Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player
chapter-202

Scar gazed upon Kieran silently after hearing him mention the Trial of Inheritors. It was a rite of passage every inheritor of a Mythical Mantle must go through. However, it couldn't begin until the holders filled all of the inheritors' slots.

How fast the inheritors gathered depended on the seven original holders of the Mythical Mantles. Scar was the only Mythical Hero with an inheritor to partake in the trial.

Before answering Kieran's question, Scar sighed and shook his head. "Way to ruin the surprise, you insane woman." Of course, Scar didn't speak too loudly in case Isadora wasn't preoccupied.

At their level, one's hearing was frightening, capable of picking up the slightest sound hundreds of kilometers away. Scar's future wouldn't be necessarily well if Isadora caught him slandering her name by referring to her as an insane woman.

Nevertheless, Scar rubbed his chin before thinking of the best way to answer the question without divulging too much information. The content would remain a mystery until it occurred.

"The Trial of Inheritors is a trial that all inheritors must undergo simultaneously. On the one hand, it's like a competition to see whose mantle is supreme. On the other, it's a test to see if the chosen inheritor is truly worthy. Anyone who fails their trial will be stripped of their mantle."

Kieran nodded subtly after hearing this information. Listening to Scar speak spurred a question in his mind. "Has anyone ever failed before?"

Scar grimaced to the point it looked like he was in actual pain. He considered whether or not he should disclose this information in fear of his current inheritor backing down.

However, after recalling Kieran's resilience over these couple of days and his persistently brazen behavior, Scar felt announcing the truth of his history wouldn't deter Kieran.

Thus, Scar disseminated the information.

"Exactly 69 people have failed my portion of the Inheritor of Trials. Amongst those who have failed… sixty died. Those deaths are why I sought someone that was a blank slate, to give them enough time to mature into a pure existence capable of upholding a True Berserker's supremacy."

Kieran didn't utter a word as his throat juggled up and down. He wanted to speak, but the words were stuck!

Sixty people had died after accepting the Trial of True Berserker. After spending time with Scar, Kieran understood the minimum level of talent Scar would accept.

If sixty of such people died, what did they experience? Could it have some relation to Argexes' Blood?

If so, Kieran could understand how that would result in death. Argexes' Blood was genuinely frightening, and not many would willingly assimilate it. For once it swallowed a person, there was no chance of their original self ever returning.

Of course, Kieran also felt Argexes' Blood couldn't kill anyone since it was parasitic and desired a host. It was more likely that Scar or Agrianos killed them after succumbing to the mania.

Although he wasn't sure if Scar would answer his question, he posed it nonetheless. "Were you the one who killed those sixty people?"

"No. Well… that's not entirely correct. You could say I had a hand in their deaths. In the end, I was responsible for choosing them as a possible inheritor of the mantle," Scar said.

"Then…" Kieran paused and looked at the unique symbol on his palm. "Is the trial related to Argexes' Blood?"

"I don't know," Scar shook his head. "The trial changes with each attempt and does so according to the challenger's potential. It could be relatively easy or the most horrendous challenge one could ever face."

Kieran fell silent while pondering Scar's words.

'A trial that isn't cemented and shrouded in mystery? Furthermore, it changes depending on the user's potential. If that's the case, I wonder if the system will register as a Secret Trial. Tweaking the difficulty may be possible if so….'

Kieran had many questions regarding the Trial of Inheritors, but he knew Scar would be tight-lipped with the essential information. Until the trial commenced, Kieran would continue being in the dark about it.

Nevertheless, Kieran hoped his speculations of the Trial of Inheritors were correct. If it were, and it was the first Secret Trial to appear within Zenith Online, then there was ample opportunity hidden inside.

The only thing Kieran regretted was that it was limited to the holders of the Mythical Mantles. Bastion and the others couldn't be invited to the Trial of Inheritors. Not unless they miraculously obtained one of the mantles.

Sadly, only two of them existed on this continent. And intercontinental travel inside Zenith Online was impossible currently. Only an Empire and the Hero's Sanctuary possessed the means to travel between continents.

As for traveling the distance on foot, that was out of the equation. One must cross through many of the Wildes' forbidden areas to arrive at another continent. Risking death at every turn from monsters above Lv.200 wasn't worth it.

Furthermore, visiting the Hero's Sanctuary was impossible without a Hero's Certificate or an invitation from a hero.

Kieran inwardly groaned after recalling all this information. 'It's a shame, but only Altair will benefit from our location. We need to obtain the Shadow Dancer's legacy as soon as possible before someone else claims it.'

Because of the minor butterfly effects, although Altair initially held this class, it was a chance Kieran's actions could upset the delicate balance in the timeline. People like Altair could end up suffering from the changes Kieran's efforts produced.

The Shadow Dancer was the Mythical Mantle of the Thieves, excelling in darkness skills, shadow abilities, and rapid phantasm-like movements. It was the missing piece to Altair completing his Darkness Excursion Steps.

After a while, Kieran looked at Scar. "I should probably go visit Isadora. I'm more fatigued than I care to admit."

"Go on." Scar didn't stop Kieran. On the contrary, he advocated for Kieran to visit and possibly scam her. "Make sure to take something from her. Oh! She's weak to reason, so play upon that."

Scar spoke like a naughty child playing a prank on an old friend. Kieran could only sigh helplessly and shake his head.

'This is my teacher… strong but immature. Reliable yet unreasonable,' Kieran thought.

After exchanging a few words, Kieran left, leaving Scar to look around blankly. "Oh man, I should get someone to clean this up. We destroyed this place…."

Not a single pillar or inch of the floor was undamaged. During Kieran's training, Scar increased the intensity multiple times, which led to the current predicament.

However, the culprit of this damage was naturally Scar with his catastrophic attacks.

…

Kieran arrived at Isadora's humble abode, swarming with herbal scents and fruity aromas. Before he could knock, a melodious voice sounded from the other side of the door as it opened languidly.

Upon walking inside, Kieran saw Isadora in her typical place, seated before her cauldron, monitoring the contents inside.

Isadora gave Kieran a side-long glance at first before performing a double take. "You've… changed. But, why don't I smell nature on you? I guess you have yet to complete my demands, huh?"

Kieran's first instinct was to retort and rebuke Isadora for giving him a request steeped in death, but he quelled his rambunctious tendencies. Instead, he gave a thin smile.

"How can I visit the Emplenan Few without first acquiring power? As much as I would like to express genuine peace, entering that place without the ability to protect myself is foolish."

"You could always toss around Scar's reputation. I'm sure that's worth something," Isadora nonchalantly replied.

In response, Kieran scoffed. "As if the rulers of the Elven Race fear Scar. We all know how powerful those elves are in the confines of their homes."

Isadora's brows arched after hearing Kieran's comment. 'This little boy is aware of the Elves' special abilities? How interesting. Nevertheless, I suppose he isn't wrong.'

After a moment of silence, Isadora turned to Kieran and crossed her arms above her waist. "So, what brings your here then?"

"Well…" Kieran gave a sheepish grin before recalling Scar's advice. "It turns out I can't acquire power without your help. I need a potion that will heal me."

Isadora's expression sank, turning into a cold frown. "You have robbed me of several precious materials, and you have the gall to ask for more?!"

'Damn you, Scar! I've been had!' Kieran screamed out in his mind. As it turned out, Isadora's behavior was the exact opposite of what Scar described. She didn't seem weak to reason at all.

It was unknown if it was just in his head, but Kieran swore he heard Scar's rambunctious laughter resonating throughout the sanctuary.

Kieran's expression darkened as he was filled with gloom. "If it is too much to ask, then ignore my request. It seems I have fallen victim to Scar's petty machinations."

Isadora sized up Kieran with a disdainful expression, but her following words dumbfounded Kieran.

"I never said I wouldn't supply you with it. I'm just astonished by your gall. Judging by your state, you'll need something to correct your depleted Stamina."

After speaking, Isadora lifted two fingers and slid them across the air like a librarian searching through a collection of books on a packed bookshelf.

"Ah-! This will do."

A slender vial filled with verdant green liquid floated towards her hand. "Open your mouth."

For some reason, this demand made Kieran feel uncomfortable. Still, he reluctantly obliged.

〈System: You have consumed the Rank VI Potion «Breath of Life». Stamina has been replenished. For the next 12 hours, your Stamina Regeneration will be increased by 1,000%.〉

Kieran's jaw dropped after reading this notification. Isadora casually taking out a Rank VI potion, the equivalent of a Forger creating a Legendary Item, nearly made his brain malfunction.

Isadora glanced at Kieran's comical expression and spoke. "I estimate that's well enough, yes? I hope the next time you appear before me, it's with my requested items in hand. Otherwise, I'll be furious."

"Understood, Ms. Beauty Isadora," Kieran said. Although his tone was playful, he bowed respectfully and walked toward the door.

Isadora was left at a loss for words before twirling a lock of silky hair around her finger.

'When was the last time someone dared to speak to me so lightheartedly? After assuming the position of the Circle's Leader, the only emotion I was shown was respect. In the end, I've become a transactional existence in the eyes of everyone and nothing else.'

Isadora looked down at her cauldron and released a dispirited sigh.