Skillbooks

**** Theodore's POV ****

After clearing dungeon after dungeon, I received a message after rolling an item.

[You cannot accumulate any more luck due to the skill's low level. You can still convert the item into luck, however the grade of the item will not surpass (Blue).]

[Orochi's First Fang/Incomplete (Blue)(Blueprint) obtained.]

[Orochi's First Fang/Incomplete]

[Sword]

The legendary snake's first Fang, one of the eight Fangs, with the power to multiply. It is in its incomplete form, only allowing it to carry the property of creating illusions, not physical copies of itself.

This was a legendary weapon! While its grade was suppressed to (Blue), it was still based off of the legend of the snake Orochi. I was sure the other Fangs were sure to carry more power, since this one only carried the power of illusions in its weakened form. The components were all things I had never heard of, and I began to look at the Shop. Thankfully, all the components to make it were in the shop, however their prices were not low.

To fully craft this weapon, I needed 80,000 gold to buy all the components.

My excitement died down, but I wasn't too bummed out about it. Of course I wouldn't be able to make a (Blue) weapon for cheap, especially when it was a powerful weapon like this, tied to a powerful legend. I began going through the Dungeons again, accumulating my luck and cashing out on items of value.

[Steel Longsword (Green) obtained.]

[Iron Chestplate (Grey)(Blueprint) obtained.]

[Random Stat Potion (Blue) obtained.]

[Frenzied Regeneration Skillbook (Green) obtained.]

These were the things I received from spending five hours grinding in the dungeon. I had used the [Random Stat Potion] and received a +1 to my Charm, which didn't really feel too helpful in combat but I guess it might come in handy later.

I was excited to sell the skill book I acquired, it was a good skill that allowed one to regenerate to 35% of their physical function, which didn't sound great because it only activated when you were below that. However it would be a lifesaver if you were able to survive getting instantly killed. It would allow you to regenerate to 35% of your peak condition, meaning if you were to have your lower body blown away, you would regenerate to the point of being able to walk. It could save you from a lifetime of being crippled.

I had posted it on the Shop and was just waiting for someone to buy it. I had realized that the Shop was just like a play market. The people who were selling the goods in the Shop, were other Hunters. The prices were determined by whatever mediary ran the Shop, but that kept the prices fair and consistent. My skill book was being sold for a whopping 30,000 gold. almost 1/3rd of my goal.

As I exited the dungeon, I went to the kitchen to get something to eat. I waited for Hailey as well, because she should be finishing her runs in an hour or two, and I wanted to spend some time together. It wasn't until 4 PM that Hailey finally came out, however she was a rough sight for sore eyes. She was bloodied, with long wounds on her chest and back, with a stump where her right hand should be.

I ran towards her, and grabbed a hold of her before she collapsed to the floor.

"Hailey what happened! Oh my God, you're bleeding bad, we have to stop this." I took off my shirt and began to apply pressure to her wounds. I began to look at the price of potions, however I was only able to afford the minor health potions, which would only close her wounds. I took a look at the stump on her arm.

'I can't let her live like that... For her, I'll do it for her.'

I went to the Shop, and revoked my sale offer of the skillbook. I pulled it out of my inventory, and I began to shake Hailey.

"Hailey, wake up. You gotta wake up right now. HAILEY WAKE UP!" I had finally received a response. Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled.

"I-I'm glad. Glad that I got to see you one more time..." she began to lose consciousness.

I knew I had to act fast.

"Hailey, you have to learn this skill right now. We can talk about the skill later, but not now. You're losing a lot of blood." I handed her the skillbook.

Hailey then tried to weakly push the book away. "No you earned that book. I won't..."

"Shut up! It's just a green skillbook, I will find more, but I won't find another you. Please, use it." tears began to run down Theodore's face, and plop onto Hailey's paling skin.

She took a long look at him, before placing her hand on the skillbook. With a shine, the book disappeared and a mist formed. The mist was absorbed into Hailey's body, and then her body glowed slightly. The stump on her hand began to grow back, although it was much smaller and withered. The wounds on her body closed, and she began to stabilize her breathing.

With the end of the glow, Hailey closed her eyes and fell asleep. Theodore lay there on the kitchen floor for a while, thinking about how he almost lost Hailey, and came to the realization that he cared deeply for her. He picked her up, and carried her to her bedroom. He put her down, without worry about the blood soaking the sheets. He bought a [Body Restoration Potion] from the Shop, and placed it next to her on her bedside table. He left a note that he would be in the Dungeons and left her room quietly.