"7th July, Year 10399 of the Glory Calendar. The weather is gloomy. In less than two years, I have become a completely different person. Why did I become so old? I no longer dare to contact my friends… No, this must be a test from God. I will definitely succeed if I persist…"
"1st April, Year 10400 of the Glory Calendar. The weather is clear. I feel that my life has already reached its end. There is a saying in the Eastern Continent that goes, 'one must fight to survive in the face of death'. This is my situation right? I can already feel the restlessness in my bloodline. I'm about to succeed… Tomorrow, I want to perform another ritual. If I don't succeed, I'll die trying!"
After reading the diary, Yan Chong sighed.
"It seems that no matter which world it is, evil cults can kill people without paying with their lives. And in this world, this kind of evil cult ritual can actually make a person lose all their life force within two years. It's really terrifying!"
He went to the window and looked out at the scenery.
This was an ordinary and beautiful small town. On the road paved with bluestone, there were occasional pedestrians and carriages passing by. Delicate houses dotted both sides of the road, and from afar, smoke rose from cooking fires. Looking along the road, there was a mountain range in the distance with lush trees growing on it.
The weather was cold and chilly.
Yan Chong looked at his pajamas and quickly found a black cloak and coarse trousers in Richard's bedroom closet. He sniffed it carefully. Yes, it was washed and there was no strange smell.
Yan Chong went downstairs to the main street.
This small building was located in a deserted and remote area. Yan Chong could hear some lively voices in the distance, so he walked along the road.
A group of old horses swayed as they led a carriage past Yan Chong. The carriage driver held a wine pot and took a leisurely sip.
Shouts gradually rang out. Yan Chong looked over. In an open space beside the road, a dozen burly men dressed in coarse linen clothes were lined up in a neat line. They held heavy swords in their hands as they slashed with all their might. In front of them stood a strong middle-aged man, guiding them.
A few children giggled as they ran out from behind Yan Chong. They were chasing and playing on the street with candies in their hands. A little girl with snot running down her nose suddenly turned to look at Yan Chong before running away.
A young man in a linen shirt and brown trousers walked over from the opposite side with a briefcase in hand. He looked anxious as if he was in a hurry.
Soon, Yan Chong arrived at the "central business district" of this small town. It was the most prosperous place. There were many pedestrians walking around, and all kinds of lively sounds lingered in his ears.
Ding, ding, ding, dang! The sound of metal striking rang out, and a burly man about 1.9 meters tall appeared before his eyes. He had a firm face, defined muscles, and a head full of golden hair, making one feel that he was a lion. He was wearing a white tank top covered in black spots and a hammer in his hand, showing his identity as a blacksmith.
"Kane Blacksmith Shop" Yan Chong looked at the shop sign and felt a sense of familiarity.
It seemed that the dagger was made by Kane. It should be this man.
He activated [Reading].
Name: Kane Mode
Race: Black Iron Race
Occupation: Card Master, Blacksmith
Battle Power: A-
Strength: 15.0, Agility: 17.5, Intelligence: 22.5
Constitution: 21.0, Spirit: 25.1, Charm: 13.5
Status: Healthy
"Even a blacksmith is that impressive?" Yan Chong's pupils constricted. Every time his status increased by a little, it would increase by a certain proportion. Furthermore, as his status increased, the ratio would also increase.
15 points of Strength was more than 15 times that of an ordinary person with 1 point!
Along the way, Yan Chong had also read a few people. However, their status was similar to those of his classmates on Earth. Their highest status was only 2 or 3 points. He didn't expect to meet a big shot so soon.
"Hey, Sir, you look unfamiliar. Are you from out of town?" As if sensing Yan Chong's gaze, the blacksmith, Kane, stopped what he was doing and a warm smile appeared on his firm face.
"Ah, haha. I'm a traveler from a faraway place. I happened to pass by your place," said Yan Chong with a smile and a nod. He felt that it was better to have a proper attitude when facing a big shot.
"What, are you interested in the tools I'm crafting?" Kane asked with a smile.
Yan Chong looked at the [Normal] +4 ,+5 long swords, machete, dagger, and other weapons. Occasionally, there were +8+9 and [Excellent] quality weapons. His eyes lit up. He observed carefully and said, "The tools you made are all very good."
"Haha, good taste! Traveler from afar, please come in and have a cup of tea. Qiqi, go pour a cup of tea for this guest!" Hearing Yan Chong's praise, Kane smiled happily and turned to shout into the house.
Soon after, the sound of footsteps could be heard. A little girl about four or five years old wearing a dress made of rough floral fabric walked out shakily with a cup of steaming hot tea. She handed the teacup over and said crisply, "Big Brother, please have some tea!"
She was a very cute little girl. Her golden hair was tied into two ponytails, and there was a hint of baby fat on her fair and rosy face. Her big sapphire blue eyes rolled around, full of curiosity towards Yan Chong.
Yan Chong quickly took the tea and activated [Reading] out of habit.
Name: Qiqi Mode
Race: Bronze Human Race
Occupation: None
Battle Power: D-
Power: 0.7, Agility: 0.8, Intelligence: 1.1
Constitution: 0.7, Spirit: 0.9, Charm: 2.0
Status: Healthy
Quality: Normal
Function: This is just a normal cup of tea. It's warm and can relieve fatigue.
After taking a few sips, a warm feeling spread throughout his body. The cold weather seemed to have become cooler.
"Thank you!" Yan Chong said to Qiqi and Kane.
"Big brother, are you from the Eastern Continent? I heard that the people there have black hair and black eyes." Qiqi looked up and asked.
With the development of the Inheritance Knowledge, Yan Chong gained a deeper understanding of this world. Yan Chong thought about it and said, "My hometown is not in the Eastern Continent, but somewhere even further away."
"Big brother, can you tell me a story about your hometown?"
Looking at Qiqi's cute face and expectant eyes, Yan Chong thought for a moment and recalled a story he had read before.
"My hometown doesn't have any fancy magic. It's a world where Combat Aura flourishes to its peak. The strong people there are divided into Combat Aura, Combatant, Combat Master.... Combat Supremacy, Combat Sage and the invincible Combat Thearch. I have a friend called Xiao Yan. He once…"
"Wow!" Speaking of exciting things, Qiqi's eyes widened and she exclaimed in surprise cooperatively.
Yan Chong continued, "Although the Combat Thearch is invincible, not everyone will respect him."
"Why?" Qiqi asked.
"Because even if he is just a small Combatant, his horse may run faster than a Combat Thearch. Then, the Combat Thearch would not be able to catch up to him."
At this moment, Kane suddenly interjected, "Can Combat Aura transform into a horse? What kind of skill is this? Also, is a Combat Thearch as powerful as a God?"
Yan Chong's expression suddenly became solemn as he said, "The might of a Combat Thearch can sink the continent and destroy the stars. It is so terrifying! Although I am not even a Combatant, I have once witnessed the might of a Combat Thearch!"
Looking at the shocked expressions of the two people, Yan Chong suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of pride.
"Big brother, can you teach me Combat Aura? I also want to transform my Combat Aura into horses!" Qiqi blinked her big eyes and looked at Yan Chong expectantly.
Yan Chong said, "Erm—this, it values aptitude."
At night.
"Come, Brother Kane, let me toast you. Thank you for your hospitality!" Yan Chong raised a glass of ale and toasted Kane.
"Haha, Brother Yan Chong, I also have to thank you for telling Qiqi such a wonderful story. You should know that I am usually a rough person. I don't even know how to take care of a child. Ever since her mother left, Qiqi hasn't been as happy as she is today for a long time." Kane looked fondly at Qiqi, who had fallen asleep. He raised his glass and drained it.
Half an hour later.
"Burp! Brother Kane, I really can't drink anymore. Burp!" Yan Chong's face was red. As a high school student, he did not have many chances to drink. His alcohol tolerance was naturally poor.
Although this type of ale was about the same as beer, drinking too much made his stomach feel uncomfortable. Perhaps it was because of the increase in his mind status, Yan Chong did not feel drunk.
"Haha, if you're a man, you have to drink a lot. Brother, you have to practice more!" Kane laughed as he downed another cup.
"By the way, Brother Kane, I have something to ask of you," said Yan Chong. "Do you still need apprentices here? Here's the thing. I've spent all my money. I hope to find a job and accumulate my next travel expenses."
Kane frowned slightly at his words, then looked at Qiqi and said, "I need to think about this."
After meeting their eyes several times in the afternoon, Yan Chong realized that both of them only had the bloodline of [Human D]. Catherine's [Flame Talent A-] did not seem like a cabbage that everyone had.
However, Yan Chong coveted Kane's blacksmith profession. Although it was only a living profession, if he learned it, he could forge his own personal weapon in the future.
As for the Card Master profession, Yan Chong did not dare to say it. After all, he could not explain how he knew about the other party's profession. If a Grade A big shot misunderstood him, he would not know where to cry.
Late at night.
On a dirt road to the northeast of the town of Dawn, seven to eight fully armed mounted soldiers rode on strong warhorses. Their exquisite armor was covered with cuts, and there were some dried dark brown bloodstains. And their direction was precisely the town of Dawn. From the looks of it, they weren't rushing, but fleeing for their lives.