Ma Jun looked at the updated information for [Praise], and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in delight.
[Praise (Epic Grade)]: Growth-type item. Devouring progress: 1/3!
[Attribute 1]: Increases the Constitution of the attached body part by +8. The user may freely choose body size enhancement, up to a maximum increase of 4×.
[Attribute 2]: Can alter the appearance of the attached body part, freely simulating any form.
[Attribute 3]: Greatly accelerates the recovery of injuries on the attached body part, enabling high-speed regeneration (this effect can be used on others).
The clearly increased gains from this devouring far exceeded previous ones.
But even more surprising to Ma Jun was the newly added attribute.
Akuna's innate ability was rapid wound healing. After devouring her Grace fungal silk, his item had gained that effect as well.
Wasn't that basically a regenerating medical kit?
And one with unlimited uses.
Most importantly—it could be used on other people too!
In the Horror Game, danger was unavoidable. Now, [Praise] not only boosted Constitution but also provided healing.
It was both offense and recovery rolled into one.
Incredibly practical.
Ma Jun couldn't help imagining that if he devoured more fungal silks, what other effects might appear.
In this village alone, besides Akuna, there were fungal silks of similar tier belonging to Heisenberg, Benvento, and one more—Moro.
If he could devour all of them, just how far would [Praise] evolve?
Unfortunately, time was up.
[Congratulations, Player. You have successfully survived fourteen days in the Vampire Lady's Castle!]
[You will now be forcibly returned!]
Ma Jun's main quest had been completed beyond requirements.
There was no way for him to stay in the castle any longer.
Even so, he was extremely satisfied with the harvest from this run.
As for the remaining Grace fungal silks, Ma Jun knew that the Horror Game contained items that could forcibly direct players into specific instances.
There was no need to rush.
His hand rested on Akuna's waist.
"Madam… it seems we have to part for now."
"Huh?"
Akuna's heart jolted. Seven consecutive days of intimacy had already made her accustomed to Ma Jun's presence.
This sudden farewell left her completely stunned.
She couldn't even react for a moment.
"Master!"
The three little maids suddenly rushed in, stumbling over themselves.
Their faces were flushed, eyes brimming with tears.
Ma Jun knew they had been secretly eavesdropping these past few days.
"Don't be sad," he said gently.
"It won't be long before we meet again."
He gave them a bright, confident smile.
In the next instant, white light flashed.
He vanished from where he stood.
"Master!"
The three maids finally broke down, tears streaming like springs.
Their hearts felt hollow and empty.
Ma Jun had hinted at their separation beforehand, but when the moment truly came, the pain was still overwhelming.
Akuna's focus, however, drifted elsewhere.
Why were her daughters outside the door again?
Had they been listening the whole time these past few days?
Her face burned hot, and even the sense of loss from Ma jun's departure was largely overwhelmed by embarrassment.
"Master said he'd come back."
"He definitely won't lie to us!"
"I'll work hard and wait for Master to return!"
The maids encouraged one another earnestly.
Akuna felt certain—these girls had been completely brainwashed by Ma Jun.
Yet when she thought back on everything that had happened over the past days, even she couldn't stop herself from missing him.
…
[Congratulations, Player. You have completed the instance: Vampire Lady's Castle!]
[Player survival exceeded fourteen days. Instance evaluation increased!]
[Detected deep interaction between player and instance characters…]
Scenes flashed rapidly through Ma Jun's mind—
The werewolf squad captain Sbinse, struck down by him.
Daniela stammering nervously as she spoke.
Cassandra, first threatened by him, then burning with passion.
Beilei's twisted pride and arrogance.
And the towering Akuna, sitting there, waiting for him.
[Player has exceeded task requirements. Evaluation recalculating…]
[Congratulations, Player. Evaluation has broken through the Ferocious-tier cap!]
[Current instance rating: SSS!]
[Rewards: 5000 EXP, 10 Purple Crystals (exchangeable for 10,000 Gold Coins)]
Ding ding ding!
Golden light representing level-ups flashed continuously around Ma Jun.
It pulsed eight times before finally stopping.
Ma Jun immediately opened his character panel.
[Name]: Ma Jun
[Level]: LV8 (100/1500)]
[Strength]: 6
[Agility]: 10
[Constitution]: 9
[Spirit]: 5
[Charm]: ???
[Unassigned Attribute Points]: 7
Level eight—just like that?!
Ma Jun nodded in satisfaction. This pace seemed acceptable.
Compared to other players, it was definitely much faster.
Of course, he still didn't fully understand the Horror Game.
At this speed, it wasn't just "a bit fast."
It was practically riding a rocket.
Most players would be lucky to gain a single level from their first instance.
Otherwise, Jiang Han and the others wouldn't have caused such a stir just by reaching level three.
But Ma Jun?
He jumped straight to level eight.
If other players ever found out…
They'd probably go insane on the spot.
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