Giving in, Eldrian agreed to play along with Skepsi’s wiles. He even asked if she didn’t want to up things to a multi stage quest. After all, he doubted just once would allow him to break through the crystal (as Skepsi had put it).
As Eldrian had analyzed it, he needed repeated forging to reach the peak. This was a truly common view. The stakes were simply far too high, making this absolutely basic subject a deadly thing to consider.
‘It feels lacking. But people have died because of less,’ Eldrian thought as he reviewed the details of the quest. Not having received one in a long time (and most of his old quests having expired) Eldrian was feeling somewhat nostalgic.
Of course, he had his quest to unlock his bloodline, but other than telling him to get the different elements, it was useless. It didn’t even tell him what to do with them once he got them.
That, in particular, sucked. Recalling how he had ended up sacrificing the death crystal to defeat Zaphreal, and thereafter he lost his magic crystal in Elomir, Eldrian honestly felt defeated regarding that quest.
‘Which is why I made sure she didn’t play any tricks.’ Eldrian thought, confirming again that things were simple and straightforward. Though, as one would expect, the thing he actually had to do wasn’t as simple to define.
It wasn’t that he just had to kill some tough enemies. He had to face people who were stronger than him and overcome the difference, not through luck, but through grit.
But there laid the problem. How would they define strength? After all, Eldrian could beat anyone who was stronger than him if they relied on static casting and the difference wasn’t overwhelming between them.
Dynamic casting was simply too powerful, not to mention spirit magic and runic casting. And even if that couldn’t close the distance, tapping into the powers of his auras should do the thing. This was what Skepsi hoped he would need to rely on.
The conclusion certainly wasn’t perfect for either of them. But that was how they both knew it was the right conclusion.
Skepsi understood she had to give achievable goals for Eldrian to take part in the quest. She couldn’t not do this. Saying that she would determine when he had achieved what was required would never fly.
As a result, Eldrian might get some easy wins at first. However, as he looked at his options, Eldrian felt his face stiffen. Indeed, as the quest name and rank showed, it would not be easy.
[Quest: Defy heaven’s will]
[Rank: Epic — Multi staged]
[Stage 1:]
[Option 1: Defeat an elite Tier 5 devil <Only valid while Tier 5>]
[Option 2: Defeat a Tier 6 devil <Only valid while Tier 5>]
[Option 3: Defeat a Tier 6 Ancient beast <Only valid while Tier 5]
[Reward: Avyssos Ring]
[Option to advance to the next stage of quest upon completion.]
“What does elite mean in option 1?” Eldrian asked, understanding that it didn’t mean the same thing as it meant for the orcs.
“They must have a hidden class unlocked and also two classes at the Tier stipulated to qualify as an elite. Be this magic and range, range and melee, or any other variation, it doesn’t matter. But two must be at Tier 5.”
Skepsi’s answer stunned Eldrian. He didn’t even qualify as an elite then, since he only had 1 class (magic) at Tier 5. Melee was lagging behind at Tier 4 still.
‘My only real option is going for the ancient beast, or attempting to kill a devil by sneak attack,’ Eldrian thought, and as if reading his mind, Skepsi broke into a wide grin.
“You’re going to go for option 3, right?” She asked teasingly. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. That won’t do. Have you forgotten the entire reason why we are doing this?”
“You can’t honestly ask me to not try to gain every advantage I can… Besides, I still haven’t gotten a replacement for my spear.”
Sensing her chance, Skepsi leaned forward. This time not to tease Eldrian with her hanging shirt, but to look him straight in the eyes. Her attitude dead serious. “If I tell you how to retrieve your spear, will you refrain from doing something as boring as killing your targets with a sneak attack?”
Eldrian wanted to say no, but Crystoi was such a big part of his strength. Especially if he was going after an ancient beast. He had thought the weapon lost—though a large part had hoped it wasn’t, the stat boost still being active having given him hope.
And if he was going for option 3 then he was going to need a weapon capable of cutting through its natural armor. After all, even Ceph, as an Alicorn, had an insane armor value of 80. Even in his elven form, Ceph still had an armor value of 20.
It was a weird concept, since Ceph’s skin certainly wasn’t rock hard—as one might imagine something with an armor rating of 20 must be. After all, that was the armor rating of a Tier 1 magical shield or armor piece (beyond all non magical grade armors).
Of course, this all had to do with magic, and how mana enhanced your skin’s toughness. Sometimes, even forming a natural protective barrier above your skin. Eldrian even had a natural armor rating of 5.
Regardless, the spears and wooden daggers Eldrian had from Avgi wouldn’t be capable of piercing the protective hide, scale, fur, skin… whatever it may be, of an ancient beast.
Even if Eldrian had Crystoi, his attacks would only do half the normal damage at best. And most low Tiered spells would be absolutely useless. Not to mention the insane amount of HP that the beast will have.
free𝒘ℯ𝗯𝙣𝗼ν𝑒𝗹.𝒄o𝒎
“Fine. I will refrain from using a sneak attack to defeat them.” Eldrian agreed, realizing that without Crystoi, he would stand no chance. However, that didn’t mean he was going to play by the book either.
𝗳𝔯𝙚e𝒘e𝚋𝘯𝚘ν𝙚l.𝑐o𝙢
It would not be an honorable duel. ‘I won’t kill them with a sneak attack, but I’ll lay some traps.’
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