Ray came to less than a second later. His body was fully healed, and the hunger screaming through the link intensified again. This time, however, it resonated with something deep inside Ray. His new awakening resonated with the feeling as his heart beat faster. He would feast today on Draven's mana and the feeling he would get upon seeing him realize how wrong he was about him and who would destroy the hordes.
“You're still conscious. The longer this fight goes on, the more impressed I find myself,” Draven said, approaching where Ray had landed.
“Oh, don’t worry. I still have a lot more to show you.”
“Good.” A wave of pressure blanketed the area as he moved closer.
Ray stood as the two forces of hunger resonated within him. He needed to be satiated, and knew how to accomplish that. He exploded into motion, charging at Draven with far more speed than he should be capable of with how little stamina he had left. Dodging an incoming strike, he slammed his fist into Draven’s side. The older man's eyes widened as he felt some of his stamina and mana stolen by the strike.
Ray followed up with three more quick strikes before backing off again, regaining almost a quarter of his stamina. He began chanting an incantation as several whip-like tendrils sprouted from his right arm and began assaulting Draven. Despite never casting this spell, the words flew effortlessly from his mouth before Draven could buy himself enough time to stop it. Dark purple mana poured out of Ray, coalescing into an 8-foot-long maw.
A sickly stench poured off of it as it opened its mouth wide, revealing 10 rows of razor-sharp teeth. With a mental command, it shot towards Draven, closing around his torso. Ray half expected the fight to be over until he saw the maw struggling to close. Mana and stamina still flowed from it in a steady stream, but it slowly broke apart as Draven fought against it.
Not wasting the opportunity, Ray rushed forward with his newfound resonance with Horde Breaker, causing it to transform without him sending a word through their link. It took on a sword-like shape, and Ray drove it into Draven's stomach while he was still caught up with the maw. A weak sputtering cough echoed out of the spell as Horde Breaker penetrated his stomach poking out of his back.
“End it,” Ray muttered.
Spikes exploded out of every part of Draven's body, causing the spell to be destroyed. They dissipated as Ray pulled his arm back, causing Draven to fall to his knees, struggling for every breath he took.
“I guess you were just as weak as everyone you looked down upon in the end.”
The older man began muttering something with his remaining breath, but Ray was having none of it. He brought his right arm, still in the shape of a sword, down one last time, removing his head from his body. His blood flew like water into Horde Breaker, causing Ray to regain almost his entire stamina and mana pools. The weapon purred in contentment as its mana reserves were refilled as well.
“Re-evaluating request. Attempting to grant admin access. Successful. Congratulations, you have achieved transcendence. Please proceed to the next level of ascension to fully use your access,” the goddess said.
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Ray opened his status as soon as the message finished to see what had changed.
Status
Name: Ray
Level: 71
Ascension: 0
Class: Magus of crafting (Epic)
Mana E: 5740/5740
Stamina: 910/910
Stats
Strength 68
Endurance 91
Dexterity E: 186
Intelligence E: 942
Wisdom E: 564
Available Points: 42
Multipliers
Strength 0.5
Endurance 0.5
Dexterity 2
Intelligence 3
Wisdom 2
Skills
Draconic Insight, weapon bond, dual-wielding, Upgrade Material, Disassemble, Power Shot, Crafters Resilience level 1, Gluttony Mastery
Titles
[System-Appointed Artisan], [Low-Grade Stats Collector], [Seventh Threshold], [Blessing of the Scale Mother], [Underdog], [Artifact Grade Craftsman], [Horde slayer 1], [E Grade mage], [Awakened], [Famished], [Transcendence]
Skill choice available
“Seven levels in one fight…” he muttered.
Once the shock of gaining seven levels and a new threshold in one night, the next thing he noticed was his class finally dropping in rarity. With Erith's slowly degrading, he had anticipated his would too for a long time, but it had stayed an artifact until now. Making him wonder if the system had put an artificial cap on it. He moved on, opening his newest title first.
Transcendent
You have shown us your power, and we have deemed you worthy. Prove yourself and your world chosen of gluttony.
Effect
Automatically pass the first ascension quest
Ray’s eyes widened. Chosen of gluttony? His heart nearly skipped a beat as he read the following line and yelled excitedly. When his joy at having a guaranteed path to the first stage of ascension had slightly waned, he moved on to the next title.
Famished
You now walk a path few have walked before you. Your accomplishments will surely be written about one day, but you will find no level of wealth, fame, or power to satisfy your voracious hunger.
Effect
N/A
He furrowed his eyebrows, unsure of what to think about this title. Instead of dwelling on it, he decided to move to the last one and see if it was any better.
Awakened
An insatiable desire has awakened in your heart. Granting you greater power, but at what cost?
Effect
Feel when others have an awakened desire similar to your own
This one only served to confuse him further. “What the hell is going on?” he muttered.
“Woah,” a voice said from behind him.
Ray whirled around to find Chio, Nevala, and Erith glancing from Draven's body to him.
Erith broke from the group and nearly tackled him to the ground. “You're ok!” she shouted, burying her head in his neck.
“I am,” he said, rubbing her back. “I am.”
Far away in another part of the forest, with almost no signs of life, a cloaked figure watched over a pod containing Ren’s unconscious form. The slug-like creature that had met with Draven less than 20 minutes ago slowly crept into the room.
“What is it?” the cloaked figure asked.
The creature gave its best attempt at a bow. “It was as you guessed, my lord. A second transcendent has emerged within the forest.”
“You're sure of this?” The figure stepped away from the pod and entirely focused on the creature.
“Yes, he even killed the puppet you instructed, Divine swordsmen Vagoroth, to recruit.”
“A most glorious time indeed.” The figure turned back to the pod. “Even the other rifts won't be a match for us if we have two fully manifested warriors on our side.”
“Should I inform Vagoroth to capture him?”
“No, it will take time to construct another pod. Leave him be for now.”
“As you wish, my lord.” The creature crept out of the room, allowing the leader to return to watching the process progress in peace.
“A most wonderful time indeed.”
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