[SP-F1] Earning A Living

[Kirito 0]

Another day in Aincrad, boring. Diabel has had nothing to do for the past few days now, and he was tired of the same thing. Combat becomes repetitive like any other game he has played. For a while now he had been on the fence to decide if he should get a job. Although he had a job in the real world, he hasn't been on the typical routine since he hadn't worked in 9 months. He had heard everyone going for blacksmith, tailor, and alchemist. However, one profession that seemed underused is the Merchant profession.

Diabel has always had a thing for "bending the market" as he usually got sweet deals on things in the real world. This would be perfect for him as he loved to gain a profit. What human didn't like the sound of money filling their pocket? Diabel finally managed to convince himself with a battle with himself to get a job and get active. Plus it would be a great opportunity to start Earning A Living.

[Kirito 0]

Diabel set out to the information board in the center of the <>. After he had arrived, he saw a poster that was a quest opportunity. The quest was titled, "Earning A Living". As he prompted the menu to accept the quest, his finger had finally hit the blue circle which verified his quest. Diabel put a grin on his face and waved the blue bangs out of his face.

Although he had a job in the real world, this would be different. There is no interview, in fact, it was just a mission he had to do himself. He had to earn some Col before he could open up a shop of his own. Diabel checked his inventory to see if he had any col at all. To no surprise, there was a big, fat "0" next to the word Col.

[Kirito 0]

Diabel decided to earn a few sparing bits of col by fighting a few enemies. He left the town of beginnings to earn a few material even and maybe some col. Perhaps he can sell the material too. Diabel was now on the outskirts of town and he had now managed to leave the town. Out in the open plains in which a few dozen players were scattered vastly about, he found a pack of two boars grazing the grass.

He neared the boars and he drew his weapon as he would need to start by fighting something that he could handle. The first boar and the second had already drawn to his aggro, and he held his sword with a single hand while holding his basic kite shield.

For some strange reason, these boars had a higher amount of health, but they werent strong enough to take him out. Diabel ran forth at the first one keeping his cover behind his basic kite shield which already had some dents, but nothing that would do much harm. He swung his weapon at the first boar.

The weapon came crashing down hard on the first boar, and it proved to have less health than Diabel had originally anticipated. He was glad he could do so much damage to a boar to begin with. As a low level this is a high personal achievement for him.

Diabel: 13/13

Boar1: 3/7

Boar2: 7/7

[Kirito 0]

The first boar which had just been crushed by the blade of a massive sword, was now angry. The red name above it proved it to be a monster, but because it was a lighter shade of red, it meant it was about equal or even weaker than the player itself. Both boars may have been mad at this time, but the first one came rushing towards the player with it's tusks tucked town ready to swing them up at the player's leg.

However, the boar being a slower opponent, Diabel, had no problems at all dodging the charging boar. In fact, he was already prepared to avoid the second boar which was making a move any second with it's foot scraping at the soil now, some grass had already torn out from the ground.

Diabel: 13/13

Boar1: 3/7

Boar2: 7/7

[Kirito 0]

The second boar's foot finally stopped slashing at the ground, and instead it charged full speed at the player with a desire to eliminate the foe. Diabel stood ready, but was it ready enough to avoid taking damage? The formation of the player proved to be successful, and the boar smashed into the player's shield, placing a slight dent in the center of it from the tusks of the boar smashing into the malleable metal.

Diabel: 13/13

Boar1: 3/7

Boar2: 7/7

[Kirito 0]

Diabel put a great grin on his face and he held the shield in front of his body still, not sure if the boars would try for another attack. Taking a risk by leaving him open for a strike, Diabel swung his weapon at the first boar once more, with his shield at his side now. Diabel put all the force he had in his right arm to swing the weapon while holding the shield in his left.

Another attack successful, led to the boar's defeat. After the boar had been defeated there was a menu that opened up that announced some experience gained, though it wasn't much, and then there was a reward of 35 Col and 1 Boar Hide. As he wasn't a crafting type profession this would be perfect for him to start off.

Diabel: 13/13

Boar1: DEAD (Reward: 35 Col + 1 Boar Hide)

Boar2: 7/7

[Kirito 0]

The second boar was now left alone and was now known as the first boar technically. The boar now charged in without warning, it squealed and tucked its head down again to swing it's tusks upward at the player guarded by a shield once more. The boar smashed into the shield, and it broke through the defense. Finally, the tusks connected with the player's chest and it dealt a meager amount of damage, but nothing that wounded the player greatly.

Diabel: 12/13

Boar1: DEAD (Reward: 35 Col + 1 Boar Hide)

Boar2: 7/7

[Kirito 0]

Diabel was honestly astounded when he had been impacted by the boar's hit. The hit was so great his defense was too weak, and although there was a rank in light metal equipment it couldn't block all the damage, leaving him with a small dent in his health bar. Either way, he ignored the hit and moved on with a smile on his face. Diabel held his weapon once again in the same way he had earlier and swung his weapon diagonally again, at the boar's back this time.

The hit was again as successful as any of the others, and he wasn't going to complain either about his great luck. The health of the boar had another drastic drop and he knew he only had a few more hits to deal with before it was fully defeated. Diabel now held his kite shield in front of him this time trying to put a more defensive stance on.

Diabel: 12/13

Boar1: DEAD (Reward: 35 Col + 1 Boar Hide)

Boar2: 4/7

[Kirito 0]

The boar had been hit as easily as the other boar had. The boar then kicked out it's back left hind leg, and then ran forth with a glare of anger at the player. Although it was an AI, it still seemed as if it could project a type of hate for players. Perhaps Diabel was overthinking this too much, but regardless he held firm watching the boar run in closer.

It seemed that this boar was unlike the other one and actually had it's target locked because once again, it broke through the defense dealing another small amount of damage, however the damage was slowly beginning to stack, which didn't look too good for most players.

Diabel: 11/13

Boar1: DEAD (Reward: 35 Col + 1 Boar Hide)

Boar2: 4/7

[Kirito 0]

Diabel was now showing less of a smile, but still had a slight grin on his face. Although the boar should have been dead already, he continued to stay focused on his prime objective. Diabel then took a stab forward with his right leg and lunged his weapon forward with the blade's tip first at the boar, hoping to defeat it with this next his.

The boar wasn't dead with this attack, it still took slightly more damage, meaning Diabel was just another step closer to beating this boar and completing this quest. All he was truly looking for was a decent supplement of col to start up his own shop.

Diabel: 11/13

Boar1: DEAD (Reward: 35 Col + 1 Boar Hide)

Boar2: 2/7

[Kirito 0]

The boar's health now being in the red showed it was nearing the end of it's AI life and was getting prepared to shatter to pixels and disappear into the air of the world. The boar didn't give up and tried to rush the player once more with a last attempt honestly to try and defeat the player with some majestic critical that could happen as a mysterious glitch.

Somehow, the boar pulled out a critical and dealt another decent portion of health. Luckily, because the player had light metal equipment skill, he had blocked about a third of the damage taken. But still, the damage was a rather large portion added to the current damage, he was nearing the half way mark of his own health at this point.

Diabel: 9/13

Boar1: DEAD (Reward: 35 Col + 1 Boar Hide)

Boar2: 2/7

[Kirito 0]

It was to the point where he was getting embarrassed by a boar. He took the smile of his face and put a glare in his eyes with determination to end this fight right here. He knew he had to end it now if he wanted to earn something out of this entire quest. It would be pointless if he died to a weak monster in the floor floor plains.

The boar was finally defeated, and though he didn't get a material as a reward, he did still get the col reward. Diabel was now happy again and he finally left the plains to head out to the main city. Diabel checked his inventory and now instead of a "0" there was a "70".

Diabel: 9/13

Boar1: DEAD (Reward: 35 Col + 1 Boar Hide)

Boar2: DEAD (Reward: 35 Col)

[Kirito 0]

Diabel returned to the <> to find an NPC merchant with a shop. He browsed it for items as well. Then it came to him. He needed to hire an NPC to work with him in his shop! Perfect idea. Diabel looked at the merchant now, who was still standing there smiling. "Excuse me, but I was curious to find out if you would be willing to join me in a merged shop. You can sell all of your goods in my shop, this way we have our own little market going on." he asked the NPC who continued to smile.

The NPC finally reacted after about two seconds wait, some reason it seemed like a laggy game but yet there wasn't any. Diabel listened to the feminine merchant as she accepted. "Sure! I'd love to join you in a merged shop. If players buy from me though, you'll need to cover the charges, but I'll never run out. Does this deal work for you?" the NPC said.

[Kirito 0]

When Diabel had heard that he needed to cover for any fees for the NPC's sales it gave him a slight amount of worry. He didn't have nearly that much money just yet. However, he would try to work on it as much as he could. Diabel then agreed to the terms and shook the female NPC's hand with a light grip so he doesn't hurt an NPC. Last thing he would want is to become an Orange Player.

Diabel then decided to head out to a Tavern, where he could stay a night. As it was on the first floor the nights there were free. Though it wasn't top notch quality, it worked for him. Diabel then headed up to his chambers and then shut the doors for the night until he was ready in the morning.

[Kirito 0]

As the virtual sun had entered his room through the window because he didn't cover it with the curtains, he was woken early. Although he liked his sleep, he wasn't upset, as it was a new day and he needed to earn his living some way. He got up and equipped all his gear and then left the room, returning the key for the night.

Diabel then left the town again to try and find some higher leveled monsters to earn slightly more amounts of col. The more he could earn, the better it would be. Diabel knew that there was a goblin field boss up north of the town, so he headed out over there. Diabel wasn't sure if he could take it, but he knew he had to try.

[Kirito 0]

Diabel had walked north now for about 45 minutes. Finally when he arrived at a forest that was in the first floor, he saw the goblin. There were plenty of field bosses that were goblins, some stronger than others, but this one was a weaker one, one that he could take out.

Diabel approached the goblin enemy with a burst of speed and he started by swinging his weapon right away at the enemy before the aggro could take any effect. Quickly, he allowed his arm to bring across the weapon at the Goblin's chest. The attack was perfect as he was able to deal damage to the goblin before it even had a chance to react.

Diabel: 13/13

Goblin: 28/30

[Kirito 0]

The goblin was struck by something that came out of nowhere. Even after it was hit, it had no idea what was happening. When it finally looked around though, it saw a player with blue hair attack it. The goblin then gave a laugh as it wasn't a strong enough hit to weaken the goblin. Suddenly, it swung a wooden club at the player in an attempt to take out the nuisance.

The goblin's club connected with the player, but due to the armor skill the player had, they were able to block half of the incoming damage. Now the player already had a slight dent in the health bar, but nothing that would prove to be hostile yet.

Diabel: 12/13

Goblin: 28/30

[Kirito 0]

Diabel had felt the impact, but ignored the damage and he went straight in for another attack. He had already heard that he can make more than twice the amount of col from a field boss instead of a regular enemy. Since the field boss' health must be over twice the highest leveled player, they can earn tons of loot.

Diabel brought his sword down vertically at the Goblin and the blade was now coming down closer towards the goblin's chest. The blade had connected as well as the last hit he had perfomed, and he saw another spike drop in the enemy's health. If this fight continued where it was, Diabel could beat it rather quickly. However, he felt he just cursed himself just by simply thinking with such logic.

Diabel: 12/13

Goblin: 26/30