[PP|F4]<<Essence of Steel>>Noobs need help too

[Zajcica 0]

Floor four, cold as [censored] and probably one of her favorite floors to visit every now and then. Japanese winter weather was really mixed with this floor's temperature. How Mari could stand living here on this floor, she would never know. She wasn't here to see Mari again though, she wanted to visit another entity on this floor: The Frost Beast. Five non-critical attacks and the Beast would be eating her boots.

The girl opened her menu and checked all her gear before heading out. Armor, Shield, Spear and Immolation potion. This wouldn't take long for her to finish on her own. Getting closer to Tier three was exciting knowing that she would be able to deal even more damage with her thorns to match someone's thorns akin to Shield. Well, that was just around the corner, so she would have to get together with Night to try and farm up some Tier three equipment before they got there. She could keep the weapons and Yuki could take the armor. Easy trade.

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

Spoiler

General
Level: 38 | HP:  820/820 | Energy: 76/76 Hate: 1/3/4(M/H/C)

Stats
DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT Restst: 25%+25%(1st proc) | Thorns: 36 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]

Skills
R2 OHAS, R5 Heavy Armor, R3 MIT Familiar, Fighting Spirit, R2 Block, Rank 1 BH, Concentration

Mods
Athletics; Stonewall

Housing Buffs
Rested; Filling; Tasty; Angler; Hardworking

Equipment(In use)
Charlemagne(Heavy Armor): HM I, Thorns II
La Black Luna(Trinket): ACC III
Trap of Argalia(OHAS): DMG I; BLD I

Equipment(Standby)
Braced Reproach(Shield): Taunt; Para II
Revenant(Shield): Taunt I; Rec II

Consumables
(2x)Starter Healing Potions(50HP)
(14x)Immolation Potion+1 < Using 1

 

[Freyd 0]

Freyd was skulking quietly around on floor four, his recent experiences having compelled him to stay on the move.  It was liberating to let himself explore this amazing world.  He regretted having lingered in the towns for so long.  The learning curve seemed huge, but it exciting at the same time.  He needed to find his bearings and learn to climb it - fast. 

Wandering the frozen woods was likely a very bad idea, but the other quests he'd come across hadn't caught his eye.  'Group needed for this...' or 'Bring your friends along for that...' !  Where were all the solo quests?  Maybe he'd missed them by jumping ahead too many floors.  It had taken him forever to make it to the towns and upper floors without getting drawn into combat.  The mocking glares of amazement from other players as he wandered the area wearing new player gear was nearly amusing.

Spoiler

Stats:

·         20 HP (20 * Level * Tier 1)

• 2 Energy (2 * Level)
• 1 Base Damage (1[base])

 

 

Skill	Mods
None	-
Main Skill	Active mod
Extra Skill	Inactive mod

 

 

Equipment:

 

Weapon	Armor	Accessories
T1: 1-H Straight Blade	T1: Light Armor	None
A relatively mundane longsword with a crossguard and black leather-wrapped grip.	An unadorned gray wool cloak with hood.	n/a

 

 

Battle-Ready Inventory:  

• <<(3) starter healing potions [heal 50 hp]>>
• <<(1) T1 Immolation Potion [10 Unmitigated damage on enemy BD/MD 6-8]

 

Edited June 6, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows
Forgot to post my loadout! Woops!

[Zajcica 0]

With all her gear confirmed and ready, the girl closed her menu and drank the immolation potion that seemed to make her armor look even more threatening. With her menu closed, she noticed a pretty plain looking boy traveling through the crowd of other players and NPCs. She remembers going straight to floor 21 when she was level 1, so there really was no protest to seeing someone who looked so new to the game up here. After all, people did enjoy exploring higher leveled floors' safe zones to figure out where they wanted to live. Although, his demeanor seemed like he was looking for something. Mari and Shield had taught her how to play the game. Maybe she should introduce herself and make friends in case they ever wanted to climb.

"Oi!" The paladin waved the boy down, walking up to him. Her armor glinted brightly against the snow's bright contrast, along with her big toothy smile. "Ore wa Yuki. Yoroshikune!~" Her Japanese always escapes her. He probably didn't even speak it, but at least the global language detector would translate it into his common tongue. "I noticed you passing by. You look like someone who isn't well acquainted with this floor. Do you need help finding anything?" She wouldn't be able to help him for too long since the effects of the Immolation Potion would wear off if she dawdled for too long. "I'm a little busy, but I have some time to help you if you need it."

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Freyd froze.  His eyes were wide as he stared at Yuki approaching.  The contrast between their appearances could not have been more stark.  She bore regalia worthy of a seasoned adventurer, glistening and glittering in the cold winter light.  He had a torn starter cloak and notched straight sword that felt like it was made of plastic.  Internally, his brain had also raised a critical alarm:

<<'GIRL!'>>

His body was instantly paralyzed as a montage of blood-gushing-from-noses in every anime he'd every watched instantly played out in his mind's eye.  She was saying something, no, offering something.  She seemed nice.  There was a smile.  He looked behind him, suddenly assuming that he must have stepped between her and someone important.  The wall of the adjacent building stared back at him, accusingly, judging him for his utter naivete.

He turned back to face her, pulling back his hood and revealing an unruly crop of brown hair and chestnut-coloured eyes.  Raising his right hand, still genuine surprised and stalling while he attempted to regain vocal control, he pointed questioningly at himself.

"Are you talking to... me?!"

[Zajcica 0]

Yuki's eyebrow turned crooked at the boy's question. Of course she was talking with him. Her smile still came out.

"I don't really enjoy parlay with walls." She giggled shifting her hands to her hips. "Yes, I'm talking with you. You look like you aren't familiar with the area. The mobs on this floor do a minimum of 12 damage. Please do be careful, they might take you out in just two hits with the gear you have." Uh, maybe not the best thing to say dummy. If he is really level 1, that would be a terrifying thought. She raised her finger and tried to save the conversation. "But-! If you have someone like me escorting you, nothing will ever touch you. I am a tank after all. In fact, I was going to fight a boss that could launch you several levels if you joined me. Would you like to? If you do, I have only one rule: Listen to everything I say and don't do anything I say not to."

The paladin looked up at the timer on her immolation potion, it wouldn't be useful if she didn't get out there soon. "Besides! The boss drops an amazing item that can enhance your gear up to perfect if you ever find a nice piece of gear that isn't perfect! It's a win-win for the both of us!"

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

He blinked.

"Oh... uh... yes?" he managed to stutter.  "Thank you!" he added promptly.  "That's very kind."

"I'm...uh... Freyd."  He held out his right hand, as if they'd just met at a dinner party.  He seemed completely out of place, not just on this floor, but in the game overall.  There was no way he could be this out of it. 

"Okay, so, you need me to follow orders.  I can do that."  Straight to business.  He might be an oddball, but there was something unusually intense in his eyes.  Maybe he had some potential after all?

"Where do you need me and how can I help?  What are we up against?  Are there any special details I should be aware of?"  Freyd's stream of consciousness spewed steadily from his lips, but also revealed that he was capable - or could be.  Yuki could see him trying to break down and catalog the details of whatever encounter towards which they were bound.

[Zajcica 0]

"As I said, my name is Yuki." The girl accepted the handshake firmly. He was asking the right questions, good to see. However, even if he knew what he was doing, the field boss was way out of his league to take on. "Let's get things straight here: Rule number one, wait for me to attack first and do not draw the enemies attention. I doubt you can do much damage, but its good to practice, but wait until I hit it once, or preferably twice. Rule Number two, stand behind it and don't get caught in cross fire. I know it sounds dangerous to flank, but trust me, it will not attack you if I have it's attention so you don't want to be caught in it's attacks. Rule Number 3, do not, under any circumstances try to jump between me and the boss. No matter how devastating the hit or damage, do not. Accept those rules and I will take us to the spawn."

"Where do you need me and how can I help?  What are we up against?  Are there any special details I should be aware of?" He asked. "Its an elemental golem. Nothing special about it that you should be worried about. No Area of Effect and it has extremely minimal phase, which means it bypasses armor a bit. Now, if you don't follow my rules, you could die. I know it sounds harsh but you've only got one. Do not ever try to take on anything that you cannot handle alone."

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Freyd's jaw was firmly set and eyes clearly focused. 

"I understand," he answered.  "Lead the way and I will do as you say, including not getting myself killed."  His colour seemed to blanche a bit at Yuki's description.  To his credit, his nerves held.

"You seem more than capable," he added, looking over her gear.  "What brings you to this level?  I would have thought that you'd be working at higher levels.  Not that I don't appreciate you being here," he added a little too quickly, realizing that his words could be taken the wrong way.  He asked an endless stream of questions as they traveled.  It grew a bit tiresome, but his interest seemed genuine, and his eagerness to understand was practically infectious.  It was like a mass of pent up curiosity had suddenly been unleashed, and came pouring out like an avalanche crashing down a mountainside.  Yuki couldn't help wondering where this guy had been hiding since the game started.  He should have been able to answer most of these questions himself, by now.  She stowed that thought for now.  Her potion wouldn't last forever, and they were nearing their destination.

[Zajcica 0]

Yuki was quick to get the two adventures out of the city pretty quickly when he agreed to her combat terms. Glad she could have some company to make sure she didn't get herself killed. This boss was heavy on it's damage, so hopefully it wouldn't land a bunch of critical attacks on her. Walking through the forest of evergreens covered by snow, Yuki didn't say too much but she would at least answer Freyd's questions.

"Just because I'm higher level doesn't mean there aren't harder bosses around. Floor five has a quest for a giant land shark that could do 15 times your health points in damage. This boss has eluded me up until now when I need it's special drop. I recently got an item that is only rare and I need it to be a perfect. You can be just as strong as me with time. I only started level around 6 weeks ago and I'm closing in on level 40. Dangerously close to tier 3." As she finished her sentence they were there, she held up hand to the boy and stopped. "Remember my rules, no heroics and be safe the entire fight. Once I land a hit, you are free to attack it. If I notice it's aggression changing, I'll tell you to stop."

Her lance materialized in her hand, no shield for now. If she couldn't hit it, it would be bad news for him so an accuracy trinket was much more useful here. Her magnificent white-golden lance hummed softly with power as it took on the pink hue of a sword art. The lance, bigger than it's wielder, pierced though the frost beast several times, flinging out chunks of its body. The ice golem raised its arms and brought them down on the paladin, who fell to her back blocking with her weapon. "C-C'mon you can hit harder than that!"

[3]Yuki: 758/820 (-161-99) | 72/76 (-4) | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[0]Freyd: 20/20 | 2/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 226/250 (24) | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

Edited June 2, 2020 by Zajcica

[Freyd 0]

Freyd summoned his starts straight sword.  He still swore he could see 'noob' watermarked on the blade's surface, in the right light.  There may also have been some momentary performance anxiety as he compared the paltry blade to Yuki's magnificent lance.

Getting his head in the game, he waited far back while his companion to engage, then circled around behind the beast waiting for aggro to take hold.  

"Here's my moment," he thought to himself, then charged into the fray.

*Clunk*

The frozen surface of the ice-sheathed hide barely registered as the cheap hunk of steel bounced off, wheeling back and nearly catching Freyd in the face.  It was hardly the shining moment he'd been hoping for - more likely quite the opposite.  He silently thanked fate for the small mercy of having been obscured on the far side of the beast, where his embarrassment might be less obvious.

"I'm not dead yet!" he blared, semi-triumphantly, just to prove to Yuki that he could follow basic instructions.

 

Spoiler

[3]Yuki: 758/820 | 72/76 | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[0]Freyd: 20/20 | 2/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 226/250 | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

 

Edited June 2, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Zajcica 0]

"Keep up the fight. Never worry about a mistake until the battle is over- oof!" A pained breath escaped her lips when the Frost Beast swung it's massive arm into her chest. She gripped on to it as not to get flung away from the fight. "Temei! Shine!" The pink lance hummed with power once again, stabbing directly into the beast's face, leaving a gaping hole through its head on both sides. The elemental recoiled in pain with the attack, dropping the paladin to the snow exploding the blanket into a mist of white. When she rose, she looked up to check both their health bars and her buff timers.

"We're doing pretty good, it's nearly at half hp and we're both still looking fine." She said even though with one more attack it would bring her down lower than she had gone in over a month. As long as it didn't land any criticals on her, she would be fine.

[6]Yuki: 705/820 (160-99+8) | 68/76 | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[0]Freyd: 20/20 | 0/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 146/250 (24+56) | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

Edited June 3, 2020 by Zajcica

[Freyd 0]

Freyd cursed his lack of coordination.

"Come on," he scolded himself.  "I can do better than this."  The notion that this giant beast might fall without him landing a single blow was gnawing at him, badly.

Moving in behind it once again, he swung his blade in a wide arc, hoping to build some momentum and bite through the thing's thick hide.

*Clunk*

No joy.  Was it that he couldn't put enough power behind the swing?  Was his footwork off?  Then he remembered that every MMO has one underlying truth governs all actions.  You can mitigate against it with gear and good planning, but nothing can ever fully defeat the vile, unspeakable evil, that twisted source of craven fate that claws at the heart of every player and denies them blissful victory: the random number generator.

"Curse you, Cardinal!"  he cried.  He'd land a hit eventually, it was just a matter of time.

Spoiler

[3]Yuki: 705/820 (160-99+8) | 68/76 | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[0]Freyd: 20/20 | 0/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 146/250 (24+56) | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

 

[Zajcica 0]

"Don't let the system get to you, everyone misses attacks." The frustration and sadness could be seen in his body language. She too had been known for missing on average more than she actually hit anything. Now it didn't matter too much since she wasn't a primary damage dealer, that's what Night was for. Man she made everything entirely easy.

The Frost beast raised it's arm once more, smashing the ground with it's mighty stub of a hand and missing the pink paladin entirely. Snow exploded around her and came careening down like a wave from the ocean during a tsunami. The snow messed up her own attack, but she hardly looked discouraged. "Case and point. You can't hit all the time unless you have five accuracy enhancements and one of them have to be absolute accuracy. Just focus and take a few breaths, never let the battle overwhelm your sanity or you'll lose sight of your goal."

[7]Yuki: 713/820 | 67/76 | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[0]Freyd: 20/20 | 0/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 146/250 | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

Edited June 3, 2020 by Zajcica

[Freyd 0]

Freyd buried his growing frustration and harnessed it into crystalline focus.  There was a blemish on the creature's leg, just above the knee.  Gripping his blade with both hands, he charged forward, leaping across nearby stones to help propel his momentum.  Launching himself into the air, he drove the tip into the mass of ice and pierced it!  Hanging briefly from the embedded sword, elation swept over him.

"YEAH!!!" he bellowed, as if he'd slain a mighty goliath.  Even the smallest of victories prove extra rewarding when tempered by patience and effort over time.

"Took bloody long enough, but I'm finally in the fight!  Get'em Yuki!  I've...err," the steam seemed to be fading from his strike, "well, at least I don't feel so useless anymore!"

His sword broke free from the Frost Beast's form and Freyd tumbled unceremoniously onto his backside.  A boyish grin still shone across his face, relishing the thrill of battle.

Spoiler

[7]Yuki: 713/820 | 67/76 | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[1]Freyd: 20/20 | 0/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 145/250 (-1) | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

 

Edited June 3, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Zajcica 0]

The paladin grinned happily as his attack landed true. He hadn't activated a sword art, but at least he had the guts to strike an attack against something that could destroy him with a single strike. However, that's what she was here for, this boss wouldn't get the best of her no matter how hard it tried to breach her defenses.

"Keep up the fight! It isn't dead yet. Don't stand on ceremony until you've come out on top!" On queue, her lance lit up pink with a beautiful quiet hum. The bladed end of her lance just barely missed the massive golem, being completely ineffective. It raised it's arm, ready to strike again. It attempted to swat her away, but unfortunately for it, she was like a wall made of lead. Her feet planted in the ground, she barely moved from her position. The beast was pricked from her thorns. "One more good tun, and you're finished!"

[8]Yuki: 660/820 (-160-99+8)| 64/76 | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[1]Freyd: 20/20 | 0/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 89/250 (-56) | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

[Freyd 0]

Clambering back to his feet, he raced back to join the battle, a switch having seemingly been turned on his head thanks to his previous strike.  Watching Yuki's movements, he waited for the lumbering monster to strike at her defenses.  Freyd found his opportunity and purchase with his blade.  The damage was more symbolic than effective, but it fed his drive and confidence.  Soon he was darting back and forth behind the behemoth, chipping away at small icicles and loose chunks, breaking whatever he could manage, but without doing anything that might garner its attention.

"I think I'm getting the hang of this!" he called out, withdrawing a bit to where he could better see Yuki  do her thing.  His grey, unremarkable cloak allowed him to blend effectively into the frosty surroundings.  He lingered a moment, catching his breath and readying to make another attack.

"Get him, Yuki!  You've got this!"

Spoiler

[7]Yuki: 660/820 | 64/76 | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[2]Freyd: 20/20 | 0/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 87/250 (-2) | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

 

[Zajcica 0]

Yuki weaved through and onslaught of attacks. For the Beast's stature and size, it was faster than she had expected it to be. While it was important to get hit to trigger her thorns, getting hit by a barrage of critical hits would be dangerous. Deflecting punches with her spear and sidestepping so many attacks, she looked for her moment to strike. Reaching in to stab the monster in it's side, she is caught mid-attack and send a few feet onto her back. Hardly scratched, she gets up, noticing the critical attack just moments before the Frost Beast is upon her again. She quickly dives out of the way and deflects another attack.

"Oi! What's gotten in to you?! You were so slow then suddenly you're coming at me like this?!" The paladin complained, completely heated in battle to responsd to her tag along who was cheering for her victory.

[9]Yuki: 660/820 | 64/76 | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[2]Freyd: 20/20 | 0/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 87/250 (-2) | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

[Freyd 0]

The monster's sudden burst of speed threw Freyd's next swing off target.  It had also scraped up against a nearby snow-covered pine.  The tree sprung back upright when the Frost Beast reached out to pound at Yuki.  A huge dump of snow came raining down behind it and swamped Freyd beneath it.  He flailed helplessly for a moment before getting purchase on a nearby sappling and pulling himself free of the frosty prison.  He shivered uncontrollably as a few bits of ice slid down the back of his tunic.  Falling onto his back and squirming like some wriggling worm, he tried to melt it faster.  

*Groan*

He hoped that Yuki hadn't seen that.  Regaining his footing, he dusted off his clothes and cleared his face so that he could see again.  Shivering one last time, he felt a line of melting water dripping down from his soaking hair, passing between his eyes to the tip of his nose.  Tightening his grip on his weapon, he raced back into the fray.

Spoiler

[9]Yuki: 660/820 | 64/76 | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[2]Freyd: 20/20 | 0/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 87/250 | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

 

Edited June 6, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Zajcica 0]

The Beast was relentless. Nothing in her information had told her about the enemy getting a second wind like a ton of other bosses. Perhaps it was recognizing just how screwed it was and was doing everything it could to stay alive. The only way is going to win this battle though was if Yuki missed several more attacks and it had hit her with nothing but critical attacks.

Weaving through more dangerous attacks Yuki rushed through it's guard and pierced her lance into it's chest, dragging the golden blade across the enemies front and leaving a wide open gash. One more good round of attacks and the thing would cease to exist. That item was just moments away from being hers and finally she could up her damage even further. Remembering that she had brought company, the paladin looked over to make sure Freyd was alright. Thankfully, it looked like he was getting ready to launch another attack.

[12]Yuki: 668/820 | 60/76 | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[2]Freyd: 20/20 | 0/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 63/250 (6*4) | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

[Freyd 0]

Freyd paused for a moment, then reconsidered his strategy.  His sword wasn't really meant for this, but SAO would just consider the math.  Heading over the same tree that had just dumped snow all over him, he hacked away at the point where Frost Beast's passage had damaged the trunk.  It was barely upright after snapping back, and the beast was just about in the right spot.

Grabbing the blade with both hands, he put as much power behind it as he could manage.  The damaged wood fibers gave way and soon the entire tree creaked back before it fell forward onto the ice golem's back, momentarily throwing it off balance.  Hopefully, it would be enough to give Yuki the opportunity she needed to cripple it, or at least, bring down its mobility.

Freyd, meanwhile, checked his blade to make sure he hadn't dulled it too badly, and started clambering up a nearby rock outcropping for a better angle of attack.

Spoiler

[12]Yuki: 668/820 | 60/76 | DMG: 6 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 3 | DoT: 25%+25% | Thorns: 56 | BH: 8 | Conc. CD: [0/3]
[3]Freyd: 20/20 | 0/2 | DMG: 1

Frost Beast: 62/250 (-1) | DMG: 160(Min: 24)

 

Edited June 6, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows