[F13 | SP] Angel on High

Nari-Lanreth · July 20, 2023

The gravel shifted underneath her foot as Nari re-balanced her weight. She'd been crouched by the edges of what had once been the largest - or at least she'd been told the largest - settlement on this floor. The priests had been adamant that the area was dangerous, fearing for her life and striving to stop her from heading out to the area itself. Nothing more than a pre-programmed commentary. They don't care, in the least. No one in here does. You're here. Then you're not. Nari shifted again, the scythe leaned against her arm at a precarious angle, as much of a dark omen as the very air around her.

Demon's End. Fitting. The area before her had gained the name due to the events that had unfolded. She'd barely been listening as the NPC had informed her of the entire collapse of the floor, her thoughts as distant as they were now. She'd been far more interested in leaving the area, heading out into the wilderness beyond in an attempt to try and escape. Escape? Escape from what? From your home? The virtual one that you've made here? Or perhaps you want to escape from all of them? It's not as though you're escaping from this place. Her lip curled as she thought about her current situation. A situation she'd been stuck in for far longer than she had desired. A situation which, as far as she could tell, had no foreseeable end to it. No escape. No return to the real world. We're stuck here, until we die.

Her thoughts had turned darker as she brooded. Although the world itself was digital, the impact of her mind caused her legs to begin to burn after a time, a mere inconvenience when she stopped to consider it all. A mere inconvenience. Everything here is a mere inconvenience. Everything here is...

Statblock

Spoiler

notes

--

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 860/860 | EN: 100/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24
Tier 4 | Tier 8

equipped

Reaper's Charge
[Scythe; Tier 4 Daemonic]
Enhancement: Accuracy [3 Slots]
Enhancement: Static [1 Slot]

Reaper's Defence
[Light Armour; Tier 4 Perfect]
Enhancement: Evasion [2 Slots]
Enhancement: Light Momentum [1 Slots]

Twin-Fox Bracelet
[Tier 4 Perfect Jewellery]
Enhancement: Recovery [2 Slots]
Enhancement: Evasion [1 Slot]

battle-ready inventory

Teleport Crystal {3}

Starter Healing Potions {4} | Heals 50 HP

Divinity's Wait {4} | Tier 2; Perfect Potion | Mitigation III

Divinity's Protection {4} | Tier 3; Perfect Potion | Overhealth III

Cold Brew Coffee {3} | Tier 1; Perfect Potion | HP Recovery III

Percephonius Pyratius {9} | Tier 4; Perfect Potion | Damage III

Ketchup Chips {3} | Tier 4; Perfect Snacks| Probiotics III

Siúil a Rún {2} | Tier 3; Perfect; Masterpiece Support Song | HP Recovery III [Mass]

skills

Spoiler

Utility Skills
Extended Weight Limit [Active: Passive. Effect: +2 additional Battle-Ready inventory slots.]
Searching [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +1 LD per rank. +1 to Stealth Detection per rank.]
[Rank 3 Searching Mod] Detect [Active: Passive. Effect: Grants +2 Stealth Detection. Grants +1 LD when searching for dungeons and labyrinths.]
Quick Change [Active: Free Action. Effect: Allows the user to instantly equip, unequip, or swap any equipment in their battle-ready inventory. All active and temporary buffs and conditions granted to the player by the unequipped item are immediately lost, unless the new item carries the same enhancement (e.g. Keen, Heavy Momentum, Risky, etc.).]

Combat Skills
Battle Healing [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.]

Weapon Skills
Polearm [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +7 DMG]
Dagger [Rank: 1. Active: Passive. Effect: +3 DMG]
[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina [Active: Passive. Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.]
[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 ACC.]
[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] <<Weapon Type>> Focus [Active: Passive. Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.]
[Rank 5 Shift] TECH Specialist [Active: Passive. Effect: For TECH Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers, +3 to EN cost. No other Shifts may be taken.]

Armour Skills
Light Armour [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: 30 MIT. Mitigation is capped at 2 slots.]
[Light Armour Mod] Meticulous [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.]
[Light Armour Add-on] Resolve [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 Accuracy and +10 * Tier HP.]

Active Extra Skills
Concentration [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. Effect: As a free action, gain Absolute Accuracy on your next attack. In the case Absolute Accuracy is already present, increase your Accuracy by 1 instead. Effect lasts until the start of next turn.]

Meditation [Active: Post Action. Cooldown: 3 turns. Effect: Recover an additional (4 * Tier) energy.]

Parry [Active: Post action. Energy cost: 9 EN Cooldown: 3 Turns. Effect: Apply the energy cost upon proc, not activation. Reduces the final damage of the next successful attack against you by 50% (rounded down) and negates stun/paralysis effects of that attack. If hit by multiple attacks, only apply parry to the first attack against you. Parry lasts for three turns. Cooldown starts when the player activates the Skill. If the player is hit when using Parry, the cooldown is reset to 3 turns.]

[Parry Mod] Vengeful Riposte [Active: Passive. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: A successful Parry also returns 50% (rounded down) of the raw damage that would be dealt to you back to your opponent. The reflected damage can be mitigated by the opponent.]

Survival [Active: Passive. Effect: Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects.]

Inactive Extra Skills
Assault Mode [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, switch your accuracy and evasion values until the start of your next turn.]
Brawler [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Increase mitigation by 10*tier until the start of your next turn.]
Frozen Hide [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, apply one slot of Frost Aura and one slot of Frost Thorns equal to your tier to yourself until the start of your next turn.]

Combat Mastery
Damage [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 * Tier additional Base Damage per rank. Ranks of this Skill obey Damage enhancement caps.]

Familiar Skills
Protector Familiar [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 3 Posts; Effect: The next time you would take damage, your familiar rushes to your aid, reducing the final damage by 10%.]

sword arts

Spoiler

[x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art.
[x15] ST-II (15 13 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn.
[x20] ST-B (20 18 EN) | A devastating single-target sword art. Can only be used if the sword art used the previous turn is not ST-B and had rolled a natural CD9+. When performing an AoE attack, use only the first roll.
[x11] AOE-I (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once.
[x14] AOE-II (14 12 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A powerful sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. Only available for use when AOE-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if AOE-II had been used and had missed the previous turn.
[x16] TECH-A (16 14 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy.
[x16] TECH-B (15 13 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a status condition that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn.
[x16] TECH-C (15 13 EN) | COUNTER | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, places [Counter] around the player. [Counter] reduces the final damage taken by its user by 25% (rounded down) for one turn.
[x16] TECH-D (15 13 EN) | SHATTER | A single-target sword art that applies [Shatter] to an enemy for 3 turns. [Shatter] is a debuff that can stack up to a cap of 3. Each stack of [Shatter] removes -20 MIT from an enemy, down to 0, if it has MIT.
[x12] TECH-F (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn.
[x16] TECH-G (15 13 EN) | BURN | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Burn] on the enemy. [Burn] is a DoT ailment that deals [14 * Player Tier] unmitigated Burn damage for 2 turns.

buffs

Spoiler

Estate Buffs
Bedroom [-1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat.]
Living Room [Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.]
Storage Closet [+1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot]
Basement [Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.]
Extended Workshop [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.]
Greenhouse [+2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.]

Nari-Lanreth · July 20, 2023

She gave a soft sigh as she pushed herself to her feet. She'd escaped from the requirements of her day to day life - from those around her who reminded her of everything that had gone wrong. She'd felt sorry, at first, as she'd realised that meant leaving Onora behind. Sometimes I need some time away. She understands. She's good like that. Even if it hurts her a bit... Nari had no doubt that her friend - her recent roommate, companion and perhaps more - would be understanding of the need to get away, to spend some time alone. Alone with nothing more than her own thoughts to keep her company.

Because that's what you need. More time to spend with the darkness that consumes you. The hatred, the fury, the anger. Resentment at something you can't change. The voice nagged at her, not giving way even as Nari tried to push it aside. She knew it was right - her coming out here, alone, was doing nothing for her well-being. But if you remain, you'll get angry at someone who doesn't deserve it. Better to wallow in self-hatred, than to harm those you care about. To cause pain to those who don't deserve it.

The voice seemed to fall silent - either not having a rebuttal, or knowing well enough that there was no point in arguing. Whatever the reasoning, it left Nari in peace long enough to see the shifting humanoid forms in the distance. She'd been told about the forms, humanoids that had possibly once been members of the society here. Beings that had been corrupted by darkness and toxicity, left to wander aimlessly through the barren lands in the hopes of some ending. Things to reap, so that they may find peace...even if it's nothing more than a moment of solitude away from Cardinal's control.

Nari-Lanreth · July 20, 2023

Her pace was controlled, her feet moving across the ground far quieter than when she had first begun to hunt. Although the years hadn't been the most pleasant, Nari couldn't say that they hadn't been well-learnt. In fact, if anything, they had taught her more lessons than she ever would've desired to have learnt. Lessons such as moving quietly, lessons such as never letting your enemy overwhelm you. Lessons such as loss.

She'd bit her lip in response to the last thought, realising just how much she had lost since Sword Art Online had first started. She didn't want to think about. Didn't want to acknowledge the pain she was feeling - the ways in which those memories still tore at her mind, at her very soul.

Then don't think. She threw herself into the fight instead, forcing herself into a spin as she looked to hook all four of the nearby creatures - a collection of humanoid like beings that appeared corrupted by the very environment that they wandered through. Nari didn't pay heed to the features that appeared almost personal, deciding it best to view them as nothing more than a target. A thing to be brought down before her, to be silenced. It hurts less that way.

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 860/860 | EN: 83/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | -17 EN
Doom Harbringer | HP: 346/600 | DMG: 150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | Stunned | Static [1/2]
Sludge Knight 1 | HP: 208/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stunned | Static [1/2]
Sludge Knight 2 | HP: 236/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stunned
Sludge Knight 3 | HP: 236/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stunned

Nari-Lanreth · July 20, 2023

The four creatures had been stunned by her sudden strike - not just due to her sudden appearance, nor the static electricity that crackled from her scythe as it tore through the largest of the collection before carrying onwards and through the remainder, but also due to the successive effect her the sword art itself. She could see the creatures lock up - held in place by the paralysis effect of the attack. It's useless, but...again.

She gave another twirl, letting the blade wrap around and dance with her as she brought it to bear on the creatures one more time - knowing full well that the secondary effects wouldn't be present, but that it would at least cut down all four at once.Better to hit them all, rather than miss one entirely...should make things faster.

She was surprised, however, when the largest of the creatures - Doom Harbringer - suddenly fell to the side, barely avoiding her attack as it seemed to collapse to the ground. The surprise barely registered across her face before she was leaping backwards, however, avoiding the counterattack that all four creatures attempted at once.

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 860/860 | EN: 70/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN -17 EN
Doom Harbringer | HP: 306/600 | DMG: 150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | Stun Immunity [0/3] | Static [2/2]
Sludge Knight 1 | HP: 16/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [0/3] | Static [1/2]
Sludge Knight 2 | HP: 72/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [0/3]
Sludge Knight 3 | HP: 72/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [0/3]

Nari-Lanreth · July 20, 2023

The creatures had recovered from the stun effect faster than Nari had anticipated. Not that it had assisted them nearly as much as they may have desired - but it did cause an amount of annoyance to the woman as she forced backwards away from the group. Her scythe flashed in her hand, blocking minor attacks from the party as it tried to overwhelm her - their success minimal at best. It's becoming easier, each time. Almost like a routine...

She gave a quick outward slash with her weapon, forcing the Doom Harbringer back, and turning the Sludge Knights that had accompanied it into shards that glittered on the air. There's still a serene beauty to those... She found herself staring at the drifting shards, distracted long enough that the Harbringer was given an opening. The thing's weapon came around, slashing across Nari's form and sending her flying into the dirt - a stronger attack than she had been expecting.

That's what you get for not paying attention. She hadn't managed to roll with the attack, and it took her a second to leap to her feet - the scythe coming up to block the follow up strike that the thing had tried to land while she was down. Alright...just you and I now. Let's finish this then.

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 740/860 | EN: 57/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN -17 EN -120 HP
Doom Harbringer | HP: 306/600 | DMG: 150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | Stun Immunity [1/3]
Sludge Knight 1 | HP: 0/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [1/3] | Static [2/2]
Sludge Knight 2 | HP: 0/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [1/3]
Sludge Knight 3 | HP: 0/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [1/3]

Nari-Lanreth · July 20, 2023

Her scythe moved into an intricate pattern, a shift of metal in the air before, and around her, as she worked to drive the Harbringer back towards a slight dip in the ground. It was far from the high ground that Nari would've liked, in order to assault the thing directly from above, but it was enough of an uneven standing that she hoped the thing would at least come unbalanced in its stride. Any small advantage in this world. That's all it's about. Any little thing that you can use...or can be used against you.

Either the thing was used to such tactics, or it somehow knew what Nari was trying to do. Instead of continuing its backwards movement, it shifted to its left, barely avoiding the dip as it continued its careful retreat from her assault. She watched as it parried a few of the closer strikes, stepping out of the way of the others - as if it was waiting for her to grow tired, or to shift her attack.

Alright, fine. Nari did exactly as it was expecting - shifting her attack slightly to create a small opening that the creature could take advantage of, given the opportunity. She waited, watching to see if it would leap forward - surprised when it instead pulled further back away from her, as if knowing the feint was there. Be difficult then.

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 787/860 | EN: 59/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +47 HP -2 EN
Doom Harbringer | HP: 306/600 | DMG: 150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | Stun Immunity [2/3]

ID213478 | BD: 1+5=6 | <<Tech-G vs. Doom Harbringer>> | Critical Miss [-2 EN]
ID213479 | MOB: 6+2-3=5 | <<Doom Harbringer vs. Nari-Lanreth>> | Miss.

Nari-Lanreth · July 20, 2023

Frustration had begun to take over her movements as she came no closer to putting the creature down. She felt it bubbling up within her, demanding her to do something - anything - to force the thing into the ground. Enough! I can't be reckless here. No one knows...and besides, there's no need to- Her thoughts were cut off as the scythe in her hand was suddenly knocked to the side, the brunt of the weapon slamming into the side of her head and causing her to dance backwards as she recoiled from the sudden attack.

Where the hell- She wasn't given time to consider what had happened, the Harbringer bearing down on her with an intent to kill in its movements. The facial features appeared unchanged, and yet something about its bodily movements spoke to the ferocity in its fight now. Cardinal. Something's changed...they're not as easy as they used to be. Well, I'm outlasting you, you piece of shit program. I won't drop here.

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 712/860 | EN: 61/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +47 HP -2 EN -122 HP
Doom Harbringer | HP: 306/600 | DMG: 150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | Stun Immunity [3/3]

ID213480 | BD: 1+5=6 | <<Tech-G vs. Doom Harbringer>> | Critical Miss [-2 EN]
ID213481 | MOB: 10+2-3=9 | <<Doom Harbringer vs. Nari-Lanreth>> | Major Critical Hit: [150+2] - 30 = 122 damage

Nari-Lanreth · July 20, 2023

She stepped back again as the Harbringer brought its weapon down in a harsh arc, using its own muscles - digital as they may be - and momentum in order to slam the weapon into the spot Nari had been standing seconds ago. She could see its pattern evolving before her eyes, the way it would follow up the aggressive opening, using speed to try and knock aside her defences, before driving a powerful strike towards where she should be. Repetitive. Just like you'd expect from a program. Even an AI. She'd found a simple enough counter - blocking the first couple of strikes, before stepping out of the way of the more powerful attack at the finale.

There. Right after it lands the final blow, it would pause for a collection of breaths - not long enough to charge it, but long enough to catch it with a wild attack. Nari positioned herself to block the incoming flurry of quick strikes, before stepping to the side and closer to the creature as it raised the weapon above its head - slamming it down as she expected. A quick inward slash of the scythe was all it took, the creature locking up in place as Nari's weapon connected - leaving it defenceless for the moment.

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 759/860 | EN: 51/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +47 HP -14 EN
Doom Harbringer | HP: 36/600 | DMG: 150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | Stunned

ID213482 | BD: 6+5=11 | <<Tech-A vs. Doom Harbringer>> | Hit: 20 x 16 - 50 = 270 damage | Stunned

Nari-Lanreth · July 20, 2023

The pattern had devolved - the quick bursts had become aggressive thrusts and bashes in what was clearly becoming a desperate desire to overwhelm Nari's defences. She didn't let the sudden shift overwhelm her, instead focusing on simply deflecting the attacks that she could, and avoiding those that came too close. It was a wary game, in the end, the need to keep such a lookout for anything coming directly towards her. Opening. There.

She'd spotted it the same instant as she began to move into her own attack sequence, the sudden shift from defensive to offensive causing confusion for the Harbringer. It was enough to give Nari the edge she needed, her scythe coming up in a quick swipe to knock aside what little defence the creature had to offer. She pulled back the scythe, shifting her feet and activating the sword art as she held her pose - the length of her scythe's blade lighting in a purplish flame. She slashed outwards, bringing it in a hard swing around the left side of the Harbringer, before slashing straight through the creature.

The shower of shards that were left after it had disappeared were of little comfort to Nari, the entire scene a reminder of the numerous other battles she had survived. Just another Monday...

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 806/860 | EN: 41/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +47 HP -14 EN
~~Doom Harbringer | HP: 0/600 | DMG: 150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | Stun Immunity [0/3]~~

ID213483 | BD: 9+5=14 | <<Tech-G vs. Doom Harbringer>> | Minor Critical Hit: [20+1] x 16 - 50 + 40 (Static) + 56 (Burn) = 382 damage | Stunned

Spoiler

Looting
ID213484 | LD: 13+5=18 | CD: 3 | Result: 2 materials, 1,200 col, Rare Consumable (1), Rare Weapon (1)
ID213486 | LD: 2+5=7 | CD: 11 | Result: 2 materials, 800 col, Rare Trinket (1), Additional Col (400)
ID213488 | LD: 18+5=23 | CD: 7 | Result: 4 materials, Perfect Armor/Shield (1), Perfect Weapon (2)
ID213489 | LD: 6+5=11 | CD: 8 | Result: 2 materials, 800 col, Rare Weapon (1), Uncommon Consumable (1)

Nari-Lanreth · July 20, 2023

The wind had picked up slightly following the completion of her skirmish with the humanoids, a fact that made Nari wonder if Cardinal wasn't watching her. Absurd, it's just coincidence. The AI isn't watching you and waiting for the most opportune moment to give you the dramatic flair... The voice in her mind scowled in response to the idea, and Nari found she couldn't disagree with the sarcastic tone. It was highly unlikely that Cardinal was simply waiting around to provide her with a gust of wind, the more reasonable explanation winning out for once. To think, you thought yourself important. As if an AI doesn't have anything better to do.

She didn't like the thought. That she was insignificant. She knew there was a good chance that she was - a good chance that she barely made a register on the great being that watched over their experiences in Aincrad. Yet, somehow, thinking it, bringing the idea to life, made her feel worse. Recognition of being unimportant. That's the issue. Realising that, in this world, at this time...my disappearance doesn't matter. That I can be easily forgotten against the masses. She refused to give credit to the next thought, the understanding of all those who had come before. Names that she barely remembered, faces that had long since disappeared from her own memories. Ghosts of the past.

The shiver that ran down her back had nothing to do with the wind. Nari's face scrunched in a look of annoyance as she turned away from the spot she'd remained standing, looking into the distance. There were more of the humanoid creatures, shifting around the open area as if they'd taken no notice of the fight that had just occurred. That's because they haven't. They've noticed nothing...nothing beyond what Cardinal tells them to notice. Like slaves, driven to do what they're told, when they're told. Nothing more, nothing less. Her lip curled in response, her expression shifting to one of disgust. She would've like nothing more than to simply rush through the field, tearing one after another apart - but she knew it would be pointless. Ten minutes, an hour, even a day from now, everything would return to how it had been moments ago, as if nothing had even occurred.

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 846/860 | EN: 42/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | +1 EN +40 HP

Nari-Lanreth · July 21, 2023

She'd found a place to rest a small distance away - the rolling terrain giving an almost three-sided shelter to the area. She'd been concerned at first that something could come over the crest and attack her from behind, but so far the few small groups of creatures in the area had stayed well and far away from her current position. She'd watched, for a time, following their movements. At first, like all collections of creatures in Aincrad, the paths had appeared random - a collection of steps followed before a sudden turn, and a new collection of steps. But with time, Nari had begun to notice the trend in their movements, the way in which they always followed the same step-count, turn, step-count. The direction they'd been heading set absolute, and an obvious scene laid out before her that showed her they wouldn't come anywhere near her, for the foreseeable future.

No matter how realistic this place may seem, it's still just a game. A collection of numbers, made code, that come together to determine how the world should react. How the world should behave. Nari's eyes flitted across to a nearby group, watching as they came slightly closer, before shifting and heading off in another direction. She found her mind wandering slightly as she watched them, considering how she'd reacted to this game during her time here. Anger. Sympathy. Frustration. Sorrow. Empathetic. Remorseful. I've felt a lot of feelings towards it all. A continuous branch of...well, emotions. A tide, which could sweep away others, and maybe even myself. She knew most of it was justified, in some way or form, and yet it still felt silly in some ways to consider it all.

Maybe there was a greater meaning to it all. Maybe there was a reasoning for all the madness that had occurred, for everything they'd been put through since the game had gone live. Maybe we all died for nothing. Maybe this is nothing more than a madman's creation, with the single intent of making us all suffer before we disappear from this existence. She felt her lip curl again, responding to the frustration she was feeling at her own thoughts. She hated this world, the fact that they were trapped here, even some of the experiences that she had been forced to endure. Do the good ones outweigh all the horrors we've faced? Does that somehow make it okay? She didn't have an answer, at least not yet. But she knew that she'd continue asking the question during those darker moments, as if expecting to hear something in response.

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 860/860 | EN: 43/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | +1 EN +40 HP

Nari-Lanreth · July 21, 2023

She'd gotten tired of thinking. She wanted nothing more than to run away from her thoughts, and all the darkness that they brought with them. She'd grown tired. Tired of it all, of everything she was doing each and every single day. I'm tired of taking every single day to get up, to craft some useless materials, hunt down more monsters, all in the name of eventually escaping. We've made no progress...in a long time. We may be picking up again, but...are we really getting anywhere? They'd found the boss's room, from the rumours that had been passed throughout the floors. There'd even been mention of old faces reappearing in preparation for coming assault, individuals that Nari had never seen of before, or even heard of. The elites who had disappeared while the excitement dulled down, only to reappear at the mention of action. People who want nothing more than to be the momentary hero, but not put the work in...

She knew she was being harsh - unnecessarily harsh. She'd never met some of these people, which meant she couldn't know what their intentions were. What it was that they did, or didn't do. What they did, or didn't desire. Which means, you can't judge them. For all you know, they helped locate the boss room. Nari shrugged to herself, deciding the thoughts were pointless. For now, she would focus on what she could do - preparing for the coming fight. Which meant that she would need to deal with the groups before her, in an attempt to find anything of use, of any sort of value to her and those who were assaulting the boss itself.

Pushing herself to her feet, she took a few quick steps towards the nearest group, before breaking into a full run. She focused her charge, bringing her scythe out and behind her in the usual ready stance, letting it slide through her hand until it was perfectly balanced. At the last second, just before she would've collided with the closest of the creatures, she leapt to the right, throwing herself into a spin and bringing her weapon up and around in an attempt to slash the entire group in a single strike.

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 860/860 | EN: 83/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | -17 EN
Doom Harbringer | HP: 386/600 | DMG: 150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | Stunned
Sludge Knight 1 | HP: 400/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100
Sludge Knight 2 | HP: 208/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stunned | Static [1/2]
Sludge Knight 3 | HP: 236/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stunned

Nari-Lanreth · July 21, 2023

She'd managed to catch the majority of the creatures, watching as they stopped moving, their limbs betraying them as they locked into place. A single one had avoided her strike - more out of luck, than actual skill by the creature itself. Although Nari would've liked to land a follow up attack, she found herself ducking backwards as the smaller knight slashed outwards at her, intent on bringing the woman down by itself. I doubt you could, unless you were given enough time. Not that she was about to give it the time it needed. She knew the dangers of prolonging fights like these, and the necessity to end them as quickly as she could. Dancing around the side of one of the stunned creatures, she put herself out of reach of the knight for a few seconds, setting her footing in preparation for her next strike.

She pulled the scythe backwards, before letting the sudden shift in her momentum propel it back towards the creatures she was fighting. She aimed for the centre of the group, using the weight of the scythe to try and drive home her second strike. She knew it wouldn't paralyse the majority of the group - the effect already having worn off, and a small immunity placed upon them for the time being. The ability to attack all four, however, was too great to pass up the opportunity. Even if the bonus effects don't come into play, it's still worth every cost of using it. The faster I can put down some of these...the faster this fight ends. Which meant the faster she would be able to head home - something that she was beginning to crave the opportunity to do. Maybe coming out here alone was a bad idea...

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 637/860 | EN: 70/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN -17 EN -223 damage
Doom Harbringer | HP: 132/600 | DMG: 150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | Stun Immunity [0/3] | Static [1/2]
Sludge Knight 1 | HP: 208/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stunned | Static [1/2]
Sludge Knight 2 | HP: 44/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [0/3] | Static [2/2]
Sludge Knight 3 | HP: 44/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [0/3] | Static [1/2]

Nari-Lanreth · July 21, 2023

Taking the creatures down was pitifully easy, once you had figured out their movements. Nari had watched them long enough during her previous fight in order to get a handle on how they flowed through their attacks. Most creatures had a repetitive movement to their actions, a set of common attack motions that they followed - with some few being able to shift their sequences every so often. These creatures, however, seemed to follow the same pattern - which made it easy for Nari to time her reactions. A quick flurry of blows, designed to overwhelm the defences of a lesser target, before a single hard strike was driven towards the intended target. Time and again, as they tried to overwhelm her. Tried to get past the spinning scythe that deflected attack after attack, waiting for the opportunity she knew was coming. A matter of timing it all right. Block, block, block, strike out.

Her scythe had lashed out following the last attack against her, slicing through the Harbringer almost immediately. She'd missed the other three on her first swipe, the creatures leaping back to avoid the sudden counter attack that they hadn't been expecting. Nari shifted the weight of her scythe, allowing it to flow up and around, before swinging back the way it had come - just barely catching two of the three remaining knights. She stepped back, realising that she'd missed one - or at least, that it was still alive. It's fine. One more decent strike and it's going down as well. There's no need to rush into things unnecessarily. Caution is the way to go. It'll be gone soon enough.

The creature seemed hesitant, as if uncertain whether rushing towards her was a good idea or not. Nari didn't believe it was fearful - as far as she'd seen, these lesser minions would rush in to attack, no matter what was happening. They felt no fear, no restraint, nothing. They feel nothing. Mindless drones placed in this world with a single purpose - defeat the players, or die trying. There was no remorse to be had from such a creature, whose only purpose was to kill or die. Let me release you from this world, so that you may serve your final purpose.

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 684/860 | EN: 57/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +47 HP -17 EN
~~Doom Harbringer | HP: 0/600 | DMG: 150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | Stun Immunity [1/3] | Static [2/2]~~
Sludge Knight 1 | HP: 44/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [0/3] | Static [2/2]
Sludge Knight 2 | HP: 0/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [1/3]
Sludge Knight 3 | HP: 0/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [1/3] | Static [2/2]

Nari-Lanreth · July 21, 2023

Nari cocked her head to the side as the creature seemed to make its decision, suddenly rushing towards her in a flurry of steps. She'd considered letting it take its frustrations out on her, considered trading blows with it for the sake of lettering the fight last as long as required, before putting the poor thing out of its misery. Tormenting it. Like this game torments you. She wanted the thought to be wrong. She wanted to think she was better than this world. The truth, however, was that she knew it was right. Knew that it was saying nothing more than the truth about her in that moment, that she was lowering herself to the view she always had of the Cardinal system. Becoming no better than the thing she had come to hate.

Some would think that the realisation would bring depression, or anger, or any other dark emotion. Nari would have thought that. Which was why she was surprised, when she realised she felt nothing at all. No indignation, no resignation, nothing, but an emptiness. Perhaps this is what people really feel upon realising that they are no better than the things they claim to look down upon. Perhaps this is what it really feels like, to know that you are as horrible a person as those who torment you, given the chance to turn it around upon them. She'd sworn to always be better - for the sake of others around her, for the sake of herself. She had never wanted to become like the Cardinal system. Yet, here you are, thinking about tormenting a creature that does nothing but what it's programmed to do...and why? Because you're angry? At what? The creature? Cardinal? Yourself?

She gave a quick slash of her scythe, causing the knight to burst into shards, drifting slowly on the wind as she was left alone. Her hand tightened around the haft of her scythe, holding the weapon outwards from herself as her strike came to a stop. Does it anger you, knowing that you are no better than the system that holds you hostage? That you would torment, torture and harm things all because you want to? Because someone else put you in a position to do so? What does that say about you, then? Are you really no better than an AI? Is that what this world has made of you?

She hated the voice, its condescending tone, the way it seemed to talk down to her. It had the moral high ground, for the moment, and yet it seemed determined to wear her down further. To remind her of how little she mattered in the end. Maybe that's what this is all about...realising how little we matter. Realising how easy it is to become what we hate. To give up on everything...and become that which we despise. Is that what this world is all...all designed around? She didn't have answers, not yet. But she knew one thing now. She would find out. What the purpose of all of this was. What the reasoning behind trapping them in here was. I will find out. For those who have been lost. For those who are still here. And for myself. I will find the man who put us here...and I will know the truth.

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 47 | HP: 731/860 | EN: 61/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+47] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +47 HP -14 EN
~~Sludge Knight 1 | HP: 0/400 | DMG: 130 | MIT: 100 | Stun Immunity [1/3]~~
ID213525 | BD: 2+5=7 | <<Tech-A vs. Sludge Knight 1>> | Hit: 20 x 16 - 100 = 220 damage | Target destroyed

Spoiler

Looting
ID213526 | LD: 2+5=7 | CD: 3 | Result: 4 materials, Uncommon Consumable (1)
ID213527 | LD: 14+5=19 | CD: 10 | Result: 2 materials, 800 col, Perfect Weapon (1), Additional Col (1,600)
ID213528 | LD: 16+5=21 | CD: 9 | Result: 4 materials, Perfect Trinket (1), Additional Col (2,000)
ID213529 | LD: 5+5=10 | CD: 2 | Result: 1,600 col, Uncommon Consumable (1)

Totals
Materials (20)
Col: (9,200)
Uncommon Consumable (3)
Rare Consumable (1)
Rare Weapon (2)
Rare Trinket (1)
Perfect Armor/Shield (1)
Perfect Weapon (4)
Perfect Trinket (1)

Nari-Lanreth · July 21, 2023

Nari had stood still for a period of time after the last of the knights had disappeared. She'd been lost in thought, her mind slowly turning as she considered everything she'd realised in the few moments following the end of the fighting. She'd hated that she could even consider herself anything like Cardinal, and yet, she found she couldn't argue with the overall results. She had become brutal in her fighting, calculating, cold. She was far different from the woman who had entered the game. Gone are the days of laughing hysterically at jokes told by friends. Of having friends, people who you let close...lest you lose them. Of remembering the good times, and looking forward to the times that are still to come. Of...waking up without regret. She felt her hand tighten further on the haft of her scythe, glad that she didn't have the strength in this world to cause it to break or shatter. Glad? What is it to be glad? Do I even know the meaning of such emotions anymore? Do I have the ability to be...happy?

She wasn't sure, anymore. She'd felt the happiness, the gladness, all of her good emotions slipping away over time. She'd been aware, perhaps, of the fact that she was becoming darker, drearier, with time. That she was succumbing to the depressive state that Aincrad seemed to embed into those who found themselves calling this world home. Home. This is no home. This is a jail. A place where we are kept. Forced to commit sins, and then repent for those sins with our lives, or the lives of those who we hold dear. A place where the nine hells avoid, lest they become tainted with its evil. She wanted to shout, to cry, to lash out and destroy everything around her. To take revenge against this world that had already taken so much from her. She wanted nothing more than to tear it apart, to open some sort of rift, to escape. This world, this is where we're supposed to call home. This place in which we find ourselves jailed for our sins. Where we watch those dearest to us, lost to time in repentance for everything we've done. This place, where the nine hells avoid, lest they become tainted with its evil.

She hated this place, more than any other she'd ever visited. Despised it with a venom that made her shiver. She wanted nothing more than to stop existing, to end everything here and now. To escape the life that she had become entrapped within. I want to go home...

Nari-Lanreth · July 21, 2023

At some point, she'd left the ruins behind. She'd slowly made her way back to the small settlement that was the capital of the floor. For a time, Nari had simply wandered, passing street after street as she tried to sort out her emotions. She knew that the anger wasn't temporary, that the darkness she was feeling had been growing inside her, day after day. She'd felt lost for a long time - an almost depressive state from everything that had occurred. She had sorrows upon sorrows building up, slowly tearing her down, tearing into her very soul.

This is what they want, isn't it? To tear us down, to wear away any moments of happiness. To take away anything good we have, in our final moments...to leave us in despair, and then end everything that we are. That we were. A mere husk, take from this world...to be forgotten as the days continue on. Torturing others, when our turn is over... She'd been spiralling as she wandered, her eyes not seeing what was around her - simply trusting that she remained within the safe confines of the city centre. She'd passed by numerous NPCs, and a few players, but none had approached her. Either she'd appeared off putting enough that they'd stayed away, or they'd simply seen no need to approach the redhaired woman who wandered through the streets in a silent frenzy. Nothing matters. Not this moment, not the next. Every single moment here...wasted. Forgotten. Broken.

Nari-Lanreth · July 21, 2023

She'd found herself stopped outside of what appeared to be a church, or a cathedral. Nari had been staring up at the building for several moments, before she'd even registered what she was looking at. She had no doubts that there was a faith here, in fact she'd met many of the priests on her travels throughout the floor itself. Zealots. Throwing their lives away for a world that doesn't care about them. For gods who don't answer their prayers. Following the same path because they have no other meaning in their lives, and this is all they can do. It sounded like her own life, a life where she was following the same movements, hoping to get somewhere - and yet knowing that she was doing nothing. Getting nowhere. She was stuck, as much as the priests themselves were. Destined to die, with nothing accomplished. Like all those who came before me...I'm not special. I'm no different. My name will join theirs on the monument, lost forever in obsidian where none will see it...

She shook herself suddenly, the growing despair pushed back ever so slightly. Are you giving up so easily? Is that what you have decided to do? To simply lie down, and take it? As if the past years were all for nothing? She felt herself shaking, from anger and sorrow. Did those losses mean so little to you, that you would be willing to forget the promises you made? That you would give in and let Cardinal win? Let Cardinal win? Nari felt the doubt bubbling up as she realised what she'd said, her own thoughts immediately questioning how she could think that there was any path outside of Cardinal winning. I don't care. I don't care what happens. I don't care if there's a chance. This world...has taken too much. I won't let it take more. I won't give in to despair, to hatred, to depression. This world wants to take everything from me...fine, it can do so. But I won't let it do so easily. I made a promise...and I will keep that promise. To my dying breath.

Nari-Lanreth · July 21, 2023

It had taken her a while until she was calm enough to approach the teleporter pad. She'd refrained from immediately heading home, knowing that Onora would've been waiting. Instead, she had leaned herself against a nearby wall, watching as the few other players passed through, moving with an obvious intention. It was still early in the day, meaning that many of them were likely heading out in their daily ritual of doing whatever it was they did in order to prepare themselves. Few of them will join us for the boss fight. They're nowhere near strong enough. Nowhere near capable enough...but maybe one day, once we're all gone...they'll carry the fight. Maybe we'll pave the path, so that they may escape after us...to remind the world of the horrors that this hell had instilled upon its residents...to bring news to the world beyond of what happened. She wasn't sure if that would be enough to stop it from every happening again, she barely believed that such an escape would ever occur. We all need something to believe in. Some how, that we can escape. That there's something beyond for us...maybe this is all I have, to keep me going.

It wasn't the most positive encouragement for Nari, and she felt herself beginning to wallow again. A simple ping caught her attention, the message alert appearing to her side. She had lifted a hand, raising it in preparation to open and read the message automatically. She had no doubts who the message was from, and yet she found herself hesitating. If she's messaging, she's alive, and most likely well...so why am I scared? She wasn't sure the answer to her question, yet she could feel the fear. The worry that something had happened, that the system was alerting her of the worst possible situation. She knew better, of course. Cardinal didn't tell you when someone you cared about had died - that was something you found out yourself, later on. It hurts more that way.

She'd hesitated long enough, considering her options. She knew that Onora was likely waiting for a response, waiting to see what she would say to whatever mundane thing the woman would send her way. Mundane. Normal. Lively. Things that remind me that this place...this place can't take everything away from me. That there are still chances...opportunities to strike back. To stand against the darkness that Cardinal wants to impose upon me...to impose upon everyone in this world. I won't let it...not yet. Not so long as she's still here.

Nari-Lanreth · July 21, 2023

She'd tapped open the message, closing her eyes as the system pulled it up in front of her. She'd forced herself to breath deeply, a number of times, before eventually opening her eyes. At first, she'd read the message quickly, rushing to make sure that there were no signs of danger - no signs that she was being called to help someone who was on the verge of death. Halfway through, realising that the message was too long for such an occurrence, Nari had stopped herself. Forced herself back to the top, to read it thoroughly. To hear the woman's voice in her head.

To: Nari-Lanreth
From: Onora
Hey! So I know you're out and super busy right now, but I was wondering if you'd be coming home for dinner...I mean, I'm sure you're coming home for dinner at some point, but...well, let me know if I should make something special. Or if you'll be out all night again. So long as you're coming back, I figure I'll head out and pick up something worth eating, right? I mean, it would be a waste to have our typical stuff if we're actually going to have a sit down dinner tonight!

Anyways, let me know!
Onora

She'd smiled as she hit the end of the message, the emotions washing over her suddenly. The anger, frustration, the dark depression that had been growing inside of her. In its place was a simple happiness; a reminder that there were things in this world that were still worth surviving for. Perhaps all hope of escape is gone. Perhaps we're stuck in this...hell, forever. But if this is going to be my end...I'm going to enjoy every single second of it that I can...every single moment that I can be happy is a moment taken out of Cardinal's plans. A moment that this world can't beat me down...can't take away from me. She pushed off the wall she'd been leaning against, forcing herself up and towards the teleporter. She had more days ahead of her, many likely to be dark. But for the moment, she had a dinner to return home to, a place to find a small measure of peace and happiness - and for the time being, that was enough. Until tomorrow, I will rest knowing that I have no choice...but to enjoy the moment...

Thread Summary
Word Count: 6,278
EXP: 6,278 / 10 x 8 x 1 = 5,106
Col: 400 + 9,200 = 9,600
Materials: 20
Uncommon Consumable (3)
Rare Consumable (1)
Rare Weapon (2)
Rare Trinket (1)
Perfect Armor/Shield (1)
Perfect Weapon (4)
Perfect Trinket (1)

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