[SP-F1] Pondering Life > Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Itzal soon realized that the party never stayed together the whole time, so he went ahead and traveled to floor one for some training.  He wasn't as high a level as Verus and he thought he would take down the easy monsters before training with the higher ups.  He thought he heard Verus mention something about collecting fruit, but Itzal was determined to spend all the time he had available to leveling.  His goal to survive was a strong passion and his will to become one of the strongest players was even more so.  Either way, both required training, not lounging around.  And thus Itzal found himself in the meadow Verus led him for his first training.

[Itzal 0]

Itzal noticed two boar huddled close together, eyeing him cautiously.  He gestured to them and they charged at full speed.  Itzal drew his sword in a flash, preparing to cut the lot of them.  When they drew closer however, the two boar switched sides, confusing Itzal who then had to dodge their attack.  Instead of landing a hit, he ended up jumping onto one of their backs and rolling on the ground.  The two boar turned quicker than Itzal anticipated and he rose to his feet quickly, preparing a counterstrike.

 

ID# 62664

BD:  4

MD:  5

Itzal:  16/16

Boar 1:  4/4

Boar 2:  4/4

[Itzal 0]

This time Itzal was ready for them.  The two boar charged him once more but this time he didn't watch where they were positioned.  He simply watched their formation.  Rather than keeping an eye on where boars 1 and 2 were, he kept an eye on whether they were beside each other, or....  There!  Just as they closed in on him one of the boar fell in behind the other.  Itzal started his run and leapt into the air, slashing downward and cutting both of his foes, each squealing in pain.  He landed and kept running to establish safe distance between them and saw that the two boar were separating from each other.  Itzal found it interesting how the computerized mobs could learn and adapt from his moves so quickly.

ID# 62711

BD:  7

MD:  2

Itzal:  16/16

Boar 1:  2/4

Boar 2:  2/4

[Itzal 0]

The boar to the left charged him at full speed.  Surprised at how swift the mob could move, he was unprepared and tried to jump out of the way but his shirt got caught on the boar's tusk, dragging him wherever the boar went.  At the same time the tusk grazed him, inflicting damage.  Growling with anger and frustration, he reversed his sword and stabbed behind him, splitting the mob's spine and ending it.  Since there wasn't anything else holding Itzal, he ended up rolling across the ground.  When he began to stand up, he felt the second boar slam right into him, knocking the air out of his lungs.  The boar was a bit stunned from the sudden collision and Itzal took the opportunity to cut off it's head.  After killing the two boar he stuck his sword in the ground and leaned on it as he caught his breath.

ID#  62720

BD:  9

MD:  8

Itzal:  10/16 (-6)

Boar 1:  0/4 (-3)

Boar 2:  0/4 (-3)

Result:  Itzal victor, +2 MAT

[Itzal 0]

Itzal stabbed his blade into the ground and rested against it a moment.  It was his first time receiving damage and it weakened him a bit.  He knew he'd receive damage at some point, but he had hoped he could go on a little farther without having done so.  He could always charge another boar but he decided to let his health regenerate a bit first.  He sat down and leaned against a nearby tree sighing.  Itzal didn't intend to get weakened this easily the entire time.  He would endure the mob-grinding procedure that most players relied on to up his level quickly.  He'd do whatever he could, no matter what.  And with his new friends, his strategic mind, and the skills the game gave him, he should make it there in no time.

[Itzal 0]

Itzal glanced at his health bar and noticed that it was filled once again.  He pushed himself to his feet and pulled his sword from the ground.  He glanced at a nearby boar and whistled to it, gaining it's attention.  Once he had it, he made an irritating taunt that had the boar charging at him in no time.  Itzal realized his position wasn't very good so he jumped to the side to gain better ground.  The boar couldn't see that move coming and kept charging, straight into the tree.  As the boar sat there Itzal could imagine the stars around it's head and couldn't help but laughing.

"What's wrong bacon?  Can't stay focused on your target?"

[Itzal 0]

The boar swung it's head in Itzal's direction with so much anger and strength it tore some of the bark off the tree, startling Itzal.  It then charged faster than previously and Itzal had to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit.  He swung and almost missed his target.  Almost.  His blade cut lightly into the boar and when he landed the mob turned to him, now blind with rage.  Itzal made another taunt and the boar scrapped the ground with it's hoof before charging once again.

ID#  62725

BD:  6

MD:  3

Itzal:  16/16

Boar:  2/4 (-2)

[Itzal 0]

The boar's charge was faster and more wild than Itzal anticipated.  He tried to jump out of the way but the boar changed directions just as fast and caught him in mid-air.  Itzal saw this change however and poised his sword.  Just as it ran into Itzal, his blade pierced head, spine and out the other end.  Itzal fell backward from the boar's force just as it exploded into sparkles.  Itzal breathed heavily for a moment or two.  Having witnessed the full on strength of an angry boar he decided taunting his foes wasn't the best strategy.  He sighed.  This was going to be a long day.

ID#  62727

BD:  9

MD:  9

Itzal:  12/16 (-4)

Boar:  0/4 (-3)

Result:  Itzal victor, +1 MAT

Edited July 1, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

The day began to drag on and Itzal decided to take a break from all the level grinding and take a walk.  It was almost sunset and he would have to join up with his friends soon.  After all, he had no place to live and had to rent a room in an inn until then.  As he walked, he kept an eye out for any materials he could collect.  Maybe he could trade with someone for something useful, or perhaps save up for some equipment.  He definitely needed better armor, and he would need a powerful sword soon.  Might as well gather some supplies.  Yet as he looked around he couldn't find anything worthwhile.  He then noticed a flowery meadow up ahead and decided to take a look.  Maybe he could craft and sell a cologne or two.

ID#  62728

LD:  14

[Itzal 0]

When he reached the meadow he saw hundreds of different types of flowers.  He wasn't a flower fan and simply moved passed most of them.  He would smell a flower or two to see if it could make a good cologne.  At least he assumed it was the smell of a flower that made it.  He had no idea how cologne was made.  Either way somebody would want a flower.  Eventually he found a smell he liked and picked the flower.  +1 MAT

Satisfied, he turned to leave when he spotted something that made his heart stop.  A little off in the distance he saw a small patch of flowers by itself.  They were Verbena.  Purple flowers that his sister used to tuck into her hair every day.

ID#  62730

LD:  16

[Itzal 0]

His sister.  Itzal walked slowly over to the patch and sank to his knees.  How could he have forgotten about his sister?  The day he was adopted, the little girl did everything to encourage him.  He probably would have given into depression if it hadn't been for her.  She had stood by his side every step of his life.  When he did well in school, when he worked on his gaming or tech projects, and when he came home with bruises from the beating the bullies gave him.  She was the most kind, loving, understanding girl he had ever known.  And he had completely forgotten about her.  He ran his tight hands through his hair, threatening to pull it out with frustration.  Was it that easy?  Was it this easy to forget about your own family when stuck in a game?  He looked down at the flowers again.

The simple little plant radiated a beauty that he believed few would understand.  Not only was purple his favorite color, and not only did the flower present it's own prettiness, but to him it represented someone he loved dearly.  He reached down and gently took one.  He stared at it a moment wondering what to do with it.

[Itzal 0]

He would definitely keep it, to remind him why he was really training.  To get home.  To see his sister again.  To survive.  But also to keep others from dying.  So that they could see their own families again.  The question was, how would he have it on him without looking ridiculous or damaging it?  He thought for a moment and came up with an idea.  He could have someone turn it into a bracelet, necklace or ring even... Possibly.  Honestly he didn't know, but if he could do so, he'd be able to wear this reminder wherever he went in the game.  If the item had a durability he could always replace the flower.  He decided to store it in his inventory so it wouldn't get damaged.

[Itzal 0]

Itzal began wondering how his sister had reacted to the terrible events that occurred.  She probably cried the first few weeks, but then later on tried to cheer people up again.  Probably cooking some meals for everyone and stopping by the hospital to pray for him.  Now that he thought of it, Itzal was kinda hungry.  He could eat some of the bread he had, but he recalled that Adhae was practicing cooking and decided that her food would be better than any loaf of bread.  He hesitated as he recalled his thoughts on food when he first met Verus.  He hadn't really cared at all about it.  Now he couldn't think of anything else.  He also recalled Verus mentioning earlier how he'd get some supplies for Adhae.  Itzal shrugged and figured a few more ingredients wouldn't be too hard to find.

[Itzal 0]

Itzal knew some of floor one but wasn't totally familiar with it.  He wandered a little searching for anything that could be used for food but came empty handed.  He saw a village in the distance and realized that there might be an orchard there.  He made his way over when a wolf suddenly blocked his path.  Itzal noticed that this mob's level was acclimated to his own.  This wolf might actually be a challenge.

Itzal didn't hesitate as he charged the wolf, his blade glowing dark red as he prepared his sword art.  As the wolf ran to meet him, it seemed to trip and rolled on the ground.  Itzal charged and repeatedly struck the helpless wolf, creating several red dots on the mob.

ID#  62737

LD:  8

BD:  6

MD:  1

Itzal:  16/16

energy 2/4 (-2 Snake bite)

Wolf:  6/8 (-2

[Itzal 0]

Itzal was about to charge again when he tripped over a loose tile.  As soon as he did, the wolf pounced on him, clamping its jaw shut around Itzal's blade arm causing him to roar in pain.  He tried to move but the wolf kept him pinned down, not giving itzal another chance to deal that sort of damage again.

ID#  62741

BD:  1

MD:  8

Itzal:  13/16 (-3)

energy:  2/4

Wolf:  6/8

 

[Itzal 0]

Itzal's heart was pumping as he realized that this wolf had the potential to end his life then and there.  He quickly thought of what he could do and came up with a relatively simple answer.  He hit the wolf in the crotch with his knee.  He knew it would hurt the wolf, but he didn't expect it to stiffen and fall on it's side whimpering.  Itzal leapt to his feet and used his sword art again, striking in it's eyes, throat, anywhere he believed to be a soft point.  The wolf howled from the pain it received from it's tormentor.

ID#  62747

BD:  9

MD:  3

Itzal:  13/16

energy:  0/4 (-2 Snake's bite)

Wolf:  3/8 (-3)

Edited July 1, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Drained from the excessive use of sword arts, Itzal felt his body move sluggish as he tried hitting the wolf again.  He missed terribly and the sword hit the ground.  The wolf had a similar effect, only from wounds and not fatigue.  Itzal assumed that it was the hit to the crotch that caused it's weak movements.  The wolf leapt at him but missed by a centimeter, landing on the ground behind him on it's stomach.  If someone were watching this fight, this part might seem like two drunk men trying to hit ghosts.

ID#  62748

BD:  3

MD:  5

Itzal:  13/16

Wolf:  3/8

Edited July 1, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

The two went at it again, only this time it was Itzal who almost hit his mark, and the wolf who was way off.  This was beginning to get frustrating and Itzal was getting impatient.  He looked at the wolf and he could see the same look in it's eyes.  Itzal wavered a bit but he could feel some of his strength returning.  Itzal could see that the wolf was also taking a moment to focus.  Sooner or later one of them would triumph over the other.  And Itzal did not plan to dye on his sister to a stupid wolf.  Taking a deep breath he charged again.

ID#  62750

BD:  5

MD:  2

Itzal:  13/16

Wolf:  3/8

[Itzal 0]

Itzal could see clearly again and saw that the wolf was reacting slow to his movement.  It tried to leap at Itzal but he forced his charge into a slide, and thrust the blade up through the throat, hearing the wolf almost scream in agony.  A critical hit.  He heard the wolf flop on the ground and whimper in pain from the damage Itzal had caused.  Itzal turned around and moved his arms to the air at his sides, opening himself as the wolf lay on the ground.

"Do you really want to keep fighting or should I end this already?"

ID#  62751

BD:  10

MD:  2

Itzal:  13/16

Wolf:  2/8 (-1)

Edited July 1, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

The wolf surprised him by turning, leaping, and clawing at him so fast that he realized if a mob was close to death, it would do everything it could to take the player down with it.  Itzal was defenseless against the rain of sharp claws that repeatedly struck him.  Finally he rolled to his right out of the wolf's way, and lifted his sword just in time to block the wolf's leap.  With great effort, he pushed the wolf off of him and positioned himself for a counter strike.

ID#  62753

BD:  3

MD:  8

Itzal:  10/16 (-3)

Wolf:  2/8