David King lay on the sofa, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest, his mind racing.
"Although attribute enhancement is tempting, a level 1 to level 2 increase might only be a quantitative change in attributes, not an earth-shattering leap.
No matter how high the basic attributes are, before they trigger a qualitative change, this slight improvement might be a drop in the bucket in front of truly powerful Demon-Level and even Dragon-level monsters... But the Emperor Engine is different!"
His thoughts became clearer and clearer, "This is a 'force field' type of skill! If I raise it high enough, the pressure and sound waves it releases can directly make low-level monsters approaching me instantly prostrate themselves, and even make slightly higher-level monsters lose their composure and not dare to attack...
Then wouldn't I have a passive amulet similar to a 'Fear Aura'?
When the enemy is unaware of the truth, this invisible and intangible Spirit deterrence is far safer and more efficient than directly punching them (and not even hurting them)!"
"More importantly, it fits the King persona better! There's no better way to 'act cool' and live up to the 'Strongest Man on Earth' title than scaring off enemies with a single 'Emperor Engine' roar! A King who only charges forward and throws wild punches... just thinking about it... it's a downgrade!"
Having figured this out, David no longer hesitated.
"Yes! That's it! The essence of deterrence is 'fear', and investing in the 'Emperor Engine' is strengthening the source of fear! First, make the brand bigger and stronger to ensure survival, and then points will come rolling in!"
With a thought, he issued an instruction to the system interface:
**[Do you want to spend 200 Deterrence Points to increase the proficiency of the skill 'Emperor Engine'?]**
"Yes!" David silently affirmed in his heart.
The moment the command was given, an indescribable sensation swept through his entire body!
It wasn't an enhancement of physical attributes, but a... deeper understanding of "sound" and "momentum," pouring into his brain and heart like a floodgate opening!
**[Deterrence Points - 200]**
**[Skill: "Emperor Engine" proficiency increasing...]**
Immediately after, his heart contracted sharply, then expanded!
It wasn't a painful physiological reaction, but rather as if the heart itself had become the core piston of an engine.
Each pump became more powerful, more profound, driving some invisible force to resonate within his chest!
**['Emperor Engine' proficiency has been raised to 'Minor Achievement' (0/600)]**
**[Skill Effect Update:**
1. 'Monarch's Might' First Manifestation: When the Emperor Engine is activated, the tangible sound wave impact is significantly enhanced, causing strong mental pressure on ordinary people.
2. 'Aura' Solidification: The concentration of red malevolent aura around the body is greatly increased, the color changes from light red to a more oppressive dark red, and the form becomes more condensed, like burning dark flames, with extremely strong visual deterrence.
3. 'Deterrence' Passive (New): When the host senses strong hostility or killing intent, it releases a deterrent sound wave and a faint malevolent aura. (This passive effect can, to a certain extent, interfere with sneak attackers and provide the host with a warning time.)
4. Spirit Resistance Slightly Increased: During the activation of the Emperor Engine, the host's resistance to Spirit-type attacks (such as fear, confusion) is slightly enhanced.]**
Minor Achievement!
David suddenly sat up straight on the sofa, his eyes gleaming.
He raised his hand and placed it on his chest.
"Thump... thump... thump..."
It wasn't actively activated, but in his current state of excitement, his heart was beating with a low, slow, drum-like rhythm.
That was no longer just a vibrating noise, but a kind of power!
He could even feel each heavy heartbeat stirring the subtle ripples in the surrounding air!
Although there was no red malevolent aura as when fully activated, he felt as if he could inwardly perceive a powerful engine waiting in his chest!
"Passive effect! This is simply a life-saving artifact!"
David excitedly clenched his fists; these 200 points were incredibly well spent!
The value of the passive effect is immeasurable; it can absolutely turn the tide at critical moments!
Moreover, the description of increased Spirit resistance made him ecstatic!
This indicates that the Emperor Engine is not just an offensive skill, but has also begun to provide defensive benefits internally!
He grinned, revealing the first genuine, confident smile he had since transmigrating to become King.
"This feeling... is really good!" he murmured softly, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards the tightly closed guest room door.
Inside lay a delicate and soft Demon-Level monster, Mosquito Girl... and she could still stably produce Deterrence Points?
...
The next day, the soft afternoon sunlight filtered through the blinds of the guest room, casting long strips of light on the floor.
Mosquito Girl's long eyelashes fluttered a few times, and her blood-red pupils slowly focused.
What met her eyes was an unfamiliar, plain ceiling.
Immediately after, a strong sense of restraint came from her waist and upper thighs, constricting her painfully.
She frantically tried to struggle, but her limbless body was like a pinned butterfly specimen, only able to writhe her torso in vain, pulling at her still unhealed wounds, bringing a tearing pain.
"Ugh..." A suppressed groan of pain escaped her pale lips.
Memories flooded her mind like a cold tide.
The crimson swarm of mosquitoes darkening the sky, that cyborg (Genos)'s desperate counterattack, the scorching flames... then that figure!
That man wearing a cheap yellow jumpsuit and with a bald head!
He just casually, even with a hint of impatience... waved his hand!
Splat!
That seemingly effortless slap, carrying terrifying power capable of tearing space, brutally struck her face!
At that moment, she felt her proud, hard proboscis shatter like paper, and her entire head seemed about to be slapped off her body!
The immense impact turned her into a meteor, violently smashing through several buildings.
Finally, her ruptured blood sac was like a punctured balloon, instantly draining all her power, all her life essence...
"Hoo..."
Mosquito Girl's body trembled violently, uncontrollably, her blood-red pupils shrinking to pinpricks due to extreme fear.
That bald figure!
That unremarkable slap!
The overwhelming disaster and bone-deep despair it brought had been etched into every cell of her DNA like a primal brand!
Just the memory alone was enough to make her feel a suffocating cold, as if the bald man would burst through the wall at any second.
"Creak--"
The guest room door was gently pushed open.
This subtle sound exploded in Mosquito Girl's ears like thunder!
She stared intently at the door, her body tensed to the extreme.
David walked in.
He was still wearing his simple home clothes, but his expression was different from yesterday, carrying a deliberately maintained stillness and detachment befitting "King."
He held a glass in his hand, and in the glass was a viscous, dark red liquid.