The aftermath of Carn's daring escape plunged him into a whirlwind of activity and newfound revelations. Mr. Cho wasted no time fortifying Carn's residence with an advanced security system, transforming the house into a fortress without changing its appearance in the slightest. In the midst of this organized chaos, Carn found himself swept away to a series of carefully selected talk shows and press conferences, accompanied by none other than Alicia herself. And as the spotlight shone upon them, Carn gradually began to realize the true magnitude of Alicia's fame, which far surpassed his initial assumptions.
Through a thorough independent investigation (going online and searching for her name), Carn unearthed a trove of information about Alicia, her name resonating with an unparalleled status within the realm of prodigies. Astonishingly, at a mere twelve years old, she had been hailed as one of the most exceptional talents of the past century. By the age of fourteen, she had ascended to Gold-tier prodigy, surpassing even the loftiest expectations thrust upon her. Now at twenty-one years old, she was considered one of the strongest people on the planet.
Yet, as Carn delved deeper into his research, he encountered a slew of intrusive and peculiar articles, an unsettling glimpse into the idolatry surrounding Alicia. He made a conscious effort to shield himself from such prying narratives, believing that it was Alicia's prerogative to disclose those intimate details herself. However, one detail that managed to seep through was the extraordinary prominence of the Williams family. Their name reverberated through society, a testament to their far-reaching influence and accomplishments. Yet, Carn refrained from further exploration into the reasons behind their celebrated status, electing to prioritize his personal connection with Alicia over the allure of public curiosity.
Despite the tireless efforts of the media and the resources provided by Mr. Cho, the culprits who had abducted Carn remained elusive, their identities shrouded in a veil of mystery. A specialist was brought to the room where Carn had been held captive and even his expertise yielded no concrete answers. Bewildered, the investigator could only ascertain that these individuals did not belong to any recognizable race on the planet, their origin lying in realms unknown.
In the midst of this intrigue, Carn found himself engrossed in Sanaa's televised apology. The sincerity in her words resonated, yet beneath his appreciation for her remorse, a simmering anger lingered. Although the guild had administered a punishment, subjecting her to the grueling trials of Sun's Reforging, a training regimen typically reserved for those of higher tier, Carn couldn't shake his lingering resentment. Alicia mentioned that she had gone through it before at the normal time and even then it wasn’t something she ever wanted to experience again.
As the zeal of the media gradually subsided over the course of a week, Carn seized the opportunity to embark on his much-awaited tier-up ritual, ascending to iron tier. The process, though undeniably more painful than even his last tier-up ritual, paled in comparison to the relentless torment inflicted upon him by the surgeons. Alicia remained steadfastly by his side throughout, offering her unwavering support and guidance. Though Carn suspected her motive might have been rooted in a desire to remain in his presence, he refrained from prying, content to relish her comforting presence without questioning the reasons behind it.
After the Tier-up ritual, Carn felt energized, a lot of his skills ranked up and gained new effects, and his stats were greatly increased.
- The following stats have been affected -
A max of 75 points can be gained in one stat from this tier-up ritual, any more than that will be redistributed to other stats equally
Strength 1.3x
Base: 6 | Old: 146 | New: 195
Resilience 1.3x
Base: 5 | Old: 65 | New: 89
Agility 1.5x
Base: 10 | Old: 200 | New: 275
Will 1.5x
Base: 10 | Old: 118 | New: 181
Intelligence 1.3x
Base: 9 | Old: 149 | New: 198
Wisdom 1.3x
Base: 9 | Old: 81 | New: 109
Fortitude 1.3x
Base: 8 | Old: 71 | New: 96
Charisma 1.3x
Base: 8 | Old: 77 | New: 100
Luck 1.1x
Base: 0 | Old: 59 | New: 65
Agility surpassed the max stat gain from a tier-up ritual 25 points have been redistributed to other stats. 5 to STR, and 4 to RES, WIL, INT, WIS, and FOR.
He even got a couple of new skills for the ranger class but what interested Carn the most was the new species skill he acquired, the change to his cosmic eye skill, and the increased potency of his latent talent. (Author’s Note: changes/additions to skills are in bold)
- Nature’s Child -
Type: Latent Talent | Tier: Copper -> Iron | Level: 8
Details: The more time the user spends outside the stronger they become. Mana, Aura, and Health are passively regenerated when outside. To level up this talent stay in clean outside environments. bonuses: +32 -> +48 Charisma and Luck, +16 -> +24 other stats
Carn recognized the extraordinary potency of passive healing, an attribute coveted by many. It reminded him of the awe-inspiring prowess displayed by the renowned Matt Stiles from Canada, who harnessed his own Latent Talent of Super Regeneration to ascend the ranks as one of the world's mightiest individuals. The true strength of Carn's own latent talent was gradually dawning on him. While ordinary individuals relied on support or potions to sustain their stats during battles, Carn thrived simply by embracing the outdoors. In essence, it bestowed upon him an immense and invaluable buff.
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- Cosmic Eyes -
Type: Species | Tier: Copper -> Iron
Your eyes can view anything in immaculate detail, you can zoom your vision in and out without the need for binoculars. Hidden entities are able to be seen more clearly.
Gazing upon his reflection, Carn's eyes mirrored a small galaxy, swirling with a captivating green luminescence. The vivid hue seemed intensified, a testament to the growth of his cosmic eye skill. Regret tinged Carn's thoughts as he pondered the untapped potential of his cosmic eye skill. Had he possessed the ability to see hidden entities before his abduction, perhaps he could have detected the lurking intruders before it was too late, sparing himself the torment he endured. This realization fueled his unwavering resolve to cultivate his strength, safeguarding himself and those dear to him.
- Celestial Heart -
Type: Species | Tier: Iron
Your heart infuses your blood with mana making you more sensitive to surrounding magical energy. Your heart also functions with peak efficiency increasing your stamina greatly (1.5x increase).
The prospect of increased stamina held an undeniable allure for Carn. However, the newfound sensitivity to magical energy left him pondering its implications. While he couldn't visually perceive the mana that enveloped him, he possessed an innate awareness of its presence—its ebbs and flows, concentrations, and dispersals. Its practical applications remained shrouded in mystery, a captivating enigma awaiting revelation as Carn ventured forth on his path of growth.
After swiftly reviewing the modifications to his other skills, Carn emerged from his room, his mind abuzz with newfound possibilities. As he strolled past the closed door of the guest room where Alicia slumbered, he exercised caution, not wishing to disturb her peaceful rest. Descending the stairs, Carn ventured into the kitchen, his culinary ambitions taking center stage.
The aroma of delectable flavors permeated the air, casting an irresistible spell upon the senses. Almost as if drawn by an invisible force, Alicia's footsteps echoed through the house, heralding her descent.
"Mornin'," Carn greeted, a warm smile gracing his lips as he beheld Alicia's disheveled yet endearing figure approaching the counter. Clad in an oversized t-shirt, a testament to her unconventional sleeping habits, she exuded an undeniable charm.
"Good morning," Alicia replied, her voice punctuated by a sleepy yawn, as she settled onto a stool by the counter.
Carn skillfully arranged a plate adorned with golden waffles, crowned with homemade whipped cream and luscious fresh strawberries, placing it enticingly before Alicia. Claiming his own plate, he seated himself beside her, anticipation dancing in his eyes.
"Thanks for breakfast," Alicia uttered, her gaze fixated on the tantalizing waffles, her hunger palpable.
"No problem," Carn responded, his tone infused with gratitude. "It's a small gesture considering how much you've helped me not only throughout the past week but especially in these last three days."
Seemingly prompted by Carn’s words, Alicia sprang to life, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "What skills did you acquire? Have your stats undergone significant changes? Anything new with your latent talent?" Her curiosity brimmed with excitement, eager to delve into the intricacies of Carn's growth in God's Paradise.
Chuckling at Alicia's enthusiasm, Carn prepared to unveil his newfound abilities. "Well, let's see," he began, pausing momentarily for effect. "Cosmic Eyes now grants me enhanced perception of hidden entities, and I gained a skill called Celestial Heart that heightens my sensitivity to magical energy."
Alicia's hand instinctively reached up, as if she were stroking an imaginary beard while pondering Carn's revelations. "Those are quite remarkable," she remarked, her voice laced with intrigue. "The ability to see invisible targets is a coveted skill that eludes most players, and to have it as an ever-active passive effect is truly remarkable. On the other hand, magical sensitivity is fairly common among mages around your tier."
Curiosity tugging at him, Carn inquired, "But what exactly is magical sensitivity useful for?"
Alicia paused, her brows furrowing in concentration as she gathered her thoughts. "It serves multiple purposes," she explained, her words infused with a touch of wisdom. "Primarily, it allows you to better detect magical attacks aimed at you. With concentration, you can also discern whether an item possesses magical properties and even detect the presence of nearby magical formations."
“Huh, neat," Carn responded, captivated by the intricacies of his newfound skills.
Eager to satisfy her insatiable thirst for knowledge, Alicia clung to Carn's shoulder like an impatient child. "Alright, enough with the suspense. Share your stats and latent talent details!"
Chuckling, Carn gently extricated himself from Alicia's grasp. "Alright, alright, just give me a moment," he playfully admonished. "My latent talent now bestows me with health regeneration in addition to its other benefits, and my stats have received a substantial boost. Interestingly, it seems that the excess points from agility were redistributed to other attributes."
Alicia's eyes widened with surprise. "Wait, hold on. Health regeneration? You're incredibly lucky," she remarked, scrutinizing Carn's sheepish grin. "And stat overflow? That usually occurs much later for individuals who heavily invest in a few specific attributes while neglecting others. You haven't been pouring all your points into agility, have you?"
Carn's defense was quick, his words tinged with sincerity. "No, no, definitely not. I do allocate a significant portion to agility, but that's because I'm a Ranger."
Alicia's demeanor turned icy, her gaze piercing through Carn with a skeptical glare. "Prove it. Show me your stat sheet, and only then will I believe you," she declared with unwavering resolve.
- Allow Alicia to view your stat sheet? -
-Yes- -No-
After a brief pause, Carn relented, presenting his stat sheet to Alicia. "Here you go, take a look. You'll see that I've diversified my investments," he said, his smile radiating with pride and authenticity as he adjusted his own shirt like he was wearing an imaginary suit and tie.
[https://i.imgur.com/8KeQacG.jpg]
"Holy crap," Alicia exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief as she peered at Carn's character sheet displayed on the holographic screen. A dumbfounded expression painted her face as she struggled to comprehend the staggering numbers before her.
Seizing the opportunity to lighten the mood, Carn rose from his seat and swiped Alicia's plate, planting a tender kiss on her forehead. "Yeah, I've been told my stats are pretty high, so no need to worry," he reassured her, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
Carn busied himself with cleaning the plates, giving Alicia a moment to collect her thoughts. Gradually coming back to reality, she blurted out, "High is an understatement. Your base stats are downright insane."
Taking the comment in stride, Carn chuckled and replied, "I'll take that as a compliment."
Alicia twirled a strand of her silver hair around her fingers, her voice tinged with awe. "I've never seen base 10 agility or willpower before. I thought it was impossible, but you possess both at the same time..."
Grinning mischievously, Carn retorted, "Well, I'm sure your base stats are equally impressive, Miss White Mage."
Pouting slightly and crossing her arms, Alicia shot back, "I mean, I guess, but base 10 in Wisdom and Intelligence is far more commonplace."
Rolling his eyes playfully, Carn sarcastically responded, "Oh, absolutely. Base 10 in Wisdom and Intelligence must be as common as daisies."
Alicia huffed, twirling a lock of her silver hair with a mix of annoyance and amusement. "You know what I mean," she muttered.
"Sure, sure," Carn replied casually, his tone laced with a hint of teasing. "I'm gonna change before heading out for a jog. Care to join me?"
A mischievous glint sparked in Alicia's eyes as she sauntered past him, heading toward the stairs. "Sure, sounds fun, Mister Agile Man," she quipped, her words dripping with playful sarcasm.
As Carn admired Alicia's graceful ascent up the stairs, he couldn't help but be captivated by her radiant beauty. Her dark, velvety skin seemed to glow under the soft illumination filtering through the window, while the contours of her athletic form subtly hinted at her strength and agility, accentuated by the oversized t-shirt that clung to her curves. She was a vision of allure and athleticism, a sight that stirred a fire within Carn's heart.
After a while, the two embarked on a rejuvenating jog along the picturesque beach. Carn marveled at the newfound lightness in his stride, the tangible effects of the stats he had acquired from the recent tier-up ceremony. Each step felt effortless, as if he were gliding over the sand, his body infused with vitality and renewed energy. The rhythmic sound of their synchronized footfalls echoed along the shore, harmonizing with the soothing melody of crashing waves.
Lost in the blissful rhythm of their run, Carn's moment of serenity was interrupted by a resonating call that reverberated in his mind. The intrusion came in the form of a robotic voice. "Stanford University Office is calling with video. Do you accept?"