...
{Ember's Pov}
Four years and six months—that's how long I had been living as an adventurer.
I could have leveled up anytime I wanted, yet I deliberately refrained from doing so, driven by the desire to surpass the rank beyond S.
I had labored tirelessly day and night, hunting monsters from Level 1 to Level 2, and yet, despite all my efforts, my parameters stubbornly remained at S999.
No matter how hard I tried, no matter what methods I employed, I simply couldn't break through the invisible ceiling that capped my abilities.
It felt as if there were an impenetrable wall surrounding me, one so sturdy that no matter how much force I exerted, it refused to give way.
I exhaled deeply, having just finished a half-hearted meditation, my mind still clouded with restless thoughts.
Was it really the case?
Was I truly incapable of achieving what other extraordinary beings had managed?
Could I never surpass the limits that seemed so effortlessly attainable to geniuses like them?
I let out a small, bitter chuckle. Alfia, Zald, and Bell—by the timeline I was in, they hadn't even been born yet.
Even when they eventually came into existence, whether they would achieve their fates remained a complete mystery.
I refused to delude myself into thinking that everything would follow the patterns of some preordained plot, or that I must adhere to a story already written.
No, my only goal was to become stronger.
I needed to unleash my power to the fullest, so that whatever challenges came my way, I could face them head-on and overcome them.
Yet now, after reaching S999 in every parameter, unable to surpass this threshold, I felt a creeping fear.
What if this truly was my limit?
I lacked the typical advantages of reincarnators who had systems, no innate genius like Alfia, no extraordinary emotional drive like Zald or Bell, whose raw talent and determination propelled them beyond conventional bounds.
My sister likely possessed greater talent in magic than I did, and even though my achievements may have seemed impressive, that was only because I was an adult trapped in a child's body, carrying the memories and knowledge of a previous life.
Having more mental capacity than my sister at her age, or being a skilled swordsman, meant almost nothing when measured against the true prodigies of this world.
Magic swordsmen might be rare, but they existed in sufficient numbers that I was far from unique.
My only distinguishing trait was the knowledge of my prior life, yet that alone could not compensate for innate talent.
I sank onto a sturdy branch of a tree, letting frustration weigh down my shoulders as I stared blankly at the sprawling forest before me.
Am I destined to fade into obscurity as just one of countless geniuses who have appeared throughout history?
My hard work might allow me to surpass some of the more complacent geniuses, yet no matter how tirelessly I strove, I could never hope to outshine those who were naturally gifted in combination with relentless effort.
I inhaled deeply, the scent of the greenery filling my senses, grounding me for a brief moment.
'Perhaps I could break through the limit if I were fully charged, but in my current state? There's no chance,' I thought, my chest tightening with both frustration and resignation.
I needed a break.
Yes, that was the wisest course of action for now.
As for how long?
Long enough to restore my spirit, to regain the strength and clarity I had lost.
With that decision made, I pushed myself off the branch and landed lightly on the ground below.
It was time to step away from adventuring, at least for a while, to take a much-needed respite and recover both body and mind.
...
{3rd Pov}
"I am finally Level 2!" Chad shouted, pumping his fists into the air with unrestrained joy.
After six long years of being an adventurer, he had finally achieved Level 2!
Considering the average adventurer takes anywhere from five to ten years to level up, Chad's achievement was respectable.
For some, leveling could take several decades, particularly those outside the central hubs like Orario.
Within Orario, most adventurers tended to reach Level 2 in roughly the average timeframe, so Chad's six-year journey was commendable, especially given the challenges outside the main city.
"Guys! I am Level 2! Finally, a proud High-Class Adventurer!" he continued, laughing loudly and practically beaming with pride.
Everyone around him, however, merely sighed, familiar with his endless enthusiasm.
"Still six years, huh? Aika and I managed it in five years and one month, and two months respectively," Aika remarked, her grin wide as she recalled their own journeys.
Chad's excitement dimmed slightly, replaced with a hint of complaint.
"Can't you guys have a little sympathy for me? I'm doing my best for the party too, you know!" he said, pouting.
Aika and the others nodded in acknowledgment.
"Yeah, yeah," Aika said, waving him off lightly.
Then Bosh chimed in, "I also leveled up three months before Chad, and Newton just needs to complete one more deed to level. As for you, Amalda…"
He turned his gaze to the Black-Haired Elf, who stood quietly with her usual composed expression.
Amalda wasn't the only female Elf in Argon Town anymore.
The news of a Level 4 adventurer in the area had spread like wildfire, attracting aspiring Elves who wished to join powerful familias like Oshun, Modi, and Aschelois.
Now, there were eleven Elves in town, but Amalda remained the most strikingly beautiful among them.
Her charm and presence drew attention not just from male Elves, but from adventurers of other races as well.
Over the years, she had received more than twenty marriage proposals, yet she had turned every single one down, even those coming from fellow Elves.
One such proposal had come from Chad himself, and its rejection had been particularly harsh on him.
He had endured a painful heartbreak and had been inconsolable for two months before finally sobering up.
Fortunately, he eventually recovered from the sting of first love's rejection, and his heart had since found solace.
Chad was now in a happy relationship with a sweet girl named Anne from a nearby village.
Overall, despite his initial despair, things had ultimately turned out well for him, leaving him more experienced and wiser than before.
"Well, I'm just trying to get my magic parameter to reach S before I rank up. I already have enough High-Level falna," Amalda replied calmly.
Mika gasped in surprise.
"S rank? Isn't that an incredibly high goal? Your magic parameter is already at A, and that should be more than enough," she said, her voice full of concern.
Amalda's face flushed slightly, a subtle but noticeable blush creeping onto her cheeks.
"Tet told me that improving your parameters before ranking up makes a huge difference after leveling up. So I decided to focus on my Dexterity and Magic. My Dexterity is already at A, and it won't reach S anytime soon, but my Magic… it should," she explained, her determination evident in her tone.
Newton sipped his beer thoughtfully and commented, "It will still take a lot of time, probably several months before you can actually level up." Bosh nodded in agreement.
"Although this is just my opinion, while ranking up is risky because you have to fight and kill stronger monsters, it's still easier than raising your parameters. Improving them is incredibly time-consuming, and eventually, the growth rate of your parameters slows down exponentially."
Others around the table nodded in agreement, understanding the difficulty of what Amalda was attempting.
She, however, remained resolute.
"Still, I need to increase them as much as I can," she said firmly.
Aika grinned widely.
"That means our party will soon be a party of High-Level adventurers! Hey Newton, you better rank up quickly, or we'll leave you behind," she teased.
The man in question frowned and muttered under his breath, "Easy for you to say, but I'm a scout. Fighting stronger monsters isn't easy. Though I have some High-Rank excelia stored, I still need a little more before I can rank up."
The group laughed at his response, and Chad, who had been largely ignored during the conversation about leveling up, felt awkward.
'It was supposed to be my congratulations party for my own ranking up!', he thought, sighing in frustration.
As the laughter settled, Mika suddenly spoke up.
"Tet hasn't arrived yet?" she asked, drawing everyone's attention.
Aika's expression grew serious as she recalled their previous encounters.
"Yes, about Tet… something seems to be wrong with him."
Bosh chimed in, concern clear in his tone.
"Maybe it's about ranking up? It might sound surprising, but with how talented and powerful he is, plus his tireless work ethic, I thought he would be the first to rank up. Yet he still hasn't."
"Not that surprising," Aika commented matter-of-factly, and the others nodded in agreement, their concern mixing with curiosity about what could be delaying Tet's progress.
"Now Bosh, you said that Tet has already killed several Level 2 monsters and even injured Level 3s, right? He should have accumulated enough High-Quality excelia by now, shouldn't he?" Chad asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Hey, Amalda, do you know anything about this?" Mika added, turning to her.
While the males in the group didn't realize it, both Aika and Mika were fully aware that Amalda had a crush on Tithonus and was even considering proposing to him.
Because of that, she had put in a lot of effort secretly to learn about his likes, dislikes, and overall circumstances.
Naturally, she would know the situation better than anyone else, and Mika's intuition proved correct.
"Well… what can I say? I've spoken with Goddess Aurora, and she told me that he wants all his parameters to be perfect. That's why he's refraining from ranking up," Amalda explained carefully.
"Perfect parameters? Isn't that… like S999 in all of his parameters?!" Aika gasped, eyes wide, and looked at Amalda, who nodded gravely.
"Thi-This is… insane! It's extremely difficult to reach S999 in even a single parameter, let alone all of them! Achieving something like that—honestly, I think only the prodigies of the Hera and Zeus familias could even hope to accomplish that!" Bosh exclaimed, shaking his head.
"It might take him decades to accomplish it," Newton said thoughtfully.
"Indeed! Shouldn't he just level up already?" Chad added, finishing his cup of beer.
"That bastard didn't even come to the party either. Tch," Chad muttered, and everyone else felt a mix of frustration and concern.
"Tet is certainly a troublesome one. Do you remember two years ago? How he returned to his village and didn't come back to Argon Town for eight whole months?" Aika recalled, a hint of exasperation in her voice.
"Yes, we all had to go to the village ourselves just to make sure he was fine. Only after that did he return," Mika added, remembering the headache the situation had caused her.
Everyone had been extremely worried about him at the time, especially Amalda, who, being an Elf, had been the most concerned.
"Then it's decided! Let's go meet him!" Chad declared, slamming his hand on the table for emphasis.
"Chad! If you break the table, you're paying for it!" the voice of an elderly woman called out, startling him.
He froze and awkwardly glanced at the table, noticing a dent, then nervously began rubbing it with a cloth.
The entire group erupted into laughter.
Their Chad was exactly as usual—reckless and loud, yet somehow never truly living up to his own reputation as a Chad.
...
{Ember's Pov}
"Guys, I really appreciate your words. I… I'll be honest, I've been feeling a bit down lately, and hearing what you said really lifts my spirits," I admitted, my voice tinged with emotion as I looked at all of them. I felt a mix of embarrassment and guilt.
Not only had I made them worry, but I had completely forgotten about Chad's party!
Damn it.
Here I thought I had matured a little, but apparently not.
I let out an awkward chuckle, trying to hide my discomfort.
"Damn, man! You forgot about my party! Sigh… Anyway, take care of yourself," Chad said, giving my shoulder a friendly pat.
Amalda shot him a glare for the gesture, and he awkwardly added, "Fine, fine, no touching Elves, you Elf supremacist," earning laughter from Bosh.
"And here I thought you had a crush on her," Bosh teased, grinning.
Chad snorted, crossing his arms, "That's ancient history, Bosh! Now I love my sweet Anne! So don't even think about bringing up my past crushes on Amalda again."
"Tet, please take care of yourself, and I hope your journey is safe," Amalda said softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
I nodded in acknowledgment, replying politely, "Thank you, Miss Amalda."
Her feelings were subtle, unlike Chad's overt crush, but it was clear she liked me.
That put me in a slightly awkward position.
I figured that if she ever proposed, I'd have to reject her politely, or perhaps if I simply showed disinterest, she would eventually give up.
Hopefully, it wouldn't cause any tension.
"Anyway, guys, I'll see you later, and I promise I'll inform you if I end up staying longer than expected," I said with a small smile.
Aika laughed and teased, "Indeed, just don't repeat what you did two years ago!"
The rest of them chuckled at her comment, sharing the memory.
...
After saying my goodbyes, I mounted my horse and started heading toward Shawn Village.
The path ahead seemed relatively safe so far—I hadn't encountered any bandits yet—but the signs of an approaching beast tide were troubling.
I remained vigilant, knowing that trouble could arise at any moment.
I continued traveling for a day and a half, the path through the forest stretching endlessly before me.
The sun had begun its descent when I suddenly encountered a horde of Orcs.
As a skilled adventurer, this was hardly a problem—I easily dispatched all of them without much effort.
Their crude weapons and predictable attacks posed no challenge, but even so, the sight reminded me that danger was never far from the road.
I wiped the sweat from my brow, thinking I had seen the worst for the moment, but little did I know that the true challenge of my journey was about to reveal itself.
What appeared next was something I had not anticipated in the slightest—a massive beetle.
Its sheer size was intimidating, but that wasn't even the real issue.
What made my heart race was the realization that this wasn't just any ordinary monster.
This creature resembled the kinds of monsters found in the middle dungeon floors, far more powerful than any I typically encountered outside.
Normally, monsters roaming the outside world were weaker, barely a threat to a seasoned adventurer like me.
But monsters capable of triggering a beast horde?
Those were a different matter entirely—they were far stronger than even their dungeon counterparts, and this one looked like it could crush me without a second thought.
I took a deep, steadying breath, the air in my lungs tasting of tension and anticipation.
Quickly, I tied my horse to a sturdy branch, taking care to secure my most essential items.
I hoisted myself up into the tree canopy, placing my horse safely out of reach, and crouched among the branches.
From here, I had a vantage point, though I knew it might not be enough.
'That thing can probably fly,' I thought gravely, scanning the forest floor below.
'If it senses me trying to escape, sneaking away is not an option. My only choice is to kill it. There's no other way.'
Judging by its size and sheer presence, it was easily a Level 3 monster.
Taking it down would require precision, skill, and every ounce of magical power I could muster.
I estimated I would need to pour at least 90% of my mind into a single perfect strike, leaving no room for error.
The stakes were high, but I had no alternative.
Its buzzing had begun to grow louder, reverberating through the trees, and I could sense that it was already aware of my presence.
I tightened my grip on the branch beneath me and prepared to leap.
Moving quickly, I jumped from one branch to another, my movements precise and calculated, avoiding leaves and twigs that might give away my position.
I began chanting in a controlled, steady voice, pouring my mind entirely into the spell: "O'Flames of Legends!…"
Almost immediately, the monster responded.
It moved with incredible speed, following me as if my every heartbeat had called it forth. My pulse quickened, and adrenaline surged through my veins.
Every instinct screamed danger, but I couldn't stop.
Stopping now would be fatal.
The chant had to be slow and deliberate—this was not the time for haste.
I had to ensure every word, every syllable, contained maximum magical concentration.
Years of practice had prepared me for this moment.
I leapt expertly between trees, my eyes tracking the beetle as its buzzing grew deafening, the vibrations of its wings shaking the leaves around me.
"Burn brighter than thy enemy!…" I continued the next line, my voice rising above the cacophony.
Suddenly, my senses went haywire—the monster had closed the distance faster than I anticipated.
My eyes widened as I realized how quickly it had adapted, how dangerously close it was.
'Damn it! It's too fast!' I thought, instinctively spinning in midair to face the charging creature.
Timing was critical; one misstep, and I would be crushed beneath its massive weight.
I dropped to the forest floor, landing with a muted thud, my legs absorbing the impact.
And then, in the same instant, my blade struck.
I slashed with every ounce of my strength, pouring everything I had into the strike, but it barely left a mark on the monster's thick, chitinous exoskeleton.
The sheer force of its horn slammed into me, sending me flying backward. I crashed hard against the forest floor, dirt and leaves flying up around me.
Miraculously, none of my bones broke, though every muscle screamed in protest.
I scrambled to my feet as quickly as I could, adrenaline fueling my movements, and began running.
I darted behind a tree to catch my breath and then bolted forward, only to hear the sickening crack of wood splitting beneath me.
"Turn them into cinders!…" I continued my chant, the words forcing a surge of magical energy through my body as the tree fell with a tremendous crash.
I barely rolled out of the way in time, narrowly avoiding being crushed, but before I could fully recover, the monster was already in front of me again, charging with its massive horn.
I raised my weapon to block, but the impact was overwhelming.
My arm snapped under the pressure, the sharp, searing pain of bone breaking shooting through my entire body.
Despite the agony twisting my fingers and contorting my grip, I refused to let go of my sword—releasing it now would be certain death.
The beast's charge sent me flying backward once more, and I hit the ground with a bone-jarring thud.
Summoning every ounce of strength left, I lunged forward and grabbed the sword with my other hand, gripping it as tightly as possible. "…Let their ashes wash in your blue flames!"
I finished my chant, hurling the sword with all my remaining power.
It struck the beetle squarely in the forehead, piercing its thick armor just enough to make it cry out in pain.
But I couldn't afford to pause.
The monster lunged at me again, faster than I had anticipated.
I barely dodged its strike, but in the process, it caught me on the back, sending me crashing into the dirt once more.
Pain exploded through my ribs as they cracked under the force.
Gritting my teeth against the agony, my hands trembling violently, I pulled out my staff and planted its tip firmly against the ground, pointing it toward the massive creature now looming over me.
"Cremation!!!!!" I shouted with every ounce of my voice, every drop of energy I had left pouring into the spell.
The tip of the staff glowed with a brilliant, searing light, radiating power that pushed through the forest.
Seconds later, a tremendous explosion erupted, sending shockwaves through the area.
Boom!
A torrent of bluish flames, far more intense and powerful than anything I had ever witnessed in my life, erupted from my staff and engulfed the monster.
The fire roared and twisted around it, consuming every inch of the creature that had nearly killed me.
Its cries were muffled in the blaze until, finally, it disintegrated into nothing more than smoldering ashes.
The trees behind it were charred black, their trunks crisped by the heat, leaves reduced to cinders, and smoke billowed up into the sky.
When the magical energy finally subsided, I coughed violently, my throat filled with smoke and dust.
"That's what you deserve, bastard!" I spat out with a mixture of hatred, relief, and lingering adrenaline as the realization of survival slowly sank in.
The monster was gone, utterly destroyed, and the threat it posed was no more.
I finally allowed myself to examine my injuries more carefully.
My hand was broken, my back and chest ached with searing pain, but thankfully, my spine remained intact.
If it had been damaged, this fight would have ended me for good.
I muttered a curse under my breath, "What's with my damn luck?" as I pulled out a tube of healing potion and chugged it down in one go.
The warmth of the potion seeped into my body, dulling the pain slightly and giving me a moment to breathe.
After a short period of rest, I forced myself to stand and cautiously began moving.
I drank a dual-potion to accelerate my recovery further and checked my sword, relieved to see that it had survived unscathed.
Slowly and carefully, I moved to retrieve my backpack, which I had left dangling in the tree, ensuring it hadn't been disturbed.
Once secured, I downed a vial of High-Potion, the sharp pains in my back and chest gradually easing as the healing magic worked its wonders.
Gripping my broken hand, I forced it straight, wrapping a makeshift splint out of a log and some clothes to stabilize it and aid the healing process.
I remained in the tree for some time, catching my breath and assessing the area for any lingering threats, before finally securing my horse, which had managed to survive the chaos of the battle.
Grateful for its presence, I mounted slowly, feeling the soreness and stiffness in my body as I adjusted to the saddle.
Thanks to the restorative effects of the High-Potions, most of my injuries were now manageable, though every movement reminded me of the fight's intensity.
With careful, deliberate steps, I guided my horse forward and resumed my journey, each motion measured, every breath cautious, as I decided to return to the village, determined to press forward despite the lingering pain and exhaustion.
...
Aurora was utterly terrified when she heard about the ordeal I had gone through.
She came close to tears, her face pale with worry and fear, but I managed to soothe her before she could completely break down.
"I… I am so happy! That you're alive," she said, her voice trembling slightly as she hugged me gently, holding me close as though she never wanted to let go.
After the initial relief, she insisted on updating my status herself, fully aware that I didn't have the strength or the will to request it.
I had been so close to giving up entirely, exhausted in body and spirit, and yet, this small act of care from her reignited a spark of hope within me.
I had just been thinking that perhaps it was time to level up when suddenly, Aurora's voice pierced the air in utter shock, "What?!" she exclaimed, her tone sharp and filled with disbelief.
I looked at her, confused for a moment, before she quickly gathered herself and blurted out, "Y-your parameters! They… they have surpassed S999! They've entered SS!" Her voice was full of shock, awe, and barely contained excitement.
Without wasting another second, she hastily created a new status sheet, meticulously updating each value, and then handed it over to me, her hands slightly trembling from the sheer magnitude of what she had just witnessed.
The new status sheet read:
[Level 1
Strength: S999 ---> S999
Endurance: S999 ---> SS1003
Dexterity: S999 ---> SS1001
Agility: S999 ---> S999
Magic: S999 ---> SS1009
Skills:
Decipher: Helps the user Decipher the truth, theorems, and workings of the world through logic, prediction, and guess.
Orc Slayer: Grants twenty percent buff in all parameters against pig-like monsters.
Eagle's Eye: Enhances vision to extraordinary levels.
Magic:
Cremation (Chant): "O'Flames of Legends! Burn brighter than thy enemy! Turn them into cinders! Let their Ashes wash in your blue flames! Cremation!"
N/A
N/A]
Seeing the updated status, I couldn't help but feel a surge of exhilaration running through my veins.
After years of relentless training, painstaking effort, and countless trials, my parameters had finally surpassed what was once thought to be the absolute limit.
It was as if my body, mind, and spirit had found a way to breach the invisible barrier that had restrained me for so long.
Deep within, a voice whispered—not just in my mind but in the very core of my being—that if I could push beyond all my parameters, something extraordinary, something entirely unprecedented would happen.
I realized it then—the skill I had been using sparingly all this time, the one I had carried with me from the very beginning, told me the key to surpassing all limits.
A grin spread across my face, a mixture of excitement, determination, and anticipation lighting up my features.
The path ahead had finally become clear.
I had discovered the way to transcend my current limits, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, all hope wasn't lost.
Now all that remained: Either I will burn myself in my desire to grow stronger… or I will be forged anew.
To be continued…
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