NIGHT

Step 1: Layer the wooden boards on top of each other. Border this up with some more boards, their sides as smooth as possible, possibly coated with something that resists resin.

Step 2: Using foam ("Curiouser and curiouser..."), build a layered model of the indent she wanted to create against the wooden boards.

Step 3: On each respective layer, mark out the shape of the foam on the wooden boards.

Step 4: Cut the boards along the marks made from Step 3.

Step 5: Layer the wooden boards once again. Stick them together with some glue. Apply sealant by the edges of the carved indentation.

Step 6: Prepare the resin.

Step 7: Pour it in, one layer at a time. Use a blowtorch to put out any air bubbles that may arise. ("I'm almost done. How's yours coming along-- ooh.")

Step 8: Seal the whole block off with the other sealant. ("Here, need a hand?" "Thank you.")

Step 9: Set another smaller block at the bottom of it and glue them together. ("Haha, I bet with some extra planning, you wouldn't need to do this step!").

Step 10: Complete, enjoy your new coffee table!

NIGHT had an idea. But she wasn't sure if she had the time or materials to succeed in her task.

"Oh, and," Athena's voice boomed from a distance. "If you're looking for tools or stations, just snap your fingers. The environment will form it for you."

Well that was convenient.

A snap of her fingers, and a saw and woodworking table appeared. A few more, with some curious noises from Athena, and some resin appeared on the table, along with two different types of sealants. The whole debacle was unfamiliar to her physically, only having watched a couple of videos on the internet about the idea. But she had to have hope.

"You're not planning on setting up in-line with what the store provides, are you?"

"U-uh... Is-is that against the rules?"

A chuckle. "Technically, yes." A tense pause. "But I'm now curious in what you're making, so I'll have to allow it."

The space began compressing, with shelves toppling over backwards to clear out space in the environment. Instead, a tower formed, with wooden planks deposited at the bottom. Another few were added beside it as well, depositing various screws and wooden blocks to follow.

Athena sauntered over, carrying a box in hand. "I already have mine for the occasion, so there's no need for all the obstacles. You may continue." And with that, the goddess began unpacking her box, setting out the materials beside NIGHT.

A what?

NIGHT stood there, rooted in disbelief, looking at Athena dumbfoundedly. The goddess smiled mischievously, summoning an hourglass and flipping it over.

"You have until the last grain of sand falls to the bottom," she stated, setting the hourglass on the floor. "Good luck, artisan."

With that, she floated away, presumably to fetch her own set of materials.

... What???

The woman was too surprised to move, but as she watched the sand fall, she knew she had to do something. Anything.

So she went over to the closest shelf, heaving a large cardboard box towards her from underneath the others. They dropped with a thud and a cloud of dust, but NIGHT had to focus on her task. Unboxing the materials, she found a large stack of light wooden planks, screws, and a blank paper booklet.

Is... was this supposed to be the instructions? The woman flipped through its pages, finding them all empty. I-I mean... she could've just told me to design my own straight up, instead of this cryptic mess...

"Refreshments," Athena mentioned, as NIGHT looked over it greedily. "To nourish the soul, and hopefully make this place well as home. But first."

Another snap, and the table was gone. "The challenge," the goddess hissed with excitement. "Nothing too difficult, of course, but a worthy trial indeed."

This time, she clapped her hands twice, engulfing the room in blue flames. "You'll be facing me at a subdued skill level, of course," the deity echoed, as the flames dissipated, allowing NIGHT to take in their new surroundings. Large, towering metal shelves filled the area, brown unmarked boxes stacked on top of each other. Grey concrete beneath her feet, and modern lights hung on by a string from the ceiling.

Wait... this looked almost like a--

"Your task is simple, NIGHT," the goddess finally managed to say, as the adventurer stopped looking around to set her attention to her competitor. "Using the materials available in this wide IKEA warehouse," she gestured with two outstretched arms, "I want you to build me a brand new... coffee table."

"Human," the goddess questioned, "do you have any questions for me before we begin the trial?"

"U-Um," NIGHT squeaked, recalling something from memory. "Will... Will you turn me into a spider?"

"Will I-- Ahahah! Will I turn you into a spider?" Athena chortled, trying to muffle her laughter with the back of her hand. "What kind of a question is that? Ohohohoh-- Is-Is this about Arachne? Ahahah--"

With a subdued grin, NIGHT responded, "Y-yes, actually..."

"Hahahaha-- Oh-- Okay then! I mean, not unless you want me to! Hahaha..." The goddess simmered down, giggling still. "No, that punishment is reserved for a handful of choice mortals, of which you are not part of. There's no need to worry, young one. In fact," she added with a wide smile. "You're more likely to walk out of here with a reward than not. Please, we want you to feel comfortable here."

With a snap of her finger, a long table laid with a feast appeared behind the human.

"Greetings," her voice echoed down the room, and NIGHT's heart soared in both fear and awe. Trying not to swoon, with the smallest of voices, she eeked out a, "H-hello."

"No need to fear, child," she cooed, leaning forward. "You are here for the Challenge of Olympus, yes?" NIGHT paused, genuinely lost for words, before speaking, "T-that's what I'm told?"

"That's good," Athena replied, resting her arms on her knees. "Tell me, mortal, has my charge briefed you on what our challenge would be on?"

Silence. And then, "N-no."

"I see," the goddess spoke, before her smile faded. Setting her sights to the door, she spoke, reprehensive, "Aegeus?"

A pause. "Yes, your grace?"

"What the hell, man?"

The disconnect between ethereal majesty and casual insulting was so great, NIGHT zoned out for a moment as the two celestials bickered. A good minute had passed, before the adventurer found herself returning to the present.

So she followed. The outskirts of the mountain, surrounded by clouds and mist poured into the walkways and bridges they'd crossed. The attendant lead her to one of the temple's entrances, and the two stood at the foot of the gigantic door. He leaned up against it, heaving with all his might to push it ajar, before gesturing to his guest to walk through the gap, just barely enough space to fit through. NIGHT raised a brow, before squeezing through, curious as to what the orange light within entailed.

And then she saw her. In a great hall lit by orange fires from tall, grand marbled statues, at the far edge sat the patron of the artisans. Long, brown locks unfurled themselves upon her shoulder, dressed in a large, gorgeous looking gown adorned with gold, on a throne white sat Athena, who smiled at her as the adventurer stopped, breathed, and walked over to her.

Dry, rugged and weathered stone made way for smooth, edged and polished rock. The dreary, earthy palette shifted into holy, clean and white, structures accessorized with gold ornaments, the metals sparkling under the sunlight.

As the cloud slowed to a halt, it left its passengers at the mountain's plateau, that acted as a large circular concourse for the mountain's inhabitants. Its surface was cobbled with smooth, stone tiles while its borders were lined with different enormous temples. Multiple grass patches arced around the edges, filling the gaps in-between the buildings, with a variety of colourful vegetation tended to by a few satyrs in the distance. At the centre of the courtyard was a large fountain, an odd modern cornerstone that contrasted the expanse's Greek architecture.

That is to say, the sight took away NIGHT's breath.

"Yes, yes," Her escort remarked, trotting onwards without care. "They all do that. Now if you'll follow me..."

After a bit of travelling, the two reached the steps of the mountain. "One moment," the satyr said, halting the adventurer with a raised arm. With two claps, he summoned a yellow cloud that soared down the flight of stairs, barely grazing their edges. "Since you're here on official business," he stated dryly, "You'll be using our clouds to reach our palace." As the cloud slowed to a stop near the duo, he stepped on it, adding, "Otherwise, we'd just let the mortals rot on the way up. Take that as a warning for the future if you value your pitiful life."

NIGHT grumbled as she got on the puffy vehicle. It felt almost non-existent as the mist clouded around her feet, but since it made contact with some unseen portion of the cloud, she got on, a look of disgruntled confusion on her face. Two more claps, and they were off.

The satyr groaned in annoyance, saying in a mocking voice. "To the human zoo, of course, ughh, where else?" NIGHT found herself squinting in disgust, pressing her hold harder. "Jeeves, yikes," the creature continued, waving his hands now. "Don't get your nickers in a twist now and turn yourself orange!"

The adventurer hesitated to irk out a response, before pulling her blade away, huffing. "Fine, just answer the question." The satyr clicked his tongue, pushing her away as he continued to walk in frustration. "To Mount Olympus, heathen," he scoffed, waving a hand, beckoning her to follow along. "Duh. Who else would be here at this floor, anyway? With your calibre?"

Hey, she thought, biting at her cheek before moving to walk beside him.

"You couldn't even take me in a fight."

She bristled at the comment, her patience waning for this floor's antics. "You're here to craft anyway," he added, eyes on the road ahead. "An amusement for my gods, so know your place and we'll be good, okay mortal?"

The two laughed over their presumed hostility between each other as they strolled out of the city.

"Hahaha, haha--" Instantly, as they crossed past the safe zone borders, she brought her sword to the beast's throat. "Yeah right!! What the heck was that?! Who and what even are you?!"

"Woah woah woah!" The beastman frowned, putting up his hands and stepping backwards. "Slow down there infidel, I don't like you as much as you do either!"

"Then talk! What the heck are you even?!"

"You can't make me talk," he replied confidently, folding his arms and turning his nose towards the sky. "But to enlighten you and your miniscule brain," he motioned his fingers to a pinch, "I'm a satyr, and that's all I'll say."

"No, no no." She further pushed her blade against his neck, the cold steel now meeting his skin. "No, you're also going to tell me what the heck this whole deal is about. Where're you taking me?"

It didn’t help that the man was also adorned with thick fur all around his shoulders and down the mid of his chest, which not only contrasted the robes that the rest of the citizens were wearing, but also emphasized how much he looked like a beast. His charge through the streets of town caused a great flurry of cries, pushing past the townsfolk like a crazed maniac. NIGHT had time to properly turn her blade to face him, defending herself from the impact -- if there was going to be one.

Fortunately for her, he halted a good distance away from her, out of breath, starting to pace forward. “Oh,” the woman spoke, surprised at the turn of events. She pointed to herself. “You’re approaching me?”

“Well, yeah,” he returned. “I can’t escort you to the mountain if I don’t get closer.”

“Oh,” NIGHT replied, in a deadpanned tone, lowering her blade. “Well, I guess I should follow you then.”

“Yeah!”

NIGHT still found herself curious enough to visit Floor 17, though. With parting words ("I'm sure you can handle it. At least there's no combat this time.") and a smile from Fleur, she felt the teleporter overwhelm her visions with light, and take her higher through the floors of Aincrad.

| Floor 17

Oh, she dreaded coming up here. The sudden rush of hooves sent shivers up her spine, and made her draw her sword in the middle of town, both threats now scaring the nearby passive townsfolk. As NIGHT looked around frantically, a voice boomed from a distance. "Halt! You there with the blade!"

Oh, great, I'm about to be arrested by guards already.

Instead, the speaker was from a rather well bearded man, with long twisting horns -- NIGHT could hear Nyanko squeaking already -- and two tuffs of fur that flicker as he ran, by his temples where his ears should be.

What... what is that?

"Please," NIGHT got down on her knees, bowing her head and clapping her hands above it. "Will you please come with me to this place?!"

"Nah," Fleur replied, folding her arms. "It's Floor 17! Plus, I've got other things to do, y'know? You're not my only client here."

"Uuugghh..." The adventurer got up slowly, dread in her movements. "It just... looks so sketchy! I don't believe it. I can't believe it." Her agent shot back a look of discontent, her lips pulled up to an angle. She shrugged, carefree. "My information's on point. It's definitely real, NIGHT. You just gotta see it for yourself."

The adventurer tapped her foot, a little agitated. "It's not that I doubt your credentials, Fleur," she said, gently stroking Nyanko with a finger. "I believe you. But, like, who in their right mind would even send a message like that?"

"Uh," Fleur looked back at her notepad. "Zeus?"

"Yeah? Well," she huffed, stuffing her hands in her pocket. "I don't wanna meet that guy. Or be anywhere near 'im."

"Get this," Fleur began, picking up the col pouch and weighing it in her hands. Nyanko tentatively watched her shadowed movements, sitting still. "There's a mountain of literal gods on Floor 17. And they've been sending out this message to all crafters to visit them as soon as they hit Rank 2."

"It's real?!" The adventurer exclaimed in protest, lunging forward in excitement as soon as she heard the news. There were some shuffles from behind the corner. "You got the mail?"

"Yeah, but it was garbage?! It looked like it, anyway! Who let this happen?!" The broker tilted her head, curious. "Do you mind letting me take a look at it? I've only heard them second-hand, never mind crafting to see it personally."

"I-- Yeah, sure," NIGHT responded defeatedly, pulling up her inbox once again. Her informant took out a notepad from underneath her robes, beginning to take down details of the message.

"Oh, yeah," she added, glancing back and forth from her book to the screen. "I get it now. This is incomprehensible."

It hurt to read it. NIGHT was sure she'd taken at least one damage to her health just by reading it. She buried her face in her hands, uncertain if the message she'd just gotten was a joke or was completely, truthfully and utterly serious.

She bet her col on the latter, to no one in particular.

Cut to the present, when Fleur had sent NIGHT a message to meet her by a corner in an alleyway in the Town of Beginnings. This time, she'd collected some information about crafting, which was delectable information for the artisan. She desperately wanted to try it again, save for the fact that she was continuously short on materials to attempt to do so.

"So what's the word?" NIGHT began, leaving a small bag of col by the floor, the amount of which was the same value as her bet, though that knowledge was lost on her.

Quote

<ADV> Take on the Olympus Challenge Today!

From: Mt. Olympus
To: NIGHT

Congratulations, [player]! You have been one of the lucky players selected to participate in the Olympus Challenge! Come and join us on Floor 17 today and redeem your free reward, a [$rewardItem] made specially for you !!! This event weas sponsor ed to you by zoos. Hit me up ladies ;)7 how did he say that with his mouth

Mount Olympus is home to a number of Greek gods that have deduced to watch over hyuman on Floor 17. There will be amazing gods And treats and I'm sure even you will find hit home, [player] !! We welcome almost anyone of all ages and gender!! Except Arachne. If you see her tell her to crawl into hole?

This invitation is ONE PERSON ONLY. Your respective profession's god will only tend to one mortal at a time. Bring About your best wits and $50000col. We will not rob you promise,

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This is a system automated message, please do not reply directly to this message. This message has also been sent to members who have reached Level 2 in their respective crafting professions. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list or change your preferences on receiving future updates from Mt. Olympus, please click here.

When NIGHT had hit Rank 2 on her profession, she'd gotten one of her first few messages in the game. In the late hours of the day, she'd been working on a few practice crafts, focusing her efforts to etch on warm metal. As soon as she'd finished, setting aside the piece, the mail came in. Frankly, she hadn't expected it, and with a shocked exclamation, she'd knocked a couple of wooden block off her desk, chipping them and her floor in a few discrete places.

The crafter clicked her tongue, bending forward from her chair to pick them up. "Shoot," she muttered with a sigh, before setting the pieces on the table, bringing up the menu with an expanding motion with her fingers. Trying to ignore the other messages in her inbox, she dully opened the new mail instead, scanning through its contents.

... Is this.. a joke? It... it has to be, right?

Thread Summary

Quote

[Total]
+ 3SP
+ 2,245col
+ T1 Crafting Materials (7)
+ [T1E2] Unidentified Consumable (1)
+ [T1E2] Unidentified Weapon (1)
+ [T1E1] Unidentified Consumable (1)

A bright, knowing smile. NIGHT returned that to Nyanko's itty bitty face, before setting the kitten back to his bag, slowly rising from her position, careful not to aggravate any sore muscles from combat.

Instead of returning to Yogan as heroes like she'd envisioned, she stumbled back down the path looking like a decrepit creepy shadow floundering its way through the world of the living. In fact, she was halted right at the village walls, too, just to hammer in the point of how disheveled she must've looked. With as much gumption as she could muster, she persuaded the guards to let her pass, trying not to let out a groan of annoyance that would surely put her humanity under more suspicion than necessary.

When the duo had reached the teleporter, NIGHT sighed, whispered the magic words, and let the system take her down to familiar territory, where maybe someone would take humor in her appearance.

Quote

ID: 131142 | LD: 8
> There's nothing here...

Fortunately for her, she wouldn't need to. Her victims turned aggressors slowly began to wander away, leaving the instigator behind. Fine, then, she thought, trying to regain control of her current situation, a hunt for another day it shall be.

Nyanko scampered back to her, after watching the goats a little ways away for a moment, giving a soft "Meep!" before bumping his head into her side. The gesture was so kind and warm; it helped NIGHT cheer up a little about her situation, but it didn't take away the shame of defeat. At least she took out one more before she'd completely given up.

Picking up her familiar with both hands, she gave him a hug, and with a rugged voice, found herself asking, "So, why did you end up squeaking over them, little buddy?"

"Mew!"

A nod, and she added, "Because they were [a-holes] that I had to beat up one day. I see, I see."

Quote

ID: 131141 | LD: 21 (19, +2)
> Enemy under 50% health. (+1 LD)
> Previous escape attempt failed to succeed. (+1 LD)
NIGHT flees combat!

NIGHT | HP: 253/380 | EN: 2/38 (+1) | ACC: 2 | DMG: 10 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 35

M-Move? Move...

Dammit...

The agony was a bit much, and even if it quickly wore off, NIGHT was still beating herself up over it. It appeared that the two goats had given up their assault -- for now -- in search of vegetation or nourishment around their immediate vicinity.

What was distressing to the player (and Nyanko himself) was how the system still counted them to be in combat despite no fighting actually taking place. The adventurer struggled to turn, her gut and sides aching from the blows, and when she did, the goats around her simply paid her no heed. Better news for her health, at least, since she didn't have to worry too much about falling to some random goats.

She unlocked the bag, allowing her kitten to crawl out to her side. He beeped with knowing eyes, watching the markhors intently for his owner. NIGHT exhaled, a staggered breath, trying to find her sword once again, just in case she would have any need for it soon.

Quote

> NIGHT does nothing. She tries to flee, but she's in perpetual pain.

ID: 131139 | LD: 4 (3, +1) | MD: 3 (6, -3)
> Enemy under 50% health. (+1 LD)
NIGHT fails to flee!
Markhor Goat #1 missed!

ID: 131140 | MD: 0 (3, -3)
Markhor Goat #3 missed!

Markhor Goat #1 | HP: 22/190 | DMG: 57
Markhor Goat #3 | HP: 110/190 | DMG: 57

NIGHT | HP: 253/380 | EN: 1/38 (+1) | ACC: 2 | DMG: 10 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 35

Was there a reason why Nyanko wanted the markhors dead? Well, somewhat. There was something in between his lines of code, the ephemeral tissue that tied them together that was begging to have the chance to strike at them. And only them. Maybe it was its spiral horns.

Only Cardinal knows, by now, because it was out of everyone's hands.

Speaking of hands, NIGHT was gripping her stomach with hers. As the two goats watched over her limp body, she could barely find the energy to laugh, despite her wanting to. It also hurt so, so bad when she tried to cough. While her humor was respectable, her comedic timing could use a little more work.

The two victims now looked at each other, one with rage and violence and the other in depressed confusion. They were wordless, but their exchange meant something, surely. A silent discussion between the two took place, over the squirming human that rested on the floor trying to squeeze a noise out of her.

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ID: 131134 | BD: 4 (2, +2) | MD: -1 (2, -3)
NIGHT missed!
Markhor Goat #1 missed!

ID: 131135 | MD: 4 (7, -3)
Markhor Goat #3 missed!

Markhor Goat #1 | HP: 22/190 | DMG: 57
Markhor Goat #3 | HP: 110/190 | DMG: 57

NIGHT | HP: 253/380 | EN: 0/38 (+1, -1) | ACC: 2 | DMG: 10 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 35

To say that NIGHT had cracked... would be a misstep, because NIGHT hadn't exactly... cracked. Whatever that means.

Instead, she was just angry. Full of jest, yes, but still uncomfortably mad at the goats. One extra swing after her sword art was too much to ask, and it landed her in a grappling match with the defensive markhor from earlier. This time, it let loose with its tackle, striking at her with its sharp horns and stomping at her with all its body weight. Thankfully, NIGHT was resilient. Thankfully, NIGHT had the system on her side, despite the system also jabbing at her sides with every blow.

The other goat looked distraught and exhausted. Nyanko, from his little gaps around the bag, could only make out a sliver of what was happening in the fight against the goats. Was the still one sad, or angry? He had to know. But also, he really, really wanted them to go down already.

Quote

ID: 131134 | BD: 5 (3, +2) | MD: 1
NIGHT missed!
Markhor Goat #1 missed!

ID: 131135 | MD: 7 (10, -3)
Markhor Goat #3 attacks NIGHT!
57 + 2 = 59 DMG | 59 - 35 = 24 DMG

Markhor Goat #1 | HP: 22/190 | DMG: 57
Markhor Goat #3 | HP: 110/190 | DMG: 57

NIGHT | HP: 253/380 (-24) | EN: 0/38 (+1, -1) | ACC: 2 | DMG: 10 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 35

If you had told NIGHT at the start of her adventure that one day she would strike Cerberus down with relative ease, she would've not believed you. It would be just as likely if you had told her, at the same time, that her greatest bane thus far would have to have been a pack of goats, she would've looked upon you with disdain.

Unfortunately, you would've also been a time traveler, and hence might've ended the world in a time-unravelling paradox. Thankfully, we live in a universe where this doesn't happen, but it doesn't cushion NIGHT's temperament for the reality she found herself in today.

Either way, she found herself grabbing the hilt of her blade when the aggressive (vengeful) markhor had left, turning around to return to its allies, chilling by the side. With one swift movement, she forced herself by the side of one of them, striking it down into bits and pieces of its former self.

Quote

ID: 131131 | BD: 6 (4, +2)
<<Scooped>> vs Markhor Goat #2.
10 * 3 = 30 DMG
Markhor Goat #2 has been defeated!

ID: 131132 | MD: 2 (5, -3)
Markhor Goat #1 missed!

ID: 131133 | MD: -1 (2, -3)
Markhor Goat #3 missed!

Markhor Goat #1 | HP: 22/190 | DMG: 57
Markhor Goat #2 | HP: 0/190 (-30) | DMG: 57
Markhor Goat #3 | HP: 110/190 | DMG: 57

NIGHT | HP: 277/380 | EN: 0/38 (+1, -3) | ACC: 2 | DMG: 10 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 35

 

Loot:
ID: 131131 | LD: 10 | CD: 1
> [ATP Guild Bonus] Lucrative active.
+ 997col, T1 Materials (2), [T1E1] Unidentified Consumable (1)