What is a skill?
For the past few days, Wang Jun had learned a few things about his gift. He discovered that he could only gain experience points (EXP) if he was near his subordinates. However, with learning a new skill, he was unsure of the process. Would it require a magic book? Or perhaps repeating a certain action until he mastered it? The method remained a mystery to him.
Wang Jun once asked Wulfgar about how he gained the "Dog Best Friend" skill, but Wulfgar said he didn't know anything about it. He only realized he had the skill when Wang Jun mentioned it. However, Wulfgar explained that since he was young, he had been taking care of the dogs of the tribe as it was his responsibility to provide them with food and shelter. Over time, he grew fond of them, leading to the development of the skill.
Wang Jun observed that all of his companions were hunters, so they possessed skills related to weapon proficiency and Hunter Sense, likely developed through their experiences as hunters. From this, he concluded that skills could indeed be obtained through certain actions. Whether it was through training, practice, or experience, it seemed that skills could be acquired and developed over time.
Wang Jun then checked Draven's status. Currently, Draven was the strongest hunter he had.
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Name: Draven
Age: 29
Status: Hunter of Barbarian Tribe
HP: 100/100 (Healthy)
Strength: 16
Dexterity: 16
Constitution: 13
Perception: 13
Will: 13
Intelligence: 13
Charisma: 11
Skills:
Dual Sword Familiarity (Level 7): Have basic proficiency with Dual Swords
Hunter Sense (Passive): Can detect movement and sense danger from a distance
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'Do you wish to upgrade Hunter Sense? Note, once you upgrade the skill, it will change to an active skill.'
There is a difference between Passive and Active skills. Passive skills are always activated and permanent, whereas users need to activate active skills to trigger their effects. However, even though Draven doesn't need to chant or perform any specific action to activate his skills, he can always use Dual Sword Familiarity as long as he holds dual swords. In contrast, Hunter Sense is always activated, even when sleeping or taking a dump.
Yes. Wang Jun exclaimed inwardly.
As a gamer, he knew that skills evolved once they reached a certain level or met specific criteria, so these rules might also apply to him. Wang Jun gritted his teeth and waited for it, having already risked all his skill points.
After upgrading, he checked Draven's status once again.
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Evolve Hunter Sense (Level 5): Enhances detection of movement and a sense of danger from a distance. Improves sensory abilities to detect not only movement and immediate threats but also illusions or hidden dangers within the surroundings.
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Wang Jun's eyes lit up, but he couldn't understand why it had jumped to Level 5 when it should have been Level 3, nor could he comprehend why it had evolved. However, he didn't have time to dwell on it since he still hadn't fully explored his gift. Survival was his priority for now.
"Watch out!"
A spear made of flowers rushed toward him, but luckily, Grimlock blocked it with his axe.
"Draven!" Wang Jun exclaimed, catching Draven's attention. "Use your skill! Find its weakness!"
"My skill?" Draven was confused at first, but he quickly understood his chieftain's intention. He knew his Chieftain possessed certain powers that could grant strength and bestow skills, so receiving a skill must be one of those powers. Though puzzled as to why his Chieftain didn't use it himself, Draven didn't feel it was his place to question. Instead, he followed Wang Jun's command.
While dodging the attacking spears, Draven heightened his senses, drawing upon his experience as a hunter. Suddenly, his face turned solemn, and he rushed to Wang Jun's side. With a whisper, he urgently exclaimed something.
"Behind the throne, there's something off. Feels like it's got the same stink as that labyrinth lord. Must be his soft spot, eh?"
"So there's something," Wang Jun nodded.
One thing Wang Jun appreciated about arrogant enemies was their tendency to reveal information unwittingly, unknowingly providing him with a sword that could be used against them.
He whispered to Draven, who nodded in understanding. Then, Wang Jun ordered the others to attack simultaneously, with Grimlock leading from the front.
"Suicide? How pitiful," the young man remarked with a smirk as he stood from his throne. He spread his hands, and petals began to materialize, forming countless spears.
Spears rained down on them. Some hunters luckily dodged while others were hit, sustaining injuries. However, fueled by determination, they pressed on despite their wounds.
Grimlock swung his axe with tremendous force, veins bulging in his neck and face. But to his dismay, the young man blocked with his hand, shaking his head as he glanced at Grimlock. Suddenly, a handmade of leaves appeared behind Grimlock, forming a fist that sent him flying with a grunt.
"Keep pressing!" Wang Jun bellowed, rallying his comrades. He pulled one hunter close and whispered urgently to him. After a few seconds, the hunter looked at Wang Jun with surprise, then nodded helplessly, understanding the plan.
The hunter's words sliced through the air like a sharpened dagger, his gaze ablaze with seething contempt. "You fancy yourself a ruler of labyrinths? Ha! You're nothing but a pitiful clown, using jokes as a shield for your inadequacies. No, scratch that—you're not just a clown, you're an entire circus unto yourself. Your lineage reeks of buffoonery, and your existence is a tragic comedy. Your mother must have doubled over in laughter the day you were born! You're a mere infant, suckling on the teat of mediocrity and feasting on the refuse of failure. If I were you, I'd do us all a favor and spare the world your pitiable presence. You're nothing but a wretched waste of oxygen, destined for nothing more than to entertain as a clown in the grand circus of life!"
Once his words fell, everyone came to a halt and turned to him, the hunter suddenly feeling awkward and a sense of danger creeping into his heart. He glanced at Wang Jun, silently pleading for help with his eyes.
Crack…
"W-what did you say?" The young man's smile twitched, a vein popping in his head. He didn't understand some of the hunter's words, but he knew it was an insult directed at him.
He suddenly spread his wings and rose above them, leaving a trail of petals as he flew. From his elevated position, he overlooked everyone, and then a large palm materialized above them.
"I only sought to entertain myself, but you've crossed the line," he declared firmly. "You all will meet your end here."
"Now!" Wang Jun's voice cut through the throne room. Draven and Grimlock quickly used their strength to destroy the throne. Meanwhile, Draven swung his sword, quickly causing the wall behind the throne to turn into mist. Behind the mist, they discovered a grassy area with a yellow flower in the center, the sun illuminating the space from the gap in the ceiling.
"Stop!"
The young man quickly disappeared from his position. When he reappeared, he was behind Draven and about to attack when Grimlock intercepted with his body. The force of the attack sent Grimlock flying, but it was already too late, as Draven stabbed the flower.
"You!" The young man's pained voice echoed as his eyes grew dim, and he fell to the ground. "This is not the end... Flower of Dominion..."
Instantly, everything lost its color, turning to grey. Everyone began to slow down, but in the young man's eyes, he still saw a chance. He used every bit of his power, drawing upon the life force of his children and everything around him.
"No... no, don't slow down... turn back the... T-time..." The young man lost his life, leaving only his last words echoing in the room.
Seeing all of this, Wang Jun sighed in relief as he slumped to the ground.
'Your subordinate, Draven, killed the Child of the Sun. You gained 100 EXP.'