[You have completed your job change to Berserker.]
The class name remained Berserker. The meaning was the same, but the substance was clearly different.
As he stared straight at the receptionist, who glanced at him like he was a madman, the NPC brought out some items.
"Anyway, since you changed your job, I should give you this. Choose one."
[Red Demon's Blade] [Superior]
A blade where the spirits of ghosts who died in war reside. The power of the ghosts thirsting for blood strengthens its edge.
- Attack Power: 70
- Durability: 200/200
- Defense Penetration +10
[Dangerous Mace] [Superior]
A hard mace with jagged pieces of iron that threatens to tear flesh.
- Attack Power: 105
- Durability: 500/500
[Sturdy Lizardman Leather Pauldrons] [Superior]
Pauldrons that provide strong shoulder protection. They're made from the thick leather of a lizardman, and seem sturdy enough to withstand hitting a tree.
- Defense: 85
- Durability: 300/300
- Can be retrofitted
Again, three items. But unfortunately, there was no axe.
'Hmm, I do like Maces too… … .'
A mace would be a great secondary weapon. If he used it for a while, he could raise its skill proficiency to 30% in no time.
After pondering for a moment, Lokan made a decision.
[You have obtained the Sturdy Lizardman Leather Pauldrons.]
Lokan's choice was the pauldrons. He already had the Orc Battle Axe as a weapon, and shoulder armor was both valuable and hard to find in regular armor shops. Moreover, the Sturdy Lizardman Leather Pauldrons could be retrofitted. If he gave a blacksmith materials and money, they could be strengthened further.
And the shoulder armor would pair well with the new skill he was about to get.
"Tch, I'm out of money."
Lokan, who was about to buy new job skill books, scratched his head. Tomorrow, or even if just a few items sold in the auction house, a considerable amount of money would come in, but for now, he only had the money obtained from killing the Forest Lizardmen. It wasn't a small amount, but it was insufficient to purchase the expensive skill books.
Reluctantly, Lokan found a corner of the profession guild where a timid-looking bank dispatcher was sneaking glances at him.
"I want to borrow money."
"Y-yes. W-well, welcome. Uh, uh, I'm Gultan, a dispatcher from Aeroque Bank, always bringing happiness. C-could you tell me your occupation and name? I-it's an unavoidable procedure… … ."
"Berserker, Lokan."
He didn't know why they'd send such a cowardly employee to the Berserkers Guild, but Lokan immediately gave his information. The loanable amount was calculated instantly.
"Th-thank you. Since this is a secondary job change, you can borrow up to 3 gold."
"I'll borrow it all."
The maximum loan amount for a secondary job was 3 gold. It was a paltry sum, but considering he had no established credit reputation, it was understandable.
Lokan borrowed the entire amount without hesitation, as he could repay it soon anyway. He immediately handed the money to the receptionist and acquired the new skill books and the enhancement skill books.
The new skill books cost 50 silver each (three books), and the enhancement skill books cost 45 silver each (four books). Just with that, the 3 gold he had borrowed and the money earned from the Forest Lizardmen were completely gone.
[Dash][Lv 2]
Move fast for three steps.
- 120% Agility for three steps.
[Strike][Lv 2]
Attacks the enemy stronger than usual for the next attack only.
- 120% Strength
- 120% Agility
[War Cry][Lv 2]
Unleashes a roar filled with madness, terrorizing enemies.
- If the enemy's level is lower than the user, all their stats decrease.
- If the enemy's level is significantly lower than the user, a short stun effect is randomly applied.
- If the enemy's level is higher than the user, the effect may be reduced or absent.
- Weakens negative effects on the user.
[Berserk][Lv 2]
Burns with ferocity, drawing out powerful force.
- Increases all stats by 200% for the duration.
- No mana consumption for all skills for the duration.
- You do not die even if your health reaches 0 during the duration.
- Immune to all psychic attacks for the duration.
- Madness dominates the mind, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe.
- At the end of the duration, you take 40% of your maximum HP as damage at once.
- If HP is 0 after the duration ends, you must raise it to at least 10% of your maximum HP within 7 seconds or you will die.
- All stats decrease by 40% for 10 minutes after the duration ends.
- 20% decrease in all stats for 20 minutes after the first set of aftereffects.
- Penalty duration doubles if Berserk is reused before the previous aftereffects expire.
- Duration: 10 minutes.
First, all existing skills were strengthened. Dash, Strike, and War Cry were more powerful, and Berserk had a reduced penalty. It might not seem like a big deal, but it was a significant change in practice.
The newly learned skills were as follows:
[Shoulder Charge][Lv 1]
Inflicts powerful damage to the opponent with a body check/headbutt that utilizes charging power.
- 130% Strength
- Additional damage proportional to the charge power when used.
- Additional damage inversely proportional to the opponent's strength when used.
[Leap Attack][Lv 1]
Leap forward with all your might, smashing enemies in front of you. The maximum jump distance depends on the user's strength level.
- 130% Strength
- Additional damage proportional to the jump height.
- Ignores fall damage when used.
[Throwing][Lv 1]
Throws a weapon or throwing weapon to attack the opponent.
- 130% Strength
- 130% Agility
- Damage decreases as the distance to the opponent increases.
These familiar names pleased Lokan, but if others saw them, they might have said his character was ruined. The existing skills only saw a slight penalty reduction or an amplification rate increase of about 10%, and there were only three new skills.
"The quantity is small, but… … ."
Considering that generally, upon getting a secondary job, one received seven to ten new skills alone, getting only three new skills was very few, and their utility seemed limited. If he had chosen a Priest or Wizard class instead, his concerns about recovery or ranged attacks would have been solved.
"It's better to dig one deep well than to cook with junk food."
But Lokan's resolve was firm. He knew that more complex job considerations would arise upon reaching level 100, but he was confident he wouldn't be swayed.
He knew that most users would opt for hybrid classes, but he also knew of many cases where players succeeded by fully committing to a single class, like 'Arch Wizard Ares' or 'Trina the Speed of Light'.
'The King of Creation… … .'
However, he felt a pang of worry because of the King of Creation, for whom the exact class combination had never been revealed.
Lokan wasn't sure if he could defeat him with just the Berserker class. He had worried extensively during his three months of preparation, but in the end, this was Lokan's choice.
'What I lacked was me, not the Berserker class. I was simply lacking before.'
Lokan, having solidified his resolve, pushed open the door of the Berserkers Guild and stepped out.
* * *
To progress further, Lokan next headed to the Wizards' Guild.
"Perfect. It's a sure thing."
[You have completed Endless Research 11.]
[Endless Research 12][Quest]
After seeing the prototype of the antidote improved by Steroian, the Mage Terian is seeking materials to increase its effectiveness. Bring him the Fruit of the Forest Monster.
- Success Condition: Fruit of Forest Monster 0/10
- Reward: 50 silver, significant experience.
Mage Terian's consecutive quests totaled fifteen. There were still four left to complete. Originally, this would have been nearly impossible considering Lokan's level, but Lokan planned to raise his level to match the quest's requirements by then.
'The goal is level 100.'
Reaching level 100 faster than anyone else, without missing the main scenario quests. Lokan made this his priority.
At a time when quite a few users had already passed level 80, the idea that someone only at level 50 would be the first to reach 100 seemed absurd.
But Lokan believed it was worth a try. This was because the stat differences accumulated up to level 99 determined one's strength, and to advance from level 99 to 100, one had to pass a significant test.
"If it's the Forest Monster, it's probably towards the swamp."
Lokan's expression, as he opened the magic map, twisted slightly. Swampy terrain, where feet sink into mud, was not very welcoming for melee classes.
Moreover, it wasn't a good choice when numerous PKers were currently targeting him.
But Lokan didn't ponder for long.
"Well, it should be fine."
Lokan squared his shoulders proudly and opened the Rune Book.
For now, Lokan decided to head to the Forest Lizardman habitat, as it was the only location currently marked in his Rune Book. He could use the magic map to walk to his desired location from there.
"Using Rune Book. Destination: Forest Lizardman habitat."
*Whoosh!*
* * *
*Thwack, thwack, thwack!*
About 10 minutes after he started moving, a volley of arrows landed at his feet.
They were the archers of the Blood Chasers.
But Lokan had known all along.
"You bastards. I thought you'd show up. I was getting bored waiting."
A large number of people were following him; it was impossible not to notice. Suspicious signs had been felt about 5 minutes after he appeared, and their numbers had gradually increased.
"Fuck, let's talk."
Perhaps believing Lokan wouldn't retaliate, a man approached, swearing at the smiling Lokan. It was the same guy who had been killed by the guards after threatening him in the village earlier.
"A conversation? What makes you so confident you can just stride up like that?"
But Lokan wasn't really looking at him. He was assessing the number and composition of the Blood Chaser members surrounding him.
'From archers to wizards. They came very prepared.'
It was an upgraded force from last time. The MP Guild seemed desperate to get the Cloak of Stealth back, and it looked like the entire Blood Chaser guild had gathered.
Certainly, if such a large force attacked simultaneously, even Lokan would find it difficult to handle. He might actually lose his life.
'That's why archers and wizards are troublesome in the beginning… … .'
He could handle more than twice the number if they were all melee classes, but archers and wizards were still a problem. Even random arrows and spells could lead to death if they accumulated.
Of course, that was only if they could hit him.
"Ah, sorry. What was that?"
"This kid… … !"
When Lokan looked at the man in front of him as if he were a nuisance, the man flew into a rage but then forcibly suppressed it. It seemed he had been given an important task.
"We have one proposal. Out of all the things you took, give us the Cloak of Stealth. Then we'll forget everything. That includes granting you ownership of the rest of the items you listed on the auction house, you bastard."
"How generous."
Lokan was so distracted by the ridiculousness of the 'proposal' that the word slipped out. A proposal was supposed to be made when there was some mutual understanding and converging interests.
Who did they think they were?
"… … You seem to have some decent skills, but think carefully. The moment you refuse, we'll hunt you until you quit the game. You won't be able to leave the city, let alone hunt. If you try to trade with anyone, we'll kill them too. You'll be driven out of this world with nothing."
"… … ."
*How laughable.*
The guy shouldn't have said that.
Recalling the repulsive memories from his previous life, Lokan's expression, which had been calmly enduring the petty threat, transformed into that of a demon.
*Whoosh!*
Lokan immediately activated Strike, cleaving the blustering man in two, and shouted at the red-eyed figures surrounding him.
"Enough of the bullshit! Come on, you idiots!"