Lance had a total of 583 coins. More than enough for most low-level Upgrades. That last push had given them few enough instances to purchase new Upgrades from the Shop and they had managed to complete the Boss fight without the necessary last-minute ass pull.

Of course, there was something to be said about keeping some coins around for another emergency buy, but getting a good, high level Upgrade right now seemed more important than just holding back for a what if situation.

More importantly, it didn’t stop him from actually window shopping so that he might be able to tell what else he had to buy. Or the kind of build he wanted. Right now, ‘Magic Archer with bullshit magical abilities’ was rather vague.

So. Time to figure out what he could get.

Upgrades (Restricted - Dungeon Delver I)

Perception Upgrades

Sight of a Thousand Leagues Hawk’s Vision Owl’s Vision Bat Vision Sensory Expansion

Huh. Nothing to do with any other senses for the most part. Sensory Expansion seemed interesting but it cost over a thousand points for the most basic level. It seemed to be an overall boost to his senses though which was kind of cool, but expensive for what it gave. The others were just ways of seeing better – over distances mostly or at night. Or in other, not ideal conditions.

“Just because I’m an archer, it’s all ‘sight of the falcon this’ or ‘vision of a million forests’ that…” Lance muttered. What did they think? Archer’s only needed good eyesight?

Well, they weren’t exactly wrong but still…

Next.

Physical Upgrades

Enhanced Strength …

A quick flick over to the Enhanced Strength showed it was the basic kind, but it could also be focused entirely on the upper body. Would he become a lousy bodybuilder then who missed leg day too many times? Then again…

Lance looked down at himself, a sardonic grin on his lips. He took another big bite of the granola bar he had in his hand and got to chewing. If the shoe fits…

Better to stay focused and read through the rest before he made a decision.

Pain for Blood Accelerated healing Revelry of the Inquisitors Enhanced Endurance Mana Engine

He had to stop and look at the last. The information on it was sparse, as most descriptions were. What exactly did ‘converting free flowing Mana into energy’ actually mean or do? On the other hand, it seemed to be geared towards increasing his endurance, which was kind of cool.

Pain for Blood and Reverly of the Inquisitors on the other hand were a healing and endurance based set of upgrades that derived their benefits from doing harm to others. Grim, and the names kind of made Lance think of bad serial killer shows but damn if they might not be useful.

Tempting choices in here, but the next portion was the information he had been particularly interested in.

Mana Manipulation Upgrades

Create Object – Arrow Manipulate Mana Object Imbue Mana Object Form Mana Core (Tiny) Form Mana Meridian

This…

Was the most boring set of upgrades he could ever think about. The other choices at least occasionally had something interesting. This was just mundane and pedestrian. He didn’t even bother looking at the first option, knowing he could do as well himself. In fact, with enough time, he was certain he could create the objects himself even faster.

The only advantage of buying it was the cooldown, since global cooldowns weren’t a think. Buying the first option would mean he could just form arrows faster, increasing his stock.

Damn. It was actually a viable choice wasn’t it?

Manipulate and Imbue Mana Object looked to only work when you had finished creating an item. The first was a light form of telekinesis, allowing him to move Mana Objects even after it left his grasp. Particularly useful for making minute adjustments to a flying arrow for example. Of course, one wondered what the range was, since it didn’t describe it. But there definitely were options here.

Imbue on the other hand seemed to be an enchantment process. If he bought it, theoretically, with the Quiver arrows he had already purchased, he could try to duplicate their effects. Or other effects. Fire and ice, lightning and sound trick arrows. Maybe even webbing arrows…

Oooh. He should get some of those.

So. Imbue sounded great, but like Manipulate and even Create they were all long term projects. Skills that he had to learn to wield rather than direct upgrades to his overall strength. Especially Imbue since he was pretty sure he was going to explode himself if he tried it immediately.

Still, long term. Had to play that game too.

Which was why he was eyeing the Mana Core and Meridian options. If he guessed right, and the damn descriptions had exactly zero information of what a Core or Meridian actually do, they might actually solve a current problem. Specifically, the cooldown issue.

Before he made a decision though, Lance shoved Yanesh with his foot. The man looked up from where he had been sprawled on the side of the pavement, staring at his own Shop screen.

“What?” Yanesh grumped.

“You have a Mana Core, Engine¸or Meridian in there?” Lance asked.

“Core and Meridian, yeah.” Looking intrigued, Yanesh leaned in. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Cooldown?” Lance said.

“Oh… no. I was thinking cultivation secrets,” Yanesh looked downcast. “But that sounds like it’s more likely.”

“Might be the same thing,” Lance offered.

“What are you two nerds talking about?” Sarah called out.

“Geeks. We’re geeks, not nerds,” Lance said. “And we’re talking about some options we have – Mana Core and Mana Meridians.”

“Only nerds complain about being called nerds and not geeks. So. Nerds. But you thinking that’ll reduce your cooldowns?” Sarah said, curiously.

“Possibly.”

“Damn, I want that.” She crossed her arms, looking grumpy.

“Aren’t most of your abilities passives?” Yanesh said.

“They are, but that’d still be cool. I have my eye on some really cool final moves, you know?” she said.

Lance snorted, but having gotten what he wanted, he turned back to his own Shop screen. This was good. It certainly supported his hypothesis that these Mana items had a way of upgrading active upgrades.

Hah! Upgrading upgrades.

Definitely on the shortlist.

Next…

Combat Upgrades

Empowered Arrow Splitting Arrow Explosive Arrow Arrow Strengthening

And there they were. The obvious upgrades because he was an archer. He glared at them for a second, flickering through the details. They were all obvious in what they did, upgrades to his arrows that empowered them in the manner mentioned. The only non-active upgrade was the last one which seemed to strengthen the arrows he used overall. Probably so he didn’t break as many, not that the Quiver’s arrows lasted after they were shot. But maybe useful if he had to use an arrow again to stab someone.

Overall, a rather basic series of upgrades here and not at all interesting. He did assume things like the Splitting or Explosive Arrow upgrades would give him more control over the ability.

“Upgrade now or later…?”

The biggest problem for Lance was that he was beginning to fall behind his friends. Sarah and even Neil were becoming more and more dangerous. Even Yanesh with his Elemental Bolts was taking more kills, which meant he was getting fewer points.

That was not acceptable.

On the other hand, he still believed that buying upgrades for the future was important. For a second more, Lance dithered. Then, getting fed up with himself, he slammed through the purchases after doing the mental math needed.

Mana Core, Mana Meridian and Create Object – Arrow. He had enough to get them all.

Though, as blinding pain tore itself through his chest and head, Lance realized perhaps buying them all at the same time was perhaps not the wisest course of action.

Too late.