Era of Players: Death God
Chapter 53 - 53: Mana's Armor

As the fiery orb dipped towards the horizon, bathing the land in a warm, orange glow, Noah decided it was time for a well-earned break. The fight with the kobolds had left him feeling surprisingly grimy, and the image of a refreshing dip in the cool lake was impossible to resist.

He stripped off his sweat-stained clothes, leaving them piled neatly by his makeshift campsite, and set off for the glistening water.

The descent to the lake was a familiar one. Noah had stumbled upon this serene spot shortly after arriving in the area, and it had quickly become his haven. The water, clear and inviting, beckoned him like a cool oasis. He plunged in with a sigh of satisfaction, letting the cool water wash away the day's grime and tension.

As he floated, gazing up at the sky awash in vibrant hues of orange and purple, a sense of peace settled over him.

After a rejuvenating swim, Noah emerged feeling invigorated. He pulled on his dry clothes and walked back to his campsite, the air now crisp and cool with the approaching night. Cookies hunger pangs gnawed at his stomach, reminding him of the day's forgotten rations. Luckily, he had stashed a small tin of chocolate chip cookies in his backpack before heading out.

The sweet, comforting aroma that greeted him as he opened the tin was pure happiness. He settled down by the crackling fire, each bite of the cookie a delicious reward for his afternoon's ordeal.

With a satisfied sigh, it was the time to start.

''System, show me the store.''

The familiar dark gold glow flickered to life, revealing the system's interface. He navigated to the "Store" section, eager to browse the selection of new skills available for purchase. The day's battle had highlighted some weaknesses in his skillset, and he was determined to improve.

As he scrolled through the list, a variety of tempting options presented themselves. Enhanced agility, advanced swordsmanship techniques, even basic healing spells – the possibilities seemed endless. Noah weighed his options carefully, considering his fighting style and future needs. His finger hovered over a few particularly intriguing skills, a silent debate raging on within him.

The decision wouldn't be easy. Each skill held the potential to significantly enhance his abilities, but the choice ultimately depended on which one would best serve him on his journey ahead. With the remnants of his cookie crumbling in his hand, Noah delved deeper into the system's offerings, the warm glow of the fire casting flickering shadows as he contemplated the path forward.

[Experienced Hunter's Leather Armor]

Category: Armor

Grade: Rare

Defense: 22

Effect: Agility +2

Durability: 225/225

Usage Restriction: Regular rank or higher

Description: Armor that experienced hunters enjoy wearing.

<Purchase Price: 2,000 gold>

[Mana's Armor Lv1

Grade: Epic

Usage restriction: Regular rank and higher

Description: An armor made of mana. Strengthens and hardens the player's body. The Toughness is proportional to the player's strength.

The skill duration is proportional to the Player's Mana.

Consume 0,5 Mana per second.

Purchase Cost: 5000 gold]

Noah faced no dilemma when it came to selecting the formidable Mana's Armor. Despite its slightly steeper price tag, he intuitively recognized that it would prove to be the superior option in the grand scheme of things. The Mana's Armor boasted an extraordinary ability to evolve and adapt, its defensive prowess expanding in perfect sync with the player's own development.

[The defensive skill Mana's Armor lvl 1 has been purchased.]

■Status Window

Name: Noah Adler

Rank: Regular

Level 20

Class: Angel of Death

Title: Goblin Slayer

◇◇◇◇◇

☆Stats☆

Mana: 30

Strength: 40

Intelligence: 34

Dexterity: 50

Luck: 30

Stat Points:0

Coins: 1160G

◇◇◇◇◇

☆Skills☆

Common Skill: {Basic Swordsmanship},{Basic Close Combat} {Presence Detection} {Master of Weapons} {Mana's Armor Lvl 1}

Exclusive Skill: {Seal of Death} {Night of Death}

◇◇◇◇◇

☆Runes ☆

{Basic Strength},{Basic Speed} {Angel of Death}

■

Noah's heart sank as he watched his precious gold coins dwindle, threatening to bring tears to his eyes. However, he found solace in the knowledge that he had made the correct decision.

Despite the fact that his current mana reserves could sustain the Mana's Armor for only a fleeting minute, its passive nature allowed him to activate and deactivate it at will, conserving its usage for critical moments. Eager to put its durability to the test, Noah summoned the Mana's Armor, and in an instant, his entire body was enveloped in a translucent blue shield.

With a deep breath, he swung his sword with determined force, aiming to gauge the skill's resilience.

To his astonishment, the sword met an unyielding resistance.

Bounce!

It bounced back.

''Wow! I should use my full strength next.''

Noah's determination surged as he prepared to unleash his full strength once again.

''Ah!"

With a fierce battle cry, he swung his sword down with all his might, hoping to break through the impenetrable barrier of the Mana's Armor.

However, to his surprise, the sword once again bounced back, unable to pierce through the protective field. Although the impact caused a slight numbness in his arm, Noah felt no injury. The Mana's Armor had proven its durability once again, shielding him from harm even against his most powerful attack.

Noah couldn't help but be amazed at the incredible resilience of the armor. It was a testament to its exceptional craftsmanship and the power it possessed. He realized that with the Mana's Armor, he would be virtually invincible in battle, able to withstand even the most devastating attacks. Well, at least against a normal Regular rank Player.

Filled with a newfound confidence, Noah knew that he had made the right choice. The decreasing gold coins were a small sacrifice compared to the immense advantage he gained with the Mana's Armor. It was a symbol of his determination and commitment to becoming a formidable warrior.

Noah's resolve strengthened as he continued to test the limits of the Mana's Armor. He knew that with this extraordinary equipment, he would be able to overcome any challenge that awaited him on his journey. With each swing of his sword, he grew more confident in his ability to protect himself and fulfill his destiny.

No longer burdened by the fear of injury.

Out of nowhere, Noah's keen senses detected the presence of three mysterious figures creeping towards him. Their sneaky movements hinted at ill intentions. Reacting swiftly, Noah deactivated his current detection skill and activated a defensive one instead. In an instant, the Mana's armor enveloped his body, just in time to deflect two daggers aimed at his arm and leg.

To everyone's surprise, the daggers rebounded off the armor, causing the assailants to pause in their tracks. Confusion etched across their faces as they exclaimed,

''What?!"

A notification from the system interrupted the tense moment, revealing a new mission: to end the fight within a minute, with a tempting reward of 1500 Gold. Noah welcomed the timely mission, feeling a surge of determination.

In a display of his unique abilities, Noah unleashed his exclusive skill, known as the Night of Death. Darkness engulfed the area within a 300-meter radius, plunging everything into obscurity.

As darkness enveloped the area, Noah's exclusive skill, the Night of Death, was unleashed. The sudden shift in the environment caught the assailants off guard, causing them to pause in their tracks. They were now trapped within a radius of 300 meters, unable to see beyond the darkness that surrounded them.

With the advantage of surprise on his side, Noah swiftly moved toward the assailants, his movements practically silent. The Mana's Armor provided him with enhanced agility and protection, making him a formidable opponent.

Noah's focus sharpened as he assessed the situation. He had less than a minute to end the fight and claim the reward offered by the system. Time was of the essence, and he needed to act swiftly.

Drawing upon his combat expertise, Noah strategically positioned himself, anticipating the assailants' next move. He knew that they would be disoriented by the darkness, making it difficult for them to launch an effective attack.

Taking advantage of their momentary confusion, Noah swiftly closed the distance between himself and the assailants.

Swoosh!

With a swift and precise strike, he incapacitated one of them, rendering him unable to continue the fight as his body got slammed into a rock nearby.

Bang!

''Gah!"

The remaining two assailants, realizing the dire situation, attempted to regroup and mount a counterattack. However, Noah's defensive skill allowed him to deflect their blows effortlessly. The Mana's Armor, with its exceptional durability, provided an impenetrable barrier against their attacks.

Noah's movements were fluid and calculated. His speed extremely fast, he swiftly disarmed one of the assailants, sending his weapon flying across the darkened battlefield.

Bang!

With a swift kick, he incapacitated the second assailant, rendering him unable to continue the fight.

In less than a minute, Noah had successfully neutralized all three assailants, fulfilling the mission's requirements. The darkness dissipated, revealing the aftermath of the intense battle. Noah stood victorious, his Mana's Armor gleaming in the dim light.

As the adrenaline subsided, Noah took a moment to catch his breath and assess the situation. The assailants lay defeated, their plans thwarted by his swift and decisive actions.

[Ding! Mission Cleared!

Reward: 1500 Gold]

As the system acknowledged his success, Noah's efforts were rewarded with 1500 gold coins.

With the immediate threat eliminated, Noah moved toward the fallen men and retrieved their smart bracelets. They were automatically eliminated and he earned 60pts.