Chương 7: Tower of Babel

One magic and three skills for one who had just received a blessing was indeed an extravagant starting point. Even Loki, who brought her Familia from scratch to one of the strongest positions in Orario over the past few decades, had only seen such potential in a single individual's body.

That individual was Finn Deimne, the first member of Loki Familia recruited after she descended to the lower world. He was the current Captain of Loki Familia, and one of the less than ten Level 6 individuals in Orario, known as the Pallum Hero—Braver.

Loki Familia's Captain, much like Riezel, awakened one magic and three skills when he first received a blessing. Now, Finn possessed two magic and five skills, making him someone with the most skills within Loki's knowledge.

Although the quantity of magic and skills didn't necessarily make someone stronger than those with fewer, there were undoubtedly stronger individuals than Finn in Orario. It all depended on the specific effects of the magic and skills.

Magic and skills could vary in strength, with some being more useful than others. Awakening didn't guarantee increased strength; it depended on the specific effects.

However, Loki couldn't help but be impressed as she examined the effects of Riezel's magic and skills on the parchment.

"Really..." Loki muttered, looking at Riezel's ridiculous skills and magic, her eyes that rarely opened now glittering with bright light.

Especially the effect of one of the skills called 'Self Redemption'.

—The status can be updated independently by consuming the corresponding God's blood.

"What a bullshit skill..." Loki cursed quietly. "Not to mention me, who's only been in the lower world for a few decades. Even those old folks who've been here for centuries probably haven't seen a skill with this kind of effect."

Loki had never heard of any child in the lower world being able to update their status independently. What did this mean for the position of Gods in this matter? How could they handle it?

Little did Riezel know about Loki's mood, as he was busy examining his own status.

There wasn't much to say about basic abilities.

Due to just receiving the blessing, all five basic abilities were at the lowest I-rank, with zero proficiency.

Proficiency, measured with numbers, indicates the level of progress of a basic ability.

0-99 is I.

100-199 is H.

200-299 is G.

300-399 is F.

And so on.

When proficiency upgraded to 900-999, it became S.

The highest tier for basic abilities was generally considered to be S, with a proficiency limit of 999. To enhance proficiency in basic abilities and advance, the only method was to frequently use that ability.

Want to improve 'STR'? Use forceful attacks frequently.

Want to enhance 'END'? Endure attacks frequently.

Want to boost 'AGI'? Increase speed and move frequently.

Want to enhance 'MAG'? Use magic frequently.

And so on.

As the ability was used more frequently, proficiency also increased. Only when it approached the highest value of 999 and the ability reached S-rank did the growth in proficiency slow down.

It was said that there were very few people who could upgrade their basic ability to the highest evaluation S-rank, and even reaching A-rank and B-rank was quite rare.

Of course, being someone familiar with the original work, Riezel knew that some people could easily surpass this theoretical upper limit.

Yes, it was the main character from the original work.

'I wonder if I can break through this limit.'

While Riezel pondered such matters, most of his attention was focused on his own magic and skills. When he saw his unique magic named 'Almighty', his gaze paused slightly.

'Memorize magic, huh?' Riezel's heart self-deprecatingly remarked. 'In the end, my only strength is my memory.'

Clearly, this magic was a manifestation of his outstanding memory, also a representation of his innate skill worth boasting about from his previous life.

Perhaps the reason it manifested in the form of magic was related to the fact that the original owner of his body was a native of a world with magic, naturally possessing strong magical energy.

As for his three skills, they were completely crystallized from his heart's obsession.

Riezel tentatively noted down the effects of these magic and skills, intending to explore them in the future.

At this moment, Loki seemed to have organized her thoughts and spoke again.

"I will lock your status with my blood, hiding the status to prevent others from peering."

Loki picked up the needle again, pricked her finger, and touched Riezel's back.

"Also, I'll remind you, status is the biggest secret of everyone blessed. Generally, except for the most trusted Familia members and the God of your Familia, you shouldn't disclose information about your status to anyone. This is to avoid your power being figured out by those with ill intentions, attracting unnecessary trouble."

Loki's face turned serious for the first time, looking at Riezel with great sincerity.

"Especially you, Riezel. Apart from Familia members, you better not let anyone know about your magic and skills."

There was no doubt that his magic and skills were abilities beyond the norm.

Perhaps he still needed to explore, but as a Goddess with broad knowledge and extraordinary insight, Loki could already see their capabilities and potential.

It was something that would undoubtedly shock and even drive certain entities crazy.

Therefore, she must remind him of this matter with seriousness.

"Got it." Riezel nodded.

Naturally, he wouldn't casually reveal his status to outsiders. He knew that the things you could keep hidden were often the keys to victory and the aces up your sleeve.

"Good that you understand, kiddo." Loki finally relaxed but then grinned mischievously. "Of course, you don't have to be overly cautious. Loki Familia isn't just any random group. If anyone dares to make a move on you without good reason, they better be ready to lose some hands."

Loki, with blood on her fingertips, made a mark on Riezel's back. Ripples spread across his back like the surface of a disturbed pond.

Before long, his status on the back vanished and was locked. Unless she used her blood to unlock it, or someone resorted to forbidden means, no one could reveal it.

Riezel felt he could probably unlock it himself using Loki's blood, given his acquired skill. However, he had no intention of doing so.

"All set!" Loki clapped her hands, looking triumphant and satisfied.

Riezel, now dressed, burned the parchment with his status written on it by the lamp and then turned to Loki.

"When can I go to the dungeon?" Riezel asked calmly.

"The hell? Are you in a hurry?" Loki rolled her eyes. "Just received a blessing, and you're already itching to dive into the dungeon? Aren't you tired, kiddo?"

According to Riezel's story, he had just arrived in Orario today. Though Loki didn't know where he came from, wanting to join Loki Familia on the first day, receiving a blessing, and immediately expressing a desire to enter the dungeon suggested remarkable energy.

"You better rest well first. Once you're settled, we can discuss other matters. I'll have someone take you to an empty room. Tomorrow, we can show you around the manor and introduce you to everyone." Loki said irritably while waving her hand. "Now, go rest."

Hearing this, Riezel unconsciously frowned but quickly relaxed.

"Can I take this with me?" Riezel pointed to the short sword casually lying on Loki's bed.

"You fancy that?" Loki looked strangely at him. "Sure, take it. It's more of a decorative piece than a functional weapon. Its value as an artwork far exceeds its performance as a weapon. If you take it, it's just for self-defense, got it?"

"That's enough for me." Riezel smiled slightly. "I just want something for self-defense anyway. Walking around empty-handed feels a bit unsafe."

"Is that so?" Loki squinted her eyes at him for a while, then waved her hand. "Take it then. Consider it a gift for the newcomer."

"Thank you." Riezel bowed his head before picking up the short sword and soon left the divine room.

"I thought he was a steady kid. Turns out he's got an impatient side too..." Loki muttered softly as she watched him leave.

She then shook her head.

"Well, whatever. All the kids in this Familia are like this, always carrying some heavy burden. I hope this kid can grow up smoothly."

Inside the divine room, Loki, seemingly unreliable at first glance but with a mind both meticulous and farsighted, quietly closed her eyes.

===

Meanwhile, at the entrance of Twilight Manor, Riezel clutched a flamboyantly decorated short sword and departed. His gaze was fixed on the very center of the city.

There stood a towering building, even taller than the central tower of Twilight Manor, soaring high enough to overlook the entire city—a colossal ivory tower.

"Is that Babel?"

The Tower of Babel was the most crucial and iconic structure in Orario. It served numerous functions and purposes. Among its various functions and purposes, the most vital was acting as the lid for the dungeon, suppressing the entrance of the dungeon beneath the tower.

Yes.

The entrance to the dungeon lay right beneath that ivory giant.

'Sorry, Loki.'

In Riezel's eyes, a glint of cold determination flickered.

'I don't have much time.'

He immediately headed in the direction of Babel.

His goal was the dungeon.