Progenitor's Burden

Sinclair continued to look down through the eyes of the raven, realising as he did so that the person he was looking at was wearing a helmet identical to the one he now owned. Oh. Not the Myrkr then. This must be one of the original Wolf Lords. How does this answer my question though?

The Wolf Lord stood on a small hill crest, facing a copse of trees that appeared somehow unnatural and foreboding. The trees were a sickly black, their forms were twisted, contorted, and exuded an aura of death, decay, and disease.

Descending rapidly, the raven made a direct approach toward the lone figure. With a loud "KRAAA," it signaled its arrival. The human, seemingly aware of the raven's presence, lifted an arm in response without diverting his gaze from the ominous woods. The bird gracefully alighted on the extended limb.

The Wolf Lord, maintaining his focus on the trees, spoke to the raven without turning his head. "Come to check on me, Huginn? You just couldn't stay away, could you. Is he here, watching through you now?" The words, spoken with an air of familiarity and understanding, suggested a deep connection between the raven and the Wolf Lord

Huginn responded with a sound akin to a snort. "Of course he is watching over you. Snorri, you should fall back now. Odin is nearly ready to initiate the retreat with what few he could gather. If you get isolated here, no one will be able to come to your aid. It could mean your demise, old friend."

The Wolf Lord let out a resigned sigh. Known for never shying away from combat, he had always fulfilled his duty, safeguarding those under his protection. "Huginn, you know I cannot retreat. The enemy is before me, my axe is in my hand, and these lands are still under my guardianship. When you return to Odin, express my gratitude. The life he set me upon, this path, has been more than I could have ever wished for. Please, tell my family I'm sorry for breaking my promise of returning home. You've been a loyal friend, Huginn, and I'll miss you dearly. But now, you must leave. We only have minutes left. With any luck, the Valkyries will bear witness, and I'll join my fellow Wolf Lords in the halls if I fall. Although, don't count me out just yet."

As Huginn faced the resolute Wolf Lord, he recognized the futility in trying to persuade him to retreat. The path of the Wolf was for only the most outstanding individuals, and Snorri was extraordinary even amongst them. "Wolf Lord Snorri Hagerson, it has been my honor to be your friend. I will carry your memory with me always. Your family will be told of your bravery here today, and that the Wolf Lords fulfilled their duty. Farewell, old friend, and may the Traveler guide your path."

Huginn spread his wings and took to the sky. Sinclair, experiencing the raven's mixed feelings of sadness and pride, watched as Huginn ascended. From this elevated viewpoint, Sinclair observed Snorri below, casting spells to augment his abilities. He triggered a transformation into a wolf-like creature, clearly a more formidable version of Sinclair's Visage of the Wolf. This creature was larger, more robust, and exuded a more menacing presence.

As Snorri threw his head back and unleashed a powerful howl, Sinclair felt the reverberations of the sound through his very soul. The howl resonated deeply, carrying across the landscape. Witnessing this solitary warrior prepare to face an overwhelming enemy force, Sinclair couldn't help but be affected by the scene. Snorri's courage and determination in standing against a threat of such magnitude was what it meant to be a part of the legacy of the Wolf Lords. It really brought home just what Sinclair was committing his life to be.

As Sinclair, through the eyes of Huginn, continued to observe the battlefield, he saw the enemy steadily advancing. The approaching foes were a collection of nightmarish creatures, each uniquely grotesque and unlike the next. There was no consistency in their forms – every being was as different and repulsive as the one before it.

I see. Those are the Myrkr.

The sense of impending doom grew as Snorri's howl began to fade, only to be picked up and amplified by distant echoes. More howls joined in, resonating across the landscape. The sound was so intense that the trees behind Snorri trembled with its force.

Emerging from behind Snorri, a small group of humans appeared, their attire similar to his, each accompanied by wolves. Down the line, more Wolf Lords and their wolf companions materialized. Some of them had transformed into formidable creatures akin to Snorri's werewolf-like form, while others brandished weapons of immense size and weight, suggesting extraordinary strength. Together, they stood as a formidable force, united in their resolve to confront the advancing enemy. The scene displayed an assembly of warriors ready to defend their lands, embodying the spirit and tenacity of the Wolf Lords.

Through the raven's eyes, Sinclair observed Snorri's reaction to the arrival of his fellow Wolf Lords and their wolf companions. Snorri's face momentarily brightened with a smile, even as tears streamed down his cheeks. He would not face the impending battle alone.

As Snorri turned to confront the Myrkr, Sinclair, despite knowing the likely grim outcome, felt compelled to witness and honor his ancestor's bravery. He remained a captive observer, unable to look away from the unfolding events.

With a surge of energy, Snorri charged forward, laughter echoing amidst the roar of battle. He was joined by dozens of Wolf Lords and a formidable pack of wolves and dire wolves. When Snorri collided with the enemy lines, he unleashed a skill resembling Cleave, but it was far more powerful than anything Sinclair had seen. The skill emanated dark light, crackling with lightning, extending about 12 feet and tearing through the first several rows of monsters with devastating force.

As the two sides clashed, the enemy fell in droves. Despite this, Sinclair understood the inevitable truth of the situation. This was not a battle with a happy ending; the heroic charge he was witnessing was a desperate, valiant stand against overwhelming odds.

The battle raged on for what seemed like hours. Then, emerging from the trees, a new enemy appeared, distinct from the rest. This being exuded a tangible aura of hatred, and its presence felt more real, more grounded. It was as if it was more there than any other enemy. Any Myrkr that failed to clear its path were instantly obliterated.

This formidable entity marched directly towards Snorri, and Sinclair's stomach tightened with a sense of impending doom. The ensuing clash was brutal. Snorri fought with speed and resilience, his attacks leaving the creature bleeding from numerous wounds. However, the toll of the battle fell heavily on Snorri as well; one of his arms hung uselessly, though he continued to fight fiercely, darting around the battlefield with an agility that suggested the use of a skill.

As the fight wore on, both combatants showed signs of exhaustion. It was then that the Myrkr leader, or perhaps its captain, cast a spell that caused several surrounding Myrkr to collapse lifelessly. In the wake of this sacrifice, the enemy regained its strength, revealing a dreadful ability: it could replenish itself by sacrificing its own.

Sinclair, realizing the implications of this ability, watched helplessly as the inevitable unfolded. Despite Snorri's valiant efforts, the enemy's relentless self-renewal proved too much. In the end, Wolf Lord Snorri Hagerson fell, his body motionless on the battlefield. Sinclair wanted to cry, but he wasn't in control of this body. He didn't have that option.

Overwhelmed by the vision, Sinclair desperately tried to close his eyes, yearning to return to reality and escape the harrowing scene. He felt a jolt as someone shook him vigorously. Opening his eyes, he saw Rose, her expression etched with concern, shaking his shoulder and calling out his name. His cheek stung, suggesting she might have slapped him in an attempt to rouse him.

Rose's movements were frantic as she tried to bring him back to the present. "Sin, what the hell? Are you OK? You've been sitting there for an hour, completely rigid, with your fists clenched. I didn't want to interrupt, thinking you were in the middle of something important, but then you started crying. I've been trying to wake you up for the past five minutes."

Sinclair opened his mouth and shut it, again and again, desperately wanting to say something, but unable to process what he just witnessed.

*****

As he sat and grappled with the aftermath of watching the tragic end of a life dedicated to the service of others, a life extinguished by a merciless, malevolent entity. The enormity of the loss, the senseless demise of countless lives at the hands of an evidently evil force, weighed heavily on him. Doubts about his own capacity to face such a formidable enemy lingered in his mind. Yet, the reassuring sense of his friends around him seemed to dissolve these doubts, restoring his resolve.

Around him, Sinclair saw the concerned faces of his friends. Chewy and Leia sat close by, near his legs. Voice shaking, he recounted the events he had witnessed through Huginn's eyes. His narrative fluctuated between moments of admiration for Snorri's bravery and sorrow over the fall of the last great Wolf Lord.

And then, Sinclair made a vow.

"I will never cease in my pursuit of the Myrkr. They represent an aberration, an evil that should not exist. I will grow stronger, and together, hopefully, we can repel this scourge. I swear, this atrocity will not remain unchallenged."

System Message: Oath Sworn

Description: You have made a vow to hunt the Myrkr down until none exist. A Broken Oath has dire consequences and can result in the loss of titles or skills at minimum.

Clearing Status:

Midgard:

0/10 – Clear out 10 Myrkr leaders that remain after Odin relocated Midgard. These powerful entities must be eliminated to secure the realm.

Worlds Under Attack:

0/3 – Three realms under Odin's care have been under slow siege for years and are on the verge of falling. You must intervene to secure and save them from complete takeover.

Fallen Worlds Recovered:

0/2 – Two of the nine realms have already fallen to the Myrkr's corruption. Mount recovery operations to reclaim and cleanse these devastated worlds.

Source of Myrkr:

0/1 – The source of the Myrkr's infestation remains unknown. Track down its origin and destroy it, ending the threat at its root and preventing further corruption across the realms.

Sinclair's gaze met those of his friends, and on their faces, he saw unwavering acceptance.. It was clear they would stand with him through anything.

In a departure from his usual lighthearted demeanor, Ed stepped forward with a seriousness that was uncharacteristic yet fitting for the moment. Placing a firm hand on Sinclair's shoulder, he spoke up, "You're not in this alone, brother. We're family, and we'll always be there for each other."

Alice, as quick witted as always, smirked and said. "Yeah, besides, you'd probably end up fighting an Ogre naked if we weren't around to keep you in check. Oh, wait, that is exactly what happened."

The tension broke as they all burst into laughter, lightening the mood. Sinclair, slightly embarrassed but amused, felt his ear tips warm with yet another blush. He went on to share the last piece of information he had received about the number and whereabouts of the Myrkr.

Rose's expression reflected her concern as she processed the quest information Sinclair shared. "So, there are ten of those things on our planet? Or ten armies? That's not exactly reassuring. What's our plan?"

Sinclair took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We do what we can," he said firmly. "We need to train, get as prepared as possible, and use every resource at our disposal. Then, we just have to hope it's enough. But right now, you should get back to training instead of spending time worrying. I've got some shopping to do."

They all returned to their respective tasks, focusing on making the most of their time. Sinclair planned to check in on their stat progress later. His friends were equally eager to see what the Universal Market had to offer but, unlike him, they didn't yet have access. For now, they would have to rely on their training and the resources they currently had at hand.

Sinclair navigated through his menu and noted the absence of a timer, replaced by a button marked Enter. Mentally selecting it, he was greeted with a new interface. The screen featured tabs on the left, functioning as filters for various categories such as Armor, Melee Weapons, Ranged Weapons, Clothing, Elixirs, and Miscellaneous items. Across the top of the window were additional features including a search bar, item level options, and a dropdown menu for specifying desired effects. The main page displayed a featured purchase: horse armor. Is… is the market trolling me?

Sinclair contemplated his current gear. Well, I'm not getting rid of the two pieces of the Wolf Lord set, and I'm not sure if it's worth getting armor that isn't already part of the set. I guess I need to play that by ear. He anticipated acquiring the gloves and boots of the set—eventually—so he decided he would only purchase a similar item if it was fairly cheap but still provided a notable buff or benefit. Outside of traditional armor pieces, however, he had an empty belt slot, along with slots for two more rings. His primary goals were to fill these gaps, explore options for enhanced food, and delve into the available elixirs or potions, since they were items that often played significant roles in games.

Sinclair also had an upgrade token, which could enhance a basic item to a randomly assigned rarity, although he suspected the likelihood of achieving higher rarities would decrease with each tier. With these considerations in mind, he delved into exploring the Universal Market, keen to discover what items and opportunities it held for him.

A few minutes passed as Sinclair tested out the search function, seeing if he could find items with ridiculous names, telling himself it was all in the name of getting to know how the system worked. Soon, however, Sinclair found himself searching for something more relevant: rings, with the 'no level required' filter active.

The resulting list was extensive, with the menu indicating over 100,000 items available. Recognizing the need for further filtering, Sinclair set a price limit of 15 gold and narrowed the attribute focus to strength. This reduced the list to a still overwhelming 10,000 items.

To refine the search further, he adjusted the rarity filter to display only Rare items or higher, bringing the list down to a more manageable 30 items. It appeared that offloading lower-grade items was a common practice in the market.

Sinclair sorted the items by rarity, starting with the highest. Among them, he noticed only one ring that exceeded the Rare category, but it didn't align well with his build, as it offered a mere +4 to strength. As he looked, he reminded himself that he was prone to shopping based on 'curb appeal', dismissing things that didn't immediately catch his eye. He told himself not to do that…

…and promptly bypassed two rings that didn't draw his interest. Instead, he spotted a ring that, for whatever reason, had grabbed his focus.

New Item: Ring of the Colossus (Rare)

Description: Forged from the heart of a mighty Colossus, this ring represents the raw power of the ancient Norse giants. The band radiates an aura of indomitable strength and resilience. The wearer of this ring is imbued with colossal might, letting them strike extraordinary blows.

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Effects:

+24 Strength

+18 Constitution

Price: 14 gold

Oh yeah. I'm definitely buying that ring. Moving back to the search bar, he unticked the filter for strength and ticked the one marked agility. This time it only took seconds to find something suitable.

New Item: Veiled Serpent's Coil (Rare)

Description: This ring was wrought by the Veiled Serpents Guild in the image of Jörmungandr, the great Norse serpent. Enchantments woven into the delicate, but unbreakable filigree offer the same resistance to poisons as Jörmungandr. This particular ring was crafted for a guild initiate.

Effects:

+19 Agility

+14 Willpower

Price: 15 gold

29 gold gone already, 141 left. That's not going to last long. Wincing as he realised how quickly his finances would drain away, Sinclair shifted focus and began to look for a belt, this time with a filter set on Endurance.

New Item: Farmers Strap (Uncommon)

Description: Farmers need high strength and endurance to work from sunup to sun down. This item helps reduce stamina usage, to benefit farmers and fighters alike.

Effects:

+13 Endurance

+8 Strength

Price: 8 gold

Then it was on to clothes.

New Item: Lightly Soiled Codpiece of . . .

Nope. I'm not even reading that any further. Next!

New Item: Spotless Gambeson (Uncommon)

Description: This item was created to stay clean and never need laundering. When damaged it will slowly repair itself, and can be overcharged with mana to speed up the effect.

Effects:

Self-Cleaning

Self-Repairing

Inject mana to increase cleaning speed

Price: 6 gold

Ever the gentleman, and slightly nervous about his washing machine breaking, Sinclair chose to purchase Spotless Gambesons for each member of his group as well. He was sure they would appreciate those items once they were covered in gunk and needed to get their clothes clean.

After securing the gambesons, Sinclair shifted his attention to the elixir and miscellaneous sections of the Universal Market. In the elixir category, he discovered potions capable of granting massive permanent stat increases, with some offering boosts in the hundreds. However, these formidable elixirs required users to be at least at a triple-digit level and to have achieved a C-grade status in their race. Furthermore, their prices, listed in Platinum, revealed an upper echelon of currency previously unknown to Sinclair.

He also explored the standard potion offerings, including various health, mana, and stamina potions with differing levels of potency. Deciding on a practical approach, Sinclair purchased three health potions for himself and each of his friends, ensuring they had basic supplies for their immediate needs.

New Item: Health potion (Common)

Description: A basic healing elixir contained in a simple glass vial. This potion glows faintly with a soft red hue.

Effects:

+ 200 Health over 30 seconds

Price: 1 gold

Sinclair's search for attribute potions within a reasonable budget proved unfruitful. The most affordable options, offering a modest increase of 5 or 10 to a base stat, were priced starting at 75 gold each, a sum that was currently beyond his means. He reflected on the potion he owned, which provided a +5 boost to all stats and was valued at over 175 gold on the market. This realization underscored the rarity and value of his find.

Shifting his focus to the broader range of items in the Miscellaneous section, Sinclair refrained from applying filters initially, curious about the spectrum of items available. The list was intriguingly diverse, including arrows, ingredients, tools, and building scrolls. These scrolls caught his attention; they seemed to enable the instant construction of structures within one's registered territory, a concept that was still unclear to him.

However, the cost of these building scrolls was staggering. Even a starter food hall or barracks were priced nearly at 5,000 gold, despite being described as made of 'basic logs'. Sinclair was taken aback by these figures, realizing the significant investment such items required. The market's vast array of goods, from the mundane to the extraordinary, offered a glimpse into the complex economic ecosystem of the new world he was navigating.

In his exploration of the Universal Market, Sinclair came across the training building he had been searching for, which seemed to offer everything he needed. The facility promised gravity control for advanced training, various basic training environments, and even included amenities for cleaning up post-training sessions. He noted, however, the price tag of 12,000 gold: far beyond his current financial reach.

Sinclair's search then led him to discover that the market offered food items that could be purchased for coppers, as well as pre-made meals available for a few silvers each. Intriguingly, these meals, particularly those of Uncommon rarity or higher, came with added bonuses. They offered temporary stat buffs or provided additional experience points for a certain duration after consumption. Similarly, the beverage selection included options like beer and ale, effective for beings up to E grade. He added some of these to his cart, appreciating the flexibility and convenience it offered.

The cart feature in the market was particularly useful to Sinclair. It allowed him to review his selections before finalizing the purchase, giving him the option to remove items if he decided against them or if he realized he had exceeded his budget. This feature added a practical aspect to the shopping experience, enabling Sinclair to manage his purchases effectively within his financial constraints.

Items:

Ring of the Colossus = 14 gold

Veiled Serpents Coil = 15 gold

Farmers Strap = 8 gold

Spotless Gambeson x 4 = 24 gold

Common Health potion x12 = 12 gold

Uncommon Breakfast plate x20 = 60 silver

Uncommon lunch plate x20 = 80 silver

Rare Dinner Plate x20 = 1 g 20 silver

Unprocessed uncommon meat 50 lbs = 25 silver

Common Storage Ring x3 = 4 gold

Total: 79 gold, 85 silver

Purchase: Yes/No?

Upon confirming his purchase, Sinclair noticed that the items he bought appeared directly in his inventory, with the exception of the storage bags. These materialized at his feet, leading him to conclude that storing one storage space within another was not allowed.

Exiting the market interface, he called out to Chewy and Leia, instructing them to bring Alice and Ed back with them. Rose, who had been observant of Sinclair's actions and the sudden appearance of items, set her phone aside, pausing her training to see what he had acquired.

Sinclair informed Rose that the others would be joining them soon. "The others are on their way back in. They should be here any minute," he said, indicating the imminent arrival of their companions.

Impatient and curious, Rose couldn't contain her excitement. "Yeah, yeah, that's great. But what did you buy for me? Show me the goods, goofball," she urged, eager to see what Sinclair had selected for her from the Universal Market.

Sinclair, amused by Rose's eagerness, playfully decided to prolong the suspense. "In a minute, Ms. Impatient," he teased, "I can hear them rounding the corner of the house now."

Moments later, the front door swung open, and all four of them came bustling in, with Ed and Alice wearing expressions of mild alarm. Chewy and Leia, on the other hand, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Realizing his friends might be concerned that something was amiss, Sinclair quickly reassured them, "Nothing's wrong! I just finished my first shopping trip at the Universal Market. I've got a few goodies to hand out. After that, I'd like to hear your requests and see where we go from there."

He proceeded to distribute a storage bag and a gambeson to each of his friends, explaining how to bind these items to themselves for access via their menus. Damn it. Now that I think about it, I should have bought that codpiece for Ed. They each spent a few minutes experimenting with their new possessions, inserting and retrieving various items. Sinclair watched them, a hint of a smile on his face, as he recognized the joy they were experiencing. It was a feeling he cherished himself and hoped would continue to be a part of their journey.

Sinclair continued with the distribution, handing out the health potions they had purchased. Each friend carefully placed these potions into their inventory, along with the pre-made meals that Sinclair had also acquired. They were intrigued by the meals' ability to remain in the same condition as when stored, apparently a feature of their new storage capabilities.

Chewy and Leia watched the proceedings with a hint of envy, particularly eyeing the food. Noticing their interest, Sinclair considerately retrieved a couple of pounds of meat from his storage and set it on a board within their reach. Chewy eagerly lunged at the food, while Leia, more politely, expressed her gratitude before swiftly joining her brother and lunging at it just as eagerly.

Turning back to his human friends, Sinclair shared insights about his shopping experience and his current financial status. "That shopping spree cost almost 80 gold. The Universal Market offers an endless array of items. But I need to know what you guys would like from there. My advice is to focus on training your stats naturally before relying too heavily on stat-boosting gear. The gear I've given you is decent enough for your tutorials, and I had diddly squat, but if there's anything specific you have in mind, let me know now."

Ed was quick to articulate his preference. "I'd really like a mace or cudgel, as long as it's wooden. If I'm aiming for some sort of Druid class, I probably will need to fit the role. Anything that has a nature affinity would be ideal, as long as it's not too pricey."

Alice's request aligned with Sinclair's expectations, given her combat style. "You know me," she said, "I like to get up close and personal in a fight. Some kind of hand protection or gloves would be really helpful. Or, y'know, just knuckle dusters. Ooh, can you get me some Wolverine claws?"

Rose stared at Alice for a moment before blinking owlishly. Her hesitation was evident as she weighed her options. "I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. I'm leaning towards a magic caster path, so anything that supports that would be good. I'll leave it up to you to choose something suitable," she concluded, entrusting Sinclair with the decision.

Sinclair listened attentively to each request, considering how best to fulfill the diverse needs. Ed's desire for a nature-affiliated weapon, Alice's preference for close-combat gear, and Rose's openness to dealer's choice for magic-related items provided him with a clear direction for his next shopping endeavor. He understood the importance of equipping each member according to their chosen paths, ensuring they were well-prepared for the challenges ahead. And, honestly, I don't really understand enough about what's going on to even attempt to guide them beyond anything more than the basics.

Sinclair acknowledged his friends' requests with a simple nod. "OK. Give me a few minutes, and I'll find something for each of you."

Setting an arbitrary budget of 25 gold per person, albeit one he was entirely willing to break if needed, he aimed to acquire a weapon or item that would be sufficiently durable and effective until they could individually afford upgrades.

For Ed, Sinclair located a wooden cudgel that matched his specifications perfectly. The item offered a modest enhancement to nature magic, a feature that aligned well with Ed's intended Druid class. Additionally, it boasted an increase in attack power, making it a practical choice for both offensive capabilities and magical affinity.

New Item: Nature Blessed Cudgel (Rare)

Description: Forged from the resilient wood of a Crown Wood sapling, this cudgel is a testament to the harmony of nature. Blessed by a distinguished nature mage, the weapon is imbued with the vitality and resilience of the forest. Wielding this cudgel enhances the user's affinity for Nature magics, facilitating the mastery of earth-related skills. It offers not only boosts in physical strength and mental acuity but also endows the wielder with the unique skill 'Grasping Thorns'. This skill allows the user to manipulate the formidable defenses of the wilderness, turning nature's thorny embrace into a powerful ally during combat.

Effects:

+5 Strength

+4 Intelligence

+3 Willpower

Grants Skill:

Grasping Thorns

Price: 22 gold

New Skill: Grasping Thorns (Uncommon)

Description: With a command, the earth responds, sprouting a snare of thorny tendrils within a 10-foot radius. These animated vines surge from the ground, seeking foes with unerring precision. Upon contact, they wrap tightly, binding and dragging their quarry to the earth, rendering them immobile.

Effects:

Creates a 10-foot radius circle where thorns emerge to ensnare targets for 30 seconds.

Thorns Immobilize or significantly slow the target, depending on their resistance and strength.

For Alice, Sinclair adjusted his search parameters to find something suitable for her close-quarters combat style. He discovered a pair of gloves that appeared both sturdy and flexible, reminiscent of a welder's gloves but significantly more flexible and enhanced with additional protective features for combat. The gloves were reinforced with overlapping metal plates, providing robust defense without compromising dexterity. They extended several inches past the wrist, ensuring ample protection for the lower arms — a critical area often exposed during melee exchanges. They were also the only item that had a skill attached to it.

New Item: Brawler's Wrappings (Uncommon)

Description: Designed for the relentless pugilist, Brawler's Wrappings are the perfect amalgam of protection and potency. These gloves are crafted to shield the hands and wrists of those who revel in the heat of close-quarters combat.

Effects:

+4 Strength

+3 Agility

Grants Skill:

Hot Hands

Price: 18 gold

New Skill: Hot Hands (Uncommon)

Description: Ignite the fury of battle within your palms. 'Hot Hands' is a skill that calls upon the primal energy of fire, channeling it directly into the gloves of the wearer.

Effects:

Adds fire damage to physical attacks.

Can intimidate enemies, potentially causing a momentary hesitation or fear.

The flame-imbued strikes can ignite flammable objects or materials.

Sinclair rounded out Alice's request with some decent common steel toed boots, with no stat boost attached.

Rose, unlike the others, was surprisingly hard to shop for, yet he found himself repeatedly circling back to the idea of a staff or wand.

New Item: Ran's Tempest Staff (Rare)

Description: Named after Rán, the enigmatic Norse sea goddess who was known for her dominion over the turbulent ocean depths, Ran's Tempest Staff is a symbol of mastery over the vast waters. Crafted by the sea-faring folk of the Yutur Isles, who have braved the capricious seas for centuries, this staff channels the raw essence of the tides. Wielders of this staff find their connection to water elements profoundly deepened, allowing them to command the seas' might with ease. The staff's core, made from driftwood touched by Rán's own essence, grants the skill 'Water Strike' and imbues its bearer with a heightened affinity for water-based magic.

Effects:

+6 Intelligence

+4 Willpower

Grants Skill:

Water Strike

Price: 24 gold

New Skill: Water Strike (Uncommon)

Description: The Water Strike skill enables the caster to summon a concentrated burst of water energy at their target. Upon impact, the Water Strike not only causes damage but also has a chance to stagger or disorient the opponent, mimicking the disarming shock of a sudden breaker.

Effects:

Delivers a water-based magical attack with the potential to deal significant damage.

Has a chance to stagger or briefly disorient the target on impact.

The force of the strike can vary with the caster's affinity to water, potentially increasing in power when they are near large bodies of water or during rainy weather.

Sinclair completed his purchases, depleting his gold reserves but filling his virtual shopping cart with items for his friends.

"Alright, let's see what we've got. Ed, I present you with your Nature Blessed Cudgel," he said with a playful grin, handing Ed the nature-affiliated weapon.

He then shifted his attention to Alice, playfully lobbing a pair of gauntlets her way. "And for you, Alice, hand protection to match your pugilistic flair. I've also thrown in a pair of boots — consider them a safeguard for your toes, since I couldn't snag anything of rare quality that met your aesthetic standards."

Finally, Sinclair turned to Rose. "Rose, this staff seems like a perfect match for your nascent magical talents."

Each friend took a moment to admire the craftsmanship of their new gear. Rose, with an intuitive grasp of her staff's potential, aimed it at the hefty grindstone that Sinclair had used for his training. With a flourish, she invoked her staff's Water Strike skill, and a jet of water materialized from the tip, striking the stone with such force that it was chipped,scattering fragments across the ground.

Startled by the sudden demonstration, Alice and Ed snapped their attention from their own items to the spectacle. Unwilling to be overshadowed, they donned their respective gear to showcase their skills. Ed invoked Grasping Thorns, transforming a section of the barn floor into a writhing mass of thorn-laden vines. The thorny appendages reached out in vain for something to ensnare as Ed explained the skill's effects: a 30-second duration with the potential to slow or completely immobilize an enemy caught within its grasp.

As Alice acclimated to the power at her fingertips, she initially struggled to channel her mana into the gauntlets. But with Sinclair's guidance and a series of focused exercises, she began to coax the heat to the surface. The channels in the gloves glowed a fierce red, and with a swift motion, she unleashed a punch towards a practice target. The target stood no chance against the fiery blow, disintegrating upon impact, leaving Alice to offer an apologetic smile for the unexpected display of force.

Sinclair couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. It was a natural reaction to newfound power, and he felt a sense of fondness in their shared experiences. He took great relief in the fact that his friends had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their abilities before facing any real danger, so unlike his own experience

The day continued with rigorous training. Sinclair watched as his friends exerted themselves to the brink of exhaustion, not out of obligation, but driven by a relentless determination to improve. He supported them through each grueling session, providing sustenance and encouragement as needed. And, when physical exertion was no longer possible, they'd find a spot to collapse and continue their training mentally, their spirits undiminished by fatigue. As the day waned and their focus never wavered, Sinclair's broad smile continued to stretch from ear to ear, as he happily embraced the new reality he and his friends had found themselves entering.