Dazia

Well, this narrowed down a potential location right away. "Well, isn't that a coincidence..." Dazia noted. She looked over to Yinangi. "Is there anything else you want to add, or will we be on our separate ways for now?" She asked. Yinangi stood firm. "Prepped and ready for action! I'm considering starting my search in the sixth floor. Message me when you guys get done so I can introduce my new friend to you!" She said with a salute before running off towards the teleport gate. Literal teenager or no, despite being knowledgeable, Yinangi was still just a child at heart, and Dazia could tell.

She turned her gaze back to Vigilon. "It would seem that our goals happen to line up. The missing player I'm looking for was last seen on this floor. If people were barely able to explore this rumored area you speak of, she might be there...though I have no clue why a supporter would be there on her lonesome. Point is, while I usually don't care for partying up, I know it's necessary in many situations, especially since this death game is technically an MMO." She explained, before sending a party invite to Vigilon.

Vigilon asked for some context as to understand what he was hearing. "You wanna know the agenda? Fine." Dazia decided. She wasn't gonna put up with this, so she might as well get it over with. "Seline is the woman who was in that room I dragged you out of, and the leader of the Sky Swords guild. I helped her out over in the fourth floor by finding a missing member. ...I also happen to be on yet another missing person case from her. I found her strategist last time, but now I have to search for the Guild's main supporter." She explained. Yinangi's eyes lit up. "Are...are you looking for the Nightingale? I mean, I have yet to be told of any other missing supporters...it's kinda like Seline and Ithena are the only ones around, though...I wonder what got everyone split up." She remarked.

That was reason enough to keep going. "...Then that probably means I'm going to have my hands full searching for the other missing members of the guild. If I remember correctly, a guild needs a minimum of four players. If it was formed before you even joined...there may be others out there..." She thought aloud.

"Her username is Shanno, though her current weapon and apparel, as well as her support-focused build, seem to have caused some to call her 'demon of light'. I do not understand why they thought such things, but if anything, it may be a term some might recognize." Seline explained. "I'm certain you can recognize her if you happen to see her, though."

Before anything else could happen, there was a knock on the door. Dazia sighed, but Seline seemed to be in the welcoming mood. "Come in."

Dazia turned around to see...Vigilon...figures, it was just her luck.

He admitted that he had some questions, but he hoped he wasn't interrupting anything. "I was just about to leave, anyway. We'll talk outside." Dazia decided, before grabbing Vigilon by the wrist and dragging him out of the room.

Once the two players were outside, Dazia took a deep breath, and positioned her fists on her hips. "Ok, I've got an agenda to get to, so what is it?" She asked.

Then another interruption came. "Heeeey! Dazia! Vigilon!"

Here we go... Dazia turned around to see Yinangi coming. "Oh, Yinangi. What's going on?" She asked. "Just a heads up." Yinangi began. "While you're helping out my new guild master, I'm gonna be scouring the floors for a worthy familiar!" She said before pumping her fist into the air. "Seline's a really great person, you should consider joining too, Dazia!" She suggested, a bright smile on her face. Dazia seemed to be in thought for a moment. She'd never really considered joining a guild, she never really had that much trust in anyone...except maybe Benjamin, but for some reason he'd stopped responding to her messages.

Dazia entered the room, where Seline was waiting.

"Seline, I hear you'd like my help again?" She asked.

Seline turned around to see Dazia. "Yes, Raven. I do thank you for finding Ithena, my Guild's Owl. ...But the rest of those from said guild are still missing. I've managed to hear that my little Nightingale was last seen on this floor, and I doubt I'll be able to handle the task alone, even in this floor..." She explained.

"Find yourself an ally if you can, but please...return my dear Nightingale to me, I need to see her safe and sound..." She said, almost pleading.

Dazia had learned she could trust this woman, and that those under her guild were good people. She would support her. "I'll do what I can." She answered. "Also...have you thought about my suggestion? ...Regarding Yinangi?" Dazia asked. Seline lifted her hand for one of the birds in the room to perch on her finger. "Ah, yes...the Mockingbird." She noted, as if reminiscing. "You need not worry about your friend, Raven. She has agreed to joining the Guild. I'll see to it that she is welcomed with open arms." She answered. "Thank you..." Dazia responded softly. "I...I should probably be off, hopefully I'll be back with your Nightingale...wait, may I ask, what was her username again?"

Seline:

Stats and Equipment:

Name: Flower of Life
Your Profession: Artisan
Your Rank: 2
Roll ID: 202869
Roll Result: 12
Item Type: Trinket
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: Loot Die(3)
Description: A silver amulet made from several intertwined and concentric circles creating the sacred geometry pattern of a flower. A symbol of divine luck and prosperity.

Post Link: https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/19936-f11-rank-2-artisan-ombre-di-cristallo-pk-accessible-closed/?do=findComment&comment=646201

Name: Lesser Token of Prosperity
Your Profession: Artisan
Your Rank: 2
Roll ID: 202870
Roll Result: 9
Item Type: Trinket
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: Prosperity
Description: A simple copper token in appearance, but sometimes a coin saved is a coin earned.
Post Link: https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/19936-f11-rank-2-artisan-ombre-di-cristallo-pk-accessible-closed/?do=findComment&comment=646201

Crafting Results:

ID# 202869 CD: 12(Crafted T1 Perfect Trinket)

ID# 202870 CD: 9(Crafted Uncommon T1 Trinket)

ID# 202871 CD: 6, LD: 7(Failed, Cannot Salvage)

Materials Consumed: 3

Crafting(Profession) EXP Earned: 13

ph

Total Seeds: 134

Purchasing: Gungir's Shard x1(70 Seeds), Halloween Favor x1(50 Seeds), and Demonic Shard x1(10 Seeds)

Remaining Seeds: 4

Total Tags: 5(T4 Halloween Candy(OH) x3, Reroll Ticket x3, Candy Corn x1)

Event resources were obtained in the following threads:

Finally, that whole fiasco was over. Nemo explained that he was feeling lonesome, and that led to all of his actions. Dazia, in all honesty, didn't care. If she could have done so, she would have taken advantage of the opportunity, but it seemed that Vigilon thought it was best to spare Nemo. Regardless of all this, it was best to focus on the present, rather than what could have been, but wasn't.

When Dazia left the Garden, one target of hers was right in front of her. Krysta and Astralin took the initiative to attack, and it was likely that Vigilon would, too. "Stand back, this one's my target." Dazia claimed. She quickly rushed in to attack, and managed to strike her target.

"what is it with you people? can't a guy catch a break around here?" The skeleton spoke.

"Oh, you'll get a break..." Dazia began, before attacking again. "...in your bones."

The Skeleton waved his hand, and Dazia was flung away. "you've got a real sick, twisted sense of humor there, lady. you're not nearly as crazy as that one kid, but you're starting to remind me of them..."

Dazia got up, but the skeleton was now gone.

ID# 202708 CD: 10(HIT!)

ID# 202709 CD: 11(HIT!)

ID# 202710 CD: 8(miss)

Tags Acquired: 2(10 Materials, +5% Exp. for the thread, <<Unidentified T4 Perfect Straight Sword>> x3)

Wonderful, they found the pattern. That did nothing good for Dazia's mood. "You're not the first ones to call us that." Dazia remarked.

Vigilon claimed he was too young, scared, and traumatized to be able to end his father's killer. "Well, you're clearly different than your younger self, then. Nice to see that you've grown and all, but honestly you could still use some improvement. Why? Sometimes I can't tell if you are a genius or an absolute dimwit. Hell, you could be both at the same time, and I wouldn't be surprised." She noted.

The players decided to leave the garden, and Dazia found herself unable to leave. Something was wrong. Half an hour later, the party found Nemo, but he didn't look happy...something was definitely wrong.

He demanded that the players "Return what they'd stolen". ...ah, the loot from the wolves....

When Nemo transformed into a dragon, Dazia could only assume the garden and everything in it was his hoard. If she defeated Nemo here, any treasures here could be retrieved without excessive resistance. She had a new target, and it was time to take an advantage of this opportunity. Krysta and Astralin missed their attacks, giving Dazia enough time to figure out how and when to strike. She rushed in and attacked with Shadow Cutter, and the boss's HP was...disappointing, to be honest.

ID# 202679 BD: 6+3-2=7(hit, Fallen Activates!)

Shadow Cutter(ST-I): (21+8)x12-100=248 Damage to Nemo

[0]Vigilon: HP 740/740, EN 88/88 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 4 ACC | 2 EVA | PAR | 6 LD | 3 Prosperity

[0]Krysta: HP 660/660, EN 84/86 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 3 ACC | 3 LD | 3 Prosperity | Holy: 8 | T4 Bleed

[0]Astralin: HP 480/480, EN 64/66 | 20 DMG | 45 MIT | 5 ACC | 2 EVA | 3 Prosperity | Freeze: 9-10

[1]Dazia: HP 620/620, EN 68/80 | 21 DMG | 44 MIT | 3 ACC | 4 EVA | 1 LD | 3 Prosperity | Fallen: 8

           Enemies:

Nemo, Wind of Gaia:

Here we go.

"...You tried to stop my sister from stealing your supplies?" Dazia asked. "You would have to have left them out in the open to catch her stealing them." Dazia pointed out. Astralin remarked that it was still a lead, due to a possible username being revealed. "Hmph...true. It does kind of sound like a name she'd choose...it's a small chance, based on what you described, but that might actually be her." Dazia noted. "I've had enough of your little games, Haimi..." Dazia thought. "Once I confirm your in-game identity, all I will need is an expert searcher, and then there's nowhere you can hide from me."

Astralin was...a bit too optimistic about Dazia's siblings. "No, you don't understand, my siblings are generally among the worst people to be around." Dazia warned. "One has an ulterior motive of always being the best, another has ridiculous excuses for his actions...well, two of them have ridiculous excuses. One sister of mine has some kind of dragon fever, and I already told you about the crazy one...if you really want genuine kindness, that would be the Player going by the username Valna. Yes, she's kind and means well, but she has trouble telling if a guy is currently dating someone. She's...oh forget it, you get the point by now..."

Vigilon claimed his father was a great man who stood up for him until the very end. "And you think that's enough to make him a genuinely good person? My father might have not been the best one around, but at least he stayed for the sake of his family, and tried to stay among us before my mother pushed him out of my life. My father was braver than yours would have ever been. If you think the family's crazy, you're probably thinking about Aunt Rebecca, though I doubt you've even heard of her." Dazia responded.

Krysta mentioned that she'd lost her mother, but without a proper mention of how she died, there was no telling if she'd been through worse than Vigilon had. "Oh? but had you watched your beloved parent die in front of you, as your boyfriend had?" She asked. "Speaking of which...Vigilon, you literally had an opportunity to take down the man who murdered your father, you said the killer left the weapons behind, why'd you do nothing?"

Astralin changed the subject, claiming that the players' backstories were going into "Edgy Rogue Territory". This was reality, not Dungeons and Dragons. Life was never fair. Astralin then revealed that the players intended to investigate the Monster Overpopulation. "Funny you would say that, my crazy sister decided that she and I should solve the phenomenon...and in case you haven't figured out already, her answer was to kill them all off." Dazia answered. It was no clue that would help them make any proper investigations...but it was better than saying nothing. Astralin then pulled out the Purple Essence, asking what it was. In response, Dazia pulled out the <<Red Essence>>. "Honestly..." She began. "When it comes to these things, I'm just about as lost as you are."

Figures that Princess wouldn't believe Dazia...but she asked for a description, so she might as well. "She wears a set of cloth armor with a cowl. Primarily black in color, but there are quite a few extra designs on it. ...like whenever she's not sneaking around, her getup screams 'hey, look at me!' ...How she was even able to hide from me is beyond me." She explained.

"Six." Dazia replied to Vigilon's question of how many siblings Dazia had, and if they were all in this game. "I only lack evidence of one, the rest I've all confirmed are in this game...I'm pretty sure you don't want to meet them." She added.

Vigilon looked over to Krysta, like he was about to say something serious...oh, oh he was gonna tell her. Dazia was suppressing a smile, she wanted to see the look on Princess's face when he told her. Vigilon then revealed that he and Dazia were cousins.

Oh, the look on her face was priceless. Dazia was unable to suppress her smile this time, but hopefully it might be concealed by her cowl if she just looked down... Vigilon and Krysta believed that Vigilon's father was doing what he believed was right. Now, that was just laughable. "Ah ha ha ha, please, try and tell me separating family and turning them against each other is a good thing." Dazia responded. "I know you'd never think that, just because he was your father...but your father was a coward. He sowed seeds of doubt in his sister, and they both left their other siblings behind. That sister then wanted to stand up to her family head on, but what did your father do? He ran. You're already braver than your father ever was, Vigilon. It's time you figured that out."

Vigilon finished off the Alpha Mossy Wolf, and the battle was over. His next words were like Dazia's mood: Irritated.

Once he put his weapon away, he seemed to look for a fair method of deciding whether a ceasefire would happen, or if Dazia should be running right now. Krysta gave her reasons why a vote would end in a tie. Krysta was right, but not in the way she probably thought. "Oh, you clueless Princess..." Dazia thought. "You have no idea that Vigilon and I were working together over at the ruins before you showed up." She suppressed a smile at the thought.

Krysta then brought up the argument that happened in combat, mentioning what Dazia was coming up to before Astralin's outburst. "The Culprit you are talking about...is my sister. One sister in particular, actually. I don't think you've ever seen her...no, I'm not talking about Valna, I'm talking about someone else entirely. Even I think you should avoid her. She's batshit crazy, and already has an orange cursor, though I haven't seen any player kills caused by her on the monument." Dazia explained. "Then again, I haven't managed to learn her username yet. She never gave that information to me when I encountered her in the ruins."

Vigilon stole Dazia's kills, but since this was a delicate situation, it was fine. The last of the pack showed up, three wolves and their Alpha. Was this one all show, or did it have some extra bite to it? Well, there was only one way to find out...

Krysta attacked first, and the Alpha seemed to be more clever than its allies, dodging Krysta's attack with ease, although Astralin's highly-accurate attack proved difficult for it to dodge when trying to disarm an opponent. Only the Alpha and one other remained. Dazia saw fit to finish the battle. She prepared her sword art, then she attacked quickly with Infernal Crescent, taking down one enemy....and finding her sword get caught in the enemy's teeth. The same tactic applied against Krysta was being used at this moment. "Damn it, let go you little-!" She tugged again and again, trying to pull her weapon back, as to avoid it, or even she herself, getting flung across the garden by a mossy mutt.

ID# 202486 BD: 10(Critical, +2 Base DMG)

ID# 202487 BD: 1(Critical Fail)

Infernal Crescent: 23x11=253 Damage to Mossy Wolf 20!

ID# 202488 CD: 2, LD: 18+1=19(4092 col, <<Unidentified T4 Perfect Consumable>>, and <<Unidentified T4 Rare trinket>>)

[0]Vigilon: HP 740/740, EN 11/88 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 4 ACC | 2 EVA | PAR | 6 LD | 3 Prosperity

[0]Krysta: HP 660/660, EN 18/86 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 3 ACC | 3 LD | 3 Prosperity | Holy: 8 | T4 Bleed

[1]Astralin: HP 480/480, EN 11/66 | 20 DMG | 45 MIT | 5 ACC | 2 EVA | 3 Prosperity | Freeze: 9-10

[0]Dazia: HP 620/620, EN 14/80 | 21 DMG | 44 MIT | 3 ACC | 4 EVA | 1 LD | 3 Prosperity | Fallen: 8

           Enemies:

Mossy Wolf 20: HP 0/372, 124 DMG, Leeching Fang | On a natural MD of 9 or 10, this mob heals for 10% of the final damage dealt to its target.

Mossy Wolf 22: HP 152/372, 124 DMG, Leeching Fang | On a natural MD of 9 or 10, this mob heals for 10% of the final damage dealt to its target.

Princess was doing her own little way of saying "la la la, not listening!". It was, admittedly, less aggravating than the usual, but it was still frustrating that Krysta didn't want to hear anything from Dazia. She also demanded to know why the monsters here were overpopulated, but not everywhere else. "Are you saying I'm the one at fault for that? Of course I'm not, the culprit is obviously my-"

"SHUT UP, BOTH OF YOU!"

Dazia did not expect an outburst from Astralin. Especially not from Astralin. The wannabe mage proceeded to scold Dazia and Krysta for what she found wrong in their argument, and then took a deep breath as if moments like this were rare.

Having had a glimpse or two on what kind of person Astralin was? This was definitely a rare case.

Vigilon asked for someone to cover him...and everyone rushed in to attack his targets instead. Dazia shook her head. "Fine, I'll do it myself then." She muttered before turning to face the wolves. She slashed across using Infernal Crescent, and the fallen energy within her blade tore into two of the wolves. The other two simply got deep cuts into them, indicated by the red marks they now had. The wolves were still standing, so another sweeping attack should do the trick...

ID# 202423 BD: 9(Critical, +1 Base DMG)

ID# 202424 BD: 6+3=9(hit, Fallen Activates!)

ID# 202425 BD: 7+3=10(hit, Fallen Activates!)

ID# 202426 BD: 9(Critical, +1 Base DMG)

Infernal Crescent: 22x11=242 Damage to Mossy Wolves 16 and 19, (21+8)x11=319 Damage to Mossy Wolves 17 and 18!

[0-0-0-0]Vigilon: HP 740/740, EN 31/88 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 4 ACC | 2 EVA | PAR | 6 LD | 3 Prosperity

[0-0-0-0]Krysta: HP 660/660, EN 35/86 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 3 ACC | 3 LD | 3 Prosperity | Holy: 8 | T4 Bleed

[0-0-0-0]Astralin: HP 480/480, EN 25/66 | 20 DMG | 45 MIT | 5 ACC | 2 EVA | 3 Prosperity | Freeze: 9-10

[2-1-1-2]Dazia: HP 620/620, EN 26/80 | 21 DMG | 44 MIT | 3 ACC | 4 EVA | 1 LD | 3 Prosperity | Fallen: 8

           Enemies:

Mossy Wolf 16: HP 130/372, 124 DMG, Leeching Fang | On a natural MD of 9 or 10, this mob heals for 10% of the final damage dealt to its target.

Mossy Wolf 17: HP 53/372, 124 DMG, Leeching Fang | On a natural MD of 9 or 10, this mob heals for 10% of the final damage dealt to its target.

Mossy Wolf 18: HP 53/372, 124 DMG, Leeching Fang | On a natural MD of 9 or 10, this mob heals for 10% of the final damage dealt to its target.

Mossy Wolf 19: HP 130/372, 124 DMG, Leeching Fang | On a natural MD of 9 or 10, this mob heals for 10% of the final damage dealt to its target.

Vigilon didn't seem to have enough time to make any more detailed responses other than recognition. At least he was keeping his head in the game, so that was good. Princess refused Dazia's help, as expected. "Look, Princess, I don't like that you're involved in this any more than you tolerate my presence, but we're both green and anything that isn't a player here is going to try and kill us. So let's call a ceasefire for until we get out of here." Dazia responded. Astralin looked worried, and with good reason. Princess started this fight, and it was her fault that Dazia now considered Princess to be her current nemesis.

Besides, there were always worse things to worry about.

Vigilon alerted Princess and Astralin to the wolves behind them. Good move. Princess attacked four, missing one that proceeded to catch her sword in its jaw in hopes of disarming her, then Astralin finished off the three that Princess had damaged, and knocked the one playing tug of war aside, creating an opening for Dazia to finish it off. She rushed in, knocked the wolf further and used her sword art, Shadow Cutter. She proceeded to thrust her blade into the target and twist it, causing the creature to yelp in pain as its HP was reaching zero. Then it shattered, its last remains scattering like dust.

She could trust that the others would at least weaken the rest of the pack.

ID# 202405 BD: 7+3=10(hit, Fallen Activates!)

Shadow Cutter(ST-I): (21+8)x12=348 Damage to Mossy Wolf 9

ID# 202406 CD: 6, LD: 5+1=6(3720 col, 2 materials, and <<Unidentified T4 Rare Trinket>>)

Vigilon: HP 740/740, EN 51/88 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 4 ACC | 2 EVA | PAR | 6 LD | 3 Prosperity

Krysta: HP 660/660, EN 51/86 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 3 ACC | 3 LD | 3 Prosperity | Holy: 8 | T4 Bleed

Astralin: HP 480/480, EN 36/66 | 20 DMG | 45 MIT | 5 ACC | 2 EVA | 3 Prosperity | Freeze: 9-10

Dazia: HP 620/620, EN 44/80 | 21 DMG | 44 MIT | 3 ACC | 4 EVA | 1 LD | 3 Prosperity | Fallen: 8

              Enemies:

Mossy Wolf 9: HP 0/372, 124 DMG, Leeching Fang | On a natural MD of 9 or 10, this mob heals for 10% of the final damage dealt to its target.

Dazia watched as a pack of moss covered, earthen wolves appeared out of the foliage, sniffing around the area. Some sniffed in the trio's general direction, while the rest sniffed around the area, as if looking for something...or, perhaps, someone.

Vigilon and Princess attacked, and Astralin followed. Vigilon managed to deal a good amount of damage to all but one. It seems he still hasn't gotten over his problem. Dazia shook her head. He'd do a lot better if he just paid attention to the little details. Princess's attacks caused a bright light to shine as an energy of sorts struck two of the wolves. Was this the "Holy" enhancement she'd heard about? Too bright for Dazia's preferred killing methods. Astralin finished off the straggler with a chilling sword art, then three of the other pack members moved in to face the trio...but that wasn't all. The other members of the pack were on the move, surrounding the trio so that if they wished to escape on foot, they couldn't.

On the chance that they didn't have the energy to handle this alone, Dazia would need to take action. Sure, among the trio was a vengeful Princess that wanted to kill her, but the other two are in more of a neutral standing with Dazia. Maybe they could help her see reason, if Dazia showed up willing to help...

"Here goes nothing." Dazia thought as she readied her sword art. As if it was just a thought, Dazia found herself swiftly slashing at the wolves with her fallen weapon. While the fallen energy did not reach them, the damage was enough to put the entire pack on high alert for her.

All eyes were on Dazia now, and from what she saw in the wolves eyes, the one they were looking for had just shown up. Figures that the wolves would have tried to pick up her scent, not that her skills would make it easy.

Dazia looked to the players. "What? They have you surrounded. If you're going to get out of this alive, you may need some help."

ID# 202385 BD: 4

ID# 202386 BD: 3

ID# 202387 BD: 2

Action Taken: Surprise Attack(Assassin)

Infernal Crescent(AoE-I): 25x11=275 Damage to Mossy Wolves 5, 6, and 7!

[0-0-0]Vigilon: HP 740/740, EN 69/88 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 4 ACC | 2 EVA | PAR | 6 LD | 3 Prosperity

[0-0-0]Krysta: HP 660/660, EN 67/86 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 3 ACC | 3 LD | 3 Prosperity | Holy: 8 | T4 Bleed

[0-0-0]Astralin: HP 480/480, EN 54/66 | 20 DMG | 45 MIT | 5 ACC | 2 EVA | 3 Prosperity | Freeze: 9-10

[1-1-1]Dazia: HP 620/620, EN 55/80 | 21 DMG | 44 MIT | 3 ACC | 4 EVA | 1 LD | 3 Prosperity | Fallen: 8

           Enemies:

Mossy Wolf 5: HP 97/372, 124 DMG, Leeching Fang | On a natural MD of 9 or 10, this mob heals for 10% of the final damage dealt to its target.

Mossy Wolf 6: HP 97/372, 124 DMG, Leeching Fang | On a natural MD of 9 or 10, this mob heals for 10% of the final damage dealt to its target.

Mossy Wolf 7: HP 97/372, 124 DMG, Leeching Fang | On a natural MD of 9 or 10, this mob heals for 10% of the final damage dealt to its target.

"Damn it all..."

It was just her luck, there was only one NPC that made it possible to enter the area known as "Little Eden", and a party with Princess in it just so happened to be following him already. Dazia would have to stay out of sight if she wanted to enter unscathed. She shadowed the party, since they were with her only way in. She just needed to stay out of the others' sight. As long as they were looking to each other, distracted in conversation, and not looking behind them, they wouldn't even have a chance to notice she was following them.

"Well, here we are. Welcome to Little Eden." The NPC stated at some point.

Wait...when did everyone get there? Was Dazia failing to pay attention due to that little conversation Astralin started, that Dazia happened to be eavesdropping on during her shadowing?

Dazia dashed for cover, as the NPC was turning around towards the party.

"It's great to see some new faces around, I hope you enjoy your time here!"

With that, the NPC walked off into the foliage of the garden.

Surely if the NPC was the only one who could lead players into the garden, there was no way that Haimi could cause problems in finding mobs to kill for the time being.

[How many are left? Did I lose count?]

ID# 201942 LD: 10+5+1=16 Stealth Rating: 16

Consumed: Mousse(Prosperity 3)

Stats and Equipment:

Why...just why?

Even though they were NPCs, Crozeph was starting to tell the Treants about Dazia's siblings. He better not reveal too much, so Dazia hoped...

When the two players arrived, the Treants appeared to be making final preparations for an assault, probably on the elves, no doubt. The other Treants looked towards the one who arrived, soon noticing the other players, mainly Crozeph, who was riding one on their arm, whereas Dazia had latched onto the other's leg, not that it minded.

...Still, even if Dazia was taller by human standards, she'd still be, in comparison to the Treants...short...

A feeling of unease washed over Dazia, but she refused to let it show. 

"The time is coming to end this conflict once and for all, and now we have here two adventurers who have agreed to help us." The Treant Dazia was latched onto began. "I can feel a great resolve within them, perhaps with their help, we may actually claim victory at long last, and their fiery magics shall plague us and our forest no more."

The Treants seemed pleased to have some help, and judging by some of their expressions, things weren't looking so good for the moment.

"The Elves will come to us with all their might. What if we fail to reach their queen?" One Treant asked. Dazia patted the leg of the Treant she was still gripping as to try and signal it. The Treant looked towards Dazia, and then over to Crozeph. Finally, it looked over to the other Treants again.

"Since we are coming to their gates to strike them down at their walls, perhaps our new allies could slip within the city, possibly weakening our enemies at the very least. If their main force's attention comes to the front, few will expect enemies to arrive at the heart of their settlement."

Not a bad idea... "If we do this, we may have to split up. Crozeph and I could head for the city separately from you, then they won't know whose side we're on until it's too late." Dazia noted.

No.

Not possible.

There was no way that some idiot would possibly set up a camp, without a tent, in the middle of the damn wilds, looking like he's just cooking and trading?

"Too convenient." Dazia muttered to herself. As far as she was concerned, it was probably a trap, with ambushers. She did what she could to hide herself in the foliage, and began moving slowly as to seek out any potential ambushers, either to confirm it was a trap, or to catch a potential enemy off guard.

About half an hour of searching later, she came up absolutely empty. This damn fool's setup was legitimate. How it hadn't been raided by players or monsters yet was beyond her.

Now knowing that this was, for some stupid reason, an actual "shop", she made her way to take a look at what was in stock. She was going to need some col soon, so prosperity would be a good choice for the time being.

-Purchasing Mousse[5/6/21]

Paid 500 Col to @Daemien

Apparently Crozeph still wanted to meet Dazia's siblings...of course, that other remark that he'd caught himself on...he wasn't the first to think that...and it was unlikely he'd be the last, either. "Shit, here we go again..." Dazia thought. Crozeph seemed to have a more positive opinion than certain others did, but it would be disastrous if he blabbed this around all of Aincrad. She and her siblings had once again been labeled as the seven deadly sins.

She was going to speak out her reaction to that, but before she could, she was lifted off the ground. She then tried to sort herself out to land safely and found herself getting caught in midair and being set down on her feet. Odd.

Crozeph's next words made Dazia aware of the treants' presence. She would turn to look at one that stretched its hand out to greet her. She reached her hand to peacefully shake the treant's hand, even if she could only grip one wooden finger. However, she was interrupted by the fact that Crozeph dared to pat Dazia on the head like she was but a small one and nothing more. She slowly turned around again, and proceeded to stare burning daggers at Crozeph. "I wouldn't try that again, if I were you." She growled softly. She then took what seemed to be a deep breath that unintentionally showed signs of frustration, aggravation, and exasperation. Self control was difficult when it came to being labeled as a small weakling. If only her Mother hadn't been so short, she wouldn't have ended up with this height...which just so happened to be the same as her Mother's.

She looked back to the treant again, doing her best to keep a normal expression. "I am an ally." Dazia began. "I have recently learned that you are embroiled in conflict with the Elves, and I am willing to lend my capabilities to assure that the odds will be in your favor."

Crozeph's opinion was...unexpected.

"Did...did you not hear a word I just said?? Amazing parents couldn't possibly have much trouble raising children into decent human beings, but instead, my family is a damn shitshow. Oh, and maybe some estrangement on the father's part that led to a divorce may as well have been the nail on the coffin for some of us!" Dazia ranted. She knew she wasn't affected by her father's absence as much as Aurelius, Hiraani and Haimi were. Not by a long shot, for she wasn't very attached to her father, despite somehow ending up with the approval that Haimi so desired for herself.

Dazia's next words of response came quickly, as Crozeph said he'd love to meet her siblings, all of them. "Trust me, it wouldn't be nice. Even if it seemed fine on the surface, it wouldn't do you any good."

Crozeph then gave his own thoughts about siblings, and shared some of his own experience. Still seeing siblings as family, even if there was something she didn't like about them...even if hating them was a natural response, that she'd still mean well for them in the end? The only ones she'd see herself doing such things for would be Aurelius, Hiraani, and maybe Galen since she cared enough to wake the lazy ass up ever so often. She couldn't give a damn about any of her other siblings, it's like they were each a lost cause...right? She couldn't be wrong, could she?

While being wrong in this case was a possibility, the chances were low. "It's bad enough that I've found evidence that five of my siblings are in this game. If I find out that Hern is here, too, I couldn't imagine what my Mother would be going through...If I was to try putting things into her perspective, she'd already lost her husband due to 'how the world changed him for the worse', and to lose her children, too, some of them possibly for good...well, I honestly don't know what I'd do if I was in her shoes right now..." If anything, she was probably hoping that Dazia and her siblings wouldn't turn against one another. She did seem to be aware of the ongoing quarrels between them all. But if anything did happen, it was most likely going to be Haimi's fault.

Upon Dazia trying to get him to think for a moment, Crozeph decided that maybe having Dazia attack him was a bad idea...but then he suggested that he be the one to make the first attack.

...Really?

"That's..." Dazia would groan and facepalm. "It may be less damaging to my cursor, but it doesn't make that course of action any less stupid." She noted. Seriously, it was a really bad idea. "You shouldn't sacrifice a strike on your cursor for something so trivial."

Dazia didn't exactly like the idea of being considered a problem child herself. She'd known that feeling long ago, and it wasn't exactly pleasant for her. All she did that day was stand her ground against those who wanted to crush her and others for the sake of their own pride, and instead of being thanked for taking care of the problem, she endured harsh, unnecessary "consequences".

Crozeph also had something to say in regards to how Dazia didn't seem to get along with Haimi(or whatever her username was, she didn't get a chance to know). Dazia chuckled. "A little bit? I wish it was that minor of a problem..." She remarked. Crozeph seemed to believe that it would be humorous if there were four of them in the family, with each one having a problematic category. "There's seven of us, actually." Dazia revealed. "...and yes, each of my six siblings have a bit of a problem...Aurelius wants to prove 'how great he is', Hern has a ridiculous appetite, Akemi's practically amassing a dragon hoard, Hiraani...she's kind and means more goodwill than my other siblings, but she's... Well, let's just say her desires are difficult to satisfy. Then there's Galen, who basically lied to himself enough times to be convinced that he's 'always tired', and then directly above me, is Haimi. I already told you about her."

Dazia took a deep breath, and exhaled. She didn't expect to end up rambling like this.

Crozeph seemed to think that if Dazia was going to go on a quest, that it might end up exactly like the time with the Frost Beast. He then picked up a stick and dared her to try taking a swing at him. Dazia stared at him a bit blankly for a few awkward seconds. "..."

"...You want me to take an infraction on my cursor?" She asked, trying to warn him of what he'd be getting her into on the chance that where the two players were positioned wasn't a safe zone. She was indeed confused, as most people in Aincrad don't ask to be attacked outside of a duel.

Dazia remained hidden and saw the players enter, one by one. "Damn it, Princess is here." She thought. She took the opportunity to get away when all three players were distracted by Vigilon and the vials Dazia couldn't take, and began making her way out by the ladders leading to the structure's upper story. She'd see a bunch of tiles covered in holes, and one tile was sunken and had a stone on it. She saw another stone on a sunken tile that spikes seemed to be coming from.

A Puzzle. She didn't have time for this. She looked around her, and thought that some of the junk laying about could be used to help her out. She managed to find a method involving two old wooden boards to get across without any punctured feet, and the boards she used were removed from the tiles as soon ans she got across. Might as well give herself more time.

Sitting there in the doorway was a frog, staring at Dazia. She pulled out her weapon and thrust it downwards at the creature. The frog shattered, for it was merely endemic life and too weak to count as a monster.

She then heard a voice. "what did that little guy ever do to you?"

Dazia looked in front of her, and saw a short skeleton wearing a blue hoodie...wait, that looks familiar...

Another frog was on the skeleton's shoulder. It hopped off, and into a small hole, safe from the scene. Dazia looked at the skeleton rather cautiously, and it spoke again. "something wrong? don't you know how to greet a new pal?" The skeleton asked as it offered its hand to shake, though something seemed off...

Dazia decided it was close enough to the description that unusual NPC had given. "Target sighted." She thought.

She attacked immediately, but her target was somehow beside her all of a sudden. 

"huh...guess not." The skeleton remarked. Looks like Dazia will have to be clever to handle this target. The stones below her started shaking as the skeleton's left eye socket suddenly had something glowing blue within. Seems that Dazia would have to dodge as well. Dazia jumped back as the stone flooring suddenly shifted, as if to knock something away, right where she was standing prior to her own dodge. Better strike back before the skeleton tries anything else. How it even pulled this off didn't matter to Dazia, what mattered was if she could take her target down. Her eyes darted around the area, and she saw an opportunity. She made a false, sudden step forward, and then sidestepped before continuing her advance. Sure enough, the environment seemed to shift in the direction of the false step she'd made, leaving the target open just enough for Dazia to strike, and it worked this time.

"you don't, by any chance, know a different hooded lady, do you? You seem much quieter than her, though, maybe a bit less excited, too." The skeleton asked. Dazia believed she knew the answer due to her earlier encounter with Haimi(or whatever her username was), but she wouldn't speak aloud about it. The ground shifted below Dazia, tripping her and giving the skeleton a chance try and get away. Dazia turned around, but with her blade swinging in the direction of said turn in the process, just barely hitting the target again. It practically bounced off the skeleton, or so it appeared to Dazia.

"man, i come out here to have a good time and honestly i feel so attacked right now." The skeleton remarked. "I don't care." Dazia responded. The skeleton shrugged. "alright, suit yourself."

Immediately Dazia was hit with enough force to send her flying out the doorway, and out of the structure entirely. She didn't know exactly what hit her, but it apparently had that kind of force. She got up, and dashed back inside, though the skeleton was nowhere to be seen, and the other players were probably back by now. "Damn it."

She turned around to leave again, and she started with a sprint. When she slowed down and took a deep breath, she began to walk back towards the settlement. She kept her eyes open for any potential threats...

But nobody came.

ID# 200936 CD: 5(miss)

ID# 200937 CD: 11(HIT!)

ID# 200938 CD: 10(HIT!)

Tags acquired: 2(10 materials, +5% Exp for the thread, <<Unidentified Perfect T4 Straight Sword>> x3)

Vigilon seemed to be against Dazia destroying the dummy. "I wanted to, why does it matter to you?" Dazia asked.

Vigilon and Dazia walked towards the end of the room, where...a puzzle door was. "You should look for clues before trying to solve it...or better yet, just leave it to me." Dazia suggested. Vigilon didn't seem to listen, so Dazia rolled her eyes and began searching this end of the room for hints to the combination. In the bottom left corner of this end, there was an etching of arms on the wall. Dazia ran over to the other corner, just in case, and found the etching of a creature in the bottom right corner. Vigilon got the answer wrong, as expected. "That's why I said look for hints first. From what I could see, The Creature goes in the right, and the arms go in the left." Dazia stated. Vigilon switched the two incorrectly placed symbols, and...then he tried again.

Wait, that worked? The rest of his guesses were right?

Now that the doorway was unblocked, it was time to continue on. Dazia looked around the area and saw two ladders leading to the story above. Maybe it was a way out? Dazia still entered the unlocked room as Vigilon did, just in case. She looked at the vials, and thought they might have some value. She took the red one first, but upon that, her hand passed through each other vial she tried to grab. She pulled out the vial of red and tried to examine it...

Dazia thought for a moment, and decided to keep the Red Essence, since she already had it. "Guess I'll just be taking this one, then." She thought aloud. There didn't seem to be anything else in the room, so it was time for Dazia to leave. She then heard footsteps from above, lots of them. She needed to hide, quickly. She practically vanished, and she might be able to avoid whoever was coming. Only Vigilon had a chance to try and find her...hopefully he wouldn't.

ID# 200914 LD: 19+5=24

Dazia's Stealth Rating: 24

Dazia would walk towards the doorway ahead of her, and once she left the room, The player she had spoken with came out of her hiding place, and began walking towards a crumbling wall. She pulled out a stone, and the portion that was crumbling collapsed, revealing another way out. She left in that direction, as she spoke to herself. "Kill them all, show the rest...soon, Aincrad itself, maybe even the world back where we came from, will be able to take a good, long look at the real Violet Grace... Hehehehehehehe, hehehahahaha!!!!"

Dazia noticed Vigilon was in the room she'd entered. "So the paths meet here, then." She noted, despite that it was obvious now. "Don't suppose you've found anything, have you? I found the one who was clearing the place out, by the way. She wasn't interested in killing any players, so we don't have that much to worry about."

Dazia looked ahead, and saw the dummy in her way. She drew out her weapon, and cut it in half. The training dummy shattered. "Honestly, what kind of dummy would have that in the way?"

There was only the room up ahead now...even if it seemed to be closed off by something other than a typical wooden door.