[SP - F1] Murdering Nature <<Secret Medicine of the Forest>> COMPLETE!

[Seul 1]

Once again, Seul was off on another grand adventure. This time it was into the depths of a forest to locate the special ingredient used in a certain type of medicine. The job seemed easy enough. The item in question would drop once he finished off the right monster and the creatures on the first floor no longer held the same intimidating presence that they once had. This mission would prove to be a good test of his newfound strength in the face of a legitimate life or death battle. His pace quickened as the sun seemed to be falling in the difference and being out in the wilderness at night was not something that particularly appealed to him.

Edited September 28, 2015 by Seul

[Seul 1]

The picture provided with the quest helped a great deal as Seul had no idea what a 'Little Nepent' would have looked like without it. For a plant it sure wasn't like the average one you'd find in your grandma's garden. These things looked quite nasty with gaping mouths lined with teeth and alluring flowers on their bodies. He was glad he hadn't decided to take on the quest to slay them at an earlier time as doing so probably would've resulted in his death. But with two extra levels under his belt the little nepents would be somewhat easy to dispatch.

[Seul 1]

The plan was simple. Fighting all three little nepents at once was far too risky, thus he'd isolate the targets and pick them off one at a time. This would also give him time to rest should he suffer any damage. It wasn't as flashy an execution as maybe some of the other players would do, but for a rogue the slow and steady path was often the one that kept one alive out in the field. There'd be no reward for dying. No, killing the nepents one at a time was the only logical course of action. getting in over his head was the last thing he needed at the moment.

[Seul 1]

ID# 33161 | BD: 2 (FAIL) Attack Missed! -2 Energy | MD: 6 (SUCCESS) Attack Hit!

Seul [HP: 12/12] [Energy: 1/3] >>>>> Little Nepent [HP: 5/5] [DMG: 3]

Little Nepent [HP: 5/5] [DMG: 3] >>>>> Seul [HP: 9/12] [Energy: 1/3]

There it was. Across the clearing resided the first little nepent he'd ever encounter. It was even stranger in person and for something with little in the name it was larger than he was! Surveying the area yielded that it seemed to be on its own. Lucky break for him as he was finally ready for a genuine fight. He drew the dagger that lied sheathed at his waist and kept a tight backhanded grip on the knife before moving closer to the nepent by ducking behind trees for cover. Without a sound he leapt from his place of cover the moment the nepent turned its back but miraculously the monster still found his presence and swatted him back into the tree using one of its overgrown vines.

Edited September 27, 2015 by Seul

[Seul 1]

ID# 33162 | Energy Regen: +1 = 2 Energy Total | BD: 10 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) Attack Hit! | Sword Art Used: Side Bite (2x1) -2 Energy

Seul [HP: 9/12] [Energy: 0/3] >>>>> Little Nepent [HP: 0/5] [DMG: 3] (DEAD) ( 1 Base + 1 Rank One Dagger + 2 Crit x 2 Side Bite = 8 Damage)

The wind had been effectively knocked out of him as his back made contact with the rough bark of the tree. How on earth had the creature known of his ambush? Was it just towing with him? Trying to mock him? Well Seul wasn't going to stand for it. Mainly because he was still trying to catch his breath. The creature loomed ever closer with a distorted smile on its gross lips as it seemed to think that it had found its next snack. The boy took a glance at the green health bar floating in the corner of his vision. The monster didn't hit particularly hard but he did need to be sure all of his attacks landed as too many hits would mean death. Once the creature was within range, he sprang forward, dagger in hand. He didn't know what came over him. Where had he acquired such a technique? He chalked it up as being one of the many sword arts the game system controlled to provide an edge in combat. As he passed the nepent he left a long horizontal gash on the right side of its body and once he was behind it, he turned on his heel to spring forward, once again leaving an open wound on the plant's left side now as he passed. Without turning to face his opponent he could hear the sound of the beast exploding into an array of pixels before being carried off by the wind.

[Seul 1]

Seul [HP: 9/12] >>>>> [HP: 12/12] (Out of battle healing) | Energy Recovery Timer: 1/3

The fight had been won, despite starting off a bit rocky. He didn't even suffer that much damage, but taking any at all made him worry about his own mortality. There were still two nepents needed before he could wrap the mission up and collect his reward. If things would go as smoothly as they had up till now he'd be golden. Unfortunately only the future knew what was to come. Gathering up new resolve, he decided to head off deeper into the forest. Of course, he kept a mindful eye out for any monsters that could've tried to hinder his progress along the way.

[Seul 1]

Energy Recovery Timer: 2/3

The value of having friends was weighing heavy on his mind as he walked. This quest probably would've been a piece of cake if he had enlisted the help of a higher level player. But something possessed him to do otherwise this time. He had to get out there and fight on his own two feet eventually. He did regret not stocking up on at least one healing item before leaving town though. If anything led to his downfall it would be his inaccuracy with his dagger. As long as his strikes landed he'd be fine. There was no reason to panic. He had the entire situation under control. Hopefully.

[Seul 1]

Energy Fully Restored

It wasn't long before the boy stumbled upon the next little nepent, just as alone as the last one had been. Having vanquished one already, he figured it should've been easier to take them out. Just like before he crept closer and closer, ducking and rolling between the trees to try and mask his presence. Only he never did learn what it was that tipped off the first nepent to his attack. He was sure he didn't make any noise. Maybe he just needed to watch his steps more carefully. Once he was within range to launch an attack he held his dagger at the ready and waited for the nepent to turn it's back.

[Seul 1]

ID# 33179 | BD: 1 (INCREDIBLY LAME FAIL) -2 Energy | MD: 2 (FAIL)

Seul [HP: 12/12] [Energy: 1/3]

Little Nepent [HP: 5/5] [Damage: 3]

This nepent behaved quite differently from the last. Instead of swatting Seul away upon noticing him it simply evaded the boy's lunge. He of course face-planted into the dirt and raised his hand to rub his head afterward. "Ow... So I'm guessing this one has a different attack pattern...?" Came the mumbles. As expected, the nepent wasn't going to let the opportunity to attack a downed foe go by so easily. An enormous vine shot from its body like a whip in Seul's direction, but the boy planned for this sort of maneuver and rolled to the side into a crouch as the vine connected with the ground in a vertical swipe.

[Seul 1]

Energy Regen: +1 = 2 Total | ID# 33181 | BD: 9 (CRITS ALL DAY) | Sword Art Used: Side Bite (2x1) = -2 Energy

Seul [HP: 12/12] [Energy: 0/3]

Little Nepent [HP: -1/5] (DEAD) (1 Base + 1 Rank One Dagger + 1 Critical x 2 Side Bite = 6 Total Damage)

Like before Seul was able to see the opening in the nepent's defense and rushed forward with his dagger raised, executing the rank one dagger skill Side Bite yet again. As he passed the nepent's side he dug in deep with his knife leaving behind the usual giant gash on the creature's side. Once he was behind it, he turned just as expected on his heel and dashed past the monster's opposite side, slitting it open as he did. The beast exploded in a shower of pixels that eventually dissipated and yet another battle had been won. He felt like he was starting to get the hang of this whole fighting thing and he hadn't even taken any damage that time! There was still one more nepent that needed to hunted down though so he decided to take a quick rest to recover some energy before setting off to slay it. 

[Seul 1]

Energy Regen Timer: 1/3

He rested his back gently against the trunk of a large tree. These breaks in between fights were all that were getting him by. Seul turned his gaze to the sky while releasing a soft sigh. The only thing standing between him and a job well done was the final little nepent that resided somewhere in the forest. His own growth had been substantial up till that point. Being able to fight on his own was a huge accomplishment. Maybe he really would be able to fight on the frontline someday. 

[Seul 1]

Energy Regen Timer: 2/3

There was no time to waste. With the majority of his strength returned he decided now would be as good a time as any to go off in search of the final nepent. Victory was so close, yet still quite far away. The last two ambush attempts had failed miserably. When he eventually did find his target the Side Bite was probably going to be his finishing move once again. There was no doubt in his mind that once he held further proficiency with his weapon he was sure he'd be able to actually take in other players in duels. The thought excited him to no end.

[Seul 1]

Energy Fully Restored

As Seul reached a the final clearing he caught sight of the final little nepent. This one had a different colored flower. Most nepents had red flowers while this one was a nice blue color. He figured this was the monster he sought as the quest specifically mentioned there being a special variant that dropped the medicine material. He needed to kill this last one. Then it'd all be over. He could go home and his friends might even throw him a parade afterward. Like before he crept closer with dagger in hand by ducking through the trees.

[Seul 1]

ID# 33193 | BD: 2 (FAIL) -2 Energy | MD: 7 (HIT)

Seul [HP: 9/12] [Energy: 1/3]

Little Nepent [HP: 5/5] [DMG: 3]

The final battle had finally begun. Seul jumped from his place of cover and rushed at the little nepent as fast as his legs would carry him. The arm the held his knife extended straight out as he tried to rend apart the creature only to be met with a vine whipping away his arm before swinging back around to slap the boy away. He skidded backwards but managed to keep on his feet, watching the little nepent with extended caution before planning his next attack. There was no way he could let himself die here after coming so far. 

[Seul 1]

Energy Regen: +1 = 2 Energy Total | ID# 33194 | BD: 9 (CRITS. ALL. DAY.) | Sword Art Used: Side Bite (2x1) - 2 Energy

Seul [HP: 9/12] [Energy: 0/3]

Little Nepent [HP: -1/5] [DMG: 3] (DEAD) (1 Base + 1 Rank One Dagger +1 Critical x 2 Side Bite = 6 Damage Total)

It was now or never. He had to end the match before it got too out of hand. Seull watched s the nepent's vines swayed with the low breeze. Breeze. That was it. He'd use the environment to his advantage. The little nepent was also on the defensive, actively trying to anticipate Seul's next attack so that it could follow up with a counter. Once the wind tossed both of its enlarge vines to one side, he struck. "SIDE BITE!" He called while rushing forward with his weapon aimed for the sides of the creature. It clearly wasn't expecting him to attack in such a straightforward manner as the dagger was able to connect with its target and leave a huge open gash on the creature. It cried out in pain but its suffering was short-lived as Seul pivoted on his heel and slashed the beast horizontally across what he assumed to be its face once it turned to face him. Stunned by the sudden burst of power from what the creature assumed to be a weak foe, it let one last battle cry before bursting just as those who fell before it did.

[Seul 1]

In the place where the monster died laid his desired material. The <<Little Nepent's Ovule>> was finally his. He greedily picked it up and secured it in his inventory soo that he could bring it back to town in one piece. It was amazing though. Over the course of three battles only suffered minimum damages. Without the aid of potions, crystals, self healing skills, or backup of any kind it was an impressive feat in its own right. One top of everything else, he was fighting with beginner gear! Sure he if he hadn't scored so many lucky shots the fights could've gone completely different be he wanted at least some credit for his efforts.

[Seul 1]

Rather than head straight back to town he decided to take a rest under the shade of the closest tree he could find. When there weren't giant plant creatures roaming about the forest gave off quite a nice feeling of serenity. The only thing that would've made the moment even better was if a cute girl had somehow magically appeared and wanted to party up with him. Forever. But such things only happened in anime. Sadly, this was the real world. Well not the real world but in a way it was. Everything certainly looked real and although the people he came across might have had wacky outfits or hairstyles, he was certain that they were just as real as he.

[Seul 1]

Everyone who had been trapped in the game had a life. As much as some would like to dispute it, the fact still remained that they were ordinary people on the other side. They had families and jobs. Pets, maybe even children. School and relationships. Nobody was a killer, or a blacksmith or master swordsman. Just simple people with simple lives. So then why? Why had they been imprisoned? Was it wrong to play games? Seul didn't think so and he truly believed that if presented with choice the other players would play games again once they returned to reality.

[Seul 1]

Maybe he should have said if they returned to reality. In all the time the players spent in Aincrad, the front-liners only just recently decided to take on the boss guarding the way to the 12th floor. Many good people lost their lives fighting to get this far but for each felled player there would always be someone stronger there to take their place eventually. Such was the way of MMOs. Seul didn't like to think about the fact that he could die at a moments notice here. But truth be told, it wasn't that much different from life in the real world.

[Seul 1]

If he wasn't careful crossing the street, a car would end his life. If he wasn't careful traveling around Aincrad a monster would be his end. Thinking about it like that helped ease his feeling of dread since in his 18 years of life he had never been hit by a car. The fact that there were still so many players left was also a big help. Anyone who wasn't able to handle the pressure probably would've offed themselves by now so seeing other players around was taken as a comfort. A signal that there was still enough willpower to fight back.