Basic Scythemanship?
To Matthew's surprise, there were actually specific techniques for scythes. In his impression, scythes were only used for harvesting wheat.
However, he certainly wouldn't rashly switch to a scythe. After all, it was better to master one skill completely, not to mention that his other option was the far more powerful swordsmanship.
Slightly increases damage to unarmored targets... This is similar to the effect of my sword, but the description is more intense. The key is...
Slashes are guaranteed to inflict a "Lacerate" effect (continuous bleeding).
Guaranteed bleeding!
This effect was extremely practical.
In a life-and-death struggle, even if a strike wasn't fatal, the continuous bleeding effect would constantly drain the opponent's stamina and condition, turning minor wounds into major disasters. This was especially valuable when dealing with thick-skinned or heavily armored enemies.
If Flynn had also possessed a system panel, Instructor Calm's stamina would likely have been completely worn down by this effect long ago.
It's a pity the requirements are too high. I can't use it right now. Besides, I'm not good with a weapon like a scythe anyway.
Matthew felt a slight pang of regret, but he valued this high-quality loot all the more.
He temporarily set the heavy 【Moon Scythe】 aside, planning to discuss what to do with it once Calm recovered.
Having seen the Blue quality weapon, Matthew turned around and picked up the damaged staff.
The shaft was made of some dark hardwood, and the dark red crystal embedded at the top was covered in cracks. It had completely lost its previous stinging sensation of mana, turning dim and lusterless like a common piece of red glass.
The moment his fingers touched the cracked crystal, the familiar small black characters popped up before his eyes:
【Equipment 【Damaged Fire Vein Crystal Cluster Staff】 detected. Equip?】
【Equipment: Damaged Fire Vein Crystal Cluster Staff
Quality: White
Equipment Requirement: Spirit: 6.5
Description: Originally a magical item held by a kobold priest, with a small "Fire Vein Crystal Cluster" embedded at the top. The crystal cluster has now shattered due to a slashing attack, leaving only remnants.
Effect: Slightly increases the efficiency of meditation technique cultivation (active), slightly increases the power and condensation speed of 0-Circle fire spells (deactivated)】
“Fire Vein Crystal Cluster? No wonder that kobold priest's fireballs were so terrifying.”
“But why is the quality White?”
Matthew frowned, a guess quickly forming in his mind.
“Perhaps among magical items, this staff belongs to the very bottom tier, which is why it's only White quality.”
After all, judging from the equipment description, its original effect was merely a slight boost to the most basic 0-Circle fire spells, and it had now lost its effectiveness due to the damage.
Matthew looked down at the equipment requirements.
“A Spirit requirement of 6.5... I'm only short by 0.5. As expected of the lowest-grade staff, the requirement isn't high.”
“But even if I could use it now, the staff is broken. What a pity.”
Matthew shook his head and carefully put it away.
He continued searching and soon found a heavy leather coin pouch at Flynn's waist.
Matthew untied the drawstring of the leather pouch and poured all the coins into his palm.
The yellow gold coins gleamed with an alluring luster under the daylight on the hill, and there were quite a few of them. He quickly and carefully counted them, one, two...
In the end, the total stopped at nine.
Nine gold coins!
Matthew's heart jolted.
This was another fortune that far exceeded his expectations!
Even if he had to split it evenly with Instructor Calm, that would still be over three gold coins!
Matthew carefully put the gold coins back into the pouch and secured it.
Aside from the coin pouch, there weren't many other personal effects on Flynn's body.
An ordinary grey outer coat, and the leather armor underneath had already been damaged during the battle.
Matthew carefully inspected the inside of the leather armor and every other place where items might be hidden, confirming that nothing had been missed.
“Is that all?”
Matthew looked at the loot before him: a Blue quality 【Moon Scythe】 with demanding requirements, nine gold coins, and a piece of damaged leather armor. There was nothing else.
He couldn't help but feel a bit surprised.
Flynn was a half-step Silver Rank powerhouse!
The strength Flynn had displayed, especially that irresistible power when shattering the kobold priest's shield, had left a deep impression on Matthew.
Such a figure, even if not at the core of the Fiery Lion family, should have been a key combat asset.
Yet the belongings he carried with him were so "frugal"?
Instructor Calm, who was adjusting his breathing nearby, heard Matthew's voice and slowly explained, “Although Flynn was powerful in combat, he was ultimately a family servant by birth. Everything he had was likely bestowed upon him by the family.”
“After all, he is an elderly Brass Rank Class holder. It is only normal that he wasn't highly valued.”
“As for those gold coins, they were likely given to Flynn by Brody for safekeeping.”
Matthew hearing this, nodded thoughtfully.
No wonder Brody had no money on him.
“I see.”
Matthew gathered the coin pouch, the 【Moon Scythe】, and the other items.
“It seems this master and servant didn't have as glorious a time in their family as one would imagine.”
Calm nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Flynn's corpse and the surrounding forest, his expression remaining solemn.
“This might be a good thing for us. The less influence they had within the family, the weaker the attention and investigation might be afterward.”
“Of course, this is just the most optimistic guess. Once we return to the village, we must still take all necessary precautions without fail.”
He stood up, stretched his slightly recovered arms, and looked at Matthew.
“I've rested enough. We must leave this place as soon as possible. Every extra moment we stay brings more risk.”
“As for these corpses, just leave them here. The Shadow Forest is full of creatures. By the time anyone finds Flynn and the others, they'll have long since turned to bones.”
Matthew nodded. Instructor Calm's decision was undoubtedly wise.
In this danger-ridden Shadow Forest, corpses were naturally part of the cycle.
Having the corpses consumed by wild beasts was actually the best way to "destroy all evidence."
The two acted quickly, packing up the loot. They then swiftly left the blood-soaked hill battlefield, heading toward the bushes where they had previously placed the wounded and Rayson's body.
Passing through the sparse woods, the outline of the bushes came into view.
However, the expected silence did not greet them. Instead, a suppressed shouting and the soft clanging of metal echoed from ahead!
“Sierra! Don't fight them head-on... Just stall until Instructor Calm gets back...”
A weak voice drifted from not far away.
Matthew instantly recognized it as Hal's voice.
Dropping his backpack, he dashed forward and arrived at the scene in a mere moment.
The sight before him caused Matthew's pupils to contract.
Hal's breath was as thin as a thread. Leaning against a tree trunk, he barely managed to prop himself up. A new laceration had appeared on his body, oozing dark red blood...
In the center of the clearing, Sierra was locked in a bitter struggle!
The ones besieging her were none other than Remy and his sole remaining lackey!
At the same time, Hal spotted Matthew. Before he could speak, he saw Matthew charge out like a bolt of lightning.
Sierra's spirits lifted, a flash of joy crossing her eyes.
Seeing Matthew rushing over like lightning, Remy's heart sank as he realized things had gone horribly wrong!
A chill mixed with an intense desire to survive instantly overwhelmed everything else!