Chapter 102: The "-5" Catastrophe
"The illusion doppelganger doesn't tinuously e mana? This is one of the reasons it persist indefinitely..."
"The flow of mana is almost identical to the main body, and although its damage is reduced to ohird, it's still strohan a regur spellcaster..."
"As for other are spellcasters of the same level, I could probably hold my own against them..."
"In a couple of days, after the professional soldiers finish their training, I’ll o earn more skill points."
"..."
After spending over half an hour, Matthew emerged from the secret chamber, having firmed the basibat power of the illusion doppelganger.
It was equivalent to ae-level Tier 3 spellcaster!
Its challeing could reach 5+!
Of course, this was without calg the power of money.
Returning to the study, Matthew flipped through the supply list, appreciating the realistic texture of the paper and marveling at the venience of are magic.
"Unfortunately, just being an are schor who only explores magical secrets won’t ge my fate..."
With a small grumble, Matthew quickly recovered, notig the approag footsteps of Ralph and Adam Smith.
He turned his head and was immediately stunned.
Adam Smith's head was covered in a "blood-red" aura, his face full of smiles, yet his broitch bck."
"Goodness, is this what they mean by a darkened brow?"
Startled, Matthew quickly checked Adam Smith's luck value.
"-5! Catastrophe immi!"
A man doomed to die!
Matthew then g Ralph; his luck value remained unged.
"It seems that Adam Smith is fag danger once he leaves Bay Vilge..."
"Iing—could it be danger in Blood Moon City, or something on the road?"
"Judging by previous experiehe danger should appear soon..."
"In that case, Adam Smith is likely to face fatal daoday..."
"Is this aimed at me? Or at him?"
"Is it the hidden mastermind, or is it due to Adam Smith himself?"
Various thoughts fshed through Matthew's mind, but he quickly calmed down and carefully formuted a pn.
"I ’t abandon Adam Smith casually. He's a clever and useful tool, and we've built a certain level of trust. Finding a rept would be too time-ing..."
"Besides, sineone has already set their sights on Adam Smith, I use him as bait and a first line of defense..."
After a brief sideration, Matthew made his decision.
Adam Smith must be protected!
"e 100 Fate s!"
"Ding! Destiny's Choice activated. Option 1: Abandon Adam Smith, sever the tail to survive, +3 luck, and enjoy a streak of good fortune!"
"Option 2: Dispatch 20 s to support Adam Smith, -3 luck, and face bloodshed and disaster!"
Thoughtfully smag his lips, Matthew gradually uood the bias of Destiny's Choice.
Abandoning Adam Smith would give Matthew time to develop without being exposed, allowing him to accumute power in the meantime.
Hehe luck would be "positive."
Oher hand, if Matthew resolved Adam Smith's danger, he himself would bear the brunt of it.
However, because Matthew had grown stronger and his forces had developed, his ability to hahe danger had increased.
What would be fatal to Adam Smith was much less dangerous for Matthew.
Still, the sudden ges and enemies would cause Matthew trouble!
Having made up his mind, Matthew quickly put his pn into a and walked out of the study.
Adam Smith and Ralph immediately fell silent and bowed as Mattheroached.
Ralph was a bit perplexed; even though the lord had just demonstrated it, he still couldn’t tell whether this was the real Matthew or the illusion doppelganger.
It was just too realistic!
Adam Smith, unaware of Ralph's thoughts, immediately began p as usual.
"Does the lord have something special to tell me?"
Matthew didn’t think too much about it aured to Ralph, who uood and stepped forward.
"Summon 20 s..."
"Theo the barracks and bring a small squad of soldiers here. Assigo Adam Smith's and."
Matthew didn't lower his voice at all. Hearing this, Adam Smith felt an overwhelming sense of joy.
As a shrewd businessman, Adam Smith immediately uood the significe of the s.
He khat even the lowest-tier s were not typically avaible on the market; they were exclusive to spellcasters.
s required recharging, whion-spellcasters couldn’t do!
Still, Adam Smith knew just how valuable these s were.
At aus in Blood Moon City, even a single could easily sell for 500 gold s!
The lord had given him 20 golems at once, filling Adam Smith with delight. Bowing slightly, he said:
"Thank you, my lord. I will redouble my efforts!"
Matthew split the ands into two phases because summoning 20 s only brought Adam Smith's luck down to "-3," still a lethal risk.
It wasn’t until he assigned a squad of 20 soldiers that Adam Smith's luck finally returo a safe "+2."
"It seems that the shift in power allocation is the key here..."
"The danger Adam Smith faces may not necessarily involve direbat."
"The enemy might resider if they see him apanied by s and trained soldiers."
"If that's the case, it all makes sense."
"Indeed, dispying power is a strategy in itself..."
Without showing aion, Matthew gnced outside, then nodded and said:
"Each time you go to Blood Moon City, take a batch with you, and repce them ourn trip."
Hearing this, Adam Smith was even more pleased.
The soldiers were sedary—even if they were elite, they wouldn’t have much effect without actual bat.
But the 20 s were different; they were not only a symbol of power but also a status symbol!
"And for the lord to give such high-quality s so freely!"
"It clearly shows that the lord has eveer resources!"
"With these s, no one will question my luck..."
"It seems the lord already reizes me, as long as I keep pleting tasks... hehe..."
Watg the grinning Adam Smith leave under Ralph's guidance, eagerly preparing to take trol of the s, Matthew silently rubbed his fiogether.
"The bait has been cast; I hope more fish bite this time..."
The enemy has revealed themselves!
Rapidly improving strength is no priority!
Laying low and developing doesn't meareating.
Ohe enemies are eliminated, I develop in peace!
FAL
