[SP - F2] Foraging for Fun and Prophet

[Sozen 0]

(All credit to Baldur for the pun)

 

If I'm going to make some Col as a cook around here, I'm going to need some Mats for when I open up. Sozen was wandering the dense forest of Floor 2, keeping an eye out for anything that looked edible. I mean, right now I'm so unskilled that I'll burn most of my starting Mats, so I'd better stock up now. So, let's see what I can scrounge up around here.

 

[iD: 10246]
LD: [8] (Nothing)

 

Looking around for a while, he was disappointed to not see any plants that he recognized. And since I don't want to serve anything poisonous to my first customers,I'd better stick with what I know. Apples, potatoes, that sort of thing.

[Sozen 0]

Pausing to take a sip of water and a bite of bread, Sozen glanced at the shadows cast by the huge trees. Need to be sure to not let my guard down. The Mobs here are even tougher than the floor below, and even now I'm not equipped to take them on. If I see anything I should probably just run and cut my losses. I can always come back later. After taking a moment to brush off some crumbs, Sozen continued to forage.

 

[iD: 10252]
LD: [4] (Nothing)

 

Still, nothing looked edible in the part of the forest Sozen was in. It seemed that he would be here for a while.

 

 

-Bread

-Water

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10257]
LD: [9] (Nothing)

 

A short hike through the forest later, and Sozen had still not found anything edible. Just tree after massive tree that blocked out most of the sunlight and left the forest floor obscured. And while he was still couldn't even be called a Beginner Cook, he new better than to try and serve wood as food. Although maybe he could pass it off as an exotic dish? Sozen considered it for a bit, then shook his head and tossed the idea aside. For all I know, I'd try to cut down a tree and it'd turn out to be a Field Boss. No thanks.

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10269]
LD: [15] (Success)

 

Finally, after hours of searching, Sozen came across a small grove of apple trees. Most of the fruits were not ripe yet, but he was able to pick out a few red fruits. So satisfied was he that he'd found something familiar, he decided to have one or two as a snack. One or two turned into three or four, and before Sozen knew it he was down to barely enough for a small snack. Cursing, he packed away what was left and promised to not touch it until he was out of the forest.

 

(+1 Mat)

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10288]
LD: [1] (Nothing)

 

Sadly, Sozen's good mood at finding something didn't last long, as the next hour of searching proved singularly unproductive. Shadows were growing longer, and Sozen was growing more and more concerned that he wouldn't find anything else before he ended foraging for the day. He wondered how the other shop owners kept up their supplies of Mats. Did they focus on fighting Mobs over looking for simple Item spawns, or did they know another, easier way? Sozen resolved to ask around the guild when he got a chance.

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10343]

LD: [2] (Nothing)

 

Further still into the forest Sozen went, looking for anything that looked even slightly familiar. Apart from the Apples a while back, he had had no luck at any sort of clearly edible food. And if he didn't want to eat what he had gathered, he needed to make a "go/no go" call sooner rather than later. 

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10404]

LD: [10] (Nothing)

 

Finally, Sozen gave a quiet sigh of disappointment. Well, I don't think I'll be able to find anything else today. I'll just head back to ToB and find someplace to stay for the night, try this forest again tomorrow. At least I found something, maybe I could trade it for some equipment... The player checked to see he hadn't dropped anything, and headed out of the forest.

[Sozen 0]

The next morning saw Sozen striding back into the forest, a determined look on his face. Foraging yesterday wasn't that productive, but by the Prophet I am going to make progress! Maybe I can focus on bushes and smaller plants today, see if they are more common than fruit trees.

[iD: 10438]
LD: [17] (Success)

 

The change in focus proved to be the right choice, as Sozen quickly found a small patch of watermelons in a clearing. Excellent! It looks like I'm in favor today! He soon had a large specimen in his inventory, ready to be cooked when his store was open. Things are looking up for me!

 

(+1 Mat)

 

That was when he heard the crunch of a twig behind him and a loud snort.

[Sozen 0]

Turning around, Sozen saw a brown Boar with red eyes and ratty brown hair, glaring at him. Above it's head he could see the title 'Forest Boar' and a full HP meter of 5. Snorting, the Mob hoofed at the ground and prepared to charge.

 

Figures, I managed to get through all of yesterday without fighting. Only 'fair' that we start out today with some combat. Sozen readied his hammer and quickly ran over his option. I've got a decent amount of HP, and at this level the Mobs have a damage base of 1. I'll be ok for one, maybe even two criticals, but I can't push my luck since I'm still under-equipped and don't have any healing items. I'll fight, but if my HP drops below 5 then I'm getting out of here, should be able to withdraw without pulling the Mob too far. Resolved, Sozen leaped forward to try and get the first blow in.

 

[iD: 10449]

BD: [9] (Critical, +1 DMG)

MD: [8] (Hit)

 

The player and monster clashed, a hammer swinging down and tusks slashing up. Sozen grinned as his weapon smashed into a weak spot behind the Boar's head, and winced as the creature's tusks left a glowing orange groove in his side. Both drew back, Sozen to readjust his grip on his hammer and the Boar to squeal in anger. A good start. Now I just have to keep it up.

 

Sozen: 8/9

Forest Boar: 3/5

[Sozen 0]

Sozen slowly edged around the rim of the clearing, keeping a wary eye on his opponent. The Boar turned to follow him, red eyes gleaming before it tensed up, then charged forward.

 

[iD: 10452]

BD: [10] (Critical, +2 DMG)

MD: [4] (Miss)

LD: [17]

 

At the very last moment, Sozen leapt to the side, and the Mob's snout met a large tree with a resounding crash, sending leaves fluttering down in the clearing. As the Boar staggered back, Sozen let out a roar and swung the hammer with both hands at the back of its head, and the Mob crumpled to the ground before dissipating in a burst of polygons, leaving only a Loot screen behind.

 

(+1 Mat, +25 Col)

[Sozen 0]

Leaning against a nearby tree, Sozen took several deep breaths as he tried to settle his heartrate. "I...I did it. I beat a Mob." A wide grin spread across his face, and (while he would deny he ever did such a thing if someone asked him later) he was soon leaping about the clearing like a madman, yelling out to the sky "Did you see that, Prophet?! Did you see me prove my strength in your world? I am Sozen, and I am strong! I will live in this world, and I will continue to grow!"

 

Sozen then fell to his knees and closed his eyes. "I am alive, and I will continue to live. I ask you, send me your Constructs, let me prove myself time and time again. Let me become stronger, so that when I reach the end I can stand before you without shame, knowing that I have used your gift of this world to it's fullest."

 

Slowly he got to his feet, then grasped his hammer and pointed it to the clouds. "I dedicate this victory, and all victories to come, to you, Prophet. I swear to give this world my all, and to persevere and prosper. In honor of you, I so swear."

 

With that, Sozen gathered the loot from the fallen Mob, checked his inventory and almost let out another cheer at discovering he had leveled up, and set out back into the forest.

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10459]

LD: [2] (Nothing)

 

Still elated from his first victory, Sozen barely minded that his searching for the next hour didn't turn up anything. Later on, he'd admit to himself that he hadn't been looking that hard, focused more on watching for signs of Mobs. If his first battle had been such a success, surely his next opponent would be as exciting. But for whatever reason, he hadn't seen any more Boars during his foraging.

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10461]
LD: [15] (Success)

 

After another break for some bread and water, Sozen delved deeper into the shadowed forest, until he came across a patch of what appeared to be Carrots sticking out of the ground. But perhaps more importantly to Sozen at the moment was the sight of another Forest Boar, this one slightly larger than the last, rooting around the vegetables. If I can take down this boar as well, then I get at least two Mats out of this field, maybe even more if I'm lucky. I just have to strike swiftly and quickly. With that thought, Sozen rushed out of the trees towards the Mob, which quickly turned and squealed as it attacked in kind.

 

-1 Bread

-1 Water

+1 Mat

 

Sozen: 11/11

Deep Forest Boar: 6/6

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10462]

BD: [1] (Critical Failure)

MD: [8] (Hit)

 

Too eager to get into combat again, Sozen's first swing was far off target, leaving him open to the Boar's attack. The tusks scythed into his right leg as the Boar rushed by, leaving an orange gash. Sozen shook his head as he stepped back, chiding himself. I can't let myself get overconfident just because I beat one Construct. I need to respect their strength as a challenge to my own. The Boar snorted as it turned around and charged again.

 

Sozen: 10/11

Deep Forest Boar: 6/6

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10492]
BD: [7] (Hit)

MD: [1] (Critical Failure)

 

Sozen caught a lucky break as the charging Boar suddenly stumbled in a rut it had created earlier, rooting for food. Taking the opportunity, he lunged forward and smacked its side with his hammer, before drawing back. Squealing, the Boar got back on its hooves and swung around.

 

Sozen: 10/11

Deep Forest Boar: 5/6

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10494]

BD: [9] (Critical, +1 DMG)

MD: [8] (Hit)

 

Stretching out with his hammer, Sozen was just able to reach the critical point behind the Boar's head, but left himself open to the Mob striking his side. Pulling back, he was pleased to see that the Boar's HP was in the yellow, and his own health was at a safe 9. As long as he could keep up the damage, maybe get another critical, he could finish this battle no problem.

 

Sozen: 9/11

Deep Forest Boar: 3/6

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10495]

BD: [2] (Miss)

MD: [9] (Critical, +1 DMG)

 

Sozen attempted to hit the critical point again, but this time the Boar jerked back and lunged into his chest, knocking him flat. Wincing, Sozen got back up and prepared to attack, all too aware that his health was nearing the orange zone. The next few attacks would mean the difference between victory and retreat.

 

Sozen: 7/11

Deep Forest Boar: 3/6

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10496]

BD: [8] (Hit)

MD: [8] (Hit)

 

Once more the two collided, each scoring a hit on the other. Sozen was ever closer to victory, but now he was firmly in the latter half of his health. "Prophet, guide my weapon.", he muttered to himself.

 

Sozen: 6/11

Deep Forest Boar: 2/6

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10498]

BD: [7] (Hit)

MD: [4] (Miss)

 

More careful of overextending himself, Sozen let the Boar charge to him knocking aside its tusks at the last moment and kicking it in the side. The Mob quickly rolled back to its feet, its HP bar flashing a comforting red. Just one more...

 

Sozen: 6/11

Deep Forest Boar: 1/6

[Sozen 0]

[iD: 10499]
BD: [3] (Miss)

MD: [3] (Miss)

 

Acting defensively, Sozen could do little more than ward off the Mob's attack while not being able to respond in kind. One more attack with his hammer would bring it down, but he had to be careful of the enemy managing a critical at this delicate stage.

 

Sozen: 6/11

Deep Forest Boar: 1/6