[F1-SP] Delve In

[Titan 0]

Quest: The First Few Lessons are Free It seemed a bit foolish, to be stuck in a game for this long without any way to drink alcohol. He had spent years, seeking the buzz but it seemed to be something he simply could not create. To be fair, it took him longer to come to terms with that fact than he tried but then again, Titan also believed this game would've been finished by now. Bumping into one of the NPCs on the floor, he quickly chatted with them to see what would the first thing to do would be. " You should go to Zackariah. He can lead you in the right direction. " Titan nodded while turning on his heel and opening the door to see the ancient man meddling with some type of of potion with a large <!> above his head. " Excuse me, are you Zackaraiah? I was told you could help me out to start my adventure into Aincraid. " He blurted out, the man beginning his monologue of a speech as Titan casually scoped out his place, wishing there was a way to skip quest dialogue. " Find me 5 materials for this very important healing potion not by combat and return, and make haste, please! " After what felt like an eternity, Titan quickly nodded as he fumbled with his spear, slamming the door of Zackariah's place and heading into the nearby forest for some weed searching.  " Ah, ha. " He found one of the ingredients he needed, plucking it from the earth and placing it in his bag for now, getting five would be easy, right?  Materials Found: One of Five Spoiler Titan (Level 1)  HP: 20 / DAMAGE: 2 EN: 2 / MIT: 0 ACC: 1 / EVA: 0 Skills: 1-Handed Assault Spear (Rank 1) Equipment: ( R ) 1H Assault Spear ( ACC / DMG ) Inventory: Empty Spoiler

 

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

The first material came so easy, it had been sitting there almost to taunt the man from trying to collect more. His eyes seemed to be playing tricks on him as he kneeled in one particular area, hands grazing against the grass to see if he had even missed any baby shrubs or patches that had been growing. Titan wasn’t frustrated yet but he moved from the entrance of the forest-like area and took a few steps closer, his hands were deep in the dirt trying to find materials for the healing potion. “ You’d think that the old man would have enough to just have us make the potion, huh. Good for nothing useless first quest. It’d be better if he taught us how to fight. That’d be a way better first quest than this. ” The man huffed, slightly perturbed as he stood up, straightened out his back and headed to an area a few feet away still searching for four more weeds. Materials Found: One of Five Spoiler

 

 

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

He wasn't usually the type to get so frustrated but once he made up his mind on something, in the real world at least, things often came through fairly easily. Titan had been a gifted boy, one who often shyed away from the humdrum of laborious task but this stupid game decided it wanted to already pummel the man to the ground. It wasn't his fault he didn't have a high enough material gathering skill, especially when he thought he saw a bush of weeds that he needed in the distance but as he got closer, it was simply grass. " This is stupid. " He whined, kicking at the grass in the process. Deciding to engage his spear as a weapon to cut the grass for seemingly mocking the poor boy on his very first quest. However, he still drudged on with the irritating need to finish the quest. He already knew in his heart of hearts that this was the introduction tutorial that he had ignored this whole time for the sake of not seeing it as a priority. This was the game's laugh at Titan, well-deserved too. Materials Found: One of Five Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

After a third strike of his weapon against the bladed grass, it seemed as though the area finally responded as a clump of more material seemed to appear after his attack. Titan bent down to collect it, placing his second material into the bag with an enthusiastic nod. " See, not so bad. Maybe if we slice at the grass every time, more material would pop up. Glitch in the matrix. " It was mostly cheeky humor but who knew, sometimes things like that worked in systems like these. Everything was still all binary zeros and ones, something was bound to give them a peek behind the curtain. Titan took his eyes off the grass for a moment, he ventured further into the forest area than he expected, he could still handle himself, right? The man took a few steps closer to town, not wanting to get too far away from the old man's home while searching for materials to make the turn in a quick process.  Materials Found: Two of Five Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

If Titan was being honest, the surge of beginning players trying to do this quest probably would've pissed him off and he would've spent days looking for five measly pieces of materials for Zackariah. He stomped around, eyes lazily looking to the left and right as though that would do anything in his search. He kneeled once again, fingertips digging into the soil and the grass taking a clump of it out, seeing if that would go into his bag and he could pretend it was material as well. Unfortunately, it seemed as though the game admins thought that part of it through or hotfixed it years ago from the initial surge.  Titan dropped it in a huff onto the floor, pushing himself off of the ground and walking parallel in the woodland area, manifesting a patch of material grasses for him to grab three pieces and then saunter back to Zackariah like the winner he was. Materials Found: Two of Five Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

It seems as though this portion of the forest too had been wiped out. " Huh. " The adventurer mused, curious but unsure what could be going on. Could their be another low level just starting out too, somehow? Someone else who decided to wait on the floor climbing for whatever reason they had to do so. He wouldn't speculate too much, perhaps this portion of the forest simply hadn't had materials but, maybe there were others who felt the call of succession. They would fortify themselves in the resolve of those who had past, use the trade secrets from those on the front line for the sake of their own well-being and continue forward. There had been at least 5,000 of them left, right? Titan was sure that others would be called as well. He'd stuck with his shoddy material gathering quest for now, irritated that it seemed that they really spaced them out quite far for whatever reason. Resting his spear against his shoulders with his arms slung over, Titan continued down the path.  Materials Found: Two of Five Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

There was a tiny sparkle in the corner of Titan's eye as he continued down the path. The man side-stepped the weed seemingly to be a material but it had been a bit too dark to tell. " Is that one of it? " He asked himself, blinking and straining his eyesight until he realized it was.  " Bingo. " Pushing against his spear as his right arm dropped down due to gravity, Titan kneeled and plucked it from the ground and opened up his bag, tossing it inside. Now that he was at 3 out of the 5 material he needed, he felt a little bit better than being stuck at just one.  " Only two more. " The words simply fell from his lips as he decided he would continue forward for his fourth material and then circle back to Zackariah for his fifth. He almost wished he had a sense ability, something to quickly scan an area to find these herbs. Perhaps if he got a bit higher in levels. Materials Found: Three of Five Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

Titan forced himself to take long and mindful breaths, the same kind that his therapist would make him do when he felt panicked. The man was constant in stress back in the real world, something he hadn't felt in years but still, the want to finally do something more than he was used to since he finally wanted to fight for his life, still felt incredibly overwhelming. To accept death and fate was simple, to allow it to rest on the hands of others was indeed cowardice but it was strategic. He simply wanted to survive, but that version of Titan had been long gone. Peeled layer by layer from his desire to drink or the fact that his girlfriend had no longer been waiting for him, perhaps the idle chatter he's heard of Aincrad being almost like real life was finally worth discovering and the only barrier in his way were Zackariah and his damn introductory quest. Materials Found: Three of Five Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

And now, it seemed as though his mind was clouded was all of the possibilities of what had been and what could actually be. He hadn't made any friends during his time in this damn game and at this point, his siblings were either dead or more likely hadn't logged into the game like he had initially expected. Titan's world outside of the game was filled with riches and culture, he only desired to mimic that in a fine game like this. But it seemed as though the administrators of the game had no desires like that, they wanted carnage and deception from what little trickled down to the first floor from where they had been. He wasn't even certain anymore how far they had climbed, only that they were now light years away from those who stayed in paralysis in the town of beginnings. His mind had been taking over, not even a single glance for the material as he stayed cerebral, unsure how to justify or logically rationalize what even had been going on these past few years. Materials Found: Three of Five Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

Did she have a baby by now? Had she finally decided to give up on their pursuit of happiness for what was right in front of her face? It's what he would've done 100%. Ren wasn't an idiot, this is when he wished he used his real name. Titan felt lame, as though he was compensating now that he simply was still a beginner and yet, perhaps it still fit him exactly as it should?  He was in fact someone who held greatness in the palm of his hands, ruled the world (so to speak) to only let the power slip out of his hand. His thoughts were a flurry as he looked down, still no mats as he wondered if maybe she did have a baby, would she have named it after him? After a great love loss, a way to honor and remember what they had before this calamity struck.  Materials Found: Three of Five Spoiler

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

He hadn't taken the time to think about Yuli since the beginning months of Sword Art Online, when he mourned for his old life sober without even a hint of alcohol to help numb the pain of this cruel reality. It seemed to come quick, it even surprised Titan how steadfast and incredible the beginning adventurers were with their ambition. They all stood here, years ago, with these stupid clumps of materials in their bag wanting to climb as quickly as possible with an array of fates meeting each and every single one of them. Titan had only decided on life now because without his choice, they might be stuck in this game forever. As the numbers dwindled, each player alive mattered that much more. He looked at the ground once more, still no materials for him to pick.  Materials Found: Three of Five Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

He hated therapy and being sent there by his family made him feel absolutely weak. They wanted to talk and talk and talk about what happened in the past, what was happening in the present, what his goals were? Ren had been quite the goal achiever, zeroing in on exactly what he wanted and needing with precise execution. So what if he had a few tiny biases here and there. Who cared if he drank socially to secure business? He was succeeding in the life he made for himself and being told otherwise made him want to revolt. Despite learning so much from his therapist, he'd never admit that to anyone or even that during these times, he brought himself back to those moments where he had breakthroughs in figuring out who he was and what it all meant.  " Oh look, another weed. " Finally snapping out of his thoughts, Titan cut the material with his spear and throwing in his bag. A turn on his heel and he headed back to Zackarias' cabin, his eyes set for one last clump of grass for the health potion to finish this portion of the quest. It seemed like during these lulls of no companions or low leveled adventurers, the man would have almost too much time to think. Materials Found: Four of Five Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

As he walked back through the part of the forest he had once came, Titan was eerily surprised that none of it looked familiar at all. Perhaps because he was lost in thought, he hadn't been truly paying attention but the shadows cast against the trees seemed like a lot more time had passed then the man had once realized. " This is so bizarre. " His own words helped to fortify in the moment, he'd only heard rumors of weird occurrences like this in higher floors but nothing on the first level before. He took the time to walk, what he assumed was closer to Zackariah's cabin, ensuring that he brought himself a few rows closer to town. He even peeked his head out to make sure he was still where he was supposed to be.  He continued forward, each step deliberate as he was on his last material needed, his eyes focused in scanning with more intent to get himself out of this weird forest.  Materials Found: Four of Five Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

He didn't even realize his eyes were slightly watery from being so consumed in thought. Titan hadn't reminisced or considered the real world in far too long, this vigor and sadness that pulsated through his body was motivating and chilling all at once. If he knew that the very first quest in Aincrad would test his resolve, he may have let another few years go by to let their memories decay a little bit more. It still hurt when Titan could picture the face of his girlfriend and her smell, how she laughed and it felt like a warm summer's breeze. He'd put them away for now, this was enough for one day. As kismet would have it, the final material seemed to spawn after he closed his mind to the past and focusing himself on the now. With the final piece, he returned to Zackariah with a determined look. " I have your mats, Zackariah. " He called out after opening the door, the < ? > seem to beam a golden yellow as he entered and turned in the weeds to the man, another follow-up quest popping up quickly to help the alchemist brew the potion. Materials Found: Five of Five Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

" I'm sorry, you want me to do what? " Titan looked at the other man as if he was crazy. He was certainly no brewer and didn't like being forced to do things like he was a monkey on display, especially with something he hadn't done before. Sure, Titan fundamentally understood that this was a quest and was designed to be helpful but he still hadn't liked it one bit. " Just don't be mad if I end up burning my supplies. " His tone was terse and very matter-of-fact as he listened to the others instructions, twisting the knobs, turning the gaskets and inserting the material as the other asked but it simply fizzled and the potion looked closer to a swamp color than the brilliant scarlet hues of vitality that almost every game had been known for.  " Just try again, here. " The man seemed kind and patient, handing the other another set of mat for him to have another go at potion brewing.  Potion Brewing: Failed Spoiler

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

It seemed to take a little bit of time but Titan nodded, trying to show the same level of respect that Zackariah seemed to have. The difference, however, was that this man was coded to have these features, they simply didn't exist in the real world anymore let alone in all of Aincrad, that Titan was certain of. This time the man was a mindful to the approach, listening fully to the other's words as he twisted knobs and inserted the ingredients this time at a slower pace and once all the steps had finally been finished, it seemed as though Titan had brewed a rare healing potion. " Nice job, this is beautiful! " The potion maker Zackariah exclaimed, holding up the small vial with a beaming grin on his forehead. " With a little determination, you can do anything. " Titan couldn't help but roll his eyes, more coding nonsense for the sake of motivation. " I just have one more favor, can you bring this to my dear friend Tyle Tealeaf, he's the blacksmith vendor across town. He'll be thrilled to have it. Go off. " Zackariah's heavy hand met Titan's shoulder as he handed the potion back over to the adventurer and the potion maker scooted the man off, seemingly to finish his very first quest.  Potion Brewing: Success Spoiler

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

" Huh, what? Okay. " It was a strange experience for him to simply get pushed out of Zackariah's home, right? All for a friend who needed a health potion. Titan opened up his bag quickly and shoved the quest item inside of there for safe keeping as the door seemed to shut behind him. The man turned around, giving a quick stare over to Zackariah who he could see through the open panes but perhaps this was meant to be done tout suite.  Despite spending so much time in the town of beginnings, the man seemingly never memorized the map of the place. " Where could that blacksmith's shop be? " He asked himself, fingertips tapping against his chin as he walked one corner of the town with his eyes looking at each sign or for smoke but no sign of any quite yet. " You'd think that he'd give directions if this was supposed to be delivered in quite the hurry, huh. " He mimicked the quest giver, slightly irritated that now he would be wandering through town too to find whomever this Tyle Tealeaf had been.

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

There was a very alluring smell to the first level, a mixture of honey, summer fruits and baked goods as though the merchants had been cooking up a delicious feast for those who remained. He knew it wasn’t the case but it was something he hadn’t taken the time to notice before. He was too busy waiting idly not wanting to enjoy a cruel world where a video game death was permanent. He hadn’t enjoyed his potion making with Zackariah, the man was too kind and doting for his own personal liking. Titan was accustomed to a harder approach, someone who wasn’t kind and had an arrogance and drive that forced their protegees to be better. It’s the only way the man operated since he was a kid, perhaps it was the only method used back then and now it simply felt like the only way. Alas, it seemed as though the town wasn’t busy at all.

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

There weren’t even any non-player characters that the man would miss. He often stayed in the inn but locked the door and ignored the innkeeper enough that he could hold refuge in one of the rooms. Titan would pay her back, not in full, of course but perhaps enough to warrant a room if he ever needed it back in the town of beginnings. It felt as though despite just starting, this was his own little love letter to the town he never engaged with. He could see things, smell things that the others knew to be true but finally, after years being stuck and isolated. Titan would appreciate what was his bunker before ascending upwards. It was a bit presumptuous of a thought, that he would make it out alive but now that it felt more of a choice, Titan felt the blaze in his spirit rise up and be the same man he was known for in the real world.

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan

[Titan 0]

It seemed to come fairly quickly, the brick and mortar shop that was labeled Tyle's Blacksmithing. Titan was a bit frozen as he stopped right in his place at the site of the store, he honestly had passed it so many times in the past that he was a bit disappointed in himself that he hadn't realized it was kitty corner to the inn. His mind began to remember now, how the thick smell of coal and smoke often wafted through his window and all Titan could do to rid himself of the smell was to close the windows tight. The connections continued, his neurons seemed to be firing as his reality and the expected world continued to finally meld into the same place. Titan inhaled the cinnamon apple scent since it seemed the blacksmith hadn't had their furnace on and burning yet. The man opened the door, a slight bell alerting the other of his presence as he walked in, bag open as Titan pulled out the health potion and let it sit in his hand as he closed the distance between himself and who he presumed to be Tyle. " Are you Tyle? "

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Titan