Character Creation (2)

"Now that you're halfway there, adventurer, it is almost time to take a look at your status." The Amber Guardian explained. "But before that, you'll need a player name. Do you have anything in mind?"

"Ah, yeah. I've already thought of one that might fit." Evan confirmed.

"Good, let's move on to adding some proficiencies!" The Guardian added.

"What exactly are proficiencies?"

"I'm glad you asked. There are mainly two types of proficiencies. Hmm, what's the simplest way to explain proficiencies? Proficiencies, proficiencies. Let's see." The Guardian hummed.

"So." He formed. "One type of proficiency usually goes toward weaponry mastery or other combat-specific masteries.

However, these proficiencies do not rank up simply by slaying monsters or earning EXP. You can only earn rank-ups after a Dungeon evaluation or through completing special events such as Proficiency Quests."

"Isn't it totally luck-based then?" Evan inserted. "How is this fair? What if I don't rank up even after a dozen Quests or Dungeons?"

"Well, certainly. There is a small amount of RNG, and luck does play a small role. However, I just mentioned Dungeon evaluations. What do you think happens if I rank you low after a Dungeon raid?"

"I won't rank up? Wait... Why are you ranking me?" Evan gasped.

"Another foolish one." The Guardian annoyedly voiced for the first time, like he'd answered this particular question millions of times already. "I am the Amber Guardian, am I not? And you hold on Amber Vizor, do you not?

And to answer your first question, yes and no. You'll have a much small chance of ranking up. It all depends and the difficulty of the Dungeon or Quest and how well you perform of course.

You see. The better you execute your attacks or defenses, the more likely you are to rank up these proficiencies. There are also other factors but I think you can catch the drift, yes?

Good! Let's move on!

The other proficiency is dependent on which proficiency route you choose but works much like other proficiencies. In other words, these types of proficiencies can also rank up."

"Can you give an example?" Evan respectfully asked, trying not to sound too obtuse.

"Well, in short, while the first-mentioned combat proficiencies move toward many weaponry and combat-oriented proficiency rank-ups, the latter is able to rank up your class-specialization proficiencies. Makes sense?

Now, pick your proficiencies." The Guardian voiced, with his hands resting behind his head, he leaned back on his fancy chair once again.

Evan thought his head would be spinning by now, but he actually understood for the most part.

—

<3. Choose proficiencies>

—

After looking through many options, Evan got the gist of each available proficiency and picked several combat proficiencies he deliberated to suit his style. Presumably.

—

You are +20% more resistant to Fire damage. Your stagger recovery rate after taking Concussive damage is +25% faster.>

Your Ricochet weapons can bounce +2 minimum and +2 maximum times between target(s). Ricochet weapons travel 10% faster.>

<'Rest In Pieces' mastery (D-rank)

Your Static explosives detonations can be delayed for +30 seconds. You can set up +2 Static explosives at a time.>

—

These specialization routes seemed to be directly linked to many of the Soul Demolitionist's combat proficiencies.

It was critical that Evan made the right choices in this phase, hence he spent the next couple of minutes formulating strategic uses for the combinations he framed in his mind.

Once he was done, the two in the room moved on to the last step.

—

<4. Character customization>

—

By the Eloria continent's standards, Evan was of a relatively 'ordinary' build. Although through years of practicing several sports and a couple of martial arts in his earlier teens, he had developed many types of muscle memories and possessed much greater eye-hand coordination than your average Jimmy.

Normally keen-sighted, with a slender physique, sharp facial features, and a pointy nose accompanied by locks of rustic black hair covering half his face, Evan had only decided to alter two aspects of his character's appearance.

"What do you think, Mister Guardian?"

"Just call me Raphael in the future." The Guardian beamed. "Anyway, that's beside the point. You don't look that much different from your usual self." He scowled after Evan pointed out that he was close to finishing his character creation.

"Well, I've never been much of a fan of standing out too much." Evan answered. "I only changed my face slightly while making my hair even darker in case I become famous, hahaha." He awkwardly laughed. "Besides, wouldn't making myself taller only make me a bigger target?"

Raphael nodded with his arms crossed, acknowledging that he had a point. "You look... older, though."

"Hmm, yeah. I added a few years to my actual age so that I can grow into my character. Hopefully, I'm still playing SBO in a few years."

That made Raphael chuckle for some reason.

"Alright, now, try putting your mind to opening the status window. Go ahead." Raphael encouraged.

Evan took a couple of steps back as if expecting that something would fall from the ceiling, hitting his head unless he performed this stepping pattern. In passing, nothing outrageous happened. The Guardian found it amusing how humans behaved sometimes.

Shortly after, a status window appeared, steadily hovering alongside Evan.

—

<—Player Description—>

Ricochet weapons (D-rank) – Static explosives (D-rank) – Ranged Explosives (E-rank) – Heightened Reflexes (E-rank) – First Aid (E-rank) – Resilience (E-rank)>

'Rest In Pieces' mastery (D-rank)>

<——Combat Stats——>

<————Other——–—>

—

While Evan was still inspecting his status screen, Raphael stood up for the first time, confidently approaching the young man.

He patted Evan's shoulder. "I think it's time you set out in this world, young adventurer."