Looking at the Ten Thousandfold Intelligence Reward before him, and based on the data and discussions he'd seen earlier, Ethan knew that talents in Dawnfall Online were ranked as follows:
Gray quality, White quality, Green quality, Blue quality, Purple quality, Orange quality, Gold quality, Dark Gold quality, and Red quality.
Moreover, most players currently only possessed Green or Blue-quality talents.
Talents of Purple or Orange quality were exceedingly rare—any player lucky enough to have one, even if they let it slip in passing, would be inundated with guild invitations and instantly become a core member.
His own talent, Pain Resistance, was merely Blue quality—just like the vast majority of ordinary players, offering little competitive edge.
Pain Resistance (Blue Quality): Increases the player's tolerance for pain, reducing its negative effects, keeping the mind calm, and preventing pain from interfering.
But the Ten-Thousandfold Intelligence Reward talent was in a league of its own!
By using Ten-Thousandfold Intelligence Reward to slay monsters and earn the corresponding Intel rewards, he could skyrocket his power and overtake every other player in one fell swoop.
Not to mention that even a single Blue-quality Intel could sell for 100,000 yuan!
Intel rewards also contained special classes, powerful equipment, rare items, and more.
Ordinary players, after endless grind killing monsters, had only a minuscule chance of getting Intel—and when they did, it was always low-quality Intel.
But for Ethan, with Ten-Thousandfold Intelligence Reward, the first time he killed any given monster, he was guaranteed an Intel reward.
Ordinary players simply couldn't compete!
If word of this got out, it would spark an enormous frenzy!
That scantily clad beauty standing beside him just moments ago held no appeal for Ethan now.
Compared to her, it was far more important to boost his power as quickly as possible, kill monsters, and secure Intel rewards.
Without a shred of hesitation, Ethan strode toward a nearby dilapidated shack. According to the walkthroughs other players had posted, that was where the weapon he needed could be found.
Three minutes later, Ethan emerged from the rundown building clutching a Rusty Cleaver.
He was now wearing a grimy down jacket streaked with patches of dried blood.
[Tattered Down Jacket]
[Quality]: Gray
[Equip Requirements]: None
[Description]: A thoroughly junky piece of clothing that offers no defensive value, but provides a slight boost to cold resistance to protect vital areas.
After donning the jacket, Ethan's status changed—the Hypothermia condition vanished, and his HP returned to 100%.
It just goes to show—having gear is always better than going in empty-handed!
As for the Rusty Cleaver in his hand, his wristwatch also displayed the relevant information.
[Rusty Cleaver]
[Quality]: Gray
[Equip Requirements]: None
[Description]: A Rusty Cleaver—using this butcher's knife to commit suicide would itself be a strenuous task, but a brave adventurer could try wielding it to slay their first monster.
Ethan looked at the only two pieces of equipment—no, three pieces, since he was also wearing a pair of Gray-quality cotton underwear.
At this moment, he actually had a bit of combat capability and could attempt to challenge the nearby monsters.
Without hesitation, Ethan strained to recall the guides and data he'd seen online and sprinted outdoors.
Five minutes later, a frost-covered building came into view—this was currently the best spot for new players to hunt monsters.
But Ethan didn't rush in; instead, he paused to observe.
When nothing unusual occurred, Ethan steeled himself to act—when suddenly, a piercing scream rent the air!
"Help! Somebody save me!"
"Can anyone save me? It's terrifying, it hurts so much!"
"I don't want to die!"
Hearing the agonized cries, Ethan frowned slightly. He didn't rush forward; instead, he lowered his footsteps as much as possible and inched toward the sound.
Just around the corner ahead, a blonde beauty in white lingerie—armed only with a Rusty Cleaver—was being besieged by three monstrous creatures.
Each was roughly human-sized but their faces were covered in various blue tumors oozing a thick, viscous blue fluid—it looked utterly disgusting.
Faced with this, Ethan didn't hesitate for a moment and chose to back away quickly.
Not only did he want to avoid drawing the monsters' attention, he also didn't want the woman to spot him.
He wasn't foolish; having just entered the game, he needed to be cautious—death in Dawnfall Online carried unimaginable penalties!
A level-zero newbie who dies is forcibly ejected from the game and must wait ten hours in the real world before rejoining.
However, as Ethan retreated, the woman under attack caught sight of him.
The next moment, her voice rose in desperation: "Handsome guy, save me—please help!"
But all she saw was Ethan's retreat quicken.
Fear of death and despair instantly filled her eyes with venom as she shouted,
"Damn you! Why aren't you coming over? If you'd only helped, you could've drawn those monsters away and I could've escaped!"
"Damn it! Damn it!"
Soon, under the onslaught of the monsters, the woman's breath gradually faded.
Her face turned ashen, her features twisted, and her body was slowly devoured by the three creatures.
After feeding, two of the monsters sauntered into the building.
The lone remaining monster, seemingly overstuffed, lay on the ground, utterly exhausted.
Ethan's eyes lit up—this was a rare opportunity.
Like a predator locking onto its prey, he waited with uncanny patience for the perfect moment to strike.
As Ethan closed the distance, his grip on the Rusty Cleaver tightened.
Suddenly, the prone monster stirred, sensing something. It turned its head just in time to see Ethan approaching.
Their eyes met. Ethan showed no hesitation; instead, he surged forward, swinging the Rusty Cleaver at the creature's neck.
"Shing…" The cleaver bit deep into the monster's flesh, lodging in its neck.
A spray of viscous blue fluid erupted as the monster let out an ear-splitting wail. In an instant, it gaped wide and clamped down on Ethan's shoulder.
The pain of being bitten felt all too real—yet Ethan's face remained impassive, calm as a still ocean.
His gaze was colder than the howling blizzard around him, more fearsome than the biting wind.
The monster, stunned, froze in place.
Seizing the moment, Ethan clenched his right fist and drove it down on the back of the Rusty Cleaver.
Though its blade was far from sharp, Ethan's punch forced it deeper into the creature's flesh.
The monster recoiled in pain, instinctively opening its maw.
Ethan wrenched the Rusty Cleaver free, and a gout of blue ichor spurted from the wound.
Before he could even check his own shoulder wound, a purple glow flared above the monster's corpse.
The orb of light shot toward Ethan's wristwatch and vanished into it. When he checked his Storage, a new icon—resembling a USB drive—had appeared:
[Frost Warrior Class-Change Intel]
[Quality]: Purple
[Requirement]: Talent Affinity (must be ice-related)
[Description]: Near Safe Zone #9527 lies a hidden location housing the Frost Warrior class-change trial. Players of Level 10 or higher may attempt it…
A special class?
Ethan's breath quickened—few players ever reached Level 10.
Dawnfall Online was notoriously unforgiving: leveling up was arduous, and death carried a brutal penalty—halving one's level.
Except for a handful of veteran gamers, the vast majority of players had died more than once. Of course, there were those who, terrified of death, constantly avoided all risks.
Every gamer knows the value of a special class. Early-game powerful gear only lasts so long, but a powerful class can stick with a player for ages!
There is no doubt—this time Ethan was truly going to strike it rich!