Chapter 138: The True Value of Hammer Mastery!

Chapter 138: The True Value of Hammer Mastery!

After taking their positions, the two quickly engaged in combat, but soon, Rayen was caught off guard by Lloyd Knight's well-timed shield strike, which sent him staggering back several steps.

This was in stark contrast to Rayen's previous battle with Master Perez, where he had held his own.

However, the system notifications brought a smile to Rayen's face:

[Your skill, Tokkar Hammer Technique, has improved. Experience gained: +27]



[You have engaged in combat. Knight (Extraordinary) profession experience gained: +9]



If not for his swift defeat, a single sparring session would have earned him at least forty to fifty points in hammer technique experience!

Lloyd Knight looked at Rayen with a puzzled expression and asked, "Rayen, have you just started learning hammer techniques?"

This caused Rayen's face to turn slightly red.

It was apparent that using a hammer technique he had only learned the day before against a seasoned knight in a friendly match was somewhat disrespectful.

Especially since Rayen had just fought Master Perez to a standstill using the Grizzly Sword Technique.

However, it was somewhat understandable as Rayen, with the aid of 'Hammer Mastery lv1', seemed to execute the Tokkar Hammer Technique with a certain level of proficiency, at least not like a complete novice.

Otherwise, even the most generous Lloyd Knight might have felt offended.

After a moment's thought, Rayen decided to allocate a skill point to the core skill 'Hammer Mastery lv1'.

After all, with Lloyd Knight and Master Perez as excellent 'NPC' training partners, it would be a waste not to pique their interest and earn some substantial experience in the process!

Additionally, 'Hammer Mastery' was a core skill, and its level could only be increased by spending skill points; it couldn't be improved through regular training.

In this sense, Hammer Mastery resembled more of an innate talent.

As Rayen allocated the skill point, his remaining skill points decreased from 4 to 3, and Hammer Mastery immediately advanced from lv1 to lv2.

Instantly, Rayen felt a distinct change in the way he held the two-handed great hammer.

It was an indescribable sensation, as if Rayen had an innate familiarity with hammers, or as if the hammer was an extension of his own arm.

Simultaneously, the description of Hammer Mastery on the skill panel also changed.

[Core Skill: Hammer Mastery lv2 (Passive)]



[Hammer Mastery lv2 (Passive): When the host uses any type of hammer, their damage is slightly increased.]



The change from 'slightly' to 'slightly increased' was identical to the previous alteration in Iron Smith's Strength.

"Knight Lloyd, I've been practicing this hammer technique for a while, but I might not be fully accustomed to the Ironwood Great Hammer yet. Let's try again." Rayen offered a polite lie after allocating the skill point.

Knight Lloyd nodded, accepting Rayen's explanation. It was common for unfamiliarity with a weapon to affect performance.

The two quickly took their positions and began the second round!

As expected, with the support of Hammer Mastery at lv2, Rayen's performance was significantly better than in the previous round.

Although he still couldn't defeat Knight Lloyd, who wielded a hammer and shield, he managed to put up a decent fight.

After the match, the system notifications appeared:

[Your skill, Tokkar Hammer Technique, has improved. Experience gained: +54]



[You have engaged in combat. Knight (Extraordinary) profession experience gained: +16]



[Congratulations! Your skill, Tokkar Hammer Technique, has advanced to lv2]



Huh! A level up!

Rayen stared at Tokkar Hammer Technique lv2 (1/300).

Suddenly, Rayen's mind was flooded with fragmented memories of training in Tokkar Hammer Technique.

These memories were snippets of hammer training, like a collage, which seamlessly integrated into his muscle memory.

It felt as if Rayen had been practicing the hammer technique for several months.

"Rayen, why don't we stay here for the night?" Knight Lloyd suggested.

To be honest, Knight Lloyd was slightly disappointed in Rayen's hammer technique.

He felt that Rayen's hammer technique lacked refinement, and compared to his skill with the Grizzly Bear Sword Technique, there was a noticeable gap. Their back-and-forth exchange seemed to rely more on instinct than technique.

Hmm?

I've only leveled up once, and the 'NPC' experience is about to end?

"Knight Lloyd, during our previous match, I felt like I made some progress with my hammer technique. How about another round?" Rayen smiled and suggested.

As soon as Rayen finished speaking, both Lloyd and Master Perez smiled.

They secretly thought that Rayen still had a youthful spirit and a playful side, despite his inexperience.

After the previous two rounds, they had a thorough understanding of Rayen's hammer technique.

However,

Knight Lloyd paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement with Rayen's suggestion: "Sure."

It was only natural to give young people some face.

I'll hold back a little later! Lloyd thought to himself.

The two quickly took their positions and began the third round.

But this round immediately shocked both Lloyd and Perez!

With the combined support of 'Hammer Mastery' and Tokkar Hammer Technique, both at lv2, Rayen's strength experienced another slight increase.

If the second round was still an easy victory for Knight Lloyd,

This round was a closely contested battle.

Knight Lloyd, who had initially planned to hold back, now found himself increasingly nervous as the fight progressed!

"Bang!"

After several minutes of intense combat, Knight Lloyd, drenched in sweat, was genuinely surprised by Rayen's performance.

Lloyd Knight first looked at Rain with suspicion, then suddenly realized something and laughed heartily, "I understand now, Rain!"

"Were you worried about embarrassing me by showing your full strength? That's why you gradually revealed your abilities?"

Rain just stared at Lloyd, bewildered.

Could he really be thinking this?

Well, if it makes you happy, so be it! After all, you're an experienced NPC.

Rain smiled faintly, saying nothing.

His smile further convinced the two men beside him of their previous assessment.

"Rain, don't hold back. Please give it your all!"

Lloyd Knight's expression turned serious, ready for another round, but he didn't mention his earlier statement about calling it a night.

Indeed, experienced NPCs with their competitive spirits ignited were the most adorable!

Rain feigned a reluctant expression and reluctantly nodded, saying, "Alright, fine!"

In truth, he was delighted inside.

But since Lloyd Knight asked him to give it his all, he had no choice but to—

System! Add skill points!

As Rain allocated his skill points, his remaining points decreased from 3 to 2, while his core skill, Hammer Mastery, immediately jumped from level 2 to level 3.

Instantly, Rain felt a different sensation as he gripped the Ironwood Great Hammer.

If level 2 had enhanced Rain's natural familiarity with hammers, this time, he felt as if the hammer was an extension of his own bloodline! Simultaneously, the description of Hammer Mastery on the panel also changed.

【Core Skill: Hammer Mastery Lv.3 (Passive)】

【Hammer Mastery Lv.3 (Passive): When using any type of hammer, the host's damage is significantly increased.】

The change from 'slightly' to 'significantly' needed no further explanation.

With the combined effects of Hammer Mastery Lv.3 and Tokkar Hammer Technique Lv.2, Rain finally overwhelmed Lloyd Knight, who wielded a hammer and shield.

With a loud 'Bang!' Rain forcefully struck Lloyd Knight with the Ironwood Great Hammer, sending him flying.

However, Lloyd's expression remained unperturbed, as if saying, 'I knew it! You were hiding your true strength, and I exposed it!'

Perez, standing nearby, couldn't contain his excitement. "Lloyd, you've had three rounds with Rain. It's my turn now, right?"

"Perez, don't rush. Let me have a couple more rounds!" Lloyd Knight was in the zone and naturally didn't want to stop.

Watching this scene, Rain couldn't help but smile.

"Don't worry, gentlemen! I'll make sure you both get a chance," Rain thought to himself.

After the fifth round—

"Rain, you should take on Perez. You're young and full of energy! At forty-something, Lloyd was already out of breath.

After the eighth round—

"Rain, you take on Lloyd. I need a break!" Perez, in his thirties, was also exhausted, and he marveled at Rain's seemingly endless stamina.

Rain looked at the two experienced NPCs, who were now completely worn out, with a helpless expression.

"Where's the eagerness you two had earlier?" he thought.

Suddenly, the system notification brought more good news:

【Your skill, Tokkar Hammer Technique, has improved. Experience gained: 59】

【You have participated in a battle. Knight (Extraordinary) job experience gained: 18】

【Congratulations! Your skill, Tokkar Hammer Technique, has reached Lv.3】

Instantly, Rain's mind was flooded with new information.

After absorbing and processing this information, Rain felt as if he had been practicing Tokkar Hammer Technique for half a year! But just as Rain was regaining his composure, he realized the system notification wasn't over yet.

Another notification quietly appeared:

【Congratulations! You have unlocked the exclusive secret technique of Tokkar Hammer Technique: Dragon Ascending Hammer!】

A secret hammer technique?

Huh? How did it unlock so quickly?

Rain distinctly remembered that Dragon Ascending Hammer required a high level of proficiency in Tokkar Hammer Technique.

Immediately, Rain, filled with both joy and surprise, noticed a new icon above the Tokkar Hammer Technique icon in his mind.

The icon depicted a muscular man twisting his body and swinging a two-handed great hammer from the bottom up, appearing incredibly lifelike and powerful.

In the lower right corner of the icon, a line of text read:

Dragon Ascending Hammer Lv.1 (Secret Technique) Effect: Utilize a unique force exertion method to swing the heavy hammer from the bottom up, delivering a strike infused with rotational force.

(Note: To reach Dragon Ascending Hammer Lv.2, the following conditions must be met: 1. Tokkar Hammer Technique Lv.6 or higher (Hammer Mastery can offset some of the level requirements); 2. Strength 18 points or higher, Agility 18 points or higher.)



Reading the part about Hammer Mastery offsetting some of the hammer technique level requirements, Rain pondered thoughtfully.

So that's how it works!

No wonder I could unlock Dragon Ascending Hammer with only Tokkar Hammer Technique Lv.3!

This is the true value of Hammer Mastery!

Suddenly, Rain had another realization.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end