[F21-SP] Many Changes <Itzal>

[Itzal 0]

Itzal approached the chest but before he even pulled out his tools, he scanned the area more carefully.  The footprints weren't like most he'd found.  These were older than they should be.  Back when he was experimenting with the tracking mod he was too confused to understand it.  Now however he knew that this meant they were marks left behind in the world's history.  A way to kind of help tell a story about dungeons or other such places players could encounter.  The scout..  Well, rogue now, appreciated this extra bit of detail from Kayaba.  He pulled out his tool kit and began working on the lock.  It was only after he opened it however when he remembered the keys he bought.  He sighed as he couldn't do anything about it now, and looked inside.  Well, even without the key he did a good job.  Three thousand, three hundred and seven col.  Eight materials.  One perfect armor.  And two rare consumables.  It really wasn't all that bad.  However.  He looked up towards the cavern area again.  There was still a monster to defeat...

(Forgot to apply the key x-x)
ID#  111208  LD:  15+5=20 +157 = 3,307 col.  8 MATs.  1 Perfect Armor.  2 Rare Consumables.

3,307 col.  46 MATs.  1 Perfect Armor.  2 Rare Consumables.

[Itzal 0]

Itzal made his way through the cave, being as silent as he could.  Utilizing both his stealth skill, and his search skill, to it's full potential.  He stuck to the shadows and made his way down.  Making sure his footsteps were light and silent against the wet and echoing ground.  He soon spotted them.  The two of them were wearing black armor with purple accents and designs.  The armor had three layers:  Thick cloth clothing with a waist cape.  Scale armor which covered the torso, arms, waist cape and legs.  And plate armor which covered the more vital areas such as the torso, shoulders, forearms, lower legs, boots and heads.  Horns protruded from the shoulders and helmet.  Their faces were covered, a slit across their eyes and down the center.  Their eyes weren't visible, covered by a shadow.  Each had a shield half their size, and a long jagged curved sword.  Itzal took his moment.  He drew his sword and rushed at them.  He quickly activated his sword art and charge simultaneously, stabbing the first one under the armor, dealing a critical hit, then pulling it out in a slash moment, continuing the momentum over to the second knight.  They were caught by surprise and thus were struck hard, but the second managed to recover quickly and slashed Itzal across the torso before he could evade it.

Itzal:  1,480/1,590 HP <> 145/156 EN <> 17 DMG <> 25 MIT <> 79 BH <> 4 EVA <> 3 ACC <> x3 Col <> +5% col

Dragon Knight 1:  573/780 HP <> 234 DMG
Dragon Knight 2:  582/780 HP <> 234 DMG

Tracker used:  Instant hit

ID#  111282  BD:  9  (17+5+1=23x9=207 dmg)  MD:  8-4=miss
ID#  111283  BD:  3  (17+5=22x9=198)  MD:  9  (+1 dmg)  234+1-25=110 dmg.

[Itzal 0]

Itzal leaped back as one of them swung their sword at him.  Instead of hitting him, they ended up striking the ground itself.  The area they were fighting in was still part of the tunnel like cave, but this section was a bit wider.  It allowed for them to fight unhindered, but it was tight quarters.  Not too much to run away.  He'd have to be quick and time it all right.  Itzal watched as the two knights rushed at him.  Each holding their shields up while raising their weapon.  Itzal waited until they started swinging the blade downward before running forward and sliding under them.  The blades barely missing his face as he jumped to his feet after sliding.  He leaped forward to evade the swords of the knights who spun around to counter attack.  As he leaped he grabbed the two song crystals from his belt.  He activated them both.  One reducing their evasion, and one giving him a little...  Boost of sorts.  Specifically to the chance for higher loot.  He just needed to deal enough damage and finish them off.

Itzal:  1,559/1,590 (+79) HP <> 145/156 EN <> 17 DMG <> 25 MIT <> 79 BH <> 4 EVA <> 3 ACC <> x3 Col <> +5% col

Dragon Knight 1:  573/780 HP <> 234 DMG
Dragon Knight 2:  582/780 HP <> 234 DMG

ID#  111290  MD:  6-4=miss
ID#  111291  MD:  1=miss

Activating Debuff:  (masterpiece instant)  -3 EVA
Activating Buff:  +1 LD to mob loot

[Itzal 0]

The two dragon knights were not happy with how things were going.  Though to say that would be an understatement.  The two knights appeared to be calming down some and, what Itzal assumed, were planning to start strategizing and working together to defeat Itzal.  Of course with the heavy evasion debuff they received there was little point to worry about this.  His chances of getting hit were as low as they could go, and the chances of Itzal missing were near impossible.  However, that confidence would earn Itzal another strong hit.  The first dragon knight began charging forward towards Itzal, who ran right back.  However before they reached blade striking distance, and before  Itzal could turn and perform a wall run, the dragon knight struck the ground with an uppercut, forcing the dirt into the air towards Itzal.  It didn't hurt thanks to SAO, but it created a cloud of dust that blocked his vision from the next two attacks which struck soundly on him, dealing firm damage.  Just as they did so of course, he decided it was a good time to activate his final consumable.  Now the real fight began.

Itzal:  1,169/1,590 (+79) HP <> 145/156 EN <> 17 DMG <> 25 MIT <> 79 BH <> 4 EVA <> 3 ACC <> x3 Col <> +5% col

Dragon Knight 1:  573/780 HP <> 234 DMG
Dragon Knight 2:  582/780 HP <> 234 DMG

ID#  111292  MD:  9   234+1-25=210 dmg
ID#  111293  MD:  10   234+2-25=211 dmg

Activating +1 CD to mob loot

[Itzal 0]

One of the strikes had cut through his chest where his heart was.  However because his health was still immensely high he didn't receive a hole there.  He didn't often think about it, but he realized it would be really jarring when they returned to the real world only to experience actual pain again.  They've gone without it for...  What?  Almost two years now?  Or was it more?  Itzal had a hard time keeping track if he was being honest.  He was so focused in the now, he didn't notice the years passing.  That was probably a bad thing if he was being honest.  He should probably locate and find someone with in real life medical experience and ask them if they knew how much time they would have approximately before their bodies failed entirely.  But for now...  He was, as mentioned, focused in the now.  He leaped back, pulling away from the blade.  Leaped into the air over the cloud, and slashed his blade at them from above, dealing damage to both of them.

ID#  113120  BD:  9  (17+1x9=162 dmg)  MD:  2-4=1
ID#  113122  BD:  4+6=10  (17x9=153 dmg)  MD:  2-4=1

Itzal:  1,278/1,590 (+79) HP <> 134/156 EN <> 17 DMG <> 25 MIT <> 79 BH <> 4 EVA <> 3 ACC <> x3 Col <> +5% col

Dragon Knight 1:  411/780 HP <> 234 dmg
Dragon Knight 2:  429/780 HP <> 234 dmg

[Itzal 0]

With that attack, the fight became a bit more intense...  From an outside view.  Itzal was getting used to their movements and patterns, and was already coming up with counter measures.  When he landed behind them he spread his legs out, knees bent, so that his torso would lower as his left hand supported him from falling entirely.  The two knights spun around as he did so and missed him.  He then got to his feet at the same time he rushed forward, spinning his blade towards the knight to the right.  As he hung in mid air between them he spun around and struck the knight to the left as well.  He landed on the ground and slid a bit back, but didn't stop to breath.  He immediately darted to his left, dodging another swing from the enemy.  His goal was to anticipate their movements and react accordingly.  So far it was working.  Itzal was hoping they didn't start acting randomly anytime soon.

ID#  113121  BD: 4+3=7  (17x9=153 dmg)  MD:  1
ID#  113124  BD:  10  (17+2x9=171 dmg)  MD:  8-5=3

Itzal:  1,357/1,590 (+79) HP <> 123/156 EN <> 17 DMG <> 25 MIT <> 79 BH <> 4 EVA <> 3 ACC <> x3 Col <> +5% col

Dragon Knight 1:  258/780 HP <> 234 dmg
Dragon Knight 2:  258/780 HP <> 234 dmg

[Itzal 0]

Running up the side of the wall the dragon knights tried to anticipate where he was going and rushed to cut him off.  However the scout was well ahead of them and kicked off from the wall.  Soaring over them, kicking the opposite wall, launching him at the two knights from behind.  He stabbed the first one in the back, pulled the blade out and slashed the other one before he landed on the ground.  The knight he stabbed swung his blade around but Itzal managed to roll out of its way.  What he didn't expect was the other knight to swing his foot full force at him from the side, catching him off guard and dealing a strong blow against Itzal.  However, due to the fact that he didn't feel pain he was able to recover quickly and dodge it's second attack by backflipping.  It got a hit, but given the chances of another he doubted he was in danger at all.

ID#  113127  BD:  7+3=10  (17x9=153 dmg)  MD:  8-5=3
ID#  113128  BD:  4+3=7  (17x9=153 dmg)  MD:  9  (234-25=209 dmg)

Itzal:  1,227/1,590 (+79) HP <> 145/156 EN <> 17 DMG <> 25 MIT <> 79 BH <> 4 EVA <> 3 ACC <> x3 Col <> +5% col

Dragon Knight 1:  105/780 HP <> 234 dmg
Dragon Knight 2:  105/780 HP <> 234 dmg

[Itzal 0]

Their health was just about depleted completely now.  And proof of it lay in the fact that the two seemed to be dropping strategy and were going on a berserking rage now.  Itzal had to parry three strikes from one of them and two from the other in a single second alone.  They lost all patterns and thus Itzal had to improvise.  He held his blade up, guarding his head from one of their blows towards his head.  The other one sent a blade thrusting towards him from below, and Itzal had to tilt his blade so he could move enough out of the way to dodge it.  This was able to make the stumble he needed to get the upper hand.  And with that opening, he dealt the final blow against them, slashing across the neck and through the other's armor.  The two fell dead before shattering into pieces, and Itzal received his reward from the loot.  Needless to say, he wasn't disappointed with the result.

ID#  113129  BD:  3+3=6  (17x9=153 dmg)  MD:  4-5=1
ID#  113130  BD:  6+3=9  (17x9=153 dmg)  MD:  6-5=1

Itzal:  1,306/1,590 (+79) HP <> 145/156 EN <> 17 DMG <> 25 MIT <> 79 BH <> 4 EVA <> 3 ACC <> x3 Col <> +5% col

Dragon Knight 1:  0/780 HP <> 234 dmg
Dragon Knight 2:  0/780 HP <> 234 dmg

Loot Roll 1:  ID#  113131  CD:  6+1=7  LD:  17+6=23  :  5,733 col (780 x[4+3=7] +5%), 1 Perfect Armor, 2 Perfect Weapons
Loot Roll 2:  ID#  113132  CD:  8+1=9  LD:  11+6=17  :  9,009 col (780 x[4+3+3+1=11] +5% [Basement effect added/consumed]), 1 Rare Trinket

18,049 col.  46 MATs.  2 Perfect Armor.  2 Perfect Weapon.  2 Rare Consumables.  1 Rare Trinket

[Itzal 0]

As the cloaked figure sheathed his sword, he looked at the loot menu which revealed the results.  Nine thousand col was an achievement, and definitely beneficial for him.  Because his sword arts were weaker, and especially his AoE sword art.  He wasn't able to grind mobs as easily as other players like Zandra or Domarus.  Of course he had little use for col other than the info brokers and merchants, but it didn't hurt to stock up.  Especially since he wanted to try getting a weapon with a unique enhancement that suited him.  Preferably unique forms of damage if he could help it.  Speaking of, he had two perfect weapons it seemed.  He closed the menu and sighed as he looked at Velnia who stayed out of the fight this time around.  She was still practicing with her new element, so he had her stay out of combat until she mastered it. He picked up three materials and began to continue down the cave passageway, wondering where this led. 

ID#  113145  CD:  3  LD:  12+5    +3 MAT

18,049 col.  49 MATs.  2 Perfect Armor.  2 Perfect Weapon.  2 Rare Consumables.  1 Rare Trinket

[Itzal 0]

He probably thought this already, but this was probably just a passageway from one point of the map to another.  Specifically for those who are sneaking around.  Who knows?  Maybe this was a passage for some kind of quest the floor could have.  Regardless of what it was though, Itzal would soon have it mapped out...  He wondered what would happen if he gave the entire map of each and every floor to players once he, well.  finished mapping them all out.  Maybe Kayaba would change or add to the maps?  Itzal doubted he'd be perfectly fine with everyone in Aincrad knowing every in and out to the floors...  Still...  If Itzal was in fact going to scout every inch of Aincrad.  He would eventually find groups like Adrian, Laughing Coffin, and other places and people in hiding.  Some people deserved to take a break, but others needed to be drawn into the light...  So what should he do with the maps?  Would it be more of a problem if he revealed all the locations?  Or not?

ID#  113166  LD:  1

[Itzal 0]

Regardless of whether he'd release it or not, he was certainly mapping out every inch of Aincrad.  He should probably talk with the best representatives of Aincrad and see what they thought.  By representatives of course, he meant two players to represent the front lines.  Two players to represent those hiding in the shadows.  Two players to represent the newcomers.  And two players to represent neutrality.  It would be difficult of course, but he wanted to see if he could make it happen.  Perhaps by asking Calrex, Shield, Baldur and Zandra if they could help him look.  He felt like he could act as one of the representatives of shadows, but they may want someone else.  Perhaps he should focus on building up a reputation before trying this.  Given how the frontline meeting went...  It was probably for the best that he waited.  As Itzal thought this over he spotted another three materials and added them to his inventory.

ID#  113173  CD:  2  LD:  11+5  +3 MAT

18,049 col.  49 MATs.  2 Perfect Armor.  2 Perfect Weapon.  2 Rare Consumables.  1 Rare Trinket

[Itzal 0]

Still, if they somehow managed to get past each other's differences and unite things would all turn out in the end.  Friendships usually went through very hard times, and hard times usually strengthened the bonds...  Or broke them, one or the other.  Itzal was going to hold onto the hope that they would become stronger bonds.  He thought for a second before chuckling to himself.  He recalled the day he got the nickname Beacon of Hope.  Well, he wasn't really a beacon right now was he?  Not only that but he didn't bring any hope either...  Well, at least.  Not yet that is.  Itzal moved around a rock and continued to move through the tunnel.  He was starting to see the end of it, and soon he left the tunnel.  The other side of the map.  So this was a shortcut after all.  "Come on Velnia.  Let's head home.  We've got a lot of work we need to prepare for.  The frontlines is only the tip of our iceberg."

Thread REwards

18,049+400=18,449 col.  49 MATs.  2 Perfect Armor.  2 Perfect Weapon.  2 Rare Consumables.  1 Rare Trinket

3 SP