[F01 - EVENT] Last Chance

[Jackpot 0]

Spoiler

Stats
Level: 3
HP: 60
EN: 6
DMG: 4
ACC: 1
THORNS: 18
FIREPROOF
KEEN 1


Skills
- One-Handed Curved Sword (Rank 1)
>>> +1 DMG

Equipment
- [E] Crescent Elegy (T1 Rare Curved Sword)
>>> +2 DMG

- [E] Inferno Guardian (T1 Perfect Shield)
>>> Fireproof
>>> +18 Thorns

- [E] Gloves of Caerus (T1 Perfect Clothing)
>>> +3 LD

Battle-Ready Inventory
- Spider Cider x5 (Heals 90 HP) [10 in standard inventory]
- Offbrand Energy Drink x5 (Restores 3 EN) [15 in standard inventory]
- Popcorn x1 (Raises MIT by 20)

So, the zombies were still flittering about, were they? It seemed that it was only stragglers by now. Jackpot saw his opportunity to enter the fray and play the role of the hero now that things seemed to be considerably safer. It also helped that Dederick had graciously offered his shield to Jackpot as a temporary situation to help him in this endeavor. Jackpot had never really been the kind of guy to appreciate the utility or aesthetic of shields, but in this case, it was probably best that he simply took the help and ran with it.

Before he got started, he wanted to power himself up. In accordance with this, he opened up his menu and navigated to the inventory panel, selecting a Funnel Cake that he had purchased earlier and populating it in front of him as the screen dismissed. He scarfed the entire thing down in no more than three mighty bites, feeling the power it provided surging through his veins shortly thereafter.

FUNNEL CAKE CONSUMED (+3 DMG | +1 ACC)

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 60/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3

 

[Jackpot 0]

Despite truly wanting to feel like a hero, Jackpot was anything but. When a pair of the ghoulish fiends took notice of him and began to close in, he immediately broke out into a cold sweat and the hair on the back of his neck stood straight up. How could he ever hope to stand up to such fearsome and disgusting monsters!?

He couldn't. All he could do was raise the shield the Dederick had so graciously lended to him and pray to whatever gods there may be that he could make it out of this alive. As they raked their sharp claws against his body, he yelped out in pain, watching in terror as his health bar plummeted to less than half in an instant. By pure instinct, he shoved the shield forward to push them back and allow himself some distance.

But something strange happened. It appeared that that action had actually inflicted some damage against one of the goons. Perhaps there was something more to this shield than met the eye!
 

Spoiler

Encounter: Zombie 1
HP: 50
MIT: 10
DMG: 15 on a hit, 20 on a 9 or 10.
SPECIAL: If the Zombie would be killed by a weapon or defensive ability, and the LD is equal to or higher than 15, the Zombie is instead reduced to 1HP. This ability is ignored if the attack that reduced it 0 was a critical hit or the weapon/armor used has the holy or holy blessing enhancement.

Encounter: Zombie 2
HP: 50
MIT: 10
DMG: 15 on a hit, 20 on a 9 or 10.
SPECIAL: If the Zombie would be killed by a weapon or defensive ability, and the LD is equal to or higher than 15, the Zombie is instead reduced to 1HP. This ability is ignored if the attack that reduced it 0 was a critical hit or the weapon/armor used has the holy or holy blessing enhancement.

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 60-20-15=25/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF 

Jackpot used [x0] No action, -0 EN

Zombie 1: HP: 50/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128627 | BD: x | MD: 9, Crit for 20 DMG
Zombie 2: HP: 50-18=32/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128628 | BD: x | MD: 6, Hit for 15 DMG | THORNS DEALS 18 DMG

 

[Jackpot 0]

That being said, they had still dealt a considerable amount of damage. Jackpot couldn't very well stand there and allow himself to continue eating hits like that, lest he be reduced to azure fractals and carried out of the tent in a dustpan. So he quickly accessed his battle-ready inventory and selected one of the Spider Ciders, materializing the item in front of him and downing it as quickly as physically possible. He felt his vitality return, but this pleasant sensation wouldn't last long.

While he had been distracted summoning his consumable, the zombies had closed in again, leveling another succession of attacks at the violet haired goofball before he could react. They both scored a direct hit against him, causing his HP to plummet back down to half as quickly as it had been replenished. Just as before, the shield flashed with a blue hue and transferred this energy into the bodies of his aggressors, causing them both to double back in pain as their HP was sapped away.
 

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 25+90=60-15-15=30/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF 

Jackpot used Spider Cider, +90 HP

Zombie 1: HP: 50-18=32/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128629 | BD: x | MD: 7, Hit for 15 DMG | THORNS DEALS 18 DMG
Zombie 2: HP: 32-18=14/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128630 | BD: x | MD: 6, Hit for 15 DMG | THORNS DEALS 18 DMG

 

[Jackpot 0]

Despite knowing that a couple more good hits would do him in for good, Jackpot was beginning to feel a bit cocky. If he dodged the attack of the first zombie, then let the second zombie hit him, he was pretty sure he could get the second zombie to burst into pixels before his eyes. Then he would only have the one to deal with, and he could simply heal himself on the following turn.

When he tried to employ his scheme, however, things didn't go according to plan. As the zombies closed in on him, he became frightened, dodging the wrong zombie's attack. As he did so, he planted himself within perfect striking range of the other zombie with his back turned. The zombie, of course, took advantage of this and raked its sharp claws against his back without so much as a second thought. No thorns damage delivered back this turn, it seemed.
 

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 30-20=10/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF 

Jackpot used [x0] No action, -0 EN

Zombie 1: HP: 32/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128631 | BD: x | MD: 9, Crit for 20 DMG
Zombie 2: HP: 14/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128632 | BD: x | MD: 2, Miss

 

[Jackpot 0]

That had been an embarrassing blunder and a risky gamble, but at least Jackpot was still alive. He doubled back, opening up his battle-ready inventory once more and producing yet another Spider Cider. He downed the beverage as quickly as he possible could, but not faster than the zombies closed in one him. By the time he had finished drinking the strange liquid, he had two fresh glowing red gashes traced across his back.

But something was different this time. This time, one of the zombies combusted into a cloud of blue polygonal fractals, its loot panel populating in front of Jackpot shortly thereafter. How intriguing - it had actually dropped pretty good loot! Jackpot wasn't particularly happy about getting hit again, but he supposed it was a small price to pay if these were the sorts of items he could get out of it. He almost couldn't wait to get hit again!
 

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 10+90=60-15-15=30/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF 

Jackpot used Spider Cider, +90 HP

Zombie 1: HP: 32-18=14/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128633 | BD: x | MD: 6, Hit for 15 DMG | THORNS DEALS 18 DMG
Zombie 2: HP: 14-18=0/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128634 | BD: x | MD: 7, Hit for 15 DMG | THORNS DEALS 18 DMG

Looting:
Zombie 2
ID: 128635
LD: 20+3=23 | CD: 3
250 col
(2) T1 Materials
(1) T1 Perfect Trinket [ID: 128635A]
(1) T1 Perfect Weapon [ID: 128635B]

 

[Jackpot 0]

So when the other zombie started looking like it was about ready to attack again, Jackpot wasn't even scared. He had been paying attention to how much damage he took with each hit throughout the fight. Occasionally he would get hit with marginally more damage, but this was rare, and even if it happened now it wouldn't kill him. He simply prepared his shield, set his stance, and waited until...

Clank!

The zombie dissolved into azure dust immediately, and another loot panel populated in front of Jackpot. It seemed that this time the equipment he had gotten wasn't as good, but he had nabbed more col. Seemed like a fair trade-off in the end. With that done, it seemed that Jackpot had successfully destroyed both of the zombies without leveling a single attack at them! How fortunate was that!? Even with as lucky as Jackpot was, he had never imagined that he would be able to pull something like that off.
 

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 30-15=15/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF 

Jackpot used [x0] No action, -0 EN

Zombie 1: HP: 14-18=0/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128636 | BD: x | MD: 6, Hit for 15 DMG | THORNS DEALS 18 DMG

Looting:
Zombie 1
ID: 128637
LD: 6+3=9 | CD: 6
400 col
(1) T1 Rare Trinket [ID: 128637]

 

[Jackpot 0]

With that done, Jackpot took the opportunity to sort out his inventory a bit. First, he summoned another Spider Cider and drank it, though he actually took his time this time around. Really took a moment to roll the liquid around in his mouth and appreciate the flavor. The texture. Actually take in what this drink was, what it was all about, and whether or not it was enjoyable.

It was horrid.

Still, it helped heal him up. And that's what he truly needed. Health. So he wouldn't die. And this was the only way. Yes. He supposed he could have let himself heal naturally, but that sucked. Healing naturally sucked. There was no reason to do it if you had healing items around to take advantage of. Even really crappy ones.

Since he had depleted most of his Spider Ciders from his battle-ready inventory, he filled that back up, as well. Yes.
 

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 15+90=60/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF

Jackpot used Spider Cider, +90 HP

 

[Jackpot 0]

He managed to get everything sorted out in the nick of time. Moments later, a lone zombie approached him - clearly separated from its pack somehow. Probably because the pack was, well, practically nonexistent at this point. Practically all of them had been vanquished. There was truthfully almost no reason for anyone to be fighting anymore. But for someone like Jackpot, it was the perfect time to shine. To show the world that he had something to offer. That he could be a hero.

Yeah right.

The zombie attacked, and Jackpot instinctively put up his shield to block it. When the claws connected with the shield, the zombie was sent doubling back in pain as a blue light flashed from its metallic surface and into the mob, sapping away its health. At the same time, Jackpot took some damage of his own. Nothing to worry about, truthfully. With only one zombie to worry about, he didn't feel nearly as threatened as before.
 

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 60-15=45/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF 

Jackpot used [x0] No action, -0 EN

Zombie 3: HP: 50-18=32/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128641 | BD: x | MD: 8, Hit for 15 DMG | THORNS DEALS 18 DMG

 

[Jackpot 0]

Then something truly bizarre happened. 

They just... stared at each other. Unmoving. Unblinking. Staring into one anothers' eyes. Or, in the case of the zombie, eye sockets. His eyes had dissolved into some sort of gelatin the likes of which Jackpot dared not investigate. He was certain his stomach couldn't take it.

But that's all they did. For at least a couple of minutes. Just stood there, silently, staring at one another. It felt like an old school wild west movie where two men stood in the street and waited for the other to make the first move. Except it was with Jackpot and Zombie. Jackpot had a feeling that the latter would be more of a B movie scenario.

This continued on for quite awhile. Truthfully, Jackpot was pleased with the brief reprieve from combat. It gave him an opportunity to take a breather. Which would have been more enjoyable, had the stench of death not been wafting through the area.
 

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 45/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF 

Jackpot used [x0] No action, -0 EN

Zombie 3: HP: 32/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128642 | BD: x | MD: 2, Miss

 

[Jackpot 0]

And then, after a long period of simply staring at one another, they... just stared at each other some more.

Seriously, what was wrong with these guys? They're in the middle of a fight to the death and they're both just standing around. Not moving a muscle. Having a staring contest. Was this a pride thing? Or had both of their brains simultaneously ground to a halt? It was impossible to tell. Did the zombie even have brains left? Was that why it wanted brains so badly? Because it had lost its own?

Who knows. The only thing that was certain was that neither of these goons were moving a single muscle. And perhaps it was best this way. The less fighting Jackpot did, the less likely he was to die. And certainly, anyone who viewed this spectacle would know that this was a situation of the utmost importance. One couldn't simply walk away from a staring contest with the undead.
 

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 45/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF 

Jackpot used [x0] No action, -0 EN

Zombie 3: HP: 32/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 128643 | BD: x | MD: 5, Miss

 

[Jackpot 0]

Finally; action. It seemed that the zombie was the first to get fed up with the charade, and lurched toward Jackpot with a haunting groan while swinging its claws forward. Jackpot took the hit graciously, but slammed the butt of the shield into the creature's jaw and forced it back. His health was sitting in the yellow now, but he had nothing to be worried about. 

The zombie had taken some damage as well. Down into the last bit of HP it could manage to have, from the looks of it. One more Thorns proc and it would be over. And four Zombies seemed like enough to justify Jackpot's endeavors within the tent. He had no reason to stick around and continue risking his life against mobs that were obviously superior to him just for the brownie points that would come along with it. Anyone who had been here had seen him fighting Zombies. And that was good enough for him.
 

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 45-15=30/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF 

Jackpot used [x0] No action, -0 EN

Zombie 3: HP: 32-18=14/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 129431 | BD: x | MD: 7, Hit for 15 DMG | THORNS DEALS 18 DMG

 

[Jackpot 0]

Wait a second, was it four zombies or only three? Jackpot couldn't remember at this point. Not like it really mattered. He could see the headline now. "Noob salesman selflessly offers himself on the pedestal of danger to fight back the Zombie invasion." Yes. His eyes danced with enthusiasm as he thought about it, almost not taking notice when the foolish zombie came in for what would be its final attack.

All he had to do was hold up the shield. A blue light transferred from the sheen of its reflective surface and into the mob, and then it was over. It disintegrated into a cloud of blue polygonal fractals before his eyes, and a loot panel populated in front of him. Mediocre loot, it seemed. No matter. It was time to get out of here and let the experts deal with this mess. Jackpot had learned through this that he wasn't much a fan of shields, either, so he had plans to return the sheet of metal to Dederick and get on with his life as a meager salesman.
 

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 30-15=15/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF 

Jackpot used [x0] No action, -0 EN

Zombie 3: HP: 14-18=0/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 10 | ID: 129513 | BD: x | MD: 6, Hit for 15 DMG | THORNS DEALS 18 DMG

Looting:
Zombie 3
ID: 129514
LD: 4+3=7 | CD: 6
400 col
(1) T1 Rare Trinket [ID: 129514]

 

[Jackpot 0]

But then there was the matter of all of these consumables that he had bought for the event but never used. They were disgusting, but something told Jackpot that they would be useless the moment he left the tent. He had already spent the money on them, so why not have himself a gross feast of energy drinks, sub-par funnel cakes and cider? He opened up his inventory and materialized each and every last consumable he had bought during the event's duration. 

By the time he had finished, his stomach was protruding, he felt fat, lethargic, and had absolutely no desire to do much of anything. Nauseous, too. It seemed that the items didn't mix well in one's stomach. Which was odd, because Jackpot had always envisioned food items in Aincrad as being nothing more than data. Could they actually fill his stomach? He had never eaten enough in the past to find out.

With his work there done, he slowly picked himself up off of the floor, dusting the crumbs from his shirt, and slowly waddled his way over to the concession stand to collect his rewards.

SPIDER CIDER X13 CONSUMED.
OFFBRAND ENERGY DRINK X20 CONSUMED.
POPCORN CONSUMED.
 

Spoiler

Jackpot: HP: 15+90=60/60 | EN: 6/6 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 1 | THORNS: 18 | LD: 3 | FIREPROOF 

 

[Jackpot 0]

THREAD COMPLETED

Thread net gains:
1050 col
(2) T1 Materials
(2) T1 Rare Trinkets [ID: 128637, ID: 129514]
(1) T1 Perfect Trinket [ID: 128635A]
(1) T1 Perfect Weapon [ID: 128635B]

Thread results:
Zombies Killed: 3
Zombies Last-Hitted: 3
Critical Failures: 0
Critical Evasions: 0
HP Restored (Self): 175 ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!
HP Restored in a Thread: 175 ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!
Comsumables Used: 37 ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!