Chapter 2: Chance Meeting
First, let's talk about the skill tree.
A skill tree is a set of skills you can have on certain jobs. You allocate [Skill Points] in order to unlock skills that are present in the skill tree.
When choosing a job, there are certain skills that are automatically achieved. However, they're not part of the skill tree.
Skill trees can be gained from a [Skill Tree Book], where some are sold, some are found deep in the dungeons. There are [Skill Tree Books] for basic skills for certain jobs that are sold cheap since it can be massed produced.
Advanced or higher skill trees however, cannot be massed produced and are very pricey, also, most of these are usually the ones found in a dungeon. They have better and more efficient skills so if the player wants to be strong, having one of this is a must.
Of course, there are skills that you can obtain through a separate one which is called [Skill Scroll], it does not need any [Skill Point] in order to unlock, one just has to accomplish the requirements and they will be able to use the skill.
Now, Lucas, who has been stuck inside the cave, has no skill tree. Since getting the [Wanderer] job, Lucas needs to get skill trees from other jobs so that his job will be of use.
"Haah...well, I guess I'm grateful for it since I won't have to trouble myself in searching for [Skill Tree Books] for this job."
Since his is a hidden job, there isn't likely for there be any [Skill Tree Book] that can be bought in a city. He needs to find his is a dungeon somewhere in this vast world. And that would be a serious pain to do so he was really grateful for the effect.
Anyway, he still needs money. So he went to the local Merchant Guild to exchange his loots from the cave.
"Excuse me, how much can you give me with these?"
"Ah yes welcome, please wait for a moment for me to check the goods."
The merchant took on a business smile and took the loots from Lucas. Then, he revealed a shocked expression all of a sudden.
After seeing his expression, Lucas finally understood why and can only blame himself from not noticing.
What he gave was loots from [Dracula Bat], [Crypt Owl], [Alpha Grey Wolf], [Eye Bat] and several equipments and items from the demi-vampires they captured.
Meaning, unique monsters that were only seen on a certain popular movie.
Yes, the one Lucas was in.
"Y-y-y-you're tha- mngf-!?"
It seems that the merchant wasn't an NPC, but a player that has watched the movie so he quickly shut his mouth by blocking it with his hand.
"Listen up. After this transaction, you didn't see or hear me. Also, if you trick me with the price, you're dead."
Lucas said this in a deep cold voice and slightly activated his [Dragon's Wrath] which only showed a bit of black aura since the [Rage] stat wasn't high.
The merchant immediately nodded as he figured out that he's the real deal.
Confirming the merchant's nodding, Lucas let go of the hand and quietly waited to get his money.
"E-err, this loots are actually very rare, since they are the first loot from an undiscovered...well, recently discovered monsters, coupled with the fact that they're from the actual loots from [The White Haired Adventurer]-!...sorry, I'm seriously excited right now."
The merchant's tone was getting more and more excited as he explained.
To this, Lucas can only smile wryly again, he no longer knows just how many times he's made that face already.
"A-anyway, I think you'll be able to get more money if you put them in auction."
"Really? But...I don't really want to stand out too much..."
That's the point, Lucas no longer wanted to stand out and if possible, they won't learn of his name.
"Believe me, you already stood out plenty."
"Not like you recognized me with the hood on though."
"Now that you mentioned it, where did you get that outfit?"
Well, his outfit isn't shown in the movie so of course he wouldn't know. Just then, Lucas got an idea.
"If you place these items on auction on your name, then I don't mind telling you, plus, answer some of your questions?"
"S-seriously!? Oh wow, sure! Sure man!...I do get a percent in this don't I?"
Looks like he's still a merchant to the end.
Lucas sighed thinking he could've fooled him into using him without any payment.
"...10%"
"40%"
"20%"
"30% no more, no less."
Lucas sighed once more.
"Looks like I can't haggle any further."
Thinking that, Lucas gave in and nodded.
"Alright, also, just include the equipments, as for the loots, please exchange them to money immediately."
"Hm? Well, alright. Here, 10G and 50S. I think that's worth all of these rare loots."
"Hn, I guess that's reasonable. I'll leave the equipment here, set the auction to ended by the end of the day. I still have things to do."
Just when Lucas was about to leave the guild, the merchant once again called back.
"Wait, how about my question?"
"Ah yes, this outfit is called [The Nocturnal], one of the rewards from the Dragon Quest. As for your other questions, I'll answer them after the auction, for now..."
Lucas turned back and displayed a slight smile.
"Let's be friends?"
With it came a friend request to the merchant.
Since Lucas will most likely be kept on the spotlight, it would be nice to have a merchant where he can entrust the loots he gained. This way, he shouldn't be known when selling the unique loots to other.
"I'll just have to make him do all the work."
A sinister smile can be seen behind the friendly smile on the surface.
"I-it will be my pleasure!"
The merchant readily accepted the request.
It would seem that the merchant's name is Noir.
"Lucas...so that's your name?"
"Yep, now, I still need to go buy some [Skill Tree Books]. Later Noir."
When Lucas left the building, Noir wondered.
"...Does he mean that he still has no skill tree?"