The battlefield fell silent.
Not because the battle had ended...
But because something far more extraordinary was taking place.
The brilliant emerald and blue light surrounding the Goblin Chief continued to intensify.
The entire Mana Crystal Valley trembled.
Towering crystal formations hummed as rivers of pure mana were drawn from every direction.
Blue streams of energy spiraled through the air.
One after another...
They poured into the Goblin Chief.
Even the charging monsters slowed.
Instinct told them something terrifying was being born.
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex's calm voice echoed.
Evolution in Progress...
Analyzing Combat Performance...
✔ Commander Protection Confirmed.
✔ Regional Boss Engagement Confirmed.
✔ Battlefield Adaptation Confirmed.
✔ Crystal Mana Absorption Successful.
✔ Evolution Requirements Fulfilled.
...
Evolution Path Selected.
Goblin Warlord King.
The Goblin Chief threw back its head.
"ROOOOOOOOOAR!!"
The roar exploded across the valley.
Every crystal pillar vibrated violently.
Its massive body began changing.
The crude armor it had worn since the beginning of Sam's journey cracked apart.
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
The old leather and rusted metal shattered into fragments.
Its body grew larger.
Stronger.
Its emerald skin darkened into a rich jade color as glowing blue crystal veins spread beneath it.
Jagged crystal armor formed naturally across its shoulders.
Its forearms became covered in thick crystal plating.
Its tusks lengthened.
Its burning blue soul flames became calm...
Focused...
Intelligent.
The massive club resting in its hands suddenly splintered apart.
BOOM!
Stone fragments floated into the air.
Broken mana crystals scattered across the battlefield began flying toward them.
Black stone...
Blue crystal...
Pure mana...
The materials fused together before everyone's eyes.
A colossal war maul slowly took shape.
Its massive head was forged from black stone reinforced by glowing crystal.
Ancient runes carved themselves into the weapon.
Blue mana pulsed through every engraving.
The weapon itself seemed alive.
The light reached its peak.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A tremendous shockwave erupted outward.
Trees bent beneath the force.
Nearby monsters were thrown off their feet.
Even the towering Mana Crystal Golem planted both feet firmly into the earth.
The blinding light slowly faded.
Standing where the Goblin Chief had once stood...
Was a completely different existence.
Nearly eleven feet tall.
Crystal-plated armor covered its body.
Its new war maul rested comfortably upon one shoulder.
The savage aura of a goblin chief had disappeared.
In its place...
Stood the dignity of a battlefield king.
DING!
A blue screen appeared before Sam.
Undead Evolution Complete
Goblin Chief → Goblin Warlord King
Rank: Regional Elite Undead
New Skills Acquired
King's Rally (Epic)
Greatly increases the combat abilities of nearby allied undead.
Crystal Breaker (Epic)
Attacks gain overwhelming power against crystal, stone, and heavily armored enemies.
Guardian's Oath (Rare)
When protecting its Commander or allies, defensive abilities are significantly enhanced.
A smile slowly spread across Sam's face.
"...You really did it."
The Goblin Warlord King slowly turned.
Instead of charging back into battle...
It walked toward Sam.
Each step shook the ground.
When it reached him...
It lowered itself onto one knee.
The enormous war maul rested respectfully against the earth.
Its burning blue eyes met Sam's.
For the first time...
There was understanding within them.
Not simple obedience.
Not instinct.
Loyalty.
Sam stepped forward.
He placed a hand against the crystal armor covering its shoulder.
"Welcome back."
The Goblin Warlord King lowered its head.
Its deep voice echoed throughout the valley.
"...Commander."
Silence.
Every scout froze.
One of the Elite Scouts whispered,
"It..."
"It spoke..."
Even Leon looked genuinely surprised.
His faint smile appeared.
"So that's what an evolved undead looks like."
The Mana Crystal Golem suddenly roared.
ROOOOOOOOOAR!!
The sound shattered the silence.
Its crystal heart blazed brighter than ever before.
Mana poured into the exposed core from every remaining crystal in the valley.
The earth trembled violently.
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex immediately spoke.
Commander...
Warning.
The Regional Boss has entered its final combat phase.
Mana output increasing rapidly.
Threat level rising.
Sam slowly drew his sword.
SHING...
The Goblin Warlord King rose to its full height.
Blue energy raced across the runes of its crystal war maul.
Nearby...
The Goblin Mage floated into the air.
Its newly awakened Mana Lance shimmered brilliantly above its staff.
Leon disappeared into the shadows.
The eight Elite Scouts vanished with him.
No longer reacting...
They were hunting.
Sam looked toward the towering Mana Crystal Golem.
A confident smile appeared on his face.
"Everyone..."
"It's time to end this."
The Mana Crystal Golem charged.
The Goblin Warlord King charged.
The mountain valley shook as two colossal warriors rushed toward one another.
The final battle...
Had begun.