Attribute Farming System

'Forget that perverted bastard,' Knox clicked his tongue before returning his focus to the munchkin.

Sooner or later, all of his bad habits would be transferred over to the easily moldable mind of one Lily Serpentine—a young girl who, with the help of her new Big Bro, managed to escape the insane grasp of her mother.

And though the Big Bro in question didn't like his nickname one bit at first, over time, he learned to tolerate and even like it. Lily made use of the charismatic methods taught by said Big Bro to make this possible—using his own tactics against himself.

"Damn, I'm good," Knox whispered to himself, awed by his awesomeness. "Now, should I or should I not reveal myself to the common masses?"

Looking around at all the ravenous glares, he quickly made his decision.

"I think I'm good," he said as he turned around and walked the other way. "I'm sure these big boys and girls can live on without knowing of my greatness. It's better that way. After all, if they knew who I was, I'd have to kill them."

If Knox's true prowess somehow got leaked to the public, the red target on his back would certainly only become larger and redder. Which, for him, was a big no-no.

Would Batman or Superman ever reveal their identities?

No.

It just wasn't the way to go. Whether to protect loved ones or oneself, both led one down the same path.

"Can't have these losers reporting to the bigger losers that I'm a superior breed," Knox sighed. "They might get jealous and have one large circle-jerk to decide who gets the largest piece of me."

Briefly glancing at the spot between his legs, his sigh deepened. "Don't worry, little bro, I won't let them take you away from me."

While Knox was having a heartfelt moment with his ride-or-die, a pair of crazy eyes started sniffing around. As it belonged to none other than the Yandere Pinky, one could smell trouble from light-years away.

Noticing Cela out of the corner of his eye, Knox quickly jumped and rolled—performing a Dark Souls getaway.

Although he was stacked up on Camouflage Abilities and knew how low the chance was that his stalker would actually find him, one should never say never. Love knew no bounds. Insane b*tches knew even less.

'I don't know what sort of batshit crazy sorcery these vixens use, but I know that sniffer of hers defies all logic!' Knox thought while using an unsuspecting dude he mind-controlled as a shield. 'You, good fella, are a necessary sacrifice. If she catches me, I'm throwing you to the wolves first.'

Even while mind-controlled, the poor lad cried tears of blood. Pity his soul, for he would not leave with one if Crazy B*tchatron 2000 got her hands on him.

Fortunately, another familiar face—Yennefer—approached Cela. She brought her away from Knox, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Thank the lords above," Knox quietly praised, finally receiving a breather. "Since she likely doesn't believe I'm dead, I should be good for now. The Devilstar Secret Realm does, after all, not actually let anyone who dies inside actually die. They just get perfectly replicated and sent back to the outside world with a bit of soul damage. This was something we only just recently learned the truth of. On a side note, though, what is up with my stalker and fiancée? Why do they seem like they're best friends now?"

He entertained the idea that they bonded over his handsomeness, but that likely wasn't the case.

Or was it…?

"I suppose overcoming hardship through a battle to the death can change everything in an instant," Knox mused, long since having understood the reality of the matter. "I, too, felt something click inside me after my first life-and-death battle. However, for me, it was more of a passing sensation. The vast majority of my life has been a silent, uphill war, so one small battle—no matter how life-threatening—was no more than that—a small battle."

What was one battle in a war spanning hundreds of thousands of excruciating years?

"ANNOUNCING REWARDS!"

Suddenly appearing out of nowhere was the floating eyeball of the hour—the Six-Winged Seraphim's Eye. Its robotic voice rang loud and true, with hundreds of different-colored treasure troves materializing behind it.

"Rewards?" someone asked, his excitement bubbling. "The last Secret Realm I entered didn't have any rewards, but this one does. I really lucked out this time! I just wonder what I'll receive!"

[Trial Taker Ranked #73 on the List - Reward: Stinky Sock Worn by God]

BLURP!

A stinky, mildew-covered sock landed in the hands of the first person who spoke out. It hadn't even been in one of the multi-colored Treasure Troves, which spoke volumes about just how worthless of a reward it was.

There was no secret intent to comprehend. No epiphany to be had. Not even the slightest sliver of Innate Energy was left behind on the sock by the Unorthodox Devilstar.

It was just a plain ol' stinky sock. One that had been with the creator of the Secret Realm since time immemorial.

"...Why me…?"

"Ha!" someone laughed. "That's the only fitting reward for the trash who's ranked last on the Leaderboard! I bet even I'll obtain something better—!"

[Trial Taker Ranked #72 on the List - Reward: Heavily-Worn Old Boot of God]

BLURP!

Yet another Non-Treasure Trove receiver.

Yet another common item worth nothing!

The first guy burst out laughing. He swung around his moldy sock, mocking the second guy. "You spoke a big game but ended up getting garbage just like I did!"

"Mine's still better, you dumb f*cker!" the second guy spat back, doing his best to cope. "I hope you get cursed by that stinky sock!"

"And I hope that old boot finds its way up your arse! If you want my assistance in making that happen, just ask and you shall receive!!"

"Oh, yeah!?"

Excluding the squabbling of the two idiots, the rest of the Trial Takers received their rewards as well. The Six-Winged Seraphim's Eye went down the line—going from lowest to highest ranked.

For most, though, what they received as rewards wasn't considered anywhere close to being valuable. Those ranked in the 60s at least evolved from household items to pills and cultivation treasures.

But there was nothing among the lot that couldn't be obtained by the lowliest of disciples in their sects...