When Lucas opened the black gift box, he expected perhaps a rare weapon, some armor, or another growth-type treasure. Instead, inside rested something far stranger—a single card.
At first glance, it didn't look like much. Its surface shimmered faintly, engraved with the iconic dagger symbol of the assassin profession. Around the blade, elaborate, twisting patterns glowed faintly, as if alive. The design radiated a dangerous elegance—cold, lethal, and undeniably cool.
Lucas tilted his head. "A… card? What is this supposed to be?"
He flipped it between his fingers, puzzled. It had weight, yet no familiar magical energy. It didn't resemble gear, a potion, or even a summoning item.
With curiosity burning, he tapped to reveal its details. The description unfolded across his interface—and the moment Lucas read it, his jaw dropped.
Name: Mysterious Card – Assassin – The Only Exclusive Skill!
Introduction: Are your skills too ordinary? Do you despair that your damage numbers are too low? Fear no more! This mysterious card will transform your profession's generic abilities into skills unique only to you!
Your skill damage coefficients will rise.
Your skill effects will be enhanced.
Your animations will look more stylish than ever.
You will become the ultimate assassin—handsome, deadly, unstoppable!
What are you waiting for? Use it now! And remember—leave us a five-star review, dear~
Lucas blinked once. Then twice. "…Ha?!"
For a moment, he thought the system was mocking him. "You mean… I can actually upgrade every generic assassin skill into an exclusive, personalized ability? More power, cooler effects…? This is insane!"
Excitement surged through him. In truth, he had been dreading the grind of slowly nurturing growth-type equipment. Those pieces were bottomless pits, consuming gold like a ravenous beast. He'd already emptied his wallet multiple times just feeding his Pale Blade, nearly going broke. Another growth weapon would have destroyed his finances completely.
But this—this card—offered direct, permanent improvement at no cost. A straight leap forward. No extra investment required.
His pulse quickened. "If the boost is even half as good as it promises, then this is better than any piece of growth equipment. Stronger skills, better effects… all in one shot. I have to try it!"
Lucas rubbed his hands together like an eager child opening presents on his birthday. He selected the card from his backpack and clicked use without hesitation.
At once, the card dissolved. A burst of swirling black light erupted, shimmering with hints of crimson and violet. The energy disintegrated into a storm of motes that sank into his body like burning stars. For a heartbeat, his veins glowed as the assassin's dagger symbol branded itself deep within his core.
"Congratulations," the system chimed, "your profession's general skills have been transformed into exclusive skills unique only to you."
Lucas's eyes blazed. "Show me."
He flung open his skill panel. One by one, the bland, ordinary names of his abilities vanished, replaced by titles dripping with menace and artistry.
Level 1 General Skill – Combo
➡ Exclusive Skill: Night Blade Assault
A devastating double strike, lightning-fast, inflicting 200% physical damage.
Attack speed boosted.
Damage coefficient jumped from 150% to 200%.
Lucas nodded. "Not bad. A clean fifty percent increase, and faster speed."
Level 5 General Skill – Fatal Deep Stab
➡ Exclusive Skill: Netherworld Assassination
A shadow-infused thrust, piercing deep with dark energy.
Inflicts 250% physical damage (up from 180%).
Gains a sinister animation of black flames wreathing the dagger.
Lucas whistled. "Seventy percent more damage and darker flair. Nice."
Level 10 General Skill – Stealth
➡ Exclusive Skill: Shadow Stealth
Slip fully into the void.
Grants absolute invisibility for five minutes (up from three).
Cannot be detected or locked by any skill.
May now be activated in combat.
Lucas's heart skipped. "In-combat stealth? That changes everything! I can vanish mid-fight, reposition, or retreat whenever I want. Surrounded? Gone. Hunted? Vanished. This is invincibility on demand!"
Level 15 General Skill – Tearing Slash
➡ Exclusive Skill: Kiss of Death
A cruel, dragging stab that leaves horrific wounds.
Inflicts 250% physical damage (from 220%).
Inflicts bleeding: -5% max HP per second for 10 seconds.
Lucas grinned wickedly. "Continuous bleed. They'll bleed out before they realize what hit them. Elegant."
Level 20 General Skill – Backstab
➡ Exclusive Skill: Instant Shadow Attack
Become a shadow, teleport behind the target, and strike vital points.
Guaranteed hit. Cannot be evaded.
Damage increased to 300% (from 250%).
Lucas clenched his fist. "Finally, a backstab that never misses. Perfect assassination."
Level 25 General Skill – Sap
➡ Exclusive Skill: Hidden Snake's Bite
From stealth, strike like a viper.
Deals 150% physical damage (from 120%).
Inflicts coma for 10 seconds (up from 5).
Lucas smirked. "Ten full seconds of helplessness. That's an eternity in a fight."
Level 30 General Skill – Throat Seal
➡ Exclusive Skill: Silent Killing
An eerie execution.
Deals 250% damage (from 200%).
Silences the enemy for 10 seconds (up from 5).
"Silence doubled. They'll die without ever casting another spell," Lucas whispered.
Level 35 General Skill – Poison Sting
➡ Exclusive Skill: Serpent's Fang
Poison-coated dagger strike.
Deals 200% damage (from 150%).
Poisons for 10 seconds, draining 5% max HP per second.
Lucas's lips curled. "Deadly. Even if they survive my strike, poison will eat them alive."
Level 40 General Skill – Tendon Cut
➡ Exclusive Skill: Severing Limb Blade
A merciless slash at limbs.
Damage raised to 200% (from 150%).
Slows movement speed by 50% for 15 seconds (up from 30% for 10 seconds).
Lucas leaned back, awe in his eyes. "This… this is incredible."
He closed the panel and exhaled a shaky laugh. Every skill he possessed had been reborn. Stronger damage. Longer effects. More brutal animations. And, most importantly, abilities that could no longer be considered "ordinary."
"These aren't general assassin skills anymore," he whispered. "They're mine. My exclusive set."
A thrill coursed through him. His arsenal had transformed into something terrifying, something that set him apart from every other assassin in existence.
"Who else has this?" He grinned fiercely. "No one. This… this is my edge."
He imagined stepping into the battlefield now. Shadows swallowing him as he slipped into invisibility mid-battle, striking from nowhere with guaranteed criticals, bleeds, poisons, silences, and stuns. Every attack a death sentence. Every escape perfect. Every strike inevitable.
For a long moment, Lucas just stood there, stunned by the enormity of what had happened. Then he exhaled a long, low laugh, his voice brimming with confidence.
"Awesome. Truly awesome. Tell me—who else could compare?"
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