"That's definitely a monk..." Shane muttered after seeing the muscular figure of a man who was wearing a familiar robe with an earthly gold color.
Shane could tell that the man was definitely a man, but there was an aura about him that spoke of more than mere mortality.
'Awesome...' Shane couldn't help but praise the Monk and thank the Epic Recruitment Stone.
His presence was like a still lake, deep and calm, yet hinting at fathomless depths beneath.
The other people in the estate had also noticed the commotion. This was especially true for Gene, who was currently at the watchtower near the estate's entrance gate.
Gene had seen a monk before, so he was able to tell that this figure wasn't a zombie with a bad sense of clothing.
The fabric was like a muted gold that caught the light with every movement. His head was shaved, and his skin bore the weathered tan of one who had known the sun and wind.
His eyes, when they opened, were a startling amber, glowing with an inner fire that spoke of discipline and ancient knowledge.
Around his neck hung a simple wooden amulet, etched with symbols that none of them could understand. His hands, resting lightly at his sides, were calloused, the hands of a man who had known both labor and the weight of a staff in battle.
Indeed. The huge Monk had a long wooden staff resting on his shoulders as he looked around.
As the fog dissipated, leaving the air clearer than before, the Monk bowed deeply to Shane, his movements fluid and full of grace.
At this time, the gate was already opened by one of the Super Soldiers.
"I am known simply as the Chaloem... From where I came from, it means that apex." He said, his voice reverberated, and it seemed to carry the timbre of wind through mountain passes.
"I have come to serve you, my lord, to offer my strength, my wisdom, and my staff in the trials to come..."
'It seems he knows about the Zombies and stuff... He doesn't looked confused. I guess he learned more things from the Gray Fog.' Shane thought to himself.
Then he stepped forward, extending a hand in greeting.
"Welcome, Chaloem. Your arrival is fortuitous. We stand on the brink of darkness, and your light will help us end this..." Shane said as he felt that the Monk's arrival was truly perfect in their current situation.
The Monk—Chaloem—clasped Shane's hand, his grip firm and sure.
+40% effectiveness of healing abilities and recovery techniques
+40% chance to cleanse poisons and ailments from allies
+40% speed of administering healing techniques in combat ]
"Incredible skills, Chaloem!" Shane was certainly satisfied seeing the five skills of the Monk! It was definitely incredible, and he knew that he deserved to be recruited by an Epic-Grade Recruitment Stone!
'This Ki Channeling is probably the one that made him so precious.' Shane thought to himself since Ki was basically some form of energy that not anyone could have.
"Alright. I'm almost done..."
Shane then informed Chaloem, the monk, to stand beside him before he decided to pull out his finest Recruitment Stone.
Yes, he wasn't done recruiting yet!
This time, he used the Hero Recruitment Stone that he purchased for 5,500 Points in the Auction!
Shane's fingers closed around the Hero Recruitment Stone, a small, unassuming gem that fits neatly in his palm.
The blue stone, similar to other recruitment stones, pulsated with mystical power. However, unlike the Elf Recruitment Stone, which had glowed with ethereal light, this one seemed to absorb the very essence of the world around it.
[ Hero Recruitment Stone. ]
[ Hint: The Hero Recruitment Stone is a single-use item that a Survivor can trigger in order to recruit a Heroic Being. This hero will possess abilities that transcend the ordinary, a beacon of hope in the darkest times. ]
[ Do you want to activate the Hero Recruitment Stone? ]
"Yes..."
As Shane activated the stone, the surrounding temperature dropped, and the estate seemed to be covered by a dark cloud.
However, it was actually the familiar Gray Fog that swirled and thickened until it blotted out the sun!
The ground trembled, and the leaves rustled in the sheer power brought by the fog!
And then, from the heart of the mist, a figure emerged!