Chapter 416: Skills and the wheel

Luke first helped Roxanne settle onto the bed, making sure she was comfortable before covering her with a thin sheet since it was a cold morning

Only when he was satisfied that she would rest peacefully did he turn his attention back to the system.

He had several questions about his newly acquired skills, and there was no reason for him to rush through it since neither there was any emergency nor the system was impatient.

So he began,

’What is First Blood?’

The name, along with the quest that had rewarded him with the skill, offered some clues about its function. However, a proper explanation would help him understand its limitations and how best to use it in battle.

A familiar notification appeared before him.

[Name: First Blood]

[Rank: A]

[Description: An ability that activates most of the time when the host lands the first blow in a battle. The skill enhances the strength behind the attack by two hundred percent, ensuring a devastating strike.]

[Note: The host’s intent plays a significant role in triggering the skill.]

Luke nodded as he read through the description. His first reaction was delight. An ability that could triple the power of his opening attack was undoubtedly valuable, especially against opponents who were stronger than him.

However, his enthusiasm was tempered by a more practical concern. He did not always fight enemies. Sometimes, he had to deal with people who deserved a beating but not a trip to the heaven. With this skill in his arsenal, even a casual punch could become far more dangerous than intended.

Fortunately, the system had mentioned that his intent played a significant role in activating the ability. As long as that condition remained under his control, he should be able to avoid any unfortunate accidents.

’An A-rank skill, huh? A properly focused Concentrated Burst, enhanced by two hundred percent, should be enough to shatter the resolve of almost anyone I fight.’

It was a useful ability, to say the least.

Satisfied with his discovery, Luke moved on to his next question.

’What is this new tab that has appeared in my stats? And while you’re at it, show me my current status.’

The system responded without delay.

[Level: 3]

[Strength: 60]

[Speed: 65]

[Defense: 70]

[Intelligence: 55]

[Gamma: 45400/45400]

[Gamma Points: 12000]

[To Level Up: 2000 GP]

[Evolving Gamma Pod: 0/20000 GP]

[Abilities]

* Echolocation: Level 2 | 60/200 EXP

* Concentrated Burst: Level 3 | 300/500 EXP

* Enhanced Perception: Level 3 | 160/400 EXP

* Shadow Walk: Level 2 | 100/200 EXP

* Death Scare: Level 1 | 90/100 EXP

* Ghost Walk: Level 1 → Level 2 | 20/200 EXP

[Current Class: Beast Tamer | Level 1 | 50/200 EXP]

[Class-Specific Skills]

1. Beast Assimilation: Level 1 | 20/300 EXP

[Note: At the current level, the host can assimilate with a beast bonded to the host for five minutes.]

[Note: Upon leveling up the class, the host will unlock additional features. Class experience can be gained by hunting and bonding with beasts.]

Luke studied the information carefully, his attention lingering on the newly added class tab. The Beast Tamer class had already given him access to an entirely new ability, and if the system’s explanation was anything to go by, this was only the beginning.

His thoughts returned to the overwhelming power he had experienced earlier, when his body had taken on that overpowering state.

’So, I can use that overwhelming form again, but only for five minutes? And what about the cooldown?’

The response came almost immediately.

[Host, your assimilation with the subject Astfall constitutes an S-grade connection. Considering the aftermath of the skill, the system recommends that the host only utilize this bond under the Moon. The resulting fatigue would be too severe for your current physical condition to handle under ordinary circumstances.]

Ouch.

Luke could hardly argue with that assessment. The power he had wielded during the transformation had been extraordinary, but even despite being under the two moons where his endurance had shot way high, he felt fatigued and too heavy to even move.

If anything, the system’s warning only reinforced how far beyond his current limits that form had pushed him.

[For safety purposes, the host may use this skill once per day. However, upon leveling up the class, the cooldown will be reduced.]

Luke nodded. "Nice."

All he needed to do was keep using his abilities. With enough experience, he would gradually understand their strengths, weaknesses, and the situations in which each would prove most useful. The system could provide him with the information, but learning to apply it in actual combat was a different matter altogether.

For now, there was another skill he wanted to examine.

’What is Memory Echo?’

A new notification appeared before him.

[Name: Memory Echo]

[Rank: S]

[Description: Allows the host to record a battle in real time and subsequently create a holographic projection of the opponent for sparring and training purposes.]

[Note: To record an Echo, the host must remain engaged with the opponent for a minimum of five minutes.]

[Note: The projection’s overall strength may differ from that of the original opponent. However, their techniques will be replicated perfectly.]

[Note: Each use costs 100 GP and lasts for thirty minutes.]

Luke crossed his arms, his interest piqued. An S-rank skill that allowed him to recreate his opponents for training was certainly worth investigating.

’So, I can create a projection of Astfall and train against him?’

[Indeed, host.]

Luke grinned.

This was even better than he had initially anticipated. In his current state, without the influence of the two moons, Astfall would be an enormous obstacle to overcome. The difference in their strength was simply too great for Luke to challenge him directly and expect to learn anything beyond how thoroughly he could get beaten.

But with Memory Echo, things were different.

He could face a projection of Astfall repeatedly, study his movements, familiarize himself with his techniques, and gradually improve his ability to respond to them. Even if the projection did not perfectly reproduce Astfall’s original strength, the fact that its techniques were faithfully replicated made it an invaluable training tool.

More importantly, he would be able to learn from an opponent whose abilities far exceeded his own without having to worry about getting himself killed in the process.

For a mere hundred GP, thirty minutes of training against such an opponent sounded like an absolute bargain.

He then turned his attention to another reward. ’What about the teleportation thing?’

Luke had been delighted when he first discovered the ability. The idea of transporting himself from one place to another in the blink of an eye had always fascinated him. There was something undeniably appealing about skipping the tedious journey between two destinations and simply appearing wherever he wanted to be.

The system soon provided an explanation.

[Upon conquering the first floor, the host may now revisit it without any restrictions and teleport to any region previously visited.]

Luke nodded in satisfaction. This was good news. He could return to the floors he had already explored and hunt down the monsters still lurking in their depths, gathering resources and gaining experience.

Of course, there was another reason he was looking forward to returning.

His thoughts drifted toward a certain female dragon queen.

He would definitely have to pay her a visit.

With that matter settled, Luke moved on to his next reward. ’What about the Shop Coupon?’

[The Shop Coupon allows the host to purchase any single item, regardless of its price or rank, free of charge. Each coupon can be used to obtain one unit of an item.]

Luke hummed thoughtfully. ’You’re sure it works on absolutely anything?’

He had recently explored a deeper section of the shop, and some of the items listed there were downright ridiculous.

There were weapons, tools, and potions whose prices were so outrageous that even considering a purchase felt like financial suicide.

Some of them were so powerful that he believed purchasing them could be worth it but again, someone so cautious about his spending couldn’t imagine himself spending ten or so thousand on anything.

If the coupon truly had no restrictions on price or rank, however, those absurd listings suddenly became a lot more interesting.

Luke’s eyes gleamed as he began considering his options. Before using the coupon, he would need to examine the shop carefully and determine which item offered the greatest advantage.

A careless choice could waste an opportunity that might not come again anytime soon, and he had no intention of making that mistake.

Maybe he would wait for a situation to raise where he could determine what to buy. Yup, he wasn’t going to be hasty with this one.

And now, time for the real deal.

For good luck charm, Luke decided to sit with Roxanne while holding her hand and then asked the system,

’Can I spin the wheel now?’

The familiar slowly spinning wheel of elements appeared before him, with a single one being blacked out.

Luke took a deep breath and finally, decided to give it a spin.

~~~

A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you have been enjoying the story so far please leave a review.

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