Free Web NovelChapter 66: Mastery.
His reasoning for exploring the other three is to assess the level of danger and determine whether doors exist at the end of the ’boss rooms.’
The last two had proven extremely difficult because of what awaited him at the end, but without fully knowing what he was dealing with, Luca wasn’t certain he would truly be able to use his options.
As for mastery, it came with numerous benefits. One of such was the random Archetype- based talents obtained through the breakthrough of a talent related to the Archetypes.
For example, a breakthrough of the Sword Talent into the Nascent mastery will cause the creation of another Archetype- based talent.
Though, it was a random process and oftentimes didn’t occur.
But it was something Luca looked forward to at the moment.
The damp, slightly large passageway was now slick with the smell of sweat while the impact of physical practices reflected over the walls.
It wasn’t a difficult process. But it was a long one.
Luca didn’t know how much time had passed since he arrived in the Labyrinth, nor did he know how much time he had spent.
He had come to realise that since he arrived here, the need for food or water which were stored in his storage ring, had come to a halt.
While he found this condition quite appealing since he wasn’t certain how long he would be here, it opened a door of curiosity.
What kind of being could stop hunger? How strong was this god who tested him?
And would he actually be let go after he succeeds?
Of course, he never let his doubts stop his motion.
A decision ahead, is a decision forward.
And at the moment, he had decided to take things one step at a time.
Luca shot out another beam– a surge of Ego and light that ignited on impact with the wall.
He stared at it faintly while he panted lightly.
His bare chest was revealed while his shirt clung to the side of one of the walls.
The cave was cool, but with the continuous physical strain, he was unable to keep up with his fatigue and heat buildup.
As for his sword, it still rested firmly in his grasp.
’No... not enough. The beam talent enables me to create beams... but...’
An idea came to mind as he dropped it.
’What if I use my triat?’
He tapped into it almost instantly while a beam began to charge in his grasp.
Instead of firing it, he curled it into a ball and began to manoeuvre it with his mind and body actively.
It could have been a difficult process for others, but not for him.
His Control form had also been another factor of his powers, which he found the need to increase.
The current usage was good, but there was no controlling absolute power or power in great numbers.
If it were at the Nascent rank, though.
Perhaps, it would have a different effect.
The beam of light obeyed his will and began to twist into an unstable mass of growing energy.
Luca narrowed his eyes, pushing his focus to the maximum and the ball began to swell.
Its light flickered continuously in an erratic display of instability, and that was when he let it go.
The air swirled and the sound was a sharp whistle, like that of a missile.
It ascended upwards and crashed into the ceiling with a powerful explosion.
The shockwave it emitted nearly pushed Luca off his feet and the vibrations spread throughout the passage.
Luca looked in bewilderment before he summoned another beam and held it with both hands.
This time, he willed the mass to rotate along its axis and as it did, multiple, thin lines began to ensue out of it.
’Yes, just like this.’
The golden mass swelled while the thin lines spun in all directions– firing out at the same time.
It extended to the corners of the room, burning where it struck as Luca released his hold.
The effect was immediate. A loud, chain of explosions on the corners, sourced from the Beams which served as pivot– a single mass.
His lips curled into a smile as he stared at his palms. Though, his focus was on something else entirely.
Traits; Mercuryborne[Transcendent], Doggedness[Dormant-Mastery(15%)].
Talents; Identification Talent[Awakened-Mastery (1%)], Sword Talent[Dormant-Mastery (41%)], Core Talent[Dormant-Mastery (39%)], Bond Talent[Dormant-Mastery (0%)], Fist Talent[Dormant-Mastery (8%)], Focus Talent[Dormant-Mastery (0%)], Harmonize Talent[Dormant-Mastery (1%)], Stealth Talent[Dormant-Mastery (7%)]Beam Talent[Dormant-Mastery(40%)], Shield Talent[Dormant-Mastery(0%)].
’In just a few minutes... wait, has it been a few minutes? How long has passed?’
He shook his head.
’Doesn’t matter, what does is how quickly it took me to reach here.’
He picked up his sword beside him.
’I don’t want to admit it, but I could have been doing this before coming here.’
Masteries don’t usually grow this quickly, and Luca understood that.
But what he didn’t do was take into account the effect of his title.
’I thought I understood it after my duel with Tisane... and for a while, I even considered it an offshoot considering my debuff in rank growth.’
But the more he used it, or the more he realised he was using it, the greater his image of his title.
’Seven Sins allows me to be seven times stronger in all accounts... not just strength, but faster mastery, increased processing speed and thinking.
Coupled with the Mercuryborne trait, I’m practically a learning machine– an AI!’
The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
’Well.’
He stabbed into the air, shifted his position and did it again.
At this point, his goal was the only thing on his mind.
The gruesome deaths were the experience curve, now, he needed a weapon against that experience.
A way to avoid it further.
And until he reached his goal– Luca continued to grind away within the enclosed space.
In this place, there was no one but him to depend on. His life was literally in his hands.
’I should work on increasing Stealth Talent as well... in fact, other than sword, Core and beam talents, there are Stealth, fists and Harmonise talents which could turn my fighting game into the next level.’
He shifted his core and swung his sword in a zig-zag. Muscles coiled within his skin as the sound of tendons snapping ensued.
’Harmonise, especially. I’ve never had a reason to heal myself, but I will now.’
Harmonise was an integral part of every Harmonic Archetype.
It enabled them to heal others, themselves and even certain physical, chemical or conceptual properties.
The basis of the talent was difficult to understand and Harmonics, oftentimes called Healers, were a difficult find.
It was said that understanding was through one’s experience and the extent of damage they required to harmonise back into top shape.
Either way, harmonisation was an important aspect.
’These were the talents I had avoided using to avoid suspicions... but you know what? I don’t know what awaits in the future, and I am the only one here.’
He stopped mid-motion and stood straight. Then slowly turned to the five entrances.
’I’ll master all six and my form before checking those places out... who knows, it might be what saves me.’
And so, Luca began his preparations.
He repeated strikes, swings, and thrusts.
He threw his fists into the air. Punched the walls as hard as he could.
Shifted his stances, tapped into his innate healing ability, fixed the wounds that formed and washed the fatigue away.
Then repeated the process.
Beams were fired out.
Muscles, blood vessels and even nerves were beginning to fall in line to Luca’s form– Control.
Now and then, his figure would disperse into the shadow, forging back a few distances away.
It would crawl over the walls, the ceiling.
Pushing. Fighting.
It wasn’t a battle of time. It was a battle for life.
*
*
*
The air was stale. The walls, pale.
Dried crimson marks painted the ground and walls. A few strands reached the ceiling.
And in the middle, a boy who was long lost to the bitterness of losing his life twice to a situation that was out of his control.
Now? He wasn’t sure.
His shoulders rose and fell. His grip tightened over the hilt of his sword.
The boy’s gaze flickered in different shades of gold.
The energy oozed out of his body.
A thick, black-golden mist that seethed into the air like steam.
His hair dripped. Wet from sweat.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he walked towards his shirt and put it on.
He desummoned his sword and coiled his fists– the muscles pulsed as if alive.
He reached for the entrance of his next target.
His gaze shifted to the Interface next to him as he thought. ’I’m ready.’
Name; Lucamir Elaric.
Race; Human.
Archetype; Undefined.
Ego Rank; Explorer, 3rd Stage.
Ego Core; Broken White [1.1%]
[Human Race Core boost (5%)]
Ego Synchronization; 100%
Ego Manifestation; 30%
Human Race Ego Manifestation Boost (3%)]
Null Resistance; 100%
Titles; First True Egoist[Divine]. Seven Sins[Celestial].
Bloodline; None.
Traits; Mercuryborne[Transcendent], Doggedness[Dormant-Mastery(70%)].
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Talents; Identification Talent[Awakened-Mastery (1%)], Sword Talent[Nascent-Mastery (33%)], Core Talent[Nascent-Mastery (27%)], Bond Talent[Dormant-Mastery (0%)], Fist Talent[Nascent-Mastery (30%)], Focus Talent[Dormant-Mastery (0%)], Harmonize Talent[Dormant-Mastery (87%)], Stealth Talent[Nascent-Mastery (10%)]Beam Talent[Nascent-Mastery(40%)], Shield Talent[Dormant-Mastery(0%)], Berserker Talent[Dormant-Mastery(0%)], Aura Talent[Dormant-Mastery(0%)].
Ego weapons; Trial Longsword <Yet to be named> [Dormant-Mastery (0%)].
Ego Accessories; None.
Bonds; None.
