4 Magical Beast

The rustling of bushes heralded the arrival of a formidable presence, accompanied by a pair of menacing crimson orbs that pierced through the shadows.

"Appraisal card!" Oz bellowed, his voice tinged with urgency.

[Type: Goblin [Duke]

Level: 272

Strength: 296,000

Agility: 10,000

Vitality: 2,000,000

Mana: 500,000

Spiritual: 30,000

Skills: -strengthen -club dash -leap -superhuman strength -ruler's aura -evil gaze]

(What in the blazes are those stats?! Is my appraisal card malfunctioning?)

Slowly emerging from the darkness, a towering figure materialized, its massive frame exuding an air of sinister nobility. Despite its imposing stature, the creature wielded a crude club, an incongruous accessory to its regal demeanor.

A goblin Duke—signifying a creature of unparalleled strength among its kind. It was no surprise to encounter such formidable foes in the depths of the magical forest.

The palpable aura of battle emanated from its sinewy form, a testament to years of combat-honed prowess.

Roar

In a flash of motion, the goblin Duke charged towards Oz with unbridled ferocity, its club poised to strike with lethal precision. While lesser souls would tremble in fear, Oz remained unfazed, his mind racing with tactical calculations.

With the agility of a seasoned trickster, Oz danced around the goblin Duke's onslaught, weaving through the air with the grace of a shadow. Anticipating the creature's sluggish movements, he seized upon its momentary vulnerability, aiming a swift kick at its unguarded leg.

Thud

Alas, his blow met with resistance akin to striking solid iron, the goblin Duke's muscular limbs proving impervious to his assault.

(Damn, its defense is like a fortress! My strength alone won't cut it!)

(But wait! I have the magical cards! It's time to turn the tables!)

As the goblin Duke recoiled from another futile swing of its club, Oz retreated to a safe distance, his fingers poised to unleash the power of his enchanted arsenal.

"You're quite agile for a human," the Goblin Duke remarked, its voice resonating with a regal air befitting its status.

A wave of astonishment washed over Oz as he processed the creature's articulate speech. It seemed that at higher levels, even monsters possessed the gift of language. Suppressing his surprise with a sly grin, Oz met the creature's gaze with unwavering confidence.

"For me, a ruler among goblins, to fail to land a single blow upon you is indeed commendable," the Goblin Duke continued, its tone a mixture of respect and challenge. "State your name, young warrior! I'll stake my life on this battle, so don't you dare flee from me!"

Oz's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with mischief and determination.

"My name is Oz. Call me what you will, but I fancy the title of magician," he replied, his words laced with his trademark swagger.

"I accept your challenge. Prepare to witness the prowess of a legendary magician from Earth, who will overcome even the greatest of odds," he declared, his tone cool and collected despite the monumental task ahead.

The Goblin Duke snorted derisively, its confidence unwavering in the face of Oz's bravado.

"Heh, quite the confident human you are. But the gulf between our strengths is vast. Your arrogance may be your downfall."

Indeed, the handicap Oz faced seemed insurmountable. The gap in their stats was akin to the distance between heaven and earth. Yet, Oz knew that numbers alone did not dictate the outcome of a battle.

Status was but a tool, a means of quantifying physical attributes. But Oz's true strength lay in his cunning, his resourcefulness, and his indomitable spirit. His body may be weakened, but his mind remained sharp, honed through countless trials and tribulations.

For he was Oz, the Legendary Magician, whose name alone struck fear into the hearts of even the mightiest adversaries. And with his unparalleled cunning and mastery of the arcane arts, he was prepared to face any challenge, no matter how daunting.

As the Goblin Duke hesitated in the face of Oz's unwavering confidence, a flicker of uncertainty crossed its features. It redoubled its efforts, launching into another aggressive assault, determined to break through Oz's defenses.

(How can this human exude such confidence when the difference in our strength is so glaringly evident?)

Undeterred by the goblin's renewed onslaught, Oz remained eerily calm, his smirk unyielding as he watched his adversary charge towards him.

*Whoosh*

Once again, the Goblin Duke's attack met naught but empty air, its frustration mounting as it realized its inability to land a blow.

*Slash*

Suddenly, the Goblin Duke's body was raked with shallow cuts, and a gleaming golden card tumbled to the forest floor, adorned with the number 3—a tangible reminder of Oz's cunning tactics.

(Is this the human's weapon? He is more dangerous than I thought! I must end this quickly!)

Oz, meanwhile, observed the effects of his attack with a keen eye, noting the effectiveness of his strategy.

(The power of these cards is indeed formidable.)

<Host has executed a maneuver exceeding the capabilities of both Host's body and status by more than tenfold.>

<Host Agility +1,920>

<Thrown 3 card: Number [Normal]>

<As a normal card, it will regenerate automatically after use, while the thrown card disappear.>

<Analysis... 1000 The Host is engaging an opponent with a status exceeding the Host's own by over times.>

<Host 9 has been granted an additional decks of normal cards.>

(9 extra decks! So this power doesn't abandon me after all.)

With his agility boosted to 2000, Oz could feel the surge of power coursing through his veins. A sly grin played across his lips as he seized the initiative, launching a flurry of cards at the Goblin Duke, deftly dodging its retaliatory strikes.

After ten exchanges of blows, both combatants paused for a moment, their breaths heavy with exertion.

"Human, your skills are... unusual. Where do you hail from?" the Goblin Duke inquired, its curiosity piqued by Oz's unorthodox abilities.

Oz chuckled in response. "I come from a place far beyond your wildest imaginings," he replied cryptically, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

The Goblin Duke snorted derisively. "You are a cheeky one, human."

Oz merely smiled, already anticipating the goblin's next move.

Observing the Goblin Duke's reliance on brute force rather than utilizing its skills, Oz couldn't help but smirk.

(It seems he underestimates me.)

(Well then, let's give him a taste of some real magic.)