Chapter 30: Decisions in the Dark
Jasmine's POV
Everyone started packing their bags and gathering what they needed.
"Mother, these are the things found on the enemy," Sol said, pointing to the pile he'd formed. I nodded and moved over to inspect the pile for anything useful. The items were mostly ordinary—cellphones, knives, and bats—but the only thing of note was a set of bronze coins, the same ones I found on the leader. Why would they be carrying coins?
Appraisal
Item: Bronze Coin
Rarity: Common
Description: A small, tarnished coin made of bronze, stamped with an ancient symbol. It appears to be a form of currency, though it holds little value on its own. Used as the most basic currency in the post-apocalyptic world.
Exchange Rate: 100 Bronze Coins = 1 Silver Coin.
Currency? This means it's used for something. Maybe when we leave the dungeon, we can use it. I counted the coins—only 10 in total, including the ones I took from the leader.
"Good job. Finish packing and grab a crossbow," I said, ruffling Sol's hair before slipping the coins into my pocket. Sol gave me a soft smile before walking away. I grabbed a camping bag and started loading it with supplies, then checked my status window.
Status Window
Status | Inventory | Skills | Quests | Party (Locked) | Factions (Locked)
Status:
Name: Jasmine West
Level: 3 (50/400)
Alignment: Neutral
Class: None
Title(s): Medusa
Health: 150/150
Stamina: 150/150
Mana: 0/0
MP Regen: N/A
Strength: 14
Dexterity: 18
Constitution: 15
Intelligence: 12
Perception: 18
Luck: 6
Charisma: 7
Willpower: 10
Instinct: 8
Free Attribute Points: 15
Skill Points: 3
I need to distribute my attribute points. I don't need to add more points since none of the fights have been difficult, but just like how overconfidence got us into trouble before, I don't want to be caught off guard in the future. I'll use 10 points now and save 5 for when I'm in a pinch.
I need to increase my constitution, strength, dexterity, and charisma, but I also want to bring all my stats to at least 10. Should I go for an immediate boost to overall strength, or try to be well-rounded? Constitution will help me stay alive. Strength will help me overpower enemies. Dexterity will improve my reaction time and agility. Charisma will help me lead.
You know what? Staying alive is most important. I'll put 5 points into Constitution, 2 into Perception, 2 into Dexterity, and 1 into Strength. Here's my status now.
Status Window
Status | Inventory | Skills | Quests | Party (Locked) | Factions (Locked)
Status:
Name: Jasmine West
Level: 3 (50/400)
Alignment: Neutral
Class: None
Title(s): Medusa
Health: 200/200
Stamina: 200/200
Mana: 0/0
MP Regen: N/A
Strength: 15
Dexterity: 20
Constitution: 20
Intelligence: 12
Perception: 20
Luck: 6
Charisma: 7
Willpower: 10
Instinct: 8
Free Attribute Points: 5
Skill Points: 3
I didn't feel much different. I don't know what I was expecting, but I thought there would be a noticeable change. Maybe I thought I'd light up or something.
I walked to the punching bag and started doing some light sparring to test out my new attributes. My punches and kicks were a little faster and stronger, but the changes didn't affect my combat skills. I stopped and checked my skills.
Skills:
Active Skills
Tracking: Apprentice (Level 5)
Marksmanship: Apprentice (Level 5)
Combat Mastery: Journeyman (Level 10)
Critical Strike: Apprentice (Level 5)
Deadly Precision: Apprentice (Level 5)
Stealth: Expert (Level 15)
Appraisal: Novice (Level 2)
Passive Skills
Assassin's Reflexes: Journeyman (Level 10)
Survivalist: Apprentice (Level 5)
Danger Sense: Apprentice (Level 5)
Vigilant: Apprentice (Level 3)
Dual Wielding: Apprentice (Level 5)
Hand-to-Hand Mastery: Apprentice (Level 5)
Hunter's Focus: Apprentice (Level 5)
Silent Assassin: Journeyman (Level 10)
Poison Resistance: Journeyman (Level 10)
I didn't know exactly what each skill did, so I focused on the words. As I did, the screen changed, showing me detailed descriptions for each skill.
Active Skills:
Tracking: Allows the user to track targets by identifying signs of passage, such as footprints or disturbances in the environment. Effective in both natural and urban environments.
Marksmanship: Improves proficiency with ranged weapons like crossbows, bows, firearms, and slingshots. Increases accuracy and effectiveness with projectiles.
Combat Mastery: Grants enhanced physical combat skills, improving attack speed, efficiency, and reaction time in melee combat. Increases effectiveness with various weapons.
Critical Strike: Increases the chance to deal critical damage by targeting weak points in the enemy's body.
Deadly Precision: Improves accuracy with precise attacks aimed at weak points, helping to deal more damage with fewer but more effective strikes.
Stealth: Reduces the chance of being detected while moving, allowing the user to approach enemies unnoticed or avoid detection in hostile environments.
Appraisal: Grants the ability to identify the quality, rarity, and function of non-magical items, such as tools, weapons, and materials.
Passive Skills:
Assassin's Reflexes: Increases reaction time and reflexes, allowing the user to respond to threats and perform evasive maneuvers with greater speed and precision.
Survivalist: Improves skills such as foraging, shelter building, and resource management, making the user more efficient in harsh environments.
Danger Sense: Heightens the user's awareness of imminent threats, offering a momentary advantage by alerting the user to potential attacks or traps.
Vigilant: Increases the user's awareness of their surroundings, helping to detect hidden enemies, traps, or disturbances.
Dual Wielding: Improves the ability to wield two weapons simultaneously.
Hand-to-Hand Mastery: Improves effectiveness in hand-to-hand combat, allowing the user to disarm or neutralize opponents when weapons are unavailable.
Hunter's Focus: Enhances focus on a single target, improving accuracy and damage when engaging that target.
ilent Assassin: Increases the effectiveness of stealth kills, allowing for discreet and lethal takedowns.
Poison Resistance: Provides resistance to poisons and toxins, reducing the effects of poisonous substances.
After thinking for a bit, I decided not to add any skill points and just save them for when I need them.
"What are you doing?" Nicole asked from behind me. I turned toward her and saw everyone ready to go.
"I was just adding my free attribute points and trying to see if I feel any changes. I don't feel anything, but I'll have to compare my experience with others. Has anyone added their free attribute points?" I asked the group.
Everyone raised their hands, except for Sol, Liz, and Josh. I gave them a questioning look, and Liz looked down nervously.
"I was waiting to discuss it with you," Sol said with a shrug.
"We also don't know how to distribute the points," Josh said.
"Did you read the descriptions for the attributes?" I asked.
"Just put them where you would need it to survive. If you feel that you can't carry heavy things, put them into strength. If you're not fast, put it into dexterity. If you want to live longer, put it into constitution. Speaking of which, my head injury is already healing faster since I got my constitution to 20." Viktor said with a smile.
"I don't want to force you on what attributes you should add because it's your life. You have to protect yourself," I said, offering Sol a soft smile.
"We also don't know how attributes affect what class we would get. Add stats if you need them, and save some for emergencies," Viktor said.
"It's 18:15. We should head out," Logan said. I checked my watch and nodded.
"Alpha team, take point. Everyone else follows. Once we get to the pharmacy, Charlie team will enter and gather medical supplies. Delta team will investigate the furniture store. Alpha and Bravo will stand guard outside. Understand?" I said, stopping at the store gate.
"Understood," everyone either nodded or said.
"Good. Leaders of each team, please step forward," I said. Nicole, Mitch, and Logan stepped forward.
"Everyone should have a radio on them. Team leads will be on channel 1, and you all can decide what channel your respective teams will operate on. Also, while Sol was collecting the loot from the men, he found these bronze coins. I used appraisal on them, and the system said they were a form of currency. We currently have 10, so keep a lookout. Once we find a temporary base, we can discuss how to divide the loot from now on. Nicole will be holding on to the coins for now." I said, passing the bronze coins over to her. Nicole looked at me, stunned, before quickly nodding in acceptance.
"Alright, let's move out," I said, opening the gate.