Chapter 48: Two Consecutive Advances in Extraordinary Physique

To reach level 5 requires 50 units of source energy, and to reach level 6 requires 60 units, making a total of 110. Having slain four vengeful wraiths—the Hanging Man, the Spirit in the Painting, and the Evil Spirit in the Black Vinyl Mask—along with a previous reserve of 10 source energy, the total now stood at a formidable 140, more than enough for two consecutive level-ups.

Lin Xiao was uncertain whether, at his current level and strength, he could truly oppose the evil source. The unpredictability of Number 11’s abilities made him wary of placing all his hopes on her alone.

Thus, before confronting the true mastermind, it was necessary to make an urgent leap in power.

In an instant, the 110 units of source energy vanished. An unprecedented surge of heat, like a tidal wave, erupted from within, coursing through his body with the force of molten magma, scouring his very being with unparalleled intensity.

Muscles, blood vessels, skin, tendons, organs, nerves, and even his brain—every cell within him devoured the torrent of energy, transforming dramatically, brimming with vitality and exuberant growth.

His physique and appearance developed toward their optimal state, his height stretching to around 1.8 meters, his build as well-proportioned as a discus thrower, not a trace of excess fat remaining.

Even the freckles that once dotted his face faded away, replaced by flushed, healthy skin, as vibrant as that of a newborn, teeming with life.

Never before had Lin Xiao so acutely felt the exhilarating melody of life surging within him. It was as if each cell sang in unison, celebrating his rebirth, exulting in his transcendence beyond the limits of ordinary existence.

If, before level 5, he had merely been a powerful mortal, from this moment on, his constitution was no longer ordinary, but surpassed the realm of men:

An extraordinary physique!

Human flesh is fragile—prone to illness, injury, and aging, tormented by the agony of life slipping away, vitality leaking through one’s fingers like sand, impossible to grasp or retain.

When the last grain is gone, life halts abruptly and returns to dust.

But now, Lin Xiao could distinctly sense that, while this body might still be unable to escape death, disease, or all harm, at the very least, it was no longer so easily destroyed.

Beyond the strengthening of his body, the magic within him underwent a profound transformation.

Before level 5, though he could wield magic as freely as an extension of his will, there remained a slight delay—insignificant against common foes, but a fatal flaw against the source of evil.

Now, this issue was virtually eradicated. At the mere stir of his thoughts, magic flowed instantaneously, nearly beyond the grasp of time itself.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have reached LV5. Your constitution has transformed into an extraordinary physique, granting an additional 10% to your maximum life. You have acquired immunity to all ordinary illnesses—common viruses and bacteria can no longer harm you.]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have reached LV6. Your magic has been refined to a state of absolute control, with each level further tempering your magic and granting 50 additional MP, continuing until your class advancement.]

Two consecutive system notifications resounded. Lin Xiao was overjoyed—his decision to level up now had been correct. Both the extraordinary physique and the refined magic greatly enhanced his power.

Additionally, his magic points had been fully restored, his body brimming with energy.

If earlier, he had only fifty percent confidence in defeating the evil source, that confidence now soared to seventy percent—his odds of victory had grown considerably.

This level-up also rewarded him with five SP points. From levels 1 to 5, each upgrade gave two points, while from level 6 to 10, each gave three, so he now had five to spend.

After contemplating briefly, he realized many skills now met their prerequisites. There was one in particular he had long wished to improve, and now, flush with resources, he decided to upgrade it in one go.

He called up the skill interface, opened the Priestess skill tree, spent one SP point to unlock a potent skill, then invested two more to raise it to LV2 Mastery:

[Summon Lightning Talisman: LV2 Mastery. Condense magic within to forge a lightning talisman. Within a 10-meter radius, summon lightning to strike enemies. Grants a 15% bonus to magical attacks against creatures of darkness. When struck, enemies are paralyzed for 1 to 3 seconds and suffer lightning magic damage. Each use consumes 200 magic points.

LV2 Mastery Special: Lightning Imbue. Transforms internal magic into lightning, imbuing it into weapons for extra lightning damage and armor penetration. Consumes 10 magic points per second.]

This formidable talisman skill was one Lin Xiao had longed for, but its prerequisite required reaching level 5. He’d previously looked on in vain, but now, at last, he had achieved his desire.

With two SP points remaining, he chose not to unlock a new skill but instead upgraded a level 1 skill: Purification.

[Purification: LV2 Mastery. Removes abnormal statuses from all allies within range, including but not limited to curses, venom, and bleeding. Each use consumes 20 magic points. Range: five meters.

LV2 Mastery Special: Limb Reattachment. By expending all magic points at once, can reattach limbs severed within the last hour, restoring them to their original state.]

Seeing this effect, Lin Xiao was overjoyed. It meant that in future battles, if someone lost an arm or leg, he could play surgeon and reattach it himself.

If nothing else, such a skill could make a fortune—though certainly not in legitimate hospitals, but in underground clinics and the like.

Of course, all this hinged on surviving the confrontation with the evil source and exiting the basement alive; otherwise, none of it would matter.

The surge of power from two consecutive level-ups was immense. Unable to resist, he called up his system status to examine his attributes:

———

Character: Jonathan Byers (Lin Xiao)
Level: LV6 (30/70)
Source Energy: 30
SP Points: 0

HP: 484 — MP: 420

Strength: 40 — Intelligence: 36
Stamina: 44 — Spirit: 37
Physical Attack: 50 — Magic Attack: 36
Physical Defense: 57 — Magic Defense: 37
Physical Crit: 4% — Magic Crit: 3.5%
Attack Speed: 4% — Casting Speed: 3.5%

Class: Cleric
Title: Hound of Hell Slayer
System Quest: Plot Saboteur (4/10)

Skills:
General Skills—LV1 Novice: Basic Mastery, Retreat, Leap
Basic Skills—LV1 Novice: Demon’s Hand, Aerial Slash
LV2 Mastery: Summon Lightning Talisman, Dash Slash, Purification, Holy Light

Weapon: Stellar Destroyer Battle Axe (Damaged)
Equipment: Seria’s Heartfelt Boots; Pursuer’s Leather Belt (Stamina +4, MP Recovery Rate +0.5%)

———

“My four basic attributes are about four times those of an ordinary person, my health nearly five hundred points—like having five lives. Even if I wanted to die now, it wouldn’t be so easy.”

Lin Xiao smiled. This intoxicating sense of power was irresistible; he wished he could rush straight to level 10 and complete his class change as soon as possible.

After all, only as an Exorcist could he truly stand against such evil.