Sotarou

Michael heard the words that Kylissia had spoken... but they only barely registered in his head as he kept thinking about scenarios and whatnot, why this girl out of everyone decided to come with him in the first place... was he singled out...? He'd heard of women like this in the real world, older women who prey on the younger guys... cougars, they were called...? But everything he'd heard, they were MUCH older... Kylissia couldn't be much older than... what... early 30s? Late 20s? Certainly older than him, but definitely not those 50+ year cougars. So probably not that... but then... why...?

It wasn't so much her calling him Sota-kun as much as the WAY she said it... something about it... Sotarou felt a little... off by it. He hadn't really thought much about girls growing up, his responsibilities were always on the forefront of his mind. But since coming to this place, those responsibilities were more in the back of his mind, reminders of his dog, of his dad, of the forge back home... and yet here he was now, those thoughts pushed back and all he could think to say was "I-I'm okay! Perfectly fine! Just... y-you threw me off a bit there... calling me Sota-kun..." He seemed a fair

"Sota-kun~" Sotarou literally faltered just as Kylissia woulda finished the wolf off! Had she not finished it off, he likely woulda been dog chow from how hard he had froze from that nickname! "Wh-wha..." His previous hardened demeanor and dour mood gave way to embarrassment apparent, complete with a bright flush on his face. "O-o-okay, then...!" This... was something he wasn't used to having happen to him. Girls never really paid attention to him in school, so... what was Kylissia thinking here...? Did she like him...? His embarrassment was increasing more and more by the second as

The wolves came. And they both hit pretty decently. He winced, but they were hits his armor was well equipped to handle. He quickly turned to let the most of the bite force be a scrape than a chomp. "Not today, pups." He quickly sheathed his blade as he finished his turn away from the wolves. "And another turn. Mangetsu!" The Fuko spin he'd done, his natural turn away from the wolves was the exact opposite, which he leaned into said spin, letting his blade turn and attempt to cleave into the two remaining wolves. The first hit this fight left both these wolves decent marred by the damage of

Sotarou just looked weirdly at Kylissia as the pair began their trek to another area of the floor. "Uhh... did you already forget I was looking specifically for a Wolf or Dire Wolf-like creature to pair with? The whole leaving Koba behind in the real world thing...?" He just sighs. "It's fine if you forgot... we've all been in here for ages now... and it's difficult even, for me, to remember the real world... we've just been doing everything in here and gotten so used to it... I wonder... if we ever get out of here, will we keep forgetting we're in the real world and trying to pull up our menu

Sotarou nodded to Kylissia's words. "Hence my focusing. And I can fell a tree no problem, but again. You said it yourself, it's all about precision. My strike was off-center, which damaged the tree. A weapon can be a tool if you know it inside and out." He holds the Katana out in front of him, examining it in earnest. "I know all my blades, because I craft them myself. Both Sokuchi here, as well as Raikiri. I know Sokuchi can handle the stresses of striking a tree. Raikiri wouldn't have the precision to handle such a feat." He takes one last look around the area a bit. "Well, seems luck is out

Sotarou gave a nod to Kylissia. "Fair enough, I suppose." At the same time, he was already going between the trees to find a good one to turn into Material. Can't be too big it might not work, but can't be too small that it would literally give nothing. After finding a smaller tree whose truck was about twice as thick as his forearm, he nodded. He took a few steps back from the tree and got into his horse stance. He took a breath... he had all the time in the world... no danger... no fear... no worry... his heartbeat was slowing back to a normal pace... resting heart rate... he could feel it..

"Are you alright? You're not too rattled, are you?" Sotarou gave a sigh as he sheathed his Katana again. He gave Kylissia a nod. "I'm alright... just... this was the annoyance I had dealt with the last time I had done this solo. Just me and the enemies all missing each other over and over again... dragged on forever... it was kinda why I asked you to come with. I didn't know your armor had Thorns, though. So that definitely helped to speed things up. But you do seem to have trouble holding aggro. I could make you a weapon to help with that, if you'd like." He took a calming breath afterwa

Sotarou was still not reliable with the Quick Change system, but he figured it was an important tool! So Raikiri, before it could fully start glowing for the sword skill, swapped once more into the familiar Sokuchi. It then began to glow and Sotarou attempted ONCE AGAIN to strike at this wolf! Drawing the blade out of its sheathe for another skill, he called the name again: "Hakaze!" But for SOME REASON... some divine, all-seeing viewer from above decided that this wolf wouldn't die by our hands directly... because it had been bashing itself into Kylissia's thorns damage, which was the only th

The wolf spun like crazy with Kylissia's last attack! Hopefully it being dizzy would help with Sotarou's strike! Another technique is called out to the strike: "Hakaze!" A pair of strikes lashed out at the wolf... but Sotarou did have a little more frustration as to the fact of each of us missing like crazy... this was getting out of hand now... he then had a memory from his childhood, one where his dad was teaching him proper techniques to wield a Katana... he remembered being hit in the head with the wooden blade, and his father chastised him about being too reckless! Wild swings would just

Sotarou witnessed this woman take out one of the remaining wolves... and he took the dialogue moment to try and get a sneaky hit in from behind. "Hakaze!" The blade went forward and thrust fast and hard towards a vital spot on the wolf. His aim was nice and true... but the wolf just barely noticed and dodged out of the way of his attack! "Oh come on! This is getting ridiculous! I've only hit twice today! Do I need to swap back to my Sokuchi...? Probably better to start with Raikiri, then swap to Sokuchi after... I'm still figuring out sword-swapping..." He just grumbled as he lamented his

"Sotarou, look out!" Too late, as the quick wolf was speedy and hungry! And it landed a very clean blow against Sotarou's arm! He managed to pull it free from the grasp, but it left a pretty neat gash! Luckily, his armor was plated enough to avoid losing the arm entirely! "Damn! Not cool! Bad puppy!" Sotarou quickly sheathed his blade, it disappearing before a separate blade manifested right where the original had been. (( Quick Swap Effect Used: Sokuchi exchanged for Raikiri )) He grabbed the new blade, jumping into the air and right in between the two remaining wolves! "Aaaaarrrrgh! Man

"Sotarou, I've got their attention, strike them now!" He didn't need to be told twice! Grasping the blade while still sheathed on his hip, his low horse stance was poised to strike! Dashing forward and unsheathing his blade in one fluid motion, a huge gust of wind erupted from the blade and almost looked like smaller blades forming a cone to slash all the wolves in front of him, leaving Kylissia intact! "Iai Style: Tenka Goken!" The blades pierced cleanly through the first two Roaring Wolves, however the remaining two managed to dodge just out of the attack's range! Their howling was

*SNAP* Sotarou was immediately on edge as he looked around at his surroundings... followed immediately by a cavalcade of growling... which seemed to sound like it was surrounding the pair... "Damnit... I shoulda been paying more attention... we were the ones being hunted..." Out of the shadows of the forested floor stepped out healthy-sized Roaring Wolves. A pack of 4, surrounding the pair and snarling angrily. Sotarou gave a very nervous chuckle at the wolves... "I... don't suppose any of you would enjoy being called Koba...?" One of the wolves that looked much bigger gave a loud sn

"So, shall we set off, then?" That was all Sotarou needed to hear to get his mind back into the headspace! He nodded in affirmation. Looking out the safe zone boundary threshold, he took that first step... then another. And another, and soon he was just strolling towards it at a normal walking pace, until finally... he stepped beyond it. As he did, he could feel that sense of dread creep into the back of his skull, as he turned to look... only seeing Kylissia. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Maybe they are gone. Either way, let's get this going! Koba won't find himself, after all!" Hi

"Say...do you have something in mind as to what you're looking for, or would you prefer to wait for an encounter that seems fated to you?" He hadn't ever been asked that, really. But it was a simple enough answer, at least. "Actually, I have a pet in the real world that I kinda miss... a big, fluffy Siberian Husky Wolf-dog mix by the name of Koba. My dad fought like hell to get him... and I kinda miss him. Might not be the exact same... but I'm thinking a Wolf companion would feel the best to me." He looked towards the town's exit into the outside zone... a reminder of the past... bu

"Let's get to it, then." Words to live by! With a new adventuring buddy in tow, Sotarou interacted with the teleport point, using the menu that popped up to teleport himself and the woman to the third floor! "I'd found the Gypsy on this floor the other day, and had to abandon the quest because the food got corrupted somehow... maybe some sort of spoil mechanic or something...? I dunno. Either way, even if she's not here, can possibly find-" "You there." The newer voice startled Sotarou... it was a familiar voice, but still startled him as to the sudden appearance of it as he tur

Sotarou was glad for the words of comfort from this individual... Kylissia, from the party listing. She was impressed by him knowing her name...? But... "... I just... used the proximity invite. Did you not know that was a thing...?" He was a little confused... but it wasn't very important in this moment. What was important was... "Wait. I thought if each person had the quest, they could do it. Just not at the exact same time? I mean, if you want a Familiar as well, I don't mind helping you out as well. Up to you, though." He was starting to get more used to speaking... maybe it was

Sotarou was only half paying attention... she was just so damn beautiful...! And his body language certainly betrayed that thought behind his head! But when she mentioned the teleporter, it finally snapped Sotarou's mind back to the conversation as he cleared his throat once more... "Well, uhh... I mean... i-if you wanna come along, I don't... I don't mind so much... have you done the quest <<Feeding The Enemy>> yet? That's the quest I was gonna go reacquire." At the mention of her having her own set but wearing more comfortable clothing in the safe zones, he looked sligh

"It's dangerous to go alone, you know. Is there anyone you'll be meeting up with outside this floor?" The words caused the young man to jump a bit as he turned to see a tall, striking blonde woman... holy crap, she was hot! But... no! Bad! Bad thoughts! That wasn't a way to interact with people here! He cleared his throat before he spoke in response. "Umm... not really. I've tried the quest before, but just lucked out. Though gotta go back to the third floor to pick it up again. Materials are on a time limit, seems..." He shrugged. "It'll be tough, but I've fought and won several fig

The memories of the past still haunted Sotarou in the nightmares... he'd kept himself recluse and away from anyone else in town on the first floor... the day when Jarrod ended up dead just for stepping outside the gate... floor 1 was much safer nowadays with more people willing to defend against the crazies... it didn't block out the nightmares of that day... recently however... he got a pang of nostalgia seeing someone in the street playing with their Familiar... it made Sotarou miss his buddy Koba... as he lay in bed that night, he pulled up his quest list, revealing the top tracked quest, &

Current Level: 3 Current SP: 21 Link to SP Tracking: 2.6 | PRE-CONVERSION 3.0 | UPGRADED ITEM #1 Item Name: Bolt Blade Item ID: N/A (Crafted from old system, no ID associated. Shop Craft Post here) Item Tier: T1 Item Type: Scimitar Item Rarity: Rare Item Enhancements: Paralyze 2 Description: This blade may be a curved blade, but the blade itself boasts a zig-zag patterning of the blade itself, making for a dangerous-looking blade. The tips of each zig-zag look as if they crackle with

Profile Username: Sotarou Real name: Kisuke Azumai Age: 19 Gender: Male Height: 5' 7" About: History/personality BEFORE SAO: Kisuke Azumai lived with his father in Sendai, Miyagi. His mother wasn't home very often, opting to enjoy work more than family. His father worked from home, but he was rarely seen still. Kisuke's father worked as a Katana smith, working the blade the old fashioned way, from like... dinosaur times. But still, the art of forging intrigued Kisuke and he decided to try learning. That was 4 years ago... now, he'd just rather ignore that whole ordeal... t

Profile Username: Sotarou Real name: Kisuke Azumai Age: 19 Gender: Male Height: 5' 7" About: History/personality BEFORE SAO:Kisuke Azumai lived with his father in Sendai, Miyagi. His mother wasn't home very often, opting to enjoy work more than family. His father worked from home, but he was rarely seen still. Kisuke's father worked as a Katana smith, working the blade the old fashioned way, from like... dinosaur times. But still, the art of forging intrigued Kisuke and he decided to try learning. That was 4 years ago... now, he'd just rather ignore that whole ordeal... too much time and