Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player
chapter-77

After a deep exhale, Kieran slowly stood up inside the cauldron. Despite the raging silver flame underneath, the way he stood utterly still gave the impression that he could sense no heat from the inside of the cauldron.

Upon standing up, Kieran looked down at his body and analyzed it thoroughly. What he found left him astonished. Compared to when he went inside, it was as if Kieran had emerged as a whole new person!

His body gained more muscle mass and definition, and although he felt much heavier as if his body mass had been amplified, it didn't seem to interfere with his ability to control it. Part of this heaviness originated from the change to his bone structure, while the remainder was due to the rebirth elixir replacing his original blood.

A light blush appeared on Isadora's cheek as she looked directly at Kieran's body without averting her gaze. 'Is he still the same boy? But, besides that, I guess I know the reason why Scar possesses such a brutish body now. It's as if they've taken on a few demonic traits.'

Kieran casually lifted his head and met Isadora's gaze with a slight smile. "I told you I'd succeed."

Afterward, he stepped out of the glorified blood bath and stepped on the floor. Despite his reddened skin that resulted from sitting inside the boiling blood, there was no stain left on the floor from his footprint. Kieran's body had wholly absorbed all the residual blood.

"I know what you said, but seeing is believing. It's hard to take someone at their word if you have no prior trust. But, it seems to be true. I sense nothing different about your disposition. Still, you should be careful. Although there is nothing present now, there is no telling if something could flare up at a later date," Isadora said as the blush on her cheeks gradually dissipated.

However, she couldn't help but steal some glances at Kieran's more masculine figure.

Meanwhile, Kieran nodded while browsing through the ample amount of notifications received after emerging from the blood bath.

〈System: Congratulations, you have successfully promoted to the Hidden Class «True Berserker»!〉

〈System: Due to the grade of the «True Berserker» Class, the Experience Requirement for each level up has risen by 300%.〉

〈System: Your Status Screen has changed according to your current Tier.〉

〈System: Due to being the first player to complete a Hidden Class Promotion, you have received a unique opportunity. [Visit Exclusive Teacher to reveal the special reward.]〉

┌───────────────────

True Berserker Class Promotion Rewards:

Health +500

Strength: +80

Agility: +80

Control: +75

Vitality: +60

Endurance: +60

Intelligence: +35

Perception: +40

Constitution: +2

Unassigned Attribute Points: 70

Skill Points: 48

+10 Phys. Attk Power per level.

└───────────────────

〈System: Please visit your Exclusive Teacher to receive your Promotion Quest Rewards.〉

〈System: The following skills have been unlearned: Savage Break, Force Slash, and Warrior's Aura. Superior versions have replaced these skills.〉

〈System: The learned skill «Tempest Strikes» has evolved into «Sanguinem Tempest»!〉

〈System: All Skill Points spent on unlearned Skills have been returned for further usage! [52 Skill Points.]〉

After sifting through the stream of notifications, Kieran was compelled to visit Scar right away. He wished to unveil this unique opportunity with haste.

Be that as it may, the heightened experience requirements worried Kieran. Triple the standard rate? That meant following the orthodox growth route wouldn't be ideal since he required three times the experience of regular classes.

Additionally, there was no indication whether this requirement came with related benefits, such as increased power boosts in comparison to other classes at the same level.

Nevertheless, the fact that this class's Physical Attack Power grew with every level automatically delighted Kieran. Normally, stats could only grow when attribute points were assigned. Not even some of the more unique classes granted raw stats with every level.

Instead, those stats needed to be trained proactively through the class's proper channels.

'Ahem, you might want to get dressed now," Isadora commented, breaking Kieran's unusually focused expression. He glanced down at his body before interacting with the interface to equip his clothing.

While not too far from him, Isadora looked over his body with a watchful gaze. 'Although his power seems physical, his Mana capacity has greatly increased. Is that a result of the blood he absorbed? Speaking of which… just what is the origin of this blood that it can produce such a significant change in a human? There's a ton of untapped potential that resides inside him now.'

"Let's just agree to say this has never happened, yeah? Now, about your quest. Is it required to visit the homeplace of the Elves? Is there no alternative?"

"Of course not! How else would you get to the Eternal Oasis if you don't visit the Elves? Don't tell me you're considering reneging on our deal. That isn't ideal because you'll be barred from the Alchemist Circle and Merchant Association alike," Isadora replied with a darkened expression that somehow turned into a pout.

Kieran stared at her in shock. He was only asking this to ensure there was no other route, yet Isadora immediately thought to throw her weight around! Low grumbles emitted from Kieran's throat as the corner of his lip lifted to reveal sharpened canines like that of a wolf!

In terms of his appearance, Kieran's current visage gave off a wild sensation. Whereas previously, his hair barely reached his nape and above his eyebrows, it now flowed down his back in a fashion reminiscent of a lion's mane. It could even be called frilly with how thick it appeared. At the same time, Kieran's previously abyss black eyes glimmered with a faint ruby shade that seemed to react to his emotion.

"That wasn't my intention, so don't get too defensive on me now. If I'm going to complete this quest, then I'll have to find a way to neutralize the elven hostility," Kieran muttered before falling into deep thought.

Accomplishing this task in the near future would be incredibly difficult since there was little to nothing that the elves would want for. They were a race blessed by nature and, as a result, possessed excessively long lifespans. Because of these lifespans, it was challenging to procreate, making their number pale compared to other races.

"Hmph, it may not have been your intention, but that's how your words and tone came across," Isadora retorted while rolling her eyes. Her gaze fell upon her cauldron for a brief moment as she noticed some damage that needed to be addressed promptly.

The sinister nature of the Ancient Volcanic Ichor caused some corrosion to her cauldron that hadn't suffered any loss of durability despite her years of usage.

After analyzing her cauldron carefully, Isadora twirled a lock of her voluminous hair around her finger while glancing at Kieran. "If you are left with zero other options, you could always find Agatha. She's acquainted with some of the elven traditions and should be able to educate you about the necessary customs.

"Agatha?" Kieran muttered while tilting his head. The name sounded familiar, but he had doubts about it being the same person in his memory. To be sure, Kieran voiced his question. "Is Agatha you speak of a granny?"

"Heh," Isadora snickered and covered her mouth before letting out a soft snort.

Kieran's jaw dropped as he heard the snort! "Hah! You snorted!"

"Shut it," Isadora said with a deadly glare. Her relationship with Agatha was unusual and dated back centuries, so it was reasonable that she laughed heartily when Kieran called her a granny. After all, Kieran wasn't aware that Agatha's true identity was in fact far from a "granny."

"Agatha isn't a granny. She's a prominent figure with connections on par with mine. However, she's a free spirit, and it's tough to locate her since she's never in one place for too long. Your best bet is to visit the branches or headquarters of the Mystic Sanctum."

"Mm," Kieran nodded while scratching his cheek. He recalled the Mystic Sanctum but the information he possessed wasn't too great. He only knew that the Mystic Sanctum was a haven for players seeking to become Enchanters. Furthermore, unlike most peak organizations in Zenith Online, the location of their branches and headquarters was shrouded in mystery.

"Now that you've completed your transformation, I think it's time you go! I really need to clean up this mess you've caused," Isadora exclaimed while frantically waving her hands. Although she seemed agitated about a giant mess, the mess she referred to wasn't worth mentioning.

It was simply a few vials strewn across the floor with a singed smell filling the air.

Regardless, Kieran didn't wish to stay too long because there were a few matters that he needed to correct. The first one naturally involved the Scarlet Steel Greatsword. It teetered on the edge of shattering due to Kieran's battle against Zelliolx. Its durability had fallen to less than 25 points.

Once Kieran left, Isadora stared at the door with a complex expression. "That… wasn't so bad." However, Isadora soon shook her head and freed her mind of her unusual thoughts. "Silly girl, just what are you thinking?! You have to devote yourself to your craft!"

…

Meanwhile, Kieran waltzed through the Hero's Sanctuary while repeatedly clenching and opening his hand. Although it didn't seem like his Strength experienced much change on the surface, that was far from the truth. Two points in Constitution made a drastic difference. Just one point was enough for a Basic Existence to transform into an Intermediate one.

The fact Kieran received two points left him in a condition situated perfectly between an Intermediate and Advanced Being, or Tier 2 existence.

Eventually, Kieran arrived at Scar's residence only to hear boisterous laughter resonating through the spacious halls.

"Ahahaha, young twerp! You have succeeded!"