"What will be your demand? For you to bet your human rights." (Fez)
"That's very simple. Your whole clan's backing."
"You want to dabble in politics? My clan is not exactly the richest, though we have the most advanced technology, second only to the royal scientist." (Fez)
"Oh no, I'm just really poor and need a steady income. Now that you told me about the technology, I want those too. You can limit my access to your technology at 10% a year."
" I've seen your antics. Right now you are weak and have nothing, but your sharp mind will brute force its way into the latest technology. Gaining the ability to start competing with royal scientist." (Fez)
" If you are so fearful, fine. I'll change it so both scenarios you will win, hehe~. "
Seeing the same devilish smile that appeared a minute ago, shivers course through Fez's whole body for a split second. Her heart rate had slightly increased and she was began to overestimating me. Though the effect was extremely miniscule, I was starting to break Fez by first intimidating her. She probably had bodyguards and her butler was here too, so fighting wouldn't solve anything. But who said I could only fight~? Radiating a strange aura, cold sweat dripped down the butler's back. '... I can not unrestimate her!', both Fez and the bodyguard thought at the same time. This was my moment to strike, while they're both nervous!
" Let me change the condition for the options. If I lose, I'll become one of your butlers. If you lose, I'll become one of your scientist. This way, you don't lose in both scenarios. Will you take it?". Making eye contact, I gradually inch my face closer to hers. Narrowing my eyes I confirm:" So~? What is it going to be? Will you take it or not? "
It seemed that invading her personal space did it. Her mind was clouded a little Though not much, it still worked. "Yes! I will defeat you anyway, you didn't need to change the conditions at all, though it's too late now! I will keep my word and defeat you!" (Fez)
With that small exchange, I managed to give her an illusion without using the actual skill. I clouded her mind and tricked her. Both scenarios may look like her win, but I didn't say that I could not decide my own working conditions, hehehe~.
Managing to trick her with the alluring image of being her slave, I cunningly changed the conditions at the end to give myself an advantage. Though I planned to win the tournament anyway, I managed to make my prize even more valuable. As her scientist, I get access to 100% of the technology! Since I haven't complete my education, it's not like I will be a particularly useful scientist for a few years hehe~ All the benefits and none of the cons.
Going over to my assigned dorm, I unloaded my clothes and belongings. I should probably go grind my levels. I still need to work hard and get strong. I also need to develop a sense for battle, so I won't be careless like last time. I could just drool, thinking of when I win the apparent second greatest technology in the kingdom. All the important spells, memorised in my new skill [Shadow memory]. Access to all the newest magic circle components and forming my own revolutionary magic.
Using my maximum running speed, it took seconds to reach the cave where I used to live next to. Using [Shadow manipulate], I formed a dagger and created a layer of cursed fire over the blade. Since I could freely change the shape, I extended it to thr length of one metre, basically making it a one-sided sword. Using my speed to spin and create centrifugal force, I spun to the boss room slaughtering everything the way. Pools of blood instantly covered the small holes of the cave floor, giving anyone passing by a sense of dread and danger.
Level up! : lv 62 —> lv 63
Walking into the familiar room, killing intent drowned my surroundings. Was it the orc general's? No, it was mine. I was never taking a boss monster lightly ever again. The orc general was level 73, but it had not occured to me that I could lose. This time, I was prepared.
Pushing strength into my limbs, I shot forward like a gun. Crashing my legs into the wall, I used [Shadow step] 's anti-gravity effect to hold myself up, standing horizontally on the wall. Putting all my strength into my arms, I extended my shadow sword by 2 metres and jumped forward with a slice. A cut that reached his organs formed on the orc general's side. Blood gushed out for a second before stopping. The cursed fire ate away at the orc general and offset it's regeneration. Roughly a quarter of it's health was instantly gone.
This was my chance, while it's in a shock from my speed for a second. Constantly changing the shape and length of my shadow blade from a dagger to a long sword to a cleaver, my hand never stopped moving. Slash after slash, chunks of flesh and blood fly at the walls around me. I'm not stopping until you are dead! After a minute, the orc general collapsed and I grew to level 64.
That was easier than expected. But that meant that I hit the limit in leveling in this area. Fortunately enough this cave isn't linear. If I go in another path, the average level of the monsters go even higher as I go deeper. Maybe I should go explore a new route today, since I have the time to do so.
Using [mana detection], I was constantly checking on my surroundings. Movement! Slashing a spot where a cluster of mana moved for no reason, purple blood flooded into a puddle on the ground. After a few seconds, a giant green creature with scales had appeared. It was a giant lizard with a camouflage skill that was called a basilisk. There were also starting to be skeletons with durable magic shields and spears. It took a few hits by blocking with its shield before I could defeat the skeletons. Meanwhile, the basilisk in the background attempted to use sneak attacks, it was extremely annoying to fight both at once. The average level of the monsters in that are was 75, giving me an additional level to 64.
Occasionally, I would get too lazy to defeat swarms of monsters, so I used [Flamewave-tier 3] a couple times to mow them down. In the end, I've defeated monsters up to level 90 and reached the second boss room. It was a rusted steel door with many loose chains hanging off the sides of the wall. At most the boss should be around level 100, which should be possible for my skills.
After waiting for my mana to regenerate back after 10 minutes, I stepped into the boss room. The door closed and locked with a magic seal instantly, as usual, I needed to kill the boss to live. Looking for the boss in the dark room, an enormous pressure weighed on me. What...is...this power?! They should only be level 100 , so why is there such a strong pressure emitted just from being present?! Pulling body and mind up from the pressure, I inspected the boss's stats.
Monster: Orc king
Level: 191
Health: 1 075 000/1 075 000
Mana: 155000/155000
Strength: 25500
Vitality: 107500
Intelligence: 15500
Agility: 135500