Chapter 66

066. Skill Acquisition (1)

Soon, the surroundings changed, and I returned from the Colosseum to the original 10th floor public arena. There was almost no difference from before the duel with Catherine Bennett. The arena was still buzzing with excitement as people bet points on other challengers. However...

『Skill – Gale Sword (C+)』

『Proficiency – None』

『Basic Effect – Activates when thrusting with a sword, increasing the attack speed of thrusts by 3 times.』

『Detailed Effect – When activated, there is a 30% chance for thrusts to gain a wind attribute, significantly increasing movement speed.』

It wasn't that I hadn't changed at all. The 'Gale Sword' I received as a reward from Catherine Bennett was proof of that. I slowly sat down and read the description of the Gale Sword, frowning. The Gale Sword, which I had thought was a sword skill, turned out to be quite different from what I expected.

"A sword skill, huh...?"

Was it a skill specialized in thrusting? I sighed as I read the description, which stated that it activates when thrusting with a sword, increasing the attack speed of thrusts by 3 times.

"Even the proficiency is none, so it's not a skill that can grow."

I had fought the duel with Catherine Bennett because I thought it would be a useful skill, different from what other challengers had. "There must have been a reason for that."

Moreover, Catherine Bennett was a magician specialized in non-sword combat. This meant she had put forward a high-performance skill that she almost never used. The skill's abilities were quite different from what I had imagined, making me feel a bit disappointed.

Of course, given its high rank, it wouldn't be completely useless. A skill of this level is not easily obtainable, and Catherine Bennett might have intended to use it as a supplementary skill. However, with her level of physical ability, it would be difficult to utilize the Gale Sword skill.

"C+ rank is higher than my current Instant Acceleration skill, which is C-."

The current Instant Acceleration skill, which has grown to C-, is definitely a good ability.

"It's a bit disappointing that it's not a sword skill, but... what can I do?"

At least, the detailed effect of granting a wind attribute is a plus. "If used well, it could serve as a movement skill..."

Of course, it would depend on how much the movement speed increases, but for now, that's how I felt. "Since it has 'sword' in the name, it could be used as a material for skill synthesis later."

Thinking about it, my somewhat dissatisfied heart calmed down considerably.

"..."

Then, I recalled Catherine Bennett from the Colosseum. "Come to think of it, she said she would come back."

She said that and immediately surrendered, so I couldn't really understand what she meant. "But it didn't seem like she had any ill intentions..."

I thought it wouldn't cause any harm, so I decided to stop thinking about it. "I can find out who Catherine Bennett is later when I return."

From the way she spoke, she seemed to be a famous hunter in the United States. If that's the case, I could easily find out by asking Yehyeon.

I erased those thoughts and turned my eyes back to the screen in front of me.

「Han Sungyun」

「Server – Korea」

「Final Ranking – 3rd」

「Victories – 1」

「Defeats – 0」

My record changed after winning the duel with Catherine Bennett. "One victory..."

I needed to win more to increase my victory count. I was confident that it wasn't time to leave this arena yet. Why leave a stage where I could grow so well?

It would be a foolish move. Catherine Bennett was indeed strong, showing the power of her 6th place in the final ranking. However, even if I hadn't learned the 'Lightning Sword Technique' in the middle, I would have won.

Therefore, I could confidently say that I wouldn't lose to anyone weaker than her. "Now, it's time to grow more."

「The duel has been established.」

「Moving to the Colosseum.」

I no longer hesitated to fight.

***

「Challenger Han Sungyun vs Challenger Oowaki Yūji」

「The duel begins.」

Unlike Catherine Bennett from the American server, this opponent was from the Japanese server.

"Oowaki Yūji, huh?"

From the shoulder plate on his left shoulder and the long spear he held, it seemed he used spear techniques. "He doesn't seem that skilled."

Perhaps because I had gained considerable skill in sword techniques after learning the Leaf Blade Sword skill, the male challenger in front of me appeared full of weaknesses.

This means his spear technique is less than C- rank. "This is the 11th place in the Japanese server's final ranking?"

Realizing this, I couldn't help but feel absurd.

「Administrator 'Iron-Blooded Overlord' senses that this will be a boring duel.」

「Administrator 'White Crane Sword Immortal' points out that the spear looks awkward.」

「Administrator 'Black Demon' smirks, expecting a crushing victory.」

The administrators watching me seemed to share the same opinion.

However, the opponent, unaware of this, opened his mouth with a rather arrogant expression.

"I had high hopes for a top 3 challenger from Korea... but there's nothing to see."

At that moment, I couldn't help but smile.

"Why are you smiling?"

"It's just funny."

"..."

"I didn't expect we'd have the same thoughts."

I hadn't imagined that we would both look down on each other. The opponent, seemingly feeling the same, frowned in displeasure.

"Just because you're armed with that item, you think you're my equal...!"

At that moment,

「Skill 'Instant Acceleration' activated.」

Kwaang...!

Instead of replying, I activated the Instant Acceleration skill and thrust my sword at Yūji, propelling myself across the Colosseum floor in an instant.

And simultaneously,

「Skill 'Gale Sword (C+)' activated.」

The 'Gale Sword' I learned from Catherine Bennett activated, further accelerating my body.

「The blade gains a wind attribute due to the 'Gale Sword (C+)' skill.」

Not only that, but the ability to grant a wind attribute to the blade with a 30% chance activated, enveloping the blade in wind.

Whoosh...!

"What is this...!?"

Realizing that the duel could end in one move, the opponent finally moved urgently.

"Shield of Origin...!"

Extending his empty left hand, he shouted.

Hwaah...!

A thin yellow barrier spread out in a large circle from his palm, shielding the Japanese challenger.

This must be the 'Shield of Origin (D-)' he put up as a penalty reward in this duel.

However,

「Authority 'Sword Qi Wounds' activated.」

「Skill 'Lightning Sword Qi' activated.」

Kwaang...!

A bolt of lightning added to the sword qi pierced the thin barrier.

"Ku, kuuuh...!"

With the thin shield gone, the opponent had no choice but to expose his shoulder. Seeing him being pierced through the shoulder and pushed back, I was about to pull out my sword and urge him to surrender.

"Ha, surrender...!"

「Challenger Oowaki Yūji has surrendered.」

His figure immediately disappeared from the Colosseum.

「Victory.」

「Acquired skill 'Shield of Origin (D-)' as a victory reward.」

「Moving to the 10th floor public arena due to the end of the duel.」

The victory message and the reward skill appeared in my hand.

『Skill – Shield of Origin (D-)』

『Proficiency – None』

『Basic Effect – When the skill name is spoken, a shield formed by mana can be summoned.』

『Detailed Effect – The size and strength of the shield can be adjusted according to the amount of mana poured.』

I had already achieved my second victory in this arena.

***

After that, I challenged many people and achieved a string of victories. From the United States, Japan, Russia, China, Germany, and more...

I challenged numerous foreign challengers without stopping. Of course, some refused the duel, but even so, I achieved quite a lot.

I won three more duels...

「Achievement 'Duel Master' unlocked.」

「Strength increased by 2.」

When I won my fifth duel, I even unlocked an achievement.

I returned to the arena and checked all the abilities I had gained from duels.

『Skill – Silent Step (E-)』

『Proficiency – None』

『Effect – Can move without making any sound, regardless of the environment.』

I read the description of the skill I learned from the third duel, but it wasn't particularly special, and the ability wasn't outstanding.

"Silent movement is quite useful, but..."

It wasn't particularly helpful to me. I decided to keep it for synthesis later.

『Skill – Frenzied Assault (D)』

『Proficiency – None』

『Effect – When the skill name is spoken, temporarily increases attack speed by 2 times. However, if this overlaps with other attack speed increases, the attack speed multiplier is reduced to 1.35 times.』

I carefully examined the skill I learned from the fourth duel.

"Frenzied Assault isn't bad."

An increase in attack speed is quite beneficial to me. Since my specialty is to attack like a storm, taking advantage of my speed, it was even more useful.

Attack speed determines how fast one can attack. The faster the attack speed, the faster I can swing my sword.

"Then, the opponent won't be able to react to the attacks."

Of course, if another attack speed increase is applied, the multiplier is reduced to 1.35 times, but...

"At least the attack speed still increases."

It wasn't useless, so I was quite satisfied.

『Skill – Indomitable Shield (E-)』

『Proficiency – None』

『Basic Effect – When the skill name is spoken, a shield can be created in the direction you are facing.』

『Detailed Effect – Attacks that hit the shield have their power reduced by 15%.』

This skill, similar to the 'Shield of Origin' I learned from Oowaki Yūji, was also a type of shield skill.

"This is another skill that can't grow, like the ones I learned before."

It was quite disappointing.

After all, a higher skill rank means either the basic ability is more solid or new abilities are added. Since this was impossible, it was naturally disappointing.

Of course...

"Ultimately, they will all be used for skill synthesis, so they aren't that important."

The inability to grow could be resolved with the 'Dominance' authority. Just like before, I could synthesize these skills.

The only problem was the number of skills.

"Considering the combinations for skill synthesis, it would be better to have more similar skills."

I had few skills to synthesize, and the combinations didn't seem particularly good.

I wanted to get similar skills, but everyone refused the duels...

Despite the risk of revealing my name and final ranking, they all panicked and refused my challenges.

"Hmm..."

I was starting to think about leaving the arena.

"Maybe..."

A brilliant idea flashed in my mind.

"Since I have to reveal my name and final ranking anyway, there's no need to challenge them one by one."

Catherine Bennett and Oowaki Yūji were accepting duel challenges themselves. In other words, if I put up a penalty reward and accept duel challenges, they would have no choice but to challenge me.

I immediately manipulated the screen in front of me to list my name for duels.

And...

『Mingjing Index』

『Rank: C-』

『Effect: Allows rational judgment in any situation. Negative states like anger and confusion are reduced during combat, and combat immersion increases.』

I put up a penalty reward that no one had ever put up before: an authority.

Of course, my name and final ranking would be revealed everywhere, but...

「Victory Reward – Authority 'Mingjing Index (C-)'」

People would be more interested in this 'victory reward' than anything else.

This method, akin to a fishing technique, would have the following effect...

「Challenger 'Mochiyama Yachihā' has challenged.」

「Challenger 'Carol Vega' has challenged...」

「Challenger 'Lee Jincheol' has challenged...」

"Big catch."

It was even better than I had expected.