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章節 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.


章節 4: A Destructive Might, A Ballsy Move

Kieran relaxed his shoulders as the presence surrounding him dissipated.

"I accept," he resolutely answered.

It would be foolish to back down now after reaching this point, plus there was the temptation of the unknown prize.

The allure of a Unique Quest alone was too much to pass up.

"Good. I appreciate when young warriors exhibit overflowing vim and vigor. I just hope you have the tenacity to back up your claims. There's nothing more disappointing than when a man fails to honor their word with results," Scar's expression grew complex, seeming partly displeased and partly impressed.

"Trust me; I intend to realize what I have said."

"Very well," Scar crossed his arms with a leisurely demeanor. "I'll give you 30 seconds to prepare yourself whether it is mentally, physically, or emotionally. After 30 seconds... I will come at you."

Kieran could sense the severity in Scar's last words, which made a cold sweat seep down his back.

'Come at me? He isn't joking at all. But, that begs the question: how will he come at me?'

Kieran took the time granted to analyze Scar's posture. However, this gave Kieran zero answers. 'Is it a fight? What is it... what could this bonus test possibly be?!'

Kieran racked his mind trying to find an answer, but Scar's deep voice sounded, interrupting his thoughts.

"30 seconds have passed. We will now begin."

Scar extended his hand while staring directly at Kieran.

A serrated greatsword at least 2 meters in length appeared before him. It was abyss black in color with pure white etchings along the serrated edge. Rings with strange symbols dangled from the blade's hilt as Scar pointed it at Kieran.

However, Kieran's pupils constricted to the size of needles as he froze on the spot. He recalled a piece of information from his past: If Scar ever wields a weapon, run. Only destruction and chaos are meant to ensue.

'How perverse of this guy. Isn't this somewhat cheating?' Kieran inwardly groaned.

Though Kieran didn't display any visible panic, he did reveal a deepening frown simply because of the item in Scar's hand.  The sword in Scar's grasp gave off a pressure only Legendary Weapons could exude.

Only a handful of people could nonchalantly retrieve such a ridiculous weapon.

All of a sudden, the weapon in Scar's hand blazed with a destructive might that filled the room with a suffocating presence. "I'll give you one last chance to reconsider. Do we go through with this, or do you give up here and now?"

Kieran felt like Scar's words and actions were testing him. What if there was no additional part of the test? What if it were all an elaborate ruse to test his resolve?

Thus, Kieran exhaled and cleared his doubts. "We go forward!"

"Ah-! Sweet music to my ears," Scar grinned menacingly and walked closer to Kieran with slow, measured steps that increased Kieran's anxiety with each passing step.

'What fearsome pressure tactics...'

Kieran understood Scar's actions were meant to invoke fear and uncertainty in him. 

Scar lowered the blade until its edge rested a few centimeters above the floor. As his arm relaxed, the suffocating pressure was reined in, ultimately leading it to spiral the large blade. 

"One strike. That's all I'll perform," Scar voiced.

While he spoke, a tyrannical might gushed toward Kieran's body, making him cover his face with his hand.

Three seconds after this happened, Scar teleported before Kieran and raised his weapon high above his head.

In Kieran's eyes, Scar's weapon took an eternity to descend.

While the blade continued to drop excruciatingly slow, Kieran's mind raced, circulating information at a rate that shouldn't be humanly possible.

'This attack is definitely made to kill those who challenge this unique quest, but it's not so dreadful that it possesses no way out. I simply need to awe Scar and based on what I know about him...'

Kieran exhaled before deciding to act somewhat foolishly.

The blade continued to fall, but something unexpected occurred. Kieran neither froze nor retreated in the face of this pressure, instead, he stepped toward the downward cleave.

Scar's lip curved slightly. 'What a damned ballsy little fellow..."

Suddenly, Scar moved his hand and veered the blade's path.

Boom!

The entire floor shattered as if hit by a cataclysmic attack.

However, the runes beyond the supporting pillars shone with a mystical light that quickly repaired the damage, and within seconds, it appeared as if the floor hadn't been destroyed at all.

"I commend your courage. But, I also can't tell if it's foolish negligence. Still, you have passed my test. You didn't avert your gaze or flinch despite the danger. Had you retreated, I would have killed you on the spot," Scar said before extending his hand to Kieran.

A small vial appeared in his palm with a red liquid swirling inside. "Drink this and recover the vitality you've lost."

As for the vial in his hand, it was a Beginner Health Potion that recovered up to 150 Health over the span of 6 seconds. It would be an invaluable item if not for the fact it had a 15-second consumption cooldown.

Kieran chugged the potion and immediately felt the effects.

While he stared at Scar, a few notifications appeared.

〈System: Congratulations, you have cleared the quest «Scar's Unique Test»!〉

〈System: You have received the «Warrior Class»!〉

〈System: You have received a «Unique Warrior Package»!〉

〈System: Your favorability with Scar has increased by 20 points!〉

〈System: You have gained 100 EXP.〉

〈System: You have leveled up! [Lv.1 → Lv.2]〉

〈System: You have received 5 Unassigned Attribute Points and 2 Skill Points.〉

Out of his many rewards, only the Unique Warrior Package interested him.

In this case, the term unique didn't allude to the presence of a Unique Item, it merely indicated that once it was obtained, no other Warrior could receive it. Though, it didn't relate to the Unique Starter Packages of the other 6 basic classes.

「Unique Warrior Package (Consumable)

Item Rank: Unique

Item Level: 1

Description: A special package designed to better assist one Warrior of worthy potential. 

Opening this item rewards the following:

- 18 to 25 Unassigned Attribute Points

- 10 to 15 Skill Points

- Uncommon Beginner Weapon and Armor Selection Package

- «Force Slash», «Savage Break» & «Warrior's Aura»

- 1 to 5 Silver Coins

- Beginner Consumables (50) 」

Kieran grinned from ear to ear as he read through the contents of the package.

The package was simply a godsend for a new player since it covered all bases. As long as he managed his belongings well, these consumables should be enough to last him until he migrated to a proper city.

Afterward, Kieran opened the package without hesitation.

「You have received the following:

– 23 Unassigned Attribute Points

- 12 Skills Points

- 3 Silver Coins, 50 Copper Coins

- «Force Slash»

- «Savage Break»

- «Warrior's Aura»

- 25 Beginner Health Potions

- 25 Beginner Mana Potions 」

The Warrior Class was a class with a Heavy Armor Mastery, so Kieran naturally chose that and a greatsword for his armor and weapon choice.

They were only Uncommon Items to be equipped at Lv.1, so their advantages were minimal at best, but better than nothing.

The armor possessed a basic slender design that wasn't too restrictive. The joints were made using durable leather, so Kieran liked the fit.

Afterward, Kieran shifted his attention to the three unique skills that no other Warrior could possess. It was an advantage exclusive to the Unique Warrior Package.

「Force Slash (Lv.1)

Skill Rank: E Rank Active

Mastery (00.00%)

Skill Description: Deals 145% of the user's Attack Power by focusing their Strength into their arm and unleashing a strike powerful enough to produce a wave of force.

Consumption: 1 Mana Point

Prerequisites: Warrior Class, «Warrior's Aura»

Cooldown: 14 seconds 」

「Savage Break (Lv.1)

Skill Rank: D Rank Active

Mastery (00.00%)

Skill Description: Unleashes a decisive blow of destruction that deals 190% of the user's Attack Power and can trigger a Defense Break effect, lowering the enemy's defense by 15% for 3 seconds.

Consumption: 2 Mana Points

Prerequisites: Warrior Class, «Warrior's Aura»

Cooldown: 45 seconds 」

「Warrior's Aura (Lv.1)

Skill Rank: D Rank Active

Mastery (00.00%)

Skill Description: Manifests the aura of a Warrior by stimulating their tenacious will. While this skill is active, the user's attack damage increases by 10%.

Consumption: 1 Mana Point per 5 seconds

Prerequisites: Warrior Class

Cooldown: 60 seconds (Only begins after deactivation of the skill.) 」

Overall, Kieran was pleased by the state of his character. Just the fact that he received two D-Rank skills left him satisfied.

After all, the skills in Zenith Online ranged from F to SSS. F Rank skills were extremely basic skills given to each player upon succeeding in their Class Bestowal. SSS Rank, on the other hand, bestowed unthinkable power.

"Don't tell me this inconsequential sliver of power is enough to render you speechless. If so, I'm disappointed," Scar said with a light scoff. He didn't understand that Kieran was simply taking the time to access his skills and understand how to use them.

"Of course not, not at all," Kieran muttered while clearing his throat.

Even so, Scar revealed a skeptical expression. "Whatever. Your current condition is far too weak, so go out and do warrior things. Shoo."

Ding!

〈System: You have received a quest. Do you wish to accept? [ Y | N ]〉

「 A Warrior's Duty (Normal Quest)

Quest Difficulty: E

Recommended Level: 1-3

Objectives: Now that you've been given the Warrior Class, you need to reinforce Scar's view of your current caliber.

- Kill 25 Lv.2 or higher monsters. 0/25

Reward:

- 500 EXP

- +30 favorability with Warrior Class Mentor, Scar

Failure:

- Increased difficulty when trying to acquire Scar's favorability

- -40 favorability with Scar (Drops below Neutral.)

Time Limit: 12 hours

Note: This quest must be performed solo or with another Warrior possessing a similar quest. 」

'An E rank Quest, huh? I suppose the more difficult quests shouldn't be readily available so early on,' Kieran thought to himself.

Naturally, he accepted the quest as it was a decent source of EXP.

Not long after, Kieran left the area in a completely different state than when he entered the Class Hall. 'Fanged Forest, that'll have to do for now. Anything else will be outside of my capabilities.'


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ApexPen ApexPen

Make sure to point out any spelling, grammar, or numbers/information errors.

I'll see to it that they are rectified in a timely manner.

Thank you for reading <3.

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