Ascension of the Nephilim

The past of the Steele family, even in Kyros's past life, was quite brutal. They were all massacred. If not for the Shaman who later became Mezal's father-in-law and who managed to redirect the curse, the Steele family would have really died out.

But even then, the slipping of Destiny's subtle tricks moved.

It was only then that Mezal remembered how the attacks against Branze and Aron were only stopped through the deaths of some of their vassal forces who loyally served them.

"The Steele family has always had loyal men die. It's as if Destiny was secretly cursing those who grew close to us."

Branze remembered his friend, whose family now blamed him for his death.

"This changes nothing, to be honest. Our family has always been built on the sacrifices of many. It is our job to fight to honor and remember these heroes who died. And who knows? By the looks of it, all of us have been tied by Fate to be related or to find the power to another God. So it might just be possible for us to bring back the dead." Mezal smiled.

"That's right. Now that all of us are kept up to date, it's about time for me to bring out the last rewards I've been saving up. All those corpses will now be used to boost our power." Kyros smiled. Ten minutes from now, the battle would begin.

"I knew it! There are more rewards?!" Arons was excited.

"Of course. Even I'm excited about what it would be. I decided to focus on building the Library because knowledge is what we lack in terms of cultivation. And now that we have everyone here, it's time to reap our rewards. The Vermillion Scale armor is considered at the level that Captains should wear in terms of its strengths. And frankly, with everything that we've experienced, we here either have a Champion's power or have the might of Captains. But now, let's make it official! We outfit everyone! We shall have Champions and Captains in the Steele family. We will be Viscounts!" Kyros declared.

"So we will be getting armors like the Vermillion Scale armor?

"That was the first of the weakest rewards. But, I'm sure with everything we have, it will surpass the Vermillion Scale Armor." Kyros smiled.

"The Earth Core? You said you had it with you, but this is a reward, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Then more cores can appear?" Mezal asked excitedly.

"Definitely. And the current Cores we have may grow stronger." Kyros laughed.

"Do it! Stop teasing us!" Mezal laughed.

"It's not that I'm teasing you, but I'm waiting for the least possible time. We know Destiny is preparing for an assault. I'm sure whatever Fate has to offer is something even Destiny cannot prepare for. So I'm waiting for the last few minutes, which will be just enough for us to equip our weapons." Kyros laughed.

"We have less than ten minutes left. So you better do it now, in case we need to reorganize our teams."

"I know. Let's start. Grandfather, please diffuse the Force barrier."

Mezal dispelled the force energy that was soundproofing them for their discussion.

"Everyone, get ready. I will be using the power of the Temple to bestow armors, weapons, and other items for us. Get ready to remove and equip the armor." Kyros announced.

The knights and servants of the Steele family heard it.

Kyros went to his screen and confirmed a certain notification.

But instead of the awaited bestowal, another confirmation was displayed.

[Equip weapons and armors to suggested persons? All Captain to Champion grade weapons will be stored in the Temple Storage Space. Lower-grade weapons and armors will be absorbed into the Temple.]

Kyros smiled.

"Oh? How convenient. It looks like I was worried for nothing. But I should confirm it now. I'm sure whatever Destiny sent during this past hour can't be changed with ten minutes left." Kyros muttered to himself and confirmed.

[Due to the recent victories against Destiny, the rewards have been improved. All 87 allies of the Nephilim accounted for. Bestowing rewards accordingly.]

And then the Temple trembled.

A surge of powerful energy was appearing, and it began to cover the Temple.

The rewards of the Temple were now being crafted and created.

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Bestowing all Completion Rewards...

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Rampart defense has been detected around the Temple. 

Upgrading rampart defense according to the designed layout.

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Hyperion Steel Code detected among allies.

Bestowing corresponding rewards based on attained level of mastery.

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Repairing all damaged bestowed armors and equipment...

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True Entropy Soul Core detected.

Nephilim Dark Core detected.

Fallen Space Core detected.

Low-Grade Time Core detected.

Harnessed Basic Earth Core detected

Upgrading all Cores.

Awakening Mardock...

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Temple Protocol: Archers Supply activated. 

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Dispersing experience points...

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Deploying Light Golem Defenders.

1 True Steel Legacy Sword acquired. 

1 True Steel Legacy Shield acquired. 

1 Katara's Burden shield acquired.

1 Branch of Bow bow acquired. 

1 Sword of the Steel acquired. 

1 Shield of the Steel acquired.

2 Scale of the Lizard Sovereign armor acquired.

1 Claw of the Lizard Sovereign spear acquired.

1 Fang of the Lizard sovereign sword acquired.

2 Basic Lightning Core acquired.

2 Basic Fire Core acquired. 

1 Basic Earth Core acquired.

5 Offender Dread Swords acquired.

5 Defender Dread armor acquired. 

1 Heart of Reliance Bows acquired.

5 Conviction of Reliance armor acquired.

5 Scepter of the Elements acquired.

10 Novice of Elirium scepter acquired.

10 Offense of Avarice swords acquired.

10 Vermilion Scale armor acquired.

10 Captain's Garb Armor acquired.

10 Guards of Avarice armor acquired.

10 Oath of the Orc Slayer armor acquired.

30 Superior Steel Sword reacquired.

30 Superior Nara Longbows acquired.

40 Uniform of the Nephilim acquired. 

---

The notifications ran through, and a bright light covered the Temple.

By the time the light disappeared, everyone had a new weapon or armor on them.

"What?!"

"My armor?!"

"This sword...!" 

Everyone was exclaiming at the sudden changes. Aside from the gear, many were later realizing that they had leveled up.

"Magic! I can sense magic force!"

"Force energy! I can feel it!"

"I leveled up! I leveled up twice!"

But it was the servant group that was the most amazed.

All servants who were lower than level ten leveled up at least twice. 

Even the five champions of the Emberdon clan were stunned as they saw a scepter hovering before them. It was clearly emitting the powers that were fitting for Champions. And compared to their current gear, this equipment was far superior.

"Peak Champion Weapon!"

"Look! Everyone is wearing armors and weapons that are either Captain level or Champion level!" Demerus was shocked.

"Somethings wrong! The force energy they release has gotten stronger! Those Captains leveled up!" 

"It's not just the Captain. I used [Gauge] back when we saw them. Everyone has increased in level! Everyone! The weakest ones even increased by three levels!"

"Oh?" Mezal glanced at his sword and shield that he wore.

"This... This is a Champion's gear!" Avary was stunned at the armor that he now wore.

"Impressive. All of the Coven is given Champion-level gear. The rest of the knights that arrived here first are geared with the strongest armor. And it seems everyone else is granted the Captain level. The Temple somehow could estimate the strengths of every member and bestowed the rewards accordingly." Kyros deduced. Unlike the rest, he did not have new gear. But he could feel a powerful change in his core.

"It looks like the Temple has already placed inside the Time Core and upgraded it." Kyros smiled.

Everyone was grabbed on certain attires, and weapons were on their hands.

Knights noticed the powerful swords they had. Some of the other servants without any formal training were either equipped with a sword or a bow.

But all members of the Steele family and the Coven had specific weapons and armors on them.

Kyros looked around and was rather pleased.

"Grand Master Kyros! What's going on!?" Demerus asked.

"You have just witnessed the rise of the Steele Family. Please give salutations to your peers.. And allow me to introduce the Champions and Captains of the Steele Earldom!" Kyros smiled.