They advanced slowly, carefully avoiding making any sudden movements that might startle the Drakes. The creatures seemed to be aware of their presence but were more focused on feeding on the glittering Lodestarite veins that protruded from the cave walls.
Caelum took a silent step forward, drawing his bow with a practiced ease. He aimed at the nearest Drake, its body glowing as it absorbed the energy from the Lodestarite. He waited for the perfect moment, then released the arrow.
The arrow flew true, penetrating the creature's head. The sharp shriek of the Glimmerfang Drake echoed through the cavernous space, alerting all the other monsters to the presence of intruders. The cave erupted into chaos as the Drakes, agitated by the sudden attack, swirled in the air, their bioluminescent bodies creating a disorienting dance of light.
Caelum fired a few more arrows in quick succession, each aimed with precision at the glowing creatures. Despite the flurry of motion, his shots were accurate, felling several more Drakes. The air was filled with the sounds of hissing and the thud of arrows finding their mark.
Elara, standing beside him, watched in awe as Caelum demonstrated his prowess with the bow. She knew he was skilled, but witnessing him in combat was a revelation. His movements were fluid and calculated, each action executed with a purpose.
As the number of Drakes dwindled, Caelum realized that the bow was no longer sufficient. The remaining creatures were closing in, their movements too erratic for precise shots. He holstered his bow and drew his dagger, an unfamiliar weight in his hand. Though not as proficient with blades as he was with firearms, his instincts and agility were enough to keep him on his feet.
"Elara, keep behind me," Caelum instructed, his eyes fixed on the approaching Drakes. He adopted a defensive stance, his body tense and ready for close combat.
Elara obeyed, positioning herself just behind Caelum, her own dagger clutched tightly in her hand. She watched his back, ready to step in if needed.
The first Drake lunged at Caelum, its jaws agape, emitting a blinding flash of light. Caelum, anticipating the attack, sidestepped nimbly. He thrust his dagger forward, catching Drake mid-air, its body impaled on the sharp blade.
Caelum didn't have time to savor the victory as another Drake swooped down at him. He rolled to the side, evading the attack, and slashed upwards with his dagger. The blade sliced through the creature's underbelly, causing it to screech in pain before collapsing to the ground.
Elara watched Caelum's movements, her admiration for his skills growing. Despite fighting with other than his class weapon, he was holding his own, adapting his combat style to the situation. His agility and quick thinking were proving to be invaluable assets.
At this time, amidst the heated battle with the Glimmerfang Drakes, the Gunslinger System chimed in unexpectedly, "Non-class abilities detected. Dagger is not a weapon in the Gunslinger Class. The skills will not be registered under class." Caelum, in the midst of a deft dodge from a Drake's attack, was surprised by the system's message. He hadn't used a dagger in this life before, and it brought back a flood of memories from his days as Eclipse, where a knife had been one of his primary weapons.
But the system didn't stop there. It continued, "Bow Related Class Skills detected. Skill will not be registered under class. Assassin Skills Detected. Rogue Skills Detected. Thief Skills Detected. Ninja Skills Detected. Tracker Skills Detected. Survival Skills Detected. Martial Skills Detected. Infiltration Skills Detected. Deception Skills Detected. Acting Skills Detected. Poisomaster Skills Detected. Evasionist Skills Detected. Sleight of Hand Skills Detected. Disguising Skills Detected. Interrogation Skills Detected…"
Caelum, focused on the battle and slightly overwhelmed by the barrage of notifications, waved his hand to dismiss the System. "I am fucking in a fight," he murmured under his breath, his attention returning to the Drakes swooping around them.
Despite dagger not being his class weapon, Caelum's extensive combat experience as Eclipse gave him a surprising edge. He moved with a fluid grace, dodging and weaving through the Drakes' attacks. Each movement was calculated, a dance of survival honed through countless encounters in his past life.
Elara, fighting back-to-back with Caelum, watched him in action. His agility and the way he adapted to using a weapon he was not familiar with were nothing short of impressive. "You're doing great with that dagger!" she shouted over the din of battle, her voice laced with admiration and surprise.
Caelum didn't respond, his focus absolute. He knew that words were unnecessary at this moment; their survival depended on their actions and reactions. After taking down another Drake with a swift, precise strike, he switched back to his bow, finding it more effective against the agile creatures.
With each arrow he fired, Caelum felt more in sync with his surroundings, his instincts guiding his shots. The bow was an extension of his will, a tool he wielded with deadly accuracy. One by one, the Drakes fell, their luminescent bodies dimming as they hit the ground.
Elara, meanwhile, used her agility and dagger to fend off any Drakes that got too close. She was a whirlwind of movement, her strikes quick and lethal. Together, they were an efficient team, their skills complementing each other in the heat of battle.
As the last of the Drakes fell, the cavern fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of Caelum and Elara. They stood amidst the fallen creatures, their bodies tense and alert for any further threats.
"That was intense," Elara said, her chest heaving with exertion. She wiped her brow, smearing a streak of dirt across her forehead.
Caelum nodded, scanning the area one last time before relaxing his stance. The eerie silence of the cave enveloped them, broken only by their heavy breathing. He silently called out to the Gunslinger System, his mind still reeling from the flood of notifications during the battle. "Show me what you wanted to say in the midst of the battle now," he thought firmly. A translucent interface appeared before his eyes, listing various class names.
In the dimly lit depths of the Northern Mines, Caelum focused on the HUD screen that only he could see, the translucent interface of the Gunslinger System projecting an extensive list of class skills. These were the skills he had acquired in his past life as Eclipse, the world's top assassin. The list was extensive, a testament to his vast and varied expertise.
The first category that caught his attention was "Assassin Skills." He concentrated, and the list expanded to reveal a detailed array of abilities:
Silent Elimination: Mastery in taking down targets without alerting others.
Advanced Weapon Proficiency: Skilled in a wide range of weaponry, from knives to sniper rifles.
Tactical Ambush: Expertise in setting up and executing ambushes.
Poison Crafting and Application: Knowledge of crafting and applying lethal toxins.
High-Level Surveillance: Advanced skills in tracking and monitoring targets over extended periods.
Expertise in Disguise: Ability to adopt various personas and infiltrate enemy ranks.
Psychological Manipulation: Proficient in manipulating targets and extracting information.
Next, he focused on "Rogue Skills." The list unfurled, showcasing his versatility:
Lock Picking: Skilled in bypassing locks of all types.
Advanced Stealth: Ability to move undetected in various environments.
Escape Artist: Proficiency in escaping from restraints and secure facilities.
Quick Reflexes: Exceptional agility and reflexes in close combat situations.
Trap Setting and Disarming: Capable of setting up and disarming complex traps.
Caelum then examined "Thief Skills," which included:
Expert Pickpocket: Ability to steal from individuals without detection.
Shadowing: Skilled in tailing targets without being noticed.
Burglary Expertise: Proficiency in breaking into high-security locations.
Valuables Appraisal: Knowledge of the worth of various items and artifacts.
"Ninja Skills" unveiled a list of traditional and modern stealth techniques:
Silent Movement: Training in moving soundlessly.
Shurikenjutsu: Mastery in throwing blades and other small weapons.
Camouflage Techniques: Ability to blend into surroundings effectively.
Rope and Climbing Skills: Proficient in using ropes for climbing and traversal.
The "Tracker Skills" section highlighted his tracking expertise:
Advanced Tracking: Ability to track individuals across various terrains.
Wilderness Survival: Skills in surviving and navigating in wild and hostile environments.
Animal Behavior Knowledge: Understanding of animal behavior for tracking and evasion.
Under "Survival Skills," Caelum found:
Resourceful Survival Techniques: Adaptability in using available resources for survival.
First Aid and Field Medicine: Knowledge of basic medical treatment in the field.
Weather Prediction: Ability to read and predict weather patterns for strategic planning.
"Martial Skills" showcased his combat prowess:
Expert Hand-to-Hand Combat: Proficiency in multiple forms of unarmed combat.
Pressure Point Knowledge: Understanding of pressure points for incapacitation.
Combat Reflexes: Quick reflexes and decision-making in combat situations.
The "Infiltration Skills" were critical to his past covert operations:
Stealthy Infiltration: Mastery in infiltrating high-security locations undetected.
Electronic Surveillance: Skills in using electronic devices for information gathering.
Counter-Surveillance Techniques: Expertise in avoiding detection and surveillance.
"Deception Skills" revealed his talent for manipulation:
Skilled Liar: Proficiency in lying convincingly.
Master of Disguise: Ability to adopt various disguises convincingly.
Misdirection Techniques: Expertise in diverting attention and suspicion.
"Acting Skills" listed his ability to adopt different roles:
Role Immersion: Capability to fully immerse in a role or character.
Emotional Manipulation: Skills in manipulating emotions to achieve desired outcomes.
Voice Modulation: Ability to change and adapt vocal tone and pitch for disguise.
Caelum's expertise as a "Poisomaster" was evident in:
Toxin Resistance: Developed resistance to various toxins.
Deadly Brews: Knowledge in creating deadly poisons and antidotes.
Delivery Methods: Mastery in various methods of poison delivery.
His "Evasionist Skills" detailed his ability to evade capture:
High-Speed Pursuit Evasion: Skills in evading capture during high-speed pursuits.
Counter-Tracking: Techniques to mislead and confuse pursuers.
Crowd Blending: Ability to blend into crowds to evade detection.
"Sleight of Hand Skills" showcased his dexterity:
Quick Hands: Mastery in performing tasks quickly and unnoticed.
Magical Tricks: Use of sleight of hand for distraction and entertainment.
Weapon Concealment: Skilled in concealing weapons on his person.
Under "Disguising Skills," he found:
Realistic Makeup Application: Proficiency in using makeup for effective disguise.
Costume Creation and Adaptation: Skills in creating and adapting costumes for various roles.
Behavioral Mimicry: Ability to mimic behavior and mannerisms convincingly.
Lastly, "Interrogation Skills" highlighted his methods of information extraction:
Psychological Pressure: Techniques in applying psychological pressure during interrogations.
Information Extraction: Skills in extracting information without resorting to physical methods.
Resistance to Interrogation: Training in resisting enemy interrogation techniques.
Caelum studied the list, a sense of nostalgia mingling with determination. These skills, a legacy of his past life as Eclipse, were now his arsenal in this new world.