Chapter 277

277 A long handshake begins

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[Third Eye activate.]

[Core Recharge description.]

[Allows the user to recharge a Magical Core or fragment from a different Magical core or fragment.]

[Allows the user to recharge a Magical Core or fragment refined by the user with the user’s mana. The conversion ratio is dependent on the proficiency of [Core Recharge]]

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[Third Eye activate.]

[Core Fusion description.]

[Allows the user to fuse a mana core, fragment, or refined condensed object with a Magical Core or fragment refined by the user to increase its quality.]

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[Different elements can be fused depending on the proficiency of [Core Fusion]]

[A failed fusion may result in the destruction of the Magical Core or fragment.]

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[Third Eye activate.]

[Rune Craftsmanship description.]

[Gives the user the ability to infuse different types of mana ratios in rune circuits to active or recharge runes.]

[The user will be able to recreate and invent rune circuits on different materials depending on trial and error.]

[Proficiency of [Rune Craftsmanship] will help the user’s success rate on known rune circuits.]

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Sakura became so shocked by Vincent’s abnormal reaction that her body slightly shivered at the thought of not being wanted or needed.

Sakura was happy to see Vincent stand up for her and threaten the dozens of human soldiers looking at her weirdly, no matter what the result might bring. However, Vincent’s surprised face made her worry if he found something about her that might cause Vincent to take back his words.

Sofy noticed Sakura feeling down. Both lived in the same underground room for weeks, making Sofy attached to the sad Sakura.

“Did Sakura lose her class, Master Vincent? ” She asked in Sakura’s stead.

[Nope. The opposite happened, and she became strong as heck.]

[Ohh, my poor weak Vincent has a problem now. This tall strong demon might end up breaking my casanova over here. Hehehe.]

-Please don’t joke like that!-

A cold sweat made of this frightful thought appeared on his forehead. *Cough* He elegantly sat on the chair to hide the emotional state Kazumi’s comment brought and lifted Sakura’s hand.

Vincent stopped thinking what Kazumi said and announced, “Yes, you aren’t a weak blacksmith anymore. Your class has become a Synergist. I heard it is classified as a legendary crafting class only a few Dwarves have.”

“Sakura, you can become the best blacksmith from the demon race since her class is the same as the best Dwarven blacksmiths.” He said with a smile.

Sakura had a problem remembering what others said after she got so used to ignoring her father rambling about Dwarves this and Dwarves that. She would hammer something and immerse herself in the world of blacksmithing.

In the end, Sakura only knew that Dwarves were the best when it came to forging, crafting, or enchanting objects.

“Why was Master Vincent surprised then?” Sofy asked.

However, before Vincent could answer, Sakura got up and hugged Vincent tightly as her happiness couldn’t be contained. The chair’s back cracked and broke while Vincent felt in danger of losing his life from the bear hug.

“Overheat.” He mumbled in between a soft and hard place. Vincent then used his strength to accept the powerful killing hug by fighting power with power.

Sakura felt a warm touch around her body. She opened her eyes and saw Vincent in his combat form. She released the killing bear hug and immediately noticed the broken chair’s back.

“I... I am sorry...” Sakura felt embarrassed about what she had done. She never intended to hurt Vincent.

Vincent stopped using Overheat and got up from the chair. Vincent approached Sakura and bravely hugged her again without his stats boosted.

“I don’t know how your stats were before you were injured, but it’s clear as day that you can’t control your new strength. Your strength is seventy, and I fear it might take some time to adjust.” Vincent informed.

“So let me do what you wanted to do instead until you can learn to control your strength.” Vincent released his hands and took a few steps back with a reassuring smile.

‘I hope this is enough to keep my bones from breaking. Sakura might gift me one hundred percent pain mitigation one day.’ He reflected on the idea of death from a caring gesture. A death by kindness could be possible now.

Sofy didn’t know much about classes, but she knew Dwarves were the best when it came to making things.

“Can you make me a good whip one day? I would like a strong and durable one. One that can outlast my long life if possible.” She placed the first order before the idea of a workshop or blacksmith was announced.

Vincent and Kazumi stared at the strangely excited elf.

Vincent was afraid of her dominatrix side with an unbreakable whip in her hands, while the curious Kazumi wanted to see what Sofy would do with the ordered so-called good whip.

“But I need materials to make one...” Sakura looked at Vincent to receive help with the request. Vincent could perceive a flame of determination burning in her eyes.

Sakura considered how much she received even when she hardheadedly rejected help in time of need from the kind Sofy. The small gesture of having her wounds cleaned and a person sharing some kind of suffering made Sakura resist the humiliation day after day.

Even if Sakura didn’t want to show appreciation, Sofy understood Sakura like an open book. Sofy lived as a slave for ninety years. She met slaves of various races, all with their own life stories to tell.

In the end, only after the nightmare was over could Sakura realize how much Sofy’s kind actions and friendly companionship were worth. Some say that one only knows the true value when it’s lost, while others only know the true value when they realize themselves. Sakura found out from the latter.

“I will see what I can do.” Vincent then looked at Sofy and added, “But DON’T expect too much. ”

The quicker Vincent completed Sakura’s request, the more fear of getting whipped one day became... feared immensely the possible future.

*Slap! Thud!* Vincent received a mighty slap on the back by the excited Sakura and slammed on the floor. His back ached from pain, and his body decided to...

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[Notice]

[The host has suffered pain in a body part, and the damage requirements have been met.]

[Mutation Trait: Pain Mitigation changed from stage one (8/10 | 8%) to stage one (9/10 | 9%)]

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[Hahahaha. This is hilarious. You might not live enough to taste Sofy’s whip techniques.]

Vincent grunted, “I need healing...”

Pain Mitigation progression made him feel much worse. It was like a slap in the face instead of something to be happy about.

‘I will have revenge. ‘ He planned in his mind.

Sakura froze when her eyes looked down on the humiliated and injured Vincent. Sakura didn’t think Vincent was this weak, but she forgot the strength she placed on the swift friendly slap on the back.

‘Vincent lifted me like I was nothing before... are humans this weak without their powers?’ She thought.

When adding these kinds of physical jokes with the inability to control her strength, Sakura was a dangerous woman.

However, the problem lies with Sakura’s upbringing. She was the only girl in the family until her brothers married. Their jokes were always on the physical side as she could take such jokes with her firm body.

Sofy noticed Vincent wasn’t joking around. She quickly asked Sakura to help her place Vincent on the sofa.

It didn’t take long for Sofy to begin lecturing Sakura about how she should behave around people weaker than her. Sofy mentioned examples of acting around children, and Vincent wasn’t too happy to hear that.

‘Gaining power can’t wait any longer! I need to get stronger now, or I will die soon! ‘ His goal was reaffirmed for a new type of survival.

A couple of minutes later, Leonis, Lilith, and Maid Xu entered the smaller guest hall.

They saw Vincent sitting on a sofa by himself. He was drinking a potion from a glass vial, and it looked like he was pretty thirsty. He raised the potion above his mouth and shook the almost empty glass vial until the last drop.

Leonis, Lilith, and Maid Xu didn’t know what had happened, but they approached Vincent regardless.

Leonis extended his hand and formally greeted Vincent, “Good evening Vincent. Thank you for saving my little angel. Your noble and selfless act will not go unnoticed.” He spoke as if Lilith kept a few things from her father.

“My little angel didn’t want to change her nightgown before she told me something important near you. By why tell me here, my little angel? Did you want to thank your savior before you changed and saw your mother?” Leonis asked.

Vincent got up and stretched his back. He extended his hand and shook the Baron’s hand. However, this was the beginning of a long handshake.

Lilith became happy at the mention of her mother. “Then I will tell you quickly and go to change my attire.” She went beside Vincent and wrapped her arms around his free arm.

Leonis froze like a statue when he saw his daughter passionately embracing Vincent’s arm a meter far from him. A few faint veins appeared on his hand, and the grip tightened. It was about to become a handshake war between Vincent and his future father-in-law.

The daughter Leonis couldn’t see for ten years suddenly latched herself to another man. Lilith even raised a beaming smile at that. She looked like a happy woman.

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The question of how this happened confused Leonis even more.