The ability "Scythe Swing" has evolved into "Double Scythe Slash". This involves performing two slanted swings with the scythe covered in spirit energy. The first swing deals 25% more damage than a normal attack, while the second swing deals 40% more damage. This ability costs 10 mana.
A new ability has been acquired: "Ghostly Retreat". This allows Mortis to move 5 meters backwards with ghostly form. When he reaches his target and returns to normal, he emits ghost energy in a 3-meter radius that deals more damage the more enemies are hit. This ability costs 5 mana.
Mortis calmly read all the messages and then drank the high stamina potion to increase his stamina by 10 SP.
He made his way to the pedestal, stumbling over a forgotten crate. Mortis laughed and examined the crate.
Inside the crate he found the book "Handling the Battle Scythe Volume 1." Mortis cheered, as this was the exact book he had wanted. He liked the skills, but he noticed that he was a bit awkward in 1-on-1 fights.
He decided to read the book and practice, since it was not a skill and therefore could not be easily transferred to his memory. He was willing to take the time to read and practice something good.
Mortis smashed the statue of Osmirnis, placed his hand on the pedestal and prayed to death. This time he closed his eyes so as not to be blinded.
When it was all over, he looked again at the statue of his goddess, turned around after a few seconds and set off for Bamberg. It was noon and he should make it before nightfall.
He opened the crypt and again expected ghosts standing in front of it. As expected, the ghosts broke away from the exoplasm and rushed towards Mortis.
Mortis again admired the transformation of the area and made his way to Bamberg. He took out the book, which contained many pictures with detailed explanations, and studied how best to perform certain movements, when best to strike or block, and also practiced footwork.
As he ran, the system reminded him that in his past life he had danced with his wife. Mortis confirmed this, but mentioned that he had danced more alone or only with known partners and never publicly, except at the wedding.
The system pointed out to him that he had not let anyone into his life since his wife died 15 years ago and that he was young again. It suggested he take off pressure and even mentioned a brothel where women are paid to flatter you. It also mentioned that he could exercise the lower muscle, which was not the case in his previous life, where he had only relied on strength.
Mortis joked about his sexual life and agreed that he would make an effort. He asked the system to now let him read and practice in peace as he went along.
Mortis practiced different swings with the scythe on his own, figuring out the best point for different heights and swings. Then he studied the footwork again and continued to dance to Bamberg as he moved. After a few hours, he realized that he would not get to the city fast enough this way before it got dark. So he decided to walk faster and read the blocking and holding instead.
The guards were just about to close the gates when Mortis came running and managed to get inside just in time. A guard commented that it had been close and he could have slept outside the wall if he had come later.
Mortis smiled and made his way north. After a few meters, he saw the Adventurer's Guild and wondered if he should register.
The system recommended him to become an adventurer, as there are areas that can only be reached through so-called raids or dungeons. The world was divided into areas, and even the Dark Emperor or individual gods could not change this, he said. The army is weak, since only beings up to a certain level are allowed to exist in that area. If you become too strong, you have to move on, otherwise you will be punished celestially. There are also areas where true monsters live and which are not easy to reach. There, he said, trials were needed to prove oneself and get there. The system recommended that Mortis work with others to pass these tests.
After this explanation, Mortis went directly to the guild. It was a large building with three floors. On the first floor, everything was furnished in a rustic style and everything was made from materials from monsters. Right next to the entrance was a large counter with three female employees. To the left and right were tables and chairs where all sorts of people sat.
When Mortis stepped up to the counter, the three women were fighting over who got to greet him. Mortis was flattered and convinced he was handsome.
The smallest of the women made it to the front first and approached Mortis to see if he had any questions or if he would like to sign up directly.
Mortis had just a few questions. He wanted to know how things worked in the guild, what all he had to do, and what his duties were as an adventurer.
The woman explained that his stats would be checked and if he even had a blessing to become an adventurer and what class he would belong to. As a rank F or E, he would start to get used to life as an adventurer. As a rank F, he would have to complete three quests, and as a rank E, two per week.
Mortis understood and said that he did not have time to gather herbs or kill wolves at the moment. He would return when he had time, and thanked him for the information.
Mortis bowed slightly and left the guild. Inside he was seething with anger, not liking the mandatory quests and the rank system. He swore that he would not sign up until he reached level 100. He continued to curse in his mind and angrily stomped off to the nearest inn.
The system tried not to dash his hopes, explaining that rank in guilds was not determined by level, but how well one could work with others, as everyone could increase their stats.
Mortis was so pissed off that he didn't respond and just kept walking.
At the inn, he paid 10 silver for his room and asked for a place to wash his equipment. The innkeeper explained that she could take care of it and even offered him a bath in his room. Mortis accepted the offer, paying another 20 silver and 10 silver for food, which he ate with relish while his bath was being prepared.
In his room, he undressed and the system took over the equipment. He put it in a bag and hung it on the knob outside the door. He sat down in the tub, let water flow over him and soaped himself up. Then he washed up and went to bed fresh.
The next morning his equipment was in another bag, and he looked at it more closely for the first time. He was convinced that it was of high quality and he especially liked the silver angel on the back representing his goddess ToT.
He got dressed, everything was there and clean. So he made his way to the last cemetery.
Although he was far from the cemetery, he noticed how the green disappeared and was replaced by brown. It got colder and colder the farther he went.
The mixed forest turned into a coniferous forest, which at least brought some color to the land. At noon he found the dirt road to the third cemetery, which was closer to the main road, and the destination seemed not far away.
Nearing the gates of the cemetery, Mortis thought that if the other two cemeteries were eerie, this one looked like something out of a horror movie.