Unique Skill Lv.2
Rohan lets out a sigh. "Phew, I'm beat."
He tosses his weapon to the ground and wipes the splattered blood from his face with his sleeve.
He'd smashed down on Chandri so hard that his cleaver is completely wrecked.
Somehow, he's lost all his weapons in the process.
Rohan snatches a set of knuckles from Chandri's lifeless body like some kind of trophy.
'Knuckles... not really my style.'
Still, they're better than bare fists, so he pockets them for now in a pinch.
He's scored a decent haul of coins from this bunch too, so once he's back, he figures he can scrape together enough for a cheap sword.
Acquiring rewards.
Erasing combat traces.
'Here it comes.'
The alert window pops up right in front of his face.
Rohan grins.
The promised Murder Manual skillbook and random points pouch shimmer into existence before him, the space rippling like jelly as if urging him to claim them.
But something else catches Rohan's eye right now.
'Oh, the wound?'
The gash that had been steadily bleeding and draining his health seals up perfectly.
No scar left behind—it's like turning back time.
Better than any famous healer he'd watched from afar back in his hunter days.
He hadn't noticed last quest since there were no injuries.
Tzzzzz—
The cleanup doesn't stop there.
It wipes the blood from his clothes and body, even mending the tears in his hood.
'So combat traces include wounds too, huh.'
Not a wrong interpretation.
Good news anyway—just accept it. Big win for him either way.
"..."
Once everything's done, Rohan thrusts his hand into the shimmering void.
The skill follows the same procedure as before, sinking into his flesh.
Grade: C
Increases damage against humanoid enemies.
Simple and effective.
As a passive rather than active, it's highly rated.
And unlike the skill, something with a solid form catches on his fingertip.
Recalling his jerky purchase, Rohan grabs it and pulls his hand out.
Opening grants random points.
What emerges is a plump leather pouch.
No real weight or heft, yet it holds its round, bulging shape. A big "P" is stamped on the outside.
Rohan bounces it on his palm a few times, then grabs the drawstring at the top.
Any reason not to use this consumable right here? None.
'Random or not, it won't give less than the tutorial.'
Feeling more tension than in the fight, Rohan opens the pouch.
Acquired 3,999P.
"Kya!"
Good luck or high minimum? Either way, way more than expected.
Not just scraping by for essentials—actual breathing room.
Unique Skill Level-Up
Weakness Infliction ─ Lv.2
Imparts one attribute weakness to a contacted target.
Attacking a weakened target has a low chance to apply a minor debuff.
'Yeah. That's how a unique skill should evolve.'
The contact condition remains, but now with attribute variety.
Plus a new debuff power.
Minor and low odds, but it builds anticipation for future growth.
Updating shop list.
◇ Random Skillbook - 5,000P (1 purchase available)
◇ Lowest Health/Mana Potion - 100P
◇ Restaurant Reservation Ticket - 50P
◇ Concentration Incense - 50P
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◇ Samhwa Nation Flower Pastry Set - 10P
◇ Rainbow Macaron Set - 8P
◇ Chicken/Pizza - 8P
◇ Bulk Combat Rations - 5P
⋯
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'...Skillbook price jumped tenfold?'
Limited stock prices are getting ridiculous.
But now Rohan can predict the shop's pattern.
'Anyway, buying that probably triggers another update.'
The purchasable list has ballooned insanely.
Stuff like high-protein jerky and water is way down the scroll now.
Exciting to see non-food items too.
"..."
Finishing his quick scan, Rohan looks up.
Fatigue lingers, but with wounds healed, his body feels lighter.
'This is a fork in the road.'
Paths he'd only imagined playing Abyss City flash through his mind.
'What to do.'
Originally, he'd wrap this up and head back to the dorm.
Standing up the meetup spot is canon for Abyss City 1.0.
However.
Having rifled through the gang's smartphones and pinpointed the time and place for their elf contact.
For this quest, he has more info than the game.
The game skips it since it doesn't happen, but warnings like "never talk to the welcoming female elf, exchange no info" paint the picture clear.
'Those old geezers...'
From their anonymous comms, it looked like the princess herself was guiding them.
Considering her likely treatment, yeah, that tracks—overflowing possibility.
"Hmm."
So Rohan ponders carefully.
Meeting the princess now is risky, no doubt.
If she gets spooked and shoots, his frail body has near-zero chance of a good outcome.
Still.
Rohan decides to head to the meetup spot.
Mind made up.
'Maybe grab her some macarons.'
The princess never appeared as a playable in Abyss City.
But one he'd vowed to max out if she ever did—a fave.
Seeing her suffer in text vs. knowing she's suffering for real in this world? Hits different for Rohan.
Less about dropping huge intel, more wanting to check her state, her complexion.
Bonus if he slips her a little helpful info.
⋯
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'Too late.'
Rohan hustles to the ruins meetup spot as fast as possible.
But by arrival, considerable time has passed.
Nothing but wind whistling through empty buildings—no signs of life.
Quiet. Eerily still.
Guess they left? Wandering around with that regret.
Clack.
A woman with pointed ears steps out from behind a wall.
"!"
Blonde ponytail, faint green glow at the hair tips.
Goggles over impassive eyes, cloth masking her mouth.
Techwear loaded with ammo and consumables.
'Crazy old farts, I hoped not, but they really sent the princess.'
Rohan feels pity first upon facing the princess.
Swipe.
She jerks her chin—follow me, like she's guiding.
No minimal greeting even.
Rohan doesn't budge, plants himself, and speaks up.
"Hey."
The princess turns dryly.
He points to the bottom of her vest.
Grabs his hoodie as demo, indicates the spot.
"Check here."
"..."
Not mimicking, wariness flickers in her eyes.
"Do that, then we move. I'll wait."
As expected, Rohan settles in comfortably.
Pulls out the macaron set bought from the shop earlier.
In a box a tad bigger than his palm, exuding old-world charm.
Arrayed in vibrant colors.
"Want some?"
Unfamiliar type. The princess shakes her head, eyes flustered.
Fine, more for me—Rohan pops one in.
"Oh, this is good."
"..."
The princess stares silently.
Her no-talk rule frustrates. Bet her hidden mouth itches.
Can't force it either—they called him VIP.
"Just check what I said. Around here, right?"
"..."
Showing the spot again.
The princess keeps eyes on him, hand moving.
"?"
Then he senses it.
Foreign object at her fingertip.
No hesitation—she draws a dagger, slices the vest hem.
Finds the tiny device inside.
She knows what it is.
'...Location tracker?'
Same model as what the Yard Pound brothers installed at the elders' request.
Rohan props his chin, watching her.
Her eyes alone scream complexity.
Now she'll get why she got nabbed in the city.
"Found it quick. Guess I'm off."
"..."
Rohan stands, leaving the stunned princess.
"Catch you later. Take care."
As he turns to leave without lingering, she snaps to.
Explanation too sparse to process, but defying his expectations, she can't hold back and speaks.
"...Stop."
Click!
She draws her pistol—one eye turns heart-shaped.
Rohan knows that skill.
'Heart Sniping.'
Aim for the heart with bullets.
Meeting that gaze, he scratches his chin at the ticklish vibe.
'Kinda hot, actually.'
Seeing it live? More allure than menace.