###
Like he predicted… One swing sent the walls crumbling like a pile of rocks. The next sent the majority of Haven’s men flying—not killing them outright, but instilling enough fear to render their legs to jelly.
Arthur was one of those it flung away. His shield clashed against the giant’s club, a force so overwhelming his arms thought they had been torn away from his shoulders.
But that did not happen. Arthur suffered damage… but not enough to paralyze him.
Stand up… he grimaced. Fight.
Despite Ogrin’s almighty strength, haven showed no signs of retreating.
And so did the skeletons. They moved in unison when the giant suddenly attacked; the roar of an unknown horn stirred the lumbering giant to life, forcing their hands to retaliate. He saw the skeletons crumbling after receiving its tumultuous slam that carved a hole into the floor; no shield could withstand such an impact.
The skeletons acted somewhat brazenly, as if they’d lost a part of their minds.
What’s happening? Arthur winced as he chugged a potion.
“ARTHUR!” Desmond’s shout reached him, “You alright?”
He raised his hand. “I’m good…”
“The thing’s faster than I thought,” The old man said. “Haven…”
“-will be rebuilt.” Arthur steeled his glare.
A monstrous figure blurred past his men. The scarred venom…
The scarred venom advanced once more. Its speed and breadth of movement allowed it to avoid the giant’s wide arc swings. Its tail crashed a spot beneath the giant’s neck… but it couldn’t procure a wound deep enough to inflict its venom.
Arthur’s legs trembled. If we can distract that thing… then…
A barrage of magical spells drizzled atop the giant’s head. Icicles, lighting, flames, and all forms of elements and arrows bombarded their foe as the rest circled the giant’s position.
He had a way out. The skill he’d obtained recently—a boon coming straight from Valkyrie herself. He’d love to use it right away… but the changes in the Entity’s behavior cautioned him otherwise.
I can only use it once… Gotta choose.
“Find it an opening!” He roared. “Distract the giant!”
The giant must possess an overwhelming amount of health… if so, then the scarred venom’s poison was damn near essential.
“COME AT ME!”
Damon’s shout drew the giant’s attention. Its head shifted a few degrees away from the encroaching bone lizard.
Go.
It clambered the giant’s back when their spells robbed its attention away from the bone lizard. The lizard reared its tail upward…
He’d seen this attack before—a stab filled with venom.
Chunk.
Fireflies burst as it sank its tail deep into the giant’s neck. The hulking monstrosity recoiled and swiped the lizard away.
The scarred venom landed square with its feet. So far… it had not taken a single hit.
“DID WE DO IT?” One of the guys asked, Arthur couldn’t tell who, “DAMON!”
Ogrin lifted its club, rearing its arm for a crushing slam. The way it moved… it seemed… slower than before.
It’s poisoned. It has to be. Arthur roared, charging toward the giant. The rest followed his lead.
We can win.
### The entity ###
The chieftain’s coming. How long do I have?
He couldn’t see anything but the goblin’s faces and feet outside of the domain and Haven. If the goblins came all at once alongside their chieftain…
That will be the end of me.
What upgrades would help in that case? An impactful upgrade costing below 5,900 essences… mere attributes alone wouldn’t do much—he needed skills, actives, ideally.
“The giant idiot’s dying.” Hak’thar sighed. “It seems the humans had help.”
Akz’s head careened away from Frail’s domain. “From the entity? Shall we head there?”
"Ogrin chose its own fate." Hak’Thar spat on the floor. “As long as we ensure our victory here… their triumph does not matter—our chieftain will make short work of them. We’ll box the rest of the entity’s army here until the chieftain arives… they won’t dare to come outside. Without its domain’s protection-” He planted his staff on the floor, “-and as long as I’m alive… the entity can’t do anything."
They do know everything.
He saw the inevitable victory on the human’s end. His scarred venom’s poison might not kill the giant outright… but it imposed a timer; the giant must end the fight quickly before their collective assault brought it down.
And the humans played their cards right. They kept at tight leash on the giant and never directly engaged. It cost them their homes… but their lives wouldn’t be forfeited.
If the humans helped… then I can get out of this mess.
“Two dungeon bosses. You’re outdoing yourself, entity.” Hak’Thar clapped his hands.
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“Entity.” Grimright bounded for the entrance. “What’s-“
His eyes froze and glowered the moment he spotted Ak’z. “That’s…”
Grimright’s irises burned with the cinders of fury. “That monster.” That same fury roared within the other draugrs, too, but they refused to let it consume them… at least, not yet.
The domain lord extended its staff hand. Not now.
Frail found no true way to remove himself from this predicament. Battling outside would be a mistake. Nor was staying cooped up inside—both… terrible choices.
Grimright sighed. “Apologies, Entity. Stay inside the domain.” His command compelled the rest into an uneasy silence.
Thump. Thump.
Not footsteps. This is… drums?
Thump. Thump.
A chorus of goblin cheers roared from outside his domain. The soil shook as another army combed through the forest, felling all trees caught in their path.
Hak’thar’s grin could not go any wider. “He is here.”
Domain lord… upgrade. Frail needed every single upgrade he could get. Anything.
Domain lord upgrade - Skeleton Eldritch lieutenant - level 20 - Tier 2 | Next tier: level 30.
Attribute increase: Increases 1 attribute by 4. Costs: 800 essences. Raises level by 1.
Ability upgrade - Eldritch’s aura - 3 - Now adds +15 strength, magic, dexterity, and resilience. Magic shield now regenerates after 40 seconds of downtime. Shield explodes when shattered, dealing 20% of the shield’s heath as damage. Costs: 8000 essences. Raises level by 2.
Ability upgrade - Eldritch’s charge - 2 - Reduces cooldown by 5 seconds. Costs 6000 essences. Raises level by 2.
Ability upgrade - Magic Blade - 3. Attribute increase is raised to 30%. Heals 15% integrity when activated. Blade wave empowers allies unit caught in its path: their next attack will deal +10 eldritch damage. Costs 8000 essences. Raises level by 2.
Domain Skill upgrade - Spellblade’s standard - 3 - fully upgraded.
Upgraded weapons - Tier 3 - Strengthens the domain lord’s weapons. The next level provides + 20 strength, +20 dexterity, + 20 magic. Costs: 5000 essences. Does not raise the construct level. Requires tier 3.
Upgraded armors - Tier 3 -Strengthens the domain lord’s armor. The next level provides +24 resilience and +24 resistance. Costs: 5000 essences. Does not raise the construct level. Requires tier 3.
Not enough. I’m a few hundred shy of anything meaningful.
Magic faltered against Hak’thar, but the general wasn’t the primary threat. Not by a long shot. Physical damage still mattered… especially against the chieftain.
Frail perused the upgrade windows for his other constructs. 5920 essences… What can I buy with this…
Wait. The grave guard… Shield bash gives additional buffs.
[Ability upgrade - Shield Bash - Now emboldens all friendly in a 20-meter radius around Grave Guard, granting them a shield that blocks against all damage(Shield health -0.5x Resilience). +10 resilience. Costs: 5500 essences. Raises level by 5. Unlocks access a new skill—Shield slam.]
[You spent 5,500 essences.]
[You have 420 essences remaining.]
Frail had just enough to skirt past its cost. It wouldn’t skew the favor too far in his favor… Not when that stood before him and the rest of the goblin army.
Speaking of the army…
The chieftain made its appearance.
Is that even a goblin? His doubts grew when he studied the chieftain’s impressive physique. No, it wasn’t stubby nor short, in fact, its height easily matched his domain lord’s stature. A herculean helmet covered its face and only allowed two red-hot orbs to slip through the slits above its eyes. It donned a complete set of steel cuirass, adorned with gold trims and a diamond-crested gem sitting in the middle, scintillating even under harsh sunlight. It wielded a dauntless circular shield and a blade.
It looked identical to the spartans he’d seen in movies. Mightier than any he’d seen through history and time. Mightier than any foes he’d encountered.
Could his domain lord contend with it?
The generals bowed, their heads close to kissing the floor. “My Lord. I have confirmed its strength… this Entity shall entertain you.”
Their chieftain tilted its head. Frail couldn’t see its expression through the helmet, but he sensed it had grinned.
Grimright and the rest powered through their fears and raised their weapons. “That’s… the chieftain, Entity. We’ve seen it. Although… it was smaller before. Never looked this… imposing.”
The difficulty change threw a wrench in the draugrs’ story. Nightmare. If Frail wasn’t present, the drifters would stand no chance.
He heard an unfamiliar, deep voice booming from the outside. “We meet... Entity.”
English. The chieftain spoke English.
“The chieftain’s true language…” Hak’thar smiled in reverence. “It has been too long since we heard it.”
Was the chieftain even an it? If the goblins had been an entity before… then…
“They can’t understand us. My speech can only be understood by entities.” Grog’mar lowered his weapons. “Let us speak before... proceeding.”
Speak… about what?
“You’re not the talking type, aren’t you?” He crossed his arms and veered his head at Frail’s domain lord. “That’s your domain lord? Strong… Far stronger than the one I had before...” He gestured at himself. “This.”
What is he implying? Frail’s mind caught the chieftain’s intentions, but a part of him refused to believe him.
“I was like you once. A confused, troubled man, struggling to find my bearings in a foreign body. Spent days cowering away at my dwelling, building my force one goblin at a time.” He sighed. “That was… too long ago.” He had this look of melancholy flashing briefly, “Then I died. Lost to an impossible nightmare invasion. Ring any bells?”
Frail’s constructs remained still. Where is this going?
“I do not need to spell it for you, do I?” Grog’mar brushed the surface of his glinting shield. “If you die here, Entity… your fate…”
Then it clicked.
Invasion… Will I become one?
Grog’mar chuckled. “You seem to understand. Good. I shall be honored to bequeath you the same fate I was given. This is the first invasion I led with an entity as my foe. I’ve been waiting.”
“Entity…” Grimright noted the change in Frail’s demeanor. “…what is happening?”
An entity did not feel. Skulls did not fear. But… listening to his predetermined fate… it froze him deep inside—a paralyzing… feeling.
Frail’s maiden emotion. Dread.
Each of Grog’mar’s steps felt like boulders crashing against Earth. His gait, his stance, the stillness of his head, of his eyes, every fiber of his being radiated a singular purpose. To fight.
“However… a few choice gods favored your existence.” The chieftain halted just before the entrance. “Requested me personally to give you a chance.”
Gods again. Myrkul? Valkyrie?
“The one that reached out to me…” He shook his head, “-said it would rather keep its name a secret.”
None of those Gods, then?
“That unnamed thing grants me release from my duties shall I fulfill its request.” He added, crossing his arms. “I won't simply bow and let you live... it is not that simple. All you have is a chance.”
He turned toward his army. “Wait here.”
Hak’Thar raised his eye, “W-what do you mean? I don’t-“
The chieftain growled. “Do you question my strength?”
Both generals went mute.
Grog’mar returned his glare toward Frail’s domain. “You shall face me, entity, alone. Bring me your best champion. We shall fight inside your domain... you shall have all the buffs you need.”
His footsteps echoed as he breached Frail’s entrance.
[Warning! A hostile domain lord enters your domain!]
I know.
“The others are not relevant in this battle, Entity.” The chieftain said. “Tell your other constructs to stand their ground, or else…” He extended both arms, “…I shall rain upon you everything I have.”
“Entity, Do we-“
Frail stopped Grimright’s words with a push.
Stay away.
What would happen should Frail… survive?
Myrkul. When they first spoke, He said he’d unshackle Frail from his destiny should he triumph. Could he depend on Him?
Grog’mar lifted his blade and challenged Frail’s domain Lord. “Give me something I’ll remember.”
Frail had no reason to play along with it. His constructs technically surrounded Grog’mar, and if they all attacked at once, they might prevail.
But Hak’Thar was just there, watching its chieftain with a pair of worried eyes. If it could revive Ak’z—and it had—it could do the same to Grog’mar, too.
At this moment, Frail couldn’t cover both.
“Is that… an invitation for a duel?” Yrsa commented. “We can attack that thing right now, everything we have-“
“Silence-“ Grog’mar raised his shield and slammed it downward. A shockwave of monumental proportions sent everyone else flying at the walls. Had it not been due to the system’s protection, his shield slam would’ve punched a crater into his domain floor.
“Tell your friends to stay out of this, Entity.” His eyes shone with the color of sunset, “This is my final warning.”
His domain lord stepped forward.
Very well. I’ll play along…
For now.