Potential had been added.
Skills had been unlocked.
I nodded to myself with satisfaction as I examined the new elements in my status window. The concept of *Potential* was intriguing—287 out of 500.
It was the measure of my growth, my capacity to become stronger.
Raising all five core stats to 100 would increase my potential to its limit, but breaking that threshold required more than training; it required rare items or titles, things that were hard to come by.
Only the Grand Dukes knew how to break through this limit, and that knowledge was reserved for those who were strong enough to claim it.
But that was not a concern for me right now. I had more pressing matters to attend to.
'This is good to start off with.'
The skill I had acquired, *Mind's Eye*, was already proving its worth. At its base level, it allowed me to see the status windows of others, revealing their hidden stats and potential. This was invaluable, but it was not enough. I needed more power, more insight.
The original Randalph had been reckless, relying on brute strength and skill combinations without fully grasping the true power of Mind's Eye. But I wasn't the same as him. I would use this skill differently—strategically, with precision.
---
Mind's Eye was a deceptive skill.
Being able to see the opponent's status window was great but it means nothing if that person doesn't have talent.
A person who had the skill in his mind was 'Duke Dipella with 30 mouths.'
Memories of Duke Dipella surfaced in my mind. She liked to experiment with Skill Combination. She had coincidentally gained Mind's Eye through relentless experimentation and countless points spent on skill combinations.
It wasn't a secret because Duke Dipella had a large mouth. Unfortunately, only one person could learn the unique skill. If someone else used the same combination then Mind's Eye wouldn't appear.
Duke Dipella used Mind's Eye to make a very powerful army. She was a strong leader. The level of Duke Dipella rose above the crowd. She received many benefits as a result.
Duke Dipella exchanged things with other demons and garnered quite a number of points. Those points were used to buy skill combinations. As a result, her dungeon became famous for being impregnable among humans.
Her dungeon had become legendary for its difficulty, even the Grand Dukes had faced injuries in its depths. Even Grand Dukes who entered Duke Dipella's dungeon would be injured. The level was enough to reach rank 2.
'It is worth pouring points into learning Mind's Eye.'
Duke Dipella had recklessly used points and stats into abusing Skill Combination, her reliance on reckless combinations had left her with little room for growth beyond her current status.
She couldn't compare to the Grand Dukes. Still, Mind's Eye was a useful skill.
Still, she had shown that Mind's Eye could be a game-changer. And now, it was my turn to take it to the next level.
"M-Master. What magic is this?"
"It is just magic."
One of the most important skills had been secured. However, it hadn't ended yet.
I searched through the list of stores. I now had 80,000 points remaining. They needed to be used for maximum efficiency.
'I need to raise my stats during the duration of the Beginner's Protection Period.'
The Beginner's Protection Period was 8 months.
It wasn't pleasant but he needed to be in the dungeon during that time.
During the Beginner's Protection Period, the Dungeon Master could only attack random creatures that appeared on the first floor. The number was small but they were tough opponents.
It was also true for other demons.
In other words, the Beginner's Protection Period applied to both humans and demons. For 8 months, the demons couldn't directly attack humans.
A human warrior that appeared would need time to adapt to a dungeon. The demons could use this time in the dungeon to relax or plan. That was the Beginner's Protection Period.
Wait, this Mind's Eye is it possible to see the description of my other skills? I just thought that I have to use my skills and experiment with it to know about the effects its like grasping in the dark.
But what if? It didn't even showed in the original, the description of status and potential only showed up. Okay let's try it.
"Mind's Eye."
[Skill: [Eternal Bond](N): Forming a connection with someone, allows to share their thoughts and place to the host. Can also share lifeforce and magic when they needed it.
* A skill that teaches that use communication. You can indirectly share each other's experiences and locate their place.
** In an urgent situation, health and mana can be shared.
[Duplication](R): You can duplicate any item but increased quantity will decrease the quality of the duplicated item.
*You can now duplicate Rare rating item. If you increase the quantity the rating will drop.
Cooldown 1 month.
Ex. if you duplicate a (R) item into x2 the rating of the duplicate item will drop into (N).
[Ascension](R): Can enhance the rating of an item that chosen by the host.
*Can increase the rating of items and skills.
If used can increase the rating of all items and skills below Rare.
Cooldown 1 month.
**If used on a Unique (U) items and skills, it will increase half a step towards Exceptional Unique (Ex U). There will be no effect on higher ratings. Cooldown 1 year.
[Blacksmithing](N): You have the basics of a beginner blacksmith.]
Damn, All three of my skills are Op, I need to use that Ascension to my Mind's Eye even if the cooldown is long the effectiveness is worth it.
"Ascension."
I used this skill for the first time. Then the tattoo on my left hand started to shine.
[-Please select a skill to ascend.]
It was a no-brainer.
"Mind's Eye."
[-Mind's Eye (U) has been raised to Keen Insight (Ex U).]
Huuuuong!
The light turned off.
Before long, my view of the world started to change.
'It is over.'
I nodded my head.
I confirmed the rating of Mind's Eye had increased and changed to Keen Insight.
What was different?
Was there anything different?
I was about to use Keen Insight to scan the surrounding. Then I use it confirm my skills.
[Skill: [Keen Insight (Ex U)]
*Can see the status window of the opponent. Hidden Status, Potential has been opened. Can penetrate the essence of things.
- *Using Keen Insight, the user is able to anticipate their opponent's movements.
- **A mental barrier that resists mental attacks.
- ***Keen Insight grants psychokinesis, allowing the user to exert at most 10kg of force on an object at the skill's current rating. Cooldown: 10 minute.]
Ha!
I had a blank expression of surprise on my face. I hadn't expected Mind's Eye to change to this. The rating had increased and many things could now be seen.
I called up my status window to confirm the change.
[Status]
[Name: Randalph Brigsiel]
[Occupation: Demon Baron (Dungeon Master)]
[Title: None]
[Base Stats:]
Strength: 64
Intelligence: 42
Agility: 59
Stamina: 72
Magic Power: 50
[Potential: (287/500)]
[Uniqueness: None]
[Skills:]
- Eternal Bond (N)
- Duplication (R)
- Ascension (R)
- Blacksmithing (N)
- Skill Combination (R)
- Keen Insight (Ex U)
---
I was astonished as I looked at the newly upgraded skill. **Keen Insight** had far exceeded my expectations. The descriptions were vivid, the new effects almost overwhelming:
This was more than just an upgrade—it was a transformation. With this ability, I could scan the status of any being, anticipate their movements, and even resist mental manipulation. I could use my newfound psychokinesis to interact with the environment in ways I hadn't before.
The potential was exhilarating, but there was no time to waste. The **Beginner's Protection Period** was only eight months long, and I needed to maximize my gains before the real challenges began.
---
I had 80,000 points left, and I needed to use them wisely. The dungeon was now my domain, and during the protection period, I could only face random creatures that appeared on the first floor. These creatures were tough, and I would need every advantage I could get.
I used 20,000 pt to buy an alarm spell.
This skill was different as it used the magic of the Dungeon Core. If someone sneaked into the top floor of the dungeon then the Dungeon Core would sound an alarm. It was an insurance in case someone accidentally invaded his dungeon while training.
Of course, the possibility was close to zero but it was in case something bad happened.
With the remaining points, I bought access to the *Training Room* for 20,000 points, knowing I could only use it once during this period. The room would be my sanctuary, a place where I could push my limits and train without interruptions. I needed to raise my stats, refine my techniques, and experiment with my new abilities.
Now lastly…
[-Training Room Ticket – 20,000 pt on first use. The points will be consumed when used a second time.]
I bought access to a training room without hesitation. I only had the opportunity to stay in this room for 8 months.
The room materialized before me, a vast expanse filled with training dummies, combat gear, and targets that seemed to shift and move as if alive. This was where I would sharpen my skills and prepare for what lay ahead.
But I knew that the dungeon was only the beginning. The true challenge would come once the protection period ended, when I would face not just creatures, but the ambitions of other Dungeon Masters, powerful guilds, and possibly the attention of the Grand Dukes themselves.
After the Beginner's Protection Period ended, I would be too busy with new dungeons. Of course, that was on purpose.
'I need to obtain all the benefits possible within a dungeon.'
Just like in the original.
The answer shall be at the end of the road.
This time, I would be ready.
---