Move Quickly and Help Who He Can

There wasn't enough time to think. Celeste was defenseless and Vincent was close enough to help as well if he moved quickly. Tianna and Greg would have to fend for themselves. Litner Moved quickly, and arrived just as the Slip Jack sprang from the water. Although he was caught off guard, he was still faster than the fish man, dodging the swipe of it's webbed claws and driving the tipped of his scythe into it's chest and ripping upwards. He followed this up by slinging the dying creature into a charging Bog Frog and using the momentum to spin and launch the metal ball on the scythe's chain into the back of the head of another Bog Frog that was clawing at Vincent's shield. The blow didn't kill the monster, but it allowed Vincent enough of an opening to push the monster back and shove his spear into it's gut and finish it.

Celeste shouted her thanks and helped the man she had been tending to his feet. Litner didn't know his name, but could tell from his gear that he was likely a Soldier, another variant of the Fighter class that was a bit of a jack of all trades in terms of attack and defense. It wasn't specialized like the offensive Knight or defensive Guardian, but could easily handle difference situations as needed. The man hefted his small leather shield and a sword and charged the Bog Frog that Litner had slowed with the Slip Jack Corpse. Celeste moved towards the dead man at Vincent's feet and began the revival spell. Knowing she would still need protecting, Litner followed and with Vincent's help, they were able to take down several monsters that tried to take the young woman by surprise. As Celeste and the other Clerics finished their work, the fighting strength of the raid party began to return.

Experienced Adventurers could handle being outnumbered, and the raid party was no different. Each member brought back into fighting shape allowed them to push back the Bog Frog ambush more and more. A few Slip Jacks like the one that Litner had killed tried to attack easy targets, but most were repelled and even a few were killed. Litner managed two more Bog Frogs on his own and assisted with taking down more than five more. Experience points were flowing into the party quickly and several reached a new level during the course of the fight. It seemed as if all was going well and the battle was coming to an end when Greg ran up to Litner and a few of the others that were catching their breath now that they weren't being overran.

"I need help! Tianna was taken by three of the Bog Frogs... There were males..."

A collective groan arose from the Adventurers in earshot. It wasn't often that a situation like this occurred, but it wasn't exactly uncommon. Certain monsters would take humans or other captured monsters as breeding stock, using them to strengthen their race. Instances like this would often result in crossbreeds that would become Variant Monsters that had increased strength or abilities. Tianna being captured wasn't just a blow to the raid party, it was demoralizing for any adventure on the floor. She was one of the highest ranking Adventurers and losing her would be a powerful blow. If she ended up being impregnated, it also could have a high possibility for a Variant to be born.

"That's it, this expedition is doomed," stated a Berserker nearby as he yanked his axe from the corpse of a Frog.

"Not yet! They just took her, there is still time if we track them now," countered Greg.

"We're barely standing as it is," sighed the Soldier that Litner had helped Celeste save.

"We can't just leave her," cried Celeste.

"It would leave a rather unpleasant taste in my mouth to not even try," added Vincent.

A few others voiced their desire to help their leader, but most complained that they needed rest and healing. If something wasn't done, the party would fall apart. Litner looked around at the scene as a cloud of depression seemed to settle on the group. He had no real loyalty to Tianna, and leaving wouldn't hurt his conscience at all. Right?

Litner gained 200 experience from slaying Bog Frogs, 200 experience from slaying a Slip Jack, and 700 partial experience for being part of the battle. Litner grew to level 26! Litner gained 1 Fish Scale and 3 Poison Sacs

Level 26:

XP to next Level: 520

HP:

1800/2000

Gear:

Weapon: Ninja Scythe and chain (Blue Steel)

Extra Weapons: Ninja throwing knives (10 count) (Blue Iron)

Body: Black Hooded Outfit (Green Cloth)

Potions:

Healing Potion: 2 (Heals 500 HP)

Enhancement Potion 2 (Attack increases for 3 attacks)

Food:

Half-Eaten Bread (Restores 5 HP, Relieves some hunger.)

Cooked Lizard Tail (Restores 50 HP and moderate Hunger)

Pasta (Restores 50 HP and moderate Hunger)

Drop Items:

Fish Scale: 1

Poison Sac: 3