Chapter 16: The Beginning Of A Solo Raid

Suddenly, a wave of oppressive energy seemed to ripple through the air, sending a chill down the spines of the goblins. One by one, their heads turned toward the source of this unsettling change—the spot where Alister lay, previously motionless.

Steam began to rise from his bloodied and bruised body, hissing softly as it evaporated into the cool, dank air of the cavern. The goblins hesitated, they weren't sure if what to make of this, but there was one thing they were sure of.

Fear!

They suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of fear, similar to the moment when the goblin king performed the ritual, sacrificing their brethren to summon the blood orb.

However, this fear felt different, like being trapped in a thick fog and facing a powerful enemy. They knew they would have to defend themselves to survive, but they all felt uncertain.

Could they even manage something as simple as defending themselves? Against whatever this was? This uncertainty made them feel that there was a high chance— they could suddenly meet their end, and they was nothing they could possibly do to prevent it.

Alister's eyes, suddenly snapped open with a fierce, bright light. He gritted his teeth and slowly pushed himself up, ignoring the searing pain in his limbs. As he rose, the heavy rocks and debris that had pinned him down rolled off his body.

The change in the aura around him did not go unnoticed. The goblins, sensing the shift in his demeanor and the surge of power emanating from him, took involuntary steps backward, their previous confidence giving way to unease.

Inside Alister's mind, the system's voice echoed.

[Ding!! New skill detected!]

—

[Skill: Draconic Rage Lvl1(A rank).]

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Description:

An overlord would never fall in the heat of battle, especially one who rules over all dragons. As the embodiment of an indomitable guardian with a noble mission, both your pride and what you wish to protect are on the line; as such, you cannot lose. An overlord's fury ignites when facing those who dare obstruct the path to his aspirations. The wrath of an overlord is all-consuming, and all those who incur it shall not be spared. Go forth and give enlightenment: an overlord is not to be trifled with.

Effects:

- Empowered body: All your stats would be increased by 50%, channeling the raw power of your draconic bloodline.

- Fortified Defense: Incoming damage is reduced by 20%, reflecting the nature of a dragon's scales.

- Fury of the Overlord: Each successful hit increases your attack speed and critical hit chance by 10%, stacking up to 10 times, intensifying your wrath with every strike.

- Unstoppable Force: While Draconic Rage is active, you are immune to stuns, and other incapacitating effects, including poisons and curses.

- Fear!: Enemies within a 50-meter radius suffer a 20% reduction in their attack speed and damage output. The player's presence makes all who stand before him tremble, regardless of whether they are stronger or weaker than the player.

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Skill Gates:

- Gate 1: Emergence [Locked]

- Gate 2: Draconic Body [Locked]

- Gate 3: New Law [Locked]

- Gate 4: It All Comes to a Close [Locked]

—

[Notice to the player! Over use of this skill could cause the player to go berserk!]

The blue talent window suddenly appeared before Alsiter besides the yellow one.

「Abnormal increase in stats detected!」

「Total combat power is rising rapidly.」

「-Strength: 4,000

-Agility: 3,500

-Intelligence: 4,200

-Endurance: 3,400

-Mana: 4,500

-Dexterity: 2,920

-Total combat power: 22,520 (Rank D)」

Alister's eyes burned with an intense glow, his sclera now blackened, and his irises gleaming like molten gold. He could feel the power coursing through his veins, an inferno of strength and rage that burned away his exhaustion and pain.

Although he saw the system windows appear before him, he simply pushed them aside, wanting to focus on the raid at hand.

He clenched his fists, feeling the raw energy surge through his body, amplifying his senses and heightening his reflexes. His muscles bulged with strength, and a low growl rumbled from his throat, echoing through the cavern.

The goblins closest to him shrank back, their eyes wide with terror. Their instinctual fear of this transformed human outweighed their hunger for blood. Even the massive goblin champion hesitated, its eyes flicking nervously between its weapon and the rising threat before it.

"What's wrong?" Alister's voice was deeper, carrying an edge of something that made them all intimidated. "Scared of a little heat?"

He looked around, his sharp gaze taking in the scene. Erik and Jarek lay unconscious, their bodies bloodied and motionless. Lila was still conscious, but barely. She knelt on the ground, one hand pressed to a deep wound on her side, her face pale and strained.

"Lila," Alister called out. "Hang in there."

She looked up, her eyes widening at the sight of him standing. "Alister…?"

He gave her a nod before turning his attention back to the goblins. They were closing in again, their eyes filled with fear and rage. Alister knew that his ordinary attacks wouldn't be enough.

These creatures were regenerating too quickly, their wounds knitting together almost as soon as they were inflicted.

'Their core,' Alister thought, his mind sharpened by the draconic rage. 'I have to destroy their core.'

With a sudden burst of speed, he lunged at the nearest goblin, his movements a blur. He grabbed the creature by its throat, lifting it off the ground. The goblin struggled, its claws raking at his arm, but Alister didn't flinch. He plunged his other hand into its chest, feeling the sickening squish of flesh and bone giving way.

The goblin's eyes widened in horror as Alister's fingers closed around a pulsing, black core. With a twist, he ripped it out, and the goblin's body convulsed before going limp. Alister crushed the core in his hand, black ichor dripping from his fingers as he let the lifeless body fall.

[Ding! Stats increased by 10%!]

As his stats increased, a small change in his body could be seen, his nails turned black and grew out, long enough to be considered claws.

The system's notification echoed in his mind, but Alister barely noticed. He was already moving to the next goblin, his enhanced senses making him move on instinct. The goblins were more terrified now, their confidence shattered by the sight of their comrade's brutal end. Yet, driven by some primal instinct, they still attacked.

Alister charged at them, his gritted teeth revealing some fangs had grown. He ducked under a wild swing from a goblin's club, his claws raking across its abdomen. The goblin screamed, but Alister didn't stop. He grabbed its head and twisted violently, the snap of its neck echoing through the cavern. As it fell, he tore into its chest, yanking out the core and crushing it beneath his heel.

[Ding! Stats increased by 10%!]

[Level Up!]

Another surge of power coursed through him, and his mana started crackling around his eyes. Each kill brought more strength, and each core destroyed further diminished the goblins' numbers.

Alister was a whirlwind of destruction, his enhanced abilities making him nearly unstoppable. He felt his wounds healing almost as quickly as they were inflicted, the high-speed regeneration of his level ups keeping him on his feet. Blood—both his and the goblins'—spattered across the cavern floor.

A goblin managed to claw at his back, but Alister spun around, his fist connecting with its jaw and sending it sprawling. He was on it in an instant, his hand piercing its chest to rip out the core. The creature's scream was cut short as he crushed its heart, the black core disintegrating in his grip.

[Ding! Stats increased by 10%!]

[Level Up!!]

The remaining goblins halted in their tracks, they were clearly afraid. Even the massive goblin champion hesitated, its club trembling in its grip as it watched Alister decimate its kin.

Alister, now fully healed thanks to leveling up, turned his attention to the champion. "Your turn," he growled, his voice giving off a dangerous aura.

The champion roared in defiance, charging at him with its club raised high. But Alister was faster. He sidestepped the initial swing, moving with a speed that left the goblin swinging at empty air. Before the champion could recover, Alister was on it, he instantly closed the gap, leaping up slightly, he dug his claws in the middle of it's chest.

With a sudden burst of strength, he tore the goblin's chest open, exposing the black core pulsing with dark energy. Alister didn't hesitate. He plunged his hand into the gaping wound, ripping the core out. The champion's roar turned into a gurgling whimper as its life force faded.

Alister crushed the core in his fist, the goblin champion collapsing to the ground with a final, echoing thud.

[Ding! Stats increased by 10%!]

[Level Up!!]

Small, barely noticeable horns began emerging on his skull. As his body was healing up, increasing the temperature in the dungeon, he was breathing out steam, his mana crackling around his eyes intensified.

The remaining goblins, witnessing the fall of the larger goblin, broke ranks and fled, their terror overpowering any lingering thoughts of victory.

Alister turned to face them, his glowing yellow eyes seemed to pierce through their souls as he said, "Let's go, I can do this all day!"

[Time left: 00:33:12.]