Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

Chapter 173 – 138: The True Value of Hammer Specialization!

After both men had taken their positions, they quickly began to exchange blows, but soon, Rein was caught by Knight Lloyd during a pause in his moves, and a Shield Strike pushed him back several steps.

Compared to the previous battle between Rein and Perez, it seemed as though they were entirely different people.

However, the system notification was a pleasant surprise for Rein:

[Your skill ‘Tokkal Hammer Technique’ has been improved, experience +27]

[You have undergone a battle, Knight (Transcendent) professional experienced +9]

If not for the quick defeat, at least forty to fifty points of Hammer Skill experience could have been gained from one match!

Lloyd then looked at Rein with a puzzled expression and asked, “Rein, you must have just started learning the Hammer Skill not long ago, right?”

This caused Rein’s face to turn slightly red.

Obviously, bringing out a Hammer Skill that had been learned only a day ago in a match against a formal Knight carried somewhat disrespectful connotations.

Especially since in the previous match, Rein had fought Perez to a standstill using the Giant Bear Sword Technique.

However, what was barely acceptable was that, seemingly with the aid of ‘Hammer Specialization lv1’, at least Rein’s Tokkal Hammer Technique looked decently executed, not like it was his first day learning it.

Otherwise, even a magnanimous Knight like Lloyd might have just walked away.

After a brief reflection, Rein decided to add a skill point to the core skill ‘Hammer Specialization lv1’.

After all, with excellent experience ‘NPCs’ like Lloyd and Perez around, if he couldn’t pique their interest and ride the wave for a big boost in experience, it would be too disrespectful to such an opportunity!

Moreover, ‘Hammer Specialization’ is a core skill that can only be improved using skill points and can’t be enhanced through regular training.

In this regard, Hammer Specialization seemed more like a talent.

Thus, with the added point, the remaining skill points on the panel changed from 4→3, and Hammer Specialization was instantly upgraded from lv1 to lv2.

Instantly, Rein felt different when he held the two-handed hammer.

It was an indescribable feeling, as if Rein had a natural familiarity with the hammer, almost as though the hammer was an extension of his arm.

Simultaneously, the panel’s description of Hammer Specialization also changed accordingly.

[Core Skill: Hammer Specialization lv2 (Passive)]

[Hammer Specialization lv2 (Passive): When the host uses any hammer-type weapon, damage is slightly increased.]

From ‘slight’ to ‘minor’, this change was exactly the same as when the strength of Blacksmith had been upgraded.

“Knight Lloyd, I have been studying the Hammer Skill for a while, it might be because I am not yet familiar with the ironwood hammer. Let’s have another go,” said Rein, after adding the point and telling a white lie.

Lloyd nodded, seeming to accept Rein’s explanation that unfamiliarity with the weapon could affect performance, a common occurrence.

The two swiftly took positions and began the second match!

Indeed, with the boost from Hammer Specialization at lv2, Rein performed much better this time around.

Although he still did not defeat Knight Lloyd, who wielded both hammer and shield, he did manage to make it quite enjoyable for his opponent.

At the end of the match, the system notification immediately appeared:

[Your skill ‘Tokkal Hammer Technique’ has been improved, experience +54]

[You have undergone a battle, Knight (Transcendent) professional experienced +16]

[Congratulations, your skill ‘Tokkal Hammer Technique’ has been upgraded to lv2]

Yay! Upgraded!

Looking at ‘Tokkal Hammer Technique lv2 (1/300)’.

Suddenly, Rein’s mind was filled with fragmented memories of training in the Tokkal Hammer Technique.

These memories were scattered fragments of Hammer Skill training, passing through Rein’s mind like slides and quickly embedding themselves in his muscle memory.

To Rein, it felt as though he had been practicing the Tokkal Hammer Technique daily for months.

“Rein, shall we call it a night?” asked Knight Lloyd.

To be honest, he was still somewhat disappointed with Rein’s Hammer Skill.

Knight Lloyd felt that Rein’s mastery of the hammer was not refined and significantly lagged behind his expertise in the Giant Bear Sword Technique, making their exchange more about instinct than skill.

Huh?

I just leveled up and the experience ‘NPC’ wants to leave?

“Knight Lloyd, during our match just now, I seemed to have gained some insights into the Hammer Skill. How about another round?” Rein said with a smile.

The moment Rein finished speaking, Lloyd and Perez exchanged smiles.

They privately thought that Rein still had the heart of a youth, somewhat lacking in skill but enthusiastic about playing.

After the two matches, they both had a clear understanding of Rein’s level of Hammer Skill.

But…

After a brief thought, Lloyd nodded his head, agreeing to Rein’s suggestion. “Alright.”

Young people, after all, deserved some face.

I’ll just go easy on him! thought Lloyd.

The two swiftly took positions and began the third match.

However, this match truly shocked both Lloyd and Perez!

Boosted by the now lv2 ‘Hammer Specialization’ and Tokkal Hammer Technique, Rein’s capability saw another minor leap.

If in the previous match Knight Lloyd could easily win against Rein,

this match was genuinely hard to conclude.

Initially planning to go easy, Knight Lloyd found himself increasingly astounded as they fought!

“Boom!!”

After several minutes of intense fighting and dripping with sweat, Knight Lloyd narrowly claimed victory.

Lloyd first looked dubiously at Rein, then with a sudden flash of realization, burst out laughing:

“I understand now, Rein!”

“Were you worried, at first, that defeating me would be embarrassing for me? So, you gradually revealed your true strength?”

Rein looked at Lloyd, stunned.

Is that really how your mind works?

Well… as long as you’re happy!

What can you do if you are an ‘NPC’ filled with experience?

So, Rein merely smiled faintly and said nothing.

Rein’s smile convinced the two bystanders of their earlier judgment even more.

“Rein, don’t hold back, please give it your all!”

Knight Lloyd’s expression became serious, and he assumed a ready-for-another-round stance, without mentioning his previous statement, “Let’s call it a night then.”

Sure enough, there’s nothing cuter than a competitive experience ‘NPC’!

Rein put on a distressed expression, and reluctantly nodded, saying, “This… all right then!”

Actually, he was overjoyed inside.

However… since Knight Lloyd asked him to give it his all, he really could only…

System! Add points!

Thus, as Rein allocated his points, his remaining Skill Points decreased from 3 to 2, and the core skill ‘Hammer Skill Specialization’ immediately upgraded from lv2 to lv3.

In an instant, Rein felt a different sensation while holding his ironwood hammer.

If lv2 had increased Rein’s innate familiarity with the hammer, this time, Rein felt as if the hammer was connected to his bloodline! Read new chapters at m

Simultaneously, the description of ‘Hammer Skill Specialization’ on his panel also changed.

[Core Skill: Hammer Skill Specialization lv3 (Passive)]

[Hammer Skill Specialization lv3 (Passive): When the host uses any hammer-type weapon, damage significantly increases.]

From ‘slightly’ to ‘significantly’ shows what that implies without further explanation.

Thus, under the enhancement of lv3 ‘Hammer Skill Specialization’ and lv2 Tokkal Hammer Technique, Rein finally overpowered Knight Lloyd, who wielded a hammer and shield.

With a loud ‘Bang!’ Rein forcefully struck and sent Knight Lloyd flying with the ironwood hammer.

But Lloyd’s expression showed no displeasure at all, as if he was saying, ‘I knew it, you were holding back, and I’ve exposed you!’

Meanwhile, Perez, who was watching eagerly, said, “Lloyd, you’ve had three matches with Rein already, it’s my turn now, isn’t it?”

“Perez, don’t rush, let me have two more rounds!” Knight Lloyd was in high spirits and naturally did not want to stop now.

Watching this scene, a smile appeared on the corner of Rein’s mouth.

He thought, don’t rush, you two!

Don’t worry, I understand the principle of ‘sharing the love’!

….

After the fifth round.

“Rein, take on Perez… your stamina… alas! Youth is wonderful!” the forty-something Lloyd said breathlessly.

After the eighth round….

“Rein, take on Lloyd for now, I need a break too!” the thirty-something Perez also declared he was beat, while also marveling greatly at Rein’s abnormal stamina.

Rein looked at the two experience ‘NPCs’ who were utterly exhausted, his face showing helplessness.

He thought, where has your previous enthusiasm gone?

Suddenly, the system notification brought more good news:

[Your Skill Tokkal Hammer Technique has been upgraded, Experience +59]

[You have fought a battle, Knight (Transcendent) Professional Experience Points +18]

[Congratulations, your Skill Tokkal Hammer Technique has upgraded to lv3]

…

Instantly, Rein’s mind was filled with fragmented training memories about the Tokkal Hammer Technique.

After absorbing and digesting it, Rein felt as if he had practiced the Tokkal Hammer Technique for six months!

But Rein just came back to his senses, realizing that the system notification had not ended.

There was another system message quietly arriving:

[Congratulations, you have unlocked the exclusive secret technique of the Tokkal Hammer Technique: Rising Dragon Hammer!]

A Hammer Skill secret technique?

Wait? How come so soon!

He clearly remembered that the requirements for mastering the Rising Dragon Hammer in the Tokkal Hammer Technique were very high.

Immediately, thrilled and surprised, Rein saw a brand-new icon above the ‘Tokkal Hammer Technique’ on the Transcendent Knight panel.

The icon featured an image of a brawny man twisting his body, swinging a two-handed hammer upward, looking lifelike and fiercely powerful.

In the bottom right of the icon, there was a line of small text:

Rising Dragon Hammer lv1 (Secret Technique) Effect: Using a unique method of energy release, swing the hammer from below upward, delivering a spinning force hit.

(Note: Rising Dragon Hammer is a secret technique and cannot be directly improved through Skill Points.)

(Rising Dragon Hammer lv2 requirements: 1. Tokkal Hammer Technique lv6 or above (Hammer Skill Specialization can offset some of the level requirements); two. Strength 18 points or above, Constitution 16 points or above, Agility 16 points or above.)

Seeing the ‘Hammer Skill Specialization can offset some Hammer Technique level requirements,’ Rein had an epiphany.

So that’s how it is!

No wonder he could master the secret technique so early when his Tokkal Hammer Technique was only at lv3—here lay the key.

This was the real value of Hammer Skill Specialization!

Then, Rein thought of something else.