Chapter 91: Intermediate Active Skills

Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Intermediate Active Skills

Unlike passive skills, which provided continuous benefits, active skills required the user to activate them, usually by consuming mana, stamina, or another form of energy. Some were designed to strengthen the user temporarily, while others unleashed direct attacks or provided specialized combat advantages.

Ragnar’s eyes immediately brightened.

"Now we’re talking. If passive skills improve my overall abilities, active skills might be what I need to turn the tide in an actual fight."

[Buff skill: Electric Surge]

[Cost: 8 Soul Points]

[Description: Surrounds the user’s body with a thin layer of electric energy, stimulating the muscles and accelerating movement. Increases movement speed, acceleration, and reaction speed for a limited duration. Continuous activation consumes mana.]

[Active skills: Thunder Spear]

[Cost: 10 Soul Points]

[Element: Lightning]

[Description: Condenses lightning energy into a spear-shaped projectile and launches it at a target. Deals powerful piercing damage and may briefly paralyze enemies who fail to resist the electrical energy.]

[Active Skills: Lightning Guard]

[Cost: 9 Soul Points]

[Element: Lightning]

[Description: Covers the user’s body in unstable electrical energy, disrupting attacks from enemies who make direct contact. It can also interfere with an opponent’s movements, although powerful attacks may penetrate the protection.]

[Buff Skills: Flame Heart]

[Cost: 8 Soul Points]

[Element: Fire]

[Description: Ignites the user’s internal energy, temporarily increasing physical strength and stamina. The effect is particularly useful during close combat, but prolonged activation causes the body to accumulate heat.]

[Active Skills: Fireball]

[Cost: 5 Soul Points]

[Element: Fire]

[Description: Launches a concentrated sphere of fire that explodes upon impact, damaging the target and nearby enemies.]

[Active Skills: Flame Barrier]

[Cost: 8 Soul Points]

[Element: Fire]

[Description: Creates a wall of flames that damages enemies attempting to pass through it. The barrier can obstruct narrow passages and discourage approaching opponents.]

[Buff Skill: Windstride]

[Cost: 8 Soul Points]

[Element: Wind]

[Description: Wraps the user’s body in flowing wind energy, improving movement speed, jumping ability, and agility. It also allows the user to change directions more easily while moving at high speeds.]

[Active Skill: Wind Blade]

[Cost: 6 Soul Points]

[Element: Wind]

[Description: Compresses wind energy into a sharp projectile capable of cutting enemies from a distance. Its low energy consumption makes it a practical ranged attack.]

[Active Skills: Tempest Slash]

[Cost: 10 Soul Points]

[Element: Wind]

[Description: Releases a wide crescent of compressed wind energy from the user’s weapon or hand. The attack can strike several enemies along its path and extend the effective range of a melee attack.]

Ragnar slowly scrolled through the list, his expression growing more interested with every skill he examined. There were abilities to strengthen his body, increase his movement speed, launch ranged attacks, and protect himself from incoming damage. Each element offered different advantages, meaning he would not necessarily have to rely on a single style of combat.

"Now, which active skill should I choose?"

Ragnar leaned back against his throne and crossed his arms over his broad chest, reviewing his choices one last time.

"Five Soul Points for Physical Enhancement, another five for Strength Enhancement, five for Magic Resistance, and ten for Tempest Slash. That’s twenty-five Soul Points in total."

Ragnar studied the numbers for a moment before giving a satisfied nod.

"I’ll still have seven Soul Points left afterward. It’s not much, but at least I won’t be completely broke."

With his decision made, Ragnar selected the four skills and opened their purchase confirmations.

[Ding!]

[You have selected the following skills:]

[Intermediate Physical Enhancement: 5 Soul Points]

[Intermediate Strength Enhancement: 5 Soul Points]

[Intermediate Magic Resistance: 5 Soul Points]

[Tempest Slash: 10 Soul Points]

[Total Cost: 25 Soul Points]

[Remaining Soul Points: 7]

[Do you wish to proceed with the purchase?]

Ragnar pressed the confirmation button without hesitation.

[Ding!]

[Purchase successful!]

[You have acquired Intermediate Physical Enhancement!]

[You have acquired Intermediate Strength Enhancement!]

[You have acquired Intermediate Magic Resistance!]

[You have acquired Tempest Slash!]

[Remaining Soul Points: 7]

The moment the notifications appeared, a strange sensation spread throughout Ragnar’s body.

A surge of energy flowed through his enormous frame, passing through his muscles and bones before settling deep within his body. His already impressive physique seemed to become more refined as the newly acquired passive skills took effect. His muscles felt stronger, his movements more responsive, and his senses sharper than before.

Ragnar slowly clenched his right hand.

Crack!

The sound of his fingers tightening echoed through the throne room. He could feel the difference immediately. His strength had increased, and even the simple act of moving his hand felt more effortless than it had moments ago.

"Oh? This feels pretty good."

Kaelira stood beside Ragnar’s throne like a loyal guard, her posture straight and her hands resting calmly in front of her. She had remained silent throughout his examination of the skill shop, watching as he purchased several new abilities and tested the effects of Tempest Slash.

Although she had not said anything, she had clearly noticed the changes in her master’s presence. The aura radiating from his enormous body had grown heavier, and the faint pressure he unconsciously released was noticeably stronger than before.

His muscles carried greater power, and even the way he held his greatsword suggested that the weapon had become lighter in his hands.

Ragnar noticed her observing him and turned his head. His glowing eyes settled on the woman standing beside his throne, and a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

"Kaelira, what do you think about testing my new strength? Let’s have a spar."

"It would be my pleasure, my lord," she replied, placing one hand over her chest before bowing respectfully.

With that settled, Ragnar rose from his throne. His enormous frame cast a long shadow across the polished floor as he reached for the greatsword strapped to his back. The weapon was almost as intimidating as its owner, with its broad blade and heavy construction making it unsuitable for an ordinary human to wield.

Ragnar, however, drew it with practiced ease, the blade sliding free with a deep metallic ring. He rolled his shoulders once, feeling the improved strength in his muscles, then followed Kaelira toward a spacious section of the throne room where the pillars stood far enough apart to provide them with room to move.