Michael’s heart raced with exhilaration.
'Glory to the emperor' He thought excitedly.
Moments ago, he was staring at the bleak prospect of mediocrity, only to have his future transformed in an instant. A dual talent blessing—while rare—was not unheard of, but his second blessing was anything but ordinary. Without delay, he opened his status panel:
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[Status Panel]
[Name]: Michael
[Name Tag]: (N/A)
[Age]: 18
[Race/Bloodline]: Human
[Physique]: Normal
[Coins]: 10 bronze virtual coins
[Class]: Warrior Apprentice
[Subclass]: (N/A)
[Talents]:
* Talent Blessing: F-rank Body Strengthening [+], EX-rank Infinite Talent Evolution
* Professional Talents: (N/A)
[Level]: 1
[HP] : 100/100
[Stats]:
* Strength: 8.07
* Constitution: 8.06
* Speed: 7.46
* Reaction: 7.67
* Intelligence: 7.20
* Wisdom: 7.12
[Skills]:
* Dash (Level 1)
* Power Blow (Level 1)
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Suppressing his excitement, Michael tapped on the details of his first blessing:
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[F-rank Body Strengthening] [+]
[Talent Blessing]
Effect: +1 attribute for every level.
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The description matched his expectations. An F-rank talent was, after all, unremarkable. Without his dual talent, he’d be nothing more than cannon fodder if he pursued a front-line combat role. But the second blessing was where his true potential lay. Eagerly, he selected it:
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[EX-rank Infinite Talent Evolution]
[Effects]:
* Generates 1 Talent Point (TP) per second.
* Allows the evolution of blessing talents.
[Talent Evolution Cost]:
* F-rank → E: 1 TP
* E-rank → D: 10 TP
* D-rank → C: 100 TP
* C-rank → B: 1,000 TP
* B-rank → A: 10,000 TP
* A-rank → S: 100,000 TP
* S-rank → SS: 1,000,000 TP
* SS-rank → SSS: 10,000,000 TP
* SSS-rank → [Unknown]: 100,000,000 TP
[Other Effects]:
* TP can be earned from special resources.
* Professional talents can also evolve with TP.
* Talent evolution may affect genetics and bloodline.
* Evolution may induce severe pain and risk.
* Failure to endure may result in unconsciousness, permanent injury, or death.
* Pain medication cannot be used during evolution.
[Current TP]: 43
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Michael’s mind raced as he analyzed the information. A quick calculation revealed that it would take just 11 days to evolve his talent to SS rank, and around 116 days—less than half a year—to achieve the mythical SSS rank. However, the Nirvana Talent Program’s evaluation was only 30 days away. Reaching SS rank in time was realistic, though he would have to endure the risks associated with evolution.
Despite the dangers, he couldn’t contain his smile. How could he complain? This blessing was unparalleled. Humanity’s strongest recorded talent was only C rank—his potential had already surpassed that, and this was just the beginning. He would even gain new talent blessings every 1,000 levels, all of which he could evolve to SSS rank.
For now, though, his immediate priority was leveling up. He closed the panel, but not before selecting his "Name Tag."
By tradition, players chose a name tag based on their first blessing. After some thought, he chose "Restless." Others would assume it referenced his F-rank talent, but Michael knew the truth.
A numeric suffix appeared beside the name, indicating it had been chosen by others before him. He dismissed the panel and exited the temple.
Outside, beginner players were locked in battles against low-level monsters. Since it was the early stages of the game, firearms and advanced technology were unavailable. Players would need to reach level 20 before gaining access to higher-tier cities where firearms and other advanced equipment could be purchased.
For now, it felt almost comical, like watching barbarians stumble upon rudimentary weapons of war. This tutorial phase had players relying on swords, daggers, crossbows, and other primitive tools to fight and survive.
Michael unsheathed his basic iron longsword and sought a quiet corner to begin his first fight. His opponent: a "Mutated Horned Rabbit."
Even against this weak monster, the battle was grueling. Without his mastery of the Empire Standard Fighting Art, he might have lost. The game’s difficulty was immediately apparent—no wonder most players needed teams to survive.
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[System Message]:
You defeated the monster "Horned Rabbit."
+12 EXP
+1 bronze coin
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The rewards were pitiful, and the effort required was immense. Evolving his talent was clearly a necessity. However, one unexpected reward caught his attention:
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[System Message]:
You gained a new professional talent: "Beginner Swordsmanship (Level 1)."
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The talent provided a meager +0.01% damage bonus—barely significant—but acquiring it so quickly demonstrated the game’s responsiveness to actions.
Frustrated by the slow grind, Michael made a bold decision. He ventured deeper into the forest, away from the prying eyes of other players, and opened his status panel.
He selected Body Strengthening and decisively invested 1,111 TP, instantly evolving it to B rank.
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[System Message]:
Congratulations! You have evolved your F-rank talent to B-rank talent: "Lux Constitution."
[Lux Constitution]:
* +1 free attribute point per level.
* Gain additional attribute points from sunlight (max: 1 every 7 days, up to 1,000 total).
* +10% charisma.
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A refreshing sensation coursed through Michael’s body. There was no pain—only an indescribable feeling of renewal. He glanced at his reflection in the polished blade of his sword. His features seemed sharper, more charismatic.
The new talent’s passive sunlight benefit amazed him. Unlike others who needed to grind tirelessly, he could grow stronger simply by stepping outside. At the same level, he could easily outmatch anyone with a C-rank talent.
For the first time, Michael realized the true extent of his potential. The path ahead would still be challenging, but he was no longer ordinary. He wasn’t just playing the game—he was destined to thrive.