Chapter 5.1: New Found Strength
Year 0004, Month I-III: The Imperium
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Day 19.1: Resumption of Their Journey
After their four-day respite in Berkinsil, the time had come to continue their arduous journey. What had begun as a simple stopover for rest and resupply had transformed into something far more meaningful. They had not merely rested—they had forged bonds of friendship that would endure long after their departure. More importantly, they had helped the village in ways that transcended their original intentions, leaving behind a legacy that would ripple through generations.
The lord who had once ruled over Berkinsil was no longer among them. His brief reign, although bequeathed with tragedy, was ended by the people he had tried to reason with to save the villagers of Berkinsil—the cultists of the Children of the Crimson Choir. His absence had left the villagers broken and despairing; the village was now without their lord, without someone who would lead them. But instead of further despair, they burned with a new fire in their eyes—a flame of courage and determination that had been kindled by the example set by August and his companions. The villagers had finally found the strength to stand against the enemy that had long enslaved them to the cult's sinister bidding, and that courage would serve them well in the days to come.
The farewells were heartfelt and emotional between the travelers of Maya and the villagers of Berkinsil. Tears were shed, promises were made, and embraces were exchanged between people who had been strangers mere days before but now considered each other family. The massive wagons of their caravan creaked and groaned as they began to move forward once more, their wheels carving deep ruts in the earth as they set course for the village of Maya. The sound of wooden wheels on stone gradually faded as they put distance between themselves and Berkinsil, but the memories of their time there would remain vivid in their hearts.
As the caravan rolled onward beneath the azure sky, August found himself deep in contemplation about his role and the newfound strength that coursed through his veins. The events of the previous day had fundamentally changed him, and when they had returned to camp after the battle, he had been greeted by a sight that still filled him with wonder and disbelief.
The system notification had materialized before his eyes like a shimmering mirage:
[SYSTEM: CONGRATULATIONS MASTER! YOU HAVE REACHED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED LEVEL FOR THIS CURRENT SYSTEM'S OPERATIONAL TIER. YOU ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR A TRIAL TO DETERMINE YOUR NEXT ASCENSION, ALLOWING THE SYSTEM'S LEVEL TO INCREASE ACCORDINGLY.]
REWARDS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED:
NEW TITLE ACQUIRED: "ASSOCIATE DEMONIC GOD SLAYER"
+3,000 PERMANENT STAT/SUB-STAT INCREASE
(A/N: This title was awarded due to August's association with the destruction of the demonic entity through the PARTY SYSTEM'S shared experience mechanism. While he did not directly engage the manifested demonic god in combat, his connection to Master Flameswrath during the entity's destruction qualifies him for this prestigious designation.)
EXPERIENCE POINTS GAINED:
+287,371 XP
(A/N: These experience points, while earned after reaching the current SYSTEM'S maximum level of 25, will be carried forward when August upgrades his SYSTEM eventually to Level 2. Only 2,371 points were required to reach the current maximum level, meaning 285,000 XP will be directly applied to future level progression upon system upgrade.)
ADDITIONAL REWARDS UNLOCKED:
- +1,500 PERMANENT STAT/SUB-STAT INCREASE
+ MAXIMUM LEVEL FOR ALL ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SKILLS AND REMOVES SKILL RELATED LIMITATIONS DUE TO CLASS RESTRICTIONS, NOT INCLUDING JOB BUT IT UPGRADES EVERY CURRENT JOB TO ITS HIGHEST ATTAINED LEVEL OF (CATEGORY V - EXPERT) UNDER LIMITATIONS OF CLASS
- TITLE UPGRADES UNLOCKED
- YEARLY MISSION SYSTEM ACTIVATED
- ELIGIBILITY FOR ADVANCED TRIALS CONFIRMED
The growth had not been limited to August alone. His team members had also witnessed unprecedented advancement through their shared trials. Before departing from Maya on this transformative journey, the levels stored within his PARTY SYSTEM had painted a different picture entirely: Erik had been the strongest at level 12, followed closely by Isabel and Bren at level 11, while Betty, Angeline, and Adam had maintained steady progression at level 10.
Their decision to venture forth from Maya to aid August in his quest to return home, while simultaneously protecting the migrant community under his care, had proven to be a catalyst for remarkable growth. Through renewed combat experience under the party system's beneficial effects, each member had gained two additional levels before yesterday's climactic battle. Erik had reached level 14, Isabel and Bren had advanced to level 13, and Betty, Angeline, and Adam had achieved level 12.
The events of the previous day, however, had triggered an explosion of growth that defied all previous expectations. The massive 287,371 XP gained from their victory was distributed equally among all party members through the party system's unique sharing mechanism, which included an additional 15% experience bonus. The results were staggering:
Erik, already the most experienced among them, had rocketed from level 14 to level 21, with an excess of 22,500 out of the required 56,000 XP for his next level advancement—a remarkable increase of seven full levels. Isabel and Bren had similarly ascended from level 13 to level 20, with an excess of 42,500 out of the needed 52,500 XP for level 21, also gaining seven levels each. Betty, Angeline, and Adam had achieved the most dramatic transformation, soaring from level 12 to level 20 with an excess of 12,500 out of 52,500 XP banked—an incredible eight-level increase that spoke to their dedication and the magnitude of their recent trials.
Perhaps most remarkable of all was Master Ben Flameswrath's progression. Having joined their party at the very beginning of their assault on the cult's stronghold at level 1, he had experienced the most significant transformation of anyone in their group. The archmage now stood at an impressive level 17 with an excess of 4,500 out of 45,500 XP required for his next advancement—a meteoric rise that reflected both his innate power and the extraordinary circumstances of their recent battle.
While August absorbed these incredible developments, their caravan continued its steady progress across the landscape. The rhythmic creaking of wagon wheels and the gentle swaying motion created a hypnotic effect that gradually overcame his excitement and contemplation. The warm sun overhead cast golden rays across the countryside, while a pleasant breeze stirred the canvas covers of their traveling homes. The combination of physical exhaustion from recent battles and the soothing environment proved irresistible.
Before he realized it, August had succumbed to a deep, restorative slumber atop one of the lead wagons. His dreams were filled with visions of the trials that lay ahead—the mysterious system upgrade that awaited him, the challenges he would face, and the responsibilities that came with his newfound power. It had been considerable time since his last milestone level achievement, and reaching the current maximum felt both like an ending and a beginning.
The trial for his next system upgrade loomed before him like a mountain peak shrouded in mist—daunting yet irresistible. He knew that whatever challenges awaited him in that trial would test not only his strength and skills but his character and resolve. The title of Associate Demonic God Slayer was not merely a badge of honor; it was a declaration of the enemies he would face and the battles yet to come.
As the caravan rolled onward through the peaceful countryside, August's companions took turns watching over their sleeping leader. They understood the weight of responsibility he carried and the magnitude of the changes occurring within him. Each of them had felt the transformative power of recent events, but August bore the burden of leadership along with his personal growth.
The road to Maya stretched out before them, winding through hills and valleys that had witnessed countless travelers over the centuries. Yet none of those previous journeyers had carried quite the same combination of hope, power, and destiny that traveled with August's caravan on this particular day. The sun continued its arc across the sky, marking the passage of time as they moved ever closer to their destination and whatever fate awaited them there.
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The Party Systems Status
**»13/26«**
[Active Members:]
August Finn - Leader [All-Rounder] (Active) - Lvl. 25 (MAX)
Erik Rubbard - Sub-Leader [Scout] (Active) - Lvl. 21 (22,500/56,000)
*Category II - High-Tier (Human) - Level 45*
Betty Snow - Member [Support Attacker] (Active) - Lvl. 20 (12,500/52,500)
*Category II - Mid-Tier (Human) - Level 35*
Bren Anglewood - Member [Hybrid Vanguard/Attacker] (Active) - Lvl. 20 (42,500/52,500)
*Category II - Mid-Tier (Human) - Level 40*
Angeline Ross - Member [Support/Attacker] (Active) - Lvl. 20 (12,500/52,500)
*Category II - Mid-Tier (Human) - Level 30*
Adam Peerce - Member [Tanker] (Active) - Lvl. 20 (12,500/52,500)
*Category II - Mid-Tier (Human) - Level 40*
Isabel Peerce - Member [All-Rounder] (Active) - Lvl. 21 (42,500/52,500)
*Category II - Mid-Tier (Human) Level 40*
Ben Flameswrath - Member [Wizard] (Active) - Lvl. 17 (4,500/45,500)
*Category V - High-Tier (Human) Lvl. 150 (max)*
Andy Shoor - Member [Merchant/Mercenary] (Active) - Lvl. 10 (0/22,500)
*Category III - Mid-Tier (Human) Lvl. 80*
Axel Martin - Member [Defense Sorcerer] (Active) - Lvl. 1 (0/2,000)
*Category IV - High-Tier (Human) Lvl. 107*
[Offline Members:]
Jonathan Ross - Sub-Leader [Main Tanker] (Offline) - Lvl. 7
Red Peerce - Sub-Leader [Range Damage Dealer] (Offline) - Lvl. 7
Theressa Peerce - Member [Support/Healer] (Offline) - Lvl. 4
[Hall of Heroes:]
*Christopher Harti - Member [Support Tanker] (Deceased) - Lvl. 3*
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INFORMATION PANEL: World Level Classification System
Category-Based Level and Tier Experience Requirements (rework)
The progression system of Centuury operates on a sophisticated tier-based structure, where each category represents different potential levels of power and achievement. Tiers are subdivided into Low-Tier, Mid-Tier, and High-Tier classifications, corresponding to specific level ranges within each category.
**Category I - Commons:**
- **Humans (Non-Magical):** Levels 1-10, requiring 10 XP per level (100 XP total maximum)
- Low-Tier: Levels 1-4
- Mid-Tier: Levels 5-7
- High-Tier: Levels 8-10
- **Humans (Magical):** Levels 1-20, requiring 20 XP per level (400 XP total maximum)
- **Humanoids/Demi-Humans:** Levels 1-30, requiring 30 XP per level (900 XP total maximum)
- Low-Tier: Levels 1-8
- Mid-Tier: Levels 9-14
- High-Tier: Levels 15-20
**Category II - Advanced:**
- **All Races:** Levels 1-25, requiring 50-70 XP per level (1,250-1,750 XP total maximum)
- Low-Tier: Levels 1-8
- Mid-Tier: Levels 9-16
- High-Tier: Levels 17-25
**Category III - Expert:**
- **All Races:** Levels 1-30, requiring 100-120 XP per level (3,000-3,600 XP total maximum)
- Low-Tier: Levels 1-10
- Mid-Tier: Levels 11-20
- High-Tier: Levels 21-30
**Category IV - Master:**
- **All Races:** Levels 1-35, requiring 500-1,000 XP per level (17,500-35,000 XP total maximum)
- Low-Tier: Levels 1-15
- Mid-Tier: Levels 16-25
- High-Tier: Levels 26-35
**Category V - Grand Master:**
- **All Races:** Levels 1-40, requiring 500-2,000 XP per level (20,000-80,000 XP total maximum)
- Low-Tier: Levels 1-20
- Mid-Tier: Levels 21-30
- High-Tier: Levels 31-40
Level Limitations and Progressive Stacking System
**Maximum Lifetime Level Caps:**
- **Humans:** 150 cumulative levels across all categories
- **Humanoids and Demi-Humans:** 160 cumulative levels across all categories
**Progressive Category Advancement:**
Individual levels accumulate across categories through a stacking system. For example, a Human who has completed Category I (Level 20), Category II (Level 25 ), and achieved Category III (Level 30) would possess a total effective level of 75, representing the combined progression through all three categories.
Experience points do not transfer between categories; advancement within each new category depends solely on meeting that category's specific requirements and corresponding level achievements. This system ensures balanced progression while maintaining distinct power hierarchies among all inhabitants of Arkanus, preventing any single individual from achieving overwhelming dominance while still rewarding dedication and skill development.