A flicker of struggle passed through Zhao Hu's eyes.

He had been stuck at Level 7 for over a year. Without a Class Change Book, Level 10 was his ceiling.

But once he changed classes, even to the most ordinary Warrior, his basic attributes would receive a percentage boost, and he would have a chance to reach Level 19...

The temptation was too great.

But logic told him the risk was equally immense.

A Skeleton Centurion was a Level 11 elite monster. Although their team had three Level 6s, one Level 7, and one whose combat power approached Level 9 (the protagonist was comparable to Level 10 after leveling up, though Zhao Hu didn't know this),

facing a Level 11 elite monster plus over twenty ordinary Skeleton Soldiers, their chances of winning were 20% at most.

More importantly, this was deep within the Ancient Tomb; once the battle reached a stalemate, there would be nowhere to run.

Just as Zhao Hu was hesitating, Lin Feng spoke up.

"Brother Zhao, a 10% probability isn't worth our risk."

Zhao Hu looked at him.

Lin Feng continued, "But we can use this Skeleton Centurion for something else."

"Like what?"

"Leak the news to the Boss." Lin Feng's voice was calm, but the meaning behind his words made everyone's heart skip a beat.

"We'll say we found the entrance to an Ancient Tomb with a Skeleton Centurion inside that we can't defeat, and ask for backup. When the Boss brings his men down and gets into a fierce battle with the Skeleton Centurion..."

He didn't finish, but the implication was clear.

Stab them in the back and take out the Boss's gang amidst the chaos!

The tomb chamber was silent, save for the clicking sounds of skeletal frames rubbing together in the distance.

Jian Yan was the first to react. "Borrowing a knife to kill? Let the Skeleton Centurion wear down the Boss and his crew, and then we..."

"Reap the spoils." Shadow Snake interjected, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

Tie Dun scratched his head. "Will this... work? The Boss is Level 10, Hei Zhua is Level 8, Xi She is Level 8, and they have several Level 7s under them..."

"That's why we need a plan." Lin Feng looked at Zhao Hu. "And Brother Zhao, there's something I've never told everyone."

Everyone looked at him.

Lin Feng took a deep breath and decided to reveal some of his cards. Since they were going to work together to take down the Boss, there had to be enough trust within the team, and the foundation of trust was strength.

"I'm Level 5 now." Lin Feng paused. "But I changed classes on the very first day I awakened."

"What?!" Zhao Hu's pupils constricted.

A class change?! How could a newly awakened rookie have a Class Change Book? Those things were even rarer than Blue-grade equipment!

"My class is 'General'." Lin Feng didn't hide his class, but he kept the 'Eye of Probability' and the 'Unique' attribute a secret. "My core skill is 'Generals Majesty'. Its effect increases all my attributes by 50%, and the strength of all subordinates within a five-hundred-meter radius centered on me is increased by 10%."

He looked at the group. "If you are willing to become my subordinates, everyone's strength will increase by 10%. Taking Brother Zhao as an example, your strength is 9; after the bonus, it will be 9.9."

Silence fell over the tomb chamber once more.

This time, even the sound of breathing was almost inaudible.

A General class? A 50% boost to all attributes? And he can buff his soldiers' strength too?

This was practically a legendary rare class!

Jian Yan was the first to break the silence. "So... those unreasonable damage numbers from before weren't because you were hiding your level, but because of the General's bonuses?"

Lin Feng nodded. "When I was Level 1, my actual attributes were equivalent to a normal person at Level 5. Now at Level 5, my two main attributes are both over 10. My actual combat power... should not be inferior to the Boss."

Zhao Hu stared intently at Lin Feng, seemingly judging the truth of his words.

After a long while, he slowly let out a breath. "I believe you. If you really had ill intentions, you had plenty of opportunities to harm us in previous battles; there was no need to wait until now."

He paused and then asked, "Are there any restrictions or costs to being bound as a subordinate?"

"There are no side effects, and it can be undone at any time," Lin Feng said. "The only restriction is that my current command limit is 100, so I can bind a maximum of one hundred people."

"Furthermore, once bound, I can issue simple commands to you remotely, and you will be able to vaguely sense my position and status—this is to facilitate battlefield command."

"Sounds good." Tie Dun rubbed his hands together. "A 10% strength bonus... My strength at Level 6 is 8, so after the bonus, it'll be 8.8. That's almost Level 7!"

Shadow Snake was concise: "Bind me."

Jian Yan also nodded. "I agree."

Everyone looked at Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu was silent for a few seconds, then he smiled. It was the first time Lin Feng had seen him smile with such relief.

"Let's do it," he said. "the Boss's gang has been exploiting us for a long time. Instead of being ordered around like dogs forever, we might as well take a gamble. Lin Feng, you make the arrangements."

Lin Feng felt a sense of resolve.

He looked at everyone and said solemnly, "Then, please relax your minds and accept the binding."

He closed his eyes, sinking his consciousness into the core of the General class.

Detailed information about the 'Generals Majesty' skill appeared in his mind, including a sub-function: Appoint Subordinate.

He locked onto the auras of Zhao Hu, Tie Dun, Jian Yan, and Shadow Snake, and thought silently: "Appoint as subordinates."

Four nearly imperceptible golden threads extended from Lin Feng's chest and silently merged into the bodies of the four.

Instantly, Zhao Hu and the others felt a surge of warm power within them. Their muscles swelled slightly, and their grip on their weapons felt more powerful.

"Is this... the 10% strength bonus?" Tie Dun swung his hammer and said in surprise, "I feel like I could smash two more rocks!"

Zhao Hu felt the increased strength in his body, a sharp light flashing in his single eye. "It really works. I feel like... I can go toe-to-toe with a Level 8 now."

Jian Yan tried drawing his longbow and nodded. "The bowstring ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) is smoother; my fire rate should be about ten percent faster."

Shadow Snake didn't speak, but as she flicked her wrist, the sound of her short blade cutting through the air was indeed sharper.

"Alright, let's discuss the specific plan now." Lin Feng lowered his voice.

"Step one: the team will immediately evacuate the tomb, return to camp, and leak the news of the 'Skeleton Centurion discovery' to the Boss."

"Step two," Lin Feng continued, "once the Boss brings his men down, we follow behind. When they start fighting the Skeleton Centurion, we act as the opportunity arises."

"The primary target is the Boss, followed by Hei Zhua and Xi She. If the others can be won over, we'll take them; if not..."

He made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Step three: after cleaning up the Boss's gang, we'll finish off the weakened Skeleton Centurion. If a Class Change Book drops, it goes to Brother Zhao; if other items drop, they'll be distributed based on contribution."

The plan was simple and direct, but often the simplest plans are the most effective.

"One question," Shadow Snake said suddenly. "What if the Boss makes us take the lead?"

"Then we fight," Lin Feng said. "But we'll slack off and conserve our strength. Once the Boss and his men are worn down by the Skeleton Centurion, we'll turn on them."

Zhao Hu added, "Also, when we go down, our team shouldn't be completely separated. Lin Feng, you stay with me. Tie Dun, Jian Yan, and Shadow Snake will be in a group to support each other."

Everyone nodded.

"Then, let's move."

The team quickly exited the tomb chamber and returned to the surface along the corridor.

Before leaving, Lin Feng looked back at the tall Skeleton Centurion.

Dark red soul fires flickered slowly in the darkness, as if waiting for something.

The stone slab was replaced and covered with soil and withered grass to make it look as natural as possible.

"Let's go." Zhao Hu patted him on the shoulder.

The six of them walked back the way they came, heading out of the Stone Forest.

Night deepened, casting long shadows across the Stone Forest.