Pinball

That was his opening. The bear was slow, tired, exhausted -- whatever you wanted to call it, whatever a mob that was at the end of their rope could be described as. It tried to bite his head off his neck and Pinball rewarded it with a dagger through the bottom of his jaw. It swatted at him with a paw the size of him and Pinball jumped out of his range, hurling a pair of knives into its chest. It roared, but Pinball could tell by the roar that it didn't have much fight left in it. Pinball took another step back. Another. The bear lumbered forward, weak, its head drooping and its paws heavy. Pinball tilted his head. It only had a sliver of its health left. Pinball readied another one of his blades, ready to finish the job. The bear growled, tried to roar. The roar wasn't there. 

***
Action Taken: [TECH-A] [-14 EN] 
Big'rest Bear: ID#228811 BD: 10 - 25+8+3= 36*16+80= 656-80= 576 DMG || MD: Stunned 

Pinball: 815/840 HP | 49/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #3 -- 

Big'rest Bear 1: 110/2000 HP | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 

• Critical (MD 9): Deals 400 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 240 DMG to every other player.
•      Critical (MD 10): Deals 440 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 340 DMG to every other player.

He held his dagger at the ready. The bear was getting impatient. It didn't seem to want to wait anymore. Pinball hesitated. The bear sense it and charged. Pinball took a wider stance. Again, it was fast -- faster than any other bear Pinball had fought, though probably not the fastest creature (or person) he'd faced in Aincrad. The bear practically leapt at him. Pinball tossed a knife up -- a bad throw -- but it was all he could do before he had to duck and slip out of the way. The ground where Pinball was once staying was instantly cratered, and the ground shook from the impact. Pinball let out a short curse, and flipped another dagger into his hand. The Big'rest Bear did not hesitate, despite how stupid its name sounded. Pinball was on the defensive now, dodging and weaving to the best of his ability. It was hard, at first, but eventually the bear began to slow. 

***
Action Taken: [TECH-D] MISS! [-2 EN] 
Big'rest Bear: ID#228810 BD: 1 (wow) MD: 4+3-6 (Miss) 

Pinball: 778/840 HP | 59/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #3 -- 

Big'rest Bear 1: 686/2000 HP | DMG: 360 | MIT: 120 (-20, -20) | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 [Shatter 2/3]

• Critical (MD 9): Deals 400 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 240 DMG to every other player.
•      Critical (MD 10): Deals 440 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 340 DMG to every other player.

His battle healing, at this point, had healed up most of the damage the bear had initially inflicted to him. He was probably able to eat another one or two of those swipes, though if he could at all help it, he was going to avoid it. Pinball watched. They were still playing their little game of cat and mouse, the bear testing his perimeter, and Pinball holding it down. It was scared, now. Or maybe scared wasn't the right word. Maybe it was just hesitant. Pinball didn't want to give the mob any more credit than it deserved. It was digital. It had no thoughts, it had no feelings. All it had was a preprogrammed behavior pattern, and predictable attacks. Pinball threw another blade and it sunk hilt deep into the bear's flesh. It roared defiantly, stamping the ground, but still it did not dare charge him again. Pinball snorted.

***
Action Taken: [TECH-D] [-13 EN] 
Big'rest Bear: ID#228809 BD: 7+5-3 - 25+8= 33*16+80= 608-120= 488 DMG || MD: 8+3-6 (Miss) 

Pinball: 741/840 HP | 57/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #3 -- 

Big'rest Bear 1: 686/2000 HP | DMG: 360 | MIT: 120 (-20, -20) | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 [Shatter 2/3] 

• Critical (MD 9): Deals 400 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 240 DMG to every other player.
•      Critical (MD 10): Deals 440 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 340 DMG to every other player.

He couldn't let that happen again. He stayed his distance. The bear didn't let up. It wanted him badly. But Pinball was ready for it this time. He kept his distance dancing on the outside, halting its charges before it ever even had the chance to advance. Every time it reared up to charge, Pinball threw a knife in its direction. It was smarter than the other bears, too. It wasn't passively accepting its death. Pinball's blades hurt it bad and it knew it. It stayed its distance, testing for an opening, but Pinball wouldn't give it one if he could at all help it. The bear got brave and charged him again but a well placed knife was more than enough to dissuade it. The impact slowed its charge and the phantom pain it was coded to feel stopped it. Pinball flicked a new dagger into his palms. He was ready. 

***
Action Taken: [TECH-D] [-13 EN] 
Big'rest Bear: ID#228806 BD: 9 - 25+8+1= 34*16+80= 624-70= 554 DMG || MD: 4+3-6 (Miss) 

Pinball: 704/840 HP | 66/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #3 -- 

Big'rest Bear 1: 1174/2000 HP | DMG: 360 | MIT: 140 (-20) | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 [Shatter 1/3] 

• Critical (MD 9): Deals 400 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 240 DMG to every other player.
•      Critical (MD 10): Deals 440 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 340 DMG to every other player.

The bear recovered. Pinball stayed his distance. He wasn't going to face it head on, not if he could help it. But it seemed like Pinball wasn't going to get the chance. The bear was quick -- quicker than all others before it -- and it was in his face before Pinball could even properly gauge its speed. It stood up, bringing both of its massive paws up and then down on Pinball. Pinball dropped his knives and caught the bear's paws. Almost immediately his knees buckled, and Pinball's arms were shaking. The power was unreal. What had he been thinking. Why hadn't he just rolled away like he normally did? The answer seemed pretty clear when he thought about it: he hadn't been given the chance to. Pinball struggled for another second before letting the bear's paws go. He rolled out of the way and the bear, snorting angrily, was once again grounded. 

***
Action Taken: [TECH-D] MISS! [-2 EN] 
Big'rest Bear: ID#228805 BD: 3+5-3 (Miss) || MD: 3 (Miss) 

Pinball: 667/840 HP | 75/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #3 -- 

Big'rest Bear 1: 1728/2000 HP | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 

• Critical (MD 9): Deals 400 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 240 DMG to every other player.
•      Critical (MD 10): Deals 440 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 340 DMG to every other player.

The bear charged. Pinball charged too. He leapt over the bear and onto its back, burying a pair of knives in its shoulder blades, much like he'd stunned all the others before it. And like all the others before it, it too collapsed, its limbs betraying it. Pinball bounced off the back of the bear and landed on his feet. He flipped the new blades in his palm. He was going to take advantage of whatever he could -- but he'd learned his lesson about taking the bear head on. He was playing it risky enough by rushing out and leaping over it like that. No, Pinball hung back. He threw a pair of blades into the exposed stomach of the bear lying prone across the forest floor, watching its health take a dive. Thankfully, it wasn't going to take many attacks to kill it. He just had to be patient and place his shots properly to get the job done. 

***
Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-D] MISS! [-1 EN] 
Big'rest Bear: ID#228804 BD: 2+5-3 (Miss) || MD: 4+3-6 (Miss) 

Pinball: 630/840 HP | 73/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #3 -- 

Big'rest Bear 1: 1728/2000 HP | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 

• Critical (MD 9): Deals 400 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 240 DMG to every other player.
•      Critical (MD 10): Deals 440 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 340 DMG to every other player.

The bear was giant. Twice the size of the biggest bears he'd ever seen. It stood head and shoulders above Pinball on four legs. If the last group of bears had claws like daggers, this bear had claws like shortswords. Pinball was half surprised that he hadn't been ripped in half when he'd been swatted aside like a doll. If he had bones, he was sure that every single one of them would be broken from its attack if not from the fall after. Pinball set his jaw. All that meant was that he was going to have to make sure he didn't get hit like that again. Or if he did, that he was prepared to run away. Pinball wasn't scared of death -- but he wasn't going to go out and get himself killed for no reason. If he died, it'd be for something worthwhile... or at least on his own terms. 

***
Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-A] [-13 EN] 
Big'rest Bear: ID#228803 BD: 5+5-3 - 25*16+80= 432-160= 272 DMG || MD: Stunned 

Pinball: 593/840 HP | 70/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #3 -- 

Big'rest Bear 1: 1728/2000 HP | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 

• Critical (MD 9): Deals 400 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 240 DMG to every other player.
•      Critical (MD 10): Deals 440 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 340 DMG to every other player.

He walked along the path for what felt like ages. As far as he could tell, there were no more bears to be found. Pinball was confused. Had he been mistaken? He was just about to call it quits and head back when a massive roar sounded behind him. Pinball spun around, blades in hand -- and he was too late. The bear's giant paw slammed into him and sent Pinball flying. He hit the ground hard. His health dipped below half. His head was spinning. His heart rate quickened. When was the last time a single hit had sent him so dangerously close to the edge? With a practiced hand he pulled out one of his emergency healing crystals and crushed it in his palm. His health bounced up a bit. Pinball got to his feet and collected himself, weapons drawn. The giant bear across from him stamped the ground, taunting him. 

***
Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-D] MISS! [-1 EN]
Big'rest Bear: ID#228802 BD: 2+5-3 - Miss || MD: 9 (Critical) - 440 DMG to Pinball 
Free Action: x1 Lacrimosa: +126 HP 

Pinball: 556/840 HP | 83/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #3 -- 

Big'rest Bear 1: 2000/2000 HP | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 

• Critical (MD 9): Deals 400 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 240 DMG to every other player.
•      Critical (MD 10): Deals 440 DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals 340 DMG to every other player.

Pinball stood still, watching the last remaining bear as it sized him up. It was unbridled fury, all fat and muscle and fur. And teeth. And also claws, too. He reckoned each one of its claws were the same size as his daggers, if not just a bit shorter. Pinball tilted his head as it rushed him. Too brazen. Too rash. But that was alright. He wouldn't complain if things worked out in his favor. All it took was a single smooth sidestep, and a couple of knives in its side to finish it off. The bear, mid-charge, was carried off its feet and slid face first into the grass and dirt, causing the ground to shake. Pinball watched as it was destroyed, returning his blades beneath his cloak. If he remembered correctly, the only one left was going to be the big boss itself. Hopefully it was just the one last fight. 

*** 

Action Taken: [TECH-F] [-10 EN] 
Big'r Bear 1: ID#228800 BD: 5+5-1 - 25*12+80= 380-120= 260 DMG

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 80/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #2 -- 

Big'r Bear 1: 0/700 HP | 280 DMG | 120 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA

Looting: 

Big'r Bear 1: ID: 228801 | LD: 1+11=12 | CD:11+0=11 | Col:3500, Mats:4, [228801a] T4 Rare Armor/Shield

He danced away as the bears rushed him again. They were fast, but Pinball was faster. They were vicious, too, but Pinball hit a tad harder. The bear swiped at him and its paw slammed heavily into the ground. Pinball's response was to bury a dagger between its eyes with enough force to nearly send it flying off its feet. The other one was closer than he'd expected. The bear swiped heavily at its head, and Pinball ducked, feeling the displaced wind and hearing the woosh of its mass overhead. He spun around, looking to finish the last remaining big bear with a slash across its muzzle. He missed narrowly, succeeding in only landing the thinnest of slices across its jaw. Pinball grumbled something unintelligible under his breath. It didn't matter. He was doing well, and soon -- hopefully -- he wouldn't have to fight any bears for a good, long while. 

*** 

Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-F] [-12 EN] 
Big'r Bear 1: ID#228791 BD: 1 | MD: 5+2-6 
Big'r Bear 2: ID#228792 BD: 4+5-1 - 25*12+80= 380-120= 260 DMG 

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 84/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #1 -- 

Big'r Bear 1: 84/700 HP | 280 DMG | 120 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA
Big'r Bear 2: 0/700 HP | 280 DMG | 120 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA

Looting: 

Big'r Bear 2: ID: 228793 | LD: 8+11=19 | CD:4+0=4 | Col:4900, Mats:0, [228793a] T4 Perfect Consumable, [228793b] T4 Rare Trinket

Unlike the last group, though, these bears were tougher. There was the incrementing difficulty; but that wasn't quite the whole of it, he knew. Pinball's knives buried themselves deep in the flanks of both bears, digging through muscle and fat and fur. They each roared angrily, taking swats at him, but Pinball was quicker than that, and he wasn't going to be caught lacking by a couple of middle of the road dungeon mobs. Pinball let his hands fall beneath his cloak, flipping a new pair of blades into his palms but not revealing them yet. His mind briefly went back to the bears near his house, outside of the forest path he currently walked. He really, truly hoped that taking care of this dungeon would allow him to properly clear out the rest of the bears swarming the woods around his Green Garden. Pinball exhaled softly. Just a little bit more. 

*** 

Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-F] [-12 EN] 
Big'r Bear 1: ID#228789 BD: 8 - 25+8= 33*12+80= 356 DMG || MD: 2+2-6 
Big'r Bear 2: ID#228790 BD: 9 - 25+8+1= 34*12+80= 488-120/2= 428 DMG || MD: 7+2-6 

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 89/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #2 -- 

Big'r Bear 1: 84/700 HP | 280 DMG | 120 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA
Big'r Bear 2: 12/700 HP | 280 DMG | 120 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA

The next group of bears came, and this time there were only two of them. They weren't standing on their hind legs, thankfully, and just seemed to be normal bears. But they were much bigger than the last four, and Pinball was beginning to notice the pattern of their names. He frowned. It definitely felt like a prank, at this point, but what was he supposed to assume? That Cardinal itself had decided that today of all days they were going to mess with one specific person? That was much too far fetched and he wouldn't even entertain the thought. Pinball let the bears come to him this time; he was too busy thinking about how the hell this was happening to him. He couldn't puzzle it out. Once the bears got two close, Pinball lashed out, and, much like the last group of angry bears, they fell to the floor, stunned. 

*** 

Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-F] [-12 EN] 
Big'r Bear 1: ID#228787 BD: 4+5-1 - 25*12+80= 380-120= 260 DMG || MD: Stunned 
Big'r Bear 2: ID#228788 BD: 2+5-1 - 25*12+80= 380-120= 260 DMG || MD: Stunned 

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 94/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #2 -- 

Big'r Bear 1: 440/700 HP | 280 DMG | 120 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA
Big'r Bear 2: 440/700 HP | 280 DMG | 120 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA

Two of the four bears he'd paralyzed didn't get up. They succumbed to their injuries with whimpers, shattering into two distinct clouds of azure fractals. Good. That only left the last two. They struggled to get back up, their massive paws digging holes into the earth with every frustrated stomp. Pinball didn't wait for them to recover. Why bother? The outcome was going to be the same. He buried a dagger in the skull of the two of them, putting them out of their misery. They, too, followed their companions, passing away in explosions of light and dust. Pinball's hands vanished beneath his cloak. Those were the trash mobs defeated; the others, he knew, wouldn't be so easy. He'd only been through dungeons a handful of times, but he had enough experience to know that they were more difficult than that. Unfazed, he moved forward along the broken forest path. 

***
Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-F] [-12 EN] 
Big Bear 1: ID#228781 BD: 6 - 25+8= 33*12+80= 476-60= 416 DMG 
Big Bear 4: ID#228782 BD: 6 - 25+8= 33*12+80= 476-60= 416 DMG

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 99/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #1 -- 

Big Bear 1: 0/400 HP | 180 DMG | 60 MIT | 1 ACC | 1 EVA
Big Bear 4: 0/400 HP | 180 DMG | 60 MIT | 1 ACC | 1 EVA

Looting: 

Big Bear 1: ID: 228785 | LD: 12+11=23 | CD:9+0=9 | Col:2000, Mats:2, [228785a] T4 Perfect Consumable 
Big Bear 4: ID: 228786 | LD: 19+11=30 | CD:5+0=5 | Col:4000, Mats:4, [228786a] T4 Perfect Weapon, [228786b] T4 Perfect Weapon, [228786c] T4 Perfect Weapon

It wasn't long after he started down the broken forest path that his suspicions were proven true. Four big bears stood guard. They were standing on their hind legs. What? Pinball had never seen that before, but he didn't have time to question it. He threw himself into the thick of it, his daggers flashing, one in each palm. The bears took swats at him, but they were two slow. He slammed the blades almost surgically into their joints, halting their movements. Each of them roared in pain, and Pinball retreated a few steps, retrieving a new pair of blades. He tilted his head and looked down. He realized he was wearing the wrong cloak and, quickly, before the stun wore off on the two bears, swapped out of it. He had gotten quite adept at moving through his menus over time, and so it was no problem getting it done before they recovered. 

*** 
Free Action: [Quick Change] - Cloak of the Harbingers: +3 LD -> Black Cloak: +3 EVA
Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-F] [-16 EN] 
Big Bear 1: ID#228777 BD: 4+5-1= 8 - 25*12+80= 380-60= 320 DMG || MD: Stunned 
Big Bear 2: ID#228778 BD: 7+5-1 - 25+8= 33*12+80= 476-60= 416 DMG || MD: Stunned
Big Bear 3: ID#228779 BD: 6+5-1 - 25+8= 33*12+80= 476-60= 416 DMG || MD: Stunned 
Big Bear 4: ID#228780 BD: 2+5-1 - 25*12+80= 380-60= 320 DMG || MD: Stunned 

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 104/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 37 | 8 HLY | 8 FLN | Phase | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +11

Wave #1 -- 

Big Bear 1: 80/400 HP | 180 DMG | 60 MIT | 1 ACC | 1 EVA 
Big Bear 2: 0/400 HP | 180 DMG | 60 MIT | 1 ACC | 1 EVA 
Big Bear 3: 0/400 HP | 180 DMG | 60 MIT | 1 ACC | 1 EVA
Big Bear 4: 80/400 HP | 180 DMG | 60 MIT | 1 ACC | 1 EVA

Looting: 

Big Bear 2: ID: 228783 | LD: 2+11=13 | CD:4+0=4 | Col:2800, Mats:0, [228783a] T4 Rare Trinket 
Big Bear 3: ID: 228784 | LD: 2+11=13 | CD:8+0=8 | Col:2800, Mats:0, [228784a] T4 Rare Weapon, [228784b] T4 Uncommon Consumable

Pinball went in for a closer look. As it turned out, the path DID lead somewhere. Just as to where, he was uncertain, but judging from the path of destruction leading to and from whatever destination laid at either end of the path, he could only assume that it had something to do with the ocean of bears gathered on his front door. Pinball ate a piece of cake to keep him quick on his feet and equipped a different knife and trinket. He was gearing up for combat. If he was right in his assumption, he was heading into what was basically a nest of the big brown grizzly bears. And as the old saying goes: if you're going to go fight bears, be prepared. That wasn't a saying at all. He was probably losing it. He needed to get this done fast so he could go back to bed. 

*** 
2/2 posts for full EN 

Searching for Dungeon: 
ID#228776 LD: 2+13= 15 (Dungeon Found) 

He kept Untraceable just in case he was wrong, and there were still people out there that wanted him dead. He wouldn't be too surprised. If someone killed Mishiro, or Bahr, or even Acanthus, Pinball would probably chase their killer down through every floor of Aincrad ten times over. Pinball frowned even deeper, if that was possible. 

It was during this depressing train of thought that Pinball noticed a path that had previously not been there. He squinted. It led through the trees, across a path of trampled plants and broken twigs. It was too conspicuous to be an accident. He thought that maybe the sheer number of bears surrounding it a few minutes ago had hidden it from his sight, and that now it was visible. He realized that it might even lead to what was causing all of the bears to gather around his house. Pinball went in for a closer look. 

***

1/2 Posts for Full EN {Relaxed} 

Equipping: 
Tyrfing: ABS.ACC -> Astral Blade: Holy, Fallen, Phase, DMG 
Shadow Cat's Cradle -> Warrior's Focus: +3 ACC 

Consuming: 

Evasion Cake: +2 EVA 

Well, he had the free time to take a breather now. Pinball crossed his arms. He was standing by his front door, looking rather annoyed at all the bears gathered in the woods outside his previously isolated home. That was another thing. If he couldn't get all these bears away, was his home going to be hidden for much longer? It wasn't like he desperately needed the solitude like he used to; there came a point when people stopped chasing him down, stopped trying to make him pay for the horrible things he'd done. Now he only kept it hidden out of habit, out of comfort. It was nice, after having spent so long alone sleeping in the woods and in caves, to have a place to rest your head without fear of having your throat cut open. He knew it was the skill that protected him, but the only one who knew about Green Garden was Mishiro. 

***

Action Taken: {Well Rested}
Free Action: Using Rhino Horn (+3 DMG, -1 EVA) 

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 9/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ABS.ACC | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | BH: 37 | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +14 | Looting CD: +2 

Looting: 

The last group. He cut and tore his way through them. They, like all the other great bears before them, fell too. Pinball found himself closer to his house then, and he glanced over his shoulder to appreciate his handiwork. Or lack thereof. He'd barely made a dent in the great bear army's numbers and it was more than apparent to see. He frowned. Once again, he found himself lost as to how they had gotten there, and without an answer as to how he was going to make sure it didn't happen again. Because he could dedicate a couple of hours to clearing them out, sure -- but after that, then what? What happened if another ocean spawned? He considered it for a while as he caught his breath. Well, he figured if that horrible scenario ever came to be, he was simply going to have to buy another house. 

***

Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-F] [-16 EN] 
Free Action: Using Rhino Horn (+3 DMG, -1 EVA) 
Bear 45: ID#228751 BD: 1+5 - 416 DMG
Bear 46: ID#228752 BD: 8 - 416 DMG
Bear 47: ID#228753 BD: 3+5 - 416 DMG
Bear 48: ID#228754 BD: 3+5 - 416 DMG 

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 5/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ABS.ACC | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | BH: 37 | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +14 | Looting CD: +2 

Bear 45: 0/416 H9P | 132 DMG 
Bear 46: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG
Bear 47: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG
Bear 48: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG 

Looting: 

Bear 45: ID: 228755 | LD: 3+14=17 | CD:5+2=7 | Col:1248, Mats:4, [228755a] T4 Rare Consumable, [228755b] T4 Rare Armor/Shield     
Bear 46: ID: 228756 | LD: 11+14=25 | CD:2+2=4 | Col:2080, Mats:2, [228756a] T4 Perfect Consumable, [228756b] T4 Perfect Consumable, [228756c] T4 Perfect Armor/Shield, [228756d] T4 Perfect Armor/Shield     
Bear 47: ID: 228757 | LD: 18+14=32 | CD:6+2=8 | Col:5824, Mats:0, [228757a] T4 Perfect Weapon, [228757b] T4 Perfect Weapon, [228757c] T4 Perfect Weapon 
Bear 48: ID: 228758 | LD: 19+14=33 | CD:11+2=13 | Col:1248, Mats:4, [228758a] Gleaming Scale (1) or Demonic Shard (1), [228758b] Random Dungeon Map

Edited just now by Pinball

The end was almost near. He could see the outskirts. Just a few more bears had to fall before he was free of them. Not to say that their numbers were thinning -- Pinball had cut through a great deal of them at this point, and still there was a veritable ocean of them outside his home. He'd need to be a little more efficient when he came back to start clearing them out again. Whatever his plan had been wasn't working well enough in practice. He'd need to adjust. He found himself momentarily wishing there were such things as dynamite he could use. If he could just toss a couple sticks in there, he figured he'd have the lot of them cleared out in no time. Cleaning up the mess seemed like a lot less work than taking them all out one by one like he had been doing. He sighed. 

***

Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-F] [-16 EN] 
Free Action: Using Rhino Horn (+3 DMG, -1 EVA) 
Bear 41: ID#228741 BD: 6 - 416 DMG
Bear 42: ID#228742 BD: 5+5 - 416 DMG 
Bear 43: ID#228743 BD: 2+5 - 416 DMG 
Bear 44: ID#228744 BD: 10 - 440 DMG 

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 14/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ABS.ACC | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | BH: 37 | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +14 | Looting CD: +2 

Bear 41: 0/416 H9P | 132 DMG 
Bear 42: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG
Bear 43: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG
Bear 44: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG 

Looting: 

Bear 41: ID: 228745 | LD: 18+14=32 | CD:8+2=10 | Col:2912, Mats:0, [228745a] Gleaming Scale (1) or Demonic Shard (1), [228745b] Random Dungeon Map     
Bear 42: ID: 228746 | LD: 9+14=23 | CD:1+2=3 | Col:1248, Mats:4, [228746a] T4 Perfect Trinket, [228746b] T4 Perfect Weapon     
Bear 43: ID: 228747 | LD: 12+14=26 | CD:2+2=4 | Col:2912, Mats:0, [228747a] T4 Perfect Consumable, [228747b] T4 Perfect Consumable, [228747c] T4 Perfect Armor/Shield, [228747d] T4 Perfect Armor/Shield     
Bear 44: ID: 228748 | LD: 9+14=23 | CD:11+2=13 | Col:1248, Mats:4, [228748a] T4 Perfect Consumable

He cut and tore his way through the passive grizzlies. Still, they did nothing more than huff and snort, stamp their giant paws in the grass, and look otherwise irritated or unbothered, he couldn't particularly tell. Pinball's hands felt like they were going numb every time he buried a knife into the hide of one of the giant beasts. The dull impact Cardinal sent to his brain was not quite pain; his hands could not grow tired or sore, not really, but the sensation was none too pleasant after a certain amount of time of experiencing nothing else but it. Pinball could see the end in sight. Just a few more groups of bears he had to blend up with his blades and he'd be free to recover, and then he could try to approach things a little more tactically. He pushed forward. Just a little bit more, just a little bit more.

***

Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-F] [-16 EN] 
Free Action: Using Rhino Horn (+3 DMG, -1 EVA) 
Bear 37: ID#228732 BD: 8 - 416 DMG
Bear 38: ID#228733 BD: 2+5 - 416 DMG 
Bear 39: ID#228734 BD: 9 - 428 DMG 
Bear 40: ID#228735 BD: 10 - 440 DMG 

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 23/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ABS.ACC | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | BH: 37 | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +14 | Looting CD: +2 

Bear 37: 0/416 H9P | 132 DMG 
Bear 38: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG
Bear 39: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG
Bear 40: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG 

Looting: 

Bear 37: ID: 228736 | LD: 21 (7, +14) | CD: 3 (1, +2) | 1248col, Materials (4), Tier 4 Perfect Weapon (1), Tier 4 Perfect Armor/Shield (1)    
Bear 38: ID: 228737 | LD: 21 (7, +14) | CD: 6 (4, +2) | 2080col, Materials (2), Tier 4 Perfect Consumable (2), Tier 4 Perfect Armor/Shield (1)    
Bear 39: ID: 228737 | LD: 7+14=21 | CD:4+2=6 | Col:2080, Mats:2, [228737a] T4 Perfect Armor/Shield, [228737b] T4 Perfect Consumable, [228737c] T4 Perfect Consumable     
Bear 40: ID: 228739 | LD: 2+14=16 | CD:1+2=3 | Col:2080, Mats:2, [228739a] T4 Rare Consumable, [228739b] T4 Rare Weapon     

True to his word, Pinball messaged Acanthus a few days later. 

He waited outside the city's gates. Unlike most floors, the tenth floor's starting city almost immediately gave way to untamed wilderness past its walls. The underground cave system was home to an impressive network of dark tunnels, ravines, and a wonderful little ecosystem of glowing mushrooms. All things that Pinball did not care about in the slightest. Floor Ten was another one of those places he avoided going if he could help it, both because there was little to do there and because it was overall just a tad dreary. Pinball was already gloomy enough as things stood. He didn't need to bum around in caves and shit, too. 

There was a large river that ran through most of the floor. That was their goal today. Accessible only by the river's channels was this quest's boss, dubbed "The Leech Lich." Pinball was about as concerned about this one as he was Kumatetsu -- that was to say, not very. What did concern him was how Acanthus was going to handle it. 

Standing beneath the cap of a giant mushroom, Pinball waited for her, out of sight of only those who didn't know to look. 

*** 

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 120/120 EN | DMG: 20 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 4 | BH: 37 | LD: 6

Player Stats: 

Housing Buffs: 

The Ninth Floor was their second -- and final -- destination. Pinball was none too pleased with this, of course. He thought that the Ninth was a hellish floor that had no reason to exist other than to make players miserable. But was that really such a far-fetched concept, given the nature of their imprisonment? Probably not. But the Ninth Floor was a very specific level of sucky that he just couldn't quite get over. 

Their plan was the same. Usually, when Pinball was alone and had more time, he'd just walk between the floors. He stayed on the lower ones for the most part anyway, so it wasn't as time consuming as one might think. But he was on a schedule, and he wasn't alone. So they teleported to the Ninth Floor's safe zone much like they'd traveled to the Fifth's. They teleported together, Pinball slinked off into the shadows, and they rejoined each other outside the city's gates.

That was the plan, and that was where Pinball found himself waiting for Mishiro. 

The sky was black with smoke, and dyed a deep crimson. The heat was intense. Thankfully, both he and Mishiro had the Survival skill now. They'd need it where they were going, as it would protect them from taking damage over time in the hellhound's lairs. But much like in the desert, while the Survival skill helped prevent damage, it didn't do all that much to prevent discomfort. Already sweat beaded his skin. He threw his cloak over his shoulders, letting his chest and arms breathe. The distant horizon was bleeding red, all smog and magma and jagged rock. 

Pinball looked even more miserable than usual. 

*** 

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 120/120 EN | DMG: 20 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 4 | BH: 37 | LD: 6

Player Stats: 

Housing Buffs:

Oz moved in to attack -- didn't he just tell him to stay back? -- and paid for it. Pinball watched the broker's health plummet and grit his teeth hard. Damn it. He really didn't want to watch this guy die. He wasn't sure how he would react to it. He barely knew the guy. But regardless of how Pinball may or may not feel about it, he knew that he didn't want his death tracing back to him. He wasn't exactly ready to deal with that whole song and dance again. 

Pinball charged forward, a far cry from what he was comfortable doing. He saw the molten fist barreling towards him before it hit him -- but Pinball figured he could take a hit to give a hit, just this once. His blades struck true and Pinball was hit square in the chest, sent flying across the boss room. He hit the ground on his feet and slid a few feet back when he landed. The Warden had a laughable amount of health left -- and if its attack pattern was consistent, they'd now have the perfect opportunity to finish it off. 

***

Oz seemed surprised, asking if there was something wrong with it. 

"Yes, it's stunned." 

Oz moved to inspect the creature. He poked and prodded at its armor. Pinball could practically feel the heat from the distance he was standing at. He could only imagine how hot it must be in such close proximity to it. Oz was inspecting it for weak points, but stuns didn't last forever. Pinball frowned. 

"I really wouldn't get that close to it." 

As if on cue the Titanium Warden seemed to recover, pushing itself to its feet, eyes flaring, shooting gusts of steam from the glowing cracks in its armor. It towered over the cowering info-broker. Pinball closed the distance in an instant. In a flash he was between them, blades reflecting the light emanating from the warden's molten core. Oz had been prodding it for any vulnerabilities -- Pinball had found them. With deadly precision, his knives decorated the warden's chest and tore through the weakened plate. With the screeching sound of metal on metal it recoiled, its defenses compromised. 

Pinball stood between them now, a blade in each hand. He exhaled. 

He hadn't done as much damage as he'd hoped. He'd heard that the Titanium Warden was a tanky beast, but he had slightly underestimated just how durable it truly was. If he couldn't finish up in time... 

Pinball glanced at Oz. "Try to stay behind." 

***

 "On second thought, why don't you take the first shot?"

He didn't wait to let him finish. When he reappeared he was several yards ahead of Oz. Pinball's knives soared through the air, glowing a fiery crimson in the maze's low light. They landed in rapid succession, with definite impact -- but the Titanium Warden hardly stumbled. In fact, it leaned into the attack, walking slowly and confidently towards them. With each thundering footstep, the warden drew closer, and Pinball could see he'd hardly put a dent in the quest boss's HP value. 

Okay, DoTs weren't working. It was time to bring out the big guns. In a flash of blue light, Pinball replaced the deep crimson-black blades with a set of ornate looking knives that glittered gold and red and blue. He hopped back once, twice, to match the pace the Titanium Warden was setting. He didn't look back at Oz, and he said nothing, but he was aware of the player's presence behind him, and all too aware of the possible danger that the warden presented. 

***