Kael felt the new power coursing through his veins, the raw energy of his latest ability ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice. *Vortex Slash*—the name alone filled him with a sense of anticipation. He could almost picture the devastating whirlwind of blades he could now summon, a weapon against any who dared stand in his way. The system had once again rewarded him, not just with a new skill, but with a tangible increase in his strength, agility, and vitality.
Elara's eyes sparkled as she watched him absorb the power. She had always been fascinated by the way the system influenced people's lives, and Kael's progression intrigued her.
"I think I'm going to like having you around," she said with a grin, twirling the small crystal she had pulled out moments before. "But don't forget, you're not the only one with a system."
Kael raised an eyebrow, watching as Elara held the crystal close to her chest. She closed her eyes, and the crystal began to glow, a soft, ethereal light that filled the dim tunnel. The air around her shimmered as she activated her *Crafting Mastery* ability, but this time it was different—more focused, more intense.
The glow from the crystal extended to the pipes and walls around them, the rust and decay slowly melting away as if they were being restored to their original state. The damaged infrastructure repaired itself, the metal becoming stronger, more durable. The tunnel, which had been a crumbling ruin moments before, now stood reinforced and secure.
"What did you just do?" Kael asked, awe creeping into his voice.
Elara opened her eyes, the crystal's glow fading. "I've been upgrading my *Crafting Mastery* for a while now," she explained, a hint of pride in her tone. "It's not just about building things anymore—I can enhance and repair existing structures, making them better than before. This tunnel won't collapse on us anytime soon."
Kael nodded, impressed. "That's incredible. You could fortify an entire base with that ability."
"That's the idea," Elara replied with a smile. "But it takes a lot of energy, and I have to be careful not to overdo it. The system limits how much I can enhance at once, and it has a cooldown period, just like your abilities."
Kael considered this, appreciating the synergy between their skills. "We'll need to find a place where we can both use our strengths. Somewhere we can set up a base and defend it properly."
Elara agreed, and they continued their journey through the tunnels, now more confident in their combined abilities. As they walked, they discussed their plans, strategizing how best to use their systems in tandem.
Kael's mind kept returning to the *Vortex Slash* ability. He could feel it, almost like a coiled spring inside him, waiting to be released. It was a dangerous power, one that could turn the tide of battle if used correctly. But it was also something he would need to practice, to master.
His thoughts were interrupted by the system's familiar voice in his mind, cold and emotionless.
[System Notification: Skill Progression Unlocked]
[Progression: Vortex Slash – 0% (Novice)]
Kael's eyes widened. "Progression?" he murmured aloud, catching Elara's attention.
"What is it?" she asked, noticing the change in his expression.
"The system just unlocked a progression bar for my new skill," Kael explained. "It's at zero percent right now, but it looks like I can level it up with use. The more I practice, the stronger it gets."
"That's interesting," Elara said thoughtfully. "My system has something similar for crafting—different materials and techniques unlock higher levels of mastery. But I haven't seen anything like a progression bar for a combat skill."
Kael pondered this as they walked. It seemed the system was adapting to his actions, rewarding him not just with immediate power-ups, but with the potential for growth. The more he fought, the more skilled he would become. It was both exhilarating and daunting.
As they neared the surface, the faint light of dawn filtered through the tunnel entrance, signaling the start of a new day. The city above was still a dangerous place, but Kael and Elara were stronger now, more prepared for the challenges ahead.
Kael turned to Elara, a determined look in his eyes. "Let's find a place where we can put our skills to the test—somewhere we can build something lasting."
Elara nodded, her gaze just as resolute. "Agreed. But first, we need to scout the area and make sure we're not walking into another trap."
Together, they emerged from the tunnel, the city's skyline looming over them like a silent sentinel. The world was vast and full of dangers, but with their systems guiding them, Kael and Elara were ready to face whatever came their way.
As they stepped into the light, the system's notifications faded into the background, a constant reminder of the power and potential that lay within them. The journey ahead would be long and fraught with peril, but they were no longer alone.
And with every step they took, they grew stronger.