Red GypsyAnd we are nearly done with the fight. Whew. I didn't think that we'd need to use the foxes to kill someone off but I guess they came in handy. And, YAY... level two and a decent bow!
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One Who Listens Deeply
STATUS: Pirates, monsters, magic, islands and no civilization to steal from. Hmm. 5 yrs agoStatus
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5 yrs ago
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Pirates, monsters, magic, islands and no civilization to steal from. Hmm.
7 yrs ago
Now, what happens when you have a bunch of monsters that were living in a forest and they get transmigrated into a futuristic urban setting?
8 yrs ago
I know that few, if any, people on this site would be interested in it... but... I just got an idea for a SAO/GGO/XCOM/UFO crossover... fun tingles...
8 yrs ago
Life has never given mankind sufficient time... nor sleep... nor comprehension. If it had, we would have stopped trying.
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8 yrs ago
It can be greatly refreshing to return to a thing that one has long loved.
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Well that was a shock. Tailpin stood still for a long moment while staring at a small screen that had appeared in front of him. He got the final blow rewards for that bear. That was luck, not power. There was an item though, Bear Sinew Bow. He accepted the item and equipped it quickly when he noticed that it had more than three times the power of his current bow. But, he shouldn't have been able to equip it. It had a minimum level of two. He was still level one, wasn't he? Nope. On closer examination he saw that he had indeed gone up to level two. With the added damage bonus from this new bow and the stats from his new level he might actually be able to do something significant now.
That was the thought that immediately preceded him noticing that one of the fighters was running into a wooded area in pursuit of the fox. No, he can't be that reckless. It's a monster. They don't fear for their lives. They just follow algorithms. If it was running into the forest then there was an aggressive reason behind it. It had to be a trap! But, that side of the battle was outside his range. I can't strike that... He moved his new bow into line and saw the indicator in his vision. It had longer range too. I can almost reach! But, this spot has outlasted it purpose. The main battle area was almost completely clear of beasts and there were foxes to hunt.
Tailpin jumped and slid down the slope's steeper side toward the battle, running straight into the middle of everything as soon as he hit the ground. He had no time to waste. He raised his bow. His eyes snapped to brilliant green as he used his spot skill, the most advanced skill he had at this point. There was that player and there was that... no... there were two foxes! He pulled the arrow back and primed his Impact Sidewinder. Then both the player and one of the foxes exploded into shards that glittered under the shade of the trees.
Tailpin's hands shook. His pupils dilated. He tracked the remaining fox with his bow, dragging the prediction line across the forest like a searchlight as the fox swiftly ran through underbrush trying to evade detection. It was trying to set up another ambush. No you don't. His gut felt heavy and sick. His thoughts felt sharp and hard.
"You die!" He shouted without realizing it as he loosed the shot.
It swept through the battle and vanished into the trees. It hit hard, striking the fox in the eye and landing a critical hit. Tailpin could see his target thanks to his spot skill, without it he couldn't have seen it through the shadows. He couldn't see what exactly happened but the fox flew away from him as a result of the impact before suddenly stopping. It lost more hit points from the impact. It was already in the yellow. That's right, Impact Sidewinder cuts damage by 75% in exchange for doubling the impact force. He pulled the next arrow back. There would be no skills this time. It was a straight draw and he loosed immediately. Before the arrow even struck the staggering fox another arrow was being drawn. This monster would kill no one else. He loosed again. The first arrow struck, lodging behind the fox's near side foreleg. It's hit points dropped into the red. Was it actually weak to arrows? The second arrow struck near the center of mass. The fox finally died, shattering into shards.
"I didn't really know you. But there's the first part of your vengeance. The rest will be carved into Kayaba's corpse." Tailpin's eyes lost their green glow as he spoke and he glanced around at all of the people who had been entangled in this monster trap set by that wretch, Kayaba. That was the first person that he had seen die in this world. He swallowed hard. Even though none of the other players were in real danger of death any longer he still felt sick and heavy. He blinked a few times and then spoke up loudly enough for everyone to hear, not really knowing who to speak to. "Whoever went into those trees was ambushed by two giant foxes. The foxes are dead. But, the player... didn't make it."
That was the thought that immediately preceded him noticing that one of the fighters was running into a wooded area in pursuit of the fox. No, he can't be that reckless. It's a monster. They don't fear for their lives. They just follow algorithms. If it was running into the forest then there was an aggressive reason behind it. It had to be a trap! But, that side of the battle was outside his range. I can't strike that... He moved his new bow into line and saw the indicator in his vision. It had longer range too. I can almost reach! But, this spot has outlasted it purpose. The main battle area was almost completely clear of beasts and there were foxes to hunt.
Tailpin jumped and slid down the slope's steeper side toward the battle, running straight into the middle of everything as soon as he hit the ground. He had no time to waste. He raised his bow. His eyes snapped to brilliant green as he used his spot skill, the most advanced skill he had at this point. There was that player and there was that... no... there were two foxes! He pulled the arrow back and primed his Impact Sidewinder. Then both the player and one of the foxes exploded into shards that glittered under the shade of the trees.
Tailpin's hands shook. His pupils dilated. He tracked the remaining fox with his bow, dragging the prediction line across the forest like a searchlight as the fox swiftly ran through underbrush trying to evade detection. It was trying to set up another ambush. No you don't. His gut felt heavy and sick. His thoughts felt sharp and hard.
"You die!" He shouted without realizing it as he loosed the shot.
It swept through the battle and vanished into the trees. It hit hard, striking the fox in the eye and landing a critical hit. Tailpin could see his target thanks to his spot skill, without it he couldn't have seen it through the shadows. He couldn't see what exactly happened but the fox flew away from him as a result of the impact before suddenly stopping. It lost more hit points from the impact. It was already in the yellow. That's right, Impact Sidewinder cuts damage by 75% in exchange for doubling the impact force. He pulled the next arrow back. There would be no skills this time. It was a straight draw and he loosed immediately. Before the arrow even struck the staggering fox another arrow was being drawn. This monster would kill no one else. He loosed again. The first arrow struck, lodging behind the fox's near side foreleg. It's hit points dropped into the red. Was it actually weak to arrows? The second arrow struck near the center of mass. The fox finally died, shattering into shards.
"I didn't really know you. But there's the first part of your vengeance. The rest will be carved into Kayaba's corpse." Tailpin's eyes lost their green glow as he spoke and he glanced around at all of the people who had been entangled in this monster trap set by that wretch, Kayaba. That was the first person that he had seen die in this world. He swallowed hard. Even though none of the other players were in real danger of death any longer he still felt sick and heavy. He blinked a few times and then spoke up loudly enough for everyone to hear, not really knowing who to speak to. "Whoever went into those trees was ambushed by two giant foxes. The foxes are dead. But, the player... didn't make it."
And posted again... gosh. Work sucks. I think I've kept track of the monsters accurately. So there should still be one wounded bear, two incoming full health bears, and at least one fox. One has been spotted and exposed but there could be another if somebody wants to make the call.
Tailpin finally made it to the peak of the slope. He skidded to a stop and took stock of the situation. Three bear types in view. Two had just finished killing the two bandits they had been chasing and were now headed back toward the group at full health. One had just been destroyed by Mai'lo but he looked too worried for it to have been an easy win. There was one other in view but it was deep into the yellow and was engaged by a man with a halberd who seemed to be able to hold it off for awhile. It looked like the battle would be hard fought with no room for holding back or playing around. Tailpin raised his bow and pulled an arrow, thinking to help finish the wounded bear before the other two returned. But then he remembered something and froze.
He hadn't just seen two monsters when he was mapping. He had seen two 'types' of monster. One large and slow, the bears fit the bill. The other had been sleek and smaller with a tail. That kind of build would be suited to stealth and speed. Tailpin swept his eyes over the other players with a different idea than before. That one girl had to be Iris. She looked like she'd been hit hardest of all. The archer's eyes started behind Iris, scanning for any places of concealment where something could stalk her. He almost missed it, a small movement in the shadow between a boulder and the side of the nearest mesa. It's outline was hard to determine but it vaguely resembled a fox, if black foxes grew to the size of an average golden retriever. It was still stalking. It hadn't crouched to pounce yet but it was probably close enough to catch Iris by surprise if it did.
This was a nasty surprise to have so close to the starting town. The bears are armored and can hold the best early level tanks at bay, keeping them occupied while these fragging giant foxes circle around to finish them off from behind. Kayaba, when this is over, I'm going to kill you if you're alive and piss on your grave if you're dead. Tailpin wasn't sure that there was only one fox. But, this one wasn't going to get its way.
He changed his point of aim and primed his new skill just as the fox crouched, bunching its muscles for a pouncing attack at Iris. He couldn't kill it, or even hurt it much. He had no time for further thought. The prediction line swept across the girl as he swung it to intersect where he thought the beast would be. Then he loosed the arrow. It flew like a drunken shooting star, winding its way through the air in a wide arc that missed another player by only a meter. But, close calls can be forgiven for the sake of results.
The arrow struck its mark, impacting the fox on the side of its head in mid-leap and turning it just enough that it missed Iris entirely and landed in the middle of the battle area with no cover and a brightly glowing patch just behind its left eye. However, its hit points had barely twitched. The skill had high impact force but sacrificed damage to deliver it. Still, as fast and strong as it was likely to be, it wasn't armored like the bears and had lost the element of surprise. Tailpin quickly drew another arrow back and activated his skill again. This time he aimed for the wounded bear that was still fighting the man with the halberd and loosed. Hopefully it would create an opening that could be easily exploited.
He hadn't just seen two monsters when he was mapping. He had seen two 'types' of monster. One large and slow, the bears fit the bill. The other had been sleek and smaller with a tail. That kind of build would be suited to stealth and speed. Tailpin swept his eyes over the other players with a different idea than before. That one girl had to be Iris. She looked like she'd been hit hardest of all. The archer's eyes started behind Iris, scanning for any places of concealment where something could stalk her. He almost missed it, a small movement in the shadow between a boulder and the side of the nearest mesa. It's outline was hard to determine but it vaguely resembled a fox, if black foxes grew to the size of an average golden retriever. It was still stalking. It hadn't crouched to pounce yet but it was probably close enough to catch Iris by surprise if it did.
This was a nasty surprise to have so close to the starting town. The bears are armored and can hold the best early level tanks at bay, keeping them occupied while these fragging giant foxes circle around to finish them off from behind. Kayaba, when this is over, I'm going to kill you if you're alive and piss on your grave if you're dead. Tailpin wasn't sure that there was only one fox. But, this one wasn't going to get its way.
He changed his point of aim and primed his new skill just as the fox crouched, bunching its muscles for a pouncing attack at Iris. He couldn't kill it, or even hurt it much. He had no time for further thought. The prediction line swept across the girl as he swung it to intersect where he thought the beast would be. Then he loosed the arrow. It flew like a drunken shooting star, winding its way through the air in a wide arc that missed another player by only a meter. But, close calls can be forgiven for the sake of results.
The arrow struck its mark, impacting the fox on the side of its head in mid-leap and turning it just enough that it missed Iris entirely and landed in the middle of the battle area with no cover and a brightly glowing patch just behind its left eye. However, its hit points had barely twitched. The skill had high impact force but sacrificed damage to deliver it. Still, as fast and strong as it was likely to be, it wasn't armored like the bears and had lost the element of surprise. Tailpin quickly drew another arrow back and activated his skill again. This time he aimed for the wounded bear that was still fighting the man with the halberd and loosed. Hopefully it would create an opening that could be easily exploited.
You can still pull those monsters in for some fun. I've given all the detail that my character could be able to spot from a distance. There is the possibility that they react more to wounded characters than to combat itself. So many characters in the red could be irresistible.
@Tracyarmav
@Tracyarmav
It sounded like this was a lively group. If they were throwing sandwiches at each other it had to be a good sign, or a messy one. Thankfully, food items just shattered in this world instead of making much of a mess. Fringe benefits to virtual reality came in handy. But, amusing stories couldn't break Tailpin's preoccupied pattern of thought enough to summon a smile. Those monsters hadn't been the same type. Now that he thought back, one of them had been shiny and moved slower than the other. There was probably armor involved in that type. His eyes kept wandering down the road where the girl had gone.
Tailpin saw the faint movement in the distance and heard the yelling but it isn't wise for an archer to charge. Well, it's not wise to charge first anyway. As soon as Mai'lo started running, Tailpin followed. Though, the archer did have to slow down a little to stay behind the more heavily armed player. He kept trying to see as far as he could and he could soon identify several of the health bars. A couple of them were in the red already.
The higher his perception skill got the better he'd be able to target with his bow. He would need to be able to fire into a raging melee without hitting allies. Besides, he'd have to be far away enough not to get dragged into the sword battle. In fact, with where that fight was taking place he'd have to practice that skill now. He couldn't just follow the fighters straight into the battle. He needed to find a spot with overwatch.
His eyes swept right and left as he ran. His right hand moved in the air and pulled up the mapping data that he had gathered before. It wasn't complete but he could tell that there were two accessable heights within bow range of the place where the fight seemed to be. There was something still on his mind though. If he was right about where that hollow was then he'd have to be able to hit anything that they attracted with this commotion. Those monsters might be bound to a limited territory but the entrance to that hollow was only about fifty yards from the edge of the area where the battle seemed to be.
Assuming the worst case scenario, there could be as many as six level five monsters in that hollow. He wasn't strong enough to kill even one monster that strong. It would take at least six solid critical hits at his level to bring an average level five down. But, a skill impact could stall one or create an opening for a more powerful player. He'd have to focus on support for now.
Tailpin glanced at the warrior ahead of him and then glanced back at the road behind them and those on it. His eyes were serious. Then he broke away from the road and veered off to the right, heading for a slope that would give him a good vantage point. He'd be isolated but that spot would let him use his bow most effectively. He just hoped that nothing attacked him from behind while he was in that exposed position. He was not quite level two still. This would be dangerous.
Tailpin saw the faint movement in the distance and heard the yelling but it isn't wise for an archer to charge. Well, it's not wise to charge first anyway. As soon as Mai'lo started running, Tailpin followed. Though, the archer did have to slow down a little to stay behind the more heavily armed player. He kept trying to see as far as he could and he could soon identify several of the health bars. A couple of them were in the red already.
The higher his perception skill got the better he'd be able to target with his bow. He would need to be able to fire into a raging melee without hitting allies. Besides, he'd have to be far away enough not to get dragged into the sword battle. In fact, with where that fight was taking place he'd have to practice that skill now. He couldn't just follow the fighters straight into the battle. He needed to find a spot with overwatch.
His eyes swept right and left as he ran. His right hand moved in the air and pulled up the mapping data that he had gathered before. It wasn't complete but he could tell that there were two accessable heights within bow range of the place where the fight seemed to be. There was something still on his mind though. If he was right about where that hollow was then he'd have to be able to hit anything that they attracted with this commotion. Those monsters might be bound to a limited territory but the entrance to that hollow was only about fifty yards from the edge of the area where the battle seemed to be.
Assuming the worst case scenario, there could be as many as six level five monsters in that hollow. He wasn't strong enough to kill even one monster that strong. It would take at least six solid critical hits at his level to bring an average level five down. But, a skill impact could stall one or create an opening for a more powerful player. He'd have to focus on support for now.
Tailpin glanced at the warrior ahead of him and then glanced back at the road behind them and those on it. His eyes were serious. Then he broke away from the road and veered off to the right, heading for a slope that would give him a good vantage point. He'd be isolated but that spot would let him use his bow most effectively. He just hoped that nothing attacked him from behind while he was in that exposed position. He was not quite level two still. This would be dangerous.
Tailpin stopped backing up but didn't come closer until both weapons were at rest. Then he realized exactly what he had heard. A beta-tester. This could really be even better than the chance he thought it was. But, she hadn't introduced herself. The guy had, though. With a quick look around to make sure that there were no monsters close enough to worry about, Tailpin put his bow on his back where it attached just like any two-handed weapon.
"That's ok. I'm sorry if I was too forward. I'm Tailpin. I guess... I always assumed that real life was a 'death game' already so it, really wasn't that much of a change for me." He had a wry smile, if a sad one, as he spoke. He was planning to explain his preference for the bow but that thought was driven clear out of his head by something more important. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mai'lo, Kip. I look forward to meeting Iris as well but you said that she's scouting ahead?" He nodded to each of the introduced persons and then gestured in the direction where he had seen a shape dash off a moment before he approached. "That way? I thought I saw some creatures in a hollow down that way that looked to be level four or five. I didn't get a close look. I was looking from one of the hills around there to get some mapping data at the time and saw a couple wander out for a second or two. Are you sure she'll be alright alone?"
Tailpin wasn't the type to rush off to someone's rescue on his own. He didn't have the skills or confidence for that. Still, he was all in favor of everyone surviving and making it out of here again, that is... if they wanted out. In any case, if someone had doubts about this Iris's abilities then he would definitely lend his bow to help make sure she was ok. He might not know this group well yet but he had every intention of sticking with them if he could manage it.
"That's ok. I'm sorry if I was too forward. I'm Tailpin. I guess... I always assumed that real life was a 'death game' already so it, really wasn't that much of a change for me." He had a wry smile, if a sad one, as he spoke. He was planning to explain his preference for the bow but that thought was driven clear out of his head by something more important. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mai'lo, Kip. I look forward to meeting Iris as well but you said that she's scouting ahead?" He nodded to each of the introduced persons and then gestured in the direction where he had seen a shape dash off a moment before he approached. "That way? I thought I saw some creatures in a hollow down that way that looked to be level four or five. I didn't get a close look. I was looking from one of the hills around there to get some mapping data at the time and saw a couple wander out for a second or two. Are you sure she'll be alright alone?"
Tailpin wasn't the type to rush off to someone's rescue on his own. He didn't have the skills or confidence for that. Still, he was all in favor of everyone surviving and making it out of here again, that is... if they wanted out. In any case, if someone had doubts about this Iris's abilities then he would definitely lend his bow to help make sure she was ok. He might not know this group well yet but he had every intention of sticking with them if he could manage it.
Tailpin kept walking at an easy pace as the loot window popped up for the creature he had killed. It only yielded a little money and experience but the fact that he knew a skill now was far more important. The killing of a monster shouldn't be shocking in a rapid spawning field like this one, yet everyone else seemed tense. In fact, they looked more than a little dangerous. He stopped walking. He looked at their readied swords. He stopped smiling and took a step back before answering the male player's questionable greeting.
"I'm not looking for trouble either. That monster was almost close enough to become aggressive and attack on its own and I was hunting anyway." His voice betrayed uncertainty.
Tailpin's eyes ran over the group over and over but kept coming back to the swords. The only reason why they were out was his presence. That was a bad sign. He wouldn't stand a chance against even one competent swordsman never mind two at once. Besides, he was too close, there was barely ten yards between them now. He wouldn't even get two shots off before he was impaled. Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all.
"I can see that I'm... interrupting. I'll be going then." He said with a nervous smile as he took another step back.
"I'm not looking for trouble either. That monster was almost close enough to become aggressive and attack on its own and I was hunting anyway." His voice betrayed uncertainty.
Tailpin's eyes ran over the group over and over but kept coming back to the swords. The only reason why they were out was his presence. That was a bad sign. He wouldn't stand a chance against even one competent swordsman never mind two at once. Besides, he was too close, there was barely ten yards between them now. He wouldn't even get two shots off before he was impaled. Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all.
"I can see that I'm... interrupting. I'll be going then." He said with a nervous smile as he took another step back.
I thought we were starting at the beginning.
Also, is there a set post order? I don't want to shut anybody out.
Also, is there a set post order? I don't want to shut anybody out.
It had been a bad shock. The anticipation, the rush of a few victories that first beautiful day, and then that bloody fragger and his god complex had to go and ruin it all. Still, even with that and how everybody went nuts, Tailpin didn't feel much worse than before. This was still the only place where he would ever walk again. This was the only world where he could run. And, he had run indeed. He'd managed to run almost half of the distance to the next town and back. But, he hadn't spent much time fighting monsters. He was going to kick himself for that later. He looked around and saw all the people with level 2 or 3 gear already and here he was with the only interesting thing on him being the short bow in his hand.
Well, it could always be worse. He could have actually lost that first fight and died. Instead of being reduced to seven hit points by a level one monster. He really did stink at swordplay. This bow was his saving grace. He hadn't missed once and had even killed a couple monsters on his own before they could close the distance. Tailpin was almost sure that he'd learn a bow skill soon. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to attract anyone to party with him. Without an actual skill he wouldn't be able to really get anywhere.
So here he sat on a hill between spawn points waiting for either a good idea or a pretty girl or perhaps a party with an opening to notice him. At his age he really didn't expect any pretty girls in his range but there was still a chance of the other two possibilities. It was in the middle of these thoughts that his idle eyes fell on a girl stretching by a group of other players. They seemed engrossed in conversation. After all, they hadn't noticed the slow and meandering approach of a level one monster through the tall grass. Well, if he jogged he could get in range quickly enough. He was bored and listless anyway.
So he jogged. He didn't look like he was in a particular hurry as he loped along. He didn't look threatening either, all alone as he was. Then he slid to a stop, held his bow at an angle across his body, took aim, drew back an arrow to his ear and tried something new. He twisted the string and it happened at last. The arrow lit up and Tailpin released it. It flew in a swooping arc instead of a straight line and hit the boar type monster in the eye. A critical hit registered and the monster dissolved into sparks. The thirty year old man lowered his bow and breathed a sigh of satisfaction before raising his hand to wave at the party.
Well, it could always be worse. He could have actually lost that first fight and died. Instead of being reduced to seven hit points by a level one monster. He really did stink at swordplay. This bow was his saving grace. He hadn't missed once and had even killed a couple monsters on his own before they could close the distance. Tailpin was almost sure that he'd learn a bow skill soon. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to attract anyone to party with him. Without an actual skill he wouldn't be able to really get anywhere.
So here he sat on a hill between spawn points waiting for either a good idea or a pretty girl or perhaps a party with an opening to notice him. At his age he really didn't expect any pretty girls in his range but there was still a chance of the other two possibilities. It was in the middle of these thoughts that his idle eyes fell on a girl stretching by a group of other players. They seemed engrossed in conversation. After all, they hadn't noticed the slow and meandering approach of a level one monster through the tall grass. Well, if he jogged he could get in range quickly enough. He was bored and listless anyway.
So he jogged. He didn't look like he was in a particular hurry as he loped along. He didn't look threatening either, all alone as he was. Then he slid to a stop, held his bow at an angle across his body, took aim, drew back an arrow to his ear and tried something new. He twisted the string and it happened at last. The arrow lit up and Tailpin released it. It flew in a swooping arc instead of a straight line and hit the boar type monster in the eye. A critical hit registered and the monster dissolved into sparks. The thirty year old man lowered his bow and breathed a sigh of satisfaction before raising his hand to wave at the party.
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