I Know the Secret to Surpass Level 100

The same day, the group got back to the guild to tell Frederick what happened. The guild master only told Ed to not go to places alone, but brushed the problem off like it wasn't important.

"Let's let our future selves handle her," Frederick said. "For now, do things to improve yourselves."

Hope clapped his hands, "I know! Let's visit Kian!"

–

"You want me to what?" Kian quirked his brow.

Hope was grinning, "I want you to train me to become a stronger dragon! As big and as strong as you!"

"Well, I don't know about that," Kian scratched his nape, seemingly looking flustered.

"My dragon form is very small right now," Hope sighed. "I wasn't even half the size of my previous size."

"Well, that's because you need to level up your dragon form," Kian said. "Morphs have different set of level count than our Adventurer levels. With Dragon Morph, we have to use the form to level up."

"But I'm a very small dragon," Hope whined. "How can I hunt?"

"Hunt smaller beasts, bud," Kian chuckled. "You're used to hunting larger beasts and forget that there are weaker beasts from time to time. A good horde of bird-type beasts would be nice."

While Kian instructed Hope about his dragon form, the others roamed Isabelle's shop. They were looking for something they could use against Biankka and for future enemies.

"Elliot, come here," Isabelle called. "I heard you don't have an offensive magic skill, here."

She handed Elliot a gem that Elliot instantly recognized.

[[ Skill Gem ]]

[ Lotus Blast ]

"Use it," Isabelle said. "But you need at least a couple of minutes to absorb a Skill Gem so absorb it later on your spare time."

Elliot nodded but paused, "This isn't for free, isn't it?"

Isabelle smiled and wiggled her eyebrows, "You got me. I actually need something."

"I knew it," Elliot chuckled and was about to put the gem in his Inventory when an error popped up.

'Inventory full.'

"Oh," Elliot sighed and scrolled through his Inventory when he saw a forgotten item. "Connor? Come here."

Connor ran to Elliot after hearing his name, "What is it?"

Elliot pulled the sword from his Inventory, the one he forgot to give Connor. "Here. I figured you can use it."

"Woah," Connor was in awe after seeing the sword. It was a regular sized sword but with a dragon-looking beast handle but it looked rusted and dull.

Elliot pulled out ingredients and instructed Connor to put his hand out. He cut Connor's finger and extracted them to brew the Sacred Weapon Gem Essence. He used a river pebble to craft a Sacred Weapon Gem to which he placed on the sword.

There was a blast of flames that trailed down the sword. The flames coated the sword, removing its rust before seeping into the blade. The dull sword looked like it was just got out of a hearth. There were now small trails of flames adorning the blade and the handle.

"This is so cool!" Connor cheered, feeling the power of the sword.

"I was going to give it to you before but it seems like my age got to me," Elliot said and placed the gem in the Inventory. "I think I'm reaching Ed's age soon."

"I turn around and you go backstabbing me," Ed scoffed and walked over to Isabelle. "I found this."

"Oh?" Isabelle looked closer to what Ed held. It was a cross pendant with a diamond-shaped gem in the middle and four circular gems on the ends of the cross. "This was a Magic Suppression Pendant an Adventurer left after owing me."

"Magic suppressions exist?" Lance walked over to the group. "Haven't heard of it before. It's usually with the items and equipment."

"That's because magic suppression is very hard and is often neglected," Isabelle answered. "Adventurers who lack control over their magic are rare, so the field is often abandoned by gem and jewelry artisans."

"Interesting," Lance narrowed his eyes and stared at the pendant. "Can you use it, Ed?"

"Didn't you say he's a magic nullifier?" Isabelle asked to which Lance nodded. "Then why would you suppres that magic?"

"I can't control it," Ed confessed, blushing in embarrassment.

"This item is perfect for you then," Isabelle cheered. "It will help you control over your magic until you can do it by yourself. Well, I don't think you have another skill set in you, right?"

Ed shook his head that made Isabelle's face lit up. "I have a perfect Skill Gems Set for you!"

She ran to the back with a beaming smile.

"There she goes again," Kian sighed, walking over. He was just finished instructing Hope what to do to level up and harness the possibilities of his dragon form. "She gets excited when she can offer ridiculous gems."

"R-Ridiculous?" Ed stuttered, gulping in nervousness.

"By the way, I sensed a very powerful weapon just–" Kian paused after seeing the sword Connor was holding. "That is one sinister weapon."

"S-Sinister?" Connor gulped and looked at the weapon. "Wait, how do you even know how weapons are like?"

"I have the Blacksmith as my subclass," Kian said. "And if I know a thing or two about weapons, it's that that weapon is very powerful. Though, I wonder why a Caster would wield such a weapon."

"I have my reasons," Connor smiled. "But thanks for the tip. Now I know that I can make good use of this weapon."

"Oh, you'll make good use of it alright," Kian smiled awkwardly.

When Isabelle returned, she was carrying a wooden box. She led the group to a table where she placed the box and opened it, revealing gems that were cushioned with foam and a silky purple velvet pillow.

"This is the Monolith Venom Set for Knights on the front lines," Isabelle introduced. "The skills would enhance your attacks and would leave a Curse on the enemies."

A Curse is a magic effect caused by a skill or attack. Common Curses were could be poison, burn, or freeze. The effect lasts depening on the Skill Level and it was usually favored by the Adventurers since it would make their hunt easier.

"Wow," Ed let out and grinned. "How much for this?"

"Ah," Isabelle raised her index finger. "I don't need money. The payment is fulfilled by a quest. And something like this won't be an easy quest. It would require you a lot of effort."

"I think I can handle it," Ed said with full confidence.

For his friends, especially for Elliot, it was understandable why he was so excited. He had never had a Skill apart from his nullification before. A skill, not to mention a whole set like this, would give Ed a chance to become even stronger.

"Okay, here it is," Isabelle conjured the quest and contract to which the whole party signed. A quest like this was actually forbidden since they took a quest outside their guild. This was why Isabelle had to make them sign a contract, promising her not to tell anyone else about the quest.

After their signing, the group went back to the guild. Elliot in particular went over to Hope to ask questions.

"So, when are you going to gain Dragon Force?" Elliot asked.

Hope shrugged, "I don't know, Mr. Moon. Mr. Kian said that he forgot what level he got his, so he couldn't answer."

This made Elliot pout but not disappointed. He knew it would take time, that was why he pushed the Dragon Stones down from his priotity list. His main goal for now is to finish Isabelle's quest who was kind enough to give him the reward before he completed the task.

He went to his room and retrieved the gem from his Inventory. He tapped the Weapon Gem with the Skill Gem and a notification appeared.

'Absorb Skill Gem?'

"Yes."

'Absorbing Skill Gem.'

'Progress 1/100'

Elliot flopped down to his bed and waited for half an hour before the absorption had finished.

'Skill [ Lotus Blast ] gained.'

[ Lotus Blast

Cost: 500 MP

// Deals 50 damage to enemies. Doubles the damage when stacked. Maxinum 8 stacks. ]

Although it had relatively small damage, the skill still has room for potential. The base damage would double when it levels up, so Elliot would use it as much as he could for it to level up.

"Now for the quest," Elliot stood and put on his equipment. He opened his quest one more time before deciding to sneak out for the night.

[ Crimson Phantom Hunt

Reward: Skill Gem ( initially received )

// Hunt 3 Crimson Phantoms from the Crimson Palace. ]