Cultivate Myself

'There's a ghost below.'

'Huh?'

'Keep an eye out for me.'

'Shari' didn't explain much. Ordinary people can't see supernatural phenomena. The power of the Harrier Guard affects them in a way that causes mental pollution. If the Harrier Guard is more brutal, killing people is normal.

So, ordinary people are better off not knowing.

After equipping the Ring of Death, Ryan felt it wasn't enough. He equipped the Blade of Erosion from 'Lin Qi' onto her. Unfortunately, the Black Gloves had too harsh an equipment requirement, so 'Shari' couldn't wear them.

Even so, 'Shari', who was only level 1, already had stats comparable to 'Lin Qi' at level ten.

"That's why everyone likes playing alt accounts. It's so satisfying to raise alts with your main account."

Just in case, Ryan transferred a few Steamed Buns and Roasted Chickens from 'Lin Qi'.

In the screen, 'Shari' went down the rope again.

"I wonder when those Blood Cult guys will make their move. I should finish exploring the map as soon as possible."

The Blood Cult had made a big move in the game. Ryan guessed that the people imprisoned in Cassola Prison were all sacrifices waiting to be offered.

However, he remembered that before the Blood Cult made their move, there was a war on the empire's border. Augus's neighboring country sent troops all the way to Berman City. In the end, the Protagonist Group turned the tide, helping Cassidy seize control of Berman City.

This meant that Ryan had time, at least until the Battle Report of the enemy invasion came in.

"It would be great if I could start as a Noble."

Ryan thought to himself.

There was a big difference between Nobles and Commoners.

Even though he had reached his current position, it was due to Cassidy and Jonathan's recommendation, plus Adler's behind-the-scenes push. If he had no background at all, he would only be a security soldier his whole life.

As far as Ryan knew, over eighty percent of positions in the city government and military were occupied by Noble factions. The remaining twenty percent were more or less connected.

Ryan estimated that he could at most reach the Director's position. This would depend on Cassidy and Adler working hard, and the Noble faction of Berman City giving face. But any higher, unless Ryan also became a Noble, there was no hope.

But if he had a Noble start, then promotions would be legitimate... well, as long as there was a suitable reason.

In the game Empress Online, there were actually many ways to become a Noble. However, many players did not choose to become Nobles because they preferred the protagonist to gallop among the young ladies and empresses as a Commoner.

If they became Nobles, they would prefer to play as Commoners.

Look at that strange way of thinking.

While lost in thought, 'Shari' went down the hole again, following the rope.

She immediately attracted the attention of the Harrier Guards upon appearing. Fortunately, Ryan was prepared this time. Mid-air, 'Shari' jumped directly from the rope, holding the Blade of Erosion and began to hack and slash.

"Quite a few of them. Good thing I didn't rush in earlier."

After 'Shari' jumped down, Ryan could finally see the situation below clearly. It was the end of a passage, with five Harrier Guards lingering near a treasure chest. Whether they wanted to take the treasure chest or proceed further, these Harrier Guards had to be cleared.

Swish!

The first Harrier Guard was eliminated. Rich experience allowed 'Shari' to level up immediately. Not only that, but a small light orb also dropped.

"The first monster dropped something? Is there a bonus for fighting monsters above my level?"

Ryan didn't go to pick up the item because the other four Harrier Guards had already surrounded him.

Immunity!

Fighting five at once was impossible. After all, 'Shari' hadn't transferred classes yet and only had basic attacks without skills, making her skill ceiling too low.

Taking advantage of the twenty seconds of Immunity, 'Shari' went all out, relentlessly hacking at one Harrier Guard.

Stab you to death, stab you to death, stab you to death, stab you to death...

The Blade of Erosion dealt high damage. After twenty seconds, 'Shari' had successfully killed two. The remaining two were dealt with while gnawing on Steamed Buns, and were eventually eliminated.

Three small light orbs dropped on the ground.

'Shari' walked over to loot the bodies.

[You have obtained Steamed Bun * 1]

[You have obtained Soul Jade * 36]

"Tch~ Just as expected."

[You have obtained the skill 'Swiftness'.]

"Huh?"

Ryan's eyes lit up.

"Good heavens, it finally dropped."

Ever since 'Lin Qi' had obtained the Swiftness skill while AFK last time, he hadn't obtained a second skill book.

"As expected, the drop rate for the Swiftness skill is quite high."

Ryan didn't plan to have 'Shari' learn this skill. He had taught it to 'Lin Qi' back then because he needed to nurture a main character. Now that 'Lin Qi' had a basic level of strength, he still intended to prioritize equipping himself.

He could learn skill books himself.

After tossing Swiftness into the Backpack, 'Shari' approached the treasure chest.

She opened it.

The dark golden treasure chest vanished from the Game Interface upon opening.

Ryan blinked, immediately understanding that this item must have been a special Existence refreshed by the game system's mechanics, much like monsters dropping loot. It was a special mechanism triggered by game characters.

And the people of this world likely couldn't see this kind of treasure chest, just as they couldn't see loot.

"Looks like treasure chests could spawn in other places too."

He'd have to keep a closer eye out in the future.

[You have obtained Soul Jade *500.]

[You have obtained Oath Shield.]

[You have obtained Skill 'Combo'.]

Three messages popped up, and Ryan's heart skipped a beat.

[Oath Shield]

[Quality: First Tier · Excellent]

[Effect 1: Constitution +2]

[Effect 2: Reduce damage taken by 10%.]

[Equipment Requirement: Constitution 12]

[Description: There has never been a peaceful time, only people who bear the burden for you.]

A First Tier extraordinary Equipment. Not bad, though not very suitable for 'Shari' to wear. This thing was clearly meant for Warriors. Jonathan would probably like it a lot.

[Combo (Passive Skill): When attacking a target, while in a consecutive attack state, the next attack's damage will stack by 10%, with no upper limit.]

"Fuck!"

Ryan couldn't help but curse.

A Combo skill!

A God-tier skill in the game!

Damage stacking with no upper limit, a must-have skill for dealing high damage.

"If I add a Super Armor skill... my dad's son would be invincible."

Although that's true, combo skills are great, but super armor is too difficult. Ryan never even got it before transmigrating.

So, who should learn it?

If this skill is used well, it's a divine skill, but if used poorly, it's trash.

After thinking for a moment, Ryan decided to put it aside for now. He could learn Swiftness, but he didn't need combo skills yet. There was no rush to use such a good item.

After putting things away, 'Shari' started walking towards the other end of the passage.

The passage was completely dark, and she couldn't see anything. She took out a lantern from her backpack and slowly felt her way forward with the light.

The situation on this level was completely different from the previous one. There were no prison cells, only crossroads one after another.

When she reached some intersections, she could even see skeletons on the ground. These were people who had died a long time ago. Ryan slowly recalled the situation here.

The Karut Maze was created by the same person who made Karut's Blade. As the name suggests, that person was named Karut.

The level below originally didn't exist and wasn't part of the Cassola Prison. That was until a guy named Karut painstakingly created a maze beneath Cassola Prison.

The reason he did this was actually out of respect for an enemy general who was imprisoned there at the time. Ryan didn't understand the love-hate entanglements, but if he were the leader, he would have just executed that traitor.

[When you step on this path, you enter the Netherworld.]

At this moment, a stone tablet appeared at a crossroads, with these words carved on it.

[You hear the Echoes of War.]

[Water the path you came with blood, forge a throne with the bones of the dead.]

[Are you ready to accept the trial?]

Chapter 43: Loyalty Needs No Words

"Trial?"

Ryan pondered slightly. He didn't seem to recall this part from his memories.

However, echoes were almost always tied to the existence of Deities. 'Lin Qi' obtained her hidden class and skills because she heard echoes.

"The official information states that the Blood God also represents war, but not in a beautiful sense like the God of War, but as a bloodthirsty, murderous battle."

Look at that. Watering the path with blood and forging a throne with bones—it doesn't seem like any decent god.

If the Priest of the Gate of Janus were here, he would probably curse loudly, calling it a 'Heretical Outer God.'

Before Ryan could react, the prompt disappeared again.

Since no options were given, Ryan didn't know what the trial was and could only take it one step at a time.

Just then, a cough came from the corridor behind him.

It was Edward's, his voice a little weak. After all, 'Shari' had walked quite a distance just now. If this place hadn't been empty, it wouldn't have been heard at all.

Ryan glanced up at the time. It was nine in the evening. Based on his observations of 'Shari's' situation over the past two days, the Blood Cult patrolled twice daily, at nine in the morning and nine in the evening, bringing food along the way.

The rest of the time was uncertain. Sometimes, when a Sacrifice was needed, they would randomly grab people from the cells.

'Shari' quickly retraced her steps. Since she hadn't gone far, she remembered the way.

After climbing back into the cell, she covered the hole with the mat.

She had just put away the Rope when someone arrived.

The timing was sufficient, after all, she 'lived' in the innermost cell.

Two members of the Blood Cult arrived. One carried a wooden bucket, and as they passed the cell, they casually tossed the bread inside. Ryan had seen this type of bread during his patrols. It was the cheapest Baguette, very hard and unappetizing, but it could fill one's stomach.

When they reached 'Shari's' cell, the other person, carrying a basket, unlocked the door and placed the basket inside.

"Eat up."

They left with those words and relocked the door.

"Wait."

'Shari' called out to them. "When will you let me out?"

The person sneered. "What are you thinking? It's good enough that we're giving you food. You're still thinking about getting out? Don't get any ideas. Just wait to serve the Blood God."

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't it obvious? Of course, you're going to be a Sacrifice..."

"Hey, you're saying a bit too much."

"It's fine. Anyway, can this guy still run away? Once Lord Hart is ready, our Blood Cult will finally have its moment of glory."