*Notice* From this chapter on, status effects will be indicated through symbols if not stated in text.
EX: The target has been dealt 2,309 damage and suffers the [Frozen] effect for 3s and is slowed for 8s.
- 2,309 [❅ - 3s/8s]
--------
Even after all of this, there was still more. One last skill was added, but it was something I already knew was going to happen. [Berserkr], the skill from my sword, has been formally added to my stat page. Now no matter if I use my primary or secondary weapon I will always have it's bonuses.
In its place, a new skill appeared. It is called [Density Overload]. [Density Overload] doubles the weight of the sword for as long as I pour Rage into it. The initial costs aren't too big, so I can change the weight to make my strikes stronger when and where I need it most.
The Rage meter is something Berserkers or any class related to it gain after the class change. Rage is gained through taking and dealing damage or killing things, but the gains are different based on the number of Rage stacks of which you can gain through a variety of ways. There is a max, which is double your MP levels. Every one of the skills that have come from Berserkr so far can have their costs supplemented with rage, which basically cuts my need for INT in half.
Berserkers and their relatives are meant for those who can get into a battle flow [1], the best into a trance [2], and Duality's main system can detect that [3]. It makes sense that the main mechanic of them encourages this kind of playstyle.
"Mmmnnnn~* I stretched a bit. 'I should get going. This area blocks communication, I probably have an offer on the knife.'
I drew my sword out of the altar, taking the blood with me. Instantly, my health was returned to max. My figure flickered out of existence following me placing the sword in my RR signaling my desire to leave.
Little did I know how much trouble those weapons made.
~
[ Your: [Tiger's Fang] has sold for 5si 893co (commision already collected) ]|
[ Your: [Poison Sword] has sold for 7si 3co (commision already collected) ]|
[ User: Nightingale has won the bid for your: Cloaked Dagger
If you do not contact them within the remaining time, your transaction will be canceled and you will be deducted 5,000won (abt. 4 usd).
Time remaining: [23h 14m 10s] ]|
'!!! Wow those weapons sold for much higher than I expected! Damn these rich sons of bitches…'
I silently shook my head. Although the weapons are decent, they aren't worth what was paid. The only people that could/would fork out that much in coins were those spoiled sons and daughters of the higher class who use their wealth to purchase coins.
Pushing my silent mockery aside, I looked at the name of the person who won the bidding thinking they sounded familiar, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out who it was. 'It doesn't matter, I only remember my closest friends and worst enemies of the past. Everybody else are just too damn cloudy.'
I sent them a simple message; "Meet me at the fountain in the center." I had set the area for my auction to my zone. The only town in this zone is Culsan, so there is nothing confusing about these directions.
Nightingale responded; "Okay."
It took me a while to get to the center of Culsan because I was teleported just outside it up a tree. Albeit, that is only relative. Not many players noticed me due to the rough crowds, but when I started running along the walls for short bursts to dodge the crowd, or when I finally just got on the roofs and went from there, more were bound to notice the streak of black on this sunny day.
Finally, I arrived at the meeting point. I searched the crowd of players for a "Nightingale" from atop the roof of a restaurant till I found her. She was a sorceress with dark blue hair cut short. Her cold glare and serious face could hardly deter people from blatantly staring at her slim and fit figure so popular these days.
I jumped down at a clearing and walked toward her. I spooked a poor Lv.1 couple walking around the town, supposedly admiring the scenery. Her and her… bodyguards? Whatever they were, all 5 of them noticed that small commotion and became more alert.
"Who are you!?" Asked the shieldsman directly to Nightingale's left in a domineering tone. "We are from Nova Feather, best not cause trouble lest you want trouble."
I didn't answer until I got close enough not to yell like that overconfident maniac. "I have the knife. Initiate a trade, Nightingale."
"Y-"
She cut him off with a hand with an annoyed look back. As she was doing before, she sized me up. Reaching some sort of agreement in her head, she finally spoke. "Okay. As agreed from the auction, the 10,000,000won (abt. 8,400usd) is yours."
"!!!" '10,000,000! Sht, I didn't read the price they got up to! These big guilds are too fckn' rich...'
My surprise didn't last long as my complaints to god on these rich people were cut off by the trade notification;
[ User: [Nightingale] requests a trade
Accept: (Y/N) ]|
I clicked accept. It lasted less than 20s as all we had to do was put the correct stuff in and confirm the trade. Since these people are part of a huge guild, I'm gonna have to get out of here quickly once the trade is done. Many of the problems I had in the past were all due to their insatiable greed.
[ 10,000,000won has been transferred to your account. ]|
'Okay gotta go-'
"You. Where... did you get this?" Nightingale was examining the knife more in depth. She's a Ranger, so daggers are within her viable weapon choices.
"In a tree."
"..."
...
'Stunned! Great!' My masterful display of skill created the perfect opening for me to get the hell out of there. I whipped around to face the exit of town leading to Fury's Den. I haven't finished my set, or gone to any of the other areas to farm yet.
"Hey wa-" She tried calling after me.
Obviously, I wasn't interested in talking (for fear of revealing too much). Still she grabbed after me. A swift bird flew by and I was off.
*Shua~*
'HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! It's super effective! Holy shit, she's way too serious. I can barely stay upright at this moment.' Her reactions were just too good. No anger, annoyance, nothing. Just pure confusion of what has just happened.
By the time they had recovered I was already halfway up a building. The sophistication of this game's AI was displayed nicely as one of the town guards that saw what happened was snickering with his friend.
'Goddamn I need more of this shit. Some people's reactions are just too amazing,' I thought to myself in glee. Today, I found out that messing with these high station players is amazingly satisfying.
~
*Zzztzzttzztttttt~*
*Ba-BOOOM!!~*
- 6,133 [Ω⚡︎ - 9s]
"*SKRRRREEEEAAACCHHHHHHH!!!~~~*
*ZZztzttzzztttt- Cra-BOOOM!!!~*
- 7,221 [✧ - 3s]
[ You killed: Amalgam!
+ 408 EXP (underleveled bonus)
You have leveled up! +4 STP +2 STR ]|
"*Feew!~*" I just finally got to level twelve after hours of tough grinding. Along with my level up came the final piece of the [Frenzied Amalgam] set, the mask.
Most of the set was normal-ish looking. The "leather" made from the skin of the Amalgams made them look a little more menacing, but the mask really turns the wearer's looks creepy.
It is made from the lower part of an Amalgam's face with the lips forced up in a smile by metal hooks. I personally like the design, but it may give me trouble getting into dungeons if others don't share the same sentiment. My stats have also undergone a qualitative increase with both my STR and AGI reaching more than 80! This is without a doubt the highest in the game for my class (I hope).
Now I can finally visit the southwest peak. There the enemies drop weapons, and I'm looking for the dual axes. The ones I have right now are too lackluster and haven't been any help apart from the extra STR and DEX they give.
For them, I will be going farther up to the 15-19 zone. I'm assuming by the time I get them to drop off those stingy ass Kobolds I'll have already leveled up to 15.
At 5 o'clock p.m. tomorrow the small team dungeons [4] will open. By then, most of the player base will be at Lv.11 at the very least, some of the better players may have even crossed the Lv.14 threshold.
At the southeast side of Culsan lies a Lv.14-18 3-floored underground dungeon called; [Hidden Forest Dungeon]. There (when it opens) I will take whomever will come with me and I'll steamroll the thing. To enter you need at least 4 people in a team or a maximum of 6 or else I would have just tried it myself.
There is an upside to having more people with me, though. With them I'll be able to challenge the highest difficulty of small team dungeons, Mercury, for better rewards and EXP. Without them, I would be too overwhelmed and tire out, so I need the help once in a while.
"*Sigh~*" 'Damn, I was too caught up in grinding, it's so late now. I guess I'll-'
"Logout"
_-=-_-=-_-=-_
[1]: Battle flow is a state in which a player gains a rhythm to their movements, attacks, and general awareness. This increases their battle prowess greatly.
[2]: Trances are similar to being in the battle flow state. The main difference is the quality of the flow, power increase, and gift of a superior comprehension state where skills and movements are easier to figure out and remember.
[3]: The system deals with class choice in different ways. One of the most calculable is stat distribution, but another is what a player is able to do or has done. If a Warrior for example is already a devout follower of the Heaven's Church, but has the stat distribution for a Warrior Mage, they may become a Paladin.
[4]: Team dungeons have different requirements for entry. Small team dungeons only require 4 and have a max of 6. Medium 10:15. Large 20:50. Massive 50:150.