Chapter 13: Level 200 skills
Alix takes a deep breath, stepping into his stance. The moment feels surreal—his body moves as if it's been through years of rigorous training, yet he knows this is his first real fight.
The dummy charges first, its sword slicing downward with precision. Alix sidesteps with ease, bringing his blade up to parry the next strike. The clash reverberates through the chamber, the force sending a spark of excitement through him.
"So, this is what it feels like," he mutters, his movements fluid as he blocks another attack.
The dummy follows up with a sweeping strike, aiming for his legs. Alix jumps back, the instincts of a seasoned warrior guiding his every move. Without thinking, he lunges forward, delivering a series of quick slashes. Each strike lands cleanly, leaving glowing marks on the enchanted material of the dummy.
"Not bad," Alix says, grinning. "For someone who technically just started."
He pulls back, letting the dummy reset its stance. This time, he decides to push harder. Alix switches to offense, his blade a blur as he launches a flurry of attacks. The dummy manages to block most of them but struggles to keep up.
"Impressive," he says, stepping back and lowering his blade slightly. "But I'm not done yet."
Alix focuses, activating a level 200 skill: Blazing Edge. His sword ignites in crimson flames, the heat radiating through the room. With a powerful swing, he sends a wave of fire toward the dummy. The flames crash into it, forcing the dummy back as its form flickers from the impact.
The dummy steadies itself, its defenses adjusting. Alix takes a moment to observe.
"Alright, let's try something stronger."
He attempts to activate a skill well above his current level—one he remembers as being devastating in the game. He channels his energy, feeling the power surge through him, but nothing happens.
"Huh?" Alix frowns, trying again. A faint glow surrounds him for a moment before dissipating entirely.
A message flashes in his vision: Skill Locked. Level Requirement Not Met.
"Of course," he mutters, shaking his head.
He sighs but quickly refocuses, activating another level 200 skill: Crimson Rift. The energy crackles around his blade before exploding outward in a devastating arc. The attack slams into the dummy, splitting it cleanly in half.
As the pieces of the training dummy fall to the ground, Alix lowers his blade, his breathing steady.
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A few days later, the transformation of the town is already underway. The once-chaotic streets are now filled with the sounds of construction—hammers striking wood, stones being stacked to repair walls, and the rhythmic chants of monsters working together. Under Calak's stern but fair leadership, order has replaced the previous lawlessness.
For the first time in decades, monsters of various races—goblins, orcs, kobolds, and even ogres—are cooperating. It's an unprecedented sight, and word of the town's rebirth spreads quickly across the surrounding region.
Among the workers, two orcs haul massive wooden beams toward what will soon be a new marketplace.
Among the workers, two orcs haul massive wooden beams toward what will soon be a new marketplace.
"What do you think of the new lord?" one orc grunts, adjusting his grip on the beam.
The other orc, a burly figure with a scar running down his cheek, pauses for a moment, wiping sweat from his brow.
"He's strong," he says simply. "Stronger than anyone I've ever seen."
"That much is obvious," the first orc replies with a chuckle. "But what about his vision? Do you really think he can turn this dump into something worth staying in?"
The scarred orc's gaze shifts to the bustling activity around them. Goblins are laying stones for new roads, kobolds are crafting intricate wooden supports, and even a handful of ogres are helping to fortify the town's outer walls. It's a sight he never thought he'd see.
"I think," the second orc says slowly, "if we stick with him, this town might usher in a new era. Maybe even rival Misorn City one day. Just like in the legends."
The first orc raises an eyebrow. "You believe in those old stories? The ones about the hobgoblin who almost toppled the Misorn city?"
The second orc smirks. "I didn't before. But seeing him… seeing how he killed Refu like he was nothing… I think he might actually pull it off."
Their conversation is interrupted as Calak himself strides through the worksite, his imposing figure commanding immediate attention. The monsters pause briefly, bowing their heads as he passes.
"Get back to work," Calak orders, his tone sharp but not unkind. "The faster this town is rebuilt, the sooner we can secure trade routes and resources."
"Yes, Lord Calak!" the workers reply in unison, redoubling their efforts.
As Calak continues his inspection, his crimson eyes scan the progress with satisfaction.
---
In the Misorn city, Doran's group returns to the Misorn City after completing their mission. The bustling market streets are alive with the hum of merchants hawking their wares, adventurers bartering for equipment, and nobles inspecting exotic goods.
Lina walks alongside the group, her eyes scanning the crowd absentmindedly until something catches her attention. She freezes mid-step, her gaze locking onto a cage on a merchant's wagon.
"Doran," she whispers, her voice filled with disbelief. "Look over there."
Doran stops, turning to follow her line of sight.
"Isn't that…" Lina's voice falters, her eyes narrowing as she takes a closer look. "The women we handed over to Refu?"
Doran's brow furrows. "You're right. There's no way Refu would let them go. What the hell are they doing here?"
The two exchange a glance before approaching the merchant standing by the cage.
Doran steps forward, his tone polite but firm.
"Excuse me, merchant. Those two women… can I ask where you got them?"
The merchant tenses, his hand immediately moving to draw a cloth over the cage, obscuring the women from view.
"I bought them," the merchant replies curtly. "They're mine now, and I don't appreciate you sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. Move along."