"I'm... okay."
Bai Pu was a bit unaccustomed to the female touch and gently pulled away.
The recent strike seemed fierce, but Bai Pu leaned forward to absorb the attack in advance, preventing the Blood Ring Heavy Hammer Warriors from achieving maximum damage.
At the moment of impact on the waist, Bai Pu's body coiled like a Spirit Snake, the entire structure of his waist bones, along with his chest, abdomen, and legs, deformed with a crackling sound, as if everything shifted out of place, looking quite terrifying.
In reality, this kind of deformation was a very effective cushion! It was like using the entire body to absorb the impact, resulting in the final damage being...
19 points.
At this point, Bai Pu still had more than 1/5 of his Life Value left. Not healthy, but not enough to knock him down.
It's imaginable that without the defense against "Blunt Damage", the damage from this strike would have approached 40 points! Bai Pu only had 30 points of Life left then; he would have died on the spot.
The Female Knight nodded at Bai Pu, "Hello, Warrior, my name is Yvette. I offer you my highest respect."
Bai Pu received a series of Spirit Realm Will notification messages.
[Combat ended.]
[You have unlocked the Combat Specialization: Basic Shooting Level 1.]
[Your Combat Specialization: Basic Fighting has increased to Level 2.]
[Royal Junior Knight: Yvette's Favor Level towards you +300, current Favor Level: Acquaintance.]
[Royal Junior Knight: Yvette's Favor Level towards you +1000, current Favor Level: Friend.]
Why two rounds of Favor Level increase? This is a pleasant surprise.
Bai Pu had reason to speculate that this female knight named Yvette must be a key native character, making his adventure worthwhile.
What caught Bai Pu's eye was a floating Blue Treasure Chest above the corpse of a Blood Ring Heavy Hammer Warrior!
Bai Pu hadn't dealt much damage, but he had blocked the most powerful skill of the Blood Ring Heavy Hammer Warrior. His combat contribution wasn't low, so he received a Treasure Chest. However, since the native Yvette made the biggest contribution, the quality of this chest probably wouldn't be high.
In the perspective of the natives, Spoils Treasure Chests couldn't be seen or touched; only the Awakened could see them.
Of course, natives could directly seize the deceased's Equipment without needing Spiritual Ability Resonance, something that Awakened couldn't compete with.
While the Militia celebrated their victory and looted the spoils, Bai Pu discreetly grabbed the Treasure Chest and put it into his Storage Space. He then nodded at Yvette, "Hello, honorable Knight. My name is... Dior Fulri. You can call me Dior."
Spirit Realm Will automatically adjusted Bai Pu's appearance and attire, making him appear as a Northern European with high nose and deep-set eyes, golden hair, instead of a Black-haired, Black-eyed Huaxia Person in the eyes of natives.
The adapted appearance evolved based on the original Charm Value, so his attractiveness hadn't decreased.
Of course, Bai Pu still had to come up with a new name on his own, as he couldn't use his original name.
At this moment, the Female Knight finally removed her helmet and faceplate, revealing her real face.
With sea-blue, slightly wavy long hair, and equally azure eyes, quite enchanting. However, the corners of her mouth turned slightly downward, giving her an aloof and stubborn look.
Yvette gazed at Bai Pu's excessively handsome face, just about to speak, when a pair of enthusiastic hands reached out and grabbed Bai Pu's hand.
"Thank you for your help, Brother Dior! My name is Yingwa!"
Said the young Militia who had just consulted Bai Pu. He sincerely grasped Bai Pu's hand and introduced himself enthusiastically.
Bai Pu mused briefly and said, "Nice to meet you, Brother Yingwa."
Yingwa had a somewhat slender frame, with brown eyes and a few freckles on his nose. Smiling, he said gratefully, "Brother Dior, thanks to your help, we wouldn't have made it otherwise."
Bai Pu shook his head, glancing at the Female Knight Yvette beside him, "Thanks to Lady Yvette's assistance, she deserves the gratitude."
Yvette shook her head, "No, your bravery was crucial too."
Just then, a voice came from nearby, "Who are you two? Why are you here?"
The Militia Captain, heavily injured, supported by two Militiamen, approached Bai Pu, Yvette, and Yingwa.
"Dior Fulri, from an upstream village. My home was destroyed by the Blood Ring Fortress, and I seek revenge." Bai Pu explained briefly.
He didn't dislike this Militia Captain much, as he had led the Militia bravely into battle. If there was a downside, it was his lack of brains.
"My name is Guna."
Militia Captain Guna nodded to Bai Pu, acknowledging his background.
[Main Quest I: Decision, Completed. You have gained an additional 11 hours, 34 minutes, and 33 seconds of free exploration time. This time will automatically take effect after all your stay duration ends.]
[You have joined Brandon Territory.]
[Your Reputation in Brandon Territory +500, current Reputation Level: Respect.]
"Extra ten plus hours of free time?" Bai Pu shook his head slightly, feeling not much joy.
Maybe after officially becoming an Awakened, free exploration time would be precious, but now he's in the midst of the Awakened Trial, which in itself allowed a 10-day stay duration.
Captain Guna then turned to Female Knight Yvette, eyeing the Blood Ring emblem on her Chest Armor for a long moment.
"Yvette, a Knight from Chukrona Castle," Yvette said.
"Chukrona Castle?!" Guna reacted as if facing a formidable enemy, stepping back.
Other Militiamen were puzzled, "Captain, what's wrong with Chukrona Castle?"
Guna roared, "Don't come near! Chukrona Castle was its original name, and now it's called Blood Ring Fortress!"