Katoka

Katoka looked around as darkness enveloped them, "Uhh, wasn't the sun setting like a few seconds ago? It shouldn't be this dark already." Her voice had a hint of concern in it as she placed a hand on the hilt of her weapon. She was glad that she kept it equipped for situations just like this. Cardinal was a fickle thing that could take a nice environment and turn it deadly in a blink of an eye. This was beginning to feel like one of those situations.

"Freyd?" she asked as she exposed about and inch of her katana, electricity sparking from the weapon and giving off a soft blue glow that illuminated very little around them. "How bad is this going to be?"

The samurai's attention was drawn to the right side of the raft, the water sounding as though bubbles were rising and popping at a rate that was more in tune with something living rising from the depths. Gripping her weapon she exposed more of the blade, her anxiety building and the weapon responding in time by rapidly snapping and cracking the energy that seemed to be housed within it. Taking a step towards the edge, the light of her blade moving with her to shine on the rippling water.

A small light seemed to glow from under the water just before the head of a hideous looking angler fish broke the surface. Katoka let out a yelp of surprise and ripped her sword completely from it's sheath, the gathered energy of her now fully charged sword art connecting with the monster in front of her. She sound of thunder rumbled above them just before a bolt of lightning crashed down on the fish creature, the area around them lighting up as though it was day time. The monster seemed to sizzle before them as kat panted heavily, still not completely recovered from the surprise it had given her. "We have company!" she yelled to her friends.

---

ID: 218730 | CD: 8+2=10 (One Fossil Fish appears)

Post Action | ST-I [x15] (12 EN+2 Shift): 14 EN - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 11 EN
Free Action | None

ID:218731 | BD:9, CD: 5, CRIT+1 Using [x15] ST-I vs. Fossil Fish #1 | 15*24=360-25=335 DMG, [BLGT: 32/2] [Paralyzed] [STK: 40/2]  applied

Katoka | HP: 720/720 | EN: 95/106 (-11) | DMG: 23 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 8 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40
Elora | HP: 700/700 | EN: 104/104 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | BH: 35 | LD: 3 | AA | BLGT: 32 | FLN: 8 | REC: 8 | STK: 40
Freyd | HP: 1140/1140 | EN: 148/148 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 103 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 | BH: 62 | LD: 5 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8

(2,0,0) Fossil Fish #1 | HP: 165/500 | DMG: 100 (+10 minor crit; +30 major crit) | MIT: 25 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 | [BLGT: 32/2] [Paralyzed] [STK: 40/2] (500-335)

A grin spread across the blonde's face as she looked over Freyd's fishing gear. "I don't know why I still manage to get surprised by the goofy outfits and disguises you manage to put on these days. Also, you and any sort of monster having beef is not surprising at all. I would be more shocked if we didn't fight something that ended with us in some wonky dungeon or dealing with a error coded nightmare."

Katoka began to walk towards the edge of the settlement, she had looked at a few maps beforehand to get an idea of where to go. The two needed to find a local dock with a boat, then they just had to catch the fish and pull it close enough to the surface for them to fight. Easier said then done of course. As they edged closer to their destination Katoka looked over to Freyd, "So how have you been since the fight? Things been going well?" She wasn't terribly worried, but she would be lying if she had said she wasn't a bit concerned after the incident with the shadow clones they had to fight just before the raid.

Standing confidently with her hands on her hips, Katoka looked across the ocean as the three of them began to sail across the waves. She was impressed that they had managed to fashion something as sea worthy as their raft had been, she had a sneaking suspicion that the system would have found a way to intervein in some way. Though now that the thought had crossed her mind she frowned a bit, there was always time for something to happen to them. She quickly began to look over the logs and the knots they had made just to be sure.

Turning to her friends as she picked up one of the improvised oars she started giving orders, "Elora, keep an eye on the raft. Let us know if anything begins to degrade or come loose. Freyd, grab the other oar and help me steer a bit. The sail will only get us so far."

While the samurai had never captained a boat, let alone sailed one, her brain went into analyze mode and felt the need to keep things in order. "I'm not sure how well the raft will fair in any water that's rough, so let's stay vigilant."

Katoka smiled at Elora's joke, "I'm thinking of a nice house boat. Something with a main room with a sectioned off bit to sleep in. Preferably a nice wrap around covered porch."

She took Freyd's instruction and severed the felled trees in order to double the surface area of their soon to be raft. She lined them up the best she could before taking a few of the vines that were gathered and began to braid them into a rope like fashion. "I'd rather be safe than sorry, this should help strengthen them a bit more." She lashed the logs together with Freyd and Elora's help and stood back to observe their work. It wasn't bad considering the lot of them, at least to her knowledge, had never built a sea fairing vessel before.

"Not too bad for a bunch or nerds huh?" she grinned and bent down to start pushing the raft into the water, "Let's get her on the waves land lubbers!"

A sharp whistle pulled the samurai's attention towards the shore once again. She dove under the water and swam in the direction of her companions, feeling happy that her parents had forced her out of the house at various points of her life to make her go swimming. If she hadn't been too focused on games she probably would have joined the swim club in school.

"Think we could chop a few of those down?" Freyd asked, gesturing towards some trees on the shore.

"We building a raft or something?" Kat asked looking quizzically at the trees and then back to her friends. "I'm sure we can rig something together for sure."

Katoka returned to the shore and equipped her katana as she approached the palms to inspect them. She was certain she could fell them with little effort, especially with a well aimed sword art. "How many do you think we need?" she called as she drew her weapon and charged an attack. The small cluster that was near their picnic wouldn't be enough for a full raft but it would be a start. With a flash of blue light the four trees in front of her fell to the sandy ground with a few loud thuds.

"Right. Ready, set--" Katoka was standing on one side of the shore in a running starter position, a grin plastered on her face as she eyed the opposite shore. "Go!"

The ball of her foot dug into the sand as she pressed all of her weight into her right leg, a sizable crater appearing beneath her before she disappeared in a blur of motion. The only visible trace of her was the spray of water that railed behind her body as she rocketed across the ocean. She felt confident hat this time she could make it to the other side, but that confidence quickly left her as she crashed into the waves, sending an explosion of water high enough in the sky that it rained back down on her friends as if there was a passing shower.

The samurai emerged from the sea with a gasp of air and smacked the water in frustration, "Damn! I felt like I had that one!"

She looked over to Elora and Freyd, a small knowing smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. "I'll let them have a few more moments before I race over and water bomb them." She dove into water and swam the rest of the way to the opposite shore in order to try one more time.

Katoka giggled, not directly at Freyd of course, but at the situation itself. The thought of him accidently turning into a chicken or a donkey when trying to slip away had flashed in her mind. She composed herself and turned to her friend, "Hopefully things won't get too crazy for you."

"You look all grown up."

The samurai looked down at herself, inspecting her clothes and equipment before smiling warmly. It felt like she had travelled down a long road to reach this point in time. She had been to afraid to leave the inn she stayed at for so long before she finally took the first steps she needed to spread her wings. Now she was the captain of a well known guild and a member of the frontlines. Where had the time gone? It had seemed just like yesterday that she had fought a boar with shaky legs and a set of starter equipment.

"I guess you can call it my post raid glow up?" she looked to Freyd, one of main pillars in her life now. He had taken her so long ago with a few other new players through the desert of floor five and, as he had done so many times with her present, killed the sand shark with a single blow. She gave him a grin and threw her fingers up in a V for victory.

Kat stapped up and gave him a light punch to the arm, "Well? Shall we go fillet a fish?"

Katoka turned in the direction of the garbled sound, arching a brow at the sight of a fish-lizard-frog thing holding a cup of coffee. She blinked a few times before she let out a laugh that caused her to nearly double over, "Wh-What in the hell have you managed to turn yourself into now?" The samurai wiped tears from her eyes as she attempted to gather herself.

It took a minute or two of deep breaths and trying not to look in Freyd's direction for her to be able to speak normally again. "And here I was  concerned about my wardrobe change. Are you returning to your primordial roots now?"

It always felt good to joke around with Freyd. Even after all they had been through both together and separately, she knew that they could both poke fun at one another to ease the mood into something a bit more comfortable.

----

Katoka consumes:

Gugnir’s Shard (Untradeable/Unique/Reusable Consumable): Crème Brûlée Tray | ACC 2 | Feast (5/6) - 1 portion taken.

Updated Stats:
Katoka | HP: 760/760 | EN: 110/110 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 138 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 7 | BH: 33 | AA | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

It had been several days now since the battle that took place on floor 27. Katoka had taken some time off after the raid, taking a bit of that time to spend at home and a day to poke her nose into floor 28 briefly, though that ended up with her spending several hours in an escape room wrapping her brain around puzzles. During her break she had decided it was time for a new look, it had been quite some time since her last outfit change so now was as good a time as any.

Now not only was she visiting a floor that she had never been to before, but she was also in clothes she wasn't accustomed to. While fidgeting with the clothing she checked her messages, making sure the one she had sent to Freyd had gone through. Kat sighed and popped a couple of potion bottles open to sip on while she waited, breathing in the salt scented air of the ocean as she waited for her friend. She had a feeling that he had crashed hard once the fight was said and done, but probably had gotten right back to work not long after.

Message to Freyd:

----

Katoka consumes:

Draught of Safeguard | Mitigation 3 | 214279-1
Draft of Keen Edge | Damage 3 | 216999

Katoka | HP: 760/760 | EN: 110/110 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 138 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 5 | BH: 33 | AA | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

"I can't say I've ever pushed down my emotions to the extent that you do Freyd." the smaller woman placed a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to provide some comfort. "But if I had to guess, it's something that gets easier with time. Since I don't push much down I've adapted to being able to put up with whatever it is that my brain decides to throw my way. For the most part at least."

The blonde looked off over the shore of the river as she rubbed the back of her neck, her mind attempting to gather her thoughts in a way that she could explain. "I guess it's more finding a way to cope with the raging river that is emotion. Don't let it knock you down, adjust your footing so that you can let the water run past you instead of washing you away. If that makes sense?"

Katoka knew she wasn't a therapist, or someone that knew how to deal with what her friend was going through. The best that she could do was to offer a bit of advice, and some reassurance that she would be there when he needed her. "Just remember, found family or not, you can rely on others when shit gets tough." she flashed him a grin, "I'll do what I can for you whenever you ask. Within reason of course, I do need my beauty sleep every so often."

The opportunity could not have been more perfect. With fake Marv preoccupied with Persi, Kat decided to try something a little different. Instead of attempting to cross the raging death river before her she instead returned her katana to it's saya. Holding her stance she charged a different sword art, one she didn't use as often. With a bright flash of white light the samurai drew her blade, slashing the air in front of her and sending a visible projectile of light towards her target.

Marv managed to turn just in time to see the attack coming his way. Another audible clang of metal sounded as the attack hit it's mark, smashing the guard once again into the rocks behind him. This time however there was the reassuring sound of cracking and breaking of polygons that the players were all too familiar with. Satisfied with the outcome Katoka turned to Freyd once more, walking towards him as she slid her blade back into it's home.

"Well, anymore spook'ems or ghasts on the docket or can we get out of this gloomy cave.. thing? Cavern? Ravine? What even is this?"

----

Looting Marv - The Silent Judge: ID# 218380 | LD: 1 | CD: 2

11000*Col
2*Materials

Katoka claims:

Ordsea Crystal-B | (Tierless/Consumable - Instant (during any action that generates hatred)/Re-usable) | Once per thread, as a free action: Add an additional +5 hatred to any hatred generated by you. This will apply in addition to any other hatred generation from skills or attacks. (This item must be present in battle ready inventory to be used.)

ID Tag: 218367

Braso Crystal-A | Removes one enhancement on a weapon and replaces it with Absolute Accuracy. (This effect cannot override the Absolute Accuracy enhancement cap. Consumed on use.)

ID Tag: 218368

Kat looked from the water where Freyd had jumped in and back to Elora and back again. "Did he really just drop the sweet and mushy 'I love you homies' on us and then run away?" she laughed and gave her green haired friend a radiant smile, "He's a dork, but I wouldn't have it any other way. See you in the water?"

She didn't give Elora much time to respond to her, instead she used her ridiculous in-game speed to race to the ocean. She sand kicking up behind her and her first few steps out onto the water making it seem like she could nearly walk on it before she sank down with an almost explosion like blast of sea water. She she reemerged from the shimmering blue water she took a huge gulp of air and cried out in excitement, the water was the perfect temperature to swim. Not too hot, not too cold.

"Let's go girl!" she called to Elora waving, "Get those cheeks out here!"

Turning to Freyd she gave him a sly grin, "How far do you think we can run on water before gravity catches up to us?"

Marv?

MARV?!

"WE'RE FIGHTING MARV?!" Katoka roared in shock. The flash of light from Freyd's strike knocked her out of her stupor enough for her to rush to the enemy that had his head submerged in the river. As he flailed about trying to pull himself from the water, Kat almost felt sad for him. She knew Marv as the friendly and quiet NPC that yawned and never did much else. Seeing him struggle in the nasty waters before her almost caused her to reach out and grasp his struggling hand.

Instead the looming figure managed to grasp onto the rocky shore and pull himself up, gasping for breath. Just to be hit by Katoka's blade as her sword art connected with his plate armor with a clang. The force of the hit sent him skipping across the water's surface and colliding spectacularly with the rock face just opposite of them. For a moment the samurai had wondered if she had managed to take him out in a single hit, until the dust settled and she saw the reflection of armor just barely in the almost looney toons shaped hole in the wall.

"Of all the people that you're having a mental battle with and Cardinal chooses Marv to send at us. Honestly."

----

Katoka regains +4 EN
CD 7 (REC Proc ID# 218362) +8 EN

Post Action | [x12] TECH-A (13 EN): 13 - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 10
Free Action | None

ID:218363 | BD:3+5+1-3=6, CD: 1, HIT Using [x12] TECH-A vs. Marv - The Silent Judge | 26*12=312-160=152 DMG, [Stunned] applied

Katoka | HP: 720/720 | EN: 79/106 (+12) (-10) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 8 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40
Freyd | HP: 1021/1160 | EN: 104/150 | DMG: 30 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 4 (3) | ACC: 6| BH: 63 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 

(1,3) Marv - The Silent Judge | HP: 656/2000 | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 (808-152)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (Tier * 100) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (Tier * 60) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (Tier * 110) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (Tier * 85) DMG to every other player.

(Note: Roll ID# 218364 invalid, forgot the enemy was stunned. Thank the gods cause he had rolled a crit.)

Katoka turned her attention to her own doppelganger. A sense of deja vu washed over her, reminding her of the fight she had with her Gemini many many months ago. Her opponent mirrored her movements as the both of them settled into the same stance. A small grin pulled at the corner of the young woman's lips, "I guess it's just you and me now?"

The system made copy of her gave her a similar grin, "It will be just me once we're through. Then I can go and play with that little toy of yours that you've been neglecting."

Kat frowned and the two of them vanished in a flicker of movement, both of their afterimages fading after a few seconds. Thunder seemed to rumble somehow even underground as the sound of sword clashing against sword resonated back to back in the darkness. Sparks and flashes of light seemed to burst in random intervals along the river, never in the same place twice. Occasionally the two of them would flicker into view, their swords locked as they tried to push one another back in order to gain the advantage.

Kat was moving on pure instinct now. Her body moving almost on it's own as she parried and slashed and ran to keep up with herself. When she would look back on this moment she would realize that this was a fight that she would strive to replicate.

With a final thunderous crash Katoka and her evil twin locked katanas once again, however this time she managed to side step and allowed her double stumble forward past her. It was then that she struck, an explosion of electricity and black blight erupting from her copy's back before she shattered into fractals and motes.

"Shouldn't have brought Sam into it other me, but I know you were doing it so i would take this fight seriously." Kat nodded and turned back around to Freyd.

----

Looting Katoka - The Squall of Disgust: ID# 218291 | LD: 3 | CD: 1

2310*Col
4*Materials

Taking several steps back, Katoka realized quickly that Freyd was fighting with himself on more than an emotional level now. She watched as the now physical embodiments of his trauma took shape and began their verbal assault on him. She didn't know how to react. What do you do to help your friend when they are hurting? How do you help pull them back onto their feet when they're been tripped by their own past?

While the samurai was looking back and forth between Freyd and his demons, unsure of how to act, her friend acted first. With every punch, every strike, every impact, Katoka flinched ever so slightly. It wasn't at the rage, or his screaming, her reaction was all from the pure emotion that each blow held behind it. With each opponent that was felled she could feel a wave of force roll over her, like the difference in temperature when you step outside after being in a cool building.

When he had finished she watched as the tears streamed down his face, a broken man that was fighting his literal past. Katoka took a step forward. Then another. After a few short moments she was by his side again, her hand instinctively reaching up and out to touch his shoulder. "It's going to be okay Freyd. You're going to be ok." she wanted to hug him, but she wasn't sure how he would react just yet. As she stared up at him she noticed that she same black shadows that emanate from him seamed to be once again be pouring out of him, like a heavy black fog rolling across the ground.

Kat tilted her head, watching as the strange mist seemed to move quickly around them both. "Um, Freyd. Something is-" she was cut off as the haze began to gather and swirl into two shapes just before a blast of air exploded form them and crashed into the two players. When Katoka managed to regain her balance she looked up to see two familiar, yet very different shapes. Now standing not far from them both was her best friend Elora and the spiting image of Katoka herself.

"Did you really think that I could look at you like a human being after what you did? Big. Brother." the shade said in her voice.

"Wait, that-- I wouldn't say that!" she thought as she took a step back.

"Who could ever love a pathetic and broken thing like you." a disgusted look spread across the not Elora's face, "Honestly, it's a wonder either of us stuck around this long."

"No... No Elora would never--"

The two things wearing the faces of two of the closest people in his life began to advance. The not Kat drew her sword and the other Elora unclasped the spear from her back. Their faces had grins that sent a shiver down the real Katoka's spine. "No." her mouth spoke this single word softly, yet it held a weight that could be felt by everyone in earshot.

The two stopped and turned their gaze to her. "What was that?" the thing that wore Elora's face asked, "Has the quivering little samurai finally decided to speak up?"

"I said," her voice now booming with authority and quivering with fury, "NO!"

Before the two creatures could even blink the real Kat had drawn her sword again. The two shadow beings took a slight step back with wide eyes. They weren't prepared for this sort of resistance from a second party. They were there for Freyd and Freyd alone. In an instant Kat had closed the distance between them, her katana flashing as she knocked her double's weapon aside and cutting into her upper thigh with extreme prejudice. Next she twirled around and in another fluid motion she knocked Elora's doppelganger's weapon into the air before cutting her across the chest. It took everything that the two shadow women had to keep their grips tight around their only means of offense.

With a bounding leap the blonde absconded back to Freyd's side where she clicked her tongue in frustration. "Damnit, I'm not good at multiple targets Freyd. I need your help here." she looked to her friend, the man that was the closest thing to a brother that she had in this world. "Don't listen to them. They aren't the real us."

----

Katoka regains +4 EN
CD 5 (No REC proc ID# 218275)

Post Action | AoE-I [x11] (11 EN, +2/hit): 15 EN - (Rested 1/2; Stamina) = 12 EN
Free Action | N/A

ID:218277 | BD:2+5-1=7, CD: 1, HIT Using [x11] AOE-I vs. Katoka - the Squall of Disgust | 11*26=286-120=166 DMG
ID:218278 | BD:4+5-1=9, HIT Using [x11] AOE-I vs. Elora - the Thorn of Malice | 11*26=286-120=166 DMG

Katoka | HP: 720/720 | EN: 76/106 (+4) (-12) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 8 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40
Freyd | HP: 1160/1160 | EN: 123/150 (137+4-18) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6| BH: 63 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 

Katoka - the Squall of Disgust | HP: 534/700 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 (700-166)
Elora - the Thorn of Malice | HP: 534/700 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 (700-166)

The sheer size of the boss stunned Katoka for a fraction of a second. She had fought large things from time to time, however this one was ... Off to her. Her senses were on point when they all get close to the towering giant and saw the tier lock status effect appear on her hud. "Damn," she thought to herself, "this guy should be interesting." As the boss took a step in their direction the ground shook, causing Kat to ever so slightly loose her balance. She has made started in after Morningstar attacked and only just managed to nick her target on the foot. She saw it's health bar inch down and she clicked her tongue in frustration.

"So I guess this guy is going to be a pain in the ass huh?" she said to her companions. This would be a slow progress with how tough The Ancient's mitigation was. "Anyone got a Shatter up their sleeve?"

----

Katoka regains +4 EN

Post Action | [x15] ST-I (12 EN +2 ST Shift) 14 - (Rested 0/2; Stamina) = 12 EN
Free Action | N/A

ID:218253 | BD:1+5+1=7, CD: 11, HIT Using [x15] ST-I vs. The Ancient | 15*20=300-130=170 DMG

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 885/885 | EN: 97/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 161 | F.AURA [24 MIT; 12 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 30 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 54 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +6 B.DMG | F.Howl [CD 0/4]
MORNINGSTAR | HP: 836/836 | EN: 37/101 | DMG: 25 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 64 | LD: 6 | AA: 1 | VO: 139 | STK: 30/18 | BH: 18 | Stealth Rating: -5
Katoka | HP: 710/710 | EN: 70/101 (+4) (-12) | DMG: 20 | MIT: 66 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 5 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 24 | P.V.O | REC: 6 | STK: 30/18
Tricolor_Mina | HP: 581/812 | EN: 38/101 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 66 | ACC: 8 | BLGT: 24 | BRN: 42 | FRSTB: 30 | V.D.: 82 |

[4|0|1|0] The Ancient | HP: 1540/1980 | DMG: 225 | MIT: 130 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 20 | STUNNED (1710-170)
Seal | On an MD 9-10, the boss will stun the Player with the highest hate, hitting them for 50 additional unmitigatable DMG.
Disruption | Using Purify on <<The Ancient>> will remove any stacks of <<Self Sustained>>.
Self Sustained | On an LD 15+, <<The Ancient>> will not attack and instead will increase his DMG by 25, as well as heal 200 HP. The DMG buff stacks up to three times.
The Elder | On a CD 10+, <<The Ancient>> will cleanse all status conditions it’s afflicted with, as well as become immune to all incoming ones for two turns. Once the buff is over, it can only occur again after three turns have passed.
Tier Lock | For the duration of the fight, all of the participants’ stats that scale with Tier are calculated as though they’re Tier 3. [DMG/MIT/BLEED enhancements etc.] This skill only locks downward. Those at Tier 1 or T2 will still have T1 or T2 stats, respectively.

(Note: Roll ID# 218247 invalid due to missing post link)

Katoka waisted no time after Freyd stomped the Lich into the ground. She raced forward, her sword trailing low behind her, catching the ground at various points and sending sparks flashing into the darkness. Leaping over the monster in a front flip she slashed at it's neck, separating the head from it's shoulders with ease. Freyd could feel the passing of her blade a few centimeters from his own foot, as well as the burst of wind that followed after the initial attack. The Lich shattered into the all too familiar motes of light and particles shortly there after.

Kat turned to Freyd and stared at him. "You're not off the hook just yet big bro." she poked him in the arm with the last two words while glaring, "Now let's see if you attract anymore weird and freaky things again." She was hiding her concern with jokes. Freyd had shifted into his nearly robotic voice once again, but she wasn't going to let him push her away. She wasn't going anywhere.

----

Katoka regains +4 EN

Post Action | [x18] ST-II (15 EN + 2 Shift EN) = 17 EN - (Rested 1/2; Stamina) = 15 EN
Free Action | 

ID:218245 | BD:1+5+1=7, CD: 4, HIT Using [x18] ST-II vs. The Leech Lich | 18*26=468-75=393 DMG

Katoka | HP: 720/720 | EN: 84/106 (+4) (-15) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 8 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40
Freyd | HP: 1160/1160 | EN: 137/150 (150-13) | DMG: 30 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6+AA | BH: 63 | LD: 8 | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

(0,2) The Leech Lich | HP: 0/450 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 2 | PARALYZED (285-393)

9/20/23

Final Results: 58 exp, -7 Materials, T1 Uncommon Potions (6), T1 Rare Potions (7)

EXP Total: 1384

"I'm going to live to regret saying that aren't I?"

Katoka sighed and drew her katana. She wasn't as angry as she was, but she still felt the remnants of her animosity flickering deep inside. Taking that she turned and began advancing towards the coming creature, it's many arms twitching and grasping in various directions. It was not a pretty sight, that was for sure. This was there intended target however, and it need to be dispatched as quickly as possible. With that in mind Kat let her sword begin drawing it's power from the system as she charged her sword art, the light from her blade pushing back the darkness that hung heavy around this floor.

The last few feet between Kat and the Lich were closed quickly. She began to pick up the pace and swung her weapon, the sword almost signing as it cut through the air in front of them. Her strike however didn't hit it's mark. Instead in the instant between her swing and the weapon connecting a hooded figure rose from the floor, her katana cutting it down as if it was made from just cloth. Shock ran though her and she leapt back, getting distance between herself and the now four opponents before her. She hadn't been expecting this turn of events.

"Shit, he uh, brought friends I guess." she turned to Freyd and gave him an awkward smile, "Now would be a good time for one of your signature AOE smashes."

----

Post Action | ST-I [x15] (12 EN+2 Shift): 14 EN - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 11 EN
Free Action | N/A

ID:218225 | BD:4+5-=10, CD: 10, HIT Using [x15] ST-I vs. Stygian Warrior #1 | 15*26=390-75=315 DMG

(0,0) Katoka | HP: 720/720 | EN: 95/106 (-11) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 8 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40
(0,0) Freyd | HP: 1160/1160 | EN: 150/150 | DMG: 30 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6+AA | BH: 63 | LD: 8 | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

The Leech Lich | HP: 450/450 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 2
Stygian Warrior #1 | HP: 0/100 | DMG: 75 | MIT: 35 | ACC: 1 (100-315)
Stygian Warrior #2 | HP: 100/100 | DMG: 75 | MIT: 35 | ACC: 1
Stygian Warrior #3 | HP: 100/100 | DMG: 75 | MIT: 35 | ACC: 1
Stygian Warrior #4 | HP: 100/100 | DMG: 75 | MIT: 35 | ACC: 1

Abilities:

• Leech | Four <<Stygian Warriors>> spawn with the boss when it is engaged in combat. <<The Leech Lich>> will consume up to two creatures per turn as a Free Action and will do so whenever it can. If it consumes the creature, it gains +25 Mitigation, +50 Base Health, +25 Damage for the rest of the battle, and restores +100 HP after the other effects have taken place. If it lands a hit on the player, <<The Leech Lich>> will heal a third of the final damage it dealt to the player (rounded up). At the start of every other turn (starting on the second turn), two more <<Stygian Warriors>> will spawn, but there will always be a maximum of four <<Stygian Warriors>> at any given time.
• Protected | <<The Leech Lich>> cannot be attacked until the all active <<Stygian Warriors>> are defeated or devoured by <<The Leech Lich>>. After the original 4 die, <<The Leech Lich>> is no longer protected.
• Undead | Fallen damage has no effect on <<The Leech Lich>>, but Holy damage deals +25 final damage when the enhancement procs.

Sweat rolled own the samurai's back. Her breathing was heavy, her sword in her hand was beginning to feel like it weighed ten times what it normally did. They were close, so damn close. Katoka's grip tightened once more as her katana began to glow, the familiar whine of a charging sword art filling her ears. Just a little farther. Just a little longer. A battle roar escaped her mouth as she charged in, her body seemingly moving on it's own as she advanced.

Dodging rubble and roots of their guardian tree the samurai once again leapt up and struck Wushen on his snoot, a burst of fire an electricity and particles flashing about nearly blinding her as she landed under the dragon. She pushed herself once again, pumping her legs and arms as she ran back to her squad. There would be time for rest when the fight was over, if push came to shove she could get out another attack, but her EN was getting close to empty.

"Keep it up! We're so close!" she called, exhaustion unintentionally slipping into her voice.

----

Katoka regains +4 EN
CD 6 (no REC proc ID# 218219)
Katoka regains 31 HP due to BH

Post Action | [x23] ST-B (20 EN + 2 Shift EN) = 2 EN - (Rested 0/2; Stamina) = 20 EN
Free Action | N/A

ID:218220 | BD:7+5+1=13, CD: 3, HIT Using [x23] ST-B vs. Wushen | 32*23=736-721+80 HELL = 801 DMG!

(12) Freyd |  HP: 1334[250]/1334 | EN: 103/150 (104+4+8-13) | DMG: 24 (0/1) | MIT: 188 | EVA: 6 (5) | ACC: 5 | BH: 73 | REC: 8 | THRN: 40 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | V.D.: 146 | HELL: 80 | STNG[x1] | LD: 8 | PRS: 3 | DOTE: 1/3
(0) Hirru | HP: 1104[250]/1104 | EN: 89/104 | DMG: -19 (0/1) | MIT: 182 | ACC: 2 | BH: 55 | REC: 8 | THRN: 76 | MENDING: 2 | HB: 44 | LD: 5 | DOTE: 1/3
(9) Katoka | HP: 720[250]/720 (699+31) | EN: 31/106 (+4) (-20) | DMG: 32 (0/1) | MIT: 98 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7(8/AA) | BH: 31 | REC: 8 | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | STK: 40 | HELL: 80
(10) Morningstar | HP: 844[250]/851  | EN: 32/106 | DMG: 32 (0/1) | MIT: 142 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6(7/AA) | BH: 18 | STK: 40 | FRB: 40(-1) | VO: 140 | HELL: 80 | LD: 6
(12) Elora | HP: 700[250]/700 | EN: 9/104 | DMG: 30 (0/1) | MIT: 98 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 7(8/AA) | BH: 35 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLGT: 32 | STK: 40 | LD: 3
(8) Tricolor_Mina | HP: 720[250]/720 | EN: 10/106 | DMG: 31 (0/1) |MIT: 78 | ACC: 7 | BLGT: 32 | BRN: 56 | FRB: 40(-1) | V.D.: 72 | TXC.: 32

9/18/23

Final Results: 53 exp, -7 materials, T1 Uncommon Potions (5), T1 Rare Potions (4), T1 Perfect Potions (1)

EXP Total: 1326 - RANK UP!

In the weeks that had past since Katoka had begun to actually start brewing again, her shop had taken on a more organized chaos. Instead of things strewn about everywhere in various nooks and crannies, it seemed as though there was a bit of order that had returned to the space. Bottles and vials were clean and set on their proper shelves, ingredients were set in labeled cubbies and hung in bunches from racks, and most of all there was another completed order set in a tray on her work table.

Kat was pleased with how quickly she had managed to finish this one. She carried the tray around to the front of the shop to a new piece of furniture sat near the doorway. It looked almost like a wooden locker, or some sort of medieval P.O. Box system that you'd see at a post office. She opened the wooden flap of box number 001 and slid the tray inside. Ove she shut it she tapped the door flap and a UI screen opened up letting her know it was now locked. She set the permissions to only allow her and the order recipient, Freyd, as the people who could open it.

With a satisfied nod she sent him a quick message letting him know his order was done and that it was in box one by the front door before locking up the back of the store for the day.

@Freyd

----

[Draught of Safeguard] - T4 Perfect Potion | Mitigation 3
A teardrop flask of thick glass, it's cork sealed with golden wax, the contents resemble that of orange juice. When opened the smell of citrus is strong but not overpowering.
Count: 10
ID#: 218167, 218167-1, 218167-2, 218110, 218110-1, 218116, 218136, 218137, 218138, 218139

[Link]

She crossed her arms and let him talk. She wanted to hear what he had to say. Her cheeks were still wet with tears but her brows began to furrow again as he went on. She ground her teeth as she kept her mouth shut, she would wait for him to finish since he gave her the same consideration. All she could think was that he must be stupid. For as smart a man as he was her really was dense.

"I'm not a fool Freyd." she finally managed. "I may not have as much battle sense as you, but I can recognize a pattern easy enough. I know that you've been the common denominator in these glitched dungeons." she stepped up to him and looked up to meet his eyes under his cowl. "I. Don't. Care." and she flicked him between the eyes. Not as hard as she could manage, but enough that he could feel it. "You could cause a hundred glitches in this damn world and I would be by your side to fight each one. My sword is yours you fucking dumbass."

She knew that it took a lot for him to tell her everything. It was hard to tell someone how you actually feel, and Freyd was never one to shift the weight of his own burdens unto anyone else's shoulders. "I'm not like you, I can't just push everything down and pretend it's not there. But what I can tell you is that it's not good for you. It sucks to hurt, it sucks to be mad, and to feel everything. I'm sure that you've kept it all inside for so long that it's overwhelming to let it all out, but it's ok. You can do it in small amounts, that way it doesn't burst like a dam. And you can share with me, and Elora, and whoever else is close to you. It's ok to share the burden sometimes, we are here to help you."

She punched him in the arm as she always does, though this time it had a bit more force behind it, "And yes, brother. I'm not calling you daddy that's for sure." she gave him a stupid grin, "Found family in this world is just as real as anything out there."

"Are you ready?"

Katoka stopped in her tracks. She whipped around to see her friend casually sitting on an outcropping of rocks, waiting for her like the quiet wraith that he resembled now. She shot him a look that could kill as she placed her hands on her hips, if she could see herself now she would have realized in horror that she was emulating her own mother. After a few moments of silence she finally spoke, "That's all you have to say to me? You fly into a rage and beat that boss thing to a pulp and then just leave me with a cryptic message on a tree."

She pinched the bridge of her nose as she felt a twinge of pain, the coming of a headache caused by her rising anger. "I don't even know if you're ok. We both let ourselves... do that. Let ourselves get consumed by our anger. And then when I wanted to talk to you, you just dip out!" Her breathing was getting faster and her voice was getting louder, her brow furrowed as she started to pace back and forth. "What even happened?! What sent you over the edge like that?!"

She turned once more to attempt to look him in the eyes and he could see the tears beginning to form, her face changing from anger to hurt and sadness. "Freyd I'm mad at you, but not because you went freak mode on that golem thing. I'm angry and hurt and afraid because I was worried about you. You left me when I wanted to check on you. To talk with you. To tell you that whatever happened it was ok and that I was there to comfort you. But you ran, and you can't do that. You're like a brother to me and I car about you."

The tears were pouring now, flowing freely as Kat unloaded everything to the Whisper. She was always concerned about him, worried that one day even he would meet something that would put even him in his place.

----

Katoka Consumes:

Gugnir’s Shard (Untradeable/Unique/Reusable Consumable): Crème Brûlée Tray | ACC 2 | Feast (5/6) 
Liquor of Light (Potion) | Damage 3 | 183087-2

Katoka | HP: 720/720 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 8 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40