LV 2
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HP: 100
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STR: 1
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DEX: 0
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CON: 0
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Sissy IS
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Post by SISSY on Nov 27, 2016 16:14:30 GMT -6
Walk away from your prideIt was like it had just happened…
Logging into Sword Art Online for the first time on the day of the launch, it had been such a thrill for her. An much-needed escape from cold hard reality and the implications behind it. In this world of fantasy, she was meant to feel free. What a stab in the heart when she discovered that much like the thousands of players who had logged in as well, she was trapped.
What was meant to be her freedom had become a prison of another kind. How ironic in the cruelest of senses. It didn’t help that she was stuck with a less than imposing username as well, she had messed up in the process and now was simply known as Sissy. It was a nickname that she had been used to back home, not some cowardly implication as some might assume.
Hundreds had fallen or perhaps it was more, Sissy wasn’t entirely sure at this point as it had been weeks since the launch. Clearing the game was the only way this nightmare would end and yet it didn’t seem likely. There were brave people putting themselves out on the front lines and Sis envied their courage, she wanted to be like them but she was afraid. She was a newbie, someone who was still figuring out things about the game while beaters and more hardcore gamers were out killing and getting stronger.
How could she hope to…
No, she needed to stop hiding behind her fear and doubt. The loss of a close friend here in SAO had caused Sis to break from her usual pattern of remaining within the safety of the Town of Beginnings. Watching their body disappear and knowing that if she had been stronger, she could have stopped their death was far too much to bear. She couldn’t handle being a coward any longer.
Hence why she left her little room with her beginner clothing and her less than amazing sword. She would venture out and hope to gain some levels, if possible. She had yet to master her sword skills but she wouldn’t be able to without practice now would she? Leaving the safe zone was a danger of course and the white-haired girl kept looking over her shoulder as the town became distant. “Right, I can do this.” She told herself aloud and began to search for something to fight.
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LV 3
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HP: 155
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STR: 3 (+23)
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DEX: 2 (+67)
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CON: 0 (+11)
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larren IS
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Post by icarus on Nov 27, 2016 16:16:35 GMT -6
| | The pig shattered into prismatic fragments. They shimmered briefly around him, illuminating his features with rainbow light, before fading into nothingness.
He sheathed his sword, letting out a breath of relief. He was definitely starting to improve. While he still struggled with the higher level mobs on this level, and hadn’t even dared to venture close to the dire wolves, he was finding the others were becoming manageable. In truth, the angry pigs were somewhat below his abilities, but he was quickly exhausting combat quests he could manage and was still unwilling to lower himself to doing manual labours for NPCs.
One dead, four to go. Finding a pig to kill was harder than killing the damn things; despite the weeks that had passed, the low level quests were still overcrowded with players trying to compete them, and the spawn rates were nowhere near high enough to compensate. He’d ended up going round out towards the quest boundary in order to find a free spot, but had still spent long, boring minutes searching before he’d managed to find the first one. A quest that should have taken ten minutes at most looked like it could drag on more than an hour.
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LV 2
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HP: 100
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STR: 1
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DEX: 0
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CON: 0
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Sissy IS
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Post by SISSY on Nov 27, 2016 16:26:18 GMT -6
Walk away from your prideHolding her sword in one hand, Sissy would step forward and strike at the air, pretending that someone was in front of her. It might have helped if she had taken those fencing classes she had been offered years before, she imagined that the knowledge was transferable but alas, hindsight and all that bunk. Her main focus, when she had made her first ever dive into the virtual reality, was the sensation of being able to run and jump as she pleased.
It was complicated, the sensation felt so real and yet at the same time she knew it wasn’t. Her body was lying in some hospital somewhere, assuming her ‘loved’ ones had managed to find her. What if they hadn’t… Was she on borrowed time even if she managed to keep alive in the game? Not the most pleasant of thoughts and it was enough to shake her, her hand visibly trembling with her sword in hand.Tears burned behind her eyes as she considered the potential implications of her current thought. Was this all in vain?
The sound of something being killed was heard and seemed to cut through the more depressing thoughts that had entered Sissy’s mind. Someone was nearby.
Putting her sword back in its sheath at her side, the girl headed in the direction that she heard the sound as it didn’t seem to be that far. Maybe something that she could handle or even help with? If there was one thing that she realized early on, it was that solo’ing just wasn’t a viable option for someone like her.
Pigs? She recalled a quest somewhere that involved pigs but she hadn’t thought of taking up a quest, at least not one her own. She spied the fighter who had taken one out, was he open to having an extra party member? At least for the moment anyway? She would be in his view at this point as she ran towards him, waving a hand. “Need some help?” Please say yes… She needed some experience.
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LV 3
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HP: 155
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STR: 3 (+23)
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DEX: 2 (+67)
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CON: 0 (+11)
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larren IS
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Post by icarus on Nov 27, 2016 16:35:11 GMT -6
| | He waited. Nothing spawned. He waited some more, scanning the area, but it seemed the spawn timer was determined to make this as lethargic as possible.
Hearing a noise, he turned, anticipating a mob, only to be disappointed when it turned out to be a player crashing heavily through the undergrowth. Disappointment bloomed, bright and heavy, though he had to admit she was slightly more attractive than the pigs.
“Hi,” he murmured, looking her over. He didn’t really need help, especially not from someone who looked as green as her, but…well. She was attractive, and it would likely make the quest less tedious if he had something pretty to look at while he waited. Putting on his best grin, he rested a hand on his hap and tilted his head, considering.
“We can party up if you need a hand,” he allowed, as if he was making some grand sacrifice. “We’re all stuck in this together. Might as well help each other out.”
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LV 2
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HP: 100
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STR: 1
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DEX: 0
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CON: 0
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Sissy IS
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Post by SISSY on Nov 27, 2016 16:46:27 GMT -6
Walk away from your prideTo say that the figure she approached seemed less than keen by her presence was an understatement. She could read the disappointment on his face and for a moment she wondered if he was expecting someone else. Not a lot of people solo’d given the danger that went with it but she couldn’t be too sure. Either way, she had made herself known so there was no taking back her ‘offer’ now.
It took him a moment to switch from ‘omg newb’ to ‘trying to be okay with this’ but she appreciated the gesture just the same. Sis needed this, even if he didn’t. She glanced around their surroundings, looking for any monsters that might choose to spawn in at that moment, she was still new to combat and thus didn’t want to be taken by surprise.
“That’s the spirit?” She said with a light laugh, trying not to question his lack of enthusiasm. “But thank you.” She pulled her sword from its sheath and took a stance. “I promise I won’t hold you back.” Much. She didn’t like the idea of being the cause of someone else possibly losing their life but with pigs, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. “It’s just hard to find things that aren’t too tough and you look like someone who can maybe teach me a bit.” She might be pushing her luck there but she knew that it was better to ask and receive a no than never ask at all.
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LV 3
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HP: 155
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STR: 3 (+23)
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DEX: 2 (+67)
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CON: 0 (+11)
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larren IS
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Post by icarus on Nov 27, 2016 16:48:03 GMT -6
| | “Don’t worry about it.” He looked, for all intents and purposes, absolutely happy to help; his true feelings about dragging her along were carefully hidden underneath a mask of seemingly genuine friendliness and general good humour. “For a moment I thought you were someone else, that’s all.”
It was the first time he’d actually been approached for help. He’d had to swallow his pride and ask others to help him, or group together with other newbies on his level, but nobody had ever assumed he knew what he was doing. The beginner gear didn’t help him look formidable; the crafter he’d commissioned for his new set still hadn’t finished, though at least he’d managed to upgrade his rusty sword to something slightly better.
“Well, these pigs aren’t too bad,” he continued, still as friendly as possible. He took a couple of steps closer to her and opened his menu, inviting her to party. “Why don’t you show me your current technique, and I’ll try and give you some pointers? You’ll have to be quick when one spawns, everyone’s trying to kill them.”
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LV 2
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HP: 100
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STR: 1
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DEX: 0
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CON: 0
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Sissy IS
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Post by SISSY on Nov 27, 2016 17:23:52 GMT -6
Walk away from your prideHe hadn’t seemed enthused about this or perhaps he had simply been surprised. It was hard to tell but did it really matter as long as he was willing to let her ‘help’ him with the quest. He likely realized how newbish she actually was but he didn’t tell her to feck off which she appreciated, there were some players that were considered elitist though they wouldn’t likely be hanging around here. Someone else? Given the amount of players, it was possible. “Thanks. I really need to get my stats up and this seems like the way to do it.”
As far as Sissy was concerned, the only thing she had to swallow her pride about was her stupid username. She still heard a snicker here and there from time to time but she tried hard to ignore it. So she hadn’t been the most apt when it came to technology and thought she got a do-over when she got logged out. Funny how that went… When it came to asking for help, she knew it was the only way she would wrap her head around the game and its mechanics. Better than losing her life because she was too proud. She didn’t have any stats really nor did she have any items but she’d change that. She was determined.
Keeping an eye on her surroundings, Sissy opened her menu to accept the invite. She hadn’t been in a party for a long while and almost hesitated given what had happened last time. Still, Icarus seemed to know what he was doing. “I thought that this area would be cleared out at this point but I guess the better players have moved on.” She blushed, realizing how that must have sounded. “Oh! Not that you aren’t a good player…I mean…” She sighed, she had a big mouth, didn’t she? “Sorry, I ramble when I’m nervous.” Maybe it was better to focus on the combat and less talking?
The girl pulled her sword from its hilt and took a stance, holding the sword with one hand for the moment. She would step forward and attempt to use the sword skill uppercut though it was far from smooth.
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LV 3
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HP: 155
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STR: 3 (+23)
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DEX: 2 (+67)
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CON: 0 (+11)
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larren IS
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Post by icarus on Nov 27, 2016 17:52:17 GMT -6
| | Brown eyes blinked at her guilelessly, letting nothing of his true feeling show. “I don’t think this quest rewards much, but at least it’s a place to start. Once you get gear, you can try something a little harder.”
He grit his teeth and tried not to react to her suggestion that he might be a bad player. It was true, but it didn’t mean it didn’t sting. “I’m just trying to clear up some of the low level quests, since they’re so quick. I skipped the beginner ones originally.” Semi true; he’d jumped straight into combat quests with little regard for these pointless chores, but he was finding himself quickly out of his depth. Hopefully new gear and a few more of these would see him back on an even footing.
“Not too bad,” he critiqued, watching her form. “You need to relax more. Stop trying to control it so much, your avatar knows what to do. If you fight it you’ll just end up pulling yourself off balance.”
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LV 2
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HP: 100
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STR: 1
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DEX: 0
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CON: 0
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Sissy IS
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Post by SISSY on Nov 27, 2016 18:47:12 GMT -6
Walk away from your pride“I just need the practice and these beginner quests will hopefully get me going.” She had yet to visit any shops yet because she didn’t have the money yet. “Do you have any good gear yet?”
Oh gods, she was really embarrassing herself in front of this other player. He was kind enough to agree to help her and she ended up insulting him without even meaning to. She didn’t have a malicious bone in her body but she always managed to let her thoughts come out without filtering them.
She apologized and he didn’t let on that it bothered him but she had a feeling that she wasn’t exactly doing good at making friends. Still, he didn’t tell her to leave so maybe she hadn’t fully burned this bridge. “Sorry.. I meant no offense. Doing the beginner quests are better than hiding in the Town of Beginnings like I did.” She still felt ashamed. “I know you can see my name but it feels weird not introducing myself just the same. I’m Sissy.” She realized how it sounded, speaking of her cowardice and then telling her username and she shook her head.
She did her strike, feeling kind of funny lashing out at nothing but if it would help her fighting style, why not? Icarus critiqued her stance and it wasn’t as bad as she first expected. He didn’t tell her she was terrible, that was a relief. He had good advice but it was difficult to relax because she didn’t know how it was to do this sort of thing naturally. “It’s kind of hard, but I’ll try.” He asked her to relax and she did her best as she struck again at the air. It felt better, not as sloppy as before.
It was at this point that two pigs spawned in.
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LV 3
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HP: 155
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STR: 3 (+23)
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DEX: 2 (+67)
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CON: 0 (+11)
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larren IS
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Post by icarus on Nov 28, 2016 1:52:47 GMT -6
| | “I’m getting some gear crafted. The stuff in the NPC shops isn’t that great, but I’m stuck with this until he finishes the commission.” Breathe. She didn’t seem to mean it maliciously, but it was still irritating to be questioned by someone who was clearly so unaware of the game. If even she thought he was useless, he stood no chance.
“Icarus,” he replied, not outwardly reacting to her name. People, he’d discovered, had chosen extremely strange things as usernames, ranging from names that wouldn’t look out of place on an NPC to some that he was surprised the system had allowed. His own was a slight mockery of himself, aware that he could be arrogant at times.
He’d opened his mouth to comment about her style again, though he was hardly an expert himself, when he heard the pigs spawn. Grinning, he tilted his head towards them. “Looks like you’ll get a chance to practice on something real. If it looks like you’re in trouble, I’ll step in and help.” Two pigs could, potentially, overwhelm her if she took them both on. She would hardly be doing any damage with that beginner sword.
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LV 2
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HP: 100
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STR: 1
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DEX: 0
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CON: 0
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Sissy IS
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Post by SISSY on Nov 28, 2016 11:57:25 GMT -6
Walk away from your prideIt was true enough, the beginning gear w-+as almost useless and the NPC shops either sold really expensive items she couldn’t afford or items that weren’t worth the col she did have. “Do monsters drop items often or is that more of a quest-related thing?” She knew MMOs pretty well given her gamer geek status but SAO was different in a lot of ways. It was always better to ask then assume. “I might have to see about getting some commissions done as well, need to work on getting more col first.” What she had was sufficient enough for the time being but it wouldn’t last.
Sissy felt guilty for insulting Icarus and had apologized but there was no way of taking it back or reiterating what she actually meant. She was the one who was useless at this game thus far, not him. He knew more and thus he was better but saying that would likely ring hollow.
He was kind enough to offer her pointers on her fighting style which she appreciated but a small surge of panic was felt when the pigs spawned. She shouldn’t have been scared but all she could think of was when her friend had been killed. Pigs hadn’t done it but his death illuminated the danger in failing. In being weak…
Icarus pulled her out of her thoughts by his words alone and though he didn’t know what he did, she was glad just the same. She offered somewhat unsure smile as she stepped forward and readied herself for the first pig. There were two but hopefully she would be able to kill one before the other attacked. Raising her sword in the one hand, she would lunge forward and slash at the pig, striking it in the hindquarter.
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LV 3
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HP: 155
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STR: 3 (+23)
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DEX: 2 (+67)
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CON: 0 (+11)
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larren IS
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Post by icarus on Nov 28, 2016 13:33:48 GMT -6
| | She managed to hit the pig. That was definitely a start, though she wasn’t able to do much damage to it. The HP bar dropped a small amount – maybe a fifth – but stayed resolutely in the green. It would be interesting to see what happened when it turned around and attacked her. Bonus points if she squealed.
Luckily, the second pig was slightly out of aggro range, though it huffed and snorted in imitation of the larger angry boars. Icarus was tempted to engage it himself, in an effort to speed the quest up, though he didn’t want to reveal how low his own stats were by taking more than a couple of hits to kill it. He’d just have to keep a look out for other people and engage it if it looked like anyone was going to steal it.
“There, just like that! Dodge it when it attacks, and try that again.”
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LV 2
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HP: 100
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STR: 1
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DEX: 0
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CON: 0
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Sissy IS
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Post by SISSY on Nov 28, 2016 18:59:38 GMT -6
Walk away from your prideShe hit the pig! She hadn’t missed and ended up on her ass like she had been afraid of but rather hit the pig! She didn’t do much damage which was a little disheartening but at least this was a start. She could do this, just needed to keep it up and not get herself killed by the pig. The other pig was out of the range which meant she wasn’t in danger of being attacked by it but she had the pig that she attacked and to say that she aggravated it so it was going to attack her.
She squeaked and jumped away from the pig, hoping to put some distance between herself and the pig. Despite annoying Icarus earlier, he was actually encouraging Sissy with the combat, hanging back and letting her do this herself. She wasn’t sure whether she should be grateful or worried.
The pig snorted loudly and dashed forward towards her. Oh crap!
She needed to focus her attention on the pig rather than letting herself get pulled into her own head. With her sword in hand, readying herself for whatever was coming at her, she waited until the pig was almost on her and dodged to the side. She would then try to use the sword skill ‘uppercut’ since she needed to learn more about her sword skills.
While it was close, Sis did manage to dodge the pig and the strike hit. Booya!
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LV 3
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HP: 155
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STR: 3 (+23)
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DEX: 2 (+67)
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CON: 0 (+11)
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larren IS
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Post by icarus on Nov 30, 2016 14:33:34 GMT -6
| | She successfully dodged it. He was a little disappointed, as seeing her end up on the floor would have amused him – and made him feel less bad for the times it had happened to him, though not against these monsters. He’d faced off against the pig’s larger, angrier, cousins when he’d been as geared as her, and only Gran’s aid had stopped it from turning into his funeral.
It was getting a little boring watching her. They’d be here all day at this rate, an outcome he’d hoped to avoid, so he moved in on the other pig. Hoping she was sufficiently distracted by hers to pay too much attention to the lack of damage he was dealing, he engaged it in combat, sword moving quickly as he danced out of the way of its retaliating blows. Gran had shattered monsters with far more health than this in one hit, so each extra hit he took was just an extra embarrassment.
At least he managed to kill it before she finished hers off – barely. Its HP bar was now firmly in the red, last few hit points lingering stubbornly. “Looks like you’ve almost got it,” he encouraged, hoping she’d finish it off before another spawned in.
[ moving it along a bit so we don’t take all day to kill 5 pigs xD ]
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LV 2
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HP: 100
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STR: 1
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DEX: 0
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CON: 0
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Sissy IS
OFFLINE
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Post by SISSY on Dec 1, 2016 17:34:22 GMT -6
Walk away from your prideIf only Sissy could boast of her awesome dodging skills but no…it was pure dumb luck that she managed to dodge the pig and struck it once more with her sword. The damage was minimal at best but it was going down just the same. She was lucky that she remained out of the aggro zone of the other pig since she didn’t want to try dodging them both. That wouldn’t work well for her. It was a slow process because of her low level and her less than stellar damage output but hopefully once this quest was over she’d earn enough col and experience to maybe get some new weaponry.
Sissy’s attention was firmly on the pig she was fighting so Icarus didn’t need to be worried about her knowing about how much damage he could deal. He was far better than she was at fighting though she assumed it was because he had more experience, in both numbers and fighting. Either way, she heard the sound of the other pig dying, its body shattering into pixels. Maybe this wasn’t going to take forever after all. Her damage was small but she was persistent and managed to avoid the pig for the most part though there were a few close calls.
His encouragement was appreciated and helped spur her onwards, a few more well-timed strikes and the pig was killed, vanishing as the other one had. Odd how this was not physical and yet she ‘felt’ as though she were out of breath. It felt good to know that she wasn’t completely useless at least.
“I think I have the hang of this but I’m glad I don’t have to do this alone.” She brushed a strand of ivory hair from her face and held her defensive stance as she waited for more pigs to spawn. She could see now how useful these types of quests really were. “Need to upgrade my swords, doing so little damage is just embarrassing.” She looked over her sword with a sigh, she needed something better.
At this point another pair of pigs spawned, ready to be dispensed.
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