*Ding!*
[System Quest Initiated: The Active Grind]
[Quest Description: The Idle Game System is a powerful tool at the Host's disposal, but the Host mustn't forget the importance of the Active Grind as well.]
[Quest Objectives]
[Kill 10 Gate Wolves: 0/10]
[Kill 10 Grizzly Hogs: 0/10]
[Kill 10 Razorfauns: 0/10]
[Kill 10 Fang Rats: 0/10]
[Quest Rewards]
[30 Random Stat Points, 1 Randomized Active Ability, 1 Randomized Passive Ability, System Upgrade]
I shoot upright, my eyes staring at the holographic text in front of me.
'A System Quest?! I was starting to think I wouldn't get these!'
It had been so long since I got the system that I thought it simply didn't have that function. Although, speaking of system functions, I haven't found a need for the inventory space function yet, so I haven't tried it out, though I did completely forget about it when I bought that backpack.
I also did take a look at the system shop, but back when I checked it out everything was in a currency I don't have, couldn't find any information on, and don't know how to obtain.
That aside, this solidifies my plans for entering Public Gates. All of the monsters listed can be found within exactly the Gate I had in mind, a D-Tier Public Gate that can be entered for free.
I open up the Awakened Shop, purchase a [Common] rarity dagger I'd been eyeing, a simple F-Tier spell called [Fireball], and a simple debuff spell called [Fatigue] that was cheap due to not only being a lowly F-Tier spell, but also being considered basically useless, to the point that it's most common use is practicing mana usage efficiency and teaching Awakened how to dispel debuffs.
There's no other spell like it, though, and I'm confident I can turn this into something extremely powerful. It's effect right now, at F-Tier, is applying a 1% fatigue effect to the caster's target. 1% is practically nothing.
Sure, in high level play, that 1% difference could decide the fight, but an F-Tier spell isn't going to affect someone who's in high level play to begin with.
Now, with this spell in my hands, things change. Imagine this spell was upgraded. whether it becomes 2%, 1.5%, or even less of an upgrade, it'll be an E-Tier spell. That means the quality of the mana will be high enough to have a real effect on even E-Tiers.
This isn't to say that any lower-tier spell is useless against anyone of a higher tier, but the higher someone's tier the higher their resistance to mana of lower quality, and the easier time they would have clearing the toxic spell from their body with their own, superior mana.
I can turn this F-Tier, useless, spell, into a spell that could effect S-Tiers.
As for the dagger, the [Common] rarity is 2 second lowest tier, above only the [Trash] rarity. The rankings are as follows:
[Trash]>[Common]>[Uncommon]>[Rare]>[Super Rare]>[Epic]>[Legendary]>[Divine]
[Common] gear is the typical gear people with low but decent funding start with, as it's durable and reliable without costing an arm and a leg.
It's a good bit more expensive than [Trash] gear, but from my research it can make the difference between life an death. Ending up needing to use your bare hands in a fight with your life on the line is the last thing any awakened wants.
The items I purchase immediately appear in front of me. I place the dagger in my inventory, and pick up the spell books, a holographic screen appearing in my vision with each
[Would you like to learn Fireball(F)?]
[Yes] / [No]
[Would you like to learn Fatigue(F)?]
[Yes] / [No]
Clicking yes on each, a flood of mana and information enters my body and mind through my fingertips, spell descriptions instinctually being called up as my brain processes the torrent of information.
[Fireball(F): A simple spell that shoots a fireball at the target, Speed and power depend on mana input, but are limited to within F-Tier] [-] [+]
[Fatigue(F): A spell that causes a 1% Fatigue effect to be applied to the caster's target.] [-] [+]
I immediately allocate all of my resources into [Fatigue], and begin preparing for my first expedition.
I test out my inventory by trying to put my backpack into it, and I intuitively feel how much space is leftover once the backpack is fully inside.
"That's hella convenient." I say to myself, deciding to also put a cold beverage from the refrigerator into my inventory to test out if it keeps items as they're put in, or if time passes in the sub-space, already imagining the hot meals I'd keep in my inventory while on the go.
The last step to complete before I'm ready for my first Gate dive is getting a good night's sleep, so with that in mind, I head to bed and do my best to sleep despite my excitement.