"Finally! Level 5!" Kael's voice broke through the stillness of the forest, filled with unrestrained excitement.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Congratulations! You've reached Level 5!
All stats increased by +2.
Earned SP +6
Earned: 800 EXP.
Acquired: 10 Dark Essences.
He swiped the air, pulling up his system menu. The glowing interface hovered before him, detailing the spoils of his relentless battle.
The ground around him was a battlefield of his own making, littered with Darkspawn and monster carcasses. Blood soaked his basic leather armor, streaked across his face, and dripped from his blade.
Kael stood there, catching his breath, feeling the intoxicating surge of power coursing through his veins. His ruby-red eyes, faintly aglow, reflected his growing strength.
"This... this feels incredible," he said, his voice almost reverent. "I can feel it—I'm getting stronger!"
The entity, ever-present and always smug, hovered beside him with an amused expression.
"Stronger?" it echoed, its tone playfully mocking. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Kael. Level 5 is barely the starting line. Wait until you hit level 15—then, maybe, you'll have something to boast about."
Kael smirked but didn't let the jab get to him. The words were a challenge, and Kael thrived on challenges.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Tutorial Quest Completed!
You've met the conditions to unlock Main Quests.
"Tutorial's done," Kael muttered under his breath, gripping his blade tightly. "Time for the real thing."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
New Feature Unlocked: Main Quests
Number of Main Quests: 5
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Main Quest #1 - Path of the Reborn]
Explore the grand storyline and uncover the mysteries of the Ascension System.
Difficulty: Hard
Condition: Level 50, Rebirth Core Class
[Main Quest #2 - Unlocking Rebirth Core Class]
Uncover the potential of the Rebirth Core class and ascend to rule the realm.
Difficulty: Hell
Condition: Level 100, Rebirth Core Class Level 2
[Main Quest #3 - The Eternals of Erendath]
Discover the origins of the Eternals of Erendath and unravel its ancient mysteries.
Difficulty: Moderate
Condition: Level 30, Mentor Level 40, System Guide Level 15
[Main Quest #4 - The Ascendants]
Delve into the grand storyline to unveil the enigma of The Ascendants.
Difficulty: Moderate
Condition: Level 25, System Guide Level 10
[Main Quest #5 - Unraveling Past Memories]
Trace the purpose of your existence in Erendath and unlock hidden truths.
Difficulty: Easy
Condition: Level 5, System Guide Level 1
Kael frowned as he skimmed through the notifications. Despite hitting Level 5, the main quests remained locked.
"What now?!" he muttered, frustration bubbling up. He double-checked the requirements for the easiest quest. Of course, the missing piece was glaring: System Guide.
Beside him, the shimmering, vaguely humanoid entity chuckled softly.
"Are you really just going to laugh?" Kael scowled. "You know I don't have a clue where to find this System Guide! Can't you just help me out?"
The entity shook its head, its silvery aura rippling like moonlight on water. "I wish I could, Kael. Truly. But that's not within my control."
Kael sighed in resignation.
"Why not check your rewards?" the entity suggested. "You might find a clue there."
Grumbling, Kael opened his rewards panel. Completing the Tutorial Quest had granted him standard rewards, but a new bonus reward caught his attention.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Bonus Reward:
Heartstone Gem x1
Description: A powerful gem capable of enhancing an Awakened's level. For Rebirth Core class Awakeners, it can also upgrade the Rebirth Core and unlock unique skills.
Usage: Choose one purpose—upgrade your Rebirth Core or level up.
Kael raised an eyebrow at the glowing gem. "A Heartstone Gem?" he muttered, studying its description.
The entity, however, seemed stunned. "A full Heartstone Gem?! Not just fragments? You're luckier than I thought!"
"It says I can only use it for one thing," Kael remarked, glancing at the entity. "You've told me before that the Rebirth Core class is superior to the Ascension System class. Why is that?"
The entity's glow dimmed slightly, its silence heavy. Finally, it replied, "I can't explain the full truth. But what I said is no lie."
Kael pondered this before asking, "If I use the gem to upgrade my Rebirth Core, will it grant me a new class?"
"No," the entity replied. "But it will unlock a skill exclusive to Rebirth Core Awakeners. Skills far more powerful than the ultimate abilities of the Ascension System."
Kael's eyes gleamed with determination. "Then I've decided. I'll upgrade my Rebirth Core."
The entity interjected, "There's something else you should know. Upgrading your Rebirth Core also levels me up."
Kael blinked. "You? You can level up too?"
"Of course. I'm tied to your Rebirth Core," the entity replied smoothly.
After a thoughtful pause, Kael nodded. "If leveling you up benefits me, then it's worth it."
Without hesitation, Kael grasped the Heartstone Gem. A notification appeared, asking if he wished to absorb it to level up or upgrade his Rebirth Core. He confirmed the latter.
The gem pulsed with light, and a low hum resonated from his Rebirth Core. In an instant, Kael was pulled into his consciousness.
He found himself floating in an endless void of shimmering starlight. The darkness wasn't empty—it was alive, brimming with unformed potential.
"This... is my Rebirth Core?" he whispered, gazing at a small, black sphere, no larger than a baby's fist. It pulsed gently, like a heartbeat.
Next to it stood the entity, cocooned in luminous silver light. Its form remained indistinct—faceless and featureless, as if awaiting definition.
The Heartstone Gem hovered between them, radiating a brilliant glow. Light spilled over both the sphere and the entity.
Kael barely had time to react before he was drawn into the Core itself.
Weightless, he drifted in a sea of stars. Each glimmer seemed alive, holding secrets and promises just out of reach.
This wasn't reality, but a space within the Core itself—a realm few ever glimpsed.
Kael's breath caught as he stared into the endless, starlit expanse.
Answers lie ahead, a whisper seemed to echo. Or perhaps only more questions.
Outside Kael's consciousness, his body remained still, his mind adrift in the weightless void of a deep trance. The hum of the Rebirth Core reverberated softly in the distance, its rhythm synchronized with his heartbeat.
The glow of the Heartstone's energy lingered faintly around him, like the last notes of a melody fading into silence.
Unbeknownst to Kael, he was not alone.