Top Ranker's Second Chance: I Am the Lord of Passive Skills
Chapter 24: Silvervest Bear

Chapter 24: Silvervest Bear

Ace and his gang each grabbed only one or two items that fit them. Ace chose twin daggers with thick blades—nothing flashy, but they looked like something out of a fantasy novel.

[Fang and Claw (Twin Daggers)

• Durability: 100/100

• Requirement: Dagger Proficiency III

• Skill – Thrust (Active): Spend minimal mana to empower a dagger thrust, increasing thrust damage by 25%.]

Anyone could swing the daggers; they wouldn’t fly out of their hands if they lacked Dagger Proficiency III. Still, the requirement mattered. First, it told rankers how valuable the weapon was—the more requirements, the stronger the gear. Second, it made sure only skilled users could trigger its skills. Without the prereq, Thrust was locked.

Ace couldn’t use any active skills, but he didn’t brood over it. He’d accepted that flaw long ago and even saw ways to twist it to his advantage. Because of that flaw, he’d already picked up a passive minimap skill. He planned to upgrade it later, possibly without the system’s usual rank‑up rewards.

Cold monster aura crept toward him, and Ace felt only excitement. He stepped into the Bank Grotto’s main room, a cavernous hall packed with bunk beds, shelves, and everything you’d need to live. In the center slept a gigantic silver bear.

The beast’s eyes opened.

Darkness filled the grotto, so Ace used his new owner’s privilege to ignite the wall torches.

Flames burst alive, bathing the chamber in orange light and fully waking the half‑slumbering monster.

It rose on its hind legs and roared, black fur striped across its silver chest and shoulders.

Silvervest Bear... no wonder Chaewon’s Danger Zone flashed red. This thing’s a tough bastard.

Its howl bounced off the walls. Fear rolled through the gang; a few members stumbled back, hair standing on end.

Many froze, but Alex stood firm. Ranked seventh and armed with a new shield, he had a key role today. People called him a bear, and he wasn’t about to lose that title.

I’m not letting any other bear steal my job in Don Capo Gang!

He planted his shield and squared up.

On Ace’s left, Chaewon angled her katana, eyes locked on the target.

She wore a new black jacket over her hoodie; it passively boosted her strength and came with an active that tripled that bonus for a burst.

She poured every ounce of focus into her blade. Only Ace’s voice could break through.

Ace nodded to her. Just stick to your role. You’ve done plenty of teamwork.

"It’s fine to be afraid," he told the crew, his Don Capo Title carrying the words to every ear. "Pain tells us we’re hurt; fear tells us we’re facing danger—and that we’re still alive. Stay alive. Not for anyone else, but for yourselves, so you can see the end of this apocalypse. Remember our strength and teamwork. Let the fear flow, but don’t let it take over. Now, execute the plan!"

"YEAH, DON CAPO!"

The gang spread into a triangle.

Healers held the rear.

Ace and Chaewon stood behind Alex. Three backup tanks covered the flanks.

Alex’s new shield dwarfed his old one. He slammed it into the ground.

"Steel Bastion!" Roots of mana locked his feet, doubling his defense and boosting his provoke. "Come at me, bastard!"

The Silvervest Bear dropped to all fours and charged.

Behind the shield, Alex grinned.

Ace liked that grin.

While Alex’s importance kept growing for Ace, the Silvervest Bear seemed to swell even larger in Alex’s eyes. It loomed over him and slammed a paw into his shield.

The single blow hit so hard Alex trembled beneath the weight, his hands going numb. Still provoked by his taunt, the beast kept hammering the center of the shield instead of exploiting the opening. Each slam rang with a metallic bang, its roars echoing through the grotto.

That was the cue. Ace and Chaewon slipped past Alex’s guard into the bear’s blind spots and lashed out. Using his spear for extra reach, Ace drove the tip forward with all his weight—but it snapped against the bear’s iron‑tough hide.

Damn cheap junk! It was good enough for Black Umi...

Chaewon’s Starter‑Pack katana had no such issue. One clean arc split the bear’s silver hide, spraying blood. The monster’s eyes whipped toward her, but she flowed behind the flank tank before it could strike.

So efficient. She’s following the plan to a tee. If only my spear worked half as well, I’d have a godly weapon. Time to let the twin daggers shine.