Oscar

Oscar needed a break. He felt like he’d been climbing for hours. And, judging from how high up he was now, that was probably true. He plopped down on the steps and stretched out, the burning in his calves almost immediately ebbing away as the pressure was removed. He could only imagine doing something like this in real life. He had a newfound respect for mountain climbers. This was ridiculous!

As he rested, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the cool wind on his face. Even though he still had so far to go, Oscar couldn’t help but take a moment and relax. All the thoughts and concerns that weighed heavy upon his mind melted away. His mind blank, his body was finally able to relax. He imagined that he would have quite the difficult trial ahead of him once he reached the summit. It was best that he get his mind right before trying to attempt it, lest he fail and have to make this journey all over again.

So, he began to climb. The first few hundred feet weren’t so bad. But then he found that the stairs wound around the perimeter of the mountain, inclining gently. Dozens of miles stood between him and the top. It would be easier to climb.

“Hold on now.”

Oscar tried to grasp what looked like a handhold to life himself up to begin climbing up the side of the mountain. He jumped upward, hoping to pull himself up to a ledge just above his head. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. He hit an invisible wall and slid back down until his feet were firmly on the stairs again. Oscar groaned and pushed forward, each step harder than the last. It was a good thing this was a video game or else he’d be in real trouble. Even though he was in his prime out in the real world, a trek like this would probably kill him. He wasn’t an athlete after all.

Mt Olympia loomed large on the horizon, but thanks to Penthylos’ expert guidance, the trip didn’t take nearly as long as Oscar had expected. The Satyr stopped before a set of rough-hewn steps carved straight into the face of the mountain. He then turned and gave Oscar another sly grin.

“The Goddess awaits you at the top, Oscar. Best of luck to you!”

And like that, a polite bow, the Satyr was gone. Oscar looked up and shuddered. The mountain was far taller than he could have imagined. Through the clouds, Oscar couldn’t even see the summit of the mount. This would be a trial in and of itself. Climbing all the way to the top would likely take longer than it had taken to get here from his home on Floor Seven. He took a deep breath and exhaled forcefully. Nothing else to do but get started, one step at a time.

Literally.

It’s in the name genius.

It was clearly some sort of crafting challenge. Whatever this “great treasure” was supposed to be, he was almost certain that it would probably aid him in crafting. He was in a good spot as a Rank 4 Cook, but he certainly wouldn’t turn his nose up to more help in that domain. So, without another thought, he accepted the quest. This triggered Penthylos to continue the quest dialogue.

“Ah, you’re a brave one! Not many have the strength of will to meet the Goddess Hestia’s challenge! Allow me to be your guide, Oscar. I shall deliver you safely to Olympia. Follow me.”

The Satyr turned on his hooves and started off without another word. Oscar followed along behind him. The Satyr guided him through the hordes of monsters that stood between him and Mt Olympia. He was quite impressed by the AI assigned to the Satyr. He was able to find the perfect route, weaving in and out of the monsters’ aggro ranges instead of following a predetermined path.

“Peace friend. I come in peace. I am Penthylos, the Satyr. I come to deliver a challenge unto you from the Goddess Hestia!”

Hestia? The Goddess of the Hearth? What type of challenge was Oscar to expect from a Goddess? Oscar looked quizzically at Penthylos, clearly confused by his words. Penthylos produced a scroll from a pouch on the belt that held up his loincloth. The yellowed paper gave a soft crackle as he unfurled it. The Satyr cleared his throat and looked down at the scroll.

“I, the Goddess Hestia, recognize the Cook Oscar’s ability. I challenge him to a Battle of Crafts. Come meet me at Mt Olympia if you accept my challenge. Should you prevail, I shall grant you a great treasure of the gods.”

Penthylos closed his scroll and placed it back on his belt. There was a notification in Oscar’s quest tracker. He opened his menu as the satyr looked at him expectantly. He was greeted by a new quest. <<The Challenge of Olympus>> had appeared in his tracker. Oscar thought for a moment. What, exactly, was a Battle of Crafts?
 

Oscar snagged a teleport to Athenaia from Deepedge. He marveled at the Ancient Grecian theme of the floor. He always found the stone pillars and archways that were essentially invented by the Ancient Greeks aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. Oscar had never been to Greece, but seeing the Acropolis had been on his bucket list since he was a child. It would be the first thing he did when he got out of here. But, for now, this would have to do.

Oscar had barely stepped off the teleport platform before a strange creature appeared. It was humanoid, but with the legs and horns of a goat. Brown fur covered its body from head to toe. It looked at Oscar with bright blue eyes as a sly smile crossed its features. It approached Oscar, arms outstretched. His hand shot to his blade on instinct, thinking he was about to attack. The creature stopped its advance and looked at Oscar with an apologetic expression.

Oscar woke from a deep slumber, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Well, going through the motions, at least. He didn't have to worry about things like eye crust in the mornings in Aincrad. Whoever was taking care of his body in the real world had that humble duty. You would be surprised to know how many things that one did on reflex that didn't have any bearing on them in this digital world. He slowly swung his feet over the side of the bed and, steeling himself for the day, placed his feet upon the cool stone floor of his bedroom. He meandered down to his kitchen and began preparing something for breakfast.

That was when he noticed it.

An icon in his quest tracker. He opened his menu as he stuffed his face with toast and scrolled through the quest list. The details were scarce, but it was related to his profession. The quest merely told him to go to Floor 17. Ordinarily, Oscar wouldn't dare go so high up. But he figured anything to do with his profession wouldn't entail fighting monsters, so he was golden. After finishing his breakfast, he made sure all of his things were together and headed up.

Name: Chili Dog with Chili Fries
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 4
ID: 121152
Roll: CD: 10, LD: 12
Item Type: Meal
Tier: 1
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: Protein, Protein
Description: This meal is simple, messy, and oh-so delicious. Eating it makes you feel like you can take on the world!
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17990-f01/?do=findComment&amp;comment=578833

Name: Extremely-Filling Hotdog
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 4
ID: 121154
Roll: CD9, LD3
Item Type: Meal
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: Overhealth
Description: This hot dog has an overabundance of toppings, including cheese, chili, onions, and sauerkraut. It's rumored that even one bite can leave you full for days.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17990-f01/?do=findComment&amp;comment=578833

Name: Extremely-Filling Hotdog
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 4
ID: 121155
Roll: CD8, LD8
Item Type: Meal
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: Overhealth
Description: This hot dog has an overabundance of toppings, including cheese, chili, onions, and sauerkraut. It's rumored that even one bite can leave you full for days.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17990-f01/?do=findComment&amp;comment=578833

Oscar had heard tell of a grove with materials so plentiful, even the monsters were more generous with their drops. Oscar was running low, so he decided to pay this grove a visit. Air seemed to be charged with positive energy as he strode into the grove of trees. He searched around for materials, but as he did, he heard a growl to his right. Oscar slowly turned and saw a large wolf squaring up to him. He slowly took a step back and drew his sword. They circled one another, both looking for an opportunity to strike. He used his new art, <<Tsuji Kaze>> to score a blinding hit on the wolf. The wolf yelped and snarled before snapping at Oscar's wrist. Its fangs sunk into his arm, dealing critical damage. But, it was mostly mitigated by the enhancements on his gear. Then the wolf yelped again shortly thereafter as the thorns bit it. Oscar looked and saw how much damage he'd dealt in a single turn and smiled.

"Alright then. That was a heck of an upgrade!"

Day 5

Oscar donned his apron and stepped into the kitchen. Today, he was determined to make full meals instead of feasts. He'd done a fair few snacks and now he wanted to branch out and really see what he could do with his craft. The first attempt was a rousing success. A Chili Dog with Chili Fries. The only fitting enhancement for all that meat was double Protein. It would provide a heavy boost to damage, but it would also give you indigestion. That would make you a touch less durable in combat. His second craft was a failure, but he managed to salvage the materials. His third and fourth crafts, however, were his masterpieces. Though they were only uncommon crafts, he made two of the same thing so he could turn them into a lesser feast later. "Later" here meaning "whenever he found friends to eat it." His last craft ended in abject failure, but he was satisfied with the progress he'd made so far. Every day, it got just a little bit easier.

Thread Summary
5 SP

• 1 for Thread Completion
• 2 for Quest Completion
• 1 for Yui’s Grace
• 1 for Basic Training

<<Beginner’s Katana>>
<<Potion of Safeguard>>
400 Col for Thread Completion
Kirbs also receives 1 SP for Thread Completion

Oscar headed back to town with the Boar Pup Tusks in tow. It didn't take long for him to arrive at Lyle Tealeaf's smithy from where he was. Oscar happily handed the smith the requested materials. In exchange, the smith handed him a brand new sword. It wasn't quite as good as the one Oscar had already, but he'd keep it around just in case. He then handed him a package for a girl named Hannah and asked him to deliver it. His Quest Tracker updated with a new objective and he followed the arrow to it. He stepped into a grove of trees and found a young woman sitting upon one of them. He handed over the package.

"Oh thank you stranger! I've been waiting for this. I've got a task for you myself. But first, this is for you."

A <<Potion of Safeguard>> was placed into his pack. The Quest Completion interface quickly popped up. He hit "Complete" and Hannah updated with a new objective for him. But he'd put a pin in it for now. Other things to do first.

A second <<Tsumuji Gurama>> dispatched the Boar Pups easily. He didn't bother to loot the boars because he already had all of the materials he needed to turn in to Lyle Tealeaf. With the combat ended, Oscar sheathed his blade and sighed. Another quest complete. He was excited where this next quest would lead him. It wasn't as if a game this big only had two Tutorial Quests. He turned to Kirbs with a smile, still apologetic from his display earlier. "I've got what I need now. I'm gonna head back to town. You feel up for gathering some materials later? I'm kinda in need of them." He really wanted to befriend this woman. Perhaps if he did, then he might be able to help her. But even if he couldn't help, Oscar didn't have many friends in Aincrad. Bahr was his only one. Perhaps a mindless grind of resources and enemies would be just what the doctor ordered to help her at least cope with this funk she was in.

The Blazing Typhoon was a Smithy on Floor 1. He'd heard that a Grandmaster Blacksmith worked out of this shop. It was a rarity indeed to find such an accomplished craftsman down here on the lower floors. But hey, Oscar wasn't complaining. With his new Potions of Immolation, he had just enough Col to requisition a breastplate to accompany their use. He entered the shop, his nose assaulted by the smell of smoke and hot steel. He approached the order form and filled it out, making sure to be as descriptive as possible with his desired piece of armor. Then, he hit submit, but not before attaching 8 T1 Materials to the order form as means of compensation for the order. He would check back later to see if it was finished, but for now, he'd spent quite a lot of Col and Materials. He needed to do something to make that back.

Cloak's Corner seemed like the place to be for your general merchandise needs. He'd already had great success with the Custom Ambition Tool and the Spyglass he'd bought a few days prior. Gob-Gob was walking, grunting proof of that. But Oscar had other needs today. He wanted to see how the Potions of Immolation worked in combat. He probably wouldn't get the most value out of them, but he had a plan in place for that. His damage was still rather low, so anything helped at this point. He purchased two Potions of Immolation from the shop. The total came out to 660 Col. Quite a bargain for something that could potentially generate almost as much dps as his weapon. He'd have to get a second set of Armor for use with the potions, but he'd heard of a good blacksmith that might be able to help him out with that. Oscar paid 700 instead of the listed 660 for the items. Cloak's Corner had been a great help to him and he wanted to see the place thrive.

2 Potions of Immolation Purchased
700 Col Paid

Name: Gob-Gob, Slayer of Immortals
Roll ID: 120956, 120959
Roll Result: LD19, CD9
Mastery: None
Description: "The Goblin that slew Zayne the Undying. Truly the pinnacle of Goblin physiology. It looked exactly like Terry Crews in a goblin costume. It doesn't have a weapon though. But who needs a weapon when you have POWAHHHH."
Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17994-f06-pp/?page=2&tab=comments#comment-578789

Thread Summary
3 SP

• 1 for Thread Completion
• 1 for Quest Bonus
• 1 for Yui’s Grace

1280 Col ID: 120934 (400), 121017 (400), Thread Completion (400)
Uncommon Consumable ID: 120934
2 T1 Crafting Materials: ID: 120934
<<Gob-Gob, Slayer of Immortals>> ID: 120956, 120959
Rare Trinket: 121017

Back on the Oscar-Meyer Mansion, Oscar headed inside his estate hall. Once there, he made a beeline for the kitchen and whipped him and Gob-Gob up something nice to eat. Gob-Gob got his own place at the table as they ate and drank. "You know, Gob-Gob. I'm happy I found you. It's kinda lonely as a lowbie. Everyone's either out on the Frontlines or are too depressed to be good company. But you're good company!" Oscar felt kinda weird speaking to something that only responded with grunts and groans. But he had a lot he needed to get off his chest. Tyson's death still weighed heavy on his conscience. That creeping, crippling disease called depression was slipping in. It was becoming a struggle just to get up and get out there. But, he'd take it one day at a time. More than combat buffs, Gob-Gob would provide a good medium to vent. To get his thoughts out of his head and in the open. The things he'd be too ashamed to tell other people. He was a therapist after all. He knew what to do. But he just had to stave off the depression long enough to do it.

Gob-Gob trotted along behind Oscar as he headed back to town. The dense overgrowth of the jungle made progress slow. Deep ravines were hidden by thick brush. He couldn't proceed too quickly. But, slowly and surely, he made his way back to the town of <<Rhoemeia>>. Once there, he returned the bag of feed to the Gypsy.

"Oho! Bagged yourself a familiar, I see! Such a mighty companion!"

Oscar nodded, beaming with pride. "Isn't he marvelous? I never imagined that I would find such a thing here."

The old crone nodded and examined Gob-Gob more closely. Her eyes fell upon his rippling biceps, his rock-hard abs, and finally his Terry Crews face.

"My God. He's perfect!"

Yes, yes he was. Oscar bade the crone farewell and headed up to his house on Floor 7. His days of sleeping in dirty inns were over. Thanks to his Cooking profession and owning his own estate, Oscar didn't need to worry about food or lodging ever again.

Oscar sighed and turned back around to face Kirbs. He looked her dead in the eyes with an apologetic expression. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overstep my bounds or anything. I just... I see someone who I think is in need of help and I get a little overzealous. I hope you can forgive my words from before." Truth be told, Oscar still thought she needed help, but he also didn't want to make any enemies. Especially enemies that may or may not be unstable. Best to try to bury the hatchet now than let the wounds fester. Before she could respond, Oscar noticed a set of Boars in AoE range and dashed over to them. He whipped out his sword and spun in around him, only managing to dispatch one. The other two tried to counterattack, but Oscar nimbly dodged their blows. He managed to find time to loot while the Boar Pups whiffed their attacks and was happy to find his last Boar Pup Tusk. His hit activated his Keen enhancement while his dodging activated Savvy. Now much more accurate, Oscar would probably be able to end the combat next turn.

Day 4

"Another day, another dish!"

Oscar's kept at the grindstone, hoping that today would finally be the day he could stock his shop with something. Yesterday, he'd managed to pay back Bahr for the amazing Katana he'd given him. But that didn't put Col in his pocket. Generous though he was, this game required money. He would help out any newbies he came across, certainly. However, those established in the game would need to pay his prices.

Oscar set about work in the kitchen. The cool thing about crafting was that you could make custom dishes that you wouldn't otherwise see in other games. His first dish was a Focused Hotdog, enhanced for accuracy. It was only uncommon, but even one bonus accuracy could be the difference between a hit or a miss. Surprisingly enough, though, he managed to get a two-for-one craft. For the same inputs as one dish, he got an extra.

"Score!"

He was quite happy to see that his crafting session was off to such a great start. His next dish would be even better! He got an idea for a rather unorthodox dish and began whipping it up. In place of the weiner, he used an iron ingot, but called it a hot dog. The taste would be the same as a hotdog, but it would look as if they were eating a bar of metal. The only proper enhancement for that was Mitigation. And this the Iron Infused Hotdog was born.

His third craft, unfortunately, was botched. But he was able to save the materials and used them on his second craft. This time, he made a Rare dish using a steel ingot and decided a double Mitigation enhancement was most fitting. His Steel Infused Hotdog would fetch a great price because Mitigation kept you alive in this game.

Satisfied, Oscar closed his crafting menu and moved to update his stock. Hopefully he would have customers soon.

Name: The World's Most Elusive Hot Dog
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 2
ID: 121054
Roll: CD: 11, LD: 9
Item Type: Consumable
Tier: 1
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: +2 EVA
Description: "You see, this hot dog right here can... Wait a second. Where did it go?"
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17990-f01/?do=findComment&amp;comment=578697

Name: The World's Second Most Elusive Hot Dog
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 2
ID: 121055
Roll: CD: 10, LD: 3
Item Type: Consumable
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: +1 EVA
Description: "You see, this hot dog right here can... Wait a second. Where did it go? Oh, there it is."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17990-f01/?do=findComment&amp;comment=578697

Day 3

Oscar had just ranked up the previous day, but he wasn't done yet. He was making real progress now. It was time to get back at it. After all, you don't get better at something by doing easy things all the time. You need struggle to catalyze self-improvement.

Cooking was becoming easier and easier. He'd successfully made two Hot Dogs, one of which was sufficient quality to fulfill Bahr's order. He picked up the Hot Dog, named <<The World's Most Elusive Hot Dog>>, and walked next door. He burst through the door to the Crusty Bahrnacle and walked straight into the back. Once he saw Bahr was there, he got the man's attention.

"Brother Bahr. I have thine meat tube of evasiveness. Sup upon its nurturing flesh."

He opened a trade menu and dropped in <<The World's Most Elusive Hot Dog>>. He waited patiently for Bahr to accept the trade so that he could return to his cooking.

This was it. One final blow. Stepped forward and dealt the final Han'ei to the goblin. Pink radiance burst from his blade on contact and pink flower petals fluttered out from the point of impact. A second strike and the goblin was no more. As it shattered in to thousands of shards, Oscar began to collect his loot. Once the progress bar filled, 480 Col and a Rare Trinket were deposited into his inventory. Oscar sheathed his blade and headed back for town with Gob-Gob in tow. He still had to return the bag of feed to the Gypsy for quest completion and town was still a little ways off. He had time to, maybe, find some materials on his way back or even take in the sights. He hadn't spent much time up here on Floor 6 so, he wondered what he would find. Regardless, he was just happy to have his familiar finally. Especially one so... rugged.