Beginner dungeon [11]
[14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow, CGA branch of Dyna Crest
In the dungeon, Evan encountered several slime bodies scattered on the ground.
He had just slain his seventh slime, a requirement for the semi-evolution of his sword.
"Okay, that's the seventh and final slime needed," I declared as the slime dissolved into fluid.
"It's time to finish this and enchant my sword," I announced, but before I could use my talent to plunder their stats, notifications of my kills filled the screen.
{You've killed 3 Slime Lv.2, 4 Slime Lv.1.}
{You have gained +70 Experience points.} [95/100 Exp]
I was on the verge of leveling up, but my MP was nearly depleted.
[9/110]
[You have obtained 10 Evo-enchant points from the hunt, stored in your talent.]
"Okay, so I got two points from the Level 2 slimes and one from the Level 1s, not bad. I might be able to enchant three options now," I mused as I approached the bodies to utilize my talent.
"Plunder," I commanded, and the strange energy reappeared, hovering over the corpses.
[Talent has detected multiple identical targets, please specify actions for the body hosts.]
"Huh, what can you do with them? Are you going to consume their bodies or something?" I inquired, curious about its capabilities.
[Talent can perform multiple actions with the carcasses of the Monster named Slime, including plundering, dismantling, and storing them in the provided storage.]
"Wow, can you explain how you acquired these abilities? Were they inherent or added later?" I inquired, puzzled by the information Talent had provided.
[Talent has identified that these abilities are integrated and require activation through specific skills such as <Butchering > and <Collecting >, which are necessary for the task at hand.]
"Why mention it if it doesn't matter to me... But never mind, once I acquire the skills, managing the corpses will become straightforward. Plus, it's fortunate I discovered this feature, or I might have overlooked it," I remarked, selecting the plundering option. The energy hovering above the bodies flowed into me after the task was completed.
[You have plundered seven bodies, gaining +2 Strength, +1 Agility, +1 Vitality, and +1 Endurance stat.]
[You have maxed out the stat points that can be plundered from lower-level slimes. Please target other monster types or higher-level monsters.]
I was about to question the low stats I received, but the system provided the explanation on its own.
"So, I need to hunt larger monsters now, huh? Well, that's fine. I believe I'm prepared for them too." I recalled the forest monkeys, yet I hadn't spotted them anywhere. Perhaps they were deeper in the forest.
"Alright, let's go, skeleton, and take down those foolish monkeys," I declared, only to notice the white dust where my skeleton companion had been, realizing it was no longer there.
"Oh....."
That was the only word I uttered as I walked away from the spot, silently planting a stick in the ground to mark where my first summon had perished.
'Skeleton, you will be missed...' I thought, brushing away my imaginary tears, as I moved on to continue his work.
I vow to conquer this dungeon, for both me and you, my skeleton friend.
As I ventured deeper into the dungeon, I glanced at my MP bar, which was disappointingly low at [14/110].
It was a sorry state for a mage to not have enough mana for a raid.
Absent was the mana potion, an item of great utility at this juncture. My thoughts turned to Lyre, who was likely making good use of such potions and probably advancing to the second stage or on the cusp of it.
Meanwhile, I was close to an upgrade, needing just 5 more experience points.
"Let's check my points," I murmured, pulling up my talent screen to review the points available for the upgrade.
Evo-enchant Points: 13 Points
"Time to select these three talents for the upgrade," I decided, as the familiar enchantment screen appeared before me.
[The talent has detected the basic Iron Sword as the target for enchantment or evolution. Please choose the aspect you wish to enhance:
1. [Sharpness and Attack Power]: 1 Evo enchant point
2. [Durability of the Sword]: 3 Evo-enchant point
3. [Grade of the Weapon]: 25 Evo-enchant point + Additional things.
4. [Add another effect.]: 8 Evo-enchant point + desired effect]
"I choose three: 1, 2, and 4. Let it continue," I declared as the first two processes began, my sword starting to be enveloped in a silver and purple hue.
[Please cast the desired effect you wish to attach to the item to initiate the fourth process.]
Upon hearing this, I prepared to activate the one ability I had not used until now.
Although my mage class grants me elemental damage, it requires a significant amount of mana for continuous use, which is currently not feasible. However, to defeat this creature, I need to attack with mana multiple times, which is impossible. So, instead, I am attempting to create a permanent chance of inflicting elemental damage.
I refer to my Elemental Manipulation ability, which has remained dormant until now. I have not used it, but I choose to wield it now, as it's now or never.
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<Ability: Elemental Manipulation (SSS Rank)>
Description:
The Elemental Manipulation ability is the pinnacle of elemental control, combining mastery over Fire, Earth, Lightning, and Ice into a single, seamless power. This ability allows the user to freely summon, shape, and wield these elements, either individually or in combination, to unleash devastating attacks, craft powerful defenses, and manipulate the environment with precision. Each element synergizes with the others, enabling unique hybrid techniques that amplify the user's versatility and destructive potential.
This ultimate control over multiple elements makes Elemental Manipulation a force that transcends ordinary elemental abilities, granting the user dominance in battle and unparalleled adaptability
Mastery:
Fire: F (0%)
Earth: F (0%)
Lightning: F (0%)
Ice: F (0%)
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{A/N: The pinnacle is referred to as such because the system, Nexus Prime, has deemed SSS ranks as the highest ranking. Please be patient as this will be resolved in the future.}
My ability, which doesn't consume much mana unless used excessively at a high level, proved to be perfect.
Initially, my attempts to use it failed, but drawing on my past life's experience with these elements, I managed to summon small flickers of flames in my hands. They grew larger by the minute, yet my mana expenditure remained low, not exceeding two points despite numerous tries.
I persisted and eventually succeeded in creating a tiny ball of flame. With intense concentration, I expanded it to the size of a thumb.
I placed it upon the sword, now enveloped in a silver and purple hue.
The flame was absorbed into the hue, and I received the notification I was hoping for:
[The required effect item, a portion of the flames created in nature, has been added to the blade's effects. Please wait a few minutes for the process to complete.]
Exhausted, I sighed and collapsed onto the ground, having overexerted myself with the ability.
It was challenging to use, more so than skills, which seem to act on their own once mastered.
I checked the mastery level of the fire element and was delighted to see some progress.
(Fire: F (1.23%))
The increase was small, but it was just the beginning. As mastery increases, proficiency gains will slow down.
I checked my mana, which had returned to fourteen points after I had spent five on manipulation. As time passed, it continued to increase, coinciding with the progress of my upgrade. A few minutes later, my MP had climbed to forty-six. The hue began to dissipate, revealing the weapon's normal appearance, except for the exceptional sharpness of the blade and its newfound strength. The hilt bore a flame-like color, as if some stones had absorbed the flames.
"Okay, it looks kind of flashy, but I can manage that. Let's check the effects of the enchantment," I said as I opened its screen, astonished by the effects.
This talent was incredibly powerful; it should not fall into the wrong hands, or it could cause serious problems.
"Yahoo, now that's a weapon that can help me breeze through this type of dungeon," I exclaimed, impressed by the overpowering enchantment.
-- To be continued --
I've uploaded the audio chapters of this book to YouTube, so feel free to search for them if you're interested in listening. Additionally, I'll be posting several chapters in batches as videos. Don't forget to check them out, as they can help you decide whether you prefer to experience the book by listening or reading.