Chapter 28: Enhancing Attributes

In this way, under the disdainful gaze of Anya, Hao Ren explained the current situation.

“I already understand what you’re trying to say. But my master, don’t forget, we’re quite powerful. Our abilities are more than enough to let us blend in by your side—just say we’re new recruits for the Front, problem solved.” Nemesis clung to Hao Ren, pinching his cheek.

“I don’t want to go inside and sleep. It’s much more fun out here,” Maya chimed in, raising her hand.

“As long as Tia’s safety is ensured, in exchange, I can protect yours.” Anya made it clear she had no intention of entering the Summoner’s Cottage, either.

“Tia, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to stay in my Summoner’s Cottage for a while,” Hao Ren said, looking apologetically at Tia.

“It’s fine—it’s my fault for being useless…” Tia lowered her head, sorrowful.

“That’s not true. I’m asking you to go inside for your own safety. Besides, your strengths don’t lie in combat. With Anya and the others here, you don’t need to worry. You’re all the most important people to me, so don’t overthink it. When we get back to my world, I’ll be relying on your wisdom.” For once, Hao Ren was completely earnest.

“Most… important people…” Tia’s face immediately flushed red.

“What’s with you, saying things like that out of the blue?” Anya seemed a little annoyed, glaring fiercely at Hao Ren.

“My, my, master, you really are a greedy man,” remarked Nemesis, her amber eyes fixed on Hao Ren’s profile with interest.

“Master, are you planning to be the ruler of a harem?” Maya interjected gleefully.

“That’s not what I meant! Anyway, you’re all girls… Once we clear the game, I’ll introduce you to a few more female companions. There are still two in my Summoner’s Cottage right now.” Hao Ren hurriedly explained, at least trying to keep his inner thoughts from showing too obviously.

“Oh? You’ve already seen my transformed state and still think of me as a woman? Aren’t you afraid?” Nemesis’s hair wriggled, forming numerous sharp blades.

“Of course not! Cuteness is justice!” Hao Ren proved himself a fool.

“Are all human males creatures who only care about appearances? Appearance means nothing to us bio-weapons,” Nemesis continued to probe.

“Well, I am a man. It’s natural to look at appearances first. And if you keep dressing like that, I might just lose control,” Hao Ren struggled to contain himself.

“At least you’re honest,” Maya said, her expression complicated.

“I just tend to speak without thinking,” Hao Ren replied, self-mocking.

Hao Ren glanced out the window; the sun was already setting.

“Tia, you’d better go rest in the cottage for now. I expect someone will be coming to see me soon.” He held out his hand to Tia.

“All right,” Tia replied readily this time, taking his hand and entering the Summoner’s Cottage.

“Well, Koji, right? Yuriko sent me to—” At that moment, blue-haired Hyuga opened the door and was stunned by the sight of Hao Ren with a girl on either side.

“Sorry!” Hyuga quickly stepped back and closed the door, moving with remarkable fluidity.

“Nemesis, change your appearance to be similar to Maya’s. Your current mature form, or your previous petite form, will only raise suspicion. I’ll go get you some uniforms,” Hao Ren instructed before stepping out.

“Koji, huh? You really don’t mess around—barely a day in this world and you’ve already got three beautiful girls hanging off you. Where did you find them? I’ve never seen them before.” Blue-haired Hyuga was quite sharp-eyed, picking up on the girls’ features in an instant.

“I found them outside just now. They’re new to this world, and after some persuasion, they decided to join the Front,” said Hao Ren, almost believing it himself. “By the way, could you get them some girls’ uniforms?”

“No problem, leave it to me. But what about sizes?”

“Standard sizes are fine.” After all, the three inside could adjust their own clothing as they pleased.

“If they don’t fit, don’t blame me.”

“Oh, right.” Hyuga slapped his forehead. “Bring these three new members to the Angel Headquarters in a bit. Yuriko sent me to find you.”

“No problem. Dinner’s on me tonight,” Hao Ren replied, eager to try the mapo tofu.

“Okay, I’ll be right back.” With that, Hyuga dashed off, his physical prowess evident.

“Master, I hope you won’t disappoint us,” Nemesis thought quietly to herself as she watched Hao Ren return to the room.

Hyuga was efficient—within half an hour, the uniforms had been delivered. He left, grinning, after pocketing five meal coupons, not even questioning how the newly arrived Hao Ren had managed to get so many.

The uniforms were just for show. In an instant, Nemesis and the others had transformed their outfits to match, giving Hao Ren another visual feast.

Looking at the youthful Nemesis, the lively Maya, and the taciturn Anya, Hao Ren silently gave thanks to the Central Intelligence once more.

As an aside, Hao Ren’s current summoning links were with Nemesis, Maya, and Anya. Multiple experiments had shown that the summoning link wouldn’t work if they weren’t in the same space. After linking with these three, Hao Ren’s attributes soared.

Name: Hao Ren
Title: QB Ambassador (Progress 5/500)
Attributes: Strength 13+34
Agility 11+41
Constitution 14+34
Intelligence 9+24
Spirit 13+35
Charisma 10+1
Class: Summoner (Anime/Game type, humanoid creatures)
Talent: “Summoning Link” Lv4 (0/4000): Can receive a reverse bonus of all attribute points from linked summoned creatures; current bonus is 30%. Any beneficial state received by the summoner is also applied to linked summons. Damage is shared between the summoner and linked summons; can be toggled on or off. Current linked: 3/5. Can be upgraded with LP points.
Talent: “Kämpfer Contract” Lv1 (0/500): Can form contracts with humanoid creatures (regardless of gender); the relationship between the contracted and the user must not be lower than “Friendly.” Contracted individuals receive the skill “Kämpfer Transformation.” Current contracts: 4/5. Each contract costs 1 LP, or 2 LP to forcibly contract a humanoid with a relationship below “Friendly.” Can be upgraded with LP points.
Skill: “Summoner’s Cottage” Lv1 (0/500): The summoner can store summoned creatures in an extradimensional space called the “Summoner’s Cottage.” Summoned creatures inside fall into deep sleep, regaining 10% of all stats per hour. Time inside the cottage flows at the same rate as outside. No limit on the number of entrants. Can be upgraded with LP points.
Skill: “Golden Rule” (No Level): Effect 1, passively increases LP point gain, amount is random. Effect 2, anything related to money can be easily obtained, even to the point of immense wealth. You will never be troubled by money again. This skill cannot be upgraded.
Skill: “Sichuan Cuisine Expert” Lv(0/500): Mastery of all Sichuan dishes. Any Sichuan dish made in the game instance becomes a restorative food; the restorative effect is random. The skill can be improved by cooking or by spending LP points.

Hao Ren had worried that such a dramatic increase in attributes would cause him to break things left and right, like Spider-Man at the start, but fortunately, the boost felt perfectly natural, as if he’d gained it through his own hard work. The summoning link was truly powerful.