Acanthus 0 Posted August 3 Author #21 Share Posted August 3 (edited) As feral as the rest, the boar pursued her even as she fell back; with a horrible noise, it pressed forward and savaged her arm. Acanthus yelled, and drew her sword back. It began to glow. She felt the hum, and the warm tingle told her she was preparing the boar’s final blow. The hum resonated throughout her entire body. The tingling screamed to be unleashed, it needed to be let loose NOW— No. Focus. Don’t release early. Wait for the charge. Patient as ever, Haru waited. And waited. The hum became so violent she thought it might shake the sword loose from her grip. But she persisted, jaw clenched in concentration. And the boar charged. This time, she did not step aside to swing. In a flash, she spun the blade to face downward, one hand on the hilt, the other palm driving down on the pommel. She put all her weight behind the blade, dropping to one knee for the extra momentum. The tip drove itself through the boar’s head, directly between the eyes, out the bottom of its jaw, and buried itself into the ground. The boar stopped so violently that its body whipped around with an unsettling *pop*. It flopped lifelessly to the ground, and after a beat, broke into hundreds of fragments. Three tusks. She had done it. She’d survived her first three combats! Haru felt like she had to jump and shout. She had never been this excited before. Not even when she aced her exams, or landed her job right out of University. Yet here she was, giddy after killing three of the lowest-leveled enemies in the game. She felt stupid, and she didn’t even care. Out in a remote field, Haru jumped and whooped until she fell over laughing. Maybe it is real. If only a little. Spoiler Acanthus | Lv. 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 9/20 | DMG: 1 | ACC: 2 Boar | 1/5 | DMG: 3 Acanthus Recovers 1 EN. Post Action: ST-I -> Boar | Roll ID: 223959 BD: 6 + 2 = 8 | ST-I -> Boar Hit. 4 damage. (-4 EN) MD: 9 | Attack -> Acanthus Minor Critical Hit! 4 DMG Acanthus | Lv. 1 | HP: 16/20 | EN: 5/20 | DMG: 1 | ACC: 2 Boar | -3/5 | DMG: 3 Edited August 3 by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 3 Author #22 Share Posted August 3 (edited) The bag of boar tusks hit Lyle’s counter with a satisfying clatter. The blacksmith glanced into the bag. Haru swore she caught something that resembled approval crossing his stony gaze. “I use these on hilts,” he explained brusquely. Haru nodded. Short and to the point. Despite his rough attitude, she wished for more quest givers like Lyle. “Now, I'll have you know that I don't take loans from anyone, especially men the likes of Dorian White. You might try old Pete Larkin. He spends all his time fishing for river monsters or some such nonsense. Without a real job, the man could probably use the charity.” Lyle turned back to his work, and Haru sensed she had been dismissed. She went for the door. “Girl.” Haru jumped at Lyle’s gravelly interjection. “Don’t get killed out there. You did good enough, and I may need more of these later. So… Stay safe.” He went back to hammering. "And leave the sword by the door on the way out." “I… ok. I will.” Haru fumbled for words. What am I supposed to say? “Bye.” Outside the shop. Haru was kicking herself. “Bye”?! I know I’m bad at talking to people but “Bye?!” Haru wished there were a rock big enough to hide under. Even the NPCs were going to know she didn’t know how to talk like a normal person. Do the NPCs talk to each other about us? They probably do. Now Lyle’s going to talk to Dorian and Dorian is going to send word ahead and—” Haru caught herself spiraling. Breathe. Let the feeling pass over and through you. Understand the feeling, but don’t let it control you. Don’t let it take over. Haru felt her tension release. She was grateful that even in a video game, her meditation exercises worked. My real life experiences translate to experience here. Maybe the opposite can be true as well? Spoiler Item Lost: Lyle's Sword Edited August 3 by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 3 Author #23 Share Posted August 3 (edited) Pete's Fishing Hole Another quest, another old man with a beard. Even from a distance, she could tell Pete was a character. He seemed more leg than man, the way he danced around in his boat. Haru was surprised the whole thing didn’t capsize. But dance as he did, Pete seemed to know his way around the little jetty. As Haru approached, she noticed a few metal gleams in the bottom of the boat. “Well howdy there stranger! You seem to have an eye for my haul.” His eyes twinkled. “I’m here to collect Mayor Dorian’s loan. Are you the recipient?” Pete rolled his eyes in a playfully exasperated manner. “Yer tellin' me Mayor Dorian's taken to sending players to do his dirty work? Fine, fine, he’ll get his money, as soon as ye help me finish pulling it out of the drink!” So Pete did have the money. I guess the rule of threes wins the day for the Cardinal system quest writing. Edited August 3 by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 3 Author #24 Share Posted August 3 (edited) One more quest like this and I’m going right back to Tolbana forever. Haru stood in the boat, pants and sleeves rolled up, doubled over, ransacking each and every trap. She swore she had been through the contents of the boat twice. But the moment she blinked, a new one would seemingly appear. It had to be some kind of luck-based check—one she wasn’t allowed to fail. Exhausted, she fished a small metal coin out of a trout trap. “That’s me mam’s lucky col! Thank you!” Another trout trap had a strange, ball-shaped object. “That’s me old bobber line! Thank you!” … A boot? “That’s me mam’s lucky boot! Thank you!” I can knock him out and still complete the quest. Probably. She wrenched open a crawfish trap, and a full treasure chest exploded into the boat. Haru nearly flew into the water, but Pete caught her and set her back down. “Well there it is! I thought we’d never find it!” By this time, the boat was piled comically high with random knick knacks. A few nearby players whispered to each other as they walked by, and Haru turned beet red. She wished the boat would sink and spare her the embarrassment. It defied physics for them to remain afloat anyways. Pete looked at her expectantly. “Well? Aren’t you gonna open it?” Spoiler Post Action: Searching Pete's Traps Roll ID: 223960 | LD: 1 + 3 = 4 Roll ID: 223961 | LD: 20 + 3 = 23 Edited August 3 by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 3 Author #25 Share Posted August 3 (edited) “Open it? Don’t you have a key?” Pete grinned sheepishly, and Haru groaned. “Alright, I think I can manage the chest. Could we at least row to shore?” Pete laughed. “I’m afraid not, missy.” And he elaborated no more. Haru scowled. This isn’t real. None of this is real. It isn’t real, even though I am furious at this quest and the hours I have spent looting and helping this flippant, helpless stick figure of a grandpa—it doesn’t matter because none of this is real. Fishing through the various bits in the boat, Haru dug out two lucky bobbers and a shoelace from mam’s fourth lucky boot. She thrust the bobbers violently into the chest’s lock and worked furiously. “Well, missy, that seems like a mighty fine way to gum—” Haru’s patience had worn thin. She shot him a dirty look, and Pete clammed up, eyes still sparkling with laughter. With a thwock-click CRUNCH, the chest popped open, and Haru peeked inside. Atop a meager pile of rewards sat a letter, stamped with an emerald green wax seal. Spoiler Post Action: Opening Pete's Treasure Chest | Roll ID: 223962 LD: 3 | 1 * 50 = (50) col, (2) materials, (2) uncommon consumables Edited August 3 by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 3 Author #26 Share Posted August 3 (edited) Back on shore, Haru gave thanks to the ground. May I never search another boat full of fish traps again. With a grin so bright it rivaled the sun, Pete brandished a sealed letter. She stared at the envelope. “That isn’t a sack of col, Pete.” “Sure ain’t, missy! But it’ll more than settle my debts.” The quest marker seemed to agree, and so Haru reached for the letter. But Pete jerked it away playfully, and Haru seethed as Pete laughed yet again. He then thought for a moment and reached over to a particularly rank barrel, spilling over with chum. He pulled the letter lightly over the sopping fish guts before handing it to her. Eugh. “That should serve Dorian right, for how he treats his debtors,” spitting into the lake to accentuate his dislike. For… asking for his money back? And sure, you’re making a statement to Dorian, but who’s the person carrying the moist fish letter back to him? Real, fake, whatever—Haru wasn’t sure she had ever hated anyone as much as she hated Pete in this moment. Edited August 3 by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 3 Author #27 Share Posted August 3 (edited) Coming to Terms Trudging back to Dorian’s office, Haru took stock of the past two days. She had met kindly old Zackariah, and wandered out into the safe zone for the first time since she arrived in Aincrad. She met Lyle, engaged in combat (and won!). And she had met Pete and picked through enough garbage to fill a small building. She was exhausted, and oddly enough, content. She stopped for a moment. Content? It was an odd feeling in the middle of a death game. Fear, anxiety, sadness—those were all emotions she had expected. She even recalled her triumph from defeating those three little boars. But content? Contentedness was such a small happiness. It was the feeling of everyday life going well—and this wasn’t everyday life. It wasn’t even real. But her denial waned hour by hour, and NPC by NPC. The sun was setting as she made her way to Dorian’s office. She caught him on the steps, heading home. Recognition flashed in his eyes, and he regarded her disapprovingly. “Ah. It’s you." Haru remembered the last time they had talked, and how she left without saying a word. I know he’s just an NPC, but… Haru bowed deeply. “I apologize, Mayor Dorian. It was rude of me to leave without a word. I hope you will forgive me.” Dorian warmed slightly. “They say that first impressions are the most important, but there’s no rule against a second, I suppose.” He sighed. “Did you at least collect the loan?” Haru handed over the envelope, still moist from Pete’s rebuke. Dorian took the letter gingerly. “Why…” “Pete wanted to send his regards about how ‘you treated him.’” Dorian grimaced. “I see. Well, I suppose he won’t have to worry about that anymore. He can fund his fishing trap collection through some other benefactor. Regardless, you have done me a great favor. I hope you will have a good evening.” Mayor Dorian began to leave. “Mayor Dorian.” The old man turned; his mustache twitched with curiosity. “Thank you. I understand I caught you as you were leaving work, but you still made time for me. And despite my rudeness, you have treated me kindly.” Haru wasn’t sure what made her say that. He’s an NPC. This is his job. He doesn’t know any different. But something in Mayor Dorian’s face softened. His mustache and eyebrows relaxed, and his face now reminded Haru of her grandfather. “It was no trouble at all. As a matter of fact, I was about to go out on my evening stroll. Would you care to join me?” The Cardinal system never ceases to amaze, thought Haru. The NPCs don’t just “turn off” and go home. They had patterns and habits, just like any other person. They had lives. And the fact that they were able to respond to her conversations at all, let alone so seamlessly… She could barely comprehend Cardinal’s complexity. Dorian stood, waiting for an answer. Haru cleared her throat. “I would like that very much. It’s been a long few days, and I think a walk would do me some good.” Edited August 3 by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 3 Author #28 Share Posted August 3 (edited) Dorian warned her it would be a long stroll. “I want you to know you aren’t obligated to stay the whole time. It’s a little bit of business mixed with pleasure—I like to make rounds and check on things each night.” “That won’t be an issue.” Dorian simply nodded and led the way. Haru realized just how little of Tolbana she had seen in her months hidden away. Even in total safety, she had neglected to wander and explore, and she had missed so many things. A beautiful park with a centuries-old oak tree. A majestic, four-tiered fountain that gushed cool, clear water. Rows upon rows of houses, each one with candles coming to light as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon. Haru wondered who lived in each of these houses, and whether Cardinal had given them all names. She did not wonder for long. Dorian informed her that the villagers had much more than names; he regaled Haru with their stories. There was Scurl, a local hunter with a talent for finding the best boar meat. He was apprenticing Drask, the son of a no-good layabout, to try and encourage Drask to find a trade. Then there was Dalmeeda, the tailor, who was slow for most orders, but never made a bride wait for her dress. Row by row and house by house, Dorian told the stories of the men and women who lived there. With each story, it became more and more difficult to accept they were nothing more than NPCs. Then, the conversation turned to Haru. “Who are you, my dear?” Edited August 3 by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 3 Author #29 Share Posted August 3 “Who are you, my dear?” The question caught her off guard, so she tried to buy some time. “I’m happy to answer, but I’m curious why you want to know.” Dorian kept his stride while he responded. “Well, I get to meet many adventurers here in Tolbana. Hundreds, maybe even thousands.” Dorian collected his thoughts. A group of children raced home, worried about being out after dark. “I can’t tell you how many adventurers I’ve sent on their way. But out of all those adventurers, very few ever talk to me after they return the loan.” Haru shifted guiltily. This was an NPC she couldn’t even treat as a person two days ago. She wondered how many other players had done the same. “Now, I know you are all adventurers. You—well, you adventure. You move forward. That’s what you do. But this city… Tolbana…” He took a deep breath and looked up into the dimming sky. “It’s my everything. I grew up here, and I’ll die here as well. I want to share that with adventurers more often. But you climb the stairs to the Ruby Palace, and that climb rarely affords you a chance to linger.” Haru looked up to Dorian’s face. His voice remained firm, but two soft tears belied his composure. “I’m not so selfish that I’d wish you all to stay. I just wish that you came back from time to time.” If this isn’t real, then why am I crying? “So when adventurers take the time to listen to me, I merely return their kindness. Just as I share Tolbana with others, others share their ‘Tolbana’ with me. And when you leave to floors unknown, your story lives on with me.” Dorian wiped his face and smiled once again. “I suppose I started waxing poetic a bit there. Forgive me!” “No, not at all… You answered my question.” “So will you tell me? Who you are?” It was her turn to collect her thoughts. Where would Haru even begin? How would she end? “I am Acanthus.” And so Acanthus shared her story. From her childhood to her arrival in Aincrad. She told Dorian all about her family; her father, a kind but distant figure; her mother, a caring and gentle anchor; and her brother, her favorite person (when he wasn’t being such a pain). She talked candidly about her struggles in University and spoke proudly of her accomplishments. She bared the brutal truth of her first months in Sword Art Online—how she had hidden herself away, worried, anxious and afraid. How her thoughts had turned darker and darker, until a spark of memory reminded her about a missed birthday, and how that spark turned into a promise to herself that drove her forward in this death game. And when she told him about her journey to get his loan back, she was pleased to see him nodding along. He glowered at Lyle’s comments, laughed at Pete’s antics, and beamed as Acanthus mimed her victorious pose upon recovering the loan. It was late into the night when Dorian dropped her off at her room. “Young lady, I must say you have a knack for storytelling. I could listen to you read a cookbook." Acanthus blushed. “I doubt a cookbook would excite anyone.” Dorian chortled. “I’ll make sure to come down and tell you all about my other adventures. Every time I clear a floor or an exciting quest.” Dorian crossed his arms. “A noble sentiment, but by floor seventy-five you’ll be wishing you hadn’t made such a promise. Just promise me that you’ll write often to keep us apprised of the frontlines.” Acanthus nodded firmly. “Whenever I have a few days to spare, I’ll be sure to stop by and tell you in person. And you can keep me updated on Tolbana?” “Certainly. I’ll be sure to tell you about the next time we pull Drask’s drunk father out of the ditch. He’s about due for it.” Acanthus cracked another smile. “Mayor Dorian—” “I think just Dorian will do, at this point.” “Dorian. I can’t thank you enough. I… I don’t really think I can put into words how much this conversation helped me.” Dorian placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. “Acanthus, thank you for telling me who you are. Don’t be afraid when that changes.” —------------------------------- Acanthus made her way up the stairs and collapsed onto her bed. For the first time since logging into SAO, she slept soundly through the night. Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 3 Author #30 Share Posted August 3 THREAD SUMMARY Acanthus: EXP: 800 (Quest) + 790 ((7900 words/10) * 1 * 1) * 2 = 3,180 EXP Col: 2,000 (Quest) + 400 (400 col * 1 page) + 50 (Treasure chest) = 2,450 col Zackariah's Special Draught Initiate's Draw T1 Perfect Light Armor | MIT: 2 EVA: 1 (5) Big Bertha Braciole Treasure Chest Contents 50 col (accounted for in above total) (2) materials T1 Uncommon Consumable 223962a T1 Uncommon Consumable 223962b Materials (from successful foraging rolls in Part 1) (1) material Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts