......


    Bang!


    Owen was forced to retreat once again after another clash against the Shadow Mountain Drake. He had also suffered a huge chunk of damage from that single exchange, reducing his health bar to 50%. If not for Cloe''s timely healing and Huahua''s healing totems, then he would most likely have been killed already.


    He had already lost count of him being in this situation as it kept on happening since the start of the battle. But he never gave up as he was the sole tank of their current team.


    Akailu could somewhat take this role as well with the help of his monster pets. But his defense was not as good as a dedicated tank that would be able to hold the front line.


    Even those giant skeleton guards that Chaotic Luck was controlling were not as enough to stop this monster boss. Chaotic Luck had been healing them up with his special spells and constantly reinforcing them with the dedicated buffs after repeatedly being destroyed by the drake.


    Arthur was no longer present to help him stabilize the situation, so Owen had to do this alone.


    He already had the resources to become one of the top tanks in the game. So long as he utilized everything to the fullest, he would then achieve this goal in no time.


    Even if he was known as the ''Dark Knight'', one of the top Titled Rankers, he still had a lot to learn. Just the gap between him and the Godlike Players and Maverick Gods was huge enough to get close to their level.


    He might be able to contend against some unranked Godlike Players and slightly weaker Maverick Gods after getting used to the battle tempo of those at Shin, Arthur, and Leonard''s level.


    But it was still impossible for someone like him to defeat such gods standing at the top of the pyramid.


    He had to improve a lot if he wanted to fight those at that level.


    He urgently needs to become stronger, especially when the main stage of the United Cup was right around the corner.


    Even if the Empyrean Talons already had top vanguards fighting in the frontline like Arthur and Leonard, Owen was still one of the main tanks of the team. He would be most likely to clash against the top gods with the same role when the main tournament started.


    If he was not up to par with their level, then he would be most likely to become the breakpoint of their team, especially when the rules of the United Cup would prevent them from having the same combatant to play in all the rounds.


    In the team battle, either Arthur or he could only be the one holding the frontline, which was most likely him since Arthur would most likely participate in the individual or group battles where he could fight the other top combatants of the other team.


    Given Arthur''s personality, he would definitely choose to fight against the aces of the opposing side rather than join the team battle.


    Of course, it would be a different case if the other side chose to participate in a team battle as well. Owen did not have to worry that much once that happened.


    But that was not the only problem since the current United Cup had some additional game modes that changed the nature of the tournament. There would be a high chance that he would be facing opponents at that level.


    He had already experienced fighting against those from God''s Paradise and knew that he was still far from their level.


    During their previous scrimmage with those people, they also knew that the chief tanker of God''s Paradise was not present, who was on par with the three main combatants of the team.


    If the Empyrean Talons happened to meet this defending champion in the United Cup, then Owen''s role would be one of the most crucial roles in that battle.


    If he did not improve at that time, then their chances of winning would be greatly affected.


    The Empyrean Talons were on par with the lineup that the God''s Paradise during their scrimmage, so there would be a lot of issues if the latter had their complete lineup for the possible match.


    Bang! Bang!


    Whoosh!


    A huge golden wall appeared in front of him, blocking the tail of the dungeon boss that was coming after him like a giant whip.


    Bang!


    The transparent wall was instantly destroyed by the attack.


    But Owen was already teleported away by Huahua''s Space-Manipulation Totems, sending him at a safe distance.


    Owen did not waste any more time in that spot as he quickly charged toward the dungeon boss once again.


    Swoosh!


    His speed was so fast that he did not resemble a heavy armor class but rather an agility-type class instead. At the same time, his right hand was currently holding a shortsword rather than a battle hammer.


    Not long after, he reached the dungeon boss. He then quickly swapped with his battle hammer once again before slamming his shield into the huge body of the monster.


    Boom!


    Then he was engaged in an intense melee with the dungeon boss once again.


    Owen was swapping between a kite and rectangular shield as well as a shortsword and a battle hammer depending on the situation.


    The transformation of his shield was a unique feature of his Ancient Protector Ascended Class. Each form had a special feature unique from the other, which he could use in different predicaments.


    As for the swapping between a shortsword and battle hammer, he had picked up from Shin''s ever-changing style.


    The shortsword was meant to increase his speed and mobility as it was not easy to carry but also possessed a movement speed boost and weight decrease buff attached to it.


    On the other hand, the battle hammer increased his VIT and STR stats along with a boost in defense, which was perfect for a defensive stance.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    After repeatedly being pushed back by the Shadow Mountain Drake and constantly coming back once again, Owen sensed a strange power appearing within his body.


    It was as if something was being awakened within him. His blood felt like boiling while the skin underneath his heavy armor started to glow – a series of divine tattoos spread through his skin, especially gathering a huge group on his chest and back.


    Boom!


    Due to this sudden appearance of power, Owen was somewhat taken aback, making him pause for a moment and receive a direct attack from the dungeon boss.


    But instead of being sent flying, he stood his ground as a visible flow of golden aura moved upward on his body.


    "I don''t understand what is happening, but I think I can beat anyone right now," said Owen as he slowly lowered the shield blocking the tail of the dungeon boss.


    "It looks like we are going to eat good tonight. Grilled or deep fry? Which do you prefer?" he asked as an overwhelming power suddenly filled his body.


    ......