[SP-06] A Glitch of Future Shadows <<DHA: 6>>

[Freyd 0]

Another cryptic clue had been received, directing the dragon hunters to the jungle world that was the sixth floor of Aincrad.  Freyd wasn't overly fond of this floor; too moist.  He felt as if his feet left too much of a trail, no matter how softly he tread, and the foliage had hidden eyes everywhere.  A chuckle passed his lips as he remembered meeting Vigilon here, and the imprint that the strangely ornery fellow had left as he splattered himself on the floor of Krycim village.  Those upper boughs remained to be explored, but later.  A growing sense of urgency was building within.  The raid was imminent.  He had to finish his hunt before heading for the 25th.  Katoka and Elora were busy elsewhere.  Circling back to help them later would have to suffice.  Downing what he needed, Freyd made his way into the wilds in search of the mysterious Jade hatchling.

Vanity Tag: @Vigilon @Elora @Katoka

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:191/191 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95

Consuming:

Spoiler

Fiery Dragon Roll | T3 Mitigation 3 | 170926
Creme Brulee | ACC 2 | 171537-1
Smores | EVA 2 | 171929
Berry Crumb Bar | LD 3 | 172788
Mousse | Prosperity 3 | 173054
Breakfast Fry | Protein 2 | 172354 + Filled
Liquor of Light | DMG 3 | 173499
T2 Toxic Venom | 148612
Field Rations +2 | [http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/19871-f13-merchant-freyd-edges-safe-zone/?do=findComment&comment=623998]

 

Stats:

Spoiler

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows
Level: 88
HP: 1790/1790 (+120)
EN: 191/191

Stats:
Damage: 20 (+3+3)
Mitigation: 79 (+45-45)
Evasion: 2 (+2)
Accuracy: 4 (+2)
BH:89 (+6)
VAMP OFF:179 (+12)
HLY:6
FLN:6
LD:5 (+3)
(Prosperity 3)
(Toxic Venom 16/2)

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Samael's Pride (T3-2HSS, VO 1, HOLY 1, FLN 1)
Armor: Skirmisher's Garb (T3 LA, MIT 2, EVA 1)
Misc: Night Shades (T3-Trinket, ACC 3)

Skills:
2H Straight Sword [Rank 5]
Light Armor [Rank 5]
Searching [Rank 4]
Battle Healing [Rank 5]
Parry [Obtained]
Energist [Obtained]
Charge [Rank 5]
Extended Mod Limit R3 [Obtained]
Hiding [Rank 5]
Martial Arts [Rank 5]
Quick Change [Obtained]

Extra Skills:
Disguise
Familiar Mastery: Fighter 3
Survival
Meditation

Active Mods:
Precision - 2HSS
Finesse - Rank 3
LA Athletics
Ferocity - 2HSS
LA Sprint and Acrobatics
Vanish
Vengeful Riposte
Surprise Attack (Assassin)

Inactive Mods:
Night Vision
Untraceable
Tracking

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystals*5
Gungnir Shard: Haniel's Modesty (T3 Perfect HP Rec [Instant]*5
Flash of Rejuvenation (Mass HP Rec [Instant] (+30*Tier HP)*5
Fruit-Infused Tea (T3 HP Recovery)*5
T3 Blank Dungeon Maps *5
Mega-Duper... Sauce (Antidote 3)*5
Grave Injustice (T3-2HSS, ACC 1, Keen 1, Abs. ACC)*1

Housing Buffs:
Rested: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Skylight (Searching): +1 Rank to the Searching skill.
Angler: +1 material gained when fishing
Advanced Training: +2 SP to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor [Potted Tanabata Bamboo Tree]: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild:
Kumatetsu Statue: +1 Base Damage for a thread

Wedding Ring: n/a

 

[Freyd 0]

The beast wasn't hard to find, and soon felt the sting of his blade as Freyd flushed it from its fortified den, forcing it to fight in the open.  Enywas, by its label, was already hovering in the red after his first blow.  The dragon had barely spotted him before his blow smashed it clear through the rear wall of mud and bent tree boughs that had formerly sheltered it.  The beast hissed its outrage at the shadow that emerged from the ruins of its home, carrying some sliver of barely contained nothingness in his hands.  Try as it might, there was no closing the distance, despite its speed, agility and resilient.  Its damnable opponent just matched its reactions and waited for his opportunity to strike again, and finish it.

"Come on, big boy, I have a schedule to keep."

Freyd circled, mildly disappointed that he hadn't managed to fell the dragon in a single blow.  He was rushing.  Otherwise, this fight would already be over.

Spoiler

Freyd activates Charge.

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - Rested (1st/2), Finesse 3) = 9 EN

ID: #181776 | BD: 5+6-2-1=8 (hit).  Freyd deals (31*13=403-60-30=313) damage to Enywas.

ID:  #181776 | MD: 7+2-4=5 (miss).  Enywas misses Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:182/191 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95

Enywas - the Jade Hatchling | HP: 37/350 | MIT: 60 (+30) | ACC: 2  | EVA: 2 | DMG: 95 (350-313) 
<<Hardened Skin>> : Immune to Paralysis and Bleed effects. -30 Damage done to this boss, this does not count as Mitigation.

 

[Freyd 0]

It was more clever than he'd thought.  Assuming it wounded and feeble, Freyd pulled his strike, giving the quick-but-overgrown gekko just enough leeway to dodge and then slam him with its powerful tail for his trouble. 

'Lesson learned', Freyd thought as his back smashed against a nearby tree.  

Enywas pounced, hoping to recover the initiative for itself, but without success.  The black shadow rolled low and beneath its claws, suffering only mild injury.  His hide was comparable to its own.  Another roar signaled its frustration, as well as anger at being challenged.  The beast thought itself supreme in its domain and did not appreciate a challenger.

Freyd recovered his footing and darter around to the far side of their improvised battlefield, dodging deftly over broken logs and a field of uneven, jagged rocks protruding through the rich, thick soil of the jungle floor.  He'd already lined up his next attack, and was just waiting for the dragon to turn and try its luck again.

Spoiler

Freyd recover 16 HP from BH

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - Rested (2nd/2), Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 8 EN  Miss (-2 EN), Turn Recover (+1 EN)

ID: #181777 | BD: 1 (miss).  Freyd misses Enywas

ID: #181777 | MD: 8+2-4=6 (hit).  Enywas deals (95-79=16) damage to Freyd)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:181/191 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95

Enywas - the Jade Hatchling | HP: 37/350 | MIT: 60 (+30) | ACC: 2  | EVA: 2 | DMG: 95 
<<Hardened Skin>> : Immune to Paralysis and Bleed effects. -30 Damage done to this boss, this does not count as Mitigation.

 

[Freyd 0]

The dragon moved, but not as he'd expected, leaping forward and low to slash at him with wicked claws, then darting swiftly back beyond the range of his sword.  The hum of black death pass just over its head, sparing it once more. 

"So, you've actually got some cunning?  Good.  I prefer the challenge."  Freyd raised the blade and pressed his advance.  Enywas knew well the terrain around its home, but also its limitations.  The beast was to large to take advantage of the underbrush and tighter quarters between the thick tangle of brown boughs laced around them.  It sought sanctuary by climbing, only to have Freyd cut the trunks down entirely.

"Come on down, big boy.  Let's get this over with, so that you can respawn and I can move on."  

Frilly flaps of webbing fluttered as it roared in response to the taunt.  Enywas was already beating the odds and had no desire to be felled in any way whatsoever.

Spoiler

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - Rested (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 9 EN  Miss (-2 EN), Turn Recover (+1 EN)

ID: #181778 | BD: 1 (miss).  Freyd misses Enywas

ID: #181778 | MD: 7+2-4=5 (miss).  Enywas misses Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:180/191 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95

Enywas - the Jade Hatchling | HP: 37/350 | MIT: 60 (+30) | ACC: 2  | EVA: 2 | DMG: 95 
<<Hardened Skin>> : Immune to Paralysis and Bleed effects. -30 Damage done to this boss, this does not count as Mitigation.

 

[Freyd 0]

A slick, sideways slide, combined with a spray of earth to its face, finally gave Freyd the opening that had thus far eluded him.  An upward slice caught the dragon across the softer scaled of its underbelly and effectively gutted it.  Were it real, actual, disgusting goo might have spilled out.  Instead, the creature froze and exploded into a brilliant burst of pixels - or should have.  It got about half-way through the standard proc and then just stopped.

Freyd's brow furrowed in response, as his body maintained a wary stance.  Was this another of Cardinal's tricks?  Was it rejuvenating like some sort of blood-crystal junky, or the agents of the Spire?  Several parts of the pix-splosion seemed to bounce back and forth, as if trapped in a time loop lasting less than a second.  Checking, first,  to ensure that nothing else was around, Freyd approached carefully.  The mob's death sequence just seemed... stuck?

"A glitch?  Huh.  Hey Persi, check this ou-"

There was a flash, and then the mob was gone, and so was Freyd.

Spoiler

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 9 EN  

ID: #181779 | BD: 4+6-2=8 (hit).  Freyd deals (26*13=338-60-30=248) damage to Enywas.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:171/191 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95

Enywas - the Jade Hatchling | HP: 37/350 | MIT: 60 (+30) | ACC: 2  | EVA: 2 | DMG: 95 
<<Hardened Skin>> : Immune to Paralysis and Bleed effects. -30 Damage done to this boss, this does not count as Mitigation.

Sub-dungeon map [165969] used.

[Freyd 0]

[Scene shifts to sub-dungeon on floor 22]

All sense of direction and gravity was momentarily lost, churning his mental stomach in a manner that did not sit well, until a cold, smooth surface pressed against his face.  Freyd could best describe the sensation as emerging from one of the teleportation portals scattered all across Aincrad, assuming you initiated the transport in a contorted yoga pose that included smooshing your nose as hard as possible onto the ground.

Red eyes blinked as his torso jumped upward, sword in hand and at the ready.  This place felt oddly familiar, wherever it was.  It was also unfinished, by the looks of it.  The floor had no finish, and many patched of masonry walls and barrel-vaulted ceilings showed 'bare' patches where a basic yellow grid pattern could be seen, each square roughly a foot to a side.  Where the stone met the unfinished mesh, a glowing orange edge undulated and flashed.  They resembled the scars left on mobs and players as they suffered injury in combat, and produced enough light to illuminate the bizarre and seemingly endless catacombs.  

"Where the hell am I?"  His hand reached for the teleportation crystal at hand in his inventory, but hesitated.  What if it didn't work?  More importantly, this place felt like some sort of Easter egg or unfinished zone.  What if he could never return?  Curiosity won the day, and Freyd ventured deeper, searching for answers to his many, many questions.

[Freyd 0]

An unfamiliar pattern of strange buzzing sounds filtered its way between the endless colonnade.  It was coming from up ahead, and slightly to the left.  The pitch and duration of each buzz was intermittent and variable.  Maybe there was more than one source?  Pulsing orange lured him forward, moving quietly, but not quite set for full stealth.  He wanted to know what he was dealing with before spending any extra effort or expending any resources.  If he was stuck here, it would be best to conserve what he'd brought with him.

Peering around one of the columns, Freyd gripped Samual's Pride tighter at the sight that greeted his hardened eyes.  Four figures surrounded a fifth - the latter bearing a green icon, indicating it to be a player.  The figure was either young or just short, and wearing dark green armor that gave it a decidedly reptilian appearance, complete with claws and scales.

'Someone's been watching too many Godzilla movies.'

The assailants were more concerning, by far.  Each of them looked like fairly normal NPC mobs, save the pieces of them that were missing.  Just like the surrounding halls, they were incomplete, or damaged.  Even worse, their parts were mismatched, making them look like someone had scrounged a bunch of people parts from different Lego sets and just mashed them together.  Their avatars flashed and sizzled as they moved - the source of the buzzing sounds - as they advanced to collect what they could from their victim, aiming to make it part of themselves.

'Mob... cannibals?!'

(Energy restored)

[Freyd 0]

"Come on, freaks!  Bring it!  See the Hell you're in for!"  The voice was male, and sounded young, but it might just as easily be the result of it short stature.  The mobs swarmed and Freyd charged into action.  His reaction might seem impulsive to anyone who didn't know him, like the stranger under attack.  The precision strikes of his attacks, and choreographed appearance of his movements revealed the truth: every action was already mapped out in his head.  He just had to see if Cardinal's damned RNG would allow them to play out.  

No plan ever survives contact with the enemy.  Moltke.

Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.  Eisenhower.  You have no idea how much I hate that I knew both of those quotes.

The boy in the monster getup did more than just hold his own, and brought the fight to their distracted opponents.

He knows how to take advantage of an opportunity.  Good.

Spoiler

Freyd activates Charge.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +8 from hits): 20 EN - (Rested 1st/2, Finesse 3) = 16 EN  

ID: #181780 | BD: 2+6-1=7 (hit, Charge +5).  Freyd deals (31*12=372) damage to Neo-Glitch #1
ID: #181781 | BD: 8+6-1=13 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  Freyd deals (37*12=444) damage to Neo-Glitch #2
ID: #181782 | BD: 6+6-1=11 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  Freyd deals (37*12=444) damage to Neo-Glitch #3
ID: #181783 | BD: 4+6-1=9 (hit, Charge +5).  Freyd deals (31*12=372) damage to Neo-Glitch #4

ID: #181780 | MD: 3-4=(-1) (miss)  Freyd takes no damage from Neo-Glitch #1.
ID: #181781 | MD: 6-4=2 (miss)  Freyd takes no damage from Neo-Glitch #2.
ID: #181782 | MD: 7-4=3 (miss)  Freyd takes no damage from Neo-Glitch #3.
ID: #181783 | MD: 10 (Crit +2)  Freyd takes (266-79=187) damage from Neo-Glitch #4.

Freyd | HP:1723/1910 | EN:175/191 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95

Neo-Glitch #1: HP: 398/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 (770-372)
Neo-Glitch #2: HP: 326/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 (770-444)
Neo-Glitch #3: HP: 326/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 (770-444)
Neo-Glitch #4: HP: 398/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 (770-372)

 

[Freyd 0]

"Where the fuck did you come from?!"  Monster-dude was just as confused by Freyd's sudden appearance as the mobs that portended to attack him.  "You'd better not have been trailing me this whole time, or I'm gonna kick your ass when we're done with these messed up mobs!"

Oh.  You've found another ChaseR clone.  How lovely.

"Take it easy, Babykaiju.  I just got here.  Help me mop the floor with these guys and then we can talk."  Freyd cringed at Montjoy's mention of the Blue Boi, but secretly shared his sentiment.  This needed to go better than their first few encounters had.  It was hard to imagine them going much worse.

The guy chuckled at the nickname, which suggested that it was well-received.  As Freyd mowed down the mobs that had turned to face him, dude kept hacking at them from behind.  It was a good and well-coordinate team effort, picked up on the fly.  Not everyone could easily do that.  Freyd was already liking this guy.

Spoiler

Freyd heals 95 HP from BH.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +8 from hits): 20 EN - (Rested 2nd/2, Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 15 EN  

ID: #181784 | BD: 7+6=13 (hit, Fallen +6).  Freyd deals (32*12=384) damage to Neo-Glitch #1
ID: #181785 | BD: 6+6=12 (hit, Fallen +6).  Freyd deals (32*12=384) damage to Neo-Glitch #2
ID: #181786 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (33*12=396) damage to Neo-Glitch #3
ID: #181787 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (34*12=408) damage to Neo-Glitch #4

Freyd heals up to 191 HP from VO after hitting Neo-Glitch #3.

ID: #181784 | MD: 3-4=(-1).  Neo-Glitch #1 misses Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 (1723 +95+191) | EN:160/191 (175-15) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95

Neo-Glitch #1: HP: 14/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 (398-384)
Neo-Glitch #2: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0  (326-384)
Neo-Glitch #3: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0  (326-396)
Neo-Glitch #4: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 (398-408)

Vanish triggered and can be activated on next round.

Neo-Glitches #5 and #6 arrive.

Loot Rolls:

Neo-Glitch #2 (ID #171788 | LD: 14+8=22, CD: 3)

6468*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield #181788a
T3 Perfect Weapon #181788b

Neo-Glitch #3 (ID #181789 | LD: 5+8=13, CD: 2)

6468*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Trinket #181789a

Neo-Glitch #4 (ID #181790 | LD: 5+8=13, CD: 3)

4851*Col
4*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Trinket #181790a
 

[Freyd 0]

Freyd disappeared behind a column, momentarily confusing his lone remaining enemy, just as two additional foes wandered into the fray from the far side.  All three glitch-fiends turned their attention to monster-getup-dude.

"Aww, come on, man!  Don't leave me hanging like this!"

Shadows stirred from the ceiling as Freyd dove down, driving his blade through the nearest, wounded monstrosity, shattering it like a car driving over a dulled bit of wayward glass on the road.  The other two were wholly focused on the other player and caught off-guard by his sudden onslaught.  Shadows drifted in a trail from the swings of his blade as he cut into them, repeatedly, dropping their health bars with unforgiving prejudice.  

"I'm here.  Just keep them distracted."  Sliding behind another column, Freyd made his way around to flank the new arrivals, still reeling from his initial attacks.  His reply seemed to have done enough.  Babykaiju was back at it, his confidence bolstered.

Give them hope?

Damned right.

Spoiler

Freyd activates Vanish (-6 EN)

Stealth roll: ID #181792 | LD 5+8=13 (success)

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +6 from hits): 18 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 14 EN  

ID: #181793 | BD: 6 (Auto-hit, Assassin +5, Fallen +6).  Freyd deals (37*12=444) damage to Neo-Glitch #1
ID: #181794 | BD: 6 (Auto-hit, Assassin +5, Fallen +6).  Freyd deals (37*12=444) damage to Neo-Glitch #5
ID: #181795 | BD: 2 (Auto-hit, Assassin +5).  Freyd deals (31*12=372) damage to Neo-Glitch #6

ID: #181794 | MD: 8-4=4 (miss).  Neo-Glitch #5 misses Freyd.
ID: #181795 | MD: 5-4=1 (miss).  Neo-Glitch #6 misses Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:140/191 (160-6-14) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 | Vanish [0/3]

Neo-Glitch #1: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0  (14-444)
Neo-Glitch #5: HP: 326/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0  (770-444)
Neo-Glitch #6: HP: 398/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0  (770-372)
 

Loot Rolls:

Neo-Glitch #1 (ID #181796 | LD: 7+8=15, CD: 12)

8085*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Armor/Shield #181796a
 

[Freyd 0]

The shrieking suction of a void blade unleashed pierced the half-missing ribs of one of the glitching mobs.  The thing roared, sounding like it had swallowed an auto-tuner, before shattering into a thousand motes of multi-coloured lights.  Even in death, their fractured natures held true.  Dying mobs normally broke apart into a dazzling display of a single, predominant color.  It could vary, but was rarely more than a single hue.  These things were the opposite, seemingly incapable of deciding quite what they were.

"One left, bud, keep at it." 

Babykaiju took his own series of swift and well-coordinate strikes at the sole remaining freak, delivering a hefty blow to its health bar in the process.  He seemed more adept at the crowd control combat, which probably explained how he'd survived this long in the first place.  He'd taken a few hits to his own health bar, but the tides had changed immediately following Freyd's arrival.  Maybe he could share some insights into how he got here, and where they actually were?

Spoiler

Freyd activates Charge.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +2 from hits): 14 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 10 EN  

ID: #181797 | BD: 8+6-1=13 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  Freyd deals (37*12=444) damage to Neo-Glitch #5
ID: #181798 | BD: 1 (miss).  Freyd misses Neo-Glitch #6

ID: #181798 | MD: 3-4=(-1) (miss).  Neo-Glitch #6 misses Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:130/191 (140-10) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 | Vanish [1/3]

Neo-Glitch #5: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0  (326-444)
Neo-Glitch #6: HP: 398/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0  

Loot Rolls:

Neo-Glitch #5 (ID #181799 | LD: 8+8=16, CD: 8)

8085*Col
T3 Rare Consumable #181799a
T3 Rare Armor/Shield181799b
 

[Freyd 0]

Coming at their foe from both flanks, they skewered and flayed its fragmentary form between them until nothing remained but a glowing cloud dispersing into non-existent wind.  

"Thanks.  I had them right where I wanted them, but you saved me a bit of time and effort.  Call me-"

"Babykaiju.  It suits you, and I will never get it out of my head, so you might as well get used to it."  His companion laughed again, shrugging his shoulders and rolling with it.  "I'm Freyd."

"Sure you are.  You didn't look too 'fraid when you were cutting those freakzoids into pixel packs.  Where'd you come from, anyway?  I haven't see anyone else since I fell into this hellhole."

Freyd grimaced.  

"Let me guess: you found a glitch?"

"Uh-huh.  Spot on. I was on floor 21 when it happened.  Just grinding my way through cave spiders, and then... *boop* one of them starts getting all flickery-like.  I sit and stare at it like an idiot, then end up in here.  Been running into those creep mobs for an hour, trying to find a way out."

Spoiler

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 9 EN  

ID: #181800 | BD: 6+6=12 (hit, Fallen +6).  Freyd deals (32*13=416) damage to Neo-Glitch #6

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:121/191 (130-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 | Vanish [2/3]

Neo-Glitch #6: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0  (398-416)

Loot Rolls:

Neo-Glitch #6 (ID #181801 | LD: 4+8=12, CD: 9)

8085*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Armor/Shield #181801a
 

[Freyd 0]

"You're the first lot I've met since I got here.  Any idea where this place might be?"

Babykaiju just shrugged.  

"Everything just looks like more of this."  He pointed to the bizarre maze of semi-fractured masonry all around them, including all the weird griddy-bits.  "I tried poking at some of them, but they're still solid surfaces.  I guess someone just forgot to pain them."

The guy seemed a bit on the reckless side, but that didn't surprise Freyd much after their battle.  If his story about ending up here and wandering aimless was true, it also followed his pattern.

"The glitches seem to guess worse in this direction.  I've been following them, but the farther I go, the more of these freaky mobs I meet.  Wanna tag along and see where it leads?"  The guy seemed genuinely eager for company.  An hour of walking aimlessly in this place would be unsettling for anyone.

"Yeah.  I'm in."  Freyd offered a party invite, which was promptly accepted.

"Oh.  Uh.  'Freyd'.  Now I get it."  Babykaiju's actual, fake name was apparently Typhon.  Ready acceptance of Freyd's nickname suddenly made sense, as did his unusual armor.  He clearly had a penchant for monsters.  

The two exchanged basic information and background as they walked, but the conversation was sparse.  Typhon was definitely spooked, and Freyd was in full analytic mode, trying to piece together the nature of this place.  The farther they walked, the less finished the environment became, until they came to a vaulted bay that was nothing but exposed grid.  There seemed to be some sort of node-like aperture on the far side with an interface of some kind next to it.   

"Finally!"

"Wait, don't-"

Too late.

Typhon had barely stepped a foot into the room when charged electricity arced between the floor and ceiling, instantly spawning some giant, glowing, vaguely humanoid thing with long clawed hands that crackled with unfriendly power.  Freyd rushed in, choosing to throw caution to the wind, rather than risk losing an ally.

 

Spoiler

Freyd activates Charge.

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Rested, Finesse 3, EN Recovery) = 8 EN  

ID: #181802 | BD: 5+6-1-1=9 (hit, Charge +5).  Freyd deals (31*13=403-44=359) damage to Mega-Glitch #1

ID: #181802 | MD: 6+1-4=3 (miss).  Mega-Glitch #1 misses Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:113/191 (121-8) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 | Vanish [3/3]

Mega-Glitch #1: HP: 741/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (1100-359)

 

[Freyd 0]

Typhon managed to dodge to the right, causing the glowing mini-rancor thing to miss, though the passage of its claws left deep rents in the floor mesh and seemed to eat away at some of the adjacent stonework. 

"Could these things be eating away at the zone?"  Freyd wondered at the possible long term consequences of such creatures.  Was this place just unfinished, or was it a real floor that had somehow been sundered by its own dysfunctional mobs?

"Dunno, and don't really care right now!  Who knows what that would do if it hit one of us."  A little less lumbering than in their last battle, Typhon circled, trying to remain behind the wild, rampaging glitch, and away from its reach.  Freyd seized the opportunity and gave it another vicious blow, severing most of its left arm in the process.

"If you don't want to find out, help me take it down!"

Typhon moved to attack, and spotted another of the creatures manifesting on the far side of the room.

"Freyd!  Behind you!"

Spoiler

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Rested 2nd/2, Finesse 3, EN Recovery) = 8 EN  

ID: #181804 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (34*13=442-44=398) damage to Mega-Glitch #1

ID: #181804 | MD: 5+1-4=2 (miss).  Mega-Glitch #1 misses Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:105/191 (113-8) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 | Vanish [3/3]

Mega-Glitch #1: HP: 327/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | Tox.Ven 16 (1 of 2) (741-398-16)

Mega-Glitch #2 arrives.

 

[Freyd 0]

Spinning round, Freyd managed to slash his blade across the first abomination.  Watching the blade's trajectory, he knew that his opponent would hit him if he maintained his swing, and chose to take the blow.  A brilliant flare of holy light mixed with searing pain in his side as the creature's claws raked his ribs with a crackle of electricity.  Agony swept over him along with a cutting realization: the glitch negated pain suppression.  Trading blows with their enemy, Freyd recovered, sparing only a moment to look down at his side.  The would was closing.  Battle healing still worked.  

"Their attacks negate the pain suppression algorithm," Freyd grunted out between clenched teeth.

"You gonna be okay, Slender Man?"  That brought a grin to the Whisper's face.  Typhon's sense of humor matched his own, and they were successful in coordinating their attacks.  A bit more practice would only help them hone their skills.

"Yeah.  I'm good.  Let's take these things down."

Spoiler

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +4 from hits): 16 EN - (Finesse 3, EN Recovery) = 12 EN  

ID: #181805 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (33*13=429-44=385) damage to Mega-Glitch #1. Tox.Ven refreshed.
ID: #181806 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (33*13=429-44=385) damage to Mega-Glitch #2. Tox.Ven applied.

ID: #181806 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  Mega-Glitch #2 deals (331-79=252) damage to Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1658/1910 (1910-252) | EN:93/191 (105-12) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 

Mega-Glitch #1: HP: 0/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | Tox.Ven 16 (1 of 2) (327-385-16)
Mega-Glitch #2: HP: 699/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | Tox.Ven 16 (1 of 2) (1100-385-16)

Loot Rolls:

Mega-Glitch #1 (ID #181807 | LD: 10+8=18, CD: 3)

9240*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Consumable #181807a
T3 Rare Weapon #181807b
 

[Freyd 0]

Standing nearly ten feet tall, the mob's size hampered its movements.  Rounding one of the nearby columns, Freyd lined himself up for a charge, with sword firmly gripped and trailing behind him.  Sensing his approach, the glitch speared its claws into the exposed grid at its feet and yanked.  Like a loose carpet, the floor distorted awkwardly beneath Freyd's feet messing up his momentum and knocking him back on his ass.

"What the hell was that?!  They can warp the game world?  Not cool!"

Typhon had better luck, seizing the opportunity presented by the glitch's pre-occupation to slash a few gashes of his own on its hide.  

"Damn!"  He called, smoking slightly as he tumbled off its back.  "It feels like slicing through raw lightning!"  The beast rounded and sent Typhon flying with a massive backhand blow.

Freyd pictured his hair standing impudently on end, and was grateful for the weight of his cowl to keep it matted down.  Scrambling back to his feet, he got back into the fight as swiftly as possible. 

Spoiler

Freyd regains 95 HP from BH

Freyd activates Charge.

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): (missed) -2 EN + 1 turn recover

ID: #181808 | BD: 1 (miss). Freyd misses Mega-Glitch #2. 

ID: #181808 | MD: 2-4+1= (-1).  Mega-Glitch #2 misses Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1753/1910 (1658+95) | EN:92/191 (93-2+1) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 

Mega-Glitch #2: HP: 683/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | Tox.Ven 16 (2 of 2) (699-16)

 

[Freyd 0]

Going high hadn't worked out so well, so Freyd tried a different tactic.  Sliding low, he dodged its defensive swipe and cut at the beast's leg, catching it just above the ankle.  Samael's Pride snapped, momentarily releasing its seal and unleashing the void within to bite at the glitch's electrified flesh.  Shadow trailed his motion, too late for his opponent to do anything about it.  Catching his boot on the base of a nearby column, Freyd used it as a fulcrum and pivoted upward to smash the pummel of his sword across the thing's face.  Momentarily dazed, the glitch flailed wildly and ineffectively, giving Typhon another chance to nip at it from behind.

"One more should do it," Freyd called, finishing his attack swing and getting ready for the next.  Their melee was chaotic, yet still carried a certain hectic grace.  Typhon's movements were more controlled than he had first thought, serving as an effective counterpoint to his own.  His getup was a little weird, but they had similar quirks and worked well together.  Wheels were already turning.

Spoiler

Freyd regains 95 HP from BH

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 9 EN

ID: #181809 | BD: 8+6-1=13 (hit, Fallen +6). Freyd deals (13*32=416-44=372) damage to Mega-Glitch #2. 

ID: #181809 | MD: 1 (miss). Mega-Glitch #2 misses Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1848/1910 (1753+95) | EN:83/191 (92-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 

Mega-Glitch #2: HP: 311/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1  (683-372)

 

[Freyd 0]

The glitch roared as its fury grew over the pair of gnats that somehow continued to evade its strikes.  They nipped and jabbed and poked it repeatedly, yet its strength seemed to garner it no advantage.  Flailing wildly, it's lengthy claws tore at the very fabric of the digital reality around them, slicing through stone as if it were nothing but vapor.  One of the nearby columns collapsed, exploding like a tree trunk struck by a cement truck and spraying splinters in every direction.  Shimmering fragments of light lingered where the pillar had once stood, floating in the wake of its absence.  Somehow, physical laws were suspended and the ceiling held true. 

Freyd cleaved into it, as did Typhon from the opposite side, and still the creature would not fall.   Throwing its own bulk around, it seemed to enter some sort of frenzy and sought to bring down all of reality upon them.

Spoiler

Freyd regains 95 HP from BH

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 9 EN

ID: #181811 | BD: 4+6-1=9 (hit). Freyd deals (13*26=338-44=294) damage to Mega-Glitch #2. 

ID: #181811 | MD: 4+1-4=1 (miss). Mega-Glitch #2 misses Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 (1848+95) | EN:74/191 (83-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 

Mega-Glitch #2: HP: 17/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1  (311-294)

 

[Freyd 0]

"I think we've-"

*SMASH*

A random, flailing arm caught Typhon under the chin as it swung upward, slamming him hard into the ceiling nearly twenty feet above.  Freyd watched his ally's health bar crash hard into the red as his body followed its example, clapping loudly as it struck the ground.  He didn't shatter, but it didn't look good.  Their hate values were too evenly matched.  The glitch might veer off and try to finish a vulnerable target, if he didn't take it down quickly.  Taking a running leap, Freyd plunged his blade into the thing's back, hearing a sickly, slurping sound as it pierced through and burst out the other side.  The electric tingle Typhon had warned him about ran up his arms, delivering a growing numbness.  It was inelegant, but it worked.  The mob disintegrated beneath him, leaving him free to check on his crumpled companion.

"BabyKaiju!  You okay, man?  That was a pretty nasty hit."  Typhon's health bar slowly began to climb.

"Yeah.  Yeah, I'm good."  He didn't sound convincing.

Spoiler

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 9 EN

ID: #181812 | BD: 2+6-1=7 (hit). Freyd deals (13*26=338-44=294) damage to Mega-Glitch #2. 

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:65/191 (74-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 

Mega-Glitch #2: HP: 0/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1  (17-294)

Loot Rolls:

Mega-Glitch #2 (ID #181813 | LD: 13+8=21, CD: 6)

9240*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield #181813a
T3 Perfect Consumable #181813b
T3 Perfect Consumable #181813c

[Freyd 0]

Typhon started to rise, only to have Freyd's firm grip force him back down.  Too exhausted to argue, the monster-man relented and slumped back down against one of the barely remaining pillars.

"Take five, dude.  You just earned it.  These things are no slouches."

A nod was his only reply as Typhon struggled to come to grips with how close he had just been to death.

"You saved my life."

"Nah, man.  You saved your life by taking it down as far as you did.  I just helped you finish the job."  Freyd's eyes were elsewhere, scanning for other hostiles or some indication of how they might escape from this place.  He thought it best to change the subject.  Gratitude of this type got all gushy, and he had neither the time nor the inclination to indulge it.

"I wonder if we might be between floors?  It might explain the unfinished state, and the structural appearance of the floor.  Something must separate one level from another.  But what could have caused us both to end up here?  And how to we get out?"

***

Rest 1/2

Freyd activates Vengeful Riposte (-5 EN)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:60/191 (66-5+1) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 | VENGEFUL | Parry (--/2) | Vengeful (--/3)