Plundering in the Apocalypse

'My upgrader skill is acting up which means I can combine this skill with others. But this time it's an S rank skill so the result should be better.'

'Huu. Before I combine my skills. I should collect the new one too.'

For clearing the Labyrinth Shin also got a Purple Skill Book. With a skill book, a person can learn a random skill without any penalties. Finding a skill book is also not common.

Skill books are graded with color and depending on the color the skill of that rank can come out.

White --> H - F rank skill.

Yellow --> F - D rank skill.

Green --> D - C rank skill.

Orange --> C - B rank skill

Red --> B - A rank skill.

Purple --> A - S rank skill.

Golden --> S rank and above.

Further details unknown.

A skill book can only be used once and by one person. So they are rare and the purple skill book was one of the rarest ones.

The reason Shin received a purple grade skill book was because of his performance in clearing the Labyrinth and also the increase in difficulty for the trial.

As the difficulty of the final floor increased by many levels. The rewards also came out better. Otherwise, it would have been a Red grade skill book.

From now on those who clear that Labyrinth will get an Orange or Green grade skill book as a reward and in extremely rare cases, a Red one.

***

Shin took out the Purple grade skill book and observed it from all sides. The usage is very simple. The user only needs to flow mana inside the book to learn the skill.

'Very interesting.'

Shin reached his hand to flow the mana but stopped midway. He pulled it away as he thought of something.

"What if..."

'I shouldn't take any chances but it doesn't hurt to try. It's not like I have a shortage of skills.'

Shin touched the book and instead of blue mana, golden divine energy started flowing inside the book.

The Purple Skill book started radiating purple blinding light.

Shin panicked as he saw Alice sleeping peacefully.

'Thank god her sleep wasn't disturbed.'

The purple light immediately went inside Shin's forehead.

Shin's eyes were filled with purple light as a surge of power settled inside his body.

[You have learned a new skill Dragon's Thunder (S)]

Shin's brain was filled with a lot of information. His eyes flashed open and without wasting any time he immediately activated Upgrader (SS).

"Upgrader, Electro Bolt (C), Rage (A), Dragon's Thunder (S)."

Shin's eyes emitted golden light. His face had a neutral look.

[Congratulations! You have successfully combined Electro Bolt (C), Rage (A), and Dragon's Thunder (S) into a new ability.]

[You have learned a new ability 'Purple Lightning (SS)'.]

A minute later Shin's eyes turned back to normal.

'SS rank? Oh my God.'

Shin wanted to scream too badly but calm down as he didn't want to disturb Alice's sleep.

[Purple Lightning (SS) - Since ancient times thunder had brought destruction and chaos. But also a start for a new life. Purple lightning is ranked second highest in terms of purity and the strongest type of lightning.]

'It's SS rank and still second in terms of purity and strength. Just how strong is the first ranked.'

Shin's mind was still in the process of understanding the situation.

Although he did get an SS rank ability. He will have to work very hard to increase his proficiency. Fortunately, his proficiency in Electro Bolt somewhat helped him in this aspect. But it was nowhere near enough to get proficient in controlling this SS rank ability.

'Let's leave it for later and get to the next one.'

"Upgrader. Let's also use all my skill points for this one."

[Congratulations! You have successfully combined Dark Flames (A) and Pseudo Dragon Flames (S) into a new ability.]

[You have learned a new ability 'Hellfire (S)'.]

'This is great. Both of these skills are going to be very useful. Now I have to focus on learning weapon techniques.'

'We have collected a lot of items.'

'I already have two unknown keys now. I still don't know their use. A Mysterious egg, for which there is no information. Hash, I can only wait now. There's no point in thinking. There is no information about those even in Leonard's memory.'

'But there is some information about these Akapuhala fruits. They can be used as ingredients for some great elixir.'

'We need an alchemist. As for the monster materials they are also valuable so it would be a waste to sell them all.'

'What should I do?'

Shin closed his eyes as he was deep in thought and fell asleep. Alice opened her eyes as she smiled and kissed his cheek. She snuggled close to him and also fell asleep.

This day was very tiring for both of them with a lot of thrills.

***

While they were sleeping many world-changing events were occurring. The disappearance of Awakened Leonard Drake caused strife between many big groups who came to Aston city in the hopes of recruiting him.

As such fierce competition was going to start between all these guilds. A race of resources and power.

Next few days under the noses of these groups, many small groups also started emerging. As the government had already legalized them. It benefitted many. But the process to legally register these guilds was through some tests by the awakened association. This way they get information on many talents and build relations with the guilds.

The awakened association started monitoring dungeons and a discussion was going on about giving rights to the cleared dungeons to the top guilds. This potential profit attracted many.

The C.U.B.E.S organization started purchasing many monster materials and herbs. But they weren't the only ones. The top guilds and families started recruiting talented Crafter awakeneds and formed their research teams. So the demand for monster materials was very high.

"Oh wow, it was a good thing I held onto those materials," Shin uttered while watching the news regarding the increase in the price of monster parts.

For the last few days, Shin and Alice learned basic weapon techniques from their parents. Alice was taught by Reina. Although Reina was not an expert at using a scythe. She had practiced spear, staff, and halberd. But her insight was very valuable. So Alice was still learning a lot of things.

Shin got taught by Alfred. He learned the sword, spear, and axe for basics.

Although both of them were familiar with their weapons and fought many battles. They were still newbies. They had no techniques so they weren't able to bring out their true strength.

Although they were only being taught fundamentals. It was a lot useful.

Not only weapons. Shin also practiced Hellfire and Purple lightning increasing their proficiency.

For all their practice they traveled to the outskirts of Aston City. Which was a lot of time-consuming.

Alfred and Reina always created barriers around their practice area. Which blocked the sound from inside.

'This won't do. We need a place where we can practice without being disturbed.' Shin had been thinking about it all the time whenever they go to practice. Fortunately, no one has seen them yet. But the same can't be said about the future. So it was better to be cautious.

"So are you going to sell them?" Alice asked bringing Shin out of his reverie.

"No, I'll only sell items that are already there in the market," Shin replied while shaking his head.

Alice nodded her head in agreement.

"What about other materials? Are you going to wait for them to appear in the market?"

"We can't wait that long. So, we are going to create a guild." Shin answered proudly with a dashing smile.

"I see," Alice replied with a smile.

"You don't have a problem with that?" Shin asked just to make it clear.

"Why would I? I am fine with anything that Shin wants to do." She replied as she held his arm and let her head rest on his shoulder.

Shin smiled at her affectionate behavior.

"Then let's go and register as awakeneds."

***

Shin and Alice made their way to the Awakened Association building which is located in the commercial sector.

This newly built facility was very vast with many floors and buildings with open grounds around them.

The large group of awakeneds who came to get themselves registered.

"Are we going to register now? But what about not revealing our powers thingy?" Alice questioned as she remembered the time when Shin asked her to never reveal her powers to others. Especially the rank.

"Don't worry about it. I have it covered. Although they have level detectors. Even if they have appraisers they can't know our abilities or other information because I have hidden them with Shadow Veil." Shin gave a smile as he reassured her.

"Wow, but I also heard they ask you to display your skills too," Alice asked as she held her chin.

"Leave it to me, it's time to use my new skill," Shin said calmly.

"Loan."