PLAYER SYSTEM C9 FIRST QUEST V

Asha watched the battle unfold through the enchanted glass of her carriage. Faintly glowing runes shimmered across its surface, creating a magical barrier that completely muted the shrill screeches of the Quacklash Vermin. Though untouched by the chaos outside, her brows furrowed in concern as she observed the ambush from the failed experimental creatures.

“I hope the adventurer party—and the Summoned Hero—can hold their ground without too many injuries...” she murmured, worry evident in her voice.

But then she froze.

Her eyes widened as she saw Jack raise his hand, chant something short and clear, and release a radiant burst of light toward a wounded adventurer.

The holy glow enveloped the man, his wounds knitting together in seconds. Even the scarring vanished—his skin left smooth and untouched, like it had never been hurt at all.

“Incredible…” Asha breathed. “That level of healing… No ordinary priest could pull that off. And with just his hand, no staff or wand for focus…”

She placed a hand to her chest, smiling with a quiet sense of awe. “As expected of Sir Larkight. A true Summoned Hero…”

Her eyes remained fixed on him.

“And if he has a healing spell that potent… then he must know something to deal with the Gelatine Slimes as well. Even just his support might be enough to turn the tide.”

Outside the carriage, Martha—the party’s dedicated healer—stood frozen for a moment, her eyes locked on Jack.

‘He healed him… fully… without a staff?’ she thought, stunned. The light had looked pure, powerful—his chant, precise and swift.

She tightened her grip on her own staff. ‘I underestimated him… no, we all underestimated Summoned Heroes.’

Without another word, she turned back to the battle, more focused than before.

Albert, the party leader, had also witnessed the spell. His expression hardened with new understanding.

‘I had a feeling these Summoned Heroes were something else… but this?’

He shook off the thought and raised his voice.

“All right, everyone! Stay sharp—we’re wiping these things out!”

Then, pointing toward Jack, he added, “You—heal anyone who gets injured. My team will protect you. Just stay back and keep us alive!”

The team nodded. It made sense—Jack’s healing was too valuable to risk up close.

But then Jack stepped forward, his expression calm.

“Protect me? Stay in the back?” he repeated with a small smirk.

He lifted his free hand, revealing the dagger clenched tightly in his grip. His eyes gleamed with resolve.

“I appreciate the gesture,” he said calmly, “but I’m not just here to heal.”

He tilted his head slightly, voice cool and confident.

“I’m ready for action. Let me fight.”

Everyone looked surprised by Jack’s confidence. From his flowing robes and cleric-like attire, he clearly looked like a priest—so where was this boldness coming from?

“Just listen,” one of the adventurers said firmly. “You’re a priest. It’s safer if you hang back and focus on healing.”

“That’s right,” another added. “That dagger won’t do you any good. These Quacklash Vermin stay airborne—they’ll be out of your reach. And their tails are faster than they look.”

But Jack didn’t respond. His eyes were already locked on a Quacklash Vermin circling above.

The others exchanged helpless glances. Albert let out a sigh. “Alright… if you’re that determined to fight them, I won’t stop you.”

He turned to his team. “Get ready. These things are hard to pin down—strike fast when you see an opening!”

“They’ve got high evasion, but their defense isn’t great,” one archer added. “Best to use bows or magic. Melee's a gamble unless they’re grounded.”

Jack quietly absorbed the information.

One of the vermin dove toward a swordsman nearby, its tail lashing out. The man barely rolled aside in time.

Jack dashed in without hesitation, aiming a quick slash at the creature’s tail. The vermin recoiled immediately, avoiding the strike.

“Don’t go for the tail!” the man warned sharply. “It’ll just whip you back! Aim for the body—if you can even reach it. Only ranged attacks work well when they’re airborne.”

Jack nodded silently.

The man sighed and returned to the fight, chalking it up to another stubborn Summoned Hero.

While the others were busy fending off the remaining vermin, Jack saw his chance.

This was exactly what he had been waiting for.

He muttered under his breath, “Let night bind your stride.”

A swirl of black mist coiled around his hand before spreading across the ground. It surged toward the shadow of a Quacklash Vermin overhead—then, with a burst of magic, phantom hands erupted from the ground like smoke-made claws, latching onto the creature’s legs and wings.

The vermin screeched as its flight faltered. Its wings stiffened, and its body dipped lower—then crashed to the ground.

All eyes turned.

Jack was already moving.

He sprinted toward the fallen vermin with speed and precision, his dagger flashing in hand. The creature tried to recover, eyes widening as Jack closed the gap.

His first strike grazed its wing.

‘Damn, I missed the vital spot.’

He struck again—another miss.

But on the third swing, his blade drove clean into the vermin’s skull.

The creature let out a final weak screech—then fell still.

Its body twitched once… then went limp.

Jack stepped back, breathing steadily, dagger in hand, shadow still swirling faintly at his feet.

[You killed a Level 4 Quacklash Vermin. You gained 100 EXP.]

[Congratulations! You leveled up: Level 1 → Level 2.]

[All attributes increased by +3. You’ve received 3 unallocated stat points.]

[New Skill Acquired!]

[Gracepierce] (Level 1)
Chant: “Light cuts. Shadow claims.”
Effect: A swift dagger strike laced with unstable Light and Dark energy.
• On enemy: Deals Light-Shadow damage and reduces healing received by 5% for 4 seconds
• On ally (melee range): Slightly heals and boosts the next Light or Dark spell by 5%
• Twilight Bonus: If cast after a Light or Dark spell, Gracepierce gains +10% effectiveness (damage or healing)

As the notifications blinked away, murmurs rose around him.

“He actually killed a Quacklash Vermin… with just a dagger?”

“How’d he get it grounded?”

“Why did it even come down that low? These things never do that!”

Jack didn’t respond. He barely even heard them.

His focus was locked on the new skill window, a sharp grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

His eyes flicked up just in time to catch two Quacklash Vermin diving straight for him—clearly enraged by the death of their kin.

“Oh? Looks like I’ve made them mad,” he muttered with a smirk.

Their whip-like tails lashed toward him—he sidestepped one, but the second grazed his cheek, slicing a thin line across his skin.

He wiped the blood from his face with the back of his hand, eyes narrowing as the two hovered above him.

The adventurer party had paused now, all eyes on Jack, unsure whether to step in or keep watching.

‘I can’t use Grasp of Doom while they’re watching... too suspicious.’

But he chuckled under his breath, unfazed. ‘Doesn’t matter. I’ve got something new I’m dying to try out.’

He gripped his dagger tightly, shifting into a ready stance.

‘If I time it right… I can strike during the tail attack and follow with Gracepierce. But to get the Twilight Bonus… I need to use a Light spell first.’

He raised his hand and muttered, “Light that does not judge, descend and restore.”

A faint glow surrounded him—[Healing Light]—his own minor cut fading, but more importantly, setting up the chain.

‘Now... let’s see what this skill can really do.’