Job Change Information

Morning light filtered through sparse branches, falling upon six identical bodies.

"Um..." West Number Clone scratched his head.

"Shouldn't we... find something to wear now? Even though our Attributes have improved, it's still a little cold being naked."

Everyone looked down at themselves, then at the Corpses of the mountain bandits on the ground.

Although some of the clothes had already been corroded by poisonous blood, there were always a few usable pieces.

Ten minutes later.

Lin Mo Main Body had changed into the most intact set of Leather Armor.

It had been stripped from the Bandit Leader. It was a little too large, but still better than rough cloth.

His upgraded physique allowed him to put on the armor easily, even though it might once have been too heavy.

The five clones had also each found something to cover themselves with:

Some wore cloth garments stripped from the mountain bandits, while others simply wrapped themselves in torn pieces of clothing.

Third Clone had it the worst. He had found only a pair of pants that barely covered his thighs, leaving his upper body bare.

"I think we need to complain about this game's loot drop system," Third Clone grumbled.

"Why can't clones come with beginner outfits? Especially upgraded Elite Clones like us."

"Be grateful," Clone Two said as he adjusted the bloodstained cloth garment on his body.

It looked somewhat tight on him now, since his muscles had grown larger. "At least we look... well, like a group of refugees with a bit of strength."

First Clone was counting the Spoils of War:

Seven knives, though all rusted; some copper coins; several pieces of dried rations; a wrinkled piece of parchment; and a small packet of herbs wrapped in oil paper.

Lin Mo picked up the packet of herbs, and a faint fishy sweetness wafted over.

Information automatically surfaced:

[Bloodline Grass: Low-grade Blood Replenishing Herb. Each plant can restore 10 points of blood essence. Must be crushed for external application or decocted for consumption.]

"Bloodline Grass? Good stuff!" Lin Mo's eyes lit up. "There are... six plants in total. They can restore 60 points of blood essence."

His blood essence was currently at 50/150. After using these herbs, it could recover to 110—enough to create another six clones.

"Put them away for now." Lin Mo carefully wrapped up the herbs and tucked them into his chest.

He then looked at the mountain bandit who had been knocked unconscious.

"Wake him up," Lin Mo told First Clone. "We need to hurry and get some important information."

First Clone scooped up some water from a nearby puddle and splashed it onto the mountain bandit's face.

The mountain bandit woke up coughing. The moment he opened his eyes and saw six identical men in mismatched clothing surrounding him, he was terrified out of his wits.

"Mon... monsters! You're mountain spirits!"

"Shut up." Lin Mo crouched down, idly playing with the poison-stained dagger in his hand. "I ask, you answer. If you dare lie..."

He pointed at the few Corpses beside them that were rotting away.

Seeing the miserable state of his companions, the mountain bandit immediately wet himself. "I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! Spare me, hero! Spare me, grandpa!"

Through the interrogation, Lin Mo learned the basics of the surrounding area:

The region they were in belonged to the borderlands of the Great Xia Dynasty. Due to years of war and harsh governance, bandits and thieves ran rampant.

The village ahead was called Black Stone Village. It originally had around a hundred households, but most able-bodied men had been conscripted to build the border walls, leaving only the elderly, weak, Women and Children.

These mountain bandits were outer lackeys of the nearby Black Wind Stronghold, specializing in preying on easy targets like this.

"How many people does Black Wind Stronghold have? How strong are they?"

"F-fifty or so. The Great Chieftain is a trained fighter. He served as a Border Army Squad Leader in his early years, and has now changed profession into a 'Valiant Soldier'..."

The mountain bandit said tremblingly, "The Second and Third Chieftains are both 'Roving Soldier' professions too. They're much stronger than ordinary bandits like us..."

Profession users!

Lin Mo's heart tightened.

"Changed profession?" Lin Mo immediately caught the key phrase. "You said changed profession? How does one change profession into a profession user?"

That was what he cared about most!

If he failed to change profession within the thirty days of closed beta Game Time, he would be erased.

The mountain bandit froze for a moment, seemingly not expecting that question. "Ch-change profession? Hero, aren't you already..."

He glanced at the faint golden Destiny Mark on the back of Lin Mo's hand, then suddenly realized. "You're a Destiny Holder?"

"Cut the nonsense and answer the question." Lin Mo pressed his dagger against the mountain bandit's neck.

"I'll talk, I'll talk! There are several ways for ordinary people to change profession."

The mountain bandit hurriedly said:

"The most common way is to go to the Profession Hall in the city, pay to have your talent tested, and change profession after passing the assessment.

But that's the official route, and it costs a lot of money..."

"What else?"

"Another way is... to gain insight in battle like our Great Chieftain did, or complete certain special tasks."

The mountain bandit swallowed. "I've heard some Secret Realms also offer opportunities to change professions, but those places are extremely dangerous..."

"How did those three profession users at Black Wind Stronghold change professions?" Lin Mo pressed.

"The Great Chieftain earned merit while serving in the border army back then and was rewarded with a profession-change scroll.

"The Second Chieftain found an inheritance while exploring an Ancient Tomb.

"As for the Third Chieftain... I think he killed some injured profession user, stole the other man's Profession Core, and forcibly fused with it. But there were side effects—he went berserk from time to time..."

Lin Mo exchanged a glance with the Clones.

It seemed there were quite a few ways to change professions, but all of them required either opportunity or strength.

Given their current situation, going to the city was unrealistic. They had neither money nor identities.