The remaining source points on the panel were enough to evolve one of his abilities, but Han Sen’s focus wasn’t on that.
Instead…
“N-level ability evolution costs a thousand times the first upgrade. Doesn’t that mean…”
Han Sen silently completed the elementary school level mathematical analogy in his mind, and then his eyes narrowed: “Doesn’t SSR ability evolution require… one million source points!?”
Hiss—!
He couldn’t help but gasp, barely avoiding being instantly crushed by the sudden bad news.
One million!
The grind increased to an epic level!
“Crafting the highest-level UR red abilities by hand is obviously unrealistic at this stage. The only way to get them is if ready-made UR abilities are delivered right to me for replication, uh…”
“It seems that possibility is even smaller… Forget it, let’s see what the effect of ability evolution is like first!”
Shaking off the distracting thoughts, Han Sen refocused his gaze, choosing between his two max-level abilities.
“System, evolve my innate ability ‘Hardened Shell’!”
“Consumption of Source Points × 1000, ability evolution complete!”
“【‘Hardened Shell (N)’ LvMax -> ‘Spike Armor (R)’ Lv1!】”
Buzz—!!
A strange energy wave flowed through the entire shell on his body. On the surface of the originally thick, jet-black shell, countless fine, hair-like cracks appeared along the magma-like crimson patterns!
The cracks rapidly expanded and deepened, and new shell material filled the empty spaces, solidifying instantly!
This was both a reshaping and a rebirth!
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Amidst the grating sounds, more prominent, ferocious bone spikes grew out from various joints!
The already ferocious jet-black shell now looked extremely aggressive. The bone spikes, varying in length, resembled tempered blades, gleaming with a faint light capable of tearing through steel!
“【‘Spike Armor (R)’ Lv1: An alienation Spike Armor, greatly enhanced in defense. When hit, it absorbs part of the damage and automatically counterattacks, dealing piercing damage to enemies.】”
“I get it, it evolved from pure tankiness into a damage reflection armor!”
Feeling the new function of the armor and the even heavier sense of security, Han Sen gave a satisfied evaluation: “It seems that as long as I keep evolving, even once-weak abilities can keep up with the times again!”
“It’s just that the cost is too great, so I need to make choices.”
“The innate ability left by my predecessor… not bad!”
…
…
Boom—!
Boom—!
Boom—!
Heavy, mountain-like footsteps, carrying a suffocating sense of oppression, slowly came from deep within the passage.
In the underground space, the Monsters, who had been restless since the Slime Octopus died, stiffly turned their heads in unison, looking in the direction of the sound.
Fear, like a tide, swept over them!
The next moment, accompanied by a deafening roar, the hard rock at the top of the passage was shattered like tofu.
Debris flew, and smoke billowed!
A terrifying figure, three meters tall, covered in ferocious jet-black Spike Armor, slowly stepped out from the wreckage!
Boom—!!!
A terrifying, almost tangible pressure erupted from the figure’s center!
The incandescent lights installed for illumination above violently swayed, sparks occasionally bursting out, emitting crackling sounds of being overloaded!
The ground trembled slightly, and tiny sand and stones were pushed away by an invisible airwave!
The terrifying aura belonging to a Demon-level Monster swept across the entire scene, and the air seemed to instantly freeze, completely solidifying!
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Several Wolf-Level Monsters couldn’t withstand the pressure, their eyes rolled back, and they were so scared that they foamed at the mouth and fainted.
The remaining Monsters trembled like sieves, and several Tiger-level Monsters’ expressions changed drastically.
“Demon-level… Demon-level… How is that possible?!”
A Tiger-level Mantis Monster screamed frantically in its mind, but its body was completely unresponsive, unable to move at all.
How much time had passed!?
How could this killer’s aura become so incredibly strong after just one entry and exit!
It was just like the terrifying pressure of a Dragon-level cadre who occasionally appeared at the Great Assembly, completely from another dimension!!
Their perception was not wrong; the system’s judgment of Demon-level was Han Sen’s strength on paper, or in his normal state.
Once he fully unleashed his power, having fused with Poqi’s four SSR abilities, even a peak Demon-level Monster might not be able to withstand him!
That’s the true value of a stat Monster!
(Tactical lean back.JPG)
Among the Monster crowd, Sharp Fang, the Rat Monster who had finished devouring the octopus corpse, was also present.
His fur had changed from its initial grayish-white mottled appearance to a satiny, smooth, and lustrous sheen, and the power within his body had also increased, clearly having gained considerable benefits from the remains of the Tiger-level Monster.
At this moment, Sharp Fang’s gaze towards Han Sen had changed from the previous fear to almost fanatical adoration!
This was power!
Unreasonable strength!
Han Sen’s gaze swept around, like the gaze of death.
Wherever he looked, all the Monsters buried their heads even deeper, trembling in submission.
“From today onwards, this area will be under my control.”
His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority, clearly reaching the ears of every Monster.
He paused, his gaze falling on the Rat Monster that was trembling the most.
“Sharp Fang.”
“Here! Here! My… My Lord! This humble one is here!”
Sharp Fang jolted, instinctively darting out from the corner, respectfully prostrating on the ground, his posture extremely humble.
“From now on, you will temporarily serve as my deputy,” Han Sen said calmly. “You’re responsible for managing these small fries, inventorying supplies, and relaying my orders, understand?”
He was asking Sharp Fang, but his chilling gaze swept over each of the Tiger-level Monsters present.
These guys, though not very smart, weren’t fools either.
Han Sen’s threat was as blatant as a blade held to their necks. These guys nodded repeatedly, drenched in sweat, their sweat soaking the ground beneath them.
They were terrified that a moment’s delay would lead them to the same fate as the Slime Octopus, blasted to smithereens by a casual energy blast from Han Sen!
“U-understand! This humble one understands!”
Sharp Fang was also extremely excited upon hearing this; his initial fear was instantly replaced by ecstasy, feeling as if his rat life had reached its peak!
He saw his black rat head bobbing like a pounding garlic, swearing in a high-pitched voice: “My Lord, rest assured! Even if this humble one has to sacrifice his life and be utterly shattered, he will surely handle everything properly and never betray your trust!”
Han Sen nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Sharp Fang, this clever rat who knew how to adapt.
With this guy running errands and relaying messages, he wouldn’t have to do everything himself, which would indeed save him a lot of trouble.
While completing the tasks assigned by Great Eyes, he could also free up a lot of time to improve his strength. This was the life a person in power should have.
Recalling his previous thoughts, he immediately asked in a deep voice: “Does anyone know if the Association has any new movements recently? Also…”
“How much information do you know about the Dragon-level cadres?”
