The Devil’s Cage

[Hand-to-Hand Combat] Musou to Transcendence, costs 45,000 Points, 1 Golden Skill Point, Yes/No?]

Kieran opened up the [Hand-to-Hand Combat] upgrading options and glanced at his points tab.

[Points: 45,000; Skill Points: 26; Golden Skill Points: 2; Golden Attribute Points: 4]

”My points are just enough to upgrade [Hand-to-Hand Combat]. I think I need to trade Skill Points for Points to upgrade [Evading] or [Firearm Weapon, Light Firearm]. The [Hundred Violent Kicks] though...”

Kieran looked at the Rare Skill Book next to him and could not help but frown.

He had a similar experience with [Blade Kick], so he knew how much it would cost to upgrade the Rare Rank skill to a proper level for actual combat use.

[Blade Kick] had cost 12,000 Points and 24 Skill Points to upgrade from Master to Pro Level.

Although the [Hundred Violent Kicks] were no [Blade Kick], the difference could not be that big.

”Even with Lawless’ compensation, there’s still a big gap to fill! Plus, there are also two more Basic Level skills to learn! I don’t have enough!” Kieran mumbled.

That still did not stop him from leveling up [Hand-to-Hand Combat] though.

[Skill upgraded to Transcendence, Additional Transcendence option unlocked.]

[Transcendence Kicks: After a lot of harsh training, cultivation and battle experience, your kicks have exceeded the limits of mortal men. You gain +1 Attack Level against any kind of spirit. (Base Attack notwithstanding, +1 Attack Level); you gain +1 Attack Level against normal beings (Base Attack included). Consumes more Stamina when you unleash your kicks]

[Name: Hand-to-Hand Combat (Transcendence)]

[Related Attributes: Strength, Agility, Constitution]

[Skill Type: Offensive]

[Effects: Your punches and kicks are your best weapon, Increases Damage by 60%]

[Special Effects: Transcendence Combat Kicks (When you strike with your feet, they temporarily grant you +4 Strength and Agility)]

[Transcendence Kicks: After a lot of harsh training, cultivation and battle experience, your kicks have exceeded the limits of mortal men. You gain +1 Attack Level against any kind of spirit. (Base Attack notwithstanding, +1 Attack Level); you gain +1 Attack Level against normal beings (Base Attack included). Consumes more Stamina when you unleash your kicks]

[Consumes: Stamina]

[Prerequisites: Strength D+, Agility D+, Constitution D+]

[Remarks: Your kicks are legendary!]

...

[Hand-to-Hand Combat leveled up, Related attributes increasing…]

[Strength C→ C+]

[Agility C→ C+]

[Constitution C- → C]

[Note: Skill is maxed-out!]

...

A warm stream filled Kieran’s body and gathered around his legs after a while.

Then the warmth turned into a burning sensation, as if Kieran’s legs were burning on the inside.

The pain made him growl.

After the [Secondary Elemental Damage Resistance]’s lesson though, the pain was not unexpected this time.

Quite the opposite, Kieran savored the burning sensation that seeped into his muscles and bones.

With every breath he took, his muscles grew bigger and his bones grew tougher.

After a few breaths, small bulges and press marks started appearing on his skin, as if some invisible man was pressing his thumb hard against Kieran’s legs.

The motion went on with a pressing, stinging sensation, as if a dozen worms were crawling under the skin of his legs.

”What is this?”

Kieran widened his eyes at the sudden change on his legs.

The pressing, bulging motion went on as he breathed. To normal people, it would just seem like an amazing muscle enchantment, but with his Master Level [Mystical Knowledge], Kieran knew it had a different meaning.

”Magic circle runes?”

Although he could not confirm the meaning behind it, the pattern the bulging, pressing motion formed was that of a magic circle.

It was different than those drawn on the ground though. It appeared differently on his legs.

”Transcendence…” Kieran mumbled softly.

He had some guesses, but he was not sure.

Why would [Undercover] not feature such a change?

Kieran was sure that [Undercover] did indeed feature changes, but compared to [Hand-to-Hand Combat], [Undercover]’s changes were far more mysterious, to the extent that not even he was able to notice them.

Or wasn’t he?

”Could it be in conjunction with [Hand-to-Hand Combat]?” he thought. He was still unable to come up with an answer though.

The burning sensation lasted for a couple of seconds before it quickly cooled down. It did not dissipate like before. Instead, it was infused into Kieran’s leg.

Kieran took a deep breath and suddenly jumped up.

He launched a barrage of kicks in mid-air. Every kick produced a powerful wind.

In the end, a half-moon qi energy wave was blasted downwards.

Bang!

A deep, wide crack was formed on the floor of Kieran’s room. It was as wide as a grown man’s palm.

”This is already over Strong! Transcendence kicking combat boosted my Strength and Agility by four ranks, which means I could achieve at least an A- rank with my current setup! Combined with the [Barsical Kick]’s [Bide] and [Blade Kick], it could compensate for my lack of attack and even surpass the original attack! If [Blade Kick] could reach Grand Master…”

Kieran was excited once he thought of the potential power of his attack. He quickly calmed down and faced reality though.

His Golden Skill Points were not enough to upgrade [Blade Kick], and the restrictions of the basic skills and their attributes were clear enough for him to plan his next move.

The rarity of the attributes was self-explanatory.

Not only were the attributes directly related to the player’s fundamental body constitution, but they were also the base for learning other skills. Every element was connected in a big circle.

If that circle was broken, the player’s growth system would go out of control and give the player a huge disadvantage.

With that in mind, Kieran opened up the second skill he wanted to upgrade, [Firearm Weapon, Light Firearm].

He had chosen [Firearm Weapon, Light Firearm] over [Evading], because the former had more related attributes.

Kieran took 10 Skill Points and asked Lawless to trade them for Points.

Then he resumed upgrading.

[Skill upgraded to Transcendence, Additional Transcendence option unlocked.]

[A: Bullets of Conviction I (You filled your bullets with beliefs, Bullet range increased, similar to Long Range Lvl 2)]

[B: Bullets of Conviction II (You filled your bullets with beliefs, Bullet penetration power increased, similar to Armor Penetration Lvl 1)]

”B!” Kieran said out loud. Compared to a longer attacking range, breaking through a target’s armor was more important to him. No matter how long his shooting range was, it would be useless if the bullet could not pierce through the target’s protective gear.

[Name: Firearm Weapon, Light Firearm (Transcendence)]

[Related Attributes: Strength, Constitution, Intuition]

[Skill Type: Offensive]

[Effects: You know how to use a handgun, rifle, revolver, assault rifle, submachine gun and sniper rifle better, Increases Damage by 80%]

[Special Effects: Unparalleled Aim (When you aim at your Target, +4 Intuition Effect, Small chance of triggering Critical Rate)]

[Critical Rate: When you hit the Target’s weak points, you have a bigger chance of dealing double Damage]

[Transcendence Option: Bullets of Conviction II (You filled your bullets with beliefs, Bullet penetration power increased, similar to Armor Penetration Lvl 1)

[Consumes: Stamina]

[Prerequisites: Strength D, Constitution D, Intuition D+]

[Remarks: Your bullets will scare anyone you fire at!]

...

[Firearm Weapon (Light Firearm) leveled up, Related attributes increasing…]

[Strength C+ → B-]

[Constitution C → C+]

[Intuition C → C+]

[Note: Skill is maxed-out!]

...

Just like during upgrading [Undercover] to Transcendence, Kieran did not feel the pain he had felt during the [Hand-to-Hand Combat] upgrade. The knowledge synchronization process still went on as usual though.

When the process ended, Lawless PMed Kieran with a trade request.

...

Lawless: I sold all the stuff u gave me and bought [Holy Water VIII] and some other equipment, and there’s still 18,000 Points left.

Lawless: [Sharp Stinger] got sold at a good price.

Lawless: The [Iron Flaming Boots] were sold at an average 3,000 Points and 1 Skill Point.

Lawless: A total of 21,000 Points and 1 Skill Point, with 5% commission.

Lawless: I’ll trade u the items and the Points together. Have a look at them.

...

”21,000 Points and 1 Skill Point?”

Kieran was in shock over the sum. It was more than he had expected.

He accepted the trade doubtfully.

He instantly got 21,000 Points and 1 Skill Point, four tubes of [Holy Water VIII], two [Soothing Potion]s, a long spear, a long bow, two Skill Books and a checklist of everything.

Kieran went over the checklist, which was listed in the details of every transaction. Lawless had made it on his behalf.

The [Holy Water VIII] had cost 1,500 Points per tube, and the [Soothing Potion] had cost 3,000 Points per tube with a friendly discount.

Even though it was discounted, the potions had still cost Kieran 12,000 Points.

The Points the other items had cost added up together did not even reach half the sum the potions had cost.

The two Basic Rank Skill Books had cost 3,000 Points in total, and Lawless had mentioned that if Kieran was willing to wait, he could even get them at a better price.

Kieran was not surprised by that. What had surprised him was the long spear and the long bow’s prices.

The long spear had cost 500 Points.

”Spear type weapons are quite uncommon among players, so they’re cheaper!” Lawless had written down on the checklist.

Below the comment was the price of the [Piercing Spear]. It was a little lower than Kieran had expected, but still within range. It was Magical Rank equipment after all.

As far as the long bow was concerned, Kieran had requested one with higher durability that wasn’t Magical Rank equipment. It had cost 1,000 Points and come with 12 arrows.

After Kieran put the potions in his [Potionologist Waist Bag], he turned his eyes to the spear and the bow.

[Name: Infantry Spear]

[Type: Polearm Weapon]

[Rarity: Great]

[Attack: Weak]

[Attributes: None]

[Effects: None]

[Prerequisites: None]

[Remarks: This is a great standard-issue piece of equipment!]

...

[Name: Hunter’s Bow]

[Type: Bow Weapon]

[Rarity: Great]

[Attack: Weak]

[Attributes: None]

[Effects: None]

[Prerequisites: None]

[Remarks: Every hunter’s favorite! It has been crafted from the best laminated yew wood!]

...

Just as Kieran had requested, other than its high rarity, there was nothing special about the equipment. This was enough for him for the time being.

He had insufficient Points to get better equipment after all those upgrades.

[Points: 21,000; Skill Points: 17; Golden Skill Points: 0; Golden Attribute Points: 4]

Kieran glanced at his remaining points and then picked up the two Skill Books.

[Discovered Skill Book: Sharp Weapon, Polearm]

[Prerequisites met, Learn? Yes/No]

”Yes!’

[Skill Learned: Sharp Weapon, Polearm]

[Name: Sharp Weapon, Polearm (Basic)]

[Related Attributes: Strength, Agility, Constitution]

[Skill Type: Offensive]

[Effects: You know how to use a spear, lance, and all sorts of polearm weapons, Increases Damage by 10%]

[Consumes: Stamina]

[Prerequisites: Strength F, Agility F, Constitution F]

[Remarks: This is the result of peasant training camp after three months.]

...

[Discovered Skill Book: Sharp Weapon, Bow]

[Prerequisites met, Learn? Yes/No]

”Yes!”

[Skill Learned: Sharp Weapon, Bow]

[Name: Sharp Weapon, Bow (Basic)]

[Related Attributes: Strength, Agility, Intuition]

[Skill Type: Offensive]

[Effects: You know how to use bow type weapons, Increases Damage by 10%]

[Consumes: Stamina]

[Prerequisites: Strength F, Agility F, Constitution F+]

[Remarks: At least you won’t hurt yourself with the bow string!]

...

According to Kieran’s experience, upgrading the two Basic Rank skills to Entry would cost 200 Points each, and upgrading them from Entry to Master would cost 1,000 Points and 1 Skill Points each.

Upgrading them from Master to Pro would cost 3,000 Points and 2 Skill Points, and upgrading them from Pro to Grand Master would cost 6,000 Points and 4 Skill Points.

Kieran’s 21,000 Points and 17 Skill Points would be more than enough.

That was without the Rare Rank skill [Hundred Violent Kicks] though.

Kieran picked up the last Skill Book and confirmed the Points and Skill Points it required.

[Discovered Skill Book: Hundred Violent Kicks]

[Prerequisites met, Learn? Yes/No]

”Yes.”

[Skill Learned: Hundred Violent Kicks]

[Name: Hundred Violent Kicks (Basic)]

[Related Attributes: Strength, Agility, Constitution]

[Skill Type: Offensive]

[Effects: Use your left or right leg to unleash an indistinguishable barrage of kicks with 75% Strength at a 90° angle with 125% attack speed, Consumes 100 Stamina per second, Cooldown 10 minutes]

[Consumes: Stamina]

[Prerequisites: (Hand-to-Hand Combat, Master of Kicks) (Master), Strength D-, Agility D-, Constitution D-]

[Remarks: If you sacrifice your attack and mobility in exchange for lightning speed kicks, the power of your kicks will drown your opponent!]

...

When the synchronization process was over, Kieran could not wait to open the upgrading options for [Hundred Violent Kicks]. Upgrading it from Basic to Entry would only cost him 400 Points and 2 Skill Points.

Compared to [Blade Kick], it was 100 Points lower, but the Skill Point cost was the same.

”If that’s the case, if I want to level up [Hundred Violent Kicks] to Master, I’ll need at least 8 Skill Points! Then for Pro…” Kieran started speculating after upgrading it.

[Name: Hundred Violent Kicks (Master)]

[Related Attributes: Strength, Agility, Constitution]

[Skill Type: Offensive]

[Effects: Use your left or right leg to unleash an indistinguishable barrage of kicks with 65% Strength at a 110°angle with 175% attack speed, Consumes 150 Stamina per second, Cooldown 9 minutes]

[Special Effects: Phantasm Mirage (A mirage of your form will appear during your lightning barrage kicks. The mirage will not attack.]

[Consumes: Stamina]

[Prerequisites: (Hand-to-Hand Combat, Master of Kicks) (Pro), Strength D+, Agility D+, Constitution D+]

[Remarks: If you sacrifice your attack and mobility in exchange for lightning speed kicks, the power of your kicks will drown your opponent!]

...

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

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

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

...

[Hundred Violent Kicks] cost 1,500 Points and 6 Skill Points to upgrade from Entry to Master, and 10,000 Points and 24 Skill Points to upgrade from Master to Pro.

It was impossible for Kieran to level it up any further with his 19,100 Points and 9 Skill Points.

The only choice he had was upgrading one of his other Basic Rank skills, [Sharp Weapon, Spear] or [Sharp Weapon, Bow].

”I have enough to upgrade either one to Master!”

Kieran scanned them over and quickly made a decision.

[Sharp Weapon, Bow]!

Since he had [Hand-to-Hand Combat], [Barsical Kick], [Blade Kick] and the newly added [Hundred Violent Kicks], melee combat was not a problem for him anymore.

Range was his weakness. If he entered a dungeon with firearm restrictions, that weakness would be enhanced indefinitely. That was the reason behind his choice.

[Name: Sharp Weapon, Bow (Grand Master)]

[Related Attributes: Strength, Agility, Intuition]

[Skill Type: Offensive]

[Effects: You know how to use bow type weapons, Increases Damage by 50%]

[Special Effects: Grand Master Reload (When you reload an arrow, +3 Agility temporarily)]

[Consumes: Stamina]

[Prerequisites: Strength E, Agility E, Intuition E+]

[Remarks: You are the master of sharpshooters!]

...

[Sharp Weapon, Bow leveled up, Related attributes increasing…]

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

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

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

…...

It would cost a total of 10,200 Points and 7 Skill Points to upgrade [Sharp Weapon, Bow] to Master.

Kieran only had 8,900 Points and 2 Skill Points left. If he forked out another 3,000 Points in exchange for 1 Skill Point, it would be enough for him to upgrade [Sharp Weapon, Polearm] to Pro.

Kieran did not even hesitate for a second. He loved turning Points into physical strength.

[Name: Sharp Weapon, Polearm (Pro)]

[Related Attributes: Strength, Agility, Constitution]

[Skill Type: Offensive]

[Effects: You know how to use a spear, lance, and all sorts of polearm weapons, Increases Damage by 40%]

[Special Effects: Pro Spearman (When equipped with a Spear, Damaged increased by 20%)]

[Consumes: Stamina]

[Prerequisites: Strength E-, Agility E-, Constitution E-]

[Remarks: You could work as a combat trainer at a military camp!]

...

[Sharp Weapon, Polearm leveled up, Related attributes increasing…]

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

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

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

...

After spending another 4,200 Points and 3 Skill Points, Kieran had only 1,700 Points left.

He had chosen [Sharp Weapon, Bow]’s Grand Master effect to be [Grand Master Reload], because he figured that bows and automated weapons were different, and he had picked [Pro Spearman] from [Sharp Weapon, Polearm]’s Pro Level only because he had a corresponding weapon.

After another thorough check, Kieran went offline to get some rest and clean himself up.

After an hour of taking care of real life business, he went back to the game lobby and started his next single player dungeon run.

”Enter Single Player Dungeon!”

He saw the familiar words and heard that mechanical voice again.