They had bought rooms in the same inn as when they last stayed and he had first returned, he rolled his shoulders and then taking off his clothes, he sat cross legged in the centre of the floor. He wasn’t expecting much in regard to impurities, but he was sure that going from Seeker to Ranker tier.
TIER TRIBULATION BEGINS!
…
TIER TRIBULATION INCOMING
…
TRIBULATION ITEMS PRESENT!
…
WILL YOU USE THEM?
…
TIER TRIBULATION HAS BEGUN
TIER TRIBULATION OF THE SPIRIT
WHAT WILL YOU USE?
The system presented Jazmel with a choice, and he selected the Song of the Dragon. As he confirmed his decision, an ethereal melody filled his mind, gentle yet powerful, resonating with ancient wisdom. The Song of the Dragon manifested as a shimmering, spectral dragon that began to coil around his consciousness. Its notes were like a symphony, each one unravelling complex patterns of thought and understanding. The dragon's melody grew louder, each note a catalyst that expanded his mental faculties, sharpening his intellect and clarity.
The dragon's song became a storm within his mind, each note a burst of enlightenment and chaos. Jazmel felt the dragon’s presence entwine with his thoughts, its wisdom challenging and evaluating his mental limits. He fought to maintain control, his mind wrestling with the profound and often overwhelming knowledge. The dragon roared, its voice a crescendo that threatened to shatter his sanity. But Jazmel held firm, focusing on each note, each beat of the symphony, until he and the dragon reached harmony. The storm calmed, the melody softened, and Jazmel felt a surge of mental acuity, his mind tempered and enhanced by the dragon’s song.
The song calmed as it reached its conclusion and though it sounded like a roar of great magnitude, Jazmel still was shocked by it, and it reverberated around his mind, but it wasn’t painful, and it quelled the storm he was feeling.
TIER TRIBULATION OF THE SPIRIT
COMPLETE
1/3
WHAT WILL YOU USE?
Next, the system prompted Jazmel to choose an item for the tribulation of the spirit. He selected the Sap of the Everglade Tree. As he did, a vial of glowing green sap appeared, pulsating with life and spiritual energy. He felt the sap integrate into his being, a cool, soothing sensation spreading through his soul. The essence of the Everglade Tree, ancient and wise, began to merge with his spirit, bringing with it a profound sense of balance and tranquillity.
The sap worked its way through his spiritual veins, calming the turbulence within. Jazmel ’s spirit felt both grounded and elevated, connected to the very essence of life and nature. He sensed the ancient wisdom of the Everglade Tree, its roots deep within the earth and its branches reaching for the heavens. The sap's energy was a gentle but powerful force, purging impurities and strengthening his spiritual core. As the essence of the Everglade Tree settled within him, Jazmel felt his spirit solidify and expand, becoming more attuned to the natural world and the flow of life energy around him.
TIER TRIBULATION OF THE BODY
COMPLETE
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2/3
WHAT WILL YOU USE?
For the final part of the tribulation, the system required Jazmel to choose an item for his body. He chose the Shard of the Nebulae. The shard appeared, a piece of cosmic crystal glimmering with the light of distant stars. As it integrated into his body, Jazmel felt a surge of energy that was both overwhelming and awe-inspiring. The shard embedded itself near his core, sending waves of cosmic energy through his veins, filling him with the power of the universe.
The nebulae’s energy was chaotic and fierce, a stark contrast to the soothing sap. Jazmel 's muscles contracted and expanded; his bones felt as though they were being reforged in the heart of a star. His skin prickled with the energy of a thousand suns, each pulse of the shard pushing his physical limits. He felt his body burning, reshaped by the intense forces at play. The pain was excruciating, but Jazmel gritted his teeth, enduring the transformation. Slowly, the energy began to stabilize, his body adjusting to its new, enhanced state. The nebulae’s shard had forged him anew, imbuing him with cosmic strength and resilience.
DING!
TIER TRIBULATION OF THE MIND
COMPLETE
3/3
…
CONGRATULATIONS ON SURVIVING THE TIER TRIBULATION
EXP REWARD
…
RANKER TIER I
EXP REWARD!
CONGRATULATIONS ON REACHING RANKER TIER!
…
+5 END
+5 AGL
+5 DEX
+4 VIT
YOU HAVE OVERCOME A TIER WHICH MANY STRUGGLE TO!
WELL DONE!
AS YOU ARE NOW RANKER TIER, YOU HAVE EARNED ANOTHER SKILL SLOT
…
Jazmel rose up and looking at his body, he was covered in sweat, but he hadn’t released any impurities and Jazmel was glad for that, but ranker was just one more tier. He had added much more muscle though, he felt strong, and his body told him was indeed strong.
He took this moment to sit back down, and he pulled the skill tome from one of his rings and opened it.
DING!
YOU HAVE OPENED A TIER I SKILL TOME!
WILL YOU READ IT?
Y/N?
He agreed and he looked into the pages of the skill tome book, and it was quiet for a moment but then he was pulled in, through his mind’s eye.
The blade can do many things, it can cleave, it can rend it can even split. But all of those things are part of the same move. Once you learn it, once you understand it, you sword will move as you see fit.
Jazmel watched this conversation as it happened and though he couldn’t see the speaker he could see the audience.
To sunder your enemies is to split them, to take the living from the body. You must be one with your sword to do that and that will take time, but the skill to sunder will be great.
WILL YOU LEARN THE SKILL SUNDER?
Y/N?
Will accepted.
SUNDER HAS BEEN LEARNED!
Just as deep as he was inside the skill tome, he was expelled, and Jazmel was alone in his room. He smiled and he looked at his stats to see the change.
Name: Jazmel
Level: 60
Species: Human
Rank: Ranker Tier I
Class: Sword Scion
Health: 2200/2200
Stamina: 1630/1630
Mana: 1120/1480
STR:87(+5) PER:85
VIT:84 END:85(+3)
INT:92 WIL:81
AGL:88 DEX:88
Trait: HEART OF THE SWORD (BORN TRAIT)
Skills:
* Cleave (tier I)
* Fall of the black raven (tier I)
* Sword Maelstrom (tier I)
* Sunder (tier I)
* NONE
Title(s):
FIEND BANE (ACTIVE)
GLARE OF THE DRAKE (ACTIVE)
SERPENT SLAYER
DEMON SLAYER
Unused Stat points: 0
34X PLATINUM COINS
82X WHITE GOLD COINS
25X GOLD COINS
Item(s):
TIER II 2X COLD IRON ORE
TIER I 1X GREATER GRAVE IRON ORE
2/3 PIECES OF THE PLAQUE
TIER II BRANCH OF A TREE
TIER II SEED OF MIRETE
DWARVEN COIN
5X TIER II HEALTH POTIONS
2X TIER II STAMINA POTIONS
4X TIER II MANA POTIONS
TIER II ARMOUR OF THE STEADFAST
TIER III SABRE OF THE DEADENING
TIER II SHORT SWORD
TIER II FROST SHARD x13
TIER II BRUXA CORE
TIER II GLACIAL HERB X3 SACK
TIER II GLACIAL FRUIT
TIER II ARCTIC SPICE
TIER II FREEZING FRUIT
TIER I FRIGID HERB
TIER III DEMONIC CLEAVER
TIER III BLOODY SABRE
COMPANION: NIGHT DRAGON
LEVEL 1
PARTY:
5/5
BAEK LVL 113
DING!
CONGRATULATIONS ON COMPLETING THE BLACK WING FACTION TASK!
…
REWARDS!
He had an option for a tier III item, a ranker tier spirit tier tribulation item, and 15 stat points. He didn’t even think about his decision, he chose the stat points and distributed them immediately. Jazmel stretched but he was happy and covered in sweat, but he was feeling the progress. He got dressed and just when he had strapped his sword onto his belt did he hear the knocking on his door. He heard the knock again.