[F02 - PP] Blowing Off Steam <<Long Live the Queen>>

[Yukiro 0]

"... What have you got for me?" 

"It's a field boss on the second floor. A really big wasp."

The voice of the info broker came from the other side of the stone pillar Yukiro was leaning back against. She'd always been his source of information, and so when she'd sent him a message saying she had something he'd moved to the directed location immediately. They hadn't met in a while, so he knew whatever she had would be worthwhile. 

"And what's the draw? You never tell me about these things unless there's something worth getting," Yukiro pointed out. He'd never seen the player's face, but she'd consistently given him only useful information. 

"Apparently it drops an item that boosts your damage for a while. It's not a massive boost, but it's worth getting just in case," she replied. But her tone said there was something more. 

"..."

"... It's also supposed to give more than it's fair share of exp."

"That's all I needed to know," Yukiro said, standing up straight. 

"... Are you going alone?" the soft voice asked. While Yukiro had never seen her face, she seemed to worry about his safety. 

"Yeah."

"You won't take someone with you even if I ask, huh?"

"No. I need to blow off some steam," Yukiro told her simply, not willing to elaborate, "Thanks for the info. I'll send you some col later."

"Don't get yourself killed," she said softly, probably hoping for an okay. 

Yukiro walked away without another word. 

Spoiler

Yukiro

********************************************
LEVEL 14
280 HP | 28 EN | 10 DMG | 2 ACC | 18 MIT | 3 EVA | 1 REG 

Skills:
2H Straight Sword - Rk 3

Skill Mods:
Familiar Mastery Accurate Rk 2

Equipped:

• "Sterondight" - 2H Straight Sword (T1 Perfect) DMG x3
• "Nightmare Overcoat" - Light Armor (T1 - Perfect) MIT x2 Prevent 18 damage from successful attacks against you | REG x1 After taking damage, gain Regen at the beginning of your next turn. Heal 5 HP every turn for three rounds. Damage over time effects (Bleed, Poison) will not trigger Regen. Does not stack with Battle Healing. Taking damage while Regen is active will refresh it to its full duration.
• "Ravenfeather Treads" - Light Armor (T1 - Perfect) EVA x3 Reduces the die value by 3 on an enemy’s attack against you. Cannot be used to avoid a critical hit.

Equipped Vanity Items:

• "Amber Clover Pendant" - Vanity - LD x2
• "Witcher's Vambraces" - Vanity - Thorns x2
• "Jack's Purgatory" - Vanity - Cursed//Burn//Blight//Freeze

Familiar: 

• Yumi - Familiar Mastery: Accurate - ACC x2

Battle-ready Items:

T1 Health Potions of Uncommon Quality (+40HP) x5
Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP) x3
Crystal of Agile Dragon Wings (Teleport crystal) x2
T1 Damage Potion. (+1 Damage) x1
T1 Over-Health Potion (+50 Temp. HP) x2

Items:
"Cloak of Twisted Worlds" - Light Armor (T1 -  Rare) EVA x2 
"Leggings of Shattered Torment" - Light Armor (T1 - Rare) 18 MIT 
Vicious Dragon-Fang Potion (+3 Damage for a thread) x1
Antidote

 

Edited November 19, 2019 by Yukiro

[NIGHT 0]

What the heck is an info broker..? NIGHT wondered, heading to the agreed-upon location. She hadn't heard of the profession before; was it even implemented in the system? Maybe it's some sort of player-to-player thing. She closed the mail interface she had open, wondering what the intel she signed up to receive was about.

Two knocks on the pillar and a pouch of col on the ground. "Dark outside," she mentioned, leaning against the structure in broad daylight.

"Must be NIGHT then?" A feminine voice. NIGHT wondered if there was any intention behind having anonymity in a scenario like this.

"Yeah?"

"I have intel on a field boss. Second floor. Large wasp."

She shivered. Not another bug...

"W-what's in it for me?"

"Probably some experience, as per usual," the voice mocked. "But there's also an item it drops to boost your damage."

NIGHT fell silent as she continued thinking about the wasp, gripping her armor tight. A soft mew from Nyanko was sound assurance to bring her back to reality. "Familiar, huh?" The voice behind the pillar added. "Thanks for the tip. Don't get yourself killed, now. Wouldn't want to lose business."

"Y-yeah..." NIGHT added, looking to the floor. "B-bugs..."

@Yukiro

Spoiler

NIGHT 
Lv: 12 | HP: 240 | EN: 24 | SP: 29
DMG: 8 | MIT: 8 | ACC: 2 | EVA: - 
RECOVERY: 2 | THORNS: 2

[Skills]

1. Two-Handed Straight Sword | Passive | RANK 2/5
2. Heavy Armor | Passive | RANK 1/5
3. - - -

[Examine]

• [T1E3] Doombringer
  "WEAPON: A black broadsword; large, heavy and sturdy. The edge is lined with silver, and its guards are decorated with gold. It looks like it's been sharpened to a tee, so handle it with care."
  -- [ Damage III | +3 DMG. ]
• [T1E2] Reinforced Crystal-streaked Ear Cuffs
  "TRINKET: A long, smooth and wrapping silver ear cuff, with a thick blue crystalline streak running across it. Much more durable than its counter part."
  -- [ Recovery II | Regain 2 additional energy on natural CD rolls of 6+. ]
• [T1E2] Spiked Metal Pauldron
  "HEAVY ARMOR: A round, silver, metal pauldron. for some odd reason, it's got obvious spikes jutting out of it. This probably isn't very safe to handle... It has a bell attached for unknown reasons."
  [ Thorns II | Successful non-critical attacks against you deal 18 unmitigated damage to the attacking enemy. Only activates on damage dealing, melee attacks. ]

- - - - - -

• Starter Healing Potions (3) --- Heals 50 HP.
• [T1] Uncommon Health Potions (5) --- Heals 40 HP.

[Misc]

• Familiar Mastery <Accurate> from Nyanko
  -- [ Accuracy II | +2 BD when attacking. Cannot be used to cause a critical hit. ]
• Aincrad Trading Post Guild Membership
  -- [ ATP Guild Bonus | +5% more col from killed mobs, +10% col from treasure chests. ]

Edited November 19, 2019 by NIGHT

[Yukiro 0]

Yukiro went straight to the teleporter. No reason to waste time. He brushed the white hair away from his face as he walked. There was a deep anger that had been building up inside him for a while now. He was angry at this game. At other players. But mainly he was angry at himself. His weakness was pathetic. Both stat-wise and emotionally. And that weakness made his blood boil. 

Silently weaving between crowds of player, his long black coat trailing behind him, Yukiro made his way to the stairs that lead up to the teleport platform. Without a second thought he quietly said, "Teleport Urbus," and let the glow of the system whisk him away and up to the second floor. 

Almost immediately upon arriving he heard a ping that signaled a message. It was from the info broker. Perfect. Yukiro skimmed the contents, skipping to the coordinates of the boss. With nothing more than a glance at the map he set off at a brisk walking pace, intent on getting at the boss as soon as possible. 

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

"Oh, and before I forget, take this." A blip and NIGHT had received another message from the broker. Three numbers indicating the co-ordinates for the boss. Before she could say anything, the voice added, "Ciao," and with a whistle of the wind, she was gone.

"... B-Bye..."

NIGHT gently patted her kitten, a habit she used to calm herself down. Nyanko meeped at her in response, curious at the message. "Don't worry about it," she murmured, beginning her walk towards the teleporter. "I'm sure we can beat it." The kitten could only tilt his head, not understanding her words.

A number of players were lounging and gathering by the center of the town, as usual. She thought she saw a familiar name head up the platform, but couldn't read it back in time to figure out who it was. Throwing the thought away, she climbed the stairs, instructing the system under her breath to take her elsewhere.

And so she reached the second floor.

@Yukiro

[Yukiro 0]

There was a slight mist on floor two. At least, it was misty in Yukiro's current location. But he didn't mind. It fit his mood perfectly. 

Yukiro stepped lightly through the town, trying not to make too much noise. Drawing attention to himself would be greatly unwanted, though with this fog it would be easy to slip away from any unwanted attention. 

Besides, nobody he knew was going to be looking for him. He'd tried to give off the general impression he'd be working in his shop all day, so nobody should know he was out here. 

It wasn't long before he reached the edge of town. He paused right before exiting the safe zone. While it was true he was out here specifically to blow off some steam he couldn't afford to completely lose his head. After a moment of refining his senses, he continued forward. 

Yukiro's mind wandered vaguely as he walked, an inner demon taunting his weakness. 

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

NIGHT wasn't too familiar with the second floor. Granted, she had spent some time exploring the town in search of relevant quests, but aside from that, she had no comfort in being here.

Today, it was misty. She'd have to be careful, then, where she stepped and what was around her. While the enemies on this floor should be easy to take out in general, the quests gave an impression of things more sinister on the prowl. A hand to gently reassure Nyanko, and an eye out for herself, the two made their way towards the town exit --- wait, that's definitely someone she recognized.

In the distance, Yukiro was standing right at the border of the safe zone. Time seemed to stand still for him, as NIGHT strolled at her own pace, heading in his direction. Then, in a brief moment, he left.

Curious. She wondered what her friend was up to. Nudging Nyanko with a finger, she whispered, "C'mon, let's tail him, just for fun."

"Meep!"

@Yukiro

Edited November 19, 2019 by NIGHT

[Yukiro 0]

The coordinates were telling him that the boss was going to be next to a cliff. That was a precarious location at best. He'd have to use some cation and avoid the edge. Though based on the estimated stats it looked like he wasn't going to struggle too much. Assuming he could get in one good hit, he may even be able to end it in one shot.

...Yet somehow, being able to bring down this boss in one blow only made Yukiro feel weaker. Was this all he could be compared too? Was this his limit? No. This couldn't be it. He wouldn't let it. This was only going to be the beginning. He flipped open his menu and sent the info broker a message. 

Are there any other quests you have? I'll take any information you might have. Here's an advance payment. 

Not an elaborate message, but it would suffice. He could only hope she didn't withhold the information he needed so desperately. Just the thought of being seen as weak only made him angrier. 

"RAH!"

Yukiro punched a tree as hard as he could, making it shake. A small fruit fell and landed next to him. After some deep, heavy breathing Yukiro stood straight and recomposed himself. He grabbed the berry and continued on. 

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

It was hard to keep up with Yukiro in the fog. Trying to stay quiet wasn't exactly her forte either, so she hoped that the few branches and twigs she crunched on were only seen as wildlife at best.

Her target stopped. What... was he up to? He pulled open a window, seemingly typing something. Sending mail, perhaps? Was he meeting anyone else here? NIGHT crouched down, attempting to look small, if not unnoticeable to other parties that could be around.

Right after he closed the message window, he let out a guttural yell, slamming his fist into a tree. Ouch, NIGHT thought, wincing as she rubbed her own hand. Was this the same guy she hung out with before? It was hard to believe he held so much pent up anger. And for what?

Oh, the tree dropped something. She tried identifying the item from afar, but it was too small to see properly. As Yukiro moved on, holding the tree item in his hand, so did NIGHT, trying to find a good distance between him and herself.

@Yukiro

[Yukiro 0]

As he continued onward, fuming, Yukiro slipped the berry into his pocket. A small sound came from the pouch; Yumi must've been sleeping. But he stayed relatively quiet, so he also must have been hungry. 
Even if he was ready to cut something down Yukiro should still try to be a decent person. 
The sugar glider started eating the berry in his pocket. 

Yukiro flipped open his menu and equipped Sterondight, a silver and gold sword just over half his height. He would be in the boss's territory soon, so it would be best to be prepared for the battle. 

Yukiro started to abandon stealth. No use in it now, any players would be avoiding a boss fight in this weather. His footsteps began to be much heavier and louder, crunching leaves and sticks as he walked. 

He wanted to punch another tree. But he didn't. He would have a more satisfying target soon enough. And he needed it. 

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

One quick equipment change, and Yukiro had equipped his blade. It looked new. NIGHT wondered if he made it himself. On the other hand, he had increased his speed and noise. This would be a boon for the player tailing him except for one thing.

From the co-ordinates, it seemed as though he was heading towards the same boss she had been told about. A quiet grumble from her, as she trekked behind him. NIGHT wasn't sure if Yukiro was open to parties when he was mad; the last time she saw the spark of fierceness, she just brooded over it for a time.

Instead, she wondered if she would be able to take a quicker path and at least get a hit in on the boss before he showed up. Straying from the road, she entered the forest and continued to follow him, from a distance, and at an angle.

@Yukiro

[Yukiro 0]

... I need to get stronger. 

That was the primary thought on Yukiro's mind. His recent experiences left him feeling so very defeated that he needed, for his sake, to do something, anything to make himself stronger. He needed to defeat this on his own. He needed to. 

"... Pathetic," he muttered at himself. 

Yukiro kicked a rock as he walked. It went flying and hit a tree with a resounding WHACK! But it didn't make Yukiro feel any better. 

After a while longer of walking, Yukiro drew his sword. Flipping open his menu and checking the map he confirmed that he was almost at the boss's location. All he had to do now was fight. And win. 

So why was he stopping? 

Was it because he was weak?

No. No, he had to keep moving. If he faltered now he would have failed everything he'd ever stood for. He wouldn't be able to bear that. He'd crack. With a final, slightly shaky breath, Yukiro stepped toward the field boss. 

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

Looks like her detour worked. She'd been keeping track of Yukiro's progress, overtaking his pace quickly. The wasp queen loomed around the cliff, a loud, noisy buzzing that NIGHT tried not to register in her head. Two quick swings and it would be over.

Should she wait for her friend? It's not like there was a guarantee he was going to show up here. Alternatively, NIGHT couldn't exactly sunder the boss completely, anyway. A sharp mew from Nyanko brought her attention to the kitten, who was apparently worried about her being lost in thought while being so exposed to danger. NIGHT grinned. "I'll make it quick," she asserted with a smile. "Don't worry."

Blade in hand, NIGHT rushed towards the bug, nearly missing it in her recklessness. <<Lightning>> struck, contrary to her beliefs that it wouldn't, and with a series of diagonal slashes, The Wasp Queen had fallen to the grass, stunned by the swift attack. The player looked over to the forest border, wondering if her friend had shown up.

@Yukiro

Quote

ID: 129664 | BD: 6 (4, +2)
<<Lightning>> on The Wasp Queen
8 * 4 = 32 DMG

The Wasp Queen | HP: 18/50 (-32) | DMG: 20 | STUNNED

NIGHT | HP: 240/240 | EN: 17/24 (-7) | DMG: 8 | MIT: 8 | ACC: 2 | RECOVERY: 2 | THORNS: 2

Edited November 19, 2019 by NIGHT

[Yukiro 0]

Spoiler

The Wasp Queen | HP: 0/50 (-20) | DMG: 20 | STUNNED
Yukiro: HP 280/280 | EN 26/28 (-2)
ID# 129666 | BD: 6 (4+2)
(10*2) 20 DMG

Finally, Yukiro entered the clearing alongside the cliff. Sword drawn, blade glistening brightly, he stood ready to face himself. But he had not been prepared for the sight that awaited him. 

NIGHT was standing over the fallen wasp queen. She'd already struck it down. Yukiro hadn't even had the chance to try and prove himself. And something inside him snapped. 

Yukiro's eyes and face went completely blank, not a hint of emotion showing. He completely ignored NIGHT and slowly approached the grounded, wounded field boss. 

Weak.

He was still ten meters away.

You're weak.

He raised his sword. 

I am worthless.

Without warning Yukiro threw his sword, making it whistle through the air until it impaled itself on the wasp queen. A small shriek escaped the mob before it shattered into pieces. Yukiro approached and drew his sword from the ground, face still blank.

And without a word he turned and left the clearing.

WORTHLESS.

@NIGHT

Edited November 19, 2019 by Yukiro

[NIGHT 0]

Oh, there he was. So he, too, was hunting down the Wasp Queen? It didn't take NIGHT by surprise, but at the very least, it made her feel just a hint guilty about taking the first blow. Well, at the very least, he had the last one, right?

With a wave, she called over to the boy. "Hey hey!" She exclaimed. "Wanna party up?"

Except he showed no response. A twist of his body, hand on his blade, and with one quick swing he threw -- no, hurled --

No. Yukiro shot the Wasp Queen from a good few meters away, his sword lunging towards the creature and striking it down. NIGHT sidestepped, alarmed at the toss, watching the blade go through the bug boss. It let out a ghastly, sharp wail, which made her hair stand underneath her armor, before disintegrating into bright blue dust.

Yukiro walked by. NIGHT wanted to say something, but the tension, pressure and darkness that emanated from his blank, empty expression warned her, along with all fibres of her being, not to. With a hand, as a greeting, upright still from her previous attempt to talk to him, she watched what remained of her friend trudge up to collect his sword before lumbering away, lips sealed shut.

Well. That was... something.

@Yukiro

[Yukiro 0]

Spoiler

Yukiro: HP 280/280 | EN 27/28 (+1)

Weak. Useless. Garbage. I'm not worth keeping alive. 

Yukiro's mind had shattered. He was empty. He walked in a complete trance, sword still drawn as though he were trying to approach an unseen enemy. The only thoughts that flowed through the darkness of his soul were his own descriptions of himself. 

I'm worth less than dirt if I can't even fight that thing.

As he stumbled his head bumped into a tree that was in his path. And a sudden, deep rage burst forth within him. 

"aaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!"

He slashed his sword into the tree, leaving a massive gash. He swung again, leaving another massive mark, and again, and again. Soon he was just wailing senselessly, his usual disciplined technique gone, replaced with blind, wild swinging. 

It was almost five full minutes before his sword got stuck in the tree and Yukiro was forced to stop. Exhausted, he collapsed in a heap on the ground. His eyes were hot and wet, so he moved a hand to cover his face. 

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

"Mew!"

"I know, Nyanko," NIGHT replied, holding the kitten up in a blanket. The tiny familiar was wrapped up like a burrito, its head sticking out nicely. With a wide mouth, he yawned, licking his lips lazily. "Wasn't that weird? I mean, info broker aside, anyway."

"Mew!!"

"I mean, I'd like to follow him, sure," she argued with herself, hands shaking upon recall. "But I don't know, he seemed really upset about it. I've never seen him that stoic before."

Nyanko stopped meowing, distracted by a nearby butterfly. His tiny paws wriggled under the blanket, and NIGHT sighed, returning the kitten to her pocket. The kitten peeped in protest, tiny claws sinking through her cloth. "Yeah, okay, I guess I'll go find him again."

One short stroll down the forest path, and she identified Yukiro's name by the interface through the foliage. Desperate to keep silent, she paced herself towards her friend through the shadows of the forest, wondering how she should begin her approach.

@Yukiro

[Yukiro 0]

Yukiro tried to control himself. It had been drilled into him since birth; he must control his emotions. They cannot be allowed to have control at any point, for it is a weakness. And a knight that cannot control himself is a weakness to his country. 

Is that what I've been reduced too? A weakness? A flaw to be erased? ...Yeah. I shouldn't be surprised. 

He didn't move from his position. He heard something moving around him. Probably some mob. But he didn't even bother to try and fight back. 

"I'm weak," he breathed, "I'm worthless. All I deserve is death." 

He said it, but something inside him didn't want to accept it. Something was still angry, angrier than ever before. Yukiro wiped the tears from his face and let his arm flop to his side. The sky was blurry. Oh, wait. That was just his vision. That's not good. He really was exhausted...

... Yukiro quietly passed out. 

@NIGHT

Edited November 19, 2019 by Yukiro

[NIGHT 0]

There he is. I see him -- Oh--

Yukiro had collapsed, facing the sky. There was some mumbling, but she couldn't hear a word from her position, as he dropped his arm to his side, NIGHT decided to move in, investigating his surroundings.

-- Is that his blade?!

The first thing she noticed -- aside from a collapsed friend -- was his blade stuck in a tree half sawed. Isn't that new?! NIGHT thought to herself, before looking over the weapon, first visually, then by an examination window. It seemed to be in tact, if not blunted by the repeated blows from the tree. With some strength and some encouraging mews from Nyanko, she was able to pull Sterondight out, huffing with annoyance at the tree that was holding it captive.

That aside... What's he doing lying down here?

NIGHT shuffled over to the boy, squatting beside him. Tear streaks were laid plain and bare down his cheeks, and his eyes red and puffy. Over the boss she'd fought? NIGHT felt the tinge of guilt return to her, and sighed, finding the words she felt fit the situation at hand.

"Hey," she called, with a gentle nudge with Sterondight's hilt. "Are you awake?"

@Yukiro

[Yukiro 0]

Yukiro laid on a cold floor. Where was he? Everything was dark. Why was it so cold? Oh, wait a minute. He knew this place. 

This was home. In the real world. He must be dreaming, he could remember this happening when he was twelve. 

His older brother had just moved out. Half-brother, really. But his father had made him go sleep outside to temper his body. It was cold, so cold. What month was it... he couldn't remember. November? December? One of those. Why was he doing this? Right, he needed to be strong. He needed to be strong so he could protect everybody. What was he protecting people from? He couldn't remember. 

Huh? Now he was somewhere else. In a big empty room. A white room. There were numbers on the walls. Oh, right. He was in SAO now. All of his training had been useless. 

And now he was somewhere else again... where was this? Oh, right. It was his brother's grave. 

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

NIGHT sighed, after a good moment without reply. He really is one to pass out a lot, huh? Alright, I guessed this would work out for training, since the Wasp Queen fell so easily.

Unequipping her blade, she began stretching, cracking the tension out of her back. Then, she lifted the boy up across her shoulders, wrapping his arm across her chest to his knees. It really doesn't help that he's so tall, she complained, as she shifted his weight around her back.

"Mew!!" Nyanko pleaded to grab her attention. "Yeah," she responded, beginning the trek back to town, his sword in her other hand. "This is pretty weird, huh?" The kitten mewed again, seemingly worried. "It's fine," NIGHT huffed, wondering how long it would take before her legs gave way. "Doombringer's just as heavy as he is, really."

She lied. Her broadsword was only, at least, half of Yukiro's weight. She pleaded to Cardinal to have mercy on her as she trudged across the dirt, her mess of a friend in tow.

@Yukiro