Chapter 254: Crushing Hammer

Chapter 254: Crushing Hammer



Ren's exceptional mental strength allowed him to clearly sense the strength of the male Naga before him, which far surpassed that of an ordinary male Naga. This was evident from the opponent's imposing physique.

Compared to the average male Naga, this one barely reached Ren's chest, and his build was significantly smaller.

Additionally, the aura of intimidation that the Naga exuded was unlike anything Ren had ever felt, even from the peak human Great Knights.

It was clear that the opponent's strength far exceeded that of everyone present, including Ren and Captain Batista. The commotion among the Sea Tribs further confirmed Ren's suspicions.

Even the female Naga holding a wooden staff and the rest of the Sea Tribs bowed their heads towards the gargantuan Naga and spoke in unison in an ancient language:

"We pay our respects to you, Lord Roorgatz, the Tide Piercer! (Naga Language)"

Alisa whispered to Ren, "This monster is nicknamed the Piercer, Lord Ren. If you end up facing him, please be extra cautious."

Ren's eyes widened slightly as he glanced at Alisa, thinking, 'Didn't Javier say that his younger daughter, Alisa, was an alchemist? How does she seem to understand ancient and Sea Trib languages?'

Moreover, Ren noticed that Alisa, standing beside him, showed no signs of fear before the impending battle. Instead, her eyes sparkled, her nose was sweating, and her cheeks were flushed, clearly displaying her excitement and unwavering faith in him.

Ren couldn't help but smile wryly in his heart, 'Thank you, young lady, for having such faith in me!'

However, judging by the formidable aura emanating from the opponent, Ren feared that he might not be a match for him in his current state.

The grand entrance of Roorgatz, the Tide Piercer, immediately boosted the morale of the Sea Tribs!

The Scalefin Humans and Nagas turned to the human group where Ren was, and their expressions no longer held any trace of worry. Instead, they wore looks of amusement, as if saying, 'Hehe, humans, you're as good as dead.'

At that moment, the female Naga holding the wooden staff spoke, albeit with some difficulty, but it was indeed Common Tongue: "Humans, surrender! Surrender, and you'll suffer less pain."

"Otherwise, Lord Roorgatz will make you experience the extreme agony of being pierced!"

Ren looked at her in surprise.

He had already noticed this female Blood Curse Naga, whose attire differed from the one he had previously slain. She held a long wooden staff, indicating that she was likely a wizard. So, she was well-versed in languages?

The Common Tongue, no less?

The scene before him made Captain Batista's already solemn expression turn even graver.

He fixed his gaze on the massive Naga slithering towards them and said in a deep voice, "Leimer, lead everyone out. I'll hold this guy off."

"Captain, let me come with you."

"Yes, Captain, with so many of us here, we don't have to lose. Especially since we have Ray," Alvos said, seeing the determined look on his captain's face and understanding his intentions.

The captain was planning to fight to the death, creating an opportunity for the rest of them.

"No! Even all of us combined wouldn't be a match for him," Batista waved his hand, cutting off Alvos.

"Leimer, get ready to move out!" As Batista finished speaking, he quickly took out a bottle of crimson-colored potion from his pocket and drank it.

"Captain, no! You... You took the Crimson Shock Potion?" Leimer exclaimed in shock.

"This is a potion that pushes the body to its limits. Even under normal circumstances, it can cause severe illness and weakness for at least a week. Given the condition of this Swordsman Captain, taking this potion is akin to suicide!"

Alisa, despite her young age, was already a Master Alchemist and immediately recognized the potion Batista had consumed. She quietly explained this to Ren.

Upon hearing Alisa's words, Ren's eyebrows rose slightly, and his expression became touched.

His heart was deeply moved, regardless of Batista's reasons.

Was it for the glory of the Empire?

For the mission's evaluation?

Or something else?

Although Ren himself would not have chosen this path, he respected Batista's decision.

Batista was a true knight!

At that moment, Ren sighed in his heart.

Since it had come to this, he should also do something. He wouldn't hold back the 2 Golden Skill Points he had just been rewarded.

After all, he couldn't let his teammates fight alone.

However, the 2 Golden Skill Points were insufficient to upgrade either of the two Intermediate Mystic Techniques to the Master level.

Upgrading Shockwave required 2 Golden Skill Points to raise Tokkar Hammer Technique and Bear King Breathing Method to level 16, plus an additional 2 points for the upgrade, totaling 4 points.

Roaring Battle Cry also required 1 Golden Skill Point to raise Bear King Breathing Method to level 16, plus an extra 3 points for the upgrade, also totaling 4 points.

In both cases, Bear King Breathing Method needed to be improved.

And Hammer Technique remained his most potent battle technique.

So, without hesitation, Ren spent 2 Golden Skill Points to raise both Tokkar Hammer Technique and Bear King Breathing Method to level 16.

In the blink of an eye, two powerful training memories flooded into Ren's mind.

Although this time, the skill allocation didn't elevate Ren's Shockwave to a Master Technique, it still significantly enhanced its power.

Now that the skill allocation was complete, it was time to take action!

Just as Leimer was anxiously pondering how to break through the blockade of the Sea Tribe before him, he noticed a swift figure with a hammer dashing out from beside him.

Leimer's pupils constricted, and he was momentarily stunned.

A flash of lightning seemed to pass through his mind.

Isn't that Ren?

Is this guy looking to die?

Before Leimer could react and figure out how to save Ren, he heard Ren's voice.

"Cover your ears!"

Leimer was completely baffled by Ren's words.

But what surprised him even more was that everyone around him obediently followed Ren's instruction, covering their ears, leaving Leimer as the only one standing there, dumbfounded and motionless.

The next second, he regretted it!

"Roar!!!!"

The sound was like a hundred or a thousand Bear Kings roaring simultaneously, and the air visibly rippled, spreading out in all directions from Ren.

The scene of Ren instantly killing the White-Scaled Fishmen in the Omen Hall was replaying!

This time, there was one more spectator—Leimer.

However, Leimer was covering his ears in pain!

He finally understood why Ren had said that—to cover their ears!

He felt so stupid.

If others were doing it, he should have followed suit!

Now, his eardrums felt like they were being torn apart.

Fortunately, Ren had charged into the crowd of White-Scaled Fishmen before unleashing this move, putting a considerable distance between them.

Otherwise, the White-Scaled Fishmen around Ren would have suffered the same fate as Leimer.

All around Ren, the White-Scaled Fishmen fell in neat circles, blood oozing from their ears, noses, and eyes.

Even the seven Male Blood Curse Nagas, caught off guard, were covering their heads and wailing in agony.

The Naga Overlord, Stasha, also covered her ears with both hands, her face contorted in extreme discomfort!

Even further away, the leader of the Boulder Squad, Bartista, who had been closely watching the Gargantuan Naga, was startled by Ren's roar.

He wanted to turn around to look, but he was afraid that the giant creature in front of him would seize the opportunity to attack, so he didn't dare turn his head.

The Sea Surge Stinger Rudergatz, with its ugly dragon head, also slightly raised, looking towards the hall entrance with a slightly surprised expression, as if saying, 'How can this human's voice be louder than mine!'

At the hall entrance.

Ren's lightning-fast strike wasn't over yet!

He jumped high, raising his heavy hammer above his head, his arms swelling with muscle, and delivered a powerful hammer blow to the ground, imbued with high-frequency vibrations.

"Boom!!!!"

The moment the hammerhead touched the ground!

The blue-stone-paved floor shattered into fragments within a large fan-shaped area, and these fragments were then propelled forward by a powerful, tsunami-like force.

The accelerated dense fragments resembled a particle blast, striking in all directions!

It dealt a second wave of area damage to the Sea Tribe members who had just survived the 'Roaring Battle Cry'.

With this attack, the White-Scaled Fishmen on the field were completely wiped out!

Two Male Blood Curse Nagas also perished, unfortunately.

These poor souls were too close to Ren, enduring the full brunt of the damage from the two Intermediate Techniques without any reduction.

Ren's consecutive use of these two techniques had effectively reduced the numerous Sea Tribe members to a nearly solitary state!

Now, only the Naga Overlord Stasha remained, with minor injuries, while the other five surviving Male Blood Curse Nagas were also severely wounded.

Within a few seconds, Ren had turned the tide of battle!

Although Leimer's eardrums were in excruciating pain, his eyes shone with excitement.

He hadn't expected that in such a situation, they still had a chance to turn the tables!

It seemed that not only could they break through the encirclement, but they might also be able to rescue the captain and return together," Leimer thought.

Inspired by Ren's opening gambit, the group of Imperial elites freed by Ren began to fight back, brandishing their weapons and charging towards the Nagas!

The counterattack had begun!

Especially those who had acquired the weapons of the former Four-Armed Naga Overlord Gniss, all of them were Great Knights, and with their high-quality weapons, their combat prowess was formidable.

The situation was completely reversed!

Stasha watched this scene, feeling so furious she wanted to vomit blood.

She had been driving this human squad away, hoping to minimize the casualties among her subjects.

But who could have guessed that things would go so wrong!

At this moment, her subjects had suffered a 90% casualty rate, and the remaining five spouses were all injured.

To make matters worse, this scene was unfolding right in front of the Sea Surge Stinger Rudergatz, and her incompetence would surely spread throughout the Blood Curse Naga tribe, making her even more furious!

Just as the battle was turning in their favor, a piercing sound of metal clashing filled the air behind them.

Then came a loud 'Ssssss' as something rubbed against the ground.

In Ren's peripheral vision, he saw Bartista holding a steel shield, leaning forward slightly, while two furrows were carved into the ground by the treads of plated boots.

And that giant Naga—Sea Surge Stinger Rudergatz—still had his left hand in the state of a casual strike!

Ren noticed the nearly two-meter-long Spiral Conch Shell on the giant's left hand, which was now emitting a faint blue glow, with several streams of water swirling around it.

The strike that repelled Bartista was likely a perfect combination of an innate water sorcery and physical strength.

Bartista, without turning his head, shouted again, "Leimer! Hurry and get everyone out, I can't hold on much longer!"

Hearing Bartista's words, Leimer, who was in a daze, finally snapped out of it.

Everyone instantly understood that if no one could defeat that giant Naga, the entire battle situation would not turn around.

Leimer, with great proficiency, began casting a sorcery, and the next moment, a large cloud of fog appeared in front of him. With a swift wave of his short staff, the fog surged into the midst of the battling Nagas.

"Retreat!" Leimer shouted as he threw several round objects resembling grenades.

Hearing Leimer's warning, everyone, including Ren, engaged in a fierce clash with the Nagas in front of them, using the opportunity to retreat.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The explosions generated a choking smoke.

The combination of the smoke and fog instantly obscured the Blood Curse Naga's view.

Ren realized that the grenade-like explosions he had heard in the passage earlier were caused by Leimer.

It had to be said that using sorcery with these small devices was quite effective for a retreat.

Alisa, seeing Ren beside her, swiftly retreating, couldn't help but feel a sense of regret.

"Even someone as strong as Lord Ren is unable to turn the tables and win?"

Read the flawless version at 69 Book Bar! 6=9+Book_Bar

"Reality is not a fairy tale after all," the young girl, dedicated to her research, sighed.

Even with Alisa, Ren's running speed was incredibly fast, and he quickly reached the front of the group.

However, at a nearby turn, Ren immediately stopped after making the turn.

"Protect Alisa, I'll be right back," Ren said to the group following closely behind him.

"Lord Ren," a female Great Knight reminded him reluctantly.

Although Lord Ren was already considered strong in their eyes, no matter how strong he was, he couldn't possibly be a match for that giant Naga!

Everyone paused at the corner, watching as Ren charged back.

In fact, Ren had been waiting! He was waiting for the system's prompt.

After he turned the corner, the system prompt finally arrived:

[You have experienced a battle, Weaponmaster (Legendary) experience +1113]



[Congratulations, you have defeated a strong enemy and obtained 2 golden skill points!]



Ren had been waiting for these 2 golden skill points.

The system's mechanism was somewhat similar to the games he played in his previous life. After many careful observations, he discovered that the system would only conduct experience rewards after a battle ended.

If the battle was not concluded, the system would consider it an ongoing fight.

This was why Ren had run earlier.

As he rushed towards the fog, Ren, without hesitation, allocated the 2 golden skill points to the Intermediate Mystic Technique 'Shockwave'.

To upgrade the Intermediate Mystic Technique 'Shockwave' to a High Technique, the following conditions must be met: 1. Tokkar Hammer Technique lv16 or higher; 2. Bear King Breathing Method lv16 or higher; 3. Consume 2 golden skill points.

Ren had already fulfilled the first two conditions previously.

And now, the third condition was also met! Instantly, a flood of memories related to Shockwave training surged into Ren's mind! It was as if Ren had single-mindedly practiced the hammer technique 'Shockwave' in a mysterious space for over a decade.

The system prompt appeared again:

[Congratulations, you have comprehended the High Hammer Technique: Crushing Hammer!]



"Crushing Hammer?"

"High Technique!"

A smile appeared on Ren's face.

On the Weaponmaster (Legendary) panel, the hammer technique 'Shockwave' was changed to 'Crushing Hammer'.

The icon also changed.

The new icon depicted a pitch-black heavy hammer smashing into a boulder, turning half of it into tiny pebbles that scattered, vividly illustrating the process of crushing. The small text below the icon also changed:

Crushing Hammer (High Technique) Effect: Utilizes a special hammer swing technique that combines primal force with ultra-high-frequency vibrations to deliver a powerful strike capable of shattering most tangible objects.

(Note: To upgrade Crushing Hammer to a Supreme Technique, the following conditions must be met: 1. Any Extraordinary Hammer Technique lv18 or higher; 2. Bear King Breathing Method lv18 or higher; 3. Strength 45 points, Agility 38 points, Constitution 40 points or higher; 4. Consume 4 golden skill points.)



"This..."

"Has it started to transcend specific hammer techniques?"

Ren keenly noticed the difference in the remarks.

The High Technique 'Crushing Hammer' no longer specified the need for Tokkar Hammer Technique, but instead, it required any Extraordinary Hammer Technique lv18 or higher.

Additionally, advancing to a Supreme Technique required meeting physical attribute requirements.

As Ren sprinted, he glanced at his system attribute panel:

Name: Ren Calan

Constitution: 32

Strength: 33

Agility: 32

Spirit: 39

Remaining Attribute Points: 13

Remaining Skill Points: 1

Golden Skill Points: 0

Just as Ren returned to his original position, an injured male Blood Curse Naga suddenly burst out of the fog, brimming with aggression, intending to pursue the group.

The dense fog had dissipated, and he immediately noticed that the human teenager who had made him fearful was not running away but charging towards him.

His expression changed instantly!

He was terrified of the combat prowess that Ren had previously displayed.

However, upon further thought, he believed that as long as he could block the human teenager's attack, his brothers would arrive, and the opponent would be unable to escape.

In that case, Stasha should reward him with extra favors, perhaps ten times?

But the idea was good, and reality was cruel!

When he swung his trident with all his might to block Ren's hammer strike, he realized that Ren's hammer was deceptively fast. Before his trident could reach his chest, Ren's dark hammer had already struck his forehead.

How could he not have blocked it?

This was his last thought before dying, and his face still held a puzzled expression.

The next second, his entire body shattered!

Yes!

The whole person!

From head to toe, every part of his body!

The sturdy bones, resilient cartilage, and sinews, as well as the solid muscle tissue, all exploded into pieces!

He became a small pool of blood and flesh, splattering everywhere.

Seeing the effect of this strike, Ren couldn't help but be stunned!

The Crushing Hammer was terrifying!

Even the resilient sinews were shattered, and the crushing power made Ren feel it was too domineering!

So domineering that it seemed unreasonable!

However, Ren also felt a sense of weakness and soreness in his muscles and sinews.

He realized that using the Master Technique 'Crushing Hammer' required exceptionally high physical qualities, but this was reasonable.

After joining the Swordsmaster Division, Ren learned that even peak Great Knights might not have mastered Master Techniques.

His current situation was a classic case of 'a small horse pulling a big cart'!

He had mastered the Master Technique but had only barely entered the level of a seasoned Great Knight in terms of physical qualities.

Therefore, he was experiencing this situation.

Ren felt that with his current physical qualities, he could only use the Crushing Hammer twice before being unable to use it a third time.

At this moment, the second Blood Curse Naga, a male, charged forward with a proud and confident stride.

However, when he saw Ren and the pool of blood mist on the ground, he hadn't figured out the connection between the two before following in his brother's footsteps.

"Bang!" He also turned into a pool of blood and flesh!

Facing physical exhaustion, Ren didn't hesitate and added a point to his stamina.

His body's condition returned to its peak once again!

Subsequently, Ren followed a rhythm of two hammers and one point.

'Bang, bang, bang!' After several consecutive strikes, he had eliminated all the male Blood Curse Nagas.

One hammer, one kill!

There was no need for a second hammer!

At this moment, the Naga Overlord Stasha, holding a wooden staff, emerged from the thick fog. She was surrounded by a layer of blue light and an ever-present water shield.

When she saw the five pools of blood and flesh on the ground but didn't see her spouses, she was puzzled.

The next second, she came to her senses and screamed in a mix of shock and anger, pointing at the bloody mess on the ground:

"You, you killed them all?!"

In response to Stasha's question, Ren delivered a crushing hammer strike to her head!

Instantly, the faint blue glow of the water shield technique dimmed!

The power of this strike made Stasha's face turn pale!

She was well aware of the defensive capabilities of her shield. Her spouses must have fallen victim to Ren's attack.

Additionally, Stasha was almost certain that if Ren struck again with the same force, he would undoubtedly break through her water shield technique. So, at this moment, her heart was filled with terror.

Indeed, if it were an ordinary Great Knight, even with a Master Technique, the power would not be as exaggerated as Ren's current strike.

The primary reasons for this were twofold. Firstly, others might not have Ren's level 3 hammer specialization, and secondly, Ren possessed the talent of Intermediate Gigantism.

The combination of these two factors made Ren's hammer technique exceptionally powerful!

"Crack!" The water shield shattered like a fragile chicken egg!

Stasha screamed in shock, and a hastily launched mental impact hit Ren. Almost simultaneously, Ren's hammer, having broken through Stasha's water shield, struck her head.

Stasha immediately went limp and fell to the ground.

Ren furrowed his brows and staggered, feeling a wave of dizziness.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, a robust human knight flew out of the thick fog.

The knight was sent flying by a powerful impact and slid to a halt a few meters away from Ren's feet, vomiting blood. It was Bartista, the remaining member of the Boulder Squad.

As the fog dissipated, the giant Naga, Sea Surge Stinger Rudergatz, revealed his massive and dangerous figure, moving with a relaxed and unhurried pace, sinuously slithering forward.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end