Chapter 18: Maybe Opportunity (4)

Basically, the Skill Stone grants a random skill.

Out of an endless number of skills, you can randomly obtain one.

Usually, when you use it, the chances of getting a good skill are slim.

With so many skills available, the probability is naturally quite low.

[C-grade Skill: Gardening]

[D-grade Skill: Singing]

Skills like these are quite common, and unless in special circumstances, they aren’t particularly helpful for surviving in a dark fantasy world.

So, getting the skill you want from the Skill Stone is like reaching for the stars.

‘But, you can increase the odds.’

However, under certain conditions, the situation changes slightly.

There’s a way to increase the chances of obtaining a desired skill, though it’s not mentioned in the Skill Stone’s tooltip.

The method is to activate the Skill Stone while fighting an opponent who possesses the skill you want.

‘With this method, I can increase the odds to about 10%, right?’

Doing so makes it much easier to obtain the skill you desire compared to just using the Skill Stone randomly.

Of course, even with this method, the probability still isn’t high.

Considering that in a dark fantasy world, fighting an opponent with a good skill also means a high risk of death, it’s certainly a challenging condition to meet.

Additionally, not all skills are available; it’s limited to the skills that the character can potentially possess, so it’s not a guaranteed solution.

But even with these limitations, it’s still worth trying.

That’s why I tried it, and I succeeded.

‘Wow… isn’t this a boss-exclusive skill?’

[B-grade Skill: Kaltz’s Blood]

[You are one of the chosen humans who inherited the blood of the hero Kaltz. During combat, all stats temporarily increase, and you gain an additional talent buff for swordsmanship.]

I had hoped for a good skill, believing in my luck, but I never expected this.

This skill is usually not obtainable by ordinary players.

Lore-wise, it’s a skill exclusive to the Kaltz family, and in the game, aside from the sisters Laura and Riera, no one else possesses it.

So, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

This unique skill actually appeared for me.

‘The probability isn’t zero, but it’s still quite miraculous.’

Of course, it’s not entirely incomprehensible.

After all, my body is that of a Kaltz family member, albeit with diluted blood due to being a concubine’s child, so I had the qualification to learn the skill.

Above all, my incredible luck played a significant role.

Out of all the skills, the one I needed the most appeared.

In any case, obtaining this skill is one of the best scenarios I could have hoped for.

Even in a dark fantasy world, it seems I wasn’t abandoned.

“No matter what tricks you’ve used, it’s futile.”

But before I could dwell on that, I was still in the middle of a battle.

Although momentarily startled by the light emitted from my Skill Stone, my opponent quickly regained her combat stance.

Once again, fireballs began to form behind her, sharper and more focused than before.

She must be getting more accustomed to the fight.

But the same goes for me.

Whoosh!

I dodged the incoming fireballs much more easily than before.

This improved agility was undoubtedly due to the difference in skills.

The stat boost from [Kaltz’s Blood] likely enhanced my movements.

‘The presence or absence of a skill really makes a huge difference.’

I was a bit surprised.

Can gaining a single skill really make my body feel this much lighter?

It was a moment that reminded me once again how skill-dependent this game is.

“Your movements have changed?”

I wasn’t the only one surprised by this change.

Riera, too, noticed the difference in my movements and began to tense up.

Her previously relaxed expression, arms crossed as she observed me, had shifted.

She was clearly on guard.

Gathering her mana, she prepared to fight me seriously.

If she had been holding back before, she was now ready to go all out.

‘Let’s finish this quickly.’

If I wait for her to unleash her magical barrage, I’ll surely be defeated without a chance.

To prevent that, I won’t give her any time.

###

[Riera focused her mind and began casting spells.]

[Riera’s Low-level Magic Activated: Fireball]

[Casting Complete]

[Riera’s Low-level Magic Activated: Lightning Bolt]

[Casting Complete]

[Riera’s Low-level Magic Activated: Ice Spear]

[Rovan’s Skill Activated: Full Sprint]

[Casting Failed]

[Rovan swung his sword at Riera.]

[Riera’s Low-level Magic Activated: Mana Shield]

[Mana Shield took 50 damage. Mana Shield destroyed.]

[Riera’s Low-level Magic Used: Fireball]

[Rovan dodged.]

[R-Riera’s Low-level Magic Used: Ice Spear]

[Rovan took 80 damage. Rovan’s remaining HP: 20]

[Riera’s Low-level Magic Activated: Fireball]

[Rovan swung his sword at Riera.]

[Casting Failed]

[Riera’s Low-level Magic Activated: Mana Shield]

[Mana Shield took 51 damage. Mana Shield destroyed.]

.

.

.

###

‘Good, I’m pushing her hard.’

The situation was now heavily in my favor.

By not giving her any time to prepare, I was relentlessly pressuring her.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I had almost secured victory.

If this continued, she would be forced into a defensive position, unable to cast any spells, and eventually lose.

“Ugh…”

Of course, she was aware of this and desperately tried to turn the tide.

She began casting spells faster, attempting to find any opening to launch an attack.

Her efforts were frantic, but…

‘Not happening. Not with my skill.’

I wasn’t weak enough to let her off easily.

Boss skills, as they’re called, are usually ridiculously powerful.

The [Kaltz’s Blood] skill I obtained is a cheat-like skill that boosts all stats and adds a talent buff for swordsmanship.

Without this skill, I might have struggled even on the first floor, but with it, I was now strong enough to solo the second floor of the labyrinth.

With the skill and experience of a seasoned swordsman, I wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip.

“Argh!”

My relentless assault continued, and despite Riera’s attempts to hold out with her Mana Shield, she eventually crumbled.

Her mana was completely depleted, and she collapsed.

‘Did she lose because she underestimated me?’

The main reason for this outcome was her overconfidence.

Even though I knew all her patterns and exploited her carelessness, it wouldn’t have mattered if she had fought seriously from the start.

If she had cast her spells properly, I wouldn’t have even been able to get close, and I would have lost.

But she didn’t, and that’s why things turned out this way.

At least, that’s what I thought…

“The match is over.”

The words of Eliza, who was acting as the referee, rang out.

“Rovan wins.”

There was no point in continuing the fight.

Eliza declared my victory.

“…I lost.”

Riera bit her lip as she acknowledged her defeat.

Was she disappointed because she lost to me?

Or was it because she would now lose her position as the family head?

Or perhaps she was saddened by the prospect of being exiled from the Kaltz family?

I couldn’t tell for sure, but this loss meant she would lose a great deal.

It was only natural for her to feel down.

“…”

In contrast, I stood to gain a lot.

From now on, I would be the head of the Kaltz family.

Within the family, I could do whatever I wanted.

If I ordered someone to die, they would have to obey.

This was no small matter.

But honestly, I wasn’t particularly satisfied or happy about this outcome.

Because…

It felt quite unsettling.

“Riera, I have a question. Why did you hold back?”

“…!”

This match—under normal circumstances, I should have lost.

No matter how much I analyzed her or exploited her carelessness, I should have lost this fight.

I knew her true strength. What she showed now was just a fraction of it.

Yet, I won.

She didn’t use her full power.

After much thought, I came to a conclusion.

“You could have won. Why did you hold back?”

There was only one reason.

Riera never intended to fight seriously from the beginning.

She had deliberately acted in a way to let me win.

There was no other explanation.

“…”

And as if confirming this, Riera remained silent, offering no answer.