Return to the Citadel

A few moments later, the goblin shaman Gurk stood at the gates of the Citadel, his eyes fixed on the majestic statues. Although most acolytes thought of them as mere statues, Gurk knew better.

[Gargoyles - Advanced Rank Creatures of Stone element]

Advanced Rank was a realm that he could only dream of reaching one day. It was the closest realm before ascending to the Magus Realm. Kingdoms, noble families and even emperors would treat you well if you reached the advanced rank. In the whole Citadel, only one individual had reached this realm besides Magus Rutherford. The man was called [Blood Baron], for he was a 200-years-old vampire with tremendous strength and intellect surpassing that of regular humans. Enslaved by Magus Rutherford, he had created a faction of vampires within the tower, charming female acolytes mainly and turning them into vampires.

It was only recently that Magus Rutherford stopped the Blood Baron's activities. However, as Magus Rutherford aged, the Blood Baron grew stronger as a vampire. The longevity of the race was nothing to scoff of.

Walking up to the [Mission Floor], Gurk stood proudly amidst the fearful and envious gazes of his acolyte peers. A year ago, all of his peers looked at him with disdain. Now, however, he could see their jealousy. On his back, there stood the fur of a creature that most of them would not dare to attack, a [Werewolf]. The fact that he hunted alone was no secret, and the fact that he possessed its fur meant that he was strong enough to take on a werewolf alone.

Although werewolves were not very strong against a group of experienced acolyte, few apprentices could actually take on such physically creatures by themselves. Even trained knights would have trouble fighting it off, not to mention young apprentices who studied in their laboratories all day long.

"I have completed the mission", Gurk spoke to the old Will

Within the tower, the old Will was one of the few people treating him fairly

"A beginner rank werewolf, huh...You have grown stronger, Gurk. Here you go, one magic crystal and a 10 knowledge points token. Use them wisely", Will said as he opened his white eyes.

It was no secret that Will used to be an advanced rank acolyte. However, an unfortunate encounter with evil ghosts turned him blind and crippled his magic achievement. According to the rumors, he had regressed to a beginner rank acolyte.

Because of this story, Gurk swore to himself never to mess with evil ghosts.

Climbing up to the market floor, Gurk immediately invested his reward into something that would make him stronger. Unlike other acolytes who liked to store their wealth, Gurk used every single opportunity he had to grow stronger. Be it equipment, healing potions, parchments, mentoring or elixirs, he would always find a way to make himself stronger for the next missions.

The stronger he became, the easier the missions would become after all.

After hours of scavenging for the best deal, he finally managed to rip an inexperienced merchant off, trading a semi-failed strengthening potion against a magic crystal. While toxic to the average human, goblins possessed tremendous poison resistance. The toxins would strengthened his physique, and the strengthening nutriments would go into his muscles.