Has the scheduled game event been confirmed to start early? Jiang Han's expression became solemn.
The system message arrived unexpectedly!
"Could it be true, as stated in the official email sent at the server opening, that all NPCs have their own stories and emotions, allowing them to actively change seemingly predetermined plot developments?" He found it somewhat incredulous.
Logically, in most games, the plot is mostly pre-designed. Can "Eternal" really allow NPCs to act independently?
Or perhaps, was he overthinking it, and the advancement was intentionally moved up by the officials simply because they didn't want players to aid the Dark Faction?
Shaking his head, Jiang Han dismissed distracting thoughts and continued with the task.
The early revelation was indeed surprising, but it might not necessarily be a bad thing. Currently, very few players had acquired talents, and most ordinary players were still in the novice village or had just left it, reducing the number of participants in events and minimizing unknown risks.
Looking around, he saw many skeleton soldiers practicing, likely preparing for tomorrow's battle.
"Master!"
Seeing Jiang Han, they all stood up straight in their skeletal frames, showing considerable respect.
This was normal; after all, nominally, he was the lord's disciple, and his status was undoubtedly not low.
"Very well."
Jiang Han nodded and then ordered, "The lord has tasked me to train you. I hope you can learn new skills from me. Go gather all the nearby skeleton soldiers."
"Yes!"
Upon receiving the command, they immediately executed it.
Soon, a large number of skeleton soldiers gathered, forming a circle around Jiang Han. They seemed very eager.
"By the way, how should I teach them?" Jiang Han's expression turned strange. It was his first time experiencing such a situation in the game, and he was not sure about the specifics.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: You can use active skills to demonstrate for the skeleton soldiers to learn new skills! (Note: Due to the low potential of skeleton soldiers, perfect replication is not possible. Therefore, there is no limit on teaching them only once a week.)
Fortunately, the system provided a timely hint.
"Through demonstration..."
Jiang Han opened the skill panel, looked through it from top to bottom, and finally, his eyes lit up, fixing on Evil Trample.
As an active skill, Evil Trample could be considered the most powerful means he had obtained so far. It had both damage output and control capabilities, and it could also be used for escape. Just as Daniel said, it was indeed a formidable skill!
Since skeleton soldiers couldn't perfectly replicate skills, there was no need to hide Evil Trample.
"Cough!"
Jiang Han cleared his throat and loudly declared, "Pay attention, today I'll teach you a very powerful technique!"
With that, he performed Evil Trample, charging forward and then leaping high, stomping forcefully on the ground.
"See, the essence of this move is the stomp!" Jiang Han couldn't help but reveal a smile during the demonstration. He forced a serious tone and said, "When facing enemies, especially adventurers from the Light Faction, you must stomp fiercely, stomp them to death!"
Originally, he only wanted to complete the task, but during the teaching process, he suddenly felt the joy of being a "teacher."
For some reason, he thought about tomorrow's battle, with a group of skeleton soldiers using similar Evil Trample-like skills against adventurers...
The scene was too beautiful!
Just the imagination made Jiang Han brim with interest.
"Master, can you show it again?" A skeleton soldier respectfully requested, "I didn't see it clearly just now."
"Sure."
Jiang Han naturally wouldn't refuse. When the one-minute cooldown of Evil Trample ended, he demonstrated it again.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Through your guidance, 13 skeleton soldiers have comprehended D-level skill [Stomp]!
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Through your guidance, 3 skeleton soldiers have comprehended C-level skill [Trample]!
...
Clearly, the comprehension of these skeleton soldiers varied, resulting in different skill levels. However, the skill effects were indeed similar to Evil Trample, with only a significant reduction in power.
"Remember, don't treat this move as your ace. Use it only when your health is low." Jiang Han reminded, "Once the skill cooldown is over, use it. Don't hold back!"
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Through your guidance, 22 skeleton soldiers have decided to make [Stomp] their main anti-enemy skill, significantly increasing usage frequency!
"Yes, that's it. In tomorrow's battle, you must perform well and let those fools from the Light Faction know how formidable we are!" Jiang Han encouraged persuasively.
"Yes!"
...
After teaching one batch, Jiang Han changed the location and continued imparting knowledge, enjoying every moment.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Congratulations on completing the quest [Train Skeleton Soldiers], you can go to the mentor to receive quest rewards!
Unknowingly, the task was completed.
A refreshing experience!
This was his self-assessment of this teaching session.
Returning to the lord's mansion, it was already late in the game. Jiang Han saw Daniel, not as absorbed in alchemy as usual, but sitting in the spacious courtyard, silently gazing at the bright moon hanging high in the sky.
"Mentor, I have completed the task," Jiang Han approached and said softly.
"Well."
Daniel withdrew his thoughts, smiled, and said, "Since the Light Faction has decided to attack tomorrow, I was thinking that you would probably choose to finish the task today."
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Congratulations on completing the quest [Train Skeleton Soldiers], reward: Unknown Artifact [Fragment of the Moon]!
This task was different from the previous ones, as it did not grant Jiang Han any experience. Daniel also did not ask what he needed.
Fragment of the Moon?
Jiang Han quickly opened his backpack, finding an additional crescent-shaped item. The surface of the item shimmered with a bright silver glow, and just by appearance, it was evident that it was not simple—
[Fragment of the Moon] (Grade Unknown)
Introduction: Unknown fragment, but harbors terrifying power.
Effect: Grants the holder unconditional immunity to one fatal injury.
Cooldown time: One month
...
"!!"
Jiang Han took out the crystal-clear Fragment of the Moon from the package, staring at it in amazement, unable to find words.
He really couldn't imagine that such an ordinary C-level difficulty task would yield such a reward.
Granting the holder unconditional immunity to one fatal injury!
This effect was beyond imagination.
"It's precisely because the grade is unknown that I can assign this simple task to you." Daniel seemed to understand Jiang Han's confusion, smiling as he explained.
"..."
Jiang Han didn't know what to say for a moment. "Thank you, Mentor."
What Daniel said, he naturally understood.
Just as he couldn't force Daniel to hand over equipment items by threatening with a forbidden curse scroll, there were restrictions imposed by the rules in the game. Rewards had to be given to adventurers through completing tasks, and the rewards had to be linked to the difficulty of the task!
This also avoided adventurers obtaining artifacts and other rare items in the early stages of the game through some unforeseen official methods.
But...
With an unknown grade, he could exploit the game's loopholes.
"Fate is just a word,
indescribable in its subtleties."
Daniel looked at the bright moon, a nostalgic expression on his face. "Back then, I used the effect of the Fragment of the Moon to evade pursuit by a powerful enemy. Although the cooldown was not over, I encountered you accidentally, giving you the opportunity, and unintentionally taking in a disciple."
Curious, Jiang Han asked, "Who are you really?"
Because of the mentor-disciple relationship?
How should he put it, if the answer were indeed so, it would be strange, considering the two had only known each other for a few days.
"Because my mission is completed, and I must face death. If it were taken by those hypocrites from the Light Faction, why shouldn't I choose to give it to you voluntarily?" Daniel stood up, patted Jiang Han's shoulder, and reminded, "Skip the sentiment, don't forget what I told you before. As long as you live long enough, we will meet again in the future."
"Who are you, really?" Jiang Han was eager to know the plot.
For some reason, he had a premonition that the secret hidden by Daniel would be one of the so-called "mainline quests" in the game, but he couldn't trigger it.