Chapter 73: A New Skill

Noah cautiously descended the slope, his every step sinking into the shifting sand beneath his boots. As he approached, the oasis unfurled before him, a breathtaking symphony of sights and sounds. The water's vibrant blue shimmered like a precious gem, contrasting against the vast expanse of ochre sand. The lush greenery, a tapestry of emerald and jade, whispered promises of refreshment and vitality.

The once harsh and arid air now carried the sweet fragrance of damp earth and blooming flowers, a melody more enchanting than the desert wind's monotonous howl.

However, Noah's hardened caution kept him on alert. He paused at the edge of the fertile ground, his gaze darting nervously between the inviting water and the dense foliage that bordered the shore. Was this truly an oasis teeming with life, or a mirage concealing unseen dangers?

Crouched low, senses heightened, he searched for any sign of movement - a rustle in the leaves, a ripple on the water's surface. The silence, broken only by the soft chirping of hidden birds, held an eerie tension.

After a tense moment of observation using his Presence Detection, a small desert mouse, emboldened by the shade of a nearby palm, scurried out for a sip of water.

Relief flooded Noah's parched throat, mirroring the life-giving flow just mere steps away.

Noah's adrenaline surged, his heart pounding in his chest. Just as he was about to quench his thirst, the tranquility of the oasis shattered. A monstrous ripple erupted on the water's surface, sending shockwaves through his body. With a burst of speed, a creature emerged from the depths, its presence defying the beauty of its surroundings.

Towering and menacing, it possessed a gaping maw that seemed to stretch across half its body. Its appearance was further accentuated by a single thorn-like antenna protruding from its forehead, adorned with a pulsating, fleshy orb that emitted an eerie glow. It was a Sand Angler, a formidable foe.

In that moment, a familiar chime resonated in Noah's mind, signaling a new challenge.

[Ding! Defeat the monster before it escapes.

Reward+: A Sword's Skill!, all stats +2

Special Reward: An hint may be given by the system!]

"Always right on time," Noah muttered, a mix of determination and excitement coursing through his veins. He had no time to be surprise by the new special reward, he had to fight, he would eventually find out once he cleared this mission.

Noah's heart raced within his chest, pounding with a wild intensity. Adrenaline surged through his veins, drowning out the peaceful melody of the oasis. The emergence of the Sand Angler shattered the tranquility like a stone breaking the surface of a still pond. Fueled by excitement, Noah propelled himself towards the monstrous creature.

Whoosh!

His twin swords, emanating a mesmerizing blue glow, became an extension of his very will. Years of combat experience flowed through him, guiding his every step in a lethal dance.

Familiar with the Sand Angler's strengths and weaknesses from their previous encounter, thanks to his father's teachings, Noah knew the grotesque maw to be a gateway to oblivion, and the pulsing orb a potential source of its power.

The Sand Angler, its colossal form towering over Noah, issued a thunderous challenge that vibrated the very ground beneath his feet. Its luminescent orb pulsed with renewed vigor, as if anticipating the impending clash. But Noah refused to be intimidated. He was no longer the weak observer of his father's triumph over the beast; this time, he would be the one to slay it.

Exploiting the Sand Angler's cumbersome movements, Noah targeted its flanks. His blades, infused with the energy of his mana, sang a lethal melody as they sliced through the chitinous flesh.

Screech!

The Sand Angler recoiled, emitting a surprised screech from its gaping maw. However, its retaliation was swift. With a powerful swipe of its massive tail, it sent a shockwave through the air, narrowly missing Noah. Rolling away, his face stinging from the sand, Noah's mind raced to formulate his next move.

Noah made the choice to unleash the Seal of Death. The crimson skull symbol appeared above the formidable creature, visible only to him. This forbidden magic amplified his attacks, promising to deal 120% of their usual damage.

Fueled by this newfound power, Noah relied on his Wind Boots and extraordinary speed to disappear and perform a haunting dance around the massive beast. His blades, emanating a scorching blue glow, became extensions of his will.

Slash! Slash! Slash!

They mercilessly sliced through the Sand Angler's armored flanks, creating a satisfying hiss as they cut through the chitin.

''Graaar!"

The monstrous creature bellowed in agony, its thrashing tail a whirlwind of destruction that Noah narrowly evaded with a well-timed roll.

Level 30

Class: Angel of Death

Title: Goblin Slayer

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☆Stats☆

Mana: 56

Strength: 70

Intelligence: 58

Dexterity: 74

Luck: 54

Stat Points:2

Coins: 7060G

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☆Skills☆

Common Skill: {Basic Swordsmanship},{Basic Close Combat} {Presence Detection} {Master of Weapons} {Mana's Armor Lvl 1} {Shadow Steps Level 1} {Blood Flowers} {Splitting Ripple Slash LVl 1}

Exclusive Skill: {Seal of Death} {Night of Death}

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☆Runes ☆

{Basic Strength},{Basic Speed} {Angel of Death}

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[Splitting Ripple Slash Lv1

Grade: Rare

Usage restriction: Regular rank and higher

Description: Use a powerful

upward slash to attack the enemy in front and release a splitting slash, the splitting slash will cause multiple damage to the enemies in the surraunding 3 meters and knock them away.

Consume 15 Mana per Slash.]

Noah smiled, feeling a sense of relief. He was glad that he didn't have to spend any gold to acquire the growth-type skill. He understood the value of such skills, especially considering their potential to become even more powerful as they level up. Noah couldn't help but imagine the future possibilities, wondering if this skill would evolve into an Epic grade before reaching its maximum level.

The thought excited him, fueling his determination to continue his journey. It was time for him to focus on the task at hand - skinning and consuming the Sand Angler's body to further enhance his abilities.