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After parting with Sachi, I track down a blacksmith NPC, One-Armed Murdock. Despite his missing arm and age, he repairs my claws dirt-cheap.
I also meet Wandering Merchant Ember, who sells phosphorescent grass for 100 col and its superior version, Phosphorescent Crimson Grass, for 400 col.
Buying a stack of crimson grass puts Ember in a good mood, and he gets chatty.
"You're a good guy, so I'll let you in on something. There are four memory and record worlds: the Age of Gods, where deities roam; the Age of Kings, where kings rule and fiends stir; the Age of Man, where gods and kings fade, and human greed and fiends run rampant; and the Age of Ruin, where humanity hurtles toward doom. I don't know what power you seek, but for magic, head to the Age of Kings or Age of Man. The Age of Gods is… different, and the Age of Ruin isn't for learning magic."
Magic, finally. I thank Ember and find a quiet staircase to sit on, opening my status window.
Level 15—a big jump, but it came from devouring the lives of three players, not just the Kobold King.
Two new skill slots unlocked. Early game means skill slots pile up fast—maybe the successor's way of encouraging us.
"Two, huh. I know what I'm picking."
I select Weapon Slot Expansion without hesitation, saving the other for Magic Sensitivity to unlock magic later.
Now I can equip three weapons. I choose Lineverse's Claymore +6 as my main, earned from his death. I boosted STR to meet its requirements, and its firepower and sustain are worth it.
The claymore's enhanced S3D3—Sharpness 3 for attack and critical rate, Durability 3 to offset Sharpness's durability loss. A half-baked build. I scoff at Lineverse's choice but decide to make it work.
Two weapon slots filled. For the last, I want a battle axe or warhammer to leverage my Battle Axe and Warhammer skills.
"Still a shitty balance," I mutter, mocking my own precarious stats. At level 15, barely investing in VIT is rare—only me and hardcore specialists would dare. Most players focus one stat, but I'm skimping on VIT, tied to HP, to boost others.
Add my DEX-focused light armor for speed, and one bad hit could end me.
"Might be time to pump VIT."
Yeah, probably just talk. I close the window with a sigh.
"Hm? What's that noise?"
A commotion reaches me. Activating Stealth, I creep toward it.
It's the temple's heart, the translucent floor where I arrived. The temple's open layout has plenty of spots for discreet observation. Hiding behind a wall, I peer down.
Diavel, surrounded by players showering him with praise. He must've just teleported in. Word of him leading the Kobold King's defeat has spread—maybe intentionally, or maybe players craved a hero. Either way, his cheers and shoulder-hoisting feel like a hero's triumph.
"Good for you, Diavel. That's who you are."
He's a beacon of hope. A raiding group will form around him. Others will rise to rival him, and through competition, they'll conquer this death game.
I'll only see Diavel during boss fights now. That's a solo player's fate. With his new entourage, a killer like me can't just stroll up.
"Speaking of, where's Sinon?"
Maybe she went solo, splitting from Diavel. I'm a bit worried, but she has her own path. Meddling would be overstepping.
As long as we keep fighting, we'll cross paths again.
I can't help but hope that's far off. That's my limit, I guess.