Please choose evolution direction—

Evolution Path 1: Swap Position: Exchange positions with your shadow clone, limited to once during duration.

Evolution Path 2: Self-Destruct 1: Shadow clone self-destructs when receiving fatal damage, about to disappear, or by choice, dealing massive damage.

Both evolution paths are quite impressive.

The first evolution path "Swap Position" can greatly enhance this skill's operability and upper limit.

With "Swap Position," this skill gains many additional applications. If used properly, whether for offensive assaults or defensive retreats, it's quite useful.

The second evolution path "Self-Destruct" essentially gives this skill a small area AOE burst. As an Epic Level skill, even as just an additional effect, "Self-Destruct's" damage is absolutely considerable.

Can I watch an ad to choose both?

Lin Mo was really struggling, hesitating repeatedly, and ultimately chose Evolution Path One.

After all, he had quite a few damage-type skills, while mechanism-type skills like "Swap Position" were clearly more precious.

Work hard to level up. According to past experience, as long as this skill reaches level 4, he could choose the second evolution path... then he could add "Self-Destruct" later.

Speaking of which, actually 【Vanish】 also gained the opportunity to choose its third evolution path after reaching max level.

It's just that Lin Mo was eager to see the Epic Level skill, so he didn't choose it earlier.

This should also be 【Vanish】's final evolution path selection.

Please choose evolution path—

Evolution Path 1: Extreme Speed I: Movement speed increases by 15% while in Vanish state!

Evolution Path 2: Persistence: Vanish duration extends by 30%

Both evolution paths are level 2. Lin Mo thought for a moment and ultimately chose Persistence.

Level 2 Extreme Speed only increases movement speed by 5% more than level 1, not even matching the effect of one "Lightness" skill.

Calculating it this way, it's better to add some invisibility time.

After making his selection, Lin Mo couldn't help but direct his attention to the 【Shadow Split】 skill.

After all, this was his first Epic Level skill. If there weren't so many people around, Lin Mo would have wanted to try it out immediately.

Glancing at the coming and going crowds, Lin Mo shook his head helplessly. Better forget about it.

But speaking of which, after a skill upgrades to Epic Level, there's another very obvious change.

For Lin Mo, this could be considered bad news...

The proficiency required for skill leveling seems to have increased.

Previously, the proficiency required to level a skill from level 1 to level 2 was 10 points, but 【Shadow Split】 was different.

【Shadow Split】Lv1 (0/20)

20 proficiency points, directly doubled.

Actually, this is quite reasonable. Logically speaking, the more advanced the skill, although more powerful and bringing more attributes, they're also often more difficult to learn and master.

Only increasing proficiency requirements at Epic Level was actually beyond Lin Mo's expectations.

And it might not just be a simple increase in proficiency requirements—perhaps there are other changes too?

Like more evolution path choices, for example.

Another thing that worried Lin Mo was that Excellent-grade skills get reduced proficiency when killing monsters below level 1, so what about Epic Level skills?

Probably not just below level 1...

Moreover, Lin Mo had long heard what could be considered common knowledge:

Professionals can grow faster through combat and training, and skill proficiency improves more easily, but if the power gap between both sides is too large, these effects weaken or even disappear.

For example, what training effect could a level 5 professional get from bullying goblins that aren't even level 1?

Lin Mo felt his skill proficiency system should be different from normal professionals. After all, so far, his proficiency gains from killing monsters with normal-grade skills haven't changed. But he couldn't guarantee whether this would continue when he reaches higher levels. Anyway, he should mentally prepare himself—if there's no reduction later, consider it a bonus.

Setting aside these miscellaneous thoughts, it was time to check his current attributes.

【Name】: Lin Mo

【Professions】: Warrior Level 4, Knight Level 3, Assassin Level 3, Mage Level 3

【Attributes】:

Strength: 41(+14=55)

Agility: 35 (+17=52)

Constitution: 34(+14=48)

Spirit: 12(+4=16)

Magic Power: 39(+8=47)

Fire Element Affinity: 25%

Thunder Element Affinity: 12.5%

Earth Element Affinity: 12.5%

Ice Element Affinity: 16%

Profession-wise, Warrior had reached level 4, while the other three professions were all level 3, which could be considered quite balanced development.

It must be said that if Lin Mo had focused solely on improving one profession, like specializing in Warrior, he might have already stepped into the "veteran" realm and reached level 6 by now.

But even so, he might not necessarily be much stronger.

His breakthrough capability might indeed be somewhat higher than his current self, but there would be many shortcomings.

Comparatively, Lin Mo still preferred comprehensive development. It might be slower, but it's more solid with almost no weaknesses.

The prey processing was complete. Because there were many people, they chose a self-service approach—take what you want, cook it yourself. Anyway, there was more than enough prey, basically impossible to finish.

However, those poor girls were naturally exceptions.

After Healing Art treatment, their physical wounds had basically recovered, but the cracks in their hearts needed time to slowly heal.

Some girls were even pregnant with goblin offspring. These issues would need to be resolved after returning to Silverstream City.

Alchemists would then prepare potions to help them resolve these troubles.

Meanwhile, the City Lord should also provide some compensation for these affected girls...

Finnie's mother had always done well in these aspects, so Lin Mo believed she would handle it properly.

The adventurers turned the wild boar into roasted meat and stew, then gave the girls some of the white bread and cheese they brought. The 21 girls who survived the ordeal gathered together, eating while crying, finally completely releasing the emotions they had accumulated over so many days.

Finnie frowned tightly, watching the girls with pained expression.

Lin Mo walked to her side, patted her shoulder, wanting to say some comforting words but not knowing how to begin.

To be honest, Lin Mo didn't consider himself some overly sympathetic saint, but he still had the kindness and compassion that humans should possess.

Especially since he had personally witnessed these tragic scenes, making it even harder to forget...

Work hard to become stronger.

Justice delayed might no longer be justice, but it's still better than doing nothing.

Whether it's the goblins, those shady nobles hiding in the background, or that necromancer—they must all pay the price!

Lin Mo walked to the Rock-Horned Ox's side and cut off a relatively good piece of beef tenderloin.

Although the meat was self-service, adventurers who had been around for years were quite perceptive. Those with less strength and contribution would consciously choose relatively poorer cuts or meat from other prey.

These better parts would be reserved for the stronger adventurers.

As the undisputed top contributor of this operation, the one who turned the tide countless times, Lin Mo could obviously take whatever he wanted without anyone objecting.

Sprinkling some salt and spices on the prepared beef brisket, he let it marinate briefly.

Lin Mo restarted a small fire, waiting for the beef to marinate while looking at Finnie.

"Speaking of which, Finnie, does your family have any unused manors?"

Lin Mo had wanted to ask this several times before but kept forgetting. This time he finally remembered, so he quickly asked.

"Manor? I'm not too sure, I'd have to ask Mother, but there should be some... Does Mr. Lin Mo need a manor?"

"Yes, I'd like to temporarily rent one, I wonder if that's possible?"

"No need for that, Mr. Lin Mo. If you need one, you can just go live there directly."

Finnie waved her hands repeatedly.

Lin Mo shook his head: "I've already received plenty of help from you, I shouldn't trouble you further. Let's do a normal rental. If you want to help us, you could just set the rent a bit lower."

"Well then..."

Finnie could only nod, her expression looking unhappy.

Lin Mo's reason for refusing was already clear, but in her view, these things didn't matter much—just friends helping each other with small favors.

Always being so formal made her feel like there was some distance between them.

"Lin Mo, when will the meat be ready? I'm hungry~"

During rest times, Ellie always liked to lean on Lin Mo, smelling his scent.

Of course, this was also because Lin Mo had already used "Cleansing Flow" to clean himself.

Otherwise, covered in bloodstains and sweat, sticking together wouldn't be very pleasant...

"Don't rush, let it marinate for a while. It'll taste better when roasted later."

Lin Mo affectionately rubbed her head, naturally playing with her furry ears.

Ellie's ears twitched, obviously quite sensitive, but she still actively rubbed against Lin Mo's palm, half-closing her eyes in comfort.

Watching Ellie acting spoiled with Lin Mo, Finnie suddenly felt a bit envious.

So nice, she wanted to be like that too...

Suddenly coming back to her senses, her face flushed with redness.

What are you thinking, Finnie! Mr. Lin Mo only sees you as a friend, and he has a good relationship with Miss Ellie. How could you...

Guilt made the young girl purse her lips, constantly blaming herself internally.

Sherfilia, leaning against a tree nearby, shook her head helplessly and sighed.

As they say, the onlooker sees most of the game. In her view, the young lady's feelings were almost too obvious to be any clearer.

This made her somewhat conflicted.

On one hand, such matters should be decided by the young lady herself. She was just a maid who shouldn't and didn't have the right to interfere. And although that young man could be annoying sometimes, overall his character and morals were quite good, with impressive strength and talent. Although his status was previously that of a commoner and now only an "honorary" third-class baron, he was still worthy of the young lady.

But...

Sherfilia's gaze fell on Ellie.

Such an outstanding person naturally having good luck with women wasn't surprising.