Shield

Shield

Field Boss

A lot had happened in Aincrad in a very short amount of time. So much had happened, as a matter of fact, that it had left Shield reeling a little. The unfortunate thing about reeling was that it slowed a player down, and after Shield's spotty grinding, he couldn't afford to let that trend continue. Fortunately, there was a player he had encountered on more than one occasion who seemed to have at least as much drive and motivation as he did, and that was encouraging to say the least. As Shield jogged down the mountains of the eleventh floor, he jotted a quick message.

With that, he closed his menus and doubled his pace.

Between his home and Taft, he had arranged all of his gear and even managed to slosh down a potion. He took a minute by the edge of the stone city of Scalabis, its many arches and angled roofs hiding the descending sun on their far side. He kept an eye on his inbox, not wanting to miss a message from Freyd. He was hardly an impatient man, but he preferred not to wait overly long. There was much to do, and all of Aincrad was living on borrowed time as it was.

Buying Spyglass x 10

-8,000 Col

Claiming item. Thank ya!

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Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Holy Blessing [+51 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) - [+0HP]

Post Action: None

Shield - HP:806/860 | EN:125/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ
Itzal - HP: 820/820 | EN: 67/82 | DMG: 23/27 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 20 | SR: +5 | SD: +7 | LD: 5| T4 BLD 2 | T4 PRZ 1 | BH: 11 | Disguise: 0/5

[3,1] Gilded Hand - HP: 76/620 | DMG: 186 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2

Attack vs. Shield - ID# 188867 results: Craft: 10 [Failed to escape] MOB: 9+2=11 - Hit! 186+1-133=54 dmg

Abilities:
Knockdown Pro | MD: 10+: Target stunned, attacks again [Only once per turn]
Anxious              | Only attacks every 2 turns [Exception for <<Knockdown Pro>>]
Coward                | HP < 1/2: Automatically attempts to flee. Succeeds on a CD 12 or if all players in the party are stunned

The time and place for parsing out the finer details of the quest would come when the thorn was gone from their side. For now, the frantic hand was the top concern. Shield had been stalemated for embarrassingly long stretches of time before, but it was another thing to have more DPS-focused players stuck in a similar boat.

"It's times like this I wish I had more options to help, but that accuracy boost is about all I have, and that's on cool down for a little longer." The gilded hand feinted to the left, making a move as if it intended to jump back into the water, but as soon as Shield reacted, it planted a finger and pushed off towards the nearest hedge, making to lose them in the foliage. Shield had already committed his motion, but managed to flail out with his shield and clunk the monster in the back of its "head." It took no damage, but sprawled forward onto its masked face. With a flick, it kipped over onto its palm and started skittering on all fours towards its exit.

"Head him off, Are! I don't got this one!"

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Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Holy Blessing [+51 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) - [+0HP]

Post Action: None

Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:124/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ
Itzal - HP: 820/820 | EN: 67/82 | DMG: 23/27 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 20 | SR: +5 | SD: +7 | LD: 5| T4 BLD 2 | T4 PRZ 1 | BH: 11 | Disguise: 0/5

Post Action: 

[3,1] Gilded Hand - HP: 76/620 | DMG: 186 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2

Attack vs. Shield - ID# 188706 results: Craft: 11 [Failed to Escape] *See Above. It's so weird having mobs that don't always attack...

Abilities:
Knockdown Pro | MD: 10+: Target stunned, attacks again [Only once per turn]
Anxious              | Only attacks every 2 turns [Exception for <<Knockdown Pro>>]
Coward                | HP < 1/2: Automatically attempts to flee. Succeeds on a CD 12 or if all players in the party are stunned

At this point, the party was at a bit of a loss. The so-called Gilded Hand was just a little too tricky to reliably land a hit on, and with only one player capable of landing a hit, that meant the skittish creature either needed to hit Shield again, which might take a minute, or Are needed his luck to turn around. For the moment, neither reality occurred, and the two of them were stuck playing an awkward game of tag to try to keep the monster from escaping.

"I'm almost wondering if these things are worth the hassle," Shield sighed, successfully heading off the hand as it made a break for the water. "If this thing doesn't offer amazing loot, it's honestly much more profitable to spend the time fishing for more chests than it is to bother with all this mess." He couldn't help but wonder how many chests he would have managed to find this time, either in the water or hiding somewhere along its edge.

Guess we'll never know...

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Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Holy Blessing [+51 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) - [+0HP]

Post Action: Howl [-1 EN]

Shield - HP:807/860 | EN:123/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ
Itzal - HP: 820/820 | EN: 67/82 | DMG: 23/27 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 20 | SR: +5 | SD: +7 | LD: 5| T4 BLD 2 | T4 PRZ 1 | BH: 11 | Disguise: 0/5

[3,1] Gilded Hand - HP: 76/620 | DMG: 186 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2

Attack vs. Shield - ID# 188648 results: Craft: 10 [Failed to Escape] MOB: 8+2=10 - Hit! - 186-133=53 dmg [THN Proc for 88 dmg]

Abilities:
Knockdown Pro | MD: 10+: Target stunned, attacks again [Only once per turn]
Anxious              | Only attacks every 2 turns [Exception for <<Knockdown Pro>>]
Coward                | HP < 1/2: Automatically attempts to flee. Succeeds on a CD 12 or if all players in the party are stunned

"Happens to the best of us," Shield quipped, not missing a beat as he ran to cut off yet another escape attempt by the hand creature. "I didn't use a single sword art in a boss fight until this last floor, and the first swing I took was a whiff." As he headed off the Gilded Hand, he inhaled a chest full of air, his ribs expanding to make room for the extra volume. With a howl, he blasted the monster onto its back - if one could call it that. "YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE! SIT!"

It sprang back up onto its fingers and balled into a fist, compressing its body and rocketing towards the stalwart tank. With a slight duck of his head, he directed the attack into a mere glancing blow off of his shield. While he took some damage, the health began to refill almost immediately, while the scratches and burns that his defenses left on the hand's knuckles did not close so quickly. "Worst case scenario, if you keep missing, it only needs to take my thorns one more time. Still, you likely have better looting stats."

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Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Holy Blessing [+51 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) - [+0HP]

Post Action: Rally > Itzal [-5 EN]

Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:123/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 [-1] | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ
Itzal - HP: 820/820 | EN: 67/82 | DMG: 23/27 | ACC: 3 [+1] | EVA: 4 | MIT: 20 | SR: +5 | SD: +7 | LD: 5| T4 BLD 2 | T4 PRZ 1 | BH: 11 | Disguise: 0/5

Gilded Hand - HP: 164/620 | DMG: 186 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 - *ID# 188638 results: Craft: 10 - Failed to Escape

* Note: Forgot it didn't attack, so repurposed roll towards <<Coward>>

Abilities:
Knockdown Pro | MD: 10+: Target stunned, attacks again [Only once per turn]
Anxious               | Only attacks every 2 turns [Exception for <<Knockdown Pro>>]
Coward                | HP < 1/2: Automatically attempts to flee. Succeeds on a CD 12 or if all players in the party are stunned

As soon as the creature took the hit, its health plummeted into the red, and it its shift stance took on a new quality. It was frantic, trying to make a break for it. Shield took one long stride and cut off its exit. "Skittish creature, isn't it? Looks like it has no problem acting tough when it starts, but doing any real amount of damage gentles him down pretty quick." He held his fist aloft, and his hand glowed a faint, royal purple. Moments later, an identical aura surrounded Are.

"He seems a little flighty," he said keeping his eyes on the creature and his body in its path. "That might help you a little if he's moving around a lot." It was a new buff, and one he had only used once before. It was not the most impressive of the new battery of buffs that had been added to to his menus, but the others had more long-term impacts, and this fight didn't seem likely to last long enough for them to make a difference. "It looks like an awfully fancy hand. It had better have some special rewards if we manage to put it down."

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Fishing - ID# 188622 results: Craft: 1 - Gilden Hand found!

Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:128/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ

HP: 532/620 | DMG: 186 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2

Attack vs. Shield - ID# 188623 results: MOB: 7+2=9 - Hit! 186-133=53 dmg [THN Proc for 88 dmg]

Abilities:
Knockdown Pro | MD: 10+: Target stunned, attacks again [Only once per turn]
Anxious              | Only attacks every 2 turn2 [Exception for <<Knockdown Pro>>]
Coward              | HP < 1/2: Automatically attempts to flee. Succeeds on a CD 12 or if all players in the party are stunned

Shield nodded, his eyes more focused on the surface of the water as he cast and reeled in yet another attempt at treasure finding. "Of course. When dealing with human life, playing the lottery is risky. If you want to be able to subdue, paralysis and accuracy with consistent damage is best. That means no DoT, and no Heavy Momentum farmi-"

Shield, in attempting to pull in his line, yanked something from the depths of the water. A moment later, a hand had slapped him in the face - a large, monstrous hand. The golden gloved monster sprang up onto its feet - or rather its fingers. Where its wrist would be, the creature abruptly ended in a masked head. It jittered nervously on its fingertips before springing up into the air and slapping Shield across the face. He flinched back, more out of shock than anything else. The damage he sustained was minimal - considerably less than the hand had sustained in the attempt. 

"Well, that's the first time I've fished up something like that." He turned to Are. "Would you mind lending a hand here?"

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Fishing - ID# 188557 results: Craft: 12 + Loot: 4 - Material found!

Reeling in yet another smallish catch, Shield began to resign himself to the idea that his initial luck was just that - luck. Sighing, he cast out his line once more before addressing Are.

"There are a few paths to top tier DPS on the front lines," Shield said, adding onto the thoughts regarding Blight. "Several schools of thought address how to make the biggest hit. However, one or two schools of thought circumnavigate that question entirely and focus on getting damage around mitigation rather than through it. That weapon is an extremely solid beginning to a DoT build. On a crit, or on successful use of Trickster, the player will stack up every status effect on that weapons, and all of those effects add up."

Shield did some quick calculations in his head, working to figure out the best application for the new shield to be applied. Although potent on its own, most likely the optimal incorporation into his build would be to combine the auras onto an existing armor and eschew the additional thorns.

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Fishing - ID# 188431 results: Craft: 11 + Loot: 11 - Material found!

The last chest expired, breaking into shards of light and melting away now that there was no longer treasure inside of it to justify its existence. With that, Shield was already casting his line out once again. He was not entirely sure how much of Are's response he could believe. By the nature of being a man in a mask, he was in the habit of concealing things. It was impossible to judge just how deep or shallow that tendency ran from two minutes of conversation. However, in the mean time, the player seemed pleasant enough.

Once his bobber was bobbing contentedly in the water and had settled into the calm motions of the gentle waters of the pond, Shield stepped over to the shield that had been offered to him. He tapped the face of it to summon the item's menu and inspected its properties. "A slot each of every elemental aura and thorn. This is certainly as rare as players spoke of the boss drop being." He swiped through his own menu, summoning out Orgoth's Legacy. The sword materialized in the palm of his hand and with nary a flourish, he stuck it point down in the soft ground beside the shield before grasping the fishing rod with both hands and beginning to reel in once again. "I'd have to say that your item is more valuable on its face, so I'm more than happy to negotiate with any of the spoils I find fishing. I have no intention of shorting someone if there is a way to make a deal more fair for them. If there's something you're looking for, let me know."

As if on cue, the end of his pole bowed and the line went taut. However, instead of a chest, a small fish popped out of the water and flopped on the shore. Shield retrieved it and prepared to cast again.

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Opening Chest - ID# 188277 results: Loot: 14+9=23 [Applying Multipurpose] 23+1=24

[24+] 250 Col, 12 Crafting Materials, Perfect Weapon (1), Perfect Armor/Shield (1), Perfect Consumables (2)

Shield listened, noting the role as a vigilante of sorts, but something still didn't sit right with him. "So, Are, let's use the analogy of superheroes - Batman and Superman, if it's all the same." With one final heave, he pulled his next quarry up onto the shore and knelt beside it, allowing Lilith to inspect the lock. "The purpose of Batman's cloak and cowl is to provide insulation from vendettas while Bruce Wayne is living his life. If he wore the disguise all the time, there would be no separation between the vendettas and his work and personal life. Now Joker is just following Batman to work and social functions and harassing him there."

With the squeeze on his wrist, he knew enough to guess that this lock was heavy but simple. He took a particularly fat key from the ring at his waist and held it out towards the keyhole. Another jingle and a click, and he was in. The display list was much longer this time and had a much more valuable selection of items. "Much better,"  he thought aloud and gathered the contents, making a mental note of his running tally.

"The question is, do you wear the costume while playing the hero, or while going about your day. You can be Batman and wear the costume while you fight crime, or you can be Superman and be yourself during the crime fighting and assume an alternate identity when of duty, so to speak." He straightened up and gathered his fishing pole. "However, if you're wearing the costume all the time, that seems like you're not really protecting anyone anymore. People just make note of whoever you ally yourself with while they see you out and about, and those become the new targets."

"That,"  he added, bringing his point back around to where he started, "is why your actions read as questionable. You're hiding your identity while doing nothing that would make you enemies, so either you're Superman and wear your real face while you hunt, which seems improbable, or you just don't want people to know who you are."

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Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Holy Blessing [+51 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) - ID# 188218 results: Craft: 11 [+43HP]
Cool Downs - Press the Attack [2/5] Rally [1/3] Inspiring Speech [0/5]

Post Action: Inspiring Speech [-8 EN]

Shield - HP:780/860 (860-217) | EN:106/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ
Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 86/124 (95+1-10) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 71 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 45 | LD: 5 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | V.O.: 90

[3,6] <<Bandit Boss>> HP: 177/1500 (560-295-88) | DMG: 350 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2

Abilities:
Brawler | +75 MIT on R5 Sword Art until the end of rotation. Damage calculation for the attack will take place after the buff is issued. Stackable.

The fight was settled. All three of the people present knew it, and the rage of the bandit lord was proof positive of that very fact. Shield turned to Freyd, addressing the note of disappointment. "Yes, for sure the health was easy enough to deplete. However," he said, pointing to his health bar and noting the speed at which his health was returning. "That attack luckily activated every single one of my healing abilities, and yet I'm still a good chunk of health short at the moment. Not even Shadow's minions could do that." The computerized enemy, now knocking firmly on death's door, tried to sit up, but Shield placed his foot squarely on the man's chest.

"The paradigm shift with this new update seems to have made health far more precious than it once was. The difference may not be incredibly stark at first glance, but for a near optimal defense front liner with versatile healing options to have damage stick from a boss on the ninth floor..." Shield lifted his hand once again, and Freyd's cool downs all had a chunk knocked off. "That - should be very telling."

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Fishing - ID# 188215 results: Craft: 8 + Loot: 18 - Chest found!

Shield considered the introduction for a moment before turning back to the pond, casting his line back out into the water as the durability of the last chest gave out. The box shattered into polygons, and Shield mulled over his words. "If aggression is the word we're using to describe it," he began, slowly winding his line back in as he spoke. "It would be towards the action of crafting such an appearance. Distrust I think is a more apt word, though."

In the water, there came another snag, much like the first. The new quest, though much more complicated at face value than the little profitable zones that Shield had made a point to fish into oblivion, was proving to have a much higher potential for profit than its counterparts. He began the process once again of landing his "catch," adding  between heaves, "I appreciate privacy as much as the next player, but if someone is to trust me enough to do business with me or, perhaps more vitally, to trust me to not stab them in the back during a boss battle," he leveled a brief gaze into the hazy obfuscation that hung over where Are's face would be. "Well, in that case, I should at least give others a sense for who I am and what I'm about."

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Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) -  [+0HP] Cool Downs - Press the Attack [1/5] Rally [0/3]

Post Action: Rally [-5 EN]

Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:113/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 [-1] | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ
Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 95/124 (107+1-13) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 71 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 [+1] | BH: 45 | LD: 5 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | V.O.: 90

[2,6] <<Bandit Boss>> HP: 560/1500 (1065-505) | DMG: 350 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2

Abilities:
Brawler | +75 MIT on R5 Sword Art until the end of rotation. Damage calculation for the attack will take place after the buff is issued. Stackable.

His frame marred, the brigand's composure was also beginning to crumble. He stumbled on the spot, staggering until he managed to catch himself. The once handsome face was now scarred with a deep scowl of hatred.

"Looks like someone isn't too happy when they're knocked off of their sad little throne," Shield said, using the threat mechanics of the game to continue pressing his thumb into the bandit lord's wounded pride. "What's the matter? Doesn't feel good to be completely outclassed by some nobodies who wander into your camp uninvited."

The bandit leader's fist tightened around the cloth wrapped handle of his dagger. Shield's eyes darted down to it and then back up to the mask of rage that the once smug enemy had worn. "Go on then," Shield taunted. "Do it. See what happens."

"Yeah?" chirped the bandit. "What's gonna happen?"

"Three things. I hit you, you hit the ground, ambulance hits 60."

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Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) -  [+0HP] Cool Downs - Inspiring Speech [5/5] Press the Attack [0/5]

Post Action: Press the Attack > Freyd [-9 EN]

Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:117/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ
Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 107/124 (124-9-8) | DMG: 30 [+4] | MIT: 71 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 45 | LD: 5 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | V.O.: 90

[1,6] <<Bandit Boss>> HP: 1065/1500 (1500-435) | DMG: 350 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2

Abilities:
Brawler | +75 MIT on R5 Sword Art until end of rotation. Damage calculation for the attack will take place after the buff is issued. Stackable.

A good deal of the smarm now absent from his expression, the so-named bandit boss stumbled back up to his full height, shaking off as much as he could of the paralytic effects of the last attack. "Okay, so you have some moxie. Should have guessed as much given what short work you made of my crew. I'm going to have to replace all of them now, but what's done is done. I've seen what you can do, and hence forth shall not underestimate my enemies."

Giving one last shake of his shoulders to loosen up his stiffened body, he began to pace in a wide berth around the two players, and particularly eyeing the rude one whom had shouted at him, entirely unprovoked even. "You know, I have quite a collection of keepsakes from those who have passed through here before. I feel like that shield and that stick will make lovely additions to my display."

Shield sighed, raising his fist in the air once again. "Boy, he sure forgot quickly about not underestimating. Freyd, would you like to educate him how dangerous that can actually be?" A faint layer of prismatic light danced across Freyd's form, denoting a significant change in damage.

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Passive [+1 EN] Cool Downs - Inspiring Speech [4/5]

Action: Focused Howl > Bandit Boss [-3 EN]

Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:125/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ
Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 124/124 (80+1-17) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 71 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 45 | LD: 5 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | V.O.: 90

[6,0] <<Bandit Boss>> HP: 1500/1500 | DMG: 350 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2

Abilities:
Brawler | +75 MIT on R5 Sword Art until the end of rotation. Damage calculation for the attack will take place after the buff is issued. Stackable.

Shield's hand was half way to his ring of keys before Freyd had already thumped his way into the chest. He was about to protest, but figured what was done was done. He let his hand fall back to his side. To his left, he heard a jovial voice chime in.

"Tut tut," chirped the unfamiliar tones. "You know, you really shouldn't take things that don't belong to you." A man sat atop the nearby stone formations that bordered the nearest edge of the camp, garbed in cloth robes and carrying a large, chipped dagger which he rolled across the back of his hand carelessly. "Might make you an enemy or two."

Shield eyed the name tag, seeing quite clearly that if there was a final challenge to be had after the mowing down of minions, this 'bandit boss' was likely it. He straightened his spine, filling his lungs once again. However, before releasing the wave of noise, he took a moment to tighten the muscles of his chest, compressing the air down so that it was released in a concentrated stream of wind and sound. "TALK IS CHEAP, AND SO ARE THE LOOT TABLES FOR HIS GOD-FORSAKEN FLOOR!" He clapped the side of his gauntlet onto the face of his shield and stared down the brazen brigand.

The boss threw his hands up in defeat. "Don't say I didn't try to be civil."

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Opening Chest - ID# 188150 results: Loot: 5+9=14

• [12-15]    100 Col, 5 Crafting Materials, 1 Rare T4 Weapon, 2 Rare T4 Consumables

Shield did not straighten up from his task right away. He had been making a good deal of noise dragging in his newly found chest, so it was not surprising that someone had arrived without his immediate notice. He held out his hand, and from his sleeve, a small, colorful head emerged. Two large, slitted pupils examined the lock, and a forked serpentine tongue flicked into the keyhole. The muscular body of Shield's familiar, Lilith, squeezed his forearm, and he interpreted her pressure that this was a fairly complex lock.

"I will be with you in a moment," Shield said to the newcomer, rummaging at his hip for a large ring of golden keys. Flicking through them, he settled on one and held it out to the lock. It melted into the air, dissolving into a small cascade of glittering dust. With a tinkling of precious metal and a loud click, the lock opened, as did the lid. A readout appeared detailing the chest's contents and with a satisfied nod, Shield collected its contents with the tap of a finger before straightening up.

Turning around, he recognized the player. He - or a player similarly shrouded - had been in Shield's shop on a previous occasion, as well as in the last boss fight. Although he felt the urge to scowl slightly, he was more polite than that, and his features remained impassive. "You have me at a disadvantage. You clearly have knowledge of me, or at least my name and the location of my shop, but I have yet to be introduced properly." There was a shield on the ground between them, but he wished to know more about the person who both was and was not a stranger. There was the more pressing mystery.

Loot Totals

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Passive [+1 EN] Cool Downs - Inspiring Speech [3/5]

Action: Searching for Chest - ID# 188127 results: Loot: 19+1=20 - Chest found!

Out of Combat Energy Recovery [2/2]

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 21/124 (21+1-1) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 71 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 45 | LD: 5 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | V.O.: 90
Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:124/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ

"Look, I don't blame you for staying put," Shield said, sighing and shaking his head. "This burden wasn't something any of us asked for, and the threat of death is not something the average gamer is prepared to face, especially on a regular basis." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, frowning all the while. "I'm glad you found a guild. I know there are a lot of brooding players who don't want to be slowed down by a guild, but a good guild doesn't slow you down. It helps you keep moving at a steady pace. Maybe I'm just saying that because I went full turtle with my build and can't kill something without it going full kamikaze on my thorns... but having other players around makes my grinding way easier."

As Shield held Freyd in his steady gaze, something caught his eye. Over Freyd's darkly clad shoulder, something was peeking out from the nearest tent. Straightening back up, Shield made his way over. There was a familiar box-like shape to whatever it was, with a rounded top. Reaching into the shade of the tent, he pulled out a large wooden chest with black iron fastenings. "Well, I can't say I'm excited about what's inside given the current floor, but it never hurts to look."

Shield

Quest

Outside the stony walls of the complex that made up Shield's home and shop, the roaring falls filled the air, both with sound and spray. It created an ever-present haze that hid shadows of loomong stones and precariously perched trees and their sprawling limbs that hung over cliffs, creating shadowy giants and monsters that hung just out of sight in the fog. Inside of the shop, the air was clear and warm, and for the most part, silent. The only noises were those of the shopkeeper tinkering around with a peculiar weapon. Balanced on Hermes' Scales, a strange sword, simply named Orgoth's Legacy, weighed down the arm on which it sat.

"Well, you're definitely unique," Shield remarked to himself, and tapped the magnifying glass icon in the item's menu. Within moments, the results came back. "Yup. This is certainly a DoT user's dream. Looks like this might fetch a decent return on the market." Without wasting a beat, he began penning an ad for the notice boards. 

The post made, he closed his menus with a flourish, stowed his item, and took out a crystal, crushing it in his hand. "Town of Beginnings!"

-

Nemo was easy enough to find. He was plain, but pleasant, and with a nod, Shield accepted the quest offered to him and followed where he led. It was odd. The pockets of unique loot and safe fishing had dried up as of the completion of the most recent boss battle. From the little correspondence he had done with Hikoru, this seemed to be the quest that took the place of those special zones. However, the more Shield heard Nemo speak, the more apprehensive he became.

"A boss?" Shield parroted back, confirming what the NPC had told him.

"That's right. Likes to defend its treasures for anyone who would attempt to steal them."

This was a little troubling, as Shield had not counted on combat being part of his trade arrangement. As they walked, he pulled up his post and tapped the 'Edit' option.

[Edit: Come geared for combat. NPC has mentioned a potential boss. Risks seem minimal, but come prepared]

By the time he had completed his edit, he looked up and found that they had been transported to a garden. It was quite a sight, alive with foliage and flora, the light that poured into the garden seemed to leave everything faintly haloed. Whoever had designed this scene did so with a real sense of artistry. He thanked Nemo and made his way over to a nearby pond that was overhung by a flowering willow tree. While the Fishing skill had been removed from the game, it seemed that fishing in general had not.

"Here goes nothing."

Quote

Fishing - ID# 188074 results: Craft: 12 + Loot: 17 - Chest Found!

Casting out his line, he waited for the weight to pull his hook all the way to the bottom. It was lost to sight under the glassy surface, but once the reel had finished feeding out, he began to slowly retrieve his line. The reel clicked lazily for a few moments, the line feeding smoothly back onto its spool, but with an abrupt tug, the line caught, pulling back with the same force Shield applied.

It couldn't be... first cast?

Pulling hard, he felt the telltale drag of a chest scraping along the pond's bottom. With a wide grin, he proceeded to fight the resistance of water and muck, pulling and reeling until a convex lid broke the surface of the water.

"This new quest may be even better than my old spot!"

@Itzal

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Cool Downs - Inspiring Speech [2/5]

Action: None

Out of Combat Energy Recovery [1/2]

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 21/124 (21+1-1) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 71 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 45 | LD: 5 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | V.O.: 90
Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:124/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ

His story. Despite his reluctance to address the fullness of what that question entailed, his poker face was practically impenetrable.

Perks of an abusive marriage...

When Freyd narrowed down the question to specifically his time spent in SAO, the tension hidden behind his eyes slacked some. "Day one? Pretty much. And I can do one better. As soon as the second floor was attained, I immediately started punching a rock to help another player unlock Martial Arts." He found a nearby boulder and leaned his backside on it, not exactly sitting, but letting the natural structure give his legs a break for a while. "Being an older player... Well, we bear more responsibility than the younger ones. They weren't ready to play a death game. Even in the real world, they weren't old enough to make those kinds of choices or take those risks. Some of them stepped up... and I'd be lying if I said we could have made this much progress without them... Still, if me being on the front lines keeps even one kid from having to do the same, then I've done my part."

It wasn't dishonest. Those were words he lived by, and he believed them fully. Still, that was a truth that didn't require cracking beyond the surface, not by much at least. Before he would have time to question, Shield turned the table back around on Freyd. "What about you? A lot of people weren't ready to strike out right away. Some of them still aren't. Where did you fall on that spectrum?"

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) -  [+0HP] Cool Downs - Inspiring Speech [1/5]

Action: None

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 21/124 (31+1-11) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 71 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 45 | LD: 5 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | V.O.: 90
Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:124/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ

[0,3] Bandit #19 | HP: 100/250 | DMG: 100

Shield watched as the last remaining grunt bounced harmlessly off of him, sprawling back onto the ground and staring up at the sky for a moment. For a moment, he looked as if he were questioning his life choices. Honestly, Shield wouldn't have blamed him if the character were capable of doing such things. The role of a minion in a hack-and-kill quest was shamefully insignificant, especially against players of front-line caliber. Turning his attention away from the non-threat, Shield addressed Freyd.

"That's the Leadership skill. It has five different mods, each of which bolsters or defends a different aspect of the party," he said, his eyes once again scanning the large tent at the other end of the camp. Again, no signs of life just yet. "They each do so while sacrificing the user's abilities in said stat. It's useless to some players, but for those who have min-maxed like we have, it seems to pay dividends. I sacrifice something that doesn't matter to me to boost something that's vital to you." Holding up a finger, he went on. "In this case, it's your cool downs for sword arts, but I can do the same to Accuracy, Evasion, incoming status effects, and... of course... damage."

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) -  [+0HP] Cool Downs - Inspiring Speech [0/5]

Action: Inspiring Speech > Freyd [-8 EN]

Freyd | HP: 900/900 (871+45) | EN: 43/124 (52+1-9) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 71 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 45 | LD: 5 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | V.O.: 90
Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:123/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ

[0,3] Bandit #17 | HP: 100/250 | DMG: 100
[0,3] Bandit #19 | HP: 100/250 | DMG: 100
[0,3] Bandit #20 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 100

The pack was dwindling, and those that remained were not exactly at full health. With the heat dying down, Shield scanned his HUD. It was like being behind the wheel the first time a few unfamiliar indicator lights come up. There were several of the usual stats and readouts, but so many things were new. Still, this wasn't entirely a bad thing. Eyeing his new skill, he decided now was as good of a time as any to test it out. He turned his attention to the other player, and took a moment to analyze his movements.

Haven't tried this before, but from what I managed to glean about the new system updates, the abilities this skill gives could give a party a lot more utility...

He nodded to himself, paying no mind to the slashing blades of the last remaining attackers. These would be the guinea pigs before the opponent that mattered. "Freyd," he barked out across the field. "Do something for me. "  Raising his gauntlet-clad fist into the air, he clenched his fingers tightly. With a slow exhale, a faint red glow surrounded his fist. A moment later, the same glow ignited around Freyd's body. "Keep an eye on your cool down gauges."

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) -  [+0HP]

Action: Howl [-2 EN]

Freyd | HP: 871/900 (900-29) | EN: 52/124 (63+1-12) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 71 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 45 | LD: 5 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | V.O.: 90
Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:123/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ

[0,3] Bandit #17 | HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100
[0,3] Bandit #19 | HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100
[0,3] Bandit #20 | HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100

Freyd seemed to be holding his own just fine despite the most recent nick he had received. Still, Shield was nothing if not at least attempting to take the heat off of the big hitters. Besides, the actual stats of the added boss was anyone's guess at this point. The more he could do his job, the better.

Drawing in air through his nose, Shield's chest swelled, practically doubling in size like a seasoned opera singer. His lungs at capacity, he opened his mouth and sent a wave of sound through the ash-dense air. The cone of wind cleared out the particulates from the air, leaving a swath of unobstructed sight in the otherwise dingy scene. "LOOKS LIKE YOUR ALLIES ARE DWINDLING, MINIONS! COME HERE AND FACE YOUR FATE SO WE CAN MOVE ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER!"

The sound practically knocked the enemies off their feet, but ignoring the obviously logical course of action - namely, fleeing - they gave in to their programming and flocked to the player that had challenged them - practically an immortal object as far as their abilities were concerned.

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) -  [+0HP]

Action: None

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 63/124 (80+1-17) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 71 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 45 | LD: 5 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | V.O.: 90
Shield - HP:860/860 | EN:124/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ

[0,0] Bandit #15 | HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100
[0,0] Bandit #16 | HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100
[0,0] Bandit #17 | HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100
[0,0] Bandit #18 | HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100

"I'm all for feeding the brokers more info," Shield quipped back, following behind in the wake of polygons that shrank into nonexistence as the bandits from which they burst were eliminated. "I can't imagine that it would be any worse than farming drake skins, especially since these spawn faster and drop easier."

The tents around the camp were now having trouble keeping up with the rate at which their occupants were dropping. For every one that emerged, Freyd was dropping at least two. At this point, there were only a few stragglers remaining around the settlement. Off at the far end, Shield finally took notice of what appeared to be a larger, more ornate tent, its walls made of a dingy red, which had likely once been a more brilliant crimson. Apparently the occupant was more interested in opulence than practicality given the ash that had degraded the fabrics former glory.

"I think we found where big bad is going to spawn from when the time comes."

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+43 HP] Vampiric (Defensive) - Craft: 8 [+0HP]

Action: Focused Howl > Bandit 9 [-3 EN]

ID# 187556 results: MOB: 6 - Hit! 100-125=1 dmg [THN - 72 dmg]

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 80/124 (96+1-17) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 71 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 45 | LD: 5 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | V.O.: 90
Shield - HP:859/860 | EN:123/128 | DMG:1 | ACC:0 | MIT:133 | THN:88 | EVA:0 | BH:43 | LD:1 | V.D.:43 | HB:51 | TNT | ANT.FZ    

[0,6] Bandit #6 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 100
[0,0] Bandit #9 | HP: 162/250 | DMG: 100
[0,0] Bandit #10 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 100
[0,0] Bandit #11 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 100

Peeling through crowds of bandits seemed to be no issue for Freyd, and keeping up with Freyd was not an issue for Shield. Although he was broader and taller than most players, especially those who were agile and quick to the fray, he had honed his combat abilities to keep up with the likes of Beat and Baldur. It kept him lively on his toes, but as yet another bandit slipped through the area of Freyd's attack, the buffeting bellow of Shield's Focused Howl caught the bandit completely off guard.

It wheeled around, flailing wildly in the direction of the deafening burst of sound that had shocked his senses. With yet another listless clang, there was another quickly forgotten dink to Shield's health and another missing chunk to that of the enemy. "Do you remember if the quest said how many of these buggers we would have to dispatch to advance the quest?"