Chapter 55

055. Skill Synthesis (1)

The grind for proficiency was easier than I thought it would be.

During breaks, I hunted skeletons and killed the guardians as soon as they spawned.

"Proficiency increased by 0.08%."

"Proficiency increased by 1.2%..."

"Proficiency increased by 1.2%..."

Since it was a simple repetitive task, it wasn't particularly difficult.

On the contrary, I found it quite enjoyable to be able to easily increase my proficiency this way.

Even more so...

"Strength increased by 4."

"Agility increased by 3."

"Stamina increased by 5."

"Mana increased by 4."

"Durability increased by 5."

I was also able to boost various additional stats.

Of course, this was partly due to the command I absorbed from the 'Blue Ghoul,' but even so, the rate of stat increase was quite good.

As the saying goes, "A little at a time makes a lot."

'That's exactly what happened.'

After killing dozens of skeletons and hunting the guardians, my stats increased significantly.

And...

"Proficiency of the unique ability 'Necromancy' has reached 100%."

"The unique ability 'Necromancy' has advanced to the next level."

The growth of the unique ability I had longed for was soon achieved.

'Now, the level of Necromancy is C...?'

Reading the message that appeared before my eyes, I smiled slightly.

I felt a sense of satisfaction thinking about the new abilities that would be added.

'I should check when I return to the waiting room.'

At that moment,

"M, Mi... Monster... brat..."

The lich, whose limbs had been shattered in an attempt to escape, vented his anger.

"A creature so vile that even demons would shudder... I will curse you even after death..."

He finally spoke these words as his entire body was about to break.

I'm not sure if it was because I had shattered his limbs or if there were restrictions on raising guardians...

'Judging by the increasing cracks in his body each time he was summoned, he will die soon.'

Looking at the lich, I felt a sense of regret and smacked my lips.

"..."

I had hoped to use him a bit more, but it seems that's no longer possible.

'I wanted to increase my proficiency by a few more percent, but it looks like I can't.'

If I watched him die, I might not even be able to absorb his command.

Necromancy requires me to kill the target myself to absorb the command.

"Meet, sir... You were disgusting, human... I hope we never meet in the afterlife..."

Sensing his impending death, the lich spat out these hateful words.

'I don't really want to listen to them.'

I approached the lich, who was leaving a final message, and plunged my sword into his skull.

"Lich's command absorbed."

"Proficiency increased by 17.4%."

Crack!

"Achievement 'Personality Beyond Demon' unlocked."

"Agility increased by 1."

As if to mark the end of the 8th floor trial, the skull shattered, and messages appeared.

"Congratulations, you have cleared the 8th floor of the Trial Tower."

"All stats increased by +2 as a reward for clearing the floor."

"30,000 points obtained as a reward for clearing the floor."

"700 SP obtained as a reward for clearing the floor."

"300 SP obtained as an additional reward for clearing the floor."

"Please move to the waiting room."

"Finally, the 8th floor trial is over."

Thanks to the lack of a time limit, I was able to grind for a long time.

It was almost like a bonus stage.

The confusion I felt when I met the Iron-Blooded Overlord seemed to be resolved.

'I'm a challenger from another world, but there's nothing I can do about it.'

Soon, other challengers will also learn about the 'challenger from another world.'

Especially since 'floor intrusion' has been activated, it will be even more so.

'So, I need to grow as much as possible until then.'

Climbing the tower is a shortcut to becoming stronger and a means to learn many things.

So...

'I just need to climb the tower as I've always wanted to.'

There was nothing more to worry about.

All I need to do now is steadily progress on this path.

"Moving to the waiting room."

That was the conclusion I reached.

***

"Entering the 9th floor waiting room."

"System expansion has begun."

"Administrators can now observe the trials."

"Restrictions on answering questions have been lifted."

"C-grade skills can now be purchased from the skill shop."

Upon returning to the waiting room, various messages appeared as the system expanded, but...

I ignored those messages and immediately opened my status window.

『Han Sungyun』

『Aura – Overlord』

『Strength – 67』 『Stamina – 66』

『Agility – 66』 『Mana – 63』

『Durability – 63』

『Unique Ability – Necromancy (C)』

『Unique Power – Skill Synthesis』

『Power – Clear Mind (C-)』

『Skill – View Details』

Various stats had increased, but the most important thing was Necromancy.

『Unique Ability – Necromancy (C)』

『Proficiency – 0%』

『Basic Effect - Absorb the souls of the dead to enhance or replenish abilities or mana.』

『Additional Effect - Use the souls of the dead to raise a single undead in the surrounding area. The level of the undead is proportional to the quality and quantity of the absorbed souls.』

『Detailed Effect (1) – The amount of permanent stat increase is proportional to the rank of the ability and the quality of the absorbed souls.』

『Detailed Effect (2) - Souls can be stored and used later. The storage capacity is proportional to the rank.』

『Detailed Effect (3) - When absorbing a soul, there is a 20% chance to learn a skill imprinted on the soul.』

『Detailed Effect (4) - Use the souls of the dead to protect the body. The amount of souls consumed is proportional to the impact.』

『Detailed Effect (5) - When absorbing a skill from a soul, the proficiency of the skill can be inherited.』

Seeing the new detailed effects of Necromancy, I couldn't help but widen my eyes.

"..."

The explanation that when absorbing a skill, the proficiency is carried over.

Seeing this, I couldn't help but laugh in a somewhat exasperated manner.

'Inheriting skill proficiency...?'

Even the skill absorption was already overpowered, and now it includes proficiency inheritance.

It wasn't a particularly special ability, but it was certainly useful.

'Skills can be obtained later, so...'

At least, raising the level of Necromancy to C was worth it.

Moreover, the changes in Necromancy were not limited to this.

『When absorbing a soul, there is a 20% chance to learn a skill imprinted on the soul.』

The part that originally said 'certain probability' now had a specific number.

In other words, the skill absorption probability was revealed.

'I had thought about it before... but the skill absorption probability is quite high.'

Originally, I thought the probability would be less than 10% due to the overpowered ability...

But the probability revealed in the numbers wasn't low, considering how well the skills were absorbed.

'Now, I don't need to examine the unique ability further.'

After confirming that there were no other significant changes, I turned my attention elsewhere.

As always, after confirming my growth, I knew what I needed to do.

"Shop"

"Category: Weapons"

"Category: Armor"

"Category: Skills"

"Category: Miscellaneous"

I needed to prepare for the 9th floor trial, matching my growth.

"My sword can still be used for a while, but the shield and skills are the issues..."

The shield I'm currently using has decreased in effectiveness, and the Hunter's Dagger Skill has reached its growth limit.

In other words, my fighting style will gradually change...

'What should I do?'

Originally, I used the shield to protect myself from uncertain threats.

Indeed, I have blocked many attacks and reached this point.

However, I have grown to the point where the importance of the shield is no longer felt.

'With the protection ability of Necromancy, the shield is no longer important.'

It was a bit bitter, but that was my current situation.

Then, how should I fight now?

'That's the problem.'

I needed a skill to replace the Hunter's Dagger Skill...

And something to replace the shield.

With these, my fighting style would be more firmly established.

"There's no choice..."

I sighed deeply and entered the skill shop.

First, I needed to get something to replace the Hunter's Dagger Skill.

'If there's no skill, I have to make one.'

That would be the best option.

"Entering the skill shop."

"Displaying a list of purchasable skills."

"Hmm..."

Looking through the list in the skill shop, I frowned.

There were almost no skills that were useful, or rather, no skills that were worth the price.

'Skills in the shop are mostly expensive.'

Most skills in the shop start at 10,000 points, so they are inevitably expensive.

'People who spend points recklessly can't even buy skills...'

I had been frugal with food and potions, but...

Could other challengers also pass the trials by being so frugal?

I don't think so.

'Especially those who didn't receive additional breakthrough rewards...'

They would have bought anything to survive.

So, using a skill shop like this would be difficult.

'Well, who would use the skill shop anyway...'

Except for special cases like me, who can't learn skills, there wouldn't be many people buying skills.

After all, skills can be obtained through 'repeated actions' and 'acquisition conditions.'

If that's not possible, it means the person is not suited to the skill, so there would be no lingering desire.

Therefore, the skill shop would not be used by many, except for special skills.

Of course...

'I'm different since I can't learn skills.'

I had to use the skill shop, so I silently picked out a skill that seemed worth buying.

And...

"Skill: Common Swordsmanship (E-)"

"Price: 25,000 points"

"Description: A basic skill that covers all sword techniques. It increases basic knowledge of various sword techniques and boosts the cutting power of bladed weapons by 1.5 times when used."

"This is the best option for now."

I found a decent skill among the weapon skills in the shop.

Of course, there were other weapon skills, but I excluded them.

Because...

'For skill synthesis, I need to consider the combination to raise the level of the Hunter's Dagger Skill.'

I was going to use the skill I bought from the shop for 'skill synthesis.'

As they say, "Simple is often the best choice."

Common Swordsmanship is a skill that most people proficient in bladed weapons obtain.

In other words, combining it with the Dagger Skill wouldn't have much synergy.

"Common Swordsmanship (E-) purchased."

"25,000 points deducted."

After buying the skill, I immediately brought up the detailed description of Common Swordsmanship.

『Skill – Common Swordsmanship (E-)』

『Proficiency – 0%』

『Description – A basic skill that covers all sword techniques.』

『Effect – Increases basic knowledge of various sword techniques and boosts the cutting power of bladed weapons by 1.5 times when used. However, this cutting power boost does not stack with other weapon skill effects.』

Although the points were significantly reduced due to the high cost of weapon-related skills...

'This is still a pretty good skill, considering that.'

Not only the synergy for skill combination, but also the ability to obtain 'basic knowledge of all sword techniques' is valuable.

No matter what sword I use, I can handle it well and apply the skill effect.

Is the versatility worth the points?

'At this level, the Hunter's Dagger Skill will be even better.'

With that judgment, I immediately activated 'Skill Synthesis.'

"Unique power 'Skill Synthesis' activated."

"Opening the skill list."

"Please select the skills to be used as synthesis materials from the skills you currently have."

The choice was already decided.

After selecting the Hunter's Dagger Skill and Common Swordsmanship, a message appeared.

"The levels of the synthesis materials do not match."

"The skill 'Hunter's Dagger Skill' will be the center of the synthesis."

'So, this happens when the skill levels are different...'

"The synthesis will proceed with the skill 'Hunter's Dagger Skill' as the center."

"The probability of synthesizing a higher-level skill is 75%."

"Do you want to proceed with the synthesis?"

There was no option to not proceed after buying the skill.

Without hesitation, I agreed to the message asking if I wanted to proceed with the synthesis.

Then...

"Skill synthesis completed."

"A new skill has been created."

A message appeared, and a golden light began to emanate.

This meant...

The 'new weapon skill' I had longed for was successfully created.