Chapter 25: Skill Specialization [on Mastery]

  With Stone's guidance, Alex noticeably found it much easier to survive in that world.

  Previously, Alex's frequent and gruesome deaths were not just due to his ck of uanding of that world but also because he had no idea how to handle sudden situations.

  Especially when fag giants four or five meters tall or bizarre monsters, Alex was clueless about how to deal with them. Was he supposed to just use his sword?

  Even if he had an iron head, it wouldn't stand a ce against such creatures, let alohose damn maliimic chests!

  In this area, Stone's rich experience proved invaluable. A few pointers from him beed Alex immensely.

  Iurn, Alex frequently talked to Stone about the other world. Stone seemed quite ied in that world and often pulled Alex aside to ask about its current state.

  This gave Alex the nostalgic feeling of discussing game strategies with cssmates during his school days.

  The hard work paid off, and Alex noticeably died less frequently in that world due to ued events.

  After successfully defeating the Abyss Watchers deep in Farron Keep without taking any damage, Alex finally received his first reward in the free instance.

  Skill Specialization [on Mastery]!

  [on Mastery: In the endless cycle of death, you have grasped the essence of bat. Starting with a sword, life ah are determined by fate. You finally uand that in this world, the only panion you truly rely on is the on in your hand (initial proficy with all ons is 100%).]

  Upon gaining this specialization, Alex curiously tested it and was overjoyed with the results.

  With the [on Mastery] bonus, not only did he find using Royal Cross Swordsmanship smoother, but even when he wielded equipment like greatswords and shortswords, these previously unfamiliar o like extensions of his own body, allowing him to hahem with ease.

  This was indeed a valuable specialization reward. Through this specialization reward, Alex realized that the instance rewards seemed to be based oher he could defeat the boss without taking any damage.

  Previously, he had died multiple times while fighting other bosses and was exhausted even when he won.

  This time, defeating the enemy without taking any damage was entirely due to Stone's guidance, Alex's thh preparation, and a bit of luck.

  With this specialization mastered, Alex eagerly headed to the temple to practice with Stone. However, before he even stepped through the temple gates, he saw Stone, in full armor, striding out and g a hand on Alex's shoulder, pulling him inside.

  "e on, kid, we've got work to do!"

  "Is it a battle?" Alex was used to Stone's uable behavior. He was momentarily stunned but quickly uood.

  After all, the temple wasn't supp him out of charity. As an apprentice guardian knight, enjoying the temple's bes also meant he had to tribute. "That's right."

  Leading Alex down the corridor, Stone quickly expihe situation. "Just now, we received a distress call from Shadow yon. A team of knights trag cultists ehe depths of the yon but fell into a trap and are noed in the Bone Field... What a bunch of idiots!"

  "Who allowed them to go to Shadow yon? Don't they know it's the Twilight Border? And now I have to up their mess." Hearing this, Alex couldn't help but twitch his lips.

  He had a feeling that these knights might be the unfortunate souls killed by his own body's previous as.

  "Am I going too?"

  "Of course. You're strong, and it seems you're not g in bat experienow. Star Moon City is short on manpower, and right now, the only ones avaible are you and me."

  "Plus, your power is holy, which is perfect for dealing with those undead bastards. Let's see what you've got!" As they spoke, they reached the end of the corridor.

  Seeing Stone and Alex, the temple warriors at the end of the hallway saluted and opehe heavy stone doors behind them.

  Beyond the stone doors was a massive circur teleportation array, the temple's most powerful on. This array could achieve unlimited long-distaeleportation. \

  During wartime, it could even transport troops directly to the battlefield using the archbishop's power.

  Of course, this teleportation array, while seemingly invincible, had its limitations. If the enemy set up a spatial anchor to block the entire space, the array would be useless. But even so, it was an excellent choice for traveling.

  "Huh?" To Alex's surprise, upoering the teleportation hall, he immediately saw two figures he teleportation array.

  One was the familiar old bishop, and the other was an uedly cute girl in a bck robe.

  When she saw Alex, her face turned slightly red, and she lowered her head, staring at the ground without saying a word.

  …If he remembered correctly, wasn't this the shy girl from the City Hall who had authenticated his star pattern?

  What is she doing here?

  "What's the situation?" Stone immediately asked the old bishop as they ehe teleportation hall. The old bishop shook his head helplessly.

  "It's not good. I mao tact them briefly, but the e was soon lost..."

  "Idiots," Stotered, rolling his eyes.

  "What about their teleportation crystals?"

  "The enemy has cast a spatial restri; the crystals 't be used..."

  "So we have at least one lich-level oppo waiting for us?" Stone's expression grew darker with each piece of news.

  "What were these fools thinking, going to fight a li the Bone Field? If they're so capable, why not storm the Twilight Border? They're so full of themselves, thinking they save the world when they haven't even weaned off their mothers' milk!"

  It's clear that Stone had picked up some of Alex's colorful nguage from their time together.

  "So what now?"

  "We'll rely on her," the old bishop said, looking at the girl beside him. Notig the attention, she trembled slightly but nodded.

  "This is Miss M. She provide coordinates for the closest location you teleport to..."

  M...

  Hearing the name, Alex chuckled softly. He wasn't surprised. During his time at the temple, Alex learhat astrologers treat their names as secrets because they believe their names are lio the stars.

  Therefore, they use codes instead of real names, known only to their mentors and families.

  Looking at the timid girl who seemed like a frightened squirrel, Alex thought the code suited her. She certainly looked like a fragile maiden.

  "Her?"

  Stone's ractical.

  "How she lead us in if there's a spatial restri?"

  The girl finally spoke in a soft voice.

  "Um... actually... I chart a path using the stars' trajectories. It won't be affected by the spatial restri... but..."

  "You do that?" Stone was astonished.

  "Finding a star path is difficult even for advanced astrologers!"

  "Miss M is the prized student of Royal Astrologer Oscar," the old bishop added. "You must ensure her safety. If she gets hurt, I won't handle Oscar's wrath."

  "Wait... what do you mean?" Stone's face ged again.

  "Just as you heard, she will apany you to the Bone Field..." the old bishop smiled.

  "...Huh?" Stone was stunned.

  (End of Chapter)

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