Bobby leaned in close to the satellite images, his eyes tracing potential routes into the compound. He muttered to himself, considering each option and its risks. The fortifications were impressive, but there had to be a weak point somewhere.
Bobby blinked, surprised by the sudden interjection. What? He thought.
Bobby straightened up. He hadn't expected criticism of his skill choices, especially not now. What do you mean, 'too passive'? My skills have been working just fine.
Bobby crossed his arms, defensive. I've been doing alright so far. We've made it this far, haven't we?
Bobby glanced back at the satellite images, considering Rem's words. He had to admit, the idea of having a more active ability was appealing, especially when faced with such a daunting challenge.
Alright, he said. I'm listening. What kind of active skill did you have in mind?
Bobby nodded, seeing the logic in Rem's argument. He closed his eyes, focusing on his skill tree. As he scrolled through the options, he realised Rem was right - most of his chosen skills were passive or reactive.
You might be onto something, Bobby admitted. I've got a skill point to spend. Maybe it's time to branch out a bit.
Bobby called up his skills menu, his eyes scanning over the familiar abilities he'd gained. Spreading himself too thin at this stage could complicate matters later on, especially since he hadn't yet decided on a specialisation.
His gaze lingered on the Fire Manipulation skill. It had served him well so far, but he'd barely scratched the surface of its potential. Intrigued by the possibilities, Bobby delved deeper into the offensive fire skills available to him.
The menu expanded, revealing a list of active fire-based abilities. Bobby's eyes widened as he read through the descriptions, each one more intriguing than the last. There were skills for creating fireballs, generating walls of flame, and even shaping fire into various forms. One skill caught his attention:
Flame Surge
Channel a concentrated burst of fire from your hands, capable of striking multiple targets or focusing on a single foe for increased damage.
Bobby nodded to himself, seeing the potential in such a versatile ability. It would give him an offensive option he could use at will, rather than relying solely on his passive skills or external weapons, but if he was using it, it meant he was up close and personal.
What do you think about this one, Rem? Bobby asked.
Bobby agreed, already imagining scenarios where it could turn the tide in his favour. He could use it to create distractions, clear paths, or directly engage enemies if necessary.
As he continued to scroll through the list of skills, another fire based ability one caught his attention.
Fire Strike.
Create and launch a concentrated projectile of fire at a target. This skill allows the user to form a small, intense fireball and propel it with great accuracy.
As this skill levels up, damage, range, and projectile speed increase. Higher levels may unlock multiple projectiles or homing capabilities and the ability to combine with other ranged attacks increasing damage.
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
Bobby weighed his options, his eyes flicking between the descriptions of Flame Surge and Fire Strike. Both skills offered the offensive capabilities he needed, but each had its own unique advantages.
Flame Surge promised a continuous stream of fire, limited only by his mana supply. He could imagine the versatility of such an ability - a sustained assault that could be adjusted on the fly, perfect for dealing with multiple enemies or wearing down a tougher opponent. The thought of channelling a constant burst of flame from his hands sent a thrill of excitement through him.
Fire Strike offered a more precise, projectile-based attack. It was a one-and-done affair, each use costing a set amount of mana. But the potential to enhance other projectiles was very tempting. He glanced at his neutron blaster, considering the possibilities. Could he combine Fire Strike with his existing weaponry for devastating effect?
So, Bobby asked, seeking the dwarf's insight. Continuous stream or fiery projectiles?
Bobby looked back at the damage statistics for both skills. At level one, they were similar in terms of raw power. The difference lay in their application.
The continuous nature of Flame Surge is appealing. Being able to keep the pressure on could make a real difference in a tough fight.
Bobby frowned, torn between the two options. Both skills would boost his offensive capabilities.
He thought about the compound they were planning to infiltrate. The satellite images flashed in his mind - tight corridors, open courtyards, multiple levels. Each skill could shine in different scenarios.
In close quarters, Flame Surge could be devastating, Bobby reasoned. But if we need to create a distraction from afar, Fire Strike might be more useful.
Oh yeah, don’t I know it. He'd already experienced the dangers of mana burn once; he wasn't keen on repeating that experience, especially when he hadn’t fully recovered from it yet.
"Alright," Bobby said aloud, drawing Mic's attention. "I think I've found my next skill."
Mic looked up, his expression curious. "Oh? What've you decided on, then?"
"It's called Fire Strike," Bobby explained. "It lets me create and launch concentrated bursts of fire."
Mic's eyes widened, a mix of fascination and concern flickering across his expressive face. "Oh! That sounds, um, rather potent. How does it work?"
"It's pretty straightforward, I think. Though I don't know how I'm supposed to use it. But I can create a small, concentrated ball of fire and launch it at a target. Think of it like... a fiery bullet."
"Um, sure." Mic said.
Bobby focused on his mental interface, navigating to the skill selection menu and selected Fire Strike.
The moment he confirmed his choice, a searing pain exploded behind his eyes. Bobby gasped, clutching his head as the agony intensified. It felt as if someone had driven a white-hot poker into his brain, twisting and turning it with cruel precision.
Through the haze of pain, Bobby could sense something... changing. It was as if new pathways were being carved into his mind, neural connections rewiring themselves at an impossible speed. He gritted his teeth, fighting the urge to cry out as the knowledge of Fire Strike integrated itself into his consciousness.
Images flashed through his mind's eye: roaring flames, precise trajectories, the molecular structure of fire itself. Bobby felt as if he was simultaneously learning and remembering, the skill becoming an intrinsic part of him.
The pain peaked, threatening to overwhelm him. Just when Bobby thought he couldn't bear it any longer, the agony subsided. The intense pressure in his skull eased, leaving behind a dull throb and a strange sense of... completion.
As the pain faded, Bobby blinked, his vision clearing. He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers. Something felt different. Not physically, but on a deeper, almost instinctual level.
Bobby reached out with his mind, probing at the new skill. To his surprise, he found he now understood Fire Strike. He knew how to summon the fiery projectile, how to shape it, how to control its trajectory. The knowledge wasn't just theoretical; it felt as natural as breathing.
He raised his hand, focusing on the palm this time. With a mere thought, he felt a warm tingle as mana flowed through him. A small ball of fire flickered into existence just above his skin. Bobby stared at it in wonder, marvelling at how effortlessly he had created it.
The fireball hovered there, awaiting his command. Bobby knew he could launch it with another thought, sending it hurtling towards any target he chose.
With a small mental push, Bobby extinguished the flame. He took a moment to process what had just happened, still reeling from the intensity of the experience.
"That was... intense," he muttered, rubbing his temples where a ghost of the earlier pain still lingered. Bobby blinked a few times, trying to clear the last vestiges of discomfort from his mind. The experience had left him feeling both exhilarated and drained.
"Rem, is it normal to have such intense pain when selecting a skill? I don't remember feeling anything like that before," Bobby asked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"So, it's like building up a tolerance?" he said, while still massaging his temples.
"Oh, my! That's... that's quite something, isn't it?" Mic said.
Despite the lingering discomfort in his head, he was about to experiment further with his new skill when Mic's anxious fidgeting caught his attention, reminding him of their urgent mission.
"Well now. Regarding, um, my Sprocket..." Mic coughed, fiddling with a tool within reach. "I hate to, err, hurry you along, Bobby, but maybe we ought to return our focus to organising the rescue?"
"Of course, Mic. I'm sorry, I got caught up in the moment there. You're right. We need to focus on getting Sprocket back. That's the priority."
Mic waved off the apology, though his fingers continued to tap against his leg. "No, no, it's quite alright. I understand the excitement of new abilities. It's just..." He trailed off, his gaze drifting to the computer display.
"No, ignore me. You’ve got my full attention now."
"Thank you, Bobby. I appreciate your understanding." He turned back to the workbench, where various tools and components were scattered about. "I should be ready in about two hours. That should give us enough time to complete our plan and make any last-minute adjustments to our equipment."
Bobby moved closer to the workbench, examining the array of gadgets and gizmos Mic had been tinkering with. "Two hours, got it."
Without being asked, Mic launched into an explanation of the various devices he'd been working on, his earlier nervousness giving way to enthusiasm as he described each item's function. Bobby listened half heartedly as his mind drifted to the looming rescue attempt and ways they could pull it off. It would be dangerous, but they could could do it, they just needed a little bit of luck, and he had that in abundance at the moment. He just hoped it would be enough to bring Sprocket home.