[Your Subordinate has killed Lava Hound Lv. 45]

  [You received 181 Exp]

  [Exp: 2,505/9,003]

  [You have obtained Molten Fang Lv. 45]

  [A fang infused with va energy, used as a crafting ingredient for fire-based ons.]

  Edrik, Karian, and Manna were locked in fierbat, fending off va-coated hounds and massive, fire-spewiles.

  The vines and flowers Lyrassa had cast around them created a protective yer, letting them move more fortably across the harsh volic terrain, where even a single misstep could mean stepping into molten va.

  And Ats? He reed on his floating throne, monit the notifications filling his vision. Each Level 45 monster defeated by his subordinates only awarded him 181 EXP—split among the five of them sihey were all in a party.

  At his current level of 35, going up against a magma-dripping hound of that caliber would be a nightmare—he’d be nothing but charred meat in seds. But with his skilled subordiaking care of the battle, he merely observed, watg the steady flow of EXP into his Iory. Plus, a few uems even dropped along the way.

  [You have obtained Lava Hound’s Cw Gaus Lv. 45]

  [A on with cws fed from the creature’s own, capable of delivering fiery sshes.]

  Gaus? Ats gnced down at the battlefield and noticed Edrik still fighting bare-handed, relying on swift kicks and precise footwork to dodge around Karian and nd finishing blows.

  “Edrik, you wield gaus?” he called out.

  “My Lord, I’m best with daggers, but gaus will work just fine,” Edrik replied, dodging another swipe from a Lava Hound.

  Ats tossed the gaus, and Edrik caught them mid-air, sliding them onto his hands.

  Fire-based ons probably aren’t ideal against fme-element monsters like these. But they’ll be better thaing his boots burn to ash.

  [You have obtained Fming Colr (Neckpiece) Lv. 53]

  [A fiery colr that grants the wearer increased fire resistand adds minor fire damage to melee attacks.]

  Ats couldn’t help but smile as he ied his test find—a perfect item for this fiery enviro. His subordinates definitely his, he thought, gng at the three of them locked in brutal bat below.

  Who his the most? he wondered, weighing his options.

  Then, with a shrug, he slipped the neckce over his own neck. Instantly, he felt a wave of relief as the scorg heat that had been searing his skin subsided dramatically.

  [You have obtained Molten Mandible Dagger Lv. 57]

  [A short dagger crafted from the Beetle’s mandibles, its edge burning with each ssh.]

  And now, a dagger—just what Edrik needed. From his thros struggled to get a clear view of the a below, so he stood up and moved over to join Lyrassa, who was sitting on the edge of the ptform with her feet dangling.

  “My Lord…” Lyrassa murmured softly.

  “Turns out the view’s much clearer from here,” he said with a smirk.

  Ats called out, “Edrik!” and tossed the dagger his way.

  Edrik caught it with a nod, then sidestepped right as a Lava Hound lu him, smoothly positioning himself to strike back with his neon.

  [Your Subordinate has killed Lava Beetle Lv. 55]

  [You received 444 Exp]

  [You have level up]

  [Level 36]

  [Exp: 69/13,505]

  At st, he leveled up.

  It’s been ages since I st gained a level, he thought with satisfa.

  Reag level 35 had been nothing short of grueling for a so-called "trash" awakener, and this boost felt long overdue. He quickly opened his status s to review his, admittedly unimpressive, status.

  [s Bckthorn]

  [Level: 36]

  [Strength: 150 | Agility: 54 | Intelligence: 39 | stitution: 58 | Stamina: 65]

  [Avaible Stat Points: 10]

  [Job: The Lord]

  [Css: Warrior]

  [Iron Will (B) - Tactical Awareness (C) - Instinctual and (C) - Measured Strikes (F) - Unbreakable Routine (S) - Reliable Aura (A)]

  [Iron Will: Possesses a tenacity that prevents him from easily succumbing to mental or emotional breakdowns. He is exceptionally difficult to deter once he sets his mind on a goal.]

  [Tactical Awareness: Gains an instinctual uanding of battlefield youts, enemy positioning, and possible escape routes. This awareness helps him strategize quickly, though not ieail.]

  [Instinctual and: People naturally follow his dires in critical moments, even if he cks any formal authority. This talent mas during crisis situations where immediate a is required.]

  [Measured Strikes: Possesses a knack for timing and spag with his spear. His strikes nd with a steady rhythm, giving him the appearance of greater skill than he possesses.]

  [Unbreakable Routiicks to routines and habits, sometimes to his detriment. This trait makes him predictable but also a bit stubbor es to ging pns or perspectives.]

  [Reliable Aura: People feel that they rely on him, often fiding in him or following his advice even if he cks experiehis trust usually mas in practical, straightforward situations.]

  Ats couldn’t help but sigh every time he looked at his status.

  The only bat talent he had—Measured Strikes—was rated an abysmal F! It ractically useless, almost as if he didn’t have a spear talent at all.

  He’d already resolved to improve every aspect of himself: his talents, his skills, his ohing.

  Though he was cssified as a warrior, he reminded himself that this was only one of seven basic csses only avaible to most people.

  [Warrieneral melee bat.]

  [Archer: Ranged physical attacks.]

  [Mage: Basic spellcaster.]

  [Thief: Stealth and basic agility-based bat.]

  [Healer: Supportive css focused on recovery.]

  [Knight: Defensive or tank variant of the Warrior.]

  [Fighter: Banced melee with physical prowess, often without specialized armor or ons.]

  But o worry—once he hit level 50, he’d unlock his first css adva quest. He was determio be fully prepared for it, ready to upgrade his css to something far superior. Especially now that he had access to so many resources, his p entirely within reach.

  As he was lost in thought, he suddenly felt a soft tou his left hand. The gentle tact startled him—not in a painful way, but with a strange, almost soothing warmth.

  He turned and saw Lyrassa gazing at him, her expression calm, serene—even enough to quiet the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind.

  "My Lord…" she murmured softly.

  “Yes…?” Ats replied, surprised by the ess in his own voice.

  "I sense unease and burdens within you," she said gently.

  Ats paused, her words striking him deeply. “You… feel that?”

  Lyrassa nodded softly, a gentle smile f on her lips. "I feel the weight of your thoughts… the mind of someone who’s always looking ahead, sidering everything that hasn’t even happened yet. You’re someone very responsible, My Lord," she said.

  "Is that really how I am?"

  Lyrassa raised her right hand slowly, reag up to his face. Ats tensed, surprised by the tenderness of her touch. But the moment her haed against his cheek, and her calm gaze met his, he felt an ued sense of release, as though burdens he hadn’t even known he carried were lifting away.

  "My Lord," she whispered, "you don’t have to bear it all alone. Share the weight with us…" Her hand brushed softly against his cheek, sileng his thoughts even further.

  Without Ats realizing it, time seemed to pause around them. Lyrassa leaned in, her presence light, almost floating, and before he could fully register it, her lips brushed his right cheek in a gentle kiss.

  Lyrassa?

  ***

  (Author’s Note:)

  Ats is out here leveling up, sg epic loot, aing a surprise kiss from the floral healer. Meanwhile, I’m behind the ses grinding just as hard to make sure every talent, skills, equipment, items, gacha pulls, and EXP t makes sense! ??

  Trust me, there are a lot of data sheets trag everything in this book, so you enjoy a story that feels sistent and real, without me tripping over my own world-building.