A booming laugh rang out from the Hegemon’s fleshless mouth, and below, a cavalcade of undead danced in response, the barely sentient creatures responding to the voice of their maker. The monsters were like a living tide, millions of them crammed into the narrow environs of the city. Most of the buildings were nothing more than decorations, with the undead having no need for the comforts of the living. Food was useless to them, as was rest or even happiness. They existed at the pleasure of their maker, and any meager amount of pleasure they could glean came from his own.

A sonic boom rang through the air as the Hegemon took off, his wings beating behind him so fast that they formed tornadoes, which touched down a moment later. Undead were swept up into the air, but he paid them no need. He wanted to find Jonathan Harlowe before he could grow too dangerous. Although he likely possessed too much power to directly engage the man yet, as there was no way a peak Tier 4 could be within the same power range as a mere Tier 3, he could attempt to manipulate him into acting against him, or simply fleeing.

Cessation was a massive realm, and like many in the Hells, it was quite empty. Even with all of his speed, the Stillborn Hegemon had vast tracts of land to search. However, he was an undead, and did not know the meaning of fatigue or rest. He had all the time in the world.

Unaware of the realm’s hegemon’s interest in him, Jonathan led his party towards the distant mountains he had noticed. Indeed, it was hard to notice much of anything else, given the absolute desolation of the realm. It was similar to the Ash Heaps, but different in that it possessed a total lack of life, in addition to being a wasteland. There were no major settlements, as most of the undead were mindless, and had no need of such things. Only a few sapient ones existed out in the wastes, and they tended to the weaker undead.

Over the course of three days, Jonathan had led his allies from monster to monster, trying to increase their levels to the peak of Tier 3. Him, Edgar and Hushar were already there, with the rest between level 285 and 295. Currently, they had found a small refuge in the form of an abandoned village previously filled with undead, the clearing of which had propelled Jonathan to level 299. They had gathered a few of them into one spot, to create an easy essence farm.

Jonathan held a spike of his Void energy under his mental control, poised above the head of one of the shambling undead. At any moment, he could kill it, and gain the last shred of essence that he needed. Jonathan was ready to reach Tier 4, and before he did so, he opened his stats. As he sat cross legged on a mouldering wood floor, he beheld the achievements and abilities of an infant god.

Jonathan Harlowe

Tier 3

Void Human(Exalted)

Divinity Aspect: Void Hegemon

Elemental Mastery: 14%

Elemental Juggernaut: Tier 3 Legendary

Active Blessings: The Third Eye of Exal’drin

Level 299

(261 free points)

Strength

3764

Dexterity

2802

Constitution

2479

Resilience

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

2827

Intelligence

2754

Wisdom

2241

Divinity

20

Health: 55778/55778

Stamina: 84690/84690

Mana: 61965/61965

* Titles

True Unbound Spirit: Unique

Second Circle Breaker: Unique

Nascent God: Transcendent

Supreme Initiate: Ancient

Prodigy of Fusion: Mythical

Lesser Xenocide: Legendary

Greater Giantslayer: Legendary

Iron Will: Epic

Leader of Men: Epic

Refined Form: Epic

Avenger: Epic

Lineage Hunter: Rare

Righteous Killer: Rare

* Skills

Maw of the Void: Ancient

Aegis of the Void’s Dichotomy:Ancient

Ephemeral Trifecta: Mythical

Greater Smite: Mythical

Void’s Grasp: Mythical

Void Piercer: Mythical

Void Missile: Mythical

Runic Overcharge: Mythical

Flame of Judgement: Mythical

Rune Savant: Legendary

Void Drill: Legendary

Channeled Basic Truesight: Legendary

Sense the Weave: Legendary

Fists of the Maelstrom: Legendary

Minor Enlightenment: Legendary

Void Slipstream: Epic

Warrior’s Trance: Epic

Battle Focus: Rare

Impact: Rare

Focused Scry: Rare

Runes of Power: Rare

Redirect: Uncommon

* Pathway Skills

Blunt Weapon Mastery(Advanced): Expert 3

Runecrafting Expertise(Advanced): Expert 1

Energy Manipulation(Advanced): Journeyman 9

* Martial Path

Flowing Maelstrom: Journeyman 9

* Weapon Domain: Expert 3(Advanced)

Metaphysical Domain: Expert 1(Advanced)

* Quests

The Strongest: ???

Hellbreaker: Impossible

Pathway of the Titans: Heroic

Jonathan raised his head, and looked at Arkanon. “I’m ready.”

The Uthraki warlord gave him a nod. “I’ll be watching over you.” Most of the others were off fighting, but Arkanon was the only other one at the same level as Jonathan.

Jonathan smiled, and clenched his will. Outside, a spear of purple fire descended, blasting the head off of one of the undead. Essence rushed into him, readying him for his ascension.

Congratulations, Jonathan Harlowe! You have reached Tier 4!

Prepare to be reborn.

The changes were even more minor than at Tier 3, simply an overhaul over his defences, and a minor increase to the efficiency of his body.

You have reached Tier 4!

You have gained 100 points in each stat (accounting for multipliers).

Your body is naturally more durable, and able to use a greater fraction of your total strength.

You have gained 20 points in Divinity.

You now need a higher concentration of mana, proportional to your level. Current inhibition is 0%, as you are using Tier 4 mana to operate. Maximum inhibition is 75%.

You now have access to Tier 4 classes.