Just as Howard was focused on the two worn skill books, the attendant came out carrying a storage bag.
Before the attendant could speak, Howard asked, "What are these two books about?"
Following Howard's pointing direction, the attendant took a glance and responded, "Oh, you mean these... These two books are for the same skill, an S-level skill called Soul Devouring."
"S-level skill?" Howard questioned with a frown, "How come they remain untouched?"
In the whole of Saint City, S-level skills were rare treasures. How could they just sit there gathering dust? Normally, S-level skills would be snapped up as soon as they appeared on the market.
"Esteemed guest, you may not know, this skill, although graded as S-level, has an extremely weak effect. It requires killing 10,000 monsters just to increase HP and MP by 10 points! Increasing the skill level doesn't offer much additional benefit. On the contrary, each level up requires three times more skill points than other skills," explained the attendant, his face a canvas of regret. "Truly capable individuals who can kill 10,000 monsters wouldn't waste their skill points on such a skill."
"Over time, people recognized the inefficiency of this skill, hence no one sought to purchase it anymore," the attendant sighed before continuing, "Moreover, the S-level skill book has a price tag of around 100 gold coins. Who would invest a large sum in such a skill?"
Howard's eyes swirled with contemplation before he asked, "If I buy both skill books at once, can I get a discount?"
"Absolutely!" The attendant couldn't hide his joy upon hearing Howard's intention to purchase the Soul Devouring skill books, exclaiming excitedly, "Oh, you are our most honored customer, of course, there will be a discount! Hmm, if you decide to buy, I can offer them to you at 50 gold coins each. This is a never-before half price discount!"
"Adding the Apprentice robe, silver necklace, and Gravity Spell skill book, the total comes to 136 gold coins! Or 1.36 million dollars. Esteemed guest, how would you like to proceed with the payment?"
Upon hearing the price, a chill ran through Howard's heart.
He asked, "Does your little shop accept materials as payment?"
"That depends on the materials," replied the attendant, who had already surmised that Howard was likely a powerful individual.
A sense of anticipation bubbled within him.
High-grade monster corpses or materials could fetch a substantial price.
Without further ado, Howard took out all the materials he got from the Dual Blades Mantis.
"My God, this is actually from an Extraplanar creature!" The attendant exclaimed in awe and delight as he noticed the materials Howard brought out. "Such a hard mantis blade, it seems like it can be used as material for weapons. And these wings, they are crystal clear..."
Extraplanar creature remains were treasures, far rarer and more valuable than monster corpses, suitable for medicinal uses and crafting high-tier equipment.
A complete corpse could easily sell for three to five hundred gold coins.
Regrettably, the Dual Blades Mantis was shattered by Sterling, leaving only the mantis blade and wings for Howard to collect.
Even so, the attendant quoted a price of one hundred gold coins for the materials.
After handing over an additional 36 gold coins, the ecstatic attendant handed Howard the two books and storage bag, then dashed to the backyard, cradling the materials in his arms.
Having acquired the books, Howard didn't linger to browse the magic shop any longer.
He went straight back home. Instead of merging the equipment and skills right away, Howard immediately checked the attributes of the two skill books.
[Soul Devouring (S-level passive skill)]
Level: 1
Effect: For every 10,000 monsters killed, receive an augmentation of 100 points to both HP and MP, and gain a 1-point increase in strength, agility, endurance, and spirit.
Cooldown time: None
Consumption: 10 MP per second
Understanding dawned upon Howard as he read the description, finally grasping why others were reluctant to learn this skill.
Not only did it require killing a vast number of monsters, but it also constantly drained MP.
It was a clear waste of both skill points and MP, and only a fool among the awakened would be willing to learn it.
Howard had no intention of learning the scarcely beneficial Soul Devouring skill either.
His reason for buying the two skill books was to attempt merging them, curious to see if elevating it to SS-level would enhance its effects.
Taking a deep breath, Howard utilized his talent and placed the two Soul Devouring skill books into the Synthesis Interface.
With a humming sound resonating, the Synthesis Interface began to shake violently, emitting a purple-gold light.
[Ding dong! Congratulations, awakened Howard, synthesis successful. You have obtained the SS-level skill book — Soul Theft!]
The notification of the skill name changing brought a sparkle to Howard's eyes, indicating that the skill's effects had most likely altered as well.
Overwhelmed with excitement, Howard hurriedly examined the specific attributes of the skill.
[Soul Theft (SS-level passive skill)]
[Level: 1]
[Effect: Upon defeating a target, seize their soul to enhance oneself. For every 1000 hostile targets killed, permanently increase 300 HP, 300 MP, and elevate strength, endurance, agility, and spirit by 3 points. Moreover, upon reaching 10,000 kills, one has the option to consume all the souls to elevate oneself unrestrictedly by one level.]
[Cooldown: None]
[Consumption: 50 MP per second]
"My God!"
Howard couldn't help but break into a grin as he read the upgraded skill effects.
The criteria had been reduced tenfold while the attribute enhancement had tripled, coupled with an unrestricted level-up feature, this skill upgrade was nothing short of defying the heavens.
The requirement of 1000 hostile targets wasn't excessive, and being able to elevate numerous attributes to such an extent was truly a godly skill.
These hundred gold coins were well spent!
Calming his excited spirit, Howard opened the storage bag and took out the Apprentice robes, silver necklace, and Gravity spell skill books he had purchased earlier.
In total, there were 131 Gravity spell books, 92 Apprentice robes, and 83 silver necklaces.
The quantity wasn't much more than what he had acquired previously, the primary reason being that the necklaces were some of the best equipment available for maguses, thus coming with a heftier price tag.
Like anyone would, Howard's eyes were instantly drawn to the silver necklaces, and he commenced the synthesis process.
"Hum!"
As the necklaces were placed into the Synthesis Interface, the silver radiance became increasingly brilliant, promising a creation of unparalleled splendor.
[Ding dong! Congratulations, awakened Howard, synthesis successful. You have acquired the Silver Necklace — Homesick Wanderer!]
The name of the new necklace caught Howard off guard.
The transformation from a silver necklace to a name with a special meaning indicated that there might be an enhancement in the equipment's attributes.
Yet Howard didn't dwell on it much since the Silver Necklace was not his ultimate pursuit.
After synthesizing two more silver necklaces with the Homesick Wanderer, he placed the Homesick Wanderer into the Synthesis Interface.
[Ding dong! Congratulations, awakened Howard, synthesis successful. You have acquired the Gold Necklace — Wanderer's Longing!]
[Ding dong! Congratulations, awakened Howard, synthesis successful. You have acquired the Platinum Necklace — Wanderer's Attachment!]
[...]
[Ding dong! Congratulations, awakened Howard, synthesis successful. You have acquired the legendary necklace — Prayer of Bard!]
The synthesis of 83 bronze items culminated in a legendary piece of equipment, a development that filled Howard with exhilaration.
[Prayer of Bard]
[Level: 10]
[Tier: Legendary]
[Equipment attribute enhancements:]
[Spirit +500]
[MP +1700]
In areas outside the main city, recover 5% of HP and MP per second while not engaged in combat
Once engaged in combat, increase damage dealt to monsters by 5%
Despite being low-level equipment, the high tier couldn't propel the base attributes to an invincible level.
However, for Howard at this moment, both the attributes and special effects were enticing, especially the third effect that allowed rapid restoration to optimal condition once out of combat.
While he was not concerned about MP, the HP restoration ensured a safer HP line.
Even surprise attacks would pose less of a threat.
Without any hesitation, Howard adorned the Prayer of Bard, ready to begin fusing the Apprentice robes.
The Apprentice robes, being Iron-tier, could only synthesize into an Epic robe even with 92 pieces.
[Ding dong! Congratulations, awakened Howard, synthesis successful. You have acquired Epic equipment — Gift of the Elements!]
[Gift of the Elements]
[Level: 10]
[Tier: Epic]
[Equipment attribute enhancements:]
[HP +3300]
[Defense +350]
[Skill: Gift of the Elements (Each time an elemental skill is deployed, gain 20 Elemental Enhancement points, which increase the damage dealt to the target of that particular element)]
Seeing the skill effects, Howard didn't hesitate to don the equipment.
In an instant, his plain robe was transformed, now enveloped with a luminous glow of five different colors swirling around him, illuminating his handsome face and granting him a godlike visage!