Chapter 14: New Skills
Cruz felt a surge of happiness; he now possessed a solid skill and a weapon that exceeded his previous expectations. With the new bloodline skill, he felt empowered and capable of protecting himself more effectively.
As he collected his rewards, the air around him shifted, and he noticed the lingering shadows that seemed to pulse with energy. He could sense the dungeon responding to his actions, and deep inside, he felt a connection with the power of the Guardian he had defeated. This newfound strength invigorated him, filling him with purpose.
Rising to his feet, Cruz took a moment to gather his thoughts. He glanced at the path that lay ahead, uncertain but determined. The encounter had been harrowing, but he had emerged stronger. His heart raced with anticipation of what lay beyond this chamber.
Cruz stepped away from the Obsidian Pillar, the dark energy still lingering in the air. He could feel the dungeon shifting, as if it were aware of his presence. The faint glow of the shadows seemed to guide him, leading him toward the next challenge.
ills
Cruz, having clashed with the Guardian, felt the weight of the encounter in his bones. Both had fallen back from the initial exchange, eyeing each other for weaknesses. The Guardian wielded his spear with precision, no shield to defend but instead relying on his range and skill to keep Cruz at bay.
Breathing heavily, Cruz tightened his grip on his dagger. He knew his speed and agility were his greatest assets. As the Guardian prepared for another strike, Cruz focused on the subtle movements of his opponent's feet, reading the intentions behind each shift.
The Guardian lunged forward, the spear whistling through the air toward Cruz's chest. In an instant, Cruz sidestepped, pivoting on his heel. He used the Guardian's momentum against him, slipping into the spear's reach swiftly. His dagger flashed, scraping against the Guardian's armor, creating a sharp screech of metal on metal.
Caught off guard, the Guardian struggled to reposition his spear for another attack, but Cruz was already moving. His instincts kicked in, knowing he had to close the distance even further. With a quick feint to the right, he ducked low, sweeping his leg behind the Guardian's knee, disrupting his balance.
The Guardian stumbled, trying to stabilize himself, but it was too late. Cruz struck, his dagger slicing across the Guardian's arm, drawing blood. The pain made the Guardian falter, his grip on the spear loosening as Cruz pressed his advantage. The Guardian's eyes flared with rage, and it unleashed a howl that echoed through the dungeon, causing the very stones to tremble. Shadows coiled around it like living serpents, enhancing its power.
It finally used its final skill.
Guardian's Wrath
Skill Type: Offensive
Effect: Unleashes a series of rapid, brutal attacks that deal extra damage when the Guardian's health falls below 50%.
Cruz knew he had to end this battle quickly. With fierce determination, he activated Earth Sense, channeling his connection to the earth and his Quakehorn Bloodline. Suddenly, something clicked; his blood roared as he felt an ethereal energy surging through him. A vague silhouette of a colossal, bull-like creature made entirely of stone, metal, and crystal materialized in his mind. Its body was a towering monolith of raw, unyielding earth, with skin composed of jagged rock and veins of glowing magma coursing through its frame. Massive horns, resembling ancient mountain peaks, jutted from its head, covered in mineral deposits and precious gems. These horns pulsed with energy, capable of channeling devastating seismic forces.
Cruz envisioned the Titan's enormous hooves, each stomp capable of causing earthquakes that shook the ground for miles. Its eyes glowed with a deep, earthen light, and wherever it walked, mountains rose and landscapes crumbled.
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His eyes glowed golden, and a system prompt echoed in his mind:
Bloodline Skill Acquired: [Earthquake Stomp]
Rank: B
Type: AoE (Area of Effect)
Effect: Creates massive tremors that shake the earth over a large area (radius of 20 meters). The shockwaves knock enemies back and cause significant damage, especially to those with poor balance. The tremor destabilizes the terrain, causing cracks and fissures that may trap or hinder enemies.
Mana Cost: 30 Mana
Cooldown: 45 seconds.
The ground trembled beneath them as a shockwave erupted from Cruz's feet, rippling outward toward the Guardian. The shadowy creature staggered, momentarily losing its balance as the impact reverberated through the air. But it did nothing to quell the Guardian's rage. Now enraged, it bulldozed through the waves of Earthquake Stomp, its armor squeaking and screeching as fissures appeared all around it, almost burying Cruz.
Having learned from his previous battles, Cruz seized his chance. "Now!" he shouted to himself, rushing in for one final attack. He aimed for the Guardian's heart, channeling all his strength into the strike. The Guardian tried to parry, but without one of its arms, it proved futile.
Cruz swiftly maneuvered before the Earthquake Stomp ended and activated Descent of Primus. As time slowed to a crawl, everything—from the obsidian pillar to the wide fissures on the ground to the struggling shadowy Guardian—stood still. He ran, eyeing the Guardian closely, etching the dark, pristine armor and its figure, trying to grasp its spear for a throw.
With a burst of speed, Cruz thrust his dagger forward. The blade pierced through the armor, breaking the barrier between the material and the darkness swirling inside. The Guardian let out one last anguished roar before dissolving into a cascade of shadows.
As the last remnants of the Guardian vanished, the Obsidian Pillar pulsed with energy, and a chest materialized beside it. Cruz dropped to his knees, panting, the weight of the battle finally settling on him.
Quest Complete: Guardians of the Shadows
Rewards:
Shadow Essence (Material)Skill Book: Shadow Thrust (Spear Skill)Weapon: Obsidian Spear
Cruz stared at the spear in his hands, feeling its weight. It pulsed with the same dark energy as the dungeon, a powerful weapon that would serve him well in the battles to come.
Obsidian Spear (D-rank Spear)
Type: Spear
Item Description: "Forged from dark obsidian stone, this spear exudes a sinister energy. Though the surface is marred with cracks, it holds an undeniable power within. Its jagged edges glint with shadowy intent, and the weapon seems to hum with the resonance of forgotten battles. The Obsidian Spear's true potential lies dormant, awaiting the hands of a skilled warrior."
Stats:
Attack Power: 45-60 (unpredictable due to its fractured state)Durability: 40/70 (requires restoration to prevent further degradation)Shadow Pierce: 15% chance to ignore armor, striking directly at the enemy's vitality.Fading Strike: 10% chance to briefly phase the wielder into the shadows for 3 seconds, reducing enemy tracking.Weight: Medium (balanced for precision strikes).Cooldown: Fading Strike (30 seconds).Special: The spear can be reforged using rare shadow-infused materials, restoring it to its former glory and unlocking its true strength.
His mind raced with possibilities as he glanced at the Shadow Thrust Skill Book.
[Shadow Thrust (Skillbook)]
Skill Type: Offensive/Stealth
Rank: E
Description: A technique that harnesses the power of darkness to enhance the speed and lethality of thrusting attacks. The user momentarily becomes one with the shadows, allowing them to strike with increased precision and surprise.
Stun EffectEffect: Enemies struck by Shadow Thrust have a chance to become briefly stunned, losing their next turn or action.Chance: 10% chance.Duration: 1 second.Description: The suddenness of the attack disrupts the enemy's focus, giving the user an opportunity to follow up with another attack.Mana Cost: 15 MP per use.
Cruz felt a surge of happiness; he now possessed a solid skill and a weapon that exceeded his previous expectations. With the new bloodline skill, he felt empowered and capable of protecting himself more effectively.
As he collected his rewards, the air around him shifted, and he noticed the lingering shadows that seemed to pulse with energy. He could sense the dungeon responding to his actions, and deep inside, he felt a connection with the power of the Guardian he had defeated. This newfound strength invigorated him, filling him with purpose.
Rising to his feet, Cruz took a moment to gather his thoughts. He glanced at the path that lay ahead, uncertain but determined. The encounter had been harrowing, but he had emerged stronger. His heart raced with anticipation of what lay beyond this chamber.
Cruz stepped away from the Obsidian Pillar, the dark energy still lingering in the air. He could feel the dungeon shifting, as if it were aware of his presence. The faint glow of the shadows seemed to guide him, leading him toward the next challenge.