Hirru

Hirru looked to the both of them and could only smile under that rough beard.  This would be a second for him, as he had not spent this holiday with too many people before.  The gift of giving, it seemed, was something that was worth the price of what it took to get these weapons.  Both were relics of his hunting past now, to which he would no longer be a part of.  That is, without help.  He would smile and nod to the both of them as they gave thanks for their presents.  Hirru looked back to the other girl and only shook their hand.

"It is okay if you do not wish to answer now, but at any other time would be fine."

As he said so, Nari had brought a couple song crystals out for them all.  Hirru thought that was rather thoughtful of her.  He took one of the crystals and let it play.  It was a calming sound, but unfamiliar to him.  It didn't matter though, as he stopped it so the song wouldn't be fully expended.  Putting the crystal away, the festive hunter had some time to think and observe.  Some food was available, so the man took a plate of the pie and some others.  Everything was so calming, and nice.  Not at all like Koga's party, but that may have been more his fault than anything.

"I like this.  Much more peaceful than last year."

_{Everything turns to his fault sooner or later..}

Everything seemed to be quite different to when the event first started.  First of all, there were screams and a commotion that seemed to be coming from all around.  Voices that were unfamiliar to the hunter, as they were not ones of his familiar friends and acquaintances.  Nor were they of anyone else in the party that he knew of.  More importantly, why was his vision so blurry?

Rubbing the back of his head, Hirru found that he was lying on the ground, for some reason.  The sounds around him seemed to alert the hunter to something going on, as this was not where he last remember himself to be.  He was surrounded by curtains, except for something wooden that was slightly covering him.  Looking at it all, the color reminded him of the cloth that covered the tables, even more so the shape wood seemed to be those of steps, like the stairs l.  How did he end up here?

* * *

He remembered that he waved back to Jevi, as she passed by.  What else was there?  There was something violet blocking that memory.  He was probably thinking to follow Jevi, as the mystery girl seemed to be associated with someone that knew the others.  He really thought that person looked like NIGHT, but that didn't matter now.  He wanted to hang out with someone, as this event was for those to be with someone and have a good time.  He didn't want to be found to be snooping into something that he really didn't need to be involved in.  These thoughts about sabotages and such could be left for another day.  They could go find Galbrandr some other day.

It was around then that the ship started to move, and suddenly the guy wasn't feeling too good.  Something in his gut reminded him of Baldur's sailing during the warship event, and he wanted to be nowhere near the outside.  Moving inside, there was a sight that the hunter did not think he would see in a long time.  The look of wonder upon a face that would have loved to see the place during the starting days of the raid.  She would definitely have been on his side through it all.  All the conflict that came about.. Though, really he was a problem for everyone of them from the start, and this woman knew why.  She knew everything, because he told her..

"Hes.."

Before he could get the name out, there was a sudden lurching of the ship, which sent the hunter back.  Smashing his head against the stairs, he fell underneath the stairs where a curtain hid him from the events unfolding around him.

* * *

"So.. that's how I got here, but what's happening out there?"

He pushed the curtain aside slightly to see better when he was sent flying out of the crawlspace, tumbling out to the other wall.  It was as if Baldur himself had taken control of the airship and Hirru was reliving the chase again.  Instead of cannonballs flying at them at high speeds, he instead found tables and chairs coming to crush him.  Getting out of the way in time was only helped by the sudden second lurch that would come, forcing him to be in view of several people below deck.  It was around then that he could see the people that were being forced to stay down here, and the two women that would come down to lay the beat down on the weirdly dressed individuals here.

"What is.."

"Take them all out!"

He could hear an unfamiliar voice call out from above deck, to which he could hear another scuffle nearby.  Were they being boarded?  It seemed that the women that had come to take out the trash, Lessa and Jevi, were having an easy enough time.  Though the others that were here, the NPCs, were cowering in fear.  This was probably a ploy to use the people around here as scapegoats, or something.  Hirru felt self assured.  He figured a sabotage was gonna happen, but not in this way.

"Jevi!  Lessa!  Can you keep them at bay while I set a barrier and start triage on anyone that's hurt!"

He would say before rushing to the stairs, summoning his shield, Light's Embrace, to his side before smashing it in-between some of the steps.  The blue light of the  barrier would then form behind the shield, covering a light area around the steps, doors and several feet in front of the steps

"Anyone that can, get inside the barrier!  Bring in those that physically can't!  I'll tend to the wounded!"

It wasn't long before something new and rather unexpected would stop their descent.  A large flat plateau that seemed to be covered in tiles of black and white.  Covering a majority of the tiles on both ends of the plateau were statues, each representatives to a specific color palette: white and black.  They were specifically entering around the side of the white colored statues.  The other side seemed to be blocked slightly by the two largest statues of the other side; one looking like a lithe regal woman, and the other a jovially fat noble man.  Behind them was the exit, but something didn't seem right about the sight of it.  Probably a deterrent form trying to skip the puzzle itself.  All of the other statues seemed to fit a theme of war: two knights on horseback, two robed individuals, two tower like statues, and about eight or so rank and file looking statues.  Their side seemed to have distinctly identical pieces, right down to the jovial fat guy.  Was that a crown on both of their heads?

While Hirru was pondering, Nari went ahead of the rest and had pushed one of the rank and file statues of white.  He didn't know she was that strong!  Though, seeing the opposite end of the field, the opposite black statue moved to mimic the other.  Nari then said something about chess.  What the ever living hell was chess?  He never played..

...

He awaited a painful memory to play out to give some insight..

...

..but nothing came.

From NIGHT's action, to which she seemed just as confused as he was, to Cro's move to literally take the horse by the reins and slam it to a space that seemed like it was not possible to do; Hirru was trying in vain to understand everything before he slumped his shoulders.  He addressed the others as he looked around at the statues.

"I.. honestly have never played chess.  I don't think.. at least."

Looking at the board a bit closer, the hunter saw that there were some weird colored tiles out there too.  He didn't want this to be a trap, and everyone got hurt because he did something wrong.  He moved over to one of the priestly looking statues, and tried to push it slightly, but it did not seem to move forward.  What it did want to do was slightly move diagonally.

"Would you mind explaining a bit before I.."

He leaned in a bit too much as his statue seemed to move over to the next open slot possible for it.

"Uh.. was that bad?"

BISHOP C1 -> D2

"Thanks.."

As the green haired hunter had settled down, a feeling of anxiety about the feelings of the people towards him would fall away.  Only to be replaced by the pressures of story telling, it would seem.  Jomei had thrust the prompted question towards him about how he had known about Baldur.  There were many interesting stories to tell, but Hirru guessed that he would start at the first encounter.

"That was some time ago.  Before I joined the front lines, about around the 16th or 17th floor had been unlocked.  I used to have an old side business where I would post my 'Hunter for Hire' posters out on bulletin boards for people that need help.  I would get materials and items for people for col.  Anyway, context aside, I had posted up on the tenth floor to find that a player was looking for help.  It was around that same time that Baldur was there looking at the same post.  We would help out the player, named Itzal, to clear the Banshee quest.  It more or less was unexciting, as I remember my first Banshee quest had more going on than that.  Probably because Bal and I were higher leveled players at that point and took down the quest quickly."

Hirru remembered that nearly the entire guild had been pulled in to tackle the Banshee quest, and they even found a sub-dungeon that merged with the quest to make a worse quest boss.  It was interesting to say the least, and everyone was there.  Xion, Mack, Macradon, Lawfer, Grave and Opal.  Quite a few of those names were distant memories now that he would give a slight smile to.  Itzal was also a high ranking player that he had not seen in some time, and kind of missed the guy.  What was he up to again?  Hirru didn't know.  Things went dark after the 23rd to the point where all info was old news.

"Although, that didn't really cement anything between us until the ant hills of the 11th floor."

As he said that, Jomei seemingly got out and said that he was going to head over to find a place for a "slumber party game".  Hirru didn't know what Truth or Dare was, but it sounded intriguing.

"Alright, I'll settle in for a bit before joining you guys then."

@Lessa @Yona @Astralin @Morningstar @Jomei

Hirru watched one by one as each of his party members would make their way through the fiery trap.  Nari seemed to pass through without much trouble at all.  So too did Cro, as he seemed to skate on through.  The only one that would not make it would be their resident stealth user, NIGHT, as they seemingly walked right into it.  Was it that they didn't care for the amount of damage that it would probably be putting out?  They just saw two mobs be completely destroyed by the jets of flame, but NIGHT was able to see that it was much less?  Hirru was right to have her as a forward scout, but she still needed to be careful.  Although the hunter's thoughts were heavily wrong, it wouldn't be long until it was his turn to face the flames.

With heavy heart, and heavier foot steps, the hunter would make his way slowly through the corridor.  Keeping his shield facing the circular holes in the far wall, he would step lightly; well as lightly as a full plate armor donning adventurer could do.  Hirru was about half way through when a jet of flame would burst out one socket in front of him.  Taking action, he would back away by a step to let the fire die down.  He knew that a direct hit to his shield would still count towards a full hit, as he was not a tank build. 

Slowly, but surely.

Hirru pulled his leg past the threshold of the final hole, meaning that they were now free of the traps.  He would sigh before looking over to Nari and Cro and nodding to them both before looking towards NIGHT.

"That looks like a good chunk out of you.  It may be good to get some healing."

[ID: 212496][LD: 13] Successful

It would seem that the hunter would get his answers sooner rather than later, as the young masked woman would be grinning from ear to ear as they seemed to partake in the Hor Dourves.  Every so often the maiden would make heavy glances towards someone within the crowd.   Without search, Hirru would have a hard time looking into who the woman was looking towards.  Though, as the glances would get longer, the hunter could distinguish a specific group of players.  There were quite a few different people in there, but what really got the hunter.. was that over 90% of that group were people that Hirru knew.  He could not help to see the prominent hair of Jomei and Nari.  The blondes of the group he barely knew one of, but the one with the red headed boy was maybe Lessa.  He couldn't tell from this distance.

The others were kind of off.  One was slightly off, or at least that's what the hunter could tell.  The two were heavily different, as one was in a rather elegant dress, while the other was in suit.  The issue was, Hirru was pretty sure he could see who the one with the suit was.  He shook it off for one, as he didn't think they would go in that.

The second one though..  In her violet form-fitting dress of some design, he was never good at nomenclature.  Though, there was something about this one.  He thought that he knew who this was, as they seemed to be dragged around by the simply dressed Nari.  Hirru would give a slight chuckle at her antics before scrunching his eyes to see better without the use of search.  The hair seemed heavily familiar, but that couldn't be.  The last time they were seen in a crowd, the hunter had to drown an entire kitchen to get her not to leave.  Hirru then had to reel himself back on that, as he did that himself.  He didn't need to throw more liquids in the mix.  There would be no mistake.  That was probably Jevi.

As Hirru was pondering the thoughts before him, the lady that he was investigating would be on the move without him noticing until they were partially in the crowd.  He cursed himself to think that he might lose her, but then again, he might not.  She was looking at the players in that group.  Any one of them could be the interest of this little 'princess', and it was making the hunter that much more anxious.  Her connection was one of the players, if anything.

He would have to find out which one.

*Disclaimer: Crozeph's AOE shift hits harder than stats shown.  Damage fully killed the sentinels*

With quick actions and precision that would give tells that everyone has had experience beyond their time, one of the Labyrinth's Sentinels had fallen.  Having been cleaved through by the thinly bladed one, the second sentinel was thrown for a loop and drive to it's maker.  Crystalline fractals would be it's only remaining form of the once metallic rock formation.  The other one would not take this loss without causing some sort of discourse.  It would come down swinging towards NIGHT, before it too would find itself breaking down into crystalline mesh.  It seemed that Cro's last attack was more effective than they thought.

Hirru could finally rest from the initial attack.  If this was going to be how things were gonna be, then it was probably going to take them a while to get through these caverns.  He hoped that they could take things at a faster pace, but that would be suicide.  The lack of information and the winding pathways of the cavern could possibly make way to something far worse.  Hirru would look to everyone else through his helm.

"Is everyone good?  That shouldn't have been much of a problem for our energy, I hope."

He would look to NIGHT and then to Cro, whom looked slightly disappointed that he didn't get to eat more.  Their AOE arts would be taking a heavy toll on both of them.  If anything, he figured that they could all continue on, as they had only just entered the caverns not even a few minutes ago.  With that in mind, the hunter signaled for everyone to resume their positions.

It wouldn't take long for their next encounter though.  Possibly a few more minutes into the journey, they would come across a new area.  The cave tunnels widened out into something double the size.  Within this area, the tunnel seems to be perforated in several scorch marks on the left hand side, while the other side was covered in circular holes in random assortment.  In the center of the right side wall, there was a face with flame like hair.  Their eyes were closed to all.

"What the hell is this?  A trap?"

His answer would come in the form of a quick ping to his detection skills.  Two more mobs were on their way from the other side.

"We got mobs too!"

The two were more or less wood elementals, with earthen parts forming a sort of hybrid of wooden mystic and the earthen brawn.  As soon as the mobs were within sight, they would immediately set upon the team.  One would rush in while the other would slowly come up from behind the other.  Immediately, the fiery face would awaken!  Eyes ablaze with fire, several spouts of flames would billow out from some of the circular holes on the right wall; catching the first mob.  It would be consumed in the flames and shatter as it had ran through several of them to cause massive damage until death.

The second of the two would be more cautious.  It walked instead, even more slowly after its fellow kin was burned to ash.  It would creep slowly until it was within range for one of it's dash attacks.  Activating it, the mob would flash forward..

..only to be met with flames.

A glittering of shattered polygons would be the only thing that would reach the group from the smoke.

"Yep.. definitely a trap."

Hirru searches --> [ID: 212412][LD: 8+14=22] STEALTH TRAP!!

There wasn't much in terms of action on the main deck itself.  A few players were up here, but not much in terms of anything interesting or suspicious.  He didn't want to be forcing any altercations with anything or anyone, so he kept the search skill off, just in case.  Although, he was ready to switch out his entire attire into battle condition.  His hands tensed up at the thought while looking up at the balloon-ish thing that was keeping this ship in the air.  Their entire night was in the hands of something like that, huh?  Hirru wasn't really feeling the ascetic and setting, even though this was all for them.  They were the ones that helped the liberation of empire from the hands of the corrupted Emperor Razwell. 

The issue that still buzzed in his head was, where were the NPC's?  He saw many players, as that was to be expected, but where were the NPC's?  If this was done by anyone that the players knew, then it should have been by the prince that helped in the co-op.  Hirru had to struggle to remember his name.  Prince Lamont?  Could they be the one to make this possible?  He couldn't find the man to even fit that bill.  Heck, he wouldn't really care if Galbrandr was on the ship, but in disguise.  Either would be better than nothing.

There was much that the hunter had to talk to the former king about, especially about the dormant state of the Fate Armament that he possessed.  It was just a crystalline ring now, in the style of an ornate great shield, just as if it was when it was actively spinning around him.  It sat upon his left index finger, another visible reminder of a Floor Boss that gave him problems.  The other reminder was worn upon his lapel, a crescent moon with a diamond star shine.  This was the unique badge that Hirru, Shield and Hestia all gained from the Queen Lun'Rael of the 23rd floor.  Both are signs of his humanity, as he deemed them now.  Times when he decided that a series of numbers can be more than enough for life to be.  Which made it all the more worrying when not a single yellow crystal could be seen from the ship, except the captain that is.

This was not right at all, right?

He figured that he would just go over to the stern, as there seemed to be some drinks.  He needed to calm his mind slightly, so he can think properly.  Sure, he couldn't get drunk, but that didn't matter much.  Walking by a rather interesting player in a violet dress, that he swears looked familiar, he continued on the bar.  There were a few players already here too, mostly mingling around drinks.  It wasn't until he was going to pour himself some of the bottled punch, did he see something odd.  Someone in a rather elegant and beautiful dress, almost as if she were coming out of a fairy tale wedding.  The thing that seemed the most off was the white mask that seemed to be covering her facial features only slightly. 

Looking around, it didn't seem like this one got the memo.  That was until he noticed a few others had them too.  Scattered through out the gathering groups, the hunter was starting to notice that there was something odd.  Everyone had their own styles going, but there were only a few that were wearing these masks.  There couldn't be any reason to it, right?  Though, in an event that is taking place in city state like this, nobility should be populating the party too.  So, why were there none here that he could see?  That's when Hirru had a disturbing thought as he was mid pour.

Were all these people players?

He stood there silently as he seemed to be glaring out into the crowd, then at this girl, whom was preparing some snacks and drinks.  It appeared that this one was with someone.  Who was this lady with?  He stopped himself from making another liquid based mess around a social event, and thought to keep watch over this one.

@NIGHT = Day
@Astralin = passed by

A sound of muffled foot steps could be heard from above.  This was the norm for the once decent hunter, as he lived his days underneath the main dojo of his friend and mentor, Baldur.  There could be a number of his students up there right now training.  Heck, even Morg, Cro and Calrex would sometimes be found up there training.  Though, this time it seemed like a single set of feet were walking towards the entrance to the basement.  He didn't really mind the students coming in, as he had set a couple cabinets between him and the entrance.  It wasn't until he felt a chill come down his spine that the hunter would spring up from his bed.  The door slowly opened to the sight of one of his more familiar guild members.  The blonde haired woman would take a few steps down before looking around.  Hirru would poke his head out without revealing much else.

"Snow?  Did you need anything down here?"

She would only nod before stating that she was there to get him up.  Apparently, there was a new event sent out to all of the players.  The hunter had to look up the date for today, and found that it was the day that couples would constantly get together.  Hirru shrugged, as it didn't really matter to him.  That was, until he saw where it was at.  An airship?  Those only existed on the twenty sixth floor.  Even more, they were all being hailed as the liberators of Ladonia.  As far as the hunter could remember, there wasn't much that they even did.  What was this thing about?  Did Galbrandr or Prince Lamont do this?  There was no sign of them after the oddly anti-climatic ending to the air raid event.

Mulling over the whole thing, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off here.

"Hey Snow..  Do you know any tailors that make rather intimidating attire."

---------------------------------------------------------

The clicking of boots would follow along with the foot steps of a few other players.  It wasn't just the front lines that got the invitation, but ALL of the players.  So naturally, there were a few more people than what were familiar.  Some were dressed quite nicely, while some didn't have much but a simple dress or tux.  Most were there with their significant other, or date for this event.  It was going to be a magical night for the lot of them.

For the hunter, however, he was here alone.  This was more because he never got close enough to anyone to really call them his significant other, or someone he would pursue.  Too much stuff on his mind.  Too much baggage to unpack upon them.  No, he was here on a mission.  Which was why his attire was that of a military elite, or that's what the tailor thought he looked like while wearing it.  Hirru couldn't tell really, as he never seen anyone else where something like this before.  Though, at an event like this, he would probably cast less attention towards himself like this, or more.  He couldn't tell how well it would be working.

Reaching the deck of the airship, he would look around the large deck area of the ship.  la Duchesse Sincère, it was named.  Was there something odd about that name?  There wasn't much Hirru could glean off it, as it wasn't something he was fluent in.  Wait.. what does fluent mean?

Hirru's Formal Attire

Hirru Stats

Hirru was glad to see that Nari had come as soon as she could.  It was gonna be an ordeal, and he figured that it would be a good time to bond with those that he had not talked to before.  This would be a fine way to break through his initial barrier, especially since Nari didn't know what happened before.  This was his fresh slate.  He would take the moment to try to make better bonds.

He would smile as she asked about the work ahead, but then she seemed to revert to a simple greeting.

"It's good to see you too, Nari.  Meet anyone that you knew yet?"

Hirru would then point slightly to the Forbidden Forest.  Figured they may as well start walking towards the appropriate spawning ground for the field boss.

"I did ask for help, since I'm no longer a damage dealer, but the boss has a boss drop that can help with further quests and raids.  It's a good idea to set out to grab as much as we can."

He would rub the back of his neck.

"Thought I could ask you to come along, if it didn't seem to trouble you?  I'm only a healer, but it's enough to keep you up for a bit.  Though, I am asking you to do pretty much all of the work."

"Huh?"

Hirru wasn't sure what a 'Dickens' was, but left that to something that was from the outside world, and that he was talking about his current attire.  The hunter looked down at his robes and thought they looked pretty up to par with everything for the season.  He had seen enough people wearing the red versions to understand as much.

"Oh this?  I got it for a bargain from a tailor, at least after some business talk."

He would grin before following Jomei up the stairs, where two faces awaited him.  One was a recently familiar face, the scythe wielder, Nari-Lanreth.  It would seem that not that many people were here, which the hunter seemed to like better.  Koga's party was fun, but too rowdy for his tastes.  He would meet Nari's eyes as they greeted and complimented his getup.

"Thanks, I thought I might dress up proper for this one."

He would say before counting the people within the room.  Only three, and two he knew were high enough for Tier 4 gear, and left a present for each.  The other one would be a heavy guess, but he figured he could always ask.  He left the sack there to look towards woman that he did not know.

"I'm sorry.  I can't gauge what you would likely want."

He would say before finding a place to sit nearby.

"My name is Hirru.  Would you mind if I asked you what you wanted for Christmas?"

To @Jomei= T4 Perfect Weapon UnID [203747a]
To @Nari-Lanreth = T4 Perfect Weapon UnID [203747b]
To @Faerie = Waiting for answer

Following his talk with Baldur, he figured that it would be good to follow his advice.  The hunter walked his way down the hall, down a few steps, and followed a bridge over to the bathhouse where the onsen was staged.  The place had a separate space for men and women, a formality for privacy.  Hirru entered the men's area to find a room with a few low benches and small cupboards, with baskets to store ones clothes.  This was rather redundant, as one could easily unequip their equipment and put them safely in their inventory.  It was probably more for the ascetic than anything else. 

He could hear the chatting from the other side, where the onsen proper was at.  It seemed that a few more people were here already.  He couldn't hear what they were talking about, but it seemed nice enough.  Slipping the robes off of his form, he switched to something he never thought he would ever use; a set of trunks that were emblazoned red with gold trim.  He got them from Mack, back when he was invited to a beach bash during the heydays of the Knights of Blood Oaths growth.  Hirru didn't attend, but was happy to receive such odd wear.  A few sets of towels were set aside for people to use.  The hunter would take one as he wrapped it around his waist.

 As he reached the opening to the onsen, he could hear the conversation clearly.  It sounded like someone had asked about Baldur, and two familiar voices would sound out.  The feminine voice recounted a daring encounter which seemed to cement their relationship.  The hunter could only chuckle at that while he opened the door slowly.  He did not want to disturb the talk.

It wasn't until the next voice came up that Hirru froze.  A familiar masculine voice, and one that he knew in passing.  He recounted a harsh time during a boss meeting that seemed to be falling apart, which seemed to only push the wisest man in the room to leave, and leave it all to the man in question.  A flicker of red hair through the misty air was all the hunter needed to know whom that voice belonged to proper, and what he was talking about.  That was Jomei, talking about the horrible talks that happened in the 24th floor boss meeting.  The hunter wasn't there for that meeting, and that was for a heavy reason:  he was the reason why everything fell apart.  The only reason he knew, was because Hestia and Baldur told their parts to him already.  He already felt horrible for everything that happened, that he spilt his heart out to the both of them.  Told them about his amnesia, and his views at that time.  It was not his intention to split the frontlines as it were!  He only wanted to protect someone that was afraid and scared.  He didn't know it was a program, a non-living being made by the game to keep us at bay.

Hirru slowly pushed the door back closed, before sitting down on a bench.  He couldn't face them.  There were so many people that he knew well enough that saw his actions that day.  He did not want bring it all back up again.  He didn't want to be made into a traitor again.  The thoughts ran rampant, until...

"We are all the sum of all our parts"

As he spoke that, he found that he wasn't sitting anymore.  He was back at the door, where he was looking into the onsen.  This was not the time to be thinking about the past as something to regret.  Hirru was what he was because of the things he did in the past.  He sighed before opening the door all the way.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything.."

The green haired hunter chuckled before finding a decent spot to join the party.  Slowly slipping his way into the heat of the water, he would sigh in relief before relaxing a bit.

It was time to live for the future.

@Lessa @Jomei @Astralin @Astreya @Yona @Morningstar

Note: Mob HP changed due to ... A LOT (3 extra dmg calc? / AOE specialist not added / Mit not calc / Phase should be active on second mob hit) missing from Cro's attack.  Corrected in current stat.

It seemed that the first wave of attacks was coming along swimmingly.  Nari seemed to be perceptive of the hunter's words, as she started out with a Shatter Art.  Weirdly enough, the move seemed much more powerful than a normal one.  Was she a Tech user?  This is definitely a great find, as he didn't know too many Tech users and would benefit from looking into her fighting style with it.  NIGHT and Cro would rip through the duo with their AOE Arts, and cause heavy amounts of damage towards each of the Sentinels.  Both were nearly taken care of, with one already in the yellow.  That would become a problem though, as the two attacked.

It seemed that the attention of the mobs had been spread between the elusive NIGHT and the brutal Cro.  A large metal fist would slam down where NIGHT would have been, but their evasive nature would allow them to dodge away from the dangerous slam attack.  Cro would follow the same route, though his sentinel would veer off a bit.  Maybe the hit wouldn't of connected, regardless.  It hit Hirru kind of hard that his shield really wasn't needed, as it shattered before his eyes.  He sighed before letting the idea that the enemies would probably not need to be defended too hard against, if his party used evasion as much as they have.

"Nice work!  Nari, can you shatter the other one?  Cro and NIGHT, continue the onslaught!"

He would say as his energy levels would replenish heavily.  Quickly, he would run over to the recently attacking Cro and lay a hand upon his shoulder.  A glow of yellow would seem to flow from hunter, to the omnivorous warrior.  Hirru would nod to his brother-in-arms.

"You're juiced up.  Get in there!"

Labyrinth Sentinel #1 attacks - [ID: 212381][CD: 8][LD: 12][MD: 8+2-6 (NIGHT)] Miss
Labyrinth Sentinel #2 attacks - [ID: 212382][CD: 7][LD: 4][MD: 5+2-4 (Crozeph)] Miss

Hirru Turn
- Barrier Ends
- [Recovery ID: 212383] [CD: 10] +12 EN
- Action: Energize -> Crozeph +8 EN | -10 EN

[1.2] Crozeph | HP: 920/920 | EN: 90/98 (+8) | DMG: 23 | MIT: 94 | ACC: 6* | EVA: 4 | FLN: 16 | Phase | REC: 3 | LD: 4| Risky II [Risky Active Next Attack]
[0,0] Hirru | HP: 1104/1104 | EN: 91/104 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 110 | EVA: 2 | BH: 55 | HLY BLS: 44 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 76 | LD: 14 | CLDN [Barrier 1/2]
[2,0] Nari-Lanreth | HP: 966/966 | EN: 85/98 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 23 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 60 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Bld: 48 | Concentration [0/5] 
[2,2] NIGHT | HP: 1242/1242 | EN: 132/146 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 134 | LD: 13 | BH: 68 | VAMP-D: 68 | FS | AA | Stealth Rating: 6

Labyrinth Sentinel #1 | HP: 472/1200 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120-20 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | Phase | Shatter [1/3]
Labyrinth Sentinel #2 | HP: 705/1200 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | Phase

• Shop Post: Traveling Flame
• Transaction Date: 01/06/23
• Cost of Transaction: 640
• Crafter's Profession: Appraiser
• Crafter's Rank: R5
• Item Name: Lähmungsklinge
• Item Tier: 1
• Item Type: Straight Sword
• Item Rarity:  Perfect
• Item Enhancements: Keen 2 / Paralyze 1
• Craft/Appraisal/Obtainment IDs & Rolls: 
  • Found ID: 181501
  • ID  212113 | LD 2 | Keen
  • ID  212114 | LD 3 | Keen
  • ID  212115 | LD 12 | Paralyze
• Item Description: A sword that seems to narrow ones focus, while stunning the opponent, allowing for large consistent combos. 

• Shop Post: Traveling Flame
• Transaction Date: 01/06/23
• Cost of Transaction: 640
• Crafter's Profession: Appraiser
• Crafter's Rank: R5
• Item Name: Focus Amulet
• Item Tier: 1
• Item Type: Trinket
• Item Rarity:  Perfect
• Item Enhancements: Accuracy / Quality / Keen
• Craft/Appraisal/Obtainment IDs & Rolls: 
  • Found ID: 128532
  • ID  212116 | LD 18 | Accuracy
  • ID  212117 | LD 2 | Quality
  • ID  212118 | LD 11 | Keen
• Item Description: An amulet that allows one to focus on the weak points of their targets, even when in the middle of combat.

• Shop Post: Traveling Flame
• Transaction Date: 01/06/23
• Cost of Transaction: 320
• Crafter's Profession: Appraiser
• Crafter's Rank: R5
• Item Name: Focus Amulet
• Item Tier: 1
• Item Type: Trinket
• Item Rarity:  Rare
• Item Enhancements: Keen / Accuracy
• Craft/Appraisal/Obtainment IDs & Rolls: 
  • Found ID: 127683
  • ID  212119 | LD 11 | Keen
  • ID  212120 | LD 16 | Accuracy
• Item Description: An amulet that allows one to focus on the weak points of their targets, even when in the middle of combat.

• Shop Post: Traveling Flame
• Transaction Date: 01/06/23
• Cost of Transaction: 320
• Crafter's Profession: Appraiser
• Crafter's Rank: R5
• Item Name: Focus Amulet
• Item Tier: 1
• Item Type: Trinket
• Item Rarity:  Rare
• Item Enhancements: Accuracy / Loot Die
• Craft/Appraisal/Obtainment IDs & Rolls: 
  • Found ID: 127199
  • ID  212121 | LD 20 | Accuracy
  • ID  212122 | LD 3 | Loot
• Item Description: An amulet that allows one to focus on the weak points of their targets, even when in the middle of combat.

• Shop Post: Traveling Flame
• Transaction Date: 01/06/23
• Cost of Transaction: 320
• Crafter's Profession: Appraiser
• Crafter's Rank: R5
• Item Name: Fortune Amulet
• Item Tier: 1
• Item Type: Trinket
• Item Rarity:  Rare
• Item Enhancements: Prosperity / Quality
• Craft/Appraisal/Obtainment IDs & Rolls: 
  • Found ID: 128536
  • ID  212123 | LD 11 | Prosperity
  • ID  212124 | LD 3 | Quality
• Item Description: An amulet that showers one in high probabilities of treasure.

• Shop Post: Traveling Flame
• Transaction Date: 01/06/23
• Cost of Transaction: 320
• Crafter's Profession: Appraiser
• Crafter's Rank: R5
• Item Name: Energizer Amulet
• Item Tier: 1
• Item Type: Trinket
• Item Rarity:  Rare
• Item Enhancements: Recovery 2
• Craft/Appraisal/Obtainment IDs & Rolls: 
  • Found ID: 128543
  • ID  212125 | LD 8 | Recovery
  • ID  212126 | LD 6 | Recovery
• Item Description: An amulet that eases the stress of day to day life, giving a slight pep to their step.

• Shop Post: Traveling Flame
• Transaction Date: 01/06/23
• Cost of Transaction: 320
• Crafter's Profession: Appraiser
• Crafter's Rank: R5
• Item Name: Energizer Amulet
• Item Tier: 1
• Item Type: Trinket
• Item Rarity:  Rare
• Item Enhancements: Recovery 2
• Craft/Appraisal/Obtainment IDs & Rolls: 
  • Found ID: 129152 
  • ID  212127 | LD 10 | Recovery
  • ID  212128 | LD 8 | Recovery
• Item Description: An amulet that eases the stress of day to day life, giving a slight pep to their step.

• Shop Post: Traveling Flame
• Transaction Date: 01/06/23
• Cost of Transaction: 320
• Crafter's Profession: Appraiser
• Crafter's Rank: R5
• Item Name: Energizer Amulet
• Item Tier: 1
• Item Type: Trinket
• Item Rarity:  Rare
• Item Enhancements: Recovery 2
• Craft/Appraisal/Obtainment IDs & Rolls: 
  • Found ID: 129158
  • ID  212129 | LD 8 | Recovery
  • ID  212130 | LD 10 | Recovery
• Item Description: An amulet that eases the stress of day to day life, giving a slight pep to their step.

Breaking Bark 2

Yet another day upon the 11th floor.  Another time to remember all of the ant hills that propagate the floor, and for the memories of Taft.  The guild hall of the Knights of the Blood Oath still hangs there, as symbol of a time stood still.  He could never go back.  Not again.  Not since the events of the 23rd floor, would he ever say that the crimson red was home.  His home was now in the water covered island of Jacob's Ladder, and Baldur's Dojo.  He truly wished that he didn't have to be here, but the need would weigh more.

There was a single consumable that the hunter had gained.  It was a rather useful item that could create a heavy barrier against a large enough attack.  Hirru thought it would be good enough for the last boss fight that they had, but he had forgotten all about it.  Especially when the guy was, just a guy.  There was much more to the floor boss, and what happened afterwards, but it all kind of went up in smoke.  The hunter never really did much, but heal everyone and protect them.  With this, he would easily be able to.

That being said, he would need someone to come with him this time.  Koga was with him last time, and they had a very informative talk about the issues that Hirru had faced.  Now, he was hoping not to do it again, so he sought help from someone that he had recently got to know, Nari-Lanreth.

Sending her a message stating that he was looking to farm a particular consumable that would be helpful with the front lines, the hunter would wait outside the Forbidden Forest; where the field boss usually resides.

"I hope she comes.  I'm not that great at hunting things, like I used to."

Hirru consumes

• Field Ration - 12% (Filling) -> 16% Max HP
• Gungnir Shard | IDENTIFICATION | T4 FEAST (Infinite) | T4 MIT III = MIT +60 5/6 uses (Reusable) [T2 reduction -> 30 mit]
• Immolation Potion T4 -> +40 Thorns [T2 reduction to -> +20 Thorns]
• Spyglass -> Get another field boss after 10 posts instead of 15!

Hirru stats

"Hmm?"

The rune scribe had recently purchased a plethora of small time Tier 1 items, and was well on his way into start appraising them, when someone new came to the little wagon.  He forgot where he was for a second before looking over the item.

"A weapon, huh?  Let me see what it has."

Taking a gander at it, the slots would alight.  Three in total, before the images would burn themselves in.  It was something that all items have, but not much else.  Simple runic creations, nothing more.

"No charge for your first appraisal, but you'll have to pay for rerolls."

He would then start doing the same to a few other ones that were requiring his attention.  It wouldn't really take too long before all of them were sorted through, as they were mostly baubles and trinkets.  Barely necklaces, and maybe a wind-up watch.

8/10 Appraisals

Total Expenditure - 3200 Col
Total Exp - 72 Exp

There was something that the merchant had taught the hunter during their long long stay together.  That was the 'eye for a sale', that is.  A keen sight to look into anything and everything that could be used for the greater good, or at least the good of the community.  Those that wished to sell their items, especially ones at a much cheaper price than others.  That's when this little place came upon the hunter's radar.  Word from afar said that they were an alchemist that had accrued a simple living, but also seemed to sell some extra bits for a steal.

Entering the shop, it seemed that the little apothecary was still up and running.  A good change of pace from some of the other businesses around here.  They didn't have too much that the hunter would want, and wouldn't ask too much from them either.  He was used to buying in bulk for many items, but when he saw his target, he couldn't stop himself.  He noticed the little bargain bin, a little thing with weapons, armor, and trinkets that should not belong to an apothecary.

"I'll take your entire lot!"

Hirru buys: 

CONSUMABLE

• T1 uncommon consumable x1 [ 128529 ]

WEAPON AND ARMOR

• T1 perfect armor x1 [ 128532a ]
• T1 perfect trinket x1 [ 128532b ]
• T1 rare trinket x7 [ 127683, 127199, 128536, 128543, 129152, 129158, 129171] (one of the trinkets doesn't seem to rightfully exist)
• T1 rare armor/shield x1 [ 128525 ]
• T1 uncommon armor [+MIT] x1 [Thread Reward]

*achoo!*achoo!*

A few sneezes would blow up from the hunter as he lay in the little bed that was afforded to him.  Was he catching something, or was it that cold outside?  He then had to remember that he was in a world that wouldn't all that.  Getting up from the mass of sheets, Hirru saw that he had a message.  Another party, it would seem.  Maybe, Nari was able to get in touch with her people?  They did say that they were going to make another gathering for people.  It was rather lonely. 

The storage basement for the dojo was a decently spaced one, and there was a minor wall hiding him away from anyone that crept down to get a bokken or bedding ready.  It was enough for the hunter and his agreement with Baldur.  Still, to go to this party, he would need some presents, or something.  Maybe, he could give away some of the unidentified items that he found?  That would be nice.  He would have to hand pick some for some people, but for anyone he didn't know, they would still get a rare or more.

"Was everyone there a tier four?"

He questioned to himself as he asked Snow if it was alright to dress as he always did.  She nearly sighed before making him go back and change into something slightly different than his sleeveless turtleneck that he always wore.  He guessed that it was time to look into something else.  Hirru didn't really have too much else in the terms of clothing.  He had sold most of his old stuff away.  There wasn't much need for fashion in the dungeon life.

So, instead of going off into market to see if there were any types of clothing that would be good for him, this season.  There were many NPC merchants selling some odd things for the holiday season.  There seemed to be little in the terms of clothing though.

That's when it caught Hirru's eyes.  Something green, something white.  It seemed like it was within the holiday spirit.  The shop was owned by a player, but they weren't getting anywhere.  The hunter would buy their work, and instruct them about some ways to get more business.  Although, the hunter didn't really get tailoring much, but advertisement should be a no brainer.

-----

A knock on the door before coming inside, the hunter would be decked in a green robe, with white fluff ascents.  Gold embroidery would cover small parts around the chest, arms, and end of coat.  The shop keeper said it was a different take on the Santa Claus ascetic.  Hirru didn't understand too well, but figured that it was something of the season, and he liked it.  Weirdly enough, the shop keep decided to give him a long white beard to go along with the outfit.  He shrugged as he added it to his outfit.

It would seem that everyone was already inside, though not many.  As he walked upstairs, he would hear the sounds of chatter and would pop his jolly head out to greet everyone.  He would carry a small sack that he would "pull" gifts from.  He essentially looked like a slightly thinner, greener, santa.

"Merry Christmas, everyone!  I have presents for all!"

Hirru stats

Hirru's appearance:

It wouldn't be long until they found their first obstacle of the labyrinth, two mobs.  At least, that's what NIGHT was signaling, and Cro more or less confirmed to him.  Hirru wouldn't have to waste a search ping to see the beings either, as they would see them in all their splendor, soon enough.  The creatures of this place were not too similar to their surface elemental variants.  Not a true elemental, but it may be that the caves have interwoven the areas.  The mobs in here maybe mixed breeds, with minor parts belonging to different locales.  Guardian like, with their earthen body, but they seem to have metal patches.  It's as if they have armor from their metal elemental halves.

Hirru would run to the front, just slightly before NIGHT so she could be within the art when it is performed.

"Let's give these creatures no time to react!  They surely have a gimmick to them that'll mess us up!"

He would think carefully on what needed to be done first.  If he burst off with the damage buff, it would be the most ineffective now.  They would need to burst some of that armor off first before going in to cause huge damage.  Both NIGHT and Cro were proficient in Area of Effect, but Hirru didn't know anything about Nari's fighting style.  It would be a good time to learn.

"Lessen the armor on them as we go!  Quick bursts!  We do not want them to hit more than once!"

Hirru called out as he slapped his hand to the top of his shield, then watched as large barrier would emit from it.  This will give them some protection, for now.

Post Action: Barrier // -15 en // -15 % True Damage for All (1/1)

It seemed that there was much more to this story than what the hunter had once thought.  Of course, that was usually how it went anyway.  Nothing was that black and white, anymore, as there were motives and reason behind even the oddest of claims.  Still, the issue came about that this one had killed before.  Even with a clear motive for it, it seemed odd that there would even be such a circumstance to happen.  Much more was beginning to be questioned, than what was being answered.  Obviously, if the hunter wanted to know more about their eavesdropper, but the way she wanted to get away from the area; it didn't seem right.  That is, the gaze of the dead seemed to be bothering her.  Though, it bothered him too, but not too harshly.  They were not people he knew, but NPCs created for this place.  

"Well, I can give you peace of mind, if your story wishes to be followed.  Though, I think our conversation partner would rather take her leave."

He would nod to Nari, before going back to the 

"I'm sure a far better venue than this would probably good, don't you think?  I never got your name, either.  Ah, sorry.  Jade Hunter, Hirru, at your service.  Although, I'm sure you have already heard that from my conversation earlier."

He would greet the shadow before gesturing towards the warp vestibule.

"Would a different floor be more your fancy?  Possibly someplace with a large safe zone?"

They would reach their destination before Hirru could reveal too much more.  What was wrong with him?  He was sure that she would be receptive of the things that had happened to him.  Why he did all the things that he had done, and what it brought out from him.  It would become much more clearer about the things that had happened previously.  Why he was always helping the NPC's that showed human like emotions?  It was something that he was still wondering, at this point.  What was it that really makes him continue this train of thought?  Was he generally a good person, or was there more to it?

It wasn't until his thoughts were pulled from his head from out to his surroundings did he really see the garden, as it was.  They stood before a large tree, set aglow by the hundreds of fireflies and golden flare of the flowers underneath.  It seemed like a scene that he had seen before, though that would be impossible.  The flora and fauna of this floor were not exactly like the other floors, so where would he have seen something like this. 

"It's rather awe inspiring."

NIGHT was asking if he would tell her, if he saw anything supernatural, or ghostly.  He would smile at the thought, before looking towards her.  Her visage was nothing more than the friendly NIGHT that he fought along side.  He was half expecting the blue haired girl once more.  That would definitely count towards an unnatural sighting, but that would be for another time, thankfully.

"That's something wild to think about.  Most of the ghost like things I've seen have been.. on the 10th floor, if I remember right."

Which was a rough lie, but how else could Hirru say 'hey, you sometimes become someone you're not.'  He really didn't want to go that route, at least that was something his mind was telling him.  He wondered if it was something he was taught on the other side, or just something he picked up out of nowhere.

While looking back around to take in the rest of the garden, something red came into view.  A feint glow, but bright beside the yellows and golds that burned bright.  This was a red that seemed to bleed into your peripherals, and take over your awareness.  Soon, your sight would want to look in it's direction, but it would be gone.  This happened twice before Hirru started to walk around the tree.

"What the.."

Something hung from the tree, a sight that looked like a head of.... red........... 

Tears seemed to fall from the hunter's eyes before he could stop his next actions.  A step forward would turn into a straight sprint through the golden flowers and fireflies.  Petals would scatter as the lightning bugs would rise and fly away from the disturbance.  Hirru would wheel around the tree to see what the hell that was, but would stop in his tracks when he saw it.  It wasn't what he thought it was, at all.  A low hanging stem would hold the red glowing thing, it was a flower.  Red in glow, on closer inspection, it seemed a darker pink.  Fushia, maybe.  The petals seemed to flow long and down, over a second pair of purple petals.  It's outlook, if seen from afar, could be construed to look like a hanging woman.

"I.. I thought.."

Looking up, the tree seemed to have much more of these flowers hanging from it.  It must be the flower of this tree.  It looked familiar, or at least it should.  The trees and flowers were wildly different from anything he had seen before.

A quick slap to the face after giving some of her own potions to the group, it seemed that there was something going on with these two.  Was Hirru in the wrong for bringing these two together?  Of course not, he wouldn't know about everyone's business.  That's Hik's job to know all of that.  Where was the master of shadows?  He needed to knock on his door some time.  Most of the hunter's information from brokers have been from his network, but not him specifically.  Though that was one thing and this is another.  Looking back at the two of them, it seemed they were in embrace.   At least one sided, as it would seem that NIGHT did not want to reciprocate.

"I guess you found your people, as we were talking about.  Though, I more asked you here to help in information.  I've heard from a friend of a friend that you got fairly far before you had to turn back.  This will help greatly for our hunt.  Especially if there are any weird things or mobs to watch out for."

He would grab a bottle of the Axintori Alcemitanti, pop the cork, and pour a slight filler.  Something he gets from Snow every day to fill out his health, just incase of combat.  She always preferred us to stay alive out there, which made sense.  He would down the mess of a potion, and watched as his health would skyrocket.  Nodding that it was all good now, he would look on to Cro.  He was wondering about his fiancee, which would be a cause for concern, though Hirru didn't know anything from Zandra's team, nor if she was on there.

"You know.. I actually haven't heard any word from the other team that went in.  DIdn't Zandra go in with a few?  Got an invite from her, but been busy, so didn't reply."

Hirru sighed before readying all of his gear and set his helm upon his head, the paladin motif was complete.  The only thing that was odd was that he wasn't wearing the signature red gauntlet, but a simple bracelet emblazoned in gold.  He stood proudly with this and felt the nature of a Vice Commander once more.

"If we're all ready, then let's head out.  NIGHT, I need you as a forward scout.  Your stealth will help us detect things faster than they see us.  Nari, any information that you can provide will be helpful, but you're also gonna be one of our damage dealers, I'm sure.  Cro, stay by me, but be ready to rip and tear.  I will be your lead buffer, healer, and secondary scout, so let me know if anything requires my attention.  We have no tank, per say, but we will be able to prevail."

He nodded to NIGHT before he would start making the first steps into the cave.

Hirru consumes Axintori Alcemitanti -> 15% (Filling +5%)= 20% Max HP (+184)

[Hirru | HP: 1104/1104 | EN: 104/104 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 110 | EVA: 2 | BH: 55 | HLY BLS: 44 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 76 | LD: 14]

The whole of the island had been turned to it's 'night sky' setting, as the lanterns signaled the end of the day.  The lanterns were also a sign to the hunter that he had a couple more hours before he had to turn in.  This was usually the time he would take to do some night fishing, if he wasn't already venturing out into the wilderness again.  There was quite a few promises made for the hunter to live here, although Baldur was clear that he could stay freely.  Hirru wasn't one to make an action so freely, even if his unconscious efforts to save NPC's was becoming a heavy part of himself.  He would fish for the dojo and the guild in general, to keep the pantries filled, and to fulfill his usefulness.

A few of the lanterns hovered slightly in the air before him, on strings that were barely visible from their feint light.  He always loved this time of night, as the flames that filled the lanterns from the inside would flicker softly.  Their being would almost make the lanterns look like they want to float up and become one with the stars, or what should be stars.  The ceiling of the floor was just above them, so.. maybe those are just all the little lanterns.  Flickering in the night, to guide us all to the next day.

Hirru tapped one that was close by and would go back to the ledge he was leaning his elbows against.  Supposedly, this whole scene was something that was seen in Japanese festivals, or what ever Baldur had told Hirru.  The customs and culture of the outside world were odd things, but Hirru liked them.  There were so many things that were supposedly related to the outside world that Hirru liked.  Did..

^{Did the one sleeping on the other side like them too?}

The sound of footsteps behind the hunter would bring him out of his thought process.  He would look back and see the familiar robes of his friend and mentor, the samurai, Baldur.

"Good evening, Hirru.  You seemed to have much on your mind."

Hirru nodded before looking back out on the lantern filled night.

"Far too much, but I've reasoned out a fair deal of it recently.  I've begun thinking more about myself lately.  What I can do?  What will I do?"

He would lean more into the railing until he was basically laying on it.

"I've been burdening myself with keeping face and trying to be me, as I have made myself.  However, I'm stating to wonder if that is really 'me', or if I'm trying too hard to be something else."

He lifted his head to his friend.

"Sometimes, I wonder what the me that's on the other side is like.  Did he experience things like this before, and find them just as enjoying?  Did he love care about the changes that he caused?  Did he worry?"

With a quizzical look, he asked his final question.

"I honestly don't know anything about him.  What do you thing the other me was like?"

This sent a rather strange look to be brought upon his old friends face.  It was first a look of slight worry, before it turned into a stern look, which then turned into his most iconic look: solemn wisdom.

"My friend.  There are many people that seem to think upon those very lines, but they are more about their past selves that they remember faintly.  Usually, this is to try to find where they went wrong, from their old selves.  Though, this is only an excuse, to look upon their experiences leading up to the now and see them as wrong.  We are the products of our experiences; various cultures, and by small part of genetics.  Everything that happens makes us, who we are.  Both the good and the bad, and should not be shunned for it.  That is growth."

Baldur would begin to explain to the hunter about what makes the current him, the only one he has to think about.  Some of what he was talking about were things too out there for the hunter to understand, but they seemed familiar enough to figure out.

"Your being is still who it has been from when you first donned that NerveGear.  You may have lost your memories that made up the Hirru out there, but that does not mean they were gone forever.  Amnesia patients do not forget everything.  They can still walk, talk, and perform to nearly the same ability as before their incident.  The 'who' you were has not changed, but you have gained an equivalent to a 'fresh start'.  You have become unburdened from the chains that bind; the experiences, social constructs, and responsibilities that would normally weigh on your actions.  Starting over, and reinventing themselves into something new.  To live on in a true form that was created, using the template that was themselves.  For nothing can change, who you were."

He would place a hand on Hirru's shoulder, which made the hunter get up from the railing.

"You haven't changed, so take what may have been, and look at what will be.  As they are all what will make up the 'Hirru' of now."

Hirru chewed on that for a moment.  He never really thought about it like that.  That regardless of what happened before, and who the one sleeping on the other side was; the experiences that both had created and saw have formed the him of now...

..and that was okay.  For this is the real him.

"Thanks, Baldur..  That helps."

He would smile before patting the hunter's back.

"A soak in the onsen, with some lively chatting will also help.  Why don't you go join everyone?"

"Sure.."

Hirru stats (keeping stats from the previous two threads, even if my stats are higher now)

As they waited, the hunter would look at his meager consumables being consumed by Cro.  He was pretty sure that a second portion of the gungnir got taken too.  Thankfully, it easily replenishes itself after 24 hours.  There isn't much else he had, so his part in the supply chain was done.  He hoped everyone else had brought what they needed, and if they had anything to give everyone else, that would be great too.  Their wasn't much information out there about the area, except random encounters, which was going to happen anyway.  Hirru didn't want to have any exceptions or any surprises.

Although, the surprises were sure to come.  The violet haired scythe user, Nari-Lanreth, had joined them in the northern mountainous area; a place fruitful by the tireless work of the Dagan dwarves, and the aggressive nature of the Earth Elementals.  The flora that thrived were something that the hunter could come to love, if he wasn't going to be steamrolled by a charging boulder.  He was glad to see her here, instead of where that girl wanted.  

"Aye, it is good to meet in a place where the threat is more well known."

Next would be his fellow two handed sword user, and one of the few that, if time willed it, she would know more about him than himself.  Be that from the mysterious book that he carried in his inventory that knew more about him than he did; or, the strange matter of her own feelings towards the experiences that they have had.  Hirru could not tell, but there was much to see from their interactions.  Today, she seemed silent.  He didn't understand why, nor did he remember anything that would cause it.  Not that he could remember much at all.  She did seem to deliver on the items that they would probably need.

"Alright, let's get these buffs set up before we head out.  Did anyone bring any Overhealth?  If not, I have field rations."

Hirru takes

• 5 Imugi's Inspiration 164865-1, 164865-2, 164865-3, 164876-1, 164876-2,
• 1 Smore - +2 EVA (Consumed)

Stats updated

[Hirru | HP: 920/920 | EN: 104/104 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 110 | EVA: 2 | BH: 46 | HLY BLS: 36 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 76 | LD: 14]

Alternate Methods Required
<<Scouting the Labyrinth>>

The time for waiting had long been over, and the hunter was patient for that entire time.  Many different scouting ventures had been sent out into the floor, that he had heard about, but none have borne fruitful measures.  This day would be different, as the hunter was going into the fray.  He had scouted a bit of the floors, but nothing too extensive within the caves that wrap throughout the floor.  They would start through the northern mountain cave entrances, then head their way through with the hopeful help of his and his teams search capabilities.  Though, the team needed to be assembled.

With her valuable knowledge of the floor that she had expressed many times during their venture, it would have been a crime not to indulge the unique curiosity of @NIGHT.  They're ability to stealth and search would also be a fairly capable interest too, as the hunter was anything but stealthy.  Still, his range finding capabilities weren't something to scoff at, NIGHT's would at least be far more mobile than his own.  Going even farther, her combat capabilities inside and out of stealth would be paramount.  He would send a message her way asking for her assistance in searching for the labyrinth once more.  They would begin in the Dagan mountains.  With that information sent, he would go on to message the second one.

He would need someone that had been through the caves at least a little bit.  He had heard of two different ventures through the caves to find the labyrinth: one headed by Zandra; another headed by a most recent addition to his friendly list, @Nari-Lanreth.  Although, the hunter knew the chaos sister more than the new girl; Hirru had already had a large order of crystals that had to be made through Zandra, so he didn't want to pause that for a moment of combat.  Besides, she would come recommended from Lessa, a friend of Baldur's, so Hirru would send a message to Nari for her knowledge.  Even if a little bit, it will be immensely better than nothing.

The last member of the party would be a no brainer, as he was standing by the angelic adornments that comprised the hunter's armor, @Crozeph.  Jacob's Ladder had made a full deployment into the twenty seventh floor to investigate the place.  Due to Hirru still keeping the majority of his searching capabilites, he was still known as one of the scouts of the guild, even if he still had not joined yet.  The issue with that was that he was no longer an attack type player anymore, or DPS, but a healer, which was another valuable role.  To safeguard the hunter, Baldur asked Crozeph to be Hirru's bodyguard for any long scouting ventures.  The hunter was glad to have someone there with him, even if he had to keep his interests towards something, or else he would run off and fight something he shouldn't.. or eat something he shouldn't..

"Let's await our friends, Cro.  In the meantime, eat up."

With that, he added in each message to bring whatever you can from a list of consumables.  Even if this was just a scouting mission, they would have to be prepared to fight field boss level creatures.  He would look at his meager consumables that he still kept on his person and sighed.  He really needed to buy more stuff.

Hirru provides and consumes

Hirru stats [Hirru | HP: 920/920 | EN: 104/104 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 110 | BH: 46 | HLY BLS: 36 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 36 | LD: 14]