Chapter 19-Unlock The Shackles And Go On A Killing Spree！

An A-rank skill was useless to Li Yao, so he stored it in his spatial ring, intending to exchange it later for a more valuable item.

However, the chest armor named "Proof of Courage" made his heart race with excitement!

It provided percentage-based attribute boosts—a rare trait that became increasingly powerful in the later stages of the game.

As a Summoner, Strength was the least useful stat for Li Yao.

But he hadn't forgotten—

Li Yao possessed the [Shackles] skill, allowing him to temporarily share Void Mantis' attributes.

And Void Mantis' Strength stat had already reached absurd levels due to its [Combat Training] trait!

A 30% boost on top of that?

The synergy between the two would undoubtedly create an effect greater than the sum of its parts!

That said, the armor had harsh equipment requirements, clearly designed for a Berserker who specialized in Strength.

"I wonder if my skill-boosted stats count toward the requirement…"

Li Yao muttered to himself.

If not, wearing this armor would require him to invest in Strength, which would be a huge waste of points.

"I'll test it at level 15."

With that thought, he stopped dwelling on it.

As the first Nightmare-tier Boss of the dungeon, the Goblin Warlord had already given him tremendous rewards.

Even if he couldn't equip it, he could still sell it for a fortune.

Systematic Annihilation.

With the same strategy, Li Yao wiped out the remaining Goblin villages.

Since Void Predator had absorbed the Boss' essence, its max HP skyrocketed, allowing it to tank goblin attacks.

This meant Li Yao no longer needed to pull enemies strategically.

He could slaughter freely.

His clearing speed far exceeded the first village.

In just two hours, he exterminated three more Goblin villages, looting piles of Bronze and Iron equipment.

His experience soared to Level 13, 57%.

In the wild, such an insane leveling speed was unthinkable.

The only downside?

None of the three villages spawned another Goblin Warlord.

"There should be one more Boss ahead. No rush."

Li Yao turned his gaze toward the pyramid-like structure in the distance, his eyes flickering with intensity.

Without hesitation, he advanced.

The Goblin King.

As he approached, a pungent stench assaulted his nose, so vile that he instinctively covered his face.

Howeverr,aside from scattered human remains, there wasn't a single goblin in sight.

After ten minutes of travel, both Void Mantis and Void Predator had fully recovered their HP.

The dense forest thinned out, and the stench grew overwhelming, stinging his eyes.

At the end of the forest, an open clearing, the size of a football field, revealed itself.

Hundreds of goblins clad in armor, wielding long spears, patrolled the area.

And at the base of the pyramid—

A Goblin wearing a blood-red royal robe and a golden crown sat upon a throne.

Its crimson eyes locked onto Li Yao.

[Goblin Vanguard]

• Level 18 (Elite Strengthened Unit)

• HP: 16,250

• Strength: 321

• Spirit: 118

• Agility: 274

• Endurance: 325

• Skills: Goblin Charge Lv5, Breakthrough Lv3, Elemental Resistance Lv5, Iron Hide Lv5

[Goblin King]

• ???

Li Yao narrowed his eyes.

This was troublesome—but not by much.

The Goblin King had noticed him, yet hadn't attacked.

Clearly, the Boss mechanics weren't triggered yet.

For now, he only had to deal with the vanguards.

But their overwhelming stats were nearly on par with the Goblin Warlord.

And worse—

Their tight formation meant attacking one would trigger all of them to swarm at once.

Luring them out one by one was impossible.

"Then let's… test my power."

Cracking his knuckles, Li Yao stepped forward, no longer concealing his aura.

He advanced toward the Goblin Vanguards.

At the same time, he issued a "Hold Position" command to Void Predator.

"Kriieeek!!"

Smelling human flesh, the Goblin Vanguards shrieked with hunger, bouncing on their feet as they charged forward like rabid beasts.

It was as if whoever reached him first would get to take the first bite.

"Void Mantis, looks like they think we're food."

Li Yao chuckled, speaking to the emptiness beside him.

Void Mantis couldn't speak, but it brandished its scythe-like claws, expressing its rage.

[Shackles: Summoners may link their soul to a summoned beast, sharing its attributes and skills for 20 minutes. Cooldown: 12 hours.]

"Link—Void Mantis."

[Link Successful!]

"Activate!"

In an instant—

A surge of overwhelming power flooded Li Yao's entire body!

The sudden explosion of strength momentarily overwhelmed his control, causing him to stomp the ground involuntarily—

BOOM!

The solid earth shattered beneath his foot.

But within seconds, his body fully adapted—as if this power had always been his own.

A grin curled at Li Yao's lips.

"No wonder this is every Summoner's dream ability."

In the next moment—

Li Yao stomped the ground, launching himself toward the goblin army like a cannonball!

As he closed in, he activated [Void Ambush], vanishing into thin air.

Then—

Emerging from stealth, he threw a devastating punch at a Goblin Vanguard!

[–5017]!

But he wasn't done.

Turning his fist into a claw, he grabbed a goblin by the throat and hurled it backward—

[Lone Prey Triggered!]

[Taste Fear!]

A surge of runes appeared on his arm, forming a phantom of Void Mantis behind him.

With a cross slash, the phantom cleaved through the air—

[–11,532]!

[Goblin Vanguard Killed! Exp +0.7%!]

[Combat Training Activated: Void Mantis' Strength +1!]

The goblin exploded into blood mist!

"Hahahaha! Incredible!"

Li Yao laughed wildly, exhilarated.

Watching monsters die was one thing—

But personally slaughtering them felt far more satisfying!

And best of all—

Because of [Shackles], his kills counted as Void Mantis', activating its training bonuses!

An unexpected bonus!

With no more hesitation—

Li Yao dived straight into the horde, tearing through goblins like a war god.

Beside him, Void Mantis fought with equal savagery, fearlessly cutting down enemies.

Together, they butchered their way through the battlefield, unstoppable.

The green blood of goblins rained down like a monsoon.

By the time Li Yao reached Level 14, only a handful of Goblin Vanguards remained.

Wiping blood from his face, Li Yao slowly turned toward the Goblin King.

His blood-soaked figure radiated pure menace.

The Goblin King finally rose from its throne—

Its twisted, malevolent gaze locking onto Li Yao.

[Shackles Remaining Time: 3:59]