Rapid Progress (4/4), Rich Island

The necropolis was in peace at the center of the vast island in the secret realm - Eldertide Archipelago.

From time to time, fifty to a hundred zombies would leave in groups from different exits of the necropolis on all sides while holding big trolleys and tools.

Just two kilometers away north was an Arcane Vein—a particular and limited area with a high concentration of magic, filled with magic stones.

An arcane vein was considered a treasure trove because magic stones were stones filled with pure magic power and mana, and their usage extremely important in a multitude of areas for development.

When they are infused by an external magic, they transform and evolve based on that power.

The main use of Magic Stones numbered a lot, to brew potions, concoct pills, empower spells, formations, and such.

They were essential because of their versatile applications.

A single Arcane Vein of the lowest grade could easily support an entire city and make it prosper for years.

They were graded from D-grade to S-grade in Lightdusk Continent, but the Arcane Vein near the necropolis was above S-grade.

Two grades above. SSS-grade.

According to the survey and inspection by the Death Lords, they found 8 Arcane Veins on this island.

All of them being SSS-grade.

At the moment, the entire city of the dead was working and mining the SSS-grade Magic Stone, the likes of which only the two big Empires and limited top forces on the Lightdusk continent had access to.

…

On the top floor's garden, a gentle breeze constantly blew in the cold atmosphere of the beautiful night that painted this part of Eldertide Archipelago.

Aleron and Odar sat cross-legged under a tree in meditation as they ate pills to reach the peak of the Exception-rank.

-Name:

— [Aleron]

-Race:

— [Human]

-Lifeform Rank:

 — [Exception]—Require Epic Awakening

-Physical Status:

— [Strength: B ( 1000/1000 ) ]

— [Agility: B ( 1000/1000 ) ]

— [Stamina: B ( 1000/1000 ) ]

— [Health: B ( 1000/1000 ) ]

-Arcane Status:

— [Magic Potency: B ( 1000/1000) ]

— [Magilore Energy: ∞ ( ∞) ]

-Innate Talents:

— Spiritmind of Magilore.

Their stats had reached the peak of Exception-rank after digesting the pills, so they were stabilizing their rapid growth by meditating.

Ten meters away from them in the small open-air pavilion, Darzax and Riki stood across a table in front of each other while looking at a rectangle cloudy screen on the table.

It was a map of this island with many symbols at various spots.

Riki whistled while raising his eyebrows, "This island is rich."

"Eight arcane veins of SSS-grade, one unstable energy spot with unknown magic aura, two vast meadows filled with top-tier Legendary-rank natural resources," Darzax said with a nod, "And the rest of the island is filled with random high-grade resources all over."

"Hahahaha, we can live a high-class lifestyle with such wealth," Riki laughed with gusto. "This kingdom's booze is bad. How about we start by getting some good booze from another kingdom?"

"We'll be going to an Empire soon. They should have good stuff," Darzax smiled.

…

If one wanted to break through from Exception-rank to Epic-rank, they must trigger their Epic awakening.

Epic awakening was nothing fancy, but it was not easy to trigger it.

It required one to prove oneself…to themselves.

A seed of confidence, a seed of power, that one must believe and prove that it exists within themselves and manifest it.

Generally, people trigger their Epic Awakening by fighting a clearly stronger monster than themselves—As such, it requires one to have exceptional skills and combat ability.

What was more powerful than a peak Exceptional-rank powerhouse who seeks Epic awakening?

Fighting a powerful Epic-rank monster.

By defeating a stronger opponent, people plant that seed of confidence within them and trigger their Epic awakening.

Meanwhile, as soon as Aleron stabilized the foundation of his Arcane source by meditating first and his physical body by sparring with Odar and Riki, his aura suddenly burst out.

"You broke through, eh? Good," Riki grinned.

"W-W-What?" Odar was dumbfounded. "How can you break through like that?"

"How did I break through?"Aleron looked at Odar, his eyes wide, "I was just about to ask you how to fucking breakthrough to Epic-rank."

"…"

"Nothing's wrong with that," Riki laughed out loud. "Epic Awakening varies from person to person because it depends on one's mindset."

Riki grinned, "Unfortunately, most people need action to get a reaction in their mind."

"I don't get it," Aleron said before sucking his cheeks inside, causing his lips to look like fish lips.

And then, he spoke in a weird voice, "Don't mind my mouth, you continue."