Triopals Happy New Year, guys! I hope you have a great year ahead. XD
Abraham had been feeling like an absolute disappointment of a father. Ever since he went into debt, all the supposed burdens had been somewhat alleviated thanks mostly to his over-mature son. Now, facing the incoming perils, Jack had continued to be the one giving out the soundest of plans.
First and foremost, he brought the Harper a few weapons, not something too high and mighty, but enough, together with a few pieces of enchanted leather armor, to increase their self-defense capacity. Being a merchant, Abraham understood how much all of this cost. He felt even more dismay, rather than joy, when Jack decided to give him a Wind-forged Mace. The head of the Harper household realized how many precarious situations the boy must have put himself in to acquire the marshal prowess for his family.
Nextly, he introduced a number of potions and herbs to increase the resistance of his parents, as well as the many families who had their lives depend on the Harper. This would free the house's fighting force from the distraction of their relative’s safety and allow them to focus on dealing with any battle to come.
Just to be sure, he also suggested his father build temporary hidden shelters. The scale of the Monster Surge was said to be not the most dangerous, according to Meinhard, but the element of surprise couldn’t be ignored. Destruction could even start right at the center of the town, and the only thing he wouldn’t want to see was mother Sophie got caught in it.
Lastly, Jack asked his father to prepare a crew to install the poison traps that he intended to make in the near future. The militia force of Oxdale probably had something similar, but another layer of defense wouldn’t hurt anyone.
“You should go home and see your mom,” Abraham rubbed his son’s head and said while the two were sitting on the handrail of a small stone bridge, enjoying a moment of peace and the cool wind of the late afternoon.
“Mom won’t let me leave the house after that,” Jack said with a whining voice.
“There’s a rule in this house, you know?”
“Don’t hide anything from mom, right?”
“Yes! You should arrange some time for her, alright?”
“I got it.”
The father and son stared at the sky for a good while. Abraham knew how exhausted the boy must be, so he didn’t ask too much and started thinking about his part of the preparation.
As for Jack, as much as he wanted to just lie there, feeling the air caressing his skin and taking a good nap, he needed to stand up and continue with his to-do list.
“What is this, boss?” Thomas asked when Jack gave his friend a small bag.
“Some medicine and a bomb,” Jack said nonchalantly.
“Bomb?”
“Yes, a bomb.”
After a few seconds of letting his little friend’s wide-opened eyes stare at him, Jack began to explain and show how to use the items in the bag. From the direct use of poison bombs to installing them on the ground around the houses, as well as the amount of enhancement potion required before the fight. Moreover, Jack also prepared for Thomas a small suit of armor with adequate defensive capability. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to give Thomas his best stuff, but rather because the strain limit of the boy’s body couldn’t handle such things.
“Your father must have known everything by now,” Jack said. “This is for your self-defense. That’s all I can do for you.”
Though he barely understood the situation, Thomas still held the bad solemnly.
“Thanks.”
“Uhm. Try your best to train and keep yourself safe. If things get out of hand, find Abraham, alright?”
Thomas nodded bewilderedly. Jack knew his request was too much for a kid to handle. Alas, that was truly all he could do.
“Alright, let’s get to business,” Jack muttered.
You have used 2 skill points.
Item Crafting (Herald, Active)
Level: 5.
Requirement for next level: Spirit >= 70.
Cooldown: 24 hours.
Effect:
Choose a crafting item from the provided list. The requisites of materials, knowledge, and skills will be displayed for the subject to perform the crafting. Cooldown decreases and categories increase with level.
Jack added three skill points in Item Crafting of Artificer to aid his weapon-making work recently. Level 5, in his opinion, was adequately high since Artificer’s Basic Knowledge at the same level was already at the threshold of Crusader. The number of items that appeared on the list grew less with each upgrade, negatively correlating with their quality, though the items he sought were still nowhere to be found in this dire moment.
Should I risk it, Jack thought to himself.
Going over the five mark was something Jack had tried to avoid up until this point because, according to his previous experience with the System and the knowledge he had gathered on this world, the diminishing return effect became more severe after this, making the investment of point into skill worth consideration.
Still, his current pool of stat and skill points was quite plentiful. Besides, he reckoned he would need some spirit points in the future, so he decided to try his luck.
You have used 7 stat points.
Your spirit increased from 49 to 70.
Jack continued without hesitation.
You have used 1 skill point.
Item Crafting (Herald, Active)
Level: 6.
Requirement for next level: Spirit >= 102.
Cooldown: 22 hours.
Effect:
Choose a crafting item from the provided list. The requisites of materials, knowledge, and skills will be displayed for the subject to perform the crafting. Cooldown decreases and categories increase with level.
The cooldown shortened after level 5.
Jack’s heart pounded rapidly as he opened the item list again. He almost jumped when finally saw it on the screen.
Warboots of Fleeting Might (Feet Armor - Boot, Herald, Mythic, Infusible)
Description: Dashing on the air, attacking from the sky.
Effects:
+20% Move Speed.
+10% Defense.
Special Effects:
Grants the wielder the ability [Vanishing Jump]. Required: low mana cost. Cooldown: 15 seconds.
[Vanishing Jump] (Mobility, does not stack): make the user's next jump higher and faster.
Core Materials: 1 x Enchanted Fiber, 1m2 of Faded Velour.
*Lower-quality Enchanted Fiber will degrade the final product to Uncommon or Common.
*This item belongs to a set called [Fleeting Might]. Number of the set’s items in the list: 2.
Based on the information from Oudin, the bank’s director, there were a total of four items in the Fleeting Might set. With that, Jack figured the System would not reveal whether or not the item belonged to any specific set, not until at least two of them appeared in his list. Currently, the description of Warfist of Fleeting Might also had an additional note, similar to that of the Warboots.
Jack was quite pleased to learn Warboots of Fleeting Might didn’t have any specific requirement when its rarity was lowered. After selecting it to acquire the corresponding knowledge, Jack knew most of the challenge would lie in the crafting stage. The boots had a significantly higher demand when it came to preciseness and dexterity compared to the ones he had done so far.
As usual, he quickly went to Bastian. Cranky as he might be, his capability to acquire material was second to none here in Oxdale. It only took a single afternoon for Enchanted Fiber to be delivered to Sword in The Forge.
Thanks to the supreme success rate of the System’s instruction, Jack didn’t have to buy any spare. His current financial situation wouldn’t allow it anyway.
Jack got to work for the next five hours straight. Epic item it might not be, but Warboots of Fleeting Might strained the mind just as hard. The lines of fabric had to be adjusted to the details for mana to flow within as smoothly as possible, and Enchanted Fiber didn’t make this any easier. Jack had to carve and morph it before using it for the boots.
The final product came out without any quality issues. Warboots of Fleeting Might had that same white color theme, much like the pair of gauntlets. On the sides, they were imprinted with two light brown wings made from Enchanted Fiber. When worn, the item gave a light and agile feeling to the feet.
Jack also put on the pair of Warfists of Fleeting Might he had crafted recently. Immediately, the set effect appeared on the System screen.
Set [Fleeting Might] equipped: 2/4.
Grant the wielder the ability [Fleeting Wings]
[Fleeting Wings] (mobility, does not stack): Create a pair of wings on each boot when activated. Help the wielder fly at a moderate height. Duration: 20 seconds. Cooldown: 10 minutes.
Even Hermes will be envied, Jack thought with exhilaration. That is if he exists in this world.
While Jack was enjoying his work, at the noisy central square of Oxdale, the people gathering there were confused after the announcement made by the Mayor, Marvin Humphrey.
“Starting tomorrow, a curfew will take effect for security purposes. An emergency militia will be formed and deployed. Anyone who wishes to contribute is welcome. Please remember, this is a dangerous situation of the highest degree, and it is happening all over Dessotor. Nowhere is safe. So please, don’t panic and flee, but instead, stay put and defend our home. Tomorrow, there will be specific directives, for now, you can return to your houses. I, as Mayor, promise to protect everyone in any way I can. And at the same time, I only wish that you join hands with me to do so.”
Even with that message, a few town folks still held and whispered to each other the idea of leaving and finding a safe haven. Marvin himself left his rostrum without any comments. Even Meinhard was having a hard time traveling on the road, let alone those who were weaker than him. A loophole had been purposely set up in the law by the Mayor himself, so those who could would run away tonight. Whatever the case, the mayor did not want this element to create a commotion in the near future among the people trying to defend themselves. He just needed the determination of those who stayed.
Triopals Happy New Year, guys! I hope you have a great year ahead. XD
Abraham had been feeling like an absolute disappointment of a father. Ever since he went into debt, all the supposed burdens had been somewhat alleviated thanks mostly to his over-mature son. Now, facing the incoming perils, Jack had continued to be the one giving out the soundest of plans.
First and foremost, he brought the Harper a few weapons, not something too high and mighty, but enough, together with a few pieces of enchanted leather armor, to increase their self-defense capacity. Being a merchant, Abraham understood how much all of this cost. He felt even more dismay, rather than joy, when Jack decided to give him a Wind-forged Mace. The head of the Harper household realized how many precarious situations the boy must have put himself in to acquire the marshal prowess for his family.
Nextly, he introduced a number of potions and herbs to increase the resistance of his parents, as well as the many families who had their lives depend on the Harper. This would free the house's fighting force from the distraction of their relative’s safety and allow them to focus on dealing with any battle to come.
Just to be sure, he also suggested his father build temporary hidden shelters. The scale of the Monster Surge was said to be not the most dangerous, according to Meinhard, but the element of surprise couldn’t be ignored. Destruction could even start right at the center of the town, and the only thing he wouldn’t want to see was mother Sophie got caught in it.
Lastly, Jack asked his father to prepare a crew to install the poison traps that he intended to make in the near future. The militia force of Oxdale probably had something similar, but another layer of defense wouldn’t hurt anyone.
“You should go home and see your mom,” Abraham rubbed his son’s head and said while the two were sitting on the handrail of a small stone bridge, enjoying a moment of peace and the cool wind of the late afternoon.
“Mom won’t let me leave the house after that,” Jack said with a whining voice.
“There’s a rule in this house, you know?”
“Don’t hide anything from mom, right?”
“Yes! You should arrange some time for her, alright?”
“I got it.”
The father and son stared at the sky for a good while. Abraham knew how exhausted the boy must be, so he didn’t ask too much and started thinking about his part of the preparation.
As for Jack, as much as he wanted to just lie there, feeling the air caressing his skin and taking a good nap, he needed to stand up and continue with his to-do list.
“What is this, boss?” Thomas asked when Jack gave his friend a small bag.
“Some medicine and a bomb,” Jack said nonchalantly.
“Bomb?”
“Yes, a bomb.”
After a few seconds of letting his little friend’s wide-opened eyes stare at him, Jack began to explain and show how to use the items in the bag. From the direct use of poison bombs to installing them on the ground around the houses, as well as the amount of enhancement potion required before the fight. Moreover, Jack also prepared for Thomas a small suit of armor with adequate defensive capability. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to give Thomas his best stuff, but rather because the strain limit of the boy’s body couldn’t handle such things.
“Your father must have known everything by now,” Jack said. “This is for your self-defense. That’s all I can do for you.”
Though he barely understood the situation, Thomas still held the bad solemnly.
“Thanks.”
“Uhm. Try your best to train and keep yourself safe. If things get out of hand, find Abraham, alright?”
Thomas nodded bewilderedly. Jack knew his request was too much for a kid to handle. Alas, that was truly all he could do.
“Alright, let’s get to business,” Jack muttered.
You have used 2 skill points.
Item Crafting (Herald, Active)
Level: 5.
Requirement for next level: Spirit >= 70.
Cooldown: 24 hours.
Effect:
Choose a crafting item from the provided list. The requisites of materials, knowledge, and skills will be displayed for the subject to perform the crafting. Cooldown decreases and categories increase with level.
Jack added three skill points in Item Crafting of Artificer to aid his weapon-making work recently. Level 5, in his opinion, was adequately high since Artificer’s Basic Knowledge at the same level was already at the threshold of Crusader. The number of items that appeared on the list grew less with each upgrade, negatively correlating with their quality, though the items he sought were still nowhere to be found in this dire moment.
Should I risk it, Jack thought to himself.
Going over the five mark was something Jack had tried to avoid up until this point because, according to his previous experience with the System and the knowledge he had gathered on this world, the diminishing return effect became more severe after this, making the investment of point into skill worth consideration.
Still, his current pool of stat and skill points was quite plentiful. Besides, he reckoned he would need some spirit points in the future, so he decided to try his luck.
You have used 7 stat points.
Your spirit increased from 49 to 70.
Jack continued without hesitation.
You have used 1 skill point.
Item Crafting (Herald, Active)
Level: 6.
Requirement for next level: Spirit >= 102.
Cooldown: 22 hours.
Effect:
Choose a crafting item from the provided list. The requisites of materials, knowledge, and skills will be displayed for the subject to perform the crafting. Cooldown decreases and categories increase with level.
The cooldown shortened after level 5.
Jack’s heart pounded rapidly as he opened the item list again. He almost jumped when finally saw it on the screen.
Warboots of Fleeting Might (Feet Armor - Boot, Herald, Mythic, Infusible)
Description: Dashing on the air, attacking from the sky.
Effects:
+20% Move Speed.
+10% Defense.
Special Effects:
Grants the wielder the ability [Vanishing Jump]. Required: low mana cost. Cooldown: 15 seconds.
[Vanishing Jump] (Mobility, does not stack): make the user's next jump higher and faster.
Core Materials: 1 x Enchanted Fiber, 1m2 of Faded Velour.
*Lower-quality Enchanted Fiber will degrade the final product to Uncommon or Common.
*This item belongs to a set called [Fleeting Might]. Number of the set’s items in the list: 2.
Based on the information from Oudin, the bank’s director, there were a total of four items in the Fleeting Might set. With that, Jack figured the System would not reveal whether or not the item belonged to any specific set, not until at least two of them appeared in his list. Currently, the description of Warfist of Fleeting Might also had an additional note, similar to that of the Warboots.
Jack was quite pleased to learn Warboots of Fleeting Might didn’t have any specific requirement when its rarity was lowered. After selecting it to acquire the corresponding knowledge, Jack knew most of the challenge would lie in the crafting stage. The boots had a significantly higher demand when it came to preciseness and dexterity compared to the ones he had done so far.
As usual, he quickly went to Bastian. Cranky as he might be, his capability to acquire material was second to none here in Oxdale. It only took a single afternoon for Enchanted Fiber to be delivered to Sword in The Forge.
Thanks to the supreme success rate of the System’s instruction, Jack didn’t have to buy any spare. His current financial situation wouldn’t allow it anyway.
Jack got to work for the next five hours straight. Epic item it might not be, but Warboots of Fleeting Might strained the mind just as hard. The lines of fabric had to be adjusted to the details for mana to flow within as smoothly as possible, and Enchanted Fiber didn’t make this any easier. Jack had to carve and morph it before using it for the boots.
The final product came out without any quality issues. Warboots of Fleeting Might had that same white color theme, much like the pair of gauntlets. On the sides, they were imprinted with two light brown wings made from Enchanted Fiber. When worn, the item gave a light and agile feeling to the feet.
Jack also put on the pair of Warfists of Fleeting Might he had crafted recently. Immediately, the set effect appeared on the System screen.
Set [Fleeting Might] equipped: 2/4.
Grant the wielder the ability [Fleeting Wings]
[Fleeting Wings] (mobility, does not stack): Create a pair of wings on each boot when activated. Help the wielder fly at a moderate height. Duration: 20 seconds. Cooldown: 10 minutes.
Even Hermes will be envied, Jack thought with exhilaration. That is if he exists in this world.
While Jack was enjoying his work, at the noisy central square of Oxdale, the people gathering there were confused after the announcement made by the Mayor, Marvin Humphrey.
“Starting tomorrow, a curfew will take effect for security purposes. An emergency militia will be formed and deployed. Anyone who wishes to contribute is welcome. Please remember, this is a dangerous situation of the highest degree, and it is happening all over Dessotor. Nowhere is safe. So please, don’t panic and flee, but instead, stay put and defend our home. Tomorrow, there will be specific directives, for now, you can return to your houses. I, as Mayor, promise to protect everyone in any way I can. And at the same time, I only wish that you join hands with me to do so.”
Even with that message, a few town folks still held and whispered to each other the idea of leaving and finding a safe haven. Marvin himself left his rostrum without any comments. Even Meinhard was having a hard time traveling on the road, let alone those who were weaker than him. A loophole had been purposely set up in the law by the Mayor himself, so those who could would run away tonight. Whatever the case, the mayor did not want this element to create a commotion in the near future among the people trying to defend themselves. He just needed the determination of those who stayed.
