Awakening：The Infinite Evolution of My Talent as a Low-Level Awakener

The BOSS's cloud-like body contorted, emitting sharp spikes!

The Shadow of Hatred transformed into a storming black cloud, sweeping over the player team. In less than half a second, everyone turned into ash-gray skeletons!

The BOSS then ascended back into the sky, showing no intention of continuing the attack.

"Why did that happen?"

"Didn't Spike already draw its aggro?"

"Ugh!!"

"Wait, why do I feel fine?"

"Yeah, it doesn't hurt at all. Why was I screaming just now?"

The players were initially stunned. However, Sterl watched in horror as an eerie scene unfolded. The BOSS's attack was so fast that while the players were still running, their bodies began to disintegrate, gradually turning into skeletal remains before completely dying off!

It was a gruesome sight!

Despite the horror, Sterl felt a surge of excitement.

Stardust Enhancement activated! Power doubled! [Star Point Finger]!

He didn't understand why the boss insisted on bypassing him to kill other players. He could only guess that it might be the Malice of the World targeting them.

Perhaps the BOSS prioritizes fleeing targets. But as the Shadow of Hatred finished its attack, Sterl was ready and waiting. He unleashed his ultimate move!

The golden-tier skill transformed into a streak of light, hitting the target instantly!

Despite the BOSS's thick health bar, a glowing dot appeared on the Shadow of Hatred. An agonizing surge of pain followed! The cloud-like body seemed as if it were being torn apart!

Seizing the opportunity, Sterl activated his second golden-tier skill, [Divine Flame Drive].

A colorful blaze erupted from him. While this skill didn't have the explosive power of Star Point Finger, it had a significant advantage: it boosted Sterl's speed.

Thus, previously just a step slower, Sterl now surged forward with the flames propelling him!

He grabbed onto the Shadow of Hatred's body and plunged into the black mist! The rainbow flames burned fiercely, devouring the BOSS's life force.

Due to the damage from Star Point Finger, the Shadow of Hatred was still in a stunned state, unable to retaliate.

From a distance, one could see the originally dark cloud starting to glow, becoming increasingly bright and dazzling!

Of course, Sterl's actions seemed complex, but in reality, everything was over within a second.

As the Shadow of Hatred began to recover from its stunned state, Sterl rapidly activated Bloody Rush and the teleportation effect of Celestial Domain, retreating far away! The flames surrounding him dissipated.

The Shadow of Hatred, ready to counterattack, transformed into a blade-like shadow, breaking the sound barrier with a loud boom as it dashed toward Sterl!

But halfway through its attack, an intense burst of light and flame erupted from within its body, scattering in all directions like popcorn kernels exploding! The pitch-black cloud dispersed, revealing an empty cavity scorched by rainbow flames.

The Shadow of Hatred, shot down!

Even though this seamless combo inflicted severe damage on the formidable BOSS, it was still far from dead.

Sterl remained calm, slightly panting. He hadn't used [Divine Flame Drive] for an initial speed boost because there were still other players nearby.

According to Sterl's initial plan, he intended to operate under the identity of Constantine in The Netherworld.

However, due to his prior arrangement with Faye and her genuine treatment of him, Sterl decided to save the "David" identity for later use, so he didn't want anyone to see his [Divine Flame Drive].

But since the players had already been wiped out by the BOSS, it didn't matter anymore.

Sterl's thoughts raced as he focused on replenishing his energy. The back-to-back use of golden-tier ultimates had drained him significantly, and even using energy restoration potions would take some time to refill his energy bar.

Sterl's head throbbed with pain, and he had no choice but to take a brief rest. After all, his level was theoretically far from being able to cast golden-tier skills.

Nonetheless, Sterl's recovery speed was still faster than the Shadow of Hatred's ability to regroup its form.

As the pitch-black cloud reformed, Sterl reappeared right in front of it.

[Star Point Finger]!

A tiny beam of light pierced through everything.

The shadowy form of the BOSS convulsed like boiling water, but its life force was already exhausted.

The once all-encompassing darkness turned gray and white, slowly dissipating into ash, leaving behind a brilliant golden orb that fell into Sterl's hand.

This immensely powerful entity had only withstood three moves before meeting its end!

The Shadow of Hatred died a most inglorious death. As a rare speed-type BOSS, it would normally spell certain doom for any opponent.

Only someone like Sterl, with his triple-S-grade talent and purple-quality accessories, could boost his agility close to 600 points and, combined with the [Bloody Rush] enhancement, engage the Shadow of Hatred in combat.

For other players, even with high stats, being outsped by this BOSS meant they could only hope to survive, not defeat it!

And with the world's consciousness empowering it, the Shadow of Hatred would relentlessly hunt players to the bitter end.

To put it bluntly, encountering this BOSS was like stepping in shit—it was highly likely to frustrate someone to death!

Just as Sterl was about to check the BOSS's loot, a notification from the [Transcendence] system appeared before him.

"You have defeated a formidable enemy. Would you like to upload your score?"

"This visit to The Netherworld has initiated a large-scale multiplayer mission: the leaderboard is now active."

"Top rank on the leaderboard will receive an additional 10,000 points of Dark Moon Alliance contribution."

"Top three on the leaderboard will receive an additional 5,000 points of Dark Moon Alliance contribution."

"Top ten on the leaderboard will receive..."

"Each player can only receive one tier of rewards."

Sterl understood the system's intent. Essentially, higher scores would yield additional rewards.

He thought for a moment and chose "No" without hesitation.

Sterl had always suspected that Gloria's elaborate scheming had a significant motive.

Both Richard and the goddess herself were likely focused on The Netherworld.

If Sterl uploaded his score, the leaderboard—though visible only to players through the mission system—could be monitored in real-time by the Dark Moon Alliance if they deployed a few loyal players into The Netherworld.

Sterl believed that revealing his capability to solo a BOSS-level entity would only attract unwanted attention, possibly even from deities.

His cautious nature led him to forgo the contribution points.

However, to Sterl's pleasant surprise:

"Points have been saved and can be uploaded at any time."

The [Transcendence] system was indeed quite considerate.

"That means I can upload all my points just before leaving The Netherworld, claim my rewards, and then 'David' can disappear for good..." he planned.

---

At this moment, in the Netherworld, the Moonfall Gorge.

This place is a desolate area within the Netherworld, rarely visited by the local inhabitants.

At the bottom of the gorge lies a long, narrow pool of water, separated by two steep cliffs. Due to its unique terrain, the water in the pool is extremely cold and frigid. Even a slight touch would make a person shiver uncontrollably.

Surrounding the pool are some light blue, peculiar flowerbeds, and ice-blue fish swimming within the cold waters.

Normally, this serene area would remain undisturbed, but now an unexpected guest had arrived—a young girl dressed in a water-blue robe, holding a staff, and walking barefoot.

What was particularly astonishing was that she walked effortlessly on the surface of the water, moving slowly forward. If any of The Netherworld's natives saw this scene, they would be utterly terrified.

Because around the girl were more than ten ice-blue-skinned monsters, with arms shaped like blades.

These were the feared creatures of Moonfall Gorge, known as [Frost Dual Blades]. Each one was a second-class elite with a level close to 100.

In the Netherworld, even the mightiest warriors would need two or three people to handle just one of these creatures.

Yet at this moment, it appeared that the girl had effortlessly dealt with over a dozen [Frost Dual Blades] on her own!

"Ancestor, we seem to be almost there." the girl, Faye, said. Her emotions were complex—partly relieved and partly regretful.

She was relieved because her arrival point was close to Moonfall Gorge, making it easy to reach her destination.

However, she felt regret because the sensor in her hand showed no sign of David nearby. He was likely still under the control of the Dark Moon Goddess.

With such a constraint, no matter how powerful David was, he would still be at risk of falling!

In her mind, Felicia's voice interrupted her thoughts: "We have finally arrived."

"There should be three portions of Netherworld Water in the Netherworld."

"You only need to use one to refine your talent and profession, upgrading them to an enhanced S-grade."

"While it won't be as strong as SS-grade, the difference isn't significant."

Felicia was in high spirits. An extreme-quality double-S player already had the potential to ascend to godhood.

As for double-SS players, even during her time as a demigod wandering the Vastor continent, Felicia had only ever seen one person reach that level.

That individual later ascended effortlessly with four divine roles: Sun, Flame, Planting, and Hunting—two more than Gloria's Shadow and Moon!

Such a person could be considered a favorite of the entire [Transcendence] game world. Felicia believed her excellent student didn't need to compare herself to that individual.

Seeing her plan progressing smoothly, Felicia was already quite content.

Hearing this, Faye couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement in her eyes. Who could refuse the allure of a powerful profession and talent?

Normally calm and composed, even she felt a twinge of impatience.