History of Humanity

'Why are there so many restrictions!?'

'Why are there so many limits!?'

'This is just taking the term 'underdog' into the next level.'

…

Thoughts appeared in Zen's head one after another, his expression becoming worse with each thought.

As Arthur observed the changes on Zen's face, he continued, "When a human's stats reach 99, they would encounter a barrier like how they will encounter one when they reach level 99. This is also because of our racial limit."

"Other creatures will strive to increase their stats past 100 if they want a chance to break the barrier and become a Legend."

At this moment, Zen interrupted his teacher with a cough and asked, "Umm teacher, there's something that I want to clarify."

Arthur looked at him and gestured for him to go on.

Zen sorted out his thoughts before speaking.

"Is the barrier between level 99 and level 100 something that only humans encounter or is it the same for other creatures?"

After hearing Zen's question, Arthur explained patiently.

"Oh, this is a bit complicated so make sure to listen carefully. The answer for your question is both yes and no."

Zen raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"Wait let me continue."

"Ehem. All creatures encounter a barrier when they reach level 99. And if they want to become a Legend, they have to break through that barrier. It's the same for humans. However, the difference is that level 99 is also the racial limit of humans."

As he listened to his teacher, Zen had a bad premonition about the words that he was about to hear.

He continued to listen carefully, afraid of missing any words.

"This means that for us humans to reach the rank of Legend, we need to break through 2 barriers."

Zen couldn't believe what he heard.

'Nahhh… No way…'

'The fuck? If this is the case, then the Fire God and other humans who broke through the level 99 were all monsters.'

"Are we humans really that weak?" Zen asked in disbelief.

A sad look appeared in Arthur's eyes as he replied, "Humans are the weakest intelligent race in all of the Free World."

'Is this like a level cap? The only thing that bothers me is whether this limit also applies to players.' Zen wondered.

"Does this restriction also apply to otherworlders?"

To be sure, he also asked Arthur about it. Although he had a feeling that even them were included, Zen still wanted to be 100% sure.

Arthur looked at Zen in the eye and said, "I wasn't sure at first, but seeing your situation confirmed it."

'Fuck…'

Just as he was starting to feel angry, Zen thought of the Fire God and said, "You said something earlier about the humans that broke past the Hero level, right?"

Arthur nodded.

"And you said that the Fire God, one of the most powerful gods that lead the most glorious temple, is one of them right?"

Arthur nodded again.

After taking a deep breath, Zen asked, "How did they do it?"

A smile appeared on Arthur's face as soon as he heard his question. He even had a trace of pride in his eyes as he turned towards Zen.

"Humans are weak. We are even called the weakest intelligent race. But despite this, we still managed to gain a foothold in this world. This is what you are wondering about, right?"

Zen nodded repeatedly. It was the thing that made him really curious. This made him anticipate what his teacher was about to say.

Arthur did not keep Zen in suspense and said, "In the past, humans were commonly treated as slaves. Other races looked at us with disdain and disgust. They didn't acknowledge our race at all. The only thing that stopped them from killing us was the fact that we are useful. Although we are weak, we are still an intelligent race which made us suitable to be their slaves."

"Humans have the weakest potential in comparison to other intelligent races. However, the fact that we are the weakest became the reason why our predecessors became desperate to find ways for our race to rise."

Arthur looked up at the sky. The memories of the past flashing before his eyes. He continued, "Our predecessors worked hard desperately, they racked their brains in order to find something that will be able to defend the humans from other races."

"Years of being enslaved made them hopeless. Years of being enslaved made them forget the reason why they were so desperate. However, they didn't stop at all. Our predecessors used everything they had, hoping that one day, we will be able to rise."

"Years, decades, centuries passed by. Our predecessors still worked tirelessly, filled with the hope of being liberated from their gruelling situations. Until one day, all their hard work finally bore fruit."

Arthur picked up the wooden sword on the side, followed by the gathering particles of mana. As the particles gathered towards the wooden sword, their hue gradually became orange.

"[Fire Weapon Art]..."

"[First Style: Ember]"

Arthur chanted, causing all the mana that surrounded his wooden sword to burst in flames.

He slashed with the wooden sword in his hand towards the sky, the flame around it became a wave that shot towards the sky, exploding above them like a firework.

'Woah…'

This sight fascinated Zen, he continued to listen carefully to his teacher, afraid of missing any details.

"The fruits of their hard work stunned the world. The skill called [Natural Weapon Arts] became widely known."

"Natural Weapon Arts?" Zen tilted his head in confusion.