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[ PP - F01 ] <<Secret Medicine of The Forest [ Arabella & Spangie ]


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Spangie sighed heavily as she withdrew from yet another failed attack. "This is a load of B.S. right here," she groaned, arching her back forward and releasing another groan. "Agh, this is so frustrating!" she shouted, throwing her dagger to the ground. She looked over to Arabelle and pouted. "Why can't I fight?" she whimpered and slumped to the ground, eyes glued on to the Nepent Variant. "So bull," she placed her head in her hands and sighed. Stupid Nepent.. stupid dagger. She sighed depressingly and looked up from her hands. "I could go for some cake right now," she muttered, grabbing her dagger and standing up. "What kind of game does this to you?!" her hands pulled down her face and she sighed. "I can't right now," she scratched the back of neck and squinted at the creature and its vine like tendrils, "This is unbelievable," she kicked the dirt with a pout. "I can't lay a single darn hit."

@Arabelle

Combat :

ID : 100736

Spangie Attacks, Miss! | BD : 4 |

[H: 1] Spangie | HP: 159/160 | EN:  9/16 | 18 MIT | 5 DMG | - 1 Energy
[H: 3] Arabelle | HP: 26/40 | EN: 0/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | 

Nepent Variant | HP : 4/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | 

Edited by Spangie
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  • 4 weeks later...

"A death game, obviously," Arabelle responded without missing a beat. Dealing little damage against something that could actually kill her and witnessing her friend miss all but one of her attacks did not affect the purple-haired girl's unusual sense of humor, apparently. Keeping her steps light and silent as possible, she circled around the Nepent Variant until she was standing outside of the mob's supposed 'field of vision.' No energy for a Sword Art - the only thing that could damage the mob in front of her - and no other skills (blame her two years worth of procrastination from leveling) meant she was left with no other option than to wait for her energy to regenerate. And dodging the attacks the quest mob would throw at her. She scored a critical and a normal attack last time and the Variant's attention was currently on her.

"I can't right now," she heard her friend groan. Arabelle peeked out from behind the Nepent Variant to look at @Spangie, accidentally letting her guard down. Which was where the mob decided to whip around and send its vines flying towards her. Luckily, she was able to bring up her scythe and bat away most of the vines. She wasn't able to block any of the damage, but she didn't get knocked back like last time. One quick look at her HP - she only had enough left to survive one critical hit - told her that maybe she should start acting more carefully. Arabelle held her scythe defensively with both hands and briefly looked down at the pouch tied to her belt, containing her three HP potions. 

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[H: 1] Spangie | HP: 159/160 | EN:  9/16 | 18 MIT | 5 DMG |
[H: 3] Arabelle | HP: 14/40 | EN: 1/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | 

Nepent Variant | HP : 4/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | 

[ooc notes: the MD roll from Spangie's previous post (she was the one who spawned the mob) was a 10.]

Edited by Arabelle
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  • 7 months later...

Alone again?

Arabelle brandished her scythe and grinned, though it looked more like she was baring her teeth at the plantlike quest mob in front of her. Her HP was a few points away from entering the red zone, and her blonde "friend" had just... disappeared. Not dead. She caught a glimpse of Angie's HP just before she lost sight of her, and she could ascertain that it was still in the green. If her "friend" had died just that suddenly, then whatever came after her friend would've gotten her too.

It was simple logic. Spangie ran away.

How f*cking pathetic.

"Let's finish this by ourselves, Shi-chan." In response, a bright green glow surrounded her scythe's blade. Arabelle spun her weapon in her hands and ducked underneath the creature's thorn-covered arms. Aiming for the roots that she supposed counted as its feet, she tightened her grip and swung her scythe in a wide, sweeping arc. It was the best thing to do in this situation. Take away its mobility, and then land her strongest attacks as it attempted to regenerate. But as with many things in her worthless life, she failed. 

She thought she felt something wrap around one of her legs before she was flung across the clearing and the edges of her vision began pulsing red.

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ID: 111335 | BD: 2 | MD: 7

Arabelle | HP: 4/40 | EN: 0/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | [-10 HP] [-2 EN]

Nepent Variant | HP : 4/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | 

 

[ooc: continuing this solo as Spangie has left the site.]

Edited by Arabelle
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Arabelle hoisted herself up and reached for her weapon. It wasn't there. She'd dropped it when that thing sent her flying earlier. Her hands dropped to her side. The world was literally turning red, as if it was mocking her for being stupid enough to land herself in the red zone. What an annoying game mechanic. The weird reddish tint that was layered over the usual color of her surroundings served as a constant reminder that she was that close to dying - a useful thing for players who never watched their HP - but useful as it was, she was definitely turning that thing off later. 

But maybe it was time to finally let go? It would be painless anyway. 

The Nepent turned around and slithered towards the lone player, drooling hungrily from what she supposed counted as its mouth. It looked gross. Totally gross. She wasn't dying to that thing. That would be the lamest death ever. She grabbed at both sides of her head and pulled hard, shaking herself from her daze. Then she glanced up - "4 HP."  Figures. The small girl reached down, flipping the small brown pouch at her waist open, and pulled out an HP potion. It restored more health than her current total, but now wasn't the time to be conservative with these things. Arabelle popped off the cork and downed the bitter liquid in one gulp. 

Its next movements were a bit clumsier. The Nepent was still far off but it sent its weird arms flying towards her once again, thrashing them around, desperate to get that one last hit. Sure, it covered a larger area, but it ended up being a bit predictable. "You and me both, I guess."  She waited for the right opportunity and dove to the side, evading the creature's attacks. The small purple-haired girl turned, and the more mischievous side of hers - the more Arabelle-like side - briefly showed itself once again as she stuck her tongue out playfully before spinning around and making a break for her scythe.

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ID: 111397 | MD: 2

Using 1 Starter Healing Potion (+50 HP)

Arabelle | HP: 40/40 | EN: 1/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | [+50 HP] [+1 EN]

Nepent Variant | HP : 4/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | 

 

[- 1 Starter Healing Potion]

Edited by Arabelle
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She heard the sound of something slithering against the ground behind her. And a combination of weird screeches and clicks coming from the Nepent Variant's dripping mouth. Ew. SAO was well-known for its immersive experience in the beta testing, but they could have at least made the mobs a bit cuter. So, you know, the players wouldn't feel super grossed out during combat or something? In her opinion, it totally ruined the experience. Arabelle glanced behind her. The quest mob looked angry at her narrow escape. And it was following her. Of course it was. She hadn't <<Stunned>> it or anything. 

Well, disregarding how gross-looking it was, the Nepent was still a lot faster than her. It closed the distance between them in no time and Arabelle was forced to drop and roll, grabbing her scythe as she did. The pointed leaves that she supposed counted as the Nepent Variant's hands cut through the air above her head. The small girl paused, and let out a breath. She didn't bother standing up. Arabelle sat upright and her beloved weapon's blade glowed green as she thrust it forward like one would with a spear.

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ID: 111398 | BD: 1 | MD: 3

Arabelle | HP: 40/40 | EN: 0/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | [-2 EN]

Nepent Variant | HP : 4/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | 

 

Edited by Arabelle
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Well, it didn't do any damage, as expected. She'd hit it with the blunt side of her scythe's blade, right at the part where its head (body? or both?) connected with the roots that served as its feet. But it did succeed at keeping the angry Nepent Variant at bay as she stood up and dusted off her military-like uniform, which had gotten a bit dirty after her previous stunt. The latter part was totally important, okay?!

"When I get home, I'm taking a long, long shower," Arabelle grumbled, taking her scythe in both hands once again. The quest mob recovered and scuttled forward, sending its arms flying towards her once again. It was the same old pattern and she retreated backwards while swinging her scythe, deflecting its vines with the blunt side of her blade. Most of it anyway. One got through her 'defenses' and left a long slash across her torso. She glanced at her energy - she needed one more! - and leaped back. "And I'm removing that person from my Friend List. And blocking her forever. Yeah, that sounds nice."

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ID: 111545 | MD: 7

Arabelle | HP: 30/40 | EN: 1/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | [-10 HP] [+1 EN]

Nepent Variant | HP : 4/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | 

 

Edited by Arabelle
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Now she was getting a bit ahead of herself.

Arabelle stood still and glanced up at her energy. Any minute now... The blue bar slid back up to its halfway point and she moved. A bright green glow surrounded her scythe's blade as she charged forward, closing the distance between her and the Nepent once again. Fighting defensively wasn't really the best thing to do. She was getting a bit impatient, and if her estimates were correct, the annoying quest mob was one critical Sword Art away from being defeated. Now within striking distance, she ignored the mob's vine attack even as it hit her and left two long slashes, instead pivoting on her heel and releasing her weapon's energy with a large, upwards swing.

...which promptly missed because she'd overestimated the reach of her weapon. And forgotten just how short her avatar's arms were. Arabelle grimaced, pulling back from the mob whose screeches and clicks now started to vaguely resemble the sound of mocking laughter. Damn it!

Quote

ID: 111546 | BD: 4 + 1 = 5 | MD: 8

Arabelle | HP: 20/40 | EN: 0/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | [-10 HP] [-2 EN]

Nepent Variant | HP : 4/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | 

 

Edited by Arabelle
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With her energy spent on that failed attack and basic attacks being basically useless against that Quest Mob's mitigation (she'd clearly been relying on Spangie and her much higher damage output too much), she was stuck running around and dodging the Nepent's attacks while waiting for her energy to regenerate once again. Arabelle was almost embarrassed to admit that it wasn't too hard now that she had been engaged in combat long enough to recognize the Nepent Variant's repetitive attack pattern. It kept away from its opponents' striking ranges and used the sharp leaves at the end of its long arms to cut them but if a player got too close, it would change tactics and throw them.

It looked gross and its Mitigation was extremely annoying, but other than that, it was generally a beginner-friendly mob. "And that's one thing to add to my collection of useless knowledge," Arabelle groused. The Nepent sent its arms flying at her and she deflected one with her the blunt side of her scythe's blade before backing away quickly.

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ID: 111547 | MD: 1

Arabelle | HP: 20/40 | EN: 1/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | [+1 EN]

Nepent Variant | HP : 4/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | 

 

 

Edited by Arabelle
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Energy back up to 2. Arabelle kept her distance from its arms and circled the Nepent Variant, trying to find a good angle to attack from. All the while, the quest mob constantly shifted on its roots to face her with its mouth opening and closing to produce a series of annoying screeches and clicks. She grimaced. How was that gross thing even seeing her? It didn't have eyes! Oh. She quickly searched her surroundings and found an average-sized rock just a few steps away from where she was standing. God, this is so f*cking troublesome. But if she wanted to land a good hit-- The rock whizzed past the mob and on the other side, Arabelle reversed her grip on her scythe and thrust its blade against the roof of its drooling mouth.

The Nepent wasn't even the least bit distracted. Her attack was blocked by its vinelike arms. For a moment, Arabelle held her ground and struggled, pushing the blade forward, until one of its arms let go and lashed at her. She broke apart from the mob a moment too late and landed some distance away, covered in cuts.

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ID: 111548 | BD: 4 + 1 = 5 | MD: 8

Arabelle | HP: 10/40 | EN: 0/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | [-10 HP] [-2 EN]

Nepent Variant | HP : 4/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | 

 

 

Edited by Arabelle
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She uncorked another potion and drank it. The empty vial shattered as she tossed it carelessly to the ground. Safe! Okay, so maybe that distraction wasn't loud enough, but - no, it had whizzed past its ear (or where she assumed its ear was). When you take off one sense, like sight in this situation, it was generally agreed on that the other senses would be heightened. So the sound it made must have been enough of a - Arabelle deflected one vine with the handle of her scythe and leaped over the other, sprinting toward the other end of the clearing. The Nepent Variant followed behind her, making annoyed clicks with its mouth as it lashed out at her once again. 

To which she darted to the side and let the vines harmlessly crash into the ground she had previously been standing on. The plant mob withdrew its arms, clicking and screeching with its mouth, and it turned to face her once again. Arabelle blinked. Oh. Of course it had to be something as simple as that.

Quote

ID: 111550 | MD: 2

Using 1 Starter Healing Potion (+50 HP)

Arabelle | HP: 40/40 | EN: 1/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | [+50 HP] [+1 EN]

Nepent Variant | HP : 4/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | 

 

[-1 Starter Healing Potion]

Edited by Arabelle
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The simplest explanation she could give was one word: echolocation. Hence, the constant annoying noises it made and how it was able to detect her even as she tried to create the illusion that she was charging at one side (the whiz of a rock) when she was actually at the other. It was perhaps the first time she learned that much about a mob's behavior through experiencing it herself and she felt a glow of pride warm up her chest. That scout would definitely be so proud of her! she gushed internally.

Alright. Enough celebrating. Ignoring the vines that had hit her while she was distracted, Arabelle backed away and disappeared into the forest, where the mob followed. A series of clicks. She stood between two trees and the mob approached. Another series of clicks. She hid behind the large trunk at her right, and suddenly spun at her heel. Click, click, click. The Variant sent its arms flying to the right of the tree she had been hiding in, possibly anticipating that she had kept running. But, no. She appeared from the left and her boots crunched against dead leaves scattered across the ground as she sped toward the Nepent with a maniacal laugh. An opening! Finally, finally, finally! "You're mine! Shi-chan!"

There was a satisfying sound as her scythe's glowing blade sliced through the Nepent's undefended side.

Quote

ID: 111551 | BD: 5 + 1 = 6 | MD: 6

<<Whirlwind>>: 4 * 2 = 8 - 5 = 3 DMG

Arabelle | HP: 30/40 | EN: 0/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | [-10 HP[-2 EN]

Nepent Variant | HP : 1/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | [-3 HP]

 

Edited by Arabelle
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The damn thing was still alive and kicking. Literally. Arabelle reversed her grip and attempted another attack - a basic slash this time, that tiny sliver of HP couldn't possibly withstand a successful non-SA attack - and was flung back by its flailing vines, the Nepent Variant's last desperate attempt to create some distance between them. She slammed her scythe against the ground, pushed herself up and flipped in the air, landing heavily on her feet with a wince. The girl leaned against her large weapon, its handle buried firmly in the ground, and let out a long, shaky breath as she paused to regain balance from her numb legs.

How long had she been fighting this thing since that lovely friend of hers left? Wearily, she pulled her scythe from the ground and faced the quest mob. "One basic hit, I think... Come on, Shikama Douji," she said in an undertone. Combat was normally a bit fun, at least it was a nice change of pace from the usual routine of running around the safe zone, pretending to explore places she'd already completely mapped out in her mind, and meeting people she knew she'd forget about in a few days. But this - "I want to go back already..."

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ID: 111552 | BD: 4 + 1 = 5 | MD: 6

Arabelle | HP: 20/40 | EN: 0/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. | [-10 HP[-2 EN]

Nepent Variant | HP : 1/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG |

 

Edited by Arabelle
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The Nepent Variant made one last desperate attempt to maintain its safe distance from her before it was promptly sliced in half by the scythe's large blade. It gave a screech as its virtual body split into two and the broken halves fell to the ground, later dissolving into blue data fragments. 

Arabelle listened for nearby mobs and sheathed her scythe. She tapped the window that had appeared in front of her, raising its brightness.

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×1 Nepent's Ovule

And another, as soon as she dismissed the first.

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Quest Completed!

"After all that sh*t, it better have." Arabelle opened her settings, switched over to the display section, and ensured that the default brightness of pop-up windows was still at its lowest settings. She closed all the windows and glanced back at the spot where the Nepent Variant had died, her ashen gaze holding an uncharacteristic coldness. Then she turned around and began the short trip back to the safe zone.

She was never taking a quest with that dumb blonde ever again.

Spoiler

ID: 111553 | BD: 6 | MD: [dead]

Arabelle | HP: 20/40 | EN: 0/4 | 1 ACC | 4 DMG | 2 Para. |

Nepent Variant | HP : 0/15 | 5 MIT | 10 DMG | [-1 HP]

ID: 111554 | LD: 16 [Nepent's Ovule drops!]

 

Edited by Arabelle
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  • 4 weeks later...

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" the NPC cried, holding her hand up with both of theirs, and looked at her like she was a grace sent from Heaven. Or whatever gods the dwellers of this artificial world worshipped. Political correctness was a big deal this day and age, you know? "We're glad there are still people like you in this world. But please excuse our rudeness! We need to treat the sick first!"

People like her in this world? That was a funny thing to say. She only did it for the rewards. Arabelle pulled her hand from the NPC. It gave her a deep bow, thanked her once again in its pre-set dialogue, and scurried off to a nearby house. She stayed for a moment, clicking the heel of her boot against the ground impatiently, then followed the quest NPC into the building. 

Beside a sick man's bed, a woman brought her hands together and prayed. The quest NPC assured her. The local alchemist finished mixing a potion. Underneath a doorway leading to an inner room, a small child stood and watched curiously, holding the family dog back by its leash. The two beside the bed rose and moved away as the town's alchemist administered the medicine. 

What a laughable act.

"Here's your payment. Miss, if you want to, you could--"

She gave a smile that seemed a little bit strained.

"No, thank you."

~~~

Thread Summary

Arabelle
- 3 SP [1 page + 2 quest reward]
- 400 Col

@Spangie
- 3 SP [1 page + 2 quest reward]

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