Chapter 4: God-Level Talent Is Downgraded?
"Oh my god, did I hear that correctly? A god-level talent?"
"A god-level awakening? Sixteen times the attribute points and skill points? How is anyone else supposed to survive against that?"
"This is just a rip-off."
"This is broken and it is completely unfair."
"My male god, Adrian Cross, you are my god now!"
Players shouted as they waved and cheers erupted through the Novice square.
At the same time someone from a distance watching it , it was none other than Claire Summers, her lips were curved into a beautiful smile, her eyes turning into crescent moons. She would never forget that rainy night after freshman military training.
Then it hit him when Adrian had pulled her away from the path of an oncoming truck.
He disappeared before she could even thank him, as if he had done something insignificant.
But to Claire, that single moment had been everything. That night, he gave her a second life. His silhouette was etched forever into her heart.
Now, as the crowd roared for Adrian, everyone's joy and admiration only made Victor Han's expression sink deeper into darkness. His face twisted, green with jealousy.
"Damn it! How could he awaken a god-level talent?"
" Damn this guy is stealing my limelight from me?"
In jealousy he clenched his fist and he gritted his teeth so hard they almost made a sound if is about to crack. This spotlight that should be his way to gain fame and recognition but not it ripped away, again and again by this smart guy— Adrian Cross.
This humiliation burned through him like acid.
In his desperation, Kevin silently prayed:
God, if you're watching, take away his power! I'll give up five of my resurrection chances if it means crippling The King's Avatar talent.
As if God listened to his voice , suddenly the sky became darker and a ray of radiant golden light fell under Adrian.
Then, a system announcement echoed in every player's vision.
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[System Announcement: Due to some unknown reasons, the server data has errors, and the system has temporarily performed a patch update. ]
[Due to some of the talents being too buggy, this update optimizes the talents in The King's Avatar.]
[After optimization, the talent level of the Full-time Master class has been downgraded from God level to S level.]
[Added: Permanent +200% to all attributes.]
[Removed: Bonus of 16x attribute and skill points per level.]
[Reduce the explosion rate of this talented profession to 0.01% when killing monsters, and delete the setting of unlimited reset points and re-addition.]
[Removed: Unlimited reset and redistribution of stat points.]
[Added: Advancement quests now require a solo challenge in a nightmare-difficulty dungeon. Successful completion rewards are doubled.]
[This optimization takes effect immediately.]
---
The darkness lifted as quickly as it had fallen.
The sky became clear along with the sunlight also returning but the novice square player like it had turned into an ice statue.
Players murmurs rippled through the crowd once again.
"What is this?"
"How can god-level talent just get nerfed into the ground?"
"Sixteen professions but no extra points or skills… that's practically worthless."
"Honestly, it might be worse than a regular class. A 0.01% drop rate? That's nothing."
"Besides the flat 200% boost, he's stuck with nightmare dungeon requirements. Who could possibly advance like that? No way he'll make it past first advancement."
The voices carried an edge of pity.
The crowded players which had awe and admiration to Adrian before his awakened God Level Talent but now it has turned into doubt and ridicule.
However, only Claire's expression did not change in this sudden shift of situation but her gaze still stayed fixed on Adrian with worry flickering in her eyes.
Kevin, on the other hand, looked stunned, then ecstatic. Fear mingled with relief. "Oh my god… I was just kidding… but it worked."
On his personal interface, his resurrection chances had dropped from five to four.
The system had answered his plea.
At the same time, Yuksun, the leader of the Tyrant Guild, moved forward in the stance.
His voice shattered the silence of the novice square.
"Student Adrian Cross, my apologies, but the Tyrant Guild cannot afford to waste resources. We will not be extending our invitation to you."
He made his rejection sharp, merciless, and public.
The other guild leaders followed his lead, turning their eyes elsewhere, pretending Adrian did not exist.
Yuksun then turned to Claire with a rehearsed smile.
"Student Summers, would you like to join our guild?"
"The Tyrant Guild welcomes you as you would be a perfect addition to our ranks."
Claire's answer was firm: "Nah, I won't join any guild now but someday if I change my mind I will definitely contact Tyrant Guild first"
"I'll solely focus on building my own team."
Yuksun's face froze. Awkwardly, he shifted his attention to Victor. "Student Kevin, would you like to join our Tyrant Guild? "
"We'd like to dedicate our resources to nurturing you to the best growth possible."
Kevin straightens his posture immediately with his lips curling into a smirk and reply.
"Yes, I'm honoured."
With that, the crowd's focus shifted away from Adrian.
He quietly stepped down from the stage and walked toward the village store. Still, voices followed him.
"Adrian, want to join our team?"
It was Jason Yates, the newly awakened gunslinger. Adrian remembered his name faintly.
"Thank you, but no," Adrian replied with a polite nod.
A girl in heavy makeup sneered. "Tch, what's he acting proud of? Without that 200% bonus, our captain wouldn't have bothered inviting him."
Jason spun on her. "Shut up you guys! I have a gut feeling that tells me —anyone who can awaken god-level talent, even if downgraded, is not something we should mock"
He again look at Adrian and said
"With his foundation, Adrian might still be one of the strongest players in the future."
With that they disappear from the novice square.
_____
Adrian is outside of Novice square.
Another voice rose behind Adrian.
"Adrian, let's form a team."
It was Claire Summers. She stood with three other girls, all combat professionals with solid A-rank talents.
Adrian showed a faint smile, but he immediately shook his head.
"No, If I need help, I'll contact you and so for now, let's go alone."
He turned and walked away.
Claire's companions frowned. One whispered sharply, "Miss, why don't we team up with Kevin Miles instead? Adrian's future is ruined."
The warmth in Claire's face vanished. Her tone turned icy. "If I ever hear you insult him again, you won't stay by my side."
The girl paled and fell silent, realizing only then: Claire Summers was gentle to everyone but her gentleness belonged only to Adrian Cross.
At last, Adrian found himself alone.
On the surface, his expression was calm. But his racing heartbeat betrayed the storm inside.
It wasn't anger.
It was exciting.
The downgrade had been a blessing.
Because the moment The King's Avatar talent was weakened, another notification appeared—one that was not shared publicly.
---
[Zodiac Jade Pendant Holder Notice: Because your first talent is S-rank, your second talent has been automatically matched with a Super God-Level talent.]
---
Adrian's fingers trembled slightly as he opened his panel.
Then his eyes widened.
I… I'm such an idiot.
---
[Talent: Winner's Take All]
[Rank: Super God-Level]
[Description: Upon defeating or killing any target, you will randomly extract loot from them.]
---
His breath hitched.
Does this mean… a 100% drop rate?
Can I extract items without even killing? Can I take more than just equipment?
The possibility of using a 100% drop rate is very rare and terrifying.
As his lips curled into a dangerous smile on his face.
Forget it. I'll find out soon enough. For now, I need weapons. Time to hunt, time to level.
Even without this hidden talent, he still had rebirth as his greatest advantage. The 200% attribute boost alone already gave him an edge his past self-had never possessed.
As for the nightmare-difficulty dungeons? He had cleared them more times than he could count in his past life. He could practically do it blindfolded.
This time he possessed a greater weapon than his talent which is knowledge of future events of the upcoming ten years.
His eyes show the determination that never breaks down in any worst situation.
With that Adrian walked straight toward the grocery store.
He ignores every ridicule and reaction now he only has one goal that is his revenge.
"The fall of a god was only the prelude.
And the rise of a monster had just begun."
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