Alcadram nodded. “I agree as well. You’ve learned enough here. The crucible of battle will serve you far better.”
Jonathan smiled. “I’m probably strong enough to obliterate the circle lords now. Thanks for all your help, Alcadram. I’ll return to free you, if I succeed in my quest.”
“When you succeed,” Alcadram replied. “Be more confident in yourself. You are a god, after all.” He snapped his fingers, and Sarnakthros vanished, reappearing within Jonathan’s soul. Then the entire world cracked apart, and Jonathan’s vision went black. When it returned, he was standing within the dungeon entrance, back in Tartarus.
He heard voices coming from outside of the cavern, and he smiled. He was just in time to meet up with the others.
“Edgar? Arkanon?” He called out. “Any of you there?”
“Jonathan?” Edgar’s voice called out. “Is that you?”
A few moments later, a gust of wind brought the Air mage to the front of the cavern, a few hundred feet away from Jonathan. With a single step, Jonathan crossed the gap, nearly teleporting to his friend. With the addition of his Divinity upgrade, he felt too strong for this realm to hold him. There were a host of System notifications waiting, but he pushed them aside. There were more important things, and people, to tend to.
Waiting outside of the dungeon entrance was the rest of his party, thankfully all there. Some of them seemed a bit battered, with torn armor and flesh, but they were happy enough. A quick scan showed Jonathan that all of them had leveled up, especially Arkanon, Hushar and Edgar.
“How far did you guys get in the challenges?” Jonathan asked.
“Some of us continued on to the Unknown trial, but nobody dared the Certain Death one,” Edgar explained. “Where did you end up? You weren’t there when we returned.”
“I tried my hand at Certain Death,” Jonathan replied. “Some strange things happened. I’m not going to get into them here, though.”
Edgar nodded. “Some strange things have happened here too. I take it that you haven’t checked your System messages yet, given that you didn’t say anything about them?”
Jonathan frowned. “Why? What happened?” All he received was a look from Edgar, prompting him to open up his first messages.
The Stillborn Hegemon and Ashokan, King of the Labyrinth, have agreed to a truce. Lord Angranor commends you on your ingenuity. Cessation and the Labyrinth have now been merged into one realm, with the mana concentration of the higher one.
Below that were a few more, beginning with the most shocking message of all.
All of the circles from numbers three to eleven have fused together, reforming into their original state: The Greater Circle of Sloth. While the first two have been omitted, as they are under the rule of Jonathan Harlowe, and not a circle lord, the result remains the same. The mana density is now Tier 11, and the realm is vastly larger than before. To those hoping to rebel against the status quo, perhaps this development will put an end to your plans.
Jonathan froze as he read this, standing there for a few minutes, his mind racing. Finally, he looked up. “What the hell?” was the only thing he could say.
Edgar nodded grimly. “I know. I hope you found some hidden strength in that dungeon. We’re really going to need it.”
Jonathan smiled slightly. “Well, I can at least assure you of that.” Without further ado, he opened the deluge of notifications that he had neglected.
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You have upgraded a title!
Nascent God: Transcendent->Lesser God: Godly
You have taken your second step on the long road of godhood. In fusing your Divinity with your element, the core of its concept, new horizons have opened up, but others have closed. The crackling power of your godhood now suffuses your body, empowering every aspect of your being.
Bonuses: +100% to all stats
Jonathan had already felt the boost to his strength during the trial, but it was only now, back in the world of the System, that it was truly quantified. It was a massive amount, nearly doubling his current boosts. It was strength beyond that of a circle lord, at least at the same level.
For reaching the second step of godhood, your Divinity has changed in many ways. It now incorporates the concept of your godhood, in your case that of the Void Hegemon.
Bonuses: Divinity reserves have been tripled. Divinity potency has been doubled. You may now draw upon your elemental energy reserves to supplement your Divinity.
This was yet another notification that only told Jonathan what he already knew, in a more quantified manner. Sensing that his allies were growing impatient, he continued to read the other notifications.
You have upgraded a skill!
Greater Smite: Mythical->Wrath of the Void: Ancient
Your Divinity now walks the path of endless consumption. In furthering its own goals, it now furthers your own strength. Summon a fraction of the boundless power of a true God of the Void, and make it your own.
You have upgraded a skill!
Flame of Judgement: Mythical->Minor Endfire: Ancient
The pure destructive potential of the Void is now an integral part of your Divinity. Upon summoning its flames, nothing shall stand in your way.
Jonathan closed his notifications, and opened up one final part of his interface. His stat sheet. It was time to see just how far he had come during the Trial of Divinity.
Jonathan Harlowe
Tier 4
Void Human(Exalted)
Divinity Aspect: Void Hegemon
Elemental Mastery: 17%
Elemental Juggernaut: Tier 4 Legendary
Active Blessings: The Third Eye of Exal’drin
Level 381
(100 free points)
Strength
7744
Dexterity
6254
Constitution
5995
Resilience
6692
Intelligence
5946
Wisdom
5268
Divinity
120
Health: 134893/134893
Stamina: 174238/174238
Mana: 133792/133792
-
Titles
True Unbound Spirit: Unique
Second Circle Breaker: Unique
Lesser God: Godly
Supreme Initiate: Ancient
Stand Against the Unknown: Ancient
Prodigy of Fusion: Mythical
Lesser Xenocide: Legendary
Greater Giantslayer: Legendary
Iron Will: Epic
Leader of Men: Epic
Refined Form: Epic
Avenger: Epic
Lineage Hunter: Rare
Righteous Killer: Rare
-
Skills
Spark from the Dark: Unique
Maw of the Void: Ancient
Aegis of the Void’s Dichotomy: Ancient
Void’s Hunger: Ancient
Wrath of the Void: Ancient
Minor Endfire: Ancient
Ephemeral Trifecta: Mythical
Void Piercer: Mythical
Void Missile: Mythical
Runic Overcharge: Mythical
Anchored Mind: Legendary
Rune Savant: Legendary
Void Drill: Legendary
Channeled Basic Truesight: Legendary
Sense the Weave: Legendary
Fists of the Maelstrom: Legendary
Minor Enlightenment: Legendary
Void Slipstream: Epic
Warrior’s Trance: Epic
Battle Focus: Rare
Impact: Rare
Focused Scry: Rare
Runes of Power: Rare
Redirect: Uncommon
-
Pathway Skills
Blunt Weapon Mastery(Advanced): Expert 6
Runecrafting Expertise(Advanced): Expert 6
Energy Manipulation(Advanced): Expert 2
-
Martial Path
Flowing Maelstrom: Expert 2
-
Weapon Domain: Expert 6(Advanced)
Metaphysical Domain: Expert 6(Advanced)
Energy Domain: Expert 2(Advanced)
-
Quests
The Strongest: ???
Hellbreaker: Impossible
Pathway of the Titans: Heroic
Jonathan grinned. “I think we’re going to do just fine.”