Laughing Skull [S-Rank (Lower Tier)] [Growth Skill] Description A skill developed by The Laughing Skull Empress of the Sheltorian Alliance in an effort to ward off her empire's attackers.

Many souls were lost to make this skill, so its original creator, The Laughing Skull Empress, has paid a special price to be granted the privilege of speaking to any of the beings that wish to learn this skill through the system.

And here I thought you'd forgotten about this. Considering how much you neglect it maybe you should call it the Crying Skull instead.

Level 1 Abilities Allows the host to summon the laughing skull of the World Eater, Dul'han. Time limit: 1.5 seconds [+0.5 seconds]. Restrictions: Can only be used once per 23-hours [down from 24-hours].

Daz frowned as he creased his brow. 'Such a small improvement for half a million merit points?'

It wasn't what he had expected from a rank change of A to S, that was for sure. However, he had no idea if the presented changes were the only ones.

It lasting 50% longer was certainly a welcome boon but he questioned the usefulness of a one-hour reduction in the cooldown.

Daz shook his head. 'I can only hope it's more deadly too. I need to test this before going to the Dakotas and Minnesota. Maybe take a mercenary quest? I see no reason not to, really. I'll do that then. Not like I can really do anything else while I wait for more Ember-wielders to show up and for more power to be gathered in El Dorado for my Stars of Eternity.'

Speaking of which, it was only a few more days until the next Star of Eternity was available if Daz recalled correctly.

He'd have to grab that first from Albert before leaving for the frozen wastelands in the northeast.

For now though, he still had more skills to enhance and perhaps one or two more to acquire.

'I'll upgrade Grip of Death then buy three defensive skills, one centred around the cold, one general and the other for soul attacks. I know I'm immune thanks to my race but who's to say I won't ever stop being a reaper in the future or that it'll be blocked out somehow? It's just a racial ability, not a skill. More coverage is never bad,' Daz thought.

He doubted it would cost much and he could always just swap it out for another skill in the future if he was full up on used skill slots and he needed to clear some space.

He still recalled how the Third King: Melophadite had tugged on his soul so powerfully when he'd summoned it from the Astral Crystal Plane. Honestly, that scared him a bit. He was lucky Rimmy was able to overpower that being.

His friend still had yet to fully absorb the third king, shockingly enough. It seemed that the smaller and smaller the speck of black within Rinny shrunk, the harder and harder it became to consume it and its power.

A concern to be certain, but not one of severe gravity. He had confidence Rimmy would best the being one day or the other. It had yet to cause any problems as well, which was certainly a good sign.

"Grip of Death first then. System, please upgrade it," Daz whispered, "and yes, I confirm."

Confirmed. The total balance of the host is now: 10,260,000 merit points [-40,000].

It was a good skill and he used it often so it was at level 10, meaning he was privy to the 90% discount. 'I need to do that for all of my skills, really. So few are at level 10 and the ones I use all the time are the God-rank ones, typically.'

Grip of Death [S-Rank (Lower Tier)] Description

A skill sold to the system by the very powerful follower of Death, The Great Lich Mordud.

Strangulation isn't for everyone, but hey, I'm not in the business of kink shaming.

Level 1 Abilities Allows the host to absorb 12,000 [+2,000] points of death energy from [Earth] once a day. Requires 5 seconds to absorb per 1,200 [+200] points of death energy. Allows the host to grab and strangle a living being's soul via death energy. Cost: Minimum of 900 [-100] death energy. Maximum of 5,500 [+500] death energy. Restriction: Cannot be used on a being vastly more powerful than the host unless their soul is in a weakened or unstable state.

Daz nodded faintly, ignoring the implication towards his sexual desires. 'Nothing new or outstanding, but good general improvements across the board. Very welcome.'

He wasted no time at all and immediately began checking for applicable resistance skills for his needs. 30-minutes later, he was done.

The total balance of the host is now: 9,260,000 merit points [-1,000,000]. Cold Resistance [E-rank Lower Tier] [Evolution] Description

A skill generated by the system that has the potential to evolve based on how it is used.

This skill grants the host basic protection against cold temperatures.

First Evolution skill, huh? I'm surprised you found one, really. The system doesn't typically show them. You've gotta stumble across them. Nice find. You're not as blind as I assumed you were.

Level 1 Abilities Negates the effects of cold weather by 5%.

Daz was also surprised, honestly. He was about to purchase a skill based on a Glacial Giant but then noticed this one had an [Evolution] tag attached to it, something he'd never seen before.

'It was very expensive for an E-rank skill. About as much as your basic S-rank skills, actually. Here's hoping it was a worthwhile investment.' he thought.

The total balance of the host is now: 9,240,000 merit points [-20,000]. Kairn's Physique [E-rank Lower Tier] Description

A skill birthed from the near-perfect physique the world-class brawler Kairn of Daroth spent centuries honing.

Bodybuilder Daz, here we come! Are you pumped?! Because I'm pumped! PROTEIN!

Level 1 Abilities Hardens the host's muscles by 5%.

It was a flat rate of a mere 5% but considering how dirt-cheap it was, Daz saw no logical reason to not get it.

His defences, in general, were actually quite good already. He had 2,000 natural Defence and 3,000 more with his Travelling Gear of Altros. That base 2,000 was also supported by a Star of Eternity.

Likewise, he has 2,000 Regeneration with a Star of Eternity. He couldn't regrow a lost limb but sustaining any permanent damage was a true challenge. Adding on to that challenge was a wise move in his eyes.

'The more damage I can take, the more easily I can train my Ember of Endurance,' he thought.

The total balance of the host is now: 9,140,000 merit points [-100,000]. Soul Shell [E-rank Lower Tier] Description

Developed by the ghost of an Azrathra Turtle of Old, this skill's intent was to protect the soul and nothing more.

The reasons for this skill coming to being remain unknown to the system, though its uses cannot be denied.

Of course turtles the size of planets would be the ones to learn how to put a shell around their souls. Of-fucking-course they would be. Next thing you know an upstart Archreaper will be developing new skills for using a shovel or something stupid like that.

Level 1 Abilities Passively generates a small and weak shell around the host's soul.

'This one certainly needs the most testing. It's a bit vague,' Daz thought as he got up off his throne and stretched.

"Ah, Your Majesty," Crosius said, noticing his movements. "Have you concluded your business with the system?"

Daz nodded lightly. "Mostly, yes."

He waved his hand and death energy flowed out of his being until it formed a replica of his body. "Alpha, I'll leave the kingdom to you for the rest of the day and perhaps tomorrow."

Aware of Daz's plans to go to the mercenary guild, Alpha bowed slightly before saying, "I'll do so, Original."

Daz promptly left the castle and royal district of the city, swiftly making his way down to Fort Home proper.

'Scaffolding. Lots and lots of scaffolding,' was his immediate thoughts while he walked down the streets.

Daz had changed his clothes on the way to something less conspicuous and he was wearing a simple baseball cap to hide both his halo and most of his grey hair, having only the ends sticking out of the cap's rim.

He felt it would be best if no one recognised him today. They were busy rebuilding their city and managing the loss of loved ones. They didn't need to be distracted by their ruler walking through the streets. 'If only I were stronger and better prepared...'

On his way to the mercenary guild, Daz felt everyone's emotions as he walked past them. It was almost overwhelming, the power of his Ember of Empathy.

He had to slow his pace and put a hand to his chest just to steady his breathing. It was too much for him to handle such massive and numerous outbursts of sadness, hopelessness, despair, fear, pain and almost all other emotions under the sun. Most of which were negative, however.

Ember of Empathy [Entry-level] initial mastery increased to 5%.

Daz was essentially choking on the emotions around him, so thick and mixed were they. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He avoided looking at its owner so as to not get recognised but he heard their voice clearly when they spoke to him.

"You okay, kid?" The person sounded like a middle-aged woman. "You don't look great. Chest pains?"

Daz glanced down from under his cap at the woman and saw she was wearing a sweaty white tank top and some basic slacks. A black hardhat was strapped to her head and she had protective pads on the joints of her body. The standard clothes for the builders of the city.

"Sorry... It's just a bit... much," Daz responded between gasps for air.

Ember of Empathy [Entry-level] initial mastery increased to 6%.

The woman patted his shoulder a few times and nodded. "Sure is. Lotta death and destruction. Price of wars, eh? Try not to let it get to you too much though, kid. Now more than ever we've got to stick together and support one another, eh? What would the high king say if he saw you hunching over holdin' your heart like that?"

'I wonder,' Daz thought mockingly. "I'll... be fine. Sorry for making... you worry."

"Ain't no bother, kid. You in a rush somewhere? Could always use a spare set of hands to shuffle some rubble around when you've calmed down," the woman offered, masking her concern for him in an attempt to keep him busy and get him to help.

Daz moved his head to barely show to lady his lips under his cap. He smiled faintly and said, "Thank you for the offer, but... I have somewhere to go."

He hobbled off and heard the woman whisper under her breath, "Poor kid. Must've lost someone close to be in that state. Good thing he's up'n'about if nothin' else."

Ember of Empathy [Entry-level] initial mastery increased to 7%.

'I'm glad there are people like her here. We can definitely bounce back from this,' Daz though when another wave of raw emotions slammed right into him. 'How the fuck does Mu deal with this? I barely felt anything at his estate since it's so secluded but he goes out every day to use his Embers... That guy's made of stronger stuff...'

Ember of Empathy [Entry-level] initial mastery increased to 8%.

'If nothing else, it's good for power-levelling the fucking thing,' Daz thought with a short chuckle.

It was going to be a trial just getting to the mercenary guild at this rate. An unwelcome one, in truth, but a useful one nonetheless.