[F3|PP]<<Search for the Hoya>>

[Shay 0]

On Floor Three now, Shay found the maze of the Hoya. This was supposed to be a relatively easy quest she heard. The boss was easy to kill since it had such low amount of HP. She could deal some pretty severe damage by herself. It wouldn't take long to kill it and move on. The exp it dropped would be good enough to help her reach her next levels. Before entering the labyrinth the raven haired girl opened up her inventory to make sure she had everything she needed to destroy the Minotaur of the Hoya. Whilst looking through her inventory, which was still pretty empty, she remembered the item drop that Mari had given her from the first quest she took on. The Matriarch's Stinger, it would boost her damage for a time so it could be useful to use here. She took the poison out of her inventory and applied it to her weapon.

With that done, she was ready to head in.

@Titan

Spoiler

General
Level: 4 | HP:  80/80 | Energy: 8/8 

Stats
DMG: 3+1 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 1 

Skills
R1 Curved Sword

Equipment(In use)
Murasame ε: Bleed 2, Damage 1
Deep Red Tie: Recovery 2, ACC 1
Leather Overcoat: EVA 3
 

Consumables
The Matriarch's Stinger: 1 DMG < Using

 

[Titan 0]

This was quite literally the first time that Titan decided he would leave the comfort of the first floor and teleport to the third, where the town of Delilah seemed so precious and made him immediately interested in settling down and exploring the unlocked floors of Aincrad. That was, until he heard of a daunting quest from one of the villagers. It seemed as though deep within the forest laid a maze of sorts of the mighty King Minos, an incredible monarch where within the opposite entrances of the tomb to guard the dear king from unruly visitors. 

Now, Titan had leveled up slightly and had a bit of better gear and was ultimately feeling a lot better about himself and what he was capable of. This would be another way for him to prove himself as a player, to slay one of the Hoya Minotaurs that had been quite a bit higher leveled than he was. 

It was then that he noticed a girl who was coating her weapon with poison, he almost wasn't going to call out to her but perhaps they were meant to be in a party. " Excuse me, are you about to do the Search for Hoya quest? Mind a plus one? " He asked, his words had been kind enough to beckon a response but something about the girl hadn't felt the friendliest but as Shield said, the players of Sword Art Online weren't all sunshine and daisies. 
 

TITAN'S INVENTORY

Spoiler

Titan (Level 8) 
HP: 160 / DAMAGE: 3
EN: 16 / MIT: 9
ACC: 3 / EVA: 0
KEEN: 1 / PAR: 1

Skills:

• 1-Handed Assault Spear (Rank 2)
• Searching (Rank 2)

Equipment:

• ( P ) TERROR'S REACH | 1H Assault Spear ( KEEN / DMG / PAR )
• ( U ) ARMOR OF TOTH | Leather Armor ( MIT )
• ( P ) EYE OF HORUS | Trinket ( ACC / ACC / ACC )

Inventory:

• ( 3 ) Starter Healing Potion ( Heals 50 HP )
• ( 6 ) ( U ) T1 Healing Potion (Heals 40 HP )

 

Edited April 21, 2020 by Titan

[Shay 0]

While she was coating her weapon, the girl's raven-colored hair swung around her to turn to the new face. People kept showing up randomly for her quests. To be fair, however, more help wouldn't be bad considering she still wasn't doing the best possible damage that she could. Her crimson eyes pierced the bright afternoon sun. The callous expression she normally wore was general a neutral look for her, but it was easy to see that some people thought she was wicked because of it.

"Konnichiwa." She said simply, turning her attention back to covering the blade in poison to get that out of the way. Shay sheathed her blade once it was all finished then returned the cold gaze to the blonde. An awkward and obviously forced smile grazed her lips. At the very least, she was trying. "I am. If you would like to join me, I would not oppose."

With that said she, opened up the menu and sent the boy a party request.

Do you want to form a party with -Shay-?
o - Accept; x Decline

@Titan

[Titan 0]

As Titan noticed the woman’s scarlet eyes, it seemed as though she had wanted to come across particularly cold or dismissive for whatever reason she may had wanted. Titan didn’t necessarily care about all of that, especially after the warning he heard from some of the others about finding the best way to work with those willing to fight. This was simply be a test, just like that. “ Pleasure.  I’m Titan. ” He mused with a smile, still, he’d be his beaming self for the sake of not wanting to lose himself to the hardness that was Sword Art Online.

After Titan noticed the other’s name, he accepted in no time and curiously looked her over once again. She seemed strong, her weapons was powerful and all Titan could assume was that she was leaps ahead of Titan and knew exactly what to do. “ I don’t have a lot of tank gear at all so if you just wait, I might be able to hold aggro against the minotaur. ” He figured the warning would be more than enough as he moved forward and entered the labyrinth with caution, his left hand gripping his newest spear hard while looking for the beast, trying to use all of his senses to give him the right direction. " Do you know which way we were supposed to go? "
@Shay 

Edited April 20, 2020 by Titan

[Shay 0]

The crimson eyed woman followed behind the man that had decided to take the lead. He had painted himself as a tank, even with that unsure introduction, and almost demanded that her lead the charge. Shay didn't care. She was along for the ride in SAO at this point. If she worried about any little thing like who was leading a party, it would consume her easily. No, she would stay quiet and do what she needed to do to gain the experience for the quest, then part with him later.

"The quest description mentioned a maze. If there was a map, I would share it with you." The assassin said quietly moving up beside him. "You shouldn't have to worry about me too much. I'm much more nimble than I appear. That Minotaur will be luck if he even sees me." Her words almost seemed like bragging, but to her it just seemed like it was the reality.

@Titan

[Titan 0]

“ Seems like this is the map, perhaps a labyrinth. ” Curt and to the point, Titan decided to take the other’s refusal to start and lead to be her way of telling Titan that she’d like for him to go first and so he did. His eyes were working overtime, the silent rumbles that shook the walls of the labyrinth had been enough to make the other nervous. It was then that Titan decided that if he made right turns, it wouldn’t confuse him or lead him too out of the way since every right turn would then lead them out of the maze.

“ Sounds like you’re pretty confident about this one. ” His assault spear confidently in one hand as they continued forward, a hand out as he walked at a normal pace trying to use the sounds to guide him to the minotaur they needed to take out. “ How far do you think we are based on the noises? ” Titan couldn’t help but ask in a quieted murmur, the rumbles were starting to get a bit louder but nothing that made the man think it was right around the corner or anything.
@Shay

[Shay 0]

Shay stayed quiet as the man seemed to be somewhat lost on the direction they should head. They would make it there without much problem if they kept walking. It was apparent that he had some idea in mind to lead them through without getting them lost. Shay could feel the vibrations getting subtly louder as the continued. They were getting much closer to the Minotaur, for sure. At one point, the thumping stomp stopped. Titan turned the corner and an open space in the labyrinth was presented to the duo. Shay felt unnerved right when Titan said, “How far do you think we are based on the noises?”

The raven-haired woman grabbed hold of the boy by his waist and fell backwards with him on top of her his back laying in her chest. A humongous axe came flying around the corner barely missing them as they laid on the floor. The wall caved in, revealing the Mino of the Hoya.

The quiet girl nervously let out a, "Close." Her face was completely red with a guy laying on top of her.

@Titan

[Titan 0]

Everything seemed to be building into a giant crescendo. Titan kept his weapon tight to his side, other hand against the wall as he took deliberate steps forward in both caution and exhilaration. “ No idea, it doesn’t seem to be too far though. ” He spoke too soon as the man turned the corner into the open space of a labyrinth.

His body had then been pulled backward, the momentum of the axe was felt against Titan’s face as he stumbled and landed against Shay with his body completely smashing hers on the floor. “ S$%^. Sorry Shay. ” He stood up in an unrivaled pace, hand went to Shay to help her out as the Minotaur huffed a mighty breath against her nostrils. “ Sorry, but guess it’s time to do what we do best. ” He mused, quickly turning onto his heel and leaping forward with an energized maiming blow attack aiming the tip of the spear right at the minotaur’s chest.
@Shay

HOYA MINOTAUR'S STATISTICS

Spoiler

A Wild Hoya Minotaur Has Appeared ! (#1)

Health Points: 45/45 HP ( - 0 HP )

Damage: 30

TITAN'S STATISTICS

Spoiler

Titan (Level 8) 

Health Points: 160 / 160 ( -0 DMG )	DAMAGE: 3
Energy: 14 / 16 ( -2 )	MITIGATION: 9
ACC: 1 KEEN: 1	EVA: 0 PARALYZE: 1

Skills:

• 1-Handed Assault Spear (Rank 2)
• Searching (Rank 2)

Equipment:

• ( P ) TERROR'S REACH | 1H Assault Spear ( KEEN / DMG / PAR )
• ( U ) ARMOR OF TOTH | Leather Armor ( MIT )
• ( U ) EYE OF HORUS | Trinket ( ACC / ACC / ACC )

Inventory:

• ( 3 ) Starter Healing Potion ( Heals 50 HP )
• ( 6 ) ( U ) T1 Healing Potion (Heals 40 HP )

Skills:

• 1-Handed Assault Spear (Rank 1)
• [DMG x2] Pierce (2 Energy) - One strong thrust into an opponents chest. (Rank 1)

Equipment:

• ( R ) 1H Assault Spear ( ACC / DMG )

Inventory:

• ( 3 ) Starter Healing Potions ( Heals 50 HP )
• ( 5 ) Tier One Health Potions of Uncommon Quality ( +40 HP )

TITAN'S ATTACK ( + 3 ACC )

Spoiler

 

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by Titan

[Shay 0]

The moment Shay was able to stand she got to her feet and stood close to Titan, who would likely take the lead from her and block attacks. He made his attempt to try and land a successful hit on the Minotaur but nothing came to realization. His lance fell short of connecting with the boss.

"Don't apologize. Stay alert. I pulled you out of the way to make sure you didn't take any harsh damage from a sneak attack. So..." The girl blushed a bit. "Just try not to take any unnecessary damage." Why was she so worried about someone else?

Shay wasn't going to stand on the side lines and be a cheerleader though. Her blade, colored like blood, shined through the dim lit hallways of the labyrinth. She charged the Minotaur with no fear in her action or expression.

The raven-haired assassin was stopped short quickly though as the monster slammed its giant axe down towards her. She nimbly dodged the attack but her sword art was pretty much wasted.

@Titan

Shay: 80/80 | Energy: 6/8 -4+2 DMG: 4 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 1 

Edited April 21, 2020 by Shay

[Titan 0]

He didn’t necessarily like taking orders or feeling like every single one of his actions were being scrutinized but he let his frustration manifest in his movements and attacks. “ Will do my best, boss. ” His words were meant to tease lightly as Shay seemed to pull forward with her own attack dodging the giant axe of the Minotaur Hoya while also deciding not to attack for now.

Titan locked-on to the area he wanted to hit, his own movements were somewhat agile as he kicked off against the rubble and aimed his assault spear at the middle of the enemies chest once again for another hit, this time using his stun to see if he could build enough hate and give Shay a free attack as well. His attack was swift, two quick hits to the chest and another that seemed to stun the wild monster in place. " Perfect Shay. It should be stunned, give it your all!"

@Shay

HOYA MINOTAUR'S STATISTICS

Spoiler

A Wild Hoya Minotaur Has Appeared ! (#1)

Health Points: 36/45 HP ( - 9 HP ) + STUNNED

Damage: 30

Hate: (1) Titan

TITAN'S STATISTICS

Spoiler

Titan (Level 8) 

Health Points: 160 / 160 ( -0 DMG )	DAMAGE: 3
Energy: 9 / 16 ( +1, -6 )	MITIGATION: 9
ACC: 3 KEEN: 1 (ACTIVE)	EVA: 0 PARALYZE: 1

Skills:

• 1-Handed Assault Spear (Rank 2)
• Searching (Rank 2)

Equipment:

• ( P ) TERROR'S REACH | 1H Assault Spear ( KEEN / DMG / PAR )
• ( U ) ARMOR OF TOTH | Leather Armor ( MIT )
• ( U ) EYE OF HORUS | Trinket ( ACC / ACC / ACC )

Inventory:

• ( 3 ) Starter Healing Potion ( Heals 50 HP )
• ( 6 ) ( U ) T1 Healing Potion (Heals 40 HP )

Skills:

• 1-Handed Assault Spear (Rank 2)

Equipment:

• ( R ) 1H Assault Spear ( ACC / DMG )

Inventory:

• ( 3 ) Starter Healing Potions ( Heals 50 HP )
• ( 5 ) Tier One Health Potions of Uncommon Quality ( +40 HP )

TITAN'S ATTACK ( + 3 ACC )

Spoiler

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by Titan

[Shay 0]

"B-Boss? I-I'm no ones boss.." She mumbled to herself quietly, but still loud enough for the knight to hear her. It was clear that her being a leader of anything wasn't comfortable with her. Even though her facade was broken momentarily she cleared her throat and tried to get rid of her flushed cheeks. The minotaur became unable to move, so now would be the time to make her decisive strike. Her blade turned underhanded in her hand and turned back into its hot red color. Her temples scrunched with her normal serious expression.

The crimson eyed girl came in fast to get her strike in before the Minotaur could get free from the stun. The one time clumsiness overcomes at the worst time had to be now. The girl tripped over a loose stone from the broke wall and fell flat on her stomach. Her sword art cancelled yet again and she groaned against the stone. The knight could hear the girl swear something in her native language. As she attempted to pick herself back up.

Shay: 80/80 | Energy: 6/8 -2+2 DMG: 4 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 1 

Edited April 21, 2020 by Shay

[Titan 0]

He decided to forego another comment, although his ears did catch the other’s mumble despite how commanding she could be in certain pockets. It was so interesting how various sides of people’s characters seemed to showcase themselves during different scenarios. There was a ferocity in the other’s approach, this time she blurred herself as she attacked before she tripped on her stomach and seemed to fall on the floor. “ Don’t worry, we still got this. ” Titan bolstered the lady’s courage, a steadfast determination as he made his way in front of the other to block her from any attacks that were on its way.

The stunned seemed to be finally shaking itself off as Titan changed his weapon with a powerful maiming blow attack. It was then that his weapon glowed a powerful red with a crit alert action and Titan couldn’t help but beam knowing what this meant. With a simple leap, he slammed his weapon into the enemies chest once again and saw the paralysis effect spark against his newest weapon and then spiderwebbed into the minotaur, causing the beast to be stuck in place.

This was as lucky as they would ever be.

HOYA MINOTAUR'S STATISTICS

Spoiler

A Wild Hoya Minotaur Has Appeared ! (#1)

Health Points: 16/45 HP ( - 20 HP ) ( PARALYZED )

Damage: 30

Hate: (3) Titan

TITAN'S STATISTICS

Spoiler

Titan (Level 8) 

Health Points: 160 / 160 ( -0 DMG )	DAMAGE: 3
Energy: 6 / 16 ( +1, - 4 )	MITIGATION: 9
ACC: 3 KEEN: 1 (ACTIVE)	EVA: 0 PARALYZE: 1

Skills:

• 1-Handed Assault Spear (Rank 2)
• Searching (Rank 2)

Equipment:

• ( P ) TERROR'S REACH | 1H Assault Spear ( KEEN / DMG / PAR )
• ( U ) ARMOR OF TOTH | Leather Armor ( MIT )
• ( U ) EYE OF HORUS | Trinket ( ACC / ACC / ACC )

Inventory:

• ( 3 ) Starter Healing Potion ( Heals 50 HP )
• ( 6 ) ( U ) T1 Healing Potion (Heals 40 HP )

Skills:

• 1-Handed Assault Spear (Rank 2)

Equipment:

• ( R ) 1H Assault Spear ( ACC / DMG )

Inventory:

• ( 3 ) Starter Healing Potions ( Heals 50 HP )
• ( 5 ) Tier One Health Potions of Uncommon Quality ( +40 HP )

TITAN'S ATTACK ( + 4 ACC )

Spoiler

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by Titan

[Shay 0]

Shay boiled in her chagrin. If she didn't land a single attack on this boss after acting so pompous earlier that would be the most embarrassing thing she would have dealt with since she started leveling. She activated her sword art and swore that she wouldn't miss this attack. The blade glowed red once more, redder than her own eyes. The target wasn't even moving so wasn't like she could miss an immobile target, right?

She charged through the rubble again, making her way to her enemy much more carefully than her first attempt. Once she got close, she swung on her target, only to completely miss her attack, again. The woman groaned in frustation.

"Kuso...." She growled. Her temper was easily getting to her and it could be read pretty easily. She was looking like an incompetent idiot.

Shay: 80/80 | Energy: 6/8 -2+2 DMG: 4 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 1 

Edited April 21, 2020 by Shay

[Titan 0]

Just from watching the other get so frustrated, Titan knew what it was like to constantly miss a target and be stuck in the doldrums of battle without a single ounce of focus. Luckily, that’s not what happened this time with the tank as his gaze quickly passed over Shay who seemed to miss once again. That was the case for someone who hadn’t had accuracy trinkets, his own horus pin and weapon had been carrying him with his boon to accuracy. It’s what kept the creature stuck in place to save them from taking any damage.

Taking his usual stance, legs spread apart and his eyes focusing down on the paralyzed hoya minotaur as he quickly scanned to find a weak spawn. That was when the carmine glow of his spear’s tip once again began to showcase that he had a crit charging with the sparks of electricity crackling against the clanging metal. He had enough energy for one more Maiming Blow and hoped it’d be enough, checking the enemies health and it wasn’t exactly certain. With a few quick steps, Titan thrusted three times into the minotaur and at the very third it seemed that the minotaur’s health fell as the beast toppled to the floor, turning into pixels in a matter of moments. For the sake of Shay, he would be quiet for now. 

Instead, he gripped at the Hoya of Minos and held it in his hand. " I believe this is yours. " He tossed it over to her, hoping she had enough agility to grab the damn pendant. 

HOYA MINOTAUR'S STATISTICS

Spoiler

A Wild Hoya Minotaur Has Appeared ! (#1)

Health Points: 0/45 HP ( - 20 HP ) ( PARALYZED )

Damage: 30

Hate: (5) Titan

TITAN'S STATISTICS

Spoiler

Titan (Level 8) 

Health Points: 160 / 160 ( -0 DMG )	DAMAGE: 3
Energy: 3 / 16 ( +1, -4 )	MITIGATION: 9
ACC: 3 KEEN: 1 (ACTIVE)	EVA: 0 PARALYZE: 1

Skills:

• 1-Handed Assault Spear (Rank 2)
• Searching (Rank 2)

Equipment:

• ( P ) TERROR'S REACH | 1H Assault Spear ( KEEN / DMG / PAR )
• ( U ) ARMOR OF TOTH | Leather Armor ( MIT )
• ( U ) EYE OF HORUS | Trinket ( ACC / ACC / ACC )

Inventory:

• ( 3 ) Starter Healing Potion ( Heals 50 HP )
• ( 6 ) ( U ) T1 Healing Potion (Heals 40 HP )

Skills:

• 1-Handed Assault Spear (Rank 2)

Equipment:

• ( R ) 1H Assault Spear ( ACC / DMG )

Inventory:

• ( 3 ) Starter Healing Potions ( Heals 50 HP )
• ( 5 ) Tier One Health Potions of Uncommon Quality ( +40 HP )

TITAN'S ATTACK ( + 4 ACC )

Spoiler

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by Titan

[Shay 0]

Shay side stepped the soaring amulet and it pinged lightly against the ground behind her. She watched it fall until it was settled on the dirt and stone of the labyrinth floor. Was it some sort of cruel joke? Did he feel sorry for her, or something stupid like that? People feeling sorry for her wasn't something she needed. Her pride was cut deep there in that fight and she wasn't so sure that she could recoup from it just yet. She had taken handouts before, but this one was unprecedented: She did not deserve that quest reward.

After a moment of staring at the amulet on the ground, she reached down and picked it up. The dark black curtain of hair could have made her blend into the shadows if the labyrinth was any darker. Once it was in her hand she started towards the knight and pressed the amulet of the Hoya against his armored chest, a bit forcefully for the scrawny toothpick that she was.

"If this is mine, then I'm giving it to you." The girl said walking towards the exit of the labyrinth, or where she thought it was.

@Titan

[Titan 0]

Had Shay been mad at him? He wanted to give the brazened raven-haired girl the benefit of the doubt at first as the player simply decided to let the amulet slide against the labyrinth floor as though it was some piece of common jewelry. Furrowing his brows, he shot a dirty look over her way as he could tell she was furious. Titan hadn’t cared if she missed every single one of her attacks because they were a team doing it together, but it seemed as though it mattered to her.

Rolling his eyes at the silence, he felt the weight pressed against his chest and he decided to take it for the sheer fact that this girl was brewing something angsty within her tiny frame.

“ If you say so. ” Keeping his own demeanor light and airy, he decided to follow her despite knowing that this hadn’t even been the way they came. If she kept wanting to nurse her shattered ego, it might very well end up facing the other minotaur in the labyrinth as well. “ Are you certain that you know where you’re going, Shay? ”

[Shay 0]

The girl stood at the one of the dead end of the labyrinth staring at the wall in front of her as the blond behind her asked if her if she even knew where she was going to. Honestly, she had no idea. Her sense of direction was awful and they game didn't come with some kind of mini-map on the HUD to help a player find their way around. To make matters worse, the map you do get doesn't have a local mapping of the maze. She brewed momentarily in hatred for herself before taking a seat against the wall of the labyrinth.

"I... I apologize.." Her formal, callous tone continued even though a tear streamed down her cheek. "No one believes I can handle things on my own because I've been pampered my whole life.. I have the skill to be good at this game, but I don't know how to do it without someones guidance. I was overjoyed that someone came in here with me, or else I'd be stuck in here for days.." She tried her best to hide the tears that streamed down her face.

@Titan

Edited April 21, 2020 by Shay

[Titan 0]

Titan wasn’t the type to goad necessarily but the man wasn’t only kind and generous despite what some of those within Aincrad had only seen so far. There was a more dubious side of the man who would do what he needed to at the end of the day to excel. It just so happened that in this game, collaboration was paramount to success.

He glanced over to the girl, who sat there against the wall in absolute self-pity before she apologized and began to share her life story while tears began to roll down her face. It was in this moment that Titan picked her up by the collar and gave her a light shove against the wall to shake her out of this mood that she seemed to be in. “ Listen here, Shay. I’m not those people. In this game you’re not going to know anyone’s backstory and so you can be anyone you want here. If you feel down on yourself because you didn’t hit the hoya at all, change it. Go get yourself some accuracy trinkets. ” He let her down slowly, not wanting to scare her but rid her of this momentary lapse in judgement. “ You need to prove your worth and talent to yourself more than anyone else. If you want it bad enough, you can be whoever you want to be here. ”

Edited April 21, 2020 by Titan

[Shay 0]

Shay coughed slightly and wiped the tears from her face. The worst part about everything that he just said was that shay actually possessed an item that boosted her ability to land attacks. Maybe not as much as he had, but still. Her focus was on evading attacks.

"I already do and I still missed my target several times." She put bluntly. "If you know the way so much better, than why don't you lead..." 

She knew that was what he intended to do before she stormed off and got them lost because she wanted to do something correctly.  The girl dusted off her clothes and removed her back from the concrete wall that she was pushed against.

"I think I need to find out who I am before I let myself become something I don't want to be. Slow down your teaching, preacher. I've only just begun." The girl said, almost just to cheer herself up the best she could.

@Titan

[Titan 0]

He knew the girl had power and could handle a little bit of tough love. He ensured his gaze was strong but not too aggressive, she seemed to pull together quickly considering how much she had been crying moments before. “ You might need more accuracy is all I’m saying. ” He’d let that point go and decided to lead them out of the labyrinth. “ It’s why I went right so many times. It allows for an easy way back to the maze. ” He was a fairly smart dude and in a matter of ten minutes or so, they found their way back to the beginning of the maze.

“ Oh, is that what it is? ” The man smirked, the typical bite from Shay seemed to come back. “ Let me add you as a friend, Shay. Maybe we can do more quests together in the beginning floors. ” With that, Titan sent over a friend request hoping the girl would accept.

@Shay