Excited at the possibilities his innate ability presented him, he continued his practice in his room as he practiced the movement over and over, slowly getting more attuned to the skill. Time seemed to fly by as he was entranced by his training. His sword became steadier as his movement grew sharper and more confident.
*Ding*
*Ding*
*Ding*
*Ding*
Notifications rang out continuously as he continuously practiced the same movements over and over. Eventually, he snapped out of his trance and stood in a daze. He took a look at his notifications.
Basic Stats
Name: Lucian Villin
Class: ---
Profession: ---
Race: Human
Strength - [0.24][0.56]
Constitution - [0.24][0.48]
Endurance - [0.26][0.6]
Perception - [0.27][0.64]
Agility - [0.28][0.56]
Dexterity - [0.27][0.64]
Willpower- [0.21][0.63]
Intelligence - [0.15][0.53]
Soul - [0.4][0.8]
Health [28]
Stamina [19]
Physical Attack [30]
Magical Attack [34]
Mana [9] (NULL)
Critical Chance [0.14%]
Critical Dmg [1.5]
Health Regen [1.4/Min][0.023/sec]
Stamina Regen [9.6/min][0.16/sec]
Mana Regen [0.19/min][0.003/sec] (NULL)
Soul Essence [9]
Soul Essence Regen [4.6/min][0.08/sec]
Cultivation
Body -The Imperishable 6 Paths of the Hegemon (Unique)
Gifts
* Primal Muscle Activation (Rank SSS+) (Passive)
* Primordial Bone Burst (Rank SSS+) (Passive)
* Titanic Body (Rank SSSS) (Passive)
Soul - Grand Myriad Dao Soul (Unique)
Gifts
* Sense Amplification (Rank SS) (Passive)
* Sense Strengthening (Rank SS) (Passive)
* Soul Manipulation (Rank SSS+) (Passive)
Skills:
Universal Language LVL X
Phantom Body (Unique)(Unranked) LVL 6
Soul Cutting Edge (Unique)(Unranked) LVL 3
Aerial Steps (Unique)(Unranked) LVL 3
Blood Burst (Unique)(Unranked) LVL 2
Beginner Blade Mastery (Passive)(Rank G) LVL 10*
Quick Draw Stance (Stance)(Rank G) LVL 10*
Abilities: Evolving Slot 1 [Empty], Evolving Slot 2 [Empty], Slot 3 [Empty], Slot 4 [Empty]
Innate Ability - Creative Momentum
Creative Momentum - Creates a permanent compounding effect on Comprehension ability the more unique creations made. Stronger Creations will result in a larger increase in comprehension.
"Haha! Now, we got something going on here!" Lucian laughed as he saw the results of his practice session.
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Moving through the status, he realized [Quick Draw Stance] status was already at Level 10! Previously, at the same time, he would probably gain a single level, including the help of the experience he gained from killing beasts! With his Innate Ability active, his speed of gaining skills was more than 10x faster!
During that time, his [Beginner Blade Mastery] also grew to Level 10! He now had a total of a 2% increase in attack speed and power. It didn't seem like much currently; however, with his new Innate Ability, he could maximize its full potential to its limits!
Lucian, however, was always a realist. He knew this must have some form of drawback. It couldn't be possible to limitlessly increase skill levels without any repercussions like this. He quickly identified some of the limiters of his ability.
Firstly, as the skill level increased, it became increasingly more challenging to increase the skill level which he had already expected. The second limiter he found through experimenting with [Phantom Body].
He noticed that it was effortless to level up [Phantom Body] compared to [Quick Draw Stance]. This difference he attributed to its rank. The higher the skill rank, the harder it would be to level up. He would need to have more unique creations under his belt to effectively level the skill. The same trend was most likely duplicated in cultivation techniques and other abilities.
Looking at [Quick Draw Stance] and [Beginner Blade Mastery], he noticed the asterisk next to them. He first focused on Beginner Blade Mastery, but he felt an extreme rejection, leading him to retreat from it. It was almost like it had a mind of its own.
Lucian didn't pay too much attention to it. Focusing on [Quick Draw Stance], apart from what it did, it didn't show much change. It felt extremely solid and brimming with potential.
Lucian didn't know exactly when he started to feel his skills in such a way, but he noticed it started after he awakened his Innate Ability. Was it a side effect of increased comprehension? He didn't know.
Just as he was about to move on to the next item, he felt an instinctual feeling that he couldn't describe pulling him towards the skill again. It seemed to pull at his mental focus as it nudged towards [Aerial Steps]. It felt like the skill itself wanted to be combined with [Aerial Steps]. He put his focus on [Aerial Steps]. Curious about what was going on, he indulged the skill's request as crazy as it sounded, forcing them closer.
Suddenly a prompt appeared on the system.
[Caution]
[You are currently attempting to combine [Quick Draw Stance] and [Aerial Steps], Continue?]
"Ah, so they really are attempting to fuse?" Lucian realized as he examined the system screen. Did these skills really have a mind of their own? It didn't really feel like a mind but more of an instinct. He was still determining what that would represent. For now, though, he had the decision to make. Was it a good choice to combine the two? Would he lose [Aerial Steps] and [Quick Draw Stance] forever for something new?
Surprisingly, he found his answer soon after.
[Skill Synthesis will abolish [Aerial Steps] and replace it with a Subskill under Quick Draw Stance]
[You may choose [1] option]
[1. Quick-Step Draw (Unique)(Passive)(Rank G) - Stand in a fighting stance with a sheathed blade. Immediately accelerate at blinding speeds as you draw your sword, cutting all in your way. Allows users to Increase movement speed dramatically by 2x + (SL x 0.01)x Per Level. Increase attack speed and power by 0.1% Per Level for any attack when moving with a sheathed weapon.]
[2. Aerial Blades (Unique)(Unranked) - Imbue your legs with the power of the Quick Draw Stance. Increase movement speed dramatically.]
[3. Aerial Quick Draw (Unique)(Unranked) - Allows users to use Quick-Step Draw Mid-air. Increases Movement speed while in the air.]
Looking through the options, some of the skills were pretty useless. The only option that seemed most beneficial was the [Quick Step Draw]. He decided to pick that option.
The moment he chose, his body automatically got into a [Quick Draw Stance] without his control, only this time [Aerial Steps] were activated in tandem. Suddenly he launched himself through the patio smashing into the guard rail. A loud *THUMP* was heard throughout the area, startling nearby residents. Surprisingly, the guard rail didn't even suffer a dent.
Disoriented, Lucian rubbed his head and grimaced in pain as he sat on the ground, trying to get his bearings.
*Ding*
Hearing the system's notification, he checked to see what had Changed.
Universal Language LVL X
Phantom Body (Unique)(Unranked) LVL 4
Soul Cutting Edge (Unique)(Unranked) LVL 3
Blood Burst (Unique)(Unranked) LVL 2
Beginner Blade Mastery (Passive)(Rank G) LVL 10*
Quick Draw Stance (Stance)(Rank G) LVL 1
* Quick-Step Draw (Unique)(Passive)(Rank G)
Quick-Step Draw - Quick-Step Draw (Unique)(Passive)(Rank G) - Stand in a fighting stance with a sheathed blade. Immediately accelerate at blinding speeds as you draw your sword, cutting all in your way. Allows users to Increase movement speed dramatically by 2 + (SL x 0.01)x Per level. Increase attack speed and power by 0.1% Per Level for any attack when moving with a sheathed weapon.
Looking at his new skills, he couldn't help but smile wryly. If he had known this would happen, he would have found a bigger space to experiment. It seems like the [Quickdraw Stance] absorbed [Aerial Steps] to make [Quick Step Draw], which allowed him to dash similar to [Aerial Steps] however included the bonus of increased attack speed and power when using a blade.
Noticing the asterisk gone, he concluded it was to let him know his ability to combine the skills. The new skills seemed to have calmed down as they sat in patience.
Though a bit confused, Lucian didn't let that affect his mood.
With this new addition, his skill level went back to level 1. However, its potential bonuses were increased! Once he regained the levels, he would be sporting a 3% increase in total attack speed and power at level 10 instead of 2%. Lucian now knew it was possible to combine different skills together to make a whole new skill. Coupled with how fast Lucian acquired and leveled up new skills, it would be one of his primary forms of strength in the future.
Lucian soon began to prepare for his hunting trip. For his plans to come to fruition, he would need his own money to start. Ideally, learning a trade or profession would be ideal in helping him make some money; however, to pay for some immediate expenses, he would need to go hunting.
Lucian did have a stray thought of being too hardheaded. If the mayor himself treated him as a guest, why would he need money? However, Lucian banished that thought immediately. If he wanted to survive in this world, he would need to learn these trades either way. Whether he does it under the mayor’s protection or not didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
Besides, this way, he could also benefit from the extra experience his skills would gain and solidify his foundations at level 1
Lucian equipped his katana as he walked out to the exit of the hotel.
“Hey there, Lucian! Where are you out to?” he suddenly heard behind him.
Turning around, he identified the voice as Aerith’s. She wore a loose plain white dress and comfortable shoes as she sat in one of the comfy seats in the inner area of the hotel. Obviously, she was taking a load off her work.
With a smile, Lucian answered. “Hey, Aerith. I’m going for a walk out into the town.”
She gave him a weird look as she stared him up and down. “Dressed like that? With a backpack and a sword?” She questioned with a lopsided smile. She could smell his lie from across the building.
“Woo?” The fox, whom he decided to call Wooster from now on, wasn’t helping at all.
Knowing he’s been caught, Lucian raised his hands in surrender. “Fine, you got me. I’m going out hunting.”
“You know that’s far too dangerous for you at the moment! You haven’t even cultivated a body cultivation technique yet. You would die from a single swipe of an able beast!” She exclaimed as she quickly rushed up to his side. She seemed genuinely concerned for his safety.
“I should be fine. I have been in previous battles and survived.” Lucian responded respectfully.
“Oh, you have, have you. Have you ever been hit by a beast before?” She asked questionably with a mother-like aggression.
Lucian thought about her question. Thinking back, he had never really been hit by any beast he fought due to his great sensory and dodging ability. The only damage he really received was the damage he did to himself due to the strain of some of his techniques.
However, Lucian was confused about why she would bring that up. “Why does that matter?” Lucian asked.
Hearing this, she sighed almost regretfully. “It seems like you’ve been in too many difficult situations to realize how incredibly lucky you are. Know this; at your current level, a mere uncommon beast will kill you in a single swipe!”
“You must’ve heard from Giffard about how weak humans are, right? Then you should know that any beast will be able to kill you at the same level in a heartbeat. You might be proficient at dodging attacks, but there will be a time when you’ll need more than that to survive.”
“I cannot let you go in good conscience. Especially as the next Chosen”, She concluded as she blocked the exit. It seemed she was pretty adamant about stopping him.