Chapter 68: Ethereal Silent Demon Swordsman (Rare)
Lance’s heart tightened. ’So this is what an Advanced Professional can do?’
’To think they can directly interfere with the flow of Ether Elements in the environment.’
He didn’t dare to delay. Seizing the opportunity, he immediately followed the method recorded in the booklet, no longer absorbing new Ether Elements from the outside world and instead controlling his breathing to gradually calm down.
As his rhythm slowed, the hot current that had been rampaging through his body finally began to subside.
The temperature of his skin slowly dropped, and the scorching sensation of being in a furnace vanished with it.
"Phew..."
Lance let out a long breath, swaying slightly to feign the exhaustion of someone who had just survived a disaster.
He took one last glance at his system panel.
[Dragon Hunting Breathing Combat Technique LV1 (126/400)]
Looking at the number, Lance’s eyes grew a little excited.
’An Ordinary Adventurer couldn’t do this.’
’But I can keep it running at low power at all times in my daily life, even while walking or eating.’
’The rate at which my Skill Level accumulates will be terrifying.’
’At this rate, it might not be long before I can push it to Level 4.’
He remembered clearly that when his Castro Swordsmanship reached Level 4 Master Level, it had given him the practical Specialty, [Trench Rat’s Bite].
’So, this even rarer and more powerful Breathing Combat Technique...’
’What kind of extraordinary Specialty will it give me when it reaches that critical point?’
’I’m really looking forward to it.’
’And...’
He glanced beside his character Attribute column, where a new status bar had quietly appeared.
[Ethereal Energy Pool: 0.1 Units]
’The Azure Dragon Extreme Intent Style can finally start to show its use.’
The two of them returned the training Short Swords to the weapon rack.
Lance followed Necros back to the luxurious and comfortable lounge outside.
The moment he relaxed, an intense feeling of weakness washed over him like a tide.
Lance took the cup of water Necros handed him and gulped it down.
The cool water slid down his throat but couldn’t extinguish the gnawing, burning hunger in his stomach.
"GRUMBLE..."
His stomach let out a thunderous protest.
Clearly, while this domineering Breathing Combat Technique could burn Ether Elements for a burst of Power, the physical body that served as its vessel still needed to consume a massive amount of biological energy to function.
If he wanted to keep this Combat Technique active at all times, he’d probably eat himself to death on black bread and roasted meat alone.
Lance wiped the water from the corner of his mouth, his brows furrowing slightly.
’Looks like I’ll have to find a way to get some high-energy compressed rations, or maybe some kind of Alchemy Potion that can quickly replenish nutrients to carry with me.’
’That’s another considerable expense.’
Just as Lance was pondering what he should go buy, Necros’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Since your performance far exceeded my expectations, I should fulfill my earlier promise."
The old man pulled open a drawer of the mahogany desk and rummaged inside for a moment.
Then, he took out a small, inconspicuous object and casually tossed it over.
"Catch."
Lance instinctively raised his hand and caught it.
Lying in his palm was a quaintly styled silver ring.
The band wasn’t wide, and its surface wasn’t inlaid with any gems. It was just densely engraved with extremely fine magical patterns.
Under the light, these patterns didn’t shimmer but instead appeared somewhat dim and reserved.
"My old captain gave this to me back when I wasn’t yet a Professional."
Necros leaned back in his chair, a nostalgic smile on his face and a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
"Put it on. You’ll know what it is."
Lance looked at the ring in his hand, then at the guild master’s open and honest expression.
’Since a big shot of his Level has spoken, there’s obviously no reason for him to trick me with a fake.’
He no longer hesitated and slipped the Silver Ring directly onto the index finger of his right hand.
The ring had seemed a bit loose, but the moment he put it on, it seemed to sense its owner’s finger size and automatically shrank to a perfect fit.
In the next second, a familiar blue light screen spammed furiously before Lance’s eyes.
[Critical information detected: Ethereal Silent Demon Swordsman Profession requirements]
[Profession: Ethereal Silent Demon Swordsman (Rare)]
[Prerequisites:]
[1. Basic Attributes: Perception 11, Spirit 9, Constitution 9]
[2. Skill Requirements: Any Heavy Swordsmanship at LV5 (Expert), any Breathing Combat Technique at LV4 (Mastery), "Magic Perception" and "Spell Recognition" type Knowledge at LV4 (Mastery), construct five Ringless Spells]
[3. Trial Requirement: Without wearing any Magic Armor, endure 33 Spell attacks that exceed your own Level Ring Skill.]
[4. Optional Bonus Condition (Trace of Legend): Fall in love with a Witch]
Lance’s eyes immediately fell on the final optional condition. ’Fall in love with a Witch?’
An image of the [Illusory Iris Confession] card that Amber had given him instantly flashed through Lance’s mind.
’The creator of that item was a Witch.’
’Could the creator of this Profession be the lover of a Witch?’
’Writing your private life into the requirements for a Profession... that’s a bit too whimsical.’
’Such a public display of affection.’
Before Lance could sort through his chaotic thoughts, Necros’s voice sounded again.
"This ring has ten Spell models solidified within it."
The old man’s gaze rested on the ring on Lance’s hand, his tone softening.
"The creator of this ring specifically engraved them so that her lover could take care of himself when she wasn’t around."
"What?"
Hearing this, Lance’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly pulled his attention away from the jumbled mess of Profession descriptions and focused his Perception on the ring on his hand.
’So the Profession information I just saw isn’t the ring’s true purpose.’
Sure enough, the moment his consciousness touched the ring, a faint but clear sense of connection emerged.
The ring was like an external port, linking directly to the [Ethereal Energy Pool] that had just opened up inside him.
Ten tiny yet intricate Spell models appeared clearly in his mind.
They were like ten loaded triggers, ready to be fired the instant he injected Energy into them.
’Ten of them?!’
Lance sucked in a sharp breath.
In this world, Magic Items with built-in spell slots were synonymous with "expensive."
For a non-Caster, this meant they could enjoy the conveniences of a Caster without having to pore over obscure books of Knowledge or calculate complex Magic Power formulas.
Even if they were just so-called "Ringless Spells," commonly known as Tricks.
’They’re still Spells!’
Lance quickly scanned the ten Spells.
[Cleaning Skill], [Lighting Spell], [Water Creation Skill], [Repair Skill]...
It was a full set of survival and logistical Spells, all essential Skills for an Adventurer.