Sora's mind buzzed with possibilities.
[Prestige]—it had been both his salvation and his new mystery. The ability to reset my progress and retain a multiplier for experience and talent is undoubtedly powerful, he thought. However, the skill's description had been vague. He didn’t know how far this advantage could go. Was there a cap? Could he truly keep resetting and growing infinitely? There had to be a catch, but for now, Sora needed to focus on what he could control.
As he reviewed his situation, he began breaking down his thoughts. His ultimate goal was to become strong enough to never worry about betrayal again. Rachel had shown him the worst of human nature, and with this skill, he had a chance to show her the worst of what he could do. But this time, he would prepare. Let’s be smart, cautious, and strategic.
He exhaled deeply, looking up at the sky. What do I need to do next?
He started by checking the skill description once more:
[Innate Skill: Prestige]
Description: Reset your training upon death or by choice after Level 50. All levels and skills revert to zero. Growth Factor doubles each time. Talent Level doubles each time.
Death Activation: Activates upon death with a 30-day cooldown.
Manual Activation: Can be activated after reaching Level 50 with no cooldown.
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The potential of the [Prestige] skill crossed his mind again. If he could exploit the experience multiplier from his Talent and Growth Factor—which were both now 2—he could grow faster than ever. His Growth Factor now doubled, so he'd earn twice the amount of experience. His Talent doubling meant his power output was also doubled. But how can I maximize this? Deep in thought, he knew his past leveling knowledge would be crucial here.
He remembered that certain zones offered experience boosts due to environmental factors or special quests. He’d need to seek out those areas, but first, he had to level up enough to survive them. The key to my rise will be to abuse the manual activation of this skill, he concluded.
Sora thought back to his days as a level 49 swordsman. Five years. That’s how long it took me to reach level 49. I wasn’t obsessed with growth, wasn’t driven. I took quests and dungeons regularly, but it still took me five long years to get there.
Now, with his experience, knowledge, and the [Prestige] boost, he estimated he could cut that time down drastically. Maybe even one year. He didn’t need to play it safe anymore or spend week power leveling his friends. No more slow grinds or hesitations.
“Reaching level 50 in a month would be ideal,” Sora muttered to himself. “If I can keep resetting after hitting level 50, I could keep the multiplier effect going… potentially indefinitely. Resetting faster and faster”
This meant that as long as it took less than a month to reach level 50, he could reset endlessly, never waiting for the Death Activation cooldown.
But to hit level 50 in a month, he thought, I’ll need that bonus XP. And that comes from killing enemies at least ten levels higher.
The higher the level gap between player and monster, the greater the bonus experience. But with greater level differences came level suppression—enemies were exponentially stronger. A monster ten levels higher was twenty times as powerful, requiring a x32 power multiplier to overcome. To achieve that, he’d need to reset four more times.
Sora realized he’d have to die at the end of each cooldown to reach the necessary multiplier. It would take him around four months, but he couldn't be idle during that time.
His strategy became clear: find opportunities during those four months, reset each month, and repeat. If there was no cap on his multiplier, he’d eventually outclass everyone, rising so quickly through the ranks that no one could challenge him. Clenching his fist, he felt a surge of determination.
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Still, he wondered, how long will this double experience last? He assumed it would diminish or cap at his previous peak—level 49—but he wasn’t sure. In games, prestige skills typically boosted growth only up to the previous highest level.
If this multiplier lasted until level 100 or further, it would be incredibly overpowered. Sora chuckled, imagining himself leveling at lightning speed, grinding toward near-absolute power. But until he tested it, he couldn’t rely on assumptions.
He shifted his focus back to his immediate tasks.
Step One: Reach level 10. With this milestone, he could equip better weapons, unlock mana, and fully begin his adventure. He’d be strong enough to travel, take on quests, and understand this new world. Reborn through [Prestige], he was without equipment or allies. He needed to get his bearings and understand his surroundings.
Step Two: Find his way home. He needed to check on his family. Though he’d abandoned his previous identity, part of him couldn’t help but wonder how they were. Were they safe? Would they even know I’m gone? He wouldn’t reveal himself yet, but keeping an eye on them would bring him peace of mind as he prepared. He couldn’t afford to die outside a safe zone while Death Activation was on cooldown. Instead, he’d seek quests and opportunities with special rewards during those months, mapping farming zones and planning for intense grind sessions aligned with his growing strength.
Step Three: Once the four months were up, he’d target locations offering the best experience gains. With his knowledge of high-level zones and quests, he could face challenges beyond his level, maximizing XP gains by fighting tougher enemies—if he could survive.
Sora stood, brushing the dust off his clothes. He scanned the area, looking for anything that might reveal where he was. Based on the low-level creatures he’d encountered earlier, he knew he was in a beginner zone. But where, exactly? None of the landmarks were familiar.
“I need to get my bearings,” he thought, squinting toward the horizon. If he could find a town or village, he’d have a better chance of figuring out which part of the New World Kingdom he was in. This massive human kingdom was easy to get lost in without a reference point.
He started walking eastward, toward a small hill. From the top, he could get a better view of the landscape. Along the way, he encountered more low-level creatures—small but vicious beasts, hardly challenging but useful for XP.
Drawing the Fiendish Fang from his inventory, he lunged at a small group of spined rats. His [Critical Strike] connected with lethal precision, felling the first rat instantly. The others scattered, but he pursued them, his movements sharp and efficient. It was a far cry from his early days when even a rat posed a real threat. Now, with his experience, each fight felt natural.
After a quick battle, Sora felt a small surge of experience. It’s not much, but you gotta start somewhere, he thought, sheathing the Fang. These low-level battles wouldn’t sustain his rapid growth, but they were necessary stepping stones. He moved on, searching for more prey.
By the end of the day, Sora had reached level 9. The beasts were abundant, making grinding easy, but he realized it would take hours to reach level 10 at this rate. He stopped hunting and looked around.
I need a slightly higher-level zone, a low-level boss, or a village, he thought. His mind wandered back to the shadowy figure who’d spoken to him earlier. How long do I have to prepare? I can’t waste resets. He needed to optimize his efforts and improve with each [Prestige].
As he crested the hill, he spotted it—a small village in the distance, smoke curling from chimneys and lanterns flickering. A small smile tugged at his lips. He knew where he needed to go.
He started down the hill, mentally running through his goals. Step one’s almost complete, and a village is a good enough option to stop. He’d grind more creatures on the way out.
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Walking down the hill, Sora couldn't help but remember how it all began...
It was 2044. Strange places began to appear in Earth’s most populated cities. They have been called dungeons, and after two weeks of rain and a global fever, people found they had gained abilities and status panels, like in RPGs.
Dungeons held monsters and treasure, and players, as they called themselves, could level up by killing these creatures. But it wasn’t long before chaos ensued. Animals, and monsters, also leveled up, vying for resources and control. The monsters spilled out, and portals opened, introducing alien creatures intent on colonizing Earth. Some negotiated, but war was inevitable.
Eventually, the highest-level player, Roméo, reached level 50, triggering a global notification and a three-day update that reshaped Earth itself.
Continents moved, creating one massive supercontinent. Invading races received land, forming their own kingdoms, while humanity regrouped into the New World Kingdom. New territorial levels limited beast movements, and each nation defended its region. Resources and power became everything. Betrayals, alliances, and survival ruled the day. It was a new, unforgiving world.
Power was everything, Sora thought. Players constantly battled monsters—and each other. He knew that growing strong was no longer about levels—it was about taking control of his life. He’d find a way to survive and thrive in this unforgiving New World.