An Awakened Shieldbearer slammed its shield towards Sol, who responded in kind with his own shield. As the two shields locked, Sol’s sword swung on the side and slashed the shoulder of the undead. It cleanly cut through the shoulder, and its entire arm fell off, leaving the Awakened Shieldbearer trying to defend with one arm. Unable to put much force behind its shield, Sol was able to kick it to the side, exposing the undead. Sol immediately put away his shield in his storage ring.
"[Flame Grasp]!"
Fire coursed through Sol’s left hand as it went and grabbed the undead’s throat. It didn’t feel any pain, but the fire rapidly burned through its neck, and with a hard grip, it snapped.
You have slain a Lv 61 Awakened Shieldbearer! Gained 72,000 Exp (320%)
’The evolved skill really makes using magic in fights much easier.’
Name: Sol
Race: Human
Talents: [Siphoner]
Level: 50
Exp: 980,450/1,500,000
HP: 1200
MP: 850
Str: 50 (+60)
Vit: 50 (+70)
Agi: 50 (+40)
Int: 50 (+35)
Wis: 50 (+35)
Talent Skills:
[Siphon] Lv 4, [Analysis] Lv 5
Passive Skills:
[Intermediate Swordsmanship] Lv 5, [Basic Trapmaking] Lv 9, [Muffled Movements] Lv EX, [Counter] Lv 1, [Shortened Cast] Lv MAX, [Agility Up] Lv 8, [Nature Sense] Lv 1, [Intermediate Throwing] Lv 1, [Intermediate Unarmed Mastery] Lv 1, [Gargantuan Strength] Lv 1, [Intermediate Bowmanship] Lv 6, [Intermediate Axemanship] Lv 7, [Iron Stomach] Lv 5, [Pursuit] Lv 1, [Endless Vitality] Lv 2, [Increased Mana Regeneration] Lv MAX, [Physical Resistance] Lv MAX, [Mana Perception] Lv 6, [Natural Armor] Lv MAX, [Wisdom Up] Lv 7, [Increased Health Regeneration] Lv 3, [Intelligence Up] Lv 7, [Basic Spearmanship] Lv 9, [Mana Efficiency] Lv 5, [Precise Coordination] Lv 6, [Basic Psychic Mastery] Lv 2, [Intermediate Shield Mastery] Lv 7, [Defiance] Lv MAX
Active Skill
[Cross Slash] Lv 3, [Ground Shrink] Lv 1, [Basic Wind Magic] Lv 6, [Intermediate Fire Magic] Lv 8, [Snap Punch] Lv 4, [Blurry Steps] Lv 1, [Harden] Lv 9, [Blast Arrow] Lv 7, [Concealment] Lv 9, [Death Cyclone] Lv 8, [Basic Water Magic] Lv 6, [Intermediate Earth Magic] Lv 1, [Earth Hammer] Lv 5, [Rock Throw] Lv 4, [Burrow] Lv MAX, [Fell Cleave] Lv 7, [Crippling Strike] Lv 8, [Destructive Charge] Lv 8, [Blinding Fury] Lv 2, [Meditation] Lv 2, [Telepathy] Lv 1, [Barricade] Lv 6, [Barrage] Lv 6
Being able to siphon 3 skills at a time made it much easier to increase all his skills evenly. A few skills had evolved as well with [Rage] becoming [Blinding Fury] and [Quick Cast] becoming [Shortened Cast].
[Blinding Fury] Lv 2: A blinding rage consumes the user, unlocking monstrous strength. Increases strength by 140%, but also lowers cognitive functions by 70%.
[Shortened Cast] Lv MAX: Able to chant the spell mentally before verbally speaking the activation phrase.
’I hope I’ll never have to use [Blinding Fury].’
The skill became much stronger, but so had its downsides. Sol had refrained from testing it out in fear that he would attack Amber. Before it evolved, it was hard enough to control himself that he was unable to cast spells or think of anything besides charging at the enemy.
On the bright side, [Shortened Cast] was an overall benefit to Sol. He no longer had to chant verbally, giving opponents a heads up that he was casting a spell, and could instead chant in his mind instead. It made it much easier to also use in the midst of battle as he found it difficult to cast while clashing blades.
Sol turned to Amber, who was not far away finishing off a Skeleton Hunter. It did not take long for Sol to see another message.
You have slain a Lv 61 Skeleton Hunter! Gained 72,000 Exp (320%)
[Intermediate Bowmanship] leveled up! (5->6)
Amber walked over and pointed at a nearby wall.
Sol’s gaze tracked where she was pointing and saw a black blob leaking from the walls.
"Oh, some dark essence, nice catch."
He walked over and took out a specialized container for the dark essence, which magically sucked in the black goo. Dark essence was a rather dangerous material, unsafe to even touch. The only reason it had high demand was that it was a catalyst in creating highly poisonous or corrupting weapons. Though useless in this dungeon as most enemies are immune to poison and corruption, it is overall extremely powerful against most living beings.
After collecting all the dark essence, the two proceeded deeper into the dungeon, aiming to get to the next floor as quickly as possible. With their current supplies, the plan was to somehow manage to get to the 5th floor, check if they were able to make it to the 10th floor, beat the boss, and unlock the teleport sigil. If they didn’t think it could be done, they would turn around and head back before they got stuck without food and water.
Water wasn’t as big of an issue as Sol knew multiple water spells that create drinkable water. The only problem could be the food which they had enough to last two weeks and while the first floor only took them a day it would only get harder from there.
While walking through the passages, Sol pondered to himself.
’Will I ever unlock a second talent?’
Sol had recently arrived at level 50 and was nearing the level range of when most people unlocked their third talent, and yet he hadn’t unlocked his second.
’Maybe this is my only talent? If it is, I can’t really complain.’
It allowed him to learn any skill he wanted with the only limit being that they don’t grow naturally. Even so, his skill leveled at a much faster rate than most so it wasn’t a problem. Still, the thought of him only having one talent made him demoralized, as it meant this was all there was.
Sol clenched his fist.
’No. I refuse to believe that. Just like how I kept training and leveling before I gained [Siphoner], I’ll keep going and eventually unlock another talent.’
Soft groans could be heard down the passage they were heading towards, a clear sign of an impending battle. Amber unsheathed her daggers and turned her gaze to Sol.
With the strong determination that there was still more to uncover Sol brandished his sword and shield ready to face the incoming undead. The four undead, two Awakened Gladiators, one Skeleton Hunter and Skeleton Mage saw the duo and roared.
Running ahead of Amber Sol raised his sword towards the group as he finished reciting a spell in his mind.
"[Explosion]!"