What Comes Next?

When the rewards for the guild competition were handed out, the solo rewards followed. For those that only participated in the survival round there were a few silver coins, but nothing else. The rewards quickly ramped up as they got into the first round of the 1v1 tournament.

Since Tokko had been eliminated in the first round, she received a single gold coin, a weapon forged a touch finer than her current one, and a small, enchanted pouch, crafted to hold a few lifesaving potions.

For those in the second round, the gold amount was higher, but the items were the same.

Those who advanced to the third round were granted finer weapons, a small storage bag, a potion pouch, and some gold.

Che, who reached the fourth round, was rewarded far more generously. Where Tokko had earned a single gold coin, she received ten. Her weapon was of much higher quality, and while she still received the small storage pouch, her potion bag was upgraded to a medium size, capable of holding twenty potions instead of five.

Logan, who reached the fifth round, got an even larger gold reward at nearly 20. He also received a skill rune. For all those from the fifth round, the rune was chosen personally by the king based on his fighting style.

Han had mentioned skill runes to Joseph before, but this was Joseph’s first time seeing how rare they truly were.

A skill rune was a rare dungeon drop and finding one suited to the user was even rarer. They were often stolen, sold, or lost through foul play. The reason for their rarity and common association with dark-dealings is their use.

Being a single use, consumable item, once crushed in a person’s hand, with the intent to activate it, that person is granted a single skill, preassigned and usually identified beforehand by an authorized dealer.

Their true value, however, lies in the rank of the skill they provide, meaning even someone at level one could hoard multiple A-ranked skills, provided they had the resources.

With all those handed out comprised of D-rank skills, it was a very welcome addition to all those that received one.

Since the prince and princess didn’t count, the sixth round was Joseph vs Han. As the loser, Han was given his rewards: a medium storage bag, capable of holding the contents of a small field while drastically reducing the weight of its contents, and a choice of one C-rank skill along with the usual potion bag and 40 gold.

After browsing the gray stones, each veined with different colors and carefully set upon cushions, he soon found one that caught his eye.

Finally, Joseph went up. As the winner, his rewards were significantly higher: a staff and bow directly from the royal vault, 60 gold, enough to fund over 30 soldiers’ yearly wage, a medium storage bag, a large potion bag, plus a choice of 2 C-rank skill runes and 1 B-rank skill rune.

Looking at the sixty C-rank runes presented, nothing stood out for himself. Instead, he chose Provoking Thrust for Tokko, a taunt skill for spears, swords, or any thrusting weapon.

The other he selected was Healing Breeze, an AOE healing spell that could mend minor wounds and ease pain. It wasn’t perfect, but it would serve until he created his own healing magic later.

From the twenty-four B-rank skills, one immediately caught his eye—Aerial Acrobat. The skill allowed more flexibility in the air and safer landings from height. Joseph liked its synergy with his concrete maze style and its general practicality.

After the rewards were finished, the king gave his closing words and bid everyone goodnight. Leaving with the Guild Master and Thalia, they were escorted by carriage back to their mansion in the city, a team from the palace having already done a drastic makeover during the dinner.

Inside, Clive and Mello relaxed, the pantry stocked with food and wine as an extra treat from the palace. Though it was late, they couldn’t resist lingering by the fire, not ready for the lively atmosphere to disappear.

…

The next morning Joseph woke early to test his new weapons.

The bow was intricately carved, with a turquoise-like stone running through the wood. The staff was black metal, its top set with multiple hidden gems, giving it a plain look despite its value.

He’d hoped for something smaller, like a wand, but accepted what he got. The difference was obvious: the staff made his spells at least twice as efficient.

Meanwhile the bow’s innate increase in draw weight, combined with its mystical bonus passively coating arrows with a hard, wind like barrier, boosted his power by a sizable margin.

Both were also easier to enhance with magic and spirit, feeling the energies flow smoother and more efficiently.

Satisfied, he checked his updated stats.

Name: Joseph

Class: Lesser Elemental Spirit Ranger [C+] (+3 Dexterity, +3 Agility, +4 Magic, +5 Spirit, +3 Wisdom)

Title: Survivor of the Unsurvivable, One Who Consumes Enemies Hearts

Level: 40

Vitality: 10
Strength: 20
Dexterity: 113
Agility: 113
Magic: 142
Spirit: 142
Wisdom: 105

Available Stat Points: 0

Active Skills: Channel Spirits(C), Spirit Sight(C), Magic-Spirit Communion(C), Condensed Fireball(C), Concrete Creation(C), Bursting Shot(D), Piercing Shot(D), Mana-Spirit Shockwave(D), Rippling Water Barrier(C), Electrostatic Discharge(D), Shadowmancy(C), Mana Thread(D), Magic Echolocation(C), Spirit Sense(C), Lesser Spirit Summon(C), Contract Spirit(C), Mana Sense(C), Adaptive Film(C), Magic-Spirit Arrow(D), Spirit Taming(E), Healing Breeze(C)

Passive Skills: Survivor(C), Spirit's Affection(C), Exploit Weak Point(D), Mana Control(B), Concealed Presence(C), Silent Steps(C), Focused Hearing(C), Guardian(E), Structure Master(D), Sixth Sense(D), One with Nature(D), Analysis(D), Focus(D), Commune Spirits(C), Elemental Affinity(C), Control Elements(C), Aerial Acrobat(B)

Tames: Juvenile Flamefury x2, Juvenile Stonemaw x1, Juvenile Whisperwind x1

Contracted Spirits: (Juvenile) Luminae (Holy Wood Spirit)+

Compared to before the tournament, he had a few notable improvements. His level increased by one, having gained the other during the trip.

His Mana-Spirit Shockwave finally left E rank, his Spirit’s Affection advanced, and just recently Structure Master, one of the three remaining E ranked skills advanced as well.

With the addition of another two skills, his page was looking very hefty.

After testing his new skills and weapons, he moved on to the cyclops corpse which was already inside the storage bag he received. Preserved by magic, the body showed no signs of decay.

No smells, no seepage, and with another separate bottle inside, filled with its blood, he took out a sharp dagger and carefully cut his way to its heart.

Unfortunately, even after the heavy breakfast, his stats remained unchanged. With a sigh, he put it away, still unsure what was truly valuable. Moments later, footsteps approached from behind.

Expecting Osric as usual, Joseph readied himself but instead heard a different voice instead. “I see you’ve wasted no time. You know you are allowed to sleep in every once in a while, right?”

The figure moved to sit next to him. Joseph, shrugging kept his gaze on the grass ahead. “Well, it’s not a matter of if I want to or not, not anymore. I just wake up naturally at that time, and no matter what I cannot go back to sleep, I’m thinking my spirit stats the reason.”

Beside Joseph, Han leaned into view, with his elbows on his knees, he looked over the garden. “That’s not impossible, people can react differently to stats and energies. For some they can even be toxic.”

Not replying, Han stretched his hands upwards, taking in the morning dew. After a short while Joseph spoke again. “So, what now? After leaving the dungeon I… expected more I guess. More drama, more chasing evil villains, chasing the Gabriel guy.”

Han’s expression changed, his features softened as layers of complex thought flickered across his face. “That’s what I expected as well. When I first came back, all I wanted to do was find him and get revenge before he could harm anyone else.

But now… Hah, I know ‘she’ would be upset if I let myself lose to rage and revenge. I’ve been given a second chance, so I won’t waste it. Not… not after seeing how much the future has already changed.”

Han’s gaze flickered to Joseph momentarily, while Joseph himself disagreed. “Then shouldn’t you want to rush as much as possible. The sooner the main part is over the quicker you can truly relax. Besides the sooner you plant seeds, the sooner they grow.”

Han’s head remained still. “Maybe… but I don’t think it’s as simple as that. You have to remember, all the information I have, all I have experienced, is spread over 50+ years. There is a limit to what’s possible at the moment, and the last time I rushed into something…”

Sorrow washed over Han’s face before his expression steadied once more.

Turning to Joseph, Han spoke confidently. “I have a plan and soon… it will all be starting. This tournament and all that was before it was merely the interlude before a series of evens start happening all over the kingdoms.

I know it seems like I haven’t done much, but I’ve been preparing for a long while now. Ever since we met in fact.”

“You on about the traitor?”

“That is one, yes, but more, a lot more will soon start unfolding. If you wish, you’re free to join me but I have a feeling you would only want to know what’s happening so you can avoid them.”

Joseph smirked. “While that isn’t incorrect, it isn’t entirely accurate either, it would depend on the risk versus reward of it all.”

Han smiled and shook his head. “I’m afraid most of it will be incredibly dangerous, with very little reward. But I’m prepared for that, and when the time comes, I won’t make the same mistakes as last time!”

After a pause, he rose and left, leaving Joseph alone with his thoughts. ‘I’m no hero—that’s Han’s role. All I want is to experience what this world has to offer and live long enough to see it all… but maybe it’s time I start planting seeds of my own, preparing for the future to come.’