Drake, now Level 10, stepped away from the Enchanting Quarter of Oakhaven, the phantom feeling of failed crafts and the lightness of his coin pouch a stark reminder of the profession's brutal difficulty. While [Eidetic Execution] offered a unique long-term advantage by locking his (currently poor) 63% CCR baseline for the [Glyph of Minor Health], the immediate cost in materials and gold was simply unsustainable.
"Enchanting is definitely out for now. Need serious capital or maybe specific materials before that becomes viable. Back to basics: EXP and maybe finding gear upgrades the old-fashioned way."
He needed direction. Leaving the main city's crafting hub, he headed towards the nearest gate leading out into the Oakhaven region proper. Several NPCs stood near the gate, offering tasks to newly arrived adventurers who had completed the tutorial. Drake approached a stern-looking guard with a quest marker. Thanks to his [Known Hand] title, earned from his meticulous dialogue sweep in Veridian Rise, the guard's disposition seemed neutral rather than dismissive.
"Adventurer," the guard grunted, foregoing lengthy pleasantries. "Forest Predators have been getting bolder, harassing supply lines just south of the city. Thin their numbers. Bring back 10 [Predator Claws] as proof." << Quest Received: [Predator Problem] - Collect [Predator Claw] 0/10. Reward: 300 EXP, 50 Copper Coins. >>
Drake accepted. A simple kill/collect quest, standard fare. He moved south from the gate into the Oakhaven Woods, an area teeming with Level 10 and 11 wildlife. He immediately spotted his targets – large, panther-like creatures designated Forest Predators (Level 10).
He drew his weapon. This would be his first real combat session utilizing the powerful [Relentless Assault] passive skill acquired from the Unbeatable Guardian. He engaged the nearest Predator.
He opened with [Basic Slash]. << Skill Success! SCR 100%! PERFECT EXECUTION! >> << Effect Applied: Flawless Strike (+10% Effectiveness)! >> << Effect Triggered: [Versatile Execution]! >> << Relentless Assault: +21 Stacks! >> << Damage Dealt: 110! (Critical!) >>
The Predator roared as the critical hit took a significant chunk of its health. It lunged, claws extended. Drake met it with [Defend]. << Skill Success! SCR 100%! PERFECT DEFEND! >> << Damage Taken: 0! >> << STATUS EFFECT APPLIED: [Forest Predator] Off-Balance! >> << Effect Triggered: [Versatile Execution]! >> << Relentless Assault: +21 Stacks! (Total: 42) >>
He instantly followed up with another Perfect [Basic Slash] during the Off-Balance window. << Skill Success! SCR 100%! PERFECT EXECUTION! ... Damage Dealt: 61! >> << Relentless Assault: +21 Stacks! (Total: 63) >>
The difference was staggering. With both core skills at 100% SCR, every action generated the maximum 21 stacks for [Relentless Assault]. Within seconds, the buff icon near his health bar was climbing rapidly: 105 stacks... 210 stacks... 420 stacks... His attack speed visibly increased, his sword becoming a blur. His damage output climbed relentlessly with each stack.
The Level 10 Forest Predator, which should have been a reasonable fight for a fresh Level 10 player, simply melted. It barely managed another attack before Drake, empowered by hundreds of [Relentless Assault] stacks, cut it down with overwhelming force.
<< Defeated Forest Predator! EXP +250 >> << Item Acquired: [Predator Claw] x1 >> and shortly after << Relentless Assault stacks faded. >>
"Okay... wow. That passive is insane with 100% SCR. Max stacks grant +100% damage and +50% attack speed... and I can reach high stacks almost instantly just using basics and defense. Mobs just... disappear."
He moved through the woods, engaging more Predators and other local fauna like Level 11 Giant Beetles with thick carapaces. The result was the same every time. Perfect defense negating damage, perfect offense rapidly building stacks, leading to overwhelming damage output that ended fights with startling efficiency. Enemies were obliterated. He completed the quest objective in less than ten minutes.
<< Quest Item Acquired: [Predator Claw] 10/10 >>
He paused near a stream, the adrenaline from the effortless combat fading slightly. He found himself looking not for the next mob pack, but pulling the [Broken Twin Blade Hilt] from his inventory again. He turned the mysterious object over, the faint energy within pulsing almost imperceptibly against his palm.
"This thing... ??? Quality, Soulbound, 'mirrored purpose'... feels important. Way more important than killing random forest cats."
He accessed [Perfect Recall], bringing Master Kallan's parting words from the tutorial zone into sharp focus: "...seek out 'Elder Jian' in the city of Silverhaven after Level 20... Show him the hilt. He, perhaps, can offer true guidance on its legacy."
Drake weighed his options. He could stay in Oakhaven, grind the local quests, level up steadily, maybe save enough gold to eventually revisit Enchanting... the standard MMO progression path. Or... he could pursue this mystery. This strange hilt, the Alvari artifact disc also in his bank, the hint of lost Alvari swordsmanship from Kallan, the reclusive master in Silverhaven... it felt like the real story, the unique path potentially opened up by his persistence and his talent.
The decision solidified quickly in his mind.
"Standard grinding is efficient now, but... it's just grinding. This hilt, Jian, Silverhaven... that feels like the actual adventure. That's the path Kallan pointed me towards. Forget standard progression for now. Priority one: Get to Silverhaven, find Elder Jian, figure out what this Hilt means."
He checked his gold again. Still around 190 after the Enchanting debacle. Not much for a long journey through potentially dangerous, higher-level zones. He'd need to complete a few more local quests rapidly just to fund basic travel supplies. He also briefly reconsidered Enchanting.
"Definitely can't afford to train Enchanting properly now. Way too expensive, and Jian takes priority. Shelf that completely for later."
With his new primary objective crystal clear, Drake turned back towards the Oakhaven gate, intending to quickly complete a handful more low-level quests offered nearby. His overwhelming combat power, fueled by perfect execution and [Relentless Assault], would make short work of them. Every bit of EXP and copper earned was now just a stepping stone on the road north towards Elder Jian.
Before setting off on the quest grind, he paused near the city gate, opening his character sheet to check his progress.
Character: Drake
Level: 10 Class: Warrior (Base)
HP: 230/230 MP: 70/70 Stamina: 150/150
Attributes:
Strength (STR): 22
Agility (AGI): 16
Endurance (END): 22
Intellect (INT): 5
Spirit (SPR): 5
Precision (PRE): 15
Notable Equipped Gear:
Weapon: [Well-Used Longsword] (Normal, +1 STR)
Shield: [Rare Guardian's Buckler] (Rare, +4 END, +2 STR, +1 HP Regen, +15% Block Str)
Full Normal Leather Set (Helm, Jerkin, Gloves, Trousers, Boots)
Wrist: [Worn Alvari Bracer] (Rare, +3 AGI, +2 PRE, +2% Crit Chance)
Ring: [Epic Ring of the Threshold Guardian] (Epic, +5 STR, +5 END, +3% Crit Chance, Growth, Set 1/2)
Passive Skills:
[Eidetic Execution] (Innate)
[Relentless Assault] (Innate)
Titles: (Equipped: [He Who Beat the Unbeatable])
[Unblinking Persistence], [Known Hand], [Flawless Strike], [Versatile Execution], [He Who Beat the Unbeatable]
"Okay. Level 10, perfect core skills, decent starter Epics/Rares mixed with Normal armor. Relentless Assault is a game changer. Should be enough to handle the journey if I'm careful. Time to earn some travel funds."