Just call me Thor

After several hours of practice this afternoon at the summer camp in Zone C, Mike and the others grabbed a quick dinner before continuing their training.

Kaelum, who had once explored the path of the Wind Combat Mage, now guided Mike with a clear strategy.

"Move fast, conserve mana, and rhythm is key!" Kaelum instructed.

"Your use of different displacements must be flexible, avoid being predictable!"

"Never let the enemy discern the pattern of your movements, or you'll suffer greatly!"

"Damage primarily relies on short-cast wind element spells, supplemented by spell scrolls and machinery."

"..."

While having a late-night snack, Kaelum was still enthusiastically discussing tactics with Mike.

"When we spar, I'll get Elena Gearforge to lend you a couple of submachine guns. Running and gunning will suit you well!"

It made sense. As an odd branch of wind magic, the Wind Combat Mage had always been under study on how to enhance its upper and lower limits.

Below the Battle General level, wielding scrolls and mechanical equipment, Wind Combat Mages could often unleash astonishing combat power!

"However, these external aids become less helpful after reaching the Battle General level," Kaelum sighed, explaining, "Take mechanical equipment, for example. To increase power, the size also increases significantly."

"We mages generally lack physical strength; we can't exactly go into battle carrying a cannon!"

Kaelum then lowered his voice and whispered, "I tried it once; the recoil was so strong it sent me flying back. Broke seven ribs and had to stay in bed for a week after I healed."

Mike nodded, taking these insights to heart. The Wind Combat Mage, in pursuit of ultimate speed, sacrifices much. The entire combat doctrine hits a wall at one stage—damage! As they progress, the damage output of Wind Combat Mages decreases.

With the late-night snack nearly finished and all advice given, Kaelum patted Mike on the shoulder, "Alright, Mike. Get ready, and continue your conquest of the Tower of Truth tonight."

"Don't forget the D-tier raw ore."

After parting with Kaelum, Mike returned to his single dorm room. Speaking to his shadow on the floor, he said, "Shadow Nine, do you remember the two mines I have?"

A black mist appeared before Mike as Shadow Nine materialized. "The mining equipment has already been delivered to Maxen Stoneheart; remember to pick it up at Wolf's Den. There's also a batch of dwarf craftsmen, mining NPCs. I've already hired them for you, and the contract is also with Maxen Stoneheart."

Shadow Nine was reliable, and Mike felt reassured.

"No other business, don't keep calling me out!"

Mike quickly stopped Shadow Nine, "Cough, I'm not clear about the ore tiers. Could you lend me a few pieces of raw ore, D and C tier, so I can get familiar with them?"

Mike needed lower-tier ores to handle this week's assessment. Otherwise, using B-tier ores would be too conspicuous.

Shadow Nine snorted, "What do you take me for, Maxen Stoneheart?"

"[Apollo] also left a message on the board, do you want to see it?"

"Do you want C-tier or D-tier ore?"

"C-tier, D-tier is a bit too poor."

"Is this 30kg block enough, or should I go steal... I mean, get more?"

A photo in exchange for 30kg of C-tier raw ore. The deal was made, and Mike activated the Mark of Truth, entering the Tower of Truth, leaving only the Shadow Nine in place.

Two photos floated up, and only now did Shadow Nine have the leisure to look at the messages from the two Supreme Beings.

"So, that's what you wrote back then..."

...

"Welcome to the Core City of Truth!"

As soon as Mike logged in, he was greeted with his conquest reward.

"SSSS-tier rating for conquering the seventh floor, you receive the reward [Fury of the Frost]!"

A pair of shoulder pads appeared before Mike, blue with black trim. A hexagonal snowflake, crystal clear, was embossed on each.

Just looking at them seemed to lower the temperature.

Equipment: Fury of the Frost (Lv.60)

Tier: S

Attributes: Agility -50, Strength +200, Constitution +200

Physical/Magic Defense: 750

Perks:

[Infinite Growth]: Equipment level grows with the owner, up to level 600.

[Frost Shield]: Comes with a shield value of (10000 + 1.6 * Spirit), recharges after 300 seconds when broken.

[Frost Domain]: Reduces Agility by 5% and movement and attack speed by 15% for all units except the wearer.

Upgradeable Perks:

[Extreme Rage]: Killing a boss in extreme rage (level not lower than the wearer) can upgrade.

Number of upgrades: 5

Number of upgrades done: 0

Looking at the attributes of [Fury of the Frost], Mike raised an eyebrow, "Seems average."

By now, Mike had seen plenty of excellent equipment, and his standards were naturally high. The stats of [Fury of the Frost] were ordinary, its shield barely significant, and the effects of the Frost Domain were mediocre.

Just... a very ordinary S-tier equipment.

The biggest highlight of [Fury of the Frost] might be its [Infinite Growth], which could evolve as Mike leveled up.

"After five upgrades, it might have a chance to become SS-tier equipment."

Storing the Fury of the Frost for now, Mike had no plans to wear it immediately. Agility was already his weakest attribute, and wearing [Fury of the Frost] would reduce it by another 50 points, which wasn't a worthwhile trade-off.

Setting aside the equipment issue, Mike headed straight to Wolf's Den.

"Equipment, people, all here."

Two full sets of large-scale mining equipment, fifty dwarf craftsmen.

Mike placed them all at the Mysterious Mine, with the mining chief handling the specifics.

With the help of [Eye of Truth], Mike quickly sketched out the optimal mining routes and the general layout of the mine, leaving the mining chief and others astounded.

After sorting these matters, Mike returned to Wolf's Den.

"Man, the materials I promised you will be delayed a few days," Maxen Stoneheart apologized, "I was about to head to the Abyssal Plane, but got called back urgently. Also, all counter-offensive plans and leaves have been canceled..."

After briefly explaining the situation at the Abyssal Plane, Maxen Stoneheart said seriously, "I don't know what's going to happen, but clearly, something big is about to unfold!"

Hearing this, a name popped into Mike's mind.

The Fourth Demon God!

"Are the Supreme Beings joining forces to deal a heavy blow to the Fourth Demon God?"

"Or is it..."

A bolder idea emerged.

A mere heavy blow?

That didn't fit Mike's impression of the human race's top fighters!

So far, every top-tier fighter Mike had encountered shared one trait: they eradicated their enemies completely!

If so much effort was only going to wound the Fourth Demon God, allowing him to return alive, it would be an insult to the Supreme Beings!

"Regardless, I still have a few days," Mike nodded, indicating he understood the situation.

It was just the calm before the storm.

Pulling out the map, Mike glanced at it.

Eighth level: Monster leveling instance.

Ninth level: Second class realm!

Mike, currently at level 60, was at the threshold for changing classes.

If he couldn't change classes, he wouldn't be able to level up.

"Today's goal, conquer the eighth and ninth levels with an SSSS rating!"

Mike prepared to tackle two levels in one go.

Sometimes, without pushing himself, Mike wouldn't realize just how strong Thor was!

Summoning the core crystal of truth, he placed his palm on it, letting the white light engulf him.

"May you conquer the Tower of Truth soon."