Hidden

Now sitting on the outskirts of the main settlement of Floor six, I opened my menu. I needed to tell Raidou that I had passed. However, an invisible seem to grab my hand and prevent it from doing so. I frowned as my thoughts rang out, voicing my inner feelings. 

'Why do I feel the need to let someone know about things they don't need to? Especially if they are just using me?' 

That was right. I only needed to talk to him when I wanted something. That was the true meaning of our 'friendship' wasn't it? He wanted me to fill a part in his play and I wanted someone to help me reach my goals. It was as simple as that. I asked him about the quest to make it easier. He didn't need to know it was done. I closed the menu, a piece of me satisfied with the choice. 

My eyes fell on the reflection from the dark water at my feet. My reflection was distorted from the water's ripples. The distorted ripples made it appear as if my eyes were as glassy as the water's surface. I felt... lighter than before. The constant weight of the doubt that I carried had seemed to fade away. Was this the effects of Calming the Soul? "I think its about time I left." 

The world seemed to fold in on me, as if I were draining it. The dark forest swirled around, sucking itself into my figure. I closed my eyes. When I reopened them, I found the waterfall once again. How long had I been sitting there now? It didn't matter, it was time to go. Glassy eyes looked towards the jungle surrounding me as I melted into it. There was things that needed to be done before the next boss fight. If I could raise my levels a few more times, that would be rather helpful.

"What are we going to do?" 

The words echoed back to me and the other me was no longer in sight. She had vanished from the world at quickly as she had appeared. Even if she wasn't here to speak, I felt as if she was still there. She was inside me, whispering my own insecurities into my heart. The problem was that I believed everything she said. Those I considered to be my friends had been used as playing cards. Every time I let them in they just got hurt. Besides, were they really my friends anyway? Or were they just using me to get what they really wanted?

Assassin wanted to become stronger, so she'd been feeding on the SP from questing with me. Yuki was too read to throw herself at an opponent, something I had plenty of. Mari just took pity on me. And Raidou... I could no longer say that he was scared into being my friend. However, he was the kind of man who always had a plan. I don't know what part of his plan I played. Either way, he was using me. Something I hated. 

Her eyes set on Hel, who now froze in place. She wasn't very dangerous for a boss, but the mechanics were rather annoying. Freeing soldiers just to prevent her from healing? There should be an easier way. The white-haired girl moved over to the shackles, seeing NIGHT already trying to get them undone. She tried breaking the links with her dagger, but found herself distracted in thought. 

"... what if we tried to just kill her before she heals? If she's just going to heal at a certain point, why don't we bring her to halfway, stun her, and then you paralyze her with Trickster? That would give us a certain two turns to attack before she can heal. I'm sure we could do that much damage by then. It would take a bit of setup, but its faster than freeing all of these guys right?" 

The most important thing would be everyone actually hitting. She could vanish and assassinate Hel, and NIGHT would be using trickster. The problem was Crozeph, could they rely on him to hit his target? Perhaps they could even do it without him. Between her, and the two randoms that joined them, surely they could deal enough. 

"Or maybe, NIGHT, you should paralyze first, and then we can stun on the next turn so you don't have to waste an attacking turn on Vanish!" 

187574 LD:1 (really?)

[3] Baldur-san | HP: 1560/1560 | EN: 102/144 | MIT: 49 | DMG: 24 | Absolute ACC: 8 | EVA: 2 | BH: 78 | Conc (3/3) | Parry (2/2) | QChange (3/3) | Zanshin Equipped
[1] Hidden-hikoku | HP:1405/1405 | EN:117/124 | DMG:23 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:140 | HLY:8 | BH:70
[1] Crozeph-Kun | HP: 1180/1180 | EN: 76/106 | ACC: 4[+2] | DMG: 18[+3] | EVA: 2[+2] | MIT: 45[+30] | FRZ: 1 | BRN: 1 I REC: 1 | BH: 30 | LD: 1
[2] NIGHT | HP: 1550/1550 | EN: 146/167 | ACC: 6 | DMG: 25 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 7 | BH: 77 | BRN: 36 | BLI: 72 | BLD: 36 | TXV: 24 | VV: 10 | LD: 5
[0] Calrex-kun | HP: 1805/1805 | EN: 158/176 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 116 | ACC: 4 |  EVA: 3 | ACH: 0.5 | TNT 1 | Stonewall
[8] Zajcica-chan | HP: 1570/1570 | EN: 110/136 | DMG 2 | MIT 232 | EVA -1 | BH 78 | THRNS: 135

Hel - The One that Hides | HP: 1,067/3,000 | DMG 400 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | MIT 50 | [DoT: 178 DMG] (1/2) [Burn-Timer(36)] (0/1) | [STUN IMMUNITY] (1/3) [FROZEN (+36 DMG to next attack)]

Hel is unable to act while Frozen.

If there are spectral soldiers, Hel heals herself to full when she hits 50%. Hel must be stunned or have healed during the last turn to attempt freeing a soldier.
Spectral Soldier 1 - 25/40 LD 
Spectral Soldier 2 - 0/40 LD
Spectral Soldier 3 - 0/40 LD

re:baldur | burn's already included i

Current Level: 66
Current SP: 328
Link to SP Tracking: <<LINK>>
Item Upgrades:

Hidden | White Silence
"Troubled and branded in orange, the girl has what seems to be a past on her tail as a shadow does."
<Hidden> [ ♫ ]

Blueberry
 "I do want to cook. I want to learn to make the tasty treats that only top-tier chefs can make. I can eat them when they are made from any other chef, but the dessert's flavor is limited to the chef's creativity!"
<Blueberry>

Morgenstern
'"We are training for what we can become, not what we are."

<Morgenstern>
 

ID: 187501
LD: 12
Item Received: Nihilim's Wrath: T4 Dagger | Phase | Abs. ACC | ACC
Reward: SP

"What mistake have you made?" Was all the response there was.

A deep breath was exhaled as he instantly became fed up with the man. "The only mistake that's been made... is you walking in here and trying to demanding things from me. I'm really not trying to dirty the house meaning i'm willing to let you leave alive." He felt his serpent go rigid for a moment, something that he hadn't ever witnessed before. Something was happening, though he wasn't worried. The Black Serpent couldn't be killed, only contained. It was able to consume the life directly of any living thing.

"Mistakes, you're funny. Unless you are Hidden's buddy and are trying to protect her or whatnot. Look, I'm not interested in hero types. I'm only interested in those that fight without mercy, prepared to die at any moment." His yellow eyes burst alight in mad delight. "Though perhaps I can allow myself a snack!" He drew his sword, looking at the man hungrily. HIs snake made no attack. Odd. This was the first time the snake had failed to do its job. No matter.

"Partake in this feast as one with me." He whispered, the snake beginning to coil up his body before sinking its fangs into its master's own neck. His veins became a dark green, emitting a pulsating aura. Removing his hat, his eyes became wild and his hair stood straight up. The pulsating aura changed, becoming a black a green vortex around him, the living finding themselves drained just if they stood too close. This was his trump card, something that he hadn't used many times before. However, after not being able to use it against Hidden, he was almost begging for an excuse to use it. 

A cackle before his last words. "Never even stood a chance!" His sword fell onto the head of the man in red. 

The door to his cabin creaked as he stepped through. A sigh escaped his lips as he felt relieved in his home. He could take a load off and relax...

But something was off. There was a different feel to the air. Instead of its normal humble feel there was a hostility to the air. Danger was brewing. A glint caught his eyes and he turned finding a red-coated player finding comfort at his table. His heart skipped a beat. What was he doing here? Who was he? It didn't matter. 

"Ah hello. I see you've made yourself comfortable. Apologies, but I don't think we have had the pleasure of meeting." He joined the figure at the table, tipping his hat to the man. "You do know that it is rather... Rude... to allow yourself into someone's house? I can't say that I am really in a generous mood right now" 

A yellow eye glared at the wanderer in red. Something spiraled up his leg, his familiar who had become interested in the man and remained poised to snap down the intruder. Soon, the boy would learn what danger he had wandered into. 

A flash of light emitted from the teleport gate as he stumbled into the twenty-first floor. Risque took a moment before resuming a gentleman's posture. Things hadn't gone as planned; however, that didn't mean the game was lost. Perhaps this was fate. Hidden wasn't ripe for the picking yet and he had simply been rushing her. As much information as he had purchased over her, it was surprising to have failed. Though, it had become increasingly hard to find the information he wanted on her. It was as if she had vanished from even the shadow world of Aincrad. Info Brokers knew nothing more and with her being unable to be traced it had been hard enough to plan it. 

His eyes traced upwards to his health bar, which had managed to settle just below the halfway point. Without being in combat, his regain had almost seemingly halted. Stepping forward, he would leave the stretches of the mining town, moving deeper into the caves. The twenty-first floor was not well-traveled and was a great hiding spot for him. No doubt, Hidden would try to find him of her own accord. No way she would allow him to run free after what he did. Perhaps this would motivate her to become even stronger. 

A moment of silence ensued as she sulked in her defeat. It had been a three on one fight, how had they managed to let him get away? He had been strong, but his confidence had become his undoing. She opened her eyes, looking down at her hands. One still clutched the recording crystal that Setsuna had given her. Hidden sighed, standing. She barely was taller than Setsuna, but her eyes cast down at the child as she handed her the crystal. "Thanks I guess for the assist..." Her voice trailed off in the end. Her eyes fell away from Setsuna. She was uneasy in endangering Setsuna. Her promise could have easily been broken. She moved over to Ayame who was simply laying on the ground. Hoisting the girl on to her back, she heard Setsuna's voice again. 

 "I believe I was wrong, no monster defends another. The mistake has been made in assuming you as such."

A small rise of fury lit her eyes, but she did nothing. A cool breath escaped her lungs before she told the girl the words she needed to hear most. "An orange cursor isn't the mark of a killer. Sometimes its the sign someone has made a mistake and hasn't found the heart to return it to green. Maybe it was to protect another. Besides, there are plenty of rotten green players." She moved to the entrance of the ruined building. Something remained unanswered but this wasn't the time. 

"You see me all the time, now look at the meteor shower."

"I've got questions as to why you know so much about me and how you just happened to be here. Now is not the time for it though. Stay out of trouble or I might have to get involved and I'm busy enough as it is." With those words, she walked away and carried Ayame away from the place that had hurt her. This was something she wouldn't let happen again. 

As the boss seemed to fall itself from exhaustion, Hidden's eyes traced the battlefield to where Raidou had been shackled by the boss's ability. The chains were much like that of ones from Valhalla which had been holding down the Spectral Soldiers. 

She shifted her direction from the boss to him, but came to a stop as a random blue-haired boy managed to swiftly destroy the chains. 'Great, I would've made fun on of him if I released him.' A sigh escaped her lungs and she turned her gaze back onto the horrors that all of which seemed to enjoy her specifically. There was one remaining. Darting forward, her dagger hummed with a orange hue as she moved to cut it up. Just for she managed to unleash her sword art, NIGHT cut through the monster and it burst into shards of data. 

For no apparent reason, hostility bubbled inside of her. It just had to be her. NIGHT. With a cool expression, there she was to one up her. Had she been strong enough, she would've loved to wipe that smug look off of the woman's face. Hidden turned away, wanting to getaway from the rest of them now. She had been surprised she'd made it back to the battlefield. It was almost weird that no one had attempted to capture her or something. She supposed that if anything, the majority of the frontliners didn't seem to be motivated by pride alone. That didn't change that she thought they were all idiots who allowed things like mercy to be brought onto the battlefield. 

Stepping over to Raidou, she would tell him softly, "I'll walk you to the next floor. I wonder what kind of place it is." Despite her making talk of it, she honestly didn't care what it looked like. She was just looking for something to ease the monachopsis feeling that she was experiencing. The frontlines needed her for one thing and one thing alone. To kill things. Now that the target was dead, she had no purpose. 

"On the contrary, dear, I am no broker."

Hidden revealed no emotion to this, but she understood what the woman had meant. She was a buyer of info, but had no intent of selling. She was just someone who liked to stick her nose in others business. Simmone was simply someone who knew her because she bought the information about her. Despite purchasing this information, she had no intention of being useful at all. 'I'm not too sure I like her... at all.' 

 The way I see it, is Raidou, the APD's interest in you, this glutton seeking you out and attacking you, before dying. Setsuna is proof that they are not isolated, but fully conjoined in some large web to which you my dear.... "You are right at the heart of that web, unaware that it is being altered and built around you."

Hidden frowned. This was something she couldn't believe. "And... I think that settles it. Despite you sounding really smart, you are just a conspiracy theorist. It all just happened like that. The APD wants to get rid of me, Setsuna just harbors her own native feelings towards me, Risque wanted to fulfill his fantasy of fighting someone as merciless as he was and Raidou... I don't even understand what he wants from me. Or if he just wants to change me." 

Letting out a heavy sigh, she would answer Simmone's question. "I'm not interested in being the center of attention. I didn't mind my life where everyone seen me as just some passing stranger. Now I gotta worry about some random people trying to fight me like i'm some sort of trophy to be hunted."

Hidden grabbed the hilt of her dagger that remained strapped to her arm. Unsheathing it, she placed the weapon over the Handwritten Letter of Appreciation that rested on the table. With a flash of light, the dagger shifted into something far from its original basic design. Now resting in her hand was a wide-blade amethyst dagger. The words "Nato's Might" drifted over the weapon until in an instant it changed into the words: "Kura yu yami". She sheathed the weapon, casting her gaze back to Simmone. 

An outcry reached her ears as several players charged forward, most likely attempting to take the last hit for the reward. She wasn't too interested in such a reward, instead she was after the experience and col rewards. As someone who couldn't farm, quests and events were by far the easiest way for her to receive such rewards. 

Her health bar rose a bit as Mari used a healing crystal for her. A sigh escaped Hidden's lips. The act was pointless. It was over. Her eyes met Raidou's figure which still remained chained down. 'When he dies, you'll be free.'  She faced the Shadow, preparing to end him. He had done enough. Honestly, this fight hadn't been worth much. There wasn't any real struggle. With Orgoth at their side, it had been a cinch. An orange hue overtook her dagger before she darted forward thrusting her dagger into her enemy's back. "Sleep." She told The Shadow. With him gone, the influence of shadows would return to those who possessed the hiding skill. 

186062 BD:8
DMG: 23*13=299-100=199 DMG to The Shadow

Quote

 

Shadow Horror #7 | HP: 170/1500 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3

[H:12,6] Macradon | HP: 1985/1985 | EN: 146/191 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 194 | HLY: 12 | VO: 198 | PHASE | REC: 6 | FRTHRNS: 21, 6 DOT | BH: 114 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | LD: 5 | EN REGEN: 5 | FRAURA: 15 
[H:11,4] ChaseR | HP: 1690/1690 | EN: 66/148 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 106 | HLY: 12 | BRN: 12 | TXV: 24 | PRLYZ: 8+ | VD: 84 | HBS: 16 | LD: 8 | Dote: 3 | DoT -27 | BH: 99 | EN REGEN: 5 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]
[H:2,0] Mari | HP: 1910/1910 | EN: 65/170 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 88 | FLN: 6 | VO: 191 | FLAURA: 15 | KEEN: 1 | Dote: 3 | Dot: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 110 | EN REGEN: 5 | KEEN
[H:5,0] Hidden| HP: 1510/1510 | EN: 47/130 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 79 | HLY: 8 | VO: 226 | LD: 3 | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 90 | EN REGEN: 5
[H:0,0] @Pinball| HP: 1350/1500 | EN: 117/132 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 15 | BH: 105 | FRZ: 36/8-10 | Phase | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant |  | EN REGEN: 5
[H:3,1] @Jomei | HP: 1705/1705 | EN: 102/169 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 88 | BRN: 36 | BLI: 36 | HB: 16 | BH: 100 | EN REGEN: 5 | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]

 

The white-haired girl glossed over Simmone's words which seemed to be almost cryptic to her. In fact, instead of actually helping come up with any answers the woman just seemed to make the questions ever more complicated. She frowned before speaking her mind. 

"I find it really annoying that you seem far more able to ask more questions than you can answer. Didn't you say you were some form of info broker?" 

An annoyed sigh escaped her lips. "I think you even might be worse than Raidou with it." She slumped in her chair her nature opposing the pristine and laminated posture of Simmone. Her violet eyes seemed almost dull as she looked at Simmone, bored with the entire encounter. "I understand there's a lot of 'lightning strikes' but how am I ever supposed to know what that means? I know its weird but how is that supposed to help me bring it to a conclusion?" This kind of thinking was never her forte. 

Simmone's words had lost Hidden and had left her questioning if the woman was just trying to get her to stumble on words and reveal things about her. "Unless you are simply ignoring questions and instead seeking answers, nothing you are doing make sense. You even turned the focus of the conversation back to why Raidou cares about me for a moment." 

Hidden hated this kind of people. Those that spoke smooth words, changing the course of action through words instead of strength. It was people like this that had caused the most trouble for her. 

The battle was starting to draw to its close. All they had to do was keep attacking. Ignoring the grotesque creatures that seemed to be drawn to her, she focused on the Shadow. As if on replay, her dagger continued to imbed itself deep within the back of the boss, bringing its health even closer to zero. As she fell back into the ranks of her team, a voice caught her attention. Mari had been speaking to her. After focusing on the boss so long, her team's presence had begun to fade.

"I'll be healing you next." 

She shifted her attention away. "I don't really need it..." She muttered in response. Her dagger was supposed to heal her anyway. She just hadn't gotten lucky in a while for it to happen. It was as if her luck had been skewed. Despite that fact, her health was still marginally high and she was in no immediate danger. This boss was almost dead anyway, why wasn't she helping attacking?                                                                                                                                                

185557 BD:8
DMG: 23*13=299-150=149 DMG to the Shadow

Quote

Shadow Horror #3 | HP: 0/1500 (140-201=0) | DMG: 300 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | [FR. THRNS 6 (1/2)] 
Shadow Horror #7 | HP: 572/1500 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 - 289

[H:11,4] Macradon | HP: 1985/1985 | EN: 146/191 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 194 | HLY: 12 | VO: 198 | PHASE | REC: 6 | FRTHRNS: 21, 6 DOT | BH: 114 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | LD: 5 | EN REGEN: 5 | FRAURA: 15 
[H:9,2] ChaseR | HP: 1690/1690 | EN: 74/148 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 106 | HLY: 12 | BRN: 12 | TXV: 24 | PRLYZ: 8+ | VD: 84 | HBS: 16 | LD: 8 | Dote: 3 | DoT -27 | BH: 99 | EN REGEN: 5 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]
[H:2,0] Mari | HP: 1910/1910 | EN: 77/170 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 88 | FLN: 6 | VO: 191 | FLAURA: 15 | KEEN: 1 | Dote: 3 | Dot: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 110 | EN REGEN: 5 | KEEN
[H:4,0] Hidden | HP: 1337/1510 | EN: 53/130 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 79 | HLY: 8 | VO: 226 | LD: 3 | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 90 | EN REGEN: 5
[H:0,0] Pinball | HP: 1350/1500 | EN: 117/132 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 15 | BH: 105 | FRZ: 36/8-10 | Phase | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant |  | EN REGEN: 5 +120HP
[H:3,1] Jomei | HP: 1705/1705 | EN: 102/169 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 88 | BRN: 36 | BLI: 36 | HB: 16 | BH: 100 | EN REGEN: 5 | PARRY | [CONCENTRATION: 2/3] | [PARRY: --/2]

The Gourmet stood confidently overlooking his feast. He just needed to wait for the second one to come to him. Of the three of them, she was the wolf. The one that would wait until the prime moment to pounce on its prey. Assassin was low enough level that she was the low-tier threat. However, her presence still proved to be a nuisance. Setsuna stood, leaving Hidden and vanishing. A hungry grin rested onto his mouth. He had the health pool and restoratives to take the hit. If there was anything he knew about these women, it was that they never attacked head on. They always attempted to back stab him. He understood as someone who had once passed the time ambushing players. 

 "You've bitten off more than you can chew."

A familiar attacked struck his back, the icy chill felt even at his fingertips. This battle would have gone differently if he hadn't been immune to such effects. Ignoring the damage from the attack on his back or his ribcage, he spun quickly, his blade slashing Setsuna across the chest. A sadistic smile spread across his face. "Thanks for the meal!" He shouted, diving forward with his blade outstretched to cut the girl in two.

That was, if it wasn't for an unexpected little guest. Something grasped onto his back, pulling him away from Setsuna, an angry voice screaming into his ear. HIs health began to take considerable dips as a dagger sank into his chest and neck repeatedly. HIs anger rising, he grasped the little girl by her hair, slamming her onto the ground in front of him. 

"DO YOU WANT TO DIE THAT BADLY? DAMN YOU, STAY OUT OF THE FUCKING WAY!" He thrust his sword into the little girl, the blade sliding through her until it sank into the ground holding her. Helpless, her health bar quickly began to drain from the blade implanted into her.  "Die. Die. Die. DIE!" He said excitedly as her health began to drain. If she was too stupid to live, he would add her to his body count. 

___________________________

Her grip on the crystal tightened as she watched Risque fling Ayame into the ground like a ragdoll. The grip was tight enough to almost shatter it as he plunged his sword into her. A twinge of pain was felt in her chest before suddenly she could feel nothing. Empty. All that she felt was the desire to kill him. The desire to rip him limb from limb. For her blade to rip him into small pieces while he begged for her mercy. 

"I've been hurt enough."

Hidden darted forward, slamming her foot into his face to knock him away from Ayame. Removing the blade, she would drop it to the ground where it would fall with a clang. Her eyes, void of life fell onto Risque, the source of her hatred. 

"And now..." 

With another dash forward, she reached forward, clawing at his neck with her free-hand while she tore at his eyes with her dagger. Managing to grab the man, her dagger would cut out his avatar's eyes, flooding the air with red shards. 

"Its my turn." 

She threw him to the ground, her dagger carving into his avatar as she uncontrollably attacked. The air became lit with a fly of orange colors. Finally, she thrust her dagger into his head where it became lodged. 

"Any last words before I dismember you? Before I rid this world of your pitiful existence?"

Laughter filled his lungs at her words. "Dismember me? That sounds more like you. Maybe you still are the monster that I thought you were inside. Perhaps we will have to finish this another time. However, before I go allow me to remind you of something. Don't depend too much on anyone. Even your Shadow will leave you when you are in Darkness." A grin flashed on his face before a flash of blue absorbed him. 

Her dagger clattered onto the ground, left with nothing. Her eyes widened as she realized what had just transpired. He got away. He actually got away. She stood, the disbelief settling in. He would be back. And now, he knew something of Setsuna. What if he traced her back to Raidou? What if she were to lose everything again? She had lost. She had one chance to rid of him and she blew it. She crouched, holding her knees for a moment with closed eyes. 

"Your deal, so you have a deal with him then?" A small smile formed on her face. If there was anything that bothered an information dealer, it was not knowing. "Oh so you don't know then? We've been affiliated for a while now. I guess he keeps his cards close even with you all." Raidou was the quiet type, someone she might have found herself being acquaintances with in the real world. As someone who had been bullied in school, it was easy to connect with others like that. Of course, she hadn't in fear that befriending them would get her targeted even more.

"He's also a name you hear from time to time, a buyer like myself. I've seen him, but once. Shifty fellow, a bit smooth and knows how to speak to get what he wants." A frown covered her face. The Glutton? Was that the name that Risque worked under? She wasn't aware. She had been adept in his title being "Creepy Fedora Man". As Simmone asked if she was sure he wasn't there, Hidden nodded. "It was just I, Setsuna, and someone else." She wasn't going to bring Ayame into anything. 

Hidden sat herself down in a chair, her posture still defensive. She doubted this merchant was much of a threat, but who knew what items she had at her disposal. "Now that you mentioned it... I never figured out why Setsuna was around anyway. I mean the girl hates me...." Her expression shifted into confused surprise. Eyes widening in her own revelation she focused on Simmone. "He's not having her following me around like some guard dog is he!?" She settled down, noticing her voice was beginning to getting to higher volumes. A flash of harmful intent met the glint in her eyes at this thought. She wasn't some delicate flower to be kept under constant protection in surveillance. If that was the case, she'd have to teach the man a thing or two. 

"Nothing flowery indeed poor child, they assume you a traitor, a danger and have put a bounty on your head. So if its a deal of inconvenience you meant instead, I will not hold it against you, but I fail to see anything he would get out of your little arrangement." 

"I didn't assume they thought nice things of me. Its died down a bit, but a lot of people dislike me. I knew about the bounty too. It was originally placed by the Aincrad Police Department, a Corrupt meaningless organization fashioned by Hestia to give more weight to her words." That was a problem she had to deal with long ago. It upset her that it hadn't been removed after her encounter with Are who apparently had ties with her. This only proved that Itzal and Hestia were unwilling to change because she was a threat to the order that they wished to impose on Aincrad. "You fail to see anything he gets out of it because you don't know what my side of the deal is." No info broker knew everything, Simmone was no different. If Raidou hadn't told his guild that she was supposed to protect them, then she was going to keep it quiet as well. Perhaps there were those who thought they were above an orange player, such as Setsuna. 

 "The Green Glutton, is dead." Hidden frowned. Was she still talking about Risque? "If you are talking about the kidnapper, thats not true. We didn't kill him. He escaped after we backed him into a corner." Was this woman insinuating that Raidou had killed him? How would he have even known about Risque in the first place to deal with him? 

The doors closed to Simmone's private quarters within The Black Odyssey, leaving the two at each other's mercy. A puff of smoke wafted into the air from a drag of a cigarette, before Simmone assured her that no one could hear her anymore. As soon as that crossed the table, the woman's words began to hold more weight. 

"Hidden, your quite the talk of the towns, you know. That secret will remain safe with me, I do not sell words but buy them." A fake chuckle escaped the silver-haired girl's lips before she sarcastically mentioned, "Funny huh? Its almost like attention is what I don't want. Make your username Hidden and everyone wants to find you I guess." The woman moved closer, forcing Hidden to make a step back. She didn't really feel the need to be any closer to this woman. 

 "So my girl the question is, why does Raidou pass his protection onto you, with your very obvious little cursor showing your past?"

Hidden stifled her laugh. "His protection huh? Our deal doesn't cover that." Hidden's expression remained wary. She knew this woman's type. One that basked in the information accidentally revealed through light conversation. "If he's supposed to be 'protecting' me nonetheless he isn't doing a very good job. Just last week someone kidnapped someone just to get at me. He wasn't there then. Though, you can't expect him to be everywhere either. Our relationship is based on... convenience." A slight pink rose to her pale cheeks. Despite this, she shifted the conversation away from her in an attempt to not reveal more information than needed. Information in itself was a weapon, and placed in the right hands it could deal damage. 

"So, what exactly do the 'Towns' have to say about someone like me? I'm going to guess they aren't flowery compliments." 

+1*Handwritten Letter of Appreciation

Roleplay Continues in:

<<A Silver Tongue meets Deafened Ears>>

The doors closed to Simmone's private quarters within The Black Odyssey, leaving the two at each other's mercy. A puff of smoke wafted into the air from a drag of a cigarette, before Simmone assured her that no one could hear her anymore. As soon as that crossed the table, the woman's words began to hold more weight. 

"Hidden, your quite the talk of the towns, you know. That secret will remain safe with me, I do not sell words but buy them." A fake chuckle escaped the silver-haired girl's lips before she sarcastically mentioned, "Funny huh? Its almost like attention is what I don't want. Make your username Hidden and everyone wants to find you I guess." The woman moved closer, forcing Hidden to make a step back. She didn't really feel the need to be any closer to this woman. 

 "So my girl the question is, why does Raidou pass his protection onto you, with your very obvious little cursor showing your past?"

Hidden stifled her laugh. "His protection huh? Our deal doesn't cover that." Hidden's expression remained wary. She knew this woman's type. One that basked in the information accidentally revealed through light conversation. "If he's supposed to be 'protecting' me nonetheless he isn't doing a very good job. Just last week someone kidnapped someone just to get at me. He wasn't there then. Though, you can't expect him to be everywhere either. Our relationship is based on... convenience." A slight pink rose to her pale cheeks. Despite this, she shifted the conversation away from her in an attempt to not reveal more information than needed. Information in itself was a weapon, and placed in the right hands it could deal damage. 

"So, what exactly do the 'Towns' have to say about someone like me? I'm going to guess they aren't flowery compliments." 

Hidden found it rather odd that the merchant seemed to wish to speak with her in private. What was there for the woman to gain out of a conversation with her. She steps forward into the woman's chamber, a wary expression worn on her face. 

"That price is fine." Hidden assured the raven-haired merchant. The way she made her words out had been strange. This woman herself... was strange. "You mentioned the cost to the system, is that the same as the cost to me? You don't seem like one who would market things at the systems price.  You are a part of Firm Anima, your guild squeezes the system dry. It doesn't make any sense to not attempt to make a profit." 

Hidden's violet eye trained themselves on the woman's form. "Or perhaps the reason is different. You know who I am so you give me the full discount? Even though we have no relationship between eachother?" Her eyes fell on the paper turned towards her. She still wanted the items. But why was this woman treating her different? She doubted it was fear. The only other reason could be Raidou. Maybe she could find out just how much he had talked about her to his guild members.

Hidden watched on confusion as shackles brought Raidou to his knees, and although she wanted to help she knew she couldn't. This was no place to play favorites. She was here to kill the boss and nothing more. To progress Aincrad. The goal was never hers to begin with but it was something to pass the time. She darted forward, taking advantage of the Shadow being distracted by their bull of an ally. 

Her dagger ripped through his form, leaving several gashes on his back. Hidden leapt backwards to avoid any counter-attack, however she seemed to have leapt right in to the danger. While she had been sure she had kept her eye on the Shadow horror, once again she was being held down by the cold clammy hands. "Get OFF!" She knocked the creature off that had begun to feast on her flesh. 

'Why do they keep targeting me? Is it because of my high stealth skill which uses the shadows?' 

Quote

 

185258 BD:7
DMG:23*13=299-150=149 to the Shadow

Shadow Horror #3 | HP: 553/1500 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | [FR. THRNS 6 (0/2)]
Shadow Horror #7 | HP: 1299/1500 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 

[H:9,7,2] Macradon | HP: 1985/1985 | EN: 160/191 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 194 | HLY: 12 | VO: 198 | PHASE | REC: 6 | FRTHRNS: 21, 6 DOT | BH: 114 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | LD: 5 | EN REGEN: 5 | FRAURA: 15 | [PARRY: 1/2]
[H:7,0,0] ChaseR | HP: 1690/1690 | EN: 84/148 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 106 | HLY: 12 | BRN: 12 | TXV: 24 | PRLYZ: 8+ | VD: 84 | HBS: 16 | LD: 8 | Dote: 3 | DoT -27 | BH: 99 | EN REGEN: 5 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]
[H:2,0,0] Mari | HP: 1910/1910 | EN: 72/170 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 88 | FLN: 6 | VO: 191 | FLAURA: 15 | KEEN: 1 | Dote: 3 | Dot: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 110 | EN REGEN: 5 | KEEN
[H:3,0,0] Hidden| HP: 1247/1510 | EN:58/130 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 79 | HLY: 8 | VO: 226 | LD: 3 | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 90 | EN REGEN: 5
[H:0,0,0] Pinball | HP: 1230/1500 | EN: 117/132 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 15 | BH: 105 | FRZ: 36/8-10 | Phase | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant |  | EN REGEN: 5
[H:3,1,0] Jomei | HP: 1705/1705 | EN: 111/169 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 88 | BRN: 36 | BLI: 36 | HB: 16 | BH: 100 | EN REGEN: 5 | PARRY | [CONCENTRATION: 2/3] | [PARRY: --/2]

 

@Raidou

A feverish feeling over her body as the snake's paralytic venom seeped into her body through its punctures. She fell to her knees as Risque pulled his weapon from her chest, his words signifying his anger. HIs words meant nothing to her. An attack like that might have been the end for Ayame. The ear-splitting ringing caused by the recording crystal began to fade, but her body remained hot and immobile. That was until Setsuna began to charge her instead. 

'She's going to attack me now? She hates me that much? She would risk herself just to end me?' 

However, instead of reaching out for her, the girl grasped the snake that leeched on her neck, crushing it. It would fall into pieces that would litter the ground. However, these pieces would liquify becoming a small dark pool on the ground which would slowly begin lurch away. Setsuna than quickly embraced her neck and sucked like a vampire. Hidden's eyes widened at the girl's touch but her body was incapable of movement. However, the hot feverish feeling in her body began to fade, replaced with a cold sensation. Her eyes returned attention to Risque, who now for a moment turned his attention on Ayame. 

"He'll kill her..." Hidden said faintly, her body attempting to move in that direction. If Ayame perished, this entire fight was for nothing. 

__________________________

A sinister smile remained on his face as the young one he had captured moved on him alone, mouth foaming with meaningless threats. "Kill me you say? I don't think you'll get that chance. You all have only done this much through trickery and numbers. None of you stand a chance when you stand alone." He allowed the girl to move in on him, her dagger ripping through him. However, the damage was ignorable. 

"Let's see how smug and confident you are when you're stun-locked forever."

A laugh roared from his figure. "How naïve you are! The dagger skill only gives access to stun when paired with the use of martial arts! And that dagger? Don't think this is the first time I've seen it. It was the very same dagger that Hidden used so long ago. What was it? Phase, Paralytic Venom, Bleed? If that is the case than allow me to introduce you to..."

"This!"

He holds out his finger, a golden ring with the etchings of a snake. "This ring dropped from a secret boss, only accessible to the first who killed Amphis Serpens ten times. I had been trying to make it my familiar, but instead I found a boss hiding behind it. The Ring of Serpent's Venom dropped from it. Antifreeze, Paralytic Immunity, Bloodclot and Accuracy. I won't be locked anytime soon." In a single swipe, he would attempt to remove the girl from the fight and end her bloodlust. A strike not aimed like the others, but instead for the woman's sword hand. HIs blade met its mark with the help of the song he had played previously, easily severing the girl's limb from her body. He cackled, pulling out a healing crystal which he would crush in his hand, bringing his own health back over the 75% mark. "Our promise remains true, Assassin. Stay down and your life will be spared. Surely your pretend 'family' isn't as important as your own life is it?"

"Well, I believe its time to finish this little dance. One more white-haired brat to deal with before the main course right?"