[F18 - PP] Mentor? I Hardly Knew Her. <<Just For The Halibut>>

[Bahr 0]

Spoiler

STATS
LEVEL - 61
HP - 1250
EN - 122
DMG - 19
MIT - 106
ACC - 2
EVA - 1
BATTLE HEALING - 62
HEAVY MOMENTUM 2
LIGHT MOMENTUM 1

HOME BUFFS
» WELL RESTED
     ➥ -1 EN FOR THE FIRST THREE TURNS OF COMBAT
» RELAXED
     ➥ +15 TO OUT OF COMBAT HP REGENERATION
     ➥ FULL ENERGY REGENERATION AFTER TWO POSTS OUT OF COMBAT
» SQUEAKY CLEAN
     ➥ REDUCE INCOMING DOT DAMAGE BY 25% FOR FIRST INCOMING DOT INFLICTED IN THREAD
» FILLING
     ➥ INCREASE EFFECTIVENESS OF A SINGLE CONSUMED FOOD ITEM IN A THREAD BY +1 T1 SLOT
» ITEM STASH
     ➥ +1 BATTLE-READY INVENTORY SLOT
» DELICIOUS
     ➥ COMBINE 3 IDENTICAL FOOD ITEMS INTO A FEAST ONCE PER THREAD
» SKYLIGHT EXTENDED MOD LIMIT
     ➥ EXTENDED MOD LIMIT EXPERTISE INCREASE BY 1
» ANGLER
     ➥ +1 MATERIAL GAINED WHILE FISHING
» MULTIPURPOSE
     ➥ GAIN +1 TO LD, STEALTH RATING, STEALTH DETECTION, OR PROSPERITY TO ONE POST IN A THREAD
     ➥ CAN BE APPLIED AFTER THE ROLL
» DECOR: <<SPOOKY AMENITY>>
     ➥ REDUCE INCOMING DOT DAMAGE BY 5% FOR FIRST INCOMING DOT INFLICTED IN THREAD

SKILLS

NON-COMBAT SKILLS
» EXTENDED MOD LIMIT R1 >>> R2 WITH SKYLIGHT BUFF
     ➥ PASSIVE
     ➥ ALLOWS FOR THE USE OF ONE 1 >>> 2 ADDITIONAL MODS
» FISHING

COMBAT SKILLS
» PARRY
     ➥ POST ACTION
     ➥ REDUCE FINAL DAMAGE OF NEXT ATTACK AGAINST YOU BY 50% (ROUNDED DOWN) AND NEGATES STUN/PARALYSIS EFFECT OF THAT ATTACK
          ➥ COOLDOWN: 2 TURNS
» BATTLE HEALING R5
     ➥ PASSIVE
     ➥ WHILE IN COMBAT, USER HEALS FOR 5% (62 HP) OF THEIR MAX HP EACH TURN

EXTRA SKILLS
» DISGUISE
     ➥ FREE ACTION
     ➥ +1 EVA UNTIL START OF YOUR NEXT TURN
          ➥ COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS
» MEDITATION
     ➥ POST ACTION
     ➥ RECOVER AN ADDITIONAL 15 ENERGY - GETTING HIT BY AN ATTACK BEFORE YOUR NEXT TURN REDUCES ADDITIONAL ENERGY RECOVERY TO 9
          ➥ COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS

WEAPON SKILLS
» TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD R5
     ➥ +7 DMG WHEN TWO-HANDED WEAPON IS EQUIPPED

ARMOR SKILLS
» LIGHT ARMOR R5
     ➥ +25 MIT

MODS
» LIGHT ARMOR MOD: ATHLETICS
     ➥ PASSIVE
     ➥ +1 DMG WHEN WEARING LIGHT ARMOR
     ➥ +30 HP WHEN WEARING LIGHT ARMOR
» LIGHT ARMOR MOD: SPRINT & ACROBATICS
     ➥ PASSIVE
     ➥ +1 EVA WHEN WEARING LIGHT ARMOR
» PARRY MOD: JUSTIFIED RIPOSTE
     ➥ POST ACTION: COMBINE WITH PARRY
     ➥ SUCCESSFUL PARRY STUNS OPPONENT
          ➥ COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS
» WEAPON MOD: PRECISION
     ➥ PASSIVE
     ➥ +1 ACC
» WEAPON MOD: TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD FEROCITY
     ➥ PASSIVE
     ➥ +1 DMG WHEN USING 2HSS SWORD ARTS
» WEAPON MOD: TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD FINESSE R3
     ➥ PASSIVE
     ➥ REDUCES THE EN COST OF TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD SWORD ARTS BY 3

EQUIPMENT

WEAPON
» [EQUIPPED] "BLINKSTRIKE" - TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD (T3 - PERFECT)
     ➥ +1 ACC
     ➥ BLEED
          ➥ 36 UNMITIGATED DAMAGE DELIVERED AT THE BEGINNING OF OPPONENT'S TURN ON NATURAL ROLLS OF 9 OR HIGHER
     ➥ PARALYZE
          ➥ PARALYZES OPPONENT FOR ONE TURN ON NATURAL ROLLS OF 9 OR HIGHER

ARMOR
» [EQUIPPED] "COAT OF THE CRIMSON CRUSADER" - LIGHT ARMOR (T3 - PERFECT)
     ➥ +54 MIT
     ➥ LIGHT MOMENTUM 1

» [EQUIPPED] "SERPENT'S STEP" - HEAVY ARMOR (T3 - PERFECT)
     ➥ HEAVY MOMENTUM 2
     ➥ +27 MIT

FAMILIAR
» [EQUIPPED] SWINE BAJESUS R3
     ➥ +9 DMG

Something unusual had happened. Bahr has a totally open schedule for the day. 

Lessa was preoccupied. Bahr was ahead of his grinding schedule. The shop was closed for the day. There were no guild activities to tend to, or cults to disintegrate, or event bosses to slay, or info brokers to track down. For the first time in as long as he could remember, Bahr had no plans. He felt equally listless as he did free. Not that he felt trapped in his usual schedule - only that it was somewhat liberating to imagine a day where he could meander aimlessly and go where the wind took him. 

But, in typical Bahr fashion, he would squander this opportunity by doing something that filled his day, anyway. 

Spoiler

To: @NIGHT

Meet me on Floor 18.

- Bahr

Ever since encountering her during the Bane of Blood quest, Bahr had taken a special interest in NIGHT’s potential. They shared a weapon type, and from what Bahr could tell, she was adept in the way she utilized it. Being neither she, nor he, knew if it could be working any better. This could be an opportunity to find that out. 

So he practiced how he would broach that topic as he descended the squeaky, tattered steps that connected Bahr’s house to the rest of his property. Bioluminescent flora ignited his absent eyes with a dull glow as he silently made his way through the gloom of the tenth floor, silently rehearsing the speech in his head time and time again. By the time he’d reached the teleportation plaza, he found himself at a loss. Was a speech really his style?

No. He’d have to wing it. 

FLOOR 18

Eventually, Bahr found himself standing before a meager shack. Having obviously seen better days, Bahr found himself wondering if this was actually the place. Then again, most things on the eighteenth floor shared this run-down aesthetic. He doubted there was another shack on the floor in better shape that may assuage his uncertainty. 

So it was settled. He would wait here. Were she to show up, he would bring her through the motions of this basic quest to see where she stood. Strengths, weaknesses, areas with room for improvement. And perhaps she would gauge Bahr similarly. He, too, was far from perfect. 
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 1250/1250 | EN: 122/122 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62

 

[NIGHT 0]

What did her neighbour want with her?

Bahr was blazing red, tall and intimidating. With silvery white hair slicked back in spikes and a sharp cutting look, it was little wonder how the woman felt bent out of shape, small and meek in comparison to the man. Even if he was nice enough to offer her the trainers she'd stuck to using from day to day, the act of good faith meant nothing to her shot nerves when she was stooped low by his incredible height. Curse her genes for her miniature stature. Half of her nervousness would've been cleared out had it not been for this one simple fact.

That's what NIGHT told herself as she skipped out onto the 18th floor.

Getting away from her housemate was simple enough by now, her curious half simply checking if she'd be back by sundown or later. NIGHT had half an idea of what the system entity was most likely up to -- snooping about somewhere on her trail, but uninvolved enough that she wouldn't be able to spy them. It was either that or sleeping, or the blond was out on one of their solo escapades again. Her gaze went towards the sky, preferring to take in the overcast day to delay acknowledging the muddied and shambled environment around her. Watch her double miss out on a sight like this. At least the clouds were pretty.

The player found her breaths shallow as she made her way towards Bahr's position. A rural kampung setting; the raised boardwalks would've been something she was familiar with had she actually visited one of her country's offshore islands before. Unfortunately, during her time out in reality, outdoor rustic settings hadn't particularly been of interest. All the simulation was doing was only proving further her right of opinion, the woman appreciating the comforts of her urban confines.

NIGHT's expression was torn up in a scowl just as she'd scoured the last shack within her vicinity. The striking crimson against nature's muted colours fed her both relief of tracking the man down, yet giving her a moment's pause, particularly one of confusion as she searched for something to say.

"So," she asked. Better to start somewhere simple. "What's this about?"

@Bahr

	NIGHT   | HP: 1065/1065 | EN: 102/102   | ACC: 3 | DMG: 25* | EVA: 4 | MIT: 54*   | LD: 3 | BURN: 36 | BLIGHT: 72 | BLEED: 36   | Stealth Detection: 3
* [Filling] used to provide +1 Protein.
[Examine] [Equipment] Jack's Executioner -- [ Burn I | Natural critical attack rolls of 9-10 deal 36 unmitigated burn damage each enemy turn for 2 turns. This effect does not stack, but can be refreshed. ] -- [ Blight II | Natural critical attack rolls of 9-10 deal 72 unmitigated blight damage each enemy turn for 2 turns. This effect does not stack, but can be refreshed. ] -- [ Bleed I | Natural critical attack rolls of 9-10 deal 36 unmitigated bleed damage each enemy turn for 2 turns. This effect does not stack, but can be refreshed. ] Reinforced Steel Plate Armor -- [ Mitigation III | +81 MIT. ] Silver Crescent Necklace -- [ Accuracy II | +2 ACC ] -- [ Evasion II | +2 EVA ] [Battle-Ready Inventory] [T2E2] [ref] Le Gibet (4) -- [ Lullaby II | Instant | -2 EVA to one enemy for one battle. ] [T2E1] [ref] Etude Tableau Op. 39 No. 6 (1) -- [ Hypnosis I | Instant | -1 ACC to one enemy for one battle. ] [T1E3] Teleport Crystal (1) -- [ Teleport | Use a post action to teleport the player to the town or designated teleportation area they specify. ] Skills Skills Mod Count: 4/5 Two-Handed Straight Sword | Passive | RANK 5/5 > Ferocity, Precision, Finesse Heavy Armor | Passive | RANK 3/5  > Athletics Searching | Passive | RANK 3/5 [Extra] Survival | Passive  Concentration | Active -- CD: 3 Familiar Mastery: Fighter | Passive | RANK 3/3 Consumed Buffs Spoiler [T2E2] Speed+ (1) -- [ Evasion II | +2 EVA. ] [T1E3] Well-Done Steak (1) -- [ Protein II | +2 DMG, - 30 MIT. ] [T1E3] Titan's Strength (1) -- [ Damage III | +3 DMG. ] Misc. Buffs Spoiler Dimensional Backpack, Item Stash | +2 Battle-Ready Inventory Slots. Well Rested | -1 EN for the first three expenditures of each combat.  Col Stash | +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests.  Relaxed | +(5 * Tier) HP per out-of-combat post. Full energy restoration occurs after two turns out of combat. Squeaky Clean | -25% DoT damage taken from the first DoT applied to this player in a thread. Filling | +1 T1 slot to a food consumed by this player in a thread. Can exceed Cook enhancement caps.

[Bahr 0]

"What's this about?"

"Ah, good. You made it," he responded nonchalantly as he craned his head toward the source of the voice. After a moment, he found it - a small woman, just a tad shorter than he remembered, though unmistakably NIGHT. It seemed that a lot had changed since last they'd crossed paths. She carried now with her an air of confidence he hadn't recognized before. That, and a blade that seemed deceptively potent. Though, as his mismatched orbs connected with her faded violet, he could sense it. A shifty uncertainty underscoring it all. Was she as nervous as she appeared, or was Bahr reading her improperly?

Not that it particularly mattered. He'd see soon enough. 

"Right," he added, as though having just realized that he'd been asked a question. "We..." A jingle rang as Bahr summoned his menu and swiftly navigated to the inventory panel, swiping through briefly before settling on a line and selecting the item it housed. Moments later, a pair of fishing rods were produced, and the windows were dismissed. He held one out for her. "Are going to do some fishing. The gettin's good on this floor."

Without another word, he turned and made his way toward the dock, gesturing idly with his hand for her to follow. Provided she did, they'd soon find themselves at the wooden platform's edge, the murky water's tepid surface no more than a few feet below them. Bahr would take a seat, pat the spot on the dock next to him, and cast out his line. "I'm not sure how well you remember me," he started as he slowly reeled the line back to a comfortable distance, "but we've ran into each other a couple times. Once, when I filled a commission for you. Another time, when Oscar brought us all together for that abysmal quest."

His line ticked, and as he pulled, a Fossil Fish burst from the depths. Though, Bahr hardly paid it any mind. "You seemed a little rough around the edges back then. If I'm not mistaken, your technique is probably more refined by now, right?" He gestured toward the mob that was now rapidly swimming toward them just below the water's surface. "Care to show me?"
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 1250/1250 | EN: 122/122 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62
NIGHT: HP: 1065/1065 | EN: 102/102 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | BRN: 36 | BLD: 36 | BLGT: 72 | LD: 3

Bahr casts his line out for the Halibut.
ID: 153557 | Fossil Fish caught!

Fossil Fish 1: HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100/125/150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2

 

[NIGHT 0]

Fishing. She came out all the way to the 18th for fishing.

All NIGHT could do was stare at the rod in disbelief, mouth slightly agape; mostly because she hadn't expected things to have turned out this way. Eventually, when she'd come to terms with their activity of the day, her leather gloved-fingers came to wrap around the pole's length, before she took the rod's weight off of Bahr's hands.

"Okay." Her tone was wavering, brows locked in a furrow as she'd shoot the still waters around them a glance, her hold on the fishing pole light and tentative. When she'd noticed her companion making his way down the boardwalk, she rushed to follow, smaller quicker strides making up for distance lost from her leader's larger ones. Out by a dock, NIGHT followed in suit as he gestured for her to join him by the water's edge, the woman herself crossing her legs as she took her place beside him.

Instead of joining Bahr for his first cast, she watched the man's line be tossed out towards the lake, its bobber made visible against the dull green. His memory against her own -- he was more likely right than not about their encounters, she believed. NIGHT thought it better to reserve mentioning the one occasion where she'd spotted him slipping and falling in the middle of the forest, back when she was looking out for her familiar on a rainy day. Neither of them needed such a trivial occasion to be brought up, so she nodded and hummed in agreement, eyes idly set to the water's surface.

She'd been expectant, and the lake was to deliver. It had happened so quickly, she didn't realize something had tugged on her companion's line until his catch flew up into the air.

"If I'm not mistaken, your technique is probably more refined by now, right? Care to show me?"

What a sudden invitation. If NIGHT didn't know any better, she mightn't have guessed that they were out on a bona fide quest themselves. And I'd just sat down, too, she mourned.

NIGHT clambered to her feet, taking a few steps back before fishing out her blade from its hold. A crystal from her pockets -- she hadn't taken anything that boosted her accuracy as of recent, so it was better to pull out a debuff just in case her target was much more evasive than usual. Bahr's set up seemed a little suspect after all. Maybe there was more to the fight than just a punch and go.

The results were disappointing, however.

She'd lobbed the block into the water right after hitting play on the device, and it seemed to slow her target's movements as she tracked its shadow in the water. When it darted to the side, the woman aimed an easy Galaxy Destroyer at it. Her movements had been unspectacular in fashion, almost lazy even, had Bahr been keeping a careful watch on her actions. And yet her art still managed to pull off a show in her stead, sending an explosion of water spouting upwards, completely decimating what calmness the lake's surface had held in minutes prior.

In anticipation of an attack, NIGHT pulled her sword handle upwards, the blade blocking her front, ready to defend or parry herself with most of her great sword. The moment she spotted fading crystals rising through the rippling waves, she lowered her weapon to her side.

With a tilt of her head, she glanced back down towards Bahr, somewhat confused about her own situation. "Is that what you'd wanted to see...? It's a little... strange to be fighting fish here."

@Bahr

Spoiler

Using item as a free action: [T2E2] [ref] Le Gibet (1) -- [ Lullaby II | Instant | -2 EVA to one enemy for one battle. ]
ID: 153567 | BD: 10 (7, +3)
<<Galaxy Destroyer>> vs Fossil Fish #1.
25 * 13 = 325 DMG | 325 - 50 = 275 DMG

Fossil Fish #1 | HP: -25/250 (-275) | DMG: 100/125/150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 0 (2, -2)

[1] NIGHT | HP: 1065/1065 | EN: 93/102 (-9) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | BRN: 36 | BLD: 36 | BLGT: 72 | LD: 3
[0] Bahr | HP: 1250/1250 | EN: 122/122 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62

[Bahr 0]

Despite her attack possessing the raw power necessary to dispatch their shared adversary in a single blow, there was something lackadaisical with the manner in which she issued it. There was technique, certainly, but elements of it felt lazy and unrefined. Bahr had a theory as to why that might be.

"Is that what you'd wanted to see...? It's a little... strange to be fighting fish here," she remarked, tone a crossed with the same confusion that masked her visage. And perhaps, even, there was a hint of annoyance in there. Impatience. Rather than give a straightforward response, he simply smiled at her, then patted the spot on the dock next to him once more. An invitation to relax, while they were able.

"I ran the calcs for these things before we got here," Bahr revealed as he cast the line once more. "For someone with standard top damage, like I have right now, those fish will survive a Galaxy Destroyer by a sliver if you're not buffed. There are ways to get around this, of course. One of the statues from Scents of the Wild will do the trick. But I doubt that's what I just saw."

The hushed whisper of the wind as it whisked through the area look the place of Bahr's voice as he fell silent. It was a moment of reflection that he was offering her, but as he stole a peek at her out of the corner of his eye, he could only surmise that she was just waiting for him to get to the point. Perhaps not engaged with their encounter as much as he'd hoped - but that wasn't necessarily surprising.

"When was the last time you went on an excursion without buffs?"

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 1250/1250 | EN: 122/122 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62
NIGHT: HP: 1065/1065 | EN: 93/102 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | BRN: 36 | BLD: 36 | BLGT: 72 | LD: 3

Bahr casts his line out for the Halibut.
ID: 153589 | Nothing's biting...

 

[NIGHT 0]

"When...?"

Was he calling her out? Sure, she'd shot the man a sharp look as he readied himself to reel in another creature on deck. During the wait, she'd struggled to come up with a satisfactory answer, and it bothered her just the tiniest bit. Something about his questioning dug at her, and just the implication of wondering what it was all for set her in an unease.

What, exactly, was Bahr's game here?

When NIGHT caught herself fidgeting, she'd already summoned up her own rod beside his, casting the line out towards the lake in a flimsy manner. Her float bobbed gently, a distance away from her companion's, as she'd leaned forward in a hunch, still searching for her answer. The lack of it matched with the silence they sat in was distressing. For some reason, it'd put her on edge.

"I don't know."

Off the top of her head, she couldn't recall. She knew she'd gone easy on her food the moment she was able to swap them out for crystals, but being prepared for the occasion was always on the top of her list before any fight. NIGHT knew she was just lucky to have had some items in stock whenever the moment to utilize them came to light -- moments just like these, perhaps, when she was fighting off an enemy she was nigh uncertain about.

Her gaze returned to Bahr from the water's surface, his jacket's red smeared against her violet eyes. It seemed as though it was giving weight to an unknown fury from the woman; a little intense for the moment, her own annoyance mixed in with hesitation and loss. "Isn't it better to head out armed to the teeth? That way, you minimize the risks of getting killed out on the battlefield. That's the idea, right? To stay alive long enough to get out."

@Bahr

Spoiler

NIGHT: HP: 1065/1065 | EN: 94/102 (+1) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | BRN: 36 | BLD: 36 | BLGT: 72 | LD: 3

ID: 153596 | CD: 2 | Nothing's biting...

[Bahr 0]

So she was frustrated. That was actually good. If Bahr's time dealing with the adventurers of Aincrad had taught him anything, it was that objections were merely an invitation to dig deeper. If one could overcome enough objections, they could get to the real heart of the issue. Right now, NIGHT still had her walls up. And with good reason, Bahr supposed. 

"The sword looks neat. What's it do?" he inquired, shifting gears a a bit as he slowly reeled in his line. He inspected the empty hook as it surfaced with a bit of a pout, then cast it out again. It traveled some ways before dipping back into the water with a satisfying plop!, sending a ripple out across the sheet of glass that separated the pair from the monsters that aimed to devour them. Before long, those same ripples had wiggled all the way back to where they sat, bouncing off of the wooden support posts that suspended the dock.

There was something to be said about how such an important barrier could be disturbed so easily, and how the effects of that puncture over there could be experienced over here. Bahr imagined the way the hook disturbed the pond was much akin to how his prodding had disturbed the barriers NIGHT surrounded herself with at all times. 

"You can tell me. It's not a trick question."
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 1250/1250 | EN: 122/122 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62
NIGHT: HP: 1065/1065 | EN: 94/102 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | BRN: 36 | BLD: 36 | BLGT: 72 | LD: 3

Bahr casts his line out for the Halibut.
ID: 153599 | CD: 5 | Nothing's biting...

 

[NIGHT 0]

Her sword had been set to her side when Bahr eyed it, shooting his query. That, she was much more comfortable with speaking about. "It's the event weapon from Halloween," she started, glancing between her blade and the bobber. Proud of it as she was, NIGHT still felt the pull of secrecy keeping her mouth closed about its capabilities, though she knew Bahr was probably going to ask more about it. His follow-up line seemed to suggest it so.

She grumbled, reluctant, but relaxed her shoulders as she gave in. "Damage over time." Her float seemed to skim gently upon the mirror's surface, now calmer from when she'd struck its edge. "It'll weaken opponents and get past their defenses, provided I strike them just about right."

"Of course, the blade does its own thing sometimes..."

Right there and then, something tugged hard on her line. Her float dove under the water's surface as she searched for it, and her hand quickly caught her rod's reel on instinct, trying to stop it while she could.

This might've been the perfect time to reveal that NIGHT was a novice at fishing. Was it easy to tell? Most likely. It was a difficult fight between her and her adversary, even as she'd leaned backwards to get her weight in as a supportive force, trying to bring her haul onto land. The moment it broke through the surface, it was easier to figure out why.

And also, it was entirely because of the Lurker's gigantic figure. Absolutely in no way was it because of NIGHT's tiny frame, thank you very much.

As it dipped back into the water, three tinier outlines seemed to follow suit. They wriggled along behind their boss, its fin sticking obviously out of the water reminiscent of a shark gunning for its prey as the pack advanced upon the players. NIGHT let her rod vanish into her inventory, picking up her sword as she got onto her feet, butting her head to the side as an invitation for Bahr to take the lead on the battle.

"Your turn," she called. Maybe it was karma for the man asking piercing questions to begin with.

@Bahr

Spoiler

ID: 153601 | CD: 12 | Ladies and Gentlemen, we got 'em. [Lurker] found, along with three (3) other Fossil Fishes.

[Bahr 0]

Man, she was pissed. Were Bahr a more calloused man, he'd be chuckling. Out loud, that is. He still was, internally.

But the mobs were here. "Your turn," she called out, a hint of smugness in her voice as she took a step back and waited for Bahr to make his move. With a sigh, he summoned Blinkstrike, the blade manifesting within his grip in a ribbon of light. He took one look at the mobs who, albeit fast approaching, were obviously still too far away to strike by any reasonable stretch of the imagination. Still, without moving from where he sat, he casually cast the sword forward with all the same nonchalant enthusiasm he'd used to cast the line of his fishing pole out into the depths.

It was a feint, of course, but didn't stop Bahr from looking back at NIGHT with an absurdly goofy smile and quipping, "I missed!" followed by, "Guess you better get them!"

Spoiler

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 1250/1250 | EN: 122-1=121/122 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62
NIGHT: HP: 1065/1065 | EN: 95/102 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | BRN: 36 | BLD: 36 | BLGT: 72 | LD: 3

ID: 153604 | BD: 1, Miss
Bahr uses [x13] Galaxy Destroyer against Fossil Fish 2, -1 EN FOR MISS ("Well Rested" House Buff reduces EN expenditure by 1.)
Heavy Momentum gains a stack. (6)
Light Momentum gains a stack. (1)

Fossil Fish 2: HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100/125/150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2
Fossil Fish 3: HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100/125/150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2
Fossil Fish 4: HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100/125/150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2
The Lurker: HP: 500/500 | DMG: 250/300/350 | MIT: 150 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1

 

[NIGHT 0]

If NIGHT had any faith in the mischievous old man, the hope could've been seen dying in the depths of her eyes. One could almost have seen the gloom lines forming from behind her visage.

Almost. She'd left the frame before they were able to form. Duty called, after all. Now how would she catch them off guard...?

Somewhere in her pockets, she'd fished out another crystal. One for accuracy? Its effects weren't as powerful as the song she'd played earlier, but it only took a second to activate it, and the quick toss of it into the lake would hinder the boss' accuracy just a tad bit. So long as she still had time to will up a sword art and take aim at the water, she could find another item to replace it entirely later, if she'd hunt her inventory long enough.

The dock was a tight field to aim on, and while she was bristling at the sight of Bahr, she wasn't exactly going to try and hit him. A leap into the air and three swings of her sword -- she'd created shock waves cleanly out from nothing, calling Calamity Disaster to go forth and strike her opponents as best as she could. Air time didn't allow her to conjure up a fourth. When she'd landed, all she could hear were the crashing of forces breaking the glass' surface. NIGHT could spot two batches of fragments rising out from the depths in the distance. At least that meant two of their foes were gone.

And the others?

She'd whirled around just in time to deflect a jump from one of the fishes, pushing it away gently and down into the water again. Meanwhile, the larger of the two was perfectly content to stay out of sight and out of range, but still NIGHT kept her guard up, blade protectively in front of her frame. During her downtime, the woman took the occasion to shoot Bahr a questioning glare, the man somehow still seated on the edge of the dock unmoving, almost gleeful and content watching her fight.

Seriously, was she out with a kid or something...?

@Bahr

Spoiler

Using item as a free action. Target: The Lurker. | [T2E1] [ref] Etude Tableau Op. 39 No. 6 (1) -- [ Hypnosis I | Instant | -1 ACC to one enemy for one battle. ]

ID: 153609 | BD: 2 (1, +3 -2) | MD: -1 (2, +1 -4)
NIGHT missed!
Fossil Fish #2 missed!

ID: 153608 | BD: 9 (8, +3 -2)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Fossil Fish #3.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG | 300 - 50 = 250 DMG

ID: 153607 | BD: 6 (5, +3 -2)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Fossil Fish #4.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG | 300 - 50 = 250 DMG

ID: 153606 | BD: 6 (2, +3 +1) | MD: 6 (5, +1)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs The Lurker.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG | 300 - 150 = 150 DMG
The Lurker missed!

Fossil Fish #2 | HP: 250/250 | DMG: 100/125/150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2
Fossil Fish #3 | HP: 0/250 (-250) | DMG: 100/125/150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2
Fossil Fish #4 | HP: 0/250 (-250) | DMG: 100/125/150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2
The Lurker | HP: 350/500 (-150) | DMG: 250/300/350 | MIT: 150 | ACC: 1 (2, -1) | EVA: -1 

[0, 1, 1, 1] NIGHT | HP: 1065/1065 | EN: 81/102 (-14) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 25 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 54 | BRN: 36 | BLD: 36 | BLGT: 72 | LD: 3
[0, 0, 0, 0] Bahr | HP: 1250/1250 | EN: 121/122 | ACC: 3 (2, +1) | DMG: 25 (19, +6) | EVA: 2 | MIT: 106 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62

[Bahr 0]

Oh man, her expressions were priceless. She really thought he missed on accident. 

"So about these buffs," Bahr continued as he eyed the fish still looming beneath the pond's surface, slowly pushing his way to a standing position with an unflattering grunt. As he did so, the smaller of the two leapt from the pool with surprising agility, the spray from its graceless maneuver showering Bahr in the moments before the creature was set upon him. Blinkstrike lived up to its name and pitched a full charge in the blink of an eye, tearing up and through the monstrosity before it could do the same to him. "Are they a matter of impatience? Fear?"

The thing about a Sword Art like Calamity Disaster was that it had a set routine of movements to follow. If one simply let the system work, the attack would be over in seconds. If they held back too much, the attack would cancel, and the rest of the hits in the sequence would be forfeited. But one could toe the line here if they were careful and patient, extending the longevity of the sequence until the time was right. Bahr allowed his blade to dance to the whims of its pre-programmed maneuvers, keeping the movements slow until the Lurker decided to rear its hideous head.

And no sooner had it than Bahr slammed Blinkstrike right between its eyes, the force of the impact forcing the monster back down into the depths as though accosted by a mallet in a proverbial game of Whack-a-Mole. Liquid geysered from the crater it left in the water's surface as atmospheric pressure sucked it all back in, the ripples that danced across the pond now infinitely more choppy and tumultuous than they had been when it was only a lure violating its surface. It had been the last movement in the pattern, Bahr having managed to prolong it just enough to ensure that both targets got theirs.

With a satisfied hum, Bahr shifted his attention back to his companion. The 'boss,' being temporarily incapacitated, he hoped that they'd have at least a few seconds reprieve to talk a little longer. He hadn't expected the quest to resolve so quickly. "Both, maybe?"
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 1250/1250 | EN: 121+1-12=110/122 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62
NIGHT: HP: 1065/1065 | EN: 95/102 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | BRN: 36 | BLD: 36 | BLGT: 72 | LD: 3

Bahr uses [x12 AoE] Calamity Disaster, -9 EN
Heavy Momentum stack expended. (+6 to base damage.)
Light Momentum stack expended. (+1 to base damage.)

Fossil Fish 2: HP: 250-250=0/250 | DMG: 100/125/150 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 | ID: 153641| BD: 6+3-2=7, Hit for 25x12=300-50=250 DMG | Fossil Fish 2 defeated | -2 EN
The Lurker: HP: 350-150=200/500 | DMG: 250/300/350 | MIT: 150 | ACC: 1 | EVA: -1 | ID: 153642 | BD: 6+4=10, Hit for 25x12=300-150=150 DMG | -2 EN
-12 ENERGY TOTAL ("Well Rested" House Buff reduces EN expenditure by 1.)

 

[NIGHT 0]

"Does it matter?"

Bahr's maneuvers had cut down both fishes at once -- while one wasn't about to resurface, the missing gargantuan shadow and fin put her reasonably on edge. She approached the man's side, peering over the end of the dock to see if she could spy any trace of the big boss himself. When her search ended up fruitless, NIGHT let out a sigh and took her eyes off the water. "Could be both. Who's to say? A few unlucky strikes and anyone could be dead meat. And taking things out quickly affords you more time in the day to spend on other stuff."

'Like slacking off,' she'd nearly had the tongue in cheek to add. But their seconds of lull in the fight were starting to catch up to them, and their attention off the lake's surface was proving to be a big mistake.

The bubbles formed first. Their sounds had been drowned out by NIGHT's speech, frothing below them right on the edge of the dock. In a fraction of a second, the void of their target's gaping maw matched with broken yet sharp teeth emerged from the water's surface, splashing piercing jabs of cold liquid onto both players. The Lurker rushed to dive straight towards NIGHT, jaws wrapping about her feet, sinking a numbing pain by her calf. By the time the woman had properly noticed its attack, she'd already been hauled back into the murky depths herself. The last remnant of her form dipping back into the water was the black tip of her edge mixed in with a flurry of white, a crashing of noise upwards to cover the boss' escape.

Only a few seconds needed to pass before a glow from beneath the lake ruptured its uneven surface once again. NIGHT broke out of her loch prison a distance away from land, head peeking out of the green, her face plastered with a grave expression of exasperation. In her panic to locate home base, the red against every other fading colour was more than welcome now, and she started to make her way back with a holler. "I'm okay...!"

@Bahr

Spoiler

ID: 153759 | BD: 9 (5, +3 +1) | MD: 7 (10, +1 -4)
<<Galaxy Destroyer>> vs The Lurker.
25 * 13 = 325 DMG | 325 - 150 = 175 DMG
The Lurker attacks NIGHT!
250 + 2 = 252 DMG | 252 - 54 = 198 DMG

The Lurker | HP: 25/500 (-175) | DMG: 250/300/350 | MIT: 150 | ACC: 1 | EVA: -1 

[2] NIGHT | HP: 867/1065 (-198) | EN: 87/102 (+1, -9) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | BRN: 36 | BLD: 36 | BLGT: 72 | LD: 3
[1] Bahr | HP: 1250/1250 | EN: 110/122 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62

[Bahr 0]

Bahr was about to respond, but then she had to go and get herself kidnapped by a fish. Somehow, this seemed typical. Not of the things Bahr usually dealt with - couldn’t say he’d ever watched one of his friends get carried away by an over sized fish before. More so, typical of NIGHT. Even if he didn’t know her all that well, something told him fish kidnappings might just be on the list of things that much happen any ordinary Tuesday afternoon. 

But Bahr was hoping for a chance to get wet today, anyways. No, not that type of wet, you goofy goober. He was a loyal man. 

So, of course, he jumped into the pond cannonball style. But just before he hit the water, he noticed what may have been a- wait, no, that was NIGHT. Swimming toward him. And he was about to soak his favorite his favorite jacket in pond muck. Great. 

Any particularly sneaky spies in the water may have watched Bahr plunge into the depths, the flurry of white bubbles dispersing from his still curled frame to reveal an expression crossed with confusion and disappointment. A pout would probably be the best way to characterize it. But after he’d let his chagrin go, he’d unravel his long frame and push off against one of the dock’s support beams to rocket further into abyss. 

As he attempted to peer through the dark, he noticed it becoming thicker and deeper. Before long, he couldn’t see further than a foot or two ahead of him. Realizing that the fish could attack from any angle at any moment, a thought occurred to Bahr as to how he could improve his visibility. Blinkstrike began to hum with scarlet energy, bathing the surrounding water in a crimson glow. 

And sure enough, the big bastard was right there in front of Bahr. Lurking in the dark. Like a... Lurker. Dastardly. 

Seeing as his blade was already charged, Bahr frantically swung it in front of him in the hopes that he could strike it before it did to him whatever it was it did to NIGHT. By some stroke of luck, he hit it - and as the glow from his blade expired, it was replaced by another. Rays of azure light peeked through the cracks beginning to form along the creature’s figure, piercing through the darkness like skewers through shrimp at an Australian barbecue. Moments later, the creature splintered, and it’s shape was cast to oblivion in the form of countless polygonal fractals. 

The explosion of light deep beneath the water’s surface would signal Bahr’s return, and sure enough, he became visible moments later. His usually spiky hair not sat atop his head like a droopy white mop, covering his eyes and making him appear aimless as he paddled around. But one way or another, he made his way back to the dock and heaved himself out of the water. 

 "Stinks down there," he remarked nonchalantly as he rolled over into his back, as though he possessed the Unique Skill that allowed one to actually smell things in the water. Though, he probably didn’t need to tell her. He certainly wasn’t giving off any heavenly aromas on a good day, much less after an excursion like that. "We get ‘em all?”

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 1250/1250 | EN: 110+1-10=101/122 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62
NIGHT: HP: 867/1065 | EN: 95/102 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | BRN: 36 | BLD: 36 | BLGT: 72 | LD: 3

Bahr uses [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -10 EN

The Lurker: HP: 25/500 | DMG: 250/300/350 | MIT: 150 | ACC: 1 | EVA: -1 | ID: 153826 | BD: 6+3=9, Hit for 19x13=247-150=97 DMG | The Lurker defeated

 

[NIGHT 0]

Then her beacon ended up dipping himself into the mint. Well... brilliant.

NIGHT struggled to hold back a laugh just as she watched the man pelt himself down into the water. No question that Bahr wouldn't have found trouble with the fish down there -- it was large, for one. Surely he couldn't have missed it this time. Her other reason for leaving the wet dog behind was plain, mischievous vengeance. So she'd swing herself upwards onto dry land, change into a dryer set of clothing, and wait. NIGHT had even positioned herself at the edge of the dock, just as her companion had long requested earlier, legs hanging over the ledge, trainers dipping into the water. Whatever, they were wet already anyway.

True to her expectations, Bahr rose out the lake in due time. And this time, NIGHT couldn't hold back her chuckles.

For starters, look at that hair! Whatever spikes that might've been held up by gel (did he use gel?) was well washed and gone with the water. And with it obscuring his eyes; how could he see? Most likely it was with the woman's guffaws that he was even able to find his way to shore. As he pulled into the dock, her laughter turned to muffled giggles. The woman barely had time to shoot him a self-satisfied smirk between her fits.

"Stinks down there." 

"Definitely. It wasn't fun. Still funny that you'd be willing to dive in though."

"We get ‘em all?”

"Hmm..." NIGHT placed a hand to her chin, trying to recall their opponents' numbers. If there were more, only the quest master would be in charge of that information. For now, she'd nod in response, sliding her hands behind her as she leaned backwards, taking in the lake view in peace. "I think so. But if there's more we have to fish up, you'd better speak up about it now. I'd want to dry off my equipment first."

@Bahr

[Bahr 0]

Bahr nodded absently at her synopsis. ”Nah,” he concluded. ”Those should have been the only ones. Though, if I’m being honest, I expected us to spend a little more time fishing up the little guys before we got to Papa.” He then peered over at her out of the corner of his eye, mischievous grin playing at his lips. Though, there was a chance she wouldn’t see the mismatched orbs through the forest of white obscuring them. ”And don’t go giggling at me. I’m not the only one who looks like a wet dog here.”

He sat up and unceremoniously shook his head, casting the moisture away much like a dog might. By the time he’d finished, it had molded back to its glorious default form; spiky, ridiculously messy, and in defiance of gravity. He looked back to NIGHT with much the same goofy grin he’d had after his “miss,” and very plainly uttered, ”That was fun!”

But then the grin faded away, and his expression became a bit more neutral. ”I’m sure you’re fed up with the interrogation by now, so I’ll just come out with it.” Music to her ears, surely. ”Say you are afraid and impatient. Okay, fair enough. I was that way for a long time, and probably still am in a lot of ways.” He shifted his weight so that his feet could dangle off of the dock. ”You can use consumables and remedy these ailments from the outside in. Or, you can cure them from the inside out.”

”Take this thing for instance,” Bahr began as Dawn’s Demise flashed into his grasp in a ribbon of light. He stood. Held it, blade down, no more than a foot from the dock. Then released. The resulting impact nearly split the dock in half, plunging so deep through the wood that the tip met with the water’s edge. Then, he unsheathed Blinkstrike from its resting place on the small of his back, and forced it into the dock. Even when given some extra convincing from Bahr’s pressure, it still didn’t even break through the other side of the plank. 

”When I wield the heavy one, I’m strong. Ludicrously strong. But it’s not my power - it belongs to the blade. I just get to borrow it.” He then shifted his palm over to rest on the pommel of the smaller, more nimble one. ”When I wield this one, I’m still strong. But it’s my strength. Technique and patience is was gets me through.”

”Do you see what I’m saying?”

[NIGHT 0]

"Ack-- hey--!"

As Bahr shook furiously, the water trapped in his mane was thrown and pelted all across the deck. Dark stains splattered across the wood. NIGHT didn't appreciate some of the liquid reaching her side of the boardwalk, but when the man had stopped and returned her a sunshine smile, she couldn't help but mirror his beaming, too.

Then came business. Her smile shifted to a look of confusion, a little lighter than the frowns she'd been wearing earlier in the day. Bahr's pose changed to match her own, and she listened in attentively, sights lost to the ripples on the water's surface as their wet forms continued to drip into the lake. He'd revealed his own vulnerability. Truth to be told, while it was likely she'd agree with the man's sentiments, they were much further out of reach on a day to day basis than the woman would like to admit. Still, she went along with his explanation, watching him weave and conjure a sword out of pure light.

It only occurred to her how much of a beast the blade he held was when the ground seemed to collapse below her. NIGHT had almost been ready to jump ship and leave, when the dock had finally stopped sinking. Her heart was pounding as her sights rested upon her knees; she found her legs half submerged in the water again, a bit of the lake seeping and pooling upon the wood she'd sat on. Great, now she'd needed to wait even longer for her pants to dry off.

But showing off wasn't the point of the man's lesson. NIGHT studied Dawn's Demise in horror as Bahr withdrew the weapon he'd used earlier, sinking it into their platform. The wood didn't even budge.

It was easy for her to form her question. It'd been dancing on the tip of her tongue. So, when Bahr explained why...

She wished it'd made a lick of sense to her.

"I do, actually." And it was the truth she'd unveiled. In fact, it was welcoming to find someone else who'd shared her same sentiments after so long. "But-- I wish I could see this game that way, y'know?"

NIGHT returned to watching over the lake. Part of her didn't want to move from her damp spot this instant. Instead, she ran through her memory just to try and recall when the last time it'd been brought up to her, or she mentioned it herself. Then, it finally clicked.

"Hey, do you remember Yukiro? Uh, what was he--" NIGHT clicked her fingers, eyes closed harshly. "-- your brother? Your cousin?"

"I'd asked him about it once. He told me he'd been practicing some kind of sword fighting technique back before the game started. So, when I inquired more insights about it, he kind of just ruled that numbers triumph over everything else he'd have to offer. It kind of made sense at the time, and after hauling myself this far in levels... something tells me it still does."

"But I get it," she added, looking back over to Bahr. "I get where you're coming from. I just don't know if that's the same path of certainty I've continued to walk my whole journey over. 'Why fix something that isn't broke', right?"

@Bahr

[Bahr 0]

”Because it is broken,” Bahr countered very matter-of-factly, though there was no bite to the tone. Rather, an understanding. ”There’s nothing inherently wrong with using buffs, being prepared, all that,” he continued as he wrapped his fingers around the hilt of Dawn’s Demise and slowly pulled up, gradually relieving the pressure on the dock. ”But these guys. Did you really need any buffs or debuffs for this fight?” Like Excalibur to Arthur, the blade obliged, and slid out from the cavity it had created. Then, just as quickly as it had appeared, it flashed out of existence. ”Moreover, did you even have a reasonable expectation that we would be fighting anything at all?”

Blinkstrike wasn’t nearly so obedient as its heavier companion, requiring a little convincing to wedge free of the plank it had become lodged in. As Bahr slid it back into its sheath, he continued. ”If you’re afraid, and you’re using consumables every time you leave the house, you’re never going to earn the confidence in yourself, or the peace of mind, that you deserve. You’ll just keep being scared.”

He peered down at her from where he stood, his mismatched eyes free of judgement, filled only by the refraction that danced along the crests of the pond’s tepid waves. ”You do want that, don’t you? To not be afraid?”

[NIGHT 0]

She watched as Bahr retrieve his broken sword, the shining standard in the decimated light pulled away from its hold and vanish in a scatter. When he'd spoken about expecting to fight anything, NIGHT tilted her head. "Well, yeah-- why else would you call me out here...?"

It'd seemed such a simple, matter of fact line she'd thrown away. Seconds passed as the man struggled to free Blinkstrike that NIGHT realized how much of her world had changed to fit their new reality. Hadn't she been disappointed the moment he'd told her they were out fishing instead? Hell, each and every player walked around with their weapons either strapped to their back, their sides or summoned them at the ready -- in this landscape, it was mostly fight and die fighting.

NIGHT swallowed as Bahr looked over to her, shadow cast over her own form.

”You do want that, don’t you? To not be afraid?”

Her words, along with her voice, seemed to have died somewhere along her throat. If the world -- her actions -- were ruled by fear, why did it feel so comfortable to bask in its presence? How were players, people just like her, running about and throwing themselves into danger without a second care in the world? Surely, if Aincrad was as scary as Bahr had made it out to be, wouldn't there be fewer adventurers in the population than there were now?

"-- I don't think that's it."

While she knew her companion had a point somewhere in his words, NIGHT wasn't so sure it aligned quite right with her perspective. The woman set her feet on the dock, knees tucked in together as she rose to stand, trying to match the man in his poise.

"Sure, it might be out of fear," she started, her head tilted as an idle hand started to fiddle with a lock of her hair. "But it might also be out of convenience. Say we weren't heading out to fight, and spend a day out fishing and relaxing instead. In the worst case scenario there, I'd lose a handful of items. Big whoop." NIGHT shrugged. "Items are unlimited in this game. Virtual setting; they never run out."

"But say we were out on some hunting mission." Like today, or everyday for that matter... "Then I'd be duly prepared. I wouldn't have to waste your time whilst I scour the city for food, or worse -- find myself distracted rifling through inventory in the middle of combat."

Truth be told, I do that enough with my crystals...

Her hands shoved themselves into her tracksuit's pockets at the thought, eyes shifting from the red to the murky green off on one side. "I mean, it's not like you don't have a point though." A glance to the Christmas eyes, before going back down to the lake's mint again. "We're bound to be afraid after doing this over and over. Maybe the fear snuck itself in when I wasn't looking. Maybe it didn't. But..."

NIGHT's vision rested on the gap that Dawn's Demise created. Then, she called forth Jack's Executioner herself. When it emerged from thin air, all she felt was its stillness. No sheer ferocity, no raw power singing through it. Quiet, like the water's surface.

"... It's not like the preparations I take are all reliable, either. Sometimes, it still feels as risky as going in raw."

@Bahr

[Bahr 0]

”Exactly,” Bahr muttered in response, doing his best not to crack a wayward grin at “as risky as going in raw.” Come on, Bahr. Keep it professional. ”You need to know if you can count on you when the time comes, and every other line of defense fails you.”

He studied the blade she’d manifested. He was aware of the Halloween weapon and its potency, as he had one of his own. But hers seemed different. More refined, and with more sinister aspects eroded. She looked comfortable with it, just as Bahr was comfortable with Dawn’s Demise. The perfect blade for her. 

”Damage over time, huh?” he mused. ”Respectable. There are arguments to be made that it may be the superior DPS standard over raw damage. But then chance gets brought into the equation, and everything becomes fuzzy.” He paused for a moment before concluding, ”It should serve you well.”

With that, he turned and took a step toward the shore, but stopped to look back over his shore. ”If you’re committed to your path, I won’t ask you to change. It works perfectly fine. But if you ever find yourself curious about whether it could be working any better, you know where to find me.”

And then, he departed. 

[NIGHT 0]

Working any better. He hadn't mentioned entirely replacing her methods with his own, just... improving on them.

Hmm.

As the man took his leave, a red dot fading into the distance, so too did her blade vanish away. When would the time come when she wouldn't be able to rely on her equipment, her consumables, when the world put her at the mercy of her skill and technique alone? NIGHT had yet to see that happen, and she doubted Cardinal was willing to change. She couldn't say for certain if their movements would carry over to reality either. If it wouldn't make a difference here nor there...

... Talk about curiosity killing the cat. The mystery and integrity alone behind Bahr's offer seemed to be enough of a reason for the woman to think upon it.

NIGHT stepped over to another side of the dock, one where its support structure hadn't caved in from that overkill of a sword. She took a seat by an edge once again, legs folded, rod summoned. Pulled open a mail window. Typed out a message.

NIGHT: hey, you busy?
NIGHT: wanna come fishing?
DAY is typing...

---

THREAD SUMMARY

Quote

[Total]
+ 5SP
+ 2,700col

- [Gleaming Fish Scale] | Tier 2 Perfect Trinket | Loot Die, Loot Die, Prosperity

Spoiler

[Quest Rewards]
+ 3SP
+ 2,500col
+ [Gleaming Fish Scale] | Tier 2 Perfect Trinket | Loot Die, Loot Die, Prosperity | But like does anyone want this rn...? -w-)a

[Thread Progression]
+ 1SP
+ 200col/participant

[Misc.]
Quarantine SP Bonus!
+ 1SP