As the sovereign power that ruled the West Continent, Camelot Empire was the focal point where players sought to seek opportunities.
The empire had a vast territory and encompassed numerous maps that contained low to high-level monsters, offering the players the perfect grinding spots to level up.
Other than the monster-populated maps, the empire boasted of the highest number of NPCs available, both hidden and public ones.
The quests these NPCs handed out bestowed good rewards, in both gold, experience points, items, and equipment, once completed.
Therefore, thousands of quests were given out and finished one after another. Opportunities were abundant for both the casual and hard-gamers.
At this moment, at the Imperial City of Camelot, dozens of people, both players and NPCs, could be seen flocking in and out of the Arena of Glory.
The Arena of Glory was considered 'heaven' amongst the PvP experts and battle maniacs.
Other than the glory and fame earned, one could also receive battle points after every challenge. Using these battle points, one could trade them for pieces of equipment and skill books!
Such a feature naturally delighted the players who simply sought for combat.
Expert gamers and real-life martial artists flocked inside the arena, intending to display their control and fighting skills for all to see.
There were numerous stages for both one-on-one battles and group battles, however, there was a platform that had a condensed number of audience that the other stages paled in comparison.
"God Lunatic is here!"
"What luck! I didn't expect that I'll be able to see him fighting this early in the game!"
"I heard he's been challenging anyone he sees in the capital, be they players or NPCs. He hasn't changed at all!"
"I know right? That war freak, same old same old."
"Eh? His opponent looks a bit familiar..."
"I reckon so as well, where have I seen him...?"
"Wait... a bald head, a physique similar to a bull's, and he's using an ax... what the, isn't that Morgan from Dragon Age?"
"Morgan...? Ah! That super strong baldy—ehem, I mean that super strong madman that slaughtered an entire guild by himself!"
"You're right, It's him. I only recognized him now that you've mentioned it."
"Wait, didn't he challenge God Lunatic in Dragon Age as well?"
"Yes, he did. It was live-streamed too so millions of people saw him getting beaten black and blue."
"Ahahahaha, I remember that too. Ah, good times."
At this moment, atop the platform made of mystical rocks and ores, two figures could be seen.
One was a bald-headed burly man that was donned in armor, holding a battle ax with both hands. He had a grim expression on his face as he stared at his opponent.
The other was an incredibly handsome figure clad in chainmail, dragging a giant sword behind him as he walked forward. His eyes were that of indifference as he looked at his enemy up and down.
A screeching sound could be heard from the friction between his sword and the floor, grating the ears of the burly man.
'Damn it, fighting this crazy guy this early, how unlucky!' the burly man thought in his heart as he saw the status window in his eyes. 'He even has a cool-sounding title at this stage of the game?!'
____________________
[STATUS]
Name: Handsome Lunatic
Title: [One who Challenges his Limits]
Level: 20
Class: Warrior
____________________
Level 20?! His level is nearly twice as mine...
With a forced smile on his face, he said. "Lunatic, It's been a long time since our last battle in Dragon Age. Your leveling speed is as impeccable as ever."
"Hm?" Handsome Lunatic looked at him with a confused expression before displaying a lazy smile. "And you are?"
The burly man's smile froze. A vein nearly popped out of his temple as his face turned fierce. "Arrogant as always. You haven't changed at all. It seems you've forgotten my face. I am Morgan, I had the same name in Dragon Age and we've battled before! It was so fierce that both of us had a hard time taking each other down!"
"I don't know you." Handsome Lunatic shook his head with a disinterested expression. "Don't be so offended. I don't remember anyone that doesn't pique my interest."
What an a*******
Incensed, Morgan's body trembled in rage from being looked down on. He didn't say anything further and immediately used [Charge].
His body tilted forward as he dashed with swift speed. He hung his arm back as he tightened his grip on his ax.
Staring at the rushing figure, Handsome Lunatic's lips turned into a mocking smirk.
He neither dodged out of the way nor used a defensive skill.
He clenched the hilt of his giant sword and swung from above.
The wind howled and the two weapons clashed.
Boom!
*****
At this moment, on the other side of the Imperial City, a crimson beam suddenly flashed from above, parting the clouds in the sky.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the red beam landed in front of a conspicuous tower.
Zhooooom!!
[You have arrived at Camelot Empire's Imperial City.]
[Your level has dropped to level 1.]
[Your stats have been reset.]
[You have unlocked the hidden stat 'Charisma'.]
[Charisma: Persuasive power. It affects the amount of influence one can apply to others. The higher the stat the higher the effect.]
[You have unlocked the hidden stat 'Charm'.]
[Charm: The power to attract other people, primarily those of the opposite sex. One becomes more attractive and charming. You will be favored by most people and sometimes even enchant them.]
[The active skill 'Skeleton Summoning' has been locked.]
[Recalling Abaddon now...]
[Due to a certain influence, the recall has failed.]
[Due to a certain influence and the skill being locked, you will no longer receive a portion of experience points from Abaddon's slain enemies.]
Sky, who was dizzy from the sudden teleportation, heard continuous system notifications.
However, before he could even regain his senses, a red beam, suddenly shone upon him from above.
Crimson energy encircled his whole body.
He could feel his armor being stripped away. It was a weird feeling.
Whoosh!
And then, in a few seconds, with a whooshing sound, the crimson energy dissipated.
[You have received: White Swordsman's Robe (Growth).]
"Whoa!" Sky looked down and suddenly saw his body clad in a long fitting white robe.
It looked similar to the one that Asura wore in the unknown space earlier.
'Comfy...' he thought as his skin made contact with the soft and silky robe.
Just as he was enjoying the pleasant feeling, a black light beamed from above, piercing his body.
?!
'What's going on?' Sky thought as he inspected his body.
The black light didn't deal any damage, however, the system notification that followed was even worse.
[Great Demon Ekress, who was sealed by Forsaken, has regained a portion of his powers after the sword's disappearance. Ekress' grudge towards Asura, which has spanned for thousands of years, has been transferred to you, Asura's successor.]
[You have been cursed by Ekress.]
[Experience points received will be halved until the curse is lifted.]
Sky sighed in bitterness. 'It can't be all good things, right? I easily obtained a super powerful weapon, of course, there'll be a catch.'
Just as he was thinking of that, he was surprised as he heard a familiar voice enter his ears.
It didn't seem to come from any direction, but instead just drifted in his mind, as if a voice transmission.
It was Asura.
[My successor, the White Swordsman's Robe is something I made myself during my free time, waiting for the one who will inherit my will. Consider it as my final gift.]
[Master your swordsmanship and display the glory of my, Asura's successor!]
[We shall meet again when the time comes. I will be watching you.]
Sky remained silent as he heard the words pass by his ears.
For a short while, he stared at the horizon with a serious face.
He then bowed 90* degrees towards the direction, showing his deep respect.
'We shall meet again very soon.' he said in his heart.
[Ding! A ★Hidden Quest★ has been triggered!]
[You cannot refuse the quest.]
____________________
[Hidden Quest - Asura's Successor]
Difficulty: ???
You have inherited the strongest swordsman's sword, Forsaken, and have become Asura's successor.
However, you still don't know who Asura is.
Who is Asura? It was said that he was the strongest human and swordsman to have ever lived, however, other than that, you don't know much.
Follow the legends of Asura. Find out his story, only then will you truly understand Asura and succeed his will.
At that moment, a new legend will be born.
• This quest has the chance to transform the world of Everlasting depending on the development.
• There is no time limit for this quest.
Quest Clear Conditions: Complete all linked quests.
First Chain Quest: Master Swordsmanship.
Second Chain Quest: Unseal the sword, Forsaken.
Third Chain Quest: ???
Quest Clear Reward: Unknown.
____________________
Sky read his first quest ever and read it very carefully.
'Indeed, I don't know much about Asura, other than him being the strongest.' he thought. 'I should find some time and look him up in the forums or read some books about him.'
Deciding that, he then checked the new equipment that he just received.
--------------------
[White Swordsman's Robe]
Rating: Rare (Growth)
Durability: 270/270
Defense: 300
• Agility +15
• Charm +15
• Slightly increases the growth proficiency and mastery of all sword-related skills.
Conditions of Use: Sky.
Cannot be dropped. Cannot be traded.
-------------------
Sky nodded in satisfaction.
'With this [White Swordsman's Robe], mastering sword mastery will be a bit easier now.'
He then finally checked his status window, which looked completely different now.
____________________
[STATUS]
Name: Sky
Level: 1
Class: None
Title(s): [One who Challenges his Limits]
* All stats +10
* Maximum Health +30%
World Reputation: 2,010
Health: 510/510
Mana: 205/205
• Strength: 11 (+30) • Vitality: 11 (+30)
• Agiltiy: 11 (+30) • Intelligence: 11 (+30)
• Dexterity: 11 (+30) • Fortitude: 75(+5)
• Comprehension: 27 • Luck: 15(+15)
• Fighting Spirit: 20 • Charisma: 0 (+50)
• Charm: 0 (+75)
Stat points: 190
-----
[Ekress' Curse: Experience points received are halved until the curse is lifted.]
-----
Skills:
[Intermediate Sword Mastery] (Lv. 5)
[Skeleton Summoning — Locked] (Lv. 2)
[Chop] (Lv. 2→3)
[Cooking] (Lv. 1)
____________________
"Wow." Sky was surprised. 'It's actually better than I thought. Way better than when I started in that undead map.'
After looking at his status window, he then glanced at his surroundings.
Other than the lofty tower that seemed to be made of stone behind him, the area was only composed of dilapidated and broken buildings, seemingly withered from the vicissitudes of time.
Of course, there were also other players in the vicinity, albeit a few, entering the large archway of the tower which seemed to be the entrance.
"Was I hallucinating just now? Please tell me that guy didn't just descend from the sky." said a random player.
"Also, what was the red light? It seemed that he was sent here through it?" questioned another person.
"Wow! Look at his cloth armor, that white robe looks so cool!"
"I know right? Should we ask him where he got that robe from?"
The players near Sky only saw the view of his back, since he was facing in the opposite direction of the stone tower.
At that moment, the players in the entrance saw him turn around.
And then, under their dumbfounded eyes, Sky's robe billowed as his flawless face was revealed.
Tap, tap, tap.
His figure was reflected in the eyes of the players as they watched him walk towards the archway in front of the stone tower.
A cool silky white robe, jet-black hair that fluttered with the wind, and a pair of golden eyes.
Under their dazed faces, that dashing figure entered the tower.
[Ding!]
[You have arrived at the Tower of Trials.]
[Built by the War God himself, the tower tests one's will, courage, and combat prowess.]
[Warrior, test yourself and surpass your limits.]
[Only the worthy shall be rewarded.]
[Do you wish to enter?]
Glancing at the notification windows that popped up, Sky didn't hesitate. "Yes."