[SP - F3] Paths of Glory I

[Takao 0]

Morning slowly fell over the fields of the third floor, casting a beam of light with uncanny accuracy through a slight ajar window. Takao groaned and rolled onto his side, not quite ready to pry himself away from the firm and comfortable grasp of sleep. Yet the damage had already been done as his body quickly began to wake up, and immediately after did the feeling of restlessness begin to grow. With a protesting grunt, his upper body shot upward. His head followed limply afterward, still expressing his desire to sleep.

There was a nagging voice in the back of his head, repeatedly telling him that the time to rest was over. He inhaled sharply and exhaled a slow, long, and intentionally loud yawn. "Well..." he said amidst his yawn as it died down. "Might as well be productive today. Couple hours in the fields should be good enough for now."

- -

«Rum» used. ( +3 Damage | -3 Evasion )

[Takao 0]

Takao found the third floor to be among the most relaxing. It lacked the bustle of the first, forewent the treacherous landscapes of the second, and additionally found itself in a more comfortable climate than the fourth, fifth, and many of the higher floors that had been unlocked. It was simply pleasant. Of course, the monsters didn't fit that same description. Not long after renting the shop-residence hybrid he had begun to call home, Takao had found a section of the third floor populated entirely by scythe-armed monsters modeled after reality's Praying Mantis. It was relatively untouched by other players, which left the spoils of battle to be claimed. It didn't take long for the monsters to swarm him, though Takao was prepared. With a use of a single sword art, Takao leapt into the air, preformed a single mid-air flip, and landed sword-point down. Sparks of electricity shot from his blade, electrocuting the four monsters and reducing their health to zero in one simple motion.

- -

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

» ID : [[ 34047 ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (5 + 3(ACC)) ]]
» MD 1-4 : [[ MISS (4 - 3(EVA) + 3(Alcoholic)) ]]

» LD : [[ 18 ]]

« Takao »
[[ 125/125 HP ]]
[[ 16/30 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]

Dropped x4 Materials.
Dropped 1580 col.

[Takao 0]

What the monster-rich fields he stood in lacked in originality, it made up in sheer quantity. He could see at least thirty more roaming around just from a glance atop the small hill he'd ascended after defeating four of their kind. Yet their numbers oft did not matter. Takao moved down the hill and set about pulling certain members of their group off and away from the main congregation of unsettling mantis-like monsters. With four in tow and his sword in hand, Takao prepared the usage of yet another sword art, no different from the one he continued to use. The monsters were kept at a specific range for his charge skill to be usable, further adding to his damage. The brunet launched himself into the air after kicking off the ground, then slammed his sword point-first into the ground after performing a single mid-air flip. Sparks of electricity shot out in every direction, electrocuting the monsters and reducing their health to zero.

- -

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

» ID : [[ 34176 ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (7 + 3(ACC)) ]]
» MD 1-4 : [[ MISS (4 - 3(EVA) + 3(Alcoholic)) ]]

» LD : [[ 19 ]]

« Takao »
[[ 125/125 HP ]]
[[ 3/30 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]

Dropped x8 Materials.
Dropped 3120 col.

[Takao 0]

Takao watched as the last fragments of data disappeared into oblivion and stretched his arms skyward. "Eight down, which means it's break time!" he said, his voice powering through a yawn. He moved away from the remaining enemies and sauntered up the hill he'd noticed earlier. Before plopping down, he removed the strap of his scabbard and set it beside him. A few moments of respite would replenish his energy stores and allow him to continue hunting.

- -

(Full Energy Recovery : 2/3 turns remaining)

[Takao 0]

The cool morning breeze kept him from drifting off into sleep, despite the warmth of the sun attempting to draw him in. He was awake and active, which meant he refused to let himself nap, especially not out in the fields. Takao raised his arms and placed them behind his head, offering comfort in the form of a little cushioning against the tree's hard trunk while he patiently waited for his energy to return.

- -

(Full Energy Recovery : 1/3 turns remaining)

[Takao 0]

Over time, Takao could feel his energy return to him. He oft compared it to a replenishing gauge in normal games, but in Sword Art Online, no such gauge existed. It was just an odd feeling in his chest and body. The brunet stood and shed the fatigue that had plagued his body only moments prior. He stretched his arms to the left, right, and then skyward, and set his green eyes upon the field laden with monsters. Before heading off he turned and reached for his sword, grasping it by the handle, and slung the strap over his head to secure the weapon to his back. He reached over his shoulder and pulled the blade free of the scabbard and rolled his neck, ready to jump back into the action.

- -

(Energy fully recovered.)

[Takao 0]

Takao didn't have to travel far before he was met face to face with another herd of monsters. He kept his distance, not so much out of sight as out of range, and targeted specific monsters that were further from the main congregation. It worked swimmingly, and before long he had a small entourage of giant scythe-arm wielding praying mantis monsters scurrying after him. Takao came to a sliding stop after guiding the monsters away from the main herd and spun on his heel, kicking up virtual dirt particles as his boots slowed his momentum. With a combination of a sword art and his charge skill, Takao launched himself into the air. He performed a single flip by swinging his legs over his head, and slammed the end of his sword into the ground upon gravity's returning him to the surface. Sparks of electricity shot out in every direction, electrocuting the four monsters and reducing their health to zilch in a single motion.

- -

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

» ID : [[ 34325 ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (3 + 3(ACC)) ]]
» MD 1-4 : [[ MISS (5 - 3(EVA) + 3(Alcoholic)) ]]

» LD : [[ 7 ]]

« Takao »
[[ 125/125 HP ]]
[[ 16/30 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]

Dropped x4 Materials.

 

[Takao 0]

Another group of four monsters dead by his hand meant that four more monsters awaited a similar fate. He cracked his knuckles, rolled his head over his shoulders, and exhaled a confident breath through his nostrils. This procedure was routine by now. It was a risk to hunt alone to some extent - he was sure he could handle anything the first two floors could throw at him. He had the armour skill, the weapon skill, and a fair mixture of evasiveness and accuracy that made him a force to be reckoned with in the face of monsters - much like the four fresh mantis-like beasts that he'd just pulled from the main grouping. They met a similarly terrible fate at the hands of his «Lightning Fall» skill, and perished just as quickly as the last four.

- -

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

» ID : [[ 34328 ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (2 + 3(ACC) + 1(Concentration)) ]]
» MD 1-4 : [[ MISS (5 - 3(EVA) + 3(Alcoholic)) ]]

» LD : [[ 8 ]]

« Takao »
[[ 125/125 HP ]]
[[ 3/30 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]

Dropped x4 Materials.

[Takao 0]

The systematic slaughter of four praying mantis-like monsters at a time quickly came to an end after the second group had perished. He wasn't quite done for the day, for their numbers still had plenty of culling left to endure, but he yet again found himself scraping the bottom of the barrel in the way of energy. With his stores depleted, he opted to return to his preferred place of respite, beneath the canopy of a large oak tree that towered atop a small grassy hill. His sword had been returned to its scabbard, and both items were removed from his person and rested beside him against the trunk of the tree.

- -

(Full Energy Recovery : 2/3 turns remaining)

[Takao 0]

There was something about the third floor that Takao found utterly relaxing. Maybe it was the weather, which always seemed to be fair and perfectly set between hot and cold. Some days were warm, some days were cold, but it never reached extremes on either end of the spectrum. Or perhaps it was the ambiance, the breeze that rustled the tree leaves and the faint, distant sounds of non-destructive or murderous fauna. The rainy days were much loved as well, he found them perhaps the most relaxing. Or maybe it was a mixture of all the elements, combining to create a perfect environment for him to unwind in.

- -

(Full Energy Recovery : 1/3 turns remaining)

[Takao 0]

Takao stretched his arms and rose up from his spot against the tree. His green eyes immediately set upon the field of monsters. Sixteen had fallen by his hands alone in the past twenty minutes, and with no other players in sight and few even knowing of the location, he suspected that many more would be falling to him in the coming hour or so that he planned to spend in the fields. His familiar would likely be awake and causing havoc in his shop, which meant he didn't want to spend too much time hunting. He grabbed his sword and scabbard and slung it over his shoulder, then began his approach.

- -

(Energy fully recovered.)

[Takao 0]

Replenished energy meant that another pair of eight monsters would be meeting their end at the end of his sword. Takao pulled the blade that had been known to him only as "Lightbringer" from its scabbard and gave the blade he'd become so familiar with a twirl, testing the weight that he couldn't be more familiar with. He began the meticulous process of pulling monsters one by one from the ground and kiting them to a more safe location. When they'd all been brought to a less monster-populous section of the forest lined field, he initiated the process of destroying them simultaneously with one single sword art. In the same motion that he'd committed to memory and gone through so many times, Takao was thrown into the air, performed a flip, and slammed the end of his blade into the ground upon returning to it. Electricity rocketed from the steel and electrocuted all four monsters, dropping their health in a single go.

- -

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

» ID : [[ 34335 ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (5 + 3(ACC)) ]]
» MD 1-4 : [[ MISS (5 - 3(EVA) + 3(Alcoholic)) ]]

» LD : [[ 19 ]]

« Takao »
[[ 125/125 HP ]]
[[ 16/30 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]

Dropped x8 Materials.
Dropped 3120 col.

[Takao 0]

Yet another pack appeared almost immediately after the previous four were vanquished by Takao's usage of the lightning-employing sword art. Using a weaker sword art was just as effective as repeating the usage of the one previous, given that he'd be forced to rest momentarily anyway, so he assumed the same position. After he felt the tug of the system trying to take control, he relinquished his avatar's motions to the system. He leapt into the air, performed another single back flip, and his blade found its way back into the frozen soil, further damaging the monsters around him. The damage dealt proved to be enough to reduce their health gauges as well, turning their pixelated bodies into a results window that read off what he'd received for their defeat.

- -

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

» ID : [[ 34336 ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (3 + 3(ACC)) ]]
» MD 1-4 : [[ HIT (6 - 3(EVA) + 3(Alcoholic)) ]]

» LD : [[ 16 ]]

« Takao »
[[ 125/125 HP ]] (Damage negated by turn order.)
[[ 3/30 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]

Dropped x4 Materials.
Dropped 1560 col.

[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. It wasn't anything out of the usual though, if he were to be honest with himself, and his wishful thinking was nothing more than just that. He huffed out a breath and leaned his weight on his sword as he observed, waiting for the right opportunity to move in.

- -

(Full Energy Recovery : 2/3 turns remaining)

[Takao 0]

Having defeated eight monsters in rapid succession, Takao felt the fatigue of his exertion quickly catching up. It wasn't total exhaustion, that much he was sure of, but it was significant enough for him to put a little extra effort into avoiding combat until he felt his energy return. Instead of hunting himself into the ground while tired, he opted for a more peaceful yet still productive approach, and decided to scope out the landscape for useful crafting materials. Given the theme of the floor, most of what he could find amidst the fields and forest were almost exclusively for alchemical purposes. He located a resource node in the form of a collection of interesting plants, and began to harvest them.

- -

(Full Energy Recovery : 1/3 turns remaining)

[Takao 0]

Ten minutes had gone by before Takao heard the first sounds of the monsters beginning to respawn. His left eye opened and glanced forward to notice a few more monsters in the distance, wandering around mindlessly and waiting for a player to come by for a spot of hunting. A yawn escaped from deep within his chest before his upper body rose up into a seated position. He reached back and grabbed the handle of his sword, hefted it from the ground, and began his advance toward the monsters. He still had quite a bit of work to do before his morning routine would be finished.

- -

(Energy fully recovered.)

[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 : [[ 34340 ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (8 + 3(ACC)) ]]
» MD 1-4 : [[ MISS (4 - 3(EVA) + 3(Alcoholic)) ]]

» LD : [[ 19 ]]

« Takao »
[[ 125/125 HP ]]
[[ 16/30 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]

Dropped x8 Materials.
Dropped 3120 col.

[Takao 0]

Yet another horde of monsters standing before him meant yet another opportunity to acquisition some more materials and perhaps even some col. He didn't waste time with engaging them, having come to the conclusion that the faster he defeated them the faster he could return to his shop for some much needed rest. He poised his blade in such a way that the length of steel began to glow a mixture of blue and purple. He preformed another unnecessarily flashy acrobatic feat that launched his body into the air, and as he made contact with the ground a short instant later, his blade pierced the soil and sent out sparks of electricity in every direction. The sparks reached and electrocuted the mantis-like monsters, easily reducing their health down to nothing.

- -

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

» ID : [[ 34341 ]]
» BD : [[ HIT (2 + 3(ACC) + 1(Concentration)) ]]
» MD 1-4 : [[ MISS (3 - 3(EVA) + 3(Alcoholic)) ]]

» LD : [[ 1 ]]

« Takao »
[[ 125/125 HP ]]
[[ 3/30 Energy ]] «Lightning Fall» used. (-14 Energy)

« Killer Mantis 1 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 2 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 3 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]
« Killer Mantis 4 »
[[ 0/78 HP ]] [[ 10(DMG) + 3(Alcoholic) + 1(Charge) * (7*1) - 19(MIT) = -79HP ]]

Dropped x4 Materials.

[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 set his sights upon the field of monsters - which had been greatly diminished from his hunting. At least thirty monsters or so had been slain by him alone, which was good work for an hour or two's time.

[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. His familiar was undoubtedly up and wrecking havoc on his shop, so he quickened his pace.