Chapter 444 - 420: Shadow Dance Form

Chapter 444: Chapter 420: Shadow Dance Form

[Analysis complete. Upper-tier Profession: Wanderer is available.]

[Requirements: Power 5, Agility 10, Spirit 5, Short-Handled Combat Skills (3/3), Full Level Deceit Skills (3/3), successful Stealth Penetration or assassination missions (30/30).]

[Do you wish to change your Profession?]

The basic Attribute requirements for the Wanderer Profession were no longer a problem for Roland.

Back when he became a Knight, his Power and Agility Attributes were already approaching the fifty-point mark.

And while taking on the Dragon Descendant Profession itself didn’t provide an Attribute Bonus, the complete fusion of his Giant Dragon Bloodline had significantly boosted these two Attributes. Combined with the refinement of his Primordial Core, his Power and Agility had now reached sixty-six and sixty-four points, respectively.

If he were to activate Dragonification, the numbers would climb even higher.

As for his Spiritual Attribute, it had been higher than his Power and Agility ever since he became a Knight.

Although he hadn’t had any special opportunities to directly increase his Spirit since then, taking on the Spiritual Master Profession in due course had brought a considerable twenty-point bonus.

With the slight boost from the Primordial Core, his Spiritual Attribute had reached seventy points, making it his highest Attribute at present.

Therefore, Roland’s qualifications far exceeded the mere Attribute thresholds of an Upper-tier Profession like Wanderer.

As for the Full Level Deceit Skills requirement...

Roland’s gaze shifted downward, landing on a few familiar lines of text:

[Basic Concealment, Current Level: Lv.Max]

[Basic Stealth, Current Level: Lv.Max]

[Basic Assassination, Current Level: Lv.Max]

These were the three skills he had specifically sought out Viconia to learn during his recuperation.

Mastering them hadn’t been difficult; he had brought them all to Full Level in just a few days.

But...

’The "Basic" prefix... does that mean these skills can be upgraded further? If so...’

Roland reviewed the contents of the three skills he had learned. They were all conventional techniques, no different from the standard methods he was familiar with.

With his current knowledge and experience, he couldn’t yet imagine what kind of High Tier forms could be developed beyond these basic skills.

’Forget it.’

Shaking his head slightly, he pushed these stray thoughts aside and refocused his gaze on the golden text before him.

"Confirm."

[Profession change successful. Current Profession: Wanderer]

[Attribute Bonus received: Power +1, Agility +4]

Just as with his previous Profession changes, after the text announcing the Attribute Bonus appeared, a familiar warm current materialized out of thin air. It spread rapidly through Roland’s limbs and torso, seeping into every inch of his muscles, bones, and meridians.

The sensation was like being immersed in a gentle hot spring. For Roland, whose injuries were still far from healed, the feeling was especially intense, and he almost couldn’t stop himself from sighing in comfort.

But immediately after, a strange sensation replaced the simple comfort, rising within him.

’Strange...’

He could clearly feel his body growing lighter. The sharp, sluggish pain that had clung to his meridians like a persistent plague was being gently soothed and dispelled by the warm current.

Realizing this, he immediately focused his mind, sending his Perception inward to carefully examine his own condition.

A moment later, an irrepressible glint of joy burst forth from Roland’s usually calm eyes.

’This warm current... is it actually healing my injuries?’

During his previous Profession changes, he had either been in a safe environment or had only minor injuries. The warm current that accompanied the advancement had mostly served to strengthen his body, and its healing effects hadn’t been obvious.

This time, however, the extremely stubborn Rule-based damage and severe exhaustion left over from his life-or-death battle with Corellon’s avatar had infinitely amplified the warm current’s healing properties, making them clearly discernible.

While he was still reeling in surprise, the warm current inside him seemed to enter a strange resonance with the warm Energy emanating from his Primordial Core. The two complemented each other, like a gentle spring and an active ley line jointly nourishing a parched land.

He roughly estimated that in just this short period, he had already recovered nearly eighty percent of his strength.

Moreover, the warm current hadn’t faded yet. It continued to flow through his body like a trickling stream, constantly repairing his deepest, hidden injuries.

At this rate, he felt he wouldn’t need to recuperate for several more months. He might be able to return to his peak condition in a very short time.

This was far more effective than his natural recovery over the past three months.

Realizing this, a powerful wave of elation washed over Roland.

"I never expected that taking on a new Profession would have such a significant healing effect!"

He exclaimed in amazement.

’I wonder if taking on Professions of other tiers would also produce a similar effect? If so...’

A bold idea emerged in his mind.

’Doesn’t that mean that if I suffer heavy injuries in the future, I can just prepare in advance and complete a Basic Profession change when needed to quickly recover?’

At this thought, Roland’s heart pounded with excitement.

If this method was truly viable, it would be equivalent to mastering an extremely powerful recovery technique.

This kind of near-instantaneous healing of severe injuries was something usually only achievable by very high Ring Tier Healing Spells or certain legendary Sacred Artifacts.

’However...’

Amid his excitement, Roland quickly calmed down.

He recalled that every time he changed Professions, text would forcibly appear in his vision. He also remembered the process: a brief but unignorable Stripping of his Perception from the outside world as his body accepted the Attribute Bonus, Traits, and Extra Benefits, which required concentration to adapt to.

He shook his head slightly, analyzing the situation rationally.

’This method... would have to depend on the situation.’

’In a fast-paced, life-or-death battle, even a momentary lapse in concentration could have fatal consequences. Unless I’m absolutely certain it’s safe, or the state of the battle allows for a brief pause, I can’t ever try this lightly.’

After tucking away the tactical idea of using a Profession change to heal, Roland refocused his attention on the continuously changing golden text before him.

[Trait detected: Touch of Profound Darkness...]

[Performing adaptive calculations based on current Profession template...]

[Analyzing Trait...]

[Analysis complete. Trait fusion and advancement...]

[New Trait acquired: Shadow Dance Form]

[Shadow Dance Form: When activated, your presence will deeply synchronize with the surrounding light and shadow. When in a shadow or a dark environment, your figure will naturally become blurry and hard to discern. Your footsteps and the rustle of your clothes will be almost completely eliminated while moving. It also significantly suppresses your aura and body heat radiation, making it difficult for conventional detection methods that rely on sight, hearing, smell, or even thermal senses to lock onto your position.]

[This effect is influenced by the ambient light level. It is weakened in well-lit areas and becomes most extreme in complete darkness. You can actively establish a "synchronization" with a stable shadow of sufficient size, temporarily merging your physical form with it for a short period. This achieves a state of near-absolute stealth and concealment, but your movement speed will be drastically reduced while in this state.]

Roland sucked in a sharp breath.

As the details of the Shadow Dance Form Trait were imprinted as clear as a brand on his mind, even with his usual composure, his breath caught in his throat, and an unconcealable light of delighted surprise burst from his eyes.

’This is a divine skill born for assassination and infiltration!’

He instantly recognized the terrifying value of this Trait.

Unlike Basic Stealth and Basic Concealment, which relied on terrain, movement, and aura control, Shadow Dance Form was an ability that operated on a near-Rule level.

It was no longer about "trying not to be seen," but about directly "blending into the environment" and becoming part of a natural phenomenon.

’Presence synchronizing with light and shadow... a blurry figure, eliminated sound, suppressed aura and body heat...’

Roland analyzed each point in his mind, growing more astonished with each detail.

This meant that as long as he was in a shadow or in darkness, he was practically an "invisible man."

The effectiveness of conventional visual patrols, auditory alerts, and even detectors that sensed life force or body heat would be drastically reduced.

This was no longer a skill for an ordinary thief or Scout, but an Extraordinary ability that bordered on a magical effect!

What shocked him even more was the "shadow synchronization" effect.

’Establish "synchronization" with a large shadow, merging with it for a short time...’

This description instantly brought countless tactical possibilities to his mind.

’Crossing a key shadow in an open area right under the enemy’s nose...’

’In a desperate situation with nowhere to hide, instantly "disappearing" into the shadow of a corner or an object...’

’And against powerful enemies with special senses, this could even be a trump card for an unexpected escape or a surprise attack.’

’Even though movement speed would be drastically reduced, at a critical moment, being stationary and absolutely hidden is far safer than being a moving, potentially exposed target!’

’Perfect... just too perfect!’

A powerful surge of excitement welled up inside Roland.

This Trait perfectly compensated for his shortcomings in pure Stealth Penetration, elevating his ability to operate in the shadows to a whole new level.

Combined with his already superhuman Agility and Power, if the timing was right, he could absolutely transform into the deadliest Ghost in the darkness, doing as he pleased.

Thinking of this, Roland glanced around the recently cleared Caveman camp, which was bathed in the faint glow of fungi.

The mottled rock shadows, in his eyes, were no longer just cover; they had become an extension of his power, something he could freely command and merge with.

’If I could just master a form of Magic that creates darkness to go along with Shadow Dance Form...’

Taking a deep breath, Roland suppressed his excitement and turned his gaze back to the golden text that was still slowly appearing.

[Upper-tier Profession: Warrior detected. Professional Resonance can be triggered.]

[Professional Resonance]

[Wanderer + Warrior]

[Extra Benefit acquired: War Dance Shadow]