After delivering the missive, the Guard Captain gave Drake his next task: clearing out some overly aggressive Thorn Boars (Level 2) that were harassing travelers near the western gate. << Quest Received: [Boarish Behavior] - Eliminate 8 Thorn Boars. Reward: 150 EXP, 20 Copper Coins. >> Perfect. More targets to refine his technique.
"Alright, [Basic Slash] is locked at 70% SCR. Better damage than 64%, but still weak. Need to get that defense sorted too. [Defend] needs practice."
He headed west, locating the snorting Thorn Boars. As one charged, Drake braced himself and activated [Defend]. A faint phantom outline guided his defensive stance. He reacted, raising his sword arm, but his timing felt off.
<< Skill Failed! SCR 51% >> Pain flared as tusks scraped his leg. << Damage Taken: 15! HP: 85/100 >> "Damn! Need to be faster, match the angle..." He backed off, letting his minimal HP regen work, and waited for the next charge, eyes tracking the boar's movement. It came again. He focused entirely on mimicking the defensive guide's motion and timing. Clang!
<< Skill Success! SCR 68%! Damage Blocked: 20! >> "Okay, functional block. Locked in." [Eidetic Execution] instantly made 68% his new baseline for [Defend]. He tested it again; the block activated reliably, though it didn't feel particularly strong.
Right... SCR determines skill effectiveness.
Below 60% is total failure.60% gives 50% of the skill's base potential effect.From 61% to 90%, each point adds +2% potential, capping at 110% effect at 90% SCR.From 91% to 99%, each point adds a huge +10% potential, reaching 210% effect at 99% SCR.And Perfect 100% SCR adds another +50% bonus, for a maximum of 260% potential, plus potential hidden effects like Perfect Parry.
So... my 70% Slash hits for 70% of its base potential [50% + (70-60)*2% = 70%]. My 68% Defend blocks only 66% of its maximum mitigation [50% + (68-60)2% = 66%]. Still a long way from optimal..."
He started fighting the boars for the quest, alternating attacks and blocks. His focus wasn't just killing, but improving. Every swing, every block was a deliberate attempt to execute better than his currently locked baseline. He landed several 70% Slashes and 68% Blocks automatically, thanks to his talent, but he kept trying to refine the motion, follow the phantom guides more perfectly.
After several minutes of this intense focus amidst the relatively simple combat, one slash felt cleaner, faster, perfectly tracing the visual guide: << Skill Success! SCR 75%! Damage Dealt: 15! >> << [Peak Performance Replication] updated: [Basic Slash] SCR 75%! >>
"There! 75%! Locked." His next slash automatically performed at this higher level, the impact noticeably stronger. A few boar charges later, he nailed a defensive timing: << Skill Success! SCR 72%! Damage Blocked: 25! >> << [Peak Performance Replication] updated: [Defend] SCR 72%! >>
He felt the block absorb more force. A small, sharp grin appeared on Drake's face. This was the core loop. The intense concentration needed to achieve even a small SCR improvement was demanding, but the payoff was immediate and permanent.
"This talent... it doesn't just make me consistent. It makes every tiny improvement stick. No backsliding, no bad days dragging my average down. If I hit 80% once, that's my new minimum. If I hit 90%, that's my new minimum. The effectiveness edge isn't just reliability, it's permanently locking in higher quality."
This realization was powerfully motivating. It wasn't about faster skill leveling anymore; it was about forging permanently higher combat effectiveness through sheer, focused repetition.
Fueled by this understanding, he efficiently cleared the remaining Thorn Boars, his newly locked 75% Slashes and 72% Blocks landing with unwavering precision. (Quest Progress: [Boarish Behavior] 8/8) << Quest Complete: [Boarish Behavior]! Reward: 150 EXP, 20 Copper Coins! >>
The combined experience from completing the tutorial quests and the consistent mob kills pushed him over the edge. Ding! LEVEL UP! You are now Level 3! << Base Attributes Increased! HP/MP/Stamina Increased! +2 Attribute Points Available! >>
Drake allocated the points (STR/END), feeling the small bump in stats merge with his slightly improved execution baselines. He wasn't just leveling up; he was permanently enhancing the quality of his actions. He looked around for the next challenge, eager to continue the grind towards higher SCRs.