[Blade of Radiant Flame (Legendary) - 73]
For a few seconds, I said nothing as I examined the notification, surprised by both the smoothness of the absorption, and the fact that the skill had started half-developed.
"At least I can increase my estimation of Leona's intellect," I said absentmindedly. Now that the skill hadn't reset to zero proficiency, it was fair to assume that he knew about it, which made his decision to grant it to help me resist the other cities more reasonable.
However, his lack of warning added another question. Was such a thing common for the cities, at least for the ruling cadre? Neither Rosie nor Maria mentioned such a thing, but their general knowledge was limited at best.
I was happy with the results, though it was more about the external perception than the benefits. Since the skill had started at such a high point, I didn't need to start a complicated campaign of disinformation back when Eleanor had provided me with the necessary skills. I could show my new skill quite a bit before it started to get suspicious.
Naturally, that was not a reason to stop me from practicing. I went back to the town, using the gate that was there to step into the dungeon.
Only to be greeted by a different feeling. Something had changed in the dungeon. I closed my eyes, focusing on the sensation.
"Marvelous," I muttered a moment later. I could feel that the mana bleed had almost completely recovered, which couldn't be achieved by the small patch of forest I had raised on the fifth floor. It meant that reinforcing the third floor was even more beneficial than I had hoped for strengthening the dungeon, which in turn made it easier to resist the invasion from the breach.
I smiled. The results were satisfactory. Unlike what the rest of the world believed, having a force that consisted entirely of farmers was not some kind of burden, but a great opportunity.
Too bad that with the visitors I needed to meet, I didn't have time to return to the third floor and discuss improvement methods. Instead, I opened a portal to the fifth floor, my blade in hand, curious to see how far I could bring my new style while waiting for the arrival of the envoys.
Maybe two hundred was a possible target.
I stepped into the dimly lit swamp, near the breach, only to see another welcome detail. A great number of insects had gathered around the modified willow trees, basking under the aura of decay, their lineup stronger than usual.
If the aura they radiated had been changed, I might have questioned whether the benefits I detected came from here or the third floor. However, the general aura of decay that radiated from the trees was mostly unchanged.
It might change when the boss monsters appeared once more, but until then, the third-floor resettlement effort would be the major driver. With that, I turned, walking closer to the breach. The lizards might not be a threat with the numbers they were arriving at, but they made good targets.
Even before I arrived at my destination, I pulled my blade and focused on my skill. The idea of reaching the most damaging mana attack I could use was tempting, but I first focused on the general movement pattern, starting from the simplest blows and maneuvers.
And, my initial judgment was that it was impressive, though skewed. From the name, I expected a more offensive style, but what I found was more intense than I expected. It focused almost entirely on offensive, with little concern for personal protection.
As if the skill eschewed the very idea of being unable to take down the enemies it faced. Luckily, even with the Blade of Bulwark gone, I could still use what I learned from mastering it through the items I had forged to add more balance if necessary.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
I trusted my armor, but having options never hurt.
As I continued to use more complicated moves, I started to get a better idea of what the skill offered. Its offensive capabilities were skewed as well, putting a lesser focus on facing a single opponent than I expected, instead optimized for dealing with larger crowds.
I wasn't complaining. Considering my situation, such an encounter was very likely, whether against monsters or people.
Or the things in between, as I had learned acutely.
"Now, the next thing," I said as I let Vitality cover the sword, ready to test its next stage. Contrary to my expectations, there was no sudden burst of flame or even the sensation of warmth. Instead, what I could sense most was … punishment.
"It seems the name is more metaphorical than I expected," I said. I might have felt sad about the lack of flames that I might have used to base my attacks on, but I could sense something far more valuable.
I cast a mana barrier in front of me, only to destroy it with one smooth slash, with a move that I didn't even exert myself. So close to the breach, I had some excess metal lying around, which allowed me to create a few sheets of metal that I tested with the skill active and inactive, confirming that the feature I had detected wasn't limited to mana barriers, and applied physical barriers as well.
"Such a strong penetration capability," I muttered. "No wonder the technique is almost entirely focused on offense."
If the guard I faced earlier had the same ability, he would have put up a much more impressive battle, maybe to the point of forcing me to use mana.
I let the mana cover it. For once, it was not solid blue, but with a red tinge. "Is this why they call it radiant flame," I muttered as I examined the blade. If so, it was not as impressive as I expected, though that only applied to visuals. The subtle hum resonating along my arm promised intense devastation that I could feel before even swinging the blade.
Then, I swung the blade to create a dangerous attack, one that not only cut through the air with a hiss that promised devastation, but also gave me the first inkling of why it was called Blade of Radiant Flame. It left a faint red streak behind, one that reminded me of an out-of-control fire before it faded.
I swung it again, this time all that remained was a crackling dance of red light. "That's impressive," I said as I examined the effect. And, it was not just the vanity talking. The most recent battle had taught me the importance of morale, and as the acting leader, the more impressive my attacks were, the more reliable I would look.
"Time to test it against actual opponents," I said as I moved toward the breach, as close I could get without turning fearful of the results of collusion between the two dungeons.
The battle itself was not hard, as lizards ignored my presence, instead focusing on the army of insects that gathered around the decay trees, their bodies glistening with their fire aura.
I threw several 'weaker' attacks their way, each wreaking havoc. The difference between what I had designed based on Epic skills, and a proper skill on how to use mana on attacks was significant. Just the test attacks had been enough to show me that I had been taking significant shortcuts on their nature, brute forcing based on a conceptual attack.
Blade of Radiant Flame, on the other hand, balanced the mana perfectly between the concept of 'retribution' — which was the best thing I could identify it as for now — and the sword, just the sheer practice enough to open many new pathways.
However, understanding the general nature of it hadn't been too difficult, nor was it difficult to overwhelm both concepts at once.
[Blade of Radiant Flame (Legendary) 73 -> 95]
The resulting attack might have been wobblier than I expected as it disappeared through the dungeon gap, but it was enough to give me a huge jump. More than I expected, which was likely due to Wisdom helping me to trick the skill.
Developing a way to cheat through skill improvement had been proving to be an excellent decision.
"Too bad I only have half an hour remaining before I meet with the envoys," I said once I checked outside, and read the message Rosie had left at the entrance. In a day, I was confident to not only maximize the skill, but also develop some better mana attacks for my other weapons.
Maybe even a proper spell was possible.
"Let's see how far I can push myself," I said as I flicked my wrist, forging a wave of mana that left a simulacrum of flames behind as it destroyed every single lizard on its path, disappearing through the gap once again. Not for no reason, as once I attacked, I felt the energy from the other dungeon dimming slightly, giving me hope that those attacks were not wasted.
[Blade of Radiant Flame (Legendary) 95 -> 109]
An excellent opportunity to multitask.