BOOOOOOOM!!
The valley shook violently.
The Goblin Warlord King swung its crystal war maul with both hands.
The Mana Crystal Golem answered with a massive stone fist.
The two attacks collided.
CRAAAAAASH!!
A devastating shockwave erupted from the impact.
Towering mana crystals cracked.
Nearby monsters were thrown through the air.
Even the Elite Scouts grabbed nearby trees to keep from being blown away.
Leon narrowed his eyes.
"...Its strength doubled."
The Goblin Warlord King didn't retreat.
For the first time since the battle had begun...
The Mana Crystal Golem was forced back.
One step.
Then another.
Its enormous feet carved deep trenches into the valley floor.
Sam smiled.
"Now that's more like it."
---
The Mana Crystal Golem roared.
Blue mana surged through every crystal embedded in its body.
Its massive arm shot forward.
BOOOOOOM!!
The Goblin Warlord King crossed its war maul before its chest.
CLAAAAANG!!
Instead of being launched backward...
It held its ground.
Its feet sank into the earth.
Cracks spread beneath it.
But it never moved.
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex spoke.
Guardian's Oath has activated.
Defensive capabilities increased.
Damage significantly reduced.
Sam nodded.
"Perfect."
---
The Goblin Warlord King answered immediately.
It raised its war maul high above its head.
Blue runes blazed to life.
"ROOOOOOAR!!"
The weapon came crashing down.
"Crystal Breaker!"
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
The crystal war maul slammed directly into the Mana Crystal Golem's shoulder.
CRACK!!
The crystal armor exploded apart.
Fragments scattered across the battlefield.
The Mana Crystal Golem staggered.
For the first time...
It released a roar filled with pain.
Leon's eyes widened.
"It broke through!"
---
The surrounding monsters charged wildly.
Hundreds rushed toward Sam.
Leon vanished.
His body melted into the shadows between the towering crystal formations.
The nearest monster suddenly stopped.
A thin line appeared across its throat.
Then...
Its head slid from its shoulders.
THUD.
Before the second monster understood what had happened—
WHOOSH!
Leon appeared behind it.
Twin daggers flashed.
The creature collapsed instantly.
"Scouts."
His calm voice echoed through the battlefield.
"Intercept every elite monster."
"Do not allow anything near the Commander."
Eight voices answered from every direction.
"Yes, Captain!"
The forest became deathly quiet.
One after another...
Monsters disappeared into the shadows.
Silent kills.
Perfect coordination.
The Scout Corps hunted exactly as they had been trained.
---
The Goblin Mage floated above the battlefield.
Blue mana spiraled around its staff.
Its soul flames burned brighter than ever.
"Mana Lance."
One spear became two.
Then four.
Then eight.
The glowing weapons hovered around it.
Rex spoke.
Adaptive Learning successful.
Mana Lance proficiency increased.
New Trait Acquired.
Multi-Cast.
The Goblin Mage lowered its staff.
"Fire."
WHOOSH!
Eight Mana Lances streaked through the valley like shooting stars.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Each lance pierced a different elite monster.
None survived.
The remaining monsters hesitated.
Fear spread through their ranks.
---
The Mana Crystal Golem suddenly slammed both fists into the earth.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
Every remaining crystal pillar glowed.
The valley erupted once more.
Crystal spikes burst upward in every direction.
Sam disappeared.
"Shadow Step!"
He emerged above the battlefield.
His eyes locked onto the Mana Crystal Golem.
Its chest crystal...
Was glowing brighter than ever.
Then...
The crystal heart became visible.
Rex's voice rang through his mind.
Commander!
The Mana Crystal Heart is fully exposed!
Window of vulnerability...
0.8 seconds!
Sam's heartbeat slowed.
Everything around him seemed to freeze.
The roaring monsters...
The exploding crystals...
The collapsing mountains...
All of it faded away.
Only the glowing heart remained.
Sam tightened his grip on his sword.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"I've got you."
Mana erupted around his blade.
The sword hummed.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke once more.
Commander...
Recommend combining Attack Chain...
With Vertical Instant Slash.
Prototype Combination Technique available.
Estimated success rate...
Thirty-two percent.
Sam laughed.
"When have I ever cared about the odds?"
His body vanished from sight.
The air exploded behind him.
The decisive strike...
Had begun.