Chapter 196: The Caliber of a "World Item," the Panic of the Gray Dwarf Race
As Tang Zheng's thoughts reached this point, he had a sudden realization.
Aside from talent, the number of jobs was likely another factor that limited human strength.
However, even if one had enough jobs, once their level reached the racial limit, it was still impossible to advance any further. Those powerhouses who hid in the shadows and transformed themselves into undead were, in essence, using a method to break through that racial limit.
Tang Zheng's eyes flickered slightly.
He thought of a World Item within the Great Tomb of Nazarick, [Greed and Desirelessness], which possessed the ability to store and consume experience, substituting for skills and magic that required it.
The ability seemed simple enough.
But with the status of a "World Item" and enough experience points, its wielder could likely break the racial limit and reach Level 100 with ease.
He shook his head.
This was still too far off for him. Even if he managed to obtain this World Item, the issue of acquiring enough experience would be a considerable problem in itself.
Returning to the present, he looked at Alar's expectant face. Tang Zheng stood up, reached into the void, and a magical greatsword appeared in his hand.
Alar's silver eyes widened in astonishment. She had no idea how the greatsword had suddenly materialized.
And the gray armor Lord Hero had worn earlier—it seemed he could dismiss and summon it at will.
Was it an ability related to some wondrous magic? Alar wondered to herself.
"Watch closely. This is a martial skill. While it's a sword technique, you can use it as a reference for the move you used earlier, 'Precise Control'."
As Tang Zheng spoke, he swung the sword with one hand.
Four Light Consecutive Slashes!
In an instant, four cold sword gleams flared to life in the air simultaneously.
Alar, watching from the side, felt a chill run through her, as if she were facing an attack from four different enemies.
"This..." Alar's breathing quickened, her silver pupils glowing.
This wasn't a skill like her 'Precise Control,' which relied on rapidly boosting her physical functions, but a pure technique.
"Instant Reflection!"
After unleashing the move, Tang Zheng's body flashed with blue light, and his posture instantly returned to its initial state, as if nothing had happened. The magical greatsword in his hand swung out once more.
"Four Light Consecutive Slashes—Rupture!"
Four cold gleams of light flared in the air again, then instantly merged into one!
Alar felt her vision abruptly plunge into darkness, as if all the light had been absorbed by a single, dazzling stream.
Boom!
A roar ripped through the air as it was torn asunder.
A shockwave surged forth!
Alar was jolted awake, gasping for breath and stumbling back two steps, her face pale with shock.
So strong!
So terrifying!
She had thought the four attacks unleashed in that single instant were already unstoppable. She never imagined that Lord Hero could follow up with an even more horrifying combination.
"Did you see that clearly? Ask if you have any questions," Tang Zheng said faintly, looking at Alar, who was covered in a cold sweat.
The class skills he possessed required their corresponding jobs, so even if Alar wanted to learn them, she couldn't. He could only offer some guidance on martial skills.
Meanwhile!
At the oasis of the Gray Dwarf Race.
The deployment of the 5,000-strong elite Grey Dwarf legion was naturally a major event for the entire Gray Dwarf Race.
Annihilating the human settlement, seizing a second oasis, and restoring the honor of the Gray Dwarf Race—this momentous undertaking was watched by every single Grey Dwarf.
Not a single Grey Dwarf believed this war could end in failure. Many among their people were even placing bets on how many days it would take for the war to conclude.
That's right!
This was a war they were certain to win. It was just a matter of time before they wiped out all the humans.
All the Grey Dwarves were eagerly awaiting the fine wine the King would bestow upon them after the victory, as well as looking forward to the second oasis.
However!
When the surviving Grey Dwarf soldiers from the elite legion fled back to the oasis, everything changed.
The news of the Commander-in-Chief's death in battle and the annihilation of the 5,000-strong elite legion sent the entire Gray Dwarf Race into an uproar.
An atmosphere of fear spread throughout the Gray Dwarf Race.
At this moment, even the king sending men to pacify the people had no effect. Everyone was plunged into a state of panic.
In the center of the oasis, near the freshwater source, was a massive cavern entrance. The Gray Dwarf Race lived underground. Dwarves were a race that did not particularly like sunlight, and this was especially true for Grey Dwarves.
The closer one's dwelling was to the freshwater source underground, the higher their status.
Inside a spacious stone chamber deep underground, three Grey Dwarves with completely gray beards sat at a low table. The atmosphere in the chamber was extremely oppressive.
What was supposed to be a battle of certain victory had ended in such a disastrous result, something no one had expected.
The three Grey Dwarves present were the three with the highest status in the entire Gray Dwarf Race.
One of them was the King of the Gray Dwarf Race, while the other two were the Forging Minister and the Chief Steward.
There had originally been a Commander-in-Chief, but he was now dead.
The Gray Dwarf Race was different from the Dwarf Race of the Angelicisia Mountain Range. Although their kingdom had been destroyed by the Troll Kingdom, forcing them to flee to Despair Valley, the royal bloodline of the Gray Dwarf Race had not been broken, and they still maintained a monarchical rule.
"To be able to destroy an elite legion of 5,000 men, it must be a powerhouse of the Heroic Realm! It must be!"
The Gray Dwarf King's face was filled with panic as he looked at the two ministers, whose expressions were just as grim.
"Didn't the human race lose all its Heroic Realm powerhouses? Where did this one come from?! What in the world is going on?! What should we do? Should we immediately send someone to the human settlement? We can offer compensation! No, that's not right! How can the great Grey Dwarves bow their heads to the inferior human race?"
Seeing their panicked king, the Forging Minister and the Chief Steward felt a sense of helplessness, though they too were panicking.
A powerhouse of the Heroic Realm had suddenly appeared on the human side, throwing all their plans into disarray.
Most importantly, they couldn't be certain why this Heroic Realm expert was helping the humans.
Could it be that legendary curse?
The Forging Minister and the Chief Steward glanced at each other, the same thought flashing through both their minds, but they quickly dismissed it.
That was just a legend. Besides, if it were that curse, it would only manifest when the human race was on the brink of annihilation, not now!
"Your Majesty, now is not the time to panic," the Chief Steward said, suppressing his own alarm and trying to keep his voice steady.
"What should we do now?" the Gray Dwarf King immediately asked, turning to the Chief Steward.
"First, we need to investigate whether that Heroic Realm expert is actually a human, or someone from another race who just happened to be passing by and lent a hand." As the Chief Steward spoke, he looked toward the Forging Minister.
"Your meaning is... This old one understands. We are also short on supplies like grain, but we can draw a batch of weapons from the armory as reparations." The Forging Minister understood the other's thoughts with just a glance. After a moment of consideration, he nodded.
"Furthermore, if it comes to the worst-case scenario, we can also make compromises by offering to 'forge weapons specially suited for humans'."
The Chief Steward stroked his thick, gray-white beard and nodded.
The Human Faction had already acquired a batch of weapons from the annihilated Grey Dwarf legion, so giving them a few more was inconsequential.
The human population was much smaller, after all.
The crucial thing was to quickly ascertain the current attitude of the humans and that mysterious hero.
"Give them weapons? How can we do that!" Hearing the countermeasure the two ministers were discussing, the Gray Dwarf King immediately retorted, "How can we compromise with that group of inferior, low-class races!"
"Your Highness, this isn't 50 years ago. We no longer have a Heroic Realm expert watching over us," the Chief Steward said softly, his words casting a pall over the room.
Fifty years ago was the most glorious period for their Gray Dwarf Kingdom. What followed was the invasion of the Troll Kingdom, where all of the kingdom's powerhouses perished in the war.
"We must also prepare for the worst."
The Chief Steward bowed slightly and continued respectfully, "Your Highness, we also need to prepare for the worst. Only Your Highness can use the items in the Treasury."
The next morning, a fully armed, ten-man Grey Dwarf squad pulling a cart of weapons set out from their oasis, heading toward the human oasis.
Meanwhile, on the Human Faction's side, after two days of basic training and familiarization, three thousand humans stood holding Grey Dwarf iron hammers and shields, their eyes blazing as they looked forward.
Alar, in full armor, stood before her people, subconsciously tightening her grip on the silver spear in her hand.
This was almost everyone in the tribe capable of fighting.
She didn't know how many would return alive from the coming war, but she knew—and everyone standing here knew—that this was their chance.
By borrowing Lord Hero's power!
This was an opportunity they could not afford to miss, a chance to secure a long and peaceful life for their descendants and all their people.
"Too many of our people have died in the wars against the Gray Dwarf Race!"
"Relatives, friends, ancestors, and more!"
"Just a short while ago, I thought I was going to die. I thought our people were about to vanish completely from this Despair Valley. I refused to accept that!"
As Alar spoke, her eyes reddened. She looked at the people before her, whose eyes were equally red, and raised her silver spear high.
"For all our people!"
"For all our people!" the three thousand people roared in unison.
They were a group who had already died once. There was nothing left to fear!
Thud! Thud!
Two sets of footsteps sounded from not far away.
Alar turned her head, quickly wiping her eyes. A brilliant smile returned to her face as she looked toward the source of the footsteps.
It was her Father and Lord Hero.
Tang Zheng walked calmly toward the crowd, the evil spirit hound, transformed into a goshawk, perched on his shoulder.
Sensing the atmosphere, Tang Zheng swept his gaze over the solemn faces but didn't say much.
"Lord Hero..."
Tribe Leader Diyelong bowed slightly, his scarred face etched with nervousness. He looked cautiously at Tang Zheng, as if he wanted to say something, but the words died on his lips.
Tang Zheng glanced at Tribe Leader Diyelong and suddenly smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I will bring everyone back."
After speaking, Tang Zheng turned his head back to the front and said calmly, "Depart!"
(end of chapter)