Chapter 28 - Tutorial (Hunter) - 14
Spotting new survivors, Vesper becomes annoyed. He assesses his current skill set and finds it unsatisfactory.
'The new skill is too tricky to use. If I want to eliminate them all, I must carefully plan my energy usage,' Vesper muses.
Relying on the old man's ghost and the phantom proved super effective, leading to quick victories. However, sensing a different air from the newcomers, Vesper doubts that the same tactic would be effective again.
Realizing that he can't always rely on summoning guardians to do the work for him, Vesper rushes to his stash box to claim the ranking rewards. Upon opening the box, he discovers another weapon ticket and a skill ticket.
Before the survivor team is fully prepared, Vesper tears open the weapon ticket, causing a hundred bubbles to float around him as his left eye illuminates with golden light, revealing concealed items.
Ignoring dim items, Vesper scans the area for the brightest ones. This time, his tactic proves successful as he locates all 4th-grade weapons and traps:
- Bronze Sword (4th Grade)
- Bronze Scythe (4th Grade)
- Crystal Wane (4th Grade)
- Auto-arm Bear Trap (4th Grade)
- Pit Fall (4th Grade)
- Poison Chest (4th Grade)
Reviewing the list, Vesper considers getting another trap but hesitates due to limited energy.
'I'm somewhat of a mage when I'm stuck in the cage. Should I get the wane?' Vesper contemplates.
He appraises the wane's details:
.
**Crystal Wane (4th Grade)**
This mass-produced wane was once popular in the World of Malong. Many mage apprentices chose the wane for its user-friendliness, as it contains rechargeable energy that greatly supports mages when they lack mana.
**Equipping Crystal Wane grants the following effects:**
- Increases maximum energy by 100.
- Increases mana by 10.
- Enables the spell 'Magic Missile.'
**Energy Missile (Weapon Spell) (Non-Element)**
Attack a target in your line of sight. Destructive power depends on mana.
Energy Cost: 10
Cooldown: 100 Seconds.
.
'This is the one!'
The wane feels like a perfect match for him. Vesper opts for the wane and carries it in his left hand, keeping the rusty dagger by his side.
With the wane in hand, Vesper turns his attention to selecting a skill. He tears open the skill ticket in search of something useful.
Once again, a hundred bubbles surround him as he scans the six orbs in the sky. Five of them prove useless to Vesper, as he has no need for the same gold spell at the moment.
However, the last spell sparks hope within him.
.
**Soul Sacrifice (4th Grade) (Active)**
(Survivor): Spend 100 energy to sacrifice a survivor's corpse to the Lord of Protectors. Heal all wounds and acquire a small amount of credit.
(Hunter): Sacrifice a captured survivor or a survivor's corpse to the Lord of Judges. Restore energy to the maximum.
.
'Perfect!' Vesper is satisfied with his decision.
He swiftly makes his choice regarding the spell. Leaping up, he grabs the rune ball and presses it against his chest, equipping it. The rune seamlessly enters the slot on his right chest.
.
General Information and Attributes
Name: Vesper Pallas
Chosen Difficulty: Terror (Drop Rate X 2)
Strength: 9.24
Dexterity: 8.35
Vitality: 8.18
Stamina: 7.63
Mana: 6.5 + 10
Aura: 2.5
.
RUNE STATUS
APTITUDE LEVEL: 10
HEAD
Left Eye Slot: Eye of Tarnished Saint (Cursed) (1st Grade)
Right Eye Slot: Empty
Forehead Slot: Empty
BODY & LIMBS
Left Chest Slot: Scardy Cat (Non-Element) (3rd Grade)
Right Chest Slot: Soul Sacrifice (Non-Element) (4th Grade)
Crotch Slot: Empty
Left Hand Rune Slot: Rune Scanner (Non-Element) (1st Grade)
Right Hand Slot: Golden Touch (Gold Element) (4th Grade)
Left Foot Slot: Empty
Right Foot Slot: Empty
INTERNAL ORGANS
Brain Slot: Empty
Heart Slot: Empty
Liver Slot: Empty
Lungs Slot: Empty
Spleen Slot: Empty
Spine Slot: Empty
SOUL
Head Slot: Empty
Chest Slot: Empty
Crotch Slot: Taboo of Two Worlds (10th Grade)
.
Legion Status
Rank: Trainee (Black)
Contracted Soldiers: 0/1
Legion Strength: 1,192.40
.
With the new skill and equipment, Vesper feels optimistic about the upcoming mission. He shifts his attention to the group, curious about their conversation. Stepping closer, he eavesdrops on their discussion.
The brown man has solidified his role as the group leader, gathering everyone's weapons and items into a single pile while devising a plan. He speaks while gazing at the one-story house.
"I've cleared that place three times already. The entity's spawning pattern is mostly consistent. First, a crawling woman appears on the roof. Then, either a bear trap or another entity awaits inside. The entity in the house could be a zombie, a ceiling lady, or an old man's ghost."
Anna crosses her arms and adds her insights. "I've cleared that house twice with an S rank. There are two strategies to clear it: rush the altar for 100 points within the first five minutes or find the hidden rune in the toilet. Use the rune as bait to defeat the boss. When the boss falls, all runes in the stage become yours, and no more entities spawn."
Brad affirms her tactic. "Yes, I defeated the boss on my second attempt. It was a thin grim reaper with a dagger. It went down easily after a good smack to the head. The other grim reapers were just as weak as the crawling women. Honestly, you can use any weapon against them."
Listening to their strategies, Vesper wishes he could debate with them. In his experience, he encountered a formidable grim reaper immune to a crowbar to the head. Moreover, she easily dispatched other monsters with a single strike, which proved Brad's theory wrong.
The conversation continues, and Zillion changes the topic.
"How do you deal with the Raiju? She instantly killed me last time."
"Raiju?" Brad queries.
"I mean, the woman's ghost. She was slow at first but sped up under the blinking lights," Zillion clarifies.
"Oh, that one," Anna chuckles. "You can defeat her with a holy stake. Get one from a blue rune or the credit shop! It's on sale for 100 credits."
"Right! I forgot about that!" Zillion laughs and heads towards the nearby billboard. He touches it and exclaims, "Show me the money! Take me to the shop!"
*DING*
A screen appears in front of Zillion, visible only to Zillion and Vesper.
Vesper stands there, peeking at the chubby man's status screen from behind. He rubs his chin and ponders to himself.
'The lich told me nobody could see another person's status menu. But here I am, spying on this guy. Did he lie, or is my eye just that OP?'