Koga 0 Posted October 28, 2019 Author #21 Share Posted October 28, 2019 Yukiro seemed decently pleased with what Koga had shown him so far, instilling a little bit more confidence in Koga. It was good to know that other approved, as superficial as it was. Plus, Koga could keep working on the technique. Maybe one day the two would meet again, and Koga will have finally mastered it. "You still need an actual katana, don't you?" Yukiro asked. Koga nodded, "Yeah, I noticed that there's a katana skill tree in the menus, so I know they're in the game, but I still haven't found one." "You know, I think I might be able to help with that." Without another word Yukiro turned and started walking to towards the forest. "Oh, I really hope this isn't a trap or something..." Koga whispered to himself before starting to follow just behind Yukiro. Koga had heard about PKing guilds. People who didn't believe that Kayaba's "die in-game, die in real life" line had been true. Koga for one hadn't been one to chance that. From what he knew, those guilds would kill others for their gear and Col. Well, clearly Koga didn't have any decent gear or any amount of Col, so in the unlikely event that Yukiro was in fact a member of one of those guilds, he'd be greatly disappointed... @Yukiro Link to post Share on other sites
Yukiro 0 Posted October 29, 2019 #22 Share Posted October 29, 2019 (edited) Yukiro wandered into the forest, letting Koga trail behind. His objective was fairly deep, clearly not meant to be found easily. He'd had to fight a second manticore to get at it; Not a very deadly fight, but certainly not a very easy one. Someone with worse armor than him would have been in serious danger. Thanks again, Bahr. They trekked over roots, weaved in between tall trees, over rocks, and to a large cave. "Now, Koga. If we're unlucky, the guardian of this place has already respawned. It shouldn't be, I discovered this place only recently. But if it is back, you should run. It's particularly nasty for this floor," he warned, "But if not, you're in for a real treat." Yukiro entered the cave. It was dark and somewhat damp, and there was the sound of rushing water coming from the other side. The only light was from the entrance behind them. Yukiro hadn't really expected to be coming back here, but alas, here he was. @Koga Edited October 29, 2019 by Yukiro Link to post Share on other sites
Koga 0 Posted October 29, 2019 Author #23 Share Posted October 29, 2019 (edited) As Yukiro lead Koga deeper into the forest, Koga began to feel uneasy. Not necessarily because of Yukiro, although the man would be lying if he said it didn't contribute in small part, but rather because this was a place that he clearly wasn't supposed to be in. He could feel it. "Now, Koga. If we're unlucky, the guardian of this place has already respawned. It shouldn't be, I discovered this place only recently. But if it is back, you should run. It's particularly nasty for this floor." Welp, that confirmed Koga's fears. He definitely wasn't supposed to be here. Hopefully, between Yukiro and Koga they could handle whatever it was and make it out alive, even if that entailed screaming their heads off and making a run for it. "Alright, but I'll warn you now, I'm not about to leave you behind if it comes down to it. Doesn't matter what you say or what we may or may not be facing." It would be a cold day in hell when Koga left someone to die, especially to this death-game. As the pair entered the cave, Koga drew his sword, the rasping sound echoing back at them. Just a precaution should anything try to jump out at them. "What the hell is this place?" Koga whispered to Yukiro, "And don't say 'a cave'...I can damn well see that." Koga was clearly on edge, his acerbic tongue coming out to play in full force being a pretty good indicator. @Yukiro Edited October 29, 2019 by Koga Link to post Share on other sites
Yukiro 0 Posted October 29, 2019 #24 Share Posted October 29, 2019 "Alright, but I'll warn you now, I'm not about to leave you behind if it comes down to it. Doesn't matter what you say or what we may or may not be facing." Didn't I just say you should not do that? Yukiro drew his own sword. If the manticore did show up, he'd have to do quite a lot to keep this guy alive. He'd better be ready. As for what this was... "This place... how should I describe it... It's a gateway to something incredible." As he said that, they rounded a corner and the light of the exit flooded their eyes. Yukiro moved to the exit and peeked around. Nothing. The boss was still not back. Perfect. "It's safe. Welcome to..." he started as he came up with a name, "The sword in the stone of the katana world." Through the cave was a massive, closed of grove. A shallow river flowed in a sort of moat around a massive stone statue of a particular monster; a giant serpent with eight heads. And protruding from one of the heads was a beautiful white katana with ocean blue accents. Link to post Share on other sites
Koga 0 Posted October 30, 2019 Author #25 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Koga could see the clear displeasure in Yukiro's face at Koga's blatant disregard for what he'd just said. But he had his own reasons for saying what he'd said. Everyone did, he supposed. For once, it wasn't out of sheer heroism that Koga would act in such a manner. More like selfishness. The man knew he wouldn't be able to live himself if he left someone else to die. That was all it was. Selfishness. Yukiro drew his own weapon as well, which only put Koga even more on edge. Whatever was, or used to be here must be a big beastie. One Koga hoped the pair wouldn't have to tangle with. But Yukiro's mysterious answer as to what this place was left Koga curious as well, and so, as the two rounded the corner and Koga's eyes fell on the river, and the thin rays of light that found their way in through the cracked ceiling, he couldn't help but gaze in awe for a moment. It was the kind of thing one only saw in movies. The pure white cotton ito, with its blue rayskin beneath it, clutched by the statue of an eight headed serpent. One could tell that, in this world, this had once been a formidable weapon. Rust had since marred the folded metal blade, but even still, its beauty was left untouched. "Welcome to...the sword in the stone of the katana world," said Yukiro, breaking the silence that had fallen over Koga. The look on Koga's face was amusing, as he clearly attempted to stifle a laugh, "C'mon man. You couldn't come up with a better name than that? I dunno, something that lends itself to the blade?" The man shook his head in amusement as he got a little closer, still not entirely certain of the safety of the object. Who knew, it could be trapped! "Why didn't you grab it?" Koga asked as he gazed up at the massive stone monolith, "Didn't you say you used to practice kendo and iaido? I would think this would be more comfortable for you too." @Yukiro Link to post Share on other sites
Yukiro 0 Posted October 30, 2019 #26 Share Posted October 30, 2019 (edited) Yukiro frowned at the man's giggling. "C'mon man. You couldn't come up with a better name than that? I dunno, something that lends itself to the blade?" "... I never inspected it too much. I don't know how else to describe it." Koga shook his head in amusement and got a little closer. "Why didn't you grab it?" Koga asked as he gazed up at the massive stone monolith, "Didn't you say you used to practice kendo and iaido? I would think this would be more comfortable for you too." Yukiro shifted uncomfortably. "I don't really use the oriental styles that much. Since I prefer using a longsword," he said, resting his hand on the pommel of his sword, "I figured I might as well just leave it for someone who can actually use it to obtain." Yukiro crept out into the clearing, glancing around one last time before fully emerging. The giant statue was huge; it was at least double Yukiro's height and it was still partially underground. @Koga Edited October 30, 2019 by Yukiro Link to post Share on other sites
Koga 0 Posted October 30, 2019 Author #27 Share Posted October 30, 2019 (edited) Yukiro shifted uncomfortably as he spoke. "I don't really use the oriental styles that much. Since I prefer using a longsword." Koga was tempted to ask what was wrong, but he had the curious feeling that there was something that Yukiro didn't want to talk about. He'd give the man that solace. The man gripped the pommel of his sword as he continued, "I figured I might as well just leave it for someone who can actually use it to obtain." "Well, I'm glad you did," Koga said as Yukiro joined him in examining the statue. Standing next to the statue, Koga understood the true size of the statue. Yukiro was already almost a full foot taller than Koga already, and this statue was twice the man's height. Suffice it to say it absolutely dwarfed Koga. "There's no way I woulda found this without you." In an uncharacteristic moment of sincerity, the man looked over to Yukiro, "I appreciate everything that you've done, Yukiro. Really." Koga took a deep breath as he made the final few steps towards the sword. "Well...here goes nothin'," he muttered quietly to himself. With a careful hand he reached out and grabbed the ancient, cord wrapped handle. The air felt charged with an unknown energy as Koga drew the rusted blade from the serpent's jaws. And then...nothing...no trap went off, the statue hadn't come to life and tried to kill him. Nothing. He wasn't dead. A grin slowly stretched across the man's face as he lifted the blade into the thin rays of light. Even tarnished, the blade still glinted in the sun. Koga turned around and presented the blade to Yukiro, handle first, the blade resting in the palms of his hand, "You killed it's guardian. You should be the first person to swing it." Obtained This Thread >> Tier One Vanity Katana <<Kusanagi>> @Yukiro Edited October 30, 2019 by Koga Link to post Share on other sites
Yukiro 0 Posted October 30, 2019 #28 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Yukiro held up his hands to refuse the offer. He had to admit, he was grateful for the offer and impressed by his honorable attitude thus far. Even if he did fall down while trying to attack a boar. "I appreciate the thought, but I have no need of doing such. Please, by all means," he said, taking a step back, "The sword is yours. The guardian was... personal." He had a personal hatred for certain mobs. Manticores just happened to be one of the creatures that brought out his... less reserved side. "Besides, I have a certain weapon I'm after. I don't want to change my feel for my greatswords." He was also somewhat suspicious of the sword. No hidden traps whatsoever? It was true that the Manticore was unexpectedly powerful, he'd just happened to have been a higher level than he should have been. It was also true that this man was the one who was getting the katana skill. He needed the katana much more than he wanted to swing it. @Koga Link to post Share on other sites
Koga 0 Posted October 30, 2019 Author #29 Share Posted October 30, 2019 (edited) Yukiro rejected Koga's offer, which didn't bother the man. He found it curious that Yukiro had a personal grudge against whatever it was that had protected this ancient place. But the man knew better to ask that question. Whatever it was, wasn't any of Koga's business. The man drew back the sword and gave it one last glance before equipping it, the white blade replacing the plain curved saber. The pair had been through a lot lately "Ya know, I really owe you man. How 'bout, when we get back to town, I buy you a hot meal? Don't bother saying 'no', because I will drag your ass into an inn if I have to." The two left the mysterious cavern and went on their ways after that. Whether or not Yukiro took Koga up on his offer, or if Koga had actually dragged the man into an inn is unknown. Some say they saw the pair amicably sharing a meal, others claim they'd seen Yukiro tied to a chair while Koga force fed him. One thing that was certain though, Koga owed Yukiro a lot more than a meal, and he would happily pay the man back when the time came. Summary Spoiler Koga +1 SP >> 200 Col >>Unlocked<< Katana [Rank 1] >> Tier One Vanity Katana <<Kusanagi>> Yukiro +1 SP >> 200 Col Edited October 30, 2019 by Koga Link to post Share on other sites
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