Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

—

The question Kieran asked himself eventually left his mind after frowning. What reason did he have to explain himself? Nothing he had done thus far, relating to people, was out of the ordinary.

It was Bastion's misconceptions that led to his strange opinions.

Regardless, Kieran didn't have time to waste clearing up silly misunderstandings.

"Gather everyone. I'll guide you on what you'll be doing for the time being, and then I have to go," Kieran said.

Bastion scratched his head with a questioning expression. What was so important that he needed to leave? "Where are you going? We just got here, and you're already ditching us?"

"I'm not leaving the facility, you nincompoop. I need to log back into Zenith Online for a special event. Speaking of which…." Kieran rubbed his hands together with an eager grin. "Keep your eyes peeled on the Gamer Republic platform. I'll be going live shortly, and you'll understand why I had to log in."

Although Bastion wasn't too sure about Kieran's upcoming move, something told him it would be unusually large. "Leave it up to the boss to come across some shocking quest."

"Well, it's not a quest, per se. Speaking of which, don't you have a legacy item to locate? You can't be gone too long, or you'll stifle my plans, so don't take too long. Is there anything you need?"

"Err, maybe some extra Gold. I need to visit something called the Hidden Shield Grotto. It's located within the Terran Empire."

Kieran blinked and looked at Bastion silently before giving him a bitter smile. "You… may have to hold off on embarking on that journey. The Terran Empire is on the Western Continent of Waikrune. It's impossible to venture there at your current level."

Bastion's expression sank after hearing Kieran's words. Had he gotten excited over nothing? He thought he could claim a mighty item as soon as he accepted his current class. Alas, it seemed he was sorely mistaken.

Kieran understood Bastion's frustration, so he helped appease his mind. "Don't frown. We'll get there eventually. In fact, I'll personally help you complete your journey once it's possible. Is that fair?"

"It's fair, boss," Bastion nodded.

"Besides, that gives you extra time to learn and perfect your class. I doubt obtaining a Legacy Weapon is an easy feat. Before you attempt to claim it, you must first prepare for a challenging journey," Kieran added.

According to a few players who succeeded in accepting Legacy Items, they were not only challenging to obtain, but they also required subjugation.

A Legacy Item, in a sense, was a bleak replica of a Soul Armament, meaning they possessed some semblance of an Ego.

Depending on how strong the Legacy's creator was, the Ego could be feeble, or it could be abnormally solid. Considering Garrian's strength, Bastion's situation most likely fell under the latter.

If Kieran's speculations were true, he advised that Bastion wait until he was stronger.

Kieran patted Bastion's shoulder and wandered into the training area, where the others looked around in stupefaction. It possessed everything they could ask for, such as strength training equipment, endurance, flexibility, and other useful apparatuses.

"We need one of those of our own," Altair muttered. A tinge of desire welled up within his eyes as he viewed the training room.

Despite the background of his surname, Altair came from humble beginnings, so he wasn't used to extreme luxury.

"Don't worry. I plan on rising to the top, not just in Zenith Online but on Earth as well. So, although it may be in the distant future, I promise you we'll own a building equal to or more lavish than the one we currently stand in."

"I don't doubt you on that. It'll take a lot of effort, but it's work we're all willing to put in. Isn't that right, guys?" Altair panned his gaze through everyone, who revealed intense gazes.

For now, they were nameless, but it wouldn't remain that way for long. However, they understood there was ample work to be done.

…

One hour later…

"Oh, this is horrible!" Alice screamed out while wiping the sweat off her forehead.

"The horror," Sithik groaned as if he were dying.

After Kieran designed their workout regiment, Altair became somewhat of a drill sergeant, abiding by every detail listed on the sheet. Aside from Nemean and Bastion, everyone else fared terribly.

"This is absolutely unacceptable! Don't you understand that with a strong mind comes a strong body? We rely upon our minds to prosper, so I'm going to need a little more resolve from you all," Altair barked.

"You heard the man, move! On your asses!" Nemean backed up Altair's command, snapping his finger and walking through the training room.

Everyone struggled to their feet with painstaking effort. They had just completed their first set of endurance training, so it was on to reflex training.

Their exhaustion was the best time to attempt this training because, at some point, it all became a matter of instinct.

And, without primal instincts, one wouldn't survive the continually increasing realism of Zenith Online.

…

A few minutes before that point, Kieran walked upstairs and met with Dr. Riley. "Make sure you prepare entry-level X-hancers for them. When they come to you, they'll be thoroughly exhausted, so it should reap the best effects."

"Understood. You won't be overseeing their training?" Dr. Riley asked.

"Not this time. I have to attend to some important matters. But, this is only the beginning. At most, I'll give them one day to rest and recuperate."

Dr. Riley felt for those victims downstairs and sighed empathetically. "Poor souls. Who would have thought their leader was so ruthless, torturing them on the first day? Where's their enjoyment?"

Kieran's expression grew increasingly solemn after hearing Dr. Riley's remark.

"They'll revel in glory once they have achieved success. Right now isn't the time to celebrate. It's the time to grow. We don't have that luxury because we're not in the lead; we're playing catch up. I suspect many guilds have been using X-hancers for quite some time, which is why they became so skilled in the gaming scene."

"Okay, grouch! No reason to get so serious; I was only joking with you. They seem to respect and agree with you, so it's clear you're doing something right," Dr. Riley said.

Kieran sat on the somewhat destroyed medical bed and let Dr. Riley attach the proper electrodes to his body while she handed him a 20% X-hancer.

Due to her extensive research, consisting of several studies involving Kieran's digestion of X-hancers, she understood that the same harm didn't quite befall him.

Though a risk remained, it was severely mitigated compared to the data found in the studies of other physicians.

After ingesting the X-hancer, Kieran found the effect to be mild compared to his first experience with a potency increase. The intrinsic warmth attributed to X-hancer digestion was there, but it wasn't unbearable.

On the contrary, it was enjoyable. At least Kieran felt that way.

'Training with Scar has undoubtedly increased my pain threshold, whether it be mental or physical. If this happened before I completed my training, adjusting would have taken some time.'

"I'm going back in," Kieran said.

However, before he could log in, Dr. Riley approached him with a concerned gaze. "Don't forget. You must be careful because you are amassing mental fatigue without resting. Although the X-hancers may rejuvenate you, they aren't perfect. At some point, you'll crash and require an unnatural amount of rest."

Kieran considered Dr. Riley's point while nodding. Without the X-hancers, his time spent inside Zenith Online would be greatly reduced. But, the X-hancers weren't a magical solution. It was only delaying the inevitable.

"I can't slow down until our advantage is secured. When, and only when that happens, I'll rest," Kieran said. His lips curved into a grateful smile. "I appreciate your concern, though."

A moment later, his body relaxed as his mind delved back into Zenith Online.

…

Kieran's eyes opened inside Mayor Lowe's office with a light gasp. Upon looking around, he noticed several guards walking back and forth carrying the gold-filled chest.

Despite Mayor Lowe choosing the strongest guards to assist him, they strained themselves to pick up the massive chests.

At first, Kieran considered helping them, but a message appeared before his eyes, alerting him that he could do no such thing.

〈System: Your «Lesser War Crest» has emitted a summoning signal. [This is the third alert. Please make way to the War Deity Council lest you forfeit your involvement in the Gladiator's Coliseum event.]〉

During the time he was logged out, the Lesser War Crest had emitted two signals. The first signal signified the upcoming start of the event, while the second was an indication to make their way to their respective branches.

This third signal was the final one, so those who didn't appear within the allotted time would forfeit participation in the event.

Kieran had no intentions of forfeiting this opportunity.

So, after leaving Mayor Lowe's office, Kieran's body released a burst of sanguine energy.

Whoosh!

A gust of crimson wind swept through Aeredale City as everyone saw the blurred crimson figure moving at breakneck speeds with widened eyes.

"What the hell was that?"

"No idea; I couldn't see it. But, I presume it was a person."

…

Ten minutes later, Kieran stormed into the War Deity Council, coming to a grinding halt while simultaneously deactivating Blood Mania.

The crimson winds dispersed as Kieran gazed upon Harlan and Alythia, who stood amongst a few other people, including Captain Liam.

'Is the Gladiator's Coliseum such an important event that even Captains come to bear witness?' Kieran wondered.

"Aatrox!" Harlan clapped his hand merrily after seeing the final person.