Chapter 17 Perseverance and Effort_1

'Skeleton Soldier (Normal★★★)' evolved into 'Skeleton Warrior (Rare★)'

'Hint: Skeleton Warrior has learned the skill 'Charge'.'

As the white light gradually receded, the newly-born Dead Bone - Skeleton Warrior version also appeared in front of Mu Yuan.

It had grown taller, the armor originally full of scars from battle honors had disappeared. In its place was a set of more refined and fierce silver-grey full body armor, a broad-blade sword, and three bone spears on its back, which seemed to be throwing weapons.

As expected, any type of troop evolution would replace old weapons with new ones.

The exquisitely made full-body armor looked much better than the old style design, and the weighty, chilly broad-blade sword also had a strong visual impact. With this enormous sword in its hand, Dead Bone could easily cut the 'Wolf King' in two, without even using a skill.

Furthermore, the three bone spears were additional to the standard weapons of the Skeleton Warrior. Did this imply that the Skeleton Warrior had some long-range attack ability?

However, in comparison to the complete replacement of weapons and armor, Mu Yuan noticed one detail - the shield had disappeared.

This generation of Skeletons had canceled the shield equipment.

Could the equipment be reduced any further?

Although the small round shield didn't provide much defensive power, it was still a piece of equipment after all. Was it robbed by an evolution point? Could he tolerate it? He couldn't stand this offense!

Wait a second,

Mu Yuan touched his chin, "Each time I upgrade, the equipment will be renewed, so I wasn't too worried about the equipment wear and tear issue, but...my thinking was too narrow. Since new equipment accompanies evolution, why didn't I strip the old equipment off Dead Bone before evolution?"

Approximately, he would be obtaining a new set of equipment out of nowhere.

It would be a significant profit.

Mu Yuan wasn't sure if this operation would work, but it was worth trying at least.

In front of him, Dead Bone was pondering, suffering, and bleeding.

Where's the shield?

Where is the huge shield?

It turned around and couldn't find its shield.

Just with this 'thin' armor but no shield, it was hard for it to feel safe enough.

Dead Bone was rather unsettled.

Mu Yuan couldn't say he didn't foresee this situation, and could only make up an excuse, "Playing defensively is just a tactic of the weak. Striking with power, catching the enemy off-guard, and eradicating it, that is the best tactic."

Dead Bone's Soul Flame ignited.

It learned something new .jpg.

As usual, Dead Bone started to get used to its new body after evolution. It ran a 100-meter sprint, hurdles, long jump, obstacle race, and other tests.

You might question why there are special tracks like the hurdles and the obstacle race in the territory? Of course, they were part of the training ground made by Dead Bone in its leisure time.

The territory now had plenty of scrap materials

After evolution, the Skeleton Warrior-grade Dead Bone had a high sprinting speed and significantly improved agility. Even while wearing the noticeable heavy armor, it sprinted briskly, easily overcoming many obstacles. The enormous sword in its hand was swung about with incredible flexibility, effortlessly severing a large tree in half with a slight sweep.

Dead Bone displayed its versatile martial skills.

It pulled out the bone spear from its back, held it tightly in its hand, gazing at a robust tree in the distance. But then it felt it wasn't right and shifted its gaze to another huge rock.

That's right, you are the perfect target.

Dead Bone launched the spear, and it hit dead center!

...

The bone spear tore through the air, emitting piercing whistles. Before Mu Yuan had a chance to react, it hit hard on the giant rock serving as a target in the distance.

The giant rock exploded suddenly, as if struck by a shell.

What remained was the bone spear that was already half-buried in the ground.

What speed and power! My goodness.

Even the Wolf King could be easily destroyed instantly.

Dead Bone looked cool throwing the bone spear, but pulling it out was a bit...still okay.

The damage from this ranged attack was powerful enough, but the drawback was that Dead Bone only had three bone spears. In other words, it only had three shots to take.

What's more, when Dead Bone pulled the bone spear out of the ground, it showed noticeable wear and tear.

Mu Yuan's mouth twitched.

"It seems like this set of equipment won't last until Dead Bone's next evolution. After selling the Remnant Souls in the association tomorrow, let's see if I can order a batch of spears."

Equipping the troops with stronger and more suitable weapons was also a player's responsibility.

Even the poorest novice players should at least prepare some spare weapons. Otherwise, if their weapons get damaged at a critical moment in battle, human troops like spearmen and archers would have to resort to bare-handed combat, and that would be a real embarrassment.

...

The Rare Level Dead Bone, as expected, learned a new skill during its evolution. Now, it has evolved into a rare soldier with dual abilities.

Charge. A skill that, over time, accumulates power to enhance the destructive force of the next strike.

It sounds ordinary at first glance, but it's incredibly practical.

While abilities like Cleave can only be used in slashing, Charge can be combined with Bone Spear's throwing use. With energy guiding and constantly accumulating the Bone Spear that is thrown... Mu Yuan found it hard to imagine the power under this spear.

Maybe it was because Dead Bone had already become proficient in Cleave; it seemed very skilled in its first use of Charge.

It started to explore, slowly charging while maintaining its own mobility, which could potentially deal a surprise critical hit to the enemy.

"Very good, you've done me proud, Dead Bone," Mu Yuan nodded in approval.

Dead Bone began to research how to combine the skills of Charge and Cleave to deliver the most powerful strike

It quickly figured out how, and after a few more practice runs, it should be able to use this combination in battle.

"Just as expected of Dead Bone, showing an emperor's posture," Mu Yuan was amazed.

Dead Bone once again started researching in a new direction. This time, instead of using the Skill Charge offensively, it chose to apply it to its legs.

With the assistance of Charge, Dead Bone rushed upward like a cannonball, launching into the air.

"Just as expected of Dead Bone, showing an emperor's posture... Oh, hell no!"

Mu Yuan's eyes widened.

Just who is exploiting the system here, me or you?

Oh, Dead Bone's hacks are his hacks, so no worries.

Just keep going, we'll roll with it.

All of this is thanks to Dead Bone's determination and hard work.

...

That night, Mu Yuan bid farewell to an unwilling Dead Bone, and directed his game character to enter a patched-up, barely wind-proof wooden house, entering into a resting (×) or sleeping (√) state.

He then began his daily task of becoming stronger.

Eating the RedBlood Fruit (1/1).

His skin turned bright red and his body was burning like a fire. Mu Yuan grit his teeth and persisted. Due to his experience from last time, he didn't find it too unbearable this time - there was even a slight sense of exhilaration amongst the discomfort.

After doing his daily tasks, Mu Yuan went to brush his teeth and sleep. He didn't even feel like checking his phone, he was in great health.

After all, short videos and stories have become too boring. Managing his supernatural power and becoming stronger little by little was a lot more fun.

"Goodnight, today's self."

...

The next day, Mu Yuan woke up at six o'clock, feeling more and more spirited.

The RedBlood Fruit could only enhance a person's vitality and improve their physique, but Mu Yuan felt that his spiritual power had also strengthened.

"It is probably related to the leveling up of Dead Bone and the others."

"As a contractor, having troops upgrade can bring a little bit of feedback to the player. It's not much, but every little bit helps... getting slow progress feedback through troop upgrades is one of the main ways for players to manage supernatural power."

Mu Yuan was reflecting.

Dead Bone and the others only leveled up by one or two, so the change shouldn't be so obvious. The main reason was because Dead Bone advanced to the Rare Level.

The Rare Level Dead Bone, he estimated, would probably not have a problem solo fighting seven, eight, or nine three-star normal troops.

Besides, this was a rare troop that he upgraded himself.

It was also related to him currently being so weak.

Mu Yuan got up and started the game after washing up.

The territory was very peaceful at night, his Lord's Seal didn't sound any alarms — invading monsters stepped into his territory only to become whetstones for Dead Bone and others to sharpen their skills.

「Dead Bone commands 'Bone Two', 'Bone Three' to kill: 3 Goblins, 3 Goblin Spearmen」

「Dead Bone commands Little Skeleton to kill: 5 Goblins」

Mu Yuan checked the situation.

Dead Bone demonstrated the martial spirit of beating the weak with strength, and outdoing the few with the many, and that pleased him.

However, it meant that so many goblins attempted to deceive and sneak attack his weak territory in the late night, he took note of this enmity.