[00:10]
"I've just 10 seconds remaining and I haven't picked one talent yet."
"It isn't because I've not come across any good talent, but I'm still not satisfied with the talents I've seen so far."
"I've got the SS Rank evaluation... My talent is supposed to be something unique among these SS Rank talents present here..."
"My talent must be something that can cause ripples not just in the Northern Region, but in the whole of God's Realm."
[00:05]
"Eyes of Dragon" — Malik's pupils turned golden as he stared at the dark balls. His gaze locked on one that wasn't dark but golden in color — a unique talent amidst the numerous others.
"Found you..." Malik's eyes flickered with light as he stretched his hand to grab the golden ball.
[00:02]
[00:01]
[Do you wish to choose this talent?]
"Of course." Malik replied as the golden ball emitted golden light that engulfed his entire body. 'Pheew! That was a close call.'
Golden runes appeared on Malik's body as his white robes were reborn. As they shone golden, it was as if they were made out of pure gold.
[Main God System —) You've obtained a SSS Rank Talent]
A SSS Rank Talent... Malik's body shuddered in shock. When he picked the golden ball, he only chose it because it stood out. Never in his life would he have imagined that the talent he obtained was an SSS Rank talent.
[Main God System —) As the first player ever to obtain a SSS Rank Talent, you've become an Ancestor. Your popularity in God's Realm has increased by 10%. You've earned 3 additional skill slots, +100 to all base stats, and a worldwide system announcement.]
What? All of this bonus for obtaining a SSS Rank talent...? Malik's heart couldn't help but beat in elation.
"Actually, the reason I was more focused on getting a powerful talent is because of my skill slot. Every player has a limited amount of skills they can learn in their entire life depending on their profession. My Cultivator class gave me 5 skill slots, which have already been filled. The Mark of Devourer isn't really a skill — it's an item that's bound to me and has a chance of dropping on death, but that chance is so minimal. Some other classes only have 4, while others have 5. The skill slot is a limit to how many skills a player can learn. That's why players don't just learn any skill. I was even regretting learning Necro Slash because it's a B-grade skill..."
"But to think that the Main God System would actually give me such a wondrous gift as 3 additional skills and 100 stat points to all base stats... I take back my words — the Main God System is truly generous." Malik smiled shamelessly as he opened his skill page. He wanted to check out the talent he just learned when he heard the system notification.
[You'll be transported out of the Beginning Tower in 3, 2, 1]
Malik didn't have time to react before his silhouette flashed and he was taken out of the Beginning Tower.
——
Northern Region Announcement —) Player CrimsonFlame of the Western Region has cleared the Beginning Tower with a SS Rank Evaluation, becoming the first player to achieve a SS Evaluation. Awarding the title Realm Crosser, +5 levels, 30,000 gold coins, and 100,000 prestige points. ×3
Main God System Announcement —) Player CrimsonFlame of the Western Region has gained a SSS Rank Talent, becoming the first player to achieve such a talent. Awarding the title Ancestor and 500,000 prestige points. ×3
——
Players all around the four regions of God's Realm heard this system notification thrice in their minds and froze on the spot.
"CrimsonFlame... CrimsonFlame..."
"Who's this CrimsonFlame?"
"Find him... Check everywhere... All the forums..."
"The Northern Region... Check all the data in the Northern Region. We must find this Ancestor."
"CrimsonFlame has become the number 9 Ancestor in God's Realm. We must uncover his identity."
Guilds, players, even NPCs were all agitated. Everyone was searching for this player known as CrimsonFlame, trying to find any information about him — but alas, they couldn't find a single detail.
No players were more agitated and furious than those of the Northern Region, especially the Superpowers in the Northern Region...
"A player from the Western Region, or did I hear wrong?"
"I thought the four regions weren't connected? Can players really cross Realms?"
"That means CrimsonFlame isn't ordinary... We have to find him by all means."
"Our Black Dragon Guild must find a way to recruit him."
"A top-tier expert..."
"He's from the Western Region. Isn't that the Black Continent? Are players from the Black Continent that strong?"
"Search the Dark Web... We must find CrimsonFlame's identity."
"CrimsonFlame... CrimsonFlame... What a tyrannical name."
"Finally... Another Ancestor..."
—
The effect of the announcement was too much for players to handle. Every forum exploded. All the discussions were about this player — CrimsonFlame. Top Guilds and Superpowers were offering heavy compensation to anyone who could unravel his identity.
Of course, no one knew the truth… except two.
—
[Vale City —) Tier 2 City, Valcharis Empire]
"CrimsonFlame... CrimsonFlame... I knew that bastard was never ordinary, but to think he's not from this region..."
"A Realm Crosser? What in the world is that? I have to ask him. I hope that bastard doesn't snub me now that he's an Ancestor."
The Level 40 female Summoner said as she pulled up her friend list and tapped on CrimsonFlame's name. It had been four days since she and Malik had defeated the Kobold Chieftain together, and she had since challenged the Beginning Tower and achieved an A+ Rank Talent, boosting her overall prowess.
As she was waiting for the name to load, her perception picked up an arrow being launched at her. She quickly raised her staff to block the arrow. Another came from behind, but she dodged — all thanks to the agility cheat she had learned from Malik.
"As expected of someone who got an A+ Rank Talent from the Beginning Tower. Tier 1 players can't even touch you."
"Shadow Guild..." Luna muttered, gritting her teeth as she stared at the silhouette in front of her, bearing the shadow emblem on his gear.
"Miss Luna... What's your say about our deal?" said the member of the Shadow Guild — a Tier 2 Level 50 Swordsman — as he stared at Luna, who was constantly checking her surroundings.
She was in a discreet part of Vale City, a place hidden enough that NPC guards wouldn't easily notice her.
"Our deal? We never had a deal. Why is the Shadow Guild ambushing me out of the blue?" Luna asked as she gripped her staff tightly.
"Sorry about that, Miss Luna... We were only evaluating your combat prowess. From our evaluation, you're fit to become a core member of the Shadow Guild."
"Just give us the Purple Electric Gem and we'll compensate you with top-tier equipment and nurture you well in the guild... What do you think about this new deal, Miss Luna?" the Tier 2 Swordsman proposed, and Luna pointed her staff at him.
Luna gritted her teeth, she didn't know what to say at the moment. But that very moment, she spotted two Tier 2 Guards strolling towards them causing her confidence to be reborn.
"No equipment can rival the importance of the Purple Electric Gem. With it, I'm going to challenge my Tier 2 promotion quest, so I'll be rejecting your guild's offer," Luna said as she walked away — only for two players to appear behind the Tier 2 Swordsman.
"Brother Dylan, it's just as you predicted. She won't give up the Purple Gemstone."
"And if she successfully completes her Tier 2 promotion quest using the Purple Electric Gem, there's a chance she might obtain a special class — and then she'll be even harder to deal with."
"Brother Dylan, we must kill her and obtain the Purple Gemstone... Young Master is in need of it."
"Not just once, Brother Dylan — we must drop her level too, so she's no longer a threat."
"Yes, we must strike at once — before the Phantom Hunt catches wind of this information."
"Not just the Phantom Hunt Guild... If this gets out, it'll be harder for our Shadow Guild to monopolize everything."
"Send a message to the core members of the Shadow Guild. It's time to rain chaos in Vale City."