Lawson recoiled, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks. He scrambled to pull out his phone, his eyes locked onto the mission interface. Every word on the screen burned like white-hot iron:
[TYPE: ARMOR SMITH EXCLUSIVE HIDDEN MISSION]
[Objective: Awakening the Armor Smith's soul — Demonstrate the absolute will to selflessly protect others (1/1)]
Reward Granted:
[Armor Smith Exclusive Secret Skill: Absolute Guard of the Armor God]
"...Even this works?" Lawson whispered with a self-deprecating chuckle, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He never imagined that in this cold, apocalyptic world, a mere internal decision—a moment of enlightenment regarding the "Path of Protection"—would be judged by the System as a great trial completed.
Without a moment's hesitation, he tapped the screen to view the details in his [SECRET SKILL LIST].
[SECRET SKILL: ABSOLUTE GUARD OF THE ARMOR GOD]
[Effect: Inherited from the Armor God's divine power to shield all living things. Upon activation, the Armor Smith transforms his will into a sacred line of defense. Within the field's range, all allied units enter a state of "Absolute Defense", gains immunity to physical attacks for a limited duration.]
[Limitation: The extreme output of willpower results in severe energy consumption. Limited to once per day.]
Lawson stared at the phrase "shield all living things," his heart hammering against his ribs.
"Was this skill... truly born to fulfill my path of protection?"
This surprise was far more profound than obtaining any offensive weapon. It wasn't limited to cold metallic armor; it covered lives flickering in the wind.
Every character provided by the System precisely resonated with the most urgent, hidden longing deep within his soul.
However, after the surge of ecstasy passed, a strange chill crawled up his spine.
"This feeling of being completely seen through..." Lawson frowned, staring at the cold black interface. The System had now granted him skills perfectly tailored to his intent six consecutive times.
If once was a coincidence, then six times was a terrifying level of surveillance.
"What exactly is this System? Is it helping me... or is it observing me?"
Lawson bid farewell to the grateful survivors and hurried with Dodge and Katie toward the subjugation point.
"Hey, are those rookies gonna be okay?" Lawson blurted out, his voice thick with anxiety.
"We're talking about the Thunder Sovereign. Its stats are completely broken—the balance is a total joke!"
"Always the worrier, aren't you, 'Papa' Lawson?" Katie teased, her lips curling into a playful smirk.
She swept her long blue hair back, her expression shifting into one of sharp, spirited confidence.
"Don't underestimate the resolve of a seven-year veteran. Before we met up, I'd already sent them a full breakdown of the boss's mechanics."
Her gaze remained steady, filled with an unshakeable faith in the next generation. "Have a little trust. They're in that stage where they're outgrowing themselves every single day."
"...I see." The weight on Lawson's chest finally lifted. He gave a self-deprecating shake of his head and muttered under his breath, "Guess it's about time for me to step off the stage, then. If they are ever going to survive this apocalypse, overprotecting them is the worst poison I could give 'em."
As they navigated through the ruins, Lawson, who was leading the way, felt an internal alarm scream. He threw his body backward in a spine-snapping dodge.
Whiz! Whiz! Whiz!
Several black ninja darts whistled past his face, one even cleanly clipping a stray lock of hair from his forehead. Drenched in cold sweat, Lawson stumbled back several steps until his back hit a wall.
"That was close... I almost met my series finale right there!" Once the shock passed, Lawson's fear turned into indignation. "Who the hell is doing this?! Are you blind? Do you think I'm a literal target?!"
He rolled up his sleeves and stormed around the corner to demand an explanation. But the moment he stepped into the clearing, the curses died in his throat.
On the scorched earth, a silhouette clads in jet-black armor moved like a ghostly afterimage, locked in a death struggle with a pack of deformed monsters.
As they roared, violent lightning gathered within the barrels.
"Not good! Those are Elites— Mutant Volt-Claw Kings!" Dodge's playful demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp, lethal gaze. "These bastards are packing heavy heat! I'm linking up. Lawson, get back!"
At the center of the iron-and-flesh encirclement, the black figure held a short blade, moving so fast a camera could barely track her.
Every dodge left a ripple of azure light in the air. Facing overwhelming odds, her movements were cold and decisive—a precision killing machine born for vengeance.
"Is that... the 'Black Shadow' Uncle Rickman mentioned?" Lawson crouched behind cover, his heart racing.
He reached out and caught Dodge's arm before he could initiate the Link sequence.
"Wait, don't waste your energy yet." Lawson's gaze pierced through the smoke, capturing the rhythm of the black silhouette. "Look closely. Those Volt-Claw Kings are at their limit. They look intimidating, but their core modules are already trashed. That armor is about to finish them off."
He paused, his voice carrying the feverish certainty of an expert. "That's the {Shadow Strike} ... if I'm not mistaken, it's an SS-Rank speed-type armor on par with Katie's {Moon Swift}. In this zone, she is the shadow of death."
"SS-Rank?" Dodge's eyes widened. "Good grief, I didn't think anyone in this town had that model. That's the peak of the speed series!"
Katie's brow furrowed slightly, a spark of competitive spirit flashing in her blue eyes. "I didn't expect another SS-Rank to show up here."
"She's likely the 'Black-haired girl' Rickman talked about," Lawson whispered. "Let's play VIP audience for a bit. Once she's done, we'll go meet this 'Lone Wolf'."
The three of them held their breath until the battle ended. As the warrior disengaged her armor and prepared to leave, Lawson called out to her. The moment she turned around, Dodge's breath hitched.
"She's... beautiful."
Dodge stared, his eyes full of "love at first sight." She had jet-black hair that reached her waist, swaying in the wind. Her features were sweet and delicate, but her deep brown eyes held a coldness that kept the world at a distance.
She walked toward them with light, graceful steps, her body moving with a lethal elegance.
Her dark, form-fitting tactical leather suit looked tailor-made, and her high-heeled boots elongated her already perfect legs. The tension in the air rose with every step she took.
Lawson, more composed than Dodge, noticed the heavily worn tactical pouch at her waist. He opened his hands with a polite, diplomatic smile.
"Thanks for the 'greeting' just now. Your aim with the darts is impressive. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Lawson, the SSS-Rank Armor Smith of the Nova Star Town. If I'm not mistaken, we owe Uncle Rickman's survival to you?"