NOVEL WEB Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Ambush Ahead
…
[Evolution stat: +10 Physical; +5 Constitution; +3 Will.]
[...Errror… Due to the lack of a physical body, physical and constitution stat cannot be added.]
[Converting all stats to mental stat: +18 Will.]
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'What do you mean I don't have a physical body?' Ezra thought. 'What am I then? A ghost? Technically, I might… be…'
Suddenly, he felt his thoughts becoming clearer, sharper, and faster after the last statement popped into his mind.
But he didn't feel any stronger.
He quickly summoned his panel:
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[Name]: Ezra
[Class]: Soul Warlock
[Race]: Human
[Bloodline]: None
[Rank]: Mortal
[Order]: Second
[Soul Vitalis]: 2
[Mana]: 1/100
> Physical: 2
> Constitution: 1
> Will: 28
[Skills]: [Bane of Existence], [Soul Reflection], [Stasis], [Ethereal Dominion], [Soul Covenant (25% Unsealed)]
[Gear]: [Shadow Hunter], [Silver Blade]
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"My Physical stat didn't increase…" he mumbled absentmindedly.
"You advanced?" Seraphina asked.
Ezra snapped out of it and nodded, hiding his thoughts. 'I will research it when I get back.'
"Then we need to leave. With your increased Physical stat, I won't have to carry you again," she said with a chuckle.
"I was merely injured," Ezra quickly defended himself, noticing Selene's gaze.
As he stood to his feet, he felt the aggressive aura surrounding Seraphina intensify, while the tranquility around Selene spiked.
'Did they get more powerful?'
He shook his head. 'It's not that they became stronger; it's because I did… or rather, my senses have become strangely acute. It must be related to my class.'
The aggressiveness from Seraphina didn't bother him; he gave her a point in his good book for handing him the beast crystal without asking for anything in return, while he deducted a point from Selene for not healing him.
"Stop staring and let's move," Seraphina said coldly before walking away.
Ezra could only shake his head and follow behind with Selene.
"I will keep a lookout, while you guys should also watch for any camouflaged monsters," Ezra whispered, his hand tightening around his sword. Now that his Physical and Constitution stats remained stagnant, he knew he had to be extremely careful.
After the evolution of [Soul Reflection], the distance increased to 500 meters.
Ezra sent his spirit body 500 meters above to scout for movement on the ground, but surprisingly, there was nothing in sight.
'Maybe it's because that Mantis rules this area. Well, even I will avoid it after seeing what it did to those crabs.'
The three of them walked vigilantly, with Ezra's spirit body alternating between scouting on the ground and aerial surveillance ahead of them.
"So, what do you know about the stats?" Ezra suddenly asked.
Selene quickly picked up the topic. "There are three stats for Mortal rank like us: Physical, Constitution, and Will.
The Physical stat combines strength and agility. At the beginning, the stat is equal for everyone. High body coordination, weapon finesse, and ghost-like reflexes come from hard work; you might have high Physical but not know how to use it.
Maybe the Elite system is trying to eliminate excuses for lazy people. Even without a class, if you utilize your good stats, gear, and well-trained battle abilities, you can stand at the top for Mortal rank."
'But mine isn't like that. I'm a Second Order Mortal rank Elite, with Physical and Constitution of a First Order. Though my Will might be off the charts… but what the heck does Will do?'
Selene continued, unaware of Ezra's thoughts. "Some have innate advantages from their class, like Seraphina's monstrous strength or your freaky ability that disoriented the Forest Mantis, stopping it from sensing the axe before it came. Gear also makes a difference."
She threw a glance at Ezra's sword.
"Constitution is the combination of physical defense, endurance, and healing speed, and body resistance to adverse conditions. Like Physical, it is the same for everyone at the Mortal rank until the next rank — Primal."
Ezra sighed at his condition.
Throughout the explanation, Selene's eyes were glowing.
"Then Will is the mental strength. Like Physical and Constitution, the number received during the progress from order to another in the Mortal rank is the same for everybody. But the real thing is the base value of everyone is different during awakening, depending on past experience. The highest recorded was '4 Will' at the beginning, while the least is '1 Will.'"
Selene suddenly threw Ezra a glance. 'His Will must be 3. Otherwise, no regular person with normal Will would stay still in front of that Forest Mantis. The probability of a 4 is low. Only madmen have a Will of 4 at the beginning.'
Ezra was oblivious to Selene's thoughts.
His lips twitched as he recalled that he started with '10 Will.' But when he thought about his experiences—dying and resurrecting, seeing a demoness, and getting roasted alive—that black flame still traumatized him.
His experience easily dwarfed any teenager who awakened at fifteen.
Selene's eyes gleamed as she spoke, "But there's a theory that anyone with a Will above 25 might unlock a heightened perception of their environment. But it's still just a theory, as everyone with such a high Will is already at the Primal rank, granting them access to their 'Spirit' column that works better."
Ezra suddenly paused.
"What is it?" Seraphina looked around vigilantly.
"Five hundred meters ahead is filled with an eight-legged, massive creature with a black carapace," he whispered in fear.
"Do you see any webs?" Selene asked.
After scouting with his spirit body, Ezra shook his head.
Selene explained gloomily, "Tank Tarantula—an armored spider species that thrives in packs. They have thick, rigid carapaces resembling natural armor, providing protection from predators and harsh elements. Their primary weapon is their eight powerful legs and mouth. They communicate through intricate movements and vibrations, coordinating their hunts for prey. Check if they are still."
Ezra nodded as he saw them lying still on the trees.
"They must have heard us and are preparing an ambush."
Seraphina finally spoke, "An ambush?"
Selene took a shaky, deep breath. "Yes. Even though they are First Order Mortal rank, they have sharp hearing. If you meet them anything lower than a thousand meters from them, you're already in the trap."