[PP-F3] Interview #12 | <<Search for the Hoya>>

[Morningstar 0]

Quest

He rocked gently in his office chair, skimming the contents of a resume. They were a formality, really. He didn't put much stock into them. What was he going to do, call references? "Hello, this is Morningstar from the Trackers Alliance. I'm calling from inside a video game to discuss x employee."

If he could do that, it wouldn't be his first call.

On paper, this applicant looked strong. She was everything he looked for in a tracker. To him, a background in journalism showed a need to investigate; a need to explore; a need for truth. With some guidance, she could become an asset to the guild.

But her level was low. She would need a lot of guidance. It wasn't a dealbreaker—much of his guild comprised of tier one players—but it did mean that her skills would be put on hold until she was more capable of holding her own outside of safe zones.

The paper rustled as he lowered it. She was well-educated and had a successful career pre-Aincrad. "I'm curious what brought you to the game, but I guess I should share a bit about myself first. Call me Star. I'm a frontlines DPS, a scout, and the leader of this guild. We've set out to uncover secrets within the game, chase rumors, and gather beneficial information for our fellow players. Long-term, my goal is to turn this place into a hub for scouts and brokers; a place where they can meet and trade information."

He paused, nothing left to add to his introduction. "So, Lily of the Valley. Who are you?"

  

| MORNINGSTAR  | Lv. 73 >> P. 39, Lv. 34  | Status: [ hiring ]  Notes:  Assisted; Stats Reduced to Tier 1 | +5% EXP to all

Hide contents Morningstar | HP: 840/840 | EN: 105/105 | DMG: 13 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 5 | BH: 46 | LD: 6 | REC: 2 | FLN: 4 | AA | PARA-V equipped Dying Sun FLN II, AA, PAR VEN Inner Focus EVA II, REC II Sapphire ACC III, EVA I battle-ready inventory Magdalyn's Cuckoo skills   Hide contents mod count: 4/5 STRAIGHT SWORD | RANK 5/5 precision, stamina, ferocity shift: tech MARTIAL ARTS | RANK 5/5 precision COMBAT MASTERY: DMG | RANK 3/3 SEARCHING | RANK 4/5 (5) night vision, detect, tracking, reveal BATTLE HEALING | RANK 5/5 UNHINDERED ENERGIST CHARGE extra (active) SURVIVAL FORGOTTEN KING'S AUTHORITY LADY LUCK DISGUISE data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== buffs   Hide contents statue # | # consumables elven armor salve | +1 hate on attacks paragon Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +1 LD to looting. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== sword arts   Hide contents en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined. ST | x12 -> x15 | x20 AOE | x11 -> x14 TECH-A | x16 | STUN | 13EN TECH-B | x16 | DELAY TECH-D | x16 | SHATTER TECH-F | x12 | AOE STUN TECH-G | x16 | BURN data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== misc/housing buffs   Hide contents Dimensional Backpack | +2 Battle-Ready Inventory Slots. Well Rested | -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat. Squeaky Clean | The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down). Filling | Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30. Tasty | Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed. Lesser Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread. Relaxed | Increases out-of-combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. Multipurpose | Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll. Skylight (Searching) | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill.  fishing # data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==   data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

 

[Lily of the Valley 0]

Prior to all of this quasi nonsense of science and technology, one would say that the woman was not at all interested in video games. Even now, after all this time, she was still unsure if this was a mass hallucination or the reality of a death game. She was guided by her nose and what she could see in front of her. What she saw was destitution, lawlessness, and a widespread pandemic of people cascading into chaos second by second. And that was her first day. 

Over the course of chaos, those moments faded into the shadows that sequestered them. Once in a blue moon, chaos would erupt but nothing that would cause another pandemic. Most were already in prime position to press the forces to clearing the stages. Not her though, she wasn't going to put herself in danger just yet until she resolved herself into believing what she was actually seeing, despite her motto is that her eyes never betrayed her.

Firefly had mentioned this supposed guild that was up her alley. Never did she really think that her abilities would come to use here. Perhaps frequenting the barkeeps and listening to the people paid off. Many couldn't discern her from the background as a chameleon. 

Cigarette burned upon her pursed lips as she exhaled slightly letting the billowing smoke release from her mouth. "High praise for a place." She placed the cigarette on the ground and placed her heel upon it to stop the burning embers from spreading. Prior to going into the establishment, she looked into the mirror to rustle her hair a bit into place, so she looked presentable to whomever she was meeting. First encounters were always a way to get into the business and get the information needed.

When it was said and done. the paperwork had now rest in the man's hands as she sat across from him. The introduction was short and sweet from him with a brief overview of the cause. Direct and to the point, she thought as she watched him behind her glasses.

The feeling was all too familiar. The superior across the table, the sense of urgency to bring back something so people could read or generally believe in. The sense of nostalgia caused a faint smile before she clasped her hands over her lap. "Lily will be fine. Korean journalist for the Korea Times and part time news affiliate with the Chosun Daily. The fact I'm still alive is due part that this was broadcasted live over Korea. I majored in English and journalism in England. Grad student of University of London. Went back and here I am. Not your typical gamer girl. In fact, I don't game at all. My personal life? Nothing. I smoke, go to underground music venues, and sleep." Her smile was extremely faint yet unfriendly at the same time. More of a work study than a get together. 

Spoiler

Lily of the Valley | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 4                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                    

 

Edited December 31, 2024 by Lily of the Valley

[Morningstar 0]

"We have that in common," Star said. "I don't have much gaming experience either. I was an actor. Mostly film towards the end, and some theatre."

He appreciated her honesty, and that she shared so much upfront. Many players weren't willing to do that. Discussing life before the game was commonly considered taboo. People valued their privacy; or, maybe the reminder of the old world was a pain point.

"Well, with your background, I can see why Firefly suggested you. I imagine your journalism skills would overlap with a scout's."

He spoke truthfully, but didn't include the fact that he was surprised she and Firefly got along. Lily had the cold exterior of a business person. Firefly was bubbly and sweet. Star would have thought she'd be intimidated by Lily.

"We work contractually. Trackers are paid based on the missions they take. Rumors are added to the mission board on a weekly basis and rewards scale with difficulty, which we use a letter-based ranking system to identify. Trackers are free to attempt missions of any rank, so long as they are considerate of their own safety. Most of them come through our broker, but sometimes we get work from towns on Floor 11."

"Honestly, I'm not that picky with who we accept. The job can get dangerous, but if you want it, you have a place in our guild. Pending a trial, of course," he smiled in a similar manner; faint, but a bit friendlier.

He tapped his pen against the table, as if in thought. "That's all that comes to mind. Now's a good time for questions, if you have any."