Chapter 41
In RPGs, content is often categorized into vertical and horizontal types.
Vertical content is designed to fulfill the desire for growth and challenge.
Horizontal content is meant to be enjoyable for everyone.
Most RPG players prefer vertical content.
The joy of growth, thrilling battles, and the sense of achievement from success, and so on…
There are many reasons, but ultimately, the key factor was “fun.”
Of course, there were many players who enjoyed horizontal content, too.
But they were never the majority, and so many RPG games focus on vertical content.
This was the case for Akare as well.
Dungeons, farming, enhancement, boss raids, and so on…
The game was filled with engaging content.
On the other hand, was horizontal content lacking? If you ask that, not at all.
At its core, Akare is a game with a high degree of freedom.
Almost like a full-scale reproduction of a fantasy world.
Akare was a vast open world, overflowing with things to explore.
Vertical and horizontal. It captured both, and
this became the decisive factor in Akare monopolizing the domestic RPG market.
However, there were still many hidden elements left in the game Aurora had prepared.
For instance, “Second Awakening,” the greatest point of interest for players.
Many players thought Second Awakening would be available at level 50, but
instead, the Guidance Event was released.
So when exactly will Second Awakening be introduced?
Hints about this were hidden throughout the Empire.
“A mage who has ascended in the Circle’s stages soon gains realization.”
A record found in the library of the Tower of Magic, the centre of magical power.
“A disciple who has received a blessing has gained great insight and was promoted to a formal priest.”
An excerpt from a memoir by a priest found in the cathedral of the Church.
“A knight who endured tempering found themselves at death’s door and gained realization to survive.”
The story of a knight who was the only one to survive an encounter with a demon who descended into this world, and so on…
These pieces of information had two things in common.
One, they were individuals who had received Guidance.
The other, not long after receiving Guidance, they gained something called “realization.”
As hidden stories within the game were unearthed,
the hints surrounding Second Awakening gradually took shape.
The prerequisite is completing the Guidance Event.
Not long afterward, a Second Awakening named “Realization” would occur.
Currently, the highest-level player was Daehyeop Kim, who was at level 59.
Since Second Awakening hadn’t appeared at level 55,
the likelihood of it being introduced at level 60 was high.
[Daehyeop Kim’s stream has started. – Akashic Records 5 hours ago]
[Stream title: Reaching Level 60 for the First Time]
“Daehyeop, how much longer?”
“Only 5% left.”
Level 60 was now truly within reach.
The thought filled Daehyeop Kim’s mind, making it impossible for him to stop hunting.
“Hm. I’m still only level 58.”
Suzuka, who was hunting in a party with him, muttered in a small voice.
Suzuka was also one of the candidates for reaching level 60 first.
But she had an unfortunate run-in with a certain crazy woman and lost some experience points.
10% reduction in experience gain.
A debuff that lasts for six hours upon death.
Even without the debuff, though, Daehyeop Kim was still destined to reach it first by a small margin.
From Suzuka’s perspective, who was unaware of this, she couldn’t help but feel regretful.
“Who bullied our Zuka? Should I go teach them a lesson?”
“Um… you might end up on the receiving end.”
“Ahem. As if I would, against a priest.”
Paegwi showed confidence outwardly, but
the truth was he didn’t want to get involved with Fera either.
Out of curiosity, Paegwi once watched a video of Fera in combat.
The first time he saw it, it was genuinely shocking.
No matter how many times he replayed it in his mind, he couldn’t find an opening to parry her attacks.
“Is that priest really that good at PVP?”
Daehyeop Kim, unable to outright call her a “crazy woman,” softened his tone.
“She’s a ghost. A ghost who goes after cultists!”
“Hey, aren’t you exaggerating a bit?”
Unlike Paegwi, Daehyeop Kim hadn’t watched a video of Fera fighting.
More accurately, he couldn’t. That would be the right way to put it.
Because he had been pouring all his time into leveling, he hadn’t had time to check the community.
But he had heard enough about Fera from Suzuka to have a rough idea.
And so Daehyeop Kim regarded Fera merely as a “priest with good physical skills.”
“Even Daehyeop, you can’t guarantee a win.”
“Hearing that makes me want to give it a try.”
A unique concept of a PVP master who overcomes level and Guidance differences.
It was enough to provoke Daehyeop Kim’s competitive spirit.
“Could Sweet be someone you could beat…?”
“What? Are you saying I’m worse than Sweet?”
“No, that’s not it… Sweet is a mage. He has an advantage due to elemental compatibility! That’s what I meant.”
Paegwi, who was watching their conversation, smirked mischievously.
“Talking about Sweet, you’ve got stars in your eyes. How adorable.”
“Ah! What are you talking about!”
“There he goes again, Mr. Awkward Uncle.”
If Sweet, who had stepped out for personal reasons, had been here,
he’d probably tease her, saying, “Suzuka, were you interested in me?”
For Suzuka, it was a relief he wasn’t around.
“But honestly, this place would be hell without a warrior.”
This hunting ground, where the large company party was hunting, was located at the far western end of the Empire, known as ‘The Gorge of Wyverns.’
The monsters appearing in The Gorge of Wyverns are primarily of two types.
Wyverns and Drakes.
Since Wyverns are flying monsters, a warrior with a Taunt skill is essential.
Drakes are pure giants, making them very challenging without a warrior to take the front line.
One warrior (mandatory), at least one damage dealer, and one healer (mandatory).
This was the optimal party composition for hunting in The Gorge of Wyverns.
“Only 1% left.”
Just then, a Wyvern respawned ahead.
Seeing it, Paegwi immediately used his Taunt skill.
As the aggro-drawn Wyvern approached in a straight line,
Suzuka wrapped her whip around its wings and pulled it down.
Daehyeop Kim swung his fist at the swiftly subdued Wyvern,
and the message appeared:
[ Level Up! ]
Finally, having reached level 60 first, Daehyeop Kim didn’t celebrate immediately.
“Did anything appear?”
“Did Second Awakening show up?”
“…Hmm.”
He waited for a system message, but nothing happened.
If the level requirement for Second Awakening wasn’t level 60, that was a bit disappointing.
The leveling speed slows significantly after level 50,
and if this gap was prolonged, it could feel a bit dull.
“Level 70 is just too much… Huh?”
Daehyeop Kim muttered in confusion.
For a brief moment, he lost focus, and before he knew it,
the scenery around him had changed.
“This is… the Hall of Heroes.”
―――
Yeah
What’s going on?
Did Second Awakening pop up?
Aurora statue, lol
Back here again
―――
Daehyeop Kim’s thoughts aligned with the viewers’ reactions.
The starting point of Akare, the Hall of Heroes.
To be back here right after reaching level 60…
Feeling nostalgic, Daehyeop Kim stood before the statue of Aurora.
At that moment, a maid in familiar attire was summoned, meeting Daehyeop Kim’s gaze.
“To the one who has reached the Hall of Heroes. What brings you here?”
The maid repeated the question she had asked in their first encounter.
What brings you here?
Of course, the answer was already decided.
“There’s someone I want to protect.”
At first, he had chosen this perilous path, fascinated by the overwhelming Straight Punch of the martial artist.
But now, because there was someone he genuinely wanted to protect, he needed to become stronger.
“I see.”
It was hard to tell the maid’s true feelings behind her still expression.
“I will summon the records. May you find enlightenment.”
Her line differed from their first meeting,
and at that moment, Daehyeop Kim’s consciousness flickered.
***
After Daehyeop Kim was transported to the Hall of Heroes, Suzuka and Paegwi continued hunting.
Paegwi, in particular, let Suzuka deal the final blow as much as possible.
Thanks to that, both Suzuka and Paegwi were able to reach level 60 simultaneously.
“Wow. First cultist to reach Second Awakening.”
Although the title of the first to achieve Second Awakening among all players went to Daehyeop Kim,
Suzuka became the first cultist user to reach Second Awakening.
Filled with excitement, Suzuka walked toward the statue of Aurora,
soon coming face-to-face with the maid who appeared behind it.
“To the one who has reached the Hall of Heroes. What brings you here?”
“Second Awakening!”
Contrary to Daehyeop Kim’s romantic statement,
Suzuka’s response was coldly realistic.
“Is that so.”
“Yes. Please enable my Second Awakening quickly.”
“…I will summon the records. May you find enlightenment.”
Was it just her imagination, or did the maid’s expression seem to crumple momentarily?
Either way, Suzuka’s only interest was in Second Awakening, so she didn’t care about trivial matters.
As soon as the maid finished speaking, Suzuka’s consciousness flickered,
and she found herself awakening in a completely unfamiliar place.
The scene before her looked like a chapel for early morning prayer.
Candle holders were placed across the floor, and people who appeared to be believers gathered together in prayer.
Perhaps because it was related to the cultist’s Second Awakening, all these people likely believed in Aurora.
As Suzuka looked around, she noticed Aurora’s statue and suppressed a laugh.
The sight of NPCs worshiping the Director was quite amusing.
But that suppressed laugh didn’t last long.
Crash-! Boom-!
Suddenly, the roof collapsed, and a mysterious being descended through it.
The unidentified being that had invaded the chapel split Aurora’s statue in two.
[BOSS Great Demon Lv. ???]
The appearance of a boss monster she had never seen before.
Due to the Great Demon’s arrival, the believers were gripped with terror.
Sensing their negative emotions, the Great Demon wore a grotesque smile.
Now, only the one-sided slaughter by the Great Demon remained.
No matter how much they prayed, their god would not respond.
The Great Demon’s sneer seemed to declare this with certainty.
Just as it seemed a tragedy was about to unfold,
magic circles formed on all sides of the sneering Great Demon.
The startled Great Demon tried to move out of the way quickly,
but shackles composed of multi-coloured elements bound it in place.
Step—step—
At the centre of the chapel,
a woman stopped in front of the bound demon and removed her robe.
Her long hair, reminiscent of the blue sky, flowed down,
and sapphire-like eyes fixed on the Great Demon.
―――!!!
Seeing the woman, Aurora, the Great Demon let out a rough roar.
Ordinary humans would die instantly from the Great Demon’s roar,
but a bubble-like barrier enveloped all the believers, shielding them.
“You pitiful creature with nowhere to lean.”
A massive spear of light aimed at the Great Demon’s heart.
“A monster that feeds on humanity’s disdain.”
Thud-!
The spear of light pierced the Great Demon’s heart.
“Return to nothingness, and come back into my embrace.”
Aurora’s lips twitched slightly.
It was so brief that no one noticed.
“My child, do not be afraid.”
The believers, witnessing the miracle, knelt down and clasped their hands.
“Your god is always by your side.”
With those final words, Aurora disappeared from sight.
Like a mirage, without leaving a trace.
Witnessing this, Suzuka unconsciously cried out,
“Long live the goddess!”
Waaa—!
Suzuka’s shout and the cultist believers’ cheers reverberated through the chapel for a long time.
—
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