This was the first time since I evolved Martial Intent-X that someone had been able to completely overwhelm it in terms of pure strength. My eyes widened at the unexpected development, trying to estimate her level. Judging by her earlier conversation, she had to be at least level four hundred, right?

She forced the projected hand open, before shattering it with another punch. Afterwards, she rushed towards me, planting both hands on my chest. "Internal Strike." She said, giving a gentle push. My eyes widened as I felt intense pain in my chest, seeing a 'ruptured lung' injury in the corner of my vision.

Without hesitation, I began rapidly healing myself, summoning all three of my clones to join me in fighting. Even then, it was child's play for Jana to overwhelm us, shattering each clone with a minor motion as soon as it approached her.

Finally, she jumped up, thrusting her fist towards my head, only to stop a few centimeters away from my skull. At that moment, the dueling skill was disabled, and she completely withdrew the energy that she had been using. She flipped back to the ground, landing and crossing her arms with a grin. "Go ahead and heal yourself." She said, and I was already doing so. "So, what are your thoughts?"

After I was done healing, I disabled my dragon form, letting out a long sigh. "You're incredibly strong." I confessed honestly. "Even if I was able to use magic, there wouldn't be anything I could do to really hurt you."

"That's not entirely true." She said, shaking her head. "Levels aren't everything. You caught me by surprise with that grass binding. Even if I could have torn through that any time I wanted, it was something I wasn't prepared for. That gave you an opening to attack."

"If you had used that opening on a quick, piercing strike, you might have been able to damage me a bit. At the end of the day, my skin is just as susceptible to blades as anyone else's. The only thing my stats do is make it so that I can keep pushing longer and recover faster after taking a blow. In reality, even a new player, if they caught me sleeping, could lop off my head."

"Granted, I'd be pissed when I woke up. But, it's possible. I'm sure they'd get a metric ton of experience in the process, but they'd be making a big enemy." She said with a cocky grin.

"Point is, if you're fighting an enemy higher level than you, try to catch them by surprise. Create an opening, and act on it without hesitation. If they have armor like your scales, and you can't pierce it, inflict internal damage." After saying that, she cracked her knuckles, chuckling. "Now, get ready for round two."

With a grunt, I nodded my head, assuming my dragon form again. However, this time I used Ghost-X as the element. She could perceive my standard stealth, but I wanted to know if she could still see through the enhanced form granted by this form.

Jana smirked, closing her eyes again. "I told you, it's… hmm?" She tilted her head curiously as I jumped up, allowing me wings to carry me above her. "You're just full of tricks, aren't you? Alright, this will make a good second lesson. If you know that you are fighting an enemy, but you can't locate them… force them out of hiding."

As she said that, she took a deep breath, slapping her hands together. A bright shockwave of energy spread out from her hands in all directions. Soon, it crashed into me, pushing me up slightly.

Immediately, Jana's head snapped upwards, and she jumped. After appearing above me, she landed with her feet on my back. "As long as you focus on the skills, area attacks can be used as a rough means of detection, even against a hidden target." She said, stomping on my back hard enough to send me plummeting down to the ground.

This training continued for another three hours. Every hour, we did four rounds of sparring, with a five minute break to discuss between rounds. And out of all twelve rounds, I didn't manage to land a solid hit on Jana even once. The closest I got was when I used Martial Construction as the medium for my draconic manifestation, and then turned the entire training area into a field of spikes. Even then, she managed to jump in time to evade damage, landing with one foot on the tip of a spike.

After three hours of training were up, Jana cracked her neck, seeming quite pleased with herself. "That'll be all for today! Your Chosen stayed up all night training that new skill of yours, so pushing your body any more than this wouldn't be ideal. We can train more tomorrow."

With that, she turned, walking back towards the city's gate. I was about to head back myself, but there was one last thing that I wanted to try. Once again, I used Martial Construction to manifest my draconic form, and then loaded up the blueprint for the small shack that I had practiced with previously. I hadn't tested my breath weapon in this form, having no idea what it would even be like.

Focusing, I channeled my breath weapon in time with the blueprint, breathing out on a flattened plot of land. In doing so, it was like I was breathing the building into existence. In under ten seconds, the small shack had been completed, leaving me incredibly satisfied.

I used Martial Intent-X to smash the shack this time, as the guards had long grown used to watching Jana and I sparring, and then turned to make my way back to the city. On my way to the inn. How's training going? I messaged Diane, who responded quickly.

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Just finished. Learn any new skills?

Not yet. Today was just a lot of sparring. How about you?

Same. Diane answered. I think they're trying to get a feel for our strengths. They'll probably start focusing on specific skills starting tomorrow. How did your overnight training go? My Chosen told me that you got an 'interesting' skill.

That reminded me, I had somewhere else that I needed to go before I went to the inn. It's good. I can make a basic hut out of common materials in under a minute now. Whenever we leave this place, we'll just need some proper bedding and other necessary items. Speaking of which, I'm going to head to the library. I want to read some basic building practices, so I can make a better base for us.

Sounds good. Apparently, the libraries in Evergreen are free to use. I was relieved when I heard that, and began making my way there. Thankfully, a guard was more than happy to give me directions, and a librarian waved at me in greeting as I arrived.

"Is there anything that I can help you find?" She asked with a bright smile, but I shook my head.

"No thanks, I'd like to look around on my own for now." I told her, not sure if there was anything else that I was likely to find in the library. It was better to look first, and then ask if I couldn't find what I wanted.

The librarian nodded her head, allowing me to roam the aisles of the library myself. On the bright side, everything was properly labeled, so I was able to find professional manuals after only a few minutes of searching. Looking through the manuals, I grabbed one that seemed related to construction, and then made my way to a reading area. There were only a few players in the library, so I found myself somewhere quiet to sit and begin reading.

The book that I grabbed seemed to focus more on techniques for bricklaying and the actual building process, as opposed to designing the buildings themselves. Still, I read through to the end, figuring that there was no harm in doing so.

Once I was done, I closed the book with a disappointed sigh, attracting the attention of one of the nearby players that I had been overlooking until now. "Hmm?" He perked a brow, and I turned to regard him, before widening my eyes. I recognized the redheaded halfling as someone I met just after the players began arriving.

Karlson smiled, waving at me silently and extending a hand, making a typing gesture. At the same time, a friend invite notification appeared in front of me. I hesitated, debating on if I should accept, before Karlson brought a finger up over his lips.

With a small nod, I accepted the invitation, officially adding him to my friends list. Long time no see, Drake! He messaged me right away. Sorry, I thought it'd be best if I didn't say your name, just in case any of the other players managed to identify you. Probably the last thing you want in this country, right?

I gave a small nod, looking over at him and typing back. Not surprised that you figured me out. Diane said you're some kind of living encyclopedia for players.

Karlson put on a happy grin as he began typing rapidly. I just like to explore the lore. Always have. That's why I came to Evergreen in the first place, once I heard how they treat players. Free lodging, free access to the library… granted, the locals were a bit upset when they saw I don't actively level up, but once they learned that I was something of a celebrity with players, their attitude completely flipped.

I nodded my head again, about to respond when he continued. So, what are you looking for? I can't imagine that you don't know how dangerous it is for you here. You've got to have a good reason to be sticking around.

…I wasn't aware just how bad it was until I was on my way. There are some skills that I wanted to acquire, and I'd like to help Diane level up before we go to the Demon Continent. As for what I'm looking for in this library specifically, I want to read some books on architecture.

When Karlson read my answer, he blinked in confusion. Architecture? Are you meaning like supporting tunnels with braces, building a maze, or something more mundane?

Building houses, wells, drawing water from below the ground, things like that. I just got a construction skill, and I want to learn how to make safer lodgings.

Karlson's eyes widened slightly. A construction skill? But you can only use Martial skills… you must have stumbled on an interesting new skill. Well, if you're looking for a basic design book… give me just a minute.

He hopped down from his chair, and ran off towards the aisles. A couple minutes later, he returned with five thick books, setting them on the table in front of me. These should have all of the materials you need. I also included an extra book that should help you. It's all about maximizing your chance to have enchantment slots in crafted items.

But I'm not a crafter? I responded in confusion, and he grinned.

Sure you are. You're just 'crafting' buildings. If you manage to make a building with an enchantment slot, you can enchant it with your famous stealth skill, that way it will be safe from enemy attacks overnight without you or your friend needing to stand watch.

I hesitated at that, but ultimately nodded my head. It wasn't surprising that he knew about my skills as well, or at least the ones that I had shown in front of other players. Thanks. By the way, how much have you managed to learn about the new crafting skills released right before the last patch.

Karlson's face lit up at that, clearly pleased to share his knowledge. As he explained, I began reading through the books that he had given me, splitting my attention. Most of what he said, I already knew, but I wanted to watch for any new information that could be of help to Diane.

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