Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Perfect Level Skill: Dragon Flame Dance

That was the final boss of the 50-man large-scale raid, Disaster Dragon’s Abyss—a level 120 Ascension Level Giant Dragon, a terrifying monster just one step away from the Divine Domain!

And he, as one of the team’s main tanks, had once faced the attacks of this frenzied Dragon King who had attempted to rebel against the Dragon God.

Those sky-blotting claws, those unstoppable fangs, those wings that eclipsed the light, that mountain-shattering tail, and that incinerating Dragon Breath... He had experienced them all firsthand!

Without a doubt, some of Patroclus’s attacks corresponded one-to-one with the five Sword Skills of the [Dragonman Swordsmanship - Revised].

No, to say that was a bit arrogant.

It was more likely that the Dragon-men, in their pursuit of the Giant Dragons’ power, had sought to glimpse the might of true dragons with their half-blood bodies, which was why they created [Dragonman Swordsmanship].

And Jon, as a mere mortal using the [Dragonman Swordsmanship - Revised] version adapted by human swordsmen, should have held this power in greater awe.

But the truth was, he looked down on it all with a detached attitude.

’So what if they’re Dragon-men? So what if it’s a Dragon King?’

’They were all just foes I’ve already defeated!’

’Starting over, why would I fear these guys?’

’Now, since I’m going to seize the power of these mighty creatures for my own, they should just obediently offer up everything!’

’I’ll start with the Dragon Claw Swing that left a scratch on my shield!’

The enhanced memory from his increased Intelligence allowed Jon to vividly recall the Ash Disaster Dragon King’s terrifying swings that had hammered him into the ground again and again.

His entire skeleton had trembled, his armor had creaked and groaned, and his shield had whined as if unable to bear the load...

These sensations replayed in his mind over and over, giving him a deeper, more concrete understanding of the ”Dragon Claw Swing”!

Finally, Jon’s eyes snapped open!

[Expend 300 EXP to recall the true meaning of ”Balance”?]

”Yes!”

That familiar sensation of his entire body’s power twisting into a single cord surged through him again!

But this time, he could feel that he would succeed!

Because as his power was rapidly consumed, he felt as if his entire being, along with the zanbatō in his hand, was about to burst into flames!

Without hesitation or delay, he unleashed all of this power with the swing of his blade!

[Dragon Force Burst] + [Dragon Claw Swing]!

As he used these two Skills in succession, the wild, dancing flames on the blade first flared violently, then instantly contracted, wrapping snugly around the edge. They condensed into a slender dragon’s claw that seemed carved from fiery jade, then swung down, following Jon’s motion!

In that instant, Jon felt as if he had transformed into the overwhelmingly powerful [Ash Disaster Dragon King], swatting at a tiny ant!

”SWOOSH—”

The blade passed, the air tore, and light flashed.

Despite being dozens of centimeters away, the physical part of the blade never made direct contact with the target; only the illusory dragon claw condensed from flame grazed it.

But the metal rod-like component was severed as if cut by a welding torch, melting apart!

At the same time, a notification popped up before Jon’s eyes!

[Ding! You have successfully created a Skill. Grade: Perfect]

[Please name the created Skill.]

”Perfect Level... I actually did it...”

Jon took a breath, withdrawing from that state of all-out exertion and absolute dominance. With a mix of pleasant surprise and relief, he turned his gaze to the Perfect Level Skill—something he had never managed to create even after years of playing the game.

In the first row of his skill bar, a dazzling cyan icon was shimmering brightly!

——

[Unnamed Skill LV.1 (Perfect)]

[Passive Effect 1: When you mimic a ”Dragon Attack,” you can consume Life Value, Magic Power Value, Qi Value, and Willpower Value to enhance the attack. While in the ”Unnamed” state, this enhancement effect is further increased.]

[Active Effect 1: Consume 10 Life Value, 10 Magic Power Value, 10 Qi Value, and 10 Willpower Value to enter the ”Unnamed” state. This state consumes 10 of each of the above resources per second.]

[Unnamed State: All speeds increased by 30%. Melee attack range increased by 100%. Attacks deal additional Flame Damage equal to 30 + 100% of Magic Strength. Attack Penetration +30. Attacks have a chance to inflict ”Burn” and ”Fear” effects.]

——

’A controllable active burst skill, and its passive effect can even strengthen other Skills!’

’A Dragon Attack... that must refer to Skills like Dragonman Swordsmanship, which are based on the concept of imitating a Giant Dragon’s attacks...’

’As for this active state, it combines the key aspects of [Magic Mastery], [Flame Enchantment], and [Dragonman Swordsmanship - Revised]. After activating this state, using a Dragon Attack will let me reproduce the power of that last strike...’

’But... it consumes Willpower Value?’

Jon glanced at his current status window.

[Life Value: 573/810, Magic Power Value: 360/360, Qi Value: 115/185, Willpower Value: 55/125]

If Qi Value was the resource Warriors used to activate Skills, then Willpower Value was a resource that Casters consumed or reserved for certain special abilities—like curses, summons, and persistent Magic.

And now, an active burst skill could actually consume Willpower Value?

Jon thought for a moment and felt it was likely due to the ”Visualization” state he’d entered while comprehending the skill—that feeling of embodying a Giant Dragon crushing an ant.

’Maybe when I enter the burst state, my aura changes somehow, giving my attacks some kind of buff?’

’That must be where the description ”attacks have a chance to inflict ’Fear’ effects” comes from...’

He thought it was possible but wasn’t entirely sure.

After all, there was no one around to test it on, and the skill’s cost was immense. Even at full stats, he could only maintain it for 10 seconds at most before his Willpower Value bottomed out. And if he used an enhanced ”Dragon Attack,” he’d only have enough for a single strike.

Therefore, it was destined to be his trump card. Once used, it would inevitably lead to a life-or-death struggle!

’Still, it’s only level 1. There’s plenty of room for improvement... Maybe it’ll get better as it levels up...’

’Should I use Skill Points to level it up?’

Jon considered it for a moment, then abandoned the idea.

He had a feeling that Perfect Level wasn’t this skill’s final limit!

If he used Skill Points to upgrade it, he wasn’t sure if it would evolve further as its level increased, or if it would just receive simple numerical boosts.

The latter was probably more likely.

But regardless, he couldn’t be more satisfied with the skill he had created!

Because this skill, unlike the ones he came with after transmigration, was one he had complete and total control over.

He didn’t need any guidance; he could unleash it with a single thought!

This skill was entirely his own!

What did that prove?

”It proves I really am a genius!”

The certain someone snorted smugly, his gaze finally falling on a flashing notification.

[Please name the created Skill.]

”Since it was born from Flame Enchantment and comprehended through the Visualization of a Giant Dragon... I’ll call it Dragon Flame Dance!”

[Ding! The skill you created has been named ’Dragon Flame Dance’.]