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Chapter 499: The Weakest Link Breaks First
Victor.
Race: Human.
Profession: Level 6 Mage.
Talent: None.
Heritage: None.
Expertise: Advanced Mechanical Mastery...
Skills: Mechanical Modification, 185 (Transcendent); Knowledge, 156 (Transcendent); Magic Item Creation, 108 (Advanced); Alchemy, 89 (Intermediate); Meditation, 81 (Intermediate).
Attributes:
Strength: 7
Agility: 8
Constitution: 9
Intelligence: 12
Perception: 13
Charisma: 16
Luck: -5 (Calamity)
Evaluation: The weakest link breaks first, misfortune strikes the wretched.
It's him, no doubt about it!
In most cases, the path chosen is often more effective than sheer effort.
Some work tirelessly in familiar roles but may never break through their limitations.
Until one day, for various reasons, they take a different path and suddenly rise to prominence.
Victor was one such person!
At 42 years old, even as a mage, he had already begun to enter middle age.
Yet, he remained a mere Level 6 Mage, barely breaking into the intermediate tier.
Born a commoner, Victor had decent aptitude but struggled under the Netheril Empire's system, constantly earning money to buy opportunities to learn.
If nothing unexpected happened, Victor would have ended up like many other commoner-born spellcasters.
Without wealth, resources, or inherited knowledge, he would spend his life struggling before resigning to reality.
He might claim a plot of land, become a spellcaster lord, and pass down his knowledge in hopes that future generations could achieve greater heights.
Alternatively, he could join a family, gain access to inherited knowledge and resources, and form a mutually beneficial relationship.
But Victor's life was fraught with misfortune, and he was inherently strong-willed.
His parents died in an accident.
His wife perished during an adventure.
His daughter was born with a congenital heart defect, requiring enormous funds to sustain her life.
Despite Victor's best efforts, she only lived until five or six before succumbing.
Having lost everything, Victor resolutely chose another path.
If his body had limits, he would find a way to break them!
Using his knowledge of steel golem construction, and through unique circumstances, he decided to embark on a journey of human modification.
Thus, the long-neglected path of mechanics and the disillusioned middle-aged mage came together as if by fate.
Victor underwent the highly fatal mechanical modification surgery, transforming himself into a mechanical body.
All for the sake of saving his daughter.
He broke through the limits of his innate talent, but it was too late.
Due to the interference of some fools, Victor missed the chance to treat his daughter, losing her forever.
In his madness, Victor resorted to horrific and bloody methods, quietly orchestrating a massacre that killed hundreds in Sevinton.
Eventually, steeped in blood, he became a black mage renowned across the continent.
Not only did he step into the legendary tier, but he also shattered the barrier between mortals and gods.
The mechanical modification frenzy he initiated almost became a new path for mages.
Unfortunately, this controversial legend met his end in madness, becoming a walking calamity.
Matthew knew Victor's story so well because Victor's rise coincided with the players' growth.
Many capable players had taken commissions from Victor, earning unique and intriguing rewards.
Matthew sought Victor for his most celebrated creations.
Beyond the infamous "Flesh Weakness, Mechanical Ascension" modifications...
Was the intelligent auxiliary combat system, nicknamed by players as the "Magic World Cheat."
The intelligent auxiliary combat system, akin to a real-world single-soldier mech system, helped users quickly gather battlefield information and make decisions.
With it, Professionals could unleash 90% of their tier's potential.
It also allowed users to grow rapidly through training modes.
Thanks to its powerful effects and unique combat support functions, it became widely known.
As players said, the intelligent auxiliary combat system was the ultimate cheat for magic and mechanics.
Matthew was determined to obtain these two things!
But first, he needed to persuade the downtrodden middle-aged mage, solve his troubles, and bring him to Bay Territory.
Placing three gold coins in the excited Kyle's hand, Elio curiously observed Victor's ragged appearance and worried expression.
Lord Matthew never acted without purpose or wasted time.
Anyone he met personally was either an important person or tied to a significant matter!
Just as Victor stepped out and noticed Matthew's Arcanist robes, his eyes widened instinctively. Kyle called him twice, but he didn't respond.
With a chuckle, Matthew brought Victor back to reality and said amidst Victor's complicated gaze:
"Shopkeeper, could you show us your products? I'm quite interested in some of them."
Hearing this, Victor immediately set aside his thoughts and nodded excitedly:
"Please follow me, Arcanist."
As Victor spoke, Kyle, whose face had just calmed, instinctively widened his eyes again, staring at Matthew's tall figure in disbelief.
He could hardly believe it.
He had somehow ended up leading an Arcanist—and such a young one at that.
Upon entering the shop, the cramped space was cluttered with all sorts of items.
Numerous intriguing mechanical components and parts lined both sides of the counters.
Kyle was no stranger to Victor. Though poor at business, Victor's mechanical skills were excellent, and his quality parts had brought Kyle considerable business.
Seeing Victor's slightly dazed look, Kyle couldn't help but introduce him to Matthew:
"Honorable Arcanist, Master Victor excels at crafting golem and mechanical parts. His reputation on this street is unmatched..."
Listening to Kyle's enthusiastic introduction, which detailed the prices and details of magical components, Matthew couldn't help but think.
If Dapeng and Dazhuang had Kyle's eloquence and social skills, they wouldn't be in their current miserable state.
As Kyle said, the parts Matthew saw were of excellent quality, with at least a "Superior" rating.
Bay Territory lacked the capacity to produce such parts. If Victor could be brought back, Bay Territory's production capabilities would rise significantly.
Seeing Matthew's satisfied nod, a smile spread across Kyle's face.
Meanwhile, Victor remained silent beside him.
When a small figure emerged from the shop, Victor's expression softened, and he quickly walked over with a gentle smile.
Matthew turned his head to look, his pupils dilating slightly.
"Well, well, a family with two Luck -5s!"