Chapter 17: Slacking in Youth, Backstepping with Sword Aura
Checking the "Sword Soul Template's" skill tree, Liam didn't rush to add points on the spot. After confirming the current environment was completely safe.
He found a place to rest briefly and simultaneously checked the skills he could master after leveling up.
「Triple Slash」
「Level Requirement: 15」
「Cost: 10 SP」
「Skill Description: Unleashes a three-hit combo attack towards the target in front.」
「Moonlight Slash」
「Level Requirement: 15」
「Skill Description: Unleashes a crescent-shaped slash towards the target in front.」
「Backstep Cut」
「Level Requirement: 15」
「Skill Description: While backstepping to dodge a target's attack, simultaneously unleashes a sword aura slash.」
After increasing his Sword Soul class level, Liam gained many new combat methods, some of which were even Ghost Swordsman skills.
Observing carefully, one could spot the critical difference.
Skills like Ghost Slash, Wave Wheel Slasher, and Blade Soul Kazan were not classified within the "Sword Soul Template."
The growth path provided was that of an absolutely pure Sword Soul!
"Learning skills costs 10 SP each."
"Still acceptable."
Compared to the "Secret Sword Art" he currently used, these would provide Liam with more options in battle. As for the cost.
It was clearly worth it.
He was quite familiar with these skills from his previous life. Now, with the consumption of SP, the practical application of these skills in reality.
Liam quickly mastered them completely.
And the originally empty skill template gradually became richer.
「Skills: Secret Sword Art (Mastery), Triple Slash (Lv1), Moonlight Slash (Lv1), Backstep Cut (LV1)」
The newly mastered skills all had a level indicator attached to them.
This setting was no different from the game. After subsequent level-ups, he could choose to add points to enhance the overall effect of the skills.
"I'm quite familiar with Triple Slash."
"If I use Moonlight Slash with a short sword, will it carry the sword aura from Secret Sword Art?"
Liam's gaze swept over it briefly. The Sword Soul template only provided the means; how to use them specifically still depended on his understanding.
Only by combining and thoroughly understanding all the moves could he exhibit greater power.
Filled with anticipation for his newly mastered skills, he took out the prepared bento to replenish his energy. The War Shadow monsters on the current 6th floor.
The experience points they provided were gradually decreasing.
Exploring deeper areas was already a certainty. Besides, for the newly mastered skills, being able to hold back and not show them off.
Would require divine self-control.
"Push the progress to the 7th floor, and that should be about enough for today's exploration."
"."
The overall dim environment of the Dungeon, coupled with the lack of a timekeeping device, meant Liam wasn't sure of the current situation.
Now that his stamina had been briefly replenished.
It allowed him to make his next judgment. Picking up his short sword, he headed towards the deeper levels. The overall process during this time was relatively smooth.
It was only when heading towards the passage to the 7th floor.
The situation was clearly somewhat different. He didn't encounter other adventurers, but instead, War Shadows, hailed as "rookie killers."
A small number of them were squatting here, seemingly attracted by other adventurers.
"Just right for some practice!"
He was familiar with the War Shadow's attack patterns, but facing so many monsters at once was a new combat experience for Liam.
His eyes were filled with a strong fighting spirit.
Gripping the short sword with both hands, he no longer used the opening stance of Secret Sword Art, but instead, Triple Slash, which had a rapid dash capability.
He slightly bent his body, concentrating all his strength into his legs.
With an instantaneous burst of power, Liam's figure dashed towards the War Shadow monsters not far ahead, his sprinting speed extremely fast. The tightly gripped broadsword slashed diagonally downwards.
The slash carried the "Secret Sword Art" sword aura, sweeping towards the War Shadow blocking his path, tearing through the monster's body like an irresistible force.
He quickly retracted his blade.
Changing his footwork, he dashed and slashed again at a monster to his side that hadn't yet reacted. There were no dazzling sword images.
The materialized white sword aura slash interrupted this War Shadow's attack wind-up.
"."
"Triple Slash" could be released as a single instance, or with follow-up attacks; the specific situation, of course, depended on adapting to the battlefield environment.
He cleanly finished off two War Shadows.
Without giving Liam any time to adjust, the monsters, fighting purely on instinct, a total of five War Shadows, moved towards him.
Launching an extremely fast pincer attack.
Although skills didn't have a cooldown time limit, continuous use would burden the body, a point Liam had already experienced.
Facing the War Shadows' siege.
Their speed, lethality, and strength were not comparable to those ordinary Goblins.
For other adventurers, this would definitely be a crisis situation.
Yet, Liam's face showed no panic. Noticing the monsters flanking him from the left, right, and front, the skills honed through battle.
Made him react decisively.
He charged up and leaped back several meters, dodging the War Shadows' pincer attack while simultaneously slashing downwards in front of him.
Sword aura burst forth.
It swept towards the War Shadows that had gathered due to launching their offensive. The sharp sword aura even left a deep mark on the ground.
Needless to say, these monsters were essentially shadows.
All were torn apart by the sword aura. Magic stones and the War Shadow finger blades dropped upon their defeat littered the ground, their bodies dissipating into black dust.
Reabsorbed by the Dungeon, awaiting reincarnation to descend again as monsters.
"That's it!"
"This is the feeling!"
Liam's touch grew increasingly hot, unable to hide his inner excitement. "Triple Slash" and "Moonlight Slash" served as his main combat methods.
Whether for dashing or clearing, their utility was immense.
And the functionality of "Backstep Cut," when facing a siege by a large number of monsters, allowed him to have a defensive counterattack option.
"Based on the skills I've mastered now."
"Pushing to the 12th floor shouldn't be a big problem, right?"
Liam hadn't encountered any rare monster species in the Dungeon yet, let alone powerful bosses like Floor Lords.
With the current development.
If he really encountered an unbeatable monster, then the problem was definitely that his weapon wasn't sharp enough.
The sword aura accompanying attacks when using Secret Sword Art in its short sword form should depend on his ability scores and the weapon's sharpness.
It probably corresponded to stats in the game?
He didn't delve deeper for now. Regarding the functionality of the "Sword Soul Template," Liam still had a long time to explore.
Picking up the drops from the slain monsters.
He only felt exceptionally lighthearted. Looking at the path leading to the 7th floor ahead, he remained vigilant, advancing with weapon in hand.
"I hope the 7th floor has some pleasant surprises, preferably a lot more experience points!"
"."
Liam didn't hesitate. He proceeded towards the 7th floor via the staircase, which was considered a safe zone. It was still a familiar environment.
When he reached the new floor.
The figure of an adventurer fighting Killer Ants in the distance ahead caught Liam's attention. When he saw the other person's appearance clearly.
A hint of astonishment flashed in his eyes.
Because this adventurer, Liam couldn't be more familiar with!
(End of this chapter)