Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Since Zhou Ming had no frame of reference for class growth ratings, he opened the official forum from inside the game and searched for posts about class advancement. He quickly found a relevant video and hit play.
“How should players choose their class in *Destiny*? You absolutely need to watch this video to the end!”
“Hello, everyone. Black-and-White here. As I’m sure you all know, *Destiny* has launched its open beta worldwide. Naturally, I jumped in at the earliest opportunity, and I have to say, the immersion really is incredible. Friends, what do you think…”
Oh, screw this. Too long; didn’t watch!
The video’s opening devoured every last scrap of Zhou Ming’s patience. He switched to a text guide instead.
[Novice Swordsman: HP Growth 3 stars / Attack Growth 4 stars / Defense Growth 3 stars / Speed Growth 3 stars]
[Novice Mage: HP Growth 3 stars / Attack Growth 5 stars / Defense Growth 2 stars / Speed Growth 2 stars]
“So five stars is the growth cap for normal classes?”
After reading a little more, Zhou Ming closed the forum in satisfaction.
Based on everything currently known, the Flame Demon Lord’s growth ratings were absurdly powerful.
Its HP, Defense, and Speed Growth had all reached the absolute limit available to other classes.
Better yet, its unprecedented eight-star Attack Growth practically screamed that he was meant to push his damage output to the extreme.
No matter how he looked at it, the class was completely broken!
“Rrraargh!”
The black panther he had been beating one-sidedly let out an angry roar.
Zhou Ming had no attention to spare for it. He promptly cut it down, found himself another opponent, then reopened his skill panel for a closer look.
[Fallen Sword] (Rare A-Rank Skill)
[Description: When the blade falls, the enemy’s life is destined to hang by a thread.]
[Skill Effect: Conjures a greatsword in midair and drops it on a locked target within a 50 x 50 meter area, dealing damage equal to 300% of the user’s Attack. Has a small chance to inflict Suppression. Reduces the target’s Movement Speed by 30% for 5 seconds.]
[Cooldown: 20 seconds]
[Rending Slash] (Rare A-Rank Skill)
[Description: Tear through an enemy’s flesh with the keen edge of your blade.]
[Skill Effect: After activation, the user’s next attack deals damage equal to 200% of their Attack. The target also loses 0.2% of its maximum HP per second and suffers a 30% reduction to Movement Speed for 5 seconds.]
[Cooldown: 20 seconds]
…
Both skills had come from achievements within the game. There was no question about their power.
But neither one was the point!
Zhou Ming’s gaze settled at the very top of his skill list. He stared at the icon glowing a fiery crimson, too stunned to look away.
At some point, an extraordinary new skill had quietly appeared on his panel.
[Trial of the Seven Sins] (???)
[Description: Only one who endures the cardinal sins at their utmost extreme may become a true Demon Lord.]
[Sin of Pride: Awaiting Activation. Will activate automatically within 24 hours.]
[Sin of Envy: ???]
[Sin of Wrath: ???]
[Sin of Sloth: ???]
[Sin of Greed: ???]
[Sin of Gluttony: ???]
[Sin of Lust: ???]
…
Question marks.
The entire screen was filled with question marks!
Zhou Ming might not know what the skill ultimately did, but even he could tell that this was the Flame Demon Lord’s true core ability.
“So that’s how it is!”
Zhou Ming looked thoughtfully at the God-Demon Orb in his inventory, now dyed a deep crimson.
“If I want to see this custom-created class path through to the end, I’ll have to complete the Trial of the Seven Sins!”
When he had first grasped the God-Demon Orb, he had succeeded in developing a custom-created class by allowing its negative emotions to drown him without resistance.
That meant the road ahead would inevitably demand that he overcome each of these ordeals in turn.
Focusing his attention on the Sin of Pride, Zhou Ming took a deep breath and selected Activate with a trace of nervousness.
“Ding!”
[System: Your [Trial of the Seven Sins – Sin of Pride] has begun!]
[Sin of Pride]
[Trial Requirement: Defeat a boss at least 30 levels above you. The boss must be at least Silver rank.]
[Time Limit: 3 days]
[Trial Reward: ???]
[Failure Penalty: Level -10; all attributes permanently -100]
…
“What the hell?!”
Zhou Ming nearly wondered if his eyes had deceived him.
Kill a boss thirty levels above him during the early game?
This was supposed to be pride?
It was blatant suicide!
All at once, he began to understand why every previous owner of the God-Demon Orb had fallen somewhere along the way.
If the very first trial was already this difficult, the later ones probably weren’t meant for human beings!
“Have you encountered some difficulty?” Qianying’s melodious voice sounded beside his ear. “I sensed a fluctuation in your emotions.”
“It’s fine. Nothing I can’t handle!”
Zhou Ming shook his head and composed himself. “You keep resting. If I run into trouble I can’t solve, I’ll come running back to live off you.”
Qianying fell silent.
Clink!
As his thoughts wandered, the sixth Demonized Black Panther died. Besides ten copper coins, it also dropped a pair of legguards.
Loot!
Zhou Ming hurriedly picked them up and took out the God-Demon Orb.
The instant the fiery orb touched the panther-hide legguards, special energy flooded into them. Their appearance transformed at a visible rate. Not only did they become far more refined, but a faint, dark radiance now flowed across their surface.
[Dark Moon Legguards] (Gold)
[Defense: 30-35]
[HP: 600]
[Trait: Defense +12%]
[Effect: Sturdy. Reduces all incoming damage by 5, to a minimum of 1 damage.]
[Required Level: 20]
[Description: Light yet sturdy legguards. After enhancement, they can effectively protect the wearer’s legs.]
…
Qianying’s power was the ace he needed to clear the Sin of Pride!
Feeling much more optimistic, Zhou Ming tucked the Dark Moon Legguards into his inventory.
They had dropped from a Level 25 normal monster, so their required level was naturally rather high. He would have to leave them in storage for a while.
After that, Zhou Ming settled into a steady rhythm of grinding monsters.
About an hour later…
Whoosh!
Golden light scattered around him as Zhou Ming successfully reached Level 16.
“My efficiency is dropping.” After some thought, he decided to find another leveling spot.
The time required per level had increased noticeably as his level rose. Twilight Plains was also enormous, with Demonized Black Panthers scattered too sparsely across it. Simply searching for targets consumed far too much time.
“Rrraargh!”
Just as he prepared to leave, a pressure-laden roar came from the distance.
Zhou Ming stopped in his tracks.
…