Finding a base and unexpected encounter
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Claw strike
Rune Type: Offence
Rank: F+
Skill Effects:
[Charged attack]: You can channel the mana on your claw to increase offensive power, the more mana you spend the more it increases.
● You can upgrade the skill by continuous use or by strengthening the rune model.
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Quick bite
Rune Type: Offence, Speed
Rank: F
Skill Effects:
[White fangs]: You can channel the mana on your teeth to increase the speed on your next attack.
● You can upgrade the skill by continuous use or by strengthening the rune model.
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The skills are within my expectation; nevertheless, they will considerably increase my combat power.
The biggest advantage is knowing “Greed” can even absorb the skill of others.
That's something absurd. I wonder what kind of existence the Dragon of Greed was to have such an ability; don't even the rank of the skill is shown. At this point, even the rune of fate at rank L look somehow inferior.
The skills are divided into multiple ranks, as they different greatly in power. The ranks are: F, E, D, C, B, A and S; furthermore, some skills are given further evaluation when they possess a power stronger than skills on the same ranks.
For example, Claw strike can increase your attack power continuously as long as you have mana, while Quick bite can only boost your attack speed by a fixed rate.
That's a clear difference, even though they are of the same rank.
Some people say there exist higher ranks like SS or SSS, but I previously never saw a skill of such high rank.
The highest level skill I know was only S+, and it was possessed by the founder of the dwarf kingdom. I can't even imagine how many ranks an L grade is higher than that.
I am excited to know the second effect of the rune of fate.
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Rune of fate
True name: [The bearer of the destiny of the new age].
Rune Type: Divine
Rank: L
Skill Effects:
[Veil of Causality]: The rune conceals its bearer from all forms of precognition, divination, and similar powers.
Additionally, the effects of causality upon the bearer are reduced by half.
[Synthesis of Fallen Runes]: The rune analyzes, disassembles, and refines the inner power embedded within runes possessed by defeated enemies that have been absorbed through the Rune of Avidity.
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Upon absorption, the extracted essence is then reconstructed in a form compatible with the user, producing one or more of the following effects:
Permanent enhancement of the bearer’s existing abilities.
Creation of runic skills based on the absorbed enemy.
[Blocked]
● The current user is unable to unlock the remaining rune effects, they will be unlocked if determined conditions are met.
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Wow.
The second effect looks way more complex than the first one.
I took a few minutes to read it, but I think I obtained a preliminary understanding of it.
In short, the rune of greed absorbs the energy of the enemy, then the rune of fate converts the runic power of the enemy with a certain probability; the converted power is either used to enchant an existing skill or become a new one based on the enemy ability.
That's probably only the basic effects; more advanced ones can only be understood in the future with more practice.
Nevertheless, that shows the overwhelming power and potential of a L rank skill. Now I regret thinking it was inferior to Greed.
I walk around, trying to find someone to test my new power, but to my disappointment I find nobody.
However, I end up finding an interesting place.
A small, pleasant area with a quiet lake located near a low rocky hill marked by small holes. The landscape feels calm and simple, with a gentle, welcoming atmosphere, somehow different from the rest of the forest.
This place looks fantastic for a base. It has a water lake, the surroundings have a decent amount of prey, and the holes are perfect for a lizard to live in.
I don't necessarily want to return to the old nest, since it could be risky, so I can transfer here and live much better.
The only problem is there seems to be traces of people here.
“Human? No, it looks far too primitive, so maybe a monster tribe?”
A monster tribe is a generic term, used to describe races with intelligence similar to humans or elfs; however, they are considered the same as beasts who exist only to kill everything on sight.
“Looking at the traces left behind, It should be an abandoned temporary camp of a primitive tribe.”
It is a bit dangerous, but with my strength, obtaining a better base is difficult, so I can only take risks.
I should take a look around first, and then decide.
I was hoping to find some clue for finding the tribe location, but I searched in the surrounding range of my base, only to find nothing.
The night is coming to an end. I should go back to sleep and continue with my plans.
My objectives are simple. The first one is to continue hunting and raise my level as quickly as possible. Only by reaching tier 1 can I obtain some power of self preservation.
The second one is finding out where I am, and trying to find a way to return to the dwarfs kingdom.
I have not forgotten my brother's crime. Some day, I will return and make him pay.
The third one is learning more about my draconic power and the rune of fate.
The second and third ones are difficult to achieve currently, so I can only take it slow.
“Hmm?”
I swear I hear some kind of sound in the distance. Was I wrong?.
I listen with more attention, and I hear some kind of noise in the distance.
It could be the tribe I was looking for. I better go check it out.
I sprint forward, and the closer I get, the clearer the sound becomes.
“It seems there is a battle ahead based on the sounds, but I don't hear the voices of people, so it is probably a fight between beasts.”
I arrive at the scene, but what I find is kind of unexpected.
I see a group of colored lizards being surrounded by enemies in a small cave. On the ground, there are already some corpses, while the survivors have wounds of various degrees.
It's obviously the newborn lizards of my original group, or at least a part of it.
A swarm of monstrous rats, perhaps around forty in number, spills through the shadows, in mass attacking them.
Their warped bodies press together, fur mangy and slick with grime.
Their eyes glint with feral hunger, with snapping yellow teeth and hooked claws.
They appear at their limit, at risk od dying at any moment. The ones leading them is the damned white lizard who almost got me killed.
I don't care if they live or not, but the horde of rats don't look strong, with only numbers at their advantage. If I am careful, I can level up a lot from killing them.
They don't have a strong defense like the previous snake, so I don't need to use claw strike, but I can try my new skill.
Quick bite.
While they still haven't noticed me, I active my skill, concentrating mana in my teeth. Then I leap forward, targeting the big one, probably the leader, who is distracted fighting the white lizard.
He doesn't even see me, even when I bite him in the throat and rip him apart a second later.
[You have killed tier 0 dire rat.]
One down.
