Chapter 358: The Method

Leon came down to the dining room and realized he was the only one they were waiting for.

Selene had arrived a moment earlier than him. Clapping his hands, he smiled and said, "Let’s eat! We have something important to share after dinner."

Several eyebrows rose in surprise and anticipation, while Gwen’s eyes narrowed like she had an inkling.

Leon didn’t wait and immediately began eating. Having fought zombies since morning till evening, he felt famished. Even if he wasn’t exhausted, his mind was bored and his body was hungry.

Thankfully, the maids had done well enough to please him.

Along with the three remaining students from Clifford University, they had been diligently training their cooking skills and raising their professionality.

Although slow, one of the students had already reached Tier One without having to kill anything. He was only focused on cooking, just like the others.

Leon would have loved to laze around and level up while sleeping or eating or playing games, but he couldn’t. After all, that didn’t guarantee true power that he needed to protect his people.

As he let his thoughts wander, he eventually came to notice that his plate was empty already.

Blinking, he set down the spoon and picked up a glass of water. After drinking, he set down the cup and looked at everyone. Most had finished eating, with only Gwen, Fel, and Nora still on their last bites.

Leon leaned against the table and decided to start.

"So... it’s basically an announcement. Soon, the world is going to enter Phase Two. It’s going to be rougher than Phase One, and don’t expect to survive it simply because you’re still alive till today. Once it starts, no more slacking. Orders will be passed around, and you must fulfil your duties."

His expression was serious as he spoke, only softening when Nora threw him a glance.

"Secondly, I found another method to make us stronger. Agnus was the first to speak to me about it, but he didn’t share the method. He only showed me how it worked. I got it through other means—the alien world, and surprisingly, from Park Slope City’s former leader."

Reymond’s eyes widened. "A method to make us grow stronger? Isn’t that like... cheating the Star Stream or something?"

Leon glared at him. "Sure. You can choose to stay out of it."

The brown-haired guy shut his mouth and simply listened.

Leaning toward Leon, Marie asked with a focused expression, "How does this work specifically? And ’grow stronger’, is it just levels or stats too?"

"Smart question," Leon said with a smile. "It depends on how you use it. For those at the peak of any Tier, it’ll simply keep adding to your free stat points. However, for those who can still level up, if will give you stat points and still level you up."

Gwen’s eyes widened. "Isn’t that... better?"

"No." He shook his head. "If we rely on this method to level up, there would be no evolution requirements, and we would simply advance to the next tier without any significant upgrades."

"Ah... does that mean no class change like you experienced?" She asked.

Shrugging, Leon answered. "I don’t know, honestly. But I know crossing the tiers with evolution requirements is better. So only those at the peak of their tiers can be allowed to use this method."

Gwen slowly nodded, then thought of something. "What if... you use the method to level up, then kill something to reach the peak, like Level 50 or Level 75. You’ll still get your evolution requirements, no?"

Leon blinked, then nodded in agreement. "Yes, but that could be worse. You’d have a weak foundation because the stats you’ll get wouldn’t be as high as what you’d get from killing to level up."

Selene calmly slipped her drink and nodded. "That makes sense."

Leon gave her an approving nod, then took out a soul crystal.

"So... the method essential involves drawing out origin energy from soul crystals and absorbing them. Like this."

The soul crystal in his hand began to slowly lose its glow, and eventually turned transparent.

[You have gained +1 stat point!]

Looking at the minuscule change, he shook his head. It was a Tier One soul crystal, yet it had only given him one stat point.

They all stared at him in wonder, with Miguel’s eyes shining with fervor.

"Boss... is it possible to learn this power?"

Leon tilted his head. "What power? I’m going to teach you anyway."

Then, the night got busy. Right there at the dining table, Leon taught them the method. It wasn’t hard or complicated, but took time to learn.

After teaching them, he handed each person one Tier One soul crystal to test it. Slowly, the crystals held in their hands wet drained until nothing was left. Then, they all got the notification.

"Wow..." Cassie muttered, genuinely amazed. "I’ll use this until I complete my evolution requirements."

Leon nodded approvingly, then turned to Marie. "You can’t start using it yet. You aren’t peak Tier Two yet. And you too, Nora. Wait till you reach peak Tier One."

The mother and daughter pair nodded obediently.

Leon sighed and turned to the others. "Don’t share this to anyone yet. At least until I allow it. Understood?"

They all nodded.

Then, Leon began distributing the soul crystals he had with him—yellow soul crystals to be precise. He gave each person a hundred yellow soul crystals, then paused when it was Gwen’s turn.

"Are you peak Tier One yet?"

She shook her head. "Close, but not yet."

Nodding, he turned to Fel. "You?"

"Not there yet." She lowered her head, ashamed.

Leon didn’t seem to care and handed the two women a hundred yellow soul crystals each.

"Tomorrow, I’ll take you guys out to the forest. Then, we can work on pushing you to the peak."

Fel nodded, while Gwen blushed. He stared at her, confused. Why was she blushing?

Staring at the crystals in his hands, Reymond blinked. "Wait. How did you get so many? Did you loot a vault or something?"

Leon rolled his eyes. "Maybe? Who knows."

Selene chuckled, then quickly fell silent when gazes converged on her.

"Alright, I’ll be retiring for the night. See you all tomorrow."

He turned to Marie, his gaze expectant.

She nodded and stood up while holding Nora’s hand. The others also dispersed and headed to their private rooms.

As Leon headed upstairs with the mother and daughter, Fel followed them.

"Um... Nora, do you want to watch Cassie cultivate that method?"

Leon and Marie turned around in surprise. What was she doing?

Nora blinked, then turned to her parents. "Um... mom, dad, can I go with them?"

Leon eyed Fel with playful suspicion, then nodded. "Alright. Go learn from your big sisters."

Marie nodded too. "Alright, you can go."

Fel smiled and took Nora with her, leaving them alone.

Leon slowly turned to Marie. "What a wingman—wait. Wingwoman? Whatever. You have a good supporter."

Marie grinned and pulled his hand. "Come on, we don’t have all night."

Leon chuckled. "Actually, we do."