Endless Extraction in a Game-Like World

[Section 4: Ascending to Tier 2]

[To ascend to a Tier 2 World, players must accumulate 100 Merit points and achieve a Combat Score of at least 10,000 at Ace-Rank. Once both conditions are met, the Origin Network will provide access to the Ascension Gate.]

Caelus and Sylvia exchanged glances.

One hundred Merit points and 10,000 Ace-Rank Combat Score.

That was equivalent to 1 Combat Score at Emperor-Rank.

It was an astronomical number.

[Section 5: Stronghold Services]

[Strongholds offer various services including weapons, potions, equipment, and training facilities. However, be warned that the native population of strongholds often view players as beneath them. They too share the same purpose as you: ascending to the Tier 2 World.]

Caelus closed the tablet and turned to Sylvia.

"I think we should check out the place."

Sylvia nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, let’s see what this world has to offer."

They left their suite and began exploring the stronghold.

This place was not much different from Earth in terms of structure.

But it was more magic-sided.

Floating platforms carried people between buildings, and mages openly practiced spells in public squares.

Magical creatures roamed the streets alongside normal citizens.

But there were also digital screens displaying news and advertisements, a strange blend of technology and fantasy.

It reminded Caelus of those cultivation novels where ancient sects had modern conveniences.

At the same time, people in the resort who had come out earlier were whispering among themselves.

They were conspiring against Caelus and Sylvia.

"Those two refused to help us get into the resort."

"Who do they think they are?"

"We should teach them a lesson."

"Yeah, let’s follow them and find an opportunity."

If Caelus was aware of their plotting, he would naturally be happy that he made the right choice in denying them.

Just then, a golden pillar of light shot out from the sky.

The beam was massive, illuminating the entire city with its radiance.

Everyone became alert immediately.

Sylvia and Caelus turned toward each other.

"Let’s go."

They rushed toward the source of the light.

When they arrived, an entire army was already there.

Soldiers in matching armor stood in perfect formation, their weapons gleaming under the golden light.

One flag stood out particularly.

It was the flag of an eagle with spread wings, embroidered in gold and crimson.

"The Aquila Clan." Someone in the crowd whispered. "They’re one of the most prominent clans in the Vanswara Stronghold."

Caelus observed the scene carefully.

At the front of the army stood a man in ornate armor, his aura radiating at peak Ace-Rank.

He was clearly the head of the clan.

Caelus’s Chaos Perception Eyes scanned him quickly.

[Lord Aquila - Combat Score: 118.7]

Close to his own level, this would be a real fight.

"Finally!" The man laughed with excitement. "A Golden Ascension Zone has appeared here!"

His eyes gleamed with greed.

"I will make sure that it’s mine."

He laughed maniacally as his soldiers cheered.

"Those other clans won’t dare to enter this place! This is my territory!"

Just then, a group of players approached the perimeter.

They looked hopeful, clearly wanting to participate in whatever opportunity the golden light represented.

The clan head’s expression twisted with disgust.

"Lowly players dare to approach my zone?"

He waved his hand dismissively.

"Kill them all."

"Yes, Lord Aquila!"

The soldiers charged at the players without hesitation.

[Skill Activated: Spear Thrust]

[Skill Activated: Shield Bash]

[Skill Activated: Blade Storm]

The players tried to defend themselves, but they were vastly outnumbered.

"Please! We just wanted to see what was happening!"

"We weren’t going to interfere!"

"Have mercy!"

Their pleas fell on deaf ears.

One by one, the players were cut down mercilessly.

Among them were the players who had been conspiring against Caelus earlier.

They had followed him here, hoping to ambush him when he was distracted.

Instead, they walked right into a slaughter.

"Wait! We’re not here to fight! We just—"

[Skill Activated: Decapitation Strike]

Their heads flew from their bodies before they could finish speaking.

Lord Aquila laughed at the carnage.

"Pathetic insects! This is what happens when lowly players try to enter my domain!"

He ordered his soldiers to collect the heads.

"Put them on spears as a warning to others."

The soldiers obeyed without question.

Within minutes, dozens of heads were mounted on spears and planted around the perimeter.

Their lifeless eyes stared outward as a gruesome display of power.

At the same time, someone in the crowd was livestreaming the event.

The chat exploded with comments.

[NativeWarrior99: Yeah, kill them all!]

[StrongholdPride: I hate those players.]

[VanswaraForever: They come into our worlds unannounced and expect us to welcome them?]

[AquilaFan: Lord Aquila is so powerful! This is why he’s the best!]

[PurgeThePlayers: Every player should be treated like this.]

[StrongholdFirst: Our resources, our rules. Players can fuck off.]

Caelus and Sylvia stared at the heads hung on top of the spears.

Their eyes turned cold.

What sort of deranged people were they dealing with?

These weren’t enemies in battle.

They were innocent players who just wanted to see what was happening.

And they were slaughtered like animals for entertainment.

"Hubby." Sylvia’s voice was icy. "I don’t like these people."

"Neither do I."

"Let’s go."

They walked forward, pushing through the crowd.

The soldiers noticed them immediately.

"Halt! No players allowed beyond this point!"

Caelus didn’t stop.

"I said halt!"

[Skill Activated: Flaming Shot]

A fire arrow flew toward Caelus’s head.

He caught it with two fingers without even looking.

The crowd gasped.

Lord Aquila finally took notice of the commotion.

"What’s going on over there?"

His eyes landed on Caelus and Sylvia.

"More players? Did they not see the warning?" He laughed cruelly. "Add their heads to the collection."

Soldiers rushed toward them from all directions.

[Skill Activated: Star King’s Sword Vault]

Caelus raised his hand.

Thousands of golden swords materialized in the sky above him.

The soldiers froze in their tracks.

"What... what is that?!"

"So many swords!"

"That’s impossible!"

Caelus brought his hand down.

The swords rained down like a golden apocalypse.

FWOOOOSH!

Screams filled the air as soldiers were impaled by dozens of blades each.

The formation crumbled in seconds.

Bodies fell everywhere, pierced by countless golden swords.

Lord Aquila’s face contorted with rage.

"You... you dare to attack my clan?!"

He drew his massive greatsword and charged at Caelus.

[Skill Activated: Holy Descent]

His body glowed with golden aura as he shot toward Caelus like a meteor.

The attack was fast, far faster than Caelus expected.

He barely managed to sidestep as the greatsword cleaved through the air where he had been standing.

The ground exploded from the impact alone.

"Not bad." Caelus admitted.

"Die, player scum!"

[Skill Activated: Talon Barrage]

Lord Aquila unleashed a flurry of slashes, each one carrying enough force to split a mountain.

Caelus activated his Chaos Perception Eyes and began reading his movements.

He dodged the first slash by inches.

Blocked the second with a hastily formed Chaos barrier.

The third caught him off guard and sent him skidding backward.

"Caelus!"

Sylvia rushed in to assist.

[Skill Activated: Blood Spear]

She formed a massive crimson spear and hurled it at Lord Aquila’s back.

[Skill Activated: Eagle’s Wing]

A golden shield materialized behind him and deflected the attack.

"Two against one? Fine by me!"

He spun and launched a devastating kick at Sylvia.

She raised a Blood Shield, but the impact sent her flying.

"Sylvia!"

Caelus’s eyes turned cold.

[Skill Activated: Decay Touch]

He charged at Lord Aquila and grabbed his arm.

The decay began spreading immediately.

"What?! What is this?!"

Lord Aquila’s eyes widened with horror as his armor began to rot.

He pulled away before the decay could reach his flesh.

[Skill Activated: Holy Rage]

His aura exploded outward, pushing Caelus back.

Sylvia recovered and rejoined the fight.

[Skill Activated: Sanguine Genesis]

[Skill Activated: Hemotoxin Synthesis]

Her blood constructs transformed into corrosive acid projectiles.

She launched them at Lord Aquila from multiple angles.

He dodged most of them, but one grazed his shoulder.

"ARGH!"

The acid ate through his armor and into his flesh.

"You bitch!"

He swung his greatsword at Sylvia with murderous intent.

[Skill Activated: Blood Seal]

Sylvia’s repeated attacks had been leaving invisible marks on him.

The seal completed at that exact moment.

Lord Aquila’s swing lost all its power as his mana was blocked.

"What?! I can’t use my skills!"

Caelus appeared in front of him instantly.

[Skill Activated: Decay Touch]

He grabbed Lord Aquila’s face.

"Time to die."

The decay spread rapidly across Lord Aquila’s face.

"AAAAAAARGH! MY FACE! STOP! PLEASE!"

His skin rotted and withered, spreading down to his neck and chest.

His screams grew weaker as his body crumbled.

Within moments, he was nothing but a dried husk.

The crowd stared at them in stunned silence at the same time, the livestream chat exploded with different messages now.

[WTF: Did that player just kill Lord Aquila?!]

[Shocked99: How is that possible?!]

[AquilaFan: LORD AQUILA NOOOOO!]

[Anonymous: Those players are monsters!]

[RunAway: Everyone get out of there!]

Caelus turned to face the remaining soldiers.

His eyes were cold and merciless. "Anyone else want to try?"

They fled without even looking back.

Caelus then dropped the corpse and turned toward the golden light.

A Golden Pill of Ascension floated at its center.

He walked over and absorbed it with Sylvia.

[Golden Pill of Ascension absorbed!]

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