Marcus approaches the tavern counter, feeling satisfied with the 25 Ether Stones he earned from hunting the ghoul. With the money in hand, he heads directly to Linda, who greets him with a smile. He, determined to improve his gear, asks her to sell him some silver bullets.
—Silver bullets are the universal monster killers under normal conditions —she explains, preparing the bullets quickly—. I'll need 20.
Linda nods, handing him 20 bullets in exchange for 5 Ether Stones. Marcus pays without hesitation. Though the salt bullets were helpful for the ghoul, he knows silver bullets are much more effective against most monsters.
After purchasing the bullets, Marcus asks Linda if there is a manual for hand-to-hand combat training. Linda looks thoughtful before responding.
—Of course, I have one. It's called Divine Fist. With the budget you have left, it'll cover this manual —she says, handing him a small book with a somewhat modest title. Marcus can't help raising an eyebrow at the name, which sounds grandiose, but still doubts it's that impressive.
—Will it really be useful? —Marcus asks, not too hopeful.
Linda smiles at his skepticism and explains:
—It's basic defense. Almost every hunter uses it, but most leave it at the advanced level. Not many take it to the max level, because there are better techniques. But, to start, it'll help you a lot. I use it at the advanced level myself.
Marcus nods, determined to make the most of whatever advantage he can get. After paying for the manual with what little money he has left, he secures a room at the tavern. He needs to rest, but also train. With the manual in his hands, he knows he's taken an important step forward.
Over the next two days, Marcus dedicates himself to studying and practicing Divine Fist. The progress is quick. Though the technique isn't complicated, he feels satisfied to have reached the Entry Level in such a short time. After training, he decides to rest for one more day and focus on his Hunter Energy.
On his rest day, he checks his panel. He sees that his Hunter Energy has reached Level 3. In addition, thanks to the Divine Fist manual, he has added one point to each of his stats:
Strength: 4Agility: 4Constitution: 5Hunter Energy: 3
Satisfied with his progress, he knows he's ready to take on a bigger challenge. He heads to the tavern, where he greets Linda. Most of the missions are still up on the board, but some new ones have been added. Marcus knows his limits but understands that there's still much for him to learn.
He decides it's time to take on another mission. When he reads the new request, he learns that there have been sightings of a Wailing Woman or a ghoul in a village to the south. The person who posted the mission couldn't identify exactly what was involved, but Marcus is determined to investigate.
Before leaving, he buys some basic provisions to ensure he's well-prepared. With his gear ready and his mind focused on what lies ahead, he heads south, ready to face whatever lurks in the shadows.
Panel Overview:
anel Overview:
Name: Marcus Winchester
Race: Human
Strength: 13
Agility: 12
Constitution: 14
Hunter Energy: 3
Level: 1