Episode 165: The bustling market (2)
As the light that had filled the surroundings like a flashbang faded, those who had come to their senses rushed in.
– What, what?
– What effect was that just now?
– It seems like first-year students use random skill books.
– The random skill book effect appears like that?
However, the calligrapher who caused this uproar had already left his post a long time ago.
To be exact, I had anticipated trouble and quickly brought him out.
I gave the calligrapher a light scolding.
“What if I use the skill book there? There’s still chaos there.”
“I wanted to write.”
“why?”
“just.”
I’m speechless because I just wanted to write and my intuition told me to write.
The results were so good that I had nothing more to say.
“So, what came out?”
“I’m also very curious.”
As Go Hyun-woo and I exchanged curious glances, Seo Ye-in showed us the notification message that was displayed when the skill book was used.
[Uses ‘Random Skill Book – Long Range’.]
[Acquire ‘Bullet Time (F)’.]
“This is ridiculous.”
No matter how lucky you are, this is a scam.
On the other hand, Go Hyun-woo, who had little knowledge about skills, couldn’t help but tilt his head.
“What kind of skill is this that makes Kim Hyung so surprised?”
“It’s the best of the cognitive acceleration skills.”
“What about cognitive acceleration?”
“Slow down. Everything you see.”
“… … !”
Bullet time.
For the duration, the caster’s perception is dramatically accelerated, causing everything to appear in slow motion.
You can even see the flying bullets spinning.
Duration based on F rank is 1 second,
Cooldown of 5 minutes.
Although the cooldown is not very long, it is not at a level where it can be overused, and the duration is only a moment, so it is a skill that must be used very carefully.
However, during the moment when Bullet Time is activated, you can gain an overwhelming advantage in battle.
For example, when a firefight occurs with a class of the same distance, it is possible to avoid all of the opponent’s attacks while firing.
It becomes much easier to respond to and counterattack attacks from nearby assassins and other types of enemies.
Go Hyun-woo let out an exclamation.
“Wow, if it’s a skill like that, it would be very useful if I used it myself. It’s not a waste of 8,000 points.”
“It’s really good no matter who uses it. If you can learn it, it’s worth 80,000 won, not 8,000 won.”
Bullet Time is as viciously difficult to learn as it is powerful.
Of course, he wouldn’t have been able to master stability, and among the musketeers who had been trained to S-class, only a few had it.
As soon as the calligrapher entered the archer sales area, he took a quick look around, picked up a random skill book, and learned it right away.
The world is certainly a place full of irrationality.
The calligrapher stared blankly at the two of us and tilted his head.
“Are you lucky?”
“… … .”
“… … .”
Where did you learn that?
I shook my head.
Although it was such a sudden and absurd situation, it is a welcome development that the calligrapher’s skills have increased significantly.
“I was thinking of learning something after the butler left, but I guess I can learn this.”
“huh.”
It takes a very high level of skill to use bullet time in real combat.
The skill effect only accelerates the caster’s perception, and there is no change in actual speed.
As it appears slow, your own movements will also become slower, so it takes time to adapt to that as well.
Also, you need to practice to find the optimal timing, so even though you’ve only just gotten used to it, you still have a long way to go.
“I also have to do ranked work.”
“Come to think of it, you’re currently at F-rank. What happens when you go up in rank?”
“The duration increases. Cooldown decreases.”
“Wow, you get stronger here.”
Go Hyun-woo showed his envious expression without holding back.
I looked at the calligrapher again.
“I guess it’s better to practice with someone else.”
“Let’s do it together.”
“We should do it together. But the midterms are coming up soon, so let’s get started in earnest after that.”
“huh.”
The calligrapher nodded slightly.
Make a small promise,
The next sales segment to look at is the close range, warrior class.
“It’s your turn.”
Go Hyun-woo was fired up with enthusiasm.
Then he asked me casually,
“If I were to get a random skill book… … . Would I be able to learn a powerful skill like Lady Seo?”
“The wooden cup of the Feather Serpent Tribe.”
“This won’t work.”
I realized reality and quickly let go of my foolish thoughts.
“Ahem, then I’ll try to focus on the equipment.”
“It’s about time we got some equipment.”
In the case of calligraphers, there was no need to purchase new equipment, as most of the equipment was already of a very high standard.
It’s too good for a first-year student, and some of the equipment, such as the Cloud Bracelet, can be used even after graduation.
So I looked at it mainly in skill books.
Go Hyun-woo is the complete opposite.
‘Even if you leave the skills alone, they’ll do well on their own.’
I am using the Dokmun martial arts taught in the temple, and I am refining my skills one by one.
Even if it’s a fraudulent performance like [Bullet Time], there’s no need to learn other skills and invest time in them.
On the other hand, the equipment is now barely able to prevent the weapon from being destroyed.
It’s time to start looking at other options.
Just like the Archer’s Corner, when I entered the Warrior’s Corner, several seniors approached me.
However, they seemed to know at a glance who was a melee class and who was not.
It seems like he doesn’t have much interest in me or the calligrapher.
The third-year senior suddenly stopped in front of Go Hyun-woo and looked him up and down.
[Feather Serpent Sword] on his waist, [Sturdy Ballpoint Pen] in his front shirt pocket.
“The equipment is a sword and a ballpoint pen, so it looks like it’s unmanned. Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“What about the armor?”
“This is all the uniforms.”
The senior made a face as if he absolutely could not tolerate it.
“It’s flimsy, flimsy. Even if it’s unmanned, it’s still like that because it doesn’t have even the minimum safety measures.”
“I too was feeling inadequate.”
“Okay, then. Follow me.”
He guided Ko Hyun-woo to one side and had him sit down, then seemed to be discussing something with the other seniors.
After a while, he brings three sets of defensive equipment and places them in front of Go Hyun-woo.
“Considering that it’s unmanned, I brought light and easy-to-move items. Choose the one you like.”
The first is a pure white t-shirt with a faint sheen.
[Temple of the Templar (C)]
▷Continuously activates ‘Heal (E)’.
▷Physical Defense (E)
It has some defense and recovery magic activates even when standing still.
Just wearing it increases its staying power.
The second is a model of the rib cage.
A black aura rises, as if a bit of black magic has been added.
[Rib Tunic (C)]
▷You can cast ‘Bone Armor (D)’ once a day.
▷Black Magic Resistance (E)
▷Curse Resistance (E)
Just looking at the options, you can tell that it focuses on magical defense.
Go Hyun-woo has yet to be hit hard by a wizard, but it never hurts to prepare in advance.
The fact that you can cast [Bone Armor] even once a day is also attractive.
The third is leather armor engraved with geometric magic patterns.
[Piercing Leather Armor of the Spearman (C)]
▷’Defense Penetration (D)’ is activated with a certain probability
▷Penetration resistance (E)
[Defense Penetration] is a useful skill for penetrating the defenses of thick-skinned, ogre-like enemies.
It can deliver unexpected critical hits even against heavily armored warriors.
[Penetration Resistance] is, simply put, a trait that makes stabbing attacks less painful.
Since most ranged attacks, such as bullets or arrows, count as stab hits, it can be considered ranged resistance.
“Umm… … .”
Go Hyun-woo was troubled.
Whichever you choose, it’s sure to be useful, but having to choose one of the three can be a daunting task.
Should I increase my stamina through recovery, strengthen my magic defense, or get a defense penetration option and strengthen my ranged defense?
“What do you think, Brother Kim?”
“It’s purely a matter of taste. Every field is different.”
“I’m worried. They all look useful to me… … .”
Go Hyun-woo has a hard time making a decision as his gaze shifts between the three pieces of armor.
Then he asks the calligrapher what he thought.
“What do you think, Miss Seo?”
The so-called lucky chance.
Looks like they decided to leave it to luck.
“… … .”
The calligrapher stood still for a moment, then raised his hand and pointed to a place.
Not in one of the three armor sets, but in a completely different place.
Everyone’s eyes turned towards him.
“What’s over there?”
“Well, just wait a minute.”
The senior walked to the place the calligrapher had pointed out, searched the stalls, and returned with a suit of armor.
It is an armor made of bronze and has a shape similar to a crustacean shell.
[Bronze Carapace (D)]
▷Physical Defense (E)
▷Upgradeable
“Did you find this?”
A third-year senior asked.
Although Go Hyun-woo left the decision up to Seo Ye-in, he seemed doubtful as to whether this was right.
It doesn’t seem to have any particular advantages over the previous three pieces of armor.
Even considering that there are still upgrade slots left.
Could it be that the calligrapher’s luck has run out today?
So you’re not just pointing your finger anywhere?
At that time, I touched Ko Hyun-woo and said something.
“buy.”
“… … !”
Go Hyun-woo’s gaze changed slightly.
I had been holding back because of differences in taste, but when I was told to buy this shabby-looking armor right away, I had a gut feeling that something was wrong.
And Go Hyun-woo would unconditionally accept my advice.
“I will buy this.”
“Are you sure? It would be heavy for an unmanned person to use.”
“I’ll try to adapt.”
The third-year senior also looked suspicious, but gave in when Go Hyun-woo insisted.
From their point of view, they just need to sell it no matter what.
“I respect your choice. Just give me 4,000 points.”
Go Hyun-woo immediately took out his student ID and finished paying.
We moved on to our next destination, the wizard sales area.
Go Hyun-woo opened his mouth as he put the bronze shell into his inventory.
“I bought it without hesitation because I trusted Brother Kim, but I’m still not sure about it.”
“I made a good purchase.”
Thanks to a bit of the calligrapher’s luck, Go Hyun-woo was also able to pull the pearl out of the mud.
“That’s actually two upgrade slots.”
“Are you saying that the ‘Bronze’ modifier was added as an upgrade?”
“yes.”
Armor made by catching extremely rare crustacean monsters.
The name immediately after production was [Transparent Carapace].
The characteristic of the transparent shell is that it fully reflects the performance of the materials used in the upgrade.
Whether it’s using metal or a part of a monster.
“I don’t know how you ended up using bronze as an upgrade material, but you can just throw it away.”
“Then… … .”
“I need to change it to something else.”
Get the two best ingredients.
