Chapter18-Love of Klay

Observing the attributes of this skill, Howard nodded in approval, then initiated the synthesis process once again. 

One after another, the F-level Frost Arrow Spell skill books were transformed into E-level Frost Blade Spells before being placed back into the Synthesis Interface.

Two Frost Blade Spell skill books vanished, and the system prompt chimed in.

[Ding! You have acquired a D-level skill book — Frost Spear!]

[Frost Spear]: Allows for the release of a Frost Spear, which pierces through enemies causing substantial cryo magic damage, and upon striking an enemy, decreases their movement speed by 30%...

"The damage is increasing, the slowing effect is becoming more potent, and the size of the ice spear is expanding too..."

"Good, continue synthesizing..." Howard pondered with burgeoning interest.

[Ding! Synthesis successful, you have acquired a C-level skill book — Glacial Spear!]

[Glacial Spear]: Enables the casting of a Glacial Spear, which pierces through enemies, inflicting substantial cryo magic damage, and upon hitting the enemy, reduces their movement speed by 40%...

"Heh! The spear is becoming increasingly powerful!"

"Very well, just like this. The Dragonfire spell stands for sustained magic damage."

"What I lack now is a burst skill that can deal a fatal blow, causing massive damage to multi-boss-type creatures."

The synthesis continued, and just as Howard anticipated a yet more massive ice spear to emerge next, the system alert rang out.

[Ding! Reminder for the awakened Howard, please make a choice from the following synthesis directions — Tri-segment Glacial Spear or Heavy Glacial Spear?]

Faced with two options, where the former represents multi-target attacks and the latter signifies burst damage of massive proportions, Howard deliberated briefly before making his choice, stating, "I choose Heavy Glacial Spear."

As he had previously mentioned, what he lacked was a burst attack skill, not a sustained, wide-ranging attack skill. 

Because he already possessed the Dragonfire spell, there was no need to be redundant by adding something superfluous.

[Ding! Synthesis successful, you have acquired a B-level skill book — Heavy Glacial Spear!]

[Heavy Glacial Spear]: Allows the release of a Heavy Glacial Spear that will pierce through enemies with tremendous force, inflicting massive cryo magic damage, and upon hitting the enemy, it repels them and reduces their movement speed by 50%...

Looking at the Heavy Glacial Spear skill book, Howard could almost visualize a gigantic lance shooting out, hitting and impaling enemies, leaving them pinned to the ground, unable to move. 

Even if the enemies managed to free themselves from the Heavy Glacial Spear's restriction, their speed would be reduced to that of a turtle, extremely slow.

"So, what will I get if I synthesize once more?" Howard harbored immense anticipation for the answer.

[Ding! Synthesis successful, you have acquired an A-rank skill book — Heavy Blast Frost Spear!]

[Heavy Blast Frost Spear]: Permits the release of a Heavy Blast Frost Spear, which pierces through enemies with rapid speed and colossal force, causing massive cryo magic damage before exploding to inflict secondary damage to the surrounding area, all while reducing the enemies' movement speed by 60%...

In Howard's mind's eye, a thick icy blue spear as broad as an arm shot out from his hand, striking a crowd of monsters before violently exploding. 

The fragmented ice blades caused further cutting damage to the surrounding enemies, yielding a satisfying effect. 

Moreover, the struck enemies all moved slowly, slower than elderly people walking.

"This is Heavy Blast Frost Spear, it's incredibly powerful!"

"I am eager to see what your limit is."

"Continue synthesizing..."

[Ding! Reminder for the awakened Howard, please choose between the following synthesis directions — Icy Hail of Spears or Frostwyrm Spear?]

In Howard's consciousness, two different scenarios unfolded. 

In one, dozens of icy spears as thick as an arm appeared overhead. 

With a mere thought, these spears shot out, hitting various enemies and then exploding once more, leaving all the enemies in the area dead, a sight of utmost astonishment.

In the other scenario, a giant ice dragon flew out, transforming into an icy blue dragon-shaped spear that accurately struck and instantly killed its enemy. 

The visual was slightly less shocking, but incredibly effective, as the Blue Dragon could even track fast-moving enemies, eventually catching up and killing them despite their attempts to dodge the attacks time and again.

"Phew! I choose Frostwyrm Spear!"

In Howard's mind, an icy maiden emerged, breathtakingly beautiful with a commanding figure. However, her frosty demeanor made it unapproachable, causing people to dare not get too close.

The instant she appeared, the earth within a 1000-meter radius of Howard, along with all individuals and objects on it, entered a frozen state, immobilized. 

Then, the icy maiden directed a finger towards a giant resembling a small mountain. 

Following this, a tiny ice-blue hole manifested on the giant's forehead, causing it to sway and eventually collapse.

"Hiss! This damage, it's just insane!" Howard inhaled sharply, taken aback by the horrendous damage this skill could inflict. 

It wasn't calculated based on a fixed number, but relative to Howard's, the spellcaster's, level and HP.

As long as the adversary didn't exceed him by 10 levels or have a total HP more than ten times his own, they would be obliterated instantly. 

This meant the higher Howard's level and the more substantial his HP became, the more formidable the skill's damage would be.

The sole drawback seemed to be the skill's extensive cooldown time and the immense mana consumption, rendering it unsuitable for casual use. 

It could only serve as a trump card, reserved for delivering a fatal blow in crucial moments.

[Ding! Insufficient materials, unable to continue synthesis...]

Howard intended to carry on with the synthesis, yet to his dismay, all 293 Frost Arrow Spell skill books had been completely consumed in the process. 

Left with no other choice, he decided to learn the Icy Touch of Winter Goddess.

Albeit being an SS-level skill, Icy Touch of Winter Goddess would suffice for a considerable period. 

It promised a powerhouse of abilities that would stand by him in battles to come.

"Continue synthesizing!"

Howard's spirits soared, determined to redouble his efforts and continue with the synthesis. This time, however, his focus shifted to crafting equipment rather than skills.

Two gray Synthesis Interfaces appeared, into which were placed two wooden rings.

[Ding! Synthesis successful, you have obtained a Bronze-tier ring — Luminous Stone Ring!]

[Luminous Stone Ring]

[Level: 5]

[Quality: Bronze]

[Attribute Enhancements:]

[Mana +350]

[Spirit +35]

[Recover 35 mana points per second]

[Special Effect: Nocturnal Shelter (While the ring-bearer is in the night, they will receive the protection of the Night Goddess, with a 10% increase in all attributes and immunity to three instances of damage.)]

Howard cast a fleeting glance at the attributes of the new equipment and nodded in approval. 

He then placed two Luminous Stone Rings into the Synthesis Interface once more. 

Bronze equipment hardly matched his status; only Platinum or even Diamond tier equipment could catch his discerning eye.

'Hum, hum, hum!'

The Synthesis Interface trembled continuously, emitting a series of humming sounds. 

Finally, the two rings adorned with luminous stones transformed into a single ring with a silver setting, bearing a magnificent blue sapphire, evidently more precious than the lackluster Luminous Stone Rings.

[Ding! Synthesis successful, you have obtained a Silver-tier ring — Love of Klay!]