Chapter 44 : Supreme Skill: Life Force Mastery
Sora noticed the change in her immediately. Kara wasn't just stronger—there was a feeling of life, immense power, and focus around her. Her eyes carried a new depth, and her posture radiated ambition and confidence. It was clear her mental strength had soared during her extended time inside the training bubble.
Kara stepped forward, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It feels like forever since we last spoke."
Sora gave her a slow nod. "It has been. Three days."
Kara blinked at his words, then chuckled softly. "I guess it does feel that way for you. Time flows strangely when you're stuck in a bubble of your own making." She stretched her arms, feeling the weight of her new strength. "It felt like I trained for a year in there."
Sora studied her for a moment. "So, what did you unlock?"
Kara's eyes lit up, knowing exactly what he was referring to. "I've unlocked one too—a Supreme Skill. This is what you were aiming for, right?" she said, her voice quiet but filled with gratitude.
Sora smiled. "A Supreme Skill? Then it was worth it."
Without hesitation, Kara closed her eyes and summoned the power within her. The energy in the air changed as life force surged around her, like a pulse vibrating through the atmosphere. Sora could feel it—powerful, vibrant, and raw.
"Here it is," Kara said, her voice steady as she activated her new Supreme Skill.
[Supreme Skill: Life Force Mastery A skill created for a supreme genius who recreated a healing spell on her own. Description: As the supreme wielder of life force, you have unlocked an unparalleled ability to manipulate the life essence of all living beings. This skill allows you to harness the full potential of life force to protect, empower, and destroy, ensuring your place as a critical force in battle. Your growth accelerates with each enemy defeated and life force absorbed, making you stronger over time. Your affinity with Life Force increases as you use life force based abilities, and the potency and control of those skill will increase alongside it. Effects: Effect 1 : Soul Link :Form a permanent bond with an ally, linking your life forces. Damage taken by one can be shared to the other. This bond strengthens the weaker party, continually boosting their life force and making them stronger over time at no cost. Effect 2 : Vital Surge: Channel the life force around you into a powerful healing wave or life-draining attack. Healing or damage increases with each use, amplifying your control over life energy as the battle progresses. Effect 3 : Life Source: Create temporary duplicates of living beings, including allies, with a fraction of the original's power. These duplicates act independently and can fight, heal, or support in combat, mimicking the original's abilities. Effect 4 : Life Recycling: Absorb the vitality of fallen enemies, converting it into life force that permanently increases your power. This stolen vitality can also fuel your abilities, allowing you to use life-force-based skills. Effect 5 : Soul Preservation: Moments before death, trap the soul of a targeted player, preserving their life force until they can be fully healed. This prevents permanent death and allows the ally to be revived under your care.] |
Sora's eyes scanned through the description, impressed by the versatility and power of Kara's new skill. It wasn't just healing—it was an all-encompassing manipulation of life force, giving her control over both life and death in ways that could shape the battlefield.
He was surprised. He thought that she would unlock [Mana Evolution] as it was described as being given to players who creating a skill without having the class for it.
Maybe the recreated skill and the method to unlock it were important. 'It seems the Supreme skill matches the created skill, the process, and the class'
He was surprised, but maybe this was even better for Kara. The potential seemed infinite too.
Sora's [Mana Eyes] could barely keep up with the flow of energy as the life force Kara commanded swirled around her like a protective aura. He could see the distinct quality of this energy— It was something that resonated with the core of living beings, moving as if it was life itself.
Kara continued, her voice more confident than before. "I have several effects, but I like this one the most. Soul Link."
She raised her hand, and a soft glow emanated from her fingertips. She focused on Sora, and in an instant, he felt the connection. A tether of life force formed between them, invisible but unmistakable. It wasn't binding in the traditional sense, but Sora could feel the constant flow of energy, like an unbreakable bond that allowed them to share their life force.
"I can link my life force with yours," Kara explained. "If either of us is injured, the other can instantly heal them. It's a permanent bond that grows stronger over time, strengthening our life force in unison. It's also like… sharing our HP pool. You can always reject the bond... so can I."
Sora nodded, feeling the life force coursing between them. "Impressive," he murmured. "I can feel life force being sent to you, without me getting any weaker"
Kara smiled, pleased that he recognized the depth of her new abilities. "Yes, i'm getting stronger already... And there's more."
"Vital Surge" She used her second effect
With a flick of her wrist, Kara channeled the life force around her and directed it outward. The energy shifted and surged, forming a powerful wave. Sora could see the potential in it—a devastating life-draining attack or a powerful healing wave, depending on how she chose to use it.
"This allows me to either heal everyone within my range or drain the life force of my enemies," Kara explained. "The more I use it, the stronger it becomes."
Sora studied the surge of power carefully. He had to admit it was formidable—healing on such a scale or inflicting equally devastating damage. Kara had become stronger already.
"Show me what else you can do" Sora asked, though he already knew there was more since reading the skill.
Kara nodded again, her eyes flashing with determination.
[Effect 4: Life Recycling]
"I can absorb the life force of enemies who are dead around me," she said, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. "Every time you or I take down an enemy, I grow stronger. Their life force accelerates my growth and strengthens my abilities."
Sora's eyes widened slightly. "That's… useful. Especially in a prolonged battle."
Kara shrugged, modest but clearly aware of the skill's potential. "It's like an endless fuel source. The more I fight, the stronger I become... I guess."
Sora considered the implications. Kara's growth rate would skyrocket in war scenarios, especially if she took down multiple enemies. She wouldn't just keep up with him—she'd become unstoppable every time one enemy fell.
Kara looked at him expectantly, waiting for his thoughts. Sora let a small smile form. "You've become overpowered in three days... This skill… it's powerful. More than I imagined."
"It is thanks to you..." Kara replied, a mix of gratitude and relief in her voice.
Sora studied her once again, then raised an eyebrow. "Now, tell me about the skill you recreated. What did it become?"
Kara took a deep breath, and her expression shifted to one of focus as she brought up her status window, reading to Sora the Skill she had created during her extended training.
As Kara began describing the skill she managed to recreate, she hesitated, a small frown forming on her face. "I've managed to recreate the Heal skill I had as a Priest, but… it's weaker now."
Sora raised an eyebrow. "Weaker? How so?"
Kara looked down, feeling a little disheartened. "It's not quite the same as before. It's about 20% less effective than the original Heal. I don't know why, but it just doesn't have the same strength. The system labeled it as 'Fake Heal,' like it's a lesser copy of what I once had."
The moment she said "Fake Heal," Sora's face tightened. His expression shifted, as if hearing that term struck a nerve deep within him. It was brief, but enough for Kara to notice.
She tilted her head, concerned. "What's wrong?"
Sora quickly shook off his reaction, his tone slightly sharp. "It's nothing. Keep going."
Kara hesitated but pressed on, sensing Sora didn't want to dwell on whatever had affected him. "The skill is functional, but I feel... I don't know, disappointed. I worked so hard to recreate it, but it's weaker."
Sora crossed his arms, his eyes focused. "Don't worry about it being weaker. 'Fake' skills aren't permanent. If you push hard enough, that skill will evolve—just like all skills do when you push them hard enough. When you max it out, it'll probably return to full strength or surpass what it was. That's how I've perfected many of my own skills."
Kara blinked. "Perfected? Like reaching the 'Perfect' rating of a skill ? "
Sora nodded. "Yeah. 'Fake' skills are just the beginning. They're a way for the system to test your ability to adapt. Maxing out the skill will bring it back to its original form, maybe even stronger. That's how I ended up with perfected skills. Keep at it, and 'Fake Heal' will be more than what it used to be."
Kara felt a surge of hope. "So, this isn't the end for it?"
Sora smiled faintly. "No. It's just the beginning. Push it hard enough, and you'll unlock its true potential. The process might be frustrating, but the results are always worth it."
Kara nodded, her determination renewed. She had been feeling disappointed, but knowing there was more to unlock gave her a new sense of purpose.