Chapter 77

[8-Star Exclusive Skill Card – 'Command of Radiance']

[Acquisition Limit: Radiance Tistania]

- When the skill is activated, increases all allies' physical and magical attack power by 100% for 30 seconds.

"Ah? It's a buff skill."

- Is it an instant booster skill? Since it's an exclusive skill, the effect is better than similar skills among 8-stars. The increase ratio will probably be even better if the skill level is raised.

"Really?"

At the Centaur's words, Carpe also checked the detailed information of the skill.

[8-Star - Command of Radiance]

Lv. 1: Increases all allies' physical and magical attack power by 100% for 30 seconds.

Lv. 2: Increases all allies' physical and magical attack power by 110% for 30 seconds.

...

Lv. 10 (Master): Increases all allies' physical and magical attack power by 200% and defense by 100% for 30 seconds.

- What the hell? Is this an 8-star?

"Wow. This has to be mastered."

The attack power increase from the buff alone is already enormous, and when mastered, it even adds a defense buff.

The numbers are so high that it can even serve as a survival skill in emergencies!

At this point, it's practically a threat from Lase, as if saying, "Would you still not master it?"

- Especially, the fact that it buffs the entire party is insane. With this, there's no need to even open the other four cards, right?

"Shout! What if there's a 9-star among the other four cards? Why are you being so reckless!"

- Crazy guy.

"Well, it doesn't cost anything, so let's check the others too."

At that moment, Mirage, who had been listening to their conversation, asked Tina.

"Hey, Tina. What do you mean by checking the skill card again? Once you choose a skill card, it's final, right?"

"Come to think of it, this must be a new sight for you, Mirage. It's a power only my lord can use. It's the blessing bestowed by the General."

"The General. Amazing..."

"Quack quack!"

"Great! Let's go again. Come out, 9-star!"

Carpe then started to open the remaining four cards one by one.

The second card was a 5-star.

And when the third card also turned out to be a 5-star, Carpe let out a sigh.

"Isn't this pack's lowest star 5-star? Some people are happy just to get a 4-star!"

- He's doing abnormally well. Is this the power of an exclusive pack?

And as he opened the fourth card, the effect burst out again.

"Huh?"

- Hmm.

The flashy silver effect signaled the appearance of a 6-star.

[6-Star Skill Card – 'Riding']

- Grants a combat boost to the mount and the user when fighting on a mount. Slightly increases the mount's mobility.

"Ah. This looks pretty good too."

- It's actually good. It's a skill that cavalry classes would go crazy for. It's not super rare since it's not an exclusive skill.

"I see."

Carpe nodded. It wasn't a skill worth picking over the 8-star skill.

Thinking that the silver effect was just a nice visual, he opened the last card, and another 5-star appeared.

"The world is so harsh. Is it this hard to get a 9-star?"

- There's a lot to say, but I won't.

"Then, now that I've picked the Command, I should learn it and go hunt the demon."

Just as Carpe was about to choose the 8-star skill again,

"My lord."

"Hmm?"

"Please, let it be Riding."

"......What?"

Carpe thought he might have heard wrong and looked at Tina, but her expression was incredibly serious.

"A knight is only complete when there is a comrade to share the battlefield with. Therefore, the most important skill for a knight is Riding! It's a skill a knight cannot give up."

"......Really?"

"I am always serious."

"But, I don't even ride Hyeong that much. Is it really necessary?"

"Having this skill will make mounted combat possible. It will undoubtedly greatly enhance your combat power! My lord, please make a brave decision."

"But, a brave decision and all that..."

Who would choose a 6-star over an 8-star? Only if they had a bullet in their head.

As if reading Carpe's thoughts, Tina started to add more words, looking flustered.

"It's not just my opinion. I'm sure Hyeong also wishes to share the battlefield with me."

"Hyeong?"

Carpe turned his head to look at Mokhyang.

"Quack?"

Mokhyang tilted her head once and then started grooming her fur.

...She looked like she had no thoughts at all.

"Seems like she has no thoughts."

"Grk?! How can this be. Hyeong. How can you do this to the camaraderie we've built? I am heartbroken."

"Is this something to be heartbroken about..."

- You must have really wanted it.

Since it was a request from Tina, who usually doesn't show much emotion, Carpe's heart moved a little... but not at all. No matter how he thought about it, choosing a 6-star over an 8-star was not an option.

If other people found out, they would sing the "Eight Over Six, Eight Over Six" song.

That can't happen.

Carpe decided to persuade her using a method that Tina couldn't resist.

"Isn't a knight supposed to protect allies?"

"That's right, my lord. I am a sword and shield loyal to my lord, protecting my lord and allies. That is my pride and my chivalry."

"Then, between the Command skill and the Riding skill, which one can protect allies better? From a chivalrous perspective."

"T, that is..."

Tina was visibly flustered by the question with a predetermined answer.

At this point, the persuasion was practically over.

Given Tina's character, she would never lie.

She opened her mouth, dejected.

"Quack. Command... is the answer."

"Then, from a chivalrous perspective, learning Command is the right choice over Riding."

"......You are absolutely right. My words were out of place. My lord, please, Command."

Tina, who was weak in the face of chivalry, said.

[You have obtained the 8-Star Skill Card – 'Command of Radiance'.]

[You meet the acquisition conditions. Would you like to acquire it now?]

"I will acquire it."

Ding.

[Radiance Tistania has acquired the skill 'Command of Radiance'.]

"Great!"

After confirming the notification that the skill had been acquired, Carpe invested the skill points Tina had accumulated and instantly mastered the skill.

Carpe smiled in satisfaction and shouted.

"You, have become stronger. Charge!"

"I will take care of it. I will bring the head of anyone who dares to stand in the way of my lord and the Centaur New Religion."

- ...When did the Centaur New Religion become official?

With Tina's skill acquisition complete, Carpe and his party headed straight for the crack in the cave wall.

As Carpe placed his hand on the crack, a system notification appeared again.

[You have discovered the special hidden dungeon 'The Rift of the World'.]

[Dungeon Level: Hero+]

[Level Limit: Level 49 or below]

[This is a special dungeon with only one boss monster inside. The dungeon will automatically clear when the boss monster is defeated.]

[Would you like to enter the dungeon?]

"I will enter."

The moment Carpe accepted the entry, the party's bodies were sucked into the crack.

When they regained their senses, they were in a desert with nothing but sand around them.

"Is this The Rift of the World? It's a rather ordinary scene."

Except for the reddish color of the sand, it was very similar to the typical desert landscape one might imagine.

- The environments in places like The Rift of the World can vary greatly. Some are ordinary like this, but others are bizarre beyond imagination.

"Really? How bizarre?"

- I'll tell you a story if the opportunity arises. For now, look over there.

The Centaur pointed to a hexagonal black gem floating in the air.

"Ah. Is that the mana core?"

As Silphiuna had said, she could recognize it at a glance. It emitted a sinister aura, looking ominous at first sight.

"How dare you! What kind of place do you think this is for humans to enter!"

And below the floating black gem, a large, bipedal bull with a massive battle axe stood.

A Minotaur.

It looked very similar to the monster from the myth of the Cretan Labyrinth.

"Hmm. Is that the guardian of the mana core?"

The dungeon was much simpler than expected.

Defeat the monster guarding the mana core, then destroy the mana core, and it's over.

The situation was very similar to when they defeated the hell beast in the beginner village.

"Then, how should we approach this..."

"My lord."

"Hmm?"

"Please, let me handle this. There's no need for my lord to get involved. I will bring the head of the enemy. Please appoint me as the vanguard."

"Uh... alone?"

"Yes. I've heard that demons are aggressive and cruel but pure in battle. I want to test the strength I've received from my lord and clash swords once."

"Hmm..."

It seemed Tina's competitive