Soren had fully transformed into his monstrous form.

  Damn! What kind of Lord at this rank wields power like this? What kind of transformation could grant such strength?

  Even at a ghe difference was obvious. He had blocked Raze’s attack effortlessly—a clear and massive upgrade.

  Each step of Soren’s beast form sent shockwaves in every dire, f the troops to keep their distance, with only the elite subordinates able to approach. Spectral roots erupted from the ground, spreading out to snare anyone who got too close.

  Ats, still from his floating isnd, watched closely, with Edrik now standing at his side.

  "Ats, I’d say we’ve hit the jackpot with this one.”

  "Is this a good one or a bad one?"

  "Anything be good if we're smart enough to ha."

  Edrik was clearly talking about the power behind Soren—the kind of force that would give him this level of strength.

  "This guy seems to have an ability to summon spirit beasts," Edrik tinued. "We saw the Bear. It’s possible he could also summon a wolf and a stag."

  "And this form?"

  "It looks like he’s merged with those spirit beasts, creating this bizarre form."

  "Merged?"

  "Yes. Most likely, it’s his st resort to survive. He probably doesn’t even care about himself anymore, choosing this path instead."

  "And beyond that?"

  "Whoever his backer is. That could be a potential threat for us."

  Ats nodded. "But whether we let this guy go or kill him, the threat will still find its way to us, won’t it?"

  "Exactly right, Ats."

  Ats nodded again. "Then it’s best to take down this strange beast before anyone on our side falls to him."

  "Agreed," Edrik replied with a nod.

  Raze charged forward with brutal force, ign the spectral roots shooting up from the ground in a desperate attempt to restrain him.

  He lunged and grabbed hold of Soren’s leg. Sore out a fierce roar, swinging a massive arm down toward Raze—just as a bde sliced through the air, embedding itself in Soren’s left arm. Kurogasa had arrived, his bde locked onto Soren’s arm, dealiless damage.

  Manna shot through the air, her scythe fshing as she struck at Soren's face, then nded on the beast’s shoulder, hag away again and again with brutal precision.

  The beast barely stood a ce against Ats’s Elite Subordinates.

  Sore out a thunderous roar, unleashing a massive wave of energy that radiated in all dires. The sheer force sent Ats’s floating throumbling backward, the shockwave ripping through buildings, fortresses, and anything in its path, leaviation in its wake.

  Despite the chaos, Raze remained relentless, hammering Soren’s leg with brutal strikes. Manna, thrown to the ground by the wave, quickly recovered, ung herself bato the air. With precise trol, she floated momentarily before diving in to attack again.

  Kurogasa and Karian joihe fray, each delivering their own punishing blows to the beast.

  From a distahe troops could only wat awe as the Elite Subordinates unleashed their full strength. Yet, it was impossible to ighe overwhelming power of their oppo.

  This wasn’t a fight that would end easily.

  Ats activated the Stormcaller’s Amulet, his hand trembling with electriergy as the skies above darkened once more. Thunder rumbled, and fshes of lightning lit up the heavens. Then, a blinding, massive bolt of light desded from above!

  The lightning struck Soren’s massive form directly, its sheer force causing all the Elite Subordio retreat to a safe distance. Moments ter, ah-shaking roar of thunder echoed across the isnd, the impact reverberating as if the entire ndmass had been struck with uing force.

  Soren was immediately bombarded with attacks from all sides once again. It was clear he could no longer mount any meaningful defense.

  [Elite - Duskbound Presence (ditional Passive) Lv. 1]

  [on - Endurance Boost Lv. 10]

  [Epic - Bloodrush (Active) Lv. 1]

  Ats steadied himself, exuding calm resolve, before leaping from his floating throne directly toward the r beast. The troops watg below froze, holding their breath in disbelief.

  "The Lord? He’s jumping into the fight against the beast?!"

  "Damn it! I feel useless just standing here!"

  "We should be ashamed of ourselves."

  "I get that the Elite Subordinates are monsters, but that doesn’t mean we just stand around!"

  "I won’t let myself stay idle any longer."

  "Let’s go! Join the fight!"

  Ats shot toward Soren's head as the beast roared in agony. But Soren’s massive left hand lunged up, aiming to crush him mid-air.

  Ats focused every fiber of his being, feeling as though he could and every part of his body with absolute precision. He spun his spear, and just as Soren’s massive hand came crashing down, Ats skillfully maneuvered, using the spear to deflect himself out of harm’s way.

  With a graceful twist, Ats somersaulted above Soren’s head, the beast still writhing in pain. Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on the spear.

  [Elite - Flurry of Spears Lv. 2]

  Ats plunged down, driving the spear’s tip directly into Soren’s eye. He held his ground, pressing into the target. With a fierce pull, he wrehe beast’s eye from its socket.

  Soren staggered, losing bance, and fell backward with a thunderous crash.

  Ats began to fall, floating in mid-air with nothing to catch his dest—until Manna darted frabbing him with her right hand. Together, they surged forward, chasing after Soren’s massive, colpsing form.

  In one fluid motion, Manna flung Ats back toward Soren’s head. Ats twisted in mid-air, barely believing this was real. He was s, almost flying—and he readied himself for arike.

  [on - Pierg Thrust Lv. 7]

  The skill activated, and his spear propelled him forward, driving him straight toward the beast’s neck with deadly precision.

  The spear struck true, pierg deep into the beast’s neck. Spectral white blood sprayed out as Soren’s massive form dissolved into smoke. Moments ter, his inal body appeared on the ground, lifeless and crumpled not far from where they stood.

  [You have successfully sin Soren, the Lord of Ashroot Grove.]

  [You have wotle.]

  [You have gained 20 Rank Points.]

  [Your isnd size will receive an upgrade.]

  [You have received 650 Are Shards.]

  [You received 12,240 Exp]

  [...]

  A cascade of notifications filled Ats’s vision, but his attention shifted to the sound of cheers. The troops, overjoyed by their hard-earned victory, ran toward him in celebration, their voices ringing out in triumph over the battle.

  Edrik and the others approached him.

  "Anyone who knew you two weeks ago wouldn’t believe you’d be capable of this, Ats," he said with a proud smile.

  Kurogasa bowed deeply. "My Lord, I’m fident your potential will grow eveer than this, and it is an honor to stand by your side as you achieve it."

  Light enveloped them one by one, gently lifting them away aurning them to Gacha Haven.

  From a distahey watched Soren’s floating isnd crumble, breaking apart piece by pied sinking into the clouds below.

  But another marvel unfolded before them.

  Gacha Haven, Ats’s isnd, began to expand. From its es, new nd rose like pieces of a puzzle log into pce, steadily increasing the isnd’s size.

  At st, his domain was growing!