Chapter 99: Tasks and rewards

[Task: Path of the Gladiator]

Objective: Win 10 friendly duels

Reward: 30 Training Points

Duration: 60 days

Note: Every failure will deduct 3 training points, but the trainee must still achieve 10 wins.

Cassian reviewed the task, considering which ones he could realistically complete to earn training points. This particular task seemed manageable, even if the reward was smaller compared to more challenging tasks, like those that required defeating a certain number of Circle warriors or mages. Fortunately, the tougher tasks came with longer time frames, which made them less intimidating.

And while there were penalties for failure, they weren't as dire as losing his life. So, he accepted the Path of the Gladiator without much hesitation.

Cassian moved on to the next task, hoping for another manageable one, and luck seemed to be on his side.

[Task: Beginner Monster Slayer]

Objective: Kill ten low-level magic beasts on your own

Reward: 40 Training Points

Duration: 90 days

"This seems easy," Cassian muttered as he read through the task description. He wasn't entirely sure what "magic beasts" entailed, but he felt confident in his ability to handle them. Without much hesitation, he accepted this task as well. Not wanting to commit to too many challenges before understanding their value, he turned his attention to the new option in the system panel: the Function Market.

[Function: Master Ghost Instructor]

[A ghost of a master swordsman with a bit of a temper. If the trainee can impress this ghost with their talent and dedication, they may learn the master's sword martial arts.

Price: 500 Training Points

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Note: The ghost master might not take a liking to the trainee, so it's uncertain whether he will agree to teach. Proceed with caution before purchasing this function.]

[Function: Low-Level Simulator]

[The system can simulate the fighting techniques of low-level warriors in training field—those whom the trainee has encountered and observed in battle.

Price: 400 Training Points

Note: The Low-Level Simulator can only replicate techniques of warriors ranging from First Circle to Third Circle, based on the trainee's world's power levels.]

Cassian's initial shock at the steep prices quickly gave way to intrigue as he mulled over the options. "Five hundred training points... seriously?" He rubbed his chin, eyebrows furrowing. It felt like the system was trying to squeeze every ounce of effort out of him. But, looking closer at their potential, he couldn't deny that these functions seemed worth the investment.

The Master Ghost Instructor was a total wildcard. A ghost swordmaster with a temper, willing to teach him their techniques if he could impress them? That sounded like a bizarre mix of terrifying and potentially game-changing. But what if the ghost just mocked him the whole time or decided he wasn't worth their time? That was too risky.

On the other hand, the Low-Level Simulator was simpler and had clear perks. It could mimic the fighting styles of low-level warriors—people he'd faced before and those he might encounter later. Cassian imagined stepping into the training field, facing off against simulations of warriors he'd once struggled against.

He could practice endlessly, testing different strategies without worrying about getting injured. It felt like having a hidden training ground where he could sharpen his skills to the edge.

As he pondered, his gaze shifted down the list, landing on another function that caught his eye:

[Function: Adaptive Training Zone]

[Transforms a portion of the training field into a dynamic environment, simulating various terrains and conditions—like rocky cliffs, dense forests, or even moving platforms.

Price: 450 Training Points

Note: Perfect for warriors looking to adapt to unpredictable combat situations. The zone evolves based on the trainee's progress, constantly presenting new challenges.]

Cassian's eyes lit up with excitement. "Now this... this could be interesting." He imagined himself battling against simulated warriors while balancing on a shaking bridge or trying to keep his footing on slick, rain-soaked rocks. It was like a personal training dungeon, pushing him beyond just standard sword moves.

As Cassian thought about the functions' prices, he realized that accepting just two tasks wouldn't be enough to make much of a dent. The high-reward tasks were too dangerous, and many of them had objectives he couldn't fully understand. So, he began searching for simpler tasks that might be easier to complete.

After scrolling through a long list of dangerous objectives, one particular task caught his eye. It seemed almost too easy for the reward it offered, making him rub his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

[Task: The Skilled Masseur]

[Objective: Give 10 perfect, satisfying full-body massages.

Reward: 1000 Training Points

Note: Completion of the task depends on the satisfaction level of the recipient. A satisfaction meter will appear when the trainee is performing the task to gauge progress.]

Cassian blinked, feeling a mix of disbelief and amusement. A thousand training points for massages? It sounded ridiculous, yet the reward was tempting.

"So easy..." Cassian muttered with a shocked expression. But as he reread the task description, his excitement dimmed. The task required giving full-body massages, and he only had experience with massages till the waist.

This meant he'd have to learn how to do upper-body massages, something he had no experience with. With a sigh, he closed the system panel. It was getting late, and he needed to head back to the training grounds—Robert might come looking for him if he took too long.

Besides, he had a couple of days before he could even accept this task. The system was still finalizing the new skill it had been constructing for the past month.

Cassian brushed the dirt off his clothes as he left the secluded corner of the training grounds. The air had cooled, and shadows stretched longer across the field, a sign that he'd lingered longer than he planned. As he made his way back, his mind still mulled over the new possibilities with the system.

The task for the full-body massages kept popping back into his thoughts. "A thousand training points, though..." he muttered to himself. He knew that mastering upper-body massages would take some time and practice, but the reward seemed worth the effort. Those points could get him much closer to unlocking one of the advanced functions, like the ghost sword master or the low-level simulator.

As he approached the open training area, he spotted Robert leaning against a wooden post, his arms crossed. When Robert saw him, he straightened and raised an eyebrow. "You look like you've been daydreaming. What's got you so deep in thought?"

Cassian gave a small, nonchalant shrug, trying to play it cool. "Just... thinking about what's next. I've got a lot on my plate."

Robert smirked. "Well, if it's about more sparring, you better get your head back in the game. Detective Julius is going to drill us hard in the next lecture."