Chapter 164: Talent Improvement

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Arriving at the third floor, Ethan smiled so wide that his teeth went bare, predatory satisfaction radiating from his enhanced features as he processed the sight before him.

“This is… Amazing,” Ethan muttered, a huge grin forming on his face as he watched the next creature emerge from dimensional rifts with power signatures that exceeded all previous encounters.

It was a firefly once again, but this specimen blazed with Low-Platinum rank energy that made the arena’s magical illumination seem dim by comparison. The creature stood four meters tall with wings that created aurora-like displays while internal flames burned with intensity that challenged reality itself.

<Hostile Entity: Ascendant Infernal Firefly>

<Rank: Low-Platinum><Fire Mastery Talent: B- >

But it was the talent specification that triggered Ethan’s explosive joy. B- grade Fire talent represented exactly the advancement he needed for an evolutionary breakthrough beyond his current C- talent.

“B- rank talent,” he said with barely contained excitement. “Killing and devouring this won’t only give me C rank Fire Mastery—it will boost my attributes significantly!”

Platinum-rank cores provided substantially greater enhancement than Gold-rank materials, while B- grade talent consumption would push his fire talent higher.

Rambo chirped with anticipation from his shoulder perch, the Blood Dragon recognising the significance of what stood before them. SSS-rank comprehension understood that this represented an opportunity for a qualitative breakthrough rather than incremental improvement to his master.

Without hesitation, Ethan launched himself into action.

Enhanced Speed activated to maximum sustainable levels while the Noon Sword’s agility bonuses multiplied his velocity beyond what normal perception could track. Reality fractured into microsecond intervals as he closed the distance between himself and the Low-Platinum opponent.

The Ascendant Firefly detected his approach through its many eyes, but Low-Platinum reflexes proved insufficient against Mid-Platinum transcendence backed by powerful talents and equipment. Its defensive positioning came too late to prevent what followed.

Ethan appeared beside the massive creature almost instantly, his enhanced agility carrying him through space faster than thought itself. The Noon Sword blazed with accumulated solar energy as Flame Mastery infused the blade with C- grade thermal enhancement.

SLASH! SIZZLE! CRACK!

The strike connected with devastating precision, solar energy discharged in brilliant explosions while fire-enhanced cutting edge carved through Low-Platinum durability like heated blade through ice. The combination of powerful equipment, enhanced attributes, and evolved talent created damage that challenged the creature’s enhanced constitution.

SCREECH! HISS! CRACK!

The Ascendant Firefly’s agonised cry echoed through the expanded arena as the strike nearly bisected its thorax region. Ichor sprayed across the arena while internal flames flickered with instability that suggested critical damage to its systems.

But the creature’s Low-Platinum vitality prevented immediate death despite devastating trauma. Its enhanced constitution struggled to maintain life support while survival instincts overrode combat protocols entirely.

BUZZ! WHOOSH! RETREAT!

The firefly launched itself skyward with desperate velocity, its massive wings creating hurricane-force winds while fear-driven flight carried it toward the arena’s upper reaches. It hadn’t targeted flight surfaces, leaving mobility intact despite potentially fatal chest wounds.

Trying to escape. Understandable but futile.

Seeing the creature’s attempted retreat, Ethan activated his Wind talent.

WHOOSH!

Wind manipulation launched him skyward with a velocity that compressed distance into negligible intervals. Enhanced agility combined with wind control carried him through the air with ease, like he was flying.

He appeared at the same elevation as the fleeing firefly within less than a second, his trajectory calculated to intercept its escape route while positioning for optimal striking angle. The creature’s fear-driven flight had made it predictable rather than evasive.

SLASH! DISCHARGE! DEATH!

The Noon Sword struck the same location, the accumulated solar energy in the sword erupting in stellar displays while fire-enhanced cutting completed the devastation his first strike had initiated.

CRACK! SPLAT! THUD!

The Ascendant Firefly’s massive form split apart as enhanced durability finally succumbed to destruction. It’s two parts scattered across the arena floor while its Low-Platinum core blazed with contained advancement potential.

Ethan landed gracefully among the creature’s remains, his powerful body coupled with his wind talent that he used for cushioning, absorbing impact forces that would have damaged others. The combat had lasted less than ten seconds from initiation to completion.

“Single encounter elimination,” he observed with satisfaction as he extracted the creature’s core. “Low-Platinum opposition is what I’m looking for.”

But the real prize lay in his talent’s advancement through talent consumption. B- grade Fire Mastery would represent qualitative breakthrough that transcended simple ranking improvements.

Rambo alighted beside the fallen creature with obvious interest.

<You have devoured a low-platinum ferocious beast, Ascendant Infernal Firefly>

<You have evolved the talent Fire master(C- -> C)]

<+15 Agility>

Staring at the notifications, Ethan smiled before devouring the core too.

<+10 Agility>

The tower’s third floor had provided exactly what he’d hoped—advancement materials that could push his capabilities toward theoretical limits while validating his strategic patience over immediate gratification.

[You have broken the record for Floor 3]

[Reward x2!]

[Reward: Dark Robe (Tier 6)]

[Dark Robe][Tier: 6][Details: Reduces damage taken by 10%. When equipped: +40 Vitality, +30 Strength]

The legendary equipment materialised through dimensional rifts, its fabric woven from shadow-stuff that absorbed light while providing enhancement beyond normal protective gear. The robe’s defensive capabilities would multiply his already formidable durability while the attribute bonuses pushed his physical capabilities toward Peak-Platinum territory.

“Another record broken,” Ethan observed with satisfaction as he donned the Dark Robe. “Systematic advancement produces exponential efficiency gains that obsolete previous achievements.”

[Floor 3 Complete]

[Advancement to Floor 4 Authorised]

The familiar transition activated as reality dissolved around them, spatial displacement carrying them toward the next challenge level with mechanical precision.

Arriving at the fourth floor, Ethan frowned this time. For the first four floors the opponent had been the same—the same firefly species but stronger and in greater quantity.

In front of him stood two fireflies. Both blazed with Low-Platinum rank energy while their B- grade Fire talents created thermal distortions that made the air itself dangerous to breathe.

<Hostile Entity: Twin Ascendant Infernal Fireflies>

<Rank: Low-Platinum>

<Fire Mastery Talent: B- >

<Quantity: 2>

The pattern was becoming predictable rather than challenging. Increased numbers compensating for his growing power, but the progression of his power suggested that his advancement rate exceeded the tower’s scaling algorithms.

“Two specimens this time,” he noted with tactical assessment. “Quantity increase rather than qualitative enhancement.”

But the advancement opportunities remained valuable. Two more B- grade talents would push his Fire Mastery toward C+ rank while providing substantial attribute enhancement through core consumption.

Ethan turned toward Rambo with a soft smile. “Let’s finish this quickly. Five seconds.”

Rambo gave a small roar in agreement, crimson energy flowing through his compact form as blood manipulation systems prepared for devastating techniques. The Blood Dragon’s Peak-platinum power would prove lethal against Low-Platinum creatures.

[3… 2… 1… Begin!]

The countdown completed as both fireflies attacked simultaneously, their coordinated thermal projection creating plasma storms that would have challenged most Platinum-rank defences. But the advancement had pushed Ethan’s capabilities beyond their operational parameters.

Enhanced Speed was activated with legendary equipment bonuses, while C grade Fire Mastery answered their thermal assault. The collision of fire talents created spectacular displays that illuminated the entire arena.

BOOM! SIZZLE! CRACK!

Rambo’s blood spears struck both creatures simultaneously, the spears bypassing their defences to target vital circulatory systems directly.

PIERCE! SPLAT! THUD!

The Noon Sword carved through the first firefly’s thermal barriers while solar energy discharged in stellar displays. Enhanced agility carried Ethan between their coordinated attacks.

SLASH! BURN! DEATH!

Four seconds elapsed before both creatures collapsed among cooling plasma while their Low-Platinum cores blazed with advancement potential.

<You have devoured two low-platinum ferocious beasts, Ascendant Infernal Fireflies>

<+14 Agility> <+14 Agility>

<You have evolved the talent Fire Mastery (C -> C+)>

<+9 Agility><+9 Agility>

The evolutionary advancement to C+ grade Fire Mastery represented another qualitative breakthrough.

[Floor 4 Record Broken!]

[New Record: 4 seconds – Set by Ethan Brandon]

[REWARD DOUBLED!]

[Reward: Celestial Intellect Fruit (Tier 6)]

[Intellect Fruit]

[Tier: 6]

[Details: Permanently increases Intelligence by 10 points. One-time consumption effect.]

The fruit materialised; it looked like a purple apple.

“Permanent attribute enhancement,” Ethan said with genuine appreciation. “Ten intelligence points isn’t bad.”

He consumed the fruit immediately, its essence integrating with his physiology to provide lasting mental capability improvement that would persist regardless of equipment changes.

“Record holder across four consecutive floors…not bad.”

<Human: Ethan Brandon>

<Rank: Mid-Platinum>

<Talents: Flame Mastery (C+), Water(D-), Crystal Manipulation (D), Speed (D), Wind(D), Protective Shield (F+), Accuracy Enhancement (F+), Regeneration (D+), Dagger Wield (F-), Mental Enhancement (F)>

<Transformations: Infernal Firefly(Low-Plat), Dark Wraith(High-Gold), Apex Mane(Mid-Gold), Ironhide Devastator (Mid-Gold), Crystal Butterfly(Low-Gold), Lazy Monkey(Peak-Silver), Tunneler Behemoth(High-Silver)>

<Level 9>

<Health Points: 5250> <Mana Points:5500>

<Strength: 515 (+60)> <Agility: 591(+50)>

<Intelligence: 560 (+60)> <Vitality: 525(+40)>

<Free Attributes: 23>

<Skills: Basic Footwork (Apprentice- 7%), Swordsmanship (Novice – 99%), Mana control (Apprentice – 4%)>

Staring at his new status, Ethan nodded approvingly. He hadn’t been in this tower for even a few hours, and the rewards and the improvement in his power were something that he didn’t expect at all!

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