A/N: What makes a good story? Hell if I know, just gonna drop this here!
NetherOrbit: Gambling is there, but poker is a human game.
Den3424: You get a Dank/10
Thunderwolf: Glad yer liking it!
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Enjoy!
Ever seen a [Trembling Cow]? How about alone? First part's easy, second part's nigh impossible. Why? Simple. Taurus worship these, literally sucking their tits for the milk it provides. According to them, the milk makes them stronger, better suited for competing with other Taurus.
Clans will engage in all out war just for ownership of one [Trembling Cow], as it's a mark of status among others. Heads up, don't step near an owned cow without permission, unless you like making eight foot tall, [Slaughter Maul] wielding horse dudes mad.
What does their milk do? Apparently, and I haven't had any yet, it gives someone who hasn't tasted it before some stat points. All samples consumed after, however, are just really good healing drinks.
- Argo, Beta Tester's Survival Guide - December 3rd, 2023
November 13th, 2023 - Garr
Was thinking too much about farming, figuring I'd get time to settle, laugh and forget. My arms sagged like weights, hands smothered in dirt as I stared at a man whose eyes burned hotter than molten steel.
"Hi Garr."
"I told you to stay in town." Heathcliff drew his [Arming Sword] and [Cross Shield].
"I will." Anthem drew his [Greatsword]. "Just give me him."
He had nine warriors surrounding him, way buffer and meaner looking than his first batch. Frozen in place, I searched storage for any backups. [Short Bow], one arrow. Taking it in my left, I tried readying a shot, its notch lodged against taut string. My breathing softened, hands shaking and heating.
"Should've learned archery...freaking hell." I muttered under my breath, stepping back. "Your brother attacked me first. I told you before, I don't want trouble."
"What's going on out- Oh Jesus!"
Yuri scampered back inside our tower.
"Perhaps ve could talk zhis over?" Kuradeel raised a [Greatsword]. "Ve only vish to stay here."
Anthem said nothing, icy eyes staring my direction. I couldn't initiate, it had to come from him first. Watching his weapon lower, negotiation retired, leaving only revenge to assert control. Had an [Arming Sword] and a familiar [Cutlass], a tool I'd prefer not waving in Anthem's face.
"Kill the short one."
His warriors lunged in a wide sweep, my arrow flying straight for him, only to miss by a whole foot, skipping off downhill with a light crack. God help me, I was outnumbered. Kuradeel rushed left, taking one of Anthem's mercs in a swift stroke, a head rolling not even a blinking moment later. Heathcliff backed him, shield raised high as I raised what felt more like a toothpick than a weapon, this was an [Arming Sword]?
"Freaking hell!" I glanced up, having at least four of Anthem's guys rushing my position.
Sprinting around our tower, I did everything I could to prevent encirclement, was all too familiar with my first encounter. Snow gripped shoes, every press from Earth dragging me, assaults from [Axe], [Mace], even [Halberds] sending me seeking shelter among trees, trees crackling.
"Jeez!" I leaped back, an axe gutting a thin tree, its trunk groaning as it fell.
Turning any direction brought me closer to an ax's edge, various curved blades sending me veering back, instinct compelling me to grab, forcing their lower hooks around bark. I couldn't stop at all, they were way too aggressive, they'd have me surrounded so quick. Desperate for a single hit I whipped flimsily, only to watch it miss a dodging mercenary, chipping only tree skin.
No allies in sight, must've been busy fighting others. Was me and a different breed of wolves today, bipedal in stance and great reach. Turning to face them, a forward flying stab left me ducking, rushing below a [Halberd's] mast and right at its wielder's knees.
A swift kick from one of his friends scuffed a shoulder, my approach quickly passing his left. Bypassing, a swerve with even a sword as short as mine dug, though I missed my exact target. His hamstrings were clipped, my opponent yelling as he fell forward, movement crippled.
Was so entrapped by success I didn't move for a second, one of his friends whirring his ax, catching my right arm smartly, chopping deep into my triceps with minimal effort, tapping bone with a hardened edge.
[HP: 73%]
[You are Bleeding!]
Nerves fired, my hand releasing what was one of only two real defenses, an [Arming Sword] meeting snow splotched Earth with a shallow pish. Muscles tensed as I fled, I couldn't stay still. Yelling and lurching, our tower presented my next escape route, snow stained as drops of red solute joined, my right arm curled tight like a vice, throbbing intensely. My dominant hand was compromised, a major muscle had to be severed, it was paralyzed.
Leaning low, I scooped up a stone in my left, paying dearly with a mercenary's [Mace] to my dominant arm. Thankfully this was a mere graze, stone taking most of what trauma awaited if it hit. God what was I thinking, I was clueless on how to wield a sword, everything on this goddamn world was kicking my ass, every breathing second. Reaching the tower door, I slammed it open, closing it right behind me with a pressed shoulder. Angling my feet hard against pavement, hinges creaked loudly, wood groaning as a squad of hired muscle beat across my door.
"Garr?"
"Yuri! Help me, dammit! I'm getting fracked!"
Blood poured out of my arm, spilling over my legs.
[HP: 63%]
Four men pushed tirelessly, my energy failing, light leaking inside as they forced themselves forward. Yuri drew something, a loud crack and whiz leaving one of my pursuers shrieking, abandoning their post. Alarms of wounded men stopped their assault, allowing me to contain. Yuri's [Long Bow] was revealed, my comrade notching a new round
"Oh God, thank you!" I gasped, grasping my arm. "God, it burns!"
"You got it, man!" he panicked, his excitement causing said arrow to bounce out. "Fuck!"
Metal clashed outside, loudly ringing as screams were heard. Planting my foot at the door's bottom, I reached out for Yuri's misplaced bolt, tossing it back to him. They seemed to notice, quickly bashing inside, sending me staggering inside. Yuri fell away in fear, compelling me to lunge, tackling the first guy I saw, sending him flying.
"Not here!" I roared.
[HP: 54%]
Arm was sealing, a recovering tricep urging me onward, a row of men staggered by my brash tackle, their [Halberd] user forcing me to retreat as I drew back a rock. One rushed in, their ax wielder's side swipe missing. My rock was used against his chest, bashing jaw, and arm, bruising him purple and sending teeth careening.
I was grabbed, shoved and socked, my nose breaking, eyes tearing as I invited cold air. A [Mace] crashed into my ribs, forcing me down, clawing to get back whatever health was lost, broken bones bobbing. Madness, it was all so consuming, this place was a nightmare.
[HP: 48%]
Fighting turned to wrestling, gripping and throwing, my balance broken so bad I was tossed outside. Snow met gambeson, a [Mace] nearly meeting my knee. Crawling back like an animal, my fingers dug furiously through frost, launching myself away, moving away as my pursuers closed in, climbing back up. Gasping for breath, I threw my rock, aim absolutely miserable as it skipped past a mercenary's shoulder.
Rus' [Cutlass] became my last line of defense, my right hand remaining useless, forcing me to whip around, throwing it left and right to deflect what was my greatest threat, a bronze [Halberd's] point and face. Even with only three opponents, I was quickly overwhelmed, tossed off balance again by adversaries of greater skill and cunning.
I rolled aside, crawling as they lunged like starved dogs. Dropping my [Cutlass], I scampered away, hands digging, till I felt something denser, cylindrical.
It was a wooden handle, a foot long at least, someone buried my fracking Zweihander. Gripping what I formerly lost, I heaved myself wide, my bronze [Siege Blade] breaching like a whale, warding back startled pursuers with sadly no injury, snow splashing as it surfaced. Seven feet of bronze, back to me again, my heart jumping as I rose. Hearing footsteps rush behind me, I glanced, Heathcliff was here!
"Get behind me!" Heathcliff raised his shield, red [Full Plate] bright against the sun.
He swatted aside a [Halberd] with his metal barrier, sending a merc reeling with a swift stab attempt.
"Get the mace, he can hurt me too."
"Understood!" I barked.
My three pursuers slowed their advance, wary of Heathcliff in his heavy armor. Having a Zweihander's reach, I slammed for a stab, missing Heathcliff's only concern, his friends dodging. Metal clashed with sparks, their effulgence raining like fireworks, fighting to stay bright against frigid air.
Heathcliff bashed one, scoring a terminal pierce through one's gut, his crossguard all I could see. His feared foe with the [Mace] turned for a flank, sending me rushing to deflect, to defend who created this world. My block was off, the mercenary retorting by striking my collarbone with a hardened metal bludgeon. My eyes popped open, a loud crack breaking all concentration.
[HP: 34%]
My broken clavicle sent me on my knees in an instant, my right arm hanging limp. My ears pounded as I swung wide with my still functional arm, only to watch him lean back and swing. Metal studs struck my left elbow, snapping my arm aside, rendering my limbs vestigial as I crashed into snow, screaming with a dry throat.
[HP: 12%]
My cries were long, loud and grievous. Others joined, couldn't tell who was who. Flicks of red fell like rain as feet shuffled around me, disgusting me enough to spit and squirm, grimacing as broken bones left me paralyzed, forced to turn my head. Grunting and yelling, squishing and spurting, best I could do was writhe.
It wasn't until time decided to move on did fighting cease, demanding I open my eyes. Someone was struggling, like an animal to a chained bear trap, kicking up snow and dirt as they yelled.
"Let me finish this, he's all I want! You can't let it live!"
"Anthem? I'm sorry. Go back to town, we need men like you getting us out, not killing each other."
"What?" I said, barely coherent. "Hey, why're you sparing him?"
"But, he killed my brother!" Anthem shouted.
"There's better ways to honor him. Not here, not like this. Go back, towns are getting attacked right now."
"Let me finish this, he's right there, please! Stop siding with that foreigner!"
"I am not from here." Kuradeel jabbed. "Does zhat mean I'm not velcome?"
"No, that's not my point!"
"Go, Anthem."
Painless to move, my fingers gently gripped snow, a flash of blue indicating Anthem's escape. Tears flooded out like an overflowing cup, groaning as I tried stirring to my feet, knowing an inevitable was coming. He wasn't going to stop, I wouldn't expect it from myself, one of us was gonna end up dead. All because impulse took over, I didn't spare Rus...who was fighting for a friend I killed, whose weapon I had taken. Broken against white pillows of soft ice I was dragged by my feet.
"Shit...how is he still alive?"
"Ready the furnace." Heathcliff motioned.
"Wait." I croaked, looking behind me. "S-Sword...p-please."
"Cliff?" Kuradeel glanced back.
Heathcliff retrieved my Zweihander, holding onto it while I was brought inside our decrepit, albeit standing tower. Limbs bumped against pavement, groans bursting out of me like juice from a squeezed fruit, cut off by bites to my tongue, wailing when it passed threshold, arms bouncing with every notch.
"I, I didn't even kill one of them!" I gnashed teeth, eyes burning inside. "Was s-so pathetic!"
"You're lucky you're even alive."
"Lucky? Frack that, why didn't you finish Anthem off?!" I glared at Heathcliff. "He's going to kill me!"
"Sparing a life when killing's easiest is a stance of strength. I won't criticize you, but you must be patient enough to-"
"My arms are broken, Heathcliff! Been broken and chopped to pieces by your freaking game for three days straight!"
My voice broke, turning my shouts into disjointed cries. Heard someone approach from upstairs, Yuri scrambling over to me.
"Holy shit." he stopped. "Um...wow. How do we heal him?"
"[Ares] allows one to sleep and regain health." Heathcliff said. "If we had something to numb him, this would be easier."
"Ve gotta get zhe ozhers. Be back soon."
Heathcliff rolled out his sleeping bag, nodding to Yuri before both hauled me up and on a soft, admittedly much nicer surface.
"Jeez, lifting you's like hauling a bag of concrete." Yuri gasped. "Seriously man, how much of you is muscle?"
"Well...with a fat percentage under seven." I shrugged. "Course I gotta eat an entire chicken just about every day."
"Just try to sleep, don't think too much." Heathcliff splayed a hand. "The [Unique Skill] will help you repair."
Sun Dancer
Tried sleeping, turned out broken bones left misplaced made even a basic function arduous. Still, it could've been much worse, Heathcliff was nice enough to give me a bed, our furnace's warm fire licked my previously shivering body, frost leaving me long ago.
More painful than injury, however, was understanding what happened. I spent an entire battle running, retreating. Most I accomplished was scratching one's leg, Kuradeel, Heathcliff, even Yuri did more. Not only did they fight off Anthem's mob, I was taking up their resources, a complete leech on their backside. Knowledge of this alone kept my guts gripped, was never gonna be a dead weight again. My Zweihander's chipped bronze edge glowed near fire, barely out of broken reach. Staring at it, my head laid back, had to sleep.
"Oh cripe!"
Doors burst open, a familiar figure rushing beside me, her freckled face agape.
"Garr, what happened?!"
A twist in my gut cut off speech, looking up at her. Lying for machismo's sake wasn't cool, embarrassing myself though, it almost stung more.
"Anthem, he found me. Someone decided to bury my weapon in snow."
Lisbeth's back turned stiff, eyes wet as teeth met lip.
"T-That's horrible." she said. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Hm." I laid my head down.
A desire for her to stick around was obvious, saying it though would've been wrong. Hell, looking at a woman where I came from was an arrest worthy offense if she chose it. Wouldn't surprise me if Lisbeth decided to strike me down, hit me while I'm weak. What was stopping her from robbing me like a child?
"I'll be fine."
"Oh...okay."
She sat down beside me, legs crisscrossed as she laid against a wall. Oh God, she was going to attack me. Directing my gaze to her feet, my breathing softened. Putting a hand on my forehead, Lisbeth steadily drew it away.
"Yer still a little cold. Here."
Lisbeth drew a blanket, big and furry too. Laying it on top of me, she made sure none of me stuck out, gentle with my arms. It was pretty soft, its gray, white, and black patches heating me up.
"Made this today, figured we had so many [Wolf Pelts]. Ya like it?"
"Yes, actually."
My heartrate eased, eyes seeing hers. Why was she doing this, to butter me up?
"Thank you." I said, toes curling.
Her head nodded, adjusting position.
"So how was your day?"
"Mostly trainin', well...tried anyway. I ain't much of a fighter, so Leopie did most o' the work. We found so many wolves, left me honestly wishing for puppies. Would've been really cute to bring one here."
I smiled a little.
"I'd love to have one. Something to snuggle up with."
"Ya." she smiled. "Favorite breed?"
"Pugs. That smile just gets to me."
"Same! Makes me giggle thinkin' about it."
Was actually a pleasant conversation we had, got to talk about dogs a little, what we'd first eat when we got out of this mess. Wasn't long till Lisbeth's blanket helped me slumber, left me hoping this was genuine. Day four, barely alive, but strangely warm.
- Lisbeth
Staring out a makeshift window, I kept thinking to myself. Was past midnight, nearin' me time for sentry duty and my face was wet. Holding a [Wolf Fur Blanket] in me hands, I could only frown. Garr saved my life, yet I nearly costed him his, for a harmless joke too.
Feeling glass between my fingers, I raised for a taste, [Congregate Brandy] running down, leaving me torn between calm and disgust. Was feeling less stable, me thirst leaving me scrambling for any drop I could find. Half its contents poured, heating a pained core.
"Hey Lis? Spotted something."
It was from Leopon, thought she was guarding the ground floor. Taking my bottle with me, I climbed the stairs, reaching this tower's flat roof, blonde looking over the south side.
"Something's been moving."
Walking up beside her, I tried catching a glimpse.
"Oi, where's it?"
"Right here."
Without warning, I was slammed against stone, my screams silenced by a hand as I was inched towards the edge. I squirmed, but was left helpless, Leopon holding me in place, a sword hung over me as she whispered.
"I told you...didn't I?"
"Mm!" I screamed into her hand.
"If someone attacked our camp shortly after, I'd find you. If you scream, I'll cut you down. Do you understand me?"
My eyes fogged with tears, her silent threats leaving me shaking violently as I nodded. Slowly releasing my mouth, Leopon's weapon stayed up and to my throat.
"Anthem, who is he?"
"I-I-I met him two days ago." I shook. "He said he was missing Garr. I-I thought they were friends."
"Really? Because the weapon hiding seems just a bit too convenient."
"It was just a prank, I swear." I raised hands. "Was gettin' back at him for laughin' at me accent."
Her icy grey-blue eyes fixated without break.
"Understand, I'm only asking this because I couldn't care less about Garr. If this was anyone else here, I would've dealt with you."
My throat never turned drier in my life, silence freezing me in place. Sighing softly, Leopon sheathed her weapon, lowering her arms.
"Mistakes like Anthem can't be repeated, I won't risk it."
I slowly lowered my hands, shaking still.
"I never wanted to hurt him. I told him I was sorry."
"Does he know?"
My lips straightened.
"Well I suppose that's your business. Oh, and what happened tonight stays between us, got it?"
I nodded frantically.
"Good, cause I keep my [Rapier] sharp. You've seen how it works."
Quivering, I kept in agreement. This girl was nuts, I had to keep away from her as much as possible. Rushing downstairs, she took her turn at sleeping, leaving me on sentry duty. Returned to our tower's first floor, under two ceilings of stone, I cried and screamed into my arm. Curling up in a corner, only a sleeping Garr rested.
There was nothing I could do, Leopon was Kayaba's daughter. I was this close from dying, all cause of some joke. Was hoping to end today on a funny note, hiding Garr's weapon, see how hard he'd try finding it. Ugh, headache was getting worse, drank more brandy in mere attempts to stifle it. Ended up coughing like an old lady, hating every drop, hating myself for knowing what I was doing. Covering my mouth, I leaned closer to the flames.
"Dad?"
A sudden statement from Garr, startling me enough to glance. Watching him shift, I found myself giggling, he was sleep talking.
"What's for breakfast?"
Oh, I couldn't resist. I leaned closer to him, eyes narrowed.
"It's in the fridge, son." I deepened my voice. "Top rack, right."
He shifted slightly, his arms thankfully returning to a normal state.
"What's this?" he mumbled.
Guess my funny ending wasn't gone. My giggle turned sinister, covering my mouth for a moment before making my move.
Sun Dancer
November 14th, 2022 - Garr
A [Dire Wolf] squealed its last, hacked halfway across its width with a loud squish. Arms jerked back, memorizing its teeth notching in them from previous battles. Shattering shortly to glass, my Zweihander was shouldered.
[Level Up!]
[4-5]
"Good work, Garr." Heathcliff rested his [Cross Shield].
"Thank you." I grimaced, seeing red again.
"Next pack should be over the hill. Whenever you're ready."
Placed points on [Strength], [Vitality], and a pinch of [Intelligence], reaching level five, already not a fan of grinding. Fidgeting with fingers, I glanced back to Heathcliff.
"Heath?"
"Yes?"
"Is it possible to have dreams here?"
He rubbed his chin, looking up at Aincrad's sun.
"Not sure, I mean the NerveGear keeps the individual on a perpetual REM loop. Could say this is all just a dream."
"Wait, wait." I held a hand up. "You're saying right now, we're lucidly dreaming?"
"Possibly. It'd take years for me to explain to you how a disembodied conscious works."
"Mm." I narrowed my eyes. "But why have pain? Seems freaking sadistic."
"Oh my, where to start." Heathcliff looked north. "Hang on, company."
Marching feet, metal armor clacking, a group of bipeds were approaching. Clad in patches of bronze, fleshy tails stuck out behind roughly pudgy, rodent shapes, hands sparsely fingered. Whoever they were, they honestly didn't seem hostile. [Kobold Sentinels], looked kinda tough with all of their full helmets.
"Hak." one called, their voice raspy. "Peace we want, name we seek."
A relieving shiver ran down my arms, smiling and nodding as I shouldered my Zweihander.
"Garr. No harm intended."
"Ah, good." they hissed softly. "Cultists we want, knowledge we seek."
"They're asking if you know where they are." Heathcliff tutored, turning focus on them. "Knowledge we have, Illfang we seek to meet. Plan we want."
Their tails swirled, oval in pattern. They spent time communicating to each other, consisting mostly of kinetics. Patting, tail motion, sniffing, everything rats do.
"These friendly?" I said. "Who's Illfang?"
"Can be, topic for another day." Heathcliff nodded. "That's their king."
A central sentinel emerged, his armor rounded where others were flat. While its snout was noted, its eyes were heavily shrouded by both helmet and a fabric.
"Illfang we show, plan we seek."
[An event map has become available, would you like to enter?]
[Accept/Decline]
Okay, this was pretty cool. Didn't have to deal with quests to feel relevant, actual socializing allowed for such ventures. Hitting [Accept], Heathcliff and I were warped away to a place whose darkness I've never experienced. Couldn't even see my hands, with dust so thick it hit me in brush strokes. Despite my assumptions of dark dungeons, a soap-like scent lofted.
Something approached, big too.
"You are who?"
Holy shit. Whatever spoke to me, it was enormous, gravely, and not the happiest soul on Earth. Better not piss it off.
"Heathcliff."
"Garr. You're Illfang, right?"
"You had a plan, you wanted to speak."
Hearing a throat being cleared, I recognized Heathcliff.
"Yes, we wanted to ask for some of your Kobolds to join us in a raid, three days from now? We know where the leader's hiding."
"Miakane..." it growled, something slapping stone tiles with a loud thump. "Me it infuriates, ruining relations we made."
"If you send warriors, we'll end this together." Heathcliff continued.
Smiled a little, help sounded damn nice. Illfang made this gurgling snort, something else stirring around us. Could've sworn I heard something below us, sounded like steam venting out.
"Thirty good sentinels we send, ready on Fridi expect."
"Fridi?" I paused, questions blurting out almost reactionary.
"Fridi. Before Siegdi and Askardi." Heathcliff whispered. "Friday, Saturday, Sunday."
"Ooh."
"Three days from today, but where we go?" Illfang persisted.
"West tower of your fortress." Heathcliff answered.
"Very good." it cleared its throat. "Kill Miakane well, I will ensure you're rewarded well. Peace in this place requires...cooperation."
Shortly after our conclusion, we were warped back to our hunting ground. Sunlight returned, could finally see trees, breathe fresh air, smell less bath soap.
"Got some weird stuff here, Heath." I blinked. "Cults, talking rodents with better hygiene than me."
"Hey, I was trying to be creative." he scoffed. "Spent a good deal of time trying to keep them from ripping off Yoda, cut me some slack."
"How do you rip off Yoda?"
"Never doubt the power of the bootleg."
"True. But why soap?" I marched north.
"Oh it's cultural. Since they rely on smell to roam their homes, having a clean smell's a matter of personal pride. Plus it lets them pick out non-Kobolds really easy."
"Good to know." I nodded. "Think I can hit six before sun set." I rolled shoulders. Pretty sure I'll need quests to level further at any good speed."
"You may want to visit Tolbana then, it's closest to here and is a local trading center. Sadly without an [Aetherial Tether], you won't be able to warp there. And the place's apparently getting hit with raiding parties, fun right?"
"That's fine, wait what's a tether?"
"What is this, E three? Gods, get the beta tester's survival guide already."
"I'll do that when I get there. Which direction?"
"East, should take you an hour walking."
"Then it'll do." I smiled softly. "Hopefully I won't start anything regrettable."
"Let's hope so. As for your question about pain earlier, I'd normally withhold such information, but it doesn't matter now."
Turning further east for more grinding, Heathcliff gathered himself.
"This game's engine was originally designed to train military personnel, the pain absorbers were to help people experience pain they'd encounter on the battlefield, that way it doesn't mentally shock them as badly."
"And since they don't actually suffer it, it saves medical bills?" I glanced up at him.
"On paper, yes...though we had yet to test long term effects. Reducing psychological shock, however, was the biggest goal. Fear of the unknown's our greatest fear after all."
"Price of curiosity." I shivered. "So why SAO?"
"Long story short, we put that same engine in this game cause it'd be quicker and easier than making a new one. Takes care of most of the world building for us, so it was all good."
"Hm...well if I grow a third hand, I'll call you." I chuckled. "Meantime, I'm a lucky guy."
Heathcliff frowned.
"Oddly optimistic of you."
"How can I not be? Having handicaps and still alive? I'm clearly not in-sane, I perform this way!"
Adding an outdated song left his head shaking, he had to get it!
"You aren't far, that's for sure."
"True, you wouldn't believe what I decided to eat in a dream last night either!" I laughed. "Was utterly vile!"
"What?"
"OJ and toothpaste."
Heathcliff's mouth opened, covered quickly by a hand as he lurched in disgust.
"I know right?" I laughed. "Woke up thinking 'what the fuck?'."
"Ugh, reminds me of one company tradition we had at Argus, a dare game between employees and executives. Someone dared me to eat that..."
Wrinkling my brow, I stared at him.
"No." I retorted.
"That's okay." he shrugged, readying his [Cross Shield]. "Paid him back nicely."
"Ooh, how?" I grinned, matching his pace.
"Told him to staple his face."
Sun Dancer
- Lisbeth
Leopon and Kuradeel's weapons clashed loudly, my eyes fixated on her. My fingers rapped against my knees, attached tightly to clammy palms. Every stab motion she made, I pictured myself in front of it, leaving me quaking with every shriek.
"Hey Lis, mind bringing that bucket o' yours over?"
Yuri's call stopped my thoughts, legs turning.
"Aye!"
Dropping off another bucket of water, he started serving our budding crops.
"Yuri, Yer a beta tester. Any trade skills out there I could learn?"
He glanced over, a little corn stalk already growin' up to our chins, eyes bright and alert.
"Yea, we had [Blacksmith], [Jeweler], [Carpenter], even [Tailor]. Tolbana was the place to go for getting them."
"Ye think it still does?" I smiled. "I wanna help some'ow, been feelin' real guilty over yesterday."
"Aw don't worry about it. With guys like Heath and 'Deel, we'll be fine."
"I guess. You think Tolbana's still good for those skills?"
Runnin' fingers through his goatee, Yuri held an almost wizardly sort of image, kind I'd see hanging around a magic library, a big book o' spells on his desk.
"I mean, a little's changed since the beta...but I don't see why not."
A clash of swords made me shiver again.
"Pf, Leopon's still trying." Yuri glanced over. "Beautiful girl, gotta admire that will."
"Aye."
If I could take that will and focus, maybe I could find a way to break this disgusting habit. Tolbana, I'd have to pick a skill. Reckoned I had till tomorrow to pick, wondered if Garr's willing to join.
Town of Beginnings - Church of Cel
Yole's dual gyroscopic lenses adjusted, brown eyes set on Graye, Oran, and Argo. With his many wrinkles a slight smile formed, a backpack of metal belching steam, water vapor floating up his vaulted office of cogs, mixing with whatever smoke candlelight produced.
"Did you know that Ilioc faked his own death?" Yole leaned on his desk slightly. "We have records."
"How so? That sounds interesting." Argo's eyes swelled, their greens bright.
"It was during the first major assaults from monsters, mere animals did he decide to slip away. Traitor, there's a reason I do not support him."
"Wow." Graye shook his head.
"But wait, what is the Committee of Agriculture?" Argo said.
"It is a single branch, a company-agent for the nobles of House of Aramai." Yole cleared his aging throat. "A vestige of corruption, claiming hold of Aincrad's food producing industries, greedy beyond measure...without humility."
"Corporates, nice." Oran said.
"Worse still, business without oversight, without fear of punishment."
A cough was followed by a crank of a lever on his backpack.
"They offered Ilioc a chance of escape, for a simple exchange. Securing investments while the old order died. The coward fled, despite Deus Cel's commands to stay, surrendering the lives of thousands to the blight. All for himself!"
Oran watched with a wrinkled brow, eyes trained on their steam-driven adviser.
Something tells me he's got no knickers.
"Long as Ilioc keeps Aramai's power base stable, he remains 'dead'. Ilioc cut a deal with Illfang to keep out those vicious Taurus out, when it's Aramai's food he's giving."
"Darn." Argo crossed her arms.
"Don't you see? The Committee's the real governing power here. They even tried stopping sales of our [Holy Water]."
"What?" Graye's posture stiffened.
"Yes, they did. These people just want to have full control, even if it hurts the people as a whole. This water's helped us fight off diseases, live longer, happier lives." he clicked his fingers. "But do not fear, Deus Cel's work is being carried out, ungeared. He has blessed us with a glimpse to the future...and that is where you come in."
Oran rolled his eyes, internally groaning at such pious displays.
"The three of you shall go to the shipyard, At the fourteenth hour tomorrow, you shall find a set of four boxes, each the length of a [Dagger]. You won't take them, you will follow its carrier. You will find the package's owner, and you will use this."
A [Record Crystal] was placed, a black, rectangular crystalline solid. Rippling a sunny yellow along its sharp lines, it flashed much like a camera, matrices rippling to form its captured image. Seeing this, Argo took charge, stashing it into her cloak.
"Yo, where're you going with that?" Oran fussed. "This ain't a solo job."
"Nyahaha, I didn't say anything." Argo smiled sly, glancing back to the priest. "Ya we'll get your stuff, under one condition."
Yole's eyebrow raised.
"Are you trying to bribe a man of Cel?"
"No, I'm just asking for a favor. May I?"
Argo softened her voice, bringing in her shoulders as she lowered herself, [Charm] skill to full effect. Oran looked to this with clenched fingers, eyebrows raised.
Dammit Argo, don't pull the altar boy stuff, this guy's way too old and lonely to have a top grade piece of ass like you stooping!
"Fine, what is it?"
"Thank you, sir." Argo bowed, keeping tenderness. "It's about the cultists. Our people are getting attacked by them, could you send help?"
"Easily..."
[Siege Blades] are the greatest sign a guy can show that he's compensating for something! I mean, six to eight feet of sword, unnaturally thick, and about as graceful as Godfree on his last driving test. Edit: Godfree's best driver.
Jokes aside, they're the second hardest hitting melee weapons in the game, with a range rivaling [Pikes] and [Halberds]. Should you use it? Not if you like racing, combos, jumping, keeping balance, hitting anything smarter than a dead Dodo, hitting anything faster than the Pilsbury Dough Boy on crutches, just why?
So if you still like [Siege Blades], stop. Get some help.
Edit: Filthy dex casual -Godfree
Edit: Those who say size doesn't matter have never felt the advantage of size. -Garr
-Argo, Beta Tester's Survival Guide, December 11th, 2022
A/N: Anyone willing to give Garr a hand? I hope not, he's already broken both of his.
Hey guys, thanks a bunch for reading my humble story. If I may have a review from any of you, it'd be greatly appreciated. Favorites and follows are appreciated too!
I'll see you all next week!