Free Web NovelChapter 274: Chapter 262: Enemy Attack?
’Faith?’
Roland frowned as he looked at the golden text that had appeared before him.
The "None" listed after "Optional Faith Paths" showed that the Professional Panel’s criteria for faith were quite strict; a simple connection to one of the Gods wasn’t enough to qualify.
Otherwise, Shire should have at least appeared as an option.
’So... does it have to be a true believer, like Van Buren or... Mason, someone who sincerely believes in one of the Gods with all their heart?’
At this thought, Roland gently shook his head.
That might not be difficult for the other people of this world, but for a transmigrator like him, who had grown up in a staunchly atheistic environment, it was rather challenging.
’Never mind. I’ll put this whole faith thing aside for now...’
As his mind wandered, a faint rustling came from the pouch at his waist.
A moment later, a small head with wine-red hair poked out from the edge of the pouch. Its eyes were filled with the daze of someone just waking up, as if it had just escaped from a deep dream.
"Mmm... Roland? Where... where is this?"
"I suppose we can still call this the Land of Mist, for now..." Roland replied, his gaze sweeping over the nearly dissipated fog. He then asked with concern, "How are you feeling, Tress?"
For some unknown reason, ever since the Magic City Jiles was reawakened, the consciousness of this tiny Pikachu had grown increasingly dim. She eventually fell into a deep sleep, only to awaken now.
"Me? I feel great! Yep, really great!"
Tress shook her head vigorously, then leaped out of the pouch and hovered lightly in the air. Her tiny nose greedily drank in the fresh air, like an Elf who had just regained its freedom.
"Roland, is everything here... over now?"
"It should be."
A slight smile touched Roland’s lips as he watched the Pikachu flutter before him like a butterfly, and he gave a gentle nod.
"That’s great!"
Tress excitedly pumped her tiny fists in the air before lightly landing and settling down on Roland’s shoulder.
"Oh, right, Roland..."
She tilted her head, her gaze falling on Roland’s pouch.
"What was that thing you put next to me earlier? It felt... cold and slick, just like a piece of ice."
’Ice?’
Roland raised an eyebrow and reached into his pouch, feeling around inside.
A moment later, he pulled out a jet-black, eight-sided die.
"You mean... this?"
"That’s it, that’s it!"
Tress nodded repeatedly.
"And... I felt a... disturbing presence from it."
Hearing her whisper, Roland’s gaze focused on the die in his palm.
’This die... wasn’t this something that dropped from that Witch Demon I defeated earlier?’
After examining it carefully for a moment and finding nothing unusual besides some residual traces of Magic, Roland placed it back in his pouch.
He then turned to the Pikachu on his shoulder and asked.
"Tress, what are your plans now? This area should return to normal soon. Are you going to go back and find your companions?"
"No, Roland!"
The Pikachu shook her head cheerfully.
"The Fairy Queen told me to follow you. Besides..."
A smile bloomed on her face.
"I think being with you is new and exciting!"
"Alright."
Roland shrugged, gently tapped the Pikachu’s small head with his finger, then carefully placed her back in the pouch and turned to walk back down the path.
"You’re back?"
Roland gave a slight nod, meeting the bright eyes of the Elf Maiden, Avril. He spoke to her and the Beastman, Freddy, who was at her side.
"Avril, Freddy, go tell Teresa that the three of you should get some rest. I’ll take the watch tonight."
The Attribute Bonus from his [Knight] Profession hadn’t instantly restored him to his peak, but he had already recovered about eighty percent of his strength.
As a result, he was in much better shape than his partners, who had just endured a bloody battle.
Hearing this, Avril and Freddy didn’t stand on ceremony. After a brief exchange, they called over the silver-haired woman, Teresa, and headed back to the temporary camp to rest.
Roland watched them leave, then glanced over in Graham’s direction.
After confirming that no one had noticed anything amiss, he let out a silent sigh of relief.
’It seems the effect of the [Shadow Veil] Trait is far beyond my expectations.’
With this in mind, he drew the Secret Silver Longsword from his waist. He leaned his back against a thick tree trunk, holding the sword as he gazed up at the cold, bright moon in the night sky.
’The Attributes and Traits from my [Knight] Profession have certainly given my power a huge boost...’
Roland stared at the shadows of the trees under the moonlight, his mind racing.
’But in this increasingly dangerous world, this is far from enough. Besides learning Combat Skills from Graham to expand my offensive options...’
With a flicker of his will, a transparent panel materialized silently before his eyes.
’The most effective way to grow stronger quickly is to explore and acquire new Professions. Relying on the Traits they grant, as well as the resonance effects between different Professions... that is the true shortcut.’
Looking at the dazzling array of words on the panel, Roland let out a long breath.
The main reason he’d ignored other Professions before was because he had obtained the advancement path for the Extraordinary Profession of [Knight], so he had naturally poured all his energy into it.
Now that he had successfully stepped into the Extraordinary Domain, he finally had time to re-examine the other possibilities of the Professional Panel.
As for other Extraordinary Professions...
’The known Transcendents in the world, besides [Knight], include [Ranger] and [Barbarian]...’
Roland’s gaze swept over to Avril and Freddy, who were resting nearby with their eyes closed.
’Although I’m on good terms with them, an advancement path of this level often involves core, secret traditions. Would they be willing to share it? Or rather... would they even be *allowed* to share it?’
After careful consideration, Roland gently shook his head.
’I’ll wait until things have settled down before I try asking. If there really is some kind of restriction preventing them from sharing it... ’
He rubbed the cold Mithril hilt of his sword, remembering what the woman named Lilith had said at the Adventurer’s Guild.
’Then my only option would be to take on high-level quests from the Adventurer’s Guild and use the choice of reward to obtain the advancement methods for other Extraordinary Professions.’
’Also... I can’t neglect the path of Magic.’
Roland’s thoughts turned to another path of Power.
’The Deep Sea of Consciousness has been successfully established. Now, the only thing between me and becoming a true Caster is mastering the Runes for Ring Tier Spells.’
’Unfortunately, Mr. Bronson probably can’t help me with this anymore...’
Roland shook his head gently, his gaze turning to the distance.
Not long ago, that was where the Magic City Jiles had stood. Now, only an empty expanse of land remained.
’Since it was known as the "Demon City," the depths of Giles must have held knowledge about Ring Tier Spells. If the situation hadn’t been so critical, if only I’d had time to properly search that ancient city...’
Just as Roland was lost in this regretful thought, a pulse originating from deep within the earth erupted beneath his feet without warning.
It wasn’t a warning of danger, but the rock-solid guardian will of his [Lonely Barrier] being triggered.
Like a pebble dropped into a deep pond, it clearly marked a nearly imperceptible "point of dissonance" in a seemingly empty patch of Shadow five paces behind him and to his left.
Something was there, beyond the boundary.
