Intelligence

'Over 300 experience points can improve your martial arts, Wonder Item Crafting... or Spirit Pressure.'

Sulu, feigning sleep, stared at the skill section of his Attribute Panel, quickly thinking: 'Upgrading Wonder Item Crafting requires 150 points, and upgrading martial arts requires 160 points, but martial arts increases attributes. Spirit Pressure is out of the question... not urgent right now.'

To be honest, Sulu was very interested in the ability to create Curio.

The awkward thing is, he didn't have enough materials, so even if the level was high, it wouldn't help.

While martial arts don't increase spirit, the boosts to other attributes are still quite considerable.

Spellcasters are vulnerable to melee attacks. If Sulu can overcome this weakness, he'll be able to smear anyone who dares to try and decapitate him!

'I'm so conflicted...'

Sulu had a toothache.

After advancing to the second tier of a class, experience points are significantly reduced, so it seems necessary to retain some experience points to guard against unexpected situations.

Since improvements can be made on the spot, there's never any fear of wasting time.

The train rumbled into the station.

Sulu got off the train with his suitcase, looked at the somewhat familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar Nia City, remained silent for a long time, sighed, said nothing, and left the station directly.

I studied and lived here for four years, and it felt like this was my true 'hometown' after I traveled back in time. But as soon as I finished university, I had nothing left.

Oh, he did manage to snag a shop, but that belongs more to Rhode.

He didn't go to the shop or the abandoned factory.

According to what Rhode taught them, these two 'locations' have already been exposed and can no longer be considered secret.

Although he wasn't a wanted criminal, having his whereabouts completely exposed to the Bureau 11 was not a pleasant experience.

night.

Sulu hailed a carriage and arrived at Zorro Street, inside an underground boxing ring.

It seems that the liking to watch bloody battles among one's own kind is an innate, dark trait in humans. Almost every city in the Federation has illegal venues like underground boxing rings, which are said to be quite successful and have formed a large-scale operation.

You never know which well-dressed gentleman or dignified lady might be in the stands during the day, amidst the hysterical roars, waving betting tickets, and tearing at their collars.

After exchanging the password and entering the boxing ring, a terrifying roar immediately swept over them.

The match has begun. Inside the cage, a small boxer is already fighting against a burly man as big as a Black Bear.

Sulu could tell at a glance that this was unrestricted combat; apart from the lack of weapons, nothing was prohibited, and there were no weight classes or other restrictions.

When they actually fight, it's absolutely brutal, with every punch landing and every kick drawing blood, making it extremely entertaining to watch.

"Kill that little dwarf!"

"Black Bear! I believe in you!"

"Don't lose, little guy, I bet you!"

Outside the iron cage, the audience roared wildly, waving betting tickets and spewing a barrage of profanities.

Sulu felt as if he had entered a modern heavy metal bar; the deafening noise made his heart pound. He frowned and said to a security guard next to him, "I'm looking for Old Dog!"

Old Dog is the manager of this underground boxing ring, though he's only publicly acknowledged as such.

Therefore, taking advantage of the venue and the protection he received, he operated a large number of shady businesses and maintained a fairly good reputation.

As Rhode said, "Those in this line of work are Greed, but if they don't have a good reputation, they'll be taken down long ago."

He had come here with Rhode a few times before to supplement his materials, so the security guard recognized him and, without asking any questions, led him to an office behind the boxing ring.

After closing the door, the noise level dropped considerably.

"Hey! Isn't this Rhode's brother?"

Behind the desk sat a wealthy businessman with a greasy, balding head. A smile often played on his lips, but it lacked any sincerity; he looked more like a smiling fox.

Upon seeing Sulu, Old Dog stood up. "It's been a while. What are you here to buy? Materials? Weapons? Or intelligence? I'll give you a discount!"

He was someone who vaguely knew about the ' Inner World ' and held Rhode and Sulu in great awe.

"I've come to pick up the letter! And while I'm at it, I'll buy some intelligence!"

Sulu completely ignored any talk of discounts or similar offers.

To believe this unscrupulous merchant is to be an idiot!

It's already good enough that the other party didn't sell it to him at a higher price.

Even the fear of extraordinary power cannot change the fact that the other party is a businessman.

"Oh, right! And a letter!"

Old Dog opened a drawer, rummaged through it, and pulled out three letters. "These were sent through special channels and have absolutely never been opened. You can check them!"

"Three seals?"

Sulu took it and examined the sealing wax.

In reality, this wasn't really necessary, since he and Rhode always communicated using secret codes.

"Three letters, three Silver Eagle, Stephen will take it!"

The Old Dog smiled and squinted its eyes.

Sulu tossed a Gold Dragon directly over. "Has anything unusual happened in Nia City recently since that gallery incident?"

"If you put it that way, there really is! Would you like a drink?"

Old Dog picked up a glass of beer filled with hops.

Sulu gave him a disdainful look; the white hops in his glass almost filled two-thirds of the glass. "Thanks, but no thanks!"

"Ah... young people!"

The Old Dog took a sip of beer. "Bill Abel is dead!"

"Bill? That coal merchant?" Sulu pictured a servile businessman in his mind. "How did he die?"

"Suicide! He jumped from the roof of his own company building during rush hour. It even made the headlines! It caused a huge uproar... After all, the other person's business was thriving, and their relationship was going well. There was no reason for it," Old Dog replied.

Bill is a survivor of the last gallery incident, rescued by himself and Rhode.

'I can't believe... the curse has resurfaced so quickly?'

Sulu's heart skipped a beat: 'Could it be that the last blockade was completely ineffective?'

"And the others? You know what I mean, the more mysterious, the strangest events!" he continued.

"As for the others..." Old Dog grinned, "In a Redwood Forest in the West Suburbs, hunters have witnessed humanoid beasts..."

"There are rumors of a monster in Nisbo Lake... but that's been going on for years, and there's only one blurry photograph as evidence."

"Besides that, there's a rumor that's strangely started circulating in high society..."

The Old Dog's smile widened, revealing his black and yellow teeth. "This will cost extra!"

"What rumor?"

Sulu nodded in agreement.

"Regarding... an oil painting, it's said that anyone who sees it will be cursed, which has caused great distress to many gentlemen and ladies, but has also greatly improved my business."

The Old Dog finished his beer.

'As expected... the terror Expansion.'

Sulu's face was grim: 'Are the local Church of the Goddess of Light and the Federal Bureau 11 both useless?'