The Beginning - Ereas City 3nd June 25xx

[grun1991]

Ermi looks at the bullets for a moment, " Ohh. similar to the real one as well, this game is truly amazing.". Ermi said as she happily proceeds to load the bullet into her rifle and releases the safety.

"Okay.....", Ermi proceed to aim towards the target, pressing the back of the stock of the rifle to her right shoulder while her cheeks presses on the stock and her left hand gripping the forestock in a bladed-off stance. She takes a moment to acquire her target, one of Riku's soda cans before pulling the trigger. a loud sound can be heard as well as a minor sparks as a bullet flies out of the rifle barrel.

[grathmeld]

"Eep!" Restel squeaked, rubbing his pinched shoulder. Velvet mentioned the name 'Larcosa-dono', probably the name of her instructor.. Who almost killed him... 'Or do she actually want to kill me? Why am i still alive after that?' Restel shuddered, remembering the experience. 'Come to think of it, that lady have the ears of an elf. How come she has it? Is she a Cylvis? But she's a player..' Restel pondered. Velvet seemed to realize it too, as she asked under what circumstances could a player turn to Cylvis.

Valeria's answer is quite surprising, if it's impossible for a human to turn into Cylvis, what's with Larcosa?. Looking rather uneasy, Valeria continues her story. 'Kill? Transplanting their organ into themselves? Now i'd rather hear about the slavery rather than this.. Seeing from Larcosa's cold demeanor and her terrifying presence.. There could be a chance she had killed a Cylvis before..' Restel thought, remembering her figure, deadly aura emanating from her body.

Valeria mentioned the name 'Sora-sama', then concluding her explanation with a really determined look. Curious, Restel was about to ask what kind of person is this 'Sora-sama', that is before Velvet asked about him first. Looking rather expectantly at Valeria, Restel eagerly waits for the answer.

[Bones_Yu-ri]

For the second time in a row, Griselda lands on the stone pavement and walks off along the streets, not straying too far from the carriage. Slowly, her position grew further from the north gate as her hand holds the pass firmly in between her fingers.

- BANG! -

A gunshot pierces through the sky, turning multiple heads over to the direction of the source. Taking it as a signal, Griselda increases her pace towards the direction where the gunshot was fired. "Hnm...?" The culprit is a novice, wearing basic cloth armor along with a... rather cheaply produced rifle - typical of any basic weapon like her longsword in her inventory. Noticing that... Griselda targets the brown haired female and reaches her hand out, grabbing her hand.

"Do not ask, follow me for a mission."

Speaking that into her ear clearly, Griselda kidnaps the poor girl just like the boy, Kaoru from before. Despite the resistance, Griselda manages to push her into the carriage and embarks as well. "Now, this is three novices and take this." Griselda hands over the pass to the unfortunate girl that was just kidnapped and placed into the carriage, unable to escape as Griselda herself is guarding the exit.

[grun1991]

"Waaa....",The recoil was similar to real-life, causing Ermi to be surprised by it.Before she could see the result of her test however, "W-waa.!?", a girl grabbed her hand and said "Do not ask, follow me for a mission.". "h-hai..!?",Ermi said as she is overwhelmed by everything that is going on simultaneously.

After awhile," u-ummm...", Ermi still doesn't understand what just happened as now she is in a carriage and the girl who took her away gave her a pass.

Code:  [ Select all ]

-Eddy's Permit


"Eddy...? who..?", Ermi tilts her head slightly. Soon she looks around and notices few other people aboard the carriage. Ermi can be seen wielding her rifle tightly as she looks at the girl. "Mission..? but. i am still a novice.. besides. i don't know you yet.", Ermi spoke in a timid tone.

Ermi looks around, seeking for a way to leave but soon she realizes that the only way out is guarded by the girl who took her away in the first place. Ermi sighs slightly as she realized it and looks at everyone aboard the carriage. " I don't have much choice do i.? might as well enjoy this if possible. My name is Chi---.. ahem.. Ermi.". Ermi said in polite and slightly cheerful tone

[Altivarde]

The bullet hits it dead on and planted thru the wall. "Well, that's quite nice... I guess that could do. I'll give you the gun after Arthemis done tutoring you, I guess..." the redhead muttered briefly.... before noticing the girl isn't there anymore and Arthemis looking for her, in panic.

---------------------------------------

"Hmmm... sure." Kyte muttered before taking three scrolls and giving it to Gawain. "One scroll is ten use worth. I'll first teach you the basic of healing magic." he said before he took out a book. "All must start from the beginning... and all must start from the basic. Water is one among two basic element that bestow upon you healing power. Another would be wind. However, in term of effectiveness, water is the strongest healer in basic element. How to create a magic is different from skills. While we can use infinity array of magics, they limits the power based on your elemental affinity. For a level one like you, you only can learn Fire-Water-Wind-Earth-Ice-Thunder. These six are basic elements. For more I suggest you to check the BBS. Now, I'll teach you basic of water."

Kyte take out a bottle of water and hand it to Gawain. "Water is life, water is overflowing kindness... Water is the power that tries it best to go against any obstacle should there given some way to overcome it. Water also two side of duality between kindness and brutal rage. OK, now how to use one, I'll send template of magic circle to your database... You can use that to mass produce scrolls of water by drawing them on the scroll. Of course, Alchemists have better way of doing it. But this, is how other peoples do it."

A message appeared on Gawain's view: "You now can use magic of water!"

"Just remember one thing... While everyone have scrolls, the magic they use is up to how many rings of magic glyph they produce when they start chanting, although the scroll magic circle are the same... well, it's always the same. Small scale only produce one. Multi target spell would produce two. High level spell single target but many combo would produce three. Grand scale one would produce four... However!"

Kyte suddenly tap the ground and began singing with Arcana Inferia language. First one ring appeared, then three... then it escalates to five rings that form circle around him. The glow of the ring are blue, which signalize that it's water magics. Mana from the surrounding area start to raise from his feet to the air.

"Aqua Blessing." come the voice of the boy, declaring the magic's name. The circle shined and dissipates into blue particles that call upon gigantic magic glyph on the sky. Rain revitalize everyone inside that room, slowly filling their HP and SP.

----------------------------------------------------

"He's like a great big brother..." suddenly Valeria's voice turn really endearing as she recall the experience with the [Sky Lord]. "While his power might could be said as godlike, he never use it for injustice, and he even use it for us. He never think to use strength to answer most problem... He raised all of us... a thousand of us... from our childhood days until the day when we could do everything by ourselves. I still remember that warm hand that gently hold mine when peoples destroyed my village..." she hold her hand near her chest. Drops of tear visible on her eyes. It's not tear of sadness. It's tear of happiness.

"Yes, he's always a big brother for all of us. Soon anti-enslavement law would free us from this bind of slavery. I believe so... because he always care about us!" suddenly Sofia added. The two sisters look at each other with gentle smile etched on their face.

Upon next question by Velvet, the two sister look at each other. "Well... there're some way... first yes, do like what you say... second way is... to cook poisonous animal or herbs into edible food or drinks... Another is by using magic... yes, I guess that's all." Valeria explained.

[LoneReyvateil]

She slightly grinned, upon seeing the reaction of Restel, just from one small pinch. What a cute sound. What a shame she couldn`t do that, with her own cousin anymore. Her face darkened a bit. Velvet,- or more precise Misaki- , knew that the younger boy would have tried to pinch her back playfully. It was easy to dodge those, but when being hit, it would still have hurt. Those had been the better days, before he had moved away.

Trealing back from her thoughts,she nearly missed half of the tale about the Skylords character. At least the game-creators had placed some kind of savior into this game, to gave those poor souls a bit of hope. Hearing that calmed her a bit down.
If not, she would have started cursing the game-makers, about inplenting such a crappy scenario. If she wanted to spend her time in a Dystopia she would have bought "TimeFall" instead. No that she really bought this game, but it was about the fraud that occured.
The advertisment hushed the slave-deal up and drew a rather peppy image of the game.
"Is it normal that the gods of this world let themself be bound by laws?"


'Sounds at least a bit better, than letting myself get bite or half-eaten by a monster.'
"Well, are those kind of animals or herbs in areas, where a novice wouldn`t run into the danger of being killed instantly?"
She paused a moment.
"You know a few names or a person, who could tell me?"
Hearing about the last method with magic, Velvet scowled.
"Can`t do magic at the moment."
'Haven´t learned that yet.'

It hadn`t escaped her notice, that the two sisters exchanged a strange glance. Velvet rolled her eyes, stand up and clapped her hands together to get their attention.
"Ladies. I am not that heartbroken, about your stories, that I take suicide as my way out, if you have feared that. Besides, when I would do that, surely not inside your lovel boutique. But for my future business, I will need that kind of ability, among others. But if there is also magic to counter that, I would like to learn it. Was that clear enough?"

Beside that I will need a few healers among my contacts. People who don´t go after me or my stuff, when I KO' ed myself out with an overdose.'

[Altivarde]

"...That we don't know!" they both replied about the God-question.

"I mean, who can possibly know what their weakness and strength is beside them themselves? Beside megalomaniacs, maybe, that rules of only self knowing their weakness apply... But really, like we know? What are us if we were to know? We're no more than a mere creation of theirs!" Valeria explained.

Upon the next question, this time Sofia answered. "To be honest, such monster that bugs you with life threatening poisons only exist in really acidlike or dead areas... About those with minor poisons, there's Healeaf that will turn into Negatileaf if you let it decay... Or maybe insects types monsters with stingers... Those won't kill you... Careful with aquatic monsters such as Grephara though... That one fish have poison like a snake's venom. One bite could kill you if not treated."

Hearing the comment about suicide, both girls broke into fit of laughter.

"Not that, we thought that it's quite rare to ask from us... peoples go to player bar, usually, for asking those kind of information. We don't know which is the best, but we suggest somewhere along the line of Information Hunter's bar. It's named Griffin Heart."

[grathmeld]

Valeria's voice turned endearing as she began to describe the [Lord of Sky]. She describe him as a person with godlike power, but gentle and caring. Drops of tears fell visible on her eyes, dropping to the ground not as tear of sadness, but that of happiness.

Sofia added about anti-enslavement law that would free them from the chains of slavery, soon the two sisters look at each other, gentle smile adorning their faces. Valeria then answered Velvet's question about alternative methods to raise poison resistance. Like cooking poisonous thing into edible food or drinks, using poison regularly, and magic.

Upon the next question, Sofia answered. That life threatening monsters would only be available in acidlike or dead areas. 'That's a relief, i wouldn't want to get injected with poisonous liquid while hunting outside.' It turns out, that healing items could decay into poisonous items and aquatic monsters sometimes have deadly poison. 'Wow, death from below.'

Next the girls recommended Restel and Velvet to go into a place called Griffin Heart to gain informations. Restel bounced on his seat like a child asking for attention while raising his hand. "Nee-san, Nee-san. Could you mark it in our mini map then? I wouldn't want to get lost and bump into another killer out there." Restel asked the sisters with a slight shiver on his neck.

[LoneReyvateil]

Velvet hadn`t realised too late the level of obvious stupidity, that her question had dragged behind, but it was already too late, to withdraw it. Closing her eyes for a moment. She was really not one to judge if the gods of this world were megalomaniacs or not. She was just interested, that was all.
'Sheesh, calm down. I wasn`t neither mocking your gods nor doubting if you have fate in those.'

'Healeaf? Negatileaf?'
Hearing the names about the healingslashpoison-item, made the apprentice grinning. Letting her think about possibilities.
'If I dry the negatileaves and put them in an incense-burner, it would be quite the way to poison unwanted guests. Maybe it can be also used for vermin-extermination. But I don´t have an incense-burner yet.'
If did plan to experiment with those leaves, she had to make sure, that she would sepparate her kitchen-area, so that she wouldn`t mix up toxic with edible things.
Not that she was clumsy, but it could easily happen, that poisonous substance could slip on harmless things, if she wouldn´t clean it enough.

The girl just stayed patient, until the two NPC had finished to laught at her. But the shadening of pink on her cheeks was undeniable, that she found it embarrassing.
"Like I said before, I am new to this town", she added sourly and shrugged her shoulders.

As Restel started to bounce in his chair, Velvet was reminded of a power ball and she unconsciouls followed his jumps with her eyes. So he was one of the energetic kind?
"Since the kid`s patience is used up now, can I get my stuff, too?", she took advantage of the situation, because she also wanted to move one. She didn`t plan to spend all her day into just going shopping, but also searching material and herbs.
"I take the black stocking and the velvet-gloves in the same colour, please."
She started to count the money in, but the colors where still giving her trouble, since it was the first time, she used the currency.

[Altivarde]

"Alright, that will be 600 Eions, then." said Sofia, taking 6 bloody red crystals from Velvet. She gave her the desired items in another ECO-friendly bag with the shop's label on it, with a receipt that her gloves cost her 250 Eions and the stocking cost her 350 Eions. The sister smiled at her cheerfully and bowed formally for her purchase.

"For the minimap, we don't know the exact position. [Players] split this town in two. One side for human, another for NPC. Leori--- I mean Eddy-dono is a bit different, though. She said 'This is always my area, if you players want to take this place from me, then have a taste of my scythe'. ...Well don't ask about the experience... most players know to not screw up with that lady..." Sofia continued.

"However, They're near the fences of the city, eight o'clock on your minimap... I think you'll be well received there." the elf stated.

[grathmeld]

"So you don't exactly know the place.." Restel stopped bouncing, looking slightly crestfallen. 'That.. Why would they split it.. It kinda makes the players look.. Egoistical..' Restel pouted at the thought. "Eh, what does this Eddy-dono sells? The scythe seem scary.." Restel muttered, imagining those big kind of death scythe like those of grim reapers and such.

"Okay, 8 o' clock. Get it." Restel opened his mini map and marked it while getting up from his seat. "Anyway, thank you for answering our questions~ That certainly helps. Oh! And good luck making that new fashion." Restel smiled brightly at the two sisters. "See you later~" With that Restel moved out of the shop to search that 'Griffin Heart' place.

[LoneReyvateil]

Sounded like that Eddy-dono was very protective of her territory. But it also sounded interesting, a scythe-wielding NPC. Come to think of it, she hadn´t seen any NPC with weapons yet. Neither the dead thief, nor the sisters in front of her.

She took her bags with a smile, saying her goodbye and followed Restel then outside.
"I first have to bring my shoppings back home and wash YOUR blood from my stuff", she explained with an obvious hint to do the same.
"If you want we can met later, at the front of Griffin's. Message me in case something changes your plans."

After settling this, she hurried back to do said things. Arriving in her room or rather rooms, she walked straight to the table and putted the shopping bags down there.
Velvet herself jumped under the shower and after washing every spec of blood from her avatar, she changed into her novice attire. The partly bloodied student uniform was thrown into the kitchen sink and soaked in cold water, wringged out manually and then spreaded over two chairs, since she lacked a washing line.
And then it was endless time of waiting, since there was also no dryer in her place and that made her furious.
'At least in the time of the warring states, I would have a effin' laundry-line!'

[Chaude]

Being taught his very first magical spell, let alone some more game mechanics, Gawain was awed by the raining effect that was slowly restoring his HP and SP bars.

He'll have to take another look at his database for the template and practice later. Let alone check on the BBS. Can't really pass down lore if you're dead, now can you?

Gawain inventories his 3 blank scrolls and a bottle of water.

"I didn't realize how versatile an Alchemist can be in conjunction to magics, amazing," Gawain commented in awe.

Not only did he learn the existence of Homunculus summoning, but the nostalgic healing arts, and how they're tied to such a job class.

"You said that a Homunculus is the experimentation of materials and DNA splicing. Are Homunculus all make-shift biological creatures, or are there definitively mechanical ones too?"

[grathmeld]

'Now that she mentioned it.. I totally forgot this.. Dried blood.' Restel sweatdrops while rubbing his left arm. 'I guess going home first then..' Uttering his good bye to Velvet, he walks his way home.

Arriving home, Restel walked to the bathroom. Stripping himself of all his clothes, he then turned the shower on. 'This game feels so surreal, just like it's not a game..' Restel thought while scrubbing the blood off his left arm and stomach, then proceeds to clean up the rest of his body.

Finished with cleaning, he then re-equips his equipments, wandering to the kitchen after. Opening the refrigerator, searching for a snack, he picks an apple, eating it as he heads out to find the bar.

[Altivarde]

"Ah, well, those are not homunculus, you see... We call those with machine build as golems." Kyte explained. So he start his explanation that Golems does born like homunculus, but golem's heart would be more complex. He also tied golems with blacksmiths and not alchemist due to their metal properties. It's even possible to create a mecha sidekick if you're high enough in your level as a mechanic, a sub ability for those who are blacksmiths. However, Mechas would be too much of a hassle to ride or to make because of their high cost maintenance and materials needed. He also imply that the law tying it would be much harder because the Golem must be ECO-friendly.

"Well, that's basically it." he concluded.

[Chaude]

A good first hour or two. Won his first battle against a player made homunculus and learned of a magic source that can be used for healing.

"Many thanks, Ky...Kyte-senpai," Gawain went for the more formal route. It is what a knight's code would've had him do.

"Has the tutorial concluded already? Or are there other things you can teach me with time left?"

[Altivarde]

"I guess for now, that's all... Oh yeah, you can contact me any time at BBS or you can talk to me via Messaging. Messaging system is the system that would works like whisper in other online game. Because the reality ALT:VITA wish to produce, messaging system like whisper instead replaced by system like calling other people with cellphone, literally. If you choose messaging system, they will show a pop-up window that will ask you the name of the people you want to call. Here, let me register my name on your friendlist."

After a brief data transfer, Gawain got his first member address in his friendlist.


"OK, then, after this... I suggest you go to some other player bar. It's ironic, but the quests quite flock there like crazy. Here I suggest you go to Griffin Heart... If you have problem, just say 'Kyte got my back'. I hope we'll meet again, Sir Gawain. You seriously looks like some medieval knight!" laughing brightly, Kyte took out a sword from his inventory. "A knight always start with a new shield and sword, so here. I give you this for starting... Let's see... I'll give you this Fabre and Guarder, then."

Both are level 5 equipment. Fabre is a five-level rarity, which means really rare of a sword. The sword may looks like a strange ornamental sword because on the blade, there's gaping hole that only leave the sword with the outline. However funnily, on that hole, a gem floats, giving it mystic aura. Fabre would be a sword that correspond with the owner's highest elemental affinity, which means Gawain's Fabre is water. Guarder in other hand, are just spartan round shield, but looks really sturdy.

"Those are lv 5, so do your best to level up~" Kyte encouraged.

[Chaude]

Awed by the weapon's design, Gawain could only thank him.

Taking inventory of his lvl 5 [Fabre] sword and [Guarder] shield, this'll save Gawain's Twik habits of having to scout out higher lvled items and more money for other things. Even got Kyte on his Friend's List. Feeling like he's made more of a niche for himself here, he bows.

"Thank you again, sir. And be well for the next time we meet. I might need to upgrade my house to rinse the blood of my armor in the coming days," half joking, but also half serious, Gawain rose back up, and waves farewell as he left the room and soon the arena complex.

Returning into town, Gawain recalls Kyte mentioned to go check out some player bar. Pulling up the map, he soon locates it and heads right over to Griffin Heart.

[Joel Dunamis]

Even Carten could feel that Eddy wasn’t really friendly with her reply. But still, this is all too sudden for him. It’s not everyday you can see a Novice doing a Quest involving the royalty on his first day of playing. Snorting, he turned his head away and apologized.

“Sorry. This is all too sudden for me.”

Staring at the blue sky outside the carriage, the staff wielder let his mind wander away. He thought about trivial things to do in real life, such as working, cooking, eating, or sleeping. He didn’t really prioritize about his work now, since he’s having a holiday today. Carten felt a relief that he got this game as a boredom killer. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know what to do at his home now.

"Here, is our third novice."

Carten returned to his senses. In front of him were Griselda, standing beside a red-haired boy, seemingly in its youth. From his introduction, he concluded that the boy’s name is Sayaka Kaoru. Observing the interaction between him and the Queen, Carten almost thought that they knew each other. However, he quickly dismissed that thought, since none of it was his concern. Still, he was rather curious about Eddy’s statement regarding the fact that Kaoru’s not a Novice.

Not long after that, Griselda kidnapped another person(assuming that she did the same toward Kaoru before). It was a girl. Eyeing this girl----Ermi’s behavior, Carten felt rather disturbed by her presence. She was too noisy for him. Groaning slightly, he hoped that this mission would go smoothly without any hindrances.

[Altivarde]

"Hooo boy, kidnapping, this is just too much." Eddy commented after seeing the third novice. The scythe wielder only took a glance at Arsha and Kaoru. Despite the two sit so close to each other, the boy only looking at the window, looking uninterested. The queen on the other hand, looking sort of nervous. ...Too nerve wracking. Seriously, this is too much. However, her concentration broke when the cheerful girl introduced herself.

Cheerful one always down first, she thought in her mind.

She turned her attention back to Kaoru. "...Well, I assume after two and half month vacuum from your place, you raise your abilities a bit, kiddo?" she asked.

"Not really... I reseted my data." come his uninterested reply.

"...That easily? I don't get it what is in that smart head of yours, but whatever... Let's take off then."