[After witnessing the determination in the eyes of their peers, the host's Army Group: 'Draghan's Elite' have been enlightened, and have unlocked a new passive skill!]

[The passive skill: Steadfast Resolve (Level 1) have been added to 'Draghan's Elite's Group Skills!]

[Steadfast Resolve: The burning passion has heightened your mental resolve, thus allowing you to withstand more pressure, more magical and mental pain. The holders of the skill are slightly more resilient to damages and also have a slight increase in their Toughness.historical

Toughness has received a +5% Skill Bonus! New Value: 31.5!]

The messages were astonishing, making Aiden look bewildered at their contents. Yet even then, the most shocking wasn't even them, it was the message coming after them.

[New Milestone Reached!

- Raise the loyalty of one of your army groups to 100%! - Completed!

Reward: The skill General's Command (Level 1) has been added!]

[General's Command: Ability to lord and command troops under the host's command with more efficiency. Allows the opening of one-way mental communication channels with the captains assigned to the army group's in the system, allowing communication besides the automatic transfer of assigned orders in the System interface.

Note: Higher levels will add more effects to the skill.]

Reading the note, Aiden realized the skill wasn't actually new, it was actually the mysterious ability that came with the activation of the new system, which allowed smoother and faster relay of command to his captains, resolving the mystery even before he had a chance to investigate it thoroughly.

Also, it came with the handy ability to use a similar, albeit slightly weaker version of the Mental Channel, he shared with each of his assigned followers, minions. For one, its range wasn't as huge, neigh limitless. Aiden could already feel his connection weakening with Madam Dara, as she traversed the maze of the back tunnels right at the moment, whilst it was the strongest with Draghan, who stood at the frontline, at the center of his troops serving as the first line of defense.

Deciding to give it a try and inform the small group of captains under his command of this new ability, lest he would startle them during the heat of combat and cause them to lose focus, he activated all 6 of the channels, and merged them together, creating a similar 'room' like he usually did with his followers.

Suddenly, the captains felt a strange buzz, a newfound, unfamiliar sensation in their minds. A sort of bond with their leader standing stoutly above them, looking over to the distance with a stern expression. They could suddenly feel the rythmic thumping of his heart, they could feel his presence.

Yet, they could also feel that unlike before, it was different, as if it wasn't the same person as before. Still, though slightly confused at this weird peculiarity, strangely, as they could feel the genuine concern coming from their master, their lord's direction, no one decided to question it.

They each turned their attention towards their Master, instinctively, as if somehow already aware what this strange sensation was, waiting for the words of their lord, the Archbishop.

Even Madam Dara, who was leading his daughters through the twisting underground corridors suddenly raised her hand and gave the silent command for the girls to stop their advance. She then, although her sight was blocked due to being deep inside the tunnels and temporarily away from the battlefield, nonetheless she turned her attention towards the direction of Aiden.

After a moment of silence, a voice, a much younger, youthful tone rang inside their ears. Though different they all could still recognize it as their chosen leader. Still, they kept shush about this fact, turning their attention and smiling warmly at the archbishop instead.

Oblivious to the fact that his cover was blown by the system's gimmicks, Aiden spoke to their leaders.

'[Reptilian] Try not to be too alarmed, you are not hallucinating, you are not delirious. You can indeed hear my voice and feel my presence through the connection I have created with each of you.

I don't have time to explain it in detail, but as you can already probably realize it by now, you can communicate with me, by conveying your thoughts to the strange sensation, this channel.'

His tone carried a hint of care, and concern as he briefly explained the situation. He paused briefly, to give them a second to process his words, before adding a bit more to it.

'[Reptilian] I have decided to use this ability, so that we could all communicate swiftly, more efficiently during the course of the battle. Through me, you can also sort of vaguely feel the presence of the other captains. Still, don't waste too much on it, feel free to reach out to me, and I will give you whatever you want to know.'

He explained, flashing a warm, hearty smile on his face as he looked at them. Then he looked towards the distance once again, sighing as he spoke.

'[Reptilian] Unfortunately for you, Madam Dara, the connection is pretty weak, due to the distance we share. I will try my best, but still, you have to bear with it until we can reunite again as we crush their back line once the fight breaks out!'

Listening to the youthful voice ringing in her mind, Madam Dara smiled. Though she understood that something strange was going on and that the voice was not the same raspy tune she had grown used to, strangely she didn't seem to mind. For some reason, the doubts in her heart never came, as if she subconsciously have already submitted to the owner of the voice.

She nodded, as she focused her mind to follow the instructions she was given. She tried to feel the source of the sensation, the buzzing in her mind and conveyed her thoughts into it.

In the next moment, she was delighted to realize she was successful. She could feel that her message was transferred over the channel she could now clearly sense.

'[Reptilian] As you will, Master. My girls and I are not too far away from the exit point. We need a few more minutes, try to hold on until then!'

—

At the other side of the battlefield, the bulky golden-brown, the thick scaled robust creature looked down with a contemptuous gaze from his throne. He was listening to the reports of his assigned 3 captains with a bored, nonchalant expression donning his face.

Unlike the rest of these skinks, he was much taller, towering over them with his generous height donning at an astounding 10 feet (AN.: bit over 3 meters).

He looked at the shivering, trembling primitive skinks under him, seeing nothing more than ants, bugs to squash under his feet.

After all, he was not like them, with the guidance of his true master, the High Priest, he has just Evolved!

---

AN: Hey there Readers!

Just a friendly reminder, that from wherever you are reading , you can reach out to me using any of the below methods!

For you, sailors of the seventh sea (non-WN readers), be a bro/gal and throw me a cup of joe, show your appreciation!

Also, feel free to reach out to me in either one of the below links, or just on WN. :)

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/shaele