Barrier System: The Ascension of the Rule Breaker-Chapter 14 - : Unexpected Visitor

[Please choose two Barrier Special Effects.]

[Echo Strike (Passive): Each blocked hit leaves behind a small lingering force, making the user's next melee attack 0.01% stronger.]

[Counterforce Shell (Passive): If the barrier absorbs a strong hit exceeding 10% of its total HP, it releases a pulse that slightly pushes back nearby enemies. The damage scales with the user's Intelligence stat.]

[Impaling Bastion (Active): For 30 seconds, the barrier is covered in spectral spikes. When hit, it deals piercing magic damage to the attacker. Mana cost: 1.]

[Barrier Javelin (Active): Condense the barrier into a glowing energy projectile that rushes toward an enemy, dealing magic damage. Mana cost 1.]

"So, they are all offensive effects now. The first three have the same theme but different uses." Granger looked serious. "My choice should be based on my current and future growth. Out of the three, Impaling Bastion is the best option."

Granger stood up and looked around the vast desert.

"I am picking Impaling Bastion and Barrier Javelin."

He walked toward the gate leading to the 31st floor.

While moving, he allocated his available stat points, distributing 11 points to each of his stats.

As he slowly approached the gate, his eyes glowed with excitement.

"Now, it's time to visit some old friends."

A chilling smile formed beneath his mask.

He couldn't contain the overwhelming intent radiating from him.

***

In Floor 33.

A massive floor with a forest terrain. Towering trees, with light coming from a giant yellow gem on the ceiling, acting as the sun.

Roars of monsters. Clashes of blades and fangs.

A massive gray gorilla was fighting an entire party of adventurers.

[Grayback: Level 33.]

Desmond slammed his massive sword, disrupting the Grayback.

The Grayback roared and angrily swung its muscular arms. Desmond blocked it with his sword.

"Now!" Desmond shouted.

Out of nowhere, Steven, who had been invisible, appeared and slashed the Grayback's chest with his dagger.

"Eily!" Steven called.

Eily stepped forward, holding her staff. "Burn," she said softly in a monotone voice.

The Grayback screamed as it burned to ashes.

Since four party members had participated in slaying the Grayback, five Grayback Toenails dropped from the spot where its ashes remained.

But because there were four of them, they had to share the small amount of experience points the Grayback gave.

"I'm sick of fighting this stupid giant monkey over and over again," Eily said, pouting.

"Don't worry. Give us less than a week, and we'll be moving down to Floor 34 in no time." Steven raised his thumb. "Right, Cynthia?"

Cynthia, who was healing Desmond, glanced at Steven. "I heard leveling up from this point will be much harder."

"Don't say that! I'm going to lose the very little motivation I have." Steven lay down on the grassy floor.

Desmond chuckled while listening to their conversation, but his gaze shifted to Eily.

She was standing still, but her eyes were filled with concern, constantly looking back as if keeping watch for something.

"Is there a problem, Eily? I've noticed you've been very anxious lately. That's not the Eily we know," Desmond said.

Both Cynthia and Steven looked at Eily.

Eily sighed. "It's nothing... it's just..."

"It's just?" Steven asked with concern.

"I feel like something is off. I don't know what it is, but I feel like something is happening around us that will affect us soon... I just can't figure it out."

Steven laughed. "Then don't." He stood up and smiled at Eily. "Don't figure it out. Just let it be. If it affects us, then it does. And when that problem finally shows up to mess with us..." He flexed his arm. "We'll face it together—"

Their conversation stopped when the cries of countless Graybacks echoed across the area.

The next thing the party knew, they were already watching a stampede of giant gorilla monsters running for their lives—fleeing from something very dangerous.

A silhouette emerged from the shadows of the forest trees. Steven, Cynthia, Desmond, and Eily could only stare at the approaching figure.

What appeared was a man covered in various equipment from the floor bosses. He was tall and well-built.

Wrapped in a cloak, mask, and armor, the stranger approached. His red, glowing eyes twitched as if filled with excitement.

[Native.]

"A native?" Desmond muttered, instinctively stepping forward while staying on guard. "What's with that aura? It's so thick that the air around him seems to distort. Did this guy put all his stats into Charisma?"

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"Be careful, Desmond. I can feel his killing intent," Steven warned.

Desmond kept his stance firm. "Good day, my friend. What brings you to our humble party? Do you have business with us?"

"The fact that I found you all on the 33rd floor means you're still level 33. You've only leveled up once since we last met? Not gonna lie, that's a little disappointing."

The stranger's aggressive, baritone voice echoed from behind his mask. There was a hint of suppressed sadism in his tone.

Steven stepped forward with his usual gentle smile. "Oh, an acquaintance of ours? I'm sorry, but may I know who you are?"

"My apologies. Where are my manners?"

The stranger pulled back his hood, revealing his face.

"Maybe now you'll recognize me."

He removed his mask.

A familiar face appeared, smiling gently with pure happiness.

Cynthia, Steven, Desmond, and Eily stared in shock.

The last champion of a defeated goddess—the one they believed to be dead—was standing right in front of them.

He looked different from before, but traces of his former appearance remained, especially his kind, gentle smile.

"Granger..." All four of them said at once.

Granger chuckled. "I'm glad you still remember me." His smile grew wider, but then it slowly twisted into something sinister. "It's been a while... my friends."

Desmond raised his sword and shield.

Steven gripped his dagger.

Cynthia activated buffs and prepared her healing spell.

Eily was immediately covered by her party members. She took a little longer to react, still frozen in shock.

The cause of her nightmares—standing right in front of her.

"Yeah, it's been a while, Granger. I'm glad to see you're alive," Steven said cautiously. "It seems you've found yourself a reliable party. Especially with all that loot... Are they going to ambush us?"

Granger scoffed. "The thing is..."

He put his mask back on and pulled out two swords.

"I don't have a party."

•••••

NAME: Granger Reiner.

PATRON: None.

ASCENSION RANK: Weak.

LEVEL: 36/40.

NEXT ASCENSION: Level 100.

[STATUS]

HP: 3800/3800

MP: 3700/3700

[STAT POINTS]

STRENGTH: 38

CONSTITUTION: 38

INTELLIGENCE: 37

DEXTERITY: 36

AGILITY: 36

CHARISMA: 28

AVAILABLE STAT POINTS: 0

[Abilities]

SKILL:

°RULE BREAKER°

°WEAK BARRIER°

HP: 40% of the user's HP.

RANGE: 4 Meter Radius.

[Barrier Special Effects]

—WEAK—

ACTIVE: Pulse Wave, Barrier Blink, Explosive Blast, Barrier Shift, Impaling Bastion, Barrier Javelin.

PASSIVE: Healing Barrier, Mana Shield Conversion,

AVAILABLE SPECIAL EFFECT: 0

•••••