Chapter 110 Sneak
Alan's unique [Scholar Spirit] allowed him to function differently from other players. This trait granted him an inherent advantage, permitting him to engage in prolonged activity without incurring the standard stamina penalties that often hampered others. For someone as devoted to the team as Alan, this was invaluable. He had tirelessly aided his companions in their endeavors, often sidelining his needs. But now, the scales had tipped, and it was high time he concentrated on refining his own abilities.
The atmosphere in Calumet City was tenser than ever. Fresh reinforcements had transformed the landscape. Where once experience players might be able to roam freely, now the overpowering presence of 20,000 Nazi soldiers dominated. Their systematic patrols and vigilant watch had created an iron-clad grid, making stealthy ventures nearly impossible. The odds were stacked so high that even seasoned players, boasting years of experience and prowess, would think twice before daring to tread on this dangerous ground. A misstep, a wrong turn, or just being at the wrong place at the wrong time could spell disaster.
Alan, however, was not one to be deterred. He thrived on challenges. Beneath his calm demeanor simmered a determination to achieve his personal objectives, come what may. But he was no fool; he knew the importance of meticulous planning and preparation.
Just before he entered the town, he activated his [Gamelink]. The holographic interface popped up, showcasing an array of statistics:
[Alan D Angello, Male, 27 years]
[Level 24: 37150/40000]
[Health points: 270/270]
[Spirit points: 70]
[Stamina: 100%]
[Strength: E]
[Agility: D+]
[Endurance: D]
[Perception: E]
[Intelligence: C]
[Spirit: E]
[Survival Points: 18250]
[You have two attribute points to distribute]
[You have 2x D rank reward 1x E rank reward. 4 x F rank reward]
Eyes skimming through the details, a smile spread across Alan's face as he spotted the D rank reward. This was the key to his next strategic move. Eagerly, he navigated to his skill section to pinpoint which one would be the most beneficial to upgrade for the upcoming challenges.
[Choose a skill to upgrade]
[Sneak (Novice)]
[Rarity: Uncommon]
[Increases the chance to move undetected]
[Prerequisites: Agility C-, Perception E+]
[Cost: 3000 survival points and 1x Rank D reward]
In the world of gaming, skills categorized under the 'Uncommon' rarity often come with their own set of complexities. The prerequisites clearly indicated that Alan's current stats needed adjusting. With a series of precise commands, Alan channeled his bonus attribute points to better align with the skill's demands:
[Agility: D+] +1 [D+ >C-]
[Perception: E] +1 [E >E+]
As the adjustments settled in, the attributes shimmered, signifying their successful enhancement. Now meeting the requirements, Alan proceeded with the upgrade, investing the necessary survival points and a coveted Rank D reward.
A soothing chime signaled the completion of the upgrade process:
[You have spent 3000 survival points and 1x Rank D reward]
[You gained proficiency in [Sneak] - Novice to Expert]
Yet, Alan's advantages didn't stop there. His equipment, the [Night Cloak], gave him the extra boost he needed. The cloak's innate properties worked synergistically with Alan's freshly upgraded [Sneak], pushing its proficiency beyond Expert level to Master.
[Increases the chance to move undetected]
[Sneak attack damage: 25% > 50%]
Such prowess in stealth was nearly unheard of. Veterans, despite their extensive experience, seldom reached mastery in this skill, especially this early in the game. But Alan had, and this was only his first game's second round!
Clad in his cloak and armed with his new set of abilities, Alan approached Calumet city. His every step exuded confidence. Yet, he remained cautious. Mindlessly hunting for XP was not Alan's style. He understood the city's perils all too well. If he couldn't eliminate an opponent with a single, decisive strike, it would send alarm bells ringing, drawing hordes of Nazi soldiers towards him. He had no intention of making a hasty, blazing exit from the town as he had done before. This time, he was prepared and in control.
The moonlit city streets glistened as Alan held his [Arming Sword] at the ready. Paired with his enhanced strength, the sword boasted a base damage of 38. But Alan's abilities didn't stop at mere brute strength. His proficiency in swordsmanship granted an additional 50% expert sword bonus damage.? Factor in his newly-acquired 50% sneak attack bonus, and Alan was a silent tempest, capable of delivering a staggering 85 standard damage or a whopping 170 lethal damage in one fluid motion.
As he assessed potential threats, Alan analyzed his opponents' potential defenses and HP. The math was straightforward: while a [regular soldier] could be downed in a single strike, dealing with a [Trained soldier] was a different ballgame. Such an opponent demanded either a perfectly-executed lethal blow or a meticulously planned double attack. One wrong move, and the silent city would erupt in alarms, alerting every soldier nearby.
But Alan's expertise lay in calculated risks. He wasn't one to dive headfirst into danger without weighing his options. As he navigated the city, he moved like a shadow, utilizing his skills like [Enhance Sense] to pick up even the faintest sounds or movements, and [Concealment] to blur into the background, rendering him virtually invisible to the patrolling Nazi guards.
When situations became especially tricky, Alan relied on his active skill [Light Step]. With it, he moved soundlessly, leaving no auditory trace for a full 30 seconds, though this skill had a 10-minute cooldown, making its usage a strategic choice.
It was in one of these silent interludes that he spotted a solitary soldier. Like a sheep strayed too far from its flock, this lone target presented an opportunity. Moving with the precision of a trained assassin, Alan struck.
[Stabbing: Lethal Attack. Inflicts 108 damage]
[Critical hit inflicted from sneak attack, 54 damage, Target dies…]
The outcome was instantaneous. The soldier's life was extinguished in the dark alley, with Alan's sword having found its mark. The [Gamelink] rewarded him with the accompanying benefits:
[You gained 200 XP and 100 survival points].
But his task wasn't complete. Every kill required cleanup. With swift efficiency, Alan hid the fallen soldier, ensuring no traces were left behind. The game's night was still young, and Alan had more moves to make.
As Alan prowled the streets of Calumet City, every calculated strike and every deliberate step had a bigger goal in mind. He wasn't merely a predator in search of prey; he was a hunter with a mission.
Between each silent takedown, Alan turned his attention to the various establishments lining the streets. Slipping into alleyways and darting through hidden backdoors, he raided one building after another, one silent shop to the next, always in search of that one invaluable loot. The growl of hunger no longer plagued him, and anyway, food had become secondary. The gun shops, once teeming with ammunition, were now stripped bare by veteran players who'd gotten there first.
Alan, however, had set his sights on something else. Medicinal supplies were crucial in this game. With the city's chemist shops picked clean and the hospital transformed into a fortress, heavily guarded and nearly impenetrable, Alan had to think creatively. Patiently, he would sift through the private homes, prying open medicinal cabinets and rummaging through drawers, steadily filling his [Bear Skin Bag] with every valuable find.
But deep down, Alan was on a singular quest. There was one particular item he needed to find. As dawn's first light began to paint the cityscape in hues of orange and pink, signaling that it was nearly time for him to retreat, his persistence paid off.
A triumphant "Yes!!" escaped his lips as his fingers closed around a cold, red steel box. an item so rare in the game that even the bustling markets of Port town, with their wide array of wares, didn't have it on offer.
[Repair Kit]
[Type: Tools]
[Rarity: Uncommon]
[Attributes: None]
[Effects: Can be used to repair broken items]
[Remarks: Can you fix it? Yes you can!]
As dawn's light began to spread across the horizon, casting long shadows in the city alleys, Alan was already on the move. With swift and careful maneuvers, he exited the city boundaries, the weight of his bag a testament to his successful raid.
Along with the invaluable [Repair Kit], his night's work had yielded more riches. 20 unsuspecting soldiers had met their end at his blade, which had not only honed his skills but also added a substantial [4000 Xp and 2000 Survival points] to his game stats.
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