I stare at the colossal monstrosity, my heart thumping with each step erratically. My thoughts wandered briefly about the parallels of full-dive virtual technology to that of my 'reality', which I have found to be a regular indulgence.
My musings were unceremoniously interrupted by the guttural roar, eyes narrowed towards the fatty, mind unequivocally resigned.
It was unlike the Abyssal Demon renowned for catching clueless gamers on the first souls game unprepared, the paunch was only reminiscent of the fat wrinkly cocksucker, mobility and flexibility deserving of the Taurus Demon instead.
This was a good run, I should make the most out of it… or so I thought.
Origin Plains
"Shut up, shut up you bag of gonads for the last time… I'M NOT GOING TO BRAZIL"
I woke up in cold sweat except there were no signs of sweating and hyperventilation if one were to observe closely.
My voice hitched as I held my breath at the sight around my vicinity.
Picturesque lush trees, shrubberies of unfamiliar flora abound, the surrealism was a warning, grasslands reminder of prairie landscapes broke me from my stupor because ain't no shot it's a dream. No thanks Gru, do better because you're not fooling anyone with 'it's all in my imagination'. Inception perhaps but i'm giving the benefit of the doubt that this indeed, is my reality. This isn't even my goddamn body.
"Hahahaha I've traveled back in time, I'm…. in my ancestor's…"
My words trailed off as my gaze finally fell in what seemed to be a HUD, I rubbed my eyes not due to the itchiness, but the video-gamesque quality of it made me have second, no third thoughts about my sanity.
"I'm normal, I'm a freak, I'm normal…"
.
.
"I'm anything else but I'M NOT ONE OF THOSE DEGENERATE LOSER GAMERS"
I uttered, my words brimmed in defiance against the situation that was completely outside my control.
Voice laced in immense vitriol as I glanced at the name given to me right beside the health bar.
"Let me see, let me see…"
Morte, 1000/1000hp, lvl. 1
"Morte"
.
.
"I quite like it, father used to tell me to find happiness in little things, too bad he got incarcerated for paedophilia"
Rubbing my temple, I reassess my circumstance,
I'm inside a videogame, there's no other explanation, I don't even do drugs, I move drugs. That's a story for another time. Do I try rubbing my groin now, to do or not to?
I would've, had I not been grasping a flattened, metallic stick, yeah not kidding a sword, ugh it's scanty burnish is straight-up ugly. That's to be expected beginner's gear and all that. At times like this I wish I had my Smith and Wesson, yeah no, I've a hunch there won't be any guns, besides my longsword, a beauty of a claymore back at home, safe under my bed for 'reasons' is way gnarly than this hunk of glorified barbeque rod.
Speaking of home, how do I get back? What is my main objective? Yes it's for both my lifestyle and this game made for faggots. If anything I won't be leading one that is sedentary.
"Uh oh I'm going to miss you Orphan Annihilator"
A resigned sigh left me as I eyed a group of boars suspended in an animation like they were feeding on grass and berries from nearby shrubs.
(Frenzy Boar)
I don't even have any clue how I literally possessed this body, body theft? I've been planning to expand my business, grave robbing being one of them. Never in my wildest dreams have I imagined finding myself in this scenario. Did my past actions catch up, who was it? questions left unanswered. For now, it'll do.
I took an unorthodox stance and held my sword steadily like a scorpion aiming its prey with its stinger. The sword lights up in a shade of green and my expression lit up simultaneously in glee.
"Son of a whore…"
Words left just as my onslaught upon one of the ignorant boars which chipped away a whopping three-fourth of its health.
The boar staggered due to the surprise attack, my experience bar increasing slightly, something about first hit bonus.
Unfortunately i aggroed two boars nearby, fortunately i was already going for the kill against the stun locked boar
*Shatters*
(Exp: 5+, Col: 3+, WExp: 2)
I stare at the light particles dispersing like shattered glass slabs in childlike amusement then one of the boar leaped on my back when it was turned. Tackling me, giving me quite a knockback, knockfront? and taking sliver of my health, three-fourth remaining in my health-bar.
"I should've definitely felt more pain"
I eyed both the approaching boars with a callous gaze, the second one preparing to charge at me given its footwork.
"Yeah no way a telegraphed attack is going to work on me the second time"
I anticipated and dive rolled to my left and went after the other, attacking it in a rapid flurry of sword slashes giving it no time to prepare for its charging attack.
*Slush* *Swoosh* *Slice* *Slash*
*Shatters*
Turning around i find the charging boar already recovered from it's cooldown and coming at me with what seemed like a regular takedown attack, its noose and tusk clashed against the blunt edge of my sword
*Clang*
I grew exhilarated as I put myself in its position to see how helpless it felt when facing me, a predator, like father like son they say. Oh yeah 0s and 1s don't have a say.
I kicked its forelimb closest to my right foot making it fumble from its posture, repeating the same motions like the previous defeated foe, i put the lowly mob in its place, where it belongs to… motes of light
*Shatters*
(Exp: 10+, Col: 6+, WExp: 4)
(3x Boar Hide obtained)
"Ugh i still can't get over how there's no blood, too PG for my taste"
.
.
"I should start killing players to guage if there's any change or should I say griefing, fuck you Kyle for letting me know something I don't need to, those losers make my skin crawl"
Leaving my tunnel vision aside, I saw multiple blinks in the pop-up icon of my HUD. I clicked it because it was asking for it and there appeared a dropdown menu in the center of my viscera.
Status
Item
Quest
Communication
Option
"Hm… status eh"
Another list shows up to the right of it upon the utterance.
.
"Voice commands, nifty"
I addressed to no one but the menu before me, a smirk adorning my lips.
Character
Equipment
Skill
Avatar
Pressing the Character function instead of raising my voice, what came next was a sheet of my in-game identity
Morte
Level : 1
HP : 743/1000
EXP : 15/30
ATK : 10
ATK SP : +1%
DEF : 5 (3+2)
VIT : +3% (2+1)%
AGI : 10
Closing the Status panel with a shrug, i mused
"Each of those pigs gave me 5 exp. so 2 two to go"
Quickly spotting another gang of boars who were unaware, mimicking non shifting paradigm in their motion captured by the surreal game environment. I sneaked behind one of it then probed its anal cavity with a sword thrust. My sword glowing again in an otherworldly shade upon launching the assault, deserving the indignation of the poor Frenzy Boar.
(Critical Hit)
I didn't bother looking at its health bar going to zero and charged towards the rest like a coke head ruining a couple's picnic with his grotesque bare figure.
*Slice* *Slash* Swoosh* *Slush*
*Shatters*
…
Dodging with a roll diagonal to it, i got behind the last one and stab it's exposed back mustering all my power behind it
*Shatters*
"Phew, i didn't even noticed leveling up, that was the last one"
I intended on moving to a different area while having a glimpse of the stat. window
Morte
Level : 2
HP : 1090/1090
EXP : 10/60
ATK : 11 (10+1)
ATK SP : 1%
DEF : 5 (3+2)
VIT : 3% (2+1)%
AGI : 11 (10+1)
(about 3 hours later)
I find a motley party in the midst of a supposed quarrel,
as my level increased to four through repeated engagement with mobs, Frenzy Boars and two Stinger Wasps. It wasn't uneventful at all, yea almost got me, close call, huff…
(You've been inflicted with Poison)
(Changing status to poisoned for 10 seconds)
(-25hp)
(-25hp)
(-25hp)
.
.
.
I was lucky due to its skill being a kamikaze attack, asshole took advantage of my fight against its partner
(HP : 324/1180)
.
(2x Pointed Stinger obtained)
(You have leveled up!)
.
(HP : 1270/1270)
(EXP : 0/130)
.
.
.
"Tone it down Sieg, he told me he'll be there by 16", a raspy guy intoned
"Is this a game to him? He keeps bailing at the last moment, screw Tulius mang, we ain't inviting im ever", says the skinhead losing his patience over someone
Another guy with a greasy bearing replies,"Yet you do and technically it is a game"
The skinhead scowled, "Whatever smartass, I'm not going to bother waiting…"
He sauntered away from his mates in the direction of a cave.
"Do we follow him, uh g-guys?", the last guy asks, his countenance ordinary than a slice of wheat bread.
Hearing enough of it, I walked towards them with my sword on my back fixated in a supernatural manner.
"Gentlemen, mind filling me up in your troubles? I may lend my assistance if it's reasonable"
I went through a plan that I had in mind, to find out where the hell I am i, do I still have any chance of returning? If so, how do I proceed, numerous goals pending to be resolved even if i have to associate with these disgusting gamers. I await their response in mild annoyance.
The three of them turned their attention towards me, one of them said "Who?"
"My apologies, it was rude not to introduce first, you can call me Gabe", there was no point in giving those neanderthals my genuine name ahem username.
"Ah, yeah we were missing a party member and Sieg just stormed off", he pointed towards the bald-headed guy nearing the cave
"Tell you what you might be the right person to fill the empty spot, are you fine with him joining, Bernie?"
Greaseball answered without hesitation, "And split the loot with a stranger? I'll pass". Yeah fuck you too.
"E-eh w-what about me g-guys? Don't I have a say?", the meek guy stutters and I couldn't help but feel repulsed inwardly.
.
.
I let out an exasperated sigh, "Hey hey, we would be leading to nowhere if we keep this up, how about you exclude me from your party, I don't require these "loot" that you speak of. I just want to ask some questions."
To which, surprisingly, each of them paused in their bickering and nodded.
.
.
"Now that we're on the same page… let's follow Sieg", the hoarse-sounding guy who I came to know by the name of Lester rubbed his palms in satisfaction.
Greasy, seemingly the most cautious among these fools expressed his disapproval, "Jeez that muscle brain went ahead by himself". Heh Bernie, worry about yourself.
We walked in the direction of the cave, retracing the steps taken by their restless party member, i was occupied posing my questions to the timid member
"What kind of game is this? Be specific"
"U-uh, you don't know?
"Stop wasting time, answer me everything that you know"
"S-Sure, you don't have to rush me, you know?"
…
"Eek o-okay, Sword Art Online, the game that we are in is a VRMMORPG, a virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game… with the NerveGear, a helmet that stimulates the user's, our five senses via brain, w-we players can experience and control our in-game characters with our minds… I don't think there's any need to tell you the name of its creator?"
"That's up for me to decide, i forgot their surname, you might as well say the full"
"Kayaba Akihiko… isn't he like THE stalwart of this revolutionary technology? I aspire to reach his status BUT first comes clearing the entrance papers, Tokyo University gotta wait, i wonder if i did clear it wah can't wait for the result… Oh don't mind my ramblings!"
"Eh we're used to it, you never missed the chance to fanboy over Kayaba"
"Aaa it's embarrassing, i'm going to blush"
.
.
.
I kept a solemn smile in contrast to my growing abhorrence against the mawkishness of the conversation, my guise of comprehension proportional to one of my goals, I must see it fulfilled.
It's me versus everyone and everything here in this accursed place that I don't want any part of, sucks that I don't have the right to choose but my actions define me from now. One thing that hasn't changed, I'm not a pawn for your amusement.
.
To the being who thwarts my rights, in this place untold, pay heed
'Drums of demise left unanswered,
Insignificant character I channel upon,
Rotted self flippant a Pandora's box,
Liebe lies contrary, takes thine wretched misery,
Paths beguile shall I deny to carve, ephemeral pleas unmoved from yonder;
Faith of gray conceives for I hold my ground firm.'
.
.
.
This Sieg guy was stout upon meeting him closer, while a short one, suits his irascible pugnacious demeanor, bastard came running opposite to us and following him what seems to be a grizzly bear.
"YOU LOT, I'M LOW, TAKE CARE OF IT FOR MY SAKE…"
Siegbald covered himself behind a boulder watching our next move
We eyed the foe heading towards us in fury portrayed by its bout of paws thrashing in an attempt to decimate us
(Chocollatherium)
*GRAWRRR*
"Prepare to parry it's claws, sure looks gnarly"
Unfortunately I made the mistake of overestimating my allies, Lester brazenly charged towards the bear.
He dealt damage surely, the bear took half of Lester's health in retaliation and knocked him back, one thing they had in common was their half empty health bar, hmmm Sieg guy already dealt a chunk before us and made us its bait when he couldn't handle the smoke.
"What an idiot"
Bernie chortled and aimed for the bear's abdomen with his lance
*Swoosh* His thrust attack connects but the bear shows no sign of stopping its march trying to sweep the four of us.
"Oh no, Gabe, I think now is the time to attack him… I'm on skill cooldown", said Bernie in shaky breaths.
I did noticed his spear glowing momentarily through the attack and I replied "With pleasure".
Ducking at the right moment from its claws, allowing it to approach me making my counter easier. I used a classic upward to downward two-hit slash. Lester, already recovered from his knockdown, took the last hit when I was going for the blow myself. Okay, that was definitely deliberate on his part.
(Exp : 5+, Col : 3+, 1x Cacua Piece obtained)
.
(EXP : 5/130)
.
.
.
"Woohoo, I leveled up!"
"Heh me too"
"E-e-eh i didn't", added the ever bashful Gemma.
I ruffled his hair and chide, "Neither did I, don't worry about it"
"THANKS FOR HAVING MY BACK GUYS!", suddenly guffawed Siegbald, out from his hiding spot, wraps his arm around Lester's shoulder endearingly.
Lester threw a lighthearted jab, "Sieg! You can't keep getting away with this!"
"Other than level ups and Col who's za new guy?", discourteously pointing at me, inquired the bald shithead.
Bernie laughs nervously, "He means well…"
"I'm Gabe, Lester and others told me about you on our way here, pleasure to make your acquaintance", I merely shrugged as I removed my hand from the sheepish Gemma.
Still sprightly, Sieg replies "They told you bout me? About my valiance, my dauntlessness, I'm known by the name of Siegbald".
Is this the so-called role-playing aspect of this game? I'm not impressed.
"We did talk about you, only part of it though 'cause we were making fun of that smooth head approach of yours, literally", continued Bernie, eliciting Lester's snickers and much to Baldy's displeasure. "WHY YOU… WE WERE OVER THIS, IT'S CALLED SKINHEAD", "Just say it… you don't have any fashion sense, we both know it!", Sieg snaps backs.
Bernie not backing down either asserts, "Unlike you i'm not trying to make a fashion statement, especially not being part of your 'fashion' is always a win in my book"
"Sure, implying fashion isn't Sieg justifying his hair loss", Lester quipped
To Siegbald's chagrin, he bellowed obscenities upon facing a barrage of irrefutable reasoning from his party mates, "YOU BOTH….."
.
.
.
Gemma watched from the sidelines, a warm smile apparent on his face. I was near where he stood watching the frequent banter between the two buffoons and the disgruntled Siegbald.
I eyed their weapons, armed behind their backs similar to mine suspended preternaturally 'unsheathed'.
The cave was dimly lit, solely the entrance illuminating it, sound of breeze so strait, water trickling down invisible from yonder, stalactite adorned ceiling, alas this wasn't about the cave.
.
.
.
"You don't have to do this… GEMMA ATTACK THIS TRAITOR"
I deflected another one of his spear blows, none of my previous facade shown through my expression, I felt nothing for these strangers as they tried to counter my flurry of sword strikes.
"Since when were you under the impression that I was your ally?"I mocked as they repeated those telegraphic attacks, only neanderthals rely on skill assist. I took some damage but thanks to it and my earlier observation, I had a sense at how I fared against three versus one PVP.
.
.
.
"Guys check out this cool trick", separating myself from Gemma, i waved my sword around gathering their attention
Siegbald perished with a stab on his throat, Lester's face morphed into befuddlement as he received a sweet three-hit strike upon his abdomen.
"AAAAAAGH" "w-WHAT THE…" *Shatters* *Shatters*
(PK detected!)
(PK detected!)
.
(Warning : Player cursor changed into Orange)
(Warning : Player cursor changed from Orange to Red)
.
(User ID_Y9JJR2A_Morte is barred from entering safe zones, towns, merchant districts i.e. prohibition of merchant, workshop and town's blacksmith, accessing may lead to guards tracking you down and possible confinement at the cellars of Blackiron Palace)
.
.
.
"Ugh lame", these words weren't directed towards the panicking Bernhard and the petrified Gemma. Although alarmed at my actions, taking his spear, Bernie goes for my head which I side-stepped almost successfully if not for his attack grazing my shoulder, making it glow red.
I wasted no time in blaming the hit… hurtboxes.
(You've taken 392 damage!)
.
(You've been inflicted with Bleed)
(Changing status to Bleeding for 15 seconds)
.
.
.
Rushing close to him, I swept his feet knocking him down from his footing, slashes diagonally landed upon his immobile self, trying to defend himself with that lance of his. I almost led him to his demise when Gemma threw his dagger aimed at my neck, missing me by an inch yet too close for comfort as my health bar was still depleting. It gave leverage to Bernie when he scampered and returned my favor through raining spear thrusts. I took a defensive stance, calmly deflecting each of his blows.
.
.
.
"GEMMA ATTACK THIS TRAITOR"
"I-i can't… I threw my dagger a-and it missed…"
"YOU'RE USELE…", his words were cut off by another of my timely parries. I relish in the opportunity as i find multiple chinks in his armor.
*Swoosh* *Slush* "STO…" *Slice*
*Shatters*
"So Gemma, I would prefer if you sang me praises for my cool party trick", I ignored his whimper, his fidgeting was obvious as I started gathering the weapons of his fallen party members. I was met with the virtual window (Collect : Yes/No) when I held one of those weapons. I pressed Yes without missing a beat.
(Bronze Sword obtained!)
.
(Since player is already in hold of a weapon, storing it in Equipment box, it is recommended to switch gears per their improved counterparts and durability, also note of the level requirements, these weapons could not only be enhanced, a Blacksmith's abilities also allows Weapon Transformation as well as Weapon Succession)
.
.
"Hmmm…", collecting the rest,
(Bronze Axe obtained!)
(Bronze Lance obtained!)
.
.
I glanced at Gemma twirling his dagger on my palm, "You want this back?"
"E-eep, spare me…", replied Gemma shakily. Jeez, am I that intimidating? I'm offended, I take pride in my sex appeal. "Nevermind, you can have it back, Catch!". He catches it, fumbling on his gait.
"Y-You won't harm me?", he says and I could sense slight hope budding by his intonation.
I grinned at his words, "I'm giving you a chance to attack me, revenge for your fallen comrades or you may run away awaiting their respawn, regrouping then come after me. I'm still going to chase and hunt you down if you opted to reassemble. The decision is thine own"
I approached him with my sword, brittle, indicating low durability like my health which entered the red zone. Fuck status ailments, i'm going to figure this shit out as soon as possible.
While taking note of my health bar, I was drawing near, getting him inside my attack range "Make haste Gemma…"
"I…", then flashed, our bodies both, illuminating the dimly ambient cave, simultaneously teleported to somewhere…