[b]~~[u]Day Zero[/u]~~[/b] Kilia smiled as she tore open the package which she bought a mere thirty minutes ago. It was wrapped up like a birthday present, despite her already knowing what it was, and even so it came as a surprise as to what lay within: Sword Art Online with a brand new, fully-functioning NerveGear! Excitement clouded her judgement like a wildfire in a burning forest, and the series of "thank you"'s and "I love you"'s that came out of her mouth were faster and more jumbled than her parents had ever received before. For all they knew, this was what Kilia loved. But deep inside, she knew that this was her one ticket to a new and prosperous life. One where she can become [i]somebody[/i] instead of a nobody. Where she can make friends and be a part of a group with them, and finally have a happy place in life. Dashing upstairs, she immediately set up the NerveGear beside her computer setup like so many others could be doing all across Japan. She completed all the given instructions to help the start-up of the NerveGear, such as the many stretching-like instructions to help the NerveGear link up with the bodily systems, and was soon ready to begin. Her excitement was almost dropped by the momentary thought process of why you'd need to do numerous physical activities for something that links up to the brain, though she quickly drained the thought with something technical that required it. She inserted the cartridge and without a moments hesitation she uttered the two fate-binding words... [b]"Link. Start!"[/b] [b][u]Present Day...[/u][/b] Kilia awoke with a start, the dream or even nightmare of when she was first taken into the virtual reality game spinning around in her head, constantly tugging her, telling her, that she needed to find a way out. A way back home. She lay there, unmoving, quietly staring at the cold, morning sky, as feelings of guilt and thoughts of the dead haunt her memories. The fear they expressed, the pain they shared...the tears and prayers that they spare their lives... The blood that was spilt by her very hands, and the way the crimson-blood-red symbol bobs above her head. It was a warning to all of who she was. A PKer. She felt inclined to turn herself in, but she knew her sentence would be instant death. Almost 100 murders committed, with many more accounts of thievery and public endangerment... And she feared death... It was an endless cycle. She couldn't break it no matter what she did. If she stopped killing, she wouldn't be able to support herself any way else, aside from being a huntress. Even then, the it'd be a painful scrape for survival, as she's need to live in the wild's, away from any man, woman or child that came near. If she decided to hand herself in or commit suicide, she'd die. Death was something she'd rather not associate with, as the very concept frightened her... Bad tidings with history... It left no other option, really. She forced herself into this business, and now she can't escape. She sighs as an icy chill passes through the house, seeping through her leather armour as though it were nothing and eventually making her quite cold. Kilia rose from her bed and immediately lit the fire, which, to her surprise, still had enough firewood and charcoal leftover to be reignited. She took the warm embrace of the fire for a few minutes, letting it heat up the insides of the house, before once again checking over her inventory. The man last night that she murdered had very little on him, and it was safe to assume most of his valuables were someplace else or with someone else. A new sword, though it wasn't as good as her own blades, as well as a couple thousand Col and some food and water. [i]'All I need...'[/i] she thinks to herself as she takes the food for breakfast. It was better than a cold soup... She finishes her breakfast reasonably fast and adds the sword and the Col to her inventory. She'd probably need to get the blade fenced so to make sure nobody could figure out who it belonged to, though that could be done at a later date. She then pulls up her main menu and looks at her PM's, which still shown quite a few leftover contracts that were yet to be completed. Her previous client had payed up and the Col had been gifted to her account, and she deleted the message. [i]'Onto the next one...'[/i] ---------- [u]Username: Shvril Title: Job = Slaughter Message:[/u] Mistress Dark Arrow, or Mora, whichever you prefer, I have a job for you. I know that you're a very busy person so I'll cut right to the chase. We need you to help clear out the latest dungeon on floor 39. We believe the boss room is there, also, as it's one of the last remaining dungeons and we haven't been able to reach floor 40 yet. We have our own units stationed there and they've made some progress though we don't have any archers, a spot that you've been remarkably known for. All you need to do is cover the men, though if you really wish you could go in and fight alongside them, even go as far as killing the enemies single-handedly if you feel the need. Basically, help pave the way to where we think the boss is, as well as clearing the entire dungeon. All loot spoils that you obtain will be yours to keep, on top of the money and EXP bonuses I'm offering. Oh, speaking of the offer, it's divided into two parts. Here's what I can get you: For helping clear the dungeon: 250,000 Helping defeat the boss: 750,000 And keep in mind, that's two offers individually, meaning you can claim a maximum of 1,000,000 Col. It sounds like a lot, yes, but it accounts for damage repairs and any supplies or provisions you'll need for your trip. That's about it. S. ---------- [u]Username: Dark Arrow Mora Title: Job = Slaughter Message:[/u] Do note that if this is an attempt to kill or capture me I'll be forced to kill you. Now, if that isn't the case, consider it done. I'll be claiming both of those offers, thank you... DAM. ---------- [u]Username: Shvril Title: Job = Slaughter Message:[/u] Excellent! I expect your contributions to the battle to be quite admirable! Don't worry, if you really want to, I'll be there in case you decide the battle is a trap and feel I'm to blame. Just keep in mind, though the monsters are a little below your own level, they should be fought against with caution. S. ---------- The conversation ends there, and Kilia readies her equipment. Looking it over, she evaluates that her blades might need a little bit of sharpening and her arrows could do with a restock. [i]'Damn, looks like I'll need to head to town...'[/i]. Kilia quickly checks over her things one final time before heading back to town...