Chapter 243: Entry: Lake Knight

Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Entry: Lake Knight

Lance sat at the wooden table, looking a bit stunned.

Great deeds, titles, reputation, legends...

All these concepts intertwined to form the ladder to higher levels of Power in this world.

In this world, human Mental Power could actually create miracles.

Perhaps because he’d read too many novels in his past life, a bold guess suddenly flashed through his mind.

’Come to think of it,’ he thought, ’the domains of all human True Gods—like courage, adventure, prosperity, rebellion...’

’These are all abstract concepts closely related to human cognition.’

’So, could the secret to godhood be hidden within these legends passed down by mortals?’

Before he could delve deeper into the thought, Bazzer’s voice broke his train of thought.

"So, you see, titles are something that every Professional who aims to cross the Level 10 threshold must desperately pursue."

"Even if you want to ascend to the Legendary Tier in the future."

"You must obtain at least one title of your own before advancing to the Excellence Level."

Bazzer told him seriously.

"Because when you advance to the Excellence Level,"

"your title, along with all the Specialties you’ve acquired, will construct your Star Track."

"If you miss this stage, any titles you acquire later won’t be able to reconstruct your Star Track."

"In that case, the Extraordinary Level will become a ceiling you can never break through in your entire life."

It was all interconnected.

Hearing this, Lance felt a pang of fear.

His original plan was to use his Unlimited Stamina to quickly grind Levels, break through the Tiers early, and see what the higher echelons were like.

But now it seemed that if he had really followed that short-sighted plan and blindly rushed his Level,

he would have definitely missed the chance to build a perfect Star Track, completely severing his path to the Legendary Tier.

’I need to catch up! I absolutely have to catch up!’

’After the Summer Crown is over, I have to find some time to cram all this new Knowledge.’

’Being illiterate in an Otherworld is just too costly.’

Seeing Lance’s solemn expression, Bazzer knew his words had sunk in, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Now that they were on the same page, the rest would be easy to discuss.

Bazzer’s mood brightened. He waved for a server to bring him a mug of ale, preparing to wet his whistle.

Just then, a small, chubby hand reached out and pressed down on the back of his.

"Bazzer can’t drink!"

Lilia protested loudly, her cheeks puffed out.

Bazzer turned his head helplessly, looking at Lance across the table with a pleading gaze.

"Big brother can’t either!"

Lilia turned and shot a glare at Lance.

Lance gave him a "sorry, can’t help you" look, and the two men looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"I’ve thought it through."

Lance’s smile faded as he looked at Bazzer seriously.

"But I’m a private person. I don’t want any kind of up-close, follow-me-everywhere reporting."

"Of course."

Bazzer nodded in complete understanding.

"Everyone has their secrets. A Minstrel is a Recorder, not a stalker."

"As long as you’re willing to grant me the exclusive right to create your personal travelogue,"

"then we can formally sign the [Biography Contract] under the witness of the Star Realm."

Bazzer patiently explained the rules of the contract.

"After you complete an event worthy of being spread, and only with your authorization, a parchment scroll that only I can see will appear before my eyes."

"It will contain a detailed account of the events that you allow me to see and that have actually occurred."

"Once I’ve completed the first draft, I will send it to you for review via the contract’s sigil. Only with your approval can this biography be spread across the continent through the Minstrels’ channels."

These terms seemed to heavily restrict the Minstrel, showing great respect for the recorded person’s right to be informed.

But in reality,

no Adventurer in this world who signed a contract with a Minstrel would ever demand revisions, because the Minstrels were the ones who controlled the channels of public opinion.

The Adventurers were the ones who desperately needed the reputation.

However, because Lance was Lilia’s savior, Bazzer was willing to humble himself and treat this collaboration with the utmost respect.

After Lance nodded in agreement,

Bazzer immediately began to use his Profession’s ability.

A parchment contract, glowing with a faint golden light, materialized in front of Lance.

Lance carefully examined all the clauses, confirming that everything adhered strictly to the confidentiality requirements and was notarized by Star Realm Law, making the contract binding even against a god.

He decisively signed his name on the contract with his Ether Energy.

The contract dissolved into motes of golden light.

Lance could feel a strange connection form between himself and Bazzer. He could "submit an event" to the other party at any time through this link.

Having completed the signing, Bazzer also looked extremely happy.

He immediately activated a special ability unique to Minstrels, wanting to see what kind of [Creative Tags] he could obtain from this contractor.

Minstrels could acquire writing buffs based on the contractor’s traits, though this ability could only be used for that specific biography.

However, when he activated the ability,

a bizarre image suddenly flashed through Bazzer’s mind.

A handsome, black-haired man was gazing at a Half-Elf Maiden.

And behind that man, a black-haired Witch was hugging his neck tightly.

In the corner of the image, a young woman holding a Longsword and wearing a crown was also staring at him resentfully.

Most absurdly of all, a holy light seemed to envelop the man’s head, as if he were being constantly watched by some unknown goddess.

Seeing this ridiculous scene,

Bazzer suddenly had a very bad feeling.

The generation of Creative Tags was definitely tied to the contractor’s past experiences or fate.

In fact, it often took a single, sufficiently dazzling deed to condense into one tag.

He had heard that the biographies of Legendary Powerhouses were formed from countless epic-level Creative Tags, which was why they were spread so fervently by people across the continent.

But the tag extracted from the young man before him...

’If I really use this tag to write his biography, won’t the final work be banned by the Kingdom for being too risqué?’

He nervously checked the specific Effect of this Creative Tag.

[Lake Knight]: Women with Sub-human blood or high status will feel a strong sense of immersion when reading the biography you write, accompanied by physiological reactions such as an accelerated heartbeat and a flushed face.

Bazzer’s expression instantly became priceless.

Sitting opposite him, Lance keenly sensed the strange look Bazzer was giving him.

The man even moved Lilia’s chair further away from him.

?

A question mark slowly appeared over Lance’s head.

’Why is he looking at me like I’m some kind of scumbag?’

...

「Rusted Stone Echo Underground City, Second Zone, Lingxue Mountain Range.」

Within a huge, hidden cave.

In the center of the cave sat a huge Metal Firebowl, inside which a great fire blazed, dispelling the surrounding darkness.

However, what burned in the firebowl wasn’t firewood, but the stacked corpses of Demons.

This was the temporary safe zone established by the "Crimson Bell of Death."

That Metal Firebowl was a precious item from an Underground City, a piece of loot acquired at great expense from another high-level one.

It could establish a 7x7 standard unit sanctuary anywhere in the wilds of an Underground City, which no Demon could approach.

The cost, however, was that Demon corpses had to be thrown in before they were dissolved by the Underground City in order to keep the bonfire burning.

At this moment, a man in a black cloak walked into the cave.

He immediately pulled back his hood upon entering, revealing a head of eye-catching long, white hair.

"Cassis, how did the mission go?"

A Half-Elf, covered in all sorts of complex Alchemy Equipment, asked the white-haired man from his seat on a nearby wooden crate.

Cassis was the leader of this elite team, a Level 5 Mist Deceiver, one of the Rare Professions. He was also the mastermind who had orchestrated the bombing and frame-up back in the safe zone.

"Don’t worry."

Cassis walked over to the bonfire, warming his slightly chilled hands with a smile.

"According to my plan, those idiots from the Silver Hand and the Iron Throne will inevitably erupt into fierce conflict over this attack."

"Once they’ve beaten each other senseless, we can logically use this scheme to obtain the special ’War Broker’ achievement."