"...What the hell is that thing?"
"I don't know either."
"Does anyone recognize him?"
"Nope."
"Why would such a monster be assigned to this army?"
"Probably pissed off so big shot."
...
Lin Ye swallowed the last drop of his Spirit Potion. Activating the large Severing rune had drained more spiritual energy than he anticipated.
The large Severing rune worked remarkably well, but this move could only clear out small fry. Without concentrated spiritual energy, it couldn't kill stronger first-level creatures.
Lin Ye retreated behind the defensive line, already preparing to withdraw. The earlier ambush proved these insects weren't mindless beasts. They'd definitely try to kill him next, and at his current pre-first-level state, they had countless ways to do it.
The mission was mostly complete anyway - no point wasting the Jester Doll here. But there was still one special skill he hadn't used yet.
Lin Ye had mild OCD. When playing gas, he preferred clearing the entire map before moving on. Leaving without using this special skill would bother him all day and haunt his curiosity for ages.
'Just a little longer. If nothing changes, I'll bail.'
From then on, Lin Ye stopped approaching the frontlines, instead staying behind the battle lines and picking off enemies with spiritual energy blades. His allies assud he was recuperating from energy depletion. Given his earlier performance, no one questioned it.
But soon, Lin Ye couldn't hide anymore. Because everyone in front was dead.
He could retreat further back. These soldiers wouldn't complain. Even if these strangers said sothing, Lin Ye wouldn't care. But he refused to retreat any further.
Watching people die from the safety of the rear wasn't pleasant.
Lin Ye returned to the frontline to fight the first-level insects in close combat, though this ti he didn't charge into their midst. Instead, he thodically struck their weak points.
With so many first-level insects flooding the battlefield, reckless charges would get him killed in the swarm.
The battle line kept retreating. The insects seed endless - no matter how many they killed, more kept coming.
Contrary to Lin Ye's expectations, the insects didn't specifically target him. They kept tightening their encirclent while sending swarms to both flanks, attempting to surround them.
After a while, Lin Ye realized their goal - they wanted to exhaust him for capture. Though he couldn't imagine why they'd want him alive, they'd never succeed.
Allies grew fewer around him. Second-level insects gradually appeared on the battlefield, tearing gaps in their defenses and consuming nearby soldiers. Yet these second-level creatures avoided attacking Lin Ye - confirming his earlier suspicion.
"They want to take you to the Abyss's shallow layers, to use your body for incubating high-level eggs," a shrill voice spoke behind Lin Ye.
Turning around, he found nothing there.
"I'll always be behind you, watching."
Lin Ye reached backward but touched only air.
"Careful now. You haven't used my ability yet."
Dodging acid sprayed by a first-level acid-spitting flyer, Lin Ye retreated again.
"Are you female? My apologies then - I shouldn't have forced you to sleep with . We have a custom of sleeping with dolls back ho. It wasn't intentional."
"My body does contain female flesh, but I'm just a Jester Doll - genderless."
"Then I take back my apology. Why the hell can't I use your trash skill yet? Do I have to wait until everyone's dead?"
"...My presence here ans it's usable. But first you must choose."
"What choice?"
"Beco a puppet for to control your body, or beco the Trump Card yourself."
"What's the difference?"
"I'm powerful. Even controlling your weak body could solve this situation. Plus, you'd remain conscious during control - aning you could learn my techniques. If you're smart enough, you might grasp one or two lesser skills."
"But if you choose to beco the Trump Card yourself, I suggest drinking that Consolidation Potion first. At least you'll look better running away. You'd probably be history's first fleeing Trump Card."
"What do you an? Isn't Trump Card your skill?"
"Mutation Cards, Door Cards, Boat Tickets, Room Cards, Card Box... The cards are the system—"
"What did you say?"
"...I can only share related information, or unimportant details like those insects wanting to incubate eggs in you. Now, choose."
The Jester Doll's tone turned serious, as if warning Lin Ye not to choose wrong.
Lin Ye said nothing, simply taking out the Consolidation Potion and downing it in one gulp.
How could a Trump Card be soone else's puppet?
Scorching heat flooded his body as massive spiritual energy surged through him, circulating repeatedly to strengthen his bones, nerves, and flesh. The agonizing process forced Lin Ye to grit his teeth.
Soon, the pain faded - along with all other sensations. His surroundings dulled, darkened, then plunged into complete blackness.
Lin Ye wandered through this endless abyss - a lightless void without landmarks, only infinite nothingness.
Ti lost aning. After an imasurable period, Lin Ye finally spotted a speck of light in the darkness. Under his gaze, the speck expanded, illuminating the void like a star twinkling in the heavens.
When Lin Ye reopened his eyes, the brutal battlefield remained - corpses everywhere - but he'd completed his first advancent.
The feeling was incredible. Lin Ye even believed he could kill those second-level insects now. Yet he held back, sensing sothing terrifying watching from afar.
Lin Ye activated his special skill: Trump Card.
As the Jester Doll dissipated, it left final words:
"What a pity. I wanted to dance with your body."
"Don't worry. I'll dance with you all night when we get back."
Swish!
A half-human, half-insect monster covered in red markings materialized before Lin Ye, stabbing at his heart with limb-blades so fast they left afterimages.
Lin Ye couldn't dodge - its speed surpassed his reaction ti. This strike would land.
But a thin layer of mutated protection manifested before him, barely blocking the attack.
Lin Ye didn't even glance at the dangerous third-level Abyssal insectoid. Instead, he stared blankly into space, seemingly pondering so incomprehensible question.
The insectoid retreated hastily into its swarm, staring at its broken limb in shock. It couldn't comprehend how this weak human had injured it.
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