Initially, Zayn planned to pick another Unique Class Path called Origin Swordmaster. It was a powerful Class Path wielded by one of the strongest survivors Zayn got to know.
Although he didn’t meet the Origin Swordmaster often, he learned a lot about his Class Path and its powerful perks. It was one of the strongest Class Paths and suited Zayn decently enough to consider working toward it as well. However, the Grandmagus’ books changed his mind.
He learned about the requirements of a particular Hidden Class Path, a Class that might help him find ways to prevent the Primordial Pantheon’s invasion.
The Grandmagus’ book and his research had been thorough. However, one of the most important aspects that made Zayn pick the Class Path over Origin Swordmaster was that the Grandmagus’ research determined that immortality was necessary to go down the path of the Soul Lord.
Soul Lord.
That was the name of the deadly Hidden Class Path, which required immortality due to the high likelihood of instant death. Immortals couldn’t die. Therefore, Zayn could pick the Hidden Class Path without any worries. After all, Forgotten Lands was still a game, and Zayn was not afraid to die.
It was also because Forgotten Lands was a game, and Zayn hadn’t been in a rush to pick his Class Path. He was not in immediate danger and could take his time to sort his options and select the most suitable option.
The access to the Path of Ascension was unlocked once 100 Soul Essence had been integrated into the Foundation Orbit.
With the Path of Ascension, it was possible to choose a Class Path, and that was where the problems appeared.
Picking a Class Path was one of the most important decisions in everyone’s lives. It determined their future path and whether someone was fated to become a powerful fighter, a builder, or a thinker.
Once a Class Path had been chosen, it was impossible to change it. It was a life-changing decision, and that was also why Zayn was taking his time, determined to pick the perfect Class Path. After all, the Class Path he chose in his past life hadn’t been perfect.
It had been a strong Class Path, but Zayn’s compatibility with it hadn’t been great. Fortunately, his hard work, willpower, and desperation to survive and grow stronger had been enough to overcome most ordeals. But barely surviving was not enough. Zayn needed more. He had to be stronger, faster…, and better!
Zayn nibbled on his lower lip as he manifested Path of Ascension’s screen to recheck the possible Class Paths.
[Path of Ascension]
–Warrior(Common) – (50 VIT/ 50STR) – (0/100)–
–Archer(Common) – (50 AGI/ 50 DEX) – (0/100)–
–Druid(Common +) – (50 ENERGY/50 WIS) – (0/125)–
–Alchemist(Common +) – (35 DEX/35 ENERGY/35 WIS) – (0/125)–
…
–Berserker(Uncommon) – (100 VIT/100STR) – (0/200)–
–Blood Knight(Uncommon +) – (150 VIT/ 75STR/ 50 ENERGY) – (0/250)–
–Prodigèe Alchemia(Uncommon +) – (75 DEX/100 ENERGY/75 WIS) – (0/250)–
…
…
–High Druid(Rare) – (150 ENERGY/ 150 WIS) – (0/350)–
– Great Alchemist(Rare) – (100 DEX/150 ENERGY/150 WIS) – (0/400)–
– Blood Warlock(Unique) – (150 VIT/150 STR/50 ENERGY) – (0/500)–
…
–Soul Lord(Hidden) – (MAX Stage-0 Foundation -500-) – (0/1000)–
Increasing one’s Foundation without a Class was incredibly difficult at some point because they couldn't progress upon reaching a Foundation of 500. However, defeating powerful monsters before reaching a Foundation of 500 was difficult because their combat prowess would increase exponentially as they evolved.
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Fortunately, Zayn managed to reach the level capacity of his Foundation Orbit. He was strong enough and survived long enough to know where to grind Soul Essences and what to do to increase his strength rapidly.
Zayn paid attention to every Class Path, but it was obvious which one he would choose. The requirements for Soul Lord were the highest, as were the demands for Soul Essences that had to be integrated into the Class Path to initiate the Path integration.
‘1000 Soul Essences is a little bit more than I expected,’ He grumbled, but a bright smile covered his face. Origin Swordmaster was a Unique Path that required 750 Soul Essences to initiate the Path integration. Soul Lord was 250 Soul Essences more expensive, which was a vast sum since most Players would have a hard time hunting Elite Monsters, let alone Regional Bosses.
They would have to spend months hunting powerful monsters with their allies to accumulate 1000 Soul Essences while being forced to remain Classless Players. Everyone else would progress while they would stagnate and fall back.
Many would ignore expensive Class Paths like Soul Lord if they weren’t powerful and confident in their equipment, Cards, and innate combat strength. Fortunately, Zayn was quite confident. He could make it happen.
His heart was filled with excitement as he inspected the information about the Hidden Class Path.
[Path of Ascension – Soul Lord(Hidden)]
Requirements:
Boss Slayer Title(Hidden), Reinforced Soul, Immortality, Foundation Orbit 500+
Description: The Soul Lord is renowned for his extraordinary control and talent for altering and nourishing souls.
He is characterized by his deep understanding of souls and countless mythical techniques, which grant him great versatility in research, combat, and warfare.
The Soul Lord is not an ordinary existence. Only one Soul Lord can exist at a time.
Become the Soul Lord of the next generation and ascend to godhood to fulfill the Primal Soul Lord’s wish.
Accept the Primal Soul Lord’s power and transform into his vengeance.
Slay the **ERROR**
Class Benefits: +10 Card Slots, +6 Class Card Slots, +5 Class Cards, +Primal Soul Lord’s knowledge, +Lord Rune
“Damn,” Zayn murmured.
He had never seen such a weird description for a Class Path. It wasn’t normal at all.
Usually, ordinary Class Paths provided a slight boost in the Foundation Orbit, some Class Card Slots, Class Cards to link to the Heart Deck, and a bunch of Card Slots. That was it.
The Class benefits of the Soul Lord Path were not as high as he expected. It was an extremely expensive Hidden Class Path, after all.
Other Unique Class Paths provided more Card Slots and Class Card Slots. The Class benefits of other Class Paths were also a lot more self-explanatory. It was also not common to procure any knowledge or some rune. However, both of those exotic benefits were what attracted Zayn the most.
He was most curious about the Primal Soul Lord’s knowledge and what it entailed. Maybe the Primal Soul Lord’s knowledge would hint him to the solution he sought. It was unlikely, but it might help him solve his issue with the Primordial Pantheon before it got too late.
As for the Lord Rune, Zayn was also curious. He knew that some Unique or Legendary classes engraved runes onto Players, granting them extraordinary benefits. Zayn also knew that some Players received an overall boost in their Foundation Orbit, elevating their combat prowess drastically. That was something Zayn wanted and needed, as well.
The Soul Lord Class Path was the most expensive path he’d unlocked until now, but he felt that it was also the right Class Path for him. There was a connection—or maybe it was just his gut feeling—that made him want to initiate the Path integration with the Soul Lord Path right away.
It was a weird feeling he never felt with his old Class Path.
“I want this!” He declared from the bottom of his heart, startling Nicolas.
Nicolas was still in the clearing with Zayn. He wanted to clear some things with his little brother, but Zayn was too absentminded to listen to him. Nicolas knew that his brother was an oddball and chose to wait until he left his little world of messy thoughts.
Zayn took longer than expected to regain his senses. Thus, Nicolas decided to do something else while waiting for his brother. Nicolas didn’t expect Zayn to start shouting excitedly when he started doing something else.
“Are you done?” Nicolas asked once he regained his senses.
Zayn turned to his brother, his eyebrow raised, “You’re still here? I thought you left already.”
Nicolas scoffed. He felt like punching Zayn in the face for making him wait, but he just smiled.
A glance at Zayn was enough to tell that something good must have happened.
“Forget it,” He mumbled, chuckling lightly, “I just wanted to tell you that you should create a Solo Boss Raiding guide. Tips and tricks about how to defeat Regional Bosses and other monsters will earn a fortune.”
“Yeah, sure. However, that might take a while. I will be busy for some time starting today. The guides you want are not that easy to make either. It will be quite hard for ordinary Players to Solo a Regional Boss without the necessary equipment,” Zayn responded, not noticing his brother’s gaze.
“But then again, I’m pretty sure I could kill the Regional Bosses without any special equipment as well. It would require a lot more time, though.”
Nicolas and Percy had turned into genuine businessmen over the last few weeks. He liked Forgotten Lands, but earning a fortune was even better. The fame and prosperity aspect was just too nice to leave alone.
But funnily enough, Zayn's brothers didn't want any money. A small percentage of the overall income earned through the guides and videos was more than enough for them. That left more than enough money for Zayn to splurge in Forgotten Lands.
According to his mother, it was a ‘waste of money, ' but Zayn didn't think like that. He knew better than anyone that credits would soon become useless. To prevent wasting his credits, Zayn had to use them as long as they were still worth something.