Chapter 45: New Upgrades
After Ka’z’s stirring speech, the excitement that had swept through the group slowly settled into determination. There was no celebration afterward or rest. Drax immediately stepped forward and assumed command of the training session with the confidence of someone who had once lived on the battlefield.
His experience was obvious from the moment he began barking orders. The recruits were divided into simple formations before being sent running laps around the clearing with wooden shields strapped to their arms and crude spears clutched tightly in their hands.
Complaints surfaced almost immediately, especially from Bigi, whose enormous frame shook the ground with every stride, but Drax showed no sympathy. Every time someone slowed down, another lap was added to everyone’s punishment, quickly teaching the squad that one person’s mistake belonged to the entire team.
Meanwhile, Ka’z quietly climbed onto one of the thick branches overlooking the clearing. From there he could observe every member of his newly formed squad without interrupting their training.
The sounds of heavy breathing, clashing wooden weapons and Drax’s constant shouting blended naturally with the rustling leaves overhead. Leaning comfortably against the trunk, Ka’z finally shifted his attention toward the countless notifications he had been postponing ever since he woke up.
[Sub Mission: Recruit Your Team Completed]
[Reward: +30 SP]
[Quest: The Old Withers, The New Blooms Completed]
[Reward: War Module I Unlocked]
[Reward: War Interface Unlocked]
"War Interface?" Ka’z rubbed his chin thoughtfully. The name alone sounded impressive, yet he had absolutely no idea what it actually did.
Almost immediately, another translucent panel unfolded before him.
[WAR INTERFACE]
[Squad Name: Unknown]
[Members: 10 / 10]
[Status: Clumsy Bunch]
[Wounded: 0]
[Dead: 0]
[Morale: 100%]
[Fatigue: Low]
[Roles: Locked]
Ka’z stared at the interface for several moments before letting out a quiet chuckle.
"This is... something."
His eyes moved across every section repeatedly.
Although disappointingly simple, he quickly realized just how useful it could become. Instead of constantly checking on every individual himself, the interface could immediately tell him the overall condition of his squad. If someone became injured during a mission, if morale collapsed, or if exhaustion reached dangerous levels, he would know immediately.
It wasn’t flashy or some miraculous battlefield technique. But for someone planning to command warriors, It was priceless.
Still, a small trace of disappointment surfaced inside him.
He had honestly expected the War Module to immediately grant tactical formations or military techniques. Instead, it seemed to be laying the foundation first.
Perhaps those features would unlock later.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Ka’z returned his attention to the remaining notifications.
[New Achievement Unlocked: Leader Of One, Leader Of All]
[Description: Your speech not only earned the recognition of your subordinates, but also secured their loyalty. Congratulations. You have taken your first step toward becoming the leader you were destined to be.]
[Reward: +50 SP]
A small smile appeared on Ka’z’s face. Compared to system points, this achievement pleased him far more. Loyalty wasn’t something that could simply be bought. It had to be earned.
Another familiar panel appeared before him.
[Name: Ka’z]
[Race: Kobold]
[Aether Core: Iron] [Low]
[Elemental Affinity: Earth & Fire]
[Bloodline: Draconic Lineage]
[Bloodline Tier: High]
[Bloodline Purity: Dormant] [5%]
[Soul Stage: Awakened]
[Status: Healthy]
[System Points: 270]
"I ended up getting the War Module for free..." Ka’z muttered while scratching his cheek. "...and I still have almost three hundred points."
He couldn’t complain. Compared to when he first awakened the system, his growth had been tremendous.
Without wasting another moment, Ka’z opened the System Shop.
[System Shop]
[Path Of A Mage I]
[Price: 150 SP]
[Description: Using the information accumulated so far, the System has compiled a comprehensive foundation of basic rune knowledge.]
[Survey Module II]
[Price: 100 SP]
[Description: Unlocks the Divine Perception Function.]
[Combat Module II]
[Price: 100 SP]
[Description: Unlocks the Combat Aid Function.]
"...Now this is troublesome."
Ka’z rubbed his forehead helplessly.
The System truly enjoyed putting him in situations like this.
Everything looked useful or necessary. And, as usual, he didn’t have enough points to purchase all of them. His gaze shifted back and forth between the three options several times.
The Path Of A Mage would dramatically increase his understanding of runes.
Combat Aid sounded incredibly useful for surviving battles. Then there was Divine Perception.
He had absolutely no idea what it did. Yet, something about the name kept drawing his attention.
"Divine Perception..." he whispered thoughtfully before nodding. "...Let’s see what makes it so divine."
Without another thought, he confirmed the purchase.
Ding!
[Survey Module II Purchased]
[-100 SP]
[Divine Perception Unlocked]
[Description: Divine Perception allows the user to perceive every living creature within a one hundred foot radius.]
"Ooh... shit."
The words escaped almost instinctively.
The moment the notification disappeared, Ka’z felt something inside his consciousness suddenly expand.
It wasn’t sight, hearing or smell. It felt as though another invisible sense had awakened deep within his soul.
The entire world opened before him. He could feel every living presence around him.
The tiny lizard slowly climbing across the bark several meters away.
The frightened rabbit hidden beneath a bush nearly thirty meters away. Birds perched high among the treetops. Countless insects crawling beneath the fallen leaves. Even the earthworms wriggling beneath the moist soil.
Nothing escaped him.
His perception extended effortlessly across the entire clearing until every member of his squad entered his awareness simultaneously.
Ka’z slowly inhaled.
"...This is actually overpowered."
He had genuinely expected the name to be exaggerated. Instead, It undersold the ability.
This wasn’t merely perception, It bordered on omniscience within its range.
Nothing could hide from him anymore. His heartbeat quickened with excitement.
Without hesitation, he made his final purchase.
[Path Of A Mage I Purchased]
[-150 SP]
[Basic Runes Education I Unlocked]
The moment the transaction completed, Ka’z’s entire body stiffened.
His vision blurred.
The branch beneath him vanished from his awareness as his body tipped backward until he lay flat atop the thick limb, staring blankly toward the canopy overhead.
Countless symbols flooded through his consciousness faster than he could comprehend. Every concept merged together before organizing themselves with impossible efficiency inside his mind.
Minutes passed.
Below him, the recruits continued training completely unaware of what was happening above.
Eventually, Ka’z slowly blinked. The chaotic flood of knowledge settled and his breathing gradually steadied. Yet the reflection of countless runes still shimmered faintly within his golden eyes.
He slowly sat upright. The world looked different now. He slowly raised Shiki before his face and the runes carved along its surface no longer appeared mysterious.
In fact, he could tell if he just spoke the runes in the reversed motion, it would trigger a who different effect.
Without realizing it, a cold smile spread across his face.
"I need somewhere secluded... Somewhere I can experiment without anyone watching."
His gaze drifted toward the distant forest beyond the training field before slowly shifting downward toward his squad.
The runes still reflected faintly within his pupils.
"Magic is for everyone. We’ve had it wrong from the very beginning." His voice was barely above a whisper.