The Ultimate Skill System: Absorb, Upgrade, Create, Transfer-Chapter 28 - : First Encounter

Keiran soared high above the dense forest of Fiora, his flaming wings leaving a faint trail of heat in the air.

The forest stretched endlessly below him, a sea of green treetops swaying gently in the breeze.

From this height, the world seemed peaceful, almost serene. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.

Birds chirped in the distance, their songs blending with the rustling of leaves. But Keiran was not here to admire the scenery. He was a man on a mission, moving faster than sound itself, his presence marked only by the faint sonic waves that rippled through the air in his wake.

His flaming wings, a brilliant mix of orange and gold, shimmered faintly even in the daylight.

As he flew, his sharp eyes scanned the forest below, searching for any signs of weak monsters he hadn't yet encountered.

Each time he spotted one, he would dive down with precision, his movements swift and silent. A single punch was all it took to end the creature's life, and with a touch, he absorbed its skills.

Though most of these skills were of Common rarity, they still added to his growing arsenal.

The forest was teeming with life, and Keiran encountered a variety of creatures.

A flock of brightly colored birds scattered as he descended, their wings flapping frantically as they tried to escape.

A rock deer, its hide as gray and rough as stone, grazed peacefully until Keiran's fist shattered its skull.

A fire cat, its fur flickering with tiny flames, hissed and lunged at him, only to be extinguished in an instant.

Poisonous plants that moved like living creatures lashed out with thorny tendrils, but they were no match for his speed and strength.

Black wolves, white elephants, and leaf rhinos—all fell before him, their skills absorbed into his being.

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By noon, Keiran had accumulated a considerable number of new skills, though most were of little significance.

He paused in a small clearing, the soft grass cushioning his feet as he landed.

The clearing was quiet, save for the occasional chirp of a bird or the rustle of leaves in the wind. Keiran gathered some dry wood and started a fire, using a flick of his finger to ignite the flames.

The fire crackled softly, its warmth a comforting contrast to the cool forest air. He prepared a simple meal of deer meat, roasting it over the fire until it was golden brown and fragrant.

The smell of cooked meat filled the air, a reminder of the simple pleasures of life.

As he ate, Keiran took a moment to review the skills he had acquired. Most were Common, with only a few Uncommon ones mixed in.

[COMMON: Iron Fist, Enduring Spirit, Mud Spit, Stone Skin, Rapid Hop, Predator's Rush, Venomous Bite, Ghost Cloak, Gleam Burst, Sunflare Dash, Luminous Scales, Magma Spit, Ember Glide, Heat Scales, (60.)]

[UNCOMMON: Elastic Fluid Body, Hellflare Dive, Eternal Blaze, King of the Wilds, Wraithbound Reflexes, Carver's Grasp, Infernal Arcana, Lava Surge, Molten Blood, (6).]

He frowned slightly, realizing that he needed more powerful abilities.

He began to think about creating new skills, sacrificing the ones he had to form something stronger and more versatile.

But before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, he felt a disturbance in the air.

A group of mana signatures was approaching. Keiran immediately activated Ghost Cloak, rendering himself invisible once more.

He moved swiftly, climbing into the branches of a nearby tree to observe the newcomers without being seen.

His sharp eyes meticulously swept across the landscape, analyzing every shadow and movement. Before long, the source of the fluctuating mana signatures came into view.

Contrary to his initial suspicion, it was not a horde of monsters prowling through the undergrowth but a disciplined band of humans.

They marched through the dense forest with deliberate strides, their polished armor catching the dappled sunlight that filtered through the canopy above.

Each warrior bore the distinct regalia of knights, their attire meticulously maintained, and their weapons—sheathed at their sides—ready to be drawn at a moment's notice.

Their movements were precise, each step measured and controlled, showing the discipline of seasoned warriors. They maintained formation as they advanced, their senses sharp and their gazes constantly shifting, searching for any sign of danger.

Yet, despite their awareness of their surroundings, they remained completely oblivious to Keiran's silent presence in the shadows.

This was the first time Keiran had encountered humans since arriving in this world.

A part of him wanted to approach them, to reveal himself as the hero sent by Bequeathal.

But as he looked down at his naked form, he quickly dismissed the idea. 'If I show myself now,' he thought, 'I'll be labeled as the naked pervert hero. That's not the first impression I want to make.'

He remained hidden, watching the group closely. One of the knights, a tall man with a stern expression, approached the woman who appeared to be their leader.

"If Vulcarion is really behind those earthquakes," the knight said, his voice filled with concern, "what kind of insane lunatic would fight a literal living calamity like him?"

The female leader removed her helmet, revealing a strikingly beautiful face. Her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her blue eyes sparkled with determination. Her fair skin glowed in the sunlight, and her presence commanded respect.

She looked at the knight who had spoken and replied, "Someone or something crazy enough."

As she spoke, her gaze shifted slightly, and for a brief moment, her eyes locked onto the spot where Keiran was hiding.

Though he was invisible, he could feel her piercing stare, as if she could sense his presence. The connection lasted only a second before she looked away, shaking her head slightly.

"Miss Catherine?" the knight asked, noticing her momentary distraction. "Is there something wrong?"

Catherine Desmond, the leader of the knight order of the Kingdom of Rojan, shook her head. "No, it's nothing," she said, though her tone suggested otherwise.

She glanced once more in Keiran's direction, but this time, she felt nothing. Keiran had already moved, his silent footsteps carrying him away from the group.

Once he was a safe distance away, Keiran took to the skies once more, his flaming wings propelling him forward.

He flew faster than before, his mind racing with thoughts of the encounter. For the first time since arriving in this world, he had come face-to-face with its inhabitants. Though the interaction had been brief, it left a lasting impression on him.

As he continued his journey toward civilization, Keiran couldn't shake the feeling that this was not the last time he would cross paths with Catherine.

There was something about her—her strength, her presence—that intrigued him. He didn't know what the future held, but he was certain that their paths would cross again.

And when they did, he would be ready.

The forest blurred beneath him as he flew, the wind rushing past his ears. The sun began its descent, casting long shadows over the land.