With the emergence of a new profession...
Minori stared at the passive skill of the class he had just acquired, momentarily puzzled. It was a skill he truly didn't know how to describe.
It felt useless.
"Maybe it has something to do with the structure of this system's profession tree,"he muttered, shaking his head and shifting focus to the professional skill he actually cared about.
If mastering "Shaman Mentor" hadn't been a prerequisite to learn the new profession's skill, he wouldn't have bothered wasting even one level of tolerance on it.
Skill: Totem Possession
Uses: 3/day – None
Skill Description:
Transforms the soul of an animal or monster into a totem tattoo, branding it on five areas of the body (legs, back, chest, hands, and head).
Depending on the totem used, a boost to basic attributes is applied. Upon branding, the user can choose between two types of totem power:
Physical Strengthening
Expertise Acquisition
PS: Physical Strengthening – Activating the totem allows selective reinforcement of one basic attribute. Each activation allows up to five enhancements in a row (3/day).
PS: Expertise Acquisition – Grants the user temporary access to a specific ability the branded creature possessed during its lifetime (number of uses is limited by the creature's original usage count).
Minori blinked slowly. This was the first time he had seen a class skill come with such an elaborate preamble. He had to read it three times to fully grasp it.
In most games, the Shaman class had always been a jack-of-all-trades—capable of melee, ranged support, and healing.
But in general, Shaman builds typically leaned either toward magic or support roles.
It was rare to encounter a Shaman system like the one in Zero's build—unmistakably combat-focused.
Only after finishing the skill description did Minori truly understand how Zero had been able to burst forth with strength far beyond his level when activating all his totems.
But more than that—
What shocked Minori was the fact that this skill provided not one but two distinct combat paths.
Physical Strengthening.
Expertise Acquisition.
Two fundamentally different systems!
"A specialty in acquiring... the abilities of beasts or monsters?"Minori muttered, surprise and thoughtfulness in his eyes.
There was little need to elaborate on "Physical Strengthening." Zero's explosive combat performance had proven it clearly.
But "Expertise Acquisition"—that screamed versatility, a fighting style reminiscent of the complex customization systems in YGGDRASIL.
"It feels kind of like that 'Forest Priest' ability…"Minori mused.
He read over the Shaman class details again.
The more he examined it, the more convinced he became that this mid-tier profession was likely a cornerstone of the Shaman profession tree.
The dual pathways of "Totem Possession" were no doubt key branches leading into high-tier class evolution.
For the moment—
Minori felt like he had made a good investment.
He didn't yet know how high the skill's upper limit was, but its lower bound was clearly strong. Just the passive attribute boost from the totems alone made it worth the cost.
"Only actual combat experience will reveal how powerful 'Expertise Acquisition' really is…"
Suppressing further speculation, Minori returned to browsing his status panel. Before long, a certain spell caught his attention.
Skill: Flying (Level 3)Cost: 15 MPDescription:Releases magic that envelops the user, granting the ability to fly. May also be cast on others.
This magic, naturally, came from the "Undead King" Divanok.
Although Minori could already fly using Wild Transformation by turning into a winged creature, this was true magical flight—not just gliding or limited soaring.
[Skill Points: 39]
He'd had 40 skill points originally. Three had been spent unlocking the "Shaman Mentor" class. Gaining a level had replenished three more.
"It's not easy to contact Cang Qiangwei right now."
Minori glanced out the window, his expression unreadable.
"Time to leave."
Based on his knowledge—
The adventurer team Blue Rose had recently completed a mission and was likely returning to the capital in the next few days.
However—
Minori had no intention of seeking them out just yet. It wasn't about impatience. It was something else.
He had remembered someone.
Aside from the well-known members of Blue Rose, there had been another—
"Dead Soul Messenger" Rigrit Bers Caurau. One of the legendary Thirteen Heroes.
A living legend.
She was, to Minori's knowledge, one of the earliest members of Blue Rose. He strongly suspected her involvement had something to do with Lakyus' family.
Put simply—
Rigrit had joined Blue Rose to protect Lakyus after she formed her team in defiance of her noble lineage.
Not only did Rigrit have covert ties to the Platinum Dragon Lord, but as one of the Thirteen Heroes, she also undoubtedly knew about the existence of "Players."
In short—
She was dangerous to Minori.
He couldn't be sure if she had already retired from Blue Rose.
Based on his memory, there were two possible points where Rigrit left the team. One was after the group fought and defeated Mieguo and Rigrit joined in her stead.
The second was tied to the "Ring of Origin," later passed to Gazef, which Rigrit had personally bestowed.
Out of the two—
Minori couldn't confirm whether Rigrit had joined Blue Rose yet, but one thing was clear: Gazef did not yet have the Origin Ring.
As for the upcoming duel between Leinas and Gazef—
Minori had no interest in watching it play out.
Regardless of the outcome—his objective would be achieved.
Fire Moon, September 14
Imina stood in front of Minori's room, waiting patiently. After a long silence, she finally raised her hand and knocked.
"…What's going on?"
She hesitated for a moment, then pushed the door open.
The room was empty. Minori and the little evil dog were gone.
"This bastard!"
"Just dumped a pile of junk on me!"Imina stomped in frustration.
tap
tap
tap
Sudden footsteps echoed from the staircase.
The atmosphere in the inn shifted. Imina's ears twitched; her expression darkened. She quickly exited the room.
Three strange and dangerous-looking individuals were ascending the stairs.
They paused briefly upon seeing her—a half-elf—and then exchanged meaningful glances.
"Who are you!?"Imina demanded, stepping back cautiously.
"Miss Qiansha, I'm Suqiulongte,"spoke the man in front with a sycophantic grin."They call me the Phantom Demon."
"Peshilian."
"Ed Stellan."
The other two gave their names shortly after.