"Just leveled up my attack skills and passive masteries," I said, a bit bummed I hadn't unlocked any more offensive skills. "I got all three of my offensive skills to level 9. Here, take a look."
Name: Mighty Shot
Level: 9
Type: Active
HP Consumed: 0
MP Consumed: 17
Power: 187
Range: 700 inches
Precondition: Only usable with a bow.
Description : A powerful long-distance attack. The arrow is imbued with mana before being fired, making it easier to pierce through flesh and armor.
Name: Mighty Slash
Level: 9
Type: Active
HP Consumed: 0
MP Consumed: 9
Power: 84
Range: Melee
Precondition: Only usable with swords, blunt weapons, or spears.
Description : A powerful melee attack. The weapon is enveloped in a thin layer of mana, making it easier to slice through flesh and armor.
Name: Mortal Stab
Level: 9
Type: Active
HP Consumed: 0
MP Consumed: 8
Power: 210
Range: Melee
Precondition: Only usable with daggers and knives.
Description : A rudimentary assassinating attack. The weapon is coated in a thin layer of mana. Once the weapon strikes, the mana is released into the victim's vital organs. This skill's power stacks on top of the user's Physical Attack.
"Are ye using knives too?"
"No. During my training with Leo..." I cut my sentence short. "Why are we chatting, man? We need to go get Leo back."
"What we need to do," the dwarf replied, placing his thick hands on my shoulders, "is prepare for what we might face there. Ye've gained levels, and I don't know what kind of skills ye've got. I need to know what ye can handle."
"He's right Alex," Louie agreed. "I got some attack spells too, and they're more powerful than Leo's now."
"We don't want ye wasting yer mana attacking, boy. Ye got any debuffs?"
"I've got two. A spell that can poison the target and another that lowers their Physical Attack. But they're not sure to take effect."
"Right. It depends on the target's Magic Defense," Rory explained. "If ye see someone that looks tough, poison them."
"I know!" Louie barked. "Poison the tanks, weaken the damage-dealers."
"That's a good boy," Rory said and patted Louie's back. "Alex, show me yer passives."
As much as I didn't enjoy taking orders from others, any issues I had with authority had no place here. Rory was a seasoned fighter and considering we might be walking into a trap, I did as he bid me.
Name: Light Armor Proficiency
Level: 5
Type: Passive
HP Consumed: 0
MP Consumed: 0
Power: 0
Range: Self
Precondition: Only active when wearing light armor pieces.
Description: By using light armor pieces for an extensive amount of time, the wearer can better utilize their defensive capabilities. Physical Defense is boosted by +14. Physical Evasion is boosted by +3. MP Regeneration Rate is boosted by +10%.
Name: Simple Weapon Proficiency
Level: 3
Type: Passive
HP Consumed: 0
MP Consumed: 0
Power: 0
Range: Self
Precondition: Only active when using simple bladed weapons or bows.
Description: Experience gained using simple weapons proves beneficial during battle. Physical Attack is boosted by +8.5%. Physical Attack is boosted by +4.
"Good. That's good," the dwarf mumbled. "Yer skills make ye strong for physical combat, but ye can't just rely on your accessories for protection against spells."
"Both Louie and I have top E-grade jewelry," I said.
"Equipment can only get ye so far. If ye see a spellcaster, let me deal with them."
"Or shoot with your bow and hide," Louie added.
"Exactly. Don't take any chances, lad," Rory said.
"If only we'd leveled up to 20 and done our class-upgrade quests," I said. "We'd be able to use D-grade equipment, enchant it, and also have a bunch of new skills."
"No use fighting over spilled whiskey, lad," Rory said and with that remark, produced a bottle of his favorite Fireoak beverage.
The strong smoky aroma filled the room, and downed a big gulp before extending it toward me.
"Ye want some?" he asked after a long sigh of pleasure.
"I'm good," I said and pushed the bottle back to him.
"Suit yerself. What about ye, pupper?" he asked, and my expression made very clear what I thought, even before I opened my mouth.
"Are you out of your mind, old man?" I almost shouted. "You want to give whiskey to a dog?"
"Lad, ye got no idea what those little corgi fuckers can down," Rory said, slightly amused by my outbreak.
"I'm fine, thank you," Louie interjected before I could reply to his ridiculous remark. "My MP need to replenish until we get there. I'll buff you again once we arrive at the building. You guys okay with that?"
"Sounds good," I said and Rory nodded. "But remember, we're not going there to pick a fight. We're meeting them to get rid of the book and get Leo back."
"But we're ready for a fight," Rory added.
"Yes," Louie agreed. "Whatever is best for Leo's safety."
"Did you drive here?" I asked.
"Yes," he replied. "Let's go."
There's this feeling you get when you leave your house in a hurry for something important. The feeling of being afraid that you left your passport at home when you're already on your way to the airport, even though you've checked your bag twice already.
This exact feeling rushed over me as we exited our building. This was an extremely dangerous situation we'd been thrust into and we'd had minimal time to prepare ourselves. I made a mental note that, should we come back safe from this, I'd prepare a contingency plan for exactly this scenario. Perhaps a little basket of buff potions hidden somewhere in the case of such an emergency.
Outside, Rory had parked his beat-up dark-gray Datsun half on the road and half on the sidewalk, its alarm lights blinking. I had no doubt the building's concierge had already called the police but I couldn't have cared less at that moment. I opened the creaking door of the car and the tinted window of the passenger's side dropped a bit as if someone had lowered it.
"Don't worry about that," he said, nudging me aside and entering the car from my
