Skills

"The deceitful Goddess is attempting to ensnare me once more, but this time, I won't be duped."

Eli was convincing himself not to succumb to the Goddess's ploys again. Now, he found himself in a predicament with a high elf and its superiority complex, which only compounded his problems.

Ding!

[Host! The Goddess Gaia has proposed a Quest]

[Secret Quest: Break the norm and adopt the Adventurer's Job title]

[Reward: 5,000 MSP and 100 gold coins]

"Damn it! The offer is too tempting to reject. Yet, I wager if I decline it, she'll improve the offer even further."

After rejecting the quest, he waited to see if the Goddess Gaia would present a more enticing deal. He was not left wanting, as shortly after, another system alert arrived.

Ding!

[Host! The Goddess Gaia has proposed a Quest]

[Secret Quest: Break the norm and adopt the Adventurer's Job title]

[Reward: 5,000 MSP and 100 gold coins]

[Reward: S Rank Passive Skill: Will To Recover]

-Will To Recover:

Resting enables you to heal from any injury, barring fatal wounds such as decapitation or a stab through the heart.

"Meh, I'll accept the offer and relinquish the job title later. What could possibly go wrong?"

Eli was confident he could outsmart the Goddess.

"Bonnie, I've decided on the adventurer's job title."

Eli informed Bonnie with as much conviction as he could muster.

"Very well, Eli, it's your decision. You'll end up returning here like everyone else to change your title. I was merely trying to spare you the gems. Now, hold your adventurer's card, place your free hand on the crystal orb, and select the adventurer's class."

Bonnie instructed him, giving him a deadpan stare for ignoring her advice.

He placed his hand on the orb and mentally selected the Adventure job title.

"Whoa! I'm starting to feel a surge of energy coursing through my body. It's making me feel lighter and stronger."

He then examined his adventurer's card for any updates.

+Skill Tree Path: High Fey Species

-Fey Ancestry: B Rank

You have an advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.

-Trance: B- Rank

No need to sleep. Instead, meditate deeply for 4 hours a day.

-Darkvision: C- Rank 

-Keen Senses: C Rank

+Skill Tree Path: Swordsmanship: C Rank

+Skill Tree Path: Marksmanship: C+ Rank

"Well, it's not too surprising that you possess so many Passive Skills already. Most elves arrive with weapon proficiency, Darkvision, and Keen Senses. However, you're the first I've encountered with Fey Ancestry and Trance. You're an exceptional case, Eli."

Bonnie began to gaze at Eli more intently, contemplating the possibility of giving him a chance to become her benefactor. But then again, his appearance wasn't quite appealing, and she decided to wait for the next attractive elf with wealth.

"Congratulations on achieving F Rank adventurer status. You might want to check the guild board for any F Rank quests or consult your clerk for permission to undertake an E Rank quest."

She then extended her hand for a handshake with Eli.

"Thank you, Bonnie."

Eli reached out slowly and unsteadily to shake her hand.

Bonnie giggled at Eli's reaction, unaware that he was suppressing his urges to pull her close and act on his desires to create a high elf. He quickly left Bonnie's desk before he could act on impulses he might regret and headed towards the Guild board to see the posted quests.

[Congratulations! The host is receiving 5000 MSP and 100 gold coins. A private account pocket space for currency has been opened for the host's use.]

"System, connect and store any currency I have inside the pocket space," Eli silently requested the system, careful not to let anyone think he was talking to thin air.

[Pondering]

[The host can only store MSP, currency, and treasures. No weapons, armor, or miscellaneous items can be stored inside the pocket space.]

"Great. I have my own private pocket space to store all my currency. This will give me the opportunity to steal treasures and vaults," Eli mused to himself while browsing the quests posted on the Guild board. He chose a herb-gathering quest for 5 moonlight lilies as his first task.

A half-drunk, scruffy-looking man approached Eli's location. Upon closer inspection, the man was a dwarf.

"Name's Agnes. Which side of the coin did you land on, Knife-ear? The reclusive or the common?"

"What are you talking about, and did you just insult me?"

Eli felt his anger rising, tempted to beat this ignorant dwarf to a pulp.

"Ha, ha, ha. Don't take it too personally, Knife-ear. It's not every day I meet a high elf. Your kind is more protected than a princess in a high tower. Just curious which type you are and how you managed to escape your people?"

"My name is Eli. I'm the former, and I managed to get here on my own."

Struggling with the urge to strangle Agnes, Eli answered reluctantly.

"You're really screwed, Knife-ear. Heh! You, reclusive types are the most problematic of all; it's odd that you left your safe haven to become an adventurer, heh. That probably means you're trying to change your attitude towards other races. Like now, you're actually talking to me without trying to kill me. Your kind usually doesn't bother talking to inferior life forms. That's progress on your part lad, and don't worry! I won't tell anyone what you really are. You're actually trying to change your temperament It's morally correct of you and preferable for the rest of us."

This time, Eli didn't offer a fake smile; instead, he gave Agnes a genuine grin, holding back his tears.

"Thank you. You can't imagine how much this means to me, Dwarf! Whenever I meet someone who isn't a high elf, I feel an urge to strangle them. I'm very grateful that you accept me despite my faults."

He wiped the tears from his eyes as he finished speaking to Agnes.

"I noticed you've taken on a gathering quest. You should probably visit the clerk and purchase the Identify skill. It's a universal skill that helps you discern the nature of items. All merchants acquire this skill, but many adventurers overlook its benefits, preferring to save their skill points for what they consider more useful abilities."

Agnes was lending Eli a hand by suggesting an easier way to complete his gathering quest with a skill most adventurers typically ignore.

Eli returned to Bonnie to buy the Identify skill.

"I see you're back. Do you want to change your job title already? That was quicker than I expected."

Bonnie chuckled to herself, thinking Eli regretted his choice of job title after speaking with other adventurers and learning of the poor reputation of the adventurer's title.

"No, Miss Bonnie. I'm here to purchase the Identify skill, if possible."

"There's no problem. That skill is typically sold for 10 gems, and if you discover any new unique skills, the Guild can replicate them and will reward you with 100 gems or more, depending on the skill's rarity."

He handed her a silver coin, and in return, Bonnie gave him a large copper coin as change.

"After you've paid for the skill, place your guild card atop the crystal orb, and I'll transfer the skill to you."

She instructed.

Eli did as told, placing his guild card on the orb and experiencing a familiar sensation of learning something anew.

"Now, you just need one skill point to activate the Identify skill. When you have a point, simply will it to be transferred to the chosen skill."

Bonnie explained, examining Eli's adventurer's card and making a surprising discovery.

"Look at this, Eli. You have one skill point available, you're among the fortunate few who start with a skill point."

She remarked, her excitement growing upon realizing Eli's luck.

'If he continues to be this lucky, I must secure him for myself. But there's still time.'

Eli took his adventurer's card and focused on activating the Identify skill. A flood of knowledge washed over him, as if he was reacquainting himself with a long-familiar ability. He attempted to use the Identify skill on Bonnie, but it only produced nonsensical results.

Identify F- Rank

When he tried the skill on other items nearby, it provided only basic information. It seemed he would need to level up the skill to gain more detailed insights about objects or people.

"Agnes, are you aware of any inns that are affordable yet safe enough to avoid being robbed during the night?"

"I'm aware of one such place! It's quite near the Adventurers' Guild. The Flying Boar Inn is its name, and it's unmistakable with that enormous winged pig as its sign."

'Indeed, he was correct. The Flying Boar Inn, with its prominent boar emblem, is quite noticeable.'

Upon entering The Flying Boar Inn, Eli noted its inviting ambiance, managed by a robust innkeeper.

"I would like to rent a room for one."

He said to the innkeeper, his expression sincere, not masking the usual disdain he felt from others. This was thanks to Angus, who had instilled a glimmer of hope for his future.

"The rate is 10 gems per day. However, for a weekly rental, I'll charge you 100 gems, including one meal daily."

"I'll take the room for a week; here are five silver coins."

"Room 12 is yours. Here's the key. You may have your included meal tonight at supper or tomorrow at breakfast. The choice is yours, dear."

RACE: Sun Elf

NAME: Eli Rivers

Job Level: 0

Health Points: 130

Mana Points: 65

Stamina Points: 170

Attunement: 13

Vitality: 13

Endurance: 17

Strength: 14

Dexterity: 19

Perception: 15

Skill: 16

Charisma: 16

Luck: 18

MSP: 5000

Gems: 100,250