Day in and day out, Jynnette solely focused on teaching Xeril. As she had expected, Sammuel would never be able to catch up at all. This was purely a difference in Xeril’s refinement of his talent.
During this time, Xeril had already managed to grasp the basics while Sammuel could only show a disgraceful sight.
[Skill:
Art of Killing - Use mana to refine the concept of murder.
Card Quality: Bronze
Mastery: Amateur | EXP: 32.4/100%
Affinity Level: 0.03%
Combat Power: +0 ~ +80]
Even Sammuel could only accept it. He was a far cry from being able to master [Art of Killing] in such a short amount of time. This didn’t mean that Sammuel was inherently incompetent but such a difficult [Skill] required time to properly understand.
“In three hours, the first clash of the siege will begin.” Jynnette gave Xeril a few healing pills that would rejuvenate his body in case he ever got injured. As for Sammuel, he was only given basic bandages to stop any bleeding. It was clear what her stance would be at a time like this.
Xeril looked at Sammuel. Despite being thrown into such a predicament, he actually grew to like Sammuel. “Don’t die.”
“I’ll do you one better. I’ll come out stronger than before.” Sammuel had been using [Ego: Base] this entire time. This skewed Jynnette’s perspective of Sammuel.
[Star Quality: 2 | 14/50 | EXP: 83.74/100%
Combat Power: 16.73]
Using [Art of Killing] he had managed to push his [Ego: Base]. Fortunately, the requirement to reach Star Quality 2, or the Awakened Stage, was awakening to mana. This made it quite easy for Sammuel to reach absurd heights easily.
Not to mention his very terrifying [Ego: Runic Bear] that had also reached Star Quality 2, if anyone was going to survive then it was going to be him. If Sammuel and Xeril ever fought each other with all their power then without a shred of doubt Sammuel would win due to the sheer absurd Combat Power of [Ego: Runic Bear]
Of course, only Sammuel knew this for he had quietly practiced by himself. As it turned out, not every [Skill] was equal. The Card Quality of the skill similarly worked as how a normal Card would work. It was safe to say that Sammuel’s increase these past days had been tremendous.
Especially when Sammuel learned that he gained EXP at an extremely quick pace if the conditions were right. This was the blessing that every outsider received to quickly stand back on their feet.
Jynnette brought out two weapons. One was a black-handed sword with a silver glint at the tip of it, it was double-edged yet it was clear that one side was sharper than the other. The other weapon was a spear molded in the form of a dragon, piercing through the skies.
“I can always get these back after you die.” Jynnette had grown slightly attached to them, especially Xeril. But she still blocked her heart off. It was too soon.
Bravely holding a pristine sword in hand, Sammuel couldn’t believe the notification he received.
[Equipped: Fevervent Fang | Gain Combat Power: +20 | Sammuel: 36.73]
This spoke volumes of how valuable this sword was. It was leagues above what Sammuel had been using this entire time. With this, he was even more confident in surviving the first clash.
“Let’s hope it only gets stained with your enemies’ blood.”
~~~
A few minutes before the breach.
Sammuel had decided to not wear armor. It was simply because it didn’t offer enough protection for him to be worth it. Though Xeril wasn’t the same. Sammuel wanted to be at Xeril’s side but he knew that once the fight began they would slowly lose themselves in the chaos.
Seeing countless people similarly join them, Sammuel gathered one key point. The average Combat Power of the people on the human side was 30 while the enemy charging at them had an average of 50. This didn’t include some of the powerful people boasting a terrifying Combat Power of 300 and above. It was just that there were far too many canon fodder that it brought the average down.
This didn’t also factor in some other intellectual species. They were within the army but they were far and few in between. As important as protecting Aganth was to everyone, neutrality was only a concept that mattered when everyone’s best interest was at hand.
The monsters had decided to stay clear of this matter entirely. Striking a deal with Alyur, it was only a battle between the humans and the Dragon Clan.
“Sammuel, you’re strong, right? Let’s see you live through this.”
“Well, I’m confident that I’ll survive. I have something I’m banking on.” Sammuel looked up at Weston leading the current resistance. Weston had turned from a seemingly innocent scholar to one who seemed to have endless wisdom.
A man banged on a drum, causing everyone within the vicinity to feel their blood rage.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
[Status: War Cry | Gain Combat Power: +10 | Sammuel: 46.73 | Xeril: 75.32 | …]
This was a tremendous effect. Sammuel felt his very body burst with energy. Watching on from above, Weston finally made his speech.
“Not every one of you will survive this. I acknowledge that. Instead of speaking lies, I’ll only speak the truth.” It wasn’t a reassuring start as most of the people here were forced against their will to join. “Those who fall here will have your loved ones be properly compensated. And for those who live on, I’ll properly bestow you wealth however much you kill. Doing so will give you Contribution Points which you can exchange with my institution for medicinal or strength-improving items, be they consumables or equipment. I hope to see as many of you alive at the very end of this.”
Weston snapped his fingers and information surged throughout everyone’s mind. It was a leaderboard. It had the name, the numerical impact, and Contribution Points that they currently had. As it turned out, learning more about it in detail, the stronger the creature they killed, the more worth it was.
Sammuel understood that this was a motivator to ensure that those on the frontlines fought vigorously. With that in mind, Sammuel merely took this opportunity to grow stronger.
Another deafening echo from the war drum vibrated out. The horde of creatures running at them rushed through the small gap in the barrier. Various mindless creatures with no intellect ran in without fear of death.
Countless armored men ran out as well, it was time for war.
Xeril and Sammuel looked at each other and understood that there was no point trying to tide through safely when there were rich rewards at hand. More specifically, Sammuel was extremely ecstatic. It was time for him to go all out.
One should understand that Sammuel’s [Ego: Runic Bear] at Star Quality 1, level 10/10 has a Combat Power of roughly 80. Reaching Star Quality 2 meant an increase of Combat Power of double if not more than it. It was clear the disparity that would arise.
And all of these benefits, for the cost of [Ego: Hemorrhaging Bat] being essentially crippled. A price Sammuel would pay any day.
[Switch Ego: Runic Bear]
[Combat Power: 189.22]
[Equipped: Fevervent Fang | Gain Combat Power: +20 | Sammuel: 209.22]
[Status: War Cry | Gain Combat Power: +10 | Sammuel: 219.22]
[Flowing Swordsmanship | Gain Combat Power: +16.23 | Sammuel: 235.45]
As much as Sammuel wanted to use [Hardened Fist] as well, it didn’t make sense as he was already using a sword. As for [Art of Killing], it was another very substantial increase yet there was a drawback. It required mana that was extremely draining. Seeing as Sammuel had already reached a state where not a single enemy here would ever pose a threat to him, there was no point pushing himself.
Sammuel’s eyes looked over the horde coming in, there were countless Colorless Cards. And within these countless Colorless Cards, Sammuel could see a sea of Bronze Cards awaiting him. Unfortunately, these were mostly only Star Quality 1, giving reduced EXP. But, for those that were Star Quality 2, Sammuel ignored everything to reach them.
Weston was slightly skeptical about how this would unfold but seeing one particular person rush out beyond everyone here, he felt as if the world was wrong. It was Sammuel. The kid that Xeril had brought along to accompany him. Jynnette had given her report that Sammuel would be useless at a time like this yet…
“There has to be some kind of mistake.” Weston rubbed his eyes.
A familiar beast faced Sammuel once again. It was a Mineral-Clawed Ferron. It was much bigger than the ones he had faced as this one was much stronger, reaching Star Quality 2. Sammuel looked at how strong it was.
[Combat Power: 182.42]
Sammuel saw this number and couldn’t help but snicker. Just previously, he was wondering how he would ever get through this but his fears were completely unfounded. Sammuel had become a very terrifying force to be reckoned with.
His sword flowed down the battlefield, easily slicing through countless monsters. They were helpless as they all seemed to have been drawn into Sammuel’s attack. Reaching the Mineral-Clawed Ferron, Sammuel attacked its underbelly, ripping apart its stomach.
[Earned 8.32% EXP | Star Quality EXP: 12.52/100%]
“Now that’s a lot.” Sammuel could feel that this was an opportunity to finally land on his feet. He could only grow stronger from here on out. Slaughtering countless beats, Sammuel’s EXP grew.
[Leveled Up | Permanently Gain Combat Power: +21.09 | Sammuel: 256.64 (11/50)]
Yet he wasn’t done yet. He had only just begun. Sammuel’s killing spree had caught the eye of the other soldiers. He might not be the strongest person they had fielded but he was definitely the bravest. Without any fear of the consequences, Sammuel rushed in, each slice of his sword creating another corpse.
Individually killing creatures might not be worth it as the time invested wasn’t efficient. But now, dozens upon dozens of creatures came up to him, and Sammuel wouldn’t be so rude as to deny them.
[Leveled Up | Permanently Gain Combat Power: +18.77 | Sammuel: 275.41 (12/50)]
Sammuel’s [Ego: Runic Bear] was growing in strength by the second. He had continuously brought countless beasts down with a single swipe of his sword. Managing to create a dead zone where not a single creature dared approach him.
It was cruel, Sammuel only targeted the weak. He only focused on the creatures he could kill in one hit or those that would yield him appropriate rewards. How could Sammuel give up on such an easy way to get stronger? Sammuel struck down another foe, giving him another interesting reward.
[Gained Ego: Whesel Fly | Card Quality: Bronze | Star Quality: 2 (12/50)]
[Gained Ego: Skinned Falcon | Card Quality: Bronze | Star Quality:1 (10/10)]
[Gained Ego: Goblin | Card Quality: Colorless | Star Quality: 1 (8/10)]
Sammuel had been receiving countless [Ego] from such mindless slaughter. This snowballed into him receiving even more rewards.
[Assimilation Requirements:
Condition Cleared: Defeat 10 creatures with 50 Combat Power or higher | Reward: Increased Card Rate
Condition Cleared: Defeat 10 creatures with 100 Combat power or higher | Reward: Increased Card Rate
Condition Cleared: Defeat 10 creatures with 200 Combat Power or higher | Reward: Increased Card Rate
Condition Cleared: Gain 5 Bronze Ego (5/5) | Reward: Ego Delegation
Ego Delegation: Change EXP Gain and Affinity Level based on chosen [Ego]. Does not affect inherent stats]
This kept feeding the loop where Sammuel would continually gain more [Ego] as time passed on. Sammuel was enjoying his time here, better than most. Though there was one thing that he inherently understood.
[Combat Power: 403.52]
Even as strong as he had become, there were always stronger creatures above him. And such a creature was before him.
[Species: Gut Drinker
Card Quality: Silver
Star Quality: 2 | 16/50 | EXP: 84.53/100%
Affinity Level: 2.43%
Combat Power: 403.52]
It was such a fitting name. Its mouth was filled with razor-sharp teeth, the most pressing aspect was that its tongue also had razor-sharp teeth. It drilled into the body of its prey and literally drank everything. Adding on how large it was, it was even able to completely drink entire human bodies as it desired.
If this were any other situation, Sammuel would run away. But this time it was different, he wasn’t alone. Five other people joined up with Sammuel to face this creature. They all boasted similar Combat Power to Sammuel with roughly around 300.
Sammuel grinned.
I still have [First Kill] available. This will be mine soon enough.