Chapter 44
In Lasse, the methods for acquiring skills were largely standardized.
First, upon changing jobs at level 10, players receive about 2 to 4 skills. There were variations depending on the job, but on average, that was the standard.
Then, there's one Beginner Skill Pack for every 5 levels.
99.9% of the skills learned by Lasse users were acquired through these level-up skill packs.
The gacha chance given once every 5 levels was one of the factors that enriched the enjoyment of the game, bringing disappointment to some and elation to others.
These level-up beginner skill packs are given until level 50, meaning players receive a total of eight skill packs from level 15 to 50.
In other words, most users had about 10 to 12 chances to acquire skills up to level 50.
"But why specifically level 50?"
In Lasse, reaching level 50 allows you to undertake a second job change. After the second job change, you get an ‘Intermediate Skill Pack’ for every 10 levels.
"Ah, I think I've heard about second job change. So it happens at level 50."
This second job change was the crucial benchmark in Lasse that separated the 'intermediate players' from the rest.
In the current reality, newbies who hadn't even achieved a second job change couldn't even dare to engage in keyboard warrior battles.
‘So what’s your tier? Yeah, I don’t talk to those with only first job change~’
‘Guys ㄷㄷ Look at this. A first job changer is actually talking ㄷㄷㄷㄷ’
‘Phew. As of yesterday, I finally completed my second job change. It was so frustrating only being able to bark and not speak human language... I finally received my human rights and became human!’
‘└Congrats on escaping the animal kingdom.’
It was the same concept as ‘What’s your tier?’ being the ultimate weapon in keyboard battles in the AOS games that took the world by storm in the past.
"Is there a third job change too?"
-Hmm. Lasse has been out for six months now, so we should see someone officially hit third job change soon. The third job change occurs at level 150.
"Wow. What's the max level in this game?"
-Who knows? My highest record was a fourth job change. Ah, for reference, the fourth job change is possible at level 300.
"I also completed the fourth job change before losing my power, my lord."
"It’s hard to grasp because it feels like a story from a faraway land..."
-We digressed a bit, but anyway, the point is that most users can get about 10 skills until level 50.
However, this only applied to 'users', as Lasse allowed NPCs to use skills as well, such as pets or doll-like NPCs.
-To cut to the chase, pets also get skill packs just like users. The only difference is that they get one every 10 levels instead of 5.
"...So, the skill pack Hyang has in her mouth is the level 10 reward, right?"
Upon checking his status window, Karp confirmed that Mukhyang's level had indeed reached 10, as Cheonma said.
Well, this isn't good.
Karp had thought the ‘Collection Instinct’ skill had brought him a jackpot, but it seemed that wasn't the case.
-That damn conscience of his just doesn’t seem to develop over time. If Collection Instinct had brought back a skill pack, the market price would have jumped tenfold, man.
"Would it hurt to jump tenfold?... Anyway, I'll check this first."
Ignoring Cheonma's jab, Karp examined the skill pack.
[Beginner Skill Pack (Pet)]
[Upon opening, you can obtain a skill card between 1 and 7 stars.]
[Includes pet-exclusive skills.]
Untradable
Aside from the explanation stating that it included pet-exclusive skills, the structure was identical to the existing skill packs.
"If I open this and get a regular skill, can I learn it?"
-You can. You gave Calling Thunder to Tina after pulling it, right? Same thing. Come to think of it, there were people who used this to grind in the early days...
"Grind?"
-Yeah. You can only raise one pet at a time, so it was a kind of loophole.
Cheonma nodded, muttering, 'Those were the days.'
-There was this guy who was dead set on getting a pet-exclusive skill... He would buy tons of pet eggs, level them up to 10, get the skill pack, throw the pet away, raise another pet to 10, get the pack, throw it away, and repeat. There were people who would grind like this...
"Kyuu?!"
"No, Hyang-ah. Calm down. I won't throw you away!"
"Such a fitting idea for someone who serves Prestige. Truly wicked."
Perhaps shocked by Cheonma's statement, Mukhyang trembled. Karp soothed Mukhyang and glared at Cheonma.
"Dude, why would you say such a thing in front of a child? You really lack delicacy."
"I believe Master is in the wrong this time."
-I was just saying it happened... It's not like I did it...
"Don't make excuses! Apologize right now!"
-...I'm sorry.
Cheonma seemed even sadder than Mukhyang.
Checking Mukhyang's inventory, Karp found three more items besides the acorns.
[Giant Slater Carapace]
[Category: Material]
[Grade: Rare+]
[A piece of carapace from the Slater, the boss monster of the Sea Cave. Using it as a crafting material can increase damage reduction.]
[Iron Ingot Imbued with Magical Power x5]
[Category: Material]
[Grade: Rare]
[Basic material for crafting plate armor.]
The first two items were crafting materials.
As someone with crafting skills, Karp could make good use of them.
"But this is the first time I've seen a + added to the grade. I roughly get the meaning, though."
-Well, as you guessed, it means it's a bit special. It's slightly better than items of the same grade, but falls short when compared to the next grade. Not a big deal.
"Hmm. I see."
Karp nodded at the explanation, which was exactly as he expected.
"But this is a bit tricky."
The last item was equipment.
[Sword Imbued with the Sea]
[Category: Two-handed Sword]
[Grade: Rare]
[Equip Restriction: Level 20 or higher]
[Physical Attack: 150~200]
Strength + 4
Agility + 2
[A sharp sword imbued with the essence of the sea.]
Additional Option 1: Water Attribute Attack
Additional Option 2: Item Equip Restriction Removed
"Of all things, it had to be a sword."
It wasn't a bad item, but the problem was that the 'Greenskin Slayer' Karp was currently using was a Hero grade sword.
Although the 'Sword Imbued with the Sea' was one grade lower, its equip level was 10 levels higher, making its stats almost comparable.
No, if he were to fight greenskins, the sword he had been using would be better.
"Ugh. If only it had dropped unidentified, I could have unlocked another option using gold."
-This is a luck-based game, so that's unavoidable.
"Should I sell it? It should sell well because of the 'Equip Restriction Removed' option."
-Hmm. You're not exactly desperate for money right now. How about giving it to your Familiar?
"Huh? Is that possible?"
-It's not just possible, it's something you must do. There's a reason why pets and other Familiars are called money-eating hippos. Naturally, they need to be geared up as well.
"They really put everything imaginable into this game. It's a masterpiece, truly a masterpiece."
-You'll find an equipment category at the bottom of the Familiar's info window.
"Let's see."
As Cheonma suggested, Karp checked Tina's equipment and found only a 'Plain Iron Sword (Normal)' sitting there all alone.
"It's real. I should have made equipment for Tina in the room before coming out."
-If that were possible, I would have told you, man. You couldn't have made it because she doesn't meet the level requirement.
"I apologize, my lord. I will strive to improve myself."
After clearing the Sea Cave Dungeon, Tina had reached level 5.
Her level was still far too low to equip the equipment Karp had made.
"Wow, then this is perfect."
In that sense, the 'Sword Imbued with the Sea' with no equip restriction was a perfect fit for Tina.
"Tina, you can use this from now on. Umm... but how do I give it to you?"
The sword was a standard size, but Tina was currently in doll mode, creating a significant size difference.
Karp thought, 'Should I give it to her after she returns to her original form?', but Tina shook her head.
"It's alright if I touch the sword."
As Tina gently touched the sword with her small hand, its size instantly shrunk.
After swinging the sword in her hand a few times, Tina smiled slightly, seemingly satisfied.
"It's a good sword. I am honored, my lord. I will repay you with more victories."
"Alright. I look forward to your continued support."
With this, the item inspection was complete, and it was finally time for the main event.
"Phew."
Before engaging in the sacred ritual, Karp took a deep breath and cleansed his lungs.
This expelled the negativity from his body.
"God of Gacha and Repetition! Please bless me once again!"
-...Seriously, you're the only one in Lasse who makes such a fuss about opening skill packs.
"Please, an offensive spell!"
Karp vigorously tore open the first pack.
Rip!
Five cards emerged.
It was a familiar sight now, so Karp quickly used repetition without hesitation.
"Ah..."
-Hmm. Not bad.
The card results were 1, 2, 4, 2, 2, which wasn't too shabby.
However, the highest-grade skill, a 4-star, wasn't an attack skill.
[4-Star Skill Card – ‘Haste’]
A familiar buff commonly found in RPGs, so famous that explanations were unnecessary, had appeared.
It was a known fact that in any RPG, a skill named 'Haste' would at least pull its weight.
The same applied to Lasse. It was a highly sought-after skill, considered essential among 4-stars.
"There's no other choice. This is it."
While there were attack skills among the other four, Karp couldn't bring himself to pick a 2-star over a 4-star, no matter how urgently he needed an attack skill.
[You have acquired a 4-star Skill Card – 'Haste'.]
"Phew. Not a bad start. Riding this momentum, I'll go for 6 stars!"
The second skill pack was opened.
Karp swiftly tapped through the five cards.
"Oh?"
-Oh?
The skill pack results were 1, 1, 2, 4, 3. And the offensive skill Karp had yearned for was included.
[4-Star Skill Card – ‘Wind Cutter’]
A wind magic spell with decent damage and a low chance to inflict the ‘bleed’ status effect.
"No need to think twice. This is the pick!"
The other 3-star skill was 'Striking,' which Karp already possessed, eliminating it from the choices from the beginning.
"Now, the last one..."
Only the Beginner Skill Pack (Pet) remained.
Since he had already obtained an offensive spell, Karp felt relatively at ease.
"I won't be too greedy this time. Even if the grade is a bit lower, I hope I get a pet-exclusive skill."
-...That's already being greedy, wanting a pet skill.
As was often the case with this type of gacha, exclusive skills were rarely pulled.
"Here we go!"
With a powerful shout, the final draw began.
The anomaly occurred from the very first card.
Flash!
"Huh? Huh?!"
-Holy crap. It actually popped out? This?
A brilliant silver light burst forth.
It was the Silver Effect, proof of a 6-star skill.
[6-Star Skill Card – 'Gigantification']
-Wow. A 6-star pet skill from a beginner pack?! Lasse, you crazy bastards! I played for over 10 years and you never gave me this!!
Cheonma raged.
And right beside him, Karp was screaming.
This is a nation.
This is a game!
"Kraaaaa!"
The Invisible Dragon had descended once again.
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