?


    (Calction Boost: Overclock!)


    Reflexively, Tyler swiftly assessed his present circumstances.


    (The ambush approaches from my rear)


    ( The slender shaft of red light suggests a longsword aimed at my heart. )


    (I am hemmed in by a wall to my left, but the expanse on my right is unobstructed, ideal for evasion.)


    Through the time-dtion effects of "Overclock", Tyler could aplish more observation and contemtion within the same time-frame.


    Although his physical movements would slow down ordingly, his cognitive speed remained unaffected.


    In fact, under thebined influence of Calction Boost and Overclock, Tyler''s thought processes elerated beyond their usual pace!


    Having rendered a judgement, Tyler acted ordingly. He waited for the opportune moment to terminate the skill, rolled to the side to evade the assant''s sneak attack, then rapidly raised his head to get a clear view of his adversary''s face for identification.


    (So it is you...!)


    ━━━━━━━━━


    Albert, Male, 56 years old, Chief Attendant to Viviana of the Scarlet Family


    Production upation: Hunter - Lv11


    Manufacturing upation: Brewer - Lv9


    Combat upation: Cursed Swordmaster - Lv73


    Skills: 3/3


    ━━━━━━━━━


    The person who had attempted to ambush Tyler was the middle-aged man from the "Future Death Scene".


    The man, whose cloak bore the emblem of the Scarlet Family, had already killed Tyler twice in the "Future Death Scene"!


    At the moment, his unsessful stabbing motion mirrored exactly the one that had taken Tyler''s life the first time within the "Future Death Scene"!


    (Calction Boost: Overclock!)


    Tyler reactivated his skill to aid his cognition. He now noticed three incongruities.


    Firstly, the man''s identity - it was shocking to realize that such a man was Viviana''s Chief Attendant. Tyler genuinely felt concern for Viviana.


    Secondly, the time - there were still two hours until "11:17 PM". Did this mean he was to engage inbat with this man for so long?


    Lastly, the man''s level - Tyler had assumed his adversary was not a formidable character, only to discover he was level 73, six levels higher than even Granny Kasi!


    ording to the ranks of the Combat upation, levels 1 to 20 were Tier 1, 21 to 50 were Tier 2. This man, Albert, was already a Tier 3 profession.


    Furthermore, the title "Cursed Swordmaster" hinted at a mysterious Combat upation,pelling Tyler to be extra vignt.


    Anything associated with the concept of a "curse" was unquestionably difficult to handle.


    ·


    "How did you manage to dodge... How did you detect me?" an astonished Albert questioned, sheathing his sword after a swift arc in the air.


    "Before soliciting answers from me, don''t you think you should exin your actions... Mr. Swordsman from the Scarlet Family? As far as I''m aware, I''ve never had any disputes with the Scarlet Family."


    Tyler slowly rose, continuing to assess Albert''s status information while taking advantage of the conversational opportunity.


    ━━━━━━━━━


    Albert


    Life Energy: 4936 / 4936


    Endurance: 2651 / 2964


    Magic Energy: 3670 / 3670


    ━━━━━━━━━


    In terms of the three basic attributes, Albert''s capabilities were slightly superior to the me Dragon, especially in terms of attribute bnce.


    However, Tyler was well aware that in this Prison Star World, the basic attributes were underpinned by aplex calction method. He couldn''t simplypare Albert''s strength to the me Dragon''s based on attributes alone.


    For instance, with nearly 5000 points of Life Energy, Albert''s resilience would definitely not match the me Dragon''s.


    This brought into y concepts like physical and magical defense. Tyler believed that as the "Divine Eye of Transcendence" leveled up, he would be able to perceive these attributes as well.


    "You recognize the Scarlet Family emblem... Impressive for a pariah," Albert remarked, noting Tyler''s attire which revealed his humble status.


    This recognition instantly kindled a sense of ss superiority in Albert.


    Typically, Albert wouldn''t deign to converse with pariahs. However, Tyler''s sessful evasion of his initial attack had piqued Albert''s interest, prompting him to offer some "special attention".


    "Given yourmendable skills, I''ll indulge you with an exnation," Albert said, raising his sword to point in the direction of Mayor Gideon''s mansion.


    "Listen up, my actions tonight have nothing to do with the Scarlet Family. It is Mayor Gideon of Sunny Town who seeks your life."


    Upon hearing this, Tyler burst intoughter.


    "Um, didn''t you notice the zing inferno consuming the mayor''s house? He''s dead. You don''t need to bother with this anymore."


    Normally, with the employer''s death, the contract would end, but to Tyler''s surprise, Albert was not one to y by conventional rules.


    "Once I''ve epted someone''s money, I see the job through to the end. I don''t take promises lightly, unlike you pariahs."


    Albert''s words were lofty and noble, iming the moral high ground. But his inner thoughts were far from virtuous: this rare, legitimate opportunity to kill could not be wasted - he would not let this young man escape.


    — (Give it your all to entertain me... young man…)


    — (I''ll make you understand the joy ofbat... the pleasure of being killed…)


    ·


    Observing Albert''s inner thoughts, it dawned upon Tyler that he was dealing with a psychopath who reveled in killing.


    Such an individual, even if currently loyal to Viviana, would inevitably pose atent threat.


    However, even without theseplications, Tyler would still eliminate him.


    After all, since the man harbored murderous intentions towards Tyler, there was no reason for Tyler to let him live.


    (Silly Nissen: Unless you can''t beat him.)


    (Tyler: Did I ask for your opinion?)


    ·


    At first nce, it appeared that Albert held the upper hand, his towering stature exuding an intimidating aura.


    On the other hand, Tyler, d in ck, seemed disheveled, as if he had just rolled in the mud, despite his handsome features.


    But this was merely a superficial observation. Behind the scenes, Tyler had, during their conversation, thoroughly scrutinized Albert, not only his basic and status information, but also his equipment.


    Firstly, the longsword that Albert wielded, his only weapon, was named "Scarlet Steel Rapier: Gale". This sword could enhance all attributes by fifteen points for the wielder and could further increase the endurance limit by a hundred points duringbat.


    Next was his fine silver chainmail, which could absorb 30 points of physical damage in ce of the wearer each time they were attacked. However, if the damage absorbed surpassed 500 points within a minute, it would be destroyed.


    Then came thebat boots. Like Tyler''s, Albert''s were also of the lightweight variety, providing a bonus of 20 points to the agility attribute. Additionally, he wore a "Ring of Swiftness" on each hand, each augmenting agility by 15 points.


    Lastly, the cloak, which had a slightly different attribute. Its effect was to increase the wearer''s fire damage resistance by 20 points.


    The only unknowns were Albert''s three skills.


    As Tyler was contemting how to coax out information about these skills, Albert suddenlyunched an unexpected attack.


    (Calction Boost: Overclock!)