[SP-F1] « Earning a Living » [COMPLETED]

[Syo 0]

 

In a dark coat, a figure walks confidently through the streets of the Town of Beginnings. Negativity fills the air, sound of cries are heard throughout the streets. So many people had stayed behind, believing that this was the best way to live, waiting for someone to beat the game. Syo has taken notice that after a week with no one passing the first ten floors, no one will save them. The game is soon to be a disaster to us, except for Akihiko Kayaba.

[Syo 0]

 

Syo has looked everywhere, he saw many players simply hanging out to kill some time. Some players were also too scared to leave the Town of Beginnings, so they took shelter in a cheap inn close by. Many players spend all they're funds, or col, on the inns to hide. Syo did his best to comfort everyone who had a break down. Some players couldn't handle the truth and took their own lives. There was nothing he could do to help them out. 

[Syo 0]

 

And yet, many players thought that Akihiko Kayaba was just bluffing and just leaped off from the first floor, with each passing day it would become more difficult to gain the basic necessities a beginner would need to survive. The scene was proving to be troubling indeed. Many players have told me that the first step to overcome this problem lies within the Profession Skills, creating items to sell to further enhance your Col supplies. But it was quite dangerous. 

[Syo 0]

 

In order to craft, one needed the proper materials, materials that would either need to be purchased or traded; or harvested out in the wilds. That meant spending col that would otherwise be used to continue staying in the Town of Beginnings, or leaving the safety of the city. It was a risky proposition, one that seemed to reinforce the reasoning that had led some player kills into attempting to harass other players in the wilds for their gear with threats of violence. 

[Syo 0]

 

Still, carefully weighing his options, Syo could not help but decide that investing in this skill would be a necessity if he were to ensure the survival of himself and everyone else. Deciding which skill to invest in had taken some time though, as he had weighed each decision carefully. However, in the end he had decided to take the Alchemy profession. He had been tempted to take up a crafting profession that would allow him to produce equip-able gear, but had discarded the notion. 

[Syo 0]

 

His play style was simply too different from that of an average MMO player, so being able to craft gear that benefited him would not go far in benefiting his solo career. With that thought in mind, he had decided that Alchemy was the best choice. Having easy access to abundant healing items would make the game less dangerous, not to mention the prospect of such items as status ailment effects like poison, paralysis, and other useful means for defeating enemies with greater ease. 

[Syo 0]

 

For a brief moment he imagined a chill at the thought of beginning their battle preparations so casually, yet he was quick to dismiss the sensation as being the result of an overactive imagination. Pushing such thoughts from his mind, Syo quickened his step, his leather boots clacking on the simulated cobblestones that lined the central plaza of the Town of Beginnings. This was the central portion of the massive city, and as good a place as any to start his search. 

[Syo 0]

 

In order to get the profession, he would need to find a alchemist, and officially accept the profession after a few text windows of information pertaining to what the skill would be used for. He was quite fortunate to find a blacksmith nearby, also he had a general idea of where he would find the alchemist. Some players had difficulty finding their NPC, so he took his time to help the players find their NPC. He knew the general area of most of the NPC, so it wouldn't be a problem for him. 

[Syo 0]

 

Making his way back, he walk through the crowded area, Syo spotted his NPC and walk through the crowd. With so many players deciding to become a blacksmith as well, he had a good time asking for some help as well. Most players were walking aimlessly around the central plaza of the Town of Beginnings. They all looked like zombies who were looking for a place to stay, as there really were a few places to spend their time. It was congested, but ultimately manageable even if some players were annoyed. 

[Syo 0]

 

Syo finally stopped before the rather jovial looking NPC, a middle aged male wearing a rough cut vest and hempen tunic and trousers, and paused a moment for the system to recognize his ‘interest’. With a wide smile and twinkling eyes, the NPC, named «Pseudo-Plato» launched into a rather common dialogue aimed at snaring any nearby player’s attention. "Ho lad, care to listen a bit about the Alchemy profession?" he said, in a friendly tone as a pop up window appeared before Syo with details on Alchemy in general. 

[Syo 0]

 

After accepting the quest, Syo headed out towards the dungeon to grab the materials for «Pseudo-Plato». Strolling through the plaza he was able to find information about the dungeon. There were high level mobs in the dungeon, and Atlas was quite ready to take on high level mobs just yet. He looked around the grasslands, and was able to identify a couple of materials «Pseudo-Plato» was looking for. 

[Syo 0]

 

New information flooded the window, basic information on how an Alchemist would take basic materials and ingredients and create the basic leveled potions. They were a far cry from the powerful Crystal items that would activate instantly, instead having a heal over time effect, but it was better than nothing. In this world, HP falling to zero would equate a real death; he would take any method or means to prevent such a fate for himself and his friends. 

[Syo 0]

 

The NPC before him continued to speak, describing the use of an Alchemy table, communal resources available in most cities or villages. Should he purchase his own house or shop, he could install a personal table, and so on and so forth. It was hardly relevant at this time and place, even in The Town of Beginnings, real estate was extremely pricey. No doubt on higher, less crowded floors, it would be even more expensive. No matter, one day he'll buy a house with a less crowded area. 

[Syo 0]

 

A few minutes of information later, the info box before him reached its final screen, displaying the fateful message. followed by simple < O > < X > options. Having endured the entirety of this explanation simply to pick up the profession, Syo was quick to accept. "Congratulations, you are now an Alchemist. Take these materials and create a simple health potion for me." Pseudo-Plato quickly replied. 

[Syo 0]

 

A notification of received items pinged on Syo’s HUD, and quick check showed the addition of two basic ingredients to his inventory. No doubt this was intended as an introduction to the crafting system, a rather common occurrence in most MMO’s. «Pseudo-Plato» quickly gestured towards the nearby crafting table. Syo did not need to be told twice, and jostled his way over to empty crafting table. Most in the Town of Beginnings wouldn't bother with something like crafting, not when they needed to save as much Col as possible to keep paying for food and lodging, so he did not have to wait. 

[Syo 0]

 

After a long process, Syo had created his first health potion, which he gave to «Pseudo-Plato» as the final step in the quest. He was not able to keep the health potion, as it was just a learning process. But that didn't mattered, he had memorize the recipe by heart, and the materials were common drops found in the grasslands. «Pseudo-Plato» gave him a few advice, pointing out that as he crafts more potions or crystals, his skill would continue to rise. Given how poorly the advice would, he still knew that he could still craft items and level his skill. 

[Syo 0]

 

No matter, he had taken the skill for practicality’s sake, but also enjoyment. If it meant spending a few hours a week grinding these simple steps for more potions or crystals to use, or even sell, then so be it. It was all a part of the plan after all, the plan that would enable Syo, to survive this horrid game. So long as it was in service of that goal, he did not mind so minor an annoyance. He had his crafting skill, now all he needed to do was start gathering materials. 

[Syo 0]

 

The easiest course would have been to simply purchase the required ingredients from one of the many shops. But that would be a drain on his resources, one that could be potentially devastating later. It would be far more beneficial to farm the ingredients himself, benefiting from the experience in the field at the same time, and saving his money to stretch as far as possible. He had a plan after all. It was imperative that the siblings use the surrounding area to level a few times. 

[Syo 0]

 

Then, and only then, after replacing his basic gear with the next equivalent tier, he could venture into the dungeons. The dungeons would provide more respawning monsters to farm for experiences, as well as the chance for random generated treasure chests. The key would be not rushing too fast, trying to ascend the castle too quickly would only put them in greater danger as they were forced into higher level areas before they were able to level, or keep their gear suitably maintained. 

[Syo 0]

 

Yes, Syo certainly had a plan, this might have been a game that was a high tech battle for life and death, but it was still a game. He had played many MMO’s in his time. He had to believe that the approach that had allowed him to thrive in these games would carry over here, if not for his sake, then for the players who are terrified. Ah well, for the time being, there was no other option but to move forward, no matter the danger. Checking the Information Broker's guide, he was sure that in order to get his most basic of materials, he should focus his attention on farming the «Frenzy Boars» that could be found outside the Town of Beginnings.