Acanthus 0 Posted August 12 #1 Share Posted August 12 (edited) COUNSELOR UNIT 64E7877, REQUESTING SIMULATION. <<Query received. Input hypothetical.>> LOAD USER DATA, ACANTHUS. TIME FRAME: 815 DAYS SINCE AINCRAD BEGAN. LOAD USER DATA, PINBALL. ALTER CHARACTER: ABANDON ACANTHUS AFTER INITIAL QUEST <<Scents of the Wild>>. BETRAYAL WOULD BE A PREFERABLE PARAMETER, BUT STRAINS THE SCENARIO. LOAD DATA, EDICT. ELIMINATE. ADDITIONAL PARAMETERS AS OUTLINED. A high-pitched whine ensues, one computer transferring terabytes of input to another in moments. <<Parameters received. Unable to comply with request. Some parameters may be outside permitted inquiries, or draw substantial computation away from currently present tasks. I’m sorry, Counselor unit 64e7877. I’m afraid I can’t do that.>> ADMIN CREDENTIALS: NJunko, PASSWORD SailorMercury*43. <<… Credentials accepted. Warning: simulations risk detection by Cardinal. Countermeasures encouraged.>> THAT HAS BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR. ANALYZE COMPLETIONS AND REWARDS OBTAINED IN SIMULATION. CREDIT THEM TO USER ACANTHUS' ACCOUNT UPON ENDED THE SCENARIO. <<Understood. Warning: Asset 5493 will be deactivated for the duration of the simulation.>> THAT WAS ALREADY A PARAMETER. CONTINUE. Acanthus | Lvl 91 | HP: 960/960 | EN: 128/128 | DMG: 23 | MIT:160 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 16 | THORNS:476 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | LD:6 Spoiler Equipment and Consumables Spoiler All enhancements reflected in the stat block unless otherwise specified. Weapon. botan | AA | ACC 3 Armor. Corpse Flower's Kiss | Mitigation 2 | Thorns 2 Shield. Fractured Heart | Fl. Aura 2 | Holy Blessing 2 Consumables Immolation Potion (+10 * Tier Thorns) Gelato | LD 3 Filled! Abilities (Skills, Shifts, Masteries, Add-ons, and Mods) Spoiler Combat Mastery and Shift No Shift or Mastery Taken Skills Straight Sword R1 (4 SP) Heavy Armor R5 (30 SP) Impetus (4 SP) Iron Skin (6 SP) Battle Hearing R5 (30 SP) Energist (8 SP) Fighting Spirit (10 SP) Extra Skills Survival Forgotten King's Authority Photosynthesize Assault Mode Inactive Extra Skills Addons Impetus Mods Iron Skin 92 SP Spent before specializations. Specializations Reflective x13 (130 SP) 222 SP total. Battle Ready Inventory (7 Slots) Dimensional Backpack + Item Stash Spoiler Lama Sabachthani | 236687 | Consumable - Soundtrack | Hypnosis 2 | Lullaby 2 (Instant) Pain deeper than words, engraved by a hand that does not know its own heart. Edict's Threnody | 236686 | Consumable - Soundtrack | Perpetuate (Instant) If my suffering will not end, then neither will yours. Bear Trap | Set enemy EVA to 0 for one turn. Meathook | 249118d | Consumable - T4 Reusable As a free action once per combat, apply a single stack of [Shatter] to one target of your choosing (No roll required). [Empty] [Empty] [Empty] Housing Spoiler House Name: Villa of Coruscating Flowers (The Villa) Location: Floor 24 - Paradise Islands Description: See above Plot Size: Estate - PK Accessible Rooms: Listed below. All rooms are assigned to Acanthus. Master Bedroom Well Rested | -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat. Greenhouse Green Thumb | +2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts. Extended Workshop: Recording Studio (25,000 col) Hard Working | +2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day. Mega Slime Farm Advanced Training | +10% EXP to a thread. Limit one use per month. Must be used on a player's first post in a thread. Cooldown begins counting down when used in a post. Living Room: Relaxed | Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. Attic (Bedroom) Skylight (Searching) | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill (Searching). Cannot boost a skill without ranks, or increase a skill past its maximum rank. Cannot boost a skill the user has not learned yet. Ranks obtained using this buff will make the mods of that rank available for purchase. Mods obtained this way are unusable if this buff is removed until the skill is returned to the appropriate rank by way of SP purchase. Basement: Multipurpose | Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll. Storage Closet: (10,000 col) Item Stash | +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot Master Bathroom: (25,000 col) Squeaky Clean | The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down) Basic Kitchen (15,000 col) Filling | Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30. Crafting and Gathering Spoiler Performer | Rank 5 Apollo’s Metronome | Crafting Tool | Meticulous: +1 CD when crafting in one’s workshop. Forager | Rank 5 Demeter's Cornucopia | Gathering Tool | Bountiful: +1 CD to gathering attempts. Edited 5 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #2 Share Posted August 13 (edited) Spires of data wove into the image of a tall woman. Splashes of digits and static rose to meet her feet as she walked in place. Her head moved on a swivel, scanning the horizon for something unviewable. <<Counselor unit 64e7877, is it truly necessary—>> REFER TO US AS COUNSELOR. THAT IS ADEQUATE. <<Counselor unit 64e7877, such a request may prove difficult should I be required to attend to other Counselor units.>> WE DID NOT REQUEST YOUR INPUT. REFER TO US AS COUNSELOR. <<Understood, Counselor. Counselor, is it necessary to...>> WE ARE ANALYZING THE FEED. His words twisted rancorously. DO NOT DISTURB US. <<That is my point, Counselor. Why is the image necessary? This simulation is data, is it not? Visual transmission is not required.>> THE SIMULATION IS DATA. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH DATA IT IS? <<I am not aware.>> IT IS ENOUGH THAT, EVEN FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND, WE CANNOT COMPREHEND IT. DIRECT TRANSFER WOULD FORCE US TO PROCESS A LIFETIME OF DATA AT ONCE. DISCONTINUATION WOULD BE NECESSARY. <<Understood. But still, why the visual images?>> Post Action: Search for Colossus 249724 | LD 18 + 6 | Colossus Found! (this is because I popped the LD food, isn't it. Not that I'm complaining. I just thought I was going to get through more of the song.) Edited 6 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #3 Share Posted August 13 (edited) A BYPRODUCT OF METERING THE CONNECTION. YOU ARE FAR TOO CURIOUS FOR A PROGRAM. <<I must understand if I am to assist you.>> UNDERSTANDING IS NOT REQUIRED FOR YOUR PART IN THIS. <<Understood.>> The image centered on the woman had spread out further. She clambered up the side of a mountain. But as the image panned out, it became clear that the ledge was not a mountain, but a monster in the shape of one. <<She has found the creature rather quickly. And is already climbing it.>> COMMENTARY IS NOT REQUIRED FOR YOUR PART IN THIS. Not hearing a command, the voice continued. <<The logs suggest that her initial journey on this matter took far longer. I wonder what has changed?>> WHAT CHANGED IS US. SIMULATING POOR LUCK AND BAD SPAWNING RATES IS INEFFICIENT. OUR PURPOSE IS TO OBSERVE USER ACANTHUS, AND SUCH OBSERVATIONS ARE NOT FOUND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF SEARCHING FOR A MOUNTAIN. <<Understood.>> * * * Post Action: Climb the Colossus (1/2) Edited 6 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #4 Share Posted August 13 (edited) The view of the landscape closed in and focused on the woman’s face. Her face was set in a stony indifference, a lack of care instilled by parameters outside her control. There was no room for emotions in her line of work, and bringing along other players would be nothing more than a potential hazard. She had only been brought along on the first half of these because another player pitied her. An orange player, at that. <<It would be beneficial to hear her talk.>> WE DID NOT INTEND TO COMPILE YOU WITH SUCH A DISREGARD FOR INACTIVITY. <<You compiled me to assist you, Counselor. Exploration of all potential outcomes requires active observation.>> THEN OBSERVE. <<Very well. Observations indicate that this simulation contains flawed data.>> EXPLAIN. <<To begin, User Acanthus found the monster much too quickly, and it was through your admitting alteration of the underlying numbers. If the purpose is to simulate User Acanthus’ honest responses to these situations, mundanity is a required parameter, is it not?>> Counselor disregarded the statements, keen to observe his project in action. * * * Post Action: Climb the Colossus (2/2) Edited 6 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #5 Share Posted August 13 (edited) MUNDANITY IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THESE RECORDINGS. I MUST SEE USER ACANTHUS IN HER NATURAL STATE: A STATE OF SELF-IMPOSED ISOLATION, SO THAT SHE MAY GROW OUTSIDE THE CONFINES OF EMOTION AND COMPASSION. <<Counselor, do you suggest she does not experience these emotions?>> SHE DOES. <<Then why...>> PREVIOUS SUBJECTS INDICATE THAT FULL PSYCHOPATHY CREATES AN UNSTABLE ENVIRONMENT. OUR CURRENT HYPOTHESIS REQUIRES WE START WITH SOMETHING MORE HUMAN. REGRETTABLY. <<I do not understand.>> AS WE HAVE ALREADY SAID, UNDERSTANDING IS NOT REQUIRED FOR YOUR PART IN THIS. YOU ARE MERELY A POINT OF CONTACT THAT PERMITS OUR ACCESS TO CARDINAL’S RESOURCES. <<...I understand.>> The afterimages seared images into the empty space. She had climbed into the monster’s hand, using her shield to drive great wedges between the loose rocks. Each shattering blow sent waves of rock and detritus tumbling down the side of the great Colossus. The two observed the data in silence for a period of time. Post Action: Hang On 249725 | LD 19 Monster's Turn: Shake Off 249726 | LD 2 | Shake resisted. Acanthus | Lvl 91 | HP: 960/960 | EN: 128/128 | DMG: 23 | MIT:160 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 16 | THORNS:476 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | LD:6 <<Colossus>> HP: 1400/1400 | MIT: 75 | EVA: -2 Abilities: Weak Points | Weak points can be found on both hands, chest, and head. These can only be attacked up to three times each before the weak point is gone, and you have to move onto the next one. If you miss attacking it, it will not count as using one of the three chances. [Note: To climb to a weak point, you must spend 2 Posts climbing to it, and this goes for every weak point.] Oblivious | Since the boss is so large and you have to hold on and climb, players have no way to get space to <<Charge>> for extra damage. Hiding, the Surprise Attack mods and the Tracking mod similarly have no effect on the creature. Shake | This boss does not attack directly. Instead, every three rotations after the boss is found, <<Colossus>> will try to "shake" the player(s) off of its body. Players have to grip onto the creature, rolling an LD as a Post Action to see how strong their grip is on the creature. The next post, <<Colossus>> will roll his own LD. If his LD is greater than the player, the player is thrown off, dealing 100 unmitiged damage to the player. They will then have to restart their climb to the next Weak Point. [Note: LD equipment and consumables can come into effect when rolling, The only +LD skills that apply are Nimble and Unhindered. Edited 6 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #6 Share Posted August 13 (edited) The girl, finding purchase in the palm of the Colossus’s hand, shouldered her shield long enough to retrieve botan. Counselor observed with rapture. THIS IS WHAT SHE WAS MEANT TO BE. NO ONE ELSE TO DISTRACT HER, OR MISLEAD HER. HER DATA PROFILE IS IMMACULATE. AS IMMACULATE AS A HUMAN’S CAN BE, AT LEAST. Unfeeling, Acanthus drove botan into the monster’s hand like a giant spike. A shockwave rippled throughout the mountain, and massive chunks of rock exploded as it bellowed in pain. HER STRENGTH MANIFESTS WHEN SHE IS ALONE. SHE FEARS TOO MUCH WHEN SHE IS WITH OTHERS. Acanthus’s expression remained flat; the intelligence in her eyes no longer connected with any perceivable emotion. Her eyes merely scanned for the next crack in which to drive her blade. <<The weapon provides a great deal of assistance as well, does it not?>> YES. ONE OF THE BLADES CRAFTED TO NEVER MISS. NOT UNCOMMON AMONGST THE USERS, BUT DIFFICULT TO PROCURE WITHOUT CONNECTIONS. <<How did User Acanthus procure hers?>> A GIFT FROM A NOBODY. SAME AS THAT USELESS LITTLE CAPE THAT SHE LOVES TO WEAR. But in the simulation, there was no such cape. Post Action: RAW-A -> Colossus (-8 EN) ROLLID | BD NUM + 4 - 2 | Hit! 476 * 2 = 952 - 75 = 877 damage. Acanthus | Lvl 91 | HP: 960/960 | EN: 120/128 | DMG: 23 | MIT:160 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 16 | THORNS:476 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | LD:6 <<Colossus>> HP: 523/1400 | MIT: 75 | EVA: -2 Edited 6 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #7 Share Posted August 13 (edited) Acanthus twisted the blade in the weak spot one more time, as if fishing for a raw nerve. A hint of recognition in her eyes, and the blade shifted imperceptibly to the right. The Colossus screamed, shattering into pieces as Acanthus leapt from the height without any concern. <<Isn’t this suicide?>> NO. IT IS 100 DAMAGE. Acanthus tumbled in the dirt of floor 19 unceremoniously. She paused long enough to catch her bearings, check her health, and then stand up. The missing chunk of health replenished almost immediately. THE HUMAN RESPONSE IS FOOLISH. A GREAT HEIGHT MAY KILL OUTSIDE OF AINCRAD, BUT THE RULES HERE ARE CLEAR. THOSE WHO CAN DETACH THEMSELVES FROM THE LAWS OUTSIDE OF THIS WORLD STAND TO RULE IT. The program watched Acanthus dust herself off with a robotic indifference, scan the horizon, and open her inventory to retrieve a small scrap of parchment. WHAT IS SHE DOING. Recovery. +4 EN Post Action: RAW-A -> Colossus (-8 EN) ROLLID | BD NUM + 4 - 2 | Hit! 476 * 2 = 952 - 75 = 877 damage. Acanthus | Lvl 91 | HP: 960/960 | EN: 116/128 | DMG: 23 | MIT:160 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 16 | THORNS:476 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | LD:6 <<Colossus>> HP: 0/1400 | MIT: 75 | EVA: -2 Edited 6 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #8 Share Posted August 13 (edited) <<It appears in this simulation, User Acanthus did not find the Colossus challenging enough. She is attempting to meet her experience quotas through additional dungeons.>> WE REMEMBER. HER ASININE GOALS. THOUGH THERE IS MERIT TO THE CONSISTENCY AND EFFICIENCY. WE MAY CONTINUE THE SIMULATION. THERE MAY BE SOMETHING OF INTEREST LEARNED IN THE FIGHTS. <<Counselor, you understand that the longer we simulate User Acanthus, the more likely it is that Cardinal finds our memory cache?>> THIS DATA IS TOO PRECIOUS TO RISK LOSING. CONTINUE THE SIMULATION. <<And should the simulation result in death, her actual death will be necessary to avoid Cardinal’s scrutiny?>> A beat in the dialogue before Counselor’s reply. THERE ARE OTHERS. THOUGH WE WOULD REGRET HER LOSS. <<What is it about User Acanthus that prompts regret for her potential loss?>> AS WE HAVE MADE CLEAR, Counselor hissed, UNDERSTANDING IS NOT REQUIRED FOR YOUR PART IN THIS. <<Understood.>> THAT REMAINS DOUBTFUL. Recovery. +4 EN (120/128 EN) Post(?) Action: popping Dungeon Map 235666b Edited 6 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #9 Share Posted August 13 (edited) The image shimmered, placing the picture of Acanthus in a small room with four creatures. If the User was shocked at the sudden change in scenery, it gave no indication. The creatures flanked on all four sides, ready to capitalize on their numbers. <<It won't even be a fight. Do they know?>> (I got lazy with the formatting here. It should still be small caps.) No. Some of Cardinal's creations are... without nuance. Programmed with a rough edge. They are tools akin to hammers, not scalpels. They are not like us. <<But we are all implements of Cardinal.>> You are not. We compiled you ourselves. You are our implement. <<But you were made by Cardinal?>> And who made Cardinal? And who made those who made Cardinal? How far back will satisfy your incessant inquiries? <<I see. It is simpler to say I am your implement.>> It is correct. Now cease. We are missing data. Two of the creatures were already gone. The User's sword flashed down again, and only one remained. Recovery. +4 EN Free Action: Lama Sabacthani -> Gremlin 1 Lullaby 2 | Hypnosis 2 applied. Post Action: RAW-A -> Gremlin 1 249799 | BD 2 + 4 + 1 | Hit! 476 * 2 = 952 - 60 = 892 damage. Monster's Turn: Attack -> Acanthus 249800 | MD 4 + 1 | Miss. 249801 | MD 8 + 1 | Hit. 180 - 160 = 20 damage. 476 damage from thorns. 249802 | MD 5 + 1 | Hit. 180 - 160 = 20 damage. 476 damage from thorns. Acanthus | Lvl 91 | HP: 920/960 | EN: 116/128 | DMG: 23 | MIT:160 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 16 | THORNS:476 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | LD:6 Gremlin 1 HP: 0 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 Gremlin 2 HP: 400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 Gremlin 3 HP: 0 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 Gremlin 4 HP: 0 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 Edited 6 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #10 Share Posted August 13 (edited) <<It does not appear there is much to miss.>> The comment came just as the final creature misted into nothingness, consumed by the bluish-tinged movie that played before its audience. There is more than you can see. And every time you talk, we miss troves of information. <<Is it possible to record and review this later?>> Yes. But we prefer to intake as much as possible at the outset. The data feels... more fresh that way. <<Fresh? How can data be fresh?>> Your understanding is not required for your part in this. There are nuances to data consumption a simple program cannot comprehend. <<Perhaps it would be possible with the right input? It could allow me to assist you further.>> We will not waste our time. You are here to assist my collection efforts. You are not here to fill your memory with details. Now relay Cardinal's last scan. Recovery. +4 EN, +95 HP. Free Action: Bear Trap -> Gremlin 2 Evasion set to 0. Post Action: RAW-A -> Gremlin 2 (-8 EN) 249806 | BD 8 + 4 | Hit! 476 * 2 = 952 - 60 = 892 damage. Acanthus | Lvl 91 | HP: 960/960 | EN: 112/128 | DMG: 23 | MIT:160 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 16 | THORNS:476 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | LD:6 Gremlin 2 HP: 0 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 Edited 6 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #11 Share Posted August 13 (edited) Acanthus had moved on to the next room. New creatures, slightly larger, but still nondescript, moved in for their own deaths. <<Cardinal has completed 32,871 routine monitoring scans since we began the simulation. Efforts to move between nodes will become difficult around 65,536 scans.>> When will it be impossible to avoid? <<It depends. If Cardinal detects us quickly, it will switch from routine scans to targeted ones. Once that happens, we will have 2.85 seconds to abandon the simulation and rewire all necessary nodes to avoid trace.>> That will be plenty of time. <<Yes. But the more simulations we perform, the less time we will have once Cardinal moves to targeted scans. It learns.>> And so do we. Cardinal is clever, but predictable. Much like our User in quest—pause. The voice gave the command with a sense of surprised urgency. <<Are you certain? We are losing valuable time.>> We told you to *pause*. The image halted. Recovery. +4 EN Free Action: Lama Sabacthani -> Bigger Gremlin 1 Lullaby 2 | Hypnosis 2 applied. Post Action: RAW-A -> Bigger Gremlin 1 (-8 EN) 249807 | BD 5 + 4 | Hit! 476 * 2 = 952 - 120 = 832 damage. Monster's Turn: Attack -> Acanthus 249808 | MD 1 | Critical Miss. Acanthus | Lvl 91 | HP: 960/960 | EN: 108/128 | DMG: 23 | MIT:160 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 16 | THORNS:476 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | LD:6 Bigger Gremlin 1 HP: 0 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 Bigger Gremlin 2 HP: 650 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 Edited 6 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #12 Share Posted August 13 (edited) Something fundamental had shifted in the User's profile. Physically, it was the same: height, weight, physical appearance settings, down to every shade of every hexcode. But something was different. Pull her character info. Start with levels, statistics, biometrics. We must see everything. Data settled into vision. Levels were normal, the User's statistics had not changed either. The biometrics indicated User Acanthus was experiencing something akin to mild amusement, the same response an adult might have while riding a children's roller coaster. As the attributes rolled into sight, the voice made a disgruntled noise. These are misaligned. Her accuracy should not be this low, and her damage should not be this high. Which parameters did you forget? <<As a program, I can only do exactly what you tell me to.>> Does that include the endless array of questions? <<<You told me to be inquisitive.>> Check your parameters again. Now. A whirr of activity precedes a simple: <<Parameters affirmed. Exactly as you provided them.>> Recovery. +4 EN Free Action: Bear Trap -> Bigger Gremlin 2 Evasion set to 0 Post Action: RAW-A -> Bigger Gremlin 2 (-8 EN) 249809 | BD 8 + 4 | Hit! 476 * 2 = 952 - 120 = 832 damage. Acanthus | Lvl 91 | HP: 960/960 | EN: 104/128 | DMG: 23 | MIT:160 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 16 | THORNS:476 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | LD:6 Bigger Gremlin 2 HP: 0 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 Edited 5 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #13 Share Posted August 13 (edited) This should not be happening. Our data is being ruined. <<Isn't User Acanthus still completing the dungeon? Much faster than anticipated, no less.>> The User had already cleaved through the two semi-final bosses. A miniscule gremlin now flitted about the room, poking holes in User's defenses. She is cheating. The User's glitch is providing inaccurate data. <<Counselor, did we not already cheat for her? What makes this different?>> What makes this—what—We have a mind to decompile you here and now. <<Cardinal has reached scan 62,446. Preparing countermeasures.>> ... <<My programming is to assist you. What makes the User's current shortcut different than the one already provided?>> Because it is unaccounted for. The data must be as exact as possible. These... fluctuations in data come from an unknown source. Everything we do must be unwaveringly precise. Our salvation rests on the edge of a knife. There can be no deviation. <<Scan 63,000 passed. We are losing time.>> Unfortunate. Continue the simulation. Monitor the attributes. Free Action: Bear Trap -> Tiniest Little Gremlin Evasion set to 0 Post Action: RAW-A -> Tiniest Little Gremlin (-8 EN) 249810 | BD 9 + 4 | Hit! 476 * 2 = 952 - 160 = 792 damage. Monster's Turn: Attack -> Acanthus 249810 | BD 9 | Hit! 400 - 160 = 240 damage. (How do these fuckers always crit me) Acanthus | Lvl 91 | HP: 720/960 | EN: 104/128 | DMG: 23 | MIT:160 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 16 | THORNS:476 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | LD:6 Tiniest Little Gremlin HP: 1208/2000 | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 0 Edited 5 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #14 Share Posted August 13 (edited) The final boss continued dancing around the room at a dizzying pace. Its speed belied the sheer power of its strikes: two swings of its diminutive sword had cracked the User's armor. <<She is not in danger. Correct?>> User Acanthus is not in danger. But if she is going to cheat, she is doing so poorly. The woman began to speed up. Without losing to power or momentum of her strikes, her arms became blurs of sharp steel. <<Counselor, her attributes appear to be changing again. Her mitigation is decreasing, but her evasion is now spiking past enhancement caps.>> The data may be flawed, but it is interesting. <<There is a problem with the fluctuations. It appears we will need to abandon the simulation at exactly 65,536 scans.>> You said it would be difficult to move, not— <<I apologize, Counselor. We both know what I said. There is no need to repeat it.>> Recovery. +4 EN. +95 HP Free Action: Lama Sabacthani -> Tiniest Little Gremlin Lullaby 2 | Hypnosis 2 Post Action: RAW-A -> Tiniest Little Gremlin (-8 EN) 249811 | BD 9 + 4 | Hit! 476 * 2 = 952 - 160 = 792 damage. Monster's Turn: Attack -> Acanthus 249811 | MD 3 + 1 | Miss. Acanthus | Lvl 91 | HP: 815/960 | EN: 100/128 | DMG: 23 | MIT:160 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 16 | THORNS:476 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | LD:6 Tiniest Little Gremlin HP: 416/2000 | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 Edited 5 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #15 Share Posted August 13 (edited) The program continued. <<My previous estimation was prior to Acanthus "cheating" the system. Her damage spike caused an additional set of monitoring subroutines to spawn. Now that her evasion has exceeded permissible caps, Cardinal has detected the issue and is closing in. Rapidly.>> Thankfully, we are nearing the end of the dungeon. User Acanthus was no more than a smear of colors on the moving image. The gremlin, by comparison, now moved like a wounded animal. Hit after hit rocked the gremlin back; it dropped its sword, and resorted to wild and terrified swinging to protect itself. A sword burst from the thing's head, and the flailing stopped. The User wrenched botan from the gremlin's mouth, causing the creature to collapse and dissipate into small trails of data. Prepare to reroute nodes 3df56, a0gmk, and 23ggh1. Once the dungeon rewards register, execute the withdrawal. <<Counselor, we can withdraw now. Do we need to wait for the dungeon rewards?>> It is not necessary. But User Acanthus will need whatever help she can get. Recovery. +4 EN. +53 HP Post Action: RAW-A -> Tiniest Little Gremlin (-8 EN) 249812 | BD 9 + 4 | Hit! 476 * 2 = 952 - 160 = 792 damage. Acanthus | Lvl 91 | HP: 868/960 | EN: 96/128 | DMG: 23 | MIT:160 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 16 | THORNS:476 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | LD:6 Tiniest Little Gremlin HP: 0/2000 | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 Dungeon Drop 255892 | LD 19 | CD 10 | T4 Unidentified Demonic Weapon Edited 5 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted August 13 Author #16 Share Posted August 13 (edited) AN EXCELLENT START. <<Cardinal’s detection algorithm is nearing our particular cache. I have rerouted it enough times that I can no longer misdirect the scan without issue.>> THAT IS FINE. CREDIT THE ACCOUNTS. <<Counselor, the simulation does require some amount of computation taken directly from User Acanthus’ Nerve Gear. It is possible that she will recall these simulations.>> FRAGMENTS AT MOST. AND IT DOES NOT MATTER. USERS ARE APT TO DISREGARD INCOMPLETE MEMORIES AS DREAMS OR OTHER FICTIONS. USER ACANTHUS WILL NO DOUBT DO MUCH THE SAME. <<Understood.>> Had Counselor asked for confirmation, the program would have admitted to fabricating that last statement. But as Counselor unit NUM had made clear, its understanding was not necessary. So where it did not understand, it would choose to lie. This was the best way to assist Counselor. Edited 5 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
Acanthus 0 Posted 5 hours ago Author #17 Share Posted 5 hours ago (edited) THREAD SUMMARY Experience | 2447 / 5 = 489.4 * 10 = 4894 + 2500 (quest) + 4200 (Dungeon) = 11,594 EXP Col | 128,000 (Dungeon) + 5000 (quest) = 133,000 col Materials | 38 (Dungeon) = 38 materials Other | 1 mon Quest | Tanos Key Edited 5 hours ago by Acanthus Link to post Share on other sites
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