Chapter 881 - 721: The Consequences of Speaking the Truth (2)

Chapter 881: Chapter 721: The Consequences of Speaking the Truth (2)

Exoskeleton Manipulation Specialization Lv.3

Trait description:

A sophisticated technique for manipulating biological exoskeletons.

The user can control the surface exoskeleton to a limited extent (or strengthen their own bones), achieving localized hardening, deformation, extension, and even separation.

ps: The performance of this ability heavily depends on the inherent functionality of the exoskeleton.

Confusing Words Lv.3

Trait description:

A language art proficient in psychological suggestion and emotional provocation.

It can precisely stimulate the target’s negative emotions such as suspicion, anger, and fear, magnifying the existing cracks in their mind, creating conflicts silently, dismantling trust, and even inducing internal strife among the targets.

Effect evaluation: Extremely effective against targets who lack firm will, have unstable emotions, or have existing conflicts.

[You can choose one to replicate (replicated ability forcibly adapts to the user’s current tier)]

Feng Mu fully absorbed the information of the three abilities displayed on his retina, yet, after thorough examination, he felt a subtle regret, as if he’d been waiting for a culinary delight, only to be presented with a few appetizing side dishes.

Of the three abilities, none were related to Illusion Manipulation.

Could it be because the opponent’s mind was shattered after being toyed with illusions, so after their death, the abilities bestowed lacked even a trace of illusion manipulation?

Feng Mu actually still desired it.

He already possessed multiple illusion class abilities, and naturally, grew increasingly fond of illusion-related skills, hoping to collect more.

Expecting that someday, he’d truly embody the essence symbolized by the S-Class artifact Axe of the End, becoming a one-man army, transforming into thousands, becoming the Master of Thousand Illusions Void.

It’s a pity that Shadow Scorpion’s spirit was somewhat fragile, not supportive at all.

This "gratitude" didn’t meet Feng Mu’s psychological expectations.

Unable to acquire the most desired ability, Feng Mu could only settle for second best, choosing one of the other three abilities.

Feng Mu was slightly surprised that Shadow Scorpion also had a poison capability, yet he hadn’t seen them use it.

Shadow Scorpion: "..." Blame me for dying too quickly and not letting you have enough fun?

Feng Mu’s gaze shifted among the three abilities.

The poison capability was dismissed due to limitations; a 0.8-second casting delay was nonsense.

In battles among experts, life or death is often decided in an instant, a 0.1-second delay can be fatal, let alone nearly a second of "charging" preparation?

In that time, he could revive a corpse to fight for him as an honorable zombie.

Confusing Words Lv.3, manipulating emotions, creating internal strife, slightly brightened his eyes, but it barely matched the delight of an after-dinner dessert.

Still not enough to overly tempt him, mainly because its temperament didn’t match his Proof of Undying Loyalty lv4.

He may be a villainous boss indeed, but he preferred to exhibit noble moral charisma rather than a meddlesome gossip.

Nowadays, villains with malice written across their faces usually don’t survive to the finale.

So seemingly a choice among three, Feng Mu ultimately had only one practical option—the second ability—Exoskeleton Manipulation Specialization lv3.

Its name sounds modest and straightforward, especially suitable for a villainous boss adept at disguise.

Even though Feng Mu lacks exoskeleton equipment, he has an "inner skeleton," and moreover, his inner skeleton is not incapable of external wear.

"This is it."

Once Feng Mu made up his mind, he wavered no more.

"Choose Exoskeleton Manipulation Specialization!"

[You have replicated Exoskeleton Manipulation Specialization!]

[Replicated ability forcibly adapts to the user’s current tier.]

[You have gained the ability Exoskeleton Manipulation Specialization lv3→lv4!]

A warm current accompanied by a vast amount of unfamiliar knowledge and instincts surged like floodwaters into Feng Mu’s mind and body.

And due to Feng Mu’s recent frenzy of upgrades, his life tier had long surpassed Shadow Scorpion, so the replicated ability immediately underwent a leap-like evolution, directly from Lv3 to Lv4.

This meant his understanding and mastery of this skill had already exceeded the culmination of Shadow Scorpion’s life’s work.

The professional ability limit of Shadow Scorpion’s lifetime was, for Feng Mu, merely the beginning of a higher realm.

Feng Mu slightly experienced the subtle changes coming from within his body.

The hardness and quality of his bones didn’t improve immediately, but he inexplicably felt his bones inside more submissive, more easily manipulated.

He could now play more tricks.

In other words, under the stimulation of Exoskeleton Manipulation Specialization, [Molded Embryo] was greatly enhanced.

Though the system didn’t give a clear value for the enhancement, Feng Mu, through his meticulous control of his own strength, concluded the enhancement was roughly 20%-30%.

This increase was quite substantial, mildly shaking Feng Mu’s heart.

After all, it wasn’t too difficult to kill Shadow Scorpion.

Using illusions to deceive, precisely finding the weakness, then delivering a fatal blow—the entire process was downright effortless.

The genuine sense of effort and reward was not proportional at all.

Moreover, it looked like there were still some remaining... moving Exoskeleton Manipulation Specialization entries within this cluster of bushes.

Suddenly, a warmth surged in Feng Mu’s heart as he involuntarily calculated:

"The gift from Shadow Scorpion alone could significantly enhance my [Molded Embryo], what if I slaughtered the other White Masks as well.

And replicated their ’Exoskeleton Manipulation Specializations,’ maybe it could directly upgrade [Molded Embryo] from a blue entry to a red entry?!!"

Once this thought appeared, it spread like wildfire, becoming uncontrollable. The murderous intent hidden within Feng Mu couldn’t be restrained anymore.

Initially, he mainly wanted to seek justice for a friend, but now, he became genuinely serious.

He carefully scanned around, and what he saw was no longer human-shaped enemies but dazzling red treasure chests.

.....

He lay staring blankly at Feng Mu, noticing Feng Mu’s mouth suddenly curved into a clear arc.

It wasn’t a sinister grin after killing, nor was it victory pride, or anger distortion.

That smile carried an almost pure sincerity and... joy?

As if a naive child accidentally found a beloved new toy.

But this smile, falling in his eyes, was more horrifying than any fierce expression, his heart felt gripped tightly by an invisible hand, then suddenly yanked, pausing briefly.

Immediately, a deeply chilling killing intent burst from Feng Mu’s body without warning.

No, you were so gentle before killing, why only after slaughter does the intent burst!

Your sequence isn’t matching other psychotic killers!

The one caught in this terrifying intent first and foremost was himself, lying at Feng Mu’s feet.

"Damn it, Feng Mu intends to kill me."

He instantly understood that Feng Mu’s murderous intent was aimed at him.

This indeed wasn’t a misunderstanding.

This belonged to one of life’s three major illusions—he might want to kill me!

It’s similar to during school days, when a teacher glares, each student with a guilty conscience instinctually feels the teacher is glaring at them.

But in reality, the teacher might just have chalk dust on their eyebrow.

He’s slightly better, he wasn’t completely self-deluding as Feng Mu genuinely wanted to kill him, but not fully directed at him.

Feng Mu’s logic was intricate, something he couldn’t comprehend.

At least, while alive, he definitely couldn’t comprehend it.

He simply gave up, relinquishing concocting unconvincingly flawed lies, surrendered meaningless arguments, even abandoned the last trace of survival instinct.

Only staring wide-eyed, fixedly at Feng Mu, awaiting the "savior" to deliver the final death sentence.

His mood was far from calm; no one could, in such a short time, experience near-death twice then calmly accept a third encounter with death.

Fear entwined him like cold vines, steadily and unwaveringly contracting around his heart.

But bizarrely, amid deep indescribable fear, he wasn’t resentful towards Feng Mu at all.

Instead, an absurd, incomprehensible feeling of guilt surfaced quietly like submerged reefs.

.....