The world was unforgiving. Kael knew that.
But he also knew that he had a rare advantage: the Rebirth Core, which allowed him to break free from the system's rigid limitations.
While others would be forced into one path, Kael could cherry-pick from different branches, mix and match, and build something entirely unique. The flexibility was both exhilarating and terrifying.
He took a deep breath. Balance was key. He had to prepare for everything: mobility to dodge, healing to stay alive, buffs to maximize his effectiveness, defense to protect himself, and attack skills to destroy his enemies.
And, of course, an area skill to deal with groups—because survival wasn't just about dueling single enemies. It was about managing every threat in his path.
First, he focused on the Shadow Arts branch. He needed to stay hidden, to move with precision. Shadowstep, Veil of Shadows, and Shadow Cloak. Perfect for a solo warrior who needed to remain inconspicuous, to control the flow of combat without being seen.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You unlocked Shadow Arts skill Shadowstep!
You unlocked Shadow Arts skill Veil of Shadows!
You unlocked Shadow Arts skill Shadow Cloak!
You have used 6 SP.
He felt a strange sensation as the skills were unlocked, the power of each new ability flowing through him, sparking something deep within.
[Shadow Arts Skill]
[Shadowstep (Active - Mobility). Teleport a short distance to a targeted location, leaving a decoy behind for 3 seconds. Generates Shadow Energy. Cooldown: 8 seconds.]
[Veil of Shadows (Active - Buff). Enter stealth for 6 seconds, increasing movement speed by 20%. Attacking or using abilities breaks stealth but grants bonus critical damage for the next attack. Cooldown: 12 seconds]
[Shadow Cloak (Passive - Defensive). Reduces detection range by enemies and increases evasion by 10% while in stealth.]
He tried them out, each skill sending a shiver of satisfaction through him.
Shadowstep felt like the world had paused for a brief moment as he teleported across the room, leaving a ghostly afterimage behind.
Veil of Shadows made him feel as if the world had become a blur, his movements unseen, faster, sharper.
Shadow Cloak shrouded him in an almost imperceptible haze, making him fade from sight, an afterthought in the eyes of anyone nearby.
Each skill was an extension of him—more than tools, more than tricks. They were part of his core now, shaping him as he shaped them.
Kael stepped back, his heart pounding in his chest. This was what it meant to grow stronger. Not just through sheer force, but through understanding, through becoming something greater than the sum of his parts.
But there was still more to unlock. He wasn't done yet.
Next, Kael moved on to the Phantom Blades branch, selecting Shadowfang, a quick dual-strike attack. It was perfect for delivering high burst damage from stealth.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You unlocked Phantom Blades skill Shadowfang!
You have used 2 SP.
[Phantom Blades Skill]
[Shadowfang (Active - Offensive). A quick dual-strike attack that deals bonus damage if performed from stealth. Generates Shadow Energy.]
His body hummed with energy. The dual strikes of Shadowfang flowed smoothly from his body, a perfect complement to his newfound swiftness. It was exactly what he needed. A clean, precise strike from the shadows—swift, efficient.
Finally, Kael looked toward Venomcraft. He needed something for crowd control, something that could weaken and disable enemies over a large area. Virus Cloud seemed like the perfect choice. It didn't just deal damage; it also reduced healing, preventing his enemies from recovering.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You unlocked Venomcraft skill Virus Cloud!
You have used 3 SP.
[Venomcraft Skill]
[Virus Cloud (Active - AOE). Releases a poisonous cloud in a radius, dealing damage over time and reducing enemy healing effects by 50%. Cooldown: 12 seconds]
As the poison cloud filled the air around him in his mind's eye, Kael imagined the devastation it would cause. Enemies caught within the cloud would falter, weakened by the corrosive effects, healing cut in half as they choked on the toxins. A perfect area control skill.
But there was still one more skill he needed. Something to help him stay alive, something to balance out the damage with healing.
He needed sustainability. He needed Venomous Reprieve—a healing skill that would grant him the strength to keep fighting even as his enemies were slowly weakened by poison.
Without hesitation, Kael selected Venomous Reprieve from the Venomcraft branch. This skill cost him 4 SP. His body trembled as the skill unlocked, a subtle but powerful surge of energy filling him. The skill would allow him to heal over time, siphoning off the very poison he used to afflict his enemies.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You unlocked Venomcraft skill Venomous Reprieve!
[Venomous Reprieve (Combo - Healing). Trigger a burst of poison from all affected enemies, healing you for a portion of the damage dealt]
The healing energy coursed through him like a soothing balm. Kael felt a deep sense of relief—no longer would he be at the mercy of his enemies in long, drawn-out battles. The poison he spread would not only harm his foes but would sustain him as well, replenishing his strength over time.
Kael's breath slowed as the information poured into him, each notification a confirmation of his growing power. His heart raced—not with excitement, but with a deep, simmering focus. He had the tools. Now, he had to make them work together.
The system's notifications faded, and Kael took a deep breath.
The skills were unlocked, yes—but what now? Would he rush into battle with his new abilities? Would he use them to seek power, to prove his worth to the world? Or would he take a step back and understand what they truly meant?
"Mastery requires patience," he murmured to himself, echoing the entity's advice. He wasn't going to rush this. The skills were there, but they needed time to be understood, to be honed. He couldn't afford to use them recklessly.
The entity's voice echoed in the back of his mind. "The real challenge has only just begun."
Kael clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the power he'd just unlocked. This was just the beginning.
He wasn't the same person who'd stepped into this world, and he could feel the change within him, a shift in his very core.
And just like that, a new notification chimed in, interrupting Kael's thoughts.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Tutorial Quest: Awaken Class completed!]
[Tutorial Quest: Unlock a Skill completed!]
Tutorial Quest Progress: 4/5
You have unopened rewards!
Kael blinked, momentarily distracted by the sudden influx of information. A part of him had forgotten about the tutorial system altogether. He hadn't really been paying attention to the quest progress—it hadn't seemed all that important with the weight of his choices hanging over him.
But now, as the screen flashed with a new prompt, curiosity gnawed at him.
Unopened rewards? He wasn't sure what the rewards would be, but he had a sinking feeling they might be significant.
He hesitated for only a moment before pressing the notification.