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The level of [Light Weakness] skill has decreased.
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I finally managed to log in. Well, previously, right after logging out, a wave of panic washed over me. The cause of my anxiety was a phone call from my boss at work that came in right after I logged out. Luckily, it turned out to be a routine call about an upcoming drinking party next week, so I breathed a sigh of relief. I was on edge, thinking it might be overtime work on the holiday.
Anyway, let’s set aside my personal, real-life story for now. As I suspected, the [Light Weakness] has been reduced by one more level. I succeeded!
However, I hadn’t anticipated that it would diminish any further in its current state. The reason for my doubt is that this feeble light no longer inflicts any damage. I must find a way to increase its intensity.
I was already aware of the method to achieve that. All I had to do was incorporate a magic stone into the lamp. Let’s use the one I obtained during the previous hunt.
Wow! The light has become remarkably stronger. By adding two magic stones of equal quality and size, both the intensity and elemental damage of the light have doubled effortlessly. On the other hand, my healing rate was barely keeping up. In that case, I should avoid reading books carelessly.
For now, let’s turn off the lamp. Should I use [Summoning Magic]? Now, what kind of attribute should I imbue on the summoned beast this time…
“Summoned Beast Return. And, Summon Skeleton – Defense Boost.”
This time, I used the [Enchantment] skill to imbue a boost for my summoning beast. I wondered if this would allow me to create sturdy minions.
Appearing before me was a completely ordinary skeleton monster. In FSW, the stats were masked data, so I was not sure of my summoned beast’s exact stat values, but it had likely grown stronger. I hope that’s the case. Well then, let’s set off for the hunt.
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Race level increased. Gained 1 SP.
Job level increased. Gained 1 SP.
The level of [Staff Mastery] skill has increased.
The level of [Magic Control] skill has increased.
The level of [Earth Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Fire Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Wind Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Dark Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Non-Elemental Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Summoning Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Enchatement] skill has increased.
The level of [Magic Circle] skill has increased.
The level of [Appraisal] skill has increased.
The level of [Stealth] skill has increased.
The level of [Sneak] skill has increased.
The level of [Ambush] skill has increased.
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The combo of [Summoning Magic] and [Enchantment] was a perfect match. The minion I summoned this time hardly took any damage from the Lesser Ratman’s attacks. What an amazing defensive role it played!
Feeling encouraged, I summoned a second minion without any hesitation, and I must say, it was a decision I don’t regret. Dealing with three Lesser Ratmen turned out to be a walk in the park. I now possess the confidence to handle four of them effortlessly. Encouraged by my triumph, I continued hunting until I acquired two magic stones.
Incidentally, I’ve ended up accumulating a substantial amount of rat skin and rat front teeth. I couldn’t bring myself to discard them due to my frugal nature. What should I do with these items, I wonder?
Furthermore, during my previous hunt, I managed to reach the northernmost point of the sewer. Merely ten blocks away from my base, I encountered a dead end. It seemed like I still had a long way to go before completing the map exploration, given that I had been traveling in a straight line and hadn’t come across any direct exits leading outside. It seemed that I would have to conduct a thorough search. In the next session, I should head east.
Alright, it was time for the (somewhat) fun reading session. What should I delve into this time? I had already completed everything except for the voluminous and detailed “Twelve Great Divine Scriptures,” which provided a comprehensive explanation of the world’s lore and the doctrines of each god. As for the books on practical magic, they held no value until my magic level reached 10. Alchemy books were also not a viable option at the moment…
…Maybe it was already time for me to reach out for the books in the laboratory? Although there were parts that seemed excessively difficult or unreadable, I felt like I can somewhat handle them now.
There was some basis for my confidence. Even though it was only my first day in the game, I had come to realize that there were numerous connections between skills in this game. At the beginning, I possessed only [Dark Magic], but now that I had acquired nine different types of magic skills, I believed I met the minimal requirements to understand the books. At the very least, as I made progress in my reading, both [Linguistics] and [Archeology] would naturally improve. Alright let’s read while being mindful of my health bar!
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You have acquired the [Necromancy] skill through your past actions and experiences.
You have obtained the title “Knowledge Seeker”
You have obtained the title “Title Earner”
You have obtained the title “Heretic”
You have acquired the [Curse] skill through your past actions and experiences.
You have acquired the [Trap Magic] skill from my past action experience.
The level of [Linguistics] skill has increased.
The level of [Archeology] skill has increased.
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My prediction proved to be correct, and thanks to the increased level in [Archeology], I was able to effortlessly comprehend the previously unreadable passages in the laboratory’s books. This realization led me to discover an introductory book among the ones left in the laboratory. It was titled “Introduction to Heretical Magic.”
This is quite bad. Each spell within the book was powerful, but their capabilities were so malicious that they had been designated as forbidden magic. It was unclear how many years ago this book was set in, but if it became known that I, a monster capable of utilizing forbidden magic, existed, I would likely be targeted by various factions. Until I grew stronger, I would need to be cautious not to attract attention.
Putting that aside, it was time for the customary performance check. First, there was the [Necromancy] skill, which seemed to require the possession of the [Linguistics] skill, as well as the [Dark Magic] skill and the [Summoning Magic] skill.
Its effects included commanding and empowering undead beings, as well as the ability to create them. The latter aspect, creation, was particularly intriguing.
Creation referred to the ability to construct undead beings by gathering materials. Unlike summoned beasts, undead created using materials did not deplete the caster’s maximum magic power. Furthermore, they could be strengthened by making modifications after their creation. It was even possible for them to evolve through gaining experience in battles. However, if they were destroyed, they would vanish like ordinary monsters, and the materials used would then be lost.
With the necessary materials, it was possible to create an undead legion. The thought of commanding such a powerful force of undead soldiers filled me with a sense of boundless visions and possibilities.
Moving on to the [Curse] skill, it appeared to be the reverse version of [Enchantment]. While [Enchantment] focused on strengthening allies, [Curse] aimed to weaken enemies. I believed the requirements for acquiring [Curse] were [Dark Magic], [Enchantment], and [Linguistics]. However, this was merely my intuition, as I was merely listing related skills, and I couldn’t verify this information’s accuracy.
Next, there was [Trap Magic], which likely was related to [Magic Circle]. This skill allowed the placement of a magic circle that would activate when the specific conditions were met. Although it lacked the versatility of a magic circle, it had the advantage of being difficult to notice once set up. It seemed like it could be used to cause inconvenience and trouble for both monsters and players alike.
Lastly, there were the titles. Upon checking my status, I noticed that the section for titles had expanded. Perhaps these were hidden features? Here are the detailed explanations for each title:
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“Knowledge Seeker”
A title bestowed upon those who have mastered numerous forms of magic.
Reduces magic consumption when using magic attacks.
Requirements: Possess 10 different magic-related skills.
“Title Earner”
A testament to those who have acquired a title.
Requirements: Obtain a title.
“Heretic”
A title given to those who have dabbled in something considered evil.
You shall bear the fear and disgust of the people.
Requirements: Acquire???-related skills.
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“Knowledge Seeker” was definitely a big hit. Its effects were remarkable. It felt like a reward for those who had gathered numerous forms of magic. On the other hand, it seemed like there could be a title for those who focused solely on one type of magic. It was beyond my reach now, though.
“Title Earner” was like a memento. It didn’t have any particular benefits, so it was probably just something to have and keep.
The “Heretic”… What could that be? Judging from the name, it seemed like it would make NPCs dislike you more. Well, as a skeleton, I was already treated as a target for subjugation, so it didn’t really matter!
What intrigued me more was the term “??-related skills.” It was a mystery. Based on the context, [Necromancy] would probably fall under this “??-related” category. But I had no further clues to make a definitive judgment, so I decided to leave it be for the time being.
After gaining some good harvest from reading the books, it was time for hunting. I decided to continue using the two summoned beasts until they were worn out, and I would also give [Necromancy] a try. This time, I would use the enhancement aspect of the [Necromancy] skill. Right in front of me was a skeleton I had summoned using “Summoning Magic.” Let’s see if I can enhance it.
“Undead Boost!”
“Clatter, clatter, clatter!”
“Whoa?!”
I was startled! Don’t start moving suddenly like that! Nevertheless, the enhancement effect of “Necromancy” was impressive. The moment I cast the spell, a faint but distinct black aura engulfed the skeleton. It tickled my Chuunibyou spirit, I must say.
Now, it’s time to embark on the hunt!
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Race level increased. Gained 1 SP.
Job level increased. Gained 1 SP.
The level of [Staff Mastery] skill has increased.
The level of [Magic Control] skill has increased.
The level of [Earth Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Fire Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Wind Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Dark Magic] skill has increased.
Newly learned “Dark Lance” and “Dark wave“spell attacks.
The level of [Non-Elemental Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Summoning Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Enchatement] skill has increased.
The level of [Magic Circle] skill has increased.
The level of [Necromancy] skill has increased.
The level of [Curse] skill has increased.
The level of [Trap Magic] skill has increased.
The level of [Stealth] skill has increased.
The level of [Sneak] skill has increased.
The level of [Ambush] skill has increased.
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Well, well, hunting has become a breeze, hasn’t it? My battles were already smooth sailing to begin with, but thanks to the even tougher minions, I didn’t sustain any damage at all. It was truly easy, I must say.
However, I couldn’t expect to continue enjoying such a level of ease indefinitely. Even if I left the frontline to my subordinates, it seemed like the AI could only handle the bare minimum and lacked the ability to make split-second judgments.
In such circumstances, forming a party seemed like the logical choice, but the current situation didn’t allow for recruitment. I decided to contemplate that option when the opportunity to venture outside arose.
Instead of dwelling on the future, let’s shift our focus to the improved [Dark Magic] skill. The latest additions to my arsenal were “Dark Lance” and “Dark Wave” spells, and I have already begun utilizing both spells in the battles.
Using them felt exhilarating. “Dark Lance” was a potent single-target attack, while “Dark Wave” unleashed an area-of-effect assault. Both spells possessed greater power compared to the initial “Dark Ball” but they consumed more magic power. It was crucial to employ them judiciously, selecting the right moment and location for maximum impact.
When a specific elemental magic reaches level 5, will another “X Lance” and “X Wave” be added to my arsenal of spells? I’m sure I’ll find out in the next hunt when the other elements reach level 5 as well. Let’s keep our expectations high.
Oh, was it already this late? It was a two-day weekend, so it would have been tempting to continue playing, but I decided to log out for now. Pulling an all-nighter was best saved for weekdays after all.
I left the lamp’s light on again this time. However, I restored the fuel magic stone to one, as I would perish if I left two stones in the lamp. Whether this would actually contribute to gaining resistance experience was uncertain, but it was definitely better to do it rather than not.
Well then, let’s go to sleep and call it a night.
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Name: Isam
Race: Skeleton Lv5 up!
Job: Apprentice mage Lv5 up!
Titles:
- “Knowledge Seeker” new!
- “Title Earner” new!
- “Heretic” new!
Remaining SP (skill points): 106
Skills:
- [Staff Mastery] Lv5 up!
- [Magic Control] Lv4 up!
- [Earth Magic] Lv4 up!
- [Water Magic] Lv4 up!
- [Fire Magic] Lv4 up!
- [Wind Magic] Lv4 up!
- [Dark Magic] Lv5 up!
- [Non-Elemental Magic] Lv4 up!
- [Summoning Magic] Lv4 up!
- [Enchantment] Lv2 up!
- [Magic Circle] Lv2 up!
- [Necromancy] Lv1 new!
- [Curse] Lv1 new!
- [Archaeology] Lv6 up!
- [Linguistics] Lv4 up!
- [Pharmacology] Lv0
- [Alchemy] Lv0
- [Appraisal] Lv5 up!
- [Night Vision] Lv-
- [Stealth] Lv5 up!
- [Sneak] Lv4 up!
- [Ambush] Lv3 up!
- [Status Resistance] Lv-
- [Light Weakness] Lv8 down!
- [Physical Attack Weakness] Lv10
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TN : spells are different than skills, Skills are what mc earns from doing actions and reading books; while spells are attacks derived from the skill itself. For example fire magic is a skill and fire ball is a spell.
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