Chapter 5: Side Quests
Ethan's consciousness drifted into the system space once more, but today, something new caught his eye. As he navigated the interface, he noticed that beside his existing side quests, an unfamiliar list had appeared. His eyes flicked across the new entries, intrigued.
The screen shimmered and shifted, displaying a series of new tasks:
1st Line Side Quest 1: Become a 2nd Grade Blacksmith
Time Limit: 10 years
Rewards: Forgemaster's Spirit Chains [Level: Peak Supreme Grade]
Hmm… Ethan mused, reading the description. Becoming a second-grade blacksmith? That was a new path. The Forgemaster's Spirit Chains—a legendary tool used by ancient Empyrean Smiths—could bind spirits for forging purposes. It might allow him to stabilize chaotic materials, possibly even imbue his creations with the power of bound spirits. Interesting, very interesting.
1st Line Side Quest 2: Become a 4th Grade Blacksmith
Time Limit: 10 years
Rewards: Celestial Forge Flame – Verdant Pyre [Level: Low Celestial, Attribute: Fire]
The Verdant Pyre—a mysterious divine fire rooted in celestial power—sounded like an incredible asset. Ethan wondered how mastery in blacksmithing could unlock such a flame. Was forging itself a path to divine energy? Or was this flame a gift from rare divine materials? Either way, it promised blazing potential.
1st Line Side Quest 3: Become a 6th Grade Blacksmith
Time Limit: 10 years
Rewards: Divine Hammer: Worldshaper [Level: High Divine]
The Worldshaper divine hammer was legendary—capable of shaping worlds with divine craftsmanship. Ethan imagined wielding such a tool—able to manipulate terrain and even reality itself. That kind of mastery could turn him into a true creator on the battlefield and beyond.
Ethan leaned back, pondering what these new side quests could mean. The system was nudging him toward forging skills not merely of combat, but of ultimate control—abilities that could shape battles and worlds. Becoming a blacksmith—something he never thought would have such lofty rewards—might be key to his future plans.
Each of the rewards represented a different path toward absolute mastery, each with its own destiny waiting to be forged.
He wondered—not just what the system wanted from him, but what he wanted from these powers. The journey had just become far more complex—and far more exciting.
He scrolled further down the interface, curiosity prickling at the edges of his mind. More side quests revealed themselves, pulling him into a different realm—a path that emphasized mastery over formations and spatial manipulation.
The second line of side quests shimmered into view, each more ambitious than the last:
Side Quest 1: Become a 2nd Grade Formation Master
Rewards: Formation Compass – "Thousand Needle Array Disc"
Level: Peak Supreme
Description:
This portable tool enabled its wielder to set up complex formations instantly in combat—up to mid-tier formations. Perfect for ambushes, layered defenses, and intricate traps. Ethan's eyes lingered on the name—Thousand Needle Array Disc—a name that suggested a deadly, precise array of razor-sharp needles, ready to spring into deadly action at his command.
Side Quest 2: Become a 4th Grade Formation Master
Rewards: Passive Ability – "Array Sense"
Level: Low Celestial (Preliminary)
Description:
This passive perk granted the ability to sense nearby formations, traps, and spatial distortions—even if they were hidden or sealed away. It was an intuitive understanding of spatial energies, allowing for battlefield awareness and preemptive strikes. Ethan imagined this as an extension of his perception, an almost instinctive grasp of the terrain and the unseen threads that wove through space.
Side Quest 3: Become a 6th Grade Formation Master
Rewards: World-Piercing Quill
Level: Low Divine Rank
Description:
A divine tool—a heavenly brush capable of inscribing formation runes directly into space itself, turning the sky and even the ground into a canvas of control. With it, the user could trap divine beings or create massive shields covering entire continents. Ethan's mind spun with visions of rewriting the very fabric of the battlefield—binding gods or manipulating entire regions with written formations.
He sat in silence, contemplating the profound potential of these quests. Unlike forging mastery or combat skills, these formation-focused paths were about shaping the battlefield itself. They were tools of control, layered defenses, and strategic dominance.
The rewards alone told him that mastering formations—especially at higher levels—could turn the tide of any conflict. Each step brought him further into a world where control of space was paramount, a force that could turn the chaos of war into a carefully choreographed dance.
Ethan's gaze sharpened as he considered his options. These paths, though complex, might hold the key to unlocking powers formidable enough to match the legendary monsters—and perhaps surpass even them.
The Third line of side quests shimmered into view, after scrolling a bit more:
1st Line Side Quest 1: Become a 2nd Grade Alchemist
Time Limit: 10 years
Rewards: Supreme Manual – "Mystic Nine Cauldron Techniques" [Level: Peak Supreme Grade]
Hmm… Ethan mused again, reading the description. Becoming a second-grade Alchemist? That was an path for the intelligent genius and precision. The Mystic Nine Cauldron Techniques—a supreme-level manual that hinted at profound alchemical secrets. What mysteries could be hidden within these nine legendary techniques? The potential for transformative knowledge seemed immense.
1st Line Side Quest 2: Become a 4th Grade Alchemist
Time Limit: 10 years
Rewards: Celestial Alchemist's Record – "Tales from the Burning Moon" [Level: Low Celestial, Attribute: Fire]
The Tales from the Burning Moon—a celestial record of alchemical wisdom—sparkled with intrigue. Ethan wondered about the stories contained within. A low-celestial fire-attributed record that promised insights beyond mortal understanding. What secrets of transformation and creation might be locked within its pages?
1st Line Side Quest 3: Become a 6th Grade Alchemist
Time Limit: 10 years
Rewards: Divine Cauldron – "Echo of Genesis" [Level: High Divine]
The Echo of Genesis divine cauldron represented the pinnacle of alchemical mastery. A high-divine artifact capable of creation itself—hinting at the power to forge new realities, transform fundamental substances, perhaps even touch the very origins of existence. Ethan's mind reeled at the implications of such a tool.
Ethan's eyes gleamed as he stared at the rewards. The potential was intoxicating—if he had enough time, with a clone working alongside him every year, he could become invincible. Every passing year, every mastered skill, felt like a stone laid on the path to unshakable strength. And yet, as he sat there pondering, he realized he didn't even truly understand the ranks of power listed: Supreme, Celestial, Divine. They sounded like legends from stories—names that could shake worlds. Just reading the descriptions, he could already feel the overwhelming presence of divine artifacts, the power they contained. It was no exaggerated myth—he felt it in his bones.
No need to think about how terrifying it was. It was too immense, too awe-inspiring. If the rewards of these quests could unlock even a fraction of that power, then he was standing on the precipice of a legend himself.
And the timing? Only ten years. That meant he had to reach the sixth level as a blacksmith, a formation master, and an alchemist—all in just a decade. That was an almost impossible deadline. But Ethan was not afraid. Well, yes, it was difficult. Very difficult. But don't forget—he now had clones.
With each passing year, a new clone would appear, and the total number of clones would increase. By the time he turned fifteen, he'd have at least twelve clones fighting alongside him. Twelve! That's an army in its own right—an unstoppable force. And every clone meant more potential, more mastery, more power.
On top of that, he still possessed the Spirit God Body and countless other rewards that had yet to reveal themselves as time went on. His future wasn't just a straight line—it was a battlefield, a forge, a laboratory of infinite possibility. The path was tough, no doubt about it. But Ethan had faced challenges before. This was just the next step on a road that led straight into legend.
He clenched his fists, feeling the fire of ambition burning bright within. Ten years? Less than that if he pushed hard enough. Every moment counted. And he'd do whatever it took to stand at the top—one way or another.