Chapter 37
"I bought it... 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉."
As I walked outside, I gripped the 〈Skill Book〉 in one hand and pressed the other to my forehead.
I'd ended up deeply indebted to Ruche.
"I said it was fine, so it's fine! Like I told you, I can't thank you enough, Elymas-san! It's a present, a present! Besides, if it strengthens our party, that's a plus for me, too, so you really don't have to worry about it... You even bought me 〈Ironpiercer〉, didn't you, Elymas-san? For me, when I hadn't accomplished a thing!"
"The amounts are completely different..."
I had bought Ruche's 〈Ironpiercer〉 for 800,000 Gordo.
By contrast, this 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉 had cost fifty million Gordo.
The difference was on a completely different scale.
"Besides, we needed that to defeat Moneybags Larna, and I knew we'd make the money back..."
"So you won't make your money back with this Skill Tree?"
"No... I will."
Until now, my game knowledge had only helped me learn about monsters, giving me an advantage and letting me fight efficiently.
I hadn't been able to make use of the strengths that made the Heavy Knight one of the strongest classes in 〈Magic World〉.
The Heavy Knight's strengths weren't 〈Wall Reversal〉 or 〈Shadow Step〉.
A fully developed Heavy Knight didn't fight as a defense-focused class.
In 〈Magic World〉, a Heavy Knight with 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉 was by far the strongest Damage Dealer class.
In 〈Magic World〉, Heavy Knights with this build were nicknamed things like Mad Knights and humanoid tyrant dragons.
"Honestly, I wanted to get 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉 no matter what. I'm truly grateful. I have to make sure I live up to this favor."
I tightened my grip on the 〈Skill Book〉.
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〈Skill Book〉: Frenzied Smoldering Fang
【Market Value: 30,000,000 Gordo】
You can acquire the 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉 Skill Tree.
Those who possess this Skill Tree should not approach.
Dragging its shattered body along, whipping its torn tail about, it knows no end to its rampage—not even the Grim Reaper would dare approach.
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I'd thought it would be much later before I could get it.
I'd been able to acquire it thanks to Ruche's kindness and trust.
I had to repay her for it.
"Um... Can I use it right away, Ruche? If I keep carrying it around, I'll be on edge the whole time, worrying someone will steal it..."
This one item was worth fifty million Gordo.
No, the value I placed on 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉 was far beyond fifty million Gordo.
I absolutely didn't want to lose it. I wanted to learn it as soon as possible.
"Of course! Please, go ahead! But is it really that strong? I mean... 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉. Reading the item's description makes me a little nervous. It'll be all right, won't it? It doesn't have some strange drawback, does it...?"
"It's strong. I can say that for certain. Once I have enough Skill Points, it'll become something else entirely."
The 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉 Skill Tree let you learn skills for throwing yourself into battle, prepared to die.
But it was difficult to use and unreliable. Even when used well, it increased the risk of a death penalty, making it inefficient; mostly, only casual players chasing the thrill of dealing huge damage ever used it.
At first glance, it seemed like a poor match for a Heavy Knight, but the class could make the build more reliable while raising 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉's firepower to a ridiculous level.
"Then I'll use it right away."
I poured mana into the 〈Skill Book〉.
The 〈Skill Book〉 began to glow, and the Skill Tree's 〈Status〉 screen opened automatically.
I touched the 〈Status〉 screen.
Normally, you could have up to three Skill Trees.
To add a new Skill Tree, you had to erase one.
All the skills acquired through that Skill Tree would disappear, but the Skill Points spent on it wouldn't be refunded.
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【Skill Tree】
[Remaining Skill Points: 13]
〈Oath of Heavy Armor〉[27/100]
〈Defense Up〉[0/50]
〈Beginner Swordsmanship〉[5/50]
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"I'm going to erase 〈Defense Up〉."
Generally, you shouldn't invest in stat-boosting skills.
You could make up for your stats as you leveled up, after all.
But, of course, you could only benefit from a skill in battles where you could make use of it.
Stat-boosting skills, on the other hand, could help in just about any battle.
In that sense, stat-boosting Skill Trees were powerful even if you invested in them without much thought.
Few players in 〈Magic World〉 favored stat-boosting Skill Trees, but I suspected they were used more often in this world.
The displayed 〈Defense Up〉 vanished, and 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉 appeared in its place.
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【Skill Tree】
[Remaining Skill Points: 13]
〈Oath of Heavy Armor〉[27/100]
〈Beginner Swordsmanship〉[5/50]
〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉[0/70]
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At the same time, the 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉 Skill Book crumbled and vanished in a shower of light.
"Y-Yes! I've finally got 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉! Look, Ruche! I got it thanks to you!"
"...Didn't you say that people shouldn't show others any part of their 〈Status〉, Elymas-san? Hehe, but you look so happy that I'm getting happy, too. Are you going to spend your spare points on 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉 right away?"
"I'd like to, but 〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉 relies on combos. It won't be reliable until I have the right skills, so I'll invest in 〈Oath of Heavy Armor〉 first."
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【Skill Tree】
[Remaining Skill Points: 6]
〈Oath of Heavy Armor〉[34/100]【+7】
〈Beginner Swordsmanship〉[5/50]
〈Frenzied Smoldering Fang〉[0/70]
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I remembered exactly how many points it took to acquire each skill.
Now that the 〈Defense Up〉 Skill Tree was gone, I didn't need to agonize over where to spend my points for the time being.
I couldn't go wrong by investing in 〈Oath of Heavy Armor〉.
Where I put these 【6】 points next would depend on where we went hunting.
【You acquired the normal Skill 〈Life Shield〉 because 〈Oath of Heavy Armor〉 reached [34/100].】
There it is.
〈Life Shield〉 was one of the most useful Heavy Knight skills.
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〈Life Shield〉【Normal Skill】
Activates by consuming 20% of your maximum HP.
Covers your entire body with a shield whose durability is equal to the HP consumed.
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At first glance, it might not seem all that useful, but unless your opponent's attack power is exceptionally high, their attack will stop when 〈Life Shield〉 breaks.
If it can stop any attack at the cost of 20% of your HP, that's a bargain. It's a powerful safety net.
And if you have a way to recover, it's effectively like increasing your maximum HP by 20%.
However, it's treated as non-elemental magic, and it consumes a fair amount of MP.
Activating 〈Life Shield〉 costs 【8】 MP, and then it consumes another 【2】 every minute it remains active.
You also have to wait a while before using it again, so it's not a skill you can spam without thinking.