Chapter 64: [064] First Territory Evolution (2)
Floki had not really gotten the opportunity to properly test out his strength and speed after entering the silver-rank.
As the crystal of authority revealed itself to Floki, several emotions erupted within him, mostly delight, along with the satisfying feeling of obtaining something he had been working toward.
He strode forward into the room alone and grabbed the crystal of authority.
It was the same as his own. The same orb shape, the same size, and the same transparent color. It always looked ordinary when it had not been activated.
"ISsh Muinee!"
Kellan tried to claim the item as he saw Floki holding it.
His eyes reddened, and he looked like a beast being eaten from within by pain.
Frustration of unimaginable scale took over his body as he realized what his future now held, now that his crystal of authority had been taken away from him.
Tears fell from his eyes as he struggled against the women pressing him to the ground with their feet. He reached out his hand and continued to cry in his unintelligible voice, a result of his broken jaw and damaged internal organs.
Floki ignored the commotion as he focused on the seemingly ordinary orb in his hands while several notifications began to appear before his retina.
[ You’ve obtained a crystal of authority. ]
[ You’ve successfully conquered Blackstone Village. You’ve obtained the following rewards: 100,000 EXP, 10,000 Skill Points, 2 F-rank skill scrolls. ]
Floki’s eyes widened the moment these numbers appeared before him. It felt as though he was dreaming.
[ Host should note that rewards are multiplied based on value points. This is the list for reference: FF = 50 · F = 100 · E = 300 · D = 800 · C = 2,500 · B = 7,000 · A = 20,000 · S = 70,000 · SS = 200,000 · SSS = 700,000 · EX = 2,000,000+ ]
[ 50x reward applied. You’ve obtained 5,000,000 EXP, 500,000 Skill Points, 2 S-rank skill scrolls. ]
[ Total EXP: 6,570,000 ]
[ Total skill points: 529,100 ]
Millions of experience points, hundreds of thousands of skill points, and two skill scrolls stronger than all the skills he currently had in his possession.
A smile crept onto his face. It was wide. He could not wait to see the skills he had obtained. For now, he focused on the other notification hovering before him, the one he needed at the moment.
[ You can now activate the crystal of authority. Nonetheless, fusion of the obtained crystal of authority and your own crystal of authority has to take place within your own territory. The fusion comes with numerous effects and benefits. ]
’I thought as much,’ he muttered to himself.
Yet he found the process slightly tedious.
He would have to manually transport this item back to Ironside. And the resources in this place... he had no idea, so he quickly asked the system.
[ Blackstone territory will vanish from this world’s surface in a few hours. It will be wiped from every map as though it never existed. That is how this world operates. There is no continuation once a lord loses his crystal of authority. There is only restart, which is nearly impossible, as one has to find another crystal of authority or fall into damnation, where past defeated lords ended. ]
Now he understood why Kellan was currently groaning and wailing loudly.
He almost felt pity for him, though only for a brief moment.
"Activate the crystal of authority."
It was a simple command, but the effect could be seen by everyone present.
It was loud and clear.
Kellan began to scream as though his body was being stabbed by a burning blade.
"Pweaaaaasee!"
His voice pleaded frantically as though death was standing before him with a smoky scythe.
Tears and snot fell from his face. He let go of his pride, uncaring if there were people watching him.
His villagers, or more precisely former villagers, heard his voice echo out of the building.
Floki turned to him with annoyance.
"Shut him up."
He commanded the women, who acted right away, before turning back to the notification before him.
[ Activating...5%...100% ]
[ You’ve obtained total ownership of this crystal of authority. All ties to former owner have been severed. ]
[ Do you want to awaken the skills within it? Cost: 100 Skill Points ]
Floki spent the 100 Skill Points right away.
[ Awakening...1%...100% ]
[ Awakening process successful ]
[ Special skills: Stone Reinforcement and Knight Summoning have been granted ]
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Stone Reinforcement (E-rank)
By drawing upon the essence of the earth, you envelop your body in a dense layer of living stone, hardening your flesh beyond normal limits. This transformation significantly enhances your defense, allowing you to withstand powerful blows, while also amplifying your physical attacks with crushing force.
Beyond mere reinforcement, this skill awakens your connection to the earth itself, granting you the Earth Affinity. With continued use and mastery, your control over this element deepens, allowing your body to become both an unyielding shield and a devastating weapon on the battlefield.
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The first skill seemed fairly basic based on its effect. Nonetheless, it granted Earth Affinity, which made it more worthwhile despite its rank.
His eyes darted quickly toward the other skill, which was what he needed at this exact moment.
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Knight Summoning (E-rank)
As a lord, authority alone is not enough—you must have those who stand and fight for you. This skill allows you to summon a single loyal knight, bound to your will and unwavering in their duty. The knight will act as your shield and blade, defending you in battle while executing your commands without hesitation.
Though limited to one summon, the knight’s strength reflects your growth. As you rise in power, so too will your summoned companion, evolving into a more formidable warrior. With time, this skill may expand, allowing you to command not just one knight, but an entire force worthy of your rule.
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With these two new special skills added to his arsenal, a smile blossomed on his face.
He kept the crystal of authority in his inventory and turned toward Kellan and the elders that had accompanied him to this place.
The elders were now looking at him with fear.
When one slays a lord, they have the power to either accept his people as his own, growing their population, or slaughter all of them, which naturally makes the lord stronger.
The elders felt that, with everything Floki had said earlier and the possible confession of how they had enslaved and maltreated others, they were going to be killed.
The five elders present instantly fell to the ground on their knees and bowed.
"Great Chief, please forgive us!" they pleaded frantically.
"We were all forced by our former bastard of a chief. That was never our intention. We are not as vile as him, please spare us."
"Please don’t kill us."
Their voices overlapped as they begged.
Kellan, whose voice had greatly diminished, heard their words and felt betrayal like hundreds of needles stabbing his heart.
None of them even tried to fight for his honor.
None of them tried to bring him back.
Kellan felt backstabbed. Didn’t the slaves he captured make life easier for them? Why then was only he painted as the bad one?
He wanted to speak, but there was no strength left, and the women were stepping on his stomach, chest, and neck, applying all their weight without care.
Floki looked at the elders.
Why did they think he was going to kill them?
He needed population, and this village was highly populated. They would easily reach the threshold he needed for the final upgrade of his territory.
Nonetheless, he did not make this clear to them yet.
Also, Floki was slightly mentally strained. He needed them to do the work of convincing their own people, as it would make things faster and easier.
"If you want your lives spared, go outside and convince your people to come with me back to Ironside," he told them.
"Just that?"
Their eyes widened with relief.
"Consider it done."
Then they dashed out of the room.
Floki’s eyes turned to Kellan.
The man had been defeated by everything he once dominated, both physically and psychologically.
The look in his eyes now was hollow and almost lifeless.
Floki shook his head.
He then brought out his greatsword and stabbed him.
Giving him a quick death.
No honor. No delay. No mercy to have a last word.
Such a person did not deserve any of that.