Tina's Radiant Command

[8-star Exclusive Skill Card – Radiant Command]

[Acquisition Restriction: Light's Tistania]

-Upon activation, increases all allies' physical and magic attack power by 100% for 30 seconds.

"Oh? A buff skill."

-An instant booster skill? Being exclusive makes it better than similar 8-star skills. Probably scales even better ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with levels.

"Really?"

At Cheonma's words, Carpe checked the skill's details.

-Holy shit, what kind of 8-star is this?!

"Whoa. Gotta master this one."

The attack boost alone is insane, and at master level, it adds defense buffs too.

With numbers that high, it could even serve as a survival skill in emergencies!

At this point, it felt like the game was straight-up threatening him: "You still not gonna master this?"

-Especially the whole ally buff—that's broken as hell. No need to check the rest; just pick this one.

"Hah! What if a 9-star's hiding in one of the other four? Don't get reckless!"

-Crazy bastard.

"Well, it's not costing money, so let's check the rest anyway."

At that moment, Mirage, who'd been listening, asked Tina.

"Hey, Tina. What's that about checking the skill cards again? Once you pick one, that's it, right?"

"Come to think of it, this must be new for you, Mirage. It's a power only my lord can wield. A blessing from the strategist."

"The strategist... amazing..."

"Kyuu kyuu!"

"Alright! Round two. Come on, 9-star!"

Carpe started opening the remaining four cards one by one.

The second was a 5-star.

The third was another 5-star, drawing a groan from Carpe.

"Damn, what pack is this? Minimum 5-stars? Some folks celebrate pulling a 4-star!"

-Abnormally good pulls. Perks of an exclusive pack?

And as he opened the fourth, effects burst out again.

"Huh?"

-Oh ho.

A flashy silver effect signaled a 6-star.

"Huh. This one's pretty solid too."

-It is. Cavalry classes go nuts for it. Not exclusive, so not super rare, but still good.

"Got it."

Carpe nodded. Naturally, no reason to skip an 8-star for this.

After enjoying the silver eye candy, he opened the last one—a 5-star.

"World's a harsh place. 9-stars are no joke to pull."

-Got plenty to say, but won't bother.

"Alright, grab Radiant Command, learn it, then go demon hunting."

As Carpe moved to select the 8-star...

"My lord."

"Yeah?"

"Mount, please."

"...What?"

Carpe stared at Tina, wondering if he'd misheard, but her expression was dead serious.

"A knight is only complete with a comrade to charge the battlefield alongside. Thus, the most vital skill for any knight is none other than Mount! No true knight can forsake it."

"...For real?"

"I am always serious."

"We're not even riding around fighting much. Is it really necessary?"

"With that skill, mounted combat becomes possible. Our combat power will surely skyrocket! My lord, make the bold decision."

"Bold decision, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my ass..."

Who skips an 8-star for a 6-star? Only if he took a bullet to the head.

Reading his mind, Tina panicked and added,

"I-it's not just me. I'm sure Mukhyang yearns to charge the fields with me too."

"Mukhyang does?"

Carpe turned to look at Mukhyang.

"Kyuu?"

Mukhyang tilted its head, then started grooming its fur.

...Seemed utterly thoughtless.

"Doesn't look like it."

"Guh?! Impossible. Mukhyang, how can you betray our bond? Heartbreaking."

"Is it that tragic..."

-She must really want it bad.

Tina rarely showed emotion, so it tugged a bit... hell no. No way he'd skip 8 for 6.

Others would sing "eight over six, eight over six" if they knew.

Couldn't have that.

Carpe went for her weak spot.

"Knights protect allies, right?"

"Yes, my lord. I am sword and shield, loyal to you and guarding our comrades. That is my pride, my chivalry."

"So, between Radiant Command and Mount, which better protects allies? Chivalry-wise."

"Th-that would be..."

Tina faltered at the loaded question.

That sealed it. She couldn't lie.

Dejected, she admitted,

"... Radiant Command."

"Then, chivalry demands Radiant Command over Mount."

"...Wise words, my lord. My mistake. Please, take Radiant Command."

Tina crumbled before chivalry.

"Acquire."

"Sweet!"

Confirming the acquisition, Carpe dumped Tina's stockpiled skill points into it, mastering it instantly.

Grinning in satisfaction, he shouted,

"You're stronger now. Charge!"

"Leave it to me. I'll bring the head of any who dare block my lord and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."

-...When did Heavenly Demon Divine Cult get locked in?

With Tina's skill acquired, the group headed straight for the crack in the cave wall.

As Carpe placed his hand on it, a system window appeared.

"Enter."

The moment Carpe accepted, they were sucked into the rift.

When he came to, they were surrounded by nothing but sand—a desert.

"This the Rift of Worlds? More ordinary than ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I thought."

Aside from the reddish sand, it looked just like any desert.

-Rifts vary wildly in environment. Some are normal like this; others are beyond imagination.

"Yeah? How weird we talking?"

-I'll spill later. For now, check that out.

Cheonma pointed. A black hexagonal gem floated in the air.

"Aha. The Magic Core?"

As Silphiruaene said, it was obvious at a glance—reeking of malice.

"How dare a puny human invade this place!"

Beneath the floating gem stood a massive bull-headed biped gripping a giant battle axe.

Minotaur.

It looked just like the monster from Cretan myths.

"Hmm. The Magic Core's guardian?"

The dungeon was simpler than expected.

Take down the guardian, smash the core, done.

Much like slaying the Hell Beast in the starter village.

"So, strategy..."

"My lord."

"Yeah?"

"Leave this to me. No need for you to trouble yourself—I'll take its head. Place me at the vanguard."

"...Solo?"

"Yes. Demons are fierce and cruel, but pure in battle, or so I've heard. I'd like to test my lord's gift and cross blades."

"Hmm..."

Tina seemed fired up by the minotaur demon.

But a level 49 dungeon boss? One-on-one? Tina was only level 15.

Surprisingly, Cheonma approved.

-She'll be fine. Let her. Good skill check.

"You sure?"

-What's to worry? Worst case, she respawns in the Room.

"Alright... Tina, it's yours."

"Thank you, my lord. I'll claim victory's glory."

Bowing once, Tina strode confidently toward the minotaur.

"Oh ho. A homunculus. You're the challenger?"

The demon's sharp eyes pierced her nature instantly.

"Excellent! Servant of Hell's Archduke, ruler of 31 demon legions—Agares-sama's faithful slave, Croal, stands before you! Doll, if you crave an honorable death, state your name!"

"Hmph. A demon speaking of honor? But your spirit pleases me."

Tina raised her sword into stance.

"My lord's second knight. Light's Tistania. The name that claims your head."

"Hmph. Fine mettle. Homunculus, second knight? Then a first exists."

"Indeed. He is... precious, so no need for him. I'll handle you."

"Insolent! I'll cleave you with my axe, then sacrifice the first too!"

Whoosh!

Croal swung its massive axe.

A blow brimming with unnatural power.

Given the size difference, Tina should've been flung by wind alone.

Bang!

"What?!"

"Demon. That all you got?"

Tina hadn't budged an inch, blocking perfectly.

Carpe, who'd worried, sighed in relief.

"Phew, unnecessary worry."

-Obviously. Fighting Serving Lord fragments warped your sense of power. This is normal.

Magical Fist Lord was Mythic-grade, with matching quest difficulty.

Hence absurd foes like Serving Lord shards.

But this hidden quest? Mere(?) Hero+. Laughable next to Mythic.

-Plus, buffs gotta be OP. Dollcraft needs a nerf, seriously.

Carpe's first 9-star: Drech-style Doll Unification boosted retainers' stats 150%—broken.

Paired with Tina's swordsmanship, it bridged to level 30 easy.

"Splendid! Doll! Terrifying blade work!"

"Merely the sword of a half-knight without Mount."

"Excessive humility is arrogance! Kra kra kra. Satisfying!"

The fight stayed even.

Sparks flew on clashes; blood bloomed on grazes.

But balance tipped soon.

Similar physical specs, but skill gap was vast.

"Grk! You—!"

"Tired already? Demon. Just a half-knight's blade."

"Daring to mock me to the end?!"

"Not mockery. Truth."

...Carpe vowed to buy Mount at auction, no matter what.

"Time to end this. Advance!"

Boom!

"What?!"

That was it.

The burst DPS shattered Croal's axe.

Stab!

"Gahk?!"

Tina's silver blade pierced its heart dead-on.