บท 24: Narrow Escape, Rich Rewards
After the battle with the Crimson Cloud Bandits, Tyler reaped substantial rewards.
Besides mastering the combat profession "Junior Assassin," he also gained numerous spoils.
First was the willow-leaf dagger favored by the bandit leader Wolf, small, delicate, and sharp, perfect for hiding in clothes for self-defense.
Next were some items: a "Magic Stone" that glowed when held, a wooden box containing a red gem, and some coins.
(Tyler: Silly Nissen, do you recognize the emblem on this box?)
(Silly Nissen: I've never been to this world before, how would I know about these things?)
Tyler found that even when he called the loli "Silly Nissen," she didn't seem to mind. Was it because she had become accustomed to it? Or had her attitude towards him changed after the bandit incident? Or perhaps the loli had a hidden masochistic side?
(Even the heart of a "god" isn't unchangeable.)
Actually, through the appraisal ability of the Divine Eye of Transcendence, Tyler already knew the names and basic information of the box and the gem but had not seen any explanation for the emblem. The box itself was merely a "Wooden Gem Box," with the description "carved from high-quality peach wood, with anti-corrosion and moisture-proof effects"; the red gem was shrouded in mystery, named "Pigeon Blood Ruby- Phylia," and its description read "the stone that brings both hope and disaster."
As long as he had the name of the gem, he could find out more information when he reached the town or city later. However, Tyler had no intention of doing so for now. Given the bizarre description of this item and the fact that it was a "dirty" object obtained from the bandits, Tyler thought that inquiring or selling it with his current power and status in this world might bring disaster upon himself.
(Heh, it's really consistent with the description.)
Having discussed extrinsic matters, the focus now shifts to the "changes" within Tyler himself.
Through the Divine Eye of Transcendence, Tyler could view others' basic information, a power he had used multiple times before. On himself, Tyler could additionally see "Status Information," "Skill Information," "Inherent Abilities" (Divine Eye of Transcendence), and "Soul Curse" (Purgatory of the Heartless).
Tyler
Life Energy 29/30
Endurance 6/23
Magic Energy 80/80
[Basic Information]
Male, 18 years old
Villager of Ira Village
Production Occupation -
Manufacturing Occupation -
Combat Occupation Junior Assassin - Lv3
"Status Information" included Life Energy, Endurance, and Magic Energy, data that Tyler had been consistently observing. Previously, when Tyler was trampled by Wolf in the bandit cave, his Life Energy dropped to 26/30, but later, as his wounds scabbed and healed, his Life Energy gradually recovered to 29. Tyler speculated that if his Life Energy reached zero, he would die.
Concerning Endurance, this value constantly changed according to Tyler's physical condition. Resting or sleeping could quickly restore it. When Endurance dropped below 7 points, or below 30%, Tyler would experience a distinct sense of exhaustion. He surmised that if his Endurance reached zero, he might faint.
As for Magic Energy, the value had not changed; however, after Tyler acquired a "Combat Occupation" and "Skills," the purpose of Magic Energy became clear.
The Combat Occupation "Junior Assassin" was not merely a title. Tyler had noticed that bandits with the "Bandit" occupation were stronger in terms of strength and stamina than "regular, strong adults." This was particularly evident in the higher-level combatants like Wolf and Igor. After Tyler acquired the Combat Occupation, he distinctly felt his constitution improve, with the best evidence being his maximum Endurance increasing from 20 to 23.
Furthermore, Tyler simultaneously mastered "Skills" when he acquired the Combat Occupation.
Before today, Tyler's Skill Information only displayed "Skill Slot: None." Now, it displayed:
=====
Skill Slot: 1 / 1
Skill One: Deceiver - Lv1
Proficiency: 0 / 100
Skill Description:
1. During activation, enhance persuasive effects on the target. When persuading, apply a positive modifier of +1. Consume 5 Magic Energy points per second while active.
2. For every second a skill is activated, proficiency increases by one point.
=====
Regardless of combat occupation or skill, their types seem to be related to Tyler's method of defeating the Crimson Cloud Bandits. Furthermore, another aspect that intrigues Tyler is the appearance of numerous numerical values within the explanatory information. While numerical values themselves are not unusual, as they can represent a person's height and weight, it is peculiar that even an individual's life energy can be quantified. Could everything in this parallel world be calculated through numerical values? If so, what are the rules governing such calculations?
(Is this "Prison Star" world truly a tangible reality?)
(I must find a way to unravel the rules operating behind this world...)
·
As the night was refreshingly cool, the villagers of Ira Village, seeking refuge in the hilly area east of their village, trembled in fear.
It was not the chill of the night that made them shiver, but the ever-looming threat of the Crimson Cloud Bandits.
"Chief! We should flee farther away!"
"Yes! Just hiding here isn't a solution!"
The villagers expressed dissatisfaction with Chief Woodall's strategy, their complaints growing louder. Woodall remained silent, gazing towards Ira Village, as if waiting for something.
In the crowd, Avril clasped her hands tightly, praying fervently to the Benevolent Deity, hoping Ira Village could survive this catastrophe, and that Banning, whose whereabouts were unknown, would be safe and sound.
However, as time ticked away, the pitch-black hills were eerily quiet, and the slightest rustle caused the villagers to be on edge, fearing danger at every turn.
Soon, the villagers' fear of the unknown transformed into dissatisfaction with the village chief. As the voices questioning him grew louder, Daed and Beeken led the charge, hurling insults at Woodall.
Under immense pressure, Chief Woodall reluctantly revealed the truth about their refuge that night: they were not hiding, waiting for the bandits to plunder the village and leave, but for Banning to repel the bandits and inform them.
"What? Banning? Isn't that kid missing?"
"Chief, have you lost your mind? What can Banning do against the bandits?"
The villagers were immediately in an uproar, unable to fathom that the village chief had placed the village's hopes on an enigmatic youth. After all, even a hundred Bannings wouldn't stand a chance against the Crimson Cloud Bandits!
"Listen up, everyone! The chief's gone mad; let's keep running!"
"Yeah! How could Banning possibly take on the bandits?"
"Wasn't he the one who fled to our village after Luca Village was attacked?"
The villagers grew increasingly analytical, and just as the situation was about to collapse, Mary the villager stepped forward, completely dismantling the trust they had in the village chief.
"Think about it, everyone. Banning arrived only a day ago and ran off in the night. Then, the very next day, the bandits came. Isn't it clear that he led them here? If you ask me, Banning is in league with the bandits! Chief, he's fooled you!"
With these words, the villagers could no longer stay. Daed and Beeken, the brothers, grabbed their belongings and ran towards the mountains. With their lead, the other villagers followed suit, fleeing one by one, ignoring the village chief's desperate cries.
"Don't run... please, don't run... everyone... it's dangerous in the mountains at night..."
Watching the villagers disappear into the distance, the 48-year-old Woodall helplessly fell to his knees and cried like a child. At that moment, someone approached and patted him on the shoulder.
"Chief, can you explain to me exactly what happened tonight? This morning, didn't you say Banning had already left?"
Only Avril hadn't fled with the others, her eyes still filled with hope for someone's return.
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