"Can anyone see anything?" Bruce inquired, scanning the faces of those assembled.

"As far as I can tell, there's no movement. I can see to the tree line to the south, and nothing is stirring there," General Valthorn announced. "I'll dispatch scouts and take to the air for a closer look."

Rose, her eyes following Valthorn as he sprinted into town to send Centaurs on their reconnaissance mission before launching himself skyward, posed a question: "Should we continue inside or wait for their reports?"

Elder Dorgran, peering intently into the distance, leaned back and refocused on the group. "There's nothing more we can do but wait for their return. Our people are already taking up defensive positions. The information we discuss here could be life-saving; let's proceed until we hear back."

The tension was palpable as they exchanged quick nods of agreement and entered the Town Hall. Inside, the grand space was silent, an echoing contrast to the flurry of activity that was undoubtedly outside its walls. Every pair of eyes would occasionally dart to a window or doorway, half-expecting to see a scout bursting in with urgent news.

"Very well, let's make the most of our time," Elder Dorgran said, breaking the silence as he led them to a large table strewn with parchment and quills. "While our warriors are prepared to face whatever comes our way, we too have a role to play in strengthening our community."

Once everyone was seated around the table, Elder Dorgran adopted an almost lecture-like tone and laid foundational expectations for their character progression.

"Under normal circumstances, you'll level up and acquire a starter race skill at level 1, followed by additional skills every five levels until you reach level 50. The same applies to your class levels. Now, you can also earn, learn, or craft other skills independently of this, and it won't impact this base number. The system only provides these as a minimum baseline. As you level up skills, you'll find they can grow, evolve, and even change in various ways. There's no one-size-fits-all approach; two individuals could tread the same path but end up with radically different results, depending on their intent."

Amelia, intrigued, interjected with a question: "What happens if you have skills that are similar to each other? What's the point of that?"

Elder Dorgran continued, "Ah, you can fuse them in such cases. Though there's a percentage chance it could occur naturally, most often, you'll have to make an active choice for fusion to happen. The more similar the skills, the higher the success rate and the fewer levels you'll lose post-fusion."

He elaborated further, "For instance, if you have a 'Leap' skill and another called 'Leaping Strike,' merging those would likely have over a 90% success rate, meaning you shouldn't lose levels from the original skills. On the other hand, if you tried to fuse something like 'Water Strike' with 'Sweeping Leg,' the synergy would be far less, perhaps around 30%. In that case, if combined, you'd likely lose most or all levels, and the resulting skill wouldn't be particularly powerful."

Dorgran said, "You typically get three choices when presented with your skill options. You select one, and the others are shelved for future consideration. The next time you level up, those remaining two options will remain. However, they won't appear a third time. Given your unique approach of delaying leveling up, you've already discovered that you can create skills through other means. So just because a skill isn't selected from your list doesn't mean you can't acquire it in other ways."

He then turned his attention to Alice. "Alice, let's see your stats and then use your first set of choices as an example. Would you please read them off to us, along with a brief description?"

Name: Alice Wright

Race: Human

Level: 25

Rank: E

Path: Path of the Storm Serpent

Class: Breaker of Chains

Health: 630

Mana: 330

Stamina: 610

Strength: 118

Agility: 124

Constitution: 84

Intelligence: 44

Willpower: 56

Endurance: 81

Luck: 10

Available Points: 0

Alice pulled up her list and glanced at the screen, which displayed her 'Race Level 1 Skill Selection'. As expected, there were relatively straightforward options with names that essentially described their functions.

Race Level 1 Skill Selection:

Quick Dodge

: A rapid evasion skill to avoid incoming attacks quickly and precisely.

Palm Strike

: Channels energy into the palm to deliver a powerful and focused blow.

Sweeping Kick

: A tactical maneuver to knock enemies off balance by sweeping their legs.

Dorgran nodded, "Excellent. Each of these skills has its unique utility, and choosing one over the others will depend on your preferred combat style, your current skill set, and what you foresee needing in the future. Remember, there's no definitive 'right' or 'rightchoiwrong; it's all about what fits you best."

"After observing you in combat, I gather you specialize in agility-based, hand-to-hand fighting. Is that correct?" Elder Dorgran inquired, his voice imbued with the resonance of years of wisdom.

"Yes, my training before the System was primarily in punching and kicking," Alice confirmed.

"Most, if not all, of your current skills are oriented toward offense, and are quite aggressive, aren't they?" Dorgran's perceptive eyes seemed to peer into her soul.

Caught off guard by his uncanny insight, Alice simply nodded in agreement.

"That's a common trend on newer worlds," Dorgran explained, his voice deep and soothing. "Faced with formidable challenges, newcomers often prioritize aggressive skills for survival. However, have you considered that evasion could be as crucial as another form of attack?" His words dispersed the mental fog Alice hadn't even realized was clouding her judgment.

Grasping the wisdom in his counsel, Alice nodded and chose the skill 'Quick Dodge' without hesitation. "I've selected Quick Dodge."

New Skill: Quick Dodge (Common)

Description: A skill designed for rapid evasion, allowing the user to nimbly avoid incoming attacks. Quick Dodge enhances agility and reflexes, enabling effective repositioning in the heat of battle.

Effects:

Rapid Evasion:

Grants a 20% boost to movement speed for 2 seconds when dodging.

Positioning Advantage:

Successful dodges increase critical hit chance by 5% for the next attack.

Dorgran nodded approvingly. "In your role, dealing damage is essential, which explains your list of primarily offensive skills. But never forget, this isn't a game. Your first priority must always be to stay alive in order to deal that damage."

As Alice continued to read aloud her choices, the room listened intently, absorbing her decision-making process.

"For my Race Level 5, my newest option was Chopping Hand. I am going to go with Palm Strike, they all seem to be too similar for it to matter too much right now," she said, still scrolling through her virtual interface.

New Skill: Palm Strike (Common)

Description: A focused melee attack that channels energy into the palm, delivering a powerful strike to disrupt enemies and create opportunities for follow-up attacks.

Effects:

Energy Impact:

Deals bonus damage on hit, scaling with the user's Strength or Magic stat.

Stagger Effect:

Strikes cause enemies to stagger, reducing their movement and attack speed by 10% for 3 seconds.

When she reached Race Level 10, the new options were Meditative Focus and Serpent Strike. "Serpent Strike caught my eye because it's a speed-based attack that targets an enemy's vulnerabilities for added damage. It felt like a natural extension of my fighting style."

Race Level 10 Skill Selection:

Meditative Focus:

Enhances concentration, improving skill accuracy and stamina recovery.

Serpent Strike:

A swift, precise attack targeting enemy vulnerabilities for increased damage.

Chopping Hand:

Channels energy into a downward strike to break defenses or deal heavy damage.

Deliberating only for a few seconds, she chose Serpent Strike. "It seems like it will go well with my path being Path of the Storm Serpent."

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New Skill: Serpent Strike (Rare)

Description: Serpent Strike delivers a swift, precise attack that exploits enemy vulnerabilities for maximum damage. Inspired by the speed and lethality of a serpent's bite, this skill enhances critical strikes while disrupting the target's defenses.

Effects:

Venomous Precision:

Increases critical hit chance by 15% when targeting enemy weak points.

Defense Shred:

Successful strikes reduce the target's physical and magical defense by 10% for 8 seconds.

Quick Recoil:

Grants the user a 20% movement speed boost for 3 seconds after landing the strike, allowing for quick repositioning.

When she reached Race Level 15, a new skill called Harmonious Step appeared. "While Harmonious Step was tempting, I chose Meditative Focus instead. It enhances balance and internal strength, which feels more beneficial for my overall growth."

Her skill list now included:

Race Level 15 Skill Selection:

Chopping Hand

Meditative Focus

Harmonious Step

: Improves movement efficiency and fluidity during combat.

"I am going to go with Harmonious Step." She made her decision to include the skill she thought would best shore up her foundations.

New Skill: Harmonious Step (Uncommon)

Description: Harmonious Step refines the user's movement, blending agility and control to enhance combat efficiency. This skill allows for seamless transitions between attacks and evasion, creating an advantage in fluidity and positioning.

Effects:

Enhanced Agility:

Increases movement speed by 10% during combat, enabling faster repositioning.

Fluid Evasion:

Dodging attacks restores 5% stamina, promoting sustained mobility in prolonged engagements.

Elder Dorgran stood quietly, his arms crossed, as Alice opened her interface to review her Level 20 skill options. Her eyes scanned the glowing text as three choices appeared before her. She read through each description carefully, her brow furrowed in thought

Race Level 20 Skill Selection:

Dance of the Eternal Forms:

Master 75 intricate combat forms to enhance precision, balance, and adaptability. Unlocks the Serpent's Grace fighting style upon full mastery.

Cyclone Strike:

Unleash a powerful spinning attack that deals area damage and knocks back enemies within a 10-foot radius.

Bladed Reflex:

Automatically counterattack when dodging an enemy's melee strike, dealing bonus damage.

She lingered on Dance of the Eternal Forms, reading through the details again. "This one requires dedication, but the potential it offers… unlocking an entirely new fighting style would take my combat abilities to the next level."

Elder Dorgran nodded as she explained her thoughts. "You're prioritizing skills that serve both offense and personal growth," he observed. "Internal balance and adaptability will make you more versatile—and versatility often defines the most successful fighters."

She selected Dance of the Eternal Forms, her determination solidifying as she imagined what the Serpent's Grace fighting style could bring to her already formidable skill set.

New Skill: Dance of the Eternal Forms (Epic)

Description: Dance of the Eternal Forms is a progressive skill centered around mastering 75 intricate combat forms. Each form enhances the user's precision, balance, and adaptability, creating a foundation for advanced martial techniques. As the skill evolves, additional forms unlock, opening the door to limitless combat potential.

Effects:

Form Mastery:

Increases accuracy and critical hit chance by 1% for each mastered form.

Flowing Momentum:

Grants a stacking 2% boost to attack speed and evasion for 5 seconds with each successful strike, stacking up to 10 times.

Adaptive Defense:

Reduces incoming damage by 15% while performing or transitioning between forms.

Unlock: Serpent's Grace – A unique fighting style that blends fluid movements with precise, lethal strikes, allowing seamless transitions between offense and defense.

"That's an excellent choice, Alice," Elder Dorgran commended. "The skill has a growth potential that can serve you well for an extended period."

Alice then moved on to her final Race Level upgrade, clearly grappling with a tougher decision this time. Her options were Furious Fists, which unleashed a dizzying flurry of punches in a concentrated area and ended with a 'confused' debuff; Counter Stance, which improved her counter-attack abilities; and Pressure Points, which enabled her to strike nerve clusters for stacking debuffs on specific targets. Given their recent encounters—like the rock troll they had faced—she doubted the utility of Pressure Points.

Race Level 25 Skill Selection:

Falling Comet Strike:

A high-impact downward attack that deals increased damage when initiated from above, knocking enemies prone on hit.

Cyclone Strike:

Unleash a powerful spinning attack that deals area damage and knocks back enemies within a 10-foot radius.

Bladed Reflex:

Automatically counterattack when dodging an enemy's melee strike, dealing bonus damage.

After a moment's consideration, she selected Falling Comet. "A high-impact aerial attack like this could be a game-changer in battle," she explained. "The ability to knock enemies prone while dealing heavy damage is exactly what I need to gain the upper hand in tougher fights."

Elder Dorgran nodded, his expression thoughtful. "A wise choice. Falling Comet isn't just about power—it's also tactical. Controlling the battlefield by destabilizing your opponents will give you a significant advantage. Such adaptability will serve you well as you continue to grow."

New Skill: Falling Comet (Rare)

Description: Falling Comet is a devastating aerial attack where the user launches downward with immense force, targeting enemies below. The impact creates a shockwave, dealing significant damage and destabilizing foes within range.

Effects:

Impact Force:

Deals 150% base damage to the primary target and knocks them prone.

Shockwave:

Creates an area-of-effect blast upon landing, dealing 50% damage to enemies within a 10-foot radius and staggering them for 3 seconds.

Controlled Descent:

Reduces incoming damage by 20% while airborne, ensuring the user's safe execution of the attack.

Cooldown: 3 minutes

"How many class choices are available to you?" Dorgran asked, his gaze fixed on Alice.

Alice opened the first of her notifications, scanning the options.

Class Level 1 Skill Selection:

Vortex Kick:

Channel vortex energy into a single, powerful kick, dealing increased damage and destabilizing enemies.

Whirling Dervish:

Combines swift footwork with sustained strikes, enhancing agility and endurance during combat.

Dorgran nodded thoughtfully. "Both sound like solid choices. Don't underestimate that kick, though. Infusing your attacks with energy can significantly elevate your effectiveness in combat."

Alice considered the options briefly, then made her decision. "I'm going with Vortex Kick," she said, selecting the skill. "The idea of channeling energy into a strike feels like a better fit for my style."

New Skill: Vortex Kick (Epic)

Description: Unleash a devastating kick infused with vortex energy, creating a powerful burst that disrupts enemies and controls the battlefield. Vortex Kick combines precision and destructive force, making it a versatile skill for offensive combat.

Effects:

Vortex Burst:

Deals 200% base damage to the target and creates a shockwave that staggers all enemies within a 10-foot radius.

Energy Ripple:

Reduces the movement speed of affected enemies by 30% for 6 seconds, disrupting their ability to reposition.

Momentum Surge:

This ability grants the user a 20% boost to movement speed for 5 seconds after execution, allowing for quick follow-up attacks or evasion.

Cooldown: 5 minutes

"A wise choice," Dorgran said approvingly.

Alice nodded, already imagining the potential the new skill would add to her arsenal as she prepared to check her other notifications.

For her next class selection, Alice reviewed the two new skill options presented to her: Serpentine Dodge and Temple Rush. While Serpentine Dodge was intriguing, it didn't align with her immediate needs. Her focus quickly shifted to Temple Rush, a skill that allowed her to rapidly close the distance to her enemies and deliver a decisive strike. It was a perfect complement to her current abilities.

Class Level 5 Skill Selection:

Serpentine Dodge:

Perform agile, weaving movements to evade attacks and reposition in combat.

Temple Rush:

Charge toward a target, closing the gap rapidly and delivering a powerful impact upon arrival.

Alice glanced at Dorgran, her brow furrowed. "Why did it give me two new skills instead of just replacing the one I didn't choose?"

Dorgran nodded knowingly. "That can happen. Between Class Level 1 and 5, you've likely grown or adapted enough for the System to reassess and adjust the skills it offers you."

Alice shrugged and nodded. "Makes sense. Alright, I'm going with Temple Rush. A mobility skill is exactly what I need."

New Skill: Temple Rush (Rare)

Description: Channeling divine energy, Temple Rush allows the user to invoke the strength of the gods in a powerful forward charge. This skill embodies the relentless drive of temple guardians, smashing through obstacles and delivering a devastating strike imbued with divine purpose.

Effects:

Divine Impact:

Deals 150% base damage to the primary target and knocks them back 10 feet.

Unstoppable Drive:

The charge breaks through enemy lines, stunning all foes within a 5-foot radius for 2 seconds.

Blessed Momentum:

Grants a 15% increase in movement speed for 10 seconds after the charge, enhancing mobility and positioning.

Cooldown: 3 minutes

As Alice reached her final Class Level, she was presented with two intriguing options: Resonant Chant and One with the Wind.

Class Level 10 Skill Selection:

Resonant Chant:

Channel energy into a pre-fight ritual, granting a temporary boost to speed and reflexes.

One with the Wind:

A legendary skill that enhances agility and evasion, allowing seamless movement and near-unparalleled control in combat.

Without hesitation, Alice tapped on One with the Wind, eager to read its description and effects aloud to everyone in the room.

New Skill: One with the Wind (Legendary)

Description: Transcend mortal limits with One with the Wind, a skill that transforms the user into an ethereal state as fluid and imperceptible as the wind. This divine agility allows seamless movement, near invisibility, and immunity to most traps or physical barriers. Perfect for infiltration, evasion, and precision combat.

Effects:

Windform:

Temporarily shifts the user into a wraith-like state, granting near-invisibility and silent movement for 10 seconds.

Evasion Mastery:

Increases dodge and trap evasion rates by 50% while active, making the user nearly untouchable.

Trap Nullification:

Renders most traps inert, as the user's ethereal form bypasses trigger mechanisms.

Phase Walk:

Allows the user to move through physical barriers, such as walls or doors, for 5 seconds.

Cooldown: 10 minutes

The room was silent as Alice confirmed her selection. The legendary skill One with the Wind was now part of her repertoire.

Elder Dorgran observed her reaction, his gaze steady. "The cooldown is significant," he said, his tone measured. Alice nodded in acknowledgment, her eyes still on the glowing interface. "Skills of that magnitude require careful use. Keep it as your trump card, not something to rely on lightly."

Alice nodded again, her focus inward as she processed the implications. Her body felt tense, as though she had just finished a rigorous bout of training. The enormity of her choice left her momentarily drained, yet a spark of energy simmered beneath the fatigue. This will change everything, she thought as she steadied her breathing.

While Alice took a moment to regain her composure, Elder Dorgran turned toward Rose. His voice was calm but encouraging. "Your turn," he said, his gaze shifting to the young mage.

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