Chapter 4 : Restless Forest


    As Noah and the other players ventured towards the area surrounding near the cave where he had acquired his Weaver class, the once serene forest had transformed into an unsettling and restless realm. The vibrant greenery now seemed to writhe with a gloomy energy, and the air was thick with an atmosphere of unease.


    Intrigued by the newfound activity in the forest, Noah pressed on, preparing to fight against the monsters.


    The first few formidable monsters they encountered were some 2 Horns Bears.


    ...


    Name: 2 Horns Bear


    Level: 33


    Health Points (HP): 5000


    ...


    The imposing 2 Horns Bears growled fiercely, its muscular form ready to unleash its powerful attacks. This monster excel in the attributes of strength, agility, and endurance. Noah knew that brute force alone for the normal players wouldn''t be enough to defeat such a formidable foe.


    Next, the group spotted a bunch of Shimmering Serpents.


    ...


    Name: Shimmering Serpent


    Level: 31


    Health Points (HP): 4500


    ...


    The sleek and venomous Shimmering Serpents moved with deadly grace, their fangs ready to deliver a poisonous strike. The monster was not only venomous, but also agile and fast.


    The players'' battle instincts kicked in, urging them to be cautious and strategic in their approach.


    These monsters were not only strong, but also seemed to be injected by some kind of adrenalines too.


    As they pressed further into the restless forest, more creatures emerged, each presenting its own unique set of tricks up their sleeves. These monsters'' health points surpassed some of the players, making every confrontation a test of endurance and skill.


    Drawing upon the versatility of his Battle Mage class, Noah knew that his abilities were more than enough for the challenges that lay ahead.


    He didn''t think that he needed to use the Weaver''s class skills because even though for most people this kind of enemies were enough to make them desperate, he was confident on being able to pass through them.


    His Battle Mage class was not an ordinary advancement but a hidden and rare specialization within the realm of mages. In the virtual world, mages typically had various branch classes like Shaman, Acolyte, and Arcanist, each offering unique abilities and specialties. These branches were widely known and considered the standard paths for aspiring mages.


    It was a secret specialization that only a select few had managed to unlock. To attain this prestigious class, players had to embark on a daunting and difficult quest, surpassing the challenges that most couldn''t trespass.


    The requirements for unlocking the Battle Mage class were shrouded in mystery, known only to a few scattered pieces of lore and rumors. Many didn''t even know that this class even existed, a class that could be said to be had for the most exceptional and skilled players.


    And Noah was one of the few who had the chance to acquire this class. The quest he had undertaken was one of the most challenging trials he had ever faced, demanding most of his skills, strategy, and perseverance.


    “Haaa… Just when I’ve done something tedious just now…” Noah spoke resignedly while moving his right hand sideways, arcs of mana followed.


    Whhmm


    The moment his Battle Mage class manifested, he felt an incredible surge of power coursing through his body. The class truly felt like its exclusivity was reserved for those who could rise above the ordinary and demonstrate exceptional skill and mastery over their craft.


    Rumors of this class spread like wildfire across the virtual realm, captivating the attention of expert players far and wide. Many top-tier players who sought the pinnacle of their abilities were intrigued by the prospect of unlocking hidden classes just like the Battle Mage.


    "Alright… I guess I will use you for now." Noah said as he extracted a staff from his inventory. No, it was more precise to say that it was a spear.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    …


    [Name: Lambasting Spear]


    Type: Hybrid Spear-Staff


    Rarity: Rare


    Level Requirement: 30


    Description:


    The Lambasting Spear is a rare and exceptional weapon that seamlessly fuses the attributes of a staff and a spear. This unique hybrid weapon enables one to channel the potency of arcane spells while retaining the precision and thrusting capabilities of a spear. Its exceptional craftsmanship and magical enhancements make it a prized possession among those who can wield it.


    Attributes:


    - Physical Damage: 120-160


    - Magic Damage: +60% spell power


    - Critical Strike Chance: +10%


    - Spell Amplification: +15%


    Special Abilities:


    <ol>


    <li> Arcane Thrust - User can infuse the spear''s tip with arcane energy, allowing user to unleash a devastating magical thrust. Upon impact, the Arcane Thrust deals extra magic damage based on user''s spell power, piercing through enemy defenses and leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks. Mana Cost: 50 mana</li>


    <li> Elemental Channeling - The Lambasting Spear can channel user''s elemental spells, imbuing each thrust with the power of fire, ice, or lightning. Depending on the element channeled, the spear''s attacks gain additional effects, such as causing burn, freeze, or electrocute status on foes. Mana Cost: 30 mana per thrust</li>


    <li> Arcane Resonance - Successful melee attacks with the Lambasting Spear have a chance to generate an Arcane Resonance effect, temporarily increasing user''s spell power for a short duration relative to stats. This effect synergizes with user''s spellcasting, enhancing the potency of user''s magical arsenal. Mana Cost: 25 mana per activation</li>


    <li> Fused Magic - When user casts spells while wielding the Lambasting Spear, the weapon channels the spell''s energy and enhances the next melee attack. The fused magic grants additional magic damage on top of the weapon''s base damage, making user’s melee attacks particularly potent after spellcasting. Mana Cost: 40 mana per activation</li>


    <li> Mana Regeneration - Whenever the user successfully lands a strike, there is a chance for a portion of the user''s mana to be restored, while allowing the user to have more resistance against magical damage during battle relative to stat points. Restoration : 5 mana</li>


    </ol>


    …


    Yes, to be more precise again, this was a spear staff!


    The Battle Mage class that Noah had acquired was a unique and formidable specialization that defied the conventional boundaries of traditional mage classes. Unlike typical mages who relied solely on their spells, Battle Mages combined the finesse of magic with the ferocity of close melee combat, making them a hybrid between the two.


    At the heart of his Battle Mage''s prowess was his special weapon, a rare and exceptional hybrid that those who knew it called the "Mage''s Spear." This remarkable weapon was an exquisite fusion of a staff and a spear, meticulously crafted to harness both the devastating power of spells and the precision of a warrior''s thrust.


    Forging the Mage''s Spear was an intricate and elusive art, known only to a select few skilled craftsmen in the virtual realm. The process involved infusing the traditional materials of a staff with the resilient and sharp properties of a spear. As a result, the Mage''s Spear was an extraordinary combination that bestowed the wielder with the best of both worlds.


    The rarity of this kind of weapon was undeniable, with only a few scattered throughout the virtual world, whether for the low ranked ones or the high ranked ones. Its complexity was not the only reason for the scarcity as the users of this weapon were so minuscule.


    Noah only knew one class that could use this spear staff, which was his own class Battle Mage. But not even normal Battle Mage could use this weapon. He sensed that if other players had this Battle Mage class, he believed that most if not all of them would use normal weapons such as sword, saber, spear, or daggers.


    Because not only was it not easy to control this weapon, but it was also a rare weapon. Mastering this unique weapon was one thing, cause unless one was confident in getting this spear staff continuously as he or she progressed in the game, then it was not worth it to master this. Better mastering the more available weapons out there.


    When Noah wielded the Mage''s Spear, he felt a connection to the virtual energies that flowed through him. The staff-like end allowed him to channel and amplify his arcane spells with unprecedented precision, while the spear-like tip granted him the ability to engage in close-quarters combat with unrivaled finesse.


    The unique characteristics of the Mage''s Spear made it a potent weapon, but it also demanded a profound understanding and skillful handling. Noah had to master the delicate balance between magic and melee, learning to seamlessly transition between spellcasting and thrusting or cleaving maneuvers in the heat of battle.


    As he trained and honed his Battle Mage abilities, Noah''s proficiency with the Mage''s Spear grew, and he discovered new ways to exploit its versatile nature. The weapon became an extension of his will, allowing him to execute devastating combinations of spells and strikes that could left opponent in disarray.


    Noah''s possession of this rare weapon set him apart from other mages, even to the other Battle Mages, solidifying his position.


    And more than that, Noah having decided to use spear staff clearly stated his confidence in being able to get this kind of weapon in the future too. And that was also the reason why his heart panged when he saw his destroyed weapons back then after he had successfully defeated the Celestial Watcher.


    He had collected a bunch of them, full of challenges on his way, but most of them are gone. How could he not shake his head?


    But naturally, he didn''t regret it one bit as he had gained something even better. As he obtained the rare treasure that could increase his luck points, but also the mysterious Weaver Class…


    "Thankfully, you are not broken…" Noah brandished his spear staff toward the near enemies as a smirk appeared on his face. He propelled himself powerfully and then went through their ranks.


    Krassssh


    The monsters that were attacked immediately suffered tremendous injuries as they seemed to become shocked that a human from their enemies'' side seemed to have a strong powerhouse.


    "Though I''m kinda tired at the moment, let''s party a little bit again I guess." Noah said as he appreciated his spear once again.