The Hobgoblin Warden loomed before them, chains rattling as its club slammed into the ground again. The shockwave cracked the stone under Kane's boots, but he did not flinch. His eyes narrowed, calculating the monster's reach, its stance, the raw killing intent radiating from it.
"Form ranks!" Kane barked. "Mages—first strike. Fighters, on me. We break its guard!"
The twins inhaled sharply, their voices quivering but steady enough to chant:
"Fire Bolt!"
Twin orbs of flame shot across the chamber, slamming into the Warden's chest. The impact left blackened scorch marks, and the giant staggered half a step back, its one eye narrowing in fury.
"Now!" Kane roared.
He surged forward, axe in hand, mana flooding his body. His Warlord class whispered commands in the back of his mind, the System feeding him options.
[Skill: Battle Rally]
Activated.Party Attack Power +10%Party Morale Boosted.
[Skill: Warlord's Strike]
Activated.Next attack empowered by +40% Damage.
The axe came down with the force of a landslide, sparks flying as it clashed against the Hobgoblin's chain-wrapped arm. The monster snarled, swinging its club in retaliation—only for the four fighters to intercept, shields and blades bracing against the crushing blow. The impact hurled them backward, but they held the line.
"Keep it busy!" Kane shouted.
Lena and Maya darted at its flanks, slicing at its tendons. The Hobgoblin bellowed in pain, stomping down hard enough to shake the chamber, forcing the group to scatter.
Again, the twins raised their hands. This time, the flames burned brighter, more focused.
[Skill Chain Activated: Dual Cast – Fire Bolt ×2]
The combined fireballs exploded against the Warden's face, searing its eye and making the beast reel back with a guttural scream.
"Good!" Kane's voice cut through the chaos. "Don't let up!"
He surged forward once more, his axe carving deep into the monster's thigh. The Warlord's aura flared around him, pulling his team together into a cohesive unit of steel and fire.
The chamber where Reina waited was no less violent. Goblins poured through cracks and tunnels, swarming toward the little girl.
But they never reached her.
The toy soldiers fought with unwavering discipline, their wooden bayonets stabbing with precision. Each clash against goblin steel resonated with something deeper—progress, growth.
[Toy Soldier – Level 9 → 9.7]
[Toy Soldier – Level 9 → 9.8]
The rabbit darted through the mob, its stitched body moving faster with each leap. A goblin swung its rusted cleaver, but the rabbit vaulted over it with unnatural grace. Its claws raked the goblin's throat, dropping it instantly.
A new sensation rippled through the stuffed creature's frame.
[Level Up: Toy Rabbit – Level 10]
New Ability Gained: Leaping Pounce]Grants rapid mobility and devastating critical strikes on airborne attacks.
The rabbit's button eyes glowed faintly red. It crouched, then launched itself across the room, slamming into another goblin with explosive force.
The robot, meanwhile, waded through the fray with mechanical precision. Blades glanced off its metallic frame, sparks dancing as it shoved goblins back. One of its fists opened, projecting a faint blue shimmer.
[Level Up: Toy Robot – Level 10]
New Ability Gained: Shield Projection]Generates an energy barrier that can absorb up to 200 damage before dissipating.
The barrier flared to life, encasing both itself and the soldiers nearby. The goblins' attacks clattered harmlessly against the glowing field.
The toy soldiers advanced behind the shield wall, cutting down the enemies one after another. Their experience bar neared its peak, the promise of evolution glinting in their wooden eyes.
And through it all, Reina stayed curled against her blanket, whispering in a trembling voice:
"Big brother… please hurry."
Back on Floor 1, the Hobgoblin Warden roared once more, blood dripping from its wounds. The fight was far from over.
Kane spun his axe, eyes cold and resolute. "End it here!"\
The chamber thundered with each step of the Hobgoblin Warden. Chains rattled, the crude iron club raised overhead, its shadow stretching across Kane's team. Blood streaked the monster's hide, its one good eye gleaming with murderous intent. It was wounded—badly—but not broken.
And then it came.
The Warden roared and swung its club downward in a final, all-crushing strike. The ground splintered beneath its momentum, shockwaves ripping through the dungeon floor. The fighters staggered, shields cracking, swords bending. The twins faltered, their mana nearly drained.
Kane alone stood firm.
"On me!" he bellowed, stepping forward as the world slowed around him. His axe hummed with the weight of his Warlord's aura. The System blazed before his eyes:
[Warning: Incoming Damage exceeds Defensive Threshold][Skill Trigger: Iron Warlord – Shield of Command]
A translucent aura flared around Kane's frame, his veins burning with mana as he braced himself. He roared and met the Warden's club head-on.
BOOM!
The impact shook the cavern. His arms screamed with pain, his bones quaked under the monstrous force, but Kane did not fall. His boots tore trenches in the stone, his muscles straining against the sheer weight of the blow.
"NOW!" Kane thundered, his voice carrying authority beyond flesh.
The twins exchanged a single terrified glance. Their bodies trembled, their eyes wide—but they lifted their hands, pushing past the limit.
"Mana Overcast—Twin Flame Surge!"
The air itself warped as a torrent of fire burst from their palms. The flames were far brighter, far hotter than their earlier spells, searing the chamber in incandescent light. The Warden shrieked as the overcast spell engulfed its torso, flames devouring flesh and chain alike.
[Warning: Mana Overload – System Autobalance Engaged]Twins' HP dropping—Stamina severely drained.
But the gamble paid off.
Kane broke free from the club's crushing weight with a final roar, his axe cleaving upward in a brutal arc.
[Skill: Warlord's Execution] Activated.+80% Damage, Critical Modifier applied.
The axe cut clean through the Warden's neck.
For a heartbeat, silence ruled.
Then the head fell. The giant's body convulsed, chains rattling, before crashing into the dungeon floor with a deafening thud.
The System blared in triumph:
[Dungeon Guardian Defeated!]+5,200 EXP GainedRare Loot Obtained: Defensive Blueprint – [Energy Barrier Turret Mk I]Bonus: Party Level Up ×2
The air shimmered with the dispersing aura of the Warden. Kane's chest rose and fell in ragged breaths, sweat dripping from his brow. He staggered, but did not fall. His team rushed to regroup—fighters cheering weakly, the twins collapsing into each other's arms, exhausted but smiling through tears.
Then the notifications came, one after another:
Kane Wylder – Level 16 → 17 → 18Party Members – All Leveled Up Twice!
The room filled with the warmth of progress.
At Level 16, his stats stood as:
Strength: 79
Agility: 74
Endurance: 83
Perception: 67
Intelligence: 69
Free Stat Points: 27
Profession Boost: 2 levels gained = +4 all stats
Natural Growth Boost: 2 levels gained = +4 all stats
Total Permanent Stat Gain:
+27 (free allocation, chosen by Kane)
+8 to each base stat (profession + growth boost combined)
Kane leaned against his axe, reading the System's breakdown. The choice was his.
He funneled his 27 free points with ruthless practicality:
+12 Strength (for raw damage and carrying power)
+7 Endurance (to better tank blows like the Warden's)
+5 Agility (speed to close distance and react faster)
+3 Perception (to sharpen battlefield awareness)
Stat Growth from Boosts:Each stat received +8 (Profession + Growth combined).
Strength: 99 (79 + 12 + 8)
Agility: 87 (74 + 5 + 8)
Endurance: 98 (83 + 7 + 8)
Perception: 78 (67 + 3 + 8)
Intelligence: 77 (69 + 8)
Kane clenched his fist, feeling his body hum with newfound power. His frame seemed denser, his movements sharper, his instincts keener.
But the true treasure was the glowing blueprint in his hand.
[Defensive Blueprint – Energy Barrier Turret Mk I]A stationary defense turret capable of projecting a mana-shielding field. Perfect for fortifying perimeters.
Kane's lips curved into a grim smile. "This… will change everything."