Here Piggy Piggy {F01 - SP - "The Second Lesson, is Also Free"}

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel closed the door to his dingy little inn room with a deep breath and let it out slowly. He had returned to his little hovel of a hotel room after delivering Zackariah's package to Lyle, feeling exhausted from the gathering quest. The spear-user had needed a break and rest before tackling whatever challenge it was that the blacksmith was going to need help with. But now it was a fresh new day, and he had a quest that needed to be done. He made sure his gear and armor was stashed safely into his inventory, dragging his healing potions into his battle-ready inventory slots, then headed out of the inn and down the street. 

The trip to Lyle's was fairly empty at these hours, only a few NPC pedestrians moving about doing their business, and Ronnel didn't see any other players right now - no tell tale crystals glowing above people's heads. It was quiet, peaceful, and he kind of appreciated it. Ronnel wasn't normally an early riser, but if all mornings ended up being like this he might need to change his routine. 

 

 
	RONNEL 
	STATS: 
	HP: 140 // EN: 14 // DAM: 4 // MIT 8
	SKILLS: 
	2H Assault Spear Novice:
	Rank 1</pre>
<ul style="background-color:#fafafa;color:#353c41;font-size:14px;">			[x1 AoE] Sonic Charge (1 Energy +2 per target hit) - A forward thrust which explodes energy at the end of the move.				[x2 Stun] Twin Thrust (5 Energy) - A pair of quick thrusts aimed at the user's knees to immobilize them.				[x2] Heft (2 Energy) - Lift the heavy end of the spear diagonally across your opponent from the ground, cutting their torso with the tip.	</ul><p>	Gear:</p><p>	5x Starter Potions (+50 HP) </p><p

 

Edited December 31, 2019 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Lyle's smithy had only just opened by the time Ronnel reached it. The white-haired, wizened old blacksmith was at the counter, pouring over his ledgers when Ronnel pushed open the door with a clang of the bell. He looked up at the player and gave him a friendly wave. 

"Ah, boy, welcome back! Are you perhaps here to help me out?" Ronnel grinned and gave him a nod. "Excellent news! Much like old Zack, I need help with something that should get you on your feet and going. I am running low on some of my more uncommon supplies, and I would appreciate a fine young adventurer helping me out in restocking. How about it?" 

"Are you needing ores or…?" Ronnel trailed off, hoping to prompt the NPC into a bit more clarification. The old man shook his head. 

"No, no. Mining I can still do on my own, young man. I need you, to go hunting." Ronnel swallowed. 

[Ronnel 0]

Hunting meant fighting, and Ronnel was - he ground his teeth together. He'd done it. He had killed things, so why on earth was he sitting here afraid of a hunt? The dark haired young man gave the blacksmith a fierce grin as he bottled up his lingering fears. "What are you needing hunted, and what part do you need?" He tapped the accept button for the menu that had popped up as he spoke, accepting Lyle's quest. 
The blacksmith beamed at Ronnel, his weathered cheeks stretching out as he smiled. "Good lad, good! Right - I need the parts from some Boar Pups. They aren't a dangerous foe, but they're more than an old man like me can handle nowadays. I need the tusks from three of them if you can manage it." Ron's quest tracker updated with the slain tally marker and he drew in a deep breath. No bats in caves, or Variant plant monsters - just boar pups. This he could do. 

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel let the door to the smithy swing closed behind him and let out a slow breath. This was nothing. A simple hunt was well within his capabilities - he'd shown that hunting the Nepents, which were undoubtedly stronger than some boar pups would be. He didn't need help. So when he pulled open his messaging system and tapped on his one contact, it wasn't to ask for back up. 

 

	To: Mari
	From: Ronnel
	MSG: Hey - don’t worry, not trying to drag you on some easy peasy mission. I’m heading out on a hunt, and this is just a heads up in case I somehow screw up royally and die. Keep safe and you aren’t a terrible person.
	

 

He chuckled and sent the message off, already able to imagine the woman getting irritated at reading it. She’d likely open it, glance through in case he was trying to hire her help again. Then close it when she saw that he was just chatting at her. That done, the dark-haired spear-user closed his menus and started out towards the city gate.

 

@Mari

Edited December 30, 2019 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

The city gates were standing open when Ronnel reached them - from what he knew, there had never been a time when they hadn't been open. The guards at the gate gave the young man a perfunctory glance, their system checking him for a moment before resuming their idle animation. The dark haired-spear wielder have them a wave and headed past, out into the grassy plains that surrounded the Town. 

 

The things that he was hunting wouldn't be showing up close to the city though, the fields were too close. With a deep breath Ronnel pushed onwards, to the forest. Thankfully he wouldn't need to go too deep in - he wasn't going after full grown Frenzied Boats after all. As he moved along the path he pulled his spear from his inventory and flicked his healing potions into his battle inventory, focusing on just the healing potions. Soon enough it would be time to face his enemies and see what he could do on his own. 

 

 

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel let out a soft groan as he made his way through the trees. The verdant voliage was making it difficult to tell where he was going, and he was half afraid that he was going to end up face planting into a boar pack at some point, but so far he hadn't. A feeling of relief danced across his skin when he came out of the trees to find himself at the edge of a small clearing. At one side there was a large rock, sticking up out of the ground like an upthrust fist. At the base of the rock though, bathing in the sun - was a boar pup. 

It looked young, not much larger than some of the dogs that Ronnel had known growing up. The beast was slowly shaking its head as it heard Ronnel come through the tree line. It stood up groggily, stumbling a bit. Ronnel's fingers gripped his spear haft tighter as he ran at the boar. The pup was still waking up, and caught flat footed as Ronnel's spear blade cut a deep gouge in its side. It let out a loud squeal of pain and tried to hit Ronnel, but the attack missed by a wide margin as the man skidded in the dirt, spinning around to face the boar once more. 

 

 

Ronnel: 

Level 7 HP 140/140 EN 13/14 (-1 Basic Attack) 

DAM 4 (1+3 2H assault spear novice) 

Link ID: 133067 

BD Result; 8: Hit, 4 DAM 

BOAR PUP 1 

HP: 1/5 (-4) 

Link ID : 133070 

BD Result: 1 Miss

 

 

Edited December 31, 2019 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel and the boar pup stared at each other for a long few moments, assessing and gauging the other combatant. Ronnel exhaled and dipped his spear down low, the tip just above the ground, and then moved. One, two, three - four steps, and he was in range. He swung the spear up, trying to slide into the injured flank of the pup. The beast jumped to the side though, and the digital metal swung through the air unimpeded by flesh. Ronnel scowled as he missed, pulling the spear back quickly.

The boar pup, thankfully, was off balance from dodging the attack. It let out a furious squeal and tried to slam its tiny tusks into Ronnel, but stumbled as it moved. It almost face-planted into the earth beneath it, only recovering at the last moment. It shook its head from side to side, its snout twitching as it looked up to Ronnel with angry eyes. The man snorted as he shifted his grip on his spear haft. "Don't blame me for not being where you tried to attack you silly pig."

 

 

Ronnel: HP 140/140 EN: 13/14 (+1 Recovery, -1 Basic Attack)

Ronnel Attacks Pup: FAIL

LINK ID: 133137 

BD Result: 5, Fail

 

Boar Pup 1 Attacks Ronnel: Fail

HP 1/5 ; Dam 3

LINK ID: 133139

BD Result: 2, Fail

 

Edited January 1, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel let out a long breath, centering himself. He could do this - it was just one tiny boar pup, nowhere near as dangerous as the Nepent Variant had been. He adjusted his grip on his spear then struck. The dark-haired man went for a stab this time, instead of a slice, hoping that the tighter control over the thrust would help him actually connect. It might actually have done just that - if his fingers hadn't slipped on the wooden pole and the weapon slid backwards. His hands shot forward, but the spear didn't go with them, and he smacked his leading hand against the guard of the spear, barely hanging onto it.

The boar pup though, was not giving him a break as he fumbled his attack. It lowered its head and pawed the earth a few times, then rushed at him, slamming its head into his chest. The man was knocked back, wheezing as the air was knocked from his lungs. He staggered as the boar let out a proud little squeal as it shook its head from side to side before glaring at him once more. 

 

Ronnel: HP 140/140 EN: 13/14 (+1 Recovery, -1 Basic Attack)

Ronnel Attacks Pup: FAIL

LINK ID: 133140

BD Result: 1,  Critical Fail

 

Boar Pup 1 Attacks Ronnel: Success: 1 DAM (3 Dam vs 8 MIT)

HP 1/5 ; Dam 3

LINK ID: 133141

BD Result: 8, Success

Ronnel: 139/140 HP

Edited January 1, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel rubbed his chest, glad of the armor he was wearing as he returned the boar pup's glare. The man readjusted his grip on his spear haft and scowled. he was not going to screw up this time and drop his spear or something - he would never hear the end of it if anyone found out. No - he was going to kill this blasted boar pup, then more, and get their tusks so he could go back to Lyle with his head held high. Ronnel lowered himself down, and the boar braced itself. A moment of silence passed, then with a squeal the boar charged at him.

Ronnel slid one foot back, bracing himself in the dirt. If he was having trouble aiming - then he wouldn't aim. The spear-user lowered his weapon until it was directly facing the oncoming rush of the boar pup, and waited. Just before the moment of impact, he thrust forward, stabbing into the pup's head. His arms stung as the pup shoved him backwards for a moment, but then it burst apart into a shower of red data. Ronnel grinned triumphantly as he lifted his spear to the sky - then paused as he remembered he needed to get loot from it. He felt his shoulders relax when he saw that there was a new item in his inventory - one tusk, gleaming fresh. 

 

Ronnel: HP 139/140 EN: 13/14 (+1 Recovery, -1 Basic Attack)

Ronnel Attacks Pup: Success!

LINK ID: 133142

BD Result: 6 Success!

Boar Pup 1 DEAD

 

Loot Tusk: Success

LINK ID: 133143

LD Result: 11 (Quest Parameter Success!)

Boap Pup Tusk +1

 

Edited January 1, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel let out a long slow breath as he smiled. It wasn't a fluke. He could do this. His fingers tightened on his spear for a moment as he nodded. "Right. People used to live this way all the time - death was a lot more common." He grimaced for a moment - not exactly thrilled that this damn death game had placed people back into that situation, but it was fine. It was survivable if you did things right and weren't stupid. The dark-haired man could see why some people got obsessive over numbers though - trying to optimize to do everything the could the best they could in the shortest amount of time. 

Did he agree with that? No. It felt a bit too easy to isolate yourself if you lived like that, and he was so tired of being alone.  Ronnel shifted his spear as he nodded to himself - he would focus as much as he could on living for the moment, preparing for the future just a little, because he knew himself. If he worried too much about what was coming, his fears would swallow him back up again. For now - for now, the next step was to hunt down more boars. 

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel stumbled across the next boar pup almost entirely on accident. He wasn't paying attention that was for sure, as he walked through the trees. He thought he'd hear any boars before he saw one - or, failing that, that he'd find the next one in another clearing like he had the last. So when he turned around a tree and literally walked into one, he wasn't expecting it. The man stumbled backwards, bringing his spear up quickly and activating a Sword Art - shouldn't he call them Spear Arts though - and tried to catch the pup off-guard. 

It did not work. The <Heft> Sword Art flashed upwards, Ronnel's spear swinging through the air - and completely missing the Boar Pup. The beast-monster turned and snorted as it saw that a player had walked into it, and Ronnel bit back a curse as it slammed into him with a shoulder rush. His back hit the tree he'd been walking around, and the man winced as his nerves flared in pain. "Ow.." He gasped out, glaring at the beast which looked entirely too pleased with itself for a digital construct. 

 

Ronnel: 

Level 7 HP 139/140 EN 12/14 (-2 <Heft> )

Link ID: 133144

BD Result : 2 FAIL 

 

BOAR PUP 2 

HP:5/5 

Link ID : 133145 

BD Result: 9 SUCCESS (Boar Pups Do Not Gain Critical Damage)

DAM: 1 (3 vs 8 MIT)

ROnnel HP: 138/140

 

Edited January 1, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel felt a fresh wave of irritation rolling through him as he and the boar pup circled each other between the trees. He knew, knew, that if he could just land a <Heft> that this thing would be defeated and he could move on. The dark haired man felt a bit angry with himself for having missed the opening attack, but at least they had both been caught off guard. Except - the pup had been able to land its headbutt, while he had swung and whiffed. 

The two cleared a tree, and Ronnel felt his arms tense up. His spear blade began to glow as his eyes narrowed. Up he swung, trying to prove his thought - if he landed his attack, it would die. But - he didn't. The glowing trail of the <Heft> swept through empty air. The pup let out a squeak and slammed its head into Ronnel's outstretched arm, and he cursed as a shot of pain danced along his nerves. "Why you little-" 

 

 

Ronnel: HP: 138/140 // EN: 11/14 (+1 recovery, - 2 <Heft> miss) 

Link ID: 133185

BD Result: 5 MISS

 

Boar Pup: 5/5

Link ID: 133186

BD Result: 7 HIT 

DAM: 1 (3DAM VS 8MIT)

Ronnel: 137/140

 

 

Edited January 2, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

"Oh come on. " Ronnel growled in frustration. He and the pup were still staring each other down and Ronnel could feel his left eye twitching. His arm still stung from where the pup had hit him. "I know I'm a crying little noob but you're just a boar pup! " Said boar pup snorted and stamped it's foot, glaring at the spear-wielder. 

 

"Right. Just die would you?" Ronnel growled and activated <Heft> again, swinging his spear upwards trying to bisect the boar pup. The pup was having none of that though and dodged out of the way, and Ronnel grimaced as the beast charged in, ramming its head into his gut and bouncing off. The man staggered backwards, holding his left arm over his stomach. This was getting hard on his nerves at this point. Should have asked Mari to come just so these blasted things would DIE. Yes, she would have thought he was actually incompetent but at this point a boar was essentially mocking him. 

 

 

 

Ronnel: HP: 137/140 EN 10/14 (+1 recovery, - 2 Miss <Heft>

Link ID : 133194

BD Result : 5 miss

 

Boar pup: 5/5

Link ID: 133195

BD Result: 6 Hit

Dam 1

Ronnel HP 136/140

 

Edited January 2, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel pulled back, rubbing his stomach, and glared at the beast. He was now more than ever glad that he had managed to get some levels - if he'd gone into this fight without an armor skill, or the levels he now had, he might have been in serious danger already. As it was, this was frustrating but not dangerous - yet. If things continued like this, though, that may change. 

"Look. I don't like you, you don't like me. Let's just end this do I can get ON WITH MY LIFE." Ronnel snarled as he lashed out, once again trying to kill this thing. His temper was fraying at this point - and the attack missed, which just made things worse. His Heft swung through empty air as the boar pup lowered its head. It tried to charge into Ronnel, but the man jumped to the side, and tusks gnashed at the spot he'd been standing in moments before. "HAH."

 

RONNEL HP: 136/140 EN: 9/14

LINK ID: 133197

BD Result: 5 Miss

 

Boar pup 5/5

Link ID: 133198

BD Result: 5,Miss

Edited January 2, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel dug his foot into the ground, bracing himself as he glared at the boar pup. His body was aching, and he knew he'd spent far too much of his energy trying to fight this blasted thing, but he needed to win this. Retreat wasn't an option. "Come on, then! Come at me you overgrown piglet!" His spear blade scratched the surface of the forest earth as he prepared himself. 

 

The boar pup let out an angry squeal as it stamped the ground once, then twice. Then it charged at him, feet stampeding across the dirt as it rushed him down. There was a moment where Ronnel stayed motionless - then he sprung into action. 

 

"Just die already!" <Heft> triggered once more, the spear blade gleaming and glowing as the man swung the weapon up. There was resistance this time - blade met flesh, and flesh lost. The spear carved through the pig, and it burst apart into digital flakes, scattering across the trees before they faded. Ronnel let his body sag, relaxing, and groaned. Tired eyes glanced to his inventory, and he bit back a cry of frustration. He hadn't gotten a loot drop from this blasted pig. 

 

 

Ronnel HP 136/140 EN 7/14

Link ID: 133217

BD Result: 8 Hit! 

Attack: <Heft> x2 DAM, 2 EN

DAM: 8 (4 x2) 

BOAR PUP DEAD (FINALLY!) 

Link ID: 133219

LD Result: 3 Fail 

 

Edited January 2, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel slowly sat down against one of the trees, leaning his back against the bark. That had been an aggravating fight to say the least - almost more so knowing that he had been right, and that a single connected attack was all he needed to take the boar out. It did give him an indication about why some people would focus so heavily on the numbers they could gain. This had just been a boar pup, one of the weakest mobs in Aincrad. Missing it hadn't been truly devastating, just an annoyance. But against some monsters that were on the upper floors? The ones that if you didn't get your killing strokes in quickly, you'd be the one to perish? Those numbers suddenly became far more important. 

The dark haired man rubbed his chest where the boar had struck, wincing. The flesh there was just a bit tender, his nerves firing in sympathy. It did not actually hurt - the protocols protected against that - but he knew it should have. "Right… After this, it may be time to look at actually choosing my profession."

 

{HP 136 + 10 = 140/140}

Edited January 3, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

It was a thought that had been at the back of Ronnel's mind for a little bit now. Being able to craft things - whether gear or just raw consumables  - seemed like it would be a bigger help to progressing things forward than just another spear wielder on the lines. While he didn't think he would just let his combat skills stagnate, he wanted to be able to make, too. 

The problem was, what? From what he remembered of his trips through town, there were tailors and blacksmiths already in force. And it wasn't like he was really feeling a calling to any of the professions right now. It was almost the same problem that he'd had outside. He didn't have a drive to do anything which was biting him now. He leaned back, resting his head against the tree above him as he stared at the leaves. No sudden bolt of inspiration struck him though, no revelation of a calling.

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel kicked one foot idly against the ground, looking at the divot his heel caused in the soft forest earth. It was something he needed to decide though - or if he did want to move forward and try to find something that he was well suited for in terms of combat. He sighed and rapped his knuckles against the metal cuirass he was currently wearing. “Wonder if I should just try to be a meat shield. I seem to be somewhat decent at taking a beating.” He chuckled and stood up, slowly stretching out. No matter what he was trying to do, he needed to actually keep moving. Stopping just because he was frustrated would end up getting him nowhere. 
He felt a bit better after having sat down for a moment - though he knew there would probably someone who would have called him out on not doing something with his time, it was nice to just sit. Maybe next time he had to take a breather he’d do something productive with his time -with the way his luck went, he’d need to kill quite a few more of the boars before he got enough tusks for the quest.
 

{EN: 3 posts out of combat, EN Full Recover}

Edited January 3, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

With a deep breath Ronnel re-equipped his spear and started moving again, resuming his hunt. He needed to figure out where these boar pups were - and hopefully the next one he fought wouldn't end up dancing around him like it was a butterfly and making a mockery of him. He tightened his grip on his spear and pressed on, sliding through the trees. He paused as he heard a snuffling snorting sound from ahead and he leaned against one of the trees, and leaned around it.

Ahead of him was one of the boar pups, its nose buried in the dirt. It was - an opportunity. The beast was completely busy and distracted. He could do this. Ronnel burst from behind the tree and charged, catching the pup off-guard. It lifted its head and started to turn in his direction - but by the time it did, the heavy spear in Ronnel's hands had already connected, sinking deep into the digital flesh. There was a pause, then a flash as the boar shattered apart into red flakes that slowly fell to the ground around him. This caught Ronnel by surprise, since he hadn't been using a Sword Art - then he noticed the 'critical' logged. His eyes tracked over to his inventory and he grumbled. At least he had some kind of luck, even if not what he wanted. No dice on a new tusk.

 

Ronnel: HP 140/140 EN 13/14 (-1 Basic Attack)

Dam: 6 (4 +2 From Crit)

Link ID: 133373

BD Result: 10 CRITICAL HIT +2 DAM

Boar Pup 0/5 DEAD

 

Loot Roll Fail

Link ID: 133374

LD Result: 5 Fail

Edited January 3, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel sighed and swung his spear up onto his shoulders as he grumbled to himself and kicked through the last of the fading red flakes from the boar he'd just killed, giving it one final irritated kick. At least this one hadn't been aggravating to fight - one and done, he'd killed the thing before it even knew he was there really. Hopefully he would be able to finish this quest before too long - he wanted to be able to focus on some other things, and maybe look for purchasing some gear. Something that could help his ac-

 

Ronnel grunted as he spotted a boar coming around a tree a few feet away. It was just barely in range of his spear, and he nodded to himself. With a twist of his wrists and flex of his arms, he swung the heavy weapon down, trying to slice into the unwary boar pup. It - missed. The blade dug into the earth next to the startled boar, who turned to look at the source of the attack. “Ah, nice piggy…” The pup squealed and tried to gouge Ronnel’s arm with one of its tusks, but the man wrenched himself backwards, avoiding the strike.

 

Ronnel: HP 140/140 EN 13/14 (+1 Recovery, -1 Basic Attack)

Link ID: 133418

BD Result: 2 , Miss

Boar Pup #3: HP 5/5

Link ID: 133421

BD Result: 3 Miss

Edited January 3, 2020 by Ronnel