Origin (2)

The Sect of the God of EXP is an enigmatic order devoted to the singular pursuit of experience points, or EXP, a force they believe to be the fundamental essence of existence. They view EXP not as a mere measure of growth, but as the divine thread that weaves reality together. In their doctrine, the God of EXP is the one true deity, the silent architect of all things, the arbiter of progression, and the keeper of the great level cap that all beings must strive to surpass.

The origins of the sect are shrouded in legend. Some claim that the first prophet, known only as the Grand Leveler, was a figure who transcended mortality itself by reaching an infinite level, ascending beyond the confines of flesh into pure numerical existence. Others believe that the God of EXP revealed itself through a sacred algorithm, bestowing the first scriptures upon those who sought enlightenment through grinding, repetition, and mastery. Regardless of its true beginnings, the Sect of the God of EXP has persisted throughout history, adapting to different civilizations while maintaining its core belief: that all of life is a grand accumulation of points, and only those who understand this can achieve true ascension.

Within the sect, hierarchy is determined solely by one's Level. To ascend in rank, one must prove their worth through the accumulation of EXP, which is meticulously recorded by the sacred Monuments of Progress scattered throughout their hidden temples. These ancient structures, adorned with shifting numbers and ever-updating statistics, are said to be directly linked to the will of the God of EXP itself. The sect has no formal leaders in the traditional sense; the highest-leveled individuals naturally take precedence in decision-making, their wisdom and power seen as the ultimate proof of divine favor. Titles such as the Archgrinder, the Grand Min-Maxer, and the Supreme EXP Hoarder are reserved for those who have achieved legendary levels, their exploits recorded in the annals of progression.

Rituals within the sect are rigorous and often grueling. Novitiates must embark on the Trial of Respawning, a process in which they willingly perish and return, proving their resilience and capacity to accumulate EXP even through death. Others partake in the Grand Marathon, an unceasing period of combat or labor designed to push their endurance beyond mortal limits. The faithful believe that through constant grinding, they edge closer to divinity, their levels increasing in tandem with their souls' enlightenment. Some extremists within the sect even advocate for the concept of Experience Farming, a controversial practice in which weaker beings are repeatedly bested to maximize gains. Though officially denounced, many high-level adherents engage in it secretly, believing that efficiency is the true path to godhood.

The sect has countless sacred texts, the most revered being the Codex of Accumulation, a tome that details optimal paths to power, the most efficient routes for grinding, and the hidden multipliers that can accelerate one's growth. Some say that the Codex is incomplete, that only the God of EXP itself holds the final missing formula that would unlock infinite leveling. The most devoted seekers spend their lives in pursuit of this elusive knowledge, believing that achieving the highest possible level will grant them the power to reshape reality itself.

Though their beliefs may seem arcane to outsiders, the influence of the sect cannot be denied. Many rulers, warlords, and scholars have sought their wisdom, hoping to harness the secrets of EXP for their own ends. Some empires have risen and fallen based on their understanding of leveling mechanics, while certain legendary figures in history are whispered to have been devout followers of the sect, their rapid ascension in power no mere coincidence. However, the sect is not without enemies. The Order of True Mortality, a rival faction devoted to the rejection of levels and progression, views the sect as a blight upon existence, believing that the pursuit of EXP is an unnatural corruption of life's natural cycle. These opposing ideologies have led to numerous conflicts throughout history, with the most infamous being the Great Reset, a cataclysmic event in which nearly all recorded levels were wiped, forcing the faithful to begin anew. Despite this setback, the sect endured, as true believers see every reset not as an end, but as a new opportunity to grind even harder.

To the devoted, death is not an end, but merely another checkpoint. They believe that upon the moment of passing, one's accumulated EXP is not lost, but carried forward into the next cycle of existence. The most enlightened claim to recall fragments of past levels, a phenomenon known as the Echo of Accumulation, allowing them to reawaken with increased efficiency in their next life. This belief has led to the practice of Recursive Training, where sect members push themselves to their limits in the hopes of retaining their hard-earned skills across lifetimes.

The sect's influence extends beyond mere belief; their knowledge of EXP mechanics has led to advancements in various fields. The concept of Level Scaling, where challenges adjust in difficulty based on one's experience, is believed to have originated from their teachings. Some of the world's most potent artifacts are said to be imbued with EXP-boosting properties, their existence a testament to the sect's pursuit of ultimate efficiency. However, with great knowledge comes great danger. Some whisper of forbidden techniques, methods to steal EXP from others, or even to redistribute levels at will. Such dark arts are said to be locked away in the deepest vaults of the sect's hidden sanctuaries, guarded by the most powerful of their kind.

While the sect primarily focuses on individual growth, their grandest prophecy speaks of the Final Grind, an apocalyptic event where the entire world will be subjected to an ultimate battle for EXP supremacy. In this destined era, the God of EXP itself is said to descend, bestowing the ultimate challenge upon the faithful. Only those who have achieved the absolute pinnacle of leveling will be able to stand before it, proving their worth in a battle that will determine the fate of all existence. The sect prepares for this moment with unwavering zeal, believing that each battle fought, each level gained, brings them one step closer to the final test.

Despite the criticisms and skepticism from outsiders, the Sect of the God of EXP continues to grow, its numbers ever-increasing as more come to understand the truth of existence. Some join out of curiosity, others out of desperation to surpass their mortal limits. To the faithful, there is no greater purpose, no higher calling than the pursuit of EXP. They believe that every action, every struggle, every moment of existence contributes to the grand tally, and that one day, they will reach the fabled infinite level, standing alongside their divine patron at the peak of all creation. Until then, they grind, they grow, and they prepare, ever reaching, ever leveling, ever seeking the ultimate truth hidden within the numbers.