Chapter 8 - Battle Skills

Kaiju was not being sarcastic when he claimed the grotesque monster was terrifying. However, the remaining rewards he received from the Gacha System, after he received a utility skill, leaned more in battle, three of them, made him fight against it without a racing heartbeat.

One was a dagger mastery, the other was a dagger, and the last was an active skill, Emotionless.

Kaiju didn't have the chance to look at their description when he saw the grotesque monster. He quickly remembered he could copy another skill from his pet, Snow, so he hastily copied it. Connecting the dots without having a clear knowledge of each of his skills, he utilized all of them and managed to sever the head of the grotesque monster.

He felt exhilarated, wanting to experience the same thing again. However, he knew each of his skills had limits and cooldown.

After cleaning Snow from the revolting stench of the green blood, he walked farther from the monster, performing what he learned from the lesson in the wilderness class.

"It is a must to be quickly away from the carcass of monster and beast, as their fellow could sniff blood due to their sensitive senses. Hence, after scavenging all of the carcass valuable stuff… run away with it."

Kaiju could still remember his teacher's words vividly and did not hesitate to follow them.

When he felt they were far enough, now that he was conscious of the place he should take a rest – avoiding the conspicuous area and choosing the shaded area as their temporary shelter, Kaiju sat and leaned on the protruding colossal roots and placed Snow on his lap.

He directly asked the Gacha System to show him the descriptions of each of his skills.

{Skills Descriptions:

Shadow Step (Common Grade)

Description: Shadow Step allows the host to move silently and blend into shadows, reducing their presence. While active, the host's footsteps become inaudible, and they are less likely to be noticed in dimly lit environments. It made it difficult for the user to be tracked. However, once the host has been spotted, the skill will lose its efficiency.

Current activations: 2/2

Duration: 5 minutes

Cooldown: 10 minutes

Basic Dagger Mastery (Common Grade)

Description: This skill grants the host basic proficiency in wielding a dagger. It includes an understanding of fundamental dagger techniques, such as quick thrusts, slashes, and parries. The host can comfortably handle daggers in close combat, focusing on speed, precision, and defense. Simple combat tactics involving quick strikes and parries are also included, making the user adept at close-quarters engagements.

Emotionless Skill (Rare Grade)

Description: Emotionless is an active skill that, when activated, temporarily suppresses all emotions, allowing the host to remain calm and unaffected by fear, anger, or grief. This state enhances the host's focus, reaction time, and decision-making during stressful situations, such as combat or high-pressure negotiations. 

Effects: While the skill is active, the host can execute actions with cold efficiency but may lose the ability to connect with others emotionally, making them seem detached or distant. Overuse may lead to a gradual dulling of emotions outside of combat, creating a long-term psychological impact.

Current activations: 0/1

Cooldown: 12 hours

Swift Dash (Common Grade)

A movement skill that uses a lot of strength to be swifter multiple times than an average dash. The movement is limited to linear direction; once the host tries to change direction, the Swift Dash will automatically subtract one activation.

Current activations: 0/3

Cooldown: 5 minutes (Based on the current strength points by the host.)}

Although Kaiju possessed numerous skills now, he ordered the system to present the descriptions of the skills he utilized earlier during the battle.

Of course, he included the utility skill even though it was not utilized earlier during the combat, he still wanted to know its descriptions.

Shadow Step might indeed be suitable for battle, but it was more useful when it comes to scouting, diminishing his presence to avoid provoking beasts and monsters unintentionally, and for surprise attack.

It was not good for a long term, especially when his presence was detected as its effect would instantly disappear.

When he saw the duration and cooldown, he quickly understood what those were… not really disappointed that he could not activate the skill for a long period of time.

What elated him though was the fact he managed to obtain a mastery skills – although other kids, especially those who could afford to be trained in dojo would automatically obtain one once entered the tower, as the latter assessed the host's current skills, him, not even obtaining one before entering the hellish trial, was already a great boon before he encountered the grotesque monster.

That was how he managed to wield the dagger he also obtained from the Gacha Draw.

While he was at it, he hastily asked the system to show him the descriptions of his dagger.

He last recalled it was a Rare grade and so, he was anticipating its descriptions.

{Bloodthorn (Rare Grade)

Description: Bloodthorn is a slender, curved dagger with a blood-red hue that shimmers when drawn. Its razor-sharp blade is designed for deep, precise cuts that cause excessive bleeding.

Effects: Upon piercing flesh, the dagger's enchantment increases blood loss by 15%, causing the target to weaken gradually. For every 5% of the target's total health lost due to bleeding, the blade sharpens further, increasing the weapon's damage by 10%. This effect stacks up to 50%, making Bloodthorn more dangerous the longer combat continues.}

He recalled what he learned from his teacher was that to differentiate the Common and Rare grade was the… Effects.

The Common Grade weapon and even skills normally didn't have effects, a special one, while Rare and above has one or more.

For instance, the Edible Plant Skills… if it was a Common Grade, he wouldn't have been seeing a wall of texts beside each plant he saw and would not have been as detailed as the Common Grade.

Furthermore, Common Grade skills, weapons… or should he say, rewards from the Gacha System could be evolved to higher grades.

Hence, even if it was a Common Grade, they would not be belittled since they possess growth, too.

Bloodthorn Rare Grade weapon's special effects really explained how he easily managed to sever the head of the grotesque monster even if it appeared to be sturdy while his strength was still inadequate… assumingly.