Novels2Search

Ch8: A Strong Start

"Ah, that nostalgic feeling of weakness."

Rihan muttered jokingly, but after some time he began to take deep breaths. He adjusted his State of Mind accordingly to the situation and quickly assessed his body.

"I am not a God anymore. Now, I am just a weakling, a little stronger than a normal person."

So, he shouldn't act like one anymore. Of course, it did not mean that he changed his personality, but without his overwhelming strength, he couldn't act so smug anymore.

"Now, let's see what this Tower of Trials has to offer." He was a little expectant as he read the pending system messages, which were already filling his vision.

[Congratulations! You have the qualifications to become a Player.]

['Status Window' has been granted.]

[Assessing...]

[Trait 'Body of Evolution' has been added.]

[Trait 'Endless Spirit' has been added.]

[Trait 'Spiritual Body' has been added.]

[Trait 'Eyes of Essence(Incomplete)' has been added.]

...

..

.

[Status has been updated.]

[You can now view your Status by giving the command 'Status Window'.]

[Reach LV50 to enter the Tower.]

[Best of Luck.]

—––

"Oh? My physique and the Aura Piercing Eye are registered as Traits.

Moreover, their names were different. It was an important piece of information, as names contained the essence of the object they were assigned to.

In the past, he had randomly assigned a name to his physique after seeing it's effects, but it was not its real name, as seen through the Status. The Aura Piercing Eye was the same, which was named by Yun Xi, the Serfali Emperor.

"Let's see. Status Window."

—––

//STATUS//

[Name]: [Rihan Raj]

[Age]: [2021] Years

[Race]: [Human]

[Level] : [0] (0.00%)

[Class] : [None]

[Trait]: [Endless Spirit] [Spiritual Body] [Body of Evolution] [Eyes of Essence(Incomplete)]

[Title]: [None]

[Achievement]: [None]

«ATTRIBUTES»

[STR]: 99 (LV0)

[AGI]: 99 (LV0)

[MANA]: [Unawakened]

[VIT]: 99 (LV0)

[INT]: 99 (LV0)

Additional Attribute Points : [0]

«SKILLS»

[Death's Favorite] [Antecedent Divine]

«Elemental Status»

[Space]: 1000(Affinity)

[Death]: 500(Affinity), 500(Resistance)

—––

"Wow. All of my physical and spiritual data has been expressed in numbers. What is this? A game?"

There were still some things he didn't understand completely, but he was not concerned. He will eventually master this thing called Status Window, and pretty soon.

Instead, he focused on the Trait Section. From what he knew, in majority cases, Traits defined one's path and even how far they could walk on that path. In his opinion, the second point was utter nonsense. It was only true for people with no real determination who easily gave up halfway through.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Though, after seeing his Traits, he agrees with the first point, as these Traits did decide the optimal path to take or at least help to traverse that path.

"Interesting." Rihan exclaimed.

He had four Traits. For a LV0 Existence, it was unprecedented. Well, it was quite understanding for him, though.

Anyway, he checked the Traits to see if there was anything different from what he knew.

—––

[Body of Evolution]

Type: Trait

Grade: Transcendent

Description: Evolution is an important aspect of life necessary for survival and advancement of any living species.

•Effect(1): Adapt to any environment and situation faster.

• Effect(2): Any negative aspect will be removed as the body grows stronger.

• Effect (3): Any type of energy and aura can be absorbed and refined into Pure Energy.

•Effect(4): The Growth Limit of the Body can be extended easily and forever.

—––

[Endless Spirit]

Type: Trait

Grade: Transcendent

Description: Endlessness is a characteristic that best describes the Universe. Though not actually endless, the Universe held possibilities of being one. Now, your Spirit held the same characteristic.

•Effect(1): Your Spirit expands endlessly.

•Effect(2): Energy Talents are maxed out.

•Effect(3): Resonance with the Universe becomes easy.

—––

[Spiritual Body]

Type: Trait

Grade: Legendary

Description: A Trait created through [Body of Evolution]. Your Body perfectly harmonizes with your Spirit.

• Effect(1): Body best suitable for cultivation.

• Effect (2): Better coordination of Mind and Body. Gives perfect control over bodily functions.

• Effect(3): Pristine Body. Impurities will not build up in your body.

•Effect(4): Ageless. Your body will not age and deteriorate as long as qi remains in your body.

—––

[Eye of Essence(Incomplete)]

Type: Trait

Grade: Rare(Degraded)

Description: Special Eye, which can see through the essence of things. Currently incomplete and partially awakened.

•Effect(1): Can see Energy and Aura.

•Effect(2): Increases sensitivity to changes in the flow of energies and Aura.

• Effect(3): Can see the status of others.

—––

"Hmm, there is not much difference from what I know. Although there are some fundamental differences in which I understood them before."

For instance, the first effect of the [Endless Spirit] Trait. He thought that his Spirit was endless, but in truth, his Spirit was endlessly expanding every second. It was a major difference between the two.

"Will it be possible...?" Rihan muttered under his breath mysteriously. Soon, he shook his head. "It is still far. Time will tell."

The fourth effect of his physique was also quite something. In the past, he never dabbled in Body Cultivation too seriously; only enough to advance his qi cultivation, but that was a waste of good talent.

"Seriously, just this feature of System Window is itself a cheat."

In the Saha World, there were many who died without knowing that they even had talent. And even if they awakened it, using it effectively was another hurdle without proper knowledge.

"I realized anew how much I was robbed of these super conveniences. But, what can I do now? Let's just obediently see the Skills and be done with it."

[You have earned 10% EXP.]

"Hm? Oh, my EXP goes up by 10%. Maybe because of the things I realized."

It was not a big deal. EXP could be increased through a variety of ways. So, realizing a few things after reading about his Traits was a simple matter of accumulating experience.

[Cold Resistance increases.]

[You are slowly adapting to the current environment.]

He ignored the system messages and opened his Skill Window.

—––

[Death's Favorite]

Type: Skill

Grade: A

Proficiency: 0.01%

Description: Death has taken a liking towards you.

•Effect(1): Instant Death invalidated one time a day. [1/1] (Does not stack.)

•Effect(2): Even with 0 HP, you can cheat death for 1 minute.

—––

"Wow. What is this? A cheat code?"

He had never heard such a thing as cheating death. A Skill that delayed and even prevented sure death was even unheard of in the Saha World.

"And the Skill Description says that death has taken a liking towards me. Is it related to the Valley of Death?"

He couldn't say for sure, but he had a strong hunch that he was right.

"Hehe, the second Skill must be a cheat as well."

—––

[Antecedent Divine]

Type: Skill

Grade: S

Proficiency: 0.00%

Description: You have long since touched the Divine. Now, you are on a different journey to accomplish something greater.

• Effect(1): For an appropriate price, you can unseal one of your Authorities for a short amount of time. Uses: [5/5]

• Effect(2): Traversing the traversed path will be easier in the mortal realm.

• Effect(3): The faith you will receive as a former God will be converted to EXP.

• Effect(4): You can unseal one of your Authorities as a Skill after fulfilling certain conditions.

—––

"...This is unexpected."

Frankly, he was a little overwhelmed. The skill he just read was not as simple as granting some power or privilege. It was directly interfering in the workings of the Universe to grant him his sealed Authorities though with restrictions. But it was still something no ordinary being could accomplish.

"Well, if the tower's goal is to make Gods, it should be reasonable enough. And it is also good for my goals."

Only with as something as unreasonable as this, would he be able to accomplish his goal: meeting his mother.

"I feel spoiled all of a sudden remembering about her." He chuckled as he remembered how his sister was always spoiled by their mother since she was the youngest. Now, he was spoiled rotten by the Status Window.

"I am coming. Just wait a bit more." He promised himself.

"Now then, which Authority should I choose to unseal? Hmm, yes, that will be the best. Okay."

...

"Um, how should I activate the Skill? Oh?"

Just as he thought about it, a system message popped up in front of his eyes.

[Activating the Effect(4) of the Skill 'Antecedent Divine'.]

[Please choose from one of the Authorities:]

[(1)Authority of Space]

[(2) Authority of Sword]

[(3) Authority of Battles and Victories]

[(4) Authority of Challenges and Overcoming]

"I choose the Authority of Challenges and Overcoming."

[Acknowledged. Processing...]

...

[A Quest has been generated!]

—––

[Reclaiming Lost Authority]

Type: Skill Quest

Difficulty: A-S

Description: You, who have lost all his Authorities in pursuit of happiness, now want to take back what was once yours. A fitting trial will be imposed on you to see whether you are still someone who can overcome any challenges thrown your way.

• Objective (1): Defeat a foe with a 50 LV difference. [0/1]

• Objective (2): Clear the first 10 floors of Tower of Trials in a month. [0/10] – Time Remaining: 719:59:59

• Objective (3): Obtain an Achievement and a Title before entering the Tower. [0/2]

Time Limit: None

Reward: An S Rank Skill.

Penalty for Failure: Forever lost your Divine Position of Adversity Conqueror.

—––

[Effect(4) from the Skill 'Antecedent Divine' has been removed.]

"Oh? A quest. This is seriously becoming more and more like a game."

The System was amazing Rihan time and time with something new every time.

"First and second objectives should be easy. But the third one will be a little tricky. Well, I might obtain both if my plan works out."

Before entering the Tower of Trials, he had set up some plans to accomplish in the outside world to help in his journey of cultivation. And, if it worked out, he was sure that he would gain an Achievement at the very least.

"Hey, isn't the penalty too much? I will lose my Divine Position just because of some stupid quest."

He asked the System, but there was no reply.

"Is this also because of that Law of Causality, or whatever it called? Well fine, I have to just make sure to complete this quest.

"Then, I should think of how to achieve a Title along the way. Other objectives doesn't seem that hard.

"Anyway, this is the end. Now, what should I do first?"

Should I level up first? Or start my cultivation journey?

𝘙𝘰𝘢𝘳.

As he thought about his first step, a low roar came from his behind.

"Hmm?" He knitted his brows in frustration as he looked back. "My senses have become too dull now to not even notice such a large monster..."

𝘎𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘢𝘢𝘩𝘩𝘩!

"Looks like I will see what leveling up feels like first, then."

[The information of the monster has unveiled in front of your eyes.]

—––

[Snow Yeti(LV30)]

A large humanoid-type monster that inhibits the cold mountains. They are extremely territorial monsters and kill anyone who trespasses into their territory indiscriminately.

Danger Level: Normal

Abilities and Skills: [Snow Regeneration] [Super Strength] [Cold Tolerance(High)] [Ice Beam] [Tough Hide] [Snow Camouflage] [Snowy Mountain Walking]

—––

𝘞𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩.

Rihan extended his right hand outward and opened his Subspace which he created through his Space Dao. He took out a normal, but sharp sword from inside it. It was made from Cold Iron, which hardens itself and becomes more sharp in a cold environment. Surprisingly, it couldn't be classified as a treasure because of its poor qi conductivity.

[Your Subspace has been integrated with Inventory.]

[Your Inventory grows.]

"What...?"

But he couldn't act on his surprise. The Snow Yeti came running towards him with speed. It's weight should have been more than two tons, but it ran on snow as if it were solid ground, all thanks to its [Snowy Mountain Walking] Ability.

On the other hand, Rihan would have difficulty fighting on snow, or so it should have been, but...

[You have fairly adapted to your environment.]

[You have now expert control over your body.]

𝘋𝘢𝘴𝘩.

He dashed in the direction of the running Snow Yeti effortlessly.

𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘊𝘶𝘵!

Taking advantage of it's large momentum, he deftly avoided it's charge and cut it's thighs deeply. His handling of the sword was precise enough to easily cut through its thick hide and aim to incapacitate it.

𝘛𝘩𝘶𝘥!

The Snow Yeti crashed with a loud thud on its front. It roared heavily in pain and struggled. But before it could turn or regenerate it's wound...

𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘣!

A sword stabbed through its heart coldly. Even with it's regeneration, it couldn't recover a fatal wound on its heart.

𝘎𝘳𝘳𝘳...

And so, it died anticlimactically without having any chance to show its real strength.

"What a weakling. And it dared to challenge me."

[An overwhelming first victory!]

[Additional EXP will be rewarded.]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

...