Chapter 10 : Skill Book
Nash did not mind that there were so many players around that wanted to enter the [Animal Farm] dungeon.
He was still going to do his thing and grind as always as his growth as a player of Apex Online was not tied to anyone.
Without a second thought on the matter anymore, he did the usual thing of paying the entry fee.
[-5 copper coins]
In the course of this, Nash looked at his character panel, paying close attention to how soon he would level up.
His experience was almost there and Nash could make a mental estimate of how long it would take him and that was not so much time anymore.
Being more experienced than most and with Null's help, Nash cleared the dungeon even faster than the previous 44 times he did before, acquiring as many of the unique golden eggs as he could. The eggs were unique items of the [Animal Farm] that he could exchange for coins from the dungeon guide.
When he was satisfied, Nash approached the dungeon guide.
"I'd like to sell some of my golden eggs," he said.
In turn, he received an affirmative but mechanical response as expected of an NPC.
Nash quickly pulled up his inventory and permitted the sale, earning himself a whopping 45,000 copper coins from farming the novice dungeon—something he was sure that not many players of the game would exploit like he did.
He was happy with his progress and with the fact that he could proceed with his next act.
Now that he had such an amount of coins, it was time for Nash to upgrade his character and give it a form.
He needed to buy equipment and learn some skills from Bismarck, but unlike [Stun Strike], the other skills were not free.
On returning to the novice village, Nash made a straight way to the Assassin Master's abode to acquire the rest of the skill that he had offered earlier on.
"Hello, Master Bismarck," Nash greeted with a respectful bow.
Bismarck, who was cleaning his shelves, turned around and saw the young man. He smiled and nodded before approaching.
"Welcome, young assassin," Bismarck said in a light, welcoming tone of voice, a sign of his good relationship with Nash.
"How may I help you?" he added.
"I would like to purchase the rest of the skill scroll you once showed me," Nash said, "for the plunder and thrust skills."
Bismarck rubbed his beard. "Hmm. Well, you are in luck because they are still available."
The Assassin Master then raised two of his fingers. "But they are not cheap. Each one cost about 2000 copper coins."
Nash exhaled in frustration.
It was like a giant hammer was slammed on top of his head at that moment.
There were no alternatives, and he needed to purchase the skills.
If Nash did not complete his action of buying the two skills scrolls for [Plunder] and [Thrust] that were left, he would not be able to get his hands on a certain skill book he was going for.
By taking [Stun Strike] out of the equation, Nash already disabled other assassin class players in his novice village who had hopes of acquiring this particular skill book.
The said players may be able to get the skill book later on in the game but as far this novice village is considered, Nash had killed that dream.
That skill book was one that was treasured and offered a very vital skill for an assassin and that was [Stealth].
If he could get his hands on the [Stealth] skill, then spending 4000 copper coins at this stage in the game was definitely worth it.
"I will have the two of them."
Bismarck's face lit up and he snapped his fingers, making the two skill scrolls appear and float in the air.
Nash paid the required amount for them and they became his.
[Your relationship with the Assassin Master, Bismarck, gets better!]
[The Assassin Master has an offer for you]
Nash smiled as he read the notification.
'Jackpot!' he thought with excitement.
"You can check the store and see if there are things you would like to buy as well," Bismarck said, gladdening Nash's heart.
Nash nodded repeatedly and stormed into the store.
In about an hour, he found the things he needed and was ready to make payment for them.
The items cost an arm and a leg but fortunately, he had enough copper coins from his almost endless grinding in the novice dungeon of [Animal Farm].
In all, Nash acquired three items.
…
[Stealth]
Type: Skill book
This skill book is exclusive to players of the Assassin class and has no level limit, meaning that an Assassin class player of any level can acquire it.
…
[Bone Dagger]
Level: 2
Rank: Unique
Attributes: +6 to +13 Attack power and +2 Strength stats (only available when dagger is in use)
…
[Flame Armour]
Level: 2
Rank: Unique
Attributes: +3 Special Attribute (Flame Resistance) and +7 Defense Power
…
The items were worth it since he needed them but Nash still couldn't help but feel the tight knot in his belly from burning such an amount of coins.
He had spent over 30,000 copper coins for them. Just the [Stealth] skill book alone was chasing 20,000 copper coins.
However, now that he had them, he was happy.
By learning how to use the [Stealth] in advance, Nash had upped his game by many degrees.
Stealth was a core skill of assassins and such players of the said class who fail to acquire the skill from their respective novice villages would have a problem.
They would need to first reach a certain level in the game and then find a master that would teach them the skill.
'I will just have to do the enhancement later,' Nash thought to himself, still skeptical about it.
"Thank you, Master Bismarck."
"Haha! I hope you make a great assassin like myself, young one," the Assassin Master boasted as he massaged his beard proudly.
Nash then left the Assassin Master's place and moved around the village.
As he was not doing anything of particular importance, Nash decided to explore for sometime.