Reputation and Affinity

Among the items plundered in the camp, the military map was the most important to Bai Xiaowen.

A closer look at the map gave Bai Xiaowen a more comprehensive understanding of the distribution of territories in the north.

North County, the capital of the Northern Territory, was in the northwest. It was the military camp of Great General Alinath.

In contrast, Sharp Helmet City was in the northeast, where the leader of the Resistance—Ursok—was.

Bai Xiaowen was in Elu City, which happened to be in the middle of North County and Sharp Helmet City.

As for the port city, Walterlund, it was to the south and located near the Mediterranean Sea.

Bai Xiaowen did not analyze the general situation too much. To him, the most important thing on this military map was the imperial military camp near Elu City. It was marked with black dots and the number of troops.

This map was originally used by the imperial army to communicate with each other. However, when it fell into Bai Xiaowen's hands, it became a death warrant for the imperial army camp near Elu City.

After a brief rest, Bai Xiaowen once again embarked on his journey.

Bai Xiaowen's battle prowess had increased significantly after his combat specialty had evolved. During the 48-hour mission period, Bai Xiaowen had taken down three imperial strongholds. His achievements were astonishing.

Among the imperial soldiers killed, there were a total of eight auxiliary soldiers and three regular soldiers, including two chain-armored giant hammer warriors and a studded-armored archer.

Bai Xiaowen's Basic Combat specialty had finally reached Level 5, and it had become an advanced combat specialty (Level 1).

Of the eight auxiliary soldiers, only two had dropped treasure chests, and Bai Xiaowen had only drawn two imperial auxiliary soldier name tags. Among the three regular soldiers, the second chain-armored giant hammer warrior that Bai Xiaowen had killed had not dropped any gear or items at all. On the other hand, the archer had dropped a bronze treasure chest, which Bai Xiaowen had looted on the spot.

Because he had gotten an A-rank battle evaluation, Bai Xiaowen was given three chances to draw. Bai Xiaowen rubbed his hands before he clicked on one of them.

Prompt information:

"You have obtained the Imperial Army archer's name tag."

"F*ck… The probability of these stupid name tags appearing is a little high. As long as a treasure chest appears, a name tag will definitely drop," Bai Xiaowen cursed. A name tag would not increase his combat power at all. However, the more name tags he had, the higher the evaluation when he went back to report on having completed the task. Hence, it was not completely useless.

He flipped open the second card. It was a scroll.

"You have obtained a specialty scroll for shooting. Using the scroll will allow you to obtain advanced machinery (shooting) specialty level 1."

Bai Xiaowen's eyes lit up. While undertaking the Awakened test, his basic attributes were locked. Thus, the only things that could increase his combat power were skill books and specialty scrolls. However, Bai Xiaowen felt that it was a bit of a pity that he did not have any long-range equipment.

However, when he flipped open the third card, Bai Xiaowen was overjoyed.

"You have obtained a White Birch Bow and an iron quiver."

"A weakling like me would be courting death if I rushed up to a muscular man like the giant hammer warrior and fought hand-to-hand. Hiding in a corner and shooting at my target would greatly increase my safety."

Bai Xiaowen immediately activated his shooting specialty scroll. Instantly, streams of information flowed into his mind. From the basic shooting posture all the way to the key to an accurate aim, all this knowledge was imprinted into his body and turned into an instinct.

It was as if Bai Xiaowen had been infused with divine arts. He instantly went from a rookie who could not draw a bow to an experienced archer. He checked his combat specialty, and below Level 1 Advanced Machinery (Single-handed Sword), there was another row, Level 1 Advanced Machinery (Shooting).

"Cool."

Bai Xiaowen then checked the bow's attributes.

[White Birch Bow (Bind on Pickup)]

[Quality: Normal (White)]

[Equipment Spot: Hands]

[Equipment Requirement: Strength 4, Agility 5]

[Attribute: Attack Power 2-5]

[Durability: 18/20]

[Description: A standard equipment that strong archers of the Lionheart Empire use.]

There was also a matching quiver at the back.

[Iron Quiver (Bind on Pickup)]

[Quality: Normal (White)]

[Equipment Spot: None]

[Equipment Requirement: None]

[Attribute: Attack Power 1; Quantity of Iron Arrows 20]

[Durability: None]

[Description: Automatically restores 1 iron arrow every 10 seconds.]

Bai Xiaowen carried the bow and quiver behind his cape, and he had a Fang Dagger at his waist. He felt that his combat strength was much stronger than when he first entered the Spiritual Realm.

"The time limit for the mission is only 48 hours. I don't have enough time to take down more imperial strongholds. I have to report back immediately." Bai Xiaowen walked toward Elu City.

-

Wild Horse Tavern.

Bai Xiaowen found Ralph and Loga's room and knocked before entering.

Four name tags were placed in front of Ralph.

"You killed two regular soldiers of the imperial army, a chain-armored hammer warrior, and a studded-armored archer?" Ralph flipped through two of the name tags and said in disbelief, "Brother, you took down at least two imperial army strongholds! I have to say, your performance impressed me."

In comparison, the two auxiliary soldier badges were not worth mentioning.

Bai Xiaowen wanted to add that he had actually taken down three imperial strongholds, but looking at Ralph, it was obvious that he only recognized name tags.

Loga walked over and punched Bai Xiaowen's shoulder. "You've proven yourself. Welcome to the Northern Resistance Army. For Ursok!"

Bai Xiaowen received a notification.

"Subquest: Proof of Allegiance completed. Completion evaluation: Excellent."

"Reputation system activated."

"Reputation in the Northern Territory Rebellion Army activated. Current Reputation Level: Respect."

"Reputation in the Empire's Expeditionary Force has been activated. Current Reputation Level: Hostile."

"Your Affinity with Resistance Warrior: Champion Swordsman Ralph has increased to an Acquaintance."

"Affinity with Resistance Warrior: Shield Warrior Loga has increased to Friend."

Bai Xiaowen checked the rules of Reputation and Affinity.

Reputation was for factions. As one's reputation increased, it got from "Neutral" to "Friendly", "Respect", "Reverence", and finally, to "Worship". If one's reputation decreased, it would become "Hostile" and then "Hatred".

Affinity was only for individuals. They began from "Ordinary" to become "Acquaintances", "Friends", "Good Friends", and "Best Friends". If Affinity decreased, they would become "Hostile" and "Hatred".

Bai Xiaowen's mission had been completed beyond his expectations, so he gained a lot of Reputation Points as soon as he joined the Resistance Army. If he only eliminated one imperial stronghold, his Reputation Points would probably only reach Friendly. If he only took one auxiliary soldier's name tag to report, his evaluation would be even lower, and his Reputation Points might only be Neutral.

It was impossible for his relationship with the two Resistance soldiers to be at the level of acquaintances and friends.

In addition, as the champion swordsman of the elite class, Ralph's Affinity increase would not be as much as Loga's. From this, Bai Xiaowen deduced that the stronger and higher the status of the person, the harder it was to increase his Affinity.

From this, it could be seen how tricky it would be for him to find Walterlund's chief mage—Seren—to learn Draconic. He would definitely be ordered around by Seren and had to do all kinds of missions to build a good relationship with Seren. The slow speed at which his Affinity increased was enough to drive any quasi-Awakened crazy.

Bai Xiaowen also found a detailed rule, which was that the hidden attribute Charm would affect the speed at which one's Affinity and Faction Reputation increased.

"There's no time for you to continue standing there, my brother." Ralph's deep voice sounded again. "Lord Ursok gave us an important mission. Now, you've proven yourself and are qualified to participate in this glorious mission!"