The air was tense, the gray mist swirling ominously at the edges of the territory. Today's wave of monsters brought with it an unexpected twist—elite monsters.
Lucian frowned slightly. "Elite monsters on the fourth day?"
According to the guides and lessons he'd studied, elite monsters typically appeared around the tenth day during the Newcomer Trials. The earlier elites showed up, the harder the upcoming waves would become.
"This isn't a good sign," he muttered, but then paused to reflect.
It actually made sense.
With [Mechanical Kidney] in hand, Lucian's capabilities far exceeded those of ordinary beginner lords.
His [Altar] had evolved into the legendary [Red Pavilion], summoning Lin Daiyu with only 10 Void Crystals.
His [Arrow Towers] had transformed into powerful [Flame Burst Towers] and quirky yet effective [Fart Towers].
Even without external support or a powerful background, Lucian's advantages were clear. It was only natural that the monsters he faced would scale to match his strength.
The monsters were approaching from three directions.
The north side was protected by the [Inferno Tower] and the [Fart Tower], which could handle the oncoming enemies with ease.
The east and west sides, however, required immediate attention.
Lucian turned to Lin Daiyu. "Daiyu, you take the east. I'll summon reinforcements for the west."
"Yes, Master," she replied, her calm demeanor hiding a faint trace of excitement.
Lucian approached the [Steel Armored Pen] and opened its menu.
He spent 5 Void Crystals, and the pen's gates creaked open.
With a resounding snort, a massive [Steel Armored Boar] emerged.
Standing nearly two meters tall, the beast was an imposing sight. Its thick body was covered in a gleaming layer of steel armor, even its tusks shining with a metallic sheen.
[Steel Armored Boar]
Species: Beast
Level: 1
Trait: [Steel Armor] (+1).
Attributes:
Physique: 50 (Base 5, x1000%).
Spirit: 1 (Base 0.1, x1000%).
Skill: [Savage Charge] (Level 1).
Description: "A beauty among boars, the tank of the wilds."
Lucian whistled. "A thousand pounds of armored destruction. Perfect."
The boar snorted, stomping its hooves and lowering its head in submission.
Lucian's eyes sparkled with excitement. He drew his sword and mounted the beast with a practiced leap. "From now on, your name is Peppa. Let's see what you've got!"
Lucian turned his attention to the south, where a group of elite Dark Hunters was advancing unopposed.
"Peppa, let's show them what we're made of!"
The Steel Armored Boar let out a guttural squeal before charging forward like a runaway tank.
The ground trembled beneath its massive weight as it tore through the mist, barreling straight into the group of Dark Hunters.
Boom!
The impact was devastating.
Two elite Dark Hunters were sent flying, their bodies crashing into the ground with sickening thuds. A third was caught directly beneath Peppa's steel-clad hooves, its torso crushed beyond recognition.
Lucian, atop his mount, felt a surge of adrenaline. "This is what it feels like to be unstoppable!"
He raised his sword and aimed for a nearby Dark Hunter, thrusting downward with all his strength.
Clang!
The blade snapped in half against the monster's tough hide.
Lucian blinked, stunned. "Seriously?"
The injured Dark Hunter snarled, raising its weapon to counterattack. But before it could strike, Peppa's hind legs kicked out, shattering its arm and sending it flying.
Lucian sighed in relief, though his mood darkened as he glanced at the broken remains of his sword. "Guess I'll need a better weapon..."
Lucian quickly issued new orders.
He spent 20 more Void Crystals, summoning four additional Steel Armored Boars from the pen.
The pen's gates swung open, and the boars charged forth, their armored bodies glinting in the dim light.
"Let's show them what teamwork looks like!" Lucian yelled.
The five boars charged in unison, their combined momentum shaking the ground.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Dark Hunters were utterly overwhelmed. Elite or not, they stood no chance against the sheer force of the boars' [Savage Charge]. Blood and gore splattered across the battlefield as the monsters were trampled, one after another.
Within minutes, the wave was annihilated.
Victory Achieved
As the dust settled, the system's familiar chime echoed in Lucian's mind.
Lucian dismounted Peppa, patting the boar's armored flank. "Good job, girl. You've earned a rest."
The boar snorted in response, its massive form radiating satisfaction.
The battle had been a resounding success, and his territory was one step closer to becoming an unassailable stronghold.
He glanced back at Lin Daiyu, who was calmly watching from the fence. Her serene expression belied the excitement he could sense beneath the surface.
"Master, your performance was... impressive," she said, her voice soft but sincere.
Lucian chuckled. "It's all thanks to Peppa and her siblings."
Lin Daiyu smiled faintly, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she turned to return to the hut.
Lucian followed, a sense of accomplishment filling his chest. The fourth day had ended in triumph, but he knew the challenges ahead would only grow more daunting.
For now, though, he allowed himself a moment to bask in the victory.