Becoming a god starts with enhancing fire arrows.

Late at night.

Rhodes and Paril took turns keeping watch.

The two sat on a huge wooden stump.

Rhodes looked up at the starry sky peeking through the sparse leaves, lost in thought.

Paril was clearly not well-rested.

I tried hard to straighten my back, but my eyes were already closed.

Rhodes kept a watchful eye on his surroundings while opening the panel.

[Next enhancement requires 870/400 Life Essence]

I haven't upgraded any skills since I obtained the legendary enhancement.

He looked at the three cards that appeared before him.

Please select a skill enhancement direction.

[Flame Arrow - Extended Range (Rare): The maximum range of Flame Arrows is increased to 100 meters]

Upgrade your existing Flame Arrow - Mastery (Common) to Flame Arrow - Mastery (Rare)

[Fire Arrow - Burn (Normal): Fire arrows inflict burn damage upon hit.]

I want both of them.

Rhodes automatically ignored the third card.

The current maximum range of the Flame Arrow is thirty meters.

Thirty meters is a distance that can be closed in an instant for either an agile wanderer or a ruthless warrior.

He is far from qualified to be a turret mage.

He then looked at the second card.

[Master (Rare)]

The flaming arrow will not deviate from its target within 80 meters.

Within 80 meters?

Thank you.

Rhodes silently made a comment.

I chose the second option.

Based on his many years of experience in DND, he believed that accuracy was far more important than range.

Even the maximum range of the fire arrow is only thirty meters.

[Next enhancement requires 470/450 Life Essence]

Keep going.

There were three more cards in front of him.

Please select a skill enhancement direction.

【Flame Arrow - Life Drain (Rare): Upon hitting an enemy, a Flame Arrow can drain a small amount of the target's life to heal the caster.】

[Appraisal - Spell Analysis (Rare): The Appraisal skill can analyze the composition of spells below the fourth rank]

【Sword Song - Extreme Speed ​​(Epic): Speed ​​is increased by 200% after Sword Song is activated】

really!

The skills you learn can also be enhanced through the system.

Rhodes was overjoyed.

Without hesitation, I chose the third card.

This way, even if he faced off against Stanley, a mid-level warrior, he would be fully confident that he wouldn't be killed with a single punch.

As for fighting, forget about it.

A mage who can't escape is not a good mage.

[Current Skill Enhancement]

Flame Arrow: [Sharp Penetration] [Mastery] [Self-Immunity] [Precision Explosion] [No Cost]

Identification Technique: [Weakness Detection]

Shadow Step: [Double Cast] [Increased Range]

Sword Song: [Extreme Speed]

During the squad battles over the past few days, Rhodes has come to a clear understanding of the authority of the ratings.

The differences between each level in the classification of trainee, senior, elite, and core are quite significant.

From a physical class ranking perspective, even without superhuman strength, Elite-level Ivira could defeat Veteran-level Clint in just a few moves.

However, the criteria for judging these spellcasters have become more numerous.

After all, squishy characters like mages are basically one-shotted upon meeting.

Moreover, there are spellcasting classes like priests, so it's impossible for them to engage in one-on-one duels.

I remember Orion mentioning that magic-based classes need to pass both magic and combat tests to improve their rating in the Adventurers' Guild.

The magic test is to examine the spellcaster's mastery of magic. For example, the association stipulates that to become an elite, one must master at least one third-circle spell and a certain number of second-circle and first-circle spells.

Combat tests simulate the role a test subject can play in real combat, their ability to adapt to changing circumstances, and their capacity for self-preservation.

Rhodes took a moment to reflect on himself.

Overall, based on my own abilities, if I were to apply for a guild rating, I would be at the senior level.

Even if they can unleash a high-powered, flexible version of Fireball, they lack the number of other skills and the ability to flexibly respond to various combat situations.

He shook his head.

If you want to improve yourself, you still need to fight to improve yourself.

As I was thinking about this, I suddenly felt Paril leaning closer.

Looking around, I saw that the young pastor had fallen asleep, his head resting lightly on my shoulder.

The sleeping Paril resembled a fluffy ball seeking warmth, her eyes tightly closed, her long eyelashes trembling slightly with each delicate breath.

Her little mouth was slightly open, which was very cute.

Her entire body was incredibly relaxed, her petite and soft frame leaning against Rhodes' side.

Rhodes could clearly feel the girl's temperature.

He did not disturb Paril.

Let her lean on him like that.

It was as if a sweet dream was being supported on my shoulders.

Sometimes Rhodes felt quite sorry for him.

He was an orphan from a young age and worked every day in the village to make a living. When he came of age, he would be sent to the goblin camp.

Now that I've met myself, I don't know what my life will be like from now on.

Rhodes' thoughts had already drifted far away.

Sudden.

The sound of light footsteps suddenly echoed in the silent jungle.

The source of the sound is clearly human or humanoid.

Without the slightest hesitation, Rhodes drew his rapier, stood up, and quickly began chanting a sword song.

Paril lost her support on his shoulder and fell to the ground with a thud.

"Who's there?" Rhodes shouted a warning.

A lithe figure slowly emerged from the jungle, her voice sharp: "Don't be nervous, Rhodes, Chairman Stanley has brought you a deal."

Harvey, Clint, and Avira, who had already regained consciousness, got up almost simultaneously, grabbed their weapons, and began to surround and tighten their encirclement.

Rhodes asked, "What deal?"

"President Stanley's exact words were: Rhodes is a very responsible kid, but that's the kind of person who's easiest to control."

As the figure spoke, it pointed a finger at Harvey: "You have a companion named Ash and a group of humans who will be hanged tomorrow at noon for some random crime."

"Oh, they were originally going to sell it to the lizardman camp outside the town."

There was a hint of regret in his tone, and his finger moved towards Rhodes again:

"The chairman doesn't have time to play cat and mouse with you anymore. The deal is simple: you go see him, and he'll release them."

Upon hearing this, Clint's expression immediately changed, while Harvey lowered his head, deep in thought.

The figure pointed in a direction behind him and continued, "The thoughtful guild leader has prepared a fast horse for you. Let's set off now, and I guarantee you'll be back in Phil Town before noon."

"You don't have much time left to make a decision."

He gave a sharp laugh and vanished from everyone's sight in an instant.

"Harvey! Rhodes!" Clint said impatiently.

He knew that sending Rhodes back at this point would be suicide, but if Rhodes didn't go back, Ashe would die.

For a moment I didn’t know what to do, so I paced back and forth anxiously.

"Hey, Clint. Calm down." Harvey waved his hand. "Isn't stirring up trouble with us part of Stanley's plan?"

He looked at Rhodes: "I suggest we think of a solution that satisfies both sides."

"There's no time," Rhodes shrugged. "Besides, there's nothing to dwell on in this matter anyway."

"Our original plan was to escape the pursuit before going back to rescue people. We're just bringing those steps forward."

"I'd like to see what this president is up to."

"Rhodes!" Avira said, her voice tinged with annoyance.

"Don't worry, if Stanley wants to fight us to the death, we have plenty of ways to do it."

"Letting me go back and talk means he didn't really want to kill me, did he?" Rhodes said, looking at the serious-looking elf, trying to comfort him.

"Then I'll go with you!" Avira said.

Rhodes shook his head: "Let's prepare for both scenarios. I'll head back first, and if the negotiations break down, you guys figure out a way to rescue them."

He glanced at Avira and smiled, "Don't worry, your apprentice isn't stupid. She knows how to run away when she's in danger."

"Take good care of Paril."

After giving Harvey a few more brief instructions, he mounted his horse and headed straight for Phil Town.