[⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙]
[HP decreases by 70%.]
[Physical Attack Power decreases by 50%.]
[Magic Attack Power decreases by 50%.]
[Movement Speed increases by 180%.]
[Detection ability greatly increases.]
'Ugh, this feels weird.'
My eye level dropped straight to the ground in an instant.
And my body felt incredibly light.
If I sprinted right now, I could probably cover 100 meters in eight seconds flat.
A sergeant jump would easily clear two meters.
The rabbit transformation tanked my combat power, but it seemed incredibly useful for escaping.
'To think something like this is possible... Silmaria really is a godsend game.'
It was miraculous.
Me, actually turning into a rabbit just like Kkwi-kku.
Swipe.
Sniff sniff.
Kkwi-kku sidled up beside me and sniffed at my scent.
"Kkwi?"
Translation: Huh?
Its breathing grew a bit ragged, like it was excited.
Rub rub.
Then it kept rubbing its plump little rear against my butt and tried grooming my lips. Rabbit kisses were their classic way of showing affection.
"Kkwi-wak! Ah, damn it, what the hell?"
I shoved off Kkwi-kku's sneak attack kiss and spat repeatedly.
Even in rabbit form, I could still speak human language.
Though my voice came out thin and cute, just like a rabbit's.
'Hold on a sec?'
Come to think of it, Kkwi-kku was female.
And right now, I was obviously a male rabbit.
As someone who'd majored in ecology, I couldn't help but imagine the possibilities.
'I'm curious!'
Could a druid in transformation state actually breed with the species? And rabbits were infamous for finishing mating in 2-4 seconds, the poster children for premature ejaculation. Did that mean I would...?
'No, no. What the hell am I thinking?'
I shook my head side to side.
Silently belting out the national anthem in my mind, I chased away the lewd demon.
Peeing! Peeing!
"Exclamation mark?"
Something flashed in the corner of my vision, like it was begging to be noticed.
The blue light made me think it was fairy glow at first, but on closer inspection, there was an exclamation mark blinking blue in the corner.
I stretched out my short front leg and tapped the exclamation mark.
[New information confirmed. Click a keyword to view details.]
1. Seal of Protection
2. Traits
3. Transformation
"Ah, so there's a handy feature like this."
It wasn't for nothing that Unggulatuseu had conked out right away.
Even without asking him directly, the system had a built-in way to check information.
"Let's start with the Seal of Protection."
Tap.
I pressed the first keyword, and a wall of text appeared.
[⚔ STATUS ⚔]
[Seal of Protection]
[Congratulations! You have received the Seal of Protection from Nature's Guardian Unggulatuseu. Only a tiny fraction of druids receive this seal!
You can accumulate "Guardian Power" and invest it in "Traits" and "Development."
Guardian Power is gained through various guardian acts.
Refer to the separate tutorial for details on Traits.
You can invoke the Seal of Protection to construct an "Outpost" in specific terrain.
Developing the outpost unlocks more functions and benefits. If it advances to the "Tribe" stage, you can compete with other tribes for victory and ultimately inherit the "Guardian" position.]
"Outpost? Tribe?"
My brain started spinning with ideas.
Just as I'd expected from a Mythic-grade class change quest, Unggulatuseu had handed me something huge.
This meant revising my original plan of gold grinding for big profits.
If I piled up Guardian Power and invested in Development, I could build my own faction effortlessly.
The ideal way to make it big in Silmaria was to found a "nation."
That's why massive corporations poured money into giant guilds, using them to topple kingdom-scale nations.
I'd even considered joining a big guild later as a star player, raking in high pay while following their lead...
"But now I might not even need to work under someone else?"
Better the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon.
"Maybe even more than that."
The Seal of Protection was granted only to a "tiny fraction" of druids. Its power had to be immense.
Unggulatuseu had given me tremendous privileges.
My talent and luck had synergized perfectly.
"Heh heh heh."
A satisfied smile spread across my tiny rabbit mouth.
The hard work raiding that cornfield had paid off.
"Next, Traits."
[⚔ STATUS ⚔]
[Traits]
[Congratulations! The "Traits" function has been unlocked thanks to the Seal of Protection. This is an extra feature granted only to the tiny fraction of druids who receive the seal!
Invest "Guardian Power" to activate various Traits. They will greatly boost your combat power.
Druid Traits are divided into "Feral, Recovery, Empathy, Nature." Invest in those matching your playstyle.]
"Thank you. Thank you!"
I bowed deeply toward the snoozing Unggulatuseu.
I'd serve him as my lifelong benefactor, giving him thorough massages whenever I had time.
Meeting Unggulatuseu was a serendipity among serendipities.
"I'll check Traits later."
I opened the Traits window, but with Guardian Power at 0, nothing was activatable yet.
I clicked the last keyword, number three.
[⚔ STATUS ⚔]
[Transformation]
[When transformed into an animal, you cannot use your existing skills. Instead, you gain the animal's exclusive skills.
Also, consider your stats and equipment when transforming.
If you're an Intelligence/Spirit-focused druid with Magic Attack gear, transforming into melee specialists like lions or bears may drastically reduce your combat power.]
"Aha."
The key point: even transforming into a ferocious beast wouldn't let me switch from ranged magic DPS to melee physical DPS.
"Let's sum it up."
Considering skills and traits, druids were a hybrid class that could tank, cast from range, deal melee DPS, or heal.
Plus, with Empathy to command beasts, I could pull off all-in-one play: DPS, tanking, and healing simultaneously.
"I'll prioritize Empathy traits, and start dumping stats into Intelligence."
But switching combat styles abruptly could slow early growth.
Until I tamed a solid beast as a pet, I needed to rely on my spear skills. Blindly pouring all points into Intelligence wasn't wise.
"Alright, great! Hunting speed's gonna skyrocket."
I had a solid grasp of the druid class now.
Time to hunt some orcs as my next prey and get a feel for real combat.
To head back to Talia Village, I released the transformation, gathered my cart and cooking tools.
"Kkwi-uu..."
Returning to my original form, Kkwi-kku looked utterly disappointed, but I pretended not to notice.
She seemed in heat, but with love and tasty carrots, she'd get through it fine.
Bob bob. Thud.
The heavy pot had been loaded onto the cart by the forest fairies.
"Aw, aren't they just the sweetest."
Cheering me on and carrying the pot too.
I waved both hands, bidding farewell to the grateful purple and blue fairies.
"See you next time!"
Swish—
But then.
Was my voice too loud?
Unggulatuseu's massive eyes snapped open as he snored away.
"You're awake?!"
Wondering if there were more benefits I hadn't claimed, I shouted in a voice dripping with capitalist greed.
[Brother. I forgot to give you the mission. Feels awkward playing this role, you know.]
Unggulatuseu spoke, turning only his head toward me while lying spread-eagled. His face screamed exhaustion.
"A mission?"
A mission from Unggulatuseu himself.
This was no ordinary task.
High difficulty, proportional rewards, no doubt.
"Just say the word! I'll handle anything!"
I showed resolute determination.
Even if it was dangerous, I'd tasted the sweet perks already.
Safety first? Didn't exist anymore.
But the next instant, hearing Unggulatuseu's words...
[Very easy mission. Take out Daimon de Bayer at Hammer Castle.]
I instantly regretted my bold words.
'Ah, this is a bit much.'
Daimon de Bayer was a key early-game NPC alongside Guard Captain Hans, handling orc-related chain quests for players.
He was the eldest son of the Bayer count family that Talia Village belonged to under the Pentamonium Kingdom. A noble, in other words.
No player messed with a kingdom's nobles lightly.
Incurring a noble's wrath made normal kingdom activities impossible.
'This is troubling...'
If I killed Daimon myself, I'd have a bounty on my head, turning fugitive. That'd derail my planned early-game growth route.
[He uses shadowy forces to raid elf villages and enslave them. A vile noble. Elves are a peaceful race worshiping the world tree, and the race most druids like us belong to. Can you do it?]
As expected, druids prioritized nature protection over kingdoms or anything.
"Of course! Absolutely!"
Against my inner turmoil, I replied positively.
To earn trust for better perks, I had to show unwavering loyalty.
[📜 NEW QUEST 📜]
Eliminate Daimon de Bayer of Hammer Castle
▷ Grade: Epic
▷ Content: Eliminate Daimon de Bayer of Hammer Castle.
▷ Reward: 1 Gold / 10,000 EXP / 1,000 Guardian Power
"Whoa!"
My eyes went wide at the outrageous rewards.
Fitting for a quest to kill a kingdom noble.
'No hesitation needed now.'
I had to complete this quest no matter what.
Another moment reaffirming Unggulatuseu's greatness.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Fwaaash—!
I left the two carts in Moonlit Forest and returned to the entrance of Beast Forest.
Moonlit Forest was perfect as a temporary warehouse since I could access any forest terrain anytime.
"Let's go straight there."
I'd gotten the quest from Guard Captain Hans to go see Daimon, so I headed right for Hammer Castle, several kilometers from Talia Village.
Traveling in rabbit form, I soon spotted the towering walls of Hammer Castle in the distance.
"Wow."
Releasing the transformation upon arrival, my jaw dropped at the imposing fortress.
As the defensive line protecting civilization from orcs, its rugged exterior radiated the aura of fierce warriors.
I passed the guards and entered the fortress.
'They look seriously tough.'
The gate guards' presence was worlds apart from Talia Village's.
Their burly builds and massive stature explained why orcs couldn't breach the Red Battlefield.
'Atmosphere's brutal.'
Hammer Castle was the defensive frontline against orcs and a village-sized fortress garrisoned by kingdom soldiers.
Level 10-ish players crammed the place, with weapons merchants hawking wares everywhere.
Amid it all, kingdom soldiers marched in neat ranks across the plaza, clad in sturdy chain mail and long spears.
Their levels looked at least 20.
"Kkwi-kku... Don't bite anyone here recklessly. You'll get nothing out of it."
"Kkwi."
Translation: Obviously.
Kkwi-kku nodded lightly.
I bought cooking ingredients and tools, then browsed gear stalls in the plaza with my remaining 4 silver to upgrade equipment.
'Top priority: chest armor.'
The orcs I'd face ahead wore iron armor; without solid defense, one hit could be fatal.
Better to buy multiple defenses than splurge on a top weapon, reducing instant-death risk.
"How much for these two?"
I pointed at Tier 2 normal items: chain mail and iron boots, asking the merchant.
"2 silver each."
"...Buying two, can you knock a bit off?"
"Heh, young fella, can't be that stingy. 2 silver's already a steal."
"Alright. Thanks anyway."
I turned away at his refusal to haggle.
Plenty of stalls; he needed me more.
"Wait! Geez, such temper. 3 silver 50 copper for both. Won't find cheaper elsewhere."
"Sure, deal."
Saved 50 copper with one bounce.
Good haggle.
Of course, true list price was lower, but this was Hammer Castle blocking the Red Battlefield.
With newbie demand outstripping supply, premium prices were expected.
"Equipment window."
I equipped the new chain mail and iron boots, then checked my current specs.
[⚔ STATUS ⚔]
❤️ HP: 300
💙 Mana: 50
🟡 Stamina: 283
⚔ Physical Atk: 14
✨ Magic Atk: 7
🛡️ Phys Def: 172
🛡️ Magic Def: 131
No weapon upgrade meant pathetic attack power, as expected.
But physical and magic defense were solidly high.
"Cover the weaknesses with skills and tricks."
A normal player's 14 physical attack wasn't the same as mine. I could wield the spear efficiently.
Reading enemy patterns and counter-thrusting vitals multiplied damage exponentially.
Likewise, Kkwi-kku's help let me take down a hobgoblin shaman solo—a hunt no beginner could manage alone.
Threat assessment, adaptability, and pet power would shore up my low offense.
Talent trumped specs.
"Time to meet the noble lord."
Hammer Castle was under Pentamonium Kingdom noble control, currently commanded by Daimon de Bayer, eldest son of the Bayer count family.
And he was my prey.
I needed to scout terrain and his guards for a cunning assassination plan.
Just days ago, I'd hesitated to kill even a single rabbit, but this was different.
Daimon's assassination was an Epic quest from Unggulatuseu.
He deserved death, no question.
'Not killing a person. Just an NPC. No need to hesitate.'
For economic success.
To honor my parents.
I'd gladly assassinate Daimon de Bayer.
Sip... Hoo...
I took a deep breath to quell my fear.
My racing heartbeat wouldn't settle.
'It's just a game. Toughen up. That's how I succeed.'
Entering the small inner keep, a man who looked like Daimon stood right ahead.
'He'd die of high blood pressure anyway.'
His fat frame and greed-swollen face screamed corrupt noble. No guards; a sharp-looking middle-aged man attended him.
"Greetings. You work tirelessly to safeguard the people. I'm adventurer Kwon Ha-yul, sent by Guard Captain Hans."
I smiled as brightly as possible,
kneeling on one knee to Daimon with perfect courtesy.
Concealing the murderous intent behind my face.
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