SSS-Grade Empire Level Quest!
The captain immediately shot up from his desk and began ordering the guard outside to prepare some horses for the three of us to go to the Capital and see the Emperor. "This information must only be heard by the emperor, I have already contacted my Lord and she will be there as well. Oh, what is your name, Human?" The captain spoke quickly as we moved towards the capital. A city known as Draconis.
"I am called Enigma, sir." I replied humble and proud. He nodded, smiling at my attitude.
"Good, I am called Jarex." Jarex replied, equally as proud of his name. Names, especially for magical creatures such as Dragons, Demons, and Phoenixes are very important and hold their entire identity and strength in them. A true name holds great power in this world.
"I am honored to meet you Captain Jarex." I said as I held my right fist over my chest, a sign of respect between warriors who meet for the first time.
"Oh you're a warrior, are you lad? I don't see any equipment on you and you don't have any weapons." Jarex looked unconvinced by my salute and pointed out.
"I lost my previous gear just before arriving due to an unforeseen complication." I replied, giving my best contemplative frown, "I even lost all my gold too."
"Hmm, that is unfortunate." Jarex responded, "Perhaps something cane be arranged by the emperor should your information prove true."
"Yes, perhaps," I nodded in agreement and hid my smile in my mind. As we began travelling, I took a look at my status.
'Status'
[Name: Enigma]
[Race: Human]
[Title(s): The Chosen]
[Class: None]
[Class History: None]
[Tier 1]
[Level: 1]
[XP: 0/10]
[HP: 100] [EP: 100]
[Strength: 10]
[Agility: 10]
[Vitality: 10]
[Intellect: 10]
[Will: 10]
[Stat Points (SP): 0]
[Skills: None]
This was every player's starting status. Everyone started in the same place and there were many ways to gain XP to level up. The fastest, and most dangerous, was, of course, hunting and killing monsters. Monsters in Paragon were nearly impossible to hunt and kill solo. The game heavily encouraged teaming up in parties and guilds. NPCs could even join a player's party or guild, they were just like real people, also had access to their status, though with less ability to change things and knew about the Paragons that have appeared in their worlds. They wouldn't instantly recognize a player though, that could be detrimental because every decision made by the players also affects the world of the game and can bring down entire star empires.
The entire story of this game was driven by the Paragons' choices. There will be many villains and heroes. I just want to be the strongest, the one on top and no one will stand in my way this time because I will have the strongest backing in the world. As I was contemplating I suddenly noticed that I had a friend online. I looked and saw Leonidas, Leo's in game name, lit up green and started a voice chat with him.
"Hey Enigma, huh? Cool name. I just got the message from the guards in town and am heading to the capital now. Thanks for that by the way, this quest is super vague about what it needs to clear it.'
"Yeah that's why I decided to go with this place though. I found some information that was way more valuable than I thought. We are going to meet the Dragon Emperor and hopefully get our first quest."
"Yeah, I just hope we get some gear soon."
"Alright I'm getting to the gate now so I'll let you know where I end up staying."
I cut the call and went to the gate with Jarex who quickly got us past the guards and into the city heading towards the absolutely dominating mountain in the center. I took quite a long time to reach the base of the mountain and when we finally arrived Leonidas had finally caught up. Ass soon as he was in sight I created a party with him and we were set. We all dismounted our horses and began climbing the stairs cut into the mountain. It took a couple of hours to climb all the way to the top but we made. Breathing a bit harder, Leonidas and I walked with Jarex, who wasn't even winded, to the grand, shining doors set into the mountain.
As we approached, the doors began to open inwards on their own. As they cracked open a massive pressure descended onto us.
[You are being tested by Dragon Pressure]
[Your Will is not strong enough to resist!]
[Effect: ??? of [Chosen] activates! You have passed the test!]
[You have gained Will +20]
[You have gained skill [Dragon Pressure (S)] Due to Effect:??? of [Chosen] Title]
[You have gained a skill exclusive to the Dragon Race! You are the first Human in existence to have a Dragon skill!]
[You have gained the title: Hidden Dragon (S)]
[You have gained the skill: Dragon Magic (C)]
[You have gained the skill: Dragon Energy (C)]
[You have gained the skill: Dragon Flesh (C)]
[All Stats +20]
I stopped in my tracks as my Jaw hit the ground. I had just gained skills that shouldn't be available without undergoing race change and that was only an option when ascending past Tier 2... And what is with this Title?
[Title: Hidden Dragon]
[Grade: S]
[You have undergone baptism in the mighty pressure of an ancient dragon of immeasurable age and completely resisted the effects of the pressure. You have now begun a path of Soul Transformation and have gained Draconic Skills.]
[Dragon Magic]
[Skill Grade: C]
[Description: You have awakened the Dragon within your soul and have connected to the energy that is Dragon. You know the intricacies of manipulating mana and other energies instinctually. The more you learn about magic and other energies and how to manipulate them your Dragon Magic will strengthen and Evolve.]
[Dragon Energy]
[Skill Grade: C]
[Description: Your body and soul now overflow with the unique mixture of magical energies that fill Dragons. As you level and grown in any way this energy will grow with you and evolve to fit your very nature.]
[Dragon Flesh]
[Skill Grade: C]
[Description: Your body is strengthened to hold your stronger Dragon Soul. As you grow stronger your body will remain at its peak condition.]
[Dragon Pressure]
[Skill Grade: S]
[Description: As a Dragon-Being you exude the natural Will Pressure a strong soul contains. You can cause many effects at the cost of Energy. The cost varies with the area and strength of the target(s).]
They were all passive skills for the most part but they were great. Dragon pressure just uses my Dragon Energy to pressure beings with my will. Though I could use it more directly it takes a lot of focus and energy which I don't have at the moment. But this is a good start all of my Stats were at 30 and my Will was at 50 and I hadn't even levelled up at all yet. This was definitely worth it. After Leonidas got his breath back, he failed the test but managed to stay conscious, we continued into the mountain. Inside was lavishly decorated with treasure of all kinds ranging from gold to gemstones to powerful magical items in display cases. The display of an ancient Dragon's horde that has been gathered over generations of his clan. The floor was paved in Gild and Silver and Platinum. There were massive statues made of pure precious metals and gemstones.
At the far end of the massive hall, lying upon a huge, flat top, stone dais was an absolutely massive Dragon that glimmered in all colors of the rainbow. The Dragon Emperor Axeros. As we approached closer, the Emperor shifted his head and opened one eye to us. He spoke with a deep rumbling timber that reminded me of thunder rolling through the air.
"You, young human. How did you resist my pressure? I am the oldest and strongest Dragon in existence and yet, you pushed my pressure away as if it were nothing. Though it was no where near my full Will."
I bowed deeply to the Emperor and then stood proud and looked him directly in the eye. "Your Eminence, Axeros, I am called Enigma. The other human I brought with me is called Leonidas. We are here seeking citizenship with your empire. I did not want to originally reveal this information since it does have consequences, however, you are the emperor and can protect us if you deem us worthy of that. We are newly born Paragons and I have a Title that I received upon my birth that caused this to happen. I do not know what the effect is, the information is hidden by the System."
The emperor was stoic throughout my speech and at the end of it he blinked once before speaking, "As you have trusted me with this information I will see that no harm comes to you. A Paragon, much less two of you appearing here and directly coming to me is a good thing for my empire. I would not turn away offered help from those with limitless potential." The emperor spoke and nodded. "Now what is this information you have?"
I smiled, "I know where Xero is, I know how to kill him, and I know how to cure your daughter, Sylvaria." I looked directly into his eye and watched as the Emperor's pupil restricted to a needle in the center of his burning star-like eye.
"You will have what you ask and more if you bring this vile creature to death and can truly save my daughter, young Enigma." Axeros spoke and guards appeared next to our group.
"You will be provided the gear you require, though you are still limited in what you can use. I will have my blacksmiths work on a suitable reward for you should you succeed."
[Quest: Cure Princess Sylvaria]
[Level: Empire]
[Grade: SSS]
[Description: The Princess of the Dragon Lords Alliance has been stricken by a weakening curse and has been slowly losing her strength and energy. Find a way to cure her and bring the evil being responsible to justice.]
[Kill the Archlich, Xero]
[Find the Life Flower in Xero's vault]
[Cure Princess Sylvaria]
[Reward: +10 Levels, 20,000 Gold, One random piece of Ancient Growth equipment (Fit for Level), Class: Dragon Soul]
My jaw dropped once again, a SSS-grade Empire Level Quest? I had never heard of this quest before. This was new territory.
"I accept," I said rather numbly.
"Fight well and grow strong, young Dragon." The emperor said before closing his eye again, dismissing us. We turned and left the hall, heading towards the forges to get our starting gear.