Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

At the mention of loot, everyone grew silent. After all, although there was an abundance of it, that didn't necessarily mean there was a usable piece for everyone. In that case, someone was bound to suffer some losses.

"I suggest we keep the distribution of money equal. But when it comes to equipment, that should be based on contribution and class relevancy. If an item is usable for more than one person, we'll consider if they've already received a piece, as well as their level of contribution to the Boss Raid," Alice said, offering a logical solution.

Kieran glanced in her direction momentarily while another voice sounded soon after.

"That's… surprisingly fair," Bastion muttered in slight astonishment.

To surmise Alice's suggestion, if more than one player could use an item, to appease everyone, the replaced item should go to the next person. Though it removed the ability to sell off one's old items, it was a good way to avoid conflict.

'Not a bad suggestion. Though quiet, she seems resourceful,' Kieran inwardly noted.

After listening to the explanation of the loot exchange, no one voiced any dissent.

Thus, the items were distributed accordingly.

However, as the items were distributed according to contribution, Kieran's gaze fell upon a greatsword with a deep red blade. Its design wasn't too amazing, but it was enough to catch his eye, especially the glimmer of light it exuded.

Upon touching the blade, Kieran received some important information.

「 Scarlet Steel Greatsword (Rare)

Item Level: 20*

Phys. Attack Power +91*

Strength +45, Agility +30, Control +25

Effect: Imbues attacks with flame damage. (Increased damage to monsters with low fire resistance.)

Item Ability «Flaming Circle» - Once activated, the user may wield this blade to create a large ring of powerful flames that lasts for 10 seconds. Enemies caught within the ring receive constant fire damage. Cooldown: 60 seconds.

Description: Forged from the tooth of a beast with great flame-wielding abilities and flame-based metals, this weapon is decent.

Weight: 75kg

Durability: 350/350

Requirements: «Warrior Class», 75 Strength, Lv.15 」

'A weapon with an Item Level of 20. In other words… it's limited by the Beginner Zone Handicap,' Kieran thought.

The Beginner Zone Handicap existed not only to protect players from monsters but from other players with tyrannical luck. Unsurprisingly, any weapon above Lv.20 boasted power far greater than anything below that threshold.

In other words, it could potentially turn someone into an uncontestable existence.

To avoid that situation, the handicap existed, placing a soft limiter on some items until players left the zone.

Until now, Kieran had yet to acquire a Rare Weapon, but that would all change if he picked this one up. With that, it was akin to giving wings to a lion.

A beast previously confined to the ground could morph into something surpassing an eagle and soar to the skies!

"Pick it up, big guy!" Altair exclaimed.

Soon enough, the rest joined in, urging Kieran to take the weapon.

Following a short pause, Kieran eventually grasped the weapon.

As he picked it up, Kieran instantly noticed the immense weight difference compared to the Novice Greatsword.

'It's convenient that equipment restrictions are based on overall attributes and not the natural portion,' Kieran thought.

With such a high STR requirement, Kieran wouldn't be able to wield the sword so quickly.

After swinging around and equipping the weapon, Kieran nodded subtly. "Not too shabby."

A moment later, he checked out his Character Panel.

「Name: Aatrox

Lv.20 (Experience: 27,600/80,000)

Class: Warrior

Title(s): None

----------------------------

[«Stats»]-

Health: 535/535 (0.2 HP regen/sec)

Mana: 155/155 (0.15 MP regen/sec)

Stamina: 170 (0.17 Stamina regen/sec)

Attack Power: 339

Defense: 127

-----------------------------

[«Attributes»]-

»Strength: 123 (56 + 67 + 0)

»Intelligence: 25 (25 + 0 + 0)

»Agility: 85 (52 + 33 + 0)

»Endurance: 40 (20 + 20 + 0)

»Control: 65 (40 + 25 + 0)

»Vitality: 45 (30 + 15 + 0)

»Perception: 50 (50 + 0 + 0)

[Unassigned Stat Point: 10]

[Skill Points: 4] 」

Aside from his low INT and excessive STR, Kieran was pleased by his current stats as they were all within a manageable range. Not to mention, his current allocation was ideal for a normal Berserker. Perhaps, it was ideal for a True Berserker as well.

"So, is that all?" Bastion questioned, breaking the silence caused by their admiration.

Everyone had essentially undergone a transformation after replacing their equipment with what was accessible.

"I suppose so." Kieran nodded.

However, after giving it a brief thought, he glanced at everyone and swiped his hand across the space before him. Soon, a friend request was sent to Bastion and his crew.

While far from the best he had ever witnessed, the skill Kieran saw from them was acceptable, thinking of them as convenient teammates.

Receiving a request from a player with two achievements, they naturally accepted.

Bastion, in particular, was quite interested in Kieran and couldn't help but compare himself.

Upon delivering the friend request, Kieran turned toward his four original party members. "Once we return to the village, this is where we'll part ways for the time being. Should we meet again, I hope it's inside a decent kingdom."

"Wait… w-we're separating already?" Aspaira muttered with a crushed expression.

For some reason, Kieran's goodbye-sounding tone shattered the picturesque image in Aspaira's mind. Although she expected them to inevitably part ways, she didn't expect it to occur so soon.

"Yeah. I have matters to tend to. The Shadow Cartel and the Sunset Triad shouldn't be causing any immediate trouble. With their loss in levels, they'll be busy trying to recover them," Kieran said.

"Tch. What a bunch of phonies and pussies. I'd spit on them if I ever saw them again," Bastion grumbled.

Kieran chuckled softly and looked over at everyone.

Whoosh!

On the journey back to Gena Village, Kieran learned a few things about Bastion. For starters, he intended to take the Guardian Knight route, which was the most defensively sound class.

Of course, this didn't take into account the Hidden Class. It was merely a connection on Basic Promotions.

Because he was certain of Bastion's allocation habits, he felt he should give some advice.

"Though your main focus is Health and DEF, I would suggest you spare your CTL and AGI some attention from time to time. If you want to take your tanking to the next level, you need to consider alternatives in facing damage head-on," Kieran said.

"Eh? AGI?!" Bastion frowned slightly.

Bastion failed to understand why AGI was important to a class like the one he had chosen. In his eyes, all a tank needed to do was defend and maintain aggro.

AGI was for the more agile classes in his opinion.

Kieran raised his hand lightheartedly. "You don't have to heed my suggestion. But, keep it in the back of your mind at times. And… if you ever become curious enough, experiment."

"I'll consider it. How about you? What path will you be taking?"

"Berserker," Kieran said confidently.

As Kieran announced his decided path, everyone revealed some form of shock. Based on the way he fought, most people would assume that Kieran would choose a more refined class.

After all, Kieran's combat style was simplistic and not as frenzied as most Berserker mains.

Shocked by what he heard, Bastion could only nod with a perplexed look.

…

Roughly two hours later, everyone returned to the village and parted ways.

As he walked away, Kieran glanced back and left another suggestion. "If you're undecided on your kingdom, you could always go to Aeredale. That's where I'll be headed after all of this. Perhaps we could even dungeon dive."

"You betcha. At that time, I'll show you what real tanking skills are. You haven't seen a thing. That was all a flimsy joke." Bastion smirked proudly.

"Best of luck on your endeavors. Don't fall too far behind me in levels now. After all, that item won't be much help to you soon enough," Altair said, giving Kieran a competitive stare.

"Yeah, yeah." Kieran nodded, waving his hand.

Whereas Altair continued to party with Aspaira and the others, but only after visiting the Thief Hall to become an Assassin, Kieran approached a collection of carriages.

Upon asking around, Kieran found that the carriage drivers placed exorbitant prices on journeys toward the Wildes. Furthermore, they would only take Kieran some of the ways there before turning back.

That alone showed how perilous the journey to the Wildes was.

Nevertheless, seeing as he had over 5 Gold on hand, Kieran chose to accept the ride, which would total close to 1 Gold.

Considering how much faster it would be than traveling on foot, Kieran felt the trade-off was justified.

Once he boarded the carriage, Kieran relaxed as it zoomed past the Fanged Forest, cutting straight through. After clearing the forest, Kieran peaked through the carriage and saw a stretch of familiar desolate land.

For his current self and all players below a certain level, the Wildes was considered a forbidden place. It was what many would call an endgame area in traditional RPGs.

Though it was called the Wildes, it was, in truth, an immense central continent that was connected to the other four.

However, it could be accessed from any continent through the corresponding channels.

'Without Awakening, coming here is a death sentence. Hopefully, this isn't some absurd quest with an abysmal chance of success,' Kieran thought to himself.

After all, he was attempting the quest much earlier than the original holder of the class.

Scrrrr!

The carriage suddenly came to a halt countless hours later. "This is your stop, get out. I won't be going an inch closer."

Kieran was aware of this beforehand, so he didn't fret, merely getting out to continue the rest of the way on foot.

However, close to two hours later, when he stopped for a brief breather, Kieran was alarmed by an unusual ripple beside him.

'A monster of some sort? No… most monsters should be confined to the Wildes' restrictive border. If that's the case, what the hell is this?'

Out of nowhere, an archaic voice sounded as a portal formed near Kieran. "Young man…"

Rather than approach the portal, Kieran looked at it dubiously. 'Is something trying to lure me in with the guise of candy? Sounds like a creepy old person.'