Souls Online: Mythic Ascension-Chapter 241: Frozen Wake & Resonant Chord

The laughter gradually faded, though occasional chuckles still bubbled up as Penny dramatically turned her back to the group with an exaggerated huff. She crossed her arms and looked away, refusing to acknowledge the radiant golden spotlight still gently pulsing above her head for a few more seconds.

"I am a serious artist," she muttered, deadpan. "Not some walking stage light."

Leo rolled his eyes before he pointed out "But you are very dramatic"

Penny opened her mouth to deny it but instead lowered her head, clicking her tojgue in annoyance when Leo tilted his head in amusement.

He was right. She practically lived for the drama most days.

"Alright. Who’s next." Greg asked in an attempt to shift the topic and save Penny from anymore embarrassment.

Crystal seemed to have ignored the banter well, as she pulled up her inventory. Her skillbook materialized with a gentle hiss of mist, the cover etched with frostlike veins and shimmering aquatic runes. Fitting, given her class.

She activated it without flair. The book dissolved into a swirl of ice-blue energy that danced across her body before vanishing into her chest.

A screen opened before her eyes:

Skill Learned: Frozen Wake

Type: Active / Elemental

Cooldown: 18 seconds

Mana Cost: 35

Description: Slide forward up to 6 meters on a surge of water-ice. Enemies struck are briefly knocked off balance and chilled, reducing their movement speed by 25% for 4 seconds. Leaves behind a frozen path that lasts 3 seconds, potentially tripping enemies or acting as terrain for allies with movement abilities.

Crystal raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Mobility and control. I’ll take it."

Greg nodded in approval. "You’re going to be a nightmare to chase."

Aria smiled lightly. "Sounds like it will be very graceful too."

Penny crossed her arms, already scowling. "Graceful? She just got to ice-slide like some kind of frosty sword ballerina. Meanwhile, I get a skill that turns me into a disco ball with attitude. Seriously. She gets battlefield dominance, and I get what? A magical encore? Background music and sparkles? What am I supposed to do, swan dive into the enemy’s line and strike a pose so fabulous they forget how to fight?"

And right as the last word left her lips, a radiant golden light snapped into existence above her.

A soft swell of orchestral music filled the air.Tiny sparkles drifted down like fairy dust.

Penny froze, eyes wide. "No," she whispered.

A system screen appeared beside her with brutal timing.

Skill Activated: Dramatic Pose

Taunt Effect Engaged

Charisma +20% (9:59 remaining)

Leo covered his mouth, but the first laugh escaped like steam from a kettle. "Oh my god."

Greg nearly doubled over. "You triggered it by complaining!"

Crystal let out a sharp breath, trying not to laugh. "It really is voice-activated."

Penny stood perfectly still, locked in mid-rant with one hand in the air and her chin tilted up by the skill’s effect. "I am a serious artist," she hissed, but the words only made her look more dignified under the golden glow.

Leo lost it completely. "You’re like a living theatre ad!"

"I swear," Penny said through clenched teeth, "if any of you takes a screenshot, I will smother you with sequins in your sleep."

Aria gave a light chuckle. "It really is quite... striking. You command the room."

"I’m going to melt into the floor," Penny muttered.

The music faded. The spotlight winked out. She immediately turned away from them with an over-the-top huff, cheeks burning. "Don’t talk to me."

Crystal gave her a small pat on the back. "It really did suit you, though."

"I said don’t talk to me."

Leo wiped his eyes, still grinning. "Alright. Aria, want to go next before Penny explodes?"

"I am exploding," Penny snapped, arms still crossed.

Greg chuckled. "Exploding with charisma."

Penny groaned loud enough to echo.

Aria smiled and gently stepped forward, her own skillbook already glowing softly in her hand. "Let’s see what was randomly been chosen for me."

Aria opened the book with quiet grace. The cover shimmered as if made from woven threads of starlight and sound, and the moment her fingers parted the pages, a pulse of energy rippled outward like the vibration of a harp string.

The book dissolved into motes of soft blue and silver light, wrapping around her gently before fading into her form. A system screen appeared before her.

Skill Learned: Resonant Chord

Type: Active / Bardic Support

Cooldown: 30 seconds

Mana Cost: 45

Description: Play or project a chord that harmonizes with the ambient energy of the battlefield. For 8 seconds, all allies within range gain +10% to damage dealt and +10% to healing received. If cast while another bardic effect is active, this skill also restores a small amount of mana to affected allies.

Aria’s eyes glimmered as she read the details. "That’s... surprisingly potent."

Leo leaned in. "AoE buff and a conditional mana restore? That’s not support, that’s battlefield control."

Crystal nodded. "It complements your voice-based casting perfectly. You don’t even need an instrument."

Leo had a faint smile as he remarked "Are you kidding? She herself is the instrument."

The compliment caused a faint blush to spread on Aria’s cheeks as she felt a bit bashful.

Penny’s soft scoff however killed the mood slightly.

"Of course you get an actual bard skill with practical effects and synergy. Meanwhile I’m pulling aggro with a stage presence."

Aria did not let that bother her though and smiled gently at the vampiric Drama Queen.

"You still inspire us all Rose."

Greg gave a short laugh. "Yeah, you definitely inspire terror in the enemy’s hearts when the music starts playing."

Penny was mortified at Greg’s teasing remark and without thinking attempted to kick him in the shin.

He didn’t even blink while Penny felt an ache in her foot. However, what remained of her pride refused to let her display her pain, even as everyone noticed the tears welling up in her eyes.

Greg raised an eyebrow, then glanced down at his leg with mock confusion.

"Was that supposed to hurt?"

Penny’s eye twitched. "It was symbolic."

Leo coughed to hide a laugh while Aria gently covered her mouth, trying not to smile too hard.

Crystal, cool as ever, gave Penny a once-over. "So was the dramatic limp you’re trying not to do."

"I’m fine," Penny hissed, standing a little too straight, like the pain in her foot didn’t exist. "Just proving a point."

"What point is that?" Greg asked, completely unfazed.

"That I’m still the emotional heart of this team," she said with a tight smile. "And occasionally the foot."

"Very convincing," Leo said, his voice dry but amused. "Truly."

Penny puffed out her cheeks and looked away again, clearly fighting the urge to retaliate further. That was when Leo stepped forward and raised his hand.

"Alright, before someone gets sparkles in their eye again or breaks another toe, I’ll go." freeweɓnøvel~com

Penny blinked. Her posture relaxed just slightly. She realized what he was doing and didn’t protest.

Leo summoned his skillbook with a simple motion. It appeared with little flair, bound in deep black leather and laced with subtle red etchings. It pulsed faintly in time with his heartbeat, the glow barely visible in the afternoon light.

He said nothing at first. Just opened it.

Then he frowned at what he saw.

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦