Chapter 14.2: The Journey North - The Days That Have Passed: Eliminating the Threat (VIII)
Year 0003, Month VIII-X: The Imperium
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Day 46.1: Destroying The Remainder of the Kirin Raiders: The Hunt Begins
The acrid smoke of burnt tobacco curled through the morning air as Captain Grant McCain drew deeply from his rolled cigarette, the harsh mixture doing little to calm the storm brewing in his mind. The lone survivor of yesterday's massacre stood before him, trembling hands clasped behind his back in a mockery of military discipline, his account of the forest slaughter painting a picture that chilled even Grant's battle-hardened soul.
Grant was a man carved from granite and tempered by decades of warfare. His weathered face bore the scars of countless battles, and his calculating grey eyes missed nothing. Paranoia had been his constant companion since his days as a frontline soldier for the Kingdom of Ogind, and it was this very trait that had kept him alive when so many of his brothers-in-arms had fallen. Now, as leader of the Kirin Raiders, that same paranoia served him well in the lawless territories they called home.
The tobacco was a crutch, a way to dull the razor-sharp edge of suspicion that threatened to consume him. But today, as he listened to his man's halting report of an encounter with what could only be described as a demon, Grant found himself facing an impossible choice. Continue their planned route east, leaving their fallen comrades unavenged but potentially escaping with their lives, or hunt down the monster that had butchered his men with surgical precision.
The mathematical part of his mind, honed by years of tactical planning, weighed the options. The Imperial troops were closing in from the north, their pursuit relentless since the Kirin Raiders had made the mistake of attacking an Imperial supply convoy three weeks prior. To the north east, agents of the House of Croco prowled the river trade routes, their vendetta against Grant's men stemming from a raid gone wrong that had left several minor nobles dead. Flight seemed the sensible option, yet the thought of running from a single adversary—no matter how formidable—gnawed at his professional pride.
Grant dismissed the survivor with a curt nod, needing solitude to wrestle with his decision. The Kirin Raiders were more than just bandits; they were veterans, former soldiers of Ogind who had been cast aside when the war ended and pensions proved insufficient to maintain even a semblance of their former lives. Desperation had driven them to this life of raiding and pillaging, but they retained their military discipline and brotherhood.
These men and women had followed him through three years of successful raids, their loyalty earned through shared hardship and mutual respect. They deserved better than to be cut down like wheat before the scythe. If he chose to hunt their tormentor, at least they would die fighting rather than running like beaten dogs. Perhaps, if fortune smiled upon them, they might even succeed in eliminating the threat.
The decision crystallized in his mind just as the screaming began.
The sounds that pierced the morning calm were unlike anything Grant had heard in his extensive military career. These were not the battle cries of warriors or even the pained shouts of the wounded—these were the primal shrieks of men and women confronted by something beyond their comprehension. The voices of his battle-hardened veterans, each one a survivor of dozens of conflicts, cracked with terror and pleading.
Grant burst from his command tent, his hand instinctively finding the grip of his enchanted mace. The scene that greeted him was one of absolute chaos. Bodies lay scattered across their camp, some bearing precise wounds that spoke of masterful archery, others torn apart by forces that defied easy explanation. The survivors huddled in small groups, their weapons drawn but their hands shaking, eyes darting frantically at every shadow.
"What in the fourteen hells is happening here?" Grant roared at the nearest soldier, a grizzled sergeant who had served under him since their days in the regular army.
The man's response came in a whisper hoarse with terror: "Devil... it was a blur... green eyes like captured lightning. A demon's eyes, Captain. A demon with a masked face of shadow and death."
The description sent ice through Grant's veins. His men were not given to flights of fancy or supernatural explanations. If they spoke of devils and demons, then whatever had attacked them was beyond normal human capability.
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Day 46.2: The Hunters Mission
Miles away, August received the notification that would seal the fate of the Kirin Raiders. The emergency mission materialized in his consciousness with the familiar chime of his system, its importance underscored by the substantial rewards offered.
**[EMERGENCY MISSION: ELIMINATE THE RAIDER GROUP "KIRIN"]**
**REWARDS:**
- **+10,000 XP**
- **UPGRADE: "AETHERWING'S MAGICAL ITEM POUCH" TO CLASS V - ADVANCE (+90 ITEM SLOT SUB-SPACE AND +110 STACKABLE ITEMS)**
- **GAIN NEW TITLE AND JOB**
- **Title: The Blurred Devil**
- **Job: Merchant**
**[DAILY MISSION: ELIMINATE THE LEADER OF THE RAIDERS]**
**REWARDS:**
- **+2,500 XP**
- **TITLE UPGRADE: "Boarat Hunter" → "Hybrid Hunter"**
August studied the mission parameters with clinical detachment. At his current level of 19, with 17,100 experience points out of the 49,000 required for advancement, this mission represented a significant leap toward his goal of reaching level 20. The experience points from eliminating an entire raider group would be substantial, potentially the largest single gain since his time in the Lonelywood Forest.
The previous night's discussion with Martha and the refugee children had crystallized his resolve. These orphans, their families murdered and homes destroyed by the very raiders he now hunted, deserved justice. Martha, the adult woman who had taken upon herself the care of these displaced souls, had painted a harrowing picture of the raiders' brutality. Villages burned, families torn apart, innocents slaughtered for mere sport—the Kirin Raiders had carved a path of suffering across the countryside.
August had extended an invitation to Martha and the children to start anew in the village of Maya, where they might find peace and purpose. Some of the children still had distant relatives who might take them in, and arrangements would be made for their safe passage. But first, the threat that had created these orphans needed to be eliminated permanently.
The tactical situation was clear in August's mind as he prepared for the hunt. The surviving raider from yesterday's encounter would have led him straight to their main camp, providing intelligence on their location and approximate strength. August had questioned the general direction of Martha's original village, tracing the likely routes the raiders would have taken. From there, following the panicked flight of the survivor had been child's play.
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Day 46.3: The Assault on the Kirin Camp
The Kirin Raiders' temporary stronghold occupied a natural clearing in the dense forest, surrounded by hastily constructed earthworks and wooden palisades. August observed their morning routine from a concealed position among the towering pines, cataloging their strengths and weaknesses with the methodical precision of a seasoned hunter/warrior.
The camp housed approximately 120 individuals, a mix of combat veterans and newer recruits drawn from the desperate and dispossessed. Their organization was military in nature, with clear command structures and disciplined patrols, but their current state revealed a dangerous complacency. The guards moved with the casual confidence of men who believed themselves safe in their forest sanctuary, their attention focused outward rather than on the shadows that might already hold their death.
August's enhanced senses picked out the subtle details that would determine his approach. Cook fires burned unattended, weapons lay within easy reach but not immediately at hand, and the majority of the camp's inhabitants were engaged in routine morning activities rather than combat preparations. Most critically, only one individual radiated the aura of true expertise—Captain Grant McCain, whose presence August could feel like a cold flame at the heart of the camp.
The systematic destruction began with precision archery from concealed positions. August's enhanced bow, combined with his supernatural accuracy, allowed him to eliminate sentries and isolated targets with surgical precision. Each arrow found its mark with lethal efficiency, the enchanted projectiles piercing armor and flesh with equal ease. The arrows themselves were works of art, crafted from beast materials and inscribed with runes in the wooden shaft that ensured their flight remained true even at impossible distances.
As the bodies began to accumulate, panic spread through the camp like wildfire. The blast of war horns echoed through the forest as the survivors attempted to coordinate a response to an enemy they could not see or quantify. Men and women tumbled from their bedrolls half-dressed, clutching shields and weapons while still wearing only their sleeping clothes. The lucky ones managed to don helmets; many did not even have that small protection.
The survivor from yesterday's encounter recognized the signs immediately. His whispered warnings of a single demonic adversary had been dismissed as the ravings of a traumatized mind, but now the reality of his words became undeniably clear. The systematic nature of the assault, the inhuman precision of each killing strike, the way their attacker seemed to materialize from shadows only to vanish again—all of it matched his terrified account.
August employed a strategy of misdirection and confusion, striking from multiple positions to create the illusion of a larger force. He would loose a volley of arrows from the eastern tree line, then use his supernatural speed to circle around and attack from the south, leaving the defenders constantly off-balance and unsure of his true position. When the opportunity presented itself, he would close to melee range, his spear and sword work claiming additional lives before he melted back into the forest.
The Kirin Raiders' current strength broke down as follows:
- 80 Category I - Common Humans (Level 20) - 400 XP each
- 30 Category II - Advance Humans (Level 15(35)) - 750 XP each
- 10 Category II - Advance Humans (Level 20(40)) - 1,000 XP each
- 1 Category III - Expert Human (Level 25(70)) - 3,000 XP (Captain Grant)
August's previous encounter had already eliminated 28 common-level raiders and one advance-level deputy captain, netting him 12,450 experience points. The complete destruction of the remaining raiders would yield enough experience to push him to level 20 and beyond, representing the single largest gain since his early adventures.
His passive ability, **[Fear the Beast]**, worked continuously to undermine the morale of his enemies. The supernatural dread that radiated from his presence caused even hardened veterans to hesitate at crucial moments, their instinctive terror overriding years of military training. This psychological warfare proved as effective as his physical assault, turning disciplined soldiers into panic-stricken individuals.
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Day 46.4: The Final Stand
Captain Grant's voice cut through the chaos like a blade through silk, his battlefield experience finally asserting itself over the nightmare unfolding around him. The cost of his initial hesitation was written in the blood of his fallen comrades, but there was no time for regret—only action.
"Form up! Veterans to the center, shields out!" His commands rang with the authority of absolute conviction. "We face a single enemy, no matter how formidable. If it bleeds, it can die!"
The surviving members of the Kirin Raiders responded to his voice with the trained obedience of career soldiers. The remaining 24 common-level fighters formed an outer perimeter, their shields interlocked in a defensive formation that had served them well in countless battles. The 20 advance-level veterans positioned themselves strategically within the formation, their enhanced abilities and superior equipment making them mobile strike teams capable of responding to threats from any direction.
Grant himself stood at the center of the formation, his presence a beacon of stability in the storm of fear that threatened to consume his men. His enchanted mace, a weapon that had tasted the blood of hundreds of enemies over the years, hummed with contained power. The matching shield bore the scars of decades of combat, its surface inscribed with protective runes that had turned aside blades and spells alike.
"Listen to me, you bastards!" Grant's voice carried the weight of shared history and mutual respect. "We've faced Imperial legions and Croco assassins. We've survived when lesser men would have broken. This devil thinks to hunt us like rabbits, but we are wolves! Show this shadow-creature what it means to face the Kirin Raiders in battle!"
The rallying cry ignited something primal in his followers. These were not mere bandits or desperate criminals—they were professional soldiers who had chosen this life when their nation had abandoned them. The brotherhood forged in the crucible of war burned brighter than their individual fears, transforming a rabble of terrified survivors into a cohesive fighting force.
August observed the transformation from his concealed position with something approaching respect. The discipline and tactical awareness displayed by the surviving raiders elevated them far above the common rabble he had expected. Captain Grant's leadership had turned a route into a strategic defensive position, forcing August to abandon his hit-and-run tactics in favor of a more direct approach.
The enhanced power of his archery drew upon his expanded arsenal, coating his arrows with **[Mana Coating]** to penetrate enhanced armor and **[Lightning's Edge]** to deliver devastating electrical damage to his targets. Each shot required careful consideration of angle, timing, and magical enhancement to ensure maximum effectiveness against opponents who were now actively defending themselves.
Despite their improved coordination, the raiders remained sitting ducks for August's superior abilities. The concentrated formation that provided psychological comfort also created a target-rich environment for area-effect attacks. When conventional arrows proved insufficient against the advance-level veterans, August seamlessly transitioned to more exotic ammunition—arrows inscribed with explosive runes, projectiles that split into multiple smaller darts mid-flight, and shots that curved around obstacles to strike from impossible angles.
"Scatter! Break the formation!" Grant's tactical mind recognized the danger even as his men began to fall. "Use the terrain! Make this bastard work for every kill!"
The order dispersed his remaining forces across the campsite, each group seeking cover behind overturned carts, supply caches, and the ruins of their temporary structures. The change in tactics forced August to adapt his approach, trading efficiency for the satisfaction of more challenging targets.
When his quiver finally emptied, August transitioned to close-quarters combat with fluid grace. The **[Wind Blades]** technique sent crescent-shaped projectiles of compressed air slicing through the battlefield, each one capable of severing limbs or splitting torsos. The survivors who had been wounded by his arrows found themselves finished by these ethereal weapons, their deaths swift and clean.
Captain Grant had reached the limits of his patience. The systematic destruction of his command demanded a response that matched the magnitude of the threat. He activated his signature ability—**[Berserker's Fury]**—a technique that had carried him through the darkest moments of his military career.
The transformation was immediate and dramatic. Grant's muscles swelled with supernatural strength, his movements became fluid and precise, and his weapons burst into flame. Unlike his deputy's crude attempt at the same technique, Grant's mastery was complete and controlled. The flames that wreathed his mace and shield burned with white-hot intensity, the heat causing the very air around him to shimmer and distort.
The captain's charge was magnificent in its deadly precision. He launched himself at August with the fury of a falling star, his mace describing a perfect arc toward his enemy's position. The weapon struck August's shield with tremendous force, the impact sending shockwaves through both combatants and causing the ground beneath their feet to crack and splinter.
August found himself genuinely impressed by the man's skill and determination. The way Grant had twisted in mid-air to avoid the counter-thrust of the electrified spear demonstrated a level of combat expertise that commanded respect. This was not the crude brawling of a common bandit but the refined technique of a master warrior who had honed his skills through decades of life-and-death combat.
Behind his demon mask, August allowed himself a moment of appreciation for the artistry of Grant's fighting style. The captain's techniques were brutal but efficient, his movements economic and purposeful. Each strike was calculated to inflict maximum damage while minimizing his own exposure, the hallmark of a veteran who had survived when countless others had fallen.
The duel that followed was a masterclass in contrasting combat philosophies. Grant fought with the desperate fury of a man protecting his brothers-in-arms, every technique refined through necessity and tempered by loss. August countered with the clinical precision of a predator, his movements flowing like water around stone, always seeking the perfect opportunity to strike.
While the two masters engaged in their deadly dance, August continued to thin the ranks of the surviving raiders. His spear, launched with supernatural force, pierced two men simultaneously before embedding itself in the earth. The **[Wind Blades]** technique claimed additional lives with each casting, the invisible projectiles impossible to block or dodge.
Grant could only watch in frustrated rage as his remaining men fell one by one. Even in his enhanced state, he found himself outmatched by his opponent's combination of supernatural abilities and tactical versatility. The realization that he faced an All-Rounder—one of the legendary warrior-mages capable of mastering multiple combat disciplines—filled him with a mixture of dread and perverse satisfaction.
All-Rounders were mythical figures in the military circles Grant had once moved in. Capable of adapting to any combat situation, skilled in both martial and magical arts, they were said to be nearly impossible to defeat in single combat. The trade-off was their supposed inability to achieve true mastery in any single discipline, preventing them from reaching the highest levels of power. That this particular All-Rounder was demonstrating abilities that exceeded even Expert-level specialists suggested something far beyond the ordinary.
For two hours, the battle raged across the devastated campsite. Grant's enhanced abilities allowed him to match August's physical capabilities, but the constant attrition of his followers gradually wore down his resolve. Each fallen comrade was a weight added to his soul, each death a reminder of his failure as their leader.
August used the extended combat as a learning experience, studying Grant's techniques and adapting his own responses accordingly. The captain's fusion of elemental fire magic with traditional weaponry provided insights into advanced combat applications that would serve August well in future encounters. The defensive patterns, the timing of counter-attacks, the seamless integration of magical enhancement with physical technique—all of it was catalogued and absorbed.
When the last of the Kirin Raiders fell, leaving only Grant standing amidst the carnage, the captain found himself alone against an opponent who had barely exerted himself. Blood flowed from dozens of minor wounds, his enhanced abilities were fading, and exhaustion weighed down his limbs like lead chains.
August drew his short sword—a gesture of respect for a worthy opponent. The blade, forged from materials that sang with contained power, represented the highest honor he could offer. Grant had earned a warrior's death through his skill and courage, a clean end rather than the prolonged suffering that might have been his fate.
The single cut that ended Captain Grant McCain's life was swift and precise, severing his head from his shoulders with surgical precision. In his final moment, did the captain find peace? Did he feel that his death had meaning, that his sacrifice had honored the memory of his fallen comrades? August chose not to dwell on such questions. He had eliminated a threat to innocent lives—the philosophical implications were beyond his current concerns.
**[Ding! Mission Complete. Rewards have been given. CONGRATULATIONS MASTER, you are now Level 20!]**
The familiar chime was accompanied by a cascade of ethereal light that bathed August's form in gold and azure radiance. The energy of advancement flowed through him, strengthening his body and expanding his consciousness. When the transformation completed, he found himself fundamentally changed—faster, stronger, more attuned to the magical forces that permeated the world.
His **[Class V - Advance "Aetherwing's" Magical Item Pouch]** had been upgraded as promised, now capable of storing 45 stacks of identical items along with an expanded 45 item slot dimensional space for any objects. The enhanced storage would prove invaluable for the treasures he was about to collect.
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Day 46.5: The Spoils of Victory
The systematic looting of the Kirin Raiders' camp revealed the true extent of their success as a raiding operation. From the bodies of the fallen alone, August collected 50 imperial silver coins and 20 imperial copper coins, equivalent to 25,200 local gold coins by current exchange rates. The individual wealth of common raiders was modest, but their numbers made the total substantial.
The camp itself proved to be a treasure trove of useful materials and valuable intelligence. August directed his system to convert all the scattered weapons and armor into high-quality metal ingots, the advanced technology reducing hundreds of pounds of steel into neat, stackable units. The final tally yielded 3 stacks of 45 ingots each, representing 135 pieces of premium crafting material.
Captain Grant's command tent held the most significant discoveries. Among the scattered papers and personal effects, August found documents that confirmed the Kirin Raiders' affiliation with the Corvus Syndicate—a criminal organization that had featured prominently in several of their previous missions. The papers detailed not only past operations but also future contracts, including a particularly intriguing reference to a recent theft from an Imperial convoy.
The prize that made August's pulse quicken was contained within an elaborately secured chest hidden beneath Grant's field desk. The container itself was a work of art, inscribed with protective runes and secured with locks that would have challenged even master thieves. Inside, cushioned in silk and wrapped in protective enchantments, lay a quantity of the legendary metal known as Mytherium.
The documentation accompanying the metal provided a comprehensive overview of its properties and significance:
**Mytherium - The Living Metal of the Elms-Arkanus Empire**
Known throughout the ancient world as "Century's Own Mortal-Metal," Mytherium represented the pinnacle of mortal metallurgy. This extraordinary fusion of Arkanium and Elmisium created what could only be described as living metal—a substance that pulsed with contained starfire and bore a deep platinum sheen threaded with veins of shifting azure that danced like captured lightning when exposed to magical energies.
The metal's appearance defied simple description. To most observers, it seemed to flow like liquid mercury while maintaining the solid strength of the finest steel. Under direct magical observation, the surface rippled with contained power, revealing glimpses of the cosmic forces trapped within its crystalline structure. Ancient texts described it as "starlight given form" and "the breath of dying gods made solid."
The components that created this miraculous alloy were themselves legendary.
**Arkanium**, the ethereal component, existed in a state between physical matter and pure energy. This deep-black, soul-reactive ore could only be mined in absolute silence, as it absorbed emotional resonance and became increasingly unstable when tainted by strong feelings. Found exclusively in meteorite impact sites near major ley line convergences, Arkanium exhibited the remarkable property of hardening in response to the wielder's intent and willpower.
**Elmisium**, the stabilizing component, represented the ultimate expression of terrestrial metallurgy. This translucent, violet-veined ore exhibited crystalline memory—the ability to remember and return to its intended form even after severe deformation. Harvested exclusively from the deep places where starfire once touched the world's bones, Elmisium resisted all traditional methods of heating and could only be worked under ethereal flame.
The forging process, known as the Rite of the Mortal Flame, had been successfully completed fewer than a dozen times in recorded history. The ritual combined elemental mastery, mana manipulation, and soul alchemy in a process that forever bonded the creator's essence to the resulting alloy.
The finished Mytherium possessed properties that transcended normal understanding. Its extreme hardness rendered it immune to fracture or deformation under any known physical force. The metal could withstand submersion in starfire or dragon's blood without melting, growing stronger when exposed to powerful magical energies. When infused with mana by its bonded wielder, it became as malleable as clay, allowing reshaping through pure thought and intent.
Most remarkably, Mytherium carried within it an echo of its creator's consciousness. Items forged from the metal exhibited limited awareness, responding to their wielder's emotional state and occasionally providing guidance through dreams or intuitive flashes.
The quantity August now possessed was sufficient to craft a complete suit of armor that would cover him from head to toe. The implications were staggering—protection against virtually any attack, enhancement of his magical abilities, and a connection to crafting traditions that stretched back to the dawn of civilization.
Meanwhile the monetary treasure of the camp was equally impressive. The final tally, when combined with his existing wealth, brought August's total resources to:
- 1,002 imperial gold coins
- 553 imperial silver coins
- 310 imperial copper coins
- 6,490 local gold coins
- 557 local silver coins
- 283 local copper coins
This represented a fortune that could purchase entire estates or fund major military campaigns. The Kirin Raiders had clearly been well-compensated for their services to the Corvus Syndicate, their success as a raiding operation evident in the quality and quantity of their accumulated wealth.
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Day 46.6: Implications and Consequences
As August prepared to depart the scene of his victory, he reflected on the broader implications of what he had discovered. The documents linking the Kirin Raiders to the Corvus Syndicate confirmed that his conflict with the criminal organization was far from over. The theft of Mytherium from an Imperial convoy suggested operations that reached the highest levels of government and commerce.
The Corvus Syndicate was clearly a more sophisticated and dangerous organization than he had initially realized. Their ability to coordinate complex operations across multiple territories, their access to rare materials and classified information, and their willingness to employ former military personnel suggested resources and connections that posed a significant threat to regional stability.
The refugees under Martha's care represented just a fraction of the syndicate's victims. Across the three subcontinents, similar operations were likely creating waves of displaced persons, disrupting trade routes, and undermining the authority of legitimate governments. August's personal vendetta had evolved into something approaching a moral crusade.
The Mytherium itself presented both opportunity and responsibility. Such a rare and powerful material would inevitably attract attention from those who sought to claim it for themselves. The knowledge that August possessed enough of the legendary metal to craft complete armor would make him a target for thieves, assassins, and possibly even government agents from those outside the Empire seeking to secure strategic resources.
Moreover, the proper working of Mytherium required techniques and facilities that were not readily available. The Rite of the Mortal Flame demanded not only rare materials and specialized equipment but also the sacrifice of a portion of the crafter's life essence. August would need to locate a master smith capable of performing the ritual, assuming such individuals still existed in the current age.
The intelligence gathered from the camp also revealed potential future targets. References to ongoing operations, safe houses, and contact networks provided a roadmap for continuing his campaign against the Corvus Syndicate. Each eliminated cell would yield additional intelligence, creating a cascade effect that could ultimately lead to the organization's complete destruction.
As August made his final preparations to leave the devastated campsite, he took one last look at the carnage he had wrought. One hundred and twenty-one lives had ended in the span of a few hours, each death contributing to his advancement and the accumulation of resources that would enable future victories.
The moral weight of such destruction might have troubled a different individual, but August's purpose was clear. These were not innocent victims but predators who had chosen to prey upon the defenseless. Their deaths had prevented countless future atrocities and brought a measure of justice to those they had already wronged.
The forest would claim the bodies in time, returning their physical forms to the natural cycle while their weapons and wealth served new purposes in the hands of one dedicated to protecting the innocent. It was, August reflected, a more meaningful end than most raiders could expect.
With his new level achieved, his resources expanded, and his understanding of the broader conflict enhanced, August set course for the hidden location where his companions waited. Martha and the refugee children deserved to hear that their tormentors had been eliminated, and plans needed to be made for their future security.
The Corvus Syndicate would soon learn that their operations in this region had attracted the attention of an adversary unlike any they had previously encountered. The systematic destruction of the Kirin Raiders was merely the opening move in a campaign that would ultimately determine the fate of countless innocent lives across the subcontinent.
August's transformation into "The Blurred Devil" was complete, his reputation now spreading through the whispered conversations of criminals and the grateful prayers of their victims. The legend that would grow from this day's work would serve as both warning and promise—a warning to those who preyed upon the innocent, and a promise to those who suffered under their depredations that justice, however delayed, would ultimately prevail.
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INFORMATION PANEL: The World Classification System - Experience Points Earned Through Combat with the Denizens of the Land and Magical Hierarchy
-Overview-
The inhabitants of Arkanus and the World itself, according to August's own SYSTEM, operate within a sophisticated system that governs experience point acquisition and magical development across the three subcontinents. This comprehensive classification framework categorizes all sentient beings based on their mana manipulation capabilities, evolutionary heritage, and combat prowess, establishing clear progression pathways for advancement.
The World Classification System: The Five-Category Classification System
Category I: Commons (80% of Total Population)
Commons - No Mana (10% of Population)
These individuals represent humanity's ancestral bloodline, having retained their original genetic composition without developing the evolutionary adaptation of a mana heart. Known as "Ancients" or "Old Human Centuurians," they maintain the strongest genetic connections to their counterparts residing in the distant galaxy of Aerthe, where pure-strain humans continue to thrive. Despite lacking magical capabilities entirely, these individuals compensate through superior technological aptitude, exceptional physical conditioning, and strategic intellect that rivals their mana-wielding contemporaries.
Commons - Minimal Mana Capability (50% of Population)
Representing the demographic majority across the three subcontinents, these descendants of the ancient Arkanians underwent crucial evolutionary development, growing a secondary mana heart alongside their original human heart. This population segment includes individuals with untapped magical potential, those with minimal training in magical arts, and others who possess mana but lack the education or resources to develop their abilities fully.
Within this substantial group exist two distinct evolutionary branches:
**Arkanians** constitute the standard evolved human population. While capable of magical manipulation, they demonstrate moderate efficiency in mana heart utilization, representing a balanced approach between magical and physical development that makes them versatile but not exceptional in either domain.
**Elmisians** comprise a blessed subset representing 3% of this category. These individuals possess a remarkable 100% greater efficiency in mana heart utilization compared to standard Arkanians. Their enhanced magical sensitivity and natural affinity make them prime candidates for rapid advancement through higher categories with proper training and guidance.
Commons - Humanoids and Demi-Humans (20% of Population)
This diverse classification encompasses two distinct evolutionary paths:
**Humanoids** maintain predominantly human physical characteristics while exhibiting specific non-human traits that distinguish them from pure humans. Often referred to as "half-breeds," this group includes Elves with their distinctive pointed ears and extended lifespans, Dwarves characterized by their compact, muscular builds and innate crafting abilities, and Beastmen displaying 30-50% animal characteristics while retaining human-level intelligence and social structures.
**Demi-Humans** exhibit more pronounced non-human features, displaying 51-75% beastly appearances while maintaining human-equivalent intelligence and similar anatomical structures. This classification includes Orcs with their imposing physical presence and natural warrior instincts, Trolls possessing remarkable regenerative capabilities, Goblins known for their cunning intelligence and tribal social structures, Dragonoids bearing draconic heritage with scaled skin and enhanced physical abilities, and Lizardmen with their reptilian adaptations and cold-blooded physiology.
Unlike their human counterparts, these beings possess innate mana abilities from birth, requiring no evolutionary development to access magical power. Their magical capabilities function as instinctive survival mechanisms, operating as naturally as breathing or heartbeat. However, achieving advanced magical mastery requires intellectual development and training comparable to human magicians, though their natural affinity enables remarkably rapid progression with proper instruction.
Category II: Advanced (10% of Population)
Advanced practitioners represent the first significant tier beyond basic magical competency. These individuals have developed sophisticated understanding of mana manipulation, successfully integrating magical abilities into combat techniques, professional applications, and daily life enhancement. Advancement to this category requires dedicated study, extensive practical experience, and often formal apprenticeship under established masters. Advanced individuals demonstrate reliable performance of complex spellwork, maintain sustained magical effects over extended periods, and adapt their abilities to diverse situations with confidence and precision.
Category III: Expert (8% of Population)
Experts have achieved specialization within specific magical disciplines, developing comprehensive knowledge that establishes them as valuable assets to communities, organizations, and nations. Whether focusing on healing arts, elemental manipulation, enchantment crafting, defensive ward creation, or combat magic, these practitioners demonstrate complete mastery over their chosen fields. Their expertise transcends mere technical proficiency to encompass theoretical understanding, enabling them to innovate new techniques, instruct others effectively, and push the boundaries of their specialized domains.
Category IV: Master (1.99% of Population)
Masters represent the pinnacle of conventional magical achievement, having attained complete mastery over elemental arts and profound understanding of fundamental magical principles. Their abilities integrate seamlessly into all aspects of life, from mundane daily applications to complex theoretical research and high-level combat scenarios. The path to mastery proves exceptionally perilous, with countless practitioners perishing in their pursuit of ultimate understanding, making survivors incredibly rare and valuable.
Masters often assume roles as premier educators, groundbreaking researchers, and guardians of ancient magical knowledge. Their expertise makes them indispensable to their communities, often serving as advisors to rulers, protectors of sacred sites, and keepers of dangerous magical artifacts.
Category V: Grand Master (0.1% of Population)
Grand Masters occupy the absolute apex of mortal existence, having transcended normal limitations to glimpse the realm inhabited by gods, half-deities, and immortal beings. Their magical capabilities operate at levels where casual thoughts can trigger catastrophic events, necessitating extraordinary self-discipline and wisdom. These legendary individuals often extend their natural lifespans far beyond mortal constraints, becoming living myths whose mere presence can fundamentally alter regional power dynamics.
Most Grand Masters deliberately remain concealed from public awareness, bound by mutual agreements to prevent accidental environmental destruction through uncontrolled power manifestation. They emerge from seclusion only during times of existential crisis, serving as their nations' ultimate strategic assets and their species' most revered representatives.
Experience Point System and Progression Mechanics
Victory Conditions and Penalties
The system awards experience points based on recognized victories achieved through combat, challenge completion, or significant milestone achievement. August and his party members earn experience through legitimate defeats of opponents or successful completion of system-recognized objectives.
The system maintains strict moral oversight, implementing penalties for actions resulting in unnecessary casualties:
Penalty Structure:
- Minor infractions: Level reduction
- Major violations: Death, system withdrawal, or combination thereof
- Actions providing no beneficial outcome receive automatic penalties without appeal
- Appeals granted only for the most severe penalties involving death or system withdrawal
The World Classification System: Category-Based Experience Requirements
Category I - Commons:
- Humans (No Mana): Levels 1-10, 10 XP per level (100 XP maximum)
- Humans (With Mana): Levels 1-20, 20 XP per level (400 XP maximum)
- Humanoids/Demi-Humans: Levels 1-30, 30 XP per level (900 XP maximum)
Category II - Advanced:
- All Types: Levels 1-25, 50-70 XP per level (1,250-1,750 XP maximum)
Category III - Expert:
- All Types: Levels 1-30, 100-120 XP per level (3,000-3,600 XP maximum)
Category IV - Master:
- All Types: Levels 1-35, 500-1,000 XP per level (17,500-35,000 XP maximum)
Category V - Grand Master:
- All Types: Levels 1-40, 500-2,000 XP per level (20,000-80,000 XP maximum)
Level Limitations and Stacking System
Maximum Level Caps:
- Humans: 150 levels total
- Humanoids and Demi-Humans: 160 levels total
Progressive Category System:
Individual levels stack: Humans at Category III - Level 30 possess an actual level of 85, combining progression through Categories I, II, and III.
Experience points do not transfer between categories; advancement depends solely on current category requirements and corresponding level achievements. This system ensures balanced progression while maintaining distinct power hierarchies across all inhabitants of Arkanus and throughout the greater world itself.