I tried punching, kicking, even head-butting. I could concentrate the lightning power in my body! If I could incorporate it like this into my attacks, the physical resistance of the litts shouldn't pose a problem.
I continued practicing for a while, imagining that my attacks released the power of lightning that I had built up. Every attack left afterimages of lightning power, still crackling in the air for a brief moment.
I tried doing the same with my sword, however I could not get it to cover the blade. I could make it crackle along the guard and hilt, but that was as far as I could stretch it.
My skill reached 80 proficiency after the fight, but it didn't continue to increase even as I was learning new ways to use it. I concluded skills had at least 2 paths to improve on. The theoretical power, which would be the skill proficiency stat, and the practical application of the skill. I had been too focused on seeing the numbers go up, yet I forgot to understand the skill. I could feel the lightning snakes slithering beneath my fingertips, their electric energy pulsating with each movement.
I tried something new. The power of lightning concentrated in my lower body, particularly the quads and legs. I started running. With a speed estimate of 25 meters a second, I am now going 5 m/s faster than before! I lost concentration, and I decelerated a bit. This was only the start! Next, I tested jumping, soaring an impressive three and a half meters above the ground!
I dedicated more time to practicing my practical application. When I dodged, I would power my legs to move even faster and further. I applied the same technique to punching and kicking. First, I did them normally to feel what muscles needed to be concentrated on. Then, I incorporated the concentration technique. It was a world of difference. With each new training method I tried, I could feel a transformation happening deep within me.
I noticed something. The lightning that snaked across my body changed. What used to be the width of 2 to 3 millimeters increased to 5 to 6 millimeters now! It might seem like a minor change, but the power contained was very, very different. If I met one of the litts now, I'm sure it wouldn't be able to handle much of this lightning! I was at a disadvantage against their rock-like bodies earlier. The physical resistance wouldn't stop me any longer!
The Incorporate Lighting proficiency didn't go up, but when I checked my stat panel again, my eyes almost popped out of my sockets!
[STATS]
- Name: Arild Dahl
- Level: 6
- Health: 150/150
- Mana: 310/310 Regeneration: 31 Mana / Minute
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- Strength: 28 (42)
- Dexterity: 20
- Vitality: 15
- Wisdom: 31
- Available stat points: 0
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Talents:
- Hyper-Learning (Innate)
- Talent Harvester
- Enhanced Strength
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Skills:
- Incorporate Lightning (D) – 80
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Laws:
- Elemental Law – Lightning (F)
————
Laws?? Isn't this amazing? That should relate to my practical application theory! It says nothing about my skill, so it should encompass lightning powers in general. That means if I get more lightning skills in the future, by default, it will be stronger!
What more is this system hiding? The system only displays information when something is achieved.
[Elemental Law – Lightning (F)]
- An understanding of the elemental law of lightning.
- Higher rank will let more power be exerted for the same effort.
There's no proficiency number for it. Is it more intangible than skills?
With this major power-up, I was ready to deal with the rest of the dungeon. After my first battle, I was worried I overestimated myself, and ended up in a dangerous spot. This wasn't like the goblin forest where I could scout out lone goblins. Here I had to follow the canyon. No matter how many enemies I met.
I walked for 2 minutes until the next enemy. There's 1 this time as well. It would give me a chance to test my new law. Before I alerted it, I pulled up my smart phone and took a few pictures of it. I would report this dungeon later with more information. I didn't want any unlucky person to go here after leveling up. It was much more dangerous than it seemed from the info, and magical attacks were needed for the average awakened to overcome this.
I got the monster's attention; it ran towards me, similar to the last one. Feet planted on the ground, I stood still. Before it could chew my leg off, I dodged with the power of law.
*WZZZ!*
The litt noticed it missed. It scraped its butt on the ground to stop its momentum. The appearance resembled that of a dog. It furiously turned around for another go, this time with less speed. With the power of law, I could step between its left and right without it having the time to attack. It looked like a cat following a laser with its head swinging back and forth.
This is awesome! Hahahaha!
I grew tired of teasing it. Powered by law, the kick I delivered to its rocky abdomen had enough force to shatter its stony exterior. I added the lightning to my feet to give it a little fry, too.
*CRACK!*
The kick made the litt float in the air a bit, with its back completely arched in the air with its limbs following behind. The impact forced a rough breath out of it. I could feel the lightning snakes entering its body on contact, ravaging its insides.
It landed back on the ground, trembling. The kick lacked the power to kill it, but it rendered it completely stunned. Helpless as it was, I finished it with a law powered punch to the skull.
[LEVEL UP]
[TALENT HARVEST]
- Your talent, Talent Harvester, has activated.
- You gain – Stone Skin.
[Stone Skin]
- Makes the user's body hard like stone on impact.
- Increases physical defense.
Nice! I wasn't expecting the normal mobs in this dungeon to have talents. I should check out a lot of dungeons if that's the case. It didn't give me a number though...
I rubbed my skin. It still felt smooth. I slapped my forearm hard, and it felt exactly like slapping a rock. The skin turned normal. My skin was a non-Newtonian fluid, great. I appreciate the defense, but what happens if I get a talent I don't want? If this talent made me look like a rock monster, I'm not sure I would want to show myself anymore...
Needing to test cuts, I took my sword out of the inventory. I cut slowly and precisely on my forearm; the talent didn't act to save me. This was simply self-harming! I needed to make a more forceful cut, but it was terrifying! It's like putting your finger into one of those table saws with electric current running through the saw blade, instantly lowering itself when your body touches it. You know you're gonna be fine, but the body still doesn't want to do it.
I would still attempt it, but I wouldn't aim for a whole limb. Just imagine what would happen if it didn't work! I was undecided at what body part to go for...
I'll attempt it on my left pinky finger. If it doesn't work then.. I'll tell people a litt bit it off!
"AAAAAH!!" *THOCK!*
Health: 159/160