Chapter 4. Chitin Sabers

I turned towards the mantis corpse and walked over to inspect it more closely. Instead of a triangular shaped head like a regular mantis its head resembled a rhomboid, like two triangles back to back and had an odd combination of mandibles and fangs. Moreover I noticed that the short spikes on the scythes had small perforations on them, like tubes that went inside the spike into the scythe.

Kyle had walked over as well and pointed out that the thorax which I thought belonged on an ant was flattened and spread out towards the end. It also had a reddish tinge that reminded me of a fattened tick. After inspecting the creature I came to the conclusion it would drink the blood of its prey and store it for later. As for why perhaps identify could help.

Mantike Lv. 37

I was disheartened for a second before...

Ding!

Prerequisite Wisdom For Monster Identification Skill Found…

Identify Skill Already Possessed…

Experience Instead Applied Towards Identify Skill...

Identify Skill Increased To Lv. 4…

That's great! Two levels! Now I suppose I should try Identify again now that the level has increased.

Glow Cave Mantike Lv.37

Assassinates prey from hiding using camouflage.

Stores preys blood for quick healing transfusions.

Glow Cave variation: increased nightvision.

Dang it I’m lucky. If I hadn’t killed it the way I did I would be dead. On another note the identify skill is finally starting to help out.

“Looks like it heals itself using its victim's blood” I informed Kyle.

“You got that from the monster identification skill right?” He asked “The systems asking if I want to learn it for three skill points”.

“No, I have a skill called Identify” I replied “it identifys a larger scope of things than just monsters”.

“Should I get it?” He asked.

“No, save your skill points for something better” I said “I already serve that purpose”.

“How did you get Identify?” He asked.

“I am still wondering about that. The cost of Identify was higher than the three points for monster identification” I said.

“That makes sense but does not answer how you got the more general identification skill” Kyle responded.

“No use ruminating on it now, I doubt we will figure it out anytime soon” I said.

But he had a point why did I get a prompt for Identify and not some sort of gem appraisal skill when I looked at the mana core? Was it because I knew nothing about it and asked the system a very general question? Does it have something to do with my Zen Mind trait?

Like I said it's probably pointless to ruminate about it at this time…

For now I put my questions aside and start twisting and turning the the end of the mantike’s scythe appendage in an effort to remove it from the body.

The arm of the mantike is divided into three sections, first the section attached to the shoulders is used for overall movement of the limb, next the middle segment is used as a backboard for the last segment to crush its victim and hold in place. The last two segments are sharp and have spikes but I am only interested in the last segment which could act very well as a saber. The middle segments look like their center of mass is too centered to be useful as a weapon.

I quickly realized that I could use the other arm to cut the joint attaching the last segment to the arm and discovered the mantike had a skeleton as well as an exoskeleton. Both were thinner and seemed to work in tandem to support the large body. This worked in my favor because it gave me something to grip as a handle. I was already preparing to take a piece of the a leg and jam it in the saber to use as a makeshift handle. What's more the edge of the saber felt incredibly hard and yet had a bit of give due to the nature of the dual skeleton. It was also rather light, the only problem was the odd inward curve and the thin handle. But that was solved by wrapping the handle with part of the ligaments and tieing it together with one of the antenna. After finishing the system decided to reward my efforts.

Ding!

Prerequisite Wisdom For Weapon Identification Skill Found…

Identify Skill Already Possessed…

Experience Instead Applied Towards Identify Skill...

Identify Skill Upgraded To Lv. 6...

Ding!

Title Added: Unusual Crafter...

Unusual Crafter

One who uses unconventional materials.

+5 % Proficiency when crafting using unusual materials.

Ding!

Knowledge Needed For New Skill Found...

Skill: Monster Weapon Making Lv.1 Acquired ...

Monster Weapon Making Lv.1

Ability to craft weapons from monster materials.

+1 % Proficiency when creating weapons from monster parts

Chance to maintain monster trait.

Ding!

New Class Available: Crafter…

Crafter

Your ordinary everyday crafter.

+5 % Exp gain when using crafting skills.

+5 % General Proficiency when crafting.

Well that's a lot to take in… Does the chance to maintain monster trait mean the saber might have a lifesteal effect?

Only way to know is to try identify I guess.

Mantike Saber (very poor quality)

Saber made from part of a Mantike scythe.

Hardness comparable to iron yet much lighter.

Unusual form ill suited for most sword forms.

Very minor stamina steal effect.

Well it's not lifesteal but stamina is good as well. I think I can do a better job on the next one. I can’t wait to see!

Oh yes didn't I get some levels from killing that thing?