Chapter 98: Commence Operation (1/2)

Two days have passed since the day we scouted the Ogre's Lair. During the night after we talked about the plan on how to rescue and steal from those Ogres, I used the whole night to devote myself to cultivation.

Just like when I was in the World of Barbarians, I cultivated nonstop to push myself to reach the last stage of the 2nd realm. 5th Stage Augmented Realm, Level 5 Support Professional System and 5-Streams Fused Spirit.

Upon my breakthrough, it earned me another 9.5 Strength, 9.5 Endurance and 0.2 Intelligence.

Err… and like the first, Strength and Endurance was reduced by 45%.

For the last and final Augmented Skill, I created a support for the Orb of Enhancement.

Well, since I'm already walking the road of a support character, might as well be serious with it. With Energy Shield and now this, my Augmented Skills were now completed with two offensive, one evasive and two support skills.

The fifth Augmented Skill, Energy Field. Any recognized ally within the field will get an enhancement buff of 5 Strength from me that will not expire as long as the field is opened. If one left the area covered by the field, the enhanced Strength will last for two minutes. If I boosted the Augmented Skill using my Streams, it will add another 1 Strength per Stream.

With the addition of the Passive Skill [Field Expansion] gained from the System Path, The area of the field was extended from 3 meters to 5 meters around me.

This is the last breakthrough with which I would get bonus stats from each path. Once I reach the 3rd realm to become a Saint Realm and the equivalent of it from the other paths, the stat bonus will be reduced. In exchange, my cultivation speed will normalize.

Since they will run parallel by then, I will be like someone with a unique path compared to the others. A Unique Path and a Unique Energy. Adaptability is really something, eh?

I don't know about the rest of the 30 worlds I haven't stepped into yet. Because of the Flux Energy State, I will not be able to gain as much stats there but maybe their paths and inherent energies can further enhance my abilities.

We'll see when I step foot in the 4th world. Even if it was explained it's still better to experience it myself.

According to the old man in the mansion ruins, I'm already a Rank 4 Mortal. That means, even the bonus stats were counted in determining one's rank. But how do they calculate it though? He didn't detail it enough. My system will surely adjust itself to also project the Universal Power Level that they were using if he gave a detailed description of Mortal Ranks.

That will surely be useful to properly gauge the new enemies. Even if it's not Transcendent, Rank 5 Mortal will surely appear soon. It's probably because the Peak Rank 4 was already useless against the Heroes and the strongest among the denizens of the world. Just Like that Dark Beastmaster killed by Raiden as well as the Dark Elves in the World of Spirits who kept on losing against the Yumiko or the Spirit King.

Last night, before our operation today, I once again infiltrated that lair, alone.

Well, I didn't take long since I only went there to check on the Pole. Luckily, they're not doing the ritual everyday. It's a coincidence that we chanced upon it.

While concealed, I quietly went to the raised platform and touched the Pole

One touch was enough for its functions to become clear to me. Remembering the information I discovered, I immediately left the lair before the concealment ran out.

The Pole which served as their Altar is a mystical equipment made by a Transcendent called Totem Pole. The Ogres must have chanced upon it somewhere in this dimension.

It's main function isn't the ritual we saw but the enhancement of an ability. It can make an ability stronger if used with it.

The ritual we saw was just the Totem Pole enhancing the Shaman's ability to draw out the Ruin Dweller's lifeforce. That ability was mentioned on the stone tablet I found in the Shaman's Room. It's like a free ability if one followed the instructions written in it.

The ability is the use of someone else's lifeforce to forcefully induce growth towards its target by expending that lifeforce instead of the target's own lifeforce.

What we saw was just someone forcefully being turned to an adult.

Err… it shouldn't have that grand of an effect but thanks to that Totem Pole, it became possible.

On that same note, if Yumiko uses it, the Totem Pole will enhance the effect of her Spirit Channeling, it might extend the duration of channeling or increase the power she could borrow.

Well, I can use it too but it's pretty useless since my ability is like a Passive skill. It will be more useful for the Unique Abilities unlocked by Psyche Energy like Yuko and Raiden's Foresight and Temporal Acceleration. Using the Totem Pole with it will surely enhance those abilities of theirs

Ah. It might really become a Totem for the Heroes if ever we all stand together to fight. Every hero can take their turn to use it.

My initial guess wasn't exactly right but wasn't wrong either. The Pole was really useful for Yumiko.

Because of that discovery, stealing that pole is now one of our main objectives.

”Daisuke, come here. I'll put on the disguise for you.”

Jayna called to me after she's done disguising Jagu.

Looking at him now, you wouldn't really mistake him for another species but only an Ogre. It looks real, those ugly mug of it and those buffed bodies. Even if you pinched his arm you'll clearly see that it is his own arm that you're pinching. That's how the Earthfire perfected the already perfect disguising skill of Jayna.

”You seem happy.”

I commented upon noticing her humming out a tune while preparing for my disguise.

When she heard my words, she giggled like a mischievous child before explaining why.

”It will be harder for Father to notice my disguises now. I will be able to go out more often.”

Hearing her words, I couldn't deny that it made me laugh.

”I'm amazed that's what you can think of at this moment.”

”Is it that funny?”

She tilted her head as if she didn't know why I laughed.

”No. It's adorable.”

And it really is. Despite what we went through and what kind of battle we will be having soon, she could still be this carefree. That positivity is uplifting.

”Uhh. Are you here to tease me? Stay still. I'll start now.”

She pouted and ordered me.

I could only smile and let her do what she wanted.

Two hours later, everyone was already in their own Ogre disguises. Jayna put some specific marks on our bodies to know who is who and to know if that Ogre is an ally or an enemy. Once we enter the lair, we'll be socializing with the Ogres even if we don't know their own incoherent language. They all look alike, so it will be hard for them to spot us.