As Simon held out the green, crystalline wand in front of him, which seemed to glow under the midday sun, he admired it for a brief moment. It was covered with a myriad of inscriptions the size of fingernails, emitting an archaic aura of strength, which only added to its mystical appearance. And even though he had seen better wands himself back in the day, it was still not bad!

Then, he activated appraisal on it, patiently waiting for its results.

Soon enough… Nearly twenty seconds had passed, and its description suddenly popped up in Simon’s vision.

-----

[Mysterious Wand] (C+ Artifact)

A mysterious wand containing within it a hint of energy reminiscent of the primordial age.

-----

Upon seeing the description, Simon nodded. Though it wasn’t all too descriptive, the tag of C+ Artifact was all that he needed to know. After all, the cheapest artifacts of such a tier were said to be at the very least, worth 10,000 golds! It was a genuine article, and a much needed one at that.

As a result, he felt that it was worth forgoing materials needed in order to upgrade his island in order to achieve it. After all, without the strength to maintain one’s island, there was truly no point in expanding too quickly and thus causing instability and overextension.

-----

In the blink of an eye, a week had passed...

Within the real world, the situation was most definitely deteriorating.

At this point, anyone rumored to be a mage would mysteriously disappear, never to be seen again with their fates unknown. Moreover, the number of casualties from natural disasters and other recent catastrophes constantly rose with every passing day. Even many major cities were not spared from these events, and panic was quickly spreading!

Along with the natural disasters, several smaller countries also began showing signs of instability and social unrest. However, the situation had not yet deteriorated to the point of society breaking down. For the most part, other than a surge of refugees, supply shortages, and the occasional accident, life was going on for normal… But it was clearly close to the tipping point.

Meanwhile, by now, Simon’s reputation had spread far and wide - among the scholars of the Veracity team, among people in the real world, and among residents of Island Ascension Online!

It was especially so, since he was rumored to have a ‘special’ relationship with who was considered to be the number one genius on the planet... Twila!

This was naturally big news, even to people outside the Veracity team. Not only was she a genius, but she was also graceful and elegant; thus, she was considered to be a goddess by many. As that was the case, how could many not be envious of him?

Simon however, couldn't care less about these people, let alone the ridiculous rumors. All he cared about… was increasing his strength!

But his fame was also in part, due to his unique mindset. Any professors that first treated him with indifference, upon hearing his thoughts, would suddenly treat him with warmth.

It was easy to see why his reputation spread like wildfire. However, it wasn’t only in reality where Simon’s reputation spread...

…

On a lively island within the boundless skies of Island Ascension Online...

This island was currently two kilometers in diameter, with all the signs of a burgeoning civilization entering a prosperous age; the land was quite populated, being developed and expanded upon at a rapid pace, with healthy and content residents - in part, due to the exemplary crops which the island was now famous for. Structures aplenty were also being built at this time, their towering, yet still incomplete edifices clearly taller and more magnificent than the previous buildings within the island.

Woosh!

At this moment, a shadowy figure was leisurely sprinting around a dense jungle near the edge of this island, jumping through vines as if they weren’t there, and dancing around trees as if he were a shadow.

Suddenly, the figure stopped moving and abruptly faced a tree. Just a moment later, a fierce looking tiger emerged from behind the tree with a menacing roar.

Just as abruptly, an overwhelmingly swift palm flew towards the tiger’s head.

ROA-

Boom!

Before it could even finish roaring, it was promptly slapped to death, becoming a mess of blood and guts.

[+16 xp]

[+16 slapping xp]

Ding!

[Slapping leveled up to Lv. 8]

‘Oh?’

Hearing this system notification, Simon stopped running around and instead, checked his stats.

-----

[Pro Farmer#69] (Human)

Island Level: 4 (99%) -> 7 (78%)

Island Altitude: (70,000 -> 110,000) meters.

Slapping Level: 0 (0%) -> 8 (0%)

Mining Level: 4 (74%) -> 5 (43%)

Acrobatics Level: 0 (0%) -> 4 (43%)

Farming Level: 2 (87%) -> 4 (22%)

Gathering Level: 3 (06%) -> 3 (41%)

Forging Level: 0 (4%) -> 0 (4%)

Magic Level: 0 (105%) -> 0 (209%)

Nature Lv. 1 (35%) -> 2 (62%)

Hot Lv. 1 (11%) -> 2 (21%)

Cold Lv. 1 (10%) -> 2 (23%)

Dark Lv. 1 (7%) -> 2 (16%)

Light Lv. 1 (7%) -> 2 (15%)

Time Lv. 1 (6%) -> 2 (10%)

Space Lv. 1 (5%) -> 2 (9%)

HP: 7660 -> 11665

MP: 3024 -> 6134

Strength: 1654 -> 2643

Speed: 1435 -> 2182

Resilience: 1495 -> 2231

Endurance: 1461 -> 2167

Intelligence: 3024 -> 6134

Vitality: 1532 -> 2313

Skills:

Magic Derived Skills:

[Matter Sovereign] (II)(Lv. 2) -> (II)(Lv. 5)

[Destruction Resonance] (II)(Lv. 1) -> (II)(Lv. 5)

[Appraisal Resonance] (II)(Lv. 2) -> (II)(Lv. 5)

[Hot Sovereign] (II)(Lv. 2) -> (II)(Lv. 4)

[Thunder Resonance] (II)(Lv. 1) -> (II)(Lv. 4)

[Flame Resonance] (II)(Lv. 1) -> (II)(Lv. 4)

[Cold Sovereign] (II)(Lv. 2) -> (II)(Lv. 4)

[Ice Resonance] (II)(Lv. 1) -> (II)(Lv. 4)

[Hardening Resonance] (II)(Lv. 2) -> (II)(Lv. 5)

[Nature Sovereign] (II)(Lv. 5) -> (II)(Lv. 6)

[Summoning Resonance] (II)(Lv. 2) -> (II)(Lv. 4)

[Poison Resonance] (II)(Lv. 2) -> (II)(Lv. 5)

[Light Sovereign] (II)(Lv. 1) -> (II)(Lv. 3)

[Healing Resonance] (II)(Lv. 1) -> (II)(Lv. 3)

[Clairvoyance Attunement] (I)(Lv. 7) -> (II)(Lv. 1)

[Dark Sovereign] (II)(Lv. 1) -> (II)(Lv. 2)

[Soul Attunement] (I)(Lv. 9) -> (II)(Lv. 2)

[Mind Attunement] (I)(Lv. 8) -> (II)(Lv. 1)

[Spacetime Manipulation] (I)(Lv. 10) -> (II)(Lv. 2)

[Gravity Resonance] (II)(Lv. 1) -> (II)(Lv. 3)

[Perception Attunement] (I)(Lv. 9) -> (II)(Lv. 2)

Miscellaneous Skills:

[Anomaly] (I)(Lv. 1)

[Hard Slap] (I)(Lv. 4)

[Palm Harden] (I)(Lv. 3)

[Corrosive Palms] (I)(Lv. 2)

[Explosive Palms] (I)(Lv. 1)

[Pickaxe Burst] (I)(Lv. 2) -> (I)(Lv. 3)

[Glow Aura] (I)(Lv. `) -> (I)(Lv. 2)

[Ore Finder] (I)(Lv. 1)

[Agility Boost] (I)(Lv. 2)

[Weight Manipulation] (I)(Lv. 1)

[Forager’s Instinct] (I)(Lv. 1)

[Nature’s Aura] (I)(Lv. 1)

You will unlock more of your stat page as you progress.

-----

Simon couldn’t stop himself from grinning when he saw his new stats.

‘Now that I have unlocked tier two spells and leveled my slapping profession to level 8, I should be ready to raid the next ruin.’

He quickly left the blood jungle and began making his way towards the castle.

...

Through wandering traders that engaged in commerce with various islands, Simon’s reputation had further spread in the lowest zone during this past week, thus leading to the increase in refugees on his island.

As a result, the population of his island was already nearing 1000 residents. And of these new refugees, two were actually particularly talented and rated as B tier minions! One was a blacksmith, while the other was actually a beast tamer.

Naturally, Simon immediately put them to work, and so, his island was now being provided with weaponry, tools, and soon, newly domesticated beasts.

On top of his new refugees, craftsman houses had also been built on the island. Within these houses, the most talented craftsmen on the island took in apprentices to pass their techniques down unto, as to ensure that there was a constant stream of fresh talent being trained. This was one of the tasks that Simon had assigned Kathryn.

And indeed, in this time, Kathryn had also proven herself to be frighteningly capable; it was no wonder that all three members of his crew recommended her!

Her foresight and perception were nothing short of incredible. When she was the head of a project, nothing would go unnoticed or unaccounted by her. And thus, she was now dragged into his main circle, responsible for overseeing new projects within the island.

Meanwhile, over the past week, not only had Simon upgraded his Slapping profession to level 8, but he had progressed his magical accumulations to the point of having two elemental stars in every element.

Combined with his wand, and his increased skill due to studying magic and science in the Virtual World for a week, he was easily twice or even three times as strong as he was a week ago.

Thus, he was fairly eager to raid his next ruin and to test his limits!

…

When Simon reached the bustling castle, he quickly made his way into the official treasury of the island.

This was where all of the most valuable resources, such as runes, essence crystals, and golden tickets resided. It was, of course, guarded by a thick, metal door covered with enchantments, with four guards lining the door’s sides dutifully.

When the guards saw him, they hurriedly saluted and allowed him to pass into the vast metal vault.

After the door closed behind Simon’s back, the four guards sighed in relief.

“The Mayor is too scary! I heard that when he goes berserk, he becomes three meters tall and his arms become several times thicker than my thighs. During the last time he went berserk, he even managed to wipe out five whole airships of soldiers from the Defiance Coalition in under three seconds. Even other mages are tofu before him!” one of them quietly and excitedly exclaimed.

“No kidding! He can kill hundreds of men with just a wave of his hand. How scary is that? I bet hiding beneath his regular appearance, a god resides!”

“A god? That’s a bit dramatic, but I do have to say, our mayor practically is one in the Lowest Zone...”

…

Even through the thick metal doors, Simon could hear what his guards had to say. He chuckled, speechless at what he had just heard.

‘Rumors about me have certainly gotten quite exaggerated…’ he thought helplessly.

Just days ago, it was rumored that he would become two meters tall with arms twice as thick as a man’s thighs when someone ‘incurred his wrath’. And now, he would suddenly become three meters tall with arms several times as wide as a man’s thighs, and he was actually… a god?

He had only defended the island from a raid or two within the previous seven days, and gotten rid of a few dozen spies as well… He was not dramatic in doing so, and had only done so casually.

Whatever the case, Simon did not mind it too much. After all, such a reputation would serve to spread his name; it wasn’t entirely a bad thing.

Meanwhile, upon entering the treasury, he was met with a series of shelves which stored most of the wealth on the island. Walking up to a certain compartment near the back of the room, he took out the stash of golden tickets that his island accumulated.

After looking over the pile of tickets, Simon counted approximately five hundred of them.

‘Hmm. This should easily be enough.’ he thought as he placed a hand on the pile.

‘Purchase a ruin map!’ he then thought with anticipation.

Ding!

[Expending 76x [Golden Tickets] to create a map and key to a D- Tier Ruin]

Suddenly, 76 golden tickets disappeared from the pile of tickets that he was holding and a slip of paper appeared in its place.