Chapter 16
It wasn’t the first time I had received a main scenario quest.
Honestly, I was the only one who completed all the main scenario quests in First. I practically led the story of First by myself.
But most of those main scenario quests had something in common.
And that was—
‘Most of them were linked quests, and the starting ones were usually Hero-grade.’
That’s right—quest grades.
Most were Hero-grade, but there were also some that started at a lower level and gradually scaled up in grade and narrative importance, eventually becoming key parts of the main storyline.
But the one I’d just received?
‘It’s Epic-grade from the very beginning?’
Yes. Epic-grade.
If this quest scales up further as I proceed with it…
Even just two steps higher, and I could be looking at a Myth-grade quest—the highest tier possible.
‘This isn’t just a main scenario quest anymore.’
Normally, main scenario quests follow a pre-written narrative within the game.
But Myth-grade main scenario quests are different. They’re powerful enough that a player’s decisions can directly influence the direction of the game world itself.
And to think that I’d receive such a quest here—of all places, in the Starting City.
Even I hadn’t imagined this was possible.
So, naturally, my answer was—
“Understood! Leave it to me!”
“Oho! I like that enthusiasm! Keep it up! If you investigate the Signs of Great Evil, you might uncover the true power of the ‘All Master.’”
“Yes, sir!”
Of course I accepted.
There was no reason to turn down a main scenario quest.
Based on my experience with First, just following the main storyline would grant me tremendous power and wealth.
“The Signs of Great Evil lie in the ‘Fallen Altars.’”
“Can you tell me where to find them?”
“‘Fallen Altars’ do not refer to one single location. They are altars that once worshipped dark gods, destroyed in the distant past.”
“Altars of dark gods…”
“Because it’s such ancient history, there’s very little information left. However, through astrology, we’ve confirmed that signs of the fallen dark gods are reawakening.”
“In that case…”
“It won’t be long before their emergence begins. You should investigate the fallen altars and wait for the right moment.”
Fallen Altars.
Fallen Dark Gods.
The awakening of evil.
As I listened carefully to the class change advisor, a certain memory stirred in my mind.
But I wasn’t sure—was it really what he was talking about?
Then, the advisor added a final hint:
“From what we’ve discovered through astrology, the first awakening is happening at the Black Star.”
The moment he said that—
One of the pieces of information swirling in my mind aligned with that last hint.
I carefully brought it up.
“Advisor.”
“Go ahead. I’ll help however I can.”
“By any chance… Among those fallen dark gods, was there one called the ‘Black Insect God’?”
“Oh? How did you know? Yes, you’re correct. I didn’t mention it earlier because I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to cause unnecessary confusion, but I too suspect that the Black Star marks the awakening of the ‘Black Insect God.’”
The class change advisor nodded as he answered.
Exactly as I thought.
The first location for the unfolding main scenario quest, the Fallen Altar…
That place was none other than what was once called the Altar of the Black Insect God in First.
And that place…
‘Was destroyed by me.’
It was the altar of a forgotten god that I personally brought down in First.
* * *
After completing the class change, I left the Class Change Hall.
I had reached the level cap of 10 for the Starting City and completed my class change.
That fulfilled all the graduation requirements.
So—was it time to leave the Starting City?
No.
One final, crucial task remained:
‘The Graduation Exam.’
I turned my head and spotted a massive tower.
Not the Class Change Hall, but another tower standing beside it—
The Tower of Beginnings.
As I made my way there, I overheard the voices of other players who had also just completed their class change and were heading toward the tower.
“Finally, graduation!”
“That’s the end of the tutorial. I bet we’ll see real monsters in the next city!”
“Obviously! Gotta upgrade this gear too—can’t be wearing newbie gear forever!”
Exactly.
The Tower of Beginnings, also called the Graduation Exam, is the final condition to leave the Starting City and proceed to the next.
Only by passing the Trial within the tower can one qualify to move on.
That’s why the Starting City is known as the tutorial zone, and the Tower of Beginnings is called the Graduation Exam.
“Still, don’t get too cocky. Some people fail the graduation exam.”
“Please. There are walkthroughs for every stage. What could possibly go wrong?”
It’s already been two years since Second launched.
Countless players have cleared the Tower of Beginnings, and so its strategies are widely known.
Unless someone’s so afraid of monsters they can’t even swing a weapon, most people can pass.
The only issue is—
“We should at least aim for a B-rank!”
“You think that’s easy? You have to finish the whole thing in under 20 minutes for that!”
“I’ve watched the guides a dozen times! I even practiced on slimes! I might even get an A-rank!”
“Delusional. A-rankers are top-tier—giant guilds recruit them on the spot. You think you’re one of them?”
“You’re seriously underestimating me! I’m no joke!”
“Uh-huh, says the guy who died twice to slimes and took over a week to escape the Starting City~”
“That was bad luck, okay?!”
Ranking.
After the trial, you receive a score based on various factors.
The higher the rank, the better the rewards—and the more your skills are recognized once you leave the Starting City.
In the next city, major guilds approach newbies to recruit them, and the first thing they check?
Your trial rank.
Those with A-rank or higher even get scouted by the top five mega guilds in Second.
Of course, even then, you’re usually brought in as an intern and have to prove yourself through further testing before becoming a full member.
‘I remember trying really hard to get a high rank too.’
Of course, First also had a Tower of Beginnings.
Since I explored every aspect of First to its limits, I did everything possible to get the highest rank in that tower.
And if—just if—the Tower of Beginnings in Second is the same as what I remember…
Then maybe, no—surely, I can get an even higher rank this time.
With that thought, I picked up my pace toward the tower.
And along the way—
“Luke, can you show me the best equipment available for my level?”
– “Shall I recommend gear for level 10, Master?”
“No, show me stuff for ten levels above me. From now on, consider that as my level standard.”
– “Understood, Master.”
All Master’s first ability: Universal Compatibility.
It relaxes level restrictions on all equipment.
So even though I was only level 10, I could equip level 20 gear.
Luke brought up various options that matched my request, and from those—
“This one looks good.”
I chose a piece of equipment that stood out.
As soon as I made my choice, Luke nodded and black flames wrapped around my body.
When the flames receded, I was wearing shining armor.
That equipment was—
[Armor of the Young Hero – Chest]
(Non-tradeable)
Type: Armor
Grade: Hero
Requirement: Level 20+, All Stats 30+
Description: Armor once worn by a young hero with boundless potential despite his youth.
It was part of a Hero-grade set known as the Young Hero Set.
Not exactly a popular item.
The problem was its stat requirements.
All stats had to be at least 30.
To meet that, a player had to evenly distribute all level-up points across five stats until level 20.
It’s a well-balanced item that boosts all stats and helps with skill proficiency—but in exchange, it doesn’t particularly excel in any one area.
Still—
‘For me, it’s perfect.’
I am the All Master.
Whether it’s strength-based swords, agility-based bows, stamina-based melee, or intelligence and wisdom for magic…
I’ll be using all of them.
So a balanced gear set like this was ideal for me.
After equipping the full Young Hero Set:
[You have equipped all 5 pieces of the ‘Young Hero’ set.]
[Set bonus activated.]
[Young Hero: Increases all stats and skill levels.]
All five stats—Strength, Agility, Stamina, Intelligence, Wisdom—rose.
I didn’t have any skills yet, so the skill level bonus didn’t apply, but I had changed class, so learning new skills was only a matter of time.
There was just one problem after equipping the set:
“Whoa, who’s that guy?”
“His gear is insane.”
“What kind of armor is that?”
“There’s no way that’s starter zone gear. I’ve never seen it before.”
All eyes turned to me.
Back in First, there weren’t many players, so I never had to worry about this kind of attention.
But I should’ve expected it.
Who in their right mind wears a full Hero-grade set in a zone capped at level 10?
Even if no one recognized the Young Hero Set specifically, just the appearance was enough to draw attention.
Still, I couldn’t just wear beginner gear forever out of fear of standing out.
So I recalled a particular item:
“Luke, you still have the ‘Veil of Secrets,’ right?”
– “Of course, Master.”
Black flames wrapped around me once more.
A cloak draped over my shoulders.
At the same time, my Young Hero Set faded into shadow.
The Veil of Secrets.
It was an ‘overlay’ item.
It doesn’t boost stats or combat ability—but it hides your equipped armor’s appearance.
It’s often used to cover up ugly gear or just to stay low-profile.
The version I had, being Hero-grade, even negated identification spells like Appraisal.
Thanks to that, I was now shielded from curious onlookers.
Then—
Clack.
“Welcome to the Tower of Beginnings.”
The final gateway of the Starting City.
I pushed open the doors to the Tower of Beginnings.
