Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Second Job Change (2)
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[You have successfully changed jobs to Berserker.]
The class name "Berserker" had replaced "Mad Warrior." The meaning was the same, but the substance was markedly different.
Ignoring the receptionist's gaze that scanned him like he was some lunatic, Rokan stared straight back. The man pulled out a few items.
"Anyway, since you've changed jobs, I suppose I have to give you your reward. Pick one."
[Red Ghost's Blade][Superior]
A blade imbued with the soul of a ghost slain in war. The vengeful spirit's thirst for blood enhances its sharpness.
-Attack Power: 70
-Durability: 200/200
-Armor Penetration +10
[Dangerous Mace][Superior]
A sturdy mace bristling with jagged metal shards, radiating menace.
-Attack Power: 105
-Durability: 500/500
[Sturdy Lizardman Leather Pauldrons][Superior]
Pauldrons that firmly protect the shoulders, crafted from thick lizardman hide. They seem tough enough to withstand ramming into a tree.
-Defense: 85
-Durability: 300/300
-Upgradeable
Three items again. Unfortunately, no axe.
'Hmm, the mace is tempting...'
A mace like that would make an excellent secondary weapon. Proficiency wouldn't be an issue—he could grind it up to 30% in no time, enough to unleash its full potential.
After a moment's deliberation, Rokan made his choice.
[You have acquired Sturdy Lizardman Leather Pauldrons.]
Rokan went with the pauldrons. He already had the Orc Clan's Battle Axe for a weapon, and pauldrons were a rare drop that wasn't easy to find even in armor shops. Plus, these could be upgraded at a forge with materials and gold.
And they synergized well with the new skill he was about to acquire.
"Oh, right, I'm short on cash."
Rokan scratched his head as he moved to buy the new job skill book. Tomorrow, or even sooner if a few auction items sold, he'd have plenty. But for now, all he had was the coin from killing those forest lizardmen. It wasn't insignificant, but not enough for pricey skill books.
With no choice, Rokan headed to the corner of the job guild. A timid-looking bank teller dispatched there was peeking out at him.
"I'd like to take out a loan."
"Y-Yes! W-Welcome! I-I'm Gultan, the Aerok Bank representative, always here to bring you happiness. C-Could you please state your job and name? I-It's... unavoidable procedure..."
"Berserker Rokan."
Who sends a scaredy-cat like this to a Berserker guild? Regardless, Rokan gave his info without hesitation. The loan amount was calculated instantly.
"Th-Thank you. As a second-job holder, you can borrow up to 3 gold."
"I'll take it all."
Second-job loans maxed at 3 gold. It was stingy, but considering he hadn't built much fame yet, it was reasonable.
Since he could pay it back soon anyway, Rokan borrowed the full amount without worry. He handed the coins to the receptionist and received the new skill books and enhancement skill books.
The new skills cost 50 silver each for three books, and the enhancements 45 silver each for four. That wiped out his loan and forest lizardman earnings.
[Dash][Lv 2]
Move swiftly for three steps.
-Agility 120% for three steps.
[Strike][Lv 2]
The next attack strikes the enemy harder than usual, once.
-Strength 120%
-Agility 120%
[War Cry][Lv 2]
Unleash a madness-infused roar to plunge enemies into fear.
-All stats decrease if target level is lower than user.
-Random short stun if target level is significantly lower.
-Effect reduced or nullified if target level is higher.
-Reduces negative effects on user.
[Berserk][Lv 2]
Ignite yourself with savagery to unleash immense power.
-All stats 200% for duration.
-No mana cost for skills during duration.
-No death even if HP reaches 0 during duration.
-Immune to mental attacks during duration.
-Mind overtaken by madness; cannot distinguish friend from foe.
-Upon duration end, take damage equal to 40% of max HP at once.
-If HP is 0 after duration ends, die unless restored to 10% max HP within 7 seconds.
-All stats 40% reduced for 10 minutes after duration.
-All stats 20% reduced for 20 minutes after first aftereffect.
-Penalty duration doubles if reused before aftereffect ends.
-Duration: 10 minutes
For starters, all existing skills had been enhanced. Dash, Strike, and War Cry had amplified power, and Berserk's penalties were reduced.
It might not seem like much on paper, but it felt like a huge change firsthand.
The newly learned skills were these.
[Shoulder Charge][Lv 1]
Ram the foe with a body slam empowered by strength and momentum for massive damage.
-Strength 130%
-Additional damage proportional to charge momentum.
-Additional damage inversely proportional to target's toughness.
[Leap Attack][Lv 1]
Leap with full power and smash down on the enemy ahead. Max leap distance scales with user's strength.
-Strength 130%
-Additional damage proportional to jump height.
-Ignore fall damage on use.
[Throw][Lv 1]
Hurl your weapon or a thrown weapon at the enemy.
-Strength 130%
-Agility 130%
-Damage decreases with distance to target.
The familiar names fit Rokan perfectly, but others would scoff that it was underwhelming. Existing skills only got minor penalty tweaks or 10% boosts, and just three new ones.
"It's underwhelming if you just look at the numbers..."
Typically, second jobs granted seven to ten new skills. Three limited-use ones seemed paltry—especially when picking Priest or Mage would solve healing or support issues outright.
"Better to master one path than dilute with miscellany."
But Rokan's resolve was firm. He knew job dilemmas worsened past level 100, but he trusted himself to stay the course.
He knew most players ended up with hybrid jobs, but cases like "Archmage Ares" or "Lightspeed Trina"—all-in on one path—succeeded spectacularly.
'King of Genesis...'
His one worry was the King of Genesis, whose exact job combo was unknown.
Rokan wasn't sure if Berserker could topple him. He'd agonized over it for three months of prep, but his choice stood.
'It's my shortcomings, not the Berserker class. I was the one lacking.'
Grinding his teeth, Rokan shoved open the Berserker guild doors and stepped out.
* * *
To pull ahead once more, Rokan headed to the Mage Guild.
"It's real. Definitely the goods."
[You have completed Endless Research 11.]
[Endless Research 12][Quest]
Having seen Steroian's improved antidote prototype, Matherian seeks materials to boost its efficacy. Bring him Forest Monster Fruits.
-Success Condition: Forest Monster Fruits 0/10
-Reward: 50 silver, large amount of EXP
Matherian's chain quest had fifteen parts total. Four more to go. Normally impossible at Rokan's level, but he planned to level up to match quest difficulty.
'First, hit 100.'
Achieve level 100 faster than anyone, without missing main scenario quests. That was his top priority.
With users already past 80, a fresh level 50 claiming first to 100 sounded insane.
But Rokan believed it doable. Up to 99, stats decided strength gaps—and 99 to 100 required a trial.
"Forest monsters... the swamp area, huh."
Rokan unfolded his magic map, face twisting slightly. Swamp terrain, where feet could sink into muck, wasn't ideal for melee.
Especially with PKers gunning for him.
But he didn't agonize long.
"Eh, it'll work out."
Rokan squared his shoulders confidently and opened his rune book.
First, to the forest lizardmen habitat—the only marked hunting spot in his rune book. With the magic map, he'd reach his target soon enough.
"Rune book activate. To forest lizardmen habitat."
Shwoong!
* * *
Pabababat!
About ten minutes into travel, a volley of arrows rained at his feet.
Blood Chaser archers.
But Rokan had known all along.
"You cowardly bastards. I was starting to think you'd chickened out."
With that many tails, how could he not notice? Suspicious presences from five minutes after arrival, numbers swelling.
"Fuck, let's talk this out—"
Believing Rokan hadn't reacted? The smirking fool approaching with curses was the one from town who'd barked at him before getting skewered by guards.
"Let's talk, what makes you so cocky—"
But Rokan ignored him, scanning the encircling Blood Chasers, tallying numbers and forces.
'Archers and mages too. They came prepared.'
Upgraded from last time. MP Guild must've been pissed about the Cloak of Stealth—looked like the whole Blood Chaser crew assembled.
That many hitting simultaneously? Even Rokan couldn't take it lightly. Might cost his life.
'This is why archers and mages are a pain early on...'
Twice as many melee? Easy. But blind arrows and spells accumulating could kill.
Assuming he let them hit, of course.
"Ah, sorry. What'd you say?"
"You little...!"
Pretending oblivious, then glancing irritably at the approaching fool. The guy flared up but forced calm—important mission, apparently.
"One offer. Hand over just the Cloak of Stealth from what you took. We'll forget everything. Even acknowledge your auction listings, you dogshit bastard."
"Pfft."
The absurdity made Rokan snort mid-relaxation.
This was their "offer"? Offers needed mutual benefit.
Acknowledge? Who whom?
"...Think you're hot shit? Consider carefully. Refuse, and we'll hunt you till you log. No hunting, no leaving town. Deal with anyone? We kill them too. You'll end up with nothing, booted from this world."
"..."
Twitch.
He shouldn't have said that.
Memories of his past life—his reverse scale—flared. Rokan's face twisted into a demon's as he brushed off the pathetic threat.
Crack!
Rokan activated Strike instantly, cleaving the swaggering fool in two, then roared at the red-eyed horde surrounding him.
"Cut the bullshit and come at me, you morons!"