It was the third day since the return of the immortal adventurers. The morning sun cast a warm, golden glow over the sprawling city of Harmony. It was 7 a.m., and the first rays of sunlight filtered through the grand, arched windows of Crimson's room in the Heartless Palace.
He sat up from his bed, the silk sheets slipping off his shoulders as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. His room, located on one of the upper floors of the palace, was just as he remembered it—ornate, yet practical, with walls lined in deep crimson and black, a nod to his guild's colors.
As he stretched, his gaze drifted toward the wide balcony, its doors slightly ajar, allowing a cool morning breeze to flow into the room. He stood and walked towards it, pushing the doors open fully. The view was breathtaking. From this height, he could see the entire western district of the capital, including the massive western gate in the distance.
The western gate was already bustling with activity. The morning light glinted off the steel helmets of soldiers patrolling the walls, and he could see long lines of adventurers and merchants waiting to enter the city, their colorful banners and carriages stretching far into the horizon.
Crimson leaned against the stone railing, his sharp eyes taking in the scene below. He could feel the pulse of the city. Its energy, its tension, and the anticipation of the people who had long awaited the return of their immortal heroes.
As he leaned against the cool stone railing, the thought of the upcoming assembly order in three days filled his mind. The call for the Heartless Guild members to gather in the City of Harmony would likely be a massive event, but there was something else that had been bugging him ever since he returned.
The leveling system.
Without the familiar game interface, how would they even know their current levels? What was the new level cap after the update? The absence of the old system had left a gap in his understanding of his own strength, and it was a critical piece of information if he hoped to fully assess the power dynamics in this world.
Crimson furrowed his brows, deep in thought. If the world's mechanics still followed some of the old rules, then the National Agency of Adventurers might hold the answers he sought. It was the primary organization responsible for regulating adventurer activities, tracking their achievements, and maintaining a registry of their capabilities. If any place could provide insight into their current levels and the potential limits of their power, it would be there.
Deciding on his next move, Crimson stepped back from the balcony, the morning wind ruffling his dark hair as he mentally prepared for the day ahead. He would pay a visit to the National Agency of Adventurers. It was time to get some answers.
He chose to wear the princely outfit he had bought, opting for a more formal appearance over his usual battle gear, as this was an official matter rather than a fight. Once fully dressed, he stepped onto his balcony and leapt into the air. He landed gracefully at the palace gates, the sudden shockwave of his descent startling the guards. Despite the impressive impact, the ground remained unscathed, a testament to his precise control and mastery.
The sudden, echoing thud at the palace gates sent a ripple of alarm through the courtyards and corridors. Guards on patrol snapped to attention, their instincts honed by countless drills. Within seconds, the clatter of armored footsteps filled the air as soldiers converged from every direction, weapons drawn and eyes sharp.
Some rushed from shadow archways, while others leapt down from higher balconies, each intent on intercepting whatever threat had appeared. The polished marble floors and towering pillars amplified the rising chaos, and whispered orders cut through the tense air as squad leaders barked commands.
The entrance gate, still shrouded in the dust and smoke of the unexpected impact, quickly became a focal point, the guards forming a defensive ring as they braced for whatever might come through.
As the dust settled, the guards caught sight of the figure at the center of the commotion — Crimson, the former High Elder of the Republic of Heartless. Realizing who it was, they immediately straightened, snapping to attention with crisp salutes, the clinking of their armor cutting through the lingering haze.
Crimson glanced at the assembled soldiers, a hint of sheepishness crossing his usually dignified face. He raised a hand in a gesture of apology.
"My apologies for the sudden commotion," he said, his tone calm yet sincere. "I didn't expect the landing to be quite so... dramatic."
Despite their initial alarm, the guards relaxed slightly, recognizing that the disturbance had come not from an enemy but from the respected former leader himself. The tension in the air eased as they acknowledged Crimson's unintentional misstep.
As the dust settled, the guards caught sight of the figure at the center of the commotion — the former High Elder of the Republic of Heartless, Crimson. Recognizing the legendary figure, they immediately straightened, snapping to attention with crisp salutes, the clinking of their armor cutting through the lingering haze.
Crimson glanced at the assembled soldiers, a hint of sheepishness crossing his usually composed face. He raised a hand in a gesture of apology.
"My apologies for the sudden commotion," he said, his tone genuinely remorseful. "I didn't expect the landing to be quite so... dramatic."
The guards, now aware of their former leader's presence, quickly relaxed their stance and offered respectful greetings. Crimson returned the gesture with a nod and a slight, apologetic smile.
"You may return to your duties," he added, his voice carrying the weight of a seasoned leader. "And once again, I apologize for the disturbance."
Despite their initial alarm, the tension in the air eased further as they recognized that it was their once-revered leader, known as much for his formidable power as for his often unpredictable ways.
As the guards dispersed, Crimson turned to the four soldiers stationed at the entrance gate. He took a moment to compose his thoughts before addressing them.
"If anyone comes looking for me," he said, his tone firm but courteous, "inform them that I've gone to the National Agency of Adventurers. You may also report this to Colonel General Valandor, just in case."
The guards nodded in unison, their disciplined postures reflecting their respect for the former High Elder's authority.
With that, Crimson took a step back, then launched himself into the air once more. Rather than navigating the bustling palace grounds or the crowded streets beyond, he chose the faster route, landing lightly on a nearby rooftop. He broke into a swift run, his movements fluid and precise, each leap carrying him effortlessly from one roof to the next.
The wind whipped past him as he surged forward, his senses sharp, every detail of the city below flashing by in brief, vivid glimpses. The tiled roofs stretched out like a maze beneath him, their sun-warmed surfaces providing a perfect path as he sprinted toward his destination. From this vantage point, he could see the spires of the National Agency of Adventurers rising in the distance, their banners fluttering like whispers of forgotten oaths.
Crimson felt a familiar thrill as he moved, the rooftops always his preferred path — swift, direct, and unbound by the constraints of the busy streets below. He pushed on, his pace never faltering, the wind carrying his momentum as he approached his destination.
Soon, he reached a tall, wide building with towering stone walls and grand arches. This was the National Agency of Adventurers, a place that once managed all the players in the past. It was here that NPCs brought their quests, and the Agency passed them on to players, keeping careful records of their achievements and progress. It was also a hub for information, where players came to learn about the world and share their findings. Crimson chose this place because if there were still clues about the old leveling system, this was the most likely place to find them.
As he stepped inside, he found himself in a large, bustling lobby. It had the feel of a grand adventurer's guild hall, like the ones described in the fantasy novels and games of Earth. Tall wooden beams supported the high ceiling, and stone pillars lined the walls, each carved with the symbols of famous adventurers and legendary quests. Adventurers of all kinds moved about, talking in groups or checking the massive quest boards that stretched along one side of the room. The air was filled with the clatter of weapons and the hum of conversation, giving the place a lively, welcoming energy.
As soon as he entered, the lively atmosphere shifted. Heads turned, conversations fell silent, and a wave of stunned silence washed over the crowd. All eyes locked onto him, drawn by the powerful aura he gave off and his striking, handsome face. For a moment, the entire hall seemed to hold its breath, caught off guard by his sudden arrival.
To break the silence, Crimson cleared his throat, coughing a few times. The sound snapped many of them out of their daze, and the quiet chatter slowly returned, though a few adventurers still glanced his way, their curiosity not yet fully satisfied.
One of the staff members at the National Agency of Adventurers, a young woman dressed in the agency's formal uniform, quickly noticed his arrival. She had bright eyes and a calm, professional demeanor, but there was a hint of nervousness as she approached him, clearly aware of his status. Stopping a few steps in front of him, she gave a respectful bow, her hands clasped in front of her.
"Welcome to the National Agency of Adventurers, sir," she said, her voice steady but respectful. "How may I assist you today?"
Crimson gave a small nod, appreciating her professional approach. "I need to request some information," he said, his tone straightforward. "Also, can you tell me who the current president of the NAA is?"
The staff member straightened a bit more, her expression growing slightly more formal. "That would be President Benedict Ashford, sir," she replied. "He oversees all operations within the agency."
Crimson nodded in acknowledgment, his sharp eyes briefly scanning the busy lobby. "Alright," he said, his tone still straightforward. "Please help me make the information request."
"Of course, sir," the staff member responded quickly, adjusting her posture to a more attentive stance. She gestured politely for him to follow. "Right this way, please."
She led him across the bustling hall, weaving through clusters of adventurers and rows of stone columns until they reached the main reception desk of the NAA. The desk was a grand, polished structure made from dark, sturdy wood, its surface neatly arranged with documents, quills, and crystal communication devices. Several other staff members were busy assisting adventurers, their hands moving quickly as they recorded requests and updates.
"Please wait here for a moment while I prepare the request form," she said, giving a small, respectful nod before moving to a nearby terminal to begin the process.
"Here is the request form, sir," she said, setting it in front of him. Crimson took the quill and filled out the form quickly, his penmanship precise and efficient. Once he was done, he handed it back to her.
"Thank you, sir," the staff member said with a polite smile. She glanced at the form before looking back at him. "What kind of information would you like to request today?"
Crimson met her eyes, his tone calm but direct. "Do you have any information about how we can view the status of our strength?"
The staff member nodded, her eyes lighting up slightly as she recalled the information. "Yes, actually," she replied. "About 23 years ago, one of the nation's mages invented a special scroll known as the 'Status Appraisal Scroll.' It was designed to detect and display the status of a person's strength. It can even reveal their level, which surprised many at the time because it showed that individuals could achieve different levels of power."
She paused, watching for his reaction before continuing. "We have these scrolls available here at the NAA. The cost for both the information and the scroll is 5,499 silver coins."
"To use it, just pour a small amount of your mana into the scroll," she explained. "A magical blue mirror like should appear in front of you."
Crimson took the scroll and, without hesitation, let a small pulse of his mana flow into it. In an instant, a translucent status interface materialized before him.
Crimson quickly scanned his status and immediately noticed something that made his eyes narrow, the level cap was now represented by an ∞ symbol. He blinked for a moment, processing the implications. If his assumption was correct, this meant the previous hard cap on levels had been completely removed, allowing for potentially limitless growth. This was a game-changing revelation. In the past, hitting the level cap meant mastering endgame content, dominating PvP battles, and setting records, but this new update had shattered that ceiling.
His mind raced with possibilities. If the level cap had truly been lifted, then the power dynamics of the entire world would shift. It meant that even the most powerful players, including himself, would have to race for levels and power once more. The gap between the strongest and the average would widen even further, and those who acted quickly would gain an overwhelming advantage.
He glanced back at the numbers:
Name: Crimson Aegis
Level: 351/∞
Experience Points: 00.09%
Health Points: 483,300 / 483,300
Mana Points: 233,575 / 233,575
Strength: 19,183
Agility: 19,005
Intelligence: 9,343
Vitality: 19,332
Luck: 14,784
His stats were still impressive by any standard, but in a world where the ceiling had been removed, even these numbers could quickly become outdated. He couldn't afford to get left behind. It had already been three days since his return, and he knew that some players, especially those who thrived in chaos, might already be leveling up relentlessly. It reminded him of the early days of the game, when missing just a single day of questing or grinding could put you at a serious disadvantage.
Crimson clenched his fists, his competitive instincts flaring. He needed to confirm this information with the others. If the level cap had truly been removed, they would need to rethink their strategy, secure resources, and prepare for whatever this unpredictable world threw at them next.
He thanked the staff and swiftly left the building, his white and gold princely outfit fluttering as he moved with a sense of purpose. He headed back to the Heartless Palace, the weight of this critical information pushing him to quicken his pace.