Black Lion Raon and his guild were stationed in the army's left flank. Of course, he was accompanied by his guild's elites. His guild, like the Storm Guild, was reorganized into the 'Beast Squad'.

"Prioritize the people we've marked first," Raon yelled, his lion's mane fluttering through the wind.

However, he wasn't the only lion man here. Most of the Breaker Guild's elites were non-humans.

Some of them could transform into werewolves, while others had actual animal faces. Most of them had the ears or tails of leopards, cheetahs, wolves, foxes, etc.

In the past, Raon and Hernandez had allied together to defeat Dukeram. Unfortunately, the two were completely trounced.

Raon learned something from that loss. He couldn't surpass Dukeram by himself!

'If that's the case, then...'

He would form groups that surpassed the Empire Guild's eight squads!

Then, Raon brainstormed a squad that was composed of purely non-humans.

Anthromorphs had far greater physical abilities than humans. Moreover, they would gain various abilities based on their species, such as a beast's instincts, a wolf's keen smell, a bear's physical strength, a cheetah's quick legs, etc.

Sometimes, their race change would offer them a special class too.

There were basically no downsides to it, besides it lessening one's aptitude for magic and a few other classes.

In exchange, transforming into an anthromorph took an incredible amount of time and energy. Plus, they were duty bound to protect their respective tribes.

With his experience and knowledge, as well as the might of the Breaker Guild, Raon was able to transform all of his guild's elites into anthromorphs.

And...

These anthromorphs were showing their might.

Chicken and Beer had transformed into a cheetah; he ran across the battlefield with blistering speed, sharply swinging his rapier.

Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab!

"Ugh."

"Keuk."

He would leave behind soldiers with holes in their throats wherever he passed by.

A female player, who'd transformed into a cat, nimbly moved across the battlefield and harassed her opponents. It was as if she were a cat that was hunting a rat.

"Kill them all, nya!"

"Nya, nya!"

Were they getting too into the game?

Everyone who'd transformed into a cat added 'nya' to the end of their sentences.

Grr!

The werewolves hunted in groups like actual wolves. They would surround their enemies, aim for their weaknesses, and bite their necks.

Snow Flower had also transformed into an anthromorph some time ago.

She had become a leopard woman! There was white fur and leopard ears at the top of her head, and a white tail swished around behind her.

Snow Flower, who had once been known for her cold beauty, had become strangely cute instead.

However, her weapon wasn't cute at all.

The Reaper of Souls.

It was an unblockable sword that could even cut the soul itself!

It was definitely a ridiculous, unbalanced weapon!

She was already a powerhouse with the Reaper of Souls, but she had also transformed into a leopard woman, further increasing her physical abilities. No one could stop her attacks.

Black Lion Raon was amazing too.

Kuhaang!

He let out a lion's roar and ripped his enemies apart.

His teeth and claws were sharp blades, and his fists were hammers. He bit into his enemies, rending flesh, and he would kick their heads, crushing them.

Raon's entire body was a deadly weapon!

That would be the simplest way to describe him.

The Tiger Corps, on the back of the Beast Squad, pushed the 1st Corps back. The Imperial Army also took a ton of damage too.

But a short while later, they were met by a thick, tough wall.

Thud.

They encountered the Giant Soldier Squad.

"It's time for you to stop," their captain, Tainos, said.

Then, he menacingly swung his double-bladed axe. It looked like it weighed more than 100 kilograms. However, he swung it with ease as if it weighed as much as a fruit knife!

Barbaric Warrior Tainos!

He was a strongman; it was even rumored that he'd spent all of his stat points on Physical!

Clang!

There was another man beside him, who wielded a mace in one hand, and a beautiful shield in the other.

'I'm here too!'

It was Moby Dick.

Members of the Moby Dick Squad could be seen in between the Giant Soldier Squad. The Moby Dick Squad possessed the greatest defense amongst the Empire Guild.

Of course, they didn't impress him. After all, Raon believed that the Beast Squad was the strongest squad.

"Giant Soldier and Moby Dick? That's it? You can't stop us. Stop joking around and bring the Yellow Dragon Squad over here!" Raon waved them off, as if telling them to get lost.

Both Tainos and Moby Dick's faces were filled with rage. 'How dare you!?'

"I'll kill you!"

"No, I'm going to do it!"

Empire and Breaker's elites clashed.

Raon fiercely clashed with Tainos, while Snow Flower swung her blade at Moby Dick's shield.

A beast versus a barbarian.

Sword versus shield.

* * *

Garend was a mage, and also one of Storm's high rankers.

Aside from Helena, who was a complete monster, he was the only person who could use all of the elements.

His ice magic was said to be on par with Helena's, so he was primarily an Ice Mage. He was refined and handsome, so he was called the Ice Prince.

He was currently dueling Empire's Fire Mage, Rock.

Rock was supposed to die against Hernandez, but he was saved at the last minute by Taker.

After that, he encountered Garend, who was freezing the Imperial Army, and engaged him in a magic duel.

They specialized in fire and ice! Their battle was showy, but no one was really interested in it.

Why?

Spear King Hernandez and Ghost Spear Taker were fighting, that's why!

Their duel was much more impressive.

The battle's correspondents focused on Hernandez and Taker too.

"Empire's greatest spearman, Ghost Spear Taker, is fighting Hernandez for the title of Spear King!"

"Who will win this fight?"

"Taker is higher ranked right now. However, he's up against the Spear King! You've all heard of him before!"

Their battle was broadcasted live throughout the world.

These are the kinds of titles it got.

Defending his title as Spear King!

Champion Hernandez versus Challenger Taker!

Hernandez was skilled enough to be deserving of his title. He had the power, ability, proficiency, and the practical skill to prove it.

Moreover, he used countless AoE skills that made you wonder, 'Were spearman techniques supposed to be this flashy?'.

He was a showman at his core!

But it takes two to tango.

The reason their bout was so flashy was because of Taker.

Taker wasn't pushed back at all during their fight. He didn't fall back or try avoiding him either.

He was only interested in a straight up fight!

Think about it this way. What would happen if two giant waves crashed against each other? The water would surge into the air.

That was an accurate way to describe their battle.

They were equally skilled, so they continuously attacked each other with high skill, flashy attacks.

But the more time passed, the worse Hernandez's expression became.

It was a slight difference.

Taker's spear was ever so slightly stronger and faster than his.

Why?

Hernandez was probably a higher level than him. After all, he had reached the maximum level of 500.

'My equipment is better than his too.'

Hernandez was the leader of one of the 4 great guilds. Thus, all of his equipment was SS-rank. Only someone like Dukeram could possibly have better equipment than him.

'So why am I losing?'

There was only one thing he could think of.

Proficiency.

Taker's proficiency in Spearmanship was higher than his, which was stuck at 99%.

'This guy's a Master.'

Grr.

Hernandez was filled with anger and jealousy.

'I'm the Spear King.'

At the same time...

He cooled himself down.

True, Taker's spear was slightly stronger and faster than his.

It was a small difference.

However, one small difference could stack up again and again. In a fight between experts, overcoming this small difference was almost impossible.

'How do I win?'

Hernandez had to win to defend his title as Spear King.

Thus, he thought again and again.

'In the end... That's my only option.'

Hernandez bit his lip and made his decision.

In the battle ahead, he wouldn't look like the Spear King at all. He may look unsightly. However, this was his only path to victory.

"Hoo." Hernandez, who'd just barely dodged Taker's spear, slowly began to change his stance.

Normally, he overwhelmed his opponent with flashy moves. The spearmanship he specialized in was like a fire show.

However, Hernandez curled his body up, minimized his movements, and focused entirely on defense.

Taker's expression changed.

His spearmanship was equally as 'showy' as Hernandez's. Thus, their styles were quite similar.

In other words, they had been fighting fist against fist. The one with the largest fist had been Taker, who'd become a Master. If the fight had continued as is, then Taker would've won with ease.

However, Hernandez had changed his style. He put everything he had into defense in order to counter Taker's showy moves!

'So that's what you're going with, huh.'

Now, Taker had three options available to him.

First, he could keep using the same style he'd been using; completely overwhelm his opponent with his refined spearmanship! However, there was a risk of Hernandez turning things around if he continued to use this style.

Second, he could use the same defensive style that Hernandez was using. It would become a fight between two defensive fighters, and was sure to be a long and boring battle.

Lastly, he could try countering whatever Hernandez had up his sleeve.

Hernandez was aiming for one decisive strike. If he manages to predict this attack, then he would be able to launch a fatal counter.

But if he guessed wrong, then this duel would end in his loss.

'The last option is best.'

Only someone of higher skill could accurately predict what their opponent was doing.

Taker wanted to show everyone that he was the Spear King, not Hernandez!

Plus, his secret move was designed for situations like this.

Then, Taker changed his style too. It became even showier than before.

Hernandez was pressured even harder. However, Taker's movements became larger, which made him a lot more open than before.

'C'mon!'

These openings were a trap.

The moment he went for them, Taker would unleash a lighting fast counter.

However, Hernandez didn't aim for these weak points. He wasn't the Spear King for nothing, after all.

As soon as Taker's style had changed, Hernandez knew that Taker was just waiting for him to fall for his trap.

'Let's see how long we can keep up this long, boring battle.' Hernandez sported a spiteful expression.

Taker set up a few more traps after that, but Hernandez wouldn't fall for them.

'As expected.'

The fight between experts, one in which they saw through each other's feints and traps, had begun.

They watched each other and softly swung their spears. Neither of them used any powerful techniques or wide movements.

However, the tension between the two had only increased.

It was as if it had changed from an action movie to a thriller. Those watching amidst this breath-taking tension could only watch on in silence. Those watching this on TV did the same.

How much time had passed?

Flash!

Hernandez and Taker's spears crossed each other.

Bam!

Shards of light burst from Taker's body.

"Uwaaah!"

"Spear King! Spear King!"

Nearby members of the Storm Guild screamed his name.

However, they had celebrated too soon.

"Keuk."

Hernandez suddenly fell to his knees. He barely managed to not fall down by using his spear to prop himself up. More shards of light came out of his body than Taker.

Taker turned around.

Hernandez raised his head. His eyes were shaking.

"I definitely struck first..." Hernandez looked on in disbelief.

"It's the Ghost Spear."

That was the name of Taker's secret move.

It was the perfect counter.

Those who'd fallen prey to this move couldn't help but feel as though they'd been tricked by a ghost. After all, this skill swapped the order in which events happened.

No matter how much faster or stronger an enemy's attack was, Ghost Spear would make his attack hit first.

"Haha, rest in peace." Taker beamed and approached Hernandez.

"Damn... it."

Stab.

Taker's spear pierced through Hernandez's heart.

Hernandez fell to the ground, and the Parsus Spear of Ruin rolled onto the floor.

A new Spear King had been born.

* * *

Black Hammer Dwarves' Hideout.

Dink placed the leather belt, which was made of Dragon Skin and had Dragon Scales embedded equidistant from each other, onto the stand.

"Hoo, I'm done."

Dink's work was finished.

Now it was Hoffman's turn. He attached the metal ornament, which resembled the sun, into the middle of the belt.

Finally, it was Risela's turn.

She carefully raised the Dragon's Heart.

The Dragon's Heart looked like a diamond that radiated scarlet light. However, it was further refined by Risela's exquisite craftsmanship, making it even more beautiful than before.

Risela held her breath, and placed the Dragon's Heart within the metal ornament.

It was a perfect fit.

At that moment...

The belt radiated intense light, and a giant silhouette appeared.

"Greetings, Lord Orgon!" Hoffman immediately bowed down.

The silhouette belonged to none other than the Blacksmith God, Orgon!

"You've created a masterpiece!"

Orgon blessed the belt. Then, something amazing happened. The dragon's scales transformed into tiny stars!

A short while later...

Orgon's silhouette disappeared and...

"It's done!"

The completed product appeared.

Kang Oh quickly came over and grabbed the belt.

"Everyone, I'm really busy, so I'll need to get going now. I'll tell you exactly what it does after I come back."

He wrapped the belt around his waist, and ripped a return scroll.

'Wait for me, Empire!'

He was heading for the Nazrak Plains, the battlefield where the Tiger Corps and the Empire's 1st Corps were fighting!

It was finally time for Kang Oh to enter the ring.