Starting Unlimited Evolution from Grinding

Chapter 301: Epic-Level Skill [Thunder Welcome]

Nolan's medicine was very effective. Finnie woke up very quickly.

She opened her eyes groggily, her gaze full of confusion.

Especially when she saw the pink-haired girl in front of her, her brain went into a complete shutdown.

Who is this very cute child? Do we know each other?

These doubts swirled in Finnie's mind. Nolan almost didn't bother to hide her "disdainful" expression: "Although I had some expectations in advance, you are even more disappointing than I imagined, my foolish older sister."

Finnie blinked, not really minding the aggression in the other's words, and pointed at herself in confusion: "Older sister?"

"Young Mistress Finnie, this is Lady Nolan Oxivis, the descendant of your mother's younger sister, and also your younger sister."

Under Sherfilia's explanation, Finnie finally showed an understanding expression and then remembered what had just happened.

"Was it you who saved us? Thank you!"

She stepped forward, grabbed Nolan's hand, and shook it.Nolan was clearly taken aback for a moment, then shook off her hand, crossed her arms, and turned her head away with a "Hmph... It was just out of respect for Aunt Beixi. To not even be able to handle such a small matter, really..."

Faced with Nolan's words, Finnie didn't argue back. She didn't say anything, just stood there quietly, blinking, with a somewhat aggrieved look on her face.

Somehow, Nolan couldn't bring herself to continue.

"Whatever."

She turned around and looked at Sherfilia: "So, what exactly happened in this forest? Why are there so many undead creatures... And that man? Where did he run off to?"

Her words carried a strong sense of dissatisfaction.

Her sister and the others encountered danger, and at a time like this, where the hell is that guy named Lin Mo? He's completely unreliable!

"This was likely a 'trap' set up in advance by a Necromancer."

Sherfilia gave her answer neither obsequiously nor arrogantly, carefully explaining the ins and outs of what was currently known.

Upon hearing that Lin Mo told them to go first while he faced several undead creatures over Level 15 alone, Nolan's expression gradually softened, carrying a hint of awkwardness.

"I... I see... In that case, he at least has some sense of responsibility."

"Right!"

Ellie suddenly spoke up from the side: "Finnie, can you ask your sister to help go look for Lin Mo?"

After saying this, she bit her lip: "I know this is dangerous and puts people in a difficult position, but..."

If it were any other matter, given Ellie's personality, she would never make such a request or trouble others like this.

But Lin Mo was different.

As long as he could return safely, no matter the cost, Ellie wouldn't hesitate.

"Hah?"

Hearing this, Nolan immediately retorted subconsciously: "Why should I risk myself to save him?"

Out of habit, she turned her head to leave, only to realize that turning again would put her facing Finnie's direction.

This blonde girl was pursing her lips, her eyes glistening with tears, looking like she was about to cry...

She stood up, walked over to Nolan, and before Nolan could dodge, grabbed her hand again: "I'm sorry, but I... I'm really worried about him... Please, will you help?"

The corner of Nolan's mouth twitched, and she completely didn't dare to look at her.

The sharp, acerbic words that usually came so easily to her seemed to jam now. She opened her mouth several times but couldn't get a single sentence out.

...

"Shirleyas."

After a while, she finally spoke, calling the maid beside her.

"I am here, Young Mistress."

The maid named Shirleyas gave a slight bow, the "justice" on her chest, nearly as big as Sherfilia's head, swaying gently with the movement.

"Call Little Eagle over. The family has put me in charge of the business dealings in the Doria Kingdom. Those filthy fellows have no right to lay a finger on my territory!"

"Yes, my respected Young Mistress."

When not speaking, Shirleyas's expression looked very calm, somewhat similar to Sherfilia's in that regard. But once she opened her mouth, it was completely different.

Her voice was crisp and pleasant, forming a strong contrast with her somewhat aloof appearance. Her tone was also surprisingly expressive; one could hear the sincere respect she held for the young girl before her just from her intonation.

As for you all...

Nolan then looked at Sherfilia and the others, deliberately avoiding Finnie with her gaze.

"You all shouldn't stay here and cause trouble. Once Little Eagle arrives, I'll have Shirleyas escort you to the outskirts of the forest. Such a serious incident has happened here. There's no reason those old folks outside haven't started taking action yet, which means the news probably hasn't gotten out. You go check the situation."

Once she got serious, she actually seemed quite capable, her train of thought very clear.

"If that guy is lucky enough not to be dead, I'll bring him back..."

"Thank you, Sister Nolan!"

Regarding her arrangements, Finnie and the others had no objections.

"Little Eagle" was very fast. It was originally resting and standing by somewhere outside the forest. After receiving the order, it took only a little over twenty minutes to arrive above the group and slowly land.

*This thing* is called "Little Eagle"?

Ellie looked at the behemoth before her, clicking her tongue repeatedly.

The bit of worry in their hearts was also soothed.

After all, this was a flying magical creature famous throughout the entire continent—the Dragon-blooded Griffin.

The one before them was clearly an adult. Its strength was among the top even within the Transcendent Level.

Even the academy's mentor, Elvish, would definitely not be its match.

With such a flying magical pet, even a Transcendent-Level Necromancer would be nothing more than a large speed bump.

"Little Eagle" rested its wing on the ground. Nolan stepped onto its back via its wing and waved to the group: "Go on, Shirleyas. Come find me again after making sure they're not in danger."

"I understand."

Amidst Finnie and the others' thanks once more, "Little Eagle" soared into the sky from the ground.

[Space Slash]!

An invisible spatial blade precisely sliced through the magical creature in front of him, and its massive body fell to the ground.

Lin Mo let out a heavy breath. Finally, it was over.

His guess was correct. After entering the 21st stage, the intensity they had to face immediately jumped another level.

Especially nearing the 30th stage, the level of the magical creatures had reached 13 or 14. Even for him, dealing with them wasn't that easy.

One or two was fine, but after clearing several stages in a row, although these creatures never managed to touch the hem of his robe from start to finish, the consumption was not light.

He had used up nearly a quarter of his Mana, and about a fifth of his Qi and Blood.

He needed to rest again before entering the 30th stage.

Based on previous experience, he could fully imagine that waiting for them ahead would be numerous powerful magical creatures between Levels 13 and 15. Furthermore, he didn't know how large the space of the 30th stage would be. If it was like the 20th stage, requiring a day and a half to walk to the end, not adjusting his condition to its best could likely lead to problems.

He hoped that after clearing the 30th stage, he could find the Secret Realm's exit. Otherwise, if it continued, even Lin Mo wouldn't be able to hold on.

After the 30th stage, the strength of all magical creatures would reach Level 16 or above. By the 40th stage, it might even reach Level 20, approaching Transcendent-Level standards!

Lin Mo sat down leaning against the Secret Realm maze wall. Eve, behind him, also sat down beside him, her gaze always fixed on Lin Mo, as if she wanted to say something.

"What's wrong?"

Eve shook her head, lowered her head, and said in a very downcast tone: "I can't help you anymore..."

In the very beginning, at stages 21 and 22, Eve could still contribute somewhat. But as the intensity gradually increased later on, with magical creatures reaching Level 13 and above, Eve found it hard to be of use.

Staying far away and taking care of herself was the greatest help she could give Lin Mo.

Eve often protected her teammates like this in the past. Even after meeting Lin Mo, when facing powerful opponents, she could at least fight side by side. Now, being completely the one being protected made her feel quite unaccustomed to it.

So she always felt she should do something. If she couldn't help in combat, she should at least contribute in other areas, but she didn't know what specifically to do.

In this aspect, she was really lacking experience.

"Is there anything I can do?"

However, Eve wasn't the type to be awkward about things. When she didn't understand, she asked directly and wouldn't beat around the bush.

"Huh?"

Lin Mo was caught off guard by her question. He scratched his head and could understand her feelings, so he said: "Well then, how about you give me a shoulder massage?"

Eve nodded, as if relieved of a burden, came behind Lin Mo, and gently kneaded his shoulders.

Although it was through his Mage Robes and Eve's technique wasn't professional, it still felt comfortable... at least the strength was about right.

An agility-based Warrior was still a Warrior. In terms of Strength, they were at least somewhat stronger than Assassins and Rangers.

"H-how is it?"

Eve had never done anything like this before, so she was also very unsure if she could do it well and asked somewhat nervously.

"Not bad..."

Lin Mo nodded and let out a comfortable, heavy breath.

"A little harder, please."

"...Okay."

As he instructed, Eve increased the strength in her hands. Somehow, even though it wasn't anything particularly strange, she felt an inexplicable sense of shame, and her face gradually grew flushed.

The distance between the two was very close, so close that Eve's exhaled breath gently brushed against the back of Lin Mo's neck, making it itch.

"Alright, that's enough."

Lin Mo suddenly called for a stop.

If it continued, problems might arise.

He rubbed the space between his eyebrows, dispersing the fire that had just risen within his body.

Eve pursed her lips, feeling a sense of loss: "Did I not do well?"

"No, it was good..."

Lin Mo smiled helplessly: "Don't overthink it. When you were helping those classmates before, did you have so many thoughts, feel they were holding you back, or want to demand something from them?"

Eve shook her head.

"Well then, it's the same for me."

"Mmm..."

Eve nodded. This time, she seemed to take it in, and her mood lightened a bit.

"Right, I almost forgot."

Lin Mo stood up from the ground and took out a thick blanket, spreading it on the ground.

This made sitting much more comfortable; he could even lie down for a while.

Lin Mo lay on his side on the blanket. His neck felt empty, so he prepared to take out a pillow.

This thought had just risen when he dismissed it again.

Because in his line of sight, he had already seen the "pillow."

Lin Mo shifted a few steps and lay down on Eve's lap.

Feeling the girl's body tense up instantly from nervousness, Lin Mo looked up to meet her gaze: "Is this okay?"

Eve nodded, her mind momentarily in chaos.

Eve's lap was much softer than imagined. Clearly, she was a Warrior-type profession, often training and fighting normally, yet it wasn't hard at all. It was firm yet still soft and pliant. It was really magical.

This comfortable feeling also allowed Lin Mo to completely calm his mind and check the gains from stages 21 to 29.

The magical creatures in these stages weren't as numerous as in the major stages, but their levels were all high, and each one gave a considerable amount of proficiency.

Therefore, the harvest from this stretch of the journey was also quite substantial.

[Void-Shaking Fist] rose to Level 6. As an Epic-Level skill, it once again granted Lin Mo 3 points of base Strength attribute and 2 points of base Agility attribute.

He deliberately used the newly acquired skill [Crag Breaking Strike] a few times, and it also rose to Level 4, earning him 3 points of Strength attribute.

The similarly newly acquired skill [Space Slash] naturally wasn't left behind either. It also rose to Level 4, granting 3 points of base Mana attribute.

Additionally, there was [Thunder Dragon Devour] (Epic), which rose to Level 3, giving another 5 points of base Mana attribute. And then there was the blue Exceptional-Grade skill [Thunderfall], which rose from its original Level 4 to max level.

"Skill [Thunderfall] Lv4 (100/100) leveled up!"

...

"Current skill [Thunderfall] Lv7 (Max)"

"Acquired base attribute points Mana +5!"

"Automatically evolved into new skill—Thunder Welcome!"

"Comprehended skill [Thunder Welcome]! Acquired base attribute points Mana +5!"

[Thunder Welcome] Lv1 (0/20): Consume a large amount of Mana to resonate with the Lightning Element, transforming into a massive thunderball that descends, engulfing enemies it touches, dealing massive Lightning Element damage, and 100% applying the "Paralyzed" effect, rendering them unable to act for a short time (duration related to the difference in strength between both parties and the target's Constitution attribute).

Sounds pretty fierce.

However, this skill belongs to the type of relatively clumsy, large-area AOE. It's best used when dealing with large numbers of opponents. In a one-on-one fight, it probably wouldn't be very suitable and would need further development and combination with Warrior skills.

Following that was the usual evolution route selection phase.

Please choose evolution direction—

Evolution Route 1: Thunderstorm: After "Thunder Welcome" lands, it releases all its energy, forming a thunderstorm that deals damage again to enemies in a large surrounding area. Enemies within the center of the area receive 100% of the skill's base damage. Enemies outside the center receive 20%-70% damage based on distance.

Evolution Route 2: Thunder Surge: The charge-up and descent speed of "Thunder Welcome" increases by 20%.

Oh?

Evolution Route 1 for the [Thunder Welcome] skill is actually the relatively rare type that adds to the skill's mechanics.

Then what is there to say? This one is definitely the choice.

As for Evolution Route 2, although it has its uses, even if this was chosen, the skill would still be difficult to use against a single enemy. In terms of cost-effectiveness, it also can't compare to "Thunderstorm."

Without any hesitation, Lin Mo directly chose Evolution Route 1.

Additionally, he had just gained some more base attribute increases, and it seemed the Mage profession had once again reached the upgrade threshold.

Lin Mo checked his current attributes...