NOVPUB
Chapter 87: 027: Suddenly
The convoy continued driving until it reached the center of the town, stopping at a post station next to the plaza.
A troop was already waiting here, numbering approximately in the hundreds, composed of cavalry, infantry, archers, and shield soldiers. At a glance, it was evident they were a highly-trained military force; Lynch even spotted some heavily armed heavy infantry and heavy shield soldiers within the ranks.
No way...
The scale of the response was beyond Lynch’s expectations. However, given they had just endured a brutal battle where even the Earl had perished, it was only natural for them to be overly cautious, like startled birds.
"Rooms and hot water have already been prepared. Ladies and gentlemen, please go in and rest,"
One of the leading knights negotiated with Rawls before inviting Lynch and the others inside to rest. Lynch was assigned a room on the third floor, while Avery was arranged on the second. Each floor was guarded by heavy troops for strict protection.
The room was spacious, at least thirty to forty square meters, furnished with all kinds of amenities. There was an independent washing room next door, complete with a small bath. It was undoubtedly the best accommodation available here.
Feeling utterly exhausted, Lynch lay down on the soft bed, completely unwilling to get up.
I’ll rest for a bit...
At this point, trying to continue cultivation was clearly unrealistic. Anyway, Lynch had finished all the planned courses for the day, so he decided not to push himself any further.
Striving for progress was certainly important, but if you ignored proper methods, it could easily backfire. In his current state, it was unsuitable for cultivation; a good rest to reset his spiritual energy was the better option.
Yet, lying in bed, Lynch didn’t doze off immediately. Instead, he opened his system panel to check his progress.
The information list on the panel was densely packed with rows of notifications.
[Multi-element Shield skill level +60.]
[Space Distortion skill level +50.]
[Thunder Strike skill level +80.]
[Earth Sinking...]
The skill levels, which on normal days only increased by single digits after great effort, now surged by dozens at a time, as if they were on steroids. Multiple spells experienced sharp climbs in skill levels.
The sudden explosion was caused by Lynch awakening a new trait.
Trait: War Comprehension.
War Comprehension: You’ve realized that the battlefield is the best teacher. When you step onto the battlefield, you gain exceptional insight.
Trait Effect: Every time you cast spells against enemies during combat, you will gain significant related skill experience.
Touching his chin, Lynch mused, "So it’s true—refining skills on the battlefield yields the most growth, huh?"
Spell skill growth was usually extremely slow. In the past, Lynch could only gain 1 or 2 points from private practice, but now, with this trait, leveling up spell ranks would become much easier.
Looking at the screen filled with dozens upon dozens of skill increases, Lynch was thrilled. However, this method of growth felt a bit confusing—it required him to face enemies in battle. Is this trait encouraging me to become a warmonger?
"Knock knock knock!"
Just then, a series of knocks on the door interrupted Lynch’s thoughts.
"Master, I’ve brought some supper for you," a soft female voice followed.
Having barely eaten all day, the mention of supper finally made Lynch realize he was actually hungry. He nodded and said, "Come in."
The door opened, and a maid entered carrying a wooden tray. On the tray were milk, pastries, sliced foie gras, and other dishes—all delicacies from the Mortal World, tempting and appetizing at first glance.
Lynch gestured toward the table. "Just place them there."
The maid carried the tray to the table and set the food down one by one. She then stood quietly to the side.
Lynch walked to the table intending to take a sip of milk first.
However, as the food neared his mouth, his hand suddenly halted midway.
Huh?
Lynch stared at the milk in his hand with a puzzled expression. He had detected an elemental reaction from the milk?
Elemental reactions themselves weren’t strange, but this was the element-scarce Mortal World. Moreover, the milk before him was nothing but ordinary—it shouldn’t exhibit any elemental reactions!
What’s more, the reaction was incredibly faint; if it weren’t for Lynch’s maxed-out Spirit Perception, he might not have noticed it at all.
"Master, why haven’t you had it yet? Do you need Sasha to serve you?" At this moment, a coquettish voice whispered in his ear as the maid stepped closer.
She appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, with striking features and makeup painted heavily on her face.
Lynch then noticed that the attire she wore was not a typical maid’s outfit but something resembling Earth’s provocative lingerie. The neckline was pulled low, baring a snowy cleavage, while the short skirt revealed her bare thighs, flaunting all her feminine assets.
Lynch’s heart skipped a beat as his vigilance soared.
Meanwhile, the maid swayed her hips seductively, walking toward him with allure. "Shall Sasha feed you? Or perhaps...you’d like to devour both the food and Sasha at the same time?" she teased with sultry charm.
Lynch didn’t waste words. He pushed the milk toward the maid and said directly, "Drink it."
Whether his suspicion was unwarranted or the truth would reveal itself—testing it would confirm things.
The outcome he least wanted to see was unfolding.
The maid’s expression suddenly froze, her smile stiffened on her face.
A beat later—
"Die!"
She flipped instantly, her face contorting as she leapt and drew a dagger hidden by her thigh, pouncing at Lynch like a predator on its prey.
Her movements were agile and highly trained. Lynch even saw silver light shimmer on the dagger; this maid was actually a Knight!
At this close range, against such a sudden assault, had Lynch been an apprentice without life-saving spells, he would have likely fallen here. But sadly for her, the opponent she attacked was Lynch.
As the maid lunged, Lynch stood his ground. Just as her dagger neared him, his body dematerialized momentarily, causing her entire figure to pass through his shoulder and crash into the table behind him.
This maid was no ordinary assassin. Even after missing her attack, she didn’t panic. Her body twisted fluidly like a rag, turning at an impossible angle to stab at Lynch once more.
"Smack!"
Lynch grabbed her wrist in one swift move and hurled her into the wall using Knight-level Strength. The impact smashed her hard against the wall.
The maid didn’t get a chance to recover before an invisible hand—a Wizard’s Hand—gripped her neck tightly and pinned her against the wall.
"Cough cough!"
The maid’s complexion turned a violent red from oxygen deprivation. Her limbs flailed aimlessly in desperation, her eyes overtaken by sheer terror.
Lynch increased the Wizard’s Hand’s grip while simultaneously breaking her limbs, preparing to interrogate her thoroughly.
But just then, there was a "Bang!" as the door was kicked open. Following this, over a dozen soldiers clad in leather armor stormed in, swords bared. They belonged to the unit stationed nearby to protect Lynch’s safety.
An assassin attempting to take Lynch’s life and the security team rushing into the room—everything made sense up to this point. But what unfolded next was unexpected...
Instead of apprehending the assassin or questioning Lynch about the situation, this security team paid no attention to the maid. Their gazes remained fixed solely on Lynch, eyes dark and filled with killing intent.
The leading knight raised his Cross Sword without hesitation and coldly commanded, "Take him out!"
With that, he charged at Lynch first.
