Does anyone know what I'm thinking right now...?
What I want to do most right now is flip God off and curse his entire family tree, eighteen generations up and down. Forget dogs, I wouldn't even spare the ants in the ant nest under the tree in front of his door.
Requirements for Level 99 are one thing, at least there's hope. But can anyone tell me, when I reach Level 100, how exactly should I allocate my points to reach Strength 540 and Dexterity 328?
Damn it, even if I put all my attribute points into Strength, at 5 points per Level, I'd only have 520 points by Level 100!
What about the missing Dexterity?
Not adding any Life or Mana at all?
They didn't even leave me a shred of hope. Originally, if there were sockets, I could have socketed a few Requirement Reduction Gems, and maybe I could have used it then. But looking closely, all six sockets are already socketed.
This clearly gives me no chance at all!
I was so depressed I almost spat blood. Holding a weapon even more powerful than a Mythical Item in your hand, yet you can never use it. There's no greater frustration in life than this. A weapon powerful enough to defy the heavens, coupled with restrictions just as heaven-defying, makes you drool, yet you can't even lift it.
I suddenly remembered a quote from a certain celebrity: God gives you a pornographic film when you're hungry and thirsty, and after you finish watching, he gives you a flirtatious old woman over 90 years old...
I hate it so much, I hate how blind I was back then! This is all my damn fault! I finally remember, after I finished making this sword back then, I casually socketed six Damage-increasing Gems into it. At the time, I thought since it was already so overpowered, adding anything would be fine. Now the retribution has finally arrived!
That's just how human nature is; we never learn to be satisfied. Although I desperately told myself that having a Bugged Amulet was already enough, and any more would invite divine retribution, I still couldn't forgive myself. If only I could pick up this sword, with my current Level 1 strength, I would have enough confidence to defeat any one of the Three Prime Evils!
Greed, how could it be so easily suppressed? If everyone could suppress their greed with rationality, the world wouldn't be so chaotic.
I'm not a Saint, I can't completely control my emotions. But I've at least been in the Dark Continent for over ten days. The fragility of life, the cruelty of battle, the friendship between friends, and the madness after obtaining the Bugged Amulet, all of these have greatly tempered my character. So, after being sad for a while, I've come to terms with it. At least, not only do I have one more Bugged Amulet than others, but I also have a sword that's even more divine than a Mythical Item. Although I can't use it at all, isn't it still a beautiful thing to just hold it and look at it sometimes? Life occasionally requires a bit of self-deception, otherwise, it's easy to break down.
Joy, madness, loss, pain, regret – in less than a day, I experienced ups and downs that others might not encounter in a lifetime. Perhaps this is a test from God. If I endure it, I can open up a new situation for the Dark Continent and become a strongman like Ytar-Rasha. If I can't endure it, God knows what I'll become. Perhaps I'll fall into depravity, controlled by my inner demon, or perhaps I'll be directly reclaimed by God...
Actually, I still didn't know that, despite being a transmigrator, I possessed the power of a Druid from the start. However, there was still a huge gap between me and other Adventurers, and that was mindset and will. Any one of those Adventurers who had undergone cruel tempering since childhood had a mindset and will far surpassing mine, who had lived like a greenhouse flower in my original world. Therefore, the recent test was absolutely necessary for me. The true strongman, their greatest strength is often not the magnitude of their strength, but simply because they possess a heart of a strongman.
...
...
Bored, I fiddled with this sword that could be called a Mythical Item. Hmph, I can't pick it up, but can't I play with it? I stab, I stab, I stab you to death...
Casually looking at the question marks on the sword, a wave of doubt washed over me. This was clearly a modified Dimensional Blade, so why had its name turned into ?????
I tried pressing my hand onto this dreamy, illusory divine sword. My heart stirred, and sure enough, a blank field popped up from it. It seemed I was meant to name it.
What name should I give it? Xuanyuan Sword, Emperor's Sword? Bah, too vulgar! Besides, since I've already accepted my fate in the Diablo World, I shouldn't connect myself to my original world anymore; it would only add to the sadness.
Remembering the Diablo history Akara spoke of, my heart settled, and I bestowed a name upon this sword in the field.
Angel Slayer Sword.
I am now bearing the mission of an Emissary of Justice, to drive the Hell Forces out of the Dark Continent. Hohoho~~ You celestial beings in the sky, if you want to play any petty schemes, don't blame me for being impolite. Anyway, I've never had any good feelings towards you.
I swear by the name of this sword: If God blocks, kill God; if Archdemon blocks, slaughter Archdemon.
Exiting the Stash, I looked at the Adventurers around me who were still in a daze. I sneered inwardly. Just watch, those who once mocked me, I will let you know the sorrow of the weak in the future.
I've never been a good person. I'm lecherous, selfish, petty, and the only justice I have left, I don't even know which corner of my heart it's buried in; it's only occasionally triggered a few times. Revenge for grudges, retribution for wrongs – I've always been very happy to practice this.
Leaving the Plaza, I followed Doug's instructions. Although he gave me a tent, going out on an adventure still required preparing many things. First, rations, and some essential tools for Adventurers, such as a knife, a net, traps, and so on. To improve my meals, I also bought a cauldron, so I could occasionally have something hot to drink or eat.
Some dry wood was also essential. Not too much, just a little was enough, but it absolutely couldn't be left behind. Although there were quite a few Groves in the Wilderness that could provide wood, it would be terrible if it rained.
Also some animal hide. These were for use as blankets. Even in the summer Wilderness, it was very cold late at night.
When I had prepared everything I knew I needed, I found that my inventory was already more than half full.
I had originally planned to leave from the West District. The West District was the Commercial District, so it was convenient for buying things. When I had everything prepared, the huge and awkward gate of the West District also came into my line of sight.
There were still ten Rogues standing tall at the gate. Seeing me come out, two of them ran over with respectful expressions to greet me.
I took a look and realized they were Deck and El, who had escorted the four of us back when Lars and I returned.
They were very respectful. For them, my status as an Adventurer was already quite remarkable. This reminded me of the treatment I received in the Camp Center of the Rogue Encampment. It seemed my status was not the highest, but certainly not the lowest, just enough to reach a comfortable standard. Not bad, not bad.
"Respected Mr. Fan, are you heading out now?"
"Yes, I'm going out for some training."
My tone carried a hint of excitement and nervousness, like a child who had just rebelliously left home.
Deck and El exchanged glances, then chatted with me while subtly probing to see if I had any experience going out.
When I saw through their intentions and replied that I had been taught by Akara, and although it was my first time going out, I hadn't missed anything, they breathed a sigh of relief.
"Please forgive our rudeness," they said in unison.
"It's nothing," I waved my hand. Although I was a little annoyed – their behavior clearly suggested they were looking down on me – I knew they were doing it for my own good. I believed that if my answer just now had shown even a hint of inadequacy, they would have been very happy to teach me.
"Then we wish you a safe journey."
The two of them bowed to me, covering their chests with one hand.
"Alright, the safety of the Rogue Encampment is in your hands. Keep up the good work."
Seeing their respectful expressions, I couldn't help but feel a bit of a leader's aura.
"Haha..."
Watching the Rogue Encampment behind me grow smaller and smaller, I excitedly did a somersault.
"The sea is vast for fish to leap, the sky is high for birds to fly" – that probably describes my expression at this moment.
What I want to do most now is run freely in the Wilderness, shout to my heart's content, and let my voice echo throughout the entire world.
But thinking about Lars and their strength, I still didn't dare to be careless. My current strength, compared to a Level 1 person, was only the advantage of 5% Critical Hit Chance, 400% Experience, and a White Wooden Club. My strength wasn't significantly higher, and I was alone.
Thinking of this, I immediately pulled out the White Wooden Club from my inventory.
This vicinity was still within the range of the Rogue Encampment. Rogues would patrol from time to time, and occasionally I might encounter some shepherds grazing their flocks. It was unlikely that any monsters would appear.
After walking for about two hours, the Rogue Encampment had become a small dot. I also hadn't encountered another person for half an hour.
My heart suddenly grew tense. The excitement of just setting out vanished in an instant without a trace.
Now it felt like I was the only person left in the entire world. If I encountered monsters, there would be no Lars and their protection. If I were surrounded, the next moment I might become one of the skeletons floating in that dirty cauldron in the Fallen Camp.
This wasn't a picnic; it was a life-and-death struggle. I reminded myself inwardly, finally beginning to face this training seriously.
Bending slightly, I advanced slowly, imitating Lars, trying not to make any footsteps, trying not to get close to the Small Thicket, and trying to take in everything around me.
Soon, I discovered a Fallen Camp, composed of four Fallen and one Fallen Shaman. Their intelligence wasn't high. If I could lure the Fallen away first, then go back and kill the Shaman, the remaining four Fallen would be a piece of cake.
I believed that if my strategy was sound, I had the ability to defeat them. If Lars and the others were here, I believe I would implement this strategy without hesitation.
But that was just an 'if'. The reality was they weren't here. Although my strength was slightly superior to theirs, it wasn't by much. Accidents could happen at any time, and I also had a serious deficiency in experience.
I considered it for a long time and finally chose to go around. I believed that if Lars and the others were in my place, they would also choose this. This wasn't cowardice or a fear of challenging myself.
My experience was simply too little, not enough to handle unexpected situations. Those who undergo training in life-and-death struggles are all experienced veterans. Even if something unexpected happens, they can react in time, and even if they lose, they won't lose their lives.
I concluded a principle: experience is honed through battle, while ability is improved through continuous life-and-death struggle. There is a gradual process between the two. A rookie with poor experience wanting to engage in life-and-death struggle and rapidly enhance their ability – such things only happen in novels.
Heaven rewards the diligent. While I was going around, I suddenly noticed a few black dots wandering not far away. Based on my experience of over ten days, I immediately guessed that these should be a few Rotting Corpses.
Although Rotting Corpses were a bit disgusting, they were our favorites!
I immediately crouched down and snuck over. Soon, a few disgusting figures appeared in my sight.
They were indeed Rotting Corpses, and there were three of them! My heart rejoiced. This quantity was just right. Fewer wouldn't give much experience, and more would make it easy to be surrounded. It was practically tailor-made for me!
(end of chapter)