TL: Knight Errant
Dio blinked his eyes, trying to comprehend the contents of the system message.
“Skills are changing? In what way?”
As Dio pondered his question, a red aura began to emanate from within him, responding to his query.
It was an aura that seemed to burn everything it touched.
This aura started to envelop the system where the ‘Slash’ skill was listed.
And finally, it completely covered the system.
[The power of the Forgotten Swordsman recognizes the [Fire] seal.]
[Skill ‘Slash’ is being integrated and changed.]
[Changing…….]
[Change complete.]
The burning red aura disappeared in an instant, and the skill description that reappeared in Dio’s eyes had completely changed.
—————
Forgotten Swordsmanship
First Form [Fire]
A first form imbued with the power of [Fire].
One of the ancient swordsmanship techniques of the forgotten era.
Skill Effect: Slash – Swing your sword to deal damage to enemies in front of you.
Cooldown: 5 seconds
—————
Though the effect itself seemed unchanged, the background of the skill had been newly added.
And that wasn’t all.
—————
<Skill Evolution Conditions>
1. Achieve 100 Proficiency
2. [???] – Unlocks upon achieving 100 Proficiency
3. Obtain Essence of Flame
4. [???]
—————
It was a moment of realization for why the class was marked as ‘Growth Type.’
“The power I received from the Death Knight has influenced my skill. Can I grow in this way too?”
Setting aside the unchanged Oath of Liberation, Dio scrutinized the evolution conditions of the Forgotten Swordsmanship again, deep in thought.
“Raising proficiency should be my first priority.”
Excluding the fourth condition, which was marked with a question mark and thus unknown, the other conditions were something Dio could solve by actively moving.
The second condition was one that would only unlock after proficiency was raised.
The third condition, ‘Essence of Flame,’ was an item obtained at an extremely low chance when killing fire attribute monsters.
However, he had already obtained it for refining and crafting, and it existed in the ‘Metropolis Rivernos’ storage.
‘Even though the storage is far from Avera Village…’
Still, the fact that there was no need to acquire it anew was fortunate for Dio.
‘As a Growth Type class, I need to move for ‘growth’.’
Dio realized what he needed to do to become stronger as a ‘Forgotten Swordsman.’
And he began to think about his plans focusing on that.
First, Dio calculated the most suitable stat distribution for his sole skill.
“I don’t know how the skill will evolve. If I assume it’s just the warrior skill ‘Slash’ for now…”
The calculation didn’t take long.
“Good.”
Dio quickly finished the distribution and reviewed his status window.
—————
[Status Window]
<Level>: 35
<Class>: Forgotten Swordsman (Growth Type) – Common
<Stats>
Strength: 85
Agility: 50
Intelligence: 5
Health: 50
Mana: 5
Bonus Points: 0
HP: 380
MP: 225
————–
He had invested heavily in strength.
However, given Dio’s current situation and the nature of his class, it was the optimal choice.
The skill also did not consume MP, being a ‘sword technique.’
Just like martial arts in Wuxia, the ‘sword technique’ in the OTF allows players to learn each form step by step once they acquire it.
It was unknown how the Forgotten Swordsmanship would grow in the future.
But for now, raising proficiency required basic health and strength.
“Let’s see, my level is now 35…”
Dio’s mind began to work rapidly.
There was only a week left until the Monster Wave.
In fact, for a standard user, it was still a situation close to despair.
Since the appropriate level for the ‘wave’ at Avera Village was level 100, it was still far off.
Moreover, there couldn’t possibly be a hunting ground suitable for a user in their 30s nearby.
However, Dio wore a relaxed expression.
Once his level began to rise, Dio, a veteran player, had countless methods at his disposal.
“The storage isn’t just for show.”
Thinking of the items in his storage, Dio started walking with a smirk.
Before the wave started, the minimum level Dio needed to achieve was 50.
Despite feeling more at ease, Dio had no time to waste.
* * *
The lowest level monsters around Avera Village were typically around the early 80s.
And among them, the only monster Dio could hunt at the moment was…
-Kkuwooeoeong!
A reptilian monster named ‘Armored Turtle’, with a massive armor-like shell.
Thud-!
A huge turtle with a sharp iron shell fell down with the sound of a beast’s cry.
[Armored Turtle/Common Monster/Lv.83]
[You have defeated the Armored Turtle.]
[You have gained 3015 experience points.]
Dio, panting heavily in front of the fallen Armored Turtle, swept away the dust and revealed himself.
“Huff, huff, is this the third one?”
The Armored Turtle, being larger than a human in size, was characterized by its strong vitality and defense.
However, its speed was extremely slow.
Thus, if Dio targeted its weakness, he could hunt it without getting hit even once.
In other words, hunting one required tremendous effort and time.
Fortunately, Dio was well-suited for grind-heavy tasks.
“Still, for raising skill proficiency, this is an optimal environment.”
Despite investing heavily in strength considering the Armored Turtle, Dio’s attack power was still insufficient to easily defeat it.
Moreover, the basic Slash of the skill First Form [Fire] was almost useless given Dio’s poor attack power.
However, Dio had already reached a level where he enjoyed grinding.
He swung his simple ‘Slash’ hundreds of times to increase the skill’s proficiency.
[Proficiency 2.4/100]
That was the reason why he could raise the skill proficiency by as much as 0.8 points per turtle.
“Ugh. Still, it’s frustrating. If only I had the ‘Moonlight Greatsword’ in the storage.”
Currently, Dio’s weapon was just a common grade one sold in basic stores.
Regrettably, there were still no suitable weapons for Dio’s level in the storage.
“I have no choice but to hunt with what I have. Can’t fight with bare hands, can I?”
Dio grumbled, aware of his situation.
Nevertheless, Dio was in the process of enhancing his understanding of his class by hunting Armored Turtles.
Firstly, Dio focused on ‘swordsmanship’ and tested various types of swords.
They were monsters of a higher level, after all.
Hunting them caused the durability of his weapons to decrease faster, and he ended up breaking several of them.
“A one-handed sword doesn’t seem to fit in many ways. Given the nature of the skill, a greatsword would be more appropriate.”
Dio threw the broken sword to the ground and opened his inventory.
“This won’t be easy.”
Dio muttered to himself as he took out a new supply greatsword and began searching for his next target.
“Before the Monster Wave starts, I must reach 100 proficiency in the skill, no matter what.”
Dio, always seeking maximum efficiency even in extreme hunting environments.
The hunt would gain more momentum.
With each Armored Turtle he hunted, his experience points steadily increased.
Dio walked towards his next prey, dragging the giant greatsword.
* * *
A week passed, and the Monster Wave was approaching.
—————
[Status Window]
<Level>: 50
<Class>: Forgotten Swordsman
<Stats>
Strength: 160
Agility: 50
Intelligence: 5
Health: 50
Mana: 5
Bonus Points: 0
HP: 470
MP: 315
—————
“Somehow, I’ve managed to reach level 50.”
Dio checked his status window and looked around.
There was 1 hour left until the Monster Wave.
The guards and mercenaries positioned between the palisades surrounding Avera Village had finished their preparations in their assigned locations.
-Clank, clank
Even the villagers tending to their iron equipment didn’t show signs of tension.
They, too, were veterans who had experienced countless Monster Waves, known as the ‘tide’.
[Regional Quest: Stop the Monster Wave!]
Help the villagers stop the Monster Wave!
[Remaining Time: 00:05:28]
When there was just over 5 minutes left, the ground began to tremble.
-Koogooogooogoo-
Despite the previously clear weather, dark clouds swiftly covered the sky.
As the ominous signs of something starting adorned the stage, the howling of monsters echoed along.
-Krukkrukkruk…
-Wooong!
Various monsters that inhabited the area around Avera Village emerged like a flood.
They began to form ranks as if it was planned.
Given the forest terrain near the village, most of the monsters in the Monster Wave were insect-types.
From the giant wasps ‘Killer Bees’ at level 107 to the praying mantis ‘Bug Reapers’ at level 128.
The menacingly enlarged insect creatures still possessed a spine-chilling visual.
Of course, it wasn’t just insect-type monsters that appeared.
-Ujijeung. Kwajijijik!
Golems, crashing through trees and approaching menacingly, also appeared.
Following them, Armored Turtles emerged from the ground.
-Auuuuu!
Even the Werewolves that had once put D-class mercenaries in danger.
The group of drooling monsters forming ranks resembled a formidable human army.
“It’s starting now.”
Dio stood up, looking sternly at the gathering monsters.
Monster Waves are a system designed to adapt players.
However, Dio knew how to maximize benefits from it, beyond just adapting.
The method known as ‘exploiting the Monster Wave.’
“There’s no need to help the villagers. The village’s strength is set enough to withstand the Wave.”
When the quest starts, quest-specific areas are marked next to the villagers stationed in each zone.
The standard approach is to help the villagers hunt monsters there.
However, it’s well-known among veteran players that even if a player doesn’t assist, the villagers can hold their own.
[Help the villagers stop the Monster Wave!]
“Focus on the latter part, not the former.”
It’s not about helping the villagers.
They are members of the 100-level Avera Village.
They can survive on their own.
So, as the saying goes, ‘as long as you get to Seoul, it doesn’t matter how,’ you just need to stop the Monster Wave.
What’s important here is that even if the player does nothing, the Monster Wave will still be repelled.
Of course, if you do nothing, the player gains nothing from the Wave.
The system intends for you to hunt only in designated areas.
The experience and monster by-products obtained there become the player’s basic resources.
But what Dio wants isn’t just that level of reward.
He desires a greater reward than what the system suggests.
The answer is simple.
Ignore ‘helping the villagers’ and roam outside the designated areas.
[The Monster Wave targeting Avera Village will begin soon.]
[Remaining Time: 00:00:10]
As the countdown announcing the start of the Wave began, Dio adjusted his mask and flipped his cloak with a flourish.
Fully prepared, Dio smiled and spoke.
“Shall we begin now?”