...

'We've returned.'

After defeating Gan Ceann, Izroth was transported back to the waiting room. And, of course, he was not alone.

The rest of Izroth's party members were also within the waiting room.

Almost immediately after arriving, everyone swiftly approached Izroth. They were all curious as to how he finished off Gan Ceann.

"You really freaked us out, man! You're one crazy bastard; you know that? Hahaha!" Colorful Nimbus said excitedly.

Niflheim, on the other hand, released a helpless sigh and said, "That was too reckless. Please at least let me know a little more in advance before doing something like that again. Though I'd really prefer it if you didn't make a habit of doing that kind of thing..." Niflheim quietly muttered the last part to himself.

"I'll try to keep that in mind," Izroth replied in a carefree manner.

Izroth then went on to explain what happened after he reached the bottom and confronted Gan Ceann.

...

"And, that's pretty much it. By the time I reached the bottom, it was barely hanging on to its life by a thread. The damage was already done. I merely dealt the final blow." Izroth explained calmly.

"I figured as much... Well, considering it's you, I can at least understand your actions. Even though it caught me a bit off guard, I know that you're not the type to rush in without confidence. And, since everything worked out in the end, it saved us a lot of time." Niflheim commented.

"I guess all of those rumors about matching our strength and always being one step above us was a lie. I didn't even get a chance to show off what I can really do." Colorful Nimbus playfully lamented.

"Don't worry. We still have two stages to clear. I'm sure you'll get your wish. Ah, that's right-" Niflheim looked as if he was suddenly reminded of something.

He turned to face Izroth and asked, "Did you receive one as well?"

Niflheim accessed his inventory and removed a small object. He held the item up to show Izroth, who immediately recognized it as a Level Emblem!

"Yes. Right after Gan Ceann perished, it appeared in my hand," Izroth answered.

'Though, I don't exactly have it in my possession any longer.'

When Izroth accepted the system's offer, it took the Level Emblem he obtained as "payment" for the production method it granted him. Therefore, he was probably the only person in the waiting room without a Level Emblem!

"I see. That confirms it. Everyone here was able to get their hands on one. And, judging from the special note, it's possible that we may obtain one every time we successfully clear a stage of the crusade." Niflheim stated.

"Doesn't that mean we can walk out of this place three levels higher than when we came in? Damn, crusades are insane..!" Colorful Nimbus chimed in.

At their current levels, every bit of experience went towards a grueling grind for the next level. In addition, top players like them were constantly neck and neck with their competition. The Level Emblem provided them with an opportunity to step further ahead of other players and solidify or even surpass their present standing. If they were able to get their hands on three of them, the advantages would be tremendous!

After catching up with one another, things quickly settled down as everyone shifted their attention to the room's center.

Located on the floor in the middle of the waiting room were six bronze chests. Each chest had a different name above it, and those names belonged to the members of Izroth's party.

Name: [Izroth's] First Stage Crusade Treasure Chest(Soulbound)

Rank: ???

Usage: Contains rewards for clearing the first stage of the «Crusade».

Special Note: This item can only be opened by its owner.

Everyone walked up to the treasure chest with their name on it; however, no one touched them.

Then, just when they stepped in front of the treasure chests, a magic circle formed on the other side as a figure silently emerged before the party.

"My, that was quite the exhilarating battle. You cleared the first stage much faster than I anticipated." A familiar voice echoed.

It belonged to the mysterious person who simply referred to themselves as "Guide".

However, this time around, the others were expecting his arrival since they were already informed that he would show up soon after they cleared a stage.

"Ah, how rude of me. Allow me to personally congratulate each and every one of you on successfully clearing the first stage—congratulations." Guide said respectfully as he bowed gracefully.

"Is it possible to see what items are inside the treasure chests?" Sacred Blade asked without delay.

"...You lot are as cold as ever." Guide sighed helplessly.

He then answered, "Simply put, there is not."

"Then, how are we supposed to decide whether or not it's worth attempting the next stage?" Sacred Blade questioned with a frown.

"Allow me to finish what I was saying. Indeed, it is not possible to know what items you will acquire; however, it is not as though there is no way of doing so. It's just that, typically, no one is willing to pay the price." Guide revealed.

"Price? Do we have to spend gold coins just to find out?" Colorful Nimbus inquired.

"Gold coins? I'm afraid the price is much steeper than that." Guide said as he pointed in Niflheim's direction. Or, to be more precise, at the Level Emblem in Niflheim's hand.

Niflheim had yet to return the Level Emblem to his inventory. His current experience was fairly close to 0% since he recently leveled up. Therefore, Niflheim was debating whether or not to use the Level Emblem immediately to see if there were any new skills available in his skill crystal. Nonetheless, he and everyone else present was taken aback by Guide's asking price.

"Hey, aren't you basically robbing us blind with a trade like that? How can any of us ask someone else to give up their Level Emblem just to find out what's in some chests?" Colorful Nimbus scoffed.

"You are mistaken. The cost is one Level Emblem per chest. And, since there are six chests... Well, I'm sure you can count just fine. I should also mention that the contents of each chest differ from person to person. So what you see in one is not necessarily what will be in another." Guide said casually.

Niflheim shook his head and said, "Is there even a point to discussing this? Let's just settle it right now. Is there anyone who is against going to the second stage?"

"..."

Everyone remained silent to Niflheim's inquiry.

"Then, it's unanimous. We're going to the second stage. The contents of these chests—we have no need to know. That's all there is to it." Niflheim said assuredly.

Given that they could not move on to the next stage if even one person voted against it, as long as everyone was in agreement, there was no reason to pay such a hefty price to look at something they would ultimately not accept.

"Now... Since that's out of the way, I don't suppose you have anything to tell us about the second stage, do you?" Niflheim asked.

"I fear not. I have nothing to hide. As I said before—in this crusade, I am an ally rooting for your success." Guide responded without pause.

Niflheim narrowed his eyes. He then faced his party members and announced, "As soon as you're all done making any necessary preparations, ready up. We'll leave at once."

"My, my... Well, I can take a hint. I hope that a fruitful venture awaits. May our paths soon cross again." Guide bid farewell as he vanished into thin air.

Once Guide took his leave, everyone followed Niflheim's advice. However, there was not much for them to prepare for, seeing as how their missing HP and MP had been fully restored upon being transported to the waiting room. And so, everyone swiftly readied up.

As Izroth also readied up, he decided to take the chance to review the class-specific production method he received from the system in exchange for his Level Emblem. 

'So, this is the system's gift. It's not what I expected. What is this... Self Awakening?'

Recipe Name: Self Awakening Pill(Soulbound)

Type: Pill

Rarity: Unique*

Requirement(s): Apothecary I or higher

Component(s) Required: x3 of any quality herb-type material. All herb-type materials must be of the same quality. The better the materials, the greater the effects.

Special Note: This recipe cannot be shared or replicated.

Name: Self Awakening Pill(Unique*)

Rank: Unique*

Usage: The user who consumes this pill has a chance to experience «Self Awakening». The user also permanently gains the passive skill «Ahead of the Pack».

«Self Awakening»: ???. (Effects vary depending on the consumer.)

«Ahead of the Pack»: All sources of experience gained by the user is increased by X%.

Special Note: Consuming this pill more than once will temporarily increase «Ahead of the Pack» experience gain from X% to Y% for 1 hour. This effect cannot stack with itself. This effect will not activate more than once every 24 hours. Consuming a higher quality version of this pill will upgrade its effect(s). The chances of «Self Awakening» can only happen upon the user's first consumption of this pill and increases depending upon pill quality.

'I've heard of awakenings for spirits, but players... Such a thing exists?'