“Young master, is it too beautiful that it captivates you so profoundly?”
Elsa's soft voice resonated like a gentle bell, abruptly pulling Ryou from his deep reverie. As he gazed upon her oval, enchanting face and round green eyes leering at him with concern, Ryou felt a healing solace.
Stretching his lips in a subtle smile, Ryou responded, “I'm fine, Miss Elsa. I was merely contemplating if this necklace would complement your elegance perfectly.”
Elsa gaped at him for a while then she narrowed her eyes as she said, “I am just your aide young master, you don't need to give such high ranked equipment, sparing only leftover equipment would suffice” she earnestly suggested.
Ryou extended his hand towards her, a chuckle escaping his lips as he sensed her flustered state. “Consider it an order. Take it. Besides, it's just a Silver-rank equipment—nothing too rare. I might stumble upon something better before reaching level 10,” he added with nonchalance.
In New World, players could equip items above their level, but only within the range of their current rank. For instance, reaching level 10 signified entering Rank 1, allowing players to equip items from levels 10 to 19. And a player at level below 10, could equip only between the range of 1-9.
Elsa, still at level 9, was Rank 0 and could not equip the level 15 necklace. However, offering the necklace was his way of expressing gratitude for her ring. He still couldn't shake off the odd feeling that he was wearing her engagement ring, so the Trifany necklace was just a modest gesture of compensation.
Elsa gracefully retrieved the necklace, before placing it into her spatial bag. A wide smile then adorned her face, revealing dimples on her high cheekbones, blazing with a rosy hue. Approaching Ryou, she bent her head toward the right side of his face and planted a light peck.
Retaining a measure of formal stance, she bowed and said. "I am truly grateful for the present, young master," she expressed with sincerity.
Ryou was at a crossroads between doubt and acceptance of his reincarnation, yet in this instant, as he gazed at Elsa's sincere smile and observed her behavior, he couldn't shake that the reality felt… genuine. He inwardly thought, 'There's no way this is false, right?.'
To conceal his flustered state after the unexpected kiss, Ryou turned away, his own cheek now flushed with a rosy tint. However, as he shifted his gaze, the headless goddess's altar came into view – a structure crafted from smooth white stone with an immaculate slate platform.
Attempting to divert attention, Ryou suggested, “Let's investigate that altar, Miss Elsa.” Leading the way, he walked ahead, and Elsa followed suit.
This altar, in Ryou's previous life, after exhaustive searches by many players had unveiled no secrets. Before him, countless prying soul had scoured every nook and cranny of the place, yet nothing mysterious had been unearthed. In the initial days, excitement had surrounded the altar in the gaming community due to an inscription on the offertory box:
{In your palm, I find my place, a token that carries worth and grace. To receive a gift, offer with glee, yet authenticity is the key.}
Ryou, like many others, attempted to decipher their meaning. However, since he arrived late to the game, he eventually moved on without investing much effort into deciphering the mystery.
Now, standing before the headless Goddess that was stationed within a white chamber, Ryou retrieved a white coin. Studying the profile face carved on it, he raised the coin, pointing it towards the headless statue and closed one eye as he attempted to connect the flowing hair from the coin to the hair on the headless statue's chest and shoulders. To his amazement—or perhaps sheer coincidence—it was 90% matching.
A smile played on Ryou's lips as he finally unraveled the riddle. The reason, why the silver coin in his past life was wasted in the offertory box was clear—it lacked authenticity, as the riddle had subtly suggested.
Excitement gleaming in his eyes, Ryou turned to Elsa and asked, “Miss Elsa, do you believe in the Light Goddess?”
Tilting her head, Elsa responded, “My belief lies with the Nature Goddess, young master.”
“Well," Ryou amusingly remarked, "You might have to temporarily shift your allegiance to the Light Goddess because we need her blessings or 'gifts' right now,” Ryou said while thrusting the white coin into Elsa's hand and took the other one from his space bag. "Let me try it first to see if my idea works."
Stolen story; please report.
"Very well, young master."
Ryou, tossed the white coin into the offertory box. Clapping his hands twice in a praying gesture, he half jokingly voiced his wish, 'I want to get an advanced subclass during next Ascension.' He didn't expect that he needed to wish here, but he just do it anyway because it was a shrine.
However, when nothing happened, Ryou puzzlingly opened one eye and ready to exhale a sigh of disappointment, when the system's voice resounded and a window prompt materialized.
System: The Angel of Power, Cameal, would like to absorb all your levels for activating a Unique Quest. Would you like to accept it?. [Y/N]
He doubted what he heard so he read the words on the window panel, only to feel a surge of confusion mixed with overwhelming thoughts. "An Angel of Power? What kind of quest is this? Isn't this a dungeon? Where is the Angel anyway?" Thousand questions were elbowing on Ryou's mind at the moment.
Angels, according to Ryou's knowledge, were among the higher life forms, second only to Gods, with even Dragons placed below them. The mention of the "Angel of Power" stirred some recognition in his mind; there were nine Choirs of Angels, they include, the Lesser Angels, Principalities, Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Power, and Archangels, each with a specific role. The Choirs of Power were supposed to be the warriors of the Light Goddess, or not, he was not clear as it was just a very vague knowledge.
Overwhelmed and confused was an understatement as Ryou felt panic-stricken, caught off-guard by the prospect of an Angel of Power seeking to absorb all his levels for a Unique Quest.
As Ryou calmed down and processed the situation, an epiphany came on his mind regarding the undead Paladin's [Divine Protection] earlier. It seemed Cameal had bestowed divine blessings upon it. However, the question lingered around—had this Angel been observing him, or was their encounter a mere coincidence during his dungeon run? And why did the angel want him to do a quest?
Looking at the system quest details again, 'losing all levels to get a Unique quest' echoed in his mind. Despite the mystery surrounding the purpose of sacrificing his levels, Ryou reasoned that the potential benefits of getting a Unique quest was worth it. He also didn't doubt there would be any danger or trap in it, as angels were kind to anyone except demons, or evildoers, though Ryou was not among the good bunch, he still clicked the 'Y' button and waited for what would happen next.
Suddenly, without any fancy light show or sound effect, Ryou felt his strength diminishing rapidly. The sensation of depleting levels and the onslaught of energy exhaustion hit him like a truck, causing him to stumble.
“Young master, what happened?” Elsa's concerned voice reached him.
“It's nothing. It's just some of my endurance and levels are gone,” he assured her while gulping down a stamina potion and checking the system prompt.
System: You accepted the (Unique Quest) ‘Annihilate the Despicable Demon’;
Quest details: A Lesser Demon has committed the blasphemous act of destroying the head of the Light Goddess’ statue. The demon is currently weakened, and following Cameal's trial, you have emerged victorious, qualifying you as a champion to eliminate the wretched Demon residing 100 miles east from the Dark Mountain.
Reward: 100 reputation with the Light Church, Gain an advanced subclass 'Einherjar' upon reaching Rank 2.
Would you like to accept? [Y/N]
When he looked at the word 'Trial', he finally understand why the dungeon run earlier was very abnormal.
Observing at the reward, Ryou was elated, even in his wildest dream, he would not have thought that he might have a chance to get an advance 'Einherjar' subclass. However, the reality of the quest dampened his spirits a bit; facing a lesser demon was no small feat, even if it was weakened, it was still a demon. Demons were also higher life forms like Angels, and trying to kill it when he didn't have any higher rank equipment, skills, and some other enhancements, he knew it was going to be brutal if not outright a suicide mission.
But, he clicked the ‘Y’ button.
Opportunity and risk were siblings. To climb higher, one had to be willing to undertake incalculable challenges, even if it meant venturing into a Hell mode dungeon with only two person or facing a weakened demon.
System: You accepted the (Unique Quest), ‘Annihilate The Despicable Demon’
Penalty; No penalty.
Filled with joy and anticipation, Ryou turned to Elsa, expressing, “Miss Elsa, it's your turn. Place the white coin in the box and ask for something you desire. I hope, just like me, you get what you want.” he said while stepping back to give her space near the offertory box.
Elsa confirmed, "Okay" with a nod, displaying no hesitation as if the notion of committing a sacrilegious act by seeking favor from another deity didn't cross her mind. She gracefully walked forward, offering the white coin to the box. Following Ryou's example, she closed her eyes and clapped twice, engaging in a silent plea of her own.
He observe Elsa's praying and waited patiently. After about a minute, she, like him, stumbled and nearly fell to the ground. Reacting swiftly, Ryou caught her in his arm by the shoulder, and offered a stamina potion that had proven quite useful throughout this endeavor, he made her gulp all the liquid in it. With unfocused eyes, Elsa slowly opened her eyes.
“Miss Elsa, are you fine?” inquired Ryou, “Did you also receive a Unique Quest?”
Elsa, now standing, responded, “No, young master. I did not get such a quest. However, I received a Stigma that will allow me to locate a lesser demon.” Ryou was surprised; he had anticipated the need to surveyed a lot of ground in the 100 mile east area from Black Mountain to search for the demon, however, this demon locator stigma could really simplified the task.
Elsa continued adding, “and also, I will gain a subclass called ‘Nature Walker’ during my next ‘Ascension.’” Despite her fatigue, Elsa's eyes sparkled with delight, akin to a child receiving a Christmas present.
Ryou responded, “That's good, Miss Elsa, in fact, it is very great”