Chapter 180
If they're going to go so far as to send thugs to interfere with my leveling, then I have my own plans.
Even I had my thoughts about this whole situation, but as long as there was no real harm done, I intended to focus solely on countering the Mad Jester. However, if they're resorting to these kinds of tactics, I won't hold back.
Fortunately, I've at least managed to max out my Class 3 level cap. Ideally, I would've liked to push into Class 4, but—
Liberta – Class 3 / Level 150 Job: Nameless Assassin Title: Hide-and-Seek Expert Base Stats: HP: 510 | MP: 340 BP: 0 | EXBP: 0 Skills: 9/11 Skill Slots
Spear God Arts – Class 10 / Level 100 Scythe Arts – Class 10 / Level 100 Stealth Arts – Class 10 / Level 89 Neck Hunter – Class 10 / Level 100 Heart Piercer – Class 2 / Level 15 Air Step – Class 10 / Level 100 Magic Edge – Class 10 / Level 100 Silent Walk – Class 5 / Level 33 Shadow Clone – Class 3 / Level 11
Even in this state, my build is capable of taking down higher-level opponents. The essence of an assassin lies in maximizing critical hit damage. Defense-ignoring critical strikes, when executed well, can whittle down even a superior foe's life.
Defensively, there's some concern, but with the enemy distracted, stealth-enhanced sneaking skills come into play, allowing me to strike unexpectedly even in direct combat.
The passive skills for spears have been pushed to their final divine stage, granting a permanent 300% boost to spear attack power—an absurd level of offensive capability. By this world's standards, a normal attack dealing four times the damage is unthinkable. Factoring in EXBP, my level is practically fraudulent.
Next, I aim to raise Scythe Arts to achieve a permanent 600% boost in scythe-spear hybrid attacks. Seven times the normal firepower—yeah, at that point, people would call it a bug.
Additionally, I've secured the assassin job-exclusive skills: Silent Walk, Heart Piercer, and Shadow Clone. Only three, but they're crucial.
Silent Walk does exactly what it says—eliminates footsteps. "Just silencing footsteps?" you might think, but footsteps are combat noise that aids in rediscovering a lost target. Removing them buys precious seconds, invaluable in both PvP and PvE.
Heart Piercer is similar to Neck Hunter, dealing defense-ignoring critical damage when striking the heart. Like Neck Hunter, attacks elsewhere are nullified. It works on heartless species and even slime cores, making it versatile. The downside? Hitting the heart is brutally precise. But the damage makes it worth it.
Now, with both neck and heart as lethal weak points, my strategic options have expanded.
Lastly, Shadow Clone is, bluntly, a decoy skill. No attack or defense, but it lets me manipulate my shadow freely. It might seem like a gimmick, but the human eye instinctively reacts to movement—especially a black figure darting from blind spots. Decoys are always useful, especially in split-second scenarios.
With these skills in hand, what's next?
"Commencing Lady Esmeralda's Magical Makeover Plan!!" "I'll humbly assist." "I'll do my best too!" "Wh-what exactly are you going to do to me?"
An eye for an eye. Not quite double, but I've resolved to retaliate against their harassment.
This operation includes me (the mastermind), Ingrid and Amina (support), Lady Esmeralda (the makeover target), and her maids (many of them).
"One week until the duel. Until then, we'll polish Lady Esmeralda to absolute perfection."
"Magical Makeover" is just a fancy term—what we're really doing is using my knowledge to maximize her beauty. This continent's resources include several cash-shop-tier beauty items: health products, cosmetics, even diet foods. Since they're NPC favor items, their effects are guaranteed.
Of course, we can't just wing it. The maids, who've already tested the products (evident from their glowing skin, lustrous hair, slim waists, and manicured nails), enthusiastically cooperate—even if their lady is bewildered.
"Father briefed me, but why now?" "Petty revenge." "Making me beautiful is revenge?" "Yes. We'll make him regret straying for that pink-haired woman."
Call it spite, or making him realize the one who got away. They sent thugs to disrupt my leveling—already a slow process. If they play dirty, I'll strike back psychologically.
It might seem petty, but since Nel will handle the physical beatdown, I've settled on this counterattack.
"Honestly, you're already top-tier. How he went for that pink-haired girl is beyond me."
Worse, he dumped Lady Esmeralda—older sister of my favorite, Iris. I was already annoyed, but having my taste insulted is infuriating.
Seated before a mirror, she carries a more mature air than Iris in the original story. Being sisters, they're strikingly similar. If Iris had grown up peacefully, she might've turned out like this.
"Flattering, but I sense… personal resentment?" "Absolutely. They've been a nuisance, so this is justified retaliation—not misplaced anger."
When I joke about revenge through beauty, she laughs elegantly.
"I owe you, and this matter irks me too, but… exposing my skin to a man is…" "Rest assured, I won't lay a finger on you. My role is item prep and instructions. The maids handle the rest."
Standing diagonally before her, I lay out the items—beauty products crafted via Amina's alchemy. Not as potent as a spirit's blessing, but made with spirit stones and monster drops.
"First, rice toner. You know this, right?" "Yes, I use it regularly."
Skipping the familiar, I move to the next.
"Now, this fat-burning oil—" "What kind of woman's dream product is this?!" "A mix of monster mucus, plant-based oil, and fire spirit stones."
The label is literal. Rubbing it on problem areas supposedly burns fat. The flavor text reads like a TV shopping ad—ridiculously overhyped.
"The maids loved it for arms and… delicate areas." "You're all alright?!" "Yes, milady. Just a mild warmth, gone in thirty minutes."
One maid strikes a pose, showcasing her newly defined waist. Convinced, Esmeralda sighs.
"…Very well. We'll try it later."
Next: "A treatment of plant monster nectar, dewgrass, and water spirit stones."
Before I finish, she cuts in—"We'll use it."
One maid's radiant hair serves as proof. From then on, it's a barrage of approvals:
"This whitens nails—" "Use it." "This brightens teeth—" "Use it." "Posture corrector—" "Use it." "For blemishes—" "Use it." "At least let me explain?!"
Her blind trust is flattering but overwhelming.
"You prepared these. Shouldn't I trust them?"
Cheeky. I fumble with the items, but our eyes meet—her gentle smile freezing me in place.
"You fought for us during the dragon crisis and the capital's peril. I've never called a man 'cool' before." "Uh—thanks?"
My face burns.
"Seeing your cute side is a delight." "Are you teasing me?" "A little. But I mean it."
I glance at the smirking maids.
"Why are you all grinning?!"
This conversation is dangerous. Time to retreat to item explanations.