My first Refined skill

Even with my staff in hand, my leveling speed hasn't increased. It was not that my power was insufficient rather the monsters were. Most of the monsters at these levels move in groups. If I can't eliminate all of them at the same time, they would invite their allies, which would be rather troublesome.

The main issue was that I had only a single target attack skill, which is my class skill. It means that I can only attack a single target at a time. This would hinder me when there are multiple enemies. I had to kill one by one, and that would give the other monsters a chance to call for reinforcements.

Even with my high attributes for my level, I am not invincible against multiple opponents. I can only stand against them a bit longer than others, but eventually, I too will fall if I face too many enemies at the same time.

So it was decided. What I need is a Group attack skill. There are two types of group attack skills. One is an AOE skill, which can target an area and the other one is a Multiple-Target attack skill, which targets enemies directly but there would be more than one target. Either of these skills can help me level up faster when faced with more than one enemy at a time.

AOE skill might appear cool but it's too flashy and it was something one shouldn't use in an enemy territory. I am now in the enemy territory, so to speak. Moreover, an AOE skill would have the best outcome when used against a monster tide or enemy nation armies, not when there are two or three enemies.

What I should do is find a way to get a skill that can attack more than one target but wouldn't affect the area around, but how?

Should I go out and find a monster that has group attack skills? or should I create my own refined skills?

Creating an entirely new skill is not easy but for a refined skill, there would be something as a reference. The question that remains is whether I should use Shadow Bolt, my class skill as my reference and create a refined skill from it or should I find some other skill for this.

I can find other skills easily. I earned a lot of magic cores in the past few days, mostly belong to the goblins, but some belong to slimes and other low-level monsters. They have a few skills I believe, should I absorb them and get those new skills.

No, it would be counter-intuitive for my growth. I should improve the skills that I already have and only when they reach a decent level should I try to get new skills or when I am in need. If I learn unnecessary skills before they are needed, then they are considered waste.

It doesn't matter if you have a lot of skills or a few skills. Without enough magic power, they are considered worthless.

Anyway, it's decided. I should create a refined skill based on Shadow Bolt. Let's see how long it will take for me to make that happen.

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Three Weeks Later...

Success!

It was a success. I finally was able to create my first refined skill which was based on my class skill. Though it took three weeks of my time, it was worth it. This was because, the skill would be mine and no one would have this skill unless they have a Copy Skill or Enlightenment Skill, which could put me in jeopardy.

Hmm, I should create something to make sure that doesn't happen. There are many novels where MC gets Copy Talent and he could copy every talent or skill of others. If by chance I encounter such a person, then they would get the benefits without the work.

This I can't let happen. At least the Englihtment Skill would pave the way to easily grasp everything but it wouldn't outright give everything without any work from the MC. It is a very big bug. Sure, if I get that skill, I will be happy and will copy every skill out there.

You may think I am a hypocrite and you would be right. Everyone is so and anyone who claims that they aren't are the biggest hypocrites.

Anyway, let's check what else changed.

"Status"

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Name: Magnus Frostwolf

Age: 14

Titles: Son of Viscount

Class: Draconic Warlock

Affinity: Shadow, Blood

Bloodline: Black Dragon (1% Purity)

Physique: Devourer Physique (EX)

Talent: Ritualistic Summoning (EX)

Rank: Tier-0

Level: 15

Health Points (HP): 1767

Strength (STR): 319

Endurance (END): 372

Dexterity (DEX): 65

Agility (AGI): 314

Magic Power (MP): 2850

Class Skills: Shadow Bolt;

Refined Skills: Shadow Bolt Volley Lv. 1;

Skills: Evade Lvl. 3; Dodge Lvl. 4; Sprint Lvl. 2; Alertness Lvl. 2;

Resistances: Physical Resistance Lvl. 4; Light Resistance Lvl. 3; Poison Resistance Lvl. 2;

Weapon Arts: Intermediate Staff Arts Lvl. 3

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In addition to having the Multi-target attack skill, Shadow Bolt Volley, my Evade and Sprint skills improved by a level. For now, my new skill can only hit two targets at a time but that was at level 1. It would improve as time goes on, so no need to worry about that.

Within the next month, I should not just improve my levels but also my skills, with an emphasis on improving the skills. Levels can be easily improved by skills that aren't easy to improve. So the main direction of hunting in the forest is to improve them.

Facing dangers would always improve skills faster than training in a safe environment. I guess, I can hope that my skills would at least reach level 10. Shadow Bolt Volley would most likely be at a higher level than the other skills, that I can be sure of.

Since there aren't many threats for me here, most of my skills are not improving faster. I should do something about that soon.

With the improved way of hunting and improving faster, I believe I have everything for the Ritual. It's time to check what my talent can do and how it can help me become stronger.