The Ultimate Skill System: Absorb, Upgrade, Create, Transfer-Chapter 13 - : Infernal

The morning sun rose gently over the dense forest, its golden rays filtering through the thick canopy of leaves.

The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of dew and earth. Keiran stood at the edge of a clearing, his mind focused on the task at hand.

He had just allocated his 60 available stat points, carefully distributing them to enhance his abilities.

He had placed 10 points each into Constitution, Dexterity, and Agility.

Another 15 points went into Intelligence and the remaining 15 into Strength.

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Keiran's journey into the forest was aimless for now, but his goals were clear. He needed to collect more powerful skills from the monsters he encountered, and leveling up quickly was his priority.

However, before he could focus on gaining strength, he had to address a more immediate need—food. His stomach growled softly, a reminder that survival came first.

As he ventured deeper into the forest, the trees grew taller and the underbrush thicker.

The sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves filled the air, creating a serene yet eerie atmosphere. Keiran's sharp eyes scanned his surroundings, searching for anything that could serve as a meal.

It wasn't long before he spotted something unusual—a massive, branchless tree towering above the others. At its very top, he could see a large nest, its structure visible even from the ground.

Curiosity piqued, Keiran approached the tree. He tilted his head back, squinting against the sunlight to get a better look. The nest was enormous, made of thick, burned branches that looked as though they had been scorched by fire.

His instincts told him that something valuable—or dangerous—was up there. Either way, it was worth investigating.

Without hesitation, Keiran activated one of his skills. His body began to shift and transform, his limbs elongating and his skin taking on a rough, textured appearance.

Within moments, he had transformed into a Berserker Spider Monkey. His new form granted him spider-like legs, perfect for climbing. With a deep breath, he began his ascent, scaling the tree with ease.

As he neared the top, the nest came into full view. It was even larger up close, its burned branches forming a sturdy, circular structure. Inside, Keiran spotted three giant red eggs, each one glowing faintly with a warm, fiery light.

His eyes widened in recognition.

[Infernahawk Eggs.]

Keiran nodded to himself, a small smile forming on his lips. These eggs would make for an excellent meal.

He could already imagine cooking them over a fire, the rich yolk spilling out as he took his first bite.

But just as he reached out to pick up one of the eggs, a sharp, piercing cry echoed through the air.

Keiran froze, his senses immediately on high alert. He could feel the mana in the air shifting, growing more intense.

His eyes darted around, searching for the source of the sound. Then, he saw it—a massive bird, its feathers ablaze with fire, soaring through the sky with incredible speed. It was heading straight for him.

[Uncommon: Infernahawk — Level 45]

The Infernahawk circled above, its fiery wings casting an ominous glow over the nest.

This was no ordinary bird—it was a powerful monster, and it was clearly protective of its eggs. He needed to act fast.

Without wasting a second, Keiran activated his Stone Skin skill. His body was instantly covered in a layer of stone armor, providing him with much-needed protection.

The Infernahawk let out another ear-piercing cry before diving toward him, its talons extended and ready to strike.

Keiran leaped to the side, using his Rapid Hop skill to evade the attack. The Infernahawk's talons slashed through the air where he had just been, narrowly missing him.

The bird flapped its wings, creating a powerful gust of hot wind that sent Keiran stumbling backward. He gritted his teeth, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a plan.

"I just wanted some sunny side-up eggs," Keiran muttered under his breath, his tone dry. "Not a hardboiled fight with flaming wings."

Knowing he couldn't risk damaging the eggs, Keiran decided to lure the Infernahawk away from the nest.

He backed up slowly, keeping his eyes locked on the bird. The Infernahawk followed, its fiery gaze never leaving him. Once he was a safe distance away, Keiran stopped and prepared for battle.

The Infernahawk had the advantage of flight, making it difficult for Keiran to land a hit. He tried using his Mud Spit skill, launching a glob of sticky mud toward the bird.

But the Infernahawk dodged with ease, its movements swift and precise.

Next, Keiran unleashed a Static Jolt, sending a bolt of electricity crackling through the air. The bird simply flew higher, avoiding the attack entirely.

Frustration began to creep in, but Keiran remained calm. He knew he needed to wait for the right moment.

The Infernahawk, growing impatient, soared high into the sky, its body glowing brighter as it gathered fire energy.

Keiran's eyes narrowed as he realized what was coming next.

The bird dove toward him like a meteor, its body engulfed in flames. The heat was intense, even from a distance, and Keiran knew that being hit would be disastrous.

But this was also his chance. If he could time it just right, he might be able to land a decisive blow.

Keiran focused, feeling the mana in the surrounding area. His passive skill, Mystic Convergence, amplified his power, making him stronger than he normally would be.

He clenched his fist, activating his Iron Fist skill. His hand glowed with a metallic sheen, ready to deliver a devastating punch.

As the Infernahawk hurtled toward him, Keiran stood his ground, his eyes locked on the fiery bird. The heat grew unbearable, and the air around him seemed to shimmer.

"This is gonna hurt," Keiran said in a flat, almost bored tone. But he wasn't talking about himself. His gaze was fixed on the Infernahawk, his voice calm and steady. "But not to me—to you."

At the last possible moment, he swung his fist with all his might.

The collision was explosive. Fire erupted in every direction, engulfing the area in a searing inferno. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the ground, and the sound of the blast echoed through the forest. For a moment, everything was chaos.

When the flames finally subsided, Keiran was still standing. His stone armor was cracked and scorched, but he was unharmed.

In his hand was the lifeless body of the Infernahawk, its bones crushed by the sheer force of his punch. The fire that had once surrounded the bird had died out, leaving behind only the faint smell of smoke.

[You leveled up 2x.]

[You have received 24 Stat points.]

[Your HP, MP, and SP have been replenished.]

Keiran let out a slow breath, his body relaxing as the adrenaline faded. He glanced at the Infernahawk's body, then at the nest in the distance. The eggs were still there, untouched. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Guess I'll have my eggs after all," he said quietly.

Keiran couldn't help but notice something. The experience points he gained from defeating the Infernahawk were lower than he had expected.

It seemed that leveling up was becoming more difficult, a natural restriction imposed by the world to prevent entities from growing too powerful too quickly.

But Keiran wasn't worried. Unlike others, he didn't rely solely on killing monsters to grow stronger.

The experience points he gained from using his ability to absorb, upgrade, and create skills gave him an edge—one that would carry him far in this unforgiving world.