Chapter 76: Advancement Ability, Solitary Jealousy
"My, my. To think you slew two [Mortal]-tier enemies at once, and one of them was even an [Mortal-Upper] tier powerhouse. You are quite the promising Reincarnator."
The female NPC in the knight's armor at the [Rank Management Office] praised Kaito with genuine sincerity.
In truth, Kaito still didn't know if the people running these Nexus facilities were real Reincarnators or virtual creations. There were all sorts of theories. But since these individuals never changed, unlike the regular cycle of death and replacement among Reincarnators, most people just treated them as NPCs. The woman in the [Rank Management Office] was referred to by Reincarnators as "Knight-chan," or by other meaningless nicknames like "the Bootleg Saber" or "the Space Knight-King," which she never seemed to mind. In contrast, the old alchemist in the [Alchemy Workshop] was only ever referred to as "that Old Thing."
"Both of these heads contain a powerful force. They can serve as the cornerstone for you to step onto the path of a stronger Reincarnator," Knight-chan said cheerfully. "However, you can still only choose one of them as your advancement material."
[You have completed the Advancement Quest: Enemy's Flesh, My Strength.]
[Please select your advancement material.]
Kaito thought for a moment. He had spent nearly 1500 Dimensional Points just to find the best diviner in the East Sector. He had also, incidentally, learned the detailed mechanics of the advancement quest from that broker, the [Black Butler].
The quest [Enemy's Flesh, My Strength] was a mandatory mission for all Reincarnators advancing from [Paper] tier to [Mortal] tier. A Reincarnator had to single-handedly kill any enemy rated [Mortal]-tier or higher, retrieve their head, and use it as a medium to achieve their own advancement. Depending on the quality of the head used as a medium, the Reincarnator would be given 3 to 5 advancement options. The stronger and more unique the enemy, the higher the probability of receiving rare and special options. There were also differences based on the plot character type.
From what was known, [Human-type] heads mostly provided enhancements related to techniques: from gaining a basic proficiency, to acquiring a special trait, or even unlocking the qualification to learn a special ability. [Non-human-type] monsters, on the other hand, trended toward basic attribute enhancements, racial traits, or special species-based abilities. Generally speaking, the enhancements from non-human materials were considered better for this advancement.
Demons, Kaito mused as he looked at the two heads, were a special category. They were once human, retaining human skills, but their bodies had completely transcended the human category.
Kaito held up Douma's head. A list of options immediately appeared.
[A: Ice Demon. Gain additional Ice element affinity. Ice-type abilities will receive a small bonus. (Rare)]
[B: Evil Child. Gain additional pain reduction and minor damage immunity. Learning speed for religion-based abilities is increased.]
[C: Heartless Doll. Your heart is no longer a vital point. Even if your heart is destroyed, your body can maintain blood circulation. (Scarce)]
[D: Regeneration (Weak). Gain a weak regenerative ability. Wounds will heal faster with the consumption of energy and nutrition.]
[E: Silent Meditation. Gain Basic Meditation Proficiency. Spirit +2.]
Douma's head was clearly of high quality. It not only gave five options but also included both Rare and Scarce quality choices. The [Heartless Doll] option, in particular, made Kaito realize that future battles between Reincarnators would likely involve many things that defied common sense. If he chose this, he would be able to ignore a fatal heart-shot, which was a terrifying advantage in combat.
Kaito then held up Kokushibo's head.
[A: Longevity. Cellular activity is enhanced. Expected lifespan increased by 20%. Constitution +2. (Scarce)]
[B: Sword Demon. Gain Basic Swordsmanship Proficiency and an additional bonus to swordsmanship learning speed.]
[C: Regeneration (Average). Gain an average regenerative ability. Wounds will heal at a visible rate, consuming additional stamina.]
[D: Sunless Moon. At night, all physical abilities receive a 50% boost (cannot exceed attribute limit). (Scarce)]
[E: Solitary Flame of Jealousy. Gain the special passive ability [Solitary Jealousy]. When facing a stronger enemy, any damage taken has a chance to ignite the "Jealousy Fire," granting one stack of an ability buff (+1 all attributes, minor regeneration). Stacks up to 7 times. (Exceedingly Rare)]
"Ooh! An incredible option has appeared! Your luck is very good today, Reincarnator." Knight-chan seemed to be able to see the options he was seeing.
Kaito looked down and saw the reason. On Kokushibo's head, with its three remaining eyes, lights of various colors were swirling, among which a distinct purple glow was the most prominent.
Kaito had learned from the [Black Butler] that Reincarnators who turned in a [Mortal-Low] tier head would usually only get 3 options, almost never a rare one. A [Mortal-Middle] tier head might grant 5 options with a small chance of a Rare or Scarce choice. An enemy of [Mortal-High] rank or above, however, would almost certainly guarantee at least one [Rare] option. Because this quest required a solo kill, and most [Paper]-tier Reincarnators lacked the overwhelming power to fight an entire rank above themselves without saturation bombing or traps, [Mortal-Upper] tier heads were almost never seen.
Kaito knew he had received an unexpected windfall. Even the [Black Butler], a seemingly well-connected information broker, had never heard of an advancement choice of [Exceedingly Rare] quality appearing.
"I choose [Solitary Flame of Jealousy]."
Knight-chan nodded, as if this were the only logical choice. She grabbed Kokushibo's head. A blue-white light burst from her hand, and the head instantly melted, its flesh and blood dissolving into motes of colored light. Finally, only the pure purple light remained. She suddenly thrust her hand forward.
Kaito's pupils contracted. His muscles tensed, but before he could move, her hand was already pressed against his chest. This Knight-NPC… she's terrifyingly fast!
[Your Rank has been upgraded. Current Rank: Mortal-tier.]
[You have acquired the Class Ability: Solitary Jealousy.]
Kaito felt a strange fire ignite deep within his body. It wasn't hot; rather, it was a strange, eerie cold. He pulled open his robe and saw a crimson flame emblem appear on his chest before slowly fading from view.
Tsk. This doesn't seem like a very heroic ability either.
Kaito felt that ever since he had received that [Great Sin] card, every power he had acquired leaned toward the evil alignment. His trial had him learning from the world's number one assassin. In the Demon Slayer world, he had received a curse mark from an ambiguous god-spirit. And now, his very advancement had granted him this dark, jealous flame.
"And here I thought," he muttered to himself, "that I've always been a law-abiding citizen."
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Guys We cross the 200 power stone goal and as promise here the bonus chapter
Next goal 300 power stone,come on guys you'll can do it, good luck.
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