I had no intention of pushing the boundaries any further, tempting as it may be, by repeatedly embracing the cold grip of death. My quest for titles had already yielded the rewards I yearned for, and they surpassed even my wildest expectations. Despite the agonizing series of deaths that preceded my triumphant acquisition, I was left utterly content.
As I returned to my mundane attire, my mind began to stir with curiosity. Could the newfound titles I had acquired have altered the very essence of the standard equipment I had received at the outset of this journey? It was a tantalizing thought, one that sent a shiver of excitement down my spine. Eager to uncover these potential changes, I eagerly delved into my inventory, meticulously scrutinizing every piece of armor in my possession.
Perhaps there are some surprises waiting for me to discover.
---------
[Beginner Hood]
Type: Head Equipment
Rarity: Normal Tier
Equippable at Level 0
Equippable by: All Classes
Stats:
END: 3
INT: 1
Note: "As I lifted this humble hood, a sense of anticipation washed over me. It was a symbol of the countless journeys that had begun just like mine. Its simple design hid a world of potential, for even the most basic of beginnings can lead to extraordinary adventures."
-from an adventurer who is consoling himself that this piece of gear is legendary after being scammed by a wandering trader.
Durability: 100/100
-------
[Beginner Shirt]
Type: Upper Body Equipment
Rarity: Normal Tier
Equippable at Level 0
Equippable by: All Classes
Stats:
END: 5
AGI: 1
Note: "The fabric of this shirt felt comforting against my skin, a shield against the uncertainties that awaited. It was a testament to the resilience of novice adventurers, who dared to venture forth with nothing but their determination."
-from an adventurer who is consoling himself that this piece of gear is legendary after being scammed by a wandering trader.
Durability: 100/100
---------
[Beginner Pants]
Type: Lower Body Equipment
Rarity: Normal Tier
Equippable at Level 0
Equippable by: All Classes
Stats:
END: 3
AGI: 5
Note: "Slipping into these pants, I felt a newfound agility, as if I were ready to dance through the challenges that lay ahead. They may be 'basic' to some, but to me, they were a symbol of my readiness to embark on a grand quest."
-from an adventurer who is consoling himself that this piece of gear is legendary after being scammed by a wandering trader.
-------
Durability: 100/100
[Beginner Shoes]
Type: Shoe Equipment
Rarity: Normal Tier
Equippable at Level 0
Equippable by: All Classes
Stats:
AGI: 5
Note: "These shoes, though 'basic,' were my first steps towards a world of boundless possibilities. As I laced them up, I could almost hear the echoes of countless adventurers who had once stood where I did, their dreams carried by the same sturdy soles."
-from an adventurer who is consoling himself that this piece of gear is legendary after being scammed by a wandering trader.
Durability: 100/100
---------
[Beginner Gloves]
Type: Gloves Equipment
Rarity: Normal Tier
Equippable at Level 0
Equippable by: All Classes
Stats:
DEX: 5
Note: "The gloves slid onto my hands with a reassuring snugness. In their simplicity, they whispered tales of dexterity and precision, virtues that every adventurer must possess. I may be a beginner now, but these gloves were my promise of becoming a master."
-from an adventurer who is consoling himself that this piece of gear is legendary after being scammed by a wandering trader.
Durability: 100/100
-----------
Tch, there are no changes. My disappointment is immeasurable, and my day is ruined. So much for expectations; they didn't change a bit.
...
After donning all my new gear, I opened my stats panel and allocated my attribute points. With only 10 AP to spend, I had no choice but to distribute them evenly across all attributes to maintain balance. It was a bit frustrating, seeing how other classes specialized in one stat, but as a member of the Versatile Class, balance was my creed. I'd have to work hard to earn additional AP through quests and achievements if I ever wanted to specialize.
Each class had its unique build, and the Versatile Class was all about equilibrium. My starting 10 AP were evenly spread across all stats, resulting in each one being at 7. But with my new equipment, the balance had shifted, and the stats were no longer uniform. They were beginning to tell the story of my journey, one step at a time.
-----
Name: Bladeheart
Level 0
Experience: 0/1000
Health Points (HP): 1400/1400
Mana Points (MP): 400/400
Attributes:
Strength (STR): Very Poor
[AP Bar: 7/100]
Agility (AGI): Very Poor
[AP Bar: 18/100]
Dexterity (DEX): Very Poor
[AP Bar: 12/100]
Endurance (END): Very Poor
[AP Bar: 18/100]
Intelligence (INT): Very Poor
[AP Bar: 8/100]
AP left to spend: 0
Title: Memento Mori
Skills: None (yet)
SP left to spend: 50
Equipment:
Head: Beginner Hood
Upper Body: Beginner Shirt
Lower Body: Beginner Pants
Shoes: Beginner Boots
Gloves: Beginner Gloves
Necklace: None
Left Arm: None
Right Arm: None
Ring: None
Weapon: None
-------
If I were to strip away all my armor, my stats would revert to their base figures, as these stats are solely a result of armor bonuses, not permanent enhancements. The only way to make these changes lasting is by investing in Attribute Points (AP).
The alterations in my HP and MP are directly tied to my investment in AP. This transformation is primarily influenced by two key attributes: END (Endurance) and INT (Intelligence). END, or Endurance, has a direct impact on both my defense and HP. With every 2 AP points invested in END, my maximum HP increases by 200. As for the defensive boost, it's not immediately apparent since it's an invisible stat, only manifesting when I'm attacked. However, a higher END stat equates to greater tankiness. With a 13 AP increase, excluding the initial 5 AP, the improvement is substantial.
Concerning my MP, each 2 AP invested in INT results in a 100-point increase in mana. This increment might seem less significant compared to the END stat, but there's a general principle at play here: your MP cannot surpass your HP unless you neglect to invest in END and focus more on boosting INT.
The INT stat holds a secret power, Magic Power. Just like your defense, the higher your INT, the more destructive your magic spells become.
Understanding these stats might seem daunting at first, but once you grasp the basics, it becomes quite straightforward. However, I wasn't entirely content with my current setup, and I felt there was room for improvement. Turning my attention to my weapons, a question lingered in my mind: should I stick with the Beginner Sword or make the leap to the Versatile Weapon?
Contemplation ensued before I made my decision - the Versatile Weapon was my choice. It seemed like the obvious upgrade, but I couldn't help but wonder if it would truly live up to the hype.
Equipping it felt momentous but to my surprise, the Versatile Weapon didn't look all that different from the Beginner Sword. However, I couldn't afford to be careless; this weapon was a God Tier item. Possessing it could draw the attention of other players, sparking competition and envy. Even though it was bound to me and couldn't be dropped, the gaming world was filled with opportunists willing to go to great lengths to get their hands on such a coveted prize.
I turned my attention to the Versatile Sword, momentarily setting aside the familiar Beginner Sword. What immediately caught my eye was the stark contrast in design. The hilt of the Versatile Sword bore a much darker hue, and the blade itself had an unusual reddish tint, far from the standard grey. However, the most striking divergence lay in the two words etched boldly onto the blade:
"GREED AND GLUTTONY."
Greed and gluttony, two of the seven deadly sins, unmistakably adorned the blade before me. Questions swirled in my mind. What significance did these words hold? Could this sword be a part of the elusive Seven Deadly Sins series, a legendary collection of Heroic-tier weapons from a bygone era? Rumors of their existence had circulated in the annals of history, though only a select few had claimed to witness or wield them. These legendary artifacts, I knew, were Heroic Tier weapons, distinct from the revered God Tier counterparts.
But here was my question: why did this sword bear two sins, when the Seven Deadly Sins series was believed to consist of seven weapons, each representing a distinct sin? This anomaly puzzled me further, for I had heard that genuine Seven Deadly Sins weapons would unequivocally brandish their affiliation, typically bearing the title "[Seven Deadly Sins: Weapon Series]" in their names. Yet, this sword, intriguing as it was, bore no such indicator. It was a mystery within a mystery, casting doubt upon its authenticity as a member of the legendary series. Is it even part of the series in the first place?
I was filled with curiosity about the Versatile Weapon's devouring ability. The concept was entirely new to me, a feature I'd never encountered in my past adventures. So, there and then, I decided to put it to the test.
"[Devour!]"
The weapon responded with a prompt, instructing me to place an item on the ground for the devouring process to begin. Without hesitation, I accessed my inventory and selected the Beginner Sword. With a swift motion, I dropped it onto the ground. Time to see what this Versatile Weapon was truly capable of!
"[Devour]!"
To my amazement, the Versatile Weapon began to tremble as if it were eager to fulfill its purpose. A massive, shape-shifting shadow emerged, brimming with energy. This shadow resembled a dragon, albeit an unstable one. It appeared almost like a viscous, molten grease, contorted into a somewhat draconian form. Strangely enough, the dragon-like shadow seemed to be salivating, despite its lack of discernible lips.
Before I could react, the dragon opened its enormous maw and devoured the entire Beginner Sword in one swift gulp, leaving not a single trace behind. Once the devouring process concluded, the black dragon retracted into the Versatile Weapon, remaining motionless as if sated by its feast.
I found myself in a state of bewilderment, still grappling with the events that had just transpired. After all, once that mysterious entity had devoured the weapon and subsequently returned, nothing particularly remarkable had occurred. It was in this state of confusion that I made the decision to delve into the statistics of the Versatile Weapon, seeking answers that might illuminate the mystery of its capabilities. Perhaps, some changes have transpired after the process.
----
Name: Versatile Weapon
Weapon Level: 0
[EXP: 50/100]
Type: Weapon Equipment
Rarity: God Tier
Usable at Level 0
Usable by: The Versatile
Strength: +12
Agility: +10
Dexterity: +12
Endurance: +10
Intelligence: +10
Special Abilities:
1. Devour - Capable of consuming other weapons and armor to enhance its own power. Its appearance morphs to match the consumed item, and it can even assimilate select artifacts and souls. This process of devouring is akin to a divine alchemy.
2. Shape-Shift - Can seamlessly transform into various weapon forms currently available.
[Additional abilities remain undiscovered; please allow the weapon to consume a few items with unique abilities.]
Notice: Forged from a mysterious material, of an unknown civilization's origin, this weapon adapts and evolves according to its wielder's desires. Legend has it that it was crafted for deities, but fate led it into the hands of mortals.
Restrictions: Impervious to dropping, unyielding to sale, impervious to trade. Forever bonded to its rightful owner.
Bound to: Bladeheart
Durability: Infinite
I squinted at the stats, my eyes narrowing in surprise. The STR and DEX stats had surged from 10 to 12. Was this the result of the weapon devouring the Beginner Sword? Additionally, I noticed an experience bar right below the weapon level indicator, something I had somehow missed before. Most weapons didn't possess levels unless they underwent the elusive Amalgamation process—a complex ritual reserved for skilled Blacksmiths.
This process entailed the fusion of both a main weapon and a sub-weapon, the former drawing strength from the latter. The result? Stats that grew exponentially once the weapon reached a certain level. My mind raced as I considered the implications. If the [Devour] skill counted as a form of amalgamation, did I now possess a weapon capable of free Amalgamation? If so, the potential savings in gold were staggering, given the typically exorbitant costs associated with such a procedure.
Without hesitation, I equipped the Versatile Weapon and opened my stats to monitor any changes. As expected, it seemed to indeed function as a form of Amalgamation. Money saver indeed!