Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Rankers' Job Information Exchange
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Job Information Sharing? A proposal to share information for preserving the rankers' vested interests.
I scanned the post written by Vagabond [88] with indifferent eyes.
The writing seemed to represent the rankers' stance, but in reality...
Considering the author's ranking of 88th—a low-tier ranker—it felt more like an attempt to pry information from the top rankers.
My first thought upon seeing this post was simple.
Would actual rankers really...?
Do they have any reason to share their core information with others?
That was it.
I figured the author, stuck at that ambiguous 88th place, was just baiting a hook to snag real intel from the top ranks.
Would true rankers fall for such a clumsy trick?
Still, I couldn't dismiss it outright.
What mattered was people's reactions—and whether this post would spark actual information sharing.
With a skeptical mindset, I checked the comments.
As expected, they were mostly mid-tier rankers from 80th to 100th, eyeing each other warily and testing the waters.
No real information in sight.
But the ripple this post sent through the community was far from small.
At least among the rankers.
An invisible information war had already begun among them—one no one could verify.
In the meantime, I arrived at the Hall of Revelation.
It was one of the village's largest buildings, every decoration infused with beauty.
The community mattered to me, but right now, something far more pressing took priority.
My fourth job skill, unlocked at level 30.
I entered the hall, ascended to the upper floor,
passed dozens of models symbolizing various jobs, and reached the end of the passage.
There, a familiar figure awaited me.
An NPC cloaked in jet-black robes.
As I approached, unexpected words slipped from his mouth.
"One who has proven their worth."
"Weren't you curious about the name of your new skill? I've been waiting for you to come ask this time..."
"...?"
He stared into my eyes mid-sentence, then...
"Hah! Coming after hitting level 30. What in the world...? Incredible growth."
Clear astonishment colored the NPC's voice.
I started to explain but shut my mouth, remembering he was just an NPC.
This was the first time an NPC remembered past events and reacted preemptively.
He was definitely on another level from the others. Maybe because he was a job NPC.
Or perhaps his level was sky-high, or he was tied to a special quest.
Should I have asked about the skill name earlier? Nah, I'd been too busy.
Last time I was here,
when I learned the next skill was Precision Enhancement,
I figured knowing the name alone wasn't that useful.
It wouldn't help craft precise plans.
Planning without detailed skill info? That was just wasting time.
As I stayed silent, the NPC spoke first again.
"Truth be told, even if you'd come, I couldn't have told you the skill name this time."
I furrowed my brow at his words. What did that mean?
"Your level 30 skill is different from the others. It's a specialization skill."
Specialization skill?
First time hearing that term.
Sensing my confusion, the NPC continued.
"It means your path has reached a new crossroads."
His explanation pressed on.
"To elaborate: Specialization skills are a unique phase only compound jobs possess."
"Hm... The biggest difference between compound and basic jobs is stats. Basic jobs have one main stat, while compounds have two or three. You know that well enough."
Of course.
Memorizing every scrap of info was basic survival in this transcendent world.
Especially job-related details.
Solid intel was the foundation for any plan or deduction.
Ignoring my reaction, the NPC kept going.
"Specialization skills let you pick one of those main stats and specialize in it."
"Once you choose a specialization skill, you usually stick to the same stat for the next ones. Choose wisely."
Pick just one?
Specialize in a single stat?
From his explanation,
For Divine Aspirant—with main stats Strength, Defense, and Mana—
the specialization skill meant selecting one and gaining a related skill.
"And the most important part."
"The chosen specialization skill levels up at the same rate as your basic job skills. Meaning, much faster growth."
Listening, I felt the weight of this choice.
This wasn't just picking a skill.
This would shape my future.
I couldn't rush it.
"Alright, then. I'll show you the Divine Aspirant's level 30 specialization skills—for Strength, Defense, and Mana."
With his words, three options materialized before my eyes.
[Specialization Skill (Strength): Heavenly Retribution 1st Grade]
Description: Converts demi-god power into lightning's might, granting your body extreme destructive force in an instant. Attack power scales with Strength stat.
Immense destructive power.
A straightforward, potent skill that turned demi-god power into direct offense.
[Specialization Skill (Defense): Divine Charge 1st Grade]
Description: Instantly charge forward at extreme speed. Gain temporary maximum defense on activation. Charge attack power and speed scale with Defense stat.
A stable skill that could push survivability to the limit.
I glanced at the final option right away.
[Specialization Skill (Mana): Demi-God Manifestation 1st Grade]
Description: Release demi-god power externally, shaping and controlling it in various forms per your will. Not linked to Domain skill. Attack power, duration, and control scale with Mana stat.
The most versatile of the bunch. From the description alone, it resembled the forms used by the Giant King.
All three were tempting.
Each powerful in its own right, with distinct advantages.
Abilities so appealing it was hard to pick one.
I fell into thought.
Heavenly Retribution held boundless attack potential—the skill that best matched my growth style.
Divine Charge guaranteed survival in any crisis, the ultimate lifesaver.
And it seemed surprisingly versatile too.
Demi-God Manifestation would maximize my core demi-god power, unlocking endless possibilities. The lack of Domain synergy was a drawback, though.
...
None were easy to choose.
'Wait—do I have to decide right now?'
I asked the NPC.
"Of course not. Come back whenever you're ready."
"...I'll think it over and return."
"Caution is usually wise. Farewell."
I nodded and left the Hall of Revelation without regret.
This major decision needed time and information.
Too much to consider.
I wanted to scout other jobs' skills for clues.
Especially synergies with Soul Shop skills and items.
Strength, Defense, Mana.
All three were my main stats—picking one felt like rechoosing my job.
Luckily, delaying the specialization skill caused minimal issues right now. Everything was progressing steadily.
The only real loss? Proficiency gain.
But a day's worth was negligible compared to setting my long-term path.
To gather job info, I reopened the community window.
While I'd been at the hall listening and pondering,
the community had heated up even more.
Some posts were swarming with people.
The original job-sharing post I'd seen was buried long ago.
Imitators' posts were drawing far more attention.
The reason was obvious.
These authors had shared their own job info upfront in the body text.
By showing their cards first, they'd built trust instead of just baiting.
They clearly believed this would birth a new power structure.
Other rankers joining in? Also clear.
Thanks to today's hypothesis.
The one about summonings ramping up every 10 days.
And it accumulating.
This meant maintaining rank alone could skyrocket your relative position.
We hadn't hit day 21 yet, so it wasn't confirmed,
but most people bought it.
Like watching a house fire from afar, I absorbed the job info in the comments.
This race was limited by ranking thresholds anyway.
Their spilled secrets? Free premium intel for me.
One of the perks of being number one, I suppose.
Time passed amid the flood of posts.
Eventually, two emerged dominant, with the most support.
No further shifts seemed likely.
The first survivor: A level-100-restricted post from 75th-ranked.
Agility and Stamina mains. Stealth? Traps? Skills look solid.
Smart move setting it at 100th with his 75th rank.
Exposed his details thoroughly—like a sacrifice to spark sharing.
Other authors rarely set limits 10 below their own rank.
As intended, comments buzzed with lower rankers swapping job info in heated debates.
The second post's appeal was even clearer.
22nd ranker's level-50-restricted post. Normal so far, but
one comment stood out massively.
Job info shared by a top-tier ranker.
Nickname: Sword King [4].
The elite doing this? Had to be him.
Three skills meant at least level 20.
I read the detailed skill info in the comment—low chance it was fake.
Were all his past actions genuine, not hypocrisy? Or some long con...?
From my view, the Sword King's move made no sense.
Why would a top ranker with everything to lose bother?