9: Gift before battle 1

I was rubbing my sore shoulder when Old Mage Weidel announced that all lessons were over.

The “practical combat training” from six teachers taking turns had made me miserable.

“You must rest well tonight,” Wizard Wedell’s voice carried a hint of fatigue, “Tomorrow morning, we will enter the depths of the cave to retrieve the holy artifact.”

In fact, they hadn't really hurt me, just given me a small lesson. Of course, there was also an element of them taking the opportunity to vent their frustration.

I was sincerely grateful that prophecy existed in this world, and even more grateful that Pastor Gary had cast this divine spell, thereby changing my destiny.

Thinking of this, I knelt on both knees and bowed deeply to everyone:

“Thank you, Teacher Wizard Wedell, Teacher Lavinia, Teacher Alton, Teacher Gary, Teacher McLock, Teacher Jones!

Thank you for saving my life and for your meticulous guidance!

After obtaining the holy artifact tomorrow, I will definitely strive to survive and fulfill everyone’s entrustment!”

The Female Mage and the hunter stepped forward to help me up. Lavinia’s eyes seemed to be brimming with tears as she softly said:

“We believe you can do it. Remember, your primary task after getting out is to preserve your life.”

Alton’s expression was also quite moved. He patted my shoulder and said:

“This forest is full of dangers. After you get out, you must quickly improve your strength. Find a safe place and practice the skills we taught you well.”

Old Mage Weidel coughed a few times from the side, then said:

“We found this ruin earlier than expected.

The evil entity in the Green Field only shows signs of a loosened seal for now; it cannot break through the seal within ten years.

Therefore, you still have enough time to improve yourself.

If you try to cross the forest now, and truly have no one else to protect you, you won't get far before being torn apart by wild beasts.

You just need to deliver the holy artifact to the Youdala Temple before the end of the year, nine years from now, and you’ll be in time.

Now, go to sleep quickly. Everyone still has a tough battle to fight tomorrow.”

I still hadn't managed to enter a meditative state today, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, when I woke up, everyone had already packed, and three satchels were neatly placed on the ground.

Two of them were for McLock and Jones. These two human mercenaries did not fully believe the divination results of Pastor Gary’s prophecy.

They would not go deep into the cave with the others today; they were only entrusted by the Halfling to wait for me to come out and then, when the opportunity arose to break through the Siren’s blockade, take me with them.

I had heard from the Halfling before that they had left 100 gold coins for me, and the remaining approximately 5000 gold coins were all given to these two as mission rewards.

And the Halfling left me more than just this one satchel.

After breakfast, the hunter Alton brought over his leather armor and boots, and personally helped me put them on.

This full set of leather armor and leather boots had been greatly altered; I could barely recognize their original appearance.

Firstly, the size was modified to fit my body, and many accessories were added.

The entire set of leather armor was painted a mottled dark green, and a wooden block with a ram horn pattern was newly inlaid on the chest.

Alton told me this was Pastor Gary’s holy emblem.

Later, after entering the depths of the cave, Gary would activate the Holy Shield ability on the holy emblem for me, providing an additional layer of protection.

“Ryan’s Full Leather Armor +1

Alton modified his own leather armor and other materials into this child-sized full leather armor. It was given to Ryan as a gift.

This full set of leather armor consists of a vest, upper arm and forearm guards, elbow joint guards, a belt, thigh and calf guards, knee guards, and leather boots.

This full set of armor is painted dark green, providing you with camouflage when moving in the wilderness.

The chest of the leather armor is inlaid with the holy emblem of a Youdala Priest—the Horned Shield.

Only a Priest of Youdala can activate its abilities.

The wide belt has several leather loops, seemingly for hanging other items.

Data:

Defense Level: 4 (6 against piercing and ranged attacks)

Equipment Abilities:

- Shadow Concealment: +60%

- Silent Movement: +50%

The following abilities can only be activated by a Priest of Youdala.

- Holy Shield: Once per day

- Light of Abundance: Once per day

- Dispel Evil: Once per day

- Guiding Light: Once per day

Holy Shield: Within 60 feet of the holy emblem, a shimmering magical force field appears around a creature designated by a Priest of Youdala.

It grants the target a +2 bonus to defense for the ten-minute duration of the spell.

It reduces incoming physical and magical damage.

Light of Abundance: A Priest of Youdala can release the Light of Abundance through this Horned Shield. It brings fertility and vitality to the surrounding land.

This ability can accelerate crop growth, increase yield, and even heal damaged land.

Dispel Evil: This Horned Shield can enhance a Priest of Youdala’s ability to dispel evil creatures or evil magic.

When facing an Undead Creature, demon, or other evil forces, using the Horned Shield can significantly boost the dispelling effect.

Guiding Light: In mist, darkness, or unknown environments, a Priest of Youdala can release Guiding Light through this Horned Shield, pointing the way forward for the party.

The spell lasts for thirty minutes.

This ability also enhances the Priest’s perception, making it easier for him to discover hidden traps or enemies.

Requirement: Strength 4

Weight: 4”

With my current magical item identification ability, I couldn't fully understand all the information about these magical items.

Fortunately, Alton and Lavinia were there to explain, and I learned that the special abilities I could directly benefit from were enhanced Shadow Concealment and Silent Movement.

The other four divine abilities could only be used by Pastor Gary here, and he would activate one for me later.

If I couldn't become a Priest of Youdala in the future, I wouldn't be able to use these abilities again.

However, the defensive capabilities of this leather armor could greatly increase my chances of survival.

After I put on the full leather armor, Alton then gave me his quiver.

Also painted a mottled dark green, the quiver was filled with arrows.

Two-thirds of them were ordinary arrows, and it was clear that these arrows had been sharpened recently, their arrowheads exceptionally sharp. The other one-third were magical arrows.

“These precious magical arrows are specifically secured within the quiver with leather straps. Even if you fall, these magical arrows won’t easily fall out,” Alton said.

“Put your left hand behind your back, yes, pull this thin strap, and the securing buckle will loosen. After taking out a magical arrow, pull the one above it again, and the securing buckle will refasten.”

Alton told me that among the magical arrows, there were 5 Flame Arrows, 5 Acid Arrows, 3 Vine Arrows, and 2 Explosive Arrows.

These magical arrows could activate their magical effects upon hitting a target.

He particularly warned me about the Explosive Arrow, which had immense power, and I must be careful not to accidentally injure myself.

Ten days ago, I had seen Alton use this Explosive Arrow, and its power far exceeded that of a typical small hand grenade.

“I will use them carefully,” I said, adjusting the quiver’s position.

“And this bow, I’m giving it to you as well,” Alton said, stroking the short bow in his hand, his eyes filled with reluctance and determination.

“Alton’s Fine Short Bow

This is Alton’s personal short bow, with exquisite metal patterns inlaid on the bowstring.

Alton gave this beloved short bow to Ryan as a gift before his death.

This is a magical short bow that grants +1 to damage and +1 to zero-level hit chance.

Data:

Zero-level Hit Chance: +1

Damage: +1

Weapon Speed: 5

Weapon Proficiency Category: Short Bow

Usage Category: Two-handed

Requirement: Strength 3

Weight: 2”

After helping me put on the short bow, Alton handed me a small booklet.