[PP-F21] I was just trollin'

[Alkor 0]

Alkor

Level 22

450/450 HP 44 Energy

8 Base Damage 3 Evasion 2 Savvy 21 Mitigation

 

The higher floors were much different, and more intense than what he was used to. By the time he made floor 21, he was in awe of the complexity of each settlement and the way Players interacted. It wasn't like the Frontlines he remembered. These floors and players were all working together to come up with ideas for getting stronger, and how to effectively survive and adapt as Aincrad became more vicious.

Alkor knew that to grow, he had to take a few chances too. It wasn't that he had a death wish- no, by now, he had brushed with death one too many times to want it again. He just wanted to face a threat that would make him stronger.

He heard tales about trolls in the underground and decided that he had to find out how true they were. So, he set out from the gates after snooping around and asking a few questions of the other players in the area. One or two of them laughed, but there was one who raised a concern about him wanting to go out and fight something like that alone...

@Bahr

 

Edited December 13, 2019 by Alkor

[Bahr 0]

Spoiler

STATS
LEVEL - 49
HP - 1000
EN - 98
DMG - 16
MIT - 61
ACC - 4
EVA - 4

HOME BUFFS
» RESTED
     ➥ -1 EN FOR THE FIRST TWO TURNS OF COMBAT
» RELAXED
     ➥ +10 TO OUT OF COMBAT HP REGENERATION
     ➥ FULL ENERGY REGENERATION AFTER TWO POSTS OUT OF COMBAT

SKILLS

COMBAT SKILLS
» PARRY
     ➥ POST ACTION
     ➥ REDUCE FINAL DAMAGE OF NEXT ATTACK AGAINST YOU BY 50% (ROUNDED DOWN) AND NEGATES STUN/PARALYSIS EFFECT OF THAT ATTACK
          ➥ COOLDOWN: 2 TURNS

EXTRA SKILLS
» DISGUISE
     ➥ FREE ACTION
     ➥ +1 EVA UNTIL START OF YOUR NEXT TURN
          ➥ COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS
» MEDITATION
     ➥ POST ACTION
     ➥ RECOVER AN ADDITIONAL 10 ENERGY - GETTING HIT BY AN ATTACK BEFORE YOUR NEXT TURN REDUCES ADDITIONAL ENERGY RECOVERY TO 6
          ➥ COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS

WEAPON SKILLS
» TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD R5
     ➥ +7 DMG WHEN TWO-HANDED WEAPON IS EQUIPPED

ARMOR SKILLS
» LIGHT ARMOR R5
     ➥ +25 MIT

MODS
» LIGHT ARMOR MOD: ATHLETICS
     ➥ PASSIVE
     ➥ +1 DMG WHEN WEARING LIGHT ARMOR
     ➥ +20 HP WHEN WEARING LIGHT ARMOR
» LIGHT ARMOR MOD: SPRINT & ACROBATICS
     ➥ PASSIVE
     ➥ +1 EVA WHEN WEARING LIGHT ARMOR
» PARRY MOD: JUSTIFIED RIPOSTE
     ➥ POST ACTION: COMBINE WITH PARRY
     ➥ SUCCESSFUL PARRY STUNS OPPONENT
          ➥ COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS
» WEAPON MOD: PRECISION
     ➥ PASSIVE
     ➥ +1 ACC
» WEAPON MOD: TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD FEROCITY
     ➥ PASSIVE
     ➥ +1 DMG WHEN USING 2HSS SWORD ARTS

EQUIPMENT

WEAPON
» [EQUIPPED] "DRACBANE" - TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD (T2 - PERFECT)
     ➥ +1 ACC
     ➥ BLEED 1
          ➥ 24 DMG INFLICTED FOR 2 TURNS ON NATURAL ROLLS OF 9 OR HIGHER
     ➥ VAMPIRIC OFFENSE 1
          ➥ 10% OF MAX HP RECOVERED ON NATURAL ROLLS OF 9 OR HIGHER

ARMOR
» [EQUIPPED] "CRIMSON COAT" - LIGHT ARMOR (T2 - PERFECT)
     ➥ +36 MIT
     ➥ +1 EVA

TRINKET
» [EQUIPPED] "EAGLE'S EYE" - TRINKET (T2 - DEMONIC)
     ➥ +2 EVA
     ➥ +2 ACC

FAMILIAR
» [EQUIPPED] SWINE BAJESUS R3
     ➥ +6 DMG

Block the clumsy swing of the club. Counter with cross to right cheek. It's dazed, maintain pressure. Puncture to solar plexus. Heel kick to diaphragm to create distance. Follow through with overhead slam. 

As the goblin scattered, Bahr loosened his stance and sheathed his blade against the small of his back. Only a little more grinding and he would be ready to wield Dawn's Demise. And then... what would he do? How would he utilize it? He hadn't quite decided yet. But with the power it offered, options would open up for him. 

A stiff exhale escaped his lips as his crimson and verdant hues shifted about in search of his next victim. He'd already farmed the area to oblivion, yet the needle on his experience gauge had hardly moved. It was a cruel joke that Cardinal played, dangling a forbidden fruit in front of him that remained just out of reach as he wallowed about in the muck. He'd exhausted his quest options. Still, the next tier eluded him. 

His thoughts trailed back to the months before. His first time venturing beyond the veil of the safe zone. The mad dash through the first tier, followed by the grueling slog in the second. Kit. Kirbs. Pinball. The endless search for her that had yet to turn up any leads. He was so sick of all of it. His strife had only been magnified by these endeavors. The only solace he found now was outside the realm of combat, but he knew he couldn't stop fighting just yet. He needed to break through to the other side.

Footsteps. In a place like this? Bahr's blade flashed with a golden hue, the amber light fading just as quickly as it had come. It was instinct at this point to activate the Parry skill, especially on a floor like this. There was no telling who - or what - was around. His eyes flickered to the source of the noise as he took cover behind a nearby boulder. 

A boy. Young, but broken. He could have sworn there were storm clouds hovering over his head. Not unusual on the higher floors. Everyone up here had paid a price to get there - a mental toll from enduring the gauntlet of unease and pain that was required to make it this far. But, from the looks of his gear, he hadn't been through any of that. At least, not to the extent others had. Looks could be deceiving, though.

He stayed just out of site and waited for the man to pass. With any luck, he could continue his farming undisturbed once he had gone.
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 98-5=93/98 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 61 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 4 | BLEED 1 | VAMP OFF 1 | PARRY ACTIVE

Bahr used Parry: Justified Riposte, -5 EN

 

[Alkor 0]

He never thought to notice anything off the path, other than the mobs that strayed near. They had further aggro range the lower your level was relative to them. That mechanic was a mainstay in all types of games. Traditionally, if you couldn't handle that kind of heat, you would backtrack, improve, and come back when you were ready. For Alkor, that didn't quite seem like the test of strength he sought.

No, it had to be one of those trolls. Traditionally, they were loners with a lot of power behind their punches. They never strayed far from the darkest recesses of bridges, dungeons, caves... luckily for Alkor, the dimly lit cavern seemed to be just the right environment for that kind of encounter. He just had to access some of the map data he haggled for, do some dungeoneering, and make his way toward the dankest part of the 21st floor. Easy enough, he told himself.

Until the third narrowly avoided encounter, he kept that attitude strong. "This seems like a bad idea," he told himself aloud, "but I already made up my mind, so I can't let that stop me now."

Bravery in the face of certain death was... Noble, to a point, but stupid beyond that. He would try to run if things got too dicey. That was the plan, anyway. Discretion is the better part of valor, General Lee said once. Alkor seemed to think his discretion was on point.

"Okay, round the edge of this underground lake, and..."

He smelled the rank breath before he heard the beast bellow. All the rumors pointed to it, and in the next instant, Alkor confirmed the truth of them. A Cave Troll. "God," he huffed toward the behemoth beast. "You're ugly."

Luck must have been on his side, because the creature was deceptively quick for its size. The massive fist skimmed past as he shrugged out of the way, eyes wide with the realization he may just have bitten off more than he could chew. The impact shook the floor as the beast yowled its displeasure, and the intensity forced Alkor to jump and roll out of the way. He was not nimble to the point where he could turn the situation to his benefit- he didn't have enough SP invested all around for that kind of feat.

But he did have the ability to evade, and that was the best he could do.

It had decidedly been a good rest of his ability. "Crap," he muttered. "That's bad."

@Bahr

 

Alkor: 450/450 HP 42/44 E 

3 EVA 2 Savvy 21 MIT 8 Base Damage

[3] Straight Sword [3] Light Armor [Mod] Athletics

+3 Straight Sword Nightbringer | +1 Mit +2 Savvy Black Lion King's Cloak | +3 Evasion Vagabond's Mark

ID# 131905 results:

 Battle: 3 Craft: 9 Loot: 20 MOB: 8

Alkor misses with his <<Horizontal Square>>

Cave Troll misses!

[8-3=5]

Edited December 14, 2019 by Alkor

[Bahr 0]

Bahr's eyes lit up as they came to rest on a gargantuan beast skulking around just ahead. Now that was something that could offer a decent chunk of experience.

Unfortunately, it seemed that the boy from before had already drawn its aggro. Bahr had foiled himself lurking in the shadows. He wasn't going to poach a kill from someone who could probably handle hims-

Oh, he could not handle himself.

He'd managed to avoid getting hit this time, but he couldn't dance around like that forever. With a sigh, Bahr stepped forward from his cover and relinquished Dracbane of its sheath. It started as a dull vibration in the blade at first, but quickly rose to a feverish roar as a scarlet glow cast itself against the rocky surfaces of the cave. In a crimson blur, Bahr materialized between the ebony traveler and the monster that had accosted him, catching the creature's fist with his blade and casting it to the side.

"Get up," he commanded, not taking his eyes off of their shared adversary. "I don't think it's going to wait for you."

@Alkor
 

Spoiler

[H: 1] Bahr: HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 93+1-12=82/98 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 61 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 4 | BLEED 1 | VAMP OFF 1 | PARRY ACTIVE
[H: 0] Alkor: HP: 450/450 | EN: 42/44 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 21 | EVA: 3 | SAVVY 2

Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -12 EN ("RESTED" HOUSE BUFF REDUCES EN COST BY 1)

Cave Troll: HP: 1000-208=792/1000 | DMG: 150 | ID: 131907 | BD: 3+4=7, Hit for 16x13=208 DMG

 

[Alkor 0]

"Yeah," he muttered, "you're probably right."

Alkor managed to land on his hanches, one hand dug into the rocky floor beneath his feet. His balance was not quite shattered, though he was irritated with the clear gulf in strength. This man had appeared seemingly from nowhere and taken a chunk out of the monster's health.

It was infuriating. Was he a Frontliner? What was he doing on this floor? No- it couldn't have been that. This wasn't even the highest they had come yet. He was just that far behind.

"Damn it," he seethed as he made it back to his feet, gripping Nightbringer tightly. The crimson blade glinted ominously in the pale, unnatural light of the 21st floor. "Damn it!"

He composed himself just enough to give himself over to anger. The Sword Art responded in kind, twisting the air around his blade into a sinister scarlet color as he activated the skill.

Three hits, then a descending blow to the head were not quite so simply achieved on something that dwarfed him in size, but the system filled in the gaps in Alkor's ability. Three streams of red data appeared on the beast's belly, albeit smaller and less significant than those created by his sudden savior.

The final blow came with a loud thud as the darkly dressed swordsman delivered the stun and dropped to his feet. "Quick," he called out behind him, "switch!"

Alkor took the opportunity to launch himself backward, having given the other Player an opening with which to strike. He seemed to be the one who would decide this conflict, anyway.

 

[H: 1] Bahr: HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 93+1-12=82/98 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 61 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 4 | BLEED 1 | VAMP OFF 1 | PARRY ACTIVE
[H: 1] Alkor: HP: 450/450 | EN: 42/44 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 21 | EVA: 3 | SAVVY 2

Alkor used [x4] Horizontal Square -7 EN, inflicts STUN

Cave Troll: HP: 792-32=760/1000 | DMG: 

ID 131909 Hit with Natural 7 for 32 DMG

Cave Troll misses! 

(Nat 5/Stunned)

[SAVVY] activates!

 

Edited December 14, 2019 by Alkor

[Bahr 0]

"Damn it!"

Something had gotten Mr. Black really riled up, bellowing curses before running straight back toward the beast that had threatened to snuff him out only moments before. Bahr huffed a deadpan as he placed a hand on his hip, watching as his under-leveled counterpart carved gridded red lines across the troll's abdomen. A sliver of HP was ticked away from its health gauge, but not enough to fill Bahr with any confidence.

"Quick, switch!"

He's really into this, isn't he?

While Bahr wasn't quite as enthused, he thought it best to humor the man. With three powerful strides, he lunged in toward the beast, his massive sword trailing behind him in a streak of red. His heel bit into the ground just before reaching the creature, and he flung Dracbane forward and up. Sparks flew as it cleaved through the ground beneath his feet before carving another gash into the troll's stomach. Its health meter seemed impossibly close to half, yet remained green. Just how much HP did it have, anyways?

"Hope the experience is good for this," Bahr mused as he brought the dull edge of Dracbane to a rest against his shoulder. "Or maybe some decent loot?" His tired eyes glanced over toward his new partner. "What're you hoping to get out of it?"
 

Spoiler

[H: 2] Bahr: HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 82+1-12=71/98 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 61 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 4 | BLEED 1 | VAMP OFF 1 | PARRY ACTIVE
[H: 1] Alkor: HP: 450/450 | EN: 36/44 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 21 | EVA: 3 | SAVVY 2

Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -12 EN ("RESTED" HOUSE BUFF REDUCES EN COST BY 1)

Cave Troll: HP: 760-208=552/1000 | DMG: 150 | ID: 131911 | BD: 8, Hit for 16x13=208 DMG

 

[Alkor 0]

The Troll bellowed angrily as the more experienced Player struck, feeling from another impressive blow to its significant health. Or at least, significant to Alkor. Without help from the other Player, this would have ended much more quickly, and he knew it. That was what made him so frustrated. There had been a time where he was strong, stronger than a great many of the other people trapped inside Aincrad. He had fought on the Frontlines, and faced down the most ferocious enemies of his time...

But it wasn't his time anymore.

He knew that despite his second chance at stepping out into Aincrad, he would not start once more at the top rung of the ladder. He knew that, and yet, he was still suffering internally. 

Why? Why am I so weak? 

His face twisted in a mask of rage, but the Troll utterly dismissed his next strike. It went wide, driven off course perhaps by shaky hands, or by an effortless evasion. Neither outcome satisfied the darkly clad swordsman. The other man seemed moderately amused, if not entirely bored by his situation.

How the mighty had fallen.

"I know now," he answered. "I got the answer I wanted."

It just wasn't one that he liked. The revelation of his own relative weakness only fanned the flames of aspiration. He had to get stronger, just like before. 

No, perhaps, different from before.

This time, he planned on sticking the entire crawl toward the top out with the rest of them. It would be a long, difficult journey. It wasn't one that he would turn away from. His grip relaxed as he let out a breath. There was no use in being angry now. The other man had this situation under control. His ennui shattered the illusion that Alkor had any chance of playing hero in this cave.

I'm not giving up.

[H: 2] Bahr: HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 82+1-12=71/98 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 61 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 4 | BLEED 1 | VAMP OFF 1 | PARRY ACTIVE
[H: 1] Alkor: HP: 450/450 | EN: 36/44 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 21 | EVA: 3 | SAVVY 2

Cave Troll: 552/1000 | DMG: 150 | ID 131912 BD: 1

Alkor misses!

Mob: 4 Cave Troll misses Bahr!

Edited December 14, 2019 by Alkor

[Bahr 0]

"I know now. I got the answer I wanted."

It wasn't a direct response, but Bahr offered a nod of understanding. He'd been there before, in over his head on a floor not completely unlike this one. 

“Hey, what happened? Did you get fooled to go out here, or are you planning something sinister?”

"Nope. Just a noob who got in over his head, apparently. I'd been doing so well on the lower floors that I figured I'd head up here for a bit of a challenge. The wrong move, clearly. Won't be making that mistake again any time soon. Thanks for the assist. Without you, they would have needed to carry me out of here in a dustpan. The name's Bahr."

"Huh... Well, you just gotta plan ahead. On higher floors, if you want to solo, you need mitigation. Monsters just hit too hard up here, and if you're not prepared, things go south quickly. Talking from experience."

He'd been level seventeen, venturing out into the nineteenth floor for god knows what reason. Probably overconfidence. It was during a time before Bahr had seized Scarecrow's Sickle and plunged himself into the dark with it. In fact, it had been that fateful encounter with Macradon that had facilitated the trajectory-shifting exchange. Bahr had stopped using the blade, but the piece of him that dove in over the edge still remained. 

It wasn't exactly a good time to stand there idly and reminisce, though. There was still a troll that required slaying. 

The troll had deflected the ebony swordsman's follow up attack, but still had eyes for Bahr. Which was good - Bahr would have preferred to take the hits, knowing he could eat the damage handily. It wasn't like he needed to worry about feeling any real pain, anyways. Still, he wasn't willing to simply take damage when it wasn't necessary. 

As the flat side of the troll's clenched fist struck the stony floor where Bahr had been a split-second before, the sound of the crash echoed through the cavern and everything seemed to vibrate with the intensity of the blow. Bahr's sword flicked over and downward in a flash, catching in the creature's wrist and depleting its health bar even further. To Bahr's chagrin, he had failed to actually sever the appendage, which had been the plan.

No matter. A couple more good hits like that and the troll would fall.

Spoiler

[H: 3] Bahr: HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 71+1-13=59/98 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 61 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 4 | BLEED 1 | VAMP OFF 1 | PARRY ACTIVE
[H: 1] Alkor: HP: 450/450 | EN: 36/44 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 21 | EVA: 3 | SAVVY 2

Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -13 EN

Cave Troll: HP: 552-208=344/1000 | DMG: 150 | ID: 131958 | BD: 8, Hit for 16x13=208 DMG

 

[Alkor 0]

The Troll never took it's attention away from the stronger Player. Despite how that should have been positive for Alkor, it fell sobering on his shoulders. How was he supposed to protect others if he was the one being protected?

Unimportant. 

He had spurred himself back to action, and he would not allow for anything to make him less useful than he already was. If nothing else, he could add a small amount of damage to the total.

Everything counts, even the little chunks.

He ignited the power of his sword skill yet again, undeterred by his previous miss. This time, he launched himself under the monster's arm and through its defenses. Even though he was not doing a great deal, he moved swiftly. He mastered his inadequacy and changed it into resolve.

The blows all landed, the ineffectual damage registered. 

It still swung for the fences at the other man, like it had been bitten by a mosquito. Barely annoyed.

Alkor landed, skidding across rock and through standing pools of water. He took up his stance once more, blade pointed toward it's target. His eyes burned with intensity.

@Bahr

 

[H: 3] Bahr: HP: 1000-45=955/1000 | EN: 71+1-13=59/98 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 61 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 4 | BLEED 1 | VAMP OFF 1 | PARRY ACTIVE
[H: 2] Alkor: HP: 450/450 | EN: 30/44 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 21 | EVA: 3 | SAVVY 2

Alkor activates Star Quint Prominence! 

Cave Troll: HP: 344-48=296/1000 | ID# 132021 result: 6

Cave Troll hits Bahr for Critical!  MOB: 9

Edited December 15, 2019 by Alkor

[Bahr 0]

When the massive creature's gargantuan fist came swinging in, Bahr knew he wouldn't have the opportunity to manage another dodge this time. It was time to but his meager defenses to the test.

Bahr pierced the tip of Dracbane into the stone, planting it in place a split second before the troll's attack connected. He shoulder checked the idle weapon just as the grotesque animal's fist made contact, the reverberation of the maneuver's contradicting influences through the blade forcing its arm to recoil back. As the monster doubled back with a shriek, Bahr took a stiff step forward and reach back over his head, hand finding the hilt of his weapon before slamming it forward and downward. A direct hit, but still not the one Bahr had been hoping for. 

All was well, though. A minuscule sliver of red remained in the troll's health gauge, and Bahr's next successful hit would put it out of its misery for good. 

Another quick glance toward his companion as he readied his stance for the next exchange. Despite the kid's shallow offense, Bahr had to admit there was no lack of ambition or determination behind it. He saw a lot of himself in it, that insatiable lust for strength. It was a noble path, but a dangerous one. People in Aincrad often lost pieces of themselves the further they went down that rabbit hole. How much had he lost? How much did he stand to lose?

He'd have to get the answers after they were finished.
 

Spoiler

[H: 4] Bahr: HP: 1000-45=955/1000 | EN: 59+1-13=47/98 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 61 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 4 | BLEED 1 | VAMP OFF 1 
[H: 2] Alkor: HP: 450/450 | EN: 30/44 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 21 | EVA: 3 | SAVVY 2

Parry: Justified Riposte expended! Cave Troll cannot be stunned as its stun timer has not yet been reset.
Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -13 EN

Cave Troll: HP: 296-208=88/1000 | DMG: 150 | ID: 132022 | BD: 6, Hit for 16x13=208 DMG 

 

[Alkor 0]

Alkor wasted no time as the other man soaked the damage for them. He raised his blade, illuminated a golden color this time as the energy coalesced around it and offered it extended length. A moment later, he surged forward with vigor to impale the Troll- only to be disappointed as it stepped clear out of the way in its mad lust for the Red Cloaked Player's life.

It brought the other fist down this time, a one-two punch type combo even as it's other arm flailed backward and it cried out in surprise and pain. The creatures further up the Castle were no joke. He knew that now.

He felt his shoulders sag a bit with humility. First the Hydra, and now a Troll. Two very real reminders that the ladder was high, and he still had many rungs to climb.

It was close now, though. One more attack like what this man had already managed and it would be over. They could get out of here. And Alkor could go lick the wounds of disgrace with more training.

 

[H: 4] Bahr: HP: 955-45=910/1000 | EN: 59+1-13=47/98 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 61 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 4 | BLEED 1 | VAMP OFF 1 
[H: 2] Alkor: HP: 450/450 | EN: 29/44 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 21 | EVA: 3 | SAVVY 2

Alkor activates Vorpal Lance!

Cave Troll: HP: 296-208=88/1000 | DMG: 150 | ID: 132023 result: 1

Cave Troll hits Bahr for Critical!

 MOB: 9

Edited December 15, 2019 by Alkor

[Bahr 0]

Bahr had seen enough. It was time to put this thing out of its misery. 

This time his sword lit up with an amber hue as he strode toward the mob, whose fist once again came soaring through the air like a silver bullet. The first slash severed its had at the wrist. The next, its arm at the shoulder. Four more crimson lines stretched across its torso before the final hit caught it in the jugular, ripping through its neck and lopping the head clean off.

As the various segments of the beast individually burst into clouds of azure polygonal fractals, Bahr sheathed his blade against the small of his back and turned to address the fool who'd bit off more than he could chew. For the first time, their eyes locked; Bahr's heterochromatic crimson and verdant against the man's cold whiskey. They simply stood there and stared at one another for a moment, before Bahr began taking steps forward.

"Why are you here? Your life mean that little to you?" he chided, stopping a few feet from the obsidian swordsman. He'd planned on dishing out more nagging, but there were too many parallels here to ignore. Bahr had been in the exact same shoes. Knowing this, his face softened a bit and he let loose an annoyed sigh. "Gotta say, it's pretty dumb. Even for me. The name's Bahr."
 

Spoiler

[H: 5] Bahr: HP: 955/1000 | EN: 47+1-7=41/98 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 61 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 4 | BLEED 1 | VAMP OFF 1 
[H: 2] Alkor: HP: 450/450 | EN: 29/44 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 21 | EVA: 3 | SAVVY 2

Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -13 EN

Cave Troll: HP: 88-112=0/1000 | DMG: 150 | ID: 132024 | BD: 3+4=7, Hit for 16x7=112 DMG 

Looting
Cave Troll
ID: 132025
LD: 18 | CD: 3
5000 + 5% (Guild Bonus) = 5250 col
(2) T3 Materials
(1) T3 Rare Consumable [ID: 132025A]
(1) T3 Rare Weapon [ID: 132025B]

 

[Alkor 0]

Alkor returned his blade to its resting place at his hip. He had not considered the difference between himself and the 21st floor to be quite so great. He knew better, now. When the other man spoke, he let out a sigh.

"Didn't think I was this far behind," he replied. "Now I know better."

He glanced off toward the large lake that glowed somewhere in the distance. It was a dark floor, but perhaps not so dark as the tenth. The other man was illuminated by strange, discordant yet colorful light; but his eyes were actually that red and green dissonance, and it wasn't a trick. As strange as the gold of his own.

Players enjoyed little things like that, he noted.

"I appreciate the help," he stated. He had given a similar speech not so long ago; but Alkor was skilled to some degree. Any chances he took were more likely to end in success than someone at the base of the mountain.

But, could still end in death.

He could have actually died, this time. Knowing that was worse than actually dying. It meant there was weakness to wring out.

"I'm Alkor."

@Bahr

[Bahr 0]

"I'm Alkor."

Al Gore? Really?

Alkor.

"Oh. It's you," Bahr remarked coolly as his eyes narrowed. Alkor. Back from the dead in the nick of time, just early enough to be a disruption to Bahr's life. 

The term 'fate' is a fickle thing. Bahr hated it. The idea that things were predestined, and no amount of personal intervention could disturb the path everyone was put on. Determination was of no consequence, your life wasn't really in your hands. It had always seemed like such a load of bullshit. If there was fate, its arbiter was a raging asshole.

And to think, Bahr could have simply let this whole thing play out. Watched as Alkor scattered, disappeared from this floating hell for good this time. Never again would he have to worry about the repercussions of him merely existing on the same plain as Bahr and the object of his affection. Had he minded his own business, that chapter of his life would have been brief and fleeting. Alkor would be dead.

But he didn't really feel that way. Losing Alkor a second time would have shattered Lessa into a million pieces. Despite Bahr's pride and chagrin, he wanted her to be happy. Even if that mean he needed to be miserable.

He took a few steps forward, closing the distance between himself and the obsidian swordsman. Without any sort of forewarning, Bahr poised on the balls of his feet and flung a closed fist forward, rotating his hips to give the right cross as much power as physically possible before it connected flawlessly with the man's left cheek. He shook is hand out afterward, allowing the tension to loosen up. Slowly, the color of his cursor shifted from green to orange. Not that it bothered Bahr. This was the first crime he had ever committed, and it would change back soon enough.

"That's for making her cry."

He then dragged his finger through the air, opening up his menu and navigating to the inventory panel. A couple taps later, and the windows had been dismissed as a black jacket materialized in his hands. He tossed it unceremoniously toward Alkor, still wearing the same sour expression from before.

"And that's so it doesn't happen again," he spat, his Christmas colored orbs drilling holes into Alkor's. "Stop doing stupid [censored]. Stop being a stupid [censored]. And stay out of my way."

Sending to Alkor:

Spoiler

Name: Nightmare Bomber
Your Profession: Tailor
Your Rank: 9
ID: 131475
Roll: CD11 | LD10
Item Type: Light Armor
Tier: 2
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: MIT | MIT | EVA
Description: "Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17882-f1-r9-tailor-the-crusty-bahrnacle/?do=findComment&amp;comment=589999

 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 955/1000 | EN: 41+1-1=41/98 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 61 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 4 | BLEED 1 | VAMP OFF 1 

Bahr used [x1] Basic Attack, -1 EN
Bahr's cursor color changed to orange.

Alkor: HP: 450-18=432/450 | EN: 30/44 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 21 | EVA: 3 | SAVVY 2 | ID: 132096 | BD: 10, Crit for 18 DMG

 

[Alkor 0]

Alkor stood and stared blankly. 

What...? Did he just punch me?

The red space on his face didn't register in his line of sight, and he didn't feel any pain, but the impact registered. It was soaked by his mitigation, but it was enough to make him blink. 

Someone he just met hit him.

His brow furrowed and he almost spoke, but the man threw something at him. He caught the item and blinked. 

"Are you bipolar?"

Alkor sent the item to his inventory and eyed the man as his expression returned to ambivalence. "I just met you. I don't know who you are. You punch me, you talk about 'her' like I know who you mean, and then you give me a piece of equipment. You want to elaborate on that? I'm already bad enough at knowing how other people feel and why, I'm not going to put it together by myself."

That was open enough. Maybe he'd get the picture, maybe he wouldn't. It wasn't up to Alkor to do more than he already had.

@Bahr

[Bahr 0]

"Lessa, you [censored] troglodyte," he seethed, resisting every urge he had to grab Dracbane and really give the man something to worry about. 

"Let me ask you something. How do you think she felt about your guys' most recent chat? Do you even care, or are you more interested in talking about getting 'more powerful' from here until the end of time? 'Protecting' people?" Not like it mattered, because Bahr wasn't waiting for an answer. "Don't make me laugh. The only thing you need a shield for is your ego. Someone like Lessa could put you in the dirt without breaking a sweat."

He pinched the bridge of his nose as an annoyed smile stretched across his face. Was this how frustrating Bahr had been to everyone else all these years?

"You might not know me now, but you will. And I suggest you get used to it," he jeered, lowering his hand and putting it on his hip. His eyes once again met with Alkor's, betraying his grin with the same seriousness as before. "'Cause I'm not going anywhere."

[Alkor 0]

Lessa. Ah. Okay. That makes more sense.

The man unloaded a lot of emotional words and Alkor sat through it while hiding his ennui. These things were clearly something that Bahr needed to get off his chest. He had many reasons to feel the way he did that the other man couldn't quite comprehend. Instead of firing back, Alkor crossed his arms and sighed.

"You're allowed to feel how you want, man," he said finally, the obvious frustration oozing from his pores. "I talked to her the other day so I could apologize for how I treated her. I'm aware that I wasn't great to her. I feel bad for it.

I almost died on the Ninth Floor. Up to that moment, I thought I could be something I wasn't. I thought I could be a hero, apart from everyone else trapped in this world, all by myself. In that moment where my health was dwindling, all I could think about was staying alive. I have things I have to do. I have people who care about me.

I understand now. I see why you don't like me. That's fine. I'm not going to ask you to change your mind. Thanks for the jacket."

He glanced back toward the settlement in the distance. "Lessa's a good person. I'm glad she has good people around her now."

@Bahr

[Bahr 0]

"You're just not getting it, are you?" Bahr huffed, rolling his eyes. "I don't care about your tragic backstory. I don't care about your lust for power. I don't care about about any of that. It's not about you. None of that is relevant when I'm talking about her."

He mimicked Alkor, folding his arms over his chest. The kid's seemingly insatiable need to talk about himself was wearing on Bahr rather quickly. Thinly veiled as tying back to some sort of loose explanation for his behavior. Bahr didn't buy it.

"If your new focus is putting others as your first priority, then prove it. Don't deflect with sob stories. Stop going places you don't belong. Grow a spine and show a little emotion every once in awhile. I feel like I'm talking to a rock. Can you imagine how frustrating it is for someone more sensitive than you or I to get the exact same response every time they say something to you? I can only imagine."

[Alkor 0]

Uh... what?

"I'm really not sure what you're talking about," he blinked. "When someone has an incorrect idea about someone else, it's proper social protocol to correct them, isn't it?" He tilted his head, genuinely curious.

"You're talking to the wrong guy about emotions. I barely understand my own, let alone anyone else's. I'm sorry, I'm genuinely making an effort but I'm lost right now. I don't understand why you're upset, other than that you're worried about Lessa."

He let out another sigh, as though the conversation were grating on him. It was. Heavily. "Anyway, I do appreciate you jumping in to help me. I thought I could handle this floor, but I obviously can't. I didn't mean to take a risk like that.

Sorry, again, for troubling you, Bahr."

@Bahr

[Bahr 0]

As the man took his leave, Bahr's eyes returned to his hunting grounds from before. It was once again populated with short green ghouls, shambling about aimlessly with their clubs in their hands. He'd worked up a whole new layer of frustration to take out on the hapless mobs, and he couldn't wait to get started. He may not have had the right to do any serious damage to Alkor, but goblins? He could tear them apart day and night. They were his least favorite mob. 

He returned and drew the aggro of a pair, eyes gleaming as he witnessed their clumsy advance. The difference in experience gain from the trolls to the goblins was negligible, at best. Not worth the extra effort. A few more hours and he would be ready. Probably less, with the new fervor he had worked himself into. It was time to begin.

Block the clumsy swing of the club. Counter with cross to right cheek. It's dazed, maintain pressure. Puncture to solar plexus. Heel kick to diaphragm to create distance. Follow through with overhead slam...