Chapter 22: True Brothers, the Unwitting Patsy?!-Mass Job Change: My Skills Are All Forbidden Spells with a Ten Thousand Times Boost(By the banks of the Ruoshui River, the wine cups drift along the gentle current.)

Although Lin Han’s expression remained calm, Manager Liu, with his many years of experience appraising treasures, could easily discern subtle shifts in demeanor. He knew at once: this gift had piqued Lin Han’s interest.

In essence, Liu was making a gamble. The aura Lin Han exuded was not particularly strong, but compared to their last encounter, it was much more solid. Now that Lin Han sought the Source of Calamity, it proved that his profession required it for advancement.

His preliminary judgment: a Priest.

If his speculation was correct, then this man was worthy of true attention. Since ancient times, he had never heard of a Priest successfully undergoing a second class advancement, and now it was likely that one stood before him. Moreover, if Lin Han still needed the Source of Calamity, he was clearly working toward a third advancement.

Such a person must be befriended!

Lin Han gladly accepted the offer. After a brief conversation, Manager Liu personally escorted Lin Han out of the trading market.

At this moment, Lin Han had no intention of heading to the trial grounds. Instead, he returned home. After a simple dinner, he went back to his room.

The phone rang. Seeing the caller, Lin Han smiled—it was his close friend Wang Qiang.

“Lin Han, how have you been?”

Hearing that familiar voice brought Lin Han comfort. Even during his darkest, most hopeless days, it was this brother who stayed by his side, offering solace. Even knowing Lin Han had become a Priest—a class seldom able to break past its limitations—Wang Qiang still reached out to him.

“I’m doing well. Why? Is something up?”

Wang Qiang replied with mock reproach, “What, I can’t call my brother just to chat if there’s nothing wrong?”

After a three-second pause, both of them burst out laughing. Wang Qiang continued, “Ever since that mysterious supreme power appeared, the entire Glimmermoon City is on lockdown. We’re all stuck at home with nothing to do.”

“Tell me about it! My family just bought me two skill books, but now I can’t even put them to use. With this situation, who knows when the imperial investigation team will arrive? The entrance exams are just around the corner. If I can't level up quickly and reach my second class advancement, I might not make it into a good school.”

Hearing Wang Qiang’s sigh, Lin Han said, “With your talent, do you really think you won’t get into a good school? If anyone should be worried, it’s me.”

“Don’t say that.” Wang Qiang realized he might have misspoken and hurriedly changed the subject. “Lin Han, my family got me two skill books. I think learning just one is enough for me. With the entrance exams coming up, why don’t I lend you one? You can return it when you’re able.”

Lin Han was touched, but still declined. “I’d better not. The skill books for a Card Master aren’t really suitable for a Priest like me. Plus, skill books aren’t cheap these days. I probably couldn’t pay you back.”

Wang Qiang seemed to ignore this and went on, “I don’t see why not. These two are pretty versatile—mage classes can use them just fine.”

“One’s called Thunderstride, probably a movement skill. The other’s called Call Lightning—general-purpose spells. Even for a healer class, they should be useful.”

“Who says healers can’t become strong?”

“Are you sure it’s Thunderstride and Call Lightning?” Lin Han asked, a bold idea suddenly forming in his mind.

Lying in bed, Wang Qiang double-checked, “Yeah, those are the names. My family picked them out from the trading market.”

So that’s how it was! Lin Han understood immediately. The poor fool had bought the very skill books Lin Han had just sold. He still remembered their effects clearly.

Wang Qiang, not grasping why Lin Han was asking, joked, “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me these are the ones you didn’t want.”

“No, no,” Lin Han replied hastily. Though he and Wang Qiang were close, some things could not be revealed. There were secrets too great to share; until he had the power to suppress all threats, even loved ones had to be kept in the dark.

“Are you sure you don’t want one? It really could help with the entrance exams,” Wang Qiang insisted, all for Lin Han’s sake.

“Really, I don’t need it,” Lin Han declined again. He’d met Wang Qiang’s mother before; if she found out Wang Qiang had lent him a skill book, she’d probably hunt him down like a monster in a dungeon.

Wang Qiang came from a family of Beast Tamers. Although this generation had some issues with inheriting the profession, it wasn’t a huge deal to them. Lin Han could just imagine Wang Qiang’s parents chasing after him with an army of little animals.

“Well, if you don’t want it, I’ll drop it,” Wang Qiang conceded, knowing Lin Han’s personality.

Suddenly, Lin Han thought of something, rolled over, and asked, “Wang Qiang, you don’t have much to do these days, right?”

Wang Qiang muttered, “With the city sealed and the beginner zones closed, I can only stay home and hope the imperial investigators arrive soon.”

“If you’re free, I just got an entry pass to a Silver-ranked dungeon inside the city. Want to team up and explore it with your brother?”

Wang Qiang agreed instinctively, but then he realized—Silver-ranked dungeon? “Wait, Lin Han, did you just say Silver-ranked?”

“That’s right.”

“Be honest, Lin Han—did some rich woman take you in? How did you get access to a Silver-ranked dungeon? That’s a place only the nobility can get into!”

“I never noticed before, but you really are the quiet type! Already found yourself a sponsor, huh? Got any connections for your brother? I wouldn’t mind some easy living myself—don’t just keep it all to yourself!”

Lin Han rolled his eyes and snapped, “Get lost! You think I’m that kind of guy? A friend gave me the pass, that’s all.”

“Oh? Since when do you have such high-ranking friends?”

“Why do you need to know everything?” Lin Han replied irritably. “I plan to level up tomorrow. Want to come? The invitation allows two people.”

“Of course I’ll go! I have to see how well your sugar mama’s been treating you!”

Wang Qiang’s voice grew louder, and moments later, Lin Han heard a woman’s voice yelling through the phone, “Wang Qiang, you little rascal! I worked myself to the bone raising you, and now you want a sugar mama? Can’t you show some respect for the family name?!”