Bowen had already become much stronger in a short span of two months since he regained his memories of being William.
The host's current status is as follows:
Current name: Bowen
Status: Awakened – (Celestial mana vessel)
Magician – (F-) rank
Warrior – (G-) rank
Attributes:
Physical strength – 14
Agility – 13
Vitality – 10
Intelligence – 27
DP – 95
Titles: Naughty rascal, Little thief, filial son
Possession: Spirit God Pavilion, Nova's Breathing Technique
Skills: Photographic memory, five senses, Art of Felinor, violent dash, scarlet palm blaze, Elemental aegis
Slaves acquired: Solarith Ophelious
Disciples acquired: Renault
Bowen was surprised by his improvement within a short amount of time, especially regarding his rank and skills.
"System, can you tell me on what basis I am evaluated as F and G rank?"
"In the world of grime sphere, magicians are ranked based on the following factors: Mana Absorption Rate, Mana Capacity, Mana Control Precision, Elemental Affinity, Mana Fusion Ability, Mana Manipulation Speed, and Mana Resilience.
Warriors are ranked based on the following factors: Combat Technique Mastery, Fighting Style Diversity, Combat Strategy and Tactics, Experience in Real-World Combat, Adaptability and Innovation, Mental Focus, and Discipline.
According to the host's efficiency with mana, you are given (F-) rank in the magician category, and with your efficiency in martial skill scarlet palm blaze, you are given (G-) rank in the warrior category."
"In the grime sphere, are there people who learn both magic and martial arts?"
"Yes, in the grime sphere, 30% of awakeners use both magic and martial skills. They are called magic warriors."
"I heard they provide an official license for rankers. How do I get that?"
"The system only has basic information about the world and does not have the necessary information about the licensing process. The host is advised to collect the necessary information on their own accord. The system will be cheering you on from the sidelines."
"So, basically, it's not our job, and you are too lazy to take on an extra job to collect info, right?"
System... (silent)
"Heheee… I'm spot on, ain't I? Isn't that why you are silent? Ha ha, no problem. I will find that out by myself." Bowen was gloating happily on cutting the nose of the system.
**Ting **Side mission triggered – ESTEEMED HOST WILL NOT RELY ON THE SYSTEM
Task 1: Cut 50,000 wooden logs of standard length of 16 inches each – Duration 20 days.
Reward: +1 strength for every 2,500 logs cut.
Task 2: Run 50 km every day – Duration 20 days.
Reward: +1 agility for every day if 50 km target is met.
Task 3: Go into mana depletion three times a day – Duration 20 days.
Reward: +1 Vitality every day if three times mana depletion is met.
Absolute reward: Host can acquire one normal rank divine weapon on 100% completion of all three tasks within the given duration.
Penalty (if incompletion over 50%): Status reset to previous unawakened state. Host will also lose all the skills acquired in two months of time.
The system hopes that the host will use all his free time in completing the missions.
Bowen froze, with wide eyes and jaw dropped, for a few seconds.
"System San... Mr. System... Lord System... I was just joking before, you see... And why do we have to go so far to give penalties? Aren't we together in this? Come on... Take these missions back."
"Sorry, host. Once given, missions cannot be taken back."
"Hey, you are doing this to take revenge on me, right?"
"I do not have emotions or self-thoughts."
"Then why did you give this mission now, out of all the time?"
(silence)
"Hey, talk something!"
(silence)
"Sh*t, I should have been silent. Why did I end up on its bad side?" Bowen was crying internally, cursing himself for his foolish actions. Suddenly, Bowen thought of something (gulp).
"Wait... does today count for the mission?"
"Yes!"
"But it's already afternoon..."
(silence)
"Hey, you bastards!" Bowen immediately started running around his village like a madman, shouting, "ALL FOR THE DIVINE WEAPON!" He kept infusing mana around his hands and legs while running and cutting the logs.
Bowen lay sprawled on the ground before his hut when the clock struck twelve at night. Near him, numerous pieces of wooden logs and a small-sized axe lay scattered here and there.
"**Ting** Congratulations, host, for finishing task 1 - reward +1 strength.
Congratulations, host, for finishing task 2 - reward +1 agility.
Congratulations, host, for finishing task 3 - reward +1 vitality."
He managed to finish all three tasks by the last minute; or else, he would have had to say goodbye to his chance of getting a divine weapon. Bowen was especially lucky that there were still some unused wood logs in the house storeroom spared for Theodore's carpentry. But it may only be enough for one more day. He must think about the money for buying big tree trunks to cut into logs. There is also the problem of transport. And what can he do about the ones which he cut? The most time-consuming of the three is mana depletion task. Once he goes into that state, he will be almost near a physically paralyzed state. As he does not have any mana replenishing potions, he had to completely rely on Nova's technique. He must also thank his celestial mana vessel for such quick mana absorption speed.
Martha stood silently with worry in her eyes. Previously, when she returned from her job, she saw Bowen cutting wooden logs one after another without rest. Bowen remained cutting, telling that he was fine when Martha asked for the reason. She knew Bowen was affected the most by losing his parents. Therefore, she couldn't go to the lengths of forcibly stopping the kid from wearing himself out as she was not Bowen's mother. She was completely helpless in a situation like this. "Sister Felina... If only you could have been here right now..." she thought with wet eyes.
At the same time, in a dimly-lit luxurious room, a confidential conference was held with nearly hundreds of dignitaries hiding their identity in silver masks. Every one of them wore red robes except for the person who led the conference as the leader. He wore the same silver mask but with a white robe that made him stand out from the rest. As the conference ended, all the red-robed men and women exited the hall in complete silence, ex cept for one who waited for a chance with the white-robed man alone.
What is it?" asked the man in the white robe with his deep voice.
"Lord Delta, one of our sigmas died two months ago," said the red robed man.
"You made me wait just for this?" said Lord Delta furiously, and walked towards the door.
"Please wait, Lord Delta. The thing is, his communication crystal activated for half a second before the signal was cut, and within two minutes his life flame was also put out."
Lord Delta stopped abruptly in his tracks. "What is the name of the deceased?"
"yes, His name is Ian, a sigma from Sylvia."
"Hmm... (The man in the white robe's pupils moved left and right, indicating that he was deeply immersed in thought.) Send some sigmas to investigate his death... and, also send a star sigma along with them."
"A star sigma?" the red-robed man asked, startled. He was shocked that Lord Delta wanted to send another star sigma like himself to investigate the death of a lowly sigma - one out of hundreds of thousands who are only used to fill the numbers and are disposable objects.
"Do what I say," said Lord Delta in a threatening voice.
"Yes, my lord. As per your orders," said the red-robed man, bowing down.