"Seriously… a leg weapon equippable over armor and a unique weapon with three evolution paths? Is surprising big sis your hobby, Pepper-kun?" Pencilgon sighs deeply.
Past 8 p.m., Shanfro's sky darkens with silence. Escaping the Tear-Glimmering Underground Lake through the Ancient Iron Ruins to Thirdrema's back alleys, Pepper, Aitouil, and Pencilgon regroup. Pencilgon laments Pepper's hidden info.
"No way, Pencilgon. I was shocked too when the blacksmith in Phosphosie told me. Three paths for Madness Breaker: Gilfeed Breaker via Gearmetal, and two more via Energy Stone and Bluelet Rock," Pepper explains. Thanks to Bilac, two Madness Breakers are crafted; now he just needs the ores.
"For now, keep the unique hammer and gauntlets secret. Only reveal them for self-defense if absolutely necessary," Pencilgon says.
"No prior discussion?" Pepper asks, wary of a trap.
Pencilgon puffs her cheeks. "Your crafting manual can't be stolen via PK, and gathering materials buys escape time. For the gauntlets, I don't even know the blacksmith—you have the info advantage. Use it boldly!"
Relieved, Pepper secured secrets like Bilac, Aitouil, and Rabbits by trading Madness Breaker and gauntlet info.
"I'm heading back to my clan. Our leader throws tantrums if I play too long. See ya, A-kun!" Pencilgon waves innocently.
"Later, Towa," Pepper replies, waving back. Once her presence fades, he exhales heavily.
Leveling up eight times, equipping Expyte Warleg, mastering leg parries, and gaining materials made for a fulfilling day. "That lobster was tough. Leveled three times despite the Vorpal Soul Collar and got great loot," Pepper muses, checking his stats.
PN: PepperLevel: 38Main Job: BackpackerSub Job: None
Stats
HP: 15
MP: 10
Stamina: 90
Strength: 70
Agility: 80
Dexterity: 35
Technique: 50
Durability: 26
Luck: 25
Remaining Points: 36
Equipment
Left: Vorpal Ledge
Right: Lycaon's Curse Marking
Legs: None Head: Leather Cap (+1 Durability)
Torso: Blade-Resist Leather Vest (+4 Durability)
Waist: Blade-Resist Leather Belt (+4 Durability)
Legs: Blade-Resist Leather Pants (+4 Durability)
Accessories
Chainmail (+10 Durability)
Traveler's Cloak (+2 Durability)
Vorpal Soul Collar
Money: 1400 Mani
Skills
Ladder Slash Life-End Thrust Repel Counter Drive Throw Alzeid Edge Meias Work Balgast Strike → Volberg Strike Dynamo Impact → Grasharas Impact Rigid Strike (MAX)
Accel (MAX) Rush (Lv. 7 → 9)
Foresight (Lv. 6 → 7)
High Press (Lv. 8 → MAX)
Six-Boat Leap → Seven-Boat Leap Skate Foot Jet Attack Horizontal Slash (Lv. 6)
Vertical Slash (Lv. 5)
Ballistrider High Beat (MAX)
Actus Dash (Lv. 5)
Stick Piece (Lv. 4)
Grip Strike (Lv. 3)
Throw (Lv. 4)
Climb Kick (Lv. 5)
Neck Snap (Lv. 3)
Moon Jumper Body Purge (Lv. 1 → 3)
Life of Change Straight Fist Back Kick (Lv. 1 → 4) One's Flip → Dual Flip Fulls Shoot (Lv. 1 → 2) Oppression Kick (Lv. 1 → 3) Iron-Breaking Life Strike (Lv. 1) One-Shot Annihilation (Lv. 1) Envy Fusion (Lv. 1) Taunt (Lv. 1)
"Lots of new skills, cool names too. Time to combine them?" Pepper considers Skill Gardener, a facility he's wanted to use since starting Shanfro. It merges leveled skills into stronger ones, offering scrolls and evolution insights—key to Shanfro's skill-driven gameplay.
"Pepper-han, combining skills? My sister runs a Skill Gardener in Rabbits' Grand Palace. Better scrolls than standard Rabbits' shops, special stuff," Aitouil says.
"Nice, can't pass that up. But first, let's sell materials for cash to expand options." Acting fast, Pepper hides Aitouil under his cloak, dashes through the dark, and hits Enhance Trading's Thirdrema street stall. Selling Livestide Lake Serpent scales, fangs, and Destrolobster parts nets him over 150,000 Mani—his first big Shanfro haul. He and Aitouil then gate to Rabbits' Grand Palace, heading for the Skill Gardener.
At the palace, Pepper turns right from the entrance, passing a rabbit-patterned shoji window along the veranda corridor until he spots a noren curtain marked Skill Gardener.
"Here it is, Pepper-han. My triplet sister, Elk, is a skill-combining pro," Aitouil says.
"Sounds promising," Pepper replies, lifting the curtain. Inside, a Japanese-style room holds dressers with flasks and bottles. At the counter stands Elk, a Vorpal Bunny with light pink fur, triangular brows, droopy eyes and ears, four earrings, and a red-pink jacket over a teal dress, exuding a gentle vibe.
"Welcome! Oh, Aitouil-neesan and Pepper-san!" Elk beams.
"My name's known here?" Pepper wonders, noting his Rabbits fame.
"Pepper-han, this is Elk, best at skill combos. Also, money-grubb—!?" Aitouil starts, but Elk swiftly pins her down, silencing her.
"Nice to meet ya, Pepper-san!" Elk's narrow-eyed pressure rivals Pencilgon's. Pepper swallows hard, bowing. "Uh, yeah, nice to meet you."
"What's up today?" Elk hops back to the counter with rabbit agility.
"Heard you can combine skills here. I want to strengthen mine," Pepper says.
"Sure can! I'm a pro—Dad put me in charge. Let's combine some skills!" Elk displays Pepper's combinable skills in a clear list.
"Some are max level… time to streamline and power up," Pepper muses. Elk adds, "High-level skills make super strong combos!"
Understanding the multiplicative power of strong skill combos, Pepper strategizes. "Combine these, and… that'll do this. Then this one with… yeah, looks good." After 30 minutes of mental combat simulations, he selects eight skills to merge into four.
"Here's the recipe," Pepper says.
"Got it. 1000 Mani per combo," Elk replies.
"Here's the payment." Pepper hands over the Mani.
"Be right back!" Elk takes the skill recipe scroll to the back. Moments later, she returns with a round-bottom flask tied with a patterned ribbon, filled with a foul-looking green-brown liquid mixed with twigs and leaves.
"Drink this to learn the new skills. Bottoms up!" Elk urges.
Grimacing but resolute, Pepper downs the liquid. His body glows faintly, acquiring four new skills.
PN: PepperLevel: 38Main Job: BackpackerSub Job: None
Stats
HP: 15 MP: 10 Stamina: 90 Strength: 70 Agility: 80 Dexterity: 35 Technique: 50 Durability: 26 Luck: 25 Remaining Points: 36
Equipment
Left: Vorpal Ledge Right: Lycaon's Curse Marking Legs: None Head: Leather Cap (+1 Durability) Torso: Blade-Resist Leather Vest (+4 Durability) Waist: Blade-Resist Leather Belt (+4 Durability) Legs: Blade-Resist Leather Pants (+4 Durability)
Accessories
Chainmail (+10 Durability) Traveler's Cloak (+2 Durability) Vorpal Soul Collar
Money: 151,100 Mani
Skills
Ladder Slash Life-End Thrust Repel Counter Drive Throw Alzeid Edge Meias Work Volberg Strike Grasharas Impact Strength Smasher (Lv. 1) Over Top Beat Infight (Lv. 1) Seven-Boat Leap Skate Foot Jet Attack Cross Slash (Lv. 1) Ballistrider Actus Dash (Lv. 5) Stick Piece (Lv. 4) Grip Strike (Lv. 3) Throw (Lv. 4) Climb Kick (Lv. 5) Neck Snap (Lv. 3) Moon Jumper Body Purge (Lv. 3) Life of Change Straight Fist Back Kick (Lv. 4) Dual Flip Fulls Shoot (Lv. 2) Oppression Kick (Lv. 3) Iron-Breaking Life Strike (Lv. 1) One-Shot Annihilation (Lv. 1) Envy Fusion Taunt (Lv. 1)
The new skills shine:
Infight (Rush + Foresight): Boosts close-range combat damage, perfect for gauntlets. Over Top Beat (Accel + High Beat): Doubles strength and agility for 3 minutes, but halves agility, stamina, and recovery post-use—a high-risk, high-reward skill. Cross Slash (Horizontal Slash + Vertical Slash): Two consecutive cross slashes inflict a bleeding debuff, amplifying criticals with slashing weapons. Strength Smasher (Rigid Strike + High Press): Adds strength-based knockback to hammer and gauntlet attacks, highly versatile.
"Pepper-san, we've got Rabbits-exclusive skill scrolls. Interested?" Elk offers.
"Exclusive scrolls?" Pepper asks.
"Yep, Aitouil-neesan's favorites, discounted! What's your budget?" Elk's likely "money-grubber" vibe confirms Aitouil's cut-off remark.
"With weapon repairs for Bilac, about 120,000–130,000 Mani," Pepper estimates.
"Plenty of options!" Elk displays a purchase screen with Vorpal skills—sword, blade, spear, and martial arts—priced from 50,000 to 100,000 Mani.
"Oof, steep!" Pepper scans the list, pausing at Vorpal Hammer Art [Full Moon Stamp]. It resonates, fated for his hammer build. Paired with Vorpal Sword Art [Half Moon Sever] (50,000 Mani), it totals 130,000 Mani.
"Elk-san, I'll take Vorpal Sword Art [Half Moon Sever] and Vorpal Hammer Art [Full Moon Stamp]," Pepper decides.
"Thanks for the purchase!" Elk beams, taking 130,000 Mani. Saving the scrolls for tomorrow, Pepper and Aitouil head to Bilac's forge to repair Livestide Lake Serpent and Destrolobster battle-worn weapons, ending the day's Shanfro adventure.
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