Party of the Supremes (8)
In the Second Ares, Transcendent beings exist.
It's a fact known to players worldwide.
Not numerous enough for every player to encounter, but a tiny fraction among them have.
Some have even revealed that fewer than four have crossed paths with a Transcendent.
People wondered.
When would a Transcendent finally be hunted?
But renowned experts across the globe drove a wedge into that hope.
Players wanted to deny it.
Hunting new species, or watching footage of it.
It gave players that thrilling heartbeat and the hope that someday they too could reach it.
But the experts were cold.
In truth, Stella's level was high enough to rank in the top 100 in America.
Still, some players denied it.
Their hopes shattered when a screenshot of Stella's Dantarian encounter leaked.
The revealed Dantarian's level was 692.
Bahala, the undisputed top player, hadn't even broken 500 yet.
Average high-rankers per country hovered between 410 and 440.
The demon's level was just too high.
Even if levels match, named monsters outclass regulars by multiples.
Experts backed Stella's testimony.
Players compete subtly with NPCs.
In the First Ares, NPCs held most control.
Now in the Second, players have grown and gained share.
But it's still low.
Players could only feel bitter.
Realizing their fragility.
Lee Se-jin's words still felt like a distant tale.
'I believe Ares will one day be led by players.'
It seemed like ten years away.
And players despaired again.
Players grow attached to their starting lands.
Some even contributed to kingdom growth.
The hypothesis of it all crumbling in an instant was bitter.
Experts, usually fact-slappers, tried consoling.
After global experts' consensus, players barely started preparing for 'defense'.
Then, some time passed.
The world message resounds.
The world marveled.
Two world messages in one day.
The first was about the second Legendary Asura job change.
As they focused on the second...
The First Transcendent Falls.
“……!?”
“……?!”
“……!?”
The world fell into shock.
Experts gaped like stunned rabbits, mouths flapping uselessly.
Their detailed calculations, from expert alliances simulating hundreds of scenarios—could Transcendents be hunted?
They forged possibility from impossibility, successfully sealing the demon Gremory.
And the target was a demon like Dantarian.
No, a higher-ranked one.
They prove there is no impossibility in this land, becoming beacons that illuminate the world.
Beacons.
In this era of despair, shining brightly from one spot in the darkness, guiding people.
They conveyed it.
You can do it someday too.
There is no impossibility in this Ares.
Experts tried countering.
But players were sharp and preempted.
Irrefutable facts silenced the experts.
The world heated up.
Speculations flew.
Even "god helped" seemed credible.
Of course.
They didn't know about Babylon's Myeolak, deleting 80% HP of evil.
Yes.
Those players' feat? Merely chipping 20% HP.
Still a hunt is a hunt.
But disappointingly, they revealed anonymously.
So players called them.
A famous ranker spoke on TV.
"Let's stay anonymous."
World messages marking targets as 'they' was unprecedented.
Most groundbreaking feats come from individuals.
World messages also boost fame and value.
But that's for average rankers trapped in norms.
Hyun-soo for the Great Atlas War, Asura Kabel to silently guard Bokdeongi, Bahala without much fanfare—all agreed.
Currently unaware they'd become beacons.
You have successfully sealed Demon Gremory.
Notifications popped up; they cheered for varied reasons.
Clang—
Undefeated knight Lukio dropped his sword as Demon Gremory began dispersing.
Revenge, once absolute impossibility, succeeded—he wept endlessly.
The three understood Lukio.
His quest had appeared; he'd endured demonization like torture for ages.
And another.
Bahala was equally awed.
Job Quest: Another Demon Completed
Ignoring multiple quests.
📍 Ignores unnecessary quests, opening a new path directly.
Ding!
Job Quest: Sword God Not Heir Created
Bahala's chest burned watching him.
He'd thought true Sword God would take five-plus years.
But this quest halved it.
Bahala grew stronger now and gained a faster path.
And another.
The one who went to hell just to guard a puppy and his sole friend.
Hell King Asura was a worshiper of Legion Commander Demon Gremory, no different from being under her rule.
The next Asura, you, is independent, forging your own hell.
Rebels overflow against the new Asura.
Subjugate them and be reborn as the true Hell King.
Ding!
Job Quest: Hell King Asura Created
Asura Kabel also secured growth footing.
And they saw it.
Their bodies wrapped in level-up light.
Even in a party, rewards depend on player contributions.
Bahala, engulfed in light, absurdly gained 5 levels at his range.
Kabel too—total 7 levels, their contributions similar.
And.
“Sob, ugh... Oh? Got stronger?”
“……?”
“……?”
“……?”
A true warrior, weeping then joyful at growth.
Lukio, slicing 20% HP from Gremory's demonic form, hit 10 levels.
Key point here.
Bahala and Kabel.
You achieved 14% contribution.
You achieved 13% contribution.
Similar contributions.
Yet Bahala 5 levels, Kabel 7—due to current levels.
Lower levels need less total EXP for level-ups.
They eyed Hyun-soo.
'Hyun-soo's contribution is highest. Uncomparable to ours.'
Most HP damage yields most contribution.
Hyun-soo, weakest, used Myeolak to slash 80% HP first.
Plus most favorable by level-EXP law.
Moreover.
'Hyun-soo outputs power beyond his level.''Even used inner strength before, got plenty strong?'
Hyun-soo's pure power totals level 420 range.
His current 370s.
'Low level means more rapid growth potential than highs.'
Why Kabel and Bahala watch intently.
Fear.
All humans tense when laggards catch up.
They focus on his soon-updating level.
That level shows his growth limit.
'And solo contribution reveal.'
Hyun-soo felt it.
'Level-up light shines brightest on me.'
Obvious.
He knew his overwhelming power beyond level.
His many level-ups open infinite possibility paths.
Contributions hint at it.
You acquire 66% contribution.
Seeing updated level, Hyun-soo marveled.
Days ago.
Parion Empire Emperor Volond, called loftiest legend.
A subordinate prostrated before him.
The diplomat sent to Asgan Continent as all paths opened.
"As Your Majesty predicted, Goyad's King Barad rejected all negotiations."
Volond smiled as if expected.
"Petty king's pride is all he has."
Kingdom vs. empire scale is worlds apart; Goyad a minor one in Asgan.
Parion 13 times larger.
"Send army and Fenrir. Goyad will be our vassal."
Before withdrawing, subordinate asked.
"What of Barad?"
"Kill him."
Subordinate withdrew.
Volond believed.
'No variables from a minor nation.'
The true continental war began.