Chapter 37 - The Mask of Shadows (1/2)
As the mask covered his face, his went blind for a second. A large surge of power passed through his body from the mask. It felt like hot molten wax was poured on his face. His body was paralyzed, and his level began to fall down but the attributes of his body remained the same.
It had improved his constitution, but it threw him back to level 2. This allowed him a great deal of advantage at the initial stages of the game. If he received the same amount of free attribute points and fixed attributes with every level up, he would be stronger than all the others at the same level.
He finally realized how the experts who had the unique equipment could be so tyrannical. With better attributes than the rest of the crowd, it would be easy work to dispose of them. ”I guess this is the reason, we never became a first-rate guild in my previous life,” thought Balthazar.
”I wonder what more features does a unique equipment provide?” wondered Balthazar as he checked the stats of the Mask of Shadows.
[Mask of Shadows] (Unique Mask, Upgradeable)
Level 0
Bound to Shadow Tyrant.
Focus/Search +10; Willpower+5; Magic Resist: +10;
Intelligence +5; Vitality +5; Perception +5;
Increase Free attribute points by 2 points for every increase in level.
Passive Effects:
1. Enhanced Stealth: Stealth can't be detected by higher-leveled monsters up to 5 levels higher.
2. Enhanced Perception: Can identify higher-leveled monsters up to 5 levels higher when they are in stealth.
Equipment can be leveled up by absorbing the life essences of 500 creatures of the dark faction.
Additional skills:
1. Shadow Clone: Instantly creates a clone with 50% of the attributes and all equipment and skills. It can be controlled by the user. Duration: 20 seconds; Cooldown: 5 minutes.
2. Shadow Swap: Can swap one's position with that of an ally or clone. Cooldown: 10 minutes.
3. Disguise: Can change one's appearance to another form. Cannot change to another occupation or race. Duration: Persists until any damage is received or till the user stops the skill manually;
Cooldown: 20 minutes. (Warning: Higher-level monsters and NPCs would be able to see through your disguise.)
A mask whose story is lost to the ages past. Damaged to an extent that it could hardly be recognized, the fae and elven magics cast on it barely protecting it. Find out more about its heritage for without knowing its past, it wouldn't stay long in your hands.
Balthazar was giddy with excitement when he saw the attributes and effects of the mask. Just the stealth features alone would make him extremely strong at PVP.
The shadow clone and swap are game breaking as much as he was concerned, but the only problem was that the swap could only be done with an ally. If it were possible even with enemies, he could swap himself with them whenever he was in a troublesome situation.
Luckily, he could do the same with his clone. As for swapping with an ally, that sounded something that would be useful to a guardian.
Disguise skill can be used to escape from players, but the warning made him wonder the situation with NPCs. Almost all the NPCs in any village, town or city were higher-leveled than him. It looked like a practically useless skill as he would never have much problem escaping from other player with his enhanced stealth and perception.
The only thing he was confused about were his level dropping down and the upgrade condition. What does creatures of the dark faction mean? Any creature affiliated with the dark faction, dark attributed creatures or does have to go to the lands of the dark faction. The last one is mostly unlikely as access to those lands was obtained a long time later.
”Anyway, I will learn about it after I kill a few monsters,” thought Balthazar. He quickly checked his attributes panel before he departed back to the village.
Character: Shadow Tyrant (Human)
Affiliated Village: Black Rock Village
Title: None
Job: Assassin
Level: 2
Exp: 0/400
HP: 1200/1200; MP: 600/600;
Physical Attack: 25
Defense: 16; Attack Speed: 19; Movement Speed: 21; Willpower: 11; Balance: 20; Focus/Search: 25; Reflect: 1; Magic Resist: 8; Luck: *; Charm: *;
Attributes: Strength 12, Agility 14, Endurance 5, Intelligence 11, Vitality 13, Perception 11.
No Special Racial Attributes or weakness.
Free Attributes Points: 4
”The unallocated attribute points from the previous level still remained,” thought Balthazar. ”I will use them later.” He also noticed that the attributes and the effects of the gloves and shoes he was wearing grayed out. The attributes from these equipment weren't showing in his attribute panel as well. ”The probably will become available after I reach level 3 again,” thought Balthazar. He never faced the scenario where he could equip the equipment before he reached the required level.
Along the way, he managed to clear a few more elite wolves by the time he reached the river over the bridge. The riverbed had a lot of blue weed and red weed which were quite useful in creating potions. As soon as he began to collect them, a notification popped up.
”Secondary profession Herbalism acquired. All four slots for secondary professions filled.”