Chapter 45: All Proficient
Aldrich held up the markings in his hand and remembered the first time he had scanned these with his Divine Sense.
He had found out that these Markings weren't tattoos but a different layer of skin embedded on Cu Chulainn's body. But both skins had merged so naturally that it was impossible to take one out, leaving behind the other. Aldrich had no way other than to remove the Boss's skin from its body surgically. As the Crawler crumbled after its death, the Boss's skin under the mystical Markings also vanished. It left behind the pure unknown markings having a blue glow. With things settled down, Aldrich finally got time to focus on the notifications.
[…
You have killed Boss - Cu Chulainn
ExPs obtained: 19950
You have leveled up
You have leveled up
…
…]
Aldrich had obtained 60 Attribute Points and 17 Skill Points during this Boss's fight. Preferring his Class-specific Skill he assigned most of his Skill points in that. He distributed most of the Unassigned Attribute Points evenly but left the Correspondence alone for the moment. For obvious reason, one Attribute of his was doomed to lag to assure the usage of the Oldest Change Item. He brought up his Stats for a quick look.
[…
Record of Aldrich
Time Left: 00:00:00 hrs
Status: Healthy
Level: 16 (25950/28500 ExPs to next level)
HP: 513/513
SP: 700/700
MP: 1455/1455
Rank: Rare
Class: Generalist, Blessed Scholar
Title: NA (2)
Attributes -->
Strength: 35
Defence: 25
Agility: 35
Vitality: 26
Perception: 180
Correspondence: 15
Unassigned Attribute Points: 0
Active Skills -->
1. Metacreativity: Lvl Max (Rare)
2. Target Lock (Common)
3. 3 Miles Shot (Common)
4. Banish: Lvl 1 (Common)
5. Flaw Detection (Rare)
Skill Points: 2
Passive Skills -->
1. Shared Vision
2. Intimidation
3. Beginner's Dagger Proficiency
Inventory --> (1.7/10)
…
Equipped Items -->
1. Oldest Change
2. Shadow Homunculus
3. Buckey's Cigarettes (7)
…
Skill: Metacreativity (Rare)
Nature: Active, Upgradable
Lvl: Max (0/1 Skill Points to Upgrade)
Cooldown: 75:00:00 hrs
…]
Aldrich nodded and approached the hovering rewards. The blue-green Mana core was the biggest he had seen so far. But Aldrich was profusely let down by seeing only one black ball hovering beside it. It meant either he would get one Item or one Skill. One would have expected at least two of such rewards from the Boss of this caliber. Aldrich touched the ball, and the System transferred its data to him.
[…
Skill: Summon (Rare)
Nature: Active
Cooldown: 00:10:00 hrs
Minimum Usage Condition: Bond with a Mythical Creature
Number of current Bonds: 1
Consumption: 400 MP
Description: Summon a creature from myths and legends
Warning: Only creatures of Rare or Common Rank can be bonded
Do you want to equip the Skill?
…]
He had seen the Skill Summon quite a few times by now. He could only guess the reason for Cu Chulainn's not using this Skill was that it was not a party that had raided the Boss but an individual. Another reason could be that the Boss didn't get a chance. But Aldrich would hardly say no to any Skill, moreover a Skill from the Boss.
"Yes."
The ball crumbled, and a portal opened up in the deserted land. It was twice the size of the portal that had opened up for Aldrich. A rhythmic sound came out of the portal and the earth under Aldrich's feet transferred the vibration to his body. With every little increment in the vibration's intensity, Aldrich's face distorted more and more. And the reason for this distortion came out of the portal with a leap.
NEIGHHH!!!
It was a horse, so beautiful that none could take their eyes off of it. And yet, so powerful that none could stay standing without feeling the dread of doom. The gray horse huffed and slowly approached Aldrich like the majestic creature it was. Every tap of its hooves on the earth could have shuddered the hearts of its enemies. Aldrich neither feared its strength nor its blood red eyes. But he knew that he would have to pay a devastating price to earn its loyalty. For it was not just a legendary creature but a King.
King of Horses - Liath Macha.
[…
Summoned Creature - Liath Macha
Rank: Rare
Description: A Goddess's gift to the greatest of heroes
1. All Stats +10
2. If the summoner dies in battle, Liath Macha would inherit the Dreamer's Stats for 3 minutes
Skill: Mark of Sovereignty
Skill Description: Every creature in the Rare Rank would struggle to function in Liath Macha's presence
Warning: The Stat's enhancement would only work while riding the horse
…]
The creature's description had perplexed Aldrich. He was thinking of different scenarios when he got another notification.
[…
Liath Macha demands you to prove your worthiness
…]
"Fuck!"
Aldrich couldn't help but curse out loud. He knew he couldn't prove his worthiness by slamming the horse into the Cliff. There was only one way to tame a horse, no matter if the horse was a King or a beggar. He would have to ride it without falling off its back. And this was the reason for the ugly expression on his face.
Aldrich didn't know how to ride a horse.
He might know things that none knew in this world, but some things still needed an on-hand experience to learn. Like riding a horse or driving a car. Aldrich knew the basic rules and stuff to handle a horse. But to apply this knowledge, especially when the horse claimed to be a King, would be an exhilarating process. Aldrich sighed and took a step towards the towering creature.
*
3 days later
"Huff! Huff!... "
The sounds of harsh and broken breathing resounded around Aldrich. He was floored on the pile of rocks with his arms and legs spread out. The sound of tick-tack came from behind him. Liath Macha was leisurely walking around him in circles. It had taken him 3 days to tame the legendary creature. But considering that even Cu Chulainn had needed an entire day, it seemed justifiable. He canceled the Summon Skill, and the horse vanished with a grunting noise of reluctance.
Aldrich looked at the darkening sky and analyzed his fights so far. There was one thing that had troubled him since the start, and it has become an even bigger problem after creating Shadow Homunculus. This thing was Proficiency Skills. He had obtained a Heavy Sword, a Rare weapon. But because of the lack of Heavy Sword's proficiency, he wouldn't be able to use it. He had to coerce the Shadow Homunculus with an extra meal to act on its own. But Items didn't grow on trees. In the end, Aldrich decided to deal with this problem once and for all. He was so tired he didn't even get up and commanded with his sweaty back still stuck to the earth.
"Metacreativity."
[…
Skill Metacreativity is now active
Specify your creation: Item or Skill?
…]
"Skill."
[…
Fill up the template for Skill
Skill Name:
Skill Type:
Skill Rank:
Skill Description:
Warning: The above data would be optimized according to the maximum available ExPs
Warning: Skill created would be Active and Not-upgradable
Warning: Skill's Usage condition, Cooldown, and Consumption would depend on the outcome
…]
Aldrich took a deep breath and filled up the details.
[…
Skill Name: All Proficient
…
…
Do you want to submit this data?
…]