[PP|F23] <<Ugzeke The Mighty>> Even Darker

[ChaseR 0]

<<Ugzeke The Mighty>>

Although not sure whether cats slept a lot or not, Chase wasn't off to start arguing about a species he hadn't gotten in contact with too much. The two left, to... Kalnaes, or whatever she called it. When they appeared inside of the Underdark, there was one thing of note; nothing. A fair, tiny bit of darkness all over the floor. "... Are the lights supposed to be off? And why does the floor look so... grim? I can't explain it, it just doesn't sit well with me.". It wasn't as if the floor itself was completely shrouded in blackness, but light didn't go too far out of the settlement and the few sources were a bit too bright for his taste- not normal sunlight either.

There was a lot to comment on and complain about the floor, but Chase just wanted to get this over with as soon as he got into it. Despite that, they had a job to finish and then they could go right back to where they came from- or anywhere else, really, just outside of a moody cave like this. His house was two floors down under, but even there it was better lit with the crystals reminding more of natural light and less of... whatever this was. For all it was worth though, the structures, although not too akin to his taste, were beautiful.

Spoiler

Name: ChaseR
Level: 48
HP: 980/980
EN: 96/96

Stats:
Damage: 15
Mitigation: 43
Evasion: 3
Accuracy: 3
BH:19
VAMP DEF:49
FRZ:24
BLD:24
HLY BLS:16
LD:2

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: <<Zero Degree Icicle>> (T2/Perfect/2HSS): ACC I, FRZ I, BLD I
Armor: <<Wind Dweller>> (T2/Perfect/Light Armor): EVA I, REC II
Misc: <<Chained Bracelet>> (T2/Perfect/Trinket): EVA II, ACC I

Skills:
Two-Handed Straight Sword [Rank 5]
Light Armor [Rank 5]
Battle Healing [Rank 2]
Searching [Rank 1]

Extra Skills:
Familiar Mastery: Fighter
Survival
Disguise

Mods:
2HSS Finesse [R3]
Precision
Athletics
Sprint & Acrobatics

Battle Ready Inventory:
Starter Healing Potions(heal 50HP)*3
Spyglass (2/3)*1
T1 Rare Health Potions (heal 40HP)*2
Woodland Armor (T2/Perfect) MIT III (2/3)*1
Requires Extended Weight Limit 1
Requires Extended Weight Limit 2
Requires Extended Weight Limit 3
Obtained via Item Stash (Housing)
Obtained via Dimensional Backpack

Housing Buffs:
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Skylight (Searching): +1 Rank to the Searching skill.
Advanced Training: +2 SP to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild:

Wedding Ring:

 

[NIGHT 0]

It was a lot of questions to be asked at once, though NIGHT supposed she was used to the scene of the elves' town by now to be able to object to his sudden astonishment fully. Waving his queries off, she started her trek towards the lower part of town, descending down a flight of stairs closest to the teleporter, eyes set downwards to watch the narrow steps. "That's how they live down here," was all she could come up with after the city had its moment to sink into her companion's memory, her voice barely above the bustling of the crowd of NPCs that called it home.

Short and quick was how she preferred her descent; a hand extended in gesture towards the opening of the tunnels up ahead. "It's called the Underdark for a reason, isn't it? The pitch is more focused over there; you'll find that a lot of enemies here don't rely on sight as well."

	NIGHT   | HP: 1490/1490 | EN: 161/161   | ACC: 1 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 106 | BH: 74   | TAUNT | THORNS: 54 | HM: 6 | LM: 2 | LD: 4   | Stealth Detection: 4 | Stealth Rating: 7   | Dungeon Search: 2
- - -
[Examine] [Equipment] Zokutō Yoroi -- [ Mitigation I | +27 MIT. ] -- [ Thorns II | 54 unmitigated damage against attacking enemies when they strike this player on non-critical attacks. ] Sleek Shift -- [ Mitigation I | +27 MIT. ] -- [ Heavy Momentum II | +6 DMG on an unsuccessful attack. Buff is removed on a successful attack. ] Second Wind -- [ Mitigation I | +27 MIT. ] -- [ Light Momentum II | +2 ACC on an unsuccessful attack. Buff is removed on a successful attack. ] [Battle-Ready Inventory] [T1E3] Teleport Crystal (2) | Instant | TELEPORT [T1E3] Imugi's Inspiration (5) | Instant | MASS HP RECOVERY [+30*Tier HP] [T2E3] Insta-Life++ (1) | Instant | HP RECOVERY III [+120 HP] Skills Skills Mod Count: 8/8 Two-Handed Straight Sword | Passive | RANK 5/5 > Ferocity, Precision, Finesse Light Armor | Passive | RANK 5/5  > Athletics, Sprint&Acrobatics Searching | Passive | RANK 4/5 > Reveal Hiding | Passive | RANK 4+1/5 > Blindside, Vanish, Surprise Attack: Trickster Extended Mod Limit | Passive | RANK 3/3  Battle Healing | Passive | RANK 5/5 Energist | Passive Quick Change | Active [Extra] Survival | Passive  Concentration | Active -- CD: 3 Familiar Mastery: Fighter | Passive | RANK 3/3 Consumed Buffs Spoiler Bialas Statue | +TAUNT - - - - - - Misc. Buffs Spoiler Dimensional Backpack, Item Stash | +2 Battle-Ready Inventory Slots. Well Rested | -1 EN for the first three expenditures of each combat.  Relaxed | +(5 * Tier) HP per out-of-combat post. Full energy restoration occurs after two turns out of combat. Squeaky Clean | -25% DoT damage taken from the first DoT applied to this player in a thread. Skylight: Hiding | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill. Cooldown of 30 days to reassign. Multipurpose | +1 LD/Prosperity/Stealth/Detection to one post per thread. Can be applied after a roll. Filling | +1 T1 slot to a food consumed by this player in a thread. Can exceed Cook enhancement caps. Col Deposit | +5% col from loot-minimum mobs, +10% col from treasure chests.

[ChaseR 0]

"The... Underdark? Wait, then won't it be harder to hit the monsters too, if we don't have proper lighting and all?", he continued to ask with a frown, letting out a deep sigh and a huff as he slumped forwards and let his arms hang. This was going to be quite the fight. "Please tell me the cave troll or whatever we're fighting is slow and doesn't move any...", he groaned under his breath and as they got closer to the opening, took his blade out to hold it in his hands once more. The darkness didn't comfort him any.

And the lack of responses didn't either. He didn't look around enough to notice the different race of the NPCs, but it didn't matter. The whole floor just struck him as odd and a bit too fantastic compared to the rest he'd visited that were rather ordinary plains, hillsides, mountains, caves and so on. "It's kind of damp here too, feels too humid... Bleh...", he continued to nag with half shut eyes. This was going to be a very nice and totally not annoying trip, for sure.

[NIGHT 0]

A nod, then in response to his mumbling; "Better yet, I don't think this thing moves. My guild mate and I faced this thing down once. It took a few hits before charging at all, and even before then it was as stable as a rock."

"Still," she continued, shelling out some of her consumables for potential use. "You should get used to keeping items around to make up for what you lack sometimes." Though Bahr's words were underlining an over-dependence, her concern laid in the matter that she wasn't too sure how capable her companion was just yet. Certainly not in terms of strength, no -- but of his fear to face what might be an inevitable scenario of taking the brunt of a good hit.

After a while, the numbers would add up, and he would be dauntless. But for now...

A handful of crystals; one shaped like a diamond, another a blue block, and the rest yellow orbs glowing faintly in the shadows.

Spoiler

Passing to ChaseR:

• [T1E3] Teleport Crystal (1) | Instant | TELEPORT
• [T1E3] Imugi's Inspiration (3) | Instant | MASS HP RECOVERY [+30*Tier HP] | [191196-1], [191196-2], [191196-3]
• [T2E3] Insta-Life++ (1) | Instant | HP RECOVERY III [+120 HP] | [ 145686-1]

[ChaseR 0]

Chase accepted the items, although he wasn't certain what they were until he got to them- ah. Some healing items and a teleportation crystal. Although he wasn't aware how to work any of them, he accepted them and stashed them over in the top of his inventory, with the teleport and insta-life ones in his battle-inventory for the fight against the giant. "A-Aye... You lot use items a lot, don't you? I've only used foods for buffs when looking for items or... I guess when I was doing my nature's treasure run that got me all these items."

He'd overall noticed excess amounts of consumables ready and up for sale. It wasn't because the shops were overflowing with players, hell, every time he visited one he appeared to be the only customer in hours, if not days. The consumables were there due to how quickly people churned through them, and he'd slowly have to get used to doing the same. Maybe the next time he'd head by Gaius, due to his bad mood when it came to pink, he'd stock up on some goodies for the third tier. After they were done leveling him all the way to 50, that is.

[Chase accepts the items and moves T1 Rare Health Potions to his inventory, and Insta-Life++ & Teleport Crystal to his battle-ready inventory.]

[NIGHT 0]

"Information is key after all. Doing your necessary research into what's possible in combat can bolster your chances of success greatly." Her hands traced the wall beside them, the woman doing her best to recall which directions she'd taken on her last outing. A turn here, a twist there; she'd even backtracked the moment she feared they were headed the wrong way (they were). NIGHT pried open a small console by her side to scrape through the details of their walk before continuing their adventure... though she was nearly certain they'd gotten lost at some point, and were just wandering aimlessly in the dark.

The tell that she was on the right track was when she'd spotted the same green boulder sat in the same damned room, an ambient white light spilling from the ceiling above it, the arena circular and pillared with natural stone yet empty and devoid of all other life except some moss. The player nodded towards the shell of a creature, pacing forward with only the slightest hint of hesitance, and with one swing took her first shot against the beast.

 

It didn't move.

Spoiler

ID: 167079 | BD: 6 (5, +1)
<<Galaxy Destroyer>> vs Ugzeke.
19 * 13 = 247 DMG | 247 - 35 = 212 DMG

[2] NIGHT | HP: 1490/1490 | EN: 161/161 | ACC: 1 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 106 | BH: 74 | TAUNT | THORNS: 54 | HM: 6 | LM: 2 | LD: 4
[0] ChaseR | HP: 980/980 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 15 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 43 | BH: 9 | FRZ: 9-10 | BLD: 24 | Vamp (Def.): CD: 9+ | HBS: 16 | LD: 2

Ugzeke | HP: 1288/1500 (-212) | DMG: 200 | ACC: 2 | MIT: 35 | CD9+: 175 DMG + Stun | CD3–: No action taken. | HP750: DMG = 250, ACC = 0

[ChaseR 0]

The bright red gash had appeared on the creature's back, causing Chase to wince slightly. Once more, another big baddie that was fairly bulky as well- just looking at how much damage NIGHT had dealt despite her strong weapon was enough proof of its health. It was a lot. He tried to attack it with his own weapon, but stumbled on a pebble on the ground and ended up slipping before he could swing his blade right at it and hit it with enough momentum to pack a mean punch using his Galaxy Destroyer.

Having barely regained his balance before falling, the monster just seemed to have gotten a good look at NIGHT, turning around and growling. It was then that Ugzeke lifted a hand into the air and slammed it right next to her, groaning as he felt the ground to see whether or not he'd hit her. "Not the smartest tool in the shed huh..? Is it actually a caveman or what..? I wonder if it can even see. Can it?"

[2] NIGHT | HP: 1490/1490 | EN: 161/161 | ACC: 1 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 106 | BH: 74 | TAUNT | THORNS: 54 | HM: 6 | LM: 2 | LD: 4
[0] ChaseR | HP: 980/980 | EN: 94/96 (-2) | DMG: 15 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 43 | BH: 19 | FRZ: 9-10 | BLD: 24 | Vamp (Def.): 49 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2

Ugzeke | HP: 1288/1500 | DMG: 200 | ACC: 2 | MIT: 35 | CD9+: 175 DMG + Stun | CD3–: No action taken. | HP750: DMG = 250, ACC = 0

Edited September 2, 2020 by ChaseR

[NIGHT 0]

Oh, you mean this time, Ugzeke was actually starting to move? Its slow movements had suddenly caught NIGHT's interest-- and then the creature shattered them whenever it slammed against the dirt next to her, sending up a small cloud of dust that was too thin to even obscure the woman's vision.

She growled at its lack luster response, barely even making a move to shift around it for another opportunity to get another strike in. A powerful blow, this time, hoping that the strength behind her blade would send a shudder through its form just to free it enough to move. The ragdoll seemed to tumble backwards just as her edge hit its back, sending the thing collapsing onto the floor it so dearly beloved, and the player stood vigil over it with an entirely unimpressed gaze.

So much for hoping Cardinal would fix such a pitiful thing. For this much experience, too?

Spoiler

ID: 167079 | BD: 6 (5, +1)
<<Galaxy Destroyer>> vs Ugzeke.
19 + 2 = 21 | 21 * 13 = 273 DMG | 273 - 35 = 238 DMG

[5] NIGHT | HP: 1490/1490 | EN: 144/161 (+1, -9) | ACC: 1 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 106 | BH: 74 | TAUNT | THORNS: 54 | HM: 6 | LM: 2 | LD: 4
[0] ChaseR | HP: 980/980 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 15 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 43 | BH: 9 | FRZ: 9-10 | BLD: 24 | Vamp (Def.): CD: 9+ | HBS: 16 | LD: 2

Ugzeke | HP: 1050/1500 (-238) | DMG: 200 | ACC: 2 | MIT: 35 | CD9+: 175 DMG + Stun | CD3–: No action taken. | HP750: DMG = 250, ACC = 0

[ChaseR 0]

Yeah, the way this monster just accepted its beating was definitely a sight to behold. Chase frowned and took a deep breath, preparing himself to attack the monster once more, this time hopefully not missing as his eyes had gotten slightly better accommodated to the darkness surrounding them. As his blade got sent the monster's way, his overcoat glowed a faint red due to the vampiric effect kick in. Funny enough, that was what provided the little more lighting that he needed in order to land a powerful strike on the beast, dealing a small chunk of damage on his own.

"Are we sure this is worth killing for that much SP-". The boy didn't get to finish his sentence before Ugzeke angrily raised his hand once more and went straight for NIGHT. He must have heard her somehow, and now his palm was crashing right onto her. As soon as he hit her however, he appeared to have calmed down slightly, just growling and getting onto his legs, slowly and painfully. He managed to get a sigh out of Chase. Just when it started to look menacing, it realised that they were in fact there in the first place.

[5] NIGHT | HP: 1384/1490 (-106) | EN: 144/161 (+1, -9) | ACC: 1 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 106 | BH: 74 | TAUNT | THORNS: 54 | HM: 6 | LM: 2 | LD: 4
[0] ChaseR | HP: 980/980 | EN: 85/96 (+1, -10) | DMG: 15 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 43 | BH: 9 | FRZ: 9-10 | BLD: 24 | Vamp (Def.): CD: 9+ | HBS: 16 | LD: 2

Ugzeke | HP: 890/1500 (-160) | DMG: 200 | ACC: 2 | MIT: 35 | CD9+: 175 DMG + Stun | CD3–: No action taken. | HP750: DMG = 250, ACC = 0

[NIGHT 0]

And just like that, it'd finally hit its mark. NIGHT felt the pressure close in on her the moment it started to drop its hand, bladework to parry it barely able to shrug off the force of the monster's attack. It shoved down long enough to drop her health down by a marginal amount, and yet--

--Within seconds it had already been restored to near full.

What a pity. She couldn't stop herself from tutting; her thorns hadn't even had the chance to stab at its insides. Almost as though raw frustration was guiding her actions, she'd dislodged the fist bearing down upon her edge and launched a counter with a slice of her blade upwards, then down. The light was brilliant, perhaps not enough to stun the enemy's horrid vision, but powerful still to have sent the hulking beast backwards, leaving the neanderthal staggering in an attempt to keep itself upright.

Spoiler

ID: 167086 | BD: 8 (7, +1)
<<Galaxy Destroyer>> vs Ugzeke.
19 * 13 = 247 DMG | 247 - 35 = 212 DMG

[7] NIGHT | HP: 1458/1490 (+74) | EN: 136/161 (+1, -9) | ACC: 1 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 106 | BH: 74 | TAUNT | THORNS: 54 | HM: 6 | LM: 2 | LD: 4
[1] ChaseR | HP: 980/980 | EN: 85/96 | DMG: 15 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 43 | BH: 9 | FRZ: 9-10 | BLD: 24 | Vamp (Def.): CD: 9+ | HBS: 16 | LD: 2

Ugzeke | HP: 678/1500 (-212) | DMG: 250 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 35 | CD9+: 175 DMG + Stun | CD3–: No action taken. | HP750: DMG = 250, ACC = 0

[ChaseR 0]

Yeah, this was definitely bullying the poor thing. It could barely stand, let alone process what was happening right now. At least the monsters didn't tend to talk any, much like humans, and this one seemed far too slow at perceiving what happened around it. No need to feel bad if more SP would get him further up the tower like this. He braced himself and attacked the monster, only to notice once he'd slashed it that it had changed.

Its skin was red and it emitted a fairly high heat off of its body, starting to sweat. Then again, maybe this was a 'phase' of some kind. What did make him especially happy was that the poor thing that couldn't attack in the first place, just so happened to get both of its hands encased in his sword's ice, as well as a small gash opened widely on its back, leaving it bleeding and taking damage.

[7] NIGHT | HP: 1458/1490 | EN: 136/161 | ACC: 1 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 106 | BH: 74 | TAUNT | THORNS: 54 | HM: 6 | LM: 2 | LD: 4
[1] ChaseR | HP: 980/980 | EN: 76/96 (+1, -10) | DMG: 15 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 43 | BH: 9 | FRZ: 9-10 | BLD: 24 | Vamp (Def.): CD: 9+ | HBS: 16 | LD: 2

Ugzeke | HP: 468/1500 (-186 + -24) | DMG: 250 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 35 | CD9+: 175 DMG + Stun | CD3–: No action taken. | HP750: DMG = 250, ACC = 0 | [FROZEN] | [BLEEDING 1/2]

[NIGHT 0]

And still, nothing.

NIGHT let out a sigh, sinking her blade into the soil below and leaning against it, disturbed. Her arms were folded, scowl stuck on her face, trying to catch a comforting pose whilst her thorns clattered against the sword's steel. The woman's violets were thrown towards the skin-changing, oddly molting Ugzeke 'The Impossible', by this point.

"I really figured it'd be more of a formidable opponent," she stated, pulling up her mail interface to chuck a complaint at Bistro for her sanity's sake. "And that the previous attempt was just a fluke on Cardinal's part. Here, you finish it up." A sweeping gesture towards the still recovering beast, seemingly unmoving from its original bludgeoning and subsequent bleeding and freezing. The other was put to work drafting up a message. "The brokers need to chip this thing's difficulty down in their books on account of a system error if they want more accurate info to distribute."

Spoiler

ID: 167086 | BD: 2 (1, +1)
NIGHT missed! ([Heavy Momentum], [Light Momentum] stacks +1 | +6DMG, +2ACC.)

[7] NIGHT | HP: 1490/1490 (+32) | EN: 135/161 (+1, -2) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 25 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 106 | BH: 74 | TAUNT | THORNS: 54 | HM: 6 | LM: 2 | LD: 4
[3] ChaseR | HP: 980/980 | EN: 76/96 | DMG: 15 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 43 | BH: 9 | FRZ: 9-10 | BLD: 24 | Vamp (Def.): CD: 9+ | HBS: 16 | LD: 2

Ugzeke | HP: 468/1500 | DMG: 250 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 35 | CD9+: 175 DMG + Stun | CD3–: No action taken. | [BLEEDING: 24] (1/2)

[ChaseR 0]

By now, this was hardly a fight. It was just watching how quickly Ugzeke would start to die on his own from his misses or anything. There, he raised his hand once more and attempted to attack NIGHT. Chase tried to slash at him half-assedly, only to miss to noone's surprise. "... Woah, I missed... Wow.", he commented with his eyes closed by this point, letting out a deep sigh and scratching the back of his head with one hand while Ugzeke punched more fiercely than before at the ground, fairly off to the side from where NIGHT was.

"H-Have you really lost interest in this monster already..? I'm sure it would be less time wasted in these shitty caves if you helped a bit, right~?", he asked and walked next to her, smiling. It wasn't that he was afraid of the monster anymore, but more so that he didn't want to take his sweet time chipping its health down in three hits. This whole ordeal was just a pain in the ass, and a big one at that. 

[7] NIGHT | HP: 1490/1490 (+32) | EN: 135/161 (+1, -2) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 25 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 106 | BH: 74 | TAUNT | THORNS: 54 | HM: 6 | LM: 2 | LD: 4
[3] ChaseR | HP: 980/980 | EN: 75/96 (+1, -2) | DMG: 15 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 43 | BH: 19 | FRZ: 9-10 | BLD: 24 | Vamp (Def.): 49 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2

Ugzeke | HP: 444/1500 (-24) | DMG: 250 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 35 | CD9+: 175 DMG + Stun | CD3–: No action taken. | [BLEEDING: 24] (2/2)

Edited September 2, 2020 by ChaseR

[NIGHT 0]

NIGHT took one glance at the target dummy behind her after it'd decided to smash the ground right next to where she'd planted her sword. The woman wasn't particularly moved by its thrashing, nor ChaseR's sweet talk, but more so by the little indication of one of her armor stacks finally coming into play from someone's registered miss.

Probably Ugzeke. Even though that wasn't how the enhancement worked mechanically.

She'd groan, low and annoyed, before finishing up her message to her informant and grabbing ahold of her blade's grip again. Maybe if she lowered her guard down enough, the scarecrow would actually be of legitimate threat this time.

One strike. Not enough to kill it, but enough to push its health bar fairly close to the red. The player shook her head, letting her sword fade away from the fight, before offering ChaseR the glory of the kill.

Or lack thereof.

Spoiler

ID: 167092 | BD: 6 (3, +3)
<<Galaxy Destroyer>> vs Ugzeke.
25 * 13 = 325 DMG | 325 - 35 = 290 DMG

[9] NIGHT | HP: 1490/1490 | EN: 126/161 (+1, -10) | ACC: 1 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 106 | BH: 74 | TAUNT | THORNS: 54 | HM: 6 | LM: 2 | LD: 4
[3] ChaseR | HP: 980/980 | EN: 75/96 | DMG: 15 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 43 | BH: 19 | FRZ: 9-10 | BLD: 24 | Vamp (Def.): 49 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2

Ugzeke | HP: 154/1500 (-290) | DMG: 250 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 35 | CD9+: 175 DMG + Stun | CD3–: No action taken.

[ChaseR 0]

The lack of a response and annoyed strike were more than enough of an answer. She didn't care any about him trying to get on his good side, she was more so bothered by the utter incompetence of the monster. "R-Right! Killing it it is!", he chirped in hopes that he'd land his final hit, raising his sword into the air and practically slamming the flat of his blade right into the monster's chest. That was enough to topple it over to the back, getting a cocky whistle to accompany the giant's fall.

With a thud, it shattered into crystals as the two finished the quest, leaving Chase with overall mixed emotions. "So... that was that, I guess... Off to the teleporter and some place less gloomy~?", he turned back and eagerly asked her, not wanting to linger around the caves much longer. Just how humid it was was starting to drive him crazy, the wetness of his skin and how sticky it felt... Absolutely disgusting.

[9] NIGHT | HP: 1490/1490 | EN: 126/161 | ACC: 1 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 106 | BH: 74 | TAUNT | THORNS: 54 | HM: 6 | LM: 2 | LD: 4
[4] ChaseR | HP: 980/980 | EN: 66/96 (+1, -10) | DMG: 15 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 43 | BH: 19 | FRZ: 9-10 | BLD: 24 | Vamp (Def.): 49 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2

Ugzeke | HP: 0/1500 (-160) | DMG: 250 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 35 | CD9+: 175 DMG + Stun | CD3–: No action taken.

Edited September 2, 2020 by ChaseR

[NIGHT 0]

So much for this armor. She believed she'd paid good money for it, but the sad factor was that it hadn't seemed to pay off for her just yet. Which was weird, given the nature of her luck, but NIGHT stepped out the room with a few clicks of her boots, trying to find herself accustomed to the dark once again.

... It was a long trek back, to say the least.

"Anything else on your list?" She asked, aloud this time just to break up the silence of their journey. There was also an indignation towards the monsters of the dark -- maybe this was where the developers hid their failed creations, just like how a deity might've with underwater sea creatures. Too cool a concept to wrangle with, too dissatisfying in execution to really put to good use.

Maybe she should leave her gear here, just for the symbolism.

 

No, never mind. It would be an insult to the crafted pieces to do so.

[ChaseR 0]

Thankfully for Chase, he hadn't gotten to any quest that included the horrors that might have lurked in the sea. Anything beyond a mackerel or salmon was enough to be considered scary, seeing as whatever lurked in the waters could be anywhere from an eel to a fucking Kraken in this world. He already had a dislike to the sea, now it was a full on distaste. "No, I haven't checked. You said something like the guild, some... Anima. Firma? No, it was... Er... Terma Firma?", he tried to recall the name of the quest she'd mentioned, opening up his menu.

It wasn't long before he stumbled across the quest he'd missed, laughing awkwardly and nodding to himself. "Terra Firma, of course. What do you think? If my calculations are right, it should be just enough for me to get to your tier- the third. And it's only been a week, too.", he trailed off, starting to reminisce upon his little journey in Aincrad. It was a full seven days since his starting the leveling trip, but it was certainly seven long days filled with exhaustion and hard work. Honestly, it wouldn't be surprising if he collapsed once he got even remotely in the proximity of a bed. He'd covered a lot of distance, even more quests and killed twice as many monsters- all that with no prior gaming experience whatsoever. He'd probably burned himself out somewhere in the process without noticing, and it just hadn't kicked in quite yet.

[NIGHT 0]

Huh.

Terra Firma. Was it possible for her to run a test drive of her armor against it? Perhaps; she'd given her companion the ticket out if things ever got too dicey. And as for herself, NIGHT was nearly certain the odds were in the boss' favour just by way of its evasive maneuvers, the woman contemplating if there was something to be said about her eagerness to put herself in harm's way.

No, there was likely nothing to it. Likely.

NIGHT wasn't too sure herself.

"Sure," the woman returned, accessing her inventory in the dark. When she'd stepped out of the light as they exited the tunnels, she was well in her tracksuit again, pulling out a tiny Nyanko fast asleep in the heart of her bag.

She slipped her ally into her pocket. Started moving towards the teleporter with some enthusiasm back in her step. "Floor five once again."

[ChaseR 0]

As soon as she gave him the green light, Chase opened up his menu and began to organize his inventory. Although there was little to really do, he did want to use an item that he still had handy from Gaius. On top of actually just having an extra lunch, that is. It wasn't quite easy to see what exactly he was doing, but it was in the inventory tab alright. He did get distracted by the tiny kitten that was being moved over to a pocket, assuming she'd probably continue to use the same armor as she did in this quest, to make herself much more akin to a damage sponge. Then again, if she did, where would she let Nyanko rest..?

"What is the boss like either way? Also, that should be the last time I ever have to set foot on the fifth on my own... Right?", he laid out both questions on the table, closing his menu and stuffing his hands over in his pockets once more, stepping onto the teleporter alongside his partner. Their health had seemed to have gone back to full already, and that was fine, honestly. As long as they weren't in the face of danger anymore.

[NIGHT 0]

"A pangolin," she returned, holding his next comment in her head for a bit. "And..."

--It was true; she hadn't been to the fifth in quite a long time. That had to mean her companion had faced the sand shark before, as well as that journey towards some poor merchant's lost goods. Right? Perhaps she was missing some other quest at the back of her mind on that floor; rarely any player really appreciated the likeness of the desert, and so there wasn't as much information being traded around about it in the first place.

Also, maybe the reason why there were so many forest floors in Aincrad. But NIGHT wasn't in any power to change Cardinal's environments, so it was deal with it in every other scenario.

"You should be right." Within a snap of her fingers, the system enveloped the duo in a white light upon the teleporter pad, sending them away to their final destination.