Mercenary Wars

Chapter 66 Level 4
During the process of collecting black blood, Gaucano discovered that the blood of these fallen angels was not of the same grade.

The small amount of black blood he initially collected was level eight, while the black blood that followed, which flooded in like a torrent, was level five.

Level 5 Black Blood is not only abundant, but also comes with a curse called "Rosier's Touch". However, the level is only one level, mainly affecting creatures with a level of no more than two levels, and has almost no effect on level 4 Gaugano.

However, due to the constant blood collection and frequent touching, Gaucano still contracted the virus once.

[Status Acquired: Rosier's Influence]

Type: Curse

[Level: First Ring]

[Effect: Possesses a tendency towards corruption; upon leveling up, there is a higher chance of acquiring the true name "Rosier"]

It posed no direct harm, and because there was "no target to counter it," the curse only existed on Gaugano for a brief moment before being lifted by the Curse of Fairness.

Perhaps its greatest significance was that it introduced Gaucano to the name of the fallen angel, Rosier.

This name has been mentioned in the Mosa theological system, and Gaucano encountered it several times when choosing his holy name during his upgrades, but he didn't remember it.

The fact that the holy name "Rossil" always appears in the category of "junk holy names" and never has a prefix or suffix shows its low rank.

After several selections of sacred names, and combining his limited knowledge of mysticism, Gaucano noticed that the sacred names given to mythical beings of higher rank were generally modified with prefixes or suffixes.

For example, the Holy Name of the Wind Prince Sunderland is "Sunderland En," with the addition of the suffix "En."

Mythical figures of lower rank, such as the saints and angels of Mosa, seem to have no prefixes or suffixes in their holy names. This makes sense, since they are all subordinates of Mosa and their rank couldn't be very high.

But then again, why have I never seen the holy name "Mosa"?

Gaucano had undergone several upgrades, but he had never seen a holy name directly related to "Mosa," which made him suspicious.

Could it be that what I see through the panel is only a part of the mythical existence in the universe, and not the whole?

Even if it's only a part, it should be from near to far, but he has seen the names of many mythical beings he has never heard of, but he has never seen Mosa, whom he has heard so much about. What is the reason for this?
Could it be that... Mosa doesn't exist at all?

Gaucano seemed thoughtful, feeling it necessary to deepen his understanding of Mosaic theology and mysticism.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at his upgraded panel information again.

[Sacred Name: Edakandianus Sandran Alexstrassus Laerinis]

[Level: Level 4]

【Physique: 21/40】

[Spirit: 24/40]

【Strength: 22/40】

[Intelligence: 24/40]

[Agility: 24/40]

[Experience: 68/3600]

【Blessing - Swift Breeze】

【Blessing & Curse of Fairness】

……

Laerinis's attribute bonuses are "lowest attribute +4, second lowest attribute +2, and lowest attribute +1", which correspond to Gaugano's constitution, strength, and agility, respectively.

This makes Gaucano's attributes quite balanced.

He thought this was a good approach, since there are complex interactions between various attributes. An overly extreme distribution might be very powerful, but it would also inevitably have many limitations. For example, strength and agility: various speeds are basically determined by strength. The greater the strength, the faster you run and the faster the arrows you shoot. However, if agility is too low, it is difficult to control the direction of these speeds.

For example, physical fitness and strength. If physical fitness is lower than strength, one is more likely to injure oneself when exerting force.

When Gao Jiano fired the Demon-Slaying Arrow, he had already exerted power beyond his physical limits, and now his arm was throbbing slightly.

Adding to the side effects of the Rage Potion, Swiftness Potion, and Blood Rush, he is now extremely weak.

After collecting the blood, Gaucano immediately found a clean spot and rested with his back against the wall.

He noticed from afar that Yuris's army had collapsed, and Rosier's incarnation probably no longer existed; only an increasing number of church personnel were coming to purify the black blood.

Of course, there was also Cassandra walking towards him.

Gaucano had to admit that the reason he chose to risk firing that magic-breaking arrow was largely because Cassandra was a woman—and a beautiful one at that.

Fortunately, it turned out that Cassandra was a reliable ally, at least she didn't waste his anti-magic arrows and curse counterspells.

Who wouldn't love a 2.2-meter-tall female warrior who can perform the Hulk Wrestle with the power of a fallen angel?

As Cassandra drew closer, Gaucano felt a surge of tension and anticipation.

A moment later, Cassandra walked up to him and said, "Thank you, stranger."

Gao Jiano was taken aback, and then realized that he had rushed all the way and the effects of the blood disguise spell had not yet worn off, so he was still wearing an unfamiliar generic face.

He quickly dispelled the spell: "It's me, Instructor."

Seeing Gaucano's true face, this time it was Cassandra's turn to be stunned: "Gaucano?"

In her memory, Gao Jiano was just a recruit. Although he was very talented and hardworking, he was by no means someone who could make the fallen angel stumble twice.

While shooting down the fallen angel could be attributed to the special arrow and superb archery skills, the angel's subsequent inexplicable fall and extreme weakness were completely beyond Cassandra's comprehension.

She couldn't help but ask, "Is it your blessing power that made the fallen angel fall?"

Gaucano nodded: "Laerinis, my fourth holy name."

One major reason he was reluctant to reveal his holy name to others was the fear of incurring a curse. Although the holy name is not his real name, this risk is not entirely nonexistent.

Now that he has the blessing of the "Curse of Fairness," the risk of the curse has been greatly reduced, so he doesn't care as much anymore.

In addition, telling someone your holy name is also a subtle expression of emotion, and usually only people who are close to you do this.

Cassandra seemed to sense his intention and gave a meaningful smile.

After a brief hesitation, she chose to respond in kind: "Phoenix, this is my fourth holy name."

Phoenix!

Gaucano was somewhat surprised.

As far as he knew, Phoenix was a very high-ranking deity. The holy name bestowed by such a deity would almost always have a prefix or suffix.

The Phoenix holy names he saw during the upgrade did indeed all have prefixes or suffixes.

Why is Cassandra's holy name, Phoenix, unadorned and simply the deity's given name?

He didn't think Cassandra was lying, because the authenticity of a holy name could be verified simply by being spoken in person, so almost no one in history would be foolish enough to forge a holy name.

What does it mean to have an unadorned, high-ranking deity's holy name? Gaucano couldn't help but ponder this.

(End of this chapter)