Executioners (2)
The Trait System. A system that activates once a class surpasses level 20, transforming even identical classes into entirely distinct ones.
Descartes was specialized in the destruction trait.
Black Mages came in all varieties—curses, summons, destruction, absorption, and more. Among them, Descartes had been an extreme destruction Black Mage, boasting tremendous destructive power.
So what about Weapon Summoner?
I'd never seen a Weapon Summoner trait even in the game. I checked my traits right away.
Mana Stat:+20
Effect: Summoned weapons acquire Giant.
Destructive Power:Greatly Increased
<Summon Count -50%, Attack Speed -50%>
Agility Stat:+20
Effect: Summon and unsummon speeds Greatly Increased.
Summon Location:Any Desired Point
<Attack Power -20%>
Strength Stat:+20
Effect: All summoned weapons' attack power and speed Greatly Increased.
Acquire:Weapon Summoner Exclusive Aura
<Summoned Weapons Cannot Exceed 50m from Caster>
Three traits were available for now. More would open every 10 levels, so I had to pick from these...
The second one seems like the answer.
The first trait granted giant weapons, but that was already an option from set effects. It felt a bit different, but the downsides were clear: reduced summon count and attack speed.
The third was similar. From the description, weapons had to stay close by. Meaning, dive into the enemy lines.
That's too risky.
Melee classes were always the most dangerous. They shone brightest late-game, sure. But for me right now, avoiding close combat was the smart play.
Summon Speed Trait acquired.
Agility stat increased by 20.
I went with the second trait. Base agility rose by 20, and summon speed increased dramatically. Hmm, let's test it.
Whoosh!
I gestured at the air. A curved sword materialized exactly where I wanted. I couldn't quantify the speed boost, but it was visibly different. The weapon appeared the instant I gestured.
Unsummon should be faster too.
Whoosh!
Same deal—it vanished the moment I thought it. Alright then...
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!
I pointed at the bare ground and attacked. Over ten weapons summoned in a flash, striking in unison.
If I chained this style...
Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
I attacked both sides. Summon and unsummon happened almost simultaneously. No delay switching targets. Insane attack speed.
"...You acquired a trait?"
Kethar approached, having watched me. The others might not notice, but he clocked it instantly.
"First time seeing a Weapon Summoner trait. What do you think?"
"...Looks impressive. Did your summon speed change?"
"Spot on."
"At that speed, it's on par with assassin-class attack specialization."
Kethar's analysis nailed it. I felt it too—now I got why agility increased. This attack speed was no joke. And I could cast right where I wanted.
...Traits are broken too.
The others must pack a punch as well. When the next slot opens, I'll check them out.
Anyway.
Rumble rumble rumble.
As dawn broke, sounds echoed from the tunnel. Definitely Under Worms passing by. Time to hunt.
* * *
We traversed the tunnel-like massive burrow. Baby Under Worms occasionally burst from the walls, but distance kept them from being a threat. Even if they got close, dispatching them was easy.
But this one was different.
Chirrr...
A mid-sized, 5m monster: an Under Worm. Standard size for them. It wriggled, puckering its round mouth.
"Attack when it burrows. Don't approach before that."
"Ooh, got it. Teison understands."
"I'll plant the embers first. Doubt it'll burn clean in one go on a beast this big, though..."
I'll draw its eyes.
Kethar, transformed into werewolf form, hoisted the Terror Bird and advanced. Naturally, its gaze locked on the baby Terror Bird. That was Kethar's aggro method without skills.
Chirrr!
Whoosh! Boom!
Its head slammed the ground, aiming for Kethar—but he dodged nimbly, as expected. Tanking with superior mobility.
Tattooists usually built as melee DPS, but I'd toyed with a tanker Tattooist build.
It worked okay when I tried, but...
I shelved it mid-research. Not performance issues—just didn't suit my style.
I pride myself on patience, but pulling eyes off direct attacks was a drag.
A must for tankers: responsibility, self-sacrifice, endurance.
Kethar was different. Even if he'd played Tattooist in-game as DPS, his actions screamed tanker. Blocking for me against Descartes. Always volunteering for danger. And look at that—calm against a bigger foe, dodging with sharp eyes.
Perfect for a tanker build.
I planned to raise him as one.
Boom! Thud! Thud thud!
Kethar kept evading. Meanwhile, April meticulously planted embers from head to tail.
Chirrr!
It shook its head upward—a signal to burrow. Prime DPS window.
Rumble rumble.
"Charge!"
As expected, it slammed its head down and started digging. Exposed now. We unleashed everything.
Whoosh!
April ignited the embers, flames engulfing it.
Bang! Bang bang!
She fired bullets loaded with Ignition Rune.
Crunch! Crunch crunch!
Kethar, closest, bit deep early.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh! Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
I joined in. The difference? Fourteen weapons now zipped head to tail, slashing relentlessly.
What if I used Continuous Strike here?
The weapons swarmed, pummeling at blinding speed.
Slash slash slash! Slash slash slash!
Chirrrk!
It couldn't burrow before the barrage hit.
"Wh-what was that? How many hits? Couldn't even count..."
Insane attack speed...!
April and Kethar marveled.
Normally, it'd burrow too fast to hit everywhere.
Slash!
Pssshhh!
Swift chaining plus pinpoint summons severed its midsection.
Tsss!
It erupted from the opposite wall and toppled. No body to support it.
A grounded one like this?
"Focus the head!"
Unable to rise, it posed no threat. We poured it on.
620 EXP acquired.
We handled it smoothly. Knowing the strat helped, and it being solo was a bonus. Two or more would've been rough.
To reach it, use their tunnels.
I wasn't after mid-sized Under Worms. The leader, a giant one. The path? Through the fresh burrow.
"...Path here."
Kethar knew the strat too. Checking the emergence spot revealed a connecting tunnel.
They only enter pre-dug tunnels.
Might run into others, but I had a plan.
"Inside."
We dropped into the tunnel.
"Ugh, smell's worse. Thought I was used to it..."
The stench intensified in the mid-sized worm's tunnel. Probably from body contact with soil.
Anyway, we pushed north. Boss was farthest north. Entry was the issue; inside, no sweat. Been here countless times.
Rumble rumble.
Then, vibrations again. Another coming.
"Hold."
Crackle.
Dirt fell from the ceiling. Shaking grew; I waited for it to show. Let it spot us.
Chirr!
"It's here. Under Worm approaching from ahead!"
Teison, activating Heavenly Eye Rune, warned with its roar.
Prep time.
Shrr.
I gathered mana ahead, prepping Sword Wall. Not fully formed yet—it hadn't seen us.
Chirrrk!
It barreled in, mouth agape. Tunnel speed was ferocious.
Rumble!
It accelerated spotting us.
Rumble!
I waited.
A bit closer... just a bit more.
Rumble!
Almost touching—
Thud!
I activated Sword Wall, blocking ahead.
Boom! Crack!
620 EXP acquired.
It smashed so hard one wall blade snapped. Something crunched too—neck broken on impact.
"Ugh!"
Brains spilled. Dead for sure. Huh, reality made this trick work. Games lacked these conveniences.
"Onward."
Strat confirmed. No fear now.
We sped up. More Under Worms—lured and smashed into walls each time.
"...Strong stench ahead."
Fork in the path. North only to boss. Side tunnels tempted, but we knew better.
Endgame fork forced a choice—wrong one looped back.
Unlike game, smell guides us.
Werewolf Kethar sniffed true path. Left.
End: upward hole.
Chirrr...
We emerged into a vast swamp ringed by trees. Boss Under Worm awaited.
"Th-that giant? Can we take it? In water, my fire won't stick well... Never seen a worm that big, got me flustered too..."
It rivaled a Terror Bird—8m upright.
I'd use it.
"Teison. Kill this."
"This? The Terror Bird?"
"Yeah."
"Ah, got it!"
Bang! Crack!
Why I saved the last Terror Bird.
100 Baby Terror Birds processed.
Terror Bird's mournful cries echo.
To lure it here.
Kirararak!
Forest-shaking roar. Terror Bird's fury palpable.
Chiiik!
Under Worm wailed skyward too. Natural enemies, bitter foes—itching to kill each other.
Let 'em fight.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Giant bird appeared overhead. Now wait for the brawl—and claim both rewards.