Zael didn't move for a few seconds.
The Abyss was still there—distant growls, shifting ground, something moving far off—but none of it reached him.
His focus was locked on the notification in front of him.
"…Let's see it."
The panel expanded.
---
[Talent Acquired]
Name: EXP Amplification
Grade: Rare
---
Zael blinked once.
"…That's it?"
For a second, he almost felt disappointed.
After everything—
After Level 30…
That was it?
He read it anyway.
---
Description:
Increases all EXP gained by 20%.
---
Zael stared at it.
"…Simple."
Too simple.
Useful—but nothing crazy.
Not compared to everything else he had.
Not compared to what he expected.
But then—
The next notification appeared.
---
[Talent Bank Detected New Talent]
[Analyzing…]
[Upgrading…]
---
Zael's eyes narrowed.
"…There it is."
The air around him shifted slightly.
Subtle.
But real.
Like something deeper was being rewritten.
---
[Upgrade in Progress…]
---
A pause.
Longer than usual.
Then—
---
[Upgrade Complete]
---
The talent flickered.
Changed.
Expanded.
---
Name: Authority of Infinite Growth
Grade: Unknown
---
Zael's expression changed immediately.
"…That's more like it."
He read.
Slowly.
Carefully.
---
Description:
• All EXP gained is multiplied by ×10,000
• All EXP is stored within a Dao Pool instead of being used immediately
• EXP within the Dao Pool can be:
— Used to level up
— Converted into attribute points
— Used to enhance or evolve skills
— Used for temporary combat amplification
• No EXP is lost. All gains are accumulated without waste
• Devouring gains are integrated directly into the Dao Pool
• Stored EXP can be released instantly for explosive growth
• Efficiency scales with user's control, comprehension, and capacity
---
Silence.
Zael didn't move.
Didn't speak.
"…This…"
He let out a slow breath.
"…This is insane."
Twenty percent…
To ten thousand times.
That wasn't an upgrade.
That was a complete rewrite.
And the rest—
Was even worse.
A pool system.
Conversion.
Burst growth.
Control.
It wasn't just about leveling anymore.
It was about managing power.
"…So I don't level automatically."
That was the key.
Everything he gained—
Would stack.
Build.
Wait.
Until he decided to use it.
Zael clenched his fist slightly.
He could already feel it.
That… weight.
Inside him.
Not physical.
But real.
The Dao Pool.
Empty—
But ready.
Waiting.
Hungry.
Another notification appeared.
---
[Awakening Task: Initiated]
---
Zael's gaze shifted.
"…Right."
---
[Due to Trait: Balance]
[Awakening Difficulty: Maximum Tier]
---
Of course.
---
[Awakening Task: Dao Trial – Consumption and Control]
---
Zael read it once.
Then exhaled.
"…Makes sense."
Consume.
Control.
Not just growth—
But restraint.
Which meant—
If he messed up—
He wouldn't just fail.
He'd collapse under his own power.
Zael lifted his head slightly.
Looking toward Blood Peak.
Still far.
Still distant.
But now—
It felt like a destination.
Not just direction.
A growl echoed behind him.
Then another.
Then more.
Zael didn't turn immediately.
He already knew.
They were back.
Of course they were.
He let out a small breath.
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
"…Perfect."
Because now—
He needed them.
The first beast rushed him.
Zael moved.
Clean.
Sharp.
Efficient.
One strike—
Kill.
---
[+ EXP Gained 1007 ×10,000]
---
Zael paused mid-step.
"…That fast?"
He felt it.
The Dao Pool.
Filling.
Not a trickle.
A surge.
Another beast came—
He cut it down.
More poured in.
Faster.
Heavier.
Stacking rapidly.
Zael's eyes sharpened.
"…Good."
Very good.
If this kept going—
Then in just a short time—
He could accumulate a terrifying amount of power.
Enough to break through levels instantly.
Enough to push stats far beyond normal.
Enough to—
A sudden shift.
Zael froze.
Just for a moment.
Because something else—
Had changed.
That presence.
The one watching him.
It reacted.
Not violently.
Not aggressively.
But…
It noticed.
For the first time—
It wasn't just watching.
It was paying attention.
Zael slowly turned his head.
Looking toward the distance.
"…You felt that too, didn't you?"
Silence.
But the pressure—
Got heavier.
Closer.
Interested.
Zael's grip tightened on his blade.
But he didn't step back.
Didn't run.
Instead—
He stepped forward.
"…Good."
Because now—
This wasn't just a hunt anymore.
This was escalation.
And whatever was watching him—
Was finally starting to take him seriously.
Zael stood still for a moment after the last beast fell.
The air felt… different now.
Heavier.
Not just from the Abyss.
From something else.
Something tied to him.
The notification flickered again.
---
[Awakening Task Updated]
---
Zael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Updated?"
The panel expanded.
---
[Awakening Task: Dao Trial – Consumption and Control]
Objective:
Proceed to Blood Peak
Description:
The path of Dao is not walked—it is understood.
At the place where blood meets sky, the trial awaits.
Only those who can take, hold, and balance what they claim… may step forward.
---
Zael read it once.
Then again.
"…That's it?"
No details.
No instructions.
No clear conditions.
Just a direction.
And a hint.
"…Trial ground."
It didn't say it outright.
But it didn't need to.
Everything pointed to one thing—
Blood Peak wasn't just a destination.
It was where the real test began.
Zael exhaled slowly.
"…Figures."
With his Balance trait, there was no way this would be simple.
If anything—
It would be worse than anything he'd faced so far.
His gaze lifted.
Far in the distance—
Barely visible through the haze—
Was the faint outline of a towering peak.
Dark.
Jagged.
Reaching into a sky that didn't quite look like a sky.
Blood Peak.
"…So that's where it is."
A low rumble echoed around him.
Then another.
Zael didn't even turn this time.
He already knew.
They were coming again.
But now—
It felt different.
Before, it was pressure.
Now—
It felt like guidance.
Like everything was being pushed in one direction.
Toward the same place.
Toward the peak.
"…So it's not just me."
Which meant—
Others might be heading there too.
Or worse—
Being forced there.
Zael's grip tightened slightly.
"…Good."
Because if that was the case—
Then whatever was waiting there—
Wouldn't be small.
He looked down at the corpse near his feet.
Then crouched.
"…Devour."
---
[Devour Activated]
---
Energy surged into him.
Then—
Redirected.
Stored.
---
[EXP 2940 ×10,000 Stored in Dao Pool]
---
Zael stood up slowly.
He could feel it now.
The Dao Pool.
Growing.
Filling faster with every kill.
Not just power—
Potential.
Waiting.
Building.
"…I need more."
Not levels.
Not yet.
He needed reserves.
Enough to survive whatever that trial was.
Enough to control it.
Because that was the key.
Not just consumption—
Control.
Zael took one last look at the area around him.
Then turned fully toward Blood Peak.
"…Let's see what you are."
He moved.
Not cautiously.
Not hesitantly.
Direct.
Focused.
Every step now had a purpose.
Every fight—
Fuel.
Every kill—
Preparation.
And as he moved—
The Abyss moved with him.
Beasts surged from the shadows.
From the ground.
From every direction.
More than before.
Faster than before.
Relentless.
Zael didn't avoid them.
Didn't slow down.
He cut through them.
One after another.
Each kill feeding the pool.
Each movement sharper than the last.
And above it all—
That presence—
Followed.
Closer now.
Heavier.
Watching every step.
Not interfering.
Not yet.
Just waiting.
For him to reach the peak.
Because whatever Blood Peak was—
It wasn't just his destination.
It was a convergence point.
For everything.
And everyone.
And when he finally got there—
The real trial would begin.