Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player
chapter-90

Almost everyone behind Kieran was taken aback by the sudden appearance of hazy blood that resulted from his attack. They weren't under the impression that Kieran's power allowed him to conjure blood from seemingly nothing. However, that impression was wholly incorrect. Believing that Kieran's abilities stemmed from Mana was somewhat inaccurate. While Mana served as a fundamental building block of life, Kieran's class operated on a different primary source.

Blood Mania was responsible for most, if not all, of Kieran's current skills. Hence, the system identified as the True Berserker's most fundamental skill that could inevitably lead to sovereign abilities like those Scar and Agrianos possessed. While it came with huge drawbacks that failed to be mentioned, it was the principle that allowed Kieran to wield his power in such a way.

On the other hand, the skill Kieran revealed was known as Crimson Current, which was Force Slash's superior version. The fact it was superior was readily revealed by how it sent the ogre stumbling back, allowing everyone to be once more astounded by the changes to Kieran's skill arsenal.

「Crimson Current (Lv.1)

Skill Rank: C

Skill Type: Active

Mastery (00.25%)

Description: By condensing the sanguine coating that empowers their weapon, the user can create a burst of blood power that spreads in an outward arc. A combination of Blood Mania's level and this skill's level determines the arc's range. The generated blood arc deals damage equivalent to 850% of the user's Attack Power + 200% of the user's Strength. If used on a weakened opponent, there is a chance of increasing Bleed stacks. The duration of each stack lasts 5 seconds. [Maximum Stack Increase: 6] (This attack also has a high chance of inflicting a Knockback effect.)

Consumption: 1% Health and 10 Mana

Prerequisites: «Blood Mania»

Cooldown: 12 seconds 」

Although this skill was described as the upgraded version of Force Slash, that was by far an understatement. Not only had the skill rank increased by two levels, but the base damage inflicted at Lv.1 was also greatly increased. Moreover, the class upgrade also enhanced its AoE damage with the off chance of compounding Bleed stacks that Blood Mania enabled.

Having pushed back the ogre, Kieran regained his stance. At the same time, inflicting damage upon the ogre revealed its battle information.

「Lv.27 Forest Ogre (Champion)

Goblin Type, Humanoid Type

Health: 209,900/220,000 (89%)

Special Traits: «Pummel» 」

Naturally, the ogre's missing Health was thanks to Kieran's Crimson Current. It had effectively shaven off more than 10% of the monster's Health with one attack. In terms of burst damage, it was hard to find a class on par with a True Berserker. As Kieran continued to acquire skills, his burst damage would only amplify accordingly.

However, Kieran wasn't entirely interested in doing all of the work. Thus, he displayed his leadership qualities and delegated roles in combat.

"The further we travel, the more often monsters like this should appear. However, having all of us tackle a single monster is unnecessary. Ideally, our class promotion should allow us to endure harsher combat, especially those like Nemean, Luka, and Bastion. Thus, I want the four healers present to branch off into different parties. Nemean, you will lead one. Bastion, you will lead another. Luka, take who you are most familiar with," Kieran commanded.

After a short moment of considering the remaining people, Kieran glanced at Luna and Altair, "Altair, you'll become Luka's main DPS while Alice will act as the main DPS for Bastion's party. Luna, whoever your second strongest DPS is, assign that person to Nemean's party."

Initially, both Luna and her teammates were stricken with astonishment. They didn't expect someone who was arguably younger than them to possess the natural aura of a leader. The fluidity and accuracy felt natural, which didn't match his relatively youthful appearance. The way he calmly dictated orders gave the impression that he had battled with these allies for years, gaining an excellent understanding of who synergized the best with one another.

While she was amazed for a few seconds, rather than marvel at the skills before her, Luna took notes and digested the way Kieran separated roles and matched teammates with balance in mind. Highlighting key member strengths and weaknesses and creating a subtle accord was a quality that a leading member in any guild couldn't do without. If she genuinely strived to make a powerful team, there were specific basic skills she couldn't lack.

Otherwise, as a Guild Leader, how could she set an example for her subordinates?

"Second strongest? That'd be Zafir," Luna commented while turning her gaze towards a Swordsman with a typical build. Neither their appearance nor physique warranted second looks, but something about their simple appearance made Kieran nod subtly.

'Undoubtedly a master of the basics, someone who sticks to the simplistic to accomplish the greatest. No wonder they're the second strongest. If I paid closer attention, I should have been able to pinpoint this while he fought alongside Luna,' Kieran thought while clicking his tongue.

Because Kieran held himself to overly stringent standards, he judged any personal slip-up harshly, no matter how minute they may seem.

In compliance with Luna's nod, Zafir unsheathed a sword by his side and brandished it while walking toward Nemean, who continuously slammed his shields together in anticipation. He was itching to go into combat again. Their earlier battle wasn't enough because it didn't allow him to display nearly half of his capabilities.

With Kieran dealing with most of the enemies, there weren't many left for him to showcase his worth. However, it was different now since they'd be operating their teams independently.

While Kieran would still serve as the Alliance Leader, since this content didn't require micro-managing, there was zero cause for him to do so, which allowed the party leaders to use their discretion.

Meanwhile, Kieran looked towards who remained. In his party, there was him, Luna, and two long-range players—a Mage and Archer from Luna's initial party. Out of the five parties created, Kieran's was the only one with four members and lacked a dedicated healer and tank.

Despite this circumstance, Kieran was content with his party. After all, his class tended to reject healing. While Kieran wasn't sure why this was the case, it'd soon become apparent once he thoroughly familiarized himself with the class and its shocking history.

Once the party preparations were complete, Kieran had them move deeper into the Forest of Marshullum, but not so far as to interfere with any party's ability to render aid to a struggling party.

In the meantime, Kieran's party remained behind to deal with the Forest Ogre before them.

"I'll stabilize its aggro and maintain a defensive position. I'll let you manage your original members while I'm occupied with settling the aggro," Kieran said to Luna, who stood near his side.

Afterward, Kieran rushed forward while Luna raised her dual blades in preparation to attack.

Kieran moved swiftly, avoiding the devastating club blow the ogre haphazardly threw around. The club often struck a tree, causing a loud noise to echo throughout the forest. The sounds alone made some of the parties turn their head in alarm.

"Sheesh, aren't these ogres kind of strong to produce this kind of volume, no?" Nemean commented to Zafir.

"The ogre we faced earlier was enough to give trouble. And, it wasn't a Champion monster like Aatrox said. Are you sure it was a good idea to divvy the numbers like this?" Zafir asked in return.

"Uh, have faith in the additions to each party. I believe they're enough to create a previously lacking balance," Nemean answered. His expression was unusually serious despite his generally playful nature. Because he had caught a glimpse of each member's capabilities, when he compared it to the parties they were injected to, Nemean felt their abilities were enough to carry the team.

"I hope that is so," Zafir muttered before falling quiet.

Meanwhile, Kieran continued to test the limits of this class's early power.

Bang!

Kieran defended with his weapon, losing over 5% of his Health in the process. But, besides the slight soreness felt in the arm used to brace the impact, Kieran was essentially okay.

Kieran received three of such blows before he became unusually invigorated. A blaze of strength flowed through his veins which he released through an extraordinarily savage attack. This burst of savagery left a considerable dent in the ogre's club, but conversely, cracks spread across the Scarlet Steel Greatsword.

-31,378

'These two skills put together are monstrous…' Kieran thought. The two skills mentioned were Wild Crash, the devastating form of Savage Break, and a newly learned passive skill: Tormented Beliefs. Alone, each skill was potent in its own right, but the effects were amplified once combined!

「 Tormented Beliefs (Lv.1)

Skill Rank: A

Skill Type: Passive

Mastery (01.20%)

Description: Due to the True Berserker's predisposition for torture, they find pleasure in this sensation. As the user's Health decreases, their Attack Speed, Attack Power, and Movement Speed will increase accordingly in three phases.

Phase I: Health > 80% - Increases Attack Power, Attack, and Movement Speed by up to 15%.

Phase II: Health < 50% - Increases Attack Power, Attack, and Movement Speed by up to 30%.

Phase III: Health < 25% - Increases Attack Power, Attack, and Movement Speed by up to 60%.

Consumption: 0 Mana

Prerequisites: None

Cooldown: None 」

「 Wild Crash (Lv.1)

Skill Rank: B

Skill Type: Active

Mastery (00.00%)

Description: The user's weapon is imbued with a destructive power fueled by a burst of savagery. The outburst of incredible power causes damage equal to 960% of the user's Attack Power in a 20-meter radius. If the attack is successful, there is a 10% chance of all affected parties suffering a 50% Defense Reduction for the next 10 seconds. (This effect's potency is bound to increase or decrease in relation to the opposing side's level and rank.)

Consumption: 0.5% Health and 50 Mana

Prerequisites: Blood Mania

Cooldown: 35 seconds 」

Meanwhile, as the Forest Ogre was sent flying backward, Luna rushed up quickly while brandishing her dual blades. Rather than stick to the generic daggers employed by Thief Classes, Luna opted for the dual blade with significantly higher attack power and longer reach at the sacrifice of Attack Speed.

However, in light of her class's inherent speed, she felt this sacrifice was worthwhile. Within two seconds, she unleashed a flurry of attacks that were accompanied by precise gales to augment each strike.

Although Luna's class severely lacked skills at her current level, her two passive supplemented what she lacked by increasing her base damage with a special marking implanted on her body. This produced a type of reaction similar to an Elementalist's Wind Magic.

Interspersed throughout their attacks were magic spells and mana-fortified arrows launched by the Mage and Archer not too far away. Under the barrage of attacks launched by the party of 4, it didn't take long for the Forest Ogre to fall.

〈System: You have gained 7,920 Experience.〉

While it didn't drop any equipment, surprisingly, it dropped an abundance of coins that Kieran let Luna have the majority of. Rather than focus on the drops, his primary objective was to move deep enough in the Forest of Marshullum to uncover the source and do so quickly.