Jonathan drifted up through the veils of blackness some time later, with pain coursing through his body. He lay on the shattered ground, next to what remained of Granath. Chunks of flesh and bone lay everywhere, but the vast bulk of the monster had been consumed by his Void skills. Notifications filled his vision, and he quickly opened them.

You have killed Granath the Despoiler!

You have leveled up!(x2)

Further essence banked for Tier up.

Jonathan closed that one, which had been expected. What he did not expect were the changes to his Hellbreaker quest.

Hellbreaker: Impossible

You have been imprisoned in the Infinite Hells, a world that certainly lives up to its name. However, there is a way out, if not one that anyone has ever reached before. You must descend through the circles of hell, and kill each one’s guardian to progress. Finally, you must reach the very center and kill the Devil himself. This, however, is a long road, one that will take an eon. That is, of course, if you do not die along the way. Against all odds, you actually succeeded in the first part of your quest, killing Granath, Overseer of the Ash Heaps. However there are still 98 more circle lords to go.

Current Objective: Defeat Slothari, Ooze Queen of Mire

Rewards: Mire’s Mantle(Tier 3 Armor Upgrade), Grasping Ooze(Tier 3 Weapon Upgrade), Crown of the Swamps(Tier 3 Item), a Unique Title upgrade, rule over Mire, and access to the next realm.

Ultimate Objective: Defeat Angranor, The Lord of Hell

Rewards: Freedom, ???

Below it was his quest completion notification for the first part.

You have completed a subquest!

Rewards: Desolation’s Embrace(Tier 2 Armor), Greatworm’s Gauntlets(Tier 2 Weapon), Ring of the Wastelands, a Unique Title, rule over the Ash Heaps and access to the next realm.

Because of the near impossibility of the Hellbreaker quest chain, the true rewards have been hidden to all save for those who actually managed to defeat a Circle Lord. Rejoice in the fact that you are unique across all of history.

Three items appeared in front of him. There was an armor set, made out of fused bone and obsidian. Two gauntlets sat beside it, crafted from a silvery material that looked similar to the soul energy that Granath used. Finally, there was a ring that somehow was made out of swirling ash, while still maintaining its shape. A moment later, a swirling portal formed in the middle of the air, likely the entrance point to the next realm. Jonathan looked at them for a moment, but was quickly distracted by two notifications.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

You have gained a new title!

First Circle Breaker: Unique

You are the only being to ever have completed even the smallest part of the Hellbreaker quest. Such a feat deserves a requisite reward. Every subsequent Circle Lord defeated will grant additional multipliers.

Bonuses: +5% to all stats upon stat allocation.

You are now Lord of the Ash Heaps!

You now possess sole control over the portal of ascension.

Your Authority has grown with this acquisition. You may now challenge other rulers, and be challenged in turn, for territory. With more territorial acquisitions, you will gain increased control over those territories. Rise, conqueror, and forge your empire.

The title was a bit lacking at first glance, especially considering that he didn’t gain anything from it immediately. However, he quickly saw the true potential. By the time he finished his quest, he would have a truly massive multiplier to his stats. The other notification was a bit self explanatory. The only thing to do now was to scan his new gear. He walked over to the suit of armor first, eager to replace his old, broken set.

Desolation’s Embrace

Tier 2 Growth Armor

This set of plate armor is the pinnacle of Tier 2 craftsmanship, made from the bones of Granath, Circle Lord of the Ash Heaps, and Tier 2 obsidian, imbued with the emptiness of the wastelands. Combined, these two materials make a suit of armor that can easily contend with most Tier 3 armor sets, while still being in Tier 2. This armor set can only be upgraded by quest rewards from the Hellbreaker quest. Every time it is upgraded, it gains a new ability, keyed to its plane of origin. This set of armor has a natural repair factor.

Current Ability: Bulwark of Ash

Summon the inky darkness of endless ash to gird your form, increasing the efficacy of your armor by a significant amount. This ability can be used for five minutes every hour.

Bonuses: +36 to Constitution, +36 to Resilience

Jonathan smiled broadly, and started to equip the armor, relishing the feeling of being once more protected from the outside world. It was far superior to his previous armor set, and he could feel the quality in his bones as he equipped it. Next up were the gauntlets, and he took off his old set, placing them in his storage device. It was quite easy to see that these ones were a straight upgrade.

Greatworm’s Gauntlets

Tier 2 Growth Weapon

These gauntlets are steeped in the atrocities of Granath, in the hopes that his power will one day be used to repair the damage that he has done to the Ash Heaps. Infused with the remnants of the worm’s very soul, a fitting end to the tyrant of spirits that ruled the Ash Heaps with an iron fist. This weapon can only be upgraded with quest rewards from the Hellbreaker quest. Every time it is upgraded, it gains a new ability, keyed to its plane of origin. These gauntlets have a natural repair factor.

Current Ability: Spectral Battering

Every minute, you can imbue one strike with the spectral energy of the spirits that have empowered this weapon, allowing you to phase through armor and flesh alike.

Bonuses: +36 to Strength, +36 to Dexterity