Character: Fang Li
Race: Human
Class: Genestellar
Title: Guardian Knight
Rank: Third Rank
STR: 132 (+100)
VIT: 124 (+100)
AGI: 229 (+100)
INT: 215 (+50)
These were Fang Li's current Attributes.
The Battle Suit's equipment effects had pushed both Fang Li's STR and VIT beyond the 100-point mark, while even his AGI had broken through 200 points, which was already an astonishing improvement.
After all, a 50-point increase to each Attribute meant a total increase of 150 Combined Attribute Points!
A full 150-point boost to overall Attributes!
One had to know that the maximum limit of a Third Rank Main God Messenger was only about 200 Attribute Points higher than that of a Fourth Rank.
It was easy to imagine just how enormous a boost the Battle Suit provided to Fang Li.
This was also why Fang Li had reached an agreement with Aleister, exchanging a single job in return for this Battle Suit.
Perhaps this Battle Suit possessed neither special effects nor extraordinary abilities, but its enhancement to Attributes could only be described as terrifying, resulting in a dramatic increase in combat power.
Moreover, Attribute enhancement was only one aspect of this Battle Suit.
In addition, it increased attack speed and movement speed, while also weakening incoming attacks and greatly reducing damage. Although its damage reduction was not as astonishing as Sylvia's Goddess' Light, it still significantly increased Fang Li's defensive capabilities.
As a result, this Battle Suit, which occupied four Equipment Slots, was practically an artifact for someone like Fang Li, who pursued the pinnacle of close-quarters combat.
The reason Fang Li could achieve the frightening speed of three times the speed of sound was due in no small part to the Battle Suit's enhancements.
"My Attributes have improved quite a bit, too." Beside him, Sylvia stepped forward while speaking to Fang Li with a cheerful smile.
Character: Sylvia Lyyneheym
Race: Human
Class: Genestellar (Strega)
Title: Diva
Rank: Third Rank
STR: 120 (+40)
VIT: 118 (+40)
AGI: 122 (+40)
INT: 150 (+40)
These were Sylvia's current Attributes.
Unlike Fang Li, Sylvia possessed an extremely rare and powerful ability, while also being highly skilled in close combat.
And it seemed she had no intention of neglecting her close-combat capabilities.
Therefore, while Fang Li had invested all 50 of his free Attribute Points into INT, pushing it past the 200-point threshold as well, Sylvia distributed her 50 free Attribute Points differently.
Thirty of those points were evenly allocated among STR, VIT, and AGI.
The remaining twenty points were used to increase INT.
As a result, Sylvia's development was extremely balanced. Compared to Fang Li, who specialized in an extreme close-combat build, she had chosen a completely different path.
In addition, Sylvia had used the Third Rank Rebuilding Furnace that Fang Li had purchased, upgrading her Lux to Third Rank.
After advancing to Third Rank, Sylvia's Folkvangr gained a charge-up effect, allowing its power to gradually increase as battle continued. If a fight dragged on long enough, it would become an extremely terrifying weapon.
As for Fang Li, he used the Skill Crystal and learned a new Skill.
Meteor (Lv. 3)
Active Skill
Flight
Consumes stamina proportional to usage
Mobility, maneuverability, and stamina consumption are determined by the Skill's rank
Skill Level can be increased
After equipping the Battle Suit, Fang Li could no longer use the Boots of Hermes. Naturally, this also meant that he had lost the ability to fly.
After discovering this Skill in the auction house, Fang Li used his remaining Exchange Points to bid for it. He then spent 2 free Skill Points to raise its rank.
After testing it, Fang Li discovered that when using Meteor for flight, not only was it considerably faster than using the Boots of Hermes, it was also much more agile, while consuming less stamina as well.
Without hesitation, he immediately upgraded its rank.
Thus, all of Fang Li's Exchange Points were spent. Together with Sylvia, he also used up all of his available Attribute Points. In addition, he had spent a total of 10 Skill Points before and after this, exactly half of what he possessed, leaving him with only the remaining 10 Skill Points.
However, the results were extremely satisfying.
As a result, both Fang Li and Sylvia experienced a qualitative leap in strength.
Although Sylvia still lagged far behind Fang Li in terms of raw Attributes, every piece of equipment she wore was top-tier.
If they were to fight now, even Orphelia probably would not be able to hold out against Sylvia for very long.
This was the extent of the change, and it was an astonishing transformation!
"Still, I can't compare to you." Sylvia smiled at Fang Li as she said this. "With a total increase of 150 Combined Attribute Points, the current you should be able to fight against a Second Rank existence, right?"
Before being promoted to Third Rank, Fang Li's combat ability had already been extremely close to the limit of Third Rank.
Now, not only had all of his Skills improved across the board, but his Attributes and Equipment had undergone a complete leap forward, making him vastly stronger than before.
In that case, even against a Second Rank opponent, Fang Li should have some chance, shouldn't he?
However, Fang Li shook his head at Sylvia's assessment.
"Second Rank and Third Rank are completely different. It's not that easy."
Leaving everything else aside, just consider Arcueid.
That white Vampire Princess, if she unleashed her full power, could destroy an entire continent.
Faced with such terrifying power, although Fang Li had become much stronger, he still had no confidence in defeating her.
Originally, one of the reasons Fang Li could challenge opponents above his rank was that his Attributes were often a rank higher than those of the story's characters. With the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, as long as he possessed sufficient speed and skill, he could find a chance to win against almost any opponent.
That was why Fang Li specialized so heavily in speed and technique. Combined with Attributes that surpassed those of characters at the same level, he was able to fight above his rank.
But after reaching Third Rank, challenging a Second Rank existence was almost impossible.
"After all, Attributes aren't the only thing that determines a person's strength. Skills matter too."
Take Arcueid as an example. The reason she possessed such terrifying power was entirely due to Marble Phantasm, a rule-breaking Innate Skill. Once Arcueid used Marble Phantasm, Fang Li would probably be crushed to death unless he used his Stigma.
Back in the world of Tsukihime, Arcueid's power had not even fully recovered. Yet she still inflicted fatal injuries upon Fang Li, forcing him to rely on the power she transferred to him in order to survive.
Because of this, the gap between Second Rank and Third Rank was practically a difference in dimensions.
Fang Li had even heard that, for this very reason, advancing to Second Rank required more than merely raising one's Attributes to their limits. Additional conditions had to be met; a Promotion Quest alone was no longer sufficient.
Otherwise, the maximum Attribute limit for Third Rank would not have been only 500 points.
Therefore, even if Fang Li could somehow challenge a Second Rank existence, his chances of victory would probably be pitifully low.
However…
"As long as it's not a Second Rank opponent, I don't think I'll lose to anyone anymore."
This was a confidence Fang Li possessed.
For example…
"If I fought Kanzaki again, this time I would definitely win with ease."
This was the level of strength Fang Li now possessed!
"Alright." Fang Li took Sylvia's hand. "The testing is over. Let's take the next two days to rest properly, then prepare to head to the next Dungeon World."
Hearing this, Sylvia smiled in response and nodded.
(End Of This Chapter)
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