Shinji

Used Damage Potion (+1 DMG)

Browsing his inventory further, Shinji comes across Zakariah's damage potion and summons it into his hand too, then examines it. This one's black in color, but Shinji cannot imagine its exact taste this time. Either way, he gulps as he uncorks this one and swallows the liquid. He needs his sword to be extra dangerous now so he can get back safely.

Oddly, the potion is tasteless. In fact, it was like drinking blackened water. Shinji waits for a few seconds for its aftertaste, but nothing is felt in his mouth. Shinji simply shrugs and stands up, strapping his sword to his back. With the extra damage and restored health, Shinji attempts to retrace his steps, back to where he came from. While walking, he looks at the miniature clock attached to his necklace to check the time. He is surprised that roughly an hour or so had passed since he started the fight, yet it felt like a few in that same moment.

Drunk 1 Starter Healing Potion (+50 HP)

Shinji: HP 60/60

The corner of his eyes catches a glimpse of his health bar, now greatly reduced from its initial value. Anticipating a possible ambush in the way home, Shinji swipes his finger down and summons his inventory, browsing it until he finds the starter potions. He summons one of them and stares at the liquid in the small vial longingly. The liquid is reddish-brown in color, reminding Shinji of laudanum of sorts, some medicine that was used as pain medication and cough suppressant before being recognized as an addictive and strictly regulated since.

Shinji wonder if this starter potion would taste bitter, and he doesn't like the sound of it since he could feel the taste of such. Sticking out his tongue briefly, he uncorks the bottle and takes a deep breath before swallowing the whole potion.

Bitterness tickles his taste buds and throat, and Shinji lets out a disgusted gag as he lolls out his tongue like a dog. In spite of this, his health increases gradually to its fullness.

The only best course of action to endure the crappy taste is to just get used to it since he has four of those left.

ID: 135604 -- BD: 8 + 1 ACC = 9 (no ACC-based critical hit for 9)

Shinji: HP 16/60 -- Energy: 0/6

Queen Wasp: HP 0/50

With a war cry coming out of his mouth, Shinji takes a few steps and stops as he swings his sword downwards at the zig-zagging Queen Wasp's direction, its luck finally run out as it is caught on the head by the blade that bisects it into two. The two halves of the Queen Wasp explodes into polygons, ending Shinji's first fight in Aincrad.

Shinji pants as he stares ahead with wide eyes, exhausted from the ordeal. A window pops up in front of him and displays his reward for slaying the Queen Wasp: the Martriarch's Stinger, itself being the field boss's weapon. The window explains that the stinger's venom can be coated onto a weapon for additional damage, much like a damage potion. Shinji closes the window.

He sits down and puts his greatsword onto the ground, still panting as he looks up and stops covering his cheek, which doesn't seem to swell from the sting. Weird. 

But at long last, he achieved victory...for now.

ID: 135603 -- BD: 1 + 1 ACC = 2 -- MD: 7

Shinji: HP 16/60 -- Energy: 0/6

Queen Wasp: HP 3/50

Unfortunately, Shinji does not retain his guard as he approaches the dying wasp, and he learns this lesson the hard way as it suddenly launches a desperate attack by landing onto his cheek and pushes its stinger into it, its wings buzzing aggressively. Shinji lets out a scream as he feels the stinger digging into his flesh, and he flails for a while before grabbing its soft abdomen and pulls out its stinger by force. He tosses it far towards the river and rubs his stung cheek, hoping that it doesn't swell like the dead bugs.

The Queen Wasp barely regains its balance in the air as it crudely zig-zags to Shinji's direction. With his one hand covering his cheek, Shinji lifts his sword with the other, the blade softly lands onto his shoulder as he is ready to launch his final swing...one that would hopefully deliver a mortal blow to the Queen Wasp.

ID: 135602 -- BD: 8 + 1 ACC = 9 (no ACC-based critical hit for 9) -- MD: 5

Shinji: HP 27/60 -- Energy: 0/6

Queen Wasp: HP 3/50

The Queen Wasp attempts to charge head on behind Shinji, its stinger pointed to its intended target through its advance. However, Shinji's ears are able to pick up the distinctive buzzing noise, and to top it off, the wasp is still struggling to remain steady in the air due to the loss of two of its wings. Not turning his head first, Shinji instead lets his arm swing his sword wildly and score another hit against the Queen Wasp like a baseball, the strike sends it flying to the left.

Shinji catches his breath and calmly walks towards the now mortally injured Queen Wasp that is now flailing about in the air, its balance and motor functions already gone haywire. As Shinji takes an intentional slow swing towards the field boss, the blade hits its slashed abdomen, knocking it a few inches away from Shinji's proximity.

His heart is beating fast as deep down, he is happy to slay his first monster in spite of his injuries.

ID: 135601 -- BD: 9 + 1 ACC = 10 (no ACC-based critical hit for 10) -- MD: 2

Shinji: HP 27/60 -- Energy: 0/6

Queen Wasp: HP 8/50

The Queen Wasp clearly struggles to stay afloat as it is weakened from Shinji's repetitive Sword Art strikes, each one of its two pairs of wings were severed from the last attack. With Shinji's fighting spirit still flaring up in him, he lets his frustration gets the best of him as he imagines himself fighting a physical manifestation of a part of his depression. The Queen Wasp could barely make the effort to dodge Shinji's next swing, which sends it flying and makes a deeper cut into its abdomen, its health draining further as it faces imminent death.

Shinji swings his sword wildly like a child swinging a bat to a pinata as he goes berserk at this point, letting out grunts through his clenched teeth. The Queen Wasp distances itself from him and circles him, which prompts him to stop as he sees its movements. He remains still while opening his ears to hear the direction of its next attack.

ID: 135597 -- BD: 10 + 1 ACC = 11 (only receive 10's critical hit) -- MD: 7

Sword Art Used! (Straight x2)

Shinji: 27/60 -- Energy: 0/6

Queen Wasp: HP 14/50

It's now or never. His sword glows green again as Shinji unleashes his final Sword Art for the fight, this time not waiting for the advancing Queen Wasp to be at his proximity. The thrusting blade cuts the wasp's side again as it zips through, stumbling for a split second before it manages to pierce its stinger into his breastplate. Shinji yells as he catches a glimpse of his health dropping while the stinger is lodged into his armor. He quickly grabs the Queen Wasp on its rear with his bare hand and violently clubs it three times with his blade before tossing it away.

Shinji looks down on his own breastplate to see that there is a dent left by the stinger, just around his chest region. Shaking off the uncomfortable tingling he gets from being injured, he walks towards the Queen Wasp at a quickening pace, resorting to the raw power of his sword alone.

ID: 135592 -- BD: 9 + 1 ACC = 10 (no ACC-based critical hit for 10) -- MD: 7

Sword Art Used! (Straight x2)

Shinji: HP 38/60 -- Energy: 1/6

Queen Wasp: HP 28/50

Shinji lets out a grunt as he unleashes his Sword Art again, thrusting his blade towards the speeding Queen Wasp, which also charges at him with its stinger forward like a lance. The gap between them momentarily closes until the wasp zips past its head, stumbling in the air with a critical injury on its body, marked by a huge red slash.

Meanwhile, Shinji endures the pain he also received from the wasp's exchange, a horizontal cut along his right cheek visible as more of his health is drained. He quickly turns around to face the insect while noting to himself that the stinger would likely kill him if he isn't careful. He pants briefly as he moves forward to the Queen Wasp that already faced him too, the buzzing of its wings seemingly grow louder, as if indicating its rage. Though there may be a chance that he can win his first fight, Shinji is aware that if he doesn't whip out one of his health potions soon, he would already be dead before he can even take a sip.

ID: 135589 -- BD: 2 + 1 ACC = 3 -- MD: 8

Shinji: HP 49/60 -- Energy 2/6

Queen Wasp: HP 40/50

The Queen Wasp suddenly darts at the speed of light, its stingers brushing past Shinji's leg as it makes a cut across the flesh. Shinji takes a step back and kneels momentarily, gritting his teeth as he flinches in pain, the sensations comparable to being slashed by a dagger. Quickly, he turns around and doesn't stop moving in random directions as the Queen Wasp turns to face its opponent and readies its stinger again, only to lead another charge to his head. Luckily he is prepared and ducks down swiftly, letting the wasp zip over his head.

Shinji makes a run for the bug corpses and faces the wasp as he remains in his stance again. The creature buzzes around for a second or two before noticing him and charging towards him. Shinji breathes heavily, feeling slightly panicked at the inside, but his fighting spirit lives on as he lets out a snarl.

ID: 135577 -- BD: 7 + 1 ACC = 8 -- MD: 1

Sword Art Used! (Straight x2)

Shinji: HP 60/60 -- Energy 3/6

Queen Wasp: HP 40/50

Shinji bends his knees and draws his sword back, pointing it towards the Queen Wasp's direction as he unleashes his first Sword Art. The weapon glows green in color, a charging noise emanating from it. The Wasp notices this dangerous move and rushes in with its stinger charged forward, but it is already too late.

In a second, Shinji is already dashing forwards like a missile and thrusts his sword towards his foe, the blade making a huge cut at its side as the attack follows through. The Queen Wasp stumbles in the air momentarily, then it focuses back at Shinji whom is already circling it, his eyes remain focus as he prepares to unleash his Sword Art again should there be an opportunity for that.

I can do this, Shinji thinks to himself. Even if the fight drags on, hopefully it doesn't take too long until evening comes in.

ID: 135576 -- BD: 2 + 1 ACC = 3 -- MD: 1

Shinji: HP 60/60 -- Energy 4/6

Queen Wasp: HP 50/50

Shinji rushes in and immediately takes his swing towards the Queen Wasp, but because he isn't fast enough, it flies away from his blade with ease and charges its stinger towards him. Either with a stroke or luck or out of reflex, Shinji sidesteps and turns his body to the side, dodging its sting while holding on to his greatsword for dear life. Letting out a huff, Shinji advances slowly towards the Queen Wasp's direction, pointing his blade to it. The Queen Wasp floats on, trying to read Shinji's next attack.

Shinji slightly shakes his head as his mind is being assaulted by doubts of his swordsmanship and whether his sword training in his free time were worth their time. Shinji mutters "shut up" as he stands in his fighting stance, his expressions crunched up into an angry one as he grits his teeth while baring them to the Queen Wasp.

The stroll along the fields is pleasant if not very chilly as there is little breeze blowing through the area. The sun, though present, is blocked by clouds as Aincrad displays mercy through the reduction of heat of the second floor. Meanwhile, Shinji would slow down whenever the breeze blows over his hair his blackish hair, allowing himself to cool down.

He isn't exactly sure where the Queen Wasp spawned, and he has been looking around throughout his stroll, but found nothing but other mobs that don't resemble his target. He wonders if there is some sort of information he missed about the wasp's whereabouts, but it seems that Aincrad is taking easy on his first monster slaying trip.

As Shinji arrives at the base of a hill near a large river, he hears loud buzzing coming along the stream. Shinji turns around to see a large wasp floating slowly towards him with its wings that never stop fluttering. A bunch of stung, dead bugs can be seen behind the wasp, their stung injuries swelling on their bodies.

Gulping as he tries to retain his serious expression, Shinji draws his sword and slowly advances to the Queen Wasp. Its body is too large for a normal wasp, and it sports large, pointy needle-like legs. Its stinger is a few inches long, its sharp tip promising immense pain and death to the uninitiated. The noise of its fluttering wings are deafening as Shinji approaches the Queen Wasp cautiously.

When his roast duck and cold water was served and he had paid the bill in advance, Shinji eats hastily as he is now set on finding the queen wasp himself, taking this as his personal quest. He expects to fight other monsters besides his target, though to him, they are nothing but existing animals. Elks, large birds, wolves, large insects, the kind of wildlife you would expect to find in forests or fields.

Lunch is eaten in half an hour and Shinji stands up as the waitress comes to his table to clean it up, thanking him for his patronage. Shinji nods in response and makes his way to the inn's exit, walking all the way to the entrance of the floor's settlement.

Doubts begin to appear in his mind as he wonders if he needs someone's help to slay the wasp, but Shinji shakes his head in denial of help, confident that he can take the monster by himself. It is only one queen wasp....and on Floor 2 no less.

Having himself armored and equipped with his sword and his necklace, Shinji steps out of the room and heads downstairs to be greeted by a bunch of players sitting at various tables. The stench of food fills the air as he sits at one of them and hails an NPC waitress, who comes to him after serving beer to somebody else.

"Roast duck and cold water, please," he orders. It is received and sent to the kitchen by the waitress. Good, now we wait.

As Shinji sits still with his clasped hands close to his face and elbows on the table, his ears pick up a commotion about some large queen wasp that can be found somewhere at the fields in this floor, apparently spawned after a few adventurers farmed Wind Wasps at that same area. The queen wasp is said to be dangerous if not well equipped, though some players can be heard boasting that it is an easy Field Boss and should pose no problem even with a single, well equipped player.

Sounds nice, Shinji thinks as he turns his focus back to the table as he thinks of the possibility of killing the wasp by himself.

"...maybe I should try slaying it," he murmurs to himself.

Shinji's eyes are open as he wakes up in the afternoon, his soul just escaped a nightmare of himself being chased by a manifestation of his depression. He rubs his eyes and sighs frustratingly as he is sick of being tormented by his personal monster in his life as a young adult. It sucks. He thinks of finding some psychic or medicine to alleviate the pain or do something that would make him active enough to push his depression aside.

Noisy customers can be slightly heard outside his door at the ground floor. Groaning, he stretches himself on his bed and swipes his finger down to bring up his inventory, checking his current gear.

Large sword? Check. Breastplate? Check. Potions? Check. A new trinket he recently purchased in a merchant shop in this floor? Check.

He examines the trinket in his inventory. A necklace with a small clock attached to it, doubling as a watch of some kind. At least with that, he could accurately tell the time in hand. But more importantly, the necklace grants him the ability to be a bit more accurate with his attacks and finding objects easily. For a bit as well. Still better than nothing.

Shinji enters the shop and has a brief look around as he steps in further and looks at the numerous items currently for sale. Hearing a tall blond man's greeting behind the counter, Shinji nods to him and browses the goods at the merchant section, soon taking notice of a unique necklace with a miniature round clock attached to it. A label near it says that it increases one's accuracy and the chance to find objects. After enduring his first fetch quest and also since he wants to land more hits against his foes, Shinji points it out as he speaks to the man.

"That necklace, please."

The necklace is soon in his hands, and he examines it closely to see that the clock is actually working, showing the current time. Impressive. Shinji forks over 200 COL to the man and bows to him in thanks before taking his leave.

- Paid 200 COL for Necklace with Miniature Clock

The door opens and Shinji steps in to be greeted by hot air and the sounds of roaring flames. The shop is cluttered with smithing tools and a large furnace, opened windows provide the interior with natural sunlight. Standing near the furnace is an old man reheating a blade over and over until it glows orange in color, then suddenly it is quenched in a trough of water in a barrel. As the smith takes notice of Shinji, he puts the blade away and smiles at him.

"The package is from Zakariah, yes?" says the smith.

Shinji nods and hands it to him, whom then sets it aside on a table. The smith nods at Shinji and introduces himself as Lyle Tealeaf.

"I make the weapons and armor that you see everywhere in the local markets. Though I may not be able to forge advanced equipment as I used to, I am still strong enough to forge equipment that are just strong enough to protect the fresh ones."

Shinji nods as he listens to Lyle, and soon a window pops up informing him that his first quest is now over and he receives some COL and experience as rewards of its completion. Finally!

"Are you available for help young man? I am running low on materials to forge my weaponry. I understand if you aren't, and I have no rush in forging it either. But will you agree to help?"

Nope. No more fetch quests for now. Shinji frowns and shakes his head.

"S...sorry, as much as I want to, I'm afraid I have little time for that, for I have other appointments to tend to," he says while bowing respectfully to Lyle.

Lyle simply nods and says, "If you say so...but should you change your mind, feel free to come back here. You have noticed my sign, yes?"

Shinji nods.

"Good," continues Lyle as he gets back to working with his latest blade. "Well, good luck to you, boy. Stay safe!"

And with that, Shinji makes his exit and breathes a sigh of relief as he heads back to his inn. Screw being an errand boy, let's slay the beasts already!

THREAD COMPLETE

400 COL

1 SP + 2 Quest SP = 3 SP

5 Tier 1 Health Potion (+40 HP), 1 Tier 1 Damage Potion (+1 Damage) and 1 Tier 1 Over-Health Potion (+50 Temp. HP)

Close to the square, a full helm with feathers sign above the door. That is the info Shinji remembers as he makes his way to the blacksmith's shop, package in his arms. He notices a few more players carrying other packages, possibly from other quests.

The square is now flooded with more players, different voices of chatter fill the atmosphere as Shinji passes by the square. A lot of them have seemingly adjusted themselves to Aincrad a day or two after the god's announcement, though some are still trying hard to cope with their new lives. Shinji heard such people in the inn he is staying. One wailing about wanting to go home. Another ranted about SAO's creator or how weak people are in this game. Some also coped by drinking more alcohol, though being drunk is impossible since alcoholic effects aren't replicated to the brain, so they make believe that they were really drunk the more they drink.

Some unfortunately found the game to be a perfect opportunity to do evil with little to no retaliation, so player killers existed in a short time. There are also rumors of...illegal services done underground somewhere in Aincrad. That was when Shinji head to bed as soon as he heard somebody talking about them. He had enough.

Soon he arrives at the blacksmith's shop, and upon looking up to see the full helm sign above a wooden door, he knows that he comes to the right place.

"Before you leave, young man, please take this," says Zakariah as he hands Shinji a package wrapped in paper, bind with red ribbons. Shinji examines the package closely, it is described by the game as "A sealed package addressed to Blacksmith Lyle Tealeaf."

"Take this package to my friend, a blacksmith named Lyle Tealeaf," explains Zakariah. "Send him my regards. He lives not far from the central square, you know you are at the right place when you see a sign hanging above the door. It depicts a full helm with feathers, you see. Do you understand?"

Shinji nods as he listens to Zakariah's orders, hoping that this is the last thing he'll do to end this fetch quest. Zakariah nods with a smile as he hears Shinji's thanks.

"Go on now, and stay safe out there. Have a nice day!" says Zakariah as he waves goodbye to Shinji, whom returns the wave with his own in return.

ID: 135533 -- CD: 7 (Success!)

Making this potion is actually darn easy when Zakariah's instructions are being followed closely. It is only Shinji's first attempt yet he succeeds in crushing the belladonnas in the mortar with the pestle, adding a base ingredient and nettles together into a cauldron, boil them for a while, add in the crushed belladonnas, and boil them again. Finally, Shinji takes an empty vial and carefully pours the finished potion from the cauldron into it while it is still boiling.

Zakariah claps gently as he says, "Wonderful, wonderful! Have you been studying alchemy before, lad?"

Shinji nods, "Well...a bit."

A bit as in he read a bit about medieval alchemy in the real world and have played a minigame of such in a medieval game. Zakariah nods.

"I see," he remarks. "Well, here are my potions, lad. Five of these red ones restore your lost vitality, this orange one temporarily extends said vitality, and the black strengthens you more, enabling you to hit harder with your weapon."

Shinji takes these potions and examines them one by one, all sealed in the same small vials, each potion of different effect sporting different colors as mentioned by Zakariah. He keeps them all in his inventory, thinking that it is wise to use them only in dire situations.

"Have you got them?" asked Zakariah as he smiles upon seeing Shinji's return. The latter nods and swipes his finger down to bring up his inventory and summons the nettles and belladonnas. Zakariah gleefully chuckles as he receives his ingredients and give Shinji a sincere smile.

"Come, have a seat beside me. I'll prepare you some refreshing tea. You must be exhausted," said Zakariah as he stands up and pours another tea from a glass kettle into a new glass cup. He offers this glass to Shinji, whom accepts it and takes sips of the liquid. Mm, sweet. And a bit cold too.

"And now, young man, I shall allow you to make a potion for me using these ingredients. Do not worry about mistakes, I will teach you all the way from start to finish," Zakariah explains as he prepares a mortar and pestle, a boiling cauldron and the ingredients.

"Finish making this potion for me and I promise," continues Zakariah, "I will hand you some of my potions for free. What do you say, young man?"

Shinji simply nods and stands up after finishing his tea. Just one potion and the quest will be over. That's it.

ID: 135531 -- LD: 16 (Found 5/5 Material!)

And there it is. The last belladonna he needs is finally found. Wasting no time, he picks it up and immediately dashes for the city. On the way, he checks his inventory and ensures that he collected the right kind and amount of ingredients for Zakariah. After confirming so, he continues to head for the gate and soon got back into the Starting City.

It is getting a bit more crowded in the streets as players of all ages and stature stroll around for equipment, food and lodgings. Some hang out in some parts of the city, especially the central square, engaging in either casual talk, arguments or plans related to beating dungeons, farming, maybe crime in whispers...

Shinji's face remain expressionless as he makes his way back to Zakariah's lab. As he arrives and opens the door, he notices the old man drinking some sort of tea, sitting on his work chair while awaiting for his errand boy's arrival.

ID: 135530 -- LD: 9 (No Material Found)

He thought of his NEET life on Earth and compared it to this new life he was going to face. The former was peaceful but gets gradually monotonous and...lonely. Miserable even. Meanwhile in here, it is dangerous, yet adventurous, and there are more things to distract himself from his depression. Plus he gets to live in a fantasy world. What's not to love aside from imminent death?

Shinji takes a deep breath and gazes at the sky. He knows that the path ahead will be arduous, yet he made up his mind to just embrace Aincrad since there is no chance of escaping anyway...for now. The first goal that came to his mind is to be stronger so he can slay monsters easily. His own fantasies took over his mind for a while as he saw himself as a ragged knight swinging a large greatsword to a monster and get soaked in its blood as evil is purged in his hands.

ID: 1334423 -- LD: 1 (No Material found)

Some were crying, some were silent and dumbfounded of the new revelation, and others expressed deep anger towards Aincrad's cruel god. Shinji quickly walked out of the square as he tried to make sense of this, but to no avail. Should he accept this or not? Will the 100th floor even be beaten? What will his parents think of their missing son?

As he walked around, at a loss on what to do, he witnessed a lot of players committing suicide through falling or even with their own weapons, a few in the fashion of a seppuku ritual. Even though the stench of death may be absent in Aincrad's world, he thought he could still smell it. It felt nauseous.

He stopped at the gate of the Starting City, some players already advancing to the front lines for the upper levels. His mind conflicted with the choice of embracing this deadly but fantastic world or the opposite and end his suffering.

ID: 135522 -- LD: 12 (Found 4/5 Material!)

Two out of three belladonnas found at the corner of the second flowerbed. Just one more and he'll get this over with. Shinji looks up the sky to see the sun moving close to the center of the sky or so. Noon is approaching, it seems. He resumes his work,  but now slightly sweating thanks to the memory of his first day. He gulps.

When Shinji looked around him, he was both confused and unnerved that all players were seemingly sharing the same fate as his. Panicked mutterings were heard as some discovered that the logout button, or rather its option, weren't functioning. Shinji checked his own logout button too, and noticing the blank box, his nervousness heightened. It continued to grow as a gigantic hooded figure appeared in the sky, speaking in a male voice. The figure welcomed his guests and explained that as a feature, SAO will be their new reality. If they die here, their real bodies will also die thanks to Nerve Gear's brain frying system. They will be trapped for eternity unless the 100th floor and its final boss were beaten. Only then escape is possible.

No sooner after the announcement was made, madness erupted in the square.