The fire had long burned down to embers, casting a faint orange glow beneath the twisted willow. Lira was already asleep, curled up with her cloak pulled tight. The sky above was cloudless, speckled with stars Isaac didn't recognize.
But he wasn't looking at the sky.He was staring at the System prompt that pulsed softly at the edge of his vision.
[Level Milestone Reached – Level 10][Architect's Insight Activated]You may choose 2 skills from the following randomized set.Skill quality and number are affected by Luck, Architect's Insight, and Moonlight Affinity.
The interface opened before him like a faint shimmer in the air.
[Skill Options Generated]
Skill Fusion Protocol – Rank EX
Soulpiercer Sight – Rank A
Rotting Grasp – Rank C
Spectral Lash – Rank C
Decay Whispers – Rank E
Statbreaker Instinct – Rank B
Isaac raised a brow. "Only one EX skill. But… not bad odds."
He skimmed the list. Two C-rank skills, one B, one A, one E, and the rare EX—six total. He'd expected more throwaways. But that EX caught his eye immediately.
[Skill Fusion Protocol – Rank EX]
A forbidden utility skill born from system fragmentation.
Allows fusion of two or more compatible skills to form an evolved skill.
Allows the sacrifice of a higher-rank skill to upgrade a lower-rank one to its level.
Allows permanent decomposition of skills into stat points: E-rank = +1 to chosen stat D-rank = +10 C-rank = +100 B-rank = +1,000 A-rank = +10,000 EX-rank = +100,000
⚠ This skill cannot be reversed once fused, sacrificed, or decomposed.Warning: Skill compatibility is required for fusion. Experimentation carries risk.
Isaac stared at it for a long moment.
"Wait… 100,000 stat points? From one EX skill?"A chill ran through him—not from fear, but from realization.This wasn't just a utility. It was a system-breaking cornerstone.
In the hands of someone who could afford to lose, this was terrifying. In his? It was freedom.
He didn't even need to read the others, but—
[Soulpiercer Sight – Rank A]
A passive ocular skill born from forgotten knowledge.
Allows Isaac to see the target's full stats, background, race, class, and active/passive skillset.
Detects illusions and soul-based disguises.
Passive, always active.
His breath caught. "Information. Real information."
If Fusion Protocol was power… this was strategy.
Knowing an enemy's stats and skills could be the difference between survival and annihilation. He'd gone too long fighting blind. No more guessing if something was stronger. No more trial and error with monsters, curses, or worse.
The other four skills paled by comparison:
Rotting Grasp – Rank C: minor melee skill, applies decay debuff.
Spectral Lash – Rank C: spirit-based whip of energy, moderate damage.
Decay Whispers – Rank E: whispers in a 5m radius to cause unease. Mostly useless.
Statbreaker Instinct – Rank B: increases crit rate when Isaac is at low HP. High-risk, high-reward.
He didn't even hesitate.
[You have selected: Skill Fusion Protocol – Rank EX][You have selected: Soulpiercer Sight – Rank A]Skills acquired. Passive abilities activated where applicable.
Isaac felt the world shift faintly. Something in his vision tilted—and then clicked. It was like a curtain had been lifted. His surroundings glowed differently. He could already tell which trees were normal and which held residual mana. He glanced toward Lira. No stats hovered over her—thankfully—but something told him if she were hostile, he'd see everything.
[Soulpiercer Sight – Active]Observation synced with core vision.
"…Not bad," he muttered.
Then he smirked."Not bad at all."