The Ultimate Skill System: Absorb, Upgrade, Create, Transfer

The first light of dawn crept through the dense canopy of the forest, casting long, golden streaks across the damp earth.

Keiran stretched his arms, feeling the cool morning air brush against his skin. The forest was alive with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves, but his mind was elsewhere.

He had just acquired a fresh batch of stat points, and it was time to put them to use.

With a focused mind, Keiran began allocating his newly earned points. He decided to distribute them evenly, adding two points each to Constitution, Dexterity, and Agility.

These would help him endure more damage, move faster, and react quicker in combat.

For his Intelligence and Strength, he added three points each.

Satisfied with his choices, he closed his stat window and took a deep breath.

The forest stretched endlessly before him, its towering trees and thick underbrush hiding countless secrets.

Keiran decided to explore further, his curiosity piqued by the unknown. As he wandered, the terrain began to change.

The ground grew softer, and the air carried a faint, earthy scent. Soon, he stumbled upon a dark cave nestled at the base of a rocky hill. The entrance was wide enough for a person to walk through, but the darkness inside was impenetrable.

What caught Keiran's attention was the absence of weak monsters nearby. Usually, the forest was teeming with low-level creatures, but here, there was an eerie silence.

It was as if the weaker monsters were avoiding this place. Keiran tilted his head, considering the possibilities. After a few seconds of thought, he shrugged nonchalantly and stepped inside.

The cave was damp, with water dripping from the ceiling and pooling on the uneven floor. The walls were slick with moisture, and the air was cool and heavy.

Keiran moved cautiously, his footsteps echoing softly in the confined space. The cave wasn't particularly deep, and within minutes, he reached its end.

There, he found a nest made of twisted tree branches and dried leaves. At the center of the nest were two large, black eggs, each about a foot tall.

[Black Scale Snake Egg.]

Keiran raised an eyebrow. "Giant sunny side ups," he muttered to himself, a small smirk playing on his lips.

There were broken eggshells next to the eggs, meaning others had already hatched. He wondered where the hatchlings—or their mother—might be.

As if on cue, a low hiss echoed from the cave entrance. Keiran turned slowly, his eyes narrowing as he saw a massive black snake slithering toward him.

Its scales glistened in the dim light, and its forked tongue flicked in and out as it tasted the air. The snake's eyes locked onto Keiran, and a notification appeared in his vision.

[Common: Black Scale Snake: Level 8.]

Keiran raised a hand in a casual greeting. "Yo," he said in a monotone voice.

The snake didn't appreciate the gesture. It hissed loudly and lunged at him, its fangs bared.

Keiran activated Stone Skin, and a layer of stone armor instantly covered his body. The snake's fangs sank into his arm, but the venom couldn't penetrate the stone. Frustrated, the snake bit down harder and thrashed its head, slamming Keiran against the cave wall.

Keiran grunted as he stood up, brushing off the debris from his red tracksuit.

"I'm starting to feel like an exhibitionist," he commented dryly, removing his jacket and tossing it aside.

The snake coiled itself, ready to strike again.

This time, Keiran didn't wait. He activated his transformation ability, his body shifting and growing until he stood as a giant white wolf covered in stone armor.

The snake lunged once more, but Keiran met it head-on, his powerful jaws clamping down on the snake's face. The scales were tough, and the snake thrashed violently, slamming Keiran into the walls in an attempt to free itself.

The battle was fierce. The snake was strong and agile, its movements unpredictable. It managed to break free from Keiran's grip and disappeared into the shadows.

Keiran's heightened senses strained to detect the creature, but the snake was skilled at hiding its presence. Even his sense of smell couldn't pinpoint its location.

Keiran focused on the faint traces of mana essence in the air, trying to track the snake. It was difficult, but he was determined.

Suddenly, the snake emerged from the shadows above, its fangs aimed directly at him. Keiran reacted instantly, activating Horn Thrust. A sharp horn sprouted from his forehead and stabbed deep into the snake's mouth.

The snake writhed in pain, its body coiling around Keiran in a desperate attempt to crush him. Keiran felt the pressure building as his stone armor began to crack.

He quickly retracted the horn from the snake's mouth.

Without hesitation, he lunged forward, his powerful jaws clamping down on the snake's lower head.

The snake hissed in agony, its body tightening around Keiran in a final, desperate attempt to overpower him.

But Keiran bit down harder, his fangs sinking deeper into the snake's flesh.

The snake thrashed violently, slamming Keiran against the cave walls, but he refused to let go. His grip only tightened as the snake's movements grew slower and more erratic.

[Your HP is dropping rapidly.]

"I know," Keiran said calmly, his voice steady despite the situation.

He bit down harder, his fangs sinking deeper into the snake's flesh. The snake's body tightened around him, but Keiran refused to let go. It was a battle of endurance, and neither side was willing to back down.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the snake's movements slowed. Its grip loosened, and its body went limp. Keiran stood, his stone armor crumbling away. Blood dripped from his fur, a mix of his own and the snake's.

[HP: 19.]

Keiran sighed, looking at the two giant eggs in the nest. "All of this," he muttered, "for two giant sunny side ups."

[You leveled up 2x.]

[You have received 24 Stat points.]

[Your HP, MP, and SP have been replenished.]

Keiran activated Divine Inheritance, and the essence of the Black Scale Snake flowed into him.

[You have received 3 Skills.]

[Venomous Bite (Active): The Black Scale Snake sinks its fangs into its target, injecting a mild venom that causes minor poisoning. The venom weakens the target's stamina and slightly reduces movement speed for a short duration. Mana Cost 1.]

[Shadow Slither (Active): Utilizing its dark scales, the Black Scale Snake blends into shadows, increasing its stealth for a brief period. While in this state, it moves more swiftly and is harder to detect by predators and prey. Mana Cost 1.]

[Scale Resilience (Passive): The Black Scale Snake's tough scales grant it slight resistance to physical attacks and environmental hazards, reducing minor damage from cuts, bites, and rough terrain.]

[For acquiring three unique skills, you have received experience points.]

[You leveled up.]

[You have received 12 Stat points.]

[Your HP, MP, and SP have been replenished.]

Keiran looked at the two eggs again, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Sunny side up it is," he said, his tone light despite the ordeal he had just endured.