Re-Awakening: I Became a Pay To Win Boss Monster

"Disciples? Now why would I do that?" the old man asked with a tilt of his head.

Yet as his eyes met Rael's, he let out a sigh.

"Boy, you just want my weapon, don't you?"

"Yep." Rael didn't deny it. "Think about it—if I become a disciple worthy of inheriting your weapon, then... you probably know where I'm going with this."

The old man nodded. "You're very shameless for someone so young, but I don't like being taken advantage of. First of all, show me what you can do, and then I'll decide whether you have potential or not."

"Sure." Rael grinned as he grasped the violin in his left hand and the rapier in his right.

The rapier was just long enough not to feel uncomfortable when hitting the strings, but at the same time, its length was perfect to use as a weapon if he decided to.

And, funnily enough, these two weapons were combined—so he would get the stats even if he used them separately.

Nonetheless, Rael focused on the wooden dummy in the distance and brought the rapier down on the red string of the violin.

Unlike the old man's beautiful note, what Rael got instead was a hoarse sound.

Despite that, Rael saw a white wind-like trace of sound the moment he struck the string, and to his surprise, he could control its trajectory by merely twisting his rapier.

Damn... this is pretty fun, Rael thought with a smile, as the wave of sound finally hit the target dummy.

The dummy split in two, yet the cut wasn't clean.

It was almost like someone hit it with a massive mace.

I mean... it got the job done, but it wasn't exactly a clean cut, Rael thought, turning to the old man, who had a poker face.

"Try again," the old man said flatly—and Rael did just that.

This time, he adjusted his grip a bit, making sure the top of the violin was pointed toward the target dummy, as he could speed up the attack that way.

He struck the red string again, and the sound was surprisingly pleasant—but the attack seemed unstable, as he lost all control of it, and the sound wave merely crashed into the palace wall.

Before he could sulk, the old man spoke up.

"Again."

Rael struck it, but got the same result.

"Again."

This continued for what felt like hours—until eventually...

A vivid, beautiful sound rang out, and as it did, Rael saw a red line form in front of his eyes.

It felt like everything was in slow motion, and he didn't even need the rapier to control where the sound was traveling anymore.

All he needed was a mere thought, and the sound wave turned vertically, horizontally, and—just as the old man did—erratically.

Finally, it made contact with the dummy, slicing it apart cleanly.

But as he thought the surprises were all over, the system interface flashed.

<Congratulations! You've managed to grasp the skill: Resonant Dueling (Legendary)>

<Partial Skill Unlocked!>

Resonant Duelist: [Level 1 | 0/100] (Legendary)

—A refined art form born from harmonizing blade and string. This passive art grants deeper mastery over sound-based weapons, allowing them to become more fluid, reactive, and attuned to rhythm and intent.

1. ???

2. ???

3. ???

4. ???

5. ???

<Note: Skill options are locked due to the low level of the skill!>

<Note2: Every 20 levels, you will unlock a skill option!>

"Not terrible," the old man remarked with a chuckle. "However, I am a bit curious... are you tone-deaf?"

"What...? No?" Rael replied, puzzled. "I just never played any instrument before."

"Even my grandchildren play better than you," the old man stated flatly.

Despite that, he didn't grab the weapon out of Rael's hands.

Therefore, Rael took a deep breath and hit the red string, sending out a slightly less perfect sound than before, but one he could control without the rapier.

He tried his best to form it into a single dot and sent it right into the center of the dummy's forehead.

Immediately, another popup appeared.

<Resonant Duelist: +50 Experience>

50 for that? Rael raised a brow.

"Good job for now. Come here tomorrow," the old man said as he yanked the weapon out of Rael's hands and began walking away.

"Does that mean I'm your disciple now?" Rael asked, hopeful.

"Not even close. But I do want to see how long it takes you to grasp the basics," the old man chuckled. "Same time tomorrow, kid."

With that, the old man left in the opposite direction from which Rael came, leaving him standing in the training grounds.

That was pretty fun... but I do need to practice this, don't I? Rael thought with a groan.

It was surprising, and for a weapon that had so many combat possibilities, it was simply insane.

He could use his other skills alongside it, and if he were to boost them with sound, then they'd become simply overpowered.

That was why...

<Miscellaneous (Uncommon ~ Epic) 100,000 ~ 10,000,000 MP>

<Available MP: [1,761,200/1,761,200]>

Rael tried his best to come up with something as close as possible to what he just wielded—but it was pretty difficult.

Nonetheless, after a few minutes of rough ideas, he got it.

<Style: Light/Mobile/Durable/>

<Would you like to roll for additional effects? Yes/No>

He pressed on both and rolled for the effects—until eventually, it was done.

[MP -1,500,000 | 261,200/1,761,200 (Crystal Genesis)]

<Crystal Violin Blade (Unique-Rare) has been crafted!>

<Configuration saved automatically!>

<Crafting Successful! +10,000 Skill Experience>

<First of its kind, Unique Crystal Item has been crafted! Base stats greatly increased!>

Rael exhaled a satisfied breath as he held the single-stringed crystal violin and rapier before inspecting them.

—Crystal Violin Blade (Unique-Rare)

Durability: 10,000/10,000 (+1000%)

Crystal Damage: 1,359–6,522 (+396%)

+1,736 Attack Power (AP) (+396%)

+1,736 Spell Power (SP) (+396%)

+372 Strength (+396%)

+372 Agility (+396%)

+992 Constitution (+396%)

+992 Intelligence (+396%)

+372 Wisdom (+396%)

Special Option: Each Red String basic attack adds 2 stacks of [Resonance] instead of 1.

Red String – Sound Slash

Strike the red string, dealing a basic attack and adding 2 stacks of [Resonance]. At 5 stacks, your next basic attack is enhanced with 50% more damage.

A cheap knockoff... but fuck is it good, Rael thought with a grin, as he turned toward the remaining wooden dummies.

I wonder if I can hit level 10 with the skill before tomorrow?