At this moment, like most players who have just switched classes, I was clearing my way through the mobs around me. This feeling of one-shotting enemies was truly exhilarating! However, I gradually noticed a difference between myself and other players. While other players generally needed two hits to take down a deer using Kiss of Absorption, I could one-shot everything from slimes to deer.
It seems that having high mental power indeed makes a significant difference. Fueled by excitement, I allocated the remaining points all into mental power. Now, I could absorb over 80% of a level 14 Goblin Warrior's HP in one hit. Truly, this was very HAPPY!
When I arrived at the place where Thunder Axe and his team were farming prairie wolves, only Thunder Axe, Water Orchid, and another mage were left. Upon inquiry, I learned that the others had either logged off or returned to town to replenish potions. Without a warlock to boost their attack and defense and heal them, the three were struggling.
"You finally made it, kid. Not bad, not bad, you're even glowing with blue light." Thunder Axe, without the warlock’s buffs, was struggling to handle more than two wolves at once.
"Heh, it’s all thanks to Wanderer’s second-hand gear." I first used a pause spell to immobilize a prairie wolf, then followed up with a Kiss of Absorption, and the prairie wolf fell.
Seeing the -68 damage appear above the prairie wolf's head, the other mage, Starry Grass, looked at me exaggeratedly, "Geez, how much mental power have you added? How is your attack higher than mine?" Even though his Kiss of Absorption skill was also advanced, due to the level difference, its power was the same as mine. However, due to the mental power difference, he could only absorb around -50 HP from the prairie wolf.
"Hehe, it's probably over 30 points by now." I smiled at him, immobilized another prairie wolf, and used Kiss of Absorption again. The prairie wolf’s HP bar dropped by half, and another Kiss of Absorption finished it off.
"Wow, how can it be that high? Also, you should use Kiss of Absorption first, then use the pause spell. The casting time for Kiss of Absorption is longer than for the pause spell. If two hits don’t kill the mob, the third hit will definitely get you attacked, breaking your spell and possibly your shield, which could be fatal." Starry Grass pointed out after watching me fight. "Also, although high mental power means high attack, staves and equipment require agility, so distribute points to meet equipment requirements first, and add a bit of constitution. High-level dark magic can drain a lot of HP later."
Sure, I knew to save points for agility to meet equipment requirements. In the early stages, for faster leveling with high attack, it’s okay not to save points since equipment is replaced quickly. Once I hit level 20, I’ll start saving points for agility. But even Starry Grass says to add constitution… aren’t mages supposed to be naturally frail?
Despite their advice making sense, I decided not to add to constitution for now. Wisdom, useful for warlocks, is somewhat high for me, but I can’t reduce it. Low HP can be compensated with equipment. My boots add +15 HP, worth two attribute points.
Following Starry Grass's method significantly increased my safety, and I became more familiar with various magic spells, no longer forgetting to convert MP or activate my shield. Thunder Axe had to use Battle Binding to rescue me less frequently.
When I reached level 15, the warlock from the original team hadn’t returned, and night was falling. Thunder Axe and the others were nearing their forced log-off time.
"Hey, we're all heading back to log off. How long until you get kicked?" Thunder Axe, having advanced his axe skills and changed his weapon, could handle three wolves without breaking a sweat. However, prairie wolves wouldn’t provide enough experience for quick leveling soon.
"I don't know, I haven’t received a system message yet." In Destiny, time syncs with real life, but day and night cycles are offset for player convenience. The 16-hour forced log-off ensures players don't neglect work or get overly immersed. The system starts reminding players an hour before log-off time.
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"Oh, then take these potions. We're heading back; be careful. Join a team with a warlock to continue leveling." Thunder Axe and Water Orchid both sent me trade requests.
After accepting the potions they left behind and adding them as friends, they departed. Notably, Water Orchid traded me an unidentified staff, supposedly dropped by an 18-level mini-boss Goblin Mage. It shouldn’t be bad.
Night had fallen, and there were fewer players on the prairie compared to daytime, though many were still fighting by torchlight. It’s just a game; why push so hard?
Suddenly without familiar teammates, I found it hard to approach unfamiliar players. They, already in well-coordinated teams, didn’t want to add new members. So, after wandering the prairie for half a day, I still hadn’t found a new team!
Fine, after reaching level 15, I switched to the discarded staff from Starry Grass. Fortunately, the Saru Staff only required 7 agility points, and my saved points since level 13 were just enough. With my high attack power, I should try my luck in Lion Valley.
Lion Valley, despite its name, doesn’t produce lions. The valley’s terrain looks like a crouching lion. Monsters there range from level 20 zombies and armored insects to level 30+ skeleton generals, Alante guards, and rock monsters. A diverse range, with level 35 skeleton generals being the toughest monsters around Edia Port.
Between the prairie and Lion Valley is a rest stop, almost like a small town, lacking only a class-changing NPC. Otherwise, it has most facilities of Edia Port, though on a smaller scale.
I paused briefly at the rest stop, but to my disappointment, no one teamed up with me due to my level. The experts heading to Lion Valley faced tough monsters capable of one-shotting me...
"No team, I’ll go solo!" Frustrated, I resigned myself. With my level 15 gear, some still level 10, I was a frail mage. If I were them, I wouldn’t want to carry such a “burden” either.
Determined, I repaired my equipment and bought some level 15 health-boosting gloves and a hat from player stalls, finally breaking the 100 HP mark.
In Destiny, there are no teleport stations between rest stops and newbie villages, so high-level players often sell low-level rare items cheaply at rest stops instead of returning to newbie villages.
While pleased with my bargain, a commotion and laughter erupted from a nearby stall.
"Wow, a boss drop, truly a gem!"
"Could this be the first Scarlet Sword on the server?"
Scarlet weapon? Intrigued, I squeezed through the crowd, seeing a man triumphantly holding a glowing red two-handed sword.
"Hey, buddy, trade it so we can see the stats. If it’s good, I’ll buy it." A steady-looking man, though eager, approached with a few players.
"Want to buy?" The man with the sword, seeing the group, retreated into the appraisal hall, a no-combat zone.
"Yes, I’m Arc Light, vice president of the World Guild." The man initiated a trade request.
After checking the stats, Arc Light immediately offered, "500 gold!"
The crowd gasped. 500 gold? Equivalent to 500 RMB. The largest known in-game transaction was less than 100 gold. Low-level mobs dropped copper coins; bosses, at most, a dozen gold. 500 gold… how many bosses must be slain?
"Big spender!" As the crowd marveled at Arc Light’s offer, sparse applause and a scoff came from within.
"World Guild amassed its wealth by snatching talent, and now you’re using it for personal gain? What about your conscience?" A mage with a glowing green staff entered, mocking.
"Chu Shiyue! Your wife merely glanced at me twice, and you hold a grudge? You call yourself the leader of Blood and Guts, yet you're so petty?" Arc Light retorted, unfazed.
Chu Shiyue’s face reddened, and he summoned a magic wall, an advanced spell, shrouding himself in a cyan shield with a faint golden glow.
"Oh, a fight? Let’s see how long a level 38 mage’s magic wall holds against five warriors." Arc Light, seeing Chu Shiyue ready to fight, signaled his warriors to attack.
Seeing a brawl imminent, I and others backed away. Chu Shiyue, known as Edia’s top mage, excelled in PK, equipped mostly in green gear.
"Hey, you buying or not? My Golinmira Sword is level 40, but its stats are good until level 60. Pay 1200 gold, or I’ll keep it until open beta, when it’ll surely be worth more." The man with the sword interrupted, trying to prevent a fight.
"1200! Dream on!" Arc Light and Chu Shiyue cursed in unison, defusing the tension. Friends calmed them, and they left, each leaving a parting threat.
After the commotion, I remembered the unidentified staff in my inventory. I approached the old appraiser, who, with goat whiskers and glasses, asked for the staff.
"Appraisal fee is 10 gold." He said calmly.
"What? 10 gold?" I was shocked. Having just sold some trash and bought small rare items, I had only 12 gold. "Sir, can’t you lower the price?"