Completing The Hellish Trial

 

 

"Mwah. Alright, don't overexert yourself, darling. Mwah, mwah." Natalia simply reminded her little darling to not exhaust himself while inside Rising Essence with a few intertwining of wet lips in between kisses as she lay Tongqiu on the bed. Ever since starting his training protocol a few days ago, he has been regaining a little bit more of his maximum energy and endurance every time.

His new gauntlets had the same previous appearance except for the pure white lines that traverse across the gauntlets as if they were Tongqiu's very own veins, making one feel dizzy from seeing them for the first time. Tongqiu instead felt they were even better than before. They no longer seemed to be 'suited' exactly for him but instead they were more like true extensions of his body as if he's been using them all his life, that close they have become to him, and important.

Tarn Diana also received some cute looking gauntlets which seemed to mimic to perfection a couple of hand wraps, the same kind she uses and makes Tongqiu use when training together. She smiled in adoration as she saw and received them, almost going for a kiss with Tongqiu which she stopped at the last second before she could let her body fall on him, as she then dashed away somewhat flustered. How cute.

Natalia received some extremely fascinating pair of crystalline obsidian-like pendants. They were obviously made from a brand new material discovered on this New Earth, if Tongqiu wasn't wrong, they were probably from a material that was discovered for around 6 years ago and had been in use since 1 or 2 years ago. Though it had only been used by the Crestfallen Industry for important purposes, he'd never had thought she'd receive such a gift... ah, someone is wingman-ing him from the Crestfallen Industry... Nora! He had to very 'appropriately' thank her next time they meet.

"I know, I know, prepare me a great dinner, being served by two glorious and expert cooks is really the best, he~!" The spoiled Tongqiu answered as he flashed a lewd grin before resting his head on the bed.

Once he saw Natalia leave while shaking her head in helplessness and then smiling kindly, he entered Rising Essence.

***

 

As expected, the very first thing that Tongqiu saw was the seemingly endless terrain of the first floor from the Mysterious Hidden Grounds, which he now recognized by such. It's been quite days since he started the Main Quest of 'Finding the Ancient' as he immediately checked the remaining time:

Time limit: [43/50].

'Phew~, it isn't too much, it's good. Ah, I haven't seen my little Irllytia in such a long time... mn, Tonkia seems to be busy, and fine, I'll get to it then.' Tongqiu was thinking as he confirmed Tonkia's status and current actions in the White Space, she had already gotten quite powerful, to the extent that her status window was merely her name, her relationship with Tongqiu and age, as everything else was [???]. Which wasn't there before, she obviously was advancing by leaps and bounds, and that made him, her man, proud.

Going back to the pressing matter at hand, Tongqiu knew what to do. He didn't know what the hell was happening in this place, but he knew he had to not only find 'The Ancient' but also to get the fuck out of this shitty place that is fucking all the way up this cursed system and its notifications... yes, he was still mad at it for not working properly. 

He opened his status window:

 

Character: Tongqiu

Race: Human — Innate Race Talents: Adaptability, Racial Reproductive Wonder, Warmonger — Race Ability: Union

Level: 28

Class: Evil Saint

Basic attributes: STR: 196, DEX: 196, LCK: 196, REC: 196, WIS: 196, INT: 196, DET: 196, Luck: 28, Charm: 28

Association: None, Money: 3,150, Fame: 67,510

HP: 5,950, MP: 7,380, Stamina: 7,480

Attack Power: 2,268, Magic Power: 3,444

Physical Defense: 710, Magical Defense: 710, HP Regeneration: 5, MP Regeneration: 15, Stamina Regeneration: 15

Hit Rate: 28%, Dodge Rate: 28%

Critical Hit Rate: 28%, Pierce  Rate: 28%, Critical Hit Damage: 14%

Attack Speed: 128%, Movement Speed: 128%

Core Elemental Resistance: Fire: 0%, Water: 0%, Earth: 0%, Wind: 0%, Lightning: 0%

AP: 0, SP: 34,809

Skills:

[Unparalleled Angle]: Skill: Passive, Trigger, MAX LV 20, LV: 10, SP needed for next LV: 1,536, cooldown: 0 seconds, cost: 25 mana and 50 stamina. Usually, to start an attack one needs to accumulate force, raw strength. Use this skill in the opportune moment to change the direction and angle of attack of your melee weapon without losing any strength, and with accurate precision. Costs 10 mana and 20 stamina. Additional Effect: When activated Physical Damage+9%. 

[Tongqiu's Rain Showdown]: Type: AOE Active Skill, MAX LV: 20, LV: 10, SP needed for next LV: 10,240. Cooldown: 8 seconds, cost: 10 MP, 10 Stamina. Range: 0-30 meters. With Tongqiu's weapon or weapons in use, point with it towards the sky to activate this skill to create from the sky an AOE rain of attacks with the shape of the weapon  or item in use (arrow, bolt, javelin) without stopping for 15 seconds. Creates around 18 of the weapon's shadows per second with damage equal to 180% of Tongqiu's Attack Power and Magic Power for each shadow.

[Combustion]: Type: Activate/Deactivate Skill, MAX LV: 10, LV: 7, SP needed for next LV: 6,400, cooldown: 0.3 seconds, cost: 200 MP and 200 Stamina. Once activated, all attacks (can explode at will) have an explosive effect to it from the user's essence type. It has an AOE of 5 meters melee, 17 meters ranged. This effect can be activated and deactivated in any moment and situation, and only attacking consumes MP and stamina. Damage dealt equals to 220% Magical Power as well as 220% Physical Power.

[Battle Frenzy]: Type: Passive Skill, MAX LV: 10, LV: 9, SP needed for next LV: 25,600, effect: every critical or pierce attack adds 1 stack while every critical and pierce attack adds 3 stacks; dodging an ability or attack adds 1 stack. Once in battle, the longer you keep on fighting and destroying your enemy, the more stacks you'll accumulate. Each 10 stacks grants the user physical and magical power+240. Cap of 190 stacks.

[Low-level Rising Essence!]: Type: Ultimate Skill, MAX LV: 3, LV: 0, SP needed for next LV: 100,000, cost: all your essence stored without affecting your stolen essence contributing towards your main stat. Use this skill to first create an impossible to dodge, block or negate burst of essence that dries completely the user's essence. Damage equal to that of 15,000% Physical and Magical Power. This is not even the complete version (LV0).

Equipment:

x2 [Sunfacing Brilliant Gladius]: Type: One-Handed Dual Sword, Grade: Magical(Violet), Equipment Requirements: Tongqiu, Attributes: Physical Attack+156, STR+32, REC+17, LCK+6. Able to evolve to the next grade. However the required materials and skill capable to do it are extremely demanding.

[Tempered Chestplate]: Type Upper Garment, Grade: Powerful(Dark Blue, Equipment Requirements: LV 6 or higher, Attributes: Physical Defense+62, REC+13, DET+5.

[Demoniacal Defenders]: Type: Lower Garment, Grade: Powerful, Equipment Requirements: LV25, Attributes: Physical Defense+128, REC+24, WIS+12.

[Durable Iron Boots]: Type: Shoe Garment, Grade: Powerful(Dark Blue), Equipment Requirements: LV5, Attributes: Physical Defense+32, DEX+12, DET+4.

[Sorrowful Glorious Crown]: Type: Helmet, Grade: Powerful, Equipment Requirements: True Wish relic's acknowledgement. Attributes: Mind Power +1, INT+24, Effect:MP and Stamina Regeneration+15. Main Quest reward, cannot be dropped, cannot be traded, cannot be discarded. It is capable of evolving with its user.

[Bloodstained Iron Armguard]: Type: Armguard, Grade: Powerful(Dark Blue), Equipment Requirements: LV5, Attributes: Physical Defense +24, DEX+11, STR+3.

And Tongqiu, seeing how he had enough SP to upgrade his skill Battle Frenzy to max level, didn't even flinched as in hesitation as he straight away upgraded it. Now having only 9,209 SP, he levelled his skill Combustion as well.

[Battle Frenzy]: Type: Passive Skill, MAX LV: 10, LV: 10, SP needed for next LV: MAX, effect: every critical or pierce attack adds 1 stack while every critical and pierce attack adds 3 stacks; dodging an ability or attack adds 1 stack. Once in battle, the longer you keep on fighting and destroying your enemy, the more stacks you'll accumulate. Each 10 stacks grants the user physical and magical power+300. Cap of 200 stacks.

[Combustion]: Type: Activate/Deactivate Skill, MAX LV: 10, LV: 8, SP needed for next LV: 12,800, cooldown: 0.25 seconds, cost: 250MP and 250 Stamina. Once activated, all attacks (can explode at will) have an explosive effect to it from the user's essence type. It has an AOE of 6 meters melee, 18 meters ranged. This effect can be activated and deactivated in any moment and situation, and only attacking consumes MP and stamina. Damage dealt equals to 230% Magical Power as well as 230% Physical Power.

Leaving him with a measly amount of 2,809 SP.

'The weird thing here was how his fame kept on increasing yet seemed to be useless, it better start being useful at anything at all, or else.'

Tongqiu of course, didn't know that the higher one's Fame was, the better treatment from all NPCs, even to that of other Regions! The difference in treatment wasn't merely more or better quests as well as rewards, but it was also about great discounts when buying anything and even being able to buy things one didn't had the requirements to buy for. It was really an advantageous kind of stat, even more than charm was, at least for now, who knows if charm can actually be... quite 'fun' in the future.

Uncaring about such, Tongqiu went towards the nearest Fallen Summoner, intending to put his new gauntlets to the test. Or himself.

'Oh, let's see about my Mind Power.' Then Tongqiu closed his eyes for a few minutes before the notification he was waiting for finally appeared.

*PING*... your stat Mental Power: 350.

'Alright, let's begin.'

As he arrived before the nearest Fallen Summoner, he said towards it: "Hey, I don't know what your deal around here is nor can I do anything about it, let's just start fighting, yes? I still have to go and get pampered by beauties at home, so let's not make it a big deal... oh right, you may be taken hostage or something once I end you, sorry for that."

*PING* ... a Fallen Summoner has used up 10% of its mana to summon its undying Fallen Summons.

"Ah, not even responding eh? And I thought I was being rude, meh, let's just get this over with." Then, Tongqiu merely gave the Fallen Summoner a less than half a second look before drawing a distance between 15 meters from the now summoning Fallen Summoner.

[Confused Fallen Summoner]: Type: Fallen (Human), Grade: Lord, Level: 42, HP: 1/1. It is unknown how or why this previously extremely strong summoner abandoned its path for. But their mana is the only lasting living characteristic of themselves. It uses all of its mana to create an impenetrable shield, should the Fallen Summoner spend all its remaining mana pool, it'll be defenseless to an easy death.

Passive Skill: When its Fallen Summoned target someone, their enemy's speed and attack speed slows a 45% until the Fallen Summoned Die.

'Hmm, not everyone, no- they are all different... are they named BOSSes?' Thought Tongqiu as he studied them a little, well maybe he gained quite the interest in them ever since he saw that shadowy hand descend from the sky, or rather, roof...

Then, he glared at the nearest Fallen Summoned to see through its stats:

[Flying Forest Serpent]: Type: Fallen Summon (beast), Grade: Lord, Level: 42, HP: 120,000. Common between the higher ranks of summons from the old Main Kingdom. Their excellency at strong attack not too fast nor slow and ability to fly even mounted is what made them become one of the most easily ways of recognizing a high-end Summoner. This Summoner appears to be at a perpetual slow state in which even its movements have been altered to be quite without a purpose and always goes on circles, it never stops to rest or changes its routes, always staying in the same area but taking different methods to traverse it. It's as if it died without even knowing how or why, it died in the middle of its last battle without a clear reason.

'Their summons... seems to be somewhat identical to that of the Nameless one. Maybe they are all at the same level power. Might as well.' Tongqiu was still interested by whatever happenings were hidden in this mysterious place as he began aiming with his instantly formed bow and arrow.

. . .

*PING*... a Fallen Summoner has sacrificed 10 of its total mana pool to liberate a Fallen Summoned of its Fallen destiny. It has recuperated a slim percentage of its true power and has gained intelligence once again. However, it'll die after an hour.

*PING*... the Fallen Summoned 'Draconic Royal Serpent' has been reanimated for a short time, evolution of its grade has been granted.

 

*PING*... you've successfully killed an Enlightened...

*PING*... you've successfully killed an Enlightened...

*PING*... you've successfully killed an Enlightened...

 

*PING*... the Lord grade BOSS Confused Fallen Summoner has been depleted of its entire mana pool. It's trying to escape!

 

*PING*... - ... - ... Confused Fallen Summoner has been successfully slayed. SP+10,000 and Fame+10,000.

*PING*... the floor's progress has been updated. Objectives: [Kill Fallen Summoners: 2/15].

. . .

Huff, huff... kah- huff, huff. 

This one was obviously much more tiresome than the previous Nameless Fallen Summoner. It may not seem like much problem, only having 45% total movement and attack/action speed slowing, but it does get really awful when he got to the part where he had to deal with the Enlightened grade versions of those bosses. At least the Confused Fallen Summoner didn't had an extra killing move or something.

'Next.' Tongqiu started to have a kind of feeling, and it made him really angry.

'To use others... for your benefit, huff... fuckers.' He wasn't talking about himself being played at by whatever was behind this place, it was instead directed because of his sudden comprehension, these guys were being used -even in their Fallen form- for a purpose.

As for what purpose? What else could it be but finding the Ancient? He didn't like how things were developing, the system wouldn't make him tryhard for something not necessary, fake or evil. Or else the game would've been classified as shit long ago. So the only thing to highlight here was the fact that his doings here would affect Main Kingdom, in other words, the game depending on how the result of the quest ended.

If he failed, probably a huge event would befall throughout the entire Main Kingdom. He inferred it'll probably go to catastrophic and bloody ordeals before it ended. 

If he succeeded, it'll either be nothing or simply an announcement for himself only in congratulation, according to his inferring that is.

He considered letting go of such a bothersome quest, after all, it was barely the first floor! Who knew how many there left? 50? 10? No idea! But, of course, he considered that 'quitting' such a quest would be him waiting the forty-three long days in such a lifeless place, while completing it was an unknown amount of time but possibly less and much more tiring; it required hard work. But then, in Tongqiu's mind, Natalia's beautiful image appeared. Her benevolence inundated his entire being as he unhesitatingly opted on saving the people of Main Kingdom, after all since he was a guest he should at the very least respect it a little, no?

'Ah, for my dear little Naty it is.' And so, as Tongqiu once again saw that shadowy hand ruthlessly strip the Confused Fallen Summoner with one of his arrows on its chest of its life, as it then proceeded to leave and for Tongqiu to hear once again those exceptionally fearful lightning strikes in the long, long distance; before he then turned around for the next upcoming Fallen Summoner, now more weary than ever after experiencing the 'Confused' one special passive skill.

After arriving to his next soon to be 'released' victim, Tongqiu right away glance at it for its stats:

[Lonely Fallen Summoner]: Type: Fallen (Human), Grade: Lord, Level: 42, HP: 1/1. It is unknown how or why this previously extremely strong summoner abandoned its path for. But their mana is the only lasting living characteristic of themselves. It uses all of its mana to create an impenetrable shield, should the Fallen Summoner spend all its remaining mana pool, it'll be defenseless to an easy death. It seems like this Fallen is completely isolated from the others, whether by a cruel reason, by being entranced in the enigma of its current state or simply lost even the ability to understand 'company' when transitioning as a Fallen that has had made this particular Fallen to stand out quite the lot. It may have had died last in its last battle, after having losing all its companions and confronting its enemy all alone, as its friends and probably family have already left before him with a brilliant smile as they looked at itself. The most powerful beings need to prevent loneliness from becoming a weapon that can be used as both a weapon for oneself or a weapon against oneself.

Passive Skill: In an circular area of 400 meters with the Lonely Fallen Summoned as the center. Whenever a Fallen Summoned attacks its target alone, Physical and Magical Power+150% Physical and Magical Defense+2,500 and total Movement and Attack/Action Speed+50%. 

*PING* ... a Fallen Summoner has used up 10% of its mana to summon its undying Fallen Summons.

[Omega Wolf]: Type: Fallen Summon (Beast), Grade: Lord, Level: 40, HP: 120,000. A Wolf species Summon that was one of the iconic characteristics to recognize the strongest clan of Summoners in the entire Universe, which comes from Main Kingdom, or at least it was so in the pas. So much time has passed and such information is nowhere to find in any library for as ancient as it is, maybe there are hidden records across Main Kingdom waiting to be found so that true information can be spread again! This is an extremely unique species wolf who requirements to be given the status of 'Omega' is to have had lost its pack without a care from how strong it is or has been left behind to be eaten by other predators but instead of having a miserable, short and easy death, managed to become stronger than any of its own previous pack could ever be. They are stoic to an unbelievable degree, but their loyalty had always been their main point of recognition. These Omega Wolfs were the type of Summoned to be the most loyal and to unconditionally die for their beloved Master across the Universe, their species also originate from Main Kingdom though it seems to have their information or existence, as lost as the clan that used to take them in long, long ago.

'Yeah, no shit. There is something about all this... the beginning introduction, the unremarkable religion-less lands... it's too obvious!' Frowning in a bit of annoyed discoveries,  Tongqiu started 'liberating' these poor fellows. He was already tired and just wanted to finish these guys off before heading out of the game, he should be able to cope with it.

He aimed its bow and 'honorably' fought this supposedly great Summoner for a first in his entire gaming through Rising Essence.

-5,067, -4,908, -5,049, -5,011, -6,220, -13,754, -5,071...

. . .

*PING*... a Fallen Summoner has sacrificed 10 of its total mana pool to liberate a Fallen Summoned of its Fallen destiny. It has recuperated a slim percentage of its true power and has gained intelligence once again. However, it'll die after an hour.

*PING*... the Fallen Summoned 'Forlorn Wolf Emperor' has been reanimated for a short time, evolution of its grade has been granted.

 

*PING*... you've successfully killed an Enlightened...

*PING*... you've successfully killed an Enlightened...

*PING*... you've successfully killed an Enlightened...

 

*PING*... the Lord grade BOSS Lonely Fallen Summoner has been depleted of its entire mana pool. It's trying to escape!

 

*PING*... - ... - ... Lonely Fallen Summoner has been successfully slayed. SP+10,000 and Fame+10,000.

*PING*... the floor's progress has been updated. Objectives: [Kill Fallen Summoners: 3/15].

. . .

*PING*... you've levelled up, now LV29, HP+50, MP+50, Stamina+50. All main basic attributes stats and other stats have been raised correspondingly to your class.

'HUFF, HUFF, HUFF... okay I'm out.' Cough, cough, cough! Tongqiu started to feel the need to cough, even inside a game, from exhaustion once again. This damned Fallen Summoner really put him on a tough spot.

Every single fucking idiotic yet so badass of a Fallen Summoned attacked him one by one. It not only made it harder at the Lord grade phase, but once at the Enlightened grade phase, they all practically make him miss any attack that wasn't from his bow, the enormous difference between his essential weaponry and that of some mere Magical grade dual gladius swords, was way too obvious.

If some other player, or even powerful NPC were to hear his thoughts... who the fuck even fights off multiple Enlightened BOSSes non-stop like him? This bitch is hella crazy!

And it's the truth, his actions were totally incomprehensible but at the same time, Tongqiu himself felt that these kind of 'tasks' were really something he was to handle... 

In any case, he had now advanced to LV29, he wondered how many had gotten close to his level but didn't even bother to check it up in the Leaderboards so he didn't noticed how people were still even below LV25... anyways, he himself was already increasingly close to LV30 right now after killing so many LV10+ BOSSes at the Enlightened grade.

Sigh.

Tongqiu directly disconnected from Rising Essence after hearing out the fear-inducing lightning strikes in the long, long distance for the third time.

 

...