Guess that's it then... Hey [Game]. I didn't exactly "force" him to retreat. Does this still count?'
Ding!
Quest Complete!
Quest: Protect the citizens of Baterilla! Defeat 'Massacre Soldier' Killer or force him to retreat.
Reward: +2 levels in [Bladed Weapon Mastery] and 10,500 Exp.
Skill Level Up x2! Bladed Weapon Mastery Lv. (11/150) → (13/150) -Your ability to expertly wield swords, knives, spears, or any other sharpened tools. You have reached Lv. 41! You have reached Lv. 42!
You have reached Lv. 43!
You have 60 points to spend!
'Guess it does. Lets hear a round of applause for technicalities.'
I mozy over to the barricade and plant myself down on one of the barrels to use it as a chair. A long winded breath slowly makes its way out of me and my shoulders sag way down. 'What a night...'
All but one or two of the townsfolk that were hunkered down nearby have scattered to go help fight fires or assist the wounded. At least that's where I assume they went. They got moving pretty quick once the red flare sounded the pirates retreat. I want to summon the motivation to lend a hand myself, but first I'm going to need two or three minutes. I think it's the least that I've earned. May as well be productive.
60 points is a doozy and a small piece of my mind wants to test and see if anything happens when DEX reaches 250 but...nah. We all know where the first 12 of these points need to go.
Points to spend (60) → (48) INT (88) → (100) Congratulations! You have reached 100 in INT!
Please select one of the following [Perks].
1. Empathic Sense
There are subtle signals everywhere to tell what a person is feeling. A twitch of their cheeks. A slight droop in the eyes. Many of these clues are imperceptible to the conscious mind, meaning the majority of people will either only pick up on them unknowingly or miss them altogether. With this [Perk] you will no longer suffer this societal defect. Just by glancing at someone, you will know their general mood, their frame of mind, and the [Skill] [Observe] will be upgraded to read the targetssurface thoughts.
2. Prodigy's Shadow
Have you ever witnessed a true prodigy? Not someone who's simply gifted in a subject, but rather a genuine savant? They excel in their craft. They master skills with the same ease that the rest of us breathe and the world heaps praises upon them for it. This person is not you. But with this [Perk] perhaps you can vie for the silver medal. You won't be lauded as a 'genius', but none will be able to deny that your talent is far above what is normal.Selecting this [Perk] will cause [Skills] to level up 150% quicker. Note: Certain [Skill's] such as [Physical Endurance] and [Bullet Time] are not affected by this bonus.
Had I been chewing on a toothpick, it would have snapped at the speed my jaws clenched. "You mean to tell me…" I mutter, trying not to dwell on the deep pool of frustration suddenly boiling in my gut. "I spent days upon weeks grinding up my [Skills] on The Marjhan when I was just a few points away from a [Perk] that would have more than halved the time required!"
Both hands shake through my hair in irritation. "Gah! Son of a- Whatever!...it's not productive to whine over what could've been. Just give me the damn [Perk]."
[Prodigy's Shadow] selected.
"...should've finished reading the 100 books on Kivuruk..." I continue to grouse until my words are just quiet angry grumbles. I'm sure I could have found those 12 points earlier. Did I really need to split attention between INT and WIS? Did I really need 135 in STR instead of just a wee bit lower? You know what? Not gonna think about it anymore. It's done. Move on.
48 points left. Next is...next is...oh man what is next? We could bring STR up to a nice clean 150. Then a few points into VIT and a sprinkling into DEX to get me started on that road to...'Wait. What the hell am I even thinking? That's dumb. That's super dumb. I literally just berated myself over not getting a [Perk] sooner. If I dump 34 into WIS I can get another one right now. Everything else should be second to that.'
Points to spend (48) → (14) WIS (66) → (100) Congratulations! You have reached 100 in WIS! Please select one of the following [Perks].
1. Path of Discovery: Self
How can you expect to understand the world, if you don't even understand yourself? A wise man recognizes that despite the fickle nature of his world, with all its pleasures and its cruelties, he alone is master of his own life. The lord of the domain that is his body. The wind blows and the ocean churns, but they do not matter to the man. For they will not stop him from mastering his self. His heart beats, his blood flows. From the hairs on his head to the tips of his toes. This is him. All of him. And he is in control.
2. Path of Discovery: World
How can you expect to understand yourself, if you don't even understand the world? A wise man recognizes that for all his knowledge, all his learning and all his talent, he is but a single organism in a vast and beautifully complex world. The stars, the air, the very ground the man stands on. All have a story to tell, but so few ever bother to try and listen. A wise man seeks to understand his world, in all its majesty, in all it's glory, and perhaps one day, find his place within it.
'….'
'..well..um..' I struggle to find the right words. '..thaaaat's...different...'
The hell is this? Where are the stats? The numbers? The passive abilities? Is the [Game] actually testing me on my wisdom? Am I supposed to discern which of these two arguments is valid? Are both valid? Two equal but opposite schools of thought?
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