Assassin at Range: The Sniper’s Lethal Power

When the system-wide announcement echoed through the server, Drake, who was still in the newbie village hunting wild boars, straightened his back and wore a proud smile.

This is the power of Big Boss Blackshade!

While they were still in the newbie village, the big boss had already completed the career advancement quest.

Drake had also heard that no other players had accepted Blackshade's friend request. In other words, he was most likely the only friend Blackshade had!

What an honor!

Drake called over his team and asked Sophie, "How's the progress on the skill books? We can't let Big Boss Blackshade wait too long."

Sophie replied truthfully, "It's not looking very good. Most players' levels are still too low, and even if we get skill books, they're all ordinary ones. What we promised was at least a Black Iron Grade skill book."

Drake waved his hand dismissively. "We need to raise the bar. At least get a Bronze Grade skill book, and if we can get a Silver Grade or higher, buy it no matter the price!"

Sophie nodded. "Got it. I'll make the arrangements."

Drake knew that Blackshade's potential far exceeded what they had seen so far, and he would undoubtedly become one of the strongest players in ExoGenesis. To maintain a relationship with such a figure, they had to show their own value.

An assassin in the team spoke up, "Blackshade must have gotten a lot of equipment from clearing the Crimson Tomb, but he didn't come to us. Either the equipment is for himself, or maybe Blackshade has other plans."

Drake said with a serious tone, "It's also possible that Blackshade thinks we're not worthy of that equipment. Our leveling speed is too slow."

The atmosphere fell into silence.

Others thought the same but didn't want to say it out loud.

At that moment, Drake's expression suddenly changed. He sprang up from the ground and laughed three times, "Big Boss Blackshade sent a message!"

Sophie and the others immediately perked up.

This was indeed great news, no wonder their boss was so ecstatic.

Drake read the message, a bit confused. "Blackshade wants us to keep an eye on news regarding the Guild Token."

At this point, even Sophie, their strategist, couldn't make sense of it. She remarked, "From Blackshade's style, he's the typical lone wolf player. With his combat ability, he doesn't need help with boss fights. Why would he care about a Guild Token?"

The assassin analyzed, "Being a lone wolf before doesn't mean he will always be one. Maybe Blackshade's realized the value of a guild."

The archer, who had been listening quietly, retorted, "That's unlikely. Blackshade doesn't seem like the type who wants to manage a guild."

Drake, however, had a different idea. He said, "What if Blackshade already has the Guild Token and wants to know its market value?"

Sophie pushed her nonexistent glasses and said thoughtfully, "If that's the case, then we'd better prepare ourselves. No doubt, the first guild will have a server-wide announcement, and it will be crucial for gaining fame."

Drake agreed, his tone firm. "Sophie, go all out and buy gold. If Blackshade really wants to sell the Guild Token, we'll get it at any price!"

"Got it, boss."

The reason Tristan revealed the Guild Token news to Drake was because he vaguely remembered that the Guild Token announcement would be coming soon.

He asked Drake to keep an eye on it, intending to spread the news and get more people talking.

For example, DarkSaber.

In the past, DarkSaber had been the one to buy the first Guild Token, selling everything he owned to get it. With the server-wide announcement, he made a name for himself and quickly expanded, turning Shadow Legion into one of the top guilds.

But in this life, Tristan wouldn't let DarkSaber have it so easy.

He had saved his own Guild Token just for a surprise.

But it wasn't time yet.

"Back to turn in the quest," Tristan muttered to himself as he left the arena.

The Wild Arena may have collapsed, but a new one would be set up soon. The black market was never short of ambitious people.

Returning to the tavern's entrance, Tristan deactivated Stealth.

Having passed Edith's test, he no longer felt the need for all these extra precautions.

Before he could even reach the door, a servant inside opened it for him with a pleasing smile, respectfully saying, "Lord Edith has instructed you to go straight to the second floor."

Tristan nodded and strode into the tavern.

Inside, the NPCs all glanced over, their eyes flickering.

They weren't fools. The huge commotion at the Wild Arena had been heard by everyone who wasn't deaf. This outsider had single-handedly destroyed the Wild Arena, which had been controlling the black market for years. It was nothing short of shocking.

How did he do it?

Forget Gold Hook Jack's strength, just the hundreds of lackeys under his command weren't easy to deal with. The NPCs there all knew they couldn't handle something like that, so their gazes toward Tristan had shifted from earlier mockery to recognition and admiration.

In the black market, there was no law—only one rule: the strong rule.

Ignoring the others, Tristan climbed the stairs and entered the room. This time, there were no unfortunate souls sitting in the chair. Edith leaned against the table, looking at Tristan with interest, and asked, "How did you figure out that One-Eyed and Redbeard were brothers?"

Tristan gave a meaningful smile. "Everyone has their own sources of information, don't they?"

If she asked him how he knew, he'd joke and say ExoGenesis told him. It was written clearly in the BOSS attributes.

But of course, he wouldn't tell Edith that.

Edith didn't press further, instead taking out a skill book and handing it over, saying, "I got this during my early adventures. I had originally planned to master the shadow powers before researching it, but it looks like it'll serve you better."

Shadow Assassin had a unique status. Edith wouldn't have the chance to use it.

Plus, Tristan had completed what seemed like an impossible task, proving his strength. With that, she finally made up her mind to give him the skill book.

Tristan reached out and took it.

[Rain of Corruption (Gold Grade): Active skill, summons a rain of corruption in the target area to attack enemies with arrows. Up to (15) hits, each dealing (Attack Power*50%+100) damage. Cost: 50 mana, cooldown 30 seconds. Learning Requirement: Exclusive to Shadow Assassin.]

[Special Feature: Using this skill will not break Stealth.]

When Tristan saw the properties, his mind could only think one thing.

Amazing.

If all fifteen hits from the Rain of Corruption connected, the total damage would be a terrifying (Attack Power*750%+1500)!

With his current attack power, even if he used it at point-blank range, the damage would easily exceed seven thousand!

And if he used it from a distance, with the Sharpshooter buff, the damage would be insane.

Moreover, there was no damage limit for hitting the same target, meaning if there was only one target, all hits would land on it, and it would most likely be a one-shot kill.

To put things in perspective, even Blood Tide, a Gold Grade skill, only dealt (Magic Damage*180%+800) for each hit. This skill was much better.

However, Blood Tide had its advantages. While each hit was low, it could deal damage to all enemies in the skill's area.

If enemies were clustered together, the total damage could surpass the Rain of Corruption.

The two skills had different strengths, one focusing on AOE (Blood Tide) and the other on single-target burst and AOE (Rain of Corruption).

Tristan preferred Rain of Corruption.

Additionally, there was one feature that Blood Tide would never match.

It wouldn't break Stealth!

That was both a blessing and a curse.

The downside was that Rain of Corruption wouldn't benefit from the Breaking Stealth Strike damage bonus.

But to Tristan, that wasn't really a disadvantage; in fact, it was an advantage!

He cared more about staying alive than the damage.

Besides, he still had Shadow Dagger—he could always land a Breaking Stealth Strike whenever he wanted.

The safety Rain of Corruption offered was invaluable!

Just imagine—if he had Rain of Corruption when fighting Gold Hook Jack, he wouldn't have had to go through all that trouble with traps. He could've just hidden in a corner and thrown the skill directly at Jack's head.

What a great skill! Truly an amazing one.