MTL NOVEL Chapter 19: chapter 19 skill stone
Kaelith continued his journey deeper into the cave after his victory over the Rock Golem. His heart was still racing from the intense battle, but the adrenaline had begun to settle. As he walked further into the darkened tunnel, he kept his senses sharp. The eerie quiet of the cave felt oppressive, almost as if it was waiting for him to make the next move.
He could feel the weight of his mission pressing down on him. The Spiritual Flower was still his goal, but the challenges he had faced so far had been grueling, and he knew there were more ahead. His thoughts briefly drifted back to the battle with the Golem. That fight had tested him in ways he hadn't expected. It had forced him to use not just his agility and archery skills but also his resourcefulness. The environment had played a key role in his victory, and his quick thinking had turned the tide.
As he moved cautiously forward, his eyes scanned the ground for any signs of life, but it seemed like the cave was in a temporary lull. There were no monsters in sight, just the occasional dripping of water echoing through the tunnels. Then, out of the corner of his eye, Kaelith noticed something gleaming on the ground — something he hadn't seen before.
It was a small, smooth stone, unlike the rough rocks that littered the cave. It had a faint glow to it, an ethereal, shimmering blue light that seemed to pulse gently. Kaelith crouched down, his heart skipping a beat as he reached for it. His fingers brushed against the stone, and he felt a surge of energy course through his body. His eyes widened in realization — this was a Skill Stone.
Skill Stones were incredibly rare items in Eldoria, with a drop rate of only 1 in 10,000. They were highly coveted by players, as they could be used to upgrade a skill instantly, bypassing the usual training process. This was the kind of treasure that could turn the tide in a player's favor, and it was often the difference between life and death in difficult situations.
Kaelith couldn't believe his luck. A Skill Stone was a game-changer, and he knew exactly what he wanted to use it on. His Rapid Fire skill had been one of his most reliable abilities in battle. It allowed him to unleash a quick series of arrows, overwhelming his opponents with speed. However, it was still at level 1, and he knew that upgrading it could make it much more powerful, especially if he faced more formidable foes in the future.
Without hesitation, Kaelith held the stone tightly in his hand and focused on Rapid Fire. He could feel the energy from the stone flowing into him, pulsing with an intensity that almost made him stagger. A soft hum filled the air as the stone reacted to his intentions. The stone began to glow brighter, its light enveloping Kaelith's hand. He could see his skill starting to change.
A rush of power surged through him, and for a moment, Kaelith felt as if time itself slowed down. His mind was filled with the knowledge of the skill's new potential. Rapid Fire had leveled up.
The light from the stone faded, leaving Kaelith standing in the dim cave once more. He looked at his hands, feeling a sense of growth within himself. The stone had done its work, and he had no doubt that Rapid Fire was now far stronger than before.
He checked his skills immediately.
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Rapid Fire
Level 2
Cooldown: 20 seconds
Effect: Unleashes a barrage of arrows at high speed, targeting a single enemy or a group of enemies in a small area. The number of arrows fired increases by 2 per second.
Bonus: Increased damage output by 10% per arrow.
Duration: 4 seconds.
Mana Cost: 15 mana.
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The skill's description now reflected a significant upgrade. The Cooldown was reduced from 30 seconds to 20, allowing him to use it more frequently in combat. The number of arrows per second had increased, meaning he could overwhelm opponents with more arrows in a shorter amount of time. The bonus damage per arrow would make it even more lethal, and the increased Duration meant that Kaelith could now keep his enemies under pressure for longer.
Kaelith grinned to himself. He had made the right choice. The Skill Stone had proven to be invaluable, and he couldn't wait to put his newly upgraded skill to the test. He felt more confident now, knowing that he had an edge in his battles. But he couldn't let his guard down. The cave was still dangerous, and the Spiritual Flower was still waiting for him.
With renewed determination, Kaelith stood up and continued his journey, the Skill Stone now a memory in his hand and the strength of his upgraded Rapid Fire skill ready to serve him in whatever challenge lay ahead.
As he moved deeper into the cave, the silence seemed more oppressive, but Kaelith knew he was better prepared than before. He wasn't just another adventurer in Eldoria anymore. With the Skill Stone upgrade, he was one step closer to achieving his goals, no matter how difficult the path became.
As Kaelith advanced deeper into the cave, he found the Rock Golems becoming increasingly formidable, their resilience to normal arrows forcing him to adapt his strategy. The air was heavy with the scent of damp stone, and the faint echo of his footsteps reverberated off the walls. His pulse quickened with each rumble of the ground, signaling the approach of yet another monster. With the tension mounting, Kaelith knew that merely using Rapid Fire wouldn't be enough to deal with these stronger, more aggressive creatures.
It was time to bring out another of his skills: Focus Shot.
With a deep breath, Kaelith steadied himself and crouched low behind a large stalagmite that jutted out from the cave floor. The next Rock Golem appeared, lumbering into view, its glowing eyes scanning the area for intruders. Kaelith didn't hesitate. He nocked an arrow and activated Focus Shot, taking advantage of the skill's precision to aim at the Golem's weak points.
Focus Shot was a skill that required intense concentration. Unlike Rapid Fire, which relied on speed and volume of fire, Focus Shot allowed Kaelith to take his time and ensure that every arrow he shot was a direct hit. As he activated the skill, the world around him seemed to slow down. His vision narrowed, and all he could focus on was the Rock Golem's exposed weak spots — the joints in its arms and legs, the gaps in its rocky armor.
He took aim at the creature's chest, where a few cracks had started to form from the previous arrows. The Golem was big, but Kaelith knew that its size didn't guarantee invincibility. With Focus Shot, his arrows would hit with pinpoint accuracy and devastating power.
Kaelith steadied his breathing, the tension in his fingers as he pulled the bowstring taut. Time seemed to stretch as he held his breath, waiting for the perfect moment. As soon as the Rock Golem took a step forward, Kaelith released the arrow. It flew through the air with deadly intent, striking the Golem directly in the chest. The force of the shot sent a shockwave through the monster's body, and the arrow dug deep into its rocky flesh.
The Golem roared in pain, but Kaelith was already preparing his next move. He didn't wait for the Golem to recover. With Focus Shot's cooldown period, Kaelith kept moving, adjusting his position and aiming at another weak spot — this time, the back of the Golem's knee joint. He knew that Focus Shot wouldn't give him many opportunities, so he had to make each shot count.
Another arrow, perfectly aimed, found its mark. The Rock Golem staggered, its legs giving out beneath it as the arrow shattered its knee joint. The Golem fell to the ground with a massive thud, but Kaelith wasn't finished. His Focus Shot had already recharged, and he quickly aimed at the exposed core of the Golem, just below the chest.
This time, Kaelith's arrow struck true. The monster's glowing eyes dimmed as the arrow pierced its weak spot, sending a burst of energy through the creature's body as it crumbled to the ground, lifeless. Kaelith didn't celebrate the kill, however. He knew that he couldn't rest for long, as more enemies lurked in the shadows of the cave.
The precision of Focus Shot had proven invaluable in this situation. The skill's ability to deliver powerful, accurate shots in the midst of chaos allowed Kaelith to take down Rock Golems far faster than before. It was an indispensable tool in his growing arsenal, and he made a mental note to use it more frequently as he continued his journey deeper into the cave.
As Kaelith continued his battle against the Rock Golems, he switched between Rapid Fire for swift, overwhelming attacks and Focus Shot for pinpoint, high-damage precision. Each skill complemented the other, allowing him to adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of the cave's dangerous inhabitants. The cave grew darker and more perilous with each step, but Kaelith's mind remained focused on his goal — to collect the Spiritual Flower and return victorious.
Each battle brought him closer to mastering his abilities. The more he fought, the more efficient and deadly he became. And as he moved forward, he couldn't help but think that this cave was just the beginning — there would be much greater challenges ahead, and Kaelith was ready to face them head-on.