A Variety Of Skills

"Heaven's Grace"

- Exclusive skill

- Maximum upgrade of all abilities on leveling up

- Maximum Skill Point on leveling up

- Minimum prerequisites to acquire all Skills

- Minimum prerequisites to level up all Skills 

- Effective eternally, cannot be cancelled in any way

Undoubtedly, this was the skill applied to the current situation.

"Whether it's acquiring skills, getting maximum SP on leveling up, or upgrading my skill level with such ease, it's all due to this skill, huh?"

Was this… a trick? That was all Xi En could think of.

If this was what "Heaven's Grace" could do, what about "Supreme God's Blessing"? There was also the Sacred Sword whereby Xi En had already experienced its might.

Recalling the powerful surge of energy which flowed into him when he used the Sacred Sword, he believed that the sword was the main reason he could kill the feral bird in one strike.

If the Sacred Sword's status display was functional, then not only could this sword reduce the damage Xi En suffered and upgrade his skills, it could also raise his level. That was what the amazing surge of energy did.

Compared to these amazing abilities, the skills that Xi En acquired seemed mundane.

Now, he could clearly see the impact of these abilities.

"Perception of Enemy"

- Permanent skill

- Sense presence of enemies

"Physical Resistance"

- Permanent skill

- Reduces damage of a physical attack

"Deflect"

- Permanent skill

- Enhances ability to deflect

"Magic Resistance"

- Permanent skill

- Reduces damage of a magic attack

"Double Grip Sword"

- Permanent skill

- Improves techniques of double grip weapons such as a double grip sword

- Increased impact of damage 

"God of Military"

- Permanent skill

- Enables battling instincts according to Skill level upon entering battling state

- Maintains control of the battle situation

- Enhances battling instincts

- Enhances body control

These were the effects of the six skills which Xi En had acquired.

Each of them was practical and simple to understand. Xi En thought, 'This is exactly how it should be.'

In such an environment, any skill which elevated one's ability was extremely precious. Hence, Xi En upgraded all his six skills until they were at their maximum levels.

It would cost him 60 SP, but he thought that it was worth it since he clearly felt the greatly enhanced effects of these skills when their levels were raised.

For instance, "Perception of Enemy" now had a range of a thousand meters without the enhancement of the Sacred Sword. The "Double Grip Sword" gave him more techniques and strategies as well as a reduction in the damages he suffered.

The other skills went through similar upgrades with their effects elevated. Xi En envisaged that if he had to kill the bird again, he was confident enough to do it without the Sacred Sword's power. Nonetheless, it would be a challenge to kill the bird in the manner he had done so without the sword.

Xi En glanced at the feral bird's carcass which was, at present, exposed in the wild. In reflex, he shuddered as if he were experiencing a trauma trigger upon recalling the nauseating stench of blood.

"It's best if I leave now." 

Without any further delay, Xi En left hastily with his sword.

Half an hour later, there was a new monster which appeared, seemingly attracted by the scent of blood, as it heartily devoured the bird's remains.

…

So it seemed, Xi En had survived his first battle and challenge in his new life here in the alternate universe.

Feeling anxious, Xi En hastened to leave the forest as quickly as possible.

Realistically, one should know when to stay cautious and keep a low profile when it was required. Xi En did not want to waste his precious second life.

Hence, he grew wary after his encounter with the bird.

Had it been earlier, he would not have known what to do. Who knew if he would meet some monster or beast as he continued his trek in the forest? If he headed toward a vast open land, it was possible that he would be spotted and ambushed by the monsters which had acute vision.

Xi En would have been troubled and at a loss, but with the "Perception of Enemy" skill which would alert him of the monsters within range, he could stay out of their way.

Going by the skill's signals, Xi En managed to evade the monsters in the forest successfully. Unfortunately, he lost his way.

It was bound to happen.

"How can I not be lost when I'm just wandering around?"

Looking at the setting sun and the light of dusk, Xi En sat down by a tree and sighed bitterly.

"Looks like it's impossible for me to leave this forest today."

Xi En was not familiar with the terrain, let alone how to get out of the forest. He did not even know how vast the place was, so he could only wander in the forest like a lost soul.

It would be preposterous if he could actually find his way out at present.

"I won't stay lost in this forest, will I?"

He would die if that were the case. Even if he were not attacked or ambushed by monsters, he would starve to death.

"May as well die again. Maybe I'll get summoned by the Goddess again to live a third life…"

Xi En could not help thinking about it. It also reflected how helpless and desperate he was regarding his current situation.

"Can't I acquire skills like teleportation or flying?"

After indulging in his fantasy, Xi En patted the dust off himself and stood up. He was thinking of the worst, but he did not want to give up just yet. If he was going to give up, he should, at least, make his last stand.

"Let's think of how I'm going to spend the night in this forest."

He had to, at least, have a safe shelter. If he slept openly in the wilderness, all that would be left of him in the morning might be his skeleton.

"The sun's about to set. Better move quick."

Relying on the "Perception of Enemy" skill to track the monsters, Xi En kept his eyes on a few of them. With gritted teeth, he then decided on a direction.

What else could he have done? Other than trying his luck, it was honestly a challenge for Xi En who was unfamiliar with the place to find a resting spot. His only choice was to go where the monsters were idling.

"Some place where the monsters rest and stay put shouldn't be too bad, right?"

If he were trying out his luck, he might as well do it with a sense of purpose. Perhaps, he could accomplish his objective faster.

With such thoughts in mind, Xi En headed toward where the monsters were undisturbed.