Oske

Oske nodded, then checked her inventory for the potions. "I'll try my best not to die."

"Okay!" Oske exclaimed. "First things first, I'm starving. Have you been on floor 3 before? Do you know any good places to eat? I'm sick of bread and cream..."

"O-okay," she murmured. She accepted the trade request. "Is there anything you want in return?"

Oske paused, then followed. "You mean... you're going to hurt the dragon? But how will you tame it?" she asked curiously.

Oske quickly accepted the party invite. "I guess I should stock up on potions, huh? I don't have much Col, but I'm sure I can find the money somewhere..."

"Are you sure? I'm going to buy a ton of clothes and stuff... isn't that a little girly?" Oske questioned. She suddenly realized her sword was still unsheathed. She slid it into her sheath after checking the durability of it. It was low.

"A dragon? That's so cool! I wish I had a dragon," Oske exclaimed. Pinkie poked her head out of the back of Oske's shirt, squeaking. "Oh, but I'm happy with you, Pinkie."

Oske laughed. "Okay, okay! I'm safe, Rage," she promised, squirming out of the long hug. "Truth be told, the only reason why I came to floor 3 was so that I could get better gear. I'm still in starter clothing, after all..."

"O-okay," Oske stuttered. She continued to walk, her sword ready. "What familiar are you looking for, anyway? Do you have one in mind?"

"Well, if you're going... I can't be all alone, waiting for you!" Oske exclaimed. "I'll come with you and make sure nothing bad happens. We can all do this together. It looks like a lot of other people are joining in, too..."

"You think? What do you mean--" Oske stopped, then jumped out of the way as an ice giant slammed a fist where she had been standing just moments before. She slashed at its arm, unable to use a sword skill. She had to wait until the cool down period was over.

"Wh-wha?" Oske stuttered. "Oh, um... yeah. I almost died a few times, but I'm okay now. I had to go back and do it again a few times. Why are you so out of breath?"

"Rage!" Oske exclaimed, tackle-hugging Rage. "Did you hear the announcement? Scary, right?"

She then noticed the look of determination on his face. "You're not thinking...?"

"O-oh," Oske stuttered. "B-but you'll still be my friend, even as a solo player... right?"

Was it something I did? Is he mad at me or something? Oske thought sadly.

"Yeah!" Oske exclaimed. "I'm almost the same level you are, Rage! Now I can get even stronger, and maybe even fight on the front lines!"

"I guess so," Oske said. "Well, lead the way!"

She put the shard back in her inventory.

"Cool!" Oske exclaimed. "I just got some ice shards... a lot, actually. I wonder how big they are?"

She pressed on the ice shard in her inventory, and tiny dart-sized shard appeared in her hand. "Oh. I guess this is for hunting small stuff, like Ragout Rabbits!"

Oske stumbled out of the dungeon. She had almost died once, then teleported back to floor two where she stocked up on crystals and potions. She then ran all the way back and fought her way to the dungeon. She then sat down just outside where the portal dropped her, waiting for someone to show up.

((COMPLETE))

Oske stumbled into the safe zone, panting. "You know what? I can gain strength without dying," she convinced herself. "Maybe next time, I'll wait for my quest buddy."

With that, she teleported away.

I'm dead... Oske thought, swinging her sword wildly. She managed to get out of the grip, running toward the safe zone again.

2/11

One of the monsters battered Oske, while the other picked her up by her feet. "Stop!" she shouted. Her health was going down, fast.

4/11

As soon as Oske walked out of the safezone, she was attacked by two monsters. They quickly stole a little less than half of her health.

"No..." Oske stuttered, drawing her sword and holding it in front of her face, ready to defend herself.

6/11

Oske felt her life slowly slipping away. Her heart started to race, and she watched as her health bar went down. She closed her eyes, the health bar in the corner of the darkness beneath her eyelids.

2/11

"NO!!" Oske ripped the sword out of her shoulder and stabbed the monster, killing it instantly. She didn't get any loot, which wasn't a surprise. She then ran as fast as her weak body could carry her to a safe spot, sitting there and waiting for herself to heal.

...11/11

(pause)