251 Influence
Tulnas had told all the ladies in his Guild about Skullius’ issue, the curse, informing them that they were not to help him with anything, as this would incur on them, certain death.
Presumably.
Fortunately for Tulnas, even though not all his Guild members were his lovers, they still regarded him very highly above other men and they would usually approach them with caution, their opinions of them much lower because of Tulnas’ standard.
For this particular mission, he had instructed, Gertreld, Natalika and Ginie to not, under any circumstances, help Skullius even if he was in a dire situation.
He would be handling that part as his ‘friends’ were a safer bet for such a case.
Even though, he didn’t think too highly of this curse that Skullius had offered limited information for to begin with, he still wouldn’t endanger his ladies.
At this moment, everyone watched as Skullius held two red gems which he had taken from the spatial storage ring that Tulnas had severed his connection to and flung at him, absorbing the spots of energy within.
Like the first time he had taken in this massive amount of energy in ref Enriching gems, Skullius felt overwhelmed for a moment, his eyes closing shut as he contained bursts of pleasured moans.
His body reacted quite a bit as he started to absorb more of the Enriching gems quicker and quicker while Tulnas and the rest watched.
The changes to Skullius’ body this time weren’t that pronounced despite him taking in 150 of these!
It seemed his body had reached some kind of limit in terms of changes, but this did not in any way leave Skullius concerned, as the boons he got were tremendous!
A red Enriching gem could add 3 points to his constitution.
150 gems could add 450 points, which meant…
“Fuuuu….” Skullius breathed out a burst of hot air as his flesh wriggled.
This was a massive amount of stats he had just received.
After every factor of a 100, 30 stat points would be added to all physique related stats plus his total mana; Agility, Strength, Endurance, Health and Mana.
So, this round of absorption, Skullius received a 120 stat point increase to all these stats!
“You seem satisfied,” Tulnas said with a light smirk. “If it was anyone else, I’d worry they’d still be a one trick pony, but for you, this should aid you in your combat.”
Skullius nodded as he looked at his hand.
As alluded to before, stat point increases in humans were much different than for beasts and technically speaking, Skullius’ Penetrator form which used the beast type cultivation system of evolutions was wouldn’t enjoy thus weight in stats.
With the joy that came with this, Skullius was even more proud of how he could most definitely finish the Task to the Tenth level now.
Natalika who had been silent while harnessing her senses for spatial awareness suddenly spoke as she felt Skullius’ rise in strength.
“Will you accept a duel with me now that you have additional strength to spare? I still promise to not lop off any part of you,” she said as she turned to Skullius.
The Discount Human once again felt her energy pricking and slicing at his skin, which made him very nervous.
“Give it a rest, Natalika. Can’t you behave more ladylike for just an hour? Indulge in something else other than fighting,” Gertreld said as she hugged Tulnas’ arm.
“Un, un! You should really stop asking everyone you see for a fight big sister, Natalika. It’s not… proper, yes proper. It’s improper!” Ginie said as she once again struggled with words.
“It’s the fastest way to becoming stronger. The faster I battle and win, the quicker I will be in reaching the pinnacle of power. I still have my elder siblings to prove wrong,” Natalika said as she squeezed her sword.
Gertreld and Ginie quietened down after Natalika said this.
Tulnas noticed the tension and decided to step in.
“You will prove them wrong. That I guarantee,” Tulnas said as he gently held Natalika’s thigh. “But first, learn to cultivate your mind. How you speak and how you react to speech. It’s also important for a warrior. No one will recognise a sword master who cannot engage with people and know how to pass down his or her wisdom in simple speech.”
“…I see,” Natalika said, calming down.
“Besides, you won’t get to rest your sword for long. We’ll almost there.”
Into the distance, the lands changed from being densely vegetated to being largely full of tall heat resistant grass and tall trees that boasted thick barks.
The temperatures were especially brutal in this area of the region and Skullius noticed it, though his physique could now handle it without keeling over.
Many people with distinct skin colours passed the carriage, going about their way or visiting the distant towns and villages.
It was bustling.
A few hours later, the carriage reached a large town that the locals would call Central, where a mix of people could be seen engaging in all kinds of activities; walking into different shops, buying from stalls, riding horses as they travelled to special spots in the town and so on.
As the carriage entered the town, many turned to it with smiles, recognising its decor as belonging to a certain Guild they knew quite well.
“Ah… they’re back so early.”
“Wow, that’s the third visit in three months!”
“I hope he brought big sister Renialid! I can’t wait to see…ahem… feel… ahem… shower her with praise.”
“Hehe… we’re definitely going to shower her with something…hehe…”
“GET AWAY FROM HERE YOU DEGENERATES!”
Just how far Tulnas’ influence reached showed as a large crowd began to gather while giving way for the carriage to move forward.
From children to adults, some even left their stalls where they were selling foodstuffs to rush to greet their collective idols.
The carriage eventually came to a hold, Skullius who was inside marvelling at the amount of repute that Tulnas enjoyed.
This was ridiculous.
A few Knights appeared in the distance, warding away the crowd for a distinguished man who looked a little too old to hold a high position to pass through.
His sharp, velvet eyes that and and grey hair that was starting to recede were rather imposing, carrying a heavy weight of authority.
He was the Town leader.
Beside him was a lean but tall girl with beeline honey coloured hair tied into a pony tail.
Her diamond shaped face widened as she smiled, seeing that Tulnas and the others were here, finally.
It felt like an eternity since she had been left here.
The planning must have been successful.
The door to the carriage opened and everyone disembarked, the crowds cheering when Tulnas greeted everyone with a gentle smile and a wave of his hand before walking up to the Town Leader and shaking his hand.
“I’m glad you returned quickly as you said you would,” the old man said with a nod.
“This is a matter of great importance after all,” Tulnas said as he looked around. “It doesn’t seem like the situation turned more sour after I left.”
“Indeed. We have her to thank,” the old man said as he turned to the girl at his side whose eyes never left Tulnas’ face.
The Guild leader turned his gaze towards her.
“Oh, is that so,” he said.
“However, we cannot dally when we have so much that we should tell. With this information, perhaps you can put those heathens to the sword,” the old man said.
—
-Author’s Note-
[Ding]
[Ah! Mashu_Berusutora has donated thrice to the novel! I’m heavily inspired! +2 chapters over the daily quota this weekend!]