Kioshi

The journey back to the Starting City ends when the sun leans west, sunset is around the corner. The sky adorning a mixture of bright red and orange like neon lights in a cyberpunk city. Oh Aincrad is partially cyberpunk alright, if anyone cares to consider it as one. High technology with the game's mechanics and virtual reality system as such examples, and a sh*tty point in life or social order thanks the eternal entrapment within this digital fantasy and general mistrust. Speaking of cyberpunk, Kioshi thinks throughout his teenage years that Japan is already in such a setting in reality. Technology has advanced with VMMORPGs, intelligent robots and whatnot. And it shows no sign of stopping itself from pushing the forward button on its universal remote. The only cyberpunk tropes that is missing in Japan are a dystopian social life and megacorporations controlling the entire nation of the Rising Sun. Glad these things do not happen at all, and would hopefully remain so in the future. 

ID: 104886

LD: 17 + 2 = 19 (Found 5/5 Materials!)

In an unexpected turn of events, Kioshi spots a battle between two boars, fighting for seemingly no reason other than probable territorial or strength dispute. One of them is already injured, evidenced by the cuts on its face and body thanks to the other's tusk. The other somehow lost an eye and the tip of one of its tusks. The fighting becomes aggressive as the tusked boar suddenly bites the other's snout, in which it squeals in pain in return. It proceeds to repetitively ram its underside, the tusk disemboweling the poor brute while intestines spill out of the exposed cavity to its death.

No sooner after the winner quickly sprints away from the scene, Kioshi approaches the loser's corpse and without hesitation, uses his sword to gut it and cut off some of the most tender and delicious part of the meat. It is quite awkward to carefully hold a few meters below the long blade's tip so it would be like holding a knife, and he does his best to try not cut his own hand. But alas, he manages to successfully extract the last amount of ingredients for this tedious quest. 

ID: 104857

LD: 9 + 2 = 11

Nope. One leg is enough for now. Kioshi quickly picks up his helmet and leaves the corpse and decides that it is time to leave this damn place. He has enough. Just one more ingredient to go. He first goes back to the river by tracking the sound of running water. Then after arriving there, he goes back to the spot where he drinks for the first time today, indicated by a fairly large rock sitting in the middle. Kioshi walks back into the woods and just walks straight, never stopping until he finally sees the light of day and rushes out to the field.

He feels very relieved, probably since he never wants to hear that horrible bird noise again. Even if he can fight that thing, it would probably take a s**tload of time to kill it, and he is close to finishing the quest too. He starts walking back to the main settlement while still looking for any edible plant or dead animal.

ID: 104856

LD: 20 + 2 = 22 (Found 4/5 Materials!)

As if it is an answer to his question, the stench of blood catches Kioshi's nostrils, causing him to sniff a few times until he notices it. Slowly, he follows the stench to its source, gripping the sword tightly while looking left, right and forward through his visor. The thought of getting meat from a corpse may normally sound repulsive, but to Kioshi, it is probably the only way to get such food in this situation.

As the stench becomes stronger, Kioshi removes his helmet and looks around to see a blackish, furry body lying among some trees, its spine facing him. Sword drawn, Kioshi approaches it carefully and slowly leans his neck forward to see the corpse closely.

A dead boar. Half eaten. Only its head and limbs remain intact, while its body were brutally butchered. Left ribs are exposed. Organs seem to be absent. The corpse doesn't look to be more than a day old. Its body still looks fresh. Probably eaten by whatever is making the bird calls. Or just another unseen but normal animal predator.

Kioshi only chops the legs and extract the meat from it, adding it to his inventory. He inspects the boar for a little longer, trying to see if there is anything else that can be salvaged.

ID: 104855

LD: 13 + 2 = 15 (Found 3/5 Materials!)

The constant thinking of the figure behind the mysterious bird call momentarily became Kioshi's worry to the point when he snaps back to 'reality', he almost steps onto another egg of the same caliber. Looking down and picking it up, he lets out a sigh of relief while inspecting the egg, his sword leaning against him with the tip of the blade standing on the ground. Now that the vanilla cake ingredients are settled, he finally feels free as he can gather whatever food he wants.

Sheathing his sword, but still keeping it close to hand, Kioshi walks on, adjusting his helmet as he soon hears the familiar sound of running water, wondering if he is walking in circles. Sure enough, he soon finds himself back at the same safe zone, but at least he can drink again, which he does to his fill. A question rises in his head as he starts to think where in this place can he get anything like meat. Bug monster meat won't do for his taste. Boars are in the faraway fields. Maybe something snakes might exist in this forest, but he has never seen one so far in this quest.

ID: 104854

LD: 12 + 2 = 14 (No material found...)

Something dawns in Kioshi's mind as he thinks of the sound. It sounds awfully close to a cassowary...or a bird that looks like it. The dinosaur-looking bird is the closest animal he can attribute the calls to. He then thinks of its talons. Those sharp, dagger-like talons that can pierce straight into a man's heart and rip open flesh like a real human weapon. If that creature is really a cassowary, Kioshi thinks that it should be in higher floors. It must be very dangerous and fast like the bird, even the large appearance is intimidating enough to unsuspected victims. 

And he doesn't forget a cassowary's crest. Same density as a beak. Able to cut through bushes while it runs fast like a discount Sonic. 30 miles per hour. Maybe faster than a human. Imagine being alone in the woods and near the bushes, only to be rammed by the crest and then clawed at the face like a character being attacked by raptors in Jurassic Park. Not the best way to die without agony.

ID: 104853

LD: 10 + 2 = 12 (No material found...)

Images of himself sitting alone at school and work fills his mind as he keeps walking while still trying to find eggs high and low. Those were lonely periods of his life. Only because of his diseased, aging face, people have doubts about him. Despite all that, he never really hated anyone for such feelings. It is understandable after all, or maybe he knows that it is a waste of time to try to debate about his mysterious disease. Either way, he doesn't care. He was born this way. So be it. At least he can still enjoy life, albeit with limited social skills. 

That damn bird call is acting up again...except for some morbid reason it is very loud. In fact, it gets louder at each 'croak' at an alarming rate behind him. Kioshi draws out his sword and quickly turns around only to find...nothing. Now this s**t is getting on his nerves. It is as if the sound is purposefully messing with him. He lets out a 'tch' as he keeps walking, now armed.

ID: 104848

LD: 3 + 2 = 5 (No materials found...)

The woods suddenly feel unwelcoming as he ventures backwards to where he came from, only to take west and follow some poisonous looking red mushrooms, adorning white spots. They look like Amanita mushrooms in the real world, although the white spots look larger and the shades of red deeper. High and low, he looks for another egg, just any would do in his mind. Bird, snake, hell if he even found a dragon egg, although that is complete bull in lower levels, he would take that too, albeit in a cautious way in case a baby dragon hatches. The thought is pure fantasy however. Dragon eggs shouldn't be treated as food in his perspective.

The sun is still high in the sky, and that is Kioshi's natural compass. He doesn't really use Aincrad's HUD map very often as it would distract him from any incoming dangers. Plus he thinks he might accidentally step into an unseen trap, which is probably worse if that happens in a dungeon.

ID: 104847

LD: 9 + 2 = 11 (No material found...)

Kioshi sits at the edge of the river, leaning backwards with his right knee up and his arm on just below the knee, the Zweihander lies at his side with the blade facing his north. His helmet sits just beside his sword.

Kioshi stares ahead blankly, his state of mind hypnotized by the calming sounds of water flowing along the ground. He closes his eyes for a while, taking care to not accidentally fall asleep as he wants to move on soon. The air is fresh, breathing here is like breathing an air-conditioned room. It is a healthy atmosphere for Kioshi.

This resting period lasts for thirty minutes, and nothing is still happening around Kioshi, save for that bird call that comes from a few kilometers from Kioshi's resting place. He opens his eyes. Quickly, he looks around, taking his sword.

The bird better not come to him, he thinks to himself he isn't in the mood to fight any powerful enemies now.

ID: 104846

LD: 12 + 2 = 14 (No material found...)

The bird call echoes through the forest again, only at a more aggressive tone. Now Kioshi suspects that the egg, which is as big as his own palm, belongs to that very creature. Drawing out his Zweihander, Kioshi moves on, his eyes looking sideways back and forth for any present danger. Sometimes, he would look behind him to see if anything is stalking him. So far nothing is at his back...for now. Or worse, in a few minutes.

The sound of rushing water becomes audible to his ears in the helmet. A river. Kioshi follows the sound, hoping to get a drink and some rest before he can continue. The river isn't very far away as it only takes fifteen minutes for him to arrive there. The clearing is small but shady thanks to the trees' leaves. At Kioshi's gaze, the water travels eastwards at a straight line for a few meters before gently turning to a left.

Kioshi removes his full helmet and kneels down, scooping the cool and pristine water into his cupping hands and enjoying the refreshing drink. 

ID: 104845

LD: 17 + 2 = 19 (Found 2/5 Material!)

Luck probably pities the 'old' man this time. Maybe it thinks he probably suffered enough from going here and there around the early floors only to find nothing of value. As if it is giving a sign of hope, Kioshi hears the sound of a bird call of some sort, though he couldn't tell. The sound is in a low frequency, and for some reason it sounds almost as similar to a harsh croak, or moan, or whatever the hell that is.

His eyes dart back and forth as he notices a small open space surrounded by some trees. On the ground, a green, oval shaped object lies there, static. Slowly, he walks towards it and becomes surprised to see that the object is non other than an egg. A bird egg to be exact. He gently picks up and examines its smooth surface like that of a rock. The shell looks very okay, providing adequate protection to the yolk. He keeps it, but as he does it, a second thought occurs.

ID: 104844

LD: 19 + 2 (Wanderer's Eye) = 21 (Found 1/5 Material!)

The pendant stays true to its lucky charm nature, as almost immediately after Kioshi takes a few steps in the same woods he explored in the previous attempt, he happens to find a vanilla plant, sitting just near the stump of a tree. Smiling in his full helmet, the tin man picks up the ingredient and keeps it into his inventory. He decides to pick up the pace so at least he has other things to do if he manages to get all five quest ingredients before night.

Something about the tree stump feels off to his eyes. As far as he lives in Aincrad, he hasn't seen anyone cutting a tree for whatever purpose. The cut isn't tidy either, it is as if something pull off or messily cut with a crappy blade. Some splinters are still present at the edge of the stump.

Kioshi puts his hand on the sword's handle, having a gut feeling that he has to fight at least one thing today.

Second try. This time no companion to bring along. Only himself, his sword, his Kelly armor, some potions and salves and a new item: a gold pendant with small silver chains to hang onto the back of his neck. A red ruby sits at the center of the pendant itself, its size large enough to be mistaken for an eye.

The Wanderer's Eye. Seeker of loot. Provides great help to players wanting to find what they need without wasting too much time. He is ready.

After speaking with the woman NPC again to retake the quest, he exits the house and heads out to the open fields, dressed in full armor. Same ingredients as before: two eggs and a vanilla plant for the woman's cupcakes. The rest is up to his own choice. Meat. Herbs. Fish. A flesh or two of monsters maybe...

Last time was a lion, which much to his disappointment, did not provide any meat. It would be a closure to his quest, but no.

ID: 104788

Kioshi: HP 79/80 -- Energy: 1/8

Stone Golem: HP 9/25

BD: 2 - 1 = 1

MD: 7

Darn. Even the male's attacks are ignored, like that was a love tap to the golem. Kioshi notices him already rushing towards the little girl and calming her down. Good to see that. But that would mean that he have to be its punching bag for the time being. Quickly, he takes three swings with his sword towards his foe, but it deflects them with its stone arms like armor. Out of nowhere, it launches a roundhouse kick towards Kioshi's helmet, which loses its balance as it spins around his head, prompting him to take a few steps back. He adjusts his helmet and ducks down to dodge another incoming kick before moving on to continue dodging and swinging his sword wildly.

At probably the seventh swing, he quickly runs out of the chamber, wanting to lure the golem away from the player and the girl. Knowing his armor can take its pathetic damage, Kioshi then goes berserk as he barely hits the golem in the face, which somehow ducks swiftly to avoid the strike.

@Hei

ID: 104783

Kioshi: HP 80/80 -- DMG 7 -- MIT 35 -- Energy 2/8 (Used Straight! )

Stone Golem: HP 16/25

BD: 8 - 1 = 7

MD: 3

As his partner points out the girl's location, Kioshi turns around to see a faint light suddenly approaching the male, swinging a stony thing right at his head, but misses. The Zweihander glows green in color, and for a moment he could make out some sort of creature made entirely out of stone. Short. Possibly a golem.

Without warning, he suddenly swings his sword towards the golem's skull, cutting off a chunk of it with his Sword Art. The golem becomes enraged as it attempts to swing its legs towards him, but to no effect as he constantly dodges everywhere. 

The one thing that Kioshi has to be aware of is the length of his sword. He thinks that he shouldn't be anywhere near the vicinity of the girl, in fear that the blade might kill or wound her by accident. Leaning his back against the cave wall, Kioshi grips his sword tightly.

@Hei

The next attempt to find ingredients better not be as unlucky as the last, Kioshi thinks to himself as he enters the store and immediately looks around for any trinkets that grants him the power to find what he wants easier. Something light and small is enough for him, be it an amulet, necklace, and so on. It doesn't take him long to see a necklace tipped by a golden outer circle that surrounds a beautiful red ruby, almost in the shape of an eye as its name suggests: Wanderer's Eyes.

Kioshi smiles a little as he drops the proper amount of COL for this item and wears it around his neck. It hangs onto the back of his neck comfortably. He leaves the store, eager to start again.

Paid 550 COL for Wanderer's Eye

Obtained 225 COL!

Kioshi grabs the amount of COL from Pick's purchase of the scale mail, taking one COL out and nibbling it for a split second. The physical COL look like gold coins, only gold so it won't be a pain in the ass to count complicated amounts. Despite Aincrad being a medieval place, there aren't currencies that match the real ones. Florins, groschens, pfennings. Or in English, gold, silver and copper respectively. 

After what seems like a minute of counting the total pay, Kioshi keeps in into his economical space in the inventory. He gives Pick a bow, muttering a faint 'Arigato' and turns around to walk out of the store. With the dungeon map in hand, he feels a bit confident to try to find one outside the safe walls.

Paid 110 COL for Blank Dungeon Map! Sold Perfect Armor!

110 COL doesn't seem so bad for a price of a mere blank dungeon map. Kioshi pays the gold and receives a piece of parchment, ready to be filled in if he manages to stumble upon a sub-dungeon regardless of difficulty...unless he chooses to piss himself off the place should he find it unsavory for his current level.

Keeping it into his inventory as he listens to Pick's payment, 225 COL to be exact, and the best one he can get in this store. Kioshi simply nods, slightly pushing the armor set forward to indicate his approval. Another man's treasure...might be fitting for a new player. Not so much for plate armor fanatics.

@Pick

"Perfect. Tier 1," Kioshi responds as he hears those stats needed to be mentioned to be sold. The scale mail might be good for fighters who still want to remain a bit agile, but not really for the 'old' man since he prefers to be a tank, and a fully metal armor is probably more handy for the job.

Kioshi takes out 110 COL and puts it on the table, intending to buy something from this store.

"One blank dungeon map," he says. Sub dungeons sounds fun as far as he hears..though they can be as dangerous as boss dungeons. Probably need a few more people if he really wants to go in one of them dungeons.

@Pick

Pick. That was the name Kioshi heard from a conversation between two random players that were talking about his shop and his nice manners and handsome appearance, sporting a 'wonderful' blonde color on his hair. No doubt that was the same male that accompanied him in his last failed material quest, which he is still sore over. The shop is easily found in the first floor of the settlement if heading from the square itself. There appears to be a large sign displaying his name in yellow letters, hanging above the entrance to his store.

Entering, he immediately heads to the table and swipes his finger down, bringing up the inventory window to take out the set of scale armor with its gauntlets and spangenhelm. He sets them down onto the table, speaking, "...selling this...no use for me. My armor stronger."

@Pick

Obtained 8 materials and perfect armor

"....you can go...f*ck it," Kioshi speaks softly, handing the cape back to its rightful owner as he decides to just do this quest all by himself. It is frustrating for himself and maybe tiring for you in his perspective. Not even the cape helps. Maybe his luck isn't really at his side, or maybe he isnt cut out to open any shops at all. Only function as a fighter, soldier, mercenary...nothing more. He sighs deeply, taking the remaining loot with him and walks out of the room, and then the tower itself.

He walks back to the main settlement, helmet currently unequipped as he retains an unsatisfactory look on his face. He even canceled the quest earlier on the way out of the tower's area. All he yearns now is a meal and rest in a nice tavern.

At least the thought of ribs, chicken soup and an iced tea is enough to ease a bit of his mind.

-- THREAD COMPLETE (QUEST FAILED) --

Kioshi: Obtained 200 COL -- 10 Materials (8 Treasure Loot + 2 Quest) -- Perfect Armor -- 1 SP

@Pick: 350 COL (200 Thread + 150 Treasure Loot) -- 2 Rare Consumables -- 1 SP

ID: 104707

LD: 20

Found 150 COL, 8 Materials, Perfect Armor and 2 rare consumables!

Opening the chest feels like opening a mini tomb of Tutankhamun as Kioshi is greeted with a surprisingly valuable amount of loot. 150 COL, 8 materials, though they don't count as quest materials, a perfect graded scale mail armor complete with gauntlets and a spangenhelm, and two rare consumables, each wrapped in cloth wraps tied with small strings. 

He couldn't make a clear decision to split up the loot as though he clearly doesn't want the consumables, he wonders if the scale mail set is worth selling. The COL doesn't look like much of value to him, but then again, it isn't always easy to earn COL as much as anyone would want it to be. Regarding the materials, he thinks it would be good stock for his future store, but wonders if the blonde might need it too. Whatever job he might be taking, it would certainly be more attractive than Kioshi's, judging by his manners and clothing...

He removes his full helmet and turns his head to look at the male, speaking in a soft yet gruff voice, "Take whatever you want."

@Pick

ID: 104688

LD: 15 (Found a treasure chest!)

Walking around the room as he starts thrashing the entire room, Kioshi flips the tables, chairs, shelves, and even a wardrobe. All of the furniture makes loud thuds against the floor, his frustrations channeled through the fall of wooden solid objects. As he holds onto the cape so he won't accidentally damage it in a fit of rage, he notices something odd about the wall behind the wardrobe.

A part of the pattern doesn't seem to line up with the others...could be a mistake made by the builders. Or maybe this is the actual compensation he is looking for. He kicks down that part of the wall only to reveal a very small room containing a treasure chest. Finally, he can at least walk home with a reward.

He looks around for a while, deciding to have the boy here to help himself in case the chest might be a goddamn Mimic. He walks out of the room and lightly tosses the cape around his shoulders.

"...treasure," he speaks softly while pointing upstairs, perhaps for the first time...or was that done before?

@Pick

Hearing the male's suggestion, Kioshi thinks it is a good idea...if they are outside the cave. Here, it might attract unwanted attention if they try to call her out, let alone making so much noise in a not so acoustic friendly cave. Just as Kioshi is about to think about using a rock to bang the walls in rhythm, he suddenly hears a bloodcurdling scream, belonging to possibly the little girl. Drawing out his sword, he turns around and quickly rushes on, suddenly fearing of her fate. He rather see her being attacked by a monster than seeing her fall into some random pit. It would be too horrible, and this makes his stomach hurt, his blood boiled in anger to whoever might be attacking the child now.

It doesn't take too long for him to arrive at a chamber, though he couldn't tell. Slowly, he walks on, looking around for any culprits that might be hiding here. His breathing slow but deep, his hands gripping the sword tightly.

@Hei

Sheathing his sword back into its scabbard, Kioshi quickly descends down the mountain back to the lake, walks across the ice, and soon arrives at the campsite, not stopping to take a breather or even looking back to see if the girl is alright or catching up. The mountain up there is cold enough to make him brush off the thought of finding a treasure chest there. All he wants to do is to go back into the city and just fall into a slumber for the rest of the day on a warm bed.

As for the girl, he has no worries about her, knowing that she can obviously take care of herself. There is nothing he can give to reward her since he doesn't receive any extra COL in both fights today. At least he is glad to be alive in front of her again.

The blizzard is starting to act up again as he enters the local inn in the main settlement. Stripping off his armor and sword belt in the room he rented since yesterday, he lies down onto the bed and closes his eyes, reality becomes dreams as he explores his own childhood, up to his current age prior to his new life in Aincrad. A sad dream, but he knows that his disease isn't a major concern anymore. There are other things to worry about here, like monsters and backstabbers.

And also his boredom outside fights, if he ever feels that way sooner or later.

-- QUEST COMPLETE! --

Kioshi: Rewarded with 200 COL and 3 SP! (1 Thread + 2 Quest) Snowfrost discarded.

@Neopolitan: Rewarded with 200 COL, 1 Thread SP and a Snowfrost!