The Ranking List, Returning to the Village

Ding!

[You have completed the Normal Quest: Slay the Pests of the Bamboo Grove!]

[Return to the Village Chief to claim your rewards!]

Nero stood silently within the Bamboo Grove, staring at the corpses in the mist that was slowly beginning to fade away, leaving the surroundings.

Adult Nero smiled as he thought to himself, 'He's a lot better than I thought, it seems that I won't need to help him get to Birgime. It's better this way, he can use the chance to further hone himself after I award him with those things.'

As Nero saw that the corpses had vanished and all traces of the carriage had fadeaway, he couldn't help but speak his thoughts, "Odd, why is it that they've suddenly disappeared? Is it like those instances I've heard about in video game dungeons?"

Adult Nero replied, "Correct, within the Novice Zone, before you reach Level 10, all quests are going to be Instance-Based. However, this will change once you grow to that level. This is done to act as a training method for beginners, slowly preparing you for the harsher Inheritance Quest and other challenges you will encounter at those levels."

When Nero heard those words, he couldn't help but show a firm look in his eyes as he spoke inwardly, 'That's great, the more challenging, the better.'

Adult Nero chuckled at those words before he spoke again, "Good, it's nice to see that you are in fine spirit, at your current strength, you should be considered as a Middle-Class Talent. Or rather, barely comparable to one due to your movement skill having reached the Fourth Stage. What you lack right now is Middle or High-Rank Skills, so long as you also achieve Stage 4 mastery on stronger Body Refinement Arts and Weapon Skills. You'll have truly entered that stage. By then, you can strive for a shallow position on the [Ranking List]."

As Nero heard this, his eyes beamed as he questioned inwardly, 'That ranking list, how strong are the talents?'

Adult Nero made a faint smile as he spoke, "Check it for yourself."

Nero didn't waste any time as he spoke inwardly, 'Show Rankings!'

Ding!

[Ranking List: Rising Talent | Region: Novice Zone]

[First place - Title: Child of Blaze | Level: 9 | Battle Rank:8]

[Second place - Title: Gold Spear Child | Level: 9 | Battle Rank:8]

[Third place - Title: Chasing Arrow | Level: 8 | Battle Rank:7]

[Fourth Place - Title: Grass Root Sword Child | Level: 8 | Battle Rank:7]

[Fifth place - Title: Rising Fox | Level: 8 | Battle Rank:8]

[Sixth place - Title: Thunder's Daughter | Level: 7 | Battle Rank:7]

[Seventh place - Title: Crazy Blade | Level: 7 | Battle Rank:6]

[Eighth place - Title: Rampant Ax | Level: 7 | Battle Rank:5]

[Ninth place - Title: Bramble Child | Level: 7 | Battle Rank:5]

[Tenth place - Title: Red Rain| Level: 6 | Battle Rank:5]

[Eleventh place - Title: Swift Hands | Level: 6 | Battle Rank:5]

[Twelve place - Title: Poison Boy | Level: 5 | Battle Rank:4]

....

When Nero looked at the details, he was shocked at their levels, but as he saw the other details, he couldn't help but knit his brows as he asked, 'They're are all so strong, but what does Battle Rank mean?'

Adult Nero replied, "Battle Rank is the number used to access your comprehension of combat skills and technique mastery, by the Battle Arena. While there is more to this, I won't go into it for now, as you'll naturally figure everything out when you arrive at that town. As you have already mastered the first stages of those foundation techniques, I shall impart the final versions of those techniques. Bring them to complete mastery, and you will reach the rank of a Top-Class Prodigy."

Nero was a bit excited at those words, but before he could say anything, Adult Nero had already pointed his finger forward. Following this, the large door in his mind glowed and opened again as two manuals flew out like rays of light as they soared towards the depths of Nero's mind.

Ping! At this moment, Nero felt a harsh pain in his head as countless memories flashed before his eyes, causing him to grit his teeth in pain.

"Ack! Such pain, why does it get even worse?" Nero complained while gripping his head that now rolled with sweat.

Adult Nero snorted as he spoke coldly, "Stop whining! You are already stronger than before; as such, you should be able to handle two High-Grade Manuals at once."

"That doesn't mean it wouldn't hurt! Damn!" Nero shouted again, but after a good while, the pain had started to fade.

Soon, Nero had begun to understand the two techniques more, and once he grasped basic knowledge of them, two notifications sounded in his mind.

Ding!

[You have learned the High-Grade Skill - Core Body Refinement Arts!]

Ding!

[You have learned the High-Grade Skill - All Weapons Mastery Skill!]

Nero gripped his fists feeling engrossed by his newfound skills; he had the urge to practice them but knew that right now wasn't the time. He was about to check his stats, but once again, Adult Nero has spoken.

"You can check your stats later, hurry and pick up those drops from the monsters, after that, you should hurry up and turn in this quest before heading to the town."

When Nero heard those words, he was a bit surprised by one aspect as he spoke, "Drops?"

Following those words, he looked at the corpses of the ape and saw that on the ground were a few copper coins and two potions, as well as one unique furry martial robe.

"Wow, there really are drops! To think I thought they didn't exist!" Nero said in excitement as he recalled that no matter how many of those goblins he killed, he didn't get anything in return. He hurried over and picked them up.

[You have received (X2) Simple Healing Potion!]

[You have received 3 Copper Coins!]

[You have received a Furry Ape Martial Robe!]

Nero smiled as he received these items, placing them into his storage space. His eyes shone as he viewed the details for the Furry Ape Martial Robe.

[Furry Ape Martial Robe]

[Grade: Common Tier: Rank 1]

[Type: Armor]

[Subtype: Cloth]

[Usable by: All]

[Requirements: Level 3]

[Body Tenacity: 10]

As Nero saw this, he laughed as he spoke in joy, 'Finally, I can ditch this shitty beginner robe and wear some decent equipment!'

Not even wasting time, Nero took the chance to change into the new robe, feeling the increase in his body sturdiness, he could help but to grin as he thought, 'So much better, I wouldn't mind getting a full set, but these things are too darn hard to find.'

Adult Nero hearing this spoke, "It's no surprise, those goblins were Inferior Grade monsters. This world doesn't reward the weak. Only those who are strong have the right to receive gifts, now that you have joined the ranks of the barely capable things will only get more interesting."

Nero didn't' mind his older self's words; his eyes glowed as he gripped his fist and spoke, "For now I might, but it won't last forever!"

Adult Nero remained silent, allowing him to keep his confidence; he earned it after all. Not long after, Nero had left the Bamboo Grove, exiting through the area he entered as traveled through the Lesser Plains.

***

Roughly half an hour had passed, and by now it was nearing 2: 30 pm. Nero, who was now walking through the familiar village outskirts tracks, had a smile on his face as he couldn't help but look at his surroundings differently.

He saw many other beginners running towards the Tyrant Slime's location, while some had bruises while others had better expressions. He even saw that strange fellow who mocked the others last time, standing at the corner while leaning on a tree, Nero wondered if this guy didn't have anything better to do than talk down to beginners.

The guy obviously remembered Nero from yesterday, he felt a bit embarrassed and wanted to curse him, but as he saw Nero wearing a brand new furry robe, his eyes widened in surprise as he exclaimed, 'You... you've actually killed a Normal Grade monster?'

Nero didn't even spare him a glance as he continued onward to the village entrance, the guy felt humiliated but angered at the same time. However, he knew himself; he was no different from the trash that couldn't properly master skills, so he was stuck there trying to break the spirits of others.

"That darn little shit!" The guy said as he no longer had the mood to stay, he lifted his head and turned into rays of light before leaving the World of Promise.

As Nero was nearing the village, he could hear the loud bustle and smell the freshness of bread being baked from nearby homes. He was far too hungry, as he didn't have anything to eat during his battle.

While rubbing his belly, he thought to himself, 'I should get something to eat while I'm at it...'

Nero looked around and saw a small stall nearby that was selling buns, he hurried over and stood beside a towering guy in armor as he spoke, but just as he opened his mouth, it resounded along with another's.

"Give me two buns!" Both Nero and delicate voice said in synchrony.

Nero frowned at this, but as he turned and looked at the hulk nearby, he noticed that the petite Elly was staring at him in surprise.

"Ohhh, crap..." Nero thought to himself, as he knew it wouldn't be easy to get rid of her this time. Not to mention, the towering hulk that was now looking down at him with sharp eyes.