Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

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Now that Kieran considered the event from the past, the possibility it might originate from this area felt highly plausible. Furthermore, Kieran began to speculate whether the quest holder was the same one who accepted this hidden class.

It was possible, but there were also various ways to ultimately stumble across the super World Quests that could determine the fate of Xenith. While that remained true, the characteristics of the invasion resembled the Chasm of Apogeton far too closely to be a mere coincidence.

Although the Wildes wasn't a very welcoming or pleasant environment to begin with, the Chasm of Apogeton was a different peril altogether. Sinister energy at least three times thicker than the atmosphere above permeated the periphery's extremes.

As one advanced towards the center, it would only grow denser. Additionally, the nefarious sensation was accompanied by a pressure that Kieran didn't quite understand. Despite the protection of the Ancient Crimson Aegis, Kieran felt a heaviness in his chest that couldn't be ignored.

It was similar to when someone experienced an anxiety attack but with some distinct differences.

Kieran was unsure whether it was a physical manifestation of a mental affliction, namely fear or apprehension. However, he slowly raised his hand to his chest and pressed on it just to be safe.

Surprisingly, he felt no sensation of his hand being there at all. Meaning, this extended far beyond having just to do with his mind. There was a much deeper reason behind the pressure he felt.

'This…'

Kieran's eyes widened as he gradually understood his current condition. While what he felt was partly fear of this place, the true reason for the present sensation plaguing him was the energy itself.

Even though the Ancient Crimson Aegis protected Kieran from receiving damage, it didn't wholly deflect the effects of this nefarious energy. As a result, Kieran's senses continued to dull until he could no longer feel his hand when pressed against his body.

In short, the Ancient Crimson Aegis was like a porous rubber film. Though it could deflect harsh impacts and most surrounding bodily invasions, it couldn't faultlessly block the more docile but still potent effects from making it through. Because of this limit, it was designed to protect against direct harm, not indirect discomforts.

"How're you holding up there, boy?" Agrianos questioned after noticing Kieran's baffled expression. He knew such an area could come as an immense shock to a person as inexperienced as Kieran.

Of course, this "inexperience" referred to Kieran's lacking physique and not to his familiarity with Xenith and its world history, which Kieran could admittedly still improve upon.

Agrianos was cognizant of the limits the Ancient Crimson Aegis imposed.

However, it was still arguably one of the best defensive buffs a non-defensive class like the one Agrianos possessed could deliver.

Aside from a select few, Agrianos was most likely one of the only existences that could withstand the energy present inside the Chasm of Apogeton without external help since its creation.

"I'll survive," Kieran nodded after regaining his wits. While the vanishing of his sense's effectiveness still troubled him, Kieran understood that it was something he would have to come to terms with while inside this site.

The traits of an SSS-ranked quest were finally bleeding through. It maintained an absurdly high difficulty despite Agrianos' protection and strict adherence to sole combat thus far. Because of this, Kieran could only wonder what else awaited him on this quest.

"Well, of course, you'll survive. You think I'd let you die, twerp? Not on my watch. Because, in the end, there's more for me to show you. For now, what you must see is in the center of this chasm," Agrianos replied.

At the same time, Agrianos' eyes shifted about, marking the position of many enemies hiding in the shadows. 'Why is the chasm producing all these damn nuisances?! I just checked on its conditions ten thousand years ago, and it wasn't like this!'

As mentioned before, Agrianos held a duty toward the Wildes. Explicitly speaking, his task was to overlook the Chasm of Apogeton, which required surveilling every ten thousand years. Aside from Agrianos, the number of individuals who could accomplish this task successfully numbered less than ten!

Granted, those individuals also acted as sentinels to areas equally as insane as the Chasm of Apogeton.

Still, the Chasm of Apogeton was without contest regarding how hazardous its aftereffects could be. If allowed to degrade too far, Xenith could be catapulted back into a state rivaling its tragic history.

Suddenly, Agrianos turned toward Kieran with an unusual expression. "Do you know the origins of the original Berserkers?"

"Not quite," Kieran answered truthfully. In fact, he wasn't too familiar with the exact principle that separated a Berserker from a True Berserker because the individual in his memory had an unusual way of battling. Additionally, they had an entity behind them that even surpassed guilds lauded as Behemoths.

The only thing Kieran understood was that a true Berserker could survive much longer than a typical Berserker when pinned against obscene numbers and stronger opponents.

"This chasm that surrounds you plays a tremendous role because this chasm was created during a Great War," Agrianos revealed. After a slight pause, he continued, "A truly great war involving our early days. It was during that war that the first Berserker was created."

"The first being you?" Kieran interjected.

"Correct—me. But, that would also be a half-truth because this path was bestowed upon me by a presence who, to this day, I have no deep recollection of. Either way, it is a power derived from the maddened nature of a demon―a tyrannical force created to cull another diabolical force. But, it comes at a cost."

"That cost is precisely why I brought you here. To accept this power, you must know its origin and willfully accept the burden that could befall you," Agrianos said.

Simultaneously, his grasp around his sword tightened considerably as a crimson mist seeped from his body.

Numerous ripples inside the darkness took place from which strange creatures emerged. It was hard to call them animals or even humans. They looked as if immeasurably toxic smog had adopted a bipedal form.

Roar!

These beings emitted frightening roars while rushing toward Agrianos at astonishingly fast speeds. They reached him instantly, forcing Agrianos to swiftly swing his sword in rapid yet fluid arcs. As a result, crimson scars stained the air and kept the unusual beings at bay.

However, unlike before, Agrianos no longer dealt with his adversaries in a single hit. Every being attacked by Agrianos was forced back a few steps. But, once they recovered, these bizarre beings continued to recklessly rush toward Agrianos.

As a result, Agrianos' visage grew dignified and brutal. Moreover, his reddish-black hair slowly levitated, gaining the appeal of a bloody deity! It was as if blood seeped from his every extremity. being.

'Basic moves will no longer suffice against these aberrations. If I allow them to persist, they'll just become a hindrance later on. I'll deal with them now."

The blood seeping from Agrianos' body coalesced into an exquisitely-made blood claymore with a razor-sharp but unusual edge. At times it felt solid, but other times it felt soft like flowing water, given the subtle ripples on its surface.

Once this sword finished forming, Agrianos swiped his hand upward.

Booom!

A sonic boom accompanied the large sword's movement as it whizzed through the sky. It vibrated intensely, displaying signs of imploding. However, it seemed to attract all of these beings' attention simultaneously. It was unknown if this was a property of the attack Agrianos employed or if the beings were simply mindless, but it worked in Agrianos' favor.

After a few seconds, the sword exploded with a large burst of fierce blood. At least half of all the being's bodies were obliterated by this attack, but Agrianos wasn't done. He brought his hand down while clenching his fist.

This action caused the suspended blood mist to turn into a cyclone of bloody arcs that mutilated the bodies until they were no more. Only then did Agrianos recall this terrifying blood back into his body.

Subsequently, his appearance returned to normal. However, the earlier scene was seared into Kieran's mind. Regardless of whether it was gone, Kieran could recall every moment perfectly.

What's more, he could also sense the berserk air that engulfed Agrianos for a few seconds.

Meanwhile, Agrianos' looked towards the center of the Chasm of Apogeton with a deepening frown. Throughout the fight, he spread his perception past their current position to gain an understanding of what was going wrong.

Eventually, it brought Agrianos an explanation. 'Is that damn seal coming undone? Because that rift is reaching an alarming size...'

For a moment, Agrianos entertained the thought of calling for Scar personally. Although he had yet to reach the peak of their path, he was still plenty strong. What's more, his situation was different from Agrianos.

But, Agrianos eventually decided against doing so. Instead, he turned towards Kieran with a bleak expression. "Boy... tell me. Are you worthy?"

"Worthy? I'd like to think I am, but it is inevitably up to you to determine whether I am worthy or not. But… is there a reason you ask me this now?"

"Indeed. The situation has deviated unexpectedly. So, I'm forced to adjust how I approach the issue. For the first time, I may require assistance. Follow me to the center of this chasm, and you will soon understand," Agrianos said.

In a deep and magnetizing voice, he then continued, "It is not your words that will you deem worthy of becoming a True Berserker; it is your actions! Prove that you have what it takes to accept this calling should all others perish."

Consequently, a notification appeared before Kieran's eyes.

〈System: You have been given an SSS-Rank sub-quest!〉