“A Mage Knight standard skill is called Spectral Projection,” Peniel informed. “They can create a second body that carried all the same attributes and can also use skills as the real one. However, any skill used will share the cooldown time with the real body. So if the copy has used Power Strike, the real body has to wait till the cooldown expired before being able to use the same skill. At level 1, this spectral copy possesses 100% of the caster’s max HP.”
As Peniel was explaining, Handsome Joe cast a spell formation of four runes. He was holding a sword and yet he was able to cast a spell. The spell formation was completed and a red color copy of Handsome Joe appeared in front of him. Jack saw some kind of an energy cord linking the copy with the real body.
“If he was successful in passing the Mage Knight test on the first try, he will also have access to Spectral Blade spell,” Peniel continued. “At level 1, it summoned a magical blade that floats around the caster. This magical blade will attack any opponents that come into melee range, dealing 70% magical damage with each slash.”
At the same time, Handsome Joe cast another four-rune spell and two illusory blades appeared beside him.
‘Hey! There are two blades,’ Jack exclaimed in his mind.
‘That means he had upgraded the spell to level 10. Every ten levels gave the spell an extra spectral blade,’ Peniel explained. ‘As for the Technocraft, their standard skill is Techno Golem. It summons a mechanical construct that fights alongside caster.”
Wilted Tree took a few steps back and threw a large metallic ball to the ground. The ball exploded with a display of light as mechanical components swirled around and assembled into a large and impressive-looking robot. It stood three meters tall. Its skin was shiny black with two yellow glowing eyes
‘F*cking hell…! That was damn cool!!’ Jack exclaimed inside. ‘Make me wish I could choose that class!’
Peniel didn’t see the admiration in Jack’s eyes, but she felt Jack’s excitement. She just associated this battle maniac’s excitement for the thrill of the coming battle.
She continued her explanation, ‘Techno Golem skill was special as they did not automatically strengthen the golem as its skill level increases. Instead, it removed the limitation when constructing the golem. A techno golem is divided into six main parts: head, arms, torso, legs, backpack, and energy core. There were also sub-parts such as weapon attachment or skill program. Each part is obtained by loots, buying, or crafting. The strength of the golem depended on these parts. A higher skill level allowed a Technocraft to assemble the golem using rarer parts and also installing more skill programs. From the looks of this techno golem, it doesn’t look like a standard beginner golem. It had been assembled with higher rarity parts. That girl clearly had deep fund and knew where to get those parts.”
While Peniel was explaining, Jack had used Inspect on the Techno Golem.
Mazin (Techno Golem, level: 34)
HP: 68,000
Seeing the golem’s name, Jack had a new respect for the girl. It was clear that she was a classic mecha anime fan. Jack decided there and then that such a girl was not possible to be a villain. She was not part of the World Maker group.
‘The golem has a level?’ Jack asked Peniel.
‘Its level follows its owner. The parts used to assemble the golem determined its grade, its attributes then scale with its owner’s level. From what I see, I estimated the average grade of its parts put this techno golem at around Special Elite strength.”
‘Not a problem then,’ Jack said. ‘What about her other skill if she passed the Technocraft trial on the first try?’
‘The skill is called Immobilizing Trap. She can place a trap anywhere on the ground ten meters away. Any opponent that comes into contact will receive 80% damage and is stunned for 3 seconds.’
‘The trap is invisible?’
‘It is visible 1 second when it was placed. After that, yes, it turned invisible.’
So, one fighting with a Technocraft had to constantly observe the surroundings. If the 1-second placement was missed, the person would constantly worry about accidentally stepping on a trap. He doubted his God-eye monocle would detect this player-placed trap. If it was before, he truly had to pay extra attention. However, the current him had the ability to render this trap skill useless.
‘Tell me about Hidden Weapon Specialist as well,’ Jack said.
‘Isn’t he not fighting you?’ Peniel asked.
‘I doubt that. I’m very sure he will join.’
‘All right. Hidden Weapon Specialist skill was special as their skills function more like giving them access to different throwing weapons. The standard first skill is Flying Dagger. It is a throwing weapon that flies in a straight line. At level 1 it can fly at 40 meters range and deals 120% damage. It also has a 30% chance to inflict Bleed effect. The skill they receive for passing their trial on the first try is Boomerang. It is a thrown weapon that flies at an arc, dealing 200% damage at level 1, as well as a 30% chance to inflict Dizzy. The weapon has a reach of 40 meters. Considering he had reached level 35, he should have access to another throwing weapon, Concealed Needle. At level 1, it threw ten needles dealing 80% damage each and 5% chance to inflict Paralyze.”
‘Their range and damage are rather lacking for an elite range class,’ Jack commented. Flame’s Power Shot skill had a range of 60 meters while his Mana Beam spell has a range of 50 meters. He felt the Hidden Weapon Specialist was at a disadvantage if the skills were being compared.
‘Don’t look down on this class. What they lack in firepower and range, they make up with attack frequency and status effects. The Flying Dagger can be used every 2 seconds, while the Boomerang has only 10 seconds cooldown. They had the shortest cooldown skills amongst Elite skills and spells. Each of their throwing weapons inflicts different types of status effects. If you suffered a status effect from a Hidden Weapon Specialist, its duration will be reset if you are hit again by another throwing weapon. So an expert Hidden Weapon Specialist can keep your status effect indefinitely by continuing hitting you.”
“As for damage, the throwing weapons they received when they first acquired the skills are always uncommon grade. They can increase the damage by acquiring throwing weapons of a better grade, this is done by looting, buying, or crafting.”
While Jack was communicating with Peniel, Wilted Tree and Handsome Joe were waiting for him after they made their preparation. Handsome Joe was getting impatient. “Hey! Are you ready or not?” He called.
Hearing his words, Jack responded, “Ain’t I tell you to make your move already? As a party with disadvantages, it is fair for me to let you make the first move.”
Handsome Joe gnashed his teeth, he was waiting for Jack to make the move because he considered two against one as not fair for Jack, but instead, the guy treated it as the other way around. Angered for being underestimated, Handsome Joe decided to teach this cocky guy a lesson. “Let me gauge him first!” He uttered to Wilted Tree. While his real intention was to show Jack that he alone was enough.
His spectral projection rushed towards Jack, while he followed from behind. Two spectral blades continued to spin around him.
Jack went over to meet him, two swords in his hands. The spectral projection arrived before Jack and used Power Strike. It cleaved through Jack’s body, but the attack simply passed through. Jack had used Flash Step and appeared behind the copy, facing Joe’s real body.
Without wasting time, Jack used Formless Flowing Sword style as he swung his two swords. Joe was not an amateur, he also brandished his sword expertly as his other two spectral blades clashed with Jack. At the same time, the spectral projection came at Jack’s back. Jack ended up being besieged from all sides. It was like fighting four opponents at the same time.
‘He is pretty good!’ Jack commented in his mind.
‘Both the Spectral Projection and Spectral Blades can be left to attack opponents in automated states. But like your Body Double copy, the caster can assert their control to allow more complex maneuvers. From the moves he exhibited, it is clear that he is manually controlling both skills. I will say, if not considering your Hundred Synchronous Thoughts talent, his multitasking ability is better than yours.”
Even though Jack commended his opponent’s skill, none of the attacks hit him. Every swing was deflected by his sword art.
Anotherday who was indifferent all this time turned his eyes to the fight.
“Are you interested?” Wilted Tree who stood not far from Anotherday asked.
“His sword art is rather profound,” Anotherday replied. “You better give aid. I don’t think Joe can hold out for long.”
It was as Anotherday said. Although Handsome Joe was as if four people fighting against one, Jack’s expert sword movements and supremacy in strength and speed slowly pushed him back. Joe was unwilling, but after the clash, he must admit that he would not be able to defeat Jack by himself.
Jack decided to go for the kill when he saw an opportunity and used Flame Strike. Joe felt the danger and jumped back, his two Spectral Blade spun in front of him serving as a shield. The two blades were smashed aside. Joe used Charge to escape further while his Spectral Projection came at Jack. Jack also used Charge to chase after Joe’s real body.
Jack was about to catch up to Joe when he sensed something where he was about to step on. He quickly cancel Charge and changed direction.
‘What?’ Wilted Tree exclaimed silently. ‘Is it a coincidence?’ She had placed Immobilizing Trap when Jack’s line of vision was covered by Joe. She had then informed Joe about the trap position to let him lure Jack to the trap. Traps would not activate if stepped by an ally.. Yet, Jack had changed direction without any reason when he was about to step on it.
