The Devil’s Cage

Kieran’s set of skills was definitely not on the lesser side but after decided to level up [Knights of Dawn Body Tempering Art], which was his core skill to the skill’s maximum limit while excluding those skills that didn’t have any leveling options, the remaining viable options were only a handful.

First was his hand-to-hand combat series of skills, [Barsical Kick], [Hundred Violent Kicks] [Blade Kick] and [Viper Kick].

Second, the greatsword skill series, [Sword Skill, Dragon Force] and [Sword Skill, Tiger Stance].

Lastly, there was his ancillary skill, [Tracking].

As for [Sword Skill, Myriad Viper]?

Although it has a Sword Skill prefix, technically, it was a Spirit attribute related skill and among all of the different categories, Kieran leaned more towards his combat series.

Not only was that because his combat series could be connected with each skill and form his fighting combo, it was also because combat skills were more well rounded, they allowed him to cope in sudden situations, and had different corresponding skills to react.

For example, starting with his [Hand-to-hand Combat, Kick Combats], he would follow up with [Hundred Violent Kicks] and [Viper Kicks], which then swiftly led into [Barsical Kick]’s [Bide] effect and finally unleashed [Blade Kick] as the fatal blow. Enemies at the same rank would have a hard time dealing with his furious combos.

It was also one of the important points for him as a lone wolf player.

However, Kieran still thought highly of [Sword Skill, Myriad Viper].

His highest attribute was Spirit and [Sword Skill, Myriad Viper] was certainly the skill that could maximize his attribute’s potential. More importantly was the skill’s attack range.

It was also a fact that he couldn’t neglect as a solo player.

But Kieran at the moment only had 7 Golden Skill Points. Certainly not enough to level up his combat series skills and [Sword Skill, Myriad Viper] at the same time.

Leveling [Sword Skill, Myriad Viper] alone from Pro to Grand Master required 3 Golden Skill Points and [Hundred Violent Kicks], [Blade Kick], [Viper Kick] required 2 Golden Skill Points respectively from the same rank. [Barsical Kick] required only 1 Golden Skill Point.

Would Kieran choose to level up the strongest skill and use the other skills as supportive means?

Or will he level up the skills that could form a complete system to the strongest?

Kieran, however, didn’t even need to think when facing the choice because whether he chose the former or latter options, all of them had certain criteria to fulfill: the potential damage inflicted on the enemies.

After using that as an entry point, the choice became easier.

[Sword Skill, Myriad Viper] has become the first choice, followed by [Hundred Violent Kicks] which could better bring out the potential of [Barsical Kick]’s effect.

After leveling [Hundred Violent Kicks], [Barsical Kick] would eventually be in line.

[Sword Skill, Myriad Viper, Pro to Grand Master, cost 30,000 Points, 3 Golden Skill Points. Yes/No?]

”Yes!”

[Name: Sword Skill, Myriad Viper (Grand Master)]

[Related Attributes: Spirit]

[Skill Type Offense]

[Effect: Utilize your aura to pressure your opponents in a 25 meters diameter. Target will be forced to undergo a Spirit authentication. When the target’s Spirit is lower than yours, the target will fall into an illusion of ten thousand snakes, allowing you to exert your will freely. Consume 100 Stamina, 3 minutes cooldown]

[Special Effect: Viper Venom (Target will have to go through another Spirit plus Intuition authentication +2 effect when the target passed the first one. Target will only be freed after passing the second authentication)]

[Consume: Stamina]

[Prerequisite: Spirit B]

[Remark: Although it is categorized as a Sword Skill, in fact, it is really an illusory attack, no weapon limitations]

[Note: Related attribute has reached the skills maximum limit]

...

[Hundred Violent Kicks, Pro to Grand Master, cost 20,000 Points, 2 Golden Skill Points. Yes/No?]

”Yes!”

[Name: Hundred Violent Kicks (Grand Master)]

[Related Attributes: Strength, Agility, Constitution[

[Skill Type: Offense]

[Effect: With your left or right leg, unleash an indistinguishable barrage of kicks with 55% Strength, towards a 130°angle area with 225% attack speed. Consume 200 Stamina per second, cooldown 7 minutes]

[Special Effect: Phantasm Mirage (During your lightning barrage kicks, 3 mirages of yourself will form during the attack. The mirage has no attack.]

[Consume: Stamina]

[Prerequisite: [Hand-to-Hand Combat. Master of Kicks] (Grand Master), Strength C, Agility C, Constitution C]

[Remark: By sacrificing your attack and mobility in exchange for lightning speed kicks, the power from the continuous kicks will drown your opponent!]

...

[Hundred Violent Kicks leveled up, related attributes increasing…]

[Strength A → A+]

[Agility A → A+]

[Constitution has reached the capped limit, Unable to level up any further]

...

[Barsical Kick, Pro to Grand Master, cost 20,000 Points, 1 Golden Skill Points. Yes/No?]

”Yes!”

[Name: Barsical Kick (Grand Master)]

[Related Attributes: Strength, Agility, Constitution]

[Skill Type: Offensive]

[Effects: Your legs are more nimble than your hands. When you attack with a kick, the second, third, fourth, and fifth hit will trigger an additional +1, +2, +3, +4 Agility effect respectively.]

[Special Effect: Bide (Your attacks will be accumulated and during the fourth and fifth hit, Strength and Agility will +3, +4 respectively with each kick]

[Consumes: Stamina]

[Prerequisites: Knights of Dawn Body Tempering Arts (Grand Master)]

[Remarks: Please note that the level of the Barsical Kick and other related skills cannot be higher than the Knights of Dawn Body Tempering Arts skill!]

...

[Barsical Kick leveled up, related attributes increasing…]

[Strength A+ → S-]

[Agility A+ → S-]

[Constitution has reached the capped limit, Unable to level up any further]

...

”The attributes increased as well?” Kieran was shocked at the leveled up notifications.

To be honest, when choosing a skill to level up and given that there was sufficient Golden Skill Points, Kieran would have considered more about the skill’s power and adaptability and very rarely, he would give up leveling a skill because of his attributes.

’Using the best metal on the knife’s edge!’

Kieran understood that saying as he was in poverty for almost his whole life. Kieran understood it better than anyone.

Yet because of his understanding, Kieran knew how to save up and calculate to maximize his benefits while widening his channels by acquiring more benefits; it was his core motive.

The channels were his strength itself.

Therefore, Kieran clearly knew his SSS+ Spirit attributes has reached its maximum limit. Even if he leveled up [Sword Skill, Myriad Viper], the attribute wouldn’t be affected anymore but he still went for it.

Of course, Kieran was also delighted by the sudden increase of his attributes.

How would a scrooge not be happy about something extra?

Yet he has some guesses about the sudden extra increase.

”Is there something different when the skill reaches Grand Master level? Is S rank related to its attribute limits?” Kieran muttered in his heart.

But before he could delve deeper into the topic, the time for the meeting with Allen was drawing near. He shifted his available attention to the matters regarding the meeting.

Also, the outskirts of the outer city were where Reeder Irla Bridge was located which was quite far from Wallway 13th as well.

He needed to depart right away. Lawless eventually followed as well.

Although they promised to meet alone, it didn’t stop Lawless from appearing in other sectors outside Reeder Irla Bridge.