Chapter 603 The Day
A satisfied smile crossed his face as he muttered, "Man, that was perfect."
Yet even as he lay there, basking in the stillness, his thoughts drifted to Eccar. His friend was out there on the front lines of a different world, battling forces that threatened other people\'s realm. The weight of it nagged at the edges of his mind. How strong is it and how dangerous is it? What is his situation now?
"I can\'t just sit here," Erend murmured, pushing himself up from the bed.
As he swung his legs over the edge, suddenly a sharp voice echoed in his mind, followed by the familiar appearance of the System\'s notification window.
[System Notification: Unspent Points Available!]
Erend\'s brow furrowed in confusion, then realization hit him.
"Ah, the Points…" he muttered. It had been ages since he thought about them. He\'d leveled up so many time and accumulating a stockpile of unused Points, but he hadn\'t bothered spending them. He had always felt his raw power as a Dragonborn was enough.
But now, with Eccar fighting enemies in another dimension and new threats on the horizon, it felt like the right moment.
"Alright, System," Erend said. "Show me the Skills menu."
The translucent blue window materialized in front of him, responding to his thoughts. Erend navigated instinctively, his mind guiding the interface toward the section he wanted:
[
Dragon Transformation Skills.]
His eyes lit up as he scanned the choices. He\'d already mastered the All Water-based Power that make him able to wield water as a weapon. Now, a new option presented itself:
[Water Dragon Physiology.]
[Description:]
"Give you the might of the Water Dragon. Grants enhanced physical attributes as any other Dragon power in your body, elemental resistance to water, and the ability to adapt to water terrain. Unlock new water-based combat forms and ultimate-level control over the element."
Erend grinned. "Now that\'s what I\'m talking about."
He moved his hand, almost unconsciously, and allocated 5 Skill Points into the new ability. The System\'s notification confirmed his choice.
[Skill Acquired: Water Dragon Physiology]
A sudden surge of energy coursed through him. His body tingled as the new power integrated itself into his being. His senses sharpened and he could feel the faint pull of water in the air, even in the dry atmosphere of his room. His muscles seemed to hum with more vitalit and his mind brimmed with ideas on how to wield this new strength.
"Whoa," Erend whispered, clenching his fists and feeling the enhanced power coursing through them.
But this wasn\'t just about getting stronger. It was about preparation. Eccar was out there giving his all, and Erend couldn\'t afford to lag behind if he needed help. But won\'t just rush there right now.
"I will go when Saeldir said he needs help," he said to himself. "Hopefully no bad thing will happen."
Erend then calm his head and headed out. For now, he will spent time with his family again until the time for him to move come.
---
A few days later, deep in the underground homeland of the resistance warrior, the final preparations for the assault on Blackrock Pass were coming together. The section of cavernous halls echoed with the clang of metal and the hum of fierce determination as soldiers and workers moved with purpose.
Renna stood near her creation. It was a massive siege weapon, a crossbow reinforced with the strongest materials they could salvage that will shot Magic reincorced projectile.
She brushed a hand over its sleek, sturdy frame, her expression a mixture of pride and exhaustion. They only had the time to make one this time, but she was confident it would be enough.
"This beast will crack open their defenses," she muttered to herself as she adjusted a few final bolts. Nearby, her team inspected the ammunition: bolts carved with runes designed to unleash more Magical shockwaves on impact.
Eccar leaned against a rock formation above the main assembly area, his sharp eyes scanning the rows of soldiers clad in black molten armor. The soldiers below moved with a quiet intensity, double-checking weapons and supplies.
The armory was alive with activity. Swords, shields, spears, and quarterstaffs were polished to a mirror sheen, their edges honed to perfection. A select few warriors carefully handled Magical artifacts with intricate designs that glowing faintly.
These artifacts were crucial. They allowed their bearers to channel Magic even on the surface where the invaders\' draining abbilities had rendered most spells weak and unreliable.
But the artifacts were rare. Each one was treated with the reverence of a holy relic, and the soldiers entrusted with them bore an added burden of responsibility.
Eccar\'s gaze lingered on the soldiers. Their resolve was unwavering but he could see the weight of the upcoming battle in their movements. They were ready to fight, but they knew the cost would be high.
Commander Varok stood at the center of the chamber, his imposing figure drawing the attention of every soldier present. He raised his hand, calling for silence.
"Warriors of the homeland," Varok began, his voice resonating through the cavern. "Today, we stand on the brink of a turning point. The Blackrock Pass has been a thorn in our side, a fortress that they used to mine our world and they, the invaders, thought we could never breach. But they underestimate us. They underestimate
you
!
"
A ripple of murmurs ran through the crowd as Varok\'s words sank in.
"This is our chance to deliver a fatal blow to their operations. If we succeed, we won\'t just cripple their mineral supplies — we\'ll send a message to the entire world that we will not be broken!" His silver eyes glinted as he gestured toward the siege weapon. "And we owe much of this opportunity to the one who stands with us: the Lord Dragonborn."
The crowd erupted into cheers, voices echoing with fervor. "Dragonborn! Dragonborn!"
Above, Eccar cringed, his arms crossed over his chest. He was never one for titles or adoration, and hearing the chants made his scales itch.
"Great," he muttered under his breath. "Just what I need. A fan club."
Despite his discomfort, Eccar couldn\'t help but feel a flicker of pride. These people believed in him, and their hope was palpable. He straightened and took a deep breath, pushing his unease aside.
As the soldiers began to disperse to their positions, Varok turned his gaze upward, catching sight of Eccar.
With a nod, he silently conveyed his gratitude. Eccar responded with a small, almost reluctant nod of his own before turning away.
The final preparations were finally complete. The air in the underground homeland was thick with anticipation as the resistance\'s Mages began their incantations and then a shimmering portal crackled to life at the center of the main chamber.
Eccar stood near Commander Varok, watching the portal stabilize. The sheer intensity of itsMagical energy made the scales on the back of his neck tingle. He turned to Varok, his brow furrowed in concern.
"This portal," Eccar began. "It must require an incredible amount of Magic. Are we sure this is worth the risk?"
Varok nodded solemnly. "It does. More than you can imagine. But it\'s necessary. Without it, transporting the siege weapon and the entire attack team would take days and we don\'t have that kind of time."
Eccar glanced at the shimmering portal. Varok placed a firm hand on Eccar\'s shoulder.
"We wouldn\'t have gotten this far without you, Lord Dragonborn. With you leading the charge, I have no doubt we\'ll prevail."
Eccar tensed at the title. He wasn\'t used to the reverence these people showed him, and he could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on him. He forced a nod, though inside, unease gnawed at him.
"They\'re all counting on me,"
he thought.
"I can\'t let them down."
Yet, beneath his stoic demeanor, a faint whisper of doubt stirred. He couldn\'t shake the nagging sense that something was off. He didn\'t know what it was, but the uncertainty left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"All units, prepare to move out!" Varok\'s voice boomed, snapping Eccar out of his thoughts.
The soldiers lining up in formation. The siege weapon was carefully maneuvered into position. The energy from the portal intensified, and one by one, the squads began to step through, disappearing into the swirling vortex.
Eccar waited until most of the team had passed before stepping forward.
---
When they emerged on the other side, the oppressive heat hit them immediately. Blackrock Pass loomed before them, a menacing black mountain that stretched into the sky like a dagger piercing the sky.
At the base of the mountain stood a massive iron gate. Above, flying machines patrolled the skies. On the ground, soldiers clad in black armor stood surprised at the sight of troops emerging.
Eccar surveyed the scene, his golden eyes narrowing. The enemy\'s defenses were formidable, but the resistance was ready.
"Now the real fight begins!" Varok shouted.
---
They didn\'t know that someone is looking at them from inside the patroling ships.
"Just like what I thought," the muscular huge man muttered. Then his lips turned into a wicked grin.
---