SP - F8 A Different Form of Strength <<Deforestation>> (Completed)

[Calrex 0]

It wasn't long from Calrex's departure from the Amethyst Boutique that he arrived on the sixth floor in the Amazon settlement, his avatar materializing in a flash of blue light. Once his feet gently set down on the stone staircase he made his way forward into the village, his hands in his pockets. He had a smirk on his face, one of some level of confidence, but not the sinister level of pride that he had become accustomed to blaming on <<Achilles>>'s influence over him. It was one that he himself had assumed when departing from his resting space.

"I've always thought of things to some level as gestalt, that things are more than just the sum of their parts. Maybe it's time I started following that a little bit more. There was supposedly a quest here that was another field boss quest, one that might help to continue to push me forward. Let's see..."

Looking down at his hands as they exited his pocket, clenched into fists as they glowed with the yellow glow of his <<Martial Arts>> skill, "...if I'm rusty at all using these guys, heh. The last time I thought of about fighting with just my Martial Arts skill was some time back."

Looking over he saw the NPC for the quest he quickly went through the usual exchange, accepting it as he made his way out of the village, "Time to go bash some skulls."

[Calrex 0]

"Foregoing your blade in preference of your fists this time around? This creature must really be beneath you."

"...darn...strengthening the skill really did increase the effect of that voice on me."

As the voice in the back of his mind spoke it was clear to him that it now held more of a presence than before, each word seeming to hold more sway over him than before. Giving a small sigh the bluenette shook his head to help get his senses back together before departing out of the settlement, swiping on his menu as he looked at his equipment, "Hm...this seems to be a bit overkill. I'll look over my gear a bit before taking this thing on."

[Calrex 0]

"Yeah...this should be about right."

As he finished getting his gear array together a flurry of button presses and swipes came, his avatar flashing on various parts of his body, switching to reflect his choices. The Grand Dragoon vanishing, leaving only his casual combat clothing beneath. With a small sigh he grabbed one of the shoulders of his jacket he pulled it off, leaving only the white shirt beneath as the blue forearm pieces of the Grand Gauntlets II appeared. "Should be about right, let's get moving."

Exiting out of the village Calrex made his way forward, looking into the distance to see a plume of smoke rising from a good distance away, "Guess that's where I need to go."

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63061
Battle Dice: 5 (Accuracy +3) = 8
Craft Dice: 12 (Battle Healing Activated)
Loot Dice: 19 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 21 (Materials Found)
Mob Dice: 9 (Evasion +2) = 7 (+1 Damage)
Sword Art <<Aggressive Twins>> Activated / <<Charge>> Activated (2 Energy Used / 65 Remaining)

As Calrex made his way towards the ever growing pillar of smoke he noticed that the field boss' appearance seemed to cause some kind of change in the environment. Monster that once inhabited the rainforest started moving out in response to the flames, with a few of the larger creatures even making their way out, as if to get into Calrex's path. One snake leapt out at him, aiming to latch onto his arm.

The attack was successful, but at the same time <<Achilles>> triggered, bursting out from the bluenette's avatar before he focused on the reptile, his gauntlets already aglow with his <<Aggressive Twins>> Sword Art. Shooting both arms forward each fist connected with the snake as it instantly burst into crystals, "Got to keep going. These things are only going to be in the way."

Loot List:
1 Material

Calrex: 273/273 | EN: 65/67 (-2) (16+1 DMG / 2 Achilles = 14 DMG / 14 Battle Healing = 0)

Fleeing Anaconda: 0/20 (10+4 DMG * 2 Art = 28 DMG)

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63105
Battle Dice: 6 (Accuracy +3) = 9
Loot Dice: 20 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 23 (Materials Found)
Mob Dice: 6 (Evasion +2) = 4
Sword Art <<Delayed Sword>> Activated / <<Charge>> Activated (4 Energy Used / 1 Recovered / 62 Remaining)

"Tch, still more coming out..."

As Calrex continued to run along the treeline a massive creature made its way out of the forest, the hairy legs the size of legs giving a clear sign as to what it was. The oversized tarantula made its way out of the trees, its fangs clacking against each other. The multiple eyes seemed to lock onto Calrex as it turned, roaring at him before scampering towards him with massive momentum.

"Dangit I freaking hate the excessive realism of it!"

"But you can still kill it like its nothing..."

"Darn it...out of my head!"

Quickly grasping his head to try and control the voice in the back of his mind Calrex's eyes locked on the incoming monster as he executed <<Charge>> once again, rapidly closing the distance. The oversized spider tried swinging its front limbs at him, but the bluenette countered each strike with parrying blows from his <<Delayed Sword>> Sword Art, his legs shooting forward as he knocked them to the side. With his last kick the force threw the spider off balance, opening the abdomen up for his final chop as he cut through in a single strike, passing through as the creature burst into crystals.

"Gotta keep going, or else I'm going to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of these fleeing creatures."

Loot List:
1 Material

Calrex: 273/273 | EN: 62/67 (-4+1) 

Fleeing Giant Tarantula: 0/50 (10+4 DMG * 4 Art = 56 DMG)

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63107
Loot Dice: 15 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 18 (Materials Found)
1 Energy Recovered / 2 Non-Combat Turns Remaining

Quickly weaving through the escaping creatures Calrex gave a small sigh as he reached the top of a hillside right next to the tree line, seeing that the pillar of smoke was much closer than before. As he came into sight of the massive tower of billowed dark clouds the bluenette spotted his target, or at least glanced it. The flaming core of the creature seemed to barely be contained by its dark exoskeletal appearance. Tightening his fists the Ultramarine Knigt calmed his senses as he look a quick look behind him. there were still creature running out of the forest, but it seemed they were scripted, as they all vanished into crystals after passing a certain distance.

Kneeling down Calrex saw a small piece of hide from a fleeing creature on the ground, picking it up and adding it to his inventory, "Alright, better get started."

Loot List:
1 Material

Calrex: 273/273 | EN: 63/67 (+1)

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63258
Battle Dice: 8 (Accuracy +3) = 11
Mob Dice: 6 (Evasion +2) = 4
Sword Art <<Delayed Sword>> Activated / <<Charge>> Activated (4 Energy Used / 1 Recovered / 60 Remaining)

Giving a quick jump Calrex leapt off the hill's apex, the ground starting to drop further and further in level below him before he also began to lower in flight path. His feet touching the ground he executed <<Charge>> and became a flash of blue, streaking across the distance until he slammed the first kick of his <<Delayed Sword>> Sword Art into the large charcoal skeleton-like tiger's front leg. Unleashing the rest of his attack two more kicks shot out before he threw his shoulders forward, chopping into the joint of the Byakko's leg.

Cursing under his breath the bluenette leapt back, looking to see only a small percentage of the field boss' health drop, "Tch...guess I can't beat this thing to death then. Gonna need to switch to my blade."

With a roar the flaming tiger turned to face him, a single paw swiping out to hit him, but Calrex's evasiveness outmatched the speed of the attack as he backpedaled a few steps, summoning his menu, "Just a few more seconds before my sword appears. I should be able to stave it off until then."

Calrex: 273/273 | EN: 60/67 (-4+1) 

Byakko: 134/150 | 40 MIT (10+4 DMG * 4 Art - 40 MIT = 16 DMG / Stunned Until Next Turn)

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63259
Battle Dice: 1 (Accuracy +3) = 4
Mob Dice: 6 (Evasion +2) = 4 (Disregarded Due to Stun)
Item Swap: Grand Gauntlets II -> Grand Maelstrom (DMG 8 / OHSS Sword Arts (Rank 1-5) Accessible / Paralyze 2) (1 Energy Recovered / 61 Remaining)

In a quick flash of light the deep sea blue gauntlets of the Grand Gauntlets II vanished, a single sheath appearing on his hip as Calrex reached back, grasping the handle of the sword before he tightened his grip, the blade lock releasing. As he drew it almost seemed like the blade sang, the edge grazing against the side of the sheath as it exited the sheath. While the sword appeared to be just like the Grand Blade II, the pattern on the side of the blade had small whirlpools on the side, ones that seemed to be alive, slowly growing. It was a sword he had not used in quite some time, the Grand Maelstrom, the sword he had Oikawa forge during the time he felt it would be best to have a weapon for countering speedier creatures and players.

Facing the stunned Byakko the bluenette gave a calming breath, the lights in his eyes dimming slightly as he focused, almost as if his cold persona was starting to forcefully center his senses, "Focus on taking this thing down. I've had it easy for some time, being one of the strongest players in Aincrad. I need to learn once again the feeling of survival instincts on the battlefield."

Calrex: 273/273 | EN: 61/67 (+1) 

Byakko: 134/150 | 40 MIT (Stun End)

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63261
Battle Dice: 6 (Accuracy +3) = 9
Mob Dice: 5 (Evasion +2) = 3
Sword Art <<Meteor Break>> Activated (11 Energy Used / 1 Recovered / 51 Remaining)

As Calrex avoided yet another strike from the flaming tiger he brought the Grand Maelstrom back, the whirlpool patterns vanishing as the blade became coated in the shining golden light of his <<Meteor Break>> Sword Art. With the combo reaching the peak of its preparation the bluenette triggered the attack, rushing forward as his free arm came up, bent at the elbow almost as if he was carrying a shield. His forearm slammed into the creature's side, following up with a streaking barrage of golden slashes from his sword before he kicked off, shooting skyward. Coming back down his sword cut down into the Byakko's side.

The attack complete Calrex took a couple of steps back, a smirk on his face, "I guess this might not be the creature I need to face to remind myself of death's intimately close presence in this world."

Calrex: 273/273 | EN: 51/67 (-11+1) 

Byakko: 75/150 | 40 MIT (8+1 DMG * 11 Art - 40 MIT = 59 DMG)

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63263
Battle Dice: 7 (Accuracy +3) = 10
Mob Dice: 5 (Evasion +2) = 3
Sword Art <<Meteor Break>> Activated (11 Energy Used / 1 Recovered / 41 Remaining)

While Byakko was recovering from his attack it tried to swipe at him, but the bluenette's speed allowed him to easily avoid the attack, using a quick hop to dodge the incoming attack before assuming the stance for <<Meteor Break>> once again. The Grand Maelstrom blazed gold again before Calrex rushed forward, slamming into the creature a second time with his charge. After connecting with his arm once again his avatar was guided by the assisted system as he ripped through another huge chunk of the Byakko's health before finishing with yet another helm strike.

His second barrage complete Calrex stepped back, giving a small sigh to himself, "One more strike and this thing goes down. This is getting to be a bit too quick, even for my liking..."

Calrex: 273/273 | EN: 41/67 (-11+1) 

Byakko: 16/150 | 40 MIT (8+1 DMG * 11 Art - 40 MIT = 59 DMG)

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63264
Battle Dice: 8 (Accuracy +3) = 11 (Paralysis Triggered)
Craft Dice: 12 (Battle Healing Activated)
Loot Dice: 18 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 21 (Bonus Loot Found)
Mob Dice: 9 (Evasion +2) = 7 (+1 Damage)
Sword Art <<Deadly Sins>> Activated (7 Energy Used / 1 Recovered / 34 Remaining)

With the Byakko's final attempt it seemed to score a successful hit on the bluenette, its flaming claw leaving a flaming trio of parallel scratches across Calrex's chest. Giving a small sigh the Ultramarine Knight's grip tightened on the Grand Maelstrom, the whirlpools on the face of the blade growing to seemingly encapsulate the sword in foamy white. Right before attacking Calrex's sword glowed purple as he triggered <<Deadly Sins>>, rushing forward, piercing as he slid sideways across the creature's side. Each of the stabs let out a shocking sound effect, the symbol of his Paralyze enhancement triggering.

As the final strike connected the flaming tiger burst into crystals. Giving a small sigh of relief Calrex lowered his sword, resheathing his sword, "Alright, that's done. Now what?"

Loot List:
1 Material
1 Tiger Rage
Bonus Loot: 750 col + 1 Materal (Mob HP 150 * 5 col = 750 col)

Calrex: 273/273 | EN: 34/67 (-7+1) (48+1/2 DMG / 2 Achilles = 12 Unmitigateable Damage / 14 Battle Healing)

Byakko: 0/150 | 40 MIT (8+1 DMG * 7 Art - 40 MIT = 23 DMG)

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63267
Loot Dice: 17 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 20 (Materials Found)
1 Energy Recovered / 2 Non-Combat Turns Remaining

As the battle concluded Calrex looked around him as he saw the fires that were burning away the forest seem to recede, dying out as the licks of flame flew towards the next set of trees. At the same time it seemed that any of the creatures that were in the middle of fleeing the forest seemed to turn around, going back into the shadows of the trees. It seemed the sixth floor reverted back to what it was before the quest started.

Giving a small click from his teeth the bluenette walked back up the hill he had descended previously, looking to see that another scale from one of the snakes had appeared. Kneeling down he picked it up and added it to his inventory. Glancing back at the battle area where he had just fought the Byakko he saw the scorched earth had already returned back to its past green state.

"I'm sure that place will become a battlefield once again when the next player takes on the quest."

Loot List:
1 Material

Calrex: 273/273 | EN: 35/67 (+1)

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63269
Loot Dice: 12 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 15 (Materials Found)
1 Energy Recovered / 1 Non-Combat Turns Remaining

Taking a small break on top of the hill Calrex looked and saw a small flower, the petals seeming to glow with a deep purple hue. It seemed to not match the grassy area of the floor as he reached over, his former days as a material gatherer seeming to come back to him as he plucked the flower, placing it into his inventory. A feeling of nostalgia came over him as a small smile came to his face. Back then, his material gathering was for the benefit of the many, giving away the ingredients he found to help keep shops running.

However, with the way materials were found nowadays, those hours spent seemed meaningless now, as now it was better to be a fighter to gather materials than a scavenger. Enemies that were strong enough to qualify, yet weak enough to be one shot, were the best ones to encounter, as they always dropped a material, quadrupling the amount of materials one could find in a single trip. Some had used it for profit, while others hoarded it. However, he did know that some were still continuing his initial idea, giving them shops in need.

Getting to his feet the bluenette saw embers beginning to burn down at the base of the hill, a sign that someone had started up the quest after him. Giving a small sigh he descended down another side, "Better get out of the way."

Loot List:
1 Material

Calrex: 273/273 | EN: 36/67 (+1)

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63270
Loot Dice: 16 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 19 (Materials Found)
All Energy Recovered

Reaching the base of the hill Calrex gave a small exhale in time with his feet touching down simultaneously against the flat ground. Putting his hands into his jacket pockets he looked back, seeing the familiar plume of smoke rising as the scripted area of the forest to be the setting for the quest burst into flames once again, "The cycle starts once again, heh. Talk about a lack of creativity. There's no connection between the things we do here and the floor itself. Guess that's something rare in MMOs nowadays."

Looking forward the bluenette took a hand out of his pocket as he ruffled the back of his hair, "In any case, that's the end of the quest. I wonder if I should start looking for a sub-dungeon around here? I doubt I'll have as much luck as Takao and Lawfer have had in the past, but I guess I can give it a shot."

As he began walking Calrex noticed yet another purple flower, plucking it and adding it to his inventory as he continued walking.

Loot List:
1 Material

Calrex: 273/273 | EN: 67/67 (+All)

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63272
Loot Dice: 11 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 14 (No Materials Found)

As he continued along Calrex looked as the scenery around continued to shift. Entering into the treeline the open skies and grass almost instantly changed into a rainforest setting as the oversized roots of the trees were pocked with puddles of water and wet mud inbetween, forming a strange net along the ground. However, it seemed that his level was still more than enough to drive away any creatures that might try to engage him in combat. Large spiders, snakes, primates, and other inhabitants of the forest seemed to stay out of his way. "Guess that level gap really is still holding off any combat."

"Guess you've really built yourself up..."

As the voice spoke again Calrex's eyebrows furrowed as his head turned to the left, stopping his advance, "That didn't come from inside my mind this time."

Swiping on his menu he swapped out the Grand Maelstrom for the Grand Blade II, reaching back and grasping it.

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63273
Loot Dice: 1 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 4 (No Materials Found)

"Do you really think you'll be able to withstand my influence? Do you think that the man who bore my strength before you was able to do so easily?"

"Tch, don't underestimate me. I've faced death many times already, I'm not afraid to fight."

"Do you even think you'll have a chance to fight? Remember what you're fighting. It's the very thing that's kept you alive so far."

"My tenacity and high level has kept me alive, not your skill. I will admit that you've assisted in keeping my character safe, but I'm not reliant on your strength. You're an accessory, not a necessity."

As their conversation progressed Calrex's eyes scanned the trees, hearing the familiar footsteps of the Greek warrior as the presence stepped around out of sight. With the bluenette's last sentence suddenly the presence engaged from behind as he turned, swinging the Grand Blade II instinctively. The spear and shield warrior clashed, Calrex's sword deflecting the spear and staving off the shielded advance as the two locked weapons.

"We'll see..."

Almost instantly Calrex saw the warrior disappear as the resistance against the Grand Blade II immediately released, the momentum carrying the blade down as he looked around. He wasn't sure if it was an illusion he saw, or actual reality within the game. Cautious eyes scanned around before he flicked his sword into a reverse grip, resheathing the blade, "Guess this truly is the price for ranking this skill up."

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63274
Loot Dice: 16 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 19 (Materials Found)

As Calrex continued on he kept a hand against the side of his head, giving a small sigh. The voice of Achilles may no longer be speaking, but he could feel the foreign presence trying to take over his thoughts, giving a overly confident tone to every thought that passed through his head. The bluenette knew better as he tried his best to process the thoughts in his mind objectively as he had always done in the past, almost as if he was using his cold persona side of himself to counter Achille's voice.

"I wonder...how long I'll be able to keep this up. If this influence is already present and the skill is only at Rank 2...what'll happen when I finally get it to Rank 5..."

Looking over nearby he saw another glowing flower blooming from the side of a tree as he plucked it in passing, adding it to his inventory. While he could sense Roc's presence nearby, he already had a feeling the blue peregrine falcon was hovering above the canopy of the forest to avoid any conflict that would hinder his bonus to the bluenette's accuracy.

"Well...at least he's alright for now."

Loot List:
1 Material

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63276
Loot Dice: 16 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 19 (Materials Found)

With another stretch of the the forest covered Calrex gave a small sigh as he slid down to a lower part of the floor, landing into another puddle of mud. "Geeze, I'm glad that we can just unequip and re-equip clothing to have things be clean once again. It'd be terrible to have to actually do laundry in the game as well. I'm sure no one would want to take that profession either."

Giving a small chuckle at his own joke the bluenette ran a finger under his nose before looking forward, "I've still got some distance to cover...I think. I didn't check for any rumors about sub-dungeon locations before leaving, so it's really just like when I first tried this on the fifth floor. At least that time I got lucky and stumbled across one."

Stepping forward he noticed another flower, grabbing it in passing just like the other ones so far. It seemed that his days as an unofficial material gatherer had come in handy, as it helped to train his senses into quickly deducing what is useful in the environment, rather than having to closely inspect each one he found.

Loot List:
1 Material

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63277
Loot Dice: 2 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 5 (No Materials Found)

As he continued forward, it seemed that the rainforest was coming to an end as Calrex looked around the area, "Huh...I wonder if I'm getting close to where Lowenthal and I found a dungeon before. No way I'll be able to find that dungeon again, but nonetheless it might be a good indicator of where to look."

Parting a set of large leaves the bluenette stepped through, the area that came into his view seemingly out of the ordinary from the rest of the environment, "Alright...maybe I'm on the right track after all..."

Looking up he saw Roc descend as he caught up, hovering overhead, "Thanks partner. Keep an eye out for now. I'll see if I can find anything around here..."

[Calrex 0]

ID: 63278
Loot Dice: 15 (Search and Detect +2 / Item +1) = 18 (Beginner Sub-Dungeon Found)

With a few minutes of searching Calrex looked as he saw something strange in the stretch of empty grass that was the sunken area of the sixth floor. "What the heck is this place?"

Standing at the edge of a large chasm the bluenette looked as occasionally a strong gust blasted out of the darkness, strong enough to send small rocks into the air. "That seems like a pretty strong gust. I wonder if it's strong enough to slow a descent..."

Looking up he gave Roc the signal to follow him as he leapt into the chasm, spreading his limbs outwards as darkness consumed his avatar as he fell. He couldn't even tell how far the drop was going to be, at least until the chasm opened up into an underground lake.

Right as the water came into sight another gust shot up, slowing the bluenette's fall just enough that he was able to adjust his body into a diving position to safety break the surface of the water.

Rising back up to the surface he took in a breath of air, moving his now wet bangs away from his face, "Well, I certainly found something..."