part 14

Tom was a little sweaty after practicing all morning.

Introduction to Demon Steps (30%)

The basic katana art was in the following state:

Basic Katana Art (Normal)

Features: Enough speed in the air to cut a leaf into two pieces.

Of course, that was when he wasn't using his other abilities. He was sure he could cut it into five pieces with time-slowing.

As Tom was lost in his thoughts, he had already reached the dungeon entrance, which resembled the portal entrances from the anime he watched.

There were people around, looking for various members for their teams:

"We are short of healers.""Archer wanted.""We need tanks and savages."

It seemed that the people in this test had abilities similar to Tom's, divided into healing abilities, tank abilities, and savage abilities. Tom realized that with his current skills, he didn't fit into any of these classes.

He didn't think this was unique to him. In fact, he believed these people lived somewhere in the past or were perhaps different beings from other universes.

Even though Tom had regained some of his emotions and now felt more, he still didn't think he belonged in a team—he was a lone wolf.

He entered the dungeon with a black hood over his head, not wanting to attract too much attention. To him, standing out was akin to becoming a target.

He found himself in a dense forest with towering trees. Tom increased his vigilance, remembering that goblins were a race prone to assassination.

However, Tom's enhanced perception and eyesight boosted his other senses, ensuring no goblin could sneak up on him.

Tom began sneaking through the forest when he spotted three goblins wielding rusty knives.

Using his assassination skills, he crept behind them and unsheathed his katana.

The first goblin was decapitated. Tom, still at the first level of katana art, found it to be a relatively low-level technique. Even at its maximum level, he estimated it could only cut down 20 people at once.

He created some distance between himself and the second goblin. As the goblin charged at him, Tom had already returned his katana to its sheath.

In a flash, the second goblin's head was no longer attached to its body.

The third goblin began to scream, but Tom's eyes lit up, and its head was severed before a sound escaped its lips.

Tom had slowed time once more and sheathed his katana after the third use.

Searching the goblins, Tom noticed something shiny on their heads. He pried it loose with his hands.

Goblin Stone: Combining ten of these stones forms a gem that can increase one of the following stats: strength, speed, or perception.

Finding it useful, Tom cut off the goblins' ears and stored them in his bag.

Tom continued his hunt, using his demonic steps and katana to wreak havoc. He felt satisfied as he glanced at the two attribute-enhancing stones in his bag.

After hunting 20 goblins, he combined their stones to obtain two attribute-enhancing gems.

Demon Steps (Entrance): 50% Progress

Tom grumbled about the slow progress, as expected from such a legendary art.

His basic katana art had advanced to the (Advanced) level. He admired his passive ability, which, though not particularly useful with firearms, worked wonders with weapons like swords or katanas.

While reflecting on these thoughts, Tom sensed danger. Following his instincts, he encountered a two-meter-tall goblin-like creature:

The Wandering Boss: GOTBLIN

(A mutated goblin with sparse troll blood)

It was the first time he had seen system information about a monster. Judging by the creature's strength, Tom knew this would be a challenging encounter, but he felt exhilarated.

Before engaging, he decided to review his qualifications:

Tom Wan

Title: None

Power: 20

Speed: 30

Stamina: 13

Perception: 26

Attractiveness: 8

Intelligence: 15

Mana: 30/30

Unique Abilities:

Eyes of the Beast: Reveals vulnerabilities in opponents, negating cheats. Increases reflexes and adapts other sensory organs.

Active Abilities:

Time Slow: Slows time by 60% (5 mana/second).Monster's Gaze: Depending on the opponent's level, it can freeze, slow, or distract them.

Passive Skills:

Killing Expert: Allows mastery of any combat-related technique at a beastly level.Excitement: The more adrenaline felt, the sharper the senses.Gunsmith (Expert): Exceptional skill with firearms.Aerobatics (Improved): Enhanced movement and agility.Knifemanship (Advanced): Proficiency with knives.Assassination (Entry): Not yet stealthy enough to sneak up on a fly but improving.Devil Steps (30%)Katana Mastery (Advanced, 20%)

With his mana full, Tom prepared for the fight. Locking eyes with the monstrous goblin, his own eyes turned crimson. With a slight smile, he got ready for battle.