Ryo

“And even if you know that now, why are you fighting to hold on still?” “Because if I drop you now, then I drop something of myself with you. Despite how shitty you were, despite how terrible this place was it helped shape me to who I am now. And if I just toss you aside, what else of myself would I be willing to throw away?” Ryo said still struggling to keep his balance. The wind threatened to throw them both down the ravine, and despite Ryo's best efforts he was unable to pull her up by himself. There was no way that calling for help would work, they were partying too much in the other roo

“Then, what did you want?” Quinzel asked. Ryo flinched at the sudden question. “I, don’t know! You, you left me without a choice!” He screamed, his voice echoing against the rocks below. “I just wanted to stop. I couldn’t take it anymore. Being controlled, being told what to do, being abused by you!” He said still hanging on. “I just, wanted to be free. I felt as trapped as the people I sold to you. I hate you, for everything that you did to me. I hate this place, and everything it did to me. I hate that I thought I loved you, and what I hate the most is that I believed it when you said you

The demon spun back around and slashed at Ryo again. Her dagger clashed with Ryo’s blade, and using her height advantage over him, thrust it aside. Ryo, now on the back foot, tried to make some distance from her blade so as to not get stabbed. Quinzel pressed her attack against him forcing him against the railing behind him, threatening to throw him over. Ryo struggled to to get his feet under him, but the snow and ice made his footing unsteady. Out of options, Ryo pushed back against Quin with all his strength and pushed her off of him for just a second. And that was all he needed as she atte

Ryo raised an eyebrow. A, fedora? What did a hat have anything to do with manners. Perhaps there was an issue with the game automatic translation? It wasn't unheard of, but definitely uncommon. Ryo scoffed when the man used mi'lady. He would pass his vision over to the rabbit woman and take in her apperance. Was she a noble of some sort? No, she couldn't be. At least, not an NPC one. And, since when did nobles wear bunny ears? "Not quite there, but definitely a start. Some more practice and a gentlemen you'll make yourself yet." Ryo said commenting on the sudden improvement of etiquette. Ryo's

“You aint leaving us…” Quinzel said under her breath. “You sure as hell aint leavin’ me!” She screamed as she reached over and grabbed Ryo’s wrists. She shoved him against the railing. Ryo fought against her grip and managed to wrench himself free by placing a leg against her abdomen and shoving. Looking now he saw that she was no longer an orange crystal, but an NPCs enemy health bar. Ryo reached down and reached for his katana and drew it, preparing to defend himself just like he did then. She in turn grabbed her dagger and entered a lower stance. Looking at her now, Ryo noticed that th

Another day, another set of hours set aside to mindlessly look for materials. He couldn't train his cooking if he didn't get more materials, but looking for them was always such a chore. Probably would be more entertaining to Col farm, and just buy them from the general merchants. That was an idea he'd had to try out some day. But today was today, and he was going to put off today's chores somehow. All he needed was to find to right distraction. Something quick, but long enough to waste time. Something big and exciting to keep him awake. And something to justify pulling him away from what he s

Ryo led the woman to an outside balcony. As he stepped outside the cold winter air of floor four battered against him. He leaned against a railing that overlooked a massive gorge. The snow fell gently against his skin and melted as it met his body’s heat. Quinzel was following shortly behind and leaned against the railing. “What’s this all about handsome?” She asked, her hand reaching over and messing with his hair. Ryo flinched and swatted at her hand, knocking it away. “Is it because I’m orange now honey? I keep telling you not to worry about it.” Ryo flinched. “Look at me.” Quinzel said as

Ryo reached over and touched the handle. The familiar circle of cold iron tickled his hand as he pulled the door open and stepped inside. A flash of bright white mixed with opal blinded his vision. When the light cleared he was met with a familiar sight. Looking down he noticed his attire had changed. No longer was he in his deep violet garb, but the dull grey of his old gang. The sounds of singing and merriment were loud, nearly drowning out his thoughts. Ryo turned around to see that the door had disappeared. Where had it taken him to? No, when did it take him to? Before he could get his tho

A singular wooden door. “What’s that door?” Ryo said, pointing to it. “You come seeking peace within your mind, within your soul. Beyond that door is the first step.” The figure pointed to it, mimicking Ryo’s movements. Ryo stared at the door, his stomach dropped as he remembered it. “Where does this door lead?” The shape asked. Surprised, Ryo turned and scoffed. “You don’t know?” “No." it answered plainly. "I know nothing of your past, only that I have access to them. There are other key moments like this one, then acceptance." “Riiiiight.” Ryo said, holding the word a few syllables long

And it was going to kill him. It must be. This was a trap, some sort of quest spot designed to lure in players and kill them while they were vulnerable. Well to hell with that. He struggled against the pain in his body, the weight of the air. He struggled to lift himself an inch or so off the floor before he lost his grip and slammed back into the ground. His chin bouncing off the hard floor, he could see the shape ever closer. Another attempt was made, as Ryo tried to slide his arms underneath him to push himself up. But it was too little too late, the shape was upon him now and he could see

Opening his eyes Ryo was no longer under the waterfall. His eyes squinted as they shifted from the natural darkness of where he was, to the bright light of where he was now. Surrounding him was nothing but a void of inky white. The void had a texture of that of space, only visible if he squinted and stared in a spot for a time. The only direction to go was a black spot in the distance. Curious as to what it was, Ryo took a step closer to it. As his boot touched the ground it echoed, and Ryo heard another voice. The voice was louder and echoed outside of him and inside his mind. “Good work Ryo,

Further up the trail he went, still wary of any other presence nearby. There hadn't been another voice in a small while, but he walked still. And it's here he finally saw the waterfall. It was smaller than he had anticipated. A small pool of water with a flat stone at the base of a short waterfall. The area looked more of a zen garden than a waterfall. Small clumps of flowers, vines, and moss decorated the standing area. Was he supposed to, meditate here? He approached the pool of water with his hand still on his blade and looked around to study the area. Still no NPC in the area, but the

On the sixth floor, it didn’t take long for him to find his bearings and directions. The layouts of the lower floors seemed to be nearly similar, and he was accustomed to them. It seemed the waterfall was a popular hot spot of information. Whatever NPC's that were around at night had plenty of information to guide him to the correct spot. Following the directions he received, he made his way out of the city and up the mountain. The way up the mountain wasn't particularly difficult, the cool breeze brushed against his skin. He shivered slightly, but shrugged off the cold. After his time running

Ryo turned in his sleep, his body sweating as his dreams turned to nightmares. With a start, he wakes up not sure if what he saw was real or not. He throws a hand over his eyes, pressing into them to help relieve the pressure that was building behind them. Removing himself from his bed, he stepped into his home’s restroom and turned on the light. The momentarily blindness was somehow comforting to him as he reactively squinted. “The dreams again Sir?” Pennyworth asked from the hall. “Yeah, nothing I can’t handle.” Ryo lied. He ran to the sink and collected some chilling water, splashin

Perhaps, walking behind someone and then loudly proclaiming to them was the incorrect move. This was hinted by the sudden movement of Tel and the point of a blade being shoved into his face. Ryo leaned back just narrowly dodging the blade and quickly raised his hands. "Whoa whoa whoa whoa!" He said hurriedly in his sudden panic. "Tel Tel, it's me!" He said pointing to his face, showing that he was a real person and not some spirit or apparition. Despite the poor weather conditions, Ryo could see that Tel was struggling to place him but at least recognized him from the guild. "Yeah, from HDA. I

Teleporting to the newest unlocked floor wasn't something that Ryo did often. But he wanted to see just where the frontliners had currently gotten them into. As the bright lights of the teleporting circle faded away Ryo was met with a burst of wind, and the taste of salt in the air. This was a coast town that was for sure, or it was at some point. The buildings all around looked long abandoned, the wood uncared for and covered in thick moss. Windows were either shattered, or had their shutters destroyed and hung haphazardly. This was a grave leap from Taft on floor 11. He was used to the brigh

Ryo knew what real tears looked like, and yet it somehow made him at ease to know that Theo was merely jesting. "Well, if you need heavy equipment Tei's gonna be a good bet. Unless you feel like going window shopping at other players shops. Tei, as far as I know, has a pretty good deal for friends and family." Ryo said. He then decided to throw his hat into the ring. "I can also use generic materials to make some decent food items that not only taste good, but can give you some pretty good buffs. Like that fondue, but with better bread." He said, giving a chuckle. And now came time for th

Ryo raised an eye brow. "Between you and me, I'm gonna hope it's vampires." He said, waving a hand. "Pesticides sounds kinda lame. Unless it's vampires USING a pesticide." Ryo said, his eyes going wide with the thought. "And it lines up with like, any vampire movie right? Weird mystery thing happens around town, then brave new hero with darkish brown hair appears wearing a cozy fit to investigate, then is told about weird rumors by a mysterious and dark stranger." Ryo explained. "I mean, it kind of lines up?" He said, thinking. "But if it's not vampires, then I don't know what else it could be

Crafts for 1/4/25 ID CD LD Result EXP 1 239747 4 9 Fail (Lose materials) +1 EXP 2 239748 6 1 Fail (Lose materials) +1 EXP - - - - - +0 EXP - - - - - +0 EXP - - -

Crafts for 1/3/25 ID CD LD Result EXP 1 239701 12 14 Perfect Item +8 EXP 2 239702 3 18 Fail (Lose materials) +1 EXP - - - - - +0 EXP - - - - - +0 EXP - - -

Placeholder

Ryo flinched as Theo accepted his offer for a drink. He thought he had whispered that to Teion, but now he was trapped. "I, er, well-" But was interrupted by Tei, offering to get tea with Theo tomorrow. He let out a soft sigh, but blushed as he realized that she said yes to not just getting a drink but a full blown dinner. Ryo waved his hand to Theo. "Yeah, maybe next time. I am available quite frequently." He said. "So if you ever want to hang out and do something, just hit me up." Ryo said, opening his menu and sending Theo a friend request. Ryo thought for a moment. "I could use some m

Ryo hurriedly opened his messages as two pings went off. "Town Center, floor eight." He read softly aloud. He quickly sent a message to Jomei. As he walked he opened his menu and checked his equipment. Yep, still not good. It didn't synergize with his build well. Not like it would matter too much, this was floor 8 after all. They should be fine. Theo was still entirely new to the whole exploring thing, so that may cause some issue. Ryo shrugged. With Jomei there it wouldn't be any issue at all. On floor 8 Ryo didn't have to search very hard for Theo. "I swear Theo, you're are way

Ryo thought for a moment. "Combat tips I can certainly give out. It's a little complicated, and I don't know how bows work in the game so all I can give are basic tips." He thought for a second. "Maybe this quest will give a quick rundown of combat?" He said, sharing his thought out loud. He looked over to his girlfriend. "That, makes sense. I don't remember placing things into where but I could have just forgotten. I'm not really a morning person." He said, rubbing the back of his neck. Were they really just past floor 25? Or, were they further now? He would have to look and ask, he hadn't re

Ryo stifled a laugh as Theo mentioned that he had a weapon, but didn't have it equipped. A bow? That works too, he thought. Ryo did let out a laugh for Theo's 'roots' joke. Ryo nodded his head. "Oh yeah, monsters can get pretty big. But then again, you're pretty big. So maybe they'll be, less big?" He said, noting his lack of height. "And DOT is correct, you can also just say dot." Ryo then though hard about his build. "Well, I just wanted to fit a 'vibe' so I went with what looked cool." He said, motioning to his katana. "I mean, I nailed it yeah?" He asked, striking a quick pose. "I'v