[SP - F3] Back on the Hunt

[Takao 0]

Daylight illuminated the third floor, and the rising sun brought cool and gentle breezes through the settlement of Delilah. Takao grumbled as he pulled himself out of bed and set about making the preparations for the day. He dressed himself in his usual garb that was suited for combat, though he saved himself the trouble of carrying around his weapon for now. After proceeding to the lower level of his rented half-shop half-residence, the kitchen facilities were used to create himself and his familiar a small meal. Amidst his meal were two odd items: a golden apple whose colouring was, thankfully, only aesthetic, and a haunch of meat. When two separate icons appeared beneath his health bar to denote the activation of a pair of buffs, Takao stood and equipped the rest of his accoutrements and headed out toward the third floor's wilderness after locking the door to his shop behind him.

- -

«Golden Apple» consumed. ( +3 Col Multiplier )
«Meat Haunch» consumed. ( +2 LD / +1 DMG & -1 EVA)

[Takao 0]

Before Takao could even delve into combat, he stumbled upon a small collection of out of place looking flowers. They had broad leaves and appeared to be similar to a lily, if not for the fact that they gave off a slight glow even in direct sunlight. He knelt down in front of the patch of flora and began collecting the items. One by one they were picked and placed within the confines of his inventory, and after a moment had passed, the entirety of the resource node was depleted.

- -

» ID : [[ 32305 ]]
» LD : [[ 16(14+2) ]]

Found 1 Material.

[Takao 0]

Not long after collecting the crafting materials, Takao spotted a few groups of enemies in the distance. They were the same kinds he'd been fighting for the past few days, very simple monsters based off praying mantises. Their attack patterns were predictable, their damage was negligible, and their health was high enough to warrant their systematic slaughter. He was careful with pulling the enemies close to him, and made sure that he didn't catch the aggro of more than four before moving away from the larger groups with the small horde of monsters in tow. Their AI was simple enough to manipulate, so herding them all close enough in preparation to use a sword art was simple. Takao positioned his blade off to the side and waited for the pull of the system to tell him that the sword art was ready for usage, and relinquished control of his avatar afterward. By the system's guidance, he leapt into the air and preformed a rather unnecessary flip before returning to the ground to slam his blade into the earth. Sparks of electricity rippled outward to electrocute the four monsters, reducing their health down to zero one by one until they had all been defeated.

- -

« Battle Sequence »
Takao » Killer Mantis 1 » Killer Mantis 2 » Killer Mantis 3 » Killer Mantis 4

» ID : [[ 32306(BD+MD1+LD) | 32318(MD2) | 32319(MD3) | 32320(MD4) ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (2 + 3(ACC) + 1(Concentration)) ]]
» MD 1 : [[ MISS (4 - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 2 : [[ MISS (4 - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 3 : [[ C.HIT (10 - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 4 : [[ MISS (3 - 2(EVA)) ]]

» LD : [[ 13⁽¹¹⁺²⁾ ]]

« Takao »
[[ 110/110 HP ]] (Damage negated by turn order.)
[[ 11/25 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]

Dropped x4 Materials.
Dropped 2240 col. (70 * (5+3) * 4)

[Takao 0]

Takao backed away from the larger collection of monsters as they began to congregate into one massive horde. He counted several more monsters than he cared to engage in one go, and a considerably larger amount than he could even handle with a single sword skill. He'd been lucky these past few times he'd gone hunting and been able to maintain a manageable amount when fighting, and this horde before him was just too big at the moment. Instead of engaging them recklessly, he opted to fall back for a while and regain his strength.

- -

[[ 12/25 Energy ]] (1 Energy Recovered | 2/3 turns until full recovery.)

» ID : [[ 32321 ]]
» LD : [[ 11(9+2) ]]

Edited September 22, 2015 by Takao

[Takao 0]

Takao kept a watchful eye over the monsters and tracked their movements from a distance. He wanted them to split apart, which would make it easier to round up a handful one at a time and pull them to a safer location in order to initiate combat, but they seemed dead set on staying in a single group. He huffed out a breath and leaned his weight on his sword as he observed, waiting for the right opportunity to move in.

- -

[[ 13/25 Energy ]] (1 Energy Recovered | 1/3 turns until full recovery.)

» ID : [[ 32322 ]]
» LD : [[ 10(8+2) ]]

[Takao 0]

After finally spotting his chance to strike, Takao closed in on a few of the mantis-themed monsters that had split off from the main gathering. One by one he purposely caught their aggro and pulled them further away while the large group was oblivious. He moved them to a safer clearing, where no other monsters were present and he was free to engage them however he saw fit. With his sword in hand, he exchanged glances with each of the four pairs of glowing red eyes, ready to take them down.

- -

[[ 25/25 Energy ]] (Energy fully recovered.)

» ID : [[ 32322 ]]
» LD : [[ 6(4+2) ]]

[Takao 0]

Takao allowed the monsters no time to prepare, nor to react or begin their own assault. Instead, he prepared a sword art immediately after pulling them to the location he'd selected. The blade in his hand began to glow blue and purple upon being positioned in just the right way, and he released control of his avatar to the system upon feeling the tell-tale tug that signified the usage of a sword art. He was carried through the motions that lead to his blade finding its way into the ground, and sparks shooting out in every which direction as a result of the system-assisted skill. The four enemies were shocked, both figuratively and literally, and their health gauges were quickly reduced to zero.

- -

« Battle Sequence »
Takao » Killer Mantis 1 » Killer Mantis 2 » Killer Mantis 3 » Killer Mantis 4

» ID : [[ 32324 ]]
» BD : [[ C.HIT (9 + 3(ACC)) ]]
» MD 1 : [[ C.HIT (9 - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 2 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 3 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 4 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]

» LD : [[ 13(11+2) ]]

« Takao »
[[ 110/110 HP ]] (Damage negated by turn order.)
[[ 11/25 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/77 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) + 1 critical * (7*1) = -77HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/77 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) + 1 critical * (7*1) = -77HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/77 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) + 1 critical * (7*1) = -77HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/77 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) + 1 critical * (7*1) = -77HP ]]

Dropped x4 Materials.
Dropped 2464 col. (77 * (5+3) * 4)

[Takao 0]

"I wonder if these guys have a limited amount of respawns..." Takao idly asked himself as he leaned his weight onto his sword. His position beneath the shade of a large tree atop a small hill provided him with a clear enough vantage point, allowing him to observe the remaining monsters below. He cast his glance down to the menu in front of him and silently read the contents. "Would suck if they did. It's just too easy farming off 'em." he muttered as he dismissed the menu and hefted his sword from the ground.

- -

«Mineral Water» consumed. (2 Energy Recovered)

[[ 14/25 Energy ]] (1 Energy Recovered | 2/3 turns until full recovery.)

[Takao 0]

Takao gave the blade in his hands a twirl by rolling his wrist as he looked between each of the four sets of eyes that stared daggers toward him. They wanted him dead, he wanted them dead, their feelings of dislike and murderous intent ran parallel with one another. Of course, Takao's intentions were far less malicious than seeking the wanton death and destruction of them solely for his own enjoyment. With their defeat came his progress, and allow it wasn't as much about level progression as it was materialistic, it would help him move forward and prepare for the future regardless.

He didn't beat around the bush, and delved straight into the usage of a sword art. His blade shone the typical mixture of blue and purple that had become a staple of his tactics, and his body moved through the unwarranted acrobatic motions that eventually lead the tip of his sword into the ground. Sparks of electricity ran in every direction, catching onto and executing the four mantis-esque monsters in one fell swoop. Takao rolled his shoulders when the dust had settled and straightened his posture while reading off the contents of the results prompt.

- -

« Battle Sequence »
Takao » Killer Mantis 1 » Killer Mantis 2 » Killer Mantis 3 » Killer Mantis 4

» ID : [[ 32359 ]]
» BD : [[ C.HIT (10 + 3(ACC)) ]]
» MD 1 : [[ C.HIT (9 - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 2 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 3 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 4 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]

» LD : [[ 16(14+2) ]]

« Takao »
[[ 110/110 HP ]] (Damage negated by turn order.)
[[ 1/25 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/84 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) + 2 critical * (7*1) = -84HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/84 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) + 2 critical * (7*1) = -84HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/84 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) + 2 critical * (7*1) = -84HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/84 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) + 2 critical * (7*1) = -84HP ]]

Dropped x4 Materials.
Dropped 2688 col. (84 * (5+3) * 4)

[Takao 0]

"Looks like the stronger ones spawn over that way." he said, his attention enraptured by the transparent map that hovered to his front. He rubbed the length of his jaw with one hand while his other supported his weight via leaning on his sword, which was stuck in the ground tip-first. It was a terrible habit of his, as it would only dull the blade's edge, if it were a real sword with a real edge. Fortunately the game didn't simulate swordplay to that extent, and his weapon's durability was untouched by the pose. "Guess I'll just chill on this side of the field then."

- -

[[ 2/25 Energy ]] (1 Energy Recovered | 2/3 turns until full recovery.)

» ID : [[ 32412 ]]
» LD : [[ 6(4+2) ]]

[Takao 0]

Takao slunk down into a seated position with the blade of his sword crossing over his chest. He leaned on the weapon just enough to support his weight without causing himself damage. The continuous usage of his sword arts was draining, especially when he pit himself up against large groups. The reason why solo players weren't common in the game had never been lost on him, but experiencing it firsthand made him feel fortunate. He'd been lucky so far, and without a guild to protect his back, he hoped that his fortune wasn't planning on taking a turn.

- -

[[ 3/25 Energy ]] (1 Energy Recovered | 1/3 turns until full recovery.)

[Takao 0]

After a few moments of rest and respite, he slowly rose back to his feet. With one smooth motion he hefted his sword from the ground and rolled his wrist, spinning the blade close to his body a single time. He rolled his shoulders next, then set his attention onto the four monsters that would be his next quarry. The section of the field he had decided to hunt in seemed to be spawning the mantis-like monsters exclusively, and despite finding the diversity a little on the uncreative side, he was happy that he had a group of predictable monsters to prey upon.

- -

[[ 25/25 Energy ]] (Energy fully recovered.)

[Takao 0]

The battle between Takao and the newest horde of over-sized praying mantises was as brief and uneventful as all the previous engagements. He lured them away from any other monsters in order to protect himself during the sword skill's brief post-motion, then prepared the sword art itself and unleashed it onto the enemies. His body moved, sparks flew, and in the aftermath only Takao was left standing. Or, in this case kneeling, as that's how the system had left his body after relinquishing control. He slowly stood after a moment had passed and checked his inventory. "Huh. 'bout... sixty more monsters or so, and I'll be able to afford it. I might even be able to finish this today!"

- -

« Battle Sequence »
Takao » Killer Mantis 1 » Killer Mantis 2 » Killer Mantis 3 » Killer Mantis 4

» ID : [[ 32413 ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (2 + 3(ACC) + 1(Concentration)) ]]
» MD 1 : [[ MISS (6 - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 2 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 3 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 4 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]

» LD : [[ 22(20+2) ]]

« Takao »
[[ 110/110 HP ]]
[[ 11/25 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]

Dropped x8 Materials.
Dropped 3640 col. (70 * (10+3) * 4)

[Takao 0]

After checking his inventory, Takao brought out one of the many items that cluttered the list and drank it in its entirety. When he finished, the item disappeared, and he felt a bit of his energy recover. It was minute and barely noticeable, but it'd be enough to fuel his next sword art before he found himself completely without the energy to continue. He pulled is sword from the ground once more and moved to search for more of the monsters he'd been grinding away at, hoping to hurry the search along.

- -

«Mineral Water» consumed. (2 Energy Recovered)

[[ 14/25 Energy ]] (1 Energy Recovered | 2/3 turns until full recovery.)

[Takao 0]

The abundance of monsters available to choose from was undoubtedly vast, just like so many of the floors before and ahead. Not many of the floors were exceptionally expansive in their geography, yet with such treacherous terrain coupled with potentially dangerous monsters lurking around every corner and behind every obstacle, they were often quite difficult to traverse despite their size - making the floors seem much larger than they were in reality. Luckily, for Takao, the lower floors hadn't been an issue of his for quite some time. They were, in fact, excellent low-risk locations to hunt for materials. Given his claim to buy all the items that the alchemist, who he had only met briefly, made while crafting the few specific crystals he'd requested, an abundance of currency would undoubtedly be necessary. Takao had asked for the best after all, and the best very rarely came without a few failures along the way. Even so, he was sure that every little bit would help regardless, so he had every intention of staying true to his word. In mere moments, he was amidst the enemies he had been planning to hunt. Four of them in total, a group just like the last few, and just enough for him to take out with one well timed sword art. He wasted no time in its preparation and unleashed the system's wrath upon each of the eight-or-so foot tall mantis-esque monsters. In the wake of his system-assisted attack, only dispersing pixels and a window displaying the spoils of his efforts remained. 

- -

« Battle Sequence »
Takao » Killer Mantis 1 » Killer Mantis 2 » Killer Mantis 3 » Killer Mantis 4

» ID : [[ 32438 ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (7 + 3(ACC)) ]]
» MD 1 : [[ HIT (8 - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 2 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 3 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 4 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]

» LD : [[ 22(20+2) ]]

« Takao »
[[ 110/110 HP ]] (Damage negated by turn order.)
[[ 1/25 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/70 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) = -70HP ]]

Dropped x8 Materials.
Dropped 3640 col. (70 * (10+3) * 4)

Edited September 23, 2015 by Takao

[Takao 0]

Another four monsters had been banished to the depths of oblivion at the hands of his blade, and another load of col and materials sat within the safety of his inventory. He hadn't bothered to reopen the menu to check what exactly he'd gotten, as the rewards menu that had opened upon defeating the monsters displayed the spoils of his battle. He dismissed the floating prompt after briefly checking the contents and began the wait for his energy to return in force.

- -

[[ 2/25 Energy ]] (1 Energy Recovered | 2/3 turns until full recovery.)

» ID : [[ 32458 ]]
» LD : [[ 11(4+2) ]]

[Takao 0]

As the monsters seemed to be consistently spawning in with groups of four, which was incredibly convenient given the limitations of his AOE, Takao found himself with plenty of down time on his hands. He opted to rest up and prepare for another assault, and he'd arrived at the assumption that another few hours of grinding would be sufficient for the day. A massive profit already metaphorically sat in the comfort of his pocket, and despite the arbitrary changes, he felt somewhat confident that he'd be able to reach his goal regardless.

- -

[[ 3/25 Energy ]] (1 Energy Recovered | 1/3 turns until full recovery.)

[Takao 0]

With a bit of time left to kill before he felt confident in re-engaging the monsters, Takao set about selecting his next four quarries. The mantis-like monsters' size seemed to correlate with how much health they had, so he chose a group of smaller monsters to be his quarry. Slowly, he rose to stand, and after giving his sword an unnecessary twirl by rolling his wrist as a means of testing the weight and balance, he advanced upon the monsters with the intention of slaying them for their loot. Surely the act wasn't malicious though, despite how barbaric it seemed, for the monsters would sooner see his head removed his shoulders regardless.

- -

[[ 25/25 Energy ]] ( Energy fully recovered. )

[Takao 0]

Attracting the monsters was easy. All he needed to do was walk into their line of sight and they were rushing toward him like he'd insulted their mothers. Grouping them closely, however, was a more difficult task. He had to evade their strikes as he herded each of the monsters close together, and one by one they formed a small closely-knit group. When all four stood near each other, ready to strike, Takao prepared the sword art that he'd been exhausting over the past hour or so, and let the system take control. To say he was thrown into the air would be an exaggeration, but it certainly felt like it, given his lack of ability to coordinate while the system guided both his body and his sword. The blade pierced the ground and, as a result, sent a shockwave of sparks arcing outward toward the monsters. Before they could even attempt to land any strikes on his person, they were electrocuted, and their health gauges dropped to zero one by one.

- -

« Battle Sequence »
Takao » Killer Mantis 1 » Killer Mantis 2 » Killer Mantis 3 » Killer Mantis 4

» ID : [[ 32635 ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (3 + 3(ACC)) ]]
» MD 1 : [[ MISS (3 - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 2 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 3 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]
» MD 4 : [[ - (/ - 2(EVA)) ]]

» LD : [[ 22(20+2) ]]

« Takao »
[[ 110/110 HP ]]
[[ 11/25 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/52 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) - 18(MIT) = -52HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/52 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) - 18(MIT) = -52HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/52 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) - 18(MIT) = -52HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/52 HP ]] [[ 9(DMG) + 1(Alcoholic) * (7*1) - 18(MIT) = -52HP ]]

Dropped x8 Materials.
Dropped 2704 col. (52 * (10+3) * 4)

Edited September 25, 2015 by Takao

[Takao 0]

As his gaze fell down to the results menu, the contents were emptied into his inventory. He could feel the effects of carrying so many items already, as his movements felt sluggish and his body seemed less reactive than normal. It was an excellent sign for him to take a break and call it a day. He closed out of the hovering menu, gave his inventory a quick glance over, and sheathed his sword before staring off in the direction of his rented shop-residence hybrid. With an entire array of new materials to work with, he'd surely have his work cut out for him while preparing for the boss fight.