[F06-PP] The Bowl of Embers -- <<Deforestation>>

[NIGHT 0]

Out the house. Out the house. Out the house.

Such was the chant that NIGHT had given herself after her battle with the phoenix. Having seen her doppelganger show up to find her personally, every morning from then on was a race to leave the premises before she was caught by them again, not wanting to be put under another risk of death.

It just so happens that today, Bistro was kind enough to afford her a reason to abscond from her bed as soon as possible.

Quote

To: NIGHT

Hey, this is kind of urgent and you're the only adventurer free right now; a field boss on Floor 6 has respawned and no one's been able to take care of it. Their presence threatens the jungle it roams in, and there's no guarantee the destruction left in their wake would be capable of recovery. The Amazon Folly's part of our broker research, so we'd need to take it out as soon as possible to protect the area.

I know you're still going through some things with that stranger, but can I count on you to pick up the fight? I'll send you their co-ordinates.

In seconds, the mail had been replied to.

Quote

To: Bistro

k

One quick change and NIGHT bolted through the workshop doors, trying not to scan for signs of the familiar cloak amongst her surroundings. Up to Floor 6 she went, pulling up the newly arrived mail with co-ordinates with a swipe of her fingers.

@Alkor

Spoiler

NIGHT 
Lv: 29 | HP: 580 | EN: 58 | SP: 90
ACC: 3 | DMG: 14 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 0 | PARALYZE: 2 | BLEED: 1

[Skills]

1. Two-Handed Straight Sword | Passive | RANK 5/5
2. Heavy Armor | Passive | RANK 1/5
3. - - -
4. - - - 
    

• Survival | Passive 
• Concentration | Active -- CD: 3

[Examine]

• [T2E3] Tiger-fanged Faussar
  -- [ Paralyze II | Natural successful attack rolls of 8-10 remove the enemy’s action on their next turn. Paralyzed opponents lose any evasion properties. ]
  -- [ Bleed | Natural critical attack rolls of 9-10 deal 24 unmitigated bleed damage each enemy turn for 2 turns. Bleed damage does not stack, but can be refreshed. ]
• [T1E3] Threads of Dexterity
  -- [ Evasion III | +3 EVA ]
• [T1E3] Liquid Luck Pendant
  -- [ Accuracy III | +3 LD ]

- - - - - -

• Starter Healing Potions (3) --- Heals 50 HP.
• [T1] Uncommon Health Potions (3) --- Heals 40 HP.
• [T1] Over-health Potion (1) --- Provides 50 temporary HP.
• [T1E3] Eye of Horus Enamel Pin
  -- [ Accuracy III | +3 ACC ]
• [T2E3] Tobi-Kadachi
  -- [ Paralyze II | Natural successful attack rolls of 8-10 remove the enemy’s action on their next turn. Paralyzed opponents lose any evasion properties. ]
  -- [ Keen | After a successful attack, gain +1 BD until your next successful attack, at which point this bonus is removed. Another successful attack will reactivate this enhancement. ]

[Misc]

• -- [ Aincrad Trading Post Guild Bonus: Col Deposit | +5% more col from killed mobs, +10% col from treasure chests. ]
  -- [ Familiar Mastery: Fighter | +6 DMG ]

Edited December 24, 2019 by NIGHT

[Alkor 0]

Alkor had come into some information from a broker about a field boss on the third floor. Since his quest for strength restricted him to the lower floors for the moment, whenever something like this came up he jumped to investigate. 

There seemed to be more to the story than the broker let on as he trekked through the forest. The sixth floor was generally much less erratic than what he found. Where the floor was a placid battleground, a fragile peace was maintained by its denizens and the Players. It was not to be disrupted by their quarrels.

Until something else grew angry. 

He stepped out of the teleporter and into the sixth floor settlement purposefully, one hand on the hilt of his blade. People looked frantic as they moved around, buzzing and prattling. It seemed the reappearance of the field boss had disrupted their daily routine.

"I wonder if anyone is looking to go deal with this thing," he muttered to himself. "Might be rough on my own..."

@NIGHT

 

Alkor Level 25

510/510 HP 50/50 E

9 Base Damage | 48 Mitigation | 3 Evasion | 1 Blight

Blightsteel T2 Demonic Curved Sword: 2 DMG | 1 Blight

Nightmare Bomber T2 Perfect Light Armor 2 MIT | 1 EVA

Vagabond's Mark T1 Perfect Trinket 3 EVA

[Rank 4] Curved Sword | [Rank 3] Light Armor | [MOD] Athletics

 

Edited December 28, 2019 by Alkor

[NIGHT 0]

Her break into a sprint was too fast to let her register her surroundings -- the moment she stepped off the teleporter, she felt herself bump into the back of someone else. "Ow! Sorry--" NIGHT'd begun, about to take off again, before the white text above the player's head caught her eye and her blood started to run cold.

It was Alkor.

"-- The hell are you doing here...?"

Having run past the man, she skid to a halt, turning to face the stranger at the bottom of the platform. A sharp eye scanning the man up and down -- Alkor looked as haggard as the day NIGHT recalled seeing him at the festival. She grumbled to herself, not knowing how to approach the man -- a part of her wanted to come off strong with guns blazing, but that conflict wouldn't be good right now. Instead, the woman opted to shoot him a cold gaze, grumbling, before facing her original destination once again. There was a hunt still about, and she needed to follow orders.

@Alkor

[Alkor 0]

Alkor felt the impact, even if it didn't hurt. He turned to glance toward whoever had struck him with no real intention of saying anything. It was just a reflex, just something people did. There was no offense intended when most people ran into others, but there was almost always an apology. Alkor always found that funny.

It was when he saw the woman scowl that ideas started running through his mind. What the hot hell is going on? Why do people keep running into me and immediately drip with malice? Did I kick your dog, lady?

His brow rose as he watched her slowly turn away, even though he couldn't tell what her lips were saying despite obvious movement. Probably some kind of rude or nasty remark. Now that part he was beginning to get used to.

Though, why that was happening was beyond him.

The important thing now was the field boss. It was a terror to the Players just trying to do their daily grind on the sixth floor, and a problem if I were left unchecked to slaughter low levels. Alkor could absolutely not allow that to happen.

He fell into step with the rest of the group that met there to discuss their plan.

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

Right. The boss.

The mail had described its location being a distance away, somewhere in the north east of the floor. She'd find her target around a meteoric depression in the heart of the jungle, the boss' territory marked with ashes, cinders and burnt vegetation. It's strength was gauged with rough figures in the message; seemed to NIGHT that there was no real worry to putting it down.

The player took another look over at her disdained, who begun moving over towards a small gathering of players nearby. Curious. She'd pinned Alkor down as the loner sort, the epitome of a solo-player, with Ceres' once vitriol-fueled description coming to mind. A hum, before she embarked on her journey out of town. She'd join them, but there was no need for the company this bout. Perhaps she'd find them when the feud was over; doing disaster control, or something more noble of the sort.

@Alkor

[Alkor 0]

For Alkor, there was only one option. 

The other Players devised initiatives to keep weaker people away from the danger zone while stronger, higher leveled Players cleared out the clear and present threat. Various stronger Players would scout ahead for people who had bitten off more than they could chew and escort them out of harm's way. The better part of the low level Players would filter through the settlement and around the Floor to ensure that everyone who needed to know about the Field Boss was well informed. In this way, they would minimize casualties while working to restore some semblance of order.

Respawns like this were common enough, yet there were still Players who were slowly moving up through the ranks who did not know about them. Those Players sometimes ran afoul of the bosses, and in the worst situations, lost their lives because of it. Alkor intended to assure nothing like that could happen this time.

He had sworn that he'd protect everyone he could, after all. He would not fail in that task ever again. The swordsman rushed out ahead of the pack and brandished his blade, more than ready for the battle to come. He could feel the adrenal rush of conflict flooding his thoughts, erasing his doubts, and augmenting his desire to fight.

His only thought as he came close to the burnt out grove was about how few other Players he saw. "Where is everyone...?" he asked quietly.

It was bound to jump out at him before he got an answer.

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

NIGHT hadn't heard the sound of a flamethrower before, but she would've by now. The odd sound sent shivers down her spine as the smog from the flames fanned her way, prompting her to raise her scarf over her nose and mouth. What mattered more to her was that she was getting close.

Nevermind, set that aside. It seemed to be getting close to her -- and the party of players nearby, that'd reported to the site to bring down the beast. As the clearing opened up, she noticed the shadow pass over her, diving down onto the ground, right where --

-- Wait, is that Alkor?

She wasn't anywhere near the initiated scuffle, and neither could she see through the veil of dust that had erupted from Byakko's impact. Dropping her grip on her scarf, she rushed over to the beast's hind legs on instinct, pushing her weapon into its quarters with a tough swing. Her sword glowed, initiating an art, but while the blow struck true, the attack scattered a myriad of flames to the floor, forcing her to step back carefully.

The beast wasn't brought down just yet, but it would be soon enough.

@Alkor

Quote

ID: 132834 | BD: 8 (5, +3)
<<Galaxy Destroyer>> vs Byakko.
14 * 13 = 182 DMG | 182 - 40 = 142 DMG

Byakko | HP: 8/150 (-142) | MIT: 40 | DMG: 60

[1] NIGHT | HP: 580/580 | EN: 45/58 (-13) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 14 | EVA: 3 | PARALYZE: 2 | BLEED: 1

Edited December 28, 2019 by NIGHT

[Alkor 0]

Alkor landed just in time to watch as the woman took an incredible swipe with her large blade and bit a massive chunk out of the Field Boss' health bar. It seemed like his help might not even be necessary, and yet, to simply back down at this point would run counterintuitive to his purpose. He had to take a stand, even if it meant he contributed absolutely nothing to the war effort.

Being there was an important part of the fight. This Player- the very same woman who had given him an ugly look only moments before, could not be allowed to stand alone. It didn't matter if they got along, or if they became friends. What mattered was that they worked together as a team when the need arose.

Alkor slashed his own weapon, albeit to no avail as the Byakko turned quickly to round on the woman, growling menacingly as if to warn her that she was the only thing that the beast could see. It made sense. Alkor had not managed to make contact with his attack, so he had no hate for the beast to act on.

He gripped his weapon tightly and poised himself to strike. If this Player, apparently called NIGHT, didn't manage to slay the beast in the next exchange, Alkor would make sure to put it down himself. Then, everyone would be safe.

 

 

 

H: [0] Alkor: 510/510 

HP 48/50 E

9 Base Damage | 48 Mitigation | 3 Evasion | 1 Blight

Byakko | HP: 8/150 | MIT: 40 | DMG: 60

H: [1] NIGHT | HP: 580/580 | EN: 45/58 (-13) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 14 | EVA: 3 | PARALYZE: 2 | BLEED: 1

Alkor activates <<Dancing Hellraiser>>

ID# 132835 result: 5 MISS!

 

Edited December 28, 2019 by Alkor

[NIGHT 0]

Between its time of arrival to its time of death, Byakko was lucky enough to get a strike in. Her attack had drawn enough attention from the beast to herself, and NIGHT felt its worn, heated breath as the boss monster growled in her face. She closed her eyes, trying to avoid sight with the tiger's blinding maw, and to that end, opened herself up to an attack directly in front of her.

A breath of fire.

NIGHT should've seen this coming. A yelp, as she covered her face with a scarf, ducking and rolling on the floor as best as she could to extinguish the flames from her body. Awful work. The woman took the pain and numbness on her skin for granted, hissing as she rubbed at the sore spots, glancing over to Byakko from the floor. So much for putting an end to the creature as quickly as possible.

@Alkor

Quote

ID: 132835 | MD: 6 (9, -3)
Byakko attacks NIGHT! (-60 HP)

ID: 132844 | BD: 4 (1, +3)
NIGHT missed!

Byakko | HP: 8/150 | MIT: 40 | DMG: 60

[1] NIGHT | HP: 520/580 (-60) | EN: 44/58 (+1, -2) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 14 | EVA: 3 | PARALYZE: 2 | BLEED: 1

Edited December 28, 2019 by NIGHT

[Alkor 0]

Alkor had done this part before, many times. In his time among those at the forefront, he learned to jump into the fire and out on a whim. Whether it be an opening created by tank, or jumping in to take heat off another damage dealer who went too heavy, the art of the Switch was something he had honed well.

The flames were intense, but he had experienced far worse between the Twinfire Phoenix and the Molten Hydra on the Ninth Floor. Compared to those monolithic beasts, Byakko's flames were a third rate imitation. Alkor raced through as they unleashed their hellfire on NIGHT, sliding beneath the torrent of searing  breath, placing himself between the other Player and furious reprisal from the Field Boss.

No more Players would suffer because of this creature, at least, not this iteration. He timed his movement to the moment it reared back to renege its heat, and Alkor dashed up beneath the hefty torso of the massive beast.

In the span of a furious roar, he planted the blade deep in the chest cavity of Byakko, bringing the blade thundering downward and slicing the creature in twain, stem to root.

A brilliant flash of light followed in his wake as he dropped low one hand pressed firmly to the ground for balance as Byakko burst into pixels. Data spiraled upward between the two Players as he slowly stood, tucking the blade safely away at his side.

Would she say something? Would he? Would all they ever exchange be awkward glances? Did it matter?

They had won.

Alkor: 510/510 HP 42/50 E | 9 DMG | 48 MIT | 3 EVA | 1 Blight

NIGHT: 520/580 HP 44/58 E | ACC: 3 | DMG: 14 | EVA: 2 Paralyze: 2 | Bleed: 1

Alkor activates <<Lasing Chopper>>

ID# 132845 result: 8

Alkor deals (9×7)= 63-40 = 27 Damage!

Byakko: 0/150 DEAD

Edited December 28, 2019 by Alkor

[NIGHT 0]

Ah, great. Out of all the players that had been striking at Byakko, of course her savior had to be the one she hated most. A groan of frustration from NIGHT as she picked herself off the floor, getting up slowly as she watched Alkor's back. "Uh..." The woman placed a hand to the back of her neck, rubbing it with a thumb. "Thanks."

The other players were scattering now, with the defeat of the boss. That's alright. NIGHT was more focused on the enigma in front of her. Having managed to find an opening to talk, there wasn't a reason why she should pass it up. Especially to determine his intentions or standing. If the man was as vicious -- or not -- as her friend had said he would be, this would be a perfect chance to ask.

"So, Alkor," NIGHT began, gesturing with a hand. "What. Do you... do this often? Saving people, I mean. ...I didn't think you would." A pause, as she folded her arms, and shot the player a questioning look. "Not from the way you acted before, I've heard."

@Alkor

[Alkor 0]

"I... uh..." The question struck him dumb, not because he didn't understand what she was saying, but because he wasn't sure where she would have heard that. Were people going around blabbing about the way he had treated Lessa? Was she that upset about it? If she was, why had she not just come to him about it instead of spreading rumors and making people think stuff like... 

...like this?

"...what?" He tilted his head, genuinely curious. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'm not sure what you mean. NIGHT, is it?" He folded his arms at his chest, a look of confusion slowly spreading across his features. "I'm afraid I can't say I've met you or heard anything good or bad, so you'll have to forgive my misunderstanding. To answer your question..."

Alkor reached up and scratched at the back of his head. "This sort of thing, jumping in to help people or make sure they don't get hurt, is something I care about very deeply. I don't want anyone trapped in this world to die, if it can be helped. Whether they're stronger than me or weaker doesn't matter- if I can make a difference, even a small one, it's something I feel I have to do."

He looked back to her, golden gaze set like two stones. "If you've heard differently, I'm sorry for giving whoever I upset the wrong impression. I'm not very good with social situations and tend to fail at reading the mood. It's entirely possible that I rubbed someone the wrong way, and that's completely my fault."

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

That's what Alkor was doing right now -- rubbing her the wrong way. Perhaps it was an underlying sense of wanting to be right, but NIGHT hadn't exactly expected the man to give in to her accusations so readily. He was... too polite. It was unsettling; terrifying, even. It only made her hug hands closer to her, just for the moment, as she reconsidered her stance on the matter.

"... As much as I want to give you the benefit of the doubt," she tilted her head. "I'm speaking mostly on the behalf of my friend. You chewed her out once, I believe. Floor 4? Snowy pastures?" The woman pointed to her hair, leading into a fidgeting with her own locks. "Ceres. Female, red hair, wasn't 'where she should've been' for, what was it? 'Fear of dying'? In a simple sight-seeing visit?"

NIGHT allowed herself to exhale, calming her shaky nerves. "I do appreciate your help, and your warnings. I'm sure your heart is in the right place. But whatever message you were intending to pass on could've probably been relayed better." A scoff, as she directed her chin at the man, in a challenging gesture. "Like how you handled the clarification earlier, for example. I'd say that'd went better than expected, in all honesty."

@Alkor

[Alkor 0]

Alkor blinked. "Oh." That. 

How was he supposed to explain that whole ordeal? Alkor wasn't quite sure what had happened himself. "I don't recall chewing her out. I remember telling her she should be more careful and come prepared better because the floors get more dangerous as you ascend the castle." It was Ceres who had taken offense, though in truth, Alkor had not been sure why.

What he did know was that her attitude only made him more irrationally angry as she grated against him. Instead of finding a calm and gentle resolution, he had left without escalating things into a much nastier spat. That probably hadn't buried whatever perceived hatchet Ceres held on to.

And of course, her friend now disliked him as well. Now, this he understood. All the missing pieces had fit together. How to deal with it all, however, was a different kind of monster.

"She didn't like what I had to say. Maybe I didn't say it in the gentlest way, I don't know. The fact is, I've seen people die in this world, and I know how real that is. I don't want to see anyone else die, and at that time, it didn't seem like she was taking it seriously. I also didn't want to continue that conversation to a friendly conclusion because it felt like we both just kept getting more upset, so I left before I could say anything harsher."

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

"Maybe I didn't say it in the gentlest way, I don't know."

"That one's... probably it."

"... I also didn't want to continue that conversation to a friendly conclusion because it felt like we both just kept getting more upset, so I left before I could say anything harsher."

A frustrated sigh as she looked up at the sky, letting go of the strand that was in her hand. NIGHT wished she could say she was looking at the situation from an objective angle, but she was more likely to believe her friend than a total stranger. She knew, at this point, from the two sides of the story she'd gotten, either Ceres had been exaggerating, or Alkor was being too dismissive. And both were equally as likely to have occurred at the same time, given the two facts weren't in conflict.

There wasn't much for her to press on, if he'd deduced both sides seemed to be in the wrong. That's the part that had originally worried her the most -- that Alkor was just a one-sided a**hat of a player, and it'd lead her into a fight. Still, though, NIGHT had an inkling the man's straightforwardness wasn't going to buy him any favours in the future, especially not around other players and their feelings. The woman shook her head, hiding her mouth behind her scarf. "Okay. Fair enough. Consider being handed the benefit of the doubt for now."

Two hands stuffed in her pockets. He'd also dropped the 'I've-watched-people-die' fact too, and it'd always affected players around her in mysterious, traumatic ways; ways she wasn't all too familiar with. They always seemed to leave with people having strange, unrelenting complexes. Like an unrelenting need to see people safe? Hah. Something like that. That's how it always seems to go these days.

She scratched the back of her head for a beat, closing her eyes. "Also, are you always this direct and curt? Your... approach? To misunderstandings was very structured and formal. Do you practice in the mirror everyday or something? Rehearse it in the mornings?"

@Alkor

[Alkor 0]

He stared at the ground and watched his chest rise and fall. His hood hid his face now as he considered her words, uncertain of himself because people rarely seemed to have a problem with honesty. Those who did often challenged it not because it was honest, but because it was perhaps more than it needed to be. The problem with Alkor was that at one time, he had not been honest enough. With himself, or those around him.

"I... it's easy for me to be misunderstood," he said more quietly. "Or for me to misunderstand others. If I don't say exactly what I mean, or get clarification about what someone else means, there's often an opportunity for miscommunication. That's happened before. I've been around people and actually hurt others and been hurt because I wasn't open and honest about things."

His shoulders sagged. "I'm not good with people. I don't know how to talk to them, so I choose to be direct. It's not for everyone, maybe, but it's better than people getting hurt because they got the wrong idea. That's a decision I made for myself. If people can't trust me or depend on me, how am I supposed to help or protect them?"

He blinked and looked up at her. "Does that help?" He asked. "The mirror thing?"

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

With Alkor's brooding, looking down at the floor with that hood up, NIGHT really did have to wonder if 'Mister Edgelord' was too on the nose for this guy. In reality, it was only in his appearance that she'd seen it; the rest of it spoke like a kid who'd understand not how to deal with his lot in life.

She could relate to that. Just a little.

When he looked up at her, asking about the recitals she'd mentioned, NIGHT flinched. Mostly because it hit too close to home -- she did, actually, try it out one time -- but also the complete recovery from speaking about his own feelings just threw her off. It was incredibly off-putting to someone like her, who didn't really like to speak about her own. "N-no," she'd finally managed to say, after a beat. "At least, not for me. I stumble upon my speech when I think about it too much. But you sure gave the impression that it would work."

A shrug. "I guess you really do have noble goals after all. Though the baggage dropping really came out of nowhere..." Then a sigh, as the player folded her own arms again. "I suppose if you open yourself up like a book like that, it'll make your intentions clear. It's still weird though. Unnatural. Maybe you'll figure it out in time, I don't know."

"You... Gods. You don't have many friends, do you?"

@Alkor

[Alkor 0]

Alkor never fully understood why people were thrown sideways when he explained things. It was a simple question and answer, and he had nothing to hide; for Alkor, it just made sense. If he could resolve the issue with clarity, that was best for everyone wasn't it? He half developed that thought before she asked a question that everyone around him seemed to ask once they got a better idea of the kind of person he was.

Or at least, once they had been around him long enough to know he wasn't like other people.

"No," he answered honestly. "I don't have many friends." Was it so unnatural for people to tell the truth? Or was it more that it was unnatural for people to be so honest about who they were? Alkor had seen and known many people in his life who were dishonest, or who tried to hide who they were, or what their intentions were. For a time, he had even tried to be someone he wasn't; and that alone had ended in catastrophe for those who he was close to.

"I try to avoid others when I can help it," he added. "Other than in the field, or on quests, or in battles. It's... easier to not have to explain things, or interact." It was funny to hear someone talk about protecting others, but also about avoiding them. "Ideally, I would just be able to save them from a distance and they'd never feel the need to thank me... but that's not how life works."

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

What a lonesome experience.

From what Alkor was saying, it just seemed to look like he was playing the part of a masked vigilante. Here one moment to rescue someone, gone the next. A silent, dark shadow lurking about the premises in the middle of nowhere. Was that his dream after all? NIGHT couldn't help but cup her mouth with a hand, trying to hide a snort. Maybe the game had gotten way into their heads at this point.

Wait, wasn't this guy with Mari at the festival?

What, did the two of them go around saving Aincrad at midnight or something? One of them patrolling and stopping town-crimes in daylight? The other with more determination than their partner to kill? It was getting increasingly harder to put on a straight face, the more she developed the thought. She knew she was wrong, but the idea that more people seemed to have this sense of self-imposed ethical code was...

Funny.

NIGHT just turned around, back to her conversationalist, trying to get the last of her giggles out.

"Gods, sorry," she choked out between laughter. "What are you, Batman?" Another snort and a chuckle. "Maybe, maybe you really just need more friends, dude. At least they'll vouch for you when you can't." A well-intentioned smirk as the woman started to simmer down. "Pick up some tact. Mix around. Do some people watching if you haven't. That's the way to do it, really."

@Alkor

[Alkor 0]

His eyes widened when she asked the most unexpected question he had ever heard. The cogs in his mind started turning rapidly as the realization clicked. Everything he was saying, all the things he was doing... was he really that dense? He had all the social etiquette and prowess of a comic book icon- and the ridiculous black attire to match.

Jesus Christ, I'm Batman.

Alkor blinked several times, rapidly. That thought was the most astonishing, hilarious, cathartic thing he had experienced since logging into Aincrad. It was real, it was unforced, unprovoked. And it absolutely took all of the grave, monotonous brooding out of the atmosphere around him.

He made to speak, but instead, a snort escaped. The generally serious, hard to relate to Player let out a loud, unfiltered string of laughter that brought tears to his eyes. 

"Call me..." he held one hand at his side, doubled over in pain. "...just call me Bruce, okay?" Alkor covered his face, eyes screwed shut and cheeks split by an ear to ear grin. "I'm Batman," he growled in the best Christian Bale impression he could manage before it deteriorated back into degenerate hilarity.

He had completely forgotten the awkwardness, if only for a moment.

@NIGHT