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Chapter 5: Lesser Throne of Seventh Heaven

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The man in white vanished, leaving Krone alone admiring the high horizon.

White clouds below him moved in full tranquility, inspiring his mind into reflecting.

Devil’s Throne Destroyed!

“Hm?”

A notice of some sort appeared in front of him. The blue screen was akin to the sky, visible yet untouchable.

His hand passed through it.

Sole-Hidden Achievement Unlocked.

“It’s the choice he mentioned.”

[Lesser Throne of Seventh Heaven]

Points: 72,000 + Grade: 6,725 (S-rank)

Grand Reward: Restart to 20 years prior.

Awarded to: Krone Kozak, Throne Room's Survivor.

List of Achievement Reward:

Lesser Throne Unlocked –25%.

Memory Retention (Rewarded)

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Choose One:

Double Experience and Core Absorption [5,000] Double Experience and Core Absorption for your party, Max. 12 [12,000] Ten times Experience and Core Absorption [39,000] Halves Experience and Core Absorption, Halves Enemy Aggression. [1,000]

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Choose Any:

Speed up Core Absorption by 300% [1,000] Reduce Risk and Burden from Core Absorption by 50% [4,000] Reduce Arte Cost by 50% [2,000] Reduce Magic Cost by 50% [2,000]

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Retain 12 Chosen Artes and Magics [1,000] Retain Artes and Magics Mastery [3,000] Retain Beast Traits [2,000] Retain Beast Traits’ Mastery [2,000]

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Library of Kharlussian Discovery [40,000] Basic Items Pack [100] Low Items Pack [300] Mid Items Pack [1,000] High Items Pack [3,000] Grand Items Pack [9,000] Double Enemy Aggression, Double Items and Core Quality [2,000]

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Grand Traits:

Alpha Male – Heightened Personal Influence [2,500] Tyrant Guardian – Heightened Training Efficiency [2,500] Bestial Instinct – Heightened Overall Senses and Mind Processing [2,000] Cunning Beast – Heightened Sense on Critical Chance [2,000]

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Unlocking:

12 Party Rings – Access Party Condition and Communication [300] Access Grade Information [300] Access Achievement Reward “Lesser Throne” Once a year [3,000] Overlimit Artes [20,000] Break Party Communication Limit [2,500]

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Choose One:

Break Artes Mastery Limit [2,500] Break Magics Mastery Limit [2,500] Break Traits Mastery Limit [2,500] Break All Mastery Limit [5,000] Break All Mastery Limit for Your Party [12,000]

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“Hmm…”

He pondered. The man in white had said something about keeping the law, about playing by fair rules.

“Do the points have anything to do, right, all these options really are perks, as he had said. Me having all of it without restraint could very well be said as unfair."

He closed his eyes, pondering.

Already suspended any of his disbelief, he decided to make the best of his options. For a second, the thought of “Rest” did cross his mind.

“I already choose to redo it. No regretting it now."

He looked at his first few options.

“Choose one?”

Double Experience and Core Absorption.

“Double, double?! Wait, this one, ten times?!”

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Choose One:

Double Experience and Core Absorption [5,000] Double Experience and Core Absorption for your party, Max. 12 [12,000] Ten times Experience and Core Absorption [39,000] Halves Experience and Core Absorption, Halves Enemy Aggression. [1,000]

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"Experience, huh,"

Experience.

Something which could not possibly be counted, at least by human mind. With experience, one would be able to do better and quicker judgement, especially so in battle or during a battle plan.

With experience one could execute Artes and Magics better and more efficient.

People were naturally attracted to people with experience, especially so when situation called for it.

Experience covered a lot of things.

As for Core Absorption, he drew a breath.

“Does this mean we can absorb more for one core?”

It did actually made sense.

The power within every core was a lot, especially so the higher the level of beasts it came from. Whenever he absorbed a core, there was always the feeling of leak.

He recalled a research finding.

It theorized the amount of core power we humans usually would absorb, around five to ten percent. Though the amount could not be proven, it was generally accepted as possible.

Before this theory, a Law was established. Those with lower affinity to the core, either physically or elementally, absorbed little.

Those with higher affinity, absorbed more.

If a core could be absorbed double, then?

Had he got ahold of a Grand Core or a High Core, its value would actually double.

“Only one choice, huh? What about ten times.”

Ten times absorption.

At 39,000 points, it was high. Yet he dared not dismiss it.

“Let’s consider the other options first.”

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Choose Any:

Speed up Core Absorption by 300% [1,000] Reduce Risk and Burden from Core Absorption by 50% [4,000] Reduce Arte Cost by 50% [2,000] Reduce Magic Cost by 50% [2,000]

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“…Good options. But all of these are for personal use?”

If it was for personal use, then the value would be limited.

Sure, he could become really valuable in the frontline. However, there are limits to what one person could do from personal battle strength.

Influenced by Shurran’s army doctrine, he knew the power of a united front, the power of many being united by capable person.

“Personal strength, useful, but limited. Speed up? Crazy. I wouldn’t choose this. Reduce risk and burden? Very good indeed. Still, I should put it as last choice,”

What he should be focusing? He knew by heart that those would be qualities that influenced others, strengthening his comrades in various ways.

“Next options,"

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Retain 12 Chosen Artes and Magics [1,000] Retain Artes and Magics Mastery [3,000] Retain Beast Traits [2,000] Retain Beast Traits’ Mastery [2,000]

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“Another personal, wait.”

He observed the options. There were unsaid meanings behind these options.

“If I didn’t choose these, all my Artes, Magics, Traits, would disappear?”

Exactly.

It seemed the options really brought with them meanings he should be able to derive. He remembered his conversation with the man in white.

It seemed he expected him to be able to see through the signs.

“I just said put personal strength as last option. Is it mocking me? But losing all my mastery? Twenty years, ten years…”

All the time taken to master his Artes and Magics, as well as to attain Traits from the beast’s core and mastering them, all would be lost.

He weighed his options.

Artes were battle techniques, using mana to reinforce their physical technique.

Extremely efficient and deadly.

Mastering them took a long time, and losing them would bleed his heart.

As for Magic, they used mana in large amount.

Though costly, they were equally devastating. However, those who specialized on Magic, Mages, often have the problem from their lack of mana pool, especially so in battle.

The phenomenon was called ‘burned out.’

Thus, mastering Magic was equally difficult.

“I need my Artes, and Magic. The mastery would help me a long way.”

He tapped his finger on the two options.

1,000 and 3,000 points was deducted from his 78,725.

“So I need to think it through. It would be a shame to choose wrong.”

Choose wisely.

The voice rang within him. The man in white had reminded him that before.

“How I choose influences what I can achieve. Right, traits,”

Traits.

They were not something common in this world.

These traits came from the Core as well. However, the chance of getting a trait from a Low-level core was miniscule.

Even when one did, they would only get inferior trait.

Sure, it could be useful.

Yet compared to High-level trait you get from a High-level core?

Not much.

But, useful.

“My very first trait was my heightened hearing. That helped me survive.”

He knew how useful traits were.

There was a saying among Kharlussian Army: 'Hard to get, Hard to master.'

It was referring to traits in general. Getting one was a problem.

A core which was damaged could not give a full trait inheritance. In addition, those who stumbled upon traits had to face “residue”, what was left of the beast’s fighting spirit.

If the person attempting to get the traits was not qualified enough; at best, he would fail. At worse, the residue would drive him to insanity.

This kind of things happened more often when one attempted to gain the traits from High-level Core. This was called “Risk” and “Burden”.

Tap-tap.

He tapped the options for keeping traits and their mastery. Losing them would be a shame. Another 4,000 was deducted.

Next options:

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Library of Kharlussian Discovery [40,000] Basic Items Pack [100] Low Items Pack [300] Mid Items Pack [1,000] High Items Pack [3,000] Grand Items Pack [9,000] Double Enemy Aggression, Double Items and Core Quality [2,000]

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“What’s this discovery thingy?”

As if answering his question, the options expanded.

Library of Kharlussian Discovery [40,000]

[All Recorded Kharlussian Discovery in regard to Otherworldly Beasts and Rifts.]

“…Thanks?”

He pondered. All discovery… He remembered the first time he heard the news that core could be safely absorbed. It was when he took his Non-Commissioned Officer Test. That was five years into the war. Many cores from beasts that were slayed from years past had already degraded, losing much of their power. Not only that, the bone, the blood, the organs… All of them could be utilized as long as they know the proper way. The spear that General Shurran used was exactly it – the bone of a Grand Beast slain near the capital.

He had used the spear-bone for over five years, and it was so tough, that it was only broken during that final battle.

Imagining how useful the information could be, he took in a deep breath.

“This is an absolute must, no wonder it’s 40,000… The information could change the whole fighting force. Kharlussia would be stronger quicker, the loss of resources minimized, casualties avoided, research furthered…”

The possibility was endless; limited only by his mind.

“This affects the Empire as a whole. No more deliberating.”

Tap—

He tapped the option, thus 40,000 points was deducted. He looked over the item packs. While it could be useful, he thought of considering other things first.

“Double Enemy Aggression, Double Items and Core Quality… 2,000 points…”

…

“2,000 points… Double Items and Core Quality…?”

He was quick to forgo the double enemy aggression, only wide-eyed over the other two double.

“Holy— Only 2,000 points?! Is it just for me, or my party?”

As if answering him, an explanation extended below it.

Double Enemy Aggression, Double Items and Core Quality [2,000]

[Applied to any items or core from beasts you personally in contact. Inapplicable for any items or core from others.]

“Fair enough!”

Pa!

He tapped the option. This one option was a lot more valuable than it cost – it was as if encountering a special offer – not a fake one, but a genuine, special offer.

He had to grab it first.

“Now to the traits…”

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Grand Traits:

Alpha Male – Heightened Personal Influence [2,500] Tyrant Guardian – Heightened Training Efficiency [2,500] Bestial Instinct – Heightened Overall Senses and Mind Processing [2,000] Cunning Beast – Heightened Sense on Critical Chance [2,000]

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“Grand-traits…”

He gulped. These traits were precious. Looking at the Alpha Male trait, he remembered the old general. Somehow, the trait just reminded him of General Shurran.

“Could it be…”

He had two High-level traits, but never had any Grand-level trait.

He knew that clearly, since he never encountered any residue from a Grand Core. In order to absorb a Grand Core, a group of knights came together. When one of them encountered a residue, they would leave absorbing the core to that person.

It simply meant that their affinity to the core was higher than others. The higher their affinity, the higher the chance of inheriting the residue. Only when he had inherited the trait or failed to do so, they would continue to absorb the rest of the core to be their strength.

A Grand Trait was really valuable, yet only a few successfully inherited it.

“I’ll come back to these… But they’re all just nine thousand… a definite worth-it.”

He examined the Unlocking part.

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Unlocking:

12 Party Rings – Access Party Condition and Communication [300] Access Grade Information [300] Access Achievement Reward “Lesser Throne” Once a year [3,000] Overlimit Artes [20,000] Break Party Communication Limit [2,500]

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“Party Rings…”

He immediately understood its usefulness. It somehow had connection with options with party mentioned in them.

“Only 300… That one was 12,000… Just 12,000… So it promotes cooperation… Grade Information?”

Access Grade Information [300]

[Receives Grade information about the newest accomplishments or those currently close to completion.]

“Useful… And what’s Lesser Throne?”

Access Achievement Reward “Lesser Throne” Once a year [3,000]

[Access to this very options, applicable once a year.]

“A definite must take—”

He tapped the option.

“Overlimit Artes?”

Overlimit Artes [20,000]

[A Collection of Legendary Artes used by ancient warriors. Requires high strength and body mastery to utilize.]

“Ho— A collection? Gahh— 20,000… Uh, not like I can use it immediately anyway… Ah, now I can’t take the ten times absorption… I’ll just…”

After making calculations, he tapped the traits.

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Alpha Male – Heightened Personal Influence [2,500] Tyrant Guardian – Heightened Training Efficiency [2,500] Bestial Instinct – Heightened Overall Senses and Mind Processing [2,000] Cunning Beast – Heightened Sense on Critical Chance [2,000]

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Finally, the remaining options he considered worth it.

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Double Experience and Core Absorption for your party, Max. 12 [12,000] Basic Items Pack [100] Low Items Pack [300] High Items Pack [3,000] 12 Party Rings – Access Party Condition and Communication [300] Access Grade Information [300]

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With a mere 725 points left, he was satisfied. Before, he had temptation to take the option [Reduce Risk and Burden from Core Absorption], yet he left it out for now.

“I need those I can use immediately, and useful in the long term – After I gain more points, I can access this again… A year, huh…”

Looking at the numbers, his almost 18 years on the frontline could only accumulate him a mere 6,725 points. He wondered how much he can gain in a year, but shook off the thought.

“With the knowledge I have, I have advantage… Perhaps…”

He clenched his fist.

“This time, I’ll make a difference. Kharlussia shall be victorious, and my people… be free.”

The face of the grey, humanoid beast emerged. Its protruding fangs moved, as if greeting him.

“And you— We’ll settle out our duel later.”

…

[The man with absolute resolution to reach a certain target— would either reach it, or perish in the process.]

-- Old Kharlussian sayings.

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First Part – The End before the Beginning, Complete