Ascenders Rift

Chapter 115: A World of Death, Everyone's Change

It was a world of grimness, one in which only a sole remaining section of land acted as the resting grounds for a field of endless graves. The sky was dark, as no stars or moon illuminated this world. Instead, the lights for this land came from a strange skull that hovered above the heavens, glowing in red light. It beamed a strange ray towards a single tombstone that rested at the center of a dead world, one that was enormous, reaching a height of a hundred meters.

Many different crushed bones were scattered about the ground of this tombstone as if a group had not too long ago intruded these lands. The scars of battle were visible, as craters and remnant energies were lingering on the dead field.

Looking at this stone carefully, one would notice that below a series of strange markings, there was a large door that glowed in bright spooky lights as if whatsoever was behind it carried a foul power.

Beyond this door, passing through a sea of spooky green light was what seemed like an endless corridor, more and more traces of battles became even more prominent as the bones scattered on the floor grew larger in size. Some of them were lingering in ancient-looking armors and equipment that were plunged into the ground.

If one traveled past this scene, towards a stairway with a depths of a few dozens of kilometers, they would arrive at a region that seemed no different from an indoor castle. Here, the sky was different, and the beings that roamed about were none other than those of supernatural kind.

There were horse riding skeletons in heavy armor; there eye sockets shining in sinister blue lights patrolling about an open field with many different skeleton soldiers garbed in fine armors.

Some horse-riding skeletons even carried beings that seemed akin to ghosts, they were connected to chains that wrapped around their necks. Looking at those ghosts carefully, one would notice that they each had one eye and had a skinny frame as they hovered about like dogs searching the environment for true life.

As these soldiers patrolled around their castle, unaware to any of them, there was a small party of six living beings standing at the very top of an artificial hill. If one looked at them carefully, they would notice that each of these individuals had a different air, dressed in fine-looking armor that had scratches and bruises everywhere. It seemed as if they fought a long period of chaotic battles and have only now managed to arrive at this location.

A handsome brown-haired young man on the cusps of adulthood with a growing beard that had not been shaved for some time looked at the scene below him with a deep gaze as if he was waiting for something. Yet, as he did this, a fat, or rather, somewhat overweight blond-haired young man looked at his back with hatred as he cursed under his breath.

"And who was it that said that this wouldn't be so bad? That this was a special place... hmph! If I'd ever known that you'd take us to such a place, never would I come!"

As Joe said this, his arms trembled as if recalling the scenes when they first arrived here. His eyes now dark as if he hadn't slept in a good while, as even his mouth seemed parched.

Rick and the others also had similar appearances, as they recalled being chased by hordes of Level 5 skeletons, battling giant bone monsters of the Level 6 standard, and even escaping from Level 7 and Level 8 monstrosities within their time here.

At this time, Evan had removed his sights from the ground and stared at them; he sighed as he noticed their condition, especially Layla and Emilia, both of their beautiful eyes seemed a bit dim as their faces carried a tinge of paleness. Now, they almost seemed no different from two starving beauty in a ruined country.

Though Breya had a similar appearance, her eyes still seemed sharp as she had been used to this kind of fieldwork since childhood.

Still, Evan knew what must be done, he hardened his gaze and spoke, "Aw quit complaining, it's only been two and a half months out of the four-month mission deadline. We are almost done as you can see, the palace of that fellow is right below us."

As Evan said this, he pointed towards the gloomy-looking castle, with skulls all over its walls and sickening looking statues of headless men, crawling with countless undead.

Evan spoke once more, "Besides, it's not like we can go back now and look at how much your strength has grown in our time here."

Everyone gritted their teeth at those words, but they also knew it was true as they couldn't help but retake a look at their stats.

[Joe Goldsmith]

[Race - Human | State - Stage 1 Ascender]

[Class - Arc Bearer | Apex Tier Class - 1st Blessing (+1 stat)]

[Total Stat increase +4 stats per Level ( 1st Blessing + NSB)]

[Supreme's Blood Blessing +9 to all Inherent Energy]

[Title:]

[Belanore's Conquerors - Stat Boost | +2 All base stats]

[Level - 7]

[Next Level -27000EXP]

[Total EXP - 9900]

[Health - 450]

[Battle Energy - 44]

[Strength - 70(41+3+12+12)]

[Vitality - 45(32+2+4+5)]

[Agility - 53(31+6+14)]

[Defense - 94(58+12+10+4+4+4)]

[Stat Comparison:]

[Previous: S - 22| V - 14 | A - 15 | D - 31]

[Current: S - 70| V - 45| A - 53| D - 94]

[Talent:]

[Toughness (+4 Defense and +1 Strength per level)]

[Overburn - The host can temporarily burn essence spiritual fat and transform it into temporary strength.]

[Skills:]

[Arc Crusher - A power than can allow for the user's shield to transform in an offensive weapon. This power is only useable by an Arc Shield.]

[Arc... : Sealed]

[Weapons:]

[Arc Shield - Rank 1: High-Grade (Upgradable)]

[Defense - 12]

[Damage - 12]

[Durability - 6]

---

[Shield Ability:]

[Arc Barrier - A power that forms a barrier of pure Earthen Mana power around the user's shield, allowing for the shield to expand by a minimum of two meters. This power is only useable by an Arc Shield.]

---

[Death Captain's Cape - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Vitality - 2]

[Agility - 6]

[Durability - 6]

[Death Captain Chest Armor - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Vitality - 4]

[Defense - 10]

[Durability - 8]

[Death Gauntlets - Rank 1: Middle Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Damage - 3]

[Durability - 4]

[Death Captain Leg Armor - Rank 1: Middle Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Durability - 4]

[Elven Boots - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Agility - 14]

[Vitality - 5]

[Durability - 8]

[Lesser Power Belt - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Damage - 12]

[Durability - 8]

----

[Layla Valentine - Special Status - ???]

[Race - (Partial Awakening)???+Human | State - Stage 1 Ascender]

[Class - Life Sorcerer | Apex Tier Class - 1st Blessing (+1 stat)]

[Total Stat increase +4 stats per Level ( 1st Blessing + NSB)]

[Supreme's Blood Blessing +9 to all Inherent Energy]

[Title:]

[Belanore's Conquerors - Stat Boost | +2 All base stats]

[Defense stat awakened, stat has recalculated from the beginning.]

[Level - 7]

[Next Level -27000EXP]

[Total EXP - 9602]

[Health - 450]

[??? Power 76(Partial Awakening)]

[Strength - 65(33+12+6+12)]

[Vitality - 72(61+9)]

[Agility - 53(33+6+12)]

[Defense - 53(28+11+4+4+4)]

[Stat Comparison:]

[Previous: S - 22 | V - 24 | A - 20| D - 8]

[Current: S - 65 | V - 72| A - 53| D - 53]

[Talent:]

[??? Presence - A trait inherent to only those of a divine nature, its wielder will naturally, inhibit the aura and properties of such beings.]

[Life Touch (+4 Vitality per level)]

[Inherent??? Power (+4 per level): Partial Awakened]

[Skills:]

[Light Wave - A wave of pure light energies that can destroy all forms of dark, chaotic energies and do harm to both nefarious and non-evil beings.]

[Life... : Sealed]

[Weapons:]

[Life Sceptor - Rank 1: High-Grade (Upgradable)]

[Damage - 12]

[Durability - 6]

---

[Sceptor Ability:]

[Life Spell - A ball of pure life energies that can heal a certain degree of injuries based on the number of Life Mana consumed.]

---

[Elven Mage Coat - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Vitality - 9]

[Defense - 11]

[Durability - 2]

[Death Soldiers Bracers - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Damage - 6]

[Durability - 4]

[Death Soldiers Leg Armor - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Agility - 6]

[Durability - 4]

[Elven Battle Boots - Rank 1: Mid Grade]v

[Defense - 4]

[Agility - 12]

[Durability - 4]

[Lesser Power Belt - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Damage - 12]

[Durability - 8]

---

[Emilia Goldsmith]

[Race - Human | State - Stage 1 Ascender]

[Class - Spirit Archer | ??? Tier Class - 1st Blessing (+1 stat and +1 spirit per Level)]

[Total Stat increase +4 stats per Level (Blessings + Average Stat Increase)]

[Defense stat awakened, stat has recalculated from the beginning.]

[Supreme's Blood Blessing +9 to all Inherent Energy]

[Title:]

[??? Chosen - Stat Boost | +5 Spirit Power ]

[Belanore's Conquerors - Stat Boost | +2 All base stats]

[Level - 7]

[Next Level -27000EXP]

[Total EXP - 9510]

[Health - 450]

[Spirit Power - 87(Spirit Heart + Class Stat Boost)]

[Strength - 53(33+6+12)]

[Vitality - 43(34+7)]

[Agility - 57(33+4+6+12)]

[Defense -52(28+10+4+4+4)]

[Stat Comparison:]

[Previous: S - 9| V - 10| A - 9| D - 0]

[Current: S - 53| V - 43| A - 57| D - 52]

[Talent:]

[Spirit Heart (+6 Spirit per level)]

[Spirit Blessing - A blessing of an inherited spiritual being, any of this kind shall be able to increase the limits of their class by one Tier.]

[Seeking Heart - The power to use the one's spiritual heart to affect their surroundings, increasing one's attunement to nature.]

[Skills:]

[Passive - Spirit Assist - If you call for it, the powers of nature will merge with one's soul and body, giving one stat an equivalent level of stat boost.]

[Spirit Bow A bow formed from the spirits of nature and one's spiritual power, it deals damage based on the amount of channeled Spiritual Power as well as the strength used to draw its string.]

[Spirit????? : Sealed]

[Weapons:]

[Elven Archers Armor - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Vitality - 7]

[Defense - 10]

[Agility - 4]

[Durability - 2]

[Death Soldiers Bracers - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Damage - 6]

[Durability - 4]

[Death Soldiers Leg Armor - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Agility - 6]

[Durability - 4]

[Elven Battle Boots - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Agility - 12]

[Durability - 4]

[Lesser Power Belt - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Damage - 12]

[Durability - 8]

---

[Breya Meadows]

[Race - Human | State - Stage 1 Ascender]

[Class - Thread Master | Superior Tier Class - 1st Blessing (Total +4 stats per level)]

[Supreme's Blood Blessing +9 to all Inherent Energy]

[Title:]

[Belanore's Conquerors - Stat Boost | +2 All base stats]

[Level - 7]

[Next Level -27000EXP]

[Total EXP - 13750]

[Health - 450]

[Battle Energy - 44]

[Strength - 61(34+7+6+12)]

[Vitality - 42(35+5)]

[Agility - 75(50+5+6+12)]

[Defense - 61| (34+12+5+4+4)]

[Awareness - 58]

[Stat Comparison:]

[Previous: S - 17| V - 15| A - 21| D - 20 | AW - 8]

[Current: S - 61| V - 42| A - 75| D - 61| AW - 58]

[Talent:]

[Superior Sense - The ability to sense things more acutely with uncommon awareness and perception.]

[Higher Awareness (+3 Awareness per level)]

[Light feet (+2 Agility per level]

[Skills:]

[Thread Slicer A conjuring of unbreakable threads that can not only bind but cut apart its foes.]

[Thread????? : Sealed]

[Weapons:]

[Elven Daggers - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Damage - 7]

[Durability - 4]

[Elven Leather Armor - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Vitality - 5]

[Defense - 12]

[Agility - 5]

[Durability - 4]

[Death Soldiers Gauntlet - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Damage - 6]

[Durability - 4]

[Death Soldiers Leg Armor - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Defense - 4]v

[Agility - 6]

[Durability - 4]

[Elven Battle Boots - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Agility - 12]

[Durability - 4]

[Lesser Power Belt - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Damage - 12]

[Durability - 8]

---

[Rick Rayfield - True Name - Ivan Erickson]

[Race - Human | State - Stage 1 Ascender]

[Class - Holy Spearman | Superior Tier Class - 1st Blessing (Total of +4 stats per level)]

[Supreme's Blood Blessing +9 to all Inherent Energy]

[Title:]

[Belanore's Conquerors - Stat Boost | +2 All base stats]

[Level - 7]

[Next Level -27000EXP]

[Total EXP - 14010]

[Health - 450]

[Battle Energy - 44]

[Strength - 57(34+6+3+12)]

[Vitality - 43(35+2+4)]

[Agility - 87(65+6+14)]

[Defense - 54| (30+10+4+4+4)]

[Stat Comparison:]

[Previous: S - 24| V - 19| A - 32| D - 21]

[Current: S - 57| V - 43| A - 87| D - 54]

[Talent:]

[Second Step - The ability to increase speed by +5, talent will advance with Host's Life Standard.]

[Divine Speed (+4 Agility per level)]

[Skills:]

[Holy Spear Light An attack of pure holy power, wieldable by only the noblest of souls, a single thrust can pierce through the evil of all things.]

[Holy????? : Sealed]

[Weapon:]

[Brilliant Spear - Rank 1: Middle Grade]

[Damage - 6]

[Durability - 4]

[Death Captain's Cape - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Vitality - 2]

[Agility - 6]

[Durability - 6]

[Death Captain Chest Armor - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Vitality - 4]

[Defense - 10]

[Durability - 8]

[Death Gauntlets - Rank 1: Middle Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Damage - 3]

[Durability - 4]

[Death Soldier Leg Armor - Rank 1: Middle Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Durability - 4]

[Elven Boots - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Defense - 4]

[Agility - 14]

[Vitality - 5]

[Durability - 8]

[Lesser Power Belt - Rank 1: Mid Grade]

[Damage - 12]

[Durability - 8]

----

As they looked over their stats, everyone couldn't help but feel a tinge of pride as they knew that suffering for these two months was well paid off.

Evan nodded in satisfaction at their expressions, he turned his look towards the castle once more and noticed that the thing he was waiting had arrived.

At this time, following a loud gear-like sound, the drawbridge had begun to lower. Looking closely, one would notice that within the walls of the castle, a large group of heavily armored skeletons that seemed two times the size of the others were seated on the back of horses with green flames coming from their huffs.

The moment Joe and the other saw this, their faces turned pale, as they knew that things would turn into hell once more.