Chapter 6: The First Feeling Is Always Wonderful

After reviewing the professional talents and skills, Mo Wen fell into deep contemplation.

The professional skills "Balanced Steps" and "One-Handed Weapon Mastery" were techniques that ordinary people could acquire through time and effort, so they were hardly surprising.

The extraordinary elements lay in the talent "Heart of the Black Beast" and the skills "Reconnaissance" and "Half-Doll Body."

There was no need to elaborate on "Reconnaissance," as system-produced skills were always top-tier.

The "Heart of the Black Beast" was linked to the "Black Beast" ship, requiring the consumption of a special biological energy derived from the vessel. This was a limitation, but it also made the effect quite powerful.

Provided the heart remained undamaged, any wound could be rapidly healed.

As for "Half-Doll Body," strictly speaking, "Heart of the Black Beast" and "Doll Body" were complementary abilities.

However, for Mo Wen, whose brain suffered severe trauma, the "Heart of the Black Beast" could not repair the damage, whereas a conventional "Doll Body" had no concept of a brain as a vital organ.

This meant that the "Heart of the Black Beast" talent was far less effective for Mo Wen than for a normal Black Beast crew member.

But there were always trade-offs.

His "Half-Doll Body" was far stronger than a regular "Doll Body."

His physical training efficiency was greatly enhanced.

His resistance to curses was significantly increased.

He had damage reduction against spiritual attacks.

Impressive, wasn’t it? The only price was the need to "sacrifice life energy."

Staring at the 10% transformation rate marked next to the "True Doll Curse," Mo Wen’s heart grew heavy.

“A curse, but also a blessing…”

Exhaling softly, he focused his gaze on the "Talent" section of the panel.

Beyond the professional talent "Heart of the Black Beast" bestowed by being a Black Beast crew member, he also had a personal innate talent—"Soul from Another World."

With a thought, the talent details expanded.

——

Personal Talent – "Soul from Another World": A mysterious soul originating beyond this world, rendering your existence independent from the system.

A soul once bathed in red radiance grants you higher resistance on the mystical side.

——

Examining the system’s description of "Soul from Another World," Mo Wen’s eyes reflected a contemplative light.

The personal talent’s description was rather vague.

What did it mean to be independent from the "system"? How exactly did the higher mystical resistance manifest?

None of these were elaborated upon.

But Mo Wen instinctively felt this personal talent was likely the most valuable among all his talents and skills.

Putting aside thoughts of "Soul from Another World," Mo Wen finally turned to the "Rank" section of the panel.

——

Rank: Black Iron – Black Beast Crew Level 1 (100/100, upgradable)

Gazing at the "100/100" experience points, Mo Wen felt a spark of curiosity.

If he recalled correctly, his experience had been "0/100" when he first assumed the role. Where had these extra 100 experience points come from?

As if sensing his thoughts, the panel flickered, and a message appeared.

[Assisted in killing "Black Beast Captain (Golden)," gained 100 professional experience points (Black Beast Crew)! — Completing job tasks based on professional nature grants corresponding professional experience.]

“Job tasks based on professional nature?”

Mo Wen stroked his chin.

“A Black Beast crew member, aside from recruiting new citizens for the ‘Forbidden Artifact – Doll Kingdom,’ is essentially a blend of pirate and crew. Raiding, killing, maintaining the ship, treasure hunting—all are part of their job duties.”

“In that case, killing the ‘Black Beast Captain’ to overthrow a superior and uphold the pirate’s ‘traditional virtue’ would logically grant professional experience.”

Having understood the origin of his professional skills, Mo Wen no longer hesitated and chose to "level up" immediately.

[Level Up Successful! Black Iron – Black Beast Crew Lv.1 (100/100) → Black Iron – Black Beast Crew Lv.2 (0/200)!]

[Obtained basic professional bonus: Physique +0.2!]

A strange warmth surged within him, like soaking in a hot spring on a freezing winter day. The intense comfort made Mo Wen squint in enjoyment.

Soon, the warmth faded, and he opened his eyes, clenching his fists a few times in the air.

“The first level-up feels pretty good.”

The increase in physique brought noticeable changes, easing the tension in Mo Wen’s heart.

The boost from "Physique" was immediate.

Had he possessed this physique before boarding, he would have been able to reason properly with that shady intermediary.

In a world filled with danger, strength was always the most reliable means of self-protection.

Glancing at the upgraded panel, Mo Wen suddenly froze.

——

[Attributes]: Physique 1.5 → 1.7, Spirit 1.0

……

[Status]: True Doll Curse (Current Transformation Rate: 9%)

——

“The puppet transformation rate decreased by 1%?!”

Mo Wen stared intently at the number, joy spreading in his eyes.

In just a few minutes, the only change he had undergone was the attribute boost from leveling up.

“Physique?”

“Could the increase in spirit suppress the puppet transformation as well?”

Mo Wen speculated.

Finding a way to inhibit the increase of the puppet transformation rate was of immense significance to him.

It meant he would no longer helplessly watch himself turn into a doll!

After a long moment, Mo Wen calmed his excitement.

Just then—

With a creak, the wooden door of the cabin was pushed open.

Sunlight poured in, dispelling the damp chill, bringing with it a tall and slender woman.

She wore a magnificent mask intricately carved with openwork, a strange gem embedded at the center of her forehead, shimmering with prismatic light, lingering longest on a bright yellow hue.

Draped in a courtly robe that accentuated her slender waist and astonishing curves, she resembled a delicate branch heavy with ripe fruit.

“Freyria?”

Mo Wen tilted his head slightly, looking uncertainly at the approaching woman.

The next moment—

“Bang!”

A tremendous force struck him. Before he could react, his body slammed heavily against the ship’s bulkhead.

The sound of cracking wood echoed sharply.

Pain radiated from every part of his body. He tried to struggle, but even with his now superhuman physique, he could not budge. He was like an insect trapped in amber.

He attempted to channel the special biological energy within, trying to repair his damaged body. This process went smoothly, but the problem was that even his restored peak physique was still weak before this invisible force.

A cold, delicate touch came from under his chin.

His head was forced upward, gazing into the imposing mask mere inches from his face.

Within the deep blackness of her eyes, a faint yellow gleamed—filled with an unyielding dominance, or perhaps an arrogant impartiality toward all existence.

“Freyria… truly a long-lost name,” she said.

“Ant, I am curious—where did you learn this name?”