We were able to reach the final golem but our efforts were not enough as another group of enemy pawns popped out of the nearby pool to support it.

The nearer we dive into the enemy's base, the stronger these mindless beings become. I noticed they even changed their outfit or perhaps the design was tweaked for a bit. My allies felt the same as opposed to them.

"Pawns are automatically replaced by Elite Guards once the opposing team reaches the Gatekeeper. They yield more points when defeated but keep in mind that these are stronger than the ones you have faced so far," the voice explained.

Indeed, the better equipped pawns are too much against two or even three normal ones.

Following the butterfly's advice, I then went back to our gate to buy some items. Apparently, items are similarly important as skills. In fact, I realized it was a tough decision to wether invest my points on items or on skills.

•••••

GRAN ALLOY

Type: Component - Weapon

Description:

A powerful metal compound generally used for weapons and warfare industry. Its lightness, corrosion-resistance and extreme durability makes it the best material in metalcrafting.

This component can be equipped either in armor or in weapon. Once selected, it cannot be switched to another.

Effect: Might +20, Spirit +10

Armor: increase armor durability to 26% and remove Speed penalty by 25%

Weapon: increase weapon durability by 21% and weapon damage by 15%

•••••

"Might and Spirit?" I mumbled as I checked the item panel. There were terms I still could not understand and I have little time to ever search my non-existent memory about their supposed meaning.

"These are values that define your stats: Heart, Might, Sense, Spirit, Wisdom and Speed," the butterfly explained.

"Heart defines your health. Basically, the digits in your health bar, the rate of which your health regenerates and your overall resistance against ailments. It can also affect bonus effects of certain potions and support skills.

Might is about your physical prowess. Technically, the strength that is added to your weapon when dealing damage and the capability to carry heavy objects found in the battlefield. Might also affects the speed penalty caused by carrying heavy items such as armor.

Sense indicates extra perception. Its usefullness varies from every avatar ranging from the ability to ensure accuracy, detect incoming attacks, percieve weaknesses, locate traps or hidden enemies and even view units from afar.

Spirit represents the force used to execute skills. This value determines the power and efficiency of skills and the amount of time required for cooldown. It also helps to deflect a specified percentage of damage recieved from skills.

Wisdom depicts the limit of information you can obtain. This special variable affects point acquisition, skill availability, item availability, enemy parameters and battle statistics.

Lastly, Speed is simply about your overall speed.

You may not easily notice it but these values greatly affect your avatar."

I quickly operated the interface to check the stuff while she was explaining. As she have mentioned before, the avatar I was using has decent digits on Heart and Might and a little bit more on Speed.

My innate skill DAUNTLESS also enabled me to obtain a little boost on Heart after gaining 1 Valor upon the destruction of the first golem.

On the other hand, the item I just crafted called GRAN ALLOY which visually altered the apeareance of my sword added some digits on Might and Spirit.

Might for increasing the damage of my normal attacks and Spirit to further improve my EMPHASIS, LINE DRIVE and ARC TURBO. I prefer increasing these two among the others.

"Can I buy another piece of Gran Alloy for my weapon?" I asked the butterfly.

"I'm afraid the specified component does not allow duplicated effect, however, you are still allowed to craft another one and assign it on your armor."

"What else can I pick to improve my attack, then?"

"There are multiple options available for you at the moment, you can choose to use the item you just crafted to create a better item, buy or craft another item that can affect your skill or buy or craft another item that can give you another skill. Nevertheles, I suggest you improve your defense as well."

I agree improving my defense to ensure my survival is crucial but I believe in the current situation, attack is the better defense.

There is only one golem left for the enemy team. Only one hurdle to pass and this will all be over. I just need to defeat it and therefore I need to attack.

I checked the remaining points I have and scanned the items I can afford.

"...Deflect wide-area effect skills... Nullify thirfty percent damage... Reset cooldown time of skills..." I mumbled reading the descriptions.

"...Improve point acquisition... Whoa, you should have recommended this item first!" I told the butterfly.

"Ethereal, the Gatekeeper has not recieved any damage for six minutes, the enemy has released Royal Guards to defend their gate."

"What?" I blurted. "Did you just increased the difficulty all of a sudden? Didn't they just summon elites a while ago?"

"It is not me, Ethereal, I advice you return to the battlefield before the enemy reach your gate. Otherwise they would be able to summon another batch of strong units."

Ugh. I did not realized I've been taking too much time in the pillars. It was hard to pick an item without checking each of them.

I hurriedly scanned the list again and began purchasing.

•••••

PAULDRON

Type: Garment - Shoulder (right)

Description:

A basic metallic equipment forged and prepared to protect one's shoulder, some parts of the back and the armpit.

Effect: Might +9

Durability: 160

•••••

"You said defense, right?" I said as my shoulder guard was replaced by a better one. "But sorry, I'm going for attack," I added tapping another item and the shoulder guard transformed into something even better.

•••••

POWER CRANK

Type: Garment - Shoulder (right)

Description:

An advanced shoulder protection with mechanical implements to assist the wearer's arm slightly increasing its strength and endurance.

Effect: Might +24

Skill: POWER CRANK - (Combat) inject mana to increase the damage of the next skill by 160% but damages its durability by 40. Cooldown: 10 seconds

Durability: 190

•••••

Advanced items can be crafted by fusing together two or more basic items.

A crafting recipe is also required for fusing and though it is considered an item, it does not occupy a slot in the items panel.

The item I just crafted can further increase the efficiency of my skills but then I know it would not be enough. I tapped another item on the list prompting for something to appear and envelope my arm.

•••••

MORDCLAW

Type: Garment - Arm (right)

Description:

A limb of a slain monster sewn together to form an improvised gauntlet. Traditionally, the hunters of the north believed that equiping the carcass of the monster they have slain bestows them the abilities of their prey.

Effect: Might +12, Sense +9, damage against pawns and wild monsters increase by 21%

Durability: 125

•••••

There you go, a perfect item to counter the recently summoned elite pawns and royal guards.