My Skills Can Evolve Infinitely in a Game-Like World

Chapter 43: Divine Descent Ceremony & Rank Advancement Ritual

Bang! Bang! Bang!

For a moment, the Priest’s screams were drowned out.

The only sound within the underground chamber was that of a gun shooting, as bullet after bullet was unleashed and tore into his body.

Every time one landed, the impact would tear through his body.

Flesh and blood would scatter in all directions as he exploded from within.

When the sixth bullet landed, Priest Mayin’s body was no longer able to withstand it.

The Sacred Flames were already tracing across his body, devouring him from the inside.

Now, following the several shots, his condition had taken a turn for the worse.

Only moments later...

Bang!

His body exploded!

Not just a part of him. His entire body exploded.

Like a balloon, he first expanded before bursting with a thunderous bang!

The power of shadows rioted upon his death.

The tendrils that had been surrounding him all this while surged, lashing out at everything around them.

The situation seemed similar to when the Fireball had engulfed him earlier.

But this time, Aurelius was not as worried as before.

The notification before him had already revealed everything.

"Killed Level 23 Dark Apostle. EXP +3500."

"Ding!"

"The Player has killed his first Rank 2 Awakener. The Experience reward is doubled."

"Bonus EXP +3500."

The notification was like music to Aurelius’ ears.

It meant that everything was over.

Homer’s final gift, a mechanical gun that could unleash six extraordinary bullets, had ended everything.

Or at the very least, this was what Aurelius thought.

For only a second, though.

Because shortly after, several more notifications arrived.

"Killed Level 26 Medusa’s Gaze. EXP +4000."

Accompanying this notification was the sound of stone cracking.

When Aurelius snapped back to reality and looked toward the source of the noise, he discovered that the shadows in the room had long since vanished.

In their place was what little remained of Priest Mayin, as well as thousands of tiny stone fragments.

They seemed to belong to the mask the Priest had been wearing.

However, their existence was not what made Aurelius’ expression change. Rather, it was that these fragments quickly dissolved.

Transforming into a gray light, they slowly descended until they sank into the floor and merged with the serpents writhing along its surface.

Nothing changed at first.

But only a heartbeat later, thousands of overlapping snake hisses echoed throughout the room.

They blended together to create a terrifying chorus.

Then...

Bang!

An overwhelming force descended upon the room, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

Aurelius noticed that the Dark Apostle’s remains were swallowed by the mysterious patterns beneath his feet, causing their brilliance to grow even brighter.

As though the Priest was serving as fuel, or an anchor for the unknown power to arrive, the serpent patterns began revolving faster.

The descending force only became even more powerful.

So strong, in fact, that Aurelius found it impossible to resist.

Even remaining upright was a tremendous challenge, much less moving or fighting back.

At first, Aurelius was stunned, unable to comprehend what was happening.

But only a moment later, the Player Panel let him know—though it was a mystery whether this news was a good or a bad thing.

"Mission—Sunless Sect (2) has been completed."

"..."

"Mission—Sunless Sect (Final) has been issued: In a series of coincidences, the power of the Lost Sun was called upon, bringing forth His descent."

"Mission: Interfere with the Divine Descent Ceremony or kill the Lost Sun’s Divine Incarnation."

Divine Descent Ceremony.

Lost Sun.

Divine Incarnation.

Several terms emerged, immediately letting Aurelius know that this situation was not something he could afford to get involved in.

He didn’t know what a Divine Incarnation entailed. However, he understood that the Lost Sun was the deity the Sunless Sect believed in.

It was not a powerful Awakener or a mere concept, but a true, living God!

Although Aurelius’ strength had skyrocketed over the past few days, he hadn’t become blinded by his newfound power.

He knew he was still an ordinary Rank 1 Awakener.

He stood no chance against such a being.

Flee!

This was the decision Aurelius immediately made, though he first had to deal with another matter.

He had to find a way to move.

As his mind raced to think of ways to do so, he soon had an idea.

Without hesitation, he summoned the Player Panel.

Then, without caring about the cost, he poured the tens of thousands of Experience points he had just obtained into his Arcanist Class.

At an incredible speed, the Mythical Class was upgraded again and again.

[You’ve reached Level 14.]

[You’ve gained: INT +3, STR +1, AGI +1, VIT +1]

[Level 15...]

[Level 17...]

[Level 19...]

With each upgrade and enhancement of his Base Stats, part of the force locking him in place was removed.

By the time he reached Level 19, Aurelius found himself able to move.

Yet just as Aurelius poured his last bit of Experience into the Arcanist Class and was about to turn around and escape, something suddenly changed.

[You’ve reached Level 20.]

[You’ve reached the basic requirement for advancing to Rank 2.]

[Arcanist Advancement Ritual Option 1: Kill a Rank 4 Awakener.]

[Arcanist Advancement Ritual Option 2: Swallow the remains of a Rank 9 Dragon.]

[Arcanist Advancement Ritual Option 3: Absorb a trace of a Deity’s Divinity.]

[Ding! A suitable environment has been detected. Do you wish to commence Advancement Ritual Option 3?]

Aurelius was stunned.

The many twists and turns had made him unable to process what was happening.

He knew what an Advancement Ritual was, and he had long guessed that it would appear in such a form due to the Player Template.

But the three mentioned Advancement Rituals left him speechless.

How could a Rank 1 Arcanist possibly kill a Rank 4 Awakener or find the remains of a Dragon, much less come into contact with a trace of Divinity?

No wonder this Mythical Class had long gone extinct.

How was anyone supposed to complete these rituals and advance?

Although countless complaints were racing through his mind, Aurelius didn’t hesitate.

This was perhaps his only chance to complete any of them.

Once he escaped, he would likely never have such an opportunity again.

More importantly...

’Perhaps this is a chance to stop the Divine Descent Ceremony...’

With that thought, Aurelius focused on the last question. After softly muttering "Yes" inside his mind, he watched as the notifications slowly vanished.

In the real world, the descending force suddenly halted.

A distant, far-away scream rang out. Then darkness.