Leo closed his inventory and distributed his five new stat points: two into Strength, two into Dexterity, one into Vitality.
Power surged through him—his body, once honed to its limit, grew stronger in an instant. Just the act of assigning points gave him tangible growth. Addictive.
With a skill point left, he hesitated briefly before choosing Smite. In the game it was a god-tier move: guaranteed hit, knockback, stun. Low damage, but incredible control. Perfect for bosses with the right gear.
Knowledge flooded his mind, merging seamlessly with experience. His shield felt alive in his hand, ready to strike in countless ways.
Smite: Strike with a shield, stunning foes briefly. Damage +15%. Stun duration: 0.6s. Mana cost: 2. Prerequisites: none.
Maijessie had learned Psychic Hammer—another control skill, safe and reliable.
Psychic Hammer: Manifest mental force into a hammer, knocking enemies back. Damage 1–3, magic damage 1–3. Mana cost: 4. Prerequisites: none.
Their luck improved. Soon they found a lone zombie. Reeking stench clung to its rotting frame, yellow fat and raw muscle exposed, gut split open with entrails spilling.
A level 36 zombie—tough, slow, less dangerous. They opened with throws.
The creature lumbered sluggishly. By the time it reacted, several javelins already struck. Maijessie timed it perfectly: her psychic hammer smashed its supporting leg, and the zombie toppled.
Leo rushed in, raining blows. The undead's defense bent many attacks aside, but prone on the ground it couldn't evade. Shield strikes, spear thrusts—every hit landed.
Each time it tried to rise, Smite or Psychic Hammer knocked it back down, stuns layering. Minutes later, the zombie collapsed for good.
A massive surge of power filled them, dizzying in intensity. White light—level up. They hit level three. Another page opened in Leo's inventory.
The zombie dropped generously—250 coins. Risk and reward aligned.
He followed the 2-2-1 plan again: two Strength, two Dex, one Vitality. In the game you'd pump Vitality, but here strength and dex mattered more—force and speed couldn't be ignored in reality.
For skills, he picked Might.
Enlightenment struck him—how to reach inward, draw out hidden potential, kindle the light of the soul.
His spirit was yanked out, dissolving into the world around. He lost all sense of self until something vast and indescribable noticed him. A silent presence scoured his mind bare. Then, approval.
Golden blades of light whirled around his feet, a rotating aura.
Might: Increases the damage of you and allies. Radius: 10.6 yards. Bonus: +40% damage.
He gasped for air, drenched in sweat, exhilarated and shaken. The power coursed through him like fire, intoxicating.
His legs gave out. He dropped heavily, dazed. Paladins—closest of mortals to the divine. Had he just brushed against… God?
"Brother, are you okay? You look awful." Maijessie's worry broke through.
"Hah… too much knowledge at once. Overwhelmed me," he lied quickly. No way he'd admit the truth—maybe even his transmigration had been laid bare in that moment.
"Strange… I learned mine easily." She eyed him with pity.
Leo coughed. "Anyway, how'd you assign your points?"
With his guidance, she followed the 2-2-1 plan, leaving Energy untouched for now. Her base was high enough; Mana potions and gear would suffice.
She picked Fire Blast—the Assassin's first trap.
Fire Blast: Throw a firebomb to blast enemies. Damage 3–4 fire, radius 3.3 yards. Mana cost: 3. Prerequisites: none.
Two levels up left them eager for more. But most monsters weren't alone. Fallen in packs, spear rats too dangerous at range. Hours passed before they risked two zombies at once.
Leo struck first. Both shuffled toward them. Maijessie knocked the rear one down with Psychic Hammer. Together they pelted the front with javelins. When it got close, Leo smashed it with Smite—area impact, guaranteed hit. Knockback and stun toppled it.
Pinned between his shield and her psychic blows, the zombie fell quickly. They gulped mana potions—sharp like peppermint fire, snapping their minds awake.
Moving to finish the second, Leo slipped, careless. The zombie lashed at his leg. His armor's ward flared, slowing it just enough. Still, its claw scraped through. A golden flash—critical hit.
Agony tore through him. Two-thirds of his life gone instantly. Real damage. His body locked up.
"Brother!" Maijessie panicked, spamming Psychic Hammer, sending the zombie rolling helplessly.
As his paralysis lifted, Leo staggered back, chugging three healing potions. Spicy heat seared his throat, fire racing through his veins as wounds closed.
"I'm fine! Conserve your mana!" he barked, seeing her still casting.
She gasped for breath, drained, sipping a mana potion.
Together they reset their rhythm. He tanked, she hammered, and soon the second zombie fell. Another surge of power—level four.
He chose Sacrifice.
Sacrifice: Trade life for damage. Hit rate +20%. Damage +180%. Lose 8% of damage dealt as life.
High risk, high reward. At low levels, manageable. Later, suicidal. His own sword would kill him.
The zombie dropped loot—a blue helm. He snapped an Identify scroll.
Helm of Energy. Defense: 16. +3 Energy.
He handed it to Maijessie. She tested it, then shook her head. Raw Mana alone wasn't enough—like unstable current frying delicate circuits. Only refined skill increased magical output.
Leo took the lesson to heart.
They fought on, careful and steady, until dusk. By day's end, both had reached level six. Exhausted, they sat down to count.
2492 coins looted. With leftovers, their total was 2541.5.
Only one blue item, two whites:
• Studded Light Armor, Defense 34, req Str 27.
• Belt, Defense 5, 12 slots, req Str 25.
Once top-tier Act I gear—now barely usable, but better than nothing. He gave them to Maijessie.
Potions were scarce. Thirty heals left, no mana.
Rested, Leo pulled a Town Portal scroll.
Warning: must be safe to use. Under Hell's influence, high risk of spatial rift. Under other powers, lesser risk of temporal rift.
Usage: Tear open to create portal. Duration: 10 minutes.
He ripped it. A glowing gate spiraled open. Together they stepped through, returning to the Rogue Encampment's southwest platform.
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