[Congratulations to Team Lucas for completing the S-rank Rare Dungeon—Shattered Sun.]
"Thud!"
Along with the game announcement, a huge colossal figure collapsed, as its fragmented scarlet armor shattered against the ground, causing the floor to shake. Even in death, the creature appeared majestic, emanating a terrible aura that kept everyone at bay.
No one dared to approach.
[The dungeon Lord, God Soltheris, is pleased by your valiant performance in slaying Helios.]
Hearing the rare prompt from the game system, Lucas and his teammates went wide-eyed as they exchanged excited glances.
In Infinite Realm, only dungeons with an S-rank Common or higher had the chance of having a god as their dungeon master. Even yet, encountering God and impressing them was a rare and arduous task.
However, if a team encountered one, all members would receive a blessing from the god. And if one was lucky, they might even be approved as an apostle, obtaining an A-rank skill right away.
In the Infinite Realm, everything was classified from D to SSS Rank, from lower to higher. Each rank was further classified as Common, Rare, Epic, and Legendary.
At a time when only a select few held the prestigious S-rank and above skills, acquiring an A-rank ability—even a common one—was a significant windfall. How could they not be overjoyed?
Not only were Lucas and his team thrilled, but one person in the corner was practically overflowing with joy, as evidenced by his flushed face and trembling body.
'Oh God! You're finally here. Do you have any idea how long I've waited, how hard I've worked, and how much money I've spent just to meet you?'
He seemed to be on the brink of tears, as meeting the god had been extremely difficult. Finally, all his hard work was rewarded, and all the money he spent to join the Falcon Guild was worth it, as he had finally encountered this opportunity.
Suddenly, a brilliant ray of light burst forth, revealing a figure clad in crimson armor, bathed in a beautiful glow and hovering gracefully in the air.
"Dear Team Lucas, I, Soltheris, am truly pleased to witness your valiant efforts in slaying the wicked Helios with such remarkable strength. As a tribute to your bravery, I am offering each of you a special award. Would you like to accept my gift?"
Following his words, a game announcement echoed in the minds of each member of Team Lucas.
[Ding!]
[Dungeon Lord: God Soltheris has proposed an alternative reward for the S-rank dungeon, Shattered Sun. Do you wish to accept it?]
Listening to the prompt from the game, Lucas and his teammates accepted the offer immediately. After all, who could resist such a lucrative opportunity?
It was common knowledge that the rewards offered by the Gods were always superior to those obtained from clearing the dungeon. Furthermore, players could continue to farm the dungeon rewards even after leaving.
So, only a fool would refuse such a reward.
However, what they never anticipated was that there was indeed an idiot on their team. Ironically, that idiot was the one who had been the most excited after encountering God.
[Ding!]
[Except for your team member Liam, all the other members have accepted the Soltheris Reward. Do you wish to confirm your choice?]
Along with the notification, silence enveloped the room; even the God Soltheris fell silent.
Suddenly, everyone turned their gaze toward the figure in the corner—a tall individual with striking red hair and piercing blue eyes. If not for his unkempt hair and worn-down armor, he would have looked far more handsome.
Liam, hearing the game system's prompt, showed no surprise and paid little attention to his so-called teammates.
'If I, with a title of 'Abhorred by Gods,' were to receive a reward, that would be the real surprise.' Liam joked inwardly.
In fact, unlike his teammates, he didn't even receive a notification to make a choice.
But without a care, he composed himself, shaking off his excitement, and walked confidently toward the God Soltheris, positioning himself directly beneath him.
As everyone in the dungeon watched in confusion at his behavior, Liam suddenly waved his hand, retrieving a large scroll from his space bag, and he began to unfold it quickly as if someone would stop him otherwise.
"A rank scroll, Celestial Annihilation. How...How did he get it?"
Suddenly, the silence was abruptly broken by the trembling voice of an archer beside Lucas, who quickly recognized the scroll Liam had taken out.
"Oh? You have a good eye," Liam said, genuinely surprised. Not everyone could recognize an A-rank legendary scroll, especially not with such speed.
However, since he had already opened the scroll, the mana throughout the entire dungeon began to riot, firmly locking the figure of God Soltheris in place.
"Stop!"
"Damn! He's a heretic!"
"Ah! I should have never accepted his bribe and brought him into this dungeon!" Lucas yelled, undergoing a mental breakdown as he realized the consequences of Liam's actions.
He never imagined this guy would be a heretic loathed by the Gods. Now, his prizes were all gone, and he had no idea whether he could save his life. God's vengeance was not a joke.
"Impudent mortal," the God thundered. "How dare you blaspheme my existence with your wretched spell?"
Sure enough, God Soltheris' rage-filled voice resonated throughout the dungeon, while the temperature rose several degrees.
Liam, who was at the center of the wrath, was sweating furiously, and his clothes were beginning to burn.
However, despite the fury of a higher being, Liam showed no signs of ceasing his actions. Instead, he seemed intent on accelerating his attack on the God in front of him even more.
"Damn it! You stupid shit, Stop! Your A-rank spell is powerless against God. Instead, your actions will kill us all!"
Lucas was going crazy. No matter how powerful a spell was or how targeted it was to God, it was still considered an A-rank scroll. How was he going to kill a God with such a lousy scroll?
Liam heard the scolding voice of the team leader and couldn't help but complain,
'I also want a S or a higher rank scroll, but where can I get one? You took away my entire life savings just to enter this dungeon.'
Didn't he know he couldn't kill a God with this lousy scroll? Of course, he knew. But then again, his purpose was never to kill this God.
"Stupid Mortal, if you are so eager to seek death, then I will grant your wish." The God Soltheris' thunderous voice filled the air, and his wrath caused everyone to tremble.
However, Liam was instead excited.
'Finally... Finally.' There was no fear of death in his eyes; instead, they were filled with excitement as he looked at God's visage with hope.
"Heretic!" the God Soltheris growled, casually waving his hand as Liam's body began to burn severely. However, it couldn't stop the scroll that had already unfolded.
Liam felt only a burning pain and numbness throughout his body as his vision faded to darkness.
But despite the approaching doom, his lips twisted into a tiny smile when he finally received the long-awaited prompt from the game.
[Ding!]
[You attacked a God with an A-rank scroll: Celestial Annihilation.]
[You were killed by God Soltheris.]
[All the conditions for completing your Innate Quest—???—have been met.]
[Congratulations on completing the Innate Quest in the Uni-27-MW-0423 server.]
[Congratulations! You gain the Title: Choosen]
[Congratulations! You get a chance to acquire an SSS Rank Talent.]
'Am I Dead?'
Liam, who was meant to be dead, could still hear the announcement from the game.
He was dead yet alive; this sensation was strange, as he felt like a mote of dust swaying in the abyss, traveling in an unknown direction.
[Issuing Reward!]
[...Error...Unable to Issue Reward due to the unknown Innate Quest...]
'What's going on? Why is it different? Why don't you know my Innate Quest?'
[...Error! Unable to find the entity... Err..!]
'How come? Why can't you give me my Reward? Why can't you find me?'
He wanted to get furious yet he couldn't.
[..Error..]
The distant sound of the game announcement faded as it appeared to search but failed to find him.
'Damn!'
'Is everything over like this?'
'Did I shoot myself in the foot?' Liam thought bitterly.
'No!'
'I am not reconciled.' He wanted to roar furiously and struggled for this last chance but there was nothing he could do.
'Haha, I am so stupid.'
After impotent rage came the realization that he was unwilling to accept.
'I was so stupid to bet everything on this damn quest.' As the sound from the game system disappeared, so did his final hope.
'Regressor!'
'Haha!'
'Sigh. Maybe dying isn't a bad outcome.' Liam thought complicatedly. With endless regrets, Liam drifted into the unknown void.
However, just as his existence was on the verge of becoming extinct, he was violently swept away by a current.
He felt his consciousnesses becoming sluggish and he became unconscious due to the turbulent void.
When he regained consciousness, he was already in an empty white room with his original body.
[Welcome to the Infinite Realm. Everything you seek lies within your grasp—if you are deemed worthy.]