-Vol 5: A New Life-

-Battle against a Dragon(1)-

‘Prediction ability?’ Kenshin, who was listening to their conversation frowned. He wasn’t convinced. Unfortunately, he couldn’t see this thing’s stats, this so-called dragon is more than 30 levels higher than him. His title bonus of [Surpasser] had already activated, doubling all his stats. Besides, he had already started using [Replication] skill on the dragon, trying to copy it.

His [Replication] had already reached level 13, and even still, he was gaining 1200 EXP points each time a replication fails. If this continues, he will level up his skill after a few more tries. As his skill levels up, the stamina consumption also gradually lowers. But recently he found another thing. If the skill of target were more than 5 levels higher than his [Replication] his stamina consumption would increase by 50% of the earlier.

Another thing was that, after using up his two skill slots gained from each level up; even if the skill evolves, they would no longer be available for him anymore. In short, these two skill slots were a one-time thing per level. After that, if he wants any more skills to copy, he could either replace an existing one or try to level up [Replication].

Currently, his stamina consumption was 250% of his initial. That is to say, his consumption was 2.5 times the usual. It meant the dragon’s skill was 10 levels higher than his [Replication]. It was already mentioned before, but for a Magic Skill user or generally any Skill user, the level of their skills could sometime bridge the gap created by their difference in overall levels. This unspoken rule was especially true for a Magic Skill user. Even if their level is lower than their opponent, if their Skill’s level was high enough, they could win the fight.

Of course, other people didn’t have a system like Kenshin to observe their Skill’s level numerically. They had to rely on a special material from the dungeon, that could tell one’s Skill level by its glow. Then the level of the skill would be updated on their License by the DCB or their respective government.

Kenshin’s [Replication] already reached level 13 and required another 2000 EXP to level up another time. The speed at which he was gaining the EXP, after two tries, he would level up again. The corresponding notification came a second later…

[Ding* Replication has leveled up and become level 14.]

[Two more skill slots were available for replicating.]

[12,000 EXP required for next level up]

Kenshin didn’t stop there though, he continued to use [Replication], gaining EXP in the process. At the same time, he tried to guess the Skills and abilities of this dragon from that he heard from hunters around him. Water manipulation and Thunder manipulation was a given from that he heard, taking away two slots, there were still more than 4 slots remained. If it really had a prediction ability, another slot should be crossed out. As a Sea beast, Kenshin had reserved a slot for something like [Cannibalism] he had seen in that Squid. Although it might not be the same skill, still it might be something similar. The shock wave generation also fills one slot. After deducting all this, there still remains two unknown Skills.

His frown deepened as he concentrated on the words of the hunter around him. He had never received any formal education for hunters, due to that he was clueless about many things. It was a well-known fact that many monsters were originated from mythologies and local rumors, due to that their powers and abilities reflected the abilities of all the mythical beasts.

This dragon was a mythical beast of Chinese folklore, so its powers also reflect the abilities of a Dilong in Chinese myth. Unfortunately, he didn’t even know what a dilong means, forget about the power it possesses.

XXX

The dragon recovered from the three attacks and glared at the gathered hunters in the yacht. Its muddy yellow eyes glared at everyone present as its face twitched. The greenish yellow hairs around its face also moved along in the air, like they had a conscious of their own. Pinkish fine dust could be seen falling off those hairs, they would float for a few seconds before vanishing into thin air.

The dilong moved its head and watched everyone. Then suddenly it opened its mouth again. The gathered hunters were long prepared for this, narrowing their eyes, they immediately fell into a formation like before. Although they met Kenshin for the first time, from his performance a few minutes ago, the hunters included him in the formation too.

With a smile, Kenshin held his sword tightly and waited for any sudden change. This time, instead of throwing another sonic wave attack, the dragon started to gather a huge amount of water from the air on its mouth. The gathered ball of water took the shape of a long javelin-like contraption, before sending it flying at the yacht. The dragon already knew that these hunters were powerful, that’s why it was trying to destroy their footing and drag them all to the water. In the sea, it was the absolute ruler. It could easily kill all of them in the sea.

“It’s a Water Javelin! This dragon is aiming for the yacht!!” Joy shouted in panic. They all knew what would be their ending of they fell into the sea. After shouting, he gripped on his knuckles tightly before enveloping his whole arm with lightning. Then like a meteor, he shot towards the Dilong with his arms pulled back in a punching pose. After arriving within the striking range, he used all his power and smashed his punch into the scale of the dragon. Like before a thin pink color film appeared, but it was instantly broken by the Lightning punch. When the punch landed on the black scales, except for ripples on them, there was no other reaction showed by the dragon.

Everyone thought he had failed, but only Kenshin knew that he had done some damage, but it was very low. It was only 52. He didn’t know what would be the total attack value of that lightning-induced punch, at least it wouldn’t be lower than 2000. But still, he only managed to deal 52 damage!

‘This dragon’s defenses were a little too strong!’ Kenshin came into this conclusion, unknowingly it was also the same time all the gathered hunters had the same conclusion.

[Ding* Replication leveled up to level 15. Two more skill slots are available to be copied.]

[+15,000 EXP to next level up]

A piece of good news floated in front of him again inside a box. But he didn’t pay it too much attention. His target was level 25. At the same time, he was keeping track of the stamina consumption and stamina refill. Till now, it's in control, and due to his high PHY, [Tireless Body] and [Passive Regeneration], the effect was minimal. But if he starts fighting intensely, the balance would be broken and sooner or later he had to consume [stamina potions] which he had not touched until now.

The dragon soon finished making a water javelin as it aimed at the middle of the yacht. This time, none of the hunters went to the offense, using their Skills and equipment, they gathered to block the attack.

At this time, Kenshin used a skill that he had not used since a long time. At his will, a transparent bubble appeared around Dilong’s head. Due to level upping and evolving his skill once more, he gained a new ability of the [Exploding Domain]. Basically, he can make his domain anywhere, as long as it was within his sight and AoE of the skill. Previously he had used this skill to kill a huge poisonous snake back in the north.

The selling point of this skill was its ability to transform atoms and molecules of anything inside the domain into explosives. As long as Kenshin had enough MP, he could literally explode something or someone like an explosive itself.

Using his free hand, he manipulated the domain. Last time it was instinctual, but this time he was using it consciously. Soon enough, his forehead filled with fine sweat, it was harder than what he thought. But he had to do it before it fires the water javelin, he had to explode it.

“Now!” shouting loudly, Kenshin clenched his fist tightly. At the same time, suddenly the water javelin that was about to launch from its mouth shined yellow and then red.

BOOM!!

The javelin expanded like an inflated balloon and exploded violently while still partially inside its mouth, spraying water and fire everywhere.