Chapter 23: BREAK THOUGHT
The final showdown in the bronze league culminated with a thunderous clash, and emerging victorious from the fray was none other than the enigmatic "DAMON DARKBORNE."
Damon's Chamber
[SIDE QUEST: (SHOWCASE OF TRUE STRENGTH)]
{OBJECTIVE: EMERGE VICTORIOUS IN THE FINAL EVENT}
{DIFFICULTY: A}
{STATUS: COMPLETE}
{REWARD: MAIN QUEST COMPLETION, EXPERIENCE POINTS: +40}
{CONGRATULATIONS!! HOST FOR COMPLETING THE SIDE QUEST}
{REWARD: EXP(+40), MAIN QUEST COMPLETED.}
...
[MAIN QUEST: (JOURNEY OF THE STRONGEST)]
{OBJECTIVE: ASCEND THE LEVEL OF SKILL "WAY OF THE SWORD" TO "SWORD PATH"}
{PROGRESS: 100%}
{DIFFICULTY: C+}
{STATUS: COMPLETE}
{REWARD: SWORD PATH, STRENGTH(+2), STAMINA(+3)}
{CONGRATULATIONS!! HOST FOR COMPLETING THE MAIN QUEST}
{REWARD: STRENGTH(+2), STAMINA(+3), SKILL SWORD PATH}
{CONGRATULATIONS!! HOST FOR UPGRADING THE SKILL "THE WAY OF THE SWORD" (LEVEL:1) TO "SWORD PATH" (LEVEL:3). HOST'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE SKILL HAS ASCENDED}
{EXPERIENCE POINTS: +115}
{STRENGTH: +12}
{STAMINA: +11}
{LEVEL: +11}
{HOST IS NOW PREPARED TO BREAK THROUGH FROM BRONZE LEVEL TO SILVER LEVEL}
{DOES HOST WISH TO RAISE HIS LEVEL}
{YES/NO}
As Jack lounged in his chamber, basking in the aftermath of his recent triumph, a myriad of messages inundated his consciousness. Sylvana's directive to rest echoed in his mind, urging him to claim his reward once fully rejuvenated.
Hmmm... Ascending to the silver ranks seems like the logical next step. After all, I'm not going anywhere today," Jack mused, his determination firm.
"Yes..."
{HOST HAS ELECTED TO ADVANCE HIS RANK.}
{RAISING HOST RANK FROM BRONZE TO SILVER. (PROGRESS: 0%).}
{TO ENSURE THE HOST'S SAFETY DURING THE SUDDEN ASCENSION IN RANK, THE SYSTEM WILL TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN THE HOST'S MIND.}
{SHUTDOWN IN 3...2...1..0}
"Wait, shut down? What do you mean—" Jack's protest was cut short as consciousness slipped away, plunging him into a realm of oblivion.
{PROGRESS: 0...1...2...3....}
{DURATION: 1 HOUR, 10 MINUTES, 20 SECONDS.}
...
"What occurred during match number 50..."
In a dimly lit chamber, a young woman knelt before a shadowy figure shrouded in mystery, his visage concealed beneath a mask.
"Forgive me, teacher. During the bout, despite my best efforts, he evaded my assaults with ease, then closed the gap in an instant, catching me off guard," the woman confessed, her voice laced with chagrin.
"Number 50, I had faith in your prowess, but it seems my trust may have been misplaced. You must return to the guild at once and redouble your training... If vengeance is what you seek, you must become stronger, number 50," the figure intoned gravely.
"Yes, sir..." the vampire girl replied, rising to her feet, her gaze fixed downward. Clenched fists bore witness to the intensity of her resolve, crimson droplets staining her palm as her nails dug deep.
"I will have my revenge, DAMON DARKBORNE..." her silent vow echoed in the chamber as she departed, a specter of determination haunting her every step.
...
Damon's Chamber
"Aaaa..."
"Gah, my head feels like it's splitting open... aaaaaa"
As consciousness slowly trickled back into Jack's awareness, he found himself reclining within the confines of his chamber.
Ting...
{CONGRATULATIONS!! HOST FOR ADVANCING TO SILVER RANK....}
{MAGIC: SILVER}
{PHYSICAL: SILVER}
{ALL HOST STATS INCREASED BY +5, WITH HP AND DM GAINING +50...}
{BLOCK POINTS: +100}
{HOST HAS UNLOCKED WATER ELEMENT.}
{HOST HAS UNLOCKED SHOP OPTION.}
{HOST HAS UNLOCKED SHOP POINTS.}
{HOST HAS UNLOCKED SKILL "LIE DETECTION" (LEVEL 1)}
{HOST'S SKILL LEVEL HAS INCREASED...}
"Aha, so I've ascended to the silver ranks..."
'System, display status window...'
{NAME: DAMON DARKBORNE}
{AGE: 21}
{RACE: DEMON (ROYAL)}
{LEVEL: 11}
{OCCUPATION: NONE}
{TITLE: DEMON KING (UNOFFICIAL)}
{MAGIC LEVEL: SILVER} (+)
{PHYSICAL LEVEL: SILVER} (+)
{HP: 220/220}
{DM: 210/210}
{BLOCK POINTS: +100}
{STRENGTH: +17}
{SPEED: +13}
{STAMINA: +16}
{EXP: +100}
{INT: +10}
{SKILL: SWORD PATH (LEVEL 04), EYES OF UNCERTAINTY (LEVEL 02), LIE DETECTION (LEVEL 01)}
"Mmm, yes... I've become significantly stronger now, much stronger than before..."
"Well, well... new opportunities abound, with fresh skills and elevated status levels..."
"Hold on, what's this about shop options? Let's delve deeper into this intriguing development..."
{SHOP - SKILLS, POINTS, ABILITIES, BLESSINGS, POTIONS, KNOWLEDGE}
"Hmm... Skills and potions are straightforward, but what of the others...?"
Intrigued, Jack tapped into the "Points" option.
{POINT: 1. BLOCK POINTS. 2. EXPERIENCE POINTS. 3. STATUS POINTS. 4. SKILL POINTS. 5. ABILITY POINTS. 6. BLESSING POINTS.}
{NOTE: HOST CAN CONVERT SYSTEM POINTS INTO ANY OF THE ABOVE SIX.}
{SHOP POINT: 10}
"Ah, intriguing... So I can bolster my resources by converting system points? And with ten points to spare, let's see what's available..."
Jack's gaze flitted across the array of choices, settling on the "Block Points" option.
{BLOCK POINTS - 30 SP, EXPERIENCE POINTS - 50 SP, STATUS POINTS - 40 SP, SKILL POINTS - 70 SP, ABILITY POINTS - 80 SP, BLESSING POINTS - 100 SP.}
"Hmm, these prices are rather steep... Perhaps I won't be purchasing just yet..."
"And what of these blessings, with their exorbitant prices? Let's explore this further..."
"Blessings - Strength, Speed, Stamina, Intelligence, Abilities, Skills, Affinity, Mana..."
Jack's eyes widened with intrigue as he delved into the possibilities each blessing held, pressing the "Strength" button to reveal a cascade of tantalizing options before him.
{BLESSING OF GODDESS RIMATA: (POINTS NEEDED - 500 BP)}
{BLESSING OF UNDEAD GENERAL REX: (POINTS NEEDED - 800 BP)}
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
{BLESSING OF MYTHICAL BEAST KAPPA (POINTS NEEDED - 10,000 BP)}
"By the realms, I can purchase blessings from deities, undead generals, mythical creatures, and more!" Jack exclaimed, his excitement palpable. "Each offering its own unique boon, and the costlier the blessing, the greater the enhancement it bestows upon my skills. But... it appears even I may not be ready to harness the full might of some of these blessings."
Eager to explore further, Jack continued to peruse his newfound options, but then...
"Ah, but how shall I amass these shop points?" Jack mused, his curiosity piqued.
Ting...
A faint yet unmistakable sound reverberated in Jack's mind, heralding the arrival of a crimson interface shimmering before him.
[SUB QUEST: (THE EXTERMINATOR)]
{OBJECTIVE: ERADICATE MONSTERS}
{DURATION: INDEFINITE}
{DIFFICULTY: UNKNOWN}
{REWARD: SHOP POINTS}
{NOTE: THIS QUEST IS REPEATABLE, ALLOWING THE HOST TO EMBARK ON IT AS OFTEN AS DESIRED.}
{REQUIREMENTS: BRONZE MONSTERS (15) - 1 SHOP POINT, SILVER MONSTERS (10) - 5 SHOP POINTS, GOLD RANK (5) - 10 SHOP POINTS, STAR RANK (2) - 20 SHOP POINTS, DIAMOND STAR RANK MONSTERS - 30 SHOP POINTS, ETHEREAL STAR - 50 SHOP POINTS, OBSIDIAN STAR - 100 SHOP POINTS, SUPREME STAR - 200 SHOP POINTS.}
A grin spread across Jack's face as he contemplated the quest's potential. "Aha! An opportunity to earn shop points through monster hunting! This shall prove to be an exhilarating endeavor indeed!"
"Hmmmm..." Jack read out the REQUIREMENTS, and said.
"So, the weaker the monster, the more I'll need to hunt to rack up points, but they offer lower rewards. Conversely, stronger beasts yield greater rewards for fewer kills. High risk, high return... intriguing," Jack mused, his mind buzzing with possibilities.
"A strategic approach is key," he continued, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes. "For now, I'll start small and work my way up. But mark my words, as I grow stronger, I'll be taking down the mightiest of monsters with ease."
A smirk played at the corners of Jack's lips as he contemplated the thrill of the hunt. "Hehehe... It's all part of the adventure," he chuckled softly.
"Time to pay a visit to the monster continent ETHERNOKS," Jack declared, excitement coursing through his veins as he prepared to embark on his next quest for glory.
...
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone