[F2-Solo Party] A fine choice <<Earning a living>> [Completed]

[Nemesis 0]

The most important aspect of life was to earn a living, get on your feet and make a name for yourself. SAO wasn't much different, typically, SAO had basically become his life now. Of course, he couldn't earn a living off making robotics in Aincrad, but perhaps there was something else that could be fitting for his knowledge? He looked at the in game guide. Blacksmith? Too dirty. Merchant? Hates businessmen. Tailor? Sowing isn't that appealing. Alchemist? Tempting. Performer? No musical talent. Cook? No thank you. Fishing? Rather not sit in the sun doing nothing all day. Artisan? Perhaps. He took a pause to think to himself. Perhaps the craft with jewelry was more refined then the others. There didn't seem to be many from his own understanding. He shrugged "Eh, why not"

[Nemesis 0]

He selected the quest and choose artisan, a large message popped up in front of him detailing the events and requirements needed to earn his profession "uhmm" He scratched his head not sure what to make of it all. 

 

Name: Earning a living

Profession: Artisan

Requirements: Find the precious blood stone

Rumors are that a certain thief had stolen it from the palace treasury.
Once completed, take it back.

"So in other words i have to hunt this guy down.. seems like a boring fetch quest *sigh* ok whatever, i'll get this over with" â€‹He stretched and began to walk to the palace. If he could find any information on the thief and robbery it would be there.

[Nemesis 0]

The walk to the palace was a long and daunting one. The more time he wasted trying to gather information the bigger of a gap the thief would have in escaping with the gem. However he had arrived. The palace was huge, there was green life booming everywhere even on the walls of the palace itself. He strolled inside and took in the scene, there where players crawling all over the place, he wondered just what made the palace such a popular place but soon that question would be answered. He could hear the grunts of people duelling as well as the shouts telling the portal to take them to different floors. "Interesting.."

[Nemesis 0]

He checked the map for a second and then the quest log again. There was no real direction to where exactly the gem was stolen from so it all came down to exploration and questions. He found a guard at the entrance of the plaza and stood in front of it with his hand in his pockets, leaning in close to inspect him. "Ey, guard man. Where was the blood stone stolen from?" The guard turned to him, it seemed to trigger the next step in the quest line. Not to shabby. "Well sir, not to long ago the thief escaped with the gem. He went to floor two we believe, no much information following that" Nemesis cringed "Yeah ok whatever, thank's for nothing" Perhaps he was a bit harsh, but floor two was his next guess anyway. 

[Nemesis 0]

He moved into the centre of the field and used the teleportation pad "Floor 2!" In an instant he was moved up a floor. "Interesting" He stepped out into the smallish looking town. And took a look around, he found another guard and stepped up to him "See any thief running around with a precious stone by any chance?" The Npc looked at him and nodded "I think i know what you mean, that thief has been a nuisance since we could remember. Some say he lived in a hut others say he lives in a cave. No one really knows" Joshua nodded "I see" There was now a 50-50 chance that he would find the thief, he had to pick where he would look first and hope his first choice was the right one. However if it was wrong, the thief might leave off to his next heist. "What a nuisance" 

[Nemesis 0]

He checked the map for a brief moment, nothing was marked on the second floor. Luckily, he had his intelligence, he didn't need straightforward instructions. He could see from the terrain the grass wore thin in certain areas and so that would be the more likely place to find a cave. "Well here goes a 50-50" He headed down over towards the rocky area. Just as he thought it lead into the cave. It was dark and eerie, this might be dangerous.. he thought. He headed inside anyway it was only floor two, what was the worst that could happen? 

[Nemesis 0]

The cave was dark and damp, he could hear noises pulsing from it's inner depths. They weren't exactly animal noises, but rather human voices, discussing a wicked plan. He stopped for a moment, dead in his tracks and listened in on what was being said. "Voice one:Once we sell this blood stone a long with the rest of these treasures we'll be rich. Voice two: Yeah, but we have to wait until they clear the next boss, the next floor will definitely buy these for a good price. Voice one: Yeap, all we have to do now is wait for the hard work to be done and we'll be on our way, stinkin rich" Nemesis chuckled at their plan, it was ridiculous, Kayaba outdid himself when designing these two buffoons "What was that noise?" "Oh sht"

[Nemesis 0]

"Hey Eddy you go check it out yeah? I gotta go take a leak" Nemesis exhaled with relief, two at once would be too much but hopefully he would be able to take down this idiot. At least he'd be able to fully test the system combat mechanics against other humanoids. Nemesis drew his starter straight sword and waited patiently for the bandit to turn the corner. When he did Nemesis drove his blade straight through the suckers stomach. The system seemed to calculate his thought process and helped guide his strike. An interesting mechanic, perhaps due to the nerve gear, the game was all about metal strength. And if so, this was going to be a lot easier than he thought. Or so, he thought. He examined the thing he stabbed carefully. It was a dummy on wheels. He looked behind the thing and saw the bandit jump out from behind it slashing down at his shoulder "FOUND YOU BOY!" "Ohhhh sht!"

 

Nemesis: 8/9 -1 from bandit.

 

Eddy the Bandit: 7/7 

 

ID: 8131

[Nemesis 0]

Nemesis staggered backwards and held onto the wall for support. The bandit was ruthless and wasn't letting up at all. The theory of combat seemed so simple yet it was so difficult at the same time. He tried to lift his sword to block the bandits next attack but the bandit changed his attack pattern and ran his blade though his stomach instead. He could deal with the pain, but his health advantage was all but gone now. "This isn't good.." "STAND AND DELIVER BOY!"

 

 

Nemesis: 7/9 -1 from bandit.

 

Eddy the Bandit: 7/7

 

ID: 8132

[Nemesis 0]

He staggered back again but this time he needed to think quicker. He jumped back trying to gain some distance so he could formulate a plan. Eddy the bandit ran after him, all swords blazing. He brought it down on his head but Joshua saw it coming. He ducked and weaved under his attack and ended up behind him. With a slight tap with his foot on the bandits behind he went tumbling forward. It was rather hilarious watching the other person being on the receiving end but unfortunately the only thing that would seem to do damage to the npc was his sword. 

 

Nemesis: 7/9 

 

Eddy the Bandit: 7/7

 

ID: 8133

[Nemesis 0]

The hallway was rather narrow and without having much experience with fighting it was rather difficult for him to even move. The bandit picked himself up, seething with anger and rushed back at him with full force. A sudden "Uh oh" played in his mind as the bandit knocked him to the floor and stuck his blade into his shoulder. Joshua let out a muffled groan, this was utterly brutal. 

 

Nemesis: 6/9 -1 from bandit.

 

Eddy the Bandit: 7/7

 

ID: 8134

[Nemesis 0]

A large pool of data surged through his mind. The attack patterns, the behaviour, the angle of attack, everything. All this information processed through his mind yet he couldn't make a move against this level 2 npc, it was rather pathetic. Why wasn't he landing a hit? Why couldn't he stop the mans progress? It was RAGE INDUCING. "Listen here you little piece of [censored]" Nemesis pushed through the blade allowing it to piece further in "I refuse to be defeated. You understand me punk?" He pushed the bandit off him, it's weapon flying out with him. Nemesis grabbed the bandits arm before it fell and pulled him close to his own body. Into his blade to be more precise. It was a more brutal tactic than simply using the systems guide system. But what was one to expect when a persons wrath was induced?

 

Nemesis: 6/9 

 

Eddy the Bandit: 5/7 -2 from Nemesis

 

ID: 8135

[Nemesis 0]

The bandit grunted in pain, Nemesis watched a nice portion of it's health get chunked off. Just the way he linked it. The bandit however was once again quick to recover "You just don't give up don't you? I'll teach you a thing or two!" The twos blades connected over and over. The primal instinct taking over his rational thinking, perhaps letting his wrath flow was a better way to combat these things than trying to use the system, or else the system seemed to just use him instead.

 

Nemesis: 6/9

 

Eddy the Bandit: 5/7

 

ID: 8136

[Nemesis 0]

The two continued to connect swords and after much frustration something inside him clicked. Why should he just stick to one type of combat? He could use his emotions to his advantage along with using the system to guide that rage. A low rumble came from Nemesis' throat as he pushed down hard against the bandits blade. Eddy seemed to be giving in under the pressure. Kill or be killed and this Npc was going to meet it's end. Four brutal strikes, each connecting with the bandits sword and the Npc dropped its weapon, unable to continue blocking. His wrath had got the better of him. He chocked the bandit and lifted him into the air â€‹"This look of torment suits you better!" He slammed the bandit into the wall and pressed the swords tip into the bandits chest, slowly and painfully. A red light pulsing from his blade did so. A critical hit? It would seem so. "ARRGGGHHHH!!"

 

Nemesis: 6/9

 

Eddy the Bandit: 2/7 -3 from Nemesis

 

ID: 8137

[Nemesis 0]

The bandit began to kick against the pain, Nemesis only grinned at his struggles. Nemesis dropped him and watched the bandit crawl to his feet and sprint away, only the npc was in such pain he was barely making any progress "Well Well Well. Won't you just look at that. Guess I'm going to have to teach him another lesson" He followed after him chasing him down. The thrill of the hunt surged through his veins, such wrath. Yes he had only felt it once before. When his own father disowned him.

 

Nemesis: 6/9

 

Eddy the Bandit: 2/7 

 

ID: 8138

[Nemesis 0]

After a few second of chasing, Joshua had already caught up with the bandit. He went to grab at his collar but the bandit lashed out striking him clean across his face. He dropped to his knees and held onto his face in shock more than pain. He began to laugh almost insanely "Ok then. Lets try this again shall we"

 

Nemesis: 5/9 -1 from bandit

 

Eddy the Bandit: 2/7 

 

ID: 8139

[Nemesis 0]

Nemesis grabbed him by his hair, the bandit seemed to have all but passed out now. He pressed his lips up against his ear "I'll make it quick, just for you" He pressed the blade up against the bandits throat and that's when he heard a noise back from the previous room. "Eddy? You found something?" For that split second Joshua had lost focus for a moment. The bandit named eddy had only faked passing out and landed a clean blow straight for his neck. Everything went to black, he dropped to the floor and clenched his throat in pain, it was the first time he had felt this kind of pain. "You sly mother censored!" 

 

Nemesis: 2/9  -3 from bandit

 

Eddy the Bandit: 2/7 

 

ID: 8140

[Nemesis 0]

He needed to make this quick and he needed to do it fast before the other bandit came and cleaned him up. He punched hard against the ground and picked himself up. The bandit couldn't believe he was still moving. Nemesis was basically standing like an evil marionette seething with anger. He took slow, menacing steps towards the bandit. This was as close to death as he'd ever been and he didn't plan on dying. Not while he still had millions of lives to save irl. The bandit was hesitant at first, but much like with Joshua's attitude, it was now or never the two rushed at each other. Nemesis was a red thunderbolt crackling through the caves walls. A flash of bright red and result was clear. The bandit had run his blade through Nemesis. Joshua smiled wickedly as his health dwindled on a mere sliver of a single 1 hp. His blade however went into the bandits abdomen, up his ribcage and piercing nearly all its inners. The npc blew into rather elegant display of yellow pixels. He breathed heavily, the adrenaline rushing through him was hard to overcome. His first kill, and boy was it satisfying. 

 

Nemesis: 1/9 -1 from bandit

 

Eddy the Bandit: -2/7 - Killed by Nemesis

 

Loot: 1 mat

 

ID: 8141

[Nemesis 0]

The other bandit was still waiting for an answer, his calls for his friend Eddy got louder and louder. Nemesis needed to split and wait for his hp to regenerate before he made his next move. He slinked down the hallway and took cover behind a tipped over wagon. The bandit was frustrated and assumed the worst "censored [censored] censored [censored] censored! They found us.. i.. i gotta get out of here.." He sighed a sigh of relief, he could resume looking for the blood stone now as the hunter and not as the hunted. 

[Nemesis 0]

He moved out from his cover and darted back up the hallway, making his presence known. The bandit though hearing him only saw it as a que to run with the goods. Perhaps he wasn't as strong as Eddy. He sprinted down after him and spotted him taking a corner "You're not going anywhere with that stone!" He jumped over a table and ran as fast as he could after the npc, luckily the npc didn't have athletics of some kind. He thought back to his fathers private sports training. Though it kept him in peak physical condition, he didn't exactly learn how to spear tackle a moving target. Despite that fact he tried it anyway. Lunging out he grabbed hold of the npcs waist knocking him to the floor "Got ya!" The quest requirement filled out, he was never meant to fight this bandit. With a smile he picked the pouch out his the bandits hand and the blood stone was added into his inventory.