Chương 61: The High Chief

Ch 61 - The High Chief [The Rite of Challenge has been completed.] [Victory confirmed.] [You have become the new Tribe Chief of the Ironhorn Tribe.] [The wager has been won.] [550 Chaos has been returned.] [Chaos +550] Jester smiled faintly as the notifications appeared before him. At the very least, he had recovered the 550 Chaos he had wagered. Meanwhile, the surrounding Bullkin were too busy arguing among themselves to pay any attention to him.

[The Ironhorn Tribe has acknowledged you as its rightful Tribe Chief.] [Your Bullkin Harvest Mask has evolved.] [Race Evolution Successful.] [High Bullkin] [While using the High Bullkin form, the Stamina consumption of Harvest Mask is significantly reduced.] [The maximum active duration of Harvest Mask has increased.] [Your original Level, Attributes, Skills, and Classes remain unchanged.] Not bad. An upgraded race was still an upgrade. Still... What was the point if the change was only to his appearance?

His actual Level, Attributes, and Skills remained exactly the same.

At first glance, it looked more like a cosmetic evolution than a meaningful reward. Chaos has to be joking… Giving me a fancy new skin as a reward? But before Jester could complain any further, another notification appeared. [Weapon Evolution Complete.] [Snuk's Cleaver of Carnage has evolved.] [New Weapon Acquired: Warchief's Cleaver of Dominion] [Grade: Epic] [Type: Two-Handed Axe] A grin slowly spread across Jester's face.

"Well... not bad." Almost immediately afterward, he activated his newly evolved Harvest Mask. Dark and golden energy surged around his body. His figure rapidly expanded, his muscles becoming even more imposing as his transformed body grew larger and larger. The surrounding Bullkin fell completely silent. Their eyes widened as they watched the new Tribe Chief continue to grow until he stood noticeably taller than even Goruk. Jester lowered his gaze, examining his new body. Honestly... it still looked like a monster.

No, scratch that. This one looked even more monstrous. The broader shoulders, the refined muscles, the majestic golden horns, and the overwhelming presence made him look less like an ordinary Bullkin and more like a legendary warlord.

"... Damn." This actually looked pretty damn cool, even if he had honestly been hoping for something more. Jester briefly checked the newly evolved axe he had just obtained. [Warchief's Cleaver of Dominion | Epic | Weapon | Two-Handed] [STR+65 | STA+50] [Weight: 950] [Durability: 1000/1000] [Skills: Warlord's Frenzy | Tyrant's Execution] [Description: The axe of a fallen warlord, reforged in the blood of conquered kingdoms. Its blade crackles with the fury of a thousand battlefields and adjusts its size to match its wielder, demanding carnage and submission from those worthy enough to wield it.] [Skill: Warlord's Frenzy] [Unleash a rapid chain of cleaver strikes against enemies within reach, alternating between swift slashes and crushing chops. Each successful hit increases your attack speed for the remaining strikes, allowing the assault to grow faster with every blow. The final strike sweeps across a wider area and deals increased physical damage.] Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. [Skill: Tyrant's Execution] [Focus all your strength into a merciless overhead strike against a single enemy. The cleaver deals massive physical damage that increases against wounded targets and partially ignores the target's physical defense. If the enemy falls from the strike, the remaining force crashes into the ground, releasing a shockwave that briefly staggers nearby enemies.] It was truly an incredible weapon, a clear upgrade in almost every way, especially when it came to its skills. The axe now had one skill focused heavily on dealing devastating damage to a single target. Then there was another skill that was... honestly, a little strange.

Despite being such a massive axe, it could somehow be used to unleash a rapid chain of attacks, allowing its wielder to strike again and again at a speed that seemed completely unreasonable for a weapon of its size. The biggest upgrade, however, was the increase in stats. The weapon granted a total of 115 bonus Attribute Points, which was practically the equivalent of gaining eleven levels. And it could even adjust its size to match its wielder?

That meant Jester could use the axe even while he was in his Jester form. Jester was so occupied examining his newly evolved form that he completely forgot about the Bullkin surrounding him. The furious voices from earlier had vanished entirely. Every Bullkin stood frozen in place, their eyes filled with disbelief as they stared at him. Even the warrior who had tried to strike him with his greatsword was now trembling uncontrollably.

His weapon slipped from his grasp with a heavy clang before he dropped to both knees.

"C-Chief..." His voice shook violently.

"Please... forgive my foolishness. I allowed my anger to blind me and forgot my place before the victor of the Rite. I dared to raise my weapon against the one chosen by our sacred traditions. I deserve death for such disrespect... but I beg you... please spare my life. Give me one chance to atone. I swear upon my horns that I will never defy you again." One by one, more Bullkin lowered themselves onto one knee. Soon, nearly every Bullkin on the battlefield had knelt before Jester. Even Goruk spoke.

"No matter what form you once possessed, there is no denying what stands before us now."

"A High Bullkin... I have only heard of such beings in the oldest stories passed down by our ancestors. Yet you have become one before our very eyes." He lowered his head.

"There is no greater proof that you are worthy of leading the Ironhorn Tribe." The other Bullkin nodded instinctively. Jester glanced back at Goruk, who remained kneeling before him. At that moment, another series of notifications appeared. [The former Tribe Chief of the Ironhorn Tribe has pledged absolute loyalty.] [Your authority allows you to bestow the blessing of evolution upon loyal subordinates.] [Eligible Target: Goruk] [Evolution Available: High Bullkin] [Authority Bound Contract available.] [The target will become a permanent subordinate.] [Authority Bound subordinates cannot betray their master.] [Chaos Cost: 125] Jester raised an eyebrow.

"Upgrade him into a High Bullkin too?" That certainly sounded tempting. The price was not exactly cheap, but it was still manageable. Fortunately, it did not seem to be another Chaos Bound like the one he had unlocked with Lucia. Instead, it looked much closer to Monster Bound, the system he had unlocked with Fang. Whatever the case, Jester shifted his gaze across the gathering and quietly counted the remaining members of the Ironhorn Tribe. There were roughly twenty-seven adult male Bullkin. Twelve adult females.

And eight children, each of whom was already taller than an average human. Honestly, it was not a particularly large tribe. But it was still a formidable fighting force. As Jester looked over the kneeling Bullkin, the corners of his mouth slowly curved upward. He had already begun imagining all the ways this tribe could be turned into an asset that would greatly strengthen his own growing power. Jester took a slow breath before slamming the butt of his axe into the ground once more.

His gaze swept across the gathered Bullkin. Every single one of them was kneeling before him once again.

"As I promised," Jester said firmly, "I will lead the Ironhorn Tribe to a greater future. You will become stronger than you have ever been. This tribe will no longer exist merely to survive. You will have purpose, ambition, and a place worthy of your strength." His eyes slowly moved across the crowd.

"However, as you all know, I am a Player. I simply possess the ability to transform into a Bullkin, and now, a High Bullkin, after earning my place through the Rite of Challenge." He then turned toward Goruk.

"That also means I will not lead this tribe directly. There are responsibilities beyond these lands that require my attention. Instead, I will give you a place to call your own, provide the resources you need to grow stronger, and present challenges worthy of your strength. Continue to sharpen yourselves until the day comes when you march beneath my banner and show this world the might of the Ironhorn Tribe." Without another word, Jester accepted the System's offer. [125 Chaos consumed.] [Authority Bound Contract initiated.] [Target Confirmed: Goruk] [Authority Bound successfully established.] [Evolution initiated.] [High Bullkin evolution in progress...] The moment the notifications disappeared, dark and golden energy erupted around Goruk's body. The swirling aura coiled around him like a living storm, causing every Bullkin watching to widen their eyes in shock. The pressure radiating from Goruk continued to rise. His body began to transform.

Much like Jester, Goruk's massive frame became leaner without losing any of its overwhelming power. His muscles appeared even more refined, every movement carrying the feeling of compressed strength rather than raw bulk. But the most striking change… Was his horns. The dark horns that had always symbolized the former Tribe Chief slowly shimmered before turning into a magnificent shade of brilliant gold.

"Goruk, rise," Jester said. The newly evolved High Bullkin immediately obeyed. As Goruk straightened to his full height, Jester could not help but notice that the former Tribe Chief was somehow even taller than he was. Well... I guess a real Bullkin is still a real Bullkin.

"Everyone, rise." The kneeling Bullkin stood as one. Jester looked over the gathered tribe before speaking once more.

"I hereby appoint Goruk as my Vice Chief. In my absence, he will act with my authority and lead the Ironhorn Tribe on my behalf." He paused briefly before continuing.

"From this day forward, the Ironhorn Tribe will march to Necroton City. That city will become your new home."

"If you seek strength, I will give you challenges worthy of overcoming."

"If you seek evolution, I will give every one of you the opportunity to prove yourselves and earn it." For a brief moment, the entire tribe stood in stunned silence. Then, a deafening roar erupted across the valley.

"GLORY TO THE IRONHORN TRIBE!"