Chapter 5: Legacy of the Saharan Successor
With the Class Change happening and triggering a sense of demise in me, afterall, it feel as if my entire effort, hard work and sweat were denied. In this brief seconds of my time lying limbless on the ground, and screaming to the Void, I questioned if I wasn't by chance hacked.
Never heard or read online about such incidents in my entire game time of 6 months, but now I was asking if not by chance I was the first victim to a hack?
What kind of Class would delete all of your progression? How could they be so cruel and reverse his level to nothing?
Then with my blank stare, I saw as the crimson energy flashed my sight, and even with the support of the System I couldn't block this interference. On my background, I stopped my BGM, and instead allowed only the environmental sounds going on to strike me.
The pained screams of the Half-Draconians were pleasant company, and I guess, the Red Emperor didn't want to leave any outlookers alive.
Following that twilight inside the Ruins of what I presume was a Temple for the Red Emperor, I then saw the notification flashing in my eyes that I met my maker.
[You have died.]
Maybe the being that passed his inheritance to me felt pity and killed me along by blowing the Temple? This would erase all evidence of such a fateful encounter ever happening.
I went silent since clearing that quest, not showing my complaints outside but letting it boil inside my heart. I didn't feel so angry and annoyed since I found out my ex cheated on me in university.
Now what? Do I really have to start the leveling process all-over again?
Sighing, and breathing in and out to relax my clouded mind, I looked left and right and found myself in my bed. This was the closest respawn point I set-up for my avatar in the event I would meet my demise inside Gravelmark.
Because I was drained of my Stamina Energy, essential in the body functions of the 'Chosen-One' avatar, I chose to remain lying down in the bed, which had the function of boosting Stamina Recovery.
What happened to me since journeying toward Gravelmark Mountains and scouting the settlement of the Half-Draconians of the Black Prince Jahed for signs of brewing armed rebellion against the Empire could be amounted to one word. Unexpected.
I had in mind that something may go waywire because I was touching on the territory of highly hostile monster races that had deep ingrained animosity against the Empire for their history of ethnic cleansing, which to my shame I took part in, but only against the Orcs and Trolls.
This mess, it was all caused by that greedy pig, Loran, if he wasn't pushing around with the advantage those NPCs had with their quest issuing ability, and if I wasn't being prejudiced by the aristocracy for being a Chosen One Black Knight, I would have escaped that toxic environment and be the Squire of a Red Knight or heck even being promoted as a low-ranked Red Knight.
That pig! Because of his greed to get approval from Duke Limit and the Empress for what a 'Great Job' he was doing managing the Black Knights, I WOULDN'T DROPPED TO LEVEL 1.
"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK THIS!"
I couldn't hold back and lash out, frustrated at this situation, but mainly being disappointment with myself for allowing such a situation to even happen.
I could have employed various tactics of placing that pig in his place, but because my initial perception of some NPCs was that they have a set Personality/Emotional Mechanics as AIs, I was taken advantage of for my drive of raising above others.
Hah, everything turned insignificant.
--Knock-- --Knock--
What now? Can't a man let out his emotions once in a while?
"Boss, is everything okay? Who messed with you this time? Were the Snakes of Zibal that pushed their claims for the Level 200 Hunting Grounds in Gravelmark?"
Hearing the worried voice of my guildmate who misunderstood the reason for my lashing out, he stepped inside followed by other 6 guildmates who were present at the Headquarters of the Guild that I set-up inside the Empire's Capital, Titan.
"Is not that Noah. You know Zibal is a coward and isn't willing to contest our hunting territories. I got scammed. Badly."
I looked at the black-haired man who had his hair long, shoulder length, slick-back, while his neck was covered in tattoos, in fact this individual had too many tattoos to count in one sitting.
My otaku buddy who had a great passion for this VR game, but for all the wrong reasons. He was quite the busy person IRL, but chose Satisfy World to destress and let his creative mind take over as a Songwriter, and lowkey, between me and him, well, and some guildmates who were into the Rock genre, he was quite the star.
Most of the guys who walked inside the master bedroom reserved for the key players of the Guild to take full advantage of the beds buff in recovery, were the casual-type centered on Role-playing and having casual fun around Titan, from taking part at various spectacles to actively betting their fortunes at the Hippodrome for their Chariot Races.
All good since my guild was formed like an Organization of sorts. At least this is what I want to believe when someone asks me about my baby project.
"Great Odin! What happened to you? Have you gotten hacked or punished by the admins? Your level dropped to the latrine!" The panicked scream of the latecomer who was one of the gardeners of the Mansion I bought inside Titan, and as more and more players came rushing, including girls wearing a medieval-modern mix, maid uniforms.
"Odin, what's going on? You look pale. Shall I make you a cappuccino?"
"... No Alysha. I'm fine. Well… I'm not fine."
Why? Because of the new notifications that scared me senseless, making me tune out the noise of my worried guildmates.
[You have become Saharan's Successor]
[Your level has dropped]
[You are now level 1]
[All skills and stats have been reset.]
"...?"
Everyone present tasted the pain coursing in my body from the sour expression I had. Was this how shit tasted?
"Got dupped by a God. Maybe I should just quit?"
"What are you talking about, Boss?? If you got hacked, let's petition to S.A Group Admins, it should be reversed."
"Jorge, remember they have that policy where they don't interfere with the game?"
"I call it bullshit. How could Odin the TOP 10 Player Worldwide suffer because they can't fix their stupid game?"
Noah who was closer to my side, and who shared some moments together with me as I even traveled to San Antonio to listen to a concert of his Band, noticed that I was zoning out, and didn't give a fuck about what the worried casuals had to say.
No need to remind me about the nonsensical policies of S.A Group, as I even got in a heated argument with the management because one of my Legion Commanders got screwed by losing his main weapon after getting PKed and NPCs picking up his items.
It was part of the greater world, they say. Fuck them, snobbish koreans. If not for Mi-Jung's position in Space Group, I would have bought a ticket straight to Seoul to sort it out in person.
Never in my whole 6 months of playing Satisfy have I heard or encountered someone whose level was reset when acquiring or dropping a Class, not even the sparse Epic or Unique Classes, or the super rare 'Growth'-type had this maliciousness under them.
Whoever designed this part of the System, is a masochist and their whole family is one too.
But this wasn't all of the surprises left in the 'Inheritance Package' far from it, along with the acquisition of a new class that overruled my former Black Knight Class and deleting my entire Imperial Knight Branch that I worked so hard to achieve, there was a World Message that rarely accrued inside Satisfy.
The present guildmates had shocked and dumbfounded looks, as such events where a 'World Message' would be sent far and beyond were rare occurrences attributed to 'Firsts' Achievements. He had the opportunity of sharing the stage twice, when he became the first 'Black Knight' player, and now this.
I could hear the bullshit and complaints being spread online by the casuals and the media pendants who had nothing better to do but gossip about the everyday incidents in Satisfy World.
I'm sure this World Message would sit for weeks on the tip of their tongues. And if some were smart, they would accurately guess that I'm the one in question as I got scammed with a level reset.
[The Flagbearer who bears the Legacy of the Empire has awakened as a Legend]
[He will be the one to challenge the Absolute over the future of the Empire. A pilgrim walking on the path of Ascendancy]
[The Absolute who carries the Sun, feels the presence of someone who can threaten his existence. Word will spread wide in the Empire. No one is allowed to entertain thoughts of usurping the Throne of a Sun]
[He promises to himself to crush this bud, and maintain the dying torch for the future generation.]
[The Flagbearer has grasped the decadent status of the Sun, and promises himself that he will ignite this torch with his own willpower]
[The Imperial House feels their existence is threatened. The Nobles of the Empire feel the crisis of a New Genesis. The Commoners and Slaves could feel a new Star rising over the horizons, blazing with Valor, someone to bring a Brave New World]
[The Flagbearer proclaims himself as the Saharan Successor. His Will is the Red Emperor's Will. ]
[Those questioning the will of the Emperor shall be judged!]
It was a world message announcing the birth of a new legend. The style of the message was somewhat different from the generic and common announcements of certain events being triggered in the World, since it contained a bit of storytelling and lore.
Instead, for me it felt akin to an Oracle. Only I myself, know deep down how corrupt and decadent the Saharan Empire has turned out as I was experiencing at first-hand encounters this corruption and unwillingness to progress.
"This is about Odin, right? Well, this isn't as terrible as I thought."
"Congrats, Boss, you've become a true legend."
"..."
"He's not focusing on you folks. Can't you see that his eyes are only staring at the System Interface?" Noah reminded the casual players, and continued on with a sensible message for them.
"Also, can you keep the information that Odin is the first to get a Legendary Class? From what I heard from the Attack Force, well, mainly Demacia, the relation between the Ranked Guilds and our Leviathan is rocky to say the least. If we push them more than we have already done, I can say with confidence that they'll form a coalition to hunt us down."
"Whoa, whoa, isn't that going too far? We're not the bullies in Satisfy, they are for being delusional and demanding our hunting grounds. Are those Seven 'Great Guilds' really that despicable? Besides, we're not part of the attack force, would they bother with RP nerds like us?"
Noah refrained from speaking, and instead I told them shortly before my peripheral focus was mainly on the System Interface.
"The folks who formed that 'Alliance' just so they could threaten us, can reach their breaking point quicker than you can imagine. They managed to disband and shallow the smaller guilds forcefully. It would be bad for us Leviathan if they decide to gang on us simultaneously while I'm struggling with being Level 1. "
"Don't worry about me, I'll make a Guild Statement in a bit. There's too much to unpack from this Class."
I was confused by the unknown situation.
There's so many notifications… How many skills and passives have I gained from this package?
[Strategic Sovereign skill has been created.]
[Royal Administration skill has been created.]
[Imperial Eminence skill has been created.]
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
[Imperial Wisdom skill has been created.]
[Imperial Unity has been created.]
[Imperial Supremacy has been created.]
[Imperial Ascendancy has been created.]
[Dynasty's Insight skill has been created.]
---
[Title, 'One who Became a Legend', has been acquired.]
---
[Composure stat has opened.]
[Indomitable stat has opened.]
[Dignity stat has opened.]
[Charm Stat has opened.]
[Insight stat has opened.]
[Resilience Stat has opened.]
[Diplomacy Stat has opened.]
[Political Power Stat has opened.]
[Persuasion Stat has opened.]
[The special stat 'Willpower' has opened.]
[The Unique stat 'Red Energy' has opened.]
[Title, 'Sovereign of Red Energy', has been acquired.]
.
.
.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of notifications going all at the same time, there were many stats that I heard about, but couldn't quite grasp how to claim them for myself as they were locked as unique for various Classes.
It felt a bit better knowing that I received something rare, lessening the effects of losing all of my levels and even previous skills.
However, my mind raced the moment I began looking deeper into the Special and Unique Stats 'Willpower' and 'Red Energy' who I believe were related to the Legendary Class more than the other inheritance package.
I've heard about this Red Energy from the NPCs when the Imperial Family had a Banquet and we were stationed as Guards. So? This is the reason why the Emperor who is described as the 'Absolute' in this case feels threatened?
Well, no shit. But this doesn't mean I'm looking over his Throne. As a player I can't just kill a King or Emperor and stage a Coup d'Etat without the backing of the High Aristocracy. And in the Empire the challenge of becoming a High Noble itself is on Hell Level.
Nonetheless, I can bounce some ideas with my advisors and brainstorm some methods of achieving such a goal if in fact is possible. I don't mind contending for the Throne, but it's beyond foolish to think I have a chance nowadays.
Clearing out the notifications one by one, with some grain of salt in my heart, I opened my Skill-Tree which got replaced by the Legendary Class 'Saharan Successor'. Adios to my reliable and handy Knight Skills, now embrace the uncertainty in my 'Regressor' life.
"Weeww, so this is what a Legendary Class looks like. No wonder there's so much buzz online about the 'unattainable' Legendary."
When the people in the room heard me comment out loud about what I was seeing, they couldn't help but jump along getting closer in my personal space, but the maids were more enthusiastic for whatever reason their minds conceived.
"How is it boss? The Class? Is it broken or meh?"
"Guildmaster, you have to show us some of your new skills."
"Wait, give me a moment. I'm still reading the descriptions and effects."
[Saharan Successor]
Rating: Legendary
A person chosen by the first Emperor, Haycien von Saharan, who had reached the state of Godhood from the Faith of his people.
You, who had put faith in the Emperor, are deemed worthy of carrying the New Torch. Godly Interference is transforming you into an Avatar of the First Emperor who will carry his Legacy.
* Permanently increases the attack power and magic power, along with your mana and health by 15%.
* Integrates red energy and weapon mastery and permanently reduces the cooldown of all skills by 30%.
* The restrictions of the User's Equipment Type has been removed. User can wield any type of weapon and armor type equipment.
* As the Master of Red Energy, your proficiency and skill experience acquisition will be boosted by 50% while the 'Red Energy' Stat will be boosted by 100% growth rate.
* The number of additional stat points gain for each level has increased by 2. (Current limit 13 SP/level)
…
Unbelievable. I can use any weapon I want? Even Armor? Does this mean I can't be restricted to only Heavy Armor? Haha, sorry Eve. I'll no longer pass on Mage loot to you, girl.
Everything about Saharan Successor spelled Masterclass, plenty of buffs all around the game, from Physical and Magical Power to HP and MP. My Cooldowns and EXP acquisition was also taken care of, but the boons that intrigued me the most were the Red Energy and that generous stat point increase.
I'm now level 1, you might even consider this a Regression. While it sucks that I have to grind again back to Level 197, I think I saved enough break days for this year to afford a Vacation… I should visit Seoul or New York while I tinker around the Bus Ride so I can catch up with the average players.
Huh, an opportunity for those lunatics to boast about their talents and skills. Not that I mind since even thinking about the grind to level 200, my liver hurts.
Shifting back my attention on the new changes to my Avatar, I started checking each individual change, one by one, and the more I was reading into their effects, the wider my surprise was spelled on my face.
[Strategic Sovereign – LV.1]
Rating: Legendary / Type Passive
Ability: Enhances Odin's strategic planning and coordination skills on the battlefield.
Effect: Increases overall team efficiency by 15%, boosts accuracy of strategic predictions by 20% while on the Battlefield.
It's a Legendary Skill. Don't tell me everything in the gift package is Legendary?
Moving on the following skill, I couldn't help but stare like a dumb idiot with his jaw opened.
[Royal Administration – LV.1]
Rating: Legendary /Type Passive
Ability: Efficiently manages resources, logistics, and personnel within your Domain.
Effect: Once you become the Ruler of a Domain, your Administrator Status will be considered SSS.
* Your Administrative Efficiency will be increased by 20%.
* Improves base-building speed and resource gathering efficiency by 25%, reduces crafting time by 20%.
* The skill 'Talent Search' will be unlocked, granting you an increased chance at finding NPCs with Purple/Golden Named Potential
This passive would have been a Godsend for Mi-Jung since she has taken an Administrative Profession to assist me in managing future territories after being Ennobled. This one, I need to abuse a lot once I get my hands on a fief.
The time it would take to construct a city from scratch would be nothing, but I'm wondering how this effect actually works? Is it akin to a 'Morale' Boost type of passive that makes even NPCs give their 100% for me?
Can't check, so I'll leave it for the time I get to rule a territory.
Next.
[Imperial Eminence – LV.1]
Rating: Legendary /Type:Active
Ability: Endows Odin with an aura of leadership and authority, boosting morale and performance.
Effect: Increases allied players' combat capabilities by 15%, grants a 50% bonus to experience gain to all allies in your party.
Skill Consumption: (10) Red Energy
Skill Buff Timer: 1 hour
Skill Cooldown: 12 hours
This one is abstract, too. The consumption cost is strange. Red Energy? Right, but wasn't that just a Stat?
Cost aside, I have the feeling that Saharan Successor has the Ruler/Conqueror Archetype in mind. Buffing my Soldiers or Allies and helping them grow alongside me. Phew, I'm glad I'm not a loner,
I'm sure everyone in the Guild would want to insert their hands in the honey jar. To prioritize the effects of this skill, I should stage some leveling events for the newbies who are still on the lower level bracket. Maybe grab a couple of the RP Maids and turn them into Valkyries?
Haha, Odin and his Valkyrie maids, not bad. I'll entertain this idea for a while.
Then in a matter of fact expression, I scrolled to the remaining Legendary Skills, that were the dreams of hordes of players who still struggled with their resources, especially their MP.
[Imperial Wisdom – LV.1]
Rating: Legendary /Passive Type
Ability: Grants access to a reservoir of knowledge, enhancing decision-making abilities.
Increases Intelligence by 20%.Improves problem-solving skills by 20%, provides a 100% bonus to experience gain from quests.
Might play a role when Raiding into making good use of terrain and other obstacles. And the MVP of the pack is Bonus EXP, and to top it off from Quests nonetheless.
Nothing to complain or brag about. This is what you should expect from a Legendary Class? I think… Wait, wait, bonus from quests and at 100%? It can be exploited without being called 'cheating' for a quick level-up journey.
Great, I have alternatives instead of rushing into another grind.
[Imperial Unity – LV.1]
Rating: Legendary/ Type: Passive
Ability: Fosters a sense of solidarity among allied players, enhancing teamwork efficiency.
Effect: Boosts team synergy by 50%, increasing damage dealt and reducing damage taken by 25% when near allies.
The more I go into the new Skill Tree, the more I'm convinced this Class should be played like a Hybrid DPS/Support, akin to Druids and Paladins. But compared to the basic variants, the Saharan version is more inclined into comp plays, making use of Soldiers to climb the Hierarchy Ladder alongside you.
They are benefiting from standing in your presence and basking under your shadow, but you'll raise like a Sun.
A Sun King? Makes sense why the Imperial Family has such a Nickname. However, I'm not looking at becoming some Sun King or a Star, they are always dying out eventually.
Still, as if responding to my thoughts as I came up with various plays that would maximize their effects, the Skill-Tree revealed what I could describe as one of the 'Trump Cards' This one was only for the Emperor to enjoy.
And what a surprise the following skill was.
[Imperial Supremacy – LV.1]
Rating: Legendary | Active Type
Ability: Grants temporary access to heightened physical, magical and mental attributes, reaching to a closer state of the Great Emperor.
Effect: Activates a 10 minutes buff, increasing strength, intelligence, agility, and stamina by 15%
Skill Consumption: (20) Red Energy
Skill Buff Timer: 10 minutes
Skill Cooldown: 60 minutes
Insane buffs are meant only to be hoarded to a single soul. Yeah, I'm not a villain. Well, maybe a little bit since I antagonized plenty of those assholes leading the Seven Guilds.
[Imperial Ascendancy – LV.1]
Rating: Legendary | Active Type
Ability: Each time the Skill is activated, the user will gain an increase in one primary stat. The increase is random (0-2 SP attribute at random)
Effect: Grants a 10% increase in health, mana, and damage output.
Skill Consumption: (80) Red Energy
Skill Buff Timer: 1 hour
Skill Cooldown: 48 hours
Whoaa, permanent increase in stats after activating this skill??? Even if the stat is picked at random by the system, an increase in the primary stat is a great benefit nevertheless.
Scrolling down on the extensive list of skills, and while I got a bit stabbed by pain seeing how my list of Knight Skills were reseted to level 1, and all the acquisition I've done for them got mocked, I soon felt better with the last Skill Reward.
[Sovereign Insight – LV.1]
Rating: EX/Passive
Endows Odin with heightened intuition to discern hidden truths and potential threats.
* (Passive) Can penetrate the essence of things.
* (Passive) Disables mental magic and all sorts of traps. Can see through the target's skills and abilities, which will reduce the target's defense and attack power by up to 30%.
* Identify the level, stats, skills, talents, potential, inclinations, zodiac sign of the target NPC.
* (Passive) Increases perception and detection skills by 20%, grants a 10% bonus to critical hit chance.
Each usage of the Insight will consume (5) Red Energy
My GOD! This is beyond Legendary! I heard from the lore of this world that after Legendary the next step is Mythic. Could EX be the equivalent of Mythic rank? Regardless, I'm beyond satisfied.
Heh, I'm no longer bitching about losing my Imperial Knight Skill Tree. What? I've got my level reset to 1? Good.
I can adjust my Ratios and achieve a Golden Ratio which was discovered by that Mage, Lucas who was doing research on the casuals by giving them bus rides and telling them how to invest their SPs.
The Golden Ratio will happen when 2 or more primary stats are 1:1 and this Ratio mainly works for the Melee Classes, since Spellcasters should only invest their SPs into INT, and a bit into Agility and Stamina.
Now this truly feels like a Regressor style return to the Pinnacle of the Game, but without involving dying.
It would be senseless to wish I was reborn since I got nothing to complain about in 28 years of living. Well, maybe I have some regrets, but they are small and it involves fantasies.
Since I quit my Engineering Job to pursue Satisfy World fully, and even though I had my ups and downs by managing Leviathan affairs, we're still just starting since I'm lacking the funds to expand World Wide in its true sense.
Only the niche community of Satisfy World knows about us, but I'm planning to take Leviathan globally. Soon…
Becoming the first Legendary Class, could be an opportunity at gathering more funds from investors, and having some leverage over the S.A Group if they start giving me shit for acting like a tyrant.
I closed the window of the Skill Tree, and could see the members of the guild chatting excitedly about the future, some wondering how strong my new class was compared to the Black Knight, and without saying much I attempted to get up from the bed, only to struggle lifting my body.
Huh? What the? Ahh, right, the Weight-Limit has been exceeded, so my body functions are crippled since I can't lift such a heavy Plate Armor as an ant. Makes sense… Not really. This is another bs thrown by the S.A Group in their system, but is minor.
"Guildmaster, take off your armor. It should be the Weight System punishing you." reminded one of the players wearing a gardener attire, even with the tools for working with plants ready at hand.
"Thanks, Malfurion. I was already aware since all of my Items are Red for breaking the level limit. Heh, isn't this a bug in a way?"
"Are you by chance thinking that you can still abuse the power of your sword and armor?"
"Uh-huh, I was thinking that if I could move a bit, I could steamroll those wolves and slimes. But it's really annoying not being able to move comfortably. In fact, I can't even move my arms since the Armor of Despair is level 185, while the rest of my equipment is in the range of 185-195."
"Is not worthed, Odin."
I agreed with the majority of opinions, and proceeded by unequipping my Heavy Plate Armor and the rest of the equipment, and next changing into my RP Imperial Nobleman Suit that didn't have any level restrictions, while offering little to no stats boosts.
Unfortunately, I could no longer use the Armor of Despair, and since I lost my Black Knight Class requirements, I couldn't predict what future moves Count Loran would be pulling to drag me down.
Should I sell the Armor and get rid of it? Doubt it. Let's wait a little bit and see what happens with my Black Knight status.