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[Feather Dart] [Talon Swipe] [Wing Flap] [Beak Jab] [Claw Burst] [Piercing Shriek] [Sky Peck] [Rock Dive] [Shadow Feathers] [Ember Mark] [Sonic Burst] [Stones Spikes]
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This was the list of skills I had obtained on my way down here, the last being a C- rank skill obtained from absorbing the mana stone of the boss monster.
I had a total of 12 E-rank skills, not including [Stone Spikes]. I carefully analyzed which of the skills were compatible with each other to be combined.
I selected two skills from the status window.
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Skill: Beak Jab (E) Description: A focused, short-range piercing attack made of air.
Skill: Sky Peck (E) Description: Delivers a rapid, aerial strike aimed at an opponent's weak spot.
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I then activated [Skill Union] for the first time as an interface appeared.
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:Select skills: [Slot 1] [Slot 2] [Combine]
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I quickly placed two skills together and pressed the combine option. A notification appeared.
[Combining Process: 1%....38%.....99%..]
[Due to compatibility of the skills, proficiency of the Skil Union is rising]
[Congratulations! You have acquired E+ rank skill "Aerial Fang"]
"An E+ rank skill, huh. Well, that's to be expected from E-rank skill. Maybe when its proficiency rises, it will be of some good use," I thought, observing the proficiency of [Skill Union].
[Skill Union - 51% (E-Active)]
"So, compatibility really is important after all. I guess it will evolve once I fuse another pair of compatible skills, won't it? I'll have to test it myself."
With that in mind, I quickly opened the description of [Aerial Fang] to check its utility.
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Skill: Aerial Fang (E+) Description: A precise, aerial piercing attack with increased speed and power.
---
After examining the skill, I selected two new ones to combine: [Feather Dart] and [Claw Burst].
Going through the same process, I received a notification.
[Congratulations! You have acquired E+ rank skill "Razor Feathers"]
[E-rank skill "Skill Union" has evolved to D-rank skill "Skill Fusion"]
"Hell yeah," I exclaimed, thrilled by [Skill Fusion], which completely overshadowed my excitement for [Razor Feathers]. "Now it's getting somewhere."
I didn't bother checking its description, as I already had a good idea of what it would be. Even if I hadn't, I would soon find out through repeated use until it evolved into something more satisfactory.
I ran my gaze over the list of skills, searching for the next pair to combine. My eyes fell on two identical skills, and a grin spread across my face.
I selected both [Sonic Burst] skills. "Let's see how this turns out," I muttered, eager for the result.
[Combining Process: 58%...99%]
[Due to identicality of the skills, proficiency of the Skil Fusion is rising]
[Congratulations! You have acquired D-rank skill "Echo Surge"]
The process was almost instant, far faster than before. I wasn't sure if it was because the skills were identical or due to the evolution of [Skill Union]. Although the direct jump from E to D surprised me, it wasn't entirely unexpected given the compatibility of the skills and the fact that [Skill Union] had evolved.
I noticed that the proficiency of [Skill Fusion] had risen by 20%, which was impressive, especially considering that the skills were just E-rank. Without delay, I examined the description of [Echo Surge].
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Skill Name: Echo Surge (D) Description: Releases a powerful dual soundwave, dealing moderate damage and briefly disorienting enemies within its radius.
---
After examining the description, I continued combining skills, eventually obtaining two new ones. One was the [Gale Slash], created by merging [Talon Swipe] and [Wing Flap], while the other was [Shrieking Dive]. The latter turned out disappointing due to the incompatibility of the fused skills. However, that wasn't my main goal—my real goal was to raise the proficiency of [Skill Fusion].
I focused on the description of both skills as they appeared before me.
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Skill: Gale Slash (D-) Description: A swift talon swipe creates a focused gust, amplified by a wing flap, slashing through enemies in a small radius.
Skill: Shrieking Dive (E+) Description: A sonic shriek amplifies the user's dive, delivering a stunning rock-imbued impact with a shockwave.
---
After the combination, the proficiency of [Skill Fusion] had reached 85%. Now, only one more fusion was required to evolve the skill into something truly useful. The only skills left to combine were [Shadow Feathers] and [Ember Mark].
I placed both in the skill slots and activated the fusion. Moments later, the sound of a notification chimed, quickly followed by another.
[Congratulations! You have acquired D-rank skill "Burning Wings"]
[D-rank skill "Skill Fusion" has evolved to C-rank]
I quickly checked the description of the skills to have an idea about their capability.
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Skill: Skill Fusion (C) Description: Can combine two to three C-rank skills whose proficiencies are 100%
Skill: Burning Wings (D) Description: Launches black coloured burning feathers that track the enemy upto 15 meters and leave lingering burns.
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After reading the description, the results pleased me. The combination of three skills was unexpected, but what intrigued me the most was the description of [Burning Wings].
"Black-colored feathers, huh? Guess I'll have to check it out," I thought, reminded of something from my previous world—a black flame said to burn for seven days and seven nights.
"Activate [Burning Wings]," I muttered, excitement surging through me, my mind brimming with ideas about the flames.
"..."
My excitement crashed instantly. "What's wrong? Has the system been hit by a virus or something?" I grumbled, feeling irritated. I checked the description again, wondering if I had missed something.
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Skill: Burning Wings (D) Description: Launches black coloured burning feathers that track the enemy upto 15 meters and leave lingering burns (Requires specific target)
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"Oh, so that's what I was missing." I quickly lifted a large piece of stone and placed it in front of me before activating [Burning Wings].
This time, the skill activated. Two wings burning with black flames erupted, swiftly flying toward the stone. A halo of black flames formed around it, burning steadily.
As soon as the halo appeared, I felt something strange—I could see through it. I closed my eyes, focusing on the sensation. The exact distance and direction of the stone became crystal clear in my mind.
However, this revelation wasn't what intrigued me the most. It was the halo and the wings themselves, burning with those black flames. Flames that seemed aliveand the flames I had to make mine.
Just as I was engrossed in my thoughts, the ground beneath me trembled, signaling that I had spent hours in the dungeon without realizing it.
I quickly made my way out. It was late at night now, the darkness enveloping the surroundings. Despite the hour, many hunters were still present near the dungeon's entrance, but none of them noticed me. Activating [Shadow Steps], a skill I had obtained after defeating the fox monster, I moved swiftly and silently past them.
I reached my apartment without incident, went through my usual routine, and drifted off to sleep, my mind already anticipating what tomorrow might bring.
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There was a problem in Webnovel app in organizing the chapter. I did my best in organizing the descriptions but there were places which couldn't be organized properly.
Well...enjoy