Chapter 17 of 100
Chapter 17
14 min read3,434 words
Even when not playing the game, Alpha took the time to learn about the basic mechanics of *Dungeons & Dragons*. One of the key aspects he focused on was the concept of "proficiencies," which are passive enhancements that strengthen a character's class features. Proficiencies cannot be taken lightly.
Through various sources, Alpha managed to gather a lot of information about proficiencies:
For example, proficiency levels can be as high as twice the character's level. When the proficiency level matches the character's level, it can no longer be increased by adding proficiency points; instead, it can only be improved through practice, such as reading. For instance, if Alpha is level 10, his proficiency can only be increased to 10 through points, and any further improvement must come from practice.
Alpha noticed that his "Knowledge Proficiency" is displayed as 10+1, indicating that the additional level gained through reading is not subject to the point limit. This means that even at level 11, he can still add one level to his "Knowledge Proficiency," bringing it to level 12, without wasting his practice.
Another aspect of proficiencies is their effect, which is not quantified by a specific number. In *Dungeons & Dragons*, the effects of proficiencies are the most realistic. For example, Qin Yu can feel that "Jumping Proficiency" makes him jump higher and farther, and "Dexterity Proficiency" makes his movements more agile and swift, but there is no specific metric to measure the exact enhancement; it is more of a feeling.
"Knowledge Proficiency" is somewhat different. It is impossible for a player to remember everything they read, so the game provides a form of assistance. When a player encounters knowledge in a specific field, "Knowledge Proficiency" automatically provides relevant hints, acting like a portable encyclopedia that can be referenced at any time.
Additionally, the level of "Knowledge Proficiency" can restrict the use of certain special items. For example, a book that requires "Knowledge Proficiency" 20 cannot be read if the player's "Knowledge Proficiency" is only 19, regardless of how simple the book might be.
These game elements are not too difficult to understand. Alpha, who was a beginner, quickly grasped the basics after doing some research.
After playing the game for the morning, it was time to prepare lunch. Alpha disconnected from the game.
—That girl should be waiting outside the door, right?
Sure enough, as soon as Qin Yu sat up in the connection pod, he saw a small figure outside his slightly open door. As a man living with a young girl, there was no need to lock the door; the idea of a night attack was a joke. Qin Yu would be more than happy if Wen Xiaodao came over to molest him at night...
Cough, cough, that's a different story...
Wen Xiaodao had indeed been waiting for Qin Yu. When he stood up, he saw the girl sitting on a stool by the door, wearing a light pink tracksuit. Her fair skin, combined with the outfit, made her look even more delicate and beautiful. It was hard to describe her natural beauty; whatever she wore made people feel itchy inside.
Perhaps due to her circadian rhythm, Wen Xiaodao was yawning with her hands supporting her cheeks. Her long eyelashes fluttered as her eyes struggled to stay open, and her ponytail swayed with each yawn.
"Did you stay up late again last night?"
"Ah... no, no,"
Wen Xiaodao quickly stood up when she noticed Qin Yu was awake. She rubbed her eyes, wrinkled her cute little nose, and said shyly,
"Just a bit sleepy, I'm used to it..."
Qin Yu resisted the urge to pinch her rosy cheeks and sighed,
"My friend said he can't be your inside man..."
"Oh, it's okay..."
Wen Xiaodao's hopeful eyes dimmed, and her head drooped slightly. Qin Yu found it amusing and quickly added,
"But he said he can help you by bullying 'League of Legends' when he acts as a Paladin."
"Ah, bullying?"
"They are enemies of the guild 'League of Legends,'"
Qin Yu explained with a smile,
"Ah, ha ha, really! That's great!!"
Wen Xiaodao jumped up, laughing and jumping around the living room. Qin Yu laughed and crossed his arms, his mischievous side showing again,
"According to the plot, shouldn't you hug me and give me a kiss, then we both turn red and feel awkward?"
"You wish, I have a boyfriend, who would turn red with you?"
Wen Xiaodao made a face, and Qin Yu was taken aback. He shrugged and didn't say anything. Wen Xiaodao immediately realized she might have said something wrong, feeling a bit down. She fidgeted with her fingers and said softly,
"Thank you, though..."
"Heh, no need to thank me,"
Qin Yu chuckled, and Wen Xiaodao stopped laughing and jumping. The two fell into an awkward silence, just as Qin Yu had said.
Qin Yu didn't seem too awkward, but Wen Xiaodao was definitely very awkward.
"Alright, let's do this. Once you're in the game, see if you can join his guild.
—Now, I'll go cook. How about stir-fried minced beef with spicy rice for lunch? Authentic Yunnan spicy rice."
A man can quickly shift the awkward atmosphere to a topic of interest, especially when it comes to food. Qin Yu's luck was good because Wen Xiaodao was indeed a foodie, with a fighting spirit that could rival a fourth-generation fighter jet. The topic of food worked very well.
"Okay,"
Wen Xiaodao nodded and ran back to her room, her face showing an indescribable expression. Qin Yu thought about it for a while but couldn't pinpoint it. It was a mix of embarrassment, guilt, and a hint of fear.
Fear of what? Afraid he would get angry and force himself on her?
"Has a boyfriend, huh?"
Qin Yu muttered to himself, still wearing an indifferent expression. He shrugged, picked up the spatula, and went into the kitchen...
...
...
The dish was delicious, stir-fried minced beef with spicy rice, a famous snack from southern Yunnan.
—Fresh southwestern specialty spicy rice (a type of flavorful chili) mixed with garlic, cilantro, and stir-fried with beef that was 70% cooked and half-fat, half-lean. Each bite was a burst of flavor, leaving a lingering aroma in the mouth.
The rice was also excellent, a specialty from the northeast of Ice City.
—Cooked with the right amount of water, the grains were translucent and elongated, fragrant even before it was served.
Unfortunately, the meal was eaten in complete silence.
The foodie girl still had two bowls of rice, but she kept her head down and didn't say a word.
Qin Yu watched Wen Xiaodao, who was awkwardly enjoying her meal, taking small bites. He found it amusing, but there was nothing unusual about her behavior.
Perhaps, buried in her bowl of beef, Wen Xiaodao didn't realize that Qin Yu had already figured everything out.
After the meal, Qin Yu washed the dishes as usual, and Wen Xiaodao didn't feel right helping.
While working, Qin Yu instructed Wen Xiaodao to join the guild "Maple Snow Capital" in the game. She responded with a thank you, and the awkward lunch, or rather, Wen Xiaodao's one-sided awkward lunch, came to an end.
Qin Yu didn't tell Wen Xiaodao that he also played *Dungeons & Dragons*. Wen Xiaodao, who didn't know what "Lun Bai" meant, assumed Qin Yu didn't play games.
Since he was only level 10 and couldn't help Wen Xiaodao much, Qin Yu didn't want to contact her in the game too early. He planned to reach out when he could be of more use.
—After all, they lived under the same roof, so a little time in the game didn't matter.
Returning to the church library, Alpha faced the remaining 20,000 books that needed to be organized, and he had to select some for reading.
To be honest, anyone would be depressed, but only Alpha, the oddball in Lancelot's eyes, could see this task through.
Yes, Alpha was determined to finish this task...
This time, Alpha picked up a book written in Elvish, *The Voice of the Forest*, which told the story of the miracles of the forest goddess Eilona, who protected her followers.
Eilona, the goddess of the forest, is the patron deity of rangers and druids. Rangers' skills like "Animal Companion," "Eagle Eye," and "Survival Instinct," as well as most of the druids' nature-related divine spells, require faith in Eilona to be mastered.
This deity is one of the more important ones in *Dungeons & Dragons*, and there are many religious texts about her. Alpha had read several of them.
As he finished the last story, where Eilona turned a group of goblin loggers into a raccoon, Alpha received a notification: "Elvish language proficiency is now full; further reading will not increase proficiency."
Similar to the notification he received about the full theological knowledge of the goddess Waukeen, this gave Alpha hope for "Language Proficiency."
Seeing the steady increase in "Language Proficiency" and "Knowledge Proficiency," Alpha felt more confident about completing the S-rank task, which he had already upgraded to at least SS-rank through reading data.
As for the unprecedented scene of a level 10 weak mage staying in the so-called newbie village for a month, Alpha didn't give it a second thought...
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