102(1) – Bad Decisions!

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PART 1 – Changes!

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Days flew by. The world changed, and the changes in Cultivation became more obvious. The “steps” that Skarla had established were officially implemented.

The reason Sueika couldn't resist, at most only benefiting from the attribute bonus, was that she also had something like her Dantian, albeit of low quality, because she was present when Skarla created it, so it wouldn't be strange if she had managed to replicate it.

But of course, a Dantian made for a human would not work on a demon. Sueika had to make changes, but since she had no idea of the meaning of her concepts, she just copied and trusted that it would work.

Miraculously, it worked, but the quality was terrible, full of defects, which made it easier to kill.

And now, with the cultivation hierarchy formally implemented, the system itself has changed. The change occurred in the “Proficiency” category. Where Skarla discovered how powerful the system really is.

......

In a tavern, tables were full and many people were arguing.

Among them, one man said. “I'm still at Level 8, but I'm so good that I've reached Level Understanding for my sword proficiency. The difference is huge!”

“What?! How many years have you been training with the sword? Damn... I'm so jealous!” Another man laughed.

“Congratulations, but that doesn't change the fact that you still have a tight ass,” said another man mockingly, perhaps to hide his envy.

Hearing this, the man just grunted and gave him the middle finger, and laughter erupted.

...

At Krugar Academy - Knight Training Ground!

The metallic clash resounds, a blond youth around 15 years old constantly attacks with his sword a tall man with green skin and a sharp countenance. Not as big as most Orcs, showing him to be a half-breed.

With only a wooden sword, the older half-orc easily blocks the attacks of the iron sword. His own sword covered with a slight energy, receiving the attacks and the metallic sound resounds.

HAAAAAAH!!!

The young man suddenly roared and retreated, his posture changed and the half-orc laughed. “It seems you finally understand.”

Soon the young man seemed to calm down, his eyes becoming sharper, then he shot forward, his speed abruptly increasing, and with a metallic clang, the half-orc's sword was cut.

“Congratulations,” said the half-orc calmly to the astonished young man. "You have reached the Understanding Level of your proficiency with swords. You have unlocked the [Ferocious Impulse] technique of the Beast Sword Art."

......

Scenes like this occurred all over the world, people did not notice that the nomenclature of various things had changed. It was not only in Murim, but the entire universe influenced by the system was the same.

With the exception of the Gods, everyone below had their memories and notions altered, including Demigods, with the exception of Skarla.

The numbers in proficiency, along with their stars, disappeared, replaced by nomenclatures, which are:

Basic (I): You have just stepped into this domain.

Understanding (II): You have mastered the basics, understanding the concepts.

Adept (III): You have gone beyond the basic concepts, having a greater understanding and control of them.

Exceptional (IV): Your performance in this area is surreal, a level that few are proud to achieve.

Masterful (V): Complete mastery of this proficiency.

Perfected (VI): You have reached the pinnacle allowed among mortals.

Previously, proficiencies had bonuses from +1 to +9, and above +9, a star was added. Skarla has no idea what the star changed, but it certainly amplified something she couldn't see.

But now, the loss of numbers has given way to something more. A direct percentage bonus on everything that Proficiency influences.

[Sword Combat], for example. Every skill or technique related to the sword will receive a significant bonus according to your proficiency level. At [Basic] there is no bonus, but at [Understanding] it starts at 10%, [Adept] is 25%, [Exceptional] is 50%, [Masterful] is 100%, and [Perfected] is 200%.

Skarla finds her proficiency to be around [Exceptional] and [Masterful].

Interestingly, only [Athletics] is at “Masterful.” During the change, she felt a kind of balance. Each proficiency manifested itself, changed, and became more noticeable. It wasn't a feeling of becoming stronger or weaker, just a change that makes it seem insignificant.

In a way, it “balanced” things. It gave mortals greater freedom and a sense of what the limits are. What must be achieved and, of course, noticing real improvements.

What bothers Skarla about this world is the lack of improvement. Everything is very instinctive; people don't create real techniques, just simple movements amplified by magical power or other energy.

And it's all very rudimentary. Of course, in high-level worlds this is quite different, the same for Demigods and Legends. They understand their own bodies and limits better, and what's more, they can create detailed techniques, but they don't spread them around.

Now, because of you, people have a greater awareness of their limits, they know that it's not just about training what they know, but mastering and improving.

The problem lies in “improving.” For that, they will know that they need other teachings, something deeper and more complex. So in what follows, people will notice the emergence of different techniques with different limits.

And techniques that were once rare, but extremely valuable and incredible, will become even more incredible, due to several factors, but the main one is the fulfillment of requirements, resulting in the unlocking of the equivalent of active skills.

The “Art of the Beast Sword,” a technique that Skarla learned in her past life, brought here and taught. A low-level martial art, but with a lot of depth, even 1st Category Martial Artists could use it.

So, in a simple way. Basic and Understanding, these two levels, can be achieved with standard training, without specialization, without technique, just pure instinct and muscle memory.

But reaching Adept goes beyond just muscle memory and movement; we are talking about implementing more concepts into the fighting style.

Of course, this is mainly for physical combat. Magic has more complex but understandable requirements, from affinity with the elements to more in-depth studies of Magic Runes, which is not so different from the past.

As for those such as doctors, blacksmiths, alchemists, etc., production proficiency is almost the same, their effects are naturally different, but still incredible.

The entire universe has changed because of Skarla, and this update aims for both quality and quantity. It will further distance mediocre people from talented ones... you could say that part of equality is gone, not that it ever really existed.

Before, it was simple, but now it is no longer so. The complexity will make geniuses prove themselves more capable, creating a greater distance. Giving real meaning to this.

Before, it was only for combat achievements, or of course, decided purely by luck. But as probability has lost so much weight in relation to the growth of proficiency, it is obvious that it will give opportunity to something else, true talent.

Of course, it is more complex than that, but broadly speaking, that is it.

Skarla is bringing more headaches to the Administrators and now to the Gods who are noticing changes in mortals.

Many who do not even know of Skarla's existence are beginning to want to understand more about what is happening in the universe and will naturally discover the name Skarla.

And with all that explained, [Internal Energy], which was supposed to be at the “Exceptional” level, abruptly jumped to “Masterful,” and she understood that this was formalized because of the establishment of the cultivation hierarchy.

She is already at the peak of her techniques and cultivation realms and only needs one more step to step into the divine. And when she steps into it, she will reach “Perfected.” When she does, her power will skyrocket.

Skarla is eager for the future. What changes will all this bring, how many other paths of power will develop as they gain true stability, where geniuses will be able to demonstrate their real potential.

But what made her laugh is that with these changes, it will bring reason to what she discussed with the world about her layers. With the creation of the nomenclature of proficiency and no more confusing numbers or stars, a percentage improvement. This will create the distance between ordinary people, exceptional people, masters, legends, and demigods.

This came at a great time!

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PART 2 – More problems!

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Skarla has her [Disarmed Combat] at the Exceptional Level. That's excellent, even for Legends and Demigods, but... it's not enough for her.

She trains and improves, but even so, she hasn't completely mastered unarmed combat. She needs to move on to the next level, so she's studying and restructuring everything.

If she hasn't achieved it yet, it's not a failure of her body or mind, but of her techniques themselves. There is a flaw, if you think about it, she created her unarmed combat style using the basics she took from Murim and Earth.

She mixed and improved it, never changed it, and has been using it ever since. It can be said that she forced the attacks using energy manipulation. She stopped using Fist Arts, it was the raw and powerful use of Internal Energy.

Now she wants to stop that, she has found a way to become even stronger, to further improve her foundation.

So she is modifying her Fist Art, which she never named. She understood that she needs an identity, something focal, real techniques, not just basic actions and leaving the rest to energy control.

But while analyzing not only that, but other things as well, such as her [Perception]. She, who could search miles with a glance or manifestation of her energy, found herself in “Exceptional” as well.

This made her realize that there are many flaws in several areas where she was confident, where she believed she was at her peak. It made her realize how deficient she is. She has so many areas she can improve, so many she hasn't even discovered yet, believing she is at her peak, almost at the limit of her potential, when in fact... she is so far away.

But who would have thought that while she was contemplating how to improve herself, to reach a new level of power, problems would come knocking at her door.

The problem came in the form of a beautiful little girl with white wings and an innocent face, smiling as she descends from the heavens, near the World Tree.

Skarla, at home, receives a warning from Murim and in an instant distorts space and teleports herself.

......

“Who are you?” Cellus asks as he stands between his beloved granddaughter and the intruder.

“I am Mirella, an Angel of the Great God of Children,” said the angel child, Mirella.

Cellus blinked. “God of Children? Wouldn't you have another better-known title?”

“My great lord is also known as the Great God of Protection,” Mirella said with a smile, her gaze falling on Zindraliel. A gentle gaze, but with a touch of love.

Cellus tried to remember. “I understand, but to what do we owe the honor of such an unexpected visit? I don't believe our world has the capacity to support you.”

“My great lord is covering the costs. He learned of the impressive achievements of this world, so when he was evaluating it to receive his gift, he ended up discovering the young Zindraliel, a child so pure, innocent, and incredible in this world, so he personally decided to bestow his blessing through me, while guaranteeing her a place in Paradise.” Mirella said with a smile.

“I appreciate the offer, but my daughter is not going anywhere!” said Skarla, standing next to Cellus, who was protecting Zindraliel with his body.

“Hello Skarla, my great lord has heard a lot about you, so to show his appreciation and respect, he is willing to welcome your beloved daughter into Paradise, giving her all the support she needs to achieve divinity,” Mirella said calmly.

“Again, thank you, but I refuse!” Skarla said seriously.

“Don't be so quick to refuse, this is a great opportunity for your daughter and for you. Both of you will be able to join the God of Protection, one of the highest-ranking gods in Paradise, whom other gods are careful to deal with.” Mirella smiled confidently. “With his support, your disagreement with the demons can be put aside.”

“I can take care of my own problems. Now go back, don't waste any more energy on this invitation.” Skarla nodded.

“Please reconsider,” Mirella said uneasily. “In 100 years, your daughter could become a Goddess. By affiliating with my great lord, she will be among the best. Her influence will be enormous, impossible to replicate without millennia of living as a deity.”

“I don't understand your insistence, but I will still refuse. My daughter was just born, and even if that weren't the case, she's not going anywhere. Send my refusal to your lord,” said Skarla.

“Skarla, I beg you-” Mirella smiled kindly, but was interrupted.

“I'm done!” she growled. “I tried to be respectful, even though your shitty god doesn't deserve it. Now listen here, little girl! I love my daughter and I'm not going to hand her over to a damn pedophile god who creates a harem with children from different worlds and races. Other irresponsible parents may agree to this for benefits, but there is nothing this pedophile piece of shit can give me that will make me agree to hand over my daughter!" Skarla shouted fiercely and flew to Mirella, staring at her, pity in her eyes.

“I feel the difference between you and an angel... you were turned into this, and I feel sorry for you. Perhaps sold by your parents. But what they did to you, I will not allow to be my daughter's fate. Now return!”

“Who told such lies about my great lord?!” Mirella roared, trembling, not even she believing her own words.

“Go!” Skarla roared, and Mirella flew away, terrified.

Skarla's power became overwhelming. Soon Mirella trembled, the air became heavy, and her blue eyes turned white.

“Mortal, you dare insult me and refuse my gift?” The tone of his voice became heavy and masculine.

Skarla stared at him with his arms crossed. “I have studied many gods, including you. So know that you will only touch my daughter over my dead body!”

“Humph! Just a mortal who doesn't understand the extent of my blessing. I protect and maintain the purity of my children. I give them power, protection, and affection, preventing them from being contaminated by pathetic worlds like the one you live in.” His tone seemed magnanimous, but Skarla had never felt so nauseous as she did now.

“Protection? Purity? Don't make me vomit!” Skarla sneers. “You use heinous methods to stop children from developing, that's your definition of purity, preventing them from aging physically. How old is the child in front of me? Centuries? Millennia? How many times have you used her for your perversities?”

“Blasphemy!” His roar sounded furious. “Foolish mortal, you do not understand the true privilege of being touched by a god! To have your body kept in its most perfect and pure state-”

BOOM!

Skarla's fist stopped inches from Mirella's face. “The reason I'm not blowing your skull apart right now is because you're using the body and face of a child. Get out of my sight, right now, and never show your face again!”

“HOW DARE YOU?!” He roared and attacked, Skarla held his tiny fist, a stern look that made the other party tremble.

“Do you want to lose your angel? Okay!” Skarla stopped holding back, her fist hitting Mirella's abdomen, and moments later, her body shot into the sky with a sonic boom.

Reaching the clouds in an instant, Skarla grabbed Mirella.

“Damn you!” she roared, still possessed by her god.

Slap!

A thunderous slap across Mirella's face. Her whole body shook, and with another bang, the connection between Mirella and her god disappeared.

One slap and Skarla broke the divine possession!

KYAAAAHH~

Mirella screamed shrill, agonizing in pain. Skarla shuddered at this sight, she is still a child screaming and crying.

Soon Mirella was forced out of the world, what Skarla did destabilized things and so she was pulled back.

“This won't stay like this!” she shouted before disappearing.

Skarla had a cold look on her face, then landed.

“Mom, are you okay?” Zindraliel asked. “Don't be sad, take this!” She offered her bitten apple without hesitation.

Skarla smiled, stroking her head. “Thank you, dear, but mommy already ate.”

Zindraliel nodded, devouring her apple. Skarla looked up at the skies, a sharp look in her eyes, she is angry.

The demons at least tried to kill them, even though they knew what kind of atrocities they would commit if they caught one of her children. But these beings from Paradise... filthy hypocrites, she has never felt so much contempt for a group as she does now.

And they had the audacity to request her daughter, as if it were a great favor they were doing, just because of who they were.

And what infuriated her even more was that there were damned souls who accepted. They handed their children over on a silver platter to a pedophile. Skarla would rather die than say yes.