Neopolitan

The grove of trees wasn't easy to find, but Neo eventually stumbled across it. It was a very pretty place, especially compared to the dull atmosphere of defeated players that permeates the town of beginnings. Nestled in one of the trees was a younger woman drawing some of the nearby fauna that populated the little grove. Neo approached her to initiate the inevitable conversation.

"Hello! I see you're also one to enjoy a little bit of nature. It really is such a beautiful place, isn't it? Filled with little creatures that many don't even notice. They live in such a secluded place, and yet they remain curious, wanting to break the boundaries set to them by their birth."

Self-centered prick, couldn't help but put an analogy to the game in your beginner's quests, could you?

Neo simply nodded towards the artisan, hoping that would progress the dialogue on its own.

Neo had just come from the blacksmith. She was left with a package she needed to deliver to an artisan named Hannah, and she had no idea why she needed to deliver it.

Can't expect perfect storytelling in a game meant to trap you in now, can I?

Neo took a little bit of time to figure out how to equip her new armor before actually looking for the artisan. The menu was a little convoluted, but she eventually figured it out and a nice set of studded leather materialised over her normal clothes. Neo also checked through her inventory, reminding herself that she still needed to get the weapon she got identified somehow as well as get herself some better gear while she's at it. She also was curious about the potion that she got. It was a little strange that the blacksmith gave it to her, though if he was friends with an alchemist, it would make sense why he would have one to begin with. The potion was just labelled, "Safeguard," and didn't mention just what its effect was. There was also a little warning in its info box saying that it could only be used for a limited time.

Probably best that I drink this sooner than later I guess.

Thread Summary:

    1 page of completed RP: 1 SP and 400 Col

    Quest Completed <<The Second Lesson, Is Also Free>>

        1 T1 armor with one slot of mitigation (leather armor was chosen)

        1 Safeguard potion (may only be used in 'The Third lesson, Is Just as Free')

        2 SP

    Total SP: 3

    Total Col: 400

The two didn't face each other down for long, and in a blink of an eye, the fight was finally over. Neo had gotten the boar right through the mouth. As it shattered into little pieces, Neo saw that there was a little tusk laying in the grass. Though unsure whether it came from the first one she killed or the second, Neo was happy nonetheless as this meant the quest was complete. She grabbed the tusk and hurried back to the blacksmith. Once she was there, she sat through the dialogue and waited for it to automatically continue as she stood there in protestant silence. As the quest marked itself complete the blacksmith finished by requesting that Neo take a package to a young artisan named Hannah. She listened for directions to the grove she was in and was off on her way to continue her path to the front lines.

Though her calf was still hurting a bit, Neo soon found her opening. One of the boars had left itself wide open. She steadied herself and gave a powerful thrust with her rapier. The boar quickly went down, but no sooner had it gone down did Neo feel a sharp pain in her back. The other boar had charged while she finished off its friend.

Still need to pay attention to both simultaneously, otherwise this will keep happening. At least I took one down. No time to look for the tusk, and I don't think that I saw one anyways.

Neo turned to face her second opponent, not wanting to let it get any more free hits against her. The boar pup looked at Neo with almost a glisten in its eye. It felt like it was alive, but Neo couldn't feel remorse if she was to conquer her own fears.

Maybe I don't have the hang of this.

Neo was desperately trying to find an opening but was unable to find a way to hit without opening herself up to an attack from the other boar. As she stood and realized taking on 2 at a time wasn't a good idea, one of them attacked. Neo was once again caught off guard and took the headbutt in the calf. She was hurt, but not badly so. However, she noticed her health bar was starting to get quite low, at least low enough to start making Neo worry.

Don't get flustered, just breathe calmly. Breathe calmly and an opening will show itself soon enough. Good things come to those who wait, but can I wait for that opening... Don't worry about it, just find some way to take out one and the other boar pup should be a piece of cake.

A very bad idea...

Neo continued with her struggle of keeping two opponents in mind at the same time, especially because they had the sense of mind to always be on opposite sides of her. No matter which direction she tried to guard or dodge, the other was there to hit where she wasn't ready. As she tried to swing at one, she felt another sudden pressure on her back and realized that the one she wasn't paying attention to had backed up and charged at her once again. As unfair as this fight was, Neo didn't trouble herself for it too much, as she was fully aware what she had gotten herself into.

Look left, look right... Don't let them out of your site for too long else they charge you... I'm starting to get the hang of this, or maybe these really are just meant to be weak little creatures to practice against. Probably the latter.

This was definitely a bad idea.

Neo found herself quickly surrounded by the two little creatures, unable to keep track of both at the same time. Though she managed to keep one at bay, another just charged at her without her aware of it. She was caught squarely in the back and only just got back up in time to avoid the other pup.

More things I'll need to practice. Sadly it is really hard to practice these without putting myself in danger. It might be a good idea to find someone willing to sell me some good gear for a relatively low price. I could really use any extra stats that I can get my frugal hands on. That and I'll need good gear to keep getting to the higher floors without putting myself at an extreme risk.

She shook her head, once again distracted by her own thoughts, and prepared to retaliate against the boars in full.

Neo looked around and quickly spotted two more Boar Pups. Tough they were a little spread apart, Neo figured she could probably deal with them a little faster if she engaged two at a time. She takes a lunge at one of the pups and manages to land a scrape on it. Before it can attack, Neo is already running off to get the other creature focusing on her. What she wasn't prepared for, though, was that the other pup was already ready for her. It quickly lunged at her in revenge for its fellow beast. Wincing from the blow, Neo prepared for the harder fight ahead of her.

Maybe two at a time wasn't the best idea. Guess it's too late to back out now. I'm going to get those tusks eventually, may as well get some thrill out of it instead of just going out and slaughtering these poor things.

The boar pup began its charge at Neo, but was stepping a little lopsided. As such, Neo was easily able to catch it off guard and get the last cut she needed to finish it off. Neo took a little bit to catch her breath, not wanting to see whether or not the pup had left behind a tusk. After waiting a litle bit, she turned around and looked for the tusk in the grass. Unsurprisingly, she couldn't find one.

Perhaps I should try to fight multiple again, that was when I had the best luck. Then again, I only need the one more and fighting one at a time is much easier than two at a time.

I'll fight two, and if the first one drops a tusk, I'll try to run back towards the town of beginnings without the second hitting me too hard. That will hopefully work to my advantage.

The boar began to charge at Neo once again, and Neo was ready this time. However, the boar was the one not paying any attention this time and tripped over the same root Neo had not moments ago. As the boar sprawled in front of Neo, she found her self looking at the boar in the same quizzical manner it had when she tripped over it. Shaking her head clear, She realized that she had not struck the boar. Trying to thrust down at it, she had been to slow and the boar scampered out of the blade's reach. Neo instead took the opportunity to slice the thin root in half so as to prevent any further tripping from occurring. There was no need for either of them to suffer the embarrassment of tripping over the same small root twice. The boar began scuffing its feet along the ground, prepping itself for another charge at Neo.

Even though she didn't speak it, the boar seemed to have gotten her message. It began to rush in towards Neo. Neo wasn't entirely prepared for such an aggressive attack from what had otherwise been a passive AI, but managed to hold her blade in front of her. She drew a gash in the boar's side, but was sent spinning into the ground once again by the boar's momentum.

I really should stop getting myself knocked down so often, one hit like that in the higher floors and it could mean my death.

Trying to be more graceful with her movements, but struggling to do so while getting herself up, Neo pushed herself up off of the ground and pointed her sword at the boar, finally ready for the battle to begin in full.

Neo went to attack the boar with the sword art she had become quite comfortable with. However, as she went to attack, she failed to notice a little root from a small, nearby tree that protruded from the ground. She tripped over it and fell face first into the grass and dirt. The boar pup looked at quizzically, almost as if criticizing her for being so careless with her attack. Neo hurriedly got up and brushed herself off.

At the very least I was clumsy enough that the boar didn't attack back. No matter, I'll just have to finish this the old fashioned way.

Neo grabbed her rapier that she had dropped during the fall. She had at least had the sense of mind to make sure not to stab herself, even though the game may have had safety measures against such an action. Pointing it at the rapier, she almost shouted at the boar to charge her, but remembered she would not use her voice. There was no point in using something she had lived without all her life.

Neo woke up, a little sore but ready to continue her quest. She stood at the gate out of the Town of Beginnings and stared out into the field in front of her.

It looks so peaceful from here, but these fields hold anything but peace. They are used a symbol of beginnings but in practice have become a symbol of our end. I should really return here before I log out, if I ever get to do that... No. Stop thinking like that. Though my doubt holds me back, it is also what could get me killed. I doubted myself for two years, so I'm pretty sure I've done enough for the remainder of this game's existence.

She walked out into the fields. And relatively quickly spotted another boar pup. This was unaware of what was coming to it. And Neo was ready to take on today's challenges.

No time to waste, I'll just attack now and get that tusk before it can even disappear. Then I'll finally be able to move on and continue my journey to the top.

Neo lunged at the pup, and landed a hit square between the eyes. she immediately began to reach for the tusk, not wanting it to disintegrate with the rest of the beast. But right in front of her eyes it shattered into thousands of little pixels. A little glum at this point, Neo decided to take a short rest for the night. She headed back to the entrance of the town of beginnings, which wasn't terribly far from where she was, and found a place to sleep just inside of the safe zone. The zone she was to afraid to leave just yesterday. She didn't really care where she had to sleep, as she had been sleeping anywhere flat for two years. She would continue her search in the morning.

Neo didn't have to take long before she found another boar pup, hopefully her last. She didn't hesitate to strike it this time, even though the boar could plainly see her. Neo thought she would be able to  take out the boar with one hit, and although she managed to hit the boar, she did not take it out. The boar recoiled from the thrust and then quickly charged back into to get a hit on its assailant. Neo wasn't ready for the counterattack and was unable to dodge in time. The boar clipped the side of her torso and caused her to spin for a bit. As soon as she got her ground, Neo prepped to take another lunge at the boar.

I just hope this is my last, I really want to finish this sooner than later or I might fall from exhaustion. And this would be a very bad place to do that in.

Not relenting in her assault, Neo continued to stab at the boar pup, and soon after got it directly in the eye. The boar let out a high pitched squeal as it dissipated like all the others unable to defeat her.

I am going to do this until I get stronger, only then will I be able to ensure that I can make it to the top of this castle. The top. That is where I must head. That is where we all must end. There is where our freedom lies or else here is where our freedom dies.

Neo looked around to try and find the last tusk that she needed, but her search was in vain. Not waiting to rest, Neo continued her search for boar pups on their own for her to take down as swiftly as possible. The sooner this quest was finished, the sooner Neo could move on to more difficult challenges.

As Neo was bent over to grab the tusk from the last boar, she didn't notice it coming in time to dodge it. The creature struck her directly in the calf, knocking her down to the ground once again.

I really need to learn how to hold my footing better, if I get knocked down like this in a fight against an actual challenge I'll be dead in an instant.

Starting to feel a little cocky about the ease that these creatures were going down, Neo tried to get a quick stab in against the boar and missed.

No matter, I just need to land a couple hits and this fight will be over, I just hope that I'll get a tusk from this one as I don't want to fight monsters this easy forever. If I do, I'll just end up becoming complacent and likely leading other people to my same position instead of to the end of this game.

Neo tried looking for another singular boar pup to face, but they seemed to be banding together. Neo begrudgingly made the decision that she would take on two at a time. She found the two and quickly approached them. The one was caught off guard by Neo's rapier and bleed to death before it could finish its first charge against her. The second however was a bit luckier and managed to get a hit in on Neo.

Well, if I'm going to start fighting multiple enemies at once, it's best I actually learn to take them on properly. Need to focus on two at a time. But for now, we'll just say that he got the first move on me.

As she recovered, Neo noticed a tusk on the ground and picked it up. She was getting much closer to completing her goal now and didn't want to forget to grab pieces later on.

Neo breathed deeply, maintaining focus as best as she could as the fight dragged on for what seemed like an eternity. Her patience was wearing thin and it was time that this fight was over. Neo barely let the boar recover from its own attack, thrusting her rapier over to where the boar was. She narrowly clipped the boar with the tip of the blade and heard the pleasant sound of the boar exploding into bits upon its demise. Still tired from the fight, Neo reached for the tusk of the boar only to witness it shattering along with the rest of the little creature. Neo was a little bit disappointed, but certainly not surprised she didn't get another item for her quest.

Well, guess I'll need to fight a couple more than. Maybe I can try to fight multiple at the same time. Certainly it couldn't be too hard, unless these last few have been holding back from me.

Neo charged in, wanting to fight on her footing this time. The boar was ready, and though she managed to hit it in the side, the boar had sidestepped and headbutted Neo directly in the side. It should've hurt a lot, but it only tingled a little bit.

I was wondering why I wasn't really feeling any of the pain from this fight. They probably have some sort of pain dampener installed so as to not deter players who actually went into combat right away. They really did everything they could to make sure that as many people as possible were logged in on the first day of release. If their plan wasn't so evil I would commend them for brilliant ideas for the first ever full dive game to exist. This probably could have made them a lot of money. Really makes you wonder why they would squander it all by trapping us in this game instead.

The boar pup, evidently tiring of this waiting game. Decided to charge Neo once again. Caught off guard by the sudden movement after such a long ceasing of charging, Neo found herself hit squarely in the torso. Once again, Neo was glad that this wasn't a full-sized boar that could easily knock her down.

I really need to get better at hitting. I'd try and find a practice dummy to train against, but a still target isn't going to help much to hone my skills of hitting enemies trying to kill me back. I guess that would be the whole reason this quest exists, giving me an excuse to learn to fight against slightly weaker creatures. While the creators of this game may be sadistic, at least they're not completely brutal with it.

 Neo had already backed away from the boar, prepared to go on the offensive once more against the little boar pup.

The fight continued further into the night, with neither side wanting to make the first move. Both were afraid of the other gaining the upper hand by seeing what their opponent was going to do. And because it seemed as though the boar pup was learning from her, Neo needed to act quickly. As a computer opponent, the pup also had far more stamina in this fight than her. If the fight dragged on for too long, she would find herself unable to stand and trampled to death by the boar.

I need to get in and attack the boar, but how will I be able to get a hit in if I can't make my own strike. If only I could still use a sword art, but I doubt the system would let me exert myself while this exhausted. Either way, I can't let this little boar pup outlive me.

As Neo sat and contemplated about the game and its purpose, the boar took its opportunity to charge once again. Being smart and not letting herself become completely distracted by her thoughts, Neo saw the charge coming and managed to deftly evade it. However, she wasn't focused enough to get a counter strike in, wasting her time and precious stamina.

This is no time to think about the future, back to looking at the ground in front of me. I need to look at the now if I want to make it to the future. After all, this game is a lesson in permanency, best not waste the wisdom it's trying to teach.

The two foes continued their stare down as Neo thought to herself. The pup was waiting for Neo to make a move, not wanting to be dodged so easily this time. It was almost as if the AI was learning from its mistakes.

The boar was running swiftly at Neo, who was matching pace with it. As the two grew closer, Neo realized that her blade was only going to hit on the flat side instead of actually cut through the boar. In an attempt to correct this, Neo had stopped judging the distance between her and the pup. The pup took the advantage and hit Neo square in the chest, knocking the wind out of her. Neo had to quickly regain her footing as the boar backed up for another charge. Catching beck on to her breath, the only thing she could think of was what would happen if she was unable to move forward, stuck in this quest for all eternity.

Don't get stuck in a thought loop, this is only a game. No, not a game, this is life or death now. I can't afford to take this at the face value given, I have to make sure I understand the weight behind each and every one of my actions.