Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 #1 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 “«Avalanche», huh?†Takao read the text on his menu as his boots waded through the ankle high snow, each step crunching the accumulated mass of wet flakes. The information was inconclusive, lacking in important details, and overall not much more than rumours and speculations. What he was reading was a quest regarding a field boss that had spawned on the fourth floor after defeating some «Ice Elemental» monsters. The quest seemed eerily similar to «Blood in the Sand», which was another field boss related quest, only on the exact opposite of the climate spectrum. Takao could handle the fourth floor much better than the fifth. Operating in the cold wasn't hard. Sure, his minute dexterity might suffer some, but his overall mobility wouldn't be hindered by fatigue as easily as it would be with the sun burning through his clothes. Takao closed out of the menu after reading through the text a second and third time, making sure he didn't miss any details. Nothing on attack patterns meant he was essentially going into the fight blind, but that wasn't an unusual state to be in for him anymore. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #2 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 “Alright, seems straight forward. I'll farm every «Ice Elemental» I see until it spawns, kick it's butt, and be home for dinner.†Takao gave his stomach a pat as he exhaled a chuckle beneath his white, misty breath. “This is a perfect chance to try out «Lightbringer» too.†His head turned to glance over his shoulder, emerald eyes fondly regarding the blue and gold cloth wrapped hilt. Up until now, his equipment was standard. Nothing more than low level quest rewards and lucky monster drops. This sword, in all its perfectly forged glory, was his first step toward the top, and he was eager to give it a try. All he needed now were some glorified ice cube shaped monsters to use as sand bags for the purpose of luring out a boss, and he'd be golden. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #3 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Ahead of him lay his first quarry. A beast of ice, parading itself around in the shape of a man. Takao raised his hand and grasped the handle of the blade over his shoulder. His gloved hands tested its shape before pulling it free of the scabbard that housed it, and a smile grew on his face. It had an entirely different feel in comparison to his first sword, «Impravidor». The hilt assembly was shaped more like an oval and not a perfect cylinder, greatly increasing his ability to align the edge with his cuts. The statistics of the blade were purely power based, meant to maximum his damage output. Dodge everything that came his way and dish out high amounts of damage to end a fight as quick as possible, that was his strategy, and that's what he was about to test on this poor, unsuspecting «Ice Elemental» ahead of him. The need for strategy and a battle plan were dwarfed by his pure, fiery desire to put his new sword to the test. He ran straight for the «Ice Elemental» and raised his sword, but failed to notice the patch of ice it stood on. As soon as Takao's foot hit the slippery surface his forward momentum turned into a slide, heading straight for the beast that had turned its icy gaze toward him. “Whoa whoa, wait! B-Be cool about this!†Not even his pun could save him from the rock-solid punch that connected with his stomach, knocking him backwards. He continued his slide on his upper back and shoulder blades, legs over his head, until he slowed to a stop. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Ice Elemental » ID : [[ 24689 ]] » BD : [[ 5 ]] » MD : [[ 6 (9 - 3) ]] (+1 critical damage) « Takao » [[ 36/39 HP ]] -3 HP (4 - 1) « Ice Elemental » [[ 7/7 HP ]] Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #4 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Takao shifted around until his body lay flat on the cold ice. His hand held his nose, even though no pain flowed through his body, his mind did a fairly good job of simulating it. It wasn't there, but it felt like it should be there, so his ever helpful imagination filled that little gap. He slowly climbed to his feet, the soles of his boots still connected with the slick patch of ice that seemed to span twenty meters in each direction. “A frozen lake?†He wondered out loud, though his observations were cut short by the thunderous pounding of ice elemental feet against more ice. His emerald gaze snapped toward the Ice Elemental and just barely ducked under its swing. His evade, however, could only be credited to the fact that upon trying to move away, he'd actually slipped and fell. Takao's back hit the ice again, though not as hard this time without the assistance of the Ice Elemental's frozen fist, and he groaned. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Ice Elemental » ID : [[ 24690 ]] » BD : [[ 2 ]] » MD : [[ 3 (6 - 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 36/39 HP ]] « Ice Elemental » [[ 7/7 HP ]] Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #5 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 His second attempt at regaining his balance was interrupted by the ice elemental's second attempt at smashing his face into the ground. Thankfully for Takao, ice skating wasn't his forte, and he slid and fell under the Ice Elemental's frustrated punch again, narrowly avoiding its strike. As he moved back up to his feet, he watched the beast swing its fists about in frustration at the pair's misfortune, until it eventually settled on slamming its fists onto the ice, sending spider-web fractures in every direction. “Wow, now that's what I call breaking the ice,†His eyes gleamed with self satisfaction. “But I think it's time that you chill out, y'know?†If that Ice Elemental hadn't been seriously trying to hit him before, the glowing red eyes and sudden charge at him likely meant that it was now. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Ice Elemental » ID : [[ 24691 ]] » BD : [[ 2 ]] » MD : [[ 3 (6 - 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 36/39 HP ]] « Ice Elemental » [[ 7/7 HP ]] Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #6 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Takao finally felt his feet press firmly against the ice. He didn't dare to move, for his opponent was coming straight at him anyways. He would be, essentially, delivering himself unto the tip of Takao's blade. He placed his weight on one foot and shifted his body to the side, narrowly avoiding the swiping the Ice Elemental's swiping arm. Takao thrust lightbringer straight through the solid ice, cutting through the entirety of its health with ease. His green eyes watched as it disappeared into glittering flakes. A wide grin seeped onto his face as he looked down at the sword. What a display of power to cleave through ice with such ease. "I'm snow sorry about that." - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Ice Elemental » ID : [[ 24692 ]] » BD : [[ 10 ]] (+2 critical damage) » MD : [[ -1 (2 - 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 36/39 HP ]] « Ice Elemental » [[ 0/7 HP ]] -9 HP Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #7 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 His victory was short lived after leaving the frozen lake's surface, as two more Ice Elementals appeared from beneath the snow in front of him. His sword was already out and in a moment's notice poised to strike, but one of the Elementals had gotten the upper hand immediately. It chopped into his side, cleaving away a small chunk of his health before Takao managed to jump back and evade the other's attack. He was provided with no time to launch a proper counter attack right off the bat, and instead opted to bide his time. Two of them could provide difficult, especially if they were the catalysts for the field boss's summon. His eyes darted to his health and noted it was still within the acceptable range, then looked back to the Ice Elementals that stood side by side. "Hey, d'you guys think you could most aside? I'm in a bit of a flurry!" - - « Battle Sequence » Ice Elemental » Takao » Ice Elemental » ID : [[ 24699 - 24700 ]] » BD : [[ 1 ]] » MD : [[ 7 (*10* - 3) ]] (+3 critical damage) « Takao » [[ 33/39 HP ]] -3 « Ice Elemental 1 » [[ 7/7 HP ]] « Ice Elemental 2 » [[ 7/7 HP ]] Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #8 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Despite the fact that it contradicted with his pun, Takao was not in a hurry. He had plenty of time to burn on these lesser mobs, because he planned on healing up after the Field Boss spawned. He wanted to go in fully prepared to take it on, and to do that, he'd want a full health gauge. He ducked under the swing of the first Ice Elemental as it attacked and pivoted his body on his left foot heel. His blade cleaved straight through the monster and separated it into tiny glowing fragments. He stepped back and evaded the second Ice Elemental's strike as well, his blade poised and ready to take it out with his next attack. - - « Battle Sequence » Ice Elemental 1 » Takao » Ice Elemental 2 » ID : [[ 24700 - 24701 ]] » BD : [[ 8 ]] » MD1 : [[ -2 (1 - 3) ]] » MD2 : [[ -1 (2 - 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 33/39 HP ]] « Ice Elemental 1 » [[ 0/7 HP ]] -7 HP « Ice Elemental 2 » [[ 7/7 HP ]] Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #9 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Takao narrowly avoided the second Ice Elemental's slash after dispatching of it's less fortunate friend. He stepped back to prevent his body from interfering with the elemental's attack, then took a heavy step forward. His blade cleaved deep into the beast with ease, the damage dealt just enough to deplete its health gauge fully and disperse it into a similar show of glittering fragments. In the clearing ahead of him a bright light flashed, and a loud roar from that particular direction stung his cold ears. Takao winced and opted to keep his distance for now, more interested in regaining some lost health than taking on the boss right away. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Ice Elemental 2 » ID : [[ 24702 ]] » BD : [[ 8 ]] » MD2 : [[ 3 (6 - 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 33/39 HP ]] « Ice Elemental 2 » [[ 0/7 HP ]] -7 HP Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #10 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 A few moments of rest was all Takao would need to prepare himself for the impending boss battle. He'd relocated himself onto a low hanging branch of a tall pine, hopefully out of reach of anything undesirable below. If the Field Boss had spawned after finishing off those last two Ice Elementals, he couldn't imagine any other beasts to be lurking in the area, with the exception of the Field Boss itself. The evergreen needles did wonders to stop the bitter wind from chilling him as he laid his back across the branch, allowing himself the luxury of enjoying the cold winter day with the faint sounds of an Ice Elemental roaring in the background. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #11 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 His mind quickly began to wonder with the sudden down time he'd been afforded. He tried to occupy his thoughts with anything, bouncing from fond memories of his home in real life, to more recent memories of the people he'd met and occasionally fought alongside. It seemed like his memories of his life outside of the game were taking a back seat, shelved within the distant confines of his thoughts while new memories of his life in the game were formed. He exhaled an exhausted sigh and forced his thoughts onto another subject, quietly contemplating the battle strategy he'd use in the upcoming fight. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #12 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Takao opened his eyes and sighed out a long yawn. He hadn't fallen asleep, doing so was impossible in the cold without some kind of alternative source of warmth – which he didn't have. His gloved hands grabbed the branch and he swung himself down with all the grace and elegance of an olympic gymnast, landing quietly in the snow below. His his health back at full, he cracked his knuckles and drew his sword. Takao started heading for the boss, a bit of haste each step he took. He wanted to get this over with before any other elementals showed up. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #13 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 If not for its size, «Avalanche» would have been a carbon copy of the Ice Elementals he'd battled with earlier. For all the effort put into the level design and graphics, they sure did skimp out on monster design. He could name every monster he'd seen on the lower level floors on his hands. Even with its lack of creative design, it still posed a very real threat, observable by the glowing wound in Takao's chest. He'd attempted to dodge the Ice Elemental and failed, taking the full brunt of its blow. He was thrown back by the force and slid along the snow until slowing to a stop. The smile on his face didn't waver or falter in the slightest – a little challenge was always given a warm welcome. He slowly began to climb back onto his feet, no legitimate pain coursing through his veins but his hyperactive imagination was sure to fill the blanks. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Avalanche » ID : [[ 24707 ]] » BD : [[ 2 ]] » MD2 : [[ 7 (*10*- 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 35/39 HP ]] -4 HP « Avalanche » [[ 50/50 HP ]] Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #14 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Takao rose from the ground with his sword in hand, his desire to fight not wavering in the slightest. In fact, being smacked around right off the bat might have even proved to strengthen his resolve. He raised his blade over his shoulder and listened for the low hum as a bright green flash of light encased the metal. He released the sword art and thrust the blade forward, cleaving deep into the large Ice Elemental's leg and dealing a fair chunk of damage to the first of its two health bars. There was a lot more to go, but every step forward was a bit further from where he started. Takao slid to a stop behind the Ice Elemental and turned to face it, ready to strike again and again, as many times at it took to bring it down. With his new sword, he couldn't imagine it would take long. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Avalanche » ID : [[ 24708 ]] » BD : [[ 8 ]] » MD2 : [[ 3 (6- 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 35/39 HP ]] « Avalanche » [[ 43/50 HP ]] -7 HP Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #15 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 The two attacked simultaneously, but Takao's blade connected with the ice beast first. Takao watched as the crystalline blue structure was stained with the distinct grid pattern overlaying a glowing red wound with a smile that quickly faltered when the Ice Elemental prepared to enact its revenge. It swiped at Takao with the back of its left... limb. He wasn't sure he'd call it a fist, even if that's what it was intended to be from a design standpoint. Takao landed with a thud some ten meters away, yelping away the nonexistent pain as his health dropped. The steel grip he kept on the handle of his sword ensured it stayed by his side even as he fell. The simple sheet of digitally forged and sharpened metal was his lifeline in this world of Aincrad, and he would definitely be needing it for this fight, if their health bars were of any indication. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Avalanche » ID : [[ 24709 ]] » BD : [[ 6 ]] » MD2 : [[ 7 (*10* - 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 31/39 HP ]] -4 HP « Avalanche » [[ 36/50 HP ]] -7 HP Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #16 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Takao leapt up onto his feet and resumed his charge. The faster this thing fell to the might of his blade, the quicker he'd be back in the town's inn, drinking hot chocolate to celebrate his victory over both the beast and the cold. Despite having some strange desire to, his mind couldn't work up the spare processing power to form a decent pun, and his words stuck in his throat after taking another hefty blow to his health. The two exchanged damage, though the Ice Elemental received the more brutal end of the bargain as its health continued to drop from Takao's heavy strike. It teetered dangerously close to the bottom of its first health bar, threatening to be depleted if it should take another hit. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Avalanche » ID : [[ 24710 ]] » BD : [[ 9 ]] » MD2 : [[ 7 (*10* - 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 31/39 HP ]] -4 HP « Avalanche » [[ 28/50 HP ]] -8 HP Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #17 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Take another hit the beast did not, at least not yet. Takao was preparing to strike again and take advantage of the expected change of attack patterns to put distance between him and the boss, but the Avalanche had different plans. It swiped horizontally across the ground again, aiming to take his feet out from underneath him, but his dodge was too quick. He leapt over the incoming fist and dropped into a landing. His boots slid further than he had been expecting, carrying him a noticeable distance away. Takao straightened his back and kept the distance by circling the Ice Elemental from fifteen meters away, looking for a distinct opening or weak spot to attack. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Avalanche » ID : [[ 24711 ]] » BD : [[ 4 ]] » MD2 : [[ -2 (1 - 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 35/39 HP ]] « Avalanche » [[ 28/50 HP ]] Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #18 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Takao's patience paid off quickly. The beast had enough of his passive approach to the combat and charged, claiming the distance that separated them in seconds. The Avalanche attacked as it was expected to, by swiping its hand horizontally across the snow again, to which Takao skillfully leapt over. In the same motion as his jump, he thrust his blade forward, shaving off another chunk of health and bringing the beast's health below the threshold of the first gauge. It roared and thrashed as its programming spurred on a change of attack patterns. Takao quickly placed distance between himself and the boss, opting to observe until it began attacking. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Avalanche » ID : [[ 24712 ]] » BD : [[ 9 ]] » MD2 : [[ 0 (3 - 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 35/39 HP ]] « Avalanche » [[ 20/50 HP ]] -8 HP Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #19 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Takao tucked and tumbled into a roll against the snow as the Ice Elemental swung its fist vertically down at him. The force sent a plume of snow into the air in front of the beast as Takao's blade cleaved into its left leg, leaving behind the decoration of a large wound in the limb. The health bar kept dropping with every one of his successful attacks in a continuous depletion, almost as if the once green – now orange was acting more like a timer than a gauge of health. Its time on this plane was limited now, at least until it was spawned again. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Avalanche » ID : [[ 24713 ]] » BD : [[ 8 ]] » MD2 : [[ 0 (3 - 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 35/39 HP ]] « Avalanche » [[ 13/50 HP ]] -7 HP Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Takao 0 Posted July 15, 2015 Author #20 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 The gap between their health was vast now, so Takao could afford to make some mistakes. He swung at the Ice Elemental but had to cut his attack short, else he would risk taking damage from its incoming fist. Despite being able to take damage without much worry, the young brunet certainly didn't want to make a habit out of it if he could help it. Forming bad habits in the middle of a fight, especially if it had to do with taking damage, was something that he'd rather not do. Takao ducked and rolled away from the Ice Elemental's path of destruction and positioned himself on the left side when he finally came to his feet and caught his balance. He raised his blade and prepared to strike again. - - « Battle Sequence » Takao » Avalanche » ID : [[ 24714 ]] » BD : [[ 2 ]] » MD2 : [[ 0 (3 - 3) ]] « Takao » [[ 35/39 HP ]] « Avalanche » [[ 13/50 HP ]] Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
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