Skill Forge: Broken Extra Character

Rey dangled above the crackling campfire, the rope tied around his wrists and ankles biting into his skin.

The heat from the flames licked at his feet, and the acrid scent of smoke filled the air.

As he lost consciousness, the flickering light cast eerie shadows across his face.

Unbeknownst to him, a group of about twenty-five Kobolds: humanoid scaly creatures with sharp claws and hungry eyes: had stumbled upon his unconscious form.

With a mix of greed and hunger, they chattered excitedly, mistaking Rey for a potential feast.

Their beady eyes glistened with anticipation as they prepared to cook him over the fire, their crude cooking implements and makeshift utensils clattering in a frenzy.

When Rey finally came to, the oppressive heat of the fire was the first thing he felt. The once-flickering light had now intensified, casting a harsh glow over the camp.

The Kobolds, engrossed in their preparations, were oblivious to his awakening.

Rey glanced around, taking in the scene of chaos and realizing he was hanging above the fire with the Kobolds bustling about.

His weapons and storage pouch lay carelessly abandoned in a corner of the campsite.

Sighing, Rey muttered to himself, "I think I've rested well enough." With a swift tug, he snapped the weak rope binding his hands.

He then broke the ropes around his legs, all while the Kobolds remained distracted by their culinary antics.

The moment his feet touched the ground, a low growl from one of the Kobolds alerted the others. They turned in alarm, but Rey was faster.

His movements were fluid and decisive, and he dispatched the surprised creatures with ease, using his newfound strength making short work of them.

"I leveled up after taking out the previous Kobold commanders. Now I feel lighter," Rey remarked, noticing the boost in his abilities.

His confidence soared as he retrieved his weapons and storage pouch, preparing for the next challenge.

As he pressed onward, Rey faced a series of coordinated Kobold attacks. This time, his heightened senses and agility allowed him to handle their assaults with greater ease.

The Kobolds' efforts were more organized, but Rey's improved skills and strategic thinking turned the tide in his favor.

He moved with precision, overcoming each ambush with practiced efficiency.

Finally, Rey arrived at the entrance to the boss room. The heavy wooden door creaked open to reveal the Kobold King for the first time.

The imposing figure sat on a makeshift throne, surrounded by an air of authority and menace. Rey steeled himself, knowing that the real test lay ahead.

The Kobold King towered over Rey, a formidable figure with a rugged, imposing presence.

Its scaled hide was adorned with makeshift armor, and it wielded a massive axe, its blade gleaming ominously in the dim light of the room.

The axe's sheer size and weight hinted at the King's immense strength.

Rey's eyes gleamed with excitement as he assessed the formidable boss monster.

"Kobold King Level 50, the gap is a lot higher so when I take him out I'll be sure to level up even more," he grinned, his gaze fixed on the imposing creature. His anticipation grew as he prepared for the battle.

[Heavenly Blessing]

- 3x Exp bonus

- Amplifies all skills accordingly Purifies all Dark attributes and monsters within its area of reach.

- Grants Holy attribute and 3x the effectiveness of all attributes apart from dark attributes to the user and his allies.

- It envelopes the user in a radiant aura, boosting all stats and recovery speed by 70%, while also granting immunity to status ailments and providing healing over time.

- Reduces enemy stats by 10%

- Grows with the user.

[Duration: 10 minutes]

[Cooldown: 24 hours]

He activated his best skill, the skill enveloping him in a radiant aura.

"Saving this skill for you is totally going to be worth all the stress," Rey said, holding the shield he had initially dismissed, now realizing its potential. He readied himself for a decisive clash. "I'm going all out from the get-go!"

The Kobold King's massive frame dwarfed Rey, its bulk blocking most of the room's space.

Rey quickly deduced that targeting the King's legs would be his best bet. However, as he advanced, the Kobold King's eyes narrowed with malice.

With a swift motion, it summoned the earth to create a wall, obstructing Rey's path and pushing him back with a powerful force.

[Earth Wall]

The landscape shifted dramatically as the earth rose to form an imposing barrier. Rey gritted his teeth, frustration boiling over.

"Earth element? You'll need more than that to beat me," he roared, his voice echoing through the room.

Channeling his energy, he enveloped his sword with a shimmering aura and thrust it through the earthen wall, the blade cutting through with determined precision.

{Slow Curse}

The Kobold King, undeterred, cast a spell in an attempt to hinder Rey's movements. However, Rey's [Heavenly Blessing] nullified the effect, the aura surrounding him preventing the curse from taking hold.

[Boost]

Realizing the direct approach wasn't working, the Kobold King decided to buff itself, its form glowing with renewed strength and resilience.

Rey seized the moment, charging forward with renewed vigor. But the Kobold King, now empowered and fortified, blocked Rey's attack with a sweeping motion of its massive axe.

The clash was intense, and the King's enhanced defenses forced Rey to retreat momentarily, reassessing his strategy for the next assault.

The clash between Rey and the Kobold King continued with fierce intensity. Weapons rang out in a rhythm of steel and strength, each strike sending sparks into the air.

The Kobold King, despite its massive size and newly enhanced power, struggled to match Rey's speed and agility.

Rey, focusing on his opponent's weaknesses, finally saw an opening. Channeling his Aura, he coated his sword in a brilliant, pulsating energy.

With a precise and powerful thrust, he drove the blade through the Kobold King's face. The King let out a deafening cry, a final roar of defiance before it crumpled to the ground, defeated.

*****

Rey took a moment to revel in his victory. He checked his stats and rewards, noting the significant boost from his skill and Cedric's item. His level had risen six.

[Class: Hero

Level: 38

HP: 130

MP: 120

Strength: 100

Agility: 90

Intelligence: 77

Perception: 77]

"Sweet, I gained quite a lot from this," Rey said, satisfaction evident in his voice. As he sifted through the items dropped by the Kobold King, his eyes fell upon a familiar object.

"Is that…? Wait… it is." Rey's expression brightened as he recognized the rookie amulet among the loot. "A rookie amulet here of all places. This'll come in handy later on." He smiled, tucking the amulet away and taking a well-deserved rest before leaving the dungeon.

*****

Deep inside the Academy Library, Jett scanned the shelves with a mixture of frustration and determination. "This is a crude way of doing it but it's not like I have a choice," he thought, his fingers trailing over dusty tomes and ancient scrolls.

"Finally found it," he muttered triumphantly as he located a particular book. The shelves began to shift, revealing a hidden passage behind them. Jett, not missing a beat, casually stepped into the newly revealed corridor.

The passage was shrouded in darkness, oppressive and almost tangible.

[Night Vision]

His surroundings were transforming as though it were day. He moved cautiously, the dim glow of his skill casting eerie shadows on the walls.

[Trap Detection]

As he advanced, he came upon a stairway leading downward. He activated his skill, alert for any dangers that might lie ahead as he prepared to descend into the unknown.

The passage was a buffet of deadly traps, each one more cunningly designed than the last. Hidden pressure plates, concealed spike pits, and swinging blade mechanisms lay in wait, ready to spring at the slightest misstep. Jett's keen eyes and [Trap Detection] skill made quick work of identifying and avoiding each perilous contraption.

He observed the traps with a hint of amusement. "I should probably fix this when I'm done, but the mission comes first," he mused, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The mundane task of bypassing the traps seemed almost trivial in comparison to his larger goals.

As he navigated through the hazards, he engaged his floating companion in conversation to stave off the monotony. "You probably have no idea why we're here," Jett started, glancing at the shimmering orb beside him.

His companion, though silent, hovered with attentive focus. Jett continued, "Well, there's this thing where the students who graduate in the top 100 among the first years get a special privilege. They can participate in a special gauntlet, where they face five dangerous monsters, all around levels 50 to 70. Beating each monster earns you a special reward."

He paused, letting the information sink in. "Now you're probably wondering why I couldn't just make the top 100 and challenge it like everyone else, since I'm obviously strong enough. That's because I don't want to get to the top yet. More importantly, There's something I need to do and I can only do it if I get one ranks. Everything's going according to plan."

Jett continued his steady pace until he reached a massive door made of an imposing, heavy metal. The door looked nearly impenetrable, its surface adorned with intricate runes and reinforced with thick, metallic bands.

"Only someone with about 300 points in strength can open this," Jett assessed. "I was hoping to keep my stats as low as possible so I could control it easily, but I guess I'll just get Cedric to make an item to suppress my stats."

He swiftly adjusted his strength.

[Adding 222 points to Strength].

As the points were added, Jett immediately felt a surge of power coursing through him. His muscles tensed and his body felt both lighter and more solid. The overwhelming strength was invigorating.

"Well, it's now or never," he thought, bracing himself as he pushed against the door. With a powerful shove, the door creaked open, revealing a gust of wind as Mana stones embedded in the walls began to glow, casting an eerie light across the chamber.

Standing before Jett was a Dream Hound, a menacing creature at level 50. Its eyes glowed with predatory hunger as it lunged toward him.

"This is going to be a piece of cake," Jett smirked, readying himself. The increased strength proved advantageous; in a blink, Jett's hand shot out with lightning speed.

He drove it directly into the Dream Hound's heart, instantly killing the beast. The creature's body slumped lifelessly to the ground, its threat neutralized with effortless precision.

The gauntlet continued with relentless efficiency. As each Dream Hound appeared, Jett greeted them with the same swift, decisive action causing them to slowly disintegrate each time.

The second Dream Hound, at level 55, was dispatched just as effortlessly as the first, with Jett's hand driving into its heart in a flash. The pattern repeated seamlessly, each successive Dream Hound falling victim to Jett's overwhelming strength and precision.

With the fourth and fifth Dream Hounds defeated in quick succession, the trial was completed. The system announced:

[Completion 5/5]

[Gauntlet Complete]

[Rewards]

[Class Armor Set]

[Burning Flower]

[Flight Boots]

[Frost Flower]

[Combat Techniques Crafting Manual]

"Being the first person to complete this trial was my third goal," Jett mused, surveying the rewards laid out before him.

[Eden 1/10]

[Primordial Elemental Fruit]

Jett's eyes narrowed in curiosity as he spotted the [Primordial Elemental Fruit] among the rewards. "Eden? I didn't see that last time," he remarked, puzzled by its unfamiliar presence.

[Are you Satisfied? Yes/No]

He recalled the pivotal moment when Rey had ignored a crucial question back in the storyline, a decision that nearly led to a major upheaval at the school.

"Yes," Jett confirmed.

As soon as he selected his answer, the room around him shifted, and he found himself transported to a different chamber. Here, a Dream Hound was chained to the ground, its powers subdued by heavy restraints.

It appeared smaller and less menacing than the ones he had faced, but Jett recognized it for what it was: the original Dream Hound, captured and nurtured by Clarence for the sole purpose of the trial.

Jett approached the restrained creature, his expression softening with sympathy. "You poor thing. You've probably been here your entire life," he said, his voice tinged with empathy.

The Dream Hound, despite its subdued state, seemed to acknowledge Jett's presence.

The Dream Hound cowered in fear as Jett approached. Its eyes widened with terror, and it attempted to back away, but the heavy chains kept it firmly in place.

The creature's fear was palpable, its body trembling as it struggled against its restraints.

Jett moved slowly, extending a hand in an attempt to offer comfort.

He reached out tentatively, trying to pat the Dream Hound. The creature flinched and tried to avoid his touch, its instincts still screaming at it to flee.

Seeing the Hound's continued distress, Jett decided to try a different approach.

He presented the [Burning Flower] and [Frost Flower] to the creature. The Dream Hound sniffed the flowers cautiously, its nose twitching as it took in their unfamiliar scents.

After a moment of hesitation and consideration, it decided to eat the flowers.

The soothing properties of the flowers seemed to have a calming mind of the creature, and it slowly began to relax.

"Good girl…" Jett murmured, patting the Dream Hound gently. "You are a girl, right?" He chuckled softly, finding a touch of amusement in the situation.

As the Dream Hound settled, a message appeared:

[Dream Hound wants you to initiate a Soul Contract.]

Jett looked at the message with surprise. "A soul contract? Not a taming contract?" he asked, puzzled.

A soul contract was more profound and binding than a taming contract. It meant that both parties would be able to share each other's emotions and pain.

If either of them died, the other would feel the loss acutely and the other would now have a piece of the deceased soul in them. The connection formed by a soul contract was intimate and irreversible, binding their fates together.

The Dream Hound nodded in affirmation, its eyes reflecting a mixture of vulnerability and trust.

[Initiating Soul Contract…]

[Will you continue? Yes/No]

Jett selected "Yes" without hesitation. However, the system's prompt for confirmation irritated him, reminiscent of the annoying ads that plagued internet usage.

[Are you sure?]

"God damn it, Yessss," Jett growled in frustration as he pressed "Yes" again, his impatience evident.

[Soul Taming Successful]

[Compatibility Rate 89%]

"That looks about right," Jett commented, observing the compatibility rate. "If both parties are willing and their attributes match, the Compatibility Rate increases. The higher the compatibility the high the connection."

[Please give her a name…]

"So you're a she, huh?" Jett thought with a smile. "How about Illusion Hound?"

The Dream Hound shook her head in clear rejection of the name. "What's wrong with the name? Argh…" Jett grumbled, his frustration mounting as he tried to think of an alternative name.

Jett remembered a video game from his previous life, a nostalgic memory sparking an idea. "Mystra, how does that sound?" he proposed with a hopeful tone.

As soon as he gave her the name, Mystra's form emitted a faint, soothing glow, a sign of her acceptance and new identity.

"Alright, I have to go now. I'll be back soon," Jett said as he turned his attention to the chains that bound her. "I still need to find a way to break that seal."

Mystra looked up at him with a mix of hope and apprehension, clearly not wanting him to leave.

Jett placed a reassuring hand on her head, his voice gentle but firm. "Don't worry. I'll come back for you. You're safe for now."

He took one last look at her before heading toward the exit.

"I just need to find a way to get to the Principal's office or figure out another method to break the seal," Jett thought, his mind already working on his next steps.

As he stepped out of the massive gate, an overwhelming force struck him with such intensity that he was thrown to his knees.

The pressure was suffocating, an invisible weight pressing down on him, making it almost impossible to move.

"And what might you be looking for down here?" a deep, commanding voice inquired, its tone dripping with authority and curiosity.

Jett's heart raced as he realized the gravity of his situation. "Crap, I'm screwed," he thought, as he was literally feeling the full weight of his predicament.

Jett remembered a video game from his previous life, a nostalgic memory sparking an idea.

"Mystra, how does that sound?" he proposed with a hopeful tone. As soon as he gave her the name, Mystra's form emitted a faint, soothing glow, a sign of her acceptance and new identity.

"Alright, I have to go now. I'll be back soon," Jett said as he turned his attention to the chains that bound her. "I still need to find a way to break that seal."

Mystra looked up at him with a mix of hope and apprehension, clearly not wanting him to leave.

Jett placed a reassuring hand on her head, his voice gentle but firm. "Don't worry. I'll come back for you. You're safe for now."

He took one last look at her before heading toward the exit. "

"I just need to find a way to get to the Principal's office or figure out another method to break the seal," Jett thought, his mind already working on his next steps.

As he stepped out of the hidden passage back to the library, an overwhelming force struck him with such intensity that he was thrown to his knees.

The pressure was suffocating, an invisible weight pressing down on him, making it almost impossible to move.

"And what might you be looking for down here?" a deep, commanding voice inquired, its tone dripping with authority and curiosity.

Jett's heart raced as he realized the gravity of his situation. "Crap, I'm screwed," he thought, feeling the full weight of his predicament.

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Made this chapter too long

My bad

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