Noah wasted no time allocating his four stat points, wisely investing two in intelligence while dedicating the remaining two to enhance his strength and dexterity.
■Status Window
Name: Noah Adler
Rank: Expert
Level 44
Class: Angel of Death
Title: Goblin Slayer
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☆Stats☆
Mana: 106
Strength: 115
Intelligence: 98
Dexterity: 115
Luck: 89
Stat Points: 0
Coins: 15060G
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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} {Fangs of Insanity} {Flame Art} {Telekinesis Lv1} {Unprecedented Sense LV1}
Exclusive Skills: {Seal of Death} {Night of Death} {Lord of the Night}
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☆Runes ☆
{Basic Strength},{Basic Speed} {Angel of Death}
■
Content with his current stats, Noah proceeded to the next step: carefully reading the description of his newly acquired skill.
{Skill's Name: Unprecedented Sense
Grade: Epic
Level: 1
°Special Effects
Intuition greatly increases
Within the protective barrier of the training grounds, they could unleash their full potential without fear of lasting injury. Here, they could push each other to the limit, a brutal ballet of steel and sweat. Here, they could fight to their heart's content, knowing a quick step outside the barrier would heal any wounds.
A tense silence hung in the air before Noah made his move. His new skill, Unprecedented Sense, thrummed with anticipation. The world seemed to slow down, a slight shimmer outlining Lilith's form just before she lunged. With a burst of speed fueled by both his skill and the competitive fire burning within him, Noah vanished in a blur.
He reappeared at her right side, his longsword flashing in a diagonal slash aimed at her chest. But Lilith, her reflexes honed to razor sharpness, was ready. With a practiced sidestep, she evaded the blow, her own sword ringing out in a clang as she parried the attack.
Noah grinned, the thrill of the fight coursing through him. He knew this wouldn't be an easy victory. Lilith was a formidable opponent, her years of training evident in her every move. But he was determined to test his newfound edge, to see if Unprecedented Sense could give him the upper hand with only normal sword skill.
A grin split Noah's face wider. The fight was exhilarating, a whirlwind of steel and anticipation. His flurry of attacks, fueled by his newfound speed and the premonitions of Unprecedented Sense, seemed to surprise Lilith for a moment. But her years of combat experience shone through.
She became a whirlwind of silver and white, her slender blade a blur as she deflected and parried each blow with practiced ease.
"Impressive," Lilith called out, her voice devoid of its usual coldness, replaced by a hint of grudging respect.
"But is that all you've got?"
Noah chuckled, the sound echoing within the training grounds.
"Not quite, my dear Lilith." He feigned another attack, but this time, thanks to the subtle premonition delivered by Unprecedented Sense, he held back at the last moment. Lilith, expecting the full force of the blow, took the bait and lunged for a counterattack.
With a swift movement, Noah sidestepped her attack, the red premonition flashing in his vision just a split second before the impact.
He used the opening to launch a counteroffensive of his own, aiming his longsword not for a direct blow, but to disarm her.
The clang of steel echoed once more, but this time, the sound held a different meaning. Lilith's eyes widened as her sword clattered to the ground, the tip skidding across the smooth training mat.
A surprised silence settled over the training grounds. Noah lowered his longsword, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Seems like even the Witch of Destruction can be caught off guard," he teased, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
Lilith stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, a slow smile spread across her face, a genuine smile that reached her eyes for the first time Noah could remember.
"Well played," Lilith admitted, her voice devoid of its usual frost.
"You've certainly improved again, Noah." A hint of competitiveness flickered back into her eyes, a challenge that Noah found strangely endearing.
"It's my loss," she continued, her lips twitching with a hint of a smile.
"Time for round two. This time, I'll be using magic, but only wind magic."
Noah's grin widened.
"Bring it on," he declared, his confidence unwavering.
"It'll be more fun if I can still win. Do your best, ice queen." There was a playful edge to his voice, a hint that dared her to push him to his limits.
Lilith's smile vanished, replaced by a glint of determination in her eyes. She raised her hand, her fingers weaving a silent spell. An incantation, whispered in a language older than time, flowed from her lips. A sudden shift in the air followed, a subtle current swirling around her. Then, with a barely audible whoosh, wind magic surged to life.
It wasn't a violent gust, but rather a subtle augmentation. The wind seemed to cloak her body, making her lighter, her movements faster. It was as if she danced on the edge of a gentle breeze, her agility amplified to a supernatural degree.
Seeing the shift, Noah's playful demeanor vanished. He knew this wouldn't be a simple sparring session anymore. He concentrated, focusing on his senses, ready to react to Lilith's lightning-fast attacks that were sure to come. His newfound skill, Unprecedented Sense, thrummed with anticipation, a silent promise of premonition amidst the swirling wind.
The training ground became a stage for a different kind of battle. Gone was the clash of steel, replaced by the blur of movement and the whoosh of wind. Lilith, transformed by the magic, launched into a flurry of attacks. She appeared from every direction, her strikes unpredictable and fast as a viper.
Noah, fueled by his enhanced senses and adrenaline, danced a defensive ballet. He relied on the red premonitions flashing in his vision, allowing him to dodge attacks that would have otherwise landed true. The clang of his longsword on the training barrier echoed repeatedly as he deflected blows that seemed to come from thin air.
The fight was exhilarating, a test not just of skill, but of his newfound skill. He had to think faster, react quicker, all while trying to find an opening in Lilith's whirlwind assault.
The playful banter of moments ago was replaced by a focused silence, broken only by the whoosh of wind and the occasional clang of metal.