Back in Crescent Wake Town...
A trio stood together at the entrance of the town, however, one seemed extremely focused as if what he was looking at would forever change his perspective. That was Practice, currently analyzing and digesting the training video Kaiden sent him.
Standing next to the focused fellow, was Kaiden accompanied by his lovely NPC sweetheart, Latahhya. At the same time, a group of 6 people was currently closing in on the trio's position. This was Intact, Symbolic Soul, MagicsSlave, Hollow Stance, Gentle Whisper, and Despotic Shadow.
Currently, within the group Intact, Hollow Stance and MagicsSlaves was rambunctiously laughing, so much so that Gentle Whisper, Symbolic Soul along with the proximate crowd were shaking their heads. In due time, Hollow spotted Kaiden.
"Hahaha! It's Key...oh wh-what...Who's that. OH, MAGICS YOU WERE RIGHT! He was out the fondling with those NPCs, what a gentleman.", roared Hollow.
"I know right! Haha, Guild Leader is the bomb! Look at the NPC's figure. Oh, the thing's I'll do to get something like that should be illegal. Hah-...Oof.", roaring back MagicsSlave was cut short as Gentle Whisper's staff found it's way to his head.
In a now irritable mood, Gentle Whisper glared at the pair. "Shut UP! You two never shut up, god I wish I could just drown you two in some type of river, you are ridiculous!" growled the enraged tigress.
However, Kaiden stepped in and mediated in a reasonable manner. "Oh? Well, what do we have here? Once again at each other neck's? That can't be any good."
Unfortunately, Gentle Whisper's expression further soured as she walked past Kaiden. He was the reason for her irritable mood and so she found it sound to ignore him. Of course, not without glaring at the endearing Latahhya as she passed.
Sensing hostility, Latahhya almost reacted instinctually but, Kaiden stopped her, placing his hand on her torso and shaking his head.
"Go to the Adventurer Consortium to receive a class. I'll see you in a bit.", instructed Kaiden as he smiled at his guild members.
At this point, they interacted for a brief pried while Gentle Whisper stood in the distance pouting, her eyebrows scrunched, eyes burning with indignance as she bit her lip in vexation. "He's...he's not even paying attention to me...yet he asks me to devote so much time to the guild. This is unfair!"
Suddenly she received a message which shocked her.
"Stop pouting over there silly, what's the matter? I'm here now, yet all you do is pout. Haha, is our little Bella a spoiled brat?", messaged Kaiden as his expression brightened into a playful smile.
Pouting, Gentle Whisper answered with grumbles that caused Kaiden to chuckle, and soon, although still slightly grumpy, Gentle Whisper's mood lightened. She was the type to feel emotional when she felt a lack of attention. I-Is it the legendary attention... you know the rest.
Separating from the group, Kaiden ventured to one of the only places he had privacy; the alley in Crescent Wake Town. Pulling out the authentic, archaic 'Psychotic Sword Fiend Tomb Pass', Kaiden began chanting the runes found on the bottom of the scroll.
Instantly, the ambient Energy, not Mana meaning the existence who made this scroll was one who operated using Energy and not the inferior Mana - began roiling. The residual Energy lingering in the air began forming a vortex; one of a small magnitude yet high intensity.
A shadowy outline projected from the scroll turning into a portal suitable in size for one person to venture through. Steeling himself, Kaiden walking through the portal leaking an oppressive sharp aura with a sturdy gait.
Inside the Psychotic Sword Fiend Tomb...
The oppressive and sharp aura that leaked from the previous portal betrayed the actual atmosphere of the tomb, well, at least the beginning of the tomb.
The dirt of the environment lost any shade of brown it used to hold, now it exuded a silverfish grey tint similar to that of a sword. In addition, the air was rich in fine Metal and Wind Energy. Learning with Kairo, Kaiden was now able to differentiate between the characteristics of certain Energies.
The rocky environment only housed two types of constructs: mountains and mausoleum type building. The mausoleum had a rather grand appearance with a withered cream exterior while the mountains look as if they were all pierced eons ago, as many of them lacked pieces of their structure.
[System: You have arrived in the Psychotic Sword Realm every active skill unrelated to the Sword is now locked. Only your sword skills available. The flow of time is increased slightly. 2 hours here is 1 hour outside.]
Instantly, Kaiden noticed that the Charge and Fleeting Surge dimmed as he was unable to use them.
'Hm...this may prove to be difficult if entry alone produces restrictions.'
At that moment, the realm began shaking and monsters began appearing from the void. Their appearances were awkward. In addition, there were three types. Two monsters were made looked like decrepit human and had swords their limbs with gleaming red eyes. (Similar to Slayers from The Suffering). The only difference was one being a pale white and the other being a light cream.
The last monster took a phantasm human shape, however, it was a silver color and lack any facial features. It only carried two swords. (Similar to the "Samurai" nobodies from Kingdom Hearts II).
Lv.35 [Sword Demon] (Elite)
Health: 145,000/145,000 (100%)
Lv.36 [Sword Ghoul] (Elite
Health: 155,000/155,000 (100%)
Lv.35 [Sword Phantom] (Special Elite)
Health: 193,000/193,000 (100%)
'Oh.. this is going to be very time-consuming... I wasn't expecting this many monsters or for them to surpass my level by so much. If this was the case I should have waited.'
The sheer numbers of monster blocked the path between him and the mausoleum There would be no passage into the mausoleum without clearing every monster.
[Quest Alert! Pathway to the Sword Fiend Tomb]
[Pathway to the Sword Fiend Tomb] (Unique Quest)
Information: The path between you and the mausoleum is filled with your initial trial. Clear the residual obstacles to continue your trial of worthiness.
Details:
Clear the monsters hindering your advancement. 0/1,000.
Time Limit: 1 day.
Reward: Entrance to the Sword Fiend Tomb, 1,000,000 Experience.
Consequence: Failure of the trail, sent back to the Orthodox Realm.
Do you accept it? [Y/N]?
'1,000 monsters huh? Mmm...should be doable. However, I should increase my DPS.' inwardly thought Kaiden as he accepted the quest, adding it to his quest bar.
Kaiden began assigning the 132 unused Attribute Points located in his character panel. Adding 62 to Strength, 30 each to Agility and Dexterity.
[Strength: 460 -> 538 (308 + 122 + 108) | Attack Power: 1,281 -> 1,501]
[Agility: 346 -> 384 (214 + 93 + 77) | Movement Speed: 9 -> 10 m/s]
[Dexterity: 309 -> 346 (190 + 87 + 79)]
Kaiden swung his sword with an expression of elation as his sword sliced through the air, 'Much better.'
Dashing forth, Kaiden swung his sword, sending a precise slash at the nearest 'Sword Demon' dealing slightly over 1,200 damage. The ignoring defense property negated the 5 level suppression effect to an extent.
Leaning forward, Kaiden evaded one of the 'Sword Demons' sword limbs, however, quickly after the monster followed up with a sweep of its leg, causing Kaiden to jump while spinning midair. Stopping he performed a precise Double Slash.
-1,890 [-473], -1,895 [-474]
Following up Kaiden used an Lv.4 Thrust, drawing back and performing Second Drive, Kaiden hurled forward now performing a basic thrust.
-1,230 [-308], -2363! [-591]
Even though Kaiden was focusing on a singular target, the monsters in the area were already damaged due to Angurvadal's effect. However, this only ignited Kaiden's fighting spirit as he was ready for the thrill of battle.
Activating Sword Wind, his initial range instantly extended by 2.2 meters. Weaving between the monsters occasionally grazed, Kaiden began incorporating Second Drive into his basic attacks while using Illusive Step to minimalize the damage he received.
An attack from a 'Sword Demon' dealt 150 damage, not amazing however, based on Kaiden's defense you could infer that their attacks were great being pure attackers.
As Kaiden's Energy gradually drained, the numbers of monsters dwindled also. On average, it took 2 minutes to deal with a Sword Demon; over 3 minutes to deal with a Sword Ghoul, and lastly, over 5 minutes to deal with a Sword Phantom.
In two hours, Kaiden slew 54 monsters, however, his Energy was depleting and he distanced himself to recover.
Sitting down, Kaiden recuperated by inhaling the residual Energy. Only being rich in Wind and Metal Energy, this environment caused Kaiden to experience a temporary buff.
[System: You have received the "Swift Pierce" buff.]
[Swift Pierce] - For 2 minutes, Attack Speed + 20% and sword attacks ignore 20% defense.]
'Oh? Another aspect of my Profession? I can draw buffs from certain types of Energy? Interesting.'
3 minutes later, feeling energized once again. Kaiden blazed sword first back into battle.
Activating Sword Wind, Kaiden launched Sword Wave - Dispersion, following closely behind the sword winds, Kaiden dropped his stance and started draining his Inner Energy at a faster rate.
Beginning at the tip of his sword, a torrent of wind began spinning, and seconds later it divided into two. At that moment using Second Drive, Kaiden propelled him and violently thrust his sword forward.
Extending from the tip of his sword, 2 thin, rotating, tornadolike creations traveled forward in a linear fashion.
'Unmade Skill: 6th Tempest Style: Twin Tornado Drill!', mentally exclaimed Kaiden as the two creations pierced through every opponent for 3 meters.
-2365! [-491], -2,370! [-493]
Every monster pierced by the Twin Tornado Drill experience a critical.
'Oh? Draining my Energy and using a piercing strike in tandem creates a critical effect? Noted.
Dashing forth Kaiden performed movements that resembled a graceful dance, unfortunately for a multitude of monsters, this dance was the encroachment of their death.
-1,300 [-325], -1,350 [-338], -1,320 [-330]...
With each passing minute not only did Kaiden's Inner Energy depleted at a constant alarming rate, but the health's of the monsters also decreased as if someone poked a hole in their health bar.
Unfortunately, the only thing being poked was their bodies - now full of holes and slice marks. The reality of damage was uncanny as Kaiden's eyebrow shot up when this seemed more realistic than virtual.
However, Kaiden was jubilant because he realized the monsters in here gave increased experience compared to monsters outside. On average he was receiving 15,000 Experience per monster and as a result, he was already leveled up and was well into Lv.26.
At this rate, it wouldn't take much effort to reach the level of the public, that is...until he realized the experience requirements.
With this passing hours, Kaiden became more accustomed to the attack pattern of these monsters and in light of this, Kaiden finally created 2 more skills from the Tempest Style.
[5th Tempest Style - Gale Lightning Dance] (Special Active) - Level 1/10. Perform a sword dance, which attacks 8 times. Each attack dealing 100% of Attack Power.
Cooldown: 3 minutes. Skill Proficiency: 0/1,000. Requirement: Sword Weapon.
[6th Tempest Style - Twin Tornado Drill] (Special Active) - Level 1/10. Storing energy in the sword, create two tornado-like drills. Each attack deals 150% of Attack Power and will Critical. If used while dual-wielding, each drill increases to 200% of Attack Power.
Cooldown: 4 minutes. Skill Proficiency: 0/1,000. Requirement: Sword Weapon.
'This is definitely a chore... 5 hours in yet I'm only at 125/1,000. Sometimes I wish I was a mage so I could blast everything dammit. Glass cannon I call your name!', inwardly thought Kaiden as he once again paused for recovery.
At that moment, Kaiden received a mental message.
"Unsheathed, I finished my class change. I went with a Lancer, I feel that it resonated really well with me, is that ok?", asked Latahhya looking for Kaiden's approval
'Haha, she's so cute now.'
"Perfect, it was one of the choices I recommended in the first place. Unfortunately...I'm not exactly sure when I'll be back, my advancement is turning out to be more of a chore than I expected."
Once again, Kaiden was embroiled in the prolonged fight between him and the monsters indigenous to this realm.
Finally... after 38 continuous hours, Kaiden completely cleared the area of monsters. Following the 5th consistent level up, slaying every monster, Kaiden's experience bar increased well into Level 30 (1,486,000/2,320,000). However, Kaiden felt he needed a quick break as he was feeling unusually dreary.
[Quest Complete! Pathway to the Psychotic Sword Fiend's Tomb]
Assessment: S
Clear Time: 00:6:44:57
Reward: 1,200,000 Experience.
'System: You may now enter into the Psychotic Sword Fiend's Tomb.'
A sigh of relief escaped from Kaiden's grasp.