Chapter 33: Earth Element Skills
The moment his skin was touched, that familiar sensation swept over him… the faint pain that precedes the birth of a new skill. Alice stepped back, smiling, while two consecutive notifications appeared before his eyes:
[You have learned a first-rank skill: "Rock Bullet"]
[Rock Bullet]
[Rank: First]
[Transform the surrounding Earth element into rock bullets that chase and devastate your enemies]
[Note: The size and power of the bullets depend on your mana and mastery of the skill]
Immediately after, another notification appeared:
[Rock Wall]
[Rank: First]
[Summon the Earth to form a defensive barrier that blocks attacks and protects your body]
[Durability depends on mana and the positioning point]
Akira opened his palms and looked at them, feeling a subtle pull from the soil beneath his feet, as if the Earth itself awaited his command. He smiled lightly, a fleeting expression of satisfaction crossing his face.
"So, now I finally have a defense that lives up to its name."
[You will not be able to learn any new skills for the next 24 hours]
"Two skills—one for offense and one for defense. They'll be useful once you start Hunter missions."
Alice continued:
"And now… you will begin training with them."
"Let's do it."
"That's the enthusiasm I like!"
Akira stood up, raised his hand forward, and muttered:
"Rock Bullet…"
Mana gathered around him, forming a small stone that shot toward a crumbling wall. It struck with a muffled sound.
Alice commented:
"Good attempt, but it's still weak. It works on the same principle as the Void Spear skill."
He tried again. This time, he formed a larger stone, compressing more mana into it. It shot faster and struck the wall, creating a deep hole.
Next, he tried the Rock Wall skill. It was straightforward: a wave of mana surged toward the Earth, raising a two-meter-high, thick rock barrier in front of him.
Three days later…
Akira was running among the ruins, chasing a beautiful girl while launching rock bullets at her. The bullets were different from before—they had spiraling, serrated forms, following Alice's advice.
Alice dodged the next bullet lightly, teasing:
"Always try to predict my position."
"I'm trying, but you always change your path before I can hit you!"
"And that simply means… you can't predict my position."
They had spent the past days on this training. Alice played the moving target, Akira tried to hit her, and as usual, she never ceased teasing him.
After finishing his training, Akira sat down to catch his breath. He began discussing different types of missions with Alice, considering which ones to take in the future.
Suddenly, a notification came through his communication device.
It was a message from Lilia:
[Your order will arrive at the store this evening and will be ready for pickup.]
He decided to end his training early and return to the city.
Upon returning to the inn, Akira found Shryl waiting at the entrance, accompanied by a girl roughly her age. Shryl stood with visible tension; despite her welcoming smile, her eyes betrayed her worry.
She stepped toward him, voice steady but strained:
"Welcome back… how was the hunt today?"
Akira nodded without slowing his pace:
"Good. How can I help you?"
She shook her head quickly:
"Nothing important. I just… wanted to check on you, and if possible, invite you to the base for a little… just to talk."
Akira noticed the tension in her tone but showed no resistance, saying after a moment of thought:
"Fine. I don't have anything else to do today."
Shryl's eyes widened in surprise. She had expected difficulty convincing him but found herself speechless, settling for a smile.
"Good, let's go."
She gestured to the girl beside her:
"By the way, this is Amelie, one of the gang's officers. Amelie, this is Akira."
Amelie greeted politely:
"Nice to meet you."
Akira ignored her completely and turned toward the base.
The base looked different from before. There was a quiet, light activity throughout the place. Children were busy collecting debris and cleaning the streets, an atmosphere of organized chaos hung over the square. It was no longer the same under the previous leader, yet it was far from lifeless.
Most present were children or teenagers, unlike other gangs filled with hardened faces and heavily armed men.
Akira entered with Shryl into a simple, spacious room containing only a large bed and a small dining table—likely belonging to the former leader. Shryl sat at the edge of the table, motioning for Akira to sit. Moments later, Amelie entered carrying two cups of coffee.
Shryl began explaining the ongoing situation in the area: how the gang had started collecting protection fees from residents, trying to enforce a kind of order after the former leader's fall.
She said:
"Thank you… your support made a difference. Thanks to you, we've started regaining control over our district."
Suddenly, her words were interrupted by rapid knocking, and the door was opened hastily. Amelie stood there, pale, her voice anxious:
"Leader… there's a group of men who want to see you."
Shryl furrowed her brows:
"Didn't you tell them I'm busy?"
"I did… but they insist… and they know Akira is here."
Shryl glanced quickly at Akira, then said with artificial calm:
"Take them to the meeting room, and tell them I'll be there."
She stood, and Akira rose with her, quietly pulling out his communication station. A faint smile appeared on his face.