Floating Islands: SSS Gacha System

Atlas made his way to the training ground, his excitement barely contained. Before him stood the Sentinel Training Mannequin, ready to spare with him to test the new skills he had just acquired.

He spun his spear in a smooth arc, feeling the swift and fluid movement as though it were an extension of his own body. With each motion, a surge of energy coursed through him, leaving him invigorated.

Taking a defensive stance, a faint aura of water and lightning enveloped his body, harmonizing with the natural energy from his spear. The combined effect was breathtaking—a fusion of Oceanic Blessing and his newly unlocked skill: Tempest Guard.

[Elite - Tempest Guard (Conditional Passive Skill) Lv. 8]

[A defensive stance enhanced by water and lightning energy. The passive effect grants a consistent defensive buff, while the active component triggers a counter-shockwave when parrying.

Passive Effect:

Increases defense by 15% for 7 seconds after entering the stance.

Triggered on Successful Parry:

Releases a shockwave that deals 100% AoE damage to enemies within 3 meters.

Restores a small amount of stamina per successful parry.]

This skill was nothing short of extraordinary. Every time Atlas adopted a defensive stance, his defense was automatically boosted by 15%. On top of that, whenever he successfully parried an attack, a burst of AoE damage radiated outwards, and he gained stamina regeneration!

"Seriously?! This skill is ridiculously overpowered!"

He could already imagine the potential Tempest Guard would bring to his battles, offering not only exceptional defense but also the ability to turn every block into an opportunity for a counterattack.

Atlas dashed forward, spear in hand, ready to test his new skills. The Training Mannequin responded in kind, wielding a spear of its own.

They exchanged quick strikes, sidestepping and dodging, until their weapons clashed with a resounding impact. A shockwave of energy erupted from the collision, sending the Training Mannequin skidding backward.

Atlas felt a surge of energy pulse through his chest, as though his heart had been electrified.

Seizing the moment, he lunged forward with blinding speed, delivering an overhead strike! The Training Mannequin, however, managed to parry the attack, forcing Atlas to recover quickly.

The clash continued, each move fluid and precise, until Atlas executed another parry. This time, however, the expected shockwave didn't follow.

He stepped back, allowing some distance between him and the Training Mannequin, which also moved into a neutral, standby position.

"It seems the skill has a cooldown," Atlas murmured. He realized that mastering his new abilities would require understanding their limitations and timing.

Still, Tempest Guard was a passive-triggered skill. As long as he adapted his battle style to take full advantage of it, the potential for bigger impacts in combat was immense.

Atlas turned his focus to analyzing his second skill.

[Elite - Thunderpierce Thrust (Active Skill) Lv. 7]

[A precise, lightning-infused thrust aimed at a single target, designed to pierce armor and disrupt enemies.

Deals 230% damage in a single powerful strike.

Ignores 25% of the target's defense.

15% chance to paralyze the target for 1.5 seconds.]

When Atlas reviewed the details of the Tempest Warden class, he found information about four primary skills he would eventually unlock. However, none of them were explicitly designed for single-target combat.

This was why Kurogasa had pointed out that the class's single-target potential was weaker when compared to its formidable AoE capabilities.

However, with the addition of his newly unlocked skill, Thunderpierce Thrust, alongside Flurry of Spears, Oceanic Blessing from the Wavebreaker Spear, and his Elemental Spear Mastery talent, the equation changed significantly.

Elemental Spear Mastery, his S-rated talent, significantly enhanced his ability to channel elemental powers into his spear techniques. It boosted both his offensive and defensive capabilities, making his strikes more precise and devastating while allowing his defenses to adapt fluidly to different situations.

Oceanic Blessing, a passive ability of the Wavebreaker Spear, reduced incoming damage, pierced through enemy defenses, and occasionally summoned an oceanic spear to deal extra damage. Each strike from this blessing also slowed the target's attack speed, adding a crippling effect that turned single-target engagements in his favor.

By combining these four abilities, Atlas realized he had drastically elevated his single-target damage potential. With precise execution and proper timing, his single-target combat was no longer a weakness—in fact, it had reached a level he could confidently rate as 5 stars!

However, Kurogasa's concern remained valid. While Atlas's single-target damage potential had been significantly boosted, it could reach even greater heights with a weapon whose skill set was entirely focused on single-target combat.

The ability to switch between two specialized weapons during battle would allow him to deliver a more devastating impact, adapting to different scenarios with precision.

He considered asking Baldric to craft such a spear for him. Yet, a doubt lingered in his mind—could Baldric, in his current state, forge a weapon capable of rivaling the Legendary-grade Wavebreaker Spear?

Atlas sighed thoughtfully.

It's not about doubting Baldric's skills—it's the resources and time it would take to create something of that caliber.

Still, the idea of a spear crafted specifically for single-target combat was enticing, and it might be worth exploring once Baldric had the means to work at his peak potential.

From the defensive perspective, the combination of Lifebound Shield, Tempest Guard, and the damage reduction provided by Oceanic Blessing ensures Atlas also has a 5 stars defense rating. Here's why:

Lifebound Shield and Tempest Guard: These provide robust defensive capabilities. Lifebound Shield adds a durable layer of protection, while Tempest Guard enhances defense by 15% in a defensive stance, retaliates with AoE damage upon a successful parry, and regenerates stamina.

Oceanic Blessing: The passive effect from the Wavebreaker Spear reduces incoming damage while debuffing enemies, slowing their attack speed, and providing overall combat.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Alright! The final skill:

[Elite - Tempest Arc (Active Skill) Lv. 4]

[A wide, sweeping spear attack that creates a wave of water and lightning to strike multiple enemies in front.

Deals 160% damage to all enemies within a 6-meter cone.

Reduces affected enemies' movement speed by 32% for 3 seconds.

Reduces affected enemies' stamina regeneration by 14% for 5 seconds.]

Tempest Arc is undoubtedly a powerful new AoE skill that further enhances his already overpowered arsenal from the Wavebreaker Spear.

Not only does it deliver devastating AoE damage, but it also provides crowd control by disrupting enemy formations and movements. Additionally, it applies debuffs to targets, making them more vulnerable or limiting their capabilities during combat.

A perfect addition to his skillset, solidifying his dominance in AoE damage and battlefield control.

Atlas resumed his practice against the Training Mannequin, this time focusing entirely on the three new skills he had unlocked. He aimed to familiarize himself with their mechanics and integrate them seamlessly into his combat style.

[Elite - Tempest Guard (Conditional Passive Skill) Lv. 8] Stay connected via empire

The first skill focused on defense, triggered by performing a parry. It not only boosted his defensive capabilities but also regenerated stamina, making it a critical tool for maintaining his endurance during prolonged battles.

[Elite - Thunderpierce Thrust (Active Skill) Lv. 7]

The second skill was a powerful single-target strike, designed to deliver precise and devastating damage to key enemies. Its speed and piercing force made it an excellent choice for eliminating high-priority targets.

[Elite - Tempest Arc (Active Skill) Lv. 4]

The third skill excelled in AoE damage. It unleashed wide-range attacks capable of hitting multiple enemies while also offering crowd control, disrupting enemy formations and giving him a significant advantage in group battles.

Through repeated practice, Atlas began to see the synergy between the skills, each complementing the other to create a well-rounded and formidable combat style.

Atlas spent the rest of the day honing his new set of skills, practicing tirelessly against the Training Mannequin.

He also began integrating the Shadow element into his combat style, knowing that mastery over this synergy would take time. His goal was clear: to make every movement and combination seamless, enhancing his versatility in battle.

As night fell, Atlas gathered with Edrik and the others to discuss strategies for completing the quests tied to the Tempest Warden class. Unlocking more skills would be essential to realizing the full potential of his new role.

The first quest on the list was titled: "The Crushing Tide."