Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord

[You have successfully completed the second quest: "The Eye of the Storm."]

[You navigated the fierce winds and lightning hazards of the storm-filled path, demonstrating your ability to adapt and endure through elemental challenges.]

[You have further developed your synergy with lightning, enhancing your mobility and flow in battle. Your mastery over stormy conditions has improved stamina recovery and movement speed during prolonged engagements.]

[You have received 50,000 EXP awarded.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Epic - Lightning Step (Active Skill)]

[Description: Dashes forward using lightning energy, leaving a crackling trail that damages and slows enemies.]

[Effect:

Deals 80% damage to enemies in the path.

Slows enemies by 20% for 3 seconds]

[New Skill Unlocked: Epic - Tidecaller's Flow (Passive Skill)]

[Description: Water and lightning abilities flow naturally, improving stamina recovery and movement speed when fighting in stormy or wet conditions.

[Effect:

Stamina Recovery: Increases stamina regeneration by 15% in stormy or water-filled environments.

Movement Speed: Increases movement speed by 10% when using water or lightning abilities.]

[You have received the next quest.]

[Third Quest: "Stormbinding Challenge"]

Atlas stood with labored breaths, his chest rising and falling heavily. The storm raged around him, but all he could focus on was the glowing notification before his eyes.

Finally, he had earned the rewards for his grueling training.

Two Epic-grade skills. At once.

His lips curled into a grin as he lifted his gaze toward Kurogasa, who stood patiently nearby.

Without wasting another second, Atlas spun his spear, the familiar weight comforting in his hands. Time to activate one of them.

"Lightning Step," he commanded.

Immediately, a surge of energy flooded his body. His heart pounded faster, his blood felt electrified, and his muscles practically hummed with power. In an instant, his entire body felt lighter, faster, and stronger.

Atlas stomped his foot against the rocky ground, and his body became a blur of motion, wrapped in crackling lightning. He shot forward like a streak of golden light, covering several meters in the blink of an eye. The wind howled in his ears, unable to keep up with his speed.

When he finally came to a stop, he glanced behind him, noticing the faint trail of crackling lightning left in his wake. It shimmered and sparked, fading slowly into the air.

He chuckled softly, his excitement barely contained.

The skill truly allowed him to move with remarkable speed. It was a perfect match for his role as a close-combat fighter. With better positioning, it could be used strategically. Either to launch a surprise attack or as an effective escape tool.

Arguably, the best skill overall.

The second skill was a passive skill, one that would activate on its own under the right conditions. He didn't need to trigger it manually.

"Congratulations, my Lord," Kurogasa said, stepping closer with a respectful bow.

Atlas nodded, spinning his spear again, a spark of lightning crackling along its shaft.

"Let's head back to camp. Let's see how far the others have come."

Kurogasa bowed again.

**

Atlas returned to the campsite just as the sun dipped low on the horizon. The stillness in the air was broken by the relentless sound of water crashing against the rocky shore of the lake nearby.

It didn't take long for him to notice that not everyone had made it back yet. Most of the group were still out in the field, likely finishing their training sessions or completing the final stages of their hunts.

For ten days, they had been fully focused on hunting, gathering as many resources as possible. Every bit of what they collected would be essential for crafting the weapons and armor their team would rely on in the coming battles.

Atlas joined Edrik at the lake side.

"About ninety percent of the combatants have hit level fifty," Edrik reported. "The rest aren't far behind. They'll either catch up in the next few days or hit that milestone during the Dominion Skirmish. We can send the slower ones to hunt on safer islands with lower-risk targets."

"That's good to hear," Atlas replied with a nod. "And what about their class advancements?"

"I've been keeping track," Edrik said. "Not everyone's completed their class quests yet, but I've been guiding them through it step by step. They're making progress. It's only a matter of time before they're all ready."

Atlas went quiet for a moment.

"If you're comparing it to yours…" Edrik's voice broke through his thoughts. "Relax. Their quests aren't nearly as brutal as what you went through."

"You're sure?"

"Positive," Edrik smiled. "Your class is of a higher grade. That's why your quest was so punishing. Theirs? Much simpler by comparison."

"Good," Atlas said with a faint smirk.

While waiting for the others to return, Atlas spotted something circling high above their campsite. His gaze narrowed, focusing on the figure in the sky.

It was the monster bird!

He recognized it instantly. It was the same bird monster that always appeared whenever Atlas trained in this area.

Without hesitation, he stepped away from the lakeside, searching for a patch of solid ground with rocky footing. Once he found it, he crouched low, muscles coiling in preparation. Then, with a powerful leap, he shot into the air.

And… surprisingly! This time, he soared higher and faster than ever before.

As he reached the peak of his jump, Atlas activated his Mana Glider Cloak. The cloak unfurled behind him, catching the wind and holding him steady for a brief moment as he floated in midair.

Just then, the monster bird dived toward him from one side.

Atlas grinned.

The bird slammed into him head-on, but he held himself, gripping the creature's massive body with both arms. The impact sent him spinning uncontrollably through the air, tumbling in wild circles as he plummeted back toward the ground.

Yet, despite the brutal hit, his expression remained calm. His relentless training had hardened him to experiences like this.

Until. Bam!

The monster bird looped back, ramming into him again from below. But this time, Atlas didn't fall.

Instead, he landed squarely on the creature's back.

With a fierce grip, he grabbed hold of the bird's thick feathers and tightened his grasp. The beast thrashed beneath him, but Atlas clung on like his life depended on it.

"Got you," he muttered.

The bird soared through the sky, circling above as the sun dipped lower on the horizon.

"Hey! Want to come with me?" Atlas shouted, his voice cutting through the wind.

Surely, there had to be a way to bring this bird back home with him, right?

Atlas had endured far more than expected during his training here. And this monster bird, despite their hostile first encounter, had returned several times. At first, it had tried to attack him. But over time, something shifted. They began communicating in a way even Atlas couldn't fully comprehend.

Somehow, despite all his struggles and persistence, the creature had finally allowed him to ride it through the skies.

Thankfully, Atlas had figured out how to avoid fall damage. Even from heights like this.

"I'll talk to Kurogasa and help convince you to come with us. What do you say?" Atlas shouted over the wind, giving the bird a firm pat on the shoulder.

"You're going to love it on my island. What do you think?"

Could monsters actually understand human language?