After reading what was written on that screen, I was actually glad for a moment, since the mission was literally forcing me to capture the goblins. So, I would do the obvious thing in that situation: I would combine the useful with the pleasant and, if I succeeded, I would even get a PC to upgrade one of my skills.
"Great! I was just going to do that."
I commented to myself, while wearing an indifferent smile on my face.
With the 'Stealth' skill activated, I began to sneak through the shadows, approaching the goblins while concealing my presence.
As I approached the first monster, I realized that there weren't five goblins, as my Skill had identified, but six. The sixth was a little further ahead of me, and in front of it was the fifth.
"Shit, now I'll have to kill this one without attracting the attention of the other four ahead."
I whispered almost imperceptibly to myself as I thought up a strategy. But out of the blue, I remembered something.
"But wait a minute, what if I end up failing the mission? What could happen?"
As I stood there, thinking about what might happen if, by chance, I failed the mission, the system appeared in front of me, as if by magic.
*SFX to something appearing*
[URGENT WARNING:]
[Failure to complete the mission will result in a penalty].
After seeing that, I raised my eyebrows slightly and, without understanding anything, asked.
"What do you mean, penalty?"
[...]
[% ˄%@ $% @ $˄% $% ˄% @ @ $]
[Failure in this mission will cause you to lose the system permanently.]
When I read that, I almost screamed.
"Is it only now that you warn me about this?"
I asked with a little anger in my tone.
After that, the system simply went silent, as usual. I didn't receive any more information, so I decided to carry on without your instructions.
"Thank you for answering my question."
I said in a sarcastic tone.
Without any information, let alone instructions, I decided to move on. That's when I noticed that the goblin ahead, the one I would have to kill, started to move. I decided to take advantage of the chance that had been created.
As soon as the goblin moved away and I saw that I wouldn't run the risk of being caught, I put my plan into action. I walked up to the small, green monster and, without it realizing my presence, placed my hand over its mouth. Before it could react, I took out my sword and pierced its throat.
"Problem solved..."
Before I could finish my sentence, I was taken by surprise when the same goblin I had just killed not only disappeared, as I thought he would, but left behind a purple stone.
"What the fuck is that?"
I asked myself, as I picked up the stone from the ground and waited patiently for an answer from the system.
But as usual, it didn't answer me.
After I realized that he wasn't going to answer me, I decided to try a more polite approach.
"Could you please analyze this for me and give me an explanation of what it's for?"
[ANALYZING...]
[... ...]
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]
[You've found the 'Item: Teleport Crystal'. Would you like to buy it?]
[YES]/[NO]
"I asked you to analyze it, not to ask me if I'd like something that I've literally already taken."
I said this, somewhat dissatisfied with my system, because it always answered me with what I already knew.
After I said that, for some reason I sensed a tone of dissatisfaction in her voice. After all, she hadn't answered what I'd said and only continued.
[Item: Teleport crystal]
Rarity: Rare
Type: Usable
Function: By imbuing MP into it, the user will be transported to a nearby safe location.
"Hmm..."
(The usefulness of this item is very practical for extreme situations. I'll save it for a riskier situation).
I thought with an indifferent look on my face as I stared at the item.
"Inventory."
I called up my inventory and then put the stone inside.
"Now..."
I whispered with a serious look on my face as I turned towards the goblins.
"Let's get down to business."
After killing that goblin, which I couldn't identify with my 'Skill', I carefully approached the other five and captured them one by one. To be honest, I really thought it would be an easier task, but I was completely wrong; and I narrowly missed being caught.
"Whew! I'm glad I managed to complete the mission without a glitch."
I commented to myself, as I stared at the unconscious goblins on the ground. Suddenly, the same sound I was used to echoed in my mind once again.
*SFX to something appearing*
[You have completed the 'Secondary Mission: Silent Hunt']
[The rewards for completing this mission have arrived. Would you like to receive them?]
[YES]/[NO]
*SFX for something appearing*
[You will receive the following rewards].
"What do you mean? I thought I'd only get two rewards."
I asked, staring at the screen in front of me with a confused look on my face, not understanding anything.
*SFX to something disappearing and reappearing*
[Mission Rewards]
Statistics point +1 Skill Point +1 Skill: 'Gravitational Touch'
[Would you like to receive all the rewards?]
[YES]/[NO]
"Wait a minute, what do you mean? A new skill wasn't just supposed to come with points."
Because of my new skill, I had even forgotten about the points, which were actually my priority. But that changed when I saw that. After all, it's not every day that I get something this good, and above all: for free.
After pondering for a moment, I decided to accept all the rewards. After all, a stat point, a skill point and a new skill were too tempting an offer to refuse. With a satisfied smile on my face, I confirmed my choice on the golden screen in front of me.
*SFX to something being squeezed*
I couldn't hold my curiosity in any longer.
"Check reward 3."
I ordered the system, a little curious about the skill I had gained.
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