บท 3: Scar
Initially, Kieran was taken aback by this individual's inclination to drive him away.
However, after recalling this man's behavior patterns ingrained in his memories, Kieran chuckled softly and remained in place.
Soon after, the other side chuckled and scanned over Kieran silently.
Eventually, his chuckle morphed into a frown as he shook his head softly.
"Tch, why is everyone becoming weaker and weaker? Look at that frail body of yours. You want to become a Warrior when you look like a damned Thief? Laughable. Go ask for guidance from the Thief Mentor," the man said.
He paused briefly before continuing, "It looks as if it will suit you well."
Kieran's current image reflected a standard character. Moreover, it was made to resemble his body on Earth. Therefore, Kieran seemed slender and weak in the eyes of this man. A far cry from the body the man sought.
After all, this man was akin to a lion in human form. He possessed frilly crimson hair that cascaded wildly down his back, piercing gold eyes that could burrow through Kieran, and a stalwart frame that contained vigorous muscles.
However, despite all of this, the man's defining trait was a deep scar that passed through his left eye and ended just under his cheekbone.
Nevertheless, despite this man's comment, Kieran remained inside the Warrior Hall while stoically crossing his arms. "I'm not moving from this spot. I came for the Warrior Class, and I won't be leaving until I get it."
The man's golden eyes narrowed as he scoffed at Kieran's gall. "Listen, punk. The path of a Warrior is not for the faint-hearted or frail-bodied. Leave. You are unfit."
Kieran tilted his head as if challenging this man's remark. "How could you know? You haven't even tested me. You only assume I am weak."
The man didn't respond too kindly to Kieran's comment. He leaned on his fist while revealing a dangerous sneer. "Are you challenging my senses? A little boy like you? A boy who has yet to partake in any adventure is insinuating that my senses are drivel, is that correct?!"
"I'm not saying they're nonsense. I'm saying that sometimes power runs deeper than what meets the eye," Kieran confidently replied. He didn't back down from the pressure this large man exuded.
Finally, the man scoffed and shook his head. "You just don't give up, do you?"
"Not at all," Kieran shook his head. How could he give up when everything depended on him following the right path? The first step was this man before him.
"At least you have the will of a Warrior. What is your name, boy?" The large man asked.
"Aatrox."
"Very well, Aatrox. I am Scar, the temporary Warrior Mentor of Gena Village."
Scar slowly stood up but what followed betrayed his large body. He took a single step and vanished, appearing beside Kieran, who stood over 25 meters away.
"Hmm," Scar grumbled, but it sounded more like the growl of a tiger. "I smell a shred of potential from you.
Peng!
Scar flicked Kieran's chest, sending him back a few steps. "You aren't bad, I suppose. Decent power for your current level. Nothing worthy of praise, but not terrible either."
Kieran remained quiet as this hulk of a man examined him. Although Kieran was over 1.89m tall, Scar stood over 2.65m tall.
Fortunately, Kieran understood a few things after playing Zenith Online once before, so there was still room for considerable growth in his future.
All of a sudden, Scar revealed a menacing grin. "Since you seem so confident and display the demeanor of a Warrior, are you up for a challenge?"
〈System: You have received a Unique Quest offer. Do you wish to accept? [ Y | N ]〉
Kieran's eyes lit up because this was the opportunity he sought! All players who triggered the right conditions could receive a Unique Quest from their Starting Class Mentors. However, there was a lot of luck and persistence involved.
Kieran accepted with haste, which revealed the quest information.
———
Quest Name: Scar's Unique Test
Quest Type: *Unique
Quest Rank: C
Recommended Level: 1
Objective: Scar thinks poorly of the current generation of Warriors due to past recruits. However, you've managed to catch his eye while possessing the required parameters. Change his mind and earn his reward.
- Pass Scar's evaluation. 0/1
Rewards:
- Level +1
- Warrior Class.
- Unique Warrior Package.
- ???
Failure:
- Exclusion from Scar's Hidden Quest Line.
- Declining Rapport with Scar. (Unfriendly)
———
The quest objective was vague but given Scar's nature, Kieran understood it'd naturally be some kind of unusual task. But after considering the possibilities, Kieran's eyes narrowed.
Kieran was unsure seeing as this quest was a Unique Quest that had long since vanished by the time he ventured into Zenith Online in the past. Thus, he possessed extremely limited knowledge of the quest.
As the name suggested, Unique Quest could only be cleared by one person. The only way more than one person could attempt the same Unique Quest was if the previous individual failed.
But once cleared, there was no reason for a player to disseminate information regarding the Unique Quest.
Nevertheless, Kieran didn't dwell on this issue because this quest was an inevitable step in the process of sparking the rumors surrounding Scar. While the requirements to unlock the Hidden Class Quest seemed obscure on the surface, it wasn't.
All Kieran had to do was reach a certain favorability with Scar. Doing so, however, required that Kieran accept and deal with the conditions that Scar established.
Once Kieran set aside his skepticism, he gave a faint nod and looked at Scar resolutely. "I'm ready when you are."
Scar chuckled in response while patting Kieran's shoulder. "That's more like it. What a satisfying response!"
The pats appeared soft on the surface but made Kieran's eyes widen. Pain radiated in his shoulder with each tap. 'Damn monster! How heavy is his damned hand?!"
Kieran had to admit, his current physique was pitiful. Against a hulking figure like Scar, his current STR was inconsequential. But, since Scar commented on his brawn, to begin with, Kieran acted upon the statement.
〈System: STR has risen from 10 to 14.〉
"Hoh?" Scar arched his brow and scrunched his nose while sniffing lightly. "I smell an increase in power. But... that's not what my test entails."
Bang!
Suddenly, Scar extended his arm and flicked Kieran's forehead.
The flick sent Kieran flying back until he miraculously stopped five meters away from the entrance. The frightening flick didn't inflict any damage but marked the quest's beginning.
Once Kieran was sent flying, the force of the flick shut the door behind him, sealing it with some sort of strange energy. No other person would be permitted entry until the quest was completed or failed.
"We begin!"
An enormous pressure followed Scar's shout, filling the entire hall with a suffocating aura.
"You have piqued my interest, but it has nothing to do with your current physical might. What interests me is your willpower. Do you have the will to be strong? The will to be great?!"
Following Scar's question, the pressure filling the room condensed, alleviating the stress on the surrounding marble pillars. However, Kieran didn't feel grateful for this change.
Not at all.
The pressure was focused solely on Kieran.
"This test is considered failed if you're forced out that door. But, if you manage to remain inside by some stroke of luck, I'll make this all worth your while," Scar said.
"So this is the test?" Kieran muttered with a look of understanding. The pressure that bore down on his body tested his willpower rather than the might of his vessel.
As Scar said, he was not interested in the body because it could be easily improved.
However, one's mindset was another story.
Tenacity wasn't something that could be taught. A person could only awaken it within themselves once their desire to persist triumphed over any other thought.
'It's almost unbearable,' Kieran thought. He tried to take a step forward, but...
'I'm at a complete disadvantage. My will might be strong, but this pressure is something beyond my body.'
Kieran frowned and gnashed his teeth. Despite his attempts to move forward, he continued sliding back every time he lifted his foot.
Soon enough, Kieran wondered: "Is this quest even clearable?"
Approximately 30 seconds later, Kieran's foot touched the last line of stones that demarcated the Warrior Hall's entrance.
'This guy... he truly wants me to fail,' Kieran thought to himself.
'Unfortunately, I have no intention to fail at the first step. I will do everything within my power to prevail for this is the first step in obtaining that Hidden Class.'
Since his feet weren't enough, Kieran used his hands as well. He clawed at the floor and moved his legs in unison, gradually inching toward his starting position a few meters away.
Scar cracked a smile as he saw this. 'This damned kid honestly doesn't give up, eh? I purposely used an unbearable aura to deter him, but he won't give in!'
Scar's eyes flashed with a ruthless light as he spoke. "Impress me during this next action, and you pass. However, it is your decision whether or not you wish to partake in it. Based on your current merits, you have more than gained the right to accept the Warrior Class."
'Another part?' Kieran thought while struggling to stand up. 'No wonder this quest was estimated to be a Unique C Rank Quest. What else is there if the basic challenge is already this difficult?'
Kieran sighed and narrowed his gaze.
If he judged based on the events thus far, Kieran felt whatever move Scar had in store wasn't a simple one. However, the possible rewards for going above and beyond enticed Kieran.
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