Point of View: Rangar
It has been a few days since the Guardian's lessons.
His teachings clarified many things. They also made one thing obvious: I need resources.
A lot of them.
That's why we are on another planet.
Level 2.
I consider it worthy to test my new strength.
At first, my subordinates showed some fear, but that vanished once they obtained their professions and Arts. Ambition replaced fear.
Even so…
I am still the strongest.
And now, with my unique profession…
There were only two options.
[Colossus] You specialize in enduring extreme damage. Your body hardens like a living fortress, becoming more resistant to all forms of damage, and your regeneration accelerates.
[Berserker] You abandon perfect defense to embrace absolute violence. Your strength and speed increase as the battle intensifies. Pain fuels your power, and every wound awakens a fury that amplifies your damage.
At first, I wanted Berserker.
Damage. Pure violence.
It attracted me.
But I remembered my first skill.
Frost Armor.
That ability saved me countless times. I survived because of it.
I cannot trust my subordinates. If I show weakness, they will take my place.
And they will kill me.
I need something solid. A pillar. A certainty.
That's why I chose Colossus.
It wasn't sentimentality.
It was acknowledging a truth.
I am alone.
One of my subordinates approached hurriedly.
"King, we found a tribe of lycanthropes."
I grinned, baring my fangs.
Perfect.
"Then let's go. It's time to test our new power."
My subordinates roared in excitement.
According to the System, we behave like a barbaric race. Orcs. Savages.
Maybe it's right.
We headed into the forest.
Minutes later, we saw them.
About five hundred lycanthropes, but only two hundred were Level 1 Ascended. They stared at us with red eyes and killing intent.
Their leader was larger.
Broader.
My instincts recognized him immediately.
The tension was suffocating.
They were defending their territory.
We were nearly bankrupt after recent expenses.
We couldn't retreat.
They would be our source of resources.
And food.
I let out a roar that shook the trees.
"ROOOAR!"
The battle began.
My subordinates charged, activating their Arts.
The lycanthrope leader lunged at me.
We exchanged blows.
Claws. Fangs. Impacts that shattered the ground beneath our feet.
I tried to gauge his strength.
After several clashes, I understood the truth.
He was weaker than me.
I smiled.
"Let's see how much you can endure…"
He activated two Arts and bared his teeth.
I responded without hesitation, activating mine.
The battle intensified.
His attacks struck my body… but barely penetrated.
Mine, on the other hand, tore through flesh.
Blood began to cover the ground.
He tried to increase his speed, attacking my flanks.
He wanted to break my defense with a frontal assault.
But after fighting him, I learned his patterns.
I waited.
When he launched a claw strike toward my left side, I twisted my body just enough.
I moved first.
And bit down.
My fangs sank into his neck.
Blood burst into my mouth.
He tried to break free, but I slammed him into the ground with all my weight.
His body weakened from the constant bleeding.
I didn't let go.
I didn't hesitate.
Until he stopped moving.
Only then did I loosen my jaw.
I looked around.
The battle was still ongoing.
I deactivated my Arts and felt the cost.
"I used fifteen percent of my energy."
I frowned.
"I need to optimize this."
It wasn't an intense fight.
And yet, it consumed too much.
I need to improve my Arts.
I need more energy.
And to achieve that, I have to conquer this place.
I opened my status.
Name: Rangar
Race: Frost Bear
Cultivation: Ascended Level 1 (Peak)
Title: King of Rasganorte
Profession: Colossus
Arts:
Unbreakable Bastion
Bloodlust
My status was smaller than before.
Then I read the descriptions of my Arts.
---
Art: Unbreakable Bastion
Upon activation:
Increases physical and elemental defense
Reduces incoming damage
Increases resistance to soul attacks
Learned Effects:
Barrier (Passive): A transparent shield surrounds your body
Armored (Passive): A percentage of damage received is reflected back to the attacker
Upgradeable: 0/3
---
Art: Bloodlust
Upon activation:
Increases damage
Enhances combat instincts
Increases strength
Learned Effects:
Combat Master (Passive): Your attacks are reinforced with origin energy
Laceration (Passive): Your attacks can cause bleeding that reduces healing
---
I closed the interface.
I smiled.
"I've really changed."
I looked at the corpse of the lycanthrope leader.
"Before… I would have struggled against someone like you."
This planet also cultivates vital energy.
Before, his regeneration would have been a problem. If I didn't kill him quickly, I could have lost in a prolonged fight.
Now…
That's no longer an issue.
My Arts are above average.
I have more effects per Art.
I looked deeper into the forest.
"I might not be so helpless against a Level 2… with one Art."
But if he's intelligent…
If he truly masters his energy…
The sounds of battle began to fade.
My subordinates had won.
I approached the leader's corpse.
I began devouring the remains.
As I chewed, I felt the vital energy flowing through my body.
It healed me slightly.
This planet will become a stepping stone for my growth.
I looked at my subordinates.
"Eat their bodies to recover. Once you're done, clean this place."
They responded immediately.
"Yes, King."
Looking around, I made my decision.
I will place the portal to return to Dalaran here.
This will be our base… for now.