Chapter 3: The First Skill Core
Monsters in Eldoria rarely possessed skill cores, but those that did were considered highly valuable.
These cores contained the distilled essence of an ability, and if absorbed, they could grant the user the corresponding skill.
Skill cores were ranked from F to SSS, but no one had ever discovered a core above S rank. Most skill cores found were C-rank or lower, while B-rank and above were almost exclusively from boss-class monsters.
For centuries, scholars had debated the existence of an SS-rank and SSS-rank skill core, but despite relentless hunts, no one had laid eyes on one. Some even theorized that they could only be found in forbidden dungeons, or perhaps within monsters yet to be discovered.
Aaron, however, wasn't thinking about any of this. Instead, he stared at the corpse of the Shadowfang Leader, the monstrous wolf he had slain after a brutal battle.
With an exhausted sigh, he pulled out his cheap Ether Extraction Dagger, a tool used by adventurers and researchers to harvest ether cores and rare materials from monsters.
His initial plan was to simply collect its fangs and pelt, but he decided to try his luck.
"Alright, old buddy, let's see if you've got anything special for me," he muttered, pressing the dagger against the creature's chest.
A faint hum resonated from the blade as it detected the presence of something unusual. A few seconds later, the dagger vibrated, and a small, dark purple crystal rolled out from within the Shadowfang Leader's body.
Aaron's eyes widened. "No way... did I actually hit the jackpot?"
Grinning, he quickly retrieved his cheap appraisal device, a low-grade gadget used to identify common magical objects. Holding the crystal up to the scanner, a small holographic screen flickered to life:
Skill Core Identified
Rank: D
Type: Growth-Type
Skill: Shadow Step
Description: – A short-range teleportation technique that allows the user to move instantly within a limited distance. The effectiveness increases with proficiency.
Range: 5 meters
Cooldown: 15 seconds
Aaron whistled. "A growth-type skill core, huh? Those are pretty rare even at lower ranks."
Growth-type skills were unique because they could evolve under the right conditions. Most skills were fixed in strength upon acquisition, but growth-type skills could improve, potentially reaching high-tier ranks if nurtured correctly.
Without hesitation, Aaron pressed the Shadow Step skill core against his chest. The moment he did, the crystal dissolved into pure ether energy, surging into his body.
A sudden cold sensation spread through his limbs before vanishing, leaving behind an exhilarating lightness in his muscles.
A soft chime rang in his ears, and a translucent blue screen appeared before him:
[Status Window]
Name: Aaron Phoenix
Age: 16
Rank: Novice (Peak)
Bloodline: [Unawakened]
Physique: [Unawakened]
Class: None
Talent: [Dual-Soul Resonance]
Strength: E
Agility: E+
Endurance: E-
Mana: E
Mana Capacity: E+
Will: B
Charm: B+
Luck: ???
Skills:
[Basic Swordsmanship (F)]
[Basic Mana Control (F)]
[Dodge (F)]
[Shadow Step (D) - Growth Type]
Aaron clenched and unclenched his fists. His body felt noticeably lighter, and he had the distinct feeling that, if he concentrated, he could activate the skill instinctively.
The battle against the Shadowfang pack had been exhausting, but this reward made it worth it.
"Not bad," he muttered, a grin forming on his lips. "Looks like my luck isn't so bad after all."
Still, he had no time to celebrate. He retrieved a low-rank healing potion from his pouch, uncorked it, and downed the bitter liquid in one gulp. A warm sensation spread through his body as minor wounds began closing at an accelerated pace.
"Alright… time to find that dungeon."
With his body feeling lighter and a new skill in his arsenal, Aaron turned toward the deeper parts of the forest, where an ancient ruin awaited him.
After searching for an entire day, Aaron finally stumbled upon the entrance to the ancient dungeon.
The journey had not been entirely smooth, as he had encountered several weak monsters along the way—goblins, shadow wolves, and even a particularly aggressive tree that tried to strangle him.
"I'm basically a moving target for nature at this point," Aaron muttered as he wiped sweat from his forehead.
The entrance to the dungeon was nestled between two massive rock formations, partially hidden by overgrown vines and moss.
At first glance, it seemed like nothing more than a cave, but as he moved closer, he noticed intricate inscriptions carved into the stone archway above it.
The letters pulsed with faint energy, a language foreign yet oddly familiar to him.
"Oh great, ancient mystical gibberish. Just what I needed." Aaron sighed and stepped closer. To his surprise, the moment his eyes focused on the inscriptions, a flood of comprehension washed over him.
The words shifted, rearranging themselves in his mind until they became readable:
"Only the worthy may enter. Prove thy strength, will, and wisdom. Four trials await. Triumph, and the power of the ancients shall be yours. Fail… and be forgotten."
"So basically, 'win or die'? Very encouraging," Aaron muttered, rolling his eyes.
He hesitated for a moment, glancing behind him. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows through the dense forest. There was no turning back now. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.
The moment he crossed the threshold, the ground beneath him vanished.
He landed on solid stone a second later, barely managing to keep his balance. A deep, rumbling voice echoed through the chamber.
[ Intruder, you stand before the Trials of Ascendance. Prove your worth, or perish.]
"You know, a simple 'welcome' would be nice." Aaron dusted himself off and looked around.
The chamber was massive, lined with towering pillars covered in glowing runes. At the far end, a massive stone door stood shut.
As he took a step forward, the torches along the walls flared to life, casting flickering shadows across the room.
Then, a section of the floor split open, and something began to rise from beneath.
A humanoid figure, clad in rusted armor and carrying a jagged sword, emerged. Its eyes glowed an eerie blue, its skeletal frame barely holding the armor together.
"Well, just as I predicted… undeads are first," Aaron sighed and tightened his grip on his weapon.
[First Trial: The Trial of Strength Begins!]
The undead knight lunged at him without hesitation. Aaron barely managed to sidestep, feeling the whoosh of air as the blade missed him by inches.
He retaliated with a swift slash of his own, but the knight blocked it with unnatural speed.
"Alright, guess we're doing this the hard way!"
The fight was brutal. Every time Aaron thought he gained an advantage, the knight would counter with an unexpected maneuver.
It was as if the undead warrior retained the skills of its past life.
Sweat dripped down Aaron's face as he ducked under a wide swing and retaliated with a powerful slash aimed at the knight's exposed ribs.
The impact sent the knight staggering back, but it did not fall. Instead, it raised its free hand.
The moment it did, the ground trembled, and two more undead warriors burst from the stone floor.
"Oh come on! This is cheating!" Aaron groaned, backing up.
Now, faced with three enemies, the fight became even harder.
He had to rely on both speed and strategy, weaving between attacks while looking for openings. Every dodge, every strike, had to be calculated.
Then, something clicked.
A strange sensation coursed through him—his mind processing his opponents' movements with unnatural clarity. It was as if his instincts had sharpened beyond their usual limits.
The Dual-Soul Resonance talent was at work, amplifying his ability to adapt. He could see patterns in the knights' movements, predict their next actions before they made them.
Using this, he turned the battle in his favor.
With a precise counterattack, he struck the weakest point of the first knight's armor, sending its skull flying.
The second knight fell soon after, unable to keep up with his movements.
The last one, the original, put up a fierce resistance, but Aaron finally managed to land a decisive blow to its core, shattering the magic that kept it moving.
The knights crumbled into dust.
[Trial of Strength: Complete]
[You have proven your might. Rest, as the next trial awaits.]
The voice echoed again, and suddenly, a section of the wall shifted, revealing a small chamber with a glowing pedestal. On it lay a flask filled with shimmering blue liquid.
"Oh thank god, a break. And a free potion!" Aaron staggered toward the chamber, flopping down onto the floor.
"Four hours of rest, huh? Guess even ancient trials know the importance of nap time."
He lifted the flask. The liquid inside radiated a gentle warmth, and as he took a sip, a soothing sensation spread through his body. His wounds began to close, his fatigue fading away.
"Man, if only hospitals worked this fast in real life." He chuckled, leaning back against the stone wall.
With his strength returning, he allowed himself a small smile. One trial down. Three to go.
"Alright, bring it on, dungeon. I'm just getting started."
Little did he know… he would soon regret those words.