[F21;SP] Hunting Drakelings | <<Trouble in the Mines>>

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

"Floor Twenty-one. Definitely very...cosy..." She glanced around at the darkness pierced by the dim-lit lights and lanterns, the luminous mosses and glowing fungi that brightened the areas directly around it. Not that it made the ever pressing darkness any less overpowering. "Reminds me of floor ten...and every underground tunnel I've ever been on..."

The kitsune followed alongside Nari, yipping in response to her commentary. The nine tails flowed behind it, an almost hypnotic pattern that Nari had come to enjoy watching in her free time. The light flowed across the kitsune in a way that cause the red patterns to almost glow in response - a unique effect that Nari found almost enrapturing as the tails behind it.

"Message said something about miners needing help...wonder where I'd find the start of this quest..." She mused to herself as they moved throughout the main settlement. Nari had spent the last ten minutes wandering through the settlement in search of any sign that the NPC that would initiate the quest for her. So far, her luck hadn't been up to par.

"The message said..." She flicked her left wrist, bringing up the menu before glancing over the message once more. The details matched the quest information she'd found in her menu - suggesting that a local miner required help with some problems in the mines. "Foreman...need to find the foreman. Super helpful. Guess it's just a matter of...wander until we find it, eh Mio?"

---

 

  

Statblock

Spoiler notes -- Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 45 | HP: 840/840 | EN: 98/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 Tier 4 | Tier 8 equipped Reaper's Charge [Scythe; Tier 4 Perfect] Enhancement: Accuracy [3 Slots] Enhancement: Static [1 Slot]  Reaper's Defence  [Light Armour; Tier 4 Perfect] Enhancement: Evasion [2 Slots] Enhancement: Light Momentum [1 Slots] Twin-Fox Bracelet [Tier 4 Perfect Jewellery] Enhancement: Recovery [2 Slots] Enhancement: Evasion [1 Slot]   battle-ready inventory Teleport Crystal {3} Starter Healing Potions {4} | Heals 50 HP Divinity's Wait {4} | Tier 2; Perfect Potion | Mitigation III Divinity's Protection {4} | Tier 3; Perfect Potion | Overhealth III Cold Brew Coffee {3} | Tier 1; Perfect Potion | HP Recovery III Percephonius Pyratius {9} | Tier 4; Perfect Potion | Damage III Ketchup Chips {3} | Tier 4; Perfect Snacks| Probiotics III Siúil a Rún {2} | Tier 3; Perfect; Masterpiece Support Song | HP Recovery III [Mass] skills Spoiler Utility Skills Extended Weight Limit [Active: Passive. Effect: +2 additional Battle-Ready inventory slots.] Searching [Rank: 4. Active: Passive. Effect: +1 LD per rank. +1 to Stealth Detection per rank.] [Rank 3 Searching Mod] Detect [Active: Passive. Effect: Grants +2 Stealth Detection. Grants +1 LD when searching for dungeons and labyrinths.] 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.)] 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.] [Light Armour Add-on] Resolve [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 Accuracy and +10 * Tier HP.] 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.] Inactive Extra Skills  Assault Mode [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, switch your accuracy and evasion values until the start of your next turn.] Brawler [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Increase mitigation by 10*tier until the start of your next turn.] Frozen Hide [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, apply one slot of Frost Aura and one slot of Frost Thorns equal to your tier to yourself until the start of your next turn.] Combat Mastery Damage [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 * Tier additional Base Damage per rank. Ranks of this Skill obey Damage enhancement caps.] 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%.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== sword arts Spoiler [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. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== buffs Spoiler Estate Buffs Bedroom [-1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat.] Living Room [Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.] Storage Closet [+1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot] Basement [Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.] Extended Workshop [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.] Greenhouse [+2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Their journey had taken them across the underground city, until they had finally found the individual in question - an older, grizzled looking individual who had clearly been working the mines for the majority of his life. Nari approached the man, giving a greeting as she came closer and listening to his request with a calm, collected expression. As soon as he had finished discussing the issue - a collection of Drakelings that were terrorising the miners, from the sounds of it - Nari was heading off, leaving the bright lit undercity behind in favour of the solitude that the caverns offered.

"Come on Mio...let's get to work. Might as well get this done and over with as soon as we can..." She gave a single glance back at the foreman, wondering what the man would do with his life if he were ever given the option of breaking free of the continuous cycle that Cardinal had him stuck in. It wasn't the first time she'd had such thoughts, and she knew it wouldn't be the last time. "At least we can do that..."

The kitsune seemed to cock its head at her commentary, as if trying to figure out the meaning behind her words. Nari considered elaborating for a moment, before realising she'd just be explaining it all to herself. The kitsune - as well meaning and as caring as it may seem - was still a part of Cardinal, and would never understand the conundrum that she was consistently finding herself in as of recent. Best to let lie, and carry on.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

As soon as they had exited the undercity entirely, Nari turned her attention towards their task at hand. Mio followed along behind her, glancing up at her every once in a while as she reviewed the quest information that now displayed itself on her menu. The foreman had given her three main options; hunt down and kill the Drakelings, lure them away...or destroy the nests. 

"Luring them away is the most humane...but I don't think that's going to get me what I need here. Although it is tempting...I think the best bet here is going to be to destroy the nests. At least this time around." She glanced down at Mio, the kitsune returning her gaze without any sign of disagreement. "Alright...it'll likely pay out more - both experience and col...so it's worth it, right?"

Again, there was no answer from the kitsune. Nari shrugged to herself, tossing it up to the small fox-like creature simply trusting her judgement on the situation. She had grown accustomed to the small kitsune lately; it was far less engaged than Yuki had once been - almost standoffish in a way, but it had always come to comfort her when she needed it. As if it waited until it knew that she required its help, or attention, and then leapt into action. He may not be Yuki, but he's still right for me.

"Alright...maybe down this way, then?" She turned towards a left-handed path that they had come up on, leading the kitsune further into the tunnels and away from the undercity itself. She doubted they would find anything so soon. Still, she kept her eyes open for any signs that she was at least going the right direction.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The tunnels seemed to close in around her as she continued on through them, constantly glancing down side stretches and cutoffs in search of any sign of the quarry they hunted. Mio trudged along beside her, appearing content to simply follow Nari for the time being. 

"You know...considering how big this floating castle is...I'm amazed at how many floors of it all focus on being underground..." She glanced down another side path, peering in towards a dead-end before continuing her trail of thought. "I don't mean to say that there shouldn't be any, but...I mean why not incorporate an above ground section alongside an underground section? It's not like space is an issue...not really."

She glanced down at the kitsune, who stared back up at her, its head cocked to the side as if it was questioning her sanity. "No. Fair point. I'm not crazy, yet. I'm just saying, like consider how big Aincrad is. Why does it need an entire floor that is underground? Why not make it so there's an above ground and underground section?"

She shrugged, before leading the way further on. She knew she wouldn't get an answer, but it helped her to say something aloud. Anything to break the otherwise silent environment that surrounded her - even if it was just her own voice musing aloud thoughts that passed through her mind.

ID212427 | LD: 8+4 = 12 | Search for Drakeling Nest | Success!

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Peering down a short tunnel, Nari saw something that seemed to reflect in the light - an almost metallic shine against the otherwise dull lit rock that surrounded the remainder of the area. Casting a single glance around, Nari moved forwards down the tunnel, keeping her ears open for any sounds that would signify the presence of anything else in the area.

Beside her, Mio walked gingerly, his fox-like steps barely making a presence against the dirt beneath them. Nari envied him that for a second, wondering what it would be like to move without leaving any trace of your existence - before realising that it was entirely possible in this game. Something to consider later on. For now, focus on the whole drake-hunting-thing that you've got going on here, yeah?

The shimmer had revealed itself as Nari had gotten closer, turning out to be nothing more than a single bone poking out of what appeared to be a collection of rocks pulled into a circle. She was just about to move on, when something stopped her, a small voice in the back of her head wondering why a collection of rocks would be pulled together like this one was. 

"I think...we found the nest." Nari whispered to Mio, the kitsune immediately glancing around as if searching for danger. As if to confirm her suspicion, a notice appeared above the nest, labelling the piece as exactly what she thought it was. Content that she had at least found the piece, she realised there was a new issue - she needed to destroy it, something that appeared easier said then done in this instance. 

"Ooohhkkaaayyy...how does one destroy a nest made of solid rock...?" Her eyes cast over the area, hoping that a solution would simply appear before her, magically out of the air. When she was met with only silence, Nari did the one thing she could think of - jamming the scythe's haft into the rocks, and trying to push them out and away from the nest itself.

Slowly, painfully, the first one came free - rolling a few steps away before coming a halt. Smiling in success, Nari quickly began jamming at the other rocks, prying them free from the main body of the nest as she hurried to finish her work.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

It didn't take anywhere near as long as Nari had expected before the final rock was tumbling down the side of the once-nest's edge, leaving her standing triumphantly over her destruction. The grin on her face matched her enthusiasm, and for a brief second she forgot where exactly she was standing. It was Mio's slightly yip, that brought her attention back to the present.

"You're right...we probably shouldn't hang around here, just in case they decide to return." She said in response, eyeing the tunnel around her for any sign of movement. For the moment, at least, it seemed that they were still alone. Taking comfort in that fact, Nari slid off the side of the nest and back down the short decline to the normal floor. "Alright...I think we just need to find another one now. Maybe a bit further down this way?"

She pointed towards the direction they'd already been heading, hoping that their travels would taken them to another of the nests. Mio's yip of agreement solidified the decision for Nari, and after a single final glance at her success, she began leading the way further along the path.

"Maybe this will go a lot quicker than we originally thought...?" She spoke the thought hesitantly, not willing to put too much enthusiasm behind it lest she somehow curse herself for doing so. Still, it had been easy enough thus far, and Nari was willing to bet that anything super dangerous would have jumped out at her the moment she touched the nest.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Leaving behind the first nest, Nari had continued down the pathway. She'd hoped to find the next nest relatively quickly - assuming that they had been created in line, or that they had grouped them together for the sake of ease and general logical purpose. Her hopes had been quickly dashed away as time slowly passed, and her search continued without success. Another bend, and she'd found herself cursing at whomever had made these tunnels. 

"I swear...this all looks familiar! I can't even tell if we've been down this way or not..." She glanced at a nearby wall, peering at a collection of scrapes that seemed somehow familiar. Beside her, Mio gave a yip of frustration - either mimicking Nari's behaviour, or perhaps simply annoyed at having been stuck in the underdark for so long. "It's too bad there's no markers, or guides...would make this so much easier if I knew where it was we were going...although Aincrad never does like it easy."

She scowled again, before giving up on her anger. It wasn't helping in any way, and she knew that there was absolutely nothing she could do but accept that they would be wondering the area until they found the nests and cleared them all away. The only thing she could hope for, was that it wouldn't require tearing down ten or fifteen of them. "That would take all night...and I really don't want to be here all night if I can help it..."

Mio yipped in what Nari could only assume was agreement, before dashing off down the tunnel again. Shaking her head, she followed behind the kitsune. Even when she was considering quitting and turning around, the small creature seemed determined to carry on - as if it simply couldn't let go of an idea once it had grabbed hold of it. Not a bad trait. At least he makes sure to drag me along with him on his adventures.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She followed the small kitsune through the tunnels for another fifteen minutes before they came across another section, the path heading in three separate directions. Nari glanced down at the kitsune, noticing the creature's hesitation suddenly - as if it was unsure which path to follow, now that there were choices to be made. 

"Well, you got us into this mess...now it's time for you to get us out. Right?" She asked aloud, her words echoing slightly against the walls, before rebounding back towards them. An odd effect that seemed uncomfortable to her own ears. The kitsune, however, seemed to take her question as a direction - turning to its right and leading the two further on down the tunnel. "Not quite what I meant...but alright, let's do this."

Nari stepped after the creature, not willing to be left alone in the tunnels - and trusting that no matter what the two of them could make their way back out without worry. We've been in far worse places than this, besides. It's not like we're being drowned in lava or anything silly...although...shouldn't give Cardinal any ideas. She glanced around as if worried someone would overhear her thoughts, before shaking her head. For now, she just needed to find that nest, and then finish this quest.

ID212454 | LD: 4+4=8 | Search for Drakeling Nest | Failure!

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The sound of dripping water caught Nari's attention, seemingly echoing from the expanse ahead. Mio seemed to hesitate, looking back at Nari as if in confusion or for support. She nodded at the kitsune, urging him on ahead. She had a feeling she knew what they'd find, but wanted to confirm it for herself before turning around and giving up just yet.

She wasn't surprised, to find their current path a dead end. It led directly to a large pool of water - the walls on the opposite sides signifying that there was nowhere further to go here, and that they'd made the walk all for nothing. Or, at least, that they'd not found the nest they were looking for in this direction.

"Hey...don't worry about it. Right was my choice, remember? Not your fault." She smiled down at the kitsune, trying to cheer it up as she imagined it beating itself up for leading her towards a dead end. She had no idea if it worked - or Mio was even upset to begin with - but the ears perking up and the tails seeming to billow out slightly made her think that perhaps, just perhaps it had. "Come on, let's head back this way...if nothing else we get to go for a nice walk."

ID212455 | LD: 1+4 = 5 | Search for Drakeling Nest | Failure!

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari pressed all the way back to the divide that they had previously stopped at, Mio following quietly at her feet. She considered engaging the kitsune in further discussion, before deciding that she had had enough of her own voice for the time being. Content to wander in silence for the time, she had paused as they reached the split, staring at the two other directions they could take, before shrugging and heading for the far side - the one left of their origins.

They travelled further along the tunnel for what felt like another hour, before Nari saw a small shine in the distance. The glimmer seemed to emanate from their left, and she felt her steps slow as she pulled her scythe behind her and into a ready position once more. The tunnel had narrowed as she approached, and was only just starting to widen again - something she was thankful for, given the space her weapon required.

"Something up there..." The words were spoken softly, but seemed loud against the silence - enough so that Nari winced as they reached her ears. She looked around for any sign of movement, calming only when she realised they were still alone for the time being. 

As the two approached, she could see the form of rocks in a circular pattern beginning to take shape once more, a sign that they had found yet another nest. Alright, time to get to work on this one! She picked up her pace slightly, closing the remaining distance as quickly as she could. She wanted to be done with this before anything decided to show up and interrupt their work; a situation that she was sure was bound to happen the longer they were here.

ID212456 | LD: 15+4 = 19 | Search for Drakeling Nest | Success!

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

"Got you! Now just to...tear you apart. Like the last one." Nari glanced at Mio before looking around once more, making sure that she was truly alone in the area. The last thing she wanted was to begin tearing apart some creature's nest, only to have it show up beside her with a mind full of anger.

Turning back to the nest, Nari began jamming the haft of her scythe into the rocks, once more attempting to force the circle apart like she had done earlier. She grit her teeth as she worked, forcing the rocks apart slowly. Each one seemed to resist her will at first, as if staying stubbornly stuck within its original placement - only giving way once she had spent some time wiggling and forcing the pieces. 

"Got it!" She exclaimed as the last stone came unhinged. The piece rolled off to the side as Nari smiled at her success, glancing at Mio with a look of excitement. She figured that the quest must be almost over, with how much they'd already covered. "And then we can head home and relax...at least for a little bit."

She'd just started to step off the remainder of the nest, when the growling caught her attention, forcing her to stop moving. She glanced in all directions, her eyes peering into the dim light in the distance as she tried to locate the source of the sound.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari froze in place as the sound reverberated through the tunnel around her, reminding her of a large dog. She felt her hand shift ever so slightly on her scythe, her feet naturally sliding into a ready stance. Her eyes shifted around her, looking for any indication as to where the noise was coming from.

She found her answer as two creatures, four legged and built solidly, stepped from the shadows of the distant path. Nari could see the danger in their presence, the way their eyes seemed to fixate on her. She could almost feel agitation and aggression in their stance as the two creatures stared her down, watching her every move.

"Ah...I guess we did upset them, a bit..." Nari mumbled to herself, before glancing over at Mio. The small kitsune had begun to vibrate at her side, a soft growl rising from its throat as the shackles on its neck began to lift. Nari felt her grip tighten ever so slightly on the scythe as she glanced between the two creatures before them, wondering who would make the first move. She had no doubts that she'd be fighting her way out of this now, and only hoped that she hadn't just walked into something more dangerous than she could handle. "Alright...come on..."

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 45 | HP: 840/840 | EN: 86/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 | -12 EN
Drake Matriarch 1 | HP: 1071/1250 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2 |Stunned | Static [40 dmg; 1/2]
Drake Matriarch 2 | HP: 1250/1250 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2
Divide and Conquer | Drake Matriarchs will always move to surround their opponents and attack from both sides. Because of this behavioral pattern, it is impossible to attack both at the same time by way of AoE. Additionally, Hate acquisition skills and mods such as Howl and Focused Howl will only affect one Drake Matriarch at a time.
Metamorphosis | When one Drake Matriarch dies, the other will sprout wings and take flight. This provides +25 DMG and +3 EVA.  This effect is permanent, once triggered.

ID212457 | BD: 10+5=15 | <<Tech-F vs. Drake Matriarch 1>> | Major Critical Hit: (20+2)x12+40(Static)-125 = 179 damage | Stunned
ID212458 | BD: 5+5=10 | <<Tech-F vs. Drake Matriarch 1>> | Hit: 20x12+24(Static)-125 = 139 damage | Stunned MOB: 1-3=-2 | Miss.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The two creatures had frozen up the instance that Nari's scythe had sailed into their bodies, the stun effect coursing through them and giving the purple-haired girl the chance to step back and space herself. She could see that within the small space, and outnumbered, she was definitely in a more dire position than she'd like to be. Still, her skills alone should more than compensate for the difference in quantity, which left her feel assured.

Considering her options, Nari glanced between the two creatures, seeing the sharp teeth and claws that were present on their forms, and deciding that she'd prefer not to let them get the best of her. Defence is the best offence, after all...so let's go a bit defence, at least until we're more comfortable? She shrugged, deciding that the plan was better than anything else she had - which was, in a word, nothing. 

A quick twirl of the scythe and she stepped forward to unleash a backhanded strike against the closest of the two, forcing it into the partner and causing both to fall off balance against the floor. She pulled the scythe in front of her, letting it dance in the air before her body in a protective manner. She knew it wouldn't act as a perfect shield, but anything attempting to get through would, at the very least, be deflected ever so slightly. Just enough that it should prevent any major strikes against her - for the time being.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 45 | HP: 840/840 | EN: 77/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN -12 EN | Counter [-25%]
Drake Matriarch 1 | HP: 836/1250 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2 |Stun Immunity [1/3]| Static [40 dmg; 2/2]
Drake Matriarch 2 | HP: 1226/1250 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2 | Static [24 dmg]
Divide and Conquer | Drake Matriarchs will always move to surround their opponents and attack from both sides. Because of this behavioural pattern, it is impossible to attack both at the same time by way of AoE. Additionally, Hate acquisition skills and mods such as Howl and Focused Howl will only affect one Drake Matriarch at a time.
Metamorphosis | When one Drake Matriarch dies, the other will sprout wings and take flight. This provides +25 DMG and +3 EVA.  This effect is permanent, once triggered.

ID212464 | BD: 3+5=8 | <<Tech-C vs. Drake Matriarch 1>> | Hit: 20x16-125 = 235+40(Static) = 275 damage | 24(Static) to Drake Matriarch 2 | MOB: 6+2-3=5 | Miss.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The drakes recovered far more quickly than Nari could have expected, giving how hard she had been striking the creatures. Almost as quickly as they had gone down, they were back on their feet - the two of them rushing towards her almost simultaneously in an attempt to overwhelm her defences and force her to back down. She kept her footing as they came at her - each one from another side, trying desperately to push them back even as they tore through the meagre blockage that the weapon created.

"Holy shit!" Nari cursed as the creatures slammed into her, their claws and teeth tearing into her body even as she scrambled backwards and away - the ferocity making her flinch, the pain replicated and produced by her mind nothing more than a passing reaction. She struck out with her scythe as she moved backwards, catching one of the creatures with a glancing blow as she tried to drive them both backwards.

Setting the weapon to spin again, she sidestepped around, hoping to put more distance between her and them - but found the two mimicking her, stepping to either side as they worked to get around her defences, individually or together. At her feet, Mio moved with Nari, his own body pressed against her in a way that reminded her of the videos she'd seen of protection dogs - acting as her guardian, in his own way. 

"Alright...enough is enough. You need to die. Here and now." She glared at the drake in front of her, deciding that the best she could do was to even the playing field. She rushed forwards, bringing herself down to bear on the creature as a slight roar escaped her lips.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 45 | HP: 520/840 | EN: 65/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN -12 EN  -320HP | Counter [-25%]  | Protection [0/3] 
Drake Matriarch 1 | HP: 641/1250 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2 |Stun Immunity [2/3]
Drake Matriarch 2 | HP: 1226/1250 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2
Divide and Conquer | Drake Matriarchs will always move to surround their opponents and attack from both sides. Because of this behavioural pattern, it is impossible to attack both at the same time by way of AoE. Additionally, Hate acquisition skills and mods such as Howl and Focused Howl will only affect one Drake Matriarch at a time.
Metamorphosis | When one Drake Matriarch dies, the other will sprout wings and take flight. This provides +25 DMG and +3 EVA.  This effect is permanent, once triggered.

ID212465 | BD: 5+5=10 | <<Tech-C vs. Drake Matriarch 1>> | Hit: 20x16-125 = 195 damage | MOB: 9+2-3=8 | Minor Critical Hit: (275+1)x2-60=492 damage | Mio uses Protection! -35% [Counter]

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The scythe slammed into the side of the drake, not harming it but forcing the creature back and away from her - giving her the space she needed to right herself. She could hear the sounds of the other creature's claws on the tunnel floor as it charged her, letting her duck beneath the creature's attempt to launch itself into Nari's space. She let herself fall forward, rolling as her shoulder hit the floor and popping up a few steps away - placing her back against the wall in order to stop any chance of the creatures getting behind her, at least for the moment.

A quick exhale of breath, and she forced her scythe back into movement, spinning before her in an almost blinding twirl. She let her hands control the motion, let her mind focus on the creatures that she was fighting. She knew that she needed to find the upper hand, and quickly. Things were getting far more dangerous than she enjoyed, and with everything occurring she was certain that her time was becoming precious. She needed to do something before these things overwhelmed her.

The sound of her scythe glancing off something pulled Nari back from her planning, bringing her mind to the fight once more. She watched as the drake stepped backwards, a new slice along its forepaws giving evidence to the fact that it had tried to force past her defences, and failed. The grin that spread across her face said everything she needed it to say, and making up her mind she forced herself away from the wall, ready to take the offensive in the fight.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 45 | HP: 566/840 | EN: 56/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +46HP -13 EN| Counter [-25%] | Protection [1/3] 
Drake Matriarch 1 | HP: 446/1250 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2
Drake Matriarch 2 | HP: 1226/1250 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2
Divide and Conquer | Drake Matriarchs will always move to surround their opponents and attack from both sides. Because of this behavioural pattern, it is impossible to attack both at the same time by way of AoE. Additionally, Hate acquisition skills and mods such as Howl and Focused Howl will only affect one Drake Matriarch at a time.
Metamorphosis | When one Drake Matriarch dies, the other will sprout wings and take flight. This provides +25 DMG and +3 EVA.  This effect is permanent, once triggered.

ID212466 | BD: 6+5=11 | <<Tech-C vs. Drake Matriarch 1>> | Hit: 20x16-125 = 195 damage | MOB: 2+2-3=1 | Miss.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The drake had recoiled at Nari's movements, keeping itself out of her reach. Nari decided to test the creature, taking another step towards it and watching as it backed off, ever so slightly. Something about the way it moved worried her - she'd yet to come across creatures that retreated from a fight, even momentarily, in Aincrad. The fact that this one had begun to do so, was extremely out of place. Something that she wasn't about to just trust blindly.

A quick look to her left confirmed her worries - the other creature had begun to slide towards her, clearly hoping to catch her unaware as it moved for the flanking. She slid herself towards the creature, forcing it back along the path it had taken. In retaliation, the original drake began its own front forwards - stopping only when Nari shifted her path towards it. A brief grin slid across her face as she watched the two slowly back away from her, taking turns moving forwards before being pushed back by her own shift in movement.

"Okay...let's do this then." She mumbled to herself before kicking the haft of her scythe's shaft, forcing the weapon up and then back into a downwards arc. She moved to her left, before suddenly shifting and going for the original creature on her right, bringing the weapon upwards in a hard arc, aiming for the underside of it as she leapt forwards. "Dodge this, asshole!"

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 45 | HP: 612/840 | EN: 42/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +46HP -18 EN| Protection [2/3] 
Drake Matriarch 1 | HP: 171/1250 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2
Drake Matriarch 2 | HP: 1226/1250 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2
Divide and Conquer | Drake Matriarchs will always move to surround their opponents and attack from both sides. Because of this behavioural pattern, it is impossible to attack both at the same time by way of AoE. Additionally, Hate acquisition skills and mods such as Howl and Focused Howl will only affect one Drake Matriarch at a time.
Metamorphosis | When one Drake Matriarch dies, the other will sprout wings and take flight. This provides +25 DMG and +3 EVA.  This effect is permanent, once triggered.

ID212467 | BD: 5+5=10 | <<ST-B vs. Drake Matriarch 1>> | Hit: 20x20-125 = 275 damage | MOB: 4+2-3=3 | Miss.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

A brief pause as she considered rushing the near-dead creature, the low sitting health bar more than tempting her. Her mind raced as it considered the possibility all within a single breath, before deciding that it wasn't worth the danger. She wasn't sure entirely what these things could do - and considering the beating they had already given her, Nari didn't feel like testing fate, just to find out that they had some sort of regenerative ability. 

Careful. Calm. Remember, it's not about rushing in...sometimes being careful is more than appropriate. She nodded at the voice in her head, before settling herself into a more defensive position. There was no need for her to rush forward towards the things, which would likely come to her. For now, she could wait. They were likely to rush her, once they realised that she was willing to wait it out.

"Careful...careful now..." She mumbled to herself and Mio, trying to steady herself. She could see the twitches in the drake's muscles, the creatures seemingly gazing at each other from across the distance, as if waiting to see what the other, and Nari, would do. "Here they come..."

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 45 | HP: 482/840 | EN: 33/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +46 HP -13 EN -176 HP | Counter | Protection [0/3]
Drake Matriarch 1 | HP: 0/1250 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2
Drake Matriarch 2 | HP: 1202/1250 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 3
Divide and Conquer | Drake Matriarchs will always move to surround their opponents and attack from both sides. Because of this behavioural pattern, it is impossible to attack both at the same time by way of AoE. Additionally, Hate acquisition skills and mods such as Howl and Focused Howl will only affect one Drake Matriarch at a time.
Metamorphosis | When one Drake Matriarch dies, the other will sprout wings and take flight. This provides +25 DMG and +3 EVA.  This effect is permanent, once triggered.

ID212471 | BD: 7+5=12 | <<Tech-C vs. Drake Matriarch 1>> | Hit: 20x16+40(Static)-125 = 235 damage | Drake Matriarch 1 destroyed | 24 damage to Drake Matriarch 2 | MOB: 7+2-3=6 | Hit: 300-30 = 270 damage | Mio uses Protection; -35% damage 

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Her feint worked, as the creatures rushed forwards together. Nari waited, her scythe spinning before her in a defensive manner. The first creature to reach her deflected off the weapon, an otherwise dangerous blow glancing slightly to the side and downwards - Mio's form lashing out and further deflecting it. Nari didn't pay attention as her own health bar dropped slightly in response, her attention on the weaker of the two.

It took only a split second longer to reach her, but it was enough. Nari forced her entire body into a spin, bringing the scythe around in a sharp arc and slamming the point into the creature. A brief second passed, where everything seemed to pause, before the creature exploded in a shower of shards. 

She whipped around in time to find the other creature rushing forwards once more, its eyes locked on Nari as wings unfurled from its back, forcing itself into the air every so slightly - and directly into Nari's readied weapon. The blade had begun to glow, a dark violet colour that bespoke violence, and it drove directly into the creature's front. Nari felt a single second of satisfaction as the creature crashed to the ground, the stun effect causing it to remain motionless.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 45 | HP: 528/840 | EN: 23/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +46 HP -14 EN | Protection [1/3]
Drake Matriarch 2 | HP: 951/1250 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 3 | Stunned
Divide and Conquer | Drake Matriarchs will always move to surround their opponents and attack from both sides. Because of this behavioural pattern, it is impossible to attack both at the same time by way of AoE. Additionally, Hate acquisition skills and mods such as Howl and Focused Howl will only affect one Drake Matriarch at a time.
Metamorphosis | When one Drake Matriarch dies, the other will sprout wings and take flight. This provides +25 DMG and +3 EVA.  This effect is permanent, once triggered.

ID212472 | BD: 8+5-3=10 | <<Tech-A vs. Drake Matriarch 2>> | Minor Critical Hit: (20+1)x16+40(Static)-125 = 251 damage | Stunned

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The creature slowly came out of its stunned stance, growling as it did so. Nari was careful to keep her distance, knowing that it would be most dangerous as it flapped around after being locked in place. She eyed the creature, watching as it watched her in turn - the two refusing to break eye contact as they waited for the other to rush forward. 

Her patience paid off, as the creature seemed to lose what little patience it had, soaring through the air towards her in a straight arc. Nari side stepped, bringing her scythe up and around and slamming the haft against the creatures side. With a harsh thump, the thing hit the ground, shattering a few of the scales that protected its topside, and causing the creature to limp back a few steps in surprise.

Nari took the initiative, driving her blade into the weakened spot and causing a wide gash to appear beneath the cracked scales. She leapt backwards the second her blade had passed through, avoiding a weak strike from the creature as it attempted to retaliate to her assault, far too slowly.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 45 | HP: 574/840 | EN: 14/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +46 HP -13 EN | Protection [2/3]
Drake Matriarch 2 | HP: 696/1250 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 105 [125-20] | ACC: 2 | EVA: 3 | Stun Immunity [1/3] | Shatter [-20 MIT; 1/3]
Divide and Conquer | Drake Matriarchs will always move to surround their opponents and attack from both sides. Because of this behavioural pattern, it is impossible to attack both at the same time by way of AoE. Additionally, Hate acquisition skills and mods such as Howl and Focused Howl will only affect one Drake Matriarch at a time.
Metamorphosis | When one Drake Matriarch dies, the other will sprout wings and take flight. This provides +25 DMG and +3 EVA.  This effect is permanent, once triggered.

ID212473 | BD: 5+5-3=7 | <<Tech-D vs. Drake Matriarch 2>> | Hit: 20x16+40(Static)-105 = 235 damage | Shatter | MOB: 6+2-3=5 | Miss.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari could feel the desperation in the drake's actions as it became more erratic. It soared through the air, leaping and using its newly unfurled wings to glide on the air towards her again and again, regardless of what Nari did in response. The first couple she dodged around, taking care not to get within the range of its claws or teeth.

As the seconds passed, however, Nari found the creature lagging ever so slightly. She began to parry it with her weapon's haft, turning away strikes that barely had any power behind them. Curiously, she took a step towards it, slowly forcing it back on the defensive as she drove it closer to the far wall with each continuous step. 

"Tired yourself out...that's too bad. Now you're at my mercy, for the moment." She didn't smile, didn't take pride in her success or situation. Instead, she simply focused on what needed to be done - driving the blade into the scales on the creature's back, and prying loose one of them before raking the blade along its side. The drake shrieked in pain as it recoiled, its health bar dipping lower as it seemed to limp away from her. Nari shook her head, not willing to let the creature get away that easily. "Not done with you yet."

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 45 | HP: 620/840 | EN: 5/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 | +4 EN +46 HP -13 EN | 
Drake Matriarch 2 | HP: 441/1250 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 95 [125-40] | ACC: 2 | EVA: 3 | Stun Immunity [1/3] | Shatter [-40 MIT; 1/3]
Divide and Conquer | Drake Matriarchs will always move to surround their opponents and attack from both sides. Because of this behavioural pattern, it is impossible to attack both at the same time by way of AoE. Additionally, Hate acquisition skills and mods such as Howl and Focused Howl will only affect one Drake Matriarch at a time.
Metamorphosis | When one Drake Matriarch dies, the other will sprout wings and take flight. This provides +25 DMG and +3 EVA.  This effect is permanent, once triggered.

ID212474 | BD: 7+5-3=9 | <<Tech-D vs. Drake Matriarch 2>> | Hit: 20x16+40(Static)-95 = 255 damage | Shatter | MOB: 6+2-3=5 | Miss.