Chapter 65

Very quickly, 'Lawless' gave a response —

"2000 points, 1 skill point!"

It was a price that Qin Ran found very reasonable.

There might be some fluctuation, but it wouldn't be too significant. After several interactions, Qin Ran trusted the other party.

Of course, with reservations!

The not-so-pleasant memories from the past had already made Qin Ran cautious about trusting anyone.

"Engraving?"

Qin Ran continued to ask.

"Engraving costs between 500 to 1000 points, with 1000 points guaranteeing success!"

The other party replied instantly.

Clearly, the other party had a good understanding of [Gems] and engraving.

"Do you want to sell?"

"[Gems] are in high demand among veteran players!"

The other party inquired.

"I'll think about it!"

Qin Ran replied.

He wasn't just being polite; he was genuinely considering it.

His gaze fell on his points and skill points.

[Points: 12200]

[Skill Points: 5]

[Gold Skill Points: 1]

[Gold Attribute Points: 1]

The double S rating not only pushed Qin Ran's points over ten thousand again but also restored his depleted skill points to a decent level.

The appearance of gold skill points and gold attribute points made Qin Ran even more delighted.

The former was closely related to the skill [Dawn Knight Body Forging Technique].

The latter was even more straightforward, adding +1 to any attribute.

Moreover, they could be used in the dungeon without returning to the room through the [Shop].

Such a harvest would be considered substantial for anyone.

But for Qin Ran, it was far from enough!

[Unarmed Combat (Proficient → Expert), 4000 points and 2 skill points, pay?]

[Firearm. Light Weapons (Proficient → Expert), 3000 points and 2 skill points, pay?]

[Tracking (Proficient → Expert), 6000 points and 4 skill points, pay?]

[Cold Weapon. Dagger (Proficient → Expert), 3000 points and 2 skill points, pay?]

[Dodging (Proficient → Expert), 3500 points and 2 skill points, pay?]

[Stealth (Proficient → Expert), 3500 points and 2 skill points, pay?]

[Medical. Bandaging (Proficient → Expert), 1500 points and 2 skill points, pay?]

[Medical. Drug Knowledge (Proficient → Expert), 3000 points and 2 skill points, pay?]

...

To upgrade all existing skills to the Expert level, he would need 27,500 points and 18 skill points.

Even if he sold all nine [Gems], he would get 18,000 points and 9 skill points.

Adding his current 12,200 points and 5 skill points, he would have 30,200 points and 14 skill points.

The points were enough, but the skill points were still lacking.

Moreover, this wasn't everything.

The newly learned skills [Lockpicking] and [Firearm. Explosives] were at the Basic level, and reaching Proficient would cost 2,400 points and 2 skill points.

There were also [Dawn Knight Body Forging Technique] and [Bessica Kick Technique].

The former was already considered Qin Ran's core skill.

The latter's outstanding effects made it a must to upgrade.

[Dawn Knight Body Forging Technique: (Basic → Novice), due to guidance from a master, the cost is reduced to 2,500 points and 1 gold skill point, pay?]

[Bessica Kick Technique: (Basic → Novice), 3,000 points and 2 skill points]

The two skills required 5,500 points, 2 skill points, and 1 gold skill point.

And the [Dawn Knight Body Forging Technique] had been taught by Gong Lansen.

Without this guidance, Qin Ran could imagine how many points he would need, and it wouldn't be just 1 gold skill point.

"27,500 points and 18 skill points, plus 2,400 points and 2 skill points, plus 5,500 points and 2 skill points... a total of 35,400 points and 22 skill points!"

After a simple calculation, Qin Ran couldn't help but groan.

For Qin Ran, who only had 30,200 points and 14 skill points, this was a significant gap.

Instinctively, Qin Ran looked at the only Cracked [Gem] among the ten.

Qin Ran believed that selling this Cracked [Gem] would significantly alleviate his pressure.

But should he really sell it?

Qin Ran was hesitant.

'[Gems] are in high demand among veteran players!'

'Lawless' words were telling.

Why were [Gems] in high demand?

It could only be because veteran players needed [Gems] to help them deal with more powerful monsters.

For example: the giant crocodile, Plus.

Facing Plus, the giant crocodile, the immunity to damage from skills made it clear to Qin Ran that conventional attack methods wouldn't work.

But [Gems] could provide additional damage.

If Qin Ran had a weapon with a [Gem] embedded and enough time, he could easily deal with Plus without risking his life and ending up in a dire situation.

"Can't sell it!"

After a moment of hesitation, Qin Ran made his decision.

In the first official dungeon, he had already encountered a monster like Plus. Given the rule that the difficulty of dungeons increases with the number of entries, if a similar monster appeared in the second official dungeon, it wouldn't be weaker than Plus.

Unless he gave up exploring more side quests and titles.

But that was impossible for Qin Ran.

With new goals, Qin Ran wouldn't give up his advantages.

Moreover, he needed to expand his advantages step by step!

That was the right approach.

"If I don't sell this Cracked [Gem], I need a weapon that can be embedded with a [Gem]. The [Viper-m1] is good, but the long reloading time of firearms, due to their age, means they can't fully utilize the [Gem]'s effects. Only faster attacks can trigger the [Gem]'s effects effectively!"

"So, I can only choose from daggers or knuckle weapons!"

Qin Ran made his choice based on his existing skills.

"But I don't have a suitable dagger or knuckle weapon!"

"It doesn't need any attributes, but the quality must at least be Excellent, which costs 1,000 points, plus 1,000 points for engraving, totaling 2,000 points!"

"Then there's the [Basic Medical Workbench] that was put on hold last time, which would cost 8,000 points if I were to make it!"

After thinking, Qin Ran realized his gap had grown even larger.

To fill this gap, he needed to either increase his income or cut expenses.

To increase his income, Qin Ran could only enter another dungeon.

But the cooldown for single-player dungeons was a week!

And entering a multiplayer dungeon?

Qin Ran politely declined.

If he had a fixed team or a team contract, entering a multiplayer dungeon would be a good choice. But for a lone wolf like Qin Ran, it was the worst option.

Without a fixed team or team contract, other players entering the dungeon were far more dangerous than the natives.

In every dungeon world, there was no such thing as 'peace.'

PK (Player Killing) was something anyone would do for enough profit.

Qin Ran was no different.

The thought of having to complete tasks while also being wary of other players made Qin Ran shake his head.

This wasn't a good choice.

Moreover, even with his superior strength compared to other players, he couldn't guarantee what some jealous players might do.

The simplest thing would be: betrayal!

For example, in the previous dungeon world, if it were a multiplayer dungeon, a player jealous of Qin Ran's gains might inform the Earl of Vain.

The result would be obvious.

Therefore, multiplayer dungeons were never in Qin Ran's consideration.

With single-player dungeons on cooldown for a week and multiplayer dungeons not an option, the idea of increasing income became unfeasible.

So, the only option left was to cut expenses!

Qin Ran looked at his skills.

He needed to choose skills within his means.

Although it was a pity not to upgrade all of them, reason told Qin Ran that this was the best choice.

As for the [Wrist of Plus]?

If he sold the [Wrist of Plus], all problems would be solved, and he would gain even more points and skill points.

But Qin Ran never considered it.

Because he was confident that the three innate skills of the [Wrist of Plus] would bring him greater and more substantial gains!

If he sold it now,

it would be like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Qin Ran, who already knew what he wanted, would never do such a foolish thing.

Regarding the selection of skills, Qin Ran quickly made his decision.