Kael stared at the status screen with a mix of astonishment and disbelief. His mana control, which had been at the Basic level for as long as he could remember, had now advanced to Intermediate.
"How much time and effort would it have taken me to achieve this without Noctharis?" Kael thought, his lips twitching into a wry smile. He remembered reading that even the most talented mages required years of dedicated practice to enhance their proficiency in mana control. The leap from Basic to Intermediate was monumental—it marked a significant milestone in understanding and manipulating mana with precision. Yet here he was, achieving it not through grueling practice, but through a single action—absorbing the dungeon core using the method Noctharis had instructed him.
He clenched his fists, feeling the faint hum of mana flowing more smoothly within him. "This method... it's terrifyingly effective. No wonder the protagonist's progress always seemed so slow in comparison. The bastard relied on ancient scriptures and treasures for his edge, but this... this feels like cheating."
Kael couldn't help but recall the protagonist's numerous fortuitous encounters. The guy was an unstoppable luck magnet, stumbling upon powerful artifacts and ancient wisdom at every turn. "That lucky bastard. Half the treasures he obtained were never even utilized properly in the story. They just collected dust in his inventory until the author remembered they existed." Kael scowled, shaking his head.
Still, Kael's gaze lingered on the new skills displayed in his status. His fingers hovered over one in particular—Rapid Recovery.
"Amazing," he whispered. This passive skill was practically a cheat code. It allowed his body to recover at double the normal speed from injuries, fatigue, and even illness. Kael grinned. "With this, I can train twice as hard, push myself beyond normal limits, and still recover in record time. And the best part? It's passive. My body will heal itself even while I sleep."
His grin faded slightly. "Not that it makes me the luckiest. The protagonist had a literal arsenal of cheat-tier skills, each more broken than the last. Compared to him, this is just a small consolation prize."
Kael's eyes drifted to the second new skill—Dragon Fear. The name alone carried an air of intimidation. As he examined it, he couldn't help but glance back toward Noctharis's projection. The dragon's dark, ancient eyes seemed to gleam knowingly, as if sensing his curiosity.
Before Kael could speak, Noctharis's voice, deep and resonant, filled the chamber. "Ah, you wish to know about Dragon Fear. It is not a mere skill, young one, but a manifestation of a dragon's natural superiority."
Kael nodded, listening intently.
Noctharis continued, his tone imbued with a sense of ancient pride. "Every dragon, no matter how weak, exudes an aura that instills fear into lesser beings. It is not learned. It is innate—an undeniable truth woven into our very existence. Lower creatures instinctively cower before us. Even beings of great power, like phoenixes or fairies, falter under the gaze of a true dragon."
Kael's eyes widened. "Even beings as powerful as phoenixes?"
Noctharis chuckled darkly. "Indeed. But do not misunderstand—what you now possess is a fragment of that power, bestowed upon you through my essence. For lesser beings, this 'Dragon Fear' may feel like the crushing weight of despair, rendering them unable to move, to fight, or even to think clearly. Against those of equal standing, it will dull their focus, disrupt their mana flow, and weaken their resolve."
Kael swallowed, processing the implications. "So, it's like the fear effects you see in games where enemies freeze up or become weaker in the presence of a dragon?"
Noctharis huffed, a faint plume of ethereal smoke curling from his snout. "A crude comparison, but not entirely inaccurate. However, do not let it inflate your arrogance. The power of Dragon Fear grows with your strength. As you are now, it is but a shadow of its true potential."
Kael nodded slowly, still marveling at the skill's possibilities. "Still, it's incredible. Thank you for this, Noctharis."
The dragon snorted. "Do not thank me yet. You have much to prove before you are worthy of wielding my gifts."
Kael's lips twitched. "Understood, Your Majesty. Your wisdom never ceases to amaze me."
The dragon snorted again, clearly unimpressed by Kael's flattery. "If you cannot even slay the monsters of this era, you are not worth my time."
Kael smirked but chose not to respond. He turned his attention back to the chamber, the weight of his newfound power filling him with determination. "It's time to leave," he muttered, glancing toward the narrow passage he had entered through.
The corridor was tight, barely wide enough for him to squeeze through without scraping against the jagged walls. Shadows danced along the uneven surface, cast by the faint glow of the mana stones embedded in the rock. Kael moved cautiously, his breaths shallow as the air grew colder the deeper he ventured.
"This place feels endless," he thought, his steps echoing faintly in the confined space. Every so often, the sound of dripping water would break the silence, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
After what felt like an eternity, Kael finally emerged into the forested area near the cave's entrance. He inhaled deeply, the fresh air a stark contrast to the musty dampness of the passage.
But his relief was short-lived. As he stepped into the clearing, a sudden realization struck him. "Shit... I completely forgot about the monster that was chasing me earlier."
Noctharis's voice rumbled in his mind. "What monster? I sense nothing of significance nearby."
Kael frowned. "Nothing significant? It was at least a B- rank creature!"
The dragon's tone was laced with disdain. "You overestimate these so-called 'ranks.' In my time, even your precious SSS+ ranks could not hope to touch my claws."
Kael rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, Your Majesty, you never fail to surprise me."
Noctharis snorted, unimpressed. "If you cannot handle a mere B- rank creature, you have no right to dream of greatness."
Kael sighed but didn't argue. He scanned the forest cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His body had mostly recovered thanks to Rapid Recovery, but his shirt was still stained red with dried blood, giving him the appearance of someone barely clinging to life.
As he ventured further into the forest, he couldn't help but joke, "Noctharis, don't dragons hoard treasures? Shouldn't you have a stash hidden around here?"
The dragon's voice swelled with pride. "In my prime, my hoard could fill an entire town, and still it would overflow."
Kael's eyes lit up. "Really? Where is it?"
Noctharis chuckled darkly. "Do you think I kept it with me? I hid it well, using enchantments that no ordinary being could decipher. If centuries have passed, I doubt it remains untouched—other dragons or greedy mortals would have claimed it by now."
Kael's shoulders slumped. "Figures."
"But," Noctharis added, "my greatest treasures remain hidden. They are protected by my magic, in a place no one would dare venture. Even now, they await a worthy successor."
Kael's interest piqued. "What kind of treasures?"
"Artifacts, weapons, and relics of unparalleled power," Noctharis said. "But do not get your hopes up. You are far too weak to retrieve them. Only one of SS ranked or higher could even attempt to enter."
Kael's excitement deflated. "SS rank? I'd be lucky to reach that in a decade..."
"Then stop whining and start working," Noctharis growled.
Before Kael could retort, a shadow darted across the corner of his vision. His instincts screamed, and he ducked just in time as something massive slashed the air above his head.
A guttural growl echoed through the clearing. Kael's eyes locked onto a beast standing before him, its massive claws glinting in the dim light, saliva dripping from its fanged maw.
"Great," Kael muttered, drawing his sword. "A D- Rank monster. Just my luck."
The beast snarled, its movements cautious but predatory as it gauged Kael's strength.
Kael gritted his teeth, gripping his sword tightly. "This is going to be a pain..."
The monster lunged, and Kael braced himself for the fight.