Chapter 32: Sharpening the Talons

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Sharpening the Talons

Eric weighed the cool jade token in the palm of his hand, feeling the faint, rhythmic pulse of compressed soul energy humming beneath its polished surface.

*What’s the most efficient way to utilize this Skill Upgrade Token?* Eric considered, his mind turning through their tactical options. *Should I learn Shadow Steps first and immediately boost it to Rank C, or invest it directly into Coal?*

He placed the token back into his storage subspace and reclined onto his straw mattress, letting out a measured breath.

*I’ll deliberate on the mechanics tomorrow. For now, let’s maintain our cultivation momentum. First thing in the morning, I’ll sell the mana recovery potions, wipe out the financial threat to Sunshine Home once and for all, and then we pivot one hundred percent into raw power progression.*

The remainder of the night passed in rhythmic, unbroken focus. With ambient mana flowing smoothly along his cleared channels, the energy condensed steadily into his Mana Heart.

***

The following morning, Eric took the early transit line into Riverdale’s commercial district, heading straight for the licensed alchemical dispensary where he had previously liquidated the healing potions.

The master apothecary, a stout, silver-haired gentleman with thick magnifying spectacles carefully lined up the ten crystalline vials atop a velvet testing mat. He passed an optical density wand across the glowing sapphire liquid, watching the arcane refraction index register on his counter terminal.

"Pristine stabilization and zero particulate residue," the apothecary remarked with an appreciative nod. "High-Grade Mortal mana recovery potions of this purity rarely circulate outside guild supply lines. I can clear thirty-three thousand credits per vial on the spot."

"Deal," Eric replied without hesitation.

He held up his smartphone, presenting his citizen banking QR code beneath the optical scanner.

*BEEP.*

MUNICIPAL CITIZEN BANKING

Account Holder: Eric (ID: #247-RD)

Transaction: +330,000 Credits [Verdant Elixirs Apothecary]

Current Available Balance: 832,800 CREDITS

Looking down at the glowing eight-hundred-and-thirty two-thousand figure illuminated against the dark glass, a quiet wave of peace settled over Eric’s chest.

Even after setting aside the six hundred thousand credits needed to settle Scarface Vane’s syndicate debt in full, he was left with an unencumbered surplus of a quarter-million credits. Sunshine Home’s heating, food, and municipal tax reserves were completely secured for years to come.

Returning to the quiet haven of his attic room, Eric firmly clicked the door latch shut, kicked off his boots, and walked over to the wooden pine desk.

"Alright, Coal," Eric said, a focused smirk touching his lips as the crow fluttered down to perch on his forearm. "From today onward, our only objective is to get strong enough to pass the academy trials with flying colors."

Sitting cross-legged on his mattress, Eric reached into his subspace and withdrew the glowing *Low-Rank Skill Upgrade Token*.

His decision was already set.

Coal was his primary offensive striker, and Coal’s sole lethal ability was *Shadow Talons*. Elevating it from Rank E to Rank D would significantly raise their immediate damage ceiling against high-tier rift monsters. Unlike human tamers, who could purchase recorded memory parchments and skill manuals from the Association exchange, beasts relied entirely on rare biological mutations, breakthrough thresholds, or precious soul catalysts to learn their skills.

"Activate Skill Upgrade Token," Eric commanded mentally.

He focused the token’s orientation toward Coal. The white jade dissolved into a brilliant, milky luminescence, erupting into sparkling motes of pure refinement energy that swirled around the crow’s perch.

*SHIIIING.*

│ [TARGET SELECTED: Coal (Bonepecker Crow)]

│

│ Available Skill Mutations:

│ - Flight (Rank D) ➔ Skystride (Rank C)

│ - Shadow Talons (Rank E) ➔ Shadow Talons (Rank D)

│ - Shadow Clone (Rank D) ➔ Multi-Shadow Clone (Rank C)

The potential Rank-C upgrades were undeniably tempting, especially the prospect of expanding Coal’s clone army or aerial vectoring. But Eric kept his tactical priorities straight. Mobility and illusions were already exceptionally strong at Rank D; upgrading Coal’s only lethal armor-shredding weapon was the most pragmatic choice for their upcoming hunts.

"What do you think, Coal?" Eric asked, meeting the bird’s pitch-black, intelligent eyes. "Want to sharpen your claws?"

*Caw!*

Coal let out a sharp, resonant trill, bobbing his head with eager intensity as his gaze locked onto the swirling white motes.

"You’re on the same page, huh? Let’s lock it in. Upgrade Shadow Talons."

The lingering white mist condensed into a focused stream of light, surging directly into Coal’s ivory feet.

Wisps of deep, pitch-black Shadow elemental mana flared violently around his talons. The sharp claws elongated by several inches, hardening into glossy, obsidian-edged blades that hummed with a low, metallic resonance before retracting smoothly back beneath his dark scales.

Coal’s updated profile manifested automatically across their mental link:

│ CONTRACTED BEAST STATUS

│

│ Name: Coal

│ Race: Bonepecker Crow

│ Cultivation Stage: Mortal

│ Level: 6 (41%)

│ Rank: D

│ Element: Shadow

│ Skills:

│ - Flight (Rank D)

│ - Shadow Talons (Rank D) [UPGRADED]

│ - Shadow Clone (Rank D)

"Hell yeah," Eric grinned, watching the smoky shadow wisps trail off Coal’s newly reinforced talons with lethal elegance.

He reached into his system inventory and withdrew the weathered, charcoal-grey scroll bound with silver thread.

"Coal’s upgrades are settled," Eric whispered, unrolling the vellum across his lap. "Now it’s my turn to master Shadow Steps."