[SP-F3] Earning a Living In The Forest Of Wavering Mist

[Saix 0]

The mysterious Forest of Wavering Mist, definitely one of the more creepy locations that Saix had visited in his time in SAO. Everywhere he looked, he saw trees hidden in the gloom, the mist wrapping around their trunks and serving to muffle the surreal landscape. This must be what places like The Black Forest of Germany and other such places were like, he mused. Kayaba had seemingly gone out of his way to make things as realistic as possible after all. Saix hadn't come here before, though 9 had mentioned a harrowing battle with gargoyles once or twice. When his Alchemical Supplies had run low, Saix had decided he might as well come here to replenish his stocks, as it was likely to not have been picked over by players looking for easily harvested herbs and such. Kneeling down, he found a suitable node, and began harvesting the Berries he used for his HP potions, managing to get 1 before the node broke apart. Geez, this might take a while.

[Harvested]

[Saix 0]

Tucking the berry away in the Material Pouch he wore on his belt, Saix scanned the gloomy forest, on the lookout for any more regents in immediate sight. Moving to the nearest cluster of trees, he examined the trunk, keeping a careful eye out for any of the different moss and lichen nodes that he could use as an Alchemist. He had to give that nut Kayaba credit, almost anything could be used by an alchemist in some form or fashion. The only trick was finding one that could be 'harvested'. Oh he could have just gone and killed plant or bug monsters for venom or what not, but he really wasn't in the mood for fighting anything down here, there wouldn't have been a challenge. Using a small knife, he slowly shaved some of the moss from the trunk of the tree, successfully collecting 2 Mossy Samples. So far so good.

[Harvested]

[Saix 0]

Moving away from the tree, Saix tucked the small knife back in his belt and headed over towards a small grouping of bushes, poking around looking for more berries or other such harvested materials that he could find. He was beginning to regret that whole 'no combat' thing, this was pretty boring, and while <> might not have been much of a challenge for him at this level, at least he could have enjoyed slaughtering them. After all, this was an MMO, and slaughtering helpless wildlife for even the barest minimum of XP was the name of the game. His poking yielded some results, as he pulled free another cluster of Berries. Good, he could make some more decent Health Items with these.

[Harvested]

[Saix 0]

Stepping deeper into the gloom, Saix checked the chronometer on his display. Good, he still had plenty of time. The last thing he wanted was to get stuck out here at night and end up having to go up against the Gargoyle spawns. It was still early in the afternoon and he had plenty of time. He was actually making pretty good time, and had a few materials to show for his trouble. Kneeling at another bush, he began trimming away another cluster of berries with his knife.

[Harvested]

[Saix 0]

As he tracked his way deeper into the secluded woods, Saix eventually found the small road that led through the Forest of Wavering Mist. This was one of the few 'safe' areas in the woods; the path that split the woods and ran from village to village. Taking a moment of respite, he leaned against one of the trees; sitting on the soft grass and generally trying to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet. Turning his head, he examined the tree trunk, feeling the rough bark under his hand. No moss or lichen of any type, this one had been a bust as far as materials went, but then he hadn't really been looking to harvest right now anyway. Reaching into his belt pouch, he pulled out a small pastry from one of his favorite shops on the First Floor and took a late lunch.

[Saix 0]

A soft rustle of leaves sounds, surprisingly audible in the still silence of the secluded woods. It is followed by the muffle of cloth, and the snap of a branch from a different direction. A soft chuckle sounds from another direction, as though the traveler in the Red Coat were surrounded.

[Saix 0]

Saix's attention snapped up at the sounds, and by the time the chuckle sounded he was already standing, his hand on the hilt of his rapier as he scanned the woods for movement. Oh man, was he surrounded? The thought of facing Red Players flickered through his head... Red Players were a major danger in Aincrad, and tales of gangs of murderers banding together had been spreading more and more as of late. "Who's there? Come out, show yourself! I know you're there, You've already given yourselves away!" He said, drawing his fine sword.

[Saix 0]

For a moment there is only silence, before the chuckle returns and five figures step out of the misty woods. All are armed and wearing armor of rough leather make, save for one figure dressed far more richly then the others. With short blond hair and a classic vandike beard and mustache, he is a handsome figure wielding a thin one-handed sword. He wears only a leather vest over a white tunic, looking very much the swashbuckler. His blue eyes sparkle and he flourishes the sword in his hand with a grin. "Oh no chaps, looks like we've been found out... Whatever shall we do?" He asks, with a sly grin at his four companions, who each hold a short curved blade. Their chuckles are rough and menacing, it doesn't look good for the Swordsman in Red.

[Saix 0]

Crap crap crap... 5 enemies? This was so not good. Saix kept his yes moving, flickering between the 5, ready for a sudden movement as he brought his rapier up before him. "So you have, now what do you want... Chap?" He asked, his grey eyes narrowing as he studied the way they had appeared with their weapons drawn. They might very well have reacted to him having drawn his own, but the menacing laughter at his demand they show themselves suggested otherwise. Besides, he hadn't survived this long without learning to trust his instincts, and right now his gut told him this was trouble.

[Saix 0]

The handsome figure in the vest grinned, not at all troubled by the Red Swordsman's rude question. Instead, he brought one gloved hand to stroke his chin as though pondering the question. "Well, since you put it so directly... I think... Well, we'd appreciate your valuables..." he said, his mischievous grin fading. "Pile them there, or we'll take the chance and hope we can loot them off your corpse." He said, referring to the man dropping them on death as loot. The malicious laughs of his cronies told the Red Swordsman which choice they hoped he would make, as they tested the edge of their weapons.

[Saix 0]

Saix looked back and forth, never keeping his eyes still for long, waiting for an attack warily. The man's demand had pretty much confirmed his fears, these guys were an orange guild, or something... Not quite as dangerous as the Red Players, Orange Players were criminals who prayed upon their fellow players, usually robbing them or ambushing them and forcing them to give up any loot they had found. It was just rotten luck that had led to this, his own fault for adventuring solo. Orange Groups like this would rarely attack more than one player at a time, they were rather cowardly like that. But still, he wasn't about to let them leave him defenseless in the woods. "Yeah, I really don't see that happening. Tell you what, you're welcome to try and take them though." He said, bringing his sword up into a ready position.

[Saix 0]

The Duelist grinned, as he looked to two of his henchmen. "That's just what we wanted to hear. Gentlemen, show our friend what a mistake it was to refuse our kind offer of hospitality." He said, snapping his fingers. On cue, the two closest swordsmen began to advance. This was obviously not going to be a fair fight. With a grin, the first one launched himself in charging his curved sword to release <>, the sword deflecting off the Red Swordsman's armored coat, but still dealing in a bit of damage.

Combat Dice: 10 HIT!

Damage: 3 + 2 = 5

Saix: 32/33

Henchman 1: 15/15

Henchman 2: 15/15

[Saix 0]

Accepting the attack, Saix drew his sword up before him and charged a sword skill of his own. He would have to let the blow land, so he could see what kind of damage these bozos could do. He saw the flash of the attack, heralding a critical; [censored] maybe he should have tried to evade rather than just let it hit. But no matter, he had to know how dangerous these goons were so he could form a strategy. Letting the attack charge, he waited for the blow to land, wincing slightly at the sudden dip of his HP, before releasing a point blank <> that blasted almost half the man's HP away in one shot.

Combat Dice: 5 + 2 = 7 HIT!

Damage: 1 + 4 + 3 = 8

Saix: 32/33

Henchman 1: 07/15

Henchman 2: 15/15

[Saix 0]

The Duelist smirked, watching his men begin their assault. The Red Swordsman's armor was good, he would give him that, but this wasn't over, not by a long shot. These two were just the opening act, the remaining 2 would really give him a run for his money, and The Duelist himself was by far the most dangerous. His second henchman launched his attack next, rushing in quickly, letting his injured partner pull back, keeping The Red Swordsman from being able to focus on one target at a time, charging his <> he lashed out in an attack of his own that deflected off the tough leather armor of the red coat.

Combat Dice: 8

Damage: 3 [Absorbed by Armor]

Saix: 32/33

Henchman 1: 07/15

Henchman 2: 15/15

[Saix 0]

Letting his armor absorb the blow, Saix let his attacker rush in. So far he didn't feel that endangered by this encounter, but the fact that the man in the Vest with the thin sword hadn't cut his losses and run meant that the real battle hadn't even started. Stuck in a situation where he had to defend himself, Saix weighed his decision carefully, before ducking around his attacker and targeting the one he had struck before with a quick thrust of the sword. This was kill or be killed,this entire screwed up game was driving them to this point, and he had people he had to make sure survived. He couldn't afford to be killed by some group of bandits who had shown they were willing to kill him. But his opponent was quick enough to avoid the lunge, leaving him open. Crap...

Combat Dice: 3 + 2 = 5 MISS

Damage: N/A

Saix: 32/33

Henchman 1: 07/15

Henchman 2: 15/15

[Saix 0]

The injured Henchman grinned, his eyes manic as he lunched forward and slashed hard with his short chopping blade. The Red Swordsman had a high quality weapon and armor, which only made them want to rob him that much more. Driven by greed, they attacked recklessly, even though their exchange thus far had shown him to be out of their league.

Combat Dice: 10 HIT

Damage: 3 + 2 = 5

Saix: 31/33

Henchman 1: 07/15

Henchman 2: 15/15

[Saix 0]

Saix grit his teeth as another blow hit hard enough to bypass a part of his armor. He had to calm down, he shouldn't have missed that earlier lunge. There were two of them, and they worked together perfectly, he had to isolate and finish off one so that he could deal with the other... With that thought in mind, he looped his blade up before him, rolling his shoulder forward in a thrust to the chest, hoping to finish off this opponent, but again his opponent was already retreating so that his partner could rush in for the strike. This was like fighting his own guild, he realized with shock. The bait and switch tactic were what had allowed the Ebon Vanguard to dominate their encounters in the game thus far, and these bandits were using it against him now.

Combat Dice: 3 + 2 MISS

Damage: N/A

Saix: 31/33

Henchman 1: 07/15

Henchman 2: 15/15

[Saix 0]

The uninjured Henchman rushed in next, his curved sword held low and at the ready as he lunged forward at their bewildered opponent, thrusting for his belly. This was the fun part! Watching them realize that their team tactics were going to overwhelm them, and waiting for them to either give up up or fight on until the end. But he'd give the Red Guy credit, he twisted fast enough to deflect the thrust off his coat.

Combat Dice: 5 + 2 HIT!

Damage: 3 [Negated]

Saix: 31/33

Henchman 1: 07/15

Henchman 2: 15/15

[Saix 0]

Twisting into the blow so that his coat saved him again, Saix crouched low and ducked under his opponent's reach, again trying to focus on the injured opponent. Pushing off his pivot foot, he thrust forward quickly, hoping to skewer his opponent before he got the chance to attack him again. He was in fight or flight mode now, his entire focus on the enemy before him that needed to be dealt with. This time his blade struck true, and with a look of horror his opponent burst into polygon fragments. One down, 4 more to go...

Combat Dice: 5 + 2 HIT!

Damage: 8

Saix: 31/33

Henchman 1: 00/15

Henchman 2: 15/15

[Saix 0]

With a shout of rage at his fallen partner, the remaining Henchman charged swinging his sword in a deadly arc hoping for revenge against the Red Swordsman who had killed his guildmate. But his opponent was too quick to be taken in by such a wild attack, and the Red Swordsman swayed just out of reach.

Combat Dice: 2 +2 = 4 FAIL

Damage: N/A

Saix: 31/33

Henchman 1: 00/15

Henchman 2: 15/15