Merit

Hearing the Black Bear Magistrate's explanation, Chen Lin pondered for a moment, then cupped his fists and asked, "Your Excellency, what use is Merit?"

He looked a little embarrassed as he added, "After the Scenario master appointed me, she left to wander the world. I haven't had a chance to learn about this Information."

The Black Bear Magistrate smiled and nodded. "If Princess Gege Yun thinks highly of you, Brother Chen, you must have exceptional qualities. Sooner or later, you'll soar to great heights."

He then explained, "Merit has countless uses. You could say it's the most important thing in the Nightmare Realm."

Chen Lin immediately said respectfully, "Please enlighten me, Your Excellency."

The Black Bear Magistrate waved a hand. "This isn't secret Information. Now that you're a Bailiff, you would have learned it sooner or later."

He began explaining at an unhurried pace.

"Merit's greatest use is raising your status rank. You're currently a lower third-class Bailiff, Brother Chen. Ten Merit will raise you to middle third-class, and another twenty will raise you to upper third-class."

After a pause, he continued, "Advancing from third-class to second-class takes fifty Merit. Reaching middle second-class takes seventy, and upper second-class takes a hundred. Advancing from second-class to first-class takes two hundred Merit!"

Chen Lin drew a sharp breath.

Raising one's status rank in the Nightmare Realm was far too difficult.

Killing a member of the Tianluo Race was hard enough, yet it awarded only one Merit. Even an Elite Tier member, someone a Void Refinement expert would not dare confront head-on, awarded only ten. It was pitifully little.

Yet raising one's status rank required dozens or even hundreds of Merit. Promotion would be no easy feat.

The Black Bear Magistrate went on.

"A First-Class Bailiff's status is already quite distinguished. Even Chief