Complete Isulus But I always wake up

[Jin]

3 / 3

Under normal circumstances, he would have declined. The less he showed what he was capable of, the fewer people would take an interest in him. While he seemed shady simply by appearance, Jin knew that was hardly enough for gamers to call him to question. The skulking archetype was hardly uncommon in RPG style games. Rogues and the like were effective damage dealers; so simply by playing the part of a mainstay commodity, he blended perfectly into his surroundings.

But that was boring. In small doses, lying about his abilities was tolerable because it usually led him to see or experience things that made it a fulfilling venture. For the past several days, they had only walked and ridden at length, with no more than a short conversation to break up the monotony. When someone mentioned the idea of facing one another in combat, he had a mind to watch.

Ultimately, simply watching also proved boring.

When it came time for a fight to finish, the excitement ebbed quickly away and left him feeling unfulfilled. Now, when the woman with ears like a rabbit approached him about trying his hand, the Bloodsworn was admittedly starving for the opportunity. There were rules of course. Neither one of them could land a killing blow, and they would stop well short of anything lethal or potentially dangerous. It was a friendly test of skill, albeit with grotesque stakes.

Watching the poor woman gobble down part of one of their dismembered enemies? Certainly not an opportunity to be wasted. In the worst case scenario, he might have to take a mouthful himself. An acceptable risk.

Jin drew his katana slowly and dropped low into a stance with the blade parallel to eye level. "Shall we test your reflexes?" he jeered with a chuckle as his body seemed to flicker in and out for a moment. His speed was hardly equal to someone who specialized in that area, but bursts of movement were basic foundations for swordsmanship. With a single step, the dark figure severed the distance between himself and @Toko , probing her defenses with his weapon.

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (7) + 10 + 5 = 22
22 damage
Hemomancy | Jin | 706

Play Sheet Link

 

[Toko]

3 / 3

.

Perhaps she had become boldened after two back-to-back wins, or perhaps it had just been a random whim, but shortly after returning to the makeshift stands from where others watched the action unfold the Lepus had been compelled to message another particularly dark and broody type. He wasn't a stranger per se, not after that time in Honeyhome that had also involved a very vocal batfolk but Toko couldn't say she had actually kept much touch with the man since the adventure either.

"I didn't think you'd accept the invitation to a friendly match~"

She had stepped into the ring after receiving the confirmation in her UI, an excited look on her face as Toko pondered what new fighting style Jin would present her with. This had been, after all, a very good opportunity to test out her skills and come up with new ways to handle unexpected circumstances... and even the thought of trying some of the Myconid's arm actually caused the Lepus a certain level of intrigue.

"No take-backsies once we start, ookeei?"

A katana huh? The familiar blade design caused Toko to grin involuntarily, she had always admired the craftmanship that went to forging a good blade in her country, and wasn't a stranger when it came to diving deep into the YouTube rabbit hole late at night... at least until she had discovered TerraSphere 2, of course.

Earth was summoned in preparation towards her forearms and shins before Toko blinked in confusion upon noticing that Jin's figure seemed to be... flickering? She even took a moment to rub her eyes, just to make sure it wasn't her vision being funny. "Nani...? Ah, shimatta!" Suddenly the human was already within her personal space, Toko barely able to react as she lifted both arms to parry the incoming blow, before the beastfolk jumped back to make some space between them again.

"Bikkuri da yo! You're really fast, Jin-san..." The grin widened into a toothy smile of excitement as the Lepus readied herself, springing forth towards Jin for a strike before she sidestepped at the last second—trying to land a surprise side kick onto her opponent. "Let me test your reflexes too, then!"

Roll Summary
1d100 (8) + 20 + 10 = 38
Success!
Martial Arts | Toko vs Jin | Parry

1d100 (67) + 20 + 10 = 97
Martial Arts | Toko vs Jin | Attack

@Jin

 

[Jin]

3 / 3

"I would be much obliged if you did."

The woman responded with quick and decisive action, a stark contrast to her seemingly lighthearted and carefree attitude. She managed to stop the first attack, then brought a second to bear. Jin slammed his blade back into its sheath in response, holding the blunt object out between them. The sheath caught the blow and sent a violent vibration down his arms. His body shuddered as it displaced the kinetic force.

He smirked.

The woman hit hard, perhaps harder than any of the creatures he'd fought in this world. The allure of Player Combat had always enticed him: Travelers were an untapped resource for fun. He wouldn't dream of backing out on a challenge he'd secretly relished since his first few minutes in Terrasphere.

In a duel setting, swordsmen might reset after a stalemate. Jin did not afford the Martial Artist that luxury. She was lightning quick, and could exploit any opening he gave. He batted the extended leg aside with the sheath before she could withdraw it, and a short, quick step with his rear leg dropped his body low.

Jin withdrew the blade again, twisting his body through to attempt a reversed iaijutsu- the Tsubame-gaeshi technique.

Rolls

1d100 (85) + 10 + 5 = 100
Hemomancy | Jin | Parry

1d100 (80) + 10 + 5 = 95
Hemomancy | Jin | Attack

Play Sheet Link

@Toko

 

[Toko]

2 / 3

.

This was exhilarating... Toko hadn't been sure what to expected when she had issued the challenge, but when Jin managed to parry her kick a wide and excited toothy smile pulled at her lips. "You're actually pretty good, huh?" The words were barely out when the human was already following up with another move, barely giving the rabbitfolk time to think.

She only managed to lift her forearms enough before the blade began slashing through them continously, the Lepus grunting as some of the protective natural armor flaked away and cuts soon peppered her skin... but even through the pain was there Toko's smile never faltered.

If Jin wasn't going to give Toko time to think then she, too, was going to respond in kind. Her guard hadn't even been lowered when the Lepus pivoted on her leg, attempting to deliver a roundhouse kick in return followed by a flurry of punches.

Roll Summary
1d100 (37) + 20 + 10 = 67
Failure! -1 LP
Martial Arts | Toko vs Jin | Parry

1d100 (43) + 20 + 10 = 73
Martial Arts | Toko vs Jin | Attack

@Jin

 

[Jin]

2 / 3

She was just a hair faster.

His attack cleaved her arms and was rebuffed by her earthen defenses. Still, it whittled away at her, whether he saw results or not. Her attack ripped into his defenses, getting behind his guard and sending him reeling backward. The impacts sent pain lancing through his torso as he doubled over, sliding down to one knee.

"Was that in question?"

Instead of anger or frustration, however, his expression was an even broader smile. The malice and amusement radiated off him as he ground to a halt, balancing himself. The Bloodsworn brought his weapon up into a high guard. A small trickle of blood spewed from the corner of his lips as he relished the violence.

This time, the flicker was elongated as he wavered out of sight and brought a flurry of blows raining down on the Lepus.

Blow for blow, blood for blood.

Rolls

1d100 (54) + 10 + 5 = 69
69 damage
Parry | Jin | 706

1d100 (71) + 10 + 5 = 86
86 damage
Attack | Jin | 706

Play Sheet Link

@Toko

 

[Toko]

2 / 3

.

"I'll change it to a statement if you can beat me~"

She had been somewhat unsure about the man before, but as the fight progressed the Lepus had to admit she was really enjoying their spar. There was no malice in Toko's face, however the excitement was almost palpable as it radiated from the rabbitfolk...

"That trick isn't working twice...!"

She had been fixating her gaze on the katana Jin carried, quietly gathering magical energy as the Lepus walked around the ring. She made sure to keep the right ear out of sight, attempting to conceal the way the amethyst stone on it glowed in response to the astral magic within. The moment he reappeared Toko was ready, creating a gravitational fiel around her arms that would imbalance Jin's strike just enough so it missed the Lepus.

"Haiyaaah!"

Not one to waste an opportunity Toko attempted another side kick at the human.

Roll Summary
1d100 (71) + 20 + 10 = 101
Success!
Martial Arts | Toko vs Jin | Parry

1d100 (41) + 20 + 10 = 71
Martial Arts | Toko vs Jin | Attack

@Jin

 

[Jin]

2 / 3

"Trick, eh?" he smirked mirthlessly as the Beastwoman stopped his attack by creating a field that disrupted the trajectory of his attacks. Some manner of magnetic trickey, perhaps? "Funny that you would chose that word in particular."

He spun out of his strikes and into a low stance, sheathing his blade once more to intercept the subsequent kick with which she belted out at him. "Quite interesting indeed..."

Jin drew quickly, smashing in the direction of his opponent's face with the tsuka of his katana rather than the blade- a cheap shot, perhaps, but a nosebleed at best, or something harder than a fist at worst flying in the face of the Lepus would serve as an adequate distraction.

This had dragged on longer than he expected, and so, Jin resolved to stop playing with honorable techniques and allow the nastiest tricks available to him to bleed into their encounter.

"Think fast...!"

Rolls

1d100 (65) + 10 + 5 = 80
80
Parry | Jin | 706

1d100 (12) + 10 + 5 = 27
27
Attack | Jin | 706

Play Sheet Link

@Toko

 

[Toko]

2 / 3

.

"Well, tricks can be fun after all—whoa!"

Toko barely managed to react in time, a hand raising to physically parry away the butt of the tsuka that had been aiming for her face. There was a wide grin on her face however, Jin's latest move had brought him quite close to the Lepus, before Toko stomped a foot onto the ground.

"Besides, I also have a few tricks of my own~"

It caused vines to errupt as they attempted to ensnare around the man's legs, before the fighter capitalized on the distraction to throw a right hook in the man's direction. His fighting was certainly different to the usual practice bouts Toko shared with Alonso, but a part of the rabbit actually welcomed the new challenge for it meant she could learn—and eventually adapt to—more styles of close combat.

"Don't forget, loser has to chow down on some Myconid's flesh."

Roll Summary
1d100 (67) + 20 + 10 = 97
Success!
Martial Arts | Toko vs Jin | Parry

1d100 (85) + 20 + 10 = 115
Martial Arts | Toko vs Jin | Attack

@Jin

 

[Jin]

1 / 3

His katana snapped out, but the tsuka claimed no blood.

Jin sighed.

The Bloodsworn's first attack had been a success. He had claimed first blood... and everything that followed seemed to quickly become a chore. Whether it was because the Lepus went on the defensive and her attacks became more reserved, more telegraphed, he could not say; but what he did know was that the contest had become tedious. Jin despised tedium.

He clicked his tongue as the vines wrapped around his leg. There was little point in trying to fight or move. It was like stun locking in other PvP scenarios, robbing the opponent of the ability to even play the game. He had to sit there and watch his HP slowly drop. The ennui clouded his eyes. His expression became one that lacked any kind of feeling.

This wasn't a back and forth. It wasn't a dance. He wasn't even a part of the equation, unless the part was "training dummy." When the attack struck him, he made no move to defend against it. Instead, he returned the sheath to his waist and let his arms rest at his sides.

"Don't forget, loser has to chow down on some Myconid's flesh."

"Actually, I had forgotten about that," he folded his hands into the shadows of his cloak and closed his eyes. "That sounds enticing, so I think I will give it a try."

When given a choice between monotony and thrill, Jin had to choose the option that tested his boundaries. A risk that he might suffer, or that nothing at all might change. Even if the latter chanced to happen, and all he got stuck with was a disgusting flavor in his mouth for several days...

He smiled.

After all, Jin did not want to stand out. He did not want to be remembered. If he defeated Toko here by some strange chance, it would run counterintuitive to his designs. That could not be allowed to happen.

"Lets call this one your victory," his eyes were closed, which made him look almost disarmingly gentle.

Almost.

Rolls

1d100 (34) + 10 + 5 = 49
49 damage
Hemomancy | Jin | Parry

1d100 (1) + 10 + 5 = 16 (Critical Failure!)
16 damage
Hemomancy | Jin | Attack

Play Sheet Link

@Toko

 

[Toko]

2 / 3

.

She noticed the change in her opponent, but it was too late to stop the momentum of Toko's latest attack as she clocked Jin. A frown now formed in her features as the rabbitfolk jumped back to create some distance between them, and after a few moments of no reaction the Lepus even dropped the magical vines that had been hanging on to Jin's foot.

"What, you're gonna give up and quit just like that?" She wasn't happy about this, nor did she enjoy the bitter taste this was leaving in her mouth. "Never would've thought you were the boring type."

Toko's arms crossed across her chest, a pout on her lips as she looked back at the blade wielding hemomancer.

"To think I was excited when you pulled out a katana... you should change it for a different sword, at least that way you wont dishonor real samurai."

Taunt...?
Toko willingly skips her turn.

@Jin

 

[Jin]

1 / 3

"Boredom is a relative metric," the Bloodsworn waved a hand dismissively, his smile returning in small increments. It was better that others think less of him, or nothing at all even. If they underestimated or doubted his potential, he had the element of surprise on his side. Showing his hand at all in this fight brought with it the significant risk of others noticing him. He had almost allowed himself to let his enjoyment outweigh his freedom.

It would not happen again.

"And a fickle one, at that," he added as she backed off and crossed her arms. He glanced out of one eye at her, a sidelong gaze that allowed him to keep one half of his body out of sight. That side was where his katana rested, sheathed at his hip. A Samurai who kept his blade on the opposite side of his body from others' blades did not intend to duel them. The more contentious of them wore them so that their hilts would cross, which meant immediate, mandated conflict.

He had changed sides, pointedly.

"Ronin," he corrected with a finger in the air, "a sword does not make a Samurai. The vows do." Jin winked at her. "I don't have any of those. Oh- except one, I guess," he started to walk toward the wagon where the dismembered arm waited, with several bites already taken out of it. Jin lifted it, closed his eyes, and with a massive grin-

He took an immense bite.

Play Sheet Link

@Toko

 

[Toko]

2 / 3

.

There was a snort as the rabbit watched Jin's movements, keenly aware of the moment the man shifted his stance enough so the sheathed blade wasn't even facing the fighter that waited for him. Her foot tapped the ground impatiently, eyes narrowed as the hemomancer continued his speech.

One thing was very clear, however, he was done fighting... and the Lepus wasn't into beating unarmed opponents into the ground, much less an opponent that had given up before all avenues had been explored. For a moment she watched as Jin took steps towards the wagon where the dismembered arm awaited the losers. A soft "Tch!" escaping her lips, before her steps began to carry her towards Jin and the wagon too. She waited until it was on his hands, the Hemomancer taking a rather sizeable chunk of the flesh into his mouth, before the Lepus stood across from him.

The arm was big enough for more than one person and, without any hesitation, Toko grabbed onto the dangling forearm and taking an equally immense bite out of it too.

Took the L along with Jin, taking a bite of that Myconid's arm too.

@Jin