This is called an investment

Sure enough, an old pirate like Lucas, who had spent years roaming the seas, had more tricks up his sleeve than the few skills listed on his panel.

Hemlock's [Terrify] effect lasted only half a second.

Ling Chu wasn't surprised. The skill's effectiveness depended on the target's intelligence, and Lucas had a full 23 points. Making a seventh-tier expert lose focus for even that brief instant in a life-or-death battle was already an exceptional performance from Hemlock.

Lucas ignored his slashed clothes. His gaze swept over Hemlock, his initial surprise gradually turning into an even keener interest.

"You can revive not only skeletons, but ghosts as well... Interesting."

He was already interested in all kinds of cursed objects and soul artifacts, and was passionate about researching other races and modifying living subjects.

Ling Chu could make the dead move again, even preserving their memories and complete consciousness from life. To him, the research value of that ability far surpassed even the experimental subjects on the third level, which had cost countless sea shells to cultivate.

When Lucas looked at Ling Chu again, his eyes were those of someone inspecting a rare specimen freshly delivered to his operating table.

Ling Chu found his stare deeply irritating. She twisted her wrist and sent the Death God's Scythe slashing at him again without mercy.

Lucas raised his short blade to block. Ling Chu didn't try to match his strength again. Their blades touched and immediately parted, and she used the force to sidestep half a pace before bringing the scythe down on him from the other side.

Her objective was clear now.

Since she couldn't beat him in a head-on contest of strength, she would use her speed and skills to keep him tied down.

"Lucas!!"

A voice filled with fury rang out