Shadowbound Ascension: The Necromancer's Journey

There sat Aiden on the floor of his small apartment sweating profusely on his forehead. This particular scene was immediately after he had just completed the another arduous workout session in compliance to the mission set by the system daily. Several of his muscles, he could feel were sore but inside of him there was a burgeoning power he had never known. He could see himself progressing towards the desired goal and that too on a daily basis. It is such motivation that makes him get one step nearer to the goals each time he does a push up, each time he does a sprint.

Toju's mind wandered back to the passed away mother. Recently her health had deteriorated and Aiden had seen her in the hospital bed only a few hours before. It was seeing her like this wishing and struggling to get out of bed, looking helpless, this had created a burning passion in him. He no longer has any option of being weak in any way or form whatsoeverSelectable quote: He couldn't afford to be weak any longer. Not if he wanted to 'save' her. Not if he wanted to shield his sister from any danger, especially that the young lady had nowhere else to turn to but her brother.

As Aiden wiped the sweat from his face, the familiar notification appeared before him: As Aiden wiped the sweat from his face, the familiar notification appeared before him:

[Daily Quest Completed: Increase of 5 to STR, 5 to WIL, and 500 XP].

He immediately deleted the message thinking that it was notification for his reward as usual. But this time I felt that some changes had occurred. Rather than the regular pledges that people continued to make such advancements, a new window opened and it had a strange glow to it.

[System Update: Unlocking The Critical Information.

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Critical information?"

He was just about to form the words that would become his question out loud when the system spoke inside his head, articulately and commandingly.

[Superばあ!:hey, Aiden, you've made a lot of improvement; therefore, it is time for you to learn more about the strength that you are to have.

Waxy-lipped, Aiden straightened up, and could feel the throbbing of his heart between his ears. He has been asking questions about actuality of the powers ever since he become aware of being a necromancer. The system's stated their capability to do more of this sort, and yet, now, it felt like the LC was on the cusp of revealing something significant.

[It is a journey of transformation, Aiden You are not going to climb ranks like many other hunters do You are the best necromancer that the world has ever known.]

Those words lingered in the room for a second and in the mind of Aiden, different wheels began to turn. Recently he was only of H-rank and even though he managed to climb up to the S-rank, there were more hunters out there, who were far more powerful than he was. Yet the system arranged it in a way that suggested that his path was going to be different –distinct.

[In this world there is one title that only several people can have, it is known as the M-rank. There are three hunters who managed to become M-ranked hunters, more often they are called the strongest protectors of humanity. You… Aiden, were preordained to join their ranks]

Aiden felt his breath being choked in his throat. "M-rank? Me?" It sounded nonsense. What was called M-rank was iconic; it was more like a myth than a real thing. To be ranked amongst the best hunters in the world— It remained something he had never considered possible for him to achieve.

It went on in the same high-pitched voice.

[Depending on the choice of specialization, your character will be different from other elemental mages, muscleheads, or runners: Your potential enemies/foes will not only be monsters but the hunters as well. You will not only subjugate them but use them in your army. The ranks are as follows: Soldier < Commander < General < King < Monarch < Celestial Thus the stronger you get the stronger your army].

Aiden's mind whirled. The system in turn was informing him that he would not only depend on his strength exclusively. He would command an entire army, and one that only became stronger with every war that he waged. The implications were staggering.

Aiden looked utterly disappointed and threw another question to the shadows, ''How does one get to M-rank?'' He therefore asks: "What must I do?"

[Your progression will be tied to your training, quests, and the strength received during the combat with rivals on the missions' completion. It also affects the physical and mental characteristics. But there is more. ]

Another message popped up on the screen in front of Aiden again and this time the golden light started to flicker which meant that there was something monumental to disclose.

This is not your last rank, Aiden, Rank M is what you should look forward to.

There was a moment of stunned silence before a vaguely panicked sensation took him. "What do you mean?"

There was a short silence before the voice of the system started again but this time more slowly.

[Yes, there is a power beyond M-rank, a power which is described in legends only It is called…]

What happened next, the messages that appeared inpired lit up as usual the text on a white background and then disappeared. The voice of the system stopped and a message in red blinked on the screen.

[ERROR: [ Maximum power level not reached to reveal more detail thus the level of power is low. ]

Eyes opened to the widest degree at Aiden when the message did not fade but rather maintain its glitchy and distorting demeanor.

[To reveal more about the God rank, you need to become stronger In that state, your level isn't enough to realize the scale of this strength.

The system for a moment flashed with the error message before Aiden could only stare at it with the silence. God rank? The system was ready to unveil something far superior to M-rank which was supposed to be a myth. However, he became prepared for these kinds of questions even though he was not ready for it yet. The power that he had wasn't sufficient.

Aiden realized that he needed something more – he needed to become stronger; needed to become tougher He frowned grabbing the fists. "Much stronger. "

The voice of the system then resumed its tone, marvelously less prickly this time.

[Focus on your current missions, Aiden. The journey towards getting an M-rank and beyond can not be an easy walk as it needs physical and mental strength. Just go on with your training, accomplish the tasks that I set for you and you will find the power that you are seeking for.

Aiden nodded slowly. The system had always been pointing to further development and it had never led him astray. He trusted it, even if the terrain will remain unresolved in futureâ€"impossible at present. So, if he wanted M-rank, if he wanted to save his mother and protect his sister he had to move on.

The final message from the system appeared, a reminder of the daily tasks he needed to complete: The final message from the system appeared, a reminder of the daily tasks he needed to complete:

[New Daily Quest: Physical and Mental Training: Perform numerous tasks for developing your body and mind Rewards: Strength +10, Willpower +10, Experience 2000.

Aiden got up and the pain in the muscles was overshadowed by the burning desire in him. The time has come to act and there was no more room form wasting more time. The next journey seemed long and tough However, whatever it takes, he would have to climb up to the top.

As he stepped back into the apartment, Aiden's mind was focused on one thing: power? The power to be a protector, the power to overcome, and one day the power stand up to the legends.