"Hah… you never know what'll make you rich," Pepper laughs, a mix of elation and dread swirling within him. After selling 30 Livestide Salmon for 3 million Mani at Rabbits' Grand Palace's dining hall, he walks with Aitouil perched on his shoulder.
"Pepper-han, with all that cash, treat me to good booze!" Aitouil chirps. "You've always got my back. Let's grab some fine liquor at the Enhance Guild," Pepper agrees, flush with funds. But as they plan, a flash envelops them, and suddenly they're at the Skill Gardener reception in Rabbits' Grand Palace.
"Hey, Pepper-san, Aitouil-neesan! Long time!" Elk, the receptionist, beams. "Why are we here?" Pepper blinks, confused. Aitouil, sharp as ever, glares at Elk. "You caused that flash, didn't you? What's your game?"
"Heh, Aitouil-neesan, sharp ears! Heard Teak's shout about Livestide Salmon, didn't you?" Elk grins. Aitouil growls, "Tch, money-grubbing sister rabbit, already sniffing out cash." Elk's trap teleported them to force purchases, likely draining Pepper's newfound wealth.
"Elk-san… how do we leave?" Pepper asks. "Buy at least five items. You've got over 2 million Mani, right?" Elk smirks. Pepper sighs, realizing she aims to bleed him until he's down to 1 million Mani.
But Elk pushes harder. "These aren't just any items. They're Vorpal Ultimate Art Hidden Scrolls, exclusive for special customers like you—rare and powerful!" Skill Gardeners across Shanfro occasionally sell Ultimate Art Scrolls, packing top-tier skills nearly rivaling uniques. However, they require solo-defeating specific monsters and immense combat experience to master. Hardcore pioneers even use level-down builds to max their proficiency.
"Ultimate Art Scrolls, huh? Show me the prices," Pepper says. "Pepper-han! Save some for booze!" Aitouil protests. "Oh, interested?" Elk unfurls the scrolls, revealing Vorpal Ultimate Arts—each starting with "Vorpal." Prices range from 300,000 to 1.5 million Mani, extortionate as expected.
"Ugh, steep for Ultimate Arts!" Pepper groans. "Pick your poison!" Elk presses. Checking the scrolls, he notes all require Level 50+ to unlock conditions, with details hidden until sufficient mastery—a risky investment.
(Can't learn them all even if I buy them. Gotta be selective…) After minutes of silence, Pepper chooses: "Elk-san, I'll take three Vorpal Hidden Scrolls: Vorpal Jujutsu [Crescent Tomoe], Vorpal Blade Art [Water Mirror Moon], Vorpal Dance Art [Moonlight Waltz]. And two Vorpal Ultimate Art Scrolls: Vorpal Ultimate Art: Tachi-Type [Clear Anthem] and Vorpal Ultimate Art: Strike-Type [Nayuta Tracks]."
"Sold! Thank you!" Elk sings. Crescent Tomoe (90,000 Mani), Water Mirror Moon (80,000 Mani), Moonlight Waltz (130,000 Mani) total 300,000 Mani. Clear Anthem (800,000 Mani) and Nayuta Tracks (600,000 Mani) total 1.4 million Mani. Five scrolls cost 1.7 million Mani, slashing over half his funds.
"No more Skill Gardener for a while…" Pepper mutters, trudging through Rabbits' Grand Palace with Aitouil on his shoulder. "That money-grubber Elk always pulls stunts like that, but her skills are strong and can evolve into game-changers," Aitouil says. "True," Pepper nods. His one-shot kill on Brookeslumber to save Laser Marlin owed much to Vorpal Sword Art [Half Moon Sever]. If an un-evolved skill was that potent, maxed-out Vorpal Ultimate Arts could be phenomenal.
"Enough moping! Aitouil, gate to Thirdrema!" Pepper rallies. "On it!" Aitouil opens a gate from the rest room. Hiding her in his cloak, Pepper steps into Thirdrema's maze-like back alley—only to lock eyes with multiple players.
"…Huh?" Pepper stares. "…Huh?" they echo. Reflexively, he triggers Moon Jumper and Seven-Boat Leap, scaling a wall with Climb Kick in a triangle jump, landing on a rooftop. The players gape, then recover, shouting, "Pepper's here! On the roof!"
As they look up, Pepper doesn't head for the Thousand Purple Myriad Red Forest Cave gate. "Pepper-han, what now?" Aitouil asks. "Other gates will have ambushes. We need to shake them completely!" Activating Ballistrider, Body Purge, and Over Top Beat, he spots players chasing across rooftops.
"Wait!" "Spill info!" "Stop, damn it!" they yell. "Nothing to give bloodthirsty jerks!" Pepper retorts, weaving sharply with enhanced agility, outpacing them like a gale.
"He's fast!" "Wait, that's the noble-only zone!" "Idiot, Pepper! Cornered yourself!" The players smirk, thinking he's trapped. (They think I've blundered, but I've got an ace…)
Pulling an item from his inventory, Pepper reaches the gate separating Thirdrema's upper and lower districts. "Who are you!?" a guard barks, blocking with a spear. "This way is—" He stops as Pepper flashes his Enhance Guild Membership Card. "Pass through!" the guard says, stepping aside. The pursuing players, lacking cards or permits, are rebuffed with "Get lost!"
Confirming their defeat, Pepper vanishes into the upper district, leaving their frustrated cries behind.
Run of Pepper in Thirdrema
Vorpal Ultimate Arts: Ultra-rare skill scrolls sold by Elk at Rabbits' Grand Palace's Skill Gardener to select clients. Named Vorpal, they boast immense power with a single use, but their true potential lies in synergy with other Vorpal martial skills. These ultimate techniques are trials for the soul, forging the weak into true strength. When mastered, they bind to the user, becoming their power.
PN: PepperLevel: 38Main Job: BackpackerSub Job: None
Stats
HP: 15 MP: 10 Stamina: 90 Strength: 70 Agility: 91 Dexterity: 35 Technique: 50 Durability: 26 Luck: 25 Remaining Points: 25
Equipment
Left: Vorpal Ledge Right: Lycaon's Curse Marking Legs: None Head: Leather Cap (+1 Durability) Torso: Blade-Resist Leather Vest (+4 Durability) Waist: Blade-Resist Leather Belt (+4 Durability) Legs: Blade-Resist Leather Pants (+4 Durability)
Accessories
Chainmail (+10 Durability) Traveler's Cloak (+2 Durability) Vorpal Soul Collar Enhance Guild Membership Card
Money: 1,321,100 ManiInventory: Blue Toy Ostrich Feather, Rising Volks Gear, Horal Mushroom, Vorpal Jujutsu [Crescent Tomoe], Vorpal Blade Art [Water Mirror Moon], Vorpal Dance Art [Moonlight Waltz], Vorpal Ultimate Art: Tachi-Type [Clear Anthem], Vorpal Ultimate Art: Strike-Type [Nayuta Tracks]
Skills
Ladder Slash Life-End Thrust Repel Counter Drive Throw Alzeid Edge Meias Work Volberg Strike Grasharas Impact Strength Smasher (Lv. 1) Over Top Beat Infight (Lv. 1) Seven-Boat Leap Skate Foot Jet Attack Cross Slash (Lv. 1) Ballistrider Actus Dash (Lv. 5) Stick Piece (Lv. 4) Grip Strike (Lv. 3) Throw (Lv. 4) Climb Kick (Lv. 5) Neck Snap (Lv. 3) Moon Jumper Body Purge (Lv. 3) Life of Change Straight Fist Back Kick (Lv. 4) Dual Flip Fulls Shoot (Lv. 2) Oppression Kick (Lv. 3) Iron-Breaking Life Strike (Lv. 1) One-Shot Annihilation (Lv. 1) Envy Fusion Taunt (Lv. 1) Vorpal Sword Art [Half Moon Sever] Vorpal Hammer Art [Full Moon Stamp]
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