Plini

Plini stared at his now laboratory in the making, he wasn't sure if he should be showing excitement or should he be preparing to set things up. There were a lot of boxes and inside it are laboratory tools which might be of great use to him "well? let's go clean up this place before getting that afternoon tea" Orca told him. Plini nodded and pointed at the end of the room "let's start there, let's set up a few shelves first" he grabbed a box and Orca did too.

An hour later

Orca was weirded out by the equipments and furniture, it was close to what the modern world had "these things are almost close to what we use at universities right?" she asked Plini who is placing some alchemy books on shelves "yeah, you noticed it too, may Dr. Silence and the gang back then came up with these" he replied. "Also that thing hovering around her like a drone, it seems to be powered by some kind of... magic?" Plini shook his head as he turned to her "nah, I've something about it somewhere, it's more of a thaumaturgy. Kind of a magic, yes, but more on science or physics part" he pointed at one tome and signaled Orca to hand it too him "she must be powering it with a crystal."

A flat house, it was what awaited for them. The front was some kind of desolate laboratory. Silence filled them in with the story of how she lived here, before and after the previous laboratory was closed and left to rot. "A lot of experiments got out of hand, as alchemist they were putting their all to achieve something and end up getting nothing so valuable. We make do of what little result we get from expensive project we make, in the end they left after an incident"  she guided Plini and Orca inside "I have no problems about you living with me, I care little for such trivial things..." she looked at Plini "just don't end up blowing my house up, this is the last of my property. I made exceptions accepting you because you're a player, please don't disappoint me."

"Yabai, I-I think you should follow her instructions-" Orca saw Plini looking at Silence as if she was a master "eh? I guess I don't have to worry about you defying her" Silence opened one room in her flat and showed Plini his soon to be alchemy workshop. "This is where you'll be doing anything alchemy related, I live upstairs so you can easily contact me should you need help." She handed a key to Plini and shook his hand "now you can go clean up this room if you want or join me in some afternoon tea upstairs" she told him before leaving the room.

"Huh? you want to rent my laboratory?"

Silence wasn't sure what the two was up to, prying for a few more questions wouldn't hurt "are you two planning to live together in my laboratory? I'm afraid I won't allow that. The two vacant rooms I have are for medical and scientific research purposes..." Orca waved both her hands "n-no we're not, I'm not staying with him here" she told the doctor. Plini nodded "I see, then I guess it is decided that I will be leaving-" Orca grabbed Plini by the collar "look me in the eyes you dumbfuck and tell me you're serious. You're the alchemist here not me" she told him "oh, right, Dr. Silence she won't be staying with me. I'm the one who will be using the laboratory for my profession."

Silence tipped her eyeglasses, the boy seemed too young to be handling experiments on a professional level, but if he did complete the quest then maybe having him rent it for a month might be enough for her to judge his character "all right then, let me show you a vacant room for yourself."

2 hours later...

Orca and Plini stood before some kind of old house, Dr. Hu was no longer of practice. A few hours ago Plini said that he wanted to visit a certain place, he apparently asked some info brokers about doctor NPCs in Aincrad. The search took a bit longer and he found 3 matches on the info he received. "I don't know why you would prefer working under the supervision of a doctor? shouldn't you be going in the Underdark and ask the elves some runes and shit?" she told him. Plini looked at the info he has  "I'm not an evil alchemist, I just so happen to like makes potions."

"Dr. Hu, Prof. Bell, and Dr. Silence" he kept on thinking who to go to first and Orca noticed it "why don't we try the one with the weirdest name?" she said "Dr.Hu?" Plini replied to which Orca laughed "I'd say we go for Dr. Silence first" Orca was just trying to make things easier for them "ok then let's go to Dr. Silence first, you think he would approve of me using a section of his laboratory?" he asked her "maybe, maybe not."

First it was almost a success, if Plini had not forgot to turn off the bunsen burner. The second was utter failure and Orca was quick to pull Plini away from the toxic fumes he just made. The third one, it seemed safer now, Evangeline and Orca saw that Plini quickly applied the safety measures she had taught him before letting the boy handle the tools. Orca was amused still, Plini was deeply engrossed to his craft that he didn't notice her leave to buy and return.

"Now you're doing quite well, with practice you can be an alchemist and help others..." Plini grabbed the vial, it had a a cap which he took off and revealed a lancet needle "this should be good to administer" he uttered before resealing it with a the cap again. "My, that was a nice piece of vial, a tiny needle so you can administer it quick" she said. Plini nodded and as he stood up he gave it to Orca "I want you to have this, time will come that you might have to use it, make it worth the chance" he told her.

"Why thank you young man" she told him "we're of the same age, why am I the younger..." Orca laughed and Evangeline smiled "see? his defense mechanism are so fucking sophisticated."

ID:185154 CD: 8 LD: 13 [Salvage]
ID:185155 CD: 5 LD: 20 [Fail]
ID:185156 CD: 4 LD: 3   [Fail]
ID:185157 CD: 11 LD: 15 [Success] T1 rare potion crafted

lost x3 T1 mats
Remaining mats: 2

Name: Sankta's Epinephrine
Your Profession: alchemist
Your Rank: 1
Roll ID: 185557
Roll Result: CD: 11 LD: 15
Item Type: potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: HP recovery
Description: "Where there life, death follows and so one must be prepared" a mineral rumored to be blessed by a celestial being. Once ground and mixed in a solution, it can enhance the health of the user.
Post Link: 

Evangeline was surprised to see Plini a woman. She only wanted him to fetch materials to use when teaching things about alchemy "is she your lover?" Evangeline asked. Plini shook his head and Orca made an annoyed face "I wish I was but this guy's defense mechanisms are stronger than the Pentagon" she told the woman. Evangeline gave a soft laugh and stretched out her hand "now then dear, I assume you have what I need?" Plini opened his sling bag and took out five pieces of materials, two herbs and three minerals. 

Why are you even using a sling bag? we have a futuristic inventory system" Plini took a good look at his bag and then to Orca's fake ears "same as the fluffy ears you wear on your head" he replied. "You have a point" Orca then looked around while Plini moved closer to Evangline 

"Now this is how you do these..." the next few minutes was spent teaching Plini what to crush, boil, or burn. Evangeline also made sure he was careful on handling materials as some will be volatile. Orca watch a few steps back, amused at how attentive Plini was "I guess he really wants it."

"I decided to to the  redemption quest. I reached it after thinking of some many things" she told him as Plini searched for some kind of fruit in a bush "I'm glad you made a good decision but why the polar bear ears?" he asked. Orca pouted, embarrassed "I just wanted to fit in after living outside settlements  a long time..." she touched the fluffy fake ears "I tried living with the people of Snowfrost as some kind of demi-human since it's a snowy place, genius right?" she looked at him with eyes expecting a compliment.

"Um I don't think there are demi-humans in floor 4" he told her. Orca replied with a dumb smile before realizing something "eh? b-but you some human who has polar bear features might be..." she was about to take it off when Plini stopped her "no keep it on, it suits you" Orca turned red. She looked at him as he slid the material inside his sling bag, the faint listless look in his eyes makes her think it was genuine "that explains why people look confused at me, I thought it was because I was a new face" Plini chuckled "at least you tried your best to fit in but seriously..." he strapped the bag behind him "you'll stand out with that kind of personality. Since you can go inside settlements now, come with me as I try to make potions."

ID: 185153 LD: 15+2=17
x1 T1 material found
[5/5] materials found

"Watch out!" Orca yelled. A downward attack from the bear using its claw was about to hit Plini but the player simply moved back an inch and stabbed the animal by the jaw with his sword "his reaction time when it comes to close quarter combat is impressive but..." she looked at Plini's health bar and saw a graze "a mid-range attack will surely catch him off guard if he doesn't improve." The animal shattered and that was the queue for Orca to jump down "congrats on your materials loot."

Plini closed the window of the list and looked at Orca "mind telling me what that mob is? it's the first time I see something as if it was transmuted" he asked her. the woman let out a sigh "I guess I have to tell you about how..." Plini cut her off again "I forgot, tell about your marker turned green while I gather the last material I need." He pointed at a certain going back to where he came from earlier "you've change a bit with the fake animal ears."

ID: 185151 BD: 5+2+2=9 [success] MD: 8-2=5 [fail]
Savvy activated [+2 BD until next successful roll]
Plini dealt 7x2= 14 damage to Glassmaker's Bear
ID:185152 LD: 8+2=10 CD: 11
150 col I x2 T1 bonus materials I 100 bonus col I 50 bonus col I T1 rare trinket

Plini
HP: 97/100 | EN: 0/10 | ACC: 2 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 14 | LD: 2 I Savvy: 2 I Envenom: 8

Glassmaker's Bear
HP: 0/50 DMG: 15 

The sound of glass grating against the blade of his sword was continuous. As soon as he told Orca that he can handle it, The glass bear became relentless. "See? let me just jump down and shatter it in one hit, the loot is not worth it!"  Orca was already holding her weapon, an anchor. One plunging attack and the glass will surely break.

"I told you love, I can handle this" he said to which Orca reacted with a blush "glass, I've chipped it a lot of times already" the shards of glass disintegrating every time he parries is proof of it "I should be able to kill it with my next fatal attack" he thought. The bear slammed both its hand on the ground, Plini dodged but shards of glass kept on projecting outward. It may seem like a powerful attack but at the same time the bear was already looking more fragile than they saw it earlier.

ID: 184973 BD: 8 [success] MD:2 -2 = 0 [fail]
Savvy activated [+2 BD until next success roll]
Plini dealt 7 x 2 Rage Blow = 14 damage to Glassmaker's Bear 
 

Plini
HP: 97/100 | EN: 2/10 | ACC: 2 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 14 | LD: 2 I Savvy: 2 I Envenom: 8

Glassmaker's Bear
HP: 8/50 DMG: 15 

Crunch!!

Orca saw it and she heard a crunch, like a glass breaking. "Plini! you want me to jump down and end its..." the player didn't want it. He raised his hand as he tried to evaluate the situation. First there was this fury swipes that kept on being thrown at him as he tries to inflict toxic venom. At first glance it looked easy but as the fight went on it seemed to be in favor of the glass bear.

Two strong swipes of its sharp, glass claws struck Plini by the shoulder. Red gashes appeared and Plini winced not because of the pain "damn I got careless again" he uttered. "No you didn't idiot, the bear is trying to wear you down" Orca told him "I can jump down and try to inflict damage..." Plini stopped her "i need the loot, if you strike once it'll all be over" he told her "you dumbass, risking your life for maerials."  She was about to jump when Plini raised his hands to her "I can do this, enough with the silly worries"

ID: 184972 BD: 6 [success] MD: 10 [critical success]
Plini dealt 7 x 2 Rage Blow = 14 damage to Glassmaker's Bear
Glassmaker's Bear dealt 15 + 2 = 17 - 14 MIT = 3 damage to Plini

Plini
HP: 97/100 | EN: 4/10 | ACC: 2 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 14 | LD: 2 I Savvy: 2 I Envenom: 8

Glassmaker's Bear
HP: 22/50 DMG: 15 

He held his sword tight, venturing inside the forest just to get materials is easy but that doesn't mean there are zero chances of a an oversized mosquito appearing and the yellowjacket was proof of that. The place wasn't as thick as one would expect, a pathway has been made also and that made Plini think that this was not a secret route and it wasn't a popular one either "did I stumble upon a forgotten road? he uttered. "No you didn't, this place is just not a favorable one if you want to save time" a voice of a woman was heard just beside him. 

Plini felt a familiarity but seeing as she looked like a demi-human, Plini just thought that this woman was one of the NPCs created in a game. "Aww don't give me that look like I'm some kind of nosy gal, don't you remember me?" she asked him. Plini wasn't sure if he should be running away or talk to her. "I guess the silver hair gives it away but why do you have bear ears..." Plini moved in closer to her and touched the ear "...Orca?"

The woman blushed and tried to hug Plini who quickly placed a distance between them with his sword "heeeh? toxic venom? are you an alchemist now Plini-kun?" she asked again. "Not yet but I'm gathering materials so I can be one" the reply was simple because both of them sensed the creature several feet away from them "my, it' annoying, the Glassmaker thinks I should be turned into a glass sculpture to maintain my beauty, so desperate he'd send his famili... Plini placed a finger on her lips while he looks at the bear "I need the materials this creature will give, stay put and tell about how you got your green marker back later" he told her. She nodded like an obedient kid climbed up the tree behind her and eased herself on one of its branches.

It started with a ferocious growl and then the glass bear pounced on Plini but he easily dodged, basic stat mobs are almost a breeze if he's fully buffed. The swordsman returned the favor by slicing at it's neck. shards of glass flew off as the blade chipped it but obviously it was not enough to be a killing blow 

ID: 184955 BD: 5+2= 7 [success] MD: 5-2=3 [fail]
Savvy activated [+2 BD until next success roll]
Plini dealt 7 x 2 Rage Blow = 14 damage to Glassmaker's Bear

Plini
HP: 100/100 | EN: 6/10 | ACC: 2 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 14 | LD: 2 I Savvy: 2 I Envenom: 8

Glassmaker's Bear
HP: 36/50 DMG: 15 

3 hours ago

"Hello Dear, I see you are in need of a profession, may I interest you in Alchemy?" She smiles sweetly and leaves here tent, a small vial of rainbow colored liquid pulsating in her hand. "Now, I know it may seem very sciencey and scary, but I believe you can do it! And I hope you feel the same way." She beckons the player into her tent to show them the way she crafts, her movements are very elegant and precise, her age shows that she is very wise in what she is doing. "Now, I can teach you all about it sweety, but I seem to have ran out of some of my precious materials to give you a how-to on crafting, would you be a dear and run off to get me some? I think all I need is five, and I can help you on your way!" She smiles a sweet smile, she seems to be happy someone wants to follow in on her noble profession.

And now he's somewhere in the forest again looking for materials. For a game with abundant resources, NPCs seem to ask materials when teaching or trying to get something done. It wasn't much of a big deal for him but sometimes he's wondering why they won't accept the current materials that he have.

The are where he fought the yellowjacket slowly heals in a digitized way "I guess I was worried about the environmental damage for nothing" He looked around and it seemed that he still needs three more materials before he can go back to the alchemist and again the profession. "Finally, something to do if there are no quests that catches my attention" of course it was a lie, Plini just wanted to own a laboratory for himself. It was what he wanted the first few weeks he spent in Aincrad, the convenience of making potions and crystals are enough to entice him to be one.

The venom took its toll quicker than he anticipated. Sloppy thrust of stinger, bumping into trees, lack of coordination using its wings. It was a already painting itself quite well as an easy target for Plini. "That virus sure is deadly, it's been like what? 2 minutes" he thought. He moved a few steps back at the next attempt to impale him, it looked pitiful but Plini couldn't feel it much.

He lowered his sword, preparing for and upward cut and lop its head of in his last strike "how's the poison?" he asked. The yellowjacket charged towards him again, Plini spun around dodging it by an inch and as soon as he finished he quickly chopped off the head like cutting a branch from a tree with ease. The insect feel, its head didn't even reach the ground before disintegrating "mediocre loot" he thought as the materials emerged from the slowly fading body of the yellowjacket.

ID: 184389 BD: 3+2+2=7 [success] MD: 7-2=5 [fail]
Plini dealt 7 damage to Chad Yellowjacket
Toxic venom inflict 8 damage to Chad Yellowjacket
ID: 184840 LD:3+2=5 CD: 6 No loot (why T_T)
Plini obtained 2 bonus materials

Plini
HP: 100/100 | EN: 8/10 | ACC: 2 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 14 | LD: 2 I Savvy: 2 I Envenom: 8

Chad Yellowjacket
HP: 0/50 DMG: 15 [toxic venom 2/3]

Unending, It was a back and forth of attacks. Plini wasn't sure if it was a battle of endurance or it was a case of both using the same style. "I can't just block it fully, that stinger is as dangerous as a rapier that any skilled fencer can wield" his sword clashed with the stinger and the faint clanging sounds indicate that it's harder than it looks. 

"Ok, let's try this one..." Plini leapt forward causing for the yellowjacket to fly back. He grabbed the stinger and jammed his curved sword to its thorax, a nasty attack and it lasted for a few seconds. It looked like a simple attack but Plini was trying to inflict toxic venom to the yellowjacket and he succeeded this time. Necrosis began seeping in the open wound, the hovering of the insect became sloppy and Plini is sure that a chunk of its health points dissolve at the effect of the venom.

ID:184739 BD: 10 [critical success] MD: 4 - 3 = 1 [fail]
Savvy proc [+2 BD until next successful attack]
Envenom proc [8 damage for 3 turns]
Plini dealt 7 + 2 = 9 x 2 Rage Blow = 18 damage to Chad Yellowjacket
Chad Yellowjacket takes 8 damage from toxic venom

Plini
HP: 100/100 | EN: 8/10 | ACC: 2 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 14 | LD: 2 I Savvy: 2 I Envenom: 8

Chad Yellowjacket
HP: 10/50 DMG: 15 [toxic venom 1/3]

The sound of crashing trees, falling branches, a chaotic duel

"This is too much environmental damage" he thought. For a while he has been dodging the stinger and blocking the biting attempts with his gauntlet. The huge insect proved to be agile but unlike Plini, it lacked technique. as expected of creatures who only have a specific set of understanding. "Cardinal make them too realistic sometimes" he thought.

He dodged another thrust of its stinger and as he spun around it, Plini unleashed <<Rage Blow>> and clipped one wing. The yellowjacket fell for a few second. "It's not like you'll be crippled right awa..." the insect flew up, a bit wobbly compared to the flawless hovering earlier "...yeah thought so."

The fight continued and this time the insect kept on hitting trees more. A nuisance, earlier he only had to dodge a stinger, block the biting attempts, dodge a few falling trees. Now he had to actually maneuver himself carefully or he'll get crushed by more trees getting pierced and tossed at him.

ID: 184671 BD: 3+2+2=7 [success] MD: 8-3=5 [fail]
Savvy proc [+2 BD until next success roll]
Plini dealt 7x2 Rage Blow=14 damage to Chad Yellowjacket

Plini
HP: 100/100 | EN: 8/10 | ACC: 2 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 14 | LD: 2 I Savvy: 2 I Envenom: 8

Chad Yellowjacket
HP: 36/50 DMG: 15

One quick move, a plunging attack to the yellowjacket hovering beneath him. It was quick, his evasion stat was worth the modification at the cost of having only a vanity weapon. Plini landed on its back and tried to stab it but the oversized insect quickly moved and shook off Plini. The player landed on his feet, curved sword pointed forward "tch, wasted opportunity" he thought.

The yellowjacket looked like it won a lot of weightlifting competition. weird muscular build on its body despite arms and wings looking normal aside from the size. How a 3 feet yellowjacket came to be was none of his concern, it's kill or be killed right now. The yellowjacket hovered, Plini followed its movements with his curved sword "well, shall we?" The insect tried a bite but the player ducked and rolled away. 

The sound of its wings flapping like a turbine was beginning to annoy him but he must stay calm or the yellowjacket will make him a pin cushion.

ID: 184669 BD: 1 [critical fail] MD: 4-3=1 [fail]
Savvy proc [+2 BD until next success roll]

Plini
HP: 100/100 | EN: 10/10 | ACC: 2 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 14 | LD: 2 I Savvy: 2 I Envenom: 8

Chad Yellowjacket
HP: 50/50 DMG: 15

Sword pointed forward
Eyes on the target
Make it swift, don't dawdle

Perhaps the boar has already made its point and that all Plini needs to do is conclude this battle. The boar bucked at him with such ferocity that it felt like the last leg of the battle. "Quite a willpower for an AI" Plini muttered. As Shirogane stood ready for anything dangerous, Plini kept his breathing steady "less movement, fatal stri-" the boar tried to impale him, an attempt that could've been deadly if Plini was slow.

If Plini was slow...

A step back,eyes meeting at a short distance, and a quick strike to the head of the boar. It looked like he attacked with a blunt weapon but rest assured, Plini slashed at it. The animal let out a shriek and exploded into fragments and what as left is a piece of its tusk, a fine addition to his quest collection.

ID: 184565 BD: 9 [critical] MD: 1 fail
Plini dealt 2+1=3 damage to Boar Pup
ID: 184566 LD: 17+1=18
Boar Pup Tusk acquired [2/3]

Plini | HP: 80/80 | EN: 8/8 | ACC: 0 | DMG: 2 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 0 | LD: 1
Shirogane HP: 199/200 I EN: 10/20 I DMG: 3 I ACC: 1 I EVA: 0 I MIT: 17 I TRNS: 1

Boar Pup: 0/5

"Everything has a purpose, that's what they say. It's no lie but..." he quietly ate another one of the items he bought ".. I swear people like to exaggerate sometimes and put purpose and meaning to everything" he has been eating for a few minutes now. The packages he bought came in handy for this battle, it should give him at least 3 extra cards on his hands if this was a trading card game.

Maybe the chirping of the birds and the sway of the thin branches was enough to cover the sound of his movement because it's been a few minutes already and the three feet hornet hovering over some kind of hole didn't notice Plini sitting above it on a thick branch. "I guess clipping the wings is the next best course of action"  he thought. He brought out a vial that contained poison and began loading it inside a tube which seemed to be connected to the hilt of his sword. The venomous liquid manifested some kind of disease inflicting poison. Everything is set, he just needs to jump down and clip at least 2 of its wings.

Plini consumed the following:
Well-Done Steak: Protein +2: 182480
Poached Egg: Accuracy +2: 176290
Titan's Strength: Damage +3: 181529-1
Fiery Dragon Roll: Mitigation +3 (T1): 170476-1
Honey Glazed Steak: OverHealth +3 (T1): 183587
Synthesized Virus - Necrosis T1 Envenom

	Plini   | HP: 100/100 | EN: 10/10   | ACC: 2 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 14 | LD: 2 I Savvy: 2 I Envenom: 8
*
Hide contents [Equipment] Destrezas - A weirdly curved weapon, While it resembles a scimitar at first glance, the spikes that are placed as designs on the hilt act as a failsafe should the blade itself fail.  - Vanity weapon Aegirian Polymer Jacket - EVA I / Savvy II - T1 Perfect Light armor -A coat with a combination of white and cream in color. It seems like a standard looking jacket that is issued to a certain kind of person. Made of lightweight materials which enables the wearer to fight with grace and achieve perfection with every move. Caenis' Fist - MIT I / Regen II -T1 Perfect Heavy armor -A gauntlet that covers the hand up to the half on an arm. A gauntlet worn by a heroic spirit who is quite formidable in battle. Provides protection and decent survivability for the wearer. Siesta shirt  (AUS) - Loot Die I / EVA I -T1 Rare light armor -  [Battle-Ready Inventory]   Skills   Hide contents Mod Count: 0/0 One-Handed Curve Sword| Passive | RANK 1/5 > +1 Base damage Searching  > +1 Loot Die [Extra]   Consumed Buffs   Hide contents   Misc. Buffs   Hide contents

"Is she flustered? or just pressured because this looks like a senpai-kouhai situation?" Plini wasn't sure how to respond. It would seem that they can only try to keep the battle in the smallest scale possible because if Shirogane tanks, the boar pups die at the might of her armor which makes looting difficult for him. "How about this Miss Shiro" Plini pointed his sword at one boar pup.

The wild animal quickly recognized the threat that Plini is trying to impose and charged at him "ah too hasty" he placed his free arm behind him and gracefully dodged the tusk attack. He then swung his left arm, sword in hand and sliced from the head to its tail. The boar flinched, a sliver of HP left "step in if the situation gets dangerous, but for now i don't think this one can toss me up like a salad."

ID: 184482 BD: 10 [critical success] MD: 2 - 3 = fail
Savvy proc [+2 BD until next success roll]
Plini dealt 2+2=4 damage to Boar Pup

Plini | HP: 80/80 | EN: 8/8 | ACC: 0 | DMG: 2 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 0 | LD: 1
Shirogane HP: 199/200 I EN: 10/20 I DMG: 3 I ACC: 1 I EVA: 0 I MIT: 17 I TRNS: 1

Boar Pup: 1/5

"Eh?" Plini muttered as he saw that it was a bit lively than it was outside "I guess it can't be helped, taverns are supposed to be lively" he thought as he continued to go inside. He had a simple task, eat something, buy at least three lunchboxes if they had any and set off somewhere. No buffs or enhancements needed, it was only to satiate hunger and it would be bad to get hungry and die, or vice versa.

He walked past the table where players seem to have gathered, there was even a guy clad in red who laid down materials "hm? gambling using materials?" he thought as he also saw someone holding some kind of dagger. 

"Hi..." he looked around and saw only the girl with pink hair, she is probably the one serving food and with that Plini continued his inquiry "hi, girl with the lovely pink hair, I'd like to order something. I don't have a specific kind of food in mind so I'm willing to try the best this tavern can make."

@Blueberry

Nian stood up, once again proving that what she says isn't pure bravado. It was nice to see energetic people, he hopes that Nian won't end up like him... or maybe it was just a silly worry from someone he doesn't even know much. Plini lied down, he liked how peaceful things are for now and the lunch wasn't helping on keeping him productive at the moment. If someone was to see them, the contrast of their attitude is undeniable and of course Plini would look pathetic.

"Strive for better huh" he muttered. While it's true that he is still alive, he wasn't sure if there is anything better to do other than get out of the death game they are in right now. "Yeah I can try that" he thought, it would depend though. Plini won't think twice on stopping if he sees that there is nothing to gain from it there's no point wasting strength striving for nothing.

"I'm strong enough to survive, not sure if the same applies to being actually helpful and definitely not strong enough to destroy a boulder."

"Ah so it was emperor not king" Plini thought. That would explain why she seemed so keen on proving herself in destroying the boulder. Maybe he read too much fictional stories about emperors that it established a thought of how the western and eastern rulers lead their people but that story is not needed. He listened as Nian told him of of how emperors are the sun. He hoped that Nian would remain to be, it would be bad if she turned into the moon someday, a lunatic.

"I guess I should've used a different name, maybe Asclepius?" he uttered. He picked up the empty lunch boxes and placed it all back inside his inventory, Nian had finished her quest, they finished their lunch, this was just idle time and talking about things. Nian may remain vague on who she really is aside from the whole "imperial" goal to rule Aincrad, at least he painted a basic picture of who Plini is. "The point is I worked hard for many things only for others to deem it all insignificant so..." he scratched his head as he looked at the clear blue sky, eyes looking so disinterested thinking of helping for the sake of greater good "... I decided to do things but make sure people are worth it, implying that they'll try to be. I got careless because it felt nice to achieve things but yeah, the sun burned my wings away. fortunately I landed on my butt."

The thought of having potential allies was nice but would it be worth it? for someone like Plini who suffered a lot of years seeing his hard work get tossed aside, allies would only open a path for people to throw away his hard work again... even if it was toxins.

His eyes almost lit up in excitement when Nian asked about the possible sources for his plans to make poisons and toxins. It would be nice if he could dump a truckload of info but knowing that she is of kingly manner, a brief info of things in general might suffice. "Plants, that's my first source. It's easy to make potions out of them. I just find a nice place to gather and I'm all set" he told her "it can be useful for antidotes too. if you plan to make poisons, making antidotes is a common thing to do also" he added. "Another would be animals, though it would be tough making antidotes of them but their defense mechanisms that involves toxins are valuable for me" he tried to finish his food while explaining it as short as possible.

"Lowlifes like me prefer to be left to our own devices, I don't want to end up like Icarus..." Plini closed his lunch box and set it down beside him "or to be exact I don't want to end up like him again." 

"I see, then surrounding yourself with loyal subjects might be a bit easier" he told him. Slowly he's getting dragged into the noble-ish talk that Nian is doing. Just like he thought earlier, people would live their life the way they want if they are given the chance. Nian had the attitude and goal so surely she was and is planning to be a ruler in Aincrad but Plini... what he wanted was nowhere near what Nian aims.

"Chore? not really. I'm just crossing off things from my grocery list before taking a profession quest then I heard a scream and got curious whether it was a scream of help or just primal instincts kicking in" he told her. Nian is already eating fast enough that it looked like Plini started an hour after she did, a slow eater... and talkative at the moment. "Unlike you I have no aim to rule people, I hate them. I like to put my energy on something that will give merit. I'll be wasting my time if I ever try to rule over a party of players..." he took a glance at his sword, a vanity weapon but Plini had it made that it can be augmented by poison. All it needs is a vial of toxins or venom, load inside a canister like apparatus at the pommel and voila, a poisonous curved sword.

 "Toxins and venoms are where I am interested, just thinking of how potent a drop can be is enough to stimulate my mind..." he ate a spoonful before talking again "and then use it for mobs or other people who likes messing around."

"Then you're probably gonna get betrayed somewhere, I don't know when but..." Plini gave a faint smile as Nian picked up one of the lunch box and ate. It was impressive how she can control herself in terms of doing things. "Finishing your goal before anything else is a sign of discipline, I guess she wasn't kidding when she said Aincrad doesn't have it" he thought.

"You know, Oda conquered a lot. Are you really planning to rule by conquering?" he told her "like I said, you might get betrayed somewhere..." he pointed at his half-finished lunch "... for example the food you eat might be poisoned by your enemies." What was he even saying? curiosity got him this time. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to know Nian more but surely her goal piqued his interest. It's not about the success rate of it but on "how" she'll pull it off.

"You don't have to recompense, simply not wasting it is enough."