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Book 6: Chapter 57:1: An Alchemist’s Abilities, Part 1
After some introductions, Chen Heng learned what classes everyone had chosen. Saitama was a martial artist, Sage Megumi was a thief, Sirin was a sentinel (akin to an archer), Umaru-chan was a wizard, Jeanne dArc was an arch priest, and Luo Li was an arch wizard. As for Chen Heng himself, he had chosen a support class: alchemist.
Alchemist? How come I havent heard of it? Is it a hidden class? It must be very powerful, exclaimed Umaru-chan, her eyes lighting up at the mention of alchemy.
Hidden class? Why didnt I get one? Thats unfair. Saitama, an avid gamer, knew what hidden classes meant, and they usually indicated something exceptional.
Well, you see, my hidden class is more of a support type. Strictly speaking, its more of a research-oriented talent. It involves things like crafting magical puppets and brewing potions. In the early stages, it doesnt offer much combat prowess and isnt suitable for those who need immediate combat abilities. Its also not a good fit for those uninterested in research. Moreover, alchemy requires a significant amount of Will Energy, Chen Heng explained to the group, outlining the characteristics of the alchemist class.
I see. So, even if alchemist were available, it might not be suitable for Umaru-chan and me because it doesnt provide significant combat strength in the early stages. Kato Megumi did not react emotionally after she heard Chen Hengs explanation. Instead, she calmly analyzed it.
Exactly, Chen Heng affirmed.
So, Chen Heng, after choosing this class, did you spend a lot of points to build your avatar? How else can you ensure your survivability? Tell me, how many points did you spend? Umaru-chan suddenly grew curious about how many points Chen Heng had invested.
Well, now that you mention it, Customer Service didnt even tell me how many points I spent. Never mind. Let me check my balance. Chen Heng felt increasingly suspicious of Customer Services intentions, especially after being teleported without knowing the point cost.
Balance: 86,649
If Chen Heng recalled his previous balance correctly, this meant he had spent 999 points to create his avatar this time.
I spent 999 points. I wonder if thats considered high or low? Without information on the cost of enhancing attributes, Chen Heng couldnt tell if this was a significant amount compared to the others.
Thats quite expensive! I only spent a little over 300 points. However, even with just 300 points, its still a burden for me. My abilities havent developed much, so completing missions is a bit challenging. Ive mostly been frugal, relying on the occasional easy tasks for now. Standing beside Kato Megumi, Umaru-chan showed an envious look after learning about Chen Hengs 999-point expenditure.
ErmUmaru-chan, are you short on points? Do you need me to lend you some? Although Kato Megumi still wore an expressionless face, her eyes revealed concern when she heard how broke Umaru-chan was.
Hey, do you have a lot of points, Megumi? I remember we both joined the Dimension Administrators Association around the same time, right? We awakened our abilities at almost the same time, too. Why do you sound so much like a wealthy person? Umaru-chan took a step back, eyeing Kato Megumi as if assessing a potential enemy.
My ability is presence manipulation, so I have a significant advantage when handling missions dealing with people. Theres a useful item in the Dimension Administrators Associations store that suits me perfectly. Its called the enhanced Death God Elementary School Students Watch. It can fire a highly potent tranquilizer needle. The downside is that it has a very short range, basically not hitting anything beyond ten meters, with an effective range of only three meters. However, its perfect for me.
[TL Note: The Death God Elementary School Student is a reference to Edogawa Conan, from Detective Conan. Im not sure if this nickname was used in English, but it seems quite prevalent in Chinese and Japanese circles. The nickname stems from him being involved with so many murder cases that it seemed like there was something supernaturally connecting him to death. Detective Conan is about a man who was reverted to a younger age as a result of poison. The anime is about solving cases and finding an antidote to the poison so he can return to his true age. Here is more information about the watch in question: /wiki/Stun-Gun_Wristwatch. Here is more information about Edogawa Conan: /wiki/Conan_Edogawa.]
I usually lower my presence to the minimum during missions and slowly approach my target from behind. If the situation allows, I shoot from within a meter, and this approach gives me a 90-percent completion rate.
What about the remaining 10 percent?
Oh, that? There was one time I encountered a transmigrator who had an exceptionally high resistance to tranquilizers. However, despite his high resistance, he couldnt defeat me. He voluntarily returned to his world. He explained that his resistance was due to frequent hits in the neck by this type of tranquilizer, which led to him developing immunity and frequent neck pain. I think his name was MouriKogoro.
[TL Note: Mouri Kogoro is the main protagonist of Detective Conan. In the English version, he is known as Richard Moore. Mouri Kogoro is a private investigator whom Conan uses as a front to investigate the people who caused him to revert to a child. Conan occasionally knocks out Mouri Kogoro using the Stun-Gun Wristwatch and impersonates Mouri Kogoro to solve the case. Heres more information about Mouri Kogoro: /wiki/Kogoro_Mouri.]
Isnt that too risky? What if you encounter someone else whos hostile and has extremely high resistance? Umaru-chan expressed genuine concern for her friend.
Its alright. I can manipulate my presence, and the use of that needle is quite discreet, almost silent. It doesnt draw much attention from outsiders, and my presence remains extremely low. This ability is indeed very useful, butit makes my existence feel even more insignificant in daily life.
Umaru-chan opened her mouth but didnt know how to console Kato Megumi.
By the way, did you guys just fight a Giant Toad? Noticing the lull in the conversation, Chen Heng decided to lighten the mood and change the topic.
Yes. Umaru-chan picked up the conversation and gave Chen Heng a grateful look.
I heard from Satou Kazuma that Giant Toads are the first monsters adventurers usually hunt. They have low attack power and the disadvantage of being unable to move when attacking, so we went after them, explained Jeanne dArc, fiddling with her staff.
Jeanne dArc, where did you get your staff? Was it a gift from Satou Kazumas party? Chen Heng noticed that not only Jeanne dArc but also Umaru-chan and Luo Li had staffs, while Kato Megumi had a dagger, Saitama had gloves, and Sirin had a bow.
Huh? Isnt this newbie gear? You get it when you create your character. Elder Brother, maybe you should check your spatial storage for extra equipment.
Oh. Newbie gear? Let me see. After hearing Sirins explanation, Chen Heng inspected his spatial storage.
Initially, Chen Heng thought Customer Service had tricked him again. However, upon opening his spatial storage, he realized he had indeed received newbie gear.
However, Chen Hengs newbie gear was different from Sirins, Luo Lis, and the others. His gear comprised technical-looking laboratory equipment: beakers, glassware, a large pot, a small pot, and some peculiar materials.
Chen Heng thought about it. I am an alchemist, a support class. Having such items for my newbie gear seems about right.