Wrock was in the skill creation room. Currently he was in a dilemma, should he improve [The Fighting Spirit] or create another new skill?
He had created a few additional skills whilst grinding dungeons. Having only a few wasn't a great idea after all.
After debating for another few moments he settled on a choice.
~ ~ ~
Clank~
Akiol parried a blow from the knight. As far as he could tell their stats were even. The only thing different was their level of skill. He had to admit that the knight was far better than your average player.
After Akiol broke through into a new realm he had used this opportunity to fully temper himself. He could have ended the fight early, but why let such a chance go to waste?
After fifteen minutes of steel hitting steel Akiol felt like he had fully accustomed his senses to the new feeling. That meant it was time to end the battle.
Within a few short moves the knight was on his back, Akiol's borrowed sword pointing at his neck. The knight panted, fifteen minutes of nonstop combat would take a toll on a lot of people's stamina.
Akiol moved the sword and offered his hand. The knight accepted it and Akiol lifted the knight to their feet. The knight shook their head in annoyance, "I suppose there is a thing called talent."
"It was a good match still." Akiol praised.
The knight nodded in agreement, "It was, even in my years of experience I still learnt something in this battle."
Akiol nodded, life was nonstop learning.
Akiol's surroundings faded once more until he found himself back in the small temple.
Honestly it seemed a little easy, though that was simply because of Akiol's superior skill. An average player wouldn't have been able to clear the trial so easily.
Now it was time for the reward, he walked up to the object and touched it.
Akiol raised his eyebrows in surprise. An item that unlocked a new equip slot?
He quickly pulled out his menu. It was true, in a once empty space lay a new spot for an equipment piece.
Akiol then grabbed the Artifact, excited to see what it would provide.
[Dimensional Compass]
An object capable of direction and maneuvering through different dimensions.
When Equipped Receive:
+20% to all stats
Skills:
{Dimension Skip: Hop through two dimensions, causing you to appear somewhere else immediately. (Max Distance: 10 meters.)}
{Dimension Pierce: Your attack goes through another dimension, ignoring most defense.}
{Dimension Dive: Delve into another dimension, making yourself invisible and untouchable to most entities. Lasts 10 minutes. (If used in combat, lasts 5 seconds.)
{Dimensional Ticks: Every fifth successful hit causes a special dimension to warp around your weapon. Lasts five minutes. (Can Stack)
Dimensions:
-Zero Gravity, Increases attack speed by 5% (Stacks to 20)
-Warping Space: Increases damage dealt by 5% (Stacks to 20)
-Poison Atmosphere: Adds Poison to weapon (cannot stack)
-Razor Winds: Adds Bleeding to weapon (Can Stack to 3)}
{Dimension Change (Ultimate): Change the surrounding dimension, making most entities be affected.
All Enemies: -25% Stats
All Allies: +25% Stats
Time limit: 5 Minutes
Cooldown: 48 Hours}
There was too much information, Akiol took a moment to fully digest it. However inside his heart he was happy. Finally he had obtained skills to be used in battle. Even if it came from an equip.
Without hesitation Akiol equipped the artifact. He checked his stats excitedly.
[ Name: Akiol ]
Level: 145
Exp: 64/100%
Race: Monster (Greater Slime)
HP: 1420/1420 (Regen 10 HP per minute)
MP: 1660/1660 (Regen 1MP every second)
Stats:
156 (+10) Strength 162 (+10) Agility
156 (+10) Dexterity 132 (+10) Defense
156 (+10) Intellect Free points: 0
Equipment:
Mantis's Scarf
Dimensional Compass
Skills:
[Body Manipulation] [Roll]
[Leap] [Absorb]
[Aura Boost]
[Power Sense: (passive)]
[Core Movement]
Titles:
The People's Benefactor
The One Who Stared Back
His stats had increased again, this time a far greater boost than his leveling stats. Akiol rubbed his hands together. This was a fantastic gain. He looked at the Artifact happily, although the noticed a change. The orb in the middle changed color into a dark black and purple color. It looked like a menacing portal. On an even closer look he saw a compass needle inside said portal.
On top of the changes when Akiol equipped the Artifact it began to hover behind and above his left shoulder. It's two six-tipped star rings slowly spinning. When he attempted to touch the Artifact his hand passed through as if touching the air. This gave a little relief to Akiol, for it would not hinder his movements with the sword.
After making sure there was nothing additional in the temple he left. As soon as he was fully outside the ground rumbled as the temple began to sink back inside the ground.
Akiol watched until there was no sign of the temple ever existing.
"Time to deal with this." Akiol sighed.
He turned to see a medium sized group of players. Akiol already knew they were there, but since he felt no hostility he didn't mind them.
One player from the group began to speak, "Greetings, I am Vengeful. Officer of Thirteen Moons. My squad had noticed a large beacon of light and came to investigate. Since you seem to have something to do with this, I hope you don't mind me asking a few questions?"
Akiol was a tad pleased, "Depends on the question, either than that go on."
A smile appeared on Vengeful's face, "Great, first might I ask what the beacon of light was?"
"I am sure you have seen the temple?"
Vengeful nodded, "Was that the cause. . . ?"
"Of course."
"Was or is there any event?"
Akiol smiled inwardly, that was the question he knew was coming. Anything to boost their guild would not go unknown.
"There is nothing left I am afraid."
Vengeful seemed a little disappointed and doubtful, "Did you perhaps gain anything. . . ?"
"That's one of the questions that I won't answer.", Akiol knew this answer would give away the fact he gained a reward.
"Your information won't go unrewarded."
"Depends on the reward." Akiol offered.
Vengeful seemed to think for a moment, "We could offer a tidy sum of gold for exchange?"
Akiol pretended to consider the offer, "For five thousand gold I will show you what I got."
Vengeful nodded, "Deal, half first then the other half after you give the info."
Akiol collected the gold and answered by pointing at the Artifact behind him.
Vengeful frowned, "Shouldn't you offer more on the details?"
Akiol shook his head, "If I were to tell you what it is I am afraid five thousand gold isn't nearly enough. That kind of information might not be known by a majority of the players."
Vengeful though for a bit, "I would like to invite you to our housing then. I am sure some of the higher positioned people would like to offer you an acceptable trade."
Akiol nodded, "Very well then-"
"Stop right there!"
Another set of players marched into the clearing. Their players doubled the amount Akiol was talking with.
Vengeful's face turned ugly, "Thrash! We were here first!"
A player laughed, "Vengeful! Normally I would back off, but it seems like you are leading a smaller squad today!"
"You wouldn't try anything-!"
"I would though! Our guilds are equal in power, you know neither of us can afford a war. This little conflict will be thrown under the bus with sweet words." Thrash interrupted.
Akiol made himself known, "Oh dear, two guilds fighting over me?"
"Hmm?" Thrash questioned.
"The only thing you can obtain here is information. The only one who knows it is me." Akiol clarified.
Vengeful nodded, "Whatever that object is our guild will be the one to know."
Thrash followed the eyes of Vengeful's squad. Landing on the floating object behind Akiol.
"Ha! How about we take the object instead?"
Akiol's tone changed, "That wouldn't be the best of an idea."
"Sure sure, I have heard it all. Some single player thinking that they could take on a hundred enemies." Thrash waved away the cold warning.
"Sir-" one of the soldiers behind Thrash whispered something.
Thrash laughed, "So you're that player who fought against a few hundred! Well colored me surprised. I didn't think the one in the monthly highlight would be in front of me.
"Then you should know better."
"Not quite, you see there is a major difference from now and then. The average player level had gone up, which means the difficulty shot sky high. Surviving against a few hundred foes is impossible now!"
Akiol dispelled his cracked sword, "Is it a challenge then?"
Thrash laughed, "Of course! Forward men, kill them all!"
Akiol looked over to Vengeful, "I shall cooperate with you in the battle. Do stay alive."
Vengeful nodded gravely, he was outnumbered at least two to one. The battle would be rough.
Akiol's gaze sharpened, the thumps of players footsteps were clear. He could now test his newfound Artifact.
Honestly he was a little excited.