Azure Scepter

The dwarf snorted, plucked a hair from his few remaining locks, and then reached towards the fog wall.

"boom!"

The dwarf's hair exploded like fireworks!

A strong, putrid stench filled the air.

In the blinding flash, the dwarf's face turned deathly pale. He muttered in shock, "Just... just a moment ago, everything was fine?"

At the same time, the white fog wall suddenly emitted a strange blue light.

"The alarm has been triggered. It seems the trigger condition is multiple activations within a short period of time," Trier thought. "Now we really can't get out. The Silent Whisperers' patrol team should be here soon."

"How are things over there?" the dwarf's wife asked.

The blacksmith succinctly told his wife, "It exploded!"

"What exploded?"

Blue light shot from the point where the dwarf's hair exploded all the way to the top of the curved surface, the cobalt blue lines clearly visible.

“This is an alarm,” Fythia stated, stating an obvious fact.

"By the Radiance, Mr. Trier, please think of a solution!" Hult shouted anxiously from outside the Fog Wall.

The paladin remained silent, his anger burning within him.

He stared at the mist that shimmered with blue light, making no outward movement.

"Since we can't get out, we'll have no choice but to fight it head-on."

He glanced at the 7300 experience points and silently thought, "Add some points!"

[XP-800]

[Paladin lv1→lv2!]

[XP-1400]

[Paladin lv2→lv3!]

[XP-3200]

[Paladin lv3→lv4!]

[Based on your main profession upgrade, you have gained 2 free attribute points]

[Based on your main profession upgrade, you have gained 1 Faction Point]

[Based on your primary class and Intelligence modifier, you gain 15 free skill points.]

The illusory light curtain unfolded like mercury spilling onto the ground, and Trier took a deep breath.

[You have gained the supernatural ability "Holy Healing" based on your main class upgrade.]

[You have gained the special ability "Immune to Disease" based on your main profession upgrade.]

[Acquire the skill "Divine Perception"]

[You have acquired the class skill "Intimidating Rebuke"]

[You have acquired the class skill "Oath of the Enemy"]

[You have gained the ability to cast spells]

[You gain an additional Holy Oath spell based on a Divine Oath]

P.S.: Posted a bit late.

I recently caught a cold and am feeling dizzy and having trouble concentrating...

Chapter 17 Paladin

"Invest all two free attribute points into Strength," the paladin silently recited to himself.

[Strength 11→13]

A surge of intense heat erupted from my chest, then exploded into unbearable pain. The bones in my chest creaked, and every muscle fiber in my body felt as if it were being pulled, torn, and trembling.

The excruciating pain assaulted his senses, blurring his vision. Trier heard his own heartbeat amidst the distant ringing in his ears.

"Boom, boom, boom."

Having already experienced the "bone and blood extraction" ritual, he remained silent and did not even tremble. He only briefly lost focus before regaining his concentration.

The paladin took a deep breath, and the excruciating pain of tearing muscles transformed into an indescribable surge of power with the contraction of his chest. He clenched his right fist, even having the illusion that he could clench it infinitely.

Beaver Town is now teeming with undead, and dealing with massive hordes of undead requires both Slash and End Slash. Mastering Slash requires Power Slash, and in the game, anyone needs at least 13 Strength to acquire the Power Slash feat.

Since the decision has been made to confront the Silent Society head-on, such investment is essential.

"Choose powerful attacks as your specialty."

[Mighty Strike: A powerful slash! Sacrifice hit chance based on your base attack bonus for extra damage. When wielding two weapons, this feat provides 1.5x extra damage.]

Trier was quite confident that he could now cleave the ghoul in two with a single strike, even without using the Holy Slash. His combat skills were already quite high, so hitting his opponent was not difficult for him, and this damage-enhancing feat was very helpful in combat.

"Invest all your skill points into the Orco Cross Sword Technique."

"Orco Cross Sword Technique 0→15".

Trier glanced at his remaining 1900 experience points and decided to max out his background profession as well.

[XP-50]

[Gentleman lv2→lv7]

[Your background profession level has reached the maximum (Gentleman 7/Trained Militia 3)]

[You have gained 15 general skill points]

[You have acquired the background perk: Gentleman (Southern Duchy of the Kingdom of Orko)]

[Gentleman (Southern Duchy of the Kingdom of Orko): As a low-ranking nobleman in the countryside of the Kingdom of Orko, you are quite accomplished in negotiation and knowledge (heraldry). Negotiation +2, Heraldry +2.]

[Background Profession (Special): You gain an additional 2 points of Negotiation Skill when negotiating with members of the Roland family.]

"No negotiation skills are needed, and Harlan is quite easy to persuade," the paladin thought.

He also invested the newly acquired 15 general skill points into the Orco Cross Sword Technique.

In a game, improving weapon skills would grant more sword-fighting assistance, but Trier wasn't quite sure what effect this would have.

—[Your skill level in any swordsmanship category has reached 30 (Mastery)]

[Gained Personal Specialty: Sword Weapons (Mastered)]

[Swords (Mastery): Through long-term training, you have gained considerable expertise in using swords. You are adept at using, but not limited to, daggers, short swords, long swords, half-swords, and two-handed greatswords, making it easier to hit your opponents and knowing how to inflict greater damage. (Bonus hit rate and damage bonuses)]

"Good heavens," Trier thought.

He drew his longsword from his waist, casually twirled it, and immediately understood the weapon's center of gravity and weight.

"Is someone coming?!" The dwarf was startled by the sudden act of drawing his sword.

The paladin remained silent, gripping the hilt of his sword. The cold touch of the metal slowly melted away with the warmth of his palm, as if warm blood flowed through his hand into the entire blade and then back into his body.

Trier had a strange feeling, as if only a few seconds had passed, and he had gained a completely new perspective, an introspective perspective that allowed him to see the weapon as an extension of his limbs.

"This time I'm really going further and further down the path of a melee-focused barbarian," Trier thought to himself. "However, survival is the priority, and these are all necessary upfront investments."

"Now I can cast spells without relying on rituals. Let me quickly use Holy Healing to give myself a boost."

With this thought in mind, he put away his weapon and took out the Holy Emblem.

[Holy Healing: Your touch is overflowing with blessings and can heal wounds. After sufficient rest, you can restore the health and strength of living beings through touch; the extent of restoration depends on your paladin rank.]

A milky white halo gradually gathered on my fingers, fluttering and swirling like snowflakes. A relaxing, warm, and dry feeling filled the air, instantly dispelling the putrid smell with the comforting scent of sunshine.

Trier released Holy Healing on his left arm. As his right hand touched his left arm, the bruise on his left arm suddenly felt a tingling numbness. Then the tingling numbness was replaced by a gentle warmth, as if a warm stream of water was flowing over it.

Under the halo of light, the bruises miraculously disappeared without leaving even a trace.

If it weren't for the lingering phantom pain in his brain, Trier would have even doubted whether he had actually been kicked by a ghoul yesterday.

A warm current flowed down his left arm and into his internal organs. The paladin felt a dryness and itchiness in his throat and coughed violently. With each cough, he vomited up blood plague maggots that had already turned to ashes.

The putrid smell from the bone and blood extraction ritual dissipated, and even the soreness caused by the increase in strength disappeared.

Refreshing!

Since his transmigration, Trier had never felt so clear-headed and energetic. The constant pain and nausea had completely vanished.

As his physical condition improved, he even felt that the oppressive feeling that had been hanging over his heart like a dark cloud had dissipated considerably.

[Health Status: Moderate Injury → Healthy]

[Physical condition: Weak → Full of energy]

"The effect is incredible." He took a deep breath, the fresh air invigorating him.

"It's time to uphold justice!"

Two minutes ago.

"They can't get out, don't you understand? Those undead are coming soon, we have to get out of here quickly!" The dwarf's wife looked anxiously at the logging camp behind her, where some wandering figures could be vaguely seen in the ruins.

"But..."

"No buts!" She grabbed the young soldier by the collar. "You need to make a decision! Don't hesitate!"

Hult looked hesitantly at the soldier in the guokui (a type of helmet).

The soldier remained silent, as still as a broken pillar.

"We carry the hopes of the town. We're going to Eraf to find reinforcements. If we get caught by the undead, it's all over!" The hand gripping the collar was so tight that it even started to turn white.

"Martha, are you leaving me?" The dwarf's voice came like a ghost from the other side of the fog wall.

“No, my dear, it is not I who have left you, but you who have left me—Lady Elf, please tell us the location of the Princess, and I will complete the mission, I swear.”

“But, Lord Trier…” the young soldier’s voice betrayed his hesitation.

“He’s terrified.” Martha looked at Trier, who seemed to be staring into the void, and instantly came to a conclusion. “Darling, you two hurry back to the hotel, those cultists will be here soon! I’ll bring people to rescue you! Hang in there!”

“You’re just selfish,” the soldier with the guokui (a type of flatbread) suddenly spoke up. “You’re afraid of encountering the undead and can’t wait to get out of here.”

"Or are you going to stay here and wait to die?" Martha sneered. "You finally got out of that place. If you want to go back, you can go back yourself!"

The argument escalated, and within seconds, the conflict reached a tense standoff.

The dwarf's wife left the group without hesitation and walked alone down the dilapidated path.

“She…she…how could she do this?” The dwarf stared in disbelief as his wife’s figure disappeared into the horizon. He was first shocked, then felt a sense of absurdity, and finally he clutched his head in anguish. Then he grabbed his hair and pulled it out hard—his already sparse hair was almost gone.

A sense of absurdity, betrayal, and an indescribable resentment welled up in the blacksmith's heart, and despair washed over his thoughts like a tidal wave.

He loved his wife, but when he encountered danger, she abandoned him without hesitation.

He could barely think!

"We can't wait any longer!" The elf's voice suddenly exploded in his ears like a thunderclap.

The dwarf shuddered and instinctively looked at Fythia.

The knight-errant's expression was calm, but his tone was resolute and filled with convincing power: "Hult! The princess is here..."

The elf quickly explained the investigation team's location, the code, and important notes.

"If possible, please tell the princess to be careful of Bishop Vercingetorius of the Church of Radiance—you must report this in private, and be careful about the timing."

The young soldier on the other side of the fog wall looked bewildered, which made Futia a little anxious.

"Why...why?"

“He has ties to the cult that creates the plague. I found relevant documents at the shrine here.” Futia’s tone was kind. “If you understand, just repeat it.”

As the young soldier repeated his account, the blue light flashing on the fog wall became increasingly dazzling.

Without realizing it, Fatiya reached for the black ribbon around her waist, her sister's last keepsake.

She came to Olco to find her missing sister, and now that her sister has indeed been found, she will probably have to stay here as well.

She appeared calm and composed precisely to conceal her inner unease.

"Sunset Sage, please bless me so I can succeed in my revenge!" Futia thought, "Although I've never sincerely prayed to you..."