Chapter 210: A Gamble with Destiny

Boom—crunch.

Amid the dull clatter of turning gears, after passing seven consecutive defense verifications, Wang Xiaotian opened the final door with a somber expression.

“Lord Yenir, please hand over your ID Card.”

“These four S-level skills are simply too potent. We must verify your identity, and the system will log it.”

He nodded slightly.

Yenir gazed at the massive alloy door—built to withstand any bombardment—with a flash of wistfulness in his eyes.

He had been here in his previous life too, though it was empty.

In the face of bottomless zombie hordes and mutant armies, even many rising Third-Stage warriors could only fight with D-level skills when push came to shove.

The Military’s once-prized stockpile was swiftly depleted when disaster struck.

Suppressing his inner sigh, Yenir fixed his sight on the metal grooves that had just been unlocked.

There, four Skill Books emanating an orange-yellow glow lay silently within the grooves.

“1. Desperate Strike”

“Skill Level: S. When the user reaches a near-death state (health drops below 10%), they can launch a final counterattack, dealing damage equal to 100% of their Spirit Energy plus power-based damage. Killing the enemy that inflicted major harm restores 30% health.”

“2. Death Anthem”

“Skill Level: S. Consumes 4900 Spirit Energy to perform a circular slash against surrounding foes. Upon a kill, the enemy’s soul is imprisoned and then released within three seconds, delivering massive damage based on the enemy’s level.”

“3. Hellfire – Awakening”

“Skill Level: S. Consumes 6000 Spirit Energy. When in an area with a weak crust or an active volcanic zone, you can drive your weapon into the ground. After 10 seconds of channeling, trigger a volcanic eruption that inflicts continuous fiery damage.”

“4. Annihilation”

“Skill Level: S. Charge continuously while channeling your sword technique to lock onto an enemy. After 10 seconds, unleash damage that far exceeds current levels! During the channel, you cannot move or use other skills, and a lock indicator warns the target.”

…

After studying the four Skill Books, a peculiar expression crept over Yenir’s face.

Sure enough, Wang Xiaotian hadn’t been wrong—these skills were indeed extraordinary.

It explained why that guy had urged him to check out the A-level skills first, so he wouldn’t be too disappointed.

The remaining four sword techniques were, in theory, worthy of S-level ranking; yet, their flaws were too glaring for anyone to choose them.

Those who were qualified felt they didn’t suit their style, while those who liked them lacked the qualification.

Desperate Strike’s explosive damage can effectively revive you after a kill!

But it can only be activated at the brink of death. Learning this means signing up as a reckless fighter—who among Third-Stage warriors would dare? It might only ever be used once in a lifetime.

Death Anthem offers multi-target attacks with cumulative explosive damage, yet its range is limited and its restrictions severe. The energy cost is also through the roof.

For non–Willpower specialists, most Third-Stage warriors can barely manage to activate it even once.

Hellfire is another story altogether.

It appears to be the most extravagant, harnessing natural forces to wreak havoc.

Yet its activation conditions are brutally strict.

Even Yenir, who believed the Sword God System might enhance it, found the skill hardly practical.

As fantastic as it would be to turn a volcano into a hot spring, he couldn’t spend his life stuck in searing geothermal heat like some sort of hot-spring war god…

After much deliberation, Yenir finally set his sights on Annihilation.

For no other reason.

He saw the potential for a level-breaking, explosive attack.

Among the four, its description was the vaguest, with seemingly negative release conditions.

Stand still for ten seconds, depleting all your strength—while locked, even warning the enemy to flee…

With so many constraints, it merely hinted at an increase in damage.

Given the system’s quirks, Yenir suspected that the true power of this skill was outrageously overpowered.

“Wanna take a gamble?”

He murmured to himself.

His hand hovered in midair, hesitating as uncertainty flashed in his eyes.

Based on past experience, the Sword God System, upon upgrading a sword technique to SSS-Level, usually enhances its effects and power, even if it means higher costs.

In theory, Death Anthem would have been a good choice. Who knows—the Sword God System might even expand the attack range from a close circle to ten, or even a hundred meters!

One strike and everything falls.

After dispatching waves of enemies, it could deal massive damage with no extra cost!

It would be like a relentless barrage, unbeatable in group fights.

But…

He already had a mass-attack method…

If his opponent were only one rank higher, Yenir would have immediately chosen Death Anthem.

But what if the enemy was two or more ranks above him?

The current skill’s power was clearly insufficient.

Seconds later, as Wang Xiaotian was about to speak, a fierce glint flashed in Yenir’s eyes—he decisively reached for Annihilation!

Amid the orange glow, a dull Skill Scroll, tinged with gray, lay before him.

Damn it! A gamble!

If he won, perhaps he could use a Third-Stage move to cleave a higher-tier foe!

Huh!?

His eyes widened in disbelief.

Before Wang Xiaotian could utter a word, an extraordinary burst of light exploded from Yenir, accompanied by an enigmatic surge that vanished as if it had been an illusion.

Holy crap!?

He wanted to yell, ‘Don’t use that skill!’ but never imagined that once chosen, Yenir would decisively unlearn it!

The Annihilation skill was universally regarded at the institute as an extreme technique—unsuitable for Awakeners in combat, but perfect for developing weaponry after studying its principles.

“Lord Yenir!?”

A cry of utter astonishment rang out.

At that instant, Yenir’s expression froze dramatically upon unlearning Annihilation.

Within the ever-shifting Sword God System, a brand-new sword technique slowly emerged.

“Sword Technique Enhancement Successful!”

“S-Level Sword Technique: [Annihilation] has been upgraded to SSS-Level Sword Technique: [Divine Rage]!”