Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

—

Kieran wasn't aware of Isadora's internal thoughts after he left. How could he know her position wasn't just one of great authority? It also bestowed a great deal of loneliness.

Not many people, whether it was those at the top of the food chain or those who possessed a comfortable status, would risk offending someone like Isadora.

As a result, many people kept her at arm's length, never attempting to understand her on a deeper level.

This treatment cultivated a void within Isadora that she initially felt could only be filled by reaching new heights in her craft. But, alas, she found herself questioning her actions daily.

'Even before that boy appeared, the joy of success diminished with each accomplishment I made. Is it because there's no one I can share my delight with? At some point, the fulfillment concealed within accomplishing one's goals vanishes.'

While lost in her thoughts, Isadora begrudgingly swirled her finger in the air above her lap. The liquid in her cauldron reacted to her actions, gaining a subtle revolving momentum.

The once agitated top layer smoothened as a result of Isadora's actions. A few seconds later, the silvery flame beneath the cauldron dissipated while she released a crestfallen sigh.

There was no joy in creating this potion.

Even if she wished to be vulnerable to someone, she couldn't risk being taken advantage of. The vulnerability of a woman's heart could lead her to love blindly, ignoring all the destructive machinations around her.

…

While relishing the effects of Isadora's potion, Kieran approached the edge of the Hero's Sanctuary, where the Teleportation Hall was located. 'I really can't believe it. To think Isadora indifferently used a Rank VI potion on me. A Rank III potion would have sufficed. Perhaps….'

Kieran squinted as an abrasive thought serviced in his mind. 'Is she perhaps trying to make me indebted to her so that I'm forced to complete her quest without a choice? If so, what a sly woman she is.'

Subconsciously, Scar's words morphed Kieran's impression of Isadora.

Even though she hadn't done anything wrong thus far, and despite being the only reason his evolution into a True Berserker succeeded, Kieran was suspicious of her.

'It wouldn't be uncommon for a woman in power to become twisted. Although it's sad, she's at an inherent disadvantage due to societal views. I can only guess how much clawing she performed to rise above her unfair circumstances.'

After thinking about this, Kieran stopped in his tracks and turned toward Scar's manor and then Isadora's personal building.

'Maybe I have a jaded view of her. I shouldn't be so critical of her. After all, while difficult, she didn't enforce a challenging time limit on the quest.'

Kieran eventually sighed and discarded any negative thoughts about Isadora. He felt he should at least give her the benefit of a clean slate and let her future actions dictate his impression of her.

A few moments later, he entered the Teleportation Hall and laid eyes upon the Gatekeeper of Teleportations standing in the darkness of the Teleportation Gate's shadow.

"All that commotion during these past few days—it's the result of Scar training you, isn't it? You may show no change on the surface, but I can tell you benefited from your predecessor guiding you," the Gatekeeper of Teleportations commented.

His profound gaze washed over Kieran, inspecting him closely. Even though his appearance looked no different from a blind person's, the Gatekeeper of Telepartion's eyes pierced beyond the mundane.

If they didn't, wielding spatial energy so skillfully would become impossible. Because one first needed to understand the delicate tendrils of space before they could forcibly separate them.

"It's as you said," Kieran nodded.

Although his level didn't experience any increase over these few days, his status screen underwent a tremendous change.

「Name: Aatrox  *Gold

Race: Human

Lv.45 (Experience: 0/2,069,539)

Item Level: 119

Class: True Berserker (Tier 1)

Title(s): Inheritor of the Berserk Path | Tenacious Warrior | Goblin Slayer | Aeredale's Savior

World Fame: 1,150 (Lord)

----------------------------

[«Stats»]-

Health: 6,440/6,440 (32.2 HP regen/sec)

Mana: 750/750 (1.8 MP regen/sec)

Stamina: 14,640 (73.2 Stamina regen/sec)

Phys. Attack: 5,339

Mag. Attack: 1,458

Phys. Defense: 5,090

Mag. Defense: 520

-----------------------------

[«Attributes»]-

»Strength: 1,418 (447 + 735 + 236)

»Intelligence: 100 (55 + 45 + 0)

»Agility: 731 (436 + 200 + 95)

»Endurance: 690 (80 + 610 + 0)

»Control: 521 (326 + 127 + 68)

»Vitality: 685 (90 + 595 + 0)

»Perception: 225 (185 + 40 + 0)

----------------------------

[«Traits»]- 3

«Lifesteal» - Basic

«Zero Loss of Potential» - Unique

«Vengeful Soul» - Strengthened

----------------------------

[«Skills»]-

(Passive)

«Seething Ichor» - SS - Lv.1 (Mastered)

«Blood Mania» - SS - Lv.4

«Deranged Spirit» - S+  - Lv.2

«Abhorrent Paroxysm» - A - Lv.3

«Torment's Benefits: Dull» - A - Lv.5

«Tormented Beliefs» - B - Lv.6

«Berserker's Burden» - C - Lv.5

(Active)

«Dread Culling» - S - Lv.1

«Blood Pulse» - A - Lv.4

«Peril Implosion» - A - Lv.4

«Sanguinem Tempests» - A - Lv.4

«Seethe Burst» - B - Lv.5

«Wrath Eruption» - B - Lv.5

«Blood Wave» - B - Lv.5

«Wild Crash» - B - Lv.6

«Crimson Barrage» - C - Lv.9

«Sanguine Slashes» - C - Lv.12

«Crimson Current» - C - Lv.9

«Fury Rush» - C - Lv.9

[Unassigned Stat Point: 94]

[Skill Points: 100]  」

After fighting against Scar nonstop, pushing himself to the verge of collapse several times, Kieran's Skill Menu experienced an incredible increase.

Due to the extremely low cooldown of his inferior skills and the better mastery scaling, Kieran's C Rank Skills neared Lv.10. Although this transformation didn't improve Kieran's chances against an enemy like Scar, it turned him into a well-trained monster amongst his peers.

After viewing his status screen, Kieran was filled with the urge to storm into the War Deity Council and demand they start the Gladiator's Coliseum event right this moment!

However, Kieran also understood his impression of his current stats stemmed from using his fellow players as a representation when in reality, his upcoming opponents would be much more terrifying.

Upon realizing his mistake, while his excitement didn't fade, it changed into anticipation. How strong were the War Deity Council's nominal members?

Furthermore, what were the rewards for completing this challenge aside from becoming an official member of the War Deity Council?

The Gatekeeper of Teleportation gave Kieran a nod of approval before glancing at the Teleportation Gate. "Will you be returning to the region you came from?"

"I will," Kieran answered.

"Understood. Where in particular would you like to arrive inside the Aeredale Kingdom?"

Kieran considered his choices before deciding to land before the Mayor's Office. During his training, Kieran determined it would be best if he returned some of the Gold in his possession.

Not only would it alleviate Aeredale City's strained infrastructure, but it was also more than enough to begin the city's renewal.

Another reason Kieran decided to move forward with this action was a matter he ignored.

Completing quests wasn't the only way to get rewards. It was possible to obtain rewards without the presence of a quest if one's actions warranted special treatment. Kieran felt returning a massive sum of Gold should warrant such an outcome.

"Very well, young inheritor. That'll be 100 Gold."

Kieran grimaced when hearing the price because it was approximately ten times more than the standard price. But, after considering the location of the Hero's Sanctuary and the Gatekeeper of Teleportation's abilities, Kieran felt the price wasn't too outlandish.

Moreover, if he took into account the fact he didn't pay to enter the Hero's Sanctuary, it was like the cost was split in half.

After obtaining payment, the gatekeeper lifted his hands and activated the gate. It thrummed with enthralling spatial fluctuations before a stable channel connecting to Kieran's desired location appeared.

Kieran thanked the Gatekeeper of Teleportations and stepped inside.

…

A few moments later, Kieran walked out of a portal in the center of Aeredale City's bustling central area.

Several players gasped and turned to look at him after the portal closed in a blink of an eye.

"Who is so rich that they can afford personal teleportation?"

"Wait… that armor! I've heard rumors that the so-called Aatrox has changed his appearance once again, now appearing like a lord of savage beasts! It must be his reward from killing that Epic NPC."

"Oh, that's cool. It sounds like a manhua I read not too long ago. But the only difference was that dude was a coward. Didn't you hear what happened?! Aatrox went against several hundred players without backing down!"

Kieran's fame had already spread far and wide within the player base, primarily the one found in the Aeredale Kingdom.

There wasn't a player present that wasn't aware of his feats.

A lighthearted smile surfaced on Kieran's lips after taking in the scenery around him. The fame was somewhat enjoyable, but he wondered how they would react when he streamed his involvement in the Gladiator's Coliseum.

Aside from relishing the fame, Kieran noted the immediate effects of this mass player influx.

'The city is thriving after many players have migrated to this place. The income from the several item shops should already offset some losses the city sustained.'

Following this quick thought, Kieran entered the Mayor's Office and gave the receptionist a friendly smile.

"Hello, Lord Aatrox. It is a pleasure to have you."

Kieran returned a respectful greeting before walking to Mayor Lowe's private office in the building's rear.

However, he heard an unfamiliar voice speaking with Mayor Lowe while approaching the door.

'Am I interrupting a meeting?' Kieran wondered.