Conquering The Game's World

The Cyborg Goblin showed a successful grin as he watched Alex rushing towards him.

"Oh, no! Alex fell for his Provocation Skill!" After Rura's words fell, everyone also realised the reason behind Alex's behaviour.

They have already learned about this skill in class.

Provocation (Skill Description): A psychological taunt that targets the enemy's emotions, exploiting their weak mental defences. When affected, foes with low willpower or poor mental strength are overwhelmed by anger, causing them to abandon tactics and charge recklessly toward the user.

While provoked, they suffer reduced defence and become easier to bait into traps or counterattacks. Highly effective against impulsive or emotionally unstable enemies.

Thomas, who was originally dissatisfied. Now had a contemptuous grin on his face. "What an idiot. Anger clouds the mind, and now he is swinging blindly."

He also observed Rura's expression and saw that the worry on her face was only that of a teammate, which made him relieved.

'Fortunately, it seems Rura hasn't been seduced by that bastard.'

He glanced in Alex's direction with murderous intention and thought to himself. 'It would be better if he were killed by the Cyborg Goblin!'

---

Alex, who rushed to attack the Cyborg Goblin, was surrounded by golden holy flames.

The air trembled with heat and smoke as his silver hair, glinting in the glow of golden holy flames, charged headlong at the towering Cyborg Goblin.

The Cyborg Goblin let out a distorted, crackling laugh. More machine than creature, as it tilted its head mockingly at Alex. Its single glowing red eye pulsed rhythmically, and from within its chest, a faint signal pulsed. A strange, static-laced buzz echoed through the chamber.

"I'll kill you!"

Alex's crimson eyes burned with rage. The golden holy flames around him flared violently, reacting to his unstable emotions. Gritting his teeth, he roared and charged without hesitation. No strategy, no thought, only the burning need to strike down the smirking monster before him.

*Keke*

The Cyborg Goblin merely chuckled, almost playfully. It didn't brace or defend, just welcomed him.

As Alex lunged, the goblin's cannon arm snapped up with fluid speed, releasing a storm of shrapnel and bullets. Alex tried to dodge, but his anger dulled his reaction.

Several bullets struck his side and shoulder, spinning him into midair, but he pushed through the pain. The holy flames struggled to keep up, healing his wounds just enough to keep him moving.

Their weapons met in a clash of golden flames and metal. Alex's enchanted blade against the goblin's unyielding cybernetic arm. The shock ran up his arm like lightning; his shoulder throbbed, fingers trembled from the force. But his rage drove him forward, ignoring the damage.

With a mechanical hiss, the Cyborg Goblin pulsed energy through its arm. A shockwave erupted point-blank—an EMP burst of pure force.

*Boom*

Alex was sent flying, body twisting midair until he crashed hard into a steel column. The golden flames sputtered from the impact. He groaned, blood dripping from his mouth. His eyes slowly lost their fury and regained their calm. The effect of the Provocation was over.

Across the field, the Goblin twirled its cannon arm playfully and gave a childlike clap with its real hand.

Alex hit the ground hard, the impact from the Cyborg Goblin's pulse rattling his bones. His vision blurred, golden flames around him flickering weakly. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as his grip loosened on his sword.

'So this is it...?' he thought, darkness creeping into his senses.

But just as he began to lose consciousness…something stirred inside him.

A low hum pulsed through his veins, foreign yet familiar. His body arched off the ground slightly as an unseen energy surged through his core.

Suddenly, his silver hair darkened at the roots, strands twitching unnaturally. His eyes snapped open, no longer human red—but now slit like a predator's, glowing with cold, reptilian intensity.

His nails elongated, claws rather than fingers. The pain in his body seemed to vanish under a wave of raw, feral power. The holy flames had faded… but now this dark, wild energy wrapped around him like smoke.

The Cyborg Goblin paused mid-charge, its head tilting. It sensed something wrong…something dangerous.

But just as the transformation threatened to spiral further—

*Pfft*

A near-silent click broke the tension. A thin dart struck Alex's neck.

His glowing eyes widened in surprise.

Then, without a sound, he collapsed.

The anaesthetic worked instantly...delivered by a Rover, very precise and powerful. As he fell unconscious, the strange energy retreated just as quickly as it had appeared. His hair returned to normal, his claws vanished, and his pupils turned round again.

By the time Thomas and the others turned toward him, Alex had already fainted.

"Alex is down!" Storm shouted while rushing over.

"He's breathing," Kerry said after checking him. "Just unconscious. Probably hit too hard."

None of them noticed what had almost awakened inside him.

None of them noticed the silent figures of Frank and Rover on a far ledge, briefly visible, holstering a strange, narrow rifle, smirking, before vanishing into the shadows, hiding themselves.

Thomas was happy to see Alex being beaten up. He turned to Rura and spoke.

"Rura, I'll hold back the Cyborg Goblin here. You leave first."

Rura was surprised by Thomas' words, but her expression returned to calm. As she spoke. "No need, let's fight together!"

Upon hearing this, Thomas became very excited. "Okay, as you wish."

'I knew it! She doesn't show it, but she cares about me.' He felt very sweet in his heart.

"Everyone, follow my orders! We are going to take down this hidden boss!"

Whether it's Kerry, Gale, Storm or Thomas' team members. None of them had the confidence to fight against the Cyborg Goblin. However, they didn't dare object in front of Thomas.

"Rura, you support us! Others will follow me to attack!"

"Wait, a second!" Rura stopped them and took out a bottle from her mana bracelet, spraying it on everyone.

"What's this?" Kerry asked.

"Heart calming potion, now you all won't be affected by the Provocation skill," Rura explained.

"As expected of Rura!" Thomas praised without hesitation.

"Prince Thomas is joking. These are just some simple means." Rura said with a polite smile.

Thomas wanted to continue talking, but the Cyborg Goblin's attention had left Alex and was already on them.