M ost players who shifted to hundred-percent sensitivity (or that had chosen it at the beginning) had had the time to realize one extremely important thing: it wasn’t only the degree of pain that it altered.
A higher sensitivity level came with stronger intuition, a sense of danger, and foresight. All mental capabilities worked in Ascension just as well as in the real world, but never better. The players felt like their minds had been cut from their real-world selves and pasted into the game. Soon, they stopped noticing this transformation, having gotten used to it.
It was only the Enlighteners who kept asking questions and seeking answers.
Unlike them, Raven could barely feel that something was off while completing challenges, fighting monsters, and talking to NPCs. Like the auras of power that Radermin, Farris, and the ghosts of the heroes emitted. Since his attention was focused on getting his family out of poverty, these details often escaped it. He’d just shrug at the AI’s resourcefulness and move on.
It wasn’t until much later that he had put two and two together to realize that there was more to the sensitivity level than it seemed.
[What the...?]
[What’s going on?]
When the sky went dark over the celebrating players, those playing at hundred-percent sensitivity felt like an electrical charge had passed through their bodies, their survival instinct screaming danger at the oppressive, numbing aura of approaching terror.
Like a herald of chaos, a system message arrived.
Prayer Time.
The rest of the players, who couldn’t feel anything, looked up at the sky and discussed the sudden darkness between themselves when their group and clan chats were flooded with similarly confusing messages.
[Everyone out! Now!]
[Quit the game!]
...
[It’s some ult!]
...
[Log out!]
...
[We’ll talk IRL. Get out!]
There was no time for explanations. Those who could feel what was coming just wanted their subordinates and clanmates to survive.
The growing tension created a feeling that they’d die for real if they lingered. In the real world, not in Ascension.
Answering questions about their escape sometime later, the hundred-percent sensitivity survivors would say something like: “When your mind and body scream to run, you run. No questions asked.”
The rising pillars of light informed everyone that some players were leaving the game. Several thousand had done it before the Hell’s gates opened.
It came from the sky. It had no wings. It had no body. There was only the spreading sensation of dread.
The forgotten city was plunged into chaos. Hundreds of curses, diseases, and debuffs rained down on the innumerable players who remained in the game. They froze with their mouths open wide, staring at the messages. The scale of suffering was beyond imaginable.
You have been affected by a curse: Suicidal Mania
Your mental resistance has been reduced to zero.
...
You have been affected by a curse: Demon’s Grief
Your mental resistance has been reduced to zero.
...
You have been affected by a disease: Light Creature Fever
You cannot use Heart Full of Light.
...
You have been affected by a condition: Dispersed Darkness of the Ninth Circle
You cannot use Spiritual Fortress.
...
You have been affected by a disease: Dirrak Scabs
You cannot use Pain Endurance.
...
You have been affected by a curse: Intemperance
...
Realizing the direness of the situation, they tried to quit the game, but they couldn’t do it the usual way. To quit, you had to remain idle for five seconds but every new curse reset this timer.
They could’ve used the emergency exit, but that meant serious fines and a very high chance of losing their gear. Although its loss wasn’t supposed to apply to those taking part in the event, no one wanted to take this risk.
Ten seconds later, escaping was no longer an option.
Their bodies were rotting, decomposing, burning, and undulating with worms crawling under their skin, all in complete silence. The eyes of victims held two silent questions: Who? and How?
More and more names in the clan and group chats turned gray until everyone was dead.
The disaster raged on the island for five more minutes, killing the curious players who came back to take a look. And then it disappeared without a trace, as if it had been a mere illusion.
Raven (who had previously lent Kingmaker the Joker’s Ring and used the veil of smoke to summon his Clone) stepped out of his shelter and shook his head. He was at a loss for words.
Shit. I’m so lucky that none of the artifact’s effects apply to its owner. But still...
As his gaze slid down to the item’s description, he heaved a sigh. Rushing to collect the required amount of Influence Points, he hadn’t expected The Emperor to introduce another restriction.
PANDORA’S BOX
Item Rank: Heroic
Usage Requirement: 1,500,000 Influence Points
Characteristics:
+ 100* to all attributes
+ 250* magic and physical resistance
+ 570-830* magic damage
* At your current level, you cannot use the full power of this artifact.
Of course... I can use only one-tenth of its power. Not that he really minded getting stats additions like these. But the change still left him feeling perplexed. Goddamn it! Why didn’t the system mention any of that before?
He winced, driving these thoughts away, and focused on the messages he had received after Disaster’s expiration. As he read, a broad smile spread across his face that was soon replaced with a frown. And then he suddenly stopped reading to stare into nothingness.
His current reward dwarfed all his past achievements. They were nothing compared to this title, the Holy Grail of Ascension. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Congratulations! You are the first player to use a heroic item!
Title awarded: Successor to Heroes
Description: Most prophecies share their love of being too vague. The time and circumstances of their fulfillment have always been open to all sorts of interpretations. But your arrival is a sure sign that one ancient prophecy has come true.
Were you chosen by destiny, or was it mere chance? Will you become a savior or the one who will plunge this world into chaos? Or maybe you will continue playing your own game while staying in the shadows?
The worlds shook, and the hearts of their dwellers tremble as they wait for your next move. You are a force to be reckoned with.
Effects:
+ 10 to all attributes
+ 10 Luck
+ The skill cap has been removed. You can now raise your skills to the Hero rank.
“No way.”
In the sound-absorbing magic of the Silent Prayer Island, no one would hear the shock in these two short words even if they stood close enough to hear them. But they’d still be able to see the delight plastered on the rogue’s face.
Even the hundreds of boxes with Influence Spheres scattered all around him didn’t get his attention. He stood there for a while, his heart soaring, but then regained his senses and, messaging Kingmaker, began to collect his loot.
Remembering the chest he had already opened, he hurried up. Many more such chests awaited him, as well as many more challenges.
The Rollin’ Dice and Fortuna members began to appear all around him, looking around in confusion at the silent streets that had been their recent battlefield. Spotting the rogue searching the ruins, they came to their senses and joined the looting.