Chapter 6 Proactive Choice

Matthew Serl,

Race: Human.

Age: 17 years and 9 months.

Profession: Level 1 Arcanist (1/1000).

Experience Pool: 0.

Talents:

Dragonvein LV1, ???.

Prowess:

Legendary Prowess - Fate's Choice.

Passive: Understand the essence of most things, presenting them in the most familiar form.

Active: Spend 100 Destiny Coins to activate Fate's Choice, where danger accompanies doom, and peril is hidden within luck.

Destiny Coins: 108!

Magic Skills:

Magic Tricks LV5,

Minor Repair, Magic Detection, Light Technique, Freeze Ray, Cleansing Spell, Mage's Hand, Magic Fireworks, Withering Flower, Food Cooking.

First Tier Spells (Consumes 10 Mana Points):

Magic Missile LV3: Launches 3+3 magic-constructed missiles, each inflicting 3 points of magic damage on the enemy,

Sleep Spell LV4: Casts a sleep spell with a will save of 3+4, after which any damage will awaken the target.

Bursting Fireball LV4, fires 4 small fireballs in succession, each dealing 2 points of damage.

Attributes:

Strength, 12, check +1

Agility, 14, check +2

Intelligence, 24, check +7

Constitution, 15, check +2

Perception, 18, check +4

Charm, 16, check +3

Luck, +4 (temporary)

Offensive Spell, 5.

Physical Attack, 3.

Defense Ability, 2.

Hit Points, 31/31 (Constitution x 2 + Professional Level), minor injuries.

Mana Points, 250/250 (Intelligence x 10 + Professional Level x 10).

Skills:

Knowledge 198 (Semi-Legendary), Meditation 158 (Semi-Legendary), Scouting 106 (Advanced Level), Deceit 105 (Advanced Level), Leadership 101 (Advanced Level), Dodge 86 (Middle Rank), Eloquence 75 (Middle Rank).

Life Contract: Time Dragon-Beast!

Evaluation: A boss with normal development!

"The Arcanist is truly an advanced profession, and Matthew Serl's talents are truly deserving of a super genius. Adding up his six main attributes, they reach 99 points, which is even higher than my total attributes as a Level 39 Great Arcanist!"

In Matthew's memory, the highest attribute a regular player could have was no more than 18 points, with a total attribute value of only 60 points!

"Arcane Emperor" is different from other games where players can only increase their attributes by one or two points each time they level up every four levels, or when advancing in their profession, or after completing certain essential ceremonies.

Just like myself, a Level 39 Great Arcanist who is basically at the peak of player strength, I still can't compare to a Level 1 Matthew Serl!

"Sure enough, only games consider balance, reality only considers crushing!"

"Truly a super genius whose talents can rival those of Kalsath!"

But Matthew soon awoke from his astonishment, and, looking at Butler Ralph's hesitant gaze, he subconsciously retorted:

"Wait, the Scarlet Moon? Mutant Creatures?"

Watching Butler Ralph nod somberly, Matthew's heart stirred with tumultuous waves, as countless memories of blood and pain flooded in like the tide.

The Scarlet Moon, suspected to be a terrifying existence from the Evil God Dominion!

Whenever the time came to nightfall, the blood-red moon would cast twisted and terrifying light.

All creatures exposed to it had a certain chance of mutation.

Initially, it was the physical changes, as mutated creatures would grow extra limbs and organs, and the characteristics of their tissues and structures would rapidly change.

This process could last from 0 to 7 days.

Soon after the mutated creatures' bodies underwent complete changes, the dark side of their personality would wildly grow and expand, seeping into their minds.

Once entering this phase, the mutated creatures' sanity would rapidly dissipate, transforming them into bloodthirsty, murderous beings twisted and reshaped by their new condition.

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This process will last for a month!

The vast majority of mutant creatures will reveal themselves through wanton killing and die within this phase.

Only a very few mutant creatures, by devouring enough flesh and plundering enough souls, will undergo a deep mutation within their souls.

Once the soul mutation is complete, they will return to sanity from madness, but will have become faithful followers of the Scarlet Moon.

Thereafter, their lives and time will be dedicated to spreading the influence of the Scarlet Moon and creating more mutated worlds!

For thousands of years, the Scarlet Moon has been affecting the entire material plane with such terrifying and twisted abilities.

In the memories of Matthew Serl, there are many secrets of the Scarlet Moon and data on mutant creatures that Matthew himself had never known.

Whenever the moon is full, the material plane is affected by the dangers of mutation!

However, in the memories of Matthew's past life, it was not like this at all.

Players entering "Arcane Emperor" tonight, despite occasionally encountering some peculiar mutant creatures in their adventures, are usually the ones being killed.

But the occurrence of a major Scarlet Moon event wasn't until 20 years later!

Matthew had previously thought that the emergence of the Scarlet Moon event was an update for a new expansion, a means for the game developers to increase the difficulty.

But now it seems that this is not the case at all!

There are deeper secrets involved!

"Well, I never thought that the place where I lived for decades had so many secrets, the planners and the game company have misled me!"

Though he said this, Matthew quickly calmed down knowing full well the horror of the Scarlet Moon and the mutant creatures.

Under the influence of the Scarlet Moon, the average adventure level in the wilderness would reach an alarming 7+, and it must be done in small teams!

The average level of mutant creatures also reached Level 4, and as the game progresses, even Legendary Level mutant creatures would appear.

These creatures, which are as difficult to kill as divine scourges, are more likely to be sealed away, having caused many destructive and terrifying attacks.

Suppressing the unease in his heart and searching through the memories in his mind, Matthew can now be sure that although the current Bloody Moon is dangerous, it is far less terrifying than it would be 20 years later.

Thinking of the "Fortune 4" temporary mark on his body, Matthew licked his lips and chose a potentially more dangerous path:

"We must hurry to the outpost now, eat and rest as soon as possible, and continue on our way to avoid long nights full of dreams."

Butler Ralph also agreed with Matthew's opinion, thinking that too many strange things had happened today, and they could not remain so passive, entrusting their safety to a possible hope.

After all, compared to the outpost isolated in the Misty Swamp, a village of about 2000 people with dozens of soldiers was somewhat safer.

This decision was not kept from everyone; Butler Ralph encouraged everyone in a whisper:

"Hold on a little bit longer, we're about to arrive, we will be safe then."

"Everyone else, be ready for possible dangers, warn any object that approaches aimlessly, then attack!"

Everyone acted with even more effort, as for most, today was indeed a day full of excitement.

But it was too exciting; now all they wanted was to get through it safely.

The sun was gradually approaching the horizon.

The red light penetrated the mist.

The dark green Misty Swamp was tinged with dark red, giving off a desolate, chilling sense of anxiety.

The caravan arrived at the outpost at 4:40.

Twenty minutes ahead of schedule!

Butler Ralph had the Serl Family flag raised, took a few soldiers, and went in to negotiate proficiently.

Matthew could vaguely hear the calm inside, which surprised him a bit.

It seemed that they did not know about the events that had befallen Sweet Water Town that afternoon.

Returning, Butler Ralph confirmed Matthew's judgment, accompanied by two anxious soldiers:

"This is our Lord, and this is Captain Sean of Outpost 16."

"Captain Sean has agreed to let us rest and eat here, but he has a small request..."

Matthew saw Angela standing calmly in front of him and gave a silent nod of approval for the knight's vigilance; his neutral gaze landed on the anxious face of Sean.

"Indeed, Butler Ralph was very astute and did not inform the other party about the situation in Sweet Water Town..."

"It seems that..."

He didn't come across as desperately seeking wisdom like other transmigrators, but instead maintained a subtle distance and detachment:

"Just get to the point."

As for whether I agree or not, that's another matter!

With a fierce scar on his cheek, Captain Sean, upon seeing the Serl Family crest on Matthew's chest, flashed a hint of joy in his eyes, bowed slightly, and spoke with a faintly pleading tone:

"Dear Lord, our outpost soldiers are villagers from Bay Village, and we've heard that a dangerous magical beast appeared in the village yesterday, worrying us about the safety of our families."

"But we have duties here and cannot leave at will."

"Only the respected Lord has the authority to take us back to the village."

"Once the danger of the magical beast is resolved, we will return to the outpost as soon as possible..."

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