Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player



Unlike the other items displayed inside the Exchange, this particular item called out to Kieran, resonating with his creed, mindset and conviction on a level he had never felt before. 

With such high compatibility between him and this item, Kieran felt like he'd be a fool not to attempt to learn more about it.

Holding the fragmented tome in his hand, Kieran experienced a haptic phenomenon wherein touching the tome resulted in some mild sensory distortion. If Kieran wasn't aware of his current surroundings, he would have believed he was transported into some kind of dreamscape through mere touch.

Though, what he felt was the remnants of an extraordinarily pure intent. 

"It's no surprise you're drawn to an item like that," Veradin spoke up, his eyes flashing with faint delight as his lips curled into a pleased smile.

From what Veradin knew, this particular item had never reacted in such a way before. Perhaps it was far too picky, requiring a specific individual with inimitable circumstances, or maybe it simply needed an individual that did not fear death.

Whatever it may be, Kieran experienced a subtle resonance, making it almost impossible for him to put it down without learning more about it.

"You seem quite familiar with this item. What exactly is it?"

"You can… call it a memento of one of the War Deity Council's forefathers. It is an item that once belonged to the person we called the Draconian Warmonger, an undeniably savage force on the battlefield that many cowered, recoiled and retreated from."

"Sounds partially barbaric," Kieran remarked, continuing to examine the time-worn and fragmented tome. 

"How did you know? Barbaric is an apt word to describe that man's behavior and conduct. I was but a young boy at that time, but I saw things. Fascinatingly gruesome, but primitive and fundamental. Who I am today is a culmination of what I saw then," Veradin said.

Afterward, Veradin's gaze became nostalgic, as if relishing in the memories of a grisly but perversely filling time. For those that loved battle, the earlier era was a windfall of never-ending conflict and opportunities to bleed and return stronger. 

In Veradin's eyes, it was a time of real men, with shifty machinations and deceitful artifices only playing a minimal role.

Initially, Kieran believed it was something like a Legacy Relic that would bestow a set of techniques, but now it felt a bit different. Like it was part of a much greater picture.

Given the sentiments that Veradin revealed, it was plausible. This item could very well be extremely important. However, the issue of this matter was its price. If Kieran chose to obtain this item, the balance of his points would essentially be wiped out.

Its price was after all… 7.5 million points.

"I think I understand why the item resonated with you the way it did. You possess an unprecedented synergy with it. You carry something innate that can blossom into something greater, possibly even resembling the Draconian Warmonger's bullish ways."

"Is this item the reason you gave me such a specific increase in points? Did you see something in me?" Kieran suddenly asked. 

It all seemed too convenient to him. Though there was a sizable difference between 7.5 million and 10 million points, Kieran couldn't ignore the fact that this number would allow him to come in contact with the item without fail.

Due to the restrictions of the Exchange, perusing items above one's point threshold was impossible. Sure, it limited the information that could be gained and, in some cases, prevented expectant observers from gaining something to aim for. 

Unfortunately, the War Deity Council felt that the aspirations of their members needed to be monitored and curtailed if they grew too absurd. Nothing was more detrimental than a fantasizer with the potential to transform their idyllic fantasy into reality.

This was especially true, given the secrets that the War Deity Council was aware of. Some aspects of time were too grand for any person, entity or individual to influence. 

At least… that much rang true for this Lesser Boundary, where they could exercise their authority and remain one of the top dogs.

"I saw the capacity for you to be something special. And this realization of mine did not include the power you inherited from Scar. When I say this… I am talking about you—the inner and true you. That Aspect of yours is living proof. You should know that this forefather possessed an Aspect similar to yours. It was at that moment I decided… perhaps it was you that could find the ruins."

"Ruins?" Kieran turned his head in Veradin's direction, all of his attention now trained on the older man.

"Correct. This forefather's death was somewhat unceremonious. Though there was a celebration, mourning and remembrance to exalt the grand figure… the truth is that no cadaver remained. No legacy left behind to edify the council's future generation. Perhaps it would be different if that were the case."

Thinking of this made Veradin sigh regretfully, his shoulder now drooping as he summoned a cane to support him, though it served no actual purpose. He managed just fine, but his disappointment in the organization made him momentarily weary.

"Straightforward, blunt, and rigid—those were that man's traits. If there was conflict, you could count on him to deliver swift, just and befitting retribution. In fact, this method could be called… cruel and disconcerting."

"You seemed to really idolize this man, Lord Veradin."

"That much is for certain," Veradin admitted, making no efforts to hide his sentiments. "My Righteous Faction was founded upon the skeleton of what I extracted from his behavior. Even if it's only in name and not to carry out my will, you are a member of that faction. Who knows… maybe one day, it may even enter your grasp. Should that occur… I hope you honor the tenets of its moral propriety."

"That said… what will you do? Do you accept that piece of history? The choice is yours. I shall not impose something upon you that you have zero interest in."

"No," Kieran answered hastily. With a faint shake of his head, he lifted the tome to eye level. "I'll accept. If this tome can lead me to a Lost Legacy, I'll more than happily accept the journey."

To him, a forefather of the War Deity Council powerful enough to earn a moniker like the Draconian Warmonger during a time when unfathomable powerhouses were born must possess a formidable Legacy. 

Kieran couldn't give that up. Not when it sounded like it suited a Berserker and a Barbarian.

In his eyes, Veradin's words were the truth. 

The moment Kieran purchased the tome, more information about it was revealed to him.

〈System: You have obtained the item: «Fragment of the Warmonger's Tomb».〉 

〈System: The «Fragment of the Warmonger's Tomb» can be used to find the Lost Ruins of a Fallen Empyrean. Refer to the intensity of the call to locate its destination.〉

'As I suspected. As it is a Lost Legacy… it can only be found in a Lost Ruins. I just hope the difficulty isn't too great. Then again, we've been over this. What good is hope? I'll find out what this matter of an Empyrean means once I reach it,' Kieran inwardly muttered.

For a moment, Kieran considered posing the question to Veradin, but it might seem strange for a young man such as himself to understand an archaic and essentially lost term like an Empyrean. 

Besides, Kieran didn't even understand the meaning of the name.

If he did, he would know that voicing the term Empyrean on this Boundary could lead to grave misfortunes.

After acquiring the Fragment of the Warmonger's Tomb, Kieran continued to search for anything of minor use, obtaining some valuable items that could be conducive to repairing Crimson Ashrune in the future.

…

Having obtained his rewards, Kieran's attention returned to a luxurious room that broadcasted sheer opulence. As he looked around, Kieran rubbed on his War Crest of Champions in deep thought.

"How much time has passed since I stepped inside the War Phantasmagoria?"

Veradin considered the passage of time before answering. "Roughly 2 days. It must have been one hell of a fight for you to reach the 6th stage in that amount of time."

'I'm in no condition to fight. The Sword of Vengeance and Imperfect Blood Armor essentially drained my vitality. Since that's the case… maybe it's time for a break. That much sounds like it could be good.'

Determining that rest was in his best interest, Kieran eventually bade his farewells, thanking Veradin before walking out of the doors of the War Deity Council minutes later. 

He could visit the Hero's Sanctuary and request some of the Quintessential Aether he left with Isadora, but Kieran decided that it wasn't ideal.

Frankly speaking, most of Kieran's fatigue stemmed from the stress placed upon his willpower. Soothing respite, solace and the familiarity of his allies were the only things he believed would fortify his weary mind.

'Huh… I miss them? Who would have thought.'

On his journey to the nearest Teleportation Hall, Kieran cracked a faint smile betraying the irony he felt. Despite all his efforts to keep people at a distance, somehow, their images had seeped into ruminations.

Were they a strength or weakness? Only time could tell him that answer.

…

Hours later, Kieran stood before the Godhand Consortium, which by now, experienced a steady flow of foot traffic and revenue. Given its low-cost margins, the unchallenged behemoth was already beginning to turn a profit.

Yet, the business' glowing success was not the matter Kieran focused on. Upon entering the Godhand Consortium, Milana met up with him, alerting him of some matters.

"Sir, you have some visitors. They have said to know you personally," Milana revealed. Looking down, she confirmed their identities and then continued. "It's one… Ezra and company, sir?"

'Ezra has reached out to me? I want to say it's strange, but I'll bite. After all, it's been some time since I've seen her.'