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volume 2 upgrade specialist end chapter 28 – end of a Chieftain

Having spent the last four hours training with the monster cores I had reached the limit of the 2nd stage of qi condensation. Before I had doubled around a quarter of my qi, meaning that now I had doubled the remaining 75%.

Now that I had an upgraded racial skill the cost to use it had accordingly gone up. With my current qi, I could use the flame serpent art at the weakest with a 40th of my qi. At the strongest, I could still use all of it, however after learning from this battle, that was not a good idea.

Having seen the Chieftain survive the attack I realised if I didn't have the dragon's fire I would be dead. In the future, I should refrain from using such a move. However, it did give me a trump card. If I ever faced an unbeatable opponent I could use it to give my teammates time to escape.

Having assessed my qi I decided that it was time to go back. My time in the book was almost up.

Solomon: thanks for the help Pluvia.

Pluvia: don’t worry about it, though I hope you break through to the 3rd stage soon.

There seemed to be some hope hidden in her voice.

Solomon: how come, what happens when I break through?

Pluvia: you'll get a good skill. I'm not going to spoil it. Anyway, it seems like your times up.

As she finished speaking I was instantly back outside the book. It seemed the time had run out. Looking down into the crater the Chieftain was still charging at me.

Though he was still as strong as before, to me now, he felt a little weak. Compared to me he was about equal. That meant that I was now at the level of that demonic bandit. I imagined it was because of the upgraded racial skill but I would say I was at the top of G rank now.

With the Chieftain as my test subject, I began testing my new power. Tom start off I used the weakest attack with my flame serpent art and arcane orb. As the qi ran through the tattoos I noticed that they had changed. Compared to before they now hovered slightly above my skin with qi in them.

Now instead of disappearing under the skin when not being used they stayed on my skin. Looking at them I felt they held a profound secret. Unfortunately now was not the time to think about it. Pushing a 40th of my qi into the orb I sent it flying.

As the qi burst out of the orb it still had the characteristics of fire from before. Being this close I could feel the immense heat emitting from the attack. As it shot off I tried to judge its power. Compared to before my racial skill upgrade it was about 4x stronger.

That was to say if I used an attack now it would be 4x stronger than before. I shuddered as I thought of an attack at full power with this strength. Though the attack before had the properties of the fire qi it didn't have all the effects.

Compared to the full power I used on the Chieftain it was only about half as strong as it should be. Probably because I had changed the qi after the attack was formed.

On the same vein, the attack before was a concentrated attack. If I used the area of effect attack I had developed with full power the size of the attack would be colossal.

Having calculated in my head I waited for the Chieftains reaction to my attack. When the head was about to hit him he jumped up, smashing down on it with his foot. After a moment the attack lost its power, however, it had burnt his foot quite badly.

Feeling the pain from his foot the Chieftain realised he couldn't contend with my attacks head on. Wanting to reach me before I could attack again he doubled his speed. Within 2 seconds he would be on me. Not really having a choice I pulled out the scimitar.

As he reached me I fed some of my fire qi into the sword. Reacting to the new qi it burst out in flames. It seemed that the new qi had given the sword a new ability. The flames then concentrated down on the sword, only reaching out an inch.

Receiving the Chieftains assault I slashed horizontally with the sword. Unlike before he knew not to receive my flames. Jumping up he dodged the attack. With fast movements he did a flip, bringing his foot down on my shoulder.

As the foot connected the momentum and strength of the attack pressed down on me. Under such pressure I couldn't hold up. Falling to one knee he landed in front of me. Looking at me with hate filled eyes.

Realising it would be bad to fight him in close quarters I made an attempt to push him back. Holding my orb behind me I began to fill it with a 10th of my qi. As it would take a few seconds I tried to distract him with attacks.

Standing up I stabbed forwards with my sword. However, against a physically enhanced fighter, I couldn't hold up. After a few roughshod attacks, I had bought enough time. On purpose I made a stupid attack, overextending my arm and leaving my side exposed. Luckily he went for it.

As he closed in trying to barge into my side I brought my other hand forward. Seeing my movement the Chieftain realised he had been had, however, he was already too far into the attack. He could only watch as a lizard's head and shoulder formed.

As soon as it was complete it fired at him, hitting him in his exposed chest. As the attack dug into him the colour drained from his eyes. Collapsing to the floor he now had a fist sized hole in the centre of his chest.

Looking at the once domineering Chieftain lying crippled on the ground I felt pity. Not wanting to prolong the inevitable I hovered my sword over his neck.

Solomon: I must thank you. if you didn't push me so far I wouldn't have gained such a powerup. It was a good fight, Chieftain.

Having said all I needed, I brought down the sword. Like that the world turned white. Once again I was in the healing light. Like in my test all of my injuries were healed. Though Pluvia had stopped the bleeding I still had several deep gashes in my flesh.

After a few minute of exposure to the healing energy, all of my wounds were healed. From broken bones to deep cuts it was like they never happened. Now finished with healing I was moved to another room.

Unlike my test, I didn't go straight to my origin plane. Instead, I was in a pure black room. Hovering before me was a whiteboard with words scrolling on it.

Ourous: congratulations on completing your mission. The following is an account of your earned rewards.

The words Ourous was speaking were what was scrolling on the board.

Ourous: mission rewards. Mission completion 200 points, killing hall master Xiao chen 50 points. Killing Vice chieftain yang tian 100 points, killing Chieftain han xiao 200 points.

Hearing this I felt kind of guilty. I had monopolised all of the points this mission. As I had so much I would convince my teammates to let me pay for the guild.

Ourous: secret mission rewards, secret mission gain Carbone's support, 400 points and 2 G rank tokens. Secret mission kill demonic tribe defector. Rewarded G rank token and 200 points.

This was the real windfall of my mission. 2 G rank tokens were extremely hard to get. From what Gareth had heard it was uncommon to get a single one in 5 missions yet I made 2 in one.

But that wasn't the best thing, all the G rank contestants had earned a G rank token from this. That meant a huge amount to our team's overall strength. If I gave a token to Gareth we would all be G ranks.

Killing rewards,

438 bandits killed, 876 points rewarded.

This was expected, but nonetheless, it was surprising. Having spent several days fighting it made sense I had killed a lot of bandits. But 876 was a huge amount of points. With this, I could buy the best armour and weapons under G rank for everyone.

Total rewards, 3 G rank tokens and 2026 points.

Looking at my total made me feel giddy. To think I would be so fortunate. Even after giving away a token and buying the guild I would have 2 G rank tokens and 1726 points.

At this point I disappeared once again, appearing back in the teleportation area. All of the people I had done the mission with were here. By the smiles spread on their faces I could guess they were all happy with their rewards.

Having finished the mission we were all free to go our own way. However before people left I felt I should reiterate my offer.

Solomon: well-done everyone, by your faces I guess you're happy with your rewards. Being that we've finished the mission we can go our own ways now, but I want to remind everyone. The doors to my guild will always be open to you. If you ever wish to join, or if you need help you only need ask.

Having been reminded about my offer everyone thanked me before leaving. The last person to approach me was Aries.

Solomon: so, have you considered my offer.

Her face looked conflicted as she answered.

Aries: I would like too, but I can't I've already been claimed by another guild.

Having heard from Gareth I knew what the term claimed meant. Attractive girls who guilds took interest in were forced to join. From their they were abused.

Hearing she was claimed made me extremely angry.

Aries: don't worry though. I'm not abused. Luckily I have some talent so I was allowed to go on missions. Thank you for the offer, but I'll have to refuse.

Though disappointed I didn't give up on her. Thinking I could negotiate with the guild for her release I asked who claimed her.

Solomon: which guild claimed you?

Aries: the capitalist mages.

Hearing this a bitter feeling made its way into my gut. If that was the case we would have no chance at negotiating for her. I still wanted to help her but with my current strength it was impossible.

Solomon: agh, then there's nothing we can do. I'm afraid we don't have the strength to negotiate with such a guild. Though I will promise you this. If I become strong enough, I will save you from them.

I truly meant what I said. Even if I was stronger she would still be worth fighting for. Having one more trustworthy comrade was better than having ten untrustworthy ones. Hopefully, I could free her in the future.

Aries: ah, t, thank you, Solomon.

Hearing my words Aries blushed. Seeing this new reaction from the usually cold woman I was slightly surprised.

Aries: um, I've got to go now, bye.

With a red hue creeping up her cheeks she bid us goodbye before quickly leaving. Turning back to my comrades I asked them.

Solomon: It seems we've hit a jackpot this time. first things first though. Let's make a guild.