Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

Chapter 623: Cursed By Carnage



With a deep exhale, Kieran tried calming his thoughts as best he could.

The Imprints and their true effects always tickled the back of his mind in a way he couldn't scratch. The Trial had interrupted his opportunity, and by the time he came out, the Imprints were the last thing he worried about.

Too much had changed around him, and he required grounding before his mental state could take additional shocks. And given Agatha's grim, cautionary tone when speaking about them, Kieran assumed it was either quite severe or profound enough to boggle his mind.

After gaining some direction and relying on his allies to relieve some of the burdens and concerns he shouldered, Kieran was ready to learn more about Imprint - as much as his current attainments could discern and comprehend.

Kieran gave the mental prompt, which brought up his Character Panel. However, he did not know where the Imprints would show, so he moved over to the [Equipment] tab, where the sub-category [Enchantments] had been added.

After all, Imprints were merely specialized and well-crafted enchantments that went beyond what their regular counterparts could attain. There, Kieran found all of the Imprints listed.

He first wanted to confirm a suspicion he had. The Imprint of Might seemed slightly changed... or rather, it had become unfettered by borrowing from the unrestricted flow of his two other Imprints.

There were stark changes in what the Imprint did for him. And the changes reflected the rank - Legendary — that it had been given.

Item Name: Imprint of Might

Item Rank: Legendary

Item Type: Enchantment (Body)

Item Description: Might is merely a fraction of a whole, but it is the beginning, and therefore, it can't be denied, discarded, or ignored. It is the impetus of those who seek to Ascend and stimulus of great beings. All things desire might, yet not all are worthy of its regal touch. Beware, those who wield might are not all created equal; those who know valor know its true value.

Enchantments: [Might], [August], [Valor].

Tilting his head at the Imprint's changed, more abstruse description, Kieran felt that it was no longer describing a simple item but rather something much greater. The caution, praise, and pride conveyed in the message made Kieran feel emotions he didn't quite understand.

Perhaps the words themselves carried a hypnotic and moving force.

"It is the impetus of those who seek to Ascend... and stimulus of great beings," Kieran muttered quietly.

Out of all the lines, the resonated the most with him and left a deep impression. Many things could be an impetus, and for that reason, it had Kieran guessing - was it a force? Or perhaps a presence? Or maybe even an energy like Aether.

'Hm.'

Kieran hummed and focused on the description with burning skepticism. 'Why is valor a focus? Might and valor go hand-in-hand? Strange.'

Shaking his head, Kieran set the questions and thoughts aside, moving his attention to the enchantments, which he learned through experience and by studying the hints Agatha left - imparted qualities directly unto a Disciplined based on the kind of Imprint it was.

[Might]: You are a brimming vessel of might, bearing strength and presence that is harder to influence. (If previously untapped, the Hidden Attribute Might is awakened and increased by 4 points.)

[August]: You know might, and those who know might understand their place. Their presence is staggering and felt by all those who would regard you.

[Valor]: When your might is tested by insurmountable challenge, torturous hardship, and grueling battle, valor is the answer. Its exuberance shall spring to life and carry you forth.

"Oh," Kieran remarked in surprise.

Somehow, this entire Imprint now reminded him of...

"Doesn't it seem like part of this Imprint is related to Warwrought? Huh... I wonder how much of a role this played in me getting my Path. Surely there's some link there."

If not the entire Imprint, at least its [Valor] Enchantment echoed some of its principles.

The description sounded as if it wanted Kieran to look to courage and have faith in himself, which seemed odd considering it was a Body Enchantment and should not be related to his mental state.

At least, Kieran assumed there should be no connection.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Maybe he was misunderstanding the cryptic information.

Nevertheless, the points of Might would likely be invaluable in the future as they would assist

the gains from his Unique Path, amongst other things.

Afterward, Kieran looked to the Imprint of Tenacity.

Item Name: Imprint of Tenacity

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Enchantments: [Marked], [Tireless], [Significant], [Resilient], [Fortified].

Without pausing, Kieran expanded the necessary information.

[Marked]: You are marked, you are Tenacious. You hold their Significance and are now

beholden to its oath. The strands of their unsung fate entwine yours.

[Tireless]: The Tenacious were known by many names, and among them were the Tireless, those who seemed to never be weary. (Stamina expenditure is greatly reduced, and the effects vary based on the Disciplined's Tier and Awakened Body.)

[Significant]: The Tenacious were ordered to be significant, compelled to bear an undeniable presence. You attract and repulse, push and pull, and that law is inescapable.

[Resilient]: You have been imprinted with nonpareil resilience, greatly increasing your ability to endure. (If untapped, Hidden Attribute Resilience will be awakened and increased by 2

points.)

[Fortified]: The Tenacious were forced to endure, but those feats were not easily achieved. (The Hidden Attribute Constitution is increased by 2 points.)

Nodding slowly, Kieran dismissed the Imprint of Tenacity.

It was impossible to tell if he was shocked, given his lack of expression. It wasn't the first time Kieran saw hints of the enchantments, so he had time to speculate their effects before.

Aside from the eerie and somewhat concerning [Marked], the descriptions weren't much of a

surprise.

It was almost foreboding in a sense but also painfully obvious. The Imprints came from the Lineage of Ancient Wisdom, who were influenced by two Endless - Eni and the Hecate.

That said, why wouldn't the Imprint mention fate?

However, Kieran felt it was more prudent to ask who the hell the Tenacious were.

Assuming that each of the enchantments represented a trait of the Tenacious, they seemed like beings created solely to endure and carry out someone else's will.

Perhaps a puppet... or a slave, even.

Kieran shuddered at the thought.

Luckily, being a puppet or slave wasn't the only option to explain the enchantments. For

example, one of Kieran's Titles was the Tenacious Warrior.

Which again felt strangely close to another parallel.

'What the hell?'

Kieran groaned with a rueful smile before looking at the Imprint he was most wary of... the

Imprint of Carnage.

Unlike the rest, it was formed through unrefined methods, yet it attained a status similar to

the rest.

Item Name: Imprint of Carnage

Item Rank: Greater Legendary

Item Type: Enchantment (Mind/Spirit)

Item Description: Carnage is an incurable pestilence and as old as time itself. No one is safe

from its infectious allure, for even the Gods fell to its temptation. Its whispers offer unmatched liberation that the mind and soul inherently crave. Try to escape... only to fail

beautifully as everyone once did.

Enchantment: [Cursed by Carnage].

'Oh wow...'

This Imprint was nothing like the rest, proven by the taunting, sinister tone of the description

and the singular effect that loomed before Kieran's eyes like a bloody, mocking

condemnation.

And when he read the effect of that curse... he grimaced with a wan smile filled with poignant

misery.