Chapter 49 of 52

Chapter 49

9 min read2,195 words

"Hey, I finally reached Merchant Level 40."

Two weeks have passed since I returned to the city.

I have been holed up in the fifth floor of the dungeon, chugging potions and taking minimal breaks to hunt, and it seems that my efforts have finally paid off, as my Merchant level has reached the target.

"If I don't get any new skills from this, I might not be able to recover..."

The hunting up to this point has been filled with hardships, so I naturally say something pessimistic.

It's not that the monsters were exceptionally strong and caused me to struggle, nor was I dissatisfied with the contents of the drop boxes.

However, it seems that the required experience points increased significantly after level 35, and even if I concentrated on hunting for a whole day, my level didn't increase at all.

No matter how hard I tried, the number wouldn't budge, and I even became worried that the Merchant level cap might be 35.

Having overcome such difficulties to finally reach this point, my expectations are high.

I nervously check the "Available Skills."

"Alright!"

There was one new skill added to the available skills.

"Skill Appraisal"

"A new appraisal skill fitting for a merchant, I wonder if its effect is as the name suggests?"

In any case, there is no option to not acquire it.

Since I've worked this hard, I should acquire it.

"It costs 50 skill points... I'll use it right away."

The skill points I had saved decreased from 237 to 187. I decided to use the skill right away.

It seems that this skill allows me to specify and use the skills displayed on my status screen. I tried specifying "Designated Skill Effect Double."

- "Designated Skill Effect Double" ⇒ This skill allows you to double the effect of a specified skill. The number of skills you can specify increases with the skill level (up to a maximum of 5 skills).

- "Designated Skill Effect Removal" ⇒ This skill allows you to remove the effect of a skill specified by "Designated Skill Effect Double." You can remove one skill per day, and after removal, you can select a different skill with "Designated Skill Effect Double."

"Wow!"

It seems to work as expected. This skill explains the effects of each skill.

I had intended to acquire "Designated Skill Effect Removal" eventually, but I was hesitant at this stage. Now that its effect is clear, it will be easier to plan.

"You can remove one skill per day and set a different one, meaning you can boost your combat power by specifying a completely different skill in five days?"

If you want to boost your combat power even by removing "Increase Acquisition" skills, you can significantly boost your combat power by setting "Speed Up" or "Stamina Up" to double effect.

That way, you might even be able to defeat more powerful monsters.

"Until now, I've only recognized the effects through a general sense, so I'll check everything this time."

I started examining each skill.

【Apprentice Adventurer】

- "Increase Acquisition Experience" ⇒ Increases the experience points gained based on the skill level. Level 1: 100%, Level 2: 200%, Level 3: 300%, Level 4: 400%, Level 5: 500%

- "Increase Acquisition Skill Points" ⇒ Increases the skill points gained upon leveling up based on the skill level. Level 1: +1, Level 2: +2, Level 3: +3, Level 4: +4, Level 5: +5

- "Increase Acquisition Status Points" ⇒ Increases the status points gained upon leveling up based on the skill level. Level 1: +1, Level 2: +2, Level 3: +3, Level 4: +4, Level 5: +5

- "Designated Skill Effect Double" ⇒ Doubles the effect of a specified skill. The number of skills you can specify increases with the skill level (up to a maximum of 5 skills).

- "Designated Skill Effect Removal" ⇒ Allows you to remove the effect of a skill specified by "Designated Skill Effect Double." You can remove one skill per day, and after removal, you can select a different skill with "Designated Skill Effect Double."

【Warrior】

- "Swordsmanship" ⇒ Increases the attack power when using a sword based on the skill level. Level 1: 110%, Level 2: 120%, Level 3: 130%, Level 4: 140%, Level 5: 150%, Level 6: 160%, Level 7: 170%, Level 8: 180%, Level 9: 190%, Level 10: 300%

- "Parry" ⇒ Allows you to deflect an opponent's attack when using a sword. The success rate changes based on the opponent's strength and skill level.

- "First Aid" ⇒ Heals injuries when used. [Healing effect: minimal]

- "Provocation" ⇒ Angers the opponent and makes them focus their attacks on you. The success rate changes based on the level difference.

- "Concentration" ⇒ Temporarily increases "Strength," "Agility," and "Stamina" when used. Level 1: +5, Level 2: +10, Level 3: +15, Level 4: +20, Level 5: +25, Level 6: +30, Level 7: +35, Level 8: +40, Level 9: +45, Level 10: +50

- "Shield Bash" ⇒ Allows you to attack while defending when equipped with a shield. The power changes based on the skill level and the opponent's stamina.

- "Fisticuffs" ⇒ Increases the attack power when using your body based on the skill level. Level 1: 110%, Level 2: 120%, Level 3: 130%, Level 4: 140%, Level 5: 150%, Level 6: 160%, Level 7: 170%, Level 8: 180%, Level 9: 190%, Level 10: 300%

【Scout】

- "Dagger Mastery" ⇒ Increases the attack power when using a dagger based on the skill level. Level 1: 110%, Level 2: 120%, Level 3: 130%, Level 4: 140%, Level 5: 150%, Level 6: 160%, Level 7: 170%, Level 8: 180%, Level 9: 190%, Level 10: 300%

- "Trap Detection" ⇒ Allows you to detect traps set by "Trap Setting" based on the skill level. The higher the opponent's "Trap Setting" skill, the higher the skill level required.

- "Trap Removal" ⇒ Allows you to remove traps set by "Trap Setting" based on the skill level. The higher the opponent's "Trap Setting" skill, the higher the skill level required.

- "Dissection" ⇒ Allows you to skillfully dissect monsters.

- "Backstep" ⇒ Allows you to avoid an opponent's attack by stepping backward. The success rate changes based on the opponent's agility and skill level.

- "Throwing Mastery" ⇒ Increases the attack power when using throwing weapons based on the skill level. Level 1: 110%, Level 2: 120%, Level 3: 130%, Level 4: 140%, Level 5: 150%, Level 6: 160%, Level 7: 170%, Level 8: 180%, Level 9: 190%, Level 10: 300%

- "Magic Trap Detection" ⇒ Allows you to detect traps set by "Magic Trap Setting" based on the skill level. The higher the opponent's "Magic Trap Setting" skill, the higher the skill level required.

- "Trap Setting" ⇒ Allows you to set traps. The higher the skill level, the less likely they are to be removed.

- "Backstab" ⇒ Allows you to deal high damage by attacking from behind without the opponent noticing. Level 1: 150%, Level 2: 200%, Level 3: 250%, Level 4: 300%, Level 5: 350%, Level 6: 400%, Level 7: 450%, Level 8: 500%, Level 9: 550%, Level 10: 600%

【Mage】

- "Staff Mastery" ⇒ Increases the attack power when using a staff based on the skill level. Level 1: 110%, Level 2: 120%, Level 3: 130%, Level 4: 140%, Level 5: 150%, Level 6: 160%, Level 7: 170%, Level 8: 180%, Level 9: 190%, Level 10: 300%

- "Fire Arrow" ⇒ Increases the number of fire arrows and the attack power of each arrow based on the skill level. Level 1: 110%, Level 2: 120%, Level 3: 130%, Level 4: 140%, Level 5: 150%, Level 6: 160%, Level 7: 170%, Level 8: 180%, Level 9: 190%, Level 10: 300%

- "Ice Arrow" ⇒ Increases the number of ice arrows and the attack power of each arrow based on the skill level. Level 1: 110%, Level 2: 120%, Level 3: 130%, Level 4: 140%, Level 5: 150%, Level 6: 160%, Level 7: 170%, Level 8: 180%, Level 9: 190%, Level 10: 300%

- "Wind Arrow" ⇒ Increases the number of wind arrows and the attack power of each arrow based on the skill level. Level 1: 110%, Level 2: 120%, Level 3: 130%, Level 4: 140%, Level 5: 150%, Level 6: 160%, Level 7: 170%, Level 8: 180%, Level 9: 190%, Level 10: 300%

- "Rock Shot" ⇒ Increases the number of rock chunks and the attack power of each chunk based on the skill level. Level 1: 110%, Level 2: 120%, Level 3: 130%, Level 4: 140%, Level 5: 150%, Level 6: 160%, Level 7: 170%, Level 8: 180%, Level 9: 190%, Level 10: 300%

- "Meditation" ⇒ Allows you to recover magic power faster when used. The recovery amount changes based on the skill level.

- "Wall" ⇒ Allows you to create walls of different attributes.

- "Burst" ⇒ Allows you to use high-power magic when combined with different attributes. The attack power increases with the skill level. Level 1: 130%, Level 2: 160%, Level 3: 190%, Level 4: 220%, Level 5: 250%, Level 6: 280%, Level 7: 310%, Level 8: 340%, Level 9: 370%, Level 10: 400%

- "Magic Concentration" ⇒ Allows you to amplify the power of the next magic spell used. Level 1: 150%, Level 2: 200%, Level 3: 250%, Level 4: 300%, Level 5: 350%, Level 6: 400%, Level 7: 450%, Level 8: 500%, Level 9: 550%, Level 10: 600%

【Priest】

- "Healing" ⇒ Heals injuries when used. The effect changes based on "Spirit" and skill level. [Healing effect: small]

- "Cure" ⇒ Removes poison when used. The effect changes based on "Spirit" and skill level.

- "Blessing" ⇒ Temporarily increases "Spirit" when used. Level 1: +1, Level 2: +2, Level 3: +3, Level 4: +4, Level 5: +5, Level 6: +6, Level 7: +7, Level 8: +8, Level 9: +9, Level 10: +10

- "High Healing" ⇒ Heals injuries when used. The effect changes based on "Spirit" and skill level. [Healing effect: medium]

- "Safety Wall" ⇒ Allows you to create a transparent wall when used.

- "Speed Up" ⇒ Temporarily increases "Agility" when used. The increase value and duration change based on the skill level. Level 1: +10, Level 2: +20, Level 3: +30, Level 4: +40, Level 5: +50, Level 6: +60, Level 7: +70, Level 8: +80, Level 9: +90, Level 10: +100

- "Stamina Up" ⇒ Temporarily increases "Stamina" when used. The increase value and duration change based on the skill level. Level 1: +10, Level 2: +20, Level 3: +30, Level 4: +40, Level 5: +50, Level 6: +60, Level 7: +70, Level 8: +80, Level 9: +90, Level 10: +100

【Rogue】

- "Sleep" ⇒ Restores stamina when you sleep.

- "Cold Joke" ⇒ Makes people look at you with cold eyes when used.

- "Impersonation" ⇒ Makes people look at you as if you are a weirdo when used.

- "Eat" ⇒ Restores stamina when you eat.

- "Deep Sleep" ⇒ Activates when your stamina is below 10%, allowing you to sleep deeply and restore stamina in a short time.

【Merchant】

- "Item Appraisal" ⇒ Allows you to appraise items when used. The higher the skill level, the better the appraisal of rare items.

- "Weapon Repair" ⇒ Restores the durability of weapons when used. The recovery amount changes based on the skill level and the rarity of the weapon.

- "Armor Repair" ⇒ Restores the durability of armor when used. The recovery amount changes based on the skill level and the rarity of the armor.

- "Item Box" ⇒ Allows you to open an item box. The number of item boxes you can open changes based on the skill level.

- "Item Drop Rate Increase" ⇒ Increases the drop rate of item boxes from defeated opponents based on the skill level. Level 1: +1%, Level 2: +2%, Level 3: +3%, Level 4: +4%, Level 5: +5%

- "Skill Appraisal" ⇒ Allows you to appraise skills when used.

"This is really convenient. With this much information, it's clear which skills to acquire next."

I can now consider the order in which to acquire skills.

"Still... what is this [Rogue]?"

Most of the skills are completely useless. Moreover, "Deep Sleep" could be fatal for me.

If I had acquired it, I might have fallen asleep at some point while hunting in the dungeon and been killed by a monster.

"That was close..."

It was the right decision not to acquire skills that seemed unnecessary or whose effects didn't resonate with me. I felt a chill down my spine, realizing I need to be cautious in the future.

"Anyway, since tomorrow is a day off, I'll take my time to think about which skills to prioritize."

I made a note of the skill list and looked forward to thinking about it.