Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 51 - Perfected Rhythm

Atlas drew the Fang of Infernos from his Inventory, the spear humming with heat as it came alive in his grip. He spun it once, steady and confident, grounding himself in perfect stance.

The Lava Hounds encircled him, snarling as they launched forward from every direction.

With flawless precision, Atlas flowed into motion. He sidestepped the first lunge, spun the spear, and drove it clean through the charging beast, lifting it effortlessly before hurling it skyward in a burst of searing light.

Without pause, he pivoted into the next, the spear cutting through the air in arcs of fire. Sweeping strikes, targeted thrusts, rapid movements. Each one deliberate, efficient, and devastating.

Within seconds, all four Lava Hounds, each of them level 50 and above, lay defeated at his feet!

The soldiers watching from the hillside stared, mouths open, stunned into silence.

"No way..."

"Did the Lord just... win without even breaking rhythm?"

"I couldn’t even track his movements."

[Your have killed Lava Hound Lv. 51]

[You received 1,337 Exp]

[Exp: 9,466/136,109]

[Your mastery over the spear has risen significantly, upgrading your Measured Strikes talent to Perfected Rhythm, Rating A]

[You have achieved a near-perfect, instinctual timing with each spear strike. This enhancement allows you to adjust your attack rhythm automatically based on your opponent’s movements, boosting accuracy and minimizing energy use.]

Atlas exhaled slowly, feeling the shift settle into his body.

[Name: Atlas Blackthorn]

[Level: 45]

[Strength: 184 | Agility: 103 | Intelligence: 51 | Constitution: 80 | Stamina: 86]

[Available Stat Points: 10]

[Job: The Lord]

[Class: Warrior]

[Unyielding Resolve (A) - Tactical Awareness (A) - Instinctual Command (A) - Perfected Rhythm (A) - Immutable Discipline (S) - Commanding Presence (S) - Bloodbound Vigor (S)]

Atlas reviewed his updated status, marveling at how far he’d come in just the last two weeks. Every single one of his talents had reached at least an rank-A, with three now ranked at an impressive S.

On top of that, his stat points had also seen a major boost thanks to his intense training over the past a week. He’d gained around 40 stat points, a truly incredible leap in such a short time.

Atlas spun his spear once more, its tip slicing through the air with a hiss of heat, because the challenge wasn’t over yet.

From the ridge ahead, his final opponent stepped into view.

It was a massive panther-like beast, its sleek black body rippling with muscle, and a flaming mane licking upward like a living inferno.

Every step it took was deliberate, its molten eyes locked on Atlas.

[Elite - Flare Stalker Lv. 56]

"Damn, an Elite-grade monster?" Atlas muttered

At that level and grade, this was no ordinary opponent. The Flare Stalker wasn’t just larger than any panther Atlas had ever seen, it was a force of nature cloaked in fire.

Atlas didn’t flinch.

He tightened his grip on the Fang of Infernos, steadying his breath. The training of the past seven days, every spear thrust, every battle with the Lava Hounds, had led to this. He didn’t need luck, he needed rhythm, clarity, and focus. And he had all three.

"I got badly injured a few days ago fighting that same monster," Garen said.

"Yeah," another added grimly. "That beast’s fast, and when it hits, it hurts."

"But our Lord’s been training nonstop these past days," Zara said firmly. "I believe he can do this."

"Hah! He’s got some real guts, doesn’t he?" Kaida added, grinning. "I’m starting to like him even more."

"But... will he survive against something that high-level?" someone murmured.

Edrik glanced sideways at Kurogasa, his smirk subtle. "I’ll be genuinely impressed if he pulls it off on the first try."

"He does have a habit of surprising us," Kurogasa replied with a quiet nod.

"Should I move in closer? Just in case?" Karian asked.

"Let’s show a little more faith in our Lord," Kurogasa said calmly.

"Uh..." someone piped up nervously, "Want me to do a card trick? You know... to ease the tension?"

But before anyone could answer, a quiet presence approached. Heads turned as Milo appeared silently among them. His hands were tucked awkwardly behind his back.

The troops near him quickly stepped away, keeping their distance.

"Just stay there, Milo," Edrik said calmly.

Everyone turned their eyes back to the field, where Atlas now faced the Elite Flare Stalker alone.

The Flare Stalker charged. Atlas watched its movements with unwavering focus, stepping aside with uncanny timing and spinning his spear into a clean, calculated strike that slammed into the beast’s side.

The monster shrieked in fury, erupting in a fiery pulse that scorched the ground around it.

Unfazed, Atlas darted forward as the beast leapt. He slid low beneath the arc of its pounce, eyes locked on its underbelly, and thrust upward.

[Elite Skill - Flurry of Spears Lv. 1]

In a whirlwind of motion, Atlas unleashed a barrage of rapid spear strikes. His blows battered the creature’s flank, the final hit crashing into its haunch and sending it stumbling backward.

From the sidelines, the onlookers gasped.

"Is he actually pushing it back?!"

"Did you see that combo? That was textbook precision!"

The fight didn’t slow. If anything, it grew fiercer.

Atlas kept moving, weaving through the beast’s lunges and slashes with agility that seemed almost impossible. One swipe came razor-close, claws tearing through the air where his face had just been.

He twisted mid-step, retaliating with a stab toward its midsection. But the creature jerked away, evading just in time.

The watchers could hardly keep up.

"No way. He dodged that?"

"That beast is so fast and the Lord is still matching it! This is insane..."

Atlas didn’t falter. He circled, probing the creature’s reflexes with a series of feints and swift jabs.

The Flare Stalker moved like fire incarnate, lashing out with a flaming tail that seared the air just past Atlas’s shoulder.

Knowing he had to end it before exhaustion set in, Atlas shifted.

His rhythm changed, faster, sharper, more aggressive. He launched into a ruthless barrage, spear whistling through the air. One clean strike pierced the beast’s shoulder, driving deep and throwing the creature off balance with a pained roar.

It launched itself at him in a frenzy, claws.

Time slowed.

Atlas took a single step to the side, the blazing mane grazing past him.

And then, strike!

He drove the Fang of Infernos upward with all the force he could muster, plunging the spear through the Flare Stalker’s chest.

The monster jerked, breath caught in its throat. Its flames sputtered.

With a final, strangled growl, it collapsed, defeated.

A stunned silence blanketed the field.

Then, cheers erupted.

"The Lord defeated the monster!"

"He took it down!"

"He did it. He actually did it!"

[You have killed Elite - Flare Stalker Lv. 56]

[You received 4,568 Exp]

[Exp: 14,034/136,109]

Atlas took a deep breath, letting the rush of the fight wash over him. Around him, the crowd erupted in stunned admiration.

He had won!

[Common - Piercing Thrust leveled up to 7]

[Common - Sweeping Strike leveled up to 5]

[Common - Defensive Stance leveled up to 8]

[Common - Ground Slam leveled up to 5]

[Common - Power Strike leveled up to 9]

[Common - Endurance Boost leveled up to 10]

[Elite - Flurry of Spears leveled up to 2]

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