Rex unleashed

Rex strode away, found a deserted spot, and immediately took out the Lesser Tome of Agility. There were not many kinds of attribute-enhancing treasures, but they fell into two categories: runes that temporarily enhanced abilities, and various books that permanently enhanced them, such as the Tome of Strength and Tome of Agility. Each came in lesser and greater versions. The lesser versions naturally only granted +1, while the greater versions granted +2. The Book of Energy was a special case, with no lesser or greater version.

Rex tore apart the Lesser Tome of Agility, and specks of light flowed into his body. A pleasant sensation filled him, and he felt himself grow lighter, as though his former self had been unbearably clumsy. The first use of a Tome of Agility was guaranteed to succeed; the second depended on his constitution. Another book appeared: the Lesser Tome of Wisdom. This book was also extraordinarily valuable, because unlike in the game, it did not merely increase a Heroic's intelligence. Here, it increased a Heroic's energy.

The Lesser Tome of Wisdom made no distinction between the types of energy a Heroic possessed. Whether it was rage, holy light, or some other magical power, using it would enhance that energy. With such an incredible effect, it naturally did not grant a 100% increase, only 50%, but even that was astonishing. If the changes from the Tome of Agility had been subtle, the changes brought about by the Lesser Tome of Wisdom were obvious to anyone. The holy light surged within Rex as though it were about to overflow.

Clearly, the holy light within Rex had reached a threshold, just a little short of the middle stage of the ninth rank. Rex nodded in satisfaction at the results. He was now much stronger than he had been at the Training Grounds earlier, but it still was not enough.

As he looked at the Lesser Tome of Strength, hesitation flashed through his eyes. In the end, he gritted his teeth and tore it open. This time, he intended to take the gamble. It was only a thousand gold coins, after all. He would simply treat those thousand gold coins as money thrown away for a bit of amusement.

Even if the Lesser Tome of Strength failed to work this time, Rex refused to believe that, with consumable treasures to support him, he could not last ten moves.

There was a reason Rex had saved the Lesser Tome of Strength for last before tearing it apart. In his previous life, he had heard a theory about bodily balance. A person's development could not become too lopsided. If someone trained nothing but strength, then once they reached a certain threshold, they would never be able to increase it further. Yet there was a way to break through that threshold: train their speed and other attributes as well, maintaining a balance between the body's various attributes. This did not mean making them all equal, merely ensuring that the differences between them were not too great.

It was this theory that gave Rex a sliver of hope. By improving his agility before using the Lesser Tome of Strength this time, perhaps he could keep it from being another wasted effort.

Whether Rex's theory had worked or his constitution had been special enough from the outset to let him use three Lesser Tomes of Strength in succession, he had no idea. Whatever the reason, he had succeeded. This Lesser Tome of Strength had stirred the power within him. A radiant smile spread across his face as he put away a talisman. Had a player from his previous life seen it, they would have recognized it as a Talisman of the Wild.

[Talisman of the Wild; summons ten fourth-rank Furbolgs to fight for the user for 120 minutes. Can be used three times. Note: this talisman can be combined into an Amulet of the Wild.]

Rex strode back to the Training Grounds, where King Genn and Rachel had only just arrived. Although it seemed as though he had delayed for a long time, not even a quarter of an hour had passed. Now, standing in the Training Grounds with his Greatsword in hand, Rex brimmed with confidence. His bearing, together with the holy light surging within him, made it unmistakable that he was far stronger than he had been before eating.

Could not eating enough affect combat strength? The thought flashed through both their minds, only to be immediately dismissed. The answer was certainly no. He had used some kind of magical item. Rachel and King Genn were both exceptionally knowledgeable, and a little thought was enough for them to work it out.

Still holding the same One-Handed Sword, Rachel slowly approached Rex. Rex narrowed his eyes as he watched Rachel. His own strength had increased tremendously, yet the impression Rachel gave him had not weakened at all. Instead, it had grown even stronger.

"In the name of the holy light, I pronounce your Execution Sentence!" This time, Rex did not charge in blindly. His expression turned solemn as he unleashed his surging holy light and delivered the sentence.

An enormous, glittering golden hammer descended from the sky, radiating dazzling light. In the next instant, Rex charged forward and unleashed Crusader Strike, the Paladin's signature skill. His surging holy light combined with his terrifying strength, sending powerful force spilling outward. The Greatsword swept through the air with a low howl as it sliced through the wind.

Attacking from two directions was Rex's strategy. Against any other opponent, the descending hammer of Execution Sentence would have been easy to dodge, making the two-pronged attack a joke. But Rachel was different. Rex understood Rachel's mindset. As a Hero Rank powerhouse, especially when facing a junior, Rachel would naturally want to display composure and dignity, instinctively showing off. That meant dodging Execution Sentence was out of the question.

Rachel acted exactly as Rex had anticipated, standing motionless as though unaware of the enormous hammer descending from above. The sight brought Rex no joy. With such a commotion overhead, it was impossible for Rachel not to have noticed. That lack of movement meant the threat from above was insignificant, something Rachel could easily deal with.

The sword rose high, effortlessly dispersing the falling hammer, then swept down again to intercept Rex's Greatsword. The sight was as graceful as it was chilling. This was the strength of a Hero Rank powerhouse. To Rex's eyes, Rachel had merely swung the sword upward, carried it overhead, and brought it down, eliminating the threat from the sky in one fluid motion.

Facing Rachel's calm gaze, Rex suddenly unleashed the strength in both arms, pouring every ounce of power in his body into the blow.

Clang! The impact rang out, and Rachel staggered back several steps. This was his chance. Rachel really had underestimated his strength, still judging him by the standard he had shown before eating. His earlier deception had worked after all.

Rex seized the opening and pressed the attack, determined to strike while his opponent was vulnerable.

(End of chapter)