Chapter 42

Chapter 16: Provocation

Among the fourth-level spells, the spell that demon hunters originally favored the most was Stoneskin.

Stoneskin: Summons a layer of rock skin that can resist bludgeoning, slashing, piercing, and cutting damage. Effect: Absorbs 10 points of damage per level (maximum 150), reduces 50% of the damage from weapons below the level of a holy artifact (Starlight), lasts for 2 hours.

Not only can it absorb damage, but it also reduces 50% of the damage from weapons below the level of a holy artifact (Starlight). It is indeed an invaluable defensive skill. However, the problem is that a demon hunter with only 16 Constitution can only cast one fourth-level spell! If they choose Stoneskin, after using it once, they can only stand there and take the beating, which is not what demon hunters want! Therefore, despite being envious of the defense and special effects of Stoneskin, the demon hunter still had to choose the more powerful Fire Wall spell.

As for the third-level spell, Rage, there's nothing to say about it. The +1 to Strength and Constitution, along with the +1 to Will saves, is simply too good! It's the perfect choice for melee combat! If it could be combined with the feat Vampire Touch, it would surely produce unexpected results.

"Ye, congratulations!" After carrying Pachi out for treatment, the giant man returned with a box in his hands and placed it directly in front of the demon hunter: "This is the special equipment for an Apostle..."

The box was quite large, but inside there was only a black windbreaker and a card representing the identity of an Apostle-level demon hunter—the proof of an Apostle's status in various demon hunter branches, which also serves as the most important proof when receiving rewards.

The giant man's change of clothes did not include a coat, so Ye Qi placed the identity card in his inner clothing and put on the black windbreaker.

Apostle Windbreaker (Starlight): Made from special materials, it has excellent defense and can even resist small-caliber gunfire at close range.

Although it has no special effects, Ye Qi couldn't help but smile when he saw the system's evaluation of the black windbreaker and the sense of fulfillment from placing the identity card on his chest.

This windbreaker could sell for tens of thousands on the black market, right? Apostles are indeed different from ordinary demon hunters; just from this windbreaker, one can see how much the headquarters values Apostles! This is the benefit of having great power!

"New Apostle Ye Qi, for the next year, the Central Castle, Tower of Knowledge, and Tower of Combat will be fully open to you..." The cold-faced man's tone remained icy and rigid: "Also, as a new Apostle, Ye Qi, you must protect the Demon Hunter Guild and ensure the guild's..."

"I am happy to serve!"

Ye Qi bowed slightly.

With rights come obligations!

Ye Qi had no complaints about this. There's no such thing as a free lunch. When he receives the convenience that comes with the title of Apostle, it is inevitable to pay a little within his capabilities. Moreover, only when the Demon Hunter Guild becomes stronger and more stable will his title of Apostle be more useful, creating a virtuous cycle. Of course, this contribution must be within a bearable range, such as sacrificing his life, which Ye Qi would not consider.

After reading the rights and obligations of the Apostle, the cold-faced man ignored Ye Qi, nodded to the giant man beside him, and left. Ye Qi was also happy for him to leave quickly—after seeing how the cold-faced man had tricked Pachi, Ye Qi had already understood that this seemingly cool and handsome man was definitely the type who would seek revenge and kill without mercy. Staying with such a person, one would have to keep one eye open even while sleeping, or else they wouldn't have enough lives to survive, and they might be killed without knowing when or how...

So, it's better to stay away!

"Ye, there's a practical class today!" The giant man explained excitedly: "You are now an Apostle, but you still need to undergo a year of systematic training, with three days of practical classes each week being the most important! Not only will we instructors guide you, but many famous Apostles will also serve as sparring partners..."

Perhaps only someone as simple as Ted could become a friend of the cold ice block, Nofa. Others should stay away...

Seeing the giant man excitedly waving to him, Ye Qi shrugged and followed.

...

The Tower of Combat, like the other five towers, is tall, but unlike the other five towers, it only has three floors—the first floor is a hall, the second floor is an arena, and the third floor is a combat arena.

Except for the third floor, which is only open during headquarters' competitions, the other two floors are open to all Apostles at any time, and even to demon hunters. After all, combat is the most important theme for demon hunters.

Amidst the deafening cheers, Ye Qi followed the giant man into the second-floor arena.

"Great!"

"Go for it!"

"Get up! Don't give up!"

...

Clearly, when Ye Qi entered, a match had just ended. Originally, he shouldn't have cared, but when he saw the person lying on the stage, he stopped—this was a new Apostle who had greeted him enthusiastically that morning, now lying there with a face covered in blood.

"The new Apostles of this batch are too weak! To dare come to the arena with such skills!" The opponent, bare-chested and wielding a copper staff, laughed wildly: "Ha ha ha, this place is dangerous, you should go home and drink milk!"

"Jagos, well done!"

"Great hit!"

"Newbies, go back to your mothers and drink milk!"

...

Standing behind Jagos, the Apostles from the previous batch joined in the laughter and shouted wildly.

Establishing authority?

The demon hunter standing below the stage narrowed his eyes, his gaze flickering.

Amidst the wild shouting, Jagos became even more arrogant, looking at the opponent lying in the blood and spitting directly on his face...

"Roar!"

"Asshole!"

"Kill you!"

...

This action enraged all the new Apostles—since the first day in the assembly hall, they had all joined in to bully Pachi, and after being moved by the demon hunter's words, they had formed a vague alliance. Later, at the suggestion of a small person and organized by a large person, they drank until they were drunk, and in the following week, they entered, studied, and practiced together, quickly building a strong friendship among these originally unfamiliar new Apostles.

The rebellious nature of demon hunters makes it hard for them to make friends, but once they recognize a friendship, it becomes a bond of life and death!

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

All the new Apostles jumped onto the stage, and the small person carried the injured and unconscious new Apostle back. The others followed the large person and surrounded Jagos in the middle.

Looking at the twenty new Apostles surrounding him, Jagos couldn't help but take a step back. Being surrounded by twenty new Apostles with fierce eyes and bulging veins, even a tiger would be scared to death. How much more so for Jagos?

However, to become an Apostle, Jagos had some skills. After taking another step back, he immediately said, "What? Newbies, do you want to gang up on me?"

"Gang up? Are you overestimating yourself? You're just a waste from the previous batch!"

The demon hunter suddenly jumped onto the stage, looking at Jagos with a cold smile.