Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Rare Key, 300 Slimes, and Until Zone 2 Opens
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< 9 >
Rare Key, 300 Slimes, and Until Zone 2 Opens.
In a short time, I'd racked up tremendous rewards one after another.
'Time to head to the village and meet the job-related NPC. But first...'
Confirming my current status with hard numbers was always key.
I opened my status window while trudging through the meadow.
Level 11. The fruits of my slime monopoly and summon scroll hunts.
Others were probably stuck at 2 or 3. This was already an overwhelming lead.
After breaking level 10 but before Zone 2 opened, I'd squeezed in one more level-up.
A satisfied smile tugged at my lips as I closed the status window.
I pulled up my inventory next and checked the gold listed at the bottom.
That much already.
Enough to snag a weapon with solid stats attached.
But no real reason to splurge yet. I needed to scout Zone 2's monsters first.
If my current build could handle them, gold was still pretty useless.
Money was a core growth resource alongside experience, but options to spend it were slim for now.
Worries for later.
My goal right now: a job.
I headed for the village's third-largest building, the Hall of Revelation.
The door swung open to reveal an NPC draped in a jet-black robe, waiting for me.
"I've been expecting you, you who have proven your worth. Are you ready to choose your path?"
His words summoned a massive list before my eyes. Nothing like the "unqualified" rejection from before.
I fired off a few questions at the NPC first. More intel, the better.
Daily chit-chat got you robotic loops, but job-specific prompts unlocked real info.
"Tell me about jobs."
"A job is your guidepost, the milestone of your growth. Each grants unique skills, and honing those skills will make you ever stronger."
I pressed for details.
"What exactly does 'honing skills' mean?"
"Skills upgrade through true mastery and enlightenment."
"From 1st grade to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd... At each upgrade, your body and soul draw closer to the job's essence, unlocking stats befitting that power."
Job choice suddenly felt way bigger than a few skills. It shaped my entire stat growth trajectory.
"Difference between basic and compound jobs?"
"Basic jobs carve deep into one path. Growth is swift, but solitary and straightforward."
"Compound jobs tread multiple paths at once. Broad and varied, yet far more arduous, demanding greater effort. Skill upgrades require more toil and insight."
"Insight? So effort alone isn't enough?"
"Insight accelerates your path, but effort is eternal. Even without it, persistence will get you there."
"Compound jobs reward all related stats per upgrade, so naturally, they're tougher."
More questions.
"Any hidden jobs? Wouldn't picking now be a loss if there are?"
"No. Hidden jobs exist, but they're just skill aides at heart. Jobs don't limit what skills you can learn—they bundle styles and stat directions."
"You can pick up a hidden job later, no issue."
"And excluding hiddens, you can only have one of each job type."
"How many skills total per job?"
"Can't say exactly. You start with two, varies by job, but most unlock new ones every 10 levels. Get a job at level 20+, and you snag three or more based on your level."
Conversation wrapped, and I had the full picture.
I nodded like I'd gotten it all, then zeroed in on the job list.
Started with the safest basics.
Straightforward stuff. Most folks would grab one of these.
But my eyes drifted lower, to the massive compound job section.
[Savage Warrior] Upgrade Stats: Strength/Stamina Skills: [Rage 1st Grade], [Indomitable Will 1st Grade] Intro: Warrior honed to extremes in strength and stamina. Turns pain to fury, crushes foes. [Curse Swordsman] Upgrade Stats: Strength/Mana Skills: [Cursed Strike 1st Grade], [Weakening Aura 1st Grade] Intro: Swordsman weaving forbidden curses into bladeplay. Weakens and dooms enemies. [Shadow Scout] Upgrade Stats: Agility/Defense Skills: [Shadow Shield 1st Grade], [Ambush 1st Grade] Intro: Stalker in darkness, striking vulnerabilities. Stealth and solidity for survival. [Elemental Mage] Upgrade Stats: Agility/Mana Skills: [Mana Arrow 1st Grade], [Attribute Infusion 1st Grade] Intro: Mage wielding elements at blistering speed. Dances across battlefields in elemental fury. [Transformation Shaman] Upgrade Stats: Stamina/Mana Skills: [Beastification 1st Grade], [Life Enhancement 1st Grade] Intro: Mystic shifter of countless forms. Never forget your essence—forge ahead with human will. [Battle Priest] Upgrade Stats: Stamina/Mana Skills: [Healing Light 1st Grade], [Protective Barrier 1st Grade] Intro: Selfless healer and guardian. Saves allies, hinders foes.
[Warning: Compound job skills have high upgrade difficulty and demand more growth factors.]
'Warning, huh...'
Tough for most, but for me? Pure resource play.
Basics: one stat per skill upgrade.
Compounds: 2-3 stats at once.
Higher ceiling to match the grind. Skills topped at 10th grade, mostly—NPC hedged on exceptions.
Others shunned compounds for slow growth on tight resources. Not me.
I could monopolize this dimension's everything.
Their walls were my extra steps.
Scanned dozens of compounds, zeroing on triple-stat ones.
These screamed "extremely difficult."
No backing down. Quick scan.
Not many triples.
Nothing clicked yet.
Read them all, then decide.
Deep in the compound lists, one name nailed every criterion.
Divinity.
A pipe dream to others.
Not to me.
Divinity. Transcendence. Aligned perfectly with this world's endgame—and my boundless ambition.
No clue if this dimension's Transcendence linked to it, but both were realms few touched.
No hesitation. Selected [Divine Aspirant].
"The harshest path. Whether your arrogance drags you to ruin or true transcendence... that's on you."
The NPC's loaded words hung as pristine white light and pitch-black darkness enveloped me together.
They swirled into colorless energy, rooting new power within.
And then, an unexpected message popped up.
First Choice?
First to claim a job?
Like the First Murderer achievement, another one down.
Checked the effects: All stats +1.
Half the prior one, but basically a free permanent level-up, experience be damned. Insanely strong.
Plenty more uniques out there—sole-claimer achievements. Gotta grow faster to snag them all.
Reward on job change? Sweet.
Thrilled, I wrapped up and left the Hall of Revelation.
A firmer, more fluid power coursed through me now.
Checked the new skills in detail.
Domain was solid, but Demi-God Body? Mind-blowing.
'Might tie into my unique ability.'
Stepped out to the meadow, spent hours testing.
Endless growth potential. Felt tailor-made for me.
'Grand name aside, anyone could pick it.'
No one would casually grab such a nightmare compound, but since it's open, probably decent numbers exist.
Unstable path, but compounds pack the real punch for top growth. Half the rankers probably ran them.
Unraveled some skill secrets, then headed back to the inn.
Resting up, munching bread, I opened the community window. Wondered how other dimensions were faring.