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[F1/SP] <<The First Few Lessons are Free>>


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[Set Three Months after the Start of S.A.O]

He'd never been good at keeping track of time. Especially, when he'd focused on something that caught his interest. Those past three months had felt like a week. Two, tops. Most people had been panicking. Fretting over how to return home. How to conquer the game. He, was in no rush at all. Everything here had intrigued him. This world was everything he'd dreamed of! Everything he could've hoped for. As if, by the act of a god, his prayers had been answered. Even the atmosphere had a spark to it. In moments of privacy, he felt a chill creep through his spine that he couldn't quite identify. An urge, to laugh and throw his arms to the sky. To cheer, and celebrate and proclaim this new reality superior. Why, though? Yes. He had his own personal fantasy, but he was no great hero. He was no mighty warrior. He was just starting! 

At first, he'd felt that if he understood this place completely, he would perhaps find a genuine indication as to how it all worked. Piece it all together himself, and see where the pieces came to lay. He studied it all. The ground. The textures of everything that he could interact with. The NPC's, or non-player characters had been the most fascinating. Some of them, seemed so remarkably basic. The Shopkeepers had the same range of interaction with no deviation. Then there were the citizens. Some of them had what seemed like their own routines. It was almost precise enough for him to base the time of day on, as if he could set a watch to the patterns and habits they followed. He understood the basic concepts of Artificial intelligence, but something on this scope he couldn't imagine had ever been done before. The stimuli needed to trigger a response was at a much larger range than in a conventional video game where one could simply "click" a button. Wasn't it?

Time had slipped through his fingers by the time he satiated that inquest, and realized that this place had so much more for him! How much time could he extract from the first floor, let alone all one hundred? How far could his curiosity go before he had satisfied it so completely? The elite players were already gone. In a mad dash to be the first, they'd run off long ago. He didn't much care about being the best, nor did he care about lumping himself up into some group of players. If this was a death game, as many were clamoring over, then they were just as likely to be fleeting interactions. First thing he'd have to do, now that he'd actually started trying to pay attention was to find a way to get some money and supplies. A safe way to get some early experience.  Thankfully, it seemed like most that had remained, were the ones who resolved to pick out their own path or stay behind. Which meant less hassle for him. Better he make sure he could stand on his own two feet. He had himself a reliable weapon, and knew that he could continue to place his skills into that two handed Axe until it saw him to the end.

 

It was a good way to go. 

 

 

Spoiler

Stats
Level: 1
Hit Points: 20
Energy: 2
Damage: 6 (1 base, 2 weapon, 3 from 2h weapon skill)
Mitigation: 0
Accuracy: 0
Evasion: 0
 

Skills

Weapon Skills
2H Battle Axe {Rank 1}


Equipment
Weapon: 2H Rare Battle Axe [Enhancements: Damage II]
Armor: Heavy Armor [Vanity]


Battle Ready Inventory
Consumables: Starter Healing Potions [3]
 

 

Edited by Jimmutaro
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It was a basic path, in most games. He could've gone for the bold approach, throw himself immediately into the fray to fight some beast equal to his level in an attempt to gain equatable rewards to the risk. However that wouldn't allow him to take advantage of the starting resources. The "Beginner" levels almost always had menial quests or tasks to do, in order to get some starting reward that would be worth less at higher levels, but make the starting trek easier. A single hand lifted to raise the light blue bangs dangling between his eyes, as he pinched the bridge of his nose in thought for a moment. Even now, it was a strange feeling. To feel the metal of his armored gauntlets as he rubbed his nose for a moment. Amber hued gaze began scanning quietly, as he looked around. It was somewhere around here that he could find the starting quests. For all his time familiarizing himself with the starting town, he hadn't quite bothered to learn where the quests and quest giving NPC's were. Though it couldn't be too hard, he imagined.

Even now, some newer players were scrambling around. Chasing after one another. Tripping over one another when trying to get somewhere in a hurry, or a rush. It was amusing, to see how someone could fumble around so much just to keep apace with another. It was a bit pathetic, too. He waved his hand airily after a brief shrug to himself and turned around. Resolved to find the old man supposedly handing out the starting quests. It didn't take long, and he was surprised he hadn't noticed the old man sooner when he nearly stumbled into the elderly NPC without realizing it. Though, right on queue and nearly the moment he stood still in-front of the old man with a brief glance in his direction, a wizened old voice spoke up to catch the blue haired deviants attention. 

"Hello Young Traveler. I was hoping, you could aid me in a small task."

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It was an old man after all. Video games seemed to love having old "wise men" give their tutorials and starting quests. It made sense, in practice or thought because that was usually where the quest itself came from. "Get me this because I can't on my own. I'm too old. I'm too frail." That type of thing. As the lapis haired youth rested a hand onto his hip and glanced at the elder quest giver,  he tried to pay attention to the key points when ever an NPC talked, but had learned that you had to hear them out entirely for a quest to be issued, according to hearsay and some of the in-game context clues. The youth bowed his head curtly towards the old man for a moment, standing in silence. 

Silence...no reply. A minute had gone by. Did he need to speak and verbally affirm it? Seemed that way...

"Sure, I can help you."

The old man's lips slid into a kindly smile as he bowed his head politely in thanks before lifting his head to respond while gesturing for "Jimmutaro" to follow along. Their foot steps alternating on the cobbled road as they walked along the street. The old man's introduction sure seemed like a wordy one. Almost enough to be white noise, if he hadn't been forcing himself to pay attention. The importance of Health Potions, was the subject of the days lecture. His eyes narrowed for a moment as he squinted between the streets. Every now and then, an interesting character walked by. Sometimes it was their expressions, or the way they carried himself. It was all fascinating, really. He didn't feel a need to interact with any of them, but watching them was almost entertaining. Pivoting his head back to the old man though, as he spoke of potions, the blue haired youth shrugged his shoulders before diverting his full attention once more.

"If your willing to help, I could  aid you in acquiring more potions. You likely already have a few, but you can never have too many."

Well, that certainly sounded useful. Perhaps he could get into role a bit! He was supposed to be a hero, wasn't he? If no one was watching, he could have a bit of fun! He stuck his hand out and with his thumb hooking back pointed to himself square in the chest with a small grin. Little did he know, to most it would've looked more sinister than enthusiastic.

"Count me in old man. I'm ready to help if it means more potions!"

It was a good way to go.

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The old man's chuckle was followed by another small ramble. It seemed that the creators wished to depict the elderly as accurately as possible, and had certainly succeeded. Though now they were standing there at the middle of a small street corner, near the path that led out of the starting town. The young blue haired male pausing to glance towards the exit for a moment as the man spoke. One hand on his hip, and the other over his shoulder clapped against the back of his neck. Closing his eyes, as he processed the old man's words and realized that this would be it. It looked like he'd be exiting the town proper then. He'd be stepping into that wild world for a taste of true and unbiased adventure.

"Well, this will all be to help you. Set you on your path. First, you'll need to take these notes of mine. It'll show you what you need and where to find it. Once you've acquired five, you'll want to bring it back to me as quickly as you can. Does this all make sense?"

He shifted his glance to the folded worn piece of paper, as he unfolded it. Glancing at it for a moment while he clicked his tone before he quietly tucked it away. Looking up to the old man with a squared set of shoulders and a solid nod of affirmation.

"Seems easy enough old man."

"Please. Call me Zackariah."

He paused, before replying with his own name. Catching himself, he answered with the appropriate answer as he realized, this wouldn't be quite the same story if the hero kept confusing his own name!

"I'm Jimmutarō."

Now he just had to make his way to find these materials. Seriously, how could gathering five things be if they were just a short ways outside of the starting town? It was the first tutorial after all.

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For a time, he wandered with his weapon drawn. It was larger than the wood cutting ax had been, but at his younger age in that time it felt even more cumbersome than this one in his hands now. This one felt more centered. Despite it's significantly larger size as a whole. The long hilt gave him plenty of space to grip, leading up to the large metal ax which had broad curved halves protruding from either side of its head. The metal sheen caught the sun at times, so he had kept it pivoted at an angle that cast the light away from his own eyes, as he caught himself grinning again for a moment. Part of him felt that familiar rush of adrenaline. As if it would have felt right, to simply go wild. Swinging it about in a wild dance of berserk delight, until he'd worn himself out completely. 

No! No ax time, focus! Materials..

Right. Quest first, indulge later. He'd stopped after a moment as he glanced around. In the distance, along rolling hills he could see a few enemies in the distance. Boars, by the look of them. He'd come back to test that later, for now he had bigger fish to fry. Well..maybe not bigger..or fish..but he was on a mission! To find...materials.

"Well this is a bit basic, that's for sure."

He had to remind himself it was the intended for beginners through and though. How many had done this exact quest? How many on the frontlines, had bothered with it? Were there any that had just genuinely skipped it and run ahead? What kind of bosses had they encountered, he wondered. What type of scenario's had their own adventures taken them on? A world, where everyone could be a hero. Such a strange prospect. Was it just the monsters, that were the villains too then or had some players taken a darker route? Maybe he'd figure it out, while his path  wound further from the gates to find those materials of his.

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It took almost half an hour, and he had to divert his path a few times so he didn't stumble haplessly into a group of boar.  It would be, after all a big let down if he let his story end there. He was still, partly skeptical on the true nature of the "Death Game" tidbit, but he was not skeptical enough to personally put it to the test. Instead, he'd wait until after the summit was conquered and he could find out the long way, by seeing who was left at the end! His steps slowed to a halt, as he glanced down at the flash of red before him. A bush? Well, he was certain that there was likely something medicinal about herbs, and berries, so it did make sense to get potion materials from a bush didn't it?

He glanced around him for a moment. Amber hues scanning as he knelt quietly, and opened the note from his inventory to make sure he was at the right place. Tapping at the bush a few times before he tried to figure out quiet how one "gathered".After all, it did look like it could be the materials he was after.

 

Spoiler

ID# 156022 results: 5

At first he was sure he was onto something. Then, as he began picking for the berries, he noticed that they didn't have the same texture as the note had described. He was looking for a smooth, round berry. Not these..gross...dehydrated looking ones. First attempt was a bust but maybe this bush wouldn't let him down! It seemed like a...nope. All nasty dry berries. His expression dropped, making no effort to hide his distaste as he huffed in annoyance before standing up. Dusting himself off, out of instinct, he moved to the next bush. Perhaps it would yield better..fruit?

Edited by Jimmutaro
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This next bush had strange barbed leaves all over it. He was sure in the real world, this was an uncomfortable thing to touch. Though he was sure even if he could feel it, he wouldn't through the gauntlets he was wearing. He tugged at it for a moment, pulling as the entire branch began to lean towards him. Faintly, the entire bush swayed closer before the tension and weight were too much for it to endure, the leaf snapping off with a brief "Snick" and the entire bush wobbling back into place shakily. He pivoted his head, examining the berries for a moment. Were these the ones he needed? They were rounder, and looked like they were smooth along the surface. He paused, and plucked one to see if these were the materials he needed.  His first quest, the biggest milestone! Picking berries, and sifting through weeds and herbs. The legends of old truly spared no expense. 

Spoiler

ID# 156025 results 16

He examined the berry for a second longer before glancing at the parchment. Well, it seemed like this was the thing he needed! At-least..one of the things he needed. Now, he just had to get 4 more! He added the small pocket of berries to his inventory and went to pick the rest when..! The bush glowed a bright red and shattered into digital shards. Was that what happened when he gathered something? The remaining body just..exploded? That seemed like a waste! That bush clearly had enough for him to get five items worth.

Well..had was the operative word, wasn't it? Now, he had to move to another bush. Unless it began raining materials...

 

Quest Materials: 1/5

Edited by Jimmutaro
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The next thing that grabbed his interest had almost uprooted him entirely. It was, ironically, a root. His foot had hooked right beneath it. Thankfully, he was a master of finesse and parkour that could recover from any situation! As..long as he had a colossal two handed ax to prop himself up with. Though, leaning on the large metal portion of a bladed weapon was likely not the safest idea, and no doubt in the real world he would have endured quite the nasty cut. As he unhooked his foot from the root and knelt beside it, he noticed a familiar red icon aglow around it. When he glanced back at the parchment, it did seem like this was another potential ingredient. Though the notes indicated a very specific type of under-body vein upon the root. One he'd only be able to discern by removing it. 

If nothing else, by the time this virtual world had perished he'd have developed a better green thumb than initially anticipated!

Spoiler

ID# 156026 results: 3

He tried to extract the root, though it took a second longer than he would've initially liked. As he tugged at it, the root seemed to barely budge. Was this some higher level material? Perhaps, he had to use a tool to extract it? The blue haired youth glanced to his battle ax, before quietly placing it down and suppressing the temptation to use it for hedge trimming.He paused, and gripped firmer at the root before pulling it free. Quietly grunting in discontent as he glanced to the bottom of the root. No luck, seemed this one was covered in weird fine hair like strands. Almost like a vegetable beard. 

Well. Goodbye bearded root, your not what I want. Perhaps another is nearby...

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Finding a non-bearded root shouldn't be much of a challenge. So far however, he was 0/1 on his non-bearded vegetation. When they spoke of the exploits from the legendary Emperor Jimmu, had he been forced to muck through brambles and roots? Well..no, most likely not. He was an Emperor, in all fairness. He probably had people to do that all for him. So maybe his adventure wouldn't be exactly like the stories he'd grown up on. That should've made it better, shouldn't it? His own adventure! Damned if he wouldn't let it start off in a surprising way. After all, who would expect the guy picking roots and berries to some day become a fabled hero? No one! That's who! Though,  it wouldn't hurt if the process went just a little bit faster...

He snapped up another root, hoping this time it was the one he had been looking for! It was certainly longer than the last, and as he unearthed it, it seemed to extend and uproot further down along the ground. It certainly stretched onward, didn't it?

Spoiler

ID# 156035 results: 19

There it was! As he flipped it over to examine in the daylight, he saw the vein along the underside of the root and stowed it into his inventory. The remainder bursting into another flash of digital light and polygon bits before scattering away. He was down two of five now! He remembered what the next one looked like. A small cluster of pale pear shaped berries. They were his third ingredient, and should've ideally been less of a challenge! After all, how hard could it be to find pale berries in a specific shape? 

Quest Materials: 2/5

Edited by Jimmutaro
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It wasn't so much, finding the berries that had proven the problem this time around. It was finding a bush in general! No wonder the old man wasn't eager to trudge out here! He had to zigzag around boars, to avoid drawing their ire and the past few bushes had been right in the middle of the damned things! He'd kept his ax handy, but thankfully it seemed that he didn't draw any agro just yet. Even if the idea got his blood boiling in an almost frenzied manner. Instead, he simply let out another exasperated huff as he walked with a forced bound in his step down the hill. Planting his foot firmly with each motion to make sure he didn't unintentionally start tumbling down the hill, his armor loudly clanking as plates rubbed together. If absolutely, nothing else, he could confirm he was not built for stealth with this character style. 

When he finally found a few more bushes it had easily been a good fifteen minutes of walking since the root victory. Now, he just had to pillage them of their treasures and hope it was the right kind! Approaching the first bush, he glanced at them and began foraging...

Spoiler

ID# 156036 results: 13

 Yosh! Small clumps of pale, pear shaped berries! Saruwatari 3! Nature, less than that! It was only after the berries had vanished into his inventory, and the bush exploded, that he paused to acknowledge his reality. He was trumpeting the victory of a lifetime, in finding berries over the forces of nature? Perhaps he hadn't actually been freed from hell just yet...

Now all that was left was the last two ingredients. Next up..what looked like plums? Well, they certainly weren't dates of the Jordan!

Quest Materials: 3/5

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The next bush was one he hoped would turn out to be a gold mine! However it was much bushier than the others. The branches twined and knotted up around one another. Like a birds next laying on its side almost at certain points. However he could see the large shadows in what were shaped like any plum he'd seen! Thanking his armor once more, he stuffed his hand into the bush and grabbed at the dark mass, extracting what he believed would be his fourth ingredient. It felt a bit more like a clump of objects, than a single one but he was determined to see if he had in-fact found his plums! The blue haired youth grunted for a second as he drew his hand back to see the fruits of his labor!

Spoiler

ID# 156037 results: 5

They were..literal Dates. If his frown could've grown any broader it might've just encompassed his face. He didn't even bother to wait for the bush to vanish before he tossed them behind him and headed for the next bush. Once again, that Ax of his was starting to feel pretty appealing. Just a swing here, a chop there, and he could prune every last bush. It certainly wasn't feeling like he'd get any further away from his goal if these other bushes just had dates in them like the last one! But...no, no, no no. He'd keep trying. A few poultry losses here or there wouldn't be enough to stop him. He would make sure of that! The ax would rest for now. He had some potions ingredients to gather, and some potions to make! Then..he'd use that ax.

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ID# 156139 results: 4

Another Dates bush! If he had a means to burn them all, just to remove the chance of finding them mistakenly, he would! The blue haired youth grunted in frustration as he sat down for a moment. Looking at the bushes around him, and realizing that they all had the same clustered series of bramble covered interwoven branches. This wouldn't do. It'd be best, he suspected, if he moved somewhere else. So that's what he would do then! Disregard these bushes, and find another spot. He double checked his inventory for a moment to make certain it was in fact, the plum like fruit he needed and not these nasty shriveled looking Dates. Once he was certain, he heaved himself up and began to trudge onward. The sun was still high in the sky, and he became thankful that it wasn't so unbearably hot that he found himself purely in an uncomfortable place.  At-least a breeze came by from time to time, to keep things relaxed.

It took him about five minutes to get to the next set of bushes. These ones didn't have brambles all over them nor did they look like a flipped over birds nest, so he knew they couldn't be Dates, at-least. That was a victory in and of itself at this point. His yellow hued gaze darted around for a moment as he scanned the distant hills. A few boars meandering around, which would be something to keep track of no doubt. His left hand clapped to his hip for a moment as he pivoted on his torso from right to left, then left to right. Stretching out to make sure he was completely limbered and relaxed. It might not have done any good, but it was an instinctive act. He would see what these new bushes had to offer.

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It took him a few minutes of rustling through the bush to actually find what looked like his ideal plum. He also had to push a few of the bushes branches aside and half lean into it, to grab them. None seemed to be dangling from the ends of the branches. He could only assume the weight of them would've snapped the branches or offset the bush itself. Plants had that weird knack in the real world for evolving or maturing in a way that made it much easier to acquire light and normally their fruits/seeds/vegetation always grew on the more middle sections than just upon the end of the branches. It was a testament, to just how much detail they put in this game, really. When he could accurately draw a comparison to things in the real world of such a nuanced manner. 

Spoiler

ID# 156143 results: 11

Eureka! As he pulled at the large, dark shaded fruit from the bush he recognized it almost perfectly as what the notes had described! That was one more down! He just needed the last one! He swiped through his inventory, stowing the plum as the bush erupted into a burst of digital shards, already bringing up the note to check the final material needed. Scanning near the bottom, he saw what looked like a specific type of leaf. Orange hue, small tree's that stood at a few feet max height. Seemed he just needed a handful of them to find his next material! It shouldn't be hard to find these leaves and be on his way! He trundled off, towards his final objective before he had to report back to the old man. Checking off another material mentally as he head towards these small tree's. 

 

Quest Material: 4/5

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They were a bit harder to find than he'd first thought. The first floor had tons of hills. Constantly shifting elevations and points that made it difficult to actually gauge height from a distance, without a good angle. Until he saw the small grove over the third hill he'd crested. It was like a miniature orchard. Literally. Tiny tree's in every direction. A full fledged grove of miniature tree's! This could be his big break! Or...

His eyes squinted as he walked towards the tree's, increasing his stride and making his pace more brisk. A light jog brought him closer as he looked to the instructions left by the old man, then back to the tree's. These...weren't all the same type of tree. Of-course they weren't. Why would they be? Why would it be that easy. At this point, he felt like it would've been better to just get to it, and start rummaging through the tree's before he began to assume one way or another. So, closest tree? Closest victim.  He tugged a few leaves from it as he repeated the gathering gesture and pulled them close to examine them.

Spoiler

ID# 156144 results: 7

No dice. It was a more golden color, and crumbled too easily to be useful. There was simply no way this was the ideal ingredient. A moment later, the failed tree shattered into digital fragments and he sighed as he stepped to the next one. He'd get that stupid clump of leaves, even if he had to destroy every last tree in Aincrad!

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He moved to the second tree, which looked much more like an autumn color almost from the moment he'd glanced at it. He didn't want to set himself up for disappointment however so he tried not to get too excited. His hands clapped together for a moment and he closed his eyes, concentrating. Onlookers might have confused it for prayer, but he was just trying to calm himself before he extended his hand to snag the clump of leaves. Repeating the same gathering gesture as he had before, he plucked the leaves and paused for a moment. Examining them once their inventory card came up to see if they were, in fact, what he needed.

Spoiler

ID# 156146 results: 19

They were! He confirmed twice, with the notes left by the old man and grinned with confidence. Stowing them into his inventory and turning around as the tree erupted into a burst of digital light fragments. He'd done it! All five were his! Now, he could return to town and see what else was next. His hands quietly tapping at his sides from time to time, as he maintained a steady pace. Though, it did little to hide the giddy grin of his that he felt confident to flash while out in the wilds and away from everyone! As before however, it came off almost like a visage of delighted cruelty opposed to someone who had just gathered a few medicinal ingredients. In the end, what did it matter? He'd succeeded in his first task! Now, the sky was the limit!

Quest Materials: 5/5

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Now that it was a bit later in the day, there were more players wandering about. He frowned slightly, and paused at the gate before walking in. Maintaining the same composure, all along the way he didn't bother actually observing anyone this time. The first few days especially, he'd found it interesting. Appealing, even. It was fascinating, and amusing at times, to watch others as everything happened. Some had tried to group up immediately, forming large groups under the assumption the numbers would keep them safe. Others, however, were under the impression it was hopeless. They'd never escape, and never get to go anywhere beyond that first town without risking genuine danger. Were they truly so bereft of courage?

A roll of thunder rumbled, the sky had grown dark with thunderclouds upon his trek back it seemed. A few droplets of water trickling down in the initial surge of the rainstorm's presence. It was amazing that even this, was taken into account. In this virtual construct, that he could hear and feel and taste and smell, to basic levels. All a true feat of technological development without compare. He could feel the rain on him as it began to come down, and even feel his hair getting wet as it clung in damp threads to his face. As Saruwatari glanced at the instructions one final time, to make sure he had everything, and hadn't missed a detail, he came wandering back to report his success. Returning to the building that was supposedly his little workshop. 

It wasn't a large home by any sorts, but it did cause him to wonder what might be further entailed in that prospect. Getting his own place. He'd have to talk to someone at some point, might as well be someone who could give him useful information. Perhaps, for now, one step at a time however. He wrapped his knuckles to the door out of habit before opening it quietly. "Old man, I have your materials."

The same wizened smile of the white haired elder greeted him as he gestured politely towards the young adventurer. 

"It's good to see your safe return. Please, come here. Next, I'll help you turn those materials into a health potion."

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"Right. Potions. Suppose it might as well be something worth while eh?"

A silent nod was the only response he got. If his tone had bothered the old man, it didn't show. Just the same kindly "Grandfather" smile and a few encouraging words in-between gestures of him moving about the workshop. A moment later Zackariah came to a table that had a few vials and basic tools scattered about it. Jimmutarō walked over to the old man, briefly interacting with the menu to make sure the quest had been turned in to that point, before waiting patiently. NPC's seemed to have a requirement to blurt out their entire excerpt before the quest could progress. Now that he'd turned in the materials, he had but to endure some senile rambling and get to the next part.

"You are correct, young man. Now we will take those ingredients and see how easily you can concoct your own Health Potions. Remember that these potions can be vital if your health is approaching 0, so make sure you always keep some handy! Now, the first step in crafting them is- "

It felt uncannily like he was speaking to an actual elderly individual. He could've mistaken the man for his own grandfather. However, he listened as Zackariah explained the crafting process, as well as pointed to the various materials individually and outlined them. For a moment, he felt like making a "Babies first quest" comment, only to realize that this was a tutorial and intended to be the first literal quest, so he promptly closed his face. Once the old man had finished, the youth clapped his hands together in anticipation as he had before. Taking a step forward he nodded towards the old man.

"Okay, watch me work some magic old man."

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  • 3 weeks later...
Spoiler

ID# 159409 results:  9

It worked like a charm! His hands clapped a moment later as he fixed those piercing amber orbs upon the potion of healing he'd constructed. It was just for a moment, but he lifted the bottle gently by the glass neck and mutely rotated it. The flush crimson fluid sloshing about as he shifted the bottle, before he placed it back down. The old man, after a delay, observed it for himself before nodding sagely. "Yes, this is a perfectly sufficient potion of healing. Very well done young adventurer.

He smiled internally for a moment. Being acknowledged in this virtual world as something besides a humdrum teenager was its own delight. As if that fantasy he craved would come to fruition even sooner, because of this. If making a simple potion brought him such delight, what would questing bring him? Battling? Once his life was on the line, and he was posed with a very real threat, what thrills might he find? He tapped at the desk for a moment before he turned to face the old man, formally presenting him the potion now to fulfill that portion of the quest.  "As I promised old man. One Health Potion, for ya'." The old man accepted it, but only for a moment. He smiled, with an almost knowing look. As if this had been but another step. Sure enough...

"Thank you, now perhaps you could help me with another matter? I've a package due for the Blacksmith, and was hoping you could take it there in my place?"

Well, fetch quests were part of most games. Perhaps he should've seen this coming...

 

{Potion completed}

Edited by Jimmutaro
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