Chapter 10: Enhancment

"So, you sorted it out yet" Nicolas inquired in a flippant tone.

"My status?" Alex replied, "Yeah, done and done"

"Thats good" Nicolas said, barely paying attention.

He sauntered across the forge to the neat assortment of weapons Alex had made. The crossbow seemed to catch his eye, and Nicolas picked it up and began to pretend to shoot imaginary monsters.

"Hey why did you make this sight so bad; I can not see shit out of this" Nicolas complained.

"Thank you for the positive feedback" Alex replied, his tone Dripping with sarcasm, "and to answer your question, I assumed something would appear, you know, when I enhanced it"

"And why are you so sure" Nicolas inquired, in an interrogatory tone, "you could have just ruined this weapon"

"Honestly it was just a pure gut feeling at first" Alex freely admitted, "but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense"

"I can not deal with your cryptic shit, tell me exactly what you mean"

Alex swiftly pulled out the Dagger he had made previously.

"This Dagger was made from the fang of a snake monster" Alex explained, pausing till Nicolas gave him a silent nod of, slightly annoyed, understanding, "so this made me think, why does it have access to a skill that specifically enhances slashing attacks?"

"And this is surprising, why, you barely know how that creature operates or fights, for all you know, it could utilize a load of slashing attacks"

"A snake, not likely, and on the fangs as well, I was under the assumption that most snakes would benefit more from a skill that enhances penetration, but, this doesn't mean I'm saying your thoughts are completely invalid, far from it, but the fact is that the system bestowed it a specifically slash enhancing skill"

"So let me guess" Nicolas said, in a slightly exacerbated tone, "Going of this flimsy evidence you believe the system gives skills based on the items shape and intended function, right?"

"Precisely, I mean it's still just a theory, so I don't know yet, that's why I'm gonna test it with this new batch, Afterall, it probably won't be that hard to confirm"

"True, besides, just means it will be a bit harder to aim, what is the worst that can happen?"

"So, you've taken liking to it I assume"

"I am built like a soggy crepe; it is only natural that I take the long ranged weapon"

"Fair, well, I'll tell you when I'm done"

"Sure"

There was a slight moment of awkwardness, as Nicolas turned to the door, then back to Alex as if he still had something, but when he tried to speak, he could not speak. Eventually he turned and left decisively.

As Alex watched him leave, he noted how quiet the forge was, unnaturally so, and he most certainly didn't like it. It had been years since he had done something other than solo play, even when it was required to work together, he would just do his own thing until needed.

Pushing his reminiscing to the back of his mind, he started to enhance the weapons.

When his hard thinking was done, and ten hours had passed, he finally reviewed his choices.

Unexpectedly, he found he had a few left-over parts, so he had managed to Cobble together one more weapon.

[Item name: Void circle

Grade: C

Quality: Acceptable

Classification: Weapon (Shuriken)

Attack: +15

Effect: Dex and Int +5

Materials used: Venomous void snake fang, Venomous void snake bone

A shuriken made by a budding artisan, it was made from the very last materials the artisan had in his first batch, it is not the best work, it is basically a metal ring with two blades stuck into it at opposite ends, though it is decently aerodynamic, so it does travel through the air quite quickly]

Admired his handywork, once more perusing through the skills he had chosen specifically for each item.

[Item name: Void chain

Awakened skills:

Venomous void snake muscle: Natural regeneration

Venomous void snake bone: Durability enhancement

Venomous void snakeskin: Spatial cammo]

[Item name: Void cradle

Awakened skill:

Venomous void snake veins: Spatial mana flow

Venomous void snake bone: Durability enhancement

Venomous void snakeskin: Spatial warp]

[Item name: Void spy glass

Awakened skills:

Venomous void snake eye: Void seer

Venomous void snake muscle: Void sprout

Venomous void snake bone: Spatial lock]

[Item name: Void hunter's armour (right)

Awakened skills:

Venomous void snakeskin: Venomous coating

Venomous void snake veins: Poison mana flow

Venomous void snake bone: Durability enhancement

Venomous void snake skull: Venomous miasma

Venomous void snake blood: Poisonous resistance]

[Item name: Void hunter's armour (left)

Awakened skills:

Venomous void snakeskin: Spatial slipstream

Venomous void snake veins: Spatial mana flow

Venomous void snake bone: Durability enhancement

Venomous void snake skull: Void devour

Venomous void snake blood: Void booster]

[Item name: Void hunter's boots

Awakened skills:

Venomous void snakeskin: Venomous dash

Venomous void snake bone: Durability enhancement

Venomous void snake crown scale: Spatial leap

Venomous void snake blood: Venomous ripple]

[Item name: Void patch

Awakened skills:

Venomous void snakeskin: Void fire

Venomous void snake bone: Venomous lock

Venomous void snake eye: Venomous seer

Venomous void snake veins: Void fire pathway

Stats boosted:

Cha: 5

Int: 5]

[Item name: Void gauntlet of venom (right)

Awakened skills:

Venomous void snakeskin: Venomous coating

Venomous void bone: Durability enhancement

Venomous void snake veins: Poison mana flow

Venomous void snake poison gland: Venomous straight

Venomous void snake crown scale: Spatial straight

Stats boosted:

Str: 10

Dex: 10]

[Item name: Void gauntlet of anti-venom

Awakened skills

Venomous void snakeskin: Spatial slipstream

Venomous void snake bone: Durability enhancement

Venomous void snake Veins: Poison mana flow

Venomous void snake anti-venom gland: Anti-venom shot

Venomous void snake crown scales: Spatial straight

Stats boosted:

Con: 10

Wis: 5

Int: 5]

[Item name: Void sniper

Awakened skills:

Venomous void snake muscle: Inertia enhancement

Venomous void snakeskin: Spatial dampener

Venomous void snake bone: Durability enhancement

Venomous void snake eye: Spatial calculation

Venomous void snake veins: Poison mana flow

Venomous void snake blood: Venomous casing

Stats boosted:

Dex: 15

Wis: 10

Int: 10]

[Item name: Void shot

Awakened skills:

Venomous void snake bone: Durability enhancement

Venomous void snake muscle: Natural regeneration

Venomous void snake blood: Spatial correction

Venomous void snake crown scale: Spatial ripper]

[Item name: Void circle

Awakened skill:

Venomous void snake fang: Spatial lacerations

Venomous void snake bone: Void skip]

[Skill name: Spatial cammo

Cost: 10mp per minute

effect: Camouflages the user, unlocks the 'Spatial recluse' attribute path

A skill that throws the user into another dimension while maintaining all of their senses in their dimension, though it sounds impressive, it has many glaring flaws, firstly while you are able to move, and as such change your position, you are blind in the other dimension, and the dimension is random, though you will appear in a safe location, it does not mean you won't walk into a dangerous one. You are also tangible in both dimensions, though invisible in both

"Catch me if you can" The great thief Arnold]

[Skill name: Spatial/Poison mana flow (passive)

Effect: Spatial/Poison type mana is amplified when passed through the user, unlocks the 'spatial mastery' and 'poison mastery' attribute path

An indispensable skill when spatial/poison magic is being cast, it amplifies the mana in the body, which in turn amplifies the effect of the spell. It is a simple yet powerful skill that all spatial/poison mages must obtain

"Master the flow, control it, and turn it into a cascade" Merlin the grand mage of all]

[Skill name: Spatial warp

Cost: 20mp per minute

Effect: allows the user to temporarily phase out of existence, unlocks the 'Dimensional hopper' attribute path

A skill that constantly shifts the user through dimensions to give the effect of intangibility, the skill is high risk high reward, to put it simply, while you become invulnerable for a few minutes, this is not recommended, while you can't be hit by the enemy, you can't damage the enemy either, usually leading to a standstill without allays, and even then, a smart opponent will just ignore you, another drawback is that due to the fact you are being flung through hundreds of dimensions a second, your body starts to deteriorate after a while, depending on your level.

"Do you have the endurance to keep up" Carlos, the defender of dimensions]

[Skill name: Void seer

Cost: 50 mp a minute

effect: allows you to peer through dimensions and see through "marks" that are placed in marked areas, unlocks the 'Void monitor' attribute path

A skill that has numerous advantages and very few disadvantages, it is a skill favoured by spys and informants due to its versatility in information collection, while it does not transfer sound, a skilled lip reader could still tell the contents of conversations, it can also be used to see threat sneaking up in other dimensions. The skill is able to connect to marks by creating two optical gates in close proximity to each other in a dimension that has a shorter distance than the users, this does mean it can be exploited by a skilled mage and turned into a two way optical gate

"We know" The eye of the emperor]

[Skill name: Void sprout

cost: 10 mp per use

Cool-down: 1 minute

Effect: Turns part of the user into living void wood, this void wood can be manipulated, unlocks the 'void tree' attribute path

The void wood produced by this skill can be shaped and moulded to the users will, however, when the user has chosen one shape, the skill is ended. Void wood has the properties of being both dense and light, while at the same time being springy and shock absorbent, the wood is susceptible to skills with the fire or time or attribute, the shape can't be split into two either

"One day, you shall blanket all in the shade of your leaves, but for now, grow and seek that height" Orlson the gardner of dimensions]

[Skill name: Spatial lock

Skill cost: 30 mp

Skill cool-down: 5 minutes

Effect: Locks a target in place for 1 minute, unlocks the 'spatial lock-down' attribute path

A skill that is favoured by tankers due to its high level of crowd control potential, though it is a single target skill, the skill catapults enemy's through many dimensions a second, locking them in place, while it is a good skill, it has many drawbacks, its first drawback is its single target nature, while against a single opponent it pays dividends to have this skill, against a group, it can only relive pressure for a minute, or set up one enemy for a killing blow, another drawback is that all of the backlash that comes from catapulting the target through dimensions is transferred to the user, the duration is also shortened on higher level opponents, lastly the enemy is intangible to all, as such this skill can't take advantage of the time the enemy is frozen to take them out

"Still think you can run?" verse the warden of dimensions]

[Skill name: Venomous coating

Cost: 30mp per second

Cool-down: 3 minutes

Effect: Coats the user in a layer of toxic mana that inflicts low-mid grade poisoned status on the enemy, unlocks the 'toxic tactician' attribute path

This skill allows the user to turn an enemy's attack against them, due to the high mana consumption of the the skill, it is best used as a counter rather than a prolonged defensive option, it does also announce itself a lot when it is used so any opponent with experience with the skill, or even just a bit of common sense, would know not to attack, and even if you did push this as an advantage, you would still run out of mana too quickly, it also only works on attacks connected to the attacker as the mana needs a path to travel down

"Fell right for it" Gabriel, the tactician of 100 poisoned plans]

[Skill name: Venomous miasma

Cost: 80mp

Cool-down: 1 minute

Effect: Releases a cloud of toxic smoke that inflicts the high-low grade poisoned status and deals continuous magical damage, unlocks the 'bio-weaponry' attribute path

A skill that is perfect for a dangerous situation, due to its wide range of affect and slight visual impairment effects it is a perfect skill for a tactical retreat, its only real downside is its pitiful damage output

"Breathe it in" lazirus of the tainted mist]

[Skill name: Poisonous resistance (passive)

Effect: The effect of poisons is decreased, unlocks the 'poisoned protection' attribute path

a simple skill, it does what it says and nothing more, it has no real quirks or weaknesses

"Does this tea taste funny to you?" Mithridates, the untainted king]

[Skill name: Spatial slipstream

Cost: 30mp per second

Cool-down: 3 minutes

Effect: Creates a spatial distortion around the user that slightly alters trajectories inside the distortion, unlocks the 'spatial distortion' attribute path

a skill that is both powerful and flawed, while almost all attacks are deflected it has two major weaknesses, firstly it only affects trajectory to a certain degree so if the attack hits dead-centre or close, while it won't hit on target, it will still hit the user, secondly, if the attack is too fast, then the trajectory won't be affected as greatly

"I'm fucking invincible" Altan, the three second warrior]

[Skill name: Void devour

Cost: 50mp per use

Cool-down: 5 minutes

Effect: Distorts space around a certain point, breaking it down and destroying everything in a 30cm radius of the skills activation, unlocks the 'spatial destruction' attribute path

A skill feared by many due to its high destructive capabilities and decent range, it is a skill with many short comings however, due to the time it takes to warm up the spell, the spells target is telegraphed a second before use, while in a low level battle this means nothing, in a high level battle, it makes the skill almost useless, it also weakens its effects on higher level enemies, meaning it'll lose more damage to a higher level than most skills would

"Scatter to the ends of the multiverse so I never have to look upon you again" Amhat the first spatial mage]

[Skill name: Void booster

Cost:-

Cool-down:-

Effect: temporarily moves the user into different dimension where time moves faster and back in a fraction of a second, unlocks the 'dimensional hopper' attribute path

A skill that is hard to use and has a lot of drawbacks, the main problem with this skill is the backlash from constantly hopping dimensions is amplified, meaning you will lose health quicker while using it, fortunately the skill will automatically turn off once you can't take anymore backlash, your perception also stays the same so many adventurers can't keep up with their boosted body

"Too fast" David, the dimensional runner]

[Skill name: Venomous dash

Cost: 30mp

Cool-down: 2 minutes

Effect: Propels the user forward, leaving a path of residual poison mana that deals damage and inflicts the low-mid grade poisoned status on the enemy, unlocks the 'toxic movement"

A decent and common skill that is used by many rangers and ranged attackers that specialise in poison, it has no real drawbacks apart from the fact that you can't change direction while the skill is active

"A tactical retreat brother, cover your escape" Robin, the tainted arrow, leader of the barbed arrow mercenaries]

[Skill name: Spatial leap

Cost: 40mp

Cool-down: 1 minute

Effect: Send the player to a dimension where distance is relatively shorter than ours and moves the player forward slightly before bringing the user back 30ft in front of the users original position, unlocks the 'dimensional hopper' attribute path

A skill that is easy to use, but hard to master, and easy to predict, one of its main drawbacks is that the distance is always the same and the direction is always where the user is looking, this means a smart opponent can predict the exit point, this means the skill is deeply flawed when against a smart opponent

"Behind you" Jacob, the spatial assassin]

[Skill name: Venomous ripple

Cost: 30mp

Cool-down: 1 minute

Effect: Sends out a wave of poison mana that deals moderate damage and inflicts the mid-low grade poisoned effect, unlocks the 'toxic tactician' attribute path

A skill that is great for large groups due to its wide range and status effect, it is simple and has no true drawbacks such as backlash or odd restrictions, the only odd part of the skill is that the mana travels along the ground, so can be dodged by simply jumping

"now men, jump" Gabriel the tactician of 100 poisoned plans]

[Skill name: Void fire

Cost: Varies

Cool-down:-

Effect: Allows the user to turn existing mp into void fire, which the user can manipulate to a certain degree, unlocks the 'void flame manipulator' attribute path

A skill that has puzzled magicians and scholars for years, since its discovery, it has been a widely debated what elemental classification this skill should be placed into, many argue it should be classified as fire as it displays the properties of a flame, many argue it should be classified as chaos due to the variety of different effects it can display, but the majority agree it should be seen as spatial as it draws its wide range of effects by taking on the properties of flames from alternate dimensions. A note able factor of the flame is its lilac coloration

"The flame of the void has puzzled me for many years, to this day we are still finding new properties, a truly fascinating discovery" Issac, the forefather of modern magic]

[Skill name: Venomous seer

Cost:-

Cool-down:-

Effect: Allows you to see through the eyes of enemies that are inflicted with a poison you created, Unlocks the "venomous monitor" attribute path

A skill that is quite situational, it is mostly used for recon or discovering enemy outposts or bases, many adventures will actively weaken, or bestow enhancing effects upon their poisons so the enemy is less likely to immediately cleanse the poison

"Now men, we wait to see what secrets we uncover" Robin, the tainted arrow, leader of the barbed arrow mercenaries]

[Skill name: Void fire pathway (passive)

Effect: Reduces cost of producing and manipulating void fire

A simple, yet effective skill, due to the odd niche this skill fills, it is quite the uncommon skill, though apart from that, it has no real notable features

"Still to this day do I discover new things about this mysterious flame, now, with this I could put it to more practical use" Issac, the forefather of modern magic]

[Skill name: Venomous straight

Cost: 5mp

Cool-down: 3 seconds

Effect: Encases the users fist in poison mana, boosting attack and giving attacks a slight chance to inflict the Mid-low grade poison effect, unlocks the 'Venomous boxing' attribute path

A simple and crude skill, the flat damage boost given is decent and the added bonus of poisoning is good, however due to its short range most shy away from the skill unless they are brawlers of some kind

"fight dirty, you can't beat em fighting like a pansy" bare-knuckle Joe]

[Skill name: Spatial straight

Cost: 5mp

Cool-down: 3 seconds

Effect: Encases the users fists in spatial mana, boosting attack and placing the spatial marked status on enemies, unlocks the 'spatial boxing' attribute path

A skill that benefits immensely from combos, when this skill connects with an opponent, a dimensional marker is placed on them, there is a slim chance that these dimensional markers are activated on a successful attack, once they are activated, the enemy is thrown through as many dimensions as there are markers on them in a fraction of a second, the backlash of hopping dimensions is amplified for every mark on the opponent

"Stay out of their range, dodge and weave, wait for a chance, and let them have it" Abdul the out-world boxer]

[Skill name: Anti-venom shot

Cost: 20mp

Cool-down: 1 minute

Effect: Fires a ball of medicine that is absorbed through the skin, the medicine restores a small amount of health and cures all poison below low-mid grade

A low cost healing spell that is indispensable on battle fields, due to biological warfare being an acceptable strategy, demand for status ailment curing spells are exceedingly important, as such, a low cost skill like this is seen as one of the minimum requirements to qualify for the field medics

"We need treatment, stat, this one won't last long" Redstart, the greatest medic of the war-torn fields]

[Skill name: Inertia enhancement (passive)

Effect: Projectiles fired by the user hit a constant velocity faster and maintain said velocity for longer

A skill that is simple and complex, due to this skill, firing straight a target it much simpler, but when it comes to shots that require angling, when a user is not proficient with this skill is likely to overshoot and miss entirely

"They shall not know of us till an arrow is in their head" the mist-eared elf's royal ranger unit]

[Skill name: Spatial dampener (Passive)

Effect: A certain percentage of sound the user makes is caught and transported to another dimension, unlocks the 'Spatial recluse' attribute path

A skill that has a myriad of uses, though mostly used for stealth, the skill is however odd in its usage, due to the fact that the sound is not replaced, but relocated can cause some issues, there was once a case where a user accidentally started a war against another dimension by accidentally cursing the supreme ruler of another dimension

"..." Godwin the silent]

[Skill name: Spatial calculations

Cost:-

Cool-down: 2 minutes

Effect: Uses alternate realities where the user has already fired the projectile to calculate the trajectory of the projectile, unlocks the 'dimensional analyst' attribute path

A skill prised by almost all rangers, while there are many other calculation skills, this has always remained the second most accurate and the easiest to use of all of them, its only real downside is it can't account for anomalies such as random chance or intervention from another being

"Keep steady, breath, aim, wait, and fire" Beatrix, the royal sniper of the empire]

[Skill name: Venomous casing

Cost: 5mp

Cool-down: 30 seconds

Effect: Coats a projectile fired by the user in poison mana and gives the status effect high-low grade poison upon hit, unlocks the 'venomous hunter' attribute path

A simplistic skill that is still useful, it is not at all complex but is perfect for drawn out battles of attrition or endurance hunting

"Walk companions, there is no rush, they shall tire themselves out eventually" Lily, the hunter of the tainted forest]

[Skill name: Spatial corrections (passive)

Effect: Any projectile shot by the user will switch in and out of dimensions with different gravity allowing the projectile to home in on a target slightly, unlocks the "spatial sniper' attribute path

A skill that slightly makes up for any skill gaps between snipers, this skill however, is not without its flaws, the one major flaw it has is that the trajectory is only affected slightly, the other major flaw is that constant dimensional hopping puts strain on projectiles, meaning over use of this skill on one projectile greatly lowers its durability

"Awww, you think covers going to help you" Beltal, hero of the equinox tribe]

[Skill name: Spatial ripper

Cost: 200mp

Cool-down: 30 minutes

Effect: Encases the user's weapon in spatial mana that forces a hit part of an opponent's boy through different dimensions and amplifies the backlash taken, vastly increasing the destructive power of the weapon, unlocks the 'spatial savage' attribute path

A crude and basic skill, it is quite a high-cost skill and has a long cool-down so it should be treated as an ace whenever possible, the skill works by creating an overflow of unstable spatial mana and forcing it into your opponent, this forces the properties of spatial mana on an opponent, more specifically its dimensional transference ability, forcing the opponents body through multiple dimensions and weakening their molecules due to the constant clash of the laws of physics of our dimensions, and those of another dimension

"For the equinox" Battle cry of the berserkers of the equinox clan]

[Skill name: Void skip

Cost: 40mp per hop

Cool-down: 3 minutes

Effect: Allows the user to transfer to another reality where time moves at a much slower pace and allows them to reappear in our reality after a time the user set before the skills activation, unlocks the 'dimensional hopper' attribute path

A skill that requires quite a lot of foresight and positioning, many treat this skill as a counter skill as it can be used as one very easily, however the skill can also be extended to items or projectiles the user has, by using it in this way, you can set up traps that are invisible to the enemy and can be activated at your leisure, the only hard part is making the enemy stand where you want them to

"It's all coming together" Jack, the tactician of the gap]

The time it had taken to decide, he had to take a few breaks in between, but he had chosen ones he liked.

"Hey Nicolas" he called "get your ass over here, I finished"

No response came, only silence.