As he worked, he delved deeper into the strange, metaphysical world that made up his runic mastery. It was hard to describe how exactly he saw the runes within himself, but it just made sense. It was something that he could never explain to another person, not without them being able to follow in his footsteps. Obviously, that would never happen.

The others trained to gain their own Advanced skills, and Jonathan slowly came closer to reaching the requisite level of understanding with his Runic Augmentation skills. He found that using it while he used Ephemeral Trifecta to increase his stamina and mana efficiency was the best way to rank it up. Using his Rune of Physicality, he was able to conceptually enhance the power of his stamina, which in turn increased the amount that he could draw upon.

His mastery slowly ticked up, but he eventually pushed against the boundaries of his knowledge. To reach Journeyman Rank, he would need to enhance another skill permanently.

Right now, his only skill like that was Void’s Grasp, which summoned a small black hole into reality. For his new skill, he wanted something more reliable, preferably something that would be easy to create.

He looked through his skill list, and eventually settled on Fists of the Hurricane. It was a skill that he rarely ended up noticing in battle, given that the effects were really only noticeable while used on those far weaker than oneself. Even then, it was little enough that he barely noticed it on top of his already monumental stats. He knew that it should have been better, but he had vastly outgrown it by now.

He gathered his power to himself, and began to punch the air before him, trying to see how exactly the skill interacted with his attacks. From what he could tell, it directed the natural energy from his stat enhanced punches towards a target rather than letting it spread out. It was useful, but because all it was using was air pressure, until his strength was enough to topple mountains by itself, there would be few noticeable effects.

However, that was all about to change. As he visualized the skill, he started to search through its skill matrix for resonance. A task that would have been impossible only a few months earlier was now well within reach, although he was leagues away from actually being able to create his own skills. That sort of mastery would be years, if not decades in the making. However, if he had it, he would be able to optimize his skills to the utmost, creating true masterpieces of runic construction.

Right now though, he had other concerns, and he sped up his search for resonance. Eventually, he found a spot where the Rune of Physicality seemed to naturally fit, and he slotted it in. Because of the relative simplicity of the skill, he was able to do so with little issue. He continued to punch the air all the while, pummeling his will into his fists and the world around him. Eventually, it all clicked, and he was met with two notifications.

You have upgraded a skill!

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Fists of the Hurricane: Epic-> Fists of the Maelstrom: Legendary

Your every move is that of a walking cataclysm. Bearing strength beyond the natural order, you devastate the world around you as you fight. This skill allows you to condense the excess energy of each strike into a focused blast of pressure to use against your enemies.

This notification was welcome, but it was not what he was waiting for.

You have reached Journeyman Rank 1 with Runic Augmentation!

To augment is to strengthen, and strengthening the very fabric of reality itself is the greatest form of this concept. Writing the rules of your skills anew upon the fabric of your soul, you transcend the boundaries placed upon you.

Bonuses: +15 to Intelligence, +10 to Wisdom

As soon as he read this, a new message appeared.

For reaching Journeyman Rank in three different Divinity type Pathway Skills, you may choose to combine them to create a skill better than the sum of its parts.

Combine?

Y/N

Jonathan closed his eyes, and savored the moment. This would be one of the most consequential decisions in his life. Then he opened them, and made his decision.

You have fused three Pathway Skills!

Runecrafting, Truesight and Runic Augmentation have combined to form Runecrafting Expertise! Level has been given based on relative mastery.

Runecrafting Expertise : Journeyman 2

(Advanced Pathway Skill)

The domain of a runecrafter goes beyond the simple manipulation and detection of runes. In combination, there is strength, and combining skills based on Divinity brings even greater power. You have discovered the truth behind your skills, and realized that they are best used combined.

Bonuses: +75 to Intelligence, +25 to Wisdom

You have access to a new skill!

Runic Overcharge: Mythical

You may supercharge any of your skills with Divinity and runic mastery, increasing their power dramatically. However, doing this too often will take a toll on your body and soul.

Accept?

Y/N

It was an easy decision, and Jonathan was soon the proud owner of yet another Mythical skill.

You have completed the first part of a quest chain!

Pathway of the Titans: Heroic

You have formed a combination Pathway skill, finding that in fusing the parts of you most integral to your path, you gain great power. Further this path for great rewards. Now the owner of three Advanced skills, you have taken a significant step upon this path of Pathways.

Current objectives: Fuse a total of twenty seven Pathway skills (9/27), Fuse a total of three Profound Pathway skills(0/3)

Rewards: Title Upgrade, access to next quest of the chain.

You have completed a subquest!

Rewards: Minor Enlightenment: Legendary(Skill), Prodigy of Fusion: Mythical(Title).

Minor Enlightenment: Legendary

This skill will provide you with an extra level of insight into the creation of Pathway skills, or any other discipline that requires a good deal of introspection.

Prodigy of Fusion: Mythical

You are unusually talented at finding the points of intersection between your skills, and this title represents that.

Bonuses: +10% ease to combination of Pathway skills

It seemed like a weak title, but as he progressed through the ranks of combination skills, it would prove its worth.