Bab 193: Not all questions had answers
"Shadow Nine, you're joking again."
Mike feigned calmness. "I just learned a new element and wanted to show you. Maybe I can help improve your living conditions."
"Huh?"
Shadow Nine was slightly surprised. "You actually completed your third class change?"
In one night, Mike had gone from level 108 to 199, defeated the sea god's projection, and completed his third class change.
Mike's conquest efficiency exceeded Shadow Nine's expectations.
"Tell me, what bug did you exploit this time?"
Shadow Nine was certain Mike had exploited a bug to level up so quickly.
Among friends, Mike had nothing to hide.
He briefly explained how Vladimir had willingly helped him, simplifying many unnecessary details.
"No wonder you reached level 199 in less than three hours."
After hearing Mike's summary, Shadow Nine nodded slowly, then shook his head,
"Not everyone has a vampire servant, let alone your terrifying lightning abilities. So, this bug isn't useful for most."
After discussing the class change, Shadow Nine was more curious about something else, "You chose [Shadow Element]?"
Earlier, Shadow Nine hadn't misheard.
Mike had evolved the bone serpent to eighteen heads, so he should have had many choices.
Why choose Shadow Element and Nature Element?
Mike nodded, "Yes, mainly because I admire you, Shadow Nine. I have immense respect for you..."
Shadow Nine cut him off, ruthlessly exposing him, "You just think hiding in the shadows is safer."
"Well, that too," Mike admitted.
Just then, Mike's phone buzzed with a message from Kaelum.
[Kaelum: "Mike, the sparring test is at 10:30 AM today, at the training hall. I've got some things to handle first. See you later."]
It seemed everyone was taking the plan to rescue Professor Gregory very seriously.
Kaelum, one of the most powerful among the new generation under level 600, was undoubtedly top ten in the USA.
"Perfect, gives me time to organize my gains."
With two new element classes, Mike had more preparations to make, and this trip to the Abyssal Plane was crucial and dangerous.
A single misstep could be fatal.
This chapter upload first at NovelUsb.Com
Shadow Nine couldn't accompany Mike into the small Abyssal Plane, nor could Apollo help.
With only Shadow Ten, a ninth-tier Battle Lord, guarding him, Mike's sense of security plummeted.
"I've sent the list of skill books and suitable combat items for the Nature Element to Foreskin."
Thanks to [Force of Nature], Mike had prepared for this.
Collecting Nature Element items could wait.
Mike had many tasks:
Class change rewards, organizing Shadow Element, building Thor's Sea, upgrading Force of Nature, further repairing Nightmare's Breeze...
Prioritizing, Mike first opened his status panel.
Previously, he hadn't had time to examine it closely.
The original [Sea God's Curse] was gone, replaced by [Thor's Sea Blessing] and [Sea God's Curse (II)].
[Thor's Sea Blessing]: All skills cast relying on Thor's Sea have their effects increased by 100%.
[Sea God's Curse (II)]: When creating or enhancing Thor's Sea in the private space, material consumption is doubled, but Thor's Sea's maximum size is increased by 100%.
Looking at the sea god's curse, Mike couldn't help but marvel, "The sea god is too... considerate!"
Doubling material consumption meant Mike spent two cents to get one cent's worth of effect.
But it also doubled Thor's Sea's maximum size!
Overall, Mike definitely gained more than he lost.
Closing the status panel, Mike asked, "Shadow Nine, what skills do I need to learn for Shadow Element?"
Nature Element, as a basic element, already had established schools and systems.
Mike now had six elements: Lightning, Fire, Wind, Water, Nature, and Shadow.
If each element required Mike to invest time in honing and researching, it wouldn't be unreasonable.
But with the imminent departure, Mike needed to learn quickly.
"Shadow Element?"
Shadow Nine scoffed, "You need to learn that?"
Feigning surprise, Shadow Nine asked, "Don't you know the 'Complete Guide to Shadow Element Skills'?!"
Mike: ...
Damn, this old guy is showing off again!
"You act like this, who did you learn it from?" Mike grumbled, "Shadow Nine, even if you don't give me the skill books directly, at least provide a list of Shadow Element skills!"
When Mike went to the Mystic Market, as long as he had enough money, he could buy anything.
Shadow Nine: "You want to buy skill books? Hold on, I'll photocopy them for you..."
Mike realized he always thought about getting benefits from others.
Shadow Nine, on the other hand, was thinking about how to get benefits from him, the potential Supreme Being.
Since Mike needed Shadow Element skills, Shadow Nine would definitely help him before he left.
As for the cost...
Mike had previously helped Shadow Nine collect two embarrassing stories about Supreme Being Morpheus.
That used up one chance for Shadow Nine to help.
Mike thought to himself, "I need to collect more of Morpheus's embarrassing stories!"
"If necessary, I'll find a chance to meet Supreme Being Morpheus and ask him directly about any more embarrassing stories. I'll trade them with Shadow Nine for benefits, and we can split the gains. It's a win-win!"
After dealing with the new [Shadow Element] and [Nature Element], Mike moved on to the next big task:
Thor's Sea!
Mike asked again,
"Shadow Nine, what should I pay attention to when building Thor's Sea in the private space, and what materials should I use?"
Building Thor's Sea, the [Eye of Truth] provided too much information, most of it useless.
The truly useful and important information needed time to sift through.
Of course, the experience of predecessors was also valuable for Mike, serving as a cross-reference.
Shadow Nine replied irritably, "You ask me, who should I ask, my apprentice?"
"That would be great, thank you!"
Mike didn't give Shadow Nine any chance to refuse, quickly saying, "I'll head back to my private space to upgrade [Force of Nature]. I look forward to your good news!"
With that, Mike's figure disappeared, leaving only a black mist behind.
Shadow Nine was silent for a moment.
A white cloud slowly descended from the ninety-ninth floor of the Tower of Truth, landing outside the window.
The black mist spoke hoarsely.
"How do you build Thor's Sea in the Tower of Truth?"
Before the other could answer, Shadow Nine continued, "Prepare the materials too, no, prepare two sets. One set won't be enough for this kid. Sorry for the trouble, but I owe him."
A calm voice came from the white cloud.
"Okay."
With that, the white cloud was about to float away.
"Wait!"
Shadow Nine called out, the black mist swirling, finally deciding to ask,
"Will this kid die on this trip?"
"I don't know."
Apollo was honest.
Not all questions had answers.
As he had told Professor Gregory before, there was no omniscient being.
After answering, the white cloud floated away.
Shadow Nine remained, feeling uneasy.
This trip might lead to something big!
Humanity had accumulated strength for years, launching a major battle, purifying three Abyssal Planes in one go.
But at the same time, the abyssal demon race had also been accumulating strength for years!
This meant they had many hidden cards!
Surviving the Blood War between the two races, none of them were fools.
This trap tailored for Gregory and Thor was far more complex than it appeared!
The black mist churned, Shadow Nine's mind wavering.
"A small Abyssal Plane that only allows up to level 980."
"Should I slash myself nineteen times and go in with Mike?"
Shadow Nine felt such a sacrifice might be too great.
Moreover, his current state wasn't good. If his level dropped, it would be a hundred, a thousand times harder to regain!
From the black mist came Shadow Nine's muttering.
"I need to find someone else to go. Who would be suitable?"
...
Next to the Forest of Truth, at the Wolf's Den headquarters on Earth.
In the deepest office, the sound of a flail smashing and a man's enthusiastic shouts echoed.
"Payday! Payday!"
The more he smashed, the more energetic he became, the more addicted he was.
Suddenly, the man's voice stopped, interrupted by a phone ringing.
"Shadow Nine, what's up so early?"
"A money-making deal? I'm in! It's not that I need the money, I just want to contribute more. Hold on, I'll be right there..."