Chapter 110: Rapid Progress
「A stone forest in the Hot Spring Mountain Range.」
"SHFFK!"
A giant Light Saber tore through the air, precisely slicing into several Flaming Scorpions and ending their lives.
Although "Scorpion" was in their name, this common Demon Beast of the Hot Spring Mountain Range was much larger than an actual scorpion.
An adult Flaming Scorpion was typically half a meter long. Its tail was highly venomous, and if one was stung, a large amount of venom would be injected instantly, making it difficult for an ordinary person to survive.
Fortunately, these creatures were quite conspicuous and made noise when they moved, so they could be spotted with enough caution.
"Take these scorpions back. That’s all for today’s training," Duane ordered.
The two Guards accompanying him quickly stepped forward to collect the scorpions.
Although the Flaming Scorpions were venomous, the Guards would chop off their tails when collecting them.
The Fire-attribute Demon Beast Meat carved from their bodies was one of the ingredients for the Fire Source Beast Bone Soup.
To be honest, the Guards had initially been afraid to drink the soup, fearing it was poisonous. But after seeing others become Basic-level Warriors because of it, they were all fighting to drink it.
But things were different now.
While the benefit of thirty free bowls still existed, the Guards’ pay didn’t increase directly after their breakthrough anymore.
If they wanted a raise, there would be an assessment at the end of the year.
The assessment criteria considered various factors, such as strength, attendance, and mission completion.
However, even if they passed the assessment, Basic-level Warriors no longer received the previous pay of nine Silver Coins a month. Instead, the concepts of Militia, Basic Private, Private, Private First Class, and Special Forces had been introduced.
Even a Private First Class only earned a salary of seven Silver Coins and fifty Copper Coins per month.
Only by reaching the rank of Special Forces would one’s pay exceed the previous standard of nine Silver Coins a month for a Basic-level Warrior.
Although the Guards who had broken through to become Basic-level Warriors felt it was a pity, they all accepted it.
For one, they had joined late and missed the golden era.
Secondly, they had received so many benefits from the Baron—food, drink, training, and that Extraordinary Soup Medicine that helped restore stamina and increase Strength. These were things money couldn’t buy.
Some of the more conscientious ones, like John, even felt that the Baron shouldn’t be paying them at all.
Duane sheathed his Longsword and sat down on a nearby rock. While waiting for the Guards to clean up the spoils, he opened his attribute panel.
It was now the end of September, nearly three months after the harvest season.
During this period, aside from spending a small amount of time resting and increasing the Skill Level of his "Leisure" Skills, Duane had spent the rest of his time engaged in high-intensity combat in the Hot Spring Mountain Range.
As a result, the Skill Levels of many of his Skills had broken through.
Basic Staff Skill went from nonexistent to Skilled, and he had already taught it to Kaelon and the others to pass on to the Militia;
Basic Brewing and Hot Spring Mountain Tea went from Entry to Skilled;
Basic Shield Skill went from Mastery to Perfection, and he had obtained the Combat Technique "Holy Shield Barrier," which could only be learned at the Human Tier;
Basic Painting, Cyan Snake Breathing Skill, and Delicious Fish Soup went from Skilled to Mastery.
Among these, the greatest progress—and what he had grinded the hardest—was with those seven Combat Techniques.
For example, Breaking Army Slash, the Combat Technique he had just used to kill several Flaming Scorpions, had now successfully reached Mastery.
The remaining six Combat Techniques had also reached Mastery one after another before today.
All seven of the newly learned Combat Techniques had been grinded to Master Level by Duane!
In addition, Fighting Qi Slash had reached Perfection.
Besides the reduced Fighting Qi consumption and increased power, a Perfection Level Fighting Qi Slash now also carried a flame-like burning effect when executed.
One had to understand that for an ordinary Warrior to imbue their Fighting Qi with special properties, they would have to become a Shooting Star Warrior—unless they had a special bloodline like Simone or practiced a specific Breathing Skill.
This was because Shooting Star Warriors had completed the steps of drawing the Heaven and Earth Elements into their bodies for Body Tempering, which was how attributed Fighting Qi was born within them.
But Duane had no special bloodline, hadn’t learned any Fire Attribute-related Breathing Skills, and was certainly not a Shooting Star Warrior. Yet, his Fighting Qi Slash had a burning effect, which was extremely rare.
Duane had verified that his other Combat Techniques didn’t have this effect; it was unique to Fighting Qi Slash.
This meant that it was the "Perfection" level that had granted the burning property to Fighting Qi Slash.
Of course, while it was certainly powerful, it was far from being ridiculously overpowered.
These days, the successive breakthroughs in so many Skill Levels had brought Duane a total of 7.8 attribute points. Adding the 0.5 points gained from drinking Hot Spring Mountain Tea, it was a grand total of 8.3 attribute points!
The farmers had welcomed their harvest season, and Duane was now welcoming his own.
After spending all these attribute points, his Strength Attribute had increased to 23.8!
His strength now surpassed Gaius’s, and he even dared to challenge Raymond and Simone.
He couldn’t say for sure if he could win against those two; after all, they were both special individuals capable of defeating opponents of a higher level.
But at the very least, Duane was confident he wouldn’t be easily defeated.
In fact, there was a high probability he could win.
The Mastery Level Cyan Snake Breathing Skill had enhanced Duane’s grappling power. When he wrapped his arms around an enemy, his strength was so immense he could bend Armor and even crush a Warrior’s sternum!
Combined with the Mastery Level Swift Step and the explosive Storm Fist, Duane’s burst power was terrifying.
It was very likely that Raymond and Simone couldn’t withstand a full-power strike from him.
However, Duane didn’t publicize this fact, nor did he seek them out for a spar.
Only Kaelon on the entire island knew his true level, which was why he was willing to let a single Guard Squad accompany Duane instead of going himself.
’A Strength Attribute of 23.8. That’s 8.8 points above the minimum for an Advanced Warrior, and I still haven’t broken through.’
The leap from the Ordinary Realm to the Tier Realm was a major one. For most people, becoming a Human Tier Warrior at twenty-one was considered excellent; many others would be stuck at this step for years.
Reflected in the numbers, this meant the Strength Attribute requirement to become a Human Tier Warrior was high.
Duane clenched his fist. He could feel the abundant power within his body.
He could also clearly sense that the Qi Sea in his abdomen was on the verge of being successfully formed.
’It only took 5 points of Strength to go from Basic to Middle Level, and another 5 from Middle to Advanced Level. It must take 10 points to go from Advanced to Human Tier.’
’In other words, I probably won’t be able to add any more points once my Strength Attribute reaches 25.’
’I’m probably still 2 attribute points away from a breakthrough.’
Duane scanned down his list of Skills, his gaze finally landing on "Basic Manufacturing."
The Skill Level for this skill had reached (Mastery 356/400). If he went all out making things like wooden staffs and tracks for a while, it shouldn’t take long to break through.
Once it reached Perfection, the breakthrough plus the Enlightenment would grant him a total of 1.5 attribute points.
If he then leveled up his Basic Forging, which was still at the Initial Level, he would be just about ready to become a Human Tier Warrior.
Generally speaking, becoming a Human Tier Warrior at the age of 21 was considered quite excellent.
If Duane broke through this year, he would be a sixteen-year-old Human Tier Warrior.
If King Eric knew he had such talent, he probably wouldn’t have let him leave.
"My lord, your spoils have been collected!" Michele stepped forward to report.
Duane stood up. "Then let’s head back. I’ll be resting for a while. Report to Raymond and have him arrange other tasks for you."
"Yes, sir!"
Michele felt a pang of regret. During his time with the Baron, he had received a great deal of practical combat advice, and his Combat Skills had improved significantly. It was a shame that would be put on pause.
Still, the Baron deserved a rest. He had never seen a member of the Nobility work so hard.