[SP-F05] <<Butcher of the Sand>> Dusting off the Rust

[Husky 0]

It felt odd to step his foot back out into the field again. It's been a while since Richard last decided to step back into the fighting scene. Ever since the little encounter with a pleasant customer coming to his tavern, something struck him. He really enjoy these moments where he can sit down and have a nice talk with all the people coming in and out of the tavern. Hearing so many stories of people excited to go out and adventuring, many joyful moments of the friends made along the way, or many grievances of those who lost people they're close with, it satisfied him. Richard get to sit down and share a joyous toasts with those celebrating their victories and accomplishments; consult their losses, giving those players any form of disclosures; or just the simple act of being attentive while listening to the player's stories. 

Richard ended up moving away from Hakkasan tavern on the third floor and find himself buying a new house on the twentieth. It doubled as a store front, and Husky opened a new tavern where there would be much more traffics than a cozy hut in the middle of a dark misty woods. For a while, he remained there, playing as a bartender, serving sweets and drinks. For once, without all the fighting and escaping death, Richard felt content staying still in one place. Slowing things down without feeling the need to rush himself leveling up to catch up with the top players feels rather nice.

Then one day, while digging through his storage chest, Richard came across his old stuff: The armor set and gauntlets which he stored away after he had decided to stay put and make a living as a tavern keeper. Memories came back from the times when he was rushing around, trying to leveling up fast so he can join up in the frontline to help with the effort. Richard thought back for a while, as more and more memories returned to him. He wondered why he did it, what was his end goal beside just to join up the front line. There has to be something else, an ulterior motive that drive him to work so hard. Then it dawned upon him. 

Richard had had enough of a break. It's time to pick up where he had left off.

Spoiler

Name: Husky
Level: 22
HP: 440/440 | EN: 44/44

Stats:
DMG: 11
MIT: 39
ACC: 3

Equipped Gear:
Steel Gauntlets: [3 DMG]
Silver Armor: [3 MIT]
Pendant of Accuracy: [3 ACC]

Skills:
Martial Art [Rank 5]
Heavy Armor [Rank 2]

Consumable at ready:
Teleport Crystals x2
Perfect Damage Crystal [+3 DMG] x1
Perfect Mass Healing Crystal [+45 HP]
Woodland Armor [+15 MIT] x2

 

Edited November 6, 2020 by Husky

[Husky 0]

Richard was a little rusty returning back to duty. All that time spent in the safe zone means he didn't have to fight much, and quite honestly, Richard had forgotten how long he had spent running the new bar he opened. Weeks? Months? They say when you do something you love, you seems to forget to keep track of the time. The saying has never been more true than this moment.

Richard could feel the hot sand through his boots as he climbed the sandy dunes. All these time, Richard still couldn't believe technology has gone so far that human can now replicate different senses through virtual reality. He still fondly remembered the days he was just a wee kid, trying out virtual reality games for the first time. Only a few years since then, and it had advanced so far people can simulate touch and taste with the Nerve Gear.... as well as committing atrocities by putting twenty thousand players at gun point for reason never explained.

The sand dunes spanned onward seemingly unending, minus for a few landmarks that stood out in contrast with the yellow sand. From where he is, the silver knight can see his destination, dotted lines formed a circle around a small arena with a darker golden sand inside. Supposedly the sand would be less shifty there. That should be where the boss is found.

 

[Husky 0]

"No time to waste. There's a crocodile needed to be taken down... or is it an alligator?" Richard chuckled to himself before sliding down the sandy hills. As per usual, he would have one hand back, fingers digging into the ground beneath to control his descend while the other arm kept balance. It seemed like despite being away from action for a while, his instincts hasn't quite all left him yet.

On his slow descend, Richard caught glimpse of a golden lizardmen hiding in the sand. Not to miss the chance some practice before the main boss, the knight let go of his hand which was gripping onto the sand and speed up his slide. Using the momentum built, the knight speed toward the monster before leaping into the air, arms reeled back with his gauntlets glowing red. Richard throw a devastating left punch at the monster, leaving it too stunned to even act. The lizardmen health dropped to almost zero, blinking on red. All with only one attack, not too shabby.

Spoiler

ID: 173341
BD: 9 [Crit!] Husky use All might: (11+1)x15 = 180 DMG on Lizardmen
MD: 1 [Miss]

---

Husky: 440/440 HP | 27/44 EN | 11 DMG | 39 MIT | 3 ACC |
VS
Golden Lizardmen: 60/220 HP | 75 DMG

 

Edited October 18, 2020 by Husky

[Husky 0]

Richard strike his signature fighting pose. Left arm raised square up, just over his head; right arm closer to his body. Eyeing his enemy up and down, the silver knight had figured this is a rare spawn comparing to normal mobs on this level. As far as he remembered, lizardmen usually spawn in small groups, wielding a single curve sword. However, this particular one is a solitary spawn, wielding a shield to add onto its defense. 

When the creature finally burst into action, so does the knight. The lizardmen took an arching horizontal sweep, to which Richard easily duck under. However, when he threw his punch up in return, his gauntlet came into contact with the shield blocking his shot. Not to be deterred, Richard step to the side when he caught an attack coming from his left. The downward chop missed its mark, but the lizard was fast enough to turn its shield over to block two more punches flying at it. Each step from either side kick more sand and dust into the air. 

Spoiler

ID: 173357
BD: 2+3 [Miss]
MD: 2 [Miss]

---

Husky: 440/440 HP | 28/44 EN | 11 DMG | 39 MIT | 3 ACC |
VS
Golden Lizardmen: 60/220 HP | 75 DMG

 

Edited October 18, 2020 by Husky

[Husky 0]

 

Both fists clench when Richard were just about to pry the shield off and throw a surprise roundhouse at the lizardmen. However, the shifting sand beneath make it a little harder to move around so fluently. When Richard pivoted his heels onto the ground, the boots sank a bit too far in, making his turn feels awkward and his roundhouse kick smack against the shield instead. With little stable ground, Richard almost fell when the lizardmen pushed him away with its shield.

Without much time to recover, the knight weren't ready to react to the monster's next attack. It leap into the air using its webbed feet for balance and the long tail for the extra power. The saber blade came barreling down toward, Richard, as he barely just managed to raise both his arms to block the attack, leaving a huge red gash in both of his arm instead of his chest.

Spoiler

ID: 173366
BD: 1 [Miss]
MD: 9 [Crit!] Golden Lizardmen attack: (75+5)-39 = 41 DMG on Husky

---

Husky: 399/440 HP | 29/44 EN | 11 DMG | 39 MIT | 3 ACC |
VS
Golden Lizardmen: 60/220 HP | 75 DMG

 

Edited October 18, 2020 by Husky

[Husky 0]

Brushing off the last misstep, Richard quickly got back onto the ground. Rolling to the monster's right field so its shield was facing against him. This way, he got a little more time, and if the monster starts its next attack, it'd leave itself open. True to what he had expected, the lizardmen would turn itself to him before swinging his blade toward the knight. 

Richard was readied, however. He sprung up from a kneeling position and got right up to the lizardmen for a right hook. The armored fist connected with the monster just under the chin, throwing it to aside as the creature burst and shatter into pieces, slowly fading in the air. "Not too bad... a good practice run." The brunette spoke to himself, dusting the sand off his armor and gauntlets.

Spoiler

ID: 173367
BD: 5+3 [Hit] Husky use Acupuncture: 11x9 = 99 DMG on Lizardmen
MD: 8 [Hit]

---

Husky: 399/440 HP | 19/44 EN | 11 DMG | 39 MIT | 3 ACC |
VS
Golden Lizardmen: 0/220 HP | 75 DMG

---

ID: 173367
LD: 7
CD: 9
Loot: 220 cols, 4 T1 material

 

Edited October 18, 2020 by Husky

[Husky 0]

The first battle didn't went too horribly, but it wasn't the result Richard had hope to get either. The time spent running the bar had really rusted his skills. Footwork felt somewhat sluggish, and he shouldn't have even tripped himself to begin with, even when fighting on slippery sands. Despite that, he managed to hold his own pretty well, didn't suffer too much damage for his first run. 

"Focus on the footwork... footwork..." Identifying what he needed to work on, Richard press on. His goal shouldn't be far from where he was now, and beside, there is no need to rush there. Richard has all day, and there's no time limit on boss spawn. He just need to kick back, take his time, and think of a way to safely approach the beast.

Spoiler

Out of Combat Healing:

Husky: +10 HP, +1 EN

 

Edited October 20, 2020 by Husky

[Husky 0]

Perching over the sand hills, Richard saw his quest's objective. An arena made of spears pointing inwards to make sure that once you started the battle, you can't easily flee without a teleport crystal. Luckily, he has two on standby. The sand in the arena have a deeper golden shade than the yellow sand of the floor, suggesting it is more stable and less shifty. That would be nice, fighting on the sturdy ground rather than splashing sands everywhere with each steps.

The boss itself looks very familiar - A giant Crocodile walking on two legs, cladded in full armor wielding a massive glaive. Perhaps the boss resemble an Egyptian god that is half crocodile. Richard couldn't remember the name on top of his head, but what he did remember was that it reminded Richard of a certain game that was popular back around 2020. The boss design was very closely similar to the League of Legends champion. Richard couldn't get the full name out of his tongue just quite... but he remember there's a crocodile character wielding a big glaive weapon...

Spoiler

Out of Combat Healing:

Husky: +10 HP, +1 EN

 

Edited October 21, 2020 by Husky

[Husky 0]

Time to think of a strategy. Richard is soloing the boss by himself, he need to think this through clearly. If by any chance, the fight turns sour, he could use one of his available teleport crystal to bring him back to safety. According to the information broker, the boss have a lot of wide cleaving attacks, usually would be bad for a party to deal with. However, Richard being alone might be an advantage if he could use the creature's wide arching swing to his advantage. 

Furthermore, Richard started paying more attention to the ring of spears surrounding the arena. Those spears are pointing inward. If something were to be thrown into the spears, it could deal some good environmental damage. It is a possibility that Richard could both look out for or use to his advantage as well. Lastly, he could probably pop his damage buff for an extra boost. Probably for the best.

Taking the damage crystal from his inventory and pops it in his grip, Richard noticed the damage buff on the bottom of his health bar. He's ready for the fight.

Spoiler

Out of Combat Healing:

Husky: Full Heal.

____

Husky: Consume 1 Perfect Damage Crystal
- [ +3 DMG]

 

Edited November 6, 2020 by Husky

[Husky 0]

Richard tightened the strap of his gauntlets before climbing onto the spears pointing inwards. It was big and sturdy enough that he can walk and eventually run on the spears effectively. Figure he might as well enter the fight with style, the knight ran up before taking off at the tip of the spear, doing a front flip before tuck and roll on the ground, getting up onto his feet and get ready for a fight. That maneuver certainly got the boss's attention as the large reptilian figure readied the large cleaver, letting out a loud intimidating bellow. Richard kept his stoic facade, posing his usual fighting stance while tightening his fists into a ball. 

The fight begin just as suddenly as Richard's entrance. The Sand Butcher quickly made a swift dash toward the knight in silver. Husky can see it. As he had expected, a wide arching swing takes a while to wind up, which leave a lot of time to react. Richard sat and waited until the Crocodile boss was just about strike and the blade of the cleaver come barreling down toward him. Richard quickly dropped to the ground, rolling toward the swing, dodging under the attack.

Now, the boss is wide open. Getting to a kneeling position, the knight quickly dash toward the huge reptilian. Now at a flanking position, the knight climbed up the crocodile tail. His fist glow bright red as Richard threw his strongest punch, launching the walking reptile back toward the ring of spears and dropped Richard onto the ground. Richard's other speculation is right. The inward pointing spears does deal a significant amount of elemental damage when the Sand Butcher bounced against the spears and back, because with one attack and a little ping pong-ing against the ring of the arena brings the boss down to half health. 

Now that the boss have dropped to half health, it's activating the second phase, growing in size as its muscle bulked and flexing the grip of his giant cleaver. The creature turned to face Richard, its size how almost dwarfing his. Now the dangerous part begins.

Spoiler

ID: 177020
MD: 1 [Miss]
BD: 5+3 [Hit] Husky uses All Might: (14*15) -20 = 190 DMG on Sando Satsu

___

Husky: 440/440 HP | 27/44 EN | 14 DMG | 39 MIT | 3 ACC |
VS
Sando Satsu: 160/350 HP | 150 DMG | 30 MIT |

 

Edited November 6, 2020 by Husky

[Husky 0]

Richard stood still and anticipate the next attack. If he can do the same thing he just did, the fight is over. The elemental damage did a huge chunk of damage to the boss, and Richard planned to fully abuse that mechanic. Once again, the attack come barreling toward Richard, now at much quicker speed. Quickly duck under the first swing, the knight was almost caught off guard by the second already coming at him. One detail Richard had glossed over and was implied at was when the creature grew in size, its attack also increase in speed and strength. 

The knight in silver raised his hand to defend himself against the attack, ducking underneath as well. This time, the blade clipped against the gauntlet and slid off. Richard successfully deflected the incoming blow. However, that costed him an arm. The blade clipped against the gauntlet has taken the arm away with it. No matter. As long as Richard have his right arm, he can throw that haymaker he needed. 

The Sand Butcher raised the cleaver, leveraged by the last attack being pushed upward and brought it down onto Richard for a third and devastating strike. Richard is done playing it safe. He need to get close for the final strike, and if it means taking a shot from the boss then so be it. The attack came down with a heavy impact, rumbled the ground and create a heavy cloud of sad. From the dust cloud, Richard emerged, leaping forward with his fist reeled up and glowing red. One of his legs were missing, result from the attack. Richard threw his weight behind it, slamming his balled fist against the crocodilian face. The attack knocked the Sand Butcher back enough for it to get bounced off the spikes once more, this time health drained down to zero and the boss is defeated.

Spoiler

ID: 177024
MD: 6 [Hit] Sando Satsu attacks: 150 -39 = 111 DMG on Husky
BD: 10 [Crit!] Husky uses All Might: ((14+2)*15) -30 = 210 DMG on Sando Satsu

___

Husky: 329/440 HP | 10/44 EN | 14 DMG | 39 MIT | 3 ACC |
VS
Sando Satsu: 0/350 HP | 150 DMG | 30 MIT |

 

Edited November 6, 2020 by Husky