Amidst the melted remains of what had once been an ancient tyrant, someone who had predated even the gods’ domination over Ireland, Adam grinned at his interface window.
He would lie if he claimed Balor’s level didn’t surprise him, but that was about all. The chasm between mortals and divinities was as unbridgeable as suggested by the numbers hovering silently before him. Still, the ability to kill with a glance? Mildly surprising... or maybe a lot. His kimono was still glued to his back with cold sweat...
As he thought about it, he controlled his flames to swirl around Balor’s giant eye—the only thing he had spared from utter annihilation. With a thought, he stored it and a beast core that looked like a boulder covered in soot in his magic cube.
"It’s too big for an artifact. Can we repurpose it as a defensive mechanism? A giant eye overlooking Atlantis’ safety, ready to shoot lethal beams and reap the lives of those who cross its gaze." He tilted his head, his grin broadening. "I like the idea. But I like to distribute my stat points even more."
With his divine pieces of equipment, the bonuses surpassed the two-hundred percent mark. Now that his base stats would soar, he wanted to feel how powerful his muscles would become, not to mention the satisfaction of witnessing the numbers grow.
He divided the points equally without caring about the minor differences. A little more agility and strength didn’t bother him when later adjustments were possible through his talent.
A moment later, he clenched and unclenched his fists. The joints popped with the intensity of a blast. Surprised by the sound but more curious by his strength, he focused on his veins that throbbed like mighty rivers of splashing vitality. He also noticed a subtle change in how he perceived the world.
It wasn’t a fundamental change, at least nothing like developing eye powers like Balor. Rather, his nervous system became so efficient that he could distinguish the ash particles’ rough edges. They became slow, almost suspended in time. And that was after his popping fingers propelled them in a charred gust of toxic gases.
The difference in his strength was nothing short of exhilarating, something almost unimaginable. Yet, he had achieved it—with his own hands.
"Is it enough to see Zeus’ bolts?" He couldn’t help but wonder in a cheerful tone before his scarlet and blue eyes sharpened.
Perhaps, but it didn’t matter for now. Instead, he calibrated his new perception to the world. Delightful as it was, it would make interacting with normal individuals a chore.
After a moment, the ash and dust reclaimed their normal speed. He nodded, giving his interface one last glance before his wings unfurled, and he soared across the morning sky like a meteor. War beckoned, and as one of the major players, he couldn’t be late, could he?
Race: Twilight Draconian Emperor
Talent: EX grade: From gamer to god!
Job: God of Freedom and Vengeance
Exp: 12.000.000/63.000.000
Vitality: 12->163 (+269) (+112) = 544
Strength: 20->171 (+385) (+112) = 668
Agility: 25->177 (+396) (+112) = 685
Primordial chaotic essence: 56
Free attribute points: 455->0
Items: Chaosbringer, Magical cube, Amaterasu no Tamoto, Eye of the Demon King, Draconic Bracelet
Authorities: Unfettered Will, Body of pure chaos, Tyrant of the Golden Age, The Coil’s Return, Heavenly Bones of Gathering Clouds, Scorch of Genesis.
He stepped inside his palace after dropping Balor’s eye to his favorite duo of craftsmen.
The lava coursing through the ground channels glowed faintly on Shihan, Garduck, and Mimi’s solemn faces. They glared at a map of the West placed over a leathery napkin, demonic pawns representing their forces placed around butterfly-winged ones. Two among them stood out with their carved crowns—Oberon and Titania.
He hadn’t invited the allied lords to this meeting, not that they had time to waste. Armies had to be organised, and Mab had to move their last supplies.
The mythical figures’ absence, however, made him frown. Where were those fools?
As he approached the table, Mimi’s eyes lit up, Shihan’s lips curled into a soft smile, and Garduck rose from his seat, his back straight and his emerald eyes blazing.
Before he could talk, his general had already begun. "It’s good to see you after those hectic months, Adam. I can feel that your strength grew tremendously, but I didn’t slack off, either." He clenched his fists between them. "I’ll show you the result and our army’s strength."
Mimi nodded, her red hair dancing as she rose so fast that the chair almost toppled. She, too, would prove she hadn’t slacked off in managing the alliance.
"Our storage overflows with Amelia’s food. Durgrim, Muramasa, your dark elves, and Pablo’s dwarfs equipped everyone in light orichalcum armor aside from our heavy hitters. Michael..."
She rolled her eyes, her nose wrinkling slightly. "Don’t ask me. This annoying troll said he’d arrive on time with his weaponry, but he always does whatever he wants."
Nodding, Adam sat at the helm of the table, where they had prepared a chair decorated with intricate arabesques and soft golden cushions.
"What about our forces?"
Shihan’s smile broadened as she answered the question with precise numbers.
"Forget about our scattered army. We now have two hundred thousand foot soldiers alone. Each is trained in our formation-based strategies and placed under one of the six troublemakers. The minotaur division is the lowest, with around twenty members. But it was a worthy trade. In exchange, Gawain’s flying cavalry counts sixty hippogriffs mounted by demon dukes donned in thick orichalcum plates."
Adam tapped his fingers on the table before a satisfied grin curved his lips. "What about the young dragons?"
Shihan’s eyes slipped to Garduck, her lips twisting. "That’s..."
Garduck took over with a sigh. "We only have two. I know you had high expectations for them, Adam. But... How do I even put this?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "They’re young. Even if they’re more powerful than regular soldiers, they’re too expensive to summon, mischievous, and uncontrollable when we’re pressed for time. Even Karna has trouble keeping them in check. No."
He shook his head. "Two mounted knights are more useful. Therefore, that’s what I commanded."
Adam’s smile faded, and a frown replaced it. He had really wanted to see the dragon division in action. But Garduck was right. Efficiency was more important. However, after they won this war? ’I’ll make each of my generals raise one.’
His eyes sparkled as he waved his hand. "I understand. The rest doesn’t change. We blitz the capital. Siege its walls, kill on sight, and conquer it before nightfall." His eyes narrowed into slits as he knocked Oberon’s pawn down. "I’ll take care of the bastard."
He rose, his voice echoing throughout the palace. "March! Today, we conquer the fairy woods! Today, we kill two gods!"