Chapter 135
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Power Enhancement Support (1)
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"You're only saying that because you don't know any better, but I'm actually really competent."
In response to my words, Della bristled and proudly declared her own competence.
Considering that Lucas, the head of the Villain Alliance, had come personally to rescue her, it wasn't an entirely baseless claim.
'Plus, Della's ability is [Toxin Collection].'
It was an ability that let her gather any poison into her body and deploy it anytime, anywhere.
In truth, there might not be anyone as tricky to deal with as Della against foes vulnerable to poison.
'The Geneva Cult bastards probably only have destruction and regeneration powers.'
Heal poison with regeneration? I doubted it would work that way.
In any case, understanding that Della could provide some real help if she went, I nodded and replied.
"So, you, Lydia, and Lorella—all three of you are heading out?"
"That's right. I told you, there's a bunch of loose ends to tie up."
"Lydia and Lorella seem pretty useless in a war, though."
Lydia's [Memory Observation] was a non-combat ability.
Lorella's [Monster Domination] was combat-oriented, but she didn't have any monsters under her control right now.
"Don't judge by Innate Abilities alone. Sure, they're powerful, but you can't ignore Skill Stones and artifacts."
The reason Innate Abilities were superior was that they could be used without drawing on the user's magic power.
Even now, as I moved around with my numbers boosted by Absolute Clone, there was zero magic drain from it.
That said, Della was right—combat prowess wasn't determined solely by Innate Abilities, so Skill Stones and artifacts couldn't be overlooked.
"Anyway, all three of you are going. How long are you planning to fight the Geneva Cult?"
"Who knows, but probably until the Geneva Cult sues for peace first. Until then, they'll have us pinned down like rats."
I knew exactly why the Villain Alliance and the Geneva Cult were at war.
'Because I stole their grail.'
Back then, I'd disguised myself as Jake from the Villain Alliance and swiped it.
It was all part of the plan, so no regrets there, but the Geneva Cult targeting Cheon Seo-yun was a problem.
'Maybe I should lend a hand.'
No need for anything flashy—just equipping the three villain women at the villa would be enough.
Especially since gear from that online game was leagues beyond this world's artifacts.
'Or I could grant them classes.'
As I mulled it over, Della urged me on with an impatient glint in her eye.
"You'll allow it, right?"
"Allowing it is no big deal."
"Huh...? For real?"
When I agreed so readily, Della looked stunned and asked again.
"What's there to be surprised about?"
"Well, you've been clinging to us every chance you get, like some jealous husband with wifey fever."
"......"
It was a peek into how Della usually saw me.
"Like I said before, it's necessary."
"Oh, right—you mentioned our stats go up from it? Lydia does seem a bit spryer lately."
For reference, they ranked S for Lorella, A for Della, and B for Lydia in terms of power.
Lydia, having surrendered and clung to me first, was gradually catching up to Della's physical prowess.
'But just boosting physical stats isn't enough.'
They needed combat techniques to make full use of those enhanced bodies.
In that sense, Lorella, Della, and Lydia—all three standing before me—were sorely lacking.
'They're all so far from being physical fighters.'
It was a shame; I'd embraced them and pushed their limits to raise their physical abilities, but they weren't utilizing it properly.
And Della here hadn't even noticed her own improvements despite the gains.
"Anyway, since it's war, I'll provide some support."
"Not just permission, but support too?"
Della's eyes widened even more in surprise.
"Reviving the ones who died on your side would definitely help. But are you sure? It's the Villain Alliance we're talking about."
She seemed to think I meant supporting their side directly.
Of course, I had no intention of going that far to resurrect their dead.
"Not revival—support in another form."
"Another form? Oh."
Della's face lit up with realization, then twisted into a scowl.
"You don't mean hugging us to boost our stats, do you?"
"That wouldn't be bad... but sadly, no."
"'Sadly'? Who's sad about that?"
She grumbled like she hated the idea of being embraced by me.
But once it happened, she couldn't resist the pleasure and ended up shaking her hips eagerly on her own.
"Does it need answering? Go fetch Lydia."
"Lydia? What kind of support are you giving her?"
Della looked puzzled but moved to retrieve her anyway.
Soon enough, she returned with both Lydia and Lorella in tow.
"Hm?"
I glanced at Lorella, and Della offered an excuse.
"Lorella wanted to hear what you had to say too."
"More like, she wants to hear what nonsense you're spouting."
Lorella crossed her arms with a haughty expression, correcting Della.
She'd been the biggest skeptic when I mentioned limit breaks could boost stats.
'Still doesn't believe it, huh.'
It didn't matter.
Time would prove it eventually.
"At Della's request, I'm sending you three to the Villain Alliance."
"Huh?"
"Really?"
Lydia and Lorella both looked shocked and sought confirmation.
"Clean up your ties there and come back. Della mentioned needing to sort out some things."
"......"
Realizing I was fully releasing them, Lydia and Lorella just stared at me silently.
Their eyes pleaded for a straight-up release, but I had no reason to let go of prizes like them.
"And incidentally, help out in the war against the Geneva Cult."
"Then why'd you only call Lydia?"
Lorella questioned why I'd singled out Lydia for this revelation.
"It's war. I can't let my woman die."
"Who the hell is your woman?!"
I nodded to acknowledge Lorella's indignant outburst.
"Slave suits you better, then. I'll call you that if you want."
"You...!"
"Anyway, shall we start with Della?"
Having decided to enhance them one by one, I began with Della and opened my subspace.
I pulled out a single item, and all three eyed it curiously.
"A bracelet?"
"Wear it on your wrist."
"It's an artifact, right?"
To be precise, it was gear from the online game granted by the Creator God.
After acquiring that game's company in the 13th world, I'd created all sorts of classes.
'Including poison masters.'
This bracelet was worthy of being called specialized gear for a poison master.
It hadn't undergone any enhancements, but it was more than sufficient for Della.
The poison power boost would undoubtedly amplify her Innate Ability.
"Whoa, I can feel my strength surging just from wearing it."
That was the effect of the +100 to all stats.
With physical and magic defense added too, her body felt a bit tougher.
"It's not just strength. Your poison power went up too—check it later."
"Even the poison power increased?"
The gear from the online game carried the Creator God's authority.
Thus, it delivered exactly the effects listed, boosting Della's poison potency accordingly.
"One more thing—absolutely do not lose it."
I warned her it was infused with the Creator God's power and irreplaceable.
No one else could wield that authority, but a god like those in Geneva might pose a risk.
"Must be some important artifact. Got it."
With that, I handed Della the bracelet and turned to Lydia next.
"Lydia, I'm giving you a new power."
"A new power?"
"It's called [Class Grant]."
The same as what I'd done for Kim Young-ho, one of my organization members before.
But unlike him, I planned to give Lydia a higher-tier class.
"Class Grant. [Tribal Great Warrior]."
[Tribal Great Warrior] (Unique Grade)
Classes rank: Common → Rare → Unique → One-of-a-Kind
Class Grants followed the hierarchy: Common → Rare → Unique → One-of-a-Kind.
The [Tribal Great Warrior] I'd given Lydia was the pinnacle One-of-a-Kind grade.
'Might be overkill with the One-of-a-Kind, but...'
I doubted Lydia would charge into the front lines, even in war.
But she could get ambushed, so this was insurance.
"And drink this too."
I pulled out an experience potion and handed it to her.
"Words will pop into your head after. Ignore them all and only pick what I told you."
"Drinking this makes words appear? Isn't that weird?"
"It's how you acquire something like an Innate Ability."
At the mention of Innate Ability, Della and Lorella shot me baffled looks.
"An Innate Ability?"
"Explanations later. After drinking, select [Tribal Representative], [Superiority Hold], [Victory Reward] in that order."
Lydia hesitated a bit but eventually downed the potion I'd given her.
Ignoring the other options in her mind, she picked as instructed and spoke up moments later.
"I chose them. But what is this...?"
One-of-a-Kind classes granted a total of 792 stat points.
Lydia felt the massive surge and looked stunned.
'You can have up to five classes total.'
If all five were One-of-a-Kind, that'd be 3,960 points combined.
'And you can stack stat-boosting tech on top.'
Anyway, Lydia's physical stats were now S-grade or close to it.
With the abilities from [Tribal Great Warrior], she was a bit safer.
I finally turned to Lorella.
'I could grant her a class too, but...'
Given her Innate Ability, it felt pointless.
Best to catch her a monster instead.
I stood up.
"Lorella. Prepare to enter the gate."