Becoming an adventurer by copying monster abilities

After confirming that there were no enemies around, the three began looting the spoils.

These ghouls did not have any additional bounty from the association.

However, the goblins and ghouls that have been killed by the ghouls on the ground can still be exchanged for bounties.

Fortunately, ghouls don't have the habit of eating heads first, and the left ears of several goblins and many goblins were still intact.

They cut off the spoils that had not yet rotted and put them into bags.

Given the current weather, bringing it back to the Adventurers' Guild is definitely not realistic.

However, the association took this into account and specially arranged for recorders at the base.

Once they return to camp, they can simply hand it over to the other party for recording.

Fearing complications, they did not attempt to damage the strange black stone tablet.

Luke beheaded all the corpses to prevent them from turning into new ghouls due to the ghoul's poison.

Once everything was done, they immediately prepared to leave.

To Luke's surprise, as he walked out of the cave, the black mark on his wrist, which had been quiet for a while, suddenly became hot again.

Is this a warning?

Luca became wary and urged Tina and Irene to retreat immediately.

But as they walked step by step out of the cave, the scorching sensation became even stronger.

It even caused Luke to feel an unbearable stinging sensation.

This puzzled Luke.

He tried taking two steps back.

The burning sensation on the mark actually lessened somewhat.

Moreover, the closer one gets to the black stone tablet, the weaker the burning sensation emitted by the mark becomes.

Luca gestured for Tina and Irene to wait for him outside the cave.

He immediately activated his dire wolf ability, tensing his leg muscles, ready to run away at any moment in case of an unexpected situation.

Although Yi'er and the other girl didn't know what had happened, they still followed Luca's instructions and went outside.

Luke then walked step by step toward the black stone monument.

As he approached the pile of bones, the mark suddenly stung again.

It was as if it was reminding him to stop here.

Luke carefully used his half-handed sword to pry open the pile of bones little by little.

These grayish-white bones are very fragile, as if they have lost their original composition and structure.

The longsword shattered into several pieces with the slightest touch.

After clearing away all the bones, Luke also noticed something unusual.

At the very bottom of the pile of bones was a piece of hand bone, white as jade.

An antique-style bronze ring lies quietly in the palm of your hand.

Luke didn't pick up the ring directly, but touched it with his half-handed sword.

Nothing happened.

He turned as if to leave, and the mark on his wrist became burning hot again.

It seems that this ring is what the Mark wants him to have.

After confirming that the severed hand bone wouldn't suddenly move, Luke still picked up the ring.

Since he's already here, he'd probably regret giving up something that clearly has some merit later on.

Picking up the ring, the severed hand bone quickly transformed into its weathered form.

The ring felt cool to the touch, a unique metallic texture.

Luke held it in his hand and shook it, but didn't feel anything else.

They emerged from the cave.

The two people who were curiously peering out the door saw what Luke was holding.

"What is this?" Yi'er asked curiously.

Luke shook his head: "I don't know, I just found it."

The three of them took turns picking up the ring and studying it for a long time.

Apart from the exquisite pattern on the inner ring, there was nothing particularly special about it; it was just like an ordinary decorative item.

"Perhaps it's a magical item?"

"Ir spoke up."

As a spellcaster, she had just tried to infuse magic with it but felt no response.

She said this more as if she were comforting Luke.

"Then I'll take your good wishes. If it really is magical equipment, I'll give you a discount on its value."

Luke put the ring away.

Since it was something indicated by a black mark, it was definitely not an ordinary item. He planned to have it appraised by a professional when he got back.

Luke's suggestion was naturally rejected by the two of them.

They weren't of much help with this request; it was clear that Luke alone could have easily handled it.

Back at the camp, the three reported to the person in charge about encountering the black stone tablet during their mission.

The person in charge was not surprised.

It turns out that the guards and adventurers have discovered several stone tablets in the past few days.

This appears to be some kind of transformation altar, capable of turning creatures that die near the altar into ghouls.

The discovery of an altar also comes with an additional reward, which has been recorded in their merit book.

Earning extra money and points was naturally a pleasant surprise for Luca and his companions.

As for these stone tablets, it's because the monster outbreak attracted the attention of some beings who use necromancy.

Or perhaps this monstrous natural disaster was actually a man-made catastrophe.

The reasons behind this are beyond the comprehension of these adventurers.

What they need to consider is how to earn more rewards while ensuring their own safety.

On Luca's panel, the cooldown of [Miracle Fantasy] had finally ended.

Finding a secluded corner, the hideous and terrifying image of a ghoul immediately came to mind.

[Miracle Fantasy successfully materialized the projection of a ghoul]

[Gained Perk: Poison Resistance]

[Poisoning resistance has been upgraded]

[Poisoning Resistance: Poisoning resistance +25%, with a small chance of immunity to poisoning.]

This is Luke's second perk to be upgraded, after Dark Vision.

The immune-boosting effect sounds quite powerful.

I just don't know how small this probability is.

As for the effects of [Imagination Manifestation] enhancing the ghoul projection...

Luke's first sensation was hunger.

Unlike the completely useless hunger of goblins, this feeling is more like the body craving energy.

Luke returned to the camp and took out a piece of jerky from his luggage, trying to put it in his mouth.

As the dry, tough shredded meat was chewed and swallowed, a surge of energy flowed into his limbs, and his physical strength seemed to be rapidly recovering.

The ghoul's abilities greatly enhanced his digestion speed.

As Luca continued to swallow the jerky, he began to experience a sensation similar to that he had felt after drinking a healing potion.

However, the recovery effect wasn't that terrifying.

After eating several pieces of jerky, Luke's body seemed to have reached a critical point in terms of energy absorption.

The feeling of hunger subsided quickly.

Like other abilities, the ability to enhance ghoul projection also has a one-day cooldown period.

Luke felt a surge of energy within him and was very satisfied.

Although the recovery effect is not as obvious as that of healing potions, it is more than enough to quickly restore stamina after a battle.

In situations requiring sustained combat, this ability can provide him with good endurance.

Although he doesn't lack medicine right now.

Previously, Luke had rescued four adventurers from Yharnam, a village controlled by cultists.

Afterwards, they sent him three bottles of medicine as a thank you gift.

Following Luke's recommendation, they gifted exquisite pieces purchased from the alchemy workshop of the orc Iron Fang.

Luke stuffed the unfinished jerky back into his backpack.

"We should still save money wherever possible."