MMORPG: Rise of the Primordial Godsmith

As his eyes widened in surprise, Valyr went ahead and commanded the system to bring up a screen containing the description to [Slayer of Ascendants], wanting to find out what kind of changes the title had undergone thanks to the upgrade.

While doing so, he took a look at the remaining notifications on the screen before him, faintly smiling as a thought popped up in his mind.

'With this, killing a quadrant leader is the only thing left separating me from becoming a part of the Gates of Awakening.'

Ding!

[You have completed the quest: Gates of Enlightenment' Trial (3).]

[Your authority level within the Gates of Enlightenment has been increased by one. Your current authority level is now Level 13.]

[You have completed part of the requirements for the quest: Gates of Enlightenment' Trial (4).]

[Slay 1,000 Primitive Humanoids (1,000/1,000)]

'I wonder how many more levels there are before I reach the authority level limit?' Reading through them one by one, Valyr let out a faint chuckle as he took a brief glance at his current authority level.

With an authority level of 13, the young man was more than certain that he would be able to access almost every important building within the Gates of Enlightenment after he had completed his quest to become eligible to enter the Gates of Awakening.

However, with how the system had told him that he could repeat the authority level quest yet again, Valyr was also uncertain whether or not he would be able to access every building within the Gates of Enlightenment.

After all, who couldn't say that the Gates of Enlightenment had erected a building where one would need an authority level of 20 to enter?

Of 50?

Or even some nigh-infinite number?

Taking in a deep breath as he reined in his train of thought, Valyr pushed the thoughts regarding authority levels to the side for the meantime as he focused his attention on the screen containing his upgraded title.

Ding!

[Slayer of Ascendants (Stage II)] (Title)

Rarity: Legendary+

To have the ability to surmount the immense gap… description has been omitted.

[Stage I Recognition - You have shown the world… description has been omitted.]

[Stage II Defiance - Through incessant battle, you have shown the world that your path to supremacy has already begun to blossom into reality, finding a place that is both within and beyond the realms of the long-existing power hierarchy.

Because of this, some have begun to fear your current might, while some have begun to fear your future potential.

Whichever side they might feel towards you, a considerable portion of the world have made up their minds that they do not want an unpredictable variable like you to remain standing.

However, will you let these beings have their way with you? Or will your might reign supreme and quash all discordant opinions?]

Effects:

> +30% damage to monsters at Mythic Elite tier and below that are at least 25 levels higher than the user

> +20% damage to beings that are at least 25 levels higher than the user

> +20% Attack and Defense

> Reduces the efficacy of reduced damage against higher-leveled beings by 15% [Stage II — Defiance]

> Temporarily increases the user's level by 2 during combat [Completion of Stage I — Recognition]

Upgrade requirements:

> Either kill 10,000 monsters at Ancient Elite tier or greater, or kill 10,000 beings at least 25 levels above your current level (0/10,000)

'Hmm?' While reading through the improvements the title had undergone during the upgrade, one effect the title had gained thanks to the upgrade had piqued Valyr's interest.

'Temporarily increases my level during combat?' Staring at this line of text for a bit, the young man went into a pensive expression as he moved the screen to the side.

He then thought to himself, 'Does that mean my stats would increase to the early levels of Rank 4 while I'm in combat?'

'Or does it mean something else?' Slightly frowning at the thoughts that began to linger in his mind, Valyr went ahead and attracted the attention of a lone primitive humanoid to test out his hypothesis.

Whoosh!

At the very instant the primitive humanoid had set its sights on him as its target, the young man felt his aura undergo a qualitative increase.

However, aside from that, he did not feel any increase in strength whatsoever.

"System, open my status screen." Dodging the attack that aimed to land on his upper torso, Valyr retrieved the spear on his back as he took a brief look at his current status.

"I see."

"[Strike of the Lightless Arcane]!"

Swoosh!

Circulating both Shadow Energy and mana throughout his body before sending them towards the spear's tip, Valyr struck directly at one of the primitive humanoid's numerous weak spots.

"Grroooaaggghhh!!!" To no surprise, the primitive humanoid had taken on a grievous amount of damage from the hit as it was sent flying, the damage counter that appeared above its head colored a dark red.

"I understand." Staring at the damage that had appeared above the primitive humanoid's head, Valyr felt as if everything in his mind had clicked into place.

"Though it does increase my current level to the early levels of Rank 4, it has no effect on my stats whatsoever," muttered the young man.

"However, what it does have an effect on is on the Damage Restriction System since it reduces the level gap between us."

"Add on the fact that the Damage Restriction System's effects on me have become weaker thanks to the upgrade [Slayer of Ascendants] went through, the amount of damage I can now deal is probably beyond what two additional levels could offer."

As these thoughts began to linger in his mind, the young man let out a peal of laughter as he headed to the spot he usually rested on while at the west quadrant.

Taking a brief look at the sun's current position, he then sent a message to the others, asking them about their progress in achieving a total of 1,000 primitive humanoids killed.

Unsurprisingly, with how the four had already reached an authority level of 10 last night, the four replied that they were around a hundred to less than a hundred kills away to completing the objective.

However, unlike Valyr, who had kept the authority level quest up while killing the remaining primitive humanoids needed for the objective, the others had opted not to repeat the quest after reaching the needed authority level.

After all, in their words…

'What would a higher authority level even do?'

"Then again, they haven't explored the Enlightenment Skill Pavilion firsthand, so they don't know how important a high authority level is." Faintly shrugging his shoulders as he read these words, Valyr sent a few more messages to the four before closing the party chat.

Then, after staring at the horizon for a bit, the young man made a decision in his mind, condensing Shadow Energy and mana towards his back as a pair of dark yet translucent wings sprouted not long after.

"Since it'll be some time before the five of us tackle any of the quadrant leaders…"

"Guess I'll get some info about the other quadrant leaders while I wait."

Whoosh!