Chapter 32: Chapter 32:- Shadows and Serenity
Chronos, however, seemed to find William's reaction amusing, letting out a hearty chuckle. "Hahaha! So I was right," he confirmed, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I have no intention of revealing it to anyone."
Relief washed over William at Chronos's reassurance, his tense shoulders relaxing slightly. He was still bewildered though, wondering how Chronos had figured it out. As if reading his thoughts, Chronos explained, "I've been observing you for the past two and a half hours. The way you speak, the way you handle the monsters, and many other subtle factors suggested to me that you're not from this world. Your actions are too unorthodox, hinting at a different upbringing, a different world altogether. Hence, my guess is that you're a Hero."
For a few moments, silence enveloped them, the soft chirping of crickets and distant hooting of owls being the only sounds breaking the stillness of the night. It seemed as though Chronos was mulling over his words, contemplating his own curiosity. Eventually, he couldn't hold back his burning question any longer. "If you don't mind, could you tell me why you're so determined to keep your true identity a secret?" he inquired, his gaze resting on William. "Why settle here in Emberfall City to live a seemingly mundane life? I can't imagine this to be a lifestyle sought after by a Hero, especially someone from a different world entirely."
William paused for a moment, his eyes reflecting deep thought before he answered. "Grandpa, as I've told you before, I have a precious daughter," he began, his voice filled with a sense of deep love and protectiveness. "A tragic incident in my world led to the loss of my entire family, and she's the only family I have left. Upon my arrival in this world, my primary concern was finding a safe and peaceful haven for her. Being a Hero might be a part of my identity, but before that, I am a father. My parental responsibilities take precedence over everything else." He looked at Chronos, a gentle smile gracing his features as he added, "Moreover, it's not as if this world is devoid of Heroes. There are countless others out there who've chosen to embrace the life of a Hero. So, even if I veer off the path typically taken by Heroes, I doubt it would have any significant impact on anyone or anything."
"Hahahaha!" Chronos's laughter filled the air, the sound echoing through the silent forest. This was the first time he had encountered a Hero who desired an ordinary life. Most Heroes he had met were constantly driven by ambitions of glory, riches, and influence. But his student, his William, was a refreshing exception. This difference made Chronos feel a surge of pride. He felt incredibly fortunate to have stumbled upon William that night. William's words spoke volumes about his character. He wasn't the stereotypical egotistical Hero lusting after wealth or fame. He was different, almost unique in his approach. He had a heart that was kind and unspoiled, a rarity in the brutal world they lived in.
"So what's the real reason you're concealing the fact that you're a Hero?" Chronos queried, his tone hinting at an air of curiosity.
"In a nutshell, my ultimate goal is to live a life of normalcy," William responded with a calm, steady voice. "At the beginning, my powers and abilities were locked away, accessible only with the blessing of a goddess. As fate would have it, during my journey from the Flaming Dominion Empire, I was fortunate enough to receive the benevolent grace of a goddess, unlocking my latent powers. As of now, I've managed to keep the fact that I've been bestowed with divine blessings a secret. There's nobody who's aware of my capacity to use extraordinary skills, let alone the fact that I have a unique class. I've essentially become a covert Ascender."
William tactfully refrained from mentioning anything specific about the goddess he had encountered, being careful to not divulge information about Nyx. Chronos, understanding and respecting his student's discretion, didn't press further on the topic of the goddess.
"Ah, I see," Chronos mused, his eyebrows knitting together in comprehension. "Your clandestine identity definitely explains your preference for nighttime training. But don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I won't breathe a word of this to anyone else." He offered a reassuring smile, showcasing his respect and understanding for William's unconventional circumstances.
"You know, considering your aspirations to set up your own business, it occurs to me that you've missed a lucrative opportunity here," Chronos casually remarked. "These monster carcasses, especially the remains of level 2 creatures, could fetch you a pretty penny. As it turns out, the culinary quality of a monster's meat improves with its level. The richer and more succulent the flesh, the higher its demand. The elite and the nobility have a particular fondness for the meat of level 2 and level 3 monsters. Plus, other parts of the monster like bones, skin, fur, and skulls have a variety of applications - from crafting weapons and armors to making warm, durable clothing. They're all quite valuable in their own right."
A wry smile graced William's face as he conceded, "I must admit, I wasn't aware of that, Grandpa. Besides, I doubt I could have managed to haul back hundreds of monster corpses on my own." A pang of regret tugged at his heart, wishing he'd been better informed before embarking on this mission.
Chronos responded with a hearty laugh. "Indeed, and considering you're playing the part of a non-Ascender, returning to the city laden with an abundant supply of monster corpses would certainly raise a few eyebrows. However, there's a possible workaround."
"What sort of workaround?" William questioned, his curiosity piqued.
"Well, I can employ a team of carriage drivers to transport the remains back to the city," Chronos proposed. "A bit of extra pay on their part and they won't question the task. And you can maintain your anonymity by simply wearing a mask when dealing with them." William found the solution that Chronos proposed to be quite suitable and convenient.
"That sounds perfect. I appreciate the help, Grandpa."
"Just doing what I can for my student," Chronos replied, an amiable grin on his face. "After the carcasses have been transported back to the city, I can handle the sale for you and hand over the proceeds. It's not much of a bother for me to take care of that." His tone indicated his willingness to go the extra mile for his new disciple.
"William, if I'm not mistaken, have your attributes ascended to the [SSS] rank after receiving the divine blessing?" Chronos casually asked, trying to gauge the current power level of his young student.
William nodded, acknowledging the fact. "Yes, after obtaining the blessing, my capabilities have escalated to the [SSS] rank. My power is now at the pinnacle of Level 1."
In this world, there's an intriguing system in place to measure an individual's prowess across different levels. For each level, the capabilities, or 'stats' as they're known, range from 1 to 100. Being at the 1 mark signifies the lowest possible attribute for a Level 1 Ascender. Conversely, reaching 100 or the [SSS-rank], means an Ascender has achieved the peak of that level's potential.
When an Ascender advances to Level 2, their stats undergo a breakthrough and commence at 101. In the realm of Level 2, the stat spectrum starts at 101, which is the minimum possible attribute, and culminates at 200 or the [SSS-rank]. Possessing 200 stats in strength, agility, mana, health, and stamina implies that an Ascender has touched the apex of Level 2's power boundaries.
However, hitting the limit doesn't automatically promote one to the next level. Despite the magnitude of the stats, Ascenders must accrue ample experience points through defeating monsters or engaging in other battles to level up.
The various ranks within each level are as follows:
1 - 10: The elementary stage, classified as [F rank]
11 - 20: The novice stage, referred to as [E rank]
21 - 30: The intermediate stage, identified as [D rank]
31 - 40: The proficient stage, recognized as [C rank]
41 - 50: The advanced stage, acknowledged as [B rank]
51 - 60: The expert stage, termed as [A rank]
61 - 70: The superior stage, known as [S rank]
71 - 80: The elite stage, labeled as [SS rank]
81 - 100: The pinnacle stage, defined as [SSS rank]
This orderly system facilitates an easy understanding of one's overall abilities. Despite being simple, it carries the utmost importance in defining the potential and limits of an Ascender.
"But how did you manage to combat a Level 2 monster?" Chronos probed further, genuinely curious and somewhat bewildered. "And it's not just a single one, but several Level 2 beasts all at once!"
Ordinarily, an Ascender at the apex of Level 1, possessing [SSS-rank] stats, would struggle to even hold their ground against a single Level 2 adversary, let alone multiple ones simultaneously. This was due to the sheer disparity in power between the levels. Yet in rare circumstances, some Level 1 Ascenders managed to bridge this power chasm and vanquish Level 2 opponents, which was a significant feat in itself.
However, battling multiple Level 2 monsters and emerging victorious was considered an improbable, near-impossible task.
If Chronos were to share this feat with his comrades - the fact that his pupil, a mere Level 1 Ascender, could defeat multiple Level 2 monsters simultaneously - they would likely burst out laughing. They would accuse him of spinning tall tales and possibly mock him for such an absurd claim.
But regardless of how outrageous this fact might sound to anyone, it was indeed true. Chronos himself was the first-hand witness to this extraordinary spectacle. William's display of raw power and tactical acumen was a sight to behold, a spectacle that challenged their world's widely accepted norms and limitations. This was a feat that no one would easily believe unless they saw it with their very own eyes.
"Actually, I have a rather special class," William began, deciding to share this significant secret with Chronos, as he felt he could trust him. "One of the inherent passive skills of my class enables a temporary enhancement of my level to Level 2, with [SSS-rank] stats, but only during the night."
"Huh? Seriously?" Chronos couldn't hide his surprise, his eyebrows shooting upwards. That revelation suddenly made all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. This explained why William was so powerful, especially during their night training sessions.
"But as soon as the sun rises, this temporary level boost disappears, bringing me back to my normal Level 1 status," William continued, a slight shrug in his shoulders. "That's the main reason I ventured into the forest at night."
He chose not to mention the other advantages his class passively provided him, feeling that it was not the right time to divulge everything. After all, he had already revealed enough for the time being. His special class and the unique abilities it afforded him under the veil of the night - that information was sufficient to explain his unusual capabilities to Chronos.
Deep in conversation, William and Chronos made their leisurely way back to the city, neither of them in any particular hurry. The night enveloped the city in a serene blanket, the moon casting an ethereal glow over the quiet streets. They walked comfortably in this peaceful atmosphere, their footsteps the only sounds echoing in the silence.
Being a known figure around town, Chronos didn't have any issues getting them back into the city. The guards stationed at the city's entrance recognized him instantly, a testament to his long-standing reputation within Emberfall City. His association with Chronos granted William an effortless entry into the city as well, the guards offering no resistance or demand for inspection. To them, if Chronos vouched for him, that was good enough.
To keep his identity under wraps, William pulled his hood over his face, obscuring his features in the shadow. The cloak hid him from prying eyes, maintaining the anonymity he so desired.
"If ever there's an emergency, you can always find me at my school," Chronos advised as they parted ways. "Come to the forest tomorrow at our usual time. Your proper training begins from then on." William simply responded with a nod, signifying his understanding.
"Good night, William. Rest up, and be ready for tomorrow," Chronos said with a warm smile, disappearing shortly thereafter. After the brief farewell, William too vanished, accelerating towards his home at a speed only achievable at the peak of Level 2. His movement was so fast that to the ordinary eye, he was nothing more than a fleeting blur, barely visible in the still night.
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If you guys have enjoyed reading this chapter then leave your comment behind. Your power stones will be massively appreciated.
DEAR READERS THERE HAS BEEN A MISTAKE FROM MY PART - After the blessing from Nyx, William's stats reached SSS not S. Please note this. I will make appropriate changes.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone