Chapter 120: Second Month-end Settlement
After completing his first transformation, an exhausted Ian returned to his bedroom and fell into a deep sleep.
He was not awoken until late at night, when Rolle followed his instructions and gently shook him awake. Today was the settlement day for the second month.
As the clock struck midnight, the auxiliary system chimed on schedule.
Ian closed his eyes, logged into the system, and began checking his messages.
[Settlement Report for Day 61: Current Number of Remaining Players: 33]
Ian vaguely recalled that the player count had dropped to this number more than half a month ago. In all the time that had passed since, not a single new player had been eliminated.
He had two theories about this.
First, the remaining players were so scattered across the world that opportunities for confrontation were rare. Although the treasure chests in Volantis and Yi Ti had yet to be found, there were likely very few players in those distant lands.
Second, most of the surviving players now had at least some points to their name. They knew they were safe from the standings' elimination mechanism, which made them less aggressive and more averse to risky confrontations.
But regardless of the reason, he knew from last month's experience that this number would soon drop to thirty.
Without dwelling on it, Ian clicked on the second message.
[Congratulations to the player for ranking first in the points list on the settlement day of the second month.]
[Player receives the following rewards: 10 Attribute Points, 1888 Gold Dragons, 1 S-level NPC of your choice (from the current region).]
His updated data card appeared:
[Ian: Strength 32, Agility 27, Mental Strength 13]
[Skills: Basic Etiquette, Basic Literacy (Common Tongue), Advanced Swordsmanship, Advanced Horsemanship, Intermediate Lance, Beginner Shapeshifter]
[Attribute Points: 0]
[Skill Points: 5]
[Points: 45]
[Items: Scroll of Basic Skills (Player's Choice)]
"Nice," Ian said, snapping his fingers.
He had only earned a handful of points this month, bringing his total to just thirty-five at the time of settlement. And yet, he had still defended his first-place ranking. It seemed other players were finding it just as difficult to earn points.
The main missions were incredibly challenging, and optional missions were limited to two per month. At this stage, the primary way to earn points was by hunting other players, but in this second month, there were far fewer players left to kill.
Remaining in first place was not what had surprised him.
What truly astonished him was that the settlement rewards for the second month had increased.
Last month, first place had earned him 5 attribute points, 888 gold dragons, and two A-level NPCs. This month, it had jumped to 10 attribute points, 1888 gold dragons, and one S-level NPC.
Although these resources were merely icing on the cake for him now, the trend was fascinating.
What would the reward be next month? And the month after that?
This ranking mechanism, he realized, took the Matthew Effect to its extreme.
*To everyone who has, more will be given, so that he will have an abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.*
After a brief moment of excitement, Ian proceeded to accept his reward.
As before, three cards were presented for his choice of NPC:
[Braavosi Water Dancer: Strength 31-36, Agility 38-46, Mental Strength 0-6]
[Skills: Proficient Swordsmanship, Beginner Riding, other skills to follow]
[Equipment: Braavosi Blade, Water Dancer's Garb]
[Unsullied Spear Master: Strength 28-35, Agility 37-48, Mental Strength 0-6]
[Skills: Intermediate Swordsmanship, Proficient Spearmanship, Advanced Throwing, Intermediate Formation Command]
[Special Ability: Fearless (Immune to pain)]
[Equipment: Leather Armor, Fighting Spear, Phalanx Spear, Throwing Spear, Leather Buckler]
[Qohorik Black Goat Temple Cavalry: Strength 32-40, Agility 28-35, Mental Strength 4-8]
[Skills: Advanced Scimitar, Advanced Hammer, Advanced Riding, Intermediate Lance]
[Equipment: Qohorik Scimitar, Mace, Qohorik Black Goat Armor, Heavy Warhorse]
"I have to say, the system's NPC rewards are quite generous," Ian murmured, analyzing the three units.
First was the Water Dancer of Braavos. Its strength was relatively low for an S-class unit, but its maximum agility was a staggering 46. He knew that Rolle's and Case's agility scores were only in the thirties, and their swordplay already seemed impossibly fast.
What would an agility of over 46 even look like?
Ian subconsciously thought of Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper, who had used his spear to dance circles around the Mountain. He must have possessed the absolute pinnacle of agility.
"But the equipment… emm, a Water Dancer's gear is a bit too crude," Ian said with a wry smile. "Next, the Unsullied Spear Master, a superior version of the standard Unsullied. I've analyzed the Unsullied before. Their individual value is limited." He dismissed the option.
Finally, there was the Cavalry of the Black Goat Temple of Qohor. Looking at the preview on the system interface, Ian couldn't help but let out a soft gasp.
Though he had long known that Qohor's smithing technology was world-renowned, he had never expected it to be this extraordinary.
His first impression of the Black Goat Temple Cavalry was immediate and vivid—*aren't these the Iron Hills Dwarf goat riders from The Hobbit?*
The only difference was that the riders of the Iron Hills were dwarves on goats, while the riders of Qohor were… well, they were men in black goat helmets on horses.
Just from the preview image, Ian could feel a palpable sense of oppression.
But…
Staring at the information, Ian struggled for a moment before finally selecting the Braavosi Water Dancer.
Although he was intensely curious to see the quality of armor that the Qohorik, who claimed to possess the finest forging skills in the world, could produce for their temple cavalry, the choice was clear. At this moment, the Water Dancer would maximize his strategic advantage.
After all, any of these recruits would have to be re-equipped by Ian to conceal their origins. Without his iconic armor, the Black Goat cavalryman would lose much of his value.
Having made his decision, Ian prepared to draw the card.
This was the thrilling part. An unlucky draw might yield a competent but unremarkable swordsman. A lucky one, however, might produce a true master, a Syrio Forel.
"Jade Emperor, the Supreme Lord, Jesus Christ, Buddha, the Three-Eyed Crow, the Lord of Light, the Many-Faced God, the Black Goat, the Great Stallion, the Great Shepherd, the Lion of Night, the Night King… bless me with the highest possible stats!"
The moment the words left his lips, he pressed the confirmation button on the interface.
A new result quickly appeared.
[Yada Mor: Strength 34, Agility 45, Mental Strength 4]
[Skills: Sword Master, Novice Riding, Intermediate Valyrian]
[Equipment: Braavosi Blade, Water Dancer's Garb]
"Awesome!" Ian made a fist with his left hand and smacked it into the palm of his right.
Both Strength and Agility were well above the midpoint, and his swordsmanship skill was at the Master level! Another overachiever, just like Case!
*It seems,* he thought with satisfaction, *that all the S-level units trained by the organizers are truly the best in their profession.*
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