3A Shopping Spree! (2)

"By the way,", Baccistern started, as he was leading Gab to counter by the arm, as her legs were still unsteady, "how is it that you already have 166 in both your Physical and Magical Defence Stats, despite having not reached at least Level 10?".

As Gab reached the counter and simply allowed her top half to collapse on it, she frowned at that very specific question.

"What makes you think I have, at minimum, that amount in both of them?", she asked with a raised eyebrow, wondering if he used some sort of identification Skill on her.

The store owner simply chuckled at her unasked question and proceeded to explain his reasoning.

"Simple. The maximum amount of damage that one can inflict on themselves via drinking the spirit my gourd is currently producing is 900, and the only way to mitigate the damage normally is to have raised both your Physical and Magical Defence.".

"However, if you prioritise one Defence Stat over the other, then you'll reduce the by only the amount of your lowest one. For example, if you have, say, 10 points in Physical Defence and 200 in Magical Defence, then you won't take 700, but rather 890!".

Gab nodded slightly, as that answer made perfect sense in this context, seeing as the ghastly rice spirit she just drank caused too much damage if it was only capable of physically damaging her, which meant that there must have been a magical component to it as well.

At the same time, she noticed several other odd details in his explanation.

The first was that the spirit she just consumed was the one his unusual gourd was "currently producing".

And the second…

"Wait just a minute. Unless you have 900 in both of your Defence Stats, how are you still completely fine? I didn't see you take any damage when you were drinking from your o-choko, nor did you seem to be in any pain, so what gives?", Gab asked in a tone that contained hints of both accusation and jealousy, given only she seemed to have experienced that momentary hell, causing Baccistern to let out a knowing chuckle.

"Ha, you noticed. Well, several factors allow me to consume my metaphorical "poison" without worry that it would become actual poison!"

"For starters, I have the Constitution, Endurance and Metabolism Fixed Attributes at decently high values, as well as some of the same Titles that you yourself acquired when you drank directly from my gourd.", Baccistern started as Gab nodded, not surprised that he has Titles such as [Taster of the Ripped Tongue Hell], [Overseas Taster] and [Survivor of the Ripped Tongue Hell].

"The most important factor of all, however, is the Advanced [Bastion] Class I possess, which has a certain synergy with alcoholic products.".

"Wait, I'm not surprised that you're a [Bastion] Class user, but are you saying that you have an Advanced variant that uses alcohol?!", Gab asked in both surprise and curiosity, whilst causing the store owner no small amount of confusion over the fact that a Freestyler is interested in Classes, to the point that he could've sworn that her eyes were twinkling!

"What's it call?"

"How did you acquire it?"

"Does it use alcohol to improve your defences or debilitate your opponents?"

"Does it require you to actually consume alcohol, or could you just dose yourself in it?"

"Is your odour a result some sort of Passive Skill exclusive to it? Or is it an Active Skill?"

"Whoa whoa WHOA! Why are you you asking so many questions about my Class when there's no conceivable way for you to use it, much less ACQUIRE IT?!", Baccistern shouted in flustered surprise, causing Gab to cough a few times in order to get a grip on herself.

"To answer one of your first questions regarding my Advanced Class, it called the [Mobile Tankard] Class.", the store owner stated, getting Gab interested, since it sounds like it's in the same vein as [Mobile Fortress] and other Class names that refer to moving battlements.

"As for the answers of some of your other questions…".

Gab leaned in intently, not wanting to miss a single word…

"…that will cost you 100 000 Gold."

…only to come close to missing several more pints of blood, as she came this close to vomiting claret!

"How much?! Just for you to answer only a few of my many questions regarding your Advanced Class?! I'm a Freestyler, for fucks sake!", Gab asked in shock, which in turn almost caused Baccistern himself to almost cough blood at the realisation that those previous questions were only the tip of the iceberg!

"Hey, just because, as a Freestyler, you can't acquire this Class, doesn't mean that you don't know another traveller with the [Bastion] Class that can acquire it, if they know the steps to obtain it!".

"And considering the blood, sweat and massive bar tabs that went into obtaining my Class without any guidance, I'd say that my previous price is more than generous.".

"Ugh,", Gab groaned, feeling the urge to moan about the injustice of someone giving a Class-Obsessed Otaku like her a hint of a new Class, only to hit her with a fucking paywall, "whilst I do know someone who very likely chose that Initial Class, I'm not sure she'd be interested in it.", Gab responded, as Elena's face entered her mind's eye.

That's right, after finally logging onto Arbitrium and getting some information that she previously didn't look into, Gab a a pretty good idea as to which Classes her uni friends selected.

Given that she played multiple D&D campaigns with them, she has a good grasp on their playstyles, as well as which Class they would choose to accommodate it.

Within the group, they're split into two camps regarding their Class selection tendencies: one chooses Classes based on an objective (Gab and Elena), while the other simply sticks with a specific base Class (Amalia and Maria).

In the first camp, Gab is the more experimental one, choosing a Class in any campaign in order to experiment with it parameters and abilities, whilst using the experience to come up new Sub-Classes to introduce in the next homebrew campaign.

Elena, on the other hand, is dedicated to playing as a Tank, someone who will eat enemy attacks for her teammates whilst they go full murder-hobo on it.

To this end, Elena experiments with different base Classes in order to find different ways to keep her teammates from harm. After all, not all attacks can be survived by being a simple "meat shield".

Thus, unless she wants to try her hand at being the aggressor, Gab's certain that she would've gone with the [Bastion] Initial Class.

As for the other camp consisting of Amalia and Maria, Gab's only roughly 75% certain as to which Classes they picked.

Amalia choosing the [Supporter] Initial Class is a given, given that she allocated herself the role of the team's resident Healer by picking the Cleric base Class in every single campaign.

In regards to Maria, however, Gab's not so certain as to which Initial Class she started with, given that the one she usually picks in D&D campaigns encompasses a range of different proficiencies and strengths aside from its most obvious feature (aka a Jack of All Trades).

That being said, she knew which general Advanced Class Maria would be aiming for.

That Class was, of course, the Bard Class.

Whether she's bleating out a slanderous ballad pertaining to an ancient king as a College of Lore Bard, or adding a voice to the chaotic symphony of battle after studying the College of Valor, Maria always loves to be the one to be counted on to use her talents in music to either have the group in stitches from laughing or requiring stitches after brutally fulfilling a need to head-desk!

As much as Gab likes to keep her friends on her mind, she shook her head to clear them away temporarily, as she needed to focus on acquiring Items necessary for both her Quests and general well-being in Arbitrium.

"Anyways, how do I shop here? Do you just pull up a menu for me to look at and select the Items I need?", Gab asked, causing the shop owner to shake his head and chuckle lightly.

"A menu? Sure, I can generate one for that express purpose when you're outside the store, but why would I need to present one to you when your inside, where you can see all that I have to offer you?".

"…point taken.", Gab muttered.

"That being said,", he continued whilst reaching for something under the counter, "there's no need for you to bring the one or two Items you're going to purchase up to counter. Instead, you'll use this.", he said, as he fished out what looks to be a rectangular-shaped piece of clear glass, on which faint symbols quickly flicker in and out of existence.

Seeing Gab's eyes narrow in confusion, Baccistern answered her unasked question in short order;

"It's called a Taberna Fenestra (Shop Window). By aligning it with the unique symbols next to each of the Items I have on offer, it will bring up an interface that will allow you to not only confirm your willingness to purchase it, it will also chose how many you wish to procure.".

"As soon as you confirm those little details, the will be add to a checkout list that you can continue to compile until you are finished. Once you are, you only need to bring it back to me to confirm your purchases, which will be transferred directly into your Inventory.".

During his explanation of this smartphone-sized piece of glass, Gab's eyes found the "unique symbols" in question.

Instead of a simple runic character, each symbol was circular in overall shape, with various different lines, colours, shapes and runes inside the circles boundaries.

"…uniqueness aside, aren't they basically QR codes?!", Gab thought in amused disbelief before letting out a quiet chuckle, "Give me my fantasy back.".

"So,", Baccistern started, interrupting Gab's amused inner monologue, 'anything else you'd like to know before you finally start?", he asked.

"Actually, there is.", Gab confirmed, "Where do you keep your Inventory Slots? Zalo told me you were selling them at a reduced price.".

"Hmm, Zalo told you that? Personally?", Baccistern asked with a raised eyebrow, to which Gab only nodded.

"Well, as to where they're kept, just look to your right a bit.", he said, pointing at a small lacquer box on the counter with it's lid open, filled with what appeared to be at least a couple hundred crystalline cubes, each pea-sized in physical dimensions and cloudy in colour.

"But keep in mind that whilst they're sold at 50% of the price they go for in the mainland, they still cost 50 Silver apiece!", the storeowner cautioned, causing Gab to freeze for a second before looking the supernaturally functional addict behind the counter with a strange look in her eye.

"…only 50 Silver apiece?".

"Yes, 50 Silver apiece.", Baccistern confirmed with closed eyelids and a nod, not noticing the way the Freestyler emphasised a specific word in her question, "And before you potentially ask, all you travellers are allowed a maximum of 1000 Inventory Slots normally, not including Storage Items and Items that would allow you to go over that limit.".

"That is, of course, info that would probably only become relevant to you and the rest of you travellers when you guys aren't lacking as much in coin as you are now!", he finished with a laugh, his eyes still closed as Gab positioned her new shopping tool of the symbol next to the aforementioned lacquer box, her lips quivering slightly and eyebrow raised in response to his statement.

<Ding! Item added!>

"'You and the rest of you travellers'? Isn't there one of us 'travellers' that isn't lacking in coins by any stretch of the imagination?", Gab asked the store owner in a seemingly confused tone as she moved onto another Item that caught her interest, as Baccistern started pouring himself another o-choko of the…'alleged' rice spirit with his eyes closed.

<Ding! Item added!>

"You're talking about Wanderer, aren't you?", he asked before shrugging his shoulders, "Well, even if they somehow managed get quite possibly the biggest head start amongst all of you in terms of Levels, AP and Deities know what else, do you really that other travellers would simply let them progress unmolested?".

<Ding! Item added!> x3

"Are you saying that, in spite of all the benefits that Wanderer gained in the short time they got here, that won't be enough to deter the other 'travellers'?", Gab asked, even though she already had a pretty good idea as to what he was about to say, and she wholeheartedly agreed with him.

<Ding! Item added!>

At least, for the time being.

"If they were already a powerful combatant before they arrived here, which I highly doubt, they would at the very least make people think twice about approaching them with malicious intent.".

<Ding! Item added!> x2

"But even if that were the case, I highly doubt that would stop all the currently weak travellers from ganging up on them en masse and killing them back to Level 0 if they were determined enough.".

<Ding! Item added!> x3

"So, if I looked at it another way,", Gab interrupted, the quivering of her lip becoming more noticeable the more he detailed how 'Wanderer' won't make it far, "there's no way in Hell that she'll not only be able to retain her current Level, but there's also absolutely zero chance that she could retain the coinage she currently possesses before she could even shop. Is that about right?", Gab asked as she started waving her Taberna Fenestra over the symbols for the last few Items that caught her interest.

· <Ding! Item added!> x5

"…yes, that's the long and short of what I was trying to say, I suppose.", Baccistern replied, although at that moment, his brow and closed eyelids were scrunched up in apparent confusion.

For one, his second customer was taking far longer than he expected for a normal traveller that has started with only a bare minimum of currency in her wallet!

<Ding! Item added!>

And secondly…

<Ding! Item added!>

…why did his customer call the subject of their more recent discussion "she", when he clearly remembers referring to the first dark horse amongst the travellers with gender neutral terms?

"Hey," Gab's voice sounded through the store owner's ears, interrupting his train of thought, "I'm ready to checkout now.", that statement being punctuated by by the sound of a Taberna Fenestra being placed on the counter.

Hearing that, Baccistern slightly opened his eyes…

…before they subsequently almost shot out of their sockets, along with the rice spirit from his mouth that Gab dodged like her life depended on it!

"Y…Y..You…!", the store owner stammered, not quite believing what he's seeing on the Taberna Fenestra's display screen.

At first, when his eyes scanned the checkout list, he thought that the customer before him either robbed a bank or Zalo to afford the relatively stupid amount of stuff that she, as a recently arrived traveller, wanted to buy from his store.

But he quickly remembered that there aren't any banks situated in the village proper! Much less there being any chance in ten Hells she could fleece the amount shown on her funds from a stingy and dangerous old hag like Zalo without suffering any consequences!

Then, when he saw a certain piece of information pertaining to the customer in question, he gained both understanding and questions in equal measure:

<Taberna Fenestra

Customer ID: Wanderer

Style: Freestyler

Funds: 15401 Gold

Checkout List:

-Inventory Slots x900: 450 Gold (50 Silver each)

-Purifying Water Skin x1: 1 Gold

-Minor Mending Potion x100: 50 Silver (50 Bronze each)

-Minor Invigorating Potion x100: 50 Silver (50 Bronze each)

-Field Novice Potion Kit x1: 1 Silver

-Field Novice Harvesting Kit x1: 1 Silver

-Glass Vials x100: 4 Silver (4 Bronze each)

-Basic Masks x5: 25 Bronze (5 Bronze each)

-"Common Fauna of a Pocket Village" by Emul Pedmon x1: 1 Gold

-"Common Flora of a Pocket Village" by Emul Pedmon x1: 1 Gold

-"Surviving and Improving in a Pocket Village" by Emul Pedmon x1: 1 Gold

-Map of Pocket Village 2604 x1: 80 Bronze

-Field Novice Torch x1: 1 Silver

-Village-made MRES x5: 25 Silver (5 Silver each)

-Field Novice Emergency Kit x100: 1 Gold (1 Silver each)

-Volatile Fixed Attribute Shard x1: 100 Gold

Total Amount: Gold-557 Silver-32 Bronze-5>

"…you have got to be kidding me…", Baccistern muttered in a quiet voice, which soon became slightly less quiet as he turned his attention to the metaphorical monster in newly granted, digital human skin.

"YOU'RE FUCKING WANDERER?!!!!!", he bellowed, loud enough to almost deafen the Freestyler.

"Yep, that's me.", Gab confirmed, raising her eyebrow in response to Baccistern's agitated expression, as she confirmed her suspicions that the anti-appraisal effect of the shop's inner confines extended towards the owner as well (at least in regards to the Player IDs), "I take it that you're not happy to see me?".

"Are you seriously asking if I'm not happy that you, of all travellers that have come over to our world, are here in my very own shop?!".

"Of course I'm happy that you're here! How many store owners in all of Arbitrium's Pocket Villages would be able to rack in large quantities of Gold from individual travellers in a single transaction right from the get-go like I'm about to right now!", he said, correcting Gab's assumption whilst simultaneously admitting his desire to grab as much of her money as possible in a shameless manner, that latter of which she found to be refreshingly honest in comparison to a lot of people in sales.

"But, I've got to ask…how in the Deities names did you manage to walk her without getting mugged and killed by practically every traveller in this Pocket Village?!", he asked, as her was sure that at least a few, if not all of the travellers should've completed Beginner Quests long before now.

"Weeeelllll….", Gab started, running her hand through her blue-streaked black hair in an awkward manner, "…let's just say that Zalo, and the other village elders by extension, may have went a little overboard in an attempt to stop the other travellers from discovering my identity anytime soon.", she vaguely explained, before muttering under her breath, "For better of fucking worse…".

Despite being offered little in terms of explanation, the store owner felt a chill go down his spine, as there was no doubt in his mind that whatever Zalo did to protect the stupendous Freestyler in front of him, would make all other travellers slightly less than happy!

"Anyway,", Gab started whilst shaking her head, "I've taken enough of both of our times as it is, so let's conclude our transaction, shall we?".

For a moment, Gab noticed that the big Mobile Tankard seemed to be having an internal debate before shifting his gaze over to her, his eyes containing a mischievous glint.

"Before we do just that," he started, before he once again started to rummage for something behind the counter, "could I interest you in purchasing two Skills that I believe would benefit you in the long-run, as well as use a service that I wouldn't normally perform for other travellers at this stage?", he finished, before presenting what looked to be two Initial level Lifestyler Skillbooks.

"Mhmm, that'll depend on the Skills and service you're offering.", Gab said, before looking over the description of the Skillbooks in front of her:

<[Gravity Defiance] Skillbook

Classification: Item

Item Type: Skillbook

Effect:

Allows one to learn the Passive Initial [Lifestyler] Skill, [Gravity Defiance]

Cost: 500 Gold>

<[Coordinated Piler] Skillbook

Classification: Item

Item Type: Skillbook

Effect:

Allows one to learn the Passive Initial Lifestyler Skill, [Coordinated Piler]

Cost: 500 Gold>

"To give a brief summary, [Gravity Defiance] reduces the Weight Stat of all the Items in your Inventory by 10%, which becomes more noticeable once you leave the confines of the Pocket Village.".

"On the other hand, [Coordinated Piler] will allow you to stack up to 10 similar Items and whatnot in a single Inventory Slot, letting you free up additional space for anything you wish to place in your Inventory.", Baccistern finished, watching with a grin as he saw Gab's face light up before he got to the best part.

"Now, keep in mind that that's only the effects they display…without the service I can provide for you!", he continued with a flourish, causing the Freestyler's eyes to abruptly snap to his own, as she had a bad feeling about what he was about to suggest!

"…I'm afraid to ask, on behalf of what little sanity the other travellers have left, what "service" are you willing to provide for me?", Gab slowly asked, her voice filled with trepidation.

"Nothing too big,", he responded coyly, despite noticing Gab's raised eyebrow cocked in skepticism, "just that, with the special deal I can make you as a recent arrival in this world and as someone who intrigues me, I can upgrade each Skill by one level for every 100 Gold you're willing to cough up, all the way to their maximum level!".

As soon as he presented his pitch, Gab's breathing had become far more rapid!

100 Gold…for each level she wishes to increase these two Skills by! And all the way to the maximum level!!

Now, keep in mind that since Gab is a Freestyler, she's unable to naturally upgrade Skills she learns from Skillbooks, unlike the Freestyler Skills she obtained from Character Creation and the ones tailored for her that she acquires every five levels.

So to get the chance to use such a service after only spending little over an hour in game…is a MASSIVE boon for her!

Sure, 100 Gold per level so early in the game's runtime might be steep for Freestylers like(?) her, even as a bargain price and her possessing more IG wealth than any other Player on the planet for the moment, but it was obvious that the pros FAR outweighed the cost!

"In that case, I'll accept both the Skillbooks and the service you are willing to provide for me! Crank these guys up to the up to max!", Gab said excitedly as Baccistern simply chuckled, adding both the Skillbooks and an additional 2000 Gold to her checkout total.

As soon as he done that, a ghostly "I" appeared on top of both Skillbooks, before being quickly replaced by a "X", signifying what level both Skills are at.

"Go ahead and learn them. It's not like you'll be able to leave without paying for them anyways.", Baccistern said, giving Gab permission that she swiftly acted on:

<Skill Name: [Gravity Defiance] X

Skill Family: Lifestyler

Skill Type: Passive

Skill Description:

-Allows one to render the "Weight" Stat on all Items that's either equipped or in your Inventory, as well as your Weight Limit "N/A" (Non Applicable), with only a few exceptions

Cost: N/A

Skill Duration: N/A

Cooldown Time: N/A

(Note: This Skill has reached its endpoint, unable to be upgraded anymore.)

<Skill Name: [Coordinated Piler] X

Skill Family: Lifestyler

Skill Type: Passive

Skill Description:

-Allows one to stack a certain amount of Items that share the same name and Grade/Rarity into one Inventory Slot. (Current Stack Amount: 100)

Cost: N/A

Skill Duration: N/A

Cooldown Time: N/A

(Note: This Skill has reached its endpoint, unable to be upgraded anymore.)

Despite having simple descriptions, Gab's mind was blown as she realised just how much these maxed out Skills would increase her capabilities, so much so that she absentmindedly pressed the "Checkout" button on her Taberna Fenestra as if on autopilot.

There was just one, slight problem.

She forgotten that ever since she started on her unique path, she can't get nice things without the rest of the world finding out!

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [First Max Packer]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<+10 to Strength and +100 Acclaim>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title, [First 2nd Decade Achiever]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [First Five-Fold Centennial]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [First Stacker]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [First Unburdened]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [First Century Shopaholic]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<+10 to Dexterity and +100 Acclaim>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [First Millennium Shopaholic]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title, [Aspiring Collector]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [Village Tycoon]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [First Skill Master]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [First Anomalous Skill Master]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<+10 to Agility and +100 Acclaim>

<+10 to Infernity and +200 Acclaim>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [First 3rd Decade Achiever]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [Aristocratic Skill Master]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Australia-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to purchase over 1000 Items in a single purchase in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One 50% Store Voucher

-300 Gold

-1+ to all Free Attributes

-6 AP

-100 Acclaim>

<Oceania-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to purchase over 1000 Items in a single purchase in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Store Membership Card

-600 Gold

-2+ to all Free Attributes

-12 AP

-200 Acclaim>

<International-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to purchase over 1000 Items in a single purchase in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Store Purchase Document

-900 Gold

-3+ to all Free Attributes

-18 AP

-400 Acclaim>

<+1 to all Free Attributes, +1 to all Fixed Attributes and +10 to all Stats>

<Australia-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to acquire the initial maximum amount of Inventory Slots for their Inventory in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Storage Ring

-300 Gold

-1+ to all Free Attributes

-6 AP

-100 Acclaim>

<Oceania-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to acquire the initial maximum amount of Inventory Slots for their Inventory in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-Allowance for 10 additional stacked Items for each Inventory Slot

-600 Gold

-2+ to all Free Attributes

-12 AP

-200 Acclaim>

<International-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to acquire the initial maximum amount of Inventory Slots for their Inventory in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One VIP Ticket for Items related to storage

-900 Gold

-3+ to all Free Attributes

-18 AP

-400 Acclaim>

<+1 to all Free Attributes, +1 to all Fixed Attributes and +10 to all Stats>

<Australia-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to spend over 1000 Gold in a single transaction in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Auction Pass

-300 Gold

-1+ to all Fixed Attributes

-6 AP

-100 Acclaim>

<Oceania-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to spend over 1000 Gold in a single transaction in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Auction Priority Ticket

-600 Gold

-2+ to all Fixed Attributes

-12 AP

-200 Acclaim>

<International-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to spend over 1000 Gold in a single transaction in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One VIP Auction Pass

-900 Gold

-3+ to all Fixed Attributes

-18 AP

-400 Acclaim>

<+1 to all Free Attributes, +1 to all Fixed Attributes and +10 to all Stats>

<Australia-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to reach 100 in all Free Attributes in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Level Up Modifier (Random)

-300 Gold

-1+ to all Fixed Attributes

-6 AP

-100 Acclaim>

<Oceania-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to reach 100 in all Free Attributes in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Level Up Modifier (Random Free Attribute)

-600 Gold

-2+ to all Fixed Attributes

-12 AP

-200 Acclaim>

<International-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to reach 100 in all Free Attributes in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Level Up Modifier (Random Fixed Attribute)

-900 Gold

-3+ to all Fixed Attributes

-18 AP

-400 Acclaim>

<+1 to all Free Attributes, +1 to all Fixed Attributes and +10 to all Stats>

<Australia-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to upgrade a Skill to its maximum level in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Small Skill Stone

-300 Gold

-1+ to all Fixed Attributes

-6 AP

-100 Acclaim>

<Oceania-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to upgrade a Skill to its maximum level in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Medium Skill Stone

-600 Gold

-2+ to all Fixed Attributes

-12 AP

-200 Acclaim>

<International-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to upgrade a Skill to its maximum level in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Large Skill Stone

-900 Gold

-3+ to all Fixed Attributes

-18 AP

-400 Acclaim>

<+1 to all Free Attributes, +1 to all Fixed Attributes and +10 to all Stats>

<Australia-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Freestyler to upgrade a Skill derived from a Skillbook to its maximum level. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Small Anomalous Skill Stone

-300 Gold

-1+ to all Fixed Attributes

-6 AP

-100 Acclaim>

<Oceania-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Freestyler to upgrade a Skill derived from a Skillbook to its maximum level. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Medium Anomalous Skill Stone

-600 Gold

-2+ to all Fixed Attributes

-12 AP

-200 Acclaim>

<International-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Freestyler to upgrade a Skill derived from a Skillbook to its maximum level. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Large Anomalous Skill Stone

-900 Gold

-3+ to all Fixed Attributes

-18 AP

-400 Acclaim>

<+1 to all Free Attributes, +1 to all Fixed Attributes and +10 to all Stats>

<Australia-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to acquire 20 Titles. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-+5 to all of "Wanderer"'s Free Attributes

-600 Gold

-+5% in all current Resistances

-12 AP

-600 Acclaim>

<Oceania-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to acquire 20 Titles. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-+10 to all of "Wanderer"'s Free Attributes

-900 Gold

-+10% in all current Resistances

-12 AP

-900 Acclaim>

<International-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to acquire 20 Titles. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-+15 to all of "Wanderer"'s Free Attributes

-1200 Gold

-+15% in all current Resistances

-18 AP

-1200 Acclaim>

<+1 to all Free Attributes, +1 to all Fixed Attributes and +10 to all Stats>

<Australia-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to acquire 30 Titles. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-+5 to all of "Wanderer"'s Free Attributes

-600 Gold

-+5% in all current Resistances

-12 AP

-600 Acclaim>

<Oceania-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to acquire 30 Titles. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-+10 to all of "Wanderer"'s Free Attributes

-900 Gold

-+10% in all current Resistances

-12 AP

-900 Acclaim>

<International-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to acquire 30 Titles. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-+15 to all of "Wanderer"'s Free Attributes

-1200 Gold

-+15% in all current Resistances

-18 AP

-1200 Acclaim>

<+1 to all Free Attributes, +1 to all Fixed Attributes and +10 to all Stats>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [First Myriad Centennial]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Congratulations! You have acquired the Title: [First Acceptor of Elements]>

<+1 to all Free and Fixed Attributes>

<Australia-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to possess 100 in at least one Fixed Attribute in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Player Death Modifier (Random)

-300 Gold

-1+ to all Fixed Attributes

-6 AP

-100 Acclaim>

<Oceania-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to possess 100 in at least one Fixed Attribute in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Player Death Modifier (Random Item Types)

-600 Gold

-2+ to all Fixed Attributes

-12 AP

-200 Acclaim>

<International-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to possess 100 in at least one Fixed Attribute in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Player Death Modifier (Opponent)

-900 Gold

-3+ to all Fixed Attributes

-18 AP

-400 Acclaim>

<+1 to all Free Attributes, +1 to all Fixed Attributes and +10 to all Stats>

<Australia-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to achieve over 100% for at least one Resistance in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Level Down Modifier (Random)

-300 Gold

-1+ to all Free Attributes

-6 AP

-100 Acclaim>

<Oceania-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to achieve over 100% for at least one Resistance in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Level Down Modifier (Random Stat)

-600 Gold

-2+ to all Free Attributes

-12 AP

-200 Acclaim>

<International-wide Announcement: At 01:17am AEDT, Player "Wanderer" has become the first Player to achieve over 100% for at least one Resistance in a Pocket Village. For this achievement that has never been done, nor can ever be done again, Player "Wanderer" will be awarded as follows:

-One Level Down Modifier (Random Resistance)

-900 Gold

-3+ to all Free Attributes

-18 AP

-400 Acclaim>

<+1 to all Free Attributes, +1 to all Fixed Attributes and +10 to all Stats>

<+2000 to HP and MP>

""….""

Silence reigned supreme in the store, with Baccistern gaping in sheer shock and Gab standing still as a statue, practically becoming completely petrified all over again!

But to say that only the store was quiet was a severe understatement, as the temperament of all the other Players around the world has transcended the state of "All-Consuming Rage" to "Tranquil Fury"!

"…You know,", Baccistern spoke up after a short while, breaking the silence, "last time I checked, customers leave with less money than they started with, not more!".

———

New Titles:

Title Name: [First Max Packer]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Be the first Player to obtain the initial maximum number of Inventory Slots for your Inventory

Acquisition Rewards:

-Maximum number of Inventory Slots is now 2000

Title Effects:

-Every time you place at least double the amount of Items in your Inventory than the current number of Inventory Slots at the time, increase the Inventory Slot limit by 1000

Title Name: [First 2nd Decade Achiever]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Player to acquire 20 Titles

Acquisition Rewards:

-+5 to all Fixed Attributes

Title Effects:

-For every 10 Titles acquired after the 20 Titles that resulted in the acquisition of this one, a random Fixed Attribute will gain +10, and Acclaim will be increased by 200

Title Name: [First Five-Fold Centennial]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Player to have 100 in all Free Attributes

Acquisition Rewards:

-+100 to all Stats

Title Effects:

-All your avatar's motor functions become more fluid and controlled

Title Name: [First Stacker]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Player to be able to stack Items in your Inventory

Acquisition Rewards:

-Increase the number of Items you can stack by 10

Title Effects:

-Whenever you stack the current maximum number of Items in an Inventory Slot in one go, increase the maximum stack number by 10

Title Name: [First Unburdened]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Player to render Weight in more than three respects N/A

Acquisition Rewards:

-+10 to Strength, Dexterity and Agility

Title Effects:

-All Items you equip will not feel cumbersome and awkward

Title Name: [First Century Shopaholic]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Player to purchase over 100 Items in one purchase

Acquisition Rewards:

-+10 to Commitment and +100 Acclaim

Title Effects:

-Store owners will become less sceptical of your intentions, and will become far more likely to help you personally

Title Name: [First Millennium Shopaholic]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Player to purchase over 1000 Items in one purchase

Acquisition Rewards:

-+10 to Comprehension and +1000 to Acclaim

Title Effects:

-Whenever you physically examine an Item, you'll gain an instinctive idea as to how much it's worth

Title Name: [Aspiring Collector]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Take steps to increase your storage capacity

-Purchase more that 10 different Items in a single purchase

-Purchase media pertaining to subjects that can be collected

Acquisition Rewards:

-The next Item you collect that you haven purchased will be of greater quality than it initially should be

Title Effects:

-Whenever you collected Items that can be arranged in a set, gain +10 to one random Attribute

Title Name: [Village Tycoon]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Player to spend over a 1000 Gold in a Village

Acquisition Rewards:

-10% off your next purchase

Title Effects:

-When shopping in Villages, shop owners will become far more amendable to showing you their more exclusive wares

Title Name: [First Skill Master}

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Player to

Acquisition Rewards:

-The next Active Skill you use will automatically upgrade

Title Effects:

-Your upgradable Skills will become slightly easier to control and upgrade

Title Name: [First Anomalous Skill Master]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Freestyler to upgrade a Skill derived from a Skillbook to it's maximum level

Acquisition Rewards:

-The next Skill you learn from a Skillbook will automatically upgrade

Title Effects:

-You'll now have rare occasions where Skillbook derived Skills will upgrade

Title Name: [First 3rd Decade Achiever]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Player to acquire 30 Titles

Acquisition Rewards:

-+5 to all Stats

Title Effects:

-For every 15 Titles acquired after the 30 Titles that resulted in the acquisition of this one, a random Stat will gain +10, and Acclaim will be increased by 300

Title Name: [Aristocratic Skill Master]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Upgrade a Skill/Skillbook via use of Funds

Acquisition Rewards:

-The next paid Skill/Skillbook upgrade will be free

Title Effects:

-Whenever you pay enough Funds to upgrade a Skill/Skillbook's level from it's lowest level straight to the maximum, there's a 5% chance of it improving beyond it's maximum parameters

Title Name: [First Myriad Centennial]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Player to have 100 in at least one Fixed Attribute

Acquisition Rewards:

-+10 to all Stats for each Fixed Attribute that is 100

Title Effects:

-You now have a higher chance to experience random bouts of Enlightenment

Title Name: [First Acceptor of Elements]

Acquisition Requirements:

-Become the first Player to upgrade a Resistance to an Immunity

Acquisition Rewards:

-+5% to all Immunities

Title Effects:

-Your understanding of attacks containing elements you're Resistant and Immune to will improve, doubly so if said attacks ignore Resistances and Immunities

Next chapter