—


    Kieran stood amidst the deste scene drowned in blood and mutted corpses while staring off into the distance. Why did it feel like something inside him was being crushed, purified, and molded?


    As Predator Hunt faded, Kieran’s bloodlust dissipated along with it. However, some remnants outside of Kieran’s control remained.


    ‘Was I fated to obtain this ss?’ Kieran wondered.


    Although he heard rumors of the original True Berserker in his past timeline because they belonged to one of the most reputed guilds to arise inside Zenith Online, it didn’t amount to what he experienced now.


    The user in Kieran’s memories was only feared on the battlefield, but other than that, they didn’t administer any sighs of waning empathy or episodes of extreme emotionlessness. Was this something unique to his circumstances?


    Kieran looked at the icon for Vengeful Soul out the corner of his eye and wondered. ‘Was this awakened as the basis of my character… or the basis of my true soul? What else awaits me in the future?’


    Such existential questions touched upon an enigmatic subject, and while Kieran desired the answer, he didn’t know if he wanted it to appear too quickly. Because… once that answer was obtained, multiple more would surface.


    For example, why him? What made him special that he was given a chance to defy death and walk the path of his repressed aspirations?


    Kieran picked up Crimson Ashrune and stared at the de with unspoken emotion. ‘The de of Scar, my teacher. But… why does it feel as if it were made for me? I don’t recall that other guy ever wielding such a de.’


    Eventually, Kieran left these questions alone and turned to the notifications that appeared after killing Vidal.


    For starters, he paid close attention to his level.


    “Level 40. If only it were safe to say that I’vepleted at least twenty percent of my return to glory. I may have been Lv.250 before I was forced to step away from Zenith Online, but there’s just noparison.”_.


    Kieran thought about his Advancement and First Awakening. Those two processespletely changed yers, but they also weren’t easy. The odds of yers seeding in their First Awakening was less than 1% of the entire yer base.


    Advancement fared far better inparison since it could be attempted at Lv.50 but became easier but less effective with each failure.


    Kieran’s fist clenched when he thought about his Advancement. Uponpletion, he would be considered an Advanced Being or a Tier 2 Existence. ‘I just wonder what my Advancement Quest will be. As a Main Hidden ss, I doubt it will be easy.’


    A few secondster, Kieran looked at the small window before him.


    ┌───────────────────


    [?True Berserker Skils?] –


    ?Lv.40?


    Torment’s Benefits: Dull – A – ?Passive? [Cost: 20 SP]


    Peril Implosion – A – ?Active? [Cost: 20 SP]


    Blood Pulse – A – ?Active? [Cost: 20 SP]


    └───────────────────


    All of the skills essible to Kieran were A Rank Skills, and the fact they were obtained at Lv.40 meant their effects eclipsed the A Rank Skills gained at a low level. All skills inside the same rank were not created equal.


    Both inferior and superior skills existed inside each skill rank. In other words, every Skill Rank held a sort of spectrum.


    ’60 SP for everything?’ Kieran mused. After using 80 SP on Sanguine shes, while he wasn’t in a deficit, he’d have to be mindful about how wanton his expenditure was.


    Regardless…


    ‘It’s worth it,’ Kieran decided.


    〈System: You have learned ?Torment’s Benefits: Dull?!〉


    〈System: You have learned ?Peril Implosion?!〉


    〈System: You have learned ?Blood Pulse?!〉


    In the blink of an eye, 60 SP vanished, but Kieran felt no regrets. The three new skills he learned were worth it.


    After handling the matter of his new skills, Kieran noticed more movement not too far away. His actions had essentially wiped out this area, so movement should be impossible. Thus, Kieran walked forward while examining his surroundings.


    Unt! Unt! Unt!


    All of a sudden, Kieran’s heartbeat elerated as he stopped walking and frowned. Was this some kind of premonition?


    〈System: Altair is sending you a video request. Do you wish to answer? [ Y | N ]〉


    “Answer,” Kieranmanded.


    A small screen with Altair’s worried-filled eyes appeared.


    “Aatrox, we’ve run into a situation. Ezra and the others have been cornered, but their numbers are holding us off. From what I can tell, they have run into a difficult opponent.”


    “Mm,” Kieran absorbed everything Altair told him and nodded faintly. His eyes shifted to the wall beside him as he ced his hand on it. “And your assignment? Did you manage to reduce their numbers without any deaths?”


    “We have,” Altair said. He then recounted the events, especially Sera’s exceptional healing. “I think it’s safe to say we killed approximately 80% of the henchmen. The problem is that Ezra is stuck in the captains’ quarters.”


    “Don’t worry. They’re not dead. Even if their situation isn’t the greatest, Ezra and the others haven’t met peril yet,” Kieran answered. He wasn’t worried like Altair because his Friends’ List showed Ezra and the others were still alive.


    Had they died, their status on his Friends’ List would change.


    “I just thought it’d be best if I alerted you. What about you? Did you run into anything unusual?” Altair asked. He could see glimpses of blood littering the corridor from the camera angle, but he couldn’t see the giant crater Kieran stood inside.


    “Unusual?” Kieran nced at Vidal before indifferently shaking his head. “Nothing usual. Just hold on until I convene with you all. Fight your way to Ezra and the others.”


    “I would have done so even if you didn’t give the order. Do I look like the type to abandon his teammates? Come on now. I even defended Aspaira and the others when I barely knew them,” Altair’s eyes shed with disappointment.


    How could Kieran question his loyalty?


    “I wasn’t questioning you. I’m well aware of how loyal you are. I just thought it’d hurt your pride if I came and annihted everything without you having any fun,” Kieran said. His lips curved into a mischievous smirk while noting Altair’s speechless expression.


    “Hoh?! Is that a challenge? You’re on! We were due for another friendly spar after I honed my skills anyways,” Altair’s silver eyes teemed with excitement and a zealous light.


    The screen ended soon after as Kieran breathed a sigh of relief. But, for some odd reason, he still felt an unusual sensation in the back of his mind. ‘Is theing from the absent leader? If so, where is he?’


    The whole reason Kieran caused amotion was to draw out the Head of the Desertborn Brigands, but instead, he fought with Vidal and emerged victorious. As Kieran nced at the corpse once more, a question floated into his mind.


    ‘How does Vidal fare against the main boss? They look eerily simr, so I can only assume Vidal is his son. Was this talent inherited, or did it pass over his father?’


    Kieran’s expression blossomed into an eager smile that portrayed his awakened battle lust. “Only time will tell.”


    …


    Inside the Captain Quarters…


    Ezra frowned as she stood before a woman with sand-colored hair dressed in fis stockings under the tight cloth attire. This woman was naturally Facina, who had previously met with Dusvim.


    She encountered Ezra and the others aftermencing her usual headcount. Not much longer after she detected them, she noticed shouts from all corners of the hideout.


    ‘This is the worst timing. Father returned to his Cavernous Sand Lair, but it’s so deep underground that we won’t get the message to him in time. I understand why he created the ce, to deepen his understanding and attempt to advance, but it’s too isted!’


    The Cavernous Sand Lair was reachable from within the Deep Sands Chamber, but only Vidal, Dusvim, and Facina possessed the credentials required to open passage.


    “You’ve made a foolish mistake by invading our home,” Facina said. In all the years of the Desertborn Brigands’ activity, this was only the third time someone attempted to infiltrate them.


    But, after each infiltration, Dusvim learned the inconsistencies of his security measures and improved upon them. It had been five years since thest sessful invasion.


    Ezra squinted while Fac pulled a beige mask over her mouth. “Mistake? Not at all. This was requested of us, so it would be better if you called it a willful action.”


    Facina reacted to Ezra’s words by bing skeptical. ‘Requested? In other words, the Aeredale Kingdom has begun its retaliation. I told father! But…’


    Facina’s eyes filled with doubt. “How many of you are there if this is a so-called request?’


    Ezra chuckled in response. “Do you really think I’ll be so foolish as to reveal such sensitive information?”


    Facina’s expression darkened. “You have killed countless of our men. Choose to be wise, and I may be lenient. Continue to be difficult, and you’ll learn what cruelty really is.”


    “We’ll take our chances, right?” Ezra looked at her chosen teammates.


    “Without a doubt,” Bastion said while stepping up beside Ezra.


    “I’ll stand with you guys,” Alice assented.


    “It’s whatever,” Cam shrugged.


    “Well, of course. I’m ready when you are, Guild Master.” Lux nocked an arrow and prepared to unleash it at any given moment.


    “As you can see, my team has decided that we’ll do no such thing.”


    “Tsk,” Facina clicked her tongue. “I can see in your eyes that you believe your numbers will help. But, I will open your eyes and allow you to understand that everyone is not created equal.”


    Facina lifted her arms in a magnificent disy as twelve sand cyclones rotated around her. The cyclones expanded until they formed a perimeter that barred the team’s retreat.


    Between two pirs, a gateway opened up and from that gateway, an immense sand golem formed.


    “Ancient Pylon: Guardian of the Northern Sands!”