Chapter 4 : Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Hundredfold Amplification! Overnight Riches!
【Ding! Novice breakthrough reward has been distributed!】
【Reward One: Active skill “Dragon Scale Transformation” unlocked.】
【Dragon Scale Transformation: Consumes Battle Energy to instantly condense black dragon scale armor at any part of the body for defense. Defensive strength is directly proportional to Battle Energy consumption and Battle Energy purity.】
【Reward Two: System auxiliary function “Dimensional Warehouse” unlocked.】
【Dimensional Warehouse: Initial space of one cubic meter, can store any inanimate objects. As host's strength increases, space will automatically expand.】
Caesar's gaze fell upon the words “Dragon Scale Transformation.”
He slowly spread open his right hand and focused his will.
In the dantian Qi Sea, that strand of newly born black-gold Battle Energy responded like an extension of his own limbs, instantly surging out through his meridians and flooding toward his palm.
“Whoosh—!”
An extremely subtle sound, like snake scales rubbing together.
Palm-sized black scales emanating a cold metallic luster seemed to “grow” from his flesh itself, carrying a ferocious yet gorgeous beauty as they rapidly emerged from beneath the skin of his hand, layer upon layer, perfectly interlocking with each other. In less than half a second, they had covered his entire right hand from wrist to fingertips!
A sense of indestructible weight, as though he could crush steel in his grip, transmitted from his hand.
Caesar clenched his fist. The dragon-scale-covered fist produced a metallic grinding sound like “creak.”
He could even feel each scale connected to his nerve endings, the sensation clear, as though they were part of his body.
He picked up the dagger that had earlier cut his finger and, using all his strength, stabbed viciously down at the dragon-scale-covered back of his hand!
CLANG!
A crisp sound, sparks flying.
That sharp dagger forged from hundred-refined steel actually had a rice-grain-sized chip knocked from its edge by the scales, while his hand's back didn't bear even a faint trace.
“Such strong defense!”
A flash of shock crossed Caesar's eyes.
This was only a single strand of Battle Energy at the Squire Knight level. If he reached Grand Knight, or even the legendary Sky Knight, just how terrifying would this dragon scale armor's defensive power be?
Knight ranks: Squire Knight → Knight → Grand Knight → Earth Knight → Sky Knight → Demigod
He focused his will again, and the scales covering his hand swiftly retreated beneath his skin, as though they had never appeared.
This trump card would be a second life at a critical moment.
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Caesar shifted his attention to the second reward.
“Dimensional Warehouse…”
He silently recited in his mind, and a cubic space composed of countless semi-transparent grids clearly manifested in his consciousness.
“Couldn't have come at a better time.”
Caesar let out a long breath. This was exactly what he needed when he needed it most.
With this, his greatest concern was also resolved.
His gaze fell upon that Hundredfold Amplification system talent.
In the corner of the talent icon, an hourglass-shaped marker had filled completely, radiating an enticing golden glow.
【Unique Talent: Hundredfold Amplification.】
【Effect: Can perform random multiplier amplification on any “quantifiable” item possessed by the host, minimum 2x, maximum 100x.】
【Status: Available.】
【Cooldown: Seven days.】
A once-per-week divine miracle of creation.
Caesar's vision slowly moved, finally settling on the small money pouch containing fifty gold coins beside the bed.
This was the entirety of his current liquid assets, the full “investment” his “merciful” father had sent him to this barren land with to “expand territory.”
Laughable, and pitiful.
But from today onward, everything would be different.
Caesar's breathing grew somewhat rapid, his heart pounding uncontrollably.
He seemed to see a grand avenue paved with gold slowly unfurling beneath his feet.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
This first amplification was critically important.
It would determine the speed of his starting pace.
“System, set the fifty gold coins in the Dimensional Warehouse as the amplification target!”
【Ding! Target locked: Gold coins x50.】
【Talent “Hundredfold Amplification” has been activated!】
【…Performing random multiplier determination…】
Caesar's eyes were riveted to the system interface in his consciousness, even his breathing halted.
Time seemed infinitely stretched at this moment.
Finally, a gleaming golden number suddenly leaped out at the center of the interface!
【Determination successful! This amplification multiplier is: 88x!】
Success!
Before Caesar could even feel wild joy, earth-shattering changes occurred in the Dimensional Warehouse within his consciousness.
The fifty gold coins that had originally occupied only a corner seemed to have had a bomb named “amplification” dropped into them.
CLATTER CLATTER CLATTER—!
That wasn't a real sound, but the most pleasing symphony echoing through his mental world!
The quantity of gold coins began jumping at a terrifying speed: 50…500…1000…2000…
Finally, the number settled at “4400”!
Four thousand four hundred gleaming standard imperial gold coins nearly filled that one-cubic-meter Dimensional Warehouse to the brim, golden radiance almost overflowing from his mind!
“Haha… Hahahaha…”
Caesar first stood dazed for a long moment, then an immense wild joy demolished all his rationality, making him unable to restrain a low laugh that grew louder and louder, finally becoming near-maniacal laughter as his chest heaved violently.
Ten years!
A full ten years! He had endured countless cold looks and mockery, lived like a dog, with even servants looking at him with pity and contempt in their eyes.
And now, he had power, he had an extraordinary physique, and he had this fortune large enough to make any minor noble green with envy!
The Wailing Wastes? Everyone's graveyard?
No!
In Caesar's eyes, this place was no longer a graveyard, but virgin territory waiting for him to leverage with money and power, filled with infinite possibilities!
He would establish forces that truly belonged to him here!
He would make all those who had once looked down on him and insulted him prostrate at his feet trembling!
He would make his father and elder brother back in the fief regret to their core the decision to throw him, this young dragon, into the wilderness!
As his laughter gradually subsided, the fervor in Caesar's eyes slowly receded, replaced by an unfathomably deep calm and calculation.
This money was his first fortune, and it must be spent on the blade's edge.
Food, clean water, weapons, armor… and human hearts.
A preliminary plan began rapidly taking shape in his mind.
Just then—
THUD THUD!
The tent flap was struck twice with force, the sound urgent and heavy.
Immediately after, without waiting for Caesar's response, the flap was yanked open.
A gust of cold night wind rushed in.
Old Knight Roland's scar-covered face appeared at the entrance. He still wore his un-removed armor, his expression graver than Caesar had ever seen.
His hand remained pressed on the sword hilt at his waist.
“My lord.”
Roland's voice was kept very low, yet it carried a sense of impending storm urgency.
“We have a situation.”