191 Advancement
Skills like <Spike Attack> and <Venomous Spikes> were good examples.
While they didn’t do much damage against the tough Demons, once I infused my mana, they would explode upon touch with the Demons, causing extra damage. Not to mention, by using <Coordination>, I could easily pinpoint the exact location of the targeted spots of the Demons. Eyes were my number one goal. By using Venomous Spikes to pierce the Demons’ eyes, I could impede their sight and affect them with poison while using regular spikes to kill them off.
That was my initial rationale. However, I came to realize that my Spikes and Claws possessed incredible hardness and actually dealt a great deal of damage compared to my initial assumption.
“Why didn’t I think of this?” I shouted in excitement.
The reason was quite simple.
My body had Leveled Up at a very abnormal rate, causing me to be extremely tough and powerful even merely physically. The Spikes and Claws I produced were made from my body, and since the body kept experiencing changes and getting stronger… so did the Skills!
For Grade 1 Skills… they were pretty overpowered, weren’t they?
So long as I kept growing stronger, these Skills would continue to remain relevant. By storing them within [Subspace], I could gain access to a nigh unlimited amount of weapons made from my own body. When I thought of it that way, I realized…
‘I’m freaking OP, aren’t I?!’
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The first compound was subjugated without any issue. As a result, everyone Leveled Up to a considerable degree. Daniel grew to Level 61. Tasha became Level 59. Dave grew to Level 54, and so many others entered the early 50s. Melissa became Level 20, a miracle considering how little she contributed to the fight.
‘I had to basically offer the Demons on a platter for her to Level Up…’ I grimaced, remembering how weak and useless she was in combat.
The best result from the fight so far was Lara. She surpassed Daniel and became a whooping Level 69! A huge jump from her previous estate. Looking at everyone now, I couldn’t help but feel a little moved. Of course, I leveled up a few times after killing the Demons. It was funny how I received so little EXP despite being the one who killed the most Demons.
“I’m Level 237, uh?” I muttered, realizing I got additional 7 Levels.
As expected, my Stats took another major boost, but it was all within expectation.
While I was exceedingly happy about the increase in the Level and fighting ability of my followers, there was something that took more pertinence. The most important aspect of their growth—choosing a Job!
I remembered it was after I surpassed Level 50 that I got the chance to choose a Job. The same applied to everyone else who had surpassed that threshold. Only a few like Melissa and five others remained who hadn’t reached Level 50. That was because they weren’t very useful in the offensive and their Skills weren’t attuned to fighting as much as the others.
So, out of 36 Gifteds, including Lara, 30 could choose their Jobs.
“W-what should we choose?!” The group looked at me curiously.
I squinted my eyes and gave a look of disgust. Of course, they couldn’t see my expression through my mask, but it was annoying having to cater to every single need of these people. Perhaps it was my fault for reducing their Intelligence Stats, but they must have regained a great deal of it when they Leveled Up.
The Subjugation Team members simply wanted to rely on me for everything!
“It’s your choice. You should decide on your own.” Was my verdict.
Other than Lara, I didn’t really care about the path everyone else chose. In the long run, it wouldn’t be of any benefit to me. Turning in Lara’s direction, I signaled her to have a word.
She immediately got my message and moved toward me while the others were racking their brains on what to choose as their Jobs.
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“So? Which of them do you want to pick?”
My question caused Lara to rub her chin a little as her eyes went to a Window I couldn’t see which was most likely displayed in the corner of her vision.
Her face displayed uncertainty and she was also conflicted about the choice—just like I had been.
Choosing a Primary Job basically determined everything about a Gifted. The growth level, Stats, Skill sets, future Job selections, and style of fighting. Primary Jobs couldn’t be revoked so it was a decision one had to make with the utmost caution.
“Being honest, I would rather go with the <Thief> Job…” Her voice trailed as she looked at me.
‘Oh? Same as me uh?’
“But, you’ve already chosen that Job, haven’t you? I figured out as much. It would be a waste if we both chose the same Job.”
Just as always, Lara read my mind. While she was better suited for the <Thief> Job—like me—having two people in the same Party bearing the same Job was disadvantageous. For versatility and better options in battle, another specialty had to be chosen.
Lara gazed at her Status Window one more time. I still remembered how the Job selection worked.
Faced with so many options and countless possibilities, it was easy to get lost in one’s thoughts.
Lara bit her lip and looked at me with a pained expression. It seemed she didn’t want to resort to what she was about to do, but the young woman decided it was the best option.
“W-what do you think I should choose?”
Her question was a bit surprising.
Unlike the others who had asked for my opinion from the get-go, Lara had decided to use her intellect to battle the myriads of possibilities in her head. However, everyone had a limit.
If not for my future knowledge and absurdly high amount of intelligence, I would have flopped in my choice. Besides, with someone as experienced as me standing before her, it was clear that the wisest thing for Lara to do was ask for my help.
Unlike the others, she wasn’t stupidly asking me to make the decision for her. She just chose the safest and most rational course of action. This was the reason why—unlike previously—I wasn’t disgusted with Lara’s question.
“Well, if I was to pick…”