Way of Overlord
Chapter 222: A Map That Decides the West

Chapter 222: A Map That Decides the West

Aeryon then look at his active skills.

Active Skill

[Mighty Strike (Apprentice)] [Unbreakable (Apprentice)] [Second Breath (Apprentice)]

[Commanding Aura (Beginner)] [Piercing Arrow (Apprentice)] [Shadow Step (Beginner)]

[Hunter Mark (Beginner)] [Survival Instinct (Beginner)] [Military Sense (Beginner)]

Skill Points : 26

_______________________________________________

He has many skills

And he still has many skills points. He could not use Skill points to raise Passive skills. Only active skill could be upgraded using the Skill points

He wonders whether the passive skill would be upgraded automatically when he reach a certain level

He thought he had used enough swordsmanship and even archery during the war. But it still did not rise from its beginner rank.

"Or, maybe it needs just a little more push" he thought to himself.

It is a pity that the system did not give any indication of how much more experience needed for his passive skill to be upgraded.

"It is time to use the skill points" he mutters to himself. He already accumulated enough skill point to upgrade a few of his active skill

But which one he should choose? Should he choose Mighty Strike and increased his attack power. Or should he try to raise his ability in Archery by increasing the rank of Piercing Arrow skill?

"Come to think of it, Piercing Arrow skill helped me greatly last time"

One of the reasons Aeryon could run around the battlefield without being too much overwhelmed by the arrows targeted at him is because he sniped them first before they could snipe at him.

And other than swords, the other weapons that Aeryon usually uses is none other than the bow and arrow.

But he also want to increased his ability to run, to agilely move while being surrounded.

"Haish" he sighed.

And then he chuckles

"When you have nothing, even one skill point is a cause for celebration and joy. But now that I have a lot, I think of so many things to do with it" and he could not laugh when he think of this

There is of course, Hunter Mark, Survival Instinct and Military Sense.

But he would always choose skills that could protect himself first. Only when he could protect himself would he increase other skills that could win him victory

Because if there is one thing Aeryon had learned after his raid in Yan, it is fine if you lose, but if you die, everything ends.

That city lord managed to run away and survive.

And even though the city was ravaged the leader of that city could still survive and could always have a chance of comeback.

But if that city lord had insisted in defending the city, today, that city lord might already end up in a ditch somewhere.

Of course, the cowardly nature of that city lord also helps in Aeryon taking the city.

Aeryon look again at his active skill and made a decision quickly

"Shadow Step and Military sense is a good choice" he mutters to himself.

"How much is needed to increase the Shadow Step skill to Apprentice rank" the moment he ask this question, the system downloaded the information into his mind

"Haish" Aeryon could not help but complain. When the information was streamed into his mind, he was shocked

It took 17 skill points. Aeryon think again and he sighed. He thinks he found out why. When he looks at his Shadow Step, it is related to his agility

And his agility is not high.

"Or should I focus on my strength related skill first? At least it would not take that much of my skill points?" he mutters to himself but then he shook his head.

He did not know if he has to fight again.

Of course, his plan means that he wanted to recuperate, but just because he plans something doesn’t mean it would happen the way he wanted it to happen

"Ah, screw it"

Aeryon thought in his mind to increase the rank and the skill points in the status windows is quickly subtracted.

Aeryon did not feel much. Maybe, because it is an active skill.

"Probably needed me to use it before I could feel its change"

Aeryon immediately wanted to check his active skill description

"Open"

.............

[Shadow Step] [Apprentice Rank]

Shadow Step is a versatile skill that allows the Archer to swiftly and silently traverse the battlefield, seamlessly blending into the shadows and gaining tactical advantages over their enemies.

This skill combines agility, stealth, and strategic movement, enabling the Archer to outmaneuver opponents and strike from unexpected angles.

Burst of speed now increases, the agility is boosted when using this skill. In darkness of night this skill would increase its speed even more. Closing the gap and creating distances is now even more refined.

While utilizing Shadow Step, the Archer becomes partially concealed by the shadows, granting them a temporary state of semi-invisibility.

Sneak attacking hen using this skill would boost strength. When using this skill in evasive maneuvers, the speed would even create afterimages.

This skill is no longer bounded by terrains

The Shadow Step when activated would produce no sound on footsteps. Unless the other person is someone with high sense of hearing or high sense of sensing people, the user could move silently like the shadows on the ground.

Stealth capabilities is enhanced. Sidestepping movement is doubled. Leaping ability is heightened.

Shadow Step is a highly versatile skill that can be employed in various scenarios.

It can be used to flank enemies, escape from dangerous situations, initiate assassinations, or gain a tactical advantage during combat.

By mastering this skill, the Archer becomes a formidable opponent, capable of striking swiftly and silently, leaving their enemies bewildered and at a disadvantage.

[This skill is related to dexterity, agility and perception attribute. The higher the level of the three related attributes of the host, the more powerful this skill becomes]

________________

Aeryon read the description and he smiles a bit

The description become less wordy.

"If I want to really feel the improvement, I could only try to use it next time"

Now, he only have nine skill points

"I could not use it to raise the skill to Expert"

Expert rank surely would use a lot of skill points. And Aeryon doubt nine skill points is enough to raise any of the active skill to Expert rank.

So, he could only choose from the skill that is on the Beginner rank

"When spring came, I would try to settle the west. With Khagai tribe help, there is no need to rely on personal strength that much. And there is still Belarion"

"Military Sense could be used a lot in that kind of situation" he mutters to himself.

When he checks the skill and the requirement to upgrade its rank, it needed to use only nine skill points.

Aeryon click his tongue. Is it really nine skill point or did the system make it nine skill points because he inly have nine skill points to spare?

He just shakes his head and reluctantly upgrade its rank.

Like before, he did not feel much when he upgrade its ranks. He looks at his status window and quickly check the description of the Military Sense

...

[Military Sense] [Apprentice rank]

[Military Sense] is a finely honed and strategic aptitude that empowers the user with an unparalleled understanding of battlefield dynamics and tactical situations.

When activated, this skill allows the character to perceive the ebb and flow of combat with a heightened clarity, transcending the chaos of war into a calculated dance of maneuvers.

[Military Sense] grants the user an acute awareness of the battlefield, enabling them to anticipate enemy movements and actions.

This heightened perception extends beyond mere sight, incorporating sound, vibrations, and environmental cues to create a comprehensive understanding of the surrounding combat landscape.

The skill provides the user with the ability to assess and analyse opponents’ strengths, weaknesses, and potential strategies.

[Military Sense] also enhances the user’s strategic thinking, allowing them to formulate intricate battle plans on the fly.

The skill factors in terrain, resources, and the capabilities of allies and enemies, resulting in a dynamic and adaptive approach to warfare.

The [Military Sense] also adopts Adaptive Learning

Over time, the skill will evolves based on the user’s experiences and decisions in combat. It learns from both successes and failures, continuously refining the character’s military acumen and adapting to new challenges.

Activation Cost: Moderate to High Mental power (Depending on the scale and complexity of the battlefield)

Cooldown: [Military Sense] operates on a cooldown mechanism, with the duration and cooldown time influenced by the user’s proficiency and level in the skill.

Note: While [Military Sense] provides a significant advantage in understanding and controlling the battlefield, it does not guarantee victory.

Success still relies on the user’s overall capabilities, strategic choices, and the dynamic nature of warfare

...

Aeryon nodded as he smiles.

"Xu Bailong and Mayeux are great strategist. But who knows? Maybe, someday I too could be ranked among them?"

Aeryon laugh all of a sudden. He would like to pretend to be like Zhuge Liang, or Napoleon strategizing battle but he knows that is not who he is.

He is the big picture guy and what he pays attention to is the way of the ruler. And the way of the ruler is different from the way of the strategist.

But....it is not a waste to learn more about it

Even Genghis Khan, the person that Aeryon is trying to emulate (the extraordinary parts of Genghis Khan at least) is a great tactician in battle, always adapting to the enemy he fought and the nations he conquered

"And just like that, two skill and my skill point is all consumed. This system is like a money burner" he thought to himself.

Aeryon close his eyes for a moment. And he takes a nap

...

On the other side of the tribe is Mayeux. When he got the summon, he did not immediately go instead, he send the messenger to go back to Aeryon and to tell him that he would be a little late

The messenger nodded.

If anyone else ask the same thing, the messenger would scold such person for disobeying the chief order

The chief of Brolgadhr now is not the same as before.

Orders are heavy like mountain. But the messengers knows the close relationship between Aeryon and Mayeux.

And this is not the first time when Aeryon summon Mayeux and Mayeux delay the time. If he delays the time, there must be a reason.

And so, the messenger quickly goes away, leaving Mayeux in the tent.

Mayeux clean himself and bathed himself with warm water. And then instead of going to Aeryon tent, he goes to one of his tents. This tent is smaller and when he enters, it is full of parchment and books.

Mayeux smiles

"I should give our lord a surprise" Mayeux thought to himself as he strode across the tent and grab one of the large parchments. Then he toss it onto a wooden table and unfurl the parchment

The parchment unfurled, revealed a map.

And seeing the map, Mayeux smiles

"The Western part of the Southern Great Steppe would be decided by next year!" he mutters to himself, his eyes shining.

....