As Michael gripped the sword, he took a moment to admire its appearance. The long blade was sleek yet ominous, engraved with glowing runic patterns that pulsed faintly with magic. Its hilt, crafted from a black jade-like material, felt both smooth and sturdy in his grasp, perfectly balanced despite its weight. A weapon of both elegance and devastation, radiating an undeniable sense of power.
Michael accepted the quest and walked through the city, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the golem army was clearly visible. They were advancing steadily, their massive forms casting ominous shadows under the fading sunlight.
"They'll probably reach the city in two or three hours," he muttered.
Leaning against the city wall, he observed the kingdom's army standing ready, weapons drawn, waiting for the inevitable battle. Like him, many warriors and knights had gathered, prepared to engage in a full-blown assault once the golems arrived.
"Should I just barge in?" he wondered, tapping his fingers on the hilt of his sword.
But then, another thought crossed his mind.
'Since I have time, I should create some skills while I'm here.'
Michael pondered for a moment, recalling Madra's powerful techniques—skills that grew stronger with each kill.
'Something like Madra's abilities… that would be ideal.'
With that in mind, Michael began shaping the concept of a new, devastating skill.
"Activate Skill Creation."
[Skill Creation Activated]
Current Level: 1
User has 5 chances to create any skill.
Using Skill Creation will consume one chance.
[Will you proceed?]
Michael pressed [Yes] without hesitation.
[Please describe the skill.]
"A sword skill that release a single slash, and with each death by that slash, it increases in power," Michael explained.
[Analyzing... Processing complete.]
[A skill matching this description already exists.]
[Will the player use one creation chance to acquire the existing skill, or add more details to create a completely new one?]
"Can I see the existing skill first?" he asked.
[That is not possible.]
"So it's a gamble, huh?" he mumbled.
However, he already knew what the existing skill was, and it required Sword Energy, something he didn't possess.
"Hmm... forget the sword skill for now. Let's create a magic skill instead."
[Please describe the magic skill.]
"Magic spell—Soul Takeover. It temporarily causes an enemy to fight for me," Michael stated.
[Analyzing...]
[The skill is possible. Will you proceed with creation?]
[Once confirmed, the skill will be created, and you will lose one of your five chances.]
Michael pressed [Yes], and soon, a new notification appeared.
[New Skill Acquired: Death Command]
[Death Command]
Effect: If the user's overall stats exceed the target's, activating this skill will force the target to fight for the user for anywhere between 10 to 60 seconds, depending on the stat difference.
*If no enemies are in sight, the target will commit suicide.
*Controlled target will use its best ability to kill your enemies as quickly as it can.
The chance of perfect activation decreases the lower the target's overall stats are compared to the user.
[Mana Cost: 5,000]
[Cooldown: 1 hour]
Michael smirked.
"Now that's a skill worth using."
Michael decided to test his newly acquired skill on the spot, targeting one of the Twelve Ancient Weapon-class golems in the invading army.
"I'm pretty sure my stats are way above his," he mumbled, locking onto the golem standing at the center.
[Death Command Activated]
The ancient golem suddenly froze, its massive form trembling as its core began to glow ominously.
Then—
BOOM!
The golem self-destructed in a massive explosion, taking several nearby constructs with it.
"Whoa… it triggered the strongest effect—self-destruction? It means that are Ancient Weapons strongest skill huh" Michael muttered in surprise.
[You have defeated one Ancient Weapon-class golem.]
[Contribution points earned.]
[You have defeated 157 Soul Dolls—Contribution points earned.]
[You have defeated 59 Old Golems—Contribution points earned.]
[You have leveled up!]
[Current Level: 210]
Michael just leaned on wall, watching the destruction unfold with a satisfied smirk.
"That worked way better than expected."
Nearby players and soldiers were stunned by the sudden explosion from the incoming golem army.
Meanwhile, in the Golem Army...
The surviving constructs began adapting at an alarming rate.
[New Resistance Acquired: Immunity to Takeover Skills]
[ Scrapped Language Comprehension to make room for Takeover skills immunity ]
The golems were evolving.
Michael clicked his tongue
"Tch, they adapt too.."
After two hours, the Golem army finally reached Reinhardt.
During those two hours, Michael used Death Command twice, but it didn't work. The notification made it clear—the golems had adapted.
The real battle was about to begin.
Though the kingdom's army fought fiercely, many soldiers had already died. The golems had broken through the walls, especially the Ancient Weapons, which fired laser-like attacks, decimating the defenses.
"Well, there goes the wall," Michael muttered, watching as another section crumbled under precise bombardment.
"Come out, Victor, and kill these blocks of moving stone," he said under the eyes of many.
From his shadow, a massive black knight emerged—Victor, his Death Guardian. With his greatsword in hand, he rushed forward, clashing against the golems.
The sheer force of Victor's first strike sent one of the smaller golems flying, its stone body shattering upon impact. But the Ancient Weapons weren't so easily defeated. They retaliated, their laser-like attacks piercing through the air as Victor dodged and countered with brutal efficiency.
Michael watched as Victor tore through the battlefield, his massive black armor reflecting the glow of burning debris. The Death Guardian's greatsword cleaved through stone like butter, each swing sending shards of rock flying in all directions.
The Ancient Weapons adjusted quickly. Their glowing cores pulsed with energy before unleashing another barrage of destructive beams. Victor raised his sword, blocking one, but the sheer force pushed him back.
"Tsk, they're adapting too fast," Michael muttered, gripping his sword. "Guess I'll have to step in."
Michael was not sitting ideally but fighting the remaining golems, Soul Dolls, and other enemies. But it was clear—if they want to win it, the Ancient Weapons needed to be dealt first.
So far, he had already killed two of them—one through his Death Command, another with his sword skill, and now he was targeting the third.
Meanwhile, the soldiers and players nearby whispered among themselves as they watched his overwhelming power.
"Damn, who the hell is that guy?"
"I don't know, but he just killed one Ancient Weapon."
"Yeah, I saw—he's using sword skills, magic skills, and even summoned that Death Knight… Is he some kind of hidden class?"
"I dunno, but I want that skill!"
"Just look at him! It's like its easy to him. He hasn't even taken a single hit so far."
"Yeah, I've been watching. No spells or attacks have landed on him."
"Who is this dark horse? I thought this would be Grid's time to shine again, but before he even got here, this guy has already wiped out half the battlefield!"