[PP-F1] The Hunt is On! <<Dragon Hunter Anthology - Dragon Hunt 1: the Emerald Hatchling>>

[Benjamin Bookworm 0]

Beginning of thread Stats:

Spoiler

Level - 25           HP - 500             ENG - 50
DMG (Dagger) - 1 (1 base)
MIT - 18                      ACC - 0                    EVA - 3

Equipment -
[EQ] [T2 Perfect Heavy Armor] Cobalt Heart - Mit 1 (18), Recovery 2 (regain 4 additional energy on CD 6+)
[EQ] [T1 Perfect Charm] Green Leaf - Evasion (3)
[EQ] [T1 Perfect Charm] Finder's Feather - Loot Die (3)
Dimensional Backpack adds +1 battle ready item slot

Battle Ready Items (With Extended Weight Limit, Dimensional Backpack, and Large Pockets Mod):
(3) Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP)
(3) Blank [T1] Dungeon Maps
(5) Lesser Burning Edge Potion (+1 damage)
(5) Undaunted Spirit Crystal (Mass Heal) [Tierless]
(3) Lesser Edge Shard (+1 damage crystal) [Tierless]
(13) Lesser Curative Potions (Healer 40 HP) [T2]
(1) Lesser Nature's Vitality Potion (+1 Mitigation) [T1]
(5) Magic Armor Potions (Safeguard)
(2) Teleport Crystal

Benjamin was bored.  Manning his alchemy stall was never very interesting, but at least he made sure the players in the Town of Beginnings got enough healing that they wouldn't be in danger.  He had contemplated moving to a higher floor with the front liners, but it would just be chasing after them as they moved up each floor. People knew where he was if they needed to find him, and his prices were low enough to keep them coming back.  Still... he needed to grab a few quests to make sure he had enough col.

He left his familiar to watch over the shop as he headed out to the town's bulletin board- most quests were way below his level here, but his skills weren't in combat, so he couldn't take anything larger on his own. With a dejected sigh, he checked his own ad- 'Support specialist looking for groups to quest with!'- and made sure it was still visible. Even down here there were quests he could get XP from, if only he had someone to go with. Even the big dragon slaying quest line could be possible, and he may even level up enough to make better crystals out of it! "That's all- I just need to find a dragon slayer in the Town of Beginnings. How hard could that be?" he said out loud, chuckling at his own joke as he looked over the quest notice once more.

@Azhoda

[Azhoda 0]

Spoiler

STATS:

Azhoda: 40 | HP 800/800 | EN 80/80 | DMG 16 | MIT 89 | REC 2 | HM 2

Items:

• Blazing Soul (T2 THAS | Perfect | DMG 3 )
• Omos Guard (T2 Heavy Armor | Perfect | MIT 3)
• Flaming Heart (T2 Heavy Armor | Perfect | HM 2, Rec 1)
  • 5x  Standard Healing Potions (T1 Potion, Heals 50)
  • 2x  Vicious Dragon-Fang Potion (+3 Damage for a thread)
  • 1x Rhino's Horn (the First crit ignores 40% of MIT not granted by block)
  • 2 x  Vicious Dragon-Fang Potion (+3 Damage for a thread)
  • Empty
  • Empty

Skills:

• Two-Handed Weapons THAS Rank 5
• Heavy Armor Rank 5
• First Aid Rank 3
• Quick Change
• Fighting Spirit

House Buffs:

Rested: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Col Stash: +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt
Basic Training: +1 SP to a thread. Limit one use per month.

 

It was a quiet day for Shion so far, waking up from a deep slumber in her house on floor 24 after a long session of gathering and battling. To think about it now Shion must have been sleeping for about a whole day as she pulled off a 3-day long gathering and battling session, and food was not even spoken about. So Shion was planning to go to the first floor to get some food. Not something big just something small. Wearing her full armour she walked into the plaza looking around for a bit. Her face was covered by her helmet and you couldn't even see her appearance at all, as well as that you could not tell if she was a girl or boy. She took it upon herself that she went to one of the few places where she could get food.

But before she could get anywhere near she walked passed the bulletin board, were a few people where standing. She walked a bit close by and then out of nowhere when it started to clear up a bit a boy smaller than her, shouted out of nowhere. Shion looked up and it was not hard to understand what he was talking about, The Dragon Hunters Quests. Speaking of he didn't look like someone who was going to fight. With a Sigh inside her helmet, Shion walked up to the guy. "Yeez, no need to shout." She said to him as her voice was a bit hollow because of her helmet as it also was quite hard to her voice at all. "Advice, don't shout like that. At least not of your intentions. You make yourself a target, anybody could follow you and kill you," She said harsh and cold. She looked the guy up and down seeing his gear and items and knowing all too well that if he went alone that he would have been thrown around like a doll.

@Benjamin Bookworm

Edited September 16, 2020 by Azhoda

[Benjamin Bookworm 0]

Ben looked back in surprise at the response, taking a look at the tank who had spoken. "I didn't think I was being that loud... and I'm pretty sure we don't have some sort of secret cabal of PKers hiding out in the Town of Beginnings, watching for merchants heading out of town." he said with a shake of his head. "I mean, I appreciate the advice and all- but I'm not even actually going on the quest anyways. Not many groups are big enough to just have a support fighter in them, and it's not like I could take it myself." He looked away at the fields out of town as he spoke, lost in thought for a few seconds as he watched some other players heading out.

Letting out a sigh before turning to face the stranger, he pulled himself back to the present. "Um, anyways, I just came from my shop- if you want to stop by, I got plenty of healing items and stuff. If you're worried about getting attacked out there having a few buff crystals might help out."  Ben had switched back to his cheery salesman mode as he spoke, obviously trying to switch the the topic away from the quest he couldn't do. "What kinda stuff are you looking for on the lower floors anyways? With that kind of gear I figured you for someone close to the front line."

@Azhoda

[Azhoda 0]

Listening to what the guy had to say it was clear that he wanted to do something but couldn't. Even if Shion was bad at reading people she could clearly see that this guy wanted to do a quest. Once he spoke about his shop Shion tilted her head a bit, and nodded, "So you someone who focuses on being a merchant, Who sells potions and stuff, Sadly for you that is not the reason why I'm here." She said seeming a bit less cold and was trying to find out what the guy was planning. Without thinking, Shion leaned forward passed him looking at the board for a second. She looked at the quest that the guy wanted to take. "Dragon Hunter Anthology," she mumbled. 

Taking a few steps back and looked him up and down, "you're in luck I guess, Name is Kikenna, Shion Kikenna. But call me Shion. Looking at the quest it seems that it is one of the few quests I have not done. So you up for a challenge ... Sorry never caught your name," She said to the guy extending him a hand.  To see or not if the guy would accept the hand was yet to see. If he did Shion knew that the kid was not just gonna sit by and if he didn't Shion would right away take her offer of helping him, plus it was to see as well if he had a strong grip.

@Benjamin Bookworm

[Benjamin Bookworm 0]

Ben's face perked up as he heard the offer to help out, bringing his hand up immediately, but visibly hesitated before he shook. "That would be quite helpful. I, um, wasn't expecting that answer... sorry.  I'll do my best to help out, um, Shion- these kinds of quests really help out getting extra col to upgrade my shop with." he honestly answered while he felt the knight's strong grip in his much less confident handshake. He was a bit intimidated by big guys like this- and wasn't familiar enough with Japanese names yet to realize otherwise.

While he didn't know just what this guy wanted, or if he was just trying to help, he was glad to take it either way. "Benjamin's my name.  Just call me Ben if you'd like."  he replied as e opened up his menu with his off hand and selected the party function, inviting Shion to form a party for the quest. A task that only someone who spent a lot of time working with those menus would find coming to them so naturally.

@Azhoda

[Azhoda 0]

It seems with a bit of hesitation and thinking the guy seemed okay to accept the invite from her, It would be beneficial for both of them as A. Shion has not done this questline, B. it would mean that this guy got to see some of the combat out there. Hearing his name and a quick invite to the party Shion accepted it and nodded. Her name popped up next to him revealing her in-game name and her level being 40, almost double Ben's level. "Well Ben, Know any more information about this quest, I do know that the dragons we have to fight are strong and on every floor, and you need to beat them in order, apart from..." She was cut short has her belly started to rumble quite loudly.

Shion's posture fell down right away and she seemed less energized than before. "Ahh... Aahh... before w-we go, for some food" she said from under her helmet. Shion was looking around for a bit before speaking up again "Sorry, But I have to get some food, that was my official plan for getting down all the way here, I live on Floor 24 you see and most food there is all the same so I want to try something different, and a lot of places here offer a big range of food al over." She said to Ben looking around for somewhere to eat and get her stomach refreshed.

@Benjamin Bookworm

[Benjamin Bookworm 0]

"Well, I do know..." he trailed off at the sound of a very hungry stomach made itself known, interrupting both of their thoughts. "Ah, yea, food to start out with would be nice. Usually I just grab something at the shop, but there's a pretty good seafood shop near where the beginning quests are found. They grill up and  sell a lot of the seafood that comes in from players practicing the skill- or just making enough from the local ponds to live off of." he continued "Though if you look well enough off some of the players who've never left the town might try and beg a meal off of you. Can't really stop that kinda thing I guess."

He hoped the shop wouldn't be too crowded- it wasn't quite lunch, but it was getting late enough there might be the local fishers heading in for a break, and he really wanted to get to questing quick- it wasn't a chance that he got to take very often. "Um, I can lead the way if you're OK with that kinda place, and we can talk while we eat. There's some inside sitting that should be quiet enough." And with that he began heading off, more energetic than before as he led the way this time.

@Azhoda

[Azhoda 0]

It seemed like a nice invite to go and get some food with the person Shion soon would hunt down some dragons. So why not it looked to be a good deal, plus it has been months since she was not eating alone. And if she was eating alone she mostly was eating instant noodles so she didn't need to wait long for her food to get to her. Hearing that Ben knew a place made Shion relax a bit more meaning she didn't need to look aimlessly look around. "That is very much appreciated Ben, I am in need of some food." She said before looking up at the sun and covering her eyes as the lights shined right into her helmet. "Yeez it is warm with this armour, sorry you wouldn't mind if I took it off right," She said looking at Ben for a second.

But Before getting any reaction from him she already opened her menu and went to her inventory selecting her armour and changing up her armour. Her full darkend armour and closed of helmet disappeared and took the appearance of a gold chest plating and shoulder plates, with a red and white cloth around the arms and legs. As soon as her helmet fell away, her red hair appeared and fell down past her shoulders with two small wing clips on the side of her head. From her appearance from before to now, she looked like a young strong and capible woman with elegent body shape as well as sky blue eyes. "Alright much better, at least some armour that can breath normally." She said coldly as she grabbed her arm and without knowing herself she flexed a bit and stretched out. She didn't look at Ben who was clearly younger then her, almost 10 years or so.

@Benjamin Bookworm

[Benjamin Bookworm 0]

Ben glanced over at Shion as they walked, about to answer her before she just changed out of her armor without warning. Her hair falling down over her golden armor as he looked on in surprise, just realizing she was a woman underneath all the thick plating. He tried to say what he was thinking, but the words died in his mouth. Huh. It always seems like I get paired up with the female players... who are all higher level and better at combat... he thought, wondering if he was really this far behind everyone.

"Well, um, glad to see you are feeling... um, good..." he managed to stammer out, still getting over his surprise while picking up his pace to catch back up. Apparently he stopped when he took a look, but quickly got moving again on the way to the food shop. "Um, well, the shop should be just a block or, uh, two ahead of us" he finished as he pulled his scarf up a bit, habitually hiding his embarrassment as they walked along. Hopefully she would be hungry enough to let him recompose himself while they walked.

@Azhoda

[Azhoda 0]

Shion was not paying much attention to Ben's face as he spoke, however, she did notice that she stopped for a bit and she slowed down a bit. Looking back as Ben came up to her again, she didn't really notice his actions and just brushed them off. She didn't know the guy to either care or just have time for what he was having. Right now Shion was focused on food and getting to this quest as fast as possible... and maybe get a strong ally in the shop industry as Shion was lacking some contacts there. "So how long have you been handling a shop if I may ask. As well a second question, I many times did you see or take part in actually boss like fights. Like, say ... the event bosses or something," Shion asked seeing to understand if she just needed to go on full guard or slow it down and just go in with Ben together. 

To understand your ally or partner you are working with is key to something like this especially this quest line as the dragons are no joke around. She already saw people taking on this questline and coming back like they been into hell and just got back. So knowing what you up against and who fight along your side is very important for at least Shion it take in as a factor. logocal thinking Shion would not even take Ben to this quest but sometimes you have to make exeptions the least she could do it make sure it is dead in one shot.

@Benjamin Bookworm

[Benjamin Bookworm 0]

Ben hustled up to keep pace with Shion, scratching his head as he answered. "Well, I've been crafting since the game started- it was one of my first skills since I ventured out of town... more than two and a half years ago I guess. Man, it has been a while. Boss battles though... I don't have the levels yet for a floor boss, and I just keep missing the calls for event bosses. So... none. I've been in enough battles to know when to stay back and heal. Plus I got enough items on me to keep us going through the long haul." he admitted, but kept his head held high as he did so. Just because he hadn't been in a boss battle didn't mean he was helpless.  Still- if she was a knight who's job it was to protect people, he probably looked fairly green to her. Honestly, he figured it would be a bad sign if she wasn't a bit concerned. It's not like he should be worried about being a failure who hasn't actually accomplished anything... or looking a bit uncomfortable at the question.

"Well, we can see the roof of the food stall from here- it's that wooden building with the fishing nets hanging off the front awning. How about we grab a couple seats and I can show you what I have?"

@Azhoda

[Azhoda 0]

Shion listens to what Ben had to tell, so no real boss fights or anything and outside that he also was mainly focused on crafting so that would explain a bit why he didn't see to have much equipment on him. But it was a good test for Shion as well to test her new skill as well if Ben got hurt. Knowing this Shion opened her menu for a bit and looked at her skill for a bit, 'First Aid' is was a good skill for her type of playing style. Paladin as her friend called it. But her train of thoughts was cut short as Ben mentioned the shop up ahead. "Ah yes, So we just take a seat inside and get something inside out stomachs. It does help to fight on a full stomach give you all kinds of boost. But not in-game even tho there are some items that do, but I believe the rest of the food just gives a visual boost to your body," She said holding her hand to her chin and thinking a bit.

As soon as the got to the shop Shion looked at Ben and opened the door for him so he could walk in, once inside Shion looked around for a bit and nodded walking up to some NPC. "Table for two, and please some quiet place with a good view," She said to the NPC before she took Ben's arm and followed the NPC to their table. Once at their table she lets go of Ben's arm and looks at the chairs taking a place of her own, "Come sit, so we can get some food soon," She said cold and monotone, like she spoke the whole time, as a small slight smile was finally visible on her face.

@Benjamin Bookworm

[Benjamin Bookworm 0]

Benjamin follows Shion into the shop, glad hat she hadn't made any comments about his skills. He was a bit confused why she was smiling and talking so coldly, but didn't know how to broach that topic. So he just sat down at the table with her, not even glancing at the menu as he shrugged off his backpack and placed it on the chair next to him. "I'll just get the fish of the day- they all mostly taste the same to me, and that one's always the cheapest, but if you have a favorite " he stated as he felt his arm where she held it.

"I've gotten a few of the boosting foods too, but I prefer the stuff from shops that's just made to taste nice. I guess most cooks focus on either buffs or taste, because I haven't had anything that gets both done well before." Ben added with a nod. It would be nice to have something to settle his stomach for the quest ahead. And hopefully get to know the tank he would be working with.

@Azhoda

[Azhoda 0]

Shion looked at the menu with a small smile, it looked all really good and she was just focused on getting her food. She didn't pay much attention to what Benjamin was telling but she looked up for a second at him and tilted her head, "I have, from a player that is currently a cook and tank if I'm right," I said to him before looking down at the menu as my voice sounded lighter and calmer even a bit softer as well. As she did she looked back at her menu looking over the items she could eat. Looking at the menu Shion seemed a bit confuse on what to take but smiled friendly. "I got something!" She said sounding a lot more friendlier.

Waiting for Benjamin to also be done with his order, Shion would look at the ober. "One large chef special please! Oh and a shake if possible! and um... why not add some fries as well!" She said showing her apitite to Ben, in how much she just ordered. But for her it was quite normal to eat so much, her body didnt really grow in or outside of the game as she already ate a lot. "Well um... Benja... Ben, you seem to be quite young compared to me? How old are you execly? If I may ask you? And where are you from, because Benjamin is quite a uncommon name here in Japan for as far as I know," She asked friendly sounding calmer then before and less cold.

@Benjamin Bookworm

[Benjamin Bookworm 0]

Ben arched an eyebrow at Shion's order- even though you could eat anything you wanted to in game like that, you still got full. He guessed she just really like the food, but he probably shouldn't say anything. "Um, just... Ben would be fine. And as for my age I'm actually 19 already- I'm not a kid." he answered more gruffly than he meant to. Even if was a fact, it seemed being asked if he was young was a sore spot. "You're right about me not being from Japan though- I actually am one of the overseas players who got the system. Unless something on the outside changed drastically, my body's probably still in Chicago right now."

His eyes shifted downward as he remembered how he got here in the first place, and his fingers gave the table a few taps before he swallowed the memories and continued the conversation while he kept an eye on the NPCs getting their dishes ready. "I guess that means you're from Japan then? Does that mean... you have other friends playing with you too? People you know on the outside?"

@Azhoda

[Azhoda 0]

As soon as the dishes came Shion started eating, taking a bite and not stopping as Ben was talking until he asked her something. She paused for a second and thought for a bit. Emptying her mouth and looking at Ben, as she had a piece of food on her cheeks. "No, I don't. Plus if I made any friend I still would not help them, They shouldn't. I just get people killed," Shion said looking a bit cold bit smiled fast as she went on with eating her food. As she did so she kind of looked like a child that was just eating away making sure nobody else took her food. 

Nearly finished with her food she looked up and nodded, "Asked you something I guess I can answer the same question, I'm 27 or at least I should be. But yea I'm from Japan, Tokyo to be more on point as well. But I guess that still doesn't narrow it down. But Yeah ... if you want to know more, I'm open to talk. It is good to know who you fighting with" She said going back to her last parts of her food leaving a small piece of food on her cheek as she finished the rest of her meal.

@Benjamin Bookworm

[Benjamin Bookworm 0]

Ben's plate was a lot smaller than what Shion had gotten, so it was easy enough for him to keep pace with the eye opening sight before him. "Japan... that's cool. I've never been myself and it sounds good and... I'm sorry but what on earth do you mean you'll just get people killed?" he said with worry creeping into in his voice. "Like... is someone after you? Or is there some sort of guild that has a vendetta against you?"

Ben picked at the last bits of his meal as he looked over the table, wondering why someone so cheery just... had that idea in her head. "I know I'm not a front liner or anything, but I have plenty of stuff to help protect people. That's kinda why I make them." He pushed his plate aside and hauled his backpack up onto the table, a serious look in his eyes as he popped open a flap to reveal densely packed rows of items, each with a handwritten piece of paper next to them showing what each one of them were. "So just tell me what you need protecting from.. um, after you clean your face off first I guess."

@Azhoda

[Azhoda 0]

As she was done eating Shion noticed Ben's remark and cleaned up her face, and his question well, She really didn't need to lie so why not tell him, "I seen people die, I got people killed because of my leadership. Simply put, I am not dragging people I don't trust into any combat fast ONLY if I know I can do it myself without help," She said sounding like she didn't care at all and her smile from before disappeared. Sometimes the truth hurts and sometimes you had to avoid telling the truth. Shion was not happy about losing the lives of human beings on her hand, She could have stopped them but she made them rush in with her. "it's not all about protecting if you protect people shield you can't take up a sword and push the enemy back. and you can only protect so much," She said sounding serious and point on.

Shion took out a menu and nodded her head for a second, the least she could do right now was to pay for the meal and then be on their way, "I'll pay for the mean, no worry I have enough Col," She said to him paying the meal and standing up from the seat. She was ready to go and stretched for a second before leaving the building and waiting outside for Benjamin to come as well.

@Benjamin Bookworm

Edited October 2, 2020 by Azhoda

[Benjamin Bookworm 0]

Ben thought about what Shion said- while it was true, he didn't like it. Grabbing the last few bites of fish, he dashed his way out the door to catch up to Shion. He didn't know how to react to someone speaking so seriously. Or having such a sorrowful view of the world. He followed her along deep in thought for a while before looking forward where they were going.

"I'm going to survive this. While I haven't had a lot of experience, I'm tougher than I look. As long as you're out front, I can take care of myself." he said with a smile, trying to let her know things will be OK. "You saw how many tricks I have up my sleeve- and I can take a few good hits as well. I just don't have the offensive power most of you guys do. As long as you have the sword to take them down, I can work on protecting both of us." he said, looking confident. "We can take care of that dragon together and get us all one step closer to being out of this game!"

@Azhoda

[Azhoda 0]

Shion let out a sigh and looked at Ben for a moment, "Good, But don't say I didn't warn you. And if you survive without backing off I may help you on the other dragons as well," Shion said to him before they got the gate going to where ever this dragon was. It was very clear Shion could easily one-shot this thing if she wanted and she was planning to do so as well. "after this is done I will take you to the wall, and show you what can happen if you make it and don't become another name" she said cold but you could hear a bit of regret in her voice. But at that moment Shion clapped herself in the face, Wake up you dumb ass no need to be in sorrow you are here now let's try our best you have your own promise,  she thought as she did so as her expression changed to a small smile.

Shion looked at the map and the location of the dragon they had to kill, knowing it would not take long Shion made sure Ben was in front and leading just making sure of her own that nobody was following them you could never know. "You know where the dragon is so best to keep it up before we start encountering other monsters, I'm not in the mood to fight those as well." She said to Ben as she pointed into the distance to a pack of wolfs. It was best for her, especially her that she was not running out of energy. All right now she was focused on getting Ben out of here safe and sound.

@Benjamin Bookworm