Chapter 21: Admiration for the Strong
“Wholehearted Admiration”
“The rate of increase when training ability values far exceeds that of other adventurers, even allowing one to surpass the ability value cap.”
“As long as admiration for the strong is maintained, the stronger the admiration, the greater the effect. Engaging in combat with the admired, Liang Yue, further amplifies the effect.”
“If one renounces their original admiration, this skill will be immediately silenced and will never take effect.”
——
Possessing this skill allows Bell to break through the S-rank limit on ability values.
Because of this,
Freya had already envisioned the potential ceiling for Bell, whose soul radiance shone exceptionally bright among the followers she had recruited.
It was inexplicably...
As she observed the effect of the “Wholehearted Admiration” skill, a silence fell over her mood, and she even felt a sense of being preempted.
Admiration for the strong.
“Liang Yue...”
Freya’s eyes deepened as she recalled the black-haired, red-eyed youth she had met at the “Bountiful Mistress” restaurant.
He possessed eyes that could see the essence of the soul.
Their first formal meeting had been merely from the perspective of customer service, for the soul seemed to have been tainted by some existence, becoming murky.
No soul radiance could be seen.
Moreover, he was a follower recruited by Hestia, a god she herself revered, and now he would somehow have some connection to Bell.
“Quite interesting.”
“...”
Placing the parchment that recorded the ability values beside Bell, Freya gracefully walked over and gently sat by the bedside.
She reached out to brush Bell’s disheveled hair.
With a poised smile, she inquired, “Bell, did you encounter anything unusual during your dungeon exploration today?”
“Yes...”
“While exploring the seventh floor, I couldn’t quickly dispatch the killer ants and was nearly overwhelmed by their swarm.”
Bell hesitated, concerned about being scolded by the deity for not valuing his own safety, and quickly added,
“But a senior adventurer passing by helped me escape the danger...”
When Bell mentioned this unusual event, his eyes filled with regret because that adventurer
had not revealed their name...
Having grasped the full story, Freya’s smile softened with warmth, growing increasingly curious about this “Liang Yue” Bell spoke of.
Noticing Bell’s slight melancholy and his admiration for the strong,
“There will surely be a chance to meet again.”
——
After updating his ability values, Liang Yue performed a simple wash-up and prepared to rest, satisfied that all his plans so far were proceeding smoothly.
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Step by step, he raised his Sword Soul profession level.
His repertoire of skills gradually expanded, and his strength to explore deeper levels grew. Before each dungeon expedition,
he made careful preparations in advance.
This habit had become ingrained over time.
“Using the killer ants’ characteristics, if I summon three waves of companions and kill them all, the experience gained allows me to level up by one.”
“Exploiting a bug, huh...”
During tonight’s battle with the killer ant swarm, Liang Yue had gradually grasped their combat style and, with his current skill set,
defeating them was not particularly difficult.
As for the stamina cost of using skills, from another perspective, it was also training to improve his “Endurance” attribute.
Exhausted, Liang Yue soon fell into a deep sleep.
When he woke again, it was already morning. Hestia was sleeping on the sofa, covered with a blanket. Leveling up was a long process—
tedious and monotonous.
To master greater strength, one must be prepared to push themselves to the limit every day.
“Today...”
“I should raise my level to 18, aiming for level 20 within two days, and acquire some skills to further enhance my strength.”
With his plan set, Liang Yue routinely checked his weapon’s durability.
Despite the “Li-Ghost Sword Technique” short sword form allowing direct sword energy attacks,
the release of sword energy still impacted the weapon’s material stability.
Inspecting the weapon, its sharpness remained unchanged, but upon closer look, fine cracks appeared on the blade.
A longsword worth 130,000 Farleys.
For it to hold up this well, Liang Yue felt quite satisfied.
“So...”
“Before venturing out, I need to visit Hephaestus’s main weapon shop.”
He still vividly remembered what Hephaestus had said at the weapon branch store when he first returned from dungeon exploration—
more precisely, her care for Hestia.
Spending a little time could save money by repairing this weapon, something he gladly accepted.
Compared to unexpected incidents during explorations,
Liang Yue preferred to minimize the risk of weapon breakage in advance, as he had yet to master the “Invisible Sword Intent” skill.
If his weapon broke facing monsters, the danger would increase dramatically!
Furthermore, weapon repairs shouldn’t take too long.
There was another reason...
Besides the Babel Tower where Hephaestus’s weapon shop was located, there were other more ordinary weapon stores where he could casually look for weapons.
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Prices controlled within 20,000 to 30,000 Farleys.
Paired with the dual-wielding Li-Ghost Sword Technique,
he hoped to equip two short swords, allowing him to unleash double sword energy attacks when attacking—an idea he looked forward to.
At this moment, Hestia lay asleep on the sofa, undisturbed.
He spoke lightly, “I’m setting out now, Lady Hestia.”
“...”
Leaving the desolate, abandoned street and feeling the chill of the morning air, Liang Yue headed toward Oralie’s main thoroughfare.
It was still early.
The streets were relatively quiet, but shops on both sides were preparing to open.
Once tasks were completed step-by-step, he planned to head to Babel Tower for weapon repairs and put off purchases for later, first stopping by the West Street
to buy today’s lunch supplies.
Passing by the “Bountiful Mistress” restaurant, a familiar figure dressed in a light green maid outfit caught his eye.
She was directing the delivery of today’s ingredients.
Ciel Floreau.
“...”
Liang Yue hadn’t had much interaction with Ciel—at most, a brief encounter during a date with Aina two nights ago.
As for her exact identity,
he was well aware. Meeting her gaze, he nodded slightly in greeting.
Ciel, naturally exuding some youthful charm, tucked her gray hair that had fallen over her cheek behind her ear.
She smiled and greeted warmly, “Good morning, adventurer. Are you heading to the dungeon so early?”
“...”
There was no conflict of interest.
Besides, since Bell was also a member of Freya’s followers, Liang Yue held no strong suspicion: “The early bird catches the worm.”
“Adventurers are no different.”
As she spoke, his stomach protested due to lack of breakfast, an untimely interruption in their conversation.
Ciel blinked her clear eyes, a faint smile on her lips.
Without further words, she turned and entered the “Bountiful Mistress” restaurant to retrieve a lunchbox wrapped in white cloth.
“Very sensible.”
“Adventurer, you must prepare well, but don’t neglect your body—it will worry those who care about you.”
“For example...”
“The half-elf lady from the other night.”
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