Minutes passed like hours as the journey dragged on, and by the time both Jonathan and Eliza were heading into the other side of the Swarmlands, their nerves were on edge. Only once they entered the concealing veil of insects, did Jonathan feel easy.
“That feels weird,” he observed. “Normally I’m either fighting my foes head on or running from them. Sneaking around isn’t exactly common in my life.”
”Says a lot about you,” Eliza replied. “When I lived in Telvaria, I had to run a lot, at least initially. My Outsider bonuses didn’t really start kicking in for a while.”
“Yeah. I had to make my way through the Hells at a very low level,” Jonathan explained. “Running would have worked for a bit, but without levels, I would have eventually died.” He smiled. “Though I still ran a lot. The first time I met Granath, I could barely scratch the worm. I had to run for my life.”
Eliza shook her head. “I’m still not sure how you did that. I wouldn’t have been able to kill a Circle Lord at the same level, at least then. Ostensibly, we had the same bonuses.”
”Your Divinity was sealed for a while. Malaxaria purposefully weakened you so that you could be a pawn. Now that you’re free, however, we can see about making you a force to be reckoned with.”
Eliza smiled at Jonathan, but her gaze lingered for a bit longer than necessary. So did his. Then they broke eye contact, and continued.
The Swarmlands passed by in a monotonous litany of the same sights. Or rather, no sights at all. Jonathan fought a few more of the Swarm Amalgams, most at a lower level to the one he had encountered earlier. Doing so brought him to the brink of Tier 5. All he needed was one more significant kill, and he would be there.
While doing so, he also plotted a course through the map, for when he came back to deal with the Great Farmer. He hadn’t learned where the Tier 5 region of the Greater Circle of Sloth was, whatever had come after the realm of Mire in the natural order of the Hells. Now that they were all merged, though, it was a different story.
The level caps were gone, and even the lowliest of Tier 5 monsters could eventually reach Tier 6. However, Jonathan now knew that he could deal with a weak Tier 6, if not with ease, then without much danger to himself. With that comforting thought in mind, he and Eliza finally stepped out of the Swarmlands.
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The land around was grey, a strange mixture of the different realms that were in confluence. Cessation’s dearth of life and beauty had begun to leak into the Great Farm, the fields desolate and barren, the soil leeched of all its life. In the distance a few lonely peaks stood, reminding Jonathan of his time in Cessation. They had been always present in the distance, but before he had ever been able to reach them, the realms had merged. Most likely, it was the domain of the Stillborn Hegemon.
”Do you think our target is still there?” Eliza asked. “And if he is, what should we do?”
”With my upgraded Divinity, I’m confident in my ability to defeat the Hegemon, as long as he hasn’t leveled up too much,” Jonathan replied. “However, I should probably try to reach Tier 5 myself first. That way, victory is basically assured.”
”What if he’s reached Tier 6?”
“I doubt that. Even I couldn't have done that, and I’m sure the Circle Lords have other concerns too.”
Eliza frowned. “We can’t know that. You didn’t get here by being rash. Let's level up first, as much as we can. You’ll be able to unlock a new Tartarus realm too.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Jonathan cracked his knuckles. “Tier 5 awaits.”
***
Cessation was as drab as Jonathan had remembered, but there was one good thing about it. There were plenty of roaming undead, and no hunters to cull their numbers. It was perfect for leveling.
It took him a mere three hours to gain enough essence to reach Tier 5. He chose his class promptly, not lingering any longer than he needed to.
Journeyman Elemental Juggernaut
Tier 5 Legendary Class
Most paths converge upon one eventual end, growing strong in their narrowness, but without versatility. You, on the other hand, have worlds opening to you with every decision you make. The realms of the physical world, the magical world and the Divine world are your playgrounds, and soon will be your domain.
+20 to all stats, +10 additional points.
You have reached Tier 5!
You have gained 200 points in each stat (accounting for multipliers).
Your body is naturally more durable, and able to use a greater fraction of your total strength.
You have gained 120 points in Divinity.
You now need a higher concentration of mana, proportional to your level. Current inhibition is 0%, as you are using Tier 11 mana to operate. Maximum inhibition is 75%.
You now have access to Tier 5 classes.
