[SP-F1] <<The First Few Lessons are Free>>

[Mugen 0]

The morning sun beamed overhead doing its best to warm the world. Mugen walked with his hands in his pockets and intent in his eyes. Today he’d take a quest. One of the tutorials to be exact. He had put off doing them for a long time. There was never a reason to do them until now. The fact of the matter was that he was weak as he was. Without skills, a job, and only beginner equipment he had a lot of work to do.

Conversations surrounded him as he shifted through the crowded Town of Beginnings streets. It was hard to focus on any one in particular though. Yet, it was fascinating to think about. Every soul he passed had their own story to tell. A reason to keep going against all odds. His part was just a small fraction of something larger. Knowing that brought him some comfort at times like these. He was never truly alone.

Spoiler

 

Mugen's Stats

Lvl 1 | 20 HP | 2 EN | 2 Damage | 9 Mit

Equipment

Apprentice's Handwraps (Weapon) - 1 Damage

Apprentice's Jacket (Light Armor) - 9 Mit

 

 

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

Mugen would eventually reach the shop of Zakariah, the friendly old man who also happened to be the quest NPC. When he entered the man wasted no time giving him a task and sending him off again. He was to gather materials to be used for a concoction the alchemist was working on. Mugen suspected that this might have just been a way of getting free labor under the guise of a beginner quest. Still he would oblige and head for the fields around the Starting City.

He hadn’t been outside the walls since the incident. Everything seemed to be just as it had been though. Batches of players were scattered throughout the rolling hills. Many worked in groups to hunt the boats and other small critters that inhabited this floor. Others put their skills to work in obtaining materials. Mugen would be among the latter group, picking a flower to bring back.

 ID# 144438 results: Battle: 4 Craft: 7 Loot: 11 MOB: 5 

Results: Success

1 Mat Found | 1 Mat Total

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

Continuing to scour the brush was fruitless however. Mugen had never had so much luck to believe that this would be an easy job. But it was alright. He'd simply move on to another patch of flowers a few paces away. With each step memories of the old days would flood back like waves of the ocean. Only to be swept away with the tide of reality just as quickly. The Wolves had often come to these fields for communal bonding. Various parties, picnics, and other gatherings were held outside the walls of the Starting City. On one occasion he and Io sneaked away from the festivities to a place just like this. The aroma of flowers... That sweet smile she so often wore... It was all clear as day. He might've even believed his beloved still drew breath had he not seen Stygal's plan snuff out her life without so much as a second thought.

 ID# 144440 results: Battle: 7 Craft: 12 Loot: 7 MOB: 6

Results: Fail

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

    Thinking about the whole ordeal usually made him angry. This time would be no different. The rage he felt toward the man he once called friend caused him to rip the next flower rather than carefully pluck it as intended. Another failed attempt under his belt. He needed to remain calm; this was supposed to be the simplest of quests. Failing it now would leave a wound on his ego that no amount of first aid would be able to heal.

    Perhaps he should have enlisted the help of someone else. After all, it wasn't strange for players to help each other out, especially at lower levels. With an abundance of time and resources at their disposal, anyone who happened to possess halfway competence with skills was often eager to put them to use for their fellow Aincradians. But material-gathering was something he could accomplish on his own through guts and effort. 

 ID# 144539 results: Battle: 7 Craft: 5 Loot: 3 MOB: 6

Results: Fail

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

    With his mind calmed and a steady hand, Mugen managed to obtain another flower without damaging it in the process. A total of two materials in his possession meant he was about halfway through with this quest. A smile grew across his lips as he looked down at the small plant. Twirling it between his fingers, he was able to examine it for the first time. It wasn't large but sported five petals that were white as the snow around a long stigma. He believed he once heard someone refer to them as "Lunar Tears." 

"Maybe I should grab some to bring to Hotaru later too."

    Since she didn't leave home much anymore, he figured his friend might enjoy seeing something from the outside world now and then.  He'd make a mental note of where the plants were growing and come back at a later time to pick some for her. Little gestures like those would hopefully remind the girl that she still had people in this world.

ID# 144540 results: Battle: 8 Craft: 7 Loot: 12 MOB: 6

Results: Success

1 Mat Found | 2 Mats Total

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

    Mugen continued on his way but didn't stumble across any more ingredients for Zakariah's potion. A shame too, as he was starting to believe he was becoming rather good at this whole gathering business. Maybe he would even take the profession quest and start his own business. But it was silly to think about such things now. This quest wasn't even over yet, and he was already imagining doing another. It was nice to be ambitious. But ambition has been the downfall of many in the past; the destruction of his guild included.

    He decided to take a break. Some time had already passed, and it wasn't like the materials were going anywhere. Instead, he'd watch the other players for a while. Mainly a group of four fighting against a boar nearby.  Working as a team, one lured the monster while the rest wailed on it until it eventually fell, bursting into crystallized dust.

ID# 144541 results: Battle: 10 Craft: 5 Loot: 2 MOB: 2

Results: Fail

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

    The fight was entertaining, and Mugen had become so engrossed he almost missed another flower at his feet. Carefully he plucked it free of the dirt and tucked it away. Though he supposed it was time to move on again.  He strolled down the grassy knoll into the valley and was careful not to disturb the boars grazing. Having decent gear and a bit of sense made it easy to best them. But Mugen knew better than to fight anything as he was now.
    
    But watching them did get his thoughts going. With his points unspent, he could spec into whatever role he wanted. Ideally, he wanted to become a combat medic. Somewhat who enjoyed the thrills of fighting on the frontline as well as making sure everyone else got out alive. Perhaps it was his way of atoning for not being able to save anyone up to this point. 

ID# 144547 results: Battle: 1 Craft: 2 Loot: 15 MOB: 2

Results: Success

1 Mat Found | 3 Mats Total

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

    To his understanding, first aid wasn't a highly sought after skill. Most people possessed battle healing or some other form of regeneration already. Still, the buffs that the First Aid skill provided would likely be a welcome addition to any party. Mugen needed to fill a niche; to be someone that others could depend on. 

    The search for ingredients continued, but he had no luck in finding any. He couldn't say how much longer this would take, but he knew it would be a while before all the parts were assembled. When he thought about it, the quest was kind of silly. Even if someone didn't know how to gather, it was widely known material could be bought from any of the local merchants.  Mugen even still had a few from when he first started. It was always nice to keep some on hand just in case there was ever a need.

 ID# 144549 results: Battle: 7 Craft: 12 Loot: 5 MOB: 4

Results: Fail

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

    Mugen continued on his way, and crafting materials continued to elude him. But his spirits stayed high as he strolled through the fields. Instead of focus on the negative, he decided to think about how far he wanted to go in this world. Last he heard there were about twenty-four floors cleared already. He had only seen a handful of them first hand though. He wondered what the others might have been like. The wonders (and horrors) that awaited those who dared to venture above. Soon he too would walk among them.

    The Group of Seventeen was likely already up there as well. If he wanted to stop them, he needed to be able to survive the intermediate layers. That meant gaining levels. Perhaps it would be wise to take on a mentor. Someone who could carry him through tougher quests and hook him up with better equipment sooner than he'd be able to find on his own.

ID# 144551 results: Battle: 5 Craft: 10 Loot: 4 MOB: 5

Results: Fail

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

rolll

ID# 144552 results: Battle: 5 Craft: 6 Loot: 6 MOB: 7

Results: Fail

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

roll

ID# 144553 results: Battle: 8 Craft: 9 Loot: 4 MOB: 5

Results: Fail

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

roll 

ID# 144554 results: Battle: 8 Craft: 4 Loot: 20 MOB: 4

Results: Success

1 Mat Found | 4 Mats Total

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

Roll

ID# 144555 results: Battle: 9 Craft: 2 Loot: 4 MOB: 10

Results: Fail

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen

[Mugen 0]

roll

ID# 144556 results: Battle: 2 Craft: 7 Loot: 11 MOB: 4

Results: Success

1 Mat Found | 5 Mats Total | Mission Accomplished!

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mugen