Free Web NovelChapter 197: Brewing Storm (1)
As the evening sun cast a warm glow through the windows of his room, Shinon sat in his workshop, his gaze fixed on the holographic interface before him. The soft cackle of fire filled the air, a familiar backdrop to his thoughts since his teenage days.
"Time flew quicker than I expected," Shinon mumbled while toying with the Mastersmith’s hammer. "Tomorrow is the day I either make it or break it."
Tomorrow was the day he would confront Aric and his regime of sadistic perverts. He knew Aric was a formidable foe with unknown strength and abilities, and Shinon knew he had to be as prepared as possible to win against that rascal.
Regardless of how strong or weak Aric was, Shinon had one thing that could topple the balance towards him—the system.
While people, like Marcus, might have managed to inform Aric about his abilities, no one could have warned the tyrant about the system’s existence. As long as Shinon had the system with him, he was confident in his victory against Aric.
"But before that... I need to do something about this dilemma."
Shinon’s fingers hovered over the interface, the holographic options glowing in various colours, signalling that these skills can be upgraded.
Though there were many options, the choices were clear: the <Shadow Mimic> skill that had served him well or the newly acquired <Combat Instinct> skill that had proven invaluable in his battle against the Necrognasher.
Each skill beckoned, promising a heightened level of power and capability. However, each skill required 400 domination points to upgrade them.
"Tsk, if only they cost 300 points, then I wouldn’t have to worry about this nuisance."
With a sigh, Shinon leaned back against the table he was sitting on, his mind wrestling with the decision. He had earned a formidable amount of 650 Domination points from his victorious battle, which was more than he expected but not enough. freёwebnovel.com
The dilemma lay in how to allocate those points wisely. The <Shadow Mimic> skill had been his companion from the start, allowing him to steal stats and replicate the abilities of his opponents. It had served him well in countless battles, providing him a versatile advantage.
On the other hand, the <Combat Instinct> skill had been a revelation. It had guided his movements, sharpened his senses, and ultimately led him to victory against the Necrognasher.
Its potential was undeniable, offering him a natural understanding of combat that transcended mere experience. The battle he had fought earlier had been a testament to its power.
Despite that, Shinon knew what he did was only a glimpse into the possibilities opened by <Combat Instinct>. The more he would play around with it, the more Shinon would realise the effectiveness of his skill.
As Shinon stared at the interface, he weighed the pros and cons of each choice. Upgrading <Shadow Mimic> would grant him an even more incredible repertoire of abilities, allowing him to adapt to a broader range of opponents.
But upgrading <Combat Instinct> could elevate his combat prowess to a level he had never thought possible. If everything went according to the plan, the <Combat Instinct> would be helpful for him to get rid of Marcus as well.
After all, Marcus excelled in close quarters, but all his strength would be useless if he couldn’t get a hit on Shinon. Which was what <Combat Instinct> was used for. That thought alone enabled Shinon to decide... or so he thought.
With a determined expression, Shinon’s fingers danced over the holographic options, navigating through the menus.
His heart pounded as he accessed the upgrade screen, both skills listed before him. The numbers beside them indicated the cost of the upgrade: 400 Domination points each.
His mind raced as he considered his options. The <Shadow Mimic> skill had been his foundation, a tool he had relied on since the beginning.
But the allure of the <Combat Instinct> skill, its potential to transform his approach to combat, was undeniable. He was torn between the familiar and the unknown, a choice that could shape the outcome of his battle with Aric.
A deep breath escaped his lips as he made his decision. With a resolute nod, he tapped on the <Combat Instinct> skill, initiating the upgrade process.
The interface responded with a soft glow, a confirmation of his choice. The Domination points were deducted, leaving him with 250 points.
Shinon stared at the interface momentarily, anticipation and uncertainty coursing through him. He knew that this decision was a pivotal one, a reflection of his growth and determination. The upgrade was completed, and energy pulsed through him as if the skill acknowledged his choice.
<Skill: Combat Instinct has been upgraded!>
<New Effect has been unlocked!>
<Lvl: 2 --> Combat Instinct will automatically be activated if the User is attacked and unconscious and can be trained by the User to fight on its own.>
<Additional Effect: +20% bonus stats will be earned every time the User invests a stat point into any stat.>
"I messed up..."
Shinon’s shoulders slumped as he read through the skill effects. The effects weren’t necessarily bad, but they didn’t serve Shinon’s intended purpose.
He wanted skill effects that would have helped him in a battle where he was active. Not when he was sleeping or had been knocked unconscious.
Regardless, the additional effect he earned was quite good, as it would synergise with <Shadow Mimic> whenever he stole stats from anyone.
As he closed the interface, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement slowly taking hold of him.
Tomorrow’s confrontation with Aric would test his skills, strength, and resolve. But more than that, it would pave a path for his ultimate plan of returning to his world, as after defeating Marcus, he could try and negotiate with Widow to help him return.
Shinon pushed himself off the table with a determined smile and stood up. The room was bathed in the soft light of the furnace as a storm brewed silently. A storm that would either raze his enemies or him.
