Chapter 40

The evolved 'Ghost's Heart' has brought about a radical transformation in its attribute effect.

Attribute: 'Ghost's Heart' (Purple)

Description: Originated from the Bismuth virus, which has absorbed three other lethal toxins and mutated. Normally, all toxins are concentrated in the heart. When activated, the toxins spread throughout the body with the blood, transforming the user into a 'Ghost.'

In the 'Ghost' state, the user's defense, speed, and strength are increased by a hundred percent, and attacks are accompanied by a 'Plague' effect. The pain is reduced by ninety percent.

Plague effect: The poisoned victim experiences intense pain and quickly develops white patches on their skin. When these white patches spread over the body, the victim dies of poisoning.

Side effects: Under the accelerated onslaught of the toxins, the lifespan will decrease at a rate of 1 day/minute.

Can grow: Inject seven new deadly toxins into the heart until they are fully assimilated and consumed. Number of times toxins have been absorbed and integrated: 0/7.

Compared to the original attribute effect, it's enhanced in multiple ways.

An additional attack effect, 'Plague,' has been added.

This 'Plague' effect is essentially an amplified and accelerated version of the Bismuth virus!

The World Government has always propagated that the Bismuth disease is contagious, hasn't it?

Now, if Abel wishes, he can spread the toxins widely, letting those high-ranking individuals experience the pain that the residents of Frevance felt before their death.

What's more terrifying is that currently, the Bismuth virus cannot be cured.

The Bismuth virus, after integrating three lethal toxins, has mutated to a more troublesome level.

This means that anyone infected, even if they rely on a strong constitution to hold on, will gradually fall into a state of chronic death.

Unless a cure for this mutated toxin is found.

This undoubtedly provides Abel with a highly lethal method of attack.

And even the original frustrating side effect has been greatly reduced. After transforming into a 'Ghost,' only one day of life is consumed per minute, making it several times more practical.

The most exciting thing is that the purple attribute 'Ghost's Heart' can continue to evolve!

Although the growth conditions have become stricter, from injecting three new deadly toxins to seven, judging by this improvement effect, when the 'Ghost's Heart' attribute evolves to orange, it will certainly bring a significant surprise!

It might even be said that the 'Ghost's Heart' attribute could become his first red-quality attribute!

The very thought of this is tremendously exciting!

After 'reviving' and resting, Abel ventured into the forest behind the mountain again. He wanted to test the 'Plague' effect.

Thus, several wild animals had the misfortune of becoming Abel's test subjects, meeting their end in the process.

Through these experiments, Abel gained first-hand experience of the 'Plague' effect.

Firstly, the 'Attack with Plague effect' means that upon entering the 'Ghost' state without using weapons, his entire body becomes filled with potent toxins.

However, these toxins must enter the organism's body to be effective.

In other words, simple contact isn't sufficient; the toxins must touch a wound to infect the target with the plague.

For instance, during a trial, a leopard bit him and subsequently perished quickly.

Secondly, with the same dosage of toxins, the more robust and larger the animal, the longer it could hold on.

Yet, by increasing the toxin dosage, the time it took for the toxins to take effect could be shortened.

Lastly, he tried smearing his blood onto a dagger. This could indeed induce the 'Plague' effect and was more likely to wound an enemy compared to bare-handed attacks.

The only caveat was that the toxins in his blood could survive in the air outside his body, the 'incubator,' for only a short period.

During battles, he would have to repeatedly 'enchant' his weapon.

This was a minor drawback, if it could even be considered as one.

Overall, Abel was rather satisfied with the 'Ghost's Heart' attribute having upgraded to purple quality. At least it could be used when needed and wouldn't be continuously overlooked.

In a corner of the training field, Law was all alone, hacking at a wooden stake with a short sword. From time to time, he cast envious glances towards the center of the field not far away.

Two figures, one large and one small, were engaged in a heated 'battle' there.

It was Diamante and Abel!

Originally, Law was Abel's sparring partner. However, after Abel had assimilated White Yaksha's combat experience and sword skills, novice Law was no match for him and could not serve the purpose of sparring at all.

Therefore, after realizing this, Diamante simply instructed Law to practice with a wooden stake on the side to build a foundation.

As a result, Abel's new sparring partner became Diamante.

It must be said that under the pressure, Abel's potential was gradually squeezed out, with noticeable progress made each day.

However, during sparring, he dared not use the 'Wooden Sword of Lake Toya,' fearing he might break it.

But even so, Law's progress in swordsmanship was increasingly left behind.

"That's enough for today's swordsmanship class," Diamante announced. "Later, Lao G will take over and conduct your physical training class."

Diamante seemed to have other obligations today, having only taught half a day's lessons before preparing to leave.

This was normal as teaching them was secondary, the main priority being the development of the family.

As Diamante departed, he muttered to himself, "Could there really be such a swordsmanship prodigy? Despite only having fought once, his skills seem unnaturally refined, as though he's experienced countless battles."

This dissonance intensified during their recent sparring match. No matter how much Diamante pondered, he couldn't grasp the truth behind it.

In the end, he dismissed this oddity as some kind of 'talent.' After all, in this world, there were many individuals with peculiar talents. The anomaly in Abel was relatively insignificant.

After Diamante's departure, Lao G soon arrived.

Abel took the opportunity to retrieve the tortoise shell disguised as a round shield during a bathroom break, strapping it onto his back.

The weight was adjusted directly to a hundred kilograms.

After one evolution of the gourmet cells and continuous training during this period, a hundred kilograms of weight was the most effective for him currently.

He could add more weight, but there was no need for the time being.

Even so, Abel still outperformed Law, even without the ten-fold learning bonus provided by his 'Fully Fed' state.

There was no helping it; having a cheat was really different!

By the time all the training had ended for the day, a very disheartened Law left alone, causing Abel, who had wanted to invite Law for late-night snacks, to sigh.

He couldn't, and wouldn't, slow down his training progress to cater to someone's feelings.

If one couldn't bear this disparity, it'd be better to quit early.

"Silence!" Corazon found Law in a familiar alleyway corner, slumped against a wall with his knees pulled up to his chest, a look of indescribable desolation on his face. With a soft snap of his fingers, Corazon created a soundproof barrier around them.

"Corazon, am I really worthless?" asked Law.

"Even though Abel and I have similar circumstances, Abel always learns faster, showing an uncanny talent. I feel like I'm left in the dust, practicing against wooden dummies every day. Even Baby-5 and Buffalo are better than me," Law complained.

"Given the current training situation, I estimate that I won't achieve anything until the day I die!"

Listening to Law's unexpected outpouring, Corazon was somewhat taken aback.

However, Law opening up in this way delighted him, indicating that their relationship had taken a step closer.

Corazon tried to comfort him, "You know, Law, the sea never lacks talent. Temporary gains and losses mean nothing. Many strong people have risen step by step through their efforts!"

"Maybe you're not as good as Abel right now, but I believe that your future achievements will surpass everyone else's."

"That's because you are one of the 'Clan of D,' destined to cause a stir in the sea as a 'natural enemy of the gods!'"

Listening to Corazon's encouraging words, Law's mood visibly improved, but he still scoffed dismissively, "That's just some nonsensical spiel. If the so-called 'Clan of D' were so great, then my father wouldn't have died in the Flevance hospital."

"Don't worry, Law. I'll figure out how to cure your disease, and then you must listen to me and stay away from Doflamingo."

"Stop bragging, fulfill your promises first."

"I plan to take you out to sea to seek a cure tomorrow. The world is so vast; someone must be able to cure your illness. What do you think?"

"Not interested, I'm not going! I want to stay and continue training. Doflamingo has already promised Abel and me that he'll help us look out for Devil Fruits. Rather than wasting time with incapable doctors, I'd rather make the most of the present."

Law's determination was unwavering, regardless of Corazon's attempts to persuade him, forcing Corazon to give up for the time being.

However, he had already started looking for skilled doctors.

When Law returned to his room, there was still warm food on the table, along with a note left by Abel.

The note read: "Eat quickly, get some rest. If you don't want to fall too far behind, bring your fighting spirit to tomorrow's and future training sessions. Let's see who can become an officer first."

"That darn guy," Law grumbled, sitting down to devour the food. But for some reason, he couldn't help but chuckle. Perhaps he was laughing at his earlier over-sensitivity and drama.

The next day, Law had finally returned to normal, throwing himself into training with renewed vigor, his demeanor no longer despondent.

"It won't be long before I catch up to you, Abel. You better watch out," he said.

"Abel!"

Upon seeing this, Abel couldn't help but chuckle. "Go to bed early, Law. In your dreams, you can achieve anything! If you want to defeat me, you're a hundred years too early!"

"We'll see!"

Law's competitive spirit was sparked. He couldn't believe that he was truly incapable.

Indeed, human potential is infinite; it depends on whether you can tap into it.

At least today, Law's performance impressed everyone.

After a day's training, Abel retreated to his room alone.

"Shall I begin searching for Wish Orders?"

"Current search count: 1 (free)"

...

"Beginning search for Wish Orders. Search complete!"

"Received one Basic Wish Order."

"Order description: Naruto is participating in the written exam of the Chunin Test. However, facing this incredibly difficult test, he looks utterly lost, wanting to write but unable to begin. It seems he can only submit a blank paper."

"Order content: The content of the exam has been entirely copied. Please help Naruto complete the exam."

"Base Order Reward: Mouth-Hiding Technique (one-time consumable), 200 Trade Points."

"Order remaining time: 29 minutes and 59 seconds."

...

It was yet another bizarre order.

Abel was left speechless.

However, with no other option, he steeled himself and began solving the problems.

The very first question stumped him!

"Decode the following encrypted code."

Staring at the intricate and unusual code, Abel looked just as bewildered. He didn't recognize it, and it didn't recognize him.

How the hell was he supposed to solve this?

"First question, I give up!"

Abel decisively shook his head and turned to the second question.

Well, this one was familiar.

The second question was a physics problem, featuring a parabolic graph and asking for the maximum range of a shuriken throw.

It was a classic projectile motion model.

Abel breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, he had been a science student in his previous life, and his understanding of physics was decent, otherwise he would have stumbled again.

"It's time to bring out my small-town problem-solving skills!"

So he operated with intense focus, and finally managed to work out the answer.

He had no idea if it was correct or not, but this was the best he could do.

The third question was an English Q&A, the fourth was mathematics, the eighth chemistry, and the ninth was history.

When Abel put down his pen, he was nearly tearing his hair out!

Good lord, this was just the written exam portion of the Chunin Test. Was it necessary to make it this difficult?

And they only gave thirty minutes for answering the questions.

Even the valedictorian of a college entrance exam wouldn't score full marks on this test!

After all, the first question was an immediate give-away.

It was truly by a mix of guessing and luck that he finally managed to submit the answer sheet to Naruto in the last few seconds.

He supposed this way of cheating was unprecedented and likely to remain unsurpassed!

Even the most exhausted exam proctor would never discover it.

"Confirming order item. Initiating transfer."

"Basic Wish Order completed, client has given a three-star review (average praise)!"

"Review: Although many questions were answered incorrectly, still passed, oh yeah!"

"All basic trade point rewards for a three-star review have been granted, remaining rewards have been automatically granted, please check them at your convenience."