Alex wiped the sweat from his brow, the remnants of the fight still lingering in the air. The five goblins lay dead before him, their bodies crumpled on the forest floor. His chest heaved with each breath, his muscles sore from the effort, but he felt the familiar surge of power coursing through him. His Plunder ability had already activated once again, granting him a new boost to his strength.
[Plunder: Strike Hit Skill Acquired]
[Strike Hit has been upgraded after your battle with the Goblins, increasing your strength by 2%.]
He stood over the fallen goblins, his thoughts swirling. The increase in strength was minimal for now, but the feeling of growth, the feeling that he was becoming more than what he was, was undeniable. Alex didn't dwell on it. He had a goal in mind.
His focus shifted as he surveyed the area. He needed more. More power, more strength, and more skills. With his Plunder ability, he had the potential to grow far beyond his initial expectations. And the goblins, as brutal as they were, had become a means to that end. He had to find more.
Determined, Alex began to venture deeper into the woods, his senses heightened. It didn't take long before he found another small group of goblins, this time scattered and patrolling the area as they made their way to a nearby hunting ground.
Without hesitation, Alex took them on, dispatching each one with precision. The goblins fought back fiercely, but their skills were nothing compared to his growing strength. It didn't take long for Alex to cut them down, one by one, feeling his power grow with every strike.
As Alex wiped his blade clean and turned away from the last fallen goblin, a dark shape in the distance caught his eye. In the clearing ahead, nestled between the trees, was a sprawling village. The sight struck him with both intrigue and caution. The goblins must have had a stronghold there.
He moved closer, his footsteps light and steady, keeping to the shadows. The village seemed quiet at first, the air thick with the stench of decay. But as he crept forward, he caught sight of a group of goblins gathered at the edge of the village, dragging something—no, someone—into the open.
Alex's heart sank as he crept closer. The goblins were tossing something aside like it was nothing more than garbage. His eyes widened in horror as he realized what they were discarding.
Female soldiers. Human women, their faces battered and broken. The horror of what had been done to them became clear as Alex watched the goblins laugh among themselves. His stomach churned as he understood the depths of their cruelty. The women had been subjected to atrocities, their dignity shattered beyond measure.
For the first time, Alex felt a deep surge of anger—a burning desire for justice. He couldn't stand by and let this happen. Not anymore.
The sound of his sword slicing through the air was the only warning the goblins would get before they fell. Alex moved swiftly, his strikes methodical and relentless. One by one, he cut through the goblins, each swing of his blade powered by the rage that now consumed him. He wouldn't let them get away with this. Not after what they had done.
His body moved on instinct, faster and stronger with each kill. Each goblin that fell brought him closer to his goal, and with each one, his power grew. He had learned long ago that every fight was an opportunity to become stronger. And now, he was taking full advantage of that.
After an hour of fighting, Alex stood over the last of the goblins, his body slick with sweat and blood. The village was silent now, the once-thriving settlement reduced to a battlefield. Alex's chest heaved as he took in the sight before him. The only remaining threat was the Goblin Lord, the leader of this wretched place.
[Plunder: Strike Hit Skill Upgraded]
[Strike Hit has been upgraded after your battle with the Goblins, increasing your strength by 100%.]
The notification flashed in front of Alex, and he grinned to himself. The battle had been grueling, but it had been worth it. His strength was growing rapidly, and the upgrades to his skills were a testament to that.
He looked around the village, surveying the damage. He had done what needed to be done. But now, it was time for the Goblin Lord to face him.
Alex made his way toward the largest structure in the village, a towering building that seemed to serve as the Goblin Lord's stronghold. He entered cautiously, his senses alert for any sign of danger.
Inside, the Goblin Lord waited, his large form towering over Alex as the two locked eyes.
"So, you're the one who killed my kin," the Goblin Lord growled, his voice low and menacing. "You'll pay for that."
Alex smirked, drawing his sword. "I didn't come here to talk."
The fight began in an instant.
The Goblin Lord was a formidable opponent, his strength overwhelming. The battle raged on for what seemed like hours, with each blow landing with bone-crushing force. Alex gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain, determined to win. Every strike, every counter, brought him closer to victory.
Finally, with one last powerful thrust, Alex pierced the Goblin Lord's chest, ending the battle. The Goblin Lord's massive body crumpled to the ground, his blood staining the floor.
[Plunder: New Skills Acquired]
[Damage Strike Skill Acquired: Damage increased by 100%.]
[Leadership Skill Acquired: Increases ally strength by 50% and personal strength by 100% when leading. When fighting alone, personal strength increases by 50%.]
Alex stood over the fallen Goblin Lord, breathing heavily. The fight had been a test of endurance, but he had succeeded. Now, he had new skills to add to his growing arsenal.
[Level Up: You have reached Level 4]
[Due to you defeating a level 3 opponent with only a level 2 strength. You are given the reward of frog leaping, which increases the level by 1., you have gained a bonus level, reaching Level 5.]
(he got i because he is the first person to do it in the world)
As the notifications flashed before his eyes, Alex felt a sense of satisfaction. Reaching level 5 meant something more than just power. It meant that he was on the right path. And with that, he knew he had unlocked something bigger.
[Ranking System Activated]
[You have been the first to reach Level 5. Global Ranking System Unlocked.]
The global ranking system was now active. Alex's name would be etched into the records, his place in the world solidified. He would be known.
[Awards Received: Skill Increase Stone, Career Scroll, Silver-Level Belt Equipment.]
The rewards appeared before him, and Alex took them without a second thought. They would serve him well on his journey. With every step, his power grew. There was no telling what challenges lay ahead, but Alex knew one thing for sure: he was ready for whatever came next.