[SP-09] Fate What Follows <<DHA:9>>

[Freyd 0]

"Are you sure you want to do this?"  Jeeves wrung his hands so tightly against each other as he spoke that Freyd worries he might actually rub the skin off his own mesh.

"Yeah.  I need to finish the quest line, and we all need to be sure that the quest is stable enough to prevent another vortex from swallowing up others."  Jeeves' resolve was never strong, but keeping others from the fate that had befallen his friend and sister was enough to stiffen his backbone, at least a little bit.

"Okay, okay, I get your point.  The last of the overgrown lizards can be found here, on floor 9.  That should wrap things up nicely... although..."  His hands wavered around, as if trying to sort or connect unseen UI windows.  Freyd could see the confusion through the shorter man's aviator goggles.  "No.  Yeah.  It's fine, it's fine.  Go ahead."

Freyd stared at him for a moment, from beneath his cowl.  Deciding that he was simply better off not knowing, he turned and headed for his destination.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:191/191 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95

Spoiler

Crème Brûlée (Snack) | Accuracy 2 | 171800-1
Smores (Snack) | Evasion 2 | 172600
Liquor of Light (Potion) | Damage 3 | 177844-1
Breakfast Fry | Protein 2 | 172358-1 + FILLED
Divinity's Wait (Meal)| Mitigation 3 | 169987
Viperion (Salve) | Toxic Venom 24/3 | 155369
Berry Crumb Bars (Snack) | LOOT DIE 3 | 173659
Cinnamon Rounded Stick (Snack) | Prosperity 3 | 149387
Field Rations +2 (+120 HP) | (17/20) [http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/19871-f13-merchant-freyd-edges-safe-zone/?do=findComment&comment=623998]
 

Stats

Spoiler

Freyd
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
(Tox.Ven 24/3)
LD:5 (+3)
(Prosperity 3)

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
Imugi's Inspiration (T3 Mass HP Recovery)*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:

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #2

Smaug, copyright suit likely still pending, was right where it should be.  The red dragon had carved out a nice little niche beneath a heavy basalt outcropping and surrounded with lava flows that served as natural sources of heat and layered rings of protection against approach by unwanted visitors.  Freyd had simply jumped right over them all with a mental nod of thanks for Oscar for having reminded him of the super-hero physics players could achieve in this game, for no other reason than the fact that is was a game.  

Rushing forward from there, intent on his prey, the only warning it received of his impending attack was the last minute screeching of wind and dust as the seal broke around the void blade being thrust into its flank.  Hissing, clawing and snapping at him with its razor-sharp bite to clear some distance between them, the creature flooded its nest with nascent heat, which Freyd promptly ignored.  One stroke had nearly put it into the ground.  His next would finish it.

Spoiler

Freyd activates Charge.
Freyd has Survival.  Negates <<Pure Heat>>

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

ID #183333 | BD: 6+6-3-1=8 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  DMG (13*37=481-75=406) to Smaug

ID #183333 | MD: 1 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:182/191 (191-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95

Smaug - the Ruby Hatchling | HP: 94/500 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | DMG: 150 | Burn: 24 (500-406)

<<Pure Heat>> : The Heat emanating from this boss is far higher for the normal player to handle and will give players a -1 penalty to ACC and EVA unless the player has Survival.

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #3

Smaug inhaled deeply, making ready to bathe the entire scene in caustic flame, but never got the chance.  Freyd rushed forward too quickly and drove the tip of his blade through the top of the creature's skull, pinning its mouth shut as the sword pierced and stapled it to ground.  The dragon's eyes bulged comically as its entire body inflated like a child's party balloon, tail included, swelled and then ultimately burst under the pressure of its own supposedly sinister attack.

*POP*

"...goes the dragon."  Freyd finished for it, a smile finding purchase upon his lips.  It was a rather ignoble end to a quest chain whose length was unrivaled by any other end in the game.  Collecting the last of the nine eggs, his red eyes narrowed with worry as a familiar crackling sound followed the mob's death.  Pulling his weapon back, the Whisper instantly moved to a distance from its point of demise, intending to avoid getting sucked into the same demi-plane as before.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.

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

ID #183334 | BD: 6+6-3=9 (hit, Fallen +6).  DMG (13*32=416-75=341) to Smaug.  Killed.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:174/191 (182+1-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95

Smaug - the Ruby Hatchling | HP: 0/500 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | DMG: 150 | Burn: 24 (94-341)

<<Pure Heat>> : The Heat emanating from this boss is far higher for the normal player to handle and will give players a -1 penalty to ACC and EVA unless the player has Survival.

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #4

Concealed behind the same overhang that served as Smaug's canopy, Freyd watched as the mob's corpse dissolved, then crackled with bluish arcs of power and light as four of the same style of Frankenstein's monster type glitches pulled themselves from the new-minted tear in reality.  Claw-like hands immediately grabbed and pulled at every textured surface around them, gnawing upon it like a gaggle of unsupervised children left to run wild in a candy shop.

"Awww... come on.  Not gonna happen!"  

Freyd rushed to attack, catching them off guard and biting deep into their health bars with his blade.  He'd been worried about getting sucked in, but now the damned things were spilling out into Aincrad itself?  Not cool.  Not cool at all.  The idea that he was doing Cardinal's dirty work sprang to mind and was immediately shunted aside for later consideration.  If these things got loose into the broader game, there was no telling how much damage they could do.  He had to end them here and now.

As more of the creatures emerged, the very landscape around them twisted and churned, mixing with elements from their nowhere origin and other fragments of space across the greater castle.  Multiple points merged and sundered repeatedly, as if portals from across Aincrad were linking and then breaking apart again repeatedly.

[Scene moves to floor 22; Activating sub-dungeon map 167373]

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd activates Vanish (-6 EN): ID #183335 | LD: 5+8=13 (success)

Maintaining Stealth: ID #183336 | LD: 17+8=25 (success)

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

ID #183337 | BD: 4 (autohit, Assassin +3).  DMG (12*29=348) to Neo-Glitch #1
ID #183338 | BD: 6 (autohit, Assassin +3, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*35=420) to Neo-Glitch #2
ID #183339 | BD: 1 (autohit, Assassin +3).  DMG (12*29=348) to Neo-Glitch #3
ID #183340 | BD: 7 (autohit, Assassin +3, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*35=420) to Neo-Glitch #4

ID #183337 | MD: 10 (Crit +2).  DMG (266-79=187) to Freyd.
ID #183338 | MD: 8-4=4 (miss)
ID #183339 | MD: 2-4=(-2) (miss)
ID #183340 | MD: 5-4=1 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1723/1910 (1910-187) | EN:153/191 (174+1-6-16) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VANISH 0/3

Neo-Glitch #1: HP: 422/770 | DMG 264 (770-348)
Neo-Glitch #2: HP: 350/770 | DMG 264 (770-420)
Neo-Glitch #3: HP: 422/770 | DMG 264 (770-348)
Neo-Glitch #4: HP: 350/770 | DMG 264 (770-420)

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #5

A smashing pommel slew the first of them, collapsing the creepy thing's face into itself even as the sword wheeled to strike at the next nearest target.  Splintered fragments of coruscating blue light sizzled as they sprayed across Freyd's arm.  It burned, forcing him to grit his teeth and continue.  

"Damn these things and their pain suppression... suppression."  A momentary look from his own shadows seemed to question whether he had just said that out loud.  Freyd shrugged his shoulders and rolled eyes at himself, then pressed his attack.  It wasn't the most original phrasing, but did get to the point.  The merest touch from these things could negate Cardinal's innate pain suppression algorithms, leaving players to experience the full breadth of injury that followed.  He'd experienced it before and had no desire to repeat the sensation.  A twist and turn of his blade followed pivoting footwork and swung the weapon in a wide arc, spraying more shavings from the remaining mobs across the nearby ground.  With every action and injury, these things are up more of his reality.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH
Freyd activates Charge.

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

ID #183341 | BD: 3+6-1=8 (hit, Charge+5).  DMG (12*31=372) to Neo-Glitch #1
ID #183342 | BD: 2+6-1=7 (hit, Charge+5).  DMG (12*31=372) to Neo-Glitch #2
ID #183343 | BD: 2+6-1=7 (hit, Charge+5).  DMG (12*31=372) to Neo-Glitch #3
ID #183344 | BD:7+6-1=12 (hit, Charge+5, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*37=444) to Neo-Glitch #4

ID #183341 | MD: 5-4=1 (miss)
ID #183342 | MD: 8-4=4 (miss)
ID #183343 | MD: 5-4=1 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1818/1910 (1723+95) | EN:138/191 (153+1-16) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VANISH 1/3

Neo-Glitch #1: HP: 50/770 | DMG 264 (422-372)
Neo-Glitch #2: HP: 22/770 | DMG 264 (350-372)
Neo-Glitch #3: HP: 50/770 | DMG 264 (422-372)
Neo-Glitch #4: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (350-444)

Loot Rolls:

Loot Neo-Glitch #4 | ID #183401 | LD: 17+8=25 | CD: 10

6468*Col
2*T3 Materials
(22) Intermediate Dungeon Map #183401
 

[Freyd 0]

Post #6

More glitches crawl from the growing rift, even as he felled the first wave.  His efforts seemed doomed to fail.  The longer these glitches were allowed to roam unchecked, the worse the damage they inflicted and the larger the rift would grow.  Conversely, their very deaths seemed to have a parallel effect, eating away at more of the digital existence around them.  

"How the hell do you stop something that corrupts its surroundings whether it lives OR dies?!"  Images flooded Freyd's mind of floor thirteen and the plague-like taint that had wiped away most of the NPCs on the level, turning most of them into diseased bags of soupy flesh and mindlessly attacked any living creature they encountered.  What would happen if these glitches spread?  Would they infect other mobs, or consume them to fuel and perpetuate their own spread?  Their sudden spawn also prompted concerns that the same might be happening elsewhere in Aincrad.  Silently, he prayed that the instances were limited to the one quest chain, and even moreso to his own interactions with it.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +8 for hits): 20 EN - (Finesse 3) = 17 EN

ID #183345 | BD: 5+6=11 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312) to Neo-Glitch #1
ID #183346 | BD: 2+6=8 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312) to Neo-Glitch #2
ID #183347 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Holy +6).  DMG (12*34=408) to Neo-Glitch #3
ID #183348 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  DMG (12*33=396) to Neo-Glitch #5

ID #183348 | MD: 5-4=1 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 (1818+95) | EN:122/191 (138+1-17) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VANISH 2/3

Neo-Glitch #1: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (50-312)
Neo-Glitch #2: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (22-312)
Neo-Glitch #3: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (50-408)
Neo-Glitch #5: HP: 374/770 | DMG 264 (770-396)

Loot Rolls:

Loot Neo-Glitch #1 | ID #183402 | LD: 3+8=11 | CD: 5

4851*Col
4*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Weapon #183402a
T3 Uncommon Consumable #183402b

Loot Neo-Glitch #2 | ID #183403 | LD: 14+8=22 | CD: 7

6468*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield #183403a
T3 Perfect Consumable #183403b
T3 Perfect Consumable #183403c

Loot Neo-Glitch #3 | ID #183404 | LD: 8+8=16 | CD: 1

6468*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Consumable #183404a
T3 Rare Weapon #183404b
 

[Freyd 0]

Post #7

The first batch were barely down before a pair of larger glitches broke through the rift to join the fray.  Looking like a pair of sludge-like elementals, their skin crawled with arcing electrical flashes and an undulating pattern of blueish white marbling so bright that it was hard to look at directly.  Their two arms were exaggerated in length and ended in vicious looking claws that reminded Freyd of gardening shears.  He also knew, firsthand, the pain they inflicted if they managed to connect.  During past encounters with these ogre-like mega-glitches, he'd watched them rend ten foot thick columns into nothing but digital dust with a single swipe.

Taking advantage of their distracted state, as they emerged from the rift, Freyd launched into them with a series of precisely delivered thrusts and blows intending to weaken them as much as possible.  It worked, somewhat, but not enough.  Sometimes the only option with tougher mobs was just to stand toe to toe and wail on them until they fell.  It was a tactic better left for tanks, and one he preferred to avoid himself.  

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd activates Vanish (-6 EN): ID #183349 | LD 20+8=28 (Success)

Maintain Stealth: ID #183350 | LD 3+8=11 (Success)

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +8 for hits): 20 EN - (Finesse 3) = 17 EN

ID #183351 | BD: 9 (autohit, crit +1, Assassin +3, Holy +6).  DMG (12*36=432) to Neo-Glitch #5.
ID #183352 | BD: 4 (autohit, Assassin +3).  DMG (12*29=348) to Neo-Glitch #6.
ID #183353 | BD: 7 (autohit, Assassin +3, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*35=420-44=376) to Mega-Glitch #1.
ID #183354 | BD: 3 (autohit, Assassin +3).  DMG (12*29=348-44=304) to Mega-Glitch #2.

ID #183351 | MD: 2-4=(-2) (miss)
ID #183352 | MD: 7-4=3 (miss)
ID #183353 | MD: 3+1-4=0 (miss)
ID #183354 | MD: 1 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910  EN:100/191 (122+1-6-17) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VANISH 0/3

Neo-Glitch #5: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (374-432)
Neo-Glitch #6: HP: 422/770 | DMG 264 (770-348)
Mega-Glitch #1: HP: 724/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (1100-376)
Mega-Glitch #2: HP: 796/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (1100-304)

Loot Rolls:

Loot Neo-Glitch #5 | ID #183405 | LD: 14+8=22 | CD: 11

10510*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Trinket #183405a
 

[Freyd 0]

Post #8

Lighter skirmishers, like himself, were better suited to hit and run attacks or precision raids and strikes.  Freyd preferred to think of it as the 'ninja cannon' style, combining the benefits of surgical attacks combined to hit multiple opponents.  It was the very reason he used the type of weapon he did - to be effective across the spectrum of possible foes and circumstances and remain useful.  A great axe might would work better for area attacks, but was heavy and cumbersome.  He just couldn't picture using one with any grace, and not being a waifish 5-foot-nothing girl would break the anime mold so often associated with the imagery.  No, the sword had long been his preference - versatile and utilitarian.  It also suited best.

And so they worked together, weapon and wielder, and did their thing.  Sword arts flew while health bars fluctuated, mostly downward.  He'd fought these mobs enough times to know their action patterns and moved around them with relative ease.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd activates Charge.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +4 for hits): 16 EN - (Finesse 3) = 13 EN

ID #183357 | BD: 1 (miss)
ID #183355 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Charge +5, Holy +6).  DMG (12*39=468-44=424) to Mega-Glitch #1.  TXV applied.
ID #183356 | BD: 6+6-1-1=10 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*37=444-44=400) to Mega-Glitch #2

ID #183357 | MD: 4-4=0 (miss)
ID #183355 | MD: 4+1-4=1 (miss)
ID #183356 | MD: 2+1-4=(-1) (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910  EN:88/191 (100+1-13) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VANISH 1/3

Neo-Glitch #6: HP: 422/770 | DMG 264 
Mega-Glitch #1: HP: 276/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | TXV 24 (1/3) (724-424-24)
Mega-Glitch #2: HP:396/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (796-400)

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #9

One of the larger glitches tried to close in, attempting to leverage its mass into advantage and getting cut down for it.  Freyd pounced over its corpse, using the melting husk as cover to hide his approach and cleaving mightily into the the former mob's companion.  It clipped his leg as payback, sliding him a dozen yards to the side with its brute strength.  Bracing himself against the ground and a nearby tree, Freyd realized how disruptive the very presence of these creatures was.  Floating at the edge of his visions was the silhouette of Coral, on floor 22.  The forest of memories lingered on his other side.

"So that's what this is: Skalaugh's legacy.  Whatever happened after Tanabata must have corrupted code in the area.  I spent a lot of time nearby and may have been exposed to the same effects."  Pursing his lips, Freyd gave voice to already growing concerns.  "It's not the quest chain after all," he admitted as much as realized.  "It's me."

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +6 for hits): 18 EN - (Finesse 3) = 15 EN

ID #183358 | BD: 2+6=8 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312) to Neo-Glitch #6
ID #183359 | BD: 2+6-1=7 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-44=268) to Mega-Glitch #1
ID #183360 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Holy +6).  DMG (12*34=408-44=364) to Mega-Glitch #2.  TXV applied

ID #183358 | MD: 7-4=3 (miss)
ID #183360 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  DMG (331-79=252) to Freyd

Freyd | HP:1658/1910 (1910-252)  EN:74/191 (88+1-15) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VANISH 2/3

Neo-Glitch #6: HP: 110/770 | DMG 264 (422-312)
Mega-Glitch #1: HP: 0/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | TXV 24 (2/3) (276-268-24)
Mega-Glitch #2: HP:8/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | TXV 24 (1/3) (396-364-24)

Loot Rolls:

Loot Mega-Glitch #1 | ID #183406 | LD: 6+8=14 | CD: 7

9240*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Weapon #183406a
T3 Uncommon Consumable #183406b
 

[Freyd 0]

Post #10

A suddenly frenzied flourish ripped apart the smaller remaining glitch while previously applied poison ate the larger one apart from within.  Within moments, no enemies remained though the collateral effects of the battle had lain waste to a wide area.  Floor 22's environment struggled to reassert itself, wavering wherever it met the roiling glitch bites.  They looked like a swarm of digital locusts had gnawed at everything, leaving a pock-marked landscape of damaged mesh in their wake.  Freyd stared at the scene, wondering what might be done, but having few options save to hope that Cardinal could refresh and restore the environment.  This was well beyond the realm of what players could accomplish.  The game would actively prevent it.

Still wary, he examined the damage as best he could, testing a few theories but achieving nothing of consequence.  Would he have to hang up his blade?  If his attacks were somehow causing this, he'd have no other choice.  Maybe if he finished the chain, it would purge the affected code? 

"Worth a shot."

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH

Astral Hell (x7): 7 EN - (Finesse 3) = 4 EN

ID #183362 | BD: 4+6=8 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312) to Neo-Glitch #6

Freyd uses Gungnir Shard (1/5) and regains 180 HP.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 (1658+95+180)  EN:71/191 (74+1-4) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VANISH 3/3

Neo-Glitch #6: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (110-312)
Mega-Glitch #2: HP:0/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | TXV 24 (2/3) (8-24)

Loot Rolls:

Loot Neo-Glitch #6 | ID #183407 | LD: 20+8=28 | CD: 10

8085*Col
(22) Intermediate Dungeon Map #183407

Loot Mega-Glitch #2 | ID #183408 | LD: 3+8=11 | CD: 5

6930*Col
4*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Weapon #183408a
T3 Uncommon Consumable #183408b

[Freyd 0]

Post #11

Wasn't this supposed to be it, though?  Freyd plunked himself down on a nearby rock already warmed by the passing lava.  It made a surprisingly comfortable seat, despite being half-encrusted in ash and baked on soot.  Flipping through his collected notes, he recalled mention that all of the collected eggs were supposed to unlock some sort of prize up on the tenth floor.  At least it wasn't far.  Red eyes drifted to the horizon, spotting the labyrinth leading up to the next level, thinking of how those would be Mari's road, and for others stuck with orange icons.

It would be much faster and simpler to make his way through town and the teleportation portal to reach the next level.  Part of him felt guilt at the convenience denied to those who couldn't afford to risk the ire of the guards.  He felt for Mari, but not the rest.  Even with her, he had to keep reminding himself that it had been earned with blood.

Freyd activates Vengeful Riposte (-5 EN)

Rest 1/2

Spoiler

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:67/191 (71+1-5) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VENGEFUL RIPOSTE

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #12

As Freyd puzzled his way through the unlock parameters for the quest chain, a patch of defiled mesh in the area before him started to pulse and move.  It stretched and distorted as if some giant mass was pushing on it from behind, twisting and finally rent as a clawed hand ripped its way into the game from its underpinnings.  A huge glitch, humanoid in shape and girded in this plates of polished metal, pulled itself from the freshly opened rift and clamored to its feet, unleashing a bellow that resonated throughout the full extent of the floor.  The big daddy-glitch of daddy glitches had arrived, and it looked positively pissed.  Stabbing one mittful of claws into the basalt overhang above Smaug's defunct lair, it sliced the lump of rock clean off with the other hand.

Freyd dodged the projectile terrain, sneaking away into the cloud of ash and dust that rose from its impact, scooting away to gauge this new opponent and find a way to take it down.  IF he could manage it, the rift might seal itself in the aftermath.

Freyd activates Hiding: ID #183363 | LD: 2+8=10 (Success)

Rest 2/2 (EN refreshed)

[Freyd 0]

Post #13

Freyd first strike stuck the behemoth in the leg, causing an arc of power to shoot down his arms, through him and into the ground.  Momentarily dazed, he barely raised his black blade in time to deflect the creature's actual retort.  The impact of its hit pushed him back like a plow truck through a charcoal-coloured field of fresh, ashen powder that furrowed and spread in both directions as he passed.  He'd fought a few glitches this size, but none looked as intimidatingly competent as this one.  Something about the blazing bluish-white light in its eyes conveyed a greater threat and malevolent intent than any of its prior brethren.  Scampering for higher ground, Freyd made his way up to the edge of the broken ledge, above.  Maybe a little elevation could help him get the drop on this thing?  It was a stretch, but maybe its thick plating would weight it down and keep its gazed focused downward?

Spoiler

Maintain Stealth: ID #183364 | LD 14+8=22 (Success)

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

ID #183365 | BD: 4 (autohit, Assassin +3).  DMG (13*29=377-110=267) to Big Daddy-Glitch

ID #183365 | MD: 8+2-4=6 (hit, Vengeful Riposte procs). DMG (440*0.5=220-79=141) to Freyd.

Vengeful Riposte: DMG (220-110=110) to Big Daddy-Glitch

Freyd | HP:1769/1910 (1910-141) | EN:182/191 (191-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VENGEFUL RIPOSTE | PARRY (0/2) | VENGEFUL (0/3)

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 1273/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (1650-267-110)

• 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]

Post #14

Apparently not.

Freyd barely made contact with his weapon before the massive, angry glitch snatched him out of thin air by the leg and promptly tossed him into the same hunk of rock from which he'd just leapt at it.  Then, just to add to the punishment, it repeated slammed its massive fists into his crumpled form.  Too stunned to counter, Freyd had no choice but to accept the punishment wincing as the pain suppression struggled against the grievous input, hobbled by the glitch's touch.

Grabbing him by the leg once more, and flustered by his resilience, the mob tossed him towards the nearest lava flow, intending to let it finish the job instead.  Twisting in mid-air, the Whisper stabbed his blade into the ground flying fast beneath him and slowed the momentum of the throw just enough to stop himself from landing in the bubbling, angry flow of molten rock.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH
Freyd activates Charge.

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

ID #183376 | BD: 3+6-2-1=6 (hit, Charge +5).  DMG (13*31=403-110=293) to Big Daddy-Glitch

ID #183376 | MD: 8+2-4=6 (hit). DMG (440-79=361) to Freyd.

Freyd uses Gungnir Shard (2/5) and regains 180 HP.

Freyd | HP:1683/1910 (1769+95-361+180) | EN:174/191 (182+1-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | PARRY (1/2) | VENGEFUL (1/3)

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 980/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (1273-293)

• 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]

Post #15

Another attempt to slide behind its defenses proved equally ill-timed, managing only another glancing blow while the glitch raked its rending claws fully across his chest, and again his back as he spun from the first attack.  A solid backhand finished its combo, launching Freyd high into the air.  His landing lacked the usual grace, but kept the assault from overwhelming him and bought some valuable distance and time.

How does it anticipate my every move?  There must be some secret to its tactics, some machination at play.

Or it's just really, really lucky, and you're not.

Freyd glared at the frumpy shadow cast over the uneven surface of the soft, fluffy ash gathered around his feet.  The shadow just shrugged back, as if forcibly admitting that it could be either option.  His dark clothes were absolutely covered in the dust-grey powder that still filled the air around them.  Fortunately, his opponent's natural glow made it very easy to find.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3) = 10 EN

ID #183377 | BD: 3+6-2=7 (hit).  DMG (13*26=338-110=228) to Big Daddy-Glitch

ID #183377 | MD: 10 (Crit +2). DMG (528-79=449) to Freyd.

Freyd uses Gungnir Shard (3/5) and regains 180 HP.

Freyd | HP:1509/1910 (1683+95-449+180) | EN:165/191 (174+1-10) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | PARRY (2/2) | VENGEFUL (2/3)

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 752/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (980-228)

• 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]

Post #16

You're a glutton for punishment.  You know that, right?  Don't you remember the definition of insanity?

I'm open to other suggestions.  This appears, to me, to be my only viable course of action.

Once again, Freyd's blade chipped at the mob's defenses but to no great effect.  It would take a thousand cuts to kill, at this rate.  The glitch, meanwhile was in fine shape and granted him another heaping wallop of pain for his trouble.  

Thank goodness for those damnable Gungnir Shards, or I'd be in real trouble by now.

You most certainly would.  Maybe if you actually managed to damage the beast, better than just clipping its toe nails, we might actually be getting somewhere.

Hush you, and try to be helpful for a change.

I thought I was?

The glitch cared nothing for whatever little mental barbs might be traded inside Freyd's fractured mind.  It couldn't hear them, and wouldn't pay attention if it could.  It was also much too busy entertaining itself with the best damned walloping it had dished out in months!

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3) = 10 EN

ID #183379 | BD: 3+6-2=7 (hit).  DMG (13*26=338-110=228) to Big Daddy-Glitch

ID #183379 | MD: 10 (Crit +2). DMG (528-79=449) to Freyd.

Freyd uses Gungnir Shard (4/5) and regains 180 HP.

Freyd | HP:1335/1910 (1509+95-449-180) | EN:156/191 (165+1-10) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VENGEFUL (3/3)

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 524/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (752-228)

• 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]

Post #17

Why don't we use Quaestor's trick instead?

Giving ground, slowly but steadily, Freyd managed to keep the lumbering creature at bay, nipping and stabbing at it as he lured it at a steady pace in the meandering path around Smaug's lair.   For all of its strength and resilience, the glitch wasn't particularly bright.  It fixated on a target and simply pressed towards it with absolute focus.

Is tanking really this easy?

Ask Raidou, Shield, Yuki, Eruda or Quaestor.  I'm sure that they've be thrilled by your insights.

Montjoy was annoying at the best of time, but Freyd's persistent pummeling at the hands of his current enemy made him even less receptive than usual.  He chose to ignore it, instead.  Thanks mostly to a steady rate of attrition, the mob's health was dipping steadily towards the red.  If he could only keep it from landing too many more blows, the end of this particular fight might actually come.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3) = 10 EN

ID #183382 | BD: 5+6-2=9 (hit).  DMG (13*26=338-110=228) to Big Daddy-Glitch

ID #183382 | MD: 5+2-4=3 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1430/1910 (1335+95) | EN:147/191 (156+1-10) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 296/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (524-228)

• 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]

Post #18

It was stuck.  After all that bloody pummeling, the great, big, lumbering thing had managed to wedge itself between a pair of large stones and couldn't do anything but moan and flail its arms.  Even its caustic touch, that stripped the finish off both stone face, couldn't actually disintegrate their mass.  Hunger surged through Samael's Pride as Freyd advanced upon the vulnerable target, its holy sheath withdraw to let the darkness within feast upon the vile foe before it.  In this rare moment, Freyd and Cardinal were in agreement.  This abhorrent thing had to die and be purged from the system altogether.  He had all of the puzzle pieces.  All that remained was to unlock their mystery, and the key to this entire mess would hopefully reveal itself.

The blade bit deep, red reaching zero in an instant, and the glitch itself began to dwindle and diminish.  Within moments, the writhing thing had fallen and vanished, taking all of the surrounding taint and corruption with it.  The threat was ended, for awhile longer.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3) = 10 EN

ID #183383 | BD: 6+6-2=10 (hit, Fallen +6).  DMG (13*32=416-110=306) to Big Daddy-Glitch

Freyd | HP:1525/1910 (1430+95) | EN:138/191 (147+1-10) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN. 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 

Big Daddy-Glitch: HP: 0/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (296-306)

• 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.

Loot Rolls:

Loot Big Daddy-Glitch | ID #183409 | LD: 15+8=23 | CD: 12

24255*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Consumable #183409a
 

[Freyd 0]

Post #19

Freyd met with Jeeves in Yomi on floor ten, a short while later.  Between them, they examined all of the gathered eggs and their significance, sharing their collected lore and resources to link each one to its corresponding placement and orientation.  When the last egg was set, a brilliant, shimmering portal opened.  Beyond it was revealed a great castle constructed of purest white masonry, pristine beyond compare.  A large, single egg waited beyond, taunting them with tantalizing secrets and ambitions to power. 

"It's been quite the slog to get this far."  Freyd spoke the words as much to himself as to his new ally.

"This quest line was brand new when the Madrigal fell apart.  Many people try it, but few have the patience to see it through to its conclusion.  It's been a pleasure to set you on its paths and watch you take them to their conclusions - something I could never do."

"You're braver than you know, Jeeves.  Your sister knows."

The smaller man received the words in silence, but a weight seemed lifted just by having heard them.

[Freyd 0]

Post #20

"What happened to your former guild?  You made it back.  Surely, you must know."  Sadness swept over his companion's face, in response.

"Tell you what.  You go clear out that castle, and see if we can put an end to this glitch business.  Do that, and I'll tell you everything you want to know about what happened."  These were clearly painful memories, but Freyd struggled to determine how best to help Quaestor and the others.  They were good people forced to endure repeated tragedy by circumstances beyond their control.  It wasn't fair, but maybe knowing the details would help right past wrongs.  There were too few opportunities for such things in SAO.  Freyd knew better than to pass them up when they occurred.

A nod was given, and contract made.  The terms were simple.  Sparing only a moment to refresh his inventory and buffs, Freyd entered the portal sparing nary a glance behind him.

***
Thread Summary:

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

84,675 col (400 page, +1000 quest, +83,275 loot)

20*T3 materials

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

(22) Intermediate Dungeon Map #183401
T3 Rare Weapon #183402a
T3 Uncommon Consumable #183402b
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield #183403a
T3 Perfect Consumable #183403b
T3 Perfect Consumable #183403c
T3 Rare Consumable #183404a
T3 Rare Weapon #183404b
T3 Perfect Trinket #183405a
T3 Rare Weapon #183406a
T3 Uncommon Consumable #183406b
(22) Intermediate Dungeon Map #183407
T3 Rare Weapon #183408a
T3 Uncommon Consumable #183408b
T3 Perfect Consumable #183409a