Hidden Quest, Misassumption

Kieran's excitement came from the fact that Hidden Quests required a series of specific events to trigger them, and they existed in a limited amount. Within Gena Village, Scar's Hidden Quest was the only one present. 

After dealing with his excitement, Kieran rubbed his chin and feigned as if he had to consider its information. "It's a Warrior's specialized path, admittedly its strongest in terms of battle power."

"Good," Scar nodded with a satisfied gleam in his eye. However, he didn't appear completely content. He crossed his arms while looking at Kieran with an imperious gaze. "What defines a Berserker?"

'What defines a Berserker,' Kieran repeated mentally. 

Instead of responding, Kieran closed his eyes with a faint smile. 

A Berserker was something that pretty much defined a large portion of Kieran's life. How could he not understand what defined a Berserker? 

Scar's question made Kieran bask in the glory of all his feats as he relished in his memories. Inside those memories, Kieran wielded a greatsword of unimaginable power and wore a set of magnificent heavy armor. 

Thinking about these memories made Kieran desire to reclaim that power, but part of him understood that he was preparing himself to accept an even greater power. 

The feats of that past life were something that could serve as a stencil for his future, but it was inferior to Kieran's current desire.

When Kieran opened his eyes, they flashed with profound wisdom contrary to his current youthful appearance. 

"A Berserker is defined by its ability to persist under the onslaught of many perils. Amidst that peril, they awaken the strength to forcibly crush their opposition and emerge victorious."

Listening to Kieran's response, genuine shock appeared on Scar's face, soon replaced by boundless pride. "What an excellent answer. I didn't expect you to arrive at such a fitting description."

However, based on Scar's smirk, it was clear he had more to say. "Now, what if I tell you there is another Berserker that transcends the usual human rendition of a Berserker?"

"Does such a Berserker exist?" Kieran asked while feigning ignorance as best as he could. 

Of course, he was aware of such a Berserker! Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone through the trouble of trying to befriend Scar.

"Undoubtedly. I am living proof of such a character," Scar replied.

The entire building suddenly began rumbling after Scar mentioned his identity as such a Berserker. A dense crimson aura with tinges of gray and black hues permeated the atmosphere.

The armor covering Scar's body cracked and fell apart, revealing a body with a few menacing markings. 

However, Scar's monstrous physique was only apparent for a moment before being covered by a set of tribal armor, except instead of leather, it was made of metallic beast hide.

Following this change, Kieran glimpsed Scar's true information. 

「Lv.501 Scar, The Bloody Hero (Mythical Hero)

Class: Blood Fiend (True Berserker)

Health: ??? (100%)

Affiliations: «War Deity Council» «Hero's Sanctuary» 」

Despite knowing Scar's identity and his link to a few world powers, Kieran's jaw dropped, exasperated by what he saw. 

'He's this strong at this stage in the game? A Level above 500 means that he can pretty much venture anywhere within the world without being stifled,' Kieran thought.

Scar was one of the leading forces in a World Quest Kieran participated in while part of the Golden Brigade. At that time, Scar's level had surpassed 600, but Zenith Online had also been online for almost four years.

'An absolute monster. The higher one's level becomes, the more difficult it is to advance. If he gained more than 100 levels within a span of 4 years, his growth potential must be absurd,' Kieran thought.

Aside from Scar's level, Kieran paid close attention to his categorization. A Mythical Hero. It was a special state, which was more renowned than normal Mythic NPCs. 

Furthermore, only seven such people bore this ranking, but there was a special reason behind the matter. These seven people existed to give seven players a chance to obtain a unique legacy.

Of course, these seven legacies weren't omnipotent alone. There was more to why those seven classes, in particular, existed.

'A True Berserker. That's exactly what I want—to become the inheritor of a Mythical Hero,' Kieran inwardly thought.

After changing back into his original form, Scar circled around Kieran with an unusual expression. "As I told you before, my position here is temporary. My only purpose for coming here is to choose my potential inheritor. I needed an untainted specimen, who had not taken any other path. That way, the mantle of a True Berserker won't be sullied."

Scar gradually stopped walking and folded his arms before his chest. "Tell me, are you interested in accepting my request?" After posing this question, Scar reined in his powerful presence until it was all confined to his body.

"Without a doubt. I'm more than willing to follow this path," Kieran answered solemnly, but he couldn't hide his excitement well enough.

This was a Hidden Class that existed at the pinnacle of natural rankings. In terms of Hidden Class, it was separated into Rare, Unique, Epic, Legendary, and Mythic. 

Of course, the higher the Hidden Class, the more difficult its promotion quest would be. Likewise, the rewards would be much better compared to the weaker classes.

Scar leaned forward ever so slightly and smiled, revealing a few incredibly sharp teeth. His canines were similar to that of a ferocious wolf! "If what you say is true, then you'll have to be evaluated."

Kieran's eyebrow rose in shock because he had yet to reach Lv.20. How could he accept a class promotion quest without achieving the minimum level requirement?

Could Scar really circumvent the rules like this? If so, Kieran felt Scar wielded too much power. Of course, when the true nature of Scar's "evaluation" was revealed, Kieran's expression darkened.

'Damn! I'm being scammed, I tell you!' Kieran thought with a disgruntled frown.

Ding!

〈System: Do you wish to accept the Hidden Quest «The Berserk Path's Original Wielder»? [ Y | N ]〉

「 The Berserk Path's Original Wielder (Hidden Quest)

Quest Rank: SSS

Recommended Party Size: 1

Recommended Party Level: 18

Objectives: Although Scar's identity as the Mythical Hero of Blood has brought the renown of the Berserk Path to its current pinnacle throughout the kingdom and empires of the world, he is not the originator of this path. Therefore, it is not his sole right to bestow the famed path upon you. While his view of you is above the rest, Scar requires his master's blessing to bestow you with this ancient mantle. Before the presence of the crimson glow, all potential will be laid bare!

- Meet with the original wielder. 0/1

- Enter the «Wildes». 0/1

- Gain the recognition of Scar's master. 0/1

- Return the letter to Scar without reading its contents. 0/1

Rewards:

- «True Berserker» Promotion Quest Unlocked

- «Honored» Favorability with Scar

- Exclusive Teacher (Scar)

- «Zero Loss of Potential» [Trait]

- 50,000 Experience

Failure Penalty:

- Loss of «True Berserker» Questline

- Reverted to a standard «Berserker» Promotion Questline

- Scar's Favorability will be locked at Neutral (0).

*Special Note: The opportunity outweighs the medal of growing stronger quickly. 」

〈Warning: If the original wielder isn't met within one natural week, this quest will expire and be marked as failed.〉

Unless stated explicitly, skill cooldowns, quest timers, and other duration-related events operate on Zenith Online's flow of time. Anything preceded by "natural" meant it operated on Earth's time.

〈Warning: This quest automatically fails if you fail to gain the master's recognition.〉

〈Warning: Failing this quest will automatically set the Berserker Class as your class promotion.〉

'A shadowy master? I should have expected as much. But my question is… how strong is Scar's master if Scar is already such a fearsome character? I can't help but anticipate this meeting.' Kieran thought to himself.

Although excited about the potential meeting, Kieran felt other emotions. For example, he wondered about the quest's location.

The Wildes held a second name for anyone beneath Lv.100—the Forbidden Expanse. Not only was the Wildes home to many incredibly powerful enemies, but there were also many wild races inhabiting that place.

The Wildes was the size of a continent in and of itself, but it bordered the four continents, which are:

The North Continent: Nelorias. 

The South Continent: Slazoya. 

The Western Continent: Waikrune. 

The Eastern Continent: Enira.

Despite the quest's setting, Kieran naturally chose to accept the quest. The potential dangers didn't deflate his confidence. On the contrary, the dangers made it far more exhilarating in Kieran's opinion.

Aside from the excitement of the quest, Kieran was also drawn in by the quest rewards, specifically the trait, which was extremely difficult to come by.

'I wonder how effective this trait's effects are, seeing as Zero Loss of Potential is something I've never come in contact with.'