Dante's mind clouded with the dozens of pings from system messages. Dante closed his eyes and waited for them to cease, and after a moment the pings did cease. Dante opened his eyes to see a wall of notices. He decided that he needed to sort through them and take this one step at a time.

Dante felt concern as he had been without Virgil during his confrontation with the crimson king. "Virgil!" Dane cried out, and to his joy and relief he felt the skill activate without issue. A moment later the shining golden figure of Virgil apperated into his room giving off a soft and warming light. Upon his head he too, wore what appeared to be a small, thin, blue circlet.

'Is this crown affecting Virgil?' Dante thought, "Virgil?" The figure of Virgil immediately began to take a knee whilst placing a hand over where a human's heart would be. "My prince..." Virgil froze for a moment. "Shit! Did i break him?" Dante said aloud. Virgil slowly stood once more and looked up towards Dante, immediately noticing the crown. He raised up his hands feeling upon his own head noticing the circlet.

"Dante?...If I may still call you that?" Virgil spoke hesitantly. He was clearly uncertain as to what was going on. "I'm no prince or king. You are still my friend and I would greatly appreciate you still referring to me as Dante. By the way what was with the sudden change?" Virgil smiled but still gave a small bow, causing Dante to sigh and roll his head a bit from annoyance. Then his grimace too became a small but reluctant smile, 'At least he can still make me laugh.' Dante thought, suppressing a small laugh.

Virgil stood, "It appears that the system made some small changes to the skill you use to summon me. I suspect when you obtained that." Virgil said as he pointed toward the crown that adorned Dante's head. The one he had taken from the Crimson King. "I like your crown by the way. I like this one as well." Virgil said as he once more touched the small circlet upon his own head. Then his expression became more serious, "Now Dante. Please explain to me how you came across that... these items." Virgil paused for a moment as he finally noticed all the other things that now adorned Dante's form.

Dante recounted his tale for several minutes even going so far as to show Virgil the cantrip, Dancing lights, and the items he had taken from the room. Among them a very large, and nice, roll of crimson carpet.

When Dante was finished with his story Virgil's face was one of shock and amazement. "Dante you would have been made aware of this later on in the zones, however it seems you need to be made aware of such things now. That room you were in was a construct made to symbolize one of your Roads." A faint recollection came to the forefront of Dante's mind. "You mentioned something before about walking roads without points, right?" Dante questioned as he looked at a dozen notices relating to Roads alone.

"Last night many individuals were connected to entities of great power that best suited them. What you have described can only be one of three things. One possibility is that king you bested was the person who was supposed to give you power." Virgil paused for a moment, "If that is the case or not i'm impressed you managed to survive his ire." Virgil said with a genuine expression of approval, before continuing.

"Another is that you unlocked a Road that lead you to him. Thus leads back to the Road construct I mentioned earlier. Which is the main method by which people bypass the RP normally required to complete Roads. The third being a combination of the previous two. However, I would say it is most likely the first." Dante took in Virgil's word's for a moment weighing them. "Would that mean that I could become connected to other entities like that again if I unlocked the right road?" Dante asked concerned as to his own well being should he come upon another similar encounter. "Yes that is a possibility." Virgil said in a concerned voice.

Dante took a deep breath and reviewed his notification.

You have been called to the throne room of the Crimson King!...

You are Frightened! You have acquired the skill, Fear resistance (C) Lvl. 1...

The Road of Fear is now open to you...

His fear resistance got to level 5 before something new popped up.

You have resisted Fear! You have acquired the skill, Courage (C) Lvl. 1...

The Road of Courage is now open to you.

Skill synergy detected...

The skill's, Fear resistance, and Courage, begin to fuse...

Congratulations! Your skills have successfully fused into the Rare skill, Burning Heart Lvl. 1...

Dante decided to check his skills, and oh boy.

Skills

Physical Endurance © Lvl. 12

Mana Sense (Unc) Lvl. 14

Farming © Lvl. 1

Observation Analysis © Lvl. 1

Summon Virgil

Time sense ® Lvl. 1

Horticulture © Lvl. 5

Mental Attack Resistance (Unc) Lvl. 1

Mana Manipulation © Lvl. 3

Cartography (Unc) Lvl. 12

Burning Heart ® Lvl. 1

Blood Absorption ® Lvl. 1

Mundane Damage Resistance © Lvl. 1

Resistance to Mundane Exhaustion (Unc) Lvl. 1

Possession Resistance (Unc) Lvl. 1

Upon viewing his skills it gave Dante a bit of joy. He hadn't had to buy Observation Analysis. Though it also led to several questions which he was certain would become clear as he continued through the notices. 'Mental Attack Resistance? Blood Absorption? At least I can kind of understand the resistances. I just need more information.' Dante thought. It was at this point that the crown actually chimed in, "Mental attack resistance would be my fault...Dante?" the crown spoke hesitantly in Dante's mind. "Was it when you yelled in my head? Also you can call me Dante that is fine." A sense of relief washed down upon Dante originating from the crown. "I believe that is the reason you obtained the skill, yes." Dante simply nodded his head and accepted the answer.

This unfortunately brought something else to the forefront of Dante's mind, "Can you read my thoughts crown? Dante asked whilst looking towards Virgil, who was still awaiting Dante to request something. He quickly dumped 50 mana into the summoning skill, to ensure Virgil stuck around for a while. "I am able to hear, see, and understand your surface level thoughts. You are correct." Dante was not exactly happy to hear that but there was not much he could do about it at the moment.

As for Blood Absorption, he would have to continue reviewing the notices to find its source. Dante wanted to open and review his status but he felt that he needed to get through more of these notices before he did that. It would save him some mental strain from confusion. Also quite possible to save him from screaming in surprise and making a lot of people angry by waking them up.

You have completed the road of courage I

You have completed the road of courage II

You have completed the road of courage III

You have completed the road of courage IV

You have completed the road of courage V

Free Stat point gain for the completion of these roads has been withheld due to extraneous circumstances...

Courage is not the absense of fear. It is the strength to take action despite fear...

To take action out of fear is cowardice. You are no coward...

You tread fourth despite the shaking of your body, which you feel down to your bones...

You stand where many have fallen before you, and it gives you the strength to fight on...

You have tread so far in such a short time, your life has been filled with adversity and yet you persevere still ever onward...

Congratulations! Cumulative rewards from multiple road completions are noted below...

+250 Health, +25 Health regen, +150 Stamina, +15 Stamina regen, +15 Strength, +15 Con, +10 End, +12 Dex, +25 Will

The completion of each road in this instance seemed to have been summed up into individual lines, interesting. Dante looked at the reward for his accomplishment, and he was impressed. Dante realized with amazement that his health should have more than doubled. Maybe it would even triple. He saw more notices relating to roads, so he held back from opening his status page just yet. "It's almost time to inspect my loot!" Dante exclaimed with a smile, before covering his mouth realizing he needed to keep it down.

Your Health has surpassed 500! You have earned the skill, Mundane damage resistance...

Mundane Damage Resistance Lvl. 1- Your physicality is such that mundane damage is now less effective against you. Reduced damage from non magical sources, such as piercing/slashing/bludgeoning damage, per level of the skill.

Your Stamina has surpassed 500! You have earned the skill, Tireless (Unc) Lvl. 1

Tireless- Your body has become more capable when it comes to the expanding of stamina. Slight increase to tolerance of stamina exhaustion per level of the skill

Congratulations! For getting both your Health and Stamina totals to above 500 your skill, Tireless has now become, Resistance to Mundane Exhaustion (Unc)

Resistance to Mundane Exhaustion - Your body has become more capable when it comes to the expenditure of your health and stamina. Slight increase to tolerance of health and stamina exhaustion per level of the skill.

"Virgil can you please give me more context to this skill, Resistance to Mundane Exhaustion?" Dante asked Virgil who was now sitting cross legged at the end of his bed looking at him with a small smile. "Certainly. You have already experienced mana exhaustion at least once. Your health and stamina work similarly. This skill pushes back the point at which you begin to experience health and stamina exhaustion. The higher the level of the skill. So in the case of a warrior, instead of experiencing stamina exhaustion after emptying his stamina once, he could do it several times. It would be a similar case with health." Dante had a sparkle in his eyes as he looked upon the skill in a new and even more favorable light.

A new question popped up in Dante's mind, "Virgil. How much health do i need to get magical damage resistance?" Virgil smile and stated, "It would require at least 5000 health for a human such as yourself to gain that skill." Dante nodded and made a mental note that he had a new long term goal. Another question surfaced, "Crown, how much health did the Crimson King have?" The crown was silent for a moment, "He possessed over 50,000 health and regenerated a significant sum of it every minute to the least of my knowledge. Had he not used that skill, it would have been nearly impossible for you to have slain him." Dante weighed those words, they did not comfort him. He continued examining the notices.

You have been possessed by the Crimson king!...

Crimson king has failed to possess your body, you have resisted...

You have acquired the skill, Possession Resistance (Unc) Lvl. 1

Mana corruption has begun...

Due to mana corruption, you have unlocked the affinity: Blood...

The Road of Blood opens to you...

You have obtained the Rare skill, "Blood absorption" Lvl. 1...

Blood absorption- You take the blood of the fallen and living alike that you may continue. Restores health with blood absorbed. Absorption of blood from creatures of greater physical capabilities leads to permanent physical stat improvements. Improvements dependant upon difference in physical stats and level of skill. Absorbable amounts of blood increases with skill level.

You have obtained a key for the throne room of the Crimson king...

You are no longer possessed by the Crimson King...

Mana corruption has been greatly reduced, however residue remains...

You retain your affinity for blood however it is lessened...

Skill, Blood Absorption, is retained but weakened due to decrease in related affinity...

You have leveled up!...

It was now that Dante finally began to realize why he had been unable to backtrack as he had entered the throne room of the Crimson king. He had been walking on a Road, and the way roads worked in the system was one step forward and no steps back. He must have gotten off the path somewhere around when he uppercut the Crimson King. That was why he could move normally again. Speaking of the Crimson King. "What was that ability he used when his body turned to dust?" Dante asked the crown. "It was a body stealing skill. It was certainly powerful, but EXTREMELY dangerous to the user. As in many cases and the case of the Crimson King, it sacrifices the user's body to enact the skill."

Dante was happy that he hadn't lost the moment the king used that skill but it raised the question, "Why did he fail to possess me?" The crown's response was immediate. "His normally substantially higher stats had been depreciated due to being trapped by the system. Also the skill he used was only level 1. He had never used it before due to the severe drawbacks from its use. Inexperienced, low skill level, you had many advantages helping you to resist him and even so you were only partially successful. If you had went on much longer without me he surely would have won." The crown stated in Dante's mind with a mixture of pride and something else he couldn't quite place.

Rereading the last few notices before he moved onto his loot he noticed a line he had initially somehow missed.

You have obtained a key for the throne room of the Crimson King...

Dante threw open his inventory certain he had no such key, and just as he thought there in his inventory lay only the orb that contained what remained of the Crimson Kings being. Dante then remembered he had another inventory now. He smiled as he asked the crown, "Do you have a key in that inventory pf yours?" He was very happy when an ornate obsidian key dropped into his lap, and in his hands he could feel it was clearly magical. So magical in fact, that he gained another three levels in Mana sense from touching it.

"Well I'll be a son of a..." Dante could not even finish his sentence due to being unable to believe what he saw there. "Even if I hadn't stolen the rug when I did I could have gone back later for it. I'll be damned!" Dante spoke in a low voice unable to believe it. Dante promptly returned the key to his crown's inventory and before closing his own inventory, turned to Virgil. "What do you think of the crimson king? What's left of him is right here in my inventory." Virgil's smile wavered for a moment then dropped as he seemed to realize something. Dante immediately took the hint and closed his inventory. A blue box emerged from Virgil's hand and he handed it over to Dante. One of the blue boxes hovering around him blinked out.

Quest: Deliver the Imprisoned Crimson King to the nearest church for Destruction!

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Through some miracle you have managed to capture the Crimson king. Deliver him to the nearest church that they may end his terror forever.

Completion reward: EXP, Significantly decreased relationship with followers of the Crimson King. You will be hunted by the follower's of the Crimson king.

Consequences of Failure: Near certain death, You will be hunted by the follower's of the Crimson king.

Do you accept Y/N?

Dante looked at the box, but before he could ask any questions another was handed to him by Virgil. Another one of the blue boxes hovering around his head blinked out.

As you have played a large role in the imprisonment of the Crimson king, his follower's have been notified as to your actions. They have been granted quests to hunt you down and retrieve their dark master. However, it is not all bad news. Many said individuals are unable to reach you due to the level limit imposed by the Normal, tutorial zone.

Dante broke out in cold sweat. "I'm going to need everything i can get. There's a Fucking! Price! On my head. Shit!" Dante exclaimed in a low voice trying his best not to wake people up and make more enemies than he already seemed to have. Dante face palmed and then accepted the quest to deliver the crimson king to the nearest church. As he continued to read and reread the notices he keyed in on something mentioned in the text, "Level limit imposed by zone? Virgil can you please explain that?" Virgil's once happy expression was now dead serious. "A level limit is imposed upon each zone as to prevent over leveled individuals from...steam rolling? Any way to keep people whose levels are too high from coming in and killing everything in the zone." Dante was thrown, "I thought you couldn't return to tutorial zones once you left?"

Virgil continued to explain the details to him, "That is incorrect. Even after one has completed one of the zones they may return after a set amount of time has elapsed if they are within the level allowed within the zone. The time for each zone is 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. The level limits are 80, 120, 160, 200, 250 and there is no level limit for the hardest zone. People may return there no matter their level, once the countdown expires." Virgil finished his explanation of the zones and some of the mechanics by which they functioned.

Dante could not even imagine what kind of hell that the hardest zone would look like if he went there. He dared not to even imagine. He realized that at that moment he needed to get as strong as possible, as fast as possible. "If I go to the next zone, there might be a gang of level 119 or level 120 people there. Waiting to gank me." It was not a pleasant thought. Virgil's expression was dark as he too felt the weight of what was surely to come.

Running once more through all he had learned so far before he continued, he decided to check his Roads.

Road of Blood

0/25

Road of Dust

0/20

Road of the Burning Heart

0/25

Road of Family

0/100

Road of the Unyielding Will

0/50

Road to Everlasting Life

0/1,000

Road of the Downtrodden

0/10

Road of New Beginnings

0/20

Road of Leadership I

0/10

Road of Courage VI

0/1000

Road of Fear I

0/10

Road of the Wizard II

0/20

Dante looked at all of the paths he had unlocked since going to bed; it was nearly too much for him to take. Dante rubbed his face trying to calm himself but only succeeded in irritating his face. What caught his eye was his two 1000 Rp roads. He could guess why the Road of Courage was up to six, he had stood up to the Crimson King. And when the king struck out at him he did not cower. 'That road may actually be what made the difference and allowed me to win.' Dante mused for a moment but in the end he would never truly know.

Unyielding will was interesting but he supposed it went well with courage. The Road of everlasting life on the other hand really interested him. "How the fuck did i get that?" Dante questioned. to his surprise the crown answered, "The robe." Dante's expression was of shock, he then used his new Observation Analysis skill to inspect the robe he was wearing at this very moment.

Robe of Everlasting Life

A beautiful hand crafted robe. It was crafted by master’s in their fields and imbued with secret magics. Previously belonged to the Crimson King.

The attuned creature has their Health and stamina regenerations doubled.

The attuned creature is made immune to natural aging. The attuned creature has resistance to effects that would magically age them.

Through the scanning of a very rare item, Observation Analysis has jumped to level 10!

Dante already knew what the thing in his inventory was, but using his new skill upon it would be beneficial so he did so anyway. Dante opened his inventory for a moment and used his skill on the small orb that was rolling itself around in there.

Blood gem: Prison of the Crimson King

A beautiful gem with an ugly history. Blood gems form in the presence of vast quantities of fresh blood, no more than an hour hold. This gem grants large bonuses to any user's blood related skills. It also increases the user's maximum health by a variable sum, along with their health regeneration. Users need only make contact with the gem to benefit from these effects.

This mighty gem has been inflated in size and somewhat in power due to having been made to be the prison of the Crimson King's essence, an infamous user of blood type skills.

Touching this gem at the moment is not advisable.

Through the scanning of a very rare item, Observation Analysis has become level 15!...

Dante read and reread the text box. "I definitely need to get this asshole out of this gem and if at all possible get this thing back into the crown!" Dante stated as he once more closed his inventory. Dante smiled as he had a humorous thought. He brought out the rug and scanned it for shits and giggles.

Throne room Crimson carpet

A beautiful but non magical, and slightly dirty, crimson rug. Plucked from the throne room of a long dead, then undead, king.

Dante laughed a little bit and looking at Virgil's serious expression he handed him the blue box before he moved onto the next items. He would save the crown for last. The best for last as they say. Dante moved onto the rings he wore.

Ring of the King

Ring of Climate control

Ring of Truesight

Gold Wedding ring

Silver Promissory ring

A large silver signet ring with the symbol of a hand engraved into the metal. This ring is only possessed by beings of royalty. If you possess this ring you must qualify to be a king.

Grants the attuned creature +100 Charisma. Due to attuned creatures being underleveled, Charisma bonus has become +22.

Your level is insufficient to properly utilize this item. Item bonus has been quartered.

Requires attunement

Level requirement 100.

A large gold ring wherein is set a large diamond sided by a fingernail sized garnet to one side and an equally sized sapphire to the other side.

Creates a small area around the user where the user is protected from both high and low temperature caused by the surrounding environment.

Does grant resistance against actual fire or cold damage. However this function is suppressed due to attuned creatures being underleveled.

Requires attunement

Level requirement 100

A large ring shaped like the head of a dragon, with a large pearl kept tightly in its jaws.

Grants the attuned creature the ability to use truesight. Attuned creatures can see in both normal and magical darkness out to 30 feet. You can see invisible creatures and objects and automatically see through visual illusions, including to reveal the original form of a creature or shapeshifter.

Requires attunement

A plain gold wedding ring that previously belonged to the Crimson king. His wife commited suicide as she could find no other escape from her mentally unraveling husband. He kept this item with him through his many and long years. He was unwilling to part with this ring.

A plain silver promissory ring that used to belong to the Crimson king. A token the king once gave to his children. When they died he took it back. The children of the Crimson king died long ago, and his heart ceased to beat nearly as long ago. Yet still he could not bring himself to be rid of it.

Through the scanning of multiple magical items of varying rarities, Observation Analysis has jumped to level 30...

Dante was even happier that he had these items now. Now it was time to move onto the most important item he possessed, the crown upon his head. The moment he had been waiting for almost as much as opening his status. Dante scanned the crown.

Crown of Leadership

A crown previously worn by the infamous Crimson king. Due to being underleveled Stat bonuses are reduced to 10% of their original value.

+20 to all stats. The crown can absorb magical items within certain limits. A gold necklace with a large gem but not a silver one. A magic hat but not a mundane one.

A once "Normal" magical crown granted sentience by the Crimson king through secret magics. Through those same magics he granted the item the ability to consume similar magical items.

Level requirement 300

Emerald

Sapphire

Amethyst

Diamond

Topaz

Citrine

Depreciated due to being underleveled.

Originally this gem served as a token of wisdom before being integrated into this crown.

+100 wisdom, depreciated to +10.

Depreciated due to being underleveled.

Originally this gem served as a token of intellect before being integrated into this crown.

+100 intellect, depreciated to +10.

Grants the user resistance to Mana corruption.

+10000 to max mana, depreciated to +1000

This diamond acts as an additional inventory accessible only to the attuned creature.

Depreciated due to being underleveled.

Originally this gem served as a token of awareness before being integrated into this crown.

+100 perception, depreciated to +10.

Grants the user the ability to become invisible. Due to being underleveled this ability has depreciated and changed.

Grants the user the ability to change the form of the crown at will.

Observation Analysis has jumped to level 35!...

Dante was ecstatic he could not wait any longer and so he said that all important word, "Status!"

Dante A. Stone

Race: Human

Class: N/A

LVl. 22

EXP: 1,079/4,500

Gold: 65

Strength

52

Resources

Total

Regen.

Constitution/Vitality

59

Health

(1,056+10=1066)

(58.9x2=117.8

/min)

Endurance

56

Mana

1763

(27/min)

Dexterity

51

Stamina

930

(48.7x2=97.4/min)

Willpower

60

Road Points

81

Intellect

60

Stat Points

0

Wisdom

52

Charisma

57

Luck

30

Perception

46

Spirit

28

Congratulations! Your Health has surpassed 1,000! You shall be awarded a health related skill that fits you...

Calculating...

You have obtained the Rare, passive skill, "Over Heal"

Over heal- Sometimes your health just isn't sufficient. Allows for health to regenerate over your normal maximum. Amount of health you can have over your normal max increases with skill level. Over health increases by 10 per level of skill.

Dante's eyes immediately bulged as he examined his status. "I love this crown and all these items!" Dante was elated, "I can probably fight on par with someone twice my level. What do you think Virgil?" Dante asked as he handed Virgil the blue boxes displaying his status. Virgil was silent with mouth agape in sheer shock at the increase that had taken place.

Dante now realized, he was very hungry and he was also curious why he had leveled twice. "Hey Virgil, why am i so hungry?" Virgil blinked several times as he tried to shake off the shaking. Virgil began to explain, "Gaining skills and leveling them grants experience toward your level in addition to Rp. When sub skills level the skills they derive from gain experience. The higher the level the skill gets, the higher its rarity when it is obtained and it's leveled grants differing amounts of experience. By default notices regarding requirement of EXP due to skill attainment and leveling are suppressed. Also the reason you are hungry is that your body is undergoing a massive restructuring due to your drastically increased stats! Of course you would be hungry! Your not a video game character your body requires sustenance!" Virgil was yelling but Dante felt as if the walls were now dampening the sounds. His enhanced perception allowed him to notice a slight motion in the air right before the walls and ceiling. He also noticed that 300 mana had been taken from his mana pool by Virgil.

Dante picked up and put on his blue jeans and then his rainbow striped socks. They hardly put a dent into his mana regen anymore. He put on his boots and then turned to Virgil who was still sitting cross legged on the bed. His face was one of pouting as he crossed his arms, "Virgil can you please tell me the time?" Dante asked in a calm tone of curiosity while standing by the door. Virgil simply sighed before uncrossing his arms and responding, "It is 5:15 A.M. local time." Dante was ever grateful for everything that Virgil had helped him with during his time here.

"Virgil I'm going to go get some breakfast. But first..." Dante pulled the plain gold and silver rings from his fingers. "Virgil how much will the system buy these very old rings of historical value for?" Virgil smiled even as he rubbed his temples, even though it didn't serve a real purpose it helped him to comfort himself. Virgil sighed once more his eyes flashed gold and then he said, "10,000 gold for both of them." Dante didn't care if he was getting ripped off or not, he didn't want those rings. "Deal." The two rings held between Dante's fingers were gone in a flash of golden light. In their place was left a notice.

10,000 gold has been deposited to your system wallet.

Dante smiled and even Virgil managed a small smile as he shook his head. "I'm going to dismiss you now. I will resummon you in a few hours when me and my parents are ready to start the tutorial." Virgil nodded in acknowledgement. Dante would distribute the Rp and then stat points after breakfast and going back to bed for a few more hours.

Thank you all for reading it means a lot to me. Have a good day and stay safe out there.