As I ventured deeper into the cave, the air thickened with anticipation, and the flickering light of my surroundings cast eerie shadows on the rocky walls. I could feel the weight of potential—each step echoing the possibilities that lay ahead. The cave was a treasure trove of glowing ores, their luminescence dancing in the dark like stars caught in a cosmic web. With my Invisible Hands skill, I collected them with ease, a feat that would have taken weeks for any ordinary explorer.
Days passed in a blur of exploration and skill honing. By the third day, the cave's atmosphere shifted. I sensed something lurking in the darkness, a primal energy that sent a thrill of excitement coursing through me. It was time for my first true test.
Emerging from the shadows, a massive black serpent coiled around a stalagmite, its scales glistening ominously in the dim light. The beast was classified as a B-rank monster, renowned for its poisonous attacks and formidable armor. My heart raced as I assessed the situation, remembering my training and the new skills I had acquired.
As I prepared to unleash my Thin Slice, the serpent struck with incredible speed, its tail whipping toward me. I barely had time to react. The impact knocked me off my feet, and I felt a sharp pain in my arm as I realized it had fractured. Staying calm was crucial. This wasn't the first time I'd faced pain. In my training, I had endured far worse, only to heal instantly thanks to my inherited skill, Self Heal.
With determination, I sidestepped the serpent's next attack, my arm mending as if it were merely a scratch. I gathered my focus and readied my Thin Slice once more. This time, I was quicker. The serpent lashed out again, but I dodged, feeling the rush of adrenaline as I executed my attack. The blade-like edge of my hand met the serpent's armored tail, slicing through its defenses and causing it to roar in pain.
Seizing the moment, I activated Flash Step, my body blurring as I closed the distance between us. I aimed for the center of the serpent, channeling all my training into a single strike. My hand swept through the air, and with a final, decisive cut, I ended the creature's life.
As the serpent collapsed, a rush of energy surged through me. I felt the familiar pull of skills melding with my essence.
Information!
Inherited skill: Poison Breath
Inherited skill: Intimidating Aura
Inherited skill: Body Armor
Acquired!
My heart raced with exhilaration. Not only had I defeated a formidable foe, but I had also gained powerful skills. My Magic Essence swelled to its maximum of 100%, a fitting reward for my efforts. It was time to expand my abilities even further.
"Miss Chronos!" I called out, my excitement bubbling over. "Is there a skill that can create alloys or metal?"
"Yes! You might be referring to the awakened skill: Alloy Creation," she replied.
"How much magic essence does it require?"
"As it's an awakened skill, it will require 30% of your current magic essence."
"Just like the weapon creation," I mused. "Fine, create it!"
"Understood. The weaving of awakened skill: Alloy Creation has been crafted by ascended skill: Skill Weaving!"
As the energy drained from me, I nearly fainted. I had to be cautious about how I used my essence; the toll was heavy, but now I possessed the ability to create my favorite weapon—the magic gun. This was a gun made from magic ores, capable of shooting projectiles that could be modified to fire knives.
"Miss Chronos, please use Alloy Creation with the ores as a resource and shape it like this…" I instructed, describing the intricate design I had envisioned in my mind.
A few moments passed, and I could feel the magic coalescing in my hands, taking form as my vision came to life.
"It is done!" Chronos announced, and I picked up the gun, admiring its beautiful shape. The sleek, polished body reflected the cave's dim light, making it look like a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
"Miss Chronos, can I imbue magic in it too?" I asked eagerly.
"Yes!"
"Fantastic! But… I forgot to make the bullets! Let's do that too!"
With renewed determination, I watched as Miss Chronos employed Alloy Creation once more, crafting a batch of magical bullets for my gun. After embedding them with fire magic, I aimed at a nearby rock.
With a loud bang, the bullet shot forth, embedding itself into the stone but not breaking it entirely. "Yes! A success!"
Despite my victory, I knew there was still much work to do. I needed to enhance my skills further if I were to survive in this dangerous world. As days turned into a week, I trained relentlessly, mastering the techniques of my Thin Slice, Flash Step, and the use of my guns. By the end of the week, I had crafted seven magic guns, each imbued with a different element, and perfected my skills.
With renewed confidence, I set off to hunt more monsters. The thrill of the chase invigorated me, and I longed for the next challenge.
After some time, I stumbled upon my next target: a C-rank black spider, its body glistening with menace and surrounded by webs that shimmered in the cave's light. I could sense its deadly abilities; if I wasn't careful, I could easily become ensnared.
"I will not lose this time," I whispered to myself, focusing my energy.
With a swift motion, I fired a bullet at the spider's head. It reared back, momentarily stunned, but I knew one shot wouldn't be enough. Quickly, I switched to my water-magic-imbued gun, aiming with precision.
The bullet found its mark, piercing through the spider's head and sending it sprawling to the ground.
"Yayyyyyyy! I did it!" I cheered, the adrenaline pumping through my veins.
Information!
Inherited skill: Web Making
Inherited skill: Sticky Thread
Inherited skill: Size Manipulation has been acquired!
"Size manipulation? This could be useful," I mused, pondering the possibilities as I prepared for the next encounter.
With each monster I defeated, I grew stronger, my skills accumulating like trophies in a display case. I could feel the power within me expanding, ready to be unleashed upon the challenges that lay ahead.
The cave held many secrets, and I was determined to uncover them all.
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