoped that this was not one of his men, as the time had not yet arrived for me to approach him and defeat him once and for all.

Still, despite the dangers that I might possibly be placing myself in, I crouched, making as little noise as I possibly can as I followed the man, listening to his slow footsteps which seemed to be leading away from the safe zone. What is he up to? And who is he? And why was he staring at me? All of these questions need to be answered and all of these questions will certainly be answered with me on the case. For now, I would simply hide behind the first floor structures as I spied on the spy. Although I could swear that the person had grinned at one point, as if he was expecting me to follow him. I shivered, this was dangerous, but it had to be done.

(The figure is not you btw.) @Hikoru

Edited April 20, 2018 by Blood

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru walked silently upon the rooftops of the first floor. He had decided that he was starting to get rusty within his Sneak and Hide skill and decided to test it out. Although it had been awhile, the feeling of free-running and using stealth felt invigorating to him. He slowed down after running to see if anything could be heard, but yet not a single footstep of his echoed off the buildings. He didn't just get the title "Master of Shadows" For no reason. He felt a small sigh as he looked around, his Katana and Dagger on him. He felt the soothing hilt of Shadow's Flame, his new Katana that Itzal, the Scout leader of his guild had given to him. He felt a small sense of relief, and of guilt. Although he loved his guild and could never leave, he wanted to do something different from them. He had something planned, but he needed to find the right players. Just then, he saw that a person was chasing another one, and rather poorly. The player- a young girl- Seemed determined to catch them. Hikoru wouldn't usually intrude, but something like this in a safe zone meant trouble. He easily landed on the ground, not making a sound as his cloak billowed around him. He walked up to the girl easily, her pace easy to match and whispered in her ear.

"You know, sneaking up on players isn't the right thing to do. If you have a problem with someone you should speak to them." He said, then backed away easily, entering stealth and soon out of sight. The girl stood no chance of finding him, but he knew that a good spook would make any normal player turn tail. Something about this one felt different though, just by the way she walked, as if she had experience. Maybe this was a player he was looking for. Only time would tell. For now, he waited to see what her reaction would be.

Hikoru entered Stealth: 22+ On the LD to be found

[Blood 0]

The atmosphere and my surroundings literally screamed danger as I suddenly heard a voice right behind me. Or at least, it seemed like it was right behind me. When I looked behind me through my peripheral vision, I was unable to see anyone in the approximate area. The darkness was a shield not only for me but for a lot of different players within this game and could be used as an advantage by anyone who can overcome the terrors of the night. Darkness was not only a vicious creature that kills and harms but also a useful ally to have by yourself to shield you from the eyes of others. I hesitated for a bit, not knowing what to do. As soon as I heard that voice, my hands went straight to the helm of my starter sword, prepared for anyone that might pop out from the darkness. It was a panic movement, an automatic response to an external force triggered by my somatic nervous system. I glanced in all eight angles of my eyes, completely scanning the area, yet I was unable to even catch of glimpse of even a hint of human existence. I frowned, standing there for a few seconds before I redirected my attention to the target that I was tracking.

There was no time to waste. At that point, I could either converse with the player that had surprised me in the darkness and lose sight of my target, or I can ignore the voice in the darkness and carry on as if I haven't heard the words from within the shadows. Another drawback of talking to the masculine voice was a possibility of giving myself away. Hence, I decided that the voice was not important enough to sidetrack me from my mission. As a well-trained assassin in real life, I have been taught to never do anything that will damage the percentage of success of a mission and I have adapted that perspective into my own life.

After a while, I found myself outside of the safe zone of the first floor... In the grasslands to be exact. The figure had stopped and had turned around, staring blankly in my direction with an emotionless face. It was not time for me to show myself to him, but I kept my hand on my starter curved sword in case an attack did come my way. For now, I am not sure whether he has managed to spot me and I am not willing to show myself just yet. I just need to be prepared. I need to be prepared for everything.

@Hikoru

[Hikoru 0]

(OOC: phone posts until I get a laptop charger)

Hikoru watched as the gurl froze and grabbed her weapon on instinct. Perfect, someone with a good reflex and not seeming afraid to fight. She looked back at the player she was following. Took one look for him, then continued to follow the shrouded figure. He followed silently, climbing atop The roof and freerunning around the area as he followed. He made sure not to make a sound, and not even dust was picked up or a pebble kicked, making seem as it his presense was never there.

He followed until they were out of the city, and soon they were all in a field. He stood back, awaiting to see what would happen between the two characters. He couldn't make out their health bars or their crystals, so he would need to wait and see what would happen before he would intervene. It could just be two players squabbling over something, but he wanted to be sure. His cloak billowed in the breeze silently, masking his presense and making him look like the background of the surrounding area. He was probably very difficult to see, but one movement and his position could easily be given away. So he stood still as a stone and awaited for the action to begin

[Blood 0]

A few minutes passed and nothing. The winds had silenced themselves, the mobs of the first floor had already returned to their shelters for the night and as far as I can tell, there is only me and the person in front of me. He was grim, and it was obvious that he was high in level in comparison to me. If I was to venture out and strike him with my curved sword, the chances of death would be extremely high. He was definitely after me judging from how he was looking at me in that hiding place and it was obvious that he had been leading me here. I am not stupid - I can see through the man's plot perfectly, but if it may lead to leads about my father, then it would all be worth it. Anything for my mission, and right now, the mission is the death of my father who has failed to find me in real life and as a result, decided to kill me in this game instead. Luckily for me, he was unable to do this to his only surviving daughter and the result was me being captured and locked away in a hidden area. Now that I have escaped, I have plenty of leveling gaining to make to catch up for my missed time.

"You may come out now." The henchman (judging from his physique and structure) said and followed it with a grunt. "Misses Blood, or should I refer to you as your real name." He smirked, hands placed on his straight sword as he stared at her hiding place in dismay. I sighed, it was no use continuing to hide. My heart skipped a beat as I walked out from that hiding place to be faced eye to eye by the man.

"I see my father has not only come to the game by himself, but also with several assassins as well. How many of you are there?" I responded, trying to delay and get some information in the process. "Too many even for you to deal with. How can you deal with all of us when you can't even deal with me?" He said, finally revealing his face from the shadows so I was able to see his full detail.

"Z-07. Master of the blade. Known for killing without the break of sweat with one swing of a blade towards the victims neck, cutting it off and disposing the head." I frowned in disgust, "In an oven. Disgusting."

"Yes, and once I complete my mission of killing you, I would be sure to do the same to your head upon returning to real life. Now, an assassin strikes in silence and quickness. Seems like we have already talked way too much. Let us proceed, then, shall we?" And with that, he leaped forwards with his straight sword held high in the air, ready to cut down on me.

@Hikoru

Edited August 12, 2017 by Blood

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru soon saw that conflict would arise. The stronger looking player made his move towards the girl, bringing up the weapon above her head. He had to time this right or else either he would be hit, or the girl would take damage. He swiftly unsheathed his Katana, moving silently and soon meeting Shadows Flame against the cold steel of the other blade. He stopped it and flicked his wrist, unarming the other player swiftly. Although he seemed to know what he was doing, he was overly-cocky and thought he could fight this girl easily. Little did he know he was there. He let out a signand quickly flicked the Katana back into it's sheath. He wouldn't need it, and if he did, he would use his Dagger instead. He looked back at the girl

"Apologies for the earlier scare." He said simply, then turned to the other person "Do you have a problem with this miss I'm escorting? I hope you know you stand no chance against me. I have enough ability to kill you and to any other goons you may have around. I suggest you turn tail before things get nasty" he said, unsheathing and showing the base of his katana's blade. These people may not know him, but he had made a name for himself with his famous blue cloak and his dagger, which he kept hidden. But gripped the hilt of it anyways, keeping the rest distracted with his Katana.

[Blood 0]

As I anticipated, combat would begin. It was inevitable. The man was definitely after me and coming after him was a foolish decision. However, it was a choice that I had to make in order to find out more about my father. This won't be the only risk that I have to take so I might as well get used to the consequences of choosing a weaker decision. That's what happened and now, I had my curved sword ready to be pulled out. However, out of the darkness, a shadow appeared out of nowhere with exceptional speed, blocking the attack in front of me with absolute precision. My eyebrows rose as I looked at back of the interferer as he spoke, as if he was actually involved in the interactions between Z-07 and I. The man looked equally surprised and annoyed at the arrival of a new player as he was knocked away from his target - me.

"Bah. Resorting to having an escort to protect you from us, huh? How pathetic. Having such protection will only delay the process of your death, not the final outcome of it." He said, staring straight at me as he did so, obviously thinking that I had planned the interference. I stared back at the man, "Perhaps that is so. However, it gives me more time to kill off as much of you as I can find before I die." I smiled. I had won this confrontation through the element of luck. The man could definitely take me on and kill me through a few simple sword arts if he wished to do so. However, with another mysterious player close by - someone that he does not know the skill level of - he would definitely retreat immediately. 

"I will be back for you. So will others. Be aware." He said, threatening me before turning around and running away. "What a shame. Have you forgotten? A known assassin always works alone." With that, he was gone, disappeared into the dark void that shielded players' eyes from vision and sight. "Wait, how many of you are there?" 

Nothing. Silence.

I sighed, looking at the man before turning around and walking away. "Thanks. But it was not necessary. I could've handled the situation myself." 

@Hikoru

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru watched the confrontation unfold. It seemed that they knew each other. Talks of assassins and everything came out of mouths but he focused on his body, making sure that he wouldn't take any movements towards them. Soon he retreated and he saw that the girl said she could have handled it. He took one look at her weapon and knew it was a basic weapon. Along with no unique armor, this player was a low-level, and stood no chance against the other one. He let out a sigh and shook his head

"By the look of what your wearing along with how slow you were to react, your a new player, either been in hiding or been building a shop up and just deciding to join the game. You should be lucky that I was around." He said. He went over to the weapon that were dropped, seeing that it was just a basic Katana. He used his Merchant skill and saw that it had no enchantments, and nothing could be found. The thing was worthless to him. He gave a look at the girl and tossed it next to her, the blade spinning and catching in the ground.

"Here, take this. Learn to use it, it'll protect you more than that curved sword." He said, then came over and crossed his arms "So, you seem to have some heat on you... I may have a proposition for you, if your interested in something."

[Blood 0]

"Does it look like I would be someone to hide?" I asked, obviously insulted by the man's comment that I have either been hiding or been setting up shop - neither of which were correct. Indeed, I had not been doing any of those things. Actually, I have been kept prisoner but the man would not have known that and he wouldn't find out either, as it is something that involves only me and my father. "That man would not have killed me. I could've gotten more information from him before running away." I explained. There was no way that my father would let a henchman kill his only daughter. Instead, he would want to kill me with his own bloodied hands, not through the works of another. However, since Z-07 had seen me, he would surely report to his boss that I am currently on the first floor. It would not be safe for me here and I knew it. I would have to get out of this floor as soon as possible if I can.

"I will take that Katana though. I've been searching for one since coming into the game." I picked up the katana and held it in front of me, observing the details of it, or whatever details it actually held. It was plain and distasteful with no aura of intimidation sprouting from it. It glared during the night time, giving away the location of the wielder from miles away. Sure, I could use it for the time being but eventually, I would have to purchase a far better katana than the basic one that I was holding. I replaced my upgraded curved sword and replaced it with my newly obtained katana, already feeling stronger because of the weapon. After doing so, I turned my back and began to walk away, not finding a point of sticking around any longer outside the safe zone when the man hinted at a proposition of sorts. I glanced back, stopping in my track as I did so. It was unlikely that I would agree to anything he says next but my curiosity got to the better of me. Perhaps it would even benefit me in one way or another.

@Hikoru

[Blood 0]

(Finishing thread on my own as SP)

ID: 99775
LD: 7

Blood stood there for a while there with her new katana before realizing that the man had gone silent and appeared to be nonexistent. Perhaps he had gone away for some strange reason in the blank of an eye. The man was obviously a powerful player, and he had been the first one she had talked to for quite a long time now. The effort paid off, though, as this new katana would help her purposes drastically. Now, she can finally put into place her status infliction build and kill off monsters and players with her poison instead of just her boring, plain blade. Next, she would have to set up her alchemy station, and after that, she'll finally be ready to go with her build. The only thing left would be to grind for the skills that would certainly help her progress and become the most powerful killer in Aincrad.

Materials: 0

Edited April 18, 2018 by Blood

[Blood 0]

ID: 99776
LD: 3

Blood decided to spend the rest of her day searching for materials that might help her in the future. She would need alchemy-related materials which would help her greatly on her goal to becoming one of the most venom-related players in this game. With her poison, she will strike, and become a queen of damage over time attacks. Blood sighed, finally putting the katana that she was grateful for. With the new weapon, she will be able to buy more powerful katanas and then use them to inflict even more damage over time attacks through the use of the bleeding enhancement and paralysis. What she wanted was a method of making targets unable to move, and then bombarding them with poison attacks. Blood smiled evilly, looking around at the environment before realizing that there was nothing before walking out closer to the safe zone in case she encounters anything dangerous to her.

Materials: 0

Edited April 19, 2018 by Blood

[Blood 0]

ID: 99805
LD: 20

Blood watched out into the distance, making sure that she didn't miss everything before she moved on to the next area. Material gathering sessions like this tended to be pretty boring, so Blood was not looking forwards to having this difficult material gathering session. Nevertheless, Blood knew that in the end, she would need mushrooms and warts of sorts to create the most poisonous poisons for herself, so this thought simply kept her going as it would be extremely useful in the future. Blood sighed, looking and scanning at the ground once more and picking up a mushroom and rooting it from the ground to keep it in her inventory. Blood smiled, inserting it into her inventory as she carried on with her material gathering session. For now, though, she was running out of things to think about and things to say. She needed to grind, but she really wasn't feeling up to it.

Materials: 1

Edited April 19, 2018 by Blood

[Blood 0]

ID: 99806
LD: 19

Blood kept on watching out for mushrooms. They were of importance for her poison-oriented alchemy which she would like to get involved with on a later date. Blood smirked even harder than before as she was able to find a mushroom once again, making it twice in a row that she was able to discover a mushroom. Blood sighed, her red eyes glaring as the mushroom's reflection found its way into her eyes. She had done it, and with this, she would possibly make it into one of her many venom which can be used to kill her victims even more slowly than she would with the bleed effect. With all these damage over time attacks, she would be able to take the lives of many victims through slow suffering and destruction. Blood giggled, she was getting excited just thinking about it, and soon, she will be able to make her dreams come true.

Materials: 2

Edited April 19, 2018 by Blood

[Blood 0]

ID: 99807
LD: 19

It seemed that Blood had managed to find the jackpot. There were plenty of mushrooms in this moist part of the fields and each of them would be a great additional to her arsenal of poison. She was planning on always having poison at ready so she can use them at any time to defeat an opponent. Blood sighed, watching as the boars walked across the fields as the sun was getting ready to set. Blood smiled, the sun's setting was a beautiful scene, and the darkness that came along with it, was also of complete beauty as it would hide her from the unsuspecting dangers of the night time. Blood took out her katana once again, slicing the mushroom on the ground to uproot it from the hardened mud before picking it up and officially adding it as a special addition to her material inventory. She was finally starting to pile them up now.

Materials: 3

Edited April 19, 2018 by Blood

[Blood 0]

ID: 99808
LD: 9

Blood knew that this was extremely tedious, and doing what she was doing resulted in her feeling very tired very soon. It had been a while since she last walked as much as she did like this, and it was definitely not a good sign because before, she would be able to walk this distance, heck, even run it without feeling the hint of tiredness. Perhaps she also had to move on and obtain some more utility skills so she can return to the way that she used to move without feeling tiredness. Kasier sighed. It seemed that she had finally drawn out the last of the resources in her surrounding area, therefore it was finally time for her to move on from the place and reach a new one. There, she will be able to obtain more resources. Blood smiled, she had gotten three already, so it was already a productive day.

Materials: 3

Edited April 20, 2018 by Blood

[Blood 0]

ID: 99854
LD: 1

Blood's red eyes glared as she went from the swamp-like area of the first floor to the fields where the boars moved around freely for players to kill. Honestly, Blood wouldn't mind killing all of them for loot, but it was not fun enough for her to kill such insignificant creatures. She wanted to kill bigger things, but the way things are going is not good. In the future, Blood would need some health potions due to the fact that she won't be investing any of her skill points into tank-related skills. She was a pure damage dealer, and that means she shall destroy everything in her path without getting hit. Apples are the key to health potions and safeguards. In this world, there are plenty of apples scattered around, but the difficult part was not finding them. The difficult part was finding the right one, because not all of them are ripe enough for potions.

Materials: 3

Edited April 20, 2018 by Blood

[Blood 0]

ID: 99855
LD: 18

Blood looked up as she walked to the nearest tree. Here, there would be plenty of apples, but she would need to use her gut instincts to choose an apple that looked closest to ripe. Not only that, she would have to get lucky that a red apple didn't get bitten by a mob or has not been taken by other players. This was a game of luck, and sure, there are things that can boost the likelihood that you succeed in the task that you wish to complete. Blood sighed, her blood-like eyes scanned the area to see that there were boars around, and she desired blood at that moment. She was so tempted that she almost left her area, but then she realized that there was a huge red apple hanging low from the tree she was just at. Without another thought, Blood went over and harshly ripped it out of the tree, adding to her amount of materials.

Materials: 4

Edited April 20, 2018 by Blood

[Blood 0]

ID: 99856
LD: 6

Shifting her attention completely to her mission of gathering apples, she continued to look up at the trees and occasionally looked down just in case a good apple fell to the ground and no one bothered to pick it up or notice it. The chances of a good apple on the ground was unlikely though, because boars and other creatures can come along and easily pick it to eat and feast on it before they were killed by players. With their death, the players would be able to become stronger. It was like a cycle, and Blood felt guilty for taking away food from the boars who needed them to grow bigger for players like her to kill. There are plenty of apples around, she told herself, grabbing one randomly off of a tree. It was a bad apple, and Blood tossed it away without hesitation. She smiled, her blood-like eyes focused on what's ahead and what's around her.

Materials: 4

Edited April 20, 2018 by Blood

[Blood 0]

ID: 99857
LD: 19

Blood's eyes shifted constantly when she saw another apple in the distance. It was a good opportunity for her to obtain another material, and she decided that she would take it without hesitation. She smiled, seeing that it was a good apple that she can definitely use for the potions. Blood sighed, when she noticed a stare. It was a strange sensation that occurred to her as she turned around suddenly. There was someone hiding within the shadows, and Blood was unable to judge him or her without the use of vision. She can't see him or her, but she was aware of their presence. Blood took a gulp, maintaining quiet as she listened out for the location of where the enemy was. Blood kept her attention at full despite her tired legs and finally, she heard a crunch of a leaf on the ground and pinpointed exactly where the squirrel was.

Materials: 5

Edited April 20, 2018 by Blood

[Blood 0]

Blood charged forwards with her curved sword out of its case. She heard a shuffle of bushes as if the person was running away from her. Blood's brows furrowed as she observed the moving bush. Suddenly, a skinny man in a dark ninja-like costume jumped out of the bush. His eyes were a threatening glance that was directed directly at Blood's figure, and Blood held her stance in a defensive fashion. She was not aware of the man's abilities, but she knew exactly what the man intended to do... attack her. She took a small, quiet breath, and at that breath, the man started backing away.

"What is your purpose?" Blood asked, only for the man to respond with a silent movement of her rubber mask. He was not going to say anything, and pursuing her was no use. Blood felt a shiver. It was a reminder that her life was constantly in danger.