Suki listened as Umichi talked, pondering what he deemed as problems. "You'll get faster as you level" She said, "There's items that can help, but I guess the powerful ones are rare. Maybe with the boss" She mused, "You don't have to use metal armor. I use leather, easier to move in and does provide some defense" She shrugged, and then she smiled, "Even if you aren't as fast as you want, thats the beauty of being in a team. We have each others backs, and we will survive together"

Suki, knowing that the food in this world was weird, had chosen something safe and gone with a sandwich made from boar meat and vegetables from the NPC farmers. It tasted weird, but not so much so that it was inedible. She wondered if there was a way of making food taste like it should in the real world. She wonder if she should talk with Ayanme about that. She might know. If they were able to do that, they could sell the real tasting food and make good money, giving them a chance to by good equipment. Of course, Suki could do the same with ehr health potions.

Taking out of her thoughts by Umichi suggesting she should try some of his broth, and she laughed, opening her mouth and saying ahh, before poking her tongue out at him, and then trying the broth. She pondered it for a minute. "Weird, but good" She said

Yui - Tolbana <<8>>

She tought it looked really cute how the bun was almost to big for the girl she must feel stuffed after eating that. Of course she hoped that Timi would have left some crumbles on her cheek but there didnt seem to be any for her to clean up. Timi used the crystal Yui gave her a few moments ago and already vanished into thin air. When she was about to follow the girl a screen popped up with a message from Ayame.

She lowered the crystal and began typing with one hand back to her "Dont you worry about it, I have it all under controll ;P, What where you even doing typing so focused." A sudden tought came to mind when she read the message again "Fujiwara wandering off again" She muttered to herself. She used the crystal reminding what she was doing again and reappeard a few feet away from Timi. After making a little run towards Timi she immediately spoke up hoping that she didnt suprise the girl since she came from behind "Did something happen to Fujiwara"

Yui holded out her hand to Timi to hold onto when they would be walking over towards the quest "I just got a message from Ayame about staying with Fujiwara" she started walking with or without Timi holding her hand towards the quest which would be a bit far from the point they where at. Luckily Yui got a good stamina based on her real life skills so she could walk a whole bunch and even carry the little girl if it was necessary. She opened up her menu while walking to equip her big two handed sword onto her back so she would be ready to pull the weapon out if monsters would appear.

Jangel13 said
Alright dude whatever your thinking about I suggest you get your head in the fight, cant die today right?" Angelo asked him laughing a little as he charged the trio of boars and of course they all tried to attack Angelo but had already anticipated this as he used to stop them and bring them all to a safe distance then he charged the one closest to him and Angelo used making the boar go down the low red knowing he was getting better at using his spear and soon he would be able to do a single shot kill to these boars then Angelo used his spear as a pole and vaulted over the two boars that tried to attack him and called out "switch!" leaving his new partner to take on the other two....

Sanshain jumped in and used Hiōgi. It sent one boar into low red, almost dead. He waited a bit for it to recharge before attacking again and killing the boar. He jumped back yelled "Switch". he needed the XP, he need to get a higher level so him and Angelo could take on the boss. He wanted to fight, train and level grind his way to the top. He kept the other boar occupied while Angelo killed the other. Sanshain smiled as he toyed with the boar. Every time it would charge at him he would jump over it laughing. He found it very amusing. Sanshain laughed every time the boar hit something after charging. It was the most fun he has had in years.

InvariantName said
Sanshain jumped in and used Hiōgi. It sent one boar into low red, almost dead. He waited a bit for it to recharge before attacking again and killing the boar. He jumped back yelled "Switch". he needed the XP, he need to get a higher level so him and Angelo could take on the boss. He wanted to fight, train and level grind his way to the top. He kept the other boar occupied while Angelo killed the other. Sanshain smiled as he toyed with the boar. Every time it would charge at him he would jump over it laughing. He found it very amusing. Sanshain laughed every time the boar hit something after charging. It was the most fun he has had in years.

Angelo gave a quick nod to the guy that stopped the 4th boar then Angelo charged the two boars that they were already dealing with and he used <<flurry>> on one before he went and turned taking out the other boar with <<jab>> when it tried to charge at Angelo. Once those two were dealt with Angelo went to the boar that sanshain was dealing with and he used <<Pawāsutoraiku>> and finally finishing the boars that they were fighting. Once dead Angelo checked his xp and cash he had gotten from the encounter and smiled glad that it was a fair amount considering. Then he turned to his partner smiling at him then Angelo then looked at the newcomer wondering if the hooded person wanted to join them or not. "hey I think we should head back, its getting dark out"

Tsukiya raised her right hand, drawing it down to bring up the menu. She looked at the system time and nodded, whether to herself or to Angelo however was uncertain. Either way, she sheathed her sword and navigated to her inventory, unequipping her helmet and equipping a hooded grey cloak in it's place. For a moment, her vivid violet eyes were visible before being covered in the shadows of her hood. She steepled her fingers in front of her chest in what seemed like some kind of salute, then walked past the pair towards Tolbana.

Smiling at Suki eating the broth, Umichi then answered what Suki was telling him. "It's just ... No, never mind, actually. " shaking his head. "Hm... judging from the time, there won't be much time in the day for Fujiwara if he wakes up any later than this." Umichi speculated, noticing that the time was heading towards 1450. "Maybe we should have just another day off where we can do what we like, with the exception of Fujiwara who might rashly go into the Labyrinth alone 8 floors getting lost again. What do you say?" he suggested for the rest of the days plans, due mainly to the fact that a majority of the day was already passed.

Finishing off his broth, Umichi spoke once more, "If so, then we can go to do that quest with a pot plant. And possibly go to do the Cows of the counterattack again on the way back." He continued to make suggestions.

Timi began to get worried when Yui didn't appear right away, and looked about widely, fearful that she was on her own. Timi knew she could use a Tolbana crystal to get back to Suki, but that didn't help with Yui. What of something had happened? A glitch or something? She was worried. And then she heard Yui's voice and she relaxed, turning about to face her with a smile.

She took Yui's hand, and managed to match her pace, partly because of her agility stat. She smiled at Yui, then frowned about the comment on Fujiwara before saying "probably wants to just keep an eye on him and make sure that he doesn't get into a death situation again" she said, "it would be stupid to go into the labyrinth by himself again, right?" She said, looking up at Yui with completely child like innocence and Faith.

She made sure she could reach her sword of needed, but until they were out of the safe zone, she didn't draw it, prefer to walk through the town unarmed "where are you going? How do we activate the quest?" She asked as well, looking about them. With the team she had come to Tolbana with, they hadn't stopped long at towns, and this was an opportunity for Timi to see more of the town.

---

"It's just you want to be able to protect everyone" Suki said softly, finish the sentence he didn't seem to want to. "It worries me, too. What if there's a situation we can't get out of? Every single day for the last 14 days, I've thought about that. But we aren't going to lose anyone." She was sure of that. Still, she always made sure everyone had plenty of health potions.

"It's probably a good idea to call it a day on the labyrinth" Suki agreed, "I really want to know what a lot plant has to do with a quest anyway" she said with a laugh as she finished her sandwich, "and more cream. It actually tastes like cream!" She smiled, and brought up her messages, wanting to heck on Yui and Timi, sending off a quick message to Yui, asking how things were going, and then read a PM from Paka, who said he was just staying at the inn

As Kingetsu approached he angled slightly to the boar's right, a simple observation made it clear that the moves a mob can make are predetermined. Also simply by positioning yourself in a good place can force it to act the way you wanted. This was true enough for the boars at least, but he doubted that this could work as easily with agresive monster. As he struck the pose necessary to activate <Slant> the weapon briefly glowed before it slashed through the peaceful beast. The boar squealed in surprise and started the counter, a diagonal sweep of his tusks in a attempt to hit the assailant. By this time thou Kingetsu had taken a step back just out of reach and struck the pose to activate <Slant> again. This time the boar exploaded in pixels.

As he sheathed his sword he turned towards the city. Opening the status window he walked at a slow pace, from what he could reckon, he needed only 4 to 5 boars before reached level 3. That would be a good idea since he really didn't know the stats needed for those claws. "Guess I'll rough up some more..." He said with a shrug as he closed the status window. On the way back he was bound to get the last kills neared as he passed more than one spawning spots on his way to the outer rim of the boar fields.

Shurikai initially remained reluctantly silent on hearing his brothers words, hesitantly nodding acknowledgement in the place of words. The suggestion of grouping was a good one but this protectiveness, whilst appreciated, irked the nineteen year old. He was tempted to point out that many of the aspiring boss clearers were 3 years younger than himself or more and, on top of this, that the age gap between themselves was little more than two and half years but resisted. He was well aware Firelord's less rash attitude towards this "game" was probably a big factor in their still being alive and, on a more personal level, he didn't want to offend the older brother who was just looking out for him so instead fell into a personal reverie as they made their way back towards the town.

A short time after having set off Shurikai was gently taken from his contemplations when the rest of his two member party changed direction without warning and he found himself looking for the reasoning of this sudden change. A brief surveying of the environment combined with his brothers earlier suggestion let Shurikai put two and two together. It had become apparent that his brother was approaching this lone stranger either with the intent to assist him with the boar or simply to engage him in conversation. Either way the player didn't seem to notice his brother and headed off in another direction so Shurikai acted to get his attention.

"Oyoy!" He called at Kingetsu before pointing the mans attention to the somewhat taller Firelord. Shurikai wasn't much for talking. He'd get involved if he was asked to or something caught his attention he felt was worth commenting on.

As shurukai called out to kingetsu Firelord began approaching him and held out a hand for a handshake as he got close enough "Hey I couldn't help noticing you were out here on your own, considering how dangerous this game is safety in numbers is quite a big thing. Did you want to party up with us two? We're about to take a quest, it shouldn't be difficult but we can help you out and keep you safe if you help us in turn"

Even in the real world one wouldn't really stop when called at with an "Oy" much less much less in SAO where everyone was allowed to have a weapon. The first thing that would cross ones mind is "Run...bad people behind", but Kingetsu resisted the feeling and just continued walking as if he hadn't heard a thing. A second person was approaching him, this time he turned around to be at least able to defend in case of any pk attempts.

With his hand fallen on the sword's hilt he faced the man that was holding a hand up in sign of friendship. And as the man started blurting out his reasons for stopping him, Kingetsu was weighing every word. While the game was dangerous, for the time being it was just tiresome. As for safety in numbers that was more relative than anyone would care to admit. Even with the information brokers, most of the people in the game had no idea what waited for them. Only thing that really apealled to him was the chance to do a quest or two, faster xp and loot. All things considered Kingetsu nodded and took the man's hand. "Sure...why not” and continued as he shook it "Name's Kingetsu..."

"Good to meet you Kingetsu, I'm Firelord and this here's my brother Shurukai" Firelord then opened up a menu and send kingetsu a party invite, once he entered the party firelord would then ask him about his level and then work out how helpful he might be or if they should help him farm a bit "Take it you've been farming mostly?"

As the window appeared in front of him, Kingetsu hesitated for a second. Since the older "brother" was a little to friendly and the younger still silent. As for his gangster like expression...*Should probably take care...* he thought for himself as he accepted the invite. "Ok then...I was heading to the city to buy some gear" He stared at the two smaller health bars that appeared under his own. They had nothing that would betray someones level, not even the HP points quite distressing that he couldn't see their levels. He tried to pull off a poker face as he turned to the younger brother. "Pleased to meet you..." And offered to shake his hand. "...please take care of me."

"Well, I'll send a message to Ayame. It seems she stayed behind to look after Fujiwara, and will probably stop him if he wakes up from trying to go to somewhere like the Labyrinth again." Umichi said, getting up from his seat. He noticed that there was still some talk about the darts competition, however, ignored it. Typing a message to Ayame quickly, it said "Hey, me and Suki are going to go out on a quest and will be back later. It seems we won't go to the Labyrinth today, since we should take our time with the Labyrinth, but, since Fujiwara seems to still be asleep, we probably won't have as much time before nightfall if we go to the Labyrinth after he wakes." Looking at his exp, it was less than 10% from the Darts Competition. "Shall we leave, ojou-sama?" he bowed a little to his lady with his hand out to Suki. Still, he was giving her a high class lady-like treatment, or what he considered to be a high class lady-like treatment.

As they left, assumingly hand in hand, Umichi guided Suki to the front entrance of Tolbana. Having re-equipped his enhanced Anneal Blade, he checked the map to find the location his friend had informed him about. "So ... it looks like it's mostly West-southwest from here." pointing in the direction to head. "My friend only said it ended up involving a pot plant, nothing else about it." Taking the lead, he smiled back at her. Seems there were a few lower level settlers who had come to Tolbana for farming, so there were a few people about and not many Dire Wolves or Frenzy Boars to interfere their journey, for now.

Suki's watched Umichi as he rose, smiling slightly, and sinking into her thoughts once more. everything he does, it's related to trying to keep us all alive. And sane. As if that wasn't enough reason to like him, everything he does with me, I'm sure it's aimed at making me smile, or laugh, or blush. Her own thoughts made her blush, and she nodded, taking his hand, twinning her fingers with his, he treats me as more then just a simple farmers daughter. He treats me as if I'm more then that, which I guess here, I am. Here, I can be myself. I can be independent. I'm not going to be the same as I was, coming in here. And Umichi's part of that as they walked to the entrance, Suki couldn't but looked to him and smile.

I'm so lucky...

As they headed out the safe zone and to the location of the quest, Suki looked about them. It was odd to see so few Direwolves and frenzy boars, but as people reach Tolbana they seemed to want to train, and train hard. If they hadn't been training as they came along to Tolbana, or undertaken img quests then they had probably missed out on a lot of experience. There was something benefical and satisfying about completing quests-they always gave experience.

Still, when she could, she attacked any stray monsters, to get use to the feel and the attacks of the rapier. She was gleeful with it. She seemed to move better with it, her style of fighting fitting it perfectly, and she smiled. When she was satisfied, she returned to Umichi's side, seathing her rapier. As the time passed, and they continued to walk, Suki pondered the Labyrinth, but after a few moments looked around then again to make sure nothing was sneaking up on them, and pushed aside most thoughts, just enjoying the time with Umichi

Yui - Horunka village <<8>>

She awwed at Timi before replying ''There is a blacksmith in this town called Sasamaru, There is a big chance when we go to repair our items at his store that we get the quest so if I just go and repear my sword and you enchant yours it would pop up... I think. And after that we go and get some Taiyaki'' They walked out of the safe without Yui even noticing it.

She looked around and could only see some grass field with some smal forests ''The quest was in a village when I last looked, So where is the village.'' She looked around her and noticed they just left the village behind them, She blushed a bit at Timi feeling stupid how she could have totaly missed the village ''My bad''

They walked back into the safe zone ''I didnt think it would be this small, It looks more like a rest point instead of a village. Well anyway i dont mind.'' She looked over some of the houses and looked for the right place to go to, to try and start the quest just how the guide book told. She opened up her menu one more time to look over the guide book checking if it was the right house and what they will be doing ''Come on Timi its in here''

She opened up the door and walked inside of the small house. It didnt look like people used to come here a lot since the village is small and there isnt much to do here. But the blacksmith seemed well equiped with weapons and armour. A big man appeard from the back of the store he was bald and had a manly moustache on his face. His heavy voice sounded throughout the room ''Goodday to you girls, How can I be of service to these two lovely ladys.'' The man gave a smile at the two and walked over to behind the counter.

Yui only gave a small voice to the man, She didnt expect him to be like this ''H-hi we liked to get our gear repeared.'' She got her big sword on the counter and looked up at the man ''Could you repair my sword and enchant my friends sword'' she pointed at Timi and gestured her to get her sword out and drop it on the counter.

"Haha don't worry I'll make damn sure to take care of you both!" Firelord boasted "Hey Kingetsu mind if i inquire what level you are? We're both level 7 and I think this quest should be an easy one but if you're still a low level we're more than happy to help you farm to get your level up a bit"

Timi smiled as Yui explained what they would do with the quest. "This is the one where the kids stuck in the forest, right? sasamaru's daughter. It's in the guide book. They saw that we have to arrive back late in order to activate the quest, right?" She said, unaware that they were out of the safe zone, her face scrunched up in thought as she tried to recall the information in the guidebook, but ended up looking up at Yui for confirmation.

She blinked as Yui seemed lost, but wasn't concerned with being lost. They had their Tolbana crystals, and thus, they would be okay "It's easy to miss" She said brightly, "I think its more a rest stop then anything big. Most of the other towns are mmade for players, this is just...a pit stop" She said thoughtfully, as she followed Yui into the blacksmith's place. It was a small place, and yet it was clear that the smith did good work, and that it paid well. His home was comfortable, and friendly, his workshop full of weapons and armor.

She stared at the big man, feeling small compared to him. But he seemed friendly enough, and she smiled a small shy smile, even though she stepped behind Yui slightly. "Good day, Sir" She said softly, letting Yui do the talking. The blacksmith smiled at Timi as she placed her sword on the counter, "You know, I have a daughter about your age" The blacksmith said, "Hina is explore, like she commonly does"

timi smile in return, "I'd love to meet Hina, one day" She said softly, "Thank you for this. My sword is in desperate need of an upgrade. I want to be able to help Yui and my friends" She looked to Yui, "so we'll come back...?"

"I should be able to do this in about thirty minutes" The blackksmith said, and Timi nodded. "Enough time for us to get some food then" She said to Yui brightly, despite the bun, Timi was hungry, and she tugged on Yui's arm.

"Right...look umm, friend, I was just being polite that's all..." Kingetsu responded with a slight sharpness. The fact that one could consider him inferior in any way was most undesirable. Also now that he knew their levels, his fear of a trap grew even larger. Since this world offered enogh ways to put someone offline without getting your own hands dirty. So to that he offered a resolute answer. "That being said, I haven't actually been in a party on this game. Meaning that I have little to no experience with things like switching or other party specific tactics." Then he put his hand on the sword's hilt "Also as I said, I plan to change my weapon," with a sigh he continued "I need to learn some new combos before I even plan on taking on a strong mob"

Shurikai breathed a sigh of relief as Kingetsu decided to accept their party request, grateful that things hadn't slid in the other direction towards anything tense. Players in the field, Shurikai included, tended to be wary of any potential threat including other played and so Shurikai accepted the handshake gratefully if a little formally and without word.

The relief Shurikai had had moments before turned to an inwards groan as his elder brother broke that unwritten rule of revealing not just his but both of their levels to the newcomer then offered to take care of the 28 year old male. Revealing ones level was a dramatic gesture of trust between player and best not done with strangers. If it turned out Kingetsu was a significantly higher level he could well decide to wipe the floor with the two of them in a PK attack and in the other case it was just plain intimidating even as a gesture of trust. Hopefully the man took it the way Shurikai knew Firelord meant it. Deciding he'd probably come off rude Shurikai decided to make his first venture into the conversation.

"That's fine." He said simply. "You can learn on the job and leave anytime if you feel uncomfortable or whatever... I need to sort myself out a new shield too anyway." He continued in the same simple, matter-of-fact manner.

"Shall we head to town?" Shurikai asked Firelord when he was done talking.