The valley fell silent.
Not because the battle had ended...
But because every warrior understood what came next.
One mistake...
Would mean death.
---
The Mana Crystal Golem's chest continued to open.
Blue mana surged into the crystal heart.
The surrounding mana crystals responded immediately.
Hundreds of crystal veins lit up beneath the valley floor.
The air itself became heavy.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Warning.
Extreme mana concentration detected.
Estimated attack radius: Entire battlefield.
Recommendation... Evade immediately.
Sam slowly exhaled.
"No."
"If we dodge..."
"It'll keep happening."
"We end it now."
---
"Leon!"
Leon didn't hesitate.
"I know!"
He raised his bow high.
"Scouts!"
"Formation Delta!"
The eight elite scouts instantly understood.
They split into pairs and sprinted through the valley, targeting every glowing crystal vein they could find.
WHOOSH!
Arrows rained down.
CRACK!
CRACK!
Several crystal veins shattered.
The glow beneath the valley flickered.
The gathering mana weakened.
Only slightly...
But it was enough.
---
The Mana Crystal Golem roared.
ROOOOOOAR!!
Its enormous arm swept across the battlefield.
BOOOOOOM!!
A wave of crystal spikes raced toward the scouts.
"Move!"
Leon shouted.
The scouts scattered.
One was too slow.
A crystal spike burst beneath him.
Before it could impale him—
A massive green figure appeared.
The Goblin Chief.
BOOM!
It slammed its club into the spike, shattering it before it reached the scout.
The scout stared in disbelief.
"...Chief..."
The Goblin Chief only grunted before charging back toward the boss.
---
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex's voice echoed.
Protective behavior confirmed.
Evolution Progress: 99%.
Sam smiled.
"Just a little more..."
---
The Goblin Mage floated several feet above the ground.
Its eyes glowed brighter than ever.
Instead of fire...
Blue mana gathered around its staff.
The surrounding crystals began resonating.
Rex spoke again.
Skill Mutation Complete.
New Skill Acquired.
> Mana Lance – Level 1
Description: Condenses pure mana into a piercing spear capable of penetrating mana-based defenses.
Sam's eyes widened.
"It learned from the battlefield..."
The Goblin Mage raised its staff.
A brilliant blue spear formed above it.
"Mana Lance!"
WHOOSH!
The lance streaked across the valley like lightning.
BOOOOOOM!!
It struck the Mana Crystal Golem square in the chest.
For the first time...
The Regional Boss staggered.
A shallow crack spread across one of the crystal plates protecting its chest.
Leon laughed.
"It worked!"
---
The Mana Crystal Golem answered with fury.
Its crystal heart unleashed a massive beam of blue energy.
"Commander!"
Leon shouted.
Sam had already moved.
"Shadow Step!"
He vanished.
The beam carved through the valley.
Entire crystal formations disappeared.
The mountain wall behind them exploded.
Smoke and shattered crystal filled the battlefield.
---
Sam emerged behind the boss.
"Attack Chain!"
His sword became a blur.
One strike.
Two.
Five.
Ten.
Every slash landed on the crack left by the Mana Lance.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
The crack widened...
But still didn't break.
The Mana Crystal Golem spun.
Its massive fist slammed into Sam's side.
BOOOOOOM!!
Sam was launched through three crystal pillars before crashing into the ground.
Silence.
Leon froze.
"...Commander?"
---
Inside the crater...
Sam coughed violently.
Blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
Several ribs had broken.
His vision blurred.
Rex's voice remained calm.
Commander Health: 41%.
Multiple fractures detected.
Sam smiled despite the pain.
"Heal."
Golden light enveloped his body.
The broken bones slowly mended.
His breathing steadied.
He climbed back to his feet.
The soldiers of Base 101 stared in awe.
Ben clenched his fists.
"That's our Commander..."
---
The Mana Crystal Golem roared once more and raised both arms for another devastating strike.
Before it could attack—
The Goblin Chief leaped high into the air.
With every ounce of strength it possessed...
It brought its massive club down on the cracked crystal armor.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
The valley shook.
The armor finally shattered.
A piece of crystal flew from the golem's chest.
Blue mana burst into the sky.
Inside Sam's mind—
DING!
Evolution Requirements Fulfilled.
Goblin Chief Evolution Beginning...
The Goblin Chief froze in place.
Its entire body erupted with brilliant blue and emerald light.
Every monster on the battlefield stopped moving.
Even the Mana Crystal Golem took a step back.
Sam smiled.
"You earned it."
The light grew brighter.
The evolution...
Had begun.