Chapter 228: The Second Oath [Part 2] "This is my Second Oath as the Oathkeeper." Alex knew that the Oathkeeper was no ordinary Job Class. Dim Dim had explained to him that it was a Profession that made one stronger by making an Oath. With every Oath he upheld, Alex would become stronger. That was the so-called shortcut for bringing out the Job Class’s full potential. But this was just a shortcut, not a miracle. Making an Oath was a very serious thing. Alex couldn’t just spam random, trivial Oaths to become strong. It must be an Oath that the world would recognize. His First Oath was to help Charles Lambert clear the Dungeon of Beginnings. It was a feat that was deemed impossible by nearly all the players of ELO. He could have turned away. He could have forgotten. Yet, he decided to defy the fate that was meant for Charles because he believed that this wasn’t the ending that he deserved. If Alex had survived the Dungeon of Beginnings without Charles, his Oath would have been broken. That was how serious an Oath was. It was more than a simple promise, and it didn’t care if he’d tried his best. He had to uphold his Oaths, and the penalty for failing meant becoming an Oathbreaker. And now, he made his Second Oath. Not because he simply wished to get stronger, but because he genuinely wished to save Vaan. The young man knew that Willow was strong. In fact, Willow was the first Mini Boss of the first Arc of the story. The first challenge that Alex needed to face in the academy. And frankly, he alone would not be able to defeat her. She was an Elder of the Demon Worshipers. What did that mean? It meant that her Rank was at least 6 or 7. A Rank that Alex was unable to defeat with his current strength. However, there was a catch. The current Willow could only manifest her power up to Rank 5. Why? It was because of the preparations that Alex had done. Not only had he managed to greatly limit the power that Willow could unleash, but he had also succeeded in making the other Demon Worshipers experience four times the normal gravity of Arcana. Four times the gravity might not seem much, but in reality, this was something that was very hard to resist. If some unfortunate soul were to find themself in a place where gravity had been multiplied six-fold, they would probably die not long after. That was how serious the debuff that was being cast on the Demon Worshipers at the moment. This made them sitting ducks for the members of Alex’s Club, who were cutting through them with as much effort as it took to steal candies from babies. —— < The World has acknowledged your Oath > A voice spoke directly inside Alex’s head as a ray of light descended from the heavens and bathed his entire body. < Oathkeeper, you are now going to receive three random buffs. > — Your Defense will increase by 100% — Your Speed will increase by 100% — Your Stamina regeneration will increase by 100% Alex could feel his body getting stronger as the three-layered buff took effect. But something else caught his attention. A blue window screen appeared in front of him, informing him that he had unlocked a hidden quest. ——— < Hidden Quest Unlocked! > Mission Name: Wish of the Fallen. Objective: Save Vaan Damne Rewards: ???? ——— Alex had barely finished reading everything when he was forced to block the spear thrust that Willow had unleashed in his direction. The blow was strong enough to push the young man back several meters away. Willow was now taking this battle seriously, and he would be an absolute fool to not match her attitude. Her Rank had shot up to the Fifth Rank, unable to rise any further. This unexpected development made Willow frown, but since she was in Vaan’s body, even her frown looked cute in the eyes of the spectators watching the battle. Alex felt his left arm—which was holding Everguard—go numb for a brief moment due to the force of Willow’s attack. ’As expected of a Mini Boss. She is strong,’ Alex thought. ’But I can manage. Time to fight seriously.’ Alex tapped his shield with his sword as if that was some kind of special command. A moment later, his entire body was covered in armor. But this armor was not ordinary armor. It was the Oathbound Set. The Armor Set that Alex had received after clearing the Dungeon of Beginnings with Charles, thus upholding his First Oath as the Oathkeeper. ——— < Oathbound Armor Set > "For those who swear with blood and shield, whose strength lies not in power—but in promise." ——— < Oathbound Helm > "May your eyes stay clear—even as the world turns grey." Type: Helmet Stats: Constitution +5, Intelligence +5, Damage Reduction +5% Effect: Reflects incoming physical damage by 5% < Heartwarden Plate > "Let blades strike, so others need not bleed." Type: Chestplate Stats: Constitution +10, Strength +10, Damage Reduction +20% Effect: Reflects incoming physical damage by 5% < Gauntlets of Silent Resolve > "The hand that lifts others bears the heaviest weight." Type: Gauntlets Stats: Strength +5, Dexterity +10, Damage Reduction +5% Effect: Reflects incoming physical damage by 5% < Blade of the Bound Vow > "A blade that sings only when the heart stays true." Type: One-Handed Sword Stats: Attack +140, Strength +10, Constitution +10 Effect: Deals 30% bonus damage to enemies targeting allies. Passive: While fighting to protect a party member below 50% HP, gain +10% Attack Speed. < Mantle of the Last Oath > "Even should you fall—the promise lingers on the wind." Type: Cloak Stats: Constitution +10, Agility +5, Damage Reduction +5% Effect: Reflects incoming physical damage by 5% < Set Bonus Effects > [2 pieces] Oathkeeper’s Step – Movement speed +10% when moving toward an endangered ally (below 50% HP). [3 pieces] 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺 Sacrificial Stand – While blocking or intercepting attacks for an ally, gain 15% reduced damage. [4 pieces] Sworn Justice – Critical hits against enemies who attack your allies deal 25% more damage. [5 pieces] Final Vow – Heart Unbroken — If Alex receives fatal damage, he will instead survive with 1 HP and become invulnerable for 10 seconds. This passive skill has a cooldown of 48 hours. — Reflects incoming physical damage by 10% ——— Alex’s red cape fluttered in the wind as he stood in his battle regalia. The Professors and the students observing him through the magical monitors couldn’t help but regard him with awe because he truly looked imposing in his armor. He was like a young King about to head to battle to protect his people. Alex was still a Rank 2 Oathkeeper, but that was fine. He had made his Oath, and the world had answered his call. His battle regalia did not simply look glorious. It would also make enemies specializing in physical attacks feel pain due to its passive reflection damage. This was his trump card and his last resort. He had saved it for a strong enemy he couldn’t beat otherwise. And since Willow was a strong enemy, Alex had no intention of holding back. If he wished to save Vaan and survive this battle, he must go all out from the start. Raising his shield in front of him, the young man took a step forward. His voice, filled with determination, spread through his surroundings. "Shield Charge!" Alex turned into a golden comet as he charged against his foe, who wished nothing more than to fill the young man’s body with bloody holes using her spear. "Reaper’s Wrath!" Willow didn’t back down and used her deathscythe to hack the incoming fool who thought he could defeat one of the Elders of an organization who desired nothing more than to dye the world in the color of blood.