Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

Cromwel stared at the scene that just happened in the sky. Maybe he was the only one who truly knew what just occurred, apart from the Tower Master. The dragon had actually suffered a combined attack which resulted in his downfall.

The scientist had no intention to belittle the power of the colossus, but the reason the attack managed to even severe the wind, laid in a purple lightning that struck the wing bone only moments before.

Since he was outclassed on this battlefield, he was probably the only one with the idle time to watch all the fights and notice the movement of Conquest. The dull gray knight on his freezing steed had pulled back from the fight against the sea serpent and joined the fight against the skeleton dragon.

However, he did not directly join the fight and waited for a chance to strike, leading to the people on the battlefield forgetting about him. But Cromwel saw it, the actions that seemed too deliberate to be a makeshift strategy.

The horseman of Conquest, who had seemingly hidden the true extent of his powers, had actually managed to turn part of the wing bone into brittle, gray metal. Unlike the strong dragon bone, that had resisted most attacks so far, the metal broke almost instantlöy, when it was struck by the attack of the colossus.

Having his left wing severed, the dragon lost his power of flight and plummeted into the valley, leaving his master in the sky above. The dragon had fallen, the lich was crawling on the ground, and the serpent...

...

Three Hooks latched onto the rim of the koor worms eye socket, and pulled the beast from the sky. They had managed to damage and destroy several of the serpent's hover pads, crippling its speed and maneuverability in the sky. Especially Strix with its well timed attacks forced the undead to lower its altitude just before finally catching its skull with the scale staff.

“You have been weighed!” the automaton exclaimed and the chain hooks dislodged with a loud chink, as the massive beast was slammed it in the ground. Using the momentum of the move, the horsemen jumped off the back of his black stag and landed on the undead sea serpent only moments after in crashed in the ground.

Ramming the hook at the back of the weapon in the base of the skull, he continued the attack..For the first time, Tatzel was able to witness the horseman’s skill up close. With eyes close to those of a dragon, the Imugi could see the mana of the surrounding being sucked into Strix.

During that, the weapon worked like a siphon to steal the koor worm’s mana directly and funnel it into the golem. But not just his mana, Tatzel could feel that even life force and other stats were mixed into the flow of power.

Not even the dragon fall happening right beside them could stop the knight golem from devouring the undead’s power, no matter what kind of power it was. It felt like an eternity, as Tatzel watched huge amount of energy leave the rotten skeleton and vanish in Strix, like the automaton was a bottomless sea.

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“You have been measured,” the horsemen said slowly, after finally releasing the hook from the base of the skull. The tone was even calmer than the usual emotionless golem voice, as Strix leapt off the motionless carcass. Diromold was still alive, but the beast lacked the energy to even flinch.

“And you have been found…wanting,” hunger gave its final verdict, once again leaving the enemy behind, depleted but not dead. The empty eye holes of the helmet looked at the dragon who had plummeted to the ground, but the horsemen didn't move as if it knew that this was not his opponent.

Tatzel suddenly felt the power of legends flow into him. He knew this power. For him, who was born with the potential to reach the legendary status by simply growing, this resource naturally grew within him just like mana.

Now, a massive wave swept into his body, forcefully filling him and increasing the concentration of the power in his body. It was a greatly rejuvenating experience after the long morning full of battle. He was immersed in absorbing the power when his focus was interrupted by a notification.

So this was how it was, a system reward! Despite only playing a support in this fight, Puffles was notified that the power he absorbed increased his level of existence automatically, while also giving him 3 million points of PoE. Although he had not done it often, he was able to use this power to strengthen his magic attacks, which was quite handy, depending on the situation.

Before he could check his current level, another notification popped up. The imugi’s eyes widened. He had been lv.177 before, which meant that he actually only received 3 of his 5 bonus levels, before hitting that wall!

Would he be reimbursed if he had the special means? What special means did he need though? His eyes focused on Diromold, but he instinctively looked at Kalzemir.

...

The song had finally come to an end.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Natina stared at the ground below. She should have escaped when she saw the old man. Even if it wasn't that frightening figure that ruined everything. had she run at that time, she may have lost her dignity, but still would have had several legends and an army under her.

Now? Not much of the army of undead was left, with the rampage on the ground. The remnants were still locked in battle with the local zombies or had deserted to the other side. Her legends had all fallen.

Uz'Roc was missing in action. Fafi was stolen from her. Piotr was struggling as his very existence was slowly dissolving. Diromold was incapacitated and Kalzemir... she was currently witnessing the crippled skeleton dragon struggling in a fight against the colossus, and two horsemen of the apocalypse.

Her heart broke, seeing them shatter his bones with the magic Conquest was using, while her only bound legend was merely able to fight like a beast to fend them off. The was full of rage just a moment ago, but now it was pushed aside by regret.

It was all because her skill level was too low. If Kalzemir had retained even a fraction of his intelligent form when he was alive, there would have been no way for them to lose like this. If only her skill level had been higher when she bonded with the skeleton dragon...

Her belief was not unfounded. Natina's gaze fell on Diromold, remembering how hard it was to kill the Koor Worm, which had rivaled the Ancient Dragon in life. It had taken the skeleton dragon, the hydra, the orc, and the elder lich to take down the Koor Worm, and now? Her skill was still too low to retain much of its original power, explaining its pitiful state.

In the end, it was all her fault. If only she had spent more time on improving her skills. if only she had made better decisions. If only she didn't hold such a grudge. if only she had not come to Urth upon hearing he was here. However, when her gaze fell on the bard who had just ended his song, her thoughts changed.

How was he so strong? How had this worm managed to gather such an army? If only he wasn't here! her fault? No, it was his! Right, it was all the bard's fault. She wouldn't lose lying down! no, at the very least she would take him with her!

Fueled by her own denial and rage, the Chosen of Kali broke out in purple fire. 8 arms wielding 8 legendary artifacts, she charged at the bard, riding wheels of flames.