Doomsday Pillars

Chapter 273 - Strokes

[Draw Formation - Rank 1 Skill]

A basic skill to draw a formation into an item, enhancing and strengthening its power.

A sudden thought flashed in his mind when he saw this skill description regarding its uses on strengthening artifact. But, before he misunderstood its effect, Alex decided to inquire for more detail about this from the sword.

"What kind of skill is this? Can you explain it to me?"

The sword then explains one of the most important pieces of information Alex will ever know.

The universal skills are separated into three major categories, namely the elemental path, the combat path and the crafting path. First, the elemental path is skills based on the 10 elements on its nature, including every element-based attack spells, defense spells, and support spells. Second, the combat path is skills that focus on enhancing fighting prowess, both with weapons or unarmed. Lastly, the crafting path is skills that allows the user to craft items that could increase fighting strength and is further divided into three main branches.

The three main branches were the apothecary branch that handled potions, the blacksmith branch that handled item creation, and the formation branch that handled enchantments..

Some worlds describe the experts of the third branch of practice as enchanters while some refer to them as formation masters. These craftsmen studied creation magic by drawing patterns into objects with spirit power.

[Other than the draw skill, I also have access to basic patterns that you can learn] said the sword after finishing its explanation.

Hearing its words, Alex was intrigued by the basic patterns he was going to learn. "Oh, really? Let me see then" said the man with enthusiasm.

[With pleasure, Master]

Some information popped into Alex's mind and the symbol on his bracelet produced a hologram of that information.

[You have received the Universal Pattern - Rank 1 Knowledge]

[In order to create a magic item, you need a specific patterns, the drawing skill, objects to draw on, and of course a drawing artifact which in this case is me]

"I see.." Alex said, digesting this new information when suddenly a weird question appeared in his mind. He then slowly asked the sword with uncertainty in his voice. "Well… sword?"

[Yes?]

"Because you're a sentient artifact, do you have a name?" he said, with a strange expression on his face.

[Yes]

Stunned, Alex almost jumped on his feet when he heard this, "Really?"

[My previous master called me strokes. So, I guess my name is Strokes]

"Strokes?" he muttered as he rubbed his chin, "A name that is appropriate for either a sword or a brush. I like it, I'll keep calling you that then."

[Thank you, Master]

Alex then began to study the information on that rank 1 pattern knowledge. This universal pattern consists of various kinds of abstract line patterns. Learning various series of abstract lines is indeed not easy, even in rank 1 it is filled with complex combinations. Luckily, Alex has spent years studying the very difficult hexagram formation patterns, so he's quite used to it. If one didn't have the basic knowledge of patterns without being a genius, they would have a hard time learning this.

"Now tell me, where do I start?" Alex said while perusing the pattern.

[You can start by drawing a formation on to your tier 2 sword]

"Alright then!" he excitedly said.

Hearing this, Alex's heart began to flare up with ideas, imagining various possibilities to increase his strength with this skill. But then, he woke up from his imagination, he hastily calms down his thoughts and is determined to slowly learn the enchanting path.

Alex proceeded to take out his two tier 2 swords.

[Short Sword - Tier 2 Weapon]

[Length : 90 centimeters, Weight : 4 kilograms]

[Increased attack speed]

[Long sword - Tier 2 Weapon]

[Length : 130 centimeters, Weight : 7 kilograms]

[Increased weapon sharpness]

[You can now select a basic formation to apply to these item. It can be any kind of formation enchantment, ranging from destruction, illusion, restoration, to basic elements enchantments]

Since the object he plans to enchant is a sword, Alex chooses the basic destruction enchantment and then draws out his wooden sword and starts to use his new skill, engraving the pattern onto the sword's surface. Within a few minutes, he had finished the engraving process. When he wanted to check the engraved results, a notification immediately flashed through his mind.

[Used the skill Draw]

[In the process of evaluating the engraved enchantment on the object]

[...]

[Enchantment Successful!]

[Due to successful enchantment of the item [Short sword], its name has changed to [Light sword] and the item tier is upgraded]

[Light sword - Tier 3 Weapon]

[Length : 90 centimeters, Weight : 4 kilograms]

[Increased attack speed]

[Added Special Skill : Light Pulse]

[Coating the sword with layers of light element to increase its sharpness]

"Amazing!!" Alex loudly exclaimed when he looked at the finished enchantment item.

"What happened? Why did you suddenly shout again?" asked Aria again, seeing her companion suddenly exclaimed.

"Look here, Aria." said Alex excitedly, giving the enchanted short sword to her hand.

"Wow…" she said in awe as she looked at the sword's status.

Alex was so excited when he saw the effect of the skill [Draw] he recently got. Now, not only did he have a weapon strong enough to fight against the gargoyles, he had also found a way to increase his entire combat capability. He even thought of a way to gain profit from others by taking advantage of this skill which could complete the insufficient supply of high level weapons in the world. At this moment, Alex's mind was filled with the sight of many piles of spirit stones entering his pocket.

Seeing the extraordinary results of the skill, Alex quickly used the same skill on the second sword, engraving the pattern. However, he was destined to be disappointed by the result.

[Enchantment Failed!]

"What the?! It can fail too?" said Alex stunned, bewildered and disappointed.

[Of course. But, don't worry, Master. Failure is normal to everyone, don't feel sad]

Alex felt that even though this sword spoke politely, he somehow felt offended by it.

He then tried it one more time.

[Enchantment Failed!]

"How is this possible??" said Alex incredulously, not believing that he had failed again.

[You have to draw it exactly like the pattern, Master] Strokes 'kindly' advised his master.

"Well, I am sure, I did just that." Alex was silent for a moment, "Never mind, let me try to do it again." he said, not giving up.

[Enchantment Failed!]

[I don't think so, Master]

"NO! I'm sure I did it right. Let me try again." said Alex in denial.

[Enchantment Failed!]

"Let me… try again?" Alex said desperately

[Enchantment Failed!]

"..."

It seems that Alex's first result is a beginner luck, he needs to practice more in how to use this [Draw] skill. And to make matters worse, the next thing that happened really put a salt on his wound. The tier 2 long sword broke.

[A tier 2 weapon can only last a few engraving attempts before it breaks.]

"Why didn't you say that before?"

[You didn't ask, Master]

Speechless, Alex could only turn around and ask Aria. "Aria, do you have any tier 2 weapons?" Aria who heard his word was confused and couldn't help but to ask, "I do have a few. Why do you need it?"

"And why did that long sword suddenly break in your hand?" she continued.

"I want to practice engraving a formation right now, but I don't have any more weapons. And the long sword broke because I failed too many times."

"Okay then." she answered while walking up to him and giving him the weapons, "Here."

Aria has several tier 2 knives. When Alex tries to enchant them again, out of 4 knives, 2 are successful and 2 are failed. But, when Alex tries to enchant the last knife, an unexpected notification pops up in his mind.

[Not enough spirit energy]

"What does it mean, Strokes?"

[Master, the spiritual energy stored within me is exhausted. I need to be replenished by absorbing more spirit stones]

"That makes sense. How many do you need to be fully charged?"

[I need 1000 spirit stones or 10 of the higher one]

The required number of spirit stones is pretty big but knowing this is a requirement to recharge a magic item, this number is still quite reasonable for Alex.

"Aria, how many white spirit stones do we still have?"

"About two dozen of them."

"Give it to me." Alex said as he stretched out his hand.

"Here you go, Strokes. You can try to absorb these one first."

[...] Strokes was silent.

[I don't understand, Master]

"What do you mean you don't understand?"

[Those aren't the stones I meant. I need either 1000 yellow spirit stones or 10 of the red one]

"..." Now, it was Alex's turn to be silent.

"WTF!!" Alex was flabbergasted and dumbfounded by its words. This requirement is impossible for him. At least, not at the moment.

Alex tries to make calculations based on previous life experiences. His business mind suddenly spun with ideas, but he still needed more data to actually make his plans work. But then it was all useless unless he could get out of this abyss.

"Aria, I think it's time to check outside this cave."