Re: Apocalypse Game
chapter-156

As the sun slowly climbed above the horizon, casting a soft, golden hue over the middle deck of the cruise ship, Alan navigated through the atmosphere that was charged with anticipation. The impending third round of the game hung like an invisible shroud over everyone. Some players engaged in animated discussions at the bars, their voices tinged with both excitement and apprehension. Others, much like Alan, opted to devote their final hours to a different activity: shopping.

Alan's initial destination was the familiar [Item Shop]. He had no immediate intention of making purchases, as most of his essential supplies for the upcoming round had already been entrusted to Bill. His visit was primarily to check in on Bill, who was on the verge of setting up his [Wolverine Shop] for the next round.

Bill, the former CEO, was meticulously handling the consolidation of the survival points he'd amassed during the last three days. There was a certain gleam of satisfaction in his eyes, an unspoken testament to the shop's success and its newfound profits. Bill's adept business sense had allowed him to effortlessly return Alan's initial 30,000 survival points investment, fortuitously timed for Alan's current needs.

With a confident nod, Alan addressed his comrades, "Alright, see you all in an hour." It was a message of reassurance to his team, acknowledging the importance of the imminent round and the preparations that awaited them. Alan was determined to make the most of the limited time left, embarking on the final phase of his preparations.

"Alright, see you all in one hour," Alan declared before rushing towards his highest-priority shop: the [Spell Shop].

The shop was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the temple in the port town. Limited by the ship's space, it took on the appearance of an old-fashioned establishment. The room exuded a vintage charm, with wooden walls and floors, antique furniture, and a towering grandfather clock that stood sentinel nearby.

Amid this quaint atmosphere, Alan approached the corner of the room where a female NPC held court. Her demeanor was as icy as her attire, with long black hair and dark garments that accentuated her cool aura. She acknowledged the players with a curt welcome, her voice carrying an unmistakable trace of aloofness.

"Welcome to the spell shop, players. What can I help you with?" she intoned with a formality that matched the shop's atmosphere. Her gaze hinted at an expectant efficiency, ready to cater to the needs of those who sought her services.

Alan, prior to engaging with the NPC, instinctively accessed his stats, gearing up for the important interaction ahead.

[Alan D Angello, Male, 27 years]

[Level 31:109550/120000]

[HP: 310/310]

[Stamina: 100%]

[Spirit points: 80]

[Stamina: 100%]

[Strength: E+]

[Agility: C+]

[Endurance: D+]

[Perception: D]

[Intelligence: B]

[Spirit: E]

[Survival Points: 35750]

[three attribute points to distribute]

[You have 1x D rank reward and 9x E rank reward. 4 x F rank reward]

[Jobclass: Inventor]

[Title: Pyromaniac, Beast Hunter, Sword Instructor, Sage of Knowledge]

Having formulated a precise plan for his enhancement, he decided to allocate three of his treasured attribute points toward the augmentation of his Spirit. As he committed to this change, the interface provided a glowing confirmation, signifying his successful upgrade:

[Spirit: E] +3 [E > E+] [E+> D-][D-> D]

While physical enhancements usually translated into a sensation of increased muscular strength, these three attribute points related to Spirit invoked a different experience. As he focused on the upgrade, Alan felt a warmth emanating from his inner core, followed by a rapid surge of electric energy coursing through his entire body. The unfamiliar sensation was surreal, but it soon gave way to a heightened clarity of his surroundings.

With his newfound upgrade in Spirit, Alan turned his attention to the female NPC. She acknowledged his progress and stated, "Player, your spirit power level enables you to learn an uncommon level spell."

In the realm of spellcasting, there were tiers to categorize the potency and rarity of spells. Tier one consisted of the common-level spells, while tier two held the uncommon spells that Alan urgently required for the impending round. His [Sage of Knowledge] title, as influential as it was, granted him an augmentation of three spirit attributes. However, it didn't provide him with the actual attributes needed to access the more potent spells. If it had, Alan would have been able to aim for the [Superior] spell, a much more advanced magical spell.

Following this revelation, a panel materialized before him, displaying a catalog of the two types of spells that now lay within his reach, waiting to be harnessed. As with the skill shops, each tier came with its own distinct cost, and Alan had to make a decision on how he would invest his resources to secure the spells he desired.

With his heightened spirit attributes, a broader array of tier 1 spells presented themselves to Alan, far more diverse than what he had encountered in Port Town. As he gazed upon the list of available spells, he considered their potential applications:

[Tier 1 spells: F rank / 500 survival points]

[Chill: Lowering the ambient temperature to create discomfort]

[Torch: Conjuring a small fire, suitable for everyday use]

[Minor Ward: Crafting a protective barrier capable of absorbing limited damage]

[Minor Heal: A quick and straightforward healing spell tailored for minor injuries.

[Restore Stamina: Restoring depleted stamina, either to the caster or an ally.

[Cure Poison: Cleansing the body of low-level poisons.

[Open: Unlatching and opening locked objects.

[Feather Fall: Reducing falling damage, especially handy in precarious situations.

[Tier 2 spells: E rank reward / 3000 survival points]

[Push: The ability to generate a force capable of throwing and pushing objects away.

[Levitate: The power to make objects float or defy gravity's pull]

[Magic Missile: A direct, ranged spell that shoots out magical projectiles to target enemies]

[Water Breathing: Granting the ability to breathe underwater]

[Minor Blessing: Invoking a minor blessing that gained minimal defense rating and damage]

[Animate Rope: Bringing ropes to life and fulfilling a specific task]

Alan was determined to be well-prepared for the challenges of the upcoming round. With a clear understanding of his needs, he made quick decisions and purchased several spells that he believed would be essential. Breaking his precious E-rank reward was a calculated choice to ensure his readiness. His selections were:

Tier 1 : [Minor Ward] [Minor Heal] [Restore Stamina] [Cure Poison] [Feather fall] [Torch]

Tier 2: [Push] [Minor Blessing] [Magic missile] [Levitate]

With confidence "Yes," Alan made the purchase

[Purchase completed]

[Survival points: 35750 > 20750]

[F Rank reward x6, E Rank reward x 4]