F21/PP I Can Take Him <<Betrayal of the KIng>>

Abellio · January 12

Abellio came in hot! He stepped off of the Teleportation Platform and into the settlement of Tomoika pumped and ready for action. He was practically bouncing with energy, ready to finally make his first break into the game proper. His target? The Forgotten Time King. Everyone said it was a super scary boss, but he felt confident that he could take it. After all, he wasn’t bad at video games. Challenge runs hadn’t been anything new to him back when he played games religiously.

And what better way to break out of his fearful funk than swinging on the baddest mother fucker in the game?

Of course, the nerves still got the better of him. As he walked towards the exit of the settlement, he couldn’t help but to hype himself up. “It’s just a boss, Abellio,” he said perhaps more loudly than he should have. “All you have to do is not get hit. You can take him.”

Slime Farm Used - Next Use 2/12/2025
Yui's Grace 1/5 Used + 200 EXP to thread

Spoiler

Name: Abellio
True Tier: 1
Level: 1
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 20/20
EN: 20/20

Stats:
Damage: 1
Mitigation: 26
Stealth Rating: -1

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket:
-
Armor/Trinket:
- <<Spiked Pauldrons>> 2 THRNS
Shield/Armor/Trinket:
- <<Chainmail>> 3 MIT

Combat Mastery:
-

Combat Shift:
-

Familiar Skill:
-

Custom Skill:
-

Skills:
- Heavy Armor R1

Extra Skills:

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:

Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:

Housing Buffs:
- Bathroom: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down)
- Basic Workshop: +2 EXP per crafting attempt
- Basic Kitchen: 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.
- Storage Closet: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
- Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
- Slime Farm: +5% EXP to a thread. Limit one use per month. Must be used on a player's first post in a thread. Cooldown begins counting down when used in a post.

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:

Edited January 13 by Abellio

Oscar · January 12

There was another in the city as well. He was sat outside of a small tavern near the central plaza. He was intently focused on something in his menus. Oscar seemed to be agonizing over a message of some sort. He would type a few words and then scrunch his face up in annoyance and delete everything he’d written. This repeated on and on until something broke his focus. The town was empty and quiet. Outside of the NPCs - who had learned to tune out - the other Players were above or below them. Floor 21 only attracted a specific type of Player: those wanting to slay the Forgotten Time King for some quick Experience and one of the best skills in the game.

His focus was drawn to the wide-eyed young man currently heading for the gate. He was talking loudly, declaring his intentions to all around. Oscar looked up from his work and cocked an eyebrow. Clearly this guy was new. Was he seriously trying to take on the boss solo. Oscar let out a heavy sigh and rose to his feet. There was no way that he was going to let some newbie punk get himself killed today, regardless of what his own plans were.

Spoiler

Name: Oscar True Tier: 10
Level: 34
Paragon Level: 57
HP: 960/960
EN: 128/128

Stats:
Damage: 26
Mitigation: 212
Accuracy: 5
Evasion: 3
Battle Healing:
Loot Die: 8
Stealth Rating: -5
PHASEREC: 4
HLY: 16 BLI: 32/-20
Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket:
- <<DIVINE RANCOR>> T4 KATANA - HOLY/HOLY/PHASE/BLIGHT
Armor/Trinket:
- <<TACTICAL UNDER ARMOR>> T4 HEAVY ARMOR//MIT/MIT/MIT/REC
Shield/Armor/Trinket:
- <<IVORY GOLD LEAF RING>> T1 TRINKET//ACC/ACC/EVA/EVA

Combat Mastery:
- Combat Mastery: Damage R3

Combat Shift:
- AOE Shift

Familiar Skill:
-

Custom Skill:
-

Skills:
- Battle Healing R5
- Energist
- Extended Weight Limit
- Heavy Armor R5
- Katana R5
- Lock Picking R3
- Quick Change
- Searching R5
- Charge

Extra Skills:
- Concentration
- Forgotten King's Authority
- Meditation
- Parry
- Survival

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:
- Ferocity
- Iron Skin
- Precision
- Reveal
- Stamina

Mods:
- Impetus
- Night Vision

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
- <<CRYSTAL OF DIVINE LIGHT>> ID: 236066 x
- <<GLOVES OF CAERUS>> T1 LIGHT ARMOR//3 LD x
- <<Kyūketsuki>> T4 KATANA//ABS.ACC/PHASE/VAMP2 x
- <<RHINO'S HORN>> ID: 236068 x
- <<SANCTITY'S RUIN>> T4 KATANA - FROSTBITE/BLEED/BLIGHT/BURN x
- <<TELEPORTATION CRYSTAL>> x
- <<TROLL'S BLOOD>> ID: 236067 x

Housing Buffs:
- Basic Kitchen: 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.
- Storage Closet: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
- Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
- Attic (Bedroom): +1 Expertise to declared utility skill. Cannot boost a skill without ranks, or increase a skill past its maximum rank. Cannot boost a skill the user has not learned yet. Ranks obtained using this buff will make the mods of that rank available for purchase. Mods obtained this way are unusable if this buff is removed until the skill is returned to the appropriate rank by way of SP purchase.
- Basement: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
- Guest Room: Players can have one «Amenity» in a «Guest Room» and the «Amenity» cannot be recovered. Players are allowed to change which «Amenity» is in the «Guest Room». Multiple instances of the same «Amenity» do not stack. This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.
- Master Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
- Master Bathroom: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
- Extended Workshop: +2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
- Ornate Fishing Pond: +2 Fishing EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to fishing attempts.
- Dining Hall: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed. Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread.
- Mega Slime Farm: +10% EXP to a thread. Limit one use per month. Must be used on a player's first post in a thread. Cooldown begins counting down when used in a post.

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:
- Tanos
Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:
- Cooking[5280exp] R10
Gathering Profession:
- Fishing[100exp] R2

Focused Dog Consumed +2 ACC
Evasion Dog Consumed +2 EVA
Liquor of Light Consumed +3 DMG
Gungnir's Shard - T4 Mit Feast Used, Consumed
Troll's Blood Used

Edited January 13 by Oscar

Abellio · January 12

The further Abellio meandered through the winding tunnels, the worse his nerves got. Not only that, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched. But he chalked that up to anxiety. This was the first time he had been out of a settlement. Much less somewhere so high up. But it was weird. The tunnels seemed to be abandoned. He could swear that he could hear the ambient sounds of monsters echoing through the mines. But every time he felt like he should have been able to set eyes upon a beast, he rounded a corner to find that it was gone. The sounds cut off.

It certainly didn’t help his paranoia. How could just walking stress him out like this? Certainly he couldn’t be losing his mind so soon into his journey.

But then he saw it. The withered corpse of the Forgotten Time King. Though it looked to be quite the opposite of what a desiccated corpse should be. For starters, it was walking around. It was enough for Abellio to stop in his tracks. There was no way he could take him! He was nine feet tall and he carried a scary sword! Abellio backed away a half-step before his nerve caught up with him. He’d come all this way, he wasn’t about to give up now. He could do this. With renewed resolve, he took two steps forward and was immediately yanked backwards by his collar.

Edited January 13 by Abellio

Oscar · January 12

Of all the stupid things to do, coming to Floor 21 as a Level 1 was right there at the top of the list. Oscar was familiar with the floor and its tunnels. He was able to easily get ahead of the man. Good thing he did, because he had every NPC and monster in two post codes driving straight for his location. He wouldn’t be able to convince the man to turn around before something looked at him sideways. Oscar swore under his breath and drew his weapon. The only thing that he could do was cut a path through to the boss. Arguing outside of town was only going to get the red-head killed.

And so he set about killing every single NPC between himself and the boss. He managed to stay out of sight - perhaps not necessarily by design. He would have much rather intercepted the man sooner, but given the danger, he didn’t want to get distracted by conversation. Somehow, Oscar lagged behind. Because as he arrived at the boss arena, he saw the man ahead of him. He broke into a sprint and was able to grab the man’s collar and pull him back.

“You’re going to get yourself killed,” Oscar said. As he did, the boss swiveled his gaze towards the pair. “Shit. Party up,” he commanded. He quickly navigated through his menus and sent an invitation to the man. “Sit tight and don’t touch anything.”

Oscar surged forward at blinding speed, Divine Rancor at the ready. With a Charge and a Sword Art, he was able to plant himself at the top of the Hate table. With the boss thus controlled, he was able to breathe easier. Though he’d never exactly tangled with the boss solo, he figured he could at least take a hit or two while they tried to formulate a plan to retreat.

But looking at the damage he did with just a basic art, he wondered if that would even be necessary.

Spoiler

Oscar | HP: 960/960 | EN: 106/128[-14 -8] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18

[Charge]AOE-I vs FTK ID: 240140 | BD: 3+5-1, hit - Deal 365 DMG
Charge CD - 0/3
Well-Rested 1/3

[Os1,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 2635/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3

Edited January 13 by Oscar

Abellio · January 12

Abellio had been caught off-guard by the sudden assault. He was about to open his mouth to protest when the boss turned to face them. It locked straight onto Abellio and as it entered into an aggressive state, its health bar manifested next to it.

Well, health bars to be more precise. There were three of them. The crystal over the creature’s head was jet black. It loomed over them, slowly walking to their location. But the man who had him by the collar didn’t seem to be too phased by it. Who was this guy? And why was he jumping in?

The party invite appeared in front of him. The man rushed off, leaving Abellio with specific instructions. He realized now that he had perhaps gotten himself into a bit of danger in his haste to level up. More than a bit, if he were being honest. He accepted the invitation and watched as the dark-haired man threw himself against the boss. Whoever this was, he had to be a crazy high level Player. With one attack, he took a third off of one of the boss’s health bars. But then the King responded in kind, slicing through the man’s chest with his blade.

But despite how grievous the injury appeared, it didn’t seem to do much damage to him.

Spoiler

Oscar | HP: 895/960 | EN: 106/128[-14] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18

[Os1,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 2635/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3

FTK Attack vs Oscar - ID: 240141 | BD: 10, crit | 277 - 212 = 65 DMG

Edited January 13 by Abellio

Oscar · January 12

Maybe it had been longer than Oscar thought. He remembered the last time he came here that it had required a full party of people to put this boss down. He was certainly stronger now, but he didn’t realize by how much. Never would he have imagined that he would reach the point where he was so easily able to handle such a foe. The boss struck true - crit him even - and yet he had all but shrugged it off. Battle Healing recovered the lion’s share of what the boss had dealt to him.

It was time to go on the offensive. He lashed out with a slice at the creature’s midriff. Divine Rancor began to glow and Oscar realized that the weapon was about to unleash a deluge of light and fury. He’d been waiting for a chance to do this. He activated his <<Crystal of Divine Light>> and <<Rhino’s Horn>> just before his weapon made contact. The resulting strike called down the very heavens. A resplendent shaft of light crashed out from on high and engulfed his foe. The cascade of energy decimated the King’s health bar, shaving off two of the three with a single blow.

Spoiler

Oscar | HP: 948/960 [+53] | EN: 97/128[+4-17] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18

AOE-II vs FTK | ID: 240142 | BD: 10, Crit
+16 Holy Damage
Phase Activated
Rhino's Horn Activated, +3 Base Damage
Crystal of Divine Light Activated, +8 Holy Damage
Troll's Blood Procced

26+2+24+3 = 55 * 18 = 990 DMG
990* 2 = 1880 DMG
2016 - 50 [Phase] = 1830 DMG

User has -1 EVA for the remainer of the thread
User takes 2x damage this turn
User cannot take action next turn
Charge CD - 1/3
Well-Rested - 2/3

[Os3,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 805/3000 [-1830] | DMG: 275 | MIT: 80 [-20] | ACC: 3 | BLIGHTED: 32 0/2

Edited January 13 by Oscar

Abellio · January 12

The cascade of energy was so brilliant that Abellio had to avert his gaze. When the light finally subsided and his eyes recovered from the dancing spots upon his vision, the fiery-haired man looked awestruck at his new companion’s handiwork.

“Holy shit,” Abellio muttered to himself.

In just two attacks the boss was almost dead! Abellio’s mind swam with questions. How had he pulled that off? And, again, just who was this guy? His eyes were wide as he watched the man clash with the enemy. But something was off. The man had stopped moving. The King stumbled backwards and lashed out, but he made no effort to move. Thankfully, the blow had knocked the King off-balance and he hit only air, but something was clearly amiss. The man seemed to be almost frozen in place.

“Hey! You okay? Why aren’t you moving?!”

Abellio didn’t want to be a backseat gamer, but he also didn’t want to be completely useless. Maybe he could do something to help, low level as he was.

Spoiler

Oscar | HP: 948/960 [+53] | EN: 97/128[+4-14] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18

[Os3,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 773/3000 [-1830] | DMG: 275 | MIT: 80 [-20] | ACC: 3 | BLIGHTED: 32 1/2
FTK attack vs Oscar | ID: 240143 | BD2+3-2, Miss

Edited January 13 by Abellio

Oscar · January 12

Seeing his handiwork, Oscar was able to breathe a sigh of relief. He had plenty left in the tank - Health and Energy. The King couldn’t really say that. He heard a concerned voice from the arena entrance. The noob, he remembered.

“I’m fine,” Oscar called back sternly. “Stacking buffs means you stack debuffs sometimes. I can’t move right now after doing all of that.”

It was a fair trade. The ability to lay such an infamous boss low with a single blow justified the cost. He was just glad the boss hadn’t actually hit him before the debuff from the crystal wore off. He wasn’t concerned for himself, but his health would have tanked. There was no telling what the idiot behind him would have done after seeing such a thing.

“Like I said. Sit. Tight,” Oscar added tersely. “You’re precisely where you need to be. You won’t pull aggro off the mobs outside and you won’t get Hate on this thing either. I hate to reward such stupid decision-making, but I’d prefer you didn’t die on my watch.”

Spoiler

Oscar | HP: 960/960 [+53] | EN: 101/128[+4] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18

Action lost due to the effects of Troll's Blood

[Os3,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 773/3000 [-1830] | DMG: 275 | MIT: 80 [-20] | ACC: 3 | BLIGHTED: 32 0/2

Edited January 13 by Oscar

Abellio · January 12

Stupid? Abellio’s chest puffed up at the man’s words. But much as he wanted to refute them, he couldn’t. Watching the fight with the boss, Abellio realized that he was walking right into his own death. If the man hadn’t shown up when he did, Abellio shuddered to think of the consequences.

He would have died. Plain and simple.

“You’re right,” Abellio said. “I should have done more research. I was really stupid, okay?” He paused, his ever-present smile wavering. “And I got lucky someone like you was around. But I was just so tired of being stuck in this fuckin’ rut. And the guys who told me about the quest said I should be fine on my own! They said it was a good way to get a ton of experience really fast. I don’t get it.”

Abellio let out a sigh. The obvious answer was slapping him in the face, but he refused to acknowledge it.

Spoiler

Oscar | HP: 896/960 | EN: 101/128[+4] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18

Action lost due to the effects of Troll's Blood

[Os3,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 741/3000 [-1830] | DMG: 275 | MIT: 80 [-20] | ACC: 3 | BLIGHTED: 32 2/2
FTK attack vs Oscar | ID: 240144 | BD: 9, crit | Deal 276-212 = 64 DMG

Edited January 13 by Abellio

Oscar · January 12

“Fucking what?” Oscar’s tone was thick with disbelief. “You’re on Floor 21, dude. How the fuck did you think this would go?” He paused long enough to make his next attack. He leapt from the ground and drove his blade straight into the King’s chest. His face contorted in effort as he wrenched his blade free and struck twice more in quick succession, leaving long red gashes across the King’s torso. He kicked off and somersaulted backward in midair before landing lightly on his feet.

The King was almost dead, so Oscar turned to face Abellio. “Yeah. You’re stupid. A basic mob this high up would do enough damage to kill you ten times over. Who in the actual fuck told you that you could handle this guy?”

He simply couldn’t believe that there were still people who would send others off to their deaths like this. Oscar wanted names. Locations. Habits.

But most importantly, he wanted them in the ground.

Spoiler

Oscar | HP: 896/960 [+53] | EN: 91/128[+4 - 14] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18

AOE-I vs FTK | ID: 240145 | BD: 7+5, hit | Deal 290 DMG
Charge CD: 2/3
Well-Rested 3/3

[Os4,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 451/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 |

Edited January 13 by Oscar

Abellio · January 12

Oscar’s admonishments hit Abellio like a ton of bricks. He’d already admitted that he was dumb. Did he really have to twist the knife?

Of course he did. Abellio had forced the man into a boss fight without so much as a greeting or a request for aid. And Oscar had jumped into the fray to help him, no questions asked. Abellio had to be grateful to him for the assist. Still, the words hurt. Having them thrown in his face hurt. Abellio looked up in time to see the King looming over Oscar while his back was turned. He wanted to shout a warning, but there was something about the man’s gaze.

A bored detachment.

This wasn’t even a challenge for him.

So Abellio decided to answer his question. “I was going to do the tutorial quest and there was a guy hanging around the NPC. He was telling everyone who would listen about how this quest was so great and super easy. I think I was the only one dumb enough to believe him.”

Spoiler

Oscar | HP: 949/960 [+53] | EN: 91/128[+4 - 14] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18

[Os4,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 451/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3
FTK Attack vs Oscar | ID: 240146 | BD: 1, miss

Edited January 13 by Abellio

Oscar · January 12

Oscar nodded. Then, without warning, he spun on his heels to deal with the boss. Taking off like a bolt of lightning, he crashed into the King. With a barrage of sword strikes, he carved through the boss with lethal precision. He struck at its ankles to topple it. Then when it fell to its knees, the back of the thighs. Then, finally, when it was lying prone upon the ground, a final thrust to the back of the head sealed the fight.

With a shower of crystalline shards, the Forgotten Time King was no more. In its wake, it left a piece of equipment. Oscar sheathed his weapon and allowed it to disappear in a flash of light before retrieving the item. It wasn’t anything he could make use of, neither was it anything the noob could use. But he’d grow into it. Turning on his heels, he tossed the item towards Abellio.

“And what did we learn?"

Spoiler

Oscar | HP: 960/960 [+53] | EN: 77/128[+4 - 18] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18

[Charge]AOE-II vs FTK | ID: 240147 | BD: 7+5-1, hit | 458 DMG Dealt

~~[Os5,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 0/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3~~

Edited January 13 by Oscar

Abellio · January 12

Abellio caught the offered item. His gaze flicked between the piece of equipment and Oscar. Why was he giving such a high level item away? The question answered itself as soon as he thought about it. Clearly, this man wasn’t worried about equipment. Was this man one of those Frontliners he’d heard about?

The intent had been to join the Frontlines at some point. But if this guy was one of them, he realized that he had a really long way to go in order to be able to stand with them. The difference between their skills was palpable. And it couldn’t all come down to simply equipment. Seeing the man in action almost made his goal seem impossible. He was standing at the bottom of a mountain and couldn’t even see the top.

“Several things,” Abellio muttered. His smile faded as he looked down at the item once more. “You really saved my ass didn’t you?”

Edited January 13 by Abellio

Oscar · January 12

“Obviously,” Oscar said. “But I was thinking more, you know, specifically. Like maybe don’t believe everything you hear from strangers. Or don’t go to crazy high-level floors. Or, and I’m just spitballin’ here. Don’t take the easy way out.”

Oscar covered his mouth as he yawned. He couldn’t hold too much against the man. All’s well that ends well and all that. Providence or serendipity had saved his nooby ass. Fate, even. Maybe. It really didn’t matter. All that did matter was that the kid had stuck his hand into a hornet’s nest and managed to pull it out without getting stung.

“If you learned any of those things, we’ll call it a victory. Next time, though, find someone to help you out. Not a weakness to admit you don’t know what you’re doing. Now, let’s go back to town. I want you to introduce me to those ‘Info Brokers.’”

Edited January 13 by Oscar

Abellio · January 12

Abellio nodded intently. With Oscar at his side, the two of them headed back to the settlement. It wasn’t an easy trip. There were more monsters on the return trip. And they were drawn to him like a magnet. They seemed to be coming out of the woodwork. Descending from the ceiling, tunneling up from underfoot. How had he even made it this far in the first place?

But Oscar was able to dispatch them quickly. The man cut a path through the hordes of mobs, sticking close to Abellio to make sure nothing slipped through. All the while, Abellio wondered just how in the Hell he could bridge the gap and get to where he was to where Oscar was. Soon enough, the arrived at the settlement and, at Oscar’s urging, teleported down to Floor One.

There was something about the guy. He seemed to have a menacing aura as they touched down in safer climes. It was an odd shift in demeanor. He didn’t seem like a bad guy, but the look in his eyes was downright murderous.

“Uh, thanks by the way. I’m Abellio,” he said in an effort to cool things off. The tension had suddenly become thick enough that even someone as thick as Abellio could notice.

Edited January 13 by Abellio

Oscar · January 12

As soon as they set foot on Floor One, indignation gripped Oscar. The audacity of these people, sending people to their deaths in his town. On his floor. Right under his nose. He couldn’t decide whether he was more angry at them or himself for letting it escape his notice. It was an error he intended to rectify immediately.

“Oscar,” he said plainly in response. “Now lead the way.”

Oscar followed in silence as Abellio led him towards the Tutorial NPC. A few players were walked by, attempting to take the quest. Oscar watched a group interact with the NPC and then take a few steps toward the gate. A few moments later, two men in leather armor stepped out of an alley and began to talk to them. Oscar could hear what they were saying, but the group merely shook their heads and headed out of town.

“Did you really fall for some shit a random dude from an alley said, Abellio? Didn’t strike you as odd? That's like... Cartoonishly shady.”

Edited January 13 by Oscar

Abellio · January 12

Abellio winced as Oscar pointed out the obvious. If he’d not been so excited, maybe he would have questioned it. But they were on Floor One. Why would anyone try to get noobs killed? His shame began to turn to rage. Blazing heat ignited in his breast. Had they pulled this with anyone else?

Before he knew it, Abellio was marching toward the pair as they started to retreat towards the alley. His feet moved on their own. He wasn’t even thinking about it. All he could think about was how their little prank almost got him killed. How their little prank could have gotten others killed. Someone needed to do something about it. Someone needed to tell everyone about their horrible actions.

“Hey!” Abellio called over. As the first one wheeled around, he stepped right up to him. “You think this shit is funny? You’re trying to get people killed!”

His voice gathered the attention of the few Players in the area. They might have been higher level than Abellio, but they didn’t mean shit in Town.

The first man’s eyes darted toward the slowly-forming crowd and then back to Abellio. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He tried to sound firm, but his voice wavered.

“Bullshit! You’re telling anyone who will listen about some stupid easy quest 20 floors up. Anyone stupid enough to believe you would die to the boss. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Who would be stupid enough to believe that?”

“Me,” Abellio said plainly. “If it wasn’t for this guy back here, I would have died. I don’t care how many people think I’m stupid if everyone knows what pieces of shit you two are.”

Edited January 13 by Abellio

Oscar · January 12

Oscar merely watched as Abellio confronted the men. He was certainly the fiery sort. And definitely didn’t give a single fuck about is own reputation. Oscar heard some of the Players snickered as Abellio admitted to his own idiocy. He was certain that they thought themselves above such things. It wasn’t until Abellio mentioned him that Oscar strode forward. Outwardly calm, he kept his hands in his pockets as he stalked toward the pair.

“Abellio tells me that you’re a pair of Info Brokers. Did Cardinal make some sort of Balance Patch recently? The Forgotten Time King was easier than I remember, but still definitely outside what a Level One could handle. I’m sure you simply got confused,” Oscar said. He greeted the pair with a smile, but there was a cold hate in his eyes. “Speaking of Info, I’ve heard that they recently changed the Black Iron Dungeon. Why don’t the three of us take a look?”

The two men exchanged glances and shook their heads. “No thank you,” the first said.

Oscar’s grin widened. “Oh come on now. Don’t you want some first-hand information? You like easy shit right? Let’s go.”

It was a command, not a request. One that was punctuated by Oscar grabbing the two of them by the bicep and slowly pulling them towards the dungeon entrance. They struggled. Subtly, at first. But as they neared the entrance, they began to flail and yell. Oscar stood atop the steps leading down into the underground and clicked his tongue.

“Damn, I just remembered I had something to do. Why don’t you two go on ahead?” He gave them a push. The pair tumbled down the steps and into the darkness. Oscar exchanged glanced with one of the guards and gave a short nod before turning on his heels. The dungeon could have them. And the guards would make certain it was so. It was convenient to have a place to dump the trash so close to home.

Edited January 13 by Oscar

Abellio · January 12

Abellio watched as Oscar carted them away. From the reactions of the two men, he wasn’t taking them anywhere fun. He followed along from a distance, growing ever more concerned at the rising panic of the two men. By the time they reached the dark hole in the ground, the pair were apoplectic. They gushed apologies and promises. Pleaded to be let go. But as casually as throwing out the garbage, Oscar pushed them inside. There was a sinking feeling in Abellio’s gut. Something told him that this would be the last those two would see the light. But he didn’t want to ask. He knew better than to do that.

Oscar wasn’t just a Frontliner. He was something more. Something dark. And yet, he had gone out of his way to help Abellio out when he was a goner. It didn’t make sense. Oscar’s demeanor had shifted as well. The cold darkness that seemed to radiate from him had ceased. In an instant, he was back to his old self.

“I uh,” Abellio stammered. “What’s the Black Iron Dungeon?”

Edited January 13 by Abellio

Oscar · January 12

“It’s the place I put people like that,” Oscar said plainly. “People who threaten the work I’ve tried to do here.”

He beckoned Abellio to follow. They meandered through the streets, passing vendor stalls and shops as they went. “I’ve taken great pains to make this place a sanctuary. And not just a safe zone. People slowly trickle out of town, wanting to get involved. Wanting to stop languishing.”

He stopped in front of the Blazing Typhoon, turning to stare at the Smithy with a slight smile. “There’s several of us still here. Frontliners who want to help newbies like you. Like Macradon. Then there’s Bahr and Lessa. Night, if you can get her to stop brooding. Just ask and I can make the connect. My help is perhaps a bit unpalatable to most, but the point I’m making here is that you won’t want for help if you ask for it. So ask. No more going off on your own doing stupid shit, Abellio. You took the first step. Everything else gets easier from here.”

Oscar turned to face Abellio with a smile. “And besides, it did wind up being some easy exp. That jump had to have been massive, right? What? Did you land at level 15? Higher? You’ve got the spirit, but you need to be more cautious. That’s the best way to stay alive and stay in the fight.”

Thread Summary
Abellio Receives: 5000 [Quest] + 200[Yui's Grace] + 283[Page Reward] + 5% EXP [Slime Farm] = 5757 EXP
Envious Betrayal T3 Heavy Armor - 2 MIT, 1 THRNS
10,000 Col
<<Forgotten King's Authority>> Extra Skill

Oscar Receives: 2829 EXP
424 Col

Thread Transcript

Spoiler

Abellio came in hot! He stepped off of the Teleportation Platform and into the settlement of Tomoika pumped and ready for action. He was practically bouncing with energy, ready to finally make his first break into the game proper. His target? The Forgotten Time King. Everyone said it was a super scary boss, but he felt confident that he could take it. After all, he wasn’t bad at video games. Challenge runs hadn’t been anything new to him back when he played games religiously.

And what better way to break out of his fearful funk than swinging on the baddest mother fucker in the game?

Of course, the nerves still got the better of him. As he walked towards the exit of the settlement, he couldn’t help but to hype himself up. “It’s just a boss, Abellio,” he said perhaps more loudly than he should have. “All you have to do is not get hit. You can take him.”