[SP-F1] Hesitant Beginnings <<The First Lesson>>

[fauxkiller 0]

HESISTANT BEGINNINGS

<<THE FIRST LESSON >>

It’s typically quite temperate on the beginner floor. Cool breezes with no biting chill, that somehow always feel soothing. But, today Faux’s face burned, as if he had been unwillingly thrust into a staring contest with the sun. “I said you win, you bastard,” Faux mutters to himself as he finds the shade beneath a tree at the bottom of a hill. A deep sigh of relief for his deeply synthetic existence. Faux admired that aspect of this prison— that it seemed to capture the simplest pleasures and displeasures of reality so finely. While this world undoubtedly feels much different than his past reality, it simulates it in a disturbingly accurate way. Faux chuckles to himself at the thought of literally living in the ‘uncanny valley.’ He pulls a leather bound sketchbook from his inventory with the flick of a wrist, a fountain pen attached to its side. He swiftly gets to work, documenting the scene in front of him. He sketches a few buildings and the trees littered about them. He even pencils in a young woman eating her lunch on a bench nearby. “I’ll include her username too,” Faux mumbles aloud once more. This is routine for the white-haired man. It hasn’t been long since the game’s true nature was revealed, and in that time Faux has visited only the first three floors taking notes and sketches of his environment.  It’s been more than difficult to maintain the desire to simply be an observer of this realm. Faux never had any intentions of being a hardcore player in this game, but rather one who sought after its secrets. Perhaps in this very moment, he began to realize that simply documenting what he sees and having brief interactions with strangers would not grant him the bigger picture. Or perhaps, he understood this from the beginning and has been paralyzed by fear… Faux thinks back to the handsome man who had asked him to join him on an expedition through the labyrinth of F1, back before the boss had been cleared. He should have said yes. But his regrets aren’t pondered for too long before the cartoonishly emphasized mayor begins jogging by. Faux knows about this quest, and he attempts to avoid it whenever it’s active— in fact, Faux watches nearby players do the same. As everyone either averts their gaze or shifts away from the mayor to avoid the dialogue, it seems Faux is the last one, left sitting stupidly against a tree. There’s no escape.

fauxkiller [#996699] [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

Spoiler

WEAPONS

• “Salt Therapy” [ SABER ] [ RARE / 2 SLOTS ] [ HOLY DAMAGE ] [ BLEED ] Description: An ornate, white saber with a slight minty tint to it. Its hilt has two horn-like blades protruding from either end. It was the first weapon Faux received in-game.

SWORD ARTS

RANK 1

• [x4] ST-I (4 EN) | A single-target sword art.

• [x3] AOE-I (1 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once.

• [x4] TECH-A (5 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy.

CONSUMABLES

• Materials - [10]

• Starter Healing Potion (50 HP) - [3]

 

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

The mayor’s name is Dorian White, and Faux has had to reject him many times on his way to something more interesting. This time, he felt he might make a new decision. Mayor White looks exhausted, per usual. “You there! Please!” He huffs out. The perpetual panic this man is in must be exhausting. Faux almost feels bad for him. “Pardon me, but I’m in need of assistance, and you appear quite capable.” Faux rolls his eyes and the mayor swallows thickly. Faux wonders how he looks capable in any way. Other than bearing a horizontally sheathed saber on his back, he doesn’t have much going for him. Faux is the type of man that would probably be described as “dainty;” and then after speaking to him, “feisty.” Faux stands and brushes off his coat, staring at a flustered Dorian until the NPC realizes he’s willing to hear him out this time. “Well, right— as you know, I’m the mayor of this town but I’m in quite the pred—“ He is interrupted when Faux raises his hand in a ‘halt’ gesture. “I am not the person you granted a loan to. However, I am indeed willing to find whoever it is. I must say it’s because a mayor such as yourself that’s so fiscally irresponsible is rare to exist where I come from. It’s amusing,” Faux says this matter-of-factly, as if it weren’t an insult. “Usually, that’s all you people care about.” And with that, the Mayor presents the quest acceptance window in silence.  “Very well,” Dorian mutters. “Well I suppose I shouldn’t waste my breath telling you about Zackariah either!” Faux waves his hand in front of his face, shooing off the annoyance. But as the mayor stumbled away in a hurry, it sank in for Faux that he had finally accepted a quest.

 

 

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

As he made his way to Zackariah’s shop, Faux contemplated what it is he wanted from this world exactly. Before, when it was simply a game, it felt as if it were the future of existence being unveiled before his eyes; and, that he could study, compare, come and go as he pleases. He would become an expert purveyor of sorts. But now, when he has been so violently forced into existing here, it feels as if his original plan was just more of the same. ‘Am I really living in this world if I’m only procuring a means of survival? Will I always simply be an information broker? Will I allow this pursuit of everything to continuously break my back?’  He surprises himself upon his arrival at the shop. He felt as if he had just stood up and left his shady tree. Time blindness is real when you’ve fallen this deep into your own head. He opens the door and immediately takes in the colorful aroma of the tavern. The atmosphere, the architecture, the texture of the walls. It all feels designed to feel welcoming. And Faux did feel at home for a moment. Zackariah turns to face him after tinkering with some bottles behind a large table. He smiles as if Faux is a friend he’s been awaiting. “Hello,” he furrows his eyebrows sympathetically, “I apologize but this is not an excellent time. It seems my reputation precedes me and the orders certainly aren’t slowing down!” This is a complaint, no? But the man says it with such gratefulness it almost makes Faux concerned. Before the younger man can reply, Zackariah is moving around the table and swiftly heading towards him. “Wait! If you can get some materials for me, then I will absolutely make it up to you, kind stranger!” This proposal comes so swiftly, Faux felt he had no reason to complain anymore. At least it’s not a hazing process. “Of course. What kind of materials do you need?” Faux asks with a nod. “Wonderful! You can find the materials I need just outside the city walls— flowers, herbs, things of that nature. I’ll provide the information, just please hurry,” he says, still beaming ear to ear. Faux simply nods and turns to exit.  He was actually surprised that in a game so cruel, there could be tasks as mundane as gathering flowers. He chuckles to himself.

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

Faux had rarely traveled outside safe zones. When he did in the past, it was with an escort and simply for the purpose of watching them battle. Faux wasn’t above letting flirtatious men show him around either. He figured if higher level players were willing to guide him, it would be a missed opportunity to say no. Besides, he would have that pleasure when they invite him to a guild or to their house afterwards. As he arrives at the city limits, Faux takes a deep breath. He closes his eyes. He lets the heat warm his skin, coloring it a deeper cafe. And then he exhales.  No better time than the now. He steps through the viscous clear film that separates the safe zone from the wilds, an almost unnoticeable shift in atmosphere. The game shows him the title card for the area, and he smiles. It feels cooler out here. Faux figures this must be a field near a cliffside somewhere. So, he starts towards it, wherever it is, keeping his eyes peeled for anything that stands out as crafting material. Come to think of it, Faux had never even crafted in this game before. Truly, there were so many things he had neglected exploring after realizing this is a death game.

 

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]

SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2]

EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

[fauxkiller 0]

Faux bends over to graze his fingers over some tall blades of dry grass tossing lifelessly in the wind. It seems he had entered the cliffside plains. There were boars jogging around aimlessly, tossing their tusks into the air to fend off angry bugs. There were a couple NPC’s standing to the side of the trail, speaking obvious beginner tips loudly into the air about how to avoid being trampled by boars. Although Faux has always been unimpressed with beginner mobs in MMOs, he knew he still had to make sure to keep his distance. Without armor, it would be silly to attempt to engage one of them. ‘No,’ Faux thought. He had already realized that some of the greener patches of land were teeming with boars. ‘Certainly, there has to be some challenge to obtaining these materials. Are those green patches the only place I can secure them?’ Faux ponders this as he continues walking. Then, there’s a crunching sound underneath his boot. A tiny “FAIL - MATERIALS DESTROYED” window pops up near the ground, and Faux realizes that underneath his boot is now a crunched up version of some kind of legume. It shatters into cerulean crystals soon after. ‘Well, that answers that question. Seems gatherable materials are all around me.’

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213379 / LD: 8 [no modifiers] / FAILURE

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

Faux decides to study the floor, now. As he walks he’s careful to stay away from the far edges, scanning for anything that looks noteworthy or has a particular gleam. But of course, now the path seems clear as day. He sighs, opening up his inventory and pulling out his journal again. Being a low level player meant walking this distance felt like a true heave. Yet another unexpected experience of this simulation— fatigue. It’s a subtle feeling, apart from loss of energy. Faux found it difficult to put into words as he sat to sketch the prairie and the feelings he was having in the moment. At least there’s a good breeze.  Faux nearly jumps out his skin when he feels something tickling his thigh. He snaps his neck to the ground as he leaps up from his sitting position, thinking a bug had landed on him. But, alas, in his thrashing around he destroys the true item that had brushed him so gently— materials. The flower, who’s pedals have been so unceremoniously thrashed off, wilts in front of him before shattering as so many other broken things do in this world. After adjusting his clothes a bit, another sigh. And, he pushes forward.

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213387 / LD: 3 [no modifiers] / FAILURE

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

If at first we don’t succeed, we huff violently around a mythological plain until we stumble across some more flowers. The egg shell and beige colors of his hair twisted and flopped around as he mumbled frustratedly to himself through the field. Maybe Faux wasn’t following the phrase exactly, but he did eventually come to a small gathering of vines and colorful fauna in his tantrum. A boar laid in the grass, asleep, a few feet away. Faux would watch it closely as he approached. He regains his composure and kneels to take in a whiff of the floral aroma. Nothing in the real world smells quite as vivid as this— and yet it felt like a better representation of life than life itself.    Gently picking one of the many flowers from where they lay, Faux sees his first “SUCCESS” window pop up in front of him. He grins, relieved that it was indeed possible to secure these materials at his level. The flowers flashes and in an instant it is transported to his inventory. One down, several more to go.

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213388 / LD: 11 [no modifiers] / SUCCESS

+ 1 Materials ! [1/5 → <<The First Lesson>>]

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

Content with the success of the last pull, Faux immediately reaches for the next flower. He plucks it and… yet another success! He chuckles at this, feeling satisfied at having gotten into a rhythm. “Things are rarely as difficult as we make them,” Faux says aloud to himself, repeating the scolding words of his mother. She would say this often, when Faux was unable to complete a homework assignment or when he would find it impossible to sit still in class. How Faux had wished it was easy for him. As easy as picking these flowers. The flower dissipates in a flash and again, materials added to his inventory. Sometimes, Faux wonders if his desire to understand the purpose of life is one pursued in vain. Out of revenge. Faux knows that parts of him wish he knew everything, just to mush that knowledge into his parents’ face. Or to withhold it, making them scramble in agony, yearning for an answer.   A bit of drool runs down Faux’s cheek, pulling him away from the illusions of fire swarming his thoughts. He shakes his head again, and returns to the task at hand.

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213389 / LD: 20 [no modifiers] / SUCCESS!

+ 1 Materials ! [2/5 → <<The First Lesson>>]

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

Faux attempts to pick a few more flowers, this time unsuccessfully again. It doesn’t frustrate him this time, though. He suddenly feels quite distant from anger all together. Rather, he feels a deep connection to his surroundings. He watches the nearby boar rise from its digital slumber and begin wandering lazily around the field. It wanders with such carefree ambition, not a real interest inhabiting its head. Not a single consideration, other than to tackle anything in its path. And yet, from a distance, Faux watches it simulate a personality. Watches it attempt to fit into is background— into its world. It seems that even when intelligence can abandon its ego, it will still attempt to make sense of its own position in the world. It maybe is the one thing that all intelligent life ventures to understand. Yet, Faux was at a loss of individuals who truly wished to examine this phenomenon here in this world. To most, it would seem that this world was all but entirely real. At least, when the possibility of true death is considered. How unfair, to be offered an existence in two realms, but to have then bound to one another in such a twisted way. ‘Why should losing my life here mean losing my life there?’ Still, the young man felt no desire to meet the creator of Aincrad. Only to understand why he still couldn’t help but be enamored with it.

 

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213401 / LD: 7 [no modifiers] / FAILURE

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

Faux slips into these modes of contemplation quite often. He had become accustom to it, spending so much time in solitude. Who else to console besides himself? He would find himself self-analyzing and self-critiquing over and over until there was nothing more to ponder other than existence itself. Faux didn’t even smoke marijuana in the real world, or ingest any illicit drug for that matter. Still, he questioned everything. He thinks back to when he visited London for an episode of his show. That was the first time he had left his home continent. He remembers understanding, then, that the world was constantly unfolding around him; with, or without him. That there were so many things concealed behind a veil of otherness. Political differences and their subsequent borders have conditioned us to believe we’ve got nothing to do with one another. But still, a man who has never traveled the world could not speak definitively on almost any subject. Faux believes one should hold their tongue on topics that they cannot fully comprehend, and so he believes without a full comprehension, he too will be silenced by the world.  By this world, too. He grabs a handful of herbs from a new patch of dried out bushes he found. Despite his carelessness, it’s a success. More melodrama. More contemplative thoughts. More materials.

 

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213402 / LD: 12 [no modifiers] / SUCCESS

+ 1 Materials ! [3/5 → <<The First Lesson>>]

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

It was time for another break. Faux pulls a woven blanket from his inventory and hurls it out over the greenest patch of land he could find. He can oversee the cliffs now, and the beautiful waterfalls that float downward from the impossibly suspended islands. So much beauty. He pulls a sweet bun from his inventory and begins snacking on it. Large, almost prehistoric-looking beasts soar through the sky. It looked like the sun would set soon. He wondered for a moment if the spawns would become more dangerous at night. Either way, it would be best to wrap this up sooner than later. After enjoying the rest of the bun, he rolls the blanket back into his inventory, and searches for the next picking spot. The plains probably weren’t the best choice, but Faux also wanted to see the cliffside for himself. If Zackariah could feel this joy, staring out into the wilds of Aincrad, he wouldn’t ever go back to that shop of his— wealth or not.

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213403 / LD: 6 [no modifiers] / FAILURE

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

Sneaking past the boars and mama boars is becoming light work for Faux. He’s starting to feel more relaxed walking around out here on his own. He’s reaffirming the idea that fears might simply be motivated by the terror instilled by the unknown. For him, certainly, that which is unknown is far more difficult to swallow than something horrible in the light of day.  This philosophy of Faux’s is probably the reason he sees no malice in the invention of this world. While the parameters of the game are surprising and cruel, the world itself is decorated in vivid life of so many forms. It’s impossible to think that only a selected few humans were designated to develop this game. This world seems to be the absolute culmination of human effort. Certainly, as far as technological entertainment goes. Now that the panic of being presented with the unknown has worn off, it’s possible that Faux might start to envision a real life for himself in this place. Or maybe not. He’s reminded that most people just want to exit this place as quickly as possible. ‘Why are we always looking for the next thing?’ He plucks some berries from a low bush and successfully pockets them, adding again to his quest materials. Not too much longer now and he’ll be able to… go home? He doesn’t even have a home here.

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213404 / LD: 19 [no modifiers] / SUCCESS

+ 1 Materials ! [4/5 → <<The First Lesson>>]

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 20, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

Just as he picks the berries from the bush, he hears a loud snort from behind him. He reacts just quick enough to avoid the wild boar that was charging at him from behind. He lunges to the left, just barely avoiding its horns. It slams itself into the bush that Faux had pulled from and gets tangled temporarily in its vines and thorns. It squeals out in pain, and Faux frowns. “You could have killed me. Idiot,” Faux scoffs. He continues on with his journey, forgetting that patch of materials entirely. As he looked around, he realized that this must be a popular spawn area. A player must have come through here just a moment prior and wiped out the area. Faux stumbles into this area, and bam! Spawns everywhere. This is not an uncommon occurrence, and unfortunately it can be fatal for lower level players. Faux was en guard. He calls this phenomenon “Quiet Crowd” in his journal. He’s heard plenty of stories of friends going into simple beginner areas and never returning— Faux believes quiet crowding is what kills these unsuspecting players. This was part of the reason he was hesitant to enter unsafe areas alone. He flees the area as soon as he starts to see more boar appearing around him, though. He had a close enough call— there’s no need to push it. It’s observational skills like this that have kept Faux alive so far, anyway.

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213405 / LD: 4 [no modifiers] / FAILURE

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 20, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

Faux jogged and jogged and then sprinted far away from where the boars were continuously spawning around him. Once he had gotten further sway from the cliffside, and more inland towards the Town of Beginnings, he dropped his hands to his knees to catch his breath (he knows it’s counterproductive, he doesn’t care right now). As he heaves and huffs, he starts to feel a giggle tickling his insides. And then that giggle turns into chuckling, and then into full laughter. He laughs and laughs and laughs until his eyes and stomach are sore, tears streaming down his face. What an incredible feeling. To be destroyed in cold blood by a virtual pig. Fantasizing about such a thing was Faux’s only form of entertainment before. Now, he faces them head on… or rather, he respects their boundaries and views them from a distance. Faux thinks he’d rather not face them again. Not right now, at least. He should just stick to the prairies and the plains that he’s used to. Faux misses the music from his world. The tunes that play here all have an annoyingly jaunty tone to them. Faux is yet to hear something that engages his modern sensibilities here. Which is ironic, incredibly so.

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213406 / LD: 6 [no modifiers] / FAILURE

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 20, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

Faux is back near the NPCs that are speaking loudly about safety in the prairie, and how to handle a wild boar attack. Faux frowns, this time walking up to the aloof duo and interrupting their tedious conversation. “You know, if you’re going to talk so loudly about boar hunting, you could at least include some important facts. For example, watch out for boars that graze in bushes; or, don’t wander too far out without a companion,” Faux schools them. Their smiles fade slightly as they recognize that Faux is teasing them. But then they just as quickly return. “Thanks for the friendly tip, player! We’ll be sure to keep that in mind and spread the good news!” The armored man even gives Faux the thumbs up and a charming wink to seal the deal. Faux just sighs and turns away from them again. He doesn’t know what he expected from an interaction with a computer. He just wishes the world had more bite for him in general. It would at least justify when he lashes out at people. But alas, most of the world has treated the boy with kindness— since the beginning. Why would it be any different here?

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213407 / LD: 7 [no modifiers] / FAILURE

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 20, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

There wasn’t much time until the sun would set and Faux knew he should be focusing. Sometimes he really has to pull himself back into reality, and out of his own head. It woud certainly help if he had a companion. Even those two NPC, who have no other purpose than to guide new players in an inconspicuous way, have one another. ‘It’s simply not natural for us to walk alone, huh?’ It’s too bad MMOs frequently fall in the trap of majority of players solo’ing their way through the game and not really engaging any of the social aspects. Apart from that, this culture sometimes breeds the nasties of play styles. It wouldn’t really be wise at all for Faux to attempt to climb the floors on his own. It would be best to befriend stronger players, study them, and allow them to assist him in his journey. All this time he spent rejecting offers to party up, or denying small guilds’ requests, he could have been gaining opportunities he hadn’t even thought about. He had been and thoroughly paralyzed by fear. He finally understood.

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213408 / LD: 8 [no modifiers] / FAILURE

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 20, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

He would no longer be restrained by the confines of fear, here. Many humans back in the real world waiting for the players of this game to return home already believe he’s a star. Faux has to allow these people to inspire him in this moment. He wonders if any of his old fans ever wonder where he is. Would they even know that he’s one of the citizens of Aincrad at this very moment? Perhaps not. The only people who know where he lives in the real world are his parents; and, he wasn’t sure whether or not they would move his body. But, the fact that he hasn’t died yet inspires Faux in this moment. It means that somebody, somewhere, is looking after him and wants him to survive.  He reaches down to yank some weeds from the ground, and although it is not a successful collection, Faux puffs a strand of white hair from his face and smiles. The weeds shatter and the FAILURE window appears. Faux gives it a big middle finger, and a wink.

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213416 / LD: 3 [no modifiers] / FAILURE

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 20, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

Finally, just as the sun is beginning to set, the colors of the sky are turning from blues and greens to purples, reds, and yellows. Faux is mentally exhausted from the amount of introspection. He still isn’t sure if he’s reached a conclusion on what his destiny in this game will be. What he knows is he is still filled with determination to understand this world. And he knows now that he wants to contribute to the fight. Back in the real world, Faux led an almost pacifistic lifestyle, seeking only to nurture the grande collective knowledge. But here, he knows that he must fight to truly be a part of this world’s narrative. To truly feel as if he’s been an active participant in this life, he’ll need to grip his sword and lunge for victory along with everyone else.  He unsheathes his saber. The warm glow of the sky reflects in its pale metals. Faux flicks his wrist ever so gently and cuts a branch containing thick buildups of mossy herbs. It falls from the tree beneath which he stands but before it can hit the ground, it gleams brightly and disappears. The final success. With that, Faux could finally head towards the town. He didn’t expect it to truly take hours.

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213417 / LD: 14 [no modifiers] / SUCCESS

+ 1 Materials ! [5/5 → <<The First Lesson>>]

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 20, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

Faux was grateful for the drop in temperature. And he was grateful to have made it back to the Town of Beginnings in one piece. He would certainly have to find armor as soon as possible if he wanted to survive on the outside of these walls. He won’t always be so lucky in the wild, and one simple mistake could cost him his life. He contemplates all of this as he returns to the front of Zackariah’s shop. Somehow, through the windows and the feint sound of rummaging inside, he could tell that Zackariah was still hard at work inside. “It’s my time,” he says out loud, but hesitates to open the door. Completion of this mission means he’ll officially no longer be a level 1 player. He will no longer be considered a non-threat— somebody to be ignored. No, he will be an official comrade in the fight against Aincrad. His heart beats with anticipation as he swings the familiar door open once more. ”Ah— Welcome back!” Zackariah doesn’t miss a beat this time. He is standing nearby the door, stowing away some orders for future pick-up, Faux presumes. “I can already tell that you’ve brought the materials I requested! Good, good! Bring them here. My reward for you, of course, is some helpful information.” The younger man is surprised this line of dialogue, feeling almost as if it were tailored specifically for him. Of course, that couldn’t be right, but Zackariah was giving him a knowing smile (slightly unsettling). Faux places the materials he gathered on the table and Zackariah explains how the crafting mechanics work for the game. The alchemist instructs Faux to craft a potion in front of him to prove that he has indeed understood the directions. “Here I go,” Faux says plainly. Combining the ingredients together in a bowl and crushing them in precise fashion. Pouring them into a mixing pot along with some herbal components. Finally, sealing them into a veil for future use. It would appear that Faux is a natural. Or, just lucky. The potion craft is a success on the first try; and, on top of that, Zackariah informs Faux that he made one of rare quality. Translation: more powerful healing quality.

 

Spoiler

ROLL ID: 213419 / CD: 9 / SUCCESS!

+ 1 Rare Quality Healing Potion !

- 5 Materials !

Spoiler

fauxkiller [LEVEL 1]
SP: 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 [+3] [+2] EVA: 0 | ACC: 0

 

Edited July 20, 2023 by fauxkiller

[fauxkiller 0]

"I'm impressed," Zackariah says. There's a tone of pride in his voice, as if he's a father celebrating a worthy child. Faux can't help but feel a little touched by his kindness. If only every parent were this way. "You did a fantastic job, kid," he declares. "That's all I have to teach you for now, but please accept these rewards for gathering me the materials!" A window pops up to show Faux the exp and col he gained from completing the quest. He feels like he's forgetting something. It's itching at his brain, and Zackariah is still standing awkwardly in front of him as if there should be something else to address. It is the clinking sound of the Col being added to his pockets that makes him remember. "Oh. The mayor claims that somebody was lent some Col and you might know who. Was it you?" Faux asks, no thanks for what the man did for him. Zackariah coughs out a chuckle and returns to his workshop. "Leave it to Dorian White to forget such important details. No, it wasn't me who borrowed the Col. You might try Lyle, the blacksmith. He speaks frequently with the mayor, and might have requested funding for his business. I heard it can be slow nowadays. He's just up the road, here in town. I wish you luck," Zackariah smiled, and provides a wave as Faux turns from him silently and heads for the door.  Just before he opens the door, his heart betrays him. He sighs, turns to face Zackariah, and bows. "Thank you."

 

MISSION ☆ CLEAR ! 

FINAL REWARDS SUMMARY

[1 page / 400 Col] + [Quest Reward / 500 Col] = 900 Total Col Gained

[Final Word Count: 4,8545,040 /10*1*1= 485504 Exp] + [Quest Reward / 450 Exp] = 935954 Total Exp Gained

[+ 1 T1 Rare Quality Health Potion crafted !]

[+ 5 T1 Uncommon Health Potions] [+ 1 T1 Uncommon Damage Potion] [+1 T1 Uncommon Overhealth Potion]

Corrections completed by Nari-Lanreth with love.

Spoiler

TL;DR - Faux wandered around the plains and the cliffsides, wondering about his position in this world and whether or not a violent experience here is one worth pursuing. Having come to Aincrad simply to study the ins and outs of a virtual world, he has been overwhelmed the first few months with what exactly he should do. He completes the First Mission bitterly, but by the end feels a sense of accomplishment that he hadn't felt in a while. Faux starts to think maybe he should look towards other players for guidance in reaching further levels of the game.