Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Chapter 174: Named Monsters (2)

Simon who was carefully listening to her, couldn’t help but yell out in surprise “Huh?”. Her last words made him tilt his head in confusion. ‘What did she mean by those words?’.

As if perfectly reading his thoughts Irene replied “What I mean is that you have something in your possession that can help you acquire the [Mana Lines] faster. The skill I’m talking about is the one and only Phantasmal tier skill of yours”.

Simon stared with wide eyes at Irene’s reply. It was the first time he heard something like that. A Skill helping in acquiring another skill what kind of ridiculous concept was that? Although it was hard to believe, coming out of Irene it sounded all the more believable. The only Phantasmal tier skill that he had in his arsenal was the [Ancestral Symbol Ignition] Skill.

Irene observed his reaction before adding “Right the [Ancestral Symbol Ignition] skill of yours will make it easier for you to acquire the [Mana Lines] faster. The skill is all about establishing a set of networks for your mana to flow in after all. Although it is a Rare skill and might be difficult to acquire, once one gets the feeling and sensation of the mana within them flowing in a set path, it becomes easier for them to acquire it”.

The feeling and sensation of mana flowing in a set path… Simon repeated as he tried to feel the flow of mana inside his body.

The mana inside him was wild and rampant never flowing in a fixed direction. With just the slightest probe, a violent storm would erupt in his mana pool. How was he supposed to establish a set path for the mana to flow in?

Simon had no idea but from Irene, he knew that the skill [Ancestral symbol Ignition] was the key. However, what he couldn’t understand was how was this skill related to Mana Lines. Simon looked at Irene who was keeping silent for some reason.

Since she had not spoken any further, it could only mean that she wanted Simon to find it himself. [Ancestral Symbol Ignition] was one of the skills that temporarily gives a huge power spike for a short period of time by fusing all the skills of the user.

Naturally, the more skills the user had, the more powerful the effect but at the same time, it places a heavy burden onto the body and leaves the user unable to use any skill for a short period of time.

The duration had increased and the cooldown of the skill after which he can use it again, had also gone down after his rank and level had increased. As of now, the skill had become an indispensable ace of his that had saved him from many pinch situations.

After his last use of the skill back during the trial, two weeks had already passed and it was available to him once again. It seemed that after his last rank up, the cooldown of the skill had gone down significantly.

Now the very same skill was going to help him acquire another skill that would bolster his power even further.

‘A skill that drastically increases my power and skill that establishes a set of path for the mana to flow in…’ Simon closed his eyes and thought about those times when he activated the skill. There was clearly a catch for the drastic increase in power whenever he activated the skill.

‘What could it be…’Simon thought long and hard before a thought suddenly dawned onto him. What if activating the [Ancestral Symbol Ignition] skill forcefully established a set path for his mana to flow in?

What if the insane speed at which he could conjure up magic during those times was because of the Mana Lines?

What if he could recall the flow and sensation of his mana while the skill [Ancestral symbol Ignition] is activated?

Wouldn’t it mean that he can acquire a Rare Skill like Mana Lines early? Wouldn’t it explain the heavy pain that his body experiences each time he activated the skill?

Since he didn’t have [mana lines] yet, every time he activated the [Ancestral Symbol Ignition] skill, a set of paths for the mana to flow in, is forcefully established. That way, the berserk mana within him flows smoothly and his strength is magnified manifold.

Simon tried to recall the sensation he felt when he activated the [Ancestral Symbol Ignition] previously. At that time, he was too injured but he could still distinctly feel the volume, speed and flow of mana inside his body was many times faster than usual. The difference was as big as heaven and earth.

Seeing that Simon had realised the enormous help that his [Ancestral Symbol Ignition] skill provided for his training, Irene nodded in satisfaction.

After she heard the details of the skill from Simon, she was already aware of how powerful a skill like that which could grow with its user was. Not to mention it perfectly aligned with the next skill she wanted Simon to learn.

It was already extremely unusual for a low-rank demon to have such a high tier skill not to mention the skill was an augmenting one.

‘If he can perfectly master the way the mana flows during the activation of the Phantasmal tier skill and recreate it, his powers will not just multiply but will increase manifold’ Irene thought as she saw how hard Simon was trying to recall the sensation.

Even when he was thinking very hard, his face looked straightforward and determined.

BOOM… It was at this moment when she suddenly felt a drastic rise in Simon’s strength. The aura and mana coming off of him were on a completely different scale.

Irene immediately understood that Simon had activated that skill of his and was trying to memorise the complex network of mana lines established.

Like a gale, the pressure emitted by Simon enveloped the area near the pond causing the dozing Bloodthorn Demonic warhorse to jolt awake. It was awakened by the disturbance it felt around the surroundings and the mana which became turbulent all of a sudden.

Looking around, it quickly identified the source of the disturbance. Concerned, it quickly approached Simon but was stopped by Irene who was beside him.

Looking at the warhorse, Irene said “Don’t worry he is fine. Right now he is trying his best to get stronger, it is better that we do not disturb him”.

The warhorse observed Simon with its three crimson pair of eyes and nodded. Its intelligence was already on par with humans and it understood that its master was currently in a state where he shouldn’t be disturbed.

“From what I can tell, your bloodline seems to be a little special. Although it’s slight, you seem to have a trace of that ■■■ ■■■ race. But your abilities and appearance is completely different than theirs… it makes me curious as to where he summoned you from”.

Irene muttered when she saw how concerned the demonic warhorse was for its master. To have summoned a being that even she was unaware of, Irene once again reassessed the [Main Menu] skill of Simon.

The Bloodthron Demonic Warhorse was summoned through the [Gacha] and was the first-ever [B] rank subordinate that Simon had. Although its power was dwarfed by Irene, it was still a [B] rank that most of the powerful people in this world wouldn’t dare to underestimate.

The eyes of the demonic warhorse glimmered after listening to Irene as it silently observed its master. After being with Simon for so long and levelling up, it became conscious of its existence.

Little by little, it was starting to become aware of the incredible power hidden within his bloodline. Although it was just a trace, it was powerful enough to break the restraints and surpass the limits of a [B] rank.

After being aware of its surrounding spending time with its master, its intelligence progressed at an unbelievable speed. Seeing strong beings like Irene gather near its master, it was no longer satisfied with the current limits of its power.

Right now, it was level 288, a level that the average inhabitants of this world wouldn’t scoff at. But the warhorse wasn’t content with that. It wanted to get stronger faster and become the most helpful subordinate of its master.

When it discovered the pond of serenity within the main floor and approached near its vicinity, it felt the bloodline in his body wildly thumping. Its intelligence told it that staying near the pond and basking in the presence of the overflowing mana from the pond, would be extremely beneficial for it.

If it can get more and more stronger, it can become useful to its master.

Irene who was similarly observing Simon from the sidelines, felt the determination of the warhorse and was quite amazed. It wasn’t just the master but even his warhorse has the zeal to improve.

Irene sighed giving it some thought and replied flatly “Although it might be harsh to hear, but your limit was already set when you were assessed with a [B] rank. After your level reaches level 700, it won’t increase further. Your master, Simon is a special case but usually one is eternally unable to break through the restraints placed on them by their bloodline. More so when the level barrier is that high”.

The Warhorse neighed in understanding but the glimmer in its eyes didn’t darken a bit. On the contrary, it served to fuel its determination even further.

“Sigh… you are just like your master stubborn and persistent. But I don’t think it is bad. These are exactly the qualities one needed to get stronger” Irene said in a serious tone