[SP] [F01] Icy Fish Fencer <<The Fourth Lesson, Is Actually Free>>

[Tsurei 0]

Spoiler

Stats

Level: 12

Hit Points: 240

Energy: 24

Combat Stats

Damage: 3

Mitigation: 8

Accuracy: 3

Evasion: 0

Weapons

[T1] [Rare] [Curved Sword] Icy Cutlass (Damage 1, Bleed 1)

Armour/Accessories

[Vanity] [Light Armour] Dark Leather Armour [T1] [Perfect] [Trinket] Ice Star Chain (Accuracy x3)

Battle Ready Items

5 x [T1] [Uncommon] Health Potions  (+40hp) 2 x Immolation Potions 1 x [T1] [Uncommon] Damage Potion (+1 Damage, 1 Thread) 1 x [T1] [Uncommon] Over-Health Potion (+50 Temp HP) 1 x Snake Venom

 

 

All their items gathered and replaced, everyone was adequately geared up for anything that would come their way for a while yet, at the least, for the next few floors and 13 levels later. By the time they had meandered their entire way around the town, somehow managing to stumble across the shops they needed to buy their equipment, it was already afternoon by the time they left the town gates.

Stretched out before them was the grasslands, a vast field of green, blanketed with white snow now, not a single inch of the green visible underneath, the forest to the left path seemed far more fitting more, a horde of leafless trees, a key indicator of the change of the seasons. To the right path was their destination, it could be best described as a bunch of puddles from here, in reality it was a region of various lakes in all kinds of sizes and depths.

The sky above was somewhat cloudy but the sun was up there somewhere as they set off on their journey.

[Tsurei 0]

“Hey, look, there’s no boars around this time,” Yuta pointed out, indeed, the grassland that used to be littered with boar type mob monsters wandering the field were gone, instead replaced by sparse wolves with grey fur and a maw of sharp teeth, howling in the air and patrolling around.

“You’re right,” Kenji nodded surprised,

“Did they change the spawns because of the seasonal change?” Rei wondered,

“Probably,” Takumi shrugged, “Boars should still be active in winter though,”

“I guess this means the difficulty increases during the harsher seasons? It kinda makes sense and kinda doesn’t,” Rei sighed,

“Look, those wolves over there are eyeing us,” Yuta pointed out, a pack of wolves were slowly sneaking towards them, circling them cautiously, slowly, keeping their bodies as still as possible and low,

“… Their cursors are orange, they’re still not onto us yet…” Rei noted,

“But it’s only a matter of time,” Takumi pointed out, readying his spear and shield,

“Right,” Rei nodded, “Let’s test out our new items then,”

[Tsurei 0]

The four of them ran towards the wolves to meet them in combat instead of waiting for the wolves to initiate, though considering their eyes were locked and the aggro radius was large, the wolves soon bounded towards them to meet them in the middle.

Their formation was hardly what could be considered a uniform line, Rei and Yuta had ran off with Takumi and Kenji trailing behind, Kenji was in the back, defaulting to preferring being last place, Yuta sprinted, increasing his speed moments before contact, eager to rush headfirst.

Rei was more conservative about his energy use however, he wasn’t eager to use energy where it wasn’t necessary, his cutlass was drawn out of it’s scabbard, emitting a nice icy sheen fitting for the seasonal colours, his Snowflake decoration which he named Ice Star Chain was threaded through the pommel of his blade, swinging freely as he slashed down at the wolf.

ID# 133189
BD: 8 +3 = Hit
MD: 4 = Miss

Damage Dealt = 3

Rei: HP: 240/240 | EN: 23 (-1)/24 | 3 DMG | 8 MIT | 0 EVA| 3 ACC| 1 BLD

Wolf: HP: 27/30 | 9 DMG

Edited January 2, 2020 by Tsurei

[Tsurei 0]

No systems were in place to force him to miss now, now the system was giving him a helping hand, though not having the obstruction was all he needed as his blade cut into the wolf’s chest as Rei carefully jumped back and attacked at the same time, cutting the wolf that leapt at him.

As the wolf was stunned, Rei tried to follow up with a Rage Blow, but the `cast time` so to speak, of him having to charge the energy in a attack position was a little too slow for him to catch the wolf, his sword crashed into the snow, kicking up the white dust all over the air, acting as a blanket for the wolf to surprise him with a bite from the side into his thigh.

Watching his Mitigation at work, the damage he took was only 1, it was no surprise that few monsters on the early floor would hurt him now, his level was higher than it should be for this place.

ID# 133190
BD: 2 +3 = Miss [Rage Blow]
MD: 7 = Hit

Damage Received = 9 -8 = 1

Rei: HP: 239/240 | EN: 20 (-4+1)/24 | 3 DMG | 8 MIT | 0 EVA| 3 ACC| 1 BLD

Wolf: HP: 27/30 | 9 DMG

Edited January 2, 2020 by Tsurei

[Tsurei 0]

Feeling a little more excited now that his weapons would let him fight unhindered, he kicked the wolf away and readied his next Rage Blow, it doubled his damage after all, there was little reason to not use it now when the system would no longer make him miss his strikes, all he had to do was time it.

The wolf circled him cautiously, a red digital gash on it’s chest, just a small wound, it suddenly leapt at Rei, faster than he expected, causing him to screw up the timing of his cut, it connected still, but it was a trading blow, as his blade cut through the wolf’s torso, the wolf also tore a chunk out of his side.

Figuratively speaking of course. If this was real, his blade would have connected and caused the wolf to recoil, it wouldn’t just slide on through the way it did, at the same time, instead of a tiny red visual mark on his side, he would definitely have a chunk missing.

ID# 133191
BD: 7 +3 = Hit [Rage Blow]
MD: 10 = Crit +2

Damage Dealt = 3 x 2 = 6

Damage Received = 9 - 8 +2 = 3

Rei: HP: 236/240 | EN: 19 (-2+1)/24 | 3 DMG | 8 MIT | 0 EVA| 3 ACC| 1 BLD

Wolf: HP: 21/30 | 9 DMG

Edited January 2, 2020 by Tsurei

[Tsurei 0]

Rei glanced around at the field, everyone was doing well, the system under their control now with their new gear, he was sure everyone got Accuracy bonuses, Mitigation and Damage bonuses in general, they were definitely fighting far more effectively than before, Rei realised in this moment, that in this world, numbers were all that mattered, even a normal person, so long as he had the gear, would be stronger than a trained professional in this world.

Which was unfortunate, but the truth of the matter, the drawback was the false sense of power, they had to remember that none of their capabilities in this virtual world was at all close to what they were capable of in the real world, where their bodies have withered away for two years.

Rei solemnly readied his next Rage Blow, somewhat sobered up, he waited for the wolf to pounce before he lunged to the side, lowering his blade from his back to his side, dragging it across the wolf and bisecting them in a flash.

ID# 133192
BD: 9 +3 = Crit +1 [Rage Blow] [Bleed Inflicted]
MD: 1 = Miss

Damage Dealt = (3 + 1) x 2 = 8

Rei: HP: 236/240 | EN: 18 (-2+1)/24 | 3 DMG | 8 MIT | 0 EVA| 3 ACC| 1 BLD

Wolf [Bleeding 1/2] : HP: 1/30 | 9 DMG 

Edited January 2, 2020 by Tsurei

[Tsurei 0]

Rei looked at the wolf in surprise as they passed by each other, something about that strike felt different, yes there was the usual impact of a full force hit and a explosion of force, but there was more to it, it procced a critical, he watched as the wolf whined and whimpered, collapsing to the ground but still alive, the red gash he had inflicted upon it growing wider and redder than usual, Rei watched as the wolf’s health bar decreased at a rapid rate.

Of course, the Bleed Effect procs on criticals. Personally, Rei preferred the consistency of Accuracy and Damage rather than gambles like Status Inflictions, though he couldn’t deny that they were powerful, extremely powerful since no armour would protect you from them.

Hearing the wolf’s whimpering certainly put a damper on his mood, even if it was virtual, he decided to take things realistically, when the NPCs called you out for not treating them like people, that was a flag of some kind. He walked over to the wolf and finished it off with a coup de grace instead of having it bleed out.

ID# 133193
BD: 8 +3 = Hit
MD: 5 = Miss

Damage Dealt = 3

Rei: HP: 236/240 | EN: 18 (-1+1)/24 | 3 DMG | 8 MIT | 0 EVA| 3 ACC| 1 BLD

Wolf [Bleeding] : HP: 1/30 | 9 DMG 

Edited January 2, 2020 by Tsurei

[Tsurei 0]

He looked around at the others, they all seemed to still be in combat, so he stayed and watched, if they were to be a 4 man party, everyone needed to get used to combat.

Yuta circled the wolf together, like a gladiatorial duel, the two opponents simple stared each other down with concentrated glares, seeking an opening, gathering their breaths, hatching a plan. As if by some kind of signal, they lunged, the wolf rushed towards Yuta, leaping for his throat, anticipating this, Yuta hurriedly ducked under and the to the side, raising his dagger up as they went by, slashing into the underbelly of the wolf as it leapt just over his head. The attack left a deep red gash on the wolf as it landed on the other side, growling in anger, Yuta quickly readied his Sword Art, dagger in reverse grip and his body crouched, he took off in a steel coloured flash of light.

Rushing like the wind in two quick cries of metal, he cut the wolf twice in succession, cutting it on both sides in a second, letting the wolf shatter into pieces.

[Tsurei 0]

Yuta let out a deep breath that he held during the battle, relaxing slightly, he looked over, noticing Rei watching him, giving a smile and a thumbs up, the pair walked over to each other and watched the others fight,

“These Accessories really make a difference,” Yuta noted,

“Yeah, our attacks actually hitting the target is great,” Rei agreed with a smile,

“You still haven’t levelled up with your weapon skills?”

“Nah, I’m saving it for when I get a Katana, I might just be levelling armour until then,”

“How long will it take to get one?”

“I have no idea, that strange player that took me and Kenji to the 7^th floor had one, I forgot to ask,” he shrugged,

“Geez,” Yuta sighed, shaking his head, “So, how are the others doing?”

“Not bad, as you’d expect from survival instincts alone rather than any sort of training, they’re not doing too bad, having the best gear for their level helps them out,”

[Tsurei 0]

They watched as Takumi faced off against the wolf, he seemed to have fallen into a rhythm, raising his shield whenever the wolf leapt at him so that it would bounce off his shield, whilst he did that, he would charge his spear for Pierce and stab the wolf afterwards to deal consistent damage when the wolf was at it’s weakest moment of imbalance. The wolves had simple AI so they didn’t really learn from their mistakes, their attack variations not too much of a problem that Takumi couldn’t just turn around and block the attack.

The problem came when the wolf decided to feint as a last ditch effort, surprising Takumi when the wolf stepped in one direction and lunged in the other, manage to bite into his shin, shaking it’s head roughly left and right in a motion to tear his flesh, in this manner, the wolf was able to pull Takumi to the ground.

[Tsurei 0]

The pair stayed watching, Takumi was in no danger, receiving only small amounts of damage in the single digits when his health was in the 200s, he was well fine, even if the pain was only pin pricks, he was still being dragged around and roughly thrown around by the wolf tearing into his leg. It didn’t hurt much, but the constant pricking certainly made a sensation similar to a nibble that send a shiver through his body, not to mention being dragged through the snow, no amount of Mitigation kept you warm after all.

So his entire body shuddered as the snow got in under his clothes, the world spinning around his eyes as he was being shaken, he desperately tried to kick at the wolf but it wouldn’t let go of his leg, he took the spiked end of his spear and plunged it into the wolf’s torso, causing it to howl in pain whilst Takumi hurriedly scrambled away to his feet.

[Tsurei 0]

Even more cautious than before, Takumi had his sword art fully charged and shield raised, covering a good half of his body, it wasn’t a large kite shield like Kenji’s but more a wooden and steel disk that only covered half of his body, it would be less effective at blocking low strikes, but it was lighter and easier to manoeuvre, he was getting by so far since he got bash it at the wolf every time it tried to attack before stabbing it, but it had made a unexpected move just recently and Takumi began to suspect that however primitive the AI, it certainly had a small learning program letting it keep being slightly realistic.

Of course, for him, that was a bit more problematic, he silently cursed the developers of the game for it’s inconsistency when he realised that the first thing he should be cursing them for was trapping him here in the first place in a death match.

[Tsurei 0]

The wolf feinted again, such tactics were less effective the second time round in a row, Takumi carefully used his shield to track the wolf, when it jumped right and lunged left, with a loud cry of anger and frustration, Takumi was tired of it’s crap and bashed it with his shield, nearly tackling the wolf to the ground, close to losing his balance as his feet got tangled up, he managed to angle the spear and punch it deep into the stomach of the wolf as it collapsed under him.

After a few moments, the wolf shattered and Takumi let out a small laugh of relief and exhaled a large foggy with breath. He sat up in the snow, his body now numb from the cold, no longer quite feeling it, he saw Rei and Yuta smiling at him, giving him a thumbs up, seeing that they had already finished their fight, as expected, but deigned not to help him annoyed him a little as he got up and walked over to them.

[Tsurei 0]

“You could have helped,” Takumi sighed as he stepped beside them to join in on watching Kenji fight the wolf,

“I mean, we could’ve…” Rei shrugged,

“But it would be better if you guys could get some combat experience on your own,” Yuta finished seriously, “Right now, Rei and I are the main fighters and you two are the supports, but since we’re a team, the faster the two of you can be capable in combat, the quicker the team can improve as a whole,”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Takumi lost interest halfway through Yuta’s serious explanation, “So did you enjoy the show of me flailing around?”

“Quite,” Rei nodded with a grin,

“It’s to be expected of a beginner, you were adapting to a real combat scenario and in real combat, techniques and practices are less effective, down and dirty fighting is the norm,” Yuta stated,

“Right, right…” Takumi sighed deeply, wondering why he’d even bother, but in the end, this was indeed a real life combat situation he supposed, with strange rules, but one nonetheless where they could seriously die.

[Tsurei 0]

The three of them watched as Kenji yelped when the wolf leapt at him, similar to Takumi only a little bit less… Kenji wasn’t just using a shield, he was cowering behind it, his sword by his side didn’t even attempt to strike at the both as it leapt around and battered his shield, no matter the armour, if you were hit, the damage would at least be 1 point, by the missing chunk in Kenji’s health bar, and the wolf’s full bar, it was clear that he had been on the back foot all this time.

Kenji cried out and grunted loudly when the wolf leapt to the top of his shield, clinging onto it as you would the edge of a cliff, knocking him over in all his heavy armour, he crashed into the snow kicking up the white dust into the air as the wolf continued to maul his face.

[Tsurei 0]

Granted, it wasn’t painful, but he was feeling rather cold, causing him to shudder, as the wolf gnawed at his face, it was far less painful than it appeared and more akin to a dog’s over eager licking of the face if the dog in question had a particularly rough tongue.

More through shock and fear more than anything else, Kenji was practically screaming, all his bravado from the previous day gone, he excused it as the rush of adrenaline and their race to finish the quest before the time limit.

But in all his flailing around, he was eventually able to knock the wolf off of him, taking hold of the sword, he flailed at it, his weapon dealing good, but normal damage, the wolf whimpered and jumped out of the range after taking a few hits, running around the back, too fast for Kenji’s particularly slow reflexes to react and once more he was knocked down.

[Tsurei 0]

“Shouldn’t we help him?” Takumi suggested, looking over at the serious expression of Yuta and the disappointment on Rei’s,

“The giant spiders yesterday were tougher,” Rei sighed, “if he can’t take on the monsters of this floor, we can’t proceed to the next,”

“We’re going to the upper floors?” Takumi was surprised, the first he’s heard of it,

“Yeah, the best way to get stronger is to go up the floors, otherwise, our progress will slow to a crawl and really, I don’t have the patience for that,” Rei nodded, “Reason number 1 of beginning this journey in the first place is because I wanted to go out there and visit the different biomes on each floor.” He tilted his head in thought, “The 7^th floor was a mountainous region I believe,”

“… We might actually need to help him,” Yuta groaned, pointing over to Kenji who had hit half health, he wasn’t dead, only halfway there, plenty more hp to go, but there was a certain margin of error before things got risky, and once you were at half health, it was time to reconsider your approach.

[Tsurei 0]

“Right,” Rei nodded, stepping forward, the group of them quickly dispatched of the wolf as it was busy mauling Kenji, feeling the weight disappear on his back, he shakily got up.

“Are you okay?” Takumi asked slightly worriedly,

“Y-yeah…” Kenji shakily replied, turning to face him,

“You were able to go 1 on 1 with the golem just fine yesterday,” Rei mused,

“Yeah, you were reckless but still more capable than this,” Yuta agreed with a confused frown,

“That was just luck,” he shuddered, somewhat ashamed that he was the most last combatively competent of the group, even if it was somewhat expected.

“We’re going to fight a sword fish, it’s stronger than the golem,” Rei warned, “We’ll need to brush up on combat a little bit until you two are a bit more comfortable,” he glanced over at Takumi and Kenji,

“We’re going to do more fighting?” Takumi groaned,

“I agree, it seems to be necessary to get some practice in,” Yuta nodded, “The time limit for this quest is still a ways away, so we can afford to fight a few more times,”

[Tsurei 0]

“How are going to do this?” Yuta wondered, asking Rei,

“We’ll just aggro everything we come across on the way to the lake, looks like it’ll take a few hours,” he shrugged back, for him, in rpgs it was standard practice to activate every material node and fight every enemy that spawns in your straight line path from A to B to make sure you weren’t under-leveled. It seemed like good practice most of the time, and it should apply here as well. He wouldn’t say no to the build up of Col after all his spending the other day after all.

So the first thing they did was walk a bit more in a straight line for the lake, they had no idea which lake they needed to go for either, but along the way, they would fight wolf and after wolf. Mostly for Kenji and Takumi’s sake, but Yuta and Rei were not dismissive of the extra practice they got out of it as well.

[Tsurei 0]

With the Energy he had now, Rank 1 Sword Arts like Rage Blow which was a quicker way to deal damage than regular attacks, it wasn’t a huge strain on Rei’s energy reserves now that he had to ration when he would use it against normal attacks which would use less of his energy. With the Accuracy bonus, he had less chances of missing as well, which was also a huge factor into his constant use of Rage Blow win this particular fight.

He glanced around at his allies, Yuta was doing just fine, he was struggling since naturally fighting with just dagger was a tough sell regardless of how effective it was in the hands of trained professionals in super close quarters as Yuta aspired to be, he in the end was just a normal person with a small amount of experience.

Rei was no different, he did some kendo and kenjutsu, a formal form of sword fighting for sport and a form of sword fighting that was meant for practicality, one was trained in matches and the other in free form sparring. But that did not mean he was much better than the average person in his own mind.

ID# 133200
BD: 5 +3 = Hit [Rage Blow]
MD: 7 = Hit

Damage Dealt = 3 x 2 = 6

Damage Received = 9 - 8 = 1

Rei: HP: 239/240 | EN: 22 (-2)/24 | 3 DMG | 8 MIT | 0 EVA| 3 ACC| 1 BLD

Wolf: HP: 24/30 | 9 DMG 

Edited January 2, 2020 by Tsurei