Chapter 52: New Monster Talents Multiplied By x10,000!

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Although at this time the Followers of the Order of Dracula were still largely unknown, in a year from now, or perhaps even less, they would begin several mass murdering attacks across the globe. They would kill thousands of people and openly declare themselves as "humanity’s natural predator." Thus a full war between humanity and the vampires would begin in an already chaotic world.

However, that future threat was nothing, really, compared to what Riven had experienced in his third life. Back then he had been sent into a realm known as the Primordial Expanse and hunted down by a family of otherworldly vampires that ate him alive... piece by piece.

"Ugh, just remembering that makes me feel nauseous," he muttered while shaking his head, not wanting to dwell on those memories any longer. Yet he found himself thinking about it more deeply anyway. "Maybe I should find their hideout and take them all down before they can cause those massacres..." he considered the idea carefully for the near future as he glanced at the rest of the system notifications. New Talents and Bonus Stats continued to appear one after another.

[Talent Acquired: [Heavy Fighter – D-Rank]: Your body can become ten times as heavy, and your skin will become five times as tough.]

[x10,000 Reward Multiplier Activated!]

[Talent: [Heavy Fighter – D-Rank] has been multiplied by x10,000!]

[You have acquired the Talent: [Heavy Metal Sentinel – S-Rank]: You can reinforce your body and skin to become covered by a metallic layer, drastically increasing physical defense and decreasing damage taken. Your weight increases exponentially in this form, giving you a powerful center of gravity that can hardly be overcome by anything. When in this state, agility is greatly reduced.]

[Talent Acquired: [Explorer – D-Rank]: You are incredibly adept at exploring unknown places, digging, searching for hidden paths, treasures, and making mental maps with ease. You are almost never disoriented.]

[x10,000 Reward Multiplier Activated!]

[Talent: [Explorer – D-Rank] has been multiplied by x10,000!]

[You have acquired the Talent: [Treasure Hunter – S-Rank]: You’re not only naturally and incredibly adept at exploring unknown places, finding hidden paths and uncovering and digging out treasure, but your very passion for research, exploring, and treasure hunting emanates a golden aura around you, increasing the chance for dropped items and their rarity by a large extent. While exploring, you are never disoriented, and creating mental maps or writing them on paper is as easy as breathing.]

Riven was genuinely surprised. He had obtained two new incredible Talents. One further reinforced his already strong defenses, while the other allowed him to navigate unknown places with ease and even increased both drop rates and drop rarity. This, of course, did not mean that Daniela’s presence was no longer needed. The power of a Pierrot was still far superior to just a single Talent, even an S-Rank one.

[Predator Class Level 40 reached.]

[Gluttony Triggered.]

[x10,000 Reward Multiplier Activated!]

[Vitality +45,000 | Mana +40,000 | Strength +70,000 | Endurance +40,000 | Intelligence +25,000 | Agility +30,000.]

With his stats rising even higher, Riven felt a powerful surge of inner strength. His foundation as a hunter continued to solidify and grow more refined, and he was still only exploring the second floor of a D-Rank Dungeon.

"It’s done," he said quietly before walking back to the small cottage, where he enjoyed a simple meal with Daniela.

After the meal and a short period of proper rest, the two of them — or rather the three of them, including Little Noir — continued their exploration across the Dark Cave Labyrinth.

As they carefully walked down the stairs, they reached Floor 3 and both were immediately mesmerized by the sight that greeted them.

The Dark Caves had been pushed even higher into the ceiling. A massive abandoned labyrinth now stretched as far as their eyes could see.

Perhaps it had been built in ancient times by a long-forgotten otherworldly civilization underground. The labyrinth led toward the ruins of a dark and ruinous castle in the distance.

The walls were illuminated by giant flickering torches, and a dark, ominous atmosphere made the air feel incredibly thick and hard to breathe.

Then Riven confirmed whether he had properly cleared the second floor.

[You have entered the Third and Last Floor of the Dark Cave Labyrinth: "Fallen King’s Labyrinth"]

[Your total progression has been calculated.]

[Participate in the defeat of the Second-Floor Boss]: [1/1] (Solo Kill Bonus)

[Slay over 200 Monsters]: [200/200]

[Congratulations, you have managed to complete the objective for "Gate Conquest" of Floor 2/3.]

[Complete the objectives of Floor 3 to receive a special reward by achieving your first Gate Conquest.]

[The Reward offered will be based on your own capabilities, talents, and authorities, personalized for your own use.]

[Good luck, Ascendant.]

It seemed he had passed with flying colors. What’s more, because he had slain the Whispering Scream entirely on his own, he had received a "Solo Kill Bonus," which might further increase the quality of his eventual reward.

"We’re here. Floor 3," Riven whispered. "Stay close to me, Daniela."

"Um, do you know how to get through the labyrinth, Riven? We didn’t bring any maps..." she sighed nervously.

"I can guide myself now," he answered calmly. "So don’t worry. Let’s move."

As they began their slow and careful exploration of the ancient underground labyrinth, their senses suddenly stirred when they heard something loud and desperate in the distance.

"S-Someone...! Someone please help!!!"

Across the dark corridor they saw a group of three hunters. The tallest among them was carrying a bleeding and unconscious woman in his arms.

They all looked exhausted and heavily wounded. Then something massive emerged from the corridors to the left, relentlessly chasing after them.

Twelve meters tall, it was a giant headless knight riding a ghostly horse. It held its own severed head under one arm while swinging a blood-soaked sword at the fleeing hunters.

"Riven!" Daniela panicked.

"I know," he nodded firmly. He took a single step forward and shifted through the shadows with Noir by his side, appearing directly behind the hunters. "Run! I’ll stop it!"

"?! T-Thanks!" the hunters screamed in relief as they ran as fast as their injured bodies would allow. Daniela quickly moved to help them.

"Plunderers who dare come... to rob my king...! Shall meet their end! Your heads... will roll on the floor!"

The giant headless knight roared with fury and swung its massive sword down toward Riven.

CLASH!

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