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

[Freyd 0]

"I dunno.  Seems like that could make sense.  But I've never heard of anything like this happening before, and the brokers I've spoken with have never mentioned it.  Maybe its a new thing?"

Freyd slumped down next to him, on the open floor where he could better monitor the approaches.  They had no way of knowing who or what else was down here, and Typhon could watch the area behind him from his vantage.  

"You keep ties with the brokers too?"  it was a probe, as much as a question.

"Yeah.  I have a few friends in the network.  We used to game together before ending up here.  I've kept in touch.  They're gonna love hearing about this.  New shit?  It's like fucking candy to those guys.  You should hear all the speculation going on about the floor boss fight.  No one really knows anything, but there are all sorts of notions getting into people's heads. Crazy stuff, too.  I think people are just getting desperate.  It's been so long since a floor was cleared, y'know?"

"Yeah.  I get it.  We'll get it cleared soon, I'm sure."  Freyd chose his words deliberately, leaving his companion to wonder whether he meant to include himself with those doing the clearing.  An intrigued look flashed across Typhon's eyes, as he suddenly seemed to be reevaluating his original impression.

***

Rest 2/2 (EN fully recovered)

Freyd enters Stealth: ID #181814 | LD 14+8=22 (Success)

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 | VENGEFUL | Parry (--/2) | Vengeful (--/3)

[Freyd 0]

Further discussion was postponed when a giant arm suddenly sprouted from the pillar that had been shattered by the last glitch they just defeated.  A second, equally large limb followed an instant later, as if some sludge-like monster was oozing its way through the breach in the digital mesh.  Glowing with the same injurious orange as the others, it looked like magma seeping out of a wound in the world. 

"Creepy as fuck."  Typhon's evaluation was spot on, so far as Freyd was concerned, but he'd already retreated to the shadows.  His ally scrambled to his feet realizing that the Whisper had gone again.

"You really need to quit doing that, man!  Not cool!"

A head and torso emerged from the gap, tearing the mesh wider as if birthing itself into creation through the very fabric of creation.  The mesh shattered, making it looked even more like some postulant thing that had burst out of some sickening caul and unleashed itself.  Preferring not to give it time to gain its bearing, Freyd struck it, hard, his sword nearly severing it at the neck.

"I take it back!   Do that as many times as you'd like!!!"

Spoiler

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

Roll to maintain stealth (ID: #181814: LD 14+8=22 (Success))

ID #181815 | BD: 9 (Auto-hit, Crit +1, Assassin +5, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (13*38=494-110=384) damage to Big Daddy-Glitch.  Tox.Ven applied.

ID #181815 | MD: 6+2-4=4 (miss).  Big Daddy-Glitch misses Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:182/191 (191-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 | VENGEFUL | Parry (--/2) | Vengeful (--/3) 

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 1250/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | Tox.Ven 16 (1/2) (1650-384-16)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (484) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (242) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (528) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (264) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

The digital titan emerging before them didn't seem to appreciate their welcome, lashing at Freyd with a whip-like appendage ending in a jagged claw.  His black blade partly parried the blow, injuring it in return, but Freyd hissed as the burning in his hands and arms from the sheer power behind the strike.  

"Be careful!  This one's even nastier than the last two!"  It had a significant reach, too, making it difficult to get in close without get tagged.  In addition to its two, thick arms, the creature had four whip-like tentacles sprouting from its back, whirling madly around it as a form of defense and also to attack anything that got close enough.  It's roar shook the ground, sounding like a giant fog horn, or one of those reaper-thingies from Mass Effect.  Creepy indeed.

"Let's tag team it!"  They had already been doing so intuitively.  Making it formal might actually improve their coordination.

"Yeah.  Sounds good.  I'll match your timing."  Freyd placed himself where he could readily see Typhon's attacks and then waited for his cue.

Spoiler

Freyd activates Charge.

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

ID #181816 | BD: 2+6-2-1=5 (miss)  Freyd misses Big Daddy-Glitch.  

ID #181816 | MD: 8+2-4=6 (hit).  Big Daddy-Glitch deals (440*0.5=220-79=141) damage to Freyd.  Vengeful Riposte triggered.

Vengeful Riposte deals (220-110=110) damage to Big Daddy-Glitch.

Freyd | HP:1769/1910 (1910-141) | EN:181/191 (182-2+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 | VENGEFUL | Parry (0/2) | Vengeful (0/3) 

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 1124/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | Tox.Ven 16 (2/2) (1250-110-16)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (484) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (242) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (528) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (264) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

"I think you pissed it off!"  A chuckle followed Freyd's counterpoint strike, digging deep into the glitch's electrified hide.  Its shrieks were swallowed by the howls unleashed by Samael's Pride, as the barrier containing its inner void wavered and collapsed.  Another wide swath of the creature back vanished, as if vacuumed up by the blade.  Given that its coloring already closely matched the telltale signs of injury in the game, they had to rely on its health bar to gauge their progress, which had just forced it into the yellow range.

"I have that effect on people,"  Tython countered.  The potions he'd consumed during their short break had done their work.  Life and vigor had been restored to the man, and he was using both to pound the snot out of their common opponent.  Catching Freyd's eye, the maniac actually body checked the giant, sending it off balance and straight into another sword stroke.

Spoiler

Freyd regains 95 HP from BH.

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

ID #181817 | BD: 8+6-2=12 (hit, Fallen +6)  Freyd deals (13*32=416-110=306) damage to Big Daddy-Glitch. 

ID #181817 | MD: 2+2-4=0 (miss).  Big Daddy-Glitch misses Freyd.  

Freyd | HP:1864/1910 (1769+95) | EN:172/191 (181-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 | Parry (1/2) | Vengeful (1/3) 

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 818/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2  (1124-306)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (484) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (242) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (528) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (264) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

Freyd sought to pin the whirling dervish, timing the thrust of his blade just right, as least in part.  Stop it he did, but not before it could align a series of slap-slashing limbs his way in retribution.  Both combatants reeled under their respective onslaughts.  It had been a while since Freyd had taken such strong blows, and this time without pain suppression.  It wasn't lethal.  Not even close, in fact, but it stung in a manner the likes of which he had never experienced in Aincrad.  New pain.  Fresh pain.

Typhon called his name and hacked into its awkward bulk from the other side, sending fractured fractals out in all direction.  It looked like he was carving his way into a beached whale.

"Freyd!  You okay, man?  That was one hell of a wallop!  FREYD!"

"Yeah.  I'm here.  Oww.  Damnit."  Yanking his blade out released the glitch, but also bought him a welcome reprieve.

"And people volunteer to tank?"  He spat out some of the flayed pixels that had landed in his mouth.  "I'll pass, thanks."

Spoiler

Freyd regains 95 HP from BH.

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

ID #181818 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6)  Freyd deals (13*33=428-110=318) damage to Big Daddy-Glitch.   TxVen applied.

ID #181818 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  Big Daddy-Glitch deals (484-79=415) damage to Freyd.  

Free action: Freyd uses Gungnir Shard to recover 180HP.

Freyd | HP:1675/1910 (1864+95[max]-415+180) | EN:163/191 (172-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 | Parry (2/2) | Vengeful (2/3) 

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 484/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | TxVen 16 (1/2) (818-318-16)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (484) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (242) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (528) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (264) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

Stumpy, as they both agreed to nickname the boss, was having a hard go of it.  All of his flailing tentacles had been sheered off, half of them from his own thrashing about.  One of his larger 'arms' was also in bad shape and hanging rather limply at his side.  Even his stumpy, sludge-like legs were struggling to maintain their form.  The glitch didn't really seem to understand its predicament, and kept up its relentless attacks.  None were to be taken lightly, but its own health bar was now dipping so low that both players could sense their impending victory.  

And then it did its thing.  Lashing out at the thoroughly trashed floor, it hooked its meaty limbs into the ragged mesh and ripped the universe a new one.  A suction, not unlike the one experienced when his sword let loose, opened up before them.  Infinite darkness lay beyond the rent fabric of time and space, and realization dawned upon Freyd.

"Shit, man.  I think you might have been here a lot longer than an hour."

Spoiler

Freyd regains 95 HP from BH.

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

ID #181819 | BD: 5+6-2=9 (Hit).  Freyd deals (13*26=338-110=228) damage to Big Daddy-Glitch.   

ID #181819 | MD: 3+2-4=1 (miss).  Big Daddy-Glitch misses Freyd.  

Freyd | HP:1770/1910 (1675+95) | EN:154/191 (163-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 | Vengeful (3/3) 

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 248/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | TxVen 16 (2/2) (484-228-16)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (484) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (242) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (528) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (264) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

"What are you talking about?"  Typhon looked completely confused.

"This is nowhere.  It doesn't exist, except as an underpinning of a game concept.  We're inside the walls, or between floors.  Whatever!  Give me the names of three people who would know you!  QUICKLY!" 

Babykaiju did has he was told, just before a wayward lash from an angry glitch consigned him to the void.  Freyd's own grip was already failing.  Choosing to go out fighting, he braced himself on the nearest column and pushed, springing out closer to the main body of the glitch and plunging his blade deep into its bulbous body.  It squealed as the sword glowed white with righteous wrath, powered by an act of willing sacrifice with fate uncertain and hanging in the balance.  The creature floundered and fell into its own trap, disintegrating as he gutted it from one end to the other.

"Oh, fuck."  Freyd thought in those last moments before the darkness swallowed him.  "I really hope I'm wrong."

Spoiler

Freyd regains 95 HP from BH.

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

ID #181820 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6)  Freyd deals (13*33=428-110=318) damage to Big Daddy-Glitch.   TxVen applied.

Freyd regains 191 HP from VO.

Freyd | HP: 1910/1910 (1770+95+191[max]) | EN:145/191 (154-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TxVen 16/2 | LD:8 | Prosp 3 | BH:95 

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 0/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | TxVen 16 (1/2) (248-318-16)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (484) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (242) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (528) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (264) DMG to every other player.

Loot Rolls:

Big Daddy-Glitch (ID #181821 | LD: 7+8=15, CD: 6)

13860*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Weapon #181821a
T3 Uncommon Consumable #181821b

***

Thread Summary

6 SP (1 page, +1 event, +2 quest, +2 sub-dungeon)

75,582 col (74,382 from loot + 400 from page + 800 from quest)

18*T3 Materials (from loot)

<Enywas’ Jade> [Vanity Quest Item] : 1 of 9, collect all 9 and meet whom that waits before you, only then will you get the grand prize.

T3 Perfect Armor/Shield #181788a
T3 Perfect Weapon #181788b
T3 Rare Trinket #181789a
T3 Rare Trinket #181790a
T3 Rare Armor/Shield #181796a
T3 Rare Consumable #181799a
T3 Rare Armor/Shield181799b
T3 Rare Armor/Shield #181801a
T3 Rare Consumable #181807a
T3 Rare Weapon #181807b
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield #181813a
T3 Perfect Consumable #181813b
T3 Perfect Consumable #181813c
T3 Rare Weapon #181821a
T3 Uncommon Consumable #181821b