I am the Arcane Archer, and all my skills are self-created.

"This is..." Li Wu also noticed the token and curiously leaned closer.

He could sense that this small token contained a powerful and murderous force.

However, when he saw the token's properties, he stopped breathing.

[Hidden Job Change Token: Slaughter (Unique)]

[Type: Special Quest Item]

[Effect: After use, it unlocks the unique hidden job advancement quest for the Assassin class.]

[Job Requirements: None]

[Level Requirement: LV20]

[Note: Slaughter is the path to ultimate destruction. Choosing this path will grant you unparalleled offensive power, but it will also make you more vulnerable. This is a path walked on a knife's edge.]

[Note 2: This token is a unique item. Once used, the quest will begin, and the token will disappear.]

Hidden Job Change Token!

And it's the only one!

Li Wu's heart began to pound uncontrollably.

Having played the game for so long, he knows very well what the words "hidden class" mean.

That means stronger skills, a more unique growth path, and a brighter future!

Any hidden class is enough to transform an ordinary player into a top-tier expert!

And now, a unique hidden job change token lies quietly in front of them.

This is a treasure that could drive any player crazy!

"I'm... I'm rich..." Li Wu's throat was dry, and he could even hear his own heart pounding.

However, Hua Zitong, who was next to him, reacted even more dramatically than he did.

She stared intently at the token, her body trembling slightly with excitement. Her eyes shone with a mixture of ecstasy, shock, and relief.

"Slaughter...it's actually a Slaughter Job Change Token..." she muttered to herself, her voice trembling. "How could this be...how could it have exploded here..."

She reached out and carefully picked up the token.

It feels cool to the touch, yet also somewhat burning.

"Hua Zitong? Are you alright?" Li Wu couldn't help but ask, seeing her somewhat distraught state.

"I'm fine... I was just... too excited!" Hua Zitong took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, but the tremor in her voice was impossible to hide.

She turned to look at Li Wu and said, slowly and deliberately, "Li Wu, we've really struck gold this time! A treasure even more precious than that mythical equipment!"

"More precious than mythical equipment?" Li Wu was stunned.

In his view, Mythic equipment was the pinnacle of the game. What could be more precious than Mythic equipment?

"That's right!" Hua Zitong's tone was firm. "Mythical equipment is powerful, but it's ultimately just an external thing. This, however, can change a person's profession, change their very foundation! It represents a completely new path to the pinnacle!"

She raised the token in her hand, her eyes gleaming with an unusual light.

"The Assassin Class is a special hidden class; any class can be upgraded to the Assassin Class."

"Warrior, you can change your class to [Slaughter Warrior]."

"The mage can change class to [Slaughter Mage]."

"And thieves are [murderous thieves]."

"The core of this profession, just like its name, can be summed up in just two words—slaughter!"

"It sacrifices some of the class's original defensive, control, or support abilities, converting them all into pure damage! The only purpose of a player who chooses this class is to attack, attack, and attack again!"

"In his past life, Shadow Assassin was the first and only person to complete the [Assassination Rogue] class advancement. It was precisely because of this class that he was able to become the Shadow Assassin God, feared by all, in the later stages!"

Of course, Hua Zitong didn't say the last sentence out loud.

Hearing Hua Zitong's explanation, Li Wu was shocked.

An advanced class that can be stacked on top of any other class? A class that exists purely for killing?

This is simply... insane!

He could easily imagine how terrifying Hua Zitong would become if she possessed the power of [Slaughter].

She was already a top-tier warrior, and if she were to receive an extreme damage boost, she would become the most terrifying presence on the battlefield.

"Then... you can use this token, right?" Li Wu said.

He is an arcane archer, a hidden class that cannot be used. Hua Zitong, on the other hand, is a warrior charging on the front lines.

Giving her this token will allow it to reach its full potential.

Sure enough, Hua Zitong said without hesitation, "Yes, I'll use it."

Her eyes were filled with determination and longing.

Li Wu looked at the sparkle in her eyes and nodded.

"Okay, here you go." He didn't hesitate at all.

They are a team. If Hua Zitong becomes stronger, it means the whole team becomes stronger.

"Thank you, Li Wu." Hua Zitong looked at him, her eyes revealing a sincere gratitude.

She knew how valuable this token was. Li Wu's willingness to let her use it without hesitation warmed her heart more than any piece of equipment.

"There's no need for this between us," Li Wu waved his hand.

He looked at the token in Hua Zitong's hand and asked, "How do I change jobs? Can I just use it directly?"

"Hmm, let me see."

Hua Zitong tapped the token and carefully read the instructions for use.

A moment later, her brows furrowed slightly.

"What's wrong?" Li Wu noticed her unusual behavior.

"The job change quest is a bit special," Hua Zitong said slowly. "After using the token, I will be immediately teleported to a separate quest space to complete a series of trials. And..."

She paused, looked at Li Wu, and her eyes became somewhat complicated.

"Moreover, the mission description states that I can only go to this trial alone."

Only one person can go.

These six words instantly made the atmosphere between the two somewhat subtle.

Since entering the Realm of Origin, they have spent almost all their time together.

We ran dungeons together, fought bosses together, faced the Blood Wolf Guild's encirclement together, and were either adored or hated by players across the entire server.

They had long been accustomed to each other's presence, and to the battle mode where Hua Zitong would tank the damage in front while Li Wu could safely deal damage from behind.

They are the most compatible teammates and partners to whom you can completely entrust your back.

Now, however, they have to part ways.

Although it was only temporary, Li Wu still felt a sense of emptiness in her heart.

He glanced at Hua Zitong and noticed that her gaze was also somewhat complicated.

"How long will the mission last?" Li Wu broke the silence first.

"I don't know." Hua Zitong shook her head. "It's not written on it. However, this kind of unique hidden mission must be extremely difficult and definitely won't take short. It could take as little as three to five days, or as long as... ten days to half a month."

Ten days to half a month...

Li Wu frowned.

This is not good news for him.

Without Hua Zitong, a top-tier tank, drawing fire in front, his leveling efficiency as a fragile archer will be greatly reduced.

More importantly, he is now seen as a "mobile mythical item" by all players in the region, and countless people are hiding in the shadows, waiting for him to be alone.

That previous Shadow Killer incident served as a lesson.

Without Hua Zitong by his side, the danger would increase significantly if he acted alone.

"I know what you're worried about." Hua Zitong saw Li Wu's concerns, put away the token, and her expression became serious.

"Li Wu, you must be extremely careful while I'm gone."

She took out paper and pen from her backpack and quickly wrote something.

"These are some relatively safe leveling spots I remember between levels 22 and 30. These places have fast monster respawn rates, complex terrain, and are rarely visited by other players, which minimizes the chance of being discovered by them."

She handed the paper covered with writing to Li Wu.

Li Wu took it and found that it not only marked the place names and monster levels, but also drew detailed safe routes and the best positions to trap monsters at each leveling spot, with extreme detail.

"There's one more thing," Hua Zitong said, looking at the epic warhammer [Black Iron Warlord's Warhammer] that had been looted earlier. "Sell it."

"Sold?" Li Wu asked, somewhat surprised.

This is an epic weapon, priceless.

"Yes, I sold it." Hua Zitong's tone was firm. "This hammer, though top-tier, isn't suitable for me. After I change my class to [Slaughter Warrior], I'll need a weapon with faster attack speed and greater agility. Besides, what we lack most right now isn't equipment, it's money."

She looked at Li Wu with deep eyes.

"Li Wu, our goal is to establish our own guild and compete for the City Building Token. This requires massive financial support. The money we have right now isn't even enough for startup capital. This hammer is currently our only asset that can be quickly converted into cash."

"List it on the Ironforge auction house anonymously. With its epic quality, it should fetch at least several dozen gold coins. This money will be our guild's first pot of gold."

Li Wu felt a warmth in her heart after hearing Hua Zitong's arrangements.

This woman, though sometimes appearing cold, is always thinking about their future.

She was not only his teammate, but also his mentor.

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say." Li Wu nodded.

Everything that needed to be explained has been explained.

The time for parting has come.

"I'm leaving." Hua Zitong looked at Li Wu, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. "You... take care of yourself."

"Don't worry," Li Wu smiled. "Don't forget, I'm 'Seeing Through the Fog.' Many people want to kill me, but they'd better have the ability."

His tone was relaxed, but his eyes were full of confidence.

Being alone is indeed very dangerous.

But at the same time, this is also an opportunity.

An opportunity for him to become truly independent and no longer depend on anyone.

He longed to become stronger, not only for his mother and for the war ten years from now, but also so that one day he could truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the woman in front of him, instead of always being protected by her.

Hua Zitong smiled when she saw his confident demeanor.

Yes, she almost forgot.

The man in front of me is not a weakling who needs protection.

He is a true prodigy, capable of creating miracles.

Perhaps, I don't need to worry about him at all.

"Then, wait for me to come back."

Hua Zitong no longer hesitated. She took out the [Slaughter Job Change Token] and chose to use it.

hum-

A blood-red portal appeared out of thin air in front of her.

The portal exuded a chilling aura of killing intent.

Hua Zitong turned around, took one last look at Li Wu, and then resolutely stepped into the teleportation portal.

With a flash of blood, the portal and her figure vanished from the spot.

Silence returned to the surroundings.

Only Li Wu remained, standing quietly in place.

He stood there for a long time, staring in the direction where Hua Zitong had disappeared.

After a long while, he finally looked away and let out a long breath.

"Alright, from now on, it's my battle alone."

He opened the map and glanced at the first leveling spot that Hua Zitong had planned for him—the Swamp of Sorrows.

Then, he determined the direction, took a step, and resolutely walked alone towards that unknown area.

His silhouette, stretched long in the setting sun, appeared somewhat lonely.

But within that loneliness lies a powerful force.