COMPLETE [SP-F4] Material Girl .. er, boy. <<Earning a Living>>

[Ishida 0]

Only a handful of unfiltered rays of sunshine slipped past the overcast of clouds hanging in the afternoon sky.  The light gave clarity to the brilliant snowflakes falling all around, coating the roofs and streets of Snowfrost with a layer of beautiful white.  Ishida loved everything about this floor.  Snow in Tokyo was a rarity as it was and even when it did happen to snow, there was never much of an accumulation and certainly not enough to play in.  The child in him wanted to run out and make snow angels or make a snow fort, maybe even have a snowball fight, but that wasn't on the agenda for him today.  Today, he would be material farming... as per usual.

Ishida was feeling rather adventurous today as he walked through the street of Snowfrost.  The trail left behind him in the snow-covered sidewalk was as big as the future ahead of him and if he was to ever step into the role that he had set out for himself, he would need to push his boundaries.  He was going to test the limits of his tanking today, one way or another.  The teenager was always in desperate need of materials and so far he had been pretty successful in gathering them as he needed but... he could do better.  He knew he could be more efficient in his methods but in order to do so, he had to be put in a situation that could possibly be dangerous.  As much as he was excited at the prospect of mass farming, he was nervous.  This could be the death of him.

It wasn't long before Snowfrost Town was at his back and he was exiting out into the fields of snow.  A bit further to the north and he would run into the field boss Avalanche, which he had no intention of dealing with on this day, but if he kept heading in his current direction, he would find enemies that were much more suitable to what he was searching for.

There was still a trek ahead until he reached his destination but that wouldn't stop him from still searching for materials among the snow-hidden rocks and trees he encountered along his way.

• ID# 46421
• LD: 12 (Nothing)

Edited January 23, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

His plated fingertips clanked as they struck against the base of a rock lurking beneath several inches of pure snow.  Rooting around, he found nothing out of the ordinary except the cold, hard ground and the snow that covered it.  This weather, some would find it unbearable but Ishida thrived in it.  His heavy armor was thoroughly insulated and kept him perfectly comfortable despite the chill that was so prevalent in the wintry air.  This was his ideal season.  Floor Five, on the other hand, was a completely different story.  The teen stood up and let the clumped snow slowly fall from the tips of his black armored fingers before continuing on the path to his hunting grounds.

There was a small hill ahead of him on the trail he had laid out for his journey and beyond it is where he guessed he would find what he was looking for.  The climb up the mound was a little challenging due to the snow becoming slick underneath the compression of his heavily weighted boots, leaving him to take the climb slowly as he dropped down to his hands and knees.  However, when he reached the top and could look over into the small valley below, he was rewarded with the sight of his destination.

It was a Wolves' den.

There were wolves everywhere.  They were lurking in the cave mouth, they were outside in the snow, and they were vigilantly watching the den from a vantage point above it.  Wolves were gorgeous creatures but they were also very dangerous and Ishida intended to take them all on.  No one ever said he was a genius.

Hesitation started to swell in him as he looked over the numerous wolves.  He lost count every time he tried to count them all.  Did he really want to put himself in that sort of danger?  Could he grow as a tank or a person if he didn't take the occasional risk?  His head was swimming with all sorts of thoughts and all it was doing was clouding his judgement.  Ishida came here for a reason and dang it, he was going to do it!

• ID# 46424
• BD: 2 (Miss)
• MD: 6 (Hit; Thorns)
• CD: 9 (Regen)

Having made up his mind and pushing anything that was holding him back aside, the teen in the dark armor jumped to his feet and started charging down the steep hill to encounter the wolves head on.  His sheathed sword was uncovered with a flourish and his plated shield was bolstered before him as he started screaming a shrill battle cry.  "Come on, you dirty mutts!  I'm gonna turn you int--"

He couldn't even finish his insult.  His feet gave out underneath him on the slick ice at the bottom of the hill and he sailed into the pack of startled wolves on his face, leaving him vulnerable before the mouths of vicious beasts.  Luckily, his armor was resilient; not only that, it was as deadly as his sword and as replenishing as an ice cold drink on a hot desert day.  His thorns aura flared and struck back at the wolves as they pounced on him and tried to tear him free of his armor and better yet, after they had finished their fanged assault, his regeneration kicked in.

All in all, everything was perfect--save for his own embarrassment.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 44/44
EN 11/11
MIT 30

Combined Wolves attack: -8 HP
Regen: +9 HP
Thorns: -18 HP

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

 

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

This was not the glorious start to the battle that he had dreamed of.  He had imagined charging down the side of that hill and straight into the mouth of the wolves' den with his sword blazing in the brilliant blue light of a triggered Sword Art, not eating a face full of snow and ice and leaving his backside up in the air for the beasts to devour.  That isn't the kind of stuff that legends are made of.  He was actually praying that he wouldn't die and if he did, hoped that no one would tell the tale of his demise.

Ishida scrambled to regain some decency, though.  He was beating back the wolves with the flat of his blade and the girth of his shield endlessly as he made it back to his knees and then finally his feet.  His cheeks were red with a flushing blush from the cold exposure of snow directly upon his face, not to mention the embarrassment that threatened to overwhelm him.  Now, he was allowed to stare down the wolves that were surrounding him on all sides with double coverage.

"Allow me to properly introduce myself!" he shouted as he charged the pack directly in front of him.  His blade lit up like a Christmas tree with a blue aura as he dove in and employed the Rage Spike art, forcing him to spin in angles he didn't think were humanly possible to lash out at the feral canines with expert slices.

• ID# 46435
• BD: 6 (Hit)
• MD: 7 (Hit; Thorns)
• CD: 10 (Regen)
• LD: 20 (Awww yeah.)

The slashes tore through the wolves' furry defenses with little effort, opening up glowing neon orange wounds across the hides of each wolf in the front pack.  That being said, even though his technique was AOE, it still couldn't hit more than four of the wolves that were attacking him.  Watching their brethren take a solid hit from the midnight intruder, the back quartet of wolves stormed him from the rear with lunging strikes while the front pack pressed in on him from the front with deadly fangs.

It didn't matter, Ishida's armor was the best.  Those wolves clawed and bit their way to their own deaths, while causing inconsequential damage to the tank who only turned around to heal it right back up again with his regeneration enhancement.  It was a terrible day to be wolf in that valley.  With exceptional glee, the boy gathered his materials and Col and pocketed them directly into his inventory.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 44/44
EN 7/11
MIT 30

Rage Spike DMG: ((2+2)*2) = 8 - 6 = 2
Combined Wolves attack: -8 HP
Regen: +9 HP
Thorns: -18 HP

LD: 20 (+1 additional material per mob.)

Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +2 Materials. +110 Col.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +2 Materials. +110 Col.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +2 Materials. +110 Col.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +2 Materials. +110 Col.)

Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +2 Materials. +110 Col.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +2 Materials. +110 Col.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +2 Materials. +110 Col.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +2 Materials. +110 Col.)

[Loot: +16 Materials. +880 Col.]
{Total Loot: +16 Materials. +880 Col.}

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

"Yes!"  He shouted in excitement.  "Yes!  That's how you do it!"

Ishida was absolutely pumped from that success.  Adrenaline was running through him like a bag of it was hooked up to him as an IV.  He could have conquered the world at that moment on the high from that combat.  The feeling of deathly embarrassment had all but left him and he would probably forget about it entirely as long as he didn't do something as foolish as that again in the near future.  Right now, though, he was invincible.

"Okay, lets do this!  Are you dogs ready to play?!"  Ishida shouted as he ran into the open mouth of the cave.  If there had been any wolves sleeping, it was likely that they weren't any longer between the sound of his yelling and the clank of his metal armor sounding at every brazen footstep.  He found that there was another enormous pack of wolves waiting for him just as he passed the entrance of the den, hiding in the shadows and beneath low overhangs that acted as cubby holes and they were not pleased with his antics.

In front of him, four squared up to guard his path while another set of four settled in behind him and squared off his retreat.  This was typical pack mentality for wolves when they thought they were securing their prey.  Little did they know, they were the prey.

"Raahh~!!"  the tanky teen swung his sword before him and charged at the wolf nearest him.

• ID# 46441
• BD: 1 (Critical miss......)
• MD: 8 (Hit; Thorns)
• CD: 11 (Regen)

The snow stuck to the bottom of his greaves didn't react well when he hit a patch of black ice directly in front of him.  How was he supposed to see something like that?  It was as dark as the rest of the stone ground around it!  Ishida scrambled, and scrambled, trying to keep his balance, flailing around for a good solid ten seconds before he tipped over backward with the weight of his armor and came to a crash upon the cold cave floor.  The wolves took their opportunity and pounced him, devouring him with strong-jawed bites against his armor.

However, his thorns and regen enhancements came to save the day once again.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 44/44
EN 7/11
MIT 30

Combined Wolves attack: -8 HP
Regen: +9 HP
Thorns: -18 HP

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

 

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

In the world of Aincrad, his armor was an extension of his physical being.  Even though these wolves were attacking and only meeting the resistance of his armor and its steely shell, Ishida felt it.  He felt as those health points dropped from their gnawing and scratching, and also felt the relief that was associated with his regeneration healing those sustained wounds.  It was truly a unique feeling; one that he would certainly have a tough time explaining when he got out of this game and returned to reality.

The teen rolled over onto his stomach and braced his hands against the floor as he used every bit of his strength to push back against the wolves climbing his back.  Upon regaining a kneeling position, he thrust back and forced the wolves away long enough for him to quickly rise to his feet.  He was only ever given a few seconds to make a decision on what he should do for his next move in combat--this wasn't chess, he didn't have time to see three moves ahead, he needed to react.

Right now, his instinct told him to hold back and let his energy recover, putting him at a solid number if he wanted to unleash two Sword Art techniques back to back without having to wait a turn.

• ID# 46447
• MD: 1 (Critical miss)

The wolves set to taking him down again but this time, they seemed a little more sluggish than normal.  Perhaps it was from the damage they had sustained the last time they attacked him that they were a little more weary this time around.  Regardless, he was able to duck and dodge their vicious advances without too much difficulty, leaving him to take back that point of energy without much repercussion.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 44/44
EN 8/11
MIT 30

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

 

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

Ishida was sitting comfortably right now but he knew that the situation could change in an instant.  He needed to expect everything when you were fighting to the death in a world with rules that transcended the border of normality.  For all he knew, these could be super wolves that became bipedal and wielded weapons when they reached a certain qualification.  I mean, he had seen worse.  The one truth he needed to take away from his hyper thoughts was that he must always remain vigilant.

Protected, and ready to mingle, he charged the nearest wolf and took a swing at him with an overhead slice.

• ID# 46457
• BD: 4 (Miss)
• MD: 2 (Miss)

The wolf lunged out of the way of his strike resulting in his blade hitting the frozen, stone ground where it had previously been standing.  The sound of clanging metal rang clearly through the whole of the cave as it reverberated along its damp walls and into the darkness.  The double pack of wolves took to attacking as well but couldn't quite find the appropriate angle to get him at.  Every maneuver they tried was promptly and efficiently rebuffed by the face of his shield; knocking them away and out of close proximity.

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

Geez, this is intense!  He thought as he stared down the mass number of wolves.  Somehow, he managed to end up with his back against the wall and a horde of eight hungry, man-eating wolves standing shoulder to shoulder in front of him.  Normally a scene like this didn't bode well for the protagonist of the story.  Luckily, those kind of staples didn't apply to Ishida because he wasn't anywhere near as conventional as an average hero.  In fact, one would probably consider him anything BUT a hero.  He certainly wasn't smart enough to be one.

He raised his sword in front of him and pointed it to a particular wolf on the end as it started to glow with a familiar blue aura.  The distance between them was short, so there was no need for his usual jumping theatrics, leaving him to simply charge the wolf and engage him with the automatic threat of his Sword Art: Rage Spike.  From him, he carried down the line with expert movements, attempting to attack them with two quick slashes each until he was halfway through the entire pack--at that point, his technique expired.

• ID# 46459
• BD: 9 (+1 crit)
• MD: 2 (Miss)
• LD: 16

The wolves exploded behind him as he traversed his sword-laid path, lighting up the dank cavern with the spectacle of pixels as those wounded by him succumbed to their injuries.  Ishida stared hard at the four remaining wolves before him, who altered their positions rather than going in for another attack.  Perhaps this was hesitation on the snarling beasts' part?  Afraid to meet the fate that their companions did?  Unlikely, but a boy could hope.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 44/44
EN 4/11 (-4 EN)
MIT 30

Rage Spike: ((2+2+1)*2) = 10 - 6 = 4

Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +4 Materials. +110 Col.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +4 Materials. +110 Col.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +4 Materials. +110 Col.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6](Loot: +4 Materials. +110 Col.)

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

[Loot: +4 Materials. +440 Col.]
{Total Loot: +20 Materials. +1320 Col.]

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

Four down, four to go.  He didn't know what he was so nervous about before this.  This was an absolute cakewalk!  He could definitely see limiting his farming sessions down to one or two times a week if they were all as successful as this!  He would be a successful blacksmith yet, he swore it.  The boy would do anything in his power to make sure he succeeded in this world just as he had succeeded in the world that awaited him beyond this one.

No longer bound by hesitation, he charged the wolf nearest him and attempted to lay into him with a brutal horizontal swing.

• ID# 46462
• BD: 8 (Hit)
• MD: 1 (Critical miss)

Ishida's sword bit into the wolf for a meager one damage but it was a successful hit and that is what counted.  Meanwhile, the wolves again refrained from reciprocating his aggressive advances and that simply left him puzzled.  Instead, they backed up a bit further into the bowels of the cave, spreading out so he couldn't so easily get at more than one of them with a single swing.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 44/44
EN 4/11 (-4 EN)
MIT 30

Pack Wolf  HP: 3/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

 

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

What are these wolves doing?  Are they trying to lure me?!  No way!  He was panicking a little bit on the inside.  Ishida wanted to see this battle through to its end but not if it meant following them back into the darkness of the cave where he couldn't see them properly.  No!  He wouldn't allow it, he would finish this before it came down to a game of hide and seek.  "I'm not following you, you dumb dogs!  If you want me, you're gonna have to come and get a piece of me!  Right here, come and get it!" he shouted as he slapped the flat of his blade against the side of his armor-covered thigh.  The clanging was annoying but it did wonders to get attention.

Ishida dashed at them to quickly close the distance they were trying to create.  Once close enough, he took another swing at the same wolf he had caught earlier.

• ID# 46463
• BD: 1 (Miss)
• MD: 7 (Hit; Thorns)
• LD: 9

It was a beautiful looking miss.  He swung clear over the head of the wolf as it ducked down to avoid the fearsome slice.  Finally, the wolf must have been fed up with being abused because it attacked back, along with the support of its remaining brothers.  They all connected without issue and suffered the consequences because of it.  The thorns dealt the final blow and disintegrated them before their feet could find the cold ground again, leaving Ishida slightly wounded but still piling in some materials to his loot.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 40/44
EN 4/11
MIT 30

Combined Wolves' attack: -4 HP
Thorns: -18 HP

Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6] (Loot: +4 Materials)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6] (Loot: +4 Materials)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6] (Loot: +4 Materials)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [MIT: 6] (Loot: +4 Materials)

[Loot: +4 Materials.]
{Total Loot: +24 Materials. +1320 Col.}

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

"Whew," he exclaimed.  He was rather winded after that extended encounter with so many enemies.  This was turning out to be just as great as he hypothesized it would be.  That's right, the kid went into this on a guesstimate, not really knowing whether he would be good at it or not.  He would never admit it to anyone but he thought for sure he'd have at least one close call attempting something as reckless as this but that hadn't been the case so far.

Deciding against delving farther into the shadows of the Wolves' den, Ishida backtracked and made his way out of the cave and into the dull light of the day.  He shouldn't have been surprised to find that another ferocious quarrel of wolves was awaiting him but he was.  They stared at him with glowing red eyes, baring their fanged teeth as they growled menacingly.  These monsters just didn't know what to quit.  He raised his shield and protected the most of his body that he could as he regened his energy.

"Don't you know when you're beaten?"

• ID# 46469
• MD: 7 (Hit; Thorns)
• CD: 11 (Regen)

Of course, he didn't receive an answer.  Not one he wanted, anyway.  The wolves bounded forward and sunk their teeth around his wrists and ankles while an unseen set of wolves leapt from the overhanging outcropping just behind him and attacked him from the rear.  It was a pincer attack and a pretty effective one too--he had to give credit to the wolves when it was due.  If he was anything other than a tank, he would have been a goner for sure.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 41/44
EN 5/11 (+1)
MIT 30

Combined Wolves attack: -8 HP
Regen: +9 HP
Thorns: -18 HP

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

 

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

His regeneration was a man-made godsend.  He could see where others might enjoy the thrill of being a damage dealer, facing danger with an unbeatable offense, living on the edge of knowing that a single hit could spell demise for you.  Nope, nope, nope--not for Ishida.  He would stay behind the durability of his protective armor any day of the week.  He loved knowing he could get knocked around a little bit and not immediately have to be scared he was going to kick the bucket.  Man, he didn't know how Teselmar did it.  Well, I guess he wouldn't be too afraid if he had someone like him, a tank, on the front lines soaking all the damage.  Maybe, just maybe, he would enjoy the danger then.

Ishida took a knee as the wolves assaulted him, doing his best to tuck and cover to prevent further damage while he covered more energy.

• ID# 46471
• MD: 1 (Critical miss)

All the biting and gnawing at the outer flank of his Midnight Armor must have given the wolves a sore tooth or something because they backed off as soon as they realized they couldn't get through to him with just a simple bite.  They would have to rethink their attack and come at him from a new angle.

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

He had options right now.  A couple more energy and he could freely swing out with a Sword Art without fear of being energy starved.  Then again, he had the energy now to perform whatever tier 1 ability he wanted to.  Decisions, decisions.. Who was he kidding?  He'd play it safe every time.  Ishida didn't even bother moving from the fetal squat he had molded into, choosing to recover a bit more before he let these beasts really have it.

• ID# 46472
• MD: 5 (Miss)

The wolves snipped and pawed at him with their long claws.  They weren't quite sure what their new plaything was doing but whatever it was, it wasn't interesting to them.  They would much rather sink their teeth into him and drag him around like a chew toy.  Simply sitting by and watching as he sat around wasn't their idea of a good meal... er, time.

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

"Hey, are you guys still out there?"  he questioned jokingly.  The real joke was on him, though, because dogs can't talk.  He just looked stupid talking to a group of animals but how was that different than any other day?  Loneliness affected people in different ways.  This would be his last turn of waiting then he could unleash a Sword Art on them that would hopefully do enough damage to put them to the wind.  His metal encased fingers scratched through the mess of damp black hair at the back of his head, getting at an itch that had been bugging him since the was back in the cave.

• ID# 46473
• MD: 2 (Miss)

The wolves whined at the uneventful series of events that had taken place.  It was a strange sight to see an obscured black figure surrounded by an eight-pack of grey-furred wolves like they were miming a body creation of some sort of winter flower.  The canines had come here expecting a fight and for whatever reason, this was all they got?  A cowering boy?

+1 EN
8/11 EN

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

"Okay then, here I come!" Ishida called.  He sprang to his feet and beat away the wolves that were hounding over him.  His feet and fists were swinging in all directions to lash out and frighten the beasts away.  It was rather comical looking from one point of view, and perhaps just sad from any other.  He drew his sword before him again and took a leading step forward before slashing at one of the wolves, looking to strike the mob straight across the black nose on his snout.

• ID# 46474
• BD: 7 (Hit)
• MD: 1 (Critical miss)

It was successful!  A clean cut across the maw of the malicious mongrel, which whined as a crimson gash briefly opened up across its face.  The other wolves, angered by their plaything, proceeded to attempt attacks that all ended up being unsuccessful due to some quick footwork on Ishida's behalf.  If something was to be said about the heavy armored kid, he was light on his feet.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 41/44
EN 8/11
MIT 30

Pack Wolf  HP: 3/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [MIT: 6]

 

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

"What did you think?  That I was just going to lay there and let you slowly pick me apart!  No way!"

The kid didn't know when to stop.  He went for the same move he just succeeded with a moment before, lunging and slashing with a diagonal slice at the wolf that was to be his first kill.

• ID# 46475
• BD: 5 (Miss)
• MD: 4 (Miss)

The wolf had other plans however.  It weaved to the side as the blade zipped just over his head and cut into the snow like a hot knife through butter.  The wolves rallied and attacked as one, doing what they could to break the impenetrable shell molded over Ishida's body.  Need less to say, none of them were successful but at least they tried this time.  It was better than them sitting around and whining like helpless house pets.

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

Oh man, that was embarrassing.  I'm not doing so hot today for as successful as I've been.  I'm glad Opal or Tes aren't here to see all of this!  He exhaled an internal sigh of relief at that thought.  After he swore he would protect their lives with his own, they would surely lose confidence if they saw just how terrible he was at actually making combat happen.  They would up and leave him quicker than one of their Japanese bullet trains.

The only time he actually seemed to do anything was when he used a sword art so he figured he might as well give another one of those a go.  His sword armed at his side, it started to glow as he went into the movements to replicate and initiate his Rage Spike technique.  There was a set of four wolves directly in front of him that he intended to be his targets.

• ID# 46476
• BD: 9 (Crit +1)
• MD: 9 (Crit +1)

Look at him go.  Look at how flawless he moved as that Sword Art took hold and the system guided him in the proper manner of attack.  Those wolves didn't even stand a chance and exploded as the last of their health was eaten away by the length of his sharpened blade.

Oh boy, though.  Those remaining wolves were mad and they showed it in the ferocious attacks that descended upon him.  He felt like they were going to strip his armor right off of him with their deadly biting.  The damage he sustained was quite considerable in comparison to what he had been taking in his other encounters.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 33/44
EN 4/11 (-4 EN)
MIT 30

Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6]

[Loot: +4 Materials.]
{Total Loot: +28  Materials. +1320 Col.}

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

This was quite possibly the lowest his health had ever been, percentage wise, and he wasn't completely sure he was comfortable with it.  He understood that it was a part of the game to get hit and take damage, and as a tank he would be getting hit far more than anyone else but that didn't mean he had to enjoy it.  Ishida struggled to get free from the wolves; he was twisting and turning his body to all sides like he was trudging through waist deep water.  One by one, they were finally shook off and he was free to act as he pleased.

Tightening his grip on his sword, he moved to attack one of the closer wolves in an attempt to strike fear in their digital hearts.

• ID# 46496
• BD: 4 (Miss)
• MD: 8 (Hit; Thorns)
• CD: 12 (Regen)
• LD: 9 (Nothing special)

Good thing his life didn't depend on that hit because it looked like he was trying to swing for the fences and struck out.  Luckily, his armor and its natural damaging properties were there to back him up, dealing the remaining health of the wolves as they moved in to strike him again.  The regeneration that triggered from their attacks did well to mend some of the damage he had sustained throughout the fight.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 38/44
EN 4/11 
MIT 30

Wolves combined attack: -4 HP
Thorns: -18 HP
Regen: +9 HP

Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)

[ Loot: +4 Materials.]
{Total Loot: +32 Materials. +1320 Col.}

Edited January 23, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

It was easy to say this was much more interesting than slapping around boars on the first floor.  The wolves were far more cunning than anything he had encountered before and most certainly would have put him in the grave had it not come well prepared.  It was crazy to imagine what awaited him the further he progressed in the world of Sword Art Online; what kind of deadly terrors and terrifying creatures lurked in the upper levels.  The thought actually made him pretty nervous.  That seemed like a lot to handle and he wasn't sure he was up for the task.  All he could do was take one day at a time.

Ishida looked about the area for any other wolves and when the coast seemed clear, he sheathed his blade.  Before he started to make the climb back up the giant slope he had fell down earlier her, he scavenged the area for any loose materials for crafting.

• ID# 46498
• LD: 10 (Nothing)

+3 HP
+1 EN

Edited January 23, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

Rather than attempt to climb the icy hill, Ishida opted for taking the long way around.  By traveling north a good bit and looping around where the hill wasn't quite as prevalent, he probably still made out with a better time than he would have if he attempted to take the time to climb.  Chances are, he probably would have ended up getting hurt in the process by some sort of fall damage.  He actually didn't even know if that existed in the game but he wasn't about to go jump off of a cliff just to find out.

As he walked, he made sure to check every snowy stump or turned over tree he came across, looking to find more materials to add to his collection.

• ID# 46499
• LD: 4 (Nothing)

After a good amount of time, he was back to where he was started.  Despite the considerable snow that had fallen, he could still make out his footprints in the snow from his original journey out here.

Edited January 23, 2016 by Ishida

[Ishida 0]

He was almost back to Snowfrost Town.  It was just on the other side of one final hill right ahead of him.  It wouldn't be longer than a couple more minutes and he would be walking the snowy streets of the town in search of sustenance at the local watering hole.  Before he could reach that hill, though, his ears were perked by the unmistakable sound of a wolf's growl.  He turned around in place, the snow crunching soundly beneath his heavy boots, to face the direction where the noise was emanating.

It was another two packs of fearsome, snarling wolves.  They had followed him all the way back to Snowfrost from the sanctity of their den.  They weren't just going to let some stranger come prancing into their home and lay waste to their family without suffering the consequences.  At least, that's probably what real wolves would have done--in Aincrad, Ishida probably just got unlucky with the respawn timers and ended up getting caught in their aggro radius just before he could make it to the safe zone.  He liked to imagine things were a little more dramatic than they really were.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here.  Have you come to join your brothers?  Don't let me stop you!" he said as he charged at the first group.  Blackfang immediately took on a blue sheen when it lit up, signifying he was going to give the wolves the business end of his blade through the use of a sword art.  As always, it was going to be Rage Spike, his only real decent AOE technique at his low level.

• ID# 46500
• BD: 9 (Crit +1)
• MD: 6 (Hit; Thorns)
• CD: 6 (Regen)
• LD: 8 (Nothing special)

He clomped through the snow like it was nothing.  The momentum behind his heavy armored movements carried him without trouble to meet his targets and lay into them with his blade.  Repeated slashes were dealt out to the four that were nearest him, causing considerable damage even through their tough mitigation.

Sure enough, the entire horde of wolves retaliated.  They didn't obey such things as turn order, they simply and savagely attacked him.  There wasn't an angle that he wasn't getting bitten at but that was a-okay in his book because his armor went to work taking care of him while also taking care of them.  Thorns triggered and wounded the mass of wolves while regen worked its binding magic to seal up his wounds and replenish him.  The first pack of wolves, which were previously wounded by his Sword Art, could not handle the damage dealt to them by thorns and immediately perished upon contact with his armor, dropping materials before exploding into pixels.

Spoiler

Ishida
HP 34/44
EN 2/11 (-4 EN)
MIT 30

Wolves' combined attacks: -8 HP
Regen: +9 HP
Thorns damage to Wolves: -18 HP
Rage Spike: ((2+2+1)*2) = 10 - 6 = 4 // -4 HP

Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)
Pack Wolf  HP: 0/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6] (Loot: +1 Material.)

Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6]
Pack Wolf  HP: 4/22  [ATK: 20][MIT: 6]

[Loot: +4 Materials.]
{Total Loot: +36 Materials. +1320 Col.}

Edited January 23, 2016 by Ishida