Rank up [1]

It was only a few days left till the mock battle for held as their monthly exams would appear but at this time a key figure of a particular team had vanished. The eyes and ears of everyone and even the ones who play as the image and reign on top of these elitists are intrigued. One particular student hadn't been seen for the last couple of days, what's ironic was that it was none other than Neon

(My lord, how come you have to trouble yourself to this extent? I thought it wouldn't matter wherever you held this process, but aren't we too far? The cold may bother your health, im simply concerned about your condition, my liege... by all means, I never wished to anger you, im nowhere close to insubordination)

It was common for any servant to be of concern for their master's health, but Vestal was overly anxious. For some reason, unbeknownst to them, their lord had fled the warmth of Everglaze and wandered for so long. In search of something they haven't had a clue what the end of his journey would bring, but in the end he halted

"This might be the best place there is. Every one of you come out, deal with the pest don't leave a single one behind... also, make sure to eat a lot before you return," With the use of his eyes, he felt the presence of hundreds of monsters inhabiting the cave he sought refuge

"You can count on us my liege," His army of abomination soon fled, and without anyone to care for him, he expanded his swarm

'I was content on the masses of my minions, but the rank-up procedure is nowhere near a simple feat. The stronger the race and power of the entity, the rite of passage will become a trial that's on par with a living hell. What's more, the quality of the stimulant is crucial for the development of my growth... the first stimulant will become the core that'll consume the next stimuli for my rank up,'

He pulls out his dimensional pocket and retrieves the shard of catastrophe he attained from the imps. "For a catastrophic vessel, only something similar could quench its thirst... the first rank-up procedure or what they call 'Rite of passage' will be a once-in-a-lifetime trial for every guardian. Those who fear death avoid ranking up, and the fearless remain as the one true protectors of the world,"

Once the shard reached the outside world, he could feel the reaction of his body which gradually grew in hunger and power. He was certain that this shard was the only catalyst for the first stimuli he requires for him to ascend and overcome his limitation. His fingers clawed their way through his skin and gouged both of his eyes

[System: The guardian has received damage with his very own doing!!?

Status: The abnormal effect of the shard increased the regenerative capabilities of the devouring leech

Alert: The gouged body part succumbed to the radiation of the shard! Theyve began mutating even before the activation of the unique race ability [Lesser homunculus]

Outcome: The dismembered body parts began mutating and forming their very own consciousness and fealty to the host]

Once he recovered his vision Neon saw two pairs of one-eyed tigerlings fawning over his foot. "Oh? Now, this is quite a view... their mutation was quite fast ain't it? It must have been the effects of the shard, I thought about the possibility but I guess I was right..."

He steps back and placed the shard closer to the vessel of his newly formed servants. "My eyes are from the abyssal tiger and yet their improvement is fast? The shard doesn't only affect the capabilities of the monsters but improves and grants gifts along the way. A faster growth rate, now it makes me wonder if that abnormal imp was normal before this came along,"

...

5 hours later

[System: The host's weapon [Twilight blade's] passive effect [Imperial stance] has been engraved to its wielder

Status: Your mind has been enlightened with the technique of the imperial stance! Your footing has changed, and the flow of your movement harbors the element of Darkness

Outcome: You can now shroud your physique little by little with the element that reigns supreme of the night]

Neon was ganged up by his minions whom he commands for a bout with nothing but a blade in his hand. "Your coordination needs more work... bring it up a notch, or else you'll be losing much sooner than you thought,"

His blade grew larger and the trait of his aura would reflect the reach of his blade. Glutton came charging for his life and Neon responded by passing through with his blade remaining still. But in a span of a second, Glutton's limbs were eviscerated from his flesh for his companions to see

'The power of one's Aura goes hand in hand with the beliefs of their wielder... but my aura remains unchanged? My aura has the attribute of speed beyond the scope of a person's eye. I always wished I could be fast, so I can catch every damsel in distress, any person oppressed, and devils for their escape... but now my belief is my overwhelming desire to grow. I want to rise and be of equal standing to my prime as quickly as possible,'

Soon after one of their strongest fell into his palms, the rest remained still and planned for an attack. Death stroke kept him at bay when his life was threatened by the powerful bolts of an arrow aimed for his life. The four bruisers rushed and with their strength pinned him at a particular point and Goad drops a lump of acidic poison in turn

[System: The guardian has invoked the [Twilight arts] 'Darkness cocoon' which engulfed every corner of his flesh

Alert: The amount of compiled darkness can no longer be quelled! The concentrated pressure will result in an explosion... anything near the 'Darkness cocoon' will be knocked away]

The bruiser's weight contributed greatly and their formation only budge for less than a second. But a second later an explosion they never before imagined occurred which sends flying throughout the cave. Shortly after chains or most likely threads compiled by dozens retrieve their vessel from ever fleeing its range. A figure shrouded in black emerges and the only hint of light was the glow of his eye

[Status: Due to the accumulated dark element in your feet, it surges throughout your body and formed a protective layer

Alert: You've managed to attain a new skill [Shadow armor] when you understood the teachings of the Imperial stance

[Shadow armor]: In the presence of the armor of the Emperor of Darkness, skills relating to the corresponding elements have been boosted by 30%. The armor will act as a means of protection and weaponry if you wish to change its shape... Twilight arts used in this state will undergo a renewal unlike anything you've seen]

'Shadow thread became, shifted to Shadow chains, apart from that, I gained some effects from my other twilight skills. It seems that these effects are only available by unlocking the true form of the Twilight blade... clearing that tower proves to be such a lucky find! Now then let's continue where I left off—'

"We humbly state our defeat, my liege," Goad along with the rest of his minions kneel in front of him for his display of power beyond their comprehension

"... but I haven't even started" It seems that his yet to realize how overly striking his pressure had created in the minds of his subjects

(Hello, my liege... this is Vestal. I'm currently communicating with you via our mental connection. I hate to ruin your fun, but not one of us is capable of withstanding your fullest strength... with that known fact, I as the leading general have asked everyone to accept their inevitable defeat)

'You sure about that?'

(My liege, im capable of many things, but I assure you im not one to jest)

Neon sighed and his form reverted to his usual self and said. "Let's call it my win... continue the excavation. I want to undergo my rite of passage, and also make sure it's too deep. The worst-case scenario is that I'll behave indifferently, as much as possible I need to be contained,"

...

24 hours later Neon view a hole deep enough for him to wallow for a couple of days, and its size made it possible to make their way. "The dozens of holes leading up made it a tunnel to collect some air... I ordered them to make a few more by chance they've been clogged by the stormy winter. I've been waiting for so long,"

[System: You've finally chosen to rank up! Before you can do so, the guardian will be tested to see if you're worth ascending to achieve far greater heights!]

He accepted the without a doubt and his surroundings darkened and became the map for his trial

[Status: For some reason, the guardian is incapable of using the abilities you attained by birth!!!

Rank up: Kill every monster that's generated by the system! Your enemies have been generated... Error!!! The monsters you're supposed to face were overridden? Recent information has been established—ochokbbvhpabfnpjxmapwonrkensksksjsanfoubabnnfbjsuxdnkwk????????

Error!!!: Annihilate the monsters that question your worth... the sleeping beast who rest in your body has awakened. The missing abilities given to you by birth have manifested as their former glory]

The world was once terrorized by their existence, and some even lived through the pain of losing their loved ones. These beasts of pure catastrophe with no clear goal except destruction would appear before him once again. Though not fully in their prime, these beasts were equal in strength to Neon and their goal was clear from the start

[System: These newly added data of the manifested monsters harbor the intent to kill the hosts!]