(SP-FL1) Pest Control [Complete]

[Izzrikl 0]

 Boot soles creasing the the grass Izzrikl walked around the slim trunk on the outer layer of the woods and looked about thoughtfully. The light was dimming as he made his way into the forest away from the rest of the low level players and the mass herds of pigs. Solo hunting was slowly becoming a natural part of his existence now in SAO. This area was said to house wolves and large insects which shouldn't prove to be too much of a hassle. 

 'How bad can it be to take on low level bugs?' He mused as he walked around thickening trees. Course this thought choked on itself as he caught sight of a man sized Praying mantis. The thing had to have been six foot tall and the folded arms were tipped with three foot scything blades. Pulling the spear off his back he swallowed his doubt and moved to engage the larger creature.

Edited March 9, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

 To Izzrikl's surprise the mantis emitted a high chittering and then it moved like it was hopped up on speed. It's left scythe slicing the air as he fell backwards avoiding its opening attack. Panic swelled up as he shifted from his backside to a crouch and thrust his spear. With a series of short scuttling steps it moved out of the spear tips range and kept clicking its mandibles. Keeping his posture tense to attack or avoid those killing claws he briefly regretted hunting alone. Thinking about the boars was a prime example of how badly he'd underestimated the difference in their stats. This Mantis was fast for a critter it's size and made him guess that any other insects would be fast and harbor nasty surprises all their own. 

78807

BD-4

Mob-2

Izzrikl 20/20 Mantis 15/15

Edited March 5, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

 It seemed to cock its head studying him like a serpent before it rushed him. He was dazzled as the blades seemed to unfold as its arms curled back and then brought the down in a cross arch. He lifted his spear to intercept the blows but gave a hell of surprise and pain as both curved tips punched into his back and pulled up leaving angry red trails in his back plate. Stumbling he tried to counter and only hit empty air as it pulled back keeping away from the spears tip. Strange it was almost like the creature was afraid of his weapon, or was pretending to be.

78809

BD-3

Mob-9

Izzrikl- 13/20 Mantis 15/15

Edited March 6, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

Sensing its chance it came on again the clacking of its mandibles grinding against his calm. His health bar went from yellow to green with a aura of greenish light. His arms whipped the assault spear up and warded off the offensive assault. Seemed the insect didn't mind goading him into retreat, but balked at the prospect of scuffling with him on his terms. He circled and tried pressing the mantis back into the tight grove of trees. With luck the confines of the trees would allow him to avoid more of the insects attacks and let his own land more regularly. He hoped he wouldn't have another running battle with this thing.

78810

BD-3

Mob-5

Izzrikl 18/20 Mantis 15/15

Edited March 6, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

 Forcing the Mantis back seemed to do the trick keeping its claws close to bat at the spear tip. Boots sliding and planting gave him a firm base to push off from as he herded it between two trees. With lightning reactions only an insect could have it lashed out with a claw and drove it into his shoulder spraying more crimson sparks into the air. With a gasp of reflex he drew back grasping his shoulder as cold sweet broke on his skin. Such a wound would have been fatal, but here it was bordering on leathal. His panic was doused in cold water as Combat Healing sunk the wound to half its size and filled up his hit points.

78811

BD-5

Mob-9

Izzrikl 13/20 Mantis 15/15

[Izzrikl 0]

 Swearing he thrust the spears tip forcing the mantis to weave and bob holding it's claws up as if hiding behind the twin curves in fear, or more likely a fighter putting up a defensive stance. It lashed out just like he thought it would and it's claw shaved off a good hunk of the trees bark and spraying yellow. He grinned seeing the results of his planning take shape, but as he thrusts were meeting similar resistance as the mantis used the tree for cover. Scowling he rolled the the spears shaft in his hands waiting for an opening to present itself. 

78812

BD-3

Mob-4

Izzrikl 18/20 Mantis 15/15

[Izzrikl 0]

Izzrikl dropped his weight and the Mantis's claw flashed passed his head and struck the tree on the opposite side causing more game sparks to fly in the air and the creature to emit a high pitch screech as its mandibles clacked rhythmically as their dance took a dramatic from one sided to a more level playing field. Bringing the Spear up His exhaled and plunged in into the creatures mid section and opened a red wound along its side. His lips pulled back in a grin as he stepped back pulling out of the claws lethal arch. A fresh surge of light surrounded him and his health rose to full. Settling his stance on the balls of his feet and setting up for a fresh attack lunge.

78813

BD-6

Mob-2

Izzrikl 20/20 Mantis 9/15

Edited March 7, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

Swaying between the low branches the claws carved the air in flashing arches like lightning attached to the monsters arms. Izzrikl found himself ducking only to has it's opposing limb cross his torso from hip to collar with it's other claw. The sight tightened his throat in shock and outrage as his health dropped below half once again. This monsters attacks were shocking in their intensity and made him balk at the ferocity of it's attacks would have slaughtered a platoon at most with it's speed and power. Shuddering his body clenched and then returned to a state of readiness as they continued dancing about the trees trunks.  

78814

BD-2

Mob-9

Izzrikl 13/20 Mantis 9/15

Edited March 7, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

The red stripe of the Mantis's last attack had barely settled down to a thin line when it's back swing came about. Attempting to attack was a worthless exercise as the claw bashed him aside and knocked him up against a solid tree trunk. Gasping as he rebounded off the trunk his lunges expelling air and spittle flecking the air. Slamming against the tree was a system shock pulling his focus away from fighting and plunging him downward. Cold doubt and uncertainty were clawing against his resolve threatening to paralyze him and leave him in the merciless embrace of this monster. It even swatted his spear aside as he made a weak thrust. Shifting along the trunk he panted catching his breathe and wits before engaging the Mantis again.

78815

BD-5

Mob-9

Izzrikl 12/20 Mantis 9/15

Edited March 7, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

Pushing off the trunk saved him from the twin scythes that curved around the trunk and drew deep furrows along its trunk. Rolling brought him to a sliding crouch and standing lured the mantis from behind the trees cover and brought it weaving towards him like a boxer in the final moments of a bout. So far it had not displayed any real tactical thinking, but it's attack patterns were blistering fast and made punching his spear's tip into it's carapace a chore. It's claws lashed back in a familiar arch and his hopped back as they scythed down to impact the dirt. With a shout the spear tip punched into the mantis's chest and the monster reared back kicking it's legs as it backed away.

78816

BD-10

Mob-3

Izzrikl 17/20 Mantis 2/15

Edited March 7, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

With the spear's tip buried in its throat the mantis emitted a gurgle instead of its high screech and insistent clicking. Its segmented carapace rearing back and it's legs flailing at the air like a horse. With force enough to numb his fingers it kicked out striking the spears shaft and sent the weapon flippin gout of his hands and sticking into a trunk 20 feet away. Looking at the quivering spear and then back at the mantis as it recovered enough of its senses to try and maul him once again. Diving aside and rolling with the momentum the scything blades cut the air and brought the creature around the tree after him as he ran for the spear. Tugging on it haft didn't free it immediately, but wiggling the spears tip rapidly brought it free and he faced off with it again. 

78817

BD-1

Mob-3

Izzrikl 17/20 Mantis 2/15

Edited March 7, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

Whipping his spear back around knocked the descending curve of the mantis left blade off center and into the ground where he'd been standing. Moving along it flank he thrust into a crease between plates behind one leg. It shrilled again in rage and pain as it tried engaging him directly, but the trees were doing what he had hope they would and limit the movements of the mantis. With it's bulk the trees branches forced it to pull its sweeping attacks in closer and pull a lot of their force in order to avoid banging against the trunks or hooking on branches. With these fight he considered his weapon of choice he considered switching to a sword, but survival took priority to weapon shopping at this junction.

78818

BD-8

Mob-3

Izzrikl 20/20 Mantis 0/15

 

Edited March 7, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

Shifting the spear to his back and spat as the mantis bulged and burst into shimmering shards. The item drop opened and his lip twitched as the information scrolled open. Cocking an eyebrow as an unknown consumable dropped into his pack to rest next to the crafting materials. With a sigh he stepped out of the trees rolling his shoulders and running a hand over the meager starting gear. With his recently acquired funds he was certain he could afford some decent gear, but it was a matter of finding a shop with affordable rates and what he was looking for. Absently he wondered at what he might be able to get in town. Already his mind set more on armor rather than a new weapon, but it didn't fall too far down the list of things he needed to collect before pushing further up the floors.

78822

LD-16

CD-9

Col-45

Uncommon Consumable

Edited March 7, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

Stepping from behind the trees about brought him nose to nose with another insect and after a quick look over its form it's tag sprang up identifying it as a Drone Bee. It's eye flared red as he stepped into its agro radius and then it came right at him. His spear lashed over his shoulder and lanced forward spiking the bugs abdomen causing it to veer off course. His teeth ached with the low droning of it's wings as it hovered and swerved about in front of him. Bunching up it dove at him with its lethal looking stinger which slashed the air as he jumped aside. Looking at it's barbed tip he winced thinking of what nasty surprises this critter had in store when it did land a hit on him. He didn't see anything to indicate venom, but he was almost certain that a direct hit would cause poison, or paralyses.

78895

BD-7

Mob-4

Izzrikl 20/20 Bee, Drone 12/15

 

Edited March 7, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

Warding off the bee's next thrust Izzrikl took the time to study the winged pest. Now that he took the time to look at it it resembled more of a wasp, or hornet than a bee. It's body was narrow, and it'd abdomen that housed that wicked looking stinger was a round segment. It's form was stripped in yellow and black like anything that was considered a "Bee". There was no real pattern to it markings, but the name indicator showed this to be a drone. 

'Hard to imagine these ugly things getting any bigger.' He thought ruefully as his spear snaked out to attack the bee's hovering form, but it's wings proved to be it's biggest advantage. Cocking his head he thought as it buzzed back in and let it's short antenna waiver in the air as if it was taunting him.

78897

BD-3

Mob-4

Izzrikl 20/20 Bee, Drone 12/15

Edited March 7, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

Trying to keep up with the bee's constantly jinksing about was an exercise in itself. He remembered being back home with his wife and trying to track a flys flight path. The damn thing wasn't even half as big but just as fast and eventually he'd lost sight of the buzzing pest. Same thing happened here save he hadn't lost sight of the giant bee, but lost track of its movements. In that lapse it darted in jabbing its stinger into his chest and knocking him off balance for the moment. His status icon hadn't changed so he wasn't stunned, or poisoned so those might be reserved for other members of the hive.

78900

BD-3

Mob-8

Izzrikl 14/20 Bee, Drone 12/15

 

Edited March 7, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

Droning away as it hovered about and dive bombing him as it tried to stick him again with its stinger. Gritting his teeth as it scored another attack dropping his health. Izzrikl shoved off with his back foot catching it as it tried to get out of reach of his spears tip. Slashing across two of its long legs and taking them off at the segmented joint caused the drone to alter in pitch. 

'Could it be screaming?' He mused darkly as it recovered its balance. He noted its health was deep in the orange and that much closer to the end of this fight. He was reminded of some anime fight where the strikes came in blurs where you could only tell the outline due to the artists outlining where their arms were suppose to be while they duked it out. He was briefly thankful that this critter didn't have any nasty surprises, but tore this thought down so as to keep it from coming back to bite him in the backside.

78901

BD-6

Mob-6

Izzrikl 19/20 Bee, Drone 9/15

 

 

 

Edited March 8, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

Their dance kept turning around and around even turning back on itself. The bee's stinger darted in and about seeking to find a weak point to put a limited dent in his health bar. Turning and rolling his center of gravity shifting aside from the wicked barb as he thrust and swept the air with his spear tip. Hitting the bee was nothing short of an exercise in patience and timing while playing a deadly game of tag with this critter. Shifting his grip made the wood creak slightly in his gloves as the danced off 'I think it's going to be time to shift weapons after this.' He thought wondering what particular goody he could pick up in town. Or maybe the game might relent and drop something worth while. Only problem would be finding a shop open and within his current funds range.

78902

BD-3

Mob-4

Izzrikl 20/20 Bee, Drone 9/15

 

Edited March 8, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

Leveling the spear like a pool cue he waited then the bee came on. It's high pitch drone was like the sound of an accelerating Honda pushing its RPMs into the red. The tip slashed across the abdomen leaving a red gash. The timing was off though as the stinger sliced across his chest as it passed. It spun slightly thrown off balance by the attack before swinging back into equilibrium. He spat bracing for a new charge as his health bumped up sheathing him in blue green light.

78903

BD-6

Mob-7

Izzrikl 14/20 Bee, Drone 6/15

 

 

Edited March 9, 2017 by Izzrikl

[Izzrikl 0]

He fiented keeping the bee off balance as it bobbed up and down. It's wings blurring the air as its weaponized abdomen waived in the air. It's antennas waivered and jerked as its own mandibles chattered. 'Damn bugs and their insesant chittering.' Izzrikl thought as the bee dive bombed him again its attack driving the stinger into his guts. As his boots left the ground he retained enough sense to sweep the spears tip and was rewarded with the severance of the bugs whirring wings. His back hit the ground and he grunted skidding and then he flipped onto his stomach with a groan. The healing aura sprung to action pushing the worst of the critical attack off.

78904

BD-10

Mob-10

Izzrikl 11/20 Bee, Drone 1/15

Edited March 9, 2017 by Izzrikl