SWNOVELXO Chapter 81: Dual Shields
Thorin smiled and went behind the counter. "Let's start right away. You don't need to wait, the materials are already prepared. Come, sit here and watch. Let me show you how a real blacksmith works."
Boran went over to Thorin. The forge was already lit, flames rising powerfully. Thorin gathered the materials with quick, skilled movements and began working on the remaining scale.
"If you want to watch, you can sit here. I usually don't like talking while I work, but I'll make an exception for you," said Thorin.
Hours passed. Boran watched with admiration as Thorin brought down his hammer and shaped the metal with each strike. Eventually, the work was completed.
"There!" said Thorin, raising the gleaming armor into the air. "Even better than the previous one. Stronger, lighter."
Boran stood up, his eyes shining. He reached out and took the orb from Thorin. It felt light, yet sturdy. He brought the gray orb to his chest and imagined having armor on. Just like before, a leather armor appeared on him.
"Thorin... This... This is incredible," said Boran, truly impressed. "I don't know how to thank you."
Thorin shrugged. "No need to thank me. Just use it well and don't embarrass me. Now go and continue your adventures."
Boran smiled and pressed the armor to his chest. "Thank you so much. I'll never forget this."
Just as he was about to leave the forge, a blue notification appeared in his field of vision:
[3 members left New Dawn]
The smile on Boran's face suddenly vanished. His heart raced, his breath caught. "What?" he murmured.
"Did you say something, son?"
"I... I think I need to go be alone for a while," he finally said.
Thorin nodded understandingly. "Of course, son. Come back anytime."
Boran slowly walked out of the forge. He began walking through the crowded Hub.
"Never again," he murmured to himself, his voice low and determined. "Never again will I trust anyone so easily."
He wandered for a long time, hurt and alone. He thought about how wrong he could be about people. The memories he shared with Noemi, the quests they went on together, the heart he opened to her... It was all so pointless.
He opened the Guild panel and teleported to New Dawn Headquarters. There was no one inside. He went and threw himself into one of the chairs. He touched his ring and summoned Boney.
"I'm sorry about last time, Boney. I couldn't protect you, I was too far away."
The skeleton waved its hand and nodded its head. As if to say "It doesn't matter."
"From now on, we'll continue the journey just the two of us. No more party members. Just us two."
Boney involuntarily nodded its head as if to say "Okay."
"We're both level 50 now. I don't know what the next dungeon will be, but it doesn't matter. We'll handle it."
[Level 50]
[Remaining Stat Points: 30]
[Shield]
[Evolution Points Remaining: 5]
[You can Evolve your Class]
He distributed 10 of his stat points to Endurance, and the remaining ones evenly as 5 points each to his other stats except for focus.
"First, let's do the Class Evolve."
[Tank Subclass: The Bastion]
Description:
An evolved form of The Wall, The Bastion is not just a defender—but a fortress in motion. Armed with shields in both hands, they become a living bulwark, capable of locking down entire battlefields while controlling the flow of combat with tactical precision and overwhelming resilience. Where The Wall endures, the Bastion dominates.
Base Bonuses:
Base Physical Damage Reduction increased by 55
Thorn damage reflection increased by 40
Base Maximum HP increased by 300
Gains Shield Proficiency (Dual): Can equip shields in both hands
Gains Shield Bash Mastery: All shield-based skills deal 50 bonus damage and can interrupt spellcasting
Special Mechanic: Twin Breakpoint Core
The Bastion no longer builds a single Breakpoint bar, but a split bar system:
The Left Bar (Blue) fills by 1 point with each perfect block using the left shield
The Right Bar (Red) fills by 1 point with each perfect block using the right shield
Each bar can store up to 6 charges
Once a total of 6 charges is reached (across both bars), a Breakpoint Activation is triggered.
Gains Shield Bash Mastery: All shield-based skills deal 50 bonus damge and can interrupt spellcasting
Breakpoint Abilities:
The Left Bar (Blue) fills by 1 point with each perfect block using the left shield
Vigilant Wall (Left Shield - 6 charges)
You anchor yourself, becoming an immovable sentinel:
Gain 80 Physical Damage Resistance for 6 seconds
Reflect all melee damage (full value) for 6 seconds
During the duration, you cannot be moved or staggered
Crashing Bulwark (Right Shield - 6 charges)
Convert defense into overwhelming offense:
Perform a charging shield bash that knocks back enemies
Deals massive physical damage scaling with blocked damage history
Breaks guard and interrupts spellcasting
Enemies hit are stunned for 2 seconds
The Bastion's Wrath (3L / 3R - Perfect Balance)
The pinnacle of twin-shield mastery.
Unleashes a synchronized attack:
Raise both shields and slam them together in front of you, creating a shockwave
All enemies in range are Stunned for 6 seconds
They take x3 your Physical Damage Resistance
You gain "Iron Pulse", a 10-second buff that causes every block to send a shockwave dealing 50 AoE damage
[To stand beside a Bastion is to be immortal. To stand against one is to be erased.]
As Boran read the information about this new class, his eyes grew wider. With each skill description he read, his lips parted in astonishment.
"This... this is incredible," he whispered, his voice almost trembling with excitement. "Two shields?"
Especially while reading the Twin Breakpoint Core mechanics, he began formulating a strategy in his mind. Making perfect blocks using the left and right shields to fill two separate power bars... This new fighting style would completely change Boran's combat tactics.
He read the skill descriptions again. "Vigilant Wall... full reflection against all physical damage and immovability... Knocking back and stunning enemies with Crashing Bulwark... And the best of all, The Bastion's Wrath - creating a shockwave when I achieve perfect balance."
He jumped to his feet and spread his arms to his sides, as if he had two shields. "I won't just be on defense anymore. I can be more useful now!"
Then he thought of his sister. "I wish Elif were here and could share this moment with me." He paused briefly, then shrugged.
"Now for the shield evolution..."
[Spend all 5 Evolution Points to manifest your selected shield in your other hand]
"Sounds really good." said Boran and confirmed using the suggested five evolution points.
[Evolution Points spent: 5]
Boran's palm began to glow. Suddenly, a shield identical to the one in his right hand appeared in his left hand. Slowly he held both shields in front of him; their shapes, weights, and sizes were exactly the same.
"Incredible," he whispered, examining the shields. "I can use two shields at once."
When he struck the two shields together, the metallic sound echoed throughout the headquarters. He positioned the shields neatly in front of him, facing the wall, as if protecting himself from an invisible attack.
"I'll need to learn how to control two shields at once," he thought.
He thought about his other shield being a Scorched Metal shield, and instantly the shield changed. "So I can use whatever shield I want, this will really come in handy."
"Now it's your turn, Boney."