System Change

Chapter 298: The Bigger They Are

Derek sat next to the dungeon orb, topping up on his health, mana, and stamina before leaving. He was also doing some thinking. What he was hoping for most was that he would actually be rewarded for completing the trial. With his latest interaction with the other system, he thought there might be a chance that he would no longer be rewarded for doing things inside his current system. Well, things other than levels up to 250.

With the trial complete and nothing pressing to do while he recovered, Derek began going through his notifications.

You have killed level 250 Caustic Whale of Pestilence.

236,550,000,000 Experience Gained

Level Up

173,919,275,550/212,325,000,000

Derek smiled. Even with the amount of experience points he needed to level, he was still able to get a bit more than an entire level for one fight. It was also nice to see that the level had netted him 35 stat points to use at his discretion, instead of his previous 30. It wasnt a huge upgrade, but stat points were stat points, and now that it looked like he could go beyond the 1,500 stat point cap, every point mattered. After dismissing the kill window, he viewed his now status sheet.

Status

Personal Information

Name:

Age:

Level:

Experience:

Class:

Race:

Derek Hunt

30

203

130,370,000,550/193,000,725,000

Void Monarch (Mythical)

Human (Void)

Health:

Mana:

Stamina:

37625

15465

37625

Stats

Strength

Dexterity

Endurance

Vitality

Intelligence

Wisdom

Stat Points Remaining

Assigning Rewards

Assigning Rewards

Err

Assigning Rewards

Congratulations, you have received an Achievement: The Bigger They Are

What? The notification he received was the oddest one hed gotten. It seemed like his hunch that he would have a hard time getting rewarded by his current system wasnt terribly far off. However, the system had somehow pushed through and given him an Achievement. Yet, he didnt know if that was the same one he would have gotten before the other system interfered.

Still, he received something. And with the name of it, it was most definitely related to the trial he undertook. So, he dismissed the completion notification so he could view the next one.

The Bigger They Are

3% increase in all stats per magnitude in weight when battling an enemy larger than yourself. Max increase in stats is 15%. Stats cannot increase greater than the system limit.

Now thats an Achievement. In fact, his new Achievement reminded him much more of the Titles he used to get from his former system. For the most part, when he received Achievements from The Great System they were always stat points, skills, or the like. He hadnt really received one that had a percentage increase other than his Solo Diver Achievement and Repetitive Dungeoneer Achievements which conditionally increased stats in dungeons or possible reward percentages for dungeons.

But, those only worked in dungeons. And the one that increased his stats had the caveat that he had to be in the dungeon alone. He hadnt actually checked his stats while fighting the whale, but he hadnt felt any increase in his usual stats, so it was likely that it hadnt activated in the trial as it was a part of the dungeon which had multiple participants.

But, he was very content with his new Achievement. He seemed to be fighting enemies that were much bigger than himself lately, so the extra stats would surely come in handy later on. Its definitely a better reward for me than the skill scroll. But I wonder if its an Achievement I could have obtained by fighting massive enemies later on.

With a shrug, he dismissed his new Achievement. Then he placed his hand back on the trial orb and prepared himself to go back. After getting a couple tubs full of the corrosive water, he thought about trying to salvage some of the whale, but for some reason, it didnt float, and had already sunk deep down into the ocean, and he really didnt feel like diving in water like that, so he gave it up.

With a thought, he selected to leave the trial, and, as always, a bright light flashed over him. The next thing he knew, he was standing next to the row of trial orbs and was being surrounded by the rest of the raid party.

Before he could even get his bearing, he was rushed by Victor Greenland, Asana Greenlands cousin. The elven mage grasped Derek by the shoulder and glared deep into his eyes.

One day!? the elf half yelled. How is it that my cousin died, and you came back fine in not even one day? Tell me! What happened in there?

Derek could tell that the man was half angry and half confused, and he couldnt blame the guy. Victor and his cousin, from the little that Derek had seen, had a pretty good relationship. They stayed together for the most part, and both had close to the same personalities.

Derek grabbed the mages arm and removed it from his shoulder. He wasnt a big fan of being touched unwarranted. Then, before the man could speak again, Derek held his hand up. Give me some time to get oriented, he said. Well wait for Edgar to get here, too. I dont feel like explaining myself twice.

Derek saw Victor ball his hand into a fist a couple of times, but, in the end, the seething elf chose to stay quiet. But he didnt have to wait long, as Edgar, Avery, Blitz, and Lyra arrived together less than thirty seconds later.

Already? Edgar asked as soon as he hopped down from Blitzs back.

Derek nodded. Yeah.

Was it that easy? Avery asked. He was more interested in the fighting than anything else, especially after being couped up in the capital with Alanah helping to take care of her business.

Not exactly, Derek said before recounting everything he went through. Of course, he held back exactly how he defeated the whale, but he explained everything else, like the system banning the use of the escape scrolls when the duel started, and the literally toxic fighting conditions the trial had. Once he finished, he watched as Victors rage left him and his head fell.

She never had a chance. I doubt I would have had a chance. Damn it! The elf stomped the ground before he strode off. Everyone left him alone. It looked like he needed some time to grieve.

Sounds like quite the battle, Edgar said.

Seems easy enough, Avery chirped. It wouldnt have been a problem for Lyra and me.

If the system allowed you to take her with you, Derek pointed out, and Avery frowned. Then he turned his attention back to Edgar. Youre going to have to take control of the raid. If the Great System is going to keep coming up with tricky trials like the last two, were not going to be able to half-ass it anymore. Unless you want half the raid party to die.

Derek made sure to speak to Edgar loud enough for everyone to hear. Perhaps his words would have some effect on them, and would make it easier for Edgar to assert control. Of course, he could do so any time he wanted. It would just be better if everyone was on board when he did.

Im starting to think the same, Edgar sighed.

Anyway, theres something I want to talk to you about, Derek said, then he looked into the group and signaled for Shae and Cain. I need to talk to all of you.

Is this about Torith? Edgar asked, causing Derek to frown.

What? Derek asked. The proxy to my contract with the Adventurers Guild disappeared. It was through the manager at Torith, so I guess? He wasnt a very likeable guy, so I thought he may have had some dealings with Gerald. Was that not the case?

That was when Derek noticed that, along with Shae and Cain, Walter had also come forward.

Walter? he asked.

It seems something major has happened in Torith, the older healer sighed. And we dont think Gerald is the reason.