A Destructive Might, A Ballsy Move

Kieran relaxed his shoulders as the presence surrounding him dissipated.

"I accept," he resolutely answered.

It would be foolish to back down now after reaching this point, plus there was the temptation of the unknown prize.

The allure of a Unique Quest alone was too much to pass up.

"Good. I appreciate when young warriors exhibit overflowing vim and vigor. I just hope you have the tenacity to back up your claims. There's nothing more disappointing than when a man fails to honor their word with results," Scar's expression grew complex, seeming partly displeased and partly impressed.

"Trust me; I intend to realize what I have said."

"Very well," Scar crossed his arms with a leisurely demeanor. "I'll give you 30 seconds to prepare yourself whether it is mentally, physically, or emotionally. After 30 seconds... I will come at you."

Kieran could sense the severity in Scar's last words, which made a cold sweat seep down his back.

'Come at me? He isn't joking at all. But, that begs the question: how will he come at me?'

Kieran took the time granted to analyze Scar's posture. However, this gave Kieran zero answers. 'Is it a fight? What is it... what could this bonus test possibly be?!'

Kieran racked his mind trying to find an answer, but Scar's deep voice sounded, interrupting his thoughts.

"30 seconds have passed. We will now begin."

Scar extended his hand while staring directly at Kieran.

A serrated greatsword at least 2 meters in length appeared before him. It was abyss black in color with pure white etchings along the serrated edge. Rings with strange symbols dangled from the blade's hilt as Scar pointed it at Kieran.

However, Kieran's pupils constricted to the size of needles as he froze on the spot. He recalled a piece of information from his past: If Scar ever wields a weapon, run. Only destruction and chaos are meant to ensue.

'How perverse of this guy. Isn't this somewhat cheating?' Kieran inwardly groaned.

Though Kieran didn't display any visible panic, he did reveal a deepening frown simply because of the item in Scar's hand.  The sword in Scar's grasp gave off a pressure only Legendary Weapons could exude.

Only a handful of people could nonchalantly retrieve such a ridiculous weapon.

All of a sudden, the weapon in Scar's hand blazed with a destructive might that filled the room with a suffocating presence. "I'll give you one last chance to reconsider. Do we go through with this, or do you give up here and now?"

Kieran felt like Scar's words and actions were testing him. What if there was no additional part of the test? What if it were all an elaborate ruse to test his resolve?

Thus, Kieran exhaled and cleared his doubts. "We go forward!"

"Ah-! Sweet music to my ears," Scar grinned menacingly and walked closer to Kieran with slow, measured steps that increased Kieran's anxiety with each passing step.

'What fearsome pressure tactics...'

Kieran understood Scar's actions were meant to invoke fear and uncertainty in him. 

Scar lowered the blade until its edge rested a few centimeters above the floor. As his arm relaxed, the suffocating pressure was reined in, ultimately leading it to spiral the large blade. 

"One strike. That's all I'll perform," Scar voiced.

While he spoke, a tyrannical might gushed toward Kieran's body, making him cover his face with his hand.

Three seconds after this happened, Scar teleported before Kieran and raised his weapon high above his head.

In Kieran's eyes, Scar's weapon took an eternity to descend.

While the blade continued to drop excruciatingly slow, Kieran's mind raced, circulating information at a rate that shouldn't be humanly possible.

'This attack is definitely made to kill those who challenge this unique quest, but it's not so dreadful that it possesses no way out. I simply need to awe Scar and based on what I know about him...'

Kieran exhaled before deciding to act somewhat foolishly.

The blade continued to fall, but something unexpected occurred. Kieran neither froze nor retreated in the face of this pressure, instead, he stepped toward the downward cleave.

Scar's lip curved slightly. 'What a damned ballsy little fellow..."

Suddenly, Scar moved his hand and veered the blade's path.

Boom!

The entire floor shattered as if hit by a cataclysmic attack.

However, the runes beyond the supporting pillars shone with a mystical light that quickly repaired the damage, and within seconds, it appeared as if the floor hadn't been destroyed at all.

"I commend your courage. But, I also can't tell if it's foolish negligence. Still, you have passed my test. You didn't avert your gaze or flinch despite the danger. Had you retreated, I would have killed you on the spot," Scar said before extending his hand to Kieran.

A small vial appeared in his palm with a red liquid swirling inside. "Drink this and recover the vitality you've lost."

As for the vial in his hand, it was a Beginner Health Potion that recovered up to 150 Health over the span of 6 seconds. It would be an invaluable item if not for the fact it had a 15-second consumption cooldown.

Kieran chugged the potion and immediately felt the effects.

While he stared at Scar, a few notifications appeared.

〈System: Congratulations, you have cleared the quest «Scar's Unique Test»!〉

〈System: You have received the «Warrior Class»!〉

〈System: You have received a «Unique Warrior Package»!〉

〈System: Your favorability with Scar has increased by 20 points!〉

〈System: You have gained 100 EXP.〉

〈System: You have leveled up! [Lv.1 → Lv.2]〉

〈System: You have received 5 Unassigned Attribute Points and 2 Skill Points.〉

Out of his many rewards, only the Unique Warrior Package interested him.

In this case, the term unique didn't allude to the presence of a Unique Item, it merely indicated that once it was obtained, no other Warrior could receive it. Though, it didn't relate to the Unique Starter Packages of the other 6 basic classes.

「Unique Warrior Package (Consumable)

Item Rank: Unique

Item Level: 1

Description: A special package designed to better assist one Warrior of worthy potential. 

Opening this item rewards the following:

- 18 to 25 Unassigned Attribute Points

- 10 to 15 Skill Points

- Uncommon Beginner Weapon and Armor Selection Package

- «Force Slash», «Savage Break» & «Warrior's Aura»

- 1 to 5 Silver Coins

- Beginner Consumables (50) 」

Kieran grinned from ear to ear as he read through the contents of the package.

The package was simply a godsend for a new player since it covered all bases. As long as he managed his belongings well, these consumables should be enough to last him until he migrated to a proper city.

Afterward, Kieran opened the package without hesitation.

「You have received the following:

– 23 Unassigned Attribute Points

- 12 Skills Points

- 3 Silver Coins, 50 Copper Coins

- «Force Slash»

- «Savage Break»

- «Warrior's Aura»

- 25 Beginner Health Potions

- 25 Beginner Mana Potions 」

The Warrior Class was a class with a Heavy Armor Mastery, so Kieran naturally chose that and a greatsword for his armor and weapon choice.

They were only Uncommon Items to be equipped at Lv.1, so their advantages were minimal at best, but better than nothing.

The armor possessed a basic slender design that wasn't too restrictive. The joints were made using durable leather, so Kieran liked the fit.

Afterward, Kieran shifted his attention to the three unique skills that no other Warrior could possess. It was an advantage exclusive to the Unique Warrior Package.

「Force Slash (Lv.1)

Skill Rank: E Rank Active

Mastery (00.00%)

Skill Description: Deals 145% of the user's Attack Power by focusing their Strength into their arm and unleashing a strike powerful enough to produce a wave of force.

Consumption: 1 Mana Point

Prerequisites: Warrior Class, «Warrior's Aura»

Cooldown: 14 seconds 」

「Savage Break (Lv.1)

Skill Rank: D Rank Active

Mastery (00.00%)

Skill Description: Unleashes a decisive blow of destruction that deals 190% of the user's Attack Power and can trigger a Defense Break effect, lowering the enemy's defense by 15% for 3 seconds.

Consumption: 2 Mana Points

Prerequisites: Warrior Class, «Warrior's Aura»

Cooldown: 45 seconds 」

「Warrior's Aura (Lv.1)

Skill Rank: D Rank Active

Mastery (00.00%)

Skill Description: Manifests the aura of a Warrior by stimulating their tenacious will. While this skill is active, the user's attack damage increases by 10%.

Consumption: 1 Mana Point per 5 seconds

Prerequisites: Warrior Class

Cooldown: 60 seconds (Only begins after deactivation of the skill.) 」

Overall, Kieran was pleased by the state of his character. Just the fact that he received two D-Rank skills left him satisfied.

After all, the skills in Zenith Online ranged from F to SSS. F Rank skills were extremely basic skills given to each player upon succeeding in their Class Bestowal. SSS Rank, on the other hand, bestowed unthinkable power.

"Don't tell me this inconsequential sliver of power is enough to render you speechless. If so, I'm disappointed," Scar said with a light scoff. He didn't understand that Kieran was simply taking the time to access his skills and understand how to use them.

"Of course not, not at all," Kieran muttered while clearing his throat.

Even so, Scar revealed a skeptical expression. "Whatever. Your current condition is far too weak, so go out and do warrior things. Shoo."

Ding!

〈System: You have received a quest. Do you wish to accept? [ Y | N ]〉

「 A Warrior's Duty (Normal Quest)

Quest Difficulty: E

Recommended Level: 1-3

Objectives: Now that you've been given the Warrior Class, you need to reinforce Scar's view of your current caliber.

- Kill 25 Lv.2 or higher monsters. 0/25

Reward:

- 500 EXP

- +30 favorability with Warrior Class Mentor, Scar

Failure:

- Increased difficulty when trying to acquire Scar's favorability

- -40 favorability with Scar (Drops below Neutral.)

Time Limit: 12 hours

Note: This quest must be performed solo or with another Warrior possessing a similar quest. 」

'An E rank Quest, huh? I suppose the more difficult quests shouldn't be readily available so early on,' Kieran thought to himself.

Naturally, he accepted the quest as it was a decent source of EXP.

Not long after, Kieran left the area in a completely different state than when he entered the Class Hall. 'Fanged Forest, that'll have to do for now. Anything else will be outside of my capabilities.'