It started with a random thought while brushing my teeth.
Wait... What if I could mix the Fireball with the Lightning Zap?What if Sheik's needles could carry an element too?
My eyes widened as the system pinged—like it had been waiting for me to ask that exact question.
[SYSTEM UPDATE — SKILL LINK DETECTED]Category: Experimental Combo ChainSubcategory: Elemental Transfer AttemptWarning: Skill linking may require energy calibration. Not all skills are compatible. Improper attempts may cause stamina loss or cooldown lock. Proceed with caution.
I was already halfway out the door before the system finished the warning.
I needed space. Room to experiment.
So I went where I always did when I wanted peace: the back of Kennedy Rec Center. Gravel lot. Some cracked-up concrete. Nobody around. Just me and the echo of D.C. sirens somewhere distant.
"Alright. Let's run it."
I flicked my hands out, calling the three skills to the surface.
[SKILLS EQUIPPED FOR COMBO TEST]☑️ Fireball Throw (Mario)☑️ Quick Zap (Pikachu)☑️ Needle Shot (Sheik)
The first attempt was clumsy.
I tried to charge Fireball while zapping at the same time.
Didn't work.
Instead, a small fireball fizzled out mid-air like a dying sparkler. My fingers went numb from the shock, and the system scolded me.
[Combo Rejected: Internal Energy Conflict – Mana Burn (Minor)]Cooldown locked for 3 seconds. Stamina drop: -5%
"Okay, okay. Chill," I muttered. "Let's think like a player."
I remembered how Sheik's needles could be charged then flicked out rapidly. What if I layered lightning onto the needles instead of trying to combine the fire?
Attempt #2: Zap + Needle Shot
I crouched slightly, focused, and formed a set of gleaming needles between my fingers—sleek, light blue. Then, with my off-hand, I summoned the Quick Zap, holding the electricity in my palm like a thread of lightning.
My fingers twitched. I reached toward the needles—then pressed the lightning into them like striking a match.
The air snapped.
[SKILL LINK DETECTED — SUCCESSFUL ELEMENTAL INFUSION]
Result: "Electro Needle" (Temporary Skill Created)– A variation of Needle Shot– Needles are electrically charged– Stuns lightly on impact– Projectile Speed: +5%– Damage: Minor Piercing + 1-sec Shock Delay– Cooldown: 7s → Shared with both parent skills– Duration: Active for 30 minutes or 5 uses
My jaw dropped.
I flung my hand forward.
Three sparkling blue needles shot across the air—and when they hit the rusted fence post, the metal sparked with static and twitched.
A crow nearby squawked and flew off like it had just seen something unholy.
I laughed.
Like, real, out-loud laughed.
"I just made a custom Smash combo."
And the system confirmed it.
[Custom Combo Library Created: 1/??]Name: "Electro Needle"Note: Successful combinations will be automatically logged and upgraded through repetition. Incompatible combos will be marked. Some skills may mutate if comboed repeatedly.
Then, something flickered beneath that notice.
A new bar. Thin. Empty.
[SYNERGY EXP: 0 / 1000]Leveling Synergy increases combo frequency, unlocks multi-skill weaving, and reveals hidden compatibility tiers.
Synergy.
So this system wasn't just about raw power. It wanted me to learn, to experiment—to fight smart.
I stared at my hand for a second, the buzz of lightning still dancing in my palm.
If this was just a level 4 trick...
What the hell was waiting for me at level 10?
And more importantly—
What combos hadn't I thought of yet?