Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

As the notification appeared before Kieran, he froze with subtle amazement. Until now, he had yet to come across any World Quests. However, that was understandable given that he was confined to a Beginner Village, and all World Quests could significantly influence the state of Xenith.

In this case, the quest seemed linked to the Arcane One's background. Since millennia had passed, it was safe to assume that whatever forces he possessed should be much stronger by now. Kieran's only question currently was what item or personage was in their possession to warrant a World Quest grading.

Sadly, the quest details revealed nothing remotely linked to such knowledge. Still, it did provide Kieran with vital information.

「 The Arcane One's Zealous Request I (Special, World Quest)

Quest Rank: SSS

Recommended Party Size: N/A

Recommended Party Level: N/A

Objectives: The Arcane One is a being who reigned over a domain in his prime. Regrettably, the domain has not only turned its back on him, but it even thrives to this very day despite the duplicitous past. This is something he finds to be unacceptable. Thriving upon deception and betrayal is not something the Arcane One can permit. Therefore, he wishes for someone to find the evidence to reforge the realm's key. However, the disciples and people of the Arcane One are not a force to be taken lightly.

- Collect the «Realm Key Fragments» of the «Arcane Dominion». 0/6

- Cast the «Realm Key» by fusing the «Realm Key Fragments». 0/1

- Activate the second use of the «Dormant Arcane Symbol». 0/1

- Open the doorway to the «Arcane Dominion». 0/1

Rewards:

- Access to «Secret Realm: Arcane Dominion»

- «Ancient Materia Treasure Chest»

- Soul Resistance III (Passive)

- 15,000,000 Experience

- Part II of the Quest

Failure Penalty:

- Weakened Soul IV (Permanent Passive)

- All Attributes -25%

- Level -15

- Forcibly targeted by the Arcane Legion.

Time Limit: N/A

*Special Notes: This quest should only be completed once the wielder of this quest feels their power has grown sufficient and their Soul powerful. 」

Upon reading through its information, Kieran pondered a few things. One, this Dormant Arcane Symbol wasn't something currently in his possession. So, it had to be an item rewarded by the Arcane One himself to support the quest's progress.

Two, he needed to collect Realm Fragments! In other words, the inevitable setting of this quest was a Secret Realm known as the Arcane Dominion. Typically, such areas could be accessed by gaining permission from the owner. For there to be fragments to collect, it could only mean the access to the destination was broken and done so forcibly.

But, considering the Arcane One's perilous state, it was safe to assume he was the reason for this broken doorway. With how vehemently he spoke about vengeance, Kieran wouldn't be surprised if he did so to inhibit the prosperity of his faction. Destroying the realm entrance meant it had no connection to Xenith's main realm.

At the very least, it would need to be a self-sustaining power to survive. This led to the question—how well did the Arcane One cultivate his forces? Moreover, how long did the power exist before this severed connection?

"Are you ready young man? There are a few things I must impart to you. There may be some discomfort for a moment, but bear with it," the Arcane One said before waving his hand filled with iridescent light.

A bowling ball-sized orb entered Kieran's forehead straightaway, forming a radiant symbol with markings similar to that on the Arcane One's face. It soon disappeared, falling into a dormant state. Contrary to what the Arcane One claimed, Kieran felt no discomfort.

〈System: You have received the «Dormant Arcane Symbol»!〉

"That marking will maintain a subtle connection with me. Once it is time, you can stimulate it yourself. Now, it is time to move on to the more pressing matter. If you're to resist the arcane forces of my forgotten kingdom, you'll need to unearth your Soul so that it may flourish early. That is a mistake many make. The Soul is just as important as the vessel," the Arcane One said.

This time, the markings on his face radiated an enigmatic presence. At the same time, the hood covering the greater part of his face head flapped as if it was experiencing the violent winds of a storm. A moment later, an orb larger than Kieran's body filled entirely with arcane energy appeared above the Arcane One's hand.

As it appeared, the Arcane One's lip quivered. While creating the Dormant Arcane Symbol was a simple matter, creating enough Arcanic Force to stimulate another Soul was a different story. The Soul was the essence of a person, so even Divine Beings had trouble perfectly constructing another.

Furthermore, to do this with only 1% of his vitality remaining was a truly suicidal notion. However, that's just how strong the Arcane One's desire for vengeance was. After countless years of imagining how it would be executed, he was willing to sacrifice a large portion of what remained to successfully realize the goal.

While conjuring the orb, a trickle of sweat seeped down the Arcane One's cheek. After growing to twice its original size, the Arcane One then twisted his hands in opposing directions, causing the orb to rapidly condense. The giant sphere was reduced to a marble within a few seconds, which caused several spatial oscillations.

"It is ready," the Arcane One revealed.

Just before Kieran could voice his readiness, the Arcane One clapped his hands together, splitting the marble into equal parts. One half pressed against Kieran's forehead while the other part pressed over his heart. Immediately, a burning sensation appeared inside his body, accompanied by an unusual pulling force.

Even in the past, he had never felt this sensation before. This included both his First and Second Phase Awakening. This sensation persisted for over ten minutes, without any signs of the benefits the Arcane One hinted at.

Meanwhile, the Arcane One's expression paled slightly while his eyes filled with shock underneath his hood. 'What is this abnormal Soul? Most Souls are usually like unpolished diamonds, simply requiring a catalyst to jumpstart the process. However, this one is entirely different. It's more fitting to say it is an extremely unpolished diamond, sheltered by a resilient metal and further buried by a nonsensical layer of coal!'

After learning of the abnormal state of Kieran's Soul, the Arcane One could only suffer more egregious losses. He couldn't allow Kieran to not unlock one of his Soul Traits. Therefore, he formed a strange hand seal.

'To think I'd have to use the Akashic Seal on a twerp that hasn't even Awakened once. This kid will grow into an absolute monster if that's the case,' the Arcane One thought. Although he complained, his words were betrayed by the overflowing excitement present in his eyes.

The Akashic Seal unleashed boundless arcane ripples that fed into the two hemispheres attached to Kieran's body. The more energy the seal provided to the spheres, the more Kieran's expression contorted. It was like molten lava was being injected into his heart and mind, attempting to purify them as one.

Unfortunately, true purification couldn't be reached. The energy provided soon grew weak, and the Arcane One's body feeble. Unleashing his treasure and employing its power had utterly exhausted his accessible reserves.

In return, Kieran received a true benefit as the sensation subsided.

〈System: You have awakened a «Strengthened Soul Trait»!〉

The Arcane One exhaled weakly as he used the altar's wall to brace himself. "I've unearthed your trait to the best of my ability, but I'm sorry to say that you possess a Soul and spirit beyond my capabilities even in my prime. Odd, I wouldn't think such a small boy could surpass an Ancient's depth. I have truly chosen an exemplary person to accomplish my wishes."

Meanwhile, Kieran was in utter shock. 'A Strengthened Soul Trait?!'

Kieran's shock came to be because a Soul Trait usually required a character to awaken first. Additionally, most traits would either be Basic or Intermediate at that time. On the other hand, a Strengthened Trait was the second strongest trait, only surpassed by an Apex Trait.

Naturally, his shock led to Kieran impatiently bringing up the trait information.

「 Trait Name: Vengeful Soul

Trait Type: Soul Trait

Trait Rank: Strengthened

Strengthened Completion: 9.81%

Description: A unique trait that has been awakened due to having your unpolished Soul exposed to an extraordinarily pure source, thereby unearthing its inherent characteristics. The carrier of such a Vengeful Soul is likely the bearer of a double-edged sword. While it makes one more resistant to outside stimuli that corrupt the mind, it also makes one more susceptible to a thirst for vengeance. Additionally, the carrier of this Soul grows sensitive to malicious intentions and hostile presences targeting the user.

Effect: The user gains the Passive Ability «Retaliatory Sense» and the «Prey Combat System».

Note: While Strengthened, your Soul Trait still possesses ample room for growth. Only the surface of your Soul has been unearthed. 」

"A passive ability and a combat system," Kieran muttered absentmindedly. Initially, he thought their effects would be essentially game-breaking, but it turned out to be untrue. Since his trait wasn't even 10% active, most of his abilities were watered down. Additionally, the Prey System could only be activated after the trait reached 10%!

As for the method to train the trait, Kieran had one in mind.

"I can tell by the look in your eyes that the Trait Liberation was successful, although nascent at best. Either way, I suppose it is soon time you leave, no?"

"Correct. But, before I go, I would like to ask you something, is there a specific area I should search for these Realm Fragments?" Kieran questioned. Although he inferred from the quest information that the Dormant Arcane Symbol would help him, that didn't mean chancing upon their locations would be easy.

"Nope, I have not a single clue as to where you should begin. The star patterns have shifted many times since then. I also sacrificed an Arcane Burst Prism to scatter the fragments and make it as difficult as possible for my people to ever leave that place," the Arcane One said with an expression of detest.

"Ah, understandable. While it may take a while, I can promise it'll be accomplished nonetheless," Kieran vowed.

In response, the Arcane One smiled and gave a subtle nod. "This new portal should put you even closer to your destination. Since the Berserk Path is something you will wholly embrace, there is nothing for me to destigmatize. Godspeed on your journeys, young one."