Javen!!!!!
A loud piercing scream filled the large carved cavern that was the boss room of the Ricker Dungeon. This was supposed to be a walk in the park Davren thought as he shook his head for what must have been the thirtieth time during this dive. He just made B rank which is two levels below ascension. This was supposed to be his day of celebration but instead he was roped into chaperoning his muscle head brother and his privileged friends through the easiest dungeon in the kingdom. Although Davren argued against it his parents guilted, bribed and promised that this would only take half a day of his time.
Three weeks into this trip and Davren regrets coming home to celebrate his achievement. His little brother Javen adds to his girlfriend's screams as he writhes on the ground in pain from the bite of the hydra. Remembering his first time in this beginners dungeon, this massive green hydra hasn’t changed much with its six heads, massive claws and jagged teeth. Each head holds a different ability, fire and ice serve in the middle flanked by earth and rock powered. The two on the ends have some sort of quick strike ability. This was terrifying to him as a preteen but as a B rank adventurer it is laughable.
SOMEBODY HELP PLEASE!!! Screams Jada as Javen adds another scream ARRGH!!!
Use the health potion loser, Davren thinks. Have to keep up appearances, I can’t have it be said that I let my little brother die. Well not really die if he ever used any of the twenty health potions mom made him pack in his bag of holding. Davren shakes his head in frustration as he yells over the screams and clumsy battle “heal”. Although he didn’t need to say it to cast this newbie squad needs the encouragement it brings. You’re doing great, Davren says as the group's rouge is tossed casually into the nearby wall with a sickening crunch. As he slides to the ground Davren throws a quick healing before going back to his book. Wait a minute, he thinks as he replaces his bookmark, where is the healer? A quick search of the cavern shows Pixie the red haired heiress shaking like a leaf behind a rock. Let's see.. Strongman - idiot brother, still on the ground for some reason, “Get up idio.. I mean Javen, the Hydra is coming in for another attack!!”. As he rolls out of the way and swings his ridiculously large sword in another miss to the quick strike head. Magic caster, magic caster, where is she?? “Jada NO!! Caster’s battle from distance especially when they don’t have high defense!! Again you are not a rouge…” She just barely avoids a tail attack as the actual rogue pushes her out of the way. Rogue check, healer - fainted, check.
After checking to ensure that the four man team is still alive Davren plunges back into his book. Journey of the S - Ranked mage recounts the life and trials of Armon Gamtree, a mage who eventually earned SS rank and then ascended to the higher plain. This is the dream of everyone on the path. Davren traveled through multiple kingdoms around the world just to obtain a B - Rank. Now having hit a wall this book could be the key to move up to A.
According to this book ranks are progressively harder to level up as you move up.
Between the ages of 10-15 individuals are introduced to the system. The system is an internal and mysterious network that catalogs gained skills and progression of experience. The system notifies each individual and can be checked through mental or verbal responses. Some have claimed the system interacts with personality and unwanted commentary. This has yet to be corroborated in any significant way.
This is what I have found in my travels, although everyone has an individual journey to double S - Rank and I want to be crystal clear about this there are a myriad of ways to achieve it. Each progression tree has endless branches and each should be carefully considered before walking down. I hope these notes I was able to scribble are helpful as you advance along your own path. My own is a rare path, I am a dimension mage. This is not one I suggest anyone follow but here are some helpful tips.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Experience points vary based on paths taken. I do not claim to be an expert on all branches so these numbers are all estimates.
F - Lowest level - everyone starts here. This is the easiest level to progress. 1000 - 1500 experience points to the next level.
E - Second level - This is where most adolescents rank. Even without specialized training daily or weekly use of the system will get anyone here. 3500 - 5000 experience points to the next level.
D - Third level - Without specific training but with daily or weekly use of the system most will reach this level by adulthood naturally. 10000 - 25000 experience points to the next level.
C - Fourth level - This level requires training to obtain and progress. This is the level that is required to specialize. 70000 - 100000 experience points to the next level.
B - Fifth level - This is the beginner level for specialization. Branches require careful examination as deviations CANNOT be changed without losing levels which comes with significant pain which requires a recovery period. Recovery depends on what is lost. 300000 - 500000 experience points to the next level.
A - Sixth level - Anyone at A - Rank are in the higher ranks of most kingdoms. In all but rare cases this level needs training from a master in the craft to progress. Crafters produce expert rank equipment and materials, fighters use master rank spells and attacks. This level begins the automatic draft in kingdoms that follow that law. At this level aging slows significantly, it is normal for an A ranker to live 500 years. 1000000 - 2000000 experience points to the next level.
S - Seventh level - This is a kingdom crusher level. People at this level must be careful to reign in their aura as it can crush weaker and unprepared citizens. S - Rank are called on to face destruction class threats. Crafters at S - Rank can craft artifact ranked equipment and materials. This rank is the hope of their kingdom and as so they are provided for for a lifetime, which I may add is quite significant. A normal lifespan is 1000 to 1500 years. The number of S rankers per kingdom is normally 1 per 500 residents. Enemies at this level are recommended to be killed on sight because of the danger to humankind. 10000000 experience points to the next level.
SS - Highest Earthly level - This is Earth protector level, people at this level are required to face calamity class threats. This is the final level before ascension, which is the act of moving through the ethereal boundaries of existence. Only one SS ranked individual is allowed to remain per kingdom. Since those who rise to those ranks are announced by the system to the entire world all are on alert. For each SS over the allotted amount a calamity creature is created. The world is given a timer before that happens. This is why a close watch is kept on the S and SS ranked individuals.
In this book I will outline what I know about the road to S- Rank and the system as a whole. The most important thing to note along your journey is….. OH FOR THE LOVE OF… JADA SHOOT AT THE NECK NOT THE HEAD. THOSE EXPLODING ARROWS WILL CREATE MORE HEADS. PIN NOT DESTROY!!! Javen what are you doing in the mouth of that beast?? Someone please wake up the healer!! Peter, rogues are stealthy, why are you running in the open like that? Ok this is over with, three weeks with you guys is more than enough. Davren raises his right hand towards the intimidating beast.. IMMOLATE.. At those words the hydra exploded from the inside splattering guts all over the team. He silently casts a sovereign shield which blocks the viscera from landing anywhere within his vicinity. A devilish grin creeps across his face as he watches the team freak out at the sight of the hydras innards all over them.
You guys did it, high fives all around, Davren said as he tugged on his gloves and clapped everyone on the back while walking past them. Time to check your stats and stuff your bags with loot. He whistles as he does a dance through the bloody cavern floor. “Home, home, home where these idiots don’t reside” he sings quietly to himself. Javen collapses to the ground which is followed by the clank of two small vials next to him. Stamina and healing potion, drink up little brother, so many goodies here. Davren whistles as he digs through the remains of the hydra. Ah ha.. He pulls out and kisses a greenish oval shaped round object. Jackpot!! And here is my payment, he turns to see the rogue, Davren for some reason can never remember his name, vomiting and the healer pass out again. Wa, what is that? Javen sputters out. System token little bro, this token from the belly of a dungeon guardian increases our base ability points. Although this will not do much for me as this is a beginner level dungeon every little bit helps am I right? He looks around again, am I right? At this point he recognizes the error of his ways as his little brother who has over the years grown to almost look at him face to face gazes at him with a weird expression. In a split second Davren looks to his brother's friends who have all joined in a chain action. In horror he looks again to his brother who quicker than the eye can react spews vomit all over him.
I am NEVER coming home again, Davren thought.