Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

The portal's location alone left Kieran skeptical. Part of his mind convinced him to ignore it altogether, as he'd be a fool to trust a portal placed so close to the Wildes.

But after further consideration, other questions surfaced in Kieran's mind. Like, why would a presence inside a portal call out to him despite his current State of Being?

Also, were there any missing links he failed to realize?

Aside from these questions, Kieran also asked himself another thing.

Could the owner of the voice step outside of the portal? To Kieran, the voice sounded archaic, but there was another affliction to it that he was all too familiar with.

It was something Kieran called the tone of death—a tone that insinuated a foot already in death's doors.

Once he noticed this tone, Kieran realized he was gradually convincing himself to change his earlier opinion.

The impression he received was somewhat odd, but he could tell there was no malicious intent in the voice.

However, when the unknown speaker didn't receive a reply, they continued to speak. "I do not seek to harm you, young man. I understand your reluctance, but will you honor this old man's request?"

When he heard the word "request," Kieran's frown disappeared while his eyes brightened. When it came to the mention of a "request," it generally referred to the presence of a quest.

Nevertheless, Kieran couldn't help but question why a quest could be obtained here. Considering his location, Kieran cautiously approached the portal until he was within one meter.

〈System: You've made contact with a «Planar Rift». Do you wish to enter? [ Y | N ]〉

〈WARNING: The «Disassociated Space» may present potential dangers. Extreme caution is advised.〉

Kieran's eyes immediately widened upon reading the alert and warning. "A damned Planar Rift?!"

As its name sounded, Planar Rifts were weaknesses in Xenith's Dimensional Barrier that could be caused naturally or artificially.

Though, the latter required a level of strength rarely seen.

Kieran gathered it required strength at least on par with an extremely powerful Enlightened Being.

After all, Xenith's Dimensional Barrier possessed exceptional durability.

Due to the identity of this rift, Kieran refrained from answering, posing a question to the unnamed old man. "Are you related to the Berserk Path?"

"Oh? Is that what brought you here? While I know its origins and existence, I have nothing to do with that. I'm merely an old man awaiting death due to unfortunate circumstances," the old man said, sighing.

'So it's not the master? Then… what kind of quest could I receive from entering a Planar Rift?'

Curious, Kieran decided to take the risk and step inside. Accepting to enter, his body soon passed through a viscous membrane.

For a few seconds, Kieran was surrounded by desolation. Though, soon after, the scene changed to a place damaged by death, destruction, and strife beyond anything he had seen before.

And at its center was an altar.

Upon the altar chair sat a cloaked man with only half of their face visible.

Strange markings that escaped even Kieran's knowledge filled the visible part of the individual's face. Albeit fascinating, they exuded a mysterious presence that Kieran couldn't fathom.

"This…" Kieran muttered in surprise.

There was a gaping hole in the person's chest with iridescent light radiating from the egregious wound!

Despite the presence of that dreadful wound, the cloaked individual wore a faint smile.

"You seem frightened. Could it be because of my wound? Pay it no heed. It has been countless millennia since I've received it," the old man voiced.

A bright light blazed from his one remaining eye as he lifted his head.

A brief pause ensued, but the man continued to speak. "What's more important than worrying about my wound is asking whether or not you'll fulfill this old man's wish."

"Millennia?" Kieran repeated with a baffled expression. "Who are you?"

"My name? That is something inconsequential and possibly lost to time. However, you may address me as the Arcane One."

「NPC Lv. ??? Arcane One (Ancient, Enlightened Being)

Status: Dying

Class: ???

Health: ??? (1%)

Affiliations: Arcane Dominion 」

'If only 1% of his Health remains, why is it a mystery? Truly an unfathomable amount of Health…' Kieran thought.

"Ah, respected Arcane One. I understand that you have a request, but considering your attainments, I think this is a request beyond the current me," Kieran said.

However, the Arcane One's aged voice sounded a few moments later. "I'm aware of this and have prepared contingencies. Should you accept, I'll assist your early growth by providing you with a rare opportunity."

His steadfastness intrigued Kieran. "Why go so far for a simple request?"

"Why? The reason is simple—I will not tolerate betrayal and allow those who partook in the betrayal to continue benefiting from my misfortunes. As I am unable, I need someone capable of realizing my wish—the downfall of my ancient empire!"

After a moment, the Arcane One's frown subsided, adopting his former neutral expression. "I sensed emotions in you that were analogous to mine, invoking a kind of kindred spark from the depths of our beings. If not you, then who would it be?"

"I see." Kieran nodded slowly with a cold gaze.

Merely the word betrayal irked Kieran.

"I'll do it. I'll accept your request," Kieran said with an adamant expression.

"Sensational," the Arcane One said while smiling genuinely.

Soon, an orb of pure iridescent energy appeared in his palm. On the other hand, a notification appeared before Kieran.

〈System: The SSS Ranked Hidden World Quest, «The Arcane One's Zealous Request» has been accepted!〉

Kieran froze in awe, staring at the words before him. A World Quest, and a Hidden One at that!

Succeeding or failing could greatly influence the state of Xenith.

「 The Arcane One's Zealous Request I (Special, World Quest)

Quest Rank: SSS

Recommended Party Size: N/A

Recommended Party Level: N/A

Objectives: The Arcane One is a being who reigned over a domain in his prime. Regrettably, the domain has not only turned its back on him, but it even thrives to this very day despite its duplicitous past. Search for the scattered remnants of the Realm Key and prepare for war.

- Collect the «Realm Key Fragments» of the «Arcane Dominion». 0/6

- Cast the «Realm Key» by fusing the «Realm Key Fragments». 0/1

- Activate the second use of the «Dormant Arcane Symbol». 0/1

- Open the doorway to the «Arcane Dominion». 0/1

Rewards:

- Access to «Secret Realm: Arcane Dominion»

- «Ancient Materia Treasure Chest»

- Tempered Soul (Passive)

- Level +10

- Part II of the Quest

Failure Penalty:

- Broken Spirit

- All Attributes -25%

- Level -15

- Forcibly targeted by the Arcane Legion.

Time Limit: N/A

*Special Notes: This quest should only be completed once the wielder of this quest feels that their power has grown sufficient and their Soul has become powerful. 」

As Kieran expected, a World Quest warranted frightening failure penalties, with the objectives being similarly absurd. Realm Fragments meant a high-level realm was involved.

At the very least, one would require power on par with an Awakened Being to enter those places.

'Judging by the name of it, it seems I'll have to rely upon the Arcane One for the means to complete this quest,' Kieran thought.

"Since you have accepted, I must impart a few things to you. There may be some discomfort for a moment, but bear with it for a while," the Arcane One said before waving his hand filled with iridescent light.

With that, a bowling ball-sized orb entered Kieran's forehead straightaway, forming a radiant symbol with markings similar to that on the Arcane One's face. It soon disappeared, falling into a dormant state.

Contrary to what the Arcane One claimed, Kieran felt no discomfort.

〈System: You have received the «Dormant Arcane Symbol»!〉

"That marking will maintain a subtle connection with me and help you locate the Realm Fragments. Once it is time, you can stimulate it yourself. Now, on to the more pressing matter. What I'm doing could be considered unorthodox, but against them, you'll need to familiarize yourself with this practice."

After saying those words, the markings on the Arcane One's face began radiating an enigmatic presence. Once their glow grew bright, an astral wind erupted from the altar and the Arcane One's body.

These winds converged when he lifted his hand, forming an orb larger than Kieran. In fact, this giant orb was filled with an energy that Kieran had rarely come in contact with.

Following its appearance, the Arcane One's lip quivered. 'Manipulating the Arcanic Force is nearing the limit of my remaining abilities. Such a shame…'

Doing this with 1% of his vitality remaining was a truly suicidal act, but the Arcane One's desire for vengeance was far greater than the risk.

After countless years of imagining how it would be executed, he was willing to sacrifice a large portion of his remaining power to realize his goal.

Mere seconds later, the Arcane One started trembling, yet the orb doubled in size with several oscillating rings inside. As soon as it reached this point, the Arcane One then twisted his hands in opposing directions, causing the orb to condense rapidly.

The giant sphere was reduced to the size of a marble within a few seconds, which caused several spatial ripples.

"It is ready," the Arcane One revealed.

Kieran wanted to reply, but the Arcane One suddenly split the marble in half, directing one half to Kieran's forehead and the other to Kieran's heart.

"A True Soul embodies the union of the heart and mind. Once they are attuned, one's soul can be unearthed," the Arcane One uttered, coughing violently afterward.

Kieran felt an unbearable burning in his chest and forehead as he listened.

However, the heat felt metaphysical, like a manifestation of one's emotions. Soon, the feeling grew exponentially until Kieran was engulfed in a bizarre presence.

Meanwhile, the Arcane One's expression paled slightly while his eyes filled with shock underneath his hood. 'Could it be…?! Does this boy bear a truly abnormal soul? Comparing his soul to others would be foolish.'

After learning of Kieran's absurd soul, the Arcane One felt compelled to act. This type of gift didn't come often. 'It'll be him!'

With his mind now set, the Arcane One formed a strange hand seal, creating a vast iridescent print in the sky behind him.

'To think I'd have to use the Akashic Seal on a young child. Truly unthinkable. Once he matures… he'll become an unstoppable monster,' the Arcane One thought.

Although he complained, his words were betrayed by the overflowing excitement present in his eyes.

With that, the Akashic Seal unleashed boundless arcane ripples that fed into the two hemispheres attached to Kieran's body. The more energy the seal provided to the spheres, the more Kieran's expression contorted.

To Kieran, it was as if molten lava was being injected into his heart and mind, attempting to purify them as one.

Unfortunately, proper purification couldn't be reached.

Eventually, the energy provided grew weak, and the Arcane One's body turned feeble.

Though before the Arcane One gave in, Kieran reaped a marvelous benefit.

〈System: You have awakened a «Flawed Soul»!〉

〈System: Your «Flawed Soul» has manifested as a «Strengthened Soul Trait»!〉