Mixed Blessing System

Hearing Annaliese's question, Lothur thought about it and said. "Well, there's nowhere to run. Now it's kill or be killed. So we'll continue with what we were doing before.

It will be a little more difficult to find our next targets and defeat them as well. But it's the only way to go. But look on the bright side: no matter how difficult the next attack will be, the number of bones we'll find will be far greater than what we achieved in the earlier action.

Maybe a single attack will be enough for you and me to reach our 8th bone!"

Annaliese understood this. After all, as the groups of demons and their observers grew in size, more bones would appear in their eventual victory.

The problem would be to defeat as many opponents as they now had.

According to Cykad's men, the groups they had located earlier had joined other groups before disappearing.

So the next time they went into action, they would probably have to deal with 15 or 20 Sages between levels 22 and 23 who would be waiting for their attack in the previous modus operandi.

That would make it harder and more likely for them to lose!

Cykad sighed as he heard Lothur's words, but even though he feared for the future, he knew this was an important step for his group in dealing with the demonic threat.

But he wasn't as afraid as he had been at the beginning of this journey. 

After months of traveling with Lothur and the four women, Cykad had obtained many resources manipulated by the young Ritter. As a result, he had advanced his level much more easily than he had expected using normal methods.

He couldn't deny the great advantage of traveling with Concordia's best alchemist!

Even though Cykad had only recently reached the 5th stage, the months he had spent at Lothur's side had already brought him close to level 23.

Because of the improvements he'd made so far, he wasn't so afraid of the future.

Still, he knew he wouldn't be able to accompany this group for much longer.

"Lothur, I'll take part in this attack we'll make after you've recovered and we've found our next target. But after that, I will no longer accompany you. 

Unfortunately, the gap between us is widening faster than I can improve." He said seriously.

"Are you sure? As long as you stay by my side, it won't be impossible for you to reach the 3rd Catastrophe at the end of our journey." Lothur said.

"I know. Your pills and potions are wonderful." He laughed. "But I'm afraid the risk is too great.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not afraid to die. I've lived long enough. But I made a promise to my master, and I want to live to see the day when the demons are extinguished."

"Is that so? Well, you're free to come and go. But if you want to join my group again one day, you're welcome."

"I know." He said, grateful for Lothur and his dedication to demon hunting. "But make no mistake, I will not stand still. I will try to prepare the continent for the future. I hope we won't need an allied army to defend Concordia. But if the day comes when the Demon Emperor sets foot on these lands again, I'll have an army ready to fight."

"Do that. Better safe than sorry." Lothur commented with a subtle smile, wishing the beast good luck.

A few more hours would pass, and once Lothur's women were done getting to know their new traits, he would spend some time with each of them.

Since they had increased much of their Constitution attribute, Lothur would once again benefit greatly from having fun with his women.

...

Three days later...

[Name: Lothur Ritter]

[Physique: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger]

[Bloodline: Life Devourer]

[Soul Cultivation: level 23]

[Body Cultivation: level 22]

[STR: 4,680 -> 5,190] 

[CON: 7,600 -> 10,500] 

[DEX: 4,900 -> 5,350] 

[AGI: 4,980 -> 5,400] 

[INT: 1.599] 

[PER: 6,799] 

[WIL: 3,200 -> 3,550] 

[SOU: 20,263]

[EVF: 10]

At this moment, Lothur was flying alongside his group, heading towards a group of demons they had located this morning.

Over the last few days, they had spent most of their time looking for traces of where the targets they had lost track of had gone.

By finding the tracks of one of these groups, they were finally heading towards them to attack the next group of 5th-stage beings!

But in those days, Lothur had significantly benefited from the quality time he'd had with his women, having substantially raised his Constitution with their help.

Having also found some time to train amid their investigations, he had improved all his other physical attributes, something his women had also managed to do during those days.

Cykad had also improved his strength a little, and only Blood and Smoke hadn't changed much since Viktoria, Rebecca, and Elke progressed. Their primary strengthening mechanism was souls, but their group hadn't attacked anyone recently.

In any case, they were gradually evolving their physical abilities as they had to move around and train with Lothur and their creator's women.

In general, the group was stronger than ever, and everyone there felt ready for the attack that was about to take place!

From what Lothur had achieved with his skills, the enemies this time were in much more impressive numbers than before.

Instead of a group of 3 or 4 demons between levels 22 and 23, as was the configuration of their last targets, the group they were heading towards now had 8 demons, most of them at level 23.

Considering the number of these creatures, Lothur expected to find more than 10 Sages from the coalition hunting him across this continent.

That meant his next target had something like 20 level 23 beings, a high number, similar to the one he had faced months ago when the Diamond-grade Soul Bone had been destroyed just moments before he absorbed it.

That was impressive! However, he wasn't alone this time!

"Guys, we're close to reaching our targets." He said this to his group in a different tone from the previous attack. "Be careful. That goes even for you three, Elke, Viktoria, and Becca. You are far from vulnerable, and today, we will face more enemies than ever. 

They will try to kill me but don't think there will be any danger to you. So fight with caution, and don't worry about helping me by sending your opponents in my direction.

Today, as long as we can escape with the Soul Bones that the demons I attack will generate, it will already be a great success." 

Hearing Lothur's solemn tone, everyone agreed, aware that they would have to fight more selfishly today, defending themselves and eliminating their enemies as far as possible.

And so, the group would split up to begin the day's attack!