Takao 0 Posted June 12, 2016 #1 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 The warm glow of a rising sun illuminated the darkness clouding the third floor, and the morning brought with it a cool and gentle breeze. Takao grumbled as he pulled himself out of bed and set about making the preparations for the day. He dressed himself in his usual garb that was suited for combat, but saved himself the hassle of ferrying his weapon while within his home. After proceeding to the lower level of his rented half-shop half-residence, the kitchen facilities were used to create himself and his familiar a small meal. The meal's nutritional value was of little concern, and was perhaps even a terrible combination: vodka, a haunch of lamb meat, and a golden apple. When three icons appeared beneath his health bar to denote the activation of the food's buffs, Takao stood and equipped the rest of his accouterments and headed for the door of his shop. - - Vodka used.Lamb Haunch used.Golden Apple used. Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 12, 2016 Author #2 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 "I'll be back in a bit, Oto'. Keep the place locked down for me, yeah?" He said, waving to the draconic familiar who sat atop the counter. The wilderness of the third floor wouldn't do for a round of monster hunting. Bigger and badder beasts needed to be found in order for his time to be used wisely, so he found himself heading for Delilah's warp gate platform. After uttering the name of the eighth floor's main settlement, Takao was teleported in a flash of white light. He wasted little time within the settlement and immediately delved into the wilderness, confronted in mere moments by a group of nepenthes-esque monsters that were aptly named. They were larger than their lower floored cousins, and likely stronger as a result, leading Takao to engage them as quickly as possible. He launched into a sword art and wiped the four out instantaneously with a wave of electricity. ID: 61460BD: 3 + 3(ACC)LD: 16 (6(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +4 Materials | +4160 col ) Takao: 261/261 (50/64) (-14)Sword Art: «Vertical Square»Damage: 13(Base) + 5(Charge) + 6(Alcoholic) = 24 * 7(SA) = 168 DMG Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP) Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 12, 2016 Author #3 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Not long after engaging the first group of monsters did Takao encounter the next. They were the same kinds he had encountered countless times on the eighth floor. Their attack patterns were predictable, their damage was negligible, and their health was high enough to warrant their systematic slaughter. He was careful with pulling the enemies close to him, and made sure that he didn't catch the aggro of more than four before moving away from the larger groups with the small horde of monsters in tow. Their AI was simple enough to manipulate, so herding them all close enough in preparation to use a sword art was simple. Takao positioned his blade off to the side and waited for the pull of the system to tell him that the sword art was ready for usage, and relinquished control of his avatar afterward. By the system's guidance, he leapt into the air and preformed a rather unnecessary flip before returning to the ground to slam his blade into the earth. Sparks of electricity rippled outward to electrocute the four monsters, reducing their health down to zero one by one until they had all been defeated. ID: 61463BD: 8 + 3(ACC)LD: 29 (19(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +8 Materials | +6760 col ) Takao: 261/261 (37/64) (+1/-14)Sword Art: «Vertical Square»Damage: 13(Base) + 5(Charge) + 6(Alcoholic) = 24 * 7(SA) = 168 DMG Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP) Total Rewards 12 Materials 10920 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 12, 2016 Author #4 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 More of the same monsters began to congregate around Takao as he fought, the sounds of combat drawing the nearby beasts in. With plenty of energy to spare, Takao set about engaging them in a calculated rhythm. His experience with kiting groups of monsters allowed him to safely engage four at a time, which was his upper limit for area of effect skills, without worry that he would be immediately ambushed by a second incoming group. Per the usual, he did exactly that, and pulled one group of monsters to engage while the next gathering closed in. A wave of lightning wiped them out in an instant, opening up the way for the next group to be fought. ID: 61464BD: 7 + 3(ACC)LD: 14 (14(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +4 Materials | +4160 col ) Takao: 261/261 (24/64) (+1/-14)Sword Art: «Lightning Fall»Damage: 13(Base) + 5(Charge) + 6(Alcoholic) = 24 * 7(SA) = 168 DMG Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP) Total Rewards 16 Materials 15080 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 12, 2016 Author #5 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Takao kept a watchful eye over the monsters that congregated into a larger group. He wanted them to split apart, which would make it easier to round up a handful one at a time and pull them to a safer location in order to initiate combat, but they seemed dead set on staying in a single group. He huffed out a breath and leaned his weight on his sword as he observed, waiting for a few stragglers to wander outward. The game of the grind was one of patience, and that factor was multiplied tenfold when one was tackling the task on their lonesome. All it took was one unseen monster approaching from behind to throw him off and put him in a bad spot, but Takao had been doing this for quite a while now. Perhaps it'd been years, or maybe just enough months to give the impression. Regardless, he knew what he was doing. If he didn't, he'd be dead. A few pairs of monsters split off from the main group and allowed for Takao to pull them away. Without attracting the attention of the rest of the monsters, Takao managed to kite four away, and immediately engaged them in the same way he had done to their brethen. At an acceptable distance, he turned, leaped, and slammed his sword into the ground. A wave of electricity rang out and electrocuted each of them to their deaths, resulting in four sources of data fragments fluttering away. ID: 61465BD: 4 + 3(ACC)LD: 12 (2(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +4 Materials | +4160 col ) Takao: 261/261 (24/64) (+1/-14)Sword Art: «Lightning Fall»Damage: 13(Base) + 5(Charge) + 6(Alcoholic) = 24 * 7(SA) = 168 DMG Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP) Total Rewards 20 Materials 19240 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 12, 2016 Author #6 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 After successfully pulling one group from the main congregation, Takao found himself waiting yet again. The repetition of this process was miserable, and Takao despised nothing more than retelling the same tale over and over again. The monsters would group up and he would wait. Then their AI would start sending them outward, and he would strike. It was a cycle that had no foreseeable end, and although that repetition ensured safety in some capacity, he was rarely one to find comfort in safety. Yet he was far from foolish in the same regard, he knew when intentionally putting himself in a situation meant certain death. He could launch himself into the middle of the collection and fight his way through the masses, surely that would scratch his itch for danger, yet he quite liked living. It was an odd construct, to know fully well that putting oneself in a dangerous situation was... well, dangerous, and yet for the same thought that dissuaded him from doing it to also fuel his urges to do the opposite. An internal struggle waged war in his head, forcing him to walk the thin line between life and death for nothing more than his own amusement. ID: 61479LD: 21 (11(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +1 Material ) Total Rewards 21 Materials 19240 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 12, 2016 Author #7 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Drawing in a slow breath, a pair of watchful eyes laid in wait. One by one, the monsters began to separate from the main herd, their root-like legs slowly carrying them outward. Takao crept through the underbrush, staying low to the ground as he made his way from one massive tree to the next, carefully using the natural cover to prevent himself from attracting the monster's attention. Much like how the monsters wandered one by one, so too did Takao attract them in the same way. He started by garnering the attention of one monster, and then utilized superior movement speed to outpace it as he attracted the second. The third and fourth followed shortly after, and through a bit of practiced kiting, Takao was able to gather the four monsters close together. He gained a bit of distance, turned on his heel, and shifted his momentum in the opposite direction with the «Charge» skill. As a result, he leapt into the air and subsequently slammed the tip of his sword into the earth below, eliciting a wide wave of crackling electricity to eliminate the monsters in one fell swoop. ID: 61481BD: 3 + 3(ACC)LD: 29 (19(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +8 Materials | +6760 col ) Takao: 261/261 (12/64) (+1/-14)Sword Art: «Lightning Fall»Damage: 13(Base) + 5(Charge) + 6(Alcoholic) = 24 * 7(SA) = 168 DMG Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP) Total Rewards 29 Materials 26000 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 12, 2016 Author #8 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 "Damn Cardinal," Takao cursed under his breath as he struggled to hoist himself up the side of the tree. Footholds were few and far between, making the vertical climb a challenge. "Couldn't just... let me keep... acrobatics..." He grunted out with each movement, finally stopping at a thick branch. His «Athletics» skill did wonders in contributing to the effort, yet the «Sprint&Acrobatics» skill was much more desired for this particular activity. He could have just as easily left the area, but monitoring the horde of plant-monsters and keeping tabs on their location whilst he rested instilled much more confidence than the alternative. ID: 61483LD: 26 (16(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +1 Material ) Total Rewards 30 Materials 26000 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 12, 2016 Author #9 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 In one swift motion, Takao pulled the sword from the scabbard on his back and slammed it into the wooden surface. Unlike safe zones, the wilderness and its environments weren't under the protection of «Immortal Object» status, and could be modified in such a way. He disarmed himself of the scabbard next, and tossed the strap around the sword, allowing him to lay against the coarse bark of the branch without too much discomfort. With hands placed behind his head, Takao stared up into the thick canopy and used the moment of calm to rest. ID: 61484LD: 25 (15(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +1 Material ) Total Rewards 31 Materials 26000 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 12, 2016 Author #10 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Takao drew out a long yawn after having rested for a few moments. The system had replenished his energy reserves in force, returning them to capacity and restoring his strength in turn. He rolled his shoulders and shook off the mental remnants of fatigue. The scabbard he had hooked around his sword was retrieved and reequipped, and the sword itself found its way back into the scabbard just before Takao began the descent back to ground level. The soles of his boots hit the soft grass and soil, cushioning the slight fall after leaping from a few meters up, and he returned his attention to the large group of monsters. ID: 61485LD: 13 (3(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) Total Rewards 31 Materials 26000 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 12, 2016 Author #11 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 "Wonder if it's worth finishing those ones off..." Takao muttered quietly, thinking aloud to himself as he watched their movements. The group hadn't split up nearly as much as he'd been hoping during his rest, which meant he would be going back to his earlier strategy of waiting, striking, and waiting once more. Takao idly scratched his jawline in thought and just as quickly came to a conclusion. A few of the monsters could still be gathered up and wiped out, and after that he'd be leave them be and instead opt for something a bit more worth his time. ID: 61487LD: 15 (5(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +1 Material ) Total Rewards 32 Materials 26000 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 13, 2016 Author #12 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 "Ah, whatever. Might as well." Takao thought aloud moving forward. Few of the monsters had split off, but enough had diverged from the main group for him to justify an attempt. It took a bit of struggling and a few risky maneuvers, but Takao finally managed to pull four monsters from the main group. A bit more trouble with gathering them close enough to each other and simultaneously ensuring that they were far enough from the others ensued, but eventually they were positioned correctly. Takao turned on his heel, crushing the soil beneath the soles of his boots as his momentum was instantly turned and reversed with the usage of his «Charge» skill. One field of electricity later had wiped the four monsters off the face of Aincrad, leaving only a trail of colourful data behind. ID: 61548BD: 10 + 3(ACC)LD: 28 (18(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +8 Materials | +7540 col ) Takao: 261/261 (50/64) (-14)Sword Art: «Lightning Fall»Damage: 13(Base) + 5(Charge) + 6(Alcoholic) + 2(Critical) = 26 * 7(SA) = 182 DMG Greater Nepenthes: 0/145 (182 - 36(MIT) = -146HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/145 (182 - 36(MIT) = -146HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/145 (182 - 36(MIT) = -146HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/145 (182 - 36(MIT) = -146HP) Total Rewards 40 Materials 33540 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 13, 2016 Author #13 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 The last four monsters seemed to be the limits that the game had placed upon him for the time being. The AI that Cardinal employed in the monsters was smart in some senses, and dumb in others. It learned, but it was easy to trick. That was typically the case, but in some odd instances, the AI would smarten up just a bit more, such as this one. The monsters no longer left their congregation, making engagement with any of them a sure death sentence. Surely he could run if things went sour, but it wasn't a matter of if, but rather when. Instead, Takao opted for a better use of his time. ID: 61560LD: 23 (13(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +1 Material ) Total Rewards 41 Materials 33540 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 13, 2016 Author #14 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 The group of Greater Nepenthes were left behind, to either despawn or eventually begin to wander outward after he left the area. It was perhaps a bit reckless of him to leave such a large grouping of enemies behind when he was the cause of it, but he wasn't exactly in the business of public safety either. Instead, with the use of his map to guide him and the compass build-in to his heads-up display to help navigate, Takao worked his way westward, where he would pass by one of the floor's lesser settlements in search of a dungeon in one of the seldom explored portions of the forest. ID: 61561LD: 28 (18(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) Intermediate Dungeon found. Total Rewards 41 Materials 33540 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 13, 2016 Author #15 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 It didn't take Takao long to locate the dungeon he sought after passing by Friben, a small settlement that was nestled cozily in one of the further corners of the floor. With the settlement behind him, only a much thicker portion of the forest lay between him and the end of the floor itself. Although the forest was thick, it did little to obstruct his aptly named reveal skill, which showed him the entrance of the dungeon clear as day. He immediately partook and was greeted with the same type of monsters he had been fighting earlier in the day, to which he combated them in the same way as well. A leap and a wave of lightning, with the end product being four sources of data fragments. ID: 61562BD: 4 + 3(ACC)LD: 11 (1(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +4 Materials | +4160 col ) Takao: 261/261 (50/64) (-14)Sword Art: «Lightning Fall»Damage: 13(Base) + 5(Charge) + 6(Alcoholic) = 24 * 7(SA) = 182 DMG 6/10 Remaining Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP) Total Rewards 45 Materials 37700 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 13, 2016 Author #16 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 The ruins provided a nice change of scenery from the seemingly never-ending forest of the eighth floor. Even if Takao was an outdoorsy type, it was rather stressful to know that anything could attack him from any angle. Within the confines of a dungeon, he had walls on either side, a sturdy floor beneath him, and a ceiling above. Things could only attack him from two directions, which made defending himself much easier. This fact was demonstrated by the next group of monsters, which appeared from both in front of and behind him, and were easily wiped out after he slammed the tip of his sword into the ground and created a wave of electricity to destroy each of the four. ID: 61569BD: 8 + 3(ACC)LD: 13 (3(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +4 Materials | +4160 col ) Takao: 261/261 (37/64) (+1/-14)Sword Art: «Lightning Fall»Damage: 13(Base) + 5(Charge) + 6(Alcoholic) = 24 * 7(SA) = 168 DMG 2/10 Remaining Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP) Total Rewards 49 Materials 41860 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 13, 2016 Author #17 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 The last of the monsters lingered in front of the boss room door, which was typical for the rather linear design of the so-called "labyrinths". The simpler dungeons were seldom complex or intricate, often times just a simple corridor that lead to the boss room itself with monsters scattered along the way. This particular dungeon couldn't boast any semblances of originality, for it was as simple as they come. Takao slammed the tip of his sword into the ground and watched as the wave of electricity obliterated the monsters one by one, leaving only the boss within the room ahead remaining. ID: 61570BD: 4 + 3(ACC)LD: 27 (17(LD) + 5(S&D) + 3(HoM) + 2(Vitamins)) ( +8 Materials | +6760 col ) Takao: 261/261 (24/64) (+1/-14)Sword Art: «Lightning Fall»Damage: 13(Base) + 5(Charge) + 6(Alcoholic) = 24 * 7(SA) = 168 DMG 0/10 Remaining Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP)Greater Nepenthes: 0/130 (168 - 32(MIT) = -136HP) Total Rewards 57 Materials 48620 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 13, 2016 Author #18 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 "Alright, let's get this over with." Takao said to himself as he lifted his left foot and slammed the sole of his boot into the door. The heavy wooden doors creaked open and he stepped inside, torches lighting one by one to reveal the circular room and the large plant-like monster that lurked inside. There had once been a time where Takao had taken in the scenery before proceeding, noting small anomalies that might prove to be a problem or environmental advantages that would help him in the battle. But now, it was largely unnecessary. He launched forward into a sword art and tore eleven large cuts into the monster. ID: 61572BD: 7 + 3(ACC)MD: 3 + 2 Takao: 261/261 (14/64) (+1/-11)Sword Art: «Meteor Break»Damage: 13(Base) + 5(Charge) + 6(Alcoholic) + 1(Ferocity) = 25 * 11(SA) = 275 DMG Massive Nepenthes: 205/480 (-275HP) Total Rewards 57 Materials 48620 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 13, 2016 Author #19 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 The monster attempted to retaliate to the damage it received, but simply staggered backward instead. The blow, albeit not very powerful on its own, had managed to cut through half of the boss's health. As a result, it swung and missed Takao, affording him the opportunity to strike again and end the incredibly short bout. He repeated his actions a second time and positioned himself correctly, his effortless fall into stance resulting in his sword adopting an orange glow. The system took over and finished the monster off, tearing away the remnants of its health and reducing it into its natural state as polygons and data. ID: 61574BD: 10 + 3(ACC)MD: DEAD Takao: 261/261 (4/64) (+1/-11)Sword Art: «Meteor Break»Damage: 13(Base) + 6(Alcoholic) + 1(Ferocity) + 2(Critical) = 22 * 11(SA) = 242 DMG Massive Nepenthes: 0/480 (-242HP) Total Rewards 57 Materials 48620 Col Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted June 13, 2016 Author #20 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 "Okay then, that's done." Takao said as he rolled his shoulders and slid the sword on his hand into the scabbard over his shoulder. The torches in the dungeon began to dim, though the flames didn't die. It was a clear indication of the dungeon's cleared state, demonstrated visually by the darkness that enveloped him. The brunet approached a large wooden chest on the opposite end of the room and lazily kicked it open, which caused a rewards menu to appear in front of him. His glance over the rewards lasted less than a second before it was dismissed and he was turning for the exit, ready to return home for some much needed rest. Link to post Share on other sites
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