Travis stood watching the Demonic Plane. It was in chaos, and war had spread across it.
He, of course, played a major hand in this happening. It had been the results of his efforts over the course of many weeks. Now the Demonic Plane was at a point of no return.
'Finally time to leave this place yeah?' -Abe
"That it is."
'What is your plan this time around?' -Lumen
"I. . ."
At the current point of the game he had achieved everything he could and more. Everything else in his agenda was more into the future.
He had laid his foundation, and now the only way was up. Just not yet.
"I can't repair you just yet, I'll have to find a way to enter the Holy Realm and convince them to repair you."
'I can do the convincing I'm sure!'
"The one who worked with the Abyss?"
'. . .'
"I'll have to wait for an opportunity, so I ask you wait a little longer."
'Well, this sure beats being put through more crazy experiments.'
'That's the spirit!'
'Silence! You're only like this because you've been repaired!'
'Jealous much~?'
'Oh so you're picking a fight hmm?'
As the two bickered Travis opened the forums. Glancing at the date he came to a small realization.
The next turning point of A World's Legacy was soon.
Before his regression Travis was naturally obsessed with A World's Legacy. The amount of research and theoretical accounts he had put his time into, it was a sickly obsession. This obsession limited his skill, for he spent less time improving his current abilities and more on pure hypothetical god-accounts, information on what he missed, and a constant influx of pure data.
It was through this same obsession that brought him to where he was now. Having obtained one of the many hypothetical god-accounts he imagined.
During his constant research, he constantly came across a particular set of data. It was commonly called the "Era of Experts". Yet Travis personally called it the "Arising of Experts". Sometime after one of the critical updates of A World's Legacy, a certain event would appear. This event was useless to players who joined on launch, but a godsend to players who recently joined.
It was an event that boosted EXP gain through the roof, and provided some rewards based on contribution towards the event. An incredible event that gathered the attention of many at the beginning.
However there was a a requirement. A certain level of strength and above was banned from the event. It was purely meant for new players exclusively.
This received some outrage, for the blatant favoritism. Was all their hard work for nothing? The developers responded to the outrage with a simple reply: This wouldn't have happened if the new players weren't being suppressed.
Being a new player was difficult, and deterred many from playing. Leveling areas and dungeons were being monopolized. Quests being taken up by gold grinders. Constant bullying from those who were stronger. Newer players were experiencing a hell-like experience. Witnessing firsthand the saying 'strength rules above all'.
This was part of the reason why Travis was determined to give players and even field. The reason why he faced against the Guilds directly. For, once, he too experienced this suffering. The event was deemed the "Newbie Paradise". For those who entered the event quickly rose to the standard of player strength.
This contributed to the rise of the talented. The world was full of hidden fighters. Those who are stuck in an era where strength was meaningless compared to modern weaponry. With an opportunity to finally use that strength they worked hard to obtain.
It was a massive influx, and the average skill player rose. Slowly, the skilled warriors would arise to the stage, and take the game by storm. This also contributed to many players becoming more skilled themselves, but that isn't the focus currently.
The event was ongoing already, it had been for a few days. Travis didn't pay any attention to it. However those who first entered the event now would reach the average.
The influx of the skilled warriors had finally arrived.
His gaze shifted from the chaos being wrought over the Demonic Plane. Having completed his goals it was now time to leave. There wasn't anything else for him here.
He pictured the high ranked warriors of his past. Those who reached the top and were claimed to be the strongest. It was now that they arrived. This vision faltered momentarily. As the picture of Opportunity, who's strength was ridiculous even at this stage of the game, and that slime who managed to fight against a ridiculous gap at the beginning.
Opportunity he could accept, they were ranked number one before for a reason. However the slime he had never heard of before was an anomaly. One he constantly was aware of. How would they fare in a fight against him now? Would the gap still be extraordinary? Would they still be able to fight?
The only ones who managed to push him were NPCs. The only player that made him try was the previously ranked number one!
He closed his eyes, perhaps it was a false lingering hope. That his position in strength wasn't too unreachable. Opportunity didn't count, for they were a goal of his. Perhaps he hoped that there was someone else who could contend against him.
As he grew, he naturally wanted to test himself against more formidable opponents. This included the players he once considered walls impossible to surpass. Individuals he used to avoid offending at any cost.
Suddenly a particular memory resurfaced.
-<"We'll meet against someday. Perhaps you can beat my brother haha!">-
Perhaps there was someone else?
~ ~ ~
"Excellent work Mira, your control over your strength has reached a fantastic level."
Mira smiled abashedly, "It's thanks to your teaching Sensei!"
Akiol rubbed his head, "Well let's take a break. That includes you as well Givale!"
Givale made a face and the bow made of mana disappeared from her hands, "Okay."
"You two meet me by the edge of the forest. I'm going to plan a few things with Nimin first."
Mira nodded, "Yessir! What will we be doing?"
"Grabbing something to eat."
Givale's mood immediately shifted to a lot more upbeat, "Alright Mira, let's get moving!"
Mira nodded and followed along. Despite his strength being far greater than Givale's, he still treated her with respect. As far as he was concerned, she was a senior apprentice under his Sensei's tutorage.
Akiol watched as the two ran ahead. Slowly his face of happiness slid away, "Alright Nimin, what's the deal?"
"We need a proper set of command for the revolution. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that just my Guild won't be enough."
"I can guess where you're going with this."
"I want to appoint you as an officer, and Wrock too of course."
"I'm going to have to decline."
"Why?"
Akiol sighed, "I don't wish to lead another large scale battle. I'm better suited to be one of the soldiers who fight in the front. Not someone who commands from the back."
He remembered the times he lead an army. Far too often did armies rely on his orders, just to fall apart the moment he became preoccupied with a powerful opponent. After suffering a great loss this way Akiol decided the only people he should command are a select few. The larger armies should be left to commanders, not directly under his order.
"Then lead the people with you in front."
"I'm not going to lead anymore."
"Then?"
"I'll assist in teaching those who are lacking, but I will refuse any official position."
"The position is to help the newcomers respect you.", Nimin attempted further to convince him.
"That can be earned."
Nimin gritted his teeth, "Then Wrock?"
"He might say the same, but you can test your luck."
". . ."
"You have some working to do. Your Guild house is far from enough to host a revolution. We will need quite the space for that."
"I am working on it. There's an idea for that, but. . ."
"Trust in yourself. I shall excuse myself, I promised a meal with the two."
"I won't hold you any longer then.", Nimin sighed and let him go.
Akiol nodded and began to walk. With a short pause he decided to add, "Don't lose yourself in responsibility. You may be leading this revolution, but that doesn't mean you have to bear all the weight. Trust in your friends."
Nimin shook his head and replied, "I know."
Akiol then continued to walk away. Creating a revolution was no small task, it would be a while before a fight is in sight. Keeping the hot blooded warriors cool enough before the fight will be quite the task.
With a humored exhale Akiol murmured, "I don't mind taking on that part of the job. The question is: can he handle the rest?"