[F09/SP] Amendum Returned | <<Bandit Camp>>

Nari-Lanreth · November 18, 2022

Vengeance. That's what some would call it. Nari considered it something a bit more unique. None of these miners had asked for this to occur, the bandits which had been plaguing them over the last...well, who really knows how long. It could've been months, years, days...none of it really mattered. In fact, even the aspect of what she was doing really mattered - well, at least to anyone beyond herself. She was here, because she needed to be here. Not for some higher purpose, just...to be alive. To be out, and doing something, beyond what she had done for the past...well, that didn't matter.

Seems like you're enjoying the fresh air as well, even if it's not in open spaces. The fox spun in circles beside Nari, barely visible against the otherwise dark tunnels; a mere flash of white against the lantern she had buckled to her belt. The lantern wasn't providing much in the way out light, but it was a warm comfort regardless. You act as if we haven't been outside in aeons. People are going to think I keep you locked away, or something. Which is not true, by the way.

The small white fox paused just long enough to cock its head towards Nari, before continuing its circling run. She felt her smile settle on her face as the creature moved about, reminding Nari of days passed when they had gone adventuring together. Back before everything had gone so quiet. Back when I was still hopeful... She turned away from the thoughts, focusing on the task at hand. The local miners had asked for help, their request coming through an information broker that Nari hadn't spoken to in...quite some time. She was shocked to receive the request at all, if she was being honest. Still, it was work. It got her up and moving; gave purpose to her life once more. And purpose is definitely something I need...

Which was why she had found herself wandering through the dark. The idea that she needed to get out, to get moving again. Lest everything thus far be all for nothing. It had been a desperate call, at a desperate time - but she was confident that it had been the right call. Maybe it was perfectly timed, after all...Either way, she was here now. The least she could do, would be to help out the local miners. Even if it was for nothing more than a brief memory of everything she had used to do.

Spoiler

Statblock

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 780/780| EN: 98/98 | ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
Tier 4 | Tier 8
Laurel Wreath (Earn Col equivalent to 15% of player’s EXP earned in thread).
+1 LD (This bonus only applies to looting, searching for and opening chests).

Equipped Items
Solitude's Sorrow [Scythe; Tier 4 Perfect] A long handled, two handed scythe with a curved blade. This piece contains a purple chain that wraps itself around where the shaft meets the blade, reminiscent of the weapon often pictured with the grim reapers of tales.
Enhancement: Accuracy [2 Slots] | Effect: Gain +(1 per slot) to the BD when attacking. Cannot be used to cause a critical hit.
Enhancement: Bleed [1 Slots] | Effect: Natural critical attack rolls of 9-10 (1 slot) or natural successful attack rolls of 8-10 (2 slots) deal (12 * Tier) unmitigated bleed damage each enemy turn for 2 turns. Bleed damage does not stack, but can be refreshed. The highest tier of Bleed damage overrides lower tier versions; cannot be overridden by lower-tier versions.

Reaper's Defence [Light Armour; Tier 4 Perfect] A full leather piece, this armour allows the user the freedom of movement while offering minimal protection from incoming attacks. Designed to replicate the scales of a dragon along the shoulders and lower torso, the piece provides no restriction to the flow of combat, with the flexibility of the leather allowing for further bending movements as required.
Enhancement: Evasion [2 Slots] | Effect: Reduces the die value by (1 per slot) on an enemy’s attack against you. Cannot be used to avoid a critical hit.
Enhancement: Light Momentum [1 Slots] | After an unsuccessful attack, gain +(1 per slot) to the BD until your next successful attack, at which point this bonus is removed. Another unsuccessful attack will reactivate this enhancement. Cannot be used to cause a critical hit. [For Area of Effect attacks: This effect only activates if you miss all enemies targeted by the attack.]

Music Box [Trinket; Tier 1 Perfect]
Enhancement: Loot Die [3 Slots] | Effect: Gain +(1 per slot) to the LD.

Battle-Ready Inventory
Teleport Crystal {3}
Starter Healing Potions {4} | Heals 50 HP
Divinity's Wait {5} | Tier 2; Perfect Potion | Mitigation III
Divinity's Protection {5} | Tier 3; Perfect Potion | Overhealth III
Cold Brew Coffee {4} | Tier 1; Perfect Potion | HP Recovery III
Percephonius Pyratius {11} | Tier 4; Perfect Potion | Damage III

Sword Arts
[x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art.
[x15] ST-II (15 13 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn.
[x20] ST-B (20 18 EN) | A devastating single-target sword art. Can only be used if the sword art used the previous turn is not ST-B and had rolled a natural CD9+. When performing an AoE attack, use only the first roll.
[x11] AOE-I (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once.
[x14] AOE-II (14 12 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A powerful sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. Only available for use when AOE-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if AOE-II had been used and had missed the previous turn.
[x16] TECH-A (16 14 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy.
[x16] TECH-B (15 13 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a status condition that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn.
[x16] TECH-C (15 13 EN) | COUNTER | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, places [Counter] around the player. [Counter] reduces the final damage taken by its user by 25% (rounded down) for one turn.
[x16] TECH-D (15 13 EN) | SHATTER | A single-target sword art that applies [Shatter] to an enemy for 3 turns. [Shatter] is a debuff that can stack up to a cap of 3. Each stack of [Shatter] removes -20 MIT from an enemy, down to 0, if it has MIT.
[x12] TECH-F (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn.
[x16] TECH-G (15 13 EN) | BURN | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Burn] on the enemy. [Burn] is a DoT ailment that deals [14 * Player Tier] unmitigated Burn damage for 2 turns.
[x2] RAW-A (10 8 EN) | THORNS | A single-target sword art that utilizes the [Thorns] of the individual against the enemy. Other types of enhancements that apply damage upon contact with the individual are also considered in improving the damage of this sword art (eg. Immolation Potion, Flame/Frost Aura, etc). Outgoing damage is considered mitigatable. Must have a weapon equipped to activate this sword art.

Combat Skills
Battle Healing [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.]
Fighting Spirit [Active: Passive. Effect: Attacking and using Howl or Focused Howl generates +1 additional Hate. (Ex. Generate 1/2/3 Hate on a Miss/Hit/Critical attack. Generate 5 Hate when using Focused Howl.)]
Howl [Active: Post Action. Energy Cost: 2 EN. Effect: Adds +2 Hate each against up to 4 targets.]
[Howl Addon] Focused Howl [Active: Post Action. Energy Cost: 4 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: Adds +4 Hate against a single target.]

Weapon Skills
Polearm [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +7 DMG]
[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina [Active: Passive. Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.]
[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision[Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 ACC.]
[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] <<Weapon Type>> Focus [Active: Passive. Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.]
[Rank 5 Shift] TECH Specialist [Active: Passive. Effect: For TECH Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers, +3 to EN cost. No other Shifts may be taken.]

Armour Skills

Light Armour [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: 30 MIT. Mitigation is capped at 2 slots.]

[Light Armour Mod] Meticulous [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.]

Active Extra Skills
Concentration [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. Effect: As a free action, gain Absolute Accuracy on your next attack. In the case Absolute Accuracy is already present, increase your Accuracy by 1 instead. Effect lasts until the start of next turn.]

Meditation [Active: Post Action. Cooldown: 3 turns. Effect: Recover an additional (4 * Tier) energy.]

Parry [Active: Post action. Energy cost: 9 EN Cooldown: 3 Turns. Effect: Apply the energy cost upon proc, not activation. Reduces the final damage of the next successful attack against you by 50% (rounded down) and negates stun/paralysis effects of that attack. If hit by multiple attacks, only apply parry to the first attack against you. Parry lasts for three turns. Cooldown starts when the player activates the Skill. If the player is hit when using Parry, the cooldown is reset to 3 turns.]

[Parry Mod] Vengeful Riposte [Active: Passive. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: A successful Parry also returns 50% (rounded down) of the raw damage that would be dealt to you back to your opponent. The reflected damage can be mitigated by the opponent.]

Survival [Active: Passive. Effect: Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects.]

Familiar Skills
Protector Familiar [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 3 Posts; Effect: The next time you would take damage, your familiar rushes to your aid, reducing the final damage by 10%.]

Estate Buffs

Master Bedroom [-1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat.]
Master Bathroom [The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down).]
Dining Room [Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed. Lesser Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread.]
Basic Kitchen [Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30.]
Living Room [Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.]
Attic (Storage) [+5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests]
Storage Closet [+1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot]

Nari-Lanreth · November 18, 2022

The darkness didn't bother Nari anywhere near as much as it did many other players. She'd known a few whom had gone so far as to ensure they captured the night vision skill, just so that they'd never have to enter somewhere they couldn't see. For her, however, she'd grown accustomed to the cold and dark that came with many areas of the world. This, while not quite homely by any means, was no more undesirable than the colds of the fourth floor.

At her feet, Yuki seemed content as well. While the tunnels couldn't be called open and free by any means, they weren't anywhere near as constricting or overbearing as the walls of the house that the two had spent so much time inside lately. Nari couldn't help but shake her head, realising that she needed to get out more often, even if only for Yuki's sake.

Just remember, somewhere around here are dangerous individuals who want to try and do bad things...wow, that sounds like talking to a child. There's bandits and murderers around here. She shook her head at her own commentary, sighing heavily. For starters, she was talking to herself. But more importantly...well, she was talking to herself like she would a child. Which was...extremely sad, all things considered. Stay inside for a few weeks, develop cabin fever...go a little bit insane. Lovely.

Nari-Lanreth · November 18, 2022

No sooner had she spoken, than Nari noticed the sounds of voices ahead. She couldn't quite tell what was being said, but the general tones bespoke of individuals in a good mood. She lowered her lantern's hood, covering the majority of the limited light it had provided, while keeping her eyes focused ahead. What little she could see before was suddenly lost in the darkness of the tunnels as her only source of light was significantly restricted, and she found herself staring into a void for a few seconds. When her eyes had adjusted ever so slightly, she noticed minimal details, the bare edges of rocks and sharp corners that seemed to stand out against the darker aspects of the area.

Slowly, a sliver of light ahead began to appear. Dancing off the walls in an almost rhythmic way, the light carried the soft orange glow of a torch, or similarly held light. The voices continued speaking in their almost happy tones, apparently oblivious to Nari's presence, although she made no obvious effort to remain hidden.

It felt longer than the few moments that it took for the group to eventually turn the bend, appearing before Nari with their torches held high in the air, laughter and joyous expressions on their face. It was another few steps, before the group even seemed to notice the scythe-wielding woman standing in their way.

Hi. Her voice broke the silence, causing the group to come to a stop in the middle of their stride. Each of them reached for the weapons on their bodies - a collection of swords, clubs and assorted other small blades. Nari waited, watching them with a careful eye as they seemed to try and collect themselves. Not the most organised of bandits. I'm surprised the miners are having any sort of issue with you lot...although, not for much longer.

Nari-Lanreth · November 23, 2022

The group before her seemed to pause at her words, as if unsure what to do when someone didn't immediately run in fear from them. As she shifted the scythe behind herself, she could see a few take a half-step back, as if reacting in concern for their own well-being. Nari was once again surprised at how sometimes the NPCs in this game could sometimes act almost humanlike, if only for a split second. The expression disappeared almost instantly as the group suddenly surged forward, trying to surround her. A quick slash of the scythe ensured that they wouldn't be able to, pushing them back down the corridor into a small cluster that was far more manageable for her, even being alone and outnumbered.

Not that being outnumbered in this game really means much of anything...numbers, stats...equality means little in comparison to that. It was still a game; even if it wasn't the safest of games. So long as she kept her stats in mind, and reacted accordingly - and didn't do anything immediately stupid, she'd be fine. And that was all that mattered, in the end. Being fine. Making it through the conflict and onto the other side. That was all it was about, in the end.

Alright, so which of you wants to go first? She smiled brazenly at the group of bandits, as if daring them to try and rush her. She expected them to do just that - they were computer programs after all. Almost disappointingly, they did exactly as she'd anticipated. Rushing forwards, the group tried once more to flank her, coming from both sides in the tight corridor. Like fish in a barrel...it's almost too easy, once you realise what they're going to do...

Combat

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 780/780| EN: 81/98 | ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
Bandit 1 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Bandit 2 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Bandit 3 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150
Bandit 4 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round One

Nari-Lanreth · November 29, 2022

Eager. That was the word that best described the way that the bandits threw themselves towards Nari. Eager to die, to end their perpetually repeating life. There was nothing to it, aside from that. She could feel bad for them, feel as if she was doing something wrong - was it wrong to end that which has no purpose, nothing in life beyond throwing themselves at players with the intent of dying? - but in the end, it only mattered that they were eager.

At least put up a bit of a fight, if you're going to throw yourselves so carelessly at me. Her voice sounded hollow, empty of the emotional norm that had once filled it when she rushed into combat. Now, it was little more than a necessity - a desire to keep going. There was no thrill, no enjoyment in the conflict and dance. It simply was required to stay alive - something she was determined to do, regardless of what that meant.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the group rushed forward again, clearly determined to try and overwhelm her before she could do anything about it. Not that she was willing to allow that to happen. Stepping backwards, she placed the tunnel's wall to her left against her back, turning with their forward movement to place them before her - in such a way that she could focus on them as a group, without worrying about them getting behind her and into a blind spot.

Combat

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 780/780| EN: 70/98| ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
Bandit 1 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 |
Bandit 2 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 |
~~Bandit 4 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 |~~
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round Two

Nari-Lanreth · November 29, 2022

Another of the group dispersed into a flash of shards, seemingly drifting off into the air without a single beat of hesitation. Nari wondered, even as she moved around the strike of another bandit, if she should feel any pity for these individuals. They weren't human, and yet they still showed humanistic traits. An intelligence, to a degree. Capability. Given any other situation, she might have considered them humanlike.

But in this instance, there was no pity. Whether they were human or not, they were trying to end Nari. Something that she wasn't entirely on board with, all things considered. Even if I've been down a dark road...that road doesn't end here. Not now. Not after everything I've been through. She ducked again, looking for the opening she needed to push them back, to clear the way before her.

Alright, enough of this. I've got more to do than dance around here all day with you lot... Nari slid forwards, twisting out of the way of one strike aimed at her chest, hoping to slide into the under opening of the forward bandit. She kept her eyes moving, keeping an eye on the other target as she did so. Even with just the two of them left, she wasn't willing to take risks. That was how one ended up dead. Something she'd avoided thus far, and expected to continue avoiding as long as she could.

Combat

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 780/780 | EN: 61/98| ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
Bandit 1 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150
Bandit 2 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round Three

Nari-Lanreth · November 30, 2022

She didn't want to call it easy, but as the last of them burst into pieces, Nari couldn't help but wonder if it was easy. Too easy, in some ways. There had been four of them - enough that she would've been overwhelmed in days past, when she was having just started out. Now, though, it was like walking through a park that had obstacles. Tedious, repetitive, but not overly dangerous by any means. Which wasn't to say that it was any less or more enjoyable, but it certainly brought about a certain perspective for her, when she considered it...

"As if making it more or less difficult makes this any less dangerous. People have died to less, here." She glanced down at the fox beside her, a frown on her face as she tried to figure out whom she was lecturing. She knew all too well the dangers to be found within this game; the hidden concerns that came with one who was simply not paying attention when they ought to have been. "For now let's just be careful...even if these bandits do prove to be easier than I might have anticipated. Letting my guard down - letting our guard down here could be a grave mistake."

The fox seemed to chirp in response, as if the slight yelp it let out was a sign of agreement. Nari shrugged it off - Yuki commonly made these sorts of responses, and Nari had long ago gotten used to it. Not that long ago, though...She realised just how short of a time had passed since she'd found Yuki, amazed once again at how things always seemed both shortened, and lengthy in passing in this world. It was almost disturbing, in many ways. She'd been here for...years, but it felt like so much longer. As if she'd spent a larger portion of her life wandering these floors in hopes of escape.

Focus. These thoughts are better for when you're not hunting bandits down through a corridor of tunnels. As much as she didn't like it, the voice in her head was right. She needed to focus on the task at hand, and not be marvelling at the basic understandings of scientific findings. There were more bandits out there, just waiting for her to judge them.

Nari-Lanreth · December 1, 2022

The tunnels provided relief from the heats above. Something that Yuki was clearly more than happy about, and which Nari found herself enjoying, in a way as well. Her forgoing of heavier armour had definitely made the heat more bearable, but she still found the warmer temperatures less than appealing. Yuki, more so, seemed to dread wandering the ninth floor's heat. Something that Nari felt bad for forcing the small fox through to begin with. The tunnels, however, carried a cooler degree with them, allowing the two to find a minor amount of reprieve from the blistering heats that covered the main levels of the floor.

"You must hate travelling with me, sometimes. Bringing you to places like this, which are overbearingly hot...I wonder if there's a way to get you like a cooling jacket, or something. Maybe I should look into that, one of these days..." She felt ashamed that she hadn't considered the possibility earlier. She had attended the ninth floor a number of times before - as well as other, desert environments that had been harsh on the small winter fox - without considering the possibility of something helping Yuki to escape the blistering heats a bit. "Maybe when we get back, I'll see if the tailor can whip something up. It shouldn't be that hard, I think...or at least I hope."

The small fox seemed to chirp at the idea, which Nari took for a sign of agreement. Content, she motioned the fox forward, watching as Yuki made her way a few paces down the tunnel, before turning to make sure Nari was following. The fox had become more connected as of recent, as if worried Nari might suddenly desert her, or disappear. The small creature was constantly checking on her, and not leaving her side or sight. It would've been more heartwarming, if Nari didn't wonder about the reasoning behind it. She'd heard rumours when they first started the game that there was software designed to watch over the well-being of players, although that hadn't stopped many from ending their own lives. Maybe it can only do so much...and maybe it needs something like a companion to activate properly...

Nari-Lanreth · December 1, 2022

Nari had come to a stop, Yuki at her feet staring into the darkness at the edge of the corner that seemed to dance and waver. They had come up to the corner with the intent of carrying onwards without issue, but the sound of voices had brought them to a stop. Slowly, Nari had begun to notice the way the darkness seemed to dance - indicating that light ahead was breaking the otherwise normal coverings around her.

She had been unable to determine how many voices were up ahead, and had paused as she considered her options. She could always rush in, force them to bunch up and attempt to take them all at once - although that could be dangerous if there were too many of them, or if there were any who could circle around her. Her other option wasn't entirely to her liking either, relying on stealth to try and approach the camp without being noticed - not something that she had ever shown a forte towards doing.

"I guess we just go in and hope for the best, hey?" She took a step forward and rounded the corner, letting her eyes pass over the view before her. It took a moment to adjust to the sudden light, but as she curled in against the wall as best she could, she began to notice the details of what looked like a camp - something that one would normally find beneath the stars, reminding her of a camp in the forest. Here, it almost felt out of place. Need to be careful...those voices came from here somewhere. She had no sooner had the thought, than she spotted a group sitting at a nearby fire, as if taking time to relax and warm themselves. "Well, there you are..."

Nari-Lanreth · December 13, 2022

Nari didn't hesitate. She moved through the open areas, her scythe swinging behind her as she rushed upon the small group, spinning as she came closer to them. Three had their backs to her, the one that was facing her either blinded by the light, or simply not registering what it was seeing coming towards it. Either way, she caught the group by surprise, her scythe slamming into two of them before she had to bring it up and around into the third. A quick jab with the blade caught the fourth, and Nari found herself backing off as the group of them seemed to freeze in place, the stun effect holding their bodies motionless for the blink of an eye.

Almost too easy...almost. But don't let it comfort you into danger. She knew better than to allow her guard to drop, even if they were frozen and at her mercy for mere seconds. She'd made the mistake before of believing it safe, believing it easy, and leaping directly into a trap. That was something she tried not to repeat, ever. So instead, she backed off, letting her feet carry her towards an open area, somewhere where she could watch them and react to them accordingly. Let them come to you...don't rush in and get blindsided when it's safer to be patient. There's no rush, no alarms...you can take this with ease, for the moment...

Combat

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 780/780| EN: 81/98 | ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
Bandit 1 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Bandit 2 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Bandit 3 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Bandit 4 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round One

Nari-Lanreth · December 14, 2022

It was almost too easy, sometimes. As the four before her began to move again, Nari let herself slide off to the side, ducking and dodging under a few harmlessly thrown attacks. The movements of the NPCs left no signs of the stunned effect in place mere moments ago, but Nari had been expecting the reactions, giving her the advantage as she moved out of their way and parried a single attack. She'd become accustomed to this sort of combat, relying on the effects was a good way to get oneself killed around here - something she'd prefer not to ever fall for, given the chance.

Need to finish these four off, and look for the others...encampment means a large group. Which means I need to be careful not to get overwhelmed all at once here... Her eyes flitted between the four, and her surroundings, trying to keep everything in view all at once. She saw no immediate signs of reinforcements or other bandits, but that didn't mean much. She wasn't going to simply stand here and waste time when more dangers could be lurking in the corners just out of sight.

Bringing her scythe upwards in a wide arc, Nari focused the brunt of her assault of the three closest, readying herself for the strike by planting her rear foot - a stance that would allow her to shift her balance once she was ready to follow through. A brief flash of vision, a memory of conflicts back in the real world, where they practised such acts, and then she was moving again, letting the scythe flow through the air.

Combat

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 742/780| EN: 68/98 | ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
~~Bandit 1 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned~~
Bandit 2 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150
~~Bandit 3 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned~~
~~Bandit 4 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned~~
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round One

Nari-Lanreth · December 16, 2022

Three exploded, the shards of their final moments drifting into the wind as their existence came to an end. The final one managed to slide underneath her strike, causing a slice across Nari's side before she could react. The drop in her health bar caught her attention, and she pushed herself away from the lone combatant as she considered herself. It wasn't huge - in fact, compared to what she'd survived through previously, it was nothing.

It did, however, frustrate her that she had been caught off guard. The movement had been sloppy - amateur, at that. Not something that a frontliner should ever have fallen for, no matter how silly. She gave her scythe a twirl, taking a moment to keep her opponent between it and herself. Carelessness breeds danger...do not hamper yourself through inactivity, through inaction or through incapacity. Always move forward, always drive for your target. The words, echoed as if from lifetimes ago, passed through her mind. The face attached to it bringing more feelings to her that she didn't want. Always at the worst times.

A shift in her opponent caught her attention, a movement forward that showed the assailant was coming towards her. Nari didn't hesitate, changing the weight of her balance towards her forwards leg, pulling the scythe upwards in a close arc, before letting the blade twist slightly. The strike caught the individual across the torso, tearing from hip to shoulder before they burst into shards, drifting across the air before disappearing entirely.

Combat

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 780 (+42 BH)/780| EN: 71/98 | ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
~~Bandit 2 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150~~
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round One

ID210151 | BD: 10+3=13 | <<Basic Attack vs. Bandit 1>> | Major Critical Hit: 20+2 = 22 damage | Target destroyed!

Nari-Lanreth · December 17, 2022

Her eyes roamed the camp, looking for any other threats that might be lurking in the shadows. She could hear the sounds of footsteps, echoing off the walls around her - a sign that there was more danger here, somewhere. Now she just needed to find where it was and deal with it accordingly. If I let them come to me, I can certainly be more prepared...but catching them by surprise has it's benefits as well... The decision was simple, and as she swung her scythe back into a comfortable position behind her, Nari stepped forward, making her way across the small open area that she had found the original four bandits resting in. She doubted that the next group would appear here anytime soon, even if she was patient. Sometimes the hunter must hunt...

The group was easy enough to find - huddled around another small fire, just like the last one. This time, they appeared conscious and aware, their weapons in hand and their eyes roaming over the area as they searched for the cause of distress they had likely heard earlier. They appeared, like the other group, to be young males who had left behind a hard life of mining to enjoy the luxurious life that banditry offered. Or, had offered up until Nari had taken up the quest to bring this to an end. As much as anything in a video game can come to an end...before it repeats itself for time eternal. She felt a nagging envy for the NPCs, able to do something that she would never be able to do in this world - she had one chance, one single opportunity to make things work.

"So long as I breathe, you shall not be allowed to harm another. I have come to guide you, to the life after this one." Her whispers carried on the air, announcing her presence before she stepped from the shadows. The NPCs appeared to step back in fear for a brief moment, as if shocked at her sudden appearance. Nari didn't waste a thought on it, rushing forwards and bringing her scythe around in a whirlwind of movement, trying to end the fight as quickly as she possibly could.

Combat

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 739/780| EN: 58/98| ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
Bandit 1 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Bandit 2 | HP: 250/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 |
Bandit 3 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Bandit 4 | HP: 250/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 |
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round One

Nari-Lanreth · December 17, 2022

Either she'd grown careless, or the combatants before her were far more dangerous than the previous opponents she'd faced. It didn't matter in the end, they'd barely managed to graze her as she spun away from their attacks - but as the two blades caused her health to dip, she cursed herself internally. Careless was one thing, but being reckless - charging in and allowing them past her defences so easily; that was entirely different.

A quick spin of her scythe, creating a wall between herself and her opponents, had driven them away long enough for her health bar to recharge; the soft purple-green glow that was her battle healing seeming to create an aura around herself as it restored her to full health. In the distance, she could still hear the sounds of footsteps - these ones fast approaching - which drove her towards completing this little dance of conflict. I don't have time to waste here...I need to finish this group off before any more reinforcements arrive, otherwise this is going to get less fun, very quickly.

A single step forward, a quick shift of her weapon's haft, and two more of the bandits had exploded into shards. The final two had frozen in place - the stun effect of the attack causing them to freeze up entirely. Nari took advantage of the situation, rushing forwards to finish them off while they couldn't move. Her scythe had just started to fall, when a longsword parried it aside - the appearance of a new face catching her off guard. Looks like they got here before I could finish this. Damn. This is going to make it so much harder...

Combat

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 780(+42 BH)/780| EN: 45/98 | ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
~~Bandit 1 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150~~
Bandit 2 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
~~Bandit 3 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150~~
Bandit 4 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round Two

Nari-Lanreth · December 17, 2022

The appearance of another blade had caught her by surprise, putting Nari off balance and on the defensive as she tried to place some distance between herself and the new target. It was enough of a distraction, that she didn't see the sudden movement of her two original targets in time, one managing to slide it's blade underneath the haft of her scythe, the blade driving into her her torso just above her left hip bone.

Stumbling backwards, she lashed out with her weapon, managing to catch the two newcomers - when had the second one appeared?! - with a single strike, their bodies freezing in place as the stun effect took over. Her success had cost her, however, as the second original target took the opportunity to abuse her opening, driving a blade into the small of her back as she cried out in surprise.

"I've had about enough of you. Of this floor. Of this entire game! Enough!" Her voice trembled with rage as she vented her frustrations. It had been far too long that she had been stuck here. Stuck here with no hope, but pushing forward nonetheless. At least I had someone before, with me...

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 688/780| EN: 32/98 | ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
Bandit 1 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150
Bandit 2 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150
Bandit 3 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Bandit 4 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150 | Stunned
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round Three

Nari-Lanreth · December 17, 2022

Her rage bristled, the scythe moving in a motion of absolutely fury as she lashed out at each of her targets. At first, they parried, driving her blade off to the side, or upwards and away from themselves. Nari didn't care. She was tireless, the fury of everything coursing through her giving her the strength to press on, to continue pushing them back towards the wall behind them - driving them towards their eventual demise. For too long. Too long have I done nothing but accept. Too long have I given everything, only to have it torn away. Acceptance. Suffering. Content to lie down and give in. No more. No more. NO MORE. A growl had begun in her throat, similar in sound to the ones that Yuki sometimes gave during combat and conflict. Before she knew it, the words had erupted aloud, echoing off the caves in a roar as she "I am the Reaper come to guide you beyond this life. To take away that which you cherish, that which you hold sway against others. I WILL END YOU, SO THAT YOU MAY FIND YOUR PEACE IN THE LIFE BEYOND THIS"

The tip of the scythe slammed into the neck of one of the bandits, causing an explosion of shards as the man was torn apart. Her scream accented the shards, piercing the otherwise quiet cave as she exploded through the remains of the man, bringing the weapon around towards the next closest target, watching in a red daze as it was torn in half, before moving towards the third. A quick spin, a small thrust followed by a yank, and she found herself standing alone with just her final target, the NPC paused as if in fear of the chaos that had occurred before it.

"Do you fear Death?" Her voice had gone cold, a dangerous edge to it as she strode towards the final individual, her head lowered ever so slightly and a predatory look upon her face. Her lips had closed harshly against one another, her eyes burning as they stared at the final target. All that passed through her mind was vengeance; vengeance for everything that had happened to her, to those she cared about, to those who were no longer around. Vengeance...taken out on any that stood in her way. Any who crossed her path, regardless if it was there fault or not. "Do you fear what is to come? I will guide you there, so that you may be free of this existence. Forever."

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 730(+42BH)/780| EN: 19/98| ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
~~Bandit 1 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150~~
Bandit 2 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150
~~Bandit 3 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150~~
~~Bandit 4 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150~~
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round Three

Nari-Lanreth · December 18, 2022

Exhaustion. She was starting to feel it coursing through her, slowing her movements and halting her ability to properly chase her target. She'd already gone on for so long, the fighting lasting far longer than she was used to - her skirmishes were usually over in a matter of breaths, but this one had already passed the numerous moments marker. Her muscles burned, a pain that she was used to in the real world, but something she'd rarely felt here. Even with all the dangerous situations she'd been in, she'd never felt her body like this in Aincrad. Never had she reached this point, and that scared her more than the combatant before her. Take a break...ease out of it...put some distances between him and you. You need to recover and relax, to get back your strength. Otherwise this is over. Truly over.

Hating it, but knowing that the idea was the right thing to do, Nari gave a single strong swing of her scythe, before pushing herself backwards and away from her opponent. Racing around behind a nearby collection of boxes, she focused on one thing - keeping the obstacle between herself and him. So long as she had those boxes between them, she was safe...if only for the moment. Not a long lasting tactic...but maybe it'll work just long enough. Just long enough to recover...even if just slightly. Then I need to disappear for a bit. She needed to end this, and rest. Before her body gave out on her fully. She'd already pushed herself well beyond what she was used to doing; there was nothing to be gained by doing more than what she could handle. Not if you plan on making it out of here... The thought came as a question, as if she was wondering her own purpose. She had no desire to end her life, not willingly. And yet, a part of her wondered...No...No I'm not giving up. Exhaustion is all. I just need to get this done and make it out of here. Then everything will be...better...

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 772(+42BH)/780| EN: 22/98 | ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
Bandit 2 | HP: 10/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round Three

ID210180 | BD: 1+3=4 | <<Basic Attack vs. Bandit 2>> | Miss! [-2 EN] | MD: 3-2=1 | Miss!
Light Momentum Activated [+1 to next successful BD]

Nari-Lanreth · December 18, 2022

Their dance around the boxes lasted a few moments, far longer than Nari had expected. Either the system was giving her a chance, or the NPC truly was dumber than most. The event came to a quick end, however, when the NPC realised it was able to simply leap over the boxes, attempting to land in front of Nari before she could react. Not that she gave him the chance to do so - her scythe pulled back as he began his forward movement towards the boxes, the blade of it slicing through the torso as he sailed overtop of the obstacle - a look of surprise the last thing Nari saw before he exploded into shards.

Silence greeted her as soon as the man disappeared, leaving Nari alone with just Yuki at her side. Fighting the urge to slump down on the spot, she pulled herself away from the zone of conflict towards a shadowed corner, tucking into a small crevice that she found in the stone wall itself. Yuki didn't hesitate, leaping into the small space with her before standing beside her, facing outwards as if planning to keep watch over their little hiding space. She considered saying something to the small fox, a quip meant to irritate her companion more than anything, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Yuki had done what she was designed to do, and yet Nari felt more attached to the fox than many other things; both in this world and beyond it. For now I just need to rest a bit...get my energy back before I push forwards. From the looks of it...we're not done yet.

The other fighters had come from somewhere, which meant that there were likely more of them around here. Nari had sworn to dispose of them for the miners, and she didn't intend to fail that promise - not now, not after everything. Or maybe because of everything...I don't know. I just...can't give up. She glanced at Yuki again, seeing the attention the small fox was giving as their lookout, making Nari even more certain that she needed to continue pushing onwards. She needed to finish this quest, if not for the miners, then for herself. For...everyone else, too...

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 39 | HP: 780(+42BH)/780| EN: 25/98 | ACC: 3 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+42] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 3 | Bld: 48
~~Bandit 2 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75/100/125/150~~
Better Than One | The damage of this mob is determined by the total number of players that are present at once. When four are present at once, the damage is at its maximum. When only one remains, it is weak.

Round Five

ID210181 | BD: 7+4=11 | <<Basic Attack vs. Bandit 2>> | Hit: 20 damage | Target destroyed!

Nari-Lanreth · December 19, 2022

Nari felt herself tense up at the sound of footsteps rushing by, the sound seeming to echo off the rock walls that made up the area surrounding her. For a brief second, she felt the sound getting closer, almost certain that it was right beyond the outcropping she hid within. Almost as quickly as it had approached, it faltered off, leaving her alone with the sounds receding into the distance.

She let out a breath she hadn't even realised she'd been holding in, relaxing her head back against the wall behind her. For the moment, she was safe - left alone with her thoughts. That was more than she could've expected moments ago, although she'd been trying to escape it for longer than she'd care to admit. I feel like I've had enough alone time for...well, maybe not a lifetime, but at least for a while yet...

Her mind seemed to wander a bit as she sat quietly, images flashing before her mind's eye before disappearing. Most of them were nonsense, things she'd seen in the past, or areas she'd come across that she thought might be worth visiting again. A few, especially faces she'd come to love, seemed to hover on the edge of her awareness for longer than Nari would've liked. Perhaps you're just tired, and this is your mind demanding rest and sleep...

Nari-Lanreth · December 19, 2022

Nari wasn't sure if she'd accidentally fallen asleep or not, but she found herself startled back to consciousness and awareness as the fox beside her shifted in place. Yuki still stood with her back to Nari, staring out into the cavern beyond their hiding place, keeping guard. For a moment, Nari found herself overly touched by the fox's behaviour - it was always there for her, no matter what. Rewards will be in order, once we get out of this place...and not just some silly little treats. Yuki deserves some recognition for what she's done for me...what she's always done...

Nari wondered, for the first time, how the fox felt about her. Sure, the system would make it compliant to just about any order Nari gave - but that didn't mean the fox needed to like her. She wondered if she was doing enough as a partner to make the fox feel loved, and perhaps earn that love and trust in return. Or if she was overly disliked by the fox, who acted the way it did only because it was forced to do so.

It was something she'd never considered before, and it made her feel bad. She'd always just assumed the fox was there because it wanted to be, or completely dismissed the idea entirely. She felt embarrassed by the fact that she'd never thought of it before, especially considering how close she'd felt to the fox throughout their time together. Maybe I've been imagining that bond...maybe there's nothing to it, in reality...

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