[Warning: Consecutively evolving the Exclusive Talent "Evolve" three times requires lifespan cost: ???]
[Insufficient lifespan.]
[Detected: Trial Candidate possesses three free evolutions. Confirm use of all remaining charges?]
The hollow, mechanical prompt echoed through the starry hall. Even the system itself seemed incapable of predicting the cost—replacing it with nothing but three question marks.
Alex's eyes flashed with sudden brilliance.
"As I thought… even this so-called 'Trial' never anticipated anyone would dare push their own talent to the absolute limit."
The corners of his mouth curled upward, a smile brimming with madness and ruthless resolve.
"My fate only grants me a year to live. So why not gamble it all?"
Without hesitation, he barked the command:
"Confirm. Use them all!"
In that instant, the void itself froze. Even the once-imposing system prompt fell silent before his reckless defiance.
Tension and dread surged like a tide. If this gamble failed, there would be no second chance—his destiny would collapse into nothing.
BOOM!
Three dazzling beams of light erupted skyward, tearing through the void and shaking the starry sea! Colors twisted, blended, and reformed, weaving together as if rewriting the very laws of existence.
At last, the brilliance drew inward, and the system's voice returned—its tone no longer impassive, but resonant with awe.
[Exclusive Talent "Evolve" has surpassed all limits.]
[Congratulations, Trial Candidate Alex. You have awakened the sole Forbidden-level Exclusive Talent—"Greed."]
"…Greed."
Alex whispered the word, clenching his fists, unable to contain the excitement coursing through him.
If Exclusive meant unique among mortals… then Forbidden was a realm even the gods dared not touch!
His hands trembled as he pulled up the talent's details.
[Greed] (Sole Forbidden-Level Exclusive Talent)
Effects:
Evolve: Permanently raise anything by one grade, at no cost.
Evolve: By consuming resources, raise anything by two grades.
Greed: By consuming lifespan, raise anything by three grades, while granting the "Greed" trait.
"Anything… at no cost…"
Alex's heart pounded wildly.
Skills? Equipment? Wealth? Even… classes?
Perhaps even—himself!
He held his breath for a moment, then a reckless thought struck him.
"Evolve target—Greed!"
If even this could evolve… wouldn't that mean an endless cycle?
But the only reply was a cold, mechanical denial:
[Error. This talent has already surpassed all limits.]
Alex chuckled bitterly, shaking his head.
"As expected… I was too greedy."
If such infinite stacking were truly possible, the entire Myriad Worlds would collapse beneath him.
The next moment, a fresh prompt resounded:
[Notice: Your Forbidden Exclusive Talent "Greed" has received new restrictions.]
[Restrictions: Cannot target this talent, cannot target self, cannot target Greed traits. Repeated use on the same target will overwrite prior effects.]
Alex blinked, then let out a helpless laugh.
"So, the bug's been patched."
But then he noticed a new line, faint at the very end of the description—
[Greed Effect: One free use available.]
His pupils contracted sharply, excitement surging to the extreme.
"One free… Greed!"
If there was only one chance, then it had to be spent on the most worthy target.
His gaze fell upon his pitiful status panel.
"Other than talent and my own body… the thing most worth evolving is—my class."
With a single thought, he locked onto his profession.
[Notice: Raising class "Necromancer" by three tiers requires lifespan: 1,000,000 years.]
[Lifespan insufficient.]
[Detected: One free Greed use available. Confirm?]
"One million years of lifespan…"
Alex sucked in a sharp breath—then broke into a wild grin.
"Of course I confirm!"
Buzz!
An overwhelming force enveloped him. Waves of death's aura roared like a tide, shaking the temple, making the stars themselves wail.
[Notice: Class evolution complete.]
[Congratulations, Trial Candidate Alex. You have evolved into the sole Exclusive Class—Reaper!]
[Attribute growth recalibrated.]
[New Skill acquired: Life Link!]
[New Skill acquired: Summon Amplification!]
[Exclusive Artifact granted: Book of the Dead!]
[Greed effect has been fused into your class.]
Lowering his gaze, Alex beheld a pitch-black tome floating between his hands. Its pages turned on their own, whispering in voices like the murmurs of restless souls.
"Reaper…"
The corners of his lips curled into a cold smile.
"Perfect. Lois, Simon—you betrayed me. Then prepare yourselves. You'll live just long enough to witness me unleash true Greed upon this world."