CHAPTER 329: REWARDS WORTH THE RISK

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SCENARIO: "THE PRISONER OF EONS"

"An ancient evil stirred in its bone-chamber prison, its whispers weaving a web of deceit meant to ensnare a world. You walked into its trap armed with suspicion and emerged having reforged its chains."

STATUS: COMPLETED (Hidden Scenario - World Tier)

OBJECTIVES:

✓ Survive the initial encounter with an Abyssal Overseer

✓ See through the Architect’s deceptions and uncover his true motives

✓ Prevent the Overseer’s desired outcome (forced martyrdom/escape)

✓ Ensure the eternal prison’s integrity is restored and enhanced

✓ Confiscate and neutralize all corrupted/cursed artifacts

REWARDS:

- 500 Scenario Points

- 100,000,000 Aura Coins

- [Item Upgrade Token (2x)]

- [Skill Upgrade Token]

- [Random Ability Box] – "Can awaken a random ability or upgrade an existing one"

- [World-Keeper’s Present] – "A fragment of stabilized primordial power. Randomly increases affinity with one of the foundational elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Light, Shadow, Darkness)."

- [Echo-Walker Resonance Art] - "Step between moments. Leave behind a temporal echo that can perform one simple action (activate an item, deliver a message, create a distraction) before dissipating."

- Achievment Earned: [Who’s the Scam Now?] – "You successfully out-bluffed, out-played, and out-scammed an abyssal manipulator who has been scheming since before your bloodline existed."

- Title Acquired: [Chain Breaker’s Checkmate] – "You don’t just break chains; you forge stronger ones for those who deserve them."

NOTES: "The Architect’s game is not yet over; the board still remains. Other players are still moving. Your actions have fortified a critical frontline in a war most do not know exists. The Abyss has taken note."

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"Hmm..."

The descriptions explained everything, so I was sure we really did a good job yesterday.

The scenario was even labeled as World Tier, which had never happened before. But then again, it resembled a big main plot arc a lot.

Even the rewards were amazing, the best I’ve ever gotten yet.

500 SP, 100 mln Aura Coins. I felt richer than ever with them.

Plus the two item upgrade tokens, a skill upgrade token, and that random ability box. They would be useful a lot, but I decided to wait before choosing which one to upgrade. I couldn’t be hasty yet.

Though I am definitely gonna use the random box. Well, since it’s random and all.

The same went for the world keeper’s present one. I won’t say no to a free power-up.

But before moving on to the bigger rewards, I decided to check the titles and achievements as usual.

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[Achievement: Who’s the Scam Now?]

"You successfully out-bluffed, out-played, and out-scammed an abyssal manipulator who has been scheming since before your bloodline existed."

Reward: [Discerning Gaze]’s [Lie Detection] uses have been upgraded to 10. The cooldown is lowered to 2:30 minutes.

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Ooh!

That was a good one. Although the increase was small, only 5 plus chances and 30 seconds less cooldown, the effect already proved how useful it can be. So, no objections here.

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[Title: Chain Breaker’s Checkmate]

"You don’t just break chains; you forge stronger ones for those who deserve them."

Passive Effect: +15% Resistance to mental coercion, corruption, and curses.

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Only 15%? Hmmm... Well, it’s better than nothing, I guess.

Now, let’s check out the world keeper’s present in detail.

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[World-Keeper’s Present]

"A shard of stabilized reality, a reward for preserving it."

Type: Consumable

Rank: ★★★★★

Description:

A shimmering, multifaceted crystal that seems to contain swirling nebulae within its core. It pulses with a gentle, rhythmic light, as if breathing. When held, it feels both impossibly heavy and weightless at the same time, resonating with the fundamental laws of the world.

Effects:

- Affinity Surge: Upon consumption, randomly selects one of the seven foundational elemental affinities (Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Light, Shadow, Darkness) and permanently elevates the user’s connection to it by one major grade (e.g., Minor - Intermediate, Intermediate - Major). If the Resonator has no prior affinity, a Minor affinity is granted.

- World Resonance: Temporarily amplifies the chosen affinity for 7 days, granting a +25% increase in control and potency when using abilities related to it.

- Aura Convergence: Permanently increases the user’s Aura Capacity by 15% and Aura Recovery Rate by 10%. (Your soul becomes a little closer to the world’s resonance rhythm.)

Limitations:

- One-time use. The element chosen is random and cannot be influenced.

- Can only elevate an affinity to Major grade; cannot grant or elevate a Grand or higher affinity.

Note: "A piece of the world’s thanks. Handle with care, for it is both gift and responsibility."

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I see...

I think I’m gonna use the World Resonance one on the void affinity and train more with it.

The Aura Convergence one is really good as well. The more I have, the better. I only hope it won’t end up choosing water(ice), since it’s probably a grand affinity already.

After analyzing the item, I decided to use it later, within Lady Nisha’s domain or somewhere private.

Let’s see the next one then.

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[Echo-Walker Resonance Art]

"Step between moments. Leave an echo of your passing."

Type: Temporal Resonance Art (Time/Mental Hybrid)

Rank: ★★★★☆

Description:

This art allows the user to manipulate their own temporal presence for a fraction of a second, creating a fleeting, semi-physical afterimage.

Effects:

- Temporal Echo: Upon activation, the user leaves behind a perfect, shimmering echo of themselves at their current location. This echo can be pre-programmed to perform one simple, predetermined action:

· Activate a single item, or artifact (e.g., throw a knife, place a crystal, trigger a talisman).

· Deliver a short, pre-recorded mental message (5 words or fewer) to a single designated recipient within line of sight.

· Create a visual and auditory distraction (a shout, a wave, a sudden movement).

· The echo persists for 3 to 5 seconds before dissipating into motes of light.

Requirements:

- Significant mental focus to program the echo’s action in the moment of activation.

- The echo cannot interact with complex mechanisms, skills, or wield techniques beyond its simple command.

Cooldown: 10 minutes

Note: "Not a clone, not an illusion, just a whisper of ’what was’ left in ’what is.’ Use it to be in two places at one time, if only for a moment."

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This...

Is this really a four-star art?!

I barely stopped myself from exclaiming out loud. But I couldn’t stop myself from imagining countless scenarios on how to use it. The effects were so good after all. Even considering the limitations and requirements. And so...

Added to the priority training list.