The System notification blazed across Ben's vision, momentarily eclipsing the chaos of the charging orc horde and Jordan's airborne trajectory. It wasn't just an update; it was a revelation, a full-spectrum upgrade that reshaped his very being.
[ Emergency Class Quest Completed ][ Rewards: Auditor's Mantle - Full Set ]
š¦ ITEM: Auditor's Mantle
"You are not dressed for war. You are dressed for verdict." Bound to: [Bennison Crowfield ā Tax Collector Class] Type: Outfit (Class-Specific Set) Rank: Unique
š§„ [Auditor's Mantle ā Full Set]
š¹ The Compliance Jacket
+50 Charisma
+20 Magic Resistance
Passive: "Presence of Order" ā Delinquent entities within 50m have -10% movement speed and must pass Fear Check every 10s.
Bonus: Auto-cleans itself after every judgment rendered.
š¹ The Weighted Slacks
+40 Endurance
+10% Debuff Duration Extension to marked targets
Passive: "Burden of Debt" ā Marked targets feel 15% heavier within radius.
Effect doubles if debtor is over 30 days overdue.
š¹ The Silk Tie of Red Notice
+35 Intelligence
+15 Magic
Passive: "Execution Thread" ā If wearer activates [Final Notice], tie emits aura that reduces enemy skill cooldowns by +25%.
Bonus: Doubles intimidation value when Tax Pressure is over 75%.
š¹ Shoes of Swift Judgment
+15 Agility
+10 Movement Speed
Active Skill: "Step of the Enforcer" ā For 10 seconds, movement leaves behind ghostly ledgers. Anyone crossing them suffers -25% speed and vision blur. (Cooldown: 60s)
š¹ Accessory: Compliance Badge (Left Lapel)
+20 All Attributes
Unlocks passive HUD overlay to track top 10 debtors at all times.
Reveals illegal EXP inflows and untagged stat injections.
š SET BONUS: "Tax Authority Embodied"
Wearing full set grants: āŖ +10% Tax Collection Rate āŖ +25% success chance to convert Delinquent targets into Taxbound Servants āŖ Enables [Emergency Ledger Override] once per day: Stuns all marked targets in range for 5 seconds and forcibly reveals all hidden assets.
[ System Intervention Compensation Rewards: ]
Skill Name: Red Notice ā Article 15 Detainment
Type: Active
Additional Item-Bound Skill: Silk Tie of Red Notice
Cooldown: 60 seconds
MP Cost to Reset Cooldown: 35 MP
Range: 75 meters (AoE or Targeted Mode)
"By decree of systemic audit and confirmed violations, the following entities are to be detained pending judgment."
š Effect: Immediately activates Chain of Accountability on up to 3 [Marked] targets who meet all of the following criteria:
Under Mark of Debt
Have been flagged by Ledger View for illegally injected or unaccounted EXP/stat gains
āļø Judgment Countdown: 15 seconds During this time:
Target is [Immobilized]
Cannot teleport or use escape skills
EXP and Skill Gain is suspended If the target fails to pay owed taxes or resist the audit protocol by the end of the countdown:
ā Auto-Trigger: Dimensional Seizure Cell Detainment They are forcefully imprisoned pending full judgment (e.g. Account Reset, Permanent Sealing, or Debt Servitude).
Ben's smile widened, a slow, predatory curve that stretched across his face. This is it. This was the true power. He could now detain suspects flagged for illegal crimes without having to wait for the Final Notice to trigger, or for the emergency defense protocol to activate. This was proactive enforcement. This was order.
The full set automatically equipped on Ben, a seamless transition that felt both alien and natural. The familiar black suit shimmered, transforming into a deep navy blue, the fabric feeling impossibly light yet strangely dense. His old, dusty tie dissolved, replaced by a gleaming golden one that seemed to hum with subtle energy. On his left lapel, a shield-shaped golden badge materialized, embossed with the symbol of the Scales of Guilt. He felt a surge of power, a profound sense of rightness.
From his perspective, the world seemed to sharpen, the chaotic movements of the orc horde now appearing almost in slow motion, their levels and potential debts highlighted by a faint golden glow. He was no longer just a man in a suit; he was the System's embodiment.
He confidently walked out from the dust cloud kicked up by the Orc Chief's attack, his new attire gleaming. The Orc Chief, who had been surging forward, suddenly held out a massive hand, halting the scrambling orcs behind him. His eyes, filled with murderous intent a moment ago, now narrowed, a flicker of raw, primal fear and something akin to awe entering them. He felt an immense, suffocating pressure emanating from the human, a cold, unyielding force that hinted at extreme danger.
Jordan, still on the ground nearby, groaning and trying to push himself up, was stunned. His eyes, blurry from the shockwave, widened as he saw Ben's new appearance. The suit, the golden tie, the badgeāit was like watching a drab accountant transform into a divine arbiter. He just casually walked towards the orc horde, a single man against an army.
The Orc Chief's booming voice cut through the tense silence. "What did you do to my son, human?!" His stance was still aggressive, but there was a tremor in his voice, a hint of caution. He knew, instinctively, that engaging this being in a direct fight would ultimately lead to their demise.