Billy was surprised by the basic names of the cultivation manuals. He had expected something like ‘Umbrageous Green Tiger’ or “Heaven Blows the Drunken Sailor”. Maybe those were reserved for more advanced methods. Also, despite what Dilchak had said, he had received a common and two uncommon options.
Some of the techniques were fairly obvious, others less so. There was no descriptor for them. He would just have to try and guess. [basic insight] in particular seemed ambiguous. He was also not sure what the difference between a skill and a technique was.
He knew he needed to pick something that suited his nature and not just jump at an attractive technique. He immediately discarded the Nature’s Blossom option. He had no desire to be a healer or tree-hugger. He also did not like the idea of the Berserker or Death options. While it may reflect his current fighting style, that had developed from desperation rather than from choice or desire.
He turned to the others. “Do we need to discuss this before choosing?”
“No need,” Lorna said. “I have chosen already.”
“Me too!” said the other three in perfect chorus.
Billy sighed. Maybe he was overthinking it.
In the end, he trusted his instincts and chose his desired option – Aetheric Defiance.
Now he could see its full description as well as the skill.
Aetheric defiance: Your path is decided by your own will and not by fate. Basic technique [defiance]. Common technique [resurgence]. Uncommon technique [aetheric body]. Associated elements: air, fire and void.
[defiance level 1: ignore debilitating effects for 10 seconds]
[resurgence level 1: regain 20% stamina and 10% health]
[aetheric body level 1: increase your speed and agility by 20%, reduce damage taken by 20%]
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Billy felt like he had won the lottery. He now had three new skills and they all looked useful.
He opened his eyes and saw that the others were staring at him. From the party interface he saw their choices.
Lorna – Radiant heart: uncommon, techniques [blind (basic), fireblade (common), light surge (uncommon)].
Su Li – Transcendent soul: rare, techniques [Soul absorb (basic), Soul sight (common), Soul attack (uncommon)
Spirit walk (rare)].
Trevor – Nature’s embrace: common, techniques [nature awareness (basic), life touch (common)].
Yuki – Water spirit: common, techniques [water spike (basic), water bomb (common)] .
They were all interesting choices, but he geeked out over Su Li’s. She had chosen a rare option. What would that mean for her power levels and techniques? They would need to work at understanding how this worked and how they would fit together as a group.
“Well,” Billy said, smiling. “I think we are ready to bargain. Lead the way, Yuki.”
***
“Welcome back, feeble mortals. That didn’t take too long. Now put your hand on my shiny red orb and I will see what is needed.”
Billy winced at the mocking levity of the demon’s tone. He wanted to trust Dilchak but something held him back. He was a demon after all and demons had created this place.
Dilchak waved one hand and five red orbs appeared on the counter glowing ominously.
“I’ll go first,” Yuki said. She placed her hand on the orb nearest to her. “Ooh it tingles,” she said with a little giggle.
“Hmm!” said the demon. “Interesting! You got a common manual? Not surprised – you are definitely the cream of this crop.” He winked at her. “And you already have the tailoring skill. Seems you are short on other skills though. Come on the rest of you…don’t be shy!”
The others, with different levels of hesitation, put their hands on the red orbs in front of them, leaving Billy the last to do so. With a sigh, he went over to the last orb and put his hand on it. It did indeed tingle.
“Ok that should do it,” Dilchak said. “You have been assessed and found wanting.” He flashed a quick grin.
“I was right about you being a pack of fewkin’ noobs. Luckily, you did not do too badly with your cultivation manuals - not bad at all. Two common styles, two uncommon and one rare. Someone has definitely put their finger on the scale for you. Those are upgradeable once you reach the right level.”
Dilchak reached out and put the orbs away.
“Ok, let me fill you in on the basics. You have now chosen your basic cultivation manual. Those are upgradeable so long as you practice diligently and grow stronger – becoming more individualized as you grow. However, you may find your manual is a bad fit for you, especially after getting your class. Once you reach level 5 you can choose a class.
“This again will help you increase your proficiency not only in your stats but also with your skills and techniques. Techniques are abilities that use mana and combine with your chosen class and cultivation style and affinities. For instance, if you chose the class of ranger and your cultivation used the element of fire, you might gain the technique for shooting fire arrows.
“Just a simple example. Any questions?”
“Are techniques like skills and can be learned from a book?” Trevor asked.
“I won’t go into the technical differences mostly because I was shite at school and never listened. Ask my apprentice Carbun and he will nerd talk to you to death on the matter.
“They are similar but different is all you really need to know. There are guide books for techniques – or there will be – mostly basic. You also get techniques paired with your cultivation manual. Unlike the skill books you just used, technique guides need to be learned and then you need to master the technique. It won’t just be given to you.
“Which means lots of fewking practice. Which is where you are now. Your chosen cultivation manual is accessible from your menu but you have to practice to be able to use the techniques. Don’t think you can just go out there and blow the forest to bits.”
“And the unassigned stat points?” Billy asked.
“As I said earlier, those you can assign as you cultivate or as you develop in other ways. If you want to add to your strength, for example, you can do lots of weight training and they will be put there. Skills like meditation can help you add points to your intelligence and wisdom. Your cultivation style will allow you to be more precise once you gain enough proficiency.”
“And magic,” Su Li asked. “I want to fly and shoot lightning from my fingers. Pew! Pew! It will be like Crouching Lorna Hidden Su Li.”
Billy could not stop himself from laughing. She punched him on the arm. “I’m not joking, Billy.”
Dilchak smiled. “To use magic, as you pathetic fleshbags call it, you will first need to get stronger here.” He poked Su Li on the forehead. “As well as learn mana control as well as mana manipulation. Meditation is also useful for regaining mana. Some of what you can do will depend on the path you choose to follow. If you follow the way of the warrior, you may want to focus on enhanced weapon skills and techniques. All techniques can be adapted with the right willpower.”
Dilchak paused and saw their confused faces. “Ok, enough talk. Let me see what equipment I can fit you with. Let’s start with you.” He pointed at Billy.
“Me?”
“Yes. The spear and staff are not the right weapons for you. You would probably fight better with a fewkin’ garden rake. With your cultivation style I think that these are more suitable.” He reached under the counter and pulled out a strange set of leather gloves that had four sharp prongs sticking out of the palm as well as a blade attached to the back. “Quite basic but decently made. Put them on.”
Billy held his hands up. “Hey, I am not going to fight like a crazed animal.”
Dilchak looked disappointed. He moved the gloves back under the desk. “I’m never going to get rid of these. “Ok try this.” He put on the counter a basic looking war hammer.
Billy picked it up. The metal head was black in colour and had a short spike on one side with a flat hammer part on the other side. The shaft was wooden but felt solid enough. He gave it a few swings. It was heavier than it looked but felt well-balanced.
“Intended for getting close in,” the demon said. “Stab and pound! The beak is short so it won’t get stuck in bones or fewking armour, but long and sharp enough to penetrate most metal armour. See the pain in their eyes when you grind them down.”
He then moved onto Su Li. “Ok, little one, daggers are good for you, but I think these will be better.” He went to the back and started rummaging in a box. Eventually, he returned triumphantly, carrying a pair of leaflike blades attached to chains. Here are your claws, little kitty.”
“Looks similar to kusarigama,” Yuki said quietly.
Su Li looked at them dubiously. “How do I use them?”
“Well, you can stab and slash with the blades similar to using a knife or short sword but you can also throw them like a dart. The chain can be used to whip or entangle opponents. They take a lot of practice to use well and a lot of agility to use perfectly.”
“Now for you, beautiful Yuki! The spear or staff seem almost perfect for you. You have clearly had some training. But maybe something shorter is better. Try this.”
The demon put a shorter wooden staff with metal shod ends on the counter. The staff was just over a metre in length. Yuki picked it up and tried a few moves with it.
“It is heavier than I expected,” she said. “Heavier than a jo.”
“You will get used to the weight as you get stronger. With the shorter length, you will be able to attack faster.”
The demon grinned. “Now twist and pull.”
She did as asked and the staff came apart into two short-bladed swords.
“Sometimes you need some blade work,” Dilchak said.
Yuki nodded and bowed slightly towards him.
Now the demon turned to Lorna. “Now this is an easy one. You already have picked up the spear mastery skill, which shows a good deal of aptitude.”
“This spear is fine for me.” Lorna said.
“True, true! But fine is not perfect. Take a look at this.” The demon went over to a rack where a few different types of spears and polearms were stacked.
He reached down and picked out a spear with a dark red shaft and a short spear blade with crescent-shaped side blades on either side. The spear was about twenty centimeters taller than Lorna.
“This should do you well,” Dilchak said. “It is more of a fewking poleaxe, but spear skills still apply. You will adapt quickly enough. The crescent side blades give you different options. As you can see the butt end is also weighted to balance the haft. Difficult to make these buggers and an acquired taste for sure.”
Lorna grabbed the weapon and looked at it carefully. After a while she tested the balance in her hands. Eventually, she nodded.
Assuming that meant agreement, Dilchak went to Trevor. “Ok, now this is a bastard. You’re not really a fighter are you? Normally, a bow would go well with a fewking nature boy like you but I can see that won’t work for you. Hmm... well if you go down the druid or healer route you need to stay alive to keep the others alive, so how about something more defensive?” He reached under the counter and pulled out a simple wooden shield and a studded club.
“These are basic but easy to use and should work fewking well with your cultivation style.”
The demon stepped back with a smile then again reached under the counter. “Ok the last thing that a fewkin’ bunch of noobs like you need is this.” He opened his hand to reveal five bronze rings. “Spatial rings – pretty shoddy workmanship. They’re made by Bulbag, my stupid cousin. I swear that idiot is a danger to the world, but my uncle insisted on my taking him on. Now, don’t get your little periwinkles tied in a knot over this. This ring has only enough capacity for eight different items and nothing bigger than this.” He gestured with his hands. “You will need to carry your weapons, except maybe the little one. " He pointed at Su Li. "But you can put in food and plants etc. Perfect for foraging or exploring.”
“Now, normally this whole lot will cost you about twenty silver. I have been told to give you a one-time discount on behalf of the developers so I was going to charge you ten silver pieces, but because I feel sorry for you pathetic dweebs I will charge eight silver.”
Yuki narrowed her eyes. “Don’t forget the bolts of materials and a sewing kit.”
Dilchak placed two bolts of cloth on the counter. “We have brown and green.” He smiled. “Then that will be nine silver. If you give me that rather tatty chameleon skin you are carrying there, I will call it eight silver.”
“You know we don’t have that much money,” Lorna said angrily.
Yuki lifted her hand. “Let me deal with this.”
She called Trevor over to identify the items.
Billy stopped paying attention after that. He wandered around the shop. He was feeling dazed by all that Dilchak had said. He could feel his gorge rising. He was very much out of his depth and checking out the goods kept him from screaming.
He could see that not only were there weapons, there were also other things like basic leather armor that he would like to have. In one section there was some basic food stuff like bags of flour and rice. At the back was a locked display cabinet with rings and necklaces.
“Enchanted items,” a soft sibilant voice said, startling Billy out of what was left of his wits.
He turned to see a small purple imp hovering over his shoulder.
“I am Carbun the Curious,” it said proudly. “Apprentice to the mighty Dilchak.”
“Please to meet you,” Billy said. “How much would one of these rings cost?”
The imp laughed. “Outside your price range. Even the simplest ring would cost ten silver pieces. Do you want to know how they are made? I could tell you. Or I could tell you about skills and techniques.”
The imp bobbed up and down in the air, making Billy realise that it was actually flying despite it’s tiny wings and rotund body. Maybe Su Li’s dream of flying was not just a fantasy.
“You see, you can think of skills and techniques this way. A skill is a very basic matrix. If you are thinking in three dimensions, which you shouldn’t, then the difference between a skll and a technique is … well think of the difference in the pathways of a cube and the pathways in a dodecahedron…”
Billy nodded while tuning out the little imp. It would seem that enchanting too was a lucrative profession and that skills and techniques were a complex business. His mathematical brain could feel that there would be similarities in the makeup of enchantments and techniques – well at least in the basic underlying theories. At any other time, he would be enthusiastically drooling over exploring the theoretical side to these things.
But, right now, his brain could not cope. The reality of the situation was still doing a number on his faculties. He had to keep moving forward or he knew he would be overwhelmed and just have a breakdown.
He returned to the others to see that the negotiations were drawing to a close.
Yuki had bartered the demon to accept their coins, their old weapons, and the lizard skin and meat. It seemed more than a fair deal and much better than he would have achieved. They were much better equipped than when they had left camp this morning, and survivability seemed more likely.
They were about to leave when Dilchak shouted, “Wait a minute! Where’s my fewking head? Carbun get your spindly ass here and give me that list.”
The imp flew over and handed Dilchak a small piece of paper.
Dilchak handed the paper to Yuki before saying, “This is a list of herbs and stuff you can gather for me. It is fewking short now because there ain’t much of value in the beginner zone, so it will automatically update as you progress. Oh, and here. I was told to give you these.”
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