Angelo study the rest of the team. He watched them use their skill points and consolidated the information they got. After their battle, their levels increased exponentially thus earning them skill points. The trio is getting stronger especially Ken who's honing his mastery on his skills. Despite his fatigue body, he didn't let it get in his way in mastering his new skills.
<< Kenneth Huang Celestino lvl 29 >>
<< BURN OUT >> [ 01:45:24s ]
"Ken...just rest yourself. You still got your debuff from overdraft..." Shaira grip Ken's shoulder in concern, halting his practice.
<< Shaira Louisse Cervantes Espinosa lvl 25 >>
"It's because I still have it that I'm practicing right now"
Ken dislodged Shaira's hand from his shoulder. He returned to his practice and the rest of them watch him control a small flame. The flame flickered before stretching and shaping into a small dragon. It let out a tender roar before flying in circles in his palm.
'Woah, what an amazing mental power...' thought Angelo. He knows that Ken's dealing with body and mental exertion right now but the fact that he can still overcome it to practice his magic is admirable. Truly, an example of 'mind over matter'.
[ 15:36s ]
"Hey we only got fifteen minutes left...want some water?"
Marco hand over a bottle of water to Angelo. He swipe his finger in the air and point to something. A pixeled light gathers in front of Marco's hand and an ensaymada appears. The brioche's top is full of grated cheese and powdered sugar. It's buttery smell lingers in the air making one's appetite growl.
Marco handed the ensaymada to Angelo who accepted it with no hesitation. The butter's smell mix with a sweet scent is even stronger up close.
Gulping, Angelo took a bite.
"..."
So good...
The fluffy texture of the pastry mix with the sugar and the sharp rich nutty taste of cheese really makes this bread elevates to a new level.
"?"
Angelo look at his hand, only to see that he already finished his ensaymada. He gazed at his side and saw Marco finishing the last bite of his own.
"That ensaymada is awesome...where did you bought it?"
"Hmm? Oh, I baked it. Aren't I awesome" answered Marco with a grin.
"..."
"No, seriously...where did you bought it?"
"Che...you can't even float with it" grumbled Marco. Seeing Angelo's expression, he reluctantly answered.
" I bought it at the bakery at the Patubig village. The one at the Roxas street."
"You mean...was that the famous ensaymada of Patubig?" Angelo shook Marco in shock. That bakery's pastries were always sold out early so if you want to buy one, you have to be there by 4 am.
"Yep, that one."
"How did you get some?"
"Me and the owners are tight so they always left me some"
Angelo look at him in amazement. Marco feeling highly satisfied with himself at Angelo's awe, took another ensaymada out of his inventory and handed it to him.
Without further hesitation, Angelo grab the pastry and stuff it into his own inventory.
"Also, aside from being delicious, this pastry also provides you with something"
"?"
"Take a look at my status and see for yourself"
Puzzled, Angelo nevertheless look at Marco's status.
<< Marco Sanchez Estanislao lvl 27 >>
<< FORTIFIED >> [ 00:29:54s ]
Surprised, Angelo used
<< FORTIFIED
+ 200 on Defense
>>
"Good stuff but if you have this kind of food, why didn't you used it way earlier?"
"Honestly, it kinda slip my mind"
Angelo face palmed at Marco's reply. But still, to think that the pastries sold at that bakery gives this kind of buff. He wonders if the baker is also a subcontractor or an official gamer like himself.
"Hey guys, here's the loot from the mutants rats"
Shaira came over and handed them their share of loot. She also handed them their share of the challenge's reward.
"And as usual, we'll sell the item" she added as she dangles the shoes in front of them.
The shoes in question is an ankle-high black leather boots with a black fur lining its collar.
"Oh look, it looks like a paw" Marco grab a shoe and shows them its sole that mimics a cat's paw.
Angelo curiously analyze it and his interest is piqued.
<< Hunting Cat shoes
A shoes fashioned based on a cat's foot.
+50% to stealth
+20% bonus to Damage
+10% damage to small preys
[ + Hunting Cat gear set ]
>>
It's part of a set. Upon knowing this, he's pretty interested on what the effects will be once the set is complete.
"I have taken a liking to it. Mind If I have it instead?"
Surprised, Shaira look at Marco and Ken.
"I don't mind" answered Ken suddenly, surprising them as he's still practicing nearby. Meanwhile Marco smirk and tap Angelo's back hard, making Angelo almost stumble. "I see what's got you interested, is it because it's a cat themed?"
"You really like cats huh?"
Angelo pushed Marco's smug face away. He turn to Shaira with a raise eyebrow. "So..?"
"Well they got no problem about it" Shaira sigh and handed the boots to him.
"Well you guys can take this mana potion. I don't need it anyway"
Angelo throw the bottle to Shaira who swiftly catch it.
Shaira raised her eyebrow in return and shared a look with Marco.
"Okay...cool"
Angelo take no heed of them and wore the boots. He put his former shoes in his inventory and he walked around the room wearing the boots, taking a feel of it.
"By the way, what do you think the next challenge will be?"
Silence envelops them. If it's the same as the first one, they didn't know if they can handle it again.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure that it's still connected as to why we're still in here..."
"What do you mean by that Rey?"
Angelo gazed casually at the room they are in. His eyes lingering on the trashes and broken items around the room. "The challenge is still centered on its theme"
"Ah...The spring clean challenge" muttered Ken as he turn his attention to Angelo.
The rest thought about what they said when suddenly both of them exclaimed.
"Ah?!"
When we first arrived here, the challenge prompt said that we're on an inn and it's in disrepair"
Shaira recalled as she gazed at Ken and Angelo for confirmation.
"Indeed, it also said that there are pests and thus our first challenge is to eliminate the mutant rats."
"Yes and it also said to clean it and make it anew...so we need to repair these I guess" Marco gestured to the broken windows and walls of the room.
"We don't know for sure. But we know it will not stray from its theme"
"Well whatever it may be, we'll soon find out." Ken reminded them, prompting the rest of the team to look at the middle of the air. The team turn their gazes at the timer.
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Ping~!