Pillar of Yita

Furthermore, Fairy Constructs were usually inaccessible to ordinary people because Fairy Gems were insensitive to the Summoners System, and thus, the computational power attribute provided by the system was highly ineffective for controlling Fairy Constructs.

In situations where an attribute was practically non-existent, it required the Invoker to have exceptional personal talent to control such Flexible Constructs. For ordinary Invokers, this was as difficult as reaching the heavens, but for Fang Hong, who had thrived for six months without a system, —

it wasn’t much different.

However, Walker Model III was a bit different; its base level was too high for him (normally, it is Level 10/Minimum computational power requirement 85; Clockwork Fairy is 25), and a higher base level usually meant a genuine need for computational power—

In Eteliria, when a combat artisan’s computational power attribute was insufficient to manipulate a Model I Flexible Construct, they typically only had two choices.

First, use plugins and equipment to reduce the requirement, or enhance one’s capabilities, as Fang Hong had seen Wu Di and Liuli Yue doing at Traveler’s Rest.

But such equipment was very rare and expensive. If a Combat Artisan didn’t have the financial strength, they would have to rely on themselves.

This leads to the second possibility—compensating for the system’s computational power deficit through one’s own calculation and manipulation abilities.

For Invokers, at the Level 4-5 range, being able to compensate for about ten percent of the system’s computational power is already above average.

Thus, a Combat Artisan who could dual-control two Clockwork Fairies (25 computational power) at this level is often considered to be of excellent caliber.

Those even more exceptional could replace over thirty percent of the system’s computational power with their own operations and calculations; they would barely manage triple-control at this level. In major guilds, they are generally seen as geniuses, the rising stars of the future.

Fang Hong had calculated his own level; he wasn’t sure if he had miscalculated because, when going all out, if he were controlling Clockwork Fairies, he could just manage over five controls—meaning he could compensate for sixty percent of the computational power through his own manipulation.

However, compensating computational power was different for each Flexible Construct; typically, more complex Constructs had lower compensation ratios, which also related to proficiency—like when he first controlled ’Sword Hong’, the compensation ratio was just over thirty percent.

And for this ’Sword Bearer,’ even lower.

Only twenty-six percent.

Indeed, the remaining part of computational power also required (62) points, which was higher than his own computational power attribute. Fortunately, he still had Miss Tata.

With the addition of the Fairy Construct, his computational power could increase by another thirty percent to reach around seventy points. With this increase and decrease, he could spare more than ten points of computational power, so he could barely get the Model III Walker moving when going all out.

However, it’s usually necessary to keep some margin when controlling Flexible Constructs, as additional computational power is needed either in an overload state or when using skills. His spare ten or so points of computational power was equivalent to barely functional for Model III Walker, just enough to say it could move.

Fang Hong scratched his head; this was still due to the low level, and he couldn’t help but sigh—indeed, for him now, leveling up was the first priority.

He glanced at the most important Basic Attributes and Survival Attributes, then closed the page.

The core attributes there primarily concerned Output Power and Cooling System, but the crystal used in Model III Walker was already above Grade D; in fact, α Crystal had reduced ’Sword Bearer’s’ capability, so there was nothing impressive to see.

Instead, Fang Hong felt his need for β Crystal was becoming more urgent.

After the experiment was completed, he asked quietly in his mind: ”Miss Tata?”

The preparation work had consumed some time, earlier inside Clockwork Fairy’s field of view, he could see others, but now everyone must have entered inside Hustings Cathedral’s area ahead of him; they were all out of sight.

”I am here, Mr. Knight.”

Meimei, kneeling quietly on the ground as Miss Fairy usually did, placed her small hands on her skirt. Upon hearing Fang Hong’s words, she tilted her head to look at him.

Fang Hong reached out his hand, ”We’re ready to move.”

Miss Fairy, supporting herself on his large hand, stood up, her voice ringing clearly, ”Are you ready?”

Fang Hong nodded.

With that, she gently flew up and then landed on his shoulder.

Fang Hong then retracted the Sword Bearer back into the informational space, then checked the direction through the peripheral Clockwork Fairies, and cautiously moved out of the bushes.

If he hadn’t overlooked anything, there should have been no one within a few hundred meters, and the faint torchlight in the distant fog seemed to confirm this.

But he was worried about the Dragon Worship Sect’s hidden sentries.

In such operations, unless there was a severe shortage of manpower, Eteliria’s Summoners’ Guild would usually set up one or two layers of hidden sentries on the perimeter.

The Summoner’s trick was learned from the natives, which almost guaranteed that the Dragon Worship Sect would set up hidden sentries as well.

Although he had the Clockwork Fairy, the problem with the Clockwork Fairy was—it only confirmed the presence of someone if he could see them. This device could only allow him to see further, not necessarily clearer.

Simply put, he did not have Scouting Skills.

Moreover, there was a risk of exposure, and if that happened, he would have no choice but to sacrifice the pawn to save the king. For a Combat Artisan operating alone, withdrawing the Clockwork Fairy to draw enemies close was one of the least wise choices.

Based on this, he had anticipated several possibilities and formulated corresponding plans.

However, what Fang Hong hadn’t expected was that before he could put any of these plans to use, the situation had already somewhat exceeded his expectations—

There was little cover near the main road outside Hazelnut Woods, so Fang Hong had not dared to approach that area.

He kept moving along the bushes beside the road, but he hadn’t gone far when a crisp gunshot rang out from the woods.

The gunshot almost made Fang Hong jump.

Had it not been that he had heard the different sound of Hilveld’s Magic Guided Gun before, he almost thought that the noble lady was stirring up trouble again.

However, when he looked in that direction, he realized that the direction of the gunshot was clearly not where the Dragon Worshippers were; he paused and then another possibility dawned on him.

Now, in this Phantom Realm, the Gunslingers he had seen the most were undoubtedly those from the Dragonfire Guild.

And, the direction was also seemingly where Haggston Cemetery was located.

However, what puzzled Fang Hong was who had made someone from the Dragonfire Guild fire a shot? Hilveld, Parker, and Red Leaf were all ahead of him, and they theoretically shouldn’t have encountered anyone from the Dragonfire Guild—whoever this was made Fang Hong’s heart sink, and he hurriedly messaged Tianlan and Gita.

Fortunately, he soon received a message back. The two girls reported that they were well hidden and safe and told him not to worry.

However, they also mentioned that Miss Atira’s condition was worsening, and their words were filled with concern.

While Fang Hong was certainly worried about the Elf Girl, the fact that nothing had happened to Gita and Tianlan for now was a relief. His curiosity grew—were the shots really fired by someone from the Dragonfire Guild? And who were they attacking?

Several possibilities flashed through his mind, including the straggler Diket and a masked man; none of these possibilities could be ruled out.

But just as he turned his head to look back, he saw an incredible scene.

From the direction of the forest, a barrage of gunfire resumed, tracer rounds drawing golden lines of fire. The gunfire illuminated not only the shooters but also their targets.

As he expected, it was people from the Dragonfire Guild. He not only saw Big Sister, but also Twenty, although the commander this time wasn’t either of them.

It was another young man he had not seen before.

Yet this was still not what surprised him; what really surprised him was the person the Dragonfire Guild was attacking.

Though it was only a fleeting glimpse, Fang Hong had clearly seen the face of the panicking girl.

It was Hes.

But how could she be here?

...