Arthur opened the skill description with eager anticipation.
**Skill Book – Berserk**
**Rank:** Bronze (Growable)
**Tier:** 1 (Can Grow)
**Potential:** Very High
**Description:** Upon activation, the user enters a berserk state for 10 minutes, significantly boosting physical strength. However, the user's mental clarity diminishes, leaving only a bloodthirsty instinct. A high intelligence stat can help in partially resisting this effect.
**Effect 1:** Doubles base strength.
**Effect 2:** Strength increases with each kill, up to five times the base strength before the skill duration ends.
**Effect 3–7:** Locked
**Aftereffects:** The user will enter a weakened state for 30 minutes once the skill ends.
**Cooldown:** 30 minutes
Arthur's eyes gleamed with excitement as he absorbed the details. "A strength boost and a power that grows with each kill… This is huge!"
Without hesitation, he activated the skill book.
*Ding! Congratulations, Lord. You have learned the growable Tier-1 skill: Berserk.*
Arthur smiled with satisfaction. He reread the skill effects several times, familiarizing himself with every nuance. Then, with a deep breath, he closed the screen and opened his stats panel to inspect any changes.
---
**Name:** Arthur
**Gender:** Male
**Species:** Human
**Occupation:** Lord
**Cultivation:** Rank 1 (Level 2, EXP: 500)
**EXP for Next Level:** 1000
**Skills:** Berserk (Click for more info)
**Talent:** Luck (Click for more info)
**Strength:** 6
**Agility:** 5
**Intelligence:** 11
**Health:** 120
---
"I've gained so much in just one day," Arthur muttered, smiling. "But it's not enough. There's still time before nightfall—I can hunt more monsters and grow even stronger."
Motivated by the desire to improve and the words exchanged with Arora earlier, Arthur stepped out of his hut. Outside, his territory had changed—new huts were under construction, and dozens of men bustled about, working hard.
"Good. They're not slacking off," he thought with pride.
Spotting a familiar face, Arthur called out, "Jack!"
The black-tier soldier rushed over.
"My Lord?"
"Has the food been prepared for everyone?" Arthur asked.
"Yes, my Lord. Would you like me to bring it to you?"
Arthur shook his head with a grin. "No, I want to eat with everyone. Stop the work for now and tell them to gather."
Jack's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he nodded respectfully. "At once, my Lord."
He rushed back and made the announcement. "Everyone! The Lord wishes to eat with us. This is a great honor!"
The workers, especially the 20 commoners among them, were stunned. In the big cities they had once lived in, they had been treated like dirt—mere peasants without respect or rights. Yet here was a Lord who wanted to eat with them.
Some were moved to tears.
"He's truly kind… I will serve him with my life," one of them said loudly, prompting others to voice their agreement.
Ten minutes later, everyone had gathered in a roughly constructed dining hut—a makeshift cafeteria. The structure was simple, but Arthur didn't mind. He knew he'd need skilled architects and craftsmen in the future to build properly. For now, this was enough.
After eating, Arthur stood and addressed Jack once more. "Gather the soldiers near the protective wall. We're going hunting."
Jack beamed. "Yes, my Lord!"
The soldiers quickly assembled, eager and excited. Arthur, now clad in the gear from his Newbie Gift Pack, strapped the wolf sword to his side and approached them.
"Everyone is here, good," he said, eyes scanning the group. "As you know, Jack is the captain of the black-tier, rank 1 soldiers."
He turned his attention to the bronze-tier, rank 1 wolf knight soldiers. "The one who performs best during the hunt—the one who kills the most monsters—will be promoted to captain of the bronze-tier, rank 2 unit."
The wolf knights' eyes blazed with determination. Their auras pulsed with ferocity.
"Yes, my Lord! We will not disappoint you!" they roared in unison. "We are willing to die for you!"
Arthur nodded, satisfied. "Prove yourselves."
With that, he ordered the black-tier soldiers to remain near the protective wall. Their task: lure the monsters close so they could be safely killed using the wall's defense mechanisms. Arthur didn't want to risk their lives—not until they grew strong enough to fight independently.
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