Chapter 38 - Chapter 38

[As this is a special place of trial, the level of the dungeon has been adjusted to the player.]

'Monkey King? Does this have something to do with Sun Wukong?'

Most people, including Zephyr, knew him as Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong, were also widely known as The Great Sage Heaven's Equal, Victorious Fighting Buddha or the Monkey King.

He is a magical monkey who wields a pole known as Ruyi Jingu Bang which can extend to any length, and had achieved immortality and omnipotence.

People knew him from an iconic hero and the main protagonist of the Journey to the West. Zephyr thought this was a very interesting situation as the Atlas Corps created the Monkey King in Tensura. It would be a lie if Zephyr didn't want to meet someone like that.

He was also curious about the Ruyi Jingu Bang that was stated as a reward from the hidden quest. The Ruyi Jingu Bang was a legendary item that the Monkey King was said to have stolen from the Dragon Kings. The Sage Arts was the skill that the Monkey King was known for which allowed him to do as he pleased.

Sage Art is different from normal skill and magic. Hardly anyone knows anything about it in Tensura. The only thing that people agree on is that it was a power that belonged to the Virtuous People.

Sage Arts is a method that focuses on extracting powers from within. And this power can empower every living thing with a strength that rivals the power of a god.

As Zephyr lacked many information to come into conclusion, he did not dwell on it too much as proceeded inside. However, Zephyr was very alert as his super sensitivity was giving him warning for immense danger.

The interior of the dungeon was neither too small or too big. It was a corridor. It was also cold in the corridor as the place was located at the summit of a high hill. Suddenly,

[The fragmented remnant 'Vestige' of the Monkey King has sensed the intruder. It attempts to curse the intruder.]

[Curse 'Fear' has been attempted.]

[You have resisted.]

[Curse 'Confusion' has been attempted.]

[You have resisted.]

[Curse 'Poison' has been attempted.]

[You have resisted.]

Messages popped up as soon as he entered the dungeon. He then fell into a thought after reading the first notification. The legacy of the Monkey King—the treasures that turned a monkey into a great being—was inside somewhere. Zephyr's curiosity about the Ruyi Jingu Bang and the Sage Arts kept floating around in his mind.

The vestige kept on trying to curse him but Zephyr just resisted it all.

'It's like a complicated maze that's tangled like a spiderweb. Even if I turn back now…I can't even see the entrance. It would surely take time to find an exit.'

He couldn't see them yet, but there were traps all over the place, and ghoul and ghost-type monsters created by the vestige lay in wait. Seing them, Zephyr thought they were ghosts that fit well the cold atmosphere.

What was strange that the ghosts doesn't resemble a human at all. In fact, it was a big lizard with wings.

Zephyr then stomped his feet as he leap into the air dashing towards the ghoul. Both of his swords appeared and floated in the air as he grabbed the Venomous Demon Sword and launch a slash towards the ghoul.

[You have dealt 3,568 damage to the target.]

Zephyr immediately narrowed his eyes seing how tiny the damage he had dealt towards the ghoul. He then used his [Emperor Eye] and inspected it.

[Ghoul Salamander]

Rating: Epic

Level: 60/180

Tier: 2/3

HP: 95,600

MP: 80,870

Zephyr narrowed his eyes again as this ghoul was originally a level 180 and Tier 3 mob. He then thought it was no wonder he had dealt so little of damage as it completely overwhelmed him even with his high stats.

'Interesting.'

Zephyr found the situation interesting as he remembered that the dungeon's level would be adjusted to him. He found it was funny to match a level 35 tier 1 player to a level 60 tier 2 monster.

As Zephyr saw 3 ghoul salamanders charging into him, he then let Tetsuya joined him. 1 or two wouldn't have been difficult to handle but to handle 3 simultaneously would be trouble.

However, Zephyr wasn't afraid at all.

"Tetsu, you fight the one to the left. You don't have to fight hard. Just drag time as long as you can!"

Growl-!

Tetsuya understood Zephyr and lunged at the ghoul salamander in the left. Next, Zephyr moved as well as blinked at the back and used [Lightning Flame Slash].

[You have dealt 7,568 damage to the target.]

Zephyr then casted [Fireball] and [Lightning Blast] simultaneously as the two spells hit the two ghouls at the same time.

[You have dealt 5,868 damage to the target.]

[You have dealt 4,676 damage to the target.]

As the ghoul salamanders possess emmense HP and high defense as well as his damage was reduced by the level suppression and tier suppression, Zephyr decided to change the weapon he is using.

Zephyr let go of the Venomous Demon Sword as it floated in the air and immediately attacked the ghoul salamander who was facing Tetsuya. The new upgraded Aetherius Sword appeared in Zephyr's hand which possesses more tremendous aura than before.

[Aetherius Sword]

[Rating: Mythic (Set)

Durability: Infinite Attack Power: 15,690

Defense: 580

* Additional damage equal to 10% of the target's current defense will be dealt.

* The greater the number of enemies, the greater the damage.

* There is a certain probability of activating the '5 Joint Attacks' skill.

* Physical attack amplification: 7

* Magic attack amplification: 4

* Attack power +20% in dark places.

★ Critical hit chance will increase by 100%.

★ The probability of attacking a weak spot will increase by 100%.

★ Significantly reduces the target's counterattack and evasion rate.

★ There is an 80% chance of neutralizing the target's defense (including all skill, magic, and powers).

★ Skill attack power against demons, archangels, gods, dragons and other transendents will increase by 50%.

★ Attack power against the dragon species is increased by 350%.

★ There is a low probability to activate the 'Absolute Defense' when encountering a dragon race. Cooldown Time: 24 hours.

★ Every time you kill a dragon type opponent, the attack power of the Aetherius Dragon Slaying Sword will increase by one. (Permanently applied).

★ An ego item.

The ego is the soul of the strongest dragon, the Arcane Dragon Hyrkan. The dragon's soul chose your weapon to rest as he waited for his new vessel to be prepared.

★The owner of this item is permanent. It will only hover around the player Zephyr and can only be used by Zephyr.

It is indestructible. It can't be lost. It is non-transferable.

-When 2 set items are equipped: Defense +2500, health +20,000.

-When 4 set items are equipped: Grant active skill 'Dragon Slayer's Domain'.

-When 7 set items are equipped: All stats +1,000%, Grant passive skill 'Dragon Slayer's Fury'.

It is designed by a legendary blacksmith. Designed with all his will for the person who possess the power of the Sword Saint and Legendary Archmage at the same time.

A sword that was able to slay a dragon which were the absolute transcendents in the world. After slaying a dragon, it evolved as the one of a kind dragon slaying weapon which none had existed before.

User Restriction: Zephyr.]

The ghoul salamanders unconsciously took a step back after sensing the immense danger in the sword. Zephyr didn't miss the opportunity as he used [Nova's Ascension].

Burning flames immediately appeared in his sword as it sweeped the ghoul salamander.

[You have dealt 123,788 damage to the target.]

[You have dealt 123,788 damage to the target.]

Zephyr slightly widened his eyes seing the damage he had dealt towards the mobs. He thought that Mythic Items were crazy as it broke the struggle he had against towards the higher level and tier monsters. As the sword neutralized the target's defense, Zephyr was able to cut them like butter.

[The target has died.]

[20,800 experience has been acquired.]

[You have acquired 20 gold.]

[The title 'One who Overcome the Adversity' has been strengthened!]

[Level Difference of 25. Exp gain multiplied to 2,500%]

[520,000 experience has been acquired.]

[The target has died.]

[20,800 experience has been acquired.]

[You have acquired 20 gold.]

[Level Difference of 25. Exp gain multiplied to 2,500%]

[520,000 experience has been acquired.]

[Your level has risen.]

[Your level has risen.]

[Your pet 'Tetsuya's level has risen.]

[Your pet 'Tetsuya's level has risen.]

Due to gaining massive amount of experience points, Zephyr and Tetsuya leveled up until level 37. Zephyr then finished the one who's facing Tetsuya and then looked at the gain he obtained.

[One who Overcome the Adversity]

[Given to those who overcame the challenge with almost zero odds and emerge victorious.

* All stats 100+.

* HP 250%+.

* MP 200%+.]

He also looked at his status window to see the changes that happened to him, of course without equipping the Aetherius Set.

Name: Zephyr Lexus

Race: Human

Titles:

First Dragon Slayer and 8 others

Class: Sword Saint

Second Class: Legendary Archmage

Level: 37

Tier: 1

HP: 259,721

MP: 114,150

Stats:

Strength: 3,965

Agility: 4,266

Vitality: 3,673

Intelligence: 3,805

Composure: 3,049

Indomitable: 3,049

Dignity: 3,136

Super Sensitivity: 3,029

Charm: 3,127

Luck: 2,924

Insight: 2,500

Available stats point: 35

He was surprised at his stats as this stats shouldn't belong to a tier 1 player. Zephyr thought this should be a standard stats of a Tier 3. He was also amazed of the title effects that he had gained so far as it made his stats grow tremendously.

Zephyr then continued moving, Zephyr noticed something strange. From time to time, strange marks appeared on the ceiling and the walls.

It was hard to see the marks if you weren't paying attention. Although they were deep, they had also begun to fade with time, and it was only because of Super Sensitivity that Zephyr was able see them. 

There was a solid vestige within the marks that was different from the gloomy one that was attacking him and the others. This one had a strong and energetic aura, but it was split into different parts, which made it difficult to detect.

[You have discovered a 'Very Old Sword Mark'.]

[You have discovered a 'Very Old Spear Mark'.]

[You have discovered a 'Dirty Handprints'.]

[....]

'What's all this?' Zephyr was surprised as he discovered another vestige of the Monkey King. There was only one Monkey King, so how could he have left behind such diametrically different vestiges? What did it mean?

Zephyr was a little confused but he was also curious. He focused with his Super Sensitivity again as he could see the vestige in the different marks, which ranged from ones that were so faint that they were almost invisible to ones so long that it was hard to tell where they ended.

Zephyr also used his [Emperor Eye] but still couldn't figure it out, so he continued to examine them until a message popped up.

[You have received intense inspiration.]

['Super Sensitivity' is being connected to 'Emperor Eye' to locate the markings and read the imperfections.]

Super Sensitivity and [Emperor Eye], were being connected for the first time. Zephyr was slightly impressed to see imperfections for the first time. Everything felt new, and he adjusted as quickly as he could until he could finally understand what the markings in the cave were. 'Is it from training?'

As he looked at the marks one after the other, he began to see a pattern. The messy gouges grew neater and more organized, revealing the training process of a master who learned to hone his skills beyond their limits. It was evidence of the Monkey King's transformation.

At first, he had been furious at his imprisonment, and he spent around 100 years in a crazed state. Then, it was clear that he had come to a realization. He wouldn't harm anyone but himself if he remained in such a violent and insane state.

He made a decision to become stronger and break the seal on the mountain, and from that moment on, he began training in earnest to break the seal of the mountain.

It was a difficult process since none of the things he wanted to master were simple. However, he had time, so the Monkey King didn't rush anything but made sure everything proceeded step by step. Each time he made a discovery, he tested it out on the walls of the cave, and the impetuous monkey began to learn patience.

He grew into someone who had the ability to bend in order to achieve his goals, and after 500 years, he managed to break the seal and escaped the mountain. Zephyr was very impressed of what he had seen on the markings.