Chapter 3: System

With the death of the Gnoll chieftain Yegus, the rest of the battle went swiftly. The Goblins and Kobolds, their morale shattered, scattered in panic. The Gnolls completely fell apart after Yegus died.

Su Lun didn’t let these Gnolls escape. To him, each one represented valuable experience. Every time he killed a Gnoll, green text appeared in the lower right corner of his vision.

[Experience Points +10]

Compared to the measly +1 point gained from killing Kobolds or Goblins, this was ten times more. The Gnoll Barbarians yielded +30 points each. The biggest prize was the chieftain himself, giving a full one hundred points.

Though his Flying Horse trait granted him great speed, Su Lun alone couldn’t chase down and kill all the remaining dozens of Gnolls – they ran surprisingly fast.

After slaying the last Gnoll in sight, Su Lun surveyed the battlefield. No living monsters remained. Over seventy Gnoll corpses littered the ground, alongside far more bodies of Kobolds and Goblins. Just then, the System’s notification echoed in his ears.

Battle Over! You achieved a glorious victory.

Loot: Refined Steel 2.

Casualties: 2; Enemies Killed: 258;

Experience Gained: 1457; Bonus Experience: 300.

Level Up! You gain 2 Attribute Points, 2 Skill Points, and 1 Silver Treasure Chest.

Name: Su Lun

Race: Human

Level: 12 (136/12000)

Strength: 26

Agility: 28

Spirit: 19

Constitution: 25

Charm: 18 (Your handsome looks help win others’ favor easily. High charm shows you really can thrive on appearance. Your attractiveness to the opposite sex increases. Chance for better prices when trading.)

Leadership: 60 (Increases your army’s combat power.)

Traits: Valor, Swift Thunder, Flying Horse, Advanced Strength

Skills: Profound Ice Slash, Lightning Spear

Tactician Skill: Boost Morale (Basic) (Limited motivational effect, +5 Morale)

Finishers: Swirling Blossom (Mastered), Wild Intensity (Advanced), Torrential Rain (Beginner)

Weapon Proficiency: Sword Weapons 156, Spear Weapons 160, Archery 88, Throwing 83, Riding 120

Average attributes for a grown man hovered around five or six points. Rigorous training might push one to eight or nine. Looking purely at stats, Su Lun was only about five times stronger than a normal man. But reality was far beyond just numbers. His fighting power was immense.

His superior physique, combined with high weapon mastery and powerful skills, birthed a fearsome engine of destruction.

In the Empire Ascendant game, Heroes possessed many more skills. But the game differed from reality. For instance, the Repeating Crossbow skill in-game summoned two bolt-throwing Ballistas to attack. In the real world, that skill changed completely – it became Ballista Crafting Knowledge.

Many System skills underwent unexpected changes. However, Su Lun’s current low level meant he hadn’t learned most skills yet.

After mastering Ballista Crafting, materials were needed to build one. Su Lun had secretly constructed a Ballista before. Its power was impressive – long range and strong piercing force. He’d tested it: the bolts could pierce a Knight’s Plate Armor even at a hundred paces. A mountain bear had been pinned to the ground. Yet, such power had weaknesses.

Firstly, it fired very slowly; one shot every five minutes was lucky. Moving it was cumbersome. Accuracy was passable within a hundred meters – beyond that, luck was needed. Crucially, the cost was enormous: roughly three hundred Gold Nars per Ballista, and maintenance afterwards was troublesome.

So, after building one, Su Lun dismantled it and sold the parts.

Beyond skills, his attribute panel differed greatly from the game’s. Games often used a single “Combat Power” stat instead of Strength or Constitution. This panel was much more precise.

Su Lun had studied the attributes. Charm, for example, wasn’t just about looks. Other factors boosted it. Generally, a score of ten meant handsome looks.

Su Lun’s 18 Charm was undeniably dashing. Combined with his strong build, it was no wonder so many noble ladies and daughters in Caren City had clamored for him as a protector Knight.

Only Su Lun’s firm willpower prevented it. A weaker man might have become a wealthy paramour, turning this book into something like “My Lady Friends” or “The Countess Who Loved Me.”

Leadership was a composite stat affecting army morale, command, and combat effectiveness. High leadership meant high morale, stronger fighting power, and seamless execution of orders.

For ancient armies, morale and command were vital. Even disciplined troops could break with over thirty percent losses. With high morale, that breaking point could rise to forty or even fifty percent.

With the battle ended, the Caravan began clearing the field and tending the wounded. Su Lun, unhurt but weary from the intense fighting, hefted his spear and walked back towards the wagons.

As Su Lun reached the wagon, the Caravan manager hurried over, beaming. “Sir Su Lun! Thank you for your generous aid!”

This strange traveler had joined them in the southern provinces, claiming to be a Noble heading north. The manager hadn’t paid much attention then. The man lacked noble airs and traveled without a single attendant.

His mistake was clear now. This man truly was a Noble, and a formidable one at that.

Su Lun stowed his weapon. He then threw an arm roughly around the manager’s shoulders. “Generous? Hardly!”

“What?” The manager blinked in confusion.

“Cut the act. I saved this whole caravan. Kept you alive and unharmed. Where’s my reward?” Su Lun hoisted the manager slightly off the ground, spinning him around, punctuating the demand with a disarmingly sincere grin.

Weren’t Nobles supposed to be righteous, brave, and selfless? Even down-on-their-luck Nobles held to their dignity. How could he demand repayment outright?

Looking at Su Lun, the manager just sighed deeply. No wonder he’s a Noble. If I’d had that kind of nerve years ago, I’d own my own trading house by now.

Feeling the weight on his shoulder and recalling the carnage nearby, the manager obediently pulled out a heavy pouch. “Here, sir. Please accept this.”

Su Lun snatched it, giving it an appreciative shake. The delightful clink of Gold Nar filled the air; easily forty or fifty coins. “Good. Next time trouble comes, I’ll handle it.”

Coin secured, Su Lun clapped the manager’s shoulder cheerfully. “Count on it.”