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[SP-F1] <<The Second Lesson, Is Also Free>> Killing Children


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Gwydion stepped confidently out of the inn, then stood strikingly heroic, hands on his armored waist, eyes to the sky. He had recovered from his previous quest. It'd taken a toll on his mental health; his experience in the woods was so monotonous and boring that he needed a good few days' rest. But he was ready to move now.

He took off running, but soon the crowds of the Town of Beginnings swallowed him, slowing his pace. He eventually made his way to the central plaza, which was strangely empty considering the bustle of the main street. There were a few players about, but no NPCs.

Gwydion entered the Monument of Life, a grand building of black marble with a domed roof that was right behind the plaza. It was stunning as always. Windows lined the upper walls, glowing a neon blue, and the architecture was cathedral-like; it was fitting, considering this room commemorated Sword Art Online's victims.

Gwydion (Level 3) (60 HP) (6 EN)

Equipped Items: Steel Arming Sword, Steel Plate Armor. Battle Ready Items: (5) Healing Potion. Skills: Heavy Armor I.

Edited by Gwydion
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He crouched in front of the obsidian tablet, peering to read a few names. "Let's see..."

"Aereth sure has some kills under his belt. I'd better be careful around him, whoever he is. Or her. That name is rather ambiguous."

Then he read the deaths by boars. Gwydion laughed, unable to control himself, in a place that's almost holy. He couldn't imagine a single way to perish in a boar fight if one was trying. Unless they were cursed by RNGesus, of course. He'd need to make some offerings, soon.

He noticed the suicides and frowned. Could they be blamed? There were three choices. First, enter a world of combat where you'd a high chance of death by the blade. Second, rot in the streets, starving, but never dying; Gwydion wasn't sure how bad that could get, but if it was anything like the ancient book Elantris he'd read... Choice three would be the best. Hell, it might be fun. Like skydiving.

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Gwydion left the Monument and went around to a street behind it. This one seemed decorated for some sort of event; colored silk hung between the buildings, striped tents were erected, and all sorts of flags flew. He walked on a sidewalk, not the main road. It was the only sidewalk he'd seen in Aincrad so far, this being a game where carriages were uncommon.

A sign hung by a frayed rope outside a shopfront. It said "Lyle Tealeaf's Smithy." A glass case displayed steel tools, weapons, and armor, though curiously the weapons were all blunt, and the armor was dull, scraped, and unpolished. It wasn't what Gwydion would present.

Behind the case he saw Lyle, an aged man with a beard that proclaimed it. His weathered face was lit orange by sparks; he wrought metal with a heavy hammer, muscles tense and sleek with sweat.

Not wanting to interrupt the man's work, Gwydion watched from the window until he was done. Lyle dunked the glowing metal in water and beckoned in Gwydion's direction. Had he known the whole time?

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"You're not half as sly as you think," Lyle said.

Gwydion stood in the sweltering workshop. He winced. "I know. If that wall was not, you'd have heard me an hour ago. It's this armor; and that I'm naturally quiet as an elephant."

The blacksmith nodded, taking a small bar of metal and placing it in red coals. "So what happened yesterday? You want to be elegant, boy, I can tell. But that wasn't."

"I... was tired, Lyle. I'm sorry for dismissing you. It was rude. And I'm twenty four years old."

"I'm forty. Your point?" He took the bar, brought it to a strange metal mechanism, placed it inside, and spun a rod; it clamped the bar in place. Gwydion tested it. It wouldn't budge.

"Well, that I'm an adult. Pardon, but you don't look forty."

Lyle grimaced. "I know. Must be the heat. Anyway, that job I had for you. I need some children killed."

Of course.

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Gwydion was halfway to the door when Lyle laughed. "Boars. Boar children."

"That's not any better!"

"Sure it is. Boars can't grow up to be people."

Gwydion sighed. "I'll accept your quest, Lyle Tealeaf, if you'll answer a question.

"Yes?" He took sandpaper to the metal bar, smoothing the top. Gwydion wasn't an expert on blacksmithing, but he was pretty sure the developer assigned to this didn't know the process.

"Why the name Tealeaf?"

"I was going to be a potion mixer before that damn Zackaria took my spot."

"Right. Why do you want the blasted pigs dead, then, and how many tusks do you need?"

"Think yourself clever, too." Lyle took the bar out of the clamp and brought it to his forge. He heated it again then set it on his anvil and began pounding.

"No. That's just how things go in MMORPGs."

"Three tusks. Bring 'em back for something on my prize shelf and a potion." He gestured towards the display case.

"No offense, but those are shabby."

"Get the damn tusks, kid. I don't have all day. Some artist is waiting for a ring. Got to have tusks for gold rings. Everyone knows that."

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Gwydion left Lyle's forge and navigated the Town of Beginnings to its main gate. It was odd how empty the gate always was, compared to the rest of the town; Gwydion assumed it due to the population being mainly NPCs. He stepped out, met with vast plains. To the northwest was a distant forest; he shuddered at the thought; and to the northeast was a dip in the land. Far north were barely visible mountains.

He scouted the plains for boar pups, and sure enough, he saw one wandering right against the town's wall. He dashed for it, but his loud armor gave him away. The pup turned in the middle of his swing, then ran under his legs and rammed its tusks into the... bad spot. It did nothing, however. As Gwydion figured. If a wolf couldn't hurt him, this little boar wouldn't. Gladly, Gwydion's arm wasn't jello, either.

Boar Pup [5 HP] [3 DMG]
Gwydion [60 (4 damage - 17 mit) HP] [4 (-2) EN] [17 MIT]

(94192 - BD 1, MD 9)

Edited by Gwydion
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Gwydion turned and watched the boar. It was actually pretty cute, considering its vicious bloodlust and ugly face. The pup charged, and he stepped gently to the side, picking the thing up by a bit of fat on its smooth collar. He held it up to his face.

"You're adorable, little guy. If you stop dodging my attacks, I promise I'll make this quick. What do you say?"

It snorted, continuing to struggle.

"Fine."

Gwydion flung the child at the wall, then skewered it on his sword. The creature's health bar dropped dangerously low. As long as he didn't miss his next attack, it'd be one boar down. He was already sick of this. Images of days spent finding flowers flashed through his mind.

The boar fell from the wall, then, enraged, charged at Gwydion. It made a slicing tusk uppercut; that might've hurt if he wasn't protected by an inch of grey steel. 

Boar Pup [1 (-4) HP] [3 DMG]
Gwydion [60 (4 damage - 17 mit) HP] [4 (-1 + 1) EN] [17 MIT]

(94193 - BD 10, MD 9)

Edited by Gwydion
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