Chapter 71

"………………"

Rod looked at the scene before him, completely at a loss for words.

This is really a nightmare!

Looking at the two statues before him, each over two meters tall, Rod drew a sharp breath. He gritted his teeth; now, Rod was almost certain that this damned palace was related to the Summoner Swordsman...

According to legend, the Summoner Swordsman was a mythical profession from ancient times, and players, as its sole inheritors, were supposed to reappear on the continent. Could it be that this wasn't just a line in the game to enhance players' uniqueness and superiority, but actually true? Was the Summoner Swordsman profession not specifically created for players but had always existed, and was even related to this Fasical Kingdom?

But now wasn't the time to think about such trivial matters.

"Mr. Rod!"

At that moment, Marin's voice came from behind Rod. When he turned his head, he realized that a golden barrier had somehow separated him from Marin. Marin was standing on the other side of the barrier, looking at Rod with unease.

It's still a solo test... not even allowing a helper.

Rod didn't think too much about it; after all, it was meaningless to do so now. What he was concerned about was how to get out of here alive.

There were four of them and only one of him. If they were going to bully him with numbers, then...

Let's go!

With this thought, Rod's face darkened. He took a half-step forward, raising his sword with his right hand in front of him. At the same time, bright lines appeared on his palm, spreading and extending over his body. Then, a magnificent summoning array appeared under Rod's feet. Two cards, one green and one red, began to spin and float beside him, followed by an eruption of flames and a whirlwind.

"———!!"

A black hound and a soul bird appeared, growling lowly as if to challenge the stone leopards.

But that wasn't all.

After killing the three spies, the experience gained from the level-up kills finally gave Rod a significant boost. The experience he had gained from the Pavel Cemetery mission had already brought him close to breaking through the 11th level. Now, with the level-up kills of the three spies, especially the spy leader, who, despite her young appearance, gave a substantial 2000 experience points, Rod not only broke through the 11th level but also reached the 12th level, advancing two levels at once.

It seems that level-up kills do have their benefits, but...

Rod glanced at the alarming wound on his left hand.

This kind of thing can't happen too many times.

Level up immediately!

Without hesitation, Rod quickly made his decision. However, the system message that appeared next made him pause.

[Experience Points: 3500

3000, Level Up, Talent Tree Unlocked, 2 Skill Points, Level 11]

[Experience Points: 500

4000, Talent Tree Unlocked, 4 Skill Points, Level 12]

2 Skill Points?

Rod instinctively wanted to rub his eyes, suspecting he was dreaming. But the "2" in front of him was real. How was this possible? Didn't players only get one skill point per level? Why did he get two? Had the system changed? Or was there a problem?

Although he was full of questions, Rod didn't hesitate. He could think about it later. If he died, he wouldn't have the chance to think at all. No matter what, these four skill points were real, so he might as well use them!

[1 Skill Point spent, Soul Resonance upgraded to Level 2 (Additional summonable spirit every 10 levels)]

[1 Skill Point spent, Soul Resonance upgraded to Level 3 (Additional summonable spirit every 10 levels)]

[1 Skill Point spent, Summon Master Talent Tree Level 1 Unlocked: Construct Harmony Level 1 (Fuses two spirits to create a new spirit, Fusion cost: 1 spirit)]

[1 Skill Point spent, Construct Harmony upgraded to Level 2 (Fusion cost -1 when the owner has a Soul Core)]

Rod extended his left hand.

In his palm was the Soul Core he had created from the necromancer he had killed. It lay quietly in his palm, with black mist swirling in the fragile-looking gem, as if struggling.

"Fusion!"

As Rod spoke, the summoning array under his feet became even more radiant. The soul bird and the Flame Hunter transformed back into cards, spinning rapidly and slowly converging in the center. The Soul Core in Rod's palm began to tremble violently, and black mist burst out, forming a ghostly-like entity that rose up. At this moment, the two cards, as if attracted by a magnet, collided suddenly.

"Whoosh!!"

The black mist expanded and spread, enveloping Rod. Seeing this, Marin, behind the barrier, couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise. Even the two statues and their stone leopards assumed a cautious attack stance, their stone swords now held in front of them, showing their alertness and caution.

In the black mist, a new card emerged, slowly floating into Rod's hand. It was a completely black card, with a centaur knight clad in heavy black armor on the front. He stood tall, holding a knight's lance, and his red eyes shone brightly from under his black helmet.

[Hunt Soul Knight (Dark Elemental Attribute): Ground-type fusion spirit, adds corrosion effect to attacks, Skill — Charge (Only the unyielding advance is the destiny of the centaur) Level 5.

Blessed by wind and fire, elemental protection, inherited traits.

No threatening attacks can harm its body, heavy armor trait]

Very good.

Holding the card in his hand, Rod felt a sense of relief. So, what's next...

Just as Rod was about to take action, another system message appeared.

What is this?

Seeing the system message, Rod raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. Although he already had several summon spirits, what puzzled him the most was this Holy Sword Deck. When the system forced a level-up, it did mention magic condensation, but Rod hadn't paid much attention to it then. Now, without him calling it, why did it appear? And wasn't magic condensation supposed to give him equipment? Why did it need to absorb a Soul Core?

But Rod knew that protesting was useless, so he didn't say anything more. After all, the Summoner Swordsman profession always had various issues, and he was well aware of that...

As the Soul Core in Rod's hand shattered and vaporized, a pristine Holy Sword card appeared.

What is this nonsense?

If this were in a game, Rod would definitely record it and post it on the forum for everyone to study. But now he couldn't do that, and the system message clearly didn't give Rod the option to say "no." So, are you choosing "yes" or "yes" or "yes"?

There's no choice.

Sighing inwardly, Rod chose the Moon Shadow Sword Technique, the only sword technique he could choose at the moment, which was much better than the initial one.

But the next message made Rod's eyes widen in delight.

Without hesitation, Rod quickly chose "yes."

A bright, dazzling light burst forth.

The black mist was pierced by the light, and the brilliance forced Marin to close her eyes. When the light finally dissipated and everything returned to calm, Marin opened her eyes, then covered her mouth in surprise, unable to speak.

Rod still stood in the same spot, motionless, but the scene around him was completely different.

A black, flame-burning hound prowled at Rod's feet, arching its body and growling at the enemy. A greenish-blue bird perched on Rod's shoulder, spreading its wings and staring sharply ahead. On Rod's left, a two-meter-tall centaur knight in black armor raised his massive, heavy lance, silently gazing ahead, his front hoof pawing the ground, creating a dull echo.

On Rod's right, a small, white figure stood up.

It was a girl.

With pristine white hair, a delicate and beautiful face, and a helmet that looked like fine feathers, her azure eyes were calm. She was fully armored, with intricate engravings on her armor that shimmered with a faint glow. The girl herself was like a drawn sword, exuding a sharp aura.

She raised her sword with one hand, her expression indifferent as she looked ahead.

"The Tenth Eternal Holy Sword — Star Trace, responds to your call, Master."

"Very good."

Seeing the girl, a flash of amazement crossed Rod's eyes, but he quickly nodded. Then, Rod raised the crimson longsword in his hand, pointing it forward.

"Then, let's begin."