[PP-F1] A Feast Of Bush (Earning A Living: Cook Edition) <COMPLETE>

[Kioshi 0]

"Be safe!" Maggie yells from her home as she waves goodbye to Kioshi, wishing him good luck beforehand. Three ingredients for vanilla cupcakes, and two more just for the heck of it. Two eggs, preferably wild for some reason, and a vanilla orchid. The other two ingredients can be herbs, meat, fish, etc. At least Kioshi can try his hand on cooking those for the first time if he isn't on board with vanilla cupcakes. Ready to go on another adventure, Kioshi walks towards the gates of the starting city and stops to equip himself.

He first dons his new Kelly armor, so called since it is entirely based on the real armor worn by bushranger Ned Kelly. Though he looks like a walking tin can when wearing it, Kioshi doesn't mind this as he views its appearance as menacing rather than goofy. Who would want to size up with a big f**k you sword or gun-wielding large tall man wearing like that? 

After putting the full helmet on, Kioshi knocks it and the breastplate to feel how hard the metal is. Quite durable, and it produces a good sound too when being lightly knocked or tapped. 

Kioshi belts his new Zweihander sword around his waist, and soon he is already fully equipped. Staring at the horizon, he lets out a quiet sigh as he thinks about walking around wearing like this in public daily...even though he does not care to show his 'elderly' face to people.

@Pick

Edited August 17, 2018 by Kioshi

[Pick 0]

Pick whistled, casually walking through the streets of the first floor until he came to the exit. Today would probably be another one of those material gathering days. He had found that recently, he had done a lot of these sessions in hopes of stocking them up and then distributing them to random players. Pick sighed, watching as people walked by and by, realizing that perhaps he didn't actually want to spend all this time doing material gathering. It wasn't helping him level up, and so he couldn't help himself by getting more skills that would increase his luck. This was why he needed to go on quests and obtain skill points through the help of others... and his materials would help him do that when people recognize his potential to help everyone, even the front liners, with crafting in the late game.

Pick smiled when he noticed a familiar face that he saw from a beach party. Walking up to him, he began to talk, "Heyo there. What you doing out here... You gonna go out there?" Pick pointed, "If so, I hope you don't mind me joining you. I am rather bored with my usual material gathering, so it would be nice to do something different. What you planning to do, anyways?" Pick asked.

@Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

Like any other helmet, no matter how heavy one is, the sense of hearing isn't quite impaired by the metallic surface closed in around the entire head. So it isn't unusual when Kioshi can clearly hear someone talking to him. Something about boredom and wanting to join.

He turns his head to see that same blonde boy from the beach party a few days ago. Staring at him through the visor, he thinks that there is no good reason to deny his company. At least he still have some help and not being lonely...on second thought, that second part isn't really happening. Loneliness is a part of himself after all. And he fully accepted it for a long time. Why be friends with anyone when in the end you would be alone as life's candle is blowing out?

Kioshi nods at the guy's request to follow him, though he feels like he should answer his question about his current business.

".....cupcakes and meat."

That is all Kioshi has to say. He starts his journey to the forest, holding the handle of his sword close to himself.

@Pick

Edited July 25, 2018 by Kioshi

[Pick 0]

"Cupcakes and meat. Delicious, that doesn't tell me much about what you're out to do though. You know you can get that stuff in the safe zone, right? It's not that rare with the amount of shops around here." Pick said, half joking at the weird quietness that the man spoke with. He was one of those players who tend not to speak unless they necessarily have to. He was kind of like Neopolitan, but he could speak, while she couldn't necessarily. Pick sighed, scratching his head. "Anyways, my name is Pick, what is your name?" Pick asked, following the man as he kept his sword close to him, ready to strike out at any enemies that is unlucky enough to come seek action and fall under the force of his blade. Who knows how strong he is. Pick thought, shaking his head, as he realized that he had managed to slow down and needed to catch up. Jogging to do so, he rushed to ask him one more question, "I've met you at that beach - so how did you think about it, the whole party thing?" Pick asked, attempting his hardest to break a social barrier that seemed to exist at the moment.

@Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

"Kioshi," he answers when he hears the question about his name.

"...mm..." is all he can mutter when he also hears the question about the summer party. What does he thinks of it really? Nothing. Hell, he didn't even join the crowd, just minding his own business building a sand volcano and looking at the sea with a fiddler crab. All he wanted to do in the beach was to merely relax, nothing more.

It doesn't take long for them to finally arrive at the forest. A very vast place. Lots of trees, wildlife, some monsters here and there, and maybe cooking ingredients too. Kioshi keeps holding onto his sword's handle as he steps into the woods.

ID: 103642

LD: 9 (No ingredient found...)

Finding a vanilla plant might be easier in Kioshi's opinion. With his helmet still on in case he has to protect himself from an ambush, he looks closely at whatever white flowers he happens to see.

@Pick

Edited July 26, 2018 by Kioshi

[Pick 0]

Pick watched as the man seemed to mutter in response to his question. He shrugged - it didn't matter as long as he was getting skill points and rewards for tagging along. However, it seemed that Kioshi was doing some material gathering, which is a requirement for his quest. As far as he knew, most people's luck in this game aren't as brilliant as his in this game. It was a hard name to live up to, since no matter how you looked at it, Pick was the luckiest man in this game... the luckiest man in the world, actually. He grinned, chuckling as he thought about these ideas in his own mind. Pick smiled, taking off his cape and walking closer to the man.

"Hey, since you're doing some material gathering, I can let you borrow this cape I got here. This cape apparently increases you luck, so you should use it and see if you can find more materials like this." Pick offered, giving the black cape to Kioshi to make the quest go by faster. He had other things to do, and he didn't want to linger for that long doing this quest, or accompanying someone else on this quest, anyways. He had things to do, and he wanted the quest to go by as fast as possible, even if he might have to wash his cape afterwards. Pick smiled, offering the trade screen.

Offered <<Cape of Masterpiece Heist>> for Kioshi to equip

@Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

Obtained Cape of Masterpiece Heist from Pick for this quest.

ID: 103657

LD: 19 + 3 (Cape) = 22 (Found 1/5 Material!)

The screen pops up in front of Kioshi's face as he is offered a certain cape from Pick. Increasing the chance to find materials...and a high one too. Definitely makes his job easier. He accepts the cape from Pick and takes it, wearing around his shoulders. His back is now practically covered by the whole thing. It adorns some fancy colors and patterns too. What a way to plant optimism into himself.

As if the cape is demonstrating its powers, Kioshi notices a vanilla orchid, which at first was thought to be another plain white flower. He approaches it and smells it. Looking closely to it. To his inner delight, he had found one out of five ingredients to start his profession. 

After picking the plant and storing it into his inventory, he turns around to Pick and gives him a small bow as thanks before moving on. The sheathed sword is still held on. Even a mere boar can be a nuisance.

@Pick

Edited July 27, 2018 by Kioshi

[Pick 0]

Pick smiled as he watched the man immediately find a material having equipped the cape that he gave him. It was good to see that he had managed to find a material so fast, and it seemed that the cape was working. Normally, he would use a food item as well to go along with the cape, but at the moment, he had none of these types of items in his inventory. Thinking about it reminded him that he would need to get some later from Kasier or Neopolitan with the newly found materials that he managed to get.

"So, you're trying to become a cook, I suppose? Since that's the only sort of quest that makes you find food ingredients," Pick observed, "Well, I'm going to be a professional material gatherer and looter and treasure hunter all at the same time some day, so I'll be looking forwards to getting some food items that will increase my luck from you. Hopefully, you'll remain an active cook, and we'll be able to help each other out." Pick grinned, bowing his head at the same time that Kioshi did the same thing to signal his gratefulness. "This quest takes a long time without the gatherer skill, though... so let's hurry it along."

Pick noticed that Kioshi at his weapon at ready the whole time - and from this the blonde man was able to deduce that he kept caution at all times, ready to strike at any enemies that might come to him. It's good to be ready, but not this ready... He thought, scratching his long, blonde hair.

@Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 103699

LD: 8 + 3 = 11 (No material found)

A professional material gatherer? What kind of profession is that, Kioshi thinks to himself as he now searches for a bird nest in the trees, hoping to find two eggs. Or one egg at the very least. The only thing that makes sense about being a 'material gatherer' is that it is also another form of currency for those not wanting to spend their COL. 

As Kioshi keeps walking in the woods, he remembers his actual attempts to cook as a kid and when he is in his current age prior to jumping into Aincrad. So far, baking is the only cooking method he could make. At first the cookies or cakes are half-assed, and the taste is a mere so-so. Over time, he improves by memorizing some actually fine recipes, and his crafts became tastier. 

Kioshi sighs a little as he really wishes that he had more time to hone his cooking skills. Luckily he can start again here.

Out of the blue, he mutters quietly, "...bears in the woods...they exist...?"

@Pick

Edited July 28, 2018 by Kioshi

[Pick 0]

Pick sighed - the guy wasn't talkative, and since he wasn't a girl, Pick didn't really feel the need to initiate in talking. If it was a girl that didn't talk that much, Pick would force some sort of conversation, but when it's not, there's simply no point for him to attempt to do anything like that. Pick sighed, following the man's slow path to completing this quest. This quest, he had heard, is actually quite the difficult one for someone who isn't used to gathering materials. Getting five materials can take a very long time if it is not done by someone who has had a lot of experience with picking random materials in random locations. Pick had been hopeful when the man suddenly said something out of the extraordinary - by suggesting that there were bears in the woods. Pick had never seen any bears, not that he cared, really, because he had heard that bears are very peaceful creatures in real life as long as you don't provoke them. "So, what about the bears? Scared of them?" Pick asked.

@Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 103757

LD: 2 + 3 = 5 (No material found...)

"...good meat and fat..." he says. Delicious food they are, if anyone can take them down. That would require a strong weapon and a bit of agility, for bears are very formidable, probably more so than any bug enemies in this floor. Pretending to be dead might won't do too. Kioshi thinks that they will just maul and eat the 'dead' person anyway.

Speaking of wild animals, Kioshi stops in his track as he notices what appears to be a dilapidated tower, standing over 7 meters tall. Grey stones form this structure. Masses of moss are visible on its surface. 

There is a single window located just below the top of the tower. Kioshi thinks that this tower might be worth scavenging, though it looks like as if it is starting to fall apart. 

He hopes that it has an entrance to its ground floor as judging by its state, Rapunzel won't be letting down her hair any time.

@Pick

Edited July 30, 2018 by Kioshi

[Pick 0]

"Ah, I see what you're saying. I'm not sure if you can get materials through fighting mobs in this quest, but if you want, I'm sure we can find a few bears for you to get meat off of. Maybe they count as materials?" Pick asked, making the connection. The man who seemed too old to be playing video games was making random comments - short phrases actually, and perhaps he as trying to tell Pick something. Pick seemed to have understood it, but while he was thinking about what Kioshi was trying to say, he continued to walk even though Kioshi stopped to observe something in the distance. When he noticed after a couple of seconds, he remarked, "Kioshi?" Pick exclaimed, looking to both his sides and then finally back to see Kioshi looking at something above the two.

When he noticed, he too, looked right up, copying the man's actions. "Magnificent. Perhaps that is something worth doing a bit of material gathering in. I don't know what could be up there, though. Maybe skulls?" Pick thought, "It's your quest, so your call. Just lead the way and let me keep being annoying with my words."

@Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 103830

LD: 13 + 3 = 16 (Found 2/5 Material!)

The inside of the tower are barely furnished, save for a table and a chair. A spiral stone staircase leads up to two floors. One floor doubles as a kitchen and living room, and the other is a single room. With a door shut.

Kioshi notices a purse sitting on the table, and grabs it to fish out its contents. A single bird egg is all that is available. 

Miraculously the egg looks still fresh and doesn't emit a stench at all. Who knows how long this lone egg was sitting in the purse in an abandoned tower.

Keeping it as another ingredient for the vanilla cupcakes, Kioshi sees that there is nothing left worth searching in the ground floor, and heads upstairs to search the kitchen and living room next.

Kioshi notes that there is the smell of iron...coming from the room upstairs.

@Pick

Edited August 1, 2018 by Kioshi

[Pick 0]

Pick followed the man into the tower without saying a single word. Pick watched as he opened a random purse with an egg in it, and his eyebrows went up in curiosity. It's not every day where a purse with an egg is discovered. Who would've gotten an egg into a purse and placed it in this random location? Pick looked around - the place seemed sketchy, almost creepy in some ways, because of the old, unused smell that it gave off, and the metal smell that was coming from upstairs. Upon further inspection, Pick saw a skull leaning against the wall to that was directly in his field of vision as he turned around. It had been laying at the entrance, as if when it was alive, it had been trapped there, unable to get through the entrance. "I wonder what this place was used for." Pick said to himself, before looking at Kioshi. "So, you sure you want to head up there? We don't know what's quite up there. What if there are golems or something up there."

@Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 103832

LD: 1 + 3 = 4 (No materials found...)

"...then I...we fight," says Kioshi as he adjusts his helmet a little so he could see properly. Golems, lizardmen, whatever that might be up there, he is ready to face it. He examines the fireplace closely. Not a single thing in there, only ashes. The cooking pot? Empty too. The same goes to the bowls and plates.

The living room is furnished with a torn up modern couch and a small, empty box. The torn marks are strangely vertical, each spot bearing three rows of those, as if claws were the culprit of this sofa's destruction. Kioshi draws out his Zweihander and checks the corners of the area for a while before moving on to the door of the room upstairs.

The stench of iron becomes stronger as he approaches the door, and slowly, he places the side of his armored head against the panel to try to listen through.

Heavy breathing. A barely audible, low groan. Squishy and chewing sounds can be heard too. 

Something soft is thrown against the door from within, creating a slightly hard thud that makes Kioshi steps away a little. He resolves to burst open and attack, looking at the blonde boy for approval.

@Pick

Edited August 1, 2018 by Kioshi

[Pick 0]

Pick noticed the evidence of claws as well. Kioshi had talked about bears in the woods not that long ago, and these claws certainly looked like those of a bear. Pick knew that he would have to get into combat eventually, but he didn't think it would be this soon, and he didn't think Kioshi would be the sort of person that he fights with. He sort of expected to fight along with a beautiful girl who was super into him as his first ever fight, so he can maybe even impress the girl with his talent. Pick followed Kioshi, quietly taking every step with caution. There was obviously something here, and the two players would have to fight it even if it doesn't give materials. Pick took a deep breath, opening his inventory and switching some gear around so he can change into the build that would give him more damage - the farming build, he called it. It was done silently to not alarm whatever was in the next room. Pick knew that combat would be tactical in this game, meaning whoever got the first attack probably had the advantage. With two of them, though, even if one was a beginner fighter, Pick was confident that the two players could overcome the beast. Plus, one of them was exceptionally lucky - lucky to the point of impossibility. Pick smiled, nodding his head for Kioshi to have the first attack. Once he attacks, Pick would swing his axe for the first time since entering this game.

@Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 103886

Kioshi: HP 75/80 -- DMG 7 -- MIT 35 -- Energy 6/8

Lion: HP 38/38 -- DMG 40 -- MIT 0

BD: 5

MD: 7

No sooner after he kicks the door open, he is suddenly headbutted at his front, the attack knocks him down the stairs as well as delivering good blunt damage. Kioshi hastily gets up as he hears a deep, feral growl.

A black-maned lion stands on all fours in the middle of a room. On the floor is a half eaten corpse of a man dressed in leather armor, a broken sword in hand. His legs are near the entrance of the room. He probably was expecting 'rescue a princess' scenario, only to immediately get killed by the beast upon entry. A skeleton dressed in a gown sits at the corner of the room, its white long hair falling apart. It is missing its arm and two legs.

The lion snarls, baring its sharp white large canines at the blonde player. Meanwhile, Kioshi climbs back up the stairs and burst into the room, trying to hit the feline only to have his attack slapped away by its large murder mittens.

@Pick

Edited August 2, 2018 by Kioshi

[Pick 0]

Pick was about to follow the old man into combat when a door suddenly triggered. He had been separated from the man as soon as he attempted to even follow him into the room. Pick was sure that there was a skeleton inside the room as well. He sat down - he was definitely missing something here, and he began to think about it. Two skeletons in two different rooms... why weren't they in the same room? Also, there's a lion and a door that came sliding down as soon as a player entered the room.

"Oh, I got it." Pick suddenly realized as an insight hit him. This wasn't a regular tower. This was a trap for players. The reason that there were two skeletons was because one player would get trapped and die, and since they died, the other player would not be able to get out. Pick needed Kioshi to defeat the lion in order for both players to be freed fro this dreadful place. 

@Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104049

Kioshi: HP 75/80 -- Energy 4/8 (Used Straight!)

Lion: HP 24/38 

BD: 6

MD: 3

Kioshi backs into a corner, just in front of the female skeleton as he points his sword at the lion, its claws and fangs bared to show off its aggressive nature. And one that doesn't f**k around when it comes to its role as a butcher. Looks like the options to swing his sword in numerous directions are pretty limited. Both his left and right are flanked by the corner's walls, so his swing wouldn't be very wide and thus not strong enough to deliver a blow. Swinging upwards is possible, but what if the lion's pounce catches him before he can take that full swing?

Gritting his teeth in his helmet, Kioshi raises his sword up high, preparing to time his attack as best as he can. The lion roars as it takes only two steps forward before suddenly leaping towards him, while at the saem time, the sword glows and is swung at a vertical arc.

A hit! The blade slashes the lion's face, cutting deep into the flesh and causing blood to flow from the open wound non-stop. The lion backs away, roaring in pain. Kioshi advances slowly, his confidence to defeat this lion grows.

@Pick

Edited August 5, 2018 by Kioshi

[Pick 0]

ID: 104147
LD: 4

Pick had nothing to do except sit still and wait for now. There were water dripping from the ceiling, counting the seconds, which soon turned into minutes as he sat there, listening to the slow, rhythmic dripping sound of the wet water coming from the ceiling. Everything seemed so silent - the door probably blocked off any combat or noise that came from the other room. Pick hated this feeling of not knowing what was going on, but he knew that with his luck, it was only a matter of time before he is freed from this enclosed area that was beginning to make him sick from the lack of oxygen that appeared to be passing through the air. Or perhaps Pick was just feeling a bit of the mossy smell that lingered in the air. Whatever it was, he wanted to get out of here fast. Still, he didn't want to simply wait here and do nothing. Perhaps he can search for some materials while he waits for Kioshi to defeat whatever it is inside the other room? Pick shrugged, looking around.

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@Kioshi

Edited August 7, 2018 by Pick