Chapter 75

“You’re really so lucky,” Sammy tsked. “Having an upperclassmen willing to help you sort out your gear situation? Give advice? Especially in the same role?”

“It’s a big ask, I know,” Natalie said. “But consider this ... I’ll pay you back?”

“I will take you up on that, frosh. I’ll put that mouth to work.”

“Tonight?”

“I could be convinced,” Sammy said, grinning. “So. I can spare an hour. And did you know Tenet logs ‘mentoring’ as community work? So I’m not being wholly selfless.”

“How does that work?”

“Just gotta have you confirm it. It’s easy.”

“How much?”

“Oh, I don’t know. One and a half thousand an hour, or something like that.”

“Thousand?!”

“That’s not much, frosh. Not for a third-year. A single second-tier monster core and change.”

Second-tier. Natalie had half-way forgotten that Sammy was a mid-ranker. By the standards of the typical delver, she was blazing through her progression. Most delvers, by a large majority, never made it to the upper ranks; their career ended in mid-rank. One way or another—often times the violent one.

Her quick advancement was expected from a woman with two years experience in one of the most prestigious academies on the planet. She obviously made faster pace than ‘the average delver’. She approached what most people’s careers would peak at in a tenth the time. Years instead of decades.

“Well,” Natalie said. “I’m glad you can turn a profit off me, then.”

“Thanks. But don’t think that’ll get you out of tonight. Like I said, I’m putting that mouth to work.”

“Like I said,” Natalie returned, “I’d be upset if you didn’t.”

Sammy laughed. “Okay. Break it down for me, then. What do you have, what’s your situation in your party, and any important details to your class.”

“Personal questions, don’t you think?”

Sammy poked Natalie’s shoulder. “Can hardly advise you on how to gear up without them. Besides,” she said, smirking, “we’ve done a lot more personal, haven’t we?”

“You have ravished me and stolen my innocence,” Natalie said thoughtfully.

“The other way around!”

“So I guess I can trust you. What I have. Let’s see...”

Natalie / Level 1

Paladin of Lust

Stats

Furor: F

Tenacity: F+

Prowess: F-

Gear

Weapon Slot 1: <Ironstrike Hammer>

Weapon Slot 2: <Wooden Shield>

Equipment Slot 1: <Unused>

Equipment Slot 2: <Unused>

Equipment Slot 3: <Unused>

Equipment Slot 4: <Unused>

Ironstrike Hammer

Common

Lv. 1

Effects

- Solid Grip. Reduced likelihood of losing weapon during combat.

- Minor increase to physical Tenacity.

Description

A simple and reliable one-handed hammer.

Wooden Shield

Common

Lv. 1

Effects

- Sturdy.

- Lightweight.

- Minor increase to magical Tenacity.

Description

A basic, durable wooden shield with a rusty metal band running along the outer edge.

“Just two pieces,” Natalie admitted. “Ten monster cores doesn’t buy you much of anything.” Weapons tended to be more expensive than gear, too, so it had only stretched to two items.

She explained to Sammy the hammer and shield she’d gotten. She had also geared up with mundane pieces of armor, using the monster cores provided by Tenet, but the magical pieces were the meaningful ones. Especially as she progressed, mundane armor would be practically worthless.

“So you opted for both weapon slots,” Sammy commented.

“Not a good idea?”

“Didn’t say that.” Sammy pursed her lips as she considered, then she shrugged. “It’s fine. Like you said, ten cores doesn’t go far. Two minor bonuses to tenacity. Going heavy on defense, then?”

“To start with.”

“Obviously, a safe choice for a tank.”

“But not ideal?”

“It depends,” Sammy said, “on the rest of what I asked. So spill it.”

Natalie briefly described her class—the practical parts of it—and the role she intended to fill in her team. Without a consistent squad formalized, she couldn’t say for sure, but since Sofia and Jordan were anchors, she knew she would serve as a support tank more than an aggressive one. They had physical offense to spare.