Just as Kael was about to check his main quests, he suddenly noticed a notification about Limo's level.
"Y-you're a Level 5?" Kael asked, his voice tinged with surprise. He had assumed his System Guide would start at Level 1, but this one was already at Level 5!
"Oh, yeah!" Limo replied cheerily, his tuft of fur bouncing as he nodded. "My level matches yours. Since you activated the rarest Rebirth Core class, I automatically level up whenever you do!" His furry tail wagged with excitement.
"I see…" Kael murmured, processing the new information. "So, what happens when a System Guide levels up? Does that affect the system?"
"Absolutely!" Limo chirped, spinning in a lazy circle. "A higher System Guide level unlocks access to more advanced functions and features. Some things—like hidden information, bigger rewards, or even certain side quests—are restricted unless my level is high enough. So, every time I level up, I can do more to help you progress!"
Kael's eyes narrowed as he mulled over this revelation. So that was it—having a high-level System Guide directly impacted his opportunities for growth. Better rewards, new perks, and unlocked quests could all give him an edge.
He nodded slowly. "Okay, I get it. So, can you tell me what I need to focus on to get stronger? Also…" Kael paused, his gaze sharpening. "There's some information I couldn't access before because you weren't around. Can we fix that now?"
Limo's cheerful demeanor faltered briefly, and he scratched his head sheepishly. "Yeah, about that… sorry for being MIA. Those rifts threw a wrench into everything. But don't worry!" His grin returned, brighter than ever. "From now on, I'll be here to guide you properly! No more disappearing acts, I promise!"
Kael smirked faintly. Limo's enthusiasm was infectious, and despite the setbacks, he felt a flicker of confidence. With a capable System Guide finally at his side, he was ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.
"First off, can you elaborate on these rifts? What exactly are they?" Kael asked, his tone sharp with curiosity.
Limo's bright demeanor dimmed slightly, his fur rippling as if shivering at the thought. "The rifts? Oh, man, those are bad news! Honestly, with your current level, I wouldn't recommend going anywhere near one."
"Are they really that dangerous?" Kael pressed. "What actually happens in a rift?"
Limo nodded vigorously. "Oh, they're beyond dangerous! For starters, rifts are like portals between realms, and when they open, they leak pure corruption into the world. Darkspawns pour out of them in waves, and if we don't close the rift fast enough, the area gets completely overtaken. The longer it stays open, the worse it gets."
"So, basically, nonstop Darkspawn spawns," Kael summarized, his brows furrowed. "What happens if they aren't dealt with?"
Limo's expression grew serious. "If left unchecked, the corruption spreads. Entire regions could fall, turning them into barren wastelands swarming with Darkspawn. And here's the kicker—they're unpredictable. Rifts can open anytime, anywhere. One moment a place is fine, and the next, chaos breaks loose."
Kael nodded, taking in the explanation. He couldn't deny a flicker of excitement at the thought of fighting more Darkspawn to level up, but the idea of entire regions succumbing to corruption gave him pause. "I see. So, closing rifts is crucial. But I'm guessing it's not something I'm ready for yet?"
"Bingo!" Limo chirped, his tone lightening again. "At your level, even thinking about tackling a rift would be crazy. Stick to growing stronger first. When the time comes, you'll be ready—but not yet."
Kael crossed his arms, his gaze steely. "Got it. But when the time comes, I'll be ready to take them down. All of them."
Limo gave an approving nod. "That's the spirit! Just don't go rushing in before you're ready, okay? The last thing we need is for you to become one of their victims."
Kael smirked faintly. "Noted."
For now, he pushed thoughts of rifts to the back of his mind. He had other challenges to tackle before facing something of that magnitude.
"Kael, listen carefully," Limo said, his tone unusually grave. "Never, and I mean never, step inside a rift. Those who've accidentally entered? They've never returned alive."
Kael's expression tightened, but Limo continued without pause. "Even high-level Awakeners and Players—the strongest of the strong—can only last a day inside a rift. And that's if they're lucky. For a normal person? It's instant death."
The weight of Limo's words hung heavy in the air, driving home the severity of the warning.
"I'll keep that in mind," Kael said, his tone serious as he processed the gravity of Limo's warning.
"Great!" Limo exclaimed, bouncing with excitement. "Now that you've wrapped up the Tutorial Quests, it's time to dive into the real action—Main Quests!" His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. "Given your current level, you'll start with this one."
As Limo selected the quest for Kael, a notification suddenly flashed in the air, catching his attention.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Main Quest: Unraveling Past Memories
Condition met
Scenario: Trace the purpose of your existence in Erendath and uncover hidden truths.
Difficulty: Easy
Sub-quests:
Go to Krythgard and meet with the City Lord.
Limo's eyes sparkled as he pointed at the quest. "This one has a lot of sub-quests, but my advice? Focus on the Krythgard City Lord's quest first."
He paused, adding with a grin, "I've got a hunch that completing this one will reward you big time. Not only will you unlock some awesome rewards, but you'll also level up faster."
Kael gave him a determined smile. "You're the guide, Limo. I'll follow your lead."
Limo nodded in approval, his tail flicking excitedly. "That's the spirit! Let's get moving to Krythgard and see what secrets await you."
Limo quickly activated the map's GPS mode, marking Kael's current location and setting the destination to Krythgard City. He watched the route calculations with a thoughtful frown.
"According to this map, with our current position and resources, it's going to take at least 45 days to reach Krythgard," Limo muttered, tapping his paw against the map in frustration. "Hmm... this won't do."
Kael raised an eyebrow, his mind already working on a solution. "We're close to a town. Maybe we can find a ride or something."
Limo's ears perked up. "Ah, you're right!"
He scanned the map, his eyes lighting up. "The nearest town is Greythorne. Not a bad idea at all. Let's head there, grab some supplies, and see if we can find a way to get you a ride!"
His grin grew wide as he bounced on his paws.
"Okay, let's head to Greythorne!" Kael grinned.