“I’m from the Duskfang Tribe,” Kael said. “We’re known for our tracking skills and sharp sense of smell. That’s mostly thanks to our inherited ability, [Trailseeker]. Once I pick up a scent, I can track it in a certain radius—forest, dungeon, even a place like this mess.”

As Kael explained, I couldn’t help but think how solid Fennel’s party really was. Every new thing I learned about them just made me realize how well-rounded their group was. Fennel was the damage dealer, Grizmar the tank, and now Kael—an incredible scout.

Duskfang beastkin weren’t just decent scouts—they were some of the best you could ask for. Their [Trailseeker] ability wasn’t just about finding tracks. Once they locked onto a scent, it was like a permanent mental tracker, kind of like a hunter tagging prey.

And it wasn’t limited to obvious stuff like footprints or blood. As long as something had a unique scent, Kael could follow it—hidden traps, stashes, even enemies lying in wait. It was crazy useful for navigating dangerous areas like this.

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[Trailseeker - Inheritance]

[Trailseeker grants the user great tracking abilities, enabling them to lock onto and memorize specific scents with precision. Once a scent is registered, the user can track its source within a defined radius, even through complex or obstructed environments. The ability adapts to a wide range of scenarios, including locating living targets, traps, hidden caches, or other scent-bearing objects.]

[This inheritance is unique to the Duskfang Tribe, celebrated for their keen senses and unmatched scouting prowess.]

[Usage: Primarily used for tracking targets, detecting traps or hazards with a scent component, and navigating terrain with precision.]

The only real downside? Strong smells could completely overpower it. That explained why his ability hadn’t been much help back on the sewer floor. The stench there was so bad it probably fried his nose.

Still, the value of an ability like [Trailseeker] couldn’t be overstated. Kael brought serious utility to the table. And the fact that this wasn’t even a skill, but something he was just born with? It truly highlighted the unfair disparity in this world.

Kael continued. “My class is Locksmith, it’s a class that’s all about disarming traps and picking locks.”

“Locksmith, huh?” I said, raising a brow. “Not what I expected from someone with your tracking abilities.”

Kael gave a small grin. “Yeah, most people assume I’d go for Scout or something similar, but I already have [Trailseeker] for that. My inherited ability pretty much covers everything a Scout would bring to the table. I figured, why not focus on something else that could make me more useful to the party?”

“Multitasking,” I said with a nod or approval.

“Exactly,” Kael said. “I didn’t want to just be the guy who finds stuff. I wanted to bring more to the table—a support role that doesn’t just deal with damage but handles utility. That’s where Locksmith comes in.”

“The Locksmith trait is called [Precision Hands]. It’s all about efficiency when disarming traps or picking locks. The higher my mental stat, the better my chances of successfully handling complex mechanisms.”

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The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

[Precision Hands]

[Precision Hands enhances the user's precision and understanding when interacting with mechanical or magical mechanisms, significantly improving efficiency in disarming traps and picking locks.]

[The success rate for disarming traps and unlocking mechanisms increases by 0.5% for every point in the user's mental stat. This scaling directly impacts the ability to handle more complex and higher-tier traps or locks.]

[Usage: Primarily used for exploring trap-ridden environments or securing valuable resources hidden behind locks or traps. Ideal for supporting a party by removing hazards and opening access to restricted areas or treasure.]

He went on to explain. “It doesn’t sound like much at first, but when you’re staring down some high-level death trap or a lock that’s practically a puzzle, that boost can make all the difference.”

I had to admit, the logic behind his choice was solid. Kael wasn’t just thinking about what would benefit him personally; he was building himself to fill a crucial gap in the party’s composition.

“As for my acquired skill,” Kael added, his tone shifting slightly as he leaned forward. “It's one that is completely different from my inherited ability or my class. It’s called [Ground Mark].”

“Ground Mark?” i said intrigued.

“It lets me create a marked territory on the ground. Anyone in that area gets a boost to their action speed. The size of the marked area scales with my mental stat.”

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[Ground Mark]

[Ground Mark creates a designated territory on the battlefield, enhancing the action speed of all allies within its radius. This skill provides a boost to action speed.]

[The radius of the Ground Mark scales with the user's mental stat, expanding its area of effect and benefiting a larger number of allies. The action speed bonus applies consistently as long as allies remain within the marked territory.]

[Usage: Primarily used to create strategic advantages in combat scenarios by accelerating ally responses and attacks.]

“That’s… actually really useful,” I admitted. “A speed boost in a fight or even in a escape situation could turn the tide in an instant.”

“Exactly,” Kael said, nodding. “My role is not about dealing any sort of damage at all, but to actually be a all-round support. [Ground Mark] is about making sure the whole team operates more efficiently in most situation that requires a boost in speed. Whether it’s getting out of a sticky situation or overwhelming an enemy with speed.”

I glanced at Fennel and Grizmar, both of whom seemed proud to have Kael's skill set in their party. It was clear that, despite his modest demeanor, Kael was a key member of their team.

With [Trailseeker], he could sniff out dangers or lost items. With [Precision Hands], he could dismantle traps and open locked paths. And with [Ground Mark], he could give the entire party a speed boost when it mattered most.

I couldn’t help but admire his versatility. He was a great lifeline for his team.

Taking in all the information I’d gathered about them, the strategy seemed to fall into place.

It wasn’t anything overly elaborate or genius, just the simplest and most direct approach.

“Here’s the plan,” I said, breaking the silence. “Grizmar, you’ll act as bait. Use your Savage Roar to draw the queen and her offspring to you. Keep their attention focused on you, tanking in their assault with your Savage Protector inheritance, while Fennel uses his speed to get to Tasha and bring her back safely.”

“What about us?” Kael asked, his wolf-like ears twitching.

“You and I will hang back and observe from the side,” I replied. “If things go south, we’ll jump in to provide support. Your [Ground Mark] might come in handy if they need a speed boost to escape, but the main focus is keeping the plan as streamlined as possible. Too many moving parts, and it could fall apart.”

For a moment, it seemed like everyone was on board, but then Kael frowned. “There’s a problem with that,” he said. “Grizmar might be able to tank for a while, but once the spiders lock on to him, he’s too slow to escape. They’ll overwhelm him eventually.”

I paused, realizing he was right. Grizmar could hold his own, but only for so long. If we didn’t find a way to get him out of the swarm once his job was done, the plan could easily backfire.

There had to be a way to circumvent the issue. My mind raced, piecing together possible solutions. Then it hit me—an idea sparked within me.

I turned to Grizmar. “What’s your physical stat at?”

Grizmar raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. “Why do you need to know that?”

“If we’re going to make this work, I need to know exactly what we’re working with.”