[SP-F11] Playing Catch-Up <<Nature's Treasure>>

Arabelle · January 14, 2020

[Expires in two days.]

At least the game actually let them take the consumable out of its event area, she thought to herself. With a fluffy red cloak thrown over her full combat attire -- Arabelle downed an entire mug of steaming hot chocolate mixed with the thankfully bland taste of a damage potion. Christmas and New Year's celebrations, the sudden invasion of Floor 17's Larissa, and some probing about various reputable player-ran libraries for seemingly random bits of information might have led to her slacking on a certain time-sensitive task, but she wasn't so irresponsible as to delay it any longer. Rushing to farm under an even shorter time limit was in a level of hell of its own.

The empty mug slipped from her hand, shattering against the ground in a mini-explosion of glittering data shards. As buffed as she could be for this short trip, though Arabelle had to shake her head in slight disappointment at her own lack of preparation.

Spoiler

CONSUMED

T1 Damage Potion -- +1 DMG for a thread. [>>]
Lucky Hot Cocoa -- +4 Prosperity [>>]

NATURE'S TREASURE BUFF

Searching: LD rolls of 11-14 give 1 material. LD rolls of 15+ give 2 materials. Gatherer skill is added to this roll as well.
Treasure Chests: LD of 1-3 does not result in a mimic, but drops (Floor * 25) col and one material.
Looting Mobs: Loot required mobs always drop (HP * 4) col and 1 material as default drops.

~~~

LEVEL 28 - 87 SP
560/560 HP | 56/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity
[Fallen: +4 Fallen to base damage on successful attack rolls of 6-8.]
[Recovery: 4 EN on CD 6+] [Regen: Heal 10 HP every turn for three rounds.]

~ EQUIPPED

Amaterasu -- T2 Demonic Two-Handed Battle Axe -- Cursed | Fallen | [x2] Accuracy -- [reference] "Burn everything you ~~pretended to~~ love, then burn the ashes." A massive pitch-black war scythe manifested from one girl's wish for destruction. Malignance flows from it in waves and when its power is called forth, both weapon and wielder are temporarily engulfed in black flames. [>>]
Imperial Demon Army Uniform II -- T2 Perfect Light Armor -- [x2] Mitigation | Regen -- [reference] A light armor set consisting of a military jacket with two rows of gold buttons on the front, a short black skirt, and accompanying knee-high boots and stockings. It's predominantly black in color with green accents. Grants protection and a small healing buff to the user. [>>]
Insignia of Retribution II -- T2 Perfect Jewelry -- [x2] Recovery | Accuracy -- [reference] "May this savage song reach the hearts of those who have wronged you." A brooch depicting a bejeweled phoenix carrying an egg made of black rhinestone. When equipped, it grants accuracy and an energy regeneration buff. [>>]

~BATTLE-READY INVENTORY

[x1] Starter Healing Potion -- Heals 50 HP.
[x5] T1 Health Potions of Uncommon Quality -- Heals 40 HP. [>>]
[x1] Teleportation Crystal - Use a post action to activate a teleport crystal. Teleports the player to the town or designated teleportation area they specify. [>>]

~SKILLS
Rank 5 -- Two-Handed Battle Axe
|| Mod: Ferocity

E -

~SWORD ARTS
Two-Handed Battle Axe
Rank 1
» [x2] Whirlwind (2 Energy) - A single sweeping attack so powerful that it sends forth a shock wave to hit again.
» [x2 AoE] Smash (2 Energy + 2 per target hit) - An uppercut aimed at opponents head to send them reeling.
Rank 2
» [x3 AoE] Lumberjack (3 Energy + 2 per target hit) - Three wide sweeping strokes aimed at multiple targets.
» [x3] Ultimate Breaker (3 Energy) - A pair of uppercuts that finish with a vertical slam to the target's head.
Rank 3
» [x5] Torque Wave (5 Energy) - A sweeping strike that tears into the opponent.
» [x6] Crimson Blood (6 Energy) - Three sweeping spinning slices keeping the same momentum.
» [x6 AoE] Trample Act (6 Energy +2 per target hit) - An attack that starts with a shoulder barge, then does two large sweeping attacks.
Rank 4
» [x7] Crescent Avalanche (7 Energy) - An advanced mixture of slices, hilt stabs and thrusts at an opponent.
» [x8 AoE] Ordinal Cleave (8 Energy +2 per target hit) - A flurry of eight vicious slashes that hits and targets multiple enemies.
Rank 5
» [x9] Dynamic Violence (8 Energy) - An attack of three slices, which is finished by a shock wave created by the power of an empty swing.
» [x14 AoE] Explode Catapult (14 Energy +2 per target hit) - Two powerful sweeping strokes in alternating directions that concludes with slamming the ax into the ground.
» [x13] Screw Dimension (12 Energy) - Does one slice with the ax, which then releases in a burst of energy, doing the damage again.

Edited January 14, 2020 by Arabelle

Arabelle · January 18, 2020

Arabelle blended in easily with the stream of early morning adventurers leaving town. Her steps, though lazy, held some measured purpose as she kept a careful eye on the highlighted map floating in front of her. Follow the path leading southwest from the town exit until... Here? She frowned at the dense overgrowth her map pointed to but continued on without a slither of doubt.

She disappeared from plain sight. Looking around, she found that she was now alone in the thick forested area; she walked forward a few more meters and it was as if she was in the middle of nowhere, miles away from any trail. She dismissed her map of the forest, replacing the window with another, and studied it as she went.

Even at her casual pace, it didn't take long until she stopped at the gaping maw of a large cave only another fifteen minutes' walk from the boss labyrinth's entrance. It held the same really gross oversized bug mobs, but supposedly, it was disconnected from the rest of Floor 11's large cave network -- the main reason being that it was one of the very few locations which held the [Nature's Treasure] buff.

The inside was lined with glowstones and torches. Maybe from players who had been here before? In any case, it was less trouble on her part. Arabelle didn't dawdle any more. Summoning Amaterasu, she skipped further into the depths of the cave and engaged the first batch of mobs she came across.

Spoiler

ROLLS

ID: 134488 | CD: 2

STATS

14 + (2 * 4) = 22 EN

Arabelle: 464/560 HP | 34/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [0/3 Regen]

Antman 1: 84/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 2: 84/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 3: 84/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 4: 140/280 HP | 84 DMG

Edited January 18, 2020 by Arabelle

Arabelle · January 18, 2020

Oh, ewww. These ants really did look a lot worse in person. If the fact that they were more than half her size wasn't already enough, their wiry limbs and jaws were caked with dirt, grime, and whatever they had been digging through earlier. One successful attack from these guys, and her cute new uniform was officially ruined.

Eep.

The cave was, unsurprisingly, a bit narrow for a fight; her movements were limited and easy to predict and they took advantage of that. Where one giant ant lunged forward, another was moving into position to attack her as soon as she dodged. Easy peasy, she just didn't need to be caught. Arabelle landed lightly on her feet and jumped straight up before Ant No. 2 could wail on her. Aiming downwards, she swung an empty attack and a visible shockwave burst forth to reach where she couldn't.

She smiled in satisfaction as her opponents were collectively torn into shreds. That made one, two, three...

Wait, three?

Whirling around, she was unable to evade a reckless charge from the straggler.

Spoiler

ROLLS

Combat

ID: 134489 | BD: 9 | MD: 5 | Explode Catapult: (10 + 1) * 14 = 154 DMG to Antman 1
ID: 134490 | BD: 10 | MD: 1 | Explode Catapult: (10 + 2) * 14 = 168 DMG to Antman 2
ID: 134491 | BD: 2 + 3 = 5 | MD: 6 | 84 - 36 = 48 DMG to Arabelle [regen]
ID: 134492 | BD: 3 + 3 = 6 | MD: 4 | Explode Catapult: 10 * 14 = 140 DMG to Antman 4

ID: 134493 | CD: 3

Loot

ID: 134494 | LD: 1 | CD: 1
ID: 134495 | LD: 12 | CD: 6
ID: 134496 | LD: 7 | CD: 7

STATS

14 + (2 * 3) = 20 EN

Arabelle: 426/560 HP | 14/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [0/3 Regen]

Antman 1: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 2: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 3: 84/280 HP | 84 DMG
~~Antman 4: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG~~

LOOT (round)

[280 * (4 + 4)] + [280 * (4 + 4)] + (280 * 2) + (280 * 2) + [280 * (4 + 4)] + 280 = 8,120 Col
1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 11 T2 Materials
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Rare Trinket [#134496]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · January 18, 2020

She celebrated a bit too early, it seems. As soon as that dull thought registered in her mind, the final ant snapped its jaws at her undefended legs and reared on its hind legs to batter down more attacks on her. Nope nope nope! Arabelle prematurely released her Sword Art in a small unfocused blast of black flame that dazed the giant ant before it could proceed any further.

Giving an empty, warning slash at the air between them, the small purple-haired girl shot backwards into relative safety. She kept a firm grip at her scythe as she caught her breath. Now standing at a somewhat wider portion of the cave, she looked down at her stockings. Grimaced. Her scout had the tailoring ability to make repairs to the ripped cloth just below her knee, but the noticeable smear of dirt was a different story.

She couldn't ignore it, even if it was just an empty but all-too-realistic virtual texture.

Spoiler

ROLLS

ID: 134498 | BD: 1 | MD: 3

ID: 134499 | CD: 2

STATS

Arabelle: 436/560 HP | 12/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [1/3 Regen]

Antman 3: 84/280 HP | 84 DMG

LOOT (total)

8,120 Col
11 T2 Materials
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Rare Trinket [#134496]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · January 18, 2020

Black flames erupted from her scythe with a renewed ferocity. The blue bar on the top-right of her HUD drained as she felt the energy leave her bones. Though a weaker Sword Art could have done the trick, Arabelle poured it all into her weapon. Four rounds of combat when it should have been two, one final opponent to vent her little frustration onto... she had arrived at the absolute best resolution she could have drawn from this.

That thing had dirtied her new favorite outfit and now it was going to pay.

"...boop."

Arabelle gave it one unholy smack and the thing died. She dispelled the residual glimmers with a gentler wave of her scythe and reviewed her notifications. 16,000 Col and 13 materials from four?! The fresh T2 player, who's never once personally gone solo on a trip such as this, could only look at her pool of loot with her jaw dropped.

Spoiler

ROLLS

Combat

ID: 134501 | BD: 4 + 3 = 7 | Screw Dimension: 10 * 13 = 130 DMG to Antman 3

Loot

ID: 134502 | LD: 6 | CD: 9

STATS

Arabelle: 446/560 HP | 1/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [2/3 Regen]

~~Antman 3: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG~~

LOOT (round)

[280 * (4 + 4)] + (280 * 2) + 280 = 3,080 Col
1 + 1 = 2 T2 Materials
1 T2 Rare Trinket [#134502]

LOOT (total)

11,200 Col
13 T2 Materials
2 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · January 26, 2020

"...psh."

With a disappointed huff, the girl took her eyes off her drained EN bar and lazily dismissed her scythe. It seemed to melt into the air, leaving only shadowy wisps that seeped between her bent fingers. Not even two slots of [Recovery] could keep her fighting for so long, apparently.

Silence reigned once again. It was stupidly boring, she thought. Nonchalantly prying a small glowstone off the wall, Arabelle kept her senses pricked as she strolled further into the depths of the ant-infested tunnel. Soft footfall after soft footfall, the sound of it seemed to bounce endlessly off the rocky walls. She was so immersed in searching for some disturbance -- something she could pick up and entertain herself with -- that she didn't realize another set had joined her own until the source was bounding toward her.

And was that the sound of armor? Uh oh...

Snap. By her left hand, a small menu opened. Hardly a moment after Amaterasu finished reforming before her, she had snatched it out of the air and taken a stance with the scythe poised to block. A strong gust of wind heralded the unknown player's arrival, yet they stopped before their weapons could come together in a clash of singing steel.

"Hello. Draeil, was it?"

Spoiler

ROLLS

ID: 134931 | LD: 1

STATS

[1/3 energy regen]

Arabelle: 476/560 HP | 2/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [3/3 Regen]

LOOT (total)

11,200 Col
13 T2 Materials
2 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · January 26, 2020

"Quit your act." Despite her calm greeting, the greatsword in front of her didn't budge. Laughable, considering the guild member she had the misfortune of running into was almost a full foot taller than her. Red hair, blue eyes -- colors so sickeningly vibrant that they were prominent even under the dim torchlight of the cave. "You know you're not allowed here. What do you have to say? Up to another one of your schemes?"

Wow, rude.

Arabelle pursed her lips into a small pout. "Perhaps. But I wouldn't consider trying to level up a bad scheme..." She let go of her scythe, the large weapon vanishing into the air before it could clatter to the ground, and casually held her hands up. "I'll list it down if it makes you feel better. Keeping your ant population under control, gathering excess materials..."

--A chunk of stalagmite, dyed a curious bright color, pried itself off the roof of the cave and landed neatly in her open palm.

"Should I leave a torch and a glowstone, too? Guild tradition, I heard."

Spoiler

ROLLS

ID: 134932 | LD: 14 [1 T2 mat]

STATS

[2/3 energy regen]

Arabelle: 496/560 HP | 3/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity

LOOT (total)

11,200 Col
14 T2 Materials
2 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · January 26, 2020

"I don't hear the part where you say you have permission." Under the flickering flames, Draeil's unconvinced glare did not falter. "These are guild grounds. Even regular players can't just come in willy-nilly. Unless Miss Leah had another change of heart, I doubt she'd even think of handing out a permit to some backstabbing filth like you."

Neither of them would move forward. Standing stoic against the raised blade, Arabelle almost rolled her eyes. He had to be goading her into a fight. It was blindingly obvious he didn't like her; and there was nothing else one could do against a person they didn't like if they wanted to keep their cursor green.

"Fine, fiiine. I have a permit." And she loved the way his expression twisted in incredulity when she produced a slip from her inventory -- who knew a small thing would hold such sway? "Hmhm, what was Claude's rank again? He can give stuff like this too, if I ask nicely enough. Ah, but if you have a problem, you're free to take it up with 'Miss Leah!'"

From Leah's neat script to the unmistakable stamp at the bottom, there was no denying the legitimacy of the item in her hand. With much reluctance, Draeil lowered his weapon but the swordsman's larger frame kept her from advancing any further. He scowled, muttering, almost under his breath. "Of course he would."

'Oh?'

Spoiler

ROLLS

ID: 134937 | LD: 10

STATS

[3/3 energy regen]

Arabelle: 516/560 HP | 56/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity

LOOT (total)

11,200 Col
14 T2 Materials
2 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · January 26, 2020

"My, my. Are you simply so used to having your voice raised? I believe that's not something a supposed 'traitor' should be hearing."

Arabelle was close. She had taken perhaps a few steps forward as she spoke, but not enough to be considered invasive. "Don't give me that crap. Even you would struggle to come up with something all from a simple comment." And dare she say, his tone seemed almost challenging?

"Pull one loose thread, dear Draeil--" With a faint smile, she mimicked the gesture with her gloved hand. "--and the entire thing may just unravel, if you try hard enough."

"I believe that's not something I should be hearing."

"Merely a bit of advice."

"Advice or a threat?"

"That's up to you to decide. But might I remind you, your remark started it."

"Because this entire situation is bullsh-t." An aggravated step forward, and a subtle shift in his grip of his weapon. She could glean the overflowing irritation behind his glare. She wondered if he really wanted her gone, this time around. "Miss Leah told me herself to be cautious around the likes of you. For all the effect you had, and what you did. Everything. Don't think for a second any of them forgot. And now you're being allowed to explore our grounds without accompaniment? It's that exact same carelessness that left you to trick the old group in the first place!"

"Miss Leah," she began. "Already gave me an official pardon."

And Draeil looked at her like she'd told him SAO's death mechanic was simply an elaborate prank. "A pardon we both know her husband pressured her into--"

Arabelle wasn't smiling.

Shadows appeared to ooze in from the darkness of the cave -- a blackness which was found in every small corner untouched by the light of the glowstones, a blackness which was the only thing they could see in the distant tunnels. They coagulated atop her open palm, forming first the handle, and then Amaterasu's black blade. Her hands firmly gripped the weapon as it completely solidified; and it ignited in a surge of pitch black flames.

Minutes away from the only exit; no one would even hear a scream.

Draeil raised his blade. Arabelle rocketed forward and funneled her scythe's fury into one purpose.

--She cleaved through an interested audience of oversized antmen which had slowly gathered over the course of their... interesting discussion. With one ruthless swipe, she had the herd dazed and dispersed: half of their health bars depleted.

"Don't call him that in my presence."

Spoiler

ROLLS

ID: 134945 | CD: 12 [+4 en]

STATS

14 + (2 * 4) = 22 EN

Arabelle: 324/560 HP | 38/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [0/3 Regen]

Antman 5: 112/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 6: 126/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 7: 84/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 8: 140/280 HP | 84 DMG

LOOT (total)

11,200 Col
14 T2 Materials
2 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · February 1, 2020

She wasn't looking, but the heavy metallic sound of armor behind her indicated Draeil had immediately brandished his greatsword. "F-ckin— what the hell was that for?!" Yes, what indeed. "If you're looking for a fight, go right ahead and—!"

"No intent. That was just a little tease."

Praise cave lighting. Glancing up and down the cave, she counted a force of eight. A little too much for even her to handle, and the ones she hadn't reached with her scythe were suited up in fairly better armor. A few levels above her loot minimum, she hazarded a guess.

"Dammit, this many?" Her... "companion" shared the same sentiments. "I'll take those four. One wrong move from you—"

"Yes, yes. But more fighting. You're falling behind, sugar."

"And you talk too damn big for someone who can't even handle the mobs on my level."

Arabelle sidestepped, giving way for Draeil to storm past with an activated Sword Art — hardly even battle instinct, his armor made the most obnoxious sound — and she swung around with her scythe readied, pivoting on her heel, sending a wave of visible black energy at her opponents.

Spoiler

ROLLS

Combat

ID: 135374 | CD: 8 [+4 en]

Loot

ID: 135375 | LD: 14 | CD: 11
ID: 135376 | LD: 16 | CD: 11
ID: 135377 | LD: 12 | CD: 4
ID: 135378 | LD: 9 | CD: 5

STATS

14 + (2 * 4) = 22 EN

Arabelle: 334/560 HP | 21/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [1/3 Regen]

Antman 5: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 6: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 7: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 8: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG

LOOT (round)

[280 * (4 + 4)] + (280 * 2) + (280 * 2) + [280 * (4 + 4)] + (280 * 2) + (280 * 3) + [280 * (4 + 4)] + (280 * 2) + (280 * 2) + [280 * (4 + 4)] + 280 = 12,880 Col
1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 12 T2 Materials
1 T2 Rare Light Armor [#135375]
3 T2 Rare Trinkets [#135376] [#135377] [#135378]

LOOT (total)

24,080 Col
26 T2 Materials
5 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Rare Light Armor [#135375]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · March 30, 2020

An entire group of four, gone in a cloud of blue and white data crystals. Two attacks from her had apparently blasted their health bars to smithereens, and she had to say: she was very pleased at the result. Yet another large haul of col and empty recording crystals for her shop — and maybe she could actually try her luck with unidentifieds this time? she had a fair amount — but her satisfaction easily waned when she looked down.

Arabelle almost scowled; the monstrous bugs had been quick to gather their coarse wooden spears and attack her as soon as she was within reach. A large portion of her health bar was missing. There were holes and tears all over her once-pristine armor, revealing the red 3D mesh beneath. All sure to heal up and repair and she'd figured even Bahr's finely-tailored armor would go through some wear and tear as she used it, but feelings weren't easily rid of by logic.

She didn't like it when pretty things — pretty things that were hers — got damaged.

Spoiler

ID: 138882 | LD: 8

[1/3 energy regen]

Arabelle: 364/560 HP | 22/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [2/3 Regen]

LOOT (total)

24,080 Col
26 T2 Materials
5 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Rare Light Armor [#135375]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · March 30, 2020

"Clear on my end."

It was brief, but she caught him shooting her a suspicious glare before he cast his glance at the immediate area. Double checking. And his head snapped in his opponents' directions to deflect a blow with his jaw clenched in frustration. "Got it," Draeil gritted out. His sword sparked a bright blue and he shoulder-barged an attacking antman off balance, then unleashed an attack on the three hiding behind it. "Now either stay where you are or head back to the entrance."

Ignoring the fact that he had absolutely no right to order her around, they both knew she wasn't about to leave.

So Arabelle slowly pried a glowing crystal off the wall as she watched. Antmen in their red zones, Draeil in green and completely regenerating whatever they threw at him. When one lunged forward with its spear held out, he took the attack head-on and his own disintegrated it. Quite the force to be reckoned with, but what really compelled her to keep staring was a thought that kept flitting about her mind. Not exactly bothering her, but a simple curiosity.

Spoiler

ID: 138883 | LD: 2

[2/3 energy regen]

Arabelle: 394/560 HP | 23/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [3/3 Regen]

LOOT (total)

24,080 Col
26 T2 Materials
5 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Rare Light Armor [#135375]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · March 30, 2020

Impulsive. Fighting for what was ..."correct" in his own right. Obnoxiously bright colors. The heavy armor and shiny white greatsword combo. And that fighting style, while it was hardly the disciplined sort (which she figured he was perfectly capable of), wasted movements in favor of style and showmanship.

Rarely were these sorts of things a complete accident.

People often fashion their appearances — sometimes their entire demeanor — on how they want to be perceived. What was more telling, however, was how well they wore those personalities — and the nature of the facades themselves.

Arabelle fully pried the crystal off the cave wall and tucked her hands behind her back. Meanwhile, with one final swing, the last antman's head detached from the rest of its body. Both pieces landed on the ground with soft thumps, where they then disintegrated.

"Bravo, bravo," she hummed. Drawing nearer, she held out the glowing crystal. "For you. I won't take 'no' for an answer. It was right beside you while we were talking earlier... and oh, so were the ants. For a member of a scouting guild, you don't pay much attention to your surroundings, do you?"

Spoiler

ID: 138884 | LD: 10

[3/3 energy regen]

Arabelle: 414/560 HP | 56/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity

LOOT (total)

24,080 Col
26 T2 Materials
5 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Rare Light Armor [#135375]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · March 31, 2020

"What's your game this time around? Everyone already knows the first guy's too unreliable, so you gonna get your claws into our guild through some other way we don't know of?"

"You lot read too much into it. I'm juuust here to collect materials."

"Why now?"

"Is there anything special about now?"

He hesitated. As if he was reining himself in. Her eyes were once again alight with curiosity. Guild matters were guild matters. Claude would never speak to her of such things, no matter how close they were. Unlike Draeil was seeming to imply, he'd... learned his lesson.

Arabelle didn't like calling it like that.

"Nothing."

"Then our meeting was a complete coincidence."

"A good one."

"Oh? I'm sorry, but—"

"At least someone would be around to keep you in check. There's nothing I can do to stop you since you have a permit, but there isn't anything stopping me from coming along and keeping tabs on your activity."

Arabelle blinked.

"--You're on our grounds, you work under our terms."

She tucked her hands behind her back and sighed, eyes flashing a deep crimson.

"Are you going to say something?"

"Behind you."

Amaterasu appeared in her hand and she spun out into an offensive.

Spoiler

ROLLS

ID: 138916 | BD: 10 | MD: 10 | Explode Catapult: (10 + 2) * 14 = 168 DMG -> Antman 9 | 84 + 2 = 86 - 36 = 50 DMG -> Arabelle
ID: 138917 | BD: 5 + 3 = 8 | MD: 6 | Explode Catapult: 10 * 14 = 140 DMG -> Antman 10 | 84 - 36 = 48 DMG -> Arabelle
ID: 138918 | BD: 2 + 3 = 5 | MD: 4
ID: 138919 | BD: 5 + 3 = 8 | MD: 2 | Explode Catapult: 10 * 14 = 140 DMG -> Antman 12

ID: 138920 | CD: 2

STATS

14 + (2 * 3) = 20 EN

Arabelle: 316/560 HP | 36/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [0/3 Regen]

Antman 9: 112/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 10: 140/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 11: 280/280 HP | 84 DMG
Antman 12: 140/280 HP | 84 DMG

LOOT (total)

24,080 Col
26 T2 Materials
5 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Rare Light Armor [#135375]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · March 31, 2020

"Eight of them!"

"Alright, same-old tactic."

"What if we party up? Mobs only spawn like this if we're separated."

"And then I would have to assist you with my loot minimum?"

"Fair point, I don't want your assistance either!"

And petty squabbles between two players who'd firmly decided they should dislike the other filled the gaps between clashes of metal, the clicking of ants, and feet scuffing against the cave floor. Arabelle twisted her scythe and darkness spilled from it, seeming to momentarily distort the air around her. She turned the full force of her Sword Art on her targets, obliterating all but three.

"Keep that damn thing under control."

"Scared of the dark?"

"No." She thought she heard him grind his teeth in annoyance. "It's getting in our way."

"Your sword's bright flashing isn't doing any better either."

There was another flash as he activated a [Sword Art] and though she didn't shut her eyes at it, the lapse in her concentration was enough for the last antman to sneak past her guard and thrust its spear at her.

Spoiler

ROLLS

Combat:

ID: 138921 | BD: 10 | MD: 3 | Explode Catapult: (10 + 2) * 14 = 168 DMG -> Antman 9
ID: 138922 | BD: 4 + 3 = 7 | MD: 1 | Explode Catapult: 10 * 14 = 140 DMG -> Antman 10
ID: 138923 | BD: 1 | MD: 10 | 84 + 2 = 86 - 36 = 50 DMG -> Arabelle
ID: 138924 | BD: 6 | MD: 2 | Explode Catapult: (10 + 4) * 14 = 196 DMG -> Antman 12

ID: 138925 | CD: 9 | +4 EN

Loot:

ID: 138926 | LD: 1 | CD: 9
ID: 138927 | LD: 8 | CD: 5
ID: 138928 | LD: 15 | CD: 11

STATS

14 + (2 * 3) = 20 EN

Arabelle: 276/560 HP | 21/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [0/3 Regen]

~~Antman 9: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG~~
~~Antman 10: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG~~
Antman 11: 280/280 HP | 84 DMG
~~Antman 12: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG~~

LOOT (round)

[280 * (4 + 4)]
+ [280 * (4 + 4)] + (280 * 2) + 280
+ [280 * (4 + 4)] + (280 * 2)
= 8,120 col
1 + 2 + 2
1 + 2
1 + 2 + 2
= 13 T2 materials
T2 Rare Trinket [#138927]
T2 Rare Light Armor [#138928]

LOOT (total)

32,200 col
39 T2 materials
6 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378] [#138927]
2 T2 Rare Light Armors [#135375] [#138928]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · March 31, 2020

He did it on purpose. He had to have done it on purpose. What else could explain the timing? He continued hacking and slashing away at his mobs much to her displeasure, but as if on second thought, Draeil unexpectedly looked over his shoulder and mouthed a 'sorry.'

As if on second thought. Arabelle shot a colorful glare at his back as he turned back and dispatched the first of his mobs. Back to hers. She leaped back before the mob could get any closer and gave it a shove with the blunt end of her blade to make doubly sure. Gathering up her energy to channel into her weapon once again, the small purple-haired girl brought her scythe down like an axe on a chopping block. She cleaved through a fourth of its still-full(???) HP bar, twisted Amaterasu behind her, and came down again with a slice that brought it down to half.

Spoiler

ROLLS

ID: 138929 | BD: 3 + 3 = 6 | MD: 2 | Screw Dimension: 10 * 13 = 130 DMG -> Antman 11

ID: 138930 | CD: 9 | +4 EN

STATS

12 EN

Arabelle: 286/560 HP | 14/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [1/3 Regen]

Antman 11: 150/280 HP | 84 DMG

LOOT (total)

32,200 col
39 T2 materials
6 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378] [#138927]
2 T2 Rare Light Armors [#135375] [#138928]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · March 31, 2020

There was a heavy bang and the second one of Draeil's disappeared in an explosion of intangible crystals. Then the third. It left the fourth bug who'd somehow had the idea to switch targets and attempted to charge the girl behind him — the one proven to be a weaker target.

She was, admittedly, a little unprepared.

Arabelle took her eyes off her own mob and dashed backwards, but another swing of the swordsman's large blade cut the stronger one in half. She recovered and recharged [Screw Dimension], but not soon enough to dodge the blow coming from her own mob. It buried the tip of its spear in her side — critical! — but she ripped herself from the weapon and countered with her own attack before the overgrown mob could pull back.

"'Keep your damn mobs under control.'"

"You were standing too close, how the hell was I supposed to predict that?!"

Spoiler

ROLLS

ID: 138931 | BD: 4 + 3 = 7 | MD: 9 | Screw Dimension: 10 * 13 = 130 DMG -> Antman 11 | 84 + 1 = 85 - 36 = 49 DMG -> Arabelle

ID: 138932 | CD: 1

STATS

12 EN

Arabelle: 247/560 HP | 3/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [0/3 Regen]

Antman 11: 20/280 HP | 84 DMG

LOOT (total)

32,200 col
39 T2 materials
6 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378] [#138927]
2 T2 Rare Light Armors [#135375] [#138928]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · March 31, 2020

Now he was waiting on her.

Well, he can wait all he wants, was what she wanted to think, but Arabelle had her combat prowess to defend here. With a nod of her head, the small purple-haired girl had him clear out and turned her focus to the last remaining mob. A weaker Sword Art will do and she had just enough energy for two shots at it.

Amaterasu flared with a black energy and the antman almost appeared to cower in terror at her weapon. Their earlier scuffle ended with it cornered against the wall and lunging desparately forward, it scored another strike which she easily deflected with a wave of her scythe. Smiling triumphantly, she swung her scythe.

—And all of a sudden, she was meeting rock-hard resistance, the mob was nowhere to be found, and strong arms were holding onto her and pulling her away from a collapse. Rocks of various sizes pried themselves off the walls and rolled down and slight tremors were felt on the ground. The cave was crumbling, but luckily, it didn't reach them and the dust eventually settled.

The mob had dodged in the nick of time. Arabelle had struck a portion of the wall.

And—

"What the hell...?" Draeil let her go and stared, open-mouthed. "This wasn't in the map."

Spoiler

ROLLS

ID: 138934 | BD: 1 | MD: 10 | 84 + 2 = 86 - 36 = 50 DMG -> Arabelle

ID: 138935 | CD: 6 | +4 EN

STATS

2 EN

Arabelle: 207/560 HP | 6/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [0/3 Regen]

Antman 11: 20/280 HP | 84 DMG

LOOT (total)

32,200 col
39 T2 materials
6 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378] [#138927]
2 T2 Rare Light Armors [#135375] [#138928]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · March 31, 2020

She finished off the mob, looted it, and returned to his side. As taken by whims as she was, she wasn't about to entertain this one and poke fun at him for saving someone he so insisted was an enemy. Or anything, really. Her curiosity lay somewhere else.

In the new tunnel before them. It extended further onward before curving to the right. Evenly-spaced glowstones lined the floor directly beneath the walls on both sides.

"It's seen use," Draeil observed.

"Come on, not even with your veteran member status? Surely you know more than this."

He regarded her, frowning, then shook his head. "It's not an area the first scouts just missed in their exploration; they went through the entire place a couple times, and that doesn't explain the stones."

"Guild tradition," Arabelle repeated.

"This isn't in the maps we were given though—"

"So we check it out ourselves."

He was too curious to stop her. She smiled — don't mind if I do — and strode into the area.

Crash!

Arabelle knocked her head facefirst into something solid. Backing away, she held out a hand and felt a solid wall where there appeared to be nothing but an innocuous entrance to a passage. Her eyes flashed red and she quickly urged Draeil to do the same.

A translucent white wall — a border. And etched onto the floor just past it was a symbol neither of them recognized.

Spoiler

ROLLS

Combat:

ID: 138936 | BD: 7 | MD: 9 | Ultimate Breaker: (10 + 4) * 3 = 42 DMG -> Antman 11

ID: 138937 | CD: 4

Loot:

ID: 138938 | LD: 7 | CD: 10

STATS

3 EN

Arabelle: 217/560 HP | 4/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [1/3 Regen]

~~Antman 11: 0/280 HP | 84 DMG~~

LOOT (round)

[280 * (4 + 4)] + (280 * 2) + 280 = 3,080 col
1 + 2 = 3 T2 materials
T2 Rare Trinket [#138938]

LOOT (total)

35,280 col
42 T2 materials
7 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378] [#138927] [#138938]
2 T2 Rare Light Armors [#135375] [#138928]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Arabelle · March 31, 2020

"I don't believe they accidentally collapsed the entrance to a tunnel and just forgot."

"I know!" Then, dropping to a mutter, "...and the wards... what the hell is in there? Are they keeping something from us?"

Arabelle surveyed her surroundings one last time.

"We can't do anything about it at the moment. Let's move on, Draeil."

~~~

"Chrysanthemum."

"Right on." With a flick of her hand, Arabelle sent her chocolate coin rolling across the living room table. "You're better at telling them apart now."

Claude smirked lightly and stopped the rolling coin beneath his finger, knocking it to the side so that it fell flat against the wooden surface. "I used to know how. You jogged up the memories, so thanks for that."

"Good memories, I hope."

A comfortable silence settled between them. Arabelle crossed her legs and leaned back into the chair, content with drinking her tea and watching him type a private message with his brow furrowed in concentration.

Backspace. Backspace. Did he just delete an entire paragraph only to rewrite the exact same thing? Claude seemed to realize it halfway through — he stilled, reread the entire message with a small shake of his head, and moved on.

Arabelle sipped her tea, amused.

"It was just an inquiry."

'Send.'

"About?"

"Sorry, I can't tell." Translation: guild business. With the message windows gone, he slid their small glass jar of honey to his side and gave her a soft, apologetic smile. "How was your day in the caves? I tried to leave no stone unturned last time I scouted them, but I can always count on you to find something interesting."

She thought back to Draeil — the hostility, the obvious distrust. And the warded passage that wasn't recorded in the map. After exhausting all options, they did their best to cover it up and moved on in search of others. There were none.

"Your guild..."

Her ashen gaze shifted back to Claude, looking back at her expectantly.

"...reallyyy needs to find a better area. Seriously. Giant ants? Are you guys just foreign to the feeling of disgust?"

The sun set with a pleasant conversation over chrysanthemum tea.

...and a dash of the usual bickering.

Who could fault her for simply wanting to wind down with him?

~~~

@Arabelle

2 SP
35,680 col
42 T2 materials
7 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378] [#138927] [#138938]
2 T2 Rare Light Armors [#135375] [#138928]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

Spoiler

ID: 138939 | LD: 9

Arabelle: 227/560 HP | 5/56 EN | 10 DMG | 36 MIT | 3 ACC | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen | 4 Prosperity [2/3 Regen]

LOOT (total)

35,280 col
42 T2 materials
7 T2 Rare Trinkets [#134496] [#134502] [#135376] [#135377] [#135378] [#138927] [#138938]
2 T2 Rare Light Armors [#135375] [#138928]
1 T2 Rare Weapon [#134495]
1 T2 Uncommon Consumable [#134495]

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