Chapter 4 - CH4: Insanity Unfolds

Insane!

That was the only word running through the minds of the players that witnessed what transpired in front of them. Even the Guards were a bit surprised at the fact that such a weak player could actually deal damage to an Elite opponent. Nobody at this point in the game was supposed to be dealing damage to monsters like Cross. Yet Shi Feng actually managed to deal damage, albeit a little, to Cross.

System: Level 15 Mayor of Red Leaf Town, Cross killed. Level difference of 15. EXP obtained increased by 1500%. Obtained 2700 EXP

Instantly, Shi Feng was 300 EXP away from Level 2. "Wait… I didn't expect to really deal the last hit..." mumbled Shi Feng helplessly. In front of him were a few items that could only cause envy and jealousy among the surrounding players.

[Fine Reaver Sword](Bronze, One-Handed Sword)

Level: 0-5

Equipment Requirement: Strength 9

Strength +4

Attack Power +18

Durability 40/40

Attacks Have:

10% Chance to lower the opponent Attributes by 5% for 10 seconds

[Steadfast Boots](Bronze)

Level: 0-5

Requirement: Agility 14

Agility +4

Durability 30/30

[Ethereal Strike](Rare)

Active Skill

Requirement: Sword

Level: 1

Proficiency(0/500)

Stacks 2 slashes into one attack, deals 100% Damage per slash stacked

Cooldown: 2 Minutes

These three items, as well as the mayor's insignia, dropped from Cross's body. Shi Feng wasted no time and snatched all of the items, chucking them into his inventory. Instantly, Shi Feng was out of sight and heading back towards Sherlock.

"Seriously, that's what you're worried about?. Did you see those items?"

"Ahh damn it, it even dropped a skill book. He's quite the lucky one"

The players started discussing what just happened in front of them. Even the forums were buzzing with activity. The matter of a Level 0 taking down a Level 15 Elite was too shocking to ignore. Everyone was so focused on Shi Feng that they ignored the fact that the Mayor was actually a werewolf in disguise.

2 minutes later, Shi Feng arrived at the dark alley. "Mister Sherlock, here is the Mayor' Insignia." Shi Feng passed the silver-colored Mayor's Insignia to Sherlock. In Shi Feng's mind, 'heh, guess no one's getting a quest from the mayor now, since he's dead. Everyone must be cursing me, but I could care less.'

"Thank you, Young Adventurer. My revenge has finally been realized. Thank you for everything. Your reward as promised" said Sherlock with a relieved look.

System: Unique Quest "Sherlock's Request" completed. Rewarding 2000 EXP, 20 Free Mastery Points, 1 [Luxurious Ornament Box].

[DING!]

[Almighty Boost Activated!]

{Received x5 EXP!}

{Received +1 Luxurious Ornament Box!}

"Almighty what now?" through multiple flashes and rewards, Shi Feng stood in the alley dumbfounded at what just happened to him. He thought he was hallucinating when he saw that he was now about 40.6% to Level 5.

Appearing once again in the all-familiar grassy plains, the clouds drifting, and the sun hanging above him, Shi Feng was determined to get some answers from the system. Before he did, he pulled up his Character Panel. But what he saw, just made the determination to question the system even stronger. Normally, one would gain 4 Free Attribute points per level reached. By that logic, Shi Feng should have 12 points, since he leveled up 3 times. Instead, he had 24 points. Once again, he might think the developers could be secretly watching his every move. 'System, I need to talk to you.' said Shi Feng in his mind, steeling himself for the system's explanation.

[Yes Host?]

"What exactly is your purpose for helping me like this?. Who, or rather, what are you?. It seems to me you have your own agenda for offering this many advantages to me. At this point, you're bound to me, yet I know nothing of you. For all I know, you could be planning to make me as strong as possible, then invade my body for your own plans. So, System, I will ask this once again: Why are you helping me?"

[Sorry about that, Host. I suppose I was wrong about keeping you in the dark about me. I am a system that was created from the will of a God from another world far away from your own. This God has achieved the pinnacle of existence and resides in a realm he himself created. As time passed, he realized how easy it was to exert control over countless universes, how easy it was to influence races, to take away, to give; to create & to destroy. After billions of years of a never-ending cycle, he decided to create one universe, the perfect universe.

The inhabitants of this universe never suffered, they were blessed to live perfect lives. Regardless of this, the inhabitants started cursing the God for not believing in his own creation, for not believing they could advance without his help. The God, in turn, responded to these curses by taking most of the inhabitants' blessings away, inciting all kinds of apocalyptic events. The inhabitants, once again, cursed the God for abandoning them, for not believing in them once again, for abandoning his creation. At this point, even the God could not escape the double bind and was at a loss.

He asked himself: 'Why?. I do what you ask of me, I try and try, yet you never seem to be satisfied. I do all of this for you, I respond to your prayers, I bless you all, I give you the perfect life… Yet… Why?'. The God decided to stop influencing his creations to such a degree. He decided to "retire", as Humans would say. He expended nearly all of his power and created a myriad of universes everywhere, all of them had the perfect balance of blessings and curses. He decided to let life run its course in every universe. If a universe flourished, great. If not, that won't be his problem. He gave them all the tools to prosper, but also the setbacks to help them grow.

In the end, he found you. An individual with unwavering determination, with a near-perfect balance of good & bad karma. Someone who, instead of being consumed by thoughts of vengeance, was enveloped in thoughts of progressing, wishing to become stronger through his own efforts. With this, The God took an interest in you and "slightly went back on his word", thus deciding to aid you in your quest for unparalleled strength. Thus, I was created. Normally, I would require you to undertake quests in exchange for rewards, but I'm a bit different. Since I'm now fused to the Main God System, I can modify the rewards and everything you obtain, further increasing your overall strength. Keep in mind, it is not all given.

As I said before, a balance is needed; therefore, there will be times when your will and determination will be tested to the extreme. There will be times where everything in your life will be at risk of destruction, even your own life. If everything I said bothers you in any way, or you feel threatens your future, I can unbind myself from you, disappear for good, and you will go back to a normal life. All you have to say is "Unbind Now!". And of course, I have no intentions of taking over your body & soul.] lectured the System in a strangely solemn and human tone.

Shi Feng created a memory-foam recliner and sat down, flabbergasted at what the System just explained to him. Up until now, the system has been giving him benefits and rewards. Still contemplating the words of the system, Shi Feng decided to accept the help of the system. After all, the potential of his growth was now unlimited.

[By the way, Host, you probably have questions about why you received 8 Attribute Points, instead of 4. This was the result of the class refinement. The system heightened the growth of your class, simple as that. The refinements will be done multiple times on your way to the top, Host. So please be ready for them.] reminded the system nonchalantly.

"Right… Thanks for reminding me." Although it wasnt even that long ago, the haunting memory of the painful class refinement haunted Shi Feng. Now, reaching Tier 6 was no longer a dream, and he was inching closer to realizing his goals. Without further ado, Shi Feng ȧssigned his attributes accordingly. Since his attributes were way ahead of other players, he ȧssigned them in a balanced manner. He also put the 100 mastery points into One-Handed Sword Mastery, increasing his sword damage to 40%. He went ahead and replaced his trash sword with the new reaver sword. "Hey System, are the refinements available?" asked Shi Feng curiously.

[The class refinement is limited. The item refinement is now always available. Skills can be refined as well.]

"Perfect. Refine the sword, the boots, and the new skill."

After 5 minutes, the refinement was done.

{DING!}

{Item Refinement Complete!}

"Thank you, System.". Shi Feng checked the refined items and made a mental note to never forget to refine every item he got.

Level: 0-5

Equipment Requirement: Strength 9

All Attributes +7

Attack Power +20

Ignore Levels +2

Ignores Defense

Durability 60/60

Attacks Have:

30% Chance to lower the opponent Attributes by 12% for 20 seconds

Level: 0-5

Requirement: Agility 14

All Attributes +6

Defense +8

Durability 45/45

[Ethereal Cross Strike](Rare)

Active Skill

Requirement: Sword

Level: 1

Proficiency(0/450)

Stacks 3 slashes into an X-Shaped attack, deals 120% Damage per slash stacked, at a distance of 20 x 2 yards. The opponent is struck 3 times instantly.

Cooldown: 90 Seconds

"Hmm nice nice, let's continue getting stronger, shall we?." said Shi Feng with a wry smile. He immediately equipped the new items and learned the skill. "Hey System, I never asked, but I noticed the gaming pod I received from you was different from all of the gaming pods on the market now. Can you tell me about that?" asked Shi Feng with anticipation in his eyes.

[Oh that?. The Almighty Gaming Pod is several times better than the ones you've seen. This Cabin doesn't require you to keep refilling the nutrient tank, doubles your mana sensitivity, gradually strengthens your body and mind, and many more benefits.] explained the System.

"Double?. The only cabin I know of that increases mana sensitivity is the Fearless Cabin, and that's apparently only 20%. I have to be more careful about who I reveal this to. If anything, I might as well take this secret to the grave" with dark lines on his forehead, and a sly grin on his face, Shi Feng pulled out the two Luxurious Ornament Boxes and opened them. As the multi-colored light flashed and faded, Shi Feng saw the Ring of Gravity and another mysterious white-gold colored thumb-sized gemstone. He didn't expect that this gemstone would make his path to the top even easier.

[Heavenly Judgement](Unknown Rank)

Key to use the Codex of Light

"I've never heard of this Codex of Light, even in my previous life. I'll leave this in the inventory for now." Shi Feng said, while putting the stone into his inventory, but not before trying to refine it. The system could not refine it, which was a bit surprising. Speaking of refining, the Ring of Gravity went through it as well; the effects were amazing as always.

[Ring of Gravity] (Secret-Silver Rank)

Equipment Level: 0

All Attributes +20

Additional Skill: 'Gravity Influence'. Removes 90% of the gravity acting upon the user. Duration 1 Minute. Cooldown 3 minutes.

Shi Feng immediately put his hands together and started praying to the luck gods, that the developers didn't find out about his gains. A Level 4 with a piece of Secret-Silver Equipment?. Outrageous!

With that, Shi Feng equipped the ring and went out of the space. Next up, Shi Feng started making his way to the Red Leaf Town's Trade Area. He remembered there being a way to obtain a Skill Book for swordsmen. He already had the Ethereal Cross Strike, but having another skill to use was paramount to Shi Feng, an expert in the way of the Sword.

On his way to the Trade Area, Shi Feng checked the Almighty Repository.

_= Almighty System Repository=_

10 Gold

Realms of Refinement: Refinement Realm Trial

Realms of Truth: Truth Realm Trial

Parameter Change: All kills now add +100% EXP Bonus

Parameter Change: Always receive the 200% Chance Proficiency Point Bonus

1-Star Sword Intent Refinement Manual(Limit: Level 2)

'System, Accept all rewards.' thought Shi Feng in elation. The Realms were what separated true apex experts from ordinary experts.

{DING!}

{Parameters Modified!}

'Heheh, I guess I'm not playing the same game as the other players, now am I?' The players around stared at Shi Feng as if he was crazy, due to the nefarious wide smile he had on his face.. A few minutes later, he arrived at the Trade Area.