Chapter 142
He completely conquered this instance, even risking a direct confrontation with an evil god. If the reward isn't generous, it's likely we'll be back to the days when Bloodthirsty Red Moon was being targeted.
Upon closer inspection, it's actually quite interesting.
Having more specialization points than enhancement points is not a loss but a huge gain, because the latter can be obtained directly from dungeons and used immediately after acquisition. Just like Yuki's Hunter's Blunderbuss this time, which played a decisive role in the final battle.
However, aside from mission evaluations, Yuki has never even seen any specialization points.
Six specialization points, exceeding the total from my previous two missions combined. Wait a minute, if I gave me Hayasaka's and Senpai's specialization points in the Demon Hospital, wouldn't that make six?
Yuki didn't feel like she was at a disadvantage. Even though the Reincarnation Game would target specific identities and missions, she wasn't too upset with the two of them around.
There's no need to gamble on Oreki Houtarou finding her; with her special ability activated, where in the entire Yadu Town can't she go? Hayasaka Ai just transform directly—won't she make a fool of Pan Zi and his gang like monkeys?
There were some setbacks, but at least this time, acting alone, I didn't waste any time.
Yuki felt a sense of relief. If he only got an S-rank, it would be better to fight alongside his senior; at least the process would be more enjoyable.
He stopped thinking about the information he had just acquired. How should I put it? Like Shiina Hiyori, this game has no shortage of players who can spot problems, but very few who can actually solve them.
"There is only one way to solve this problem, and that is through power."
Before the other players returned, Yuki brought up the panel and glanced at it, his heart filled with excitement.
[Hunter's Double-Barreled Musket, Transcendental Grade (Level 4) Weapon, Forged Twice]
[Demon-Breaker Longsword, Chaotic-grade (Level 3) weapon, forged three times]
[Remaining Specialization Points: 6]
[Residual Reinforcement Points: 3]
[Players unlock comprehensive combat power evaluation permissions]
Upon reaching the end, Yuki paused slightly, realizing that new privileges had indeed been unlocked after the third dungeon.
The first instance is the team system, the second is the Player Forum, and the third is an overall combat power evaluation?
That's true. Surviving three dungeons already makes you a true veteran player. By bartering items on the forum, you start to build the basics of your combat power. Without reference materials, you wouldn't know how to become stronger.
Also, when bragging, you need to mention the formidable opponents you've defeated to provide a point of reference. After all, who understands descriptions like "very strong" or "extremely strong"?
By concentrating, Yuki found the explanation.
[This evaluation only assesses the player's current strength, including traits, items held, and all skills, without considering third parties or objective factors such as the environment.]
Yes, it does only apply to individual players. The power systems in the Reincarnation Game are incredibly diverse, unlike those in cultivation or fantasy novels which are confined to a single framework.
Yuki nodded subconsciously, acknowledging the scientific basis of the concept; the Reincarnation Game had different characteristics, items, and skills, as well as varying player styles.
Mai Sakurajima can't even beat Thomas back then, so can you say she's weak?
A player maxes out their physical attack, capable of cleaving the earth with their Limit, then encounters a ghost immune to physical attacks. Who would be stronger?
"So this thing is for my own eyes. If I show it to others, it's to prove my value, regardless of my style, that my abilities have at least reached a certain level."
[Evaluation begins at the Extraordinary level, with each stage divided into Levels I, II, III, and IV.]
Oh, it's still so simple and straightforward, and this 'extraordinary' level isn't exactly the same as the physical strength rating.
A player with only 'extraordinary' physical strength can at least guarantee a minimum level of security; well, that's very friendly to melee fighters.
[Assessment begins.]
Yuki felt a surge of exam-like anticipation, and after a few seconds, he heard a response.
[Player Yuki, your rating is Extraordinary IV]
Well, that's the answer I expected.
With physical attributes as a minimum, coupled with bloodline skills and Chaos Item, and a combination of Reconnaissance, close-to-mid-range combat, and energy reversal, in a one-on-one duel, no one in the dungeon could match him.
Even the crazed Clown was killed.
Now comes the final stage, 'Transcendental Grade'.
Yuki glanced at his watch; there was still a little over a minute left. It was a rare moment of peace and quiet, so he decided not to wait any longer.
Since the combat power system had already been established, he no longer needed to think for a long time as before and could start strengthening it directly.
"Six specialization points, which can be split into two groups: four to enhance physical attributes to 'Transcendental Grade level', and two to raise traits to LV3."
Yuki didn't really want to improve his traits, but it would be foolish to hold onto two specialization points and not use them.
As soon as he finished speaking, he clearly felt the infusion of power. If reaching the extraordinary level meant surpassing the Limit of humanity, then 'Transcendental Grade' meant transcending the realm of humanity.
Without needing any special effects, Yuki felt a qualitative change in himself. He pulled out Glock pistol, aimed it at his thigh, and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Gunshots rang out, but no blood gushed out. Two fingers were held in front, pinching the bullet, causing the metal pellet to dent.
With excitement on his face, Yuki leaped up again. Without any reference points, he felt like a bird soaring into the sky. He hovered in the air for a few seconds before landing, bending his knees slightly to release all the force.
His eyesight, reaction time, strength, and speed all improved in an all-round way, which made him deeply understand the meaning of 'Transcendental Grade':
Transcendental Grade.
It's no exaggeration to say that with his physical abilities alone, Yuki could easily kill three players (excluding Smoker) in a random dungeon.
It's an absolute qualitative leap, and the difficulty is also quite high. Even for an S-rank mission rating, it takes two full dungeons to accumulate four specialization points. How many players dare to hold onto them and not use them?
It takes at least four to five dungeons to accumulate enough specialization points to achieve a level 4 trait when compared side-by-side.
The number '5' seems to be a dividing line; no wonder the Tyrant said this was a veteran player.
Yuki received another piece of intelligence, clenched his fists, and fully enjoyed the pleasure brought by the power.
"But I only used three instances, so even if someone is ahead, I can still catch up quickly!"
He suddenly gained strong confidence, and that wasn't all; he then split his six specialization points into smaller units.
[The Vestment of the Unknown (LV.3), one memory storage space, draws a front-facing Mystic Code, cooldown: one dungeon cycle.]
Oh? It really is a qualitative change.
What annoys Yuki this characteristic is its unpredictability. Given his personality, he doesn't like to gamble on the spot, because there's no time to make a proper plan.
Who waits until the fire is raging before starting to plan? Shouldn't this have been arranged long ago?
"The cooldown period doesn't matter at all. I only need one card, and then I'll plan around that card when the dungeon starts."
Yuki nodded in satisfaction, but hesitated slightly regarding the three enhancement points.
Whether it's upgrading Reinforcement Magecraft to Master level or improving Bloodline Skills, I'm still missing one.
He already possessed a Bloodline Object, and bloodline skills had become his foundation. There was nothing to hesitate about; Yuki's current strength was formidable enough to warrant waiting.
Anyway, you don't need to wait until the next dungeon to get upgrade points; you can just trigger random quests during the intermission.
Keep it.
Having made his decision, Yuki waited with great interest, and soon received a reassessment of the game.
[Player Yuki, your rating is --]
[The Transcendental Grade 2].
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Return (First Update)
Player: Yuki (Simplified)
Physical Strength: Human (Transcendental Grade)
Storage space: 2 cubic meters
Ego Trait: Unknowner's Mystic Code (LV.3), one memory storage space, draws a positive Mystic Code, cooldown: one dungeon cycle.
Equipment: Demon-Breaker Longsword +3 (Chaos Grade), Impact Hammer (Chaos Grade), Quiet Dew +1 (Chaos Grade), Hunter's Double-Barreled Blunderbuss +2 (Transcendental Grade)
Transcendental Grade Skills: Vitality Shift (Mastered), Reinforcement Magecraft (Excellent)
Bloodline Skills:
Demon Possession (Mastered): Demon Eye, Demon Heart (Normal)
Enhancement Points: 3
Specialization points: 0
Overall rating: The Transcendental Grade II
This is the simplest and easiest-to-understand template. Yuki already knows the descriptions of Chaos Item by heart, while ordinary skills such as gun use are hidden, making it more concise.
It represents a significant step forward from the original, addressing the shortcomings of high attack but low defense, as well as the lack of ranged attacks. Of course, Yuki can only be considered a mid-to-close range attacker, Taiyi archers Hayasaka Ai.
"Transcendental Grade, finally stepped into the Transcendental Grade."
Yuki muttered to himself, even feeling a surge of desire to launch a counterattack, but quickly patted his forehead to calm himself down.
While increased power is certainly welcome, we must not forget why we are pursuing power in the first place. If we were simply pursuing strength for the sake of strength, we would have succumbed to the temptations of evil gods long ago.
I want to seek the truth and solve the problem; power is merely a necessary means.
He took a deep breath, calming his restless heart completely, and slowly turned his head, witnessing a miraculous scene.
Time is up.
In the pure white space, it was as if an invisible pencil was sketching out the three figures, and Yuki was looking at a super-fast sketch.
So this is what returning players look like.
He saw a depiction of a figure missing a leg, which was then filled in by a 'paintbrush'. This was the 'medical' system of return. No wonder Pan Zi didn't give up on himself after losing his physical body.
As long as you survive and complete the main quest, even if the player is reduced to mincemeat, won't the paintbrush still recreate your original form?
Sketching, then coloring, and soon three living people stood a few meters away from Yuki. But seeing the essence of the return, it all felt somewhat unreal.
Oreki Houtarou, Moon Bow, and Rick returned. Only the three of them were there; the other two groups of players were nowhere to be seen, and their fate was self-evident.
While they were still in a daze after their return, Rick touched his leg, marveling incredulously. He clearly remembered being severed by the Black Sword, yet there wasn't even a scratch on it.
Just then, they heard a familiar voice.
"Well done, you really got them taken care of."
The three of them were startled at the same time, and looked up to find that Yuki was standing perfectly fine in front of them.
"You... how did you come back ahead of schedule?" the girl asked instinctively, somewhat incredulous.
Oreki Houtarou's eyes flickered; he had already guessed the answer, "The Judge's side quest is completely complete, so he's returning ahead of schedule?"
"Yes, thanks to your help, I wiped out the entire church." Yuki didn't mince words; he was telling the truth.
The player and the dungeon have equal roles; the player is tied up by them, so he only needs to focus on fighting the dungeon. Judging from Rick's broken leg, this battle will not be easy either.
Pan Zi is finished, but that Black Sword is by no means weak; it's at least as good as the Clown's.
"It's just a matter of mutual benefit. We weren't teammates to begin with, so there's no need to be so polite." Houtarou spoke the truth, revealing a faint smile. "Two against two, the process was a bit tortuous, but the result was very good."
"Hey, there are three of us!" Rick shouted, reminding everyone. "I'm not human! Am I even human?"
Yuki looked over, thought seriously for a moment, and said, "You only count as 0.3, and Miss Moon Bow can barely count as 0.7."
0.3, 0.7, is such precision really necessary???
Rick immediately shut up, while Moon Bow, who was considered more than half a person, gave a cold snort, as if he didn't care about the other's evaluation, and simply sat down on the spot, covering his forehead.
She was exhausted, having been torn apart three times by the Soul Hound, each time with the excruciating pain of her brain being ripped apart. The other two remained silent, recalling the fierce battle they had just fought.
Rick, wielding Chainsaw Sword, relentlessly pursued her with his special Soul Hound, chasing her all over the place until she was too exhausted to even shoot an arrow. Meanwhile, Oreki Houtarou engaged in a one-on-one duel with Black Sword, using every trick in the book.
Seeing their post-traumatic stress disorder-like expressions, Yuki couldn't laugh. He had experienced something similar before, but being underground, he had no idea how fierce the fighting on the surface was.
"Thank you for your hard work, but we are the winners. Taking such a high risk will inevitably bring considerable rewards." Yuki thanked him decisively.
Nonsense, why would we work so hard to help you if there weren't high returns?
Oreki Houtarou muttered a complaint under his breath, but after receiving a prompt from the murmured voice, he stopped caring about such trivial matters.
Everyone listened to the whispers, and then, including Moon Bow, everyone was filled with surprise.
As expected, the surviving believers gained the evil god's 'favor' after the church was wiped out. If he hadn't been a player, he would have become a new saint by now.
The Undercover work was also very successful. Except for not confronting the evil god directly, they cracked almost all the church's secrets. Of course, they also hitched a ride on the 'believers'; much of the intelligence was not obtained by themselves.
I relied on them for cover, and they benefited from my efforts to improve their evaluations. What kind of Human Centipede is this?