[F01; PP] A Chance Encounter

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari squinted against the bright sunlight of the first floor, mumbling to herself in a manner that bespoke someone who had not come to terms with the early morning light. For the briefest of seconds, she had considered not coming here at all - she'd barely had any sleep, spending a large portion of her night travelling the twenty-seventh in something that she had later learnt didn't exist. 

"That is the last time I waste good col on info brokers outside of the hub..." She had been tempted to hunt the broker down, before realising it wasn't worth labelling herself as an Orange player just for some revenge. Especially not over something as stupid as a false lead. "They're lucky...this time."

She glanced around the main court area, seeing the few faces that passed by. Some she recognised - players and NPCs who had been present in the Town of Beginnings for so long, that she wondered if they would ever end up leaving this place. Some faces were new to her - likely players who normally stayed out of the same areas as herself, or perhaps those whom had been ahead of her at one point in time, only to falter behind as she gained traction.

"Either way...it's quieter than it was years ago..." She shivered at that thought. At the thought of those who were missing, either gone forever or locked away from the world around them. Neither was better than the other, as far as Nari was considered - both a way of dying, when it truly came down to it. 

Pushing aside the darker thoughts, she made her way off the teleportation pad and down into the town proper, hoping that the person she was looking for would be easy enough to find. The last thing she wanted to do was to waste her entire day looking around the whole of the first floor for an information broker that she had never met before. This one had better be reliable. Or at least more reliable than the last one. She kept the words to herself, knowing that speaking them aloud wouldn't help her at all. Instead, she focused on placing a smirk upon her face before continuing her steps forward, heading deeper into the Town of Beginnings.

---

 

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Spoiler notes -- Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 45 | HP: 840/840 | EN: 98/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 Tier 4 | Tier 8 equipped Reaper's Charge [Scythe; Tier 4 Perfect] Enhancement: Accuracy [3 Slots] Enhancement: Static [1 Slot]  Reaper's Defence  [Light Armour; Tier 4 Perfect] Enhancement: Evasion [2 Slots] Enhancement: Light Momentum [1 Slots] Twin-Fox Bracelet [Tier 4 Perfect Jewellery] Enhancement: Recovery [2 Slots] Enhancement: Evasion [1 Slot]   battle-ready inventory Teleport Crystal {3} Starter Healing Potions {4} | Heals 50 HP Divinity's Wait {4} | Tier 2; Perfect Potion | Mitigation III Divinity's Protection {4} | Tier 3; Perfect Potion | Overhealth III Cold Brew Coffee {3} | Tier 1; Perfect Potion | HP Recovery III Percephonius Pyratius {9} | Tier 4; Perfect Potion | Damage III Ketchup Chips {3} | Tier 4; Perfect Snacks| Probiotics III Siúil a Rún {2} | Tier 3; Perfect; Masterpiece Support Song | HP Recovery III [Mass] skills Spoiler Utility Skills Extended Weight Limit [Active: Passive. Effect: +2 additional Battle-Ready inventory slots.] Searching [Rank: 4. Active: Passive. Effect: +1 LD per rank. +1 to Stealth Detection per rank.] [Rank 3 Searching Mod] Detect [Active: Passive. Effect: Grants +2 Stealth Detection. Grants +1 LD when searching for dungeons and labyrinths.] Combat Skills Battle Healing [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.] Fighting Spirit [Active: Passive. Effect: Attacking and using Howl or Focused Howl generates +1 additional Hate. (Ex. Generate 1/2/3 Hate on a Miss/Hit/Critical attack. Generate 5 Hate when using Focused Howl.)] Weapon Skills Polearm [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +7 DMG] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina [Active: Passive. Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 ACC.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] <<Weapon Type>> Focus [Active: Passive. Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.] [Rank 5 Shift] TECH Specialist [Active: Passive. Effect: For TECH Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers, +3 to EN cost. No other Shifts may be taken.] Armour Skills Light Armour [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: 30 MIT. Mitigation is capped at 2 slots.] [Light Armour Mod] Meticulous [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.] [Light Armour Add-on] Resolve [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 Accuracy and +10 * Tier HP.] Active Extra Skills Concentration [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. Effect: As a free action, gain Absolute Accuracy on your next attack. In the case Absolute Accuracy is already present, increase your Accuracy by 1 instead. Effect lasts until the start of next turn.] Meditation [Active: Post Action. Cooldown: 3 turns. Effect: Recover an additional (4 * Tier) energy.] Parry [Active: Post action. Energy cost: 9 EN Cooldown: 3 Turns. Effect: Apply the energy cost upon proc, not activation. Reduces the final damage of the next successful attack against you by 50% (rounded down) and negates stun/paralysis effects of that attack. If hit by multiple attacks, only apply parry to the first attack against you. Parry lasts for three turns. Cooldown starts when the player activates the Skill. If the player is hit when using Parry, the cooldown is reset to 3 turns.] [Parry Mod] Vengeful Riposte [Active: Passive. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: A successful Parry also returns 50% (rounded down) of the raw damage that would be dealt to you back to your opponent. The reflected damage can be mitigated by the opponent.] Survival [Active: Passive. Effect: Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects.] Inactive Extra Skills  Assault Mode [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, switch your accuracy and evasion values until the start of your next turn.] Brawler [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Increase mitigation by 10*tier until the start of your next turn.] Frozen Hide [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, apply one slot of Frost Aura and one slot of Frost Thorns equal to your tier to yourself until the start of your next turn.] Combat Mastery Damage [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 * Tier additional Base Damage per rank. Ranks of this Skill obey Damage enhancement caps.] Familiar Skills Protector Familiar [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 3 Posts; Effect: The next time you would take damage, your familiar rushes to your aid, reducing the final damage by 10%.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== sword arts Spoiler [x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art. [x15] ST-II (15 13 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x20] ST-B (20 18 EN) | A devastating single-target sword art. Can only be used if the sword art used the previous turn is not ST-B and had rolled a natural CD9+. When performing an AoE attack, use only the first roll. [x11] AOE-I (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x14] AOE-II (14 12 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A powerful sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. Only available for use when AOE-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if AOE-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x16] TECH-A (16 14 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy. [x16] TECH-B (15 13 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a status condition that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn. [x16] TECH-C (15 13 EN) | COUNTER | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, places [Counter] around the player. [Counter] reduces the final damage taken by its user by 25% (rounded down) for one turn. [x16] TECH-D (15 13 EN) | SHATTER | A single-target sword art that applies [Shatter] to an enemy for 3 turns. [Shatter] is a debuff that can stack up to a cap of 3. Each stack of [Shatter] removes -20 MIT from an enemy, down to 0, if it has MIT. [x12] TECH-F (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn. [x16] TECH-G (15 13 EN) | BURN | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Burn] on the enemy. [Burn] is a DoT ailment that deals [14 * Player Tier] unmitigated Burn damage for 2 turns. [x2] RAW-A (10 8 EN) | THORNS | A single-target sword art that utilizes the [Thorns] of the individual against the enemy. Other types of enhancements that apply damage upon contact with the individual are also considered in improving the damage of this sword art (eg. Immolation Potion, Flame/Frost Aura, etc). Outgoing damage is considered mitigatable.  Must have a weapon equipped to activate this sword art. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== buffs Spoiler Estate Buffs Bedroom [-1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat.] Living Room [Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.] Storage Closet [+1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot] Basement [Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.] Extended Workshop [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.] Greenhouse [+2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

[Xlearsight 0]

The rapid fall of footsteps sounded alongside the general hustle and bustle that showed the overall soul of the Town of Beginnings. Running past NPCs and players alike, some of the players giving him a look of annoyance and shouting out to him, a white-haired young man began to pant as he made his way back to the large plaza where his friends were waiting. Well, not waiting, maybe, just lazing about. The veteran player would likely see a spunky guy running by a smirk of excitement upon his face. "Heh, alright. Let's go through the inventory one more time. Weapon, check. Armor, on. Potions newly bought. I think all that's left to do is let the guys know I'm leaving. Can't believe it's up to me to go out and do something."  He chuckles to himself, yet there was a twinge of uneasiness he felt overcome him. He should've expected this, yet there was a part of him that almost didn't want to leave. But he had to. He couldn't sit idle anymore. Now's the time for helping the advancing players finish this.

 

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Xlearsight | Lv: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 2 | MIT: 6

 

Edited February 8, 2023 by Xlearsight

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari stepped aside as a white haired player hustled past, the boy appearing to be in a rush. She barely caught the words that he had uttered under his breath as he went by, his voice sounding somehow eager and scared at the same time - a sensation that Nari had begun to call the beginner's chill. That sound that newly integrated players, those who had begun their journey in earnest, all seemed to have - like a child seeing the entire world for the first time. 

She didn't believe it showed weakness in any way, in fact she found that it was likely an awareness and strength in many means. Most of these late bloomers had stood aside in fear, or some other hesitation, only now deciding that they were ready to join the fight - delayed, perhaps. But it was better than joining while fear still held them, and they found their names upon the Monument too soon. 

"Hey...you with the white hair. Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Nari tried to bring a smile to her face, hoping her expression was warm and welcoming, rather than the smug and judgemental she was almost sure it was - but her eyes remained soft, an almost caring tone to them as she watched the boy. "Are you planning on heading beyond the wall?"

[Xlearsight 0]

As he was beginning to dash back toward the plaza, he hears a voice calling out to him, which causes him to stop in his tracks. “Hey…you with the white hair.” “Yeah?” He turns to face her, a mix of nervousness and confidence plastered on his face. He listened as she asked him questions, perking up when she mentions if he was leaving the safety of the wall. He rubs the back of his head and nods. “I sure am. What’s wrong, did something happen? Is a new PKer on the loose? Gah, I thought Genma said he’d stay on top of that.”
It was at this point; he finally noticed the name atop her head. Nari. Nari-Lanreth. She seemed pretty geared up, compared to him at least. That armor was not something a player could get on this floor unless it was a secret quest! Or maybe… “Wait, are you..one of the Frontliners? What’s it like on the other floors...?”

 

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Xlearsight | Lv: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 2 | MIT: 6

Edited February 8, 2023 by Xlearsight

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The return question answered Nari's concern. The player was definitely new to being outside of their shell - whatever that shell came in the form of. Clearly, they had relied upon their group around this area in order to remain protected throughout all this time - something that Nari could commend. It took a lot not to jump feet first, to try and rush your way into the frontlines immediately. She knew a lot of people who had been lost that way.

"Yeah...I've joined the frontlines recently." Her voice was hesitant, refusing to let any sort of emotion through. Once, she would've been proud to make that announcement. Now, however, she knew better - knew what being on the frontlines meant, and what it did to a person. She didn't wish that on anyone, no matter what. "Have you not been to any of the higher floors before...?"

It still amazed her that some found themselves tied to the first - even with the dangers on the upper floors, there was relative safety within the main towns, and the cleared out zones. Free for anyone who was curious to see what lay ahead, should they choose to do so - and yet, some remained behind; content to stay where it all began, or held back by other means. Yet, they all seemed curious on what was above - as if they were reaching for something that they felt they couldn't obtain.

"You should visit the floors above you...sometime. Although, if you're heading out beyond the walls..." She glanced over the player's gear - basic. A sign that they had barely progressed. Nari doubted that they had even truly levelled beyond their beginning days, if at all. "...are you heading out alone? Have you gone out before?"

[Xlearsight 0]

The late bloomer shakes his head slowly at Nari’s question about him venturing to the higher floors. Up until now, he’d been afraid to leave his friends behind. They were the only people he knew, and they were scared to leave the first floor, even if they wouldn’t admit it themselves. Still, the news would travel, mainly from info brokers or some front liners who would occasionally return to this floor to possibly check on other friends who were not fighters. Something that he realized he’d be doing now, but..maybe not too much. There was a game to beat, after all.

 

” Aw, don’t worry. I’m planning to go into the other floors for some hardcore leveling. I can’t arrive at the current floor and join the rest of you guys being under-leveled, right?” His smile falters after a few seconds with her next few questions, with him averting his eyes to the ground. “Well..no. It’s my first time going out. As for me going alone, yeah, I am. My buddies are still too..well complacent, but also scared. I won’t lie to you; this is still all new to me. Like gaming itself.  But these things are supposed to be fun, right? I just one day got sick of seeing this..this dullness. Everyone is either depending on all the other front liners to clean the floors, or they’re too scared. I’m still kinda scared. Who in their right mind is getting a kick out of this? I’ll tell you, nobody. I just want to help in any way I can, so we can clear this game a little faster. Then we can go home and play actual fun games again.”

 

He then brings his eyes back up to hold her gaze, frowning from his emotions directing his words now more than logic. Not that logic was the goal here, it was pretty cut and dry. Everyone is scared of death. Yet some fight to survive. It’s all they can do. And it seemed his survival instincts were being sidetracked by a need to protect. “Don’t worry about wasting your time on me. I can handle it. I think. No, I know. I got to.”

Edited February 8, 2023 by Xlearsight

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari smiled as the boy seemed to muster up the courage to admit to the faults that they all felt - that fear of death, that came with this game. A game, sure, but one that had a finality - and not just for the avatar that was their body and soul since entering this place. She could understand that fear all too well, far more than she would enjoy to admit.

"Worry? I worry about another name being struck into that Monument...about more people being lost to this game. Ever name on their is a loss...a fault on our own parts." Her smile seemed to counter the sadness behind the words - as if she remained cheery even as she talked about those who had been lost. "That being said...if this is your first time outside of the gates, maybe you'd like some company? I'm not doing anything too pressing at the moment...nothing that can't wait a little bit, at least."

The information broker would be there, even if she arrived an hour or two later. And, if they weren't there, then that told Nari everything she needed to know about them. For now, it was more important to make sure that another individual wasn't lost to the grasp that was Aincrad and Cardinal - another name forgotten to time. 

"Besides, maybe I can show you a trick or two...that is if you're interested?" She didn't wait for a response, instead turning and walking the direction that the boy had originally been heading. She wasn't quite sure where he was going - but she didn't doubt that he would quickly catch up, or surpass her as soon as he realised she was coming with him - like it or not. Still, just to be safe, she called out over her shoulder without looking back. "Unless you're scared...then you could stay here until we clear all the floors!"

[Xlearsight 0]

He nods solemnly as she mentions the idea of another name on the Monument. It seemed almost discouraging to all the players, but most likely the front liners especially, to see more names on there. He was well aware, that his life could also be lost in this fight. Still, he wasn’t going to wait for it to be finished either. He didn’t think of himself as anyone special, as he’s rather inexperienced at gaming. Yet, he had that same drive to want to finish and help the other front liners..or dare he think of it like this, but be some sort of sign to the others that stay on this floor, that they can...no, will win.

 

” If you want to help me, I guess. I won’t say no to help, but that means you can’t refuse mine in the future. Got it?”

 

Seeing her beginning to walk away, the white-haired upstart walked after her, deciding to shoot a quick message to his friends. This wasn’t the goodbye he wanted to give them..but, then again it wasn’t a goodbye. No! He was going to come back. But he’d need to train up first. “Going to train! Stay safe and don’t leave the Town! There could be PKers out there. See ya soon.”

 

With a smile, he finishes the message and keeps his attention on Nari.

 

” I am scared, remember? But I’m still not staying here either!”

Edited February 8, 2023 by Xlearsight

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

"Good! Keeping that fear will keep you alive...remember that." She chuckled as the boy declared his true feelings. She was glad to see he was able to realise that the fear of the entire situation had taken over him - it was far more impressive that he had realised it, and overcome it. If nothing else, Nari could empathise. She still felt that fear every time she walked into combat, every time she was facing down a threat. It didn't matter how small the creature was, how weak it was...sometimes, you simply lost. 

"Have you...ever fought anything before? In the game?" She pulled up her menu, before equipping the scythe and giving it a soft twirl, feeling the balance of it in her hands. The weapon had become more than just a piece for her, it felt more like an extension of her own body - something that she missed when it was out of the grasp of her hands. "Or...well, have you at least tested that two-hander you're lugging around?"

She doubted that they had, if she were to believe that this was their first time outside of the town. There weren't many places in the safe zone to test it, and she didn't think he was the type to go around dueling other players. Or at least, he wouldn't likely be success in those duels - which meant that he likely had limited experience with the weapon. "I guess we should do some lessons on sword skills too...although I hope you know what those are at least?"

[Xlearsight 0]

“I have more than just fear to keep me goin’. We got a game to finish! It’s scary, but so is being stuck here forever or something. Not to discredit you guys, but what if some of you give up? Or decide to exploit other players because you’re so far ahead? This is the second wave that’s gonna help take this game down and if it’s gonna take me to get them to get up and start running for the top, I don’t mind leading the charge.” He watches as she equips the wicked-looking polearm, his eyes widening. “Whoa..! What are the stats on that thing? Is that considered a spear in this game? You’d think it would be more like an axe or something. That’s pretty cool!” He then laughed and shook his head at her next question.

 

“Nope. Not a thing! I don’t even know what kind of monsters there are out there! I know there’s a field boss. It killed a few idiots the other day who thought they could spike their leveling by taking it on without any kind of training with the mobs. I wanted to tell them not to go, but I was still scared back then..” 

Clenching his fists, he then equips the standard two-hander. “I did some practice with sword arts. I know those at least. They’re the main thing that keeps your DPS going, right? Or at least that’s what I’ve heard from others. I just need some tips on fighting mobs, if you could teach me that, I’ll be doing this in my sleep! Well maybe not in my sleep, but you know what I mean!”

Edited February 8, 2023 by Xlearsight

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari smiled as the individual seemed almost excited to hit the fields - a drive that they exclaimed was focused on bringing more players to the frontlines. Silently, she wished them luck with that endeavour, hoping that he would succeed where so many others had failed.

"I don't think anyone on the frontlines would...turn on other players. At least, not those who are focused on clearing the game..." She wasn't entirely sure on that statement, but it felt right to say in the moment. As if she were defending herself, and those she knew. "It would be nice to see reinforcements, however...especially lately."

She refrained from saying anything further about it, content to just leave the terms as they were spoken. Instead, she turned her attention to the following questions; specifically about the scythe and the sword arts. "A battle axe? No, scythes were traditionally polearm weapons, although I have heard the sometimes the system will differentiate the two...I guess it depends on the wielder and crafter."

She gave the weapon a quick kick on the bottom of the haft, letting it loop around her body in a wide arc, before bringing it back to rest behind her; the blade hovering just above the ground, while the haft sat in her hand in a relaxed grip. The end of the haft settled itself in the air just above Nari's head, quivering only slightly in response to the sudden stop of its movement. 

"Yeah...sword arts are definitely your damage dealers here. But they're more than that - depending on the route you take, they can also be your best supports. There's three main focuses - DPS, tank and support...the first two being fairly obvious, but support can come in many forms. Like my own, for instance - I focus on Tech-based skills, which incorporate status effects. Sure, I can pump out damage when I need to, but sometimes stunning an entire group of creatures so that your team members can finish them off without harm is more important." She nodded towards the slowly approaching gates, signifying that they would be leaving the town shortly. "As to how to fight mobs...well, that will entirely depend on what sort of build you're going with."

[Xlearsight 0]

He nods in understanding, surprised that a unique weapon like that wouldn’t just be in a class of its own. Something to think about for sure should he ever want a different approach in fighting. He watches her flourish her weapon and listens to her speak, taking mental notes. He then found himself attempting a maneuver similar to hers but decides to just do a simple twirl with his hands. “Wish you could do something like that and all, the mobs would run off. Too bad that ain’t a real skill.” He then answers her on the topic of sword arts and nods his head. “Yep, I know those terms at least. I might be going toward DPS myself with my skills.” As they approached the gates, he turned around to check his messages. Neither of his friends messaged back, eliciting a sigh from him. “DPS build is what I would use, I’m not sure if I could tank well enough or support in time. I just want to smash those damn bosses and mobs to beat them down!

Edited February 8, 2023 by Xlearsight

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari chuckled at the thought of the mobs running away. It would be nice if they would do that, but she'd yet to encounter anything in this game that showed fear beyond something reactionary, perhaps in its final moments. Cardinal didn't seem to consider surrender and retreat options, when it came to combat. Or, at least, not that she had ever seen or heard about.

"DPS is always good...first thing you want to focus on then, is setting your equipment and skills up to focus on dealing damage. Seems intuitive, but there's always catches. Some skills will cancel out the effectiveness of your weapon's modifications - like taking the Damage based mastery, which will override and nullify your weapon's damage mods." She tried to speak slowly, simply. She knew it was a lot of information, depending on one's previous experience. Experience which she wasn't sure if this player had or not, and decided it was best to assume not. "That being said, there's other benefits to consider...for example; being able to do a lot of damage is great - but only if you're able to hit your target. Plus, you need to be able to survive any retaliation, so sometimes it's good to take accuracy and mitigation modifications - or do what some people do, and just take evasion to outright avoid being hit."

She gave a wave of her right hand, the scythe still behind her back in her left, held comfortably. "In the end, which direction you go with those mods will entirely depend on what you're comfortable doing..." She gave a bit of time for the words to sink in, hoping not to overload the individual. There was a fair bit of information, but Nari knew that she was just touching the tip of the iceberg with it all.

[Xlearsight 0]

“Oh..damage mastery overrides any damage enhancements on your weapon? Good thing you told me that then, I would’ve been trying to stack nothing but damage on my weapons. Maybe..maybe I should go for accuracy. Hm, accuracy for enhancements and damage for mastery. What should I get for my armor...? I was thinking mitigation would be nice, but maybe some life stealing too?” He was starting to picture the potential builds in his head already, being able to hit was definitely something he wanted to always keep. Making attacks and missing was just the same as not attacking. Accuracy was important, to ensure those hits land. Damage, to kill the mobs or boss faster. He wanted to be able to support himself reliably, so that the tanks he’d be working with wouldn’t need to worry about him. 
 

“Okay! I think I know what I want to do! If it’s possible, I’m going to be a self-healing, boss killing machine! That way, nobody has to worry about me when I get low, I can kill something and get healed right back up! We can kill bosses' way faster like that, right?”  He sighs as he once again thinks about his friends, thinking if he could somehow motivate them, the three of them could be a team and take on this game along with the others. Until he could, though..it didn’t seem as if simply talking to them was going to do much. Maybe if he helped clear the next few floors, then they’d probably get out of their funk. All he could do was hope that was the case.

Edited February 8, 2023 by Xlearsight

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari felt herself smiling at the sudden enthusiasm of the other player. They quickly listed everything they wanted to do, to incorporate, going so far as to bounce ideas off her and then immediately answer them before Nari could say anything. For a time, she let the boy speak, continuing their advance towards the world beyond the gates - making sure to wave at Merv as she passed the ever-vigilant guard. 

"Ideas are all well and good...but sometimes even the best of builds falters. That's why it's important to work together, as much as possible. Soloing this game will only get you so far, before you find yourself overwhelmed. That's when true danger begins...when you find yourself in a position that you shouldn't ever have found yourself in..." She'd been in a few of those herself, a lesson that it had taken her quite some time to learn. "Which is why, having something like a teleportation crystal is always important...they may not always work, but they may save your life one day. Keep at least one on hand, always."

She paused as the open fields came into view ahead of them, the rolling grasses seeming to flow with the soft wind that blew over the area. In the distance, Nari could spot the cliffs of the distance mountain range, standing against the 'sky' as if in defiance. A few players dotted the fields - far less than she could remember seeing, the groups filled with those who had been left behind in the forward rush. 

"Whatever you do...don't ever underestimate your enemy. Even a simple boar could bring about your end, if you're not careful." There were far too many names that came to mind when she spoke that warning, something that she felt could never be mentioned enough. Especially to those who had become complacent over time.

[Xlearsight 0]

"Oh right..forgot we’re all working together. Still, I just want to be a decent player to the point you guys don’t need to worry about me. I know it’s risky, but being around players is just as risky as a boss. I think my greatest fear would be being targeted by a PKer. I know there’s been a lot of them and there’s probably more out there..waiting. I want to take them down, too...” He watches the players out on the field, smiling as he recognizes some of them also decided to walk out to take on the game now as well. He silently prayed that they’d rise to the top together to meet the other front-liners. But, he needed to focus on honing his skills, right now.

“Teleportation crystals. Got it, always keep some on standby. Here’s hoping I won’t need them if I’m keeping up with my leveling, right? And that’s right, that’s how some of these guys died already because like I said before, they tried to take on the field boss with no strategy or leveling before doing it. I can’t get caught off guard by that."

Edited February 8, 2023 by Xlearsight

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

"You'd do well to keep that in mind...this is a game where you need to work together, if you want to survive in the long run." There was no anger in her tone, no emotion at all. A simple statement of fact. She'd never been engaged in a floor boss, had yet to help clear the battles known to be the most vicious and dangerous across Aincrad. Even still, Nari was well aware that when it came to the real fights, you needed to rely on those around you. No one could survive alone.

"You're a quick learner, from the sounds of it though...so I think you'll do fine." Nari tried to make her voice more empathetic, tried to convey that she wasn't scolding the player or looking down upon them. She simply wanted to reinforce how to survive the game.

"Yeah...there were a lot lost because they got in over their heads..." She kept her gaze on the distance, controlling her expression as she spoke. She hadn't wanted to think about those lost, those whose names could only be found in one place now. "For now, the first step is getting started...which means practicing. Have you completed any of the beginner quests yet?"

She thought back to her own first days, when she had begun with the First Lessons quests that the system offered. At the time, she had found them dull, time consuming. Frustrating. Now, looking back, she realised just how much of a basis they provided - realised that she wouldn't be anywhere near as capable today without them.

[Xlearsight 0]

"Of course, we're supposed to work together, silly. That's the only way we'll be able to go home. I wasn't trying to say that I could do it alone! I barely even know how to do this gaming thing, and here I am, stuck in virtual reality but also a reality in the fact you can die!" Xlear found himself laughing at that statement for a few seconds, but when he noticed that Nari seemed stoic and non-expressive, he quickly stopped and cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, that wasn't very funny at all. It's just my way of trying to...cope?"

 

He looks her in the eye, surprise showing on his face as she mentions that he is a quick learner. He didn't believe he had done anything to be labeled that, but if she saw something, he wouldn't question her. From how even her tone was, Xlear had a hunch she was likely doing the bare minimum without attaching herself. At least, that's what he gathered from these exchanges with her. Snapping back to attention, he hears her speak of the beginner quests. He didn't even know where to start when it came to doing the quest. 

 

"Oh. No, I haven't done any of those yet. Sorta slipped my mind. I just figured I'd do some leveling first and then come back to them later or when I'm ready for the field boss and to move on to the next floor. Should I do those first or...?"

Edited February 9, 2023 by Xlearsight

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Eager, but well-intended. Nari could appreciate the player's desire to lead the charge. She had been like that once, joyful, determined to change things and bring about the next wave of fighters who would clear the floors in no time. Not long ago, it had been her goal to reach the frontlines, to make it among the best of the best with the intention of helping to clear...everything. Now, she knew better. Knew what it cost to get there, what it cost to do something as simple as clearing a field boss - let alone a floor boss.

"If you haven't yet...I would recommend it. They give a good basis, and let you prepare for the more...intense things to come." She chose her words carefully, not wanting to scare the other player. They were determined and enthusiastic - a good attitude, given discipline. Still, there were dangers in Aincrad that one didn't simply rush into immediately without preparing a bit first. "I'll admit, they're not the grandest of adventures - you won't be rushing out to fight down chimeras, or dragons or...anything fancy like that."

She paused, thinking back on the quests. They truly were, in a nutshell, boring when she stopped to consider them. Just as any tutorial should really be. "In fact...I think at first the only thing you'll really face is boars. Simple creatures, but at your level extremely dangerous. If you're not careful."

She nodded towards a town in the distance - still a ways out, but slowly becoming more and more visible as they came closer to it. She hadn't been to the town in quite some time, had little need to go there, really. Yet she knew that it was essential for newcomers, a place of beginning which was required to truly start their quest through Aincrad. "Tolbana...it's where you'll find the first quests. There should be a mayor, running around desperately looking for someone to help him collect his money that he foolish lent out without collecting the name of the debtor. Whatever you do, don't think that you're going to get it back - because, you won't."

She smiled at the thought, remembering a line from a friend long gone now. Back when she had first started this quest, and mistakenly let her anger get the best of her towards an NPC. It felt like a lifetime ago, now.

[Xlearsight 0]

Xlear nods in understanding as Nari explains how it'd be better if he were to start with a quest. More XP for leveling for sure, he thought. A better way to navigate the floors as well, the quests could help him with that. "Right, these are just beginner quests. The guy...I forgot his name already..but he'd have to be a sick bastard if he made the beginner quests something outrageous like fighting a dragon. We all would've been in trouble."

He stretches as he then looks around and catches the town that she indicated. Tolbana. Once he's there, it'll start for him. He won't be able to stop until he reaches the frontlines on the highest floor their currently on. He had a feeling at least a floor or two would be cleared before he manages to catch up. He just silently hoped that there wouldn't be much of an issue for him as he climbs. He doubted he'd run into the higher leveled players on the first five floors. That was five floors of breathing room for him to level himself up.

"So, quests and then leveling. Then the field boss and it's onto the next floor. I don't want to leave the current floor I'm on until I've beaten the field boss for that floor. Don't get attached to these NPCs, they aren't real. We are. Don't waste time, just do the quests and keep going. I understand now."