Although there were individuals who used the Mana Bolt skill it was mostly just as a supplement After all no one had a large enough mana pool that it was feasible to train up the skill But as this woman raised her hands forked lightning shot out smashing into two ants and then each of those splitting into two more and then two more
32 ants collapsed dead from the move and 64 were sent staggering stunned by the electricity
With a pleased expression on her face the woman did it again clearing another huge swath of ants and then drank a blue potion from a flask
Like a well oiled machine the squad marched forward barely seeming to break a sweat as they ripped through these enemies that had kept the Freedom Fighters stumped
It was possible that a squad of their elites could have managed to do something similar at least for a time But they would quickly run out of Stamina and be stranded in the middle of an endless number of ants helpless Even Lucifer himself could only fight for a half hour or so before he needed a break
As Derek watched he realized their advantage was two fold First it was clear that leveling gave powerful bonuses to Health Mana and Stamina Otherwise there was no way they could do this
But the other advantage was professionalism Those small thrusts effectively killed the monsters but he suspected that they cost next to no stamina They were simply well equipped and efficient The Freedom Fighters couldn’t compare
Inwardly Derek felt a small tremor in his heart He had heard that this group came from the North These were likely their elites But even if they had several other squads like this
Just how powerful was the place that they came from
Karlito and the restaurant manager chatted excitedly at dinner their eyes becoming increasingly glassy as time passed Even Matilda began to smile as Raina told wild story after story her smile wide but her eyes always scrutinizing Randidly
Finally almost gently her smile disappeared like a mirage and she said coldly Matilda would you escort these two away Mr Ghosthound and I have something to talk about in private
Matilda her face settling back into a stony expression dragged the befuddled two men away leaving only Randidly and Raina in the room
She smiled at him So we are finally alone
Chapter 77
Randidly folded his arms his eyes narrowing The only reason he had remained this long was that he couldn’t set aside his nagging feeling that she would be incredibly useful to have on his side Even still he was still made nervous by
But then her shoulders slumped and her whole demeanor changed Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes
I I’m really glad I met you You are the first person you are the first person to really see me To see me Everyone else is just blinded by the skills and She sniffed and then looked at Randidly with an odd expression How attractive do you think I am Be honest
With his eyes fixed on the table between them Randidly was almost squirming Give him a sphinx with infinite mana any day This aspect of life was something he was simply never good at His experiences in the dungeon taught him how to act in life but never how to interact
Honestly Randidly said tentatively and Raina nodded He shrugged helplessly honestly rather plain your body is very Uh well endowed but your face Although that changes when you smile But I can’t be sure that’s not the skill
Raina leaned forward her hair swinging to cover her face The table was silent for almost a minute before she straightened a strange look on her face
That hurt more than I expected it to I’m not I mean that’s how I used to be but ever since the system came She shook her head seemingly very sad I’ve felt lost though unsure of who I was What I wanted to be What I had become Thank you you’ve helped me remember Plain ha
Raina stood her smile sad but still making Randidly want to smile back at her And ultimately that made him not trust her She put a business card down on the table
This is my address If you want we can talk again I’d really really like to talk again Please visit Then to Randidly’s surprise she leaned over and pressed her lips against Randidly’s cheek He stood still His perception had seen her coming and he had ample time to React and his Agility was so high that it would have been simple to evade her but he was simply surprised
Randidly had obviously had girlfriends before and sex but those had always moved slowly building over time This sudden kiss left him at a loss
What had him most stunned was that there was no familiar influence of her charm on him It was a genuine moment without a skill
Raina pulled back and they looked at each other for several seconds
Then she tried to smile but failed You you’re not going to visit are you
Randidly shook his head slowly This woman he could not trust her She left then Matilda allowing the other two into the room who looked with wide eyes at Randidly
Karlito was the first to speak Randidly man on your cheek that lipstick did Raina
Sighing Randidly stood and walked out into the night leaving the people behind Feeling annoyed he scaled a nearby apartment building quickly climbing 20 stories to the roof There he let out a long sigh
He really needed to work on his people skills If only the system had skills for that
A notification popped up a welcome distraction from his current annoyance
Congratulations Your Thorn Lvl 4 is ready to level up Due to diet and influence Thorn wonders whether he is a Lone Hunter or a Team Trapper
As mulled over these choices another notification popped up
Congratulations Your Arbor Lvl 2 is ready to level up Due to diet and influence Arbor wonders whether he is simply a Lonely Tower or a Pillar of the Community
Randidly narrowed his eyes at the timing It was strange enough that both were leveling at the same time due to the seemingly increased difficulty for his Soul Plants to level but they also both had similar references Were they developing a symbiotic relationship with each other
That didn’t sound right otherwise there would likely be more of a connection between the two levels Randidly supposed that without his presence both had been forced to be exposed to more humans Perhaps they were simply wondering what their purpose was in the grand scheme of things
This was a lot more likely for Arbor with its higher Brain Function but still
Because he wasn’t sure of the effects of either Randidly split the difference Arbor well all he really knew about the thing was that it was vain As such it seemed to make more sense that it would be a part of a community Meanwhile Thorn was designed to lurk and slaughter monsters which meant Randidly preferred it as a Lone Hunter
Satisfied Randidly made both of his selections
Thorn is now Lvl 5 Physicality has increased by 3 Brain Function has increased by 2 Particularity has increased by 1 Thorn has learned the skill Thorny Whip
Arbor is now Lvl 3 Magical Aptitude has increased by 1 Brain Function has increased by 1 Particularity has increased by 4 Arbor has learned the skill Aura of Arbor
Randidly looked at the ultimate results from the level ups slightly aggrieved
Lvl 5
Physicality 10
Brain Function 6
Particularity 9
Battle Ability 18
Special Skills Flexibility Strangle Dig Thorny Whip
Lvl 3
Magical Aptitude 4
Brain Function 8
Particularity 12
Battle Ability 2
Special Skills Elaborate Dance Aura of Arbor
Randidly shook his head Thorn’s level had gone how he had predicted and he was delighted to discover that his Battle Ability increased to 18 That meant that Thorn could handle himself around enemies at level 18 Average enemies at least
Meanwhile Arbor the soul seed he had never seen continued to focus its points in particularity earning the ambiguous Aura of Arbor’ It was probably useful but
Would it have killed the thing to grow a little in terms of Battle Ability
20 men left and 19 men came back led by a Dozer that had enough of a beard that the time he spent in the dungeon must have been a few weeks at least No one spoke as the men returned cutting a brutal path through the wandering monsters The men were covered in blood Several had several glittering high level weapons that they didn’t leave with The squad’s sole knight had two shields one on each arm rather than a sword strapped to his waist