Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

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The War Crest of Champions wasn't a simple item like the Lesser War Crest. The moment the symbol was seared on his skin and imbued with a unique presence, Kieran felt a wave of power rush through his body.

「 War Crest of Champions  (Special)

Item Rank: Magic

Item Level: N/A

Item Usage: While in the user's possession, the item distributes the following:

- Constitution increased by 1 point.

- +4 additional Unassigned Attribute Points per level up.

- Skill Mastery increases faster when battling against worthy opponents. (MAX: 50% increase.)

- Enables the holder to use the War Deity Council's renown when required.

Description: A refined version of the War Deity Council's crest for official members. It emanates a power that only those worthy can accept. The possession of this crest can be a great tool or a severe hindrance based on the situation. 」

Kieran's eyebrows jumped after reading the information on the crest. One point in Constitution was half of what he received for his class promotion! Now that he possessed 3, the pain from the wound on his chest reduced greatly.

'I'm slowly approaching the Constitution of an Advanced Being, but I'm not there yet. Not without the other Hidden Attribute to complement its effects,' Kieran thought.

Aside from the Constitution, Kieran was also excited about the additional Unassigned Attribute Points. Considering the great imbalance in his current stats, he required an immense amount of these points.

Four points might seem small, but that meant he would receive 16 points upon every level up.

The rest of the effects were pretty standard, including the increased Skill Mastery rate against strong opponents.

However, as Kieran examined the War Crest of Champions, Veradin continued to speak.

"This is only the beginning of your reward—a mere congratulations. What comes next is something to test your ability. Since you have begun to touch upon Origin Principles, it's only fitting that we reward you with something of comparable mystique."

With a simple wave of his hand, Veradin waved his hand and summoned an ash-grey shard. The shard looked like igneous rock matching the dark pathway leading into the headquarters' main gates, but Kieran felt something unusual with this stone.

Due to this feeling, Kieran subconsciously glanced back at the stone tablet in the center of the room outside. 'It's not the same, but I'm getting a similar impression. They must originate from the same era if they aren't composed of the same material.'

Veradin waved his hand through the air, sending the item into Kieran's cupped palms. Once in his palm, Kieran looked at the shard with a grainy texture and lifted it to the soft yellow light above.

The item was too dense to see through, but Kieran did notice almost imperceptible energy flowing through the shard's exterior. The energy was a mix of gold and orange, exuding a heavy feeling.

"That shard is your reward for clearing the Herculean Round. It's a stone that has been in the War Deity Council's possession for quite some time, but it fails to react to any catalyst we introduce it to. Unfortunately, we can't ask the Wykins to assist due to our… negative relationship."

There was an aggrieved light in Veradin's eyes as he sighed. His body language conveyed how much he disagreed with the War Deity Council's ways. This was one of the reasons Scar chose to follow Veradin's faction.

Unless it was a matter of grave importance relating to the security of Xenith, Veradin remained uninvolved with trivial conflicts.

「 Ancient Rune Shard (Special Consumable)

Item Rank: ???

Item Level: ???

Item Usage: «Sealed»

Description: A shard of condensed power that exhibits signs of embedded rune power. The extraordinary power embedded within is believed to be an ancient form of rune writing, but it requires a suitably skilled ancient runemaster to verify this information. The uncovered power may be the tip of the iceberg and may not hint at the item's origins. 」

'Ancient Rune Shard. Could it have any relation to the Ancient Shard of Knowledge?' Kieran wondered. It was challenging to compare the two because the shard in his possession exhibited a different aura.

"If you're lucky and more able than those insufferable fogeys, perhaps you could enlist the help of the Wykins to help you uncover the origins of this stone," Veradin said.

"I'll be difficult, but it's worth a try," Kieran answered, holding a faint grimace.

The relationship between humans and Wykins was truly spoiled. Kieran expected such an item would have never fallen within the War Deity Council's grasp if they didn't tyrannically mandate the Wykins to help them or face eradication.

'I only know bits and pieces of the history, but that could change if I find a library with the proper historical records. Aeredale's library lacked such records. Maybe an Empire would be different?' Kieran thought.

Afterward, Veradin crossed his arms while thinking of a proper reward for Kieran. "Your situation is quite unprecedented. Within the thousand years of this competition, you are the first to overwhelm the Champion's Round. Even the strongest precedents fought the Champions to a draw. For this, I believe you deserve a special reward."

"If I were to pose an unusual offer, would you be interested?" Veradin questioned.

"It truthfully depends on the offer. My current condition isn't the greatest, so I'll have to decline if it is outlandish," Kieran answered.

Veradin gave a faint smile before nodding his head. "And here I thought your unusual abilities would sprout an insufferable arrogance within you. Understanding your limits is the first step to becoming supreme. One who believes they can challenge everything as they are is a true fool."

Veradin extended his hand and punctured space before continuing to talk. "That said, I'd like to delay the balance of your points. If you succeed, I will personally bestow a 10 million point limit."

Kieran stood with his eyes widened and mouth agape. It had to be known that Kieran's current points amounted to slightly over 1.9 million. If he succeeded in Veradin's challenge, his limit would increase by more than five times!

This reward truly piqued Kieran's interest. Why wouldn't it?

"May I know this offer of yours?" Kieran said respectfully, but a sense of eagerness shone within his expression.

"It's simple but also not so simple. Your special reward, which can only be triggered after the conditions are met, is The Immemorial Gladiator Trial. The longer you persist in that place, the stronger you could become," Veradin revealed.

The Immemorial Gladiator Trial was a special type of Secret Trial.

Secret Trials existed within Zenith Online to improve players' abilities drastically. It came in many forms; some rewarded no Experience but dropped exquisite items. Others rewarded insane Experiences but dropped abso-fucking-lutely nothing.

There was also a middle ground where there were no drops or Experience, but Skill Mastery skyrocketed while battling inside. Kieran began to wonder what type of trial this Immemorial Gladiator Trial was.

"How come it is rarely opened?" Kieran questioned.

"That's because the trial requires an immense amount of Mana and a special principle. Furthermore, it must be Mana from the world without the unique signature etched into Mana once it passes through a medium. Thus, we can only wait until the trial recharges itself," Veradin answered.

"Sounds like it is a unique trial."

Veradin nodded and agreed with Kieran while sitting back in his chair. "It is. It will more or less prepare you for what you would face on a world battlefield. You must successfully clear the 5th round if you enter this place."

"The 5th round? I assume it must be challenging. Is there a time limit for me to enter this place?" Kieran asked.

If it was as demanding as Veradin's tone implied, Kieran felt he should heal as much as possible before attempting this trial. Perhaps, he should even wait until his Class Advancement to challenge it.

"Time limit? Not at all. The trial will remain charged until someone attempts it. But only you have gained the second right to enter it this year. After you use it, it will once again return to dormancy," Veradin answered.

"The second right? Does that mean Ronan has cleared it?"

Kieran recalled Ronan's statement during the end of their battle. He had revealed that he had entered the unique opportunity, so he had no interest in doing so again. But, from what Kieran learned, he felt Ronan couldn't enter it again.

To confirm his suspicions, Kieran raised the question. "Can one attempt this trial twice?"

"No," Veradin shook his head. "Also, although there isn't a time limit, there is a restriction. The trial's entry portal will bar you from entering if you become an Advanced Being."

Kieran's expression grew gloomy after hearing this. Didn't this mean his earlier thought was useless? "How ruthless. I can only wonder what awaits me on the other side of the portal if Advancing is not allowed."

"Greatness. Greatness is what awaits you on the other side. I will reserve the test for you until you're ready to challenge it. When you are, you may use this," Veradin stated.

Afterward, he retrieved his hand from the space before him and placed an item within Kieran's palm.

〈System: You have received a «Designated Teleportation Stone»!〉

An oval stone with a purplish rune engraved on the center sat in Kieran's palm. He felt a sensation similar to when the Gatekeeper of Teleportations opened portals, but it felt condensed and focused into the stone.

After giving Kieran the stone, Veradin stood up, revealing his towering height. "Do you have any other questions for me, young man? If not, we may conclude this meeting here. I must arrange some matters now that I have delivered your rewards."

"No, all my curiosities have been sated," Kieran answered.

Veradin gave a final nod of approval before speaking. "Very well. Come along, Zieg. We have some matters to attend to."

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