[F1 - SP; COMPLETED] There and Back Again, a Mute's Tale <<The Third Lesson, Is Just As Free>>

[Neopolitan 0]

Neo had just come from the blacksmith. She was left with a package she needed to deliver to an artisan named Hannah, and she had no idea why she needed to deliver it.

Can't expect perfect storytelling in a game meant to trap you in now, can I?

Neo took a little bit of time to figure out how to equip her new armor before actually looking for the artisan. The menu was a little convoluted, but she eventually figured it out and a nice set of studded leather materialised over her normal clothes. Neo also checked through her inventory, reminding herself that she still needed to get the weapon she got identified somehow as well as get herself some better gear while she's at it. She also was curious about the potion that she got. It was a little strange that the blacksmith gave it to her, though if he was friends with an alchemist, it would make sense why he would have one to begin with. The potion was just labelled, "Safeguard," and didn't mention just what its effect was. There was also a little warning in its info box saying that it could only be used for a limited time.

Probably best that I drink this sooner than later I guess.

Edited June 3, 2018 by Neopolitan

[Neopolitan 0]

The grove of trees wasn't easy to find, but Neo eventually stumbled across it. It was a very pretty place, especially compared to the dull atmosphere of defeated players that permeates the town of beginnings. Nestled in one of the trees was a younger woman drawing some of the nearby fauna that populated the little grove. Neo approached her to initiate the inevitable conversation.

"Hello! I see you're also one to enjoy a little bit of nature. It really is such a beautiful place, isn't it? Filled with little creatures that many don't even notice. They live in such a secluded place, and yet they remain curious, wanting to break the boundaries set to them by their birth."

Self-centered prick, couldn't help but put an analogy to the game in your beginner's quests, could you?

Neo simply nodded towards the artisan, hoping that would progress the dialogue on its own.

[Neopolitan 0]

After waiting for some time, the artisan finally spots the package underneath Neo's arm.

"I hate to sound selfish, but would that be a package for me by chance? It certainly looks like Lyle's wrapping, and I was expecting something from him soon. He never could figure out how to tie a rope around a package."

Neo offered the package to Hannah with just another nod. As advanced as this game was, it hadn't anticipated a person not talking throughout the whole game. At least it was kind enough to not leave her stranded waiting for dialogue to finish.

As much as he likes to preach, he didn't program a monologue option for the NPCs.

Hannah opened up the package, revealing a simple gold band inside. "Thank you for bringing this, though it's not everything I need to make a ring. Say, would you be willing to get a gemstone for me, there should be one in a nearby cave system."

[Neopolitan 0]

Neo nodded once again, but still had to wait for Hannah's dialogue to continue.

"Great, you couldn't miss the gemstone. It glows in the light that seeps through the cave's ceiling. I'll make sure to make you something when you do bring it back. Just head a bit to the north, that's where the cave system is located."

As little as she knew it would affect things, Neo gave a little bow before turning to leave the grove. As she walked out of the grove and through the gloomy atmosphere of defeated players, she couldn't help but wonder how long she would've stayed like them, curled up in a secluded corner, if news of progress had never reached her ears. Even with the news, Neo was unsure of what sparked her to finally start moving, overcoming the inertia that was her own dread and self-pity.

There will be time for figuring things out later. For now, I just need to focus on the road ahead.

[Neopolitan 0]

On her way out of the Town of Beginnings, Neo walked through the plaza where her journey had begun only a couple days ago. It already felt like it was so distant from her, a whole different life she will never experience again. Her life of defeat, crying in corners and begging for charity, was finally over. It was time for her to begin leading as an example. She wanted to send news of success to inspire more people to work harder. Even though they were stuck in a game of death, there was still a way out. And though the way out may be a lie just to motivate everyone in here, it still was what would give Neo the strength to carry onward, reaching towards the heavens of Aincrad. She cleared out of the plaza, walking past alleyways she knew all too well. She walked past empty memory after empty memory. And as she came up to the gates out of the town, she felt rejuvenated. She would finally go farther into her new world than ever before, and she planned to go even farther, continuing on until there were no more ends to reach.

[Neopolitan 0]

The plains were rather simple, befitting of the starting area for a game. Neo had dabbled a little bit in programming before being trapped in SAO, but she never could wrap her head around it. What she did enjoy was discovering how to look at the world from a different perspective, a different light. She was both enraptured and appalled by the plains simplicity. It was amazing that she felt like she was walking through an actual meadow, heading towards an uncharted cave system that she could explore on her own. But then, thoughts of the motivation behind this game's creation creep into Neo's mind, dispelling the illusion. The game was such an amazing feat that was shoved aside for the news of the horror that its creator made. Even the creatures she had already faced felt almost lifelike, and even caused a twinge of guilt in her heart. But in the end, everything was merely a construct meant to play to the sick fantasies of the world's creator.

[Neopolitan 0]

Neo had walked for a ways now, not wanting to stop and see the sights. She soon came across a hill that interrupted the flatness of the meadow. As she walked around it, she noticed a hole gently sloping into the ground until she couldn't see any further.

This must be the cave with the gemstone in it, a lot closer than I thought it would be.

Neo checked her inventory, making sure that everything was in place in case of an emergency. She noticed the safeguard potion again, and decided now would be a better time than any to drink it. She selected it and the potion materialized in her hand. As she drank it, she tasted a tart flavor coming off of it, followed by a rush of energy.

Well, whatever this thing does, let's hope I didn't just waste it.

Neo steeled herself and began to delve into the cave system.

[Neopolitan 0]

Spoiler

Neo: lvl 5

    HP: 100

    ENG: 10

    Weapon: Bloodedge (T1 rapier with 1 slot bleed and 1 slot of damage)

    Armor: Sutdded Leather (T1 Armor with 1 slot of MIT)

    Battle Ready Inventory:

• 3x Starter healing potions (Heals 50 HP)
• 5x T1 uncommon Health Potions (+40 HP)
• 1x T1 damage potion (+1 DMG)
• 1x T1 overhealing potion (+50 temp.HP)

As the cave went further into the ground, Neo became plunged in darkness. There was still some residual light that seeped in through cracks in the ceiling, but all that did was prevent her from going blind. The cave wound everywhere, and Neo was unsure as to where the gemstone would be located.

I just hope I don't get turned around in this place, I certainly wouldn't like to get lost in here.

After a bit more walking, the ground gently sloping down the entire time, Neo walked into a chamber glowing a little bit brighter. It was still very dim, but she could see a little more clearly now. The room was filled with stones glowing in the light. However, in the center was one shining with more luster than all the others.

This is probably the gemstone I need to grab, best snag it and be on my way.

[Neopolitan 0]

As Neo walked up to grab the gemstone, the ground began to rumble. Whatever it was, it was causing the gemstone to sink into the ground. Though after the gemstone sunk down a bit, it began to rise. Out of the floor of the cavern rose a beast of stone, covered with small outcroppings of these gems. It was truly a terrifying sight, though not easy to see as it blocked out almost all of the light in the room.

I knew this quest wouldn't be that easy. I just hope that thing isn't as mean as it looks. If all else fails, I can run. That's assuming I can find my way out while being chased down by a golem of course.

Once the beast was done climbing out of its hole where the gemstone lay, it let out a mighty roar and shook the cavern even more. Neo drew her rapier, preparing for the fight that was inevitably coming.

Spoiler

Encounter - Cave Guardian:

    HP: 20

    DMG: 50 (on first successful hit) / 5 (does not benefit from critical hits)

 

[Neopolitan 0]

Neo was unsure as to how well her rapier would work against stone, but it was certainly worth a try. As the beast came down with a smashing attack, Neo lunged underneath its legs. Once behind thew golem, Neo thrust upward with her sword. She didn't care where she was hitting, and as such was greeted with an appropriate shock of metal hitting rock.

Well, couldn't expect the game to be that unreal now could I. I'll need to find its weak spots if I want to take it down.

The golem began to turn around, the cavern ground shaking with every step it took. As the beast was slow in turning, Neo took the time to figure out where would be best to strike. She then realized that the beast may only be harmable by sword arts, which seemed much more powerful than just a regular strike.

I felt the rush from activating a sword art though, so I hope I just missed instead of not doing any damage.

Spoiler

Roll ID: #101472

BD: 2 -1 acc = 1 - Miss

MD: 4 - 1 acc = 3 - Miss

Neo:

    ENG: 8 (-2 miss)

 

Edited June 2, 2018 by Neopolitan

[Neopolitan 0]

The beast raised its hands once more to try and smash Neo into the ground. Neo contemplated for a moment before a light bulb went off in her head.

Let's try something interesting then.

As the golem's strength came barrelling down, Neo let the rush of energy flow through her and aimed her attack at the golem's fists. As they came down to greet her blade, they suddenly found themselves unable to move forward and only moving away from the strike. The golem shook its fist out, but appeared to be unhurt. It let out another roar, presumably being as frustrated as Neo was right now

Okay... I'll need to find a new place to hit it.

The monster walked forward a little bit, the cave continuing to tremble underneath its terrifying footsteps, in an effort to cut off Neo's capability to dodge and raised its hands to strike once more.

Spoiler

Roll ID: #101473

BD: 3 - 1 acc = 2 - Miss

MD: 2 - 1 acc = 1 - miss

Neo:

    ENG: 7 (-2 miss + 1 regen)

Edited June 2, 2018 by Neopolitan

[Neopolitan 0]

Neo didn't have anywhere to go. The golem had backed her into a corner, preventing her from dodging to the back. It had its legs closer together, preventing an escape forward. And the golem's girth meant she couldn't dodge to the sides without it being able to correct the attack. Neo feared for her life, unsure as to just how hard this golem would hit. The grouped up fists came closer and closer.

At least I didn't die to a boar, though dying this early is still embarrassing. I guess I won't really be embarrassed once I'm dead though.

Suddenly, there was a flash of light and the golem staggered back. Neo looked around, unsure as to what happened. It took her a second, but she realized that the safeguard buff was gone.

Well, glad to have figured out what that ability does.

Neo didn't have much time though, as the golem started to get back up.

Spoiler

Roll ID: #101474

BD: 2 - 1 acc: 1 - Miss

MD: 7 - 1 acc = 6 - hit

Neo:

    ENG: 6 (-2 miss + 1 regen)

    Safeguard effect used up

Cave Guardian:

    DMG: 5 (doesn't benefit from critical hits; used up first successful attack bonus damage)

 

Edited June 3, 2018 by Neopolitan

[Neopolitan 0]

As the golem was still getting on its feet, Neo went in for another attack. As she charged across the cavern floor, she let the game take hold. The energy of her attack flowed through her, but she wasn't out of control now. Neo focused on one of the golem's crystals, and the sword art turned itself towards them.

So it is controllable, though not by much. At least it means that I can use them and still be mindful of where I'm placing my strikes.

The creature had gotten up to its feet by the time Neo was about to strike, and it braced itself for the coming blow. What it wasn't expecting was the v formation of Neo's strike, dodging around the arms in front of the golem and hitting the crystals along its sides. It let out a roar of pain as the crystals shattered underneath the blow, and started to bring its hands into a clapping motion. Neo tried to dodge out of the way, but had overextended in her hopes of taking out the monster quickly. She braced once again for the blow, knowing that this time nothing would be there to save her, when the golem suddenly crumbled into many tiny pieces. Apparently, the crystals were more of a weak spot than Neo anticipated, and it only took some time before the golem took the damage that would end it off.

Spoiler

Combat:

    Roll ID: #101479

    BD: 9 (crits are unaffected by modifiers) - minor critical hit, bleed applied for two turns

    MD: 10 (crits are unaffected by modifiers) - major critical hit nullified due to death

    Neo:

        HP: 95 (-5): 5 base, no bonus from crits no change

        ENG: 5 (-2 Rip Ravine; +1 regen)

    Cave Guardian:

        HP: 0 (-20): (3 base + 1 crit) * 2 sword art + 12 bleed = 20

Loot: (disregard, cave guardian is not in loot minimum paramaters, sorry for the now confusing roll)

    Roll ID: #101480

 

Edited June 3, 2018 by Neopolitan

[Neopolitan 0]

Neo stood there for a moment catching her breath. She was still in amazement as to how easily she was able to take down the golem. Then it dawned on her why the golem went down the way it did. It was the weapon she had chosen on a whim that did most of the heavy lifting.

Apparently I made a good choice of weapon when I started out. Didn't realize status effects could be this powerful.

She walked over to where the golem was, its pieces now shattered and dissipated, and found the gemstone lying there. She quickly picked it up and added it to her inventory.

Well, now I just have to hope that I can find my way out of this cave. Shouldn't be too hard, so long as the ground is going up I should be making progress towards the entrance.

Spoiler

Neo:

    ENG: 6 (+1 regen)

 

[Neopolitan 0]

Getting out of the cave was easier said than done. Though sloping upward was certainly the way to go, there were many dead ends that Neo hadn't spotted on her way down to the main cavern. She tried to use landmarks she remembered, but everything looked the same in such a dim light.

Go right then left, or left then right. Maybe its two lefts, or perhaps it was left, right, left... Gah, I need to figure this out or I'll be stuck here for much longer than I'd like.

Neo continued to struggle through the cave and got blinded by a swarm of smaller bats she accidentally startled. After that event though, the ground began to climb up at a steeper angle. It wasn't much of a difference, but just enough to be noticeable.

This should take me to the entrance.

And take her to the entrance it did.

[Neopolitan 0]

Suddenly, Neo found herself blinded by sunlight. She hadn't been in the cave that long, but it was now midday. The light glistening off the rocks surrounding the cave as she crawled out of it, Neo had to shield her eyes just to process her surroundings. As her eyes adjusted to the bright light, she found that she had exited from a different part of the hill than she entered. Thankfully, the Town of Beginnings was still in sight. Neo looked back at the cave's gloomy interior once more, making sure nothing would surprise her before leaving it behind. She held her head up high as she began her trek across the plains once more, knowing that another step on her journey had been completed.

Another obstacle defeated, and so I grow closer to the front lines. Though I am probably still a ways out, I can't imagine it taking too long to get to the point that I can help tackle on a floor boss. It may still be some time though before I can be more help than extra numbers to add though.

[Neopolitan 0]

Neo trekked across the plains, grass brushing against legs the whole way. While making her way to the Town of Beginnings, Neo contemplated what the best way would be to get herself onto the front lines.

I should probably try to get to know some of the front line people, though I don't even know who is up there. I would imagine that those players are really powerful, and probably wouldn't help me that much while I'm still so new. Well, I guess I'm not technically new, I've been trapped her as long as they have, I just have been depressed and defeated and... No! I can't think like that. Either way, I should try to get better before I try to make friends with the people on the front lines. Even if they will do stuff with me, it won't be easy to get them to see me as powerful if they've had to carry me on the path to the front lines.

[Neopolitan 0]

Sooner than she had expected, Neo found herself at the gates to the Town of Beginnings once more.

I'm glad I wasn't attacked on my way back, I got completely lost in thought. At least I was able to figure out a couple ideas on how to make my way forward. I just need to finish this quest, and I should be on my way. It's possible that there are more beginner quests for me to do though. I just hope that there aren't too many. As nice as it is to get more experience, I don't think this is the most effective way for me to get it.

Neo walked through the gates, and once again noticed the difference between the two areas. The plains gave a sense of freedom and hope. But once inside the walls of the safe zone, all Neo could feel was sadness and defeat.

So many people here are still laying down defeated. If any of them are like me, they'll notice me passing and just question why I would try to do anything to escape this seemingly impossible situation. If only I could convince them. But I doubt any would listen until I can show that I made progress. If only more high level players came down here to talk to these people, there might be more than enough to take us all the way to the top.

[Neopolitan 0]

Before returning to Hannah, Neo decided to look around and see if there was anything worth visiting later. There were several shops around, but none really caught her eye. As good of a place the starting town was for setting up shop, it seemed many players wanted to go for a more scenic place.

I'll need to figure out how to get to other floors if I want to find a better shop. Otherwise, it looks like I'm stuck with a lot of uncommitted people trying to be nice to beginner's. I suppose the mentality comes with the name of the town.

After trying to find anything of interest and coming up with nothing, Neo began to work her way towards the grove of trees once more. It was getting easier to find her way around the town, but that knowledge wouldn't be terribly useful once Neo was off exploring every direction she could.

[Neopolitan 0]

Neo found the grove without much hassle this time, and approached Hannah once again.

"Hello there! I assume you found the crystal? That was certainly quite fast"

Neo pulled the crystal out of her inventory and handed it to the artisan, which thankfully automatically continued the dialogue.

"Thank you for this. If you give me just a moment, I've got just the gift for you." Hannah rummaged around in her pack and eventually pulled out a nice looking ring, which she extended towards Neo. "This is for you, in thanks of finding that crystal for me."

Neo took the ring, and the dialogue continued.

"While I have your assistance, would you mind delivering a package? He's a fisherman by the name of Ol' Pete, and a long time friend of mine. If you wouldn't mind, that would be so great."

Neo nodded, knowing that it wouldn't do anything, and waited for the NPC to continue. After waiting for a bit, the artisan offered her a package. Neo took it and went on her way to continue working on these beginner quests.