Floor 4
Thessalia's eyes darted between the two monsters before her - Crazed Oxen, larger and even more ferocious creatures similar to those found back on Floor 2. They were a lot more dangerous, too - compared to their cousins two floors down, they were stronger, faster and more durable; not even accounting for the fact that they also looked a lot meaner with wicked horns, bulkier builds and titular crazed look about them. Furthermore, the monster density seemed higher, too - it was hard to find a single enemy these days; most of the easier farming spots often being taken up by groups and guilds - it wasn't exactly the easiest thing, staying a solo frontliner. Those thoughts, however, weren't at the fore of Thessalia's mind - much rather, she was watching the Crazed Oxen before here carefully; waiting for the telltale signs of their usual opening move, a highspeed charge with their horns down. And sure enough, just a moment later, the Ox on her right gave a bellowing roar and started its charge.
It covered ground quickly - but even so, it was well withing what Thessalia expected. An instant later, her sword began glowing a faint green - the sword being one she'd bought from and upgraded at a blacksmith that had set up shop on Floor 3; its appearance being similar to her old basic starting curved sword in that it was a longsword with a simple curve to it. It did not take her long to transition from the activation stance into the actual sword skill - sword lifted up at chest height, pointed forward, a quick twist of the wrist brought it into a circular movement that intersected with the onrushing Ox' path - at which point a now familiar flash appeared; stopping both attacks dead in their tracks: A successful Parry; something that she'd had ample opportunity to train these past weeks. However, she didn't stop there - her Sword Skill was a rather basic one; meaning she only remained frozen in the attack's ending stance for a moment.
Rather than use the opportunity to attack the Crazed Oxen that was stunned for a slightly longer time, Thessalia spinned around on her heels; her sword already glowing in a faint orange as she held it point down and off to her right - before bringing it up in a diagonal slash; again to intercept the second Ox' charge as another flash broke the two attacks apart. With their initial attack halted, the two monsters woud soon go into their usual attacking motions - trampling, swinging their horns or far slower, shorter distance charges. Taking a step back, Thessalia's sword took on yet another glow, light blue in color this time, as she prepared her own counter-attack...
A small sigh of relief was the only sound that came from Thessalia's lips as the last Crazed Oxen froze for a second - before bursting into dozens of motes of light; only to fade into nothingness thereafter. Checking the reward screen, she got the expected amount of both Exp and Col - though her rate at which she could kill them couldn't compare to the larger groups', she did at least get to keep all of it for herself; includig the occasional item drop - most of which she sold off anyway. Sheathing her curved sword again, she decided to take a break for the moment - something she'd done with more regularity after the events following the victory over the First Floor Boss. Another sigh - this time more exasperated in nature than before - followed that thought. Getting healed by and even needing to sleep in someone else's room; only to have to explain that it was all due to her own carelessness toward her health had been rather embarassing. Either way, she didn't make all that much contact with the black-haired swordsman from back then - nor anyone else, for that matter.
Despite that, however, it was somewhat difficult to stick with the frontliners for such a long period of time without getting to know some, even if just in passing, courtesy of the boss fights of Floor 2 and 3 as well as the usual grinding spots being the same for most frontliners. Since the disbanding of the Legion of Light, a number of smaller guilds had sprung up; constiting of various players - some simple bands of like-minded individuals, other close-knit groups and others yet again just big groups of strangers. Thesalia, however, had yet to join one - not that she hadn't gotte a few invites, much like every other soloer still among the frontliner, but she still preferred keeping to herself if she could help it. Glancing out over the wide fields around here, she saw a small group fighting half a dozen oxen all at once - probably a small guild out training. She kept her eyes on them for a moment - before turning from them; instead pulling out a healing potion from her pouch and putting it to her lips to bring her health back from barely-entered-red to nearly full again over the next few seconds.
As she made her way towards Floor 4's main town - avoiding any monsters on her way there - she opened her inventory up; glancing over her earning for this training session - before checking on the condition of her equipment. Her sword was getting worn, but was still in good condition - and easily up for another fight or ten. Her Armour, on the other hand, had taken a fair beating - she'd definitely have to get it repaired back in town. Still, it was definitely more durable than her previous set - and offered more protection as well, since she'd chosen to overhaul her whole equipment back on Floor 3 shortly before the Boss Battle; mainly at the behest of a number of incredulous ad-hoc party members for a small local event when they realised that a frontliner was still running around with starting weapons and armour. She didn't regret it, either - though it had cost what she deemed a small fortune - as it allowed her to take longer trips out into the field without the constant need for repairs as before - and the new light metal armour pieces even looked pretty neat, too; the metal plates covering most vital areas having small details along their edges whilst the leather armour beneath still was of a dark brown, almost black colour.
Engrossed in checking both stats and inventory, only sparing a glance to avoid obstacles or monsters, Thessalia took little note of the players she passed on her way to town; neither the two by a stone wall nor the more hidden fellow up in the oak tree. The sound of fighting caused her to look up once - the source of which turned out to be a heavily armed and armoured frontliner, fighting by himself and holding his ground easily despite taking several hits. It took her a moment to realise that the silhouette seemed familiar for some reason - that being that the figure was one of the frontliners' tanks; having served as a veritable wall of steel during the Boss Fights before. Much like expected, he didn't seem to be having much trouble by himself - though just as Thessalia was about to get back on her way, she noticed a faint glow not far behind the two-handed axe-wielder: a teleporting player.
Seemed like the two would have everything under control - prompting Thessalia to carry on and head for town; intent on first finding a blacksmith for repairs and then an Inn for a quick meal.