Yuji

I was just about to order a scoop of cool, chilly chocolate ice cream when suddenly a commotion happen behind me. I sigh and turn around to see crowd gather around a people who seems to be faint on a girl's arm. The girl ask people around if someone knows him. Nobody turn up, nor did anyone try to help the person.

I go to the nearest store and buy a canteen of water. After obtaining that item, I approach the person and check his condition. Confirming that he's not dead and it's not anything serious, I open his mouth and let him drink some water. Then I talk to the girl, explaining his condition.

"He just faint from heatstroke. I didn't know this game could make someone faint because of that... Anyway, splash some water on him to cool down his body. We don't want his heartbeat to raise suddenly, that could endanger him."

(-10 col)

The title says it all. I'll be doing quest most of the time. That and my character need some development. (After RPing for a whole month, I finally realize I need one -.-)

I didn't say anything when she explain the reasons to her action. At times like this I wish I never buy this game and dive into it. The harsh reality is so bitter it's hard for him to swallow the truth. I didn't turn away, I will watch it until the end.

"Everything happen with reason. I believe that...."

Mari stab Tom, he didn't resist at all as the knife struck him. Tom went silence, he can't hear the sound of his breathing.

In that instant, he lose another friend.

He look down, holding back his tears. Not much he can do now, he can take revenge but that seems pointless at this moment. That will betray what he believes too. In the end, Yuji approach Mari and stand beside her. He put his hand on her shoulder with weak motion.

"Let's go back Leader. We still have a guild meeting to do..... It's not safe for you to be around here, especially when his guildmate around here."

I let go of my hand and walk towards the Snowfrost City. 

-Yuji exit the RP-

"Sitting alone like this won't help me clear away my problem...I need to make my amend to people I wronged. I should start with that Lessa girl. How should I do that if she didn't want to see me..."

The sky further worsen the emptiness in my heart. I look ahead at the people in the center instead. This village has become the base for the front liners. Their next target will be the Hydra, a Floor 9 Raid Boss which is exactly tomorrow. He too will join the fight. 

I look around and spotted a girl with her musical instrument in her hand. She watch everyone, including me with the look of nervousness. I don't know what she want to do with that instrument in her hand, but a performer here in my situation right now could be a temporary medicine to heal my heart. I stand up and change my seat to a seat near her.

"I would appreciate it if you could play me any song. Everyone here would feel the same too. Don't be nervous and just play whatever you want."

ID 3612  LD: 17

I come across a strange rock. The shiny surface attracts me. A voice in my head told me to break this rock and get whatever is inside it. I'm not planning to crush this rock to pieces nor am I able to do so. I swing the pick with my both hand using any energy I have left inside me. After three minutes, the system inform me that I gain an ore. Joyed, I close the window and move to the next area.

(Gain 1 blacksmith material.)

Finally arrive at the safe zone, I feel relieve. Wandering around the Tundra is not something I like to do for the rest of my life. Tom was just about to enter the safe zone when he stop suddenly....as if he hits a wall. He told us to go first, saying that he will wait outside. The others walk past him, stepping inside the Frozen Lake area. I approach Tom and try to ask him if there's something bothering him, but decided to stay quiet. I walk inside the safe zone and walk ahead. 

This uneasy feeling keeps stirring inside me . I try to ignore it, but nothing I do or think can make it go away. I turn around to check on Tom. Returned to the safe zone, I watch the dreaded scene unfolded in front of me.

Mari initiate a battle with Tom. 

I walk slowly towards them, thinking what should I say or ask.  I noticed the red marker on Tom... I don't know what should I say...

"Why are you two fighting...Tom...Leader? Why are you marked Tom?!"

New Ledger:

"Yay, almost there. I can't wait to get back to the city after I arrive at the lake. The hot chocolate there beckon for me~"

Tom walk in front of us, leading the group to the frozen lake. The view on the lake is awesome for the someone who look at it for the first time. Like Crozeph said, it can even calm down a person. For me, I'll be going back after I arrive at the safe area.

"Lucky for us because Frozen Lake is a safe area. We can enjoy the view there because Player Killer and Orange Player can't enter inside."

"It's been a while since I'm trapped inside this game."

"I didn't have any story or whatsoever as I travel the floors of Aincrad."

"All this time, I have been treating this game as a normal game; you get strong and you will win."

"For that, I have been doing nothing but grinding the whole time by myself, keeping all the rewards to myself. So much for being nice, Yuji. Have you ever help someone?"

"As I get stronger, I look at myself everyday in the mirror. Something's missing."

"I look at the others on the field, they're more stronger than me."

"Where did I go wrong? Eventhough this is a game of death, beating this game would be the same as completing any RPG game."

"Where did I go wrong...."

"How did they get stronger...how?"

The swirling flames in the lava can melt someone if they fall down. I step back slowly and enter the village; watching the players passing me by without batting an eye. 

"...Tch."

This feeling. This emptiness. Am I a ghost or something? Why did people ignore me? My friend die left and right, some abandon me. I want new friends, people ignore me when I talk to them. The only thing I'm good at for them is to dish out damage, after that I have no use. What must I do? What must I change?

"SOMEONE TELL ME, DAMN IT!"

I'm not sure with myself anymore. All this time I have been doing nothing but talk big, I didn't do one of that thing at all. I remember saying out loud I will reach Lvl 10 in a day. What happen? I reach them in one week instead. I lust over a girl I never met before. What did I get? Total ignorance from that girl.

I swear I will be nice, that I will help people. I didn't do anything of that sort. I bore them instead. I act tough, not wanting other people help. Isolation they reward me. I trouble people for the first time I arrive in this game, not even a newbie would dare do that.

I throw my Cocytus into the volcano. Within instant I lost the item. I don't care, that equipment didn't benefit me whatsoever as they did not get approval from the system. It should never exist in this game.

"If a player were to kill me in this game because I annoy them, I'll accept that fate with pleasure."

I walk to the center of the village and sit down. I'm not feeling any of the heat right now, not in this state. I just look up to the sky as I contemplating.

(Lose Cocytus)

I enter the hall,situated in the City of Nimbus town center. Inside, decorations and beautiful design of the hall enter his view. Whoever arrange a party in this place really knows his/her stuff. I look around to see who's inside. He meet most of the player inside, including Tom, Unyielding and Kosan. Kiru and Zelrius attend the party too; Zelrius outfit is the most cloth around here as he look like a Prince, or something like that.

"Of course, his usual attitude ruin how he look. -sigh- "

I walk to Tristan and greet him. I know him from Rowan's shop grand opening party. Thanking him for the party, I approach Celes next. How do I know her? The only person I haven't meet before in this room is the girl in blue outfit. That must be Celes, the reason why this party is hold. I greet her and proceed to congratulating her for achieving grandmaster rank.

After all the formal greeting, I sit on a chair and wait for the party to start.

ID 3594  LD: 11

After the fight, I look around the forest entrance for any material. At this point, I don't care what material I will get because there are enough material for the guild now. I search where the small plant grows, maybe there are herbs or something else grow there but nothing there. Disappointed, I move somewhere else and keep searching as the day is getting late.

I watch as group after group attack the head. Group 1 and Group 2 are progressing smoothly but Group 3 doesn't seem to have the luck on their side. Enraged by the players, Hydra breathes out fire from its mouth and burn everyone in the room. The damage pierce through our armor defense and inflict full damage. On top of that we were inflicted with burn ailment.

The heat in this room can melt an iron right now. Getting burn is something that I want to avoid for it will only become a hindrance for me to heal all the time. I ignore the burn damage and wait for my turn to charge. After Kiru and Celesmeh strike, I run past them both straight towards the Hydra. 

"Eat this!"

ID 3572  BD: 8

I swing my sword up as hard as I can. With my Concentration ability activated, I can focus my strike on the head. The blade meet with its head; immediately it let loose a piercing scream. I run back to my group and prepare myself for its attack.

(Damage dealt: 7+1 (Concentration)

Group 1: Hydra Head 1
Daeron: 67/70 -2 HP Burn for 3/3 turns
Tristan: 31/35 -2 HP Burn for 3/3 turns
Alkor: 23/26 -2 HP Burn for 3/3 turns
Seldentar: 52/55 -2 HP Burn for 3/3 turns

Group 2: Hydra Head 2
Zelrius: 74/77 -2 HP Burn for 3/3 turns
Kazuya: 20/23 -2 HP Burn for 3/3 turns
Rebekah: 27/30 -2 HP Burn for 3/3 turns
Life: 29/32 -2 HP Burn for 3/3 turns

Group 3: Hydra Head 3
Shark: 50/55 -2 HP Burn for 2/3 turns
Primrose: 20/27 -2 HP Burn for 2/3 turns
Lessa: 29/34 -2 HP Burn for 2/3 turns
Mari: 23/28 -2 HP Burn for 2/3 turns

Group 4: Hydra Head 4
Kiru: 66/71 -2 HP Burn for 2/3 turns
Celesmeh: 29/29 [healed]

Yuji: 27/32 -2 HP Burn for 2/3 turns
Rue: 14/17 -2 HP Burn for 3/3 turns

Hydra Head 1: 10/30
Hydra Head 2: 8/30
Hydra Head 3: 27/30

Hydra Head 4: 8/30

It's the usual weather in Floor Four. I want it to change to rainy or snowy..but Aincrad already have snowy floor. It's so hot here one could faint if they are not prepare enough.

"Well at least I have my juice over here."

I drink the orange juice slowly, enjoying the flavor and the coolness. Never I feel so grateful in my entire life over one drink. As I sit on a bench in the town center, I watch a female player plop into the fountain. I smile at her clumsiness. After that one man help her get out from the fountain. Another man join the group and begin talking.

"You don't see this kind of situation everyday."

I finish my juice and walk to the ice cream vendor. I line behind a player that looks somewhat down

The couple: Kirito and Asuna

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmG1_rQtVCU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM1Baonx_Mw

(Again,all the video posted here doesn't belong to me. All rights reserve to the owner of this video.)

Next on list: Suguha and Leafa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBgH4jhm6GY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzERaQhDWDM

Lisbeth and Silica~ :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpI-2y-xrnI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqVNikk5k6Q

SUMMARY

Col gain: 620 

Material gain: 4

Item gain: <Oathkeeper Pendant>

SP gain: 2+1

"You do Tom? That's great. Time to go all out and drink until I drop~"

When you are in distress, you eat. When you have too much to think, you drink. If you have both at once, then do both. When Tom mention that he know of a good tavern in Floor 6, I make a fist with my left hand. I open my menu and check the col. Satisfied that its enough (OOC: LOL, It's not actually) I close the menu.

"So Arekkusu, will you be joining us or are you going back to your room?"

(Waiting for Arekkusu. After he give his answer, I'll close this thread and make another OP for the tavern.)

The crystal in my hand shatter and blue light engulf me slowly. Usage of this crystal is important for it only be use in case of emergency. I don't want to stay in this forest for the whole day and die inside. I close my eyes as I wait for the process of transferring complete. hear the sound of something disappear and open my eyes; the view of quiet village enter my vision.

"Alright, time to go back to Floor One and rest."

I check around the entrance to the tomb for any enemy. Satisfied there's no enemy around the area, I enter the tomb carefully to make sure traps won't spring up at me.

Inside the tomb, it's not very spacious. It's just a small room with four torches on the wall on every corner to illuminate the room. At the end of the room lies a floating pendant. I go near it and touch the pendant.....

"Why do you seek this pendant, O' traveler?" 

"Hmm, I'm not even sure myself. I guess it's for fun. At first I thought it's a gold pendant, but it's just a normal one."

"Then picture what you treasure the most. Show me your emotion of you caring for the person you care the most."

"I don't have anything special in this death game. However I do have a promise with someone out there."

"That should be sufficient. Take this pendant and venture forward."

I open my eyes and look at the pendant in my hand. It change shape from a normal pendant to a sword shape one colored blue with golden embroidery. I keep it inside my inventory and exit the tomb. Outside, I take out my <Teleport Crystal> and lift it high in the air.

"Time to change this pendant to something else. Teleport! Destination: Delilah Village!"

(Gain <<The Hoya of Minos: Oathkeeper Form>>)

"Hmm,have we met somewhere before? I don't know, I'm not good when it comes to remembering people... Anyway,yeah, I did encounter something big here. Ever heard of <Avalanche>? One mean giant, that thing. Almost trapped me in ice. -sniff-"

When Crozeph mention fish, my eyes went sparkling but lose it instantly when hearing that there's no fisherman among us. I shake away that thought, remembering that thing would only make this feeling worse.

"But still...fish eh..."

ID 3461  LD: 15

"Great one Kosan. That was nicely done."

Kosan land the final blow with a critical hit. To be able to strike precisely on the weak spot requires skill. Yuji check his loot window and close it with a nod.

"A general material. Not bad at all. Alright, time to continue gathering."

(Gain 1 general material and 125 col)

ID 3398  BD: 7+1  MD: 1

I grab its left horn with my left hand and pull it towards me. The Minotaur don't have the energy to fight back, judging from how it struggle weakly. I myself almost run out of stamina after fighting continuously. I spin the sword in my right hand and thrust it forward, piercing its neck. The Minotaur turn into polygon and finally shatter.

"Done. Now for the treasure..."

Yuji: 39/40

Minotaur: DEAD

(Gain 1 mat from Headless Knight, gain 1 mat from Minotaur)

ID 3397  BD: 6+1  MD: 6-3

The Minotaur raise its axe again. I don't want to be blown away by that attack. I rush at it and jump up, landing behind it. I slash the leg two times, obstructing the skill. After that I land a strong blow on the head, pulverizing it. The Minotaur's HP drop to red area after I land the attacks.

"Let's end this."

Yuji: 39/40

Minotaur: 6/23

ID 3393  BD: 3+1  MD: 1

The mist clear up a bit and I can see the tomb. The way inside is block by the Minotaur though. I swing my sword left and right and fix my pose. The Minotaur raise its axe and stand there. At first I thought that the Minotaur is going to charge straight at me again. Instead it swing it down and hit the ground as hard as it can. The ground split and earth fissure come out towards me. I roll to the left and look at the fissure as it disappear slowly in the mist.

"Whoa,that's crazy..."

Yuji: 39/40

Minotaur: 13/23