Spearhead: Made from the broken Zaravand spear tip, the spearhead had been sharpened to astonishing keenness. It didn't carry the usual silver color but glowed with Bronze-Gold patina, evoking artifacts from ancient civilizations. Especially, it was carved with complex patterns and angles like mysterious ancient characters, creating an aura of authority and mystery.
Spear Shaft: The solid oak shaft was treated by Liam with charcoal and oil, creating luxurious Ebony Black. Liam carved additional characters along the shaft, imitating patterns on the spearhead. These characters were coated with gold powder to increase friction, grip firmly when held, and create striking contrast.
Versatile Structure: Liam had added a small ax-head structure right below the main spearhead, turning it into a weapon capable of stabbing, chopping, and hooking—fitting Liam's diverse fighting style. It could also be detached to suit different tactics. He was very proud of this idea: both fitting tactics and enhancing chopping damage, while helping secure the spear tip more firmly.
Damage: Liam boasted it could stab through oak blocks thicker than 1 Grip without losing strength. His father even said it was very strange—damage force far exceeded ordinary spears, truly a mysterious spear.
This new Zaravand Short Spear wasn't just a combat tool but also an artwork full of Liam's will and pride. His strength was now enhanced more than ever.
While eating and oiling for maintenance, Liam's mind had soared to future battles.
Meanwhile, Theo ate while reading, occasionally planning for tomorrow. In a way, this was perhaps the two's first mission. He wanted to carefully calculate what would happen and what tactics could be effectively used. Theo didn't want his plan to have any loopholes like the Cyclops battle—though unspoken, he always blamed himself for not anticipating Cyclops's defense could be so high.
The next morning, Oakhaven's sky was clear blue. Theo had assigned Liam the task of collecting detailed intelligence about Red Moss Cave from hunters and residents around the village. Personally, he needed to intensify Spike Stepping training. He wanted to complete this exercise before the weekend to minimize risk, though assessing that trading with Vesper would be safe (since the month was nearly over and Vesper didn't need to risk anything over a few not-outstanding Minor Potion vials, beyond their numbing pain relief capability).
While training Spike Stepping in the forest behind base, Theo considered how to strengthen tactics and the whole team's coordination.
Theo squinted toward Al who was picking up large stones to practice flying. He trained while commanding his Beast:
"Al, attack that oak tree!"
Al's reflexes were very fast. It dropped the stone in its talons and used Tackle skill on the oak tree with arm-thick diameter without hesitation. The oak broke in half under that attack. Al still continuously attacked until the tree broke at its base. Continuous Tackle strikes didn't tire Al; intermittently, it also used Growl with talons on the target. Damage from Al's talons was also considerable—though not equal to Tackle but not at all inferior to Theo's current arrows. Clearly, Al's stamina had increased significantly.
Theo stroked his chin pensively. With these skills, Al had even become an excellent DPS (main damage) and a reluctant Tanker in the formation, enhancing tactical diversity.
That's right. Theo realized the fatal weakness: his team lacked someone who could stand up and bear damage from opponents—more precisely, his group lacked a true Tanker.
Current team structure:
Liam: With Zaravand Short Spear, he was a proper melee DPS with explosive damage capability. He could also assume temporary Tanker role with Remnant Wind method combined with his powerful instinct (mainly relying on dodging rather than absorbing damage).
Al: An excellent elemental and melee DPS, but most important role was scout. Thanks to its superhuman vision, combined with active sound analysis capability through G, Al could provide extremely accurate intelligence about enemy location and numbers—an extremely strong addition for the current team. Moreover, Al could even "guest" as Tanker or Support thanks to its perfect skill set: melee, coordination, and elemental.
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Theo: A ranged DPS and strategist for the whole team. He could assume Healer role (with medicine) or Support (with bow, traps, and poison).
If encountering opponents like Cyclops—high attack, high defense—or surrounded by many enemies, his team would be very passive. The whole group had damage and control, but lacked ability to sustain engagement when facing large pressure. This was a strategic gap Theo needed to resolve in the future, though he knew this problem couldn't be handled overnight.
Late afternoon, as Theo was removing his Spike-Stepping shoes to apply medicine after an intense training session, Liam returned to base, drenched in sweat but eyes shining bright. Liam's mastery of information channels in Oakhaven helped him complete the intelligence mission faster than expected.
"I got the information, Theo!"
Liam exclaimed, snatching the cold water pitcher from the table and gulping it down, then setting it down hard beside the crude charcoal-drawn map. Water splashed everywhere, making Theo frown.
"Red Moss Cavern is located to the Northeast, deep in the abandoned Old Stone Mine—a maze of mining tunnels, not a natural cave. More importantly, Stone Beetles are only classified as Grade 2 Magical Beasts; they're sensitive to sound and smell," Liam said while wiping his mouth.
Theo nodded. Memories of the book Classification and Distribution of Current Magical Beast Species flashed through his mind, then G's mischievous voice suddenly rang in his ear:
"In the world of Hunters and Mages, Magical Beasts are classified from 1 to 9—based on danger level and minimum response requirements.
Grade 1–3: Common Magical Beasts. Daily threats, little Mana, active in peripheral areas. Only dangerous when attacking in packs—like Grade 2 Stone Beetles.
Grade 4–6: Advanced Magical Beasts. Pack leaders possessing strong Mana or superior combat abilities; require mercenary teams of Star-3 or higher to handle.
Grade 7–9: Domain Lords and Sovereigns. They dominate vast regions, possess intelligence and Mana sufficient to alter environments; confrontation belongs to armies or high-level Mages.
Oh, and remember—hunting Grade 3 Magical Beasts isn't 'easier' than Grade 4 or 5; they're weaker but far more rare. Many S-rank missions are just to track down a single Grade 3."
G concluded in a self-satisfied tone:
"No need to thank me, this is my duty."
Theo frowned. He didn't understand why lately G kept "surfing" into his thoughts in an indescribable way.
"So it's as I thought," Theo said gravely.
"The danger comes from numbers and pack behavior, not raw strength. Grade 2 damage isn't scary—the problem is controlling them and the technique for harvesting Crystal Fungus Fat."
He looked at the mine tunnel diagram Liam had drawn.
"And inside the cave, Al and I are limited. My bow loses range, and Al doesn't have enough space to use Tackle without self-injury. Pressure will fall on you, Liam—that's a major flaw."
Liam smirked. Unfazed; on the contrary, his eyes grew even more excited.
Danger was always his strongest catalyst.
"Perfect," Liam replied, lifting the Zaravand Short Spear onto his shoulder, feeling the sharpness of the auxiliary axe blade.
"Letting them get stuck in narrow mazes is exactly what I want. You handle bow and support, Theo. At close range like that, my Remnant Wind technique and spear tip will be the last thing those Grade 2s see. I know you've calculated everything already."
Carrying infectious confidence, Liam eagerly ran to the yard, beginning to stretch—the warm-up mentioned in Basic Theory of Stealth and Movement. Before each hunt, reviewing all skills was his indispensable habit.
As for Theo, he only glanced at Liam once then tapped his fingers on the table, focusing on the map. In his mind, he simulated tactics in the mine environment. Just seconds later, Theo recognized a fatal gap.
In confined spaces, he had almost no close combat capability.
Al couldn't fly.
If Liam got injured because he had to both fight and protect him, that would be the greatest tactical failure.
That thought sent chills down Theo's spine.
He rubbed his forehead; anxiety showed clearly on his face.
He silently asked G—not a tactical analysis type, but a plea for help:
"G, what should I do to overcome this? I need to be stronger, faster."
G's voice answered, this time without self-satisfaction:
"Time is insufficient, Host. All short-term enhancement efforts are illogical. I recommend maximizing support role for this mission—and establishing long-term objectives."
A brilliant—and expensive—vision appeared in Theo's mind: Gene-Pharmaceutical Synthesis.
Magical medicines that enhanced the body through genetic technology: strength, endurance, spirit, reflexes... based on optimal gene samples from Bruno, Koga, Sabrina, Cynthia...
But the price of each dose was 2,500 ACP—far too distant.
Theo sighed, pulling his consciousness back to reality.
He only had 75 ACP, and had to use it most effectively.
Three formulas G displayed:
- Physical Damage Resistance Essence (50 ACP)
- Speed-Burst Shoes Crafting Blueprint (75 ACP)
- Basic Traps and Toxins (50 ACP)
The first two options required materials and technology he currently didn't have.
Only the third option remained—the work of Grand Master Koga.
Didn't increase personal power, but allowed battlefield control and protecting Liam.
"G, I choose Basic Traps and Toxins. Use 50 ACP."
Immediately, knowledge about crafting spike traps, net traps, and coordinated toxin formulas appeared as a virtual book.
The anxiety in Theo's heart gradually transformed into sharp focus.