Chapter 430: New element

Holy.

Holy shit.

No, the first one was the name of his newly awakened attribute.

Holy energy.

From what Luke knew, it was generally associated with healers, an element that allowed its users to heal wounds and accelerate regeneration.

It wasn’t exactly the sort of ability that would turn the world upside down, nor would he go so far as to call it world-shattering, but it was certainly an interesting attribute to possess.

Depending on how far he could develop it, there was no telling how useful it might become.

For the first few seconds, Luke simply sat there, staring at the notification in silence. He had expected something interesting from his second elemental affinity, but a healing attribute hadn’t been among his first guesses. After allowing himself a moment to process the discovery, he turned his attention back to the System.

[Congratulations, you have awakened your second elemental affinity.]

[Element: Holy Magic]

[Element Grade: SS]

[Available Skills: Healing, Aiding Ground, Mother’s Touch, Guardian Arms]

Luke’s eyebrows rose at the grade, but before he could dwell on it, another notification appeared.

[Skill: Healing]

[Description: Allows the host to perform minor healing on himself and others. The host must utilize Gamma to achieve this effect. However, healing major wounds or regrowing lost limbs will require considerable effort and experience.]

[Current Progression: Level 1 | 0/300 EXP]

Luke hummed thoughtfully as he read through the description.

’Just as the name suggests, I guess. Not bad. Although, I have a feeling I could have achieved something similar through the evolution of my Gamma Pod.’

[No, host. Healing and regeneration would naturally become available to you upon reaching the third tier.]

"Oh? Then what does the second tier bring?"

[Augmentation and enhancement.]

Luke nodded in understanding. It wasn’t like he was trying his luck he just had forgotten everything the system had told him about the Gamma Pod tiers and the features they brought along. Well, regardless,

"Alright, continue."

The System conrinued.

[Skill: Aiding Ground]

[Description: A wide-area ability that creates a field around the host, enhancing the regenerative abilities and physical attributes of allied targets within its range.]

[Note: With each level gained, both the area of influence and the potency of the enhancement will increase.]

[Current Progression: Level 1 | 0/400 EXP]

[Note: At its current level, the host can affect up to four people within a radius of five meters. The enhancement increases their normal stats by 0.5x.]

Luke hummed, his expression turning thoughtful as he considered the implications.

’This could be quite useful.’

At the same time, he couldn’t help feeling that its current benefits were somewhat underwhelming. A fifty percent increase in his allies’ physical attributes sounded impressive on paper, but the limited range and the restriction to just four people meant he would have to be rather particular about when and on whom he used it.

The skill had potential, certainly, but its present capabilities left plenty of room for improvement.

’That’s why leveling it up will matter so much.’

Luke had always been accustomed to fighting alone. He preferred relying on his own abilities rather than placing his survival in someone else’s hands, and that approach had served him well enough so far.

However, he wasn’t naive enough to believe he would never need allies. There could come a day when he had to fight alongside others, whether against an enemy too powerful to handle alone or simply to protect the people who mattered to him.

In such circumstances, an ability capable of strengthening everyone around him could prove invaluable.

The regenerative boost alone might allow his companions to endure injuries that would otherwise take them out of a battle, while the enhancement to their physical attributes could give them the edge needed to survive a dangerous encounter.

So, yes, it was a good skill. A very good one, in fact.

It simply needed to grow alongside him.

[Skill: Mother’s Touch]

[Description: An ability that allows the host to connect with nature, elevating his perception beyond its normal limits.]

[Note: Host, this skill has a high affinity for fusion with your current Level 3 skill, Echolocation.]

[Note: The host may fuse the two skills to create a superior ability that combines the strengths of both.]

"..." Luke stared at the notifications, momentarily stunned.

This was the first time something like this had happened, but he certainly wasn’t going to complain. If anything, the prospect of combining two abilities into something stronger sounded interesting enough to say yes instantly.

He read through the description of Mother’s Touch once more before turning his attention to the System.

"Will this skill allow me to perceive things through nature itself? Something like a druid, perhaps?"

[Indeed, host. Furthermore, since your Echolocation skill operates on a similar principle, the two abilities possess a high degree of compatibility. Fusing them would allow you to create a superior skill that incorporates the advantages of both.]

[Permission to initiate fusion?]

Luke crossed his arms, his expression turning thoughtful. "Do you recommend it? Echolocation is a pretty vital skill for me, and I’d be furious if it were altered beyond recognition or erased altogether."

He had grown accustomed to relying on Echolocation, especially in situations where his ordinary senses weren’t enough. Losing such a useful ability for the sake of an uncertain upgrade would hardly be a worthwhile trade.

[The host can rest assured. The resulting skill will be far more useful than either ability used individually.]

Luke considered the response for a moment before nodding. The System had rarely given him a reason to doubt its recommendations, and if the two skills were genuinely compatible, there was little reason to pass up the opportunity.

"Alright, go ahead."

[Fusing <Mother’s Touch> and <Echolocation>...]

[Elements aligned...fusion is beginning....]

[Ding! Host, you have awakened your first fused spell.]

[Name: Worldsense]

[Description: A skill that allows the host to connect with nature in any of its forms and perceive the world through its perspective. Whether it be trees, roots, grass, insects, or even wind currents, the host can establish a bond with them and perceive their surroundings, granting him a level of awareness far beyond the limits of ordinary human perception.]

[Current Progression: Level 1 | 0/1000 EXP]

[Note: At the current level, the host can sense and connect with natural elements within a radius of 1,500 meters.]

Goddamn, talk about a real upgrade.

Luke couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer improvement. He had a few questions about how the skill worked, but rather than asking the system to explain everything, he decided to experiment with it himself.

’What do I need to do?’

[Just try connecting with the ground beneath you, Host.]

Luke followed the instructions and climbed down from his bed. He crouched, placed his fingertips against the floor, and slowly closed his eyes, concentrating on the sensation beneath his fingers.

Tip.

The delicate sound of a water droplet resonated in his ears, and for a brief moment, everything turned blank.

’Woah!’

Luke exclaimed as his perception suddenly expanded, revealing a world he had never experienced before.

His vision seemed to plunge toward the ground, bringing everything into focus from an incredibly low vantage point.

It was as though his consciousness had merged with the soil itself, allowing him to extend his awareness in every direction and explore his surroundings without moving his physical body.

The sensation was strange, almost disorienting at first. His perception spread too quickly, wandering through the surroundings without any conscious direction. For several seconds, he struggled to make sense of the unfamiliar information flooding his mind, but he gradually began to rein in the ability and gain some control over it.

’Let’s see...’

Taking a deep breath, Luke directed his awareness toward the door and extended it beyond his room. Naturally, there was no need to open it. His consciousness passed straight through the barrier, travelling along the ground as though the door had never existed.

Within moments, he reached the dining area, where he found Lex and Dalia chatting casually.

And the best part?

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Not like I’ll get more toras hunting as things are now."

Luke’s eyes widened.

He could hear them clearly!

Luke grinned ear to ear. This was awesome.

’Even if the limit is around one and a half kilometers, it’s enough for an instant scouting and spying.’ if he could fuse with air itself he would always have an agent to spy on people or the place he would be heading to.

The perfect weapon for a cautious guy like him.

Now, for the last skill.

[Name: Guardian’s Arms]

[Description: A barrier spell that creates a dense formation of magic around a specific target and could last long based on the Gamma provided into chanting it.]

Luke nodded, his lips curling.

Nice. He got another measure to keep his family protected when he would be gone.

Sitting back on the bed, he leaned back and sighed under his breath.

"Now, I can truly prepare for a good long adventure."

~~~

A/N:- I will start the new arc in about two or three Chapters.