The light swallowed everything.
Luc Ario blinked against the blinding radiance that filled the summoning chamber. A ringing filled his ears—like steel being hammered—and when it finally faded, he found himself kneeling on a circle of glowing runes etched into marble.
Dozens of other humans gasped around him, dazed and confused. The same golden summoning mark glowed faintly on each chest. Ahead stood armored knights and robed priests; behind them, a colossal crystal pulsed with divine light.
[Summoning Complete.]
Welcome, Chosen of the Realms. You have been brought to Riolu to aid in the Great War.
The voice echoed directly in Luc's mind.
A priest stepped forward, staff raised. "Heroes from beyond! You stand within the Holy Kingdom of Valtara, chosen by the Goddess of Essence to defend Riolu from the Corruption Beasts!"
Luc rubbed his eyes. "Great. Another world. Do we at least get starter gear?"
A few nervous chuckles answered him.
The priest ignored it. "Each of you will be scanned by the Crystal of Origin to reveal your Essence Alignment and Potential Rating. Remember—only the clergy will see your results. Your power is your secret."
That line caught Luc's attention. So no one can see our stats unless told… interesting.
The Scan
One by one, the crystal flared as each person approached. Priests whispered readings but spoke only the title aloud.
"Kael Reddin — Flame Conqueror!"
"Mira Vale — Ocean Caller!"
"Juno Rael — Spirit Whisperer!"
Each name earned applause or awe.
Then came Luc's turn.
He stepped forward. The crystal hummed low—then thundered like a storm. Light engulfed him, pressing down until he could barely breathe.
When it faded, the hall fell silent.
The priests exchanged uneasy looks; one even crossed himself. Only Luc saw the faint text flickering before his eyes.
[Name: Luc Ario]
Type: Steel / Rock
HP: 1000 / 1000
Attack: 3
Defense: 999 (MAX)
Special Defense: 999 (MAX)
Speed: 4
Abilities: [Solid Body], [Pressure Shield]
Skills: [Guard Up], [Fortify], [Iron Skin], [Stoneplate], [Aegis Reflect]
Note: Riolu recognizes more than a hundred Attributes. You currently possess 2.
[Type Database: 2 / Infinity Registered]
Title: The Wall That Levels Up Too Slowly
Luc stared. "Attack three? Really?"
He smirked quietly. Guess I'm built like a fridge.
The priests whispered among themselves but only bowed. "Steel and Rock—rare and blessed by fortitude," one murmured, loud enough for the room to hear. "Strong defenses, limited offense. A guardian type."
Luc didn't argue. Better they underestimate him.
Training Grounds
Later, recruits tested their powers in the courtyard. Fireballs streaked. Swords clashed. Lightning scorched the air.
Luc sat on a bench, poking at his invisible interface—visible only to him.
[Skill: Guard Up — Permanently increases Defense by 5%.]
Already MAX.
"Figures," he muttered.
A shadow fell across him. A broad-shouldered knight grinned. "Hey, rock-boy! Care for a spar? Need to test my edge."
Luc sighed but stood. "Sure. Don't say I didn't warn you."
They stepped into the dueling circle.
[Combat Start!]
The knight lunged, sword flashing. Luc didn't move.
Steel met skin—CLANG!—and the blade shattered.
The knight stumbled back, eyes wide. "What—what spell was that?!"
Luc shrugged. "Good question."
[Aegis Reflect activated.]
Damage Returned: 0.1%
A ripple of force threw the knight across the arena. Gasps followed.
"He didn't chant!"
"Barrier magic?"
"His aura's steady—how?!"
Luc simply rubbed his shoulder. "Didn't even tingle."
The instructor, a scar-faced veteran, stared. "Boy, whatever you are, keep it secret. Around here, showing your stats is like showing your bank account."
Luc grinned. Exactly my plan.
Nightfall
That evening, a new notification blinked.
[Passive Skill Unlocked: Type Absorption]
When struck by an elemental or physical attack, absorb part of its energy to adapt or evolve your Type combination.
Limit: 1 new Type per day.
Luc raised an eyebrow. "That's broken—and I love it."
A shriek split the night. "BEAST! A CORRUPTION BEAST IN THE FIELD!"
Luc grabbed a training spear and ran outside.
A hulking, slug-like monster oozed from the shadows, its body dripping violet sludge.
[Poison-Type Corrupt Beast Lv 12]
Archers fired. Their arrows melted.
Luc stepped forward. "Poison, huh? Let's test this."
The beast spat acid. It hit him squarely—hiss, smoke—and cleared to reveal Luc, untouched.
[Type Absorption Activated.]
Absorbing Attribute: Poison.
Current Types: Steel / Rock → Steel / Poison.
[Type Database Updated: 3 / Infinity Attributes Registered]
His veins glowed faintly green. "Well, that's new."
The monster hissed. Luc took one step. The ground cracked.
[Skill: Fortify Activated.]
Pressure rippled outward. The creature froze in instinctive terror.
Luc tapped it lightly with the wooden spear.
[Aegis Reflect Triggered.]
Residual Damage Converted: 0.5%.
The beast exploded into vapor.
Soldiers stared. "He killed it—by tapping it?!"
Luc exhaled. "Still can't attack, but apparently I don't have to."
Aftermath
The instructor hurried over. "That wasn't luck, lad. Whatever you did, the goddess favors you."
Luc nodded slowly. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just really hard to scratch."
He glanced down at the steaming ground, at his reflection—silver with faint green veins.
[Type Updated: Steel / Poison]
[Resistance Chart Modified.]
If there are hundreds of these attributes, he thought, and I can keep stacking them… then one day, nothing in existence will be able to break me.
Epilogue Message
[System Notice: Elemental Integration Detected.]
Type Evolution Unlocked.
You are the first in Riolu to begin multi-attribute integration beyond the Twelve Foundations.
Next Goal: Reach the Adventurer Guild and register your identity.
Quest Reward: Unlock Defensive Tier System.
[Fortress Protocol Initialized.]
Luc smirked. Nobody else can see these messages. Good—let's keep it that way.
He turned toward the sleeping city. "If they want a wall, I'll give them one."
Each footstep rang like metal on stone as faint green light trailed behind him.