[SP-F03] <<Escape>>

[Mari 1]

 

"Sh*t!" Mari said. "Sh*t, Sh*t, Sh*t, Sh*t!" She repeated through clenched teeth. How could she be so...so careless  She had become complacent on the lower floors. She was a high enough level that most players didn't bother her - and when she heard about a group of thugs - terrorizing players Mari figured, 'hey, what's the worst that can happen?'

Well; this wasn't exactly the worst but it was pretty close to it.

Mari had woken up to a pounding headache, her surroundings were dark and musty. As she went to stand up she immediately lost her balance and came crashing down to the floor with a muted 'thud' The woman groaned as she rolled onto her side. Great, bindings. Mari sighed as she pushed herself up off the floor to rest on the dirty wall of the tiny prison cell. At least they were just rope, and the dopes had tied her hands in front of her, rather than behind. 

Mari bent over and started to undo the rope that bound her wrists, loosening the knots with her teeth. She inwardly thanked whatever gods that ruled Aincrad that she couldn't get sick from this. Because by those very same gods the ropes tasted awful. She coughed and spluttered as she finally undid the coarse bindings, then, she used her hands to pull at the ropes that bound her ankles together. Making short work of it.

"Right...now...." Mari mused to herself as she pushed herself up off the ground, rubbing her wrists. She was trying to piece together the events that happened. 

-She had gone to investigate some thugs
-she found out it was a strange event of some sort
-????
-Now she was here.

Suffice to say... she hadn't been imprisoned for being a PKer...if she had, Mari wondered if she'd have the gall, or courage to break out. But this, this was an event. So it was ok to break out, right?

 

General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070  |Energy: 104

STATS
DAM: 11 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 | 

SKILLS
Rank 5 Weapon (+5 DMG)
-Weapon Mod: Precision (+1 ACC)
Rank 5 Charge (+5 Damage -1 ACC)
Charge Mod BULL RUSH: Successful charge stuns target 1 turn
Rank 5 Light Armor (+25 MIT)

EQUIPPED
Name: Kusanagi | Item Type: Dagger | Tier 2
Enhancements: Bleed 2 | Damage 2
'Bleed Damage of 24 for 2 turns on a roll of 8-10'

Name: Beacon Necklace | Item Type: Pendant | Tier 2
Enhancements  +3 ACC 

Name: Infernal Shadow | Item Type: Light Armour | Tier 3
Enhancements:  +2 Eva | +1 Flame Aura
'Effect: Prevent (6 per slot * Tier) damage per slot from successful attacks against you. Successful non-critical attacks against you deal (5 per slot * Tier) unmitigated burn damage to the attacking enemy.

[Mari 1]

Mari...couldn't stay here; despite so many things inside of her screaming at her to just sit down and let fate run its course. Even if this was an event, she was finally in a jail cell. Wasn't this a just outcome for someone who was quite literally a criminal? Mari leaned against the Iron and sighed. Closing her eyes, maybe...this wouldn't be so bad. She had dealt with hunger before, she had dealt with isolation, so what made this any different?

"Tell me, what would honor the lives lost, and the lives yet to be lost more. To seclude yourself, and avoid contact with the world, or push onwards, do better, and fight to save more lives?"

Baldurs voice, strong and stalwart - and ever calm. Steady as the tide, it drifted into her head. She opened her eyes as she recalled his words. He was right. If she just gave up now, because of some event, what good would that do? What would that achieve? All that time she spent with Macradon training and talking about builds? The talks with Baldur? Getting her familiar? That would all be for absolutely nothing if she allowed herself to sit here and do nothing.

"F**k that sh*t!" Mari muttered as she drew her fist back and punched the iron gate that trapped her within the room. It vibrated, but hadn't moved.


1/4 To Break Gate

[Mari 1]

Mari bought back her fists and rubbed it. "Oww.." Maybe....punching the gate was a stupid idea...but there wasn't much else she could do, was there? Mari didn't have anything invested in stealth or lock-picking. Every skill point she had was invested in dealing damage. And the spare, was going to be divided between her familiar and battle healing, with the suggestion of Macradon. "Can I even get out of this?" She asked in exasperation as she shook the wrought iron again. It shook, this time more than she previously tested.

"Ahhh..."

So her hit had weakened it. Of course it'd take a few hits. In what world would iron fall to someone punching it? Even in a virtual fantasy world such a feat seemed...idiotic. Well, stupid is as stupid does. Right? Mari bought her fist high over her head and punched the wrought iron that trapped her once more. She'd get out of here, she'd prove to people that she could and would fight for others once more. 

 

2/4 To Break Gate

[Mari 1]

Mari shook off her hand, they stung, but only as much as the system would allow - which was nothing more than a faint tingling sensation akin to pins and needles. It wasn't pleasant but it wasn't entirely bad either. Mari didn't want to waste time. She wanted to get out of here, sides... how amusing it would be to tell Macardon she was imprisoned again 

So, once again Mari found herself punching the bars that kept her from her freedom.

A metallic thrum rang throughout the cell. Mari took a step back, half expecting it to come crashing down but it remained stalwart. Mari grit her teeth. This...wasn't good. She was beginning to make too much noise. Were there guards? Surely there would be right? This was a prison after all.  Mari stepped back up to the bars and pressed her head as tight to them as she could. Blue eyes glanced from one side, to the other.

She had yet to see anything. No sign of life or movement from the dark corridor. She couldn't see movement from the cell directly across from her either, it was too dark to see the entirety of it. But it looked empty. "So I'm alone here."  But, wasn't she always alone?

 

3/4 To Break Gate

[Mari 1]

That may have been the case before...

But not now. She had people willing to help her, people she could close her eyes, and think about; and those people would bring soft smiles to her face. Her time within this virtual hellhole had been turbulent, and anything but a relief. Any brief moments of reprise she had...were taken away from her in way or another. But now... now it felt like she had some grounds. Now she felt like they wouldn't be taken away from her so easily, and there'd be hell to pay to anyone or anything that'd try. 

And right now, that anything was right before her. Mari punched it once more, the entire iron gate shook. Mari took several steps back as it shook from its frame. It finally collapsed outward in a large crash that up-heaved dust and dirt from the ground. "Hah!" Mari didn't delay, she stepped over the bars and out of her cell. "Right... now to find my stuff..." 

[Mari 1]

 <<Alert>> !!3 posts till guard encounter!!

Mari heard bells ringing, loud and obnoxious. "Urgh..." She clenched her jaw. Of course she wasn't actually alone. She wasn't sure how long she had till she was attacked - and right now, she was quite literally defenseless. She had been stripped of all her items. They'd even taken the harness that Macradon had given her. "Stupid thieves." She muttered as she made her way down the corridor. She would have to find them. So down the singular path she went in hopes she'd come across something.

"Oh thank f**k." Mari said as she knelt down by the wooden crate; it was obvious this was where her items were. She pulled it open to reveal everything she had on her. Mari started to grab the items, equipping her armour - putting her pendant back around her neck...clipping the dagger to her side. Right...now to prepare for the upcoming battle that she would no doubt deal with. 

Mari started going through her consumables. "Hmm...what would work here...dammit....Mac warned me I should be more prepared than this."

[Mari 1]

 

<Alert>> !! 2 posts till guard encounter!!

 

"Ahh..Pizza rolls...." Mari's stomach grumbled. Night had given her these... but she had yet to eat them, saving them for a moment when she'd need them. Right now, seemed like the perfect time to grab one. It was small enough to shove the entire thing into her mouth. She chewed, savoring the taste. Tomato, basil and cheese. Simple, but effective. 

When was the last time I even ate anything that had flavour? Mari thought to herself. She didn't want it to end, but now was a time for escape, and not a time to dilly dally as she sat and ate on the floor.  As she ate the pizza roll Mari pulled out another item. She had a few of these, so using one now wouldn't be a total loss for her. Besides she could always take the quest again. Mari used the <<Matriach's Stinger>> Poison and coated her blood red blade in it. Mari grabbed field rations and ate that too, washing it down with some water from her water canister, which she strapped to a clip on her belt. She had a feeling she'd need it throughout the venture.

Finally, Mari came across an item she completely forgot about...."Strange....Brew...."  Memories flooded back to her, where she had been turned into a frog. She visibly shivered. She did not want that to happen again. Still...if she did, at least she'd do it here, and the guards wouldn't be looking for a frog. Right?

Welp, may as well give it a go, what was the worst that could possibly happen?

Down went the potion....

Mari felt a gurgle. Then she grew, almost twice her size.  So now, she was a little taller than Ronnel. "Whoa..." She looked at her hands. She didn't feel different. But hey, growing taller was better than turning into a frog!



ID:135686  CD: 4
3-7: Supersize! Grow twice your current size for the duration of a thread or up to one game day, which ever comes first.  Gain +2 DMG while supersized!

-Consumed [T1E3] Homemade Pizza Rolls x 1  =  +3 LD
-used 1 matriachs Stinger = +1 Damage
-used Field Rations +2 = +150 max health
-used water canister Water Canister (2 charges left)   Grants +(15) health regeneration while out of combat. Effect lasts for one thread. Item is destroyed once all charges have been used.
 

Spoiler

 

Strange Brew -Halloween Special Event Item
Drink the potion and resolve the CD with the table below. This does not require a post action.

1-2: Ah, Frog-it! Transform into a toad for your next 2  posts.  You cannot take any combat actions or use items while toadafied.
3-7: Supersize! Grow twice your current size for the duration of a thread or up to one game day, which ever comes first.  Gain +2 DMG while supersized!
8-12: Gender Bender! Transform into the opposite gender! This transformation lasts for one game day or a single thread, whichever comes first.  Gain an insight bonus resulting in +3 skill points.

 

 

 

General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070+120=1190/1190  |Energy: 104

STATS
DAM: 11  +3 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 |  LD+3

SKILLS
Rank 5 Weapon (+5 DMG)
-Weapon Mod: Precision (+1 ACC)
Rank 5 Charge (+5 Damage -1 ACC)
Charge Mod BULL RUSH: Successful charge stuns target 1 turn
Rank 5 Light Armor (+25 MIT)

EQUIPPED
Name: Kusanagi | Item Type: Dagger | Tier 2
Enhancements: Bleed 2 | Damage 2
'Bleed Damage of 24 for 2 turns on a roll of 8-10'

Name: Beacon Necklace | Item Type: Pendant | Tier 2
Enhancements  +3 ACC 

Name: Infernal Shadow | Item Type: Light Armour | Tier 3
Enhancements:  +2 Eva | +1 Flame Aura
'Effect: Prevent (6 per slot * Tier) damage per slot from successful attacks against you. Successful non-critical attacks against you deal (5 per slot * Tier) unmitigated burn damage to the attacking enemy.

 

Edited February 10, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

<Alert>> !! 1 posts till guard encounter!!

 

It was weird...everything felt so much smaller now that she was taller. Mari glanced down at her arms and legs, thankfully - it appeared her clothing had grown with her. The last  thing she needed was a hulk situation. Somehow she doubted anyone would want to see her running around in nothing more than ripped pants. Also, that'd be extremely uncomfortable for the woman. Could you imagine? No support! Mari shook the image from her head as she followed the path. She could hear voices up ahead.

"We should head to town after this." She heard one voice say.

"Nah, I ain't got the money for that lavish sh*t. Let's stay here and drink our fill from our own coffers, we got the ale to spare."

"I'm in the mood for somethin' more expensive, aye, I know. I'll rough up the tavern owner; round will be on me."

She heard a loud gaffaw. She grimaced. They talked so casually about that sort of thing. Still, she talked casually of others...so she couldn't judge them. Mari turned the corner to see the owners of the voices. Two guards who looked very similar to one another, each with dark eyes and bushy beards. One however, was missing several teeth. 

"Err.. hi, mind telling me where the exist is?"


"What are you doing out of your cell?" Cried the more toothy one as he drew his large polearm on her.

Welp. No time to waste, Mari drew her own weapon. "Well...if you won't tell me, I guess I'll have to fight my way through."

"Over my dead body!" The man hissed.

well...

That could be arranged. Mari had no qualms about killing aggressive NPCs.

Edited February 10, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

Mari charged at the nearest one, he barely had time to aim his weapon at her before Mari activated a Sword Art ability, her dagger shone with <<Fad Edge>> As she leapt up and struck him four times in quick succession. The first bandit guard exploded in an array of pixelated data. He had no hope. Good. The guards were easy. Mari glanced down at her hand and clenched it. Was it because she was taller and bigger now? Did that make this easier? Or were these guys just that weak?

"Conroy!" The other shouted, he griped his polearm tighter, then charged at Mari whilst shouting various insults at her. His movements were large, and clumsy, so Mari easily side-stepped him. He tumbled and struggled to right himself. "You f**king wrench!"

Mari shrugged her shoulders, "Hey, you're the ones that locked me up. Remember? 'Sides who in their right mind has a name like Conroy, and decides to become a bandit anyway?"



General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070+120=1190/1190  |Energy: 104
STATS
DAM: 11  +3 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 |  LD+3

ID:135687  BD: 9 + 4-2=CRIT SUCCESS
14 x 4 = 60 - 20 = 40
[x4] Fad Edge (4 Energy) - The user swiftly strikes the opponent with four thrusts in brisk succession.

BANDIT GUARD #1  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT
BANDIT GUARD #2  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT
ID:13588    MOB:6+1-3=4  MISS

 

 

General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070+120=1190/1190  |Energy: 104

STATS
DAM: 11  +3 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 |  LD+3

SKILLS
Rank 5 Weapon (+5 DMG)
-Weapon Mod: Precision (+1 ACC)
Rank 5 Charge (+5 Damage -1 ACC)
Charge Mod BULL RUSH: Successful charge stuns target 1 turn
Rank 5 Light Armor (+25 MIT)

EQUIPPED
Name: Kusanagi | Item Type: Dagger | Tier 2
Enhancements: Bleed 2 | Damage 2
'Bleed Damage of 24 for 2 turns on a roll of 8-10'

Name: Beacon Necklace | Item Type: Pendant | Tier 2
Enhancements  +3 ACC 

Name: Infernal Shadow | Item Type: Light Armour | Tier 3
Enhancements:  +2 Eva | +1 Flame Aura
'Effect: Prevent (6 per slot * Tier) damage per slot from successful attacks against you. Successful non-critical attacks against you deal (5 per slot * Tier) unmitigated burn damage to the attacking enemy.

 

Edited February 28, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

"CONROY WAS A DECENT MAN!" Shouted the other bandit, if Mari was closer, she would have been hit in the face by the spittle that came from the gaps in his teeth.
 

"If he was a decent man, he wouldn't have been a bandit, and neither of you would have taken someone minding their own business." Mari replied calmly as her dagger flashed, she activated <Fad Edge> again.
 

The second Guards beady dark eyes glanced down to her weapon then back up to her. "You're a f**king bitch!" He shouted, as he charged at her. Not much for small talk, was he?
 

Mari ducked under his swing and then she missed. Oh no she missed whatever shall she do well Mari was a good thinker yes she was so she would just have to attack him again the next post, oops is that breaking the fourth wall, oh well it doesn’t matter.

General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070+120=1190/1190  |Energy: 100/104
STATS
DAM: 11  +3 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 |  LD+3

ID:135689    BD: 3 +4 = 7-2 MISS
13 x 4 = 56 - 20 = 36
[x4] Fad Edge (4 Energy) - The user swiftly strikes the opponent with four thrusts in brisk succession.

BANDIT GUARD #1  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT
BANDIT GUARD #2  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT
 

 

 

General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070+120=1190/1190  |Energy: 104

STATS
DAM: 11  +3 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 |  LD+3

SKILLS
Rank 5 Weapon (+5 DMG)
-Weapon Mod: Precision (+1 ACC)
Rank 5 Charge (+5 Damage -1 ACC)
Charge Mod BULL RUSH: Successful charge stuns target 1 turn
Rank 5 Light Armor (+25 MIT)

EQUIPPED
Name: Kusanagi | Item Type: Dagger | Tier 2
Enhancements: Bleed 2 | Damage 2
'Bleed Damage of 24 for 2 turns on a roll of 8-10'

Name: Beacon Necklace | Item Type: Pendant | Tier 2
Enhancements  +3 ACC 

Name: Infernal Shadow | Item Type: Light Armour | Tier 3
Enhancements:  +2 Eva | +1 Flame Aura
'Effect: Prevent (6 per slot * Tier) damage per slot from successful attacks against you. Successful non-critical attacks against you deal (5 per slot * Tier) unmitigated burn damage to the attacking enemy.

 

Edited March 21, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

Remember how Mari missed before? Well Mari didn’t like that so she probably said something insulting to the guard and the guard probably said something insulting back. Mari probably got all angry like grr grrr how dare you you fool, and he was all ‘hahaha I’m a bad guy and have bad guy generic dialogue.

So Mari activated <<Fadd Edge>> Again but guess what oh that’s right folks, she missed again.  Mari grit her teeth and kicked at the floor because she was emotional and felt emotions like anger and rage and annoyance, because gosh diddly darn it she wanted to fight this stupid bandit and get the heckers out of that stinkly ol’ bandit hideout. But luck wasn’t on her side today, no siree.

“I’ll get you next time maybe or my name isn’t Mari!” She cried out to the guard.

“But that isn’t your name this is just a digital representation of yourself!” Cried the guard back, wow low blow dude.

At least they had some interesting banter, probably. Who knows. Not me.

General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070+120=1190/1190  |Energy: 98/104
STATS
DAM: 11  +3 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 |  LD+3

ID:138451 BD: 3 +4 = 7-2 MISS
13 x 4 = 56 - 20 = 36
[x4] Fad Edge (4 Energy) - The user swiftly strikes the opponent with four thrusts in brisk succession.

BANDIT GUARD #1  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT
BANDIT GUARD #2  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT

Edited March 21, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

Mari had to make this quick, quicker than quick. She had to beat the guard. So for a bloody third time in a row, she activated << Fad Edge.>>

In quick succession struck him four times in his chest. He exploded, just like his fallen compatriot had. In little more than a single attack. Mari was beginning to understand why Macradon was so bored, and she was swathes of levels below him.
 

Well...that worked out better than expected. Mari kicked the two long spears, they clattered as she nudged them to the side of the corridor with her foot. There was little reason for being quiet now. More would come soon. "So long Conroy, and Conroy's friend." Mari said with a short wave as she continued onto the next room. If the rest of the venture was like this...then well, this would be a cake walk.

She could still hear the bells ringing, so like any sane person would do - she headed toward the sound. Since, the guards must be coming in from somewhere.

 

General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070+120=1190/1190  |Energy: 94/104
STATS
DAM: 11  +3 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 |  LD+3

ID:138474 BD: 5 +4 = 9-2 HIT
13 x 4 = 56 - 20 = 36
[x4] Fad Edge (4 Energy) - The user swiftly strikes the opponent with four thrusts in brisk succession.

BANDIT GUARD #1  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT
BANDIT GUARD #2  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT

Edited March 21, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

<<Alert>> !!2 posts till guard encounter!!

The bells continued to ring, signallling a breakout. Mari wished she had been able to do this more stealthily. If she had the pick-locking skill she'd have been able to discreetly unlock the gate - if she had any sort of hiding skill like Macardon suggested she look into...she'd have been able to sneak around some of the guards rather than fight them all. But the woman couldn't live by what ifs and what could have beens. She was here now, and her main priority was getting out.

With her left hand against the wall of the dimly lit corridor Mari continued down the path, attempting to follow the ringing sound. Someone had to be making that godawful racket, right? Maybe if she took them out the sound would stop.

"At least I know they're bandits..." Mari muttered to herself. It was...a big relief to her to know that these were just hostile NPCs - similar to perhaps a Dark Elf, they were humanoid, well...human in appearance - but no one would miss them if they were struck down.

Edited March 21, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

<<Alert>> !! 1 posts till guard encounter !!

The corridoor opened up to a small room and Mari had to duck under the door to fit. "Whoa..." That was... a first, she never had to duck under anything before. Guess the potion was pretty nifty. It was a shame she only had the one, "Being tall definitely beats being a f**king frog." Mari muttered. The room looked like it was a break room of some sort. It was small, and had a small table with wooden cups on it. Mari approached the table. Upon closer inspection she noticed there was a plate with....sweet rolls on it. Mari snorted in mild amusement as she picked one up. In a single day Mari had eaten more than she had in the entire month.

She casually started to eat it as she inspected the room. there was little more of interest. A closest against one wall which no doubt housed uniforms and weapons, and a door opposite. There was no way to go but forward. Although it'd be amusing to chill out in their break room and catch them unawares, Mari had better things to do.

Edited March 21, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

Still munching on the sweet roll Mari now walked down the dimly lit corridor - the bell was still ringing, and it was beginning to give her a headache. "Ugh...really...." She muttered between bites. Still - it was her best chance of getting out of this place. The last thing she needed to do was bother Macradon by getting trapped here because she got lost.

....She was pretty terrible with directions.  If it weren't for the small minimap on the HUD Mari would have been lost multiple times in the past.  It was a shame real life didn't have one of those things handy.

Voices were up ahead, more guards, right? If there were more ahead then she was going the right way.

Mari turned the corner to see two guards- both with mops of black hair. "Err...Hi?" She said with a small wave.

"Oi, What are you doin' here?" THe first one said - they honestly looked almost identical so Mari would just call them Guard 3 and Guard 4. No names, no cries of vengeance just butty NPC bandits.

"Uhm, so I notice there's like, a cross section up ahead. Which way is out?" Mari asked.

"THere is NO way we're telling you which way to go!"

Mari sighed. Right. No. That'd be too easy.

Oh well, a fight it is. So once again she whipped out her dagger and activated <<Fad Edge>>
 

She darted forward and quickly struck the first guard four times. He disintegrated into a flurry of pixels. This...was almost too easy. Maybe she was leveling too fast...

General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070+120=1190/1190  |Energy: 90/104
STATS
DAM: 11  +3 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 |  LD+3

ID:138477 BD: 7 +4 = 11-2 HIT
13 x 4 = 56 - 20 = 36
[x4] Fad Edge (4 Energy) - The user swiftly strikes the opponent with four thrusts in brisk succession.

BANDIT GUARD #3  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT
BANDIT GUARD #4  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT

 

Edited March 21, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

The second guard gave a guttoral scream and went to strike her with his large polearm, but Mari side stepped him and he stumbled forward to the floor.

"Which way is the way out?"

"R-Right!"

Mari wasn't sure if he was lying, but he looked scared, and most people...told the truth when they were afraid. She offered him a small smile. "Thanks. I appreciate that."

She sighed, she wished she could just leave the guy alone. He may be an NPC, a bandit no less - but still. Cutting them down like this felt...almost wrong. "Hey...what's your name?"

"B-Brandon!"

"Hey Brandon, you shouldn't have joined these Bandits, yanno."

Brandon was literally shivering on the floor - Mari grimaced. She didn't want to hurt him, not really. Sure he was a bandit, and an NPC - but when people acted like that? You'd have to be inhuman to not feel some pang of pain. "P-please... I joined to h-help my family...."
 

Didn't the other guy say something similar. Mari tilted her head. "Is there..some sort of discourse to have you all result to doing this? Like is there a lack of food? Is there some kind of monster attacking your homes?"

"Y-Yes! Both those things, our village is ravaged and -"

"Ok, ok..." Mari said, interrupting him. "I'm not gonna attack you, as long as you dont attack me."

She stepped over his shaking form. She doubted it, but if he left her alone, she'd give him the same grace - Mari wanted to conserve her energy anyway. She wasn't sure what was waiting for her outside this area, and she wasn't about to leave herself in the lurch.

As she had her back to the guard; he started to cackle, a throaty laughter. "hahaha you stupid b**ch."  He clambered up and went to charge at her, but Mari quickly stepped out of the way, she was expecting something like this to happen. What a pain.

Mari sighed. "You know...you're the one calling me stupid - but you're the one who missed. Even after attacking someone who had their back turned. So tell me, Brandon...." Mari said as she turned to face him. All the gusto had left his face when he realized he did no damage to her whatsoever. His grip on the large polearm tensed, and the weapon shook with his own trepidation.

"You see..." Mari said as she pulled out her dagger. "Me not attacking you, it wasn't to spare you, it wasn't because I felt pity for  you - I kinda guessed you were lying , but it was to conserve my own energy reserves - but no, you had to play the big bad guy didn't you, Brandon?"

Her dagger flashed a hot white; and using that instant of blindness Mari attacked the guard, four quick strikes and he was down. Dead. Gone.

Another NPC that wouldn't walk the face of Aincrad anymore. "I really didn't want to do that."

 

General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070+120=1190/1190  |Energy: 86/104
STATS
DAM: 11  +3 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 |  LD+3

ID:138478 BD: 5 +4 = 9-2 HIT
13 x 4 = 56 - 20 = 36
[x4] Fad Edge (4 Energy) - The user swiftly strikes the opponent with four thrusts in brisk succession.

BANDIT GUARD #3  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT
BANDIT GUARD #4  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT

Edited March 21, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

<<Alert>> !!2  posts till guard encounter!!

<Searching for Exit!  LD17+ to find!>

Now...that guard...Brandon...  he told her to go right. Hah. As if she'd believe that. Nuhuh, Mari was smarter than that. He was a bandit, there was no way in hell that he was telling her the truth. Mari didn't trust him as far as she could throw him, and she couldn't throw him at all. So when it came to the split in the path, Mari veered left. "Stupid guard thinks he's so smart." Mari muttered herself as she continued down the dimly lit corridor - in just a few short minutes she will be home free.

She'd have finished another quest and she could put this stupid maze of a hideout behind her. Alas, things never went according to plan for the ginger haired woman. Before her stood a tall and blank wall.

It was a dead end. Mari groaned loudly when she saw the blank wall in front of her. "Are you KIDDING me?!?" She asked as she kicked the wall. "As IF he was actually telling the truth! There is NO way he was! UGh..."

  ID138479:   LD:11+3 =14 FAIL

Edited March 21, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

<Alert>> !!1 posts till guard encounter!!

Mari was still cussing under her breath as she turned away from the dead end - she was sure, so very sure that Brandon had been lying. He had lied about being an unfortunate person being forced into the life of a bandit, and he had no doubt being lying about the exit....right?  Mari groaned as she slapped her own face, fingers dragging the skin down. "This. Is. So. Frustrating." She muttered. Mari just wanted to get out of here- if anything to stop that endless ringing that was echoing throughout the area. The constant ringing and chiming of bells.

"How does one person cause such a ruckus..." Mari mumbled to herself. "All this fuss for a single escaped prisoner ...it's madness, you'd think they'd at least shut up that stupid damn bell...it's giving me a headache..."  Mari paused when she saw the same intersection she had come across earlier, whilst Brandon was gone - his weapon still lie there, uselessly discarded on the floor. She rubbed her temples and sighed. "I still can't believe he was telling the truth..."

"Is it just me or is this ringing getting louder...." Mari asked herself. That...was a good thing though wasn't it? It meant that she was close to the guards manning the exit. It meant she could whomp them and stop them from making that infernal racket. Mari followed the length of the corridor - a hand gently caressing the left hand wall - it wasn't too dark here, but it helped keep her grounded. Mari had to remember, she was twice as tall now than she normally was. Everything seemed...smaller. Even the guards. A wry smile forced its way onto her lips.  It'll be a fun tale to tell Mac anyway.

Mari continued along the path, noticing that it seemed to get brighter and louder  she neared a wooden door and placed her hand on it. She could feel the vibrations permeating off of it, right...so Brandon was telling the truth, this would lead to the exit...she could hear muffled words too - it almost sounded like fighting.

Well, no time to waste.

Mari took a step back and Kicked the door, hard.

Edited March 21, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

BOOM
 

Down the door bounced off the wall and shut right in Mari's face again. "Are you kidding me?" Mari kicked the door again, this time, with less force. It hit the wall, and didn't bounce back to slam into her face this time. Staring at her were two very bewildered looking guards. One was standing under a bell, his meaty hand wrapped tightly around a rope as he was belting the bell with as much force as he could.

"IM RIGHT HERE!" Mari shouted over the loud noise, "DO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT?"

"WHAT?"

"I said DO YOU. HAVE To. DO THAT." Mari tried to shout between the incessant ringing.

"WHAT!?"

....He did not stop ringing the bell.

Mari sighed as she pulled out her dagger, it flashed brightly as she dashed forward - she was aiming for the guy ringing the bell, but his companion had jumped in, blocking the blow - and sadly, falling qutie quickly. Heck....Mari didn't even get the guys name. Her dagger tore through him multiple times before he collapsed onto the floor, then disappeared - leaving naught but a single large sword in his wake.

"Well? Gonna stop ringing that now?" Mari asked.

 

(He did not)

General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070+120=1190/1190  |Energy: 82/104
STATS
DAM: 11  +3 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 |  LD+3

ID:138480 BD: 6 +4 = 8-2 HIT
13 x 4 = 56 - 20 = 36
[x4] Fad Edge (4 Energy) - The user swiftly strikes the opponent with four thrusts in brisk succession.

BANDIT GUARD #5  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT
BANDIT GUARD #6  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT

Edited March 21, 2020 by Mari

[Mari 1]

"Would you STOP!" Mari cried out to the guard who was still ringing the bell.

"Make me sweetcheeks! I'll RING THIS ALL DAY ERRYDAY!" He shouted as she started to hit the bell louder, if that were even possible. With his free hand he started to fist pump the air. "Woop Woop! WHat up B**ches! Corey in the Mother fu-"  He never could finish his sentence...

Mari had quickly activated the <<Fad Edge>> Skill and tore into him. Four quick thrusts in succession, and it wasn't until after the fourth strike did he cough, letting go of the bell. He sank to his knees in an overly dramatic fashion. Mari stepped back as he feebly reached out to clasp onto her clothing. His hands landed on her boot. "Not cool, Bruh. Not cool." And with that, he disappeared- and there was silence in the air. Mari breathed a sigh of relief. "About bloody damn time.." She mumbled to herself.

General
Level: 52 | HP: 1070+120=1190/1190  |Energy: 78/104
STATS
DAM: 11  +3 | EVA 3  | MIT 43 | ACC 4 |  LD+3

ID:138481 BD: 10 +4 = 14-2 HIT
13 x 4 = 56 - 20 = 36
[x4] Fad Edge (4 Energy) - The user swiftly strikes the opponent with four thrusts in brisk succession.

BANDIT GUARD #5  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT
BANDIT GUARD #6  30HP  | +1 ACC | +2 EVA | + 20 MIT

Edited March 21, 2020 by Mari