Peril's Origin - A Magical Girl Quest [Complete]

You consider the situation below, taking note of how laid-back the critters are for now. Four of them, one of you. They are stronger, at least as fast, and more durable than you. Lu did not say anything about their skill, but berserkers usually tend to be sluggers more than anything else.

More importantly however, you have many options and time to consider them.

While your friend circles around the Glibbles a few times, a plan begins to form. Simple but effective, the best kind of plan where you are concerned. "I think I got it. Hold on, Conundrum."

Power surges from your hands where they are grasping Lu's arms, enveloping both on you in a protective shell.

(Conundrum: +1125 Base Boost, +318 dice = 1,443 Total Boost

Damage Block active, Damage Barrier active.)

You dismiss the one on Lu immediately, knowing that it is unnecessary; she will not interfere in the fight. Maybe you can get some help with the bigger creatures running around, one of which you saw earlier, but you are not going to get your hopes up there.

For all her consideration and care, Lu is and always was a brutal trainer.

"Out of curiousity," she asks you after you give her the go ahead to descend, "what are you planning to do?"

You shrug lightly against her grip, mostly out of reflex. Your grin is halfway directed at her, halfway at the now attentive Glibbles below. "If they're berserkers, they will just come at me all at once. So I'm going to use them against each other and cut them up while I'm at it. Maybe they will even start to fight their friends if I get them to hit each other."

She does not comment, but you did not expect her to. At least there is no chastisement for doing something lazy like balling up a bunch of Argent Stars and blasting them all to kingdom come with that. Though it would be funny.

You summon the Handle and turn it into lightsaber mode; that one remains far too convenient not to use. As your blade ignites, the Glibbles begin to growl and tense up, ready to jump for you. Good to know that charging attack of theirs does not work in the air.

(4 enemies in range.
Determined Soldier: Defiance's ApT increased by 1)

"Ready?"

The only answer Lu gets is a light clap against her arm, your focus being solely on the creatures below. She lets go and you start moving immediately, turning yourself before the fall really begins. In this moment, your abdomen cramps up again and makes your usual calm fade into a buzzing annoyance.

Well, good thing you have four targets to take it out on right there.

With one hand still on Lu's arm for that precious second, you get your feet against her stomach easily, then push yourself off with all the force in your legs and a grunt from your friend. "Arcane-"

The Glibble closest to you does not have time to react before you are already next to it and rushing by, almost curling into a ball on the way to solid ground. "-Slash!"

Your lightsaber warps and even though you could use your position to maybe swing for its head, you are not going to risk missing entirely.

(Reaper's Will: +500 Base Damage, +593 dice, +2500 Superslayer, +1200 Arcane Slash, +121 dice = 4,914 Total Damage
Echo: 2; Echo triggers!

Arcane Slash: +1200 Base Damage, +34 dice = 1,234 Total Damage
Echo: 2; Echo triggers!

Arcane Slash: +1200 Base Damage, +156 dice = 1,356 Total Damage
Echo: 1; No Echo

7,504 Unified Damage
Glibble A: +250 Base Resilience, +98 dice = 348 Total Damage reduction

7,156 Final End Damage
(Mythic Might does not trigger because this weapon's blade consists entirely of mana)

Glibble A Health: 12,000 - 7,156 = 4,844
Abrade triggers)

It carries echoes, but you still don't manage to actually make them replicate your lightsaber on their own. That annoys you again while you catch your fall on one hand and turn it into a roll to bleed off momentum. The creature bellows in pain, one of its arms mostly cut by the original strike and cleanly severed by the echo, while also missing an eye from the other echo. Serves it right.

You are already on your feet when the enraged Glibbles finished turning your way, all of them. Instead of running however, they immediately charge.

So you do the sensible thing and let go of your aura; they are not going to flee, so you do not need to waste focus on that. A quick flash of Conundrum's shroud and three sidesteps make the large beasts flail into empty air, falling into a pile of bodies. Droplets of water and mucus splash everywhere, but at least they got out of their pond to fight. One of them was slower than the rest and got itself cut on its friends' spikes.

(One attack of each Glibble negated. Glibble A receives additional Body Damage from allied Catastrophic Damage.

Glibble C lands on B's back and triggers Spinal Spikes.
Glibble C takes (1,200 - 840 Mythic Might = ) 360 damage.

Glibble C Health: 12,000 - 360 = 11,640)

Now that you have a moment to look at them, they are pretty big. Every single one stands taller than you once again. Not that it matters too much.

The one-armed creature screeches in pain and you need a moment to understand why; as the bunch is sorting itself out roughly, each one trying to get back up first, their mucus is getting into the open wounds and starts to melt unprotected flesh.

Now that is cruel. You quickly step forward and aim your lightsaber at that one's head. As much as you came here to kill them, you are not going to make them suffer. A quick stab is all it takes.

(Reaper's Will: +500 Base Damage, +463 dice, +2500 Superslayer, -400 Bad Reach, +1500 Stab The Head, +125 Unstoppable (False) = 4,688 Total Damage
Glibble A: +250 248 Base Resilience, +251 dice, -125 In Pain, -125 Can't Move, -580 Flesh Melting = 331 Extra Damage

5,019 Final End Damage
Glibble A Health: 4,844 - 5,019 = -175
Look, it's barely not animal cruelty!)

You have to overextend, but the blade goes through its tough hide like butter, pure mana unconcerned with something physical like toughness. It's pained roar cuts off and you make to retreat when you feel another making to snap for your arm.

(Amphibious Jaw: +1160 Base Damage, +9 dice, +580 RAGE +290 Opponent Distracted, -290 She Sensed The Attack = 1,749 Total Damage

Attack negated.)

It is too fast, you do not have the time to use your weapon. If it gets your arm, you are in big trouble. So you push out the palm of your free hand and slap it against the creature's jaw, which is thankfully without any mucus.

From there, you push it forward and make its momentum change far enough for this one to crash into one of its friends again, biting down on its spikes while their dead buddy hits the ground.

(Spike Sandwiches are bad for your health; double the usual damage of Spinal Spikes for hitting the inside of the mouth.

2400 Recoil Damage, - 1,680 Mythic Might = 720 Damage
Glibble B Health: 12,000 - 720 = 11,280)

There is a roar of pain and some more screeching going on while you quickly step back from the only one now free; the other two are tangled up again and seem to be shouting at each other. The last one charges straight at you and makes to swing with its large fists.

(Slimy Fists: +1160 Base Damage, +208 dice, +580 RAGE = 1,948 Total Damage

Attack negated, leg negated)

You consider cutting its arm, but this time you can not find a good angle for that without getting sprayed in either blood or that mucus. Which is why you sidestep the attack and swing your lightsaber to cut through the charging creature's leg; its roar cuts off for a moment when it hits the ground, dazzled for an instant while you move up to stab it.

Then you feel the other two opening their maws wide and only have time to turn your head before two fountains of salty water come rushing at you.

(Aqua Jet: +1200 Base Damage, +232 dice = 1,432 Total Damage
Aqua Jet: +1200 Base Damage, +91 dice = 1,291 Total Damage

2,723 Unified Damage
Defiance: +100 Base Resilience, +149 dice, +1443 Conundrum = 1692 Total Damage Reduction

1,031 Total End Damage
Conundrum (-1,443): 0 Final End Damage
No damage from the attack, but there was some mucus in there; Catastrophic Damage hits and does bad things to Heidi's side.)

Conundrum's two shrouds thankfully catch all the water before it can tear you apart, but you quickly learn that they got some of the mucus into their mouths earlier. Your top sizzles and basically melts away all over your right side, a single drop making it onto your skin and burning a small hole into it. the red hot pain joins the cramps flaring through your body.

You ignore it, regain your footing from the surprising attack, and slash for their friend on the ground with a quick step forward. Instead of being disoriented or shocked from pain however, your target moves past it just like you did and surges its magic for a burst of speed. Then the Glibble slides toward you on its belly, only being caught on your lightsaber because it was already pointed at the creature.

(Slimy Fists: +1160 Total Damage, +287 dice, +580 RAGE, +580 Ramming Speed, -1,304 Vorpal = 1303 Total Damage
Mythic Might (+70%): 2,215 Total Damage
Intercept
Reaper's Will: +500 Base Damage, +418 dice, +2500 Superslayer, -250 Too Fast To React, +1584 Vorpal = 4,752 Total Damage

2,537 Difference, Reaper's Will wins!
Fists are carved right through.

Reaper's Will: +2537 Intercept Damage, +75 dice, +2500 Superslayer, -250 Too Fast To React = 4,862 Total Damage
Glibble C: +250 Base Resilience, +171 dice, -250 Charged The Blade, -5000 All The Way Through = 4829 Extra Damage

9,691 Final End Damage
Glibble C Health: 11,640 - 9,691 = 1,949
Abrade triggers)

The time between the beginning of its charge and your sense picking up on it is basically nonexistent. Yet its fist is effortlessly parted by your mana blade, the body behind the charge practically running itself through a chainsaw with its own momentum. A screech of rage and pain can be heard far and wide, even before the two separate parts hit the ground. Blood and mucus sprinkle everything, the latter burning more holes into your clothes and scrubbing off your skin in places; some of it even eats into your flesh

(Defiance takes 50 damage and various minor injuries

Defiance Health: 900 - 50 = 850)

You can feel the other two rearing up to get back into the fight, feel yourself too slow to react. So you seal your scythe, the consumed mana giving you a burst of speed that allows you to turn and meet the next charge easily.

(Stygian Tempest sealed, ApT reset)
(Slimy Fists: +1160 Base Damage, +201 dice, +580 RAGE = 1,941 Total Damage
Slimy Fists: +1160 Base Damage, +201 dice, +580 RAGE = 1,941 Total Damage

Attacks negated. Glibble B and D are on the ground.)

This is not really going as intended, but you can help out a little on that end. The lightsaber's handle crashes into the first Glibble's head and directs it sideways, then you step in that direction to evade the other one's lunge. Now they are more or less to opposite sides of you; Lu would normally scold you for letting your enemies spread out, but it is fine this time.

They do not have the presence of mind to abuse the position, after all.

One creature does not get up as fast, so you form some magic in your fingertips to trip the other before it can actually move for you again; a thin beam of mana lances out to pull its leg back, sending the Glibble crashing back into the sizzling ground.

(Glibble D negated before it could actually start an attack)

Now that you have a moment to look at it, the whole area around you is pockmarked with sizzling spots; grass and earth melted away somewhat and forming something between goo and swamp, making the place looking like it is sick.

They are both on the ground, so you take a moment to breathe, feel the adrenaline surging through your veins, and then charge the one in front of you. It does not have time to react to your boosted speed, the surge of magic even flowing into your strike somewhat.

(Reaper's Will: +500 Base Damage, +690 dice, +2500 Superslayer = 3,690 Total Damage
Glibble D: +250 Base Resilience, +238 dice, -125 Just Got Tripped = 363 Total Damage Reduction

3,327 Final End Damage

Glibble D Health: 12,000 - 3,327 = 8,673
Glibble D lost a hand.
Abrade triggers)

Your previous mistake is still clear in your mind; no overextending to go for the head. Even if it might work, you force yourself to play it safe by cutting off its right hand and retreating.

Technically, you could keep going before it gets back up, but then you would get out of position again.

(Turn 1 over

Blood Soaked Cross would trigger now, but Lu is holding it back.)

It does not take longer than a second for both Glibbles to get back to their feet and charge at you while roaring. All the wildlife probably fled by this point.

You wait for them to come at you, tearing the ground with their feet and throwing up loose earth. Closer, closer still, only then do you leap up and clear of both creatures; their own momentum carries their fists into each other right as you pull your feet out of their way.

(Glibbles hit each other.

Slimy Fists: +1160 Total Damage, +251 dice, + 580 RAGE = 1,991 Total Damage
Mythic Might (+70%): 3,384 Total Damage
Glibble B: +250 Base Resilience, +246 dice, -50 Confusion = 446 Total Damage Reduction

Slimy Fists: +1160 Total Damage, +180 dice, + 580 RAGE = 1,920 Total Damage
Mythic Might (+70%): 3,264 Total Damage
Glibble D: +250 248 Base Resilience, +33 dice, -50 Confusion = 231 Total Damage Reduction

Glibble B takes (2,938 - 2056 Mythic Might = ) 882 Final End Damage
Glibble D takes (3,033 - 2,123 Mythic Might = ) 910 Final End Damage

Glibble B Health: 11,280 - 882 = 10,398
Glibble D Health: 8,673 - 910 = 7,763)

They slug each other somewhat harshly, but there is little visible damage aside from some wet noise as their fists fail to cave in the other's flesh. You spend the split-second in the air wondering if that is their physical prowess.

Then you come back down, interrupting a potential brawl between berserkers by necessity. A heel digs into the sharp tip of the one-handed Glibble's back spikes and you balance yourself without any trouble, sinking in a little as your weight pushes the heel down. "Arcane Slash!"

Your swing warps once again, the blade lancing right into the creature before it can throw you off.

(Reaper's Will: +500 Base Damage, +653 dice, +2500 Superslayer, +1200 Arcane Slash, +155 dice, +850 In Their Blindspot = 5,858 Total Damage
Echo: 2; Echo triggers!

Arcane Slash: +1200 Base Damage, +100 dice = 1,300 Total Damage
Echo: 2; Echo triggers!

Arcane Slash: +1200 Base Damage, +191 dice = 1,391 Total Damage
Echo: 1; No Echo

8,949 Unified Damage
Glibble D: +250 Base Resilience, +290 dice = 540 Total Damage Reduction

8,029 Final End Damage

Glibble D Health: 7,763 - 8,029 = -266
Only two enemies left. Bonus ApT back to 0.)

Again it echoes twice; where your initial strike tore a deep gouge into the creature's back, the two that follow sever its spine and make it drop to the ground, dead.

You allow yourself a grin as it falls, right before feeling another open its mouth to spray water your way; due to your position falling however, you can just barely lean over backward to dodge; the stream shoots right overhead and tickles the shroud over your belly. You flash that for good measure to cover your fall from the dead Glibble.

It turns out a single heel can not support that much weight when distributed horizontally... or maybe this is because it was already damaged by the spike. You turn the fall into a roll and get to your feet, eyeing the battlefield.

Surprisingly, the one who you thought killed itself by charging your lightsaber is still alive. A third of its body was chopped off over the whole length and the other leg is gone from your earlier strike, but it still grunts and bellows and rages to keep fighting you on but a single arm.

Now you are a little sad that you have to kill them for food. That here seems to be your spirit animal.

But needs must, these are not the only Glibbles in the world. Their eyes clear from the blinding light and you decide to finish off the barely living one first.

A few quick steps carry you to its armless side, the other one right after you, but your target shoves itself off the ground, spinning in mid-air to get a hand your way. No way out without being caught by the other Glibble, so you lean back and turn your run into a slide, going through below the airborne creature; its fist slams right into its friend's open mouth.

(Slimy Fist: +1160 Base Damage, +273 dice, +1160 Furious Death Throes, -290 Severely Crippled = 2,303 Total Damage
Mythic Might (+70%): 3,915 Total Damage
Glibble B: +250 Base Resilience, +100 dice, -100 Eating Fists = 250 Total Damage Reduction

3665 Total End Damage - 2565 Mythic Might
1,100 Final End Damage

Glibble B Health: 10,398 - 1,100 = 9,298

Defiance takes 50 damage from flying mucus
Defiance Health: 850 - 50 = 800)

Droplets of mucus destroy more of your clothes and tear bloody holes into the flesh beneath, but you bear it and carry on below the monster.

There is another roar and you quickly push yourself back to your feet, finding one Glibble reeling from the punch while the other slams into the ground with a wet thud, followed by pounding it in impotent rage, spreading more mucus that melts away the grass and the earth.

You use that moment of distraction to slip closer and cut off its head.

(Reaper's Will: +500 Base Damage, +367 dice, +2500 Superslayer, +500 Execution = 3,867 Total Damage
Glibble C: +250 248 Base Resilience, + 282 dice, -10 Distracted = 520 Total Damage Reduction

3,347 Final End Damage
Glibble C Health: 1,949 - 3,347 = -1,398)

You make sure to aim for the neck properly, take the moment to adjust your stance, and then place a single swing to end the battered creature. It falls still immediately, leaving only a single Glibble to oppose you.

Instead of taking in the situation however, the last one immediately charges back at you, stomping over its friend's body without hesitation. It bellows in challenge, the only one left and the only one you yourself have not attacked yet. It took some damage from the other Glibbles, though.

(Slimy Fists: +1160 Base Damage, +8 dice, +580 RAGE = 1,748 Total Damage

Attack Negated
Stardust Striker sealed, ApT reset.)

You take the opportunity that presents itself, deflecting the creature's fist upward with a tap of the saber's handle and consuming your regular sword for speed. The mana surges through you with a roar to match the monster.

Yet the Glibble immediately springs forward to crush you under its weight. Now that you are faster though, you can dart around its bulk in time. You deliver a nasty slash to its flank on the way.

(Glibble B's attack negated

Reaper's Will: +500 Base Damage, +690 dice, +2500 Superslayer = 3,690 Total Damage
Glibble B: +250 Base Resilience, +170 dice, -100 Wide Open = 320 Total Damage Reduction

3,370 Final End Damage
Glibble B Health: 9,298 - 3,370 = 5,928)

The gouge is deep and, although cauterised, obviously a great bit of damage. Your last opponent crumbles to the ground for a moment, but you can already see its muscles tensing to bring it back up. Right now however, there is an opportunity to end the fight.

So you seize it, without hesitation.

Eyes narrowed, you dash forward with all the speed you have, kick the Glibble's face as hard as you can to disorient it, and then slash over it twice while balancing on your other foot.

(Reaper's Will: +500 Base Damage, + 458 dice, +2500 Superslayer = 3,458 Total Damage
Reaper's Will: +500 Base Damage, +432 dice, +2500 Superslayer = 3,432 Total Damage

6,890 Unified Damage
Glibble B: +250 Base Resilience, +262 dice, -50 Disoriented, -125 To the Face = 337 Total Damage Reduction

6,553 Final End Damage
Glibble B Health: 5,928 - 6,553 = -625)

You hit the brain spot-on and slice it in three with a flourish.

Moments passes as the echo of their bellowing stops ringing in your ears; all is quiet aside from the everpresent thrum of mana in the air. No insects, no small critters, nothing. You take a deep breath as your sore foot returns to the ground, then turn off your weapon. It takes a little bit to become aware of how much your injuries burn.

A look down shows that you have bloodsmears all over you, courtesy of the finger-sized holes in your stomach, side, right leg, and right arm. Most of your outfit has been disintegrated by that acidic mucus, the rest being basically scraps of your jacket, one sleeve, and your skirt hanging on by the unmarred cloth on your back. Great.

(Blood Soaked Cross: Defiance's Health reset to full)

Then Lu's dark power rolls over you and soothes your body for the shortest moment; it is not particularly gentle like Maya's healing power, but it closes the wounds and that is enough. Bloodstains remain where you were injured before and you can see two previously deep holes indicated by pale scar tissue. One looks like a teardrop, right above your belly button, the other is a jagged egg on your right bicep.

The unholy choir Lu's magic produces to your ears becomes a little louder and you stop the self-examination to turn her way. She was watching the whole time, but now she makes a bit of a show out of looking over the corpses.

"They fight as I remember, without thought or hesitation or self-preservation," your friend starts calmly. Only then does she return your gaze, offering a congratulatory nod. "Well done. You did better than I expected you would."

Her eyes strain downward from your face for a moment, long enough for you to notice and narrow your own. "Something the matter?" You do not bother hiding the grumpy tone; you know you are basically half-naked right now, but you really can not be bothered to do anything except wind down and breathe until you feel like moving again; the newly grown skin is still tender.

"Interesting change in style," your friend merely comments, merrily ignoring your gritted teeth. "It might even be alluring without all that blood. Then again, could it be you are practicing to seduce that trooper? I doubt you need that much effort for him."

At this point, she fishes your ballistic lightsaber out of the air without any trouble. You did not even notice you threw it until after the fact; Lu grins while you turn away from her, face red from a mix of anger and embarassment.

You catch your weapon without really looking a moment later, then dismiss it. Lu eyes you critically, then leans closer to look over the freshly healed wounds. "Some of them scarred. My bad."

You just wave her off, then run a hand over the teardrop thoughtfully. "It's not a problem, just... weird. These are the first scars I got at all, I don't get hit all that often and the rest was healed just fine."

Scars were never really something you thought of. With Maya nearby, you never even considered ever having one. Now you have two; small ones, but they are there.

The weirdest part of it is that you do not even mind them much.


The rest of the day is full of work; first you help Lu secure the carcasses and transport them. Technically, Lu transports them. You are not strong enough for that, so you mainly wait back at base to immediately put the parts she brings into the freezer.

Then she has you fight another pair of Glibbles the following day, to similar results but no further scars. Just finding these took some time, though. Include into that the transportation and everything, you do not get anything else done that day either. The third day, you just take off to kick back and relax for a while. At least your cramps finally go away and leave you free of pain for a few blessed hours.

The day after that is when you actually get back to focus on your meditations while Lu prepares food nearby. The cooler air within your shelter helps you concentrate.

There is even some progress, though sadly not on what you want to progress on. You now figured out a more or less consistent way of altering Arcane Slash so its echoes copy your weapon once they go. Problem is that you need to focus on it entirely in order to make it happen and it takes too long to prepare in combat. But you have a start.

In regard to Voyage, you have at least figured out what is going on. It is a cipher. However one can encrypt sensations and stray thoughts, your magic does it. Magic. From the impressions you gather, this cipher apparently makes it so you appear legitimate whenever anyone or anything checks if you are supposed to have some of your more powerful stuff.

Sadly, it is not one of the fun substitution ciphers your father told you about, where each letter is replaced with another letter. This is something incredibly complicated that you will not crack in years.

Which means you have to try it the other way and convince your power to stop giving you the encrypted returns after all. No progress on that end yet.

Like this, another week comes to an end.

-------------

Food: 17
Completed Practice: 9 / 60


[] Plan for the week
-[] Action 1
-[] Action 2
-[] Action 3


[] EXP-Plan
-[] Write-in what to buy
-[] Save it


+300xp Killed 6 Glibbles
+100xp Victory up Close
+5xp Found Your Spirit Animal
+10xp Got Your First Scar(s)

EXP gained: 415
Total EXP: 886


As before, a trophy for victory:

Glibbles

​

Stats

Health: 12,000
Base Damage: 1,160
Base Resilience: 250
Magic Modifier: 300

Affinity: Sea

Weapon

Slimy Fists
Level 8
Attacks Per Turn: 4
Affinities: Sea
Ability: Catastrophic Damage | Batter


Amphibious Jaw
Level 5
Attacks Per Turn: 2
Affinities: Sea
Ability: Auto-Grapple

Spells

Aqua Jet
Level 12
Base Damage: 1,200
Magic Modifier: 300
Affinity: Sea
Ability: Knockback | Juggernaut

Abilities

Mythic Might
-Physical damage dealt is increased by 70%, and physical damage taken is reduced by 70%.

Spinal Spikes
-Enemies attacking the Glibbles' back without sufficient reach receive 10% of their max Health in recoil damage.

Slippery Slide
-Glibbles may sacrifice an action to immediately close into melee range over a distance of up to 150m.

No Escape
-If an enemy disengages from a grapple, Glibbles may cast Aqua Jet against them for free at tripled damage.