The Grand Duelist

Chapter 110: Return[2]

After distribution, these were Joseph's current stats.

[Name: Joseph

Level: 98 Gender: Male

Class: Premature Grand Duelist

Health: 51,350/51,350 Mana: 2525/2525

Strength: 338 Dexterity: 188

Intelligence: 21  Stamina: 158

Spirit: 5 Tenacity: 5

Reputation: 232  Divinity: 50

Charm: 5 

Undistributed Stat Points: 0]

With his current stats, he could now deal at least 9,400 points of damage with only basic attacks. Right now, Joseph saw that his class was indeed befitting to that of a half-step Mythical Class. Even he couldn't believe that he could deal that much damage with only basic attacks.

But of course, this was under the condition that his enemy had no armor whatsoever or if he had 100% Armor Penetration. Nonetheless, Joseph was still extremely powerful right now. But strangely enough, Joseph couldn't feel satisfied with his current level of strength.

It has to be known that the average player only received several stat points each time they leveled up. Unlike Joseph who always received five stat points per level.

In other words, Joseph's character was bound to be a god-like character in the long run. But he still couldn't help but shook his head in pity.

Why?

Well, it was because even with his strength. He still couldn't defeat these Mutated Beasts. 

Joseph predicted that with the amount of damage that he dealt through attacking the weaknesses of those Mutated Beasts. Their Health Points must be at least half a million.

What was more terrifying were their attacks.

There was even an instance where Joseph made a mistake and used his Parry too early...

He didn't time it well and he was sent flying by the Mutated Beast. Thankfully, the characteristics of the Mutated Beast that attacked him weren't suitable for offense or quick bursts of damage. But still, Joseph's passive was instantly triggered and he had to be saved by it. 

If not for that passive then he reckoned that he would've been at Reinhardt right now.

That mistake became a harsh, yet solid reason for Joseph to not underestimate any Mutated Beasts no matter how weak they look compared to their comrades. Each one of them had peculiarities that stemmed from the characteristics of the animal that they looked like, and so. None of them must be underestimated.

From then on, Joseph became extra cautious.

His cautiousness paid off since that day onwards, Joseph never suffered that kind of a setback anymore.

"Are you done there, yet? Alice?" Joseph stared at the strangely obedient Alice.

Why is she so obedient today? Ah, it must be because we're going to do another barbeque party today. But hmmm, I've been eating too much meat lately, here and back at the outside world. How about I buy some vegetables on the Cash Shop?

The vegetables there are too expensive since it is marketed for the usage of those Professional Chefs that want to practice their craft without wasting ingredients on the outside world. But... If I don't buy vegetables from there, how the hell can I have those two sisters eat some vegetables? 

Ah, fuck it! I don't care anymore. I'll just buy and then some clothes for Alice too. She's kinda obedient and mellow now, so I guess I've got to keep pampering her. I wonder what kind of clothes should I buy this time?

Joseph's gaze landed at Alice.

The dress that she wore stuck close to her body due to the sweat. It had always been such an erotic scene, but now that she was bending over while picking up those slabs of meat on the ground...

The scene became even more erotic and Joseph couldn't help but smile: "How about some extra short pants? Hehehe, but I wonder if she'll even wear it in the first place."

Judging by her character, I don't think that she'll even agree to wear such a thing. But it's not impossible since there are times when she becomes really obedient.

The only problem is just what is the reason for her obedience? Hmmm...

Let's just buy it and see if she's willing to wear it. If not, then I can keep it in my Inventory and maybe gift it to Vanessa when I'm finally out of this place.

But speaking of Vanessa, I wonder... Just what happened to the Pro-NPC Alliance after my disappearance? Hmmm, someday. I'll go and pay them a visit. After all, I owe them a great deal of debt.

"I'm done." 

Alice's words awakened Joseph from his trance.

A light smile escaped his lips, "Okay, let's go. Help me prepare the meals as always, I'll reward you with something good."

Alice revealed a surprised look, but there was excitement within her eyes, "Reward me with something good? What do you mean?"

Joseph's smile turned mysterious, "Didn't you want to have those shorts that you pointed to me yesterday? Prepare the mise en place for us today. I'll fetch some of those for you."

Alice's surprise disappeared, replaced by utter excitement. She walked towards the direction of the cave, her footsteps quick and if not for the fact that she was afraid of accidentally offending Joseph...

She would've dragged him to the direction of the cave already. 

Joseph followed suit and when they entered. They found Hulie testing some medicinal concoctions that she made by combining all sorts of beneficial herbs. She was currently applying some ointment on Julie's wrist. On her own wrist, the same kind of ointment was also slathered on its surface.

"Oh, Hulie. You're working really hard again today! Same goes for you, Julie."

Joseph greeted the two.

Julie faced Joseph with a smile and said, "Hehehe, Kuya. I just can't afford to waste a single day without writing. I don't know why, but after you gave me this notebook and pen, writing has been so seamless and without any hassle for me..."

"I think I can't become a writer anymore without using these things. They are so convenient!"

Joseph lightly chuckled, "If that runs out of ink, you can just tell me. I can buy that for you anytime."

He couldn't help but inwardly appreciate Julie's praise. Writing for the residents of the world of Victory was hectic. Not only they had to make their own paper from scratch.

They also need to extract their own ink, which only lasted several weeks without fading, unlike the pen sold on the Cash Shop which could last for decades.

Joseph understood that this was the reason why Julie was so appreciative, but he still couldn't help but endlessly smile when he heard her praise.

It really feels good being praised by a little girl... Wait, why am I thinking that she's a little girl? She's of the same age as me!

Joseph furiously shook his head, his lips repeatedly twitched when he realized that he had been polluted by the lolicon culture of the outside world, thankfully Julie was legal so there wouldn't be any problems on being happy while receiving praises from her.

But it was still strange... So, Joseph forcefully buried such thoughts deep in his mind.

Alice was attracted to what Hulie was doing. She seemed to be applying some kind of a beauty product on Julie's wrist. 

As a young maiden herself, Alice had an eye for aesthetics. One could say that she also desired for beauty like what other completely ordinary women do.

"What is that, Hulie?" She walked closer.

Panic briefly flashed on Hulie's face but was quickly replaced with a smile as she said, "Uh... This is a concealer, Ate. It is called Concealer because it conceals blemishes on the skin. Mama told me how to make one, thankfully I remembered the exact formula so I tried making one and randomly applying it and it worked!"

A proud look surfaced on Hulie's face.

Alice revealed a sly smile and said, "Is that so, Hulie? You can create beauty products? What are the beauty products the kind of beauty products that you can, uhh create? Can you make some white powder for me? Hehe, if you do I can have Kuya reward you with something good!"

Alice felt somewhat weird when she completed her sentence.

She felt like she was corrupting or manipulating a minor. 

But her conscience swiftly disappeared when she remembered the idea that if she had some white powder, she could finally fix her complexion that was slowly turning brownish. She desired that jade-like porcelain looks on other beautiful women such as the Great Magician Lilibeth.

She ordinarily had that look but weeks of exposure to the harsh elements of this place gradually changed her body.

Hulie beamed with a smile, "Really? I do know how to make white powder! But I need a furnace to do it, and I don't have a furnace..." Hulie became somewhat sad at the end of her sentence.

But she regained her energy after Alice promised that she would provide the furnace that she needed.

Afterwards, Joseph finally sent Alice to work on the mise en place while he approached the twin sisters and started talking to the twins.

"Julie, I still haven't heard the title of the book that you are writing." He first talked to Julie.

Julie abruptly stopped writing. Her figure visibly trembled but she still turned her head to look at Joseph. Her cheeks laden with crimson and her lips twitching, making her look like she was about to say something, but she just didn't have the courage to do so.

"Uhmmm... Kuya, you'll soon be able to open this notebook. Can you please wait until that time comes?" Julie spoke in cryptic words that astonished Joseph.

But a smile appeared on his lips as he replied...

"Oh? When will that time come? I'm really excited for that day, to be able to read your book as one of your first readers, great Author Julie. I'll be honored." He praised Julie which further exacerbated her embarrassment.

After a few moments of mustering her courage, Julie could finally speak again: "You'll know about it when that time comes, Kuya. For now, please spare me..." She hung her head low and Joseph felt quite strange.

Julie's strange wordings and the fact that she said these words while staring at the ground in embarrassment made Joseph feel like he was forcing himself on Julie.

A bitter smile escaped his lips, and he then turned his attention to Hulie.

"Hulie, I see that you're still working as hard as ever. In honor of your hard work, I'll give you and Julie some presents that the two of you will definitely like." His bitter smile turned for the better when he saw the look of surprise on Hulie's face.

But the surprised Hulie unexpectedly retorted, "But Kuya..." Her voice somewhat down as she continued, "Did I really do something that makes me deserving of a reward? I'm useless Kuya, apart from making these ointments and herbs, I can't even help you and ate Alice."

Joseph saw the insecurity within Hulie's eyes as he stretched his hand out and ruffled the hair of the young lass, "Hulie, there you are with that insecurity of yours again. How many times have I told you in these past few weeks that you should take more pride in that work of yours, all right?"

"There's a scarcity of doctors and apothecary in this world, you're one of those talented few... Be proud of it and smile, please?" Joseph revealed an expression that made him look like he was pleading.

This touched Hulie's heart as tears welled up in her eyes.

She glanced at her sister and found that she was looking at her with the same smile as Joseph.

But this time, the tears that welled up in her eyes fell down along with an incomparably beautiful smile.

"Mhm! I won't be insecure again, Kuya!" 

"Hehe...  That's the spirit." Joseph praised.

He stood up and left them.

Coincidentally, Alice was finally done with the mise en place at that time and what greeted Joseph in the mini-kitchen that they made were several beautifully sliced pieces of meat and spices neatly organized and properly weighted. There was also a pot on top of a stove filled with fresh water.

Joseph licked his lips. It was finally time for the hot pot that he had been waiting for!

"!!!"

But his expression suddenly changed when he was about to place the ingredients into the pot.

Alice also noticed this abnormality.

She turned to look at the distance and glanced at Joseph.

The gazes of the two met in mid-air.

The light shining within their eyes indicated that they had the same thoughts.

"Are those bastards coming for us again?" Alice went over to Joseph and whispered.

"Apart from those people, who else could be visiting us? And judging from the frequency of the tremors on the ground, it seems like there are a lot of them this time." A look of apprehension flashed on Joseph's face as he turned to look at the two sisters.

If worse comes to worst, he'd be forced to escape this place earlier than what he expected in his plans.

Just why did these bastards come back? Could it be that the God of Fighting, Tryndamere isn't really that intimidating for them anymore? No, if that's the case then they should've returned earlier, not a few weeks after. Or maybe, what if they had just consulted the so-called God of Everything that Moves and Exists and had just acquired their answer today? 

There's a chance that it is the truth, but I just can't assume everything. It is too dangerous.

But what should I do? There is no way that we can escape this confrontation today? Should I use that Divine Authority Summoning again? But it would be useless doing that if they already knew that I'm not really the God of Fighting.

Not only that, but the avatar that is summoned from that skill is also unruly, arrogant and unpredictable. It's too risky...

Joseph felt a headache coming his way. He turned to look at Alice and nodded. Afterwards, the two of them turned to look at the two sisters. Joseph was the first one to speak as he explained.

"Julie, Hulie... Your Ate and I will go out. Stay here and don't go out until we come back, all right?" Joseph lightly smiled.

Alice nudged him from the side, her expression looked like she wanted him to explain why he didn't tell the two sisters about the approaching residents.

Joseph revealed an apologetic look on his face. The reason why he didn't explain was that he didn't want the two sisters to worry about them. He didn't want to see them sad or depressed.

But Alice went against this idea. But when she saw the look on Joseph's face. She didn't say anything anymore and never explained.

Julie turned to look at Joseph and said, "Have they returned already, Kuya?"

A trace of sorrow could be seen on her face. But it was quickly replaced with a strange indifference.

Joseph sighed.

It looks like it's really impossible to hide the presence of those bastards from Julie and Hulie.

Joseph glanced at Hulie and found that the young lass also looked worried.

He approached them and said, "I will only be talking to them. I'll also explain to them that the two of you are cured of the Curse already so there's no need for them to come back anymore."

Julie obediently nodded her head and replied, "Mkay, we will wait for you and Ate here." 

Joseph ruffled her hair, he then turned to look at Hulie and said, "Hulie, you stay with your sister, all right? Try and keep yourself silent and don't open the door to anyone, including me..."

"We will open the door of this room ourselves so you do not have to worry about not answering us. If someone that has the same voice as us asks you to open the door..."

"Do not open it, all right?" Joseph reminded the two.

Julie and Hulie obediently nodded. 

Alice and Joseph were relieved.

They were about to leave the room when Julie's voice stopped them from their tracks.

"Kuya!"

Joseph turned around with a smile.

"What's wrong, Julie?"

Julie sweetly smiled, "I just want to say thank you, Kuya Joseph. Thank you so much for everything. I really liked the stories that you told us these past weeks and I am sure that you have a lot of those stories with you and I want to hear more of them!"

Joseph chuckled, "Hahaha... Now that that despicable Curse is gone, you will be able to do anything in this world. No one will be able to stop you. Nothing could ever stop our capable Julie, after all..."

"But for now, stay there and protect your sister, Hulie. When we come back I'll read you lots of stories in all sorts of genres!"

Julie lightly chuckled, complicated emotions flashed on her face and she seemed like she wanted to say something. But Hulie suddenly held her wrist and shook her head. The two sisters communicated with their eyes and in the end, they reached the conclusion that they would not say something else.

Although Hulie looked conflicted as she bit her lips in frustration.

Joseph swept his gaze at the two.

Seeing that they had no intention of speaking anymore...

He turned around and walked towards the door. 

But this time...

"Kuya!"

... Hulie was the one who stopped him on his tracks.

Joseph sweetly smiled. He shook his head, happiness evident on his face as he turned around and faced the young lass.

"What's wrong, Hulie? Can't bear to part with your Kuya?" 

Alice who was walking ahead of him almost stumbled on a piece of rock. She glared at Joseph's back and couldn't help but criticize him inwardly. But she didn't express her thoughts out loud. She also smiled and stared at Hulie, encouraging her to speak amidst her insecurities.

Unexpectedly, despite being put on the spot, Hulie maintained her composure as she stared right into Joseph's eyes and said in a voice that sounded more like an exclaim from her heart.

"Thank you very much, Kuya!"

She slightly bowed her head, her figure, trembling in embarrassment and apprehension.

Joseph was astonished by this scene, but his sweet smile widened as she stared at Hulie, encouraging her to speak with the warm look in his eyes.

"I will be... obedient, Kuya Joseph... So, please... uh... please don't worry about us and be safe, okay?"

Hulie raised her head, an expression that looked like she wouldn't accept any refusal surfaced on her face.

Joseph lightly chuckled, "Of course, Hulie... We still haven't completed the story that I told you, yesterday! Big brother here will be back to tell you the continuation of it so stay here and be obedient, okay?"

"Mhmm!" Hulie firmly nodded.

Alice revealed a look of appreciation as she stared at Joseph's back. But when Joseph turned around to face her, that look of appreciation disappeared, replaced by a cold facade as she uttered.

"Let's go and finish this early."

"Oh? Why do you sound so confident?"

"Why not?" Alice refuted.

"Hahaha..." Joseph laughed, "Sometimes, I really envy that guts of yours, Alice." 

"Hmm?" Alice revealed a look of confusion.

"Nothing..." Joseph shook his head, "Come let us go and confront these persistent bastards again."

Alice nodded and the two promptly prepared themselves for a battle.