Chapter 255: Lin Ya's Thoughts
Faith Litany Book of the Elf Race
Two-Handed Damage: 6-10
Book Level: Increased Attack Speed Class
Durability: 25-25
(Cleric Only)
Required Level: 18
Book Level: Increased Attack Speed Class
+1 All Skills
+8 Energy
+30 Life
+2 Strength Art (Cleric Only)
+1 Fire Resistance (Cleric Only)
+ Attack Rating
+1 Light Radius
100% Increased Damage to Undead
From a Cleric's perspective, this book isn't particularly outstanding, but the "+1 All Skills" Stats is Excellent Grade among Golden Equipment, especially for me. Aside from this Excellent Grade Stats, the others are only average to above average, which is why this book loses some of its luster.
Rose Garb Steadfast Robe (Golden): Required Level 25, Defense 65; +42% Enhanced Defense, +10 Vitality, +23 Mana, Fire Resistance +16%, Cold Resistance +19%, +1 Priest Skills (Cleric Only), +2 Holy Praise (Cleric Only), +1 Holy Bolt (Cleric Only), Replenish Durability 1 point in one day.
Storm Vortex Faith Robe (Golden): Required Level 37: Defense 118, +51% Enhanced Defense, +25 Energy, Lightning Resistance +38%, Fire Resistance +10%, +2 Spirit of Light (Cleric Only), +1 Break Ice Seal (Sorceress Only), +1 Thunder Praise (Cleric Only), +3 Dexterity Art (Cleric Only), Mana Recovery Rate +4%, 0.1 Mana gained after killing each Enemy.
Neither of the two Golden Robes could be considered Excellent Grade. What particularly dissatisfied me was the Defense, which was even lower than Magic Equipment of the same Level. Low-Level Clerics are indeed fragile. The Level 1 Holy Bolt, which reduces Damage from Undead and Demons by 10% and adds +5% Intimidate, has rather subtle Stats, but it's better than nothing.
Holy Praise, however, made me drool quite a bit. Imagine this: first cast Holy Praise, then activate Frozen Armor. Follow up with Hurricane Armor, step onto a Resistance Aura, and finally use Werebear Transformation. Tsk tsk tsk, with such thick skin, Mini-Bosses whose Fists aren't hard enough can forget about breaking my Defense with Physical Attack. If I could also get the Barbarian's Shout and Iron Shirt someday, I estimate I could even sleep in front of Duriel without issue. My only frustration is that the second Golden Robe requires Level 37 to wear.
Having gained so much Excellent Grade Equipment for free, I was naturally overjoyed. It's just a shame that Unique Items require a minimum of Level 52, which is completely out of my reach right now.
Hmm. I need to set aside some Time to practice Equipment Switching in the future. As I examined the selected Equipment, amidst my joy, I started to get a Headache.
"Isn't this a bit too flashy?"
I complained, pointing at the Equipment that glowed with various Lights. If I wore them, wouldn't I turn into a giant Golden man?
"Pfft—"
Lin Ya seemed to be imagining my silly, Golden-shining Appearance as well, and she burst into laughter for a while before explaining to me that the Equipment's Glow could actually be hidden. It was very simple, just imprint a small Magic Array on it. If not for this, wouldn't all those High-Level Adventurers be walking around as multi-colored glowing Bodies?
"Big Brother Wu, your Magic Knowledge isn't up to par yet. This is basic common sense mentioned in the Training of all Classes."
Besides giving a silly smile and taking the opportunity to vent about that non-existent Master, what else could I do?
When I walked out of the Secret Room, the Sky was already getting dark. The Study Room was empty, with no one inside. I asked a Guard and learned that Lin Ya and I had been in there for nearly an hour. Akara had left a message; she had left in a hurry not long after we went in.
Looking at the Sky, I turned my Head, just about to say goodbye to Lin Ya, when I saw her looking at me with an Expectant Gaze.
"Big Brother Wu, it's already so late. How about, how about you stay for Dinner before you leave?" After saying this, she lowered her Head again, desperately rubbing and pulling at her pathetic little Apron.
Eat? Hmm, that sounds like a good Idea. Absence makes the Heart grow fonder. Velas was tormented by me for the entire night yesterday, only stopping at dawn. She's probably not awake yet. I might as well have Dinner here and also try Lin Ya's Skill.
Upon receiving my Affirmative, Lin Ya's pretty face just began to bloom into a smile when she suddenly let out a surprised cry.
"Oh no! I completely forgot!!"
"What's wrong? Forgot what?" I was startled by Lin Ya's sudden exclamation.
"When you arrived, I was actually preparing Dinner to entertain a Guest. I accidentally forgot, what should I do now?" Lin Ya looked at me with a Wailing sound, her brows furrowed into a frown, looking utterly pitiful.
"You little scatterbrain." I couldn't help but feel both annoyed and amused as I flicked her forehead. "Where is the person now? I'll go explain to her."
Lin Ya lightly stuck out her little Tongue, then led me to a Small Side Hall, pointing to a certain Unidentified Object slumped softly on the Table like a puddle of mud inside.
"Grrrrumble—" A thunderous sound came from the Unidentified Object's stomach.
"Then I'll trouble Big Brother Wu." Lin Ya said with a red face, then left me and quickly ran off in small steps.
With no firepower support in sight, I could only steel myself and walk in. I coughed heavily. As expected, the Unidentified Object suddenly sprang up from the Table as if a hibernating Snake had been startled awake. Its Eyes glowed green as it looked over, a trace of Liquid still clinging to the Corner of its mouth.
"Little Lin Ya, what on earth..." Halfway through her sentence, her hunger-dazed Eyes could barely distinguish male from female. Seeing that it wasn't Lin Ya who had entered, she tried hard to widen her Eyes, seemingly wanting to see clearly who I was.
Although she didn't recognize me, I already knew who she was. Female Paladin Milasi, one of the members of Lin Ya's Party. Besides her, the five-person Party also included Assassin Miss, Druid Fat Ice, and Male Paladin Gallon. I had met Milasi twice before. Once was when I encountered their Party in Stony Field, and the other was during the Monster Attack. I just didn't know if she still remembered me.
"Oh my, who do we have here? It turns out to be Lord Fan." Her Eyes widened, and Milasi exclaimed dramatically. I didn't expect her to still remember me, which saved me the Effort of introducing myself.
"Hello, Miss Milasi." I smiled and sat down on a Chair next to her.
"Oh, oh, I see." Milasi kept looking me up and down with an Expression that said, 'Now I understand.' "No wonder Little Lin Ya was so heartless, abandoning me, her Older Sister who took such good care of her. So it was Lord Fan who came. No wonder, no wonder, I understand, mhm mhm..."
I thought, I haven't even explained yet, what are you completing in your Brain? Watching Milasi jump to conclusions on her own, I was instantly Dumbfounded and amused. Actually, looking closely, Milasi was quite good-looking. Her Figure was slender and tall, her Eyes were large, and her face was very beautiful. Aside from being a bit "flat," it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a great Beauty. It's just that her carefree Personality...
"Oh right, oh right, Lord Fan, is there something you need here? Could it be that not only your Heart, but also our Lin Ya's fiery Body is something you can't wait to possess?"
"..."
"Oh right, oh right, Lord Fan, how did you know we just returned from a Trial? Have you been staking us out? Oh my, I didn't expect Lord Fan to be so infatuated. Little Lin Ya is truly blessed."
"..." Alright, if she keeps talking, I'll become a stalking Abnormal Demon.
Having no choice but to interrupt her, I turned the topic to the main Matter. From her non-stop mouth, I gained a general understanding of their Party's progress. The five of them had already advanced into the Jail and were resting and reorganizing at the Waypoint on the first Level of the Jail. Lin Ya was already Level 17. It's estimated that in another year, the five of them will be able to enter the Tomb and be qualified to challenge Andariel.
"Oh, oh, the Terrain in the Jail is so troublesome. Going around and around, my Head is spinning." Milasi wailed, holding her Head, apparently finding Labyrinths extremely difficult. "Oh right, how did Lord pass through the Jail back then? Give us some Guidance."
Uh, are you sure you want my Guidance? Really sure? No regrets?
Recalling my Reputation as a Labyrinth Killer, I couldn't help but look up and into the Distance, subtly steering the question away. I'm doing this for your own good. If you used the Method I taught, Kashya would surely skin both of us.
Not getting an answer from me, Milasi didn't get discouraged. Her Eyes rolled.
"Oh right, oh right—"
I immediately looked at her warily. From the beginning until now, every time she said this catchphrase "Oh right, oh right," it was never about a good topic.
"Lord Fan, let me tell you a Secret. Our Lin Ya, for some reason, is incredibly diligent about Leveling Up. She didn't even come back on Divine Birth Day. And she always says, 'If only the Party could gather six people.' One night, I picked up a Blueprint in her Tent. When I opened it, wow, she had even designed the Formation and Tactics for a six-person Party. Guess what was written on that Blueprint?"
She leaned close to my ear and said mysteriously. Although I knew she would definitely say something that would leave me speechless again, I still couldn't help but lean in to listen carefully.
"It turns out, the last member in her Heart was actually a Druid, and the Formation was written 'Big Brother Wu...'"
"Bang—"
"Big Brother Bang?!!"
I turned my Head back in confusion to look at her, but was startled – Milasi's Head, which had been leaning close to my ear, had somehow turned into a large, black Iron Pot. Could Milasi be an Iron Pot Monster? Was this her True Form??
Pushing aside those wild thoughts, I shifted my Line of Sight, finally pulling my Gaze away from the Iron Pot. The scene that came into view, however, left me even more Dumbfounded.
It was Lin Ya. She had appeared behind us at some point, Wheezing, her pretty face showing a cute Appearance of being Shy, angry, and flustered. Both her hands were tightly gripping the Iron Pot, maintaining a stance as if driving a stake. And poor Milasi had been hit squarely by this Iron Pot that fell from the Sky, her entire Head embedded in the Table. That's why when I turned my Head, what I saw was the Iron Pot, not Milasi.
"Lin Ya, what are you..." I looked at Lin Ya, Dumbfounded, not understanding why a girl who was clearly so shy and timid could perform such a fierce Move.
"Ah ah—" Lin Ya came back to her senses, covering her mouth with her small hand, seemingly unable to believe that everything before her was something she had caused.
"Um, I don't know why. I was just stir-frying Vegetables, and the Iron Pot flew out by itself..." Shaking her Head in a panic, Lin Ya used her right hand to trace the trajectory of Halley's Comet, seemingly trying to explain the Tragedy before her as a disaster of Nature rather than human action.
"Okay, never mind what happened for now, you'd better move the pot away first." I said, pointing at the Head under the Iron Pot. Lin Ya saying she was stir-frying seemed true, because the Head under the pot was steaming hot.
"Waaah—"
Reminded by me, Lin Ya frantically pulled the Iron Pot away, and as a result, the scalding hot Vegetables in the pot poured onto Milasi's Head again...
"Little Lin Ya, if I were an Ordinary Person, I'd be dead by now." Milasi lifted her Head, with a few strands of Vegetables still hanging on it, looking quite comical.
"I'm sorry, Waaah, I'm sorry—" Lin Ya bowed and apologized repeatedly, like a timid little field mouse.
"It's fine, it's fine, don't worry about such a small Matter. Hurry up and get Dinner ready, I'm starving."
"Are you really okay, Sister Milasi—" Before leaving, Lin Ya turned back repeatedly, looking at Milasi worriedly, before her Figure disappeared outside the Door.
"Haha—"
"But!! Sister Milasi, you can't cause trouble for Big Brother Wu, okay?"
Like a Ghost, a Head popped out again from the spot where Lin Ya had just disappeared. She looked at Milasi with a face full of vigilance, her faint Tone instantly catching the Bitter Smile Milasi had just let out in her Throat.
"Occasionally, just occasionally. Our Lin Ya is usually quite shy." After confirming that Lin Ya had indeed left, Milasi nonchalantly picked the Vegetables off her Head and ate a few bites, smacking her lips.
Occasionally? That means this kind of thing has happened more than once. I looked at Milasi with pity. I also had some inkling about Lin Ya's Rampage State incident. Remember the Monster Attack back then? That time in the Tavern in Vita Village, Lin Ya had somehow, through some method I couldn't imagine, extremely bizarrely, forcefully interrupted Milasi's words. This can only be blamed on Milasi. If she hadn't deliberately provoked Lin Ya, how could the usually well-behaved her go into a Rampage State?
Speaking of which, that was also the first place Velas and I had our Encounter. I really miss it!
After this head-pot incident, Milasi was much more cautious with her words. Everything remained peaceful until Lin Ya finished making Dinner.
"Waaah~~. It's too delicious, Lin Ya, you'll definitely be a good Wife in the future." I wielded my Chopsticks quickly. It's not flattery; although she's still a notch below Velas, Lin Ya's Skill is definitely ranked fourth among everyone whose Food I've eaten. The first is naturally Velas, the second is Auntie Shari, and as for the third place, although I'm very reluctant, it truly belongs to the Three-No Princess, provided she puts her Heart into it.
"You flatter me." Lin Ya was so Shy she almost buried her face in her Bowl.
In less than the Time it takes to drink a cup of Tea, the entire Table of Food/Meal was swept clean by us. Picking my teeth after being full of food and drink, I suddenly realized that besides me, the big Man, Lin Ya's Appetite was not much less than the hungry Milasi's.
"Lin Ya, I didn't expect you to have quite a good Appetite." I said with a smile, teasing her. I really don't know how that petite Body could hold so much Food.
"It all went to those two places, I guess." Milasi took over my words, her Gaze constantly moving between Lin Ya's Chest and Buttocks, carrying naked Jealousy.
"Waaah~~" Lin Ya, who had originally been blushing all over from my words, was so embarrassed by Milasi's comment that she quickly covered her Chest with one hand, skillfully stacked the Bowls and Chopsticks with the other, turned around, covered her Curvy Buttocks, and quickly ran away.
After brewing a nice pot of Tea, estimating that Velas should be awake by now, I found Lin Ya still washing up in the Kitchen and said goodbye to her.
"I'll see you off, Big Brother Wu." Lin Ya dried her hands, her faint Gaze causing my Heartstrings to tremble slightly.
The black Night Sky had already enveloped the entire Rogue Grassland. The Magic Lamps by the roadside flickered on and off, attracting many Insects to cling to them, making the already not-so-bright lamplight even dimmer. Walking along the rustling Gravel Path, Lin Ya silently followed behind me, seeing me all the way out to the Main Entrance.
"This is far enough. Otherwise, Milasi will complain again." I smiled and turned back, speaking softly to the Beauty before me. Under the dim yellow light, that hazy, stunningly beautiful face made it impossible to move one's Line of Sight away.
"Okay." Lin Ya softly responded, her cherry lips slightly pursed. She hesitated to speak several times, looked at me, then lowered her Head again, constantly kicking the gravel underfoot.
"Take good care of yourself. Don't overexert yourself during Trials. Take good care of yourself, cherish yourself, don't eat random things, don't go to dangerous places... Understand?" I Instructed her intermittently. Thinking that I didn't know when we would meet again, my Heart felt as if it had been hollowed out. At this moment, I finally knew that Lin Ya Edward Springfield, the first girl I met in the Diablo World, had occupied an important position in my Heart.
Driven by this surge of Feelings/Emotions, I suddenly took a large step forward, standing less than a foot away from Lin Ya. Her prominent Chest almost touched my Body.
I stretched out my hands and gently stroked her smooth face, cupping her lowered face.
"Lin Ya, I..." I gently gazed at her large Eyes misted over, her luscious, cherry-red lips shimmering with a tempting luster. Her hot, sweet breath exhaled from them, lingering around my nose, making my mouth and throat feel dry. Lin Ya's Eyes, so close, went from shock, to gentle, charming/seductive, misty/dazed, and finally slowly closed, showing an obedience inviting him to taste.
I tightly embraced her and pressed my lips down. My Heart was wildly shouting. Involuntarily, I lowered my Head. However, in that instant, the Figures of Shala and Velas flashed through my mind. I forced my lips to deviate slightly, finally pressing them to the Corner of her mouth.
I don't know how long I kissed her. I slowly raised my Head, gently rubbed her Head, said 'take care', and left without looking back.
"Sister Milasi, what should I do?" Looking at the Back View that gradually disappeared into the Night Sky, Lin Ya felt both joy and loss. Tears finally couldn't help but slide down her face. She couldn't help but mutter to the figure approaching from behind.
"What a silly child." Milasi, who walked out from the shadows of the lamp, embraced Lin Ya from behind like a gentle Mother.
"You too, and that Lord too, are both Love Idiots, idiots. You don't know how to fight for it, only passively waiting and accepting others' love. If this continues, you two might truly pass each other by."
"Then what should I do? I don't want... I don't want to lose Big Brother Wu!!" Lin Ya covered her face in Pain, crystal tears constantly seeping through her fingers.
"Don't cry, don't cry, don't worry. With me, your Strategist, Big Brother Wu or ten or eight of them will be easily within reach." Milasi said, wiping her tears and trying hard to comfort her.
"Okay, let's aim for ten Big Brother Wus!!"
"Waaah, I don't want that, one Big Brother Wu is enough."
"How can you say something so lacking in ambition? A Beauty like you, two, you should have at least two to be presentable."
"Waaah, one, just one. Besides, where would I find two Big Brother Wus?"