Hanzoku 0 Posted August 13 #1 Share Posted August 13 (edited) With a supremely unsatisfying meal in him and a much better tea to give some taste to what he ate, Hanzoku was ready to venture upward. His last few quests had helped his skills increase by leaps, but Cardinal does not reward those who don't strive. The monsters on Floor 1 were no longer a threat outside of rare elites, so after careful research he had made his way to the eighth floor, where the forests abound with deer, bears, enraged treants and playful fire foxes. He avoided the trickier and harder prey, and instead tracked down a small herd of Great Tailed Deer. Having herded them into thicket, he steps forward, blade drawn. "Sorry guys, but I'm going to be trying out my new abilities on you." he says almost apologetically to them. "And you're hopefully worth a lot of col and treasure." The deer snort in fury and lower their proud antlers, charging as a herd to trample the swordsman into the ground. He simply sets himself and grins as they come closer, feeling the many buffs active from his pre-hunt meal as he lashes out with his first sword art. The two sides clashed as antlers scratched across his heavy armor, and his empowered blow brings two of the deer to critical levels in a single attack. "Whew. These higher arts take more out of you." he says grudgingly as his energy levels dip hard. "But those damage buffs are well worth it." Hanzoku | HP: 120/120 | EN: 30/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Spoiler Equipped Items: Humble Aspirations | T1 Perfect Weapon (SS) | DMG III Squire's Ardor | T1 Perfect Heavy Armor | MIT III laurel earcuffs. | [#221709-1] | TIER 1 JEWELRY | LD III Battle-Ready Inventory: Starter Healing Potion (3/5) | Tier 1 Potion | +60 HP Who Let the Wolves Out? [Death[k]Night Fusion] | [#224804] | TIER 1 SUPPORT SONG | HP RECOVERY II (1/5) Valorous Spite | T1 Perfect Shield | REGEN II | THORNS I wolf pendant. | [#220941-2] | TIER 1 JEWELRY | ACC III Consumed Items: crème brûlée. | TIERLESS DESSERT | ACC II gelato. | TIERLESS DESSERT | LD III mousse. | TIERLESS DESSERT | PROSPERITY III skewer roll. | TIERLESS MEAL | PROTEIN II yaki hatahata. | TIER 1 MEAL | MIT III imperial quarter blend | TIERLESS PERFECT POTION | DAMAGE III Skills: Straight Swords | RANK 2/5 Curved Swords | RANK 1/5 Heavy Armor | RANK 2/5 Searching | RANK 2/5 Sword Arts: [x6] ST-I (6 EN) | <<Sixfold Strike>> A single-target sword art. [x5] AOE-I (5 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE | <<Cleave>> A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x6] TECH-A (7 EN) | STUN | <<Cheap Shot>> A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy. Misc. Buffs: Combat Begins! [0,0,0,0] Hanzoku | HP: 120/120 | EN: 30/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 vs Great Tailed Deer #1 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #2 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #3 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #4 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Round #1 HANZOKU | ID:225936 | BD: 4 + 2 = 6 | <<AOE-I>> vs GTD #1 | ID:225937 | BD: 1 + 2 = 3 | <<AOE-I>> vs GTD #2 | ID:225938 | BD: 7 + 2 = 8 | <<AOE-I>> vs GTD #3 | ID:225939 | BD: 3 + 2 = 5 | <<AOE-I>> vs GTD #4 | 2x Hit! (-13 EN) | 13 * 5 = 65 DMG - - - - - GTD1 | ID: 225936 | MD: 10 | Attacking Hanzoku! Major Critical! 24 + 2 - 39 = 1 DMG GTD2 | ID: 225937 | MD: 10 | Attacking Hanzoku! Major Critical! 24 + 2 - 39 = 1 DMG GTD3 | ID: 225938 | MD: 5 | Attacking Hanzoku! Miss! GTD4 | ID: 225939 | MD: 5 | Attacking Hanzoku! Miss! - - - - - [1,0,1,0] Hanzoku | HP: 118/120 | EN: 17/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #1 | HP: 15/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #2 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #3 | HP: 15/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #4 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 13 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 13 Author #2 Share Posted August 13 (edited) The herd stopped and stamped their hooves nervously. The human they were fighting seemed highly resistant to being trampled, and two of them were badly hurt in the bargain, but there was no way out but through. Lowering their heads, they advanced at a canter, bunched shoulder to shoulder to force the human to face their charge, like cavalry leading with lances - if these lances were multi-pronged antlers. Meanwhile, Hanzoku was loosening a shoulder where one of the hooves had struck. As with lower floors, his armor, enhanced by his increasing skill and some temporary buffs - was far more than what they could punch through. And for all that the pain limiter in the game was set to 'faint tingle', he swore that getting kicked in the shoulder had put a knot in the muscle there. Ah well. Either way, he set his feet and took a deep breath as the charging herd closed on him. Letting the skill settle into his blade, he drew it back and waited until they were committed before he lashed out once more. "<<Cleave!>>!" he shouted as the skill slashed through the deer. Two fell outright, and one of the uninjured ones was nearly down, but one continued to be luckier then it deserved and avoided injury. Round #2 HANZOKU | ID: 225940 | BD: 6 + 2 = 8 | <<AOE-I vs GTD #1>> | ID: 225941 | BD: 3 + 2 = 5 | <<AOE-I vs GTD #2>> | ID: 225942 | BD: 7 + 2 = 9 | <<AOE-I vs GTD #3>> | ID: 225943 | BD: 9 + 2 = 11 | <<AOE-I vs GTD #4>> | 2x Hit! 1x Minor Critical! (-13 EN) | 13 * 5 = 65 DMG | 14 * 5 = 70 DMG - - - - - GTD1 | ID: 225940 | MD: 8 | Attacking Hanzoku! Hit! 24 - 39 = 1 DMG GTD2 | ID: 225941 | MD: 5 | Attacking Hanzoku! Miss! GTD3 | ID: 225942 | MD: 1 | Attacking Hanzoku! Miss! GTD4 | ID: 225943 | MD: 9 | Attacking Hanzoku! Minor Critical! 24 + 1 - 39 = 1 DMG - - - - - [2,0,2,1] Hanzoku | HP: 116/120 | EN: 5/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #1 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #2 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #3 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #4 | HP: 10/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 13 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 13 Author #3 Share Posted August 13 (edited) As his sword clashed against antlers and hooves, Hanzoku thought that what was probably the most disturbing thing in the game is how almost everything one encountered outside the safe zones was a monster. Not all of them are immediately hostile, of course - some could play quite cutely. But once combat is triggered, even the most peaceful-looking creature would display unbound aggression and psychopathic disregard for its own survival to keep attacking until either the monster or its target was dead. These deer were a good case in point - two of the four were dead, and one was nearly on its last legs. Any reasonable creature would be hesitant and fearful - the wounded deer would certainly be trying to run for it. Instead it was screaming and frothing at the mouth in a berserk fury as it did its level best to kill him, ignoring the massive wound his sword art had inflicted. Round #3 HANZOKU | ID: 225945 | BD: 2 + 2 = 4 | <<Attack vs GTD #4>> | Miss! | No Damage - - - - - GTD2 | ID: 225944 | MD: 1 | Attacking Hanzoku! Miss! GTD4 | ID: 225945 | MD: 2 | Attacking Hanzoku! Miss! - - - - - [2,0,2,1] Hanzoku | HP: 116/120 | EN: 4/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #1 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #2 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #3 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #4 | HP: 10/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 13 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 13 Author #4 Share Posted August 13 (edited) Hanzoku gritted his teeth as the deer bore down on his blade, red-rimmed eyes rolling as it gnashed at his face with a mouthful of razor sharp fangs. That was the second-most disturbing things about monsters - or at least the ones that resembled peaceful herbivores. Almost everything he encountered was 'upgraded' for combat in some way or another. From rabbits sporting spiral horns like unicorns that they used to gore passing giant insects to death to a cow he had seen that opened up into what was mostly a giant fanged mouth and a lashing tongue to draw prey into its mouth - anything that looked peaceful, cute and cuddly was more likely to turn into a horrific eldritch horror once it was engaged in combat. That said, these were only mildly horrifying, with their fanged grimaces stretching too far back on their faces - he was fairly certain that they wouldn't provide too much nightmare fuel. Round #4 HANZOKU | ID: 225947 | BD: 1 + 2 = 3 | <<Attack vs GTD #4>> | Miss! | No Damage (-2 EN) - - - - - GTD2 | ID: 225946 | MD: 6 | Attacking Hanzoku! Hit! 24 - 39 = 1 DMG GTD4 | ID: 225947 | MD: 3 | Attacking Hanzoku! Miss! - - - - - [2,0,2,1] Hanzoku | HP: 115/120 | EN: 3/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #1 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #2 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #3 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #4 | HP: 10/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 13 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 13 Author #5 Share Posted August 13 (edited) The third thing he found disturbing was how enemies would fight instinctively with pack tactics. It was difficult to get the mobs tangled with each other or fighting in each other's way. Instead, they'd split and circle around, always trying to get one or more at his back where they could go in and attempt to hamstring him or bite at the back of his neck. Luckily is armor protected from both tactics quite well, but it took constant effort to keep as many enemies as possible in his line of sight. It was a far change from every other MMO he'd ever played, where whole masses of enemies would be content to stand in front of him so that oversight of the battlefield was easy to maintain. Feinting at the deer to his left, he wheeled around and slashed the second deer across the neck as it lunged at his exposed side, putting the injured deer down for good. "Just you and me." he commented to the last deer. "GRONK!" it screamed in fury. Round #5 HANZOKU | ID: 225949 | BD: 8 + 2 = 10 | <<Attack vs GTD #4>> | Hit! (-1 EN) | 13 DMG - - - - - GTD2 | ID: 225948 | MD: 8 | Attacking Hanzoku! Hit! 24 - 39 = 1 DMG GTD4 | ID: 225949 | MD: 4 | Attacking Hanzoku! Miss! - - - - - [2,0,2,1] Hanzoku | HP: 114/120 | EN: 3/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #1 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #2 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #3 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #4 | HP: -3/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 13 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 13 Author #6 Share Posted August 13 (edited) With only one enemy left, Hanzoku consulted his HUD. As he expected, his energy reserves were hovering near critical - it was the biggest weakness in his build and something he'd have to look into fixing. Two cleaves was enough to put him hard in the red, though to be fair, he was showing a fair amount of bad luck in combat when fighting groups. For this hunt he had even consumed an accuracy buff, which meant that he more or less had only a 30% chance of missing. So missing the same deer twice in a row was... multiply that... yeah, around 9% chance of occurring. In fact, mathematically speaking, he had a 49% of striking all the mobs with both cleaves and ending the battle in two strikes. Sighting to himself, he focused on blocking and parrying the frantic attacks of the deer with his longsword. His energy was slowly ticking upward again, and this was the most efficient way to dispatch it. Round #6 HANZOKU | ID: N/A | | <<Pass>> - - - - - GTD2 | ID: 225950 | MD: 5 | Attacking Hanzoku! Miss! - - - - - [2,0,2,1] Hanzoku | HP: 114/120 | EN: 4/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #1 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #2 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #3 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #4 | HP: -3/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 13 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 13 Author #7 Share Posted August 13 (edited) Now that he didn't have to constantly worry about an enemy striking at his back, he took the time needed to regenerate his energy as an opportunity. The deer would alternate between attack patterns - one was rushing forward and swiping back and forth with its antlers, trying to overrun and trample him underfoot. It would alternate that sort of aggressive attack with a more measured approach where it came close and lashed out with the sharp edges of its hooves, trying to focus his defenses lower so it can sneakily lean in and try to take a giant bite out of his face. That one had been a fun experience the first time, and he had only narrowly avoided losing his nose to the carnivorous deer. The combat was helping him work on his footwork, stamina and stance at least - solidifying lessons he had learned from other players that would help him in the future. Round #7 HANZOKU | ID: N/A | | <<Pass>> - - - - - GTD2 | ID: 225951 | MD: 4 | Attacking Hanzoku! Miss! - - - - - [2,0,2,1] Hanzoku | HP: 114/120 | EN: 5/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #1 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #2 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #3 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #4 | HP: -3/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 14 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 13 Author #8 Share Posted August 13 (edited) His energy ticked over just enough, and on his mental HUD, one of his abilities lit up from red to white. "Ah ha, there we go!" he says cheerfully to the man-eating deer that was trying (and failing) to eat him. Whether or not it understood him, it gronk'd aggressively and lowered its head, scuffing its hoof aggressively. Hanzoku grinned as he lowered his stance in response, sword held parallel to the ground, energy beginning to crackling along the length of its straight blade, highlighting the sharp edges. "Let's get this over with, shall we?" he said lightly. The deer charged at him, and he readied himself. Waiting until the last moment as it bore down, he unleashed his sword art, the blade striking six times at once, piercing the deer's major organs and skull in a flurry of blows that brought it to the ground. He flicked his sword to remove the blood that smeared across its length and sheathed it slowly, releasing a weary sigh as his energy counter blinked on 0, causing a wave of fatigue to crash over him. Round #8 HANZOKU | ID: 225952 | 10 + 2 = 12 | <<ST-I vs GTD2>> Major Critical! (-6 EN) 13 + 2 = 15 * 6 = 90 DMG - - - - - GTD2 | ID: 225952 | MD: 8 | Attacking Hanzoku! Hit! 24 - 39 = 1 DMG - - - - - [2,0,2,1] Hanzoku | HP: 113/120 | EN: 0/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #1 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #2 | HP: -10/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #3 | HP: -50/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #4 | HP: -3/80 | DMG: 24 - - - - - Combat ended! Edited August 14 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 13 Author #9 Share Posted August 13 (edited) After a few minutes, Hanzoku recovered his energy enough to lever himself to his feet and go from core to core, touching each one and looting the drops of the four deer he had just fought. It was a pleasing haul - he already more then made back the cost of his consumables, as well as some materials that he was in dire need of for his burgeoning music studio. While he didn't have any clients (yet), it was sure that he would eventually get requests, and he knew he'd need a stock of masterpiece quality songs ready and waiting. Who knows - he might even have some of the frontliners come through his 'shop' (if you could call the living room of a house he was squatting in in the slums a shop). Shaking his head, he decided that dreams of making contact with the frontliners were thoughts for another day. Hanzoku | HP: 120/120 | EN: 1/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 (Recovery 1/3) ID: 225953 | LD: 12 + 8 = 20 | CR: 10 | Looting Great Tailed Deer #1 | [BASE COL] 80 * (3 + 3) = 480col | [CD BONUS]: 80 * 2 = 160col | [LD BONUS]: 80 * 2 = 160col | [LOOT TABLE]: 80*4 = 320col, Unidentified Perfect Tier 1 Weapon (1) Total Loot: 1,120col, Unidentified Perfect Tier 1 Weapon (1) ID: 225954 | LD: 8 + 8 = 16 | CR: 10 | Looting Great Tailed Deer #2 | [BASE COL] 80 * (3 + 3) = 480col | [CD BONUS]: 80 * 2 = 160col | [LD BONUS]: 80 * 2 = 160col | [LOOT TABLE]: 80*3 = 240col, Unidentified Rare Tier 1 Trinket (1) Total Loot: 1,040col, Unidentified Rare Tier 1 Trinket (1) ID: 225955 | LD: 12 + 8 = 20 | CR: 9 | Looting Great Tailed Deer #3 | [BASE COL] 80 * (3 + 3) = 480col | [CD BONUS]: 2 materials | [LD BONUS]: 80 * 2 = 160col | [LOOT TABLE]: 80*4 = 320col, Unidentified Perfect Tier 1 Weapon (1) Total Loot: 960col, 2 materials, Unidentified Perfect Tier 1 Weapon (1) ID: 225956 | LD: 13 + 8 = 21 | CR: 3 | Looting Great Tailed Deer #4 | [BASE COL] 80 * (3 + 3) = 480col | [CD BONUS]: 2 materials | [LD BONUS]: 2 materials | [LOOT TABLE]: Unidentified Perfect Tier 1 Armor (1), Unidentified Perfect Tier 1 Weapon (1) Total Loot: 480col, 4 materials, Unidentified Perfect Tier 1 Armor (1), Unidentified Perfect Tier 1 Weapon (1) Loot Summary: + 3,600col + 4 materials + Unidentified Rare Tier 1 Trinket (1) + Unidentified Perfect Tier 1 Armor (1), + Unidentified Perfect Tier 1 Weapon (3) Edited August 18 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 13 Author #10 Share Posted August 13 (edited) Hanzoku picked his way through the woods, looking for rare materials for his crafting needs as his depleted energy reserves slowly recovered. In such a thick, unfamiliar forest it was both easy to get lost and easy to overlook natural treasures. He was sure that if he knew the woods well that he would have mores success, for every potentially interesting plant, bush or tree he was finding, there were surely another dozen close by that he simply overlooked. He also couldn't escape the creeping sensation going up his neck and the itch between his shoulders. It was one he had encountered before in RL - and he was fairly certain that someone was watching him with unfriendly intent. So he wasn't wholly surprised when an elf stepped out of the trees in front of him, uncomfortably close. It forced the human to stop suddenly to avoid running into the elf, and he was fairly certain he saw the ghost of a smirk on the stranger's lips. +1 EN Hanzoku | HP: 120/120 | EN: 2/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 (Recovery 2/3) Roll: 227009 | LD 3 | CD 6 | Nothing Found. Forage EXP +3 Edited August 18 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 18 Author #11 Share Posted August 18 (edited) "Greetings, outlander. What brings you to our forest?" the elf says. Hanzoku takes a moment to look him over, aware that the elf was studying him with keen interest in return. Sturdy clothing in shades of green and brown, a hooded cloak that mostly covered his form. No visible weapons, but a quiver was hung at his belt and he saw the glimpse of a long hunting knife sheathed on the other side. "I'm out hunting, actually. This is my first visit to your wonderous forest." Hanzoku said a beat before the pause would become uncomfortably long. "And yourself?" The elf favored him with a tight smile. "I am also hunting, human. Have you had much success?" Hanzoku shrugged and scratched at his bearded jaw. "A small herd of deer; they weren't too much trouble." The elf nodded slowly. "A worthy hunt, to fight them all at once. I would be agreeable to help you find more such fights, for a small payment." "That sounds fine, what terms do you want?" The elf waved a hand dismissively. "We'll settle accounts at the end of the hunt, have no fear. Wait here, I will bring a new group to you shortly." With that, he disappeared into the woods, and Hanzoku drew his sword in preparation. "Of course you will." he said to the woodlands. +28 EN Hanzoku | HP: 120/120 | EN: 30/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 (Recovery 3/3) Roll: 227021 | LD 3 | CD 11 | Nothing Found. Forage EXP +3 - - - - - Thread plot points Hunt first set of deer Meet elf while recovering and foraging Elf offers to work as guide and lead to more enemies Fight second set of deer recover and forage Fight third set of 2 deer, 1 bear, 1 firefox recover and forage Fight burning treant and two firefoxes recover and forage fight elf, bear and firefox recover and forage fight set of four elves (belong to E.L.F. - Elven Liberation Front. Much mockery ensues) recovery and forage fight set of four elves including leader End thread Edited August 20 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 18 Author #12 Share Posted August 18 Only a minute later, he heard a rustle in the bushes, and the elf went flashing by. "Get ready, round ears." he said over his shoulder as he kept running down the trail, a thunder of hooves indicating that he had more then succeded in finding enemies. In fact, only moments latter a herd of four enraged deer thundered down the trail, lead by a large buck with an arrow jutting from his shoulder - a painful wound but not one that would impede the monster in any great way. Having lost sight of the elf who had shot him, his pain-maddened eyes locked onto Hanzoku, and with a grunt of rage, he led the charge of the small herd, seeking to trample the human into the forest floor. "Much obliged." Hanzoku murmured as he set himself, his sword glowing with the force of a sword art. "Now let's see if I can't tag all of you this time." Combat Begins! Hanzoku | HP: 120/120 | EN: 30/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 vs Great Tailed Deer #5 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #6 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #7 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #8 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 - - - - - Spoiler Post Action | R2 AOE-I (x5): -13 EN Free Action | None ID #227022 | GTD#5 | BD 1 + 2 = 3 <<Miss>> | MD 4 <<Miss>> ID #227023 | GTD#6 | BD 3 + 2 = 5 <<Miss>> | MD 2 <<Miss>> ID #227024 | GTD#7 | BD 10 + 2 = 12 <<Major Critical>> 13 +2 = 15 * 5 = 75 DMG | MD 4 <<Miss>> ID #227025 | GTD#8 | BD 9 + 2 = 11 <<Minor Critical>> 13 + 1 = 14 * 5 = 70 DMG | MD 10 <<Major Critical>> 24 + 2 - 39 = 1 DMG [0,0,2,2] Hanzoku | HP: 119/120 | EN: 17/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #5 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #6 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #7 | HP: 5/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #8 | HP: 10/80 | DMG: 24 Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 18 Author #13 Share Posted August 18 (edited) The elf had disappeared and it didn't appear that he would be returning any time soon. A pity - Hanzoku could have used the help. His cleaving strike had managed to only hit two of the four deer, which meant that there was no chance he would wipe out the group before he was out of energy. Instead of cleaving a second time, Hanzoku decided to thin the herd - hah, literally in this case, and strike at the two most injured deer. Once they were down, the cost of his AoE sword art would drop quite a bit as well, allowing him hopefully an extra use for the other two targets. Of course, the herd had other plans, and were doing their level best to trample the annoying intruder to their forest realm. Once this prey was dead, they could track down the annoying one that had dared sully the buck of the herd's hide with wood splinters. Spoiler Post Action | Attack vs Great Tailed Deer #7 (-1 EN) Free Action | None ID #227026 | GTD#5 | MD 8 <<Hit>> 24 - 39 = 1 DMG ID #227027 | GTD#6 | MD 5 <<Miss>> ID #227028 | GTD#7 | BD 6 + 2 = 8 13 DMG | MD 7 <<Hit>> 24 - 39 = 1 DMG ID #227029 | GTD#8 | MD 10 <<Major Critical>> 24 + 2 - 39 = 1 DMG [0,0,3,2] Hanzoku | HP: 116/120 | EN: 17/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #5 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #6 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #7 | HP: -8/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #8 | HP: 10/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 19 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 19 Author #14 Share Posted August 19 (edited) The first of the deer goes down as he scythes its legs out from under it, both hands on the hilt of his longsword - not that it gives his blows more power, damage being determined far more by bonuses then form in this game. But the added stability helps him cut more precisely, sending the wounded creature to the ground. Not that the deer were taking his attacks lying down - hooves rained down as the other three clustered around him, stomping, kicking and biting as they did their level best to hurt him. But to paraphrase the immortal words of one of the higher level players: "You can't defeat me for one simple reason - my stats are bigger than yours." Grinning as the electric tickle of damage brushed over his senses, he raised his sword and brought it down between the antlers of another of the deer, turning it into more floating shards. Spoiler Post Action | Attack vs Great Tailed Deer #8 (-1 EN) Free Action | None ID #227036 | GTD#5 | MD 7 <<Hit>> 24 - 39 = 1 DMG ID #227037 | GTD#6 | MD 9 <<Minor Critical>> 24 + 1 - 39 = 1 DMG ID #227038 | GTD#8 | CD 7 + 2 = 9 <<Hit>> 13 DMG | MD 5 <<Miss>> [0,0,3,3] Hanzoku | HP: 114/120 | EN: 17/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #5 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #6 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #7 | HP: -8/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #8 | HP: -3/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 20 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 19 Author #15 Share Posted August 19 (edited) "Don't worry though - God is here... and he's fresh out of mercy." he finished the quote, lashing out with another Cleave. As was always his luck, one of the deer was proving to be problematically agile, and his blow only brought the other to critical HP levels. They were wary of his Sword Art though, both backing off and focusing far more on dodging then pressing the attack. He had noticed the difference between Floor 1 and Floor 8 in the last two battles. It seemed like with more levels, the AI piloting the monsters became more intelligent. The boars and wolves on Floor 1 had been unrelentingly hostile, throwing themselves onto weapons to reach their targets. The wolves weren't much better - they might utilize pack tactics, but at the end of the day they were just as berserk as their porcine companions. The deer here were also unwilling to disengage from the fight, even when losing. Spoiler Post Action | AOE-I (5 + (2 * 2) ) = 9 EN Free Action | None ID #227039 | GTD#5 | BD 1 + 2 = 3 <<Miss>> | MD 4 <<Miss>> ID #227040 | GTD#6 | BD 10 +2 = 12 <<Major Critical>> 13 + 2 = 15 * 5 = 75 DMG | MD 2 <<Miss>> [0,2,3,3] Hanzoku | HP: 114/120 | EN: 9/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #5 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #6 | HP: 5/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #7 | HP: -8/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #8 | HP: -3/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 20 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 19 Author #16 Share Posted August 19 (edited) The difference was, he mused to himself as he followed the Cleave with a regular attack, shattering another deer and leaving him locked in combat with the leader, arrow still waving from its shoulder; was this - the deer were more wary of his weapons, quick to recognize a sword art being channeled and do their best to avoid it. It explained why combat went on so long. And for all that, they didn't even have any actual evasive bonuses! He shuddered to think of fighting an enemy on this floor with EVA 3. Or anything with more than minimal mitigation. Being able to bring down an enemy with a regular attack and not have to burn precious energy for a sword art to chip off single-digit HP was a godsend for his sanity. Once again, he resolved to himself that his next step after this hunt would be to get his energy regen up. Spoiler Recovery: +1 EN Post Action | Attack vs Great Tailed Deer #6 (-1 EN) Free Action | None ID #227042 | GTD#5 | MD 5 <<Miss>> ID #227043 | GTD#6 | BD 10 +2 = 12 <<Major Critical>> 13 + 2 = 15 DMG | MD 8 <<Hit>> 24 - 39 = 1 DMG [0,4,3,3] Hanzoku | HP: 113/120 | EN: 9/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #5 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #6 | HP: -10/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #7 | HP: -8/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #8 | HP: -3/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 20 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 20 Author #17 Share Posted August 20 (edited) Case in point - he prepared his single target Sword Art, <<Sixfold Strike>> as the deer moved to attack once more with its horns. Sure enough, its eyes caught the glow that enveloped his sword and broke off at the last moment, bounding away with cervine grace as he lashed out with his sword. If there was a saving grace to the game, at least the Sword Art didn't discharge when he failed to strike, his sword remaining charged and ready as the two fighters maneuvered around each other. Hanzoku was confident in his armor and advanced fearlessly. The deer recognized the threat of his sword and tried to stay to his left, ducking in and out of his range as it tried to bait him into a cross-body slash that would let it duck around the threat of his weapon and land a solid hit on the human opponent. Hanzoku waited to reveal his surprise as the deer ducked close to his left. Spoiler Recovery: +1 EN Post Action | ST-I vs Great Tailed Deer #5 - Miss (-2 EN) Free Action | None ID #227198 | GTD#5 | BD 1 +2 = 3 <<Critical Miss>> | MD 6 <<Hit>> 24 - 39 = 1 DMG [0,4,3,3] Hanzoku | HP: 112/120 | EN: 8/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #5 | HP: 80/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #6 | HP: -10/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #7 | HP: -8/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #8 | HP: -3/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 20 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 20 Author #18 Share Posted August 20 (edited) His right hand left the handle of his sword, and he lashed out with a deadly side swing that chopped into the surprised deer. It wasn't quite a critical - more the pity, it would have finished the deer in one blow. It was left with only 2 HP to its name. It spun around and clipped him with a hoof, more by accident then intent, knocking him back for a moment. The two opponents paused as they regarded each other. Hanzoku was hale and hearty, though he no longer had the energy to fight with his Sword Arts. not that he needed them - with only 2 HP left, any hit would defeat his opponent. He wondered what the deer saw - some sort of monster perhaps. An opponent it had no earthly way to defeat. All this fighting, and he was still around 90% of his HP total - and that could swiftly be fixed if he swapped his shield in. Spoiler Recovery: +1 EN Post Action | ST-I vs Great Tailed Deer #5 (-6 EN) Free Action | None ID #227199 | GTD#5 | BD 5+2 = 7 <<Hit>> 13 * 6 = 78 DMG | MD 9 <<Minor Critical>> 24 + 1 - 39 = 1 DMG [1,4,3,3] Hanzoku | HP: 111/120 | EN: 3/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #5 | HP: 2/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #6 | HP: -10/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #7 | HP: -8/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #8 | HP: -3/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 20 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 20 Author #19 Share Posted August 20 (edited) Still, he contemplated swapping his loot accessory for his accuracy trinket. Greed encouraged him to keep things as they were, but dropping his miss rate to 10% would ensure faster fights and more loot overall. He might miss out on some of the best loot, but faster gathering was worth the switch. His mind wandered to his elven 'helper'. The ones he had met in the city had been standoffish and largely unfriendly. There was definite signs of racism and xenophobia at play, only large negated by the actions of the Front Line teams as they had passed through the floor a year or two ago. For all that, the elves were still visibly unhappy to see humans in 'their' city, which made it a strange choice for a floor hub as the majority of players would pass through the city on their way elsewhere on the floor. So why was this one choosing to help him instead of ignoring him? Spoiler Recovery: +1 EN Post Action | Attack vs Great Tailed Deer #5 - Miss (-2 EN) Free Action | None ID #227200 | GTD#5 | BD 2+2 = 4 <<Miss>> | MD 8 <<Hit>> 24 - 39 = 1 DMG [1,4,3,3] Hanzoku | HP: 110/120 | EN: 2/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #5 | HP: 2/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #6 | HP: -10/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #7 | HP: -8/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #8 | HP: -3/80 | DMG: 24 Edited August 20 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
Hanzoku 0 Posted August 20 Author #20 Share Posted August 20 (edited) It struck him as odd - and suspicious. The elf still hadn't returned, which given how long combat had been going on was likewise odd. He suspected that the elf was watching the combat, yet wasn't interfering. It meant that he probably had a good idea of Hanzoku's combat style, along with its strengths - and weaknesses. That made it even more imperative that he switched up what he was doing to keep the elf guessing. He blinked as glowing shards rained down gently around him and looked around. All that greeted his eyes were the glowing cores of the small herd that he had been fighting. While he was zoned out, his automatic reflexes had apparently been enough to finish the last deer - which he should hope for, given the disparity in power between the two of them. He just hoped that he would have a few minutes to rest and recover before another encounter was forced on him - as it was now, he'd be forced to run and abandon his loot if the elf herded a new group onto him. Spoiler Recovery: +1 EN Post Action | Attack vs Great Tailed Deer #5 (-1 EN) Free Action | None ID #227201 | GTD#5 | BD 10+2 = 12 <<Major Critical>> 13 + 2 = 15 DMG | MD 1 <<Miss>> [1,4,3,3] Hanzoku | HP: 110/120 | EN: 2/30 | DMG: 13 | MIT:39 | ACC:2 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 Great Tailed Deer #5 | HP: -13/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #6 | HP: -10/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #7 | HP: -8/80 | DMG: 24 Great Tailed Deer #8 | HP: -3/80 | DMG: 24 Combat ended! Edited August 20 by Hanzoku Link to post Share on other sites
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