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Mentally opening the 'Skill Shop' that this... thing? Let's just call it the System. That the System grants me, I leisurely browse through the options I've received, making sure to read the descriptions given. I only have 2 Skill Points to spend, after all.
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Skills available:
Concealment - Host's passive stealth factor is increased (incremental to the level of this skill and the Host's level + attributes), optimising the covert capabilities of the Host. (Species Bonus) -->When active, the Host is undetectable to those that are weaker in comparison to the Host. This is a special skill. ¬ 1 Skill Point is required to obtain this skill.
Swiftness - Host's velocity is increased substantially (incremental to the level of this skill and the Host's level + attributes) for brief intervals (incremental to the level of this skill and the Host's level + attributes), costing the user some stamina points (fixed). (Species Bonus) After obtaining this skill, the Host gains a natural speed boost for the duration of fights. This is a movement skill. ¬ 1 Skill Point is required to obtain this skill.
Bitter Bite - Host's bite penetration, strength and tooth sharpness massively increase (incremental to the level of this skill and the Host's level + attributes) when this skill is active. (Species Bonus) --> After obtaining this skill, a passive bite force increase is also granted. This is an attack skill. ¬ 1 Skill Point is required to obtain this skill.
Dragon Claw - Host acquires a more accurate and precise attack when utilising their claws, bolstering power and overall impact significantly. (Species Bonus) --> After obtaining this skill, the Host will naturally have more penetrative claw attacks with a power bonus when hitting weak points of an enemy. This is an attack skill. ¬ 1 Skill Point is required to obtain this skill.
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Concealment, undoubtedly, is one of the best options in this list. Even without the species bonus, I'd say it's potentially the best skill to get out of these 4. To be able to become stealthier in order to go unnoticed in these dungeons is a must. Facing enemies here will definitely draw attention, but with this skill? I'll be able to scuttle away and lose their focus with a stealth bonus. And then, if we take into account the species bonus, any Beast weaker than me won't notice me at all unless I want them to. If that's not an amazing skill to have first thing in a dungeon, I don't know what is. I'm definitely getting this one first. Though I think it's best to list them in terms of importance before acquiring them.
If I'm going for quick escapes and stealth so I can optimise my survival, I'd say Swiftness would be the second best. Velocity is essentially the speed at which I can move a certain distance in a set time. Displacement, basically. So, Concealment will help me stay undetected and Swiftness will enable me to move rapidly between places, further allowing me to remain out of sight and perception of the Beasts roaming the dungeon. If I want to ambush, Swiftness would still be held in high regard. Dashing over to an enemy so they don't have time to react, killing them and then running off before the sounds of fighting reach other Beasts seems like a great idea.
However, despite that, if I'm not aiming for quick escapes and stealth but rather ambushes to level up, either Biter Bite or Dragon Claw would be better on that front. I'd say that both skills seem about equal in power, simply just differentiated by the muscle groups and body parts used in the attack. Bitter Bite is utilising my jaw and teeth while Dragon Claw is using my legs, paws and claws. So, I decide to look into the species bonuses of each skill. Bitter Bite is a passive bite force increase. Dragon Claw is a passive penetrative boost and power bonus when targeting weak points. When taking that into account, Dragon Claw is pushed a little higher in priority than Bitter Bite. Not only this, but I feel as if I'll be using my claws more when fighting. Because of that, the order is now as follows: in terms of quick escapes and stealth: Concealment, Swiftness, Dragon Claw, Bitter Bite. In terms of ambushes: Concealment, Dragon Claw, Swiftness, Bitter Bite.
Now I just need to determine which approach I want to go with. So far, I feel as if going for the ambush approach would be better. Yes, I could face a danger, needing to get away fast, yet not be able to, but if I target more of those rat Beasts and, hopefully, not garner too much attention thanks to Concealment, I won't need to run. From that rat Beast I killed before, it seems that they don't have particularly good defensive capabilities, so by bolstering my power with Dragon Claw and targeting weak points, I could potentially kill them in one swipe, gain experience and move onto the next, eventually levelling up and gaining a new Skill Point, in which case I'll be buying Swiftness anyway.
On the other hand, if I go for Concealment and Swiftness, on the off chance a higher-levelled Beast attacks, I may be able to get away safely and continue hunting. With this route, hunting will take longer, but it'll also be safer. And by the time I level up, Dragon Claw will become part of my arsenal.
After a mental back and forth with myself, I decide to go with the ambush route. Both routes have strengths and weaknesses, all reliant on probability, yet the ambush route is marginally better. The less time it takes to level up, the better. The decisive factor was that I already have a claw-oriented skill, Claw Swipe. Utilising both Dragon Claw while also having Claw Swipe, which is a passive, all-around buff to my claws and the movements behind them, will ultimately make my attacks even more lethal than before. Perfect for ambushing and levelling up. With that in mind, I confirm my choices of skills.
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Selected skills:
Concealment (Yet to be levelled up. Yet to be advanced a stage.) - 1 Skill Point Required
Dragon Claw (Yet to be levelled up. Yet to be advanced a stage.) - 1 Skill Point Required
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Mentally bracing myself for more pain to follow my confirmation, I confirm the selected skills. Surprisingly, there's no sudden jolt of pain, no tingling, no searing sensations, nothing. Just a cold, flowing feeling, embracing my being as a whole, providing insights, which quickly vanishes just as suddenly as the sensation came. In its place is knowledge gained via the system's mysterious ways.
My body begins to adjust itself in minute ways that I would never have done without the system's guidance. I didn't even realise there were issues with my current posture. But now that I know, I simply can't let this transgression pass any longer. Any possible ways to improve are greatly welcomed. I need to improve if I want to become better than I am now. I want, no, I need to destroy those that seek to harm me or my loved ones, not that I have any of those left. In time, I hope to find some beings that welcome my care just as I welcome theirs.
This stealth isn't just of magical origin, though that may play some unknowing part; I won't put arcane wisdom past this skill, and it's certainly not merely about vanishing from prying eyes. Yes, that may be some part of this, but it isn't the whole. By adjusting the minimal mistakes, I fix the wider imperfections, blending into my scenery, every tiny movement now becoming concealed, just as the skill states.
Taking a glance at my surroundings once more, I direct my focus to another of the rat Beasts: Taeter Neotoma Juvenilis. Time to hunt.
[A/N] If you're enjoying the story so far, be sure to review, send power stones, vote, comment if you wish to and add to your library ^^
Saskia's status is below :)
Name: Saskia
Level: 2
Species: Dragon Hatchling (Vampriae) [I]
Attributes:
Strength: 32
Durability: 29
Intelligence: 50
Will: 37
Mana Points: 0/0 (FORM YOUR CORE""FORM YOUR MANA VEINS)
Stamina Points: 30/30
Skills:
(Species Skill) Claw Swipe: Level 1 [I]
(Species Skill) Harden Scales: Level 1 [I]
(Species Skill) Tail Slap: Level 1 [I]
(Species Skill) Concealment: Level 1 [I]
(Species Skill) Dragon Claw: Level 1 [I]
(Exclusive Skill) Morph: Level 1 [I]
Available Morphs:
Drakkaris (draconic beaskin) - Required mana: 50
Dragon Hatchling (Vampirae) [I] - Required mana: 20
Modifications:
Eyes: (+1)
Claws: (+1)
Scales: (+1)
Wings: (+1)
Legs: (+2)
Fire Gland: (+1)
Reserves:
Mutagens: 0
Skill Points: 0
(A/N) Check this story out on ScribbleHub under the same name ^^