Fate's Reversal: The Divines Return

The bright red concentrations which contributed heavily to the now increasing temperature grew steadily in size. From the previous size of a marble to the now size of a tennis ball—they expanded—in turn, the feeling of ominous foreboding steadily grew also.

'How much longer will they gather energy? They must be approaching their limit...Wait…WHAT THE F.U.C.K!?'

Kaiden's eyes widened as his expression became comical. With eyes as wide as saucers—Kaiden stared at the change in the balls of flames. A change Kaiden would be lying about if he said he saw this coming.

Once the over 100 Lesser Flame Elementals released their Flame Orb—they didn't release them towards Kaiden. Instead of singularly traveling at many different angles—they aimed at each other. As a result, the numerous flame orbs originally the size of volleyballs when completed—joined together. In consequence, they created an object similar to a miniature sun.

What's more, that miniature sun had a heat signature that caused even Kaiden's skin to lightly tingle. The sweltering heat being emitted from that miniature sun ball of flames stifled the air. With a solemn expression, Kaiden was mentally judging the magnitude of this thing's aftereffects. Even more so—its damage.

'I think these game developers don't want to see us prosper at all. Perhaps they hate us instead. Why the hell would they allow them to do this?'

However, a moment later slightly frustrated with this situation—Kaiden calmed down and had a different thought.

'No...since you want to play. Let's play.'

Activating Spiritual Outburst, Kaiden raised Angurvadal forward as his aura spiked and his previously ash silver hair shifted to an abyss black. Due to the upgrading of his skill, the changes were more drastic. The faintly silver aura before was now a thicker pale blue with a silvery tint.

Shocked by his change, Snow Bunny inspected Kaiden. His physique bolstered slightly as the berserk skill now resulted in a slight swelling of his muscles. Of course, that was due to forcefully surpassing the current state of his physique.

"What is this?"

"It's a Berserk skill I guess you can call it." replied Kaiden, his tone a lot more dignified than usual. An aftereffect of the overflow of power.

Focusing solely on Angurvadal, Kaiden tried something he never did before. Sacrificing a multitude of Inner Energy, Kaiden continuously bolstered the Sword Force around his weapon. At the same time, he used his Will to force Fire Energy to acc.u.mulate around his sword.

Therefore, simultaneously; his sword hummed with the whistling of the overactive Sword Force and scorched with the blazing temperatures of the Fire Energy.

[System: You are creating a Personal Fusion Skill—something that doesn't currently exist in the server. Completing this will reward you handsomely.]

This was different from a Combination Skill like that of the Blazing Tornado construct that MagicsSlave learned. That was based on three already created skills. A Personal Fusion Skill was unique in its own right. It was the fusion of a skill unique to your class as well as a resource unique to yourself—hence, Personal Fusion.

Additionally, Combination skills could be recreated while Personal Fusion Skills unless taught to by the creator can't be reproduced. Even then, the person taught would need the same precise conditions—difficult.

'Sharpen.'

Kaiden was using a basic form of Energy Manipulation which in this environment was much easier as the laws were less strict and there only existed 2 types of energy with one in abundance—Fire Energy.

Forming the image of a huge sharp greatsword, Kaiden began draining his Concentration as the formerly ballistic Sword Flame was being tamed. Honing the shape of this blade, the edge became razor sharp. But this wasn't the finished image in his mind.

Additional Fire Energy surrounded the huge 10-meter long Flame Force Sword. As the miniature sun that was done forming shot towards him, Kaiden also finished his sword creation. As this was happening, Snow Bunny remained appalled by the sensation emitted from Kaiden's sword.

'T-t-this...It's even worse than that miniature sun coming towards us.'

Tightening his sweating grip, Kaiden stabbed Nightfall into the ground and grabbed the hilt of Angurvadal with two hands. With a solemn glint in his eyes, as small veins appeared upon his temples—Kaiden made his move.

Slashing downwardly, Kaiden's now enhanced sword met and bissected the miniature sun that was currently traveling towards them. However, it didn't stop with just the bisection of the miniature sun—Kaiden's sword continued and slammed into the ground. As a result, a sea of o.b.s.c.e.n.e flames surrounded the Lesser Flame Elementals.

As they were engulfed, the flames were too much for even the Flame Elementals as they returned to where they once came.

-1,720, 477! (Vital Critical) [-601,872]

As the flames subsided, Kaiden received many system notifications as well as the radiance that accompanied a level up. Additionally, behind him, Snow Bunny had also leveled up twice reaching Lv.39.

[Quest Complete! Flame Tempering of the Physique (Unique Quest)

Clear Time: 00:03:27:00

Assessment: A (Perfect)

Complete the first chamber of the Subterranean Molten Morphing Trial - Preliminary stage.

Kill 500 Primary Flame Elementals - 500/500 (!)

Kill 500 Moltems - 500/500 (!)

You have been rewarded +50 Vitality, +50 Endurance, and 5% Critical Damage Increase.

[System: You have created a Personal Fusion skill, however, the system has no classification for it. Therefore, the system will now alter Sword Force.]

[System: You have created a Personal Fusion skill, however, it incorporates Worldly Energy. As a result, this skill will fall under the Energy Technique category and not exist in your skill menu.]

[System: Congratulations on creating the first Personal Fusion skill. 'Momentous Pioneer' title effect has caused the reward to raise a rank. Rewarding 3 Skill Points, 10 Inheritance Points, +15 Comprehension Points, and 5,000 Reputation.]

[System: Sword Force has been upgraded to Element Sword Force.]

[System: What will you name your Energy Technique?]

"Flame Emperor's Burning Slash." briskly replied Kaiden.

[System: Flame Emperor's Burning Slash is now your Personal Energy Technique. The rough value will be determined based upon damage just dealt.]

[Element Sword Force] (Legendary) - Lv.1/10 A divergent skill of Sword Force. As a result, it has multiple effects. This skill is an active-passive. A special skill that has no cooldown. This skill converts your Inner Energy to Sword Force depending on you.

*Note: This skill goes beyond the Legendary rank but has yet fulfilled the criteria to be upgraded to the next rank.

Effect 1 : (Active) - Depending on the amount of Inner Energy spent, it increases the damage of sword skills—starting from 50%. Default consumption = 100 Inner Energy. Additional 2 Inner Energy Points = 1% increase. (Maximum: 1000%)

(Passive) - Continuous activation costs the initial 100 Inner Energy plus 2 Energy/second. In this state, sword skill damage increase is locked at 50%.

Effect 2: Allow the imbuement of Energy into the Sword Force. Depending on the Energy assimilated with the Sword Force, a variety of effects can be acquired. This aspect of the skill depends heavily on Concentration.

Available variation:

Flaming Sword Force - Contains the same effects as a non-attribute Sword Force but adds a burning effect to your attacks equal to 2% of Strength x Agility. Additionally, the effect can be stacked to a maximum of 50 times. (Depending on Element Vulnerability effects are due to weaken or strengthen on foes.)

[Flame Emperor's Burning Slash] (Personal Fusion Skill - Energy Technique)

Using a tyrannic will, materialize a blazing Flame Emperor's Sword. This sword deals an attack equal to 6,600% of your Attack Power.

Special Effect: If the target is killed by this sword, create a sea of flame that deals the same value to the enemies in a 100-meter area.

Additionally, due to the nature of the attack, it will always be a Vital Critical. With that being said, the requirement of your Concentration is immense. This isn't a technique meant for your current level, as a result, it hasn't reached its potential.

[System: This isn't like other skills. To use this skill you still have to go through the process of creation. This is just information on the current skill parameters.]

Wavering, even though he had a few seconds left on his timer for Spiritual Outburst, Kaiden felt faint as waves of exhaustion were taking over him. Just this one usage of Flame Emperor's Burning Slash caused his Concentration almost overdraft. This was a sensation he battled with quite a few times—the weariness followed by the abrupt consumption of Concentration.

However, because of such small repercussions, Kaiden wouldn't stop continuously pushing his limits—rather, he'll just do it in a more roundabout way. As Spiritual Outburst ended, the sea of flames also subsided. Because this was a Secret Dungeon there was no loot.

But in accordance, there were orangish floating balls that were currently suspended in the air. Halfway fainting, Kaiden's body began falling forward as he lost more strength than usual due to his character being in a Weakened state and his Concentration depleted.

Fortunately, before he fell, Snow Bunny shifted in front of him pressing her hands against his c.h.e.s.t to provide support.

"Why are you so heavy...my god." complained Snow Bunny as she looked at Kaiden. However, due to the closeness of their faces, she finally took a good look at Kaiden.

'If he didn't alter his appearance...he's quite handsome. Wait, no! Stop thinking about that. He's still an asshole.'

Carrying Kaiden over to a boulder, Snow Bunny leaned him against one. However, she forgot about the current condition of this place.

'Pzzzzztt.'

Slamming his eyes open, Kaiden howled.

"F.U.C.KKKKKKKK!! That's HOT!"

'Oof! I forgot...oops.' chuckled Snow Bunny inwardly due to her moment of ignorance.

"Oops, my bad. I forgot the temperature could also be acting on the environment."

Waving his hand, Kaiden sat there withstanding the pain. With the stinging pain providing clarity, he noticed the floating orangish lights.

"What are these lights for?" questioned Kaiden. Quelling his curiosity, he tapped a light with his finger which caused the light to fragment and stream into his body.

[System: You have received the basic version of the temporary buff 'Embrace of the Flame Hellion'.]

[Embrace of the Flame Hellion] (Special Buff) - Temporary.

Basic Form-

Increases Fire Resistance by 20 points.

Reduce damage from fire-type attacks by 5%.

Note: This buff only lasts for the duration that you remain inside the Subterranean Molten Morphing Trial. Absorb 50 orbs of Lesser Flame Essence to promote this buff to the next level. (1/50)

"It's a buff Ms.Blair, it seems to be at least 300 of them floating around. Collect them and we will receive a powered-up version of it. I'm guessing this will be needed to continue further within the dungeon."

Nodding, Snow Bunny began walking around the room absorbing the Lesser Flame Essences. In turn, staggering Kaiden also absorbed his half. As a result, they each received a further upgraded version of the buff.

[Embrace of the Flame Hellion] (Special Buff) - Temporary.

Advanced Form-

Increases Fire Resistance by 65 points.

Reduce damage from fire-type attacks by 20%.

Note: This buff only lasts for the duration that you remain inside the Subterranean Molten Morphing Trial. Absorb 50 orbs of Lesser Flame Essence to promote this buff to the next level. (2/300.)

Fire Resistance or Elemental Resistance as a whole was a concept needed for a special environment or monsters. Special environments had certain conditions that could prove to be detrimental. The remedy to this was resistance—which increased the body's familiarity with said element. A certain amount of Resistance enabled you to resist the adverse effects of whatever environment you resided in.

"Rest for now…we move further into the deeper in a bit." said Kaiden as sitting now didn't cause any pain. The increase in resistance working its magic.

"Mn, is this the effect of the skill you used?" asked Snow Bunny.

"Yeah, both of them actually. I'll be fine in 30 minutes or so."

Looking at Snow Bunny, Kaiden froze for a moment. Due to the heat, her hood was down. Additionally, the temperature caused a light red hue to grace her cheeks. Coupled with the small beauty mark under her left eye, Kaiden was captivated.

"What?"

"Haha...excuse me...ahem." awkwardly chuckled Kaiden as he looked away, closing his eyes while leaning on his arms. For some reason, he felt a bit empty.

'How are you guys?'

'I am prevailing my Lord!' exclaimed Kriishna.

'No! This is hard Hun! Can you come to help me? I miss you.' complained Latahhya.

'That's good Kriishna, and I'll be there soon Lala, for now...just keep trying.'

Opening his eyes, Kaiden's body felt lighter by a small degree and the heaviness of his mind was slowly lifting. The process of recovery was always a slow one. However, even after opening his eyes, he didn't turn around.

"Are you going to turn? I believe I asked you a question." asked Snow Bunny as she tilted her head a bit with a small glare.

"I thought you said no talking?" muttered Kaiden.

"Eh!? Hmph… but I'm clearly talking to you—so talk."

"I don't have anything to say, really. You just looked nice in the environment we're in." shrugged Kaiden.

"...Mmm, such flowery words won't redeem my image so quickly." muttered Snow Bunny after a slight pause due to being shocked by the compliment.

'Eh? What is wrong with women? She told me to speak my mind yet, this is how she replies!? Crazy women.'

…..

35 minutes later, the duo stood as they made their way further into the dungeon, exiting the chamber—only to find themselves in a bigger chamber.

"Oh wow, talk about originality. It's another f.u.c.k.i.n.g chamber." chuckled Kaiden.

However, as if reacting to Kaiden's unsurprised appearance—the chamber began to alter—drastically at that.