⌈ Floor 1 ⋅ Solo Party ⌋ Your Strength Becomes Mine <<Training Your Friend>>

[MISERY 1]

MISERY sized up for his next attack against the second boar, but was blindsided by a blistering attack from the first. It wasn't that it hurt, or even particularly displaced MISERY. It was just enough of an impact to make him miss. Which was disappointing, because that was exactly the purpose of the bees. Had they been properly trained, his attack would have hit its mark. It was because they had not yet been fully trained that they were out here in the first place.

That was a turn squandered. Disappointing, but not the end of the world. The next would find its mark and, with any luck, the first boar would soon do itself in against his thorns. That would leave behind only MISERY and the second boar. Having only a single target to worry about would make things quite a bit easier, and it was only by the grace of Cardinal that such a thing would be permitted in the first place. His set had worked flawlessly at the beginning of the battle, and he had faith it would again toward the end.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 99+10-1=99/100 | EN: 6+1-2=5/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 6, -2 EN FOR MISS

Boar 5: HP: 19-12=7/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136260 | BD: x | BLEED INFLICTS 12 DMG | BLEED EXPIRES | MD: 9, Crit for 16-18=1 DMG | REGEN REFRESHED
Boar 6: HP: 50/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136261 | BD: 4, Miss | MD: 5, Miss

 

[MISERY 1]

The first boar attacked again, but this time thorns did it in. With that pest out of the way, there was nothing stopping MISERY from taking a shot at the second. The scythe shot forward, its blade gleaming with light as it carved a fresh gash straight through the creature. The sheer impact from the hit knocked it back several feet, out of range of a counter attack. MISERY stifled a chuckle as it snorted in frustration and slowly rose to its feet, clearly crippled by the bleed that had been inflicted.

That seemed about right, all things considered. This battle was going much the same as the ones before it had. The boars would attack, hurt themselves and die. If they did not attack, MISERY's intensely sharp blade could do the job - even without the use of Sword Arts. MISERY hadn't witnessed his set work so marvelously - and consistently - since he first conceived of it. Where there had once been doubt, there was nothing but the utmost confidence that he was following the correct path.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 99+10-1=99/100 | EN: 5+1-1=5/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 6, -1 EN

Boar 5: HP: 7-18=0/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136265 | BD: x | MD: 8, Hit for 15-18=1 DMG | THORNS DEAL 18 DMG | REGEN REFRESHED
Boar 6: HP: 50-2-12=36/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136267 | BD: 9, Crit for 2 DMG | BLEED INFLICTED | BLEED INFLICTS 12 DMG | MD: 5, Miss

Looting
Boar 5
ID: 136266
LD: 7 | CD: 6
300 col
(2) T1 Materials
(1) T1 Rare Trinket [ID: 136266]

 

[MISERY 1]

Ah, there it was. The ferocity he'd so longed to see from this creature. It had been spurred by the recent lashing it had received, and its fight or flight mode had finally kicked in. Perhaps predictably, it went with fight, and rammed into MISERY's side with all of its might.

It barely did anything, of course. But it had managed to emerge from the exchange unscathed. That is, aside from the bleed damage that was still sapping its health away pixel by painstaking pixel. 

Eventually, it seemed as though the affliction had run its course. The status icon faded, and its health ceased plummeting. There was still a decent chunk that remained - just under half. It would take another good hit, or some consistent thorns damage, to bring it down and present the loot it held. Either of those methods, MISERY could oblige. He only hoped he had the creativity to persevere.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 99+10-1=99/100 | EN: 5+1-1=5/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10
Regen: 1/3

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 6, -1 EN

Boar 6: HP: 36-1-12=23/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136275 | BD: 7, Hit for 1 DMG | BLEED INFLICTS 12 DMG | BLEED EXPIRES | MD: 10, Crit for 17-18=1 DMG | REGEN REFRESHED

 

[MISERY 1]

And then, the strangest thing happened. The boar simply stopped in its tracks. Despite the fire it had shown only moments before, it suddenly didn't seem too keen on continuing the battle. It couldn't - or rather, shouldn't have been that it had gotten cold hooves over the whole ordeal. Their last exchange had ended with it not taking any reflected damage. In fact, this mob in particular hadn't taken any thorns damage whatsoever. So why had it suddenly lost interest in the battle?

For some reason, MISERY sensed a trap. Something that would cause him to let his guard down, leaving him open to a brutal retaliation. Which was silly, of course, because it was a basic mob on the first floor. A boar, no less. In what way could a boar possibly hope to sell such a rouse? Once again, MISERY was simply overthinking things.

And despite knowing this, the hairs on the back of his neck still stood at attention. Something wasn't right about the whole situation. He would need to dispatch this mob quickly and select a new location to continue the hunt if he was to shake this foreboding sensation.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 99+10=100/100 | EN: 5+1-2=4/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10
Regen: 1/3

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 6, -2 EN FOR MISS

Boar 6: HP: 23/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136276 | BD: 3, Miss | MD: 2, Miss 

 

[MISERY 1]

Enough of this. It was time to test the waters. MISERY slowly walked toward the boar, which seemed to track his movements but not regard him as a legitimate threat. Curious, MISERY cocked his head at the creature, which cocked its own head right back at him. What exactly was it that was happening here? Had the boar come to perceive him as a hostile mob, much the same as it was? Was it possible that MISERY was a hostile mob that had tricked itself into believing it was a player.

He'd been out here too long. Absolutely none of that made sense, and he knew it. His mind was playing tricks on him again. The same happened anytime there was a particularly maddening and repetitive venture. His mind would wander in ways unbecoming of him.

So he smacked the creature with the blunt side of his scythe to stir it from whatever trance it had put itself into. They weren't the same. They weren't even comparable. And MISERY was more than happy to remind it of that one simple fact.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 100/100 | EN: 4+1-1=4/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10
Regen: 2/3

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 6, -1 EN

Boar 6: HP: 23-1=22/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136277 | BD: 6, Hit for 1 DMG | MD: 4, Miss 

 

[MISERY 1]

Despite having just received a swift thwack upside the noggin, the creature remained steadfast and unmoving. Its beady eyes peered into the holes of MISERY's mask, straight into the crimson pools that swirled within. Once again, MISERY silently inquired as to what it was that was taking place here. Was the boar paralyzed by some unseen force? No, its status bar would have indicated as such. Frozen in fear, perhaps? No, that didn't match up with its behavior before all of this started. Maybe it had become glitched, doomed to stand in place, panicking as its limbs listened not to the commands its feeble mind issued. Watching as its natural predator casually strolled up to it, inspected it, smacked it, then went in for the kill.

It was suffering, and MISERY was all too happy to put it out of its... well, misery. It would have been foolish to not take advantage of such an accommodating target, anyways.

So he sank his scythe into it.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 100/100 | EN: 4+1-1=4/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10
Regen: 3/3

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 6, -1 EN

Boar 6: HP: 22-3-12=7/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136278 | BD: 10, Crit for 3 DMG | BLEED INFLICTED | BLEED INFLICTS 12 DMG | MD: 4, Miss 

 

[MISERY 1]

The scythe had done its job, tearing open a new wound from which the boars blood would pour. Despite the end being in sight, it still remained frozen in place. It had definitely become glitched. In all his time in Aincrad, MISERY had neither witnessed nor heard of any mob behaving this way. There was no reason for it, but MISERY supposed he appreciate the free loot.

And boy, was it decent loot. Another rare armor to add to his ever growing collection. With each he obtained, his chances of getting something truly unique increased. It was a shame, though, that he had to pay for each identification he commissioned.

The tide was turning, however. He was finally reaching a point where the col he earned on these excursions outweighed the col he lost from the identifications. The reward from the first Arabian Nights quest had carried him this far, but from this point on, he would be carrying himself.

Thanks, Cordelia.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 100/100 | EN: 4+1=5/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 6, -1 EN

Boar 6: HP: 7-12=0/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: x | BD: x | BLEED INFLICTS 12 DMG | Boar 6 defeated

Looting
Boar 6
ID: 136279
LD: 18 | CD: 8
350 col
(1) T1 Rare Consumable
(1) T1 Rare Armor/Shield

 

[MISERY 1]

With the mobs out of the way, it was time to inspect his bees and see if any progress had been made. They'd under performed a bit in that last exchange, so MISERY had his doubts that anything had been done to further their cause. He had needed to do most of the work himself, which was no easy feat without the use of any Sword Arts.

As the bee was squashed between his fingers, just as the ones before it, MISERY knew. There was no tangible difference between the last time and now. They had been slacking, perhaps tired with the perpetual combat. But that was the point of all of this. Throughout their lives they would know nothing but combat. This was a sort of preparation for that.

No matter. The next round of boars would be here soon. He would compel the bees to work harder, and overcome their shortcomings from the encounter before. It was the least they could do for hanging him out to dry in the way that they had.
 

Spoiler

Training Familiar.
ID: 136280
CD: 3
Attempt failed.

 

[MISERY 1]

There they were. More helpful victims funneled in to fill the hooves of those dispelled before. The algorithms were working in top form today to churn the cretins out as fast as physically possible, lest MISERY reduce every mob on the floor to cinders faster than it could manage to keep up. They noticed him immediately, and both dashed forward in unison, a different tactic than the herds before them had employed. 

MISERY reacted in kind, brandishing his weapon with zeal before lashing it forward and into one of the charged boars. It squealed in agony and double back to avoid taking any more damage, but the attack had left MISERY wide open for the other to land the perfect strike. Virtually no damage, of course, but no repercussions from thorns either. Yet again, the bees were failing to fulfill their duty. Was it even worth it to continue training such weak and lazy animals?
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 100-1=99/100 | EN: 6+1-1=6/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 7, -1 EN

Boar 7: HP: 50-1-12=37/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136281 | BD: 8, Hit for 1 DMG | BLEED INFLICTED | BLEED INFLICTS 12 DMG | MD: 3, Miss
Boar 8: HP: 50/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136282 | BD: x | MD: 10, Crit for 17-18=1 DMG | REGEN ACTIVATED

 

[MISERY 1]

Yes. Yes. Now they were really starting to kick it into high gear. Perhaps a little downtime was what the bees needed to set things straight, because as the boars came in for their next pass against MISERY, both found themselves damaged by the sting of the striped creatures. An opportunity like this one couldn't be put to waste, so MISERY lashed out with his scythe and raked it against the second boar. It, too, suffered bleed damage.

Both affected by thorns. Both affected by bleed. Regen was working. Mitigation was preventing damage. Once again, the set worked to perfection, each enhancement marrying the other in a chain of events that made victory assured. This was what he was built for. This was what was supposed to happen. And as MISERY had discovered, it often wasn't how things played out. But when they did, saying it was cathartic was underselling it. It was glorious.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 99+10-2=98/100 | EN: 6+1-1=6/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10
Regen: 1/3

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 8, -1 EN

Boar 7: HP: 37-12-18=7/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136283 | BD: x | BLEED INFLICTS 12 DMG | BLEED EXPIRES | MD: 7, Hit for 15-18=1 DMG | THORNS INFLICT 18 DMG | REGEN REFRESHED
Boar 8: HP: 50-2-12-18=18/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136284 | BD: 9, Crit for 2 DMG | BLEED INFLICTED | BLEED INFLICTS 12 DMG | MD: 7, Hit for 15-18=1 DMG | THORNS INFLICT 18 DMG

 

[MISERY 1]

He stepped forward, his foot carrying him without him even realizing it. Let the blade fly. It caught the second boar, and sliced it in twain. The two halves simultaneously burst into clouds of polygonal blue fractals, leaving behind only the first boar, which began to slowly back away.

Hah. It knew its end was coming. MISERY had hit a stride he'd never dreamed of, and the power was absolutely intoxicating. There was no hope of slowing him down. Everything, even the bees, were running together flawlessly. He was on a roll that just wouldn't stop.

Whitney would be proud.

Composure had been cast to the wind. Now all that remained was the drive to eviscerate everything that stood before him. Perhaps it was foolish, considering his low level and the environment. But he couldn't help himself. This was the most fun he'd had since getting trapped in this wretched game, and he was going to ride the high for as long as the system would let him.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 98+10-1=99/100 | EN: 6+1-1=6/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10
Regen: 1/3

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 8, -1 EN

Boar 7: HP: 7/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136285 | BD: x | MD: 3, Miss 
Boar 8: HP: 18-2-12-18=0/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136286 | BD: 9, Crit for 2 DMG | BLEED REFRESHED | BLEED INFLICTS 12 DMG | MD: 8, Hit for 15-18=1 DMG | THORNS INFLICT 18 DMG | REGEN REFRESHED | Boar 8 defeated

Looting
Boar 8
ID: 136287
LD: 19 | CD: 6
250 col
(2) T1 Materials
(1) T1 Perfect Trinket [ID: 136287A]
(1) T1 Perfect Armor/Shield [ID: 136287B]

 

[MISERY 1]

The problem with building up one's expectations, however, is that the fall from grace stings more than it ordinarily would.

As MISERY lurched forward to deliver the killing blow, he was surprised to find that the weapon swished gracelessly through the air and collided with nothing. There was no excuse for it. The reality was just that he had missed his mark, and badly.

The boar was sure to take advantage of this lapse of depth perception by rushing in and smashing its tusks into MISERY's ribs while he was off kilter from his embarrassing blunder. To make matters worse, the bees failed to inflict the thorns damage that would have otherwise obliterated the foolish mob.

A complete and utter failure. A waste of a turn. All of the momentum that MISERY had built up evaporated in an instant, and the mob that should have already disintegrated stood strong in defiance of the player's whim. It had to be put down.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 99+10-1=99/100 | EN: 6+1-2=5/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10
Regen: 1/3

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 7, -2 EN FOR MISS

Boar 7: HP: 7/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136289 | BD: 4, Miss | MD: 9, Crit for 16-18=1 DMG | REGEN REFRESHED

 

[MISERY 1]

MISERY took another step forward and swung the scythe in a wide arc. The boar ducked underneath and charged toward its would-be assailant. Instinctively, MISERY sidestepped the frenzied rush, but immediately cursed himself for doing so. He had no reason to try to avoid such a weak attack, and had it hit, the bees would have had another opportunity to finish what they'd started. Instead, he'd robbed them of the chance to even prove they could.

So it was another turn wasted. Longer that MISERY had to wait. He couldn't have imagined something like this happening even moments before. The boar was supposed to be dead by now. Yet it persisted. And the battle persisted. And the godawful reminder that MISERY's set was left completely up to chance continued to haunt him. He was playing the odds as best he could, but they didn't seem to be rolling out in his favor.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 99+10=100/100 | EN: 5+1-2=4/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10
Regen: 1/3

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 7, -2 EN FOR MISS

Boar 7: HP: 7/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136290 | BD: 5, Miss | MD: 5, Miss

 

[MISERY 1]

Another swing of the scythe. Miraculously, this time it struck the boar. Hard enough to force it off track and away from MISERY. What didn't happen was the bleed affliction. And since MISERY had so lovingly swatted it away from him, there was no thorns damage either.

And thus began the cycle of finding another way to fill the time.

He couldn't describe it, but it had always felt like a certain amount of time had to pass between each of these actions. Like there was some predetermined number of words he had to conjure and play through his head until the "turn" had been satisfied. It must have had something to do with being trapped in a game, with an oppressive system controlling the whims of absolutely everything that happened. It could get a bit exhausting, but it wasn't like there was actually anything he could do about it. He would be forced to toil away under Cardinal's rule for the foreseeable future, so all he could do was try his best to get used to it.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 100/100 | EN: 4+1-1=4/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10
Regen: 2/3

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 7, -1 EN

Boar 7: HP: 7-1=6/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136291 | BD: 7, Hit for 1 DMG | MD: 1, Miss

 

[MISERY 1]

A repeat of the last turn. Scythe swung. Boar hit. No bleed. No thorns. No nothing.

This had become the worst slog of the day thus far. MISERY hated being the sort of person to complain, but he just wanted this entire ordeal to be over. It was exhausting swinging this thing around over and over again. Contrary to how the beginning of this battle had played out, now nothing was working as intended. If they were, the boar would have been dead long ago, and perhaps MISERY would have concluded this seemingly unending effort to make his bees useful.

Lord knows they weren't as they currently were. The small wars waged throughout the day were a testament to that.

And now he waited. And waited. And waited some more. For this turn to be over, so he could start the next. With the hope that maybe, just maybe, it would be the last turn of the battle. But he wasn't about to hold his breath.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 100/100 | EN: 4+1-1=4/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10
Regen: 3/3

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 7, -1 EN

Boar 7: HP: 6-1=5/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136292 | BD: 6, Hit for 1 DMG | MD: 3, Miss

 

[MISERY 1]

Eureka. It was finally over. As MISERY raked the razor sharp blade of his scythe against the hide of the boar, bleed took effect and finally plunged the remainder of its health bar into oblivion. The boar, too, evaporated into nothingness with similar swiftness, leaving nothing behind but scattering blue glass and a loot panel.

Another weapon. At least the struggle had been worth it, provided the weapon revealed something that was actually useful. There was, after all, always the chance that it would end up with something as wretched as Keen attached to it.

Keen. Utter garbage.

Even then, if it had something like Burn, it would likely be worth keeping. MISERY had heard of quests that would provide him with an item to fill the final slot of the weapon. With something like Burn - or better yet, Blight - he could supplement with Bleed later on. Assuming, of course, that it didn't already have it. He would need to wait and see.
 

Spoiler

MISERY: HP: 100/100 | EN: 4+1-1=4/10 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 18 | THNS: 18 | BLD: 12 (8-10) | RGN: 10

MISERY used [x1] Basic Attack against Boar 7, -1 EN

Boar 7: HP: 5-3-12=0/50 | DMG: 15 | ID: 136293 | BD: 10, Crit for 3 DMG | BLEED INFLICTED | BLEED INFLICTS 12 DMG | Boar 7 defeated

Looting
Boar 7
ID: 136294
LD: 17 | CD: 2
250 col
(2) T1 Materials
(1) T1 Rare Consumable [ID: 136294A]
(1) T1 Rare Weapon [ID: 136294B]

 

[MISERY 1]

Considering how the last bout had gone, MISERY had his doubts that the bees had progressed to any significant degree on the durability front. But he'd be wasting his time if he didn't at least check.

He fumbled through his cloak. Their numbers had dwindled, and it was more difficult to get his hands around one than it had been previously. He would need to allow them time to replenish before their next excursion.

Finally, he got one between his fingers. When he held it up to inspect it, he found that it had a particular sheen that he hadn't seen before. He then tried to squash it between his thumb and index finger. When its exoskeleton wouldn't give, he tried harder. Still not luck.

Perfect. Only the strongest and most durable bees had survived. He released his striped companion, knowing that these bees would breed more bees of similar durability.

He'd done it. They could now protect him adequately. The deed was done.
 

Spoiler

Training Familiar.
ID: 136295
CD: 12
Attempt successful. (3/3)

 

[MISERY 1]

The sun was still high in the air. It was probably around midday. If the legends were true that a man had indeed spent an entire day training his familiar, MISERY was equally impressed as he was amused. Despite how long and arduous the process of training his bees had felt, it had only been a fraction of time in comparison to the gauntlet the other man had had to go through. But that was the sort of thing that happened when one chose a boar as their familiar. What a silly pet to try and train.

Though, MISERY now understood the man's plight to train it in the ways of accuracy. He'd never missed mobs so often in his entire life. It was a good thing that the final build he hoped to accomplish wouldn't have any need for things such as accuracy enhancements. Avoiding a strike that came from the shadows was a nigh insurmountable task. MISERY doubted that anyone, man or beast, had the wherewithall to accomplish a feat such as that.
 

Spoiler

Searching for materials.
ID: 136296
LD: 4
Material search failed.

 

[MISERY 1]

As he strolled through the fields on his way back to town, MISERY contemplated whether or not he would be capable of infiltrating them and remain undetected long enough to make his way to the teleportation plaza. His goal, in the end, was the tenth floor. The idea of using the stairs to make his way all the way up there was undesirable. He hoped he could make it, at least long enough to teleport away before the town's guards attacked. He could deal with getting out of the town he arrived in.

He was so distracted by these thoughts, in fact, that he almost didn't notice when his boot collided with something. It skittered across the grass, glinting in the sunlight, before coming to a stop beneath a nearby tree. MISERY approached, squatted, and scrutinized the artifact. It was a dark crystal of sorts - something that was out of place in the fields of the first floor. He retrieved it, stuffed it into his inventory, and continued along his merry way.
 

Spoiler

Searching for materials.
ID: 136297
LD: 19
(1) T1 Material found.

 

[MISERY 1]

He was nearing the gates now. It was nearly showtime. He was so close, in fact, that he could see the guards from where he stood. And they could see him. He hadn't yet drawn their aggro, but they were paying attention. Their looks of disapproval were a signal to MISERY. "Enter here and be punished," their eyes said. Enter I will, MISERY though. But punishment, I will not find.

He hid behind a nearby bush to prep his nearby stealth gear. As he sifted through his inventory in search of Cassim's ring, he noticed another unusual glint in the grass next to him. Why, it was another crystal. This one was bright and clear, the polar opposite of its cousin, which MISERY had scooped up only moments earlier. It, too, seemed equally out of place on the floor like this. Perhaps he could use it in tandem with the crystal before it to produce something truly special. There was no guarantee, but he intended to at least try.

Alright. It was time to go in.
 

Spoiler

Searching for materials.
ID: 136298
LD: 17
(1) T1 Material found.