Introduction To Skills (Part 4)

They closed their eyes, trying to feel their immediate environment. Their minds were cleared, and even the slightest sound could be heard. But it was not enough to defeat a level 3 Goblin.

It moved swiftly, making no sound as if it was a feather with little mass. Not even the knocks of its foot on the ground made a single sound.

In a matter of seconds, the horrific beasts suddenly appeared in their faces. Its fangs had been exposed and canines emerged. Its mouth foamed as it tried attacking them.

If their training had taught them something, it was being quick. After retreating many times in the past, they had grown accustomed to the nature of evading on instinct.

The area became even darker. At this point, not even a lit object could shine. Vision was completely overruled, with the slightest missteps spelling doom.

They made sure to maintain composure, trying their best to feel their surroundings. After a brief pause, the Goblin paced towards them once again. This time, with an even stronger will to devour.

It thrust, and veins and arteries pulsed out from its leg. It seemed to be undergoing an unusual metamorphosis. Its body parts were now displaced, and silence settled in once more.

THUD!

The Goblin landed, dispersing dust into the air. The eerie and thickened atmosphere had worsened upon the appearance of dust. Their eyes watered, and they choked as the dust increased with every passing moment.

Immediately, a kick was dished out to Akira. A kick from the Goblin, that was powerful enough to disembowel him. Akira fell to the ground, phased by the immense pain he received, but luckily he didn't get disemboweled.

Akira had gained resistance due to the continuous training he had undergone, but the kick was strong enough to cause him extreme harm.

"Are you okay, Akira?" Minato spoke, trying to locate him in the darkness.

Masuyo stood, unshaken with a strong resolve to obtain the skill and defeat the Goblin. Despite the numerous attacks the Goblin made to her friends, she let no emotion overtake her.

Not even the slightest movement in her eyelids could be captured, and then within a few minutes, her eyes abruptly opened.

"What is this I sense."

Akira and Minato felt a sudden change of environment. The thick atmosphere loosened and the darkness was lifted gradually. They looked around - still unable to see - trying to find the source of the power that countered the Goblin.

[New skill attained!]

[Sensory Attack activated]

[Skill description]

[Sensory Attack: Gives the ability to attack, with the aid of only one sense in the body. If all senses are free and open, the fighting skill of the user will be heightened]

"That didn't seem like it came from mine," Akira thought while standing up from the dusty rug he lay on.

He dusted his body, as there was a momentary pause in the attacks of the Goblin. He stretched his hand, rubbed his abdomen, and proceeded to check his stats.

[Stats]

[HP: 52]

[Strength: 15]

[Fatigue: 61]

[Protection: None]

[Level: 1]

[Achievements: Shadow Realm Pass (Beginners), Ultimate Destruction]

[Skill: Stats (Activated), Destroy (Activated)]

[Talent: None]

"If that wasn't me, and Minato is right next to me then...."

A piercing sound emerged from his side. A gust of wind passed through and a large thud was heard. Masuyo, who was meters away from the Goblin suddenly appeared in front of it and landed a heavy blow on it.

"Is that you Masuyo? How'd you get the skill?" Akira asked but wasn't given a response.

He was perplexed, while also being vexed that he wasn't the initial candidate to be chosen by the skill. He was ashamed of himself, that he gave little effort and as a result, was outshone by his mate.

He stood firm, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes unafraid of the Goblin he was facing. Minato had also felt the sudden change and decided to follow Akira's lead, paving the way for his future.

With no second to spare, both apprentices tried desperately to obtain it, but their attempts failed. They couldn't understand the reason they had not been able to gain the skill. But with eternal resolve, they continued.

The fight between Masuyo and the Goblin kept on, while they practiced trying to obtain the skill as Masuyo had done.

It was at a moment, when Masuyo was weakened, and Akira and Minato's weak points were exposed, that the Goblin struck.

Cunningly, it landed a powerful blow on them, that was enough to kill them when their health bar was full.

[Stats]

[HP: 00]

[Strength: 15]

[Fatigue: 89]

[Protection: None]

[Level: 1]

[Achievements: Shadow Realm Pass (Beginners), Ultimate Destruction]

[Skill: Stats (Activated), Destroy (Activated)]

[Talent: None]

He had seen his stats, and he knew his fate. He looked beside him, and he could sense Minato's heartbeat slowing down. The floor vibrated with every step the Goblin took, and he could hear the groans of Masuyo.

"Wait how could I feel and hear all these."

"Now, that I am about to face my demise, is it when I finally unlocked the skill?"

"Well, I guess this world is not for untalented individuals like me."

Those were his final thoughts, and he laid his eyes to rest.

Beep!

[System Initiated! Recovery Mode Activated!]

[Hello Akira, you have returned to the real world. A wielder of the 'Stats' skill can not face death unless both 'Fatigue' and 'HP' bars have been filled and completely drained respectively.]

[Congratulations on experiencing the gate between life!]

[New skill attained!]

[Sensory Attack activated]

[Skill description]

[Sensory Attack: Gives the ability to attack, with the aid of only one sense in the body. If all senses are free and open, the fighting skill of the user will be heightened]

[Your HP has been restored to its previous state!]

>[Showing stats....]

[Stats]

[HP: 52]

[Strength: 15]

[Fatigue: 89]

[Protection: None]

[Level: 1]

[Achievements: Shadow Realm Pass (Beginners), Ultimate Destruction]

[Skill: Stats (Activated), Destroy (Activated), Sensory Attack (Activated)]

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