The voice that asked the question was not a sound that traveled through the air, but a resonance that vibrated within the very core of his being, his soul, his data. [Welcome, chosen one. Do you wish to change your Fate and embark on the road to Divinity?]
The words hung in the timeless space of the cave, more substantial than the stone around him. A system prompt, stark and simple, materialized before his eyes.
System Notification: Do you wish to bind the [Scroll of Myth]? YES / NO
There was no question in Tony's mind. Any artifact that could command such presence, that could make a Legendary Devil's power feel almost mundane in comparison, was beyond mere rarity. It was a pivot point. It was dangerous, undoubtedly—a path lined with thorns and unimaginable challenges. But danger was an old friend. It was also a fortune so vast it could reshape destinies.
"Fortune favors the bold," Tony whispered to the silent cave, a familiar, reckless grin spreading across his face. "And I've never been one to shy away from a challenge." He selected YES.
The moment his will was confirmed, the oppressive pressure vanished. The scroll dissolved into a cascade of pure, ethereal light that shot directly into his forehead. The same profound voice now spoke from within the vault of his own mind, imparting knowledge that felt both ancient and entirely new.
[The eight main classes are the pillars upon which the Mortal Realm has stood since time immemorial. Each class offers three distinct Paths, known to all, each leading to the summit of power in their own right. For the Swordsman, these are the Sword Saint, the Samurai, and the Demon Slayer.]
[But hidden from the masses, guarded by the strong and the wise, is a fourth option for each class: the Legacy Path. This is not a path one chooses, but one for which one is chosen. It is a road that does not lead to a mere peak, but seeks to ascend beyond it, toward the realm of Divinity itself. The Legacy Path is fraught with peril, its difficulty tripled compared to the common routes. Yet, every soul in history who has walked it has left an indelible mark upon the cosmos.]
[Chosen one, the Legacy Path for the Swordsman is the Blade Dancer. Your task is to clear the trials and meet the conditions to become the Blade Dancer of this era. Succeed, and you will touch heaven. Fail, and you will be cast into hell.]
As the voice faded, a separate, crisp system chime echoed.
Ding! System Notification: Congratulations! You are the first player to learn the Ancient Divine Language. Reward: [Scholar] Title.
[Scholar] (Basic Title)
Ability to understand and speak all languages within the Mortal Realm.
Tony stood motionless, his mind reeling. The information was staggering. The entire player base was operating on the assumption of three advanced classes, and here he was, holding the key to a secret fourth, a route to something called Divinity. The sheer scale of it was humbling and terrifying.
"First things first," he muttered, forcing his analytical mind to take over. "What exactly am I signing up for?" He pulled up his avatar panel. There, beneath his Swordsman class, in muted, grayed-out text as if waiting to be awakened, was the designation: BLADE DANCER. He focused on it, and a new, daunting window unfolded.
[BLADE DANCER - LEGACY PATH]
Conditions:
Create 7 Sword-related skills of S-Rank or higher. (2/7)
Create 3 Footwork skills of S-Rank or higher. (1/3)
Invent a Unique Fighting Style. (Completion: 13%)
Gain the acknowledgment of a sentient sword.
Earn the acknowledgment of three Legendary Figures. (0/3)
Trials:
Clear the Blade Pavilion Trial. (Recommended Level: 10) (Teleportation Tokens: 1/1)
[LOCKED]
[LOCKED]
A headache began to pulse behind his eyes. "Meeting these conditions could take a lifetime," he breathed. Creating ten high-rank skills was a Herculean task of luck, inspiration, and combat genius. Getting a sword to acknowledge him? The very concept was absurd. Earning the respect of three Legendary NPCs was a diplomatic and power-based nightmare. The only condition with visible progress was his Formless Style, and at 13%, it highlighted how long the road ahead was.
The trial, however, was a clear, immediate goal. The "Blade Pavilion." The name alone sounded like a crucible. And he only had one shot.
"Alright," Tony said, a steely resolve settling in his gut. "I've accepted. No turning back now. I'll give it everything I have." A gut feeling, an instinct honed from years of life-and-death battles, told him he had a deadline. "I have to complete this... before I hit Level 30." The common Paths opened at 30; it made sense this hidden one would have to be secured before that crossroads.
Shaking off the overwhelming thoughts, he turned to the tangible fruits of his heist. The [Scholar] title was a hidden gem, a key that would unlock countless doors and quests others couldn't even read.
Next, he pulled out the ring. It was a simple silver band, but upon closer inspection, he saw two faces carved into it, looking in opposite directions, their features blurred as if by time itself. His hands trembled slightly as he called forth its description. What appeared made his heart stop.
[Ring of Janus] (Legendary) (Sealed - 1/3)
He who rules over beginnings, transitions, and endings.
Equipment Requirement: Level 10
Increases Strength, Agility by 50%.
Increases Intelligence, Endurance, Vitality by 30%.
(Attributes scale with user's level)
Reduces all equipment level requirements by 5.
Passive Abilities:
Greatly enhances stealth and presence concealment.
Increases HP regeneration by 100%.
35% chance to nullify an incoming enemy spell.
Active Skills:
[Absolute Beginning]: Become immune to all damage and increase movement speed by 100% for 8 seconds. (Cooldown: 40 minutes)
[Venerable Sphere]: Gain immunity to all Magic Damage and remove all negative effects within a 10-yard radius for 20 seconds. (Cooldown: 40 minutes)
[Transition Movement]: Instantly teleport to any location within a 5000-mile radius. (Cooldown: 2 hours)
[Gate of Realms]: Open a temporary gate to the Demon Realm or Underworld. (Cooldown: 24 hours)
[Other Self] (Sealed): Create a doppelgänger with 50% of your attributes and skills. (Duration: 50 seconds)
[End Time] (Sealed): Bind all enemies within 100 yards, reducing their Defense and Magic Resistance to zero and dealing 150% damage for 5 seconds.
Crafted by the Divine Forger, Eternal Flame. Sealed by the combined might of the Lord of the Underworld and the Demon God. Unsealing requires the World's Heart.
"Holy... fuck," Tony breathed, the words barely audible. This wasn't just a legendary item; it was a fragment of cosmic power. The stat bonuses were insane, the skills were game-breaking, and it was only one-third unsealed. The Ring of Janus wasn't a piece of gear; it was a cheat code granted by the universe itself. "I need to hit Level 10. Now."
The desire to equip the ring was a physical ache. But first, there were more treasures to unveil. He turned his attention to the Golden Treasure Chest. The 40-second unlock time built an almost unbearable anticipation. With a final, resonant click, the lid swung open, releasing a brilliant, contained golden light that illuminated the entire cave.
Inside lay three items. The first was a sword that stole his breath. It had a blade of shimmering, emerald-tinted silver, etched with glowing blue runes. It was straight, narrow, and double-edged, a perfect balance for slashing and thrusting, culminating in a needle-sharp point.
[Lightning Dragon Fang] (Epic - One-Handed Sword)
Level: 20-80 (Scaling)
Requirement: 120 Strength, 100 Agility
Attack Power +144
Strength +73, Agility +65, Endurance +62
Attack Speed +25
Ignores 30% of target's Defense
Deals 100% increased damage to Dark creatures.
Passive Skills:
Summon Lightning: 40% chance on hit to trigger lightning damage and increase Attack Speed by 50%.
Dragon Power: Inflicts [Fear] on enemies within 30 yards, reducing their attributes by 25%. (Ineffective against Dragons)
Active Skills:
Lightning Dragon: Summon a dragon of lightning to deal 600% damage in a 20-yard radius and paralyze for 5 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 minutes)
Lightning Foray: Become immune to control effects. Increase Movement and Attack Speed by 150%, and damage by 50% for 30 seconds. (Cooldown: 1 hour)
Dragon Slash: Imbue the sword with draconic power, increasing Strength by 250% and Attack Speed by 150% to unleash a devastating frontal attack covering 100 yards. (Cooldown: 5 hours)
Forged by the Dwarf Emperor from the fang of a slain Lightning Dragon. An Epic weapon that borders on Legendary.
Tony could only stare, a slow, incredulous grin spreading across his face. "This is... this is too much." A legendary ring and now a near-legendary sword that was a perfect match for his aggressive, high-speed style. The gods of luck were not just smiling upon him; they were throwing him a parade.
The second item was an unassuming stone covered in faint, incomplete patterns that seemed to shift under his gaze. His interface offered only a name: [Stone of the Ancient]. Its mystery was impenetrable for now, so he stored it away, knowing its time would come.
The final item from the chest was a book bound in what looked like living wood and leaves. [Book of Nature] (Gold Version). A compendium of every plant and herb, authored by the Goddess Gaia herself. It was the perfect companion to his [Ancient One Record], the key to mastering Alchemy and printing his own money.
Lastly, he turned to the [Mysterious Box]. It was a plain, dark cube, but the moment it rested in his palm, he felt a strange pull, a whisper against his consciousness that urged him to open it, promising revelations that dwarfed all he had seen.
He lifted the lid.
There was no light, no sound. Instead, he was staring into a void. But it wasn't empty. It was a depthless expanse containing swirling nebulae and nascent stars—a miniature universe contained within the box. His vision clouded, his sense of self began to dissolve, and his consciousness was drawn into that infinite, silent cosmos.
Ding! System Notification: Congratulations! You are the first player to enter a Prajna State.
The world, his body, his very thoughts—everything faded away, leaving only pure, unadulterated perception. He was on the precipice of enlightenment, and the journey into the heart of his own potential had just truly begun