[Fang of Infernos Lv. 54]
[Grade: Elite]
[Strength +100
Stamina +100]
[Skills:]
[Inferno Strike (Active): Unleashes a powerful thrust that causes an explosion on impact, dealing area fire damage to nearby enemies.]
[Blazing Edge (Passive): The spear’s tip remains superheated, causing minor fire damage over time to any struck enemy.]
Atlas inspected the new spear he’d acquired with a satisfied smile. It was a long spear with a superheated, glowing tip that emitted fiery sparks and embers. The dark metal shaft was etched with subtle flame patterns, making it look even more formidable.
As he spun the spear, a trail of light lingered from the tip, giving it a sleek and dangerous appearance.
The spear was Elite grade—a prized weapon, one that those in the lower lands would probably fight fiercely to obtain.
Not bad at all, he thought.
He realized it was time to join the fight below. He wouldn’t be the kind of Lord who just sat on his throne, watching his subordinates handle all the work. Sure, he’d command battles from up high when strategy called for it, but he’d also be in the thick of things whenever needed. And to make that possible, he’d have to upgrade himself as much as he could, using every resource available.
Atlas pulled out three skill scrolls he’d received from the Gacha: one Rare Smoke Bomb skill scroll, one Elite Battle Cry skill scroll, and one Elite Flurry of Spears skill scroll. He handed Smoke Bomb to Edrik, Battle Cry to Karian, and kept Flurry of Spears for himself.
All right, now I have a new spear skill to wield, he thought. With this addition, he had seven skills at his disposal, ready to put them to use.
[Common - Piercing Thrust Lv. 6]
[A precise, forward thrust aimed at penetrating armor.]
[Common - Sweeping Strike Lv. 5]
[Sweeps the spear in a wide arc, hitting multiple enemies in front.]
[Common - Defensive Stance Lv. 7]
[Assumes a defensive position with the spear, reducing incoming damage.]
[Common - Ground Slam Lv. 4]
[Slams the butt of the spear into the ground, creating a shockwave.]
[Common - Power Strike Lv. 8]
[A strong, concentrated attack that hits harder than a regular swing.
[Common - Endurance Boost Lv. 9]
[Temporarily boosts the warrior's stamina, allowing them to sustain more in battle.
[Elite - Flurry of Spears Lv. 1]
[The wielder delivers a rapid series of spear strikes at a single enemy.]
This Flurry of Spears was his first Elite-grade skill, a significant upgrade from the standard abilities most basic warriors like him possessed.
Now at level 39, Atlas had accumulated 40 stat points ready for distribution. After a quick assessment, he decided to allocate 10 points each to Strength, Agility, Intelligence, and Constitution, reasoning that his Stamina was still in a safe range.
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[Name: Atlas Blackthorn]
[Level: 39]
[Strength: 160 | Agility: 64 | Intelligence: 49 | Constitution: 68 | Stamina: 65]
Atlas leapt down from his floating throne, instantly drawing the attention of his team.
Karian was at his side in seconds. "My Lord, are you certain you want to fight them as well?" he asked, swinging his greatsword to fend off a Lava Hound lunging at them.
"Yes, and I’ll need your help training every day from now on. What do you say?" Atlas replied, spinning his spear and readying for combat.
“With pleasure, My Lord,” Karian answered with a slight grin.
Once Atlas set a goal for himself, he committed to it with relentless focus. Growing up in a tough, wild environment had instilled this drive in him.
After today, he was determined to push his physical and combat skills even further. He’d train with Karian, sparring until his technique sharpened. Morganna could also be an option—if she ever becomes a bit more manageable.
Atlas spun his spear, launching a swift assault with Flurry of Spears. But the Lava Hound, a full ten levels higher than him, proved tougher than expected, barely flinching from the initial damage.
As the creature lunged, Atlas sidestepped, redirecting its momentum, just as Karian brought down his greatsword with a crushing blow. Atlas took the opportunity to finish it off with a precise stab to its chest, causing a burst of hot lava to spew from the wound.
They continued their hunt across the volcanic terrain, battling through wave after wave of creatures. With each victory, they gathered more valuable items, eventually enough to improve fire resistance gear for each team member. And to Atlas’s satisfaction, he also collected critical materials for constructing the Flame Beacon back on his island.
Atlas reviewed his hunting for the day—30 Fire Crystals and 6 Lava Shards. He still needed more to complete the construction of the Flame Beacon, but with the sun already setting and his team exhausted and hungry, he decided to call it a day.
It had been a productive hunt, with plenty of valuable items gathered.
Even after slaying over 50 monsters, he still hadn’t quite reached level 40.
[Exp: 44,771/45,581]
So close, just a bit more Exp to level up. If he could keep up this pace daily, he hoped to reach level 50 before the protective barrier around his island dropped. He knew he needed every possible upgrade to prepare himself and his team before the real battles began.
They finally returned to Gacha Haven! It was obvious everyone was worn out from the day’s hunt, though Karian maintained his usual composed expression.
Edrik, on the other hand, showed faint signs of fatigue, though somehow his hair remained perfectly styled, as if he’d just walked out of a salon—a unique talent of his, no doubt.
Meanwhile, Morganna wasted no time raiding the fridge for food before disappearing into the Residential Hut, her chosen resting spot after the three new constructions the System had completed that day.
Trees and plants were already sprouting up fast—even though it had only been a day. It seemed that anything on this island could grow or be completed at remarkable speed.
Lyrassa, as a Nature Spirit, had a unique way of resting: she could actually sleep by merging with the plants around her!
After all, spirits were manifestations of various aspects of the environment, like animals, places, and natural forces. Because Lyrassa was a Nature Spirit, she was nature itself. That’s why she didn’t need to eat human food to survive.
Well, she could eat human food, but she didn’t experience it the way people did. Instead, she absorbed water and nutrients straight from the soil.
If it weren’t for Lyrassa’s potent healing abilities, they’d have probably returned covered in cuts and burns.
Atlas let his subordinates pick their own places to rest for the night, while he himself planned to stay in the tent. He was too exhausted to think, and as soon as he forced down a bit of food, he was out like a light.
Morning arrived!
Atlas opened his eyes and immediately looked to his right and left. He was still haunted by the memory of waking up with Morganna asleep beside him the night before. But luckily he found no one this time.
He could feel that his body was fully restored, with blood and energy pulsing strongly through his veins. His stomach grumbled—he was starving. It seemed like every bit of nutrition he’d eaten last night had been drained by his recovering body.
But he planned to use the morning for a hard training session. He wanted to push himself to the limit before breakfast.
He stepped out of his tent. The sun was barely rising, and he was surprised to see Mira already bustling in the garden. Had she slept there too? Karian was also up, training with his greatsword in the early dawn.
Early-morning training seemed to be routine for Karian, a true warrior.
Atlas began to stretch, then set off running around the small floating island. He kept up his pace, feeling every bit of strength and agility he’d gained over the past two days coursing through him.
He was drenched in sweat, his legs burning, his breath ragged. But he kept pushing, even as his body practically screamed at him to stop. He ignored the urge, driving himself forward again and again.
After two hours, he was completely soaked, and the sun was finally lighting up the island’s surface, which was now looking much greener with all the new grass and plants. Just then, a notification flashed across his vision.
[Luna (Celestial Vanguard) is attempting to contact you. They have sent a package for you.]
[Accept the package?]
Luna? Who is Luna?