[F7 - SP] Rumors of a Fiery Beast <<Arabian Nights>> Second Night - [Completed]

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82307 results:

 Battle: 7 - 2 = 5 - Miss

ID# 82308 results:

 Battle: 5 + 3 = 8 - Hit! - Thorns - 28

 MOB: 7 + 3 = 10 - Hit! - Thorns - 28

[H:0] Shield - HP: 880/880: EN: 88/88 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 124 | BH:30 | THN: 28 | BH: 30 | RGN: 54

Stats: HP: 485/647 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | DMG 65 - 24 BRN (All normal hits) | PHS 24

Abilities:

Double attack: BD and MD attacks, Fire Breath: BD/MD (8+) - AoE 40 DMG + 24 BRN - 2 turns (If both trigger, combines into 80 normal damage (mitigatable).

With the creature refusing to release his weapon, Shield was running out of options. He looked from side to side, trying to spot any tools or environmental elements he could use to his advantage, but aside from the piles of charred bones that were apparently the remainders of the beast's meals, there was nothing in the expansive cage to use. So, with no options, he did the only thing tanks are good at doing to beasts: pissing them off.

Hacking up as much mucous as he could, he spat into the face of the creature. It reeled, both out of surprise and insult, releasing Shield's axe and instead swiping with both forepaws. The attacks connected, each dealing more damage to its owner than to its target. All in all, it was about the best that he could have hoped for in the situation.

His control regained, he stepped back a pace, distancing himself to allow himself better position for his next strike.

Edited April 15, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82309 results:

 Battle: 6 - 2 = 4 - Miss 

ID# 82310 results:

 Battle: 4 + 3 = 7 - Hit! - Thorns - 28

 MOB: 4 + 3 = 7 - Hit! - Thorns - 28

[H:0] Shield - HP: 880/880: EN: 88/88 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 124 | BH:30 | THN: 28 | BH: 30 | RGN: 54

Stats: HP: 49/647 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | DMG 65 - 24 BRN (All normal hits) | PHS 24

Abilities:

Double attack: BD and MD attacks, Fire Breath: BD/MD (8+) - AoE 40 DMG + 24 BRN - 2 turns (If both trigger, combines into 80 normal damage (mitigatable).

With a heavy clacking of talons on stone, the creature gathered itself and leaped into the air. Shield drew his arm back to strike the manticore as it hurtled towards him, but with the little space he had managed to create between them, there was no way to bring his arm down in time. Both sets of claws ripped through his chest, but before immediately, his own wounds began to heal, while the welts that formed on the manticore's paws remained.

With the thought of lingering versus non-lingering effects, Shield checked his HUD out of his periphery, and sure enough, the burn icon had yet to fade.

It's just constantly burning every time it hits, regardless of using its breath weapon or not.

Even as they tumbled on the ground, he was thankful in that moment for the healing arts he had taken in order to protect his health. In a game of death, sacrificing portions of his life for the greater good was counter-intuitive. However, if he didn't do it, someone else would have to.

Edited April 15, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82311 results:

 Battle: 8 - 2 = 6 - Hit! 1 dmg, Bleed - 24

ID# 82312 results:

 Battle: 6 + 3 = 9 - Hit! - Thorns - 28

 MOB: 7 + 3 = 10 - Hit! - Thorns - 28

[H:0] Shield - HP: 880/880: EN: 88/88 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 124 | BH:30 | THN: 28 | BH: 30 | RGN: 54

Stats: HP: 348/647 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | DMG 65 - 24 BRN (All normal hits) | PHS 24 - Bleed 1/2

Abilities:

Double attack: BD and MD attacks, Fire Breath: BD/MD (8+) - AoE 40 DMG + 24 BRN - 2 turns (If both trigger, combines into 80 normal damage (mitigatable).

Shield struggled to pull the manticore off of him, but although its damage was not sufficient to hold him down, its mass and strength were. With a growl, he swung his axe, slashing it across the beats's belly, spilling out the red, glowing contents. In whatever programmed "pained behavior" the manticore was given, it reared up and slashed with both sets of claws, leaving twin streaks of glowing red across the heavy, razor lined chain shirt that Shield wore.

He had not been able to see the marks so clearly before, but they indeed glowed more like hot iron than typical wounds in SAO. He took it for a product of the burn. For most players, those claws likely ripped through them like a hot knife through warm butter, but for a tank like him, even though they passed through, they left nothing behind but small amounts of fleeting damage.

Edited April 15, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

 ID# 82313 results:

 Battle: 5 - Miss

ID# 82314 results:

 Battle: 8 + 3 = 11 - Hit! - Thorns - 28 dmg

 MOB: 3 + 3 = 6 - Hit! - Thorns - 28 dmg

[H:0] Shield - HP: 880/880: EN: 88/88 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 124 | BH:30 | THN: 28 | BH: 30 | RGN: 54

Stats: HP: 292/647 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | DMG 65 - 24 BRN (All normal hits) | PHS 24 - Bleed - end

Abilities:

Double attack: BD and MD attacks, Fire Breath: BD/MD (8+) - AoE 40 DMG + 24 BRN - 2 turns (If both trigger, combines into 80 normal damage (mitigatable).

Despite making the manticore's leonine body flinch, he failed to knock it completely off of him. The beast was back on him, its teeth encircling his shoulder and the foreclaws gripping and pressing down into him. The creature shifted forward, putting its weight onto its front as Its hind legs began to rake at Shield's midsection, finishing with a blast of fire right onto his face.

Between the flashes of claws and flames, Shield could just make out the last of his bleed wound that he had inflicted begin to stop itself. More glaring than that change, however, was the change in the color of the monster's health bar which went from a bright green to a sickly yellow. His own bar, meanwhile, was dancing back and forth with each new strike, but it always bounced right back up to full, while his opponent's though impressive in its fortitude, was still in a slow and steady process of draining away. 

Just like your guards... only a matter of time.

Edited April 15, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82315 results:

 Battle: 4 - Miss

ID# 82316 results:

 Battle: 3 + 3 = 11 - Hit! - Thorns - 28 dmg

 MOB: 7 + 3 = 11 - Hit! - Thorns - 28 dmg

Stats: HP: 236/647 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | DMG 65 - 24 BRN (All normal hits) | PHS 24

Abilities:

Double attack: BD and MD attacks, Fire Breath: BD/MD (8+) - AoE 40 DMG + 24 BRN - 2 turns (If both trigger, combines into 80 normal damage (mitigatable).

With the tides of the battle flowing the way they did, no sign of turning in sight, Shield saw no reason to struggle against the best. If it meant laying on his back while the thing chewed on him, so be it. That being said, there was no reason not to speed up the process. He pulled back his axe arm, but a whip like crack of the creature's tail knocked the weapon hand back and away, leaving the manticore free to dig in with its claws, this time in a very literal sense

It plopped down onto its haunches, extending its foreclaws all the way and swiping at his chest repeatedly as if trying to dig its way deep into him. Glowing marks appeared both on his chest and the pads of the creature's shovel sized claws, but one set faded as soon as they were made, while the other set lingered, eating away at the health bar of the one who sported them. It was only a matter of time before the health bar of the manticore would match its wounds and the blood colored pixels that Shield fought to draw out of it.

Edited April 15, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82317 results:

 Battle: 10 - Hit! - 1 dmg, - Bleed - 24

ID# 82319 results:

 Battle: 2 + 3 = 5 - miss

 MOB: 9 + 3 = 12 - Hit!

Stats: HP: 211/647 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | DMG 65 - 24 BRN (All normal hits) | PHS 24 - Bleed 1/2

Abilities:

Double attack: BD and MD attacks, Fire Breath: BD/MD (8+) - AoE 40 DMG + 24 BRN - 2 turns (If both trigger, combines into 80 normal damage (mitigatable).

With the front paws of the creature engaged in attacking, Shield took advantage of the opening, swinging up with his axe and catching the manticore in the side of the head. Although the initial damage was practically nonexistent, he watched as the yellow gauge began draining even more quickly than before, getting dangerously close to the point where it would no longer be red.

Roaring in anger, the manticore swept the axe aside, bristling as its paw was covered in welts once again. Unable to conjure up any more ways to retaliate without bringing further harm onto itself, it puffed out its chest as the red light of fire began to well up in the back of its throat. Shied groaned, trying to fight his way free, but was unable to extricate himself before the heat and light engulfed him once again. As the proverbial smoke cleared, he let out a sigh.

"Just hurry up and kill yourself, you stupid monster."

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82321 results:

 Battle: 7 - 2 = 6 - Miss

ID# 82322 results:

 Battle: 2 + 3 = 5 - Miss

 MOB: 8 + 3 = 11 - Hit! - Thorns - 28

Stats: HP: 183/647 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | DMG 65 - 24 BRN (All normal hits) | PHS 24

Abilities:

Double attack: BD and MD attacks, Fire Breath: BD/MD (8+) - AoE 40 DMG + 24 BRN - 2 turns (If both trigger, combines into 80 normal damage (mitigatable).

With the wound still open in the manticore's head, Shield decided to try something new to see if he could aggravate the beast enough to release him. He swung with his axe, making sure to keep the attack wide and obvious. The beast swatted it away easily, which he anticipated. In the momentary opening, he rocked his hips up, wrapping his leg around the remaining front limb of the manticore, using it as a post to swing his other leg up and stick his foot in the wound just as it began to close.

Roaring with an anger and pain that he had not seen before from the beast, he felt his body being tossed across the floor, tumbling and bouncing until he came to a rest. Despite being tossed, he was none the worse for wear, his health no lower now than it had been at other points in the battle. He pulled himself quickly onto his feet, eager to meet the manticore eye to eye once again.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82326 results:

 Battle: 8 - 2 = 6 - Hit! 1 dmg, Bleed - 24

ID# 82327 results:

 Battle: 4 + 3 = 7 - Hit! - Thorns - 28

 MOB: 3 + 3 = 6 - Hit! - Thorns - 28

Stats: HP: 102/647 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | DMG 65 - 24 BRN (All normal hits) | PHS 24 - Bleed 1/2

Abilities:

Double attack: BD and MD attacks, Fire Breath: BD/MD (8+) - AoE 40 DMG + 24 BRN - 2 turns (If both trigger, combines into 80 normal damage (mitigatable).

It was just as Shield was fully regaining his feet that he realized that the manticore's health had dropped down into the red. With renewed vigor, the end so close that he could begin to taste it, he began to advance on the dying beast. Its health so low and its anger so strong, it was unable to focus. It tossed its head, roaring out into the echoing chamber before making another charge.

Shield had plenty of time to prepare this time, picking his moment and ducking down as it lunged, it sailed overhead, its belly presented to Shield to slice, which he gladly did. The gash ran the full length of its body. It did manage to nick Shield with one hind claw as well as thumping him with its strong tail, but between the three sources of damage, its health was nearly halved. Furthermore, with red pixels pilling into the air, its health was on its way to a point even lower than that.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82328 results:

 Battle: 5 - 2 = 3 - Miss

ID# 82329 results:

 Battle: 9 + 3 = 12 - Hit!

 MOB: 8 + 3 = 11 - Hit! - Thorns - 28

Stats: HP: 50/647 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | DMG 65 - 24 BRN (All normal hits) | PHS 24 - Bleed - end

Abilities:

Double attack: BD and MD attacks, Fire Breath: BD/MD (8+) - AoE 40 DMG + 24 BRN - 2 turns (If both trigger, combines into 80 normal damage (mitigatable).

The beast whipped around, flames already spilling from its mouth. Shield had just enough time to duck behind his guard before flames began spilling around the edge of his silver defender. Through the flames, the creature leaped, its claws extended. It only managed to get one into Shield, but it was enough to trigger the effects of Shield's defenses. What had been half of its health was halved yet again. As the beast stood, it wavered on the spot, stumbling to keep its many feet below it.

Apparently this proved to be quite a feat in its injured state, because as soon as it stopped listing in one direction, it began doing so back the other way. Now not only would Shield have to hit a moving target, but a randomly stumbling one. Its own attacks would likely suffer as well.

"We always get to this point, my opponents and I, where although I may not be able to do so right away...." he said, raising his axe in front of him, "ending the fight is inevitable."

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82330 results:

 Battle: 1 - Miss

ID# 82331 results:

 Battle: 1 - Miss

 MOB: 3 + 3 = 6 - Hit! - Thorns - 28

Stats: HP: 22/647 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | DMG 65 - 24 BRN (All normal hits) | PHS 24

Abilities:

Double attack: BD and MD attacks, Fire Breath: BD/MD (8+) - AoE 40 DMG + 24 BRN - 2 turns (If both trigger, combines into 80 normal damage (mitigatable).

It stumbled past him again, its once ferocious eyes struggling to keep open as it floundered on its own feet. Shield tried to get his axe into it, but it unwittingly swerved out of the way, having stumbled itself and fallen onto its side with a crash. With the beast downed, he figured now would be the strike, but even as he approached, the manticore took an attack with its flailing tail that cost it dearly.

What had been halved and then halved again was once again halved. No matter how it was that Shield managed to damage it, that would be the end of the line. Slowly, he straightened up, no longer regarding the great foe as particularly great. With what seemed to be all of its remaining strength, the once might manticore drug itself back onto its feet and began stumbling around in  wide circle, trying to focus Shield in its sights, but stumbling too hard to remain stationary enough to do so.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82332 results:

 Battle: 8 - 2 = 6 - Hit! - 1 dmg - Bleed - 24

Stats: HP: -3/647 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 | DMG 65 - 24 BRN (All normal hits) | PHS 24 [Dead]

Abilities:

Double attack: BD and MD attacks, Fire Breath: BD/MD (8+) - AoE 40 DMG + 24 BRN - 2 turns (If both trigger, combines into 80 normal damage (mitigatable).

The end in sight, and his would be attacker now laid out on the ground, Shield stepped in for a coup de grace, speeding his axe into the fallen beast which then immediately burst into blue fractals and vanished altogether. A rewards menu sprang up in the air in front of him with an odd item listed there.

"Manticore mask...." he read to himself. "Proof of the manticore's presence. It comes with mitigation and... taunt... and flame aura?"

His eyes widened at the last two enhancements. The mitigation was unnecessary thanks to Norbert, but the other two enhancements gave him options. He could see now that his initial thoughts of this item being a difficult choice had not been as misguided as he had originally hoped. He was not sure how to proceed.

With the question of the item turning over in his mind, he turned back up the hall and made his way towards the entrance.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82438 results:

 Battle: 2

ID# 82439 results:

 Battle: 4 + 2 (+2 savvy) = 6(8) - Hit! - 9 x 3 = 27 dmg - 124 mit = 1 x 2 = 2 dmg (insignificant after regen and BH), Thorns - 28 dmg

 Craft: 5 - Tri Pierce

[H:0] Shield - HP: 880/880: EN: 88/88 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 124 | BH:30 | THN: 28 | BH: 30 | RGN: 54

Thief 1: HP: 158/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9
Thief 2: HP: 158/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9

• Infinite - 5x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 1-3]
• Tri Pierce - 3x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 4-8]
• Cross Edge - 2x4*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 1-5]
• Armor Pierce - 1x1*(Basic Damage) & Stun / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 6-10]
• Shadow Stitch - 3x2*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 11-12]

As Shield made his way out the way he came, he inspected the details of the Manticore Mask, trying to decide how he would incorporate it into his build. It was a difficult questions, especially seeing how he already had a source of mitigation. As he rounded the corner before the exit, he ran smack dab into two cowled men, each of which looked just as bewildered behind their head wraps as he felt.

He stumbled back, swiping with his axe. Fortunately, he had not bothered to change out his gear in light of the new piece of equipment. His attacks met with air, and then with the cavern wall. The rogues took their opening, darting in beside him, and the first crouching down in a smoothly coordinated joint attack so that they both had room to strike. As they did so though, they like the many before them found out what happens when you attack someone who is built around being attacked, and their pristine health bars dropped.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82440 results:

 Battle: 9 - Hit thief 1! - 3 dmg + 1 - 43 mit = 1 dmg, Bleed - 24 dmg

ID# 82441 results:

 Battle: 5 + 2 = 7 - Hit! - 9 x 3 = 27 - 124 mit = 1 x 2 = 2 dmg, Thorns - 28 dmg

 Craft: 5 - Tri Pierce

[H:0] Shield - HP: 880/880: EN: 88/88 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 124 | BH:30 | THN: 28 | BH: 30 | RGN: 54

Thief 1: HP: 105/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9
Thief 2: HP: 130/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9

• Infinite - 5x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 1-3]
• Tri Pierce - 3x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 4-8]
• Cross Edge - 2x4*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 1-5]
• Armor Pierce - 1x1*(Basic Damage) & Stun / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 6-10]
• Shadow Stitch - 3x2*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 11-12]

For the second time in a matter of a few moments, Shield saw the same look of bewilderment in their eyes. As they froze on the spot, he swept his axe to the side, catching the first across the face as the other rolled to the side to create a buffer. First the roller and then the attack's victim sprang to their feet and lunged for Shield, executing the same attack to much the same effect. While more graceful so far than their counterparts, they were certainly not any brighter.

With no small amount of satisfaction, Shield got a clearer look of the thief that his axe had connected with, and there was a trail of red pixels streaming from the side of his head as his health bar continued to drain away. He did not allow himself to think it because he knew his luck while fighting thieves, but if he kept this up, this fight wouldn't take very long at all.

 

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

 

Spoiler

ID# 82443 results:

 Battle: 5 - Miss

ID# 82444 results:

 Battle: 6 + 2 = 8 - Hit! - 9 x 3 = 27 - 124 mit = 1 x 2 = 2 dmg, Thorns - 28 dmg

 Craft: 4 - Tri Pierce

[H:0] Shield - HP: 880/880: EN: 88/88 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 124 | BH:30 | THN: 28 | BH: 30 | RGN: 54

Thief 1: HP: 53/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9 - bld end
Thief 2: HP: 102/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9

• Infinite - 5x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 1-3]
• Tri Pierce - 3x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 4-8]
• Cross Edge - 2x4*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 1-5]
• Armor Pierce - 1x1*(Basic Damage) & Stun / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 6-10]
• Shadow Stitch - 3x2*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 11-12]

The rogues made eye contact and nodded to one another, and with the same precision and grace as their first maneuver, they leaped forward, flanking Shield with one near the entrance and one blocking the passage back down, the latter of which barely managed to avoid another blow from his axe. The thieves flashed forward and struck with the same triple strike sword art as before. Once again, their health bars dropped just as they had on the prior two attacks.

Glancing behind him, Shield noticed that while the one in front of him had not even cracked the yellow of his health bar, the other whose wounds were just beginning to close had plummeted all the way through into the red range. With that NPC foe's health so low, it made his death practically inevitable. He turned his focus to the brigand who was still in his green gauge. He needed to do something about the color differences. It was hardly fair to the other thief.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82445 results:

 Battle: 5 - Miss

ID# 82446 results:

 Battle: 5 + 2 (+2 Savvy) = 7 (9) - Hit! - 9 x 5 = 45 - 124 mit = 1 x 2 = 2 dmg, Thorns - 28 dmg

 Craft: 3 - Infinite

[H:0] Shield - HP: 880/880: EN: 88/88 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 124 | BH:30 | THN: 28 | BH: 30 | RGN: 54

Thief 1: HP: 25/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9 
Thief 2: HP: 74/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9

• Infinite - 5x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 1-3]
• Tri Pierce - 3x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 4-8]
• Cross Edge - 2x4*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 1-5]
• Armor Pierce - 1x1*(Basic Damage) & Stun / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 6-10]
• Shadow Stitch - 3x2*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 11-12]

Shield took a step towards the healthier of the two rogues, bringing back his axe arm as he tried to pick a proper target. Apparently, that hesitation as he aimed was too slow, and the thieves, apparently desperate to keep him there, despite clearly having been strong enough to brave their hideout single handed, charged forward with reckless abandon, paying no mind to their diminishing health bars, and sending a barrage of precise attacks into Shield's chest and back.

The rogue he had picked as his more immediate target had dropped now below half health, his health bar now turning the bright, alarm yellow as a warning for him to proceed with caution. The other thief, as he ventured a glance to confirm, had slipped one step closer to death. One more proc of his thorns and he was a goner. It was sad to think that one thief would die so much more quickly than his friend. Even if he did manage to trigger a bleeding effect though, it would not be quick enough to kill them together unless they managed to avoid his thorns on their next attack.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82447 results:

 Battle: 10 - Hit thief 2! - 3 dmg + 2 = 5 - 43 Mit =1 dmg, Bleed - 24 dmg

ID# 82448 results:

 Battle: 3 + 2 = 5 - Miss

[H:0] Shield - HP: 880/880: EN: 88/88 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 124 | BH:30 | THN: 28 | BH: 30 | RGN: 54

Thief 1: HP: 25/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9
Thief 2: HP: 49/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9

• Infinite - 5x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 1-3]
• Tri Pierce - 3x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 4-8]
• Cross Edge - 2x4*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 1-5]
• Armor Pierce - 1x1*(Basic Damage) & Stun / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 6-10]
• Shadow Stitch - 3x2*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 11-12]

The matter of their deaths more or less sorted, Shield released himself from the responsibility of having to monitor both of their health gauges and focused solely on the remaining yellow. While striking first had been ineffective so far, he decided that waiting to intercept an attack would still count as him getting the first hit in. In his head, it actually sounded like an interesting challenge: see if he could use a preemptive strike to best the speedy thieves at their own game.

He waited, watching their moves. Again, like before, he picked up on the subtlest of nods from his target, and the thief sprang forward, no doubt at the same moment as the one behind him. He tracked the movement of the one before him, stepping into the path and swinging high with his axe. The attack clotheslined the computerized foe, sending him sprawling as a trail of crimson particles arced in the path that his axe had swung. The rogue behind him stopped in his tracks, leaping back out of range in light of their coordinated attack being thwarted.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82449 results:

 Battle: 8 - Hit thief 1! - 3 dmg - 43 mit = 1 dmg, Bleed - 24 dmg

ID# 82450 results:

 Battle: 6 + 2 = 8 - Hit! - 9 x 3 = 27 - 124 mit = 1 dmg, Thorns - 28 dmg

 Craft: 5 - Tri Pierce

[H:0] Shield - HP: 880/880: EN: 88/88 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 124 | BH:30 | THN: 28 | BH: 30 | RGN: 54

Thief 1: HP: 0/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9
Thief 2: HP: -3/186 | Mit: 43 | Acc: 2 | Sav: 2 | Bleed 24 (8+) | DMG: 9 - bld end

• Infinite - 5x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 1-3]
• Tri Pierce - 3x1*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 4-8]
• Cross Edge - 2x4*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 1-5]
• Armor Pierce - 1x1*(Basic Damage) & Stun / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 6-10]
• Shadow Stitch - 3x2*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 11-12]

As the first rogue struggled back to its feet, Shield decided to take matters into his own hands, not relying on his thorns to end the battle for him. He turned around and swept the blade of his axe low, crouching down so that the hooked underside of his weapon would catch at the rogue's ankle. He felt the snag and pulled skyward, watching as the otherwise catlike reflexes of the rogue were compromised as its whole body was upended. With a final downward stroke, into the rogue's chest, a shower of red told him that his virtual life was about to be extinguished.

Just as the health gauge before him dropped to zero, he felt a thud against his shoulder. Turning to look, he saw that the rogue he had written off as a goner was standing beside him, his blade buried hilt deep in Shield shoulder. Before the stalwart warrior could even register the attack, his respective health bar dropped to zero just like the other rogue's, and Shield was showered with yet another eruption of blue, glowing fractals.

The last of the thieves cleared, and the loot securely in hand, he rose to his full height and set off for the Drunken Crane. 

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Swapping gear
- Pain Drinker, - Bloody Hell, + Seeking Aura, + Finder's Keeper

ID# 82451 results: Loot: 3 + 5 = 8 - No Materials (0 total)

The journey down the mountain was considerably more pleasant than the journey up it. While exhaustion was not so much an issue in Sword Art Online, it was still relaxing to simply let gravity do most of the walking for Shield. Not only that, but the simple accomplishment of having won a number of fights intended for parties with at least partial DPS builds, rather than his defense and nothing but defense skill set, was yet another feather in his cap.

This also left him time to properly deliberate what to do with the mask. While he very much liked the idea of honesty in gameplay, lying to an NPC hardly struck him as something that he would need feel guilt over. Besides, even if it took away some of his defensive damage and had a redundant enhancement or two, there are some situations where having a constant draw of hate without wasting actions would be to his benefit, especially in boss battles where he could be using his actions to buff or to use or swap out items.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 82452 results: Loot: 14 + 3 item + 1 skill + 1 skill item = 19 - +1 Material (1 total)

As he strolled towards the entrance to the safe zone, he spotted a hunk of quarts which he quickly pocketed before jogging the rest of the way to the tavern. As soon as he was inside, Ali was all over him.

"My friend!" crowed the overly zealous NPC, rushing forward and gripping Shield's hand. "What did you learn? Was there anything to see?"

His hand still being wrung like a dish rag, a window appeared in front of him, asking whether he wished to divulge the discovery as well as hand over the Manticore Mask. With a slight hesitation, he refused the option on the prompt, dismissing the window.

"No," he said with a note of finality. "No, I'm sorry, but there was nothing to report but a few more dead thieves."

"Eh? so it's all just a rumour made up by the thieves? " he asked with a partially surprised expression, "I didn't really believe it, without some proof...." he sighed but then produced a pouch full of Col coins. "For your troubles..." he added, tossing the pouch towards Shield.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Rolling for dungeon: ID# 82454 results: Loot: 9 + 5 = 14

Shield shook the hand that once again refused to release his own right away, offering his most sincere apologies to the NPC, or again, as sincere as he could knowing that he wasn't speaking to a real person. Before attempting to leave, he also said a hello to Cassin who was sitting by the bar, indulging in a tankard of something frothy. He may not have been a real person, but it still felt odd to not at least say hello. Besides, a player could never be sure who might offer a little extra Col for a hard day's work.

The greetings and extra goodbyes covered, Shield decided that as long as he was on the right floor, he may as well poke his head outside of the safe zone one last time. After all, he was running low on quests that it would be safe to attempt alone, so any signs of a dungeon were worth exploring. The mountainous landscape outside of the town, however, offered him no promises of anything worth exploring, so with that, he dusted off his hands and made his way back to the teleportation plaza.

"It's time to get back to the shop, I'm afraid."

 

[Quest Rewards]

5 SP (3 quest rewards, 2 thread length)

8800 Col (8000 quest reward, 800 thread length)

1 Tier 1 material

Manticore Mask

Edited April 16, 2017 by Shield