As the crowd continued to buzz with shock and awe, Ryker suddenly heard a series of dings in his head. A system-like voice echoed in his mind:
"You have leveled up 19 times."
"You have acquired 15 new Magic Sword Skills."
"You have acquired 3 new Unique Skills."
"You have acquired 5 new Ability Skills."
Ryker paused, his cane tapping lightly on the ground as a wide grin spread across his face. "I got stronger," he murmured, the excitement evident in his voice. He mentally accessed his status screen, which displayed his updated details in a clean and organized format:
Ryker's Status Screen
Name: Ryker Ashen
Age: 24
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Level: 64
Health Points (HP): 1,420
Magic Points (MP): 780
Strength: 110
Agility: 125
Attack: 95
Intelligence: 85
Luck: 65
Speed: 135
Normal Skills:
Enhanced Hearing
Blind Combat Mastery
Weapon Proficiency
Spatial Awareness
Ability Skills:
Mental Echo Mapping: Creates a mental map of surroundings using sound waves, providing enhanced spatial awareness and navigation.
Phantom Step: Allows for near-silent, rapid movement to confuse opponents.
Unseen Edge: Executes a precision strike that targets an opponent's weak spot, increasing damage significantly.
Aura Detection: Reads the emotional state and energy levels of individuals nearby.
Echo Reverberation: Releases a sound-based shockwave to disorient enemies within range.
Mana Absorption: Drains magic energy from surroundings to replenish MP.
Kinetic Reflexes: Enhances reaction speed, allowing near-instantaneous responses in combat.
Magic Sword Skills:
Shadow Veil Slash: Strikes with dark energy, obscuring the target's vision and sapping their strength.
Wind Cutter Spiral: Creates a spiraling gust of wind around the blade, slashing enemies in its radius.
Celestial Arc: Releases a radiant slash imbued with light magic, effective against dark-aligned enemies.
Flame Spiral: Engulfs the sword in fire, delivering a spinning slash that burns enemies in its wake.
Frostbite Edge: Inflicts freezing damage with a chance to slow enemy movement.
Thunderclap Strike: Channels lightning into the blade, delivering a powerful electrified blow.
Arcane Flurry: Unleashes a rapid series of strikes enhanced by pure magical energy.
Phantom Blade Echo: Summons spectral copies of the sword to strike multiple foes simultaneously.
Gravity Cleave: Delivers a heavy slash that manipulates gravity, pulling enemies toward the impact point.
Ethereal Slash: Deals damage that bypasses physical defenses, targeting the enemy's magic core.
Mirage Slice: Creates illusory blades to confuse enemies while delivering an unexpected strike.
Voidrend Slash: Uses dark magic to tear through enemy defenses, ignoring barriers and shields.
Solar Strike: Summons the power of the sun to deliver a searing, explosive slash.
Lunar Arc: Channels moonlight into the blade, delivering a silent but devastating attack.
Tempest Fang: Combines wind and water elements for a blade attack that slashes and soaks enemies.
Blazing Nova: Releases a fiery explosion with a sword strike, dealing massive area damage.
Unique Skills:
Phantom Blades: Summons spectral clones of the user, all attacking the opponent in perfect synchronization to overwhelm their defenses.
Eclipse Strike: Combines light and dark energy for a devastating dual-element attack.
Time Step: Momentarily slows time, giving the user a significant edge in combat.
Shadow Bind: Immobilizes enemies within a darkened area, leaving them vulnerable.
Items:
Utility Pouch: Contains basic supplies and tools for survival and navigation.
Weapons:
Cane-Sword: Appears as a standard walking cane but conceals a finely crafted blade.
Titles:
Blind Blade of Precision Echo Warrior Rising Legend
Ryker stared at his status screen, the updates and newfound power leaving him momentarily stunned. "This is... incredible," he muttered to himself. "I've never been this strong before. What else can I do?"
He was about to turn to the receptionist to discuss what had just happened when Garrek's enraged voice broke through the commotion. "I am important!" Garrek bellowed, his voice filled with desperation and anger. "I am the strongest here! Do you hear me?!" His voice echoed across the guild hall, silencing some of the murmurs.
Garrek's face twisted with fury as he continued, "Somebody destroy him! I'll give you a million gold if you take him down!"
The adventurers began to stir, their voices rising in a chaotic cacophony:
"A million gold?!"
"That's more than I'll make in a lifetime!"
"He's blind—it can't be that hard!"
Several adventurers jumped to their feet, yelling and screaming as they prepared to attack. "I'll do it!" one shouted. "I'll take him down!" another added, their voices blending with the sounds of scraping chairs and unsheathing weapons.
Others, watching from the sidelines, laughed and jeered:
"They're going to regret this!"
"This is going to be a massacre."
"I don't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for them."
As the group of riled-up adventurers charged at Ryker, he simply smiled. His cane tapped lightly on the ground as he spoke, his voice calm but commanding. "Unique Skill: Shadow Bind."
Suddenly, tendrils of shadows erupted from the ground, snaking around the adventurers who had rushed forward. They screamed and struggled as the dark tendrils wrapped tightly around them, immobilizing them in place.
"Let us go!" one adventurer yelled, his voice filled with panic.
"What kind of skill is this?!" another shouted, thrashing against the unyielding shadows.
Ryker's smile widened as he tapped his cane again. "Unique Skill: Phantom Blades x7."
The room gasped in unison as seven spectral clones of Ryker appeared around him, each one identical and exuding an aura of quiet menace. The clones moved in perfect unison, their canes transforming into swords in a synchronized motion.
The watching adventurers erupted into chaos:
"What the hell is this?!"
"He's multiplying! How do we fight that?!"
"This is insane!"
Even the receptionist, who had been watching with growing concern, gasped. "What... what kind of power is this?" she muttered, her voice trembling.
Ryker looked up at the captured adventurers, his smile calm but sharp. "You're finished," he said simply. "Skill: Thunderclap Strike."
In an instant, Ryker and his clones disappeared, reappearing behind the captured adventurers in the blink of an eye. The adventurers froze, their eyes wide with shock.
"What just happened?!" one stammered.
"I didn't even see him move!" another cried out.
Ryker calmly slid his sword back into his cane with a quiet click. A split second later, arcs of electricity surged through the captured adventurers, their screams filling the air as the Thunderclap Strike took full effect.
The remaining adventurers who hadn't joined the attack watched in stunned silence, their faces pale. "He... he electrocuted all of them..." one whispered.
"And they didn't even stand a chance," another added, shaking their head in disbelief.
The receptionist clutched the counter, her face a mixture of awe and fear. "I've never seen anything like this," she muttered. "Who... who is he?"
Garrek, who had been watching the scene unfold, stumbled back, his face ashen. "This... this can't be real," he stuttered, his voice cracking. "He's just a blind man! How... how did he...?!"
Garrek's voice grew louder as his panic mounted. "He's a monster! Do you hear me?! A monster! Someone stop him!" His words ended in a desperate yell, but no one moved. The room remained frozen, every eye fixed on Ryker, who stood silently amidst the chaos, his calm smile never fading.
Ryker stood confidently in the training field, his cane tapping lightly against the ground as the adventurers around him remained in stunned silence. He turned his attention to the receptionist, who had cautiously approached the edge of the field. With a calm smile, he addressed her. "I'd like to join the guild, please."
The receptionist, still recovering from the chaos of the battle, stammered. "Y-you... you want to join the guild?" Her voice wavered as she tried to compose herself. "Well, after what I've seen, I think you're more than qualified." Her eyes darted nervously to Garrek, who was still fuming a short distance away.
Garrek, unable to contain his rage, shouted angrily, "Qualified?! This blind fraud is a menace! He doesn't belong here! I'll never let this happen!"
Ryker's smile remained steady, his tone calm but cutting. "Can you shut up already?" he said, tapping his cane on the ground. "Skill: Thunderclap Strike."
A surge of energy erupted from the cane, arcing toward Garrek with a loud crack. The room filled with light and the sharp sound of electricity. Garrek screamed dramatically, his voice echoing across the field. "What is this?! You can't—AHHH!" His body convulsed as the electricity coursed through him. When the strike subsided, he collapsed to the ground, steam rising from his clothing.
The adventurers watching gasped and muttered amongst themselves:
"Did he just zap Garrek?"
"I think he broke him."
"That guy's not messing around."
Garrek groaned weakly, his voice barely audible. "This... this isn't over," he muttered, too disoriented to stand.
Ryker turned back to the receptionist, brushing off the chaos behind him. "So, shall we, Mrs. Receptionist?" he asked, his smile as composed as ever.
The receptionist blinked, her surprise giving way to a soft smile. "My name is Lila," she said, her voice steadying as she regained her composure. "And yes, let's get you signed up."
Ryker gave a small bow. "Pleasure to meet you, Lila. I'm Ryker Ashen."
Still standing in the training field, Lila hesitated, glancing at the other adventurers who were still murmuring about what they had witnessed. She turned back to Ryker. "You've certainly made an impression," she said, a hint of amusement in her tone.
Ryker chuckled lightly. "I suppose I have."
Lila gestured toward the edge of the training field. "If you're ready, we can head inside and finalize your registration."
Ryker nodded, tapping his cane lightly on the ground. "Lead the way." As they began walking toward the guildhall, the other adventurers continued to watch, their expressions a mix of fear, awe, and curiosity.
Ryker and Lila made their way back to the guild's front entrance, where the receptionist desk stood. The room had calmed down since the earlier chaos in the training field, though a few adventurers still lingered, casting curious glances their way.
As they reached the desk, Ryker leaned casually on his cane and turned to Lila. "So," he began with a small smile, "am I already a guild member after taking down your so-called strongest adventurer? Or is there still some kind of formal process?"
Lila chuckled softly, her expression relaxing. "Well," she said, tilting her head playfully, "defeating Garrek certainly makes a strong case for you. But, no, you're not officially a member just yet. There's still a process to follow."
Ryker raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."
Lila leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on the desk. "Joining the guild isn't just about strength, you know. We have rules, regulations, and a little bit of paperwork," she said with a grin. "For starters, you'll need to register formally."
Ryker tapped his cane on the ground thoughtfully. "Register? Is that where you make me swear an oath to the guild and promise not to zap annoying adventurers?"
Lila giggled, covering her mouth. "Not exactly, though that wouldn't be a bad addition to the rules. It's mostly just basic information: your name, age, and any special skills or abilities you want to declare."
Ryker nodded, feigning seriousness. "I see. I'll make sure to include 'expert cane tapper' on the list."
Lila laughed again. "You're not going to let up, are you?" She shook her head and continued. "Once you're registered, you'll start as a bronze-rank adventurer. From there, you can take on quests and missions posted on the board over there." She pointed to a large notice board covered in papers.
"Ah," Ryker said, following her gesture. "Quests, missions... and presumably more Garrek types waiting to prove something?"
Lila shrugged, smiling. "It happens. But most adventurers are here to work, not pick fights. At least, that's the hope."
Ryker leaned slightly closer. "And what about the rules? You mentioned those."
Lila straightened, adopting a more formal tone. "The rules are simple: Don't harm other guild members outside of sanctioned duels. Follow the quest guidelines and complete your missions responsibly. And, of course, respect the guild staff."
Ryker smirked. "I suppose that last one includes not electrocuting anyone behind the desk?"
Lila's cheeks flushed slightly, but she smiled. "Yes, that would be appreciated."
They shared a light laugh, and Lila handed him a small form. "Fill this out, and we'll get you officially registered. Once that's done, you'll be part of the Adventurers Guild."
Ryker tapped the pin on the desk lightly, sending out a faint vibration. His mental map filled with the surrounding details, showing him the paper lying on the desk. He picked up the pen and began writing, carefully filling out the application form. The process took a few minutes, his cane occasionally tapping the floor to refresh his mental image of the area.
Once finished, Ryker handed the completed form back to Lila with a satisfied smile. "All done," he said. "Now, do I get a badge or something?"
Lila laughed softly, taking the paper from him. "Not quite yet, but you're officially registered now." She glanced over the form, nodding approvingly. "Looks good. Welcome to the Adventurers Guild, Ryker."
"Thanks, Lila," Ryker replied. "Though I think the welcome was already handled back in the training field."
They both laughed, their voices mingling in the quiet atmosphere of the guild hall. As they continued talking, the conversation drifted into more personal topics.
"So, how long have you been working here?" Ryker asked, leaning casually on his cane.
"A few years," Lila replied with a smile. "It's not always this exciting, though. Most days, it's just processing quests and dealing with paperwork."
"And today you got to see someone electrocute Garrek," Ryker teased. "Must be a highlight."
Lila giggled. "It's definitely not something I'll forget. What about you? What brings someone like you to the guild?"
Ryker shrugged. "I guess I'm looking for a fresh start," he said. "A chance to prove myself."
Lila nodded, her expression softening. "Well, you're off to a strong start," she said warmly.
As they continued to talk, their lighthearted banter carried a subtle undertone of flirtation. Neither seemed to notice, but the adventurers lingering nearby exchanged knowing glances.
"They seem to be getting along," one muttered.
"Too well," another replied with a smirk.
Oblivious to the murmurs, Ryker and Lila kept talking, their laughter filling the air as the guildhall slowly returned to its usual rhythm.