[E3/SP/F21]More Spiders, I Guess <<Nature's Treasure>>

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar - Lvl 55
1140 HP
110 Energy
4 Accuracy (+1 Precision +3 Food)
3 Evasion (+1 Equipment +2 Food)
24 Base Damage - (1 Base +7 Skill +1 Ferocity +9 Familiar +1 Athletics +3 Potion + 1 Statue +2 Protein)
121 Mitigation (106 Equipment -30 Food +45 Food)
12 Fallen
2 Burn
Vampiric (Defensive)
Recovery
3 Loot Die
3 Prosperity

Equipment
Tesseleth’s Fury [Tier 3 Demonic Two-Handed Battleaxe] | Fallen, Fallen, Burn, Burn
Tactical Outfitting Mk.III [Tier 3 Perfect Light Armor] | Vampiric (Defensive), EVA, Recovery
Mythril Greaves [Tier 3 Perfect Heavy Armor] |  +81 MIT
Gloves of Caerus [Tier 1 Perfect Light Armor] | +3 Loot Die

Familiar
Leeroy & Jenkins - Familiar | +3*Tier DMG

Battle Ready Inventory
Teleportation Crystal
Empty Inventory Slot |
Empty Inventory Slot |
Empty Inventory Slot |
Empty Inventory Slot |
Empty Inventory Slot |

Buffs
Well-Rested | -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat.
Filling | Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 slot.
Relaxed | Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Col Stash | 5% Bonus Col from Monster kills and Chests
Squeaky Clean | The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25%

Skills
2HBA | Rank 5: +8 Damage
Light Armor | Rank 5: +25 Damage Mitigation
Battle Healing | Rank 5: Recover 5% of Max HP every round while in combat
Concentration | +1 to your BD (3 turn cooldown)
Survival | Heal 15*Tier HP when out of battle
Parry | 2-turn CD, 5 EN Half damage of next attack and remove Stun/Paralysis effects
Fishing | Gain materials/encounter enemies based on CD result.

Skill Mods
Ferocity                   | Increases Base Damage by 1
Athletics                  | Increases Base Damage by 1, Max HP by 10*tier
Precision                 | Increases Accuracy by 1
Justified Riposte      | Successful Parries Stun Opponent, 3 Turn CD

This Easter event was certainly taking its toll on Oscar. He it seemed like he had done nothing but grind for the past few days and yet he still had two rewards left to claim from the shop. Nevertheless, he was determined to get it done. To do so, Oscar consumed a plethora of buffs to get him ready for another round of intense spider-slaying action. From the comfort of his home, his preparations began with a cocktail of various hot dogs, washed down with a Titan's Strength potion. Then, he activated his Kumatetsu Statue, feeling the strength of the bear invigorate him. On his way out, he culled his slimes, granting him a little extra SP from this outing. This time, Oscar would not leave until the job was done. He needed, right now, to obtain 210 Eggs. He definitely had his work cut out for him. But then again, Oscar was not one to shy away from a challenge. The grind was just the work that needed to be put in to reap the greatest of rewards.

TITAN'S STRENGTH CONSUMED [+3 DMG]
<<KUMATETSU STATUE>> ACTIVATED [+1 DMG]
IMAGINE IF AZRAEL WAS A HOT DOG CONSUMED [+2 DMG, -30 MIT]
DIAMOND-INFUSED HOT DOG CONSUMED [+45 MIT]
ULTRA LUCKY HOT DOG CONSUMED [+3 LD]
GOLDEN DOG CONSUMED [+3 PROSPERITY]
FOCUSED DOG CONSUMED [+2 ACC -> +3 ACC FROM FILLING BUFF]
EVASION DOG CONSUMED [+2 EVA]
MEGA SLIME FARM USED [+2 SP TO THREAD]

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1094/1140 HP | 90/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider1 ID: 141583 BD10 Deal 378 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider2 ID: 141585 BD2+4 Deal 350 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider3 ID: 141586 BD1 Miss
Explode Catapult vs Spider4 ID: 141587 BD5+4 Deal 350 DMG

Spider1 322/700 HP | 165 DMG MD7-3
Spider2 350/700 HP | 165 DMG MD4-3
Spider3 700/700 HP | 165 DMG MD10 Deal 46 DMG
Spider4 350/700 HP | 165 DMG MD7-3

Arriving on Floor 21, Oscar made a beeline for the same lake that had been home to his previous grinding sessions. Only this time, he had no intention of leaving until he had all the eggs he needed. No matter how painful or tedious the grind became, he would see it through to the end. Plus, he was doing a public service for Aincrad. Who wouldn't want there to be less spiders roaming about? Oscar arrived at the lake in short order, taking a look around to locate his arachnid adversaries. It didn't take long before he found a group clustered together enough for him to yeet them into a new dimension. He rushed in and activated Explode Catapult. All of the spiders save for one were caught in his initial strike. That same spider jumped high into the air and slammed its head into Oscar's shoulder. He winced in pain as he backed off, rubbing his shoulder. "That really hurt, damn."

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1097/1140 HP | 72/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider1 ID: 141588 BD10 Deal 378 DMG CD11 - Recovery Activates +3 EN, Vampiric-Defensive Activates +57 HP
Explode Catapult vs Spider2 ID: 141589 BD10 Deal 378 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider3 ID: 141590 BD10 Deal 378 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider4 ID: 141591 BD5+4 Deal 350 DMG


Spider1 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141592 LD17+3, CD1 2 Eggs, 5,145 Col, 5 T3 Materials
Spider2 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141592 LD17+3, CD2 2 Eggs, 6,615 Col, 3 T3 Materials
Spider3 322/700 HP | 165 DMG MD9 Deal 43 DMG
Spider4 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141592 LD4+3, CD11 7,350 Col, 3 T3 Materials

Despite the damage he had suffered, Oscar was very well equipped to keep going. Both his Battle Healing and his Vampiric Enhancement activated together, over-healing him by a huge amount. He launched another Explode Catapult. His attack slayed all but the one spider that had dodged his initial attack. Thankfully, it managed to hit the bugger this time. Not so thankfully, the spider also managed to get its slap in on Oscar. The Hot Dog Crusader began to wonder whether this spider had gotten into his supply of Blue Cow. He did carry an entire keg of the stuff in his backpack, somehow. But thankfully, upon checking, there were no leaks. He didn't want to even fathom the environmental damage that would be wrought by an inadvertent spillage of his experimental energy drink. The caustic damage alone would be awful. He gathered his loot and put that thought out of his mind.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1096/1140 HP | 74/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider3 ID: 141597 BD1 Miss CD10 - Recovery Activates + 3 EN, Vampiric Defensive activates +57 HP

Spider3 322/700 HP | 165 DMG MD10 Deal 44 DMG

This spider was really giving Oscar a run for his money. First of all, it managed to land two consecutive hits on him. Second of all, it was dodging like a coked out squirrel. The more he tried to push the thought away, the more he found himself concerned about whether or not there had, in fact, been a Blue Cow leak. This Feast was too powerful to be left in mortal hands. It allowed one to reach new heights of combat prowess than they would previously be able to reach. And he had an entire four of them, saved purely for use in the next boss raid. The power he would unleash upon that boss purely by the merits of his four gigantic kegs of his wildly-dangerous and highly-experimental energy drink made predominantly of hot dog water was palpable. If these spiders managed to get their hands on such a force, he doubted that Aincrad would ever be the same again.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 59/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider3 ID: 141599 BD9 Deal 364 DMG

Spider3 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141600 LD15+3, CD10 6 Eggs, 8,820 Col, 3 T3 Materials

The fears of the dreaded Blue Cow spill were assuaged partially upon the slaying of the lone remaining spider. Still, he would need to make a point to leave such a wondrously dangerous force at home the next time he ventured out. It was simply too great of a risk. And yes, Oscar realized that there was no way for his Blue Cow energy drink to actually leak out of his inventory. But, you also have to bear in mind that sometimes it's just fun to pretend. The false fear of his powerful foods escaping his control was just entertaining enough for him to continue with this grind. He had already subjected himself to two entire grinds for this event and this one was supposed to the one where he hunkered down and finished it. Anything that made that just a bit easier at this point would be completely welcome. 

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 43/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider5 ID: 141601 BD10 Deal 378 DMG CD7, Recovery activates +3 EN
Explode Catapult vs Spider6 ID: 141602 BD5+4 Deal 350 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider7 ID: 141603 BD10 Deal 378 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider8 ID: 141604 BD1 Miss

Spider5 322/700 HP | 165 DMG MD4 Miss
Spider6 350/700 HP | 165 DMG MD4 Miss
Spider7 322/700 HP | 165 DMG MD7-3 Miss
Spider8 700/700 HP | 165 DMG MD2 Miss

With one group wiped out, it was time to take on another one. Finding another group was not a difficult task. The place was literally crawling with them. In fact, he took two steps and was immediately set upon by his arachnid adversaries. He responded with brutal force, slicing through their ranks with an Explode Catapult. Well, almost. It seemed that these spiders were actually away today. He found himself missing another spider, something that left him extremely upset. This would mean that the combat would extend for another round. With his energy bar below half, Oscar was concerned that he might run out of energy before he could actually dispatch them. If that happened, he really didn't know what he would do. True, he now had the Recovery enhancement passively recovering his energy, but without Meditation, he really didn't have an on-demand restoration ability.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 25/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider5 ID: 141605 BD4+4 Deal 350 DMG CD7, Recovery activates +3 EN
Explode Catapult vs Spider6 ID: 141606 BD4+4 Deal 350 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider7 ID: 141607 BD4+4 Deal 350 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider8 ID: 141608 BD6+4 Deal 518 DMG

Spider5 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141609 LD16+3, CD3 2 Eggs, 6,615 Col, 3 T3 Materials
Spider6 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141610 LD10+3, CD1 2 Eggs, 6,615 Col, 3 T3 Materials
Spider7 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141611 LD16+3, CD10 6 Eggs, 11,025 Col, 1 T3 Material
Spider8 182/700 HP | 165 DMG MD5 Miss

He let fly another Explode Catapult. This time, he managed to catch all of them with his attack. He even managed to land a Fallen Proc on the Spider he didn't hit the first time. Not that it helped him much. All at once, the spiders he did manage to slay all shattered like glass. Behind them, they left three shimmering spaces on the ground. Oscar took care to dodge the remaining spider before collecting his loot. He was surprised when he saw that one of the spiders dropped a whopping eleven thousand Col. He watched his wallet increase as well as his on-hand materials. Oscar was a little disappointed when he saw how few Eggs he actually managed to get. But, at least the combat was almost over. He could soon go take a breather, fish, and recuperate. Not that he really needed to do it. His health was full and honestly seemed to regen more damage than any one spider could really deal to him.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 13/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider8 ID: 141612 BD7+4 Deal 518 DMG CD8, Recovery Activates +3 EN

Spider8 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141613 LD7+3, CD1 2 Eggs, 5,145 Col, 5 T3 Materials

Explode Catapult flew out yet again. This time, the spider was unable to dodge his oncoming attack. In the face of his raw power, the spider could only shatter like glass. Tesseleth's Fury even managed to set the creature ablaze, adding just a little more injury to injury in the last moment. As it shattered, it left a glimmering spot on the ground. He interacted with this spot and added the Eggs, Col, and Materials to his inventory. He put his weapon away and took a deep breath. No bad thoughts just yet. That was an accomplishment in and of itself. He shoved his hands into his pockets and began to whistle a tune. Honestly, the grind itself sucked. But at least it was for a good cause. He found himself quite enamored with Bahr's full Demonic set. This would bring him just a bit closer to his goal. He already had a rough idea of what he wanted his final build to look like. Honestly, that thought kept him going.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 14/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS
ID: 141715 CD2, LD6+3 Fail

While he waited for his energy to restore, Oscar busied himself with fishing. It was a pastime that he wanted to get back into. It was difficult for him to get himself in the moment when he was constantly assaulted by his own depression. But, he found himself hopeful that this would not always be so. Eventually, he would find the skills he needed to keep his darker thoughts in check. Perhaps not today, perhaps not tomorrow. But eventually. The only way that he would truly be able to develop those aforementioned skills was to keep throwing himself at the brick wall until either it gave or he did. And Oscar really had no intention of letting this break him. Oscar was many things, but stubborn was chief among them. He wouldn't let this keep him down. It might make him stagger. It might make him take a step back. He would struggle and fight. But it would not beat him.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 15/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS
ID: 141716 CD3, LD14+3 8 Eggs

If there was one saving grace from it all, it was that these constant outings - the perpetual experience with his own darkness - made him stronger each time he went out of his way to seek it out. Bit by bit, Oscar was clawing his way to the top of the mountain. Once he got there, he knew that there would invariably be an even taller mountain to climb. This would repeat unto eternity - a constant struggle within himself. The side of him that wanted him to merely let go and give up and the side that intended to keep climbing. Until his body gave out and his mind withered, Oscar would listen only to the second voice. Sure, he might find himself lending his ear to the first from time to time, but it was always the second voice that guided him ever onward. If anything, the first voice was simply used as things not to do. For if his own duality was in harmony, he would find himself in deep trouble.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 90/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider9 ID: 141718 BD2+4 Deal 350 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider10 ID: 141719 BD2+4 Deal 350 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider11 ID: 141720 BD9 Deal 364 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider12 ID: 141721 BD1 Miss

Spider9 350/700 HP | 165 DMG MD1 Miss
Spider10 350/700 HP | 165 DMG MD1 Miss
Spider11 336/700 HP | 165 DMG MD2 Miss
Spider12 700/700 HP | 165 DMG MD6-3 Miss

A replenished Energy Bar meant that it was time to engage in combat once more. Oscar returned to where he found the initial group of spiders. Experience told him that, by now, their respawn timer would soon be up and they would manifest once more. And so they did, just as Oscar approached the patch of ground that they patrolled. Pre-programmed movements sent them skittering in somewhat-random directions. He took a beat to wait for them to clump close enough together for his Explode Catapult to find its mark. Once they did, he dashed in with his weapon at the ready. He struck in a wide, cleaving arc. All of the spiders save one took heavy damage from his attack. It quickly became apparent that this was going to be one of those grinds. A grind in which every cleave he attempted missed at least one enemy, further extending the time it would take for him to conclude the battle.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 72/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider9 ID: 141723 BD3+4 Deal 350 DMG CD9 Recovery Activates +3 EN
Explode Catapult vs Spider10 ID: 141724 BD6+4 Deal 518 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider11 ID: 141725 BD6+4 Deal 518 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider12 ID: 141726 BD7+4 Deal 518 DMG

Spider9 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141728 LD18+3, CD4 3 Eggs, 8,085 Col, 1 T3 Material
Spider10 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141729 LD18+3, CD2 2 Eggs, 8,085 Col, 1 T3 Material
Spider11 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141730 LD19+3, CD4 3 Eggs, 6,615 Col, 3 T3 Materials
Spider12 182/700 HP | 165 DMG MD8-3 Miss

Undaunted by his prior failure, Oscar let fly yet another Explode Catapult. He take to take a moment to pause as he saw that he had landed three Fallen procs in this particular session of combat. It seemed the spiders were just as stunned by this development as he was. Well, spider. It made a half-hearted attempt to swipe at Oscar with one of its many legs. When that failed, it skittered backwards in fear. Apparently, being reduced to red health from a single attack was enough to cause this particular creature to retreat. Not that it would matter. Oscar collected his loot and turned his attention solely upon the spider. It wouldn't be long now before this round of combat concluded and he was off to the next one. The spider was simply a meaningless obstacle in his way to his goals. A creepy obstacle, but one that would be dashed against the stones nonetheless.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 57/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider12 ID: 141742 BD2+4 Deal 350 DMG

Spider12 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141743 LD5+3, CD5 5,145 Col, 5 T3 Materials

Oscar stepped into the wind up, throwing his back into a single final blow against the remaining spider. If it could have begged for mercy, Oscar liked to think that it would have. Tesseleth's Fury brought down the full force of Oscar's ire down upon the creature, cleaving it completely in twain. The two halves of its model shuddered before shattering like glass. It left behind only a lone shimmering mass of light in its place. Oscar interacted with this concentration of starlight. After a moment, his loot was added to his inventory. He could have gone on to find the next group of spiders, but honestly, he wanted to poke around the area a bit first. He often found himself so enamored by the thought of combat - so drunk on bloodlust - that he rarely, if ever, really took the time to see the sights anymore. It was something he greatly enjoyed when he was first starting out. Why had he stopped so suddenly?

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 58/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Perhaps it was the sheer volume of thoughts racing through his head. Between his obligations in the Town of Beginnings, Cordelia, his new friends and allies, and his new apparent Nemesis, Oscar found himself buried under it all. Even if it was just for a moment, Oscar had to dig his head out from the mass of thoughts racing through his mind to just take the time to exist. The thing about being human is that they have the ability to ponder their own existence in the grand scheme. But another thing about being human was that their focus was so narrow, their desires so base compared with the vastness of the universe, that they literally could not comprehend was the Grand Scheme really was. But still, there was some comfort in knowing that you are merely a blip in the infinite future. It helped to put things into perspective. How could one allow other blips smaller than even them affect them so thorougly?

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 36/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider13 ID: 141744 BD7+4 Deal 518 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider14 ID: 141745 BD5+4 Deal 350 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider15 ID: 141746 BD3+4 Deal 350 DMG
 Explode Catapult vs Spider16 ID: 141747 BD7+4 Deal 518 DMG

Spider13 182/700 HP | 165 DMG MD8-3 Miss
Spider14 350/700 HP | 165 DMG MD1 Miss
Spider15 350/700 HP | 165 DMG MD5 Miss
Spider16 182/700 HP | 165 DMG MD1 Miss

Ironic, really, that contemplating his own insignificance was the very thing that quieted the storm in his mind. He struggled immensely with his self-worth. One would think that taking the time to contemplate just how little he mattered on a cosmic scale would send him spiraling. Strangely, it didn't. He found himself comforted by the thought that if he truly, grandly didn't matter, then neither did his fears. They couldn't be so concerning that they were larger than the being that birthed them. That in itself was another thought. He created his fears. Either through some unconscious method or by actively getting so caught up in his head that they swallowed him whole. It was a great thing to know that in a universe where he had so little tangible control that he had the potential to control something. He attacked some spiders, cleaving through them all for the first time in this entire engagement.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 15/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider13 ID: 141748 BD4+4 Deal 518 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider14 ID: 141749 BD10 Deal 378 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider15 ID: 141751 BD2+4 Deal 350 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider16 ID: 141752 BD7+4 Deal 518 DMG

Spider13 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141756 LD8+3, CD1 2 Eggs, 6,615 Col, 3 T3 Materials
Spider14 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141757 LD8+3, CD9 5 Eggs, 8,085 Col, 3 T3 Materials
Spider15 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141758 LD1+3, CD4 6,615 Col, 3 T3 Materials
Spider16 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141759 LD19+3, CD4 3 Eggs, 6,615 Col, 3 T3 Materials

Oscar found himself at the precipice of a breakthrough. Nothing massive, really. He just found some order in the chaos thanks to some newfound perspective he had found for himself by mere happenstance. If he could figure out how to exert his control, then he would be able to do away with some - if not all - of the negative emotions that he had allowed to run rampant for so long. It was more complex than any mental trick. One could say that this was the exact opposite. It was a tangible thing - almost physical in practice. At least, that was how Oscar theorized it. At this point, he found the combat to be nothing more than a nuisance. A distraction from the very serious thought process rolling through his mind. As things began to fall into place, so too did the spiders. Fall, that is. A final Explode Catapult sealed their fate. Loot in hand, Oscar headed for the lakeside. This whole thing warranted further thought.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 16/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS
ID: 141766 CD2, LD8+3 Fail

If he could control his fears, he could control his sorrow. It bore the question, though. What did he fear? He rattled off a list of the things he feared most. Losing his friends, hurting the people he cared about. Putting them in harm's way had come and gone if his theories about how Tyson would come after him had any merit to them. Strangely, as he rattled of the list in his head, his own death wasn't something he truly feared. It was either a sign of maturity beyond his years or straight delusion. He knew on a basic level that, some day, he would die. He supposed that was the key differential. He didn't deny his mortality. In fact, Oscar spent many a night contemplating it. How fragile it was. How easy it was to completely destroy. Did he simply not value life? Was that the problem here? The thought was physically repugnant almost to the point of him retching as it insipidly crept into his head space.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 17/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS
ID: 141767 CD10, LD15+3 8 Eggs, 3 T3 Materials

The truth was, Oscar did value life. Why else would he hope to prevent his loved ones from coming to harm? His entire profession was centered around helping people live. Helping children have a life that their circumstances made nearly impossible. It didn't always work, but he valued the life they could potentially lead so much that he pursued it passionately. Almost fanatically. And as he weaved his mental web, debating himself on various facets of the topic of life, he came to the stark realization that while he did indeed value life, he simply did not assign the same value to his own life. Which begged the question of why that was. Was it some measure of self-sacrifice? Was martyrdom such an profound goal to aspire to? Given the chaos born from this very situation, Oscar had no logical reason to consider it so. Bit by bit, the simple truth of his reality crept into him.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1095/1140 HP | 90/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider17 ID: 141775 BD5+4 Deal 350 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider18 ID: 141775 BD5+4 Deal 350 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider19 ID: 141777 BD10 Deal 378 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider20 ID: 141778 BD1 Miss

Spider17 350/700 HP | 165 DMG MD9 Deal 45 DMG
Spider18 350/700 HP | 165 DMG MD5 Miss
Spider19 322/700 HP | 165 DMG MD1 Miss
Spider20 700/700 HP | 165 DMG MD6-3 Miss

As his energy bar ticked back up to full, Oscar found himself seeking out another group of spiders to slay. It was almost as if he were on autopilot. His body was moving en absentia from his mind. You see, sometimes it is the simplest things that cause the most strife. An entire world went to war because of the assassination of one man. An entire country was born because a single bullet was fired. And in Oscar's case, his simple reality was thus: he had spent his entire life since being taken in by the Major acting in everyone else's self-interest. His reality was one of gently (or not so gently) nudging people to reach their fullest potential. Due to this, he had neglected himself. So much so that, at this point, he really didn't know where to begin on taking care of himself again. So many years spent not cultivating the skills he needed for self care placed him at a severe disadvantage.

[Oscar 0]

Spoiler

Oscar 1140/1140 HP | 76/110 EN | 25 DMG | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 121 MIT | VAMP-DEF | 12 FLN | 36 BRN[BD8-10] | 57 BH | 3 REC | 3 LD | 3 PRS

Explode Catapult vs Spider17 ID: 141779 BD7+4 Deal 518 DMG CD11 Recovery Activates +3 EN, Vampiric Defensive Activates +57 HP
Explode Catapult vs Spider18 ID: 141780 BD1 Miss
Explode Catapult vs Spider19 ID: 141781 BD6+4 Deal 518 DMG
Explode Catapult vs Spider20 ID: 141782 BD10 Deal 378 DMG

Spider17 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141783 LD5+3, CD6 6,615 Col, 3 T3 Materials
Spider18 350/700 HP | 165 DMG MD1 Miss
Spider19 0/700 HP | 165 DMG ID: 141784 LD5+3, CD5 6,615 Col, 3 T3 Materials
Spider20 322/700 HP | 165 DMG MD4-3 Miss

Just as he could not effectively combat the enemies before him without a weapon, he could not combat the enemy of his mind without the proper tools. The tools that he currently possessed were rusty or otherwise broken. If he even had them at all. This was the perfect starting point. One that he had been seeking for the entire duration of his existence. Thankfully, he had the knowledge and training to know that all was not lost. He spent years of his life advising people on how to develop the mental fortitude necessary to exist in modern society. It couldn't possibly be such a difficult task to do the same for himself. First things first, however, Oscar needed to stop sticking his neck out for everyone that crossed his path. Yeah, it made him feel good to be charitable, but it came at a cost that was less-than-justified by any short-term warm and fuzzies.