The New Era [ I ]

It was late at night, and the men gathered around the campfire basked in the thrill of their recent victory. Flames crackled high, casting flickering light over faces both celebrating and lost in thought. Some of the men danced, others laughed and drank, their voices filling the air with a rare sense of triumph.

Nearby, Lucas and Viktor were in their usual heated debate over trivial matters, their words blending into the camp's lively noise.

Nyx sat slightly apart, his gaze fixed on a translucent blue panel only he could see. Despite the lively energy surrounding him, his mind was entirely consumed by an idea.

I've thought about this long enough, Nyx mused. If I create skills at the lowest cost, I can combine them, building their power without paying the usual price.

He was ready to test his theory. Generate four F-tier skills.

A new set of panels appeared before him.

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[ GENERATED SKILLS TIER F ]

[ POISON RESISTANCE ] [ TIER F ]

Grants a small amount of resistance to poisons.

[ HARDEN ] [ TIER F ]

Temporarily hardens the body with an earthen layer for brief protection.

[ BLOOD COAT ] [ TIER F ]

Veils the user in a thin layer of blood, slightly enhancing movement and lower detection for a short duration.

[ BODY ENHANCEMENT ] [ TIER F ]

Grants the user a 1.2x boost in physical capabilities.

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Nyx studied the skills. Each offered some utility, but nothing that excited him on its own. He whispered under his breath, "Combine."

A burst of light flashed across his vision, unnoticed by anyone around him, and when it dimmed, two new skills appeared.

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[ HARDENED RESISTANCE ] [ TIER E ]

Slightly increases resistance to negative status effects.

[ UNSEEN STRENGTH ] [ TIER E ]

Moderately enhances body strength with lowered detection, for a short period.

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"Interesting…" Nyx muttered, his eyes narrowing. Instead of spending a fortune on high-tier skills, I can combine low-cost skills and level them up for far less.

But his mind cautioned him against overconfidence. There has to be some kind of limitation, he thought shrewdly. Still, the possibilities are promising.

I'm sure I'll figure It out, one way or another Nyx thought

A Few Moments Later

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[ ASHEN BODY ] [ TIER C ]

Grant's the User Great Resistance to most negative Effects while Greatly Enhances body Capabilities

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Nyx felt a rare surge of satisfaction as he looked over the new skill. To test it, he picked up a broken glass shard beside him, drawing it carefully across his arm. Blood welled for a moment, only to be absorbed as the wound sealed in seconds.

Eight seconds for a minor injury. Not bad, he noted, pleased. I may have just discovered a hidden advantage.

He gazed at the faintly blood-tinted sky, another question forming. If there's no cap on combining skills, just how high does it go? What exactly is a 'Z'-tier skill?

As his gaze returned to the dwindling fire, his thoughts drifted to the faint countdown hovering on a distant panel in the sky, looming as a reminder.

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Uzbekistan

A scarlet dawn broke over the grisly scene of a battlefield. Towering atop a mound of monster corpses was a man of daunting size, dressed in a jet-black suit with the sleeves rolled back. A deep scar cut across his forehead, and a cigarette dangled from his lips as he surveyed the world with an unwavering, predatory gaze.

A smaller, leaner man with dark brown hair and a scar across his cheek approached the giant with deference, halting a respectful distance from the mound of bodies. This was Lenard, a trusted subordinate.

"Lenard," the towering man greeted him in a deep, commanding voice.

"Master Rou," Lenard responded, bowing his head. "I've secured the items you requested."

Rou gave a curt nod, exhaling a thick plume of smoke as he did. "Good," he rumbled, eyes fixed on the horizon.

With hesitation, Lenard ventured, "If I may ask a question, Master… have you no interest in the young ma—"

"Lenard." Rou's voice cut him off, sharp and unforgiving while gazing at a blue panels that only he can see.

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[ STATUS SCREEN ]

PLAYER : ROU XXXXXX

LEVEL : XX [ XXXXXX / XXXXXX]

TALENT : XXXXXX [ Z ]

SKILLS ---> XXXXX

 XXXXXXXXXX

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Lenard paled, quickly nodding. "Yes, Lord.Subordinate Understood," he murmured, his voice fading as he looked away.

Rou's gaze returned to the sky, where a blood-red countdown hovered ominously against the bleak backdrop.

[TIME UNTIL DISCHARGE: 10 HOURS 27 MINUTES]