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Chapter 40 Hand of Void!
Chapter 40 Hand of Void!
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Arthur found a piece of paper in the inner lining pocket of Graham's vest.
The paper was slightly yellowed, with neatly trimmed edges, and it was covered with many strange characters that Arthur couldn't understand. Yet, in the rain, these characters had not blurred.
The sense of age from the paper and the characteristics of the characters were telling Arthur that this was no ordinary sheet of paper.
But he didn't reach for it immediately; instead, he took a handkerchief out of his jacket pocket.
Unable to be sure whether the paper was poisonous, Arthur was very careful. He flicked the handkerchief open and placed it in his hand before picking up the paper.
It was only then that he clearly saw, in the spaces between the unfamiliar writing, there was the common language that he could understand.
Both sides of the paper were filled with writing.
This also made Arthur realize what was recorded on this sheet of paper.
No!
More precisely, this page of the "Herculean Notes" recorded a "Hand of Void," a secret technique.
Suddenly, Arthur felt grateful to Graham.
No need to ask, the translation of the strange characters had to be the work of the latter.
If it hadn't been translated by the latter, he wouldn't have understood it at all.
And now that he could understand it, naturally—
[Spirituality check in progress...]
[Spirituality meets the minimum requirement, check passed!]
[Yes/No spend 10 XP to learn Hand of Void?]
...
Derived from the Talent "Omnivorous," his ability once again demonstrated its prowess. Having just slain Graham and gained 20 XP, bringing his total XP to 36, Arthur naturally did not hesitate.
[Hand of Void Lv1: During a journey to the southern part of the Empire in the Talin district, Hercules discovered the original version of this secret technique in a fallen tower. At that time, the technique was fragmentary and incomplete. Hercules expended considerable effort to complete it, and after many alterations, the present version of the secret technique was born.
It resembles the widely known 'Hand of Void' to an extent, but with a fundamental difference; Effect: Based on spirituality, consumes physical strength to create a Hand of Void with Glyphic Language Ei a that serves you.]
(Annotation 1: The Hand of Void will be as flexible as the creator's palm, retaining some of the wrist, and always visible to the creator.)
(Annotation 2: The Hand of Void is invisible to others but can be touched by them, and can also be damaged. When it reaches the damage limit, the Hand of Void disappears.)
(Annotation 3: At the current level, the Hand of Void can lift items up to 5kg in weight, moves at the speed of an adult walking, and can be a maximum distance of 3 meters from the creator.)
(Annotation 4: After creating the Hand of Void, the creator will continuously consume physical strength, which will increase when the Hand of Void is holding an item.)
(Annotation 5: When releasing the Hand of Void, it disappears but the spent physical strength doesn't return.)
(Annotation 6: At this stage, you must recite the complete Glyphic Language Ei a to successfully create the Hand of Void.)
...
"Hercules?"
"It's actually related to Hercules!"
Looking at the text before him, Arthur's eyes showed surprise, followed by the synchronization of his body and knowledge.
Unlike before, this knowledge synchronization took longer.
Not only did a multitude of unfamiliar knowledge appear in his mind, but a chill also materialized over his heart, the coolness tracing over his heart.
Arthur could distinctly feel the chill sketching a small, palm-like figure over his heart.
Almost instinctively, he chanted—
"Ei a!"
Thud, thud!
His heart beat violently twice. In Arthur's perception, the small palm on his heart was filled with fresh blood and lit up.
As he shook his left hand, what seemed like a fuzzy yarn but was actually transparent materialized into gloves in his hand.
The next moment, with a thought from Arthur, the glove detached from his left hand and hovered in mid-air.
Arthur, looking at his own creation, the 'Hand of Void,' showed a gleam of joy in his eyes.
He had witnessed the Mystic Side more than once, but it was his first time using the power of the Mystic Side.
Thus, excitement and thrill rose from the bottom of his heart.
However, very quickly, Arthur's brows furrowed.
It wasn't that the Hand of Void was consuming too much.
In fact, the current consumption of the Hand of Void was only equivalent to Arthur's consumption at a steady slow run—a pace Arthur could maintain for an hour without needing to rest.
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Arthur frowned, he now had only 26XP left, and "Hand of Void" upgraded to Lv2 and "Swift Bird Swordsmanship. Pseudo" upgraded to Lv3 both required 20XP.
Simply put, he could only choose one.
After a brief consideration, Arthur chose "Hand of Void".
It wasn't that "Swift Bird Swordsmanship. Pseudo" was bad, but "Hand of Void" was more helpful for his upcoming actions.
Of course, it was also because Arthur believed that he would soon have a large amount of XP coming in.
[Consume 20XP, Hand of Void Lv1?Lv2]
[Hand of Void Lv2: Possessing spirituality, though quite mediocre, you demonstrate that diligence can compensate for lack of aptitude. Your 'Hand of Void' advances further; Effect: Based on spirituality, consuming physical strength, create two hands of void using Glyphic Language Ei a to serve you.]
(Note 1: Omitted)
(Note 2: Hand of Void is invisible to others, but can be touched and injured by them. When the damage threshold is reached, Hand of Void disappears. When one of the two hands of void disappears, you cannot replenish it; you must wait for the remaining hand to disappear before you can create new ones.)
(Note 3: The current level of Hand of Void can lift objects up to 10kg. The movement speed is like an adult jogging, with a maximum distance from the creator of 6 meters.)
(Note 4: After creating Hand of Void, the creator will continuously consume physical strength, and the consumption accelerates when lifting objects. When both hands of void are present, the consumption of physical strength doubles.)
(Note 5: Omitted)
(Note 6: Omitted)
...
The same synchronization between body and knowledge as before.
That trace of coolness continued to etch itself on his heart.
On his heart, the small, palm-shaped pattern became more refined, now delineating the knuckles from a rough outline of a palm.
"Ei a!"
Once again, the strange syllables echoed from Arthur's mouth.
Thump, thump!
As before, his heart throbbed intensely as the palm pattern filled in.
But unlike before where only the left hand appeared, this time it was both hands.
"Hand of Void" materialized over Arthur's hands in the form of left and right hands, then detached and floated beside him.
Next, they floated up to the roof at Arthur's will.
Arthur's umbrella, Spirit Medium Box, and 'Anna' were all there.
The right Hand of Void picked up the Spirit Medium Box.
The left Hand of Void held the umbrella, its little finger hooked around 'Anna'.
As the two Hands of Void descended, Arthur first took the umbrella, shoved 'Anna' and a page of the Herculean Notes into his bosom, and then, he picked up the Spirit Medium Box.
This scene was seen by Malz just in time.
In Malz's view, all he saw was Arthur raising his hand.
Then, the umbrella, 'Anna', and the box floated down, landing steadily in Arthur's hands.
The Third-Class Officer's pupils shrank.
His breathing became rapid.
Almost subconsciously, Malz thought of fleeing right then.
But, immediately, he saw Arthur turning to him with a smile.
Without a doubt, Arthur had done it intentionally.
He was deepening his 'cooperative relationship' with Malz in his own way.
Only...
'Is Malz's reaction a bit over the top?'
"Or has Malz experienced something similar before, and it left him with an indelible memory?"
Arthur guessed in his mind, but that didn't stop him from holding the umbrella and heading to the door.
"Next step?"
He asked softly.
Malz nodded emphatically, hinting at something as he said—
"This year's rainy season has lasted a month longer than previous years..."
"Leave it to me!"