Astralin

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ID# 187319 LD: 6(failed)

Materials Gathered: 2/5

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ID# 187317 LD: 18(Success, found 1 T1 material)

Materials Gathered: 2/5

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ID# 187316 LD: 20(Success, found 1 T1 Material)

Materials Gathered: 1/5

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ID# 187315 LD: 3(failed)

Astralin couldn't tell what animal this was, as she was focused on holding on for dear life. She could hear Clerisse's voice, but for the moment, Astralin and whatever animal Astralin had fallen onto began tumbling onto the ground, rolling down a short hill and into some bushes...bushes that had quite a few smaller animals inside, even a few birds that got startled and flew out. Astralin grabbed hold of something, and lifted it up, out of the bush, primarily to signal to Clerisse that she was okay, and also that she found a material of sorts...but then a larger bird stole the material from Astralin, putting the icing on the cake of this unfortunate chain reaction. Astralin got herself out of the bush, with an irritated expression on her face. She pulled out a brush from her inventory and got the leaves and tiny sticks out of her hair, and was ready to continue on. "Ok, let's hope there will be no more chain reactions from here..." The animal that Astralin had fallen onto, which turned out to be a boar, was not intending to stick around. It ran off, squealing like it was assaulted by a maniac. Well, that was one way to be in agreement for being against chain reactions.

ID# 187314 LD: 1 FAIL

Astralin wasn't done speaking, but she was thinking of what to say next. "Did Scorpio actually try to get with you once? I think he tried with each one of the female members of our unofficial group, but I could be wrong." She guessed. "I gave him a soft rejection, and a verse. He never tried for me again since then...but there was one he never gave up on." Clerrise explained. Both would say the next word at the same time, "Virgo". After a bit of silence, Astralin spoke again. "Do you think he would have been persistent with me as well, if I wasn't dating Leo?" Astralin wondered. This proved to be difficult for Clerisse to answer. "He might have...I'm not sure. You and Virgo were both used to all sorts of things...I'm actually sure you'd have both gotten plenty of love letters or confessions if not for the names being an issue...n-not that our names were anything wrong!" 

Astralin placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I totally get it. This name of mine, as much as I love it, has gotten a lot of negative attention to it. It was practically a neat coincidence the way our group formed, and yet..." Her voice trailed off a bit. She'd barely been made fun of from her name alone, but with the group...well, it was such a coincidence that all twelve of them, including Astralin, had verbal targets on their backs for a long, long time.

Astralin thought she saw something up in a tree, so she tried to climb it. She fell, but it wasn't enough of a distance to cause fall damage...the next problem was, however, that she landed onto a startled animal. "Whoa, whoa whoOOOAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!"

ID# 187311 LD: 1 FAIL

"It's been too long since we talked, Pisces. Is there anything else you want to talk about? You know, to pass the time." Astralin asked. Clerisse, as anticipated, hesitated and she slowed her pace a bit, too. "Um...I...ahh..." Uh oh, looks like we were back to shy nervousness with her. "P-perhaps we could...um...talk about...w-who we m-miss?" Clerisse eventually uttered out. "I do miss the others...oh, gosh, I think I even miss Scorpio." Astralin noted, with a smile breaking out on her face, and a chuckle following that. "...Scorpio and his perseverance...it was both virtue and flaw, to me. I admired his willingness to keep working toward his hopes, but I don't miss his frequent attempts to flirt with some of us despite rejection..." Clerisse remarked. "Brave words...maybe it's because there's just us walking around here, like Scorpio wasn't around...I mean, I'm sure he's not in this game..." Astralin commented as the two players walked, still having found nothing so far.

ID# 187310 LD: 11(failed)

Astralin would continue to follow Clerisse. "If I remember correctly, the place I speak of should be in a clearing within one of the floor's forests." Clerisse explained. Astralin smiled, knowing that Clerisse was starting to feel comfortable again. She always felt sorry for Clerisse, because she was always the shy sort, nervous around new people and certain situations. Of course, there were plenty of times where she would be more courageous, or when all that was bottled up within her suddenly rose out...or even, those few times when she delivered sick burns and roasts. Then again, Astralin was very surprised to hear the words she'd said back in that WoW raid all those years ago...my, was she one angry healer that night. Astralin looked around her, keeping an eye out for alchemy materials. So far, there didn't seem to be any...was there a likely reason for this particular shortage? 

ID# 187308 LD: 8(failed)

Astralin had never felt more alone yet surrounded in this moment. She would find that yet another player she didn't recognize stepped out into the open, and he nodded to her? What was that supposed to mean?

The young blond male player then would speak to Kihone, claiming this was a bit of an "odd spot" to be hanging around. "I wander this floor often, so it's not really that odd to me. I can see why someone would see it as unusual though, if they don't often visit this floor, or meet the people who frequent it." Kihone responded. Astralin wondered what could have drawn this woman to just wander this floor often, but she couldn't come up with a clear answer, aside from possibly being a familiar or loved environment for the woman. Maybe she loved winter, or lived somewhere that was often cold or freezing? But the bigger question was, where was Freyd, and who was this boy who came out of the trees?

There were no incoming Snowballs from Freyd. That couldn't be good. Astralin quickly looked towards the spot she saw him in last...the same thing happened when Astralin was about to fight the frost beast...was...was he hiding somewhere? Astralin looked at the surrounding area. Plenty of trees to hide behind, but... "I, um..." Astralin still didn't know how she should answer this woman. After all, they were meeting outside the safe zone, anything could happen and this person seemed to be on her own. The woman got down from the tree. "I apologize if I surprised you, you both looked like you were having a little fun. I go by Kihone. You?" She asked. "...A-Astralin. I go by Astralin..." Astralin replied, still a bit wary herself. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Astralin." Kihone then said. The awkward silence would be kind of unnerving to Astralin, but this woman seemed to be sweet in her demeanor.

Freyd blocked the attempt, and then suggested that they do this the old fashioned way, just in case. Yeah, it was probably safer. Well, time to launch some snowballs, and dodge the incoming ones. Astralin got pelted with a fair number of snowballs, and it was difficult to throw a single one without being a sitting duck that got hit. She'd need some cover...and there was plenty in the trees. Once finally among them, she quickly prepared a good number of snowballs, and it was time to retaliate. Just because she was only able to participate in snowball fights during the winter, didn't mean she had little experience. She definitely seemed outdone here, though. Despite it all she was having fun, tossing snowballs, getting hit by Freyd's snowballs, and having fun. "Whew, what a challenge!" She remarked. She was tied with the best of her hometown for skill in a snowball fight, but this player was something else.

Suddenly, she was hit by a snowball, but she didn't see any way it could have come from Freyd...it also came from somewhere nearby and above? Astralin looked in the direction the snowball came from, and she saw a woman standing on one of the snow-covered, but sturdy limbs of a tree. "Care to have another contender?" The woman asked with a soft smile, and another snowball in her hand. Above the woman was a green cursor, so Astralin, while unsure, didn't seem too worried. Of course, she didn't know how she should answer that question...primarily because she needed to keep some focus on the opponent, and her back was now turned, leaving her somewhat vulnerable despite having a tree for cover.

The NPC Player:

A flaming familiar? Roasting the marshmallows?

Freyd noted how that conversation went into the best ways to do so, and he gave his opinion. "I like the mostly golden ones too. Especially if the inside is completely molten...so good..." Astralin admitted. Freyd would then reveal the kind of marshmallow the one who wanted the familiar preferred. "Whaaat? But it's just burnt if it's like that, a loss and waste of a perfectly good marshmallow!" Astralin remarked. Well, at least the two were definitely in agreement here, and now Astralin understood the need for Marshmallow Insurance.

Not long after that, Freyd would suddenly activate a sword art, and the result would cause a great deal of snow to be flung onto Astralin, until she was practically under a mound. Oh, now things were going somewhere. She smiled, and saw a bunch of snow that was large enough to be hit...and...Astralin could try spreading into the air with a hit from an area of effect attack...and she knew just the one. Tornado Kick. 

"Aerrakea!" She called out, and she would strike the snow mound with a sweeping strike, sending the snow out in a semicircle, away from Astralin and towards a number of directions...though she probably missed.

Astralin didn't know all about the different shops in the Town of Beginnings, but stopping by a few of them might prove to be worth it. She would eventually come by a shop with a simple wooden roofing, and when she entered the building, she looked around, and what caught her eye was a pair of handwraps. "Handwraps? I didn't know players could sell items outside their professions..." She thought aloud. She then examined the handwraps, and found an enhancement that caused her eyes to light up.

There it was. Freeze.

"Omygoshomygoshomygoshomygoshhhhhhh!!!!!!!"

The power of ice.

She brought the handwraps straight to the counter, along with the materials required to pay for them. It was then that she noticed who the shop's owner was. "Hi Chase, Nice to see you again! I'm just gonna buy these immediately cause I want to attain the power of ice here's the materials thank youuuuu!"

-Purchasing Zero Degree Icicle(Handwraps), Paid 10 T1 Materials to @ChaseR

Astreya seemed to be all for Astralin's words and action. This may have been a game, and the NPCs were without souls...but they still shouldn't be creeping on girls like that. 

The suspicious woman's snake started dripping venom down on her blade, and the sarcasm in her words were full of poison. "Congratulations, you're officially super sus now!" Astralin thought, despite that it was almost like she was talking to her...but she clearly wasn't and was in fact just eying the woman and her snake very skeptically. The male player seemed to be fascinated by the idea of venom and poisons...ok, that was unexpected...maybe he was hoping to be an alchemist, as Astralin was, despite the, erm...differentiating routes they seemed to be taking?

Whatever the case, Astreya would point out the fog. "Well, this amulet I have helps me to see in the dark, but I don't know if its light can cut through fog." Astralin admitted.

Astralin considered the options. It made enough sense that it took a while for this monster to respawn, since the item it drops was said to increase the quality of an existing item... "I didn't actually have anything else planned. I didn't think this would end so quickly...this definitely was nothing like the last time...then again, there was a bit of a fight that I made myself the moderator of that occurred after that other time when the frost beast was slain while I was around..." She admitted. "You know, participating in a snowball fight...that's actually not a bad idea. Sure, you throw snowballs at others, but you've also gotta dodge the ones headed for you. Might make for a fun way to practice evasive maneuvers." She remarked. "I wouldn't mind you being around a bit longer." She added. "One thing though... 'Roasted Marshmallow Insurance'? what's that?" She asked, kind of confused on the matter.

Well, to say that this could have started better or worse would be a solid statement. Astralin Would have readied her next attack, but then the monster let loose a deafening roar and a miniature blizzard that stopped her from taking action as she covered her ears to avoid losing her sense of hearing in-game. Didn't this sort of thing only happen in games like the Monster Hunter games that her brother liked to play? Well, Astralin didn't have earplugs level five, so she missed her chance. Luckily for her, the monster suddenly shattered before it could land an attack. Astralin looked around and saw only the player who had vanished before this fight began. He must have..wait, he'd just one shot the monster, there was no mistaking what just happened here! The player then pulled her up from her forearm and helped her back up, proceeding to place an Essence of Steel in her hands...it was much colder, and wetter, than she thought it was going to be. It's not melting, is it? A goofy grin that cheered up Astralin spread across the man's face, she couldn't help but give a light chuckle at least. "Th-thanks...I think s-so..." She answered, despite starting to feel chilled. She stowed the item away in her inventory after she spoke.

Oh...this player was a merchant himself from what Astralin was able to piece together from his words. "I-it's not like this came cheap either...two thousand col for an axe with a single enhancement..." Astralin responded. 

The player would escort Astralin to the wastes, and then give his explanation. 

"There, The boss will be summoned when you touch it.  Why don't you go drum on it, then play nice for a bit.  I'll be nearby.  You have fresh underwear if you need it, right?" The player said before suddenly vanishing.

What a strange thing to finish with. Astralin's face reddened slightly when she heard this. "Ahhhhhhhh......." She looked around her, then she decided it was time to take a risk. She hesitated before walking over to the skull. She picked up the bone from the cold ground, and she struck it. The Frost Beast was summoned, and now it was time to fight. "That guy have better not abandoned me..." She thought and hoped. She then activated her Sword Art. "Aerrakea!" She called out, and the vanity effect of her amulet became active, making her eyes glow during this attack. While she missed, the Frost Beast had a hard time trying to attack her as well.

ID# 185935 BD: 2+2=4(miss), MD: 5-2=3(miss)

[0]Astralin: HP 380/380, EN 36/38, 6 DMG | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD

[0]Freyd: HP ???/???, EN ??/??, ???????????

                      Enemies:

Frost Beast: HP 250/250, 160 DMG, [Partial Phase]: <<Frost Beast>>'s attacks always deal a minimum of 24 DMG instead of a minimum of 1 DMG when calculating Mitigation. 

Astreya had no idea why it was a bad thing to say one's real name in this game. "Honestly, I don't know... But I do know that it's not the smartest thing to do with someone you don't know enough, or trust." Astralin answered. 

Astreya offered her hand to help Astralin when she tripped, and she accepted as she was getting up. Astreya then grinned and beckoned her to go forward. "Sure...just, I'm still curious about this thing..." She took the key that was with the book, and unlocked it. Astralin looked through the pages... her eyes wide at this new issue... "Aaaagh, I can't read it..." She groaned. This locked book's contents did have some imagery here and there, but it was almost as if there was a seemingly unreadable text within. Symbols that Astralin did not recognize littered the pages, and judging by the fact that translated words weren't appearing over the pages, the system didn't know this kind of lettering either.

She then looked up and saw there was trouble about to unfold. She stowed the book and key in her inventory, then she pulled out her Skillbook. If any of the players were to pay any attention to her Skillbook's cover, they would see plenty of mystifying symbols, as well as star and galaxy inspired design patterns on it. She looked through her own writings, and soon closed the Skillbook, proceeding to return it to her inventory. She had a battle plan if things got nasty. 

Suddenly a creep appeared by Lethia, and complimented on her hair as he inspected it...as a creep does. He then looked to Astralin and Astreya. "What's this? two lovely girls who seem to show a bit of innocence and purity" He then turned his eyes on the only male of the group, and said, "how unsightly, a boy who seem to ignore such an opportunity for bliss. If I were in your place, I would have them all for my-" 

"Not happening." Astralin interrupted as she crossed her arms like an X over her chest, while the male player would chuck his sword at the creepy Dark Elf. Astreya attacked the Dark elf after he and the male player got into a stalemate, and Astralin would follow with an action of her own... She clapped her hands together, and activated her Sword Art. "Aerrakea!" She called out, and the vanity effect of her amulet became active, making her eyes glow during this attack. She would devastate the Dark Elf with an all-out strike. "We are living women, not toys to be taken like possessions." She said, following with a huff...and she then kicked the Dark Elf creep in the crotch, before his HP Bar depleted to zero.

ID# 185933 BD: 4+2=6(hit)

Tornado Kick: 6x6=36 Damage to Dark Elf

Plini | HP: 140/140 | EN: 12/14 | DMG: 2 | MIT: 9 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 3 | LD: 2 | Savvy: 2
Astreya | HP: 20/20 | EN: 2/2 | Damage: 4 | Mitigation: 9 | Thorns: 9
Astralin | HP: 380/380 | EN: 30/38 | DMG: 6 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | REC: 2 | BLD: 1 | PAR: 1 
Lethia | HP: 200/200 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 5 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 3 | BLEED: 12 | PARALYZE: 1

Dark Elf | HP 0/12 | DMG: 9

It didn't take very long for Astralin to check her inventory, so it wasn't long before she followed the player once he gestured for her to follow. The man pulled out a blade that seemed to be made of...void? Wow...Astralin really didn't know such weapons existed...but she actually found it intriguing, to an extent. She was asked why she needed the Essence, and, well, she'd have to be honest here... "Well, there is a use I have for it, but I might wait and see if I should before I try. Simply put, it's for this." She said as she pulled out an unusual axe out of her inventory. This axe's blade looked like it was a wedge taken out of a CD, but it wasn't necessarily the kind of weapon Astralin would use. "I have an item that can change the name, appearance and description, maybe even the item type, of an existing piece of equipment. But it's still an uncommon item otherwise. I want to make the best use of it, especially because of it's enchant- er, enhancement, Burn. So I'm hoping an Essence of steel can optimize it, if you know what I mean." She explained.

The silver haired woman continued her responses, which may have been teasing more than flirtatious at this point. The snake didn't help Astralin's current view on her either. "Sus..." She thought. "Very sus..." Did this woman just want to mess with this one guy here, or did she have other reasons? Only one way to find out, though Astralin already made a bit of a risk by saying her real name...she only thought it was fair that she revealed her real name because someone else had revealed their own. The male player, who hadn't introduced himself yet, repeated the usernames he'd heard, and decided to try and forget the real names spoken. Astreya broke into a wide grin when Astralin revealed her name in return, and offered a nickname. Honestly, Astralin didn't know what to think. She didn't see herself as being able to have a nickname like that, she just couldn't see it fitting...but she didn't want to come across the wrong way, either. "I'll consider it." She answered, going with neutrality, her usual method for avoiding getting on too many people's bad sides, or simply disappointing too many potential friends. Astreya wondered how giving out a real name would be disadvantageous, and then a possibility hit Astralin. "Astreya...is...I'm sorry if I'm wrong or anything but...is...is this your first online game? It's usually not the best thing to do, revealing your real name to someone you hardly know. I revealed mine cause I thought it was only fair since you revealed yours, and because I like to be nice." She explained to the player. "Anyway, I can heal injuries and strike with my innate power! If you need help, I'll be there."

The players would then head over to the forest of wavering mists. Astralin remembered coming here to find a labyrinth some time ago. The mists swept in, and the players would begin to slowly traverse through. Astralin may have wandered through this misty forest before, but she didn't see that stump coming. "Waaaugh! Oooph!"

Astralin got up, and looked where she'd tripped. It was a hollow stump, but what was that more solid white mixed with the translucent white of the mists? She lowered her hand into the stump and, as it turns out, there was some kind of book with a lock in there, and there was a key with it. She didn't see much about it, aside that it was a locked book with a white cover, not to mention the fact that the cover's front had a golden-colored star with the Roman Numeral for Seven on it. ..What was this thing?

-Astralin has found The Seventh Book

From the man Astralin had spoken to, only came a few words. Well, she now knew he was willing to help...now to explain the situation...which she probably should have done first. "So I was hoping to go back to The Frozen Wastes in order to fight The Frost Beast for an Essence of Steel. I know I am able to heal injuries, and strike with my innate power, but...I kind of over invested in my healing too early. My damage output suffered as a result, and I'm not sure I can handle that ice cannon on my own...so that's why I need your help." She explained. I've been to the quest location before, so I know where it is...unless you already know that as well." She added. Hopefully this player was understanding...and, well, she did remember what was said to her the last time she spoke to a hooded individual on the fourth floor...

Not long after Astralin had asked to join, a silver haired woman with a snake showed up, completely ignoring the presence of Astralin and the other girl, despite acknowledging them being there, as she spoke to the only male player in the vicinity in a tone and expression that... "Is...is she flirting with him, or teasing him? I don't know..." She thought. She was actually often suspicious of girls who flirt at just any good looking guy, for one of those kinds of girls had stolen Leo away from her all those years ago... She turned her attention away from the snake apparently flirtatious player and back to the other two. The male seemed surprised to find that there were now three women near him. He claimed that he wasn't handsome, claiming that 'handsome guys have wavy blond hair'. Astralin smiled and shook her head. "No, that's not true." She remarked reassuringly. "Guys can be handsome with different hairstyles and hair colors. I was into a ginger once." She said, trying to encourage the player so he wouldn't think so low of himself.

The male player would then speak of the situation. It was material gathering. "I've already got a good set of apparel, so I'm fine and won't be needing the armor either. I'm not sure about dirt, but I have had to swat away a bug or two when I was looking for alchemy materials." Astralin responded. The girl with the armored battledress was cheerful, ready to start the quest, though she didn't like the idea of bugs and dirt. Well, it looked like Astralin and this girl were in unspoken agreement. The girl with the armored battledress then introduced herself, while also mentioning that her username was visible. "I know it's strange, I thought others could see my username at first as well, but unlike most MMOs, this game doesn't seem to work that way..." She commented. The girl, who'd said her username was Astreya, also chose to reveal her real name. "Well, my username is Astralin, but my actual name is Libra. Nice to meet you!" She replied.

Astralin had been trying to uncover quite a bit. She had indeed learned of the Essence, but what was its significance in that strange book she found not too long ago? Whatever the case, she was off to the fourth floor to fight that...Frost Beast! Yeah, that's what it was called! She intended to fight it for an Essence, but suddenly she stopped as reality dawned on her...she probably couldn't beat it on her own. Well, she was still in the settlement of Snowfrost, so she still had time to look for something or someone to help her. She unlocked the unusual book and opened it up. Oh...right...it was all written in something she couldn't read. Not even the Cardinal was translating it...it must have been an invented font not known by the system. Whatever the case, she closed the book back up, locked it, and stowed it away in her inventory. She wandered for a bit, then saw someone who she decided to ask for help. "Excuse me, do you have some spare time to help me fight a tough monster?"

@Freyd

Stats and Equipment:

Unique Enchantme- er, Enhancements? Available? It was more likely that Astralin thought. Regardless, this was a chance for Astralin to see if there was anything really worth it.

She entered the shop, and began to take a look around. She would soon find something kind of strange.

It was an axe, something Astralin wouldn't use...but to not take a look might be something to regret later on. When she looked at its stats, everything she saw in it changed.

Going...

Her mouth opened, her eyes lit up, she couldn't believe the word right before her... "Burn".

Going...

"OooOOOOOOOOOOOHHHH MYYYYYYY GOSSSSSSSSHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Astralin was starting to well up with excitement. She knew there existed items that could turn a spear into a sword, and even change more about its name or appearance! This excited her further.

Going...

At last, she had a chance. All she needed now was an essence of steel or two, and she would be able to harness it at long last...the mystical power of fire. She placed the axe on the counter, and the col required to pay for it, too. Sure, it was a heftier price than other things she'd bought, but it was unique, so it was definitely worth the trouble. "I'll be buying this axe here! 2,000 Col, right? This should be enough..."

Gone.

-Purchasing My Mixtape, Paid 2000 Col to @Shield 

Floor 3, such a nice place, it would seem. Whatever the case, this trip shouldn't be too bad, her level was above the maximum standard monster's strength. She might not have anything to do at the moment...but she was gonna go for it! She knew there was almost always something to do in major MMOs like these, despite that this one in particular is a labyrinth with limited amount of players and the killing tendency it has... She just needed to figure out what was available on this floor, there had to be a quest somewhere, so she could gain experience and grow stronger! She would wander the general area until she spotted a pair of players standing near a smithy. Did they have a quest to take? Well, there was only one way for Astralin to find out! "Heeey! Are you two about to take a quest? Can I join?" She called out and asked. Hopefully she wouldn't be going in over her head...

Stats and equipment: