บท 23: Making a name for himself

Leon, who was close to falling unconscious, received a series of system notifications after killing the wyvern.

Falling unconscious in the game would result in the player getting kicked out of the game. They would then wake up in the real world feeling stiff but otherwise unharmed.

[System Notification: You have defeated the Hidden Boss of the tutorial: Demonic Frost Wyvern. You have gained 24,200 EXP and 3×Lucky Draw.]

[System Notification: You have leveled up]

...

[System Notification: You have leveled up]

...

[System Notification: You have leveled up five times. You have reached the 7th level of the early Apprentice stage. Appropriate rewards have been issued]

Leon unlocked his 2nd and 3rd ability slots and gained 6 stat points and 5 skill points. The extra stat point was a reward for reaching the halfway point of the Early Apprentice Sword Dancer stage.

Another notification rang out.

[System Notification: It is detected that the Demonic Frost Wyvern you defeated was dozens of levels higher than you. You have gained 25,000 additional EXP.]

[Level Up! You have advanced to the 8th level of the early Apprentice stage. You have obtained 1 stat point and 1 skill point. You have unlocked your fourth ability slot.]

Leon's total stat and skill points increased to 9 and 8 respectively. With 4 ability slots, he could now instantly learn 4 abilities using ability books.

'With the resources in my possession, I can grow a lot.' Leon's thought shifted to something more exciting. 'I wonder what else I will get for defeating the Hidden Boss.'

In his previous life, the No. 1 pve player of NWO had revealed that he had earned several runic items and even ability books from defeating the hidden boss of the tutorial. Thus, Leon was certain he was to receive more than just several levels up for performing the same feat in this life.

Leon didn't find it impressive but his rapid leveling up sent shockwaves throughout the chat.

"Like a true god king, he stands unrivalled throughout heaven and earth. Even his leveling speed is unparalleled."

"Zeus has no competition in the PvE scene of this game. He's just on another level entirely!"

"He totally is."

"Ugh, disgusting! You guys are licking his boots too much. There are many pro players who've jumped to New World Online from their old games where they were the best. You can't consider him better than them all just because he performed the best in the tutorial."

"Fool, I came to that conclusion after careful consideration. The highest-level player in the game has just hit level 9 after playing NWO non-stop since its release, and he had the help of his entire guild. But Zeus hit level 8 in only half an hour of playing the game, and he did it without any help from other players. You tell me—how could he have any equal?"

"...Oh, I didn't know that. My bad, hehe."

There were still some viewers who thought he would be surpassed by pros when they get used to this game, and they weren't entirely wrong.

Leon had knowledge of the game and the skills he had honed in his previous life while the pros had both luck and talent. If he didn't make use of everything he got and hoard as much in-game content as he could, they would surpass him and he would become one of the forgotten legends of NWO. He had to perform this well every day for at least a year if he wanted to establish himself as an authoritative figure in the gaming community and the e-sport scene. Leon understood that and he was up for the challenge.

Meanwhile, the gamblers had an entirely different reaction than the more sane users of StreamNet.

[Dragonslayer123]: "Zeus, you're a legend! I'm so happy you triumphed over that wyvern! It's insane what you just pulled off! Thanks to you I am going to win 5 grands. I love youuuuu!"

[GwackGwack]: "Nooo! He actually did the impossible! I am certain to lose my bet now! Next time, no matter how bad the odds look, I'm betting on Zeus. No way I'm losing money again!"

[Nopantsonme]: "Yeah, I'm done betting against this guy. He's unstoppable! From now on, it's either I bet on him or I don't bet at all!"

[GamerGoddess]: "I'm never doubting Zeus again. I thought he was done for, but he flipped the script and now it seems like I will be going home with double or triple the money I bet. All hail Zeus!"

"All Hail Zeus!"

"He is worthy of being hailed. He isn't only a good gamer but he is also a divine philosopher. I was crying over the thought of losing my money when I heard his speech about beliefs. I stopped crying and felt a positive change embrace me. I can confidently say it changed me for the better. I can't wait to see what he does next!"

[XtremeGamer]: "My God King Zeus really is something else, turning his haters into fans."

Back in the game, the person many were hailing in the chat received another notification.

[System Notification: High Tier Normal Achievement Unlocked: Slay the 7th and most beloved retainer of the 13th Prince of the Demon Realm. You have gained several hundred experience points and the Heaven's Fury Ability Book.]

Despite the condition he was in, Leon couldn't help but smile when he heard what he had received.

[Skill Description: Heaven's Fury]

Rank: A

Description: Heaven's Fury is a skill that allows you to channel up to a hundred units of aether from your surroundings into your sword and release it as a wave of sword energy. The longer you channel, the greater the effect of the skill and the greater its range.

Attack Range: 10-100 feet.

Condition to Use: Must be wielding a sword.

Leon's blood boiled in excitement.

Unlike basic skills, abilities were divided into seven ranks: S, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Rank S abilities were the strongest, offering unparalleled power, while Rank F abilities were the weakest, often providing minimal benefits. However, even an F-rank ability could be useful in the right circumstances.

The ability book he'd received granted it user one of the second strongest types of abilities present in the game!

"This is excellent," Leon thought. "I can use it to strike down annoying ranged enemies. It's also going to be extremely effective against a group of mobs and against enemies who rely on distance to stay out of reach."

The chat was filling up with comments. The engagement rate had reached 10000. Two of the most likeable comments were as follows.

"Man, I'm jealous, but I gotta admit, he earned it. That fight was brutal, and this reward is just what he needed to make it feel worthwhile."

"I'm happy for him, but I can't help feeling a little salty. I've been grinding for hours and I haven't gotten a sniff of an ability book."

The viewers' reactions were mixed, but most were genuinely happy for Leon.

Just as things were starting to settle down, a spicy piece of news spread across Eldoria, taking many players by surprise as a worldwide announcement was made in-game:

[World Announcement]

"While the unique monster Demonic Frost Wyvern came to the DarkWood Forest under orders of its lord and savior, the 13th Prince of the Demon Realm, to confirm his suspicions, it was slain by Player Zeus, who was merely completing the tutorial. Player Zeus has ruined the 13th Prince's greatest chance of confirming his suspicions. He has completed the hidden quest, 'Face Slap the Arrogant Demon Prince from Thousands of Miles Away!' He will be appropriately rewarded."

This announcement rang out thrice and was also posted in the world chat and system log for everyone to see. The reward Zeus obtained wasn't made public, likely to avoid attracting unnecessary nefarious attention.

Zeus, who had opened the chat and was communicating with his viewers, thanking them for their support, was suddenly bombarded with requests to open the world chat by his viewers as they wanted to see the player's reaction to the world announcement. Although not narcissistic, he gave in to their demands and opened the world chat via the main menu.

[World Chat]

"Hidden quest? What's a hidden quest?"

"I heard a developer say in one of the interviews post the game release that it's among the hardest difficulty quests in the game."

"So you mean he completed one of the hardest quests in the game? Who the hell is this Zeus guy?"

"That's not the shocking part. The most shocking part about this whole situation is that he killed the retainer of a Demon Prince in the tutorial!"

"Why is that more shocking?"

"Because the Demon Realm is a fierce place full of monsters, and each prince has retainers at least as strong as Adepts. This guy is a monster for having defeated such a strong monster in the tutorial."

"How did he even do that?"

The viewers were glad to see that the players of New World Online were just as shocked as them by Zeus's feat. Their reactions mirrored the disbelief and awe that had filled the chat earlier.

Leon then received a private message from the system. While the other players didn't know about it, his viewers could see the notification.

[System Notification]

"You have received the following item for completing a hidden quest:

Stormbreaker (Rank-2 Runic weapon), 5× Max Health Elixir."

[Item Description: Stormbreaker]

Stormbreaker is a Rank-2 Runic Sword that grants the following effects:

Strength +20

Effect: The sword can be enchanted with the powerful Summoning the wind and lightning enchantment upon command. Once enchanted, a surge of wind and lightning continuously courses through the blade. Enemies hit by this sword when it's enchanted with wind and lightning suffer from two effects:

Propulsion: The enemy is propelled backward with each strike.

Electrocution: The enemy is electrocuted, dealing continuous damage and slowing their movements. Once three stacks of Electrocution are applied, the enemy is stunned.

Condition to Equip: None.

Leon's eyes widened in surprise. "The strongest Rank-2 weapon for the Sword Dancer class was a reward for completing the hidden quest in the tutorial? He really hid it well from everyone."

Runic items were divided into seven ranks, from weakest to strongest: Rank-5, Rank-4, Rank-3, Rank-2, Rank-1, and the special Archrank and Demonic Rank Runic Items. Obtaining a Rank-2 item at the very start of the game could be considered a fortuitous encounter. Leon felt a deep sense of gratitude for this lucky break.

The rate at which comments were popping up in the chat doubled after that announcement. Fortunately, Leon had closed the chat window; otherwise, he might have felt dizzy trying to keep up with them.

[DragonSlayer123]: "God King Zeus got stronger once again!"

[Error101]: "He keeps defying expectations. Every time I think he's hit his peak, he levels up again—literally and figuratively."

[GwackGwack]: "From now on, it's all bets on Zeus! With Heaven's Fury and Stormbreaker in his arsenal, I have a feeling he's going to dominate every PvE and PvP encounter he faces."

While these users were not afraid to be genuine in the chat, where they were surrounded by many strangers, CyberBlade was seething.

'This wasn't how it was supposed to go. He wasn't supposed to triumph so easily; he was supposed to fail the trial miserably like I did—not walk away with several high-quality rewards. I failed to share my sorrow, and on top of that, I lost the bet. I really screwed myself over—not just once, but twice.' he cried in silence.

TheReaper didn't say anything. He was holding his words back, saving them for when Zeus finished the trial and he won the bet. Then, he vowed in his heart, he would properly flame his elder brother.

...

The rewards for completing the hidden quest and defeating the wyvern had appeared in his inventory. Leon was planning to take one of the 5 Max Health Elixirs. These elixirs would not only recover his HP to its maximum but also remove all status effects. Leon was afflicted by many of them, and his HP was still dropping rapidly. If he didn't take it soon, he would die.

However, before he could take one out from his inventory and drink it, an extremely domineering gaze descended upon the DarkWood Forest. But when it focused on him, the gaze turned incomparably gentle.

[System Notification]

The Fairy Queen is pleased to see you live up to her expectations.

She is thankful for your help.

Seeing you so injured while trying to assist her, she feels guilty in her heart.

The Fairy Queen prays for you.

You have been bestowed with divine restoration."

Just then, Leon felt his body filling up with immense power.

[System Notification]

"You have recovered to your peak condition. All status effects have been removed. Your vitality has increased by 5, your stamina recovery rate has increased by 5%, and your stamina has increased by 50 points."

The Fairy Queen aims to lessen her guilt and show her gratitude by showering you with this gift. She hopes it will be to your liking.

Leon looked up at the sky and shouted, "Thank you, my Queen! All of it is to my liking."

[System Notification]

The Fairy Queen likes your attitude.

You have gained 200 reputation points with the fairies of the Lands of Eldoria. When you encounter them, they won't be hostile to you without reason, and they won't play tricks on you without your permission. Be mindful of what you say in their presence, and you will be fine in their company!

"The Fairy Queen is really good to me," Leon thought.