Heading down the tunnel into the mysterious depths was an exhilarating experience for Sinclair this time. He was brimming with anticipation, eager to explore his new skills and prepare for the upcoming battle that awaited them. Practice was essential if he intended to wield these newfound abilities effectively.
"Hey Chewy and Leia, why don't each of you take a position and keep me informed if something approaches or sneaks up on us? I need to familiarize myself with these new skills and ensure I can use them proficiently before we encounter any threats. According to the map, we still have quite a distance to cover before reaching our first intersection," Sinclair communicated with his companions via their mental link, as he tried to get more used to silent communication.
Chewy acknowledged the order by turning slightly towards Sinclair and responding, "I'll take the lead and keep you updated if there are any changes."
"Lord, I don't know if you're aware of this, but Chewy and I are nearing level 25, and we should also be able to upgrade our race since we are linked to you," Leia informed him.
Sinclair had not been aware of this and raised his eyebrows in surprise. "That's fantastic, guys. Let me know when you reach that milestone, and we'll take a moment to facilitate your upgrade. I might not have all the tools they did, but we'll figure it out."
Sinclair smiled with pride as his companions assumed their positions. He cherished Chewy and Leia with every fiber of his being and was immensely proud of how they had steadfastly stood by his side through the tumultuous journey that had become his life.
Watching Chewy and Leia walk to their designated positions, Sinclair pulled up his screen and carefully examined each of the newly acquired skills, mumbling to himself about their various characteristics and potential applications. He also made mental notes of the skills he had chosen not to acquire, understanding that he could still learn them with dedicated effort in the future.
His first skill was straightforward. Ranged Weapons appeared to be more of a proficiency than a skill, functioning as a passive ability that improved his accuracy by 15% when using ranged weapons, which included bows, knives, hatchets, and javelins.
Next was Trap Detection, another passive ability. This skill heightened his awareness of potential traps, providing a 25% increase in his ability to spot them and a 10% boost in his proficiency for disarming them.
The skill First Aid had versatile applications. Sinclair could use it on himself to mitigate bleeding effects or accelerate his healing rate, though it didn't provide an immediate health boost like a healing potion. Additionally, it could be employed to assist others, serving as a valuable resource when he ran out of potions or someone urgently needed aid when a healer wasn't readily available.
For his Level 15 race choice, he had selected Savage Strike, a skill he had eagerly anticipated trying out. Upon reading its description, it appeared to be quite similar to Cleave, as it involved concentrating energy into the weapon's blade for release during an attack. Sinclair pondered whether similar skills were meant to fuse together automatically or if there was a process he had to activate, as he contemplated this, a small window popped up, prompting him to attempt to combine Cleave and Savage Strike. Notably, there was a synergy percentage displayed beneath the options, showing a promising 95%. Without hesitation, he decided to go for it and pressed "yes."
Savage Cleave (Rare) - Savage Cleave combines the raw power of Savage Strike with the fiery sweep of Cleave, creating a potent amalgamation of force and flame. When unleashed, this skill not only delivers a formidable blow but also bathes the trajectory of the weapon in scorching flames, making it a dual-threat to adversaries. A manifestation of both physical might and mana mastery, Savage Cleave is a testament to the wielder's combat prowess.
Sinclair had discovered a fascinating ability with his newfound skill fusion capabilities. By merely thinking about combining skills, he received a prompt to proceed. Moreover, he noticed that the skill retained its previous level of 17, which was an exciting development. With a smile, he decided to move on to the next new skill, planning to check for compatibility after gaining a better understanding of each skill's properties.
However, before proceeding further, Sinclair signaled to Chewy and Leia, warning them not to be startled by the upcoming noise. He targeted a nearby stalactite and triggered Savage Strike, swinging his weapon lazily at the stone. To his surprise, the stone didn't crack or split in two dramatically, as it might in an anime; instead, it vaporized into small chunks of sand and stone. Stone dust drifted lazily through the air as Sinclair stood there, observing the remnants of fire dissipating from his axe head. It was a remarkable display of his newfound power.
Sinclair turned his attention to the next skill on his list, Telekinesis. This particular skill intrigued him greatly, as it allowed him to manipulate objects with the power of his mind. The cost was manageable, at 10 mana per second, contingent upon the relative difficulty of the object. Sinclair noted that if the item possessed a stronger willpower than his, it could resist his efforts. Recognizing that his Intelligence and Willpower would play a pivotal role in mastering this skill, he decided to give it a try.
Walking down the tunnel, he spotted a small rock on the path, which he picked up. Concentrating on the stone in his palm, he activated the Telekinesis skill, intending to make the rock levitate. It shook at first, displaying his initial struggles, but with determination, it gradually lifted off his hand to hover in front of him as he continued walking. Sinclair split his focus, remaining vigilant to his surroundings to avoid tripping or coming to a halt. He studied the rock's movements, practicing to improve his control over it. After about 20 minutes of dedicated practice, he had mastered the skill to a considerable extent.
Treating the levitating rock like a drone became almost instinctual to him. He gained seven levels in the skill rapidly due to his prior knowledge and enhanced skill growth. Learning new forms of magic was an exciting experience for Sinclair. Additionally, he discovered that if he directed the telekinetic force away from himself, it would emit a loud whistle followed by an increasing whine until it impacted a wall, leaving a deep gouge. Sinclair made a mental note to inquire about obtaining some ball bearings that he could keep in a bag for potential use with this skill.
Sunder, Sinclair thought, was indeed an intriguing skill. Its very name carried a sense of power and destruction. What fascinated him most was its ability to exert control over the battlefield in front of him. When activated, Sunder could inflict stunning or slowing debuffs on anyone caught within its blast range. However, as he gazed skeptically around the confined cave system, he decided it might be wise to save the explosive power of this skill for the open outdoors, where there weren't millions of tons of rock hanging above him.
Sunder (Rare) - Sunder harnesses the wielder's innate strength and connection to the earth. With a powerful stomp, the user sends cascading shockwaves through the ground. These waves ripple outward, destabilizing and disorienting foes caught within their radius. But Sunder is more than a mere offensive move; its true strength lies in its tactical utility. Enemy formations are thrown into chaos, and their movements become sluggish, providing a strategic advantage on the battlefield.
Sinclair had reviewed all of his race skills and decided that he had a couple he wanted to look into fusing. However, before delving into that, he wanted to thoroughly explore his four new class skills. It was worth noting that he technically had five, including Visage of the Wolf, but he had used that one for so long that it didn't require a detailed review. The four new class skills he was eager to examine were Tempest, Blood Howl, Rapid Regeneration, and Soulforge Blessing.
Tempest (Epic) - The ability to harness inner fury and innate ferocity to achieve a dramatic increase in speed, turning the user into a whirlwind of swiftness and devastation. When activated, Tempest taps into anger, amplifying reflexes and agility to extraordinary levels. Movements become almost impossible to track as the user blurs through the battlefield, making them a formidable force in combat. Tempest empowers the user to close the distance between themselves and their foes swiftly, allowing them to engage or disengage from combat with unparalleled speed and precision. This skill is a game-changer, giving the user the edge they need to outmaneuver and overpower adversaries.
Upon examining Blood Howl, Sinclair immediately recognized its potential for synergy with Frenzy. He also considered the possibility of it working well with Focused Charge, given its mobility aspect. However, he would need to check the synergy percentage in a few minutes to confirm. Despite any unease he felt about the name, Sinclair had chosen Blood Howl because of its strong synergy with his existing abilities and its promising effects.
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Blood Howl (Legendary) - Blood Howl is a perilous skill that embodies both sacrifice and dominance. By releasing a haunting, blood-curdling howl, the user can manipulate the very psyche of foes within earshot. Enraged and ensnared by the chilling call, enemies become more vulnerable, shedding their defenses and attack potency. However, this comes at a cost, as the howl not only demands their attention but also siphons the user's life force. The true power of Blood Howl manifests when its user emerges victorious, reclaiming the sacrificed health.
Running through the specifics of the skill in his mind.
"Enraged Focus... Okay, so anyone affected by Blood Howl will focus solely on me, completely ignoring the others. That's 1 point to synergy with Wild Shout," he mused.
"Then there's Armor Degradation. If they're under the skill's effects, their armor is 30% less effective. That could be handy," he pondered, mentally picturing his enemies becoming more vulnerable.
"Attack Weakening... Their attack power drops by a quarter. This can level the playing field a bit," he reflected, considering the strategic advantages and that the only way he got experience now is he had to fight level 50 or above to get anything.
"But, the catch," he sighed, a bit apprehensively, "Life-Force Exchange. Blood Howl doesn't drain mana, but my health. Sacrificing 5%... It's a risky gamble. Though, if I manage to take down everyone affected, I get that health back. High risk, high reward."
He paused for a moment, contemplating the advantages and disadvantages of employing the skill in his upcoming confrontation. It was undeniably an astonishing ability, and he held hope that it might meld seamlessly with Wild Shout. There was no need for redundant skills that performed similar functions, he reasoned.
Turning his attention to the next skill, it seemed rather self-explanatory at first glance—a boost to his healing speed. However, as he accessed the skill's details, he discovered that it was more intricate than it initially appeared.
Rapid Regeneration (Mythic) - Rapid Regeneration is a unique skill that transcends typical healing techniques. While it accelerates the user's natural healing capabilities, its true marvel lies in the transformative healing it offers. Every wound mended, every cell regenerated undergoes a meticulous process of refinement. As injuries heal, the energy channeled for recovery is first cleansed and augmented through the user's meridians, ensuring that the healed tissues return stronger, more resilient, and more attuned to the user's inner energy than before.
Walking alone in the dimly lit tunnel, he began to mentally review the intricacies of Rapid Regeneration, talking softly to himself as he processed the information.
"Okay, let's break this down," he mused, glancing at his hands. "Firstly, 'Enhanced Healing'. My healing rate goes up by 15%. Basically, I patch up faster than usual." He flexed his hand, the memory of past skirmishes bringing a hint of a smile to his face.
He continued, "Next, we've got 'Body Refinement'. As I heal, the tissues that come back are somehow superior. They go through a refinement of sorts. So, over time, I'm essentially becoming harder to injure."
Pausing for a moment, he chuckled to himself, "Every scar, every wound, just another upgrade, huh?"
Taking another deep breath, he dived further into his internal analysis. "Lastly, there's 'Meridian Augmentation'. The energy channeled for healing passes through my meridians, getting an extra kick. It's not just about healing faster but also about beefing up my internal energy pathways. Kind of like giving a boost to a car's engine."
He sighed, a mix of amazement and contemplation. "This skill... every injury just sets the stage for a stronger comeback." It had to be the Meridian Augmentation that made the skill Mythic or else it would only have been rare or epic he mused to himself.
Taking a moment to let the realization sink in, he whispered, "It's all about the Meridian Augmentation, isn't it?" The intertwined relationship of rapid healing and energy flow held the key. "In any other scenario, the skill would probably be classified as rare, maybe epic at best. But that augmentation... that's what pushes it into the realm of mythic."
His steps took on a more confident rhythm. The newfound understanding of his own abilities not only provided him with tactical advantages but also gave him a deeper sense of self-awareness. As he ventured forward, the weight of the skill's potential rested heavily on his mind, shaping his approach to the challenges that lay ahead.
Examining his final skill, Soulforge Blessing, he had a solid grasp of its mechanics, especially since he had already put it to use. His plan was straightforward: he would continue bestowing the constitution boost upon Chewy and Leia daily until circumstances dictated otherwise. The thought of them being hardier and more resilient brought him immense relief, knowing that they would be better equipped to endure the challenges that lay ahead.
Soulforge Blessing (Legendary) - SoulForge Blessing is an ethereal skill rooted in the bond between the wielder and his companions. Emanating from connections forged in battle, trust, and shared experiences, this skill allows the user to share a portion of their prowess with their allies. By selecting a particular stat, the user can channel and bestow half of its potency onto their companions, creating a united front where everyone is elevated.
Sinclair excitedly shared the details of his Soulforge Blessing ability with Chewy and Leia through their mental link.
"Hey Chewy, Leia, listen to this," he began. "Soulforge Blessing comes with some fantastic features. As we already knew, it lets me share 50% of one of my stats with both of you. The best part is, it doesn't reduce my own stat; instead, it replicates half of it for your benefit."
"It is really nice to have this much extra health", Chewy commented.
Sinclair continued, "But wait, there's more! The shared stat boost remains active for a full 24 hours. During that time, you'll both enjoy the benefits of the increased stat."
Leia's virtual tail wagged with excitement, while Chewy nodded in agreement. He couldn't see them specifically but he could tell they were doing the actions somehow.
"And here's the icing on the cake," Sinclair added with a grin. "Every time I use SoulForge Blessing, it reinforces our bond, potentially making the benefits even stronger for future activations."
Chewy and Leia seemed to understand the significance of this. They were already close companions, and the idea of strengthening their connection excited them.
"But," Sinclair cautioned, "there's a catch. I can only change the chosen stat once every 24 hours. Once it's selected and shared, it goes on cooldown until a full day has passed."
The trio shared a moment of silent understanding, realizing the potential of this skill to make them even more formidable as a team. It was a newfound source of strength that they would undoubtedly use to their advantage in their adventures ahead.
"I am almost done then we can join back up. I want to see what skills I can fuse together." Sinclair spoke across their link one more time getting mental nudges of understanding.
Sinclair took a deep breath, his excitement palpable as he rubbed his hands together and stared at the wall of text that had become his skill list. The successful fusion of Cleave and Savage Strike had been a promising start. Now, he contemplated the combination of Pain Tolerance and Punching Bag, both aimed at toughening him up. He wondered if these two skills could be melded into something even more formidable. As he pondered, a prompt appeared, offering him the option to fuse the skills. This time, the synergy percentage was lower at only 55 percent, but without any penalties for failure, he decided to give it a try and selected "yes" just as he had done previously.
However, the next skill presented a challenge. It failed to combine, and no reason was provided. The option to fuse was now grayed out with a 24-hour cooldown timer next to it. Sinclair realized that he would have to wait a day before attempting that fusion again.
Frustration welled up within him as he checked his skill screen once more, noticing that some of his skills were grayed out, rendering him temporarily without their beneficial effects just before heading into another battle.
Sinclair couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret as he realized that there was indeed a penalty for failing a skill fusion. It would have been helpful to have known this beforehand, but he made a mental note to be more cautious in the future. With a sigh, he moved on to the next set of skills he wanted to investigate: Wild Shout and Blood Howl. These skills were quite similar in nature, and Sinclair hoped that the system would agree. The synergy between them was calculated at 93 percent.
Holding his breath, Sinclair initiated the fusion process and received a successful message a few moments later. Eager to see the result, he quickly accessed the new skill. It was noticeable that he only gained 10 levels in this merger, which made him wonder if the lower synergy had consumed more levels. This hypothesis seemed to make sense, especially when he considered the fusion of Pain Tolerance and Punching Bag, both of which had a combined total of 25 levels. Perhaps if he increased their levels further, they might successfully merge.
Primal Resonance (Legendary) - Merging the core elements of both Wild Shout and Blood Howl, Primal Resonance is an awe-inducing skill that blends strategic disruption with personal sacrifice. By tapping into their mana and life force simultaneously, the user releases a harmonic yet blood-chilling roar that shakes the very souls of foes. This roar not only captures the enemies' undivided attention but also weakens their defenses and attacking prowess. The magic behind this skill lies in its duality - while it renders opponents vulnerable, it also demands a toll on the caster. However, if used wisely and strategically, the health sacrificed is reclaimed upon the user's victory.
He had one more set to look at. Tempest and Frenzy. Frenzy was basically an action that happened when he triggered Tempest according to the descriptions. Both skills focus on enhancing speed – "Tempest" in terms of movement and agility, and "Frenzy" concerning attack speed. Using them in conjunction could make the user a blur on the battlefield, moving and attacking at rates that would be hard for enemies to predict or counter. Might as well see if they could combine.
Synergy was in the 90's again. Proceeding with the combination he was not dissatisfied with the results. He did lose 5 of the 15 levels in Frenzy but it looked worth it.
Hurricane Onslaught (Legendary) - Drawing upon the swiftness of Tempest and the attack prowess of Frenzy, Hurricane Onslaught transforms the user into a storm of martial might on the battlefield. This skill enhances both movement and attack speed, allowing the user to weave through enemies, landing rapid strikes with every motion. However, the tremendous speed boost significantly drains stamina, requiring the user to use this skill judiciously.
As he delved into the specifics of the Hurricane Onslaught skill, his internal dialogue flowed seamlessly. "Gale-force Movement gives me the agility and speed from Tempest. I could move with such finesse, effortlessly dancing around adversaries on the battlefield." His focus then shifted to the next attribute. "Lightning Strikes means my attack speed would triple, mirroring the power of Frenzy.
In the right situation, I could lay down a rapid succession of strikes before they even know what hit them." A hint of caution crept into his thoughts as he continued, "But there's a catch. The skill drains stamina at an alarming rate. I'd have to be cautious not to overexert myself. Using Hurricane Onslaught won't be as straightforward as it seems; it requires careful strategy to ensure I don't leave myself exposed."
Settling his shoulders and feeling more confident about his new skills and their potential, Sinclair called Chewy and Leia back to him. Together, they would proceed forward, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead. A turnoff was approaching in a quarter mile, and Sinclair wanted to ensure they were together for whatever awaited them. With determination in his heart, they moved forward, prepared to confront the monsters that awaited them in this underground labyrinth they called a mine.