I just followed behind the group absentmindedly, trying to make sense of all the stuff in the status screen.
After experimenting for a while, I figured out what most of them meant — and if my gaming and anime knowledge didn't fail me, they were some really good stuff. One could even call them cheats.
You won't accidentally stab yourself in the eye… probably...
- Sharpness +10% when wielding a sword.
'Cool! Doesn't this mean that whenever I learn something, it'll also appear in my status screen?' — The thought alone excited me quite a bit, but the way it was worded irked me to no end. What do you mean I probably won't stab myself in the eye?!
Innate ability of the Golden Sense. Allows the user to glimpse into the basic information of all things.
'This is super strong.' — The fact that I didn't have some generic skill like Appraisal meant I might be the only one — or at least one of the few — to have such a skill.
This almost made me forgive you for the mean words about my sword mastery! Almost!
No matter where, knowledge is power. That's an immutable truth anywhere.
You resisted and watched the end of the world. Nothing can break nor bend your will. You are incorruptible and untainted. Show them the resolution of your heart.
- Absolute Immunity to Mental Pollution.
- Absolute Immunity to Corruption.
- Absolute Immunity to Will-based attacks.
- Absolute Immunity to Spirit Erosion.
- Great affinity with Intent.
- Great affinity with Law.
- 4.0x boost to Spirit (SPI).
- No stat drops upon (Temporary) Death.
'This… is so ridiculously OP…' — Consider yourself forgiven! Absolutes are good, absolutes are life. I like having absolutes.
Heck, those things I got absolute immunity for sound really bad. Intent and Law, on the other hand, are considered late-game stuff, so that extra affinity is very welcome — not to mention the base stat boost and what seems like a death penalty removal.
All in all, this was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen in my life. And I could even guess where it came from.
It might be a result of me resisting those shadows back when my world was devoured. I'm really glad all that suffering wasn't in vain.
You can feel the ripples in your own fate. Few can compare to your senses! Be wise and the future will be bright.
- 2.0x boost to Dexterity (DEX).
- Can use
- Increases Skill Mastery rate.
'Is this where my gut feelings come from?' — I wondered, and it answered. Yup! Case closed.
Now, a base stat boost plus an appraisal skill and faster skill mastery? It's like Christmas came early this year. Love you, gut feeling!
No one has seen your struggles — the way you resisted when all hope was lost. Your legend hasn't been told yet, but Elysium has recognized your efforts.
- +1 Valor Opus slot for every Fame level.
'This Valor Opus stuff sounds really cool, just like something straight out of some ancient legend. Am I a legendary person of sorts now?' — The thought left me feeling a bit giddy after everything I'd been through.
Also, I don't have enough information to be sure, but those extra slots could end up being extremely important, and my gut seemed to agree with me.
The last act of a dying world to the one who impressed it the most. May luck be with you on your journey.
- +2 Luck (LUK).
- 1.0x boost to Luck (LUK).
- No item drops upon (Temporary) Death.
'No one ever complained about too much luck.' — This one was really good too, especially the boost.
I'm not really sure what this stat affects, though. Does it change my chances of getting lucky in daily life? Maybe increase my odds of winning the lottery? Even just an increased drop rate from monsters would be great!
Me: What do you say, buddy?
Gut: Brrgrrr grbrrr!
Me: Oh! It's an increase in drop rate?
Gut: Brrgrbrrr!
Me: Great! Thank you, gut feeling!
As for why I'd even consider anything about monsters and drop rates — well, remember how we were on our way to that village? Turns out having those bodyguards was actually really important.
In the hour it took to get from what I'll call the spawn point to the village, we were attacked by wild monsters at least a dozen times.
Honestly, I could probably take some of those monsters one-on-one if I had a sword. Thing is, I don't — so let's just enjoy the trip and the luxury of being protected.
I must say, those knights were really strong. Even when facing mobs that looked kind of scary, they'd cut them down in a flash. Sometimes, a single swing of their halberd was enough to drop a beast.
We were definitely in a game-like world. As soon as the mobs died, their bodies would start disappearing on their own, leaving behind drops like leather, teeth, or big chunks of meat.
All of those were quickly pocketed by the two guards, vanishing from their hands like they had some sort of storage item or inventory.
Just thinking about the possibilities was already enough to make me feel excited!
Before long, I could see something in the distance. After squinting a bit, I managed to make out the silhouette of a huge wooden wall, with other buildings peeking up from behind it.
Upon getting closer, I confirmed my assumptions. It looked a little less like a village and more like a fortress.
The place was massive — I'd say the wall before me stretched at least 500 meters long, with a large open gate and several people standing guard outside. Up on the walls, others held bows and quivers, watching the wilderness intently.
We stopped near the gates. The knights exchanged a few words with the guards, and soon, we were granted entry.
They guided us through the somewhat empty streets until we reached a stone building that looked like a small cathedral. There, we met two other groups of people dressed just like us.
"Wait with them here," the self-proclaimed priest said from within the group as she made her way into the building. Two girls dressed just like her, in pristine white, met her at the door, and together, they walked deeper into the cathedral.