Chapter 250 - 162: Feney Envies Ali
Chapter 250: Chapter 162: Feney Envies Ali
Please select an Evolutionary Direction—
Evolutionary Path 1: Shifting Form I: Swap positions with your Clone. Can be used once per duration.
Evolutionary Path 2: Self-Destruction I: The Clone will self-destruct when taking fatal damage, about to disappear, or upon command, dealing massive damage.
Both of these Evolutionary Paths were quite impressive.
The first Evolutionary Path, Shifting Form, would greatly increase the skill’s utility and raise its ceiling.
With Shifting Form, the skill would gain a variety of new uses. If used properly, it would be excellent for both offensive pushes and defensive retreats.
The second Evolutionary Path, Self-Destruction, was equivalent to adding a small area-of-effect burst to the skill. As an Epic Skill, even as just an additional effect, the damage from Self-Destruction would be considerable.
’Is there an option to watch an ad and pick both?’
Lin Mo was truly torn. After much hesitation, he finally chose Evolutionary Path 1.
After all, he had plenty of damage-dealing skills, but a utility skill like Shifting Form was clearly more valuable.
’I’ll just have to level it up. Based on past experience, I should be able to choose the second Evolutionary Path once the skill reaches Level 4... I’ll just add Self-Destruction then.’
Speaking of which, his Invisibility skill had also gained a third chance to choose an Evolutionary Path after reaching Full Level.
Lin Mo had just been in a hurry to check out his new Epic Skill, so he hadn’t made the choice earlier.
This should be the final Evolutionary Path choice for Invisibility.
Please select an Evolutionary Path—
Evolutionary Path 1: Swiftness II: Movement speed increased by 15% while in Invisibility!
Evolutionary Path 2: Duration II: Invisibility duration extended by 30%.
Both Evolutionary Paths were at Level 2. Lin Mo thought for a moment and ultimately chose Duration.
Level 2 Swiftness only offered a 5% increase in movement speed over Level 1, which was less than the effect of a single Lightness skill.
’At this rate, it’s better to just add more invisibility time.’
After making his choice, Lin Mo couldn’t help but turn his attention back to the Shadow Splitting skill.
It was his first Epic Skill, after all. If there weren’t so many people around, Lin Mo would have been tempted to try it out right then and there.
Looking at the bustling crowd, Lin Mo shook his head helplessly. ’Better not.’
But speaking of which, there was another very obvious change that came with a skill reaching the Epic level.
And for Lin Mo, it was arguably bad news...
The Skill Proficiency required to level up the skill seemed to have increased.
Previously, a Level 1 skill required 10 proficiency points to reach Level 2, but Shadow Splitting was different.
[Shadow Splitting] Level 1 (0/20)
Twenty proficiency points. It had doubled.
This was actually quite reasonable. After all, common sense dictated that while higher-level skills were more powerful and provided better Attributes, they were also correspondingly harder to learn and master.
The proficiency requirement only increasing at the Epic level had already exceeded Lin Mo’s expectations.
Besides, it probably wasn’t just a simple increase in the proficiency requirement. Who knew what other changes there might be?
Like more options for Evolutionary Paths, for example.
Another point of concern for Lin Mo was that the proficiency gained from using an Excellence Level Skill to kill monsters below Level 1 was reduced. What about Epic Skills?
’The threshold is probably not just Level 1 anymore...’
Moreover, Lin Mo had long since heard of a piece of what was essentially common knowledge.
Professionals grew faster through combat and trials, and their Skill Proficiency was easier to raise. However, if the power gap between opponents was too large, these effects would diminish or even disappear entirely.
For example, what kind of trial would it be for a Level 5 Professional to bully Goblins that weren’t even Level 1?
Lin Mo felt that his Skill Proficiency system was probably different from that of a normal Professional. After all, so far, the proficiency he gained from killing Demons with Ordinary Level skills hadn’t changed. But there was no guarantee it would stay that way as his level increased. In any case, it was best to be mentally prepared. If there was no reduction, he’d consider it a win.
Pushing these jumbled thoughts to the back of his mind, it was time to check his current Attributes.
[Name]: Lin Mo
[Profession]: Warrior Level 4, Knight Level 3, Assassin Level 3, Mage Level 3
[Attributes]:
Strength: 41 (+14 = 55)
Agility: 35 (+17 = 52)
Constitution: 34 (+14 = 48)
Spirit: 12 (+4 = 16)
Magic Power: 39 (+8 = 47)
Fire Element Affinity: 25%
Thunder Element Affinity: 12.5%
Earth Element Affinity: 12.5%
Ice Element Affinity: 16%
In terms of Professions, his Warrior was at Level 4, while the other three were at Level 3. It was a fairly balanced development.
It had to be said, if Lin Mo had focused solely on leveling one Profession, like Warrior, he might have already stepped into the "Veteran" realm and reached Level 6 by now.
But even so, he wouldn’t necessarily be that much stronger.
His ability to tackle tough opponents might be slightly higher, but he would have numerous weaknesses.
In comparison, Lin Mo still preferred well-rounded development. It might be slower, but it was more solid, leaving him with almost no shortcomings.
The processing of the hunted beasts was complete. Since there were so many people, they opted for a self-serve approach. Anyone who wanted to eat could take what they wanted and cook it themselves. In any case, there was more than enough game to go around—they could barely finish it all.
Of course, the poor girls were an exception.
Thanks to the Healing Technique, their physical wounds had mostly recovered, but the cracks in their hearts would take time to mend.
Some of the girls were even pregnant with Goblin spawn. These issues would have to wait until they returned to Silver Stream City to be resolved.
There, an Alchemist would brew Potions to help them get rid of their troubles.
At the same time, the City Lord would likely provide some form of compensation for these afflicted girls...
Feney’s mother had always handled such matters well. He believed she would arrange things properly.
The Adventurers had cooked the wild boar into roasted meat and stew. They gave some to the girls, along with the white bread and cheese they had brought. The 21 survivors huddled together, eating and crying, finally releasing the emotions that had been building up for so many days.
Feney’s brow was tightly furrowed, her face filled with pain as she watched the girls.
Lin Mo walked to her side and patted her shoulder. He wanted to say something comforting but didn’t know how to begin.
To be honest, Lin Mo didn’t consider himself some kind of benevolent saint, but he possessed the basic decency and compassion expected of a human being.
The tragic sights he had witnessed firsthand, especially, were hard to forget...
’I have to get stronger.’
’Justice delayed may not be true justice, but it’s still better than doing nothing at all.’
’The Goblins, the shadowy nobles hiding in the background, and that Undead Mage—they all must pay the price for this!’
Lin Mo walked over to the Rock-Horned Bull and cut off a fine piece of tenderloin.
Although the meat was free for the taking, the Adventurers had been around the block and knew the unspoken rules. Those who were weaker or hadn’t contributed as much would consciously choose inferior cuts or meat from other beasts.
The better cuts were left for the more powerful Adventurers.
And as the undisputed MVP of this operation, the one who had turned the tide countless times, Lin Mo could of course take whatever he wanted. No one would have any objections.
He sprinkled some salt and spices on the prepared tenderloin and let it marinate for a bit.
Lin Mo started a small fire. While waiting for the beef to marinate, he looked over at Feney.
"By the way, Feney, does your family have any unused manors?"
Lin Mo had wanted to ask this several times before but had always forgotten. He finally remembered this time and quickly brought it up.
"A manor? I’m not sure, I’d have to ask my mother, but we should have one... Does Mr. Lin Mo need a manor?"
"Yes, I’d like to rent one for a while. Would that be possible?"
"There’s no need for that! If Mr. Lin Mo needs it, you can just live there."
Feney waved her hands dismissively.
Lin Mo shook his head. "You’ve already helped me out so much, I’d feel bad imposing any further. Let’s just rent it normally. If you want to help, you can just give me a slightly lower rent."
"Alright then..."
Feney could only nod, though she didn’t look happy about it.
Lin Mo had stated his reasons for refusal clearly, but in her eyes, it was no big deal—just a small favor between friends.
His constant politeness made her feel like there was some distance between them.
"Lin Mo, when can we start grilling the meat? I’m hungry~"
During breaks, Ali always liked to snuggle up to Lin Mo and take in his scent.
Of course, that was only because Lin Mo had already used the Clear Stream Technique to clean himself.
Otherwise, being covered in blood and sweat wouldn’t make for a very pleasant cuddle...
"Don’t be impatient. It’ll taste better if we let it marinate for a while before grilling."
Lin Mo affectionately ruffled her hair, his hand naturally finding and toying with her fluffy ears.
Ali’s ears twitched, clearly very sensitive, but she still actively nuzzled his palm, her eyes half-closed in comfort.
Watching Ali act so affectionately with Lin Mo, Feney suddenly felt a pang of envy.
’How nice... I wish I could do that too...’
She suddenly snapped back to her senses, a blush creeping up her face.
’What are you thinking, Feney! Mr. Lin Mo only sees you as a friend, and he and Miss Ali have such a good relationship. How could you...?’
A sense of guilt made the young woman bite her lip, berating herself inwardly.
Leaning against a nearby tree, Shefilya shook her head with a helpless sigh.
As the saying goes, the onlooker sees most of the game. From her perspective, her lady’s feelings were as plain as day.
This left her feeling conflicted.
On one hand, such matters were ultimately for her lady to decide. She was just a Maid and had neither the right nor the qualifications to interfere. Besides, while that boy could be infuriating at times, his personality and character were generally good, and his strength and talent were astonishing. Although he was previously a commoner and was now only a Third-class Baron by "Honor," he was, on the whole, worthy of her lady.
But...
Shefilya’s gaze fell upon Ali.
It was no surprise that such an outstanding man would be so popular with women.