The Ultimate Support Character

Chapter 601 Changes in the New Era

Article: Pathways Online has a max level and graduation? Levatus announced an official naming convention to be used outside the game.

It isn't a secret anymore that the sensational game Pathways Online can make people get stronger by playing it. More than a month ago when it was initially launched, only a million units had been distributed. Those million players who got a headstart began sharing the changes in their bodies once they logged out or reached the limit of their playtime.

Some called it the Awakening of Superpowers or something along the lines of that. But upon days of evidence turning up on the internet, the collective agreement among the players called it Treading into the Ability Pathway– from the name of the game itself.

Players who reach Level 2 will unlock a Special Ability that is randomly generated. Or not? Apparently, it isn't random but it depends on every person's aptitude. In other words, it's in one's genetics.

One of the top players who continues dominating the top rankings to this day has unlocked a Special Ability called Fire Aura which was given the moniker of Lady Phoenix. In an exclusive interview, each subsequent level after 2 grants an upgrade to the ability. By now, her Fire Aura has evolved to Fire Armor upon reaching Level 4.

Not only that, it was revealed that Level 4 gives the players the ability to fly, be it in the game or real life.

How was that, superhumans? The time is now!

Now that we're done with that to refresh everyone's memories, let's move on to the main topic.

Max Level? Graduation?

Today, through a press conference and a special announcement on their homepage, Levatus informed the public about those two important things.

Level 5 is the current max level. Once a Player reaches it, they're eligible for graduation.

What is a Graduation? It means you've already exhausted the current content of the game. And to provide fairness for other early players and those who have yet to start, you'll have to sit out until new content has been added.

Fear not! By reaching Level 5, it means you're already an elite even in the real world.

Levatus has prepared a special ceremony with monetary rewards and gives you a choice.

What choice?

To become a member of the Earth's Defense Army!

That's right.

We all know what kind of organization it is. We have been informed about it for the past month.

We have already entered a new era. We're not alone in this wide universe.

Even now, the Defense Army has been protecting us against alien invaders.

Ask yourself. What can you do with the power you receive from the game?

Worry not. This is not virtue signaling. Your Path will still be decided by your own choices.

Moving on. The second part of Levatus' announcement and as you may have guessed, this is also endorsed by the Earth's Defense Army.

The official naming convention to be used outside the game which corresponds to your current status.

Superhuman Pathway.

Level 1: Enhanced Realm

Level 2: Awakened Realm

Level 3: Transformed Realm

Level 4: Evolved Realm

Level 5: Perfected Realm

Will there be a Level 6? The short answer to that is YES. For questions related to it, it is best to hold back your curiosity for now and focus on playing the game and leveling up to graduate.

Graduates will be given the privilege to access information about it.

What are you waiting for? Go and get your copy of the Full Immersion Chamber and become a superhuman!

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As I finished reading that article published in different languages all around the world, I couldn't help but shake my head.

Is it too early to reveal all that to them? No. Not really.

It's for the general populace and not just for those playing the game.

Natural Adapters who started treading the Mortal Pathway were already a thing even before the release of the game. But it was proven easier to grow stronger through playing it, many of them also went to dive into the game.

In a way, Pathways Online might not just become a simple game to kickstart the Earthlings. It may as well be the general route for every denizen of this world.

Yeah. It is far from what I originally envisioned but upon seeing the data provided by Polaris, it's not far-fetched to continue developing the game while keeping that in mind.

It is an easy and safe space to produce Rank 5 Mortals or maybe Transcendents too. Not only that, it can also provide everyone with combat experience.

Of course, the realism and immersion should be adjusted to prepare them for the real thing.

As for the possible dissension and appearance of terrorists who will naively think they're already strong enough to take the world for themselves, we can just establish a World Police to nip them in the bud.

Naturally, as our world continues to progress, conflicts will be inevitable. Whether countries can continue existing or they will be replaced by various factions, it's still up in the air.

In any case, I'll have less involvement with it. It's now up to the old fossils and EDA to continue managing the world while my focus will be set on regaining my previous attainment.

We're just starting and we're not safe yet as long as Overworld Serpent and Celestial Garden continue to exist.

"Dai-kun. We're ready."

Yuko's voice brought me back to reality. She's been silently sitting next to me while also reading that article.

It's been three days since our return and the sly old man messaged us that the white-haired woman had finally awakened.

During these past three days, we busied ourselves with the affairs of the world and also visited the Mortal Worlds connected to Earth.

I went to see Lexie and gave her the data I promised. Of course, as my Companion, I also took the chance to spend time with her.

We got some Metagens and Powergens to use but they're still in the standard of a Mortal World but that's enough, I guess? Nysia also took those three days to work on merging her Sanguine Aegis with the Thorny Queen turning it to the Queen Aegis. She wanted to call it Thorny Aegis but the other girls stopped her. Our naming sense is truly at the same level.

Anyways. Using the data from merging those two, the technology of Metagen will possibly get a quicker development even without scanning the information I gave Lexie.

I mean, the Thorny Queen was supposed to be the strongest Framegear from that granny's world. Hence, it's already sufficient for them to use its data.

I also visited Ophelia which the woman felt grateful for. She's been doing fine and by spending the night in her quarters, we got a little closer.

Of course, it's not to the point of becoming romantically involved yet, we just talked about our experiences in our journey and slept next to each other.

Lastly, I also took my time to check on Ele who gave me a warm and joyous welcome. Why? The World of Elemental's progress is already 95%.

It might be possible for it to reach the threshold once I use the Source Energy for our progress. When that happens, Earth will probably benefit as well.

And the fact that the Elemental-type Source Energy we assimilated will become Level 2.

Fleur, Sofiel and everyone who assimilated it will also receive the same benefit.

"Alright. Let's go and finish what we're here for."

I stood up and walked over Yuko, Fleur and Yse.

Our destination?

The Earth's Source Energy Core.